SBNation.com - Serie A, Round 17: Juventus, Roma both pick up big wins on Sundayhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2013-12-22T16:46:25-05:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/49952392013-12-22T16:46:25-05:002013-12-22T16:46:25-05:00Derby spoils go to Inter
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<figcaption>Claudio Villa</figcaption>
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<p>The Milan Derby was a tight affair, with both sides having their share of chances. In the end, though, it was a last-minute goal from Rodrigo Palacio that made all the difference.</p> <p><a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Inter Milan</a> finally have a much-needed win -- and they've got it against their bitter rivals, Milan. It'll be a nervy Christmas for Max Allegri, whose <i>rossoneri </i>slip down into 13th, remaining just five points above the drop zone.</p>
<p>The first half may have been scoreless, but, befitting of a derby, it certainly wasn't boring. Despite Inter having a nine-point lead over their rivals, it was the <i>rossoneri </i>that had the better of the chances. Milan took advantage of the fact that Inter's back line has looked nothing but shaky since <span>Hugo Campagnaro</span> fell to injury. The Argentine may have returned, but under just the merest hint of pressure, the <i>nerazzurri </i>back line simply goes to pieces.</p>
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<p><span>Mario Balotelli</span> did his best to exploit the Inter weakness, but the forward just couldn't get a shot on target, despite being given plenty of room. Instead it was <span>Andrea Poli</span> who had the best chance of the first half. Samir Handanović, whose normally flawless form has slipped as of late, came flying out of goal to flap ineffectually at the ball. Poli fell on the loose ball but, despite being only 12 yards out, sent the ball spinning into the atmosphere rather than into the open goal.</p>
<p>Inter did little to trouble Christian Abbiati, but they did have a legitimate shot for a penalty waved away. A ball from <span>Fredy Guarín</span> set <span>Rodrigo Palacio</span> free on goal, but Cristian Zapata barged in behind him, sweeping the forward's legs out from beneath him. The referee waved play on as Inter continued to hunt for their first penalty of the season.</p>
<p>After spending the majority of the first half watching his side get pinned back in their own half, <span>Walter Mazzarri</span> elected to make a change early in the second half, bringing off <span>Saphir Taider</span> for the more attack-minded Mateo Kovačić. The Croatian's introduction did make Inter more lively, but they still had troubles carving out clear-cut chances.</p>
<p>Mazzarri's counterpart in the <i>rossoneri </i>dugout, <span>Massimiliano Allegri</span>, who's no tactical genius at the best of times, had no real means of introducing new ideas to his Christmas tree formation. About all that could be done was to replace the youthful <span>Riccardo Saponara</span> with <span>Alessandro Matri</span>, who has but one goal this season.</p>
<p>It was Inter that came the closest in the second half, with Abbiati forced to fingertip away a close-range shot from Palacio, and then managing to gather the Argentine's reflexive second shot. Shortly thereafter, Mazzarri put on yet another attacker, replacing <span>Esteban Cambiasso</span> with <span>Mauro Icardi</span>.</p>
<p>But in the end it was Palacio with the game-winning goal. The cross came in from Guarín and Palacio easily gave Zapata the slip, turning to flick a lovely backheel past Abbiati.</p>
<p>And, just to make a derby of it, in the dying minutes of stoppage time, a small scuffle broke out. No punches were thrown, but <span>Sulley Muntari</span> was rewarded with a straight red card.</p>
<p>Inter Milan: Handanović; Campagnaro, Rolando, <span>Juan Jesus</span>; Jonathan, Taider (Kovačić 57'), Cambiasso, Zanetti (Kuzmanović 68'), Nagatomo; Guarín; Palacio</p>
<p><a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">AC Milan</a>: Abbiati; De Sciglio, Bonera, Zapata, Constant (Emanuelson 45'); Poli (Pazzini 87'), De Jong, Muntari; Saponara (Matri 76'), Kakà; Balotelli</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/serie-a/2013/12/22/5236124/inter-vs-ac-milan-final-score-result-derby-2013-serie-aKirsten Schlewitz2013-12-22T11:17:01-05:002013-12-22T11:17:01-05:00Verona vanquish Lazio
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<figcaption>Dino Panato</figcaption>
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<p>Hellas Verona thumped Lazio 4-1 at the Stadio Bentegodi to end 2013 on a high and leave Lazio still looking for a first away win of the season.</p> <p>Andrea Mandorlini's side are a force to be reckoned with on their own soil. A brace from <span>Luca Toni</span>, along with goals from <span>Juan Iturbe</span> and Romulo produced an eighth home win out of nine. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/lazio" class="sbn-auto-link">Lazio</a> on the other hand continue to stutter away from home and end the year on a sour note. <span>Lucas Biglia</span> had drew the sides level, before Verona ran away with the game.</p>
<p>Lazio were without flu victim <span>Stefan Radu</span>, Alvaro Gonzalez and Bruno Pereirinha, while Hernanes was suspended.</p>
<p>Hellas hit the front after only five minutes. Jorginho floated a free kick into the box, which Toni headed into the top corner after getting the better of both Andre Dias and Biglia.</p>
<p>Lazio were denied a penalty six minutes later after a Vangelis Moras bodycheck on <span>Miroslav Klose</span> went unpunished. Verona took the ball down the other end and almost doubled their lead. Iturbe capitalised on a Senad Lulic error to run into the box and force <span>Federico Marchetti</span> into a save.</p>
<p>The visitors started to create chances. <span>Antonio Candreva</span> fizzed a free kick over, while Rafael saw an <span>Ogenyi Onazi</span> snapshot late, but still managed to catch it. Klose missed a guilt-edged chance on 25 minutes. Rafael spilt Ederson's low cross into the German's path, but <span>Domenico Maietta</span> kept the German out from point blank range with a goalline clearance.</p>
<p>Lazio deservedly drew level two minutes later. Biglia headed in his first Serie A goal from a Candreva corner. Rafael was powerless to stop it and could only punch the ball into the net.</p>
<p>Verona re-took the lead right on the stroke of half time. Iturbe's 30 yard free kick dipped at the last second, bouncing over an outstretched Marchetti and into the net.</p>
<p>Rafael frustrated Lazio at the start of the second half with a string of saves. After keeping out a <span>Lorik Cana</span> header, the shot stopper punched clear a shot from Onazi. Lazio continued to look menacing from corners. Rafael denied Andre Dias, but Biglia got caught up in the ground and failed to control the rebound.</p>
<p>Toni should have grabbed a second goal after Juanito Gomez Taleb put him clear. The frontman hit the side netting when he really should have hit the target. Toni spurned another chance on the hour, directing a shot in the box straight at Marchetti.</p>
<p>Lazio made an attacking change, only to instantly concede a third goal after their defence were caught all at sea. Toni expertly drew Marchetti out and played the ball across the box for Romulo to tap into an empty net.</p>
<p>Klose stretched and just failed to turn Keita Balde's cross in. The substitute then stung Rafael's gloves himself as Lazio looked for a way back into the match. Instead, it was Verona that scored again 12 minutes from the end to put the game beyond the visitors. Jorginho capitalised on Cana's unfortunate slip to run clear and lay off for Toni to shoot into an open goal. It was the veteran forward's seventh strike in what is turning out to be a vintage season so far.</p>
<p><span>Sergio Floccari</span> almost netted a consolation. His shot bounced in front of Rafael, but he managed to palm it clear and Verona saw the game out.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/hellas-verona" class="sbn-auto-link">Hellas Verona</a>:</strong> Rafael; Agostini, Maietta, Moras, Cacciatore; Hallfredsson, (Donati 75) Jorginho, (Laner 88) Romulo; Gomez Taleb, Toni, Iturbe (Donadel 69)<br><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Lazio:</strong> Marchetti; Konko, Dias, Cana, Lulic; Ledesma; Candreva,(Perea 76) Onazi, Biglia, (Keita 62) Ederson (Floccari 70) Klose</p>
<p><b>Goals:</b> Toni 5, 78 (V) Biglia 27 (L) Iturbe 44 (V) Romulo 63 (V)</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2013/12/22/5235184/hellas-verona-vs-lazio-final-score-4-1-seriea-2013-14Shaun Best2013-12-22T11:12:03-05:002013-12-22T11:12:03-05:00Juventus fight back for ninth straight win
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<figcaption>Maurizio Lagana</figcaption>
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<p>Juventus finish 2013 five points clear at the top of the Serie A table, thanks to a dominant second-half performance against Atalanta.</p> <p>It'll be a very merry Christmas for the <i>bianconeri</i>. Sure, their run of 745 minutes without conceding has ended, but they've notched another victory. That means nine wins from nine matches for Juventus, as the Old Lady head into the winter break at the top of the table.</p>
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<p>The visitors got things started quickly with a goal from <span>Carlos Tévez</span>, the Argentine shrugging off the Atalanta defenders to send in a shot from outside the box. <span>Andrea Consigli</span> got a hand to it, but he couldn't manage to push the ball away. That makes 11 goals for Tévez thus far, and we've just reached Christmas.</p>
<p>With Atalanta's impressive home record, it wasn't all that surprising when the hosts found an equalizer 10 minutes later. <span>Maxi Moralez</span> sent his shot toward the far post, where it hit the inside of the upright. The ball bounced into the net, past a diving <span>Gianluigi Buffon</span>.</p>
<p>Juventus spent the rest of the first half pressing, anxious to get back in front, but Atalanta remained stoic. The same couldn't be said for the second half.</p>
<p>Perhaps it was the luck of <span>Antonio Conte's</span> trucker hat, but the <i>bianconeri </i>went on to put three more past Consigli. Paul Pogba made up for his uncharacteristically poor first half, during which <span>Giacomo Bonaventura</span> made him look foolish time and again, by scoring his side's second just after the restart. <span>Fernando Llorente</span> did well to knock down a cross from <span>Kwadwo Asamoah</span>, then generously allowed Pogba to slide in from six yards.</p>
<p>Llorente himself got the third goal, leaving <span>Giulio Migliaccio</span> looking foolish as he got on the end of a ball from <span>Giorgio Chiellini</span> to knock the ball into the bottom right corner. Less than five minutes later, Juve's last came from -- of course -- Arturo Vidal. The Chilean simply tapped in a cross from <span>Stephan Lichtsteiner</span>.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/atalanta">Atalanta</a>: Consigli; Del Grosso (Cazzola 68), Migliaccio, Stendardo, Raimondi (Koné 86); Brivio, Cigarini, Carmona, Bonaventura (Livaja 68); Moralez; Denis</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/">Juventus</a>: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal (Padoin 81), Marchisio, Pogba (Peluso 83), Asamoah; Tévez (Quagliarella 81), Llorente</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/serie-a/2013/12/22/5235114/atalanta-vs-juventus-final-score-result-report-2013-serie-aKirsten Schlewitz2013-12-22T11:07:37-05:002013-12-22T11:07:37-05:00Roma put four past terrible Catania
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<figcaption>Paolo Bruno</figcaption>
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<p>Roma extended their unbeaten run as they brushed aside an extremely poor Catania at the Olimpico on Sunday afternoon.</p> <p><a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">AS Roma</a> smashed Catania 4-0 at the Olimpico on Sunday afternoon; maintaining their pressure on league leaders <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Juventus</a>. It was about as easy a victory as the <i>giallorossi </i>will be handed this season, capitalising on an exceptionally poor performance from a team rooted to the foot of the Serie A table.</p>
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<p>The opening exchanges were fairly even, though unfortunately <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/catania" class="sbn-auto-link">Catania's</a> resistance was far from stubborn. It took less than 20 minutes for <i>Roma </i>to take the lead, with <span>Mehdi Benatia</span> leaping to head home Mattia Destro's flick-on after Adem Ljajić's initial effort had been tipped round the post by Catania keeper <span>Alberto Frison</span>.</p>
<p>A surge of Roma pressure followed, and both Destro and Gervinho had great chances to double their advantage within five minutes of Benatia's opener. Fortunately for Catania, Frison was on excellent form. Unfortunately, their outfielders weren't. The <i>elefanti </i>spent much of the half packing men behind the ball, and their slow transitions left their strikers isolated and Roma keeper <span>Morgan De Sanctis</span> bored. The halftime whistle blew with him literally not having had a save to make.</p>
<p>The second half picked up where the first had left off, with Frison again forced into an excellent stop within a couple of minutes of the restart. Ljajić swaggered towards goal and drilled a low shot towards the near post, only for it to be tipped away by the diving Venetian.</p>
<p>Sadly it was all in vain, as Roma finally had their second goal five minutes short of the hour, with Frison undoing all of his excellent work with an embarrassing goalkeeping howler. He failed to keep hold of a routine low cross from the right, dropping the ball against his own defender Alexis Rolín. It rebounded right into the path of the lurking Destro, who just had to roll the ball into the open goal.</p>
<p>The floodgates had been blown open, and within five minutes Benatia had managed to net his second and Roma's third, again nodding the ball home after some lax set-piece defending from Catania. There was still more than enough time for Roma to add a fourth, and Gervinho managed to make amends for missing an open goal in his own inimitable style; scuffing the ball against his standing leg and over Frison to cap the victory.</p>
<p>Thankfully, that was as bad as things got for the Sicilian visitors.</p>
<p>The win means Roma stay five points adrift of league leaders Juventus, while Catania stay rooted to the foot of the table. On this evidence, they're relegation certainties.</p>
<p><b>AS Roma: </b>De Sanctis; Dodô, Castán, Benatia, Maicon; Pjanić (Florenzi 81'), Bradley; Ljajić, Totti (Ricci 86'), Gervinho; Destro (Taddei 59').</p>
<p><i>Goals: </i>Benatia (18', 59'), Destro (55'), Gervinho (80').</p>
<p><b>Catania: </b>Frison; Álvarez, Rolín, Legrottaglie, Peruzzi (Biraghi 45'); Plašil, Guarente, Izco; Castro (Bergessio 60'), Leto (Monzón 67'), Barrientos.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/12/22/5235326/roma-catania-2013-serie-a-final-score-resultJack Sargeant2013-12-22T08:37:48-05:002013-12-22T08:37:48-05:00Bologna win to ease the pressure on Pioli
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<figcaption>Mario Carlini / Iguana Press</figcaption>
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<p>A superb solo strike by Alessandro Diamanti was enough to defeat Genoa and possibly earn under-fire coach Stefano Pioli a stay of execution - for now.</p> <p>Diamanti struck just before the hour as Bologna picked up only their third victory of the season. Pioli knew coming into the game that anything less than a victory would bring an end to his reign in charge of the <i>Rossoblu</i>. Before kickoff, Bologna had picked up just three draws from six matches, while Genoa were riding high in the top half of the table.</p>
<p>Bologna lined up without injured duo Frederik Sorensen and Nicolo Cherubin. Thomas Manfredini returned from suspension for Genoa, but <span>Daniele Portanova</span>, <span>Francesco Lodi</span> and <span>Juraj Kucka</span> missed the trip through injury. <span>Alberto Gilardino</span> faced his former club.</p>
<p>Bologna did much of the early running and had the best of a low key first half. Four minutes in, <span>Cesare Natali</span> nodded a free header wide from Diamanti's cross with <span>Mattia Perin</span> rooted to the spot.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/genoa">Genoa's</a> sole chance in the first period came on 19 minutes, but Gyorgy Garics cut out a low cross meant for Moussa Konate.</p>
<p><span>Davide Moscardelli</span> cushioned a header down for <span>Panagiotis Kone</span> to volley into Perin's gloves on half an hour.</p>
<p>Six minutes before the break, Manfredini blocked Kone from connecting with a Diamanti cross. On the stroke of half time, <span>Jonathan Cristaldo</span> threaded through for Kone, but his weak cross was smothered by a grateful Perin.</p>
<p>Two minutes after the restart, Manfredini headed over a chipped cross from Sime Vrsaljko. Bologna then took a deserved lead. Diamanti collected a ball outside the area and placed a low shot beyond Perin which nestled nicely into the bottom corner. It was Diamanti's fourth strike of the season and no more than Bologna deserved.</p>
<p>Moscardelli almost doubled the advantage. His volley into the ground bounced back up, forcing Perin to tip the ball over the bar.</p>
<p>Gilardino succumbed to a shoulder injury and was given polite applause off the pitch by the Bologna fans. Diamanti picked up a costly late booking which will rule him out of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/bologna">Bologna's</a> crunch game at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/catania">Catania</a> when Serie A resumes after the Christmas break. Genoa pressed late on, but they couldn't penetrate a solid Bologna defence.</p>
<p><strong>Bologna: </strong>Curci; Garics, Natali, Mantovani; Kone, Perez, Krhin, Morleo; Diamanti; Moscardelli, (Crespo 85) Cristaldo (Acquafresca 76)</p>
<p><strong>Genoa: </strong>Perin; Antonini, Gamberini, Manfredini; Vrsaljko, (Fetfatzidis 64) Biondini, Matuzalem, Bertolacci, (Cofie 56) Antonelli; Konate, Gilardino (Calaio 76)</p>
<p><b>Goals:</b> Diamanti 57 (B)</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/12/22/5234912/bologna-vs-genoa-final-score-1-0-seriea-2013-14Shaun Best2013-12-22T03:00:02-05:002013-12-22T03:00:02-05:00Roma face basement side Catania
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<figcaption>Marco Luzzani</figcaption>
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<p>Roma will look to return to winning ways and close the gap to league leaders Juventus by beating basement side Catania on Sunday.</p> <p id="paragraph5"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/">AS Roma</a> started the Serie A season like a house on fire, though in recent weeks they've gone from winning everything to barely being able to win at all. Admittedly, they're the only team in the league yet to lose, but when you're in a title race, drawing just about every game isn't much good. Fortunately against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/catania">Catania</a> this weekend they really ought to be able to record only their second win in six matches.</p>
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<p>Catania are no longer a mid-table force to be reckoned with, or playing some of the most exciting football in the entire league. The fun-loving <i>elefanti </i>of the last few seasons are now but a distant memory; replaced by a side sitting rock bottom of the table. What's more, the Sicilians have lost every single one of their Serie A away matches -- and it's highly unlikely they're going to be able to turn that around at the Olimpico.</p>
<p>That's despite the fact that Roma will be missing a big chunk of their midfield in this match, with both <span>Daniele De Rossi</span> and <span>Kevin Strootman</span> out through suspension. They're not the deepest in this area, though coach <span>Rudi Garcia</span> will likely decide between <span>Alessandro Florenzi</span> and <span>Rodrigo Taddei</span> to join fellow backup <span>Michael Bradley</span> alongside Miralem Pjanić.</p>
<p>For Catania, defender <span>Nicolás Spolli</span> is out through suspension, and will be sidelined alongside the injured <span>Giuseppe Bellusci</span> and Sergio Almirón. Look for Gigi Di Canio to set the <i>elefanti </i>up defensively and use the talent and mobility of their inside forwards <span>Lucas Castro</span> and <span>Pablo Barrientos</span> to create chances on the counter. However, given that they've scored only ten goals all season, they're going to find it difficult to have any attacking joy. Warning: this game may not be pretty.</p>
<p><b>AS Roma injuries and suspensions</b></p>
<p dir="ltr" id="paragraph6"><b>Out: </b><span>Federico Balzaretti</span>, <span>Gianluca Caprari</span>, <span>Marco Borriello</span> (injured); Daniele De Rossi, Kevin Strootman (suspended). <b>In doubt: </b>None.</p>
<p dir="ltr" id="paragraph7"><b>Catania injuries and suspensions</b></p>
<p dir="ltr" id="paragraph8"><b>Out: </b>Juan Zuñiga, Marek Hamšik, <span>Giandomenico Mesto</span>, <span>Paolo Cannavaro</span> (injured).<b> In doubt: </b>None.</p>
<p id="paragraph9" dir="ltr"><b>Projected lineups</b></p>
<p dir="ltr" id="paragraph10"><b>AS Roma: </b><span>Morgan De Sanctis</span>; Dodô, Leandro Castán, <span>Mehdi Benatia</span>, Vasilis Torosidis; Rodrigo Taddei, Michael Bradley, Miralem Pjanić; Gervinho, <span>Francesco Totti</span>, Alessandro Florenzi.</p>
<p dir="ltr" id="paragraph11"><b></b><b>Catania: </b><span>Alberto Frison</span>; <span>Cristiano Biraghi</span>, <span>Alexis Rolín</span>, <span>Nicola Legrottaglie</span>, <span>Gino Peruzzi</span>; Jaroslav Plašil, <span>Tiberio Guarente</span>, <span>Mariano Izco</span>; Pablo Barrientos, <span>Gonzalo Bergessio</span>, Lucas Castro.</p>
<p dir="ltr" id="paragraph12"><b></b><b>Match Date/Time:</b> Sunday, 3 p.m. local, 9 a.m. ET</p>
<p dir="ltr" id="paragraph13"><b>Venue: </b>Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy</p>
<p dir="ltr" id="paragraph14"><b>TV: </b>beIN Sport en Español (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Calcio 2, Premium Calcio 2 (Italy)</p>
<p dir="ltr" id="paragraph15"><b>Online: </b>beIN Sport Play (U.S. and Canada)</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/12/22/5234110/roma-catania-2013-serie-a-time-tv-scheduleJack Sargeant2013-12-21T16:42:58-05:002013-12-21T16:42:58-05:00Napoli held to a draw by Cagliari
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<figcaption>Enrico Locci</figcaption>
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<p>Napoli dropped yet more points in Serie A on Saturday; held to a 1-1 draw by mid-table Cagliari.</p> <p><a href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Napoli's</a> woes continued as they dropped yet more winnable points in Serie A on Saturday. They travelled to the Sant'Elia to play mid-table side Cagliari, though they couldn't find a winner after <span>Gonzalo Higuaín's</span> penalty cancelled out Nenê's surprising opener in the first half.</p>
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<p>The <i>partenopei</i> were served up a Sardinian surprise in <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/cagliari" class="sbn-auto-link">Cagliari's</a> brilliant start to the match, with Diego López's outfit immediately forcing Napoli onto the back foot. They had a reward for their frantic tempo inside the opening 10 minutes, when one-time Napoli target <span>Radja Nainggolan</span> found <span>Davide Astori</span>, who in turn served up a simple pass for veteran striker Nenê to tap in.</p>
<p>The game was blown completely open, and Napoli could've drawn level within 10 minutes had Gonzalo Higuaín not scuffed his shot into the Sant'Elia turf. Cagliari almost capitalised and doubled their advantage as they rapidly switched from defence to attack, though Nainggolan's half-volley at the near post was palmed away by <span>Pepe Reina</span>.</p>
<p>Just inside 20 minutes in, Napoli were given a big boost by some clumsy defending courtesy of Astori. He bundled <span>Goran Pandev</span> down in the penalty area, with Higuaín stepping up to convert the ensuing spot-kick and draw the visitors level. Gradually the game settled down with Napoli in control, though the pace of Cagliari's transitions ensured they were a constant threat to an ever-porous back line.</p>
<p>The opening second half exchanges were rather less gripping than the first, with the halftime break having calmed the hot-headed end-to-end madness. Napoli continued to patiently probe in midfield, though Cagliari comfortably kept the visitors at bay. It looked like a momentary piece of individual brilliance from winger <span>José Callejón</span> had finally given Napoli the lead inside the final 20 minutes, though his low volley from just inside the box was controversially ruled out for offside.</p>
<p>Substitute Dries Mertens should've put Napoli ahead inside the last three minutes of normal time, though his drilled effort from inside the area squirmed agonisingly wide of the Cagliari goal, and the match ended deadlocked. With another point added to their tally, Cagliari continue to float comfortably in midtable. As for Napoli; they could be ten points adrift of league leaders <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Juventus</a> by the end of the round.</p>
<p><b>Cagliari: </b>Avramov; Avelar (Ekdal 46'), Astori, Del Fabro, Pisano; Nainggolan, Conti, Dessena; Cossu (Ibraimi 85'); Sau, Nenê (Pinilla 14').</p>
<p><i>Goals: </i>Nenê (9').</p>
<p><b>Napoli: </b>Reina (Rafael 46'); Réveillere, Albiol, Fernández, Maggio; Behrami, Džemaili; Insigne (Mertens 71'), Pandev (Zapata 82'), Callejón; Higuaín.</p>
<p><i>Goals: </i>Higuaín (19').</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/12/21/5233728/napoli-cagliari-2013-serie-a-final-score-resultJack Sargeant2013-12-21T04:00:01-05:002013-12-21T04:00:01-05:00Which side has the edge in the Milan Derby?
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<figcaption>Claudio Villa</figcaption>
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<p>Inter have the points and the placement, but after last week's showing, is it Milan that have the edge?</p> <p>The Derby della Madonnina, played out between Inter and Milan, has to be one of the closest matched derbies in football. Assuming Wikipedia is right (and this is one of the rare occasions that it seems easiest just to trust the online encyclopedia), Inter have won 75 of the 210 meetings in all competitions, Milan 73. Even the goals scored is closely matched, with Milan at 285, Inter at 289.</p>
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<p>Over the past couple seasons, the <i>nerazzurri </i>have the edge, having won three of the last four, and with the most recent match, in February 2013, ending in a 1-1 draw. Looking at the table, you'd have no reason to think this match won't swing in Inter's favor: they're nine points above the <i>rossoneri</i>, have scored eleven more goals, and only lost once at home.</p>
<p>Yet it's Milan that may actually have momentum in their favor. Last time out, Inter lost 4-2 at Napoli, while the <i>rossoneri </i>came back to draw 2-2 with second-placed Roma. That means it's Milan that are unbeaten in their past five matches, although both sides have recorded just one win in that time, and both to a relegation candidate. More importantly, against Roma Milan looked motivated. Sure, they weren't perfect in their passes nor full of creative ideas, but they had a spark that's been lacking for much of the season.</p>
<p>So with both sides failing to live up to their storied histories, can we actually expect a good match out of the final tie before Italy take their winter break? Well, "good" might not be the right descriptor, but "lively" just might be. Neither squad is exactly known for their defensive capabilities -- the return of Hugo Campagnaro hasn't fixed Inter's back line, while Milan tend to go to pieces when faced with a dead ball situation -- which could make for some rather comical goals. And of course, there's always the potential for penalties and red cards, particularly with Mario Balotelli on the pitch.</p>
<h5>Projected lineups</h5>
<p><a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Inter Milan</a>: <span>Samir Handanovič</span>; <span>Hugo Campagnaro</span>, <span>Andrea Ranocchia</span>, <span>Juan Jesus</span>; Jonathan, <span>Saphir Taider</span>, <span>Esteban Cambiasso</span>, <span>Mateo Kovačić</span>, <span>Yuto Nagatomo</span>; <span>Fredy Guarín</span>; <span>Rodrigo Palacio</span></p>
<p><a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">AC Milan</a> (4-3-1-2): <span>Christian Abbiati</span>; <span>Mattia De Sciglio</span>, <span>Daniele Bonera</span>, <span>Cristián Zapata</span>, <span>Kévin Constant</span>; <span>Andrea Poli</span>, <span>Nigel De Jong</span>, <span>Sulley Muntari</span>; Kakà; <span>Mario Balotelli</span>, <span>Alessandro Matri</span></p>
<h5>Inter injuries and suspensions</h5>
<p><span>Cristian Chivu</span>, <span>Diego Milito</span>, <span>McDonald Mariga</span>, <span>Walter Samuel</span> (injured); Ricky Álvarez (suspended)</p>
<h5>Milan injuries and suspensions</h5>
<p><span>Marco Amelia</span>, <span>Valter Birsa</span>, <span>Stephan El Shaarawy</span>, Robinho, <span>Matías Silvestre</span> (injured); <span>Ignazio Abate</span>, <span>Urby Emanuelson</span> (in doubt); <span>Riccardo Montolivo</span> (suspended)</p>
<h5>Match Date / Time</h5>
<p>Sunday, December 22 at 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET</p>
<h5>Venue</h5>
<p>Stadio San Siro, Milan</p>
<h5>Watch</h5>
<p><b>TV</b>: Sky Sport 1 HD Italia, Sky 3D Italia, Sky Calcio 1, Sky Supercalcio HD (Italy); BeIN Sport, RAI Internazionale (USA)</p>
<p><b>Online</b>: BeIN Sport Play</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/serie-a/2013/12/21/5230548/inter-vs-milan-preview-derby-madonnina-2013Kirsten Schlewitz