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4.10.05
A trip to the Renato Curi, and to face Perugia, a team who were in Serie A for a good number of seasons, and as such have an extremely decent squad. But then again, so do we, and it'll be a good footballing game today. Max Vieri gets chosen ahead of Calaio, who's out of sorts at the moment.
One of my proudest wins as Varese manager. Perugia are an impressive force, and as such were a very big ask today. But we came out playing some beautiful football, and with a comprehensive winning margin. Sidwell created the opening goal for Batistuta, who put it away as he has done all season. The rest of the first half caused us some problems, especially from Francesco Flachi, who hit the post twice, and had Girardi save 3 more attempts in style. Then, in first half injury time, Raffaele Moroni drilled in low past the giant Zelkjo Kalac to double our lead at a crucial time. The San Marino winger then received an injury after half time, and in my stuoidity I had elected not to choose a left winger on the subs bench . So I decided to push Mateusz Dobek onto the wing, telling him to get forwards, and lo and behold the lad scored , heading home Santi's corner. In fact, Dobek and Vieri caused no end of problems for the home side, and we could have had four or five, but I'll certainly settle for three.
Moroni strained some knee ligaments and may be out for short of a month. we have an international break coming up, so it isn't so bad.
8.10.06
I'm looking for a comfortable three points against a struggling Ascoli side lead by 'prolific' striker Ade Akinbiyi. Mateusz Dobek impressed so much as a sub in Umbria last week that he starts ahead of the injured Moroni, in what is our only change.
Ascoli 1
Romeo 90
Varese 3
Dobek 15
Batistuta 39, 75
As I hoped, we continue a good run of form in a win that always looked like coming. We dictated the pace of the game, and Ascoli weren't ever in it. Mateusz Dobek headed in his second goal in as many appearances from a Christian Santi free kick to open the scoring. The Pole is starting to impress a few big names now, and I can't say the praise isn't justified. As one new name makes an impact, another name just continues to impress. Gabriel Batistuta is playing some amazing football, as if he's a teenager again. He extended the lead 6 minutes before half time by heading Max Vieri's cross past floundering veteran keeper Luca Bucci. Stevie Sidwell was the creator of the side's third, Batistuta's tenth of the season, and 50th goal for Varese - a tally coming in 114 games, which is quite impressive. . This goal was an emphatic volley after finding an acre of space to tee it up in. Dario Romeo's late consolation disappointed me a little, as a clean sheet is always a boost for the back five, but we're temporarily up to third place. :cool:
15.10.06
I see no need to make changes for the visit of Avellino, who are struggling at the bottom. But my scouting team reckon they have a nifty strike force. I still expect three points.
Varese 0
Avellino 2
Caracciolo 62, 67
Believe me, I'm not impressed . We didn't turn up, thinking we could play half-arsed and win at a canter. Avellino wanted it more, and fully deserved the points. It costs us the end of an eight game unbeaten run, and we're going to drop down in the league as a result. Andrea Caracciolo volleyed home a stunning first and tapped in an easy second to take the points for the Verdiblancos. Quite why we're able to pull off victories at Perugia but not at home to relegation threatened teams is beyond me.
22.10.06
Hopefully we can return to winning ways away at Ancona. I go in unchanged, as we're better away than at home, plus Ancona are bottom and I'd like to think we can win.
Ancona 0
Varese 0
At least we didn't lose, but our lack of scoring worries me somewhat. Batistuta's chipped in with ten, but Vieri, Martins, and Calaio have only contributed one between them, and frankly that has to improve if we're to attempt to go up. The game wasn't anything special, and Ancona got the point they defended for. Bjelanovic had the home side's best chance, driving wide when he should have hit the target. Our best chance fell to Sidwell, who's lob came close to beating Domenico Pace but the keeper made it back to tip the ball over. We've got Chievo away in midweek, which might prove a tougher opponent than today, in which case we're in trouble.
25.10.06
For the Coppa Italia match at Chievo, Martins and Gresko can return as their bans are League only. So we're lining up a little stronger, but without our main strike wingers.
Chievo 1
Testa 21
Varese 1
Fuoco 61 Batistuta sent off 16
Santi injured 15
By virtue of Marco Fuoco's 61st minute goal, we qualify on away goals. And considering we had two of our most influential players removed early in the game, this is a major achievement. Christian Santi went off injured in the 15th minute with a twisted knee that should keep him out for two weeks. A minute later, Batistuta was sent off rather harshly for a late tackle, that wasn't as dangerous as it first looked. Depending on the competition rules, I'll appeal based on television evidence showing that the tackle didn't warrant a red card. And then it became worse, as Marco Testa drove home his first of the season from 25 yards. We were not however outclassed, and although it took some time, Marco Fuoco snatched a fabulous equaliser. Having come on as a sub for Santi, he jinked through the Chievo back line before lofting the ball over Lupatelli, for the away goal we craved. To knock a strong Serie A side out is briliant, and now we can hope for a big side, for some big money.
26.10.06
I really couldn't ask for a bigger tie than the one we've been given. The first game out of the hat was...
---Milan vs Varese---
AC Milan! :cool: A two legged affair, which we probably won't stand a chance in, but it could mean a big payday, and give my squad a chance to face some of the greatest players in world football.
29.10.06
Back home, and a visit from Udinese. Are we to finally win at home, or continue this baffling run of form. Sebastian Conti is the latest option to be considered up front to get us goals, and Raffaele Moroni can return on the wing. But elsewhere, we're pretty weakened.
Varese 0
Udinese 0
So it's four games without a win, and only one goal in those four games. It doesn't bode too well, but at least we haven't lost too many of those games. Today was very similar to the previous few matches; the visitors looking dangerous, but we couldn't find the goal to kill the game off. Brazilian Warley and dogged Italian international Giannichedda ran the show, and both came close to scoring, but thankfully Girardi was in top nick. Moroni was our most dangerous player, but didn't score, and had to come off at the end, what with not being able to play 90 minutes quite yet after a month on the sidelines. And we still can't win at home - the victory over Genoa in the Cup in August was the last time we tasted success at the Franco Ossola; and coincidence would have it that Genoa are the next side to come here. Something needs to change.
5.11.06
Romanian winger Ianis Zicu joined on a free transfer yesterday, and with our very weakened squad I am forced to pick him on the left side for the trip to Spal. We're badly out of form and need to get something.
Spal 2
Luizinho 79 pen
Temelin 90 Amerini sent off 54
Varese 1
Zicu 24 Tobros sent off 25
I am so gutted. We did not deserve to lose this, and the referee was an abolsute joke. An early piledriver from Gorini thumped the crossbar to show our attacking promise. And it was the Romanian winger Zicu, on his debut, who opened the scoring after being assisted by the returning Benachour. Then Signor Flavio Ferencevic took centre stage. He dismissed Niko Tobros for a routine foul, the likes of which you see every week. So I had to do without Calaio and bring Simac on to defend, making his first appearance in over a year. He did well enough, but we couldn't defend so well for so long. Signor Ferencevic was soon at it again on 54 minutes, dismissing Daniele Amerini for a hack on Fuoco. But even at ten-a-side, we couldn't do it. Tcherevchenko was adjudged to have fouled Temelin, obviously the ref was working on the 'if at first you don't succeed to cheat Varese, try and try again ' idea. Luizinho stroked in the equaliser, but I still harboured belief. In injury time Gianluca Temellin tapped in the winner to send us into even more of a rot. Hopefully we can end the rot when everyone is back fit.
I'll appeal against Tobros' ban, but won't challenge the FA on the officiating. It never comes to anything.
7.11.06
To compound my misery, Batigol will be out of two weeks with a thigh strain. More injury worries, and we've got AC Milan coming up.
And Niko Tobros will serve a one match ban.
10.11.06
And so the visit of Genoa, on television. Team shuffling continues, with Sbrizzo, Gresko, Santi, Dobek and Frankowski coming in, but Loria, Fuoco, Batistuta, Tobros and Conti are out. Genoa were the last side to lose here, and hopefully we'll win.
Varese 0
Genoa 1
Yorke 5
I'm getting more and more disheartened. There's clearly something wrong with the side, as they just can't score, and are always losing to the odd goal. Dwight Yorke's 5th minute tap in was Genoa's only attack of note, and no matter what we did the goal just wouldn't come. None of my relatively young side embarrased themselves; indeed Dobek and Frankowski lead the line well - they just can't score. I think it shows Moroni, Batistuta and Martins have more of an effect than we knew.
It's clearly not the best form to be going into a match with Milan at the San Siro in. Their strikers are going to have a field day - unless I can find a way of boosting morale.
12.11.06
In a desperate attempt to get us in a good mood, we have a day out in Milan before our visit to the San Siro later in the evening. I'm under no illusions that Inzaghi, Seedorf, Pirlo etc will all play and will be far too good for us. But I'm not afraid of going with the intent of attacking.
Milan 4
Rodriguez 22, 71
Inzaghi 25, 90
Varese 0
4-0 was probably about right, but what hurts me most was the two goals by Yuri Rodriguez, who served us well last season. The Milan giants were far superior, and helped pile on more misery for us. Seven games without a win now, and only two goals in that period. So much for free flowing attacking football. We had our chances, mainly through Moroni, but he wasn't as clinical as Rodriguez and Inzaghi were. Still, there's a second leg, and we'll win that 5-0.
19.11.06
Hopefully we'll be all the wiser for the game against Milan, and the trip to Como is the next point of us trying to end our rotten run. I can name ten of my first eleven names - with Batistuta the one name missing.
AT LAST! We finally find that winning formula after 46 days without winning, and the key to it all was early scoring. Just seven minutes in Christian Santi lead by example and beat Antonio Chimenti from 12 yards. Five minutes later Martins struck with a wonderful break and curling effort past the keeper. It was the Nigerian's first match back after an 8 game ban. Then it was three, with Moroni slamming in from a tight angle. The hapless Chimenti was then substituted, and replacement Andrea Campagnolo performed well to keep us at bay. Early in the second half Como pulled one back, prolifc Colombian international Elson Evellio Becerra smashing past Girardi. Como obviously sensed something, as they pressed and scored another through the Colombian hitman. Now the panic was kicking in, but the 4th goal summed everything up. Our best run of form came early in the season, when Stevie Sidwell was scoring. The young Englishman scored his fourth of the season - a career best tally - to give us the barrier we needed, and the goal which broke Como's resolve. We're back on track, but this MUST continue next week at home to Modena.
Just as the team is getting back to normal, Tcherevchenko will be out for a month, but Molinaro can come in comfortably. Edoardo Gorini will be suspended after picking up too many bookings.
26.11.06
As the team looked to be getting back to normal, I make do without Gorini, Tcherevchenko, and Santi for the match. Batistuta returns, and captains the side against Modena.
Varese 3
Moroni 8, 62, 74
Modena 1
Kamara 58
At the seventh time of asking we break our winless duck at home. Our first victory this season at the Franco Ossola was mainly due to the brilliance of Raffaele Moroni. He is a sheer delight to watch, and even better to work with. HIs opener on 8 minutes was typical of the San Marino captain - a sliding run executed with a curling shot into the corner. As ever, we stayed on top without scoring, and lead at the break. But Modena had looked dangerous, and they equalised as Diomansy Kamara evaded the offside trap to beat Girardi. But Moroni brought us back into the lead with a sharp finish to meet Benachour's cross from the right. Moroni completed his first hat-trick for Varese in the best style possible. A 74th minute free kick was sent over the wall and into the top corner past the despairing dive of Pagotto, for a wonderful goal. The form seems to be reappearing, and we've got Milan around the corner.
29.11.06
I don't expect to beat Milan, just to put up a respectable performance. Batistuta's suspension means I send out a side with an average age of 25 to face one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Varese 0 Girardi sent off 90
Milan 2
Pirlo 43, 90 pen
We performed admirably against a side superior in every sense of the word. We weren't shamed, and at times worried the Rossoneri back line, as Benachour and Calaio each came close twice, the Tunisian forcing a wonderful save from Dida. A goal at the end of each half was our undoing, as Andrea Pirlo showed the difference in class. A first half lob and a second half penalty gave Ancelotti's men a 6-0 aggregate victory. Sergio Girardi fouled Inzaghi for the penalty, and was unfortunately dismissed. I feel for him, and will appeal as there was little need for the red card so late in the day. Still, my disappointment is tempered with the fact we were the last remaining Serie B team, and showed we can attack some of the best around. It also gives us perspective of where we're at currently.
3.12.06
We start a run of tough games away at high flying Palermo. It'll be quite a hard game, but we've had some good form recently, and could take a point.
Palermo 2
Morrone 39, 83
Varese 1
Batistuta 90 Sidwell sent off 90
And so Morrone scores again - yet it wasn't my Moroni, rather Palermo's Stefano Morrone - who took the points. We were mainly controlled by our hosts, and probably deserved the win. Morrone headed Palermo in fron short before half time, but the second half went our way, but no goals came from the attempts of Moroni and Batistuta. Morrone drilled in number two with very little time to go, but we showed some fight in injury time. Batistuta headed in Benachour's cross, then Fuoco headed over when he should have hit the target. Then Stevie Sidwell decided to lose it completely and headbutt Kewullay Conteh in the face, and was sent off. He'll get a lengthy ban, and with tough matches coming he'll be a bad loss.
11.12.06
Our match this weekend has been moved to Monday night for television purposes. Cagliari are in town to continue our hard run, as the islanders are top of the league and looking to improve their chances of reaching Serie A.
Varese 1
Moroni 63
Cagliari 1
Suazo 10
Drawing against Cagliari is a point gained in my consideration, after some poor home form, which still continues. But we have hope in the fact Cagliari's home form is just as bad, and if they can be 2nd in the table so can we. Honduran international Davide Suazo glanced an early header past Girardi, and to be honest the writing looked to be on the wall. But Girardi pulled out everything possible to keep the deficit to a solitary figure, which then played to our benefits. Raffaele Moroni has been the star of our season to date, and scored another contender for goal of the season. Picking the ball up on the halfway line, he beat Camorani, Suazo, Kuffour and Frara before putting the ball into the back of the net for a sensational equaliser. Gabi Batistuta hit the crossbar, and we could have won, but a point will suffice.
17.12.06
Empoli away is again a tough ask. We may have drawn with Cagliari, but I feel Empoli will present something else. I go in unchanged for our last match before Christmas.
Empoli 2
Rocchi 82
Di Natale 89
Varese 1
Martins 48
The amount of times this has happened.... . It took a similar pattern to so many other matches - dominated by our opponents for the first half, fight back strong in the second half, then have the points cruelly snatched from us late, late, late on. Empoli had two goals - both from Tommaso Rocchi - chalked off for offside in the first half, so we can't say there wasn't warning. But we were better in the second half, and through Martins we took the lead. The Nigerian hasn't scored too many, but his third of the season was a typically strong burst and calm finish. I couldn't help but feel we needed another goal, and so it proved. Benachour shaved the far post with a swerving drive, and just 30 seconds later Empoli broke, and Rocchi got the goal he craved. A point would still have been good, but Antonio Di Natale broke our hearts with a late header to keep the points at home. I'm gutted again.
In the winter break I hope to seal a couple of deals for strikers to give us a better chance of improving upon our current 10th place. If we can win a few on the bounce, we can make a push for the top four.
03-01-2003, 07:00 PM
I can't believe I thought it would be easy (the Italian Job challenge) Post #126
2.1.07
2007 starts positively, as I bring in two loan strikers. Carlos Alberto Viera Dos Santos is a very quick and agile attacking player who joins from Palermo until June. Joining for the same period of time is Jamaican international Ricardo Fuller from Bolton. If one of these livewires can shoot us to glory I'll be delighted.
I also agree to sign Finnish international Juho Makela from Anderlecht in the summer. It goes without saying this lad is something special, and could be the eventual replacement for the now 37 year old Batistuta.
4.1.07
Hopefully the new additions can benefit us at home to Bari, who are top of the league. Fuller starts up front, and Santos gets a place on the bench.
Varese 0 Tcherevchenko injured 45
Bari 1
Menezes Guimares 45
Harsh again. We played some decent stuff, but one unlucky moment when we had to reshape defensively cost us dear. Igor Tcherevchenko went off injured on his return from injury, and Molinaro came on. In the hassle of that, Carlos Menezes Guimares volleyed in the only goal. Ricardo Fuller had a moderately impressive debut, but couldn't find the net. Santos came on late to get involved, did show some positive signs, but another disappointing performance overall. If we're not careful we'll be dragged back into trouble.
7.1.07
And so to Turin (but not as I'd have hoped). My first managerial experience of the Stadio Delle Alpi is our trip there to face Torino - who aren't playing as well as they'd have liked. And to put things in a worse light, Tcherevchenko, Tobros, and Fuoco are all missing. Santos starts.
Torino 1
Constantino 14
Varese 1
Fuller 50
A draw isn't bad, but we haven't won since November. Veteran attacker Raffaele Constantino's early header was sole reward for a first half of complete dominance by Torino. But we came out better in the second half - more aggressive, and Ricardo Fuller headed in his first Varese goal. The rest of the match was hardly worth mentioning. As I said, a draw is better than nothing, but we need three points more regularly.
15.1.07
The nightmare continues with Venezia away, and there's still no sign of light at the end of the tunnel. Tobros is back, but we're still missing important names.
Venezia 3
Di Michele 6
Ciotti 11
Paulo Costa 16
Varese 0
We need help We have only taken two points from the last 18 on offer, but because of our good start to the season we have still maintained a midtable position. Some abysmal defending saw us concede three early goals, and therefore never had a chance of winning. Davide Di Michele drilled on number one, and Girardi dropped a cross for Ciotti to double the lead. Venezia further expressed their dominance with Paulo Costa's header, and Venezia had the points. For all our trying we couldn't score, as we came back a better side. But the run is getting worse - something needs to change.
Our last six games have been against sides in the top 8, and the next two against Perugia and Sampdoria are both in there as well. Then it looks a bit better, but we need to stop losing.
21.1.07
Our finest hour came away in chocolate country when we won 3-0 in Perugia. Could their visit prove a turning point?
Varese 1
Moroni 49
Perugia 2
Flachi 2
Miccoli 18
It's becoming a regular occurence - dire play early on, and then a recovery where we dominate but haven't got that certain something to get a result. Flachi beat Girardi very early on to continue what's been happening for such a long time now, and then pocket dynamo Fabrizio Miccoli skilfully turned his way to goal and cracked in the 2nd, and what turned out to be the winner. The first half was horrific, but the second was very nice for us. Moroni sent a free kick into the top corner, and so we were back in it. Fuller and Santi were brilliant, but Perugia just about hung on. We're down to 12th now.
24.1.07
The Luigi Ferraris, Genoa. Home of Sampdoria. And here we are in some poor (an understatement!) form. I have to be bold, so out go Fuoco, Benachour and Batistuta, and in come Sbrizzo, Santos and Calaio.
Sampdoria 1
C.Colombo 60
Varese 2
Santos 3
Santi 5
It feels good to be winning again. Although it was pretty tense at the end. We started so well for a change, as Viera Dos Santos excelled in his new rolw. In the first incident of the game he broke through the heart of the Blucerciati defence and rifled past Turci. Our second was fortunate - Christian Santi looked for a long ball to the back post. Turci called to claim but missed, and the ball bounced in. The first half belonged to us, but Calaio, now leading the line as the senior striker, missed a real chance of a third. Sampdoria opened the second half all guns blazing, and got something back by way of Corrado Colombo's first of the season. We were under immense pressure, but Girardi, after a couple of recent shockers, had another brilliant day. The win ends the run of defeats and draws, alleviates the pressure of relegation (a word I haven't had to use often), and ends the run against the bigger sides.
28.1.07
From one end of the league to the other. Cosenza are bottom, but have a half decent side, led by Mate Bilic - their dangerous Croatian attacker. I am tempted to stay unchanged, but Tcherevchenko replaces Molinaro at the eleventh hour.
Varese 2
Santos 18
Fuller 40
Cosenza 2
Lanzaro 27
Bilic 35
This was a good chance to kick on after beating Sampdoria, to claim what should have been a simple three points. But we let a lead slip - a rarity in itself. Dos Santos had another impressive match, and opened the scoring in similar fashion to Wednesday night. But Cosenza caught us in a submissive attitude - Maurizio Lanzaro headed in the equaliser from a corner, and then Mate Bilic broke clear to put us behind. Thankfully we were level at half time, with another Ricardo Fuller header. No matter what we did, the next breakthrough never arrived. Moroni shaved the bar, and Calaio was again a poor showing. Batigol came on late, but did nothing. But it's not a defeat.
29.1.07
And so we continue to be overloaded with strikers. Another arrives today, the highly rated Michael Chopra from Newcastle. Again, he has the talent, and ability, but the question is can he produce?
4.2.07
Spezia are another side struggling at the wrong end of the table. Chopra starts in the centre of the front three, and Sidwell makes a timely return.
Varese 2
Santos 2
Fuller 12
Spezia 2
Pastrello 25
Torino 34
Now I'm disappointed. Two games in a row we've let a lead slip, and especially a two goal lead today. We were again straight out of the blocks, and Santos scored for the third game running, with a run to meet Moroni's cross. Ricardo Fuller scored the second 10 minutes later, leaping like a salmon to head in Chopra's cross. Stefano Pastrello then got a little lucky, as he slipped when crossing and the ball soared past Girardi. Vittorio Torino then headed in the equaliser for Spezia. And so the pressure started, but Enrico Milan in the visiting goal was unbeatable - he turned Fuller down four times, Chopra and Santos twice each, and a Moroni blockbuster that was incredibly tipped over. A 10 out of 10 rating was justifiable. We showed again we can attack, but maybe the defence and focus needs a little work. And still only the one win at home
11.2.07
If we can't win at Pescara something's up. They have a team of well known names - Antonioli, Quagliarella, Amoruso, Pinardi - but are severely struggling. I go unchanged in a game we have to win.
Pescara 1
Perna 80
Varese 1
Fuller 16
Why the hell can't we kill teams off? . We absolutely wreaked havoc on Pescara, but only Ricardo Fuller could find the net. The Jamaican found the net for the third match in a row and 4th in eight, with a simple tap in. But our sheer dominance came to nothing. Chopra is worrying people - he is such a livewire, and hit the bar with a rocket shot on the stroke of half time. Moroni forced a decent save from Antonioli. Pescara sensed a point was in the offing, and stole it through Armando Perna's first goal for Pescara. We're on the slide to a season low 13th. We have to win games against the sides below us coming up - starting by scoring more than two a game.
18.2.07
Ascoli are yet another side in trouble that we simply must beat. Once again, there's no need for a change to the lineup.
Varese 3
Sbrizzo 22
Santos 27, 51
Ascoli 2
Chirico 36
Bressan 60
This, our second home win of the season, was a real nailbiter. Our first half dominance eventually paid off. We didn't find an opening until the 22nd minute, and from the most unlikely of sources. Moroni's corner was headed in by Alessandro Sbrizzo - the 31 year old's first Varese goal. Five minutes later Viera Dos Santos doubled the lead, with a brilliant dribble from the halfway line and then unleashing an unstoppable effort. But if that was unstoppable, Davide Chirico's effort that pulled one back was downright dangerous - if Girardi had been in the way he'd have been killed. :o But as I said last match, we need at least three to win, and Santos scored another goal. This time he picked up Fuller's header and drilled in his 5th in 7 starts. Then Mauro Bressan nudged Ascoli closer still, and the end to end melee that ensued nervously saw us come out with three points that we just deserved.
25.2.07
And now onto Avellino, who piled on the misery at the Franco Ossola earlier in the season. Zicu replaced the injured Moroni, and Calaio plays as Fuller is on international duty. Not as easy as it looks.
Avellino 3
Caracciolo 28, 90
Pecorari 43
Varese 3
Chopra 31
Santos 50
Calaio 78
Oh the anger I feel . We had it in the bag, but damn Caracciolo is the scourge of us. He opened the scoring with a sweeping drive to put the green side ahead. But Michael Chopra, who I have been urging to score - did so with a beautiful volley. We let slip again though, with a Marco Pecorari effort that deflected past Girardi. But we showed character to come back again, as Santos was able to steal a march on his opponent and score yet again - on the day I agree to make his loan move permanent as from June. And then our pressure paid off, as Calaio scored for the first time since August to surely seal three vital points. But no - Caracciolo thundered in a header to steal an undeserved point so late on. Varese will be the death of me
4.3.07
Ancona are a much better side than their 16th place shows. Martinetti and Bjelanovic are a dangerous pairing, but we have Moroni and Fuller back. Tobros is suspended though, and Gorini plays through injury.
Varese 1
Santos 48
Ancona 1
Tarantino 56
OK, it's now seven unbeaten, but with five of those teams in real trouble we really should have been looking to push up the league. Now we've got a tricky run in and will be looking over our shoulders. Santos is the glimmer of hope we have - he has 7 in 7 now, and is the potent threat. A dull first half did nothing to entertain anyone, but Santos finished a decent move to open the scoring. If we could have held on I would have been delighted, but unfortunately Tarantino headed in an eventual equaliser. Still, we're 15 points off promotion, so a decent run would see us move up significantly. Yet we're the same distance off relegation, so the points need to continue rolling in.
11.3.07
We look to stay unbeaten today with the trip to the Friuli and Udinese. They're 7th, we're 12th, and it makes for an interesting game. Tobros replaces Molinaro.
Udinese 2
Warley 43
Semioli 65
Varese 2
Santos 60
Moroni 77
This was a wonderful exhibition of football from both sides. Attacking football was on the menu for the whole game, and a 2-2 draw was the right result. The first half was full of long range efforts and goalmouth scrambles, and ended with Brazilian Warley dispatching from 12 yards to put Cosmi's side ahead. The second half continued in the attacking vein, and Santos scored his eighth in as many games with a lovely swerving run and finish. But Udinese once again took the lead by way of Francesco Semioli's header following Piva's return header from a deep Marek Jankulovski cross. But once again we showed we can fight with the best, and Moroni scored his third free kick of the season - a real stunner into the corner which left De Sanctis helpless. Eight unbeaten, but we're falling away from the top ten points-wise.
18.3.07
Spal are on the brink of the relegation zone, so they should be a team we look to pick up points from. Sidwell is out for a month so in comes Molinaro.
Varese 0
Spal 2
Pirri 6
Luizinho 31 pen
Another home defeat, and a double for Spal over us. I'm disappointed again, as it's another home defeat - 13 points out of 45 at the Franco Ossola is shocking. Alessio Pirri drilled in the first, and won the penalty for Luizinho to put away. We had twelve attempts on goal, six frm Chopra. The little man on loan from Newcastle hit the post twice, and Santos also hit the bar, on a day nothing went for us. Hugo Pinheiro was great in the Spal goal, but our 8 match run of unbeaten games is smashed apart, and now the remaining eight games are very tough. Hopefully, I can set a realistic target of 13 points from those 24 - although more would be great.
21.3.07
Raffaele Moroni came to me this morning to ask to leave in order to further his own career. I declined the request on the basis we need our best player until the end of the season at least. If we haven't impressed him enough come June then I might reconsider.
1.4.07
Como visit, as the side directly below ourselves. No changes needed, and I'd be delighted if we can repeat the 4-1 of last season.
Varese 2
Moroni 19
Santos 34
Como 2
Giribet 70
Negro 82 Bonazzoli missed pen 13
Disappointment is the word I'd use for this. We really shouldn't have drawn - after going two goals ahead we should have strived to score again, but stupidly sat back and gave up yet another home lead. Fair play to Moroni, who carries on professionally after the midweek 'altercation' . The San Marinese scored his 12th of the season, a header from Santos' delivery. Then, after a relative barren spell for Santos (one game) he found the scoresheet once more with a header from Moroni's deflected shot. This all came after a wonderful penalty stop from Girardi, keeping Bonazzoli's strike out. But two goals for Como - each their first goals for the club - stole a point. Mikel Giribet and Paolo Negro each headed home to compound my misery, and prove our defence inadequate for Serie B.
. So I decided to push Mateusz Dobek onto the wing, telling him to get forwards, and lo and behold the lad scored 
, heading home Santi's corner. In fact, Dobek and Vieri caused no end of problems for the home side, and we could have had four or five, but I'll certainly settle for three. 
. We didn't turn up, thinking we could play half-arsed and win at a canter. Avellino wanted it more, and fully deserved the points. It costs us the end of an eight game unbeaten run, and we're going to drop down in the league as a result. Andrea Caracciolo volleyed home a stunning first and tapped in an easy second to take the points for the Verdiblancos. Quite why we're able to pull off victories at Perugia but not at home to relegation threatened teams is beyond me. 
Tcherevchenko was adjudged to have fouled Temelin, obviously the ref was working on the 'if at first you don't succeed to cheat Varese, try and try again 
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