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Football is being played again in Italy
Italy, which in addition to the title of world champion in football can also bear the title of world champion in football scandals, has resumed its championship. Well-known events in Catania forced the authorities to take a number of tough, sometimes even unpopular, measures. All matches must start at three o'clock in the afternoon, thereby breaking the Italian tradition of leaving the central match of the tour for dessert. But that's not so bad. Most Italian stadiums were found to not meet safety requirements, which is very strange. After all, the World Championships took place in the Apennines not so long ago - in 1990. And since the arenas were outdated, spectators were not allowed in there either.A total of six stadiums were found suitable. The famous San Siro was not among them, which should have meant that Ronaldo’s debut in Milan colors would take place in front of empty stands. But then, nevertheless, the Milan arena was allowed to open the gates to fans, of whom almost 40 thousand came. Still, Ronaldo does not make his debut in every round. And then there’s Carlo Ancelotti’s anniversary – his 300th match as coach of the Rossoneri. At Livorno, Marco Amelia, who never became a Spartak player, returned to goal.
Ronaldo started the meeting with Livorno on the bench; Oliveira and Gilardino were a couple of strikers. The game was quite boring, only in the middle of the first half there was a burst of activity. First, Rino Gattuso's infrequent goal from Oliveira gave Milan the lead. But a minute later, former Uralan player Dario Passoni struck the Milan goal. Marco Storari did not hold the ball, and Christian Lucarelli was right there - 1:1.
Ronaldo was thrown into action in the 63rd minute. And, I must say, it fit into the game quite well. But it was not he who scored the winning goal, but Marek Jankulovski. The failed army player struck the goal of the failed Spartak player from 25 m, and Marco Amelia took the ball into the near corner. Milan's victory is 2:1. By the way, after this game Jankulovski extended his contract with Milan until 2011. But the main character was not destined to be the center of attention of the press - everyone was interested in how Ronaldo played. “Played great. He fought a lot, combined and scored three shots on goal. Of course, his condition is far from ideal, but he will get in shape and help us,” Carlo Ancelotti said after the game.
Inter, where Ronaldo played and mostly suffered in 1997-2002, is rapidly rushing towards the Scudetto. In Verona, the 15th victory in a row was won - the Serie A record is updated after each round. Chievo have always been considered an inconvenient opponent for Inter, but not this season. Already in the first minute, Adriano, who was gaining form, completed the efforts of his partners, and after the break, Hernan Crespo struck another irresistible blow. The meeting was held behind closed doors, and the fans of the “flying donkeys” could not see the weak performance of their team. Inter won't be frightened by empty stands; last season, the blue-and-blacks played six Champions League matches behind bars because of a firecracker thrown at Milan's goalkeeper. But Inter coach Roberto Mancini looked somehow sad after the game. “It’s better not to play at all than to play without spectators. We must first rebuild the stadiums, and then play.” Mancini's proposal may be businesslike, but it looks utopian. Who will finish the championship now, even though its winner is known?
“Roma” could feel the support of the tifosi in the game with “Parma”, which they took full advantage of - 3:0. Francesco Totti scored his 14th goal in the championship and leads the scorers' dispute. The Romans are having a successful season, but the 11-point gap to Inter makes their dream of the Scudetto unrealistic.
Regina, which sold Ivan Pelizzoli to Lokomotiv, was not lost in Turin without its main goalkeeper. Andrea Campagnolo played well, and Rolando Bianchi's double brought three points and moved him away from the danger zone.
Finally, some crime news. The police detained the main suspect in the manslaughter of the carabinieri, Filippo Racite. The 17-year-old Sicilian initially admitted his guilt, but after a conversation with a lawyer he changed his testimony and now denies everything. The investigation is ongoing.
Results. Italian Championship. 23rd round. Fiorentina - Udinese - 2:0, Atalanta - Lazio - 0:0, Milan - Livorno - 2:1, Roma - Parma -- 3:0, "Chievo" -- "Inter" -- 0:2, "Sampdoria" -- "Ascoli" -- 2:0, "Torino" -- "Regina" -- 1:2, "Cagliari" "- "Siena" - 2:2, "Palermo" - "Empoli" - 0:1, "Messina" - "Catania" - 1:1. The leaders are: Inter - 60 points (22 games), Roma - 49 (22), Palermo - 42 (23).