We're not dead yet...

Maybe Serie A is not in such a disastrous state as we thought. Roma have won through, Fiorentina beat Everton and, who knows, if Inter could pull off a miracle the European scene would not looks so bleak.

There were also a few wake-up calls for England after their Champions League dominance. Spurs and Everton beaten in Europe and Bolton on a scoring draw at home. Yes, the top four are strong but maybe the strength in depth is not quite at the level it first appeared. Still, the Viola have to finish the job on Wednesday at Goodison.

So a big week lies in store. I hope for at the very least a show of pride by Inter. They were unlucky to play so much of the game at Anfield with ten men. Now they have got to show some guts and at least put up a fight. Otherwise, may the wheels fall off completely and let someone else win Serie A!

As for the boys in purple, they were impeccable on Thursday. Don't know how much was down to Everton playing badly and how much to Viola playing well. Pasqual looked like a world-beater while Carsley, Yobo, Lescott and others looked cumbersome in comparison. No doubt it will be a different tempo on Wednesday but I would hope the Fiorentini can find a goal - that would surely make it too much for Everton to do.

Magical Mirko!

After the bitter taste of Tuesday what a joy to see Roma keep Italian football to the fore with a gutsy display in Madrid. If only we could play Spanish teams every week...

The game was cagey throughout but the Giallorossi kept their cool but it was Mirko Vucinic who turned the match. He came on for Mancini and put in a virtuoso display - hitting the crossbar, getting a man sent off and scoring the vital second which killed off the tie.

The team also showed it had learned a few lessons from the terrible thumping it took in Manchester not so long ago. They may not go on to win the thing but they should at least be nobody's idea of an easy draw in the quarter finals.

Addio campioni!

They tried to resist the forces of nature but, in the end, Milan succumbed to Arsenal in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday night. In the end, disappointed as you might be, the better team over the two legs went through.

The Rossoneri had their chances in the San Siro but it was a bad time for Ricky Kaka to have an off night. Andrea Pirlo was also ensnared well by the Gunners midfield which left the playmaking role all too often in the hands of Rino Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini. How we wished the warmly-wrapped Clarence Seedorf could have come down from the stands and played his part.

Now is a time for stock-taking in Milan. The team needs an overhaul - maybe not as drastic as some people suggest - but an overhaul nonetheless. A striking target man would be useful, another creative midfielder to take pressure off Pirlo and - toughest of all - a replacement for Paolo Maldini.

You have to wonder if it might be the end of Carlo Ancelotti too. Not that he has done badly but failure to get to the last eight will be seen as disaster. If the Rossoneri should finish outside the top four that would be unforgivable. Do you think Mr Mourinho will have his phone switched on?

A weekend of surprises...

Day 26: Juventus-Fiorentina highlights
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Ah, history in the making! The Viola down Juve in Turin and Napoli beat Inter. Great times, my friends, great times...

Fulmine a San Siro

It should have been the goal that blasted the Serie A battle back open. Francesco Totti struck as sweet a left foot strike as you will ever see to give Roma the lead over Inter in their top of the table fight on Wednesday night. Instead, the Nerazzurri clawed their way back with ten men to get a draw which keeps them nine points clear.

The game started sluggishly but once Roma got ahead it sprung to life. Bobby Mancini committed his subs early and paid the price when Maxwell was stretchered off leaving his team with ten men. However, the referee evened that up by harshly sending off Phillipe Mexes. Then Roma lost a man through injury too, leaving them with nine.

Eventually, with suitable huff and puff, Javier Zanetti struck an equaliser through a forest of legs. The San Siro went nuts but the neutrals stamped the ground in disgust. Roma will never have a better chance to narrow the gap on the top of the table team than that.

Inter rattled?

Following hot on the heels of their disaster in Liverpool, could Inter's failure to win against Sampdoria constitute a crisis? Even Bobby Mancini hinted as much in his recent interviews. For a side used to winning at a canter it throws a slender lifeline to their opponents.

The only side who can credibly take advantage are Roma who, nice coincidence, will play them on Wednesday night. If the Giallorossi could somehow sneak a win it would close the gap to six points which, while still significant, might give some hope of a genuine title fight.

Roma beat my beloved Viola, of course, on Sunday. I didn't see much of the game, I confess, but I did see the highlights. Obviously it is not an offence in Rome for Totti to stand in the line of a shot in an offside position in front of the goalkeeper. Churlish, moi? Worse news that Adrian Mutu picked up an injury and could be out for some time.

Elsewhere it was goalfest as Torino and Parma drew 4-4 and Genoa thumped Udinese 5-3. Italian football boring? Give me a break.

Firenze Sogna

Tonight is the night when a little dream can come true. Fiorentina take on Rosenborg in Florence with the prize dangling at the end of it a trip to Goodison Park to take on Everton.

I have followed the Viola for too long to think they will do the job with ease. However, having won the first leg 1-0 it would be a real shame to throw it away. I want my trip down to Liverpool to see my boys in action. Here is hoping.

The Matrix unplugged

Remember the old Marco Materazzi? The pre-World Cup 2006, total-liability version? Well he was back in force on Tuesday night. He saw red leaving Inter with ten men for the majority of their Champions League clash with Liverpool. They lost 2-0, seriously compromising their chances of progress. Same old Inter, I am inclined to say.

Yes, Matrix's sending-off was harsh but after his first soft yellow (and one for Chivu) he should have got the idea. Instead, sadly, no. It has left the Nerazzurri with a mountain to climb.

Roma did better against Real. Their 2-1 win at least gives them half a chance of progressing. I was disappointed they didn't push to try to get a third. However, maybe they gave as much as they could. They have a couple of weeks to focus on the return game. I believe they will score in Madrid, don't know if they will score enough, mind you...

That's one in the bag

Well, Inter really don't need to worry any more about the Scudetto after the weekend's events. They brushed past Livorno while Juve did them a big favour in beating Roma. You've got to hand it to Claudio Ranieri. He has put the Bianconeri in with a decent shout of finishing in second place in their first season back in Serie A.

Down the table a bit, Milan could not break down a solid Parma side and their draw allowed Fiorentina to rebuild a gap in fourth place thanks to an Adrian Mutu wonder strike against Catania. Udinese also won, making the fight for that last Champions League spot pretty tasty.

Elsewhere, it was the Antonio Cassano show as Samp won the Genoese derby by a single goal. Honestly, if the boy from Bari could just focus on his football he would be a real bonus to both club and country...

Torna presto Ronie!

I know, I know that I have poked fun at him in the past. I think I called him the "Lord of the Pies" and I definitely joked that he could no longer jump off the ground. However, I would not have wished a career-ending injury on Ronaldo.

It looks like the end of the road after he collapsed in a heap against Livorno on Wednesday night. I know he fought back before but I really wonder if he can manage it again. It is a big blow to Milan who - while they have Pato and Paloschi for the future - could have done with his experience in the big games to come.

Perhaps I am wrong and he can defy the odds and come back again. However, when a player has suffered as many serious injuries as he has, it is hard to believe he can really be a force to be reckoned with ever again.

In praise of the little guy

In these days of global brand positioning - whatever that means - it is worth pausing to remember that, for the time being at least, even footballing giants need somebody to play against. So, for all this talk of taking the game around the world, you still have to be able to beat the minnows in your own back yard. And if those tiddlers happen to give you a fright from time to time - so much the better.

I thought this while watching Siena, Reggina, Catania and - to a lesser extent - Udinese at the weekend. Siena gave Milan a hard time only to be sunk by the Rossoneri's latest wonderkid Paloschi. On Saturday night Reggina played so cautiously for the first half I nearly switched off but in the second period they were enterprising and aggressive only to lose out to Roma. It was a similar story for Catania against Inter. Up until the Nerazzurri went ahead it was a good game.

Elsewhere, Fiorentina contrived to throw away a win (or Atalanta battled to the death, depending on your viewpoint). It means a midweek win over Livorno would put Milan into fourth place and back into the Champions League points. Apart from one setback - also at Atalanta - they are the form team of Serie A at the moment...

You know when you've been Pato-ed!

What did I say about playing badly but winning? Me and my big mouth. On Sunday night Fiorentina played one of their best games of recent times and, guess what? They got beat.

Little Pato came off the bench, scored the winner, then hobbled off injured. It would be fair to say few Stranieri have had a bigger impact in a shorter period of time in Serie A. If he keeps going like this he could be amazing.

The game itself started magnificently and then fizzled out. But in the second half it was the Viola who gave everything for the win. However, if you don't put the ball in the net, etc. They were punished by Pato just as they ran out of steam. Also, Kalac was in impressive form - I think it could be a long time until we see Dida back between the sticks.

Elsewhere, what to say about the penalty Inter got against Empoli? If it had been given to Juve we would never have heard the end of it. OK, the Nerazzurri might have won anyway but it did give them a hell of a hand - until Empoli missed their consolation spot-kick.

Brescia beats Govan

I love these lifestyle choice stories. I am sure I remember one when Florin Raducioiu (or however you spell it) was torn between somewhere grim in the UK and Espanol. It was his wife, I think, who said don't be so bloomin' stupid - we're off to Barcelona you eejit!

So, Andrea Caracciolo snubbed the Glasgow Rangers to go to Brescia. He even went down a division rather than head to Ibrox. Admirable? Foolish? Understandable?

In Glasgow he would surely have got plenty of goals. He would also have got a team virtually guaranteed Champions League football every year. He would have got to share a curry with Barry Ferguson.

Instead, he went back to the team where he first made his reputation. There he gets a side struggling to get back to Serie A but he will get pasta like his mamma used to make every day.

Now, which one would you have chosen?

Trap O'Toni?

To be sure, is there no end to the love of all things Italian at the moment? Apparently, the legendary Giovanni Trapattoni - he of the ridiculous touchline gestures and amazing whistling - is being considered for the job of manager of the Republic of Ireland.

Begorrah, bejeezus and any other Irish cliche I can think of! The Trap in charge of the Fighting Irish! It is so bonkers it is brilliant. It would, of course, mean that he would face Italy in the World Cup qualification group as well.

I say get Nevio Scala in for Wales, Marcello Lippi for Scotland and Luca Vialli for Northern Ireland and let's complete the clean sweep!

Winning Ugly

Normally, as a follower of Fiorentina, I have to content myself with playing nice football but losing. Indeed, it has become something of a philosophy at the Tuscan club. But, of late, they seem to be betraying that tradition.

The last few matches I have watched have seen the Viola see off Empoli, Torino and Parma without ever playing well. The exciting football of early months seems a long way off. However, it has produced the wins.

This could be a sign of a number of things. 1) We have been lucky - a couple of dubious penalties were included in these victories. 2) Prandelli's tactical astuteness - we were struggling in the run-up to Christmas but appear to have turned it round. 3) The team is maturing into one which takes its chances when they come along.

I like to go for the third option which was certainly the case on Sunday. Empoli had a lot of pressure but we had the ball in the net FIVE times (three ruled out for offside - probably all rightly so). And Mutu missed a sitter. Maybe catching Juve is not out of the question after all...

Brave Parma go down fighting...

I had a weekend glut of games with three main pieces of televisual footballing entertainment. First up came Fiorentina on Saturday night. They edged past Torino courtesy of a couple of penalties. The first was given to Bobo Vieri to allow him to get his 200th Italian goal while the second went to Adrian Mutu who delivered his traditional "cucchiaio" - a cheeky chip down the middle of the goal as made famous by Francesco Totti. In between times a low Vince Grella strike had given Toro hope.

In truth, the Granata were a bit unlucky. Both penalties were a bit shady (the first more than the second). It is the second time in as many weeks that the Viola have been the beneficiaries of such dodgy decisions. They were lucky to beat Parma the week before after a delayed reaction Vieri tumble in the box. At least I am honest enough to admit it.

My second game was Udinese v Milan or, as you might call it, a return to earth over Pato. The Brazilian wonderkid had a much quieter time than he did on his debut. But it was ridiculous to expect any different. The Friuli boys are a very well-organised side and thoroughly deserve their league position. Milan are better with their new line up and a late, late Alberto Gilardino strike means a Champions League finish is still on the cards.

Finally, I suffered heartache with Parma. To say Mimmo Di Carlo's men were hard done by would be an understatement. They played with great organisation and no little attacking flair to lead Inter 2-1 with minutes to go. Then Fernando Couto leapt to clear on the goalline and brushed the ball with his arm. It was probably a penalty but it was hard to tell. Ibrahimovic converted and then he added insult to injury by scoring the winner. The post-match handshakes must have been hard to take for the Parmigiani.

Spookily similar

It was bugging me all through the Milan v Napoli game the other night. I knew that the new wonder kid Pato reminded me of someone but I could not think who.

I had this feeling that he looked a bit like some US college kid in his freshman year. Wide-eyed and full of wonder at everything he sees.

It was only thanks to a chat with the legendary Venezian that all the pieces fell into place. Of course, for anyone who remembers the classic dorm-based comedy "Saved By The Bell" it was obvious. Pato is the reincarnation of Screech - otherwise known as Dustin Diamond.

I now look forward to all his great comedy sketches as well as more goals for Milan.

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.

Gagging for it

Go on, tell the truth, you too are feeling like a horny teenager. It has been nearly three weeks since we got any. And I, for one, am bursting with anticipation.

Yes, Serie A explodes back onto our screens this weekend - and thank goodness for that. Sundays are just not the same without it. Goodness me, you have to spend time with the family or do chores around the house. Where is the fun in that?

Top topic for conversation seems to be whether or not Milan will throw Pato into the fray against Napoli. Speculation is rife that he might play alongside Gilardino with Kaka just in behind. Forming the Pa-Gi-Ka frontline or something like that.

Remember what a game Milan v Napoli used to be in the late 1980s? Diego v Berlusconi and all that. It is not quite the same this year but, still, it should be a good game. And Parma v Fiorentina was also a classic six or seven years back but this term they have very different aims for the game.

Elsewhere, Roma face a tricky trip to Bergamo to try to keep up any pressure on Inter who head to Siena. At the very best the Nerazzurri might get held to a draw to give some hope to their rivals. But I don't really believe that will happen.

Wishes for 2008

Here are a few football-related hopes for the year ahead. I have desperately tried to find something for everyone but please let me know if you feel left out...

1) Italy to win Euro 2008. I know we just won the World Cup but, what the hell, I am greedy.

2) Milan to win the Champions League again. I just found out, courtesy of my Panini album I pretend is for my daughter, that the Rossoneri have made the final on 11 occasions out of 22 participations in the European Cup. Nobody comes close to that.

3) Roma to win the Scudetto. I have never spotted an Inter fan reading this blog but I know there are at least a couple of Romanisti.

4) Fiorentina to win UEFA Cup, Coppa Italia and qualify for Champions League. That's for me and me alone!

5) Venezia to get promotion to Serie B. Arra! Arra! Venezian.

Sorry, Juventini, maybe Trezeguet can get the Golden Boot...