Many Milan fans are very excited that Galliani and Berluscni have finally heard their pleas and cries and signed players who could win them trophies. There is no doubt that the Rossoneri are looking very strong on all fronts this season, however, before writing off other teams, it is important to note that Inter Milan, Juventus, AS Roma and the chasing pack of Napoli, Palermo, Sampdoria Fiorentina, Genoa and Lazio won’t yield the title to Milan or any other team for that matter without a fight.
From the category archives:
Napoli
The Italian Serie A season gets underway this weekend after a 3 month break with some very mouth watering fixtures key among them being the Udinese v Genoa, Fiorentina v Napoli and Sampdoria v Lazio matches.
This will however not be like any other previous season as the strategic buying that most clubs employed means that the league will be more competitive than previously thought. A good example would have to be Juventus.
While Inter still remain as favourites to repeat their epic treble, the Bianconeri cannot be ruled out especially after acquiring some very talented players. Milos Krasic, Simone Pepe and Leonardo Bonucci are just a few of these players.
According to most people, Roma is still the only team that can challenge Inter for the scudetto. Sure,Inter are the favourites to defend the Serie A title again, however, Milan, Juventus, Fiorentina, Sampdoria Napoli and Genoa cannot be ruled out.
The Giallorosso threw away their comfortable lead in the dying stages of last season to see rivals Inter pip them to their record breaking 5th straight scudetto. The Romans have been largely quiet in the transfer market with only the signings of a few players and if reports emerging from the capital are to be believed, then Roma fans have reason to smile as their towering striker Julio Baptista has apparently turned down a 14 million Euro transfer to Turkish club Galatasary.
Little is known about Naples based club Napoli. With such a strong footballing tradition, Napoli are somewhat considered perennial under-achievers in the Serie A.
The two time Serie A champions have also remain largely quiet in the summer transfer season. Finishing 6th in the league last season. Napoli are looking to consolidate their performance by acquiring Bayern Munich midfiedler Jose Sosa.
The club was evidently made famous by one of the World’s greatest players Diego Maradona and this is probably the major reason why many including myself can identify with the it.
Milan superstar Ronaldinho Gaucho turns 30 today and the perfect gift would be for his team AC Milan to gain the top spot in the Italian Serie A. Ronaldinho who has been in superb form for the Rossoneri this season is very confident that his side can pip arch rivals Inter today to top the league.
Milan play Napoli at the San Siro in a match that could decide who lifts the scudetto in May. With 10 games left to play, Dinho has said that his side will be playing each game like a final.
Nickname(s): The Blues
All-Time Ranking: 9th
2007/2008 Finish: 8th
2008/2009 Position (as of 04/07): 11th
Coach: Roberto Donadoni
Key Players: Paolo Cannavaro, German Denis, Ezequiel Lavezzi
History:
Founded in 1904, Napoli has spent most of its existence in Italy’s top flight. The squad won the league title twice at the end of the 1980s and hasn’t had much success since. Though they are the ninth most successful side in Serie A history, they are the winningest team in the nation’s southern region, so they have a large, dedicated fan base.
Serie A outfits Udinese and Juventus are set to compete against each other in league action today. The Old Lady – currently second in the league – sits 20 points ahead of Udinese which occupies the 14th slot.
Samba striker Amauri leads Juventus with 11 goals. Antonio Di Natale paces Udinese with nine.
The match will be played at the Stadio Friuli in Udine. Udinese recently signed Finnish midfielder Sakari Mattila. The 19-year-old could factor today. He joins Finnish national team midfielder Roman Eremenko at the Italian side.
Also on tap today in Serie A action:
Roma launched 22 shots today, six on goal at the Stadio Olimpico as the outfit continues to climb back into next season’s European discussion. Francesco Totti’s second-half goal ensured a 1-0 victory; it was the club’s third straight win over Fiorentina in Rome.
The Giallorossi now sit 14th in the Serie A table, but only six points out of a UEFA Cup bid. Roma has won three straight — a 1-0 win versus Lazio in the Rome derby and then last weekend’s 3-0 away win at Lecce.
Fiorentina now have five away defeats on the year.
After eleven Serie A matches, Napoli is tied with AC Milan on 23 points and is only one point behind first place Internazionale.
The Partenopei have used a strong defense and timely goals thus far. Goalkeeper Gennaro Iezzo recorded four saves in his shutout victory over Sampdoria on Sunday.
In the 2-0 victory, goals came from Daniele Mannini and substitute Marcelo Zalayeta. Zalayeta, the 29-year-old Uruguayan, has scored two goals in eight league appearances. Fellow Uruguayan, Walter Gargano, has also played a pivotal role for Napoli. The 24-year-old midfielder arrived in 2007.
Of the eight, AC Milan vs. Lazio appears to be the marquee match-up. With AC Milan invested in successful Serie A and UEFA Cup campaigns, Lazio has an opportunity to surprise the Italian giants. Also on tap are:
Internazionale vs. Genoa, Roma vs. Bologna, Sampdoria vs. Empoli, Udinese vs. Reggina, Fiorentina vs. Torino, Napoli vs. Salernitana, and Juventus vs. Catania.
Serie B sides include Salernitana and Empoli. Empoli was relegated from Serie A last season leaving Salernitana as the lone Cinderalla at the dance. Salernitana won promotion to Serie B last season after capturing the Serie C title.
Who will advance?
