Post by Taxigirl on Jan 10, 2006 10:11:01 GMT
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Player of the Week: Mutu (Juventus)
Adrian Mutu got his birthday celebrations off to a flying start with both of Juventus’ goals against Palermo on Saturday night.
It was just the start to the year that Mutu - who turned 27 on Sunday - needed after ending 2005 on a sour note.
The former Parma star lost his appeal against his sacking by Chelsea last season in a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last month and now faces a £9m compensation bill for his troubles.
However, footballing matters seem to have taken a turn for the better with the Romania international biding his time patiently since joining the Turin side a year ago and taking full advantage of the first-team opportunities that have come his way.
Competition for places has been intense at the Stadio Delle Alpi with David Trezeguet, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alessandro Del Piero standing between Mutu and a regular start for the Bianconeri.
However, Mutu has still managed to make nine starts for Juve this term and repaid Fabio Capello’s faith in him with an impressive five goals in return.
Indeed the acquisition of the striker could prove to be one of Juve’s shrewdest investments even if they end up helping Mutu with his hefty compensation bill.
His talent, after all, has never been in doubt - ever since first attracting the attention of Inter as a prodigious 19-year-old who managed 18 goals in as many appearances for Dinamo Bucharest.
After moving to Verona for £2.7m in 2001, his 12 goals in his first full season at the Northern Italian club prompted Parma to shell out £7m for his services and Mutu rose to the challenge by scoring 18 goals for the Ducali.
Chelsea, newly-bankrolled by Roman Abramovich’s millions, came in for the prolific Romanian with a bid of £15.8m only for Mutu’s English adventure to end in disgrace.
A lack of first-team matches, the break up of his marriage and the discovery by the club of the player’s use of cocaine resulted in the Blues sacking Mutu in 2004.
Following a seven month ban from football, rehabilitation at the Sporting Chance clinic and a career lifeline thrown to him by Juventus, Mutu is now making great strides in rebuilding his career and with more performances like Saturday’s, his name will once more be remembered for all the right reasons.
Goal of the Week: Guana (Ascoli)
Ascoli were hammered 4-1 as Lazio continued their impressive unbeaten home record on Sunday, but the visitors took a surprise 14th-minute lead with a fantastic goal at the Stadio Olimpico. There seemed to be no danger when Roberto Guana picked the ball up 20 metres out, but after cutting in from the left, the former Brescia midfielder unleashed an unstoppable rising drive that arrowed into the top left corner of the net to leave Angelo Peruzzi completely helpless.
Number of the Week: 12
The number of clean sheets Livorno, and 'keeper Marco Amelia, have managed to keep this season.
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Words: Richard Aikman
Player of the Week: Mutu (Juventus)
Adrian Mutu got his birthday celebrations off to a flying start with both of Juventus’ goals against Palermo on Saturday night.
It was just the start to the year that Mutu - who turned 27 on Sunday - needed after ending 2005 on a sour note.
The former Parma star lost his appeal against his sacking by Chelsea last season in a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last month and now faces a £9m compensation bill for his troubles.
However, footballing matters seem to have taken a turn for the better with the Romania international biding his time patiently since joining the Turin side a year ago and taking full advantage of the first-team opportunities that have come his way.
Competition for places has been intense at the Stadio Delle Alpi with David Trezeguet, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alessandro Del Piero standing between Mutu and a regular start for the Bianconeri.
However, Mutu has still managed to make nine starts for Juve this term and repaid Fabio Capello’s faith in him with an impressive five goals in return.
Indeed the acquisition of the striker could prove to be one of Juve’s shrewdest investments even if they end up helping Mutu with his hefty compensation bill.
His talent, after all, has never been in doubt - ever since first attracting the attention of Inter as a prodigious 19-year-old who managed 18 goals in as many appearances for Dinamo Bucharest.
After moving to Verona for £2.7m in 2001, his 12 goals in his first full season at the Northern Italian club prompted Parma to shell out £7m for his services and Mutu rose to the challenge by scoring 18 goals for the Ducali.
Chelsea, newly-bankrolled by Roman Abramovich’s millions, came in for the prolific Romanian with a bid of £15.8m only for Mutu’s English adventure to end in disgrace.
A lack of first-team matches, the break up of his marriage and the discovery by the club of the player’s use of cocaine resulted in the Blues sacking Mutu in 2004.
Following a seven month ban from football, rehabilitation at the Sporting Chance clinic and a career lifeline thrown to him by Juventus, Mutu is now making great strides in rebuilding his career and with more performances like Saturday’s, his name will once more be remembered for all the right reasons.
Goal of the Week: Guana (Ascoli)
Ascoli were hammered 4-1 as Lazio continued their impressive unbeaten home record on Sunday, but the visitors took a surprise 14th-minute lead with a fantastic goal at the Stadio Olimpico. There seemed to be no danger when Roberto Guana picked the ball up 20 metres out, but after cutting in from the left, the former Brescia midfielder unleashed an unstoppable rising drive that arrowed into the top left corner of the net to leave Angelo Peruzzi completely helpless.
Number of the Week: 12
The number of clean sheets Livorno, and 'keeper Marco Amelia, have managed to keep this season.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Words: Richard Aikman