Matchday 4: Results

Fuck this week:

AS Roma 2 vs Fiorentina 3
(Stadio Olimpico)

Rob's bullshit review of this bullshit win: The first fixture of Matchday 4 was much anticipated as first place was on the line. Roma hosted Fiorentina in what proved to be a wonderful display of football in the eternal city. Fiorentina came out the victors 3-2 as they played what manager Garisto coined "the perfect road game". The majority of the action came in the first half as Jovetic put Fiorentina ahead in the 9th minute with a classy finish inside the near post. Soon after, Francesco Totti responded with a brilliant finish from outside the box to tie the game, 1-1. Fiorentina again responded with a goal by Gilardino but Francesco Totti again found a way to even the game up, 2-2. Fiorentina couldn't find a way to stop Totti, he had the crowd on their feet every time he had possession of the ball. Then finally, controversy. As Fiorentina counter-attack, Murgu threads a ball into Gilardino who makes a run behind the Roma defence, as he gains control of the ball he is taken down and the referee decides to POINT TO THE SPOT! Murgu steps up, puts it home to make it a 3-2 game. Manager Campoli had this to say about the penalty decision, "My fuckin brother is knocking on the door and I hit mute to listen for the door, I look up and Gilardino is on a breakaway. The penalty was a bullshit call!". Expect sanctions by the Maple Fifa League Commissioners against the Roma manager after his vulgar post game comments. Meanwhile, Garisto stated "it was the correct call". Amid the controversy, Fiorentina went into half-time leading 3-2.

After half-time, Roma made an adjustment by bringing in Vucinic on the wing for an ineffective Menez. Roma piled on the pressure, Fiorentina fouled as often as they could but Fiorentina seemed to have the upper-hand on this sunny afternoon. Luca Toni had numerous opportunities but could not find the back of the net. Campoli responded to Toni's inability to finish by stating "he is on the bench next week for sure". Totti also had some opportunities but Sebastian Frey was determined not to be beat. Fiorentina followed their game-plan and when the final whistle was blown, Fiorentina found themselves at the top of the table while Roma were disappointed and waited on results later in the matchday to determine their fate at the end of Matchday 4. Coach Garisto had this to say after the game, "Im proud of my boys and we look forward to a tricky test next week against Milan; possibly an opportunity for me to give my young talent and reserves a look. I guaranteed 3 points to our supporters and delivered, I can safely say we have one hand on the trophy."

Editor's note: Gilardino's penalty recalled this doozie when he was a member of the Rossoneri:


Internazionale 2 vs AC Milan 1
(Stadio Giuseppe Meazza)

Del Sole's highlights:
- Very large crowd on hand, almost filled to capacity
- Starting Formation - Milan: 4-3-1-2, Inter: 4-4-2
- Lazy midfield play for the first 10 minutes or so, not what these teams are used to.
- Milan striker Huntelaar drilled a perfect shot from just outside of the box prompting the commentator to comment "he'll never have a better shot than that". A deflated Inter bunch were not too pleased he decided to show up this game.
- The rest of the first half was dominated by Inter which benefited by switching to an aggressive formation, turning the tides. Shot after shot, rush after rush, but nothing to show for it.
- In the 37th, Eto'o took a nice pass in the box and tapped it calmly into the bottom corner. 1-1.
- Second half went much the same as the first. Inter carried play and possession with Milan getting chances once every 15 minutes or so. In the 76th, Milito took a pass from Eto'o from outside the box, curled his way around the defense and calmly put the ball in the net. 2-1 Inter.
- Play went back and forth for the next 15 minutes once Milan subbed in Flamini to push forward with the attack but it was Inter coming close on several occasions. In the dying moments, the game was surely tied, when Inter's defense collapsed allowing Ronaldinho to have a sure fire goal, but his momentum away from goal and the pressure of the situation caused him to miss barely wide.

Manchester United 1 vs Juventus 2

(Old Trafford)

Juve picks up a much needed win and United falls to four straight losses in a game that I doubt was even played. It seems that Manchester is improving with each fixture so a win is bound to come, probably against an out of form Roma, but it's likely they'll be stuck in the cellar for the rest of the season. Juve, on the other hand, needs to pick up points against Roma next week to jump back into the race for first.