Serie A Round 3 Match Previews ( EN )

By M. Korek | This week was very unpredictable in its events, with the recent attacks on the U.S clearly taking their toll on eveything, even on the european matches which were supposed to be held on Wednesday night. Here is a preview of the 3rd week of Serie A matches. Just as a reminder : Five Serie A teams benefited from this sudden halt, they are Juventus (UCL), and Parma, Fiorentina, Inter, and Milan (UEFA CUP). Roma and Lazio were clearly out of shape on Tuesday.

Bologna - Parma

Bologna were Chievo's second victim last week, with a 2-0 loss in Verona, Bologna have to really win this important match at home if they want to maintain their place in the realtively ''mild'' are in the Serie A table in the future. A for Parma, they were clearly lucky to have escaped a loss to Inter, with young striker Emiliano Bonazzoli scoring 5 minutes from time. This match will not be really played in a nut-cracking pace, but it will be interesting due to the desire both teams have to gain some extra points in this early stage of the league. And a win might be cure for Signori's gang as they face a great dilemma in midfield called ''Nakata''.

Brescia - Lecce

So, Roberto Baggio did score in the Delli Alpi against Torino after all. And it seems that, along with Tare, Baggio is proving to be the mastermind of Brescia's good results. They barely missed a place in the UEFA Cup, and they are ready to make it all up this season. Lecce won Piacenza in Garilli, with the Uruguayan cure clearly healing their wounds in defense after the departure of William Viali. International midfielder Giacomazi scored twice for Lecce as he proved also that his side is now more aware of handling the fast counter-attacks which could have cost his new team dearly last season.

Fiorentina - Atalanta

Looks like bad news is the main issue in Fiorentina these days. If it weren't for Chiesa, they would have suffered a very humiliating 5-0 loss, but even a three goal margin seems too much to handle, and relegation is the last thing Mancini wants to think about, that is if he stays of course. Atalanta are facing another problem, which is the clear weakness in the Comandini-Saudati pair in attack. Rossini isn't really making any difference either. A loss will be a very fatal result which could mean that either Vavassori or Mancini will have to leave early.

Verona - Perugia

Salvetti gave Verona three valuable points from Piacenza. Perugia too managed to hold Lazio to a 0-0 draw in R.Curi stadium. Both teams have benefited greatly from the Roman failure. Verona gained a point from Roma, and Perugia capitalized on Lazio poor performances. They both try and benefit also from the abundance of good players in the midfield. Ze Maria played a key role on Saturday's match ; as form Verona, Colucci, Zanchi and the others did what they had to do in defense, although they conceeded Gautieri's goal. It will be a rather careful approach from the two teams with the real attacking play starting to biuld up in the second half.

Inter - Venezia

Cuper has found the cure in attack ! Although Inter drew 2-2 with Parma and squandered a chance of winnig their second match in a row, they clearly did not seem to mind with Vieri's absence. Ventola showed why he is Italy's olympic team's first choice up front. As for Venezia, not much to do in the San Siro but defend thoroughly (especially on the flanks), hoping for a draw, beacuse it was not really clear that Prandelli is capable of giving more freedom to his midfielders who are following a strict pattern of tight man marking. But Inter must be careful and must avoid repeating the error of under estimating their opponents.

Juvntus - Chievo

Juventus benefited from the suspension of european matches on Wednseday in order to continue persuing their 9th point as they host Chievo in a very interesting encounter. Both teams are at the top of their game and their players are obvioulsy performing well on the pitch. Both teams have 6 points and have achieved comprehensive wins on Atalanta and Bologna. It won't be easy for the home side as Del Neri will try and stop the Tachhinardi - Nedved partnership with a 3-5-2 tactic involving Corradi, Foglio, and Perrotta (ex Juve midfielder) in order to clear the way for Marazzina. As for Juve, Del Piero and Trezeguet have 3 goals each ; clearly a sign of good health in attack. It will be a great match because of the time it is taking place in, and the Bianconero will not settle for a draw.

Lazio - Torino

2 draws in the league, a champion's league loss : what is simply wrong in Lazio ??? Mendieta is clearly not fitting in with Fiore and Simeone. Crespo and Claudio are clearly dis-oriented and they are finding it hard to score. Stam did not solve the problem in defense and he might not be able to if Zoff will continue in placing a key player like Poborsky on the bench. Torino also stumbled (as usual) at home to Brescia, and there is clearly no sign that things will improve if Camolese insists on a 3-5-2 plan which is certainly to blame for the draw in Udine on Day 1. Lazio have to rebound from this string of losses if they are to get back in contention, or else it will be a sad season for the Brunico and its fans.

Piacenza - Roma

Roma has the same string of results as their rivals have. Loosing to Real Madrid in the Olimpico is the last thing Cappello wants. Batistuta is out of form, Cassano has done nothing until now, and Montella is back to the old bench-pitch-bench rotating system Capello used last season, only the difference now is that Nakata left. Piacenza on the other hand have a valuable chance of making up their loss last week to Lecce with another homw fixture. Predictions are that Gautieri (ex Roma midfielder) will play a key role in this match. Finally, Roma simply need 3 points, a draw will only make things worse and it might bring the beginning of a tumble from the title holders.

Udinese - Milan

Impressive equaliser by Muzzi !! But will it be enough to help Udinese regain their confidence and win a team which has played the best match in the league until now ?? Milan will be more than happy to mark the return of Albertini who has played 65' against Fiorentina. But Milan will find it hard against Udinese who have rallied from a loss to a draw in their 2 Serie A matches until now. Terim has to focus on stopping Pineda and Di Michele if he is stop Muzzi's threat. He can do that with the presence of a quality midfielder like Kaladze. As for his attack, Serginho, Laursen, and Inzaghi have opened their accounts against Fiorentina and they might not be really quite happy with a draw with the opposing team .

-------------------------------
il Milan è il più
-------------------------------
Season 2001-2002
Let's crash them all!