Welcome back to the CM9798 Anglo-Italian Cup! We’re back to Group A today to see who’ll make it through to the semi finals. Remember, the top English side and the top Italian side will qualify. Port Vale are in a great position but will points on the board prove more useful than games in hand? The Italian position is very much up for grabs though Pescara are in pole position. Here’s where we re-join the action:

Straight into the games then and we start at the City Ground, where Nottingham Forest could do with getting their campaign kick started…

Nottingham Forest vs Chievo

Forest desperately need a win whilst Chievo are unbeaten but with no wins. A moral victory is worth nothing in this game. The English side have been dealt a blow with Colin Cooper injured and replaced by namesake Richard.

Chievo are sticking with the tried and tested 442.

A thoroughly strange game sees Chievo go 4-0 up inside 26 minutes. Pascolo is largely blamed but Ian Woan temporarily keeps their hopes alive. There is no amazing comeback though as it becomes 5-1 but Kevin Campbell pulls one back.

It keeps Chievo in the hunt but Forest are out. Such a strange game…

 

Ipswich vs Perugia

Dan could do with a win or he’ll be in the same position as Forest. Chris Darwen’s Perugia stand in the red corner. Dan’s without Dyer and Tarricco so in come Mathie and Petta.

Have I mentioned Chris has a young Materazzi? He sticks to the 23122

Dyer and Tarricco might struggle to get back in this team! The Tractor Boys harvest Perugia (that works, right?) with Bobby Petta netting twice. The group remains a mystery.

Ravenna vs Nottingham Forest

I like the look of Ravenna’s formation but they can’t afford a slip up in their pursuit of Pescara. Luckily, they have an ideal opponent in Forest who are fighting to avoid the wooden spoon.

Still no Colin Cooper so it is as you were.

I just don’t know anymore. This group is bonkers. An own goal gets Forest up and running and Van Hooijdonk takes a break from complaining to make it 2. If you expected a comeback from the Italians, you will be disappointed to find Forest went wild and won 5-0, despite Alan Rogers seeing red. That’s an onion in the ointment.

Pescara vs Ipswich

Pescara, who I will keep referring to as the Denmark of this tournament, are in the great position of 2 wins out of 2 and being able to watch their rivals fall over repeatedly. Deano must be confident.

Dyer is back for Dan, replacing Alex Mathie. This looks like being a pivotal match in the qualification race.

What’s Italian for damp squib? Jason Candy gets sent off for being overzealous with a caller on Sports bar and whilst Pescara look to take advantage, they go down to 10 when delicious Moretti is sent off for a late tackle on Matt Holland. It finishes 0-0, which probably helps Dean more than Dan.

 

Sunderland vs Ravenna

That point for Pescara actually eliminates Ravenna, so this match is a dead rubber. Sunderland were eliminated in the previous episode for this group but here we are anyway:

And Ravenna:

Sunderland restore some pride with a winner from Kevin Phillips, just seconds after Ravenna had equalised. You’re always more vulnerable when you’ve just scored, or something.

Chievo vs Ipswich

This match has everything on it, in many ways. Chievo can overhaul Pescara with a win, whilst Ipswich can catch Port Vale. Those top two meet in the final match so there should be a tickling in your undercarriage at the prospect. Chievo unchanged.

Ipswich also unchanged from that handsome win over Perugia.

Chievo like flying out the traps but I don’t think anybody expected them to be 3-0 up after 11 minutes. It is very temporarily 3-2 when Dyer and Dozzell score but Melosi provides the nails and Tentoni hammers them into the coffin. With no further second half goals, it’s Chievo who will have all eyes on that final match.

 

Perugia vs Nottingham Forest

This is a dead rubber, with nothing but pride to play for. A situation Chris is very used to.

Forest make no changes

They do take the lead though! Ian Moore with the early goal. After that though it’s a familiar story as two goals are enough to win it for Perugia. Chris is left to rue what might have been whilst Forest will look to hire big Ron.

 

Port Vale vs Pescara

So, the big idea of leaving this match until last was that there’d be loads to play for. As it turns out, the other English sides being incompetent means that Port Vale are already through. Pescara need to win to overhaul Chievo and take the Italian qualification spot. Port Vale have their keeper back which might be useful.

Yes yes, Denmark 92 etc. It might happen!

Er, what? We’ve had some odd results but given what has gone before, it’s insane. Vecchiola is the hero with a hat trick but Chievo now hate Port Vale. Fight?

It wasn’t even close. Absolute brutality from start to finish.

That leaves the table looking like this:

A total bun fight of a group where pretty much nothing went to form. Port Vale and Pescara advance but who will join them? Your guess is as good as mine. See you tomorrow.