A.C. SIENA

[Forza_Roma]

Serie A Week 34 - 29/4/07 (14.00 UK)

Siena 0 - 2 Sampdoria
Maggio 38 (Sa), Delvecchio 89 (Sa)
Stadio Artemio Franchi

Siena are back in the relegation battle after this unlucky home defeat, but paid the price for some terrible finishing.

It's unlikely either of these tacticians will be on the bench next season, as Mario Beretta struggles to keep Siena in Serie A and this week Walter Novellino blasted the 'ungrateful' Samp fans for not appreciating their UEFA Cup challenge. Enrico Chiesa faced his former club and the Blucerchiati could certainly do with his talents right now. Sergio Volpi was suspended, with Emiliano Bonazzoli, Fabio Bazzani and the banned Francesco Flachi out of action.

Chiesa set up a Luca Antonini opportunity smothered by Luca Castellazzi and Daniele Corvia also failed to make the most of the veteran's assist.

So Chiesa went for goal himself and the fine volley took a coat of paint off the near post.

Instead, Sampdoria took the lead with Christian Maggio's spectacular goal. He had his back to the net and spun round during his volley to smash in at the near post.

Siena thought they had equalised within 30 seconds, but Corvia's effort was disallowed for offside. Corvia was also booked for simulation in his penalty appeals.

Alex Manninger rushed out to close down Quagliarella as he ran on to Gennaro Delvecchio's assist.

The second half started with a bang as both sides poured forward. Luca Castellazzi parried a scuffed Chiesa effort, then Rinaudo couldn't quite bundle a corner kick over the line from close range. Manninger did well to beat away a Quagliarella angled drive.

On 58 minutes Ziegler's snapshot from the edge of the area thumped the base of the near post with Manninger well beaten, then Chiesa just failed to get his toe on to Antonini's sweeping low cross.

Substitute Mario Frick fired over as he joined a new Siena trident attack. The home side was now dominating and Antonini took the ball off teammate Vergassola's head when he was in a better position.

It was all Siena in the second half, but this just left space for the counter-attack and Delvecchio kept his cool to shake off a Rinaudo challenge and smash the finish across the face of goal. It sealed Samp's first away win in eight attempts and infuriated Siena Coach Mario Beretta, who took his frustration out on the bench.

Siena: Manninger; Negro, Portanova, Rinaudo, Molinaro; Alberto (Frick 57), Galloppa, Vergassola, Antonini (Cozza 80); Chiesa (Eremenko 65), Corvia

Sampdoria: Castellazzi; Zenoni (Olivera 74), Falcone (Sala 65), Accardi, Pieri; Maggio, Parola, Palombo, Delvecchio; Franceschini (Ziegler 54); Quagliarella

Ref: Brighi

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[D-Kin]

Well done to Samp, not a bad result.

[Forza_Roma]

Samp may push Empoli for the last Uefa spot. 5 points out. You never know. I would like to see Samp get Uefa spot. Maybe they will retain some of the firepwer up front in Quagliarella and Bonazzolli.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 36 - 13/5/07 (14.00 UK)
Siena - Empoli

Stadio Franchi

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Siena will be desperate for points when they host Empoli at the Stadio Artemio Franchi after being thrust into the deep end of the relegation battle. The visitors, meanwhile, will know they can’t relax if they are to secure a place in Europe for next season.

The Bianconeri dropped into the relegation zone after last week’s defeat to Atalanta and will be eager to claw their way back out as soon as possible. With just three games left of the season even the one-point margin between the Robur and safety can start to seem daunting, especially with all three remaining matches throwing up opponents chasing Europe in the higher reaches of the table. Coach Mario Beretta knows a defeat here could well spell the end of Siena’s time in the top flight – not to mention his own.

Beretta will have to make do without veteran defender Paolo Negro and January arrival Massimo Maccarone due to injury, although the latter could make the bench if he passes a late fitness test. However, of more concern will be Siena’s large number of suspensions. Valerio Bertotto and Alberto are both banned after seeing red against Atalanta, while Luca Antonini and Daniele Corvia have also picked up suspensions. That means on-loan duo Daniele Gastaldello and Daniele Galloppa should have a chance to impress, while Enrico Chiesa and Mario Frick look set to renew their attacking partnership.

Empoli have problems of their own to deal with though. The suspensions to midfield pair Sergio Almiron and Davide Moro will be an especially big loss, as replacements Francesco Marianini and Fabrizio Ficini are still unproven at this level. Injuries to defenders Stefano Lucchini and Francesco Pratali will also be worrying Coach Luigi Cagni, but the likes of the experienced Vittorio Tosto and Azzurrini international Lino Marzoratti should provide adequate cover. Similarly, Davide Matteini is expected to slot in to replace injured striker Nicola Pozzi without too much disruption.

The Azzurri’s form has stuttered of late, but they are still firm favourites to secure a historic qualification for next season’s UEFA Cup. However, despite the disappointing draws with relegation candidates Cagliari and Torino recently, Empoli will still harbour dreams of an even more shocking entrance into the Champions League, no matter how improbable that task my be. But Cagni will also be aware that miracles can work both ways and that if they lose their focus at this late stage they could still find themselves dumped out of Europe. There is unlikely to be any let-up from a side that has embodied the hard-work ethic for so much of their campaign, but Siena will be hoping that Empoli’s relative security in fifth place could see them ease off a little.

Man on fire: Simone Vergassola (Siena) – While those around him start to lose their heads, the ever-present veteran has driven the Bianconeri forward from midfield and if Siena avoid relegation this term it will be largely down to his contribution.

Last season: Siena 1-0 Empoli

Form guide: Siena (L W L L L) Empoli (D W D L W)

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Siena (probable): Manninger; Gastaldello, Portanova, Rinaudo, Molinaro; Konko, Brevi, Vergassola, Galloppa; Chiesa, Frick

Empoli (probable): Bassi; Raggi, Vanigli, Marzoratti, Tosto; Marianini, Ficini; Busce, Vannucchi, Matteini; Saudati

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[Forza_Roma]

How the the minus -1 point deduction becomes MASSIVE at this stage of the campaign. They are sitting the last spot of relegation by a single point. How the club must be furious. Corvia is sitting this match out due to suspension. I think Siena will be lucky to escape with a draw here.

[D-Kin]

Siena desperately need points to escape the relegation zone, but Mario Beretta has asked his men to show patience in the crunch derby with Empoli.

“The team is very determined, now more than ever, as we know that at this moment we have to draw on all our physical and psychological strength,” said the Coach.

Robur slipped into the bottom three last week, but there are eight sides locked within a three-point gap in the relegation dogfight with three games to go.

Empoli also have something to play for, as they still need points to secure a UEFA Cup spot.

“They will be very enthusiastic after the extraordinary season they have had. We must face this match with the utmost focus, but also show patience over the 90 minutes.

“The worst thing we can do is to try to break through immediately and leave ourselves exposed.”

Siena will be without the suspended Valerio Bertotto, Alberto, Luca Antonini and Daniele Corvia, but Enrico Chiesa and Tomas Locatelli are on their way back from injury.

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[D-Kin]

Portanova scores for Siena, 1-0.

[D-Kin]

16' Frick is through on goal he's denied by the 'keeper, it falls to Gallop, who hits the post!!! Siena are rampant!

[D-Kin]

HT 1-0 to Siena.

[Forza_Roma]

Good result for Siena so far. Hope they keep it up.
RED CARD 34` Vanigli

[D-Kin]

Yep, I want to see Siena stay up.

[D-Kin]

Maccarone scores, 2-0.

[D-Kin]

FT 2-0 to Siena.

[Forza_Roma]

Siena got an important win today!

Serie A Week 36 - 13/5/07 (14.00 UK)

Siena 2 - 0 Empoli
Portanova 12 (S), Maccarone 93 (S)
Stadio Franchi

Siena have dragged themselves out of the relegation zone with this crucial victory over their local rivals.

This Tuscan derby had a great deal at stake. Empoli needed only a few points to secure their UEFA Cup place, while Siena were in the depths of the relegation zone and had to do without the suspended Valerio Bertotto, Alberto, Luca Antonini and Daniele Corvia. The visitors were also hit by the Disciplinary Commission sidelining Sergio Almiron and Davide Moro.

At least the Bianconeri could look to their record, having beaten Empoli in both their previous Serie A visits to the Stadio Franchi, scoring five goals and conceding none.

Siena took first blood after 12 minutes with defender Daniele Portanova's second goal of the season. A free kick found Portanova completely unmarked for a glancing free header from six yards that slotted into the far bottom corner.

They had no intention of battening down the hatches and had several more chances in a single move. Mario Frick's solo run dropped Ascoli and was parried by Bassi, but then Galloppa's follow-up was deflected on to the upright by an arm.

Brevi ballooned over from a promising position and Empoli's hopes of getting back into the game were hit by Richard Vanigli's silly two bookings in the space of nine minutes, leaving the visitors with 10 men.

Before the break Siena threatened a second goal in similar circumstances to the first, as again Portanova was allowed a header on Galloppa's set-piece.

The home side continued to push and Vittorio Tosto required a goalline clearance to deny Simone Vergassola.

The points were finally put under lock and key in stoppages by former Empoli hero Massimo Maccarone, who placed a low drive beneath the goalkeeper's body on the counter.

Siena: Manninger; Negro (Gastaldello 52), Rinaudo, Portanova, Molinaro; Galoppa, Brevi (Codrea 59), Vergassola, Konko; Locatelli (Maccarone 66), Frick

Empoli: Bassi; Buscè, Vanigli, Marzoratti, Ascoli; Marianini, Ficini; Vannucchi (Tosto 46), Matteini (Caturano 77), Eder; Saudati (Coralli 65)

Ref: Morganti

Sent off: Vanigli 34 (E)

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[D-Kin]

Coach Mario Beretta’s contract with Siena has been rescinded by mutual consent.
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