Serie A, Week 4: Juventus Now Alone At Top Of Serie A

Now, visiting Roma has been awarded a 3-0 win -- undoubtedly the easiest three points they’ll secure all season. Because the suspension was due to the actions of Cagliari rather than outside interference, the decision was made to give the win to the giallorossi rather than force a replay. Cagliari may also face further punishment, including even more matches played behind closed doors, or even a deduction in points. With just two points on the board thus far this season, Cellino’s actions could seriously hamper the rossoblu staying in Serie A.

Lazio did everything but score. Chance after chance went begging as the Eagles couldn’t find a way past custodian Sebastian Frey.

Borriello saw a looping header land on the roof of the net, while Frey could only watch as a Hernanes screamer skimmed the upright.

Allegri must have thought he had a chance to save his job when Stephan El-Shaarawy scored an absolutely delightful goal in the 54th minute. His shot from 25 yards out curled over Željko Brkić and into the top left-corner.

Yet the partenopei just couldn’t break down Catania, a situation they’ve been in far too many times when visiting -- they’ve never managed to win at the Stadio Angelo Massimino. It wasn’t so much that Catania were parking the bus, although they did stick like glue to any Napoli player approaching the goal. The home side continued to take their chances, but imprecision got the best of them. As it did the visitors, who constantly made sloppy passes and failed to create opportunities. It didn’t help that they were constantly having their legs sliced out from beneath them, either.

Two second half penalties secured both sides a point in a feisty affair at a rain-soaked Marassi. Rolando Bianchi struck first for the visitors on 69 minutes, before substitute Nicola Pozzi got the hosts back on level terms six minutes from the end.

A loss would have been harsh on the home side, who struck the bar and had a goal disallowed, but Torino stopper Jean-Francois Gillet was on fine form, stopping Sampdoria with a string of saves.

Roma, of course, prefer such a solution. The club have stated that the fault lies with Cellini, and they should not be punished for the situation. The rules must be respected -- a difficult concept in Italy -- and a defeat handed to Cagliari.

As for the hosts, Cellino sees his maneuver as “defending our right to exist.” The future of Cagliari is being undermined by local disinterest, according to the club, and taking such a step was a way to keep the club alive.

Seriously, The Flying Donkeys are many things, but first and foremost they’re an advertisement for standardized kit fonts in professional football. As for the shirt, which is the club’s third kit this year, it’s half yellow and half green...it looks like something you’d see in a high school drama class production of Romeo and Juliet.

With the win Juventus moves three points clear at the top of Serie A, at least until the other teams behind them all play tomorrow.

If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. That’s the message coming out of Rome, as Lazio have enjoyed their best start to a season in 40 years. However, Genoa did the double over Lazio last season, and handed the Biancocelesti their first loss at a similar stage last September.

Despite Genoa losing two of their opening three games in this campaign, Lazio will need to guard against complacency. Vladimir Petkovic has resisted making wholesale changes to a thus far winning formula, but with games coming thick and fast, the Bosnian may have to sacrifice rhythm for freshness.

Why do I feel such vitrol toward this matchup? Well, the last four times the Old Lady and the Flying Donkeys have met, the result has been a draw. In three of those matches, Chievo have come back to earn a point (the other being scoreless). In other words, they’re a bit of a bogey team for Juve.

And yet their matches are dreadful. It seems every time the two teams meet, Chievo set up for a draw (then again, it seems Chievo set up for a draw in every match). Juventus find a way to pierce their defences, and then the Flying Donkeys manage a header from a set-piece or something similar to make what should be an exciting comeback downright dull.