Serie A

Made in Milan: Serie A’s Scudetto story draws to an ending

By Ravin Sampat ⋅ May 3, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Excitement still in Scudetto race as Milan derby looms large.

Serie A’s top tier establishment will effectively be decided this weekend as the most anticipated Milan derby in recent history takes centre-stage at the San Siro. Both teams go into the battle of the Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday afternoon needing a win, albeit for different reasons.

Internazionale could effectively win the Scudetto by beating rivals Milan with two games remaining thereafter, ending Roma’s title hopes. AC Milan on the other hand realise that anything but a win will likely settle the dust over a poor season, positioning themselves outside the Champions League places.

The last Milan derby, as I had argued previously, had lost its beauty, not least because AC Milan were 22 points behind Inter, and nowhere near a Champions League spot. But somehow, Carlo Ancelotti’s men find themselves within a whisker of fourth spot, though struggling to overcome a Fiorentina side who have had a marvellous season under Cesare Prandelli.

That makes this derby all the more interesting. Who would have guessed that the derby this Sunday would act to clarify the entire campaign?

Sunday may not seem significant for some, but four teams will be affected - Inter, Roma, Fiorentina and Milan. If Inter win, the Scudetto returns and Milan can forget about fourth spot. If Inter lose, Roma (if they win), would be within three points with two games to play. The consequences are clear.

Although most had predicted that Roberto Mancini’s men would be runaway leaders, Roma’s sporadic title charge has meant that the race has continued into the latter stages of the season.

This has been brilliant for Serie A, especially for those that argue that Italian football is negative. You only have to look at Juventus, Roma and Inter’s goal tally, the emergence of attacking football played by teams like Fiorentina and Udinese, or even the relatively high number of goals scored last weekend to show this has been an excellent year. And the derby may be a testament to what Serie A has done for the footballing year. Plaudits fall to Cristiano Ronaldo, Villarreal or Arsenal’s performances, but we are often forgetting the contribution that Serie A has made to European football the whole year round.

However, I guess all things being equal, the Milan derby might begin slowly, developing into a cagey type of game until late into the second half when goals will be needed and hearts will need to be on the sleeve. Hardly characteristic of a season of fantastic football throughout the league but in the end, fates will be decided in this encounter.

But this is the point, as playing in the Milan derby is not just about the result. The bragging rights are a high price to pay in a city which has one of Italy’s most supported teams (Inter) and Italy’s second most successful team (AC Milan). Styles of football contrast, approaches to passion do too, and although there are higher stakes for the short-term futures of both clubs, one should not be disappointed with the outcome. Expect a Gattuso tackle, a Materazzi lunge, Pirlo prodding the ball, Zanetti making a mazy run, either Kaka or Zlatan scoring a goal. All vital ingredients for a classic are at hand.

Only one can win, none can afford to draw, and neither will want to lose. This is by far the most anticipated Milan derby for years - so enjoy!

You can watch AC Milan v Inter live on Five (UK), Sunday 13:30 BST

News Briefs

Juventus continue to demolish and destruct anything in their way as they defeated Lazio 5-2, confirming their appearance in next season’s Champions League.

Claudio Ranieri has been applauded by former Juventus great Pietro Vierchowood for sustaining Juventus this season and notching up an impressive 70 points.

Alex Del Piero claims he deserves the call up for Euro 2008. Hard to disagree.

Mathieu Flamini, the tireless Arsenal midfield seems to be heading to the Diavolo. Both Ancelotti and Flamini have claimed that a deal has been struck. Of course, this can only be true until Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger confirms this.

Luca Toni may be signed by AC Milan to replace want away striker Alberto Gilardino; Barcelona have claimed that Ronaldinho and Gianluca Zambrotta’s signatures will cost the Rossoneri €40 million.

And finally… AC Milan’s Kaka has been named on Time Magazine’s ‘100 most influential people’ list. He is the only footballer on the list, superseding Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham or any other footballer. That is a true testament to Kaka, as he joins leaders of all walks of life, authors, politicians and celebrities. Well done Kaka.

Arriverderci

Tags: AC Milan, Alessandro Del Piero, AS Roma, Fiorentina, Inter Milan, Kaka, Mathieu Flamini, Serie A

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