FC INTER - REGGINA
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium
Serie A Standing:  FC Inter 1st position, 61 points
                           Reggina 19th position, 21 points

After Napoli ended Inter striking success without losing in the Serie A since April 2007,  Napoli 1 - 0 FC Inter, Inter risk losing their leadership.

Inter Coach Roberto Mancini must play his cards carefully. 

Considering that INTER needs to win next Tuesday at the Giuseppe Meazza against Liverpool by 3 goals to pass to the quarterfinals of the Champions League,  challenge is for Mancini to prepare a turnover that guarantee a victory in both field. 

Let's see what might happen. Inter must beat Reggina because if losing, the distance with Roma, provided Roma beats Napoli, will be of only 3 points. 

In the case of Inter getting a draw and Roma beating Napoli, difference will be 4 points.  Hey, I don't think President Moratti neither Inter coach Mancini are ready to lose this scudetto. Do you?

Problem for Inter is that after keeping the lead for 25 weeks, key players are obviously tired and others suffering injuries. For example, Cristian Chivu dislocated his shoulder during the match against Napoli.  Good news is that Captain Javier  Zanetti  is fit to play and take the team by the hand. Other good news is the return of Nicolas Burdisso from suspension. 

Challenge for Coach Mancini is to select the right forwards. 

Will he save Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the Champions and use Hernan Crespo and David Suazo against Reggina?   Hope, Crespo is motivated after preparing the ARGENTINIAN CHURRASCO yesterday!

I think Mancini should keep the best fit striker for the Champions. Hello, is not that Inter need to play a defensive match against Liverpool. They need TO SCORE at least 3 goals without conceding, period!

So, Mancini might decide to use evenyoung strikers  Pele and Mario Balotelli in this match with Reggina.

How about Reggina? Well, REGGINA with a new coach Nevio Orlandoni, after the sacking on Monday Coach Renzo Ulivieri for the 0-0 draw against Palermo, needs  a miracle, like Napoli did when beating Inter. However, considering that Inter already beat Reggna  with a GOLEADA  in the Coppa Italia with an aggregate score of 7-1, then, a victory seems almost impossible.

Inter and Reggina have played 17 times, the only time that Reggina beat Inter was in October 2000 in their Granillo Stadium. Question is whether the new Reggina coach Nevio Orlandi can present a formation to beat Inter with only 5 days as coach? POSSIBLE.  He might even get a draw.

 Problem for Reggina Coach Orlandoni is that if losing and Cagliari beat Catania, Reggina will be only 1 point ahead of the last position. Provided Cagliari win the next three matches, Reggina might well end up in the very last position!  So, I don't think Reggina will go to the Giuseppe Meazza already defeated. 

Regarding the disciplinary situation, cautioned players in Reggina  include Goalkeeper Andrea Campagnolo, defender Francesco Modesto, and midfielders Luca Tognozzi and Luca Vigiani. 

Best bet for Reggina is forward Nicola Amoruso who admits that beating Inter will be difficult but that they will try.

For Inter, Christian Chivu is disqualified.  Cautioned: midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, Cordoba, goalkeeper Julio Cesar, defender Marco  Materazzi, and midfielder Patrick Vieira.

My Prediction:  DRAW

PALERMO - UDINESE
Renzo Barbera Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Palermo 9th position, 35 points
                           Udinese 6th position, 39 points

Here is a great challenge for Palermo! Both teams are figihting for a spot in UEFA CUP and a victory will bring them closer to their goal.

Problem  for Palermo Coach Francesco Guidolin might include the absence of his main  striker Brazilian Amauri.

Amauri suffered a muscular injury  during the match with Reggina that ended with a 0-0 resulting in the sacking of Reggina Coach Renzo Ulivieri. So, Guidolin might use the duo strikers Uruguayan Edison Cavani and Fabrizio MIccoli. By the way, Cavani is the most convinced that Palermo can reach a UEFA Cup spot.

Palermo is only 4 points away from Udinese. Yet, I don't think Udinese Coach Pasquale Marino is ready to back down . Last week they beat Atalanta 2 -0. An added incentive for Udinese is the possibility of passing AC MILAN!  If  Empoli beat Milan, there will be only 1 point difference! 

Now,  if Palermo beat Udinese and Sampdoria beat Parma, then, Sampdoria will have the same points  of Udinese, 39!  You see, there is lot of things going on in this match. 

If Palermo lose, they might end up in the 11th position depending on the results of Atalanta and Napoli.  A defeat will be like almost saying Good Bye UEFA Cup,  good bye Guidolin, and welcome back - Colantuono!

The seriousness of the match is clearly seen in Palermo concentrating in technical tactical training. Palermo has 1 suspended player: Federico Balzaretti,  while Udinese has two suspened players: Andrea Dossena and Tomas Zapotocny.

Guys, even if Palermo recovers striker Amauri, he will not be at his top condition, neither goalkeeper Alberto Fontana. So, chances for Palermo to beat Udinese are not that high. 

Problem for Udinese Coach Marino will be the absence of Cristian Zapata. Advantage is his effective trio strikers Simone Pepe, Fabrio Quagliarella and Antonio Di Natale.

Di Natale has scored 12 goals only 4 goals away the top leader Genoa striker Marco Borriello with 16 goals. Quagliarella has scored 8 goals.  Gee, don't miss this match.  It will be a somber day at the Renzo Barbera if Udinese beat Palermo. Surely, I don't want to be in Guidolin's position if that happens. 

My Prediction:  UDINESE

CATANIA - CAGLIARI
Angelo Massimino Stadium
Serie A Standing: Catania 18th position, 24 points 
                          Cagliari 20th position, 18 points
                             
Here is where the "drama is going on." Both teams are in the relegation zone, even if Cagliari beat Catania, they will continue in the last position. If Catania beat Cagliari, Catania can go all the way to the 15th position depending on the reslts of Empoli, Parma, and LIvorno. 

However, if Cagliari beat Catania and Reggina beat Inter, Catania might go down to the 19th position. Ouch!  Time for the sacking of Coach Silvio Baldini? Yes. Baldini lost the magic formula to keep Catania in the race for a Uefa Cup spot. Last 10 matches resulted in 3 draws and 7 defeats. OUCH and double OUCH!

Cagliari arrives highly motivated in Catania  after beating 2 -1 Genoawhile Catania lost to LIvorno.  

Cagliari coach  Davide Ballardini has the humongous challenge of saving CAGLIARI!  At least Ballardini has earned 11 points from 9 matches.  Not bad.  Yet, Cagliari has scored only 21 goals and conceding 34.  Ouch!!!! Simply put, guys, they have a  negative 22 goals difference!Bad luck for Cagliari continued when penalized 3 points !
.
Problem is that Coach Ballardini cannot count  with Defender Diego Lopez  penalized with a ban.
 
On top  of that,  defender Michele Ferri is also injured.  What else can go wrong for Cagliari's defense???  At least a ray of hope is back with the return of defender Alessandro Agostini from suspension. 

The best bet for Cagliari right now is young striker Robert Acquafresca.
I only hope Acquafresca gets inspired  and scores a hat trick!

About Ballardini's formation the 4-3-1-2, it might be the "salvation strategy."  It seems midfielder Andrea Cossu feels comfortable in this position and providing balls to the two forwards.

Bad news for Catania are injured players  including Mark Edusei. Good news  is the return from suspension of David Baiocco and Giuseppe Colucci.

Boy, thinking that only 2 weeks ago  Catania managed to obtain a 1-1 draw with AC Milan   and now risking the last position really surprise me.

I think Catania coach Silvio Baldini better start packing.... As Andrea Bocelli will sing, "Time to say Goodbye.."

My Prediction:  CAGLIARI


EMPOLI - AC MILAN
Carlo Castellani Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Empoli 17th  position,  25 points
                               AC Milan 5th positin, 43 points

Poor MILAN!   The fall of the defending UEFA Champions League in San Siro AC MILAN 0 - 2 ARSENAL !!!! 

Just like Milan VP Adriano Galliani mentioned, Milan has now 12 final matches. 

Every match will be a final for Milan if wanting to compete for the next season of the UEFA Champions League. 

Right now, things look somber for the rossoneri., the  terrible defeat against Arsenal after being in the quarterfinals for 5 consecutive years, might serve as the MUCH needed motivation to finally play like REAL champions in the Serie A.

On paper, it might look Empoli is a weak team. Yet, don't make your conclusions too fast.  Empoli 2 - 1 FC Juventus in the Coppa Italia, in Week 12 Empoli 2 - 2 AS Roma, in Week 8Empoli beat AC Milan  in San Siro with a goal in the 54th minute  by Luca Saudati (photo)!!!!

Difference now is that MILAN is terrible hurt in their pride where it really hurts "losing the Champions League."  You bet Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti will not even sleep until sketching each of the remaining 12 matches.  Same for Milan players, they are all upset and will grasp energy don't know from where. 

Challenge is then for strikers Alberto Gilardino and Pato.  By the way, PATO looks bad in both Champion League matches, while in the Serie A he shines.  So, maybe we will see the duo Gilardino - Pato. Gilardino has scored only 7 goals, Pato has  scored 5 goals. in 9 appearances! I might even recommend Ancelotti to start preparing serioulsy young striker Alberto Paloschi.  Time for fresh blood.

Gilardino might be in the starting line up.  Hopefully, the arrival of his daughter Ginevra will serve as a motivation.  Though, in the Champions he could not score. 

This is what I WANT TO SEE... Gilardino celebrating more goals!   COME ON GILA!!!!!

Problem for Empoli is the absence of their main striker the young Nicola Pozzi.  I have been saying that Empoli should have sacked Coch Alberto Malesani long time.  Now, if losing, I hope Empoli finally sign a new coach if not risking going down.  If Catania beat Cagliari, and Reggina beat Inter, then Empoli will be in the 19th position. OUCH!  Hello,, anybody home?

Things won't be easy for Coach Alberto Malesani because Davide Moro and Lino Marzoratti are suspended.  Good news is the return from a ban suspension of Felice Piccolo.  Best bet for Empoli will be the young midfielder Sebastian Giovinco and striker Luca Saudati.

Statistics are favorable for Milan who have never lost at the Carlo Castellani Stadium in a Serie A match.

Though, a hurt Milan fan myself, I will encourage Ancelotti to put a happy face and start dreaming again with the Champions League where MILAN BELONGS!

So, guys, allow me to cheer for my team, la mia squadra del cuore and say "FORZA MILAN."!!!!

Milan must beat Empoli, period.  Nothing else matters, just a victory!  12 final victories!  Is not the moment to lament, but to REBUILD the team and conquer the World of Soccer!

Empoli are one of the Serie A teams who have scored with the least amount of players: Budel, Sebastian Giovinco, Lino Marzoratti, Nicola Pozzi, Raggi, Luca Saudati, Vannucchi.  Reggina has not scored in the league for 192 minutes, the last coming from Budel in the 78th minute in Empoli-Catania 2-0, and haven't drawn an official match since 12 January (Empoli-Reggina 1-1): in their next 9 games they obtained  only 3 victories and 6 defeats. Will they break Milan?

My Prediction:  AC MILAN


NAPOLI - AS ROMA
San Paolo Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Napoli 11th position, 33 points
                              AS Roma 2nd position 55 points

                                                                                            Celebration of the Giallorossi (photo Reuters)

Here is where a highly MOTIVATED ROMA can shine with glory!  

After conquering the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium by beating REAL MADRID 1 - 2 AS ROMA   and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, Roma has everything to take "Milan's role" and reach not only the finals in the Champions League but also fight for the SERIE A Scudetto being only 6 points away from Inter.  

Problem for Roma is that NAPOLI is also highly motivated after beating Inter at the San Paolo Stadium reopening the race for the Scudetto. Napoli 1 - 0 FC Inter.   You bet every team was happy with the fall of Inter! Roma is also flying  high. Last week they won with a goleada Roma 4 - 0 Parma

La posta in palio e' lo scudetto!  Simply my friends, the objective is the Scudetto. Roma is the one to win this match.  Most teams will prefer to see Roma as the winner here.  So challenge is for Napoli coach to transmit individual motivation to his players. 

Right now the difference with Inter are 6 points. If Reggina beat Inter and Roma beat Napoli, the difference will be only 3 points.  If Roma loses and Juventus beat Genoa, the difference between Juve and Roma will be only 4 points!

Best bet for Napoli are Argentinian striker Ezequiel Lavezzi, Uruguayan striker Marcelo Zalayeta, and midfielder Marek Hamsik. 

Captain Francesco Totti has the chance of his life to finally win a CHAMPIONS LEAGUE with LA MAGICA ROMA.  Time to motivate the team TOTTI, bring out the best of the Roman Gladiators.

Boy, it will be a total blow for Roma if they lose against Napoli! Hope for Napoli to beat Roma are quite high.   Just imagine that in Week 8, both teams reach a superb draw full of goals.  AS ROMA 4 - 4 NAPOLI .

If we based our prediction on the statistics, then, ROMA will be the winner because they have not lost at the San Paolo Stadium in more than 10 years! Wow, amazing!   So, it is up to strikers Lavezzi and Zalayeta to break this record and for Roma goalkeeper DONI to block their dreams of beating that record!

Guys, I think Roma will be AN ALL ATTACK. 

Besides, just seeing how marvelous French defender Philippe Mexes played against Real Madrid, I am all optimistic.

Not to mention, the great performance of midfielder Alberto Aquilani!!!

Only problem for Roma might be players being tired after Wednesday's match in Madrid.  But, hey, mental attitude is what they need to grasp these 3 points at the San Paolo Stadium.    Come on Captain TOTTI!!!! For the honor!

My Prediction:  AS ROMA


GENOA - FC JUVENTUS
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Genoa 8th position, 35 points
                               FC Juventus 3rd position, 48th points

Ok, guys, without having to play any Champions League Match this year, JUVENTUS is the team with most advantage to recover players compared to Roma and Inter who are still fighting in the Champions League and in the Serie A.

Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri has no excuse to lose this match. Not even a single one.  Period.

Genoa lost last week against Cagliari the last team of the Serie A.  Is not that they are waiting to be beat again at home, right? 

However, Juventus also lost at home against Fiorentina who waited 20 years to beat LA VECCHIA SIGNORA.
FC Juventus 2 - 3 FIORENTINA.

Good thing for Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri is the return of defender Giorgio Chiellini after a ban.  Boy, how Juve missed CHIELLINI in the match against Fiorentina!!!!  Though, midfielder Pavel Nedved, a key player is still out for suspension when trying to do "haircut" when pulling Torino defender Gianluca Comotto's hair during the goalless derby Juventus 0 - 0 Torino..

The main advantage for Genoa is having the top scorer of the Serie A striker Marco Borriello leading with 16 goals followed by Juventus David Trezeguet with 15 goals, and Alessandro Del Piero with 11 goals. 

So, are we going to see "a battle for goals."  I hope so!


Question will be whether Genoa Coach Gian Piero Gasperini will use his Trident Formula with Borriello, Giuseppe Sculli and Julio Leon.  That might be a good strategy. Well, it will be up to Juventus defense to stop this tridenti.  Thanks God Chiellini is back!


It was so frustrating seeing Juventus Saint goalkeeper Gigi Buffon  trying to direct his defense without success.  He cannot do everything alone.  Defense is needed to safeguard the net.

Let's hope to see a good match.  I am counting on midfielder Mauro Camoranesi too.  Time for Juventus symbol Alessandro Del Piero to lift Juve's flag along his teammates.

                      Juventus-Genoa  Matches (A, B, C)

    

	MATCHES	VICTORIES JUVENTUS	DRAW	VICTORIES GENOA
Campionato  TORINO	42	33	7	2
Campionato GENOVA	41	16	10	15
Coppa Italia	10	7	2	1
TOTAL	93	56	19	18

My Prediction:  FC JUVENTUS



AC SIENA - FIORENTINA
Artemio Franchi GiuStadium
Serie A Standing:  AC Siena 14th position, 28 points
                              Fiorentina 4th position, 47 points

What a perfect ocasion for this TUSCAN DERBY!  Fiorentina will want to secure their 4th position and keep AC MILAN away for a spot in the next UEFA Champions League.

Not to mention the highly motivation of Fiorentina when beating Juventus at the Olimpico di Torino. 
FC Juventus 2 - 3 FIORENTINA.  A late goal in the 90th minute by Pablo D. Osvaldo helped beat Juventus.  FIorentina waited 20 years for this victory!  Unbelievable! 

With that kind of motivation and beating today EVERTON ny 2 goals, motivation is way high for the viola.  Though, they might be a bit tired.  Chances is for Coach Cesare Prandelli to find the right formation and not let go this "granted victory."

If Fiorentina loses and Milan beat Empoli, the difference between FIorentina and Milan will be of only 1 point.  You bet Milan will be cheering for Siena. HAH!  Besides, FIorentina is only 1 point away from the third position. Juventus has 48 points and Fiorentina 47. So, if Genoa beat Juventus and Fiorentina beat Siena, hello, Fiorentina will be in the third position!!!!!! Juve with a defeat will go down to the 4th position and fight with AC Milan for that 4th position to guarantee a spot in the next Champions League. Gee... things are getting so interesting!!!!

I don't think neither Firoentina nor Juventus will want to lose their respective matches. Do you?

Best bet for Fiorentina right now is a motivated Papa Waigo who proved to be a good signing helping FIorentina to beat Livorno and Juventus

Problem is for SIENA who already lost to Fiorentina in Week 8 by 3 goals to none.

Fiorentina will be a tough match because their main striker Romanian Adrian Mutu is out for injury.  The responsibility then falls in Christian Vieri because Pablo Daniel Osvaldo is suspended.  Wow, this is really a tough test for Fiorentina.  Chances for losing this match is moderate considering that Franco Semioli and Fabio Liverani might be out for injury too.

Siena has the advantage of finding a new motivation with Coach Mario Berretta.  Problems for Siena include the absence of Tomas Locatelli, Daniele Galloppa, Simone Vergassola and Lucas Jarolim plus the suspension of Valerio Bertotto. So, hope will relty in strikers Massimo Maccarone and Mario Frick, though chanes of having Christian Rigano in the starting line up is also high.  Wonder who will Berretta choose.

My prediction:  DRAW



PARMA - SAMPDORIA
Ennio Tardini Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Parma 16th position, 25 points
                               Sampdoria 7th position, 36 points


No doubt Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano blew it big time when having that erratic behavior that caused him the suspension of 5 matches.  What was he thinking!!!!!  This only hurt Sampdoria who might see their hope for a spot in the UEFA CUP going down the tube!

My Prediction:  DRAW



TORINO - ATALANTA
Olimpico di Torino Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Torino 13th position, 28 points
                               Atalanta 10th position, 34 points

 

Torino Coach Walter Novellino  must start winning!  So far, Torino has 15th draws in this season!  Continuing with this trend is not a guarantee to remain in the Serie A. 

If Livorno beat Lazio and Siena beat Fiorentina while Torino obtain a draw with Atalanta, Torino will go down to the 15th position.  Hey, it is not an easy situation for Novellino.

Good news is that Torino had their training match against the youth team Primavera beating them 4-1.  Great performance for Stellone scoring 2 goals, Corini scoring with a penalty kick, and Asamoah.  Challenge  will be to score and win against Atalanta.

Problem is that striker Alvaro Recoba might not be fit for Sunday.  Bjelanovic and Zanetti also not sure. 

If Atalanta beat Torino and Palermo, Genoa, and Sampdoria lose their respective matches, Atalanta can go all the way to the 7th position.

My Prediction:  TORINO



LAZIO - AS LIVORNO
Olimpico di Roma Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Lazio 12th position, 30 points
                              AS Livorno 15th position, 26 points


My Prediction:  DRAW




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