Serie A week 12 preview. 

 

Internazionale are in top spot.  Consistently winning; even whilst playing poorly; is a feature of most of their campaign to date.  The title is theirs to lose.  The restart of European competition will have a big impact on the UEFA Cup and Champions League places.  Juventus, Udinese and Palermo don't have any European football to look forward to or provide a distraction.  Inter, Milan and Roma have the Champions League and Fiorentina have the UEFA Cup as a distraction. 

 

 

SERIE A TRANSFERS

 

ATALANTA

Out: Zampagna (A, Vicenza)

 

CAGLIARI - some strengthening of their goalkeeping and looking for goals in order to avoid Serie B next season. 

In: Storari (G, Levante), Jeda (A, Rimini)

 

CATANIA

Out: Minelli (D, Triestina), Bovio (M, Corinthians)

 

EMPOLI

 

FIORENTINA - even more depth in attack to maintain their UEFA Cup spot. 

In: Cacia (A, Piacenza)

 

GENOA - help at the back and in attack, to help push for a UEFA Cup place. 

In: Criscito (D, Juventus), Masiero (A, Central Espanol), Wilson (A, Corinthians)

 

INTER - bolstering the injury hit midfield with creativity and experience. 

In: Maniche (M, Atletico Madrid)

Out: Adriano (A, Sao Paulo)

 

JUVENTUS

Out: Criscito (D, Genoa), Olivera (M, Penarol)

 

LAZIO

 

LIVORNO - strengthening the defence to avoid relegation trouble. 

In: Sidny (D, Nautico)

 

MILAN - bagging the most talked about Brazilian eighteen year old in years to help them in Europe and take them to a Champions League place. 

In: Pato (A, Internacional)

 

NAPOLI

Out: Gatti (M, Modena)

 

PALERMO

Out: Brienza (M, Reggina)

PARMA - last season he bagged 20 goals for Livorno, he'll help them avoid becoming embroiled in a relegation battle. 

In: Lucarelli (A, Shakhtar Donetsk)

Out: Cardone (D, Cesena), Paponi (A, Cesena)

 

REGGINA - defensive help and proven young goalscorer in their battle to stay up. 

In: Cirillo (D, Levante), Stuani (A, Danubio)

 

ROMA

 

SAMPDORIA

Out: Foti (A, Messina)

 

SIENA - two more attacking options, to help balance their goal difference. 

In: Porta (A, River Plate Montevideo), Rigano' (A, Levante)

Out: Bucchi (A, Bologna)

 

TORINO

 

UDINESE

Out: Sivok (M, Sparta Prague)

 

 

FIXTURES

 

Fiorentina V Torino

A midweek cup trouncing might not get any better in Florence.  La Viola is strong and coming off a good win and with Europe coming up and the European spots up for grabs they have plenty to play for.  The manager also seems to be right back in the game.  The Gigliati are at full strength and Granata are struggling with injuries.  Last week Fiorentina won and Torino lost. 

 

Internazionale V Parma

The Nerrazzurri scraped a win last week but expect a different side at the Stadio Meazza.  Maniche is unlikely to get an outing as will Parma's new signing Lucarelli.  Expect a home win but don't be surprised if Lucarelli returns to Serie A with a bang.  Parma hasn't won away from home yet and a loss won't help their slide into the relegation quagmire.  Both sides are at less than full strength but Mancini's charges have plenty of depth.  Last week Inter won and Parma lost. 

 

Genoa V Atalanta

Great result for Genoa last week and they'll need to play just as well to leapfrog Atalanta in the race for a UEFA Cup place.  Expect a home win but this could be a cracking game.  Genoa loses their top Honduran and Doni is back for Atalanta.  Last week Genoa won and Atalanta lost. 

 

Juventus V Sampdoria

A draw for the Bianconeri; a lucky one at that; will need to be erased by a home win.  Juventus can't lose their position but they will not want to slip any further behind Roma or allow Udinese and Fiorentina to catch up.  Sampdoria were on fire last week and will relish this tough away challenge despite having a less than stellar form on the road.  Sampdoria don't have a full compliment of strikers and Juventus are a touch short in defence.  Tiago may start.  Last week Juventus drew and Sampdoria won. 

 

Livorno V Empoli

Already a relegation six pointer and a local derby will make this fixture shine (although last season it remained goalless).  Livorno is unbeaten in five and playing well under a new manager and Empoli are struggling, with their last win coming in 2007.  Empoli are at less than full strength and poor on the road.  Last week Livorno won and Empoli drew. 

 

Napoli V Lazio

Napoli needs to regain their early season form if they are to mount a challenge on a European place.  The strikers and goalkeepers are kept busy in Naples so expect a few goals; from either team.  Lazio continue their poor form.  Gargano will be a loss to Napoli but Lazio has plenty of injury worries.  Last week both teams lost. 

 

Palermo V Siena

Palermo come off an erratic run of form but are still riding high in Serie A, another loss will dent their UEFA Cup ambitions and could see them drop places.  Siena are in deep trouble and really struggle on the road; one win in eight.  This must be the start of the Bianconeri's relegation dogfight, particularly as they showed so well against Inter last week.  Expect goals with both teams wanting the win.  Last week Palermo and Siena lost. 

 

Reggina V Cagliari

Reggina are struggling but Cagliari is awful.  A huge game for both teams.  Another loss and Cagliari will be playing for pride, a Reggina loss helps them not a jot.  Amaruso will be the difference maker and will want to shine so as to stake a place in another Serie A side next season.  History is with the home side and the visitors have their share of injury woes.  Last week Reggina grabbed a point and Cagliari lost; again. 

 

Roma V Catania

Second place needs defended and the visit of Catania is an almost certain three points, last season Catania got thrashed 7-0.  Catania hasn't won on the road this season and nothing is likely to change here, Mancini is in a good run of form and Spinesi is wearing his shooting boots.  The result against Juventus will give the Sicilians heart for this fixture.  Last week Roma won and Catania were robbed of three points. 

 

Udinese V Milan

Possibly the biggest game of the weekend.  Milan is certainly going to be tested by a very strong Udinese side that has only lost once in Udine.  Milan's away form is better than their play in the Stadio Meazza though.  Pirlo's absence will be a tough blow to overcome; Gattuso is fiery but doesn't have the ball skills that Pirlo has.  The three Brazilians will face a tougher test against a tough Udinese back line than they did against Napoli.  The Azzuri have some injury and suspension problems but Quagliarella is in form, history favours the Rossoneri.  Last week both these teams won and will be looking to continue the trend to solidify their European aspirations for the home side and to climb the table for the visitors. 

 

 

My Game of the Week. 

Juventus V Sampdoria

 

What's On FSC?

Fiorentina V Torino (Sat)

Juventus V Sampdoria (Sun)

Internazionale V Parma (Sun)