Serie A findings: Round 14 – What we learned from this week’s fixtures (Part 1)
Another round of Serie A games goes by with some interesting results and statistics. It was a weird day for Italian teams as the games either ended in draws or high scoring victories. Apart from Inter Milan who returned to winning ways with a 5 – 2 thumping
of Parma FC, all other Scudetto contenders could only muster draws. AC Milan, SS Lazio and Juventus were held to draws by Sampdoria, Catania and Fiorentina respectively while AS Roma’s winning run was brought to a sudden halt by an exciting Palermo outfit.
Meanwhile, AS Bari, UC Lecce and Cesena continue to struggle for points. With just 10 points separating league lagers Bari from 10th placed Chievo Verona, the relegation dog-fight will be a tightly contested affair. So, don’t bet your money just
yet.
As usual the game left us with plenty to talk about. Bettor.com brings forth the talking points and analysis to its readers.
Antonio Di Natale is back!
Last season’s Capocannoniere award winner made a poor start to the latest edition of Serie A football and its little wonder Udinese were fighting for their dear lives in the earlier part of the season. However, after four consecutive defeats, Zebrette picked
up momentum and went undefeated in six games, recording four victories.
Their upturns in fortune coincided with Di Natale returning to form. As things stand, Udinese are ninth in the League; just two points off seventh placed Roma who occupy the last Europa League spot. The talismanic Zebrette skipper has scored two hat-tricks
in the space of three league games. While his first hat-trick was against relegation candidates Lecce, Di Natale scored three past a highly talented Napoli outfit on Sunday.
On current form, Di Natale is odds-on favourite to retain the Capocannoniere award while a European placed finish for Udinese will also depend on how well Di Natale fares in the remaining part of the season.
Inter Milan back to winning ways
Rafa Benitez’s men recorded their first victory in five Serie A games. Prior to the 5 – 2 thumping, Inter had lost to Chievo Verona and AC Milan while picking single points against the likes of Lecce and Brescia.
The final score line might have read 5 – 2 but Inter were as lucky as a team could get. Ducali created enough chances of their own to score a bagful past Nerazzuri but failed ultimately. Dejan Stankovic was the hat-trick hero but the striker had the help
from two huge reputations that left Parma custodian wrong-footed.
However, you just need that bit of luck to make your return to winning ways. Rafa Benitez has been extremely unlucky with all the injuries his players have face and the fortuitous victory might be the start of something more positive for Benitez.
With New Year coming up and the key players such as Esteban Cambiasso and Julio Cesar returning to the squad and raring to go, Benitez will want to close the gap on leaguer leaders AC Milan even further. January 2011 will be a whole new start at San Siro
for Rafa Benitez.
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