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PREVIEW: Week 21 - Twenty First Round Serie A Saturday, February 2 and Sunday, February 3
Week 21 of the Italian Soccer Serie A TIM is full of intrigue. Why?
Though Inter suffered a major upset when getting a draw with Udinese last week, they still remain the top leaders. Problem here is that If Inter slow dows, and Roma speed up, we might have both teams in number one because there are only 5 points difference between them.
Adding more suspense, there is the battle for the third and fourth position. Fiorentina and Milan fighting for the fourth position will play this Sunday. However, the battle for the third position also is between Fiorentina and Juventus.
Here is my PREVIEW for the Twenty First Round of the Italian Soccer Serie A. What are your predictions?
Palermo - AS Livorno
Serie A Standing: Palermo 9th position, 25 points
AS Livorno 13th position, 21 points
|
Position |
Team |
Points |
|
1 |
FC Inter |
50 |
|
2 |
AS Roma |
45 |
|
3 |
FC Juventus |
40 |
|
4 |
Fiorentina |
37 |
|
5 |
Udinese |
33 |
|
6 |
AC Milan |
30 |
|
7 |
Sampdoria |
28 |
|
8 |
Atalanta |
26 |
|
9 |
Palermo |
25 |
|
10 |
Genoa |
25 |
|
11 |
Napoli |
24 |
|
12 |
Catania |
23 |
|
13 |
AS Livorno |
21 |
|
14 |
:Lazio |
20 |
|
15 |
Parma |
19 |
|
16 |
Torino |
18 |
|
17 |
Reggina |
18 |
|
18 |
AC Siena |
17 |
|
19 |
Empoli |
16 |
|
20 |
Cagliari |
13 |
Coming both teams from losing last week, you bet this will be a tough match in the Renzo Barbera stadium.
Point is that Palermo Coach Francesco Guidolin, who replaced coach Stefano Colantuono, has not found winning strategies for Palermo in 2008. What make you believe that the growing Livorno cannot do the miracle to beat Palermo in their home stadium just like Siena did?
Well, maybe Palermo can smile with the return of Leandro Rinaudo who was suspended. Problem for Palermo is that almost 7 players already have a yellow card! Will Federico Balzaretti, the new signing from Fiorentina be the solution for a stronger Palermo?
Best strategy for Palermo will be to find a strong connection among their strikers Fabrizio Miccoli, Amauri and Edison Cavani. A match is won with goals, right? So, it is time for these strikers to start kicking the ball with power.
A disadvantage for Livorno Coach Giancarlo Camolese is his "walking hospital." Midfielders Martin Bergvold and Giuliano Giannichedda are injured. In addition to the suspension of Daniele de Vezze. This represents a major problem for Livorno in the midfield. To make matters worst, Francesco Volpe is also injured. Talking about bad luck!
Good news is the recovery of Antonio Filippini and Vidigal. Without many options, Nico Pulzetti might has a chance to be in the starting lineup along Filippini and Vidigal.
So, hope for Livorno relies on Albanian striker Erjon Bogdani and Francesco Tavano in attack.
My prediction: PALERMO
NAPOLI - UDINESE
Serie A Standing: Napoli 11th position, 24 points
Udinese 5th position, 33 points
A battle of the dynamic duo strikers
Lavezzi and Zalayeta versus Di Natale and Quagliarella
Apart from Napoli Coach Edy Reja survival or the final blow for his sacking, this is match where strikers will be tested. Sure, Udinese forwards Antonio Di Natale and Fabio Quagliarella are great, but also Ezequiel Lavezzi and Zalayeta. It is the honor for Udinese to redeem the embarassing defeat in their stadium when Napoli beat Udinese 5 -0 in Week 2. Ouch! They are still hurting.
Udinese just lost against Catania this Wednesday in the Quarterfinals of the Coppa Italia TIM. I don't think they are ready to lose again and lose precious points to remain the UEFA zone. However, Napoli will not waste this chance to show Udinese who is daddy! It took Napoli 20 years to beat Udinese! Ironically, after this deafeat, Udinese grew stronger while Napoli never experienced again an away victory!
This is why I think the match will be decided by the strongest and effective duo strikers. If Udinese relies on "lucky charms," then, history says that they have not lose in Napoli's stadium San Paolo since 1996! Will this mean a third consecutive victory and the BYE BYE of Napoli coach Edy Reja? Reja has only earned 3 miserable points from 15!!!!!
Well, it will require concentration for Antonio Di Natale, Fabio Quagliarella and Antonio Floro Flores to defend Udinese after they were born in Napoli.At least, Quagliarella says to be highly motivated for this match. Missing this match is Giadomenico Mesto, Gianpiero Pinzi, and Raffaele de Marino for injuries. Gyan Asamoah, another key player for Udinese is also out because he is playing the African Cup of Nations.
Can Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik prove a key player? Good news for Napoli is the return of Manuele Balsi from his one match ban.
My prediction: Udinese
Sunday, February 3, 2008 Week 21 - Italian Serie A Twenty first round
FIORENTINA - AC MILAN
Serie A Standing: Fiorentina 4th position, 37points
AC Milan 6th position, 30 points
BATTLE FOR THE 4th PLACE
This is a tough match for the 4th place. Fiorentina already in the 4th position is followed closely by Udinese with 33 points and Milan with 30 points and missing one match. Why is the fourth position so important for Milan? Hello, excuse me, Milan the current UEFA Champions League champion need to be among the top 4 teams to defend the title next year! You get it now? Milan, who has had a disappointed season in the Serie A, is desperate to win all remaining matches to reach at least the 4th position.
On the other hand, Fiorentina after losing at HOME, yes, you heard it right. Fiorentina lost this Wednesday against Lazio in the Coppa Italia TIM Quarterfinals, must lift their morale and win at home. Problem is that MILAN is no "chiquita banana team." Milan despite winning yesterday for 1 goal against Reggina for the recovered Week 15, is coming with all their might to Fiorentina and grasp those 3 precious points.
Last time these two teams played, they ended up with a 2-2 draw in the Artemio Franchi. Yet, in the current season, FIORENTINA beat Milan in San Siro right after Milan won the UEFA SUPER CUP. Challenge will be for Fiorentina Cesare Prandelli to draw the winning strategy and for players to execute it to perfection. Otherwise, it will be up to AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti to bring back the Brazilian Italian trio KA PA GI (Gi meaning Gilardino), instead of the pure Brazilian trio KA PA RO (Kaka, Pato, Ronaldo).
More than Ronaldo, I think Ancelotti should use striker Alberto Gilardino who is motivated after scoring the winning goal against Reggina. Besides, Ronaldo is coming from injury, Gilardino is hurt after seeing his position taken by the young PATO.Prandelli has a great striker, ex-Inter and ex AC Milan Christian BOBO Vieri, who along Romanian Adrian Mutu might destroy Milan's defense! In this case, Milan better have a fit Alessandro Nesta and Kaladze to form Milan's wall and block Mutu-Vieri, or the tridenti Mutu-Santana-Pazzini.
Problem for Prandelli is the suspension of Marco Donadel. Yet, this might not be a great issue. Most likely, Prandelli will use his 4-3-3 formation with Mutu-Pazzini-Santana in the attack. In the midfield, Prandelli might of for Fabio Liverani and Riccardo Montolivo.
Problem for Milan coach Ancelotti are the absence for injuries of Super Pippo Inzaghi, Serginho, Marek Jankulovski and Ronaldo. Good news is the possible return of Captain Paolo Maldini and goalkeeper Nelson Dida might play too instead of Zeljko Kalac. So, I assume Ancelotti will play his Christmas tree formation 4 -3-2-1. If Ancelotti uses this formation, then, the lone striker might be PATO instead of Gilardino. However, depending on the result, Gilardino might come as a sub. Well, or the other way around.
My prediction: AC MILAN
FC Inter - EMPOLI
Serie A Standing: FC Inter 1st position, 50 points
Empoli 19th position, 16 points
Are you among the "FEW" who think Empoli might beat the Almighty Inter?hey, if EMPOLI beat Inter, they might be crowned "SAINTS"
It is hard to believe that Inter Coach Roberto Mancini will slow down and risk losing their lead. Sure, Inter struggled in the las t 2 matches with draws against Udinese and Juventus. However, just yesterday, Inter eliminated Juventus in the Coppa Italia Quarterfinals.
Empoli is full of problems! They are only 1 seat away from the last position. On top of that, Empoli has not won since December! Still believe that Empoli can beat Inter? Let me tell you, I really doubt it. Although, everyone will be happy if they do it, especially Roma, Juventus, and Fiorentina.
Distance between Inter and Roma are shortening. The race for the Scudetto between Inter and Roma are of only 5 points. If Inter lose, there will be only 2 points difference. Still, I doubt Inter can lose against Empoli and at home!
I really don't see a problem for Inter coach Roberto Mancini, with the exception of the suspension of Cesar. Inter's bench is almost the "main team." They are all top players! So, Luis Jimenez most likely will take his place.
Hope for Empoli coach Alberto Malesani is the awakening of striker Nicola Pozzi. May God protect Empoli from the powerful strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Julio Cruz.
My prediction: FC Inter
AC SIENA - AS ROMA
Serie A Standing: AC Siena 18th position, 17 points
AS Roma 2nd position, 45 points
Just like Inter, Roma the main contenders for the Scudetto have technically easy matches.
It is almost unthinkable that Siena could beat Roma when Roma knows how closely they are from reaching Inter. Besides, Roma is motivated after beating Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia Quarterfinals Second Leg yesterday. Challenge here is more for Siena Coach Mario Berretta than for Roma coach Luciano Spalletti. Siena are already in the relegation zone, a defeat can take them to the 19th position. However, the 19th position belongs to Empoli who will be playing against Inter. Most likely, the last three position of the Serie A will not change.
It will be a disaster for Roma to lose or get a draw. Siena coach Mario Berretta might give an upset to the Roma gladiators. If Berretta could motivate his team enough to believe in a victory, you might start reading the headlines "SIENA BEAT ROMA." Though, that is almost an impossible headline if considering that Siena have won only once in their home stadium. True, Siena was not easy to beat when playing against Inter. This might hint that the "SIENA BEAT ROMA" might not be a crazy headline.
However, I rather see the headline "EMPOLI BEAT INTER," to be honest.
Roma's advantage is that they are unbeaten away! Besides, Roma has a more than motivated striker AMANTINO MANCINI!!!
Plus, Captain Francesco Totti is fit and midfielder Simone Perrotta might play too .
My prediction: AS ROMA
FC JUVENTUS - CAGLIARI
Serie A Standing: FC Juventus 3rd place, 40 points
Cagliari 20th position, 13 points
Both teams played yesterday in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals. However, Juventus was eliminated by Inter while Cagliari, who is last in the Serie A, suprisingly beat Palermo!
Despite David Trezeguet not scoring against Inter, I think the duo DEL PIERO - TREZEGUET might deliver Juve's victory.
Point is that Juventus cannot afford to lose. A defeat will only increase their distance from the second place.
If Juventus lose and Fiorentina beat AC Milan, then Fiorentina and Juventus will have 40 points. Challenge for Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri is to give a strong motivational talk to his players. Juventus already lost the chance to make history in the Coppa Italia. Now, the only competition for Juventus is the Serie A, period.
Problem for Juventus is that Cagliari is coming highly motivated after beating Palermo in the Renzo Barbiera. Their disadvantage is also the suspension of Juventus players Cristiano Zanetti, Vincenzo Iaquinta and even Guglielmo Stendardo. Talking about injuries, Saint Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon might not recover from his back injury and goalkeeper Emanuele Belardi might take his place.
Cagliari coach Davide Ballardini must improve his defense against Juve's strikers Alesandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet.
Cagliari has scored only 15 goals, conceded 37, and have a negative of 22 goals!
Hope for Cagliari is striker Alessandro Matri. Pasquale Foggia might replace suspended Davide Biondini.
My prediction: FC Juventus
REGGINA - TORINO
Serie A Standing: Reggina 17th position, 18 points
Torino 16th position, 18 points
Here is either a WIN WIN or else for any because both have the same 18 points. Yet, the challenge is for Torino coach Walter Novellino to start winning.
Reggina just lost yesterday Wednesday against AC Milan for the recovered Week 15. It seems Coach Renzo Ulivieri and Torino Coach Walter Novellino might be directing their last matches in case of losing.
Point is that Coach Novellino has failed to take "the great Torino" to their glorious time. Instead of being at least in the middle of the Serie A standing, Torino is touching the relegation zone!
Reggina disadvantage is the absence of their main striker Nicola Amoruso for injury. Most likeky, Chrisitan Stuani and Fabio Ceravolo are to take the lead. Torino also has problems with the attack because former Inter Alvaro Recoba and Nicola Ventola will miss this match. So, ex Reggina playes David Di Michele and Roberto Stellone might have the responsibility to beat their former team. Wow, that's something!
My prediction: Torino
LAZIO - SAMPDORIA
Serie A Standing: Lazio 14th position, 20 points
Sampdoria 7th position, 28 points
Here is the chance for Lazio to win at home but not with their new signing ROLANDO BIANCHI from Manchester City. Bianchi was sent off only after 5 minutes during the match with Torino!!! Point is that Lazio will need to rely not on BIANCHI, but on strikers! Yes, Lazio needs goals, period. Simply, Goran Pandev, Tommaso Rocchi, and Mauri should take Lazio by the hand if wanting this victory.
Lazio cannot afford a defeat at home because it might send them all the way to the RELEGATION ZONE. If Parma, Torino, and Reggina win their respective matches, Lazio might go down to the 17th position, touching the dreaded red area. I think is about time that Coach Delio Rossi, though a wonderful person, might start packing and let the way to another coach.
Bad news are piling in Lazio with injured players. Lorenzo De Silvestri pick up a left thigh strain, Mourad Meghni, Fabio Firmani and Luciano Zauri. Adding to De Rossi's worries is the suspension of Aleksander Kolarov. Guglielmo Stendardo no longer is with Lazio, but he moved to Juventus. Really, I don't see how Lazio might win
Sampdoria might have a chance to grasp these 3 points if striker Antonio Cassano recovers on time from his groin injury. Despite the absences of striker Vincenzo Montella and Paolo Sammarco, I think Sampdoria can beat Lazio.
My prediction: Sampdoria
PARMA - ATALANTA
Serie A Standing: Parma 15th position, 19 points
Atalanta 8th position, 26 points
My prediction: Atalanta
My predictions:
Palermo - Livorno PALERMO
Napoli - Udinese UDINESE
Fiorentina - Milan DRAW
Genoa - Catania DRAW
Inter - Empoli INTER
Juventus - Cagliari JUVENTUS
Lazio - Sampdoria SAMPDORIA
Parma - Atalanta PARMA
Reggina - Torino REGGINA
Siena - Roma ROMA
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Kenntak wow, you have 3 draws. Interesting. By the way, I was looking for your comments on the Coppa Italia quarterfinals. What do you think of ROMA - CATANIA in the semifinal?
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I only count two draws.
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Man, Anna must be going crazy seeing three, i read her comments and thought you had 3 draws man, just a curiosity why Genoa-Catania a draw, i might buy the fiorentina-milan, hopefully not. What's your take?
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Catania is playing well right now as witnessed by their Coppa run. Genoa is also playing well, but were outplayed by Milan and had some bad things happen in that game as you know. I think both teams will be fired up for the game. I noticed that a couple of people picked Catania to win, so maybe me picking a draw is not that crazy.
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Kenntak, you are on target about Catania. Surprisingly, Catania eliminated UDINESE, arguably a stronger team. I only hope DI NATALE and QUAGLIARELLA wake up and score many goals. In my case, I am for UDINESE.
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Hey, man, now is a personal challenge, i am for Genoa, though i agree Catania is improving. It will be interesting to see how we did with our predictions. Are you and your son still playing soccer?
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SORRYYYYY KENNTAK! I counted 3, my math is not working. Taking some lessons from Pietro's simple formula ha ha ha 1+1 = 2 draws.
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Thanks Anna for posting the preview, i usually expect to see it on Thursdays to give you my predictions:
Man, Kenntak is having 3 draws, that surprised me too.
Here are my predictions:
Palermo - Livorno = PALERMO
Napoli - Udinese = DRAW
Fiorentina - Milan = MILAN
Genoa - Catania = GENOA
Inter - Empoli = DRAW (might be crazy but man let me dream for a moment)
Juventus - Cagliari = JUVENTUS
Lazio - Sampdoria = SAMPDORIA
Parma - Atalanta = ATALANTA
Reggina - Torino =TORINO
Siena - Roma = ROMA
Waiting to see Milan99 predictions and who will beat who, as well as Suri's predictions with her scores, man, she is getting better. Suri predicted Inter beating Juventus in Coppa Italia, that still hurt man.
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1 draw + 1 draw = 2 draws, that's Kenntak, just corrected myself too. see you all later.
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hahahaha Pietro I'll beat you, I'm kidding you are still better than me, yeah Congrats to Suri.
Palermo - Livorno= PALERMO
Napoli - Udinese= UDINESE
Fiorentina - Milan=MILAN
Genoa - Catania= Catania(may they play well like in Coppa Italia)
Inter - Empoli=INTER
Juventus - Cagliari= JUVENTUS
Lazio - Sampdoria= SAMPDORIA
Parma - Atalanta= Atalanta
Reggina - Torino= REGGINA
Siena - Roma= ROMA
Praying...God let me beat Peitro....hahahaha I'm kidding man
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Hey,guys, here is my prediction as my heart says:
Palermo - Livorno= PALERMO for 2-1
Napoli - Udinese= Draw for 2-2
Fiorentina - Milan= DRAW for 2-2
Genoa - Catania =Catania
Inter - Empoli= INTER for 3-1
Juventus - Cagliari= JUVENTUS for 2-0
Lazio - Sampdoria = DRAW for 2-2
Parma - Atalanta= Atalanta for 1-2
Reggina - Torino= REGGINA for 1-0
Siena - Roma= ROMA for 0-3
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my dear friend Suri what am i reading here? fiorentina-milan draw? i don't even want to think about a draw, milan must win. I hope your prediction is wrong though respect it but i am MILAN FAN. We agree almost on all , naturally for ROMA.
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Hello everyone, we ALL got the first prediction right. PALERMO won. Miccoli was great and Fontana made an unstoppable save with Tavano's penalty.
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Yes Pietro but we all got Udinese vs Napoli wrong
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Let's hope we do better with the rest, keep track of your predictions girl.
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Hey, up to the second half Napoli 1 - 1 Udinese, gee, I hope Udinese win because I predicted a victory for UDINESE... only SURI is going for 2-2 draw...
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Following up with my predictions. Out of 10 matches, I've got 6 good ones. How about you guys?
Palermo - Livorno PALERMO (good)
Napoli - Udinese UDINESE (wrong)
Fiorentina - Milan = AC MILAN (good)
Genoa - Catania = GENOA (good)
Inter - Empoli INTER (good)
Juventus - Cagliari JUVENTUS (wrong)
Lazio - Sampdoria SAMPDORIA (wrong)
Parma - Atalanta = ATALANTA (good)
Reggina - Torino = TORINO (good)
Siena - Roma ROMA (wrong)
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Time to compare our predictions, Anna, milan 99, Suri and Kenntak. Here are mine, 5 out of 5:
Palermo - Livorno = PALERMO = good
Napoli - Udinese = DRAW = wrong
Fiorentina - Milan = MILAN = good
Genoa - Catania = GENOA = good
Inter - Empoli = DRAW (might be crazy but man let me dream for a moment)wrong
Juventus - Cagliari = JUVENTUS wrong
Lazio - Sampdoria = SAMPDORIA wrong
Parma - Atalanta = ATALANTA good
Reggina - Torino =TORINO good
Siena - Roma = ROMA wrong
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SO PIETRO WON'T THINK I'M GOING CRAZY HERE IT IS!!!
Palermo - Livorno= PALERMO(right)
Napoli - Udinese= UDINESE(wrong)
Fiorentina - Milan=MILAN(right)
Genoa - Catania= Catania(may they play well like in Coppa Italia)(wrong)
Inter - Empoli=INTER(right)
Juventus - Cagliari= JUVENTUS(wrong)
Lazio - Sampdoria= SAMPDORIA(wrong)
Parma - Atalanta= Atalanta(right)
Reggina - Torino= REGGINA(wrong)
Siena - Roma= ROMA(wrong)
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Oh oh... going backwards Milan99 4 good ones out of 10. Let's see how we do next week.
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Gosh Anna I got too many wrong
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Girl i beat you this time with my predictions, are we feeling happy or what
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You bet I'm SO happy for you!!!!
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