To listen to audio only on your computer, click here. To listen on iPhone, download the TuneIn app and search for WIBG. A recording of the show will be posted on our podcast feed and on YouTube later today.
A bitter sweet Round 35 ended yesterday. A great chase for the title ended for Napoli fans as Juventus got their needed points at home against lowly Palermo. It was far from a convincing performance but the defending champs with only a Vidal penalty kick sealing the win but it was enough. Even a goalless draw would have gotten Juve over the hurdle. Painful to say but hats off to the Bianconeri on their 29th Scudetto. Napoli stayed on their heels for the first half of the season and it was a real joy to watch but the Turin side was by far the most consistent team all season.
The good news is the Partenopei got an important home win against an Inter Milan side that has absolutely cratered. Between injuries and questions surrounding the coaching, the Nerazzurri have had a season they’ll want to forget. I’ll be kind and say I simply “dislike” Inter so the 3-1 Napoli victory made a disappointing day better.
Edinson Cavani is already a legend for the side but his hat trick put him over the one hundred goal mark with the squad. He started the game with a strike from short range in the third minute, doing an excellent job controlling a lob from Goran Pandev. A spot kick game him his 100th and the 101st came with under ten minutes remaining in the game. More importantly than the individual milestone, the win puts the Neapolitans one win away from locking up second place and a guaranteed appearance in next year’s Champions League. They’ll be looking to book that place – and get a little revenge – in midweek action against Bologna (a side that was thrashed at the Olimpico on Sunday, losing 6-0), leaving AC Milan and Fiorentina battling it out for the a CL Playoff Round spot. Stay tuned.
The May 4, 2013 edition of Open Mic with Mike Assad is online. Check it out below, or watch it on YouTube.
It’s been awhile but we’re back. Last weekend’s Serie A action had some exciting moments but was mostly quiet. Everyone expected the Derby d’Italia – Inter vs. Juventus – to be the highlight but it’s getting attention mostly for the brutal challenge and subsequent red card at the end of the match for Cambiasso’s challenge to Juve’s Giovinco. The studs-to-the-ankle challenge was totally out of frustration as Juve were seconds away from avenging their defeat at the hands of Inter earlier in the season. The league leaders picked up three huge points away from home in a 2-1 win and maintained their nine point lead at the top of the table. Things went much better for the other Milan side as the Rossoneri continued their winning streak with an away victory. Remarkably, AC Milan hasn’t lost a league match since December 22, 2012. They’re not letting up in their fight for second place.
The highlight of the round was Napoli’s win in Turin. With keeper Morgan De Sanctis not starting, it was bound to be a high scoring game with Antonio Rosati in net. It ended up being the highest scoring game in Serie A thus far this season. Napoli’s man of the match had to be hat trick hero Blerim Džemaili but the winner came from a beautiful Cavani free kick with only minutes to spare. A stoppage time insurance goal allowed the Partenopei to steal maximum points in a 5-3 thriller. A total of five goals were scored in the final fifteen minutes. Hugo Campagnaro will thankfully be back from injury to help anchor the defense this weekend. The back line, when at full strength, has been our strong suit this season. Avoid injury and suspension and we should see a few more clean sheets this season.
Unfortunately, this round will likely be less eventful. Juventus take on Pescara at home. After the Bianconeri were embarrassed in Champions League play in Munich this week, expect them to thrash the poor relegation side. Buffon won’t be starting due to a stomach bug so maybe Pescara can find a goal. Maybe. Napoli meet Genoa in what should be an easy “W”…then again, with my team (in any sport), a match that is supposed to be easy is always frustrating. The big one will be Milan vs. Fiorentina. Milan is on fire but Fiorentina has bounced back after a slump and sit in the fourth spot. I’m going to give the edge to the Viola. Milan’s unbeaten run has to end sometime.
Tune in next week for a CL update as well as a Round 31 wrap up. And remember to tune in on Saturday, of course!
On this week’s edition of Open Mic, we spoke with Atlantic County Freeholder Joseph McDevitt during the first hour, and had open lines the second hour. You can also check out the show on YouTube.
On the March 9, 2013 broadcast of Open Mic with Mike Assad, we spoke with Repubublian gubernatorial candidate Seth Grossman and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Carl Bergmanson. Grossman is challenging incumbent Gov. Chris Christie, and Bergmanson is challenging state Sen. Barbara Buono. In a separate discussion, we spoke with Pab Sungenis, an independent candidate for state senator in the first legislative district.
In addition to the podcast, this week’s show can also be viewed on YouTube.
