AS ROMA - PARMA
Olimpico di Roma
Serie A Standing:  AS Roma 2nd position, 52 points
                              Parma  14th position, 25 points

Roma was a big disappointment in the 25th round. Failing to hold an important victory at the Giuseppe Meazza when Inter Captain Javier Zanetti equalized the score in the 88th minute! FC Inter 1 - 1 AS Roma

Challenge for Roma is stop fooling around if wanting to win the Scudetto. Difference between Roma and Inter are now 9 points.  It means, Inter has to lose 3 matches while ROMA not losing any, period!

I don't think Spalletti should use the formation with only Super Totti as the lone striker because he is not 100% fit. 

Most of all, hello, Spalletti should let Totti recover for the most important match right now which is the Champions League match against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. So, will it be up to striker Mirko Vucinic to take the lead?

Problem is that Roma cannot lose this match either.  So, best option for Spalletti is to keep 2  or 3 key players resting... or on the bench in case he needs their participation to secure a victory.  For example, I will be careful with defenders Christian Panucci and David Pizarro.  I prefer to have Panucci fit for Real Madrid.

Cicinho, Alberto Aquilani and Ludovic Giuly could be among the starting line up. 

It will be a big help for Roma if Napoli beat Inter. Can they do it? Yes, they can.

Problem for Roma will be the absence of defender Philippe Mexes after being sent off in the 84th minute during the match with Inter.

Advantage for Parma is the high motivation after beating UDINESE two goals to zero. Plus, striker Cristiano Lucarelli seems ready to battle with his goals against the Roman gladiators.  Will he be able to beat goalkeeper Doni?  A disadvantage for Parma is the absence of Domenico Morfeo for injury.

My Prediction:  AS Roma

AC MILAN - LAZIO
San Siro Stadium
Serie A Standing:  AC Milan 5th position, 42 points points
                              Lazio 12th position, 29 points

What else to expect from AC Milan?  More injured players?

 A word for Ancelotti: Give players resting time, it is obvious they are tired!!! Start making turnovers!

Honestly, AC Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti seemed not having the "right mind" when sketching his last match.

What was the purpose of calling striker Alberto Paloschi and not using at all when it was clear that Alberto Gilardino and Filippo Inzaghi need rest!!!!!  Pato's goal was not enough for Milan to secure a victory. 

The last precedent between the rossoneri and Delio Rossi's team at San Siro was on the 1st matchday of the 2006/2007 season. It was 10 September 2006 (Milan-Lazio 2-1) and Milan beat the Biancocelesti thanks to goals by Inzaghi iin the 27th minute and Ricardo Oliveira in the 70th. A goal by Makinwa reduced the difference in the 73rd minute.

BALANCE OF THE PRECEDENTS

Sunday, March 2, 2008 - Week 26 Twenty Sixth Round Serie A Matchday 26


FC JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA
Olimpico di Torino Stadium
Serie A Standing:  FC Juventus 3rd position, 48 points points  
                              Fiorentina 4th position, 44 points 

 In the Seventh Round, the match ended Fiorentina 1 - 1 FC Juventus, that time Fiorentina was in the 4th position while Juventus in the second position. Almost nothing change, Juventus is in the 3rd position while Fiorentina still in the 4th position. Difference is that Fiorentina is closely followed by AC MILAN with only 2 points difference. A victory will give Fiorentina the advantage of fighting for the third position keeping only 1 point difference with Juventus, who then will battle with Milan for the 4th position.

Problem for Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri is the absence of defender Giorgio Chiellini and midfielder Pavel Nedved. Actually, Nedved will miss two matches after Referee Rizzoli gave him a STRAIGHT RED CARD during the match FC Juventus 0 - 0 Torino when he literally grasped Torino defender Gianluca Comotto by the hair in the 88th minute.

Ranieri might use in the starting lineup Portuguese Tiago along with Sisokko after Zanetti's squalification. Tiago better start talking in the field to prove his worth.

Not sure on whether striker Vincenzo Iaquinta will be fit after experiencing some back problems.

Good news for Juve is the return of French striker David Trezeguet just recovered from Sinusitis.  So, we might see again the duo TREZEGUET - DEL PIERO. 

Problem for Fiorentina Coach Cesare Prandelli is the absence for injury of striker Adrian Mutu. This is a big loss for Fiorentina, as neither striker Christian Vieri nor Giampaolo Pazzini seem to have that powerful touch of Mutu. Good news is the motivated Papa Waigo who scored the winning goal against Livorno.

 Juventus-Fiorentina, all previous encounters

  Napoli 11th position, 30 points
                              FC Inter 1st position, 61 points

It is a fact that the SOLE LEADER FC INTER has struggled in the last 5 matches to secure either a victory or a draw.  Despite controversies about  "referees helping Inter," Inter continues to lead the Serie A. 

On Wednesday, in the agonizing

Inter Coach Roberto Mancini will not risk his main starting lineup because they have a crucial match for the UEFA Champions League at the Giuseppe Meazza against Liverpool on March 11. 

Inter must beat Liverpool with 3 goals difference.  Considering this crucial match, Napoli Coach Edy Reja, who by the way should start packing and let another coach take over, can prepare his strategy. 

Main challenge for Coach Reja is to transmit to his team that they can beat INTER.  If going to the field with the mentality of facing the "super invincinble team," than they already lost the match.

My bet will be for the drive of striker Ezequiel Lavezzi, midfielder Marek Hamsik to be the motivators in the field.

Problem for Napoli is the suspension of Domizzi. Two players with one yellow card are Gargano and Garics.

Problem for Inter is the suspension of Nicola Burdisso. Here is where Inter is risking big time, Esteban Cambiasso, Christian Chivu, Cordoba, Marco Materazzi, and Patrick Vieira are all with one yellow card.  If any of them gets a second yellow card, they will miss the next match. So, Inter coach Roberto Mancini will balance his formation. 

I think Inter might have their first defeat at the San Paolo Stadium. Anyway, rather lose a match in the Serie A but have the key players fit for the Champions League against Liverpool on March 11, right? I THINK SO.

My Prediction:  Napoli

EMPOLI - AC SIENA
Carlo Castellani Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Empoli 16th position, 25 points
                              AC Siena  15th  position, 25 points

Hey, what a  match for not  going down to the RELEGATION ZONE !!!! This will be a real BATTLE, a survival since both have 25 points, just two points away from the dreaded relegation zone. Hey, I don't think any of them will be happy to lose this match.

Challenge is for both coaches to deliver not only the winning formation but also the right strategy! 

Siena Coach Beretta at least beat Cagliari  on Wednesday grasping those valuable 3 points.

However, Empoli Coach Malesani lost against Palermo by 2 goals! 

If we go by the records, Empoli has a negative goal difference of -11, done only 21 goals and 32 against!!!!  Siena has a negative -6 goal difference, scoring 28 goals but conceding 34 goals.

Empoli better get their act together.  Before losign against Palermo, Empoli was doing fine with 3 consecutive victories. Now, it is time to start winning again at home.  Good news is the recovery of Empoli star midfielder Sebastian Giovinco after suspension!  Oh boy, I hope Giovinco shines!  Among the ex is Luca Antonini.

Coach Malesani might present a new formation.  Time to give space to  Vittorio Tosto instead of Andrea Raggi?

On Friday,  Empoli scheduled only an afternoon training session.

  Reggina 19th position, 21 points
                             Palermo 10th position, 34 points

While Reggina is already in the RELEGATION ZONE and desperate in need to win, Palermo has no other choice but to beat REGGINA to start gaining points and be in the UEFA CUP.

If Palermo win, they might go from the 10th position all the way to the 6th position depending on the results of Atalanta, Udiense, Sampdoria and Genoa.  Right now, Palermo and Atalanta have 34 points. While Udinese currently in the 6th position has 36 points.

At least Palermo are in high spirits after beating Empoli with 2 goals. 

Problem is for Palermo Coach Francesco Guidolin to keep that motivation and have the right formation on Sunday. Giulio Migliaccio is out for suspension while Roberto Guana is injured. Best bet for Palermo is their star goalkeeper Alberto Fontana and striker Amauri. 

You bet AMAURI will do his best to impress the top teams: AC Milan, AS Roma, Chelsea because he wants to play in the Champions League next match. Though, most likely he will sign for Milan, if Milan don't get Chelsea player Didider Drogba.

Problem for Reggina is really to PRAY FOR A MIRACLE.  On Wednesday, Lazio beat Reggina. Point is whether Reggina Coach Renzo Ulivieri can finally deliver a winning formation. If not, I am already tired of saying that he MUST GO.  There are only 13 more matches. 

Problem for Ulivieri includes the absence of Fabio Ceravolo while Francesco Modesto is not fully recovered yet. What else can go wrong for Reggina???!!!!  Luca Vigiani, Franco Brienza and Nicola Amoruso are the top choices for Reggina. Question is whether they will be enough to beat Palermo.  I doubt it.

My Prediction: Palermo


UDINESE - ATALANTA
Friuli Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Udinese 6th position, 36 points
                               Atalanta 9th position, 34 points

What a bad way for Udinese to start 2008!  What's going on with Udinese?  Losing yesterday against Parma by 2 goals and  not being able to score a single one???

Antonio Di Natale is a great striker, but when it comes to score in the big moments it seems he backs down?

Atalanta Coach Gigi Del Neri will have an emotional match. Udine, the hometown of Del Neri, were just terribly beaten by Sampdoria with 4 goals!  OUCH!

Challenge for Atalanta is to beat Udinese and for Palermo to get a draw or lose against Reggina. If this happens, Atalanta having the same 34 points with Palermo will jump to the 6th position to grab a spot for the UEFA CUP.

Problem for Atalanta is that Moris Carrozzieri will be out for injury. Plus, goalkeeper George Forsyth and defender Gianpaolo Bellini are also sidelined.  Advantage is having a fit midfielder Cristiano Doni.

The one having more problems is Udinese coach Pasquale Marino. Players not available for this match include Raffaele De Martino, Gyan Asamoah, Christian Obodo, Giandomenico Mesto and Cristian Zapata.  It will be up to Antonio Di Natale and Fabio Quagliarella to speak with goals. Good news is the return of goalkeeper Samir Handanovic recovering from an intestinal virus.

My Prediction:  Atalanta


CAGLIARI - GENOA
Sant'Elia Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Cagliari 20th position, 18 points
                                Genoa 8th position, 35 points

Should we start praying the "rosary" for Cagliari?  Boy, Cagliari despite signing Goalkeeper Marco Storari seems going directly to the Serie B.  They were doing fine yesterday against Siena keeping a goalless draw.  It was until the 88th minute that Maccarone decided to put an end to Cagliari's hope of start leaving the relegation zone. 

Even if Cagliari wins, they will still be in the last position with 21 points. 

Challenge will be for Cagliari goalkeeper Marco Storari to stop Genoa striker Marco Borriello, currently the scorer leader with 16 goals!  Gee, just to think that Borriello could have been helping MILAN!!!!

Although Genoa is the favorite, I won't disqualify Cagliari yet.  Hey, I want to believe in a miracle.  After all, there are 11 players in each team, and still 90 minutes to play, right?  RIGHT!  Cagliari needs to win at least two matches to have the 6 points that might save them.

Mamma mia!  Even checking Cagliari's statistics makes me doubt about a possible victory.  Cagliari has conceded 42 goals, made only 19 and the goal difference is la bellezza di -23 goals!!!!  Winning only 4 matches, 6 draws and 15 defeats!  OUCH!  Madonna!!!!

Cagliari has demonstrated some improvement with the signing of goalkeeper STORARI.  Let's hope for Cagliari's sake that he be in his best shape on Sunday! Maybe it's the time for strikers Robert Acquafresca and Larrivey to give a joyful moment to Cagliari fans.

Challenge for Genoa is to beat Cagliari to secure a spot for the UEFA Cup.   Adoulay Konko  is suspended for a match. 

My Prediction: Cagliari (I've got to believe in Storari!)


SAMPDORIA - TORINO
Luigi Ferraris Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Sampdoria 7th position 35 points
                                 Torino 13th position, 27 points

My Prediction: Sampdoria



AS LIVORNO - CATANIA
Armando Picchi Stadium
Serie A Standing:  AS Livorno 18 position, 23 points
                              Catania 17th position, 24 points

My Prediction: AS Livorno

Complete Italian Soccer Results Serie A Standings/ Italian Football League Standings / Table