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Serie A League Preview - Matchday 23

Matias Vulej, February 5 2010,
From the ashes of Milan AC, Rome struggles to join Internazionale's game

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Related Articles: Serie A, Inter Milan, AC MIlan, Juventus, AS Roma, League Preview
AC Milan role in this league has been reduced as AS Rome is becoming suddenly the second favorite. They will be against Inter in both the Copa Italia and the tournament, and so Claudio Ranieri will have to think twice on how he is going to face such challenges. The throne will remain for Inter at least for another month, but who will jeopardize their reign is yet to be known.

Saturday 6th February, 2010

Palermo vs Parma - 12:00 AM EST

Stuck in the middle of the middle of the positions table lays Parma, as its last week match against Inter was suspended due to heavy snowing (being now rescheduled to be played on Wednesday 10th), acted as a cooler of their ferocious attempt to stop Internazionale. Having played one match less than their rivals, only five points are separating Francesco Guidolin and his players from the fifth position, and if they mange to return to the Ennio Tardini with a victory, then they might leapfrog Palermo if things don't collapse at Milan. So it'll be decisive for the Gialloblu's future their trip to the Renzo Barbera.

 

After last week big embarrassment against Bari, things have become a lot more complicated for Delio Rossi's boys. They now stand off the qualification zone for European competitions, and if they are defeated again this week, they may be brought down to the 12th position. So it'll be mandatory for them not to conceed anything. They have only obtained one point in the last three weeks, so there's much to occupy Aquile's players minds till their big game on Saturday

Livorno vs Juventus - 2:45 PM EST

Last week trip to Milan surprised everyone, as the Amaranto were able to exploit every weakness in the Milan, and their skill provided the point that is saving them from the relegation zone for another week. Whether it was a matter of luck or strategy will be known after this game. They know that another point against a giant will elevate the spirit of both players and fans of Livorno.

After three consecutive defeats, last week draw against Lazio settled Juventus on the fifth position, and they won't be able to climb any higher at least for two weeks. Its a harsh beginning of a year for the Bianconeri, and now Rome and Napoli sound much louder as alternatives to the top. Things will have to change fast if the Vecchia Signora does not want to be left empty-handed.

After last week big embarrassment against Bari, things have become a lot more complicated for Delio Rossi's boys. They now stand off the qualification zone for European competitions, and if they are defeated again this week, they may be brought down to the 12th position. So it'll be mandatory for them not to conceed anything. They have only obtained one point in the last three weeks, so there's much to occupy Aquile's players minds till their big game on Saturday. Watch Livorno vs Juventus Live

Sunday 7th February, 2010

Atalanta vs Bari - 9:00 AM EST

Another week without either points or goals went by for Atalanta, and their possibilities of retaining the category are becoming more difficult all the time. Not even a victory could take them off the relegation zone, but it will be an important injection of hope for the Nerazzurri's fans. They could experience being almost off the relegation zone, if only for a few hours, if they conquest victory.

With last week triumph AS Bari is now standing at the upper half of the positions table, and after many weeks of being unable to scream victory, four strikes brought much hope to Giampiero Ventura and his boys. Just two points are separating them from top-five, so nothing can be conceded if their dreams of glory are to be pursued.

Inter vs Cagliari - 9:00 AM EST

With one match on their favor and eight points of advantage against their followers, Inter had to see last week Rome jump in the chase for the title, so they'll have to be extra carefully if they don't want to be ambushed. As the Beneamata will face Parma on Wednesday, they might obtain a fifteen points advantage if everything works extremely well for them. But one step should be walked at a time, and that's something Jose Mourinho is really aware of. Their victory against the Fiore for the Copa Italia assured that a prosperous future is held for the Nerazzuri.

Though Cagliari had a golden opportunity to join the fight at the top, at least they were able to obtain a very important point against the Fiore, and now they have another opportunity to show they're meant for bigger purposes. But facing the leader home might be more than the Rossoblu can handle at the moment. Even still, they will travel to Milan pursuing their seventh consecutive week undefeated. Much of the good things that have been happening to Cagliari Calcio find their cause in Andrea Cossu's performance, and so he has caught the attention of Pep Guardiola. If the Isolani lost their nexus, would they live up to the savage fight for the top?

Lazio vs Catania - 9:00 AM EST

Catania is standing at the doorsteps of relegation, and they have the best opportunity to escape from the basement this week, as they might exchange such an awkward standing with Lazio, just two points above the Elefanti. Having beaten both Juventus and Parma on the last weeks, a much desired reward might be obtained by Siniša Mihajlović and his players.Without many reinforcements due to some bureaucratic issues, they'll have to do their best with what they have, as the situation could become soon unbearable. 

Thanks to Mauro Zarate Lazio is slightly recovering from the wounds they received at the bottom. Seven points away from the 13th position, they will have a hard time trying to keep up with this league if they are defeated again. With many reinforcements having joined the Biancocelesti's ranks, maybe Davide Ballardini will finally be able to give its team its true shape. This week will be definitive, as relegation might crawl under Lazio's feet again.

Genoa vs Chievo Verona - 9:00 AM EST

Stuck in the middle table, Genoa players know it's the moment its team need them the most, and only three points above their rivals, they might be relegated to the 12th position upon defeat. Against Napoli they were not able to take advantage of their chance to join the fight for the top, they must at least prevent Chievo from taking their place at the feast.

Having only obtained five of the last eighteenth points, Chievo Verona will travel this week knowing the situation might get out of their hands if they don't manage to return home with three points under their arms. Even though they have a five points difference with their followers, too much pressure could finally end blowing up on Domenico Di Carlo's face.

Bologna vs Milan - 9:00 AM EST

Four weeks undefeated have taken Bologna off the relegation danger at least for fourteen days, though they have a hard path to follow if they want to also be able to fight at the top. Marco Di Vaio has been the key for its team streak, and he may even threaten Rossoneri's defense at the Renato Dall'Ara.

What appeared to be a reborn Milan under the wing of Ronaldinho suddenly become just an illusion, as the loss at the derby and the draw against a team fighting to keep the category buried Diavolo's hopes. Nine points away from the top, the endless chase will have to begin again from the beginning, but now they'll have AS Roma hot on their heels, eager to become the second alternative for the Inter. So if they neglect their backs this week, there's a good chance they'll be backstabbed by Francesco Totti and his boys.

Udinese vs Nápoli - 9:00 AM EST

Despite having one of the league's most prolific strikers, Udinese is struggling not to fall under the cold touch of relegation. Its been more than six weeks since they lastly celebrated a triumph, and such dry streak managed to bond the Zebrette to the basement fight. But they have the chance to break free and resume their fight on the upper half. They need a victory and they need it soon, before the situation turns unbearable. With one feet off the Copa Italia after being defeated by the Rome, to recover for the league should become a priority for Gianni De Biasi's team.

Its been five weeks since Morgan De Sanctis' goal was lastly compromised, and coupled with the efficiency of team's strikers, Napoli has finally settled at the top and secured the qualification zone. The Azzurri might even have a shot at the tournament if they play their cards well, as they could reach the second position if everything works in their favor. Soon Pocho Lavezzi will return to the fields, and with him the sharper end of the team's offensive, though Walter Mazzarri has proven his team does not depend on the performance of just one player.

Fiorentina vs Roma - 2:45 PM EST

Vucinic scoring the first goal for Rome on the Copa ItaliaThe week will end with a match between two teams desperate for a victory. The Fiore needs to recover their previous impulse, and having only obtained one of the last nine points in play, their place for the European competitions has been taken away. Making it to the final of the Copa Italia will be difficult after being defeated by Inter, and with Adrian Mutu out of the fields, Cesare Prandelli will have a short time to find a way to replace Romanian striker.

For AS Roma the situation is completely different. They finally made their way to top-three, but it is not time for the Lupi to rest, as they need to keep up performing at the same level they have since the year began. With four victories in a row, Claudio Ranieri will probably diagram the same aggressive playing that has proven to work the last weeks. Whether they belong to the top or not will be decided upon this match, so they will fight in two fronts against a title-hunger Internazionale.

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