Another matchday is almost upon us and what mouth-watering clashes we have on our hands in the Serie A. Victory is a must when Inter and Roma meet this Saturday evening after disappointing first-up matches, league leaders Juventus travel to Siena looking to impress once again, and Napoli face Milan in the ‘posticipo’ on Sunday after gruelling Champions League fixtures midweek.
Saturday, September 17 2011
Cagliari – Novara
Caglari were the shock winners from last weekend, when they travelled to Rome and took all three points against a new-look Giallorossi outfit. Having not won in 27 attempts at the Stadio Olimpico – dating back to 1968 – the Isolani started the season off in style, and will look to continue it against Novara. Davide Astori will be keen to play an influential role this weekend, as he was involved in the demise of the Lupi – having Jose Angel sent off on the hour mark.
Novara also shocked followers of Serie A, as they claimed their first point of the season with a come-from-behind 2-2 draw against Chievo. The Piemonte side showed their fighting spirit, and that they will not be easybeats this term. Not having recorded a loss in their last four competitive matches means Atillio Tesser’s side will be brimmming with confidence going into the clash on Saturday.
The two teams have not met, but a stronger defence than last week will mean Tesser’s team will find it tough to score.
Prediction: Cagliari 2-0 Novara
Inter – Roma
Need anything more be said about how important this match is for both sides? It was only two seasons ago that the Nerazzurri and Giallorossi were locked in a battle to win the domestic double, and how things have considerably changed for both teams.
Inter were stunned by a Fabrizio Miccoli-inspired Palermo outfit which went on to claim a 4-3 win at the Renzo Barbera. More questions, though, were raised about the Nerazzurri than were answered. Poor defending, and an inability to adapt to a 3-5-2 formation used by coach Gian Piero Gasperini means pressure has already started to mount on the Milan-based outfit. Add to this their shock 1-0 home loss to Trabzonspor in the Champions League, and the Beneamata will need a victory to stop early calls for Gasperini’s sacking by their fans. Diego Milito returned to form with a brace against the Rosanero, and more of the same will be requested by Nerazzurri supporters.
The Lupi didn’t fare any better as their transfer deadline day signings could not help the side to a first-up victory against Cagliari. Played off the park by a keen outfit meant Luis Enrique’s men have been in the spotlight all week, and will want to rectify Thomas DiBenedetto’s spending on the club with maximum points. Jose Angel will not be available for selection after his red card, whilst the Roma strikers will want to score, especially captain Francesco Totti.
Inter have a lot more to play for in this encounter, but Roma will want the points just as much.
Prediction: Inter 2-2 Roma
Sunday, September 18 2011
Atalanta – Palermo
One of the biggest revelations to come out last week’s matchday as Atalanta’s Maximilian Moralez. ‘El Elano’ brought excitement back to the Nerazzurri with his two goals against Genoa – also giving the away side the lead. He, in combination with Simone Tiribocchi could be a deadly combination up front, especially if the Lombardy club want to stay up in Italy’s top-flight.
The other revelation was how an inspired Palermo outfit led by Fabrizio Miccoli were able to dismantle the might of Inter. Two goals from the captain, as well as singles from Mauricio Pinilla and Abel Hernandez gave the Rosanero a 100 per cent start to the season. The Sicilians showed they were not missing former influential midfielder Javier Pastore, with Josip Ilicic and Miccoli covering his role amply. One concern, though, will be in defence, as they did conced three goals. Matias Silvestre was preferred over the likes of Andrea Mantovani and Ezequiel Munoz, and will need to do better to keep his spot in the starting XI.
The away side should get the points on this occasion, as they have claimed victory in three of their past four encounters.
Prediction: Atalanta 1-3 Palermo
Bologna – Lecce
Both sides suffered losses on the opening day of the season, and will want to get some points to rectify this.
A 2-0 loss against Fiorentina last week away from home, though, had glimpses of something positive at the Felsinei, anc coach Pierpaolo Bisoli will be wanting to see more of those this weekend. Marco Di Vaio will also be keen to open their goalscoring accounts when the Giallorossi visit.
Two beacons stood out for Lecce last week – Julio Sergio and Andrea Bertolacci. The shot-stopper will be aiming to put in another solid performance in between the sticks and the midfielder will want a starting XI spot. Davide Di Michele and Juan Cuadrado are keen to find the back of the net as well.
Bologna should claim the points in this one, as they have won their previous three meetings.
Prediction: Bologna 1-0 Lecce
Catania – Cesena
The Sicilian side weren’t able to capitalise on their home-ground advantage when Siena arrived in Sicily last weekend, but will be keen to earn maximum points when Cesena arrive. Having claimed victory during this corresponding fixture last season, the Elefant – led by Vincenzo Montella – will want to get another win. Up and down throughout the pre-season, the Rossazzurri will now want to put that aside and focus on claiming victories. The home team will look to Maxi Lopez for inspiration, as he has promised to score more often this term.
Cesena were expectedly beaten last weekend by Napoli 3-1, but what shocked a lot of Serie A fans was how competitive the side was. The arrivals of Adrian Mutu and Eder, as well as holding onto Marco Parolo during the summer after advances from Lazio meant the Seahorses would not be a pushover. Marco Giampaolo will also have an advantage, as he knows the Catania outfit very well, having been in charge of the side.
Even though Catania had a victory in the same match last season, a draw is on the cards.
Prediction: Catania 1-1 Cesena
Lazio – Genoa
A tough opening to the season occurred for the Biancocelesti, as they faced reigning champions Milan at the San Siro on the opening day of the season. What no one expected was for the team to take a 2-0 lead after only 21 minutes, when new signings Miroslav Klose and Djibril Cisse found the back of the net. Also obtaining a point against Romanian side Vaslui in the Europa League gave Edy Reja’s men confidence going into this weekend’s match, with a fully-rested Klose and an attacking department which can score.
Genoa were big spenders during the transfer season, but it was Miguel Veloso – a player brought in the previous summer – who found the back of the net against Atalanta. But two momentary lapses in defence saw the side go down 2-1 before being rescued by Giandomenico Mesto. Valter Birsa will be restricted to the sidelines due to his red card against the Nerazzurri, but Kevin Constant will be keen to show why he was so highly-regarded by Genoa president Enrico Preziosi.
Lazio should gain maximum points this weekend, as they have a strong record against the Grifone. Four wins from their five previous encounters will see them in good stead.
Prediction: Lazio 2-1 Genoa
Parma – Chievo
Parma fans did not expect to receive the demolition given to them by Juventus last weekend. Four goals conceded, but the one bright spark was Sebastian Giovinco’s converted penalty late in the match. The Gialloblu found it extremely tough to create space, and were treated as a second-division side against the powerful Bianconeri in their new stadium.
Chievo squandered a two-goal lead at home to newly-promoted Novara only to walk away with a point from the match. Sergio Pellissier opened the scoring whilst Cyril Thereau doubled the Flying Donkey’s advantage. But persistance from the Piemonte side saw Francesco Marianini and Massimo Paci equalise. takayuci Morimoto was also able to have an impact off the bench, providing the assist for Paci. Not a lot is expected from the away side this season, and another point could be stolen this weekend.
Prediction: Parma 1-1 Chievo
Siena – Juventus
League leaders Juventus travel to Tuscany this weekend, to take on coach Antonio Conte’s former club Siena at the Artemio Franchi stadium. Coming off the back of a convincing 4-1 rout of Parma last weekend, the Bianconeri will be full of confidence as they look to make it two from two to kick start the new season.
Siena picked up a point on their travels to Sicily on the opening match day, as they held Catania to a scoreless draw, however they face a much tougher assignment against the Old Lady, who are the early dark horse for this season’s Scudetto.
Conte’s main issue this weekend will not concern the opponents, but rather who to play from the start in his 4-2-4 set-up. With so many options, an away victory is a near certain result.
Prediction: Siena 0-2 Juventus
Udinese – Fiorentina
Udinese and Fiorentina meet in an intriguing fixture at the Friuli stadium in Udine, with both sides looking to maintain their perfect starts to the season.
The Bianconeri eased past Lecce away from home, whilst La Viola were too good for Bologna, ending a winless streak against their opponents with a 2-0 triumph.
Matches between these two sides in the past have been renowned for being high scoring affairs, with the home side normally coming out on top. Antonio Di Natale will be keen to continue his goal scoring start to the season, and will grab a brace against the Alberto Gilardino inspired visitors.
Prediction: Udinese 3-2 Fiorentina
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This article was originally posted by Rick D’Andrea
