Monday, February 26, 2007

A three-way thriller

With the Serie A league title decided and Roma and Palermo apparently safely settled in second and third the most exciting part of the league looks like being the fight for the last Champions League spot. Three of our biggest guns - Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina could all be in the running.

Without handicaps it would be an even better four-way fight for a couple of places with Palermo being dragged in. Their form is so bad at the moment they may yet have to fend off some of these sides. Milan huffed and puffed to a 1-0 late win over Sampdoria (Celtic take note of how organised the Doriani were). Tommaso Rocchi struck a screamer as Lazio saw off Cagliari while it was the usual Mutu and Toni show as the Viola scored a vital win over Empoli.

Emotionally, it would be incredible to see Fiorentina get fourth after a 15 point penalty at the start of the campaign. Then again, UEFA would probably change the rules and only allow three qualifiers and leave us missing out again...

6 comments:

martinobhoy said...

I'd love it to be the Viola boys but I suspect it will be Milan who finish fourth.

I also noticed they got their winner in the 90th minute at the weekend just like Celtic.

ginkers said...

They played poorly although, to be fair, they were down to ten men for most of the match after Oddo got sent off.

Anonymous said...

It would be good to see some new Serie 'A' representation in the CL. That goes for all of the leagues represented (c'mon Fiorentina, Hearts, Spurs...). It would certainly freshen the competition up a bit.

Perhaps your new boy - Lupoli - will help the Viola campaign. What are the Fiorentina fans feelings about him ? A good aquisition ? They like him in Derby. For what that's worth :o)

patcook said...

Palermo are well and truely in the thick of it. In bad form, if Milan pip them mid week and win their game in hand and Lazio also win both games, then Palermo will be one point ahead of lazio and 2 infront of Milan and Fiorentina just behind that.

I think the champions league hopes of Palermo are all but over. They desperately miss amauri and even if he recovers before the end of the season, will be lucky to regain form before its too late.

Milan are a testament to how fickle football can be, after a horrid patch, the purchase of ronaldo and a lot of luck has seen them take 22 of a possible 24 points in their last 8 league games and rapidly building confidence as the injury list slowly dwindles. And they must be growing in confidence in the CL, especially if Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern fail to over turn first leg results.

I going to say Milan 3rd and Lazio and Fiorentina fighting it out for fourth until the very end.

ginkers said...

Trent

Lupoli is seen as a great investment for the future. We already have a pretty impressive array of frontmen but he just adds to that. I think he might go out on loan for a while.

Pat

Lazio's chances were boosted by their win today while Milan and Fiorentina took a bit of a hit with draws. Still, nobody would bet against the Rossoneri overhauling the Rosanero right enough...

patcook said...

I think oddo dismissal cost us points today. Ancelotti's systems rely so heavily on the preformance of fullbacks. And he loves his one striker idea.

Im almost comfortable with the idea that Gilardino should be let go at the end of the season.
I was a huge fan while he was at Parma but he has squandered so many chances at Milan and he seems to think diving at every possible opportunity will rescue him. the only problem is we would have to look for another young striker.

I am pleased that Bonera is starting to shine in the centre of defense, I really hope he can become a regular international for Italy.

Its unfortunate Fiorentina didnt win cos it would be really close. I am getting a little worried about Empoli though, they just wont go away.