The 8th round of the SerieA season brought with it plenty of action and excitement but the top of the table saw little change. Champions Inter demolished upcoming Genoa, Juventus had to settle for a draw against Fiorentina while honors were also shared between Sampdoria and Lazio, Milan meanwhile got back to winning ways with a victory over Roma.
The weekend's fixtures started in memorable fashion for the Scudetto holders as they put in a thoroughly dominating performance at the Stadio Marassi against Genoa to record a memorable 5-0 thumping of the home side. Goals from Cambiasso and Balotelli in the first half hour put Inter in control before Dejan Stankovic outrageously volleyed home a miscued Amelia clearance from the center circle at the stroke of half-time. Viera and Maicon added insult to injury in the second half and rounded up a glorious win for the Nerazzuri. Inter's summer purchase Wesley Sneijder was particularly impressive as he played a part in three Inter goals and seems to be adjusting to life in the SerieA.
The other fixture of the night saw Juventus host Fiorentina. The Old Lady fell behind to a flowing Viola move which was finished off by Vargas after just five minutes but created a host of opportunities after that and deservedly equalized on nineteen minutes through Amauri. The Bianconeri continued creating chances but some stubborn defending by the Florence defenders and good goalkeeping by Sebastien Frey ensured that they left Turin with at least a point. Juventus have now failed to win any of their last four games and coach Ciro Ferrara's tactics and experience have come under the scanner. The team already finds itself trailing Inter in the title race by four points and they need to substantially improve their performances if they wish to challenge for the Scudetto.
Sunday was dominated by the Milan-Roma game which was due to kick-off in the night but the afternoon games saw Sampdoria in action against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico. Both teams played attacking and flowing football and the visitors took the lead in the 40th minute when Pazzini headed home a Stankevicius cross from close range. But just two minutes later the capital side were level as Matuzalem found the back of the net after beautifully receiving and controlling a knock-on from Rocchi. Both teams ended the game with ten men after Padalino and Baronio were sent off for their second bookable offences, the latter in particularly controversial fashion as he clearly got the ball first before catching Cassano on his follow through.
In the other games of the afternoon both Parma and Palermo continued their good starts to the season as they recorded home and away victories respectively. Parma won through a sole goal scored by Valeri Bojinov against second from bottom Siena whereas Palermo fell behind at last placed Livorno before scoring through Miccoli and Balzaretti to run out 2-1 winners. Udinese's Antonio Di Natale who made the most prolific start to a SerieA season by finding the net 9 times in the first 7 games failed to do the same in his team's 1-3 loss at home to Atlanta.
The final game of the week saw AC Milan host AS Roma. The game got off to the worst possible start for the Rossoneri as a slack back pass by Thiago Silva was intercepted and duly finished off by Jeremy Menez. The Romans continued to pile the pressure on the Milanese side as they had numerous shots at goal which were well saved by the returning Dida. Milan almost found an equaliser in the first half when Seedorf struck the post from inside the penalty area but Ambrosini failed to connect with the rebound. The second half saw a hugely different Milan side take the field as first Ronaldinho scored from the penalty spot following a highly contentious foul by Burdisso on Nesta in the aftermath of a corner. And after that the two-time 'World Player Of The Year' played in a delightful long ball to Pato which the Brazilian excellently controlled and slotted past Doni to give them the lead on 67 minutes. There were not too many clear cut chances for either team after the goal and Milan registered their first win since September leaving Roma to rue the chances they wasted the first half. Ronaldinho's return to form was a good sign for the Milan faithful who will be keeping their fingers crossed for it to continue into the midweek clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Inter are now sole occupiers of the top spot in Italy with 19 points from their 8 games and they are followed by Sampdoria who have claimed 17 points yet. Juventus and Fiorentina both sit in third with 15 points. Milan have now jumped into the top half of the table with 12 points and are in 8th place.
SerieA Highlights
Genoa 0-5 Inter
Juventus 1-1 Fiorentina
Lazio 1-1 Sampdoria
Milan 2-1 Roma
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