Soccer fans in Italy carry out revenge attacks on the Italian authorities.
Fans of Lazio and Roma are reportedly uniting to launch a revenge protest against the Italian police, in a protest that is expected to become more violent today and could lead to further attacks. Already, police cars and vans have been set alight, some property destroyed, and tear gas had to be shelled out outside the Olimpico last night. There's a lot of tension in the city of Rome as heated debate continues between the police and the public on what lead to the circumstances surrounding the death of 28 year-old Lazio fan, Gabriele Sardini who was shot at the back of the neck by an Italian police officer who claimed he was quelling a scuffle between Juventus and Roma fans. The Italian police, in a bid to clear its name, released an official statement saying:
At 09.10am two traffic police cars from the Battifolle district were alerted by the sound of shouting and noises coming from the north car park of the motorway service station. Realising there was a violent brawl between the occupants of at least three vehicles, the agents intervened by activating their siren and closing in on the scene. One of the agents, in a bid to induce the brawlers to desist, fired two shots. These were fired so that the fight that had broken out between a group of people - who had not been identified as football fans - did not degenerate into something more serious. Soon afterwards, one of the cars with five people on board continued its journey to the Arezzo toll booth where they asked for help from the emergency services. Medics who arrived at the scene tried to revive the man, but there was nothing they could do.
Sardini's brother refutes the statement by the police, as the disgusted brother said:
He was only 28 and he was murdered.
Sardini's lawyer and his brother have launched allegations of murder against the officer who fired. They insist Sandri was not even in the crowd, but in the car with them when he was shot. The matter has caught the attention of the Italian government.
The Inter Milan - Lazio clash was called off immediately yesterday, and Atalanta - Milan had to be cancelled after seven minutes as fans rioted inside the stadium in Bergamo, in protest against the game not being called off. The Roma - Cagliari game was also postponed as conditions deteriorated in the vicinity of the Stadio Olimpico.
Ex-Barca and ex-Madrid star Luis Figo is keen on knowing the final outcome of the 2007/08 La Liga championship.
Having played for both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid before moving on to win the Serie A championship with Inter Milan in the 2006/07 season, Portuguese star, Luis Figo has given his ratings of the two arch-rivals who often run neck-to-neck to produce much drama in the Spanish Liga each year. Figo gave his ratings thus:
Currently, Barca have one of the best teams in the world, and have done very well to reinforce themselves over the summer. As for Real Madrid, the expectations are always high at the Bernabeu for a trophy and it will be no different this year. We will certainly witness a very interesting title race this season.
After two matches played so far in the Spanish League this season, Real Madrid have six points while FC Barcelona have four points.
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Match Report:
It was indeed a night to remember not only because of good football, but because of the tributes paid to two soccer icons, Nicolau Casaus of FC Barcelona and Antonio Puerta of Sevilla. Barca players honoured both heroes, with the Blaugrana players all wearing Sevilla shirts with the number 16 and the name Puerta on the back before kick off and a banner that simply read 'We are playing for you' below Puerta's picture was laid on the pitch. Barca fans lifted placcards showing messages of condolence and tribute to both Casaus and Puerta. An announcement of a 10% donation to a heart research was made by Barca officials. An emotional and tearful one minute of silence was observed before the match kicked off in honour of both departed icons.
The match commenced at full swing with Barca eager to erode memories of the La Liga final day sadness of last season, and also the fresh memory of the draw with Racing Santander last weekend. The Blaugrana attack steamed to life immediately, rolling over the Inter midfield and quickly dismantling the Italian defence. It took five minutes for Giovanni Dos Santos to work his magic when he mesmerised ex-Roma defender, Christian Chivu, who instantly fouled the starlet for a clear penalty. Ronaldinho stepped up one minute later to convert the spot kick without qualms for the first goal in the 6th minute. Another five minutes after that saw the second coming of Giovanni Dos Santos. The Mexican magician once again, victimized Chivu by turning the Romanian out, and then firing a shot into the near post for the second goal on 11 minutes. Inter Milan's keeper, Toldo, was kept busy all through, forcing a great save in the 17th minute from a powerful Toure Yaya header.
Barca continued to rain attacks without mercy on the Italian Champions, forcing saves from Toldo and an over loaded schedule for the Serie A outfit. Toure returned in the 37th minute with a powerful 25 yeard bullet which Toldo, this time, failed to stop. The ball cannoned into the net for the third goal. Inter were thankful to go for break during the half-time, but not before Zambrotta and Deco came very close to increasing the tally.
The second half witnessed changes on the start, with Barcelona making seven changes in the 46th minute, including giving Gabriel Milito a chance to make his home debut at Camp Nou, after Toure Yaya, Thierry Henry and Eric Abidal had made their debuts. Milito replaced Abidal and Lionel Messi came in for Giovanni. Eto'o, who had come in for Ronaldinho, quickly created a chance and had a good shot at goal, only to have twisted his ankle in the process. The Cameroon international had to be substituted for Thiago Motta after just four minutes on the pitch.
Lionel Messi also made his presence felt at once, creating problems for Inter Milan. The young Argentine was resourceful in the 56th minute when he coordinated a good move and set up Iniesta, who raced down and outwitted Toldo before firing home the ball into the net for goal number four. More goals seemed obvious as the game wore on, and this finally came in the 81st minute when Motta headed home for the fifth and final goal of the encounter.
The match came to an end, with Barca winning 5-0, but with both sides emerging winners in the art of paying tribute to two departed football icons in a very grand and memorable way.
My Comments :
The strength and force of the tributes paid to both Nicolau Casaus and Antonio Puerta were reminders that FC Barcelona is more than just a club. Barca fans showed great sympathy and solidarity for the dead heroes, and the Blaugrana officials must be highly commended for the way organisation was scaled down, with the cancellation of festivities and the donation of 10% from the Gamper returns to aid research into cardiovascular and other heart-related ailments and conditions.
On the football pitch and in the match against Inter Milan, FC Barcelona were able to once more, convince us that they can play good football and get good results. This quality soccer and similar score lines only need to be reproduced when the La Liga continues, with the first test run in the post-Santander era coming against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday at Camp Nou, the same venue Inter were disseminated.
Thierry Henry speaks on Inter Milan and looks ahead to the La Liga clash on Sunday.
After his shot hit the post against Racing Santander, Thierry Henry will be keenly watched against Inter Milan this evening in the Joan Gamper Trophy match. The French play maker is steadily getting back into great form and says he will be fully feet in not more than four weeks time. Speaking on what he sees of Serie A champions Inter Milan, Henry says:
I played Inter many times and it’s never an easy game. When you play an Italian team it’s always difficult. I believe we’ll see a good match and that it will be a good test for both of us.
Thierry has an eye on the Gamper match and another eye on the La Liga match of FC Barcelona against Athletic in Camp Nou on Sunday. The Barca star says:
There’s an important match on Sunday against Athletic Bilbao but though it’s important to know where the points come from it’s also very important to have a good game against Inter. Barca's focus is on Both Inter Milan and Athletic.
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He was only 28 and he was murdered. 
Having played for both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid before moving on to win the Serie A championship with Inter Milan in the 2006/07 season, Portuguese star, Luis Figo has given his ratings of the two arch-rivals who often run neck-to-neck to produce much drama in the Spanish Liga each year. Figo gave his ratings thus:
After his shot hit the post against Racing Santander, Thierry Henry will be keenly watched against Inter Milan this evening in the Joan Gamper Trophy match. The French play maker is steadily getting back into great form and says he will be fully feet in not more than four weeks time. Speaking on what he sees of Serie A champions Inter Milan, Henry says: