Napoli’s Marek Hamsik played his part in a ding-dong battle in Tuesday night’s re-arranged match between his club, and current Serie A leaders Juventus. The Slovak stroked home an early penalty before being made to re-take it due to encroachment. Unfortunately for him, he missed at the second time of asking, firing high over Gigi Buffon’s bar. Hamsik didn’t hang around in making amends however; heading home just 7-minutes later as Napoli raced into a 2-goal lead at half-time. This epic encounter eventually finished 3-3 at the San Paolo – with former fantasista Andrea Pirlo pulling the strings for the away side from his deeper-lying role, rather destroying the ridiculous notion yet again that Serie A is a boring spectacle.
Hamsik celebrates with Pandev as his headed goal gives Napoli the lead
Meanwhile fellow title challengers and current Champions AC Milan have been linked with a loan move for rebel Argentine Carlos Tevez, with Antonio Cassano in recovery for the foreseeable future.
To Spain, where the current greatest No.10 in the world had a mixed few days. Lionel Messi helped Barcelona dominate against Getafe before succumbing to a sucker-punch in a 1-0 defeat away from home – their first loss of the season. The Argentine had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside decision and also hit the post, both in injury-time, but it proved too little too late. Messi and Barca didn’t have long to wait to make amends however, thumping 4-goals past Rayo Vallecano at home, just three days later – Messi grabbing his 16th goal of the season.
Diego started brightly but then sacrificed, to his disappointment.
Elsewhere in Madrid, Diego was given an anti-fantasista role by Atletico manager Gregorio Manzano, informing him to man-mark Real’s deep-lying playmaker Xabi Alonso during the Madrid derby. Surprising, the unfamiliar task began to work, cutting the supply line off to Madrid’s attack. It brought an unexpected bonus when Diego slipped a pass through to Adrian who finished sublimely. The joy was short-lived however as Atleti’s keeper was sent-off, bringing down Karim Benzema, leaving Diego the outfield player to be sacrificed as Atletico brought on their reserve goalkeeper before the first-half had ended. It was tough-luck for the Brazilian, who had looked impressive.
Over to England and Juan Mata eased Andre Villas-Boas’ Premier League worries by inspiring Chelsea to a comfortable 3-0 versus Wolves. Chelsea’s No. 10 created two goals, before scoring a delicious third. Fellow Spaniard, and bamboozler of English defenders, David Silva found plenty of space at times but was largely ineffectual in Manchester City’s somewhat lucky draw at Anfield against an improving Liverpool side.
Silva found it tough against Charlie Adam & Liverpool at Anfield
Back across the Channel and Javier Pastore’s time in Paris isn’t getting any easier as the millionaires from the French capital were destroyed 3-0 by bitter rivals Marseille. The Argentine looked sluggish and didn’t last the full-90 again, being substituted midway through the second half. His manager refusing to single him out for blame will be of little comfort to a player who’s high price-tag demands greater influence on the pitch.
