Serie A week 23 preview. 

 

Inter won in Serie A and lost in Europe, Milan drew twice last week, Fiorentina won twice and Juventus won then had the middle of the week off. 

Wins for Sampdoria, Lazio, Empoli, Palermo and Udinese set smiles off in Genoa, Rome, Empoli, Palermo and Udine. 

Losses for Genoa, Catania, Roma, Napoli, Atalanta, Cagliari and Reggina means tears in Genoa, Catania, Rome, Naples, Bergamo, Cagliari and Reggio Calabria.  

Draws for Parma, Siena, Torino mean scratched heads in Parma, Siena and Turin. 

Shock of the week, Empoli handing it to Napoli in Naples. 

Non shock of the week, Inter wins, again. 

 

 

FIXTURES

 

Reggina V Juventus

A week without the hullabaloo of Europe will be good for the Bianconeri, time to relax and plan for a second place challenge.  Reggina have had some soul searching to do on the back of four losses, it looks bleak for the Amaranto. 

Reggina were hammered by four in their last meeting. 

The firepower at home is weak (if not AWOL) and Juventus have an awful lot of talent. 

 

Milan V Palermo

A tough trip to London and a laundry list of injuries will be tough for the Rossoneri to overcome and bring their all to the Stadio Meazza against tough but fragile opposition.  Palermo may have turned a corner but will be wary of the Milan side at home and be in a cautiously buoyant mood. 

Palermo beat Milan Palermo earlier this season. 

Inconsistent form is the bane of both clubs with a lot to play for this could be a cracker or a tight and tense draw.  Managers and players will decide the outcome; fresher legs may play a part.  Europe beckons. 

 

Torino V Parma

Neither side scored in the last round of Serie A.  The Toros are in more ebullient form than the Gialloblu although neither side is yet free of relegation worries. 

Parma beat Torino in Parma. 

The forwards aren't firing particularly well for either club but expect the home side to be less cautious.  Has all the makings of a defensive draw so it'll probably be hugely one sided or something. 

 

 

Atalanta V Sienna

Comfortably mid table versus uncomfortably close to the bottom three.  Sienna comes into the game with one loss in their last three while Atalanta has one win in five. 

The Zebrette and Nerrazzurri drew in Siena. 

Siena play well but struggle to finish and Atalanta are much too inconsistent recently.  Best possible game would ensue if Sienna scored first and early. 

 

 

Cagliari V Lazio

Finally the Romans won whilst the Sardinian side looks mournfully upwards at the other nineteen Serie A sides.  Things aren't all that bright in Rome though with poor form amidst the ruins of high expectations. 

The Rossoblu got well beaten by the Biancocelesti in Rome. 

Neither side has it easy finding the net although Lazio do better away than do Cagliari at home.  This could go either way but a lot will depend on how much fight the Sardinians actually have; there are still fourty five points to win. 

 

 

Empoli V Catania

Wow and unexpected stuffing of the Azzurri leave the Azzurri in grand fettle.  Catania's loss last week has them only a point above Empoli but they generally play better football.  This still has the makings of a relegation six pointer. 

Last time out the Elefanti beat Empoli. 

Form is with Empoli on the back of two wins as opposed to four losses.  Neither side scores many with Pozzi being the standout forward; an injury means though that neither side really has any edge in that department.  Home form will probably tell but the points will be hard fought for. 

 

 

Livorno V Napoli

The loss to Inter is part of an Amaranto spiral downwards, they want a few wins though to haul into themselves back into the mid table melee.  Two losses for the Azzurri is uncreditable, given their weapons and defensive minded coach. 

The home side lost in a tight one earlier this season. 

Formation and personnel is crucial for Napoli, stars are out and a choice between 352 and 443 is tough.  Livorno will look to take on a weakened team with verve and vim at home, the wrong result will see them in the bottom three come Sunday night. 

 

 

Roma V Fiorentina

Winning in Europe is good.  The legs don't feel so tired and the heart and mind are full of fire and confidence.  The Giallorossi still have a task in the second leg and La Viola contemplates the Blues.  Both sides have three domestic wins in the last five with Fiorentina edging a point closer to Roma on the back of one loss less. 

Florence saw a combustible score draw last time the two sides met. 

Roma have Juventus breathing fire from below and the smell of old age liniment is wafting up from Milan.  European football next year is a must, the name of the Cup is more vital than life itself; if you were to believe the media. 

Should be a cracking game with two sides that have plenty of weapons, decent stoppers and solid back lines.  Mutu has more goals than Totti, take away the penalties and it's only one more though, expect big things from both players. 

 

 

Sampdoria V Inter

Licking his hand and combing it through his coiffure as opposed to licking his wounds and criticizing referees.  A Sampdoria starlet and a Scudetto winning manager.  Europe and Anfield was a blow, the derby d'lanterna was also a blow but the goal and the madman were magical. 

Inter still seem to be unstoppable in the league and vulnerable in Europe whilst a Cassano inspired Sampdoria keep climbing the table. 

The Blucerchiati were soundly thrashed in a one sided Nerrazzurri mauling in Milan. 

The midfield is getting out of it's mess and now the defence has just slipped into one, an abundance of strikers and goals is the key for Inter.  Cassano grows into the inspiration for Sampdoria whilst Belluci keeps ban ging in the goals.  Expect some fireworks, some histrionics and possibly a cracking game and an Inter loss.  Of course Mancini might have kicked his players and himself so hard on the flight back from England that Inter'll be superkeen to stomp all over Cassano and co. 

 

 

Udinese V Genoa

The uns exy side in Serie A have started getting back to winning ways now that the spotlight is turned elsewhere.  The Grifani continue to stay in the middle of the pack with some up and down play and results.  The side from Udine boasts the only cappocannoniere in waiting who does it without the spot. 

Genoa star Borriello bagged a hat trick earlier in the season. 

Udinese have some potent weapons and a mean defence, Genoa's are less potent and mean though not without merit.  The home side would be favoured although Derby results can be misleading.  Could be anyone's a Genoa goal early would be a nice start. 

 

 

My Games of the Week.  

Sampdoria V Inter is trumped (just) by Roma V Fiorentina (keep your eye on a bounceback thrashing from Napoli)

 

What's On FSC?

Reggina V Juventus (Sat)

Roma V Fiorentina (Sun)

Milan V Palermo (Sun)

 

Expect at least one Game Summary and another episode of SERIE A IN BRIEF IN PICTURES.