This is Torino's historical ground and a very smart stadium too. Offical satistics say the total attendence was around the 20,000 mark, shocking really for one of the biggest, most successful clubs in the world. It is a well known that la Juve is the most supported club in Italy (much like Man U or Liverpool in England) however it has very few fans in the city of Turin itself. Whilst chatting to some of our fellow senesi fans (who seem to know everything about every team, anywhere in the world- some truly incredible footballing knowledge) I cringed at the comment made by one of them who likened Juve and Torino's situation to that of United and City's...
Sure there are a lot of United fans that come from outside Manchester (NOT just London mind you) but this proportion is always grossly exaggerated. I believe Juventus deserves the stick it gets, United no.
This week saw the 5 [regular] pazzi (crazy) Englishmen travel with Siena's oldest supporters club: I Fedelissimi. The Curva Robur were (disappointingly) not travelling en masse to this one. Their excses ranged from sick daughters, lack of funds etc. still, not good enough as we were concerned.
The five hour journey took us past Florence, Pisa and up the coastal road to Turin via Genia- epic. Siena were without talisman Massimo Maccarone, having picked up an injury earlier in the week. Also without ever-present shot-stopper Curci who is carrying out his two match ban. Striker Calaio and 31 year old Italian keeper Manitta deputising.
Siena started the first half an hour impressively with a fair amount of possesion and not looking the least bit intimdated. Then...the unthinkable.... Del-boy Piero steps up to take the free kick just outside the box just after 30 minutes. He swings it over the wall and boom- ANOTHER beautifully struck free kick leaving Manitta diving agonisingly close. Well, what is there to say- was to be expected really; when the likes of Amauri, Nedved don't produce the goals, they rely on their living legend to produce a moment of brilliance.
There's shouts of handball in Juve's penalty area. no chance. This ref has been terrible and one could be forgiven for thinking nothing has changed in Italy- a year after il calciopoli scandal. One only needs to look at the table...
Siena looked under a bit more pressure for much of the rest of the game until around the 75th minute, after a completely unprovoked volley of "Siena, Siena vaffanculo" from Juve's 'Viking ultras', the team seem more determined to get something out of this game and we start to believe again.
The last 10 minutes are unbearable- all Siena. Disappointing to come away with nothing. Siena have been unfairly beaten by all of the 'big three' this season; Inter 1-2, second goal was blatantly offside and 1-0 to Milan, a dodgy pen. This is Italy- Juve sempre ladri.
Reggina at home next up. It is the saturday evening 6 o'clock televised game. We desperately need the 3 points! We now lie in 15th on 19 points, 4 above relegation. FORZA SIENA, FORZA LA ROBUR!
From votre correspondent bianconero
JB
In other news: Well done Becks for your first 89 minutes in Serie A- good debut performance- you were applauded on the fedelissimi coach listening to the game on the radio (Roma 2-2 Milan)
Also, I would just like to mention one other result: United 3-0 Chelsea (GET IN!)
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