Sent Off Soccer Podcast

Genoa 1 – 1 Cesena
Juventus 2 – 1 Lazio
Roma 3 – 1 Udinese
Catania 1 – 2 Lecce
Napoli 1 – 3 Atalanta
Parma 2 – 0 Novara
Fiorentina 0 – 0 Palermo
Inter 2 – 1 Siena
Chievo 0 – 1 Milan

With the modern game dominated by younger, faster players, clocking  5-8 miles per game,  it is refreshing to see two older and slower Italian legends lead their teams to victories against quality opposition in Round 32. Specifically, it was 37-year old Alessandro Del Piero and 35-year old Francesco Totti that made all the headlines in the Italian periodicals this morning. Del Piero’s exquisite free kick endangered Lazio’s Champions League position gave extra meaning to Totti’s game winner over Udinese. The Giallorossi are now four points behind their city rivals with 6 games remaining.

One of the few bright spots for Inter’s 2011-12 campaign has been the reemergence of Argentine striker, Diego Milito. So far for the month of April, Il Principe has notched six goals in three games boosting him to a tie for second with 20 goals in the scorer’s table. His brace against Siena, yesterday, breathed life into the Nerazzurri’s Champions League hopes.

The battle for the third and final CL spot is wide open. Lazio have split their last four games but must contend with Udinese and Inter in their ensuing matches. In addition to the Lazio showdown, Udinese play Inter this weekend and Catania away on the final match day. “Win some, lose some” Roma probably have the most difficult fixtures with Napoli, Juventus and Catania ahead. Wait, I take it back, Inter face Udinese this weekend, then play the Derby in the penultimate round, then Lazio in Rome in the last round. I can’t wait to see who wil be shakin’ in their boots.

Lastly, Lecce followed up their Roman conquering by winning at the Sicilian fortress of Catania thanks to two goals in the final 5 minutes by ex-Roma Danielle Corvia and 36-year old, Davide DiMichele. Catania’s goalkeeper, Juan Pablo Carrizo, was ejected immediately after Corvia’s goal for dissent which forced Elephants center midfielder, Francesco Lodi, to play in goal since Catania used all three substitutions.  With Genoa only two points ahead of the Salentini, escaping relegation has become a viable option.

For all you Palermo fans, there is a new Brigate Rosanero t-shirt available at www.cicciostore.com.

Also, if you call yourself a Juventus fan, then you must get the Sangue e Cuore Bianconero t-shirt from www.KublaSoccer.com.