Big guns serve up Sunday night San Siro treat
Monday 02 March 2009 11:00
Everyone loves a tasty tiramisu. And the Italian dessert, which figuratively translated means 'pick-me-up' is the perfect complement to any heavy meal.
And Serie A had its own tasty afters on Sunday evening when Inter and AS Roma played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at the San Siro.
It was the perfect riposte to the aftertaste left by the Champions League blow-out – and both teams certainly regained their appetite for attacking football to serve up some entertaining fare.
However, as the scoreline suggests, there is a soft sorbet through the heart of the defences which both Manchester United and Arsenal will have taken good note of.
De Rossi rues late chance to snatch victory
There was plenty of bite in midfield along with energy and pace in
attack. especially from the Giallorossi which makes Serie Aaaaargh!
believe that Luciano Spalletti’s men are still the best equipped of the
three Italians to progress in Europe.
If, man-of-the-match,
Daniele De Rossi had not squandered a late chance, Juventus would have
been eating into Inter’s lead at the top by three points.
As it
stands, Inter lead by seven points with 12 games to go, and the race
for the championship is not a foregone conclusion just yet.
Italian
football has taken a right old pasting over the last week, but there is
still plenty to enjoy and raise a smile to up and down the peninsula –
well, unless you are Carlo Ancelotti – and, for some, the passion is
still very much alive.
“You never get anything when you come to
Milan, it’s the same old story,” raged De Rossi after being adjudged to
have fouled Mario Balotelli for the penalty that got the Nerarruzzi
back in the game.
“Balotelli dived,” was Spalletti’s considered opinion on the incident. “Looked like a penalty,” countered Jose Mourinho.
Balotelli bags his and Inter's second
Hernan Crespo, Inter's goal-hero for the equaliser against Roma, burst into tears in the post-game interview as he described his frustrations at been frozen out by his coach this season. “I just do my best,” bubbled the Argentine.
Talking of frozen, the weather has turned so spring-like that the majority of players have discarded their gloves and neck-warmers and are no longer swaddled like the cat-walk models traipsing around the streets of Milan during fashion week.
It’s women’s fashion week in the city, so at least David Beckham has something to keep him occupied.
Antonio Cassano has finally found a half-decent barber, but he's lost none of his cheek as he left Becks chasing shadows before slipping the ball between his legs to set up Giampaolo Pazzini for Sampdoria’s second in the win over the ailing Rossoneri, who are sinking faster than Venice.
Cassano wheels away as bemused Becks appeals
Goals we have had by the pasta bowl full, with Catania striker Giuseppe Mascara’s amazing 50-metre looping volley which orbited almost out of the Barbera stadium before dropping over bewildered Palermo goalkeeper Marco Amelia.
And then there was Mauro Zarate’s delightful dipping free-kick to open the scoring for Lazio against Bologna. The feisty Argentine ran to his own supporters grabbing the front of his shorts which, apparently, is what South Americans do to indicate one has what it takes!
Overall, a weekend where Italian football regained it's place at the top table again.
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About Richard Whittle
Despite the name,
Richard Whittle is so at home in Italy that some call him Riccardo Rossi. He has lived and worked in Italy for the last 15 years as a football journalist and works as Italian soccer commentator for the English-speaking world covering Serie A, Champions League, Europa League and Italian Cup matches as well as Italy internationals. With Paul Visca, Richard concocts the regular
Calcio & Coffee podcast.