UEFA Cup Update — Or, if You Prefer, a “Cupdate.” (Oh, Who Am I Kidding? No One Prefers That.)
By: Martha | February 15th, 2007
Playing with the inspiring accompaniment of their own echoing shouts, Livorno lost 2-1 to Espanyol last night, grabbing a late goal to head back to Spain with a bit of hope for survival. I didn’t get to watch the game (stupid work), but from the sound of reports, Espanyol pretty much dominated the match, keeping Marco Amelia busy in the Livorno net all night. Though the Italian club’s chances of going through seem slim at best, they might be so fired up to be playing in front of actual fans during the return leg that they’ll go into a scoring frenzy — you never know, right? (The thought of Lucarelli scoring in front of an empty ground is so weird it’s hard to even get my mind around. I mean, what would be the point if he couldn’t run to the Ultras, or antagonize opposing fans?)
Parma, meanwhile, start their bid for European survival today with a trip to Braga. While the club’s utter lack of UEFA Cup interest was brought into focus by their decision to change managers two days before the match, it nevertheless would be an awfully cool debut for Claudio Ranieri to bring home an away point before he digs into the grim task of trying to keep the team in Serie A. That said, word on the street is that Ranieri will rest several players in preparation for the team’s battle with Sampdoria on Sunday. Oh, and also: 70-year-old Portuguese defender Fernando Couto has been appointed team leader. Why Couto, you ask? Is it his long career, and his international experience? No, not that. It’s because he’s cool. According to Ranieri, “Couto has a terrific personality.” Marry me, Claudio.
Category: 
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
Hey, I’m actually rather taken by “cupdate.”
Except now for some reason my mouth is watering for cupcakes.
Posted from
United States
-
Sigh. I know — it had that effect on me, too, which was totally NOT the goal.
Posted from
United States
Comments are closed
Home 
