To pick up where we left off, it was time finally to visit the San Paolo. Giornata 11 had been postponed because Tio Aurelio is soooooo afraid of the mighty mighty zebras that he conspired with God to make it rain so the match could not be played on November 6. Or something like that. I didn't pay much attention to the silly theories. I don't read the Napoli press, but I imagine they were saying similar things about Agnelli and his evil minions. Napoli is having an odd season. They're performing
wonderfully in Europe but underachieving in league play.
On the other hand, Juventus was unbeaten and that surely cannot last. They have to crash at some point and the San Paolo is kind of a scary place to play, so it seemed likely that this would be a nail-biter. And it was.
It started with frightening familiarity. Sleepy conceded a penalty in the 15th or 16th and Marek Hamsik sank the penalty kick quite nicely. Of course. Napoli scores first and Juve is stuck trying to make a comeback, the consistent failure to achieve such being a prominent feature of the last two seasons. However, Mr. Tagliavento ruled that the PK didn't count and then Marek fucked up the rekick and miracle of miracles, it was still all even, null-null.
That didn't last. Marek scored. Then, horror of horrors, Goran Pandev scored.
How embarrassing. I know he's a forward and he's supposed to score goals. It's not as embarrassing as having Taddei or Simone Loria score on you. But still, his last goal was in March for Pete's sake. Juve went into the dressing room at the half down two to nothing. *sigh* Dirtbunny began attempting to disengage emotionally.
The boys dug in and worked even harder, resulting in a Matri!gol in the 48th. 2-1. That's something at least.
You're welcome,
Then the unthinkable happened. Pandev scored again! How could this be. Jaysus. Twenty minutes left to go and down 3-1. The unbeaten streak was at an end.
Napoli was so confident that it subbed in Santana. It's over.
mmmmmm..... Aronnnnnnnnnnica
Santana comes on, Pandev comes off (thank God) and that's when Marcelo Estigarribia decided to break his duck.
TANGENT: Does anyone else find it odd that Italian teams have a really hard time putting young Italians on the Serie A pitch but no problem with all at putting young foreign players out there?
Not to take anything away from Esti. He's out there because he's good enough to be out there, and he scored a goal. Juve was still going to lose, mind you, but at least they got one back so hooray for Esti.
Oh good. Jesus has been feeling pretty lonely ever since Felipe Melo went to Galatasaray.
Then Pepe scored. I'm angry at him over the golf thing so I want everyone to know that the only reason this photo makes it into the spam is you can't really see him very well and Marcostorari's in there. &hearts
Well fuck me! Juventus pulled back from a 2-goal deficit TWICE to earn a point. Before they left the pitch, they put in ADP for about a minute.
Juventus 2:0 Cesena
This brings us to Giornata 14, a home match against Cesena. The seahorses are a team that Juve beats on paper every single time. However, Juventus is kicking off with a 12-game unbeaten streak that everyone knows cannot possibly last and it would be just the way if they managed to break the streak by losing to an inferior team at home.
Credit where credit is due: I don't know whether this sweet move accomplished anything football-wise, but it sure makes for a nice photo.
OK. He's suffering. This begins to make up for the whole golf thing.
Quags got a few minutes as a sub and put in his usual dramatic effort.
Hey there Mirko.
Big Ugly Monster is starting to show us a little more of the aggression.......
TANGENT: OMG! BLACKBURN ROVERS JUST BEAT MAN U IN MANCHESTER! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAFFIE! hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahha
BUM is starting to show us a little more of the aggression and whininess that he was known for at Lazio.
TANGENT: You know, I'm an educated person and I just realized something a stupid person would have noticed long ago. I'm still not much of a BUM fan, but I post a decent amount of him and without too many snarky remarks. Why? I think it's because every time I do, Cheryl praises me. So, like a beagle, eager for approval, I keep going back to the previously successful Lichtsteiner strategy so Cheryl will give me more warm fuzzies.
Anyway, ADP actually got a decent amount of playing time during the Cesena match. Or he would have, anyway.
Had he not been carried off the pitch after some oafish brute kicked him in the face.
Mutu offered up some pats. He's probably been kicked int he face before. Hell, he's probably kicked people in the face before.
Leo was the first zebra on the scene. Look at Gio's face. He seems genuinely worried. &hearts It's things like that get him invited to dinner parties at Dirtbunny's house.
Gigi and Claudio were also concerned. Claudio was downright upset. Either that or he was blowing his nose in his shirt.
Gigi: You take it easy, fella. I'll come check on your after the match.
BUM: If it dies, can I eat it?
Alessa got eight stitches, but he turned out to be otherwise OK.
So then. What about the actual match? Well, the Zebes did not choke. Claudio got another goal.
His career is just starting. Can you imagine him in 5 years?
Snuggling! Awww....
Claudio: *slurring* Sho I shez to him Nobody tellsh a Navy man when he'sh had too mush to drink cosh only a Navy man knowsh when he'sh had enough to drink.
Gio: *giggles uncomfortably*
Vidal converted a penalty late in the match and Juventus won 2 to nothing.
This is one of the few celebration photos in which he is not making that stupid finger heart. Ugh. I made an executive decision to spare you that image because you're going to need your resolve for this one:
.....aaaaaand Pepe undoes all the goodwill he earned this week and is back at Defcom Golf.
Quaggie!
And we finish with a big glomping.
I hope you've noticed how Leo is using Jackerini's head to boost himself to the top of the pile. Tall people don't have to worry about that sort of thing in the same way small people do.
The unbeaten streak continues. What will happen next????
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