Série A 2009-10: Preview and Predictions

Published by William | Filed under Football (aka soccer), Predictions

Can Diego lead La Vecchia Signora to the Scudetto?

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The Série A season gets underway this weekend with many great opening weekend matchups. In this post, we give our synopsis of some of the league’s top teams and how we think the top 5 will pan out this year.


Inter Milan
2008-09 Série A Results: 1st – 84 pts
European Competition Results: Lost to Manchester United – Champions League First Knockout Round
Coppa Italia Results: Lost to Sampdoria – Semifinals


I am extremely intrigued as to how this season will pan out for Internazionale. They are coming off a fourth straight Série A title and surely, would love to add to their unprecedented streak. However, despite their utter domination in Italy, it hasn’t been enough for the Nerazzurri faithful. They, along with the rest of Série A, have failed to do much of anything in the Champions League in recent years and as a result, are the poster boys for the recent consensus that Italian football is on the decline. The following table displays Inter’s Champions League results in their past 4 Série A Scudetto winning years:

So the problem with Inter is that, after breezing through the group stages, they seem to choke when playing on the big stage. That was the biggest concern with the recently departed star Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Despite being absolutely prolific for Inter in domestic play and, at times, single handedly winning games, the star laid eggs in European play. Luckily, their replacement for the 2009 Série A top scorer is known for doing just the opposite. Samuel Eto’o, who arrives from Barcelona along with €46 million, is the only player to ever score a goal in two separate Champions League Finals, which would appear to be exactly what Inter is looking for. Along with Eto’o, Inter welcomes new arrival Diego Milito from Genoa to compliment their newly renovated attacking fleet. Throw newly acquired Brazilian defender Lucio into an already rock solid defensive front, and Inter has to be yet again considered the front runners to take home their 5th straight Italian crown. The question is how will they balance their focus between Italy and Europe with the constant demand for a Champions League Trophy? With a dangerous Juventus club looming in the shadows, it will be interesting to see.
First Fixture: vs. AS Bari – Odds | Statistical Match Preview


Juventus
2008-09 Série A Results: 2nd – 74 pts
European Competition Results: Lost to Chelsea – Champions League First Knockout Round
Coppa Italia Results: Lost to Lazio – Semifinals


Since returning to Série A, Juventus has finished 3rd and 2nd, respectively, in the past two seasons and are thought by many as the lone club to challenge Inter for the Scudetto. The biggest move made this offseason by the Lady Turin was bringing in Brazilian playmaker Diego from last year’s UEFA Cup runners-up Werder Bremen. Putting him alongside Vincenzo Iaquinta, Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero, and if he can get back to form, French star David Trezeguet, will give Juve several attacking options and could make them extremely dangerous in that third of the pitch. Meanwhile, the back line has certainly been strengthened as well by bringing back Fabio Cannavaro and adding Brazilian Felipe Melo from Fiorentina. While Inter is probably the better squad on paper, there is something I like about this Juventus squad, especially with the energetic spark of Diego. This is the year Inter will be dethroned, and Juve is the club to do it.


First Fixture: vs. AC Chievo Verona – Odds | Statistical Match Preview


AC Milan
2008-09 Série A Results: 2nd – 74 pts
European Competition Results: Lost to Werder Bremen – UEFA Cup Round of 32
Coppa Italia Results: Lost to Lazio – Round of 16


If you really want to know how I feel about Milan, read my earlier post, Milan is Burning. If the title doesn’t sum it up for you, then I will try right now. Basically, until they decide to spend some cash that they apparently do not have, they are heading nowhere but down the ladder. Even with arguably the world’s second best footballer Kaka, the club had been lacking the spark that they had possessed in recent years. With that being said, his departure leaves a gaping void in the midfield and the Rossoneri Front Office Personnel have failed to even attempt to replace him. The small glimmer of hope they have lies within a little Brazilian fellow by the name of Ronaldinho. It’s no secret that the superstar has been plagued by injuries and not his normal self as of late, but they surely is gas left in the tank. If Ronaldo can still do it, he can too. He claims to have rededicated himself this offseason and is ready to assume the role as this team’s leader. However, he is only one man and can not do it alone. The Red and the Black also expect to welcome back David Beckham from his short lived stint with the LA Galaxy which will surely not hurt anything. With all that being said, arring a miracle season, I don’t see Milan competing with Juventus and Inter.


First Fixture: at AC Siena – Odds | Statistical Match Preview


Roma
2008-09 Série A Results: 6th – 63 pts
European Competition Results: Lost to Arsenal – Champions League First Knockout Round
Coppa Italia Results: Lost to Inter Milan – Quarterfinals


Much like their fellow Italian cohorts AC Milan, the future of AS Roma is unfavorable as the club attempts to cope with its insurmountable debts. The club, owned by the Sensi family, is said to owe banks somewhere in the range of €400m and as a result, was forced to part ways this offseason with one of their best players in Alberto Aquilani. Midfielder Stefano Guberti was brought in on loan from recently promoted Bari and hope to add a spark to an ailing midfield. It’s fair to say that much of this season’s fate relies on the shoulders of American born Daniele De Rossi and veteran Francesco Totti. If those two are not able to create a spark (and more importantly, if Totti is not able to stay healthy), I do not see Roma making too much noise this year in Serie A. They simply do not have the depth.


First Fixture: at Genoa – Odds | Statistical Match Preview


William
Série A Top 5:
1. Juventus
2. Inter Milan
3. AC Milan
4. Roma
5. Fiorentina
Coppa Italia Winner: Inter Milan


Kevin
Série A Top 5:
1. Inter Milan
2. Juventus
3. AC Milan
4. Fiorentina
5. Roma
Coppa Italia Winner: Roma


Filippo
Série A Top 5:
1. Inter Milan
2. Juventus
3. Fiorentina
4. Genoa
5. AC Milan
Coppa Italia Winner: Roma


Ryan
Série A Top 5:
1. Inter Milan
2. Juventus
3. Roma
4. AC Milan
5. Lazio
Coppa Italia Winner: Juventus