Serie A Special: What we learnt from round 19 matches - Part 2
Roman duo falter
Match day 19 saw both the Roman teams; AS Roma and SS Lazio, drop points against weak oppositions. AS Roma – UC Sampdoria was the first game to be played on the day. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mirko-Vucinic-c26024 put the Gilarossi ahead with a well taken goal, and a routine victory was
on cards. However, Philippe Mexes' injury and subsequent substitution at half time completely changed the plot.
The Frenchman was replaced with a usually unflappable Juan. The Brazilian has been a colossus for the Romans ever since he made his move from Bayer Leverkusen three years back. Lady Luck however was on Blucerchati’s side. The Brazilian had his worst game
in a Lupi jersey. His only telling contributions were gifting two goals to La Samp, enough to seal a comeback victory for the Genoese outfit.
SS Lazio on the other hand, were a complete disaster at Stadio Olimpico, Rome. Playing against the team with worst defensive record in Serie A; UC Lecce, Aquile were expected to thrash the opposition. However, Eduardo Reja’s men had a miserable evening and
slumped to a 2 – 1 shock defeat.
Both the Roman sides dropped three precious points on the evening when routine victories were expected of them. Such poor results, against struggling outfits, will cost the two teams Champions League football come the end of season.
Juventus’ season derailing
Juventus’ season has been a hit or miss so far. The Old Lady of Italian football, following a summer of heavy squad reinforcements, was expected to challenge for Scudetto. A Champions League qualification was the minimum target.
In spite of making a good start to the league, the Bianconeri have not been able to maintain much needed consistency. Where La Vecchia Signora took points off the traditional Italian big three; AC Milan, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan and AS Roma, Luigi Del Neri’s men have
failed against much weaker oppositions. Dropping points against the likes of AS Bari, Brescia Calcio and Chievo Verona is criminal for a club of Juventus’ calibre.
New Year has not started particularly well for Del Neri and his men. Last night’s 3 – 0 hammering at the hands of Napoli was Bianconeri’s second defeat in a row. The poor run of results has left the Old Lady trailing AC Milan by a mammoth nine points. It’s
safe to say that Juventus are out of the title race.
Serie A is the most competitive league in Europe
Call it boring, call it defensive or call it old men’s retirement house, there is no arguing over the fact that Serie A is the most competitive league in the whole of Europe.
On match day 19, barring Inter Milan, none of the big fish got their prey. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003 thrashed the mighty Juventus. Better still, even the likes of Cesena
and Chievo Verona were able to take points off superior opposition.
Serie A might have lost a Champions League spot to German Bundesliga (starting from season 2012/13), it’s still the most competitive league in terms of quality and financial equality.
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