By Anna Italia
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Hello my friends.  It’s the start of the new 2016 – 2017 season.  Here is the Preview for the Serie A Week 1 – First Round on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August 2016.  Challenge is open for the contenders to win the Scudetto.    Favorite to win is  Juventus who won the 2015 -2016 Serie A Scudetto with 3 games to spare on Week 35.   Can they win the 6th consecutive Scudetto?  That’s the question!

The 3 teams promoted to Serie A this season are Crotone, Cagliari, and Pescara after a 3 years absence.  Crotone promoted in Serie A for the first time in their history. Cagliari promoted after just one year of being relegated to Serie B.

There is much expectation with Juventus, Italy’s Champions, with the news that they signed the ex Napoli forward Gonzalo “El Pipita” Higuain who was the top scorer of the Serie A last season.    Juventus paid €90m for Higuain.   Technically, Juventus might be superior to the rest. Yet, Juventus lost midfielder Paul Pogba who transferred to the  Premier League Club Manchester United.  In any case, games are win on the pitch and stats sometimes might not work.   Juventus now have a promising Argentinian duo with Higuain and Paulo Dybala.

In the first round, we have an interesting match.  AC Milan vs Torino.  It’s an awaited match because the ex AC Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic face his ex team now as Torino Coach.

There is also expectation as how a strong candidate is Roma.    A continuous battle with the Roman gladiators failing year after year to win the Scudetto just as Napoli.   Roma and Napoli had been the main contenders to beat Juventus on their quest to grab the Scudetto.   It seems Juventus reinforced the team by also signing the ex Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic.

The Roman gladiators will face Udinese at the Olimpico Stadium.  Pressure is for Roma to win this home game to start the season on a high note.

Let’s get ready to watch the Serie A Week 1 games and root for your favorite teams.  Le’s roll the ball……

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Saturday 20 August 2016

• Serie A Week 1/ 1a Giornata / 
  

AS ROMA – UDINESE
Olimpico di Roma Stadium
Referee: DI BELLO
Assistants: MARZALONI – CARBONE
Fourth Official: FIORITO
ADD1: RUSSO
ADD2: CHIFFI
18:00

It’s the first game of the Serie A 2016 – 2017 Season!   Roma and Udinese facing to grab the first 3 points of the season at the Olimpico di Roma Stadium in Rome, Italy at 18:00.

Roma had just played the Champions League preliminary against Porto ending with a 1-1 draw.

There are 42 precedents between AS Roma vs Udinese in Rome.  Stats showing 24 wins for Roma, 12 draws, and Udinese with only 6 wins. Roma scoring 95 goals and Udinese 48 goals.

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of  AS ROMA:  2 wins, 1 draw

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of UDINESE:  1 win, 1 drraw, 1 lost

Disciplinary Situation BEFORE the game.  No suspended players for AS ROMA

1 suspended player for UDINESE:  Thereau (2)

Here is the probable formation for Roma (4-3-3): Szczesny; Florenzi, Manolas, Vermaelen, Juan Jesus; Nainggolan, De Rossi, Strootman; Salah, Dzeko, El Shaarawy.

JUVENTUS – FIORENTINA
Juventus Stadium
Referee: MASSA
Assistants: CARIOLATO – CRISPO
Fourth Official: TONOLINI
ADD1: RIZZOLI
ADD2: DOVERI
20:45

Big clash to start the season.  Italy’s defending Champions Juventus facing Fiorentina for the Serie A Week 1 game on Saturday 20 August 2016 at the Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy at 20:45.

There are 156 precedents between Juventus vs Fiorentina in Serie A.  76 games have been played in Turin with stats showing, Juventus with 53 wins, 20 draws, and Fiorentina with only 5 wins.   Juventus scoring 176 goals and Fiorentina 64 goals.    Curious detail, Fiorentina coach Paulo Sousa was a Juventus player with 58 presence in Serie A as a Bianconeri player.

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of  JUVENTUS:  2 wins, 1 draw

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of FIORENTINA:  3 lost

Here is the probable formation for Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Dani Alves, Asamoah, Khedira, Pjanic, Alex Sandro; Dybala, Mandzukic.

Here is the probable formation for  Fiorentina (3-4-3): Tatarusanu; Tomovic, Rodriguez, Astori; Bernardeschi, Badelj, Vecino, Alonso; Ilicic, Kalinic, Zarate.

Unavailable: Borja Valero

Photo:  facebook.com/Juventus

New Juventus player “the ex Napoli forward” Gonzalo “El Pipita” Higuain

Sunday 21 August2016

AC MILAN – TORINO
San Siro Stadium
Referee: DAMATO
Assistants: PASSERI – RANGHETTI
Fourth Official: PRETI
ADD1: CELI
ADD2: CALVARESE
18:00

An emotional match for Torino coach Sinisa Mihajlovic the ex-AC Milan coach returning to San Siro.  Mihajlovic was replaced by coach Vincenzo Montella.    A tough mission for AC Milan to rebuild the team and get back to European competition as they are out Champions League and Europa League this season.  Which coach will debut with a victory?  Montella for AC Milan or Mihajlovic for Torino?

There are 70 precedents between AC Milan vs Torino in San Siro.  Stats showing AC Milan with 41 wins, 18 draws, and Torino with 11 wins.  AC Milan scoring 125 goals and Torino 49 goals.  In the overall there are 140 including games in Turin, stats still favoring AC Milan with 58 wins, 51 draws, and Torino with 31 wins.

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of AC MILAN:  1 win, 2 lost

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of TORINO:  2 wins, 1 draw

Here is the probable formation for AC Milan (4-3-3): Donnarumma; De Sciglio, Paletta, Gustavo Gomez, Antonelli; Kucka, Montolivo, Bonaventura; Suso, Bacca, Niang.
 
Unavailable: Lapadula, Vangioni.

PESCARA – NAPOLI
Adriatico Stadium
Referee: GIACOMELLI
Assistants: BARBIRATI – PERETTI
Fourth Official: POSADO
ADD1: ROCCHI
ADD2 PINZANI
20:45

Pescara newly promoted from Serie B will look to start the 2016 – 2017 Serie A Season with a home victory.  It’s a tough challenge for Pescara coach Massimo Oddo considering Napoli to be technically superior and ending in second place last season.   However, a difference is that Napoli lost their main star forward Gonzalo Higuain who transferred to Juventus.  Higuain was the top scorer of the Serie A.   It’s a duel to battle for 90 minutes.  Surely, it will be a double joy for Pescara if they manage to grab a victory or even a draw.

There are 14 precedents between Pescara vs Napoli including 2 in Coppa Italia, 5 in Serie B, and 6 in Serie A., 1 in serie A/B.  Stats showing Pescara with 3 wins, 3 draws, and Napoli with 8 wins.  Pescara scoring 10 goals and Napoli 18 goals.     The last time Pescara and Napoli played in Serie A was back in the 2012 – 2013 Season with Napoli winning the home and away game.   The last time Pescara won the home game against Napoli was on May 16, 1993 with a score Pescara 3 – 0 Napoli.   Can they win this one?

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of  PESCARA:  2 wins, 1 lost

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of  NAPOLI:  3 wins

Here is the probable formation for Pescara (4-3-2-1): Bizzarri; Zampano, Coda, Gyomber, Biraghi; Memushaj, Brugman, Verre; Benali, Caprari; Manaj.

ATALANTA – LAZIO
Atleti Azzurri D’Italia Stadium
Referee: BANTI
Assistants: ALASSIO – SCHENONE
Fourth Official: VALERIANI
ADD1: FABBRI
ADD2: ABISSO
20:45

There are 96 precedents between Atalanta vs Lazio in Serie A.  Stats showing Atalanta with 32 wins, 37 draws, and Lazio with 27 wins.

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of ATALANTA:

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of LAZIO:  2 wins, 1 draw

Photo:  facebook.com/atalantabc/

GENOA – CAGLIARI
Luigi Ferraris Stadium
Referee: ORSATO
Assistants: PAGANESSI – TOLFO
Fourth Official: LO CICERO
ADD1: MARESCA
ADD2: MINELLI
20:45

Cagliari ready to battle in the big league after being promoted from Serie B.   Genoa with new coach Ivan Jurić.

There are 34 precedents between Genoa vs Cagliari. 17 games in Genoa with stats showing Genoa with 7 wins, 7 draws, and Cagliari with 3 wins.

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of GENOA:  3 wins

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of CAGLIARI: 1 win, 1 draw, 1 los

Here is the probable formation for Genoa (3-4-3): Lamanna; Izzo, Gentiletti, Burdisso: Renzetti; Laxalt, Veloso, Rincon, Lazovic; Pandev, Pavoletti, Ocampos.

Photo:  facebook.com/genoaCFCofficial

EMPOLI – SAMPDORIA
Carlo Castellani Stadium
Referee: MARIANI
Assistants: VUOTO – DI IORIO
Fourth Official: DOBOSZ
ADD1: TAGLIAVENTO
ADD2: RAPUANO
20:45

It’s an emotional match for the ex Empoli coach Marco Giampaolo returning to face his ex team.  Giampaolo is coaching Sampdoria.  Empoli coach Martusciello will make his debut in Serie A.  Last season Martusciello was the vice-coach while Marco Giampaolo was Empoli’s coach.

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of EMPOLI:  2 wins, 1 lost

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of SAMPDORIA:  1 win, 2 lost

Disciplinary Situation BEFORE the game.  1 suspended player for SAMPDORIA: Skriniar (1)

Here is the probable formation for Empoli (4-3-1-2): Pelagotti; Laurini, Cosic, Costa, Pasqual; Tello, Maiello, Croce; Saponara; Maccarone, Pucciarelli.

Photo:  facebook.com/empolifcofficialpage

CHIEVO VERONA – INTER
Marc’Antonio Bentegodi Stadium
Referee: IRRATI
Assistants: MANGANELLI – PEGORIN
Fourth Official: GAVA
ADD1: GUIDA
ADD2: GHERSINI
20:45

It’s a new era for Inter having new coach Frank De Boer replacing former coach Roberto Mancini.  Inter looking to rebuild the team to be among the top 3 positions.   Chievo will look to start the season by winning this home game defeating Inter, one of the favorites to win the Scudetto.

There are 28 precedents between Chievo Verona vs Inter.  Stats showing Chievo Verona with 4 wins, 7 draws, and Inter with 17 wins.

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of  CHIEVO VERONA:  2 wins, 1 lost

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of  INTER:  1 win, 2 lost

Disciplinary Situation BEFORE the game.  1 suspended player for INTER: Murillo

Here is the probable formation for Chievo Verona (4-3-1-2): Sorrentino; Cacciatore, Gamberini, Cesar, Gobbi; Castro, Radovanovic, Hetemaj; Birsa; Inglese, Meggiorini.

Unavailable: Floro Flores

Here is the probable formation for  Inter (4-3-3): Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Miranda, Ranocchia, Nagatomo; Medel, Banega, Kondogbia; Candreva, Icardi, Perisic.

BOLOGNA – CROTONE
Renato Dall’Ara Stadium
Referee: GAVILLUCCI
Assistants: DE PINTO – LIBERTI
Fourth Official: DI VUOLO
ADD1: MAZZOLENI
ADD2: MARTINELLI
20:45

It’s a dream come true for Crotone making their debut in Serie A after being promoted for the first time in their history from Serie B last season.

There are no precedents in Serie A between Bologna vs Crotone.  The 7 precedents are in Serie B with stats showing Bologna with 3 wins, 1 draw, and Crotone with 3 wins.  The 4 games in Serie B played at the Dall’Ara Stadium showing Bologna with 2 wins, Crotone with 1 win and 7 goals each.

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of  BOLOGNA:  1 win, 2 lost

Stats.  Here are the last 3 games of  CROTONE:  1 win, 2 lost

Here is the probable formation for Bologna (4-3-3): Mirante; Krafth, Gastaldello, Maietta, Masina; Nagy, Crisetig, Taider; Rizzo, Destro, Mounier.

Photo:  facebook.com/bfc1909official/

PALERMO – SASSUOLO
Renzo Barbera Stadium
Referee: PAIRETTO
Assistants: DI LIBERATORE – VIVENZI
Fourth Official: GIALLATINI
ADD1: VALERI
ADD2: SACCHI
20:45

There are  4 precedents in Serie A between Palermo vs Sassuolo.  Stats showing Palermo with 1 win, 2 draws, and Sassuolo with 1 win.  Palermo scoring 4 goals and Sassuolo also scoring 4 goals.

Here are the last 3 games of PALERMO:   1 win, 2 draws

Here are the last 3 games of SASSUOLO:  2 wins, 1 draw

Photo: sassuolocalcio.it