10 Things We Learned About Serie A This Weekend

By: chris | December 18th, 2007

A new installment in the weekly “10 Things We Learned About…” series. This one of the Italian variety.

1. Antonio Cassano is a train wreck.

No, this is not a revolutionary discovery which is followed by a loud exclamation of “eureka!”. But this time Antonio somehow managed to bring himself to a whole new level by throwing a real life temper tantrum on the pitch. Talentino was given a yellow for talking back, a card which will force him to miss next weekend’s game against his most beloved Roma; a game which was supposed to be his first ever since freezing himself out of Rome and moving on to Real Madrid. When he realized this he dropped to his knees, pounded the ground and began bawling his eyes out on the pitch.

As easy as it is to poke fun at him, it’s easier to resist. During the week prior to the Viola game he mentioned (again) how much he dreaded his actions at Roma, that it was his true home, that he wishes he’d never left and would do anything to go back. But in the same interview he also mentioned he’s having real problems with his head, which is blatantly obvious. Really feel sorry for the guy. I’m not sure he can help himself.

(Oh, and he scored the tying goal, too. Duh.)

2. Gianluigi Buffon is the best goalkeeper of all-time.

All of two months ago I wrote up a little Azzurri bit how Buffon was on pace to be the best goalkeeper of all-time, but that at the moment it’s Lev Yashin and it would be a better discussion for three years down the line (after South Africa 2010). You know what? Fuck it. Giuanluigi Buffon is the best goalkeeper in the history of the world. How in the hell did he one-hand that Rocchi ball?

3. Catania is better than people think (every other week) and Juan Manuel Vargas is a beast.

Catania is only in 10th place, but this is a team almost no one pays attention to. Last year they were in 4th place during January and wound up the season in 13th place with the 3rd worst goal differential in Serie A. This year they’re 5-5-6 and look decent every 3rd week or so, beating top of the tablers Udinese 2-0 this weekend. Much of that is due to Vargas, who plays like a talented Rino Gattuso on the flanks. Scary.

4. Forget Amauri, Palermo needs them some Fabrizio Miccoli and Edison Cavani action.

Last month with/without Edi & Fab Fab:

Without: 0-5 Juventus, 1-3 Catania
With: 2-0 Fiorentina, 3-1 Atalanta

Any questions?

5. Sebastian Frey is the difference between Champions League and UEFA Cup.

Frey is out 6-8 weeks after an op and Cristiano Lupatelli took his spot between the sticks in Genoa. Lupa gave up a tough rebound and was nutmegged on the first goal, then saw a Cassano lollipop header go behind him, a goal which Sebastian probably would have saved – being the phenomenal keeper that he is. Fiorentina drew 2-2 and now has Palermo breathing on their necks while Udinese still holds onto that illusive 4th CL spot. It’s going to be a long two months in Firenze filled with lots of candlelight vigils for the Frenchman’s knee.

6. Del Piero wouldn’t be @#$% without Cristiano Zanetti.

ADP will get all the credit for the goals, but those two assists from deep by Zanetti were simply sublime.

7. Del Piero is mildly delusional.

“My objectives are Euro 2008 and the World Cup of 2010,” Del Piero stated confidently.

He’s funny, that Alessandro.

8. Reggina couldn’t score in a Bangkok brothel and are heading towards Serie B in spectacular fashion.

Think they might miss that Rolando Bianchi feller a bit? They’ve scored nine goals this season. NINE. A 3-0 loss to Parma this weekend made things no better. The amaranti are in very real danger of going into the winter break with a single digit tally.

9. David Di Michele should play for Reggina.

Sitter miss of the year.

10. Don’t sit your best player against the league leaders even if he put a hit out on his teammate.

With Inter reportedly playing like ass, it would’ve been high time to shock the calcio world and drop the hammer on Argentina. But instead Cagliari benched their best player, Pasquale Foggia, who had a thug roll up his teammate. They couldn’t have waited a week?