Weekly Comic 25/02/08

Juventus vs Torino

Juventus return home to host Torino in the Turin derby as week 25 gets underway in Serie A. Juve are coming off of a crushing loss in week 24 when they lost away to the lowly Reggina in a match that delivered a devastating blow to their title chances. Torino come into this contest after drawing at home to Parma in what may have very well been the most exciting match of the round.

La vecchia signora come into this contest in 3^rd place of Serie A with 47 points for the season. They are 4 points back of 2^nd place Roma and 6 points ahead of AC Milan after losing ground to both of them following their loss away to Reggina by a score of 2-1 at the Stadio Oreste Granillo. It was a most unexpected loss given that Claudio Ranieri’s side were on a 14 match unbeaten run heading into the match and Reggina were in the relegation zone. However, Juve were at less than 100% strength as top scorer David Trezeguet missed the match. The good news this week is that the French international will once again be available. Out injured for this match are Andrade, Marchionni and Iaquinta, while Zanetti is out suspended.

Torino came up with a spectacular second half effort in their match at home to Parma and erased a 1-4 deficit to pull off a 4-4 draw. The draw extends Toro’s current unbeaten run to 4 matches and they now sit in 12^th place of the league table with 26 points. They are 4 points back of Napoli and just ahead of Lazio on goal difference. This week the side managed by Francesco Novellino will continue to have a number of injury concerns as Rubin, Fontana, Oguro, Dellafiore, and Bjelanovic have all been ruled out.

While on paper this match should be easy for Juve the two sides come into this contest in opposite frames of mind. Juve suffered a stinging defeat and Torino pulled off an exhilarating come back. Now that they meet in a derby match- anything can happen though Juve will have the boost of Trezeguet returning to the starting eleven.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Udinese vs Genoa

Udinese are back home at the Stadio Friuli hoping to build off of an important win they picked up last week over Reggina. They will be hosting a Genoa outfit who will be trying to clear their system of a disappointing derby loss to Sampdoria at home.

Udinese were able to defeat Reggina by a score of 1-3 on the road at the Stadio Oreste Granillo. With that win they were able to snap a 2 match losing streak and put an end to a 4 match winless run which had seen them lose 3 times. They are in 6^th place of the Serie A table with 36 points. They sit 2 point behind 5^th place AC Milan and 2 ahead of 7^th place Sampdoria. Manager Marino has more than a few injury concerns this week as De Martino, Asamoah, Obodo and Mesto are all out while Colombian defender Zapata is doubtful. Pepe rounds out the list of players unavailable as he serves a suspension.

Genoa are in 10^th place of the league table with 29 points for the season. This leaves them 1 point behind Atalanta and 2 ahead of the fading Napoli as a result of the derby loss to Sampdoria by a score of 0-1 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Manager Gasperini will have to make due without two players this week as Wilson is injured and Danilo will be serving a one match suspension. Look for Il Grifone to go with a 3-4-3 formation- matching Udinese- with Sculli, Borriello and the Honduran international Leon in attack.

It’s hard to find a side with an edge in this match. Genoa have lost only 4 of 11 matches on the road this season while Udinese have dropped 3 of 11 at home. Neither side is setting Serie A on fire at this time in terms of their overall form, but Genoa could have a slight edge if Zapata is not able to start as he is crucial to the Udinese 3 man back line system. That could be the factor that tips this match in Genoa’s favor for their 4^th road win of the year.

Prediction: Genoa (1-2)

Livorno vs Napoli

Livorno face off at home against the struggling Napoli looking to take advantage of the visitors current poor run of form in Serie A. Meanwhile, the partenopei need at least a draw in the worst way to keep what was once a promising season from spiraling out of control.

Livorno come into this contest in 15^th place of the league table with 23 points on the season. They are just behind Catania on goal difference while sitting one point ahead of 16^th place Empoli. Last week they dropped all 3 points with a 2-0 loss away to Inter Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza. Livorno’s winless run has now reached 4 matches with 2 losses along the way. This week they are severely hampered by a number of injury concerns. Among the players ruled out are Bergvold, Giannichedda, Volpe, Rossini and top scorer Tavano. This will leave manager Camolese to go with a 3-5-2 featuring Bogdani and Tristan as the two strikers.

Napoli have not played much better relative to Livorno over the past few weeks. Last week the club hit another low point in their season when they lost at home to Empoli by a score of 1-3 at the Stadio San Paolo. They also lost top striker Marcelo Zalayeta to suspension and he will now miss 2 matches. The loss left the club managed by Reja in 11^th place of Serie A with 27 points on the present campaign. They are 2 points back of 10^th place Genoa and 1 ahead of 12^th place SS Lazio. In addition to Zalayeta’s absence this week Domizzi is also out suspended while Cupi and Iezzo are out injured. In a surprise move, Calaio is the player to be selected to start in attack for Zalayeta alongside Lavezzi, while Roberto Sosa will be on the bench. Napoli are winners of just one of their last 5 matches with 3 losses over that stretch.

Things are not trending well for Napoli. Not only are they going through their worst stretch of the season, but they have been awful away from home all year long with just 1 win and 3 draws to show from 7 matches. However, Livorno have played like anything but world beaters at home this season and are missing some very important players this week. This has stalemate written all over it.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Real Madrid vs Getafe

24/2- Real Madrid are probably trying to bring in some life to the competition as they were sailing along with a great margin and all of a sudden they lost 2 matches in a period of three matches, cutting down their lead to just 5 points. Both the losses were in matches away from home while the last match the leaders played at home they beat Valladolid 7-0, hence they would be quite confident when they take on Getafe this week. Getafe are placed 13^th on the points table and are a mixed bag team, their last 10 matches have resulted 2 draws, three wins and 5 losses while the leaders have won 8 of their last 10 matches while lost just two. The home crowd will be a definite advantage for Real Madrid and they would not be satisfied in anything less than 3 points from this match. When both these teams faced each other earlier this season Real Madrid had won 0-1, in an away tie.

Real Madrid have won all the 11 matches played at home this season and a team like Getafe does not appear to have the power to stop them. After the defeat last week the players would be on high alert as they cannot afford to give Barca a sniff of a chance. Van Nistelrooy, Raul and Robinho have been the three goal scoring players for the leading Spanish side and they would be expected to deliver this time.

Getafe on the other hand would be hoping for at least a point from this match as dreaming of beating Real Madrid at home this season is like seeing a dream. Getafe would be happy after they were able to hold Valencia to a draw in a home tie last week but facing Real Madrid away from home will be a challenge in itself.

Prediction: 3-0, Real Madrid win

Barcelona vs Levante

24/2- Just when it appeared that Real Madrid would run away with the title they are going through a slip against weaker oppositions and the second placed Barcelona is trying to make the most out of this small opening provided and get back in a position to challenge the leaders. This week they play hosts to the team lying on the 20^th position on the points table, Levante. Barcelona have just lost a single match at home this season and they would be expected to register a comfortable victory when they take on Levante but they would have to be just a little careful with their approach as a laid back approach could prove expensive to them as it did last week for Osasuna who were beaten by Levante 2-1. Barcelona have not lost a single match to Levante in the last 15 years and even when they met earlier this season Barcelona had won 1-4 in an away tie. With just 5 points separating them from the leaders Barca would go for the kill and make the most of this given opportunity.

Barcelona come into the match after they defeated Real Zaragoza 1-2 in a away tie last week and since Real Madrid lost to a lowly ranked Real Betis their confidence would have shot even higher. A lot more goals can be expected with Messi, Henry and Ronaldinho playing for the side. Barca would be hoping to get a full three points and anything less would be highly disappointing.

Levante on the other hand have proven that they cannot be taken lightly and have the quality to play in the top division but they would have to produce such performances on a consistent basis. Though their chances of escaping relegation are fairly slim they can at least give in their best efforts.

Prediction: 2-0, Barca win

Osasuna vs Athletico Madrid

24/2- Osasuna joined one of the rare clubs last weekend when they became just the fourth team to lose against Levante this season and now the shocking defeat has put them at a spot just above the relegation zone in the 17^th place. Osasuna are just a couple of points ahead of Deportivo La Coruna and a single game could put them into the relegation zone and Osasuna would like to recover from such a situation as soon as possible. This week they have to take on a really challenging opponent in Athletico Madrid while playing at home. Athletico Madrid are placed on the 4^th spot and are fighting for a top 3 finish this season and are just a couple of points behind Villareal. Earlier this season, Athletico Madrid had got the better off Osasuna and had defeated them 2-0, in a home tie. The overall record however is pretty balanced with both teams having won 6 matches each in the last 13 matches played between them.

Osasuna enter the match on low confidence after the dismal performance last week and if they want to ensure their survival in the top league they would have to shoe more commitment and determination. Laliga is fast approaching its last and Osasuna cannot afford to lose a home tie at all. Gomes Dady would be the best option for the home side when it comes to the person who would score for them however against a team like Athletico Madrid he would have to be ably supported as well.

Athletico Madrid on the other hand would be looking at a full three points and would be hoping to see Villareal struggle against Athletic Bilbao.  They have two amazingly talented strikers in Aguero and Forlan, both of them would be expected to deliver and help their side register a big win.

Prediction: 1-3, Athletico Madrid win

Sampdoria vs Inter Milan

Sampdoria are the latest Serie A side to be given a crack at trying to stop the runaway train that is Inter Milan in week 24 as they host the league leaders at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at Marassi. Inter are the only side in the league that have yet to lose a match this year.

The blucerchiati come into this contest off of a big win in their derby match away to Genoa by a score of 0-1. With those 3 points Samp are now in 7^th place of the league table with 34 points on the season. That leaves them 2 points back of 6^th place Udinese and 3 ahead of 8^th place Palermo. They have now won 2 straight matches and 3 of their last 5 with 1 draw along the way. Manager Mazzari has had 3 players ruled out for this contest against the mighty Inter and they are Montella and Sala due to injury while Volpi is out suspended. Sammarco, who had been out for a while due to injury will return to the bench.

Inter Milan have been just like clockwork so far this season. In week 23 they produced yet another win, this time by a score of 2-0 at the Stadio San Siro over Livorno. That win, coupled with Roma’s loss to Juventus helps manager Roberto Mancini’s side open up an 11 point lead over the second place Roma with 59 points on the season. They are now winners of 3 straight matches and have not conceded a goal in 4 straight. The club did suffer some adversity early this week when they lost away to Liverpool in the Champions League by a score of 2-0 which leaves them in a very dangerous spot at home for the return leg. Also, the club will be missing quite a few starters this week including their striker combination of Julio Cruz and Zlatan Ibrahimovic who are both expected to sit. Suazo and Crespo are likely to take their spots. Meanwhile, Colombian international Ivan Ramiro Cordoba joins Dacourt, Samuel and Jimenez on the injured list.

This match represents the best chance Sampdoria could hope for to defeat Inter. The neroazzurri are down after losing to the Reds and are missing a number of key players. Still, defensively they are spectacular and it will take an almost perfect performance from Sampdoria to pull off the upset.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)

Roma vs Fiorentina

Roma face another stern test in week 24 of Serie A as they return home looking to bounce back from a tough loss a week ago away to Juventus. Fiorentina are in high spirits following an important victory a week ago over Catania and are looking to solidify their hold on 4^th place of the league table.

AS Roma have hit a tough spell of late in Serie A. After putting together a strong 13 match unbeaten run coming into the month of February, they have now lost 2 of their last 3 league matches. The latest loss away to Juventus by a score of 1-0 leaves them in 2^nd place with 48 points but now 11 back of first place Inter Milan and just 1 point up on 3^rd place Juve. The club did get a lift this week when they were able to come from behind to defeat Real Madrid in their Champions League match. This week manager Spaletti will be missing the usual Juan and Curci to injury while Brazilian winger Mancini is out suspended. Therefore, look for Vucinic and Perrotta to start in midfield with Totti the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 set.

Fiorentina held serve at home in week 23 to defeat Catania by a score of 2-1 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi di Firenze. The result gives Cesare Prandelli’s side 41 points on the year. They are 6 points behind Juventus and 3 ahead of 5^th place AC Milan. The viola are playing very well of late both in Serie A and in the UEFA Cup and have now won 3 of their last 5 matches with 1 draw and 1 loss along the way. Three players have been ruled out for this match and they are Pasqual, Potenza and Osvaldo while it has been confirmed that Frey will be able to start in goal.

Roma are in a tricky situation this week. Their Serie A title chances seem to be dwindling, while they are still very much alive in the Champions League and will need to prioritize soon. They have been superb at home with 8 wins and 2 draws in 11 matches, but Fiorentina have more than held their own away from home with just 1 loss in as 11 matches. Couple that with the fact that Roma are missing Mancini this week- a player who opens up enormous space for Totti and company in attack, and the visitors just might have the break they need to hold out for the draw.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

AC Milan vs Palmero

AC Milan return home after an inspiring result in Europe on Wednesday to host Palermo at the Giuseppe Meazza. A victory and some help from other results will help lift the rossoneri into the top 4 of Serie A. Palermo are coming off of a big win in their last league match which saw them snap a dry spell.

The side managed by Carlo Ancelotti are currently in 5^th place of Serie A with 38 points for the season. This leaves them 3 points back of 4^th place Fiorentina and 2 ahead of 6^th place Udinese. This week has seen them play to two consecutive 0-0 draws. It started in domestic play away to Parma at the Ennio Tardini and continued against Arsenal at the Emirates in their midweek match. That draw against Arsenal extended their current streak to 3 straight draws. AC Milan have been playing superb defensive football of late having conceded just 1 goal over their last 6 matches between the domestic league and Europe. The good news this week is that Pato, who went down against Arsenal, is expected to be able to start. The injured list this week includes Dida, Nesta and Ronaldo so look for Kalac to sub in for Dida in goal and Jankulovski and Kaladzde to start on the left side of the back line.

Last week Palermo were able to hold off the challenge of last place Cagliari and secured a 2-1 win at home at the Stadio Renzo Barbera. The win helps snap a skid which had seen Palermo lose 3 of 4 matches. With the victory Francesco Guidolin’s club are now 8^th in the league table with 31 points and sit 3 back of 7^th place Sampdoria. They hold a slight 1 point edge over Atalanta. There are two confirmed absences for this match with Miccoli and Capuano having been ruled out. In the case of Capuano he will need to undergo surgery. Therefore, Uruguayan Edison Cavani will come into the attack and play alongside top scorer Amauri in a 3-5-2.

While AC Milan are at home and have been playing better there of late, Palermo have the advantage of not having played during the week and perhaps being a bit more refreshed. However, to have any chance they will need to hold Milan scoreless as they have shown they are very hard to break down. The problem is that only Cagliari have conceded more goals than Palermo’s 38 this season. Milan will find a way to win.

Prediction: AC Milan (1-0)

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