This weekend saw some stunningly poor defending, stunningly dodgy refereeing and a stunningly typical Inter performance.
We all know that football, like life, can be cruel. Look at Maradona - one minute you're the greatest player on Earth, the next you are a fat man living in a clinic begging to be allowed to go home for Christmas. Or Arsenal; 'Invincible' for a few months, and then aren’t even the best team in London anymore, let alone the world.
But if you want to know real pain, speak to an Internazionale follower - because they returned to drawing ways this weekend. They recorded their twelfth deadlock at Siena, and it took a last-minute header from Big Vieri to save them.
In the Inter defence, Materazzi was back to his best - sleeping, fouling, whining and being generally crud. After the 2-2 result, manger Mancini was very upset, accusing his players of sleeping. Adriano did look a bit knackered, scoring one penalty but missing another, and this match was a bitter blow after last week’s 5-0 victory which some thought marked a turning point in the season of the Nerazzurri. You have to feel sorry for their fans. They are unbeaten, but just can’t win two on the trot.
Meanwhile, defending champions Milan treated home fans to a super show. They punished clueless Fiorentina with six strikes of the cane. Crespo looked ace once again, Sheva did what Sheva does, i.e. got two more goals, and as a direct translation from one Italian TV reporter’s comment, the Rossoneri 'launched the challenge glove' at Juventus. On this form the Devils were delicious, but the visitors for the day defended so badly it was hard to watch at times. Schoolboys would be ashamed of their efforts.
Next week brings the title decider, a la Arse-Chelsea, when Milan and Juve clash. The question on everyone’s lips is: Who will the referee favour? Team Fiat or Berlusconi FC? Because once again, the Bianconeri had a helping hand from the ref.
In a tense win, the 'Old Lady' of Serie A rode her luck to sneak another 1-0 win at Bologna. But some of the man with the whistle’s decisions were appalling. The home side had two good penalty shouts turned down, and then suffered further when a dubious free kick was given to Capello’s team. It should never have been awarded, but that didn’t bother Nedved, who smashed it home past the 38-year-old Pagliuca to send three more points to Turin. Not spectacular, a bit lucky, but still on top. That is Juve under Capello.
Elsewhere, Roma won 1-0 thanks to a last-minute penalty, without the suspended Totti, and Lazio played out a rollicking 3-3 draw with Lecce. Di Canio was on top form, and after the match announced that he was tired of the bench. He alone brings a little hope to the beleaguered Rome club.
However, he, and all the other bit players in Italy will be forgotten next weekend, because it’s the big one. Wise money should go on a Juventus victory, because they have the better defence. And this being Italy, defence counts for everything. Just ask Fiorentina.