Before we consider Serie A's Champions' League renaissance, I must take issue with the SFA. To ban Lorenzo Amoruso for four matches is an outrage and highlights the double standards at work in the SFA, and society at large.
Imagine Bob O'Balde had been the target of racist abuse and had reacted, probably with a punch to the face of the offender , we would have been regaled with excuses that he had been provoked. It seems to me that you can't say anything to a black player but you can say what you like to an Italian? Amoruso had to endure ninety minutes of racial abuse from James no-mark Grady.
The attitude in Britain, patronising at best, towards Italians is a disgrace. You just have to listen to the commentary that the BBC and ITV provide. They use stereotypes, mispronounce names and generally make complete James Hunts of themselves. Add all this together and you get the Amoruso affair.
They are in effect calling him a liar and the only reason we aren't appealing the decision is to ensure he is available for the title run-in.
A scandal. To reinforce their error, the SFA then wouldn't use video evidence against thug Balde after the CIS Cup Final. Good job he isn't Italian or he'd probably be in jail.
As for European action, congratulations to Milan, Juventus and Inter. Hopefully they will be kept apart in the quarter-finals but in all likelihood Milan will face one of their domestic rivals. Milan lost at home on Tuesday and I know they were already through but their form has slumped on both fronts recently.
It may prove difficult to regain the momentum. Juve also lost, 2-1 to Basle but were virtually through anyway. Still, losing to this bunch of amateurs isn't exactly a glorious evening to add to their history. Result of the week was Inter's. Martins and Emre scored their goals against Leverkusen to ensure their progress. Obafemi Martins looks like he will be some player, unfortunately for him, Vieri, Crespo and Recoba will all be available for the quarter final tie.
Unluckiest team must be Roma. After losing their opening three games of the second phase they came so close to progressing. Montella's late miss at Highbury was crucial. A win in the Olimpico last night would have meant qualification but the loss of Samuel and Totti was too much for them to overcome. Languishing in tenth place in A, the giallorossi could miss out on Europe next season. Last weekend in Serie A saw the following developments:
Como perhaps tempted fate when they unveiled their new sponsors for this season. The recruitment agency they had signed with placed upon their jerseys the word ''temporary'' and it looks like that will sum up their stay in Serie A. A clear gap is opening at the bottom and three teams look doomed - Piacenza, Como and Torino.
The fourth relegation spot looks like being a fight between Atalanta, Reggina, Modena and Empoli. This emphasises the difficulty throughout Europe of staying up in the top division amongst teams with more money and better players than most newly promoted teams. The recent success of Chievo is the exception rather than the rule. Will the collapse of the transfer market and the resulting levelling out help the situation or will traditionally powerful teams simply try and hold on to more of the reducing pie?
One man who will be confident is Brescia''s Carlo Mazzone who has kept smaller teams up on 13 occasions in his 35 year career, seeking salvezza rather than lo scudetto has become his strength. His side currently lie 7 points above the relegation zone.
In Serie A the big winners were Juve, Inter and Parma, while Roma''s season continues to swing from indifferent to awful. Juve beat Modena 3-0 at home despite the visitors hitting the woodwork twice early on. The star was Nedved with two good goals. Inter thrashed Como 4-0 with Batistuta on the score sheet. Milan surpisingly drew 0-0 with lowly Reggina, moving them 7 points behind Juve who they play next week in what will be their last chance to remain in contention for the title.
Parma''s young side moved into 6th after thrashing Chievo 4-0 in Verona despite having Adrian Mutu sent off. They are only two points behind Chievo and six behind Lazio who hold the last Champion''s League spot in 4th place. The Romans defeated Empoli 4-1 despite going behind after 4 minutes.
Remember that British Eurosport has three live Italian games this weekend. Lorenzo, tu sei uno di noi, non mollare mai.