PREVIEW Italian Serie A Week 29 - Twenty Ninth Round Wednesday, March 19 "What will happen in the Scudetto Race?"

By Anna Italia

Hello my friends,

What an exciting round! 

With only 11 more matches the battle is ON not only for the first four positions, but also for the relegation zone where 6 teams are in real danger. So, my friends, it is a real battle. No time to waste, No time for draws, No time for injuries, No time for "bad tempers."  

Question is: Who do you think will win the 2007-2008 Italian Soccer Serie A Scudetto?

Position
   Team  
 Points
  1
 FC Inter
  67
  2
AS Roma
  61
  3
 FC Juventus
  54
  4
Fiorentina
  50
  5
AC Milan
  46
  6
 Sampdoria
  42
  7
 Udinese
  41
  8
 Atalanta
  37
  9
 Palermo
  36
 10
 Genoa
  35
 11
 Lazio
  34
 12
  Napoli
  33
 13
 Torino
  31
 14
 AC Siena
  31
 15
 Catania
  27
 16 
 AS Livorno
  27
 17
 Parma
  26
 18
 Reggina
  25
 19 
  Empoli
  25
 20 
  Cagliari
  21
Here is my PREVIEW of Week 29th  - Italian Soccer Serie A Twenty Ninth Round scheduled on Wednesday, March 19, 2008.

So, my friends, get ready for this weekend countdown for the 2007-2008 Scudetto is closer. Only 11 more matches, meaning 33 more points

 Complete Italian Soccer Results Serie A Standings/ Italian Football League Standings / Serie A Classifica /  Serie A Top Scorers / Serie A Table

CAGLIARI - ATALANTA
Sant'Elia Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Cagliari 20th position, 21 points
                           Atalanta 8th position, 37 points

It's a win or die for Cagliari.  While Atalanta is battling for a spot in the UEFA Cup against Udinese and Sampdoria, Cagliari is battling for continue living!

On Sunday, Atalanta beat Empoli with 4 goals, while Cagliari achieved an impressive victory too Cagliari 3 - 0 Torino.

In Week 10, the match finished Atalanta 2 - 2 Cagliari. The situation today is totally different. Cagliari must win at home because chances for beating Roma and Milan will be almost impossible. If Cagliari loses or draw, it will be like the signal to prepare their luggage to the Serie B.

Advantage for Cagliari is that in the last 15 matches, Atalanta only won one match! Gee, maybe the weather affects the players or what?

Cagliari coach Ballardini must plan carefully his formation. I will trust striker  Robert Acquafresca who scored 2 goals against Torino on Sunday and Jeda.  About the formation, it seems Ballardini is adopting Milan Coach Ancelotti preferred formation "the Christmas tree, 4-3-2-1."  Cagliari goalkeeper Marco Storari better be inspired to block midfielder Cristiano Doni.

Atalanta main players will be Cristiano Doni, Stefano Floccari, Simone Padoin, and Langella. Manfredini is out for one match suspension.

My Prediction:  CAGLIARI

EMPOLI - FC JUVENTUS
Carlo Castellani Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Empoli 19th position, 25 points
                           FC Juventus 3rd position, 54 points

If Cagliari beat Atalanta and Empoli lose, there will be only 1 point difference between them and Empoli might end up in the last position if Cagliari start winning their pending matches.

If Juventus loses and Fiorentina beat Napoli, then difference with Fiorentina wll be of only 1 point and might risk losing the 3rd position. Are they willing to lose it? I don't think so!

Juventus has everything to win this match.

It will be unthinkable for Juventus to lose when having their top men in shape and not facing suspension.

Midfielder Pavel Nedved is back. Strikers Alessandro Del Piero, Vincenzo Iaquinta, and David Trezeguet are all fit  and ready to score. Besides, they have Saint goalkeeper Gigi Buffon!   In Week 10, results were in favor of la Vecchia Signora. Juventus 3 - 0 Empoli.

Question will be whether Empoli Coach Alberto Malesani will find the right strategy to beat Juventus. I think Malesani is living "extra time," he should have been sacked 1 month ago!  Empoli being in the 19th position can only go to the 20th position if losing against Juventus and Cagliari continues winning. It's clear that Malesani is not the "best answer for Empoli right now."   The writing is on the wall:  T O   B E  S A C K E D.

Problems for Empoli are just adding by the minute. Not only Luca Saudati is suspended for three rounds for having struck Talamonti with his right arm during the match against Atalanta, but also Pratali is suspended for 1 match.  The young striker Nicola Pozzi is out for the rest of the season.

Empoli was playing well. Suddenly, losing sharpness. Let's not forget their great performance in Week 22 against Inter where they lost by a controversial goal. Empoli also beat Juventus in La Coppa Italia already. So, it is a challenge for Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri to have the anti-Empoli strategy to grasp a victory.

Juventus-Empoli, all previous encounters

TOTAL GAMES

JUVENTUS
WINS

DRAWS

EMPOLI
WINS

League matches in Turin

8

7

1

--

League matches in Empoli

7

4

1

2

Italian Cup

2

1

--

1

TOTAL

17

12

2

3


These stats, courtesy of juventus.it,  include all matches played in the national Leagues (A, B, C),
since the single-group tournament was set up (1929/30) and all Italian Cups since 1922.

In the Coppa Italia, to the surprise of everyone, Empoli beat Juventus 2-1 with goals from Ignazio Abate and the young striker Nicola Pozzi. While in the second leg,  Juventus took revenge beating them 5-3. That's what Coach Ranieri needs, finding the right formation and players to be motivated for victory.
 
Challenge will be for Empoli midfielder Sebastian Giovinco and Claudio Marchisio to show they are worth of playing not only for Empoli but for a bigger team.  Besides, rumors say that Giovinco might go back to Juventus next season. Oh well... who knows.

My Prediction: JUVENTUS


GENOA - FC INTER
Luigi Ferraris Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Genoa 10th position, 35 points
                           FC Inter 1st position, 64 points

Here is a chance for GENOA to finally start winning after losing their last three matches. Inter who seems to be dealing a divided dressing room, might not be concentrated and united.

If Genoa beat Inter and Atalanta and Palermo lose their respective matches, Genoa can go to the 8th position.  So, the challenge mostly will be for striker Marco Borriello to shine delivering the winning goal!  If doing so, believe me, Borriello will be a national hero!

If Inter loses and Roma beat Lazio, then race for the Scudetto will be tight with only 3 points difference!  Can this happen? YES, IT CAN.

Genoa must put their terrible defeat from last Sunday in the past and start believing again for a spot in the UEFA Cup.  Fiorentina beat them 3 goals to 1. 

Despite Inter winning last week, Inter 2 - 1 Palermo,  Inter right now risk losing everything if continue with internal problems. Not only players  are divided but even Coach Roberto Mancini is not even strong as in the beginning. His still controversial declaration of wanting to leave Inter and later changing for "I want to stay," just created so much instability within the dressing room.  Question will be whether Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Luis Figo will put any misunderstanding in the past and start defending the team instead of personal egos.

The chance is there for Genoa.... especially for BORRIELLO, the top Serie A scorer with 16 goals to write his name with gold.

My Prediction: GENOA


AS LIVORNO - REGGINA
Armando Picchi Stadium
Serie A Standing:  AS Livorno 16th position, 27 points
                           Reggina 18th position, 25 points

This is a SURVIVAL match for both!  

Incredible, if Livorno lose and Parma and Empoli win their respective matches, LIVORNO WILL GO DOWN TO THE 19th position! Ouch!  Whatever happened to Coach Giancarlo Camolese? He was doing so well saving LIVORNO after the sacking of Coach Fernando Orsi putting Livorno in a safe position.  Suddenly, Livorno is going down the tube.

If Reggina win they can go from the 18th position to the 15th position depending on the result of Parma, Livorno, and Catania.

Bottom line, I don't think Reggina will help Livorno at all. Reggina need to win the match too because they want to remain in the Serie A not going to the Serie B.
 
 Although   Reggina Coach Nevio Orlandi made his debut losing against Inter (Inter 2 - 0 Reggina), Orlandi redeemed himself on Sunday beating Siena 4 goals to 0! Hey, What a slap for former Coach Renzo Ulivieri seeing this new Coach from the YOUTH team doing what he could not.  Way to go Orlandi! 
Thumbs up!

The question is will  Reggina be able to  beat Livorno at the Armando Picchi?  Gee, it sounds impossible, but I will give him a  chance.

In Week 10, the result was Livorno 3 - 1 Reggina. However, chances for Reggina are even stronger with the absence of Livorno goalkeeper Marco Amelia for a calf injury. Adding to the injury list are midfielders Giuliano Giannichedda and Nico Pulzetti, who else is injured... take a look, strikers Fausto Rossini and Francesco Volpe are also out. As for Reggina, there is one suspension, defender Bruno Cirillo. Injured players for Reggina are striker Nicola Ceravolo and goalkeeper Nenad Novakovic.

Key players for Reggina: an inspired Franco Brienza and striker Amoruso.

My Predication:  Reggina

AC MILAN - SAMPDORIA
San Siro Stadium
Serie A Standing:  AC Milan 5th position, 46 points
                           Sampdoria 6th position, 42 points

Either Milan win this match or resign for a spot in the UEFA CUP instead of the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. It's the time for KAKA, even not at his top form, to show why he is the best footballer right now. Milan needs his Musica and Magia" to survive.

Milan right now has not a chance to slip after their terrible defeat last week AS Roma 2 - 1 AC Milan. Problem for Milan is not having goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac 100% fit after injuring during yesterday training. He is among the called up players but question will be is how fit he is or will it be the time for third goalkeeper Fiori to defend the rossoneri because DIDA is still out.

If Milan beat Sampdoria and Napoli beat Fiorentina, then, the difference between Milan and Fiorentina will be only 1 point. Hey, that will be an incentive for the rossoneri who are trembling at the thought of not being in next year Champions League!  Can they win? YES, THEY CAN!  THEY BETTER WIN, no option.

Even if Sampdoria lose, they will still have chance for the UEFA CUP if Torino beat Udinese.  Gee, it's getting too complicated. Everybody seems to rely on other teams results.

If we go by statistics, Milan has the lead in the 50 matches against Sampdoria in Milan, beating them 33 times, 9 draws and only 8 defeats. Goals are also in favor of Milan, scoring 92 against 38 by Sampdoria. Problem is that Milan's strikers right now are out for injuries with the exception of Pato and a not so convincing Alberto Gilardino.
 
Good thing for Coach Carlo Ancelotti is not having suspended players.

Problem is the long list of injured players and those barely recovering.  So, most likely, strikers will be Pato and Alberto Paloschi.

Time to see PATO celebrating his goals with his "heart" dedication to his girlfriend.

Out of the match are Yoann Gourcuff, Cafu, Serginho, Dida, Inzaghi, Ronaldo.

If Milan has problem with their strikers, Sampdoria also has the suspension of striker Antonio Cassano facing 5 match suspension. Besides, Daniele Franceschini is aslo suspended. Not even talking about striker Vincenzo Montella still injured, gee, sounds like both teams better start signing new young strikers!

However, it seems the absence of Cassano has not stopped Sampdoria from winning. Last week, it was Sampdoria 3 - 1 Catania! 

My Prediction: AC MILAN


LAZIO - AS ROMA
Olimpico di Roma Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Lazio 11th position, 34 points
                           AS Roma 2nd position, 61 points
        
If you have to watch only one match, this is the match to follow.  Why?  Not only because it's the famous "ROMAN DERBY," but also because Roma must not lose it to keep their race alive for the Scudetto. In Week 10, Roma won the Derby. Roma 3 - 2 Lazio.

Point is that if Lazio win, they can go from the 11th position to the 8th position depending on the results of Genoa, Atalanta, and Palermo.  However, if Roma lose the match and Inter beat Genoa, they will have 9 point difference. Simply put guys, it will be almost impossible to reach Inter having only 10 more matches.

Problem for Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti is to think also about not risking key players get injured prior to the big match of the UEFA Champions League against Manchester United on April 1.  Just like Captain Totti said, if it comes to choose he rather win the Champions League than the Scudetto. However, Totti also mentioned why not winning both.

Hey, if you ask me, I am with TOTTI. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE all the way!  It will be awesome to see Captain Totti lifting the trophy!  Wow!  Spectacular!

Advantage for Roma, their motivation right now is pretty high after beating AC Milan on Sunday AS Roma 2 - 1 AC Milan.

Key players seem fit, including midfielders Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi, and Alberto Aquilani. Totti is energized to continue leading the gladiators. Mirko Vucinic also being a super sub to resolve a situation in the last minute.

Well, in the last derby, the ones scoring were Vucinic, Perrotta and Mancini.  For Lazio, scorers were Tommaso Rocchi and Ledesma.

Roma might survive the next two matches against Empoli and Cagliari prior the Champions.

Advantage for Lazio, Coach Delio Rossi will have a fresh striker Goran Pandev who did not play on Sunday.  Best bet for Lazio are goalkeeper Marco Ballotta, strikers Goran Pandev and Tommaso Rocchi. Come on, if Lazio continues losing, please, somebody tell Coach Delio De Rossi to resign.
 
My Prediction: AS ROMA


NAPOLI - FIORENTINA
San Paolo Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Napoli 12th position, 33  points
                           Fiorentina 4th positin, 50 points

The battle for the Champions League spot is right here!  Fiorentina being only 4 points ahead of AC MILAN must win this match.   Napoli can go to the 9th position depending on the reulsts of Genoa, Palermo and Atalanta. So, it is not an easy match for Fiorentina. 

However if Sampdoria beat AC MILAN and Napoli beat Fiorentina, the VIOLA will still be in the 4th position.

The issue here is for Fiorentina to lose and Milan win to shorten the distance for 1 point. Yet, if you are cheering for Fiorentina, the issue will be for Sampdoria to beat Milan and Fiorentina winning to keep a 7 point lead. Wow, that will be practically the end for the rossoneri's dream to be in the Champions League.

After Napoli's defeat on Sunday, Juventus 1 - 0 Napoli, Coach Edy Reja knows that his "JOB" is in real danger.  So, the pressure is more for him than for the players to win at home. Can Napoli win at the San Paolo, YES, THEY CAN.  Time for striker Roberto Sosa and Ezequiel Lavezzi to speak with goals. Hey, they will do Milan a great favor!

Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli better do some miracle at the San Paolo Stadium. Problem is that Massimo Gobbi is out for suspension. Alessandro Gamberini and Martin Jorgensen are injured. 

The other point is whether Prandelli will risk his main players to pick up injuries against Napoli prior of the big match in the UEFA CUP against PSV Eindhoven.  Well, I rather have key players ready for the UEFA CUP.  So Giampaolo Pazzini might not play against Napoli and we might see Christian Vieri again.

The big problem for Napoli is the absence for injury of striker Marcelo Zalayeta. Striker Ezequiel Lavezzi could not score in the last match and seemed too nervous. To make matters worst for Coach Edy Reja is that goalkeeper Gennaro Iezzo is not completely recovered.  Still, he might be  playing.  Good news is the return from suspension of Manuele Blasi and Daniele Mannini.

My Prediction:  NAPOLI

PARMA - PALERMO
Ennio Tardini Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Parma 17th position, 26 points
                           Palermo 9th position, 36 points

My Prediction:  DRAW

TORINO - UDINESE
Olimpico di Torino Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Torino 13th position, 31 points
                           Udinese 7th position, 41 points

My Prediction: UDINESE



CATANIA - AC SIENA
Angelo Massimino Stadium
Serie A Standing:  Catania 15th position, 27 points
                           AC Siena 14th position, 31 points

My Prediction: DRAW
Posted by Anna Italia at 3/18/2008 11:11 AM
Categories: AC Milan, Parma, Atalanta BC, Torino FC, AS Roma, AC Siena, Juventus, A.S. Livorno, Palermo, SSC Napoli, Udinese, Sampdoria, Catania, Inter Milan, Genoa, Empoli FC, ACF Fiorentina, Serie A Preview, Lazio, Cagliari
 
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  • 3/18/2008 1:29 PM Pietro wrote:
    Here are my predictions, let's see how i do this time:

    Cagliari - Atalanta = CAGLIARI
    Catania - AC Siena = SIENA
    Empoli - FC Juventus = JUVENTUS
    Genoa - FC Inter = DRAW
    Livorno - Reggina = LIVORNO
    AC Milan - Sampdoria = MILAN, MILAN, MILAN
    Napoli - Fiorentina = NAPOLI
    Parma - Palermo = PARMA
    Torino - Udinese = UDINESE
    Lazio - Roma = ROMA
    Reply to this
  • 3/18/2008 2:20 PM Mark wrote:
    Anna you made a point regarding a divided dressing room in our team. Inter right now cannot let go this Scudetto. I also agree with you and Totti that the Champions League will take priority if Totti has to choose. It's time for him to win this big tournament, even if I am an interista, I will be happy for him and for Italian football since it is the only Italian team remaining in the Champs.

    Ok, here are my predictions after reading your preview:

    Cagliari - Atalanta = CAGLIARI
    Catania - AC Siena = DRAW
    Empoli - FC Juventus = JUVENTUS
    Genoa - FC Inter = INTER
    Livorno - Reggina = LIVORNO
    AC Milan - Sampdoria = MILAN
    Napoli - Fiorentina = NAPOLI
    Parma - Palermo = PALERMO
    Torino - Udinese = DRAW
    Lazio - Roma = DRAW
    Reply to this
  • 3/18/2008 3:03 PM Kenntak wrote:
    Let's see if I get lucky again:

    Cagliari - Atalanta = DRAW
    Catania - AC Siena = DRAW
    Empoli - FC Juventus = JUVENTUS
    Genoa - FC Inter = INTER
    Livorno - Reggina = LIVORNO
    AC Milan - Sampdoria = MILAN
    Napoli - Fiorentina = FIORENTINA
    Parma - Palermo = DRAW
    Torino - Udinese = DRAW
    Lazio - Roma = ROMA
    Reply to this
    1. 3/18/2008 7:20 PM Ricardo15 wrote:
      Good luck!
      Reply to this
      1. 3/19/2008 12:07 AM Anna Italia wrote:
        Hello Ricardo15! Long time no see! How have you been? How about posting your predictions? Let's see how we do, come on, pick your favorite teams and dare to give a score, we are having a blast comparing predictions here. So, jump in.
        Reply to this
  • 3/18/2008 4:55 PM Anna Italia wrote:
    GOOD LUCK GUYS with your predictions

    This week is crazy, preparing 2 reviews in a rush.. hello, tomorrow time for the 30th round preview. I wish I have 24 hours available to work on my blog

    But I love the SERIE A and have to squeeze time to keep up with the latest news
    Reply to this
  • 3/18/2008 10:14 PM Suri wrote:
    Hey, guys, here are my predictions with crystall ball as all of you say, ha ha.
    Cagliari - Atalanta = ATALANTA for 1-2
    Catania - AC Siena = SIENA= DRAW for 1-1
    Empoli - FC Juventus = JUVENTUS for 1-3
    Genoa - FC Inter = Inter for 1-3
    Livorno - Reggina = LIVORNO for 2-0
    AC Milan - Sampdoria = MILAN for 3-0
    Napoli - Fiorentina = DRAW for 2-2
    Parma - Palermo = DRAW for 1-1
    Torino - Udinese = UDINESE for 1-3
    Lazio - Roma = ROMA for 1-2
    Reply to this
    1. 3/19/2008 12:13 AM Anna Italia wrote:
      Wow, SURI, just noticed your MILAN - SAMPDORIA prediction... MY EYES WENT WIDE OPEN!!!!! Awesome... 3 goals to nil! That will be superb!!!!!

      Ouchhhhhh just saw your CAGLIARI - Atalanta.... FORZA CAGLIARI my Storari is there!!!!!

      Did not see your comments on Inter posts about CRESPPOOOOOOO and Ibrahimovic....
      Reply to this
  • 3/18/2008 10:17 PM Suri wrote:
    Why all of you do not give a prediction with score? R u chicken?
    Reply to this
    1. 3/19/2008 12:11 AM Anna Italia wrote:
      We will try to give scores too when you send us the CRSYTAL BALL You are great!
      Reply to this
  • 3/18/2008 11:42 PM Nicholas wrote:
    I would like to see Vunicic play ahead of Mancini....
    My only prediction
    Roma 27- Lazio- 0
    Reply to this
    1. 3/18/2008 11:46 PM Nicholas wrote:
      Vucinic if I could spell, I would be more convincing....
      Reply to this
    2. 3/19/2008 12:09 AM Anna Italia wrote:
      Nicholas You really mean 27 goals against 0????

      I am for ROMA, that's for sure! Why not giving your complete predictions, jump in. Give it a try

      Vucinic and Mancini, tough! I will have Mancini first and Vucinic as a super Sub? What do you think?
      Reply to this
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