It may be Week 3 in Italy, but Serie A is set to play its second match. While we could chalk this up to that whole strike thing, I prefer to think of it as just another one of Italy's quirks. Besides, it means we can examine the table, which is forbidden after just one week of football, but certainly acceptable after two. And do you know who's not at the top of the Serie A table? AC Milan. They're in ninth. But higher than their city rivals, with Inter sitting in 14th. Nope, it's Juventus up top, followed by Napoli and Udinese. The bottom isn't too surprising, with Atalanta still working off their six-point reduction, Parma getting squished by Juve, and Bologna, well, being Bologna.
Italian Serie A 2011, Week 2 Preview And Schedule: Raise Your Hands If You Like The Table
Want betting tips? Look elsewhere. Want reasons to actually watch calcio this weekend? Keep reading.
Is this the sort of table that's likely to stand? Of course not. But it reflects a few things we realized last weekend: Juventus are determined to re-assert themselves as scudetto contenders. Napoli, too, are anxious to prove they're not just a flash in the pan. The Milan clubs can't simply rest upon their reputations. And Catania may want to try actually putting some of their shots on target.
Saturday, September 16
18:00 CET, 12 noon ET
Cagliari came away with all three points last weekend. To be precise, they came away from Rome with all three points, beating Roma 2-1, with the home side's only goal coming from Daniele De Rossi in the seventh minute of injury time. Novara, meanwhile, took a draw at Chievo courtesy of an 85th minute equalizer from Massimo Paci. This match could very well make for interesting viewing.
Prediction: Goals. Probably four of them.
20:45 CET, 14:45 ET
Inter Milan v AS Roma
Quite possibly the match to watch this weekend, if only for the pressure already being piled up on the two new managers. Luis Enrique's new-look Roma has already crashed out of Europa, having lost to Slovan Bratislava, and barely managed to score last weekend at the Olimpico. It's Gian Piero Gasperini that's really gnawing at his nails, however. First, Palermo came from behind to defeat Inter 4-3, and then the lowly Trabzonspor won the Champions League tie at the San Siro. No surprise, really, that Fabio Capello, Carlo Ancelotti and Delio Rossi have all been mentioned as possible replacements for Gasperini.
Prediction: Gasperini out by the end of the month.
Sunday
12:30 CET, 6:30 ET
Atalanta v Palermo
Want to get up for this match? Go for it. Let me know what happens. But after their impressive win last Sunday, if Palermo can’t pull at least a point out of this game, the doom-and-gloom mongers will return, saying the rosanero are bound for relegation.
Prediction: I will be asleep
1500 CET, 9AM ET
Bologna v Lecce
Prediction: yawn.
Catania v Cesena
Prediction: The squad with the cutest animal on its crest will win.
Prediction: Someone will score on Sunday. But probably not in Rome.
Parma v Chievo Verona
Prediction: Most people will watch a different match.
Udinese v Fiorentina
Udinese started the season determined to prove that the loss of Alexis Sanchez, Gokhan Inler and Cristian Zapata wouldn't cripple their chances of returning to Europe next season. Fiorentina, too, were anxious to make a fresh start. Both clubs won 2-0. Unfortunately, they both beat clubs that battled relegation last season. What will they look like against some (hopefully) formidable opposition? Providing that the Viola don't continue last season's strategy of digging in their heels and playing for the draw when away from Florence, this match could be an enjoyable pick.
Prediction: A player whose name starts with “A” will score.
Siena v Juventus
If Siena also play in black and white stripes, does this mean we’ll get to see the amazingly hideous Juventus away kits, bright pink and emblazoned with red logos? That alone is worth the price of admission. But, as much as I hate to admit it, The Old Lady looked good last weekend. They were fun, and not in that “hahahaha how many different ways can this club not score?” manner of last season. Newcomers Siena have every reason to be worried.
Prediction: Bianconeri will take points and Alessandro Matri will star in a Maybelline ad.
20:45 CET, 14:45 ET
Napoli v AC Milan
Unquestionably the match of the weekend, this game is the one that had Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis storming out of the scheduling presentation, grabbing a stranger, and demanding a ride on the back of his scooter. Why? Because the partenopei had just learned that their first Champions League match was to be followed by a game against last year’s scudetto winners. And that drama occurred before Napoli even knew they’d be facing Manchester City! Astonishingly enough, the azzurri held on for a 1-1 draw in Manchester, while Milan, who were clearly favored by the football gods, managed a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou. But with the tiredness factor, and significant injuries to both sides (the rossoneri have eleven players on the treatment table), will this match bring even one goal?
Prediction: Walter Mazzarri will not wear that hideous garbage bag witnessed during Champions League action.
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