Serie A is becoming more and more interesting, and with Lazio continuing their winning streak, could we see a surprise winner for the scudetto? Lazio are currently first in the table with a four point lead on second placed Inter Milan. While we’re just nine games into the season, maybe Lazio can manage second place? We’ll just have to see if their good form continues, or whether they’ll die down into the midtable.
1. Mutu returns for Fiorentina
After a nine-month doping ban, there was doubt whether Mutu would even continue his football-playing career. But the Romanian returned in great form for Fiorentina, playing a full 90 minutes away against Catania. Although the match ended 0-0, there were some sparks of action, like when Mascara hit the woodwork from a free kick, and when Mutu had a great header parried by Catania keeper Andujar. Yet Mutu’s return couldn’t mask the way that Mihajlovic’s side played, and Fiorentina weren’t playing well enough to earn three points. Mutu had a great shot saved by Andujar again, stopping him from a dream return. But Mutu’s return is certainly a positive thing for Fiorentina fans, especially with the lack of Jovetic’s creativity, they now have someone experienced who can score important goals.
2. Bari sink to 20th with latest defeat
Last season Bari were a fantastic team which went out to win matches against the top teams of the Serie A, but it’s a different story this year. While Bari finished in 10th place last season, a wonderful finish for a newly-promoted side, this season they find themselves bottom of the table. Their latest defeat was to Udinese, and both goals were fantastic. The first was a wonder-strike into the top-left-hand corner from Alexis Sanchez, and the second was a powerful finish by Isla into the crossbar and into the back of Gillet’s net. So what has happened to Giampiero Ventura’s side? And do you think that Ventura could be sacked, and replaced by who? Remember to comment below regarding Bari’s situation at the bottom of the table.
3. The relegation battle will be tight
Looking at the table, something struck me regarding who might go down to the Serie B, this season’s relegation battle will be very interesting. What makes me say that is the fact that there are 10 teams within three points of the bottom of the table. That mean that if your team has a bad match, and a couple of other sides have a good match, then you could find yourself in the relegation zone. Right now there’s Cesena, Bologna, and Bari in the bottom three of the table, but I expect those three teams to survive this season. So who will go down? Well I think that this season Lecce, Brescia, and Parma will go down, but that’s just my opinion. So please share your opinion on who you think will be playing in the Serie B next season by commenting below!
4. and 5. Cassano will remain at Sampdoria who grab a win without him
I’ve decided to unify my fourth and fifth things to note about Serie A, mainly because they both include Sampdoria and Cassano. A couple of days ago Cassano decided not to attend an awards ceremony that the Sampdoria president Riccardo Garrone had asked the player to attend. After this event, there was a heated exchange between the player and president which opened up a can of rumors regarding a possible move for Cassano to Juventus, Inter Milan, and maybe even Chelsea. But now the storm has died down, Cassano said sorry to the president with this statement,
<blockquote>I’m sorry for what happened, and I’ve already said sorry to Mr. Garrone, which respect and like very much, in the presence of my teammates. To my teammates I wish them good luck for the game against Cesena. I read that the situation would be connected with speculations about the market, but I reaffirm that, always that there’s the possibility, it’s my solid intention to remain with Sampdoria.</blockquote>
So it seems like everybody is happy even if Cassano didn’t play in Sampdoria’s 1-0 win away against Cesena. And Sampdoria suffered without Antonio, Walter Mazzarri’s side could only find a winner in the 93rd minute of the match, with Giampaolo Pazzini tapping in Marilungo’s low ball across the box.
While I wanted Cassano to move away from Sampdoria, to a bigger club where he would be surrounded by world class players, it isn’t all that bad that he has remained in Genoa. Hopefully he’ll continue to play for Sampdoria, and play well enough to get into the Italian national team. With Balotelli’s return from injury, I can’t wait to see the two pair up under the guidance of Prandelli as Italy tries to qualify for the European Championships of 2012.
What are your thoughts regarding this weekend’s Serie A action? Share your comments below!

Five Things To Note From Serie A This Weekend; October 31, 2010 - World Soccer Talk

Five Things To Note From Serie A This Weekend; October 31, 2010

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The weekend promised excitement, drama and last-minute heartache with several sides still fighting for survival at the season’s very end. Sunderland, Hull, Newcastle and Middlesbrough were all on the edge of the cliff. Some already hanging off the side. Others teetering on the brink. In the end, four losses would keep all sides in their places. Newcastle and Middlesbrough join West Brom in relegation to the Championship. Sunderland and Hull survive by the slimmest of margins.
Hull City: Early Form Rewarded
Hull’s explosive first half of the season (2o points from their first nine matches) was rewarded yesterday despite a 1-0 loss to Manchester United. The results of Newcastle and Middlesbrough allowed Hull supporters to forgive Phil Brown and Co. for the disastrous spell that eventually displaced their early good form. Hull only <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/8066370.stm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won</a> one of their last 22 matches.
The Tigers defied expecation at the start of their campaign, recording wins against Fulham, Newcastle, Arsenal, Spurs, West Ham and West Brom all before the end of October. They dazzled further in November when they scored three goals at Old Trafford. They still lost to hosts Manchester United, but after being 4-1 down at the half, scoring two more goals against the Champs and bringing a point within view, showed the true grit of Hull City.
A lengthy slump aside, Hull deserved to stay up after their fierce start to the season. Now the question is: can they find that form again next year?
Death By Own Goal
One devastating moment from yesterday’s <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/103308/Villa-send-limp-Newcastle-down-" target="_blank" rel="noopener">match</a> at Villa Park sums up Newcastle United’s season. Villa’s Gareth Barry took a speculative shot from distance, firing the ball into traffic. United’s Damien Duff stood his ground, but was crushed when the ball ricochetted off his shin and careened into the net.
1-0 was the final score. And since other results meant Newcastle only needed a draw to survive, that one moment encapsulates the pain and frustration forced upon supporters as Newcastle’s latest campaign comes to an ugly close.
The Magpies will go down after 16 years in the top flight. Though they’ve had their rough patches, Newcastle always seemed to climb out of trouble and endure. But too many managerial changes and not investing enough in defense led to the fall.
Shearer should not be criticized. If he’d had more time to work out a system with the players (and if he’d had the brilliant goalkeeping of Shay Given at his disposal), it might have been a different outcome.
Duff, gutted from yesterdays events, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/8067061.stm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vows</a> to stay with Newcastle and fight for their promotion next season. Newcastle faithful wait to hear what Shearer’s plans are.
Gareth Southgate’s Nightmare
Middlesbrough have had their troubles since their last promotion to the top flight in 1998. We smirk when we think of 2006, when a fan stormed the pitch and threw his season ticket at Steve McClaren in frustration. But despite various problems, Boro spent the last ten years making themselves a Premier League mainstay. They usually finished mid-table, but even when they dipped lower, they secured enough points to keep from sweating over the drop.
But this season the problems became insurmountable. Former Boro hitman, John Hendrie <a href="http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11680_5347611,00.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blames</a> poor transfer window moves and lack of firepower. Boro were the lowest scoring side in the league. Whatever the root cause, Boro simply could not climb out of the ditch they dug themselves.
But Gareth Southgate is expected to stay on as manager and despite the fear of losing some big players, Middlesbrough should have a good enough chance at returning to the top flight.
Sunderland Survive
The Blackcats put their old yo-yoing ways behind them as they prepare to enjoy a third consecutive season in the Premier League. Despite their survival, manager Ricky Sbragia stepped down after Sunderland’s loss to Chelsea. Read more <a href="http://epltalk.com/sbragia-quits-breaking-news/7758" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Sbragia took over the post when Roy Keane left in December.
Sunderland <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUKTRE54O37Z20090525?rpc=401&amp;" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> today they will not be signing 27-year-old striker Djibril Cisse who spend the season on loan from Marseille. It will be intersting to see who Sunderland bring in to manage and play for the next season.
With Boro and Newcastle relegated, Sunderland will be the only side from the north east in the Premier League.
Conclusion
The season was very tight for a long time with many upsets and surprises. It took a while for the European hopefuls to pull away from the relegation zone denizens. Unlike last year, when Derby County clinched relegation early, this season’s bottom teams had their chances going into the final weekends. It is sad to see two mainstays go down, but that’s part of the life-cycle of the Premier League. Wolves, Birmingham and Burnley will come up to try and stake their claim on top flight football. Newcastle, Boro and others will fight in the Championship for a fresh chance to rise.
The rest of us will spend the summer scouring transfer rumors and analyzing friendlies and internationals while we wait for the league action to start anew.

The Premier League Relegation Battle: Life And Death At The Bottom

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Five Things To Note From Serie A This Weekend; October 31, 2010

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The Premier League Relegation Battle: Life And Death At The Bottom