retired_deljo

13.3.11
Part one of the soon to be long running saga against Lazio. They're a very good side, and we know just what is facing us. Anselmi returns up front to add a lively physical element to our game.

Lazio 1
Ayala 45

Varese 0

It's our first League defeat since mid November, but the major problem is that it leaves us six points behind Lazio in the table. Mancini's men will also have the upper hand in the next meeting, as they now have the win under their belts. That said, we dominated the whole outing, without scoring that one goal. On the half hour mark the first opening of the game arrived. A goalmouth scramble occurred in the Lazio penalty box, but neither Skalidis or Doukas could beat Fabio Da Re. A few minutes later Anselmi struck a neat and tidy volley that was parried well by the Lazio captain. On half time Lazio took the lead with a rare attack and much against the run of play. Sam Dalla Bona whipped a low cross, and Marcelo Ayala stooped to head in the goal which turned out to be the winner. Cavalcante forced the best save from Da Re on 58 minutes, as his header forced the goalkeeper into a jumping finger-tipped save. Nothing was going for us, and now we have a lot of work to do (and a little luck to ask) in order to make up the six point difference Lazio have on us now. A disappointing day in Rome.

Team: Stekelenburg, Yepes, Orellana, Todisco, Montanari, Asara, Cavalcante, Doukas(c), Santos, Skalidis, Anselmi (McPhee 80)

17.3.11
Back to Rome we go for part two of our adventure with Lazio. Tonight is the UEFA Cup clash, with us the away side again, looking for an away goal. Bojinov starts up front as we need a change up front with Alexiou still injured.

Lazio 0

Varese 3
Santos 13, 73
Bojinov 30
Yepes injured 84

We couldn't have done it much better! They played pretty much the same side that beat us at the weekend, but we were a class apart tonight. In the thirteenth minute Doukas' deep corner was headed back across goal by Skalidis, and Santos arrived to volley emphatically past Da Re. Now Lazio started to attack, and a similar volley from Rabito only found the stands. After half an hour we doubled the lead, and in the process doubled the away goals. Cavalcante nodded Montanari's ball into Bojinov's path, and after settling, the Bulgarian rifled us into a 2-0 lead. We had been all over them, and their UEFA Cup dream was starting to fade. Lazio looked a little better in the second half, but not by much, as our defence was looking as solid as I know it to be. A little over fifteen minutes from time we wrapped the game, and possibly the tie, up. Santos again found time and space when he shouldn't have, and he dispatched his 20th of the season, and his 80th Varese goal. Mario Yepes went off injured and our defence was weakened temporarily, but Andrea Rabito had what might have been a crucial consolation disallowed. Our win should see us into the Semi Finals, which is fantastic. But nothing is being taken for granted.

Team: Stekelenburg, Yepes (Asencio 84), Orellana, Todisco, Montanari, Asara, Cavalcante, Doukas(c), Santos, Skalidis, Bojinov

Yepes is out for about ten days.

retired_deljo

25.3.11
We wait with eager anticipation our Semi Final opponents. Lunchtime arrives, along with news we are to play FC København. They're a good side, but not unbeatable. We need to make the home leg count, as we'll travel to Denmark in the second leg.

30.3.11
I'm delighted to heat Gaetano Montanari scored on his Italian Under-21 debut. He'll be great for the Azzurrini, of that I'm sure.

2.4.11
Back to league action after an international break, and Parma visit us. They've been contesting top spot all season and are one of the very best sides, so we need to be at our best to get the points we need to keep on Lazio's tail. Hyypia stays in as Todisco is suspended, but I have Montanari and Yepes back at my disposal.

Varese 2
Alexiou 27
Doukas 43 pen

Parma 1
Mutu 73

Excluding the last twenty minutes, we won this at a canter. We should have been 4-0 up at half time, but for some dodgy officiating and mistimed runs. The game started like a typical Serie A game of the early 1990's - neither side did anything of note attacking wise. The first shot at goal was Alexiou's opener. Doukas opened the door for his compatriot to hit a fierce shot past Luciani to make it an even twenty for the season. Fifteen minutes later we thought we had a second. Doukas crossed again, and Santos headed into the net only to be prevented for offside. We got the second just before half time from the penalty spot. Santos was felled in the penalty area, and Doukas sent Luciani the wrong way. We still found time to have another goal disallowed before half time. Asara swung a dangerous cross into the penalty area and Alexiou headed into the net for what he thought was another goal. He was offside - just. We still remianed in control as Parma were strangely subdued. They did liven up, and Mutu showed what they were still capable of with a rasping shot wide. Slowly but surely the Gialloblu increased the tempo as time ran out on them. Stekelenburg was in good nick and Doukas was running things from the midfield. Unfortunately he picked up another yellow card and will miss a game through suspension. Parma got their goal with seventeen minutes left on the clock. Brighi's cross eveaded all except Mutu, and the Romanian tapped in. Things became tense as it looked like the disallowed goals would come back to haunt us. Especially when Adriano and Diego Forlán combined for the Uruguayan to stab an effort only a stroke of paint wide. We did hold on, and with Lazio losing in the Rome derby, we move within a point of their fourth place.

Team: Stekelenburg, Yepes, Orellana, Hyypia, Montanari, Asara, Cavalcante, Doukas(c), Santos, Skalidis, Alexiou

7.4.11
It's probably a phrase I use all too often, but tonight's UEFA Cup Semi Final first leg is possibly the biggest game in the history of the club. FC København are the visitors tonight, and based on the scout reports I know that they'll look to soak up what they can and try to grab a goal through their most talented player, Morten Rasmussen. Stekelenburg is suspended for us, so Girardi covers with his capable attributes. Todisco can return too.

Varese 4
Skalidis 14, 67
Alexiou 22, 60

FC København 1
Kjøller Westh 46

We couldn't be closer to the UEFA Cup Final if we tried! This gives us a fantastic position to take to Denmark in a fortnight's time, and it's all thanks to a fantastic team performance. We opened the scoring within twenty minutes, which is exactly what the visiting side would have wanted to avoid. Stilianos Doukas delivered a demon of a free kick to which Anastasios Skalidis flicked a header past Rune Pedersen. To my delight and that of the capacity 15,000 crowd, the lead was doubled in quick time. Montanari and Yepes built the play well along the right, and the Colombian's cross was instinctively volleyed into the corner by Christos Alexiou to take him to a Varese-best 21 goals for the season (to date). If Santos' shot two minutes later hadn't have thumped off the crossbar we might have been home and dry. Early in the second half the worst thing that could have happened did. FC København nabbed an away goal. Allan Sand headed the ball into Mads Kjøller Westh's path, and he beat Girardi to give them a crucial lifeline which just keeps them alive in the tie. In our attempt to respond and force the issue further, Doukas had a header cleared off the line. It wasn't to be long until we restored a two goal lead. Doukas, as ever, was at the heart of the action. He gave Asara the ball to cross, and Alexiou rose to head in his seventh goal in Europe this season to move level with Sidney Govou at the top of the UEFA Cup scoring charts. Skalidis is behind him but he too made it two on the night with the fourth. Doukas' cross was perfect for him, and his header was sublimely converted. Doukas has now 23 assists for the season - a fabulous tally. We just need a strong performance in Denmark to make it to he UEFA Cup Final! :cool: Who'd have thunk it?

Team: Stekelenburg, Yepes, Orellana, Todisco, Montanari, Asara, Cavalcante, Doukas(c), Santos, Skalidis, Alexiou

retired_xs2khizar

I wouldn't have thunkeded it, that's for sure! Varese in the Coppa Italia final and the UEFA Cup final (touch wood), congrats Junichi

retired_kellywinkler42

Awesome mate

retired_deljo

slight mistake - Girardi should be in goal for that final game there :o

cheers guys

retired_deljo

10.4.11
Perugia will offer a tough proposition today in breezy Umbria. They have some talented young players who will be as tenacious and as skilful as they come. Stekelenburg returns to the side, but Doukas serves a suspension so Franzese comes in with Alexiou taking the captaincy.

Perugia 1
Ferraroni 39
De Luca sent off 13

Varese 1
Cavalcante 26
Skalidis injured 32

In all the draw was disappointing, but Lazio's home defeat to Inter moves us into the Champions League places on goal difference (which would count for nothing at the end of the season - a playoff would be required). Youngster Corrado De Luca was sent off very early on by referee Alessio Grskovic for a shove on Todisco, and we should have taken hold of the game. For a short time that was the case. Perugia keeper Martino Caccia did well to stop Skalidis' curling free kick, but Claudio Cavalcante was first to the rebound to beat the defender on the line and put us 1-0 ahead. We were then dealt a cruel blow. Falling awkwardly, Skalidis had to be helped off with what turned out to be damaged ankle ligaments, which means we'll miss him for a month, and he'll be in a race to be fit for the UEFA Cup Final (should we reach it). Perugia took advantage and equalised quickly. Giacomo De Simone beat Montanari on the left and drilled a high cross which Mirko Ferraroni headed like a missile past Stekelenburg. We weren't at our best, and no matter how well McPhee did in attempting to take the game on his shoulders, we just didn't get a goal. Santos was so poor I was forced to substitute him for one of the first times since he joined here. He did clip the crossbar with a rare attempt on goal before Dobek replaced him. Still, we've broken into the top four, and fourth looks like the highest we'll reach with Parma eleven points away and just eighteen to get. If we can stay unbeaten I'd fancy us to stay where we are now, but improvements must be made on todays game.

Team: Stekelenburg, Yepes, Orellana, Todisco, Montanari, Asara, Cavalcante, Franzese, Santos (Dobek 87), Skalidis (McPhee 32), Alexiou(c)

13.4.11
Tonight we play the first leg of our Coppa Italia Final against Lazio. It's a big moment for us, as we've strived to reach this Final for many a season, and now we're here. I make the surprise inclusion of Kevo Gulessarian up front. He's been in decent form in the reserves, and his physicality may be of use to us. Doukas returns to lead the side in midfield.

Lazio 1
Pellicori 2

Varese 2
McPhee 62
Doukas 90

We're halfway to our first major trophy! For a long, long while it looked as if we would go into the second leg with a deficit to make up. Our slow start was duly punished via Alessandro Pellicori's diving header, with Stekelenburg in particular out of position. My choice of Gulessarian up front was not the best decision, as he looked second rate and not involved in the play. Cavalcante drew a save from Da Re with our best chance of the first half. McPhee came on for Gulessarian at half time with the instruction to get us out of the mess we'd put ourselves in. I knew he would drive us onwards, and so it proved. Shortly after the hour Doukas put the ball into the air for what would turn out to be yet another assist. McPhee aggressively drove to the front and headed the ball into the corner. It was also a crucial away goal, which will help when the second leg is played at the Franco Ossola. We actually started to play something attractive, and Lazio were powerless to stop us. Part of that was down to us becoming used to them after a number of recent clashes. Andrea Rabito snatched a late chance that could have won the game for the Bianconeri, but it was us who took the game in dramatic style. Montanari was felled thirty yards out at an angle. Doukas delivered the ball to the near post with venom, and it cleared everything except the back of the net! The captain had led by example, and given us a crucial lead for the second leg. It was sheer drama at its peak.

Team: Stekelenburg, Yepes, Orellana, Todisco, Montanari, Asara, Cavalcante, Doukas(c), Santos, Gulessarian (McPhee 45), Alexiou

In a cruel turn of events, Daniel Orellana will miss the final 'Final' after picking up one too many yellow cards. He'll be there to cheer us on.

retired_lydiadiebolt

At least this time it hasn't taken me the best part of a fortnight to catch up on this great story, Junichi!

Keep up the good work and let's hope you can put two trophies in the cabinet come the end of the season!

retired_atxcutie

Superb story, one helluva rise to the top so far.

Good luck for the clutch matches and KUTGW!

retired_deljo

My Antipodean friends - your words of praise are much appreciated

Onwards and (?)upwards....

17.4.11
One of the tougher games in the run in will be the visit of Bologna. Despite their poor standing, Ligkos and Ronaldinho are superb assets to have. Cavalcante is injured, so I give Mateusz Dobek the job of pairing up with Doukas in the heart of the side.

Varese 2
Alexiou 31
Santos 90

Bologna 1
Ronaldinho 69

We stay in fourth place with a last gasp winner which sunk a Bologna side who threatened to cause us problems, especially in the second half. Dobek was doing very well out of position, and gave me food for thought about Santos' position when he vacates it at the end of the season. The Pole had the first attempt on 24 minutes, causing Pompei to dive low to parry the attempt. He was at the heart of the first goal too. His trickery gave McPhee some space, and it was his cross which Alexiou headed into the top corner. Bologna emerged from their shell, and Ligkos gave Stekelenburg good reason to drop down and stop his shot. Manuele Blasi started to pull their strings, and his rocket of a shot was stopped well just after half time by my goalkeeper. We couldn't get out of our own third of the pitch, and eventually paid for it. Blasi did well to create an opening for Ronaldinho, who headed into the net to level the scores at 1-1. If anyone was going to win it would have been Bologna, but the defensive resilience we showed was rewarded late in the day. Santos may be leaving, but he still puts his heart into everything. When all looked finished, he set off on a mazy run, beating defenders left, right and centre before he scored a scorching goal to give us three crucial points as the season comes to a head.

Team: Stekelenburg, Yepes, Orellana, Todisco, Montanari, Asara, Dobek, Doukas(c), Santos, McPhee, Alexiou

19.4.11
It's official. As of the end of the season Carlos Alberto Viera Dos Santos will no longer be a Varese player. He has signed a pre-contract with Vicenza after five seasons here. He is our record all time goalscorer, which for a midfielder is a huge status to behold. We'll miss him, but hopefully he can shoot us on to a great end of season before setting off for a new challenge.

21.4.11
In Denmark's Parken stadium we are 90 minutes away from making the UEFA Cup Final. FC København have a 4-1 deficit to make up from the first leg in Italy, and all we really need is one goal. Cavalcante is back and fit to resume in midfield, but Dobek stays in the side up front, with McPhee dropping out.

FC København 1
Rasmussen 85 pen

Varese 2
Dobek 20
Doukas 26

Varese win 6-2 on aggregate

We're there! :cool: If somebody had said to me way back on that fateful day back in 2001 that in ten years Varese would be in a UEFA Cup Final I think I may have had them committed. Exactly nine years ago we were losing to Pistoise at home and looking like being relegated. The performance in Denmark tonight was fantastic. The home side were clearly up for the game knowing what was required. Unfortunately for them, we were also coming to fight. After twenty minutes Stilianos Doukas delivered a cross to which Mateusz Dobek headed in to score his first goal of the season. Five minutes later the start of the season hit the ten goal mark. Doukas lined up a free kick and curled it wonderously into the top corner. With a 6-1 lead and two away goals we could really afford to relax as the 5000 visiting Varese fans started to celebrate in typical Italian tifosi fashion. The second half whizzed by with nothing happening for half an hour, as the hosts were dead and buried. With five minutes to go Orellana gave away a penalty which Morten Rasmussen put away, but it was all too late for them. Gordon Zammit Tabona blew the final whistle to signify that we are in the UEFA Cup Final. :cool:

Team: Stekelenburg, Yepes, Orellana, Todisco, Montanari, Asara, Cavalcante, Doukas(c), Santos, Dobek, Alexiou

Our opponents in just under a month's time will be Yugoslavian side Partizan, who knocked out Feyenoord on penalties after two 0-0 draws. They've also beaten Real Madrid and Club Brugge, so they're no pushovers. The venue - Wembley Stadium, London. I'll be returning home to the city where I was born in hope of securing the biggest win this club would ever know. 90,000 fans - a good proportion of which could be Varese's, will make it an unforgettable occasion.

retired_deljo

5.5.11
The second leg of the Coppa Italia Final is where the real drama comes into play. We have a 2-1 lead from the first leg in Rome, and just need to keep Lazio at bay enough to hold out. As a testament to the importance of the game, Andrea Todisco plays through the pain barrier to keep the defence strong in the absence of Orellana. He is suspended and covered by Hyypia. Skalidis isn't fully fit but will start this big game.

Varese 0

Lazio 1
Pavesi 23

Full Time, aggregate 2-2: Varese win by virtue of more away goals

Our first real piece of silverware has arrived! We've won the Serie C1/A Championship, the C1 Super Cup, and the Inter-Toto Cup, but finally we have our hands on a respected trophy. We also chose to do it the hard way. We were outplayed, and Lazio must have thought they had the game won, but my defenders were phenomenal, especially Hyypia and Todisco (who was injured). After 23 minutes I thought we might have blown it by going 1-0 down. A deep cross found Denis Pavesi, who looped a header back over Stekelenburg into the corner. If we were to score a goal it would have come from Santos. Ten minutes later Santos dribbled and slammed a shot over the bar. When we looked at our shakiest, Hyypia and Yepes showed their experience in guiding the younger players through a tough spell. The last half an hour of the match was pure Biancocelesti pressure. Pellicori almost sunk us with a late shot which Stekelenburg did well to stop. We broke away in injury time to keep the ball as far away from our goalmouth as possible, and the referee blew time to signify we had won the Coppa Italia! :cool: Our defence had been fabulous throughout. The crowd went delirious, and the celebrations could start. Stilianos Doukas was presented with the trophy in front of the Curva Nord, and the party began! We've got a trophy, and hopefully we can continue with the UEFA Cup.

Team: Stekelenburg, Yepes, Hyypia, Todisco, Montanari, Asara, Cavalcante, Doukas(c), Santos, Skalidis, Alexiou

8.5.11
Back to League action, and a visit from lowly Torino. We simply have to win in order to keep up the pressure on Lazio. Skalidis is rested to be 100% for the most important matches, so McPhee gets another start. Orellana returns at the back.

Varese 1
Doukas 15

Torino 0

A thoroughly professional performance was required, and we gave it. Little to my knowledge, Lecce were doing us a huge favour in Rome. Torino are poor, and it's little wonder we've sunk them to the level of near certain relegation. Their only attempt at goal came in the third minute. Sommese's cross was hammered by Diego Campo straight into the goalpost. After a quarter of an hour we took the lead, as my captain led by example. Days after lifting the Coppa Italia, Doukas drove through unchallenged before drilling low and hard into Sorrentino's bottom right hand corner. Doukas was in fine form, and almost scored two more before half time. Early doors after the restart, McPhee showed great close control and a volley to hit the post. The match started to peeter out as both sides accepted the result was going to be a Varese win. We completed a first clean sheet in nearly two months, and as Lecce held Lazio to a 1-1 draw in the Olimpico, we have a chance to overtake them in midweek with our game in hand. This was our last home game of the season, and we also took the opportunity to show our appreciation to the brilliant following we've had all season. It also meant that for the first time since our promotion from Serie C1/A, we've gone a whole league season unbeaten at home.

Team: Stekelenburg, Yepes, Orellana, Todisco, Montanari, Asara, Cavalcante, Doukas(c), Santos, McPhee, Alexiou

The last day of the season is shaping up to be very dramatic. We visit Napoli in three days knowing that if we can win (and that will be hard) then we hold our own fate going into the last day. Two wins will give us a Champions League place. The problem is, the last game is a visit to Roma. They've had a poor season but have a fantastic side capable of destroying us. They might, however, want us to win so as to deny cross town rivals Lazio a Champions League spot. Lazio are unlikely to drop points at already relegated Como, so everything depends on us picking up six points over the next week.