Inter Milan vs Fiorentina

League leaders Inter Milan play host to Fiorentina in the ‘other’ big match of week 33 in Serie A. Inter Milan are looking to extend their unbeaten run to 3 matches as they try to pull away from AS Roma while the visiting Fiorentina are riding high following a big win over PSV Eindhoven in their UEFA Cup that allowed them to advance to the semi final.

Inter are currently in first place with 72 points on the season and maintain a 4 point edge on Roma. In their last match, the squad managed by Roberto Mancini scored a 0-2 win over Atalanta at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia. The win was the neroazzurri’s 2^nd in their last 5 games to go with 2 draws and 1 loss. Inter Milan continue to have a number of injury concerns this week with Zlatan Ibrahimovic headlining an injured list that includes Dacourt, Samuel, Cordoba and Rivas. Balotelli is set to take the spot left open by Ibrahimovic alongside Argentine striker Julio Cruz. On a positive note, Chivu is set to start at the back.

Fiorentina were winners at home last week as they held serve over the struggling Reggina by a score of 2-0 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The win continued a trend for the viola in recent weeks that has seen them win at home and then lose away and they have posted 3 home wins and 2 road losses over their past 5 games. This is a change for Fiorentina as earlier in the season they were among the top clubs in the league away from home. At this time the side managed by Cesare Prandelli are in 4^th place of Serie A with 56 points and sit 2 points back of 3^rd place Juventus and 4 points up on 4^th place AC Milan. The one confirmed injury absence for this match is Semioli while Donadel will sit out suspended. Fiorentina look set to go with a 4-3-3 featuring Mutu, Pazzini and Santana in attack while Christian Vieri will sit on the bench.

This could prove to be a tough match for the neroazzurri given that the injuries seem to have been taking a toll of late especially in attack with Ibrahimovic and Cruz rarely starting together over the past 2 months. However, Fiorentina’s problems away from home where they have lost 4 of their last 5 games makes them especially vulnerable in this match considering that Inter have won 13 of 16 games with 2 draws at home this year.

Prediction: Inter Milan (2-1)

Reggina vs Sampdoria

Reggina have their collective backs against the wall in week 33 of Serie A as they play host to the red hot Sampdoria at the Stadio Oreste Granillo. It will be a battle between club’s going in opposite directions with Sampdoria unbeaten since February while Reggina are staring relegation in the face.

Reggina are currently in 20^th and last place of the Serie A table with 27 points for the season. They are 2 points back of 19^th place Cagliari and 2 points back of 17^th place Livorno which is the club they must catch to stave off relegation. As the last 5 clubs in the league table are currently separated by just 3 points, Reggina are still very much alive in the fight for survival but they must make every point at home count and cannot afford to drop any. They are currently on a 4 match winless run and lost away to Fiorentina by a score of 2-0 last week. They have just one injury concern this week and it involves Montiel meaning that manager Orlandi will be able to go with his base 3-4-1-2. This week the formation will feature Cozza playing behind the 2 strikers Amoruso and Brienza.

Sampdoria come into this game off of yet another win, this time by a score of 2-0 over Livorno at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at Marassi. It was Samp’s 5^th win in 6 games and they now find themselves even on points with 5^th place AC Milan and 4 behind Fiorentina who are in 4^th place and represent the club Samp must catch in order to qualify for the first round of the Champions League. The blucerchiati also hold a 1 point edge on 7^th place Udinese. The side managed by Mazzarri are missing Mirante and Campagnaro to injury this week while Accardi and Palombo sit out suspended. The positive news on the injury front is that Pieri is available and will be able to start on the left side of midfield.

It is very hard to see Reggina pulling this one out even though they are at home. For starters, they have won just 5 of 16 matches and will be up against a Sampdoria outfit that are on fire at this time. However, Samp have lost 9 times away from home this season and Reggina pretty much have nothing to lose at this point as they are already expected to make the drop. Reggina are like a wounded animal this week so expect them to come out with one of their most determined efforts of the season.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)

Napoli vs Atalanta

Napoli and Atalanta will face-off in a battle of clubs separated by just one point in the Serie A league table in week 33. Both sides are coming off of ugly losses a week ago.

Napoli come into this contest in 10^th place of the league table with 40 points on the present campaign. They currently sit 1 point back of 9^th place Atalanta making this match their best opportunity left this season to leap-frog over them in the standings. The partenopei also hold a 1 point edge on 11^th place SS Lazio. Last week they suffered a very bad loss on the road at the hands of Catania by a score of 3-0. They have now posted 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw over their last 5 contests. There is only one name on the injured list this week and it is Uruguayan striker Marcelo Zalayeta. Santacroce is out suspended at this time and his place will go to Contini as manager Reda keeps his 3-5-2 formation. In attack Argentine striker Lavezzi will be joined by Calaio as fellow Argentine Roberto Sosa is not ready for 90 minutes and will start on the bench.

Atalanta were losers at home last week to league leaders Inter Milan by a score of 0-2 at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia. The result continued a dry spell for the bergamaschi which has seen them score just 2 goals over their past 4 games. They are now in 9^th place of the league table with 41 points and sit 1 point back of 8^th place Genoa. They have obtained 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses from their last 5 games. Manager Del Neri will have to deal with some important absences this week as the club’s most important player Doni is out suspended for the next 2 games while the Argentine Rivalta is out injured. Rivalta is joined by Costinha, Muslimovic, Talamonti and Langella. On the bright side, Carrozzieri returns to the first eleven.

Napoli appear to have the edge this week. Not only will they be at home, but Atalanta will be missing the heart and soul of their club in Doni- not to mention Rivalta. Couple these absences with Atalanta’s alarming inability to score goals of late and the stage is set for the side from the Stadio San Paolo to move into 9^th place.

Prediction: Napoli (1-0)

Juventus vs AC Milan

Juventus and AC Milan face-off in the big match of week 33 in Serie A. The two sides come into the derby under very different circumstances as the rossoneri were able to hold serve at home last week while Juventus suffered and unexpected defeat away from home in a lively match against Palermo.

Juve are currently in 3^rd place of the league table with 58 points on the year. They sit 10 points back of 2^nd place AS Roma while maintaining a 2 point edge on 4^th place Fiorentina. They have one match in hand on both clubs. Last week, the side managed by Claudio Ranieri came away with 2-3 loss from their visit to Palermo at the Renzo Barbera. The loss snapped a 4 match unbeaten run for the vecchia signora which had seen them concede just 1 goal over that span. This week Andrade and Zanetti have been ruled out due to injury but the rest of the squad is available for the derby. Look for Sissoko, Nedved, Trezeguet and Alex Del Piero to start.

The rossoneri are coming off of an important win at home over Cagliari by a score of 3-1 at the San Siro. It was a huge victory for Milan as it allowed them to keep pace with 4^th place Fiorentina and they remain alive in the chase for the final remaining Champions League slot. AC Milan now sit in 5^th place of the league table with 52 points and sit just ahead of 6^th place Udinese on goal difference. The win was only the second in 5 matches for Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. AC Milan have been hard hit by injury during this recent poor stretch and this week there will be a number of absences as well including the injured Ronaldo, Oddo, Jankulovski and Pato while Nesta and Kaladze are suspended. The suspensions will force Ancelotti to go with veteran Paolo Maldini and Bonera at the center back positions while Pippo Inzahgi and Kaka’ will be in the striker positions.

While a derby is usually hard to call given all the factors that come into play when club’s of this stature face-off, Juventus seem to have a big advantage in terms of personnel this week. Not only are they at home following a loss, but AC Milan will be missing key players from their back line and the likes of Del Piero and Trezeguet could have a field day for the home side.

Prediction: Juventus (2-1)

Palermo vs Catania

Palermo are home to open up week 33 in Serie A against Catania in a battle of clubs coming off of wins last week, and they will be looking to make it two straight at the Stadio Renzo Barbera following their big win over Juventus last week. Catania are also coming off of a big win at home and win look to extend their unbeaten run on the road.

Palermo come into this contest in 12^th place of Serie A with 39 points on the season. They sit just behind 11^th place SS Lazio and 2 points ahead of 13^th place Siena. Last week Palermo won a very exciting match at home over Juventus by a score of 3-2 with top scorer Amauri having a big match. The win snapped what had been a very bad stretch for the side managed by Colantuono as they had lost 4 straight games. This week the squad will be missing Capuano and Simplicio to injury while Cassani is out suspended. On a positive note Palermo will have both the aforementioned Amauri and Miccoli in the first eleven this week.

Catania held serve at home over Napoli in week 32 by a score of 3-0 at the Stadio Angelo Massimino. Catania are now in 15^th place of the league table with 32 points for the season. This leaves them 2 points back of 14^th place Torino and 2 points up on 16^th place Parma. It was the club’s first victory under new manager Walter Zenga and they looked extremely good in the process. The win also snapped a 4 match winless run which had seen them score just 2 goals over that stretch. This week Morimoto will be the only confirmed absence as it looks as though Colucci will be available off of the bench. Catania are set to go with a 4-4-2 featuring Mascara and Spinesi in attack.

Catania will be hard pressed to repeat their performance of a week ago when they visit Palermo. While the appointment of Zenga was uplifting in the short run, this is still the same Catania outfit who have failed to win a single road match in 16 matches. Meanwhile, despite their less than ideal league position, Palermo have won 7 of 16 games at home to go with 6 draws. Look for Palermo to pull it out.

Prediction: Palermo (1-0)

Weekly Comic 10/04/08

UEFA cup quarter final Second leg: Getafe vs. Bayern

Before going into the first leg game, German legend Franz Beckenbauer admitted he didn’t know who Getafe was. He will now know only too well that this Spanish outfit is not to be trusted as Getafe is capable of the best and the worst football in Europe. The Spanish minnows surprisingly scored a late equalizer at the Allianz Arena last week and now have a good advantage going into the second leg at Getafe’s Coliseum stadium, although the players will only be too aware of how difficult a task this elimination is going to be. Perhaps the Germans in the first tie didn’t quite understand Getafe’s great strength against stronger opponents, but they will certainly who now.

Getafe pulled off another surprise result at the weekend by holding Barcelona to a nil – nil draw at the Nou Camp in their domestic league, and are now one of just three teams to pick up points there this season. After this quarter final match they must take on crisis hit Zaragoza in the league and then they will travel to Atlético Madrid’s Calderon stadium to dispute the final of the King’s cup against Valencia. All in all it has been a very productive season so far for the for the modest side, and it is plainly obvious that they are not playing with any kind of pressure, which is down to coach Michael Laudrup. He was criticized at the start of the season for being a bit too soft, but has gone to proved his detractors wrong.

With Getafe’s stadium set to be full to the rafters for the first time in the club’s history, Bayern will have to expect a very hostile environment. I am going for a shock elimination of the German giants as Getafe are a very confident, calm and organized squad commended by a coach who has a lot of experience at this level of football. Bayern might be leaders of the Bundesliga, but they have missed playing in the Champions League this season and not having that top class opposition might well cost them dearly. If they try to go all out for an early goal Getafe will simply soak up the pressure and crate attacks on the counter, and this will be their secret of beating another big club.

Prediction: Home win (2-1)

Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg: Barcelona vs. Schalke 04

Barcelona president Joan Laporta received his first ‘pañolada’ on Sunday evening. A pañolada in Spain is when the home fans at the game wave white handkerchiefs in the air to show their disapproval. To be fair, Barcelona didn’t play that badly in the goalless draw at home to Getafe, and were unlucky not to score, hitting the post three times. Getafe however, still on a cloud after drawing in Germany against Bayern in the UEFA cup, didn’t show Barcelona any respect at all and could also have taken the game.

Barcelona must now turn their attention to the Champions League where they have to defend their one goal to nil advantage over Schalke 04. In theory Barcelona have everything in their favor; they are playing in front of their own fans at the Nou Camp stadium, they have an away goal from the first leg, and Schalke 04 aren’t really a team to fear. Or are they?

Barcelona are in the midst of a crisis at the moment, even if the results aren’t that bad. Ronaldinho seems to have played his last game for the Catalan giants, as the club doctors have now stated he is indeed injured and will be out for what is left of the season. Strange that only a week ago they were saying there was nothing wrong with him. The club is still waiting for Leo Messi to reappear as well. They were not at all happy when the Argentinean announced that he would be recuperating in his native country instead of staying in Barcelona,  and another player, Thierry Henry, doesn’t know if he is injured or not. Many people are saying the ex-Arsenal legend was a waste of money and that the London club knew only too well his physical problems.

The main problem though, and this is what is angering many Barca fans, is the lack of fight in the team. Many can’t believe that their team can throw away a two goal lead and lose to a side like Betis who are struggling to maintain their category. Coach Frank Rijkaard needs to make sure his players do everything in this match or we will see a lot more ‘pañoladas’.

Schalke 04 meanwhile travel to the Nou Camp knowing what an uphill task lies before them but also with morale high as they are now second in the Bundesliga after beating Rostock at the weekend. Jermaine Jones gets back into the lineup after serving a one match ban in the first leg, but Ze Roberto will miss the game with a torn thigh muscle.

Barcelona need to be careful of Gabi Milito, Charles Puyol, Rafa Marquez and Yaya Touré. All four players are one yellow card away from a one match ban, so if they do make it past Schalke 04 they will need to be very careful.

I am going to have to go for Barcelona making it through to the semi finals here. For Schalke 04 to score two goals and win is a bit unlikely, unless something very odd happens. They played very well in the first leg and were unlucky not to score, and that is where they let themselves down.

Prediction: Home win (1-0)

Weekly Comic 07/04/08

Sampdoria vs Livorno

Sampdoria are back at Marassi hoping to continue their strong play of late when they play host to Livorno in Round 32 of Serie A. Sampdoria are coming off of an away win last week while the struggling Livorno were held to a frustrating draw at home which leaves the perilously close to the drop zone of the league table.

Sampdoria’s 49 points for the season have them even on points with AC Milan but they sit in 7^th place just behind Milan on goal difference. The blucerchiati hold a 7 point edge on 8^th place Genoa. Samp scored a great triumph away from home last week when they bested Empoli by a score of 0-2 at the Carlo Castellani. This latest result extends Samp’s unbeaten run and they are winners of 4 of their last 5 matches including their last 3 contests away from home. This week manager Mazzarri will not be able to count on Montella, Campagnaro or Mirante who have been ruled out because of injury. However, this match will feature the return of Antonio Cassano after serving a 5 match suspension. He will start alongside Delvecchio in a 5-3-2.

Livorno played to a 0-0 draw at home against Siena last week at their Stadio Armando Picchi. That result leaves Livorno in the middle of a 4 way tie for 15^th place with Parma, Catania, and Cagliari. At this time Livorno have a better goal difference than Cagliari and that is the only factor keeping them out of the relegation zone. The side managed by Camolese are having a hard time scoring these days. They have produced just 2 draws with 3 losses over their last 5 games and have scored only 2 goals over this stretch. The injured list for the visit to Sampdoria consists of Giannichedda, Volpe and Vidigal. Camolese will match Sampdoria’s 3-5-2 formation with Rossini and Tavano making the start in attack.

This is a direct clash between two sides going in opposite directions. Livorno simply cannot produce a consistent attack, while Sampdoria have scored 10 goals over their last 5 matches. Couple that with the fact that Livorno have managed just 3 wins away from home while Samp have lost just 1 time in 15 games at home and this match doesn’t look too promising for the road side.

Prediction: Sampdoria (2-0)

« Previous Page — Next Page »