Review of week 23 and week 24 in the Serie A

Serie A Review of Week 23

Here we go again with another weekend of fun and excitement heading our way. But first, I would like to personally congratulate AC Milan for thrashing Arsenal in the Champions league in midweek, humiliating Arsene Wenger’s side with a well-rounded 4 -0 result at the San Siro. Auguri Rossoneri! The return leg is set for March 6^th in London.

Last week, the Diavoli accomplished what other Italian sides have not yet been able to achieve all season and that is putting an end to Udinese’s unbeaten home recorded with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory. In the second half, Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri introduced new signing Maxi Lopez who immediately had a positive impact on Milan’s performance as he was able to equalise within minutes and then set up Italian internation Sephan El Shaarawy for the winner. This is not the first time this season that the Rossoneri ended an undefeated streak and will aim to repeat this fact next weekend against Juventus for the scudetto showdown in Milan. SSC Napoli defeated ChievoVerona 2-0 which ended their five-game losing streak thanks to goals from Edison Cavani and Miguel Britos. SS Lazio overturned a 2-0 deficit to overcome Cesena Calcio with a 3-2 scoreline despite being reduced to 10 men for most of the game. ASRoma lost to Siena Calcio, 1-0, in the Monday night game.  Although the Lupi outplayed the Tuscan side, Siena was able to capitalize on a late penalty converted by Emanuele Caiaio. Navara, reduced to 10 men as well, achieved the unbelievable by upsetting Internazionale 1 -0 at the San Siro with the winner scored by Andrea Caracciolo. Juventus and Bologna was postponed due to heavy snow as well as Parma v. ACF Fiorentina.  However, the Bianconeri recuperated one of their postponed games against Parma in midweek which ended in a goalless draw. The Bianconeri have missed their chance to go atop of the table but still have one game in hand over Milan and will face their Scudetto-rivals next weekend. The Old Lady of Italian has had difficulties scoring recently with two consecutive 0-0 draws.

Week 24

Week 24 began with action on Friday evening due to mid-week action in the Champions League. Once again, Inter were embarrassed with a 3-0 scoreline on home soil by Bologna FC. Bologna top scorer Marco Di Vaio bagged a brace both coming within 60 seconds. Robert Acquafresca sealed the victory adding a goal to the tally. This was the Nerazzurri’s fifth loss in six games in all competitions.

SSC Napoli travelled to ACF Fiorentina and defeated the Viola 3-0 with two goals from Edison Cavani and the other from Ezequiel Lavezzi. This is a big confidence booster for Napoli ahead of the Champions League clash against Chelsea from which Walter Mazzarri has been suspended for both legs.

Having lost their undefeated home record and star players namely captain Antonio Di Natale as well as Isla to injury, Udinese will aim to return to the win column against Cagliari Calcio on Sunday. AS Roma will host Parma at the Stadio Olimpico of Rome. The Gialloblu have not lost since the arrival of former Azzurri coach, Roberto Donadoni. The Giallorossi have been inconsistent all season and need a win to shake off their loss to Siena last week. SS Lazio travels to Palermo where most teams do not come out with a result. The Biancolesti , currently in 3^rd with 42 points, are eyeing the final Champions League spot for next season. Undefeated Juventus will welcome a stubborn Catania side to the Juventus Stadium in Turin. The Bianconeri have not defeated Catania at home since 1984. Can Antonio Conte side do it? Will they snap this streak? The pressure is building as the Old Lady is currently in second, sitting comfortably behind giants Milan with one point less. AC Milan will take on Cesena. The Rossoneri’s confidence is sky after rediscovering their form against by defeating both Arsenal and Udinese. Cesena currently sitS second from the bottom and will be praying to the soccer gods for a victory over the Rossoneri. Sorry Cesena, this is Milan, not Inter. IT WONT HAPPEN!! AND THAT’S THE LAST WORD!

Week 23		12 Feb 2012
Atalanta	0 – 0	Lecce
Bologna	P – P	Juventus
Cagliari	2 – 1	Palermo
Catania	4 – 0	Genoa
Inter	0 – 1	Novara
Lazio	3 – 2	Cesena
Napoli	2 – 0	Chievo
Parma	P – P	Fiorentina
Siena	1 – 0	Roma
Udinese	1 – 2	Milan

LATEST
Week 24 19 Feb 2012 (14.00 UK)
Cesena	Preview	Milan
Fiorentina	0 – 3	Napoli(Fri 19.45)
Genoa	Preview	Chievo
Inter	0 – 3	Bologna(Fri 19.45)
Juventus	3 – 1	Catania(Sat 19.45)
Lecce	4 – 1	Siena(11.30)
Novara	Preview	Atalanta
Palermo	Preview	Lazio(19.45)
Roma	Preview	Parma
Udinese	Preview	Cagliari(19.45)