Serie A findings Round 8 – What we learned from this week’s fixtures (Part 2)
4. Philippe Coutinho is one for the future
When Massimo Moratti failed to purchase a replacement for the Manchester City bound Mario Balotelli, fans and media alike questioned the president’s ambition. Moratti for his part kept his cool and reassured the fans that they already
had Coutinho. A Brazilian import, Coutinho was yet to play a single game for the club, Interista were justly worried for the club. Following Coutinho’s debut however, the transfer of Balotelli has already been forgiven. Many would even call it a good riddance
following the hot headed Italian’s antics.
Coutinho is a player of such breathtaking potential that Coach Rafa Benitez declared him the future of Inter Milan barely weeks in to his new job. In just a handful of appearances for Inter Milan, Coutinho has wowed the fans with his breathtaking
skills. The prodigious Brazilian has left the Nerazzuri faithful drooling in anticipation for there is definitely more to come. With likes of Sneijder, Eto’o and Zanetti mentoring him, Coutinho will be a world beater in the years to come. Inter finally have
a Brazilian answer to AC Milan’s Alexandre Pato.
5. AS Roma needs to improve
AS Roma’s less than impressive start to the Serie A continued with a draw away to Parma. Under normal conditions, Gilarossi would have been expected to bag the three points with ease. However, a woeful Roman outfit failed to win yet again.
In the absence of Daniele De Rossi, the team could muster precious little from the midfield. The Roman midfield was one for the purists to rave about but all that has changed in a matter of few months. The same midfield that embarrassed Real Madrid a few seasons
back now looks mediocre at best.
Even more worryingly, Francesco Totti limped off injured at the end of the first half. His replacement, Fabio Simplicio has a woeful outing. The Brazilian failed to link the attack to the midfield in the fashion that Totti does. Ranieri
would now be sweating over his Talisman’s injury. Gilarossi already have a never ending injury list and the latest causality would come as a huge blow. Time is a commodity that Tinker man has precious little and the self proclaimed Roma fan must continue to
deliver with the depleted squad that he has at his disposal.
6. AC Milan must win against Napoli
Lazio are four points clear at the top of the Calcio rankings with 19 points from opening 8 matches. Should AC Milan win at Stadio San Paolo tonight, the deficit would be cut short to just two points. Rossoneri must win tonight to keep
pressure on Lazio. A four point lead at the top even so early in to the season is a huge luxury that the chasing pack cannot afford to grant. With Inter solely depending on Samuel Eto’o and Juventus yet to hit a consistent pack, it all depends on Massimiliano
Allegri’s Milan outfit to put up the pressure.
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