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PREVIEW Italian Serie A Week 35 - Italian Football League Thirty Fifth Round Sunday, April 20
By Anna Italia
Countdown is to 4 matches!
Here are the fixtures of the Italian Serie A Week 35 and my preview for the Thirty Fifth Round:
THREE BATTLES are still going ON in this Thirty Fifth Round: Scudetto, 4th place, and Relegation Zone.
What are your PREDICTIONS? Are you expecting a major upset? Which teams will go down?
Here is my PREVIEW of the Serie A Week 35 - Italian Soccer Serie A Thirty Fifth Round scheduled for Sunday, April 27.
FC INTER - CAGLIARI
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium
Serie A Standing: FC Inter 1st position, 78 points
Cagliari 15th position, 35 points
Wow, this will be a decisive match for INTER and Cagliari. If Inter beat Cagliari, most likely my friends, INTER WILL WIN THE SCUDETTO.
Why? Even if Roma beat Livorno, the difference between Inter and Roma will remain 6 points. There are only 3 more matches, after this one, equalizing to 9 points. I doubt Inter will give up in the last moments. The next match for Inter is the MILAN's derby on May 4. If Inter win that one too, it will be an early celebration for the SCUDETTO and appropriately at the Meazza Stadium!
Just look at Inter's players faces from Wednesday's mini tournament, I don't think they are ready to lose the 3 points at the Meazza!
The big challenge is not much for Inter, but for CAGLIARI to cause a major upset and keep Roma's dream to win the scudetto alive! Inter, compared to the beginning of the season, is not playing that well lately.
If Cagliari beat Inter, it will be a happy news for Cagliari fans guaranteeing their SALVATION and for Roma to hold tight and not give up. The difference between Inter and Roma will be only 3 points!!! You see what I am saying???
It is up to Cagliari coach Davide Ballardini to sit down peacefully with a cup of coffee to draw the winning strategy and perfect formation.
Surely, goalkeeper Marco Storari is the main guy to block Inter's attempt to score. Do I think Storari can make it? YES, HE CAN.
Challenge is for Cagliari to have a solid defense to avoid giving much space to Inter strikers especially Julio Cruz who seems to be Inter's savior!
Problem for Inter coach Roberto Mancini will be to decide on whether he will use his key players, who are cautioned, against Cagliari or save them for the Derby. Maybe assistant Sinisa Mijahlovic help him think twice before making any decisions. Most likely, Mancini will prefer to save his best men for the DERBY against Milan. Don't you think?
Good news is that Inter has no suspended players, but the list of cautioned players is long: Mario Balotelli, Burdisso, Esteban Cambiasso, Cordoba, Luis Figo, Luis Jimenez, Julio Cesar, Maicon, Stankovic. Patrick Vieira returns after a ban suspension.
Bad news is for Cagliari who have 3 suspended players: Michele Fini, Pasquale Foggia, and defender Francesco Pisano. The cautioned players include 'star striker' Robert Acquafresca, Agostini, Biondini, Jedalas, and Larrivery.Another headache for Coach Ballardini is the absence of mifielder Andrea parola for a thigh injury.
My Prediction: CAGLIARI
AS ROMA - TORINO
Olimpico di Roma Stadium
Serie A Standing: AS Roma 2nd position, 72 points
Torino 16th position, 34 points
The moment of truth for Roma. This is the match where ROMA either keeps dreaming with the Scudetto or JUST RESIGN TO THE SECOND POSITION IF NOT TO THE THIRD POSITION!
If Roma loses and Juventus beats Lazio, then, my friends, there will be only 2 points difference between Roma and Juve. Ouch! It will be terrible for Roma to lose at the Olimpico. This is why the support of ROMA fans at the Olimpico now is crucial!
Problem is that it is also THE MOMENT OF TRUTH for Torino! Torino needs desperately to win to save themselves from relegation. A defeat for Torino might risk the relegation. If Reggina, Livorno and Empoli win their respective matches, they will have 33 points.
A victory for Torino might take them to the 14th position with 37 points, if Catania and Cagliaria, both having 35 points, lose their respective matches.
Great challenge for Torino coach Gianni De Biasi to win this match. De Biasi debut last week, after the sacking of coach Walter Novellino, losing against Inter. So, I don't think De Biasi and Torino President Urbano Cairo will be smiling if losing this match.
Sad thing for Roma was to lose for the rest of the Season Captain Francesco Totti for a knee surgery after hurting during the match AS ROMA 1 - 1 AS LIVORNO.
Best bet for Roma coach Luciano Spalletti is to give all the best confidence to strikers Mirko Vucinic, Mancini, and midfielder Daniele De Rossi. They are the main players that can save Roma. Question is whether Roma trained enough to beat Torino or not.
Roma fans want to see a group celebration.
Contrary to the bad news of Roma for losing Totti, Torino recovers their main goalkeeper Matteo Sereni from injury.
Bad news for Torino is the suspension of midfielder Davide Bottone and Eugenio Corini. Plus, captain Gianluca Comotto, defender Cesare natali and Franceschini are injured.
Honestly, this should be an easy victory for Roma. However, the final script is not written yet, an unexpected "end" might come up.
I am not sure if Torino striker Roberto Stellone and midfielder Alessandro Rosina will be able to beat the Roman gladiators.
My Prediction: AS ROMA
FC JUVENTUS - LAZIO
Olimpico di Torino Stadium
Serie A Standing: FC Juventus 3rd position, 67 points
Lazio 12th position, 40 points
Time for JUVENTUS to seal their GRAND RETURN to the Serie A after coming back from the Serie B. A victory will just double confirm Juventus spot in the Champions League next year. Beating Lazio will be the best news for Juve to consolidate their "domain." Wow, wonder how will ex Lazio players Pavel Nedved and Gugielmo Stendardo react.
Juventus can even dream of reaching the second position of the Serie a if Roma lose against Torino! Wow, that will be a major upset! Even if Roma win, there are still 3 more matches and the difference between Juventus and Roma are only of 5 points.
Juve is coming from a superb victory last week ATALANTA 0 - 4 FC JUVENTUS while Lazio lost to Catania!
Lazio with 40 points is not risking a relegation as the last three teams of the Serie A Standings Livorno, Empoli, and Reggina have 30 points each.
since the single-group tournament was set up (1929/30)
and all Italian Cups since 1922.
On paper, Juventus has all the advantage over Lazio. Both teams have played 63 matches at the Olimpico and Juve won 39, 16 draws, and Lazio winning only 8.
It's the duel between the "duo strikers." Juventus dynamic duo David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero versus Lazio dynamic duo Tommaso Rocchi and Goran Pandev.
Good news for Juventus is not having suspended players for this match. Bad news is for Lazio having 3 suspended players: Dabo for insulting the referee is banned 2 matches, Zauri and Cristian Ledesma. Making matters worst for Lazio are the injuries of Valon Behrami and the lack of fitness of Rolando Bianchi. Not to mention relying on goalkeeper Muslera who has proved to be the worst signing for Lazio. It would be suicidal to have Muslera in the starting lineup instead of goalkeeper Marco Ballotta.
Cautioned players for Juventus: Mauro Camoranesi, Grygera, Nocerino, Raffaele Palladino, Salihamidzic, Guglielmo Stendardo and Trezeguet.
My Prediction: FC JUVENTUS
AS LIVORNO - AC MILAN
Armando Picchi Stadium
Serie A Standing: AS Livorno 18th position, 30 points
AC Milan 5th position, 55 points
The decisive match for Milan to keep the race for the 4th position and some hope to be in the Champions League next year. For Livorno, decisive to remain in the Serie A as they are among the 3 teams in the last position with 30 points each: Livorno, Reggina, and Empoli. So, it will a matter of WHO WANTED TO WIN MORE.... a real battle to grasp the 3 points! ... Just hope no mistakes from referee Morganti!
Milan cannot lose this match because if Fiorentina beats Sampdoria, the hope for obtaining the 4th position will be almost NON EXISTENT and will be OUT OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE because the difference will increase to 7 points and there are only 3 more matches. Besides, the next match for Milan is against the top leader FC INTER!!!!
Milan has the SUPER advantage of having the return of KAKA and Super Pippo Inzaghi. Last week, Kaka scored 3 goals against Reggina! AC MILAN 5 - 1 REGGINA while Livorno caused an upset for Roma by getting a draw AS ROMA 1 - 1 AS LIVORNO.
Milan needs these 4 men to be SHARP: Massimo Ambrosini, Pirlo, Musica and Magia Kaka, and Seedorf, plus the one and only SUPER Pippo Inzaghi!!!!
It will be devastated if Livorno gives another upset to the rossoneri. Good news for Milan is that they don't have any suspended players and Massimo Ambrosini and Daniele Bonera are available after ban suspension. Milan has only only five cautioned players: Marcos Cafu, Giuseppe Favalli, Gennaro Gattuso, Alessandro Nesta and Massimo Oddo.
Good news also for Livorno without suspended players, but they have 7 cautioned players: De Vezze, Filippini, Galante, Grandoni, Pavan, Pulzetti and Vidigal.
A possible bad news for Milan will be the absence of young Brazilian striker PATO for a muscular injury. Though, Super Pippo Inzaghi is fit and hey, he is rocking!!!
Livorno will be praying for Alessandro Diamanti to repeat a "savior goal" like he did against Roma. Wow, I just imagine Livorno fans in total joy at the Armando Picchi stadium if Livorno either gets a draw or beat Milan.
Even Livorno coach Giancarlo Camolese admits that "We'll have to do well to prevent them getting space, it will be a very difficult match."
Good news for the amaranti. Captain defender Davide Balleri and midfielder Giuliano Giannichedda returned following their injuries. Bad news is that they are losing midfielder Luis Vidigal for injury.
Though, I don't think the rossoneri will be ready to lose this match. They will be 11 roaring lions desperate to eat their rival. Just like midfielder and Milan's architect Andrea Pirlo said to Sky "We exited the Champions League and the Coppa Italia, but all of this must serve us for next year, to find success with even more desire.
Record are more in favor of Milan. Milan has beat Livorno 3 times while Livorno only beat Milan once back in January 2005.
FIORENTINA - SAMPDORIA
Artemio Franchi Stadium
Serie A Standing: Fiorentina 4th position, 59 points
Sampdoria 6th position, 55 points
What a match... a scontro diretto here!
Sampdoria like Milan have the same 55 points and battling to get the 4th position. Fiorentina right now is in control of that post and the only Italian team in European competition.
If we are going to base our prediction on what we saw in the UEFA Cup Semifinals First Leg RANGERS 0 - 0 FIORENTINA, then, we might say that Sampdoria could beat Fiorentina. Fiorentina was not the TOP SHOT today. Striker Mutu was lost.
Here is the situation. If Fiorentina beat Sampdoria and Milan beat Livorno, the battle for the 4th position will be narrow down to Milan and Fiorentina. If there is a draw, Fiorentina will have 60 points and Sampdoria 56 points. If Milan beat Livorno, Milan will have 58 points. It means there will be only 2 points difference. Giving the situation that Fiorentina has still to play the second leg of the UEFA Cup Semifinals next week on Thursday, May 1, Prandelli must do miracle not to "tire his key men."
If Sampdoria beat Fiorentina and Milan beat Livorno, then, my friends we are heading to a FAST ROLLERCOASTER. Fiorentina will have 59 points while Milan and Sampdoria will have 58 points each! Only 1 point difference to grasp the coveted 4th position.
Advantage for Sampdoria is having their strikers fit and ready to shoot. Cassano scoring 8 goals and Claudio Bellucci who has scored 12 goals so far.
It is a tough match for Fiorentina because Sampdoria players, especially striker Antonio Cassano will go to the Artemio Franchi to change their negative statistics. In Week 16, Cassano scored the equalizer goal against Fiorentina ending in 2-2. Cassano seems to grow big when meeting the big teams. In Week 24 he kept the 1-1 draw with Inter.
The other one challenging Fiorentina is Sampdoria midfielder Gennaro Delvecchio who wants to play in the Champions Leauge.
The obstacle for Sampdoria is Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey who has proved to be A SOLID WALL.
Problem for Fiorentina is not having striker Giampaolo Pazzini for a ban suspension. Mutu better shapes up because he will be the main guy for the Viola. So far, Mutu has scored 16 goals, only 3 behind the top scorer Marco Borriello. Hopefully, Prandelli will have striker Christian Vieri too in absence of Pazzini.
My Prediction: DRAW
NAPOLI - AC SIENA
San Paolo Stadium
Serie A Standing: Napoli 9th position, 46 points
AC Siena 13th position, 38 points
After last week crazy match Parma 1 - 2 Napoli where Parma enxed with 8 players, Napoli will want to win the match in front of their fans at the San Paolo stadium.
Despite being sent off during the match against Parma, Napoli coach Edy Reja is not suspended. The Sporting Judge gave him a fine of 5,000 euro and a cautioned. So, there is no need to alarm in la panchina!
Wonder what will happen if Siena beat Napoli? Why Not?
Things will not be that easy for Napoli because Siena Coach Mario Beretta desperately needs a victory to avoid falling in the relegation zone. Besides, they lost last week against Genoa. Challenge will be for Siena goalkeeper Manninger to stop Napoli bomber Ezequiel Lavezzi and midielder Marek Hamsik, both becoming the living symbols of Napoli.
Problem for Napoli is the suspension of Walter Gargano and Manuele Blasi. Losing at the San Paolo will be catastrophic for Napoli. Good thing for Napoli besides Lavezzi and Hamsik is the well "rigoristi" defender Domizzi, OIut of 6 penalty, Dommizzi has converted 5 against Genoa, Juventus, Milan, and Parma the last one. So, you bet if it comes to take a penalty against Siena, who will shoot? Yes... you guess it... DOMIZZI.
Good news for Napoli is the motivated goalkeeper Gennaro Iezzo who want to finish his career in Napoli as told in Napoli's website. So, things will not be that easy for Siena strikers Massimo Maccarone, Tomas Locatelli, and Christian Rigano' to blast Iezzo.
Good news for Siena is not having suspended players and the return of defender Daniele Portanova after suspension.
Point is that even Siena President Pier Luigi Fabrizi, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, is urging his team not to take anything for granted and win their remaining matches to really think of being saved. Wow, what a birthday present will be if Siena beat Napoli!
My Prediction: DRAW
UDINESE - CATANIA
Friuli Stadium
Serie A Standing: Udinese 7th position, 51 points
Catania 14th position, 35 points
My Prediction: UDINESE
PALERMO - ATALANTA
Renzo Barbera Stadium
Serie A Standing: Palermo 10th position., 42 points
Atalanta 11th position, 41 points
My Prediction: PALERMO
GENOA - EMPOLI
Luigi Ferraris Stadium
Serie A Standing: Genoa 8th position, 48 points
Empoli 19th position, 30 points
My Prediction: GENOA
Countdown is to 4 matches!
Here are the fixtures of the Italian Serie A Week 35 and my preview for the Thirty Fifth Round:
THREE BATTLES are still going ON in this Thirty Fifth Round: Scudetto, 4th place, and Relegation Zone.
| Here is the Current Situation for the Serie A Week 35 4 more matches equal 4 x 3 = 12 points available!!!        | ||
| Battle for the Scudetto FC Inter 78 points AS Roma 72 points FC Juventus 67 points |
Battle for the 4th Position 4 Fiorentina 59 5 AC Milan 55 6 Sampdoria 55 7 Udinese 51 |
Battle for Salvation 16 Torino 34 17 Parma 31 18 AS Livorno 30 19 Empoli 30 20 Reggina 30 |
What are your PREDICTIONS? Are you expecting a major upset? Which teams will go down?|
Position |
Team |
Points |
|
1 |
FC Inter |
78 |
|
2 |
AS Roma |
72 |
|
3 |
FC Juventus |
67 |
|
4 |
Fiorentina |
59 |
|
5 |
AC Milan |
55 |
|
6 |
Sampdoria |
55 |
|
7 |
Udinese |
51 |
|
8 |
Genoa |
48 |
|
9 |
Napoli |
46 |
|
10 |
Palermo |
42 |
|
11 |
Atalanta |
41 |
|
12 |
Lazio |
40 |
|
13 |
AC Siena |
38 |
|
14 |
Catania |
35 |
|
15 |
Cagliari |
35 |
|
16 |
Torino |
34 |
|
17 |
Parma |
31 |
|
18 |
AS Livorno |
30 |
|
19 |
Empoli |
30 |
|
20 |
Reggina |
30 |
Here is my PREVIEW of the Serie A Week 35 - Italian Soccer Serie A Thirty Fifth Round scheduled for Sunday, April 27.
FC INTER - CAGLIARI
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium
Serie A Standing: FC Inter 1st position, 78 points
Cagliari 15th position, 35 points
Wow, this will be a decisive match for INTER and Cagliari. If Inter beat Cagliari, most likely my friends, INTER WILL WIN THE SCUDETTO.
Why? Even if Roma beat Livorno, the difference between Inter and Roma will remain 6 points. There are only 3 more matches, after this one, equalizing to 9 points. I doubt Inter will give up in the last moments. The next match for Inter is the MILAN's derby on May 4. If Inter win that one too, it will be an early celebration for the SCUDETTO and appropriately at the Meazza Stadium!
Just look at Inter's players faces from Wednesday's mini tournament, I don't think they are ready to lose the 3 points at the Meazza!
The big challenge is not much for Inter, but for CAGLIARI to cause a major upset and keep Roma's dream to win the scudetto alive! Inter, compared to the beginning of the season, is not playing that well lately.
If Cagliari beat Inter, it will be a happy news for Cagliari fans guaranteeing their SALVATION and for Roma to hold tight and not give up. The difference between Inter and Roma will be only 3 points!!! You see what I am saying???
It is up to Cagliari coach Davide Ballardini to sit down peacefully with a cup of coffee to draw the winning strategy and perfect formation. Surely, goalkeeper Marco Storari is the main guy to block Inter's attempt to score. Do I think Storari can make it? YES, HE CAN.
Challenge is for Cagliari to have a solid defense to avoid giving much space to Inter strikers especially Julio Cruz who seems to be Inter's savior!
Problem for Inter coach Roberto Mancini will be to decide on whether he will use his key players, who are cautioned, against Cagliari or save them for the Derby. Maybe assistant Sinisa Mijahlovic help him think twice before making any decisions. Most likely, Mancini will prefer to save his best men for the DERBY against Milan. Don't you think?
Good news is that Inter has no suspended players, but the list of cautioned players is long: Mario Balotelli, Burdisso, Esteban Cambiasso, Cordoba, Luis Figo, Luis Jimenez, Julio Cesar, Maicon, Stankovic. Patrick Vieira returns after a ban suspension.
Bad news is for Cagliari who have 3 suspended players: Michele Fini, Pasquale Foggia, and defender Francesco Pisano. The cautioned players include 'star striker' Robert Acquafresca, Agostini, Biondini, Jedalas, and Larrivery.Another headache for Coach Ballardini is the absence of mifielder Andrea parola for a thigh injury.
My Prediction: CAGLIARI
AS ROMA - TORINO
Olimpico di Roma Stadium
Serie A Standing: AS Roma 2nd position, 72 points
Torino 16th position, 34 points
The moment of truth for Roma. This is the match where ROMA either keeps dreaming with the Scudetto or JUST RESIGN TO THE SECOND POSITION IF NOT TO THE THIRD POSITION! If Roma loses and Juventus beats Lazio, then, my friends, there will be only 2 points difference between Roma and Juve. Ouch! It will be terrible for Roma to lose at the Olimpico. This is why the support of ROMA fans at the Olimpico now is crucial!
Problem is that it is also THE MOMENT OF TRUTH for Torino! Torino needs desperately to win to save themselves from relegation. A defeat for Torino might risk the relegation. If Reggina, Livorno and Empoli win their respective matches, they will have 33 points.
A victory for Torino might take them to the 14th position with 37 points, if Catania and Cagliaria, both having 35 points, lose their respective matches.
Great challenge for Torino coach Gianni De Biasi to win this match. De Biasi debut last week, after the sacking of coach Walter Novellino, losing against Inter. So, I don't think De Biasi and Torino President Urbano Cairo will be smiling if losing this match.
Sad thing for Roma was to lose for the rest of the Season Captain Francesco Totti for a knee surgery after hurting during the match AS ROMA 1 - 1 AS LIVORNO.
Best bet for Roma coach Luciano Spalletti is to give all the best confidence to strikers Mirko Vucinic, Mancini, and midfielder Daniele De Rossi. They are the main players that can save Roma. Question is whether Roma trained enough to beat Torino or not.Roma fans want to see a group celebration.
Contrary to the bad news of Roma for losing Totti, Torino recovers their main goalkeeper Matteo Sereni from injury.
Bad news for Torino is the suspension of midfielder Davide Bottone and Eugenio Corini. Plus, captain Gianluca Comotto, defender Cesare natali and Franceschini are injured.
Honestly, this should be an easy victory for Roma. However, the final script is not written yet, an unexpected "end" might come up.I am not sure if Torino striker Roberto Stellone and midfielder Alessandro Rosina will be able to beat the Roman gladiators.
My Prediction: AS ROMA
FC JUVENTUS - LAZIO
Olimpico di Torino Stadium
Serie A Standing: FC Juventus 3rd position, 67 points
Lazio 12th position, 40 points
Time for JUVENTUS to seal their GRAND RETURN to the Serie A after coming back from the Serie B. A victory will just double confirm Juventus spot in the Champions League next year. Beating Lazio will be the best news for Juve to consolidate their "domain." Wow, wonder how will ex Lazio players Pavel Nedved and Gugielmo Stendardo react.
Juventus can even dream of reaching the second position of the Serie a if Roma lose against Torino! Wow, that will be a major upset! Even if Roma win, there are still 3 more matches and the difference between Juventus and Roma are only of 5 points.
Juve is coming from a superb victory last week ATALANTA 0 - 4 FC JUVENTUS while Lazio lost to Catania!
Lazio with 40 points is not risking a relegation as the last three teams of the Serie A Standings Livorno, Empoli, and Reggina have 30 points each.
Juventus-Lazio, all previous encounters
Stats include all matches played in the national Leagues (A, B, C),since the single-group tournament was set up (1929/30)
and all Italian Cups since 1922.
|
TOTAL GAMES |
JUVENTUS |
DRAWS |
LAZIO | |
|
League matches in Turin |
63 |
39 |
16 |
8 |
|
League matches in Rome |
64 |
24 |
16 |
24 |
|
Italian Cup |
17 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
|
Italian Super Cup |
1 |
-- |
-- |
1 |
|
TOTAL |
145 |
69 |
38 |
38 |
It's the duel between the "duo strikers." Juventus dynamic duo David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero versus Lazio dynamic duo Tommaso Rocchi and Goran Pandev.
Trezeguet... 18 goals, Del Piero 17 goals
Pandev and Rocchi 12 goals each.
Good news for Juventus is not having suspended players for this match. Bad news is for Lazio having 3 suspended players: Dabo for insulting the referee is banned 2 matches, Zauri and Cristian Ledesma. Making matters worst for Lazio are the injuries of Valon Behrami and the lack of fitness of Rolando Bianchi. Not to mention relying on goalkeeper Muslera who has proved to be the worst signing for Lazio. It would be suicidal to have Muslera in the starting lineup instead of goalkeeper Marco Ballotta.
Cautioned players for Juventus: Mauro Camoranesi, Grygera, Nocerino, Raffaele Palladino, Salihamidzic, Guglielmo Stendardo and Trezeguet.
My Prediction: FC JUVENTUS
AS LIVORNO - AC MILAN
Armando Picchi Stadium
Serie A Standing: AS Livorno 18th position, 30 points
AC Milan 5th position, 55 points
The decisive match for Milan to keep the race for the 4th position and some hope to be in the Champions League next year. For Livorno, decisive to remain in the Serie A as they are among the 3 teams in the last position with 30 points each: Livorno, Reggina, and Empoli. So, it will a matter of WHO WANTED TO WIN MORE.... a real battle to grasp the 3 points! ... Just hope no mistakes from referee Morganti!
Milan cannot lose this match because if Fiorentina beats Sampdoria, the hope for obtaining the 4th position will be almost NON EXISTENT and will be OUT OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE because the difference will increase to 7 points and there are only 3 more matches. Besides, the next match for Milan is against the top leader FC INTER!!!!
Milan has the SUPER advantage of having the return of KAKA and Super Pippo Inzaghi. Last week, Kaka scored 3 goals against Reggina! AC MILAN 5 - 1 REGGINA while Livorno caused an upset for Roma by getting a draw AS ROMA 1 - 1 AS LIVORNO.
Milan needs these 4 men to be SHARP: Massimo Ambrosini, Pirlo, Musica and Magia Kaka, and Seedorf, plus the one and only SUPER Pippo Inzaghi!!!!
It will be devastated if Livorno gives another upset to the rossoneri. Good news for Milan is that they don't have any suspended players and Massimo Ambrosini and Daniele Bonera are available after ban suspension. Milan has only only five cautioned players: Marcos Cafu, Giuseppe Favalli, Gennaro Gattuso, Alessandro Nesta and Massimo Oddo.
Good news also for Livorno without suspended players, but they have 7 cautioned players: De Vezze, Filippini, Galante, Grandoni, Pavan, Pulzetti and Vidigal.
A possible bad news for Milan will be the absence of young Brazilian striker PATO for a muscular injury. Though, Super Pippo Inzaghi is fit and hey, he is rocking!!!
Livorno will be praying for Alessandro Diamanti to repeat a "savior goal" like he did against Roma. Wow, I just imagine Livorno fans in total joy at the Armando Picchi stadium if Livorno either gets a draw or beat Milan.
Even Livorno coach Giancarlo Camolese admits that "We'll have to do well to prevent them getting space, it will be a very difficult match." Good news for the amaranti. Captain defender Davide Balleri and midfielder Giuliano Giannichedda returned following their injuries. Bad news is that they are losing midfielder Luis Vidigal for injury.
Though, I don't think the rossoneri will be ready to lose this match. They will be 11 roaring lions desperate to eat their rival. Just like midfielder and Milan's architect Andrea Pirlo said to Sky "We exited the Champions League and the Coppa Italia, but all of this must serve us for next year, to find success with even more desire.
Record are more in favor of Milan. Milan has beat Livorno 3 times while Livorno only beat Milan once back in January 2005.
My Prediction: AC MILAN
FIORENTINA - SAMPDORIA
Artemio Franchi Stadium
Serie A Standing: Fiorentina 4th position, 59 points
Sampdoria 6th position, 55 points
What a match... a scontro diretto here!
Sampdoria like Milan have the same 55 points and battling to get the 4th position. Fiorentina right now is in control of that post and the only Italian team in European competition.
If we are going to base our prediction on what we saw in the UEFA Cup Semifinals First Leg RANGERS 0 - 0 FIORENTINA, then, we might say that Sampdoria could beat Fiorentina. Fiorentina was not the TOP SHOT today. Striker Mutu was lost.
Here is the situation. If Fiorentina beat Sampdoria and Milan beat Livorno, the battle for the 4th position will be narrow down to Milan and Fiorentina. If there is a draw, Fiorentina will have 60 points and Sampdoria 56 points. If Milan beat Livorno, Milan will have 58 points. It means there will be only 2 points difference. Giving the situation that Fiorentina has still to play the second leg of the UEFA Cup Semifinals next week on Thursday, May 1, Prandelli must do miracle not to "tire his key men."
If Sampdoria beat Fiorentina and Milan beat Livorno, then, my friends we are heading to a FAST ROLLERCOASTER. Fiorentina will have 59 points while Milan and Sampdoria will have 58 points each! Only 1 point difference to grasp the coveted 4th position.
Advantage for Sampdoria is having their strikers fit and ready to shoot. Cassano scoring 8 goals and Claudio Bellucci who has scored 12 goals so far.
It is a tough match for Fiorentina because Sampdoria players, especially striker Antonio Cassano will go to the Artemio Franchi to change their negative statistics. In Week 16, Cassano scored the equalizer goal against Fiorentina ending in 2-2. Cassano seems to grow big when meeting the big teams. In Week 24 he kept the 1-1 draw with Inter. The other one challenging Fiorentina is Sampdoria midfielder Gennaro Delvecchio who wants to play in the Champions Leauge.The obstacle for Sampdoria is Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey who has proved to be A SOLID WALL.
Problem for Fiorentina is not having striker Giampaolo Pazzini for a ban suspension. Mutu better shapes up because he will be the main guy for the Viola. So far, Mutu has scored 16 goals, only 3 behind the top scorer Marco Borriello. Hopefully, Prandelli will have striker Christian Vieri too in absence of Pazzini.
My Prediction: DRAW
NAPOLI - AC SIENA
San Paolo Stadium
Serie A Standing: Napoli 9th position, 46 points
AC Siena 13th position, 38 points
After last week crazy match Parma 1 - 2 Napoli where Parma enxed with 8 players, Napoli will want to win the match in front of their fans at the San Paolo stadium.
Despite being sent off during the match against Parma, Napoli coach Edy Reja is not suspended. The Sporting Judge gave him a fine of 5,000 euro and a cautioned. So, there is no need to alarm in la panchina!
Wonder what will happen if Siena beat Napoli? Why Not?
Things will not be that easy for Napoli because Siena Coach Mario Beretta desperately needs a victory to avoid falling in the relegation zone. Besides, they lost last week against Genoa. Challenge will be for Siena goalkeeper Manninger to stop Napoli bomber Ezequiel Lavezzi and midielder Marek Hamsik, both becoming the living symbols of Napoli.
Problem for Napoli is the suspension of Walter Gargano and Manuele Blasi. Losing at the San Paolo will be catastrophic for Napoli. Good thing for Napoli besides Lavezzi and Hamsik is the well "rigoristi" defender Domizzi, OIut of 6 penalty, Dommizzi has converted 5 against Genoa, Juventus, Milan, and Parma the last one. So, you bet if it comes to take a penalty against Siena, who will shoot? Yes... you guess it... DOMIZZI.
Good news for Napoli is the motivated goalkeeper Gennaro Iezzo who want to finish his career in Napoli as told in Napoli's website. So, things will not be that easy for Siena strikers Massimo Maccarone, Tomas Locatelli, and Christian Rigano' to blast Iezzo.
Good news for Siena is not having suspended players and the return of defender Daniele Portanova after suspension.
Point is that even Siena President Pier Luigi Fabrizi, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, is urging his team not to take anything for granted and win their remaining matches to really think of being saved. Wow, what a birthday present will be if Siena beat Napoli!
My Prediction: DRAW
UDINESE - CATANIA
Friuli Stadium
Serie A Standing: Udinese 7th position, 51 points
Catania 14th position, 35 points
My Prediction: UDINESE
PALERMO - ATALANTA
Renzo Barbera Stadium
Serie A Standing: Palermo 10th position., 42 points
Atalanta 11th position, 41 points
My Prediction: PALERMO
GENOA - EMPOLI
Luigi Ferraris Stadium
Serie A Standing: Genoa 8th position, 48 points
Empoli 19th position, 30 points
My Prediction: GENOA
Posted by Anna Italia at 4/24/2008 4:00 PM 
Categories: AC Milan, Parma, Atalanta BC, Torino FC, AS Roma, AC Siena, Juventus, A.S. Livorno, Palermo, Reggina, SSC Napoli, Udinese, Sampdoria, Catania, Inter Milan, Genoa, Empoli FC, ACF Fiorentina, Serie A Preview, Lazio, Cagliari
Categories: AC Milan, Parma, Atalanta BC, Torino FC, AS Roma, AC Siena, Juventus, A.S. Livorno, Palermo, Reggina, SSC Napoli, Udinese, Sampdoria, Catania, Inter Milan, Genoa, Empoli FC, ACF Fiorentina, Serie A Preview, Lazio, Cagliari
What an important round for everybody. Man, i just want to get 3 prediction rights "Milan winning, Fiorentina and Sampdoria draw" Is this possible, i hope so. As you mentioned Mutu was not that good today against Rangers and this is my hope for a draw. I don't see how Inter could beat Inter, so it's a draw for me.
Here are my predictions:
Fiorentina - Sampdoria = DRAW
Genoa - Empoli = GENOA
FC Inter - Cagliari = DRAW
FC Juventus - Lazio = JUVENTUS
AS Livorno - AC Milan = MILAN
Napoli - AC Siena = SIENA
Palermo - Atalanta = DRAW
Reggina - Parma = PARMA
AS Roma - Torino = ROMA
Udinese - Catania = UDINESE
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Pietro, I am for Cagliari to do a miracle and get at least a draw at the Meazza... It sounds impossible? I HAVE HOPE.
Roma better beat Torino!!! Udinese? they have disappointed me lately. Though for Milan's purpose to get the 4th position we need that Fiorentina, Sampdoria, and Udinese lose their matches.....
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Here are my predictions.....
Fiorentina - Sampdoria = Sampdoria
Genoa - Empoli = Empoli
FC Inter - Cagliari = FC Inter
FC Juventus - Lazio = Juventus
AS Livorno - AC Milan = Milan
Napoli - AC Siena = Napoli
Palermo - Atalanta = Palermo
Reggina - Parma = Reggina
AS Roma - Torino = Roma
Udinese - Catania = Udinese
Lets hope Milan wins, Fiortina loses and the rest of the stars align!!
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I am waiting for the STARS to align.
FORZA MILAN!
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Pietro,
I am not sure why anyone would pick Napoli to lose at home this year; we've knocked off Juve, Inter, Udinese, and Fiorentina at Stadio San Paolo this year. The only two we lost were the first game of the season, and against Roma. Siena will be very, very lucky to get a draw.
Ok, my picks:
Fiorentina-Sampdoria = Sampdoria
Genoa-Empoli = Genoa
Inter-Cagliari = Inter
Juve-Lazio = Juve
Livorno-Milan = Milan
Napoli-Siena = Napoli
Palermo-Atalanta = Draw
Reggina-Parma = Draw
Roma-Torino = Roma
Udinese-Catania = Udinese
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Teo you got your point straight. Man, i don't know why but i have a feeling Siena will cause an upset. I hope to be wrong.
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Hello everyone, it is the tough week for all teams. I want my Inter to win and Roma to lose or get a draw.
Anna I agree with your point on Mutu's lack of sharpness with Rangers and Sampdoria might have a chance with Cassano and Bellucci. As for Juventus, yes they return in grand style and I don't see how Lazio can beat them. I like the photos of the preview.
Here are my predictions:
Fiorentina - Sampdoria = DRAW
Genoa - Empoli = GENOA
FC Inter - Cagliari = INTER, MY INTER
FC Juventus - Lazio = JUVENTUS
AS Livorno - AC Milan = MILAN
Napoli - AC Siena = DRAW
Palermo - Atalanta = PALERMO
Reggina - Parma = PARMA
AS Roma - Torino = DRAW
Udinese - Catania = UDINESE
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Mark we are on opposite sides again!!! Ouch. I am for Cagliari to get at least a draw.
Hum, we agree on most of the predictions. Let's see how we do.
hahah, just noticed your ROMA - TORINO for a draw... I guess this is mostly a strategic prediction to help your Inter, right?
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Good luck to you, Mark, TeoTifoso, Dominic, Pietro
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Fiorentina - Sampdoria = FIORENTINA
Genoa - Empoli = GENOA
FC Inter - Cagliari = INTER
FC Juventus - Lazio = JUVENTUS
AS Livorno - AC Milan = MILAN
Napoli - AC Siena = NAPOLI
Palermo - Atalanta = PALERMO
Reggina - Parma = REGGINA
AS Roma - Torino = ROMA
Udinese - Catania = UDINESE
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No draws?????? I wish for FIORENTINA - SAMPDORIA to be draw.....
Ouch... Inter-Cagliari... yes, indeed, it would be A BEAUTIFUL dream to have at least a DRAW..... I am waiting for a Cagliari miracle to stop Inter... though Mark and Hilda are waiting for the opposite.
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Anna i am so happy our MILAN won, and Fiorentina and Sampdoria got a draw. Man, everything is working for Milan now. Let me check the post. FORZA MILAN, is not a lovely day? What's your take?
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