Parma v Roma
Di Vaio 35'; Batistuta 72', 86'

Welcome Ulivieri!!

He's scary, what? Such pale eyes - such a spooky look to him. But, I think there might be a sweet person hiding behind that facade. Not going to be able to tell for a while though - because today he was relegated to the stands as he has a touchline ban from his last place. Danny Kaye was sitting on the bench, with a full pack of cigs, it seemed. To start him off anyway.

Anyway, Renzo (d'you think he would mind me calling him that?) didn't have too good an introduction. The game was live on Channel 4 and it was pretty entertaining, have to say. I was pleased that Renzo had seemingly dispensed with the likes of Falsini and Junior. What their purposes are on the pitch, I have no idea. We did pretty good in the first half. I was annoyed that the commentators (Peter "my friend" Brackley and Ray Clemence - what would HE know about football????) kept saying that Roma had all the game, when they darned well didn't. Cafu this and Cafu that - got on my bloomin' nerves. Benarrivo was flinging himself around the pitch like a 2-year-old. Even Fuser looked keen (keenish?). And when Di Viao scored to put a stop to the commentators' nonsenses, I was so pleased. And what a finish. What finesse! What a placement. (See how to do it Marcio????)

Anyway, 1-0 to us at half-time. I was beginning to feel a true, proud fan again. And, oh yeah, Totti missed a penalty near the end of the first half! Hit the post! *chuckle*

Why did Renzo sub Almeyda at half-time? Perhaps he was afraid he might pick up another yellow - or maybe he had an injury; don't know. However, Boghossian, his replacement, lasted only 7 minutes or so. He went off injured, to be replaced by Bolano. Now then, I don't see the point in HIM either. He's useless in fact. And such silly hair. It all went to pot really from there. They were all over us the whole of the 2nd half. The fact that Batistuta's 2 goals were something to relish, perhaps makes up for the huge disappointment of losing. I gotta say, I don't mind Roma winning the league. But what of Parma? Where do we go from here? We are 11th! Fancy that! And only 8 points from the relegation zone. We couldn't, could we??

A VERY SPECIAL MENTION of Buffon. He was magnificent today. Without him, we could've lost by 4 or 5 easily. The rest of the defence, however, made silly mistakes. Even Cannavaro seems jittery somehow. Amoroso, I actually felt sorry for today. He was hopeless and I would've subbed him earlier - but you could see that he was really trying. Or trying to try. Everything he tried went bad on him though. He looked close to tears at times. He must go though. Poggi would've made a better deal than him.

Anybody know just why we have grass growing in the dug-out??

Teams

Parma (4-4-2): Buffon 7, Sartor 5,5, Thuram 6, F.Cannavaro 6,5, Benarrivo 6, Fuser 5,5, Almeyda 6 (1'st Boghossian Sv, 8'st Bolano 5), Lamouchi 5,5, Conceicao 6, Amoroso 6 (16'st Mboma 5,5), Di Vaio 6. (99 Guardalben, 28 P.Cannavaro, 33 Falsini, 18 Micoud). Coach: Renzo Ulivieri (not allowed on the bench) stand in: Pietro Carmignani (Danny Kaye) 5,5).

Roma (3-4-1-2): Antonioli 6,5, Aldair 6,5, Samuel 7, Zago 6,5, Cafu' 6,5, Tommasi 6 (7'st Emerson 6), Zanetti 7, Candela 6,5, Totti 7 (40'st Nakata Sv), Batistuta 7,5, Delvecchio 5,5 (16' St Montella 6,5). (22 Lupatelli, 28 Mangone, 23 Rinaldi, 25 Guigou). Coach: Fabio Capello 7,5.

Coach: Farina of Novi Ligure. Corners: 7-2 to Roma. Ammniti: Benarrivo, Bolano e Lamouchi per gioco scorretto, Batistuta per proteste. Crowd: Around 28.000