PREVIEW WEEK 16 SERIE A

Attention non-Serie A supporters, the Italian League is slowly resurging from recent years of despair! The cinquina has been accomplished! This means that the five Italian clubs currently competing in the Champions League and the Europa Leage have all qualified to the next round! Yesterday in France, the three Italian competitors in the Champions league found out their opponents: SSC Napoli v Chelsea, Internazionale FC v Marseille, and AC Milan v Arsenal. Good luck to all of the Italian teams to win their match-ups which could be the first time in several years that all English teams could be knocked out of all European competition. Forza Milan, Forza Napoli, and Forza Inter! Forza Italia!

Week 16 of the Serie A begins with AC Milan taking on a struggling Siena side. The Rossoneri were held last week to a 1-1z draw against a good Bologna side. ACF Fiorentina  will host Atalanta at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. These two teams are currently level on points in mid table and will both be desperately looking for a result. Atalanta began the season with a 9-point deduction as a consequence to the betting scandal from last year, which if transpired into wins, could have placed them in 5^th place.  Chievo Verona welcomes Cagliari at the Bentegodi in Verona. These sides are separated by seven spots but sit only 2 points adrift of each of other – evidence of how tight Serie A is this season. This week also features the Sicilian derby between Catania Calcio and Palermo which always is a battle. Only 2 points separate these sides as well. Fourth-placed SS Lazio will be involved in a top of the table clash with high-flying Udinese. This is a crucial match for both sides with the top four teams all within one point of each other. Only 3 teams will qualify for next year’s Champions League. Udinese, who is currently level on points with Juventus FC for top spot, will take on the Old Lady of Italian football at the Stadio Friuli in Udine on December 21. AC Milan, Napoli, and Juventus need to be wary of these 2 forces as no teams can afford to stumble. Lastly, SSC Napoli will host the Giallorossi of Roma in the so-called DERBY OF THE SUN.  Only 3 points separate these sides as the Partenopei are currently in 5^th with 21 points and the Lupi are in 10^th position with 18 points. Both teams are currently aiming to reignite their season and a win here will earn them 3 vital points which could place them into the top portion of the table.

SERIE A 2011-12