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--------------- 5.11.05
We go to one of the leading footballing cities in Italy this afternoon - Genoa. The daunting prospect of playing in the magnificent Luigi Ferraris stadium may have an effect on my team, but Genoa are a good side, and it adds up to a very tough proposition. Bandirali replaces the suspended Tobros.
Genoa 1
Bressan 33
Varese 2
Rodriguez 42
Moroni 60
The two magnificent loan stars struck gold to take the points in the pouring rain, but only after a very tough start. Bressan and Perotta were pulling the strings in the midfield for the home side, and got what they deserved just after the half hour mark had passed. Girardi let Pagano's shot go through his grasp, and the former Fiorentina and Bari man Bressan tapped in. But we fought back, and after a sighter Yuri Rodriguez found his range, slamming in a curling shot off the post from 20 yards. Raffaele Moroni did almost the same but in more spectacular fashion exactly on 60 minutes. Showing his amazing dribbling skills, he drifted past the defence and shot into the top corner off the outside of his foot from a similar distance Sergio Girardi, and the two side backs, Molinaro and Sbrizzo, were instrumental in holding on to the win, which maintains a strong league position.
13.11.05
Chieti were the other team promoted from the C level last season, and we beat them in the Serie C1 Super Cup. They've had a dire season, stuck to the bottom. They're improving, but I'd expect to beat them
Varese 0 Benachour injured 43
Buljat injured 82
Chieti 0
It had to happen. The only match so far I've expected to win, and we don't. The injuries to both our right wingers didn't do much to help matters, nor did the lack of luck we experienced. Chieti definitely came for a draw, and took it. Fair enough, we could have been a little more adventurous, but there was the element that Bruno Pace's men could break on us, as they did near the end when Verdicchio forced a top save from Girardi. Rodriguez played very well, hit the bar, but didn't score. But at least we didn't lose :d We should have won.
The injury news is bad. Selim Benachour will miss three weeks with a groin strain, but Marijan Buljat unfortunately broke his ankle in the altercation with Puleo, and needs a six month minimum recuperation period. Poor lad
20.11.05
Moroni is forced to switch to the right wing for the game at Cagliari. They've started to pick up some form, but we're in the middle of a 6 match unbeaten run. Tight one to be expected.
Cagliari 1
Cammarata 60
Varese 0
Our unbeaten run ended today in the island of Sardinia, in a game that could have ended 5-5. Both goalkeepers were amazing, but Cagliari's Franco Costanzo, on loan from Juventus, just pipped Girardi to the Man of the Match award, and we should have at least scored in truth. Moroni is not comfortable on the right compared to the left, and although his influence was still high, he links better with Rodriguez rather than Batistuta. The chances Batistuta missed would probably have gone in if his Andorran strike partner had had them. Fabrizio Cammarata headed what turned out to be the winning goal on the hour mark, out jumping Sidwell at the back post. I need a solution to the recent right wing problem.
27.11.05
The imbalance in the side is going to cause no end of problems against a very impressive Piacenza side second only to Vicenza. Sebastian Conti plays on the right, left footed, and with the instructions to come inside as often as possible. Christian Santi then covers the right. Will it work though?
Varese 1
Batistuta 65
Piacenza 2
Vitolo 1
Riccio 3
Our shambolic start was what undone us. Piacenza could also have had a number more in the first half, as the midfield just wasn't functioning properly. . Del Nevo and Montano built a great move from kick off, finished by Vitolo. Before we could take breath, Piacenza doubled the lead as Riccio went running through the non existant right, and beat Girardi. That was it in all extents and purposes, and if Girardi hadn't been so brilliant we could have been looking at a cricket score. The second half was an improvement as Tcherevchenko played the right wing, and gave us not only balance but defensive security. Batistuta converted Moroni's cross at the three-quarter mark, but it was one glimmer of sunshine in an otherwise dull day. Hopefully it's only a temporary drop of form, and won't waste our good start to the season.
4.12.05
Selim Benachour passed a mid morning fitness test and will play at Crotone. They're just below ourselves, and we need to get some points.
Crotone 2
Amoruso 29, 62
Varese 2
Benachour 11 pen
Rodriguez 31
A draw is a better result than the two previous defeats, but if Luca Amoruso had been contained we would have won. Benachour's influence was key, as it was he who put us 1-0 up. Moroni's cross was missed by Rodriguez, who claimed he was pushed. The referee ignored the incident, as did the linesman, until Batistuta and Rodriguez somehow persuaded the official into informing Marco Gabriele that it was a penalty. Crotone were furious, but the Tunisian sent Rosario Gori the wrong way. But Amoruso is highly experienced and unseful at the lower levels, and equalised with a stretching header from Nerattini's deep cross. Yuri Rodriguez, however put us back ahead 2 minutes later, collecting Gorini's pass before jinking through the defence and sliding past Gori. But Amoruso again struck in the exact same fashion as before. We could have won this, but a point is still okay.
We're comfortably mid table - 10 points from promotion, 10 points from relegation. I'm happy with that, although 4 games ago we were two points off the top 4.
11.12.05
I am today able to make a timely boost the the squad, and the overall confidence. Two players of quality have signed on free transfers after 5 months without a club. Firstly, brother of Inter's Christian, Massimiliano (Max from now on) Vieri has agreed a five-year deal at Varese, and is pleased to have joined a club with direction. I'm pleased to have some quality striking competition on board. Secondly, ex Inter and Parma, and Slovakian International left back Vratislav Gresko signed along with Vieri. Alessandro Sbrizzo has been good at left back, but we had no cover or competition there, and Gresko gives us that. I'm happy with my foray into the transfer market
.........and in the afternoon they both go straight into the squad to face Bari. Gresko starts, whilst Vieri sits on the bench. It'll be an extremely tough match - Bari hammered Fiorentina 4-1 earlier in the year, and have a potent attack
Varese 0
Bari 2
Menezes Guimares 20, 46
A very tough game, which we dominated, but ultimately failed to score Gresko was heavily involved, but without much conviction a majority of the time. We're just going through one of those runs where nothing goes for you. Max Vieri got a run out in the second half, and had three half chances which were well dealt with by the Bari back line. Carlos Menezes Guimares scored 2 more to take his season tally to 11, and it was his clinical finishing which separated the sides today. The defeats are starting to affect morale, so winning next game out is imperative.
18.12.05
It shows how well we're doing when compared to the other C1 sides promoted last season. Chieti are bottom, Pescara are 13th, and our hosts today Spezia are 18th and struggling. Just the two selection headaches for myself - I decide to risk a less than 100% Girardi in goal, and prefer Batistuta to Vieri.
Spezia 0
Varese 3
Moroni 11
Gorini 33
Batistuta 45
Just when you need a game where you can win comfortably and boost confidence, someone does you a favour. Spezia did just that for us today, as they were a stark contrast to the side that drew 2-2 with us in that thrilling penultimate game last season. Raffaele Moroni was, as ever, irrepressible. His goal on 11 minutes was another example of his prodigious dribbling talents, beating Bisello Ragno, Chiarini and Fattori on his way to chipping Amelia for a Goal of the Season contender. Edoardo Gorini scored a typical centre-back's goal on 33 minutes, as he headed in a Moroni corner. He's been playing so well in the past one and a half seasons, simply an inspiration, and irreplaceable. The decision to keep Batistuta in on the ground he scored 5 in a game in 2 years back paid off, when he made sure of the points in first half stoppage time, finding space from Molinaro's cross to beat Amelia. A nice way to (hopefully) ease back into form
3.1.06
The opening of the transfer window allows me to bring in two loan signings, fulfilling our quota of 4. Sergio Girardi's injury a couple of weeks ago made me realise we have no backup for him, bar Emiliano Dei, so I contacted Venezia, and a deal was done for Francesco Benussi to join for the second half of the season. And another striker arrives, real quality from Turin. Juventus have loaned us young striker Maurizio Schaivon for the same period. I'll give him some reserve football to assess his talents - he's raw but gifted.
5.1.06
We'll have a right test at home to 4th placed Reggina. Some of their players are better at home in Serie A - namely Davide Di Michele. We are going to have to be very careful of their prolific striking machine. Fuoco replaces the injured Santi.
Varese 3
Moroni 3
Rodriguez 16
Fuoco 29
Reggina 3
Di Michele 24, 35
Bellotto 55
The game had everything bar a winner. The fact an early goal was scored helped no end. Moroni scored his 6th of the season with a speculative effort from a wide and near impossible angle, but it went in. When Rodriguez tapped into an open net to make it 2-0, the time was the only thing against us. 2-0 up in 15 minutes, there was still time for Reggina to come right back. And so Di Michele proved with a header 8 minutes later to halve the gap. But Marco Fuoco, replacing Santi, rifled in a 3rd 5 minutes later to resore the two goal lead. If we could have held out until half time we might have won, but we didn't . Di Michele hit a venoumous effort to make it 3-2, and early in the second half midfielder Daniele Bellotto bundled in the 3rd from a corner. As ever, I like to take a positive from every game, and we didn't disrespect ourselves against quality opponents, and should have beaten them.
8.1.06
Another game against one of the teams around us, Empoli. We have to go to the Carlo Castellani, never an easy place to visit. I name an unchanged side.
Empoli 4
Rocchi 5, 90
Paulo Magno 34
Giandomenico 40
Varese 2
Fuoco 17
Rodriguez 20
I'm really annoyed at the result. We've conceded 7 goals in two games now, and today the defence was really quite poor. Tomasso Rocchi has been dangerous all season, and it took a mere 5 minutes for him to open his account with a close range volley. Marco Fuoco then scored for the second game running, which was nice to see, as he is trying to show me his worth. Yuri Rodriguez put us ahead in stylish fashion, with a neat shimmy and shot But we failed to hold on, and Paulo Magno clipped in the equaliser. Luigi Giandomenico then scored a beaut of a free kick, that left Girardi hopelessly clutching air. We tried to get a third, and Batistuta and Fuoco were most likely to get it. Both hit the woodwork in the second half, but Rocchi's injury time breakaway goal sealed our defeat. The defence is looking frail at the moment, it needs to be sorted.
15.1.06
Away to Fiorentina. Hard is an understatement. They are a team too strong for this level, and we're going to struggle. Sbrizzo is back in place of Gresko.
Fiorentina 2
Taddei 59
Emerson 84
Varese 0
We're slipping back into the bad form I dislike, and totally deserved to lose this. Not that we were bad, it's just Fiorentina are so good. Possanzini and Emerson both had goals disallowed for offside in the first half, and truth be told we were lucky to survive and be level at half time. The equilibrium didn't last too long though, because Riccardo Taddei slid home his 5th of the season when a cross eluded Girardi. Rodriguez came close, and Schiavon linked well when he came on for his debut, but Emerson snatched another late on to condemn us to another defeat.
22.1.06
We return home to a game I expect to win. Catania are near the bottom, and three points today against them will give us a buffer between ourselves and the drop zone. Gresko in for Sbrizzo.
Varese 3
Fuoco 63
Rodriguez 65
Batistuta 79
Catania 1
Fava Passaro 31
Much like our previous meeting, it was a match of two halves. Catania destroyed us first half, and deserved the 1-0 lead given to them by Dino Fava Passaro's glancing header on 31 minutes. But once again, we came out a new team in the second half. Marco Fuoco continued some brilliant form with a powerful header on 63 minutes after Rodriguez had combined with Gresko to make it. Less than two minutes later we went ahead, as Rodriguez lashed in a volley after Benachour made it possible. And Batistuta made sure of the points when lobbing Federico Marchetti from 25 yards, after the keeper had dropped the ball coming to claim it on the edge of the area. Wins like these are important when you're out of form, because it just restores confidence and keeps the team in a decent midtable position
25.1.06
Who knows what could happen at Pescara today. They have a dangerous attack, and our defence has looked frail recently. I decide to go in unchanged.
Pescara 3
Antonaccio 11
Cozza 40
Iaquinta 72
Varese 2
Rodriguez 12
Batistuta 45
I told you anything could happen - unfortunately this didn't involve us winning . Giuseppe Antonaccio headed in his first of the season after just eleven minutes, but it wasn't so bad because Yuri Rodriguez made it 10 for the season a minute later with a typical poachers goal. But we fell behind again through the impressive Cozza, who beat Gorini and then curled past Girardi. But we grabbed another equaliser in first half stoppage time as Batistuta drilled across Ghizzardi to make it 2-2. The second half was less lively, but the only goal went to Vincenzo Iaquinta, who stole in for the eventual winner The up and down form we're in isn't nice at all, as we don't know where to go next.
To top that, Selim Benachour has been called up for the Tunisian African Nations Squad, meaning I need a new right winger, and inside the next week as the deadline passes then.
02-18-2003, 12:13 PM
I can't believe I thought it would be easy (the Italian Job challenge) Post #106
28.1.06
In the nick of time I get my winger. I contacted Verona about bringing Luca Matteassi back here for a third spell, but they rejected me. So I eventually turn to Antonio Morello, a free scoring winger at smaller clubs, and shows promise that he could do it in Serie B. Cost nothing either :cool:
29.1.06
As we continue our indifferent form, we have the task of facing Vicenza, who are going up undoubtedly. Benussi replaces the rather erratic Girardi in goal, and Morello goes straight into the right wing position.
Varese 0
Vicenza 2
Colacone 7, 59
We keep on sliding, and so next week we will be looking at changing our style of play to get the most points we can from the remaining games. We weren't at the races against Vicenza, and Roberto Colacone obviously finds it easy playing us - he scored 2 more against us, two headers at the start of either half. We're good enough in posession, just not too impressive in defence or attack at the moment. Something needs to be done to get things going again.
5.2.06
All week myself and my coaching team have been working on a new playing style to try and turn our luck around for the visit of Ascoli. As a result, Christian Santi can return from an injury and a deserved rest, and Mateusz Dobek comes in for a start after impressing in the reserves, because Yuri Rodriguez is injured.
Varese 4
Molinaro 5
Sidwell 8
Moroni 12
Tobros 90
Ascoli 0
Nice :cool: Ascoli are one of the teams above us, and as such harder to beat. We've beaten struggling teams in the last month or two, but not many others. The new style saw three goals in the opening twelve minutes to all but finish the game inside the opening quarter. Cristian Molinaro struck first, his first ever career goal, after sprinting down the right to meet Batistuta's blocked shot. Stevie Sidwell was next up to score his first career goal, after Molinaro's attempt was saved he followed in to have an easy open goal tap in. And then it was three, through Raffaele Moroni, as the San Marino winger sent in a lovely left foot strike. Mateusz Dobek had an impressive game, and without looking very dangerous he was pivotal to the sides movement. Nikolaos Tobros headed in the 4th from a Moroni corner late in the day, but it only served to increase the scoreline, on what was a very nice day for us
12.2.06
Now comes the test - stringing two wins together for the first time since November. It'll be harder without Santi, who is suspended, but Fuoco is a capable replacement. I also choose Dobek ahead of Rodriguez, to give the Pole confidence, but also to keep the Andorran on his toes.
Messina 1
Iannuzzi 7
Varese 3
Batistuta 2, 88, 90
The pre-match hype was about the decision to play Dobek over Rodriguez, but come the end of the match it was the old warhorse, the man you can depend on, Gabriel Batistuta, who stole the show. It took only 96 seconds to break down the struggling Messina defence, as Batigol slammed in Moroni's centre. But Alessandro Ianuzzi headed in the equaliser to throw a spanner in the works 5 minutes later, and although we were amazingly dominant we couldn't score. Dobek came close with a shot from the penalty area, but Emanuele Manitta dealt with it well. Rodriguez replaced him at half time and looked lively. His 73rd minute goal was ruled out for an infringement. I'm still not sure what it actually was. It did look like we weren't going to get there, but we did, and the relief must have been felt right across Italy. Rodriguez won the knock down, and Batistuta showed a glimpse of old, striking it first time into the far corner. What a goal it was . He completed a hat-trick when half volleying in Rodriguez's cushioned header, and took the ball home with him. Nice to win again, and to see the striking duo linking very well indeed.
19.2.06
Hoping to break our little bit of form are Modena, 3 places above us in the table. Rodriguez gets to start over Dobek today.
Varese 0
Modena 0
Not bad, and it shows how we are starting to change things. It was a pretty even game in terms of posession and goal attempts, and so it was only right that the points were shared. Christian Santi was the most attacking of our team, coming very close on the half hour with a skidding drive only over by a whisker. Lots of nice attractive football was on show, yet not much with conviction. Kamara was dangerous for the visitors, but overall I have to say I'm not too unhappy.
26.2.06
Udinese are surprising everyone in that they're struggling to stay out of the relegation zone. With players like Pinga, Jancker, and Giannichedda they should be much higher. We'll have to pay attention to those three today. Benachour makes a return on the right.
Udinese 0
Varese 0
Now this one we deserved to win. Udinese were not really in the game, and it was their defence, and left back Andrea Sottil in particular, that managed to keep us at bay. I'm not too pleased with the referee Emidio Morganti, who deemed Selim Benachour offside in first half injury time, so the Tunisian's goal was chalked off . Moroni's long range scorcher was another noteworthy attempt, as was Pinga's fine free kick held superbly by Benussi. Three clean sheets in a row - I'm delighted with that.
3.3.06
A report was made midweek in the national press about Como's shocking financial state, and how they're struggling to survive. We're looking to make their week worse as we return to TV on a Friday night to improve our own finances, which aren't too nice. Bandirali and Sbrizzo come into a makeshift defence to replace the suspended Tobros and Gorini.
Varese 4
Sidwell 10
Batistuta 17
Molinaro 51
Rodriguez 72 Benussi sent off 75
Como 1
Van Gastel 75 pen
Brilliant, apart from one minor hiccup I'm really annoyed about. But to that later. It's true what they say - you wait ages for one to come, then they all come at once. Sidwell and Molinaro both scored their first career goals against Ascoli, and they both chipped in today. Sidwell scored a similar goal to open today's rout, driving in a spilt Molinaro cross. A wonderful left hand side move, flowing from Gresko to Moroni, was finished beautifully by Batistuta, who's closing in on his most prolific season for us. We couldn't get another until Molinaro scored the third early on in the second period, finally finding the net with a header off a Santi cross. And Rodriguez unleashed a stunner of a strike - curling, left foot, top corner, bang! 4-0. . Then the pasrt I'm disgusted at. Benussi fouled Chianese in the area, and the ref gave a penalty a little harshly. He also booked my keeper. Then Benussi petulantly kicked the ball away, and got another yellow, and so was off. Stupid refereeing, and stupidity on the part of my player Girardi couldn't stop Van Gastel grabbing the consolation, but it was so unneccesary, and it could mean we're without the keeper who hasn't conceded for 338 minutes. Still, it shouldn't take the shine off a brilliant performance.
12.3.06
Palermo look to be a very hard task. To win at La Favorita is something few do, and although we'll try, the home side are favourites. Tobros and Gorini return.
Palermo 2
Zauli 11
Mascara 58
Varese 1
Gresko 5
After 5 games without defeat, Palermo bring us crashing back down to earth with a bump. We went ahead early with Vratislav Gresko's first goal for the club, as he found himself in the area unmarked. Lamberto Zauli caused havoc all afternoon, and his goal in the eleventh minute gave Palermo a way back - a sliced effort from 15 yards. We were perhaps a little unfortunate to concede Mascara's winner, as Sidwell kicked the ball at him from a corner, and it deflected in Still, it was hard, and it's not the worst thing that could happen. As long as we respond in the right way I'll be happy.
19.3.05
At home I'm confident of beating just about anybody, which is why I think the double over Genoa is a very believable possibility. I go in unchanged again.
Varese 2
Benachour 35
Rodriguez 39
Genoa 1
Matys 29
It should have been more emphatic than 2-1, though through no fault of ours. Again, it's the officiating that let us down a little. But to that in due course. Piotr Matys scored his 15th of the season to put Genoa ahead with a goal that can only be described as emphatically brilliant. He took a long ball on his chest, evading the offside trap, and hit a full blooded volley from 20 yards past Benussi. It was a goal worhy of a win, only they didn't get it. 6 minutes later Selim Benachour was given time and space from Genoa's defence, latching on to Santi's cross field pass to notch his 4th goal so far. Then came the first of two disallowed goals. Less than a minute later Batistuta scored after Rodriguez layed him in, but was called offside by Andrea Bo. It wasn't a serious setback, because Rodriguez himself scored 3 minutes later, again following some nice play by Santi. Santi deserved a goal, and it should have come on 68 minutes, when he tapped in Batistuta's saved attempt, but was again offside, this time under the second phase ruling, and although it was very tight I can understand why it was deemed illegal. A 2 goal cushion would have given us a nice cushion, but we held on to record another win.
26.3.06
Chieti were relegated last week, after not winning one game in the 30 so far. We will beat them, surely, even without Moroni and Rodriguez. Surely?
Chieti 4
Gennari 14
Aurino 22, 83
D'Anna 72
Varese 1
Plaquet 5
Let's just say I'm too and too embarrassed to go into much detail. We were way too confident about the match, and we were totally humbled by a side with nothing to lose any more. We even went ahead through Laurent Plaquet's header, but goals from Gennari, Aurino (2) and D'Anna left us absolutely shellshocked. I'm extremely upset and livid at the level of performance shown today, in what was a game that should have seen us maintain a strong league position. **** ****ity **** (sorry )
2.4.06
April is here, and with it Cagliari at home. We are 11th, they are 10th, not much to seperate us two all season. Rodriguez returns fresh from scoring 2 last week for Andorra, but Moroni is still injured after playing for San Marino. After the shambles of Chieti, an improvement is needed.
Varese 1
Benachour 90
Cagliari 1
Kuffour 55
Lucky to escape perhaps? Cagliari must have thought they had the points in the bag, but we fought right to the end, and got something to reward our effort. Gorini hit a volley midway through the first half, but it was one of those that looks impressive until the goalkeeper deals with it comfortably. Rodriguez then scuffed a volley into the ground, and it bounced up and onto the bar. Cagliari had a goal ruled out shortly before the interval, Alberto Quadri was probably just offside. But they did take a lead 10 minutes after the restart, Emmanuel Osei Kuffour met a cross unmarked to head the opening goal. Defences then began to take control, as Cagliari looked happy with their lot. But a one goal lead is never secure, and Selim Benachour proved it with a last gasp header from Gorini's long ball to save the day, late, late on. A draw is sufficient to keep me happy at the moment.
7.4.06
Friday night means live on TV. Unfortunately it's away at 4th placed Piacenza, who still have something to play for. Moroni returns on the left, but Tobros and Sidwell are banned. I expect a very tough game.
Ordinarily I would be ecstatic at such a result, but if our concentration hadn't have slipped for one second we would have taken everything . It took a short six minutes for Alfredo Vitolo to rack up his 13th of the season, and Piacenza must have expected a 4 or 5 goal win. They didn't get a 2nd until a minute shy of 45, when Angelo Paradiso sprinted past Molinaro to beat Benussi. An early goal after the restart came for us, which gave us a whole lot of confidence. Selim Benachour found a head to meet Raffaele Moroni's cross. Gabriel Batistuta then had a chance to equalise, which was well saved, but the Argentinian scored from the rebound to take him one short of his highest total for the club. it did, however, make it his 33rd league goal for us, which is a new Varese record :cool: . And then, rather amazingly, we took the lead :eek: Moroni found time and space to pick a spot and score past Luca Cigolini . Bandirali's injury meant we had to reshape a little, but still held out firmly. Until the 91st minute. Inspirational Icelandic defender and club captain Kristjan Olafsson thumped a header home to break our hearts, but ultimately we got an unlikely draw.
17.4.06
Monday night football, live on television. OK, so Varese vs Crotone may not appeal to too many fans, but we are in need of three points, just to boost our league ranking as we can't get promoted. Sidwell returns after suspension, Fuoco makes way, and Tobros returns ahead of the injured Bandirali. Molinaro is banned, so Tcherevchenko makes a welcome return at right back.
Varese 1
Sidwell 39
Crotone 0
A totally one sided match, that was won by the team most deserving to. 1-0 was harsh on us, as we deserved 2 or 3, and nearly paid for it at the end. The attacking, though, didn't come from the usual suspects. Moroni, Rodriguez and Batistuta were shackled, but Sidwell, Tobros, and Benachour took over the mantle and played brilliantly. Sidwell's winner was a simple one made to look good. Benachour lofted a dangerous cross which Crotone's keeper, Gabriele Da Notte, missed. The ball was half cleared, but only to Sidwell, who had an open goal to volley first time into. That turned out to be enough, although Tobros came very close to extending the comfort in the second half, with a header well parried and a rebound slashed off the line. Francesco Cangi, Crotone's captain, found a way past Benussi in injury time, but was well offside, and we escaped. Up to 10th.
in the exact same fashion as before. We could have won this, but a point is still okay.
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