Spotlight: Alex the Great Monday 24 March, 2008
Football Italia rounds up the winners and the losers from Week 30 of the Serie A season
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The winners…
Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)
On the evening that he was again rejected by Italy boss Roberto Donadoni, Alessandro Del Piero underlined his intention to be a part of Euro 2008. He may have wasted some good chances to score against Inter and been a little too egotistical at times, but an old face arguably marked a new era for the Bianconeri at San Siro on Saturday night.
Max Tonetto (Roma)
Although his ‘Tonetto Carlos’ nickname may be a little over the top, the grafting left-back was rewarded for his weekly efforts with his first Serie A goal for Roma in the 2-1 win over Empoli. A true professional, the former Sampdoria player provided the Empoli rearguard with a constant problem thanks to his dynamic attacking forays. He deserved his 90 minutes of glory.
Sebastian Giovinco (Empoli)
The little Juventus-owned winger denied Roma a win in their first meeting earlier this season and he tormented them yet again at the Olimpico. A real gem of a player, the Under-21 international rivalled Francesco Totti in the fantasy stakes on Saturday afternoon. Having hit the post and seeing one shot just miss, he got his name on the score-sheet with a temporary equaliser.
The losers…
Alessandro Rosina (Torino)
Where has that creative attacking midfielder, who we all truly admired last season, gone? He should have been knocking on Roberto Donadoni’s door for a place at the European Championship, but Rosina is having a campaign to forget. Unable to find a key role in Walter Novellino’s tactics, the former Parma youngster faded into insignificance against Milan.
Nicolas Burdisso (Inter)
The Argentine just edged out Marco Materazzi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Inter’s worst player against Juventus. It was clear before the San Siro showdown that the cynical stopper has clear limitations on the field of play and that was again in evidence on Saturday. His error gifted David Trezeguet his goal – a mistake which neither Burdisso or Inter were able to recover from.
Cristiano Doni (Atalanta)
After another inspirational campaign in Bergamo, the day had to finally arrive when Cristiano Doni failed to deliver. He began the game against Catania a little tentatively and he never really got over his penalty miss. To make matters worse, he picked up a yellow card which will rule him out of the Milan game. He will return though and so will his ability. Most of us can’t wait…
The goals…
Amauri (Palermo)
His critics argue that he doesn’t know where the goal is, but he found it twice on Saturday. Although the first was a regulation penalty, his second would have lit up the Barbera had the majority of fans not been heckling their own side at the time. Finding the ball at his feet on the edge of the post, the big Brazilian cut inside his man to delicately curl the ball in off the post.
Pasquale Foggia (Cagliari)
This guy has got some touch on him and that was evident as he gave in-form Cagliari the lead at Marassi. The Lazio-owned winger converged on goal with the ball, he had enough power to hold off a defender, before delicately lobbing the sphere over the advancing ‘keeper from a tight angle.
Max Tonetto (Roma)
There was nothing too spectacular about Tonetto’s near post finish from relatively close range, but Francesco Totti’s role in the build up put the goal on a totally new level. Having received the ball at his feet with his back to goal, the former Italian international showed what a dangerous mix awareness and craft can be with a beautifully placed back-heel straight into the path of teammate Max.
The numbers…
Scirea landmark
Alessandro Del Piero matched Gaetano Scirea’s club record of 552 official appearances for Juventus. Of these 360 were in Serie A, 35 in Serie B, 45 the Coppa Italia, six in Italian Super Cup ties and 106 in international competitions. His debut was on September 12, 1993, in a 1-1 Serie A game at Foggia.
Away the lads
Inter have not beaten Juventus at home since a 3-2 result on April 4, 2004. That was followed by a 2-2 draw and two 2-1 defeats. That remains their only win in this fixture since Youri Djorkaeff’s lone strike on January 4, 1998. Juve had also not conceded a goal in 353 minutes of football, since Daniel Osvaldo’s late strike for Fiorentina on March 2.
Cris cross
Cristiano Doni had the chance to become Atalanta’s all-time top scorer in Serie A, but a potential 58th goal was denied by a Ciro Polito penalty save. Doni has missed two spot-kicks this season – both against Catania. It was also Polito’s second save of the campaign after he denied Siena’s Massimo Maccarone.
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Words: Antonio Labbate
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