This week saw some serious Coppa Italia action as the Serie A was put on hold. On Tuesday, Lazio fielded a side culled from both their first team and reserves against Serie B side Hellas Verona – a gamble for which they almost paid dearly. After securing a 2-0 lead, Lazio seemingly fell asleep, and Hellas got back into the game with two goals in the second half. The Biancocelesti were saved by their star Hernanes as they narrowly salvaged a 3-2 victory.
Roma and Chievo Verona both booked their places in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Roma – who have consistently had significant success in Coppa Italia competition – eased through with a decisive 3-0 win over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Erik Lamela was the hero for the home side as he scored twice in the second period in his first brace for the Giallorossi. Fabio Borini sealed the deal to ensure that Roma will face familiar foes Juventus in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, in something of a surprising upset, Chievo set up a meeting with Siena after a 2-1 win at Udinese.
Napoli also secured a spot in the quarterfinals – they will face the winner of next week’s match between Inter Milan and Genoa – but not without controversy. The Partenopei’s winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Cesena came in the 86th minute from Goran Pandev. However, whether his shot actually crossed the line is unclear. Cesena’s keeper Ravaglia was slow to react and just barely got to the ball as it neared the goal line. The ball at least partially crossed the line before he was able to bat it out, and the referee awarded Napoli the goal upon indication from his linesman that it had. Given such chaos, the loss was particularly bitter for Cesena, who by all accounts put up a good fight for the first 60 minutes.
Image Via Zimbio
… and with the week behind us, we turn to the weekend ahead, which features one of the most highly-anticipated matches of the year. Yes, it is that time in the Serie A season: when the skies above Milan will be painted red, black and blue as all eyes turn to the San Siro for the Derby della Madonnina! This Sunday is this season’s first edition of the bi-annual fixture between bitter cross-city rivals Milan and Internazionale, named for one of the most recognizable sights in the city, the statue of the Virgin Mary, or Madonnina, atop the Duomo. The Rossoneri are favourites, given that they’ve won in the last three clashes in official competition between the two sides. However, the Nerazzurri’s recent resurgence indicates that this year’s Derby will be hotly contested – especially given that Wesley Sneijder will make a timely return from injury for Inter, not having played since November 2nd, while Milan, meanwhile, have forfeited Alberto Aquilani to injury and Gennaro Gattuso to an eye infection. In other words, Sunday’s outcome is anyone’s guess! In anticipation of this always-memorable match, why not take a moment to relive some memories of derbies past?
