Buffon has been troubled by his back for just about three years, and when he had to pull out of the World Cup just 45 minutes in the first match, it was time for Buffon to get an operation. Buffon was operated in Milan because of his herniated disc and the operation went perfectly, a complete success which will take some time to recover from.

It is said that it will take at least 4 months for Buffon to recover, he should re-begin playing in December, leaving Juventus with an empty spot between the posts. Here’s a statement by Buffon regarding himself and the situation he puts Juventus in,

“I’ve always put the club first, postponing the operation. But I need to think about me, and take all the time necessary to resolve this problem once and for all. I couldn’t continue like this.”

His return in Serie A all depends how his recovery goes, and Buffon believes that while he’s out of action, Juventus are in safe hands with Manninger and Storari. Storari was bought right after Buffon’s injury from AC Milan for 4.5 million Euros and has signed a three year deal with the bianconeri.

As for AC Milan’s goal-keeping situation, Dida’s contract expired July 1st, and so he will probably return to Brazil as a free agent. AC Milan have gotten Marco Amelia on loan from Genoa, hopefully solving their goal-keeper problem for the upcoming season, and if Amelia does well then the rossoneri would be interested in buying him from Genoa.

Midweek matches see some excitement and some scoring that has been absent in many match days.  The top of the table also has a familiar look with Inter, Juventus, and Sampdoria in the lead, but watch for an approaching AC Milan in the rearview mirror.

AC Milan is Rolling, but Defense is a Concern

AC Milan blitzed Napoli for two goals in the first five minutes…followed 80 minutes later by Napoli grabbing a point with two goals late in the match.  Napoli actually had a chance to cut into Milan’s lead in the fifty-fifth minute except for some incredible stops by Dida.  I mentioned a month ago that Milan should worry about its defense, and the lapses last night should be worrisome.  Yes they were down to 10 men, but Napoli had multiple quality chances.  However Milan is still on quite a roll with 16 points now in Serie A.

Juventus is a Legitimate Scudetto Threat

Despite losing Iaquinta to injury, Juventus netted five goals from four different players against a Sampdoria team that was facing “its first true test” according to manager Luigi Del Neri.  This match could have been over even earlier if Fabio Grosso could have hit his shot at the ten minute mark (or Diego hit the follow up).  Such domination of a top three club is quite impressive.

And if you don’t believe me about the scudetto, ask David Trezeguet.

Rome Needs a Stimulus Plan

Both A.S. Roma and Lazio lost again on Wednesday and both are in danger of entering the relegation zone.  Lazio lost a match where they had seven shots on goal and nine corners and were playing in Rome.  Roma was beaten by Antonio Flores, who scored twice, in an odd contest that saw Roma stave off Udinese with ten men the entire second half but give up the go ahead score after Dusan Basta was sent off to even the sides at ten each.  Roma has already fired one manager this season, but both Ranieri and Davide Ballardini have to be worried about their current positions.

Bologna, Livorno the Best of the Worst

Bologna and Livorno improved their positions in the standings as Bologna defeated current bottom-sitter Siena and Livorno pulled even with Atalanta in points.  Siena played like a team desperate to avoid relegation, but could not pick up their second win in two months as Franco Colombo gains his first win with Bologna.  Livorno needed the three points as Atalanta has a better goal difference, but the match saw more fouls than shots and was witnessed by less than 10,000 fans.

Scoring is all the rage

After seeing only one team net five goals in a match this season (Inter over Genoa on the 17^th) both Inter and Juventus scored five in their matches this week.  What happened to the deliberate Italian style of play?