Serie A, week 22: Champions League battle heats up

With Roma faltering, the title race in Serie A might be as good as over, but that doesn’t mean things are no longer interesting. The giallorossi looked to have a lock on second place, at minimum, but after four straight draws, they’re looking at a battle for the Champions League rather than a challenge for the scudetto. That means Serie A features eight teams battling it out for two spots, and after this weekend, we may have a better idea of who still has a chance.

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Whenever the two most successful Italian teams meet, it’s great news for football fans. Even if, say, one of them has 21 points more than the other. Juventus are dominating Italian football at the moment, while the rossoneri are going through a...tough time. Nevertheless, games between these two rivals never disappoint, even if the biggest excitement is a moment of controversy. Milan may have actually managed to win their last game, but considering it was against Parma, it doesn’t really count...yet with Juventus being held by Udinese last week, the rossoneri may think they can come away from Turin with a little something. Some may call it hope, others may call it delusion.

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Roma are a mess, we already know that. They seem to have forgotten how to win games, the majority of the players are on the physio table, and Gervinho is still in Africa. Then there’s the hosts, who are hovering just a point above the relegation zone. Watch this one for the LOLs, then? LOLs and goals. Cagliari may have a bit more focus on defense since Zdenek Zeman left, but they’re still conceding about two per game, and Roma are going to be desperate to capitalize. Seems like a recipe for chaos.

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When Inter re-appointed Roberto Mancini, they envisioned their former coach leading them to their former glories. Or, at least, to a place they could challenge for third. Instead, Inter are 13th, much closer to the drop than the Champions League. Mancini seems to be suffering from an abundance of choice, with no real idea what his favored starting lineup might be. Despite more players coming in during the winter transfer window, the nerazzurri still don’t look like a threat. That could change with a solid display against Palermo. The rosanero have lost just once in 13 games, making them a surprise contender for a European place. For neutrals, the thrill will be in watching this clash of future Argentinian superstar forwards: Mauro Icardi vs. Paulo Dybala. That is, if Icardi can find time in between arguments with Inter’s supporters.