By Anna Italia

Hello my friends,
 
What a week!  After the shocking,  incredible - unexpected - embarrassing defeat of Inter in the Coppa Italia Semifinal First Leg..... , time to get back to the keyboard and  prepare the Preview. Guys, this week is crucial because Juventus can shorten the distance with Inter for the Scudetto if they beat Torino and Genoa beat Inter.  Wow!!!  Distance will be only 4 points and you bet pounding hearts will be felt among the neriazurri.

Here is my  partial PREVIEW  of the Italian Serie A Week 27- Twenty Seventh Round on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8, 2009.

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                        FC Inter 1st Position with 60 points

                                                   
FC Juventus 2nd position 53 points     AC Milan 3rd position, 48 points


 


Week 27 Italian Serie A Tim 2008 - 2009 / Twenty-Seventh  Round Matchday 27

Saturday, March 7, 2009

AS Roma - Udinese
7:00 a.m. USA Pacific Time

Genoa - FC Inter
9:00 a.m. USA Pacific Time

Torino - FC Juventus
11:30 a.m. USA Pacific Time

Sunday, March 8, 2009
Matches start at 6:00 a.m. USA Pacific Time

Bologna - Sampdoria
Catania - AC Siena
Chievo Verona - Cagliari
Fiorentina - Palermo
Lecce - Reggina
AC Milan - Atalanta
Napoli - Lazio




Current Italian Serie A Table After Week 26

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1. FC Inter	60
2. FC Juventus	53
3. AC Milan	48
4. Fiorentina	46
5. Genoa	45
6. AS Roma	44
7. Cagliari	38
8. Lazio	38
9. Atalanta	36
10. Palermo	36

11. Napoli	35
12. Udinese	34
13. Catania	33
14. Sampdoria	32
15. AC Siena	28
16. Torino	24
17. Bologna	23
18. Chievo Verona	23
19. Lecce	22
20. Reggina	18

GENOA - FC INTER
Luigi Ferraris Stadium
2008 - 2009 Serie A Standing - Genoa 5th position, 45 points
                                              - FC Inter 1st position, 60 points 

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Inter can go back to their original first class team with their key players to face Genoa.  Wow, guys, Inter returning to the Ferraris after they were humiliated in the Coppa Italia Semifinal First Leg on Wednesday SAMPDORIA 3 - 0 FC INTER. 

Inter has 15 points over Genoa, but this is not what matters for them. What really matters is to keep away FC JUVENTUS!!!!! Why?  Hello, hello, Juve is only 7 points behind Inter. It means that Inter must win this match to keep the leadership.  Losing will only mean "Go get your front tickets to see the race for the Scudetto or how Inter loses the Scudetto." Yep!  You are reading right guys.  If Juventus beat Torino and Genoa beat Inter, the difference will be of only 4 points!!!!  

Hum, checking the stas in away matches Inter has not done well against Genoa...  Out of the 56 matches in Serie A won only 12, draw 21 and losing 23!   Hum... even goals in favor only 66 while almost double the amount in conceded goal 103!  Last season it was a draw on Week 29 Genoa 1 -1 Inter with goals by Suazo (I) and Marco Borriello (G). 

Head to Head Inter and Genoa in the Serie A
Serie A	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
Home	56	34	10	12	113	54
Away	56	12	21	23	66	103
	112	46	31	35	179	157

 Inter cannot afford to lose against Genoa, but also cannot risk key players if they are playing the UEFA Champions League match against Manchester United next week at Old Trafford.

Genoa is not going to give a helping hand to Inter.  Genoa will put a strong front because they are also racing for a spot in the UEFA Champions League next week.  Beating Inter can take them to the 4th position if AC Milan is beaten by Atalanta. Genoa has 45 points and Milan 48.

The man to lead Genoa is Prince Diego Milito, second goalscorer of the Serie A with 15 goals in 22 appearances!  Guys, Milito is rumored to transfer to Inter too. Yet, Milito sustains that he is ok in Genoa. 

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Genoa has a slight advantage because this season they have not lose a match at home and the support of their fans is overwhelming. Genoa has won 8 matches and draw 4 matches.

Besides, Genoa is a tough opponent considering their last match against Inter at the Giuseppe Meazza ended with a 0-0.  Inter has not won a the Ferraris ince may 1992.

This is really a tough match for Inter coach Jose Mourinho.  Disadvantage with injured Mario Balotelli  who might miss this match and also Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a muscular twinge. Will it be the moment for Hernan Crespo to lead the attack? The battle against Argentinians Crespo versus Diego Milito?  Hum... on this one I think Milito takes the lead since he is more active.

Midfielder Patrick Vieira is out for a match suspension and Walter Samuel injured . 

Disdavantage for Genoa?  Absence from Matteo Paro and Antony Vanden Borre. 

Anna Italia Prediction: GENOA

TORINO - FC JUVENTUS - "The Turin Derby - Il Derby della Molle"
Olimpico di Torino Stadium
2008 - 2009 Serie A Standing - Torino 16th position, 24 points
                                             - FC Juventus 2nd position, 53 points 
  

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Oh mamma mia!!!!  This Turin Derby arrives in the  most difficult time for both teams, guys!   Torino might go down from the 16th position to the 19th position if losing this match and if Bologna, Lecce, and Chievo win their respective matches!!!! 
Last week result for il Toro was a draw  Cagliari 0 - 0 Torino

Juventus might slow down the race for the Scudetto if losing this match too!!!!!   Right now there are only 7 points difference between Inter and Juventus.  A victory for Juve will be optimum if Genoa beats Inter.  Wow... if that happens there will be only 4 points difference!      Juventus won their last week match FC Juventus 1 - 0 Napoli

Guys, out of the 224 Derbies between Torino and Juventus, it is Juve to have control of the bragging rights with 88 victories compared to 74 of Torino.  Good news for Juventus is the return to fitness of saint goalkeeper Gigi Buffon who has kept a strong wall during the derbies.



Torino might keep dreaming to see a victory since their last time they beat Juve in April 1995!  Wow, guys, more than 10 years!  Making the situation tougher for Torino is that they have not blasted Juventus goalkeeper since 2002 totaling 5 matches!  Will it be  this time that Bianchi or Rosina score?  Can Buffon be blasted ?  Oh wowwwwwww Juve's defense must be training like gladiators and I am counting on Giorgio Chiellini to take the lead in this battle.

The battle is at the maximun that Torino Coach Walter Novellino even wanting to give up his salary just to win this derby della molle. WOWWWW .. oh well, among the ex is Eugenio Corini and you bet he will give his best performance to upset his ex team and become the hero for Il Toro Granata!

The challenge guys is how will Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri evaluate the need to risk his best players in this derby considering they must play the UEFA Champions League next week against Chelsea too!!!!!   Wow.... I think Ranieri should weigh opportunities in both front. 

I will use Vincenzo Iaquinta and Trezeguet in the Derby while having Del Piero and Amauri playing maybe half time? 

I might even use the dynamic duo in the starting line up Del Piero-Trezeguet and then have Amauri or Iaquinta as subs.

Boys, come on, Del Piero  as Juventus running motor and inspiration must be fit for the Champions League.  Juve lost the first leg and now it's WINNING OR ELSE!

Though Torino has a long list of injured players: Elvis Abbruscato, Claudio Rivalta and Marco Di Loret, midfielder Aimo Diana and forward Nicola Ventola. wowww not to count the one match suspension of midfielder Paolo Zanetti.

Juventus will miss a key defender Nicola Legrottaglie serving a match suspension. Too bad Mauro Camoranesi is still injured because he adds speed to the game. Though also it is a good chance for midfielder Sebastian Giovinco to claim a spot here.

Well, well, well... so... best chances at least on paper is for Juventus.




Here is again the moment for Juventus forward Amauri to become the hero as he did last time in the Italian Serie A week 8 October 2008 FC Juventus 1 - 0 Torino  scoring the winner goal in the 48th minute.

Anna Italia Predictio: FC JUVENTUS


AS ROMA - UDINESE
Olimpico di Roma Stadium
2008 - 2009 Serie A Standing - AS Roma 6th posistion, 43 points
                                             - Udinese 12th position, 34 points 

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What to say of the Roman gladiators?  Madonna mia!!!!! Roma lost the golden moment to take home the 3 points last week when playing against Inter while having the lead ending up with a draw FC Inter 3 - 3 AS Roma!!!   Will that model repeat again at the Olimpico? 

Guys, if Roma wants to secure a post for the UEFA Champions League next season they need to win this match to make it to the 4th position. Fiorentina has the 4th position right now and will face Palermo.. so you bet Roma will cheer for Palermo.   Genoa in the 5th position play against Inter.woww... so fans will be rooting for Inter? 



Udinese is not a soft chewy chocolate chip cookie to munch either!!!  Udinese is rocking big time since becoming the only Italian team qualifying for the next round of the UEFA Cup when surprisingly Milan, Sampdoria, and Fiorentina were eliminated. Last week an added boost to their morale with a victory Udinese 2 - 0 Lecce

Big problem, I will say more of a "mental problem" for the Roman gladiators will be to balance their performance considering they also have a Champions League match next week against Arsenal. Roma lost the first leg 1-0, so they need to arrive fit and fresh as a green lettuce to win at least by 2 goals against Arsenal!!!  Disadvantage includes the absence from captain Francesco Totti for injury and the suspension of Coach Luciano Spalletti for 1 match. More injuries... Juan, Simone Loria, Marco Casetti and Simone Perrotta!

 

Udinese is coming to the Olimpico with the adreanaline at the maximum level. Guys, Udinese has lost only 1 match in the last six matches!  Boy, it will be really a major upset and a blow to the morale of the Roman gladiators if they lose this match!  Mental tension will be also for Udinese because they will play next week the Uefa Cup match of the last 16 against Zenit St Petersburg!

Disadvantage for Udinese includes injured players starting from forward Fabio Quagliarella, Damiano Ferronetti, Fernando Tissone. There is only one suspended player for Udinese defender Maurizio Domizzi.

Will it be the time for Antonio Di Natale to cause the major upset at the Olimpico???? Wowwwwww

Anna Italia Prediction: AS ROMA

FIORENTINA - PALERMO
Artemio Franchi Stadium
2008 - 2009 Serie A Standing - Fiorentina 4th position, 36 points
                                                      - Palermo 10th position 46 points 

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Ten points difference between Fiorentina and Palermo.  Losing the Sicilian Derby Palermo 0 - 4 Catania was a big upset and fans consider it a betrayal.  Fiorentina failed to beat the last team of the Serie A last week Reggina 1 - 1 Fiorentina.

Palermo players with a chance to redeem themselves in front of their fans by beating Fiorentina holding the 4th position.  Though it won't be easy considering the negative record of Palermo in away matches:  winning only 2, draw 3 and losing 8, goals in favor 9 and goals against 16!!!!!   Fiorentina at home has a better record 9 victories, 2 draw and 1 lost. 

A defeat for Palermo might be a slap in the face because they can go down from the 10th position to the 13th position if Udinese, Napoli, and Catania win their respective matches.
 



Palermo  with a disadvantage of having 2 suspended players Mark Bresciano and Migliaccio. On paper guys, the favorite is Fiorentina if we also think they have not lost in their last 6 matches. Palermo is the opposite, losing 5 matches in their last 6 matches.  Yet, I think Palermo is so hurt after losing the Sicilian Derby and trainings in Coverciano might  see final smile on Sunday. 

Palermo will be praying to Santa Rosalia to beat Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi.    For some reason, I think Palermo has a chance here and continue dreaming for a aspot in the UEFA Cup next season.  We might see the debut of Uruguayan forward Abel Hernandez if he recovers from injury too.  Wow, what a debut it will be if he scores the winning goal....

It is the time of ex Fiorentina Fabio Liverani to face his old teammates and cause an upset.  The best bet --as usual  --- for Palermo is without a doubt forward Fabrizio Miccoli.  I wonder if goalkeeper Marco Amelia recovered from the goleada too.  Amelia will face top shots as forward Alberto Gilardino second  goalscorer of te Serei A with 15 goals.

Anna Italia Prediction: DRAW


AC MILAN - ATALANTA
San Siro Stadium
2008 - 2009 Serie A Standing - AC Milan 3rd position, 48 points
                                                      - Atalanta 9th position, 36 points

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Get the drums ready because this is the "toughest" match for Milan in this season where they might wave "good bye to the Scudetto," if losing this match.  Right now there are 12 points difference with Inter which is practically already a "good bye." Yet, mathematically speaking, Milan still has some chances  though very smalll chances because depends of Inter losing 4 matches and Milan not losing those 4 matches.... 

Both teams lost their respective matches last week and will be desperately  to win this match, especially Milan at home.

Sampdoria 2 - 1 AC Milan
Atalatna 0 - 2 Chievo Verona

Realistically speaking, Milan can dream to get the second position as there are only 5 points difference between Juve and Milan.  Bottom line, Milan is risking to lose the 4th position if they lose against Atalanta because Fiorentina  is only 2 points away Milan and Genoa 3!  You see why we need the drums????  

Milan got their "psychological boost" with the victory on Wednesday in the International Friendly Match Al Sadd 1 - 2 AC Milan  in Qatar. 

The challenge is whether Atalanta will be ready to sacrifice this victory. OF COURSE NOT!   Atalanta can jump from the 9th position to the 7th position if they beat Milan and Lazio and Cagliari lose their respective matchees. 

Disadvantage for Milan the continuous absence from injury of Musica and Magia Kaka. Though it might be possible to see  Ronaldinho in action at least  for few minues  if he recovers from injury.
   

Guys, it is so obvious that Milan desperately need GENNARO GATTUSO AND KAKA!   Too bad Gattuso is out for the rest of the season.  Andrea Pirlo has not recover his top shape yet.  Beckham also having some muscular problems for over playing maybe.  We might see Emerson back in action.

Atalanta  really need a motivation to change their luck and still dream with a spot in the UEFA Cup nextseason.  Losing their last 2 matches has been a blow and a third lost will be a "slap, slap put the next cheek!!!!'  Atalanta lost at ahome last week against Chievo one of the bottom teams of the Serie A!!!!

This is the Disciplinary situation:  - Defender Giuseppe Favalli (Milan) and Thomas Manfredini (Atalanta) have been suspended. Massimo Ambrosini and Kakha Kaladze are within a booking of suspension for Milan, while for Atalanta Cigarini, Ferreira Pinto, and Garics will also miss the next match with a yellow card.

Most likey Ancelotti will have the duo Filippo Inzaghi - Pato in the starting line up.  Andriy Shevchenko still not convincing since his return to Milan and might start from the bench.

Problem is for Atalanta because their main symbol Captain Cristiano Doni is suffering a muscular injury and not sure if he can make it. This will be really a major blow for Atalanta.  More problems with injured players Sergio Floccari, Tiberio Guarente and Leonardo Talamonti. Out of the five matches between Milan and Atalanta, get this one guys.. Atalanta has won 3. So they might have a chance. 

Somebody play the drums.......

Anna Italia Prediction: AC MILAN

What are your PREDICTIONS? Are you expecting a major upset? POST your predictions now

Your Predictions??? Make your calculations and  changes... get your dancing pencil... AS Roma - Udinese Genoa - FC Inter Torino - FC Juventus Bologna - Sampdoria Catania - AC Siena Chievo Verona - Cagliari Fiorentina - Palermo Lecce - Reggina AC Milan - Atalanta Napoli - Lazio

Anna Italia Predictions. AS Roma - Udinese = AS ROMA Genoa - FC Inter = GENOA Torino - FC Juventus = FC JUVENTUS Bologna - Sampdoria = BOLOGNA Catania - AC Siena = CATANIA Chievo Verona - Cagliari = CAGLIARI Fiorentina - Palermo = DRAW Lecce - Reggina = LECCE AC Milan - Atalanta = AC MILAN Napoli - Lazio = NAPOLI Italian Serie A Tickets