Sanchez: I won’t rest until I’ve coached Real

Sanchez: I won’t rest until I’ve coached Real

Hugo Sanchez was as exhilarating as he was effective during a legendary playing career. Adored for his sublime touches and acrobatic volleys, he scored with military regularity throughout his years at the top. The Mexican striker won an incredible five Pichichi awards with the two Madrid giants between 1985 and 1990, and averaged a goal every second game in over caps for his country.

Sanchez moved into coaching in 2000, and after guiding Pumas to two domestic titles, he assumed the El Tri reins for a two-year spell in 2006. He has, however, been inactive since vacating the Almeria hot-seat last year.

FIFA.com caught up with the 52-year-old to discuss Real Madrid’s progress under Jose Mourinho, where Mexico rank among Las Americas’ best teams, the job facing their new coach Jose Manuel De La Torre, the talent of Javier Hernandez, his willingness to always be there for his country and desire to coach Los Merengues.

FIFA.com: Hugo, can you start by letting us know what you’re up to at the moment?
Hugo Sanchez: I’ve just settled back in Madrid again after a spell living in Almeria. My intention is to continue coaching in Spain and follow a similar path to the one I had as a player. Just as in my playing days, I started with a successful spell in Mexico, then I was national-team coach and now I’m in Europe. I’d like to stay in La Liga but I wouldn’t rule out coaching in another country. I’m waiting for an interesting offer, but if nothing comes up in Europe this year I would consider going back to Las Americas.

Real Madrid have always been close to your heart. How would you assess the club today?
To me they look to be on the right track. I think that they’ve sorted out the internal uncertainty that they used to have in the past. Fortunately the club’s identity always remains strong and Florentino [Perez] has taken the right decisions. Now they have to follow that up with silverware. As far as [Jose] Mourinho is concerned, I think he’s a great coach. I like his personality, which I feel is similar to mine. I like people to be true to themselves and he is. I’m convinced he’ll do a great job.
It came true for me as a player and I’d love to do so again as a coach. I won’t rest until I’ve done enough to be Los Merengues’ coach.
Hugo Sanchez on his dream of coaching Real Madrid

Do you think Madrid are a match for Barcelona yet?
Credit where credit’s due. Barcelona have done a great job in terms of their style of play, and above all they’ve put faith in a home-grown coach in Pep Guardiola and given him time to work. That’s very different to what happens at Real Madrid, where they demand immediate results. Let’s hope Madrid give Mourinho the time he needs. Good results don’t just fall from the sky, you need to be patient.

On a different subject, a few months on from the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, what’s your view on the current state of Mexican football?
We’re still not good enough to harbour hopes of winning a Copa America or a World Cup. Mexico are not yet ready to challenge the dominance of the likes of Brazil or Argentina. We started to show we were capable of going toe-to-toe with them back in 1993, but we haven’t taken the decisive step yet. I think that El Tri’s rightful place is as Las Americas' third-best team. Quite simply, the number of Mexican players at big clubs just doesn’t compare with those countries.

Do you think Mexico are in the process of narrowing that gap?
The results suggest not. I think the players have enough talent, but what often happens in Mexico is that other things are allowed to get in the way and slow the progress of our country’s football. Head coaches should be supported and backing should be given to the players, that’s what really matters. Without that, I think it [narrowing the gap] will be a real struggle. You can’t demand good performances if the set-up isn’t right.

El Tri are set to begin a new era under a new coach, Jose Manuel De La Torre. What needs to happen for this period to be a successful one?
I’ve always said that coaching cycles should be allowed to be brought to completion and that coaches need to be left to get on with the job. What happened to me was that I made the mistake of agreeing to coach the Olympic squad (Sanchez was sacked following Mexico's failure to qualify for Beijing 2008), which meant all the good work we’d been doing with the senior team was undone. The circumstances will be different now, but if people want results then coaches need to be allowed to get on with the job.

What can you tell us about the latest crop of Mexican footballers plying their trade in Europe?
I like their talent and their quality but, and I repeat, I think they need to be protected. They have what it takes to succeed but too much pressure is put on them, too much is expected of them, and they’re criticised too much. They’re very young players and the way they’re treated in our country makes them prefer to stay with their clubs rather than travel to play for the national team.

There are those that say Javier 'El Chicharito' Hernandez is the best striker to come out of Mexico since your good self. Would you agree?
Of course, you just have to look at the team he’s signed for. It’s not just anybody who earns a transfer to Manchester United at that age. I think he’s in the most favourable environment possible but watch out, he shouldn’t be compared to anybody because that’ll burden him with unnecessary responsibilities. Since we’ve not got many players with exceptional talent, we’ve got to look after them.

What advice would you give to these young Europe-based players?
They should be brave and not rest on their laurels. It was already tough for them to leave Mexico and come to Europe but they must understand that you have to maintain that level of effort. You don’t get too many opportunities like that in life and they’ve made the most of theirs, but they shouldn’t lose heart. If they’re patient, the results will come.

How do you think Mexico fared at South Africa 2010?
Well, it went the same as it always does. When I was appointed national-team coach I said that if we wanted to become world champions we needed to work as a team, with players, directors and journalists all pulling in the same direction. But that didn’t happen and there have been countless coaching changes. And while that’s good enough to see us in a mid-table position, between tenth and 20th in the world, I think that if there’d been continuity then we would have done as well as Uruguay did.

Do you feel like Mexico are no longer the dominant force in the CONCACAF region?
Not at all, the statistics are clear and the history books don’t lie. Only when the United States, Costa Rica, Honduras or Guatemala have appeared at more World Cups than Mexico or have historically got better results than we have will I think they’re on the same level. Form comes and goes, but you don’t build up that kind of prestige in a couple of years, not even in ten.
Mexico are not yet ready to challenge the dominance of Brazil or Argentina. I think El Tri’s rightful place is as Las Americas' third-best team.
Hugo Sanchez

Would you be willing to retake the Mexico reins at some point in the future?
Of course! I could never refuse my country anything. When they need me, I’ll be there.

That said, I’m sure you’d also be tempted by the Real Madrid role…
That’s the boyhood dream of any player or coach. It came true for me as a player and I’d love to do so again as a coach. I won’t rest until I’ve done enough to be Los Merengues’ coach. But I’m a patient man, I still feel like a young coach and I’ll have time to think about that possibility.

One final question: what would you say to those kids who hope to one day emulate your achievements?
First of all that self-improvement is key and a good education is a must. They should finish their studies and have psychological support, via a specialist who can prepare them for the difficulties they may face along the way, as a person and a sportsman. And, most of all, they should be very ambitious, because you never lose the dreams you have as a kid.

Germany marks Enke anniversary

Germany marks Enke anniversary


Football fans in Germany are remembering the one-year anniversary of the death of Robert Enke today with thousands arriving at Hannover's Niedersachsen Stadion to pay their respects and sign a book of condolence. Enke took his own life on 10 November 2009, following a battle against depression.

The 32-year-old committed suicide on a railway line close to his home, prompting an outpouring of grief among football fans and the general public. One year on, people are still struggling to come to terms with the loss of a man who was primed to be Germany's number one goalkeeper at the FIFA World Cup™ last summer.

However, Enke was suffering from an illness he had kept secret from all but his closest family and friends, one which continues to elicit little understanding from some. That, according to the president of the German Football Association Dr Theo Zwanziger, must now change.

"Our national team goalkeeper Robert Enke voluntarily took his life a year ago to this day," he said. "The mourning, the pain and above all the question 'why?' continue to accompany us to this day. We have got to remember that that question still must be answered.

"Robert Enke was a strong national team goalkeeper, but he had a weakness. We have got to be prepared not to make such a weakness into a taboo and allow it to be kept secret, but to try and bring it out of its silence."
Robert Enke was a strong national team goalkeeper, but he had a weakness. We have got to be prepared not to make such a weakness into a taboo.
German Football Association president Dr Theo Zwanziger

In a video message on the German Football Association's website, Dr Zwanziger called on the whole nation to fight against discrimination, the fear of which prevented Enke from going public with his illness, and help prevent a similar tragedy in future. And not only must the issue of depression be combated, according to Dr Zwanziger.

"We should consider the way we deal with weaknesses and all play our part in dealing with it openly," he appealed. "The events of November 9, 1938, when Jews were forced out of Germany and which culminated in the shock of a world war, should remind us how to call on all of our strength to fight discrimination.

"Also for us as footballers, who live in a society and play this wonderful sport, must remember our responsibility not to exclude others - not to exclude others because of their religion, because of their skin colour or because of their sexual orientation. These all belong together. Discrimination and the stigmatisation of weaknesses are the enemies of a civilised society. Therefore, let football bring people together and not leave anybody out."

Enke was capped only eight times by Germany, but he was the number one choice of coach Joachim Low at the time of his death, although an injury meant he was not part of the squad which was preparing for friendly matches with Chile and the Ivory Coast a year ago to the day. His club Hannover failed to win a game for 13 matches following his death and only just avoided relegation with victory over Bochum on the final day of last season.

A message on the club's website read: "We are sad that he has left us, but we are also thankful and proud that he was with us. His time with our team has attached his name to that of Hannover 96 for eternity."

Zob Ahan face final hurdle

Zob Ahan face final hurdle


eZob Ahan coach Mansour Ebrahimzadh has a date with destiny on Saturday as he takes his side to Tokyo for the final of the AFC Champions League against Korea Republic’s Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.

Not since PAS Tehran FC back in 1993 have an Iranian team have been crowned Asian champions, although fellow countrymen Sepahan did reach the 2007 Champions League final, where they went down 3-1 over two legs to Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan.

As fate would have it, Ebrahimzadeh was sitting on the bench of Zob Ahan’s city rivals Sepahan back then, as assistant to their Croatian head coach Luka Bonacic. And though they came off second best to the Japanese, the men from Isfahan at least had the consolation of claiming a place at the FIFA Club World Cup that year, becoming the first Iranian club to compete in the tournament.

On what will be his third visit to the Japanese capital and his first as coach, Ebrahimzadeh is hoping that his side, who incredibly have yet to win an Iranian league title, will allow him to sample the atmosphere at world football’s biggest club competition once more.

“I’ve said all along that we’re aiming for the Asian title and that our sights are set on a place at the Club World Cup,” says the 54-year-old Zob Ahan boss in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com.

Team spirit crucial
Having dubbed his side’s journey to Saturday’s final as an achievement in itself, Ebrahimzadeh is busy plotting the downfall of their Korean opponents. “We’ve watched two of their matches,” he says, “and we’ll need to study their style of play very closely. They play a fast game and have some very talented players in their ranks, although Dzenan Radoncic will be suspended for the match.”

One of the Iranian side’s main assets is their mental strength, and Ebrahimzadeh believes that belief in their own ability and the common bond between his players could prove vital come kick-off time in Tokyo.
We’re a tight-knit unit and that’s what sets us apart from other teams, because there are no stars in this side and we’re all part of one big family.
Zob Ahan coach Mansour Ebrahimzadeh

“I think we have an excellent chance of winning the title,” he comments. “The players are in the right frame of mind and they all want to win. We’re a tight-knit unit and that’s what sets us apart from other teams, because there are no stars in this side and we’re all part of one big family. There’s a real team spirit here and there’s a special bond between us, a real sense of togetherness. I look upon them as my children.”

Zob Ahan showed their sense of conviction on an arduous journey to the their maiden final in the competition. After beating Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad to top spot in their group, the Iranians knocked out reigning Asian champions Pohang Steelers in the last eight before beating Al Hilal home and away in the semis.

“Every single game was tough,” says Ebrahimzadeh, recalling their testing passage to Tokyo. “We were the underdogs against Bunyodkor but still managed to beat them. Then we had to stand tall against Al Ittihad before knocking out the champions and beating Al Hilal, who are regarded as one of the strongest sides on the continent. No, we haven’t had any easy matches at all and we’ve had to battle every inch of the way to get here. That said, the match we’ve got coming up now will be the most difficult of the lot, without any shadow of a doubt. This is the last hurdle to winning the title.”

Today Tokyo, tomorrow the world?
Zob Ahan’s task is all the more daunting given eastern Asia’s recent supremacy in the Champions League, with Japanese and Koreans clubs having dominated the competition since 2006. “You can’t have the same teams winning all the time,” says their defiant coach. “We hope to be crowned champions and bring the cup back to the west.”

The Iranians will not be short of motivation, especially with a place at December’s FIFA Club World Cup waiting for the winners. As Ebrahimzadeh has no doubt informed his players, claiming that prize will respesent a big step forward in their footballing educations: “The Club World Cup is an exceptional event. To come up against different ways of playing the game and take on European and South American teams is an amazing thing for any player.”

Record-breaking wins and remarkable runs

Record-breaking wins and remarkable runs
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Mammoth scorelines and lengthy sequences provide the theme for this week’s statistical review, with emphatic wins for Celtic and Marseille featuring alongside successful runs for Real Madrid and Rosenborg and a costly series of results at River Plate.
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days have now passed since Atletico Madrid last tasted victory in El Derbi Madrileño. Real’s comfortable 2-0 win on Sunday extended their unbeaten run in the fixture to 18 matches, while over a decade has now passed since Atletico’s last success in this once-unpredictable derby. Their latest defeat at the Bernabeu also served to exacerbate Los Colchoneros’ already-poor away record, with 20 league games on the road under Quique Sanchez Flores yielding just three wins. The consequence of such figures is that Atletico – who finished 49 points behind Real last season – are currently to be found languishing 12 points behind their great rivals following ten rounds.
107

years after the club was founded, Aberdeen suffered the heaviest loss in their history on Saturday when they crashed 9-0 at Celtic Park. This thumping defeat, the biggest since the Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, eclipsed the Dons’ worst previous result: an 8-0 drubbing, again at the hands of Celtic, in 1965. These two clubs do have a habit of breaking records: in 1937, they contested a Scottish Cup final at Hampden that was attended by 147,365, a figure that has never been surpassed anywhere in the world for a national final. One record that did not fall on Saturday, however, was Celtic’s biggest-ever win, which remains an 11-0 thrashing of Dundee in 1895. Nonetheless, this remarkable match – which included two hat-tricks, three penalties and a red card for each team - was only the Bhoys’ third 9-0 win, and their first in 47 years. The first of the three, in 1928, included eight goals from a single player - British football’s all-time leading scorer, Jimmy McGrory.
7

matches without a win was the run which this week cost Angel Cappa his job as River Plate coach. The 64-year-old had been in charge for just 18 games, the shortest tenure of any River coach in the past decade bar Reinaldo Merlo, whose spell at the helm in 2005 encompassed just 15 matches. For Coppa, who acted as assistant to both Cesar Luis Menotti and Jorge Valdano during the 1980s and ‘90s, the end was hastened by a 1-0 defeat against All Boys at the weekend that kept Los Millonarios in the relegation play-off zone. River now face the challenge of claiming their first win in over two months on Tuesday, when they face fellow strugglers Boca Juniors in the latest instalment of El Superclasico.
7

unanswered goals against MSK Zilina last Wednesday gave Marseille the biggest away win in the history of the UEFA Champions League. Prior to the French champions’ emphatic victory, the most resounding Champions League win achieved on the road was by a margin of 5-0, a result managed by six different clubs. Marseille, in fact, needed only one more goal to equal the biggest-ever Champions League scoreline: Liverpool’s 8-0 trouncing of Besiktas in 2007. Nonetheless, they were able to match the record scoreline for a French club away from home in Europe, set when Lens beat Luxembourg’s Avenir Beggen 7-0 in the UEFA Cup in September 1995. Andre-Pierre Gignac also became the first Frenchman since Sylvain Wiltord in 2005 to score a Champions League hat-trick and only the third Marseille player to achieve the feat, following in the footsteps of Franck Sauzee and Didier Drogba.
0

defeats at the end of a 30-game season is the record that has seen Rosenborg create a little bit of history in Norway. Sunday’s 2-2 draw at home to Aalesunds on a snow-caked pitch maintained the Trondheim outfit’s lengthy unbeaten record, confirming them as the first team in Tippeligaen history to survive an entire campaign without tasting defeat. Yet although the Norwegian champions currently boast the longest such run in top-flight football, they could soon be surpassed by the newly-crowned kings of Tajikistan. The team in question, Istiqlol Dushanbe, who clinched their first-ever Tajik championship on Friday, are unbeaten in 28 matches and have four games of their domestic season left to play.

Manchester derby ends goalless

Manchester derby ends goalless


A Manchester derby that promised so much delivered precious little as City and United ground out a goalless stalemate at Eastlands.

At least for Roberto Mancini's men there was no injury-time heartache, having suffered three such defeats last term. For United, who controlled long periods, their unbeaten run in all competitions now stretches to 25 games. In truth, the result only suited leaders Chelsea, whose 1-0 over Fulham tonight pushes them four points clear of second-placed United.

"Some of our football was very good, we were very confident, had good composure on the ball," said Ferguson. "But we needed to make chances, we needed to win the match. And in that sense we had only two chances from open play so that's a bit of a disappointment for us.

"It's a decent result but we don't count draws as a target. Our target was to win the game and we had enough possession to do that," added the United manager,

As the virus that has swept through the United camp had eased sufficiently for all bar Ryan Giggs to report for duty, Ferguson must have been quite pleased with his selection. Despite Giggs' absence, United had plenty of experience on the pitch, which they used to its maximum during a disappointing opening period which they largely controlled without being able to carve out the opportunity they craved.
It's a decent result but we don't count draws as a target. Our target was to win the game and we had enough possession to do that.
Alex Ferguson, Manchester United manager

One decent chance did come United's way, when one of a number of neat passing moves ended with Park Ji-sung feeding a ball into the City box for Patrice Evra to chase. Had Evra been able to step round Kolo Toure and shoot with his left foot, the hosts would have been in trouble. As it was, the Frenchman had to let fly with his right and Joe Hart made a comfortable save. For their part, City were equally bereft, which was frustrating for supporters, who clearly expected more of Yaya Toure in particular given the frustration they expressed every time their big-money summer signing from Barcelona wasted possession, as he seemed to do quite frequently.

There was almost half an hour on the clock before they built up any momentum, with the industrious James Milner chief instigator. It was United old-boy Carlos Tevez who came closest to breaking the deadlock though, after Paul Scholes had bundled Milner over on the edge of the area. Tevez quickly made it clear the free-kick would be his responsibility and only its relative lack of pace allowed Edwin van der Sar to claw the ball out as it headed for the far corner.

Aside from a Nani free-kick that lacked pace and a mis-timed Dimitar Berbatov volley, both of which bounced harmlessly through to Hart, there was little more in the way of first-half goalmouth action. Indeed, the only other notable moment was the foul by Scholes on Milner just before the break which resulted in a fifth yellow card of the season, ruling him out of Saturday's trip to Aston Villa.

The pattern continued after the restart, with Berbatov getting his clearest sight of goal, albeit with his back to it as he hooked Wes Brown's cross goalwards without being able to test Hart. Tevez threatened twice at the other end, the first time with a shot that Van der Sar gathered easily, the second a burst that ended with poor control on the ball, sending it bobbling out for a goal kick.

Adam Johnson seemed like an obvious man for Mancini to turn to and his introduction for Milner 20 minutes from time instantly brought the width his side had been so devoid of. As Javier Hernandez was given his first taste of derby day shortly afterwards, a rousing finish to an otherwise lackluster encounter was promised. However, even the eager substitutes could not break the deadlock.

Heavweights cruise into final 16

Heavweights cruise into final 16

Real Madrid side avoided a third successive Copa del Rey humiliation after thrashing Segunda Division B Real Murcia 5-1 at the Bernabeu tonight.

Home-grown hero Granero put Madrid ahead with a superb 20-yard effort. The local boy was one of seven spanish names in the lineup. Just before the break, Higuain picked up a corner at the far post and drilled home a low shot to make it 2-0. That proved to be Higuain's final contribution of the match as he was one of two players sacrificed at the break as Mourinho sent on big guns Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso in a bid to kill the tie off. The changes paid off, Ronaldo made it 3-0 with 15 minutes to go, slotting home from close range following a brilliant cross by fellow substitute Angel Di Maria. Murcia made it 3-1 soon after thanks to Pedro's penalty. Benzema then scored from the penalty spot to make it 4-1 and Alonso fired home a free-kick after 89 minutes to seal the scoreline.

Barcelona, looking to extend their record of 25 cup triumphs, were also big winners as goals from Nolito, Gabriel Milito, Pedro Rodriguez, Bojan Krkic and Lionel Messi saw them down third tier Ceuta 5-1 at home for a 7-1 aggregate scoreline. Bojan also missed a first-half penalty after Ceuta had been reduced to 10 men when Vitor Moreno was sent off.

In tonight's other early kick-off in the Copa del Rey, Segunda Division Real Betis knocked out top-flight strugglers Real Zaragoza on away goals following a 2-1 away win. Zaragoza's exit was the only upset of the night as most of La Liga's leading sides booked their place in the last 16 with few problems.

Holders Sevilla suffered a momentary scare when they fell 1-0 down at home to Real Union after 13 minutes, but they hit back in stunning fashion to record a 6-1 win on the night - six different players getting on the scoresheet - and a 10-1 aggregate victory.

Last season's runners-up Atletico Madrid could only draw 1-1 at home to Universidad de Las Palmas, Fran Merida netting a 75th-minute equaliser for the hosts, but as the Rojiblancos led 5-0 from the first leg there was little chance of an upset at the Vicente Calderon.

In-form Villarreal avoided being dumped out by Polideportivo Ejido for the second time in three seasons as they earned a 3-1 aggregate win. The Yellow Submarine, who embarrassingly lost 6-1 on aggregate to Ejido in 2008, could only record a 1-1 draw from their first-leg meeting but they sealed their progress tonight thanks to goals from Jefferson Montero and Jozy Altidore.

Athletic Bilbao, who are second in the all-time list behind Barcelona with 23 cup wins, avoided the same fate as Madrid from last season as they followed up their 1-o first leg win over Alcorcon with a 2-0 victory tonight, Igor Gabilondo and Pablo Orbaiz the goalscorers.

Levante progressed through on away goals against Segunda Division Xerez despite losing 2-1 at home tonight, while Deportivo La Coruna dumped out Primera Division rivals Osasuna 3-2 on aggregate following a 2-1 triumph at the Riazor this evening. In another all-top flight clash, Almeria, who had trailed 2-0 in their first leg with 23 minutes remaining before hitting back to win 3-2, completed a 5-3 aggregate victory over Real Sociedad. The remaining four last-32 ties will be played tomorrow night

Milan triumph while Inter stagger

Milan triumph while Inter stagger


AC Milan went top of Serie A on Wednesday with a 3-1 victory over Palermo at the San Siro as previous leaders Lazio crashed 1-0 at newly-promoted Cesena.

Pato opened the scoring for Milan before Armin Bacinovic equalised for the Sicilians but a Zlatan Ibrahimovic penalty and late Robinho third gave the Rossoneri the championship lead. There were a couple of early half chances but Palermo's Mauricio Pinilla swiped at thin air with the goal at his mercy when well placed while up the other end Ibrahimovic dragged a shot wide.

Milan took the lead on 19 minutes in somewhat straight-forward fashion as Pato rose to power home a header from Massimo Ambrosini's corner following some feeble marking from Bacinovic. Palermo were marginally the more dangerous despite an under par performance from playmaker Javier Pastore but Pinilla's firm header on 29 minutes from Mattia Cassani's cross was straight at Christian Abbiati while the goalkeeper had little trouble dealing with Josip Ilicic's effort from distance on 44 minutes.

Abbiati was kept busy without being overly stretched and on 48 minutes he tipped Cesare Bovo's powerful curling free-kick over the bar. The deserved equaliser came on 63 minutes. Bacinovic lined up from fully 25 yards out but his shot lacked venom. Even so, Thiago Silva slipped and missed the ball while Abbiati seemed to have assumed his defence would deal with it and he was a static spectator as the ball crept into the corner of the net.

Milan almost went back in front as Clarence Seedorf fired against the post and then headed the rebound just wide. But then Ambrosini was brought down by goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu and Ibrahimovic despatched the penalty with aplomb. Milan were then able to hit Palermo on the break with Ibrahimovic teeing up substitute Robinho to kill the game seven minutes from time.

Lazio slide
Elsewhere, Lazio lost the lead after suffering a second successive loss after Sunday's 2-0 derby defeat to Roma. Marco Parolo scored the only goal of the game five minutes from time as Lazio fell to second.

Reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan, meanwhile, dropped to fourth as they drew for the fifth time in their 11 games as Lecce came from behind to snatch a point. Diego Milito scored just his third goal of the season on 76 minutes only for Uruguayan Ruben Oliver, back from a suspension, to cancel that out three minutes later.

Napoli, who finished the game carrying two injured players, moved up to third as Argentina forward Ezequiel Lavezzi snatched a winner deep into injury time as they won 1-0 at Cagliari.
"We did really not to get disorganised at the end. If we keep playing like this we can get some important results," enthused Lavezzi.

Juventus veteran Alessandro del Piero was unable to celebrate his birthday with a goal as Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw at Brescia, dropping them into fifth place. Del Piero turned 36 yesterday but the talismanic striker and his side had to settle for a point at lowly Brescia after two goals in two second-half minutes lit up an otherwise uninspiring contest. Alessandro Diamanti pulled the scores level after Fabio Quagliarella's opener.

Despite a poor start to the season, sixth-placed Roma are just five points off top now following a third win in a row. Brazilian Simplicio opened the scoring in their 3-1 win over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico with Marco Borriello doubling it. Alberto Gilardino pulled one back but Simone Perrotta made the points safe.

Catania claimed their first win since late September by edging past Udinese at the Stadio Angelo Massimino thanks to Maxi Lopez's goal on the hour mark, while Chievo and Bari drew 0-0. Davide Ballardini's tenure as Genoa coach started with success as the Rossoblu won their first Serie A game since the start of October. Omar Milanetto was the hero as he scored the decisive goal in the 81st minute of a tense encounter at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.