Global, Serie A

Ravin Sampat believes Inter will be rivalled by Roma in the Scudetto race

The Serie A race will almost certainly end in a frenzy of excitement judging by the weekend’s results. With Juve getting their first win of 2008 courtesy of a Trézéguet brace against Livorno, Milan and Roma were continuing to pursue their own objectives for the remainder of the Serie A season with wins against Palermo and Genoa respectively.

For Milan, the title charge is dead. Despite winning their first two games back after New Year, the midweek defeat to Atalanta summed up the story of Milan’s season. Of the three games in hand, Milan’s defeat to Atalanta is not exactly good news. The loss knocked the stuffing out of Milan, not least because since 2008 dawned upon us, they have seemed far more Milanesque.

But everything in football always seems to be short-term nowadays, and Ancelotti’s hopes of catching Roma or Juve are gone. Milan will have to be consistent, whilst Juve and Roma will need to slip-up considerably. Presently, the only positives from the red side of Milan is the impact of young Pato and the ease at which he has adapted into his striking role in Milan’s misfiring frontline.

Juventus of course have already been ruled out of the Serie A title race by Ranieri himself after last weekend’s bore draw to Sampdoria. Analysts have described Juve’s lack of creativity as a main source for their title challenge going flat. I’m not convinced. The problem is Juve do create enough chances but apart from Trézéguet, they do not have a forward who can finish. Iaquinta has not played enough and although a classy European striker, hopes for a Trez-Iaquinta partnership will have to wait until next year.

Many sceptics believe Serie A is already a foregone conclusion, especially since Inter are undefeated and because they beat Milan before the winter break in comprehensive fashion thus opening up a seven-point cushion. But this week saw signs of the season taking its toll. Zlatan had to save Inter last week from a home draw with Parma netting a 93rd minute penalty. The week before, Inter conceded two goals at Siena, again Zlatan scoring a penalty. On Wednesday night, Inter threw away a two-goal lead in the last eight match of the Coppa Italia, with Juve scoring twice in the last 11 minutes.

Two seems to be a consistent number with Mancini’s men of late. Over the weekend, Udinese held Inter to a draw, meaning that with Roma’s win over a persistent Palermo, the gap is now five points. Inter played well and still chose to attack despite having ten men after Cesar was sent off in the 21st minute. Roma supremo Spalletti will be happy after the gap was reduced, but his side still need to go to the San Siro to face Inter, and still need to play Juve in Turin; games they cannot lose if they are to challenge Inter all the way.

Mathematically, Juventus can still win Serie A. They lie 10 points behind Inter, but it may be too late for a belated Juve title charge.

So has Inter’s form given Roma hope? Put it this way: Inter have the squad and finances to maximise against any potential threats as they celebrate their centenary during 2008. They are still unbeaten, and it is not about losing points, but whether Roma can push them to the final hurdle so the five-point gap does become increasingly significant. Roma are still very much in the title race.

Considering the number of shocks that occur in the footballing world (Liverpool’s comeback in Istanbul ‘05, Newcastle’s disintegration after a 12-point lead in ‘96) the Scudetto may well be overdue for some, but you can rest assured that Roma will pounce on any mistake or slip-up from Inter. The Champions League reconvenes in February, and that could play a role on the domestic front. The gap is closing but the title is Inter’s to lose, make no mistake.

Arrivederci

Results
Atalanta 2-2 Reggina
Cagliari 2-1 Napoli
Catania 0-0 Parma
Empoli 0-2 Fiorentina
Livorno 1-3 Juventus
Milan 2-0 Genoa
Roma 1-0 Palermo
Sampdoria 1-0 Siena
Torino 0-0 Lazio
Udinese 0-0 Inter

Players of the Week: Pato and Trézéguet
Goal of the Week: Palladino to Trézéguet (dummies), to Del Piero, back to Trezeguet - a goal of true class
Flop of the Week: Rolando Bianchi’s debut for Lazio

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