The Weekend that Was in Serie A: Giornata 26

It was yet another big weekend in Serie A. The top three won, which kept things the same at the top of the table, while the race for places 4-7 continues to be ever-changing, as sides like Juventus, Palermo, Roma, and the likes aren’t consistent. Below that, it continues to remain competitive, as only 4 points separate 9th place from 14th. The relegation race is still wide open, and 15th place and second to last are only separated by 5 points. The scoring chart remains the same, none of the top 5 scorers this season put the ball into the back of the net this weekend. Also two notables: first goal in Serie A for 20 year old Lecce midfielder Andrea Bertolacci (on loan from Roma), and where better to get your debut goal than a game against Juventus. And this may be surprising, but first goal in Serie A for Juan Zuniga of Napoli, who has been in Serie A since 2008 but only got his first goal this weekend. Weekend round-up after the jump.

Ranieri resigns after Roma’s debacle vs. Genoa

This was the biggest news of the weekend. Only days after saying he wouldn’t abandon the ship, Ranieri handed in his resignation after the final whistle blew at the Marassi. Roma blew a 3 goal lead and allowed Genoa to perform one of the best comebacks in Serie A in recent years. Looks like Ranieri lost complete control of the team, and I think it was the right decision to walk away. On the Genoa side of things, a brilliant comeback and a great performance from Rodrigo Palacio. Also great news for Rossoblu fans was the brace from Alberto Paloschi, who finally made his mark on the season after a host of injury woes.

L’Aeroplanino lands back in Serie A

Vincenzo Montella’s retirement only lasted a year and a half. After retiring from Roma, Montella was appointed as manager of one of the youth sides. A couple of weeks ago, his name was thrown around as a possible choice to succeed Ranieri if he was sacked or resigned, and it became official today when L’Aeroplanino was named as Roma’s interim manager. It’s hard to tell if the move will work, it could really go either way. He was a teammate of almost the roster as recently as 2009, and with Montella at the helm it may just be experienced players like Totti, De Rossi, and Perrotta managing. On the other hand, he may bring a lighter, friendlier atmosphere to the Trigoria and instill new enthusiasm. His first test is on Wednesday vs. Bologna, all eyes will be on him. (When Roma scores, will he do the celebration?)

The Daniele Paponi Success Story

Bologna beat Palermo this weekend thanks to a 90th minute header from striker Daniele Paponi. That’s now 2 goals in 2 games for Paponi, and really great considering the club didn’t even want him. In the summer, the club had a deal in place with Reggina for his transfer, but Paponi refused because he wanted to stay and try and win a place with Bologna. After not featuring at all in the first half of the season, in January Malesani personally told Paponi that he should leave and find playing time (leave cazzo!), but Paponi still refused and stayed with the club, hoping to work hard an win a place in the first team. Well, he did, and now he’s scored 2 crucial goals in 2 games. Maybe Malesani has finally found a decent partner for Di Vaio. Where was Paponi last year? On loan at Perugia in Lega Pro. How many goals did he score? None. You may recognize his name from a couple of years ago when he scored a scorpion kick vs. Messina (with Storari in net).

Milan’s chasers grind out 1-0 victories

Reja’s Lazio continue to press on, and even if they don’t wind up in the Champions League, a Europa League place will be a huge success. Reja seems to have opted for a more workhorse midfield to support Hernanes now, and it’s working. The Brazilian scored a nice volley this weekend to defeat Bari 1-0.

Inter were faced with a tough Cagliari side that have played extremely well under Donadoni. The Rossoblu managed to put up a fight, but the Nerazzurri took home the 3 points with a somewhat controversial goal that was awarded to Andrea Ranocchia.

Napoli were faced up against Argentina Primera Division side Catania in the Sunday night game, and it wasn’t an easy task. Things might have looked like they weren’t going to go Napoli’s way when Cavani missed a penalty kick, but then Juan Zuniga pounced on a defensive mishap and finished past Andujar to earn Napoli 3 important points that makes for an extremely juicy encounter with Milan on Monday.

Bari = Serie B

I bet you a million dollars that Bari will be in Serie B next season.

Lecce surprise Juve

Lecce’s record against the “big 3″ at home is now pretty good: draws vs. Inter and Milan, and a win vs. Juventus. Helped by Buffon’s early sending off, the Giallorossi dominated the entire game, and wholly deserved the victory. They had so many chances that if they had their finishing boots on they could have easily have won by 5 goals. Gigi De Canio is doing a great job with Lecce, after a poor start to the season with the worst defense in Serie A, since the return from the winter break the Giallorossi have been very solid and continuing like this they can definitely aim for salvation, which would be like winning the Champions League for Lecce. Juve return to their inconsistent ways and are now 7 points behind their Champions League target. They really can’t make any more mistakes like they did this weekend.

Three draws

Barcelona (Udinese) were surprisingly held 0-0 at home to Brescia.
Fiorentina-Samp looked like an interesting match-up on paper, but with both sides afraid to lose, it finished 0-0.
Parma-Cesena was the battle of under fire managers, and it finished 2-2 with Palladino saving Parma from defeat with a late tying goal. Both managers survived another week.

Pato saves Milan

In recent matches Allegri favored the I-Ca-Ro trio up front, leaving Pato to a supersub role. The role worked this weekend, as after the game looked like it was inching to a 1-1 draw, Il Papero scored a great goal to gift Milan the 3 points, much to the delight of Galliani dancing around in the stands. It kept Inter and Napoli 5 and 3 points away, and Pato continues his amazing goal/appearances ratio.

What to look forward to this weekend

First, Champions League and Europa League this week. Inter will play Bayern in a repeat of last year’s final, and in the Europa League Napoli travel to Spain to take on Villarreal in their second leg match (the first leg ended 0-0). Lots of interesting games this weekend: Cagliari-Lazio, Catania-Genoa, Palermo-Udinese, Juve-Bologna, Roma-Parma, Samp-Inter, and the big Milan-Napoli Monday night match. Palermo-Udinese has the potential to be a goal fest.

Some Related Serie A Posts:

Category: AC Milan, Bari, Bologna, Brescia, Cagliari, Catania, Cesena, Chievo, Fiorentina, Genoa, Inter, Juventus, Lazio, Lecce, Napoli, Palermo, Parma, Players, Results, Roma, Rumors & News, Sampdoria, Serie A, Udinese