Carlos Tevez after Juventus 3:0 win Foto: AFP/Scanpix
Jalgpall
7. jaanuar 2014, 13:15

Serie A matchday 18: Escape to victory (5)

Eestis elav itaallane ja meeletu jalgpallifänn Angelo Palmeri analüüsib Õhtulehele Itaalia meistriliiga 18. voorus toimunut. Kuigi Palmeri oskab natuke ka eesti keelt, on need kokkuvõtted inglise keeles. Sellest ei maksa heituda ja neid kokkuvõtteid tasub lugeda, sest Palmeri tunneb taustu ja teab, kuidas kodumaal toimuvat selgitada.

Juventus is on their 'escape to victory' and Napoli closer to the second spot as Roma lost their first game

Juventus-Roma 3:0

10 wins in a row, 26 goals scored and 1 suffered, title contestants as Napoli and Roma both defeated with round scores (3-0) – these are the numbers delivering Juventus their 30th scudetto, the third in a row under Antonio Conte.

However Garcia does not agree: ''the tournament is not over yet, there are still 60 points to be assigned, everything is open'' claimed the 49-years-old French coach who is looking forward to May when Juventus will visit the Stadio Olimpico for what could be a 'scudetto' final.

However, it will not depend upon Roma alone. If Juventus will continue travelling at this speed, they might go down to Rome with the title already in their pockets. Juventus have not European distractions (Champions League) to take care of as much as Roma have not.

The Europa League will be an amusing diversion also considering the final will be at the Juventus Stadium. What 'Giallorossi' could risk now is the psychological repercussion of the defeat. AS Roma had never lost this season before and never suffered three goals in the same game.

A first time that might seriously endanger the season's follow-up and give hopes to Napoli (only two points behind) for the second place fight (straight access to the Champions League).

Antonio Conte showed to be very flexible as he did not mind to adapt his team mentality to the opponents. He must have had a look at Inter-Roma (0-3) DVD to understand that Garcia's side enjoys moving into the spaces. Spaces that Mazzarri's side conceded aplenty back in October.

What looked like a 3-5-2 was instead implemented as a 5-3-2 with the flankers (Asamoah and Lichsteiner) operating most in the full-back roles. Conte understood that, contrary to other games when opponents of Juventus lock themselves in their half and wait for the Bianconeri to come up, this time it was up to his side to wait for Roma and avoid to be caught uncovered by sudden counterattacks.

It was a winning move as Roma did not manage to find space for the build-up. The first half ended with the 'Giallorossi' topping Juventus on possession (60%). However, it was the 'Bianconeri' to go to half-time break on the lead (1-0). On one of the first chances in Roma's half (17'), Tevez was able to exploit the space left empty by De Rossi and pass to the upcoming Vidal, onside and unmarked.

For the Chilean midfielder it was quite easy to control the ball and put it past De Sanctis as the goalkeeper was unable to narrow the angle from such a close distance. The quick exchange was worth a futsal one.

On one nil up, for Juventus was even easier to pursue the same type of game for the remaining hour. The referee of the game, Nicola Rizzoli, was keen in keeping the game under disciplinary control and did not refrain to inflict several cards for protests (Chiellini, Tevez and Gervinho all in a row).

When Bonucci scored the 2-0 in the opening minutes of the second half (48') by deflecting a set-piece taken by 'maestro' Pirlo, it was quite clear that the game was going to be awkward for Totti&Co. The Roma captain was not in one of his best evenings: several mistakes on passes and unable to find his position also thanks to the asphyxiating combined pressure of defence and midfield.

Gervinho had no spaces to run in and the third forward-line partner, Ljajic, appeared feeble and never into the game. Roma tried a reaction however, Juventus solidity was never really shaken by the 'Giallorossi'.

The red card shown to De Rossi for a hard tackle on Chiellini was the word 'end' to the game (75'). Just one minute later, defender Castan replaced De Sanctis on the goal line to deny Juventus a goal in a corner follow-up and it was a straight red for the Brazilian centre-back.

On the following penalty, Vucinic rounded it up to 3-0. With the visitors two men light the game was definitely over. AS Roma will now travel back home to receive Genoa in the weekend, the game will be important to understand if the 'Giallorossi' have put the defeat in Torino behind their back or not.

The 'Campioni d'Italia' and table leaders will be travelling to Sardinia where Cagliari have lost only once. Conte has already appealed his squad not to lose focus. Defender Barzagli does not fear the option ''Lose focus? I don't think so, we don't have a coach that gives us this option, so I don't think it will be an issue...''

Napoli-Sampdoria 2:0

It took almost an hour for Napoli to take the lead of the game. Dries Mertens put it past Da Costa with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner (53'). Gonzalo Higuaín, one of the best of Napoli side, assisted him.

The Argentine striker missed to net his tenth Serie A goal however, he was a true protagonist with several witty moves and clean passes. Sinisa Mihajlovic had never lost a game since he took the helm at Sampdoria.

He fielded his side with a no-fear attitude as Sampdoria was quite keen in playing a game with few defensive worries and trying to strike in the open spaces left by Napoli as Benitez let his side play with very high defensive lines.

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However, Sampdoria ball possession was not as effective as Napoli's mainly due to the lesser qualities of the 'Blucerchiati' players. In first half Napoli could have already taken the lead on a couple of chances, however the 'Azzurri' were rather imprecise in the finish (Mertens from close distance and Higuain on the run) or found Da Costa good saves.

Once Napoli released the pressure, Samp tried to build something up with quick exchanges between Eder, Krsticic and Gabbiadini. Most dangerous situations came from counterattack (Krsticic blowed it after dribbling Rafael exiting) and set pieces.

On one nil down in the second half, Sampdoria was not disheartened and kept playing the same offensive game in the attempt to pull level. Even after the 2-0 netted by Dries Martens with a maradonesque free-kick.

Mihajlovic's side managed also to hit woodworks: on 1-0 Gabbiadini hit the bar with a left footed shot from outside the box; on 2-0 Sansone hit the post with a left footed shot from the right side of the box.

A couple of chances that, along with a penalty claim, might have increased Doria's regret over the final score. Instead, Mihajlovic was quite relaxed ''nothing to regret, we deserved to lose'' admitted the Serbian coach in the post-match interview ''it is important to look at the performance we did: it was a good one and we managed to create chances against a side like Napoli''.

Benitez was also satisfied, as he got the three points and the 'Azzurri' were able to create chances over chances especially in the first half: ''however'' remarked the Spanish skipper ''we need more balance'' hinting at too many breaks conceded to Samp.

Napoli will travel to Verona to play Hellas on Sunday. It will not be an easy task for the 'Partenopei' as Hellas have lost a mere game at home. Samp will try to resume the positive streak when taking on Udinese at home.

Lazio-Inter 1:0

Mammamia! One of the ugliest games ever seen in Serie A this season. It was not the best to win but the one to commit less mistakes and take advantage of a grave mistake committed by the others.

It was clear to everyone that without key-episode, there would have not been any winner out of this challenge. Both Lazio and Inter offered a poor entertainment with mistakes from each side in either build-up or defence.If Candreva was the best for Lazio, it is very hard to name one for Inter.

Mazzarri insisted to field the same 3-5-1-1 however some points are already very clear by now: 1) regardless his goal tally, Palacio cannot play alone; 2) Guarin is not a 'trequartista' to place behind a striker 3) Kovacic should be given a starter rather than preferring anyone to him (with Taider out for injury, Kuzmanovic was sent in as deputy).

Instead, the 52-year-old coach from Livorno had not the courage to admit his mistakes and rather found comfortable to blame the referee for a penalty situation. Enabled by the actual dissolution of Petkovic's contract, Reja could sit in Lazio's dugout and enjoy the first three points of his second tenure.

He was very keen in fielding a prudent Lazio ready to strike in counterattacks. Inter helped doing the rest. Better, Ranocchia did. The 25-year-old defender was the author of the terrible man marking that allowed Klose to score a wonderful volley goal. Ranocchia did everything a good defender should avoid doing.

Inter are now out of the Europe zone as Hellas took the 5th place (Europa League).
Before the home game with Chievo Inter will take on Udinese for the Coppa Italia tie. Lazio will travel to Bologna.

The rest of the matchday

Chievo-Cagliari was, as expected, an emotionless and goalless draw. The only remarkable event was the penalty assigned to the Sardinians at the start of the second half. However, Chilean striker Pinilla managed to miss the chance. The crowd at Bentegodi saluted the final whistle with a broadside of whistles.

Fiorentina could not manage to unlock the score in the first half as a well-organized Livorno limited 'La Viola' supremacy. Fiorentina had indeed most of the possession and chances, with the best one happened to Giuseppe Rossi smashing it on the outside of the net from favourable position within the box.

Fiorentina supremacy was broken on 20 minutes of first half when Livorno had more space to come forward and breath. However, it took one hour of game before witnessing the first Serie A goal of 2014 as Argentine Gonzalo Rodriguez broke the tie heading a corner past Bardi.

It was indeed only from a set-piece that Fiorentina could lead the game as Livorno had been very disciplined that far. After the opener, Livorno had two great chances: Neto managed to parry both shots with a couple of superb saves. Fiorentina managed to find more spaces in the last fifteen minutes of the game however could not round the score.

If starting the new year with three points it is always tasty, the other side of the coin is the injury suffered by Giuseppe Rossi as he picked up a sprained knee with damage to the collateral ligament. Bad news for 'La Viola' and the 'Azzurri' ahead of Brazil World Cup campaign as the pint-sized striker will surely be out for a couple of months.

AC Milan started very well off 2014 against Atalanta with a 3-0 win. Remarkable that in the same game Kaka', a veteran, scored his 100th and 101st goal with the 'Rossoneri' and a young striker, Bryan Cristante (born March 1995), scored his first goal at his Serie A debut after being a regular of the Milan Primavera coached by legend Filippo 'Pippo' Inzaghi.

AC Milan suffered a bit after the 1-0 lead as Atalanta had several chances in the box to equalize however, they did not manage to push the ball past Abbiati. Torino started well in Parma scoring the lead with Immobile (21'). However, the 'Parmensi' turned the game on its head.

First, Marchionni smashed in assisted by Biabiany (1-1 on 34'); then, defender Lucarelli found a back-heel screamer (2-1 on 44', similar goal as the one scored by Roberto Mancini with Lazio at the Tardini in 1999, and curiously same goal side) and finally Amauri managed to net a goal after a streak of 22 games without.

If you think that Parma managed to do this without Cassano (he went in only at 79') then the conclusion is that Parma have certainly a good squad and a good coach (Roberto Donadoni) to stay away from the drop zone (they are at the 9th spot).

Hellas clinched their second seasonal away win at Udinese after exactly three months since the first. Toni netted another couple of goals (8' and 39') and after Pereyra managed to score one to keep alive the home team hopes (43'), it was the Argentine talent Iturbe to close the challenge (70').

Last time Hellas won at Udinese was in 1985 (!). In the aftermath of the game, the Udinese captain, Toto' Di Natale, announced live on tv and before even talking to the club, that he is going to retire at the end of the season.

Catania and Genoa clinched home wins against Bologna and Sassuolo with the same score (2-0). Francesco Lodi has re-joined forces with Catania after the short stint at Genoa and he was already decisive in the Sicilians' third win of the season.

Betting tips for matchday 19

1) Fiorentina have had troubles in scoring goals in the last two games (1-0 at Sassuolo and 1-0 home against Livorno). Next weekend they are travelling to Torino to face the 'Granata'. Fiorentina have suffered very few goals away (8) sign of a more prudent attitude.

Considering they will not be able to count on Rossi and Gomez (yet), they will try to exploit counterattacks and play more defensively. Torino have been drawing 7 times this season, 4 times at home. Go for a draw at final time. Torino-Fiorentina, 12th of January 13:30 EET

2) Monday night for Mazzarri and his side at San Siro as Inter will take on Chievo. Unless Campagnaro is back from injury, the defence keys might still be given to Ranocchia. Along with Cagliari, Chievo is the side with the littlest goal tally away (4). Against all odds, we would bet on Chievo scoring a goal. Both sides to score at final time. Inter-Chievo, 13th of January 22:00 EET

3) Catania started 2014 very confidently (2-0 win over Bologna). If it is true that positive results generate others, the win in Sicily might give confidence to the 'Rossoblu' travelling to Bergamo to take on Atalanta.

The striking statistics here is that Catania have never ever managed to return home with a point this season: 9 away games, 9 losses. If predicting a win would be too hazardous, probably a draw at final time would be a wise bet. Atalanta-Catania, 12th of January 16:00 EET

4) Sampdoria will take on Udinese on the other Monday evening. If there were a possibility to bet on next Serie A coach to be sacked, we would say Guidolin could likely be next. For this fixture, it is enough to bet on Sampdoria to win the challenge. Sampdoria-Udinese, 13th of January 20:00 EET

5) Hellas-Napoli hints at a flamboyant game: forget tactics and let's see who scores more. Over 2,5 shall be the safe bet for a game that will certainly not be boring until 90 minutes.
Hellas-Napoli, 12th of January 16:00 EET