Giornata 26 Review

Match of the Week:
Juventus - Palermo 0-2: Miccoli 60 (P), Budan 81 (P)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL-kTc_K6JQ
--Miccoli with one of the best of many great goals this week. Palermo showing they've got the potential for Champions League spot this year. Juve still needing so work under Zac.
(My Prediction: 3-3... Again, too optimistic and underestimated each's defenses. Juve just can't score consistently.)

Catania - Bari 4-0: Ricchiuti 4 (C), Llama 40 (C), Morimoto 81 (C), Martinez 91 (C)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89BNJs0SofM
--Where has Catania been all season? About time they showed up. Surprised it came against Bari though.
(My Prediction: 2-0 Catania... Whenever I'm doing predictions for Catania, I always have the thought of their capability to score four in a match. They did it a few times last year and have been wondering where it's been this season.)

Lazio - Fiorentina 1-1: Siviglia 7 (L), Keirrison 92 (F)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Sf7pc1EAs
--This might've been the first time I watched Lazio this season. They deserved more from this one and its hard to think they're 3 points off the drop. Well done to Fiorentina to squeeze out a point.)
(My Prediction: 1-4 Fiorentina... Way too optimistic to think Fiorentina would put in 4. They've got Bayern in 2 short weeks.)

Milan - Atalanta 3-1: Pato 29, 40 (M), Valdes 56 (A), Borriello 62 (M)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tm-BYIOu9Q
--It was only a few months ago that Ronaldinho was nobody to me any more but now I can't think of a reason why he isn't in the latest Brasil squad (I think Dinho and Kaka' hold each other back which is why Brasil in '06 and Milan last year way underachieved. But wouldn't he even be able to give Kaka' a rest for 30 minutes??). Atalanta put in a strong showing but Milan keep dreaming of the scudetto.
(My Prediction: 4-2 Milan... The game played out as I expected with Milan giving some to Atalanta but taking control overall.)

Genoa - Bologna 3-4: Suazo 8, 38 (G), Busce' 11 (B), Sculli 18 (G), Adailton 28, 56, pen 79 (B)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45W10vrcfXE
--This has to be one of the best games of the season. Genoa's chances of getting back into the Champions League race took a fatal hit. Bologna are a big three points closer to survival.
(My Prediction: 3-1 Genoa... Underestimated Bologna's capability. Genoa a bit off from the team they were last year.)

Chievo - Cagliari 2-1: De Paula 33 (Ch), Astori 51 (Ca), Granoche 78 (Ch)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTVfYkLhBCA
--Might be a bit too soon but it seems like Cagliari may have peaked the same way Parma did and could fall into a nasty little slump. Well done by Chievo, maybe we'll see them making a run at the Europa League if they can get some consistency going.
(My Prediction: 1-1... I expected Cagliari to fall off but not lose two straight.)

Udinese - Inter 2-3: Pepe 2 (U), Balotelli 6 (I), Maicon 21 (I), Milito 45 (I), Di Natale pen 52 (U)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR1Zgt0S0kU
--Inter is so damn good. Even with all their injuries, suspensions, and Udinese totally up for it today, they scored some quality goals and managed to come away with the points.
(My Prediction: 1-3 Inter... Udinese gave a stronger effort than I expected but Inter are just in their own league.)

Napoli - Roma 2-2: Baptista pen 56 (R), Vucinic 65 (R), Denis 75 (N), Hamsik pen 90 (N)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7OP7JhhjqQ
--Slow moving first half but eventful 2nd. Well done by Napoli to come back from a 0-2 deficit.
(My Prediction: 1-1... These two teams didn't seemed too strong for each other, in that either would be able to pull away. It seemed like Roma was on their way but Napoli wouldn't have it.)

Parma - Sampdoria 1-0: Zaccardo 54 (P)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUvA3bVnVFc
--Hell of a goal by Zaccardo, it deserved 3 points in itself. Very big upset for Parma. Sampdoria dropped by to reality.
(My Prediction: 1-2 Sampdoria... one of the many surprises this week.)

Livorno - Siena 1-2: Lucarelli pen 10 (L), Calaio' 79 (S), Maccarone 91 (S)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEj5fxwhewI
--Siena showing heart and desire to stay up. There's still plenty of time to pull off a great escape. I'd love to see them pull it off.
(My Prediction: 0-0... Didn't expect much from this one but glad to see it turned out to be a good match.)