THE END OF A PHENOMENON?

Serie A week 23 preview. 

 

Internaz ionale won again, so did Juventus and Roma.  Milan won then slipped up in midweek.  Udinese and Fiorentina lost ground, Sampdoria gained it.  Torino surprised Palermo.  Livorno pulled off two draws and Lazio fell into a sort of bizarre miasma.  Parma, Cagliaria, Genoa and Atalanta got unwelcome draws.  Napoli and Catantia are in the doldrums and the Scudetto is looking more won with each week.    

 

 

FIXTURES

 

Fiorentina V Catania

A draw in Serie A and a win in the UEFA Cup with Mutu being the difference maker.  Catania howls with rage at a dodgy refereeing decision that wouldn't really have altered the outcome of the game. 

Fifteen points separate the two teams with Catania hovering just above a relegation struggle and Fiorentina clinging to fourth spot. 

It's all about the Romanian for Prandelli.  Baldini will love the return of Vargas, Spinesi is the key to any sort of result. 

Injuries hurt Il Elefanti more than La Viola so expect a bag full of goals. 

 

Genoa V Sampdoria

Despite the draw at Livorno last week Genoa are still firmly in the middle of Serie A.  Sampdoria continue to push upwards and are chasing down a UEFA cup place. 

Only two points separate the two city rivals with much, much, much more than a mere three points at stake.  Derby, Italian style. 

Mazzarri will win more fans over if the Blucerchiati win and Cassano is the key to unlock the Rossoblu. 

Gasperini doesn't have quite the firepower of his cross town rivals but in Borriello has one of Italy's most potent Italian marksmen. 

Injuries and suspensions hamper Genoa a touch more than Sampdoria. 

 

 

Internaz ionale V Livorno

A cruel twist of the scheduling gnomes hands Livorno a second trip to the Stadio Guiseppe Meazza in less than a week.  Inter will want to win easy as they have a game against English opposition in midweek. 

A whopping thirty three points separate the two sides; although the Amaranto did stifle Milan in midweek.  . 

Mancini still has a mountainous injury list in the middle but still has some razor sharp attacking talents. 

Camolese's injuries aren't as voluminous; but are more crucial with Tavano's start uncertain. 

 

 

Juventus V Roma

Both sides won last week in differing fashions.  Juve are solid at home and Roma are on of Serie A's better traveling teams. 

A mere four points splits the second and third placed team so their positions won't change. 

Earlier in the season in Rome Iaquinta snatched a point for the Bianconeri.  The stakes this time around are even higher. 

Injuries aren't an issue for Spalletti or Ranierii. 

Camoranesi will be a key player although so many on the field in Turin will be able to turn the match. 

 

Lazio V Atalanta

Lazio embarrassed themselves at Empoli last week and a Muslimovic inspired Atalanta grabbed a point to Fiorentina. 

Crunch time for the two sides really, Lazio need to avoid relegation trouble and Atalanta need to get into the European chase. 

Only seven points separate the sides but two different stories are unfolding in Bergamo and Rome.  A quiet revolution and a disaster. 

Injuries hamper but don't hamstring either team.  Doni returns for Del Neri and Rossi once again tries to shake the most out of Pandev. 

 

 

Napoli V Empoli

The Azzurri are staggering; with another loss; and Empoli might have just sparked a climb out of relegation trouble; with a win. 

Reja has a target on his back with a run of stuttering results and Malesani is struggling with a poor away record. 

Eight points separate the sides with plenty of games to go to change things around. 

Injuries confound both the Azzurri and the Empolisi. Slovakian Hamsik is the top scorer available to Napoli; Pozzi is the threat for Empoli this term but goals away is a problem. 

 

 

Palermo V Cagliari

Can the Rosanero turn around their stuttering season and can the Rossoblu turn a three game unbeaten streak into a climb away from the bottom.  Palermo got hammered and Cagliari grabbed a disappointing point. 

Guidolin is under fire with the owner publicly insulting him in the Italian press. 

Although thirteen points separate the two teams their current form belies their place in the table. 

Massive injury and suspension worries hit Palermo with Cagliari smarting but not quite as hindered. 

Cavani should start for Palermo and Cagliari will look to keep things tight at the back and grab one. 

 

 

Parma V Milan

Spiraling out of control Parma face a tired but tough Milan who may be in the throes of an injury crisis.  The Ducali and Rossoneri both sna tched a point. 

Seventeen points split the teams and as in other games Europe and relegation are on the minds of supporters. 

City misfit Corradi is unavialabe and new signing Lucarelli is unlikely to play so Pisanu will be the key man for the Gialloblu especially as Di Carlo has other injuries to worry about.  Ancellotti also has major injury worries but has depth, Kaka's return could be pivotal.  Gilardino, if he starts, will be making the trip back to his old stomping grounds. 

 

 

Reggina V Udinese

Reggina came crashing down to earth last week with a loss to Roma whilst Udinese lost at home. 

Fifteen points is the gap and yet again it's points needed to avoid relegation or grab a European spot. 

Marino's Zebrette have more woes up front than at the back whilst Ulivieri's Amaranto almost have a full squad fit to play. 

Quagliarella's absence is a boon for Reggina as well as commentators, Zapata is a good young defender.  Amuroso and Vigiani are the two hit men for the Regio Calabria outfit. 

Could actually be a pretty good game. 

 

 

Siena V Torino

A win for the Granata and the residual affects of the Bianconeri's last win make for an appetizing encounter. 

Neither side is inspired this season although Torino is more disappointed despite being four points above Siena. 

Beretta is likely to stick with a starting eleven that has done pretty well against two top sides whilst Novelino has suspension issues; and for his players as well. 

With sox goals in two games Torino are on an exceptional scoring run. 

 

 

My Games of the Week. 

Juventus V Roma & Genoa V Sampdoria, (games at Reggina and Siena could be firecrackers as well though)

 

What's On FSC?

Juventus V Roma (Sat)

Parma V Milan (Sat)

Genoa V Sampdoria (Sun)

Fiorentina V Catania (Sun)