Italian League Prediction Thread (Serie A)

[tomahawk9]

That match certainly lived up to my expectations, one of the best Derby d'Italia that I've seen in a long time...just epic. From Inter going 2-1 up with just 10 men, to Juventus scoring two goals in just 3 minutes ('86 and '89) to end the match 2-3 and keep the 1st spot for another week. What a game.

Now there are two key matches tomorrow: Torino vs Lazio and Fiorentina vs Napoli. Lazio could secure the top 4 spot with a win. Napoli needs the 3 points to keep the pressure on Juventus. Serie A just keeps getting better and better every weekend.

[DIA7]

Juve in his toughest test in recent years and the title at stake if he won the title proved to be the best in the last seven years. Napoli was a fierce opponent in the last seasons and this time it may be the closest after their today win their chances have been boosted to finish at top again because they didn't only win the game but made Roma escape from Inter by making 4 points gap and by that they wouldn't have to work hard in their game that will be played between them and the Bianconeri unless they drop points in other games at the end the league is still in favor for Juventus while Napoli have to wait from  Roma to deliver them the title.

[Juggy777]

When it gets tough the tough get going Juventus hats off to their spirited performance I knew they would bounce back and they did it in style. There was always pressure on them to perfand win yet they showed nerves of steel and went through it. It'll be keen to see if Napoli can keep up the pressure on juve or they'll stall. This is exciting times and the thrill only keeps getting better and better.

[Pab]

Bad news for Napoli is that Chelsea wants to buy Sarri
If Chelsea pay 80 mln euro and Sarri agree he will left Napoli

[Granxis]

Fiorentina defeated Sassuolo last week. But after 10 people left, they got out of the game. Napoli defeated Juventus on the road. They win the last minute. Napoli is fighting for the championship. Both teams will play to win. I am expecting  a lot goals.

[DIA7]

Simeonne Jr. finally finishes the league for Juve, causing Koulibaly to be sent off in the eighth minute and then scoring a hat-trick to lead Fiorentina to a 3-0 demolition of Napoli. A week of delusions ended in a very tough way. I feel that the refs we're not in Napoli side this season and Juventus was favorite by the help of refs at the end Napoli are a team worthy of all respect for the spirit and fighting this season despite stumbling on some occasions but they deserve the title with all due merit, but football is unforgiving when you get a chance you have to take that chance that didn't happen now the Bianconeri are in their way to.lift their 7th Scudetto.

[dado7]

Unfortunately, nothing changed in Serie A. It was a long time since Juventus had a serious contender in Serie A and as soon as they had some, their organized crime network ended that in 22 minutes of 2 games. Amazing!

First Mandžukić makes a dangerous play on Vecino who, while lending, steps on his foot. For this Vecino receives a red card in the 17th minute. We could argue this was indeed justified (it was not), but then we should look for example the situation where Pjanić started on Inter player later during the game..... For that kind of start, even if someone thought it could have been looked through, a red card was awarded for Baselli against Juve in one of the earlier games.... The difference is that in that game Baselli nearly totally missed Pjanić, while Pjanić start had two bases for a direct red card (a hit in the face and a deliberate jump and hit in the ribs with a knee.

Yesterday in the game between Napoli and Fiorentina, Napoli falls short of a man after a duel in which Koulibaly was just a bit late on the ball. However, Serie A referees must have a new rulebook, since I never before so a red card awarded for a clear duel.

[tomahawk9]

Must be tough being a Napoli fan, from absolute joy and euphoria thanks to the victory last weekend, to dissapoinment and sadness this weekend...
Juventus still has to play vs Roma (probably the toughest match) but even if they lose that match, they'll still have a 1 point lead, I think the fight for the scudetto is over, Napoli put up a good fight, though...their fans should be proud.

And good victory for Lazio against Torino, they're now 4 points above Inter (5th in the league table),

[buwaytress]

Must be tough being a Napoli fan, from absolute joy and euphoria thanks to the victory last weekend, to dissapoinment and sadness this weekend...
Juventus still has to play vs Roma (probably the toughest match) but even if they lose that match, they'll still have a 1 point lead, I think the fight for the scudetto is over, Napoli put up a good fight, though...their fans should be proud.

And good victory for Lazio against Torino, they're now 4 points above Inter (5th in the league table),

Yeah, add me to that devastated crowd. I honestly thought it was all finally coming together after that last-gasp goal against Juventus, didn't watch any of the weekend matches but read the news... Juve claiming 3 points when it all looked over, and then Napoli just killed themselves with that unexpected loss (and unexpected margin!).

This looks like the season where underdogs threatened but the royalty eventually claimed the title, not just in Italy but in Europe. Still, to see Napoli and Roma, who both play fluid football, doing so well, these are hopeful signs that the Serie A can strike the old fear into opponents as they used to.

[tomahawk9]

This looks like the season where underdogs threatened but the royalty eventually claimed the title, not just in Italy but in Europe.

yeah, you can have an amazing season like Napoli, playing extremely good football throughout the season and just putting pressure on Juventus until the last few matches, but in the crucial moments the big teams like Juve have that extra that the underdogs don't (call it spirit, mystic, experience, etc,), and that's why the top clubs always win. But even if we get the same champion (in this case, Juventus), i'm thankful that the Serie A gave us such an exciting show until the last few matches, something that the other top leagues failed to do this season.

[Pab]

Big drama in Napoli
Looks like no title that year and Napoli can lost Sarri
Still nine points to win or lost
I  see both Hamsik and Martens are tired

[HugoStiglitz]

Russian media claim Roberto Mancini is one step away from heading Italy National Team. They make references to Football Italia and Gazzetta dello Sport and are sure it will happen until 20 May.

At first, I had a negative reaction to the news. But right now I think it's not so bad choice as it can seem. Surely, he didn't manage to reach impressive results in his last clubs Inter and Zenit, but from my point of view, there are plenty reasons, which can be very important in the issue of estimating this period of his work and his prospects in the National Team.

1) Both Zenit and Inter survive a very strange period with problems between owners and club administration, so these atmosphere doesn't suit to be focused on the job enough.

2) Russian media often write he leaves St.Petersburg to spend time in Italy. There are also some indirect facts, which hint he is unhappy in Zenit and doesn't do his best there. Working in national teams needs much less time and allows to live wherever you want without being connected to a regime of regular training and travels. Maybe, it suits him much better with the way of life he prefers to lead.

3) He perfectly knows many Italian players and their abilities. He is maybe the only coach, who managed to stay in good relationships with Mario Balotelli, who plays very well in Nice right now. I don't believe he can be such stubborn as Gian Piero Ventura was - there is very low probability he will use Insigne as a midfielder or something like this  
Moreover, I read that other candidates are Marco Giampaolo from Sampdoria and Luigi Di Biagio, current caretaker. With all respect to both of them, Roberto has much more chances to become a person, who will be highly respected by all players being for them a coach, a teacher, and a leader and at the same time.

4) Maybe the most important reason - as far as I understand, he has dreamt about it for a long time. To say honestly, I have never considered him as a top-level coach. But no doubt, he is a skillful specialist, and having the biggest motivation in his career he should definitely work as hard as he can. Maybe it's exactly the thing he lacked last years.

What do you think about it?

[Pab]

Russian media claim Roberto Mancini is one step away from heading Italy National Team. They make references to Football Italia and Gazzetta dello Sport and are sure it will happen until 20 May.

At first, I had a negative reaction to the news. But right now I think it's not so bad choice as it can seem. Surely, he didn't manage to reach impressive results in his last clubs Inter and Zenit, but from my point of view, there are plenty reasons, which can be very important in the issue of estimating this period of his work and his prospects in the National Team.

1) Both Zenit and Inter survive a very strange period with problems between owners and club administration, so these atmosphere doesn't suit to be focused on the job enough.

2) Russian media often write he leaves St.Petersburg to spend time in Italy. There are also some indirect facts, which hint he is unhappy in Zenit and doesn't do his best there. Working in national teams needs much less time and allows to live wherever you want without being connected to a regime of regular training and travels. Maybe, it suits him much better with the way of life he prefers to lead.

3) He perfectly knows many Italian players and their abilities. He is maybe the only coach, who managed to stay in good relationships with Mario Balotelli, who plays very well in Nice right now. I don't believe he can be such stubborn as Gian Piero Ventura was - there is very low probability he will use Insigne as a midfielder or something like this  
Moreover, I read that other candidates are Marco Giampaolo from Sampdoria and Luigi Di Biagio, current caretaker. With all respect to both of them, Roberto has much more chances to become a person, who will be highly respected by all players being for them a coach, a teacher, and a leader and at the same time.

4) Maybe the most important reason - as far as I understand, he has dreamt about it for a long time. To say honestly, I have never considered him as a top-level coach. But no doubt, he is a skillful specialist, and having the biggest motivation in his career he should definitely work as hard as he can. Maybe it's exactly the thing he lacked last years.

What do you think about it?

Sure he will be better than current coach
Great player he was and he knows italian footbal best luck to him
ancelloti didnt like to be italian coach

[dado7]

Juventus still has to play vs Roma (probably the toughest match) but even if they lose that match, they'll still have a 1 point lead, I think the fight for the scudetto is over, Napoli put up a good fight, though...their fans should be proud.

Unfortunately no chance for Napoli there. If anything is evident is that Napoli won't be allowed to become champions. One or two situations will be enough to decide a victor if it comes to that.

[Theb]

Big names are being involve into a move to A.C. Milan on the next summer transfer window. Players like Andrea Belotti, Nabil Fekir, and Alvaro Morata are being link into a move to A.C. Milan all I can say is that it is possible. But I think they have bigger things to handle outside of bringing in new players. Issues with their the owner's debt as well as the future of their ownership is in place, before we the fans can talk about who will be signing next we must know who will be our owner for the next season. Not to mention they still have a settlement agreement with regards to FIFA financial fair play which is still an ongoing investigation. As a long time supporter I am really missing the action of the team in the Champion's League.

[rizkyhiw]

Juventus still has to play vs Roma (probably the toughest match) but even if they lose that match, they'll still have a 1 point lead, I think the fight for the scudetto is over, Napoli put up a good fight, though...their fans should be proud.

Unfortunately no chance for Napoli there. If anything is evident is that Napoli won't be allowed to become champions. One or two situations will be enough to decide a victor if it comes to that.

Yep, it is very difficult for napoli to accept this kind of circumstance that is only a few steps to the champion and must just disappear. I already know juventus can stay above the standings to become champion.

[cengsuwuei]

Must be tough being a Napoli fan, from absolute joy and euphoria thanks to the victory last weekend, to dissapoinment and sadness this weekend...
Juventus still has to play vs Roma (probably the toughest match) but even if they lose that match, they'll still have a 1 point lead, I think the fight for the scudetto is over, Napoli put up a good fight, though...their fans should be proud.

And good victory for Lazio against Torino, they're now 4 points above Inter (5th in the league table),

juventus is easy win in italian serie A league
because in last match liverpool lost from fiorentina and juventus win from inter
this now defeat 4 point, although juventus must meet roma, if lost still above from napoli and last 2 match juventus can easy win

[dado7]

Yep, it is very difficult for napoli to accept this kind of circumstance that is only a few steps to the champion and must just disappear. I already know juventus can stay above the standings to become champion.

Yes, there used to be a little thing called justice, what was that again?

[daarul50]

One more step Juventus almost succeeded in defending the Serie A title, they only have to win in this weekend's game to lock the Serie A title this season.

[Granxis]

Caglari defeated Sampdoria in the away game last week. Rome will play for the first. Caglari does not give any hope with their performance and their points. Rome will not make mistakes in this game.