Mixed Italian Fortunes in the Champions' League and Celtic are a Disgrace.
Before we look at the beautiful aspect of football, let's look at the ugly. I mendicanti think they are being hard done by because they have to play us following a European game. Fair enough point but we've done it often enough and got on with it. That is because we are better than them. What is disgraceful is that they allude to bias and possible off-field problems. The first point - a joke if you have seen the refereeing Rangers have had to suffer this season has no substance whatever. The second is even more laughable. Their "fans" went on the rampage after we horsed them at Parkhead to wrap up the league in 1999. Are they so lacking in control they'd do it again if we beat them at Ibrox? Absolutely, they know it and we know it. There can't be a club in the world so lacking in dignity and a support which boasts so many bigoted neanderthals. They deserve each other.And now to the beautiful game as played by the Italians. Well, usually anyway. Milan were below par in Amsterdam but comfortably earned a 0-0 draw. They should progress to the semi-final. I doubt they'll meet Inter though as Valencia will be happy enough with their 1-0 defeat, The usual rubbish about "defensive Italians" came to the fore but that is hardly the case when Cuper plays Materazzi instead of Cannavaro. The reasoning being that Carew is good in the air. He might well be but he scores every three years and would be another addition to the Cannavaro mantelpiece. The nerazzurri were marginally better than they were against Roma but they are a spineless team. There is no fight or aggression and if Vieri moves in the summer I couldn't blame him. Both Zanetti's, particularly Cristian, are poor, Di Biagio is a shadow of his former self and Conceicao's twin must be playing now. Poor, poor player.
As for Juventus, a lucky Barcelona goal deprived them of victory. Di Vaio missed a great chance but the main reason for their failing was Del Piero and Nedved's sluggishness. Alex is on the way back from injury and Nedved looks still to be suffering from the assaults he suffered in the Turin derby. Hope that Juve progress, I'm not a fan of Spanish football, least of all Barcelona.
At the time of writing, Lazio are in Porto preparing for their UEFA Cup semi-final. Considering their rivalry with Napoli, I can't believe I'm supporting them but they are a solid team. Roberto Mancini has done wonders for them, I hope the loss of Stam doesn't prove to be crucial. Anyway, when you look at the teams left, the biancocelesti are the pick of the bunch by a long way. Also, have plenty of respect for Mancio as he was a magician, especially during his Sampdoria days.
This weekend is the Milan derby. Paolo Maldini has yet another target in his sights. Having surpassed Gianni Rivera's number of games for the rossoneri, he now has his derby matches in sight. This will be Paolo's 32nd, two behind Rivera. If both Milan teams make it to the CL semi-final, he could set yet another milestone this season. As for the game, Milan have been poor recently but they should beat Inter. Score once and Cuper's team will collapse. If Ancelotti's team win, Juve will virtually have the scudetto wrapped up.
More next week on Serie A and the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
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