Serie A – Week 3 Review
For those who bet on Serie A matches, Week 3 most likely proved problematic due to the surprising upsets that occurred over the weekend. SSC Napoli pummelled a rather slow AC Milan side 3-1 at the San Paolo with Serie A leading goal-scorer Edison Cavani bagging a hat-trick after Alberto Aquilani had given the Rossoneri the lead in the first half with a splendid header.
AS Roma and Internazionale FC continued their dismal start of the season in a game which ended in a goalless draw at the Giuseppe Meazza. Gianpiero Gasperini, head coach of Inter, beginning to feel the heat. Palermo, coming from an exciting 4-3 win over the Nerazzurri, was defeated against a motivated Atalanta side 1-0 in Bergamo. The Bergamaschi began the season with negative points due to a betting/match fixing scandal. Europa League contenders, Udinese Calcio, continued their magnificent start of the new campaign bringing home 3 points against ACF Fiorentina in Udine. Genoa came out victors over SS Lazio 2-1 in Rome as they continue to lead Serie A with star Argentine Palacio on fine form so far. In other games: Bologna 0-2 Lecce, Cagliari 2-1Novara, Catania 1-0 Cesena, Parma 2-1 Chievo, and Siena 0-1 Juventus.
Week 4 Review
In mid-week action, Week 4 continued the upsets trend from Week 3. Serie A newcomers, Novara, destroyed Internazionale FC 3-1 which placed the Nerazzurri further down the table. Gasperini was fired as head coach following the match and was replaced by Claudio Ranieri. The 2011-2012 year marks an historic season for the Interisti as it is their worst start in Serie A. SSC Napoli also experienced their first defeat losing 1-0 away to the flying donkeys of Chievo which knocked Napoli out of first place. Genoa, off to a flying start, demolished Catania 3-0 at the Marassi in Genova with Palacio bagging a brace placing him joint top of Serie A’s leading goal-scorer list. This win also places the Genoese in top spot of the Serie A. In Milan, the Rossoneri were held to a 1-1 draw with Udinese. AC Milan goalkeeper, Christian Abbiati, committed what the Italians call a papera, mishandling the ball which fell to the lethal feet of Antonio Di Natale who popped it in from close range. On a positive note for the Milanisti, Stephan El Sharaawy – the 19 year old Italian international of Egyptian decent – who replaced the yet-again injured Alexandre Pato, scored the equaliser and had a great impact on the game combining very well with Antonio Cassano. This is also AC Milan‘s worst start only earning two points in three games. Juventus tied Bologna 1-1 at home after hero and villan, Mirko Vucinic, scored the go-ahead goal and was sent off with two yellow cards at the end of the first half. Unfortunately for the Giallorossi, AS Roma tied 1-1 once again against Siena. The Romanisti are still looking for their first win of the season. Other results: Cesena 1-2 Lazio, Fiorentina 3-0 Parma, Lecce 1-2 Atalanta, Palermo 3-2 Cagliari.
Week 5 at a glance
Week 5 features a number of key fixtures. SSC Napoli will take on the viola of ACF Fiorentina. The Napolitani, who are on fine form and are serious Scudetto contenders, will be searching for the win in front of a packed San Paolo stadium. Internazionale FC v Bologna is a key match for the Nerazzurri to get back on their feet against the struggling Felsinei. Newly designated head coach, Claudio Ranieri, will be looking for Inter’s first win of the Season. AC Milan takes on Cesena at the Giuseppe Meazza. Head Coach, Massimiliano Allegri, is under pressure from club patron, Silvio Berlusconi, as the Rossoneri will desperately search for their first win of the season. It will be a tough test for the Milanisti as players keep dropping like flies. Ibrahimovic, Robinho, Boetang, Mexes, Gattuso, Ambrosini, and now Pato are out injured. Adriano Galliani stated in midweek that he will investigate the situation with his fitness coaches since all of these players have muscle issues. AS Roma travels to Parma looking for their first win of the campaign. Marco Borriello is expected to partner Francesco Totti in attack. Juventus travels to Sicily to take on Catania. The Old Lady of Italian football will want to get back to winning ways ahead of their week 6 fixture against AC Milan at the new Juventus Stadium. Coach, Antonio Conte, is expected to slightly change the line-up bringing on Elia and Fabio Quagliarella in attack.
Here are the match-ups in week 5:
Atalanta – Novara
Bologna – Inter
Cagliari – Udinese tie
Catania – Juventus tie
Chievo – Genoa
Lazio – Palermo tie
Milan – Cesena
Napoli – Fiorentina
Parma – Roma tie
Siena – Lecce
That’s the last word on Soccer
Frank Luciano Giuliano
