Serie A 2011-2012 Previews: Will AC Milan Snag The Scudetto Again?

Entering the season as the reigning Scudetto Champions brings back fond memories for most Milan fans, but seeing as this is our first reminder in seven years it is best not to dwell on recent success and focus squarely on the challenge ahead. They say winning cures all that ails you, and in Milan’s case the uncertainties of last season’s aging roster and new arrivals made for an interesting start of the season, but the prize at the end of the road put all that negativity behind. Gone is the uncertainty of last season and in its place is the expectation of retaining the Serie A title and adding to Milan’s trophy cabinet.

For many, Massimo Allegri was a relative unknown, a Coach who cut his teeth in lower tier Serie A teams, and climbed the proverbial Coaching ladder. While it took him some time to instill his own image on the tactics of the team, when he was finished he had created a Milan team comfortable in possession, bullish in defense, and elegant in attack. Boasting Serie A’s best offensive and defensive record, it is the defense that proved the backbone of this team. If Allegri can continue to build on this defensive foundation and continue to receive a steady stream of goals from an electric attack comprising of the dynamic Brazilians, Pato and Robinho, the giant Swede, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the wiley Antonio Cassano, and evergreen Pippo Inzaghi, then he may have success for a second season.

Napoli in 2010-2011

Goal of Last Season

F.C. Internazionale Milano in 2011-2010, And So It Begins...

Here we are, at the start of a new Serie A season, in what has become a familiar situation. Inter has a new coach, a crop of young hopefuls, and has just sold one of their highest profile players. Given that Inter are on their fifth coach in almost as many years, we Interisti have become used to the gastric upset and sweaty palms that come with opening day under unknown and untested guidance. Fortunately, this has worked out pretty well for Inter - well, except for that one Spanish blip last season but the less said about that the better. I don’t see any reason why the team can’t roll with this next punch and aim high. New coach Gian Piero Gasperini is well respected on the peninsula, now he has the money and the talent at his disposal to really show what he can do.

I have always looked at Udinese as the Arsenal of Serie A. Comprised mostly of young talent and complimented by a strong veteran core, Udinese has some of the best scouting and plays some of the most entertaining football in all of Italy. Like Arsenal they never spend big, and the dynamic duo of the shrewd owner Giampaolo Pozzo, and the master tactician Francesco Guidolin are always able to recognize new talent and integrate them into the squad. What they share in positives with Arsenal they also share in negatives, and their lack of experience sometimes shows on the pitch as they are not always as consistent as their talent should be, and because they operate on a shoe string budget they often have to sell to keep the Udinese machine running at full force.

This season was no different, despite qualifying for Champions League football, and playing none other than the aforementioned Arsenal in the qualifying round, Udinese was forced to sell some key pieces. This move was not exactly met with praise by fans of the Club and Serie A, wondering why a team with such potential would sell at this pivotal moment, but such is life for a small provincial Club. It would appear belief in the system that Udinese has created is far superior to belief in a single player, a formula that if successful may give hope to smaller Clubs across Europe.

Less than a week until the Serie A season starts, and SB Nation is on to the top five clubs of last season. Previewing Lazio is Rocco Cammisola, who manages to hide his fandom quite well on his Twitter account. Rocco can be found writing about Italian and English football on various sites, including his own, The Football Express.

The signing of Hernanes was certainly a pivotal moment in the transfer campaign, but Edy Reja’s side were built on some solid foundations. Cristian Ledesma, Andre Dias, Stephen Lichtsteiner and Stefano Mauri - six goals and nine assists - all proved they were worth their match fee. Edy Reja, too, isn’t resting on his laurels and has refused to sign anything more than a one year contract extension. Here goes then.

Roma in 2010-2011

Great expectations followed shortly by lots of fans looking at their watches, wondering just when the hell the season would be over, with a capitulation (or several) and a coaching change in the middle.

Last season marked what most people would characterize as a forgettable one for Juventus. Finishing 7^th out of 20 is hard to label a success, and for those of you reading without the benefit of a statistics background, it’s slightly above mediocrity. Disappointing for certain, particularly for a team which was pretty commonly considered - despite in a rebuilding period - a Champions League qualifying-caliber team.

Summer Signings

Chievo in 2010-2011

Let’s face it - Chievo still aren’t supposed to be in Serie A. Yes, they have been hanging around Italy’s top division for almost eleven seasons, just one spent in Serie B. But the team of Verona remains Hellas, with the real gialloblu commanding much more support.

Palermo already can scratch one of their objectives off the list for the 2011-2012 season. After sensationally crashing out of the Europa League against small Swiss side FC Thun, the Rosanero have immediately started off on the wrong foot in a new era. With the European campaign done and dusted, Palermo will shift its attention to their other two goals: securing a spot as high up the table as possible and winning the Coppa Italia.

Palermo in 2010-2011

It is the year of truth for Sinisa Mihajlovic. Last season he could blame injury and transition for a disappointing campaign. This time around the Serbian boss will have to deliver in Florence or he will surely be shown the door. The fans have been in turmoil for some time.

Viola supporters believe their side has a duty to fight for at least a place in Europe which, this year, means a top six slot. The club’s owners have said that is their target too. They have been criticised for cutting back the wage bill this summer but they still believe they have a competitive squad. Only time will tell whether more heartache awaits or a revival could be seen on the banks of the River Arno.

With a pre-season to put over his ideas Franco Colomba will have no excuses and should be in the top half of the table if they realise the immense potential within the group. Cristian Zaccardo has been linked with a number of moves away which would be a shame, his veteran leadership and mentality have been vital to the club.

Parma in 2010-11

You would think looking at the amount of Argentine recruited last season that Catania were actually embarking on an campaign to qualify for the Copa Libertadores....

In all seriousness, Catania went into the season with expectation to finish top 10. Maxi Lopez’s goals towards the end of the previous campaign has raised expectations but this was to be a season of disappointment for him and the club.

There is so much to admire both on and off the field, not least the incredible support at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi. Holding less than 24,000, it still manages to be one of Calcio’s most vociferous, thanks to its compact nature and the proximity of the stands to the pitch, a rarity on the peninsula.

Cesena in 2010-11

Lecce in 2010-2011

Summer Signings

Siena in 2010-2011

Siena were automatically promoted to Serie A with a second place finish, drawing 2-2 with Torino to secure a trip back to the top flight, after just one season in Serie B. Their 5-0 victory over Varese, in the last match of the season, was the biggest win in Serie B:

That goal by Marco Rigoni against Reggina not only levelled the scoring, but gave Novara the result that sent them into a play-off final to get into Serie A. After only getting promoted into Serie B for the first time in 33 years the season before everyone has been in disbelief.

Novara ended the first leg of their final against Padova with a goalless draw. In the return leg at home they did not disappoint, winning two-nil, and for the first time in 55 years Novara were back in Serie A.