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| | Wednesday 19 August, 2009 | | Blog: And the winner is… | |
Scott Fleming puts his neck on the line and predicts the winners and losers of the forthcoming campaign
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CHAMPIONS - INTER
Ciro Ferrara’s Juventus should form the most significant threat yet posed to Inter’s dominance. Nonetheless the depth of quality in the Nerazzurri squad, allied to a winning mentality installed by their prior Scudetto triumphs, should see Jose Mourinho’s men over the line. Just.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
2ND - JUVENTUS
Expect a highly motivated and formidable Bianconeri this term, but the Scudetto will remain elusive unless Inter are overly concerned with the Champions League or hindered by Samuel Eto’o’s African Cup of Nations absence.
3RD - GENOA
Once more they’ve lost their best players, once more they start the season looking stronger than ever – the Grifoni really are Serie A’s best run club. A bold prediction I know, but with shrewd investment in all areas of the team and the retention of Gian Piero Gasperini’s services I’m expecting something very special from Genoa.
4TH - ROMA
Don’t be deceived by the takeover talk or lack of signings, money is no guarantee of success. The fact is that Roma still hold their most prized assets – Daniele De Rossi, Mirko Vucinic, Philippe Mexes – and they will be desperate to atone for last year’s failure and win back the respect of fans. Underestimate I Lupi at your peril.
EUROPA LEAGUE
5TH - MILAN
It’s not wise to draw too many conclusions from transfer campaigns or friendly results, so I may be way off with this one. It is, however, impossible to ignore such a shambolic summer for the Diavolo. Having failed to strengthen in key areas and led by a novice in Leonardo, Champions League qualification is the best they can hope for, but it may be out of reach.
6TH - PALERMO
The likes of Udinese, Fiorentina, Lazio and Napoli will ensure a fierce contest for the European places, but expect Palermo to excel with Coach Walter Zenga and Argentine protégé Javier Pastore signed up.
RELEGATION
SIENA
The plucky Robur are accustomed to losing their best players, but selling all three – Daniele Galloppa, Juan Zuniga and Houssine Kharja – in one summer, will be too much for the Tuscans to handle.
BOLOGNA
The Felsinei’s transfer campaign brought quantity not quality, consequently they have stood still while the majority of Serie A has reinforced. Figure in the ownership confusion and it’s hard to see the Rossoblu pulling off another dramatic escape.
LIVORNO
The play-off winners unsurprisingly appear the weakest of the three promoted sides, and with their awkward coaching situation a return to Serie B looks likely
COPPA ITALIA WINNERS - ROMA
The Giallorossi nicked the Scudetto off arch enemies Lazio in 2001, so don’t be surprised to see them do likewise with the Coppa this year, especially considering it’s a trophy they’ve already won twice under Luciano Spalletti.
CAPOCANNONIERE - GIAMPAOLO PAZZINI
Former La Liga and Eredivisie top scorers Samuel Eto’o and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, goal poachers supreme Hernan Crespo and Alberto Gilardino – picking a Capocanniere isn’t easy in a Division with an abundance of striking talent.
Having prospered at Antonio Cassano’s side last term though, Sampdoria’s Giampaolo Pazzini is my bet. The 24-year-old and his strike partner will both go all out to earn a place in the World Cup squad, and as such Pazzini, the out-and-out frontman of the two, should rack up a serious tally.
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It’s only three days away and its back on TV also, it doesn’t get more exciting for a Serie A fan. Like yourselves, I do predict that we are going to see Inter win the trophy again, just pipping Juventus to it, the Bianconeri will push them all the way but in the end I think Inter's squad may prove too strong.
My guess for third place is with Fiorentina, they couldn't beat a 10 man Sporting Lisbon side last night but with Gila/Mutu up front and the rising star that is Jovetic in midfield, I think they will be a team to watch.
As for fourth place, I think that will be between Roma, Milan and Napoli, with the Neapolitans just nicking it ahead of the Northern Giants, this will lead to another shambolic summer next year where Leonardo will be gone.
Relegation I think for Livorno, Bari and unfortunately the Flying Donkeys Chievo. And finally the Capocannoniere will go to Alberto Gilardino, a very impressive debut season with old friend Adrian Mutu last year and he will also want to impress Marcello Lippi for that No 9 shirt when South Africa comes in nine months time.
Adam Setters
As an Interista, I really like your prediction. At the same time, I know that this season will be a lot harder for Inter to win. They lost their main star, their leader, their magic and imagination – Ibrahimovic. Also, they sold their only natural left-back and will now "sacrifice" Santon, Zanetti and Chivu in that position.
Team added great players in Lucio, Milito and Eto'o, but I'm not sure what Motta will bring to Inter. At best, he can replace Muntari who is the weakest player in Inter's lineup. If, and only if, Inter sign Sneijder, than they are the favourites for the title.
Juventus look very formidable and strong, with a lot options in the middle and attack. Their weakness is in defence and that may cost them again. However, they certainly have what it takes to seriously challenge not only in Italy, but in Europe as well. The biggest question is will their Coach, because he doesn't have experience, but certainly has a vision.
When it comes to Milan, things don't look too well for them. Losing Kaka and hoping that Ronaldinho can replace him is just a great risk, a big gamble they can't win. With Silva in defence and Huntelaar in attack they can improve in those areas, but they now have the Champions League to play and just can't have squad depth and continuity to challenge for Scudetto. Leonardo is also a risk, having not managed any team before, but he looks ambitious and can bring back that hunger for success as well as confidence.
People should not underestimate Roma, because they don't have to play Champions League, and they kept their best players, except Aquilani who was constantly injured anyway. Teams like Fiorentina, Napoli, Palermo, Lazio, Genoa will make for an interesting championship and those teams have potential to challenge for Champions League spots, Fiorentina above all, despite losing Felipe Melo to Juventus.
The relegation battle will be equally interesting, with likes of Livorno, Bari, Bologna and perhaps Siena fighting to the very end for Serie A football.
Miroslav, Serbia
How can Scott Fleming be so disrespectful to the team that have made fourth place their own for the past four years?
Fiorentina will not compete for the Scudetto, but not mentioning them in the top six is extreme.
Try Inter, Juve, Milan then Fiorentina and you won’t be far wrong. Roma’s ‘prize assets’ could n’t win a raffle.
I accept that Genoa are a well run club and could sustain another season long effort, but it will be difficult due to the loss of key personnel.
Regardless, let’s enjoy the show.
Sergio, Scotland
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