Serie A findings Round 7 – What we learned from this week’s fixtures (Part 1)
The Serie A returned this weekend following the International break. All the major Scudetto contenders and European hopefuls recorded victories. AC Milan, AS Roma and Juventus recorded comprehensive victories while Inter Milan displayed their match winning
mentality by eking out a slender victory against Cagliari away from home. Sampdoria also put their hunt for Champions league back on track against an under-achieving Fiorentina.
While the perennial contenders were busy recording victories, it was the same old for Fiorentina and Parma. Udinese recorded an away victory against Brescia but their performance was far from impressive. Indeed even Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin agreed
in the post match press conference that Brescia deserved a result against a dismal Zebrette outfit.
Parma, Fiorentina and Udinese currently sit bottom of the league and one can guess managerial changes are surely around the corner. Mihajlović is just weeks into his new job and might still get the sack. Serie A just never ceases to amaze the football purists.
Following the round 7 of Calcio, some observations were made:
1. SS Lazio still the best side in Serie A
The Aquile comfortably sit atop the Serie A charts after seven rounds of football. Lazio has earned 16 points from a possible 21 and the 2 – 0 win against AS Bari was their third consecutive victory. Eduardo Reja has done some tremendous work with a side
which not so long ago was battling relegation.
A trip to Bari is never easy. Indeed the Galletti humiliated some proud teams last season in their den. Reja must be given credit for perfectly setting up his side tactically. Even though Giampiero Ventura’s side had lion’s share of possession for the majority
of the match, little did come out of it.
After holding out an ambitious Bari outfit in the first half, Lazio came in to their own in the second period with Hernanes yet again leading the charge. The former Sao Paulo player opening the scoring with a cool finish before Sergio Floccari scored a freak
goal. So far so good for Lazio, however, questions must be asked whether the Rome based club can sustain this kind of form till the end of the season.
Where Lazio has recorded five victories so far, three of those have been by a slender one goal margin. Aquile have scored just 10 goals in 7 games and must improve on their scoring to mount a serious Scudetto challenge. However, the club’s failure to land
a European spot last season well may turn out to be a blessing in disguise as the Aquilotti will be able to focus all their energies on the league.
2. Krasic still the ‘Creator-in-Chief’ for Juventus
Milos Krasic continued his terrific form with yet another stupendously terrific performance. The ease with which the Serbian winger cuts through opposition defences is simply breathtaking. Against Lecce, Krasic assisted in three of the Juventus’ goals as
Bianconeri romped the opposition 4 – 0.
Krasic has assisted in six goals and scored a hat-trick himself. Such statistics mean the player has had a direct impact in 56% of the Bianconeri goals. With Krasic being the only natural winger on the squad, one has to wonder just what Juventus will do
should an injury take the Serb to the sidelines. However, one thing is for sure, with just 15 million Euros paid in transfer money, Juventus have landed an absolute steal.
Delneri ran out of superlatives praising Krasic in his post match press conference and justly so. With the right attitude and proper coaching, the player is set to become a Juventus legend.
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