Philip Rolfe

24.4.11
Away to Venezia is not one of the games I'd have wanted in a run in. We have a poor record there, and we need to win to keep up the push for the Champions League. I stay unchanged from the UEFA Cup Semi.

Venezia 1
Yepes 55 og

Varese 0

Only our second league defeat in six months, but now Lazio will have a minimum of a three point lead when everything sorts itself out. It was cruel that Mario Yepes' own goal had to be the deciding factor on the day, as otherwise he was exceptional. Venezia waltzed through us for most of the game, and we were always second best. Mauro Camoranesi's marauding dribbles on the right wing were keeping Asara busy, and aerial deliveries to Bilic and Natali kept the back three on their toes. We still had the capacity to cause trouble, as Doukas and Alexiou showed when combining for a decent chance halfway through the first half. How Mate Bilic didn't grab a first half goal is a question he'll still be asking himself. He ran us ragged and in truth deserved a reward. We nearly stole a lead on half time as Asara thumped a header that was magnificently beaten out by Cristian Rocca. The deciding goal was harsh. Rosario La Marca was given the ball by Leandro Cufré. In an attempt to block, Yepes deflected the ball into the net. It was the only way Stekelenburg was to be beaten. Montanari almost equalled the game late on, but his shot dragged wide. We deserved to lose, but we really couldn't have afforded to.

Team: Stekelenburg, Yepes, Orellana, Todisco, Montanari, Asara, Cavalcante, Doukas(c), Santos, Dobek (McPhee 68), Alexiou

1.5.11
Salernitana could really throw a spanner in our works today in the Arechi. They're very very good, but only mid table. I decide to name an unchanged side in hope of getting what has to be a win.

Salernitana 1
De Crescenzo 90

Varese 3
Alexiou 2, 29
Santos 22

Once again we pulled out a win when it mattered most and things looked as if they were against us. An early goal was a brilliant boost, with Alexiou proving the hero. Gaetano Montanari skipped along the wing and fired a cross towards the Greece international. He flicked it into the far corner. The home side dominated for a short while, and León hit a free kick that was superbly stopped by Stekelenburg. Our second also came at a great time, just as we were under our most pressure. Again it was Montanari who set it up. Another near post cross was rewarded with a goal. Santos sneaked in and volleyed into the net from about four yards - an unstoppable range. Shortly before the third goal came Santos went close to scoring another as his shot hit the outside of the post and flew away. A corner followed, and Doukas' delivery found Alexiou's clear head, and in went a third. 3-0 before half an hour was brilliant, as we could relax and make sure of the win. Salernitana found that useful as it allowed them to press on. Stekelenburg made a number of outstanding stops, and Montanari had possibly his best game ever. The defence were almost perfect, but for Paolo De Crescenzo's injury time consolation. A clean sheet would have been nice, but we won, and close the gap on Lazio, who could only draw 1-1 at Vicenza.

Team: Stekelenburg, Yepes, Orellana, Todisco, Montanari, Asara, Cavalcante, Doukas(c), Santos, Dobek, Alexiou

Philip Rolfe

11.5.11
The first part of the must win six pointer double. We've lost on our last two visits to Naples, and their eighth place in the league presents a formidable force. Skalidis is back 100% fit and raring to go.

Napoli 1
Stellone 90

Varese 3
Skalidis 37, 49
Santos 87

One down, one to go. After 33 games we hold a single point lead over Lazio, and we go into the weekend's visit to Roma knowing a win will secure us a Champions League place. Today was easier than I'd previously expected. Skalidis was awesome on his return to the side, as he led by example with a couple of fine finishes. Santos had the first opening of the game, driving just over as he sliced a shot. Manolo Pestrin came close for the home side with a snap effort that hit the side of Stekelenburg's net. He came close again with a long range piledriver on 32 minutes. Alexiou then tested Coppola with a header as the game became a little stretched for the first time. It suited us, and we took full advantage minutes later. Skalidis picked up the ball out wide on the left. He got past Pestrin and Lodesani with almost immortal strength before he was able to cooly slot the ball into the corner. Pestrin came close again to scoring but we led at the break. An early goal in the second half gave us a cushion to play with. An overhit Montanari cross was sent back over by Alexiou, and Skalidis met it with a header to make it 2-0. With a quarter of an hour remaining he came close to a treble, but Coppola kept his attempt at bay. A little while later Mosca hit the post for Napoli, who sensed a need for points. As time ran out, we secured three absolutely vital points. Doukas curled a powerful shot at goal which was only parried into Santos' path. What might be his final goal for the club was an easy tap in to make it 23 for the season - a career best for the Brazilian. To my disappointment Roberto Stellone was able to head a consolation in at the death, but all I know now is that a win on Sunday will put us in with the elite. Not easy by any means of the imagination though.

Team: Stekelenburg, Yepes, Orellana, Todisco, Montanari, Asara, Cavalcante, Doukas(c), Santos, Skalidis, Alexiou

15.5.11
The final day, and the most important of the season, and perhaps my tenure here. A win in Rome against Roma will seure a place in the European Cup for the first time in the history of this club. Anything less, and we'll have to hope Como can do us a favour against Lazio. They may be rivals but I see Roma inadvertently helping Lazio out by. The preparation for the match is quite tense, with everything riding on this match. An hour before the game I inform everyone of the side - it's the same eleven who played last week. I also tell them that this is in our hands, and not to worry about events in Como. Doukas leads the side out for the first of two massive games for this club this week.

Roma 1
Cavenaghi 90

Varese 2
Santos 59, 68
Orellana sent off 45

Varese will be in the European Cup next season!!! (well, the preliminaries anyway). Against all the seeming odds, we came out victorious in Rome against a Roma side who have talent in abundance. That said, I think we've proved we also have enough talent this season, as the final standings will show. Roma had the better of the opening period of play, with Alex being the main protagonist in the play. An early header soared way over, and a free kick in the 24th minute shaved the top of the goalnet. Our first chance followed soon after, when Skalidis broke free but couldn't keep a shot down. In injury time we were dealt a massive blow when Daniel Orellana was booked for the second time in a matter of minutes for two seperate and innocuous fouls. He was sent off by Antonio Giannoccaro, and we had to play half the game with a man deficit. Yet whenever we've had the defence reduced to a back four, it has looked as strong, maybe stronger. We started the second half in fine fashion, and deservedly took the lead a minute before the hour. Doukas' battling work was rewarded with a ball releasing Santos. The Brazilian kept composed and put us ahead with a subtle finish. With the lead came a new optimism, that we had Roma where we wanted them. Our following away support also did their best to inform anyone and everyone in the ground of events in Como (even though the scoreline meant they would be irrelevant). They became even less relevant nine minutes later. Emre lost possession out on the right wing. Asara whipped an early ball in, and Santos headed in a second of the game and 25th of the season. He chose almost the perfect way to finish his time here with two absolutely crucial goals for the future of the club. Perfect would have been a hat-trick. The game was up for Roma. Cavenaghi headed a couple of tame efforts which Stekelenburg stopped well, but he did get a consolation late in the day with a thumping header. It didn't matter. Seconds later the final whistle was blown on the Serie A season, and we finished in the Champions League qualification places. We're in with the big boys!


Team: Stekelenburg, Yepes, Orellana, Todisco, Montanari, Asara, Cavalcante, Doukas(c), Santos, Skalidis, Alexiou

Philip Rolfe

Final Table

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * Italian Serie A - Sunday 15th May 2011********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2010/1 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Inter 34 14 2 1 28 6 8 6 3 22 16 74 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Milan 34 12 3 2 33 8 10 3 4 22 15 72 3rd Parma 34 9 3 5 25 13 10 3 4 27 17 63 4th VARESE 34 11 6 0 37 12 6 4 7 24 22 61 5th Lazio 34 10 4 3 25 12 5 9 3 15 13 58 6th Venezia 34 10 4 3 20 10 3 7 7 9 20 50 7th Roma 34 8 6 3 27 19 5 4 8 17 16 49 8th Napoli 34 9 4 4 25 17 3 5 9 15 23 45 9th Bologna 34 8 5 4 25 20 3 4 10 20 30 42 10th Atalanta 34 5 6 6 20 20 6 3 8 17 23 42 11th Juventus 34 7 4 6 18 14 2 7 8 16 23 38 12th Perugia 34 6 5 6 21 19 4 3 10 15 27 38 13th Lecce 34 7 5 5 19 17 2 5 10 11 31 37 14th Salernitana 34 5 5 7 21 24 4 4 9 17 27 36 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15th R Torino 34 6 4 7 17 20 3 4 10 13 30 35 16th R Vicenza 34 7 3 7 18 20 2 3 12 12 27 33 17th R Brescia 34 6 5 6 20 21 2 4 11 10 26 33 18th R Como 34 4 7 6 25 27 3 3 11 17 38 31 </pre>

Celebrations will be put on hold until after the UEFA Cup Final, when we hope to have another cause to party.

Philip Rolfe

18.5.11
I'm back home in London for the first time in my managerial career for a football game. Wembley and the surrounding area is buzzing with anticipation for tonight's UEFA Cup Final between ourselves and Yugoslavian side Partizan of Belgrade. The sheer volume of Varese fans who have made the trip is surprising, as it shows me we would easily be able to fill a bigger stadium than the 15,000 we have at the Franco Ossola currently. The pre-match entertainment is the usual mix of colour and poor music (this year's offering from S Club 8 - formerly S Club juniors :o ). It's tense, but it's the biggest game we've ever been involved in - and the surroundings of this fabulous new Wembley stadium make a cauldron of atmosphere almost unrivalled.

We line up at full strength, and wearing a special commemorative kit for the occasion. Stilianos Doukas leads out the side for the day of destiny.

Varese 2
Cavalcante 15
Doukas 32 pen

Partizan 0

What a fabulous end to an amazing season. To be able to call ourselves UEFA Cup Champions is something I never thought I'd hear. My side were fabulous for the entire game. From start to finish everyone gave their all, and we're rewarded for it. The first chance of the game fell to the feet of the mercurial Doukas. A short advance and low shot went just wide, but signalled the intention. Ivica Iliev then shot just wide for the Yugoslavs, who also looked to score early. Next up was Alexiou with a stinging volley which yielded a corner. A scramble following the delivery resulted in a loose ball falling to the feet of Claudio Cavalcante. My former captain hammered a shot high into the roof of the net to give us a lead. Half the crowd roared, but I kept calm, telling the side to keep composed. After all, it was still early. As if to mark my words, Partizan hit back and Iliev rocked the crossbar with a header. If we thought that was an escape we had another thing coming. Danko Djokic escaped Todisco's hold and slammed a near post shot in past Stekelenburg. They thought they were level, but Djokic had been flagged offside - much to our relief. To make things even worse still, Skalidis surged through and was fouled in the penalty area. The spot kick was given and scored, as always, by Doukas. That gave us even more optimism, and looked to have crushed the Partizan players, who, like us, were in a first major final. Doukas almost scored again straight away with a stunning drive just over. Iliev also hit a similar attempt close to half time which went way wide.
Stanko Djordjevic opened the second half with a volley which called Stekelenburg into action, and then Ilic put a free kick wide. Partizan became more desperate as time ticked away from them, whilst my defence was proving rock solid. Danko Lazovic's injury time shot paled into nothing as the last action of the match was seen. The referee blew full time and the celebrations began. We have won the UEFA Cup! :cool: It's a special moment for everyone, but the most moving moment was still to arrive. Both goals were scored by players who have captained the club this season. As the official captain, Stilianos Doukas should have been the one to lift the huge 33lb trophy. Unbeknownst to me, the players had planned to push club coach Edoardo Gorini to the front to lift the trophy. Gorini, a former club stalwart and legend of over 500 appearances here, has done more than maybe anyone for this club ever, and the players recognised that with an amazing show of affection. So, in a strange twist, Edoardo Gorini lifted the UEFA Cup in a blaze of fireworks and a shower of red and white ribbons, and the celebrations kicked off!

Team: Stekelenburg, Yepes, Orellana, Todisco, Montanari, Asara, Cavalcante, Doukas(c), Santos, Skalidis, Alexiou

31.5.11
A year on from his last debacle, Daniel Orellana has once again apparently spoken out about signing for Napoli. Why he woul want to, when we'll be in the Champions League next season, is beyond me. He is warned about his future conduct, and he might be one I could sell to keep harmony up.