Week 31 of the Serie A was great for Bianconeri fans and upsetting for the Milanisti. AC Milan fell at home to a Fiorentina side that is currently going through a crisis as the Viola are in strong contention for relegation. The Rossoneri took the lead early on with yet another Zlatan Ibrahimovic spot kick. Milan was a tad complacent in the second half where Fiorentina scored twice with Stevan Jovetic equalising quickly after the restart. With one minute remaining, ex-Juve forward, Amauri inserted a dagger in the Rossoneri faithfuls’ heart as he bagged the game winner with a minute left! The striker had not scored since last April. Milan lost their first place status when the news worsened that Juventus had won their fixture with a 2-0 score line in Sicily against Palermo with goals from Bonucci and Quagliarella. The Old Lady is now leading with a one-point advantage on Milan with seven games remaining.
A surprising result at the Stadio Via del Mare! AS Roma had their Champions league hope hit a brick wall with an embarrassing 4-2 loss away to Lecce. Cross-city rivals, SS Lazio, made their third-place ambition almost a reality with a 3 -1 win over Napoli who is also in contention for the final Champions League spot. Udinese, who is also in the running for the third and final spot for Europe’s prestigious tournament, battered Parma 3-1 at the Stadio Friuli. Lazio currently sit behind Milan with 54 points, followed by Udinese with 51, and then Napoli with 48 points.
Other results: Atalanta 1-2 Siena; Udinese 3-1 Parma; Chievo 3-2 Catania; Cagliari 2-2 Inter; Cesena 0-0 Bologna; Novara 1-1 Genoa.
Week 32 Preview
Week 32 will played in midweek and will be crucial throughout the standings. AC Milan travels to Verona to take on Chievo and will be aiming to reclaim first place at least momentarily, putting the Old Lady under pressure to win her encounter. The Rossoneri are currently on a poor run of form coming off a tie and loss respectively. The Milan camp has also been hit hard with bad news as Massimo Ambrosini, Alberto Aquilani, and Daniele Bonera are out due to suspension and will be without Kevin Prince Boateng and Alexandre Pato due to injury. However, Diavoli coach Max Allegri, will be able to call up Alessandro Nesta, Clarence Seedorf, and Mathieu Flamini. Milan and Italy International Antonio Cassano should be making his first start since he suffered a minor stroke against Roma.
First place and undefeated Juventus welcome Lazio to the Juventus Stadium. All eyes will be on this match-up as the Bianconeri are aiming to keep hold of first whereas Lazio wants to finish third. This will be a tough game for both teams. Juve’s heart, grit, and determination might prove too powerful to handle for the Biancocelesti. But do not count out the Laziali as they can be dangerous but will have to deal with a Klose-less attack whereas the Old Lady will be at full strength for this encounter. Milan fans will pray that Lazio ends Juve’s unbeaten record whereas Udinese and Napoli will hope for an Old Lady victory. For the sake of the Rossoneri fans and campaign, I will say….Forza Lazio!
Relegation-threatened Fiorentina, fresh from a big win at the San Siro against Milan, will play Palermo at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence. This is Fiorentina boss Delio Rossi’s first game against his former club since being dismissed from Rosanero owner, Maurizio Zamparini. Palermo are sitting comfortably in 11th and still has a slight chance for Europa League action.
AS Roma host Udinese at the Stadio Olimpico. This is a huge game as both teams are fighting to keep pace for third place finish. We can say the losing team will probably get their dream denied!
Other fixtures: Inter v Siena; Napoli v Atalanta; Parma v Novara; Genoa v Cesena; Catania v Lecce.
…that’s the last word!
