The Napoli Ultras, showing more spirit than the beleaguered team, were setting about the Sampdoria fans in the Marassi last Monday evening by the way of some pre-match entertainment. The Genoa police (remember them dishing out some justice to the anti-globalisation thugs?) then mistakenly waded into some journalists. How we'd love to see that repeated here! On the pitch, Napoli succumbed 2-0 and Franco Colomba was reinstated, his successor Franco Scoglio being sacked after only three months. Serie C1 beckons, very sad.
In the Champions' League, if Roma qualify, I'm assuming Juventus (virtually certain) and Inter (probably) will be there, then Milan will face Italian opposition in the quarter-finals. They will be the only Italian group winners and therefore must face a second placed team. Group by group it looks like this:
A: After the disappointing 2-2 draw with Newcastle, Inter are still in control of their CL future, being a point ahead of Robson's team They travel to Leverkusen suffering a striker shortage though. Injuries and suspensions have taken their toll and they may rely on Obafemi Martins, impressive last Tuesday, and Mattia Altobelli. Add their ages together and you still don't reach Batistuta's! There is the chance Morfeo could be fit, perhaps even Crespo but that might be risking him. If Inter progress, they will be able to call on Vieri, Recoba and Crespo. It must puzzle Moratti how his expensively assembled squad veer between being one of the world's best and a pub team.
B: Without Totti and Samuel, both suspended, Roma have to beat Ajax in the Olimpico and hope that Arsenal don't lose in Valencia. A draw in Spain would send the giallorossi through, as would 1-0 and 2-1 victories for Arsenal. 3-2 and Valencia go through. Yes, it's not straightforward. Roma have come back well, a shame that Montella didn't win the game at Highbury.
C: Milan walked it. Reserves out in the Bernabeu on Wednesday. Genuine contenders to win it.
D: In the Delle Alpi the other night, after 51 minutes Juve were out, after 63 minutes they were still in trouble, after the 93rd minute, Tudor's late goal sent them into the quarters, assuming they don't lose 4-0 in Basle. They can look forward to Del Piero's return and if the bianconeri play as they can, they won't be far away from Old Trafford in May.
At the time of writing, Lazio were drawing 0-0 in the Olimpico with Besiktas in their UEFA Cup match.
Final word on British Eurosport's coverage of Serie A. It's fantastic. Look out for the matches on the weekend of the 22nd/23rd March. There will be three live matches, featuring the potentially decisive Milan -Juve game. James Richardson is as good as he was on Channel 4, Filippo Ricci and Gabriele Marcotti are also excellent. Enjoy!
Last weekend's scores:
Bologna 1 Inter 2
Roma 1 Lazio 1
Atalanta 0 Parma 0
Como 1 Brescia 1
Empoli 3 Piacenza 1
Modena 1 Perugia 1
Torino 1 Reggina 0
Udinese 0 Juventus 1
Milan 0 Chievo 0
Top 6 after 24 matches:
Juventus 54
Inter 51
Milan 48
Lazio 42
Chievo 41
Parma 36
This weekend's fixtures:
Bologna Udinese
Brescia Torino
Chievo Parma
Inter Como
Juventus Modena
Lazio Empoli
Perugia Roma
Piacenza Atalanta
Reggina Milan
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