Serie A Match Day 31 Round Up: 10 Red Cards And Counting

Alex On April - 13 - 2009

Serie A Match Day 31 Round Up: 10 Red Cards And Counting

Before Saturday I was thinking it would be a nice quiet Easter holiday of 9 uneventful match ups (the Rome Derby as the sole exception) but 1000 minutes, 33 goals and 10 red cards later, “Lucy I’ve got alot of splain’n to do”.

Back To Football and Match Day 31 (Red Carded)

Bologna 1 - 4 Siena
Chievo 0 - 1 AC Milan
Fiorentina 2 - 1 Cagliari (Agostini,Canini)
Inter Milan 2 - 2 Palermo
Lazio 4 - 2 AS Roma (Matuzalem, Mexes,Panucci)
Lecce 1 - 3 Sampdoria (Giacomazzi)
Napoli 0 - 0 Atalanta
Torino 2 - 1 Catania (Stovini)
Genoa 3 - 2 Juventus (Camoranesi)

Sunday, April 12
Reggina 0 - 2 Udinese (Lanzaro, Barillà)

The Derby della Capitale 6 Goal Circus, Red Card Madness

Some questionable red cards during the Rome Derby, as the capital match would be chalked full of goals, 3 of 6 coming in the first 10 minutes.

Lazio took an early 2 goal lead after Goran Pandev and Mauro Zarate each found their mark, placing the ball behind keeper Doni. Roma defender Philippe Mexes pulled one back for the Giallorossi at the 10 minute mark and the remaining goals would all come during the second half.
From the opening whistle both sides treated fans to the usual scrappy performance often associated with this derby of derbies yet tempers really only started to flare at the halftime interval, as Roma manager Luciano Spalletti was sent off for a scuffle with Igli Tare. Spalletti accused the Lazio team manager of “threatening” him while speaking to referee Morganti.

During the second 45, the Giallorossi ‘s position would only worsen, as two of their back-four were also sent packing to join manager Spaletti. First off would be Christian Panucci for charging down a racing Lichtstiener. The pair came together after a shove by Panucci and referee Morganti wasted no time in giving the defender his marching orders. Next off for Roma was Mexes at the sideline area in the 75th minute and for what I’m still unsure, but this was the catalyst for all hell breaking loose as players, officials, and managers got into the act on and off the pitch. The Derby della Capitale would finish 4-2 with Lazio victorious but the goal tally was only half the story in this one.

Lazio forward Goran Pandev later accused Roma’s players of “spoiling for a fight”
“It’s a shame to see the tension that dominated this game, as we were both fired up and wanted to win, but that’s the derby for you,” said Pandev.