This week’s round of Serie A games wasn’t exactly full of outstanding team performances. Napoli scored four but still managed to concede twice to relegation-threatened Lecce, Juventus and Milan recorded routine victories against struggling opposition and Bologna took three valuable points from Siena. On paper, Fiorentina’s 3-0 win over Roma seems the weekend’s most notable performance, but there was more to this game than met the eye. Both teams were in need of a win. New Viola coach Delio Rossi […]
Tomorrow’s encounter at the Etihad stadium will prove to be one of Manchester City’s most important in its recent history, needing a win against an already-through Bayern Munich side as winners of Group A. Eyes in Manchester will also been on the Villarreal-Napoli tie where a Napoli win would eliminate the Citizens from the competition; otherwise, their Champions League adventure will be over with the Europa League beckoning. On the previous matchday, Bayern eased past a sinking Villarreal side on […]
There are multiple story lines that could be woven into a discussion on Napoli’s win over Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday. The partenopei, an average club paying average wages to a relatively small squad, defeated the oil-sheik’s wealthy play toys. On a broader level, the team from the inferior Serie A beat the club from the best league in the world to take second place in Group A. And on a much narrower level, Edinson Cavani, who’d […]
Gazzetta dello Sport Juve, you can do it! - Operation Scudetto - Assault for Montolivo Antonio, come here and let me hug you Napoli - Mazzarri against Mancini: “We need a super game” Inter - Ranieri charged up: “I’ve noticed new air. Immediately into the last 16” Denis, a saint and a diet: “That’s how I score at Atalanta” Tuttosport Del Piero: “Joy and suffering” Here comes Cassano again! Napoli want to achieve Ranieri: “Double standards with Inter” Toro chase […]
The number if Italians plying their trade abroad is steadily increasing. Yet despite this, there wasn’t a single Italian named on the Balon ‘dor short list last week. In one way this isn’t entirely surprising given the common disregard Serie A is held in nowadays. Since the hey-day of the last 80′s early 90’s, financial resources of Italian Serie A clubs have decreased significantly. The world’s top players are more likely to play in Spain’s primera for clubs like Real […]
Italy and Uruguay face off in just a few hours, and, providing the two sides don’t resort to the type of defense necessary in a match termed a “friendly”, this one promises a bit of excitement. Think about it: Mario Balotelli and Luis Suarez on the same pitch, facing off against each other. The possibilities for an epic showdown involving biting, kicking, tantrums and possibly a choreographed dance routine featuring ribbons, darts and balloon is immense. Now, if you’ve come […]
by serieaweekly guest writer Matthew Coccoluto This Sunday will see Juventus travel to the San Paolo to take on Napoli and as always there are some interesting story lines coming into this matchup. Juventus are coming off a strong win against Inter last weekend and are hoping to remain the leagues only unbeaten team. Napoli on the other hand have hit a bit of a slump, winning only one game in their last four league matches. To add to Napoli’s […]
Seven wins, 27 goals, a comeback of the decade and only one nil-nil draw in sight: last week’s round of Serie A action was a far cry from the previous week’s stalemates. A Kevin-Prince Boateng hattrick helped Milan to a 4-goal turnaround at Lecce, Inter squeezed past Chievo and Lazio crept into second, but the real story came at the Friuli. Udinese took full advantage of Juventus’ slip against Genoa with a 3-0 walkover of Novara that sees the Zebrette […]
Gazzetta dello Sport Juve relief The new stadium which opened the season is under investigation Del Piero teases: “Agnelli reminded me that my contract is expiring” What a strike from Udinese! Atletico KO Galliani-UEFA: “Risk of collapse in rankings” Inter mission, they chase goal at San Siro Hero De Sanctis: “This Napoli won’t give up anything” Tuttosport Juve Surprise inquiry into the new stadium Saturday match against Genoa was at risk inspector arrives at Juve HQ Benatia+Floro Flores, Udinese celebrate […]
The first game of the weekend is nearly upon us in Florence where Fiorentina will take on a resurgent Catania side. After a slow start to their season southerners Catania have achieved noticeable results especially the brilliant 2-1 home victory over Inter Milan last Saturday. Obviously manager Vincenzo Montella will be looking to have his squad continue their run by shooting for another victory in Florence. In taking Inter to the sword, the former Roma manager-player relied upon goalscorers Sergio […]
Champions AC Milan are back to their brilliant best after an utterly dominant 3-0 victory against Palermo. Massimiliano Allegri stated prior to the match that Milan had to “get three points” above all else, but what he got was far more important. Accomplished performances from the midfield new boys Nocerino and Alberto Aquilani, a stunning comeback from Brazilian Robinho, doubts over Antonio Cassano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s commitments to the long term future thoroughly dispelled and above all else a champions […]
It’s official, qualifying for the European Championships in the Ukraine and Poland next summer is over, well almost. 240 games have been played by 51 national teams across 403 days with 648 goals scored. So far the tournament has 12 sides confirmed, Italy topped group C and finally we can get on with a few weeks of uninterrupted domestic football; about bloody time. Domestic fans of Serie-A have had to suck on a trio of postponements with two international breaks […]
