PREVIEW Week 23 SERIE A: Twenty Third Round Matchday 13 Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17

By Anna Italia

The Twenty Third Round starts with a bad news for football in general with the possible retirement for injury of AC Milan striker Ronaldo. In a different topic, controversies about Inter being favored by referees are still going on.  So, it will be interesting to see the refereeing on Inter - Livorno.
Position
   Team  
 Points
  1
 FC Inter
  56
  2
AS Roma
  48
  3
 FC Juventus
  44
  4
Fiorentina
  38
  5
AC Milan
  37
  6
Udinese
  33
  7
 Sampdoria
  31
  8
 Atalanta
  30
  9
Genoa
  29
 10
Palermo
  28
 11
 Napoli
  27
 12
Torino
  24
 13
 Lazio
  23
 14
:Catania
  23
 15
AS Livorno
  23
 16 
 AC Siena
  20
 17
Parma
  20
 18
 Empoli
  19
 19 
  Reggina
  18
 20 
  Cagliari
  15

Three coaches might be sacked: Palermo coach Francesco Guidolin, Parma Domenico Di Carlo, and Lazio Delio Rossi

Here is my PREVIEW of Week 23 - Twenty  Third Round Matchday 23.  
What are your predictions?

Saturday, February 16, 2008 - Week 23 - Twenty Third Round Serie A Matchday 23

FC JUVENTUS - AS ROMA
Serie A Standing:
  FC Juventus 3rd position, 44 points
                              AS Roma 2nd position, 48 points

This is the CLASH OF THE CLASHES!  Juventus versus Roma. Let's put it this way better: DEL PIERO v. TOTTI.    BUFFON (Italian goalkeeper) v. DONI (Brazil goalkeeper)

           

Though Roma is in the second position, it is also true that they have slow down and wasted a chance to keep a tighter distance with Inter after losing embarassingly  against 
AC Siena 3-0..  Now, there are 8 points between Inter and Roma, and only 4 points between Roma and Juventus.

If Juventus win, there will be only 1 point difference to secure the 2nd position and automatically the pass for the next UEFA Champions League. YEt, Roma is not willing to lose that space.

Talking about defense, Roma has conceded 22 goals while Juventus only 19. However, Roma has 40 goals in favor, while Juventus 42.

Roma won last week against Reggina with a 
2 - 0 score. Question is that Juventus is no Reggina. The pressure will be to the maximum and keeping cool will be an asset, especially for both captains: Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero.  How well can they motivate their teams.

Juventus coming from a superb match against Udinese beating the 
friulani 2 -1 with goals from an inspired Camoranesi and former Udinese Vincenzo Iaquinta.

A draw will not help any of the teams. Here is a WIN WIN, nothing else.  Can Roma win? Yes.  Can Juventus win? Yes. Oh well, come on, who might win. Ok, if it comes to choose, then we will say that most of the work relies on the coaches. How well do they know their rivals? Planning a strategy knowing weakest and strong points will be 50%, the other 50% depend on how the 11 players execute their strategy in the field.

Problems for Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti  is the absence of central defender Juan for injury. To make matters worst, second goalkeeper Gianluca Curci also injured. How about Totti? Is Totti fully recovered? I hope so.

Advantage for Roma is striker Amantino Mancini who seems have found the road to "goal." A problematic decision for Spalletti will be whether to include in the starting line up midfielder Simone Perrotta or Ludovic Giuly.


Problems for Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri will be to recover on time striker David Trezeguet, having some fever, and midfielder Mauro Camoranesi dealing with a minor back pain. Maybe Ranieri will go for a 4 -4-2 formation if Trezeguet is fit might start with Del Piero in the attack.

Advantage for Juve is the return of Saint Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon and striker Alessandro Del Piero.  Also, Stendardo is coming back after his 3 ban suspension. Though, not sure whether Stendardo can be a great contribution.  A dillemma will be wheter to replace midfielder Antonio Nocerino with Sissoko.  Uhm... well....

My prediction: FC Juventus  (yet, as a Juve/Roma fan I prefer a draw)


FC INTER - AS LIVORNO
Serie A Standing:
  FC Inter 1st position, 56 points 
                              AS Livorno 15th position, 23 points

Among controversies of being favored by referee decisions, Inter must clear all doubts and win convincingly, period. Right? Arguably, the last four matches were a gift for Inter based on mistakes by referee decisions. Simply, they would have lost their splendind record of victories.r has 17 victories and 5 draws, while Livorno has 5 victories, 8 draws, and 9 defeats.

While Livorno, who got a
1 -1 draw against Milan on Wednesday, either gets a draw or beat Inter to jump from the 15th position to the 12th position depending on the results of Lazio, Catania, and Torino.


Bad news for Livorno is the possible absence for injury of their striker star Francesco Tavano, who had to leave the field in teh 45th minute for Diamanti. Midfieldeers Martin Bergvold and Giuliano Giannichedda and Francesco Volpe also out for injury while David Balleri is suspended.  Advantage for Livorno is goalkeeper Amelia, second goalkeeper of the Italian National team.  Amelia seems to be energized since the victory of Italy against Portugal where he had a great match substituting Italy first goalkeeper Gigi Buffon.


Technically speaking, Inter is superior in every area and the plain favorites. However, Livorno Coach Giancarlo Camolese has proved to be an energetic strategist for LIvorno who were in the last position and now in the 15th position. 

Problem for Inter coach Roberto Mancini is a list of injured players: Maicon, Olivier Dacorut, Cesar, Walter Samuel, Dejan Stankovic and Portuguese Luis Figo. Plus, Patrick Vieira is supsended for this match after being sent off during the Empoli match. Is not sure whether midfielder Luis Jimenez will recover ontime from a muscle twinge. Does this means a broking Inter?  No. Inter has a strong bench equalizing the main starting lineup.

Advantage for Inter is their star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and also Honduran David Suazo. Special attention will be for Argentinina midfielder Esteban Cambiasso who seems to be the real motor in the field. THough, he might avoid getting a yellow card.

Cautioned players for Inter: Nicola Burdisso, Esteban Cambiasso, Christian Chivu, Ivan Cordoba.

Cautioned players for Livorno: Balleri Galante, Pavan.

My prediction: DRAW


PARMA - AC MILAN
Serie A Standing:
  Parma 17th position, 20 points 
                              AC Milan 5th position, 37 points


Milan barely recovering injured players cannot afford to lose against Parma. Milan will have a tough match after the morale of the team was shaken with news of Ronaldo being out practically for the season after  severing the tendon of his left knee during the AC Milan 1 - 1 AS Livorno. Yet, Parma also is in bad shape. Sure, they don't have to play the Champions League, as Milan must next week against Arsenal.  Can Coach Carlo Ancelotti risk losing against Parma by not selecting the key players in the starting line up?

Problem for Milan is not having the main man "Musica and Magia Boy KAKA," and "Wonder Brazilian Boy Pato." So, there is no more a Brazilian KA PA RO with all three out for this match.  If Kaka is not fully recovered from his knee problem, then, it will be risky for Ancelotti to include him for this match.  

The emotional rollercoaster will be for ex Parma star ALBERTO GILARDINO.  Gilardino moved from Parma in his glory days to AC Milan where he has never shine as he did with Parma. Since Inzaghi is not in his best shape right now, the responsibility of the attack will be for Gilardino and the young Italian sensation Alberto Paloschi.

Question is can Gilardino deal with the pressure of playing against his old team and carrying Milan's flag in a moment of crisis? The other ex Parma player is Milan defender Daniele Bonera.

Advantage for Milan is having a reliable goalkeeper with Zeljko Kalac who has earned his post. Thinking that Ancelotti preferred Kalac over DIDA for the Livorno match, raises many questions on whether DIDA continue to feel part of the main team or is he ready to move.

Problems for Parma is even major compared to Milan, who has more technical players.  Striker Cristiano Lucarelli is out for injury with a thigh problem when playing last week against Cagliari. 

Other injured players include Andrea Gasbarroni and Ferdinand Coly. To make matters really worst for Parma, is the suspension of striker Bernardo Corradi and Francesco Parravicini.  What else can go wrong for Parm?  Let's say that Parma might play with Igor Budan who had played only 4 times with the team.  Here is a big responsibility for Budan.

I have been predicting almost a month ago that Parma should sack Coach Domenico Di Carlo.  The sacking has been written on the wall. What else?  Parma is going down the tubes practically without a clear winning or recovery strategy.

Is not that Di Carlo is a bad coach, simply, he has not been able to connect his plan to the players. After all, the ones in the field are the players not the coach.

Milan and Parma have played 8 matches.  The rossoneri takes the lead 6 out of 8.  Since 2003, Milan has not lose at the EnnioTardini Stadium, having 3 wins and 1 draw. I don't think this time despite having many injured players Milan will lose this match.

There are two Milan players one booking away from suspension defenders Giuseppe Favalli and Alessandro Nesta. Parma have six players one booking away from suspension: Coly, Dessena, Falcone, Gasbarroni, Reginaldo, and Zenoni

My prediction: AC Milan

PALERMO - CAGLIARI
Serie A Standing:
  Palermo 10th position, 28 points 
                              Cagliari 20th position, 15 points


Here is one of the crucial match for Palermo coach Francesco Guidolin with practically a written sign on his forehead "TO BE SACKED."  Cagliari already sacked Nedo Sonetti and the chance is for coach Davide Ballardini. Question is will he do the miracle for Cagliari to remain in the Serie A?

A victory can see Palermo going from the 10th position to the 7th position depending on the results of Genoa, Atalanta, and Sampdoria. If Palermo loses and Napoli beat Empoli, then, Palermo will go down to the 11th position.  Cagliari has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Already they are in the very last position of the Serie A. Cagliari needs to start winning URGENTLY, ASAP. Yet, even if they beat Palermo, they will remain in the last position but only 1 point behind the 19th place. Their situation might improve in the following weeks if they conquer a victory at the Renzo Barbera stadium.

Palermo has no other option than WINNING.  Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini already had a TOUGH LOVE meeting with Guidolin and the players. Can you imagine how "motivational" was that he even called them "little girls:?   So much for "Happy Valentine's Day." Hello, that's not the way to reprogram the winning mentality of the team.

I won't be surprised if Palermo loses at home. Point is that Guidolin could not improve the work of former Palermo coach Stefano Colantuono. From the last 5 games, Guidolin has lost 4 matches! Ouch. Boy, how it must hurt him!  To make matters worst for Palermo is the suspension of strikers Fabrizio Miccoli and Amauri, plus Roberto Guana. Mamma mia, what else could go wrong for Palermo! My guess is that Guidolin will use Edison Cavani supported by midfielders Mark Bresciano and Bosko Jankovic. This will be a good chance for Jankovic to finally start shining consistently.
                     
Thanks God Palermo goalkeeper Alberto Fontana is not suspended!  He is the only one 'practically saving" Palermo from further defeats with his great saves. In the last match, he even stopped the penalty of Livorno striker Francesco Tavano.

Most likely, Cagliari can grasp the 3 points.  Statistics indicate that Cagliari is now on fire without losing three matches consecutively. The best shot for Cagliari will be goalkeeper Marco Storari and forward Pasquale Foggia.

Just like defender Paolo Bianco and forward Pasquale Foggia mentioned in Cagliari official website, the idea is to make points everywhere to avoid being relegated. 

I think Cagliari can make it, mathematically speaking, they have time to avoid relegation. It is a rocky road, but worth it.

Besides, for some magical connection, Cagliari has not lost a match in Palermo since December 2004.  I won't miss this match at all, especially if Palermo lose because I want to see whether President Zamparini has the guts to sack Guidolin.

My Prediction: Cagliari



AC SIENA - TORINO
Serie A Standing:
  AC Siena 16th position, 20 points 
                              Torino 12th position, 24 points

Siena Coach Mario Beretta faces a crucial match where he can only win, period. Although there are only 4 points difference between Siena and Torino, a defeat will take Siena back to the  relegation zone depending on the results of Reggina, Empoli, and Parma.  Siena, with the return of Beretta, has proven a tough team despite losing to Milan last week by 1 goal. However, they beat Roma with a humiliating 3 goals to nil in Week 21!

Torino, who seems to have the philosophy of playing for a draw instead of winning. However, Torino showed a great determination last week when beating Palermo with ex Palermo players now wearing the Granata Jersey: Aimo Diana, Davide Di Michele, Eugenio Corini. It was a drive rarely seen in Torino.  Can they manage to play with that drive against Siena? If they do, you bet they will win.
                               

Problem for Torino is not only the suspension of Coach Walter Novellino for 2 matches, for continuing protests during the match wiht Palrmo, but also the suspension of newly signed Aimo Diana and Gianluca Comotto. So, the responsibility will be for David Di Michele to take the torch.

I think Siena has better chance to win this match.  Only problem for Beretta is the suspension of Simone Vergassola.

Advantage for Siena are goalkeeper Manninger, strikers Maccarone and Frick.. 

My Prediction: AC Siena

REGGINA - UDINESE
Serie A Standing:
   Reggina 19th position, 18  points 
                               Udinese 6th position, 33 points


My Prediction: Udinese


NAPOLI - EMPOLI
Serie A Standing:
  Napoli 11th position, 27  points 
                              Empoli 18th position, 19 points

My Prediction: Napoli


LAZIO - ATALANTA
Serie A Standing:
  Lazio 13th position, 23 points 
                              Atalanta 8th position, 30 points


My Prediction: Atalanta

 
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Comments

  • 2/15/2008 12:27 AM Pietro wrote:
    I've been waiting for the preview, thanks Anna. Here are my predictions and i am waiting for milan99 , Suri and Kenntak to see their predictions. I know Suri will give her 100% to Roma as we have exchanged views on the post about Totti and Del Piero.

    Ok, here i go:

    FC Inter - AS Livorno = INTER
    FC Juventus - AS Roma = DRAW
    Parma - AC Milan = MILAN
    Fiorentina - Catania = FIORENTINA
    Genoa - Sampdoria = SAMPDORIA
    AC Siena - Torino = TORINO
    Lazio - Atalanta = ATALANTA
    Reggina - Udinese = DRAW
    Napoli - Empoli = NAPOLI
    Palermo - Cagliari = DRAW
    Reply to this
    1. 2/15/2008 1:21 AM Anna Italia wrote:
      Pietro I am going against you in Palermo - Cagliari. I will go for Cagliari, Palermo facing many problems in the attack right now with the suspension of my guy Fabrizio Miccoli, and even Amauri! Cagliari.. they have my other fave goalkeeper STORARI!!!!

      wow,, reggin-udinese a draw? I am for Udinese there. Let's see what milan99 and Kenntak predict, I responded already to Suri's Crystal Ball predictions.
      Reply to this
  • 2/15/2008 12:48 AM Suri wrote:
    Hey, guys, i am happy! And i am even feel a superb happiness! Because i am going to watch Juventus-Roma match live on a russian sport channel! Wow, Anna, i will write an article on it, ok!
    here are my predictions
    FC Inter - AS Livorno = INTER for 3-1
    FC Juventus - AS Roma = Roma for 2-3
    Parma - AC Milan = Draw for 2-2
    Fiorentina - Catania = FIORENTINA for 2-1
    Genoa - Sampdoria = SAMPDORIA for 1-3
    AC Siena - Torino = TORINO for 2-3
    Lazio - Atalanta = Draw for 2-2
    Reggina - Udinese = Udinese for 1-3
    Napoli - Empoli = Draw for 2-2
    Palermo - Cagliari = Palermo for 2-1
    Reply to this
    1. 2/15/2008 12:57 AM Anna Italia wrote:
      SURI I am more than happy for you that you are going to watch the MATCH!

      This is a match not to miss, especially for you A TOTTI FAN!!!!! A WELL DECLARED TOTTI DEFENDER!

      Imagine, I will be crazy, suffering... I don't want any to lose because it will mean that Totti, Del Piero, Buffon, PERROTTTTTAAAAAAAAAA might be sad if losing. So, I rather see a draw.

      Hey, I will expect that ARTICLE with all comments and tell us how you lived the match in a Russian Sport channel??? wowwww....

      UUUUFFFFAAAAA
      oh oh , just saw your CRYSTAL BALL about Parma - MILAN. Hellooo, I hope the Crystal is not clear because I AM SEEING A MILAN VICTORY!

      Are we seeing the same Crystal Ball??????
      Reply to this
  • 2/15/2008 3:36 PM Mark wrote:
    I also think it's time for Domenico Di Carlo and Guidolin to move over. Sad for Guidolin but he just had his chance. I join you guys with my predictions:

    FC Inter - AS Livorno = INTER!!!
    FC Juventus - AS Roma = Juventus
    Parma - AC Milan = MILAN
    Fiorentina - Catania = FIORENTINA
    Genoa - Sampdoria = Draw
    AC Siena - Torino = Siena
    Lazio - Atalanta = ATALANTA
    Reggina - Udinese = Udinese
    Napoli - Empoli = NAPOLI
    Palermo - Cagliari = Cagliari
    Reply to this
    1. 2/15/2008 4:13 PM Anna Italia wrote:
      Hey, I am glad I am not the only one thinking that's time for Di Carlo to go! Thanks for your predictions! Hope Inter win fair and square.
      Reply to this
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