071117: Euro 2008 Group B Scotland 1 - 2 Italy

Scotland 1 - 2 Italy

In a pulsating match, Italy stamped their class as world champions are now through to Euro 2008. Hard luck to the Scots, having done what Italy could not do, by trouncing France twice, yet still lost out on a place to the French.

Wearing black bands following the death of a fan at the last weekend of Serie A's games, the Italians in white outfits, played a patient game absorbing pressure from the Scots who simply had trouble breaking down the defence Italian football has always been renowned for.

It helped when Toni fired a quicksilver goal minutes within the start of the match. That meant Scotland had to chase the game. The first half was simply lively with the Scots creating dangerous chances from corners, which seemed to be their best chance as Italy had trouble defending them, but Italy were precise with great offence of their own, Di Natale wrongly ruled out for offside which will have placed Italy with an unassailable 2 goal cushion.

After the half, Scotland continued their pursuit and were rewarded when Barry Ferguson equalised from a free-kick.

In the dying minutes, however, evergreen right-back, Panucci broke millions of Scottish hearts with the winner.

Kudos to Scotland, better luck next time.

071112: Juventus 2 - 2 Parma

Juventus were great to come from 2-0 down to secure a great point against manager Ranieri's old club but another draw this day coupled with the draw against Inter the previous week meant Juventus were unable to rise above 3rd place in front of Fiorentina.

Most importantly, a sad week in football was rounded up when a fan was 'accidentally' shot dead by a police officer forcing a couple of late Serie A games to be postponed.

071112: Man Utd 2 - 0 Blackburn Rovers

Ronaldo scored two goals within a minute of each other in a gritty encounter with a team who had drawn with the rest of the Big 4 (Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool) so far this season. For a long while in the first half, Blackburn certainly played good football despite their physical game.

In the end, two quicksilver goals from in-form Ronaldo secured three precious points.

Blackburn were certainly unable to play anymore after having Dunn sent off early in the 2nd half for a second yellow card, and as such, it was hard for Man Utd to add to the goal tally when the full time whistle blows. Yet, they showed they can be a serious contender for a Champions' League spot outside the Big 4.