Spotlight: Ibracadabra! Thursday 1 March, 2007
Football Italia rounds up the winners and the losers from Week 27 of the Serie A season
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The winners…
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter)
The flashes of brilliance we saw at Juventus have finally found a purpose and consistency with Inter and his backheel flick assist for Julio Cruz’s goal at Livorno was pure genius. With 12 goals he is the Nerazzurri’s top scorer and was simply inspirational when they went behind at the Stadio Picchi. Fans will be salivating at the thought of what the magician can do in the derby.
Christian Riganò (Messina)
In his first start in three months, the hitman scored a crucial brace in the fiery Sicilian showdown. As comebacks go, it’s a pretty good one. In case anyone was wondering how decisive a good striker can be for a relegation-threatened club, before Rigano’s groin strain Messina were challenging for a Champions League spot.
Giuseppe Rossi (Parma)
It’s true that he could easily have fallen into the ‘losers’ category for having his penalty saved by Andrea Campagnolo, but the Under-21 international more than made up for it by showing great courage and maturity in the 2-2 draw with Reggina. Trailing on home turf and deep into stoppages, he had to take his second kick twice due to encroachment, but still buried it both times under immense pressure to earn a precious point.
The losers…
Nelson Dida (Milan)
So much time has passed since the infamous Elland Road slip, but Dida is still capable of making the daftest mistakes known to goalkeeping history. He was shaky all evening against Chievo, but the 'piece de resistance' came when calling for the ball Daniele Bonera was protecting only to let it slip under his body and clatter into the defender, leaving Sergio Pellissier with an empty net to waltz into. Comical.
Andrea Caracciolo (Palermo)
Penalty shouts aside, the Rosanero should be taking their anger out on Caracciolo rather than the referee. Not only has he been a hopeless replacement for the injured Amauri this term, but the former Brescia forward got himself sent off for dissent within two minutes of coming on as a substitute. It’s hardly the first time he has shown he might not belong at this level.
Claudio Ranieri (Parma)
Everyone loves ol’ Claudio, but he is hardly helping the Gialloblu to gain some confidence. Yet to win under his leadership, Parma went behind at home to Reggina and so their Coach opted to make two tactical substitutions after 19 minutes of play. This is not the kind of behaviour that helps a team find its comfort zone.
The goals…
Julio Cruz (Inter)
Cruz gets the glory, but it was Ibrahimovic’s divinely acrobatic assist that set this goal apart from any other this weekend. With his back to goal, the Swede jumped into the air to flick on the ball with the inside of his heel, sending his teammate clear before the Livorno defence had a clue what was happening. Inspired.
Massimo Oddo (Milan)
The former Lazio defender opened his Rossoneri account in some style against Chievo. The build-up saw the usual Milan one-touch football between Alberto Gilardino and Ronaldo until Oddo unleashed an absolute screamer with his right foot into the far top corner. Unstoppable, just edging out Rolando Bianchi’s long-range effort for Reggina in this line-up.
Tommaso Rocchi (Lazio)
If Lazio are in fourth place and closing in on third, it's mainly down to Rocchi. His fifth goal in the last six games was a wonderful directed header that spun in at the far post, taking none of the pace off Gaby Mudingayi's cross. From a player more famous for his footwork, it was great to see the Italian international show some of his range.
The numbers…
Another week, another record
Inter continue to notch up pages in the calcio history books, this time with their 10th consecutive away victory, beating Milan’s run of eight in 1992-93. They also remain unbeaten for the opening 26 rounds, whereas Inter’s previous best was up to 25 in 2004-05, and Roberto Mancini celebrates his 200th Serie A game as a Coach with 103 wins, 58 draws and 40 defeats.
Giallorossi slump
Roma have fallen an extra seven points behind Inter in the last seven games. Since the midway point of the campaign, the Giallorossi have picked up 12 points compared to the leaders’ 19. In the same period, Palermo's lead over fourth and fifth has been cut from 12 and nine points to just two and four - with a game in hand.
Gamberini glory
Alessandro Gamberini had never scored in his 113 previous Serie A appearances, but bagged a brace against Torino! The Fiorentina defender wasn’t the only man to break his top flight duck, as Christian Wilhelmsson of Roma also found the target for the first time.
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Words: Susy Campanale
მიმაგრებული სურათი
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იტალია 2006-07 წლების სეზონი, სერი A და სერია B(:D)
