Five things to note from Serie A this weekend; August 2010

The Serie A has begun, a nostalgic set of games which begin to show how teams will play, and what they’ll get out of this new campaign. After every weekend of matches, I’ll be publishing five things to note from the Serie A matches this weekend, whether it be a team in form, a player to look out for, or anything else regarding Serie A action. This weekend we’ve seen some exciting football, and there are things to note regarding technology, newly-promoted sides, a bad transfer market, and more.

1. Technology is needed right away on the first day

Yes, we have to talk about it yet again: technology needs to be introduced to football. This was especially evident when Fiorentina played Napoli this weekend: a battle between two teams which will be aiming for a Champions League spot. In the 7th minute Cavani heads a cross onto the bar, with the ball bouncing on the line as Frey stoops to pick up the Uruguayan’s effort. Then referee Gervasoni gives Napoli a goal, because his linesman was the only person in the stadium who saw the ball bounce in.

This ruined Fiorentina’s opening match in front of their fans, making both teams very edgy. Fiorentina equalized but then Vargas was sent off for getting in a pushing battle (with a headbutt thrown in), and after him Blasi for Napoli after a second yellow. If only we had technology: while maybe the game wouldn’t have changed that much, it still probably wouldn’t have taken such a tense turn with two players being sent off.

2. Don’t mess with Cesena

In the Serie A preview of Cesena, I talked about their new signings, and how the team would have to find a good system, it seems like they’ve found it. Ficcadenti’s side played against scudetto contenders Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. While Roma may have been delighted to have a newly-promoted team as their first opponent, thay soon found out that breaking down Cesena was going to be tough. In the end, Cesena was able to grab a point away from home after fighting through a tight 0-0, setting back the giallorossi in their race for the title. Next week Cesena will have to play AC Milan at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi, another title contender which they might be able to take advantange of, if the rossoneri underestimate them.

3. Sampdoria recover from European heartbreak

After losing against Werder Bremen, and losing the possibility to play in the Champions League, Sampdoria was a very sad club. The loss of possible revenue, the glory of participating in the Champions League, and much more could only lower morale for the blucerchiati. But they didn’t seem to have much trouble against Lazio this weekend, winning 2-0 with few problems. Cassano scored a penalty, and Guberti chipped Muslera from out of the box who had rushed out during a previous attack. A quick recovery from Di Carlo’s side who will need to play Juventus next, and then PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League.

4. AC Milan have no trouble being the anti-Inter

AC Milan had no trouble this weekend against Lecce, a resounding 4-0 win which was led by an inspired Ronaldinho along with Pato who grabbed a double. Thiago Silva also scored from a goal-mouth scramble, and the eternal Filippo Inzaghi found a way to score yet again. When you compare the way Milan won against Lecce to the difficulty that Juve had against Bari, Inter had with Bologna, and Roma had with Cesena, it seems like the team which will romp to the title are the rossoneri. The interesting thing is that AC Milan could’ve scored six in the first half, and with Ibrahimovic ready to play for the next match against Cesena. AC Milan seem invincible, and they’re having to problems being the true anti-Inter in this race for the title.

5. Inter Milan presume the scudetto is theirs

Inter Milan are becoming over-confident, this was seen in the UEFA SuperCup where they lost to Atletico Madrid 2-0, and the team was tired and lifeless. The night before the Inter players reaped up the individual rewards from UEFA, and they were on top of the world, after that they’ve played two matches with little enthusiasm. Against Bologna the team showed no hunger, fight, or movement: a boring spectacle which ended 0-0. Although in the final minutes Inter began to push more and more desperately, it was useless as Viviano pulled out a world-class save against a Sneijder free kick, and Eto’o hit the crossbar. An overconfident show from Benitez’s team which will need to change, especially with AC Milan thrashing teams so easily.

What did you notice during the first weekend of the Serie A? Share your thoughts by commenting below!