EURO BITES: Serie A - Empty stadia, Berlusconi’s dressing room visit, and Higuain closes on Maradona record

A round-up of the latest news from the weekend action in Serie A, including Berlusconi congratulating the opposition, another 1-0 win for Inter, fan strikes in Rome and and the league’s return to the big screen.

BERLUSCONI CONGRATULATES OPPONENTS AFTER 0-0 DRAW

AC Milan’s three-match winning streak ended on Saturday with a 0-0 draw against Atalanta - and Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi was so impressed with the opposition he went into their dressing room to praise them.

Milan were virtually absent in midfield and attack and were saved by young goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who performed three miracles in the second half to keep them in the game.

And on a disastrous Saturday for Milan, coach Sinisa Mihajlovic was also expelled from the touchline for kicking a plastic bottle towards an official.

INTER SPECIALIZES IN 1-0 VICTORIES

Inter confirmed once again that they are specialists of the one-goal victory after taking their seventh 1-0 win in twelve matchdays, this time away to Torino on Sunday.

With an unsurpassed defence, Inter managed once again to capitalize on one of the few occasions to score and took home the three points necessary to keep them top of the table with Fiorentina.

With his first goal this season, it was newcomer Geoffrey Kondogbia who made the difference as he netted an acrobatic left-footer. Meanwhile, Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic was nothing less than a wall, saving the team on two potentially show-stopping occasions.

At the end of the match, Inter coach Roberto Mancini affirmed that his team played “perfectly.”

EMPTY STADIUM AS ROMA WINS DERBY

In the Rome derby, where Roma beat Lazio 2-0, the stadium was virtually empty as Lazio and Roma fans continued to strike, protesting the Roman authorities’ decision to divide the Curve (home to extremist fans).

Roma deserved the win, although in the replay it was apparent that the first goal, a penalty kick by Edin Dzeko, came from a foul that was outside the area.

Roma consolidated their lead with a superior midfield and an unstoppable attack, led by Gervinho, whose splendid second counterattack goal marked his sixth this season. Ironically, the Ivory Coast striker was booed last season by fans and almost sold this summer.

The derby victory keeps Roma in third place, one point behind Inter and Fiorentina and one point ahead of Napoli.

HIGUAIN AND MARADONA COMPARED AFTER STRIKE

A majestic goal by Gonzalo Higuain, his 7th in the last 7 matches at home, gave Napoli a 1-0 win over Udinese and led to comparisons with Napoli’s greatest player Diego Armando Maradona.

It puts him within one goal of the record of 8 goals in 8 consecutive home games, set by Maradona in the 1987-88 season.

After a frustrating draw last week against Genoa, Napoli’s win secured the three points needed to place them fourth again in the Italian table behind Fiorentina, Inter and Roma.

Udinese worked hard to block Napoli’s attack and the home side had numerous chances to score in the first half, but the skill of Udinese goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis kept it to a 0-0 score at halftime. Higuain’s strike at the beginning of the second gave Napoli the edge.

NO SIGNS OF FIORENTINA LETTING UP

Fiorentina won a thrilling encounter against Sampdoria to keep them at the top of the Serie A with Inter.

Sampdoria valiantly tried to match Fiorentina play for play, but ultimately suffered their first defeat at home this season, with goals coming from a Josip Ilicic penalty and a second-half goal from Nikola Kalinic.

Few would have expected at the beginning of the season that Fiorentina would be one of the contenders for the title, but their united and well balanced side, driven by a strong midfield, seems to have good prospects of staying at the top.

BIG SCREENS RETURN TO THE STADIUM

Projecting replays on maxi-screens at football stadiums has been banned by FIFA ever since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when two scandalous missed calls were projected at the stadium.

But the Lega Calcio Serie A has now decided it’s time for big screens to come back - with numerous restrictions.

The replays can include only goals that have been validated, clear scoring opportunities and the most impressive plays. Dubious plays, goals that have been annulled, or goals that seem to have originated in a foul or offside cannot be shown.

At the same time, the person responsible for transmitting the images must avoid sullying the reputation or authority of the referee or players, and cannot include images that may impact the next play. Easier said than done.