Mark Doidge reports

Livorno secure third place

Ascoli 2, Livorno 3

Sometimes in life you get more than you wished for: You find two four leaf clovers; Santa Claus gives you both the Boyzone and Take That CDs for Christmas that you scribbled onto your Christmas list; or Beyonce finally returns your call.

For Livorno fans this situation took place on the last game of the regular Serie B season. Not only did Livorno secure third place from Brescia, but their local rivals Pisa were relegated after a late goal against the same team. Pisa fans were so angry that about two hundred attacked the changing rooms after the match and since the result, Pisa Ultras have issued a statement saying that they don't want a pisa the action (piece of, geddit?) and that they do not think it is appropriate for the great sporting traditions of Pisa to have the national team play Northern Ireland next weekend. Let's hope the authorities lean on them.

This is like deja vu all over again

Livorno 0 Albinoleffe 1

Disappointed Livorno Fans at the Picchi Stadium, Saturday 23 May 2009George Bernard Shaw once said that "If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of learning from experience". Unfortunately, history repeated itself again in Ardenza on Saturday when Livorno played with purpose and tempo but failed to capitalise on the opportunities. Once again for all the possession and for all the play, Livorno created few chances and paid the price. Another defensive lapse saw AlbinoLeffe score with one of their only chances, sending all four of their fans into ecstasy.

Vota Danilevicius

Sassuolo 2, Livorno 3

The graffiti that has appeared in Livorno for the Mayoral elections urging people to 'Vote Danilevicius' may be on to something. Thomas' last minute goal salvaged the win for Livorno that they had looked like throwing away.

The first half finished goalless, with Livorno playing their usual possession game, but with few goal scoring chances, whereas Sassuolo had less of the ball but better chances. Indeed, Danilevicius had missed the Amaranto's best chance in the first half when he fired wide when one on one with the keeper.

Who is Mark Doidge?

Mark DoidgeMark Doidge started writing weekly articles about AS Livorno's matches after I advertised for a volunteer a few months ago. He is a student at Exeter University in England, studying for a post-graduate degree in Italian Football, with a case study on AS Livorno. I asked him about his choice: "I chose Livorno for a couple of reasons. I have read a lot about the left-wing nature of the city and its fans. As a result I thought this would make an interesting case study - I want to investigate the construction of social identity in football fans, and this identity is particulary strong in Livorno.

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”.

Another draw from the jaws of victory for Livorno

The view from the top of the Curva Nord is quite spectacular. In the distance one can see the wonderful sanctuary of Montenero nestling in the hills above the city as well as the Torre di Calafuria to the south.It makes you realise what a beautiful location the stadium is in. The reason for this introduction is that this was the most exciting aspect of the first 40 minutes, perhaps even of the match.

Empoli 2, Livorno 1

Third Tuscan Derby ends in 2-1 defeat for Livorno

7th October 2008 The first new report on the fortunes of Livorno coincides with the first defeat of the season. I hope this does not become a trend! The third Tuscan derby in the space of three weeks ended the run of five consecutive draws for the Amaranti. After home draws with Pisa and Grosseto, the away fixture with Empoli was always going to be tough. Relegated last season from Serie A and one of the favourites to bounce straight back, Empoli started the game as favourites.

Finally...

Treviso 0, Livorno 4
Livorno against Treviso was a load of balls for Treviso. First Guigou was sent off for kicking the wrong ones in Loviso's vicinity and then goalkeeper Cordaz was sent off for handling his in the wrong place. The scoreline somewhat flatters Livorno who actually took their opportunities for the first time in months, but also played at times like they were the team with 10 (and then 9) men.

It's the weekly Livorno lottery draw

Rimini 1, Livorno 1

Like a magician who thought he had lost his rabbit, Tavano managed to pull it out of the hat right at the last minute. For a team at the top that had been given a target of 9 points for the games this week by Spinelli, a return of 2 so far is not good. As a result, the Amaranto have slipped down the table and now lie third, outside of the automatic promotion spots. They may not be losing many games, but they are not winning many either.

Livorno 1, Bari 1

After the sadness of the Pisa game, the Amaranto had an opportunity to restore some pride and confidence with their hardest game yet. They came up against Bari at the Picchi and started the game with purpose and effort. However, as is usually the case in matches like this, if you don't take advantage of the possession then you can get punished. Bari duly punished them when Bari broke the offside trap and Guberti duly headed home the cross after being left unmarked by Rosi. This goal gave Bari confidence and started to control the game.

The bright point of the game, not just from Livorno's persepctive, but from the neutral's, was the flowing move that led to Livorno's equaliser. A quick passing move saw Rosi free on the right and he made up for his earlier mistake by putting in a pinpoint cross that was met firmly by Rossini who directed his header wide of the Bari keeper. A great move and a great relief to all the fans.