AND IT ENDS JUST AS IT BEGAN

Match day 14 continued to rack up 1-0 victories on Monday with Napoli vs. Cagliari and Inter vs. Parma. Monday’s affairs were largely lackluster and scrappy.

Napoli was away at Cagliari, and took the opportunity to move up to second place, nicking a win with a second half goal from Marek Hamsik . Although the visitors defended throughout the game, and were fortunate not to go a goal down (or 2) with Cagliari hitting the woodwork twice. Hamsik pounced on a loose ball in the 18 yard box to take the Napolians  to within 2 points of the league leaders.  A good victory for Napoli considering they are missing the services of their front men Pandev and Cavani.

The second game of the Day was exactly the same, uninspiring and dull. Parma were the aggressors throughout the scrappy affair at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, as they entertained Inter Milan. Inter were playing with the Chance of moving within one point of Juventus at the top of the table. But were dull throughout the game. Cassano was missing on the frontlines following his suspension, and it showed. As Inter’s front men seemed lost as to how to create chances. Credit must be given to Parma and especially Jonathan Bibiany who sought to embarrass his former employers.  Following sustained pressure, Parma took the lead in the 75^th minute when Sansone got the ball in the middle of the pack and sprinted 30 yards to slot in the bottom left corner for the winning goal. The game continued to go Parma’s way with Yohan Benalouane's header tipped over in the 85^th minute.

On Tuesday, Lazio welcomed Udinese to the Stadio Olimpico and from the get go sought to decimate them. Lazio spent the last week trying to lick the wounds caused by its supporters following a bar room brawl before its Europa league tie against Tottenham. They came into this game wearing their traditional Light Blue kit with the English words “No Racism” across it.  In the Early stages of the game Lazio were given a penalty which was saved, as Ledesma Casually took it. In the 17^th minute Lazio were ahead , this time Stefano Mauri put in a perfect pass to Gonzalez who thumped it home.  Poor defending saw Lazio double their advantage in the 30^th minute. Mauri was again in the thick of things as he put the  ball forward for the legendary  Miroslav Kolse, who was left unmarked and calmly slotted it past a helpless Brkic for his 8^th goal this season. On the Hour mark, the host finally put the nail in the coffin with a sublime freekick from outside the area by substitute Hernanes.

Notes.

Lazio move ahead of city rivals Roma into 5^th place.

Following Parma’s victory at home to Inter Milan, they now move into 7^th place ahead of AC Milan, and maintain an unbeaten home record that stretches back to March.

Napoli move to second spot 2 points shy of the League leaders and Inter in 4^th spot 4 points from the Top.

By:

Eboreime Ohioma Philip.