Five Things To Note From Serie A This Weekend

by Niccolo Conte on November 28, 2010 · 7 comments

This weekend in the Serie A, among the results there were plenty of 1-1 draws, a goalless draw, a couple of 3-1 wins, and then a 5-2! Yes, a 5-2 win took place in the Serie A this weekend, and it was Inter Milan which defeated Parma in the seven goal thriller. This weekend there was also a match which didn't take place, Bologna - Chievo was postponed because of heavy snowfall which was too much to play on. But there were nine other exciting matches which took place over the weekend, and here's five things to note about them.

Juventus and AC Milan halted

Both AC Milan and Juventus were looking relatively ominous and powerful, especially the rosseneri, yet both of them were unable to get wins this weekend, drawing 1-1. Juventus faced Fiorentina at home, and they were a goal down in the first five minutes, with Motta heading a powerful cross/shot by Vargas into the back of his own net. But Delneri's team fought through the entire match, and they eventually found an equalizer in the 82nd minute with Simone Pepe curling in a free kick. AC Milan on the other hand travelled to face Sampdoria, and they went up before halftime with a cool volley by Robinho, assisted by the ever-present Ibrahimovic. But in the second half Sampdoria clawed back to earn a point with Pazzini scoring yet another goal, the forward was in the right place at the right time, finishing off Gastaldello's header from a corner.

With these two draws, the question arises: Will AC Milan and Juventus be able to reuturn to their winning ways? Share your comments below!

Inter Milan slowly returning to form

I mentioned above that Inter Milan won 5-2 at the San Siro against Parma, and this result was unpredictable considering that Benitez's side has had difficulty scoring one goal per match, let alone five. But it was Parma which scored first, with the eternal Hernan Crespo expertly finishing a good chance past Castellazzi to score against his former team. Inter Milan responded with Dejan Stankovic scoring twice in a minute, both goals deflected shots of the Serbian. After the two goal flurry Cambiasso scored as well, seemingly earning Rafa Benitez three secure points. But Parma fought back and scored again, and it was Crespo yet again, leaving the nerazzuri insecure about their three points going into the second half. In the second half, Inter finished off the match for good, with Thiago Motta scoring on his return, and then Stankovic finishing off his hat-trick.

So have the nerazzurri finally returned to their winning ways? Rafa Benitez has certainly got his team to play much better than in previous weeks, the question is whether they can rise from fifth to first, making up seven points between them and AC Milan. Share your comments below!

Palermo defeat Roma 3-1 to go sixth in the table

This weekend Palermo hosted Roma, and the giallorossi were going into the match having won six in their last seven matches in the Serie A. Palermo had quite a tough game on their hands, and Roma started off with plenty of chances until Palermo found the back of the net with Miccoli. From there Ilicic and Nocerino tapped in simple goals to make sure that the home side won. Roma created many chances, and they eventually scored in the 90th minute with Totti slamming a powerful shot through Sirigu's hands.

With this win, Palermo jump over Roma in the table, leaving the giallorossi in seventh place as Palermo are even on points with Inter Milan. I think that Palermo can claim a Champions League place this season, but that means that another team doesn't get to enter Europe's top competition. Will that team be Roma? Comment below!

Di Natale bags another hat trick

Antonio Di Natale has been fantastic for Udinese for many many seasons, and this one is no exception. Di Natale is now at eight goals this season after scoring yet another hat trick over the weekend. It was a sensational hat trick, the first goal was a penalty, the second a spectacular top-corner long range effort, and the third was directly curled in from a corner. It had been a long time since I'd seen a corner scored directly, and Di Natale did it very well to make sure his side won the match against Napoli. Hamsik got a consolation goal with a stunning long range rocket, and Napoli had the chance to make the score 3-2, but Handanovic saved a penalty taken by Hamsik.

A fantastic match with Di Natale asserting his talent as one of the best Italian forwards playing right now, the question is how far he can drag this Udinese side up the table. Right now Guidolin's side is 9th, but can Udinese rise up the table and maybe get into a European competition? Comment below!

The most exciting team in the Serie A is Palermo

The reason that Palermo are the most exciting team in the Serie A is based upon statistics and my own personal opinion of the side. Right now Palermo have scored 25 goals in the Serie A (second only to Juventus which has scored 26), and the side has conceded 19 goals so far this season. Their average amount of goals per game is 3.14, better than any other team in the Serie A and any team in the French Ligue 1! Regarding their style of play, the team is a joy to watch. With the Argentinean playmaker Pastore illuminating the field with his talent, supported by the energetic Ilicic who always takes a shot when he can, their midfield is fantastic, and with Miccoli up front along with the young Abel Hernandez, scoring goals isn't difficult at all.

Although they're the most exciting, it doesn't mean that they'll win the Serie A this season, especially with the amount of goals they're conceding. While I think it would be fantastic for all of Italy if the side manages to get into the Champions League and prove the stereotype of "boring Italian football" wrong. Please share your thoughts by commenting below!

7 comments… read them below or add one

1 Hasan Askari November 28, 2010 at 11:23 pm

Palermo truly are a great team to watch!! their third goal was a stunning counter that even Jose Mourinho would be proud of..having said that, Roma were woeful in the final third, Totti and Menez frequently stepping on each other’s toes..Menez needs to be a little less-slfish with the ball, he just wants to do it all by himself. every one is not a Messi and a player must understand his limitations!

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2 William November 29, 2010 at 12:17 am

I saw the PalermoRoma Game and it was very entertaining. I do wonder if Palermo can hang on to Pastore as he is quite a player.

My Milan can only draw on the road which i think is a fair result. We could have won the game but poor marking led to samp equalizing. It was an ok result and now im looking ahead.

Serie a should be a great season!

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3 Rami S. November 29, 2010 at 12:48 am

Milan are relying too much on Ibrahimovic and the absence of Pato, due to injury, means the Swede cannot get some rest or perhaps come on as a second-half substitute. Inzaghi is out for the rest of the season so the attacking options are limited.

Juve missed several chances and Boruc was Man of the Match but in reality the Bianconeri did not play a great game. Both Krasic and Aquilani were below their usual standards.

Inter might have won but the Ducali are not exactly a team to be feared. I am not sure if this is a sign the Nerazzurri will be launching a comeback. Regardless, it’s still very early in the season.

Palermo are inconsistent but have a number of talented players. I am not sure they can keep Pastore.

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4 hasan askari November 29, 2010 at 3:18 am

No they can’t..Cavani, Kjaer and now it’ll be Pastore…A 25million check will have Zamparini drooling..i just want him to stay in Serie A..

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5 Niccolo Conte November 29, 2010 at 10:49 am

I’ve heard some wild rumours about the possible price of Pastore leaving. Apparently Zamparini won’t accept an offer below 50 million Euros, but I’m sure even just 30 million could somehow convince him.

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6 Rami S. November 30, 2010 at 9:34 pm

Zamparini is such an attention seeker and as you said Niccolo I think he’d go for anywhere in the range of 30 million Euros.

Cavani at least left to Napoli but I think Pastore will be leaving Serie A because no team can afford to sign him.

Milan have enough creative talent while Juve do not really like to spend huge sums. I can only see him going to Inter if Massimo decides to spend. Otherwise, Barca or England will be his destination.

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7 David H December 1, 2010 at 12:01 am

While disappointed with Roma losing, you could see it coming a mile away after the midweek exertions, coming back from 2 down.

All the same, not many teams are going to come away from the Renzo Barbera with 3 points, so it’s hardly a horrible result.

Milan are (too?) reliant on Ibra, and w/o Pato or the horribly inconsistent Robinho to take some of the pressure off him, I doubt Milan can make it to the end in 1st. Benitez is finally righting the Inter ship, and they’ll be climbing up the table now. Regardless, it looks like it’ll be a close & exciting race to the end, and for once Inter are not the nailed-on favorites, thankfully.

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