Serie A – Round 2 – Big meeting on day two
By David, BettingExpert.com | Published
Two major contenders for the Serie A title will meet this weekend and it should not be the Saturday night match Inter vs Roma but Sunday’s Napoli vs Milan. They will be interesting encounters with the Milan sides favourites to carry home some points. Inter are the most in need after losing three games in a row.
Inter – Roma
Both clubs have been sporting new managers at the helm but, just like Roma’s Luis Enrique, Inter’s new coach Gasperini has not been able to handle his side yet. Gasperini lost all three official games so far and the latest was a disastrous start to their Champions League campaign. They went down 0-1 at home against a team which was not even supposed to be part of this year’s competition until Fenerbache were excluded by the Turkish FA.
There are problems at Inter as Gasperini tries to adapt his familiar tactics to the players at the club. He has thus far been unsuccessful and will definitely need more time to adapt the two aspects. But will he be given enough time?
At Roma things are not much better with Luis Enrique needing to adapt to Italian football and I believe that ought to be a bigger ask than that of Gasperini.
Latest news speak of Cassetti being regarded as a central defender so the inept Rosi will be on right-back. Left-back Jose Angel is suspended so incredibly enough it should be Taddei who transfers from midfield to that position. An attacking-midfielder / forward wearing the tattered rags of a left-back. In attack things did not work out with Osvaldo and Krkic on the flanks upfront so the untouchable Totti will be flanked by Borriello and Borini. Quite incredible to think that such a move can be the solution for finding goals..
Verdict: 1
Luis Enrique will be shuffling his pack again but it should be another futile move from a manager who is yet to get familiar with Italian football. The Spanish coach will be punished for his ignorance.
Atalanta – Palermo
Atalanta surprised Genoa on the road in their debut match since regaining promotion to the Italian top flight. It was not a difficult task with Genoa still in the inclusion process of many new players. The diminutive midfielder Moralez and Denis ravaged the Genoa defence and could have deserved three points but at the back they allowed some spaces.
Palermo were quite disorganized at the back as well but they faced a confused Inter side still finding its feet and punished them with some slick attacking moves. Stand-in manager Mangia admitted that his inexperience allowed for some erroneous movements on the pitch but he brought a lot of enthusiasm to the side.
Verdict: Palermo +0.25
It has been seven matches since Palermo lost against Atalanta and this may make it eight with Palermo currently enjoying a high under young manager Mangia. They can keep riding the wave after the fantastic 4-3 victory over Inter.
Bologna – Lecce
Bologna did not really deserve to lose 2-0 in Firenze but after some missed chances the Viola imposed their superior technical quality. Toppling the hosts from that position of psychological advantage was difficult after they grabbed the first goal. All in all it was a pretty convincing display by Bisoli’s boys.
Lecce’s performance, on the other hand, was very poor with lack of organization blatantly evident in their home game against Udinese. The guests missed out on their starting wingmen, a strong point of the team but they still found it easy to cut through the Lecce’s lines.
Verdict: Bologna -1
Di Francesco’s inexperience has been clear in the first match and should prevent him from getting his side to collect anything from the trip up north to Bologna. Watch out for Diamanti and Di Vaio to sign their name on the score sheet.
Lazio – Genoa
The Biancocelesti were involved in an Europa League match against Vaslui in midweek and although they controlled the game for most of the ninety minutes the few amnesic moments cost them two points.
Genoa lost three points in the first round of Serie A games and the reasons were apparent to everyone. They provided no barrier in midfield with both Kucka and Veloso minding the creative aspect but not getting their leg in when needed. There were too many new players needing to learn to collaborate with each other after president Preziosi’s rich transfer dealings. That should cost them against Lazio.
Verdict: 1
The Olimpico is a difficult place to visit these days, especially when coloured light blue. Genoa have quality as well but they will need more time to settle down as a team.
Udinese – Fiorentina
Another team involved in the Europa League this Thursday. They were the only Italian team to gain full points in Europe this week and after their first three points in their league opener as well they will be ready to keep the trend going.
Nonetheless, winning against Lecce was quite easy whilst Rennes offered more resistance and should have walked away with at least a draw from Friuli.
The defensive line-up did not impress with many youngsters still needing to get used to life at the top level. Fiorentina may have had problems with the fans and the manager at the start of the season but they have quality and can definitely take control of the match on Sunday.
Verdict: Fiorentina 0:0
Fiorentina’s attacking approach should create many problems for Udinese and their inexperienced backline. With Gilardino in great form the Viola will be too dangerous to tame for a tired team like Udinese.
Napoli – Milan
The injuries have piled up at Milan with Ambrosini, Ibrahimovic, Boateng and Gattuso ruled out and Robinho almost certain of not making the trip south to Napoli. Cassano and Aquilani should play in behind an in-form Pato this weekend. The rest of the team should not change from that which started at the Nou Camp. The Swedish striker should be back by the end of this month.
It was a lucky draw for the Rossoneri after they had to suffer Barcelona’s superior game but some positive signals came out of it. Namely Pato’s return. I would watch out for him to score at Napoli.
Napoli made a bigger impact in Europe with their 1-1 draw against in-form Manchester City impressing many. Perhaps those who are not yet familiar with the potential of this team.
Verdict: Milan +0.5
Milan have important injuries but Napoli are yet to rate Lavezzi’s knee injury. Without him they lose out on much of the creative aspect and that should boost Milan’s chances. The Rossoneri will be doing everything to avoid Napoli gaining five points of advantage over them and historically their attempt will be well backed up. In the last 19 encounters in the league Napoli won only three times.
16.09.2011, 16:26 CET
Thanks TheGame. Comment very appreciated. Hopefully we'll get to make profit.
By the way, if anybody has an opinion about the weekend games, or more importantly betting suggestions, and wants to share them we have league previews up for Serie A, Premier League, Bundesliga and Spanish Liga.
Just post any comments and betting opinions there.
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16.09.2011, 15:13 CET
Lazio's Mauri will be out for up to a month so he will miss this match. Gonzalez may take his place in Reja's 4-2-3-1 on one of the flanks.