The Serie A is getting more and more exciting, especially after these recent results, and the matches which will be played this Sunday. Napoli got an important 1-0 win away against Genoa, Palermo came back to beat Parma 3-1 at the Renzo Barbera, and Udinese also completed a comeback win at home, 2-1 over Fiorentina. While we had three important matches today, there's plenty more action to come tomorrow when AC Milan travel to Bologna and then Juventus host Lazio.
Napoli defeated Genoa 1-0 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, and what separated the two sides was a bullet header by Marek Hamsik. It was Gargano's free kick on the 25th minute, swung in with great pace, which Hamsik flicked wonderfully past Eduardo. Genoa created opportunities, but they weren't able to capitalize on key chances. This win puts Walter Mazzari's side in second place, equal on points with Lazio who will be facing fourth placed Juventus tomorrow. The bianconeri are three points behind Lazio and Napoli, so if Juve can manage to win, there will be three teams equal on points in second place.
Palermo hosted Parma at the Renzo Barbera stadium, and Parma coach Pasquale Marino was unable to see his side take the lead due to his mother's death. It was a header by Lucarelli which hit the back of the net after a well placed corner. The first half lacked the usual inspiration which Javier Pastore provided for Palermo, and Delio Rossi eventually decided to take the Argentinean off at halftime. Instead it was the Chilean Pinilla who took his place, scoring the equalizer just five minutes into the second half, and then assisting Miccoli for Palermo's second goal. Kasami secured the result when his header bounced off of Zaccardo's head, and into the back of the Parma net for an own goal.
And in the third match today, Udinese came back against Fiorentina to win 2-1, and it was a match filled with wonderful goals. Santana struck first, a low, long-range effort which Handanovic had fallen asleep on allowed the visitors to take the lead. But in the second half Guidolin's side reacted, first with Pablo Armero's thunderbolt strike from far out, and then Di Natale's goal which was preceded by some beautiful one-touch build-up play. An important win for Guidolin's side which is making up for their bad start to the season, and right now Udinese are 8th in the table.
What are your thoughts regarding these matches? Plenty of exciting play, moments, and goals, and hopefully more will come tomorrow when Juventus and Lazio face off. Share your comments below!
2 comments… read them below or add one
No disrespect or anything but Napoli in second place at this stage of the season is just another indication of how far Italian football has fallen behind the rest of the continents big leagues.
Sheva,
Your opinion is valued but I think Niccolo’s writing on Napoli is actually an indication Serie A is not just about the big teams (meaning Inter, Milan, Juventus…). There are other teams who can challenge for top 4 spots and that’s an indication of the league’s strength. In face, contrast that with La Liga where Barca and R. Madrid (two of the best teams in the world) have no competition to their dominance. This means La Liga is poorer quality than EPL or Serie A when you exclude Barca or Real Madrid.
Napoli have Cavani, Hamsik and Lavezzi as well as to a lesser extent Gargano and Maggio. They’re a solid team.