Ancona v Livorno 2-2

A Holy State of Affairs

Ancona have had an interesting few years. In 2003-4, after suffering the worst Serie A finish in history with a grand total of 13 points, they were bankrupted and relegated to Serie C2. Battling back up through the leagues they finally won promotion to Serie B last year by beating Taranto in the play offs. This has been fuelled by papal intervention when the Centro Sportivo Italiano (www.csi-net.it), run by the Vatican's Conference of Bishops, purchased a majority shareholding in the club last year. When receiving a club shirt, Benedict XVI said that “Football should increasingly become a tool for the teaching of life’s ethical and spiritual values”.

Diamanti's divine left foot

In this context the Amaranto did extremely well earning a draw at the del Cornero. The most heavenly thing on show at the match was Diamanti’s second half brace. Always blessed with a divine left foot, he demonstrated this last night. His first was an almighty drive from over thirty yards. His second was direct from a corner that curled in at the near post. Sandwiched between Diamanti’s goals came Ancona’s. Just a minute after Diamanti grabbed his first, Mastronunzio equalized for Ancona. Fifteen minutes later Ancona had taken the lead from the penalty spot. Nassi was fouled by De Lucia in goal, who could have been sent off if it wasn’t for covering defenders. Nassi then stepped up and coolly slotted the ball home. However this time it was Livorno’s turn to score shortly after the opposition. A minute after the penalty, Livorno had a corner from the right. Diamanti takes it and curls it into the near post and into the back of the net thanks to questionable positioning from the Ancona keeper, Sirigu.

Defense still lacks concentration

Mister Acori singled out Diamanti for his contribution, but also highlighted the lack of concentration in defense again. “We left too much space for Nassi [the Ancona striker]…We must be always concentrating” he said after the game. The Amaranto will be back on the hallowed turf at the Picchi on Monday night against one of the contenders to return to Serie A, Brescia.

Mark Doidge, 29 October 2008