Sunday, January 13, 2008

Bentornato Campionato

It was worth the wait. Three weeks away was a long time without being able to get my fix of Serie A action. In the end, it came back with a real blast.

First and foremost came Pato's debut for Milan. It was a lot of pressure on an 18-year-old to turn around the Rossoneri's league season but he certainly made a promising start. Playing with Ronaldo, Pato and Kaka up front transformed the team. The boy looked confident in his new surroundings. The old, flabby Fenomeno grabbed a couple of goals. And Kaka was simply Kaka - the best player in the world at the moment.

In truth, the 5-2 scoreline was harsh on Napoli who, in the first half, gave Milan a fright. In the second, Carlo Ancelotti sorted out the balance of the team and the result was never in doubt.

Elsewhere, Inter were given more of a fright than they might have expected from Siena but still won. Roma got an important three points away to Atalanta and ten-man Udinese got a win in Cagliari.

In Parma, a Bobo Vieri leap won Fiorentina a penalty which kept them on the edge of the Champions League race and Juve got a 9oth minute "rigore" to salvage a point against Catania. All of which gave plenty of talking points for the week ahead. Good to have you back, Serie A.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

You don't think it was a foul on Del Piero?

Anonymous said...

Pato is physically very strong. But lack the composure to finish at some point in the game. Do u think so?

patcook said...

Pato's 18!! Im sure he'll be able to fix any lack of composure.

Pato played well, but what was more important for milan was that he has generated the sort of enthusiasm Ronaldo did when he arrived last winter.

ginkers said...

Juventino

Oh no, it was a foul alright. Just used to Juve getting them so late in the game.

Azzurri

I think that is a fair point but he is still so young and it was his first game in Serie A. The early signs were very good.

Pat

You're right, part of his job is one of propaganda just to make Rossoneri feel the club is trying to bridge the gap to Inter.