March 5th: Five Headlines and One Argument

To begin this post, as I hope to begin most posts, we’ll take a look at five of the bigger calcio-related news stories of the day before delving into a relevant topic. Covered today: Cosmi’s new formation for Palermo, Roma’s rigore madness, and Juventus just may be trying too hard.

5 Headlines from the Peninsula:

• Serse Cosmi has announced that Palermo’s formation will be changing. The club will use a 3-5-2 with Josep Ilicic as a central midfielder.
• Leonardo has reflected on his first two months in charge of Inter, claiming that it has been “intense” but that he is proud of what his side have achieved thus far.
• The International Board has decided that it will not review goal-line technology but will instead use five referees at major events, such as Euro 2012.
• Giovanni Trappatoni thinks that Juventus may be trying too hard to return to greatness.
• It seems that Domenico Criscito’s future may not lie in Italy, but in Russia. The versatile Genoa wingback is rumored to be heavily desired by Zenit’s Luciano Spalletti, who has reportedly readied an 18 million Euro bid and desires to bring him in next week.

There’s only one Serie A game today but it’s about as big as they come: Juventus-Milan, at 2:45 PM EST. Pato may be sidelined with the flu. All of Serie B play today, as well.

Yesterday’s only Serie A game, Roma-Lecce, was notable for a number of reasons. First was the fact that the game was quite dull and rather dour. Most of all, it seemed as if Roma would once again take a lead and once again concede a goal, for what would have been the tenth time this season. (VoceGiallorossa has an interesting take on the 4-2-3-1). However, a late penalty awarded in the 90^th to the Giallorossi saved the blushes of Vincenzo Montella’s men.

However, an argument arose between Marco Borriello and Davide Pizarro over who would actually take the penalty. Pizarro is Montella’s designated rigore taker, but apparently told Borriello that he did not feel ready to take it. Marco thus stepped up, believing that he would kick the ball, only for the midfielder to change his mind. Daniele De Rossi had to step in between the two, siding with the Chilean, under the coach’s orders. Borriello appeared furious at this point. Pizarro easily slotted the penalty in and Roma finally snatched three points after conceding a lead. The forward refused to celebrate at first but finally joined in on the jubilations.

After the match, the striker explained the whole affair and brushed it aside. Rather classic Roma in any case, no? Even something that should have been as simple as a penalty kick turned into a whole affair.

The Giallorossi had an early game this weekend in order to give them some rest before their midweek clash away to Shakhtar Donestk in the Champion’s League, where the capital side must win away by two goals. Against a team that has not lost at home since 2008. In bocca al lupo, lupi!

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Follow Julian on Twitter for Serie A news coverage, updates on new posts, and more, @JulianWCB.

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Category: Serie A