Palermo coach Devis Mangia

The Sicilians’ troubles away from home grew following their latest derby defeat at Catania. Palermo haven’t won at Catania’s Stadio Massimino since 2007, but coach Devis Mangia will more likely be more concerned as to why his team have struggled to win away from home this season in Serie A.

Their latest defeat in Italy’s top-flight arrived on Sunday afternoon against their local rivals. Mangia’s men were hoping to use the derby of Sicily as a way of bouncing back from their midweek Coppa Italia loss against Siena.

However, Catania’s Francesco Lodi and Maxi Lopez struck either side of the interval to ensure the misery continues for Palermo. The match ended 2-0 and the result smacks of continued failure away from the Renzo Barbera stadium.

It seems the Sicilians have little liking in playing away from home. Striker Mauricio Pinilla summed it up perfectly when he said there are genuine problems on the road.

He said: “We are having difficulty playing away, but we will continue working on this with our coach.”

Pinilla was bold in his assessment, but some fans are already speaking of a hopeless future and a period of stagnation in Palermo.

There were hopes of qualifying for European football this season, but Mangia’s men have plenty to chew over this Christmas. However, before president Maurizio Zamparini serves his players a slice of cold turkey, they have to play Novara on Wednesday – sadly for them the game is away.

Meanwhile, at the top of the table Juventus are still in command as Antonio Conte’s men continue to smooth their way towards the title with a 2-0 win over Novara.

Simone Pepe is the driving force behind Juve as he chipped in with his fourth goal of the season. Fabio Quagliarella was also on target scoring for the first time in 12 months.

It was a polished performance from Juventus who were invincible at times as they exposed Novara’s growing problems at the foot of the table.

However, Milan are pushing Juventus at the top – a sign Conte’s men cannot lose touch with reality as the pressure mounts at the summit.

The Rossoneri made light work of Siena at San Siro with a 2-0 win. Antonio Nocerino, formerly of Palermo, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were the point winners on Saturday night as Massimiliano Allegri’s men keep Juve within reach.

On the other side of Milan, Inter are showing signs of a revival as they climb the table quietly. There was nothing to shout about following their narrow 1-0 away win over Cesena. Maicon and Andrea Ranocchia combined for the Italian defender to earn Claudio Ranieri’s men another win.

OTHER SCORES:

Chievo 2-0 Cagliari; Fiorentina 2-0 Atalanta; Genoa 2-1 Bologna; Parma 3-3 Lecce; Lazio 2-2 Udinese; Napoli 1-3 Roma.

Can Udinese sustain their position at the top of Serie A?

History and the bulk of football opinion tell us the top four places are usually reserved for the elite Italian clubs. However, Udinese, who qualified for the Champions League last term, are aiming to repeat their stellar campaign.

Their quest for top European action continues to spread from their small base in north-east Italy following Sunday’s 2-1 win over Chievo. Antonio Di Natale’s ninth strike of the season and a goal from Dusan Basta were enough to see Udinese finish the weekend looking down at their more illustrious rivals from the top of table.

Alberto Paloschi replied for Chievo with minutes to go, but Udinese defended well – as they have done all term with just seven goals conceeded – meaning they have the strongest defence in Serie A so far.

Coach Francesco Guidolin described Udinese’s current state as a “magical moment” after the game, but he raised genuine questions as to whether it will last. There is a direct connection with last season’s great journey.But, Guidolin’s men are short of Cristian Zapata who left the club in the summer. Alexis Sanchez, another big name departure, is now banging in goals for Barcelona – his most recent against Real Madrid at the weekend – proof, if any was needed, that the Italians are coping brilliantly without last season’s success stories who pushed the side over the hill as their exploration to match the major clubs took on new meaning.

It could be invariable for Udinese to disappear from the top of the table once Juventus play Roma on Monday night and the onset of fatigue kicks in as we move towards the winter break, but for now life is good as league rivals Milan struggled against Bologna on Sunday afternoon.

The champions fell behind to a Marco Di Vaio goal, but Clarence Seedorf and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were both hard-wired and eager to push their side on as their goals turned the game at the Renato Dall’Ara stadium on its head. However, Alessandro Diamanti, of former West Ham fame, undone the Milanese giants late on.

It was mundane football from Milan. They were lucky to end the game with 11 on the pitch as Seedorf should have been sent off for a handball inside the box earlier in the game, while Bologna were denied a penalty as controversy surrounds referee Gianluca Rocchi.

There was better news for Inter. Claudio Ranieri’s men continue to farm hopes of climbing the table following their 2-0 win over Fiorentina at the San Siro. Giampaolo Pazzini and Yuto Nagatomo were both on target against unsettled opposition as the landscape for Inter begins to change. They can start looking upwards as they play Genoa on Tuesday night.

OTHER SCORES

Lecce 2-3 Lazio, Siena 0-2 Genoa, Palermo 0-1 Cesena, Atalanta 1-1 Catania, Cagliari 0-0 Parma, Novara 1- 1 Napoli.

Roma play Juventus on Monday night.

Roma look in ruins as fans revolt against the club following another sign of poor leadership as Luis Enrique and his men lose to Fiorentina with eight men.

General manager Franco Baldini was ruthless in his bold assessment after the 3-0 defeat in Tuscany which saw Juan, Fernando Gago and Bojan Krkic sent off.

The latest incident of poor discipline on the field arrives in a week when Pablo Osvaldo was fined for his punch-up with Erik Lamela.

“Nobody is happy on a day like this, but we believe this project is worth fighting for” those were the blunt words of Roma’s general manager Franco Baldini after the game as he tried to cool concerns as fans turn against the club.

There was plenty of promise at the start of the season from coach Luis Enrique. Barcelona style football was his theme, but Roma have not been transformed. Rather, they are facing upheaval.

Back to back losses against Udinese and Fiorentina and having players suspended for next week’s game against league leaders Juventus is just the start of problems.

Pain on the pitch in Florence was raw. Stevan Jovetic converted the penalty he won following Juan’s tug on his shirt. Alessandro Gamberini then helped Delio Rossi’s side go 2-0 up before the break.

Roma crumbled in the second half. Gago and Bojan Krkic were sent off before Santiago Silva converted from the spot for Fiorentina with four minutes to go.

There is excess baggage at Roma and there is already talk of change behind the scenes. Baldini said his club would be fighting, but their real battle begins against Juventus.

Antonio Conte’s men continue to fuel their account for control at the top of Serie A following Sunday’s 2-0 win over Cesena in Turin. Claudio Marchisio and an Arturo Vidal penalty saw the league leaders dominate proceedings at the summit.

Juventus needed to win following AC Milan’s 2-0 victory of Genoa on Friday night. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his eighth of the season for the Italian champions, while Antonio Nocerino sealed the victory via a Kevin-Prince Boateng assist.

Milan’s city rivals Inter continue to stumble though. Their 1-0 loss at home to Udinese is, perhaps, final proof they will not win the Scudetto this season.

Mauricio Isla struck on 73 minutes to keep Udinese on tow to Milan and Juve. The game was full of incident too as two penalties were missed. Antonio Di Natale passed the ball to Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar from 12 yards as Javier Zanetti saw a rare red card late in the game.

Down the other end, Giampaolo Pazzini slipped and saw his spot-kick go over, while Damiano Ferronetti was sent off for the visitors for a second yellow.

Next week, Inter will have to seek shelter against confident Fiorentina as their season continues to be violated and they are just four points above the drop zone.

OTHER SCORES

Napoli 4-2 Lecce, Catania 0-1 Cagliari, Bologna 1-0 Siena, Chievo 0-0 Atalanta, Parma 0-0 Palermo.

Lazio vs Novara, Monday night fixture.

In a week dominated by Champions League football, AC Milan were eager to forget about their 3-2 loss to Barcelona on Wednesday as they tried to revolutionise their position in Serie A.

Unsurprisingly, they did so in style with a 4-0 win over Chievo on Sunday, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic continuing his classy form this term.

Milan have constructed a theory to keep the pressure on league leaders Juventus, and now they can start to build on the practice – trial and error it won’t be – as Ibrahimovic paves the way forward.

The striker scored his 100th and 101st goals in Serie A with his double against Chievo at San Siro.

Thiago Silva, who captained Milan on the night, opened the scoring. The Brazilian surged forward and thundered home from Kevin-Prince Boateng’s assist. It was then time for Ibrahimovic to dampen any Chievo threat as he promoted his side’s Scudetto aims with a stunning finish after being set up by Alberto Aquilani.

A show of radiant football by the champions as they continued to stride forwards against a lifeless Chievo side and then came a poacher’s strike by Alexandre Pato and an Ibrahimovic penalty as Milan were up 4-0 at half-time.

It stayed that way after the interval – mission accomplished for Massimiliano Allegri’s men who showed fresh and vibrant play after a tough European week.

Perhaps Milan’s win was a response to Juventus’ continued transformation this season.

Placed under the authority of Antonio Conte in the summer, Juventus maintained their course of unity and hope as they overcame Lazio 1-0. Their win in Rome arrived courtesy of Simone Pepe – written off by many in the summer when he was close to leaving, but he has certainly redefined ambition in Turin as we discovered last week against Palermo [3-0].

The Italy international burst forward in typical fashion as he finished Alessandro Matri’s low cross to rupture Lazio hopes and keep Juventus on top of Serie A with a game in hand against Napoli on Tuesday.

Down the other end of the table, Inter maintained visibility with their second consecutive win this term as they overcame battling Siena 1-0. However, it was a scrappy affair in Tuscany and some would argue the victory was unjustified as Inter were clearly not at their best.

Claudio Ranieri’s side were far from sound as the home side at the Artemio Franchi came out firing with noise, but no smoke.

Inter looked fragile and inexperienced at times, but the scramble for points arrived when second-half substitute Luc Castaignos, who stood up when others started to lie down, grabbed a 90th minute winner – his debut goal in Italy – to earn his team maximum points and ease Ranieri’s concerns for now.

OTHER SCORES

Udinese 2-0 Roma; Lecce 0-1 Catania; Novara 2-1 Parma; Atalanta 1-1 Napoli; Cagliari 1-1 Bologna; Cesena 2-0 Genoa; Palermo 2-0 Fiorentina.

Simone Pepe opened the scoring for Juventus

A read of any of the top sports papers in Italy on Monday morning would help lift faith in Juventus and their title credentials this season.

The narrative of Scudetto redemption was clear.

“So much Juve” cried La Gazzetta dello Sport; “Juve are looking scary” said Il Corriere dello Sport; “not enough” was the stance from Tuttosport – the pro-Juventus paper which always goes beyond the realm of reality.

It’s a common theme for Antonio Conte’s men so far as they rekindled their relationship with the top of the table courtesy of an unchallenged 3-0 win over Palermo.

Lets face it, image is important for a team trying to forget about Calciopoli (2006 Italian football scandal) and Juve have been able to add that extra touch of gloss to matters on the pitch in high-profile games.

Juventus had not beaten Palermo in four years heading into battle, but the Sicilians’ record away from home has been poor this term.

They are yet to win. And so when Simone Pepe headed in the first goal, the crowd inside the Juventus stadium knew there would only be one result.

Further goals from Alessandro Matri and Claudio Marchisio followed as Juventus showed their 22 days without a game because of a cancelled fixture against Napoli and subsequent international break did not distract them with a near-flawless display.

Conte’s men have, perhaps, redrawn the map for honours this term, but the big question is whether they can continue their good start to the season and overshadow the central figures fighting for the title.

AC Milan, Napoli, Lazio, Roma and Inter are all eager to contest with the Turin-based outfit.

Some may find it surprising Lazio are joint top alongside Juve – that could change this Saturday when the two teams meet in Rome.

A 0-0 draw against Napoli set Edy Reja’s boys apart from their hostile neighbours who had all the chances at San Paolo. But, an in-form Federico Marchetti helped his side expand borders as they start to believe in a Roman revival.

The big disappointment of the weekend arrived from Milan’s game against Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi.

With Barcelona at San Siro on Wednesday night in the Champions League, the Serie A champions played out a typical 0-0 draw with the mindset clearly framed on the Spanish side as Clarence Seedorf got a rare start. Massimiliano Allegri’s side were dominant and forceful. Seedorf had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside, and Alexandre Pato hit the post later on.

For Fiorentina though, the draw must have felt like a win as Delio Rossi’s first game in charge following the sacking of Sinisa Mihajlovic earned them an unlikely point.

Across town, a tinkered Inter side showed faith and tolerance against Cagliari, but they had to scrape the bottom of the barrel for a 2-1 win at San Siro. Thiago Motta and Philippe Coutinho struck before Joaquin Larrivey scored a late consolation for the visitors.

Claudio Ranieri’s mish-mash mix of players did the job, but that’s about all they were able to conjure up. It was scrappy with substance, but a performance which raises genuine doubts as to whether it will be sustainable heading into 2012.

OTHER SCORES

Bologna 0-1 Cesena; Catania 1-2 Chievo; Genoa 1-0 Novara; Parma 2-0 Udinese; Siena 2-2 Atalanta; Roma 2-1 Lecce.

Complaining that a referee was the reason that your side slumped to defeat is very much seen as an English trait.

This perhaps clears up why Claudio Ranieri took to criticising a match official like a fish to water. The former Chelsea boss was somewhat displeased by Gianluca Rocchi’s performance during his Inter Milan side’s 3-0 home loss to Napoli.

“It’s a shame because we tried very hard but (the referee) messed up everything there was to mess up,” claimed Ranieri after the club from Naples had run riot at the San Siro.

So let’s examine the evidence. Yes, midfielder Joel Obi’s red card was a little harsh and the first half penalty that was awarded could be called dubious at least, but this column cannot help but think Ranieri was trying to detract the attention away from an inadequate performance.

If truth be told, the Nerazzurri got exactly what they deserved from Saturday’s encounter - nothing!

Napoli’s Marek Hamsik miss the aforementioned penalty, but Hugo Campagnaro was on hand to convert the rebound. Hamsik made amends after the break by extending his side’s lead after Christian Maggio had doubled Napoli’s advantage.

Long story short, Ranieri, banished to the stands for his moaning antics, can really have no complaints.

Inter are yet to score at home in any competition and languish one place above the relegation zone with four points to their name. The coach has plenty of work to do with his squad on the training ground and unfortunately for Inter fans, a push to regain the Scudetto from joint-tenants AC Milan could come too late.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Talking of the Red and Blacks, their weekend was about as fun as Inter’s.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side slumped to a 2-0 defeat away at Juventus courtesy of two late fortuitous goals from Italian international Claudio Marchisio.

The three points has sent the Old Lady to the Serie A summit (is it the mid-90’s again!) with 11 points from their opening five matches.

Can they sustain it though? Well our money remains firmly with Allegri and Milan, but expect Champions League football to be winging it’s way back to Turin next season.

OTHER RESULTS

AS Roma 3-1 Atalanta; Novara 3-3 Catania; Cesena 0-0 Chievo; Fiorentina 1-2 Lazio; Lecce 0-2 Cagliari; Palermo 2-0 Siena; Parma 3-1 Genoa; Udinese 2-0 Bologna.

Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono

If they had not started the campaign on minus six points for their part in a match-fixing scandal, newly-promoted Atalanta would have been top of Serie A. Now anybody that tells you that they expected this sort of start from La Dea are telling porky pies!

Coach Stefano Colantuono has overseen an unthinkable beginning from a club with a lower than modest wage bill – a beginning which sees them currently 14^th in the table with four points when they could so easily be dining at the summit with ten points to their name.

Atalanta’s latest success came at the expense of fellow top-flight new boys Novara.

Matias Schelotto and Luca Cigarini scored the all-important goals for the home side, while Novara’s solitary reply came one minute from time courtesy of Filippo Porcari.

It does beg the question; can the Bergamo-based outfit carry on this fast-paced start to the campaign? In short, no. A famous last word perhaps, but coach Colantuono will be the first to confess that his squad is light on numbers, although he might not take too kindly to the claims that they are overachieving.

We shall see.

Click here to view the embedded video.

From the lesser-known Atalanta, to the over familiar Inter Milan. Bad news I’m afraid for all those who applied for the vacant coaching role at the San Siro following the hasty sacking of Gian Piero Gasperini.

That position has now been filled by everybody’s favourite ‘Tinkerman’ Claudio Ranieri. However, don’t be too downhearted, the window of opportunity will almost certainly reopen before the end of the season.

That’s a little cynical you cry. After all he got his stint as Inter coach off to a 3-1 winning start at Bologna didn’t he?

Yes he did, but it was hardly the most convincing of victories, requiring the 81^st minute dismissal of Archimede Morleo before they could break the 1-1 deadlock.

And let’s not forget this is the same Mr Ranieri who has managed six Serie A clubs (Cagliari, Napoli, Fiorentina, Parma, Juventus and AS Roma in case you were wondering) and has just one Suppa Coppa Italia success to show for it.

Hardly the bulging medal collection that the Nerazzurri top job demands and it’s doubtful that AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is losing any sleep over his appointment.

For the record, Inter grabbed the victory in Bologna thanks to goals from Giampaolo Pazzini, Diego Milito and Brazilian centre-back Lucio.

In reply, former West Ham United striker Alessandro Diamanti scored from the spot.

OTHER SCORES

Cagliari 0-0 Udinese; Catania 1-1 Juventus; Chievo 2-1 Genoa; Lazio 0-0 Palermo; Milan 1-0 Cesena; Napoli 0-0 Fiorentina; Parma 0-1 Roma; Siena 3-0 Lecce.

Inter coach Gian Piero Gasperini

Gian Piero Gasperini may have only been in charge of Inter Milan for one Serie A fixture, but his long-term future at the San Siro has already come into question.

The coach opted to line the Nerazzurri up in an unorthodox 3-4-3 formation for the season opener against Palermo, a strategy which ultimately failed as they were beaten 4-3. What arguably raised even more eyebrows was his decision to start Wesley Sneijder, the club’s one true creative force, on the substitute’s bench.

Diego Milito, remember him?! He’s the one who had a fantastic 2010 under the guidance of Jose Mourinho before disappearing of the radar; twice put Inter in front, only to be pegged back by strikes from Fabrizio Miccoli and Abel Hernandez.

Cue the Inter collapse. The starting XI’s lack of defensive bodies was hugely exposed, with a further goal from Miccoli and a late striker from Mauricio Pinilla sealing the points for hosting Palermo.

Summer signing Diego Forlan reduced the arrears in stoppage time, assisted by a scorned Sneijder, but it was all too late for Gasperini and co.

So, what next for the man at the Inter helm? Well the 3-4-3 line-up will have to be shelved, and sharpish. Palermo’s creative midfield duo Hernandez and Josip Illicic flourished in spaces that should have been plugged by the presence of a defender.

And when fit, Sneijder starts. The Dutch international may have spent the summer flirting with Manchester United, but he has the key to unlock any defensive door, highlighted by his hand in Forlan’s late goal.

Not that this Sicily encounter was all about the Blue and Blacks. Uruguayan Hernandez showed just why he is being touted as the most natural replacement for Javier Hernandez, while veteran striker Miccoli produced deadly predatory instincts.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Reigning champions AC Milan got their title defence of to a stuttering start after being held 2-2 at home by Lazio. Miroslav Klose and Djibril Cisse put the visitors in front on debut, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Antonio Cassano hit back.

There was no dream start for the Luis Enrique as AS Roma coach, seeing his new side slip to a surprise 2-1 defeat at home to Cagliari. Daniele Conti and Moestafa El Kabir did the damage for the visitors, while Daniele de Rossi hit back for the Romans deep into stoppage time.

Juventus christened their new stadium in champagne style with four goals against Parma. Stephan Lichtsteiner, Simone Pepe, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio claimed the goals for the Old Lady, with former Juve winger Sebastian Giovinco hitting a late consolation for Parma.

OTHER SCORES

Cesena 1-3 Napoli; Catania 0-0 Siena; Chievo 2-2 Novara; Fiorentina 2-0 Bologna; Genoa 2-2 Atalanta; Lecce 0-2 Udinese

The wait is almost over, Serie A is back!

Okay, it may not possess the same glamour it once did when you’d settle down on the sofa after a Sunday roast dinner to watch James Richardson present Channel 4’s coverage of the best game that weekend. GOOOOOOLLLLLACCCIOOOOO! Those were the days.

Nevertheless, the Italian top flight returns tonight as champions AC Milan welcome Lazio to the San Siro and it promises to be an eventful, soap opera-esque nine months of action in a way only Serie A can.

Heck, we’ve already seen the opening weekend postponed due to player strikes – start as you mean to go on why don’t you!

So, to set you up for the ride, Footy Matters has assesses each teams credentials for the season ahead. Strap yourselves in!

ATALANTA  

The Black and Blues are back, but when you consider they start the season on minus six points, it’s unsurprising to learn they are many people’s favourite to head straight back to Serie B.

The Stefano Colantuono-led side have fed off the relegated side’s scraps, signing Stefano Lucchini and Andrea Masiello from Sampdoria and Bari respectively.

If Atalanta are to survive, expect striker Simone Tiribocchi to have a major influence.

BOLOGNA 

Questions have surrounded the club all summer, asking what direction Bologna are heading in. Some fear a difficult season ahead with relegation anticipated.

Well here are three words that will explain why the Red and Blues will not go down. Marco Di Vaio. The striker dragged his financially crippled employers to survival last season and the striker is capable of doing the same this time around.

Back-up from the highly rated Robert Acquafresca and Gaston Ramirez would certainly help the cause.

CAGLIARI

It sounds mad to say this, but coach Massimo Ficcadenti is already under pressure – particularly when you consider that the club’s owner is the trigger happy Massimo Cellino.

Cellino thought nothing of sacking Roberto Donadoni, despite the former Italian international boosting a respectable record last season.

On the playing front, Cagliari have brought in the promising attacker Nene, but the Brazilian striker is unlikely to inspire anything more than a mid-table finish.

CATANIA

After cutting his teeth in management with AS Roma last season, Vincenzo Montella has been handed a second opportunity with Catania.

The first thing Montella will look to address is the side’s awful (and that’s being kind) away form last season.

His task should be helped by the arrival of David Suazo, while Montella’s ability to keep hold of Maxi Lopez could see the Elephants compete for a European berth.

CESENA 

There were few people happier than Footy Matters Serie A correspondent to see the newly-promoted Cesena avoid relegation at the first attempt last season.

Granted, the style of football is not what would you call attractive, but the players worked hard and ultimately got the rewards.

Adrian Mutu has now joined the club. We’re undecided whether this is a good or bad thing! Should the former Chelsea and Juventus man produce the sort of form the footballing world knows he is capable of, Cesena should have no drop zone fears this season either.

CHIEVO

The club that easily have the best nickname across Serie A – ‘The Flying Donkeys.’

And it’s no exaggeration to suggest that the Donkeys could be soaring this season. The services of striker Sergio Pellissier have been retained, while “the new Inzaghi” Alberto Paloschi has joined on loan from AC Milan. Chievo fans’ will be hoping the youngster is more Filippo than Simone.

FIORENTINA 

The Viola’s report card last season would have read ‘D minus, could do better’.

Should Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men endure another stop-start season, the coach’s days could well be numbered.

But we’re tipping Fiorentina to be a success this season. Why? Well the club have players like Ricardo Montolivo, Stevan Jovetic, Juan Vargas and Alberto Gilardino. Surely that lot cannot underperform for the second campaign in succession, can they?

GENOA

If Genoa are to be competitive this season, coach Alberto Malesani will need to get the best from Sebastian Frey and Miguel Veloso.

The latter failed to settle in Italy during his first season, but big things will be expected at the second attempt. Frey has come in for the erratic Eduardo and brings a huge amount of Serie A experience to the club.

INTER MILAN  

We start a new season and Inter are not the reigning champions. What? Seriously?!

Unfortunately for the Nerazzurri the experiments with coaches Rafael Benitez and Leonardo failed to pay off and the club trailed bitter rivals AC.

The future of Wesley Sneijder has finally been sorted (hooray!) and the Dutch international will remain at the San Siro (until January at least, if you believe the British press). However, he no longer has the mega-rich Samuel Eto’o to thread the ball through to and the Cameroon international’s goals will be sorely missed.

Expect a big push to bring Carlos Tevez to Italy during the transfer window. They could need him.

JUVENTUS

Easily the most disappointing team of the 2010/2011 campaign.

But fear not Juve fans, the club’s summer shopping has been rather impressive. In have come Andrea Pirlo and Mirko Vucinic from AC Milan and AS Roma respectively, while reported Arsenal target Arturo Vidal bolsters the midfield ranks in what could be one of the purchases of the season.

LAZIO

Edy Reja guided Lazio to a fifth place finish last season and has been allowed to improve his squad further this year – big things could be happening with the Sky Blues.

Strikers Miroslav Klose and Djibril Cisse have been signed, while Lorik Cana will stamp his authority on the midfield, something that was missing from the club’s engine room last season. Champions League football is a real possibility for the start of next season.

LECCE

Lecce are Italy’s  yo-yo club, dropping to Serie B and rising back up to Serie A on a regular basis.

The club could quite easily have fallen through the trap door last season, but survived with a good set of results towards the end of the season.

Whether they survive this time around remains to be seen, but a player to watch comes in the form of Rodney Strasser, a midfielder signed from AC Milan.

AC MILAN

After seven long years of waiting, AC Milan finally regained the Scudetto last season – and deservedly so.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri has not rested on his laurels though, acquiring the likes of Philippe Mexes, Alberto Aquilani, Taye Taiwo and Antonio Nocerino.

Signings of such proven Serie A quality (minus the untried Taiwo) leave Milan as favourites to win the title for the second campaign in succession.

NAPOLI

Some believe that Napoli were punching way above their weight last season with a third place finish, achieving a spot in this season’s Champions League in the process.

Although the squad has not been improved too greatly in terms of numbers, the signing of Gokhan Inler from Udinese could prove to be a masterstroke. And any team that possesses the clinical instincts of Edinson Cavani will always pose a threat to the opposition.

Will be interesting to see how the club cope with the demands of Champions League football.

NOVARA

Who? Although this may be slightly disrespectful, it seems a perfectly valid question!

Novara have been absent from the Italian top flight for 55 years, but after two straight promotions – here they are again!

So what can we tell you about the new boys? If truth be told, not a lot! With very little done in the transfer market to bring in Serie A quality, a long, hard season awaits.

PALERMO

It wouldn’t be a pre-season at Palermo without some form of drama, and the Sicilians didn’t disappoint again!

Coach Delio Rossi has been fired (again) and replaced by Stefano Pioli (good luck!). On the playing front the club have lost the influence of the league’s brightest prospects Javier Pastore, who has joined PSG, but Josip Illicic still remains.

Will be bottom of the top half.

PARMA

How Parma didn’t get relegated last season is anybody’s guess! For long periods the club look destined for Serie B, but somehow they dug themselves out of the darkest hole.

If they start the season how they finished the last one, Parma will be a comfortable mid-table outfit this time around.

Big things are expected from Sebastian Giovinco this year, let’s hope the little man doesn’t disappoint.

AS ROMA

Without trying to sound biased, we are more excited by the incomings at Roma more than any other club!

Firstly, the manager Luis Enrique brings with him a sense of intrigue, while the signing of Bojan up front is potentially mouthwatering. Add to that the addition of Gago from Real Madrid and Roma could be back among the big boys for the first time in nearly ten years.

SIENA

Back at the first time of asking, newly-promoted Siena will be hoping to extend their stay this time around.

The club have made the astute signings of Gaetano D’Agostino and Daniele Mannini from relegated Sampdoria to bolster the ranks ahead of the anticipated survival a fight.

Unfortunately, it’s a fight that may well prove too tough.

UDINESE

So, you finish fourth last season. What’s next, a big push to challenge for the title surely?

Well that’s were your wrong as Udinese decided to sell their best players, although the players in question wished to leave so you can hardly blame the club. Out have gone Alexis Sanchez, Gokhan Inler and Cristian Zapata, while the replacements have been nowhere near that ilk.

A mid-table season awaits.

Serie A correspondent Liam Apicella rounds up an entertaining season in Italy’s top flight by selecting the best and worst of the previous nine months.

PLAYER OF THE SEASON:

Edinson Cavani – Napoli

He may have fallen two goals short of claiming the title of Serie A’s leading goalscorer, but Edinson Cavani’s influence on Napoli’s season simply cannot be ignored.

His 26 league goal contribution - 44% of the Partenopei’s total goals over 38 matches - was a large factor behind the club’s pursuit (albeit unsuccessful) of the Scudetto.

The quality of Cavani’s strikes were there for all to admire, but what’s even more impressive was the timing of his interventions. A handful of late winners, accompanied by a selection of hat-trick impacts meant there could only be one winner of this award.

Honourable Mention: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan) Marco Di Vaio (Bologna) Alexis Sanchez (Udinese) Antonio Di Natale (Udinese)

GOAL OF THE SEASON

Alexis Sanchez – Udinese

If there was a goal that epitomised all the qualities of Alexis Sanchez this season, then it is the Chilean’s wonder strike against Cagliari.

The reported Manchester City target acquired possession just inside his own half, before proceeding to wrong-foot defenders and goalkeeper alike to slide the ball into an empty net.

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Honourable Mention: Edinson Cavani (Napoli v Lecce), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli v AC Milan)

GAME OF THE SEASON

Napoli 4-3 Lazio

One of those matches that helped Cavani claim our player of the season award. Heading into this encounter, both sides still had an interest in wrestling top spot away from Milan.

Visiting Lazio led 2-0 and 3-1, only for goals from Andrea Dossena and a treble from Uruguayan Cavani saw all three points remain in Naples.

And if that wasn’t enough there was also a red card handed out to Lazio defender Giuseppe Biava.

Honourable Mention: AC Milan 4-4 Udinese; Inter Milan 5-3 AS Roma

MANAGER OF THE SEASON

Massimiliano Allegri – AC Milan

It may appear easy to select the manager of the champions for this award, but Allegri has done a fantastic job in the Milan hotseat. Let’s not forget, this is a club that had not won the league for the previous seven seasons.

The coach also had to use all his skills to deal with a number of egos in the dressing room, with the likes Robinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Antonio Cassano all having caused upset at previous clubs.

Honourable Mention: Francesco Guidolin (Udinese)

POOREST MANAGERIAL PERFORMANCE

Luigi Del Neri – Juventus

For a club the size of Juventus not to be playing European football is quite frankly a disaster. But after a season under the stewardship of Del Neri, that is exactly the position that the Old Lady find themselves ahead of the new campaign.

Unsurprisingly, Del Neri paid the full price, being sacked by the board and replaced by former Juve midfielder Antonio Conte.

BEST SIGNING

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – AC Milan

After a largely unsuccessful spell with Barcelona, Ibrahimovic returned to Italy to do what he does best – win the Scudetto.

The lanky Swede claimed 14 league goals to make him an instant hero with the red and black half of Milan following a three year trophy-laden stint with rivals Inter.

WORST SIGNING

Adriano – AS Roma

The controversial Brazilian striker’s Roma career lasted just seven months and five matches. During that time the centre forward, who continually struggled with his weight, failed to find the net.

His impact was such that he is now playing for Corinthians back in his homeland.

TEAM OF THE SEASON

What was your memorable moments of the season? Disagree with anything? Either way, have your say below!

]]> http://www.footymatters.com/articles/world-leagues/serie-a/footy-matters-serie-a-awards-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.footymatters.com/articles/world-leagues/serie-a/serie-a-round-up-week-38-bari-head-for-serie-b-in-style/ http://www.footymatters.com/articles/world-leagues/serie-a/serie-a-round-up-week-38-bari-head-for-serie-b-in-style/#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 14:08:17 +0000 Liam Apicella http://www.footymatters.com/?p=6886

BOLOGNA 0-4 BARI

No, do not refresh this page. Relegated Bari actually scored four goals away from home in what will be their last Serie A fixture for 12 months at least.

Visiting Bari may have only racked up 24 points this season, but young striker Francesco Grandolfo has given the Cockerels reasons to be cheerful ahead of the new campaign.

On his first start in a league fixture, the 18-year-old bagged a hat-trick while Norwegian Erik Huseklepp struck late to ensure Bari signed off their dismal league campaign in style.

For hosts Bologna it brought an end to a dismal run of results, having lost six of their final eight encounters.

UDINESE 0-0 AC MILAN

The performance may not live long in the memory, but Udinese’s scoreless draw with champions AC Milan was enough to secure Champions League football at the Stadio Friuli next season.

It was the home side that came the closest on two occasions, both of which fell to leading goalscorer Antonio Di Natale.

The Italian struck the post with a free-kick, while also seeing goalkeeper Marco Amelia turn away his 74^th minute spot kick after Clarence Seedorf had fouled Alexis Sanchez inside the area.

LECCE 2-4 LAZIO

Udinese’s point meant that even a victory for Lazio would see them fall short of Champions League qualification.

Nevertheless, the Aquile remained professional to the end, comfortably disposing of ten-men Lecce.

Lazio’s Tommaso Rocchi and Mauro Zarate twice fired their side in front during the first half, only to see those advantages pegged back by Manuel Coppola and Ignacio Piatti.

Zarate once again put the away side in front, this time from the penalty spot. Lecce’s Massimiliano Benassi was also sent off for a foul on Rocchi which led to the penalty being awarded.

The scoring was rounded off just past the hour mark, with home defender Giuseppe Vives putting the ball into his own net.

The victory means Lazio finish level on points with Udinese, but their inferior head-to-head record means they finish in fifth position.

JUVENTUS 2-2 NAPOLI

Seventh-place Juventus came from behind on two occasions to claim a point against Champions League qualifiers Napoli.

Midfielders Christian Maggio and Cristiano Lucarelli got themselves on the scoresheet for Napoli, while Juve’s goalscoring duo were Giorgio Chiellini and Alessandro Matri.

INTER MILAN 3-1 CATANIA

There were few shrewder January transfer deals than Leonardo’s decision to take Giampaolo Pazzini to Inter Milan.

The Italian frontman has scored on a regular basis for the Nerazzurri and added another two in this encounter at the San Siro.

Japanese midfielder Yuto Nagatomo added Inter’s third, while Pablo Ledesma claimed a late consolation for 13^th placed Catania.

The three points means runners up Inter finish the campaign six points adrift of champions and city rivals AC.

AS ROMA 3-1 SAMPDORIA

In what could prove to be Vincenzo Montella’s final game in charge of Roma, his players run out comfortable victors over relegated Sampdoria.

It was actually demoted Samp that took the lead courtesy of Daniele Mannini, but veteran Francesco Totti levelled up proceedings before the break.

After the break it was all about the home side, and further goals from front pairing Mirko Vucinic and Marco Borriello saw the Romans finish the season on a high note.

PALERMO 1-3 CHIEVO

Hosts Palermo appeared to have next week’s Coppa Italia final with Inter Milan on their mind during this encounter with Chievo.

All looked to be going well for Delio Rossi’s men when Antonio Nocerino fired them in front after 14 minutes.

However, Sergio Pellissier levelled up the scores before the break, while further goals from Kevin Constant and Nico Pulzetti ensured the points would be heading back to Verona.

GENOA 3-2 CESENA

Mid-table Genoa raced into a three goal half-time lead thanks to a double from Antonio Floro Flores and a strike courtesy of Rodrigo Palacio.

Visiting Cesena did mount a comeback after the break and goals from Erjon Bogdani and Luis Jimenez made for a nervous second half for all connected with Genoa.

However, Cesena were unable to find an equaliser at it was Genoa who eventually prevailed.

BRESCIA 2-2 FIORENTINA

A late goal from Pietro Accardi denied Fiorentina the chance to bow out the season with a victory.

Juan Vargas and Alessio Cerci twice put the Florence based club in front, while Brescia’s other goal of the afternoon came from Citadin Eder.

CAGLIARI 1-1 PARMA

With both sides simply happy to have secured their status as a Serie A club, this fixture had a real final day feel to it.

Parma took the lead via former Manchester City centre forward Valeri Bojinov, but that strike was cancelled out in the 55^th minute thanks to an own goal from Rolf Feltscher.

Sampdoria skipper Angelo Palombo

SAMPDORIA 1-2 PALERMO

Two decades ago Sampdoria were competing at the top end of Serie A, while also contesting for European honours.

Fast forward to the present day and this latest loss at home to Palermo has seen Samp relegated to Serie B.

Fabrizio Miccoli put the visitors in front in first half stoppage time, only for the Blues to grab a lifeline in the 49^th minute courtesy of former Inter Milan midfielder Jonathan Biabiany.

News of other results going against Samp soon filtered through to Stadio Luigi Ferraris, and with the Blucerchiati pushing forward in search of a goal, they were hit with a sucker punch four minutes from time.

Abel Hernandez picked out Mauricio Pinilla inside the area and the midfielder calmly lifted the ball into the roof of the net to send Samp crashing down to Italy’s second tier.

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BARI 0-2 LECCE

Samp’s relegation was only made possible thanks to Lecce’s victory over already doomed Bari.

A second half strike from Neves Jeda and an own goal from Andrea Masiello put the away side five points clear of Samp with just one round of fixtures remaining.

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PARMA 1-0 JUVENTUS

Former Juventus attacker Sebastian Giovinco came back to haunt his old club with the only goal of the game to help lift Parma into mid-table.

Francesco Modesto teed up the pint-sized midfielder, who made no mistake from inside the area.

The loss means Juve have little chance of claiming European football next season.

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CATANIA 2-1 AS ROMA

Hosts Catania ended Roma’s hopes of playing in next season’s Champions League with this narrow win.

The away side actually took a first half lead through Simone Loria, but this was pegged back with 12 minutes remaining courtesy of Gonzalo Bergessio.

And with stoppage time approaching Alejandro Gomez struck from close range to give Doni in goal no chance.

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AC MILAN 4-1 CAGLIARI

Scudetto winners Milan celebrated last week’s success in style with a thumping victory over Cagliari.

The champions were three goals to good after just 35 minutes thanks to two strikes from Robinho and Gennaro Gattuso.

Andrea Cossu pulled a goal back for the visitors shortly before the break, but Milan’s three goal advantage was restored in the 77^th minute thanks to Clarence Seedorf.

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CHIEVO 0-2 UDINESE

Udinese tightened their grip on the final Champions League spot with this win over mid-table Chievo.

The Friuli took the lead in the 28^th minute through Mauricio Isla and the points were sealed 15 minutes from time thanks to midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah.

A win for next week over AC Milan will see Udinese secure Champions League football.

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LAZIO 4-2 GENOA

Waiting to pounce on any mistake made by Udinese are fifth place Lazio.

Lazio’s Giuseppe Biava and Genoa’s Rodrigo Palacio traded early strikes before Tommaso Rocchi put the home side in front just after the restart.

After this it was all about Brazilian attacker Hernanes who bagged a brace in the 55^th and 66^th minute.

Cagliari striker Antonio Floro Flores pulled one a goal back in the final minute, but it did little to change the outcome.

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NAPOLI 1-1 INTER MILAN

Third hosted second in this encounter, with neither side able to claim they did enough to secure all three points.

Inter striker Samuel Eto’o put the visitors in front in superb style, only to see that advantage pegged back on the stroke of half-time via Juan Zuniga.

The point guarantees that Leonardo’s Inter will finish the season in second spot.

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FIORENTINA 1-1 BOLOGNA

Both sides ended this match with a goal apiece and ten-men each.

Fiorentina’s goal came from Alessio Cerci, while their red card victim was Per Kroldrup.

Visiting Bologna found the net from Gaston Ramirez and the same player was later handed his marching orders.

Veteran striker Marco Di Vaio wasted an opportunity to hand his side all three points, missing from the spot after 55 minutes.

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CESENA 1-0 BRESCIA

A striker from Emanuele Giaccherini on the hour mark ensured Cesena preserved their status as a Serie A club.

Opponents Brescia were already relegated heading into this match.

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