As we approach the actual midway point of this season’s Serie A, we take a few moments to analyze the season thus far and what to expect in the second half.
While it is not a big surprise that AC Milan and Juventus lead the table, it is more surprising that Udinese and Lazio follow suit in third and fourth place respectively.
Juventus have benefited from the absence of mid-week football, allowing them to concentrate and prepare for their weekly Serie A encounter more than anyone else in the top four places. The Bianconeri will have won this season not by topping the table, but by qualifying for the UEFA Champions League (added revenue and exposure) While coach Antonio Conte has done a great job to date, his real challenge will present itself next year with managing squad rotation. This year he has had little “invention” to do aside from rotating flank players as the remainder of the squad has been both solid and healthy.
AC Milan’s season under Massimiliano Allegri thus far has been impressive (including a road draw in Barcelona) considering the recent injuries to Antonio Cassano and Robinho on the front line along with rather average half backs and an aging midfield. AC Milan’s progression in the next phase of the Champions League may come at the expense of topping the table domestically… a trade I believe they are willing to make.
After a dismal start to the season under Gian Piero Gasperini, Inter appears to have turned a long corner although it is far from clear sailing ahead. The recent improvement under Claudio Ranieri may be short lived as this aging squad may need to give opportunities to its youth including Ricardo Alvarez and Luc Castaignos if it wants to remain relevant in the future. Much of the remaining squad left by coach Jose Mourinho have all seen better days!
Two of the more entertaining sides to watch aside from Udinese have been Napoli and AS Roma. Napoli have been the most impressive to date, being able to manage both domestic and continental competitions effectively. While an opportunity to face Chelsea is a great honour, the focus needs to remain on the domestic front should they want to play Champions League football next term.
AS Roma, under the new ownership of Thomas Di Benedetto and the watchful eye of Luis Enrique have been playing some entertaining football with the largest amount of possession. They appear to be following Napoli’s lead in developing their own style of play, remaining loyal to their coach and giving opportunities to their youth. Erik Lamela, Miralem Pjanic and Bojan Krkic could be following in the footsteps of Edson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsek, although we all know the impatience of the Roma tifosi.
While much has changed for the better this year in Serie A with the excitement and attacking style of many of the teams, much continues to remain the same on the sidelines. No fewer than ten teams (50%) have changed tacticians thus far, with Roberto Donadoni most recently taking charge in Parma earlier this week.
The second half of the season is expected to be entertaining and filled with its fair share of controversy. When the smoke has settled in May, I expect to see Juventus and AC Milan in the top two followed by AS Roma. At the end of the day as much as things have changed, they look to remain the same!
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Insightful article. Watch out for a resurgent inter. They may have something to say about the title race.
One big inter win and you think things have changed? Milan dominated and inter sat n waited….maybe playing to their strengths but ugly
Devastated! Milan played extremely well last night! gutted they didn’t get a point at least.
Inter got away with it last night! very jammy indeed!