Weekly Comic 04/05/08

Cagliari vs Fiorentina

Cagliari and Fiorentina will meet in a clash between clubs which still have loads to play for in the final stretch of the Serie A season. Cagliari are too close for comfort with regard to the drop zone of the league table while Fiorentina are being challenged by both AC Milan and Sampdoria for the final Champions League spot.

I sardi had been playing very well of late but ran into league leaders Inter Milan last week and fell by a score of 2-1 at the Giuseppe Meazza. With that loss Cagliari remain in 15^th place of Serie A with 35 points. They are just behind 14^th place Catania on goal difference but sit just 2 points ahead of both Empoli and Reggina who are tide for a relegation slot. The side managed by Ballardini simply cannot afford a loss at this time and this game at home to Fiorentina is a final. The injury list this week consists of Marchini, Parola, Magliocchetti and Acquaresca. Look for the home side to employ a 4-3-1-2 with Matri to start along with Jeda upfront.

Fiorentina are in 4^th place of the league table with 60 point on the present campaign. Last week they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Sampdoria. That result hurts Cesare Prandelli’s side as it allowed AC Milan to pull to within just 2 points of them at 58. Fiorentina have now posted 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw over their past 5 games. The rest of the week was no better for the viola as they lost to Glasgow Rangers in the semi final round of the UEFA CUP. This match away to Cagliari is all they have left to play for at this time. The lone injury concern for this contest is Christian Vieri who is finished for the season while Montolivo will sit out due to suspension. Prandelli will continue to utilize the 4-3-3 with Mutu, Pazzini and Semioli in attack.

Despite the loss to league leaders Inter Milan last week there is no question that Cagliari have responded to new manager Ballardini. They are much more competitive and defensively the tactics appear to have been sorted out to a point where they are now not an easy club to score upon. Fiorentina could have a very tough time against a club that is playing for its survival and the impact of the loss to Rangers could still linger in their heads.

Prediction: Cagliari (1-0)

Siena vs Juventus

Siena are back at the Mps Arena to play host to the impressive Juventus who have been absolutely on fire of late. Siena’s balanced play of late has allowed them to enter the final matches of the season in a safe, middle of the table position while Juventus are winners of 4 straight.

In their last match Siena were able to hold out for a 0-0 draw away to SS Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo. With their points Siena now sit in 13^th place of the Serie A table with 39 points for the year. They are 1 point behind 12^th place SS Lazio and 2 points up on Catania. The draw however, extended Siena’s winless run to 5 matches during which time they have scored only 2 goals. Manager Beretta will not be able to count on Bertotto or the suspended Coppola this week. The good news is that Rossettini returns from suspension and will take over at right fullback in a 4-3-1-2 with Maccarone and Frick in attack.

The bianconeri have been on fire of late with a potent attack that has seen them win 4 games in a row while scoring 15 goals over that stretch. Those 4 wins have Juve in 3^rd place of Serie A with 70 points. They sit 5 points back of 2^nd place AS Roma and sit 10 ahead of 4^th place Fiorentina. In their last match they held serve over Lazio by a score of 5-2 at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. The side managed by Claudio Ranieri have just 2 injury concerns for this match in Andrade and Iaquinta so look for Nedved, Del Piero and Trezeguet to be able to start. In the case of Trezeguet he is currently tied for 1^st place in Serie A with 19 goals on the year.

It is hard to make a case for Siena in this contest despite the fact that they are the home side. Siena have won just 5 of 17 home matches this season while Juve have won 8 matches away from home. Only Inter Milan and AC Milan have won more games on the road. In addition over the last 4 games Siena have produced a grand total of 2 goals while Juve have amassed 15. Look for Juve to continue to bulldozer over the competition.

Prediction: Juventus (0-2)

Sampdoria vs Roma

Time is beginning to run out for both Sampdoria and AS Roma when they face-off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in week 36 of Serie A. Samp must win if they are to stay alive in the race for a Champions League spot, while Roma need a victory and lots of help from AC Milan if they are to remain alive in the race for the Serie A title

Sampdoria come into week 36 in 6^th place of the league table with 56 points. They sit 2 points back of 5^th place AC Milan and 2 points ahead of 7^th place Udinese. Last week the side managed by Mazzari missed a golden opportunity to really close the gap with 4^th place Fiorentina when they played to a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. That result makes this home match to AS Roma a must win for the blucerchiati. There are a number of injury absences expected this week as Castellazzi, Campagnaro, Kalu and Lucchini have been ruled out because of injury while Maggio is out suspended. Zenoni will start on the right side of midfield.

The giallorossi were winners at home last week with a 4-1 rout over Torino at the Stadio Olimpico. With their win AS Roma were at least able to extend the title chase one more week but at this point it is pretty much out of their hands. Roma are in 2^nd place with 75 points, 6 back of 1^st place Inter Milan and a 5 ahead of 3^rd place Juventus. Their only hope is to win all their remaining matches and to see Inter Milan fail to win any. With their victory over Torino, Roma remain unbeaten over their past 5 games with 3 wins during that stretch. There are once again important injury absences for Nedo Spalletti’s squad as Ferrari, Totti and Taddei are out injured while Juan serves a suspension. Look for Mexes and Panucci to cover at the back while Vucinic starts as the lone striker.

While Sampdoria should have the edge at home this week, Juventus are a very strong side at home. The difference in this match could be that fact that Roma are without Totti as he certainly bring the club another dimension. These clubs are very evenly matched and with the stakes so high it could be hard to find a winner.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

AC Milan vs Inter Milan

AC Milan return home to face-off against their hated rivals Inter Milan in the big match of week 36 in Serie A. This will be a most special derby as Inter Milan have the chance to win the scudetto should they win this match and get some help form other results. The two sides are coming off of victories in their last match.

AC Milan currently find themselves in 5^th place of the league table with 58 points on the present campaign. With their 58 points they sit 2 back of 4^th place Fiorentina which is the club they must catch in order to have a chance of participating in next season’s UEFA Champions League. They also hold a 2 point edge on 6^th place Sampdoria. The rossoneri scored a big win on the road as they defeated Livorno by a score of 1-4 in their week 35 match at the Stadio Armando Picchi. The side managed by Carlo Ancelotti are now winners of 3 of their last 4 games with 9 goals score over their last 2. On the injury front, Maldini, Emerson, Ronaldo, Serginho and Dida are expected to miss out. Look for Pippo Inzaghi to start as the lone striker in a 4-3-2-1 with Seedorf and Kaka’ just behind.

Inter Milan come into this round on the verge of their 3^rd straight Serie A title. The side managed by Roberto Mancini are currently in first place of the league table with 81 points on the year. This gives them a 6 point advantage on 2^nd place AS Roma with just 3 matches left in the present campaign. The neroazzurri are coming off of a win at home last week as they defeated the relegation threatened Cagliari by a score of 2-1 at the San Siro. Inter have now won 4 matches in a row and appear to be hitting their stride once more just at the right time of the season. Headlining the injured list this week are Dacourt, Samuel, Cordoba, Figo and Ibrahimovic.

This could very well go down as one of the more historic derby’s ever between these two sides as Inter could very well win the Serie A. Meanwhile, AC Milan have everything to play for in their own right as they need a win to guarantee they keep pace with Fiorentina. Add to this mix the fact that it is the Milan derby you have the makings of an epic. Look for this one to be tight right down to the wire.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

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