retired_deljo

25.10.09
We travel to Venezia, where historically we don't have a good record. They have a talented side, but then we are in good form. Mina starts up front after impressing recently, and Dobek replaces Franzese in midfield.

Venezia 4
Campedelli 11
Firmani 14
Twigg 25
Natali 28

Varese 3
Santos 15
Mina 30
McPhee 87
Mina injured 87

I am very unhappy. These games are the ones we have to win, and quite frankly, our defending was horrible. Nicola Campedelii opened things up with a good strike high past Stekelenburg from eighteen yards, It would have been hard for anyone to stop. Three minutes later it got worse, as Fabio Firmani stole in to score his first goal this season. But there was hope. Santos hit a rocket shot past Paluzzi to make the scoreline 2-1, and score his 50th Varese goal in the league. Venezia made our day worse ten minutes later, as Venezia's Scottish striker Gary Twigg attempted to show Stephen McPhee he isn't the only prolific Scottish striker in the peninsular. Alessio Natali made it four with a header, and we were in a dishevelled state. Roberto Javier Mina reduced the arrears with a goal following a neat one-two with Dobek, but we never had much chance of recovering. Late on, Mina sacrificed himself to set up McPhee to score his seventh in six matches. Mina went off injured with knee trouble, and he may need three weeks out. A totally forgettable day and some deplorable defending.

Team: Stekelenburg, Ronning, Orellana, Lewis, Dobek, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Mina (Makela 88), McPhee, Alexiou

1.11.09
Lecce have been the most impressive side in the opening weeks of the season. Delio Rossi's side can go back top with a win at our place tonight, televised across Europe. My midfield is shot to pieces. Not only is Franzese out, but Stilianos Doukas is also unavailable. Sixteen year old Vito Cozzolino is in from the start.

Varese 2
Alexiou 29 pen
Cavalcante 56

Lecce 3
Casetti 12
Vucinic 34
Bruno 52

Two defeats in a row in the league is not the form I desire. We had a pathetic three attempts on goal, such was Lecce's control. It's our first home defeat of the season, and I really do not like losing here. Talented Lecce stalwart Mario Cassetti gave the Giallorossi the lead on twelve minutes when the defence chose not to mark him. Just before the half hour arrived, we were level. Stephen McPhee was awarded a penalty, and in the absence of Roberto Franzese, Christos Alexiou took the responsibility of converting past Abbiati. Stupidly however, we conceded almost immediately. Mirko Vucinic, their talented Yugoslav hitman, slammed a volley spectacularly past Stekelenburg from a long way out. They extended the advantage after half time by way of Salvatore Bruno's headed effort. We were back in with a shout as Claudio Cavalcante took on the mantle of getting us something with a fine solo goal. But Lecce did what they needed, and we were defeated again. It's easy to blame it on injuries, but we were not good enough today.

Team: Stekelenburg, Ronning, Orellana, Lewis, Asencio, Cavalcante(c), Cozzolino, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

Next up are four away games against Pogon, Napoli, Bologna, and Juventus.

retired_deljo

5.11.09
It's wet and cold in Poland, but we're secure in the knowledge of our 5-1 lead from the home leg. Santos is suspended, so Juho Makela gets the role in the hole, with instructions to roam. Otherwise we're unchanged.

Pogon 0

Varese 0

Easy path through, although I'm a little anxious that we couldn't find a win. We weren't ever troubled, but we just seemed content to play out time. As a consequence, there's little to talk of. Pogon didn't have one shot at our goal, whilst our eleven brought the best out of Martin Szymaszek in the Polish goal. McPhee had five of our chances, all of which drew blanks and saves. His best chance came with a searing drive that the goalkeeper had to show amazing agility to stop. Sixteen year old striker Christian Anselmi came on late to gain experience, and did well enough. The other teenager, Vito Cozzolino, had a strong match, as he got his passing game going well. We're through, and that's the important thing.

Team: Stekelenburg, Ronning, Orellana, Lewis, Asencio, Cavalcante(c), Cozzolino, Makela (Anselmi 72), Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

8.11.09
The Coppa Italia takes precedence this weekend, as we head down South to Napoli. We're not in the best of form, but the important thing is to get an away goal. Santi comes in for Cozzolino, otherwise it's the same names that played in Poland.

Napoli 2
Ljungberg 14
Recoba 47

Varese 1
Alexiou 37

We travel back home with an away goal for the second leg, but I must admit I'm perturbed by our recent lack of form, especially with a tougher run of games coming up. Napoli started well, dictating the play, and took a fourteenth minute lead when Freddie Ljungberg took a loose ball away from Stekelenburg and stroked the ball home. We needed to respond, and we did. Nine minutes before half time Alexiou pounced on a loose ball in the area and hooked a volley past Agliardi. We went in at the break with a crucial away goal. The key thing was not to concede another too early, but barely two minutes into the second half Alvaro Recoba found a little space and buried his shot. We were far from our best, and Claudio Cavalcante was way off his game today, which may have had an effect on the whole game. But we have an away goal, so we should have a great chance of progression. The worrying thing, however, is our form. One draw and three defeats in four games is not acceptable, and with Bologna, Juve, Inter and Roma coming up, we have to watch ourselves.

Team: Stekelenburg, Ronning, Orellana, Lewis, Asencio (Makela 86), Cavalcante(c), Santi, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

11.11.09
Last season we lost 6-5 to Bologna. I won't be happy with a similar result. Daniel Orellana is suspended, so I opt for experience in bringing in club stalwart Edoardo Gorini to hold us together for his first match of the league season. The media have billed this game as a battle of the two Greek strikers - Bologna's potent Manolis Ligkos, and Varese's Christos Alexiou. Hopefully, Alexiou will come out on top.

Bologna 1
Cipriani 28 pen

Varese 1
Dobek 37

Despite Bologna's poor start to the season, I take this as a point gained rather than two lost. Both goalkeepers were kept busy throughout, and we probably had the chances to win it. However, it was the Emilia side who took the lead. Nunzio Biava was felled inside the eighteen yard box, and Giacomo Cipriani sent the ball past Stekelenburg. The equaliser came from Mateusz Dobek, who was magnificent today. McPhee flicked on a cross, and at the second time of asking Dobek poked past Pompei. We came close to winning the match in the second half, as McPhee started to look more and more dangerous. In injury time Santi sent a cross over, and McPhee's glancing header bounced back off the crossbar. It was just that kind of day. Still, it's not a bad result.

Team: Stekelenburg, Ronning, Gorini, Lewis, Asencio, Cavalcante(c), Santi, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

12.11.09
The third round draw of the UEFA Cup sees us drawn with Olympiakos. The Greek side have some good talent, and we'll have a very hard two games to get through. We're at home first.

retired_deljo

15.11.09
We lost in injury time in Turin last season, and beat La Vecchia Signora at our ground on the last day, so we know we can at least live with Ranieri's side. An added bonus is the fact star names Beasley and Trezeguet are away on international duty, and also that Juve are out of form. However, we haven't won in five, so today would be a nice change.

Juventus 3
Pazzini 11
Paro 42
Toscano 76 pen

Varese 2
McPhee 26
Mina 86

We deserved at least a point, but in essence we threw the points away. After a decent start from ourselves, emerging striker Giampaolo Pazzini headed in a dangerous cross courtesy of Antonio Cassano. Yet the Bianconeri sat back and allowed us to equalise. A neat move down the right side eventually saw McPhee turn and hook a wonderful shot over Pegolo to add his fourteenth of the season. It would have been nice to hold on until half time, but that again was proven impossible three minutes before half time as Juve stalwart Matteo Paro flicked in his first of the season. The second half was much the same, as we came desperately close to stealing another goal. Some fine solo work by Christos Alexiou ended in Juve captain Pegolo making a stunning close range stop. McPhee came close with a skidding drive. And as it looked like we may get the second, Simone Inzaghi stole in and was brought down by Stekelenburg. He has a reputation for 'simulating', but this was a spot kick, which Sergio Toscano dispatched. Roberto Javier Mina was brought on to add some impetus, and he scored a fine effort with some great trickery and coolness under pressure. He could only make it 3-2 though, as we drop even more points, and I'm starting to worry.

Team: Stekelenburg, Legrottaglie, Gorini, Lewis, Asencio (Mina 78), Cavalcante(c), Santi, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

22.11.09
Roma have the world's best striker in Fernando Cavenaghi - and they paid £18.75m for him too. There's the gulf between us, even before considering my defence is on it's last legs - they're the only fit three I have. Makela starts after impressing in the week both here and for Finland, and Franzese and Doukas are fit to resume in the centre of the park.

Varese 0

Roma 3
Alex 4
Totti 13
Cavenaghi 28

We are in a really bad state. It's that time of the season where I'll be looking to bring some names in, even though I have no money. This means selling names, and if I can get some bids in I'm likely to accept for certain names, because although Roma were special, we were poor. It took four minutes for Vavassori's side to cut through us and allow Alex to beat Stekelenburg. A further nine minutes down the line and Francesco Totti rose highest to head in the Romanista's second. The Giallorossi soon made it three, as Cavenaghi continued to prove his status as the best. His expert finish was his eighth in seven games for Roma, and his 262nd in 323 club games. Added to that we were pathetically impotent up front. Not one of the five attackers used on the day were worth anything. Nobody tried, and that's what hurts. After such a bright start we're slowly falling away from the top, although we're eighth, and still a little in touch. But things must improve.

Team: Stekelenburg, Ronning, Gorini, Lewis, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Makela (Mina 45), McPhee, Alexiou (Dobek 45)

retired_deljo

24.11.09
As promised, I place some names on the transfer list as a matter of necessity, as our finances are starting to look perilous. Niko Tobros hasn't done much since we gained promotion from C1, so he could bring in a million or two. A second backup defender, Edu Dracena, has been here a year and not really impressed. He could easily bring in £2m. With this money I could bring in some bargains on the cheap.

26.11.09
We need to make full use of tonight's home leg against Olympiakos. I know how tough a side they are, and we are in poor, poor form, which doesn't bode well. Makela continues up front as we need his physical presence.

Varese 2
Doukas 50
Alexiou 66

Olympiakos 3
Karamanos 35
Liberopoulos 63
Kaviedes 90

I think I have just cause to be extremely worried about our current plight. We played well enough, which is an improvement over recent performances, but we still can't get the elusive win some of our football deserves. It's been three straight defeats now, and with a trip to the San Siro at the weekend it only looks like getting worse. It may even mean a formation change, as our current style just invites the opponents to attack at will. It would mean abandoning the style we have been so successful with, so it's a hard decision. Tonight, Olympiakos took the lead with a long range effort from Sotiris Karamanos which Stekelenburg could only slow down on its path into the net. We drew level in fine style. A twenty yard free kick was expertly scored by Stilianos Doukas. The Greek chose a fine time to score his first of the season. However, young let back Nikos Liberopoulos found too much space, and we were suddenly back behind. Yet the spirit was there, as we drew level for the second time, through a towering header from Alexiou. A draw wouldn't have been the worst result in the world, but we didn't even get that, because Ivan Kaviedes outshone Ecuadorian compatriot Roberto Mina by bundling in an injury time winner We now have to win in Greece, plus Olympiakos have three away goals. But they're the least of my problems. Our form has to change.

Team: Stekelenburg, Ronning, Gorini, Lewis, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Makela (Mina 66), McPhee, Alexiou

29.11.09
I decide to stick with the formation, but change the components for the trip to Inter. Francesco Toldo takes the gloves to try and frustrate his former employees, and Niko Tobros plays at the heart of the defence to prove his worth. I am not looking forwards to this.

Inter 3
Rosicky 6
Veron 12
Rossini 40

Varese 1
Santos 52

It wasn't half as bad as I had expected, but what matters is that we still failed to take a point. It took only six minutes for Inter to work out how to break through. That said, Tomas Rosicky's stunning thirty yard firecracker was something nobody could stop. Only twelve minutes were passed when Juan Seba Veron was left free to head in a second. Only it wasn't one way traffic. Christos Alexiou was causing endless concern for the defence, and on a number of occasions Frey had to make decent saves. After McPhee hit the post at one end, Fausto Rossini tapped in number three on 40 minutes, and the points went with it. Surprisingly, we dominated the second half, and scored a consolation via the right foot of Santos. In fact it was Santos who continued to be our most dangerous player, but even he couldn't break through. The only bright spot to take from this is that it marks the end of the 'hard' run, and we should get back to normal. In this form, that might be blindly optimistic.

Team: Toldo, Ronning, Tobros, Lewis, Franzese (Mina 71), Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Makela (Dobek 26), McPhee, Alexiou

In my after match discussions with Hector Raul Cúper, he seemed to have a discernable interest in Stilianos Doukas. The Argentinian was praising my Greek midfielder to the highest. Does it mean a transfer bid?

retired_deljo

2.12.09
The last time Napoli visited the Franco Ossola we stuck six past them. A similar result would do today, especially as the Neapolitans hold a 2-1 advantage. The defence is again shuffled, as Tcherevchenko and Dracena get starts ahead of Tobros and Lewis. The front three are restored to their most potent form.

Varese 4
Cardinale 26 og
Alexiou 45
Santos 50
Dobek 59

Napoli 3
Orru 4
Lodesani 30
Pestrin 61

But for a couple of shocking refereeing decisions we could well have been through. Just nineteen seconds were on the clock when Stephen McPhee opened the scoring - yet it was chalked off for a highly debatable offside To compound my misery moreso, Nicola Orru hammered in a stunning effort from a wide and long range angle to give Napoli a crucial away goal. Thankfully we were level soon enough. Doukas launched a long free kick to which Cardinale got the unfortunate touch to equalise. Then our old selves kicked in, as Napoli cut through us at will, leaving Enrico Lodesani free to roll in the second, meaning we needed to get to four to be ahead on aggregate. So, we set about getting those four, as only we would. On the stroke of half time Alexiou notched one of them with a glancing header past Agliardi. Five minutes into the second half the chances became even better as Santos was first to the loose ball to prod us ahead in the game. The fourth arrived nine minutes later, as Mateusz Dobek powered a header home from Cavalcante's cross. Then Manolo Pestrin pulled a goal out of nothing to mean we again needed a goal. And we thought we had it. Matesuz Dobek found another free header, and again he converted, but this was also deemed offside. With that went our Coppa Italia chances. In hindsight this may prove a blessing. We finally found the winning formula, and with qualification we would have met Inter, who would have no doubt damaged our form and confidence. This may just be the turning point.

Team: Toldo, Ronning, Tcherevchenko, Edu Dracena, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Dobek (Mina 81), McPhee, Alexiou

3.12.09
Speculation continues to mount in the media that Stilianos Doukas may move to one of the Milan clubs in the upcoming transfer window. I decline a comment, as I may just be tempted, should the offer be sufficient. Doukas has played very well, and is a quality performer, but he doesn't score often enough, and I can't help but feel that if I claimed £5m+ for him I could bring three names in who could do just as good a job as Doukas did when I signed him for cheap.

6.12.09
Salernitana are a tricky proposition. Like us, they're having a mediocre time of it. Also like us, they're an ultra-attacking outfit, with some dangerous talents. So some think my decision to blood seventeen year old defender Renzo Andreazzoli is a bit strange. However, I, and Varese centre back legends on the coaching staffu - Roberto Bandirali and Edoardo Gorini - think he's up to the task, and alongside the experienced Igor Tcherevchenko he'll be guided well. Stekelenburg resumes in goal.

Varese 1
Alexiou 56

Salernitana 1
Woodthorpe 22

This will do for now. We defended very well against a dangerous side, and looked sharp enough at the business end of things. Getting back to form slowly will benefit us in the long run. It seems that Chul-Soo Woodthorpe only ever scores against us. His 22nd minute chip over a stranded Stekelenburg was delightful on the eye, but frustrating on the manager. We were being pinned back, but the defence stood strong in the face of some adversity. On 56 minutes Christos Alexiou planted the equaliser past Alex Brunner to share the spoils. A very positive spin on the game comes from the defence. Igor Tcherevchenko was simply outstanding, and alongside him Renzo Andreazzoli (less than half Igor's age ) was great on his debut. Nothing awed him, and he may just get a regular place on this form. An overall assessment would be that this is a point gained.

Team: Stekelenburg, Ronning, Tcherevchenko, Andreazzoli, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

retired_deljo

10.12.09
We know what's required in Greece tonight. We have to score twice in the cauldron that is the Rizoupolis stadium in Olympiakos. In all honesty though, I'd be satisfied with a performance where we can take some credit for a strong performance.

Olympiakos 1
Abreu 81

Varese 0

Well, our first ever UEFA Cup adventure is over, but we didn't shame ourselves tonight against a side with much more European experience. These ties will set us in good stead for the next time we find ourselves in this position, as we'll know where we've failed in times gone. Sebastian Abreu's late header did for us today, but we made most of the running and truthfully, we could have scored a number of goals. Christos Alexiou was dangerous, and forced good saves from Vasilis Manikas twice. Other than that, we were a little jaded, but now we're free to focus entirely on the league, where at full strength, I feel we can really challenge for the top of the table, especially as there's no distractions.

Team: Stekelenburg, Ronning, Tcherevchenko, Andreazzoli, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

13.12.09
Perugia are an enigma. They can pull off amazing wins, yet lose without caring. Their attack is pretty tasty, but the defence shaky. Sound like anyone you know? We're unchanged again,

Perugia 2
Fiore 42
G.Miccoli 63
Bini sent off 30

Varese 3
Franzese 30, 43
Mina 83
Franzese missed pen 30

This win was extremely satisfying, as we were consistently pegged back, but we showed the character and desire to get the win. As I expected, Perugia were a threat every time they entered our defensive third, with the two Miccoli's - Giusepe and Fabrizio - causing problems. The game changed on the half hour mark. Dobek dribbled his way into the area, where he was crudely hacked down by Mario Bini. Roberto Franzese, in a very unusual occurence, had the kick saved, but recovered to pounce on the rebound for the opening goal. Unfortunately we allowed Perugia back into the game. Foglio delivered a dangerous cross for Nicola Fiore to open his Serie A account. Then we reacted in the way we've been victim of soooooo many times in the past. The most vulnerable time is just after you've scored, and we know that all too well. For a change, we took that information and made it useful, because a neat passing session gave Franzese the open chance, and he hammered low and hard past Indiveri. Yet we still couldn't hold the lead. Giuseppe Miccoli became the second youngster to score his first Serie A goal with a good turn and shot. Mateusz Dobek was taken off in the hope that SuperSub Mina could work his magic as he has done before, and for a while it looked like a wasted change. Then, with just seven minutes left on the clock, Igor Tcherevchenko ventured high enough up the pitch to get a nosebleed. His cross was a little over Mina's head, but the Ecuadoran arched backwards and flicked into the roof of the net to secure a crucial three points! It's a nice way to finish the football for 2009, as our next game will mark the start of a new decade - one in which Varese will prosper!

Team: Stekelenburg, Ronning, Tcherevchenko, Andreazzoli, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Dobek (Mina 46), McPhee, Alexiou

14.12.09
A few big announcements regarding retirements are made this morning. At the training ground, Christian Vieri, Max Vieri, Igor Tcherevchenko, Laurent Plaquet, Gonzalo Martinez and Francesco Toldo all announce their retirement as of the end of the season. Some fantastic careers will be ending, and it will mark something of a revolution here, as they'll all have to be replaced in some way or another.

retired_deljo

6.1.10
2010 gets underway with a game against Atalanta, who are perennial mid table occupants. After a nice break I'm able to name my strongest side, which finally includes Daniel Orellana in defence.

Varese 3
McPhee 1, 66
Rønning 63

Atalanta 2
Spanu 58
Espinal 90

It was tight again, but we deserved the win eventually. In the very first minute, Renzo Andreazzoli's battling led to Stephen McPhee finding both the time and the space to get through to score after something of a barren run. Then, quite truthfully, not a whole lot happened in the rest of the half, as Atalanta were content to play their game in order to attempt to break us down. It wasn't working, or so I thought. Just shy of the hour teenage striker Mario Spani was left unmarked, and levelled proceedings. Not for long. Per Verner Rønning was brought on at half time for Santos, who showed signs of injury, and it paid off. McPhee did brilliantly down the flank, and managed to loft a cross in for the Norwegian to head in. McPhee, by now, was running the show, and he doubled his tally three minutes later. Alexiou's tame attempt was saved, and McPhee pounced to score his sixteenth of the season. In injury time, the impressive Vinicio Espinal tricked and twisted his way through to score, but we held the points to keep in touch with those above us.

Team: Stekelenburg, Lewis, Orellana, Andreazzoli, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos (Rønning 45), Dobek (Mina 45), McPhee, Alexiou

10.1.10
We've never had the best of records in Bari's San Nicola stadium, having lost there 6-3 and 3-0 in the past. Also, despite Ivo Iaconi's side being in dodgy form, they have some very dangerous players. One change for us - Santos is injured, so Mina plays in the hole behind the front three.

Bari 2
Tisci 81, 88

Varese 2
McPhee 12
Alexiou 79

This was an enthralling match that I'm disappointed not to have won. The action was non-stop, end-to-end, and by the end everyone must have been physically drained. The first goal arrived on twelve minutes, as Cassano could only parry Alexiou's attempt, and McPhee scored another - hopefully marking the start of another prolific run. The action didn't stop there. The pendulum swung back and forth, as Menezes Guimaraes and Mokas in particular caused havoc, but Stekelenburg made some fine stops, and Daniel Orellana took control over a back line that haven't played together often, and with a seventeen year old of only five professional games. In that respect I was delighted to be ahead at half time. The second half was more of the same, as Bari started to take control and heap huge pressure on our goal. English striker Les Walsh came on and annoyed us, meaning that Franzese was tied down trying to prevent him running the show. Maarten Stekelenburg continued to raise his profile by making special saves. My main thought was to weather the storm and grab a second to give us more space to breath. In essence that happened. Bari left too many holes at the back from a corner, and our electric pace gave Alexiou room to crash past Cassano for his tenth of the season. It should have been the winner. However, one minute later Smit hoofed a ball high into our goalmouth. Mokas' header was saved, but veteran Ivan Tisci acrobatically volleyed into an unguarded goal. They sensed blood, and got it. Another long ball was lofted in, another knock down, and Tisci hit the ball clean as a whistle past Stekelenburg's despairing dive. Bari probably deserved a point, but ours takes us up to seventh, and still in reach of a Champions League spot, although it's still early days.

Team: Stekelenburg, Lewis, Orellana, Andreazzoli, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Mina, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

retired_deljo

14.1.10
Lazio General Manager David Patrizi contacts me this morning on behalf of Roberto Mancini with a bid for Stilianos Doukas. This is the moment I've dreaded. Doukas has been in fine form, and thinks the world of myself and the club. However, our declining financial situation may lead me to look for a sale. The Biancocelesti submit a bid of £6.75m, which is £6m on what I paid for him. It makes business sense, but from a common sense point of view, I ask for something closer to £8m. If they can match me there, they may have a deal. It's not definite, as I'd love to keep him, but as said before, I can find two players who can do the job for cheaper.

16.1.10
Lazio decide £8m is too high, and withdraw their offer.

However, they come back later in the afternoon with a £7m bid - £6.5m up front, and a further £500k after 20 games for Lazio. Once again, I inform them that I require £8m for the Greek's services.

17.1.10
Since drawing 3-3 on the opening day with ourselves, Sampdoria have only managed to get five points, and no wins. Australian Andreas Oliveira is their only Serie A quality player, and he's been injured for a while, and misses today. I remain unchanged from the last game.

Sampdoria 2
Mari 45
Sardo 49

Varese 4
Alexiou 1, 29
Makela 73
Cavalcante 83
Lewis injured 78

It was more comprehensive than it looked. Other than a five minute spell, Sampdoria couldn't match us. It only took a matter of seconds for the lead to arrive. Roberto Franzese crossed the ball, and Alexiou leapt to head past Pace. It was Alexiou who doubled the lead a minute short of the half hour mark. Again it was a Franzese cross, and another Alexiou header dispatched in fine fettle to score his 50th goal for Varese. All this time, Sampdoria never posed a threat. However, in first half stoppage time, Valentino Lai laid off the pass for Matteo Mari to reduce the arrears to only one. The lead looked a little suspect, as it always will when we're playing, and so it proved. Gennaro Sardo beat Stekelenburg to an aerial challenge, and the right back headed his second of the season. Roberto Mina was pretty average in his role that is usually occupied by Santos, so Juho Makela was brought on to shake things up. Thankfully, the Finn did. McPhee sent a volley fizzing onto the crossbar, from which Makela had the time and space to compose himself and score for the first time this season. It was McPhee who made the fourth too. Again, it was a strike on goal parried by Domenico Pace, from which Claudio Cavalcante headed in to secure three more crucial points.

Team: Stekelenburg, Lewis (Tcherevchenko 78), Orellana, Andreazzoli, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Mina (Makela 70), Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

retired_deljo

20.1.10
In many peoples eyes ourselves and Parma are the two most exciting young sides in Italy. We both share an attacking philiosophy based around raw talent. As such, tonight's game in the Ennio Tardini should be highly watchable for the neutral. In keeping with the philosophy, Greg Lewis (injured) is replaced by eighteen year old Domenico Asara. The Italian, who has dual Albanian nationality, is a supremely gifted defender or midfielder, and lines up in a youthful but inexperienced defence. Santos also returns from injury.

Parma 0

Varese 2
Santos 45
Alexiou 78

Altogether this was the finest performance we could have put out. We defended very well, as strong as we've been for a while, and against Parma a clean sheet is brilliant. The first half exhibited some good football, with Mutu having Parma's best effort saved by Stekelenburg. Cavalcante sent a long range shot searing onto the top of the crossbar, as seventeen year old keeper Diego Luciani was beaten. On the stroke of the break, we broke from a corner on a counter attack. Franzese sent a slide-rule pass through the middle, onto which Santos met the ball first time to finish clinically. Of the three seasons Santos has spent here, this is perhaps the most disappointing, but the Brazilian still pulls brilliance out. As does Maarten Stekelenburg. Parma ladi siege to our goal in the second half, but Stekelenburg stood firm, making a number of fine stops - frustrating Adriano, Mutu et al. All the time we were looking dangerous. Alexiou hit the post with a lovely curling effort eight minutes before he wrapped up the points. Stilianos Doukas hit a free kick into the wall. By way of luck the ball fell to Christos Alexiou, who beat the teenage kid goalkeeper to score his fourth in three matches. After a slow start the Greek is beginning to get hot. :cool: A clean sheet with such an inexperienced defence is very positive, as it means these three could line up together more often.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Orellana, Andreazzoli, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

24.1.10
Cagliari have only two points from their travels this season, and I'll be disappointed if we can't get a win today. Stilianos Doukas is suspended so Per Verner Rønning comes into midfield - this is where his versatility comes useful.

Varese 3
Santos 50, 84
Makela 75

Cagliari 1
Perfetti 36

The game was far tougher than I expected, but we came through late on. Cagliari impressed me more than they did at the Sant'Elia earlier in the season (they did have more than eight men this time ). They even took the lead ten minutes before half time through centre back Luca Perfetti. It got me worried, as we weren't really creating much, and what we did was being wasted. Stephen McPhee hit a dipping shot over the goal, which was our best opening. Five minutes into the second half we were level. Stephen McPhee stabbed a cross into the area between the goalkeeper and the defence, to which Santos swivelled a volley past Lara. Yet we were still looking out of sorts. Juho Makela came on in a re-shuffle, as he has impressed as a sub. Once again, he got us out of a hole. Santos dribbled through the static Cagliari defence, sent a cross into the area, and Makela did the business to give us a 2-1 lead. Santos, by now, was pulling all the strings. Six minutes from time he went straight through the defence, as he was just too hot to handle. A calm and composed finish saw us take the game 3-1, amd move us up into fifth - however temporarily that may be.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Orellana, Andreazzoli, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Rønning (Makela 69), Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

31.1.10
Despite Mancini's job being on the line as a result of Lazio's poor form, the Biancocelesti have a cracking side, but in the Olimpico they've had a mixed time. We go in with one change, as Doukas returns against the side bidding for him.

Lazio 2
Pavesi 11
Pellicori 29

Varese 1
Santos 19

Lazio dominated and deserved to win in the balance of things. After eleven minutes Denis Pavesi broke clear of our young defence and lifted the ball comfortably over Stekelenburg. Mancini's side didn't hold that lead for long. Every so often in a season Carlos Alberto Viera Dos Santos has a rich run of form whic results in goals aplenty. His fourth in three games arrived in similar fashion to Pavesi's opener. The Brazilian was put through, and he rippled the large net of the Curva Sud. Lazio were ahead again within much time, as Alessandro Pellicori rose highest to head in. In all it was a pretty poor game for a Sunday night live match, as after that Lazio, with the exception of a few attempts, were content to shut up shop. We, on the other hand, had nothing to show for any feeble attempts we created - of which there were very few. It's not so bad in the shape of things, but bearing in mind there's still a hard run of matches remaining I'm looking to get as many points as possible in the 'easier' games.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Orellana, Andreazzoli, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Dobek (Mina 77), McPhee, Alexiou

retired_deljo

7.2.10
Milan haven't lost a single game in Serie A this season. Moreover, we are yet to take a solitary point off them in five previous encounters. So their world class attack against our shaky defence doesn't fill me with confidence. Which is why I've instructed the side to get a couple of early goals as insurance.

Varese 1
McPhee 3

Milan 3
Kutuzov 22
Shevchenko 35
Pirlo 80

The result was inevitable, but at least we put up some sort of fight. We even struck first. Stephen McPhee is all but matching Andrii Shevchenko goal for goal this season, and his nimble footwork and ferocious shot past Pini to give us an unexpected lead. Which we managed to hold for quite a while. Ambrosini hit the post, Shevchenko tapped wide of a half-open goal, but eventually they got their goal. Vitaly Kutuzov. The Belarus international beat Stekelenburg in the air (unfairly I might add) and headed past him into the empty goal. Shevchenko then showed why he is such quality. He burst through our defence and unleashed an unstoppable effort from twenty yards into the corner. It didn't stop us coming forwards. Christian Vieri, finally fit, came on in the second half and caused problems. His chip to Alexiou saw the Greek's overhead kick thud off the crossbar . Andrea Pirlo's 80th minute goal finally killed us off, and the best side in the league continue their march onwards. The defeat doesn't worry me too much.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Orellana, Andreazzoli, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Dobek (Vieri 45), McPhee, Alexiou

14.2.10
I think Napoli annoy me moreso than any other side. We've proved we can beat them - and comprehensively - but they consistently get under my skin with the way they can be in relegation trouble but still pose a threat. Christian Vieri starts up front on a very rare occasion as I believe he'll suit our game better today.

Napoli 2
Recoba 10
Lodesani 45
Recoba missed pen 56

Varese 1
McPhee 5

Once again ------> . Napoli, in relegation bother, were able to absolutely control proceedings to inflict our third straight defeat upon us. It came after a fantastic start for us. A long ball was not cleared properly, but before Ivo Iaconi's side could react, Stephen McPhee unleashed a first time shot from thirty yards that dipped and swerved past the shell-shocked Coppola. It triggered a thought that today could be our day. How wrong I was. Five minutes later a goal almost as good as McPhee's levelled the match. Alvaro Recoba dribbled across the midfield before curling a low attempt just past Stekelenburg's despairing dive. Freddie Ljungberg and Nicola Orru started to dictate how the game was panning out, as Napoli forced the issue. On the stroke of half time Man-of-the-Match Enrico Lodesani headed in the eventual winner, as once more we fell asleep during the end of the half. Napoli even had a chance to make it 3-1 in the second half. Enrico Lodesani dived to win a penalty, and it was compounded by Cavalcante's booking. Recoba's penalty was, however, saved by Stekelenburg. Scant consolation though, as three consecutive defeats is totally unacceptable.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Orellana, Andreazzoli, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Vieri (Dobek 45), McPhee, Alexiou