Who Who Will Make Serie A’s Top 5 at the End of the Season?

So far, only one team has dominated Serie A this season. That team is Napoli.

However, there are still so many games left to play. The Scudetto race is far from over. Not to mention, the standings can be influenced by whether Juve fully wins their 15-point deduction appeal. So, here are my predictions on who will Finish in the top 5 at the end of the Serie A season.

5. JUVENTUS

So far this season hasn’t been great at all by the club’s standards. Their recent loss to Napoli and 15-point deduction make that significantly worse.

In saying that, Juve has generally been playing and getting good results the last 2-3 months. I believe that given how inconsistent Roma, Lazio, and Atalanta have been, Juve has a great chance of sneaking into the top 5. Even, if that 15-point deduction sticks.

If Juve wins the appeal on that point deduction, I don’t see any reason why Juve won’t make the top 4. We’ll see what happens there!

4. ROMA

Before the season started, I’m sure most Serie A fans would’ve placed a bet on Roma to make the Top 4.

They signed Dybala in the summer, they have a top-class player in Pellegrini, having talented players like Tammy Abraham, Gianluca Mancini and Chris Smalling also help their case. Roma also has the never dull, Jose Mourinho as their manager.

I do acknowledge that Roma has had issues getting consistent results. However, I think Roma has been slightly more consistent than their inner-city rivals, Lazio and Atalanta.

However, as I said earlier, if Juve wins their appeal, things will change very quickly.

3. INTER

Coming into this season, it must’ve been tough for Inter knowing how close they were to win the Scudetto in 2022.

Inter’s first 10 games were way below how they should perform. However, Inter has gotten better results lately.

Additionally, even though Inter’s squad is very talented, like their fellow Milanese rivals, something feels off about them.

It’s tough to describe what feels off about them or Milan. But, in any case, I see them finishing third.

2. MILAN

Last season, Milan fans were ecstatic. For the first time since 2011, they won the Serie A title!

Fast forward to this season, Milan has been getting wins. But, shakily.

Milan has the talent to win the Scudetto again. That makes sense. When your squad has talents like Rafael Leao, Sandro Tonali, Mike Maignan, and Theo Hernandez, there is reason to be excited.

However, like Inter, Milan seems a bit off this season. I can’t point to a specific reason. In any case, I don’t see Milan catching Napoli. The point gap is just too overwhelming.

1. NAPOLI

Coming into the season, I would’ve been shocked if someone said that Napoli will win the Scudetto this season. But, here we are.

In the summer, many thought Napoli was going through a rebuild. It seemed that way when Insigne went to play in the 6ix, Koulibaly went to Chelsea and Mertens went to play in Turkey.

However, Napoli has surprisingly improved significantly last season. Osimhen continues to improve and is the best striker in Serie A at the moment. Also, Kim Min-Jae has impressed me as Koulibaly’s successor. Finally, Kvara has stepped up in so many ways this season. Kara could be the best signing in Europe this season.

All in all, Napoli is freewheeling on the field and teams don’t seem to have an answer to stop them, except Inter. The only way Napoli loses is by shooting themselves in the foot.

However, I don’t think that will happen. Napoli will win the Scudetto for the first time since 1990.

CONCLUSION

There you have it, I’ve named my Top 5 predictions for Serie A at the end of the season.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Winners and Losers From the 2021-2022 Serie A Season

 

This past season, Serie A was a mixed bag. On one hand, the title race was the best it’s been in years. On the other hand, I would argue that the quality in Serie A was lower this year. It felt like none of the top teams were going to win the Scudetto. I’m kidding of course, but you know what I mean.

Here are my winners and losers from the 2021-2022 Serie A season.

 

WINNERS

Milan

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEE ❤️🖤#AlwaysWithYou #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/vFPedapIsJ

— AC Milan (@acmilan) May 22, 2022

The Scudetto winners will always be a winner. So, this choice is pretty obvious. But, there are several reasons why they won the Serie A title.

One of the big reasons is definitely their Manager, Stefano Pioli. During the 2019-2020 season, he was appointed fairly early into the season. A lot of fans thought he would only be there until the end of the season, which turned out differently than any of us could’ve predicted.

Not only did he stay with them, but he also became one of the best managers in Serie A. Milan fans must be relieved that the upper management decided to keep him for the 2020-2021 season, despite being linked to the veteran manager and sporting director, Ralf Rangnick.

We should also talk about Milan’s squad. Not only do they have some of the best young talents in the league, but they also have top veteran leadership. Additionally, the likes of Sandro Tonali, Rafael Leao, Fikayo Tomori, Pierre Kalulu and Mike Maignan really surprised me this season. In general, the squad emerged at the right time. As a result, they are Italy’s current Serie A champion!

Fiorentina

In the 2021 offseason, Fiorentina originally hired Gattuso to be Fiorentina’s new manager. For some reason, that ended before a game was played. Soon after that, Fiorentina found its new manager. His name was Vincenzo Italiano, who had managed Spezia last season. Little did we know how good Fiorentina would actually perform under him, though.

It turns out he led them to a top 10 finish for the first time since 2017-2018. His combination of ruthless attacking tactics as well as his good squad management led them to be 7th. He didn’t win Serie A Manager of the Year, which I thought he should’ve.

Even if you’re a fan of another league other than Serie A, you should keep an eye out for Vincenzo Italiano. He could be coming to a league near you!

Hellas Verona

In the Summer of 2021, Hellas Verona lost its highly praised manager, Ivan Juric. They appointed Eusebio Di Francesco as his replacement. However, it quickly became a disaster and he got sacked. Then, they appointed former Udinese manager and Juventus assistant manager, Igor Tudor.

What a hire this was! From the first few games of Tudor being in charge, you could see the impact he was making. He did so well. He led them to a top 10 finish, which is incredible given where they were under Di Francesco.

Even members of the squad held their weight. Players such as Antonin Barak, Giovanni Simeone, and Davide Faraone were super important for this team down the stretch. If they want to keep being a top 10 team, they will have to fend off clubs’ interest in some of their talented players.

 

LOSERS

Juventus

When Allegri got hired for another stint with the bianconeri, I was very surprised. As a fan of the club, I didn’t know what to make of it. Yes, he did a lot for Juve in his previous time at the club. But, I wasn’t sure if his style would fit with the squad and if his tactics still work on a consistent basis in today’s game.

After 10 games, it became pretty obvious to me that his style of play doesn’t work anymore and from then on, I realized Juve would be lucky to win a trophy during the season. What I’ve come to realize is that players aren’t taught to defend most games for over 45 minutes anymore. So, that’s a big reason why Juve failed this season.

It wasn’t just Allegri’s tactics that led to Juve performing below expectations, though. It was also the fact that for some reason at the worse times of the season, Juventus’ squads have been injury-ridden. This has been happening for the last few seasons at least. Additionally, I want to point out that this also tends to be a problem for other Serie A teams who compete in multiple competitions, which is interesting as well.

Juve’s other big problems are their midfield and the whole left side of the field. In my view, Juve has improved their central midfield the past couple of seasons. However, they need better box-to-box midfielders, in my opinion.

The part of the field that I think is the biggest concern for Juve is the left side. It’s great to see how well Cuadrado does by generating a lot of Juventus’ attacks on the right side. But, if Juve doesn’t address their left side it will be an issue that not even Chiesa or Cuadrado can compensate for.

I know it’s tough to find a top left-back nowadays. But, Juve will need to find one that is explosive and will generate attacking play on that side. Alex Sandro isn’t cutting it. Juve will also need a fast and fairly technical left-winger. If I were Juve, I’d look at trying to sign two out of the likes of Antony, Tagliafico, Julian Draxler or Raphael Guerreiro.

Genoa

As a general Serie A fan, it’s sad to say that the oldest club in Italy has been relegated for the first time in 15 years.

There are so many factors that have led to this, including lack of revenue. But, the one I want to talk about is their managerial situation.

In the past three seasons alone, Genoa has sacked managers eight different times. That’s absolutely insane! How are players supposed to be at their best when there is a lack of stability at Genoa? In that type of situation, it seems absolutely unfair to everybody. However, as a person who loves Serie A, I hope Genoa figures things out and comes back to Serie A stronger.

 

Final Thoughts

Like every Serie A season, there are always winners and losers. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Beyond all that though, this past season was super unpredictable and that made it fun to watch. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for next season!

 

 

 

5 Players That Will Impress the Most for the Italian National Team in the Euros

Earlier this week, Italy revealed their squad for the Euros. There were some interesting exclusions, to say the least.

#Azzurri 🇮🇹

📣 The 26 players called-up for #EURO2020 by Coach Roberto #Mancini 🇪🇺#Euros #Italy #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/T2h6CiIrND

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 1, 2021

It doesn’t matter who got excluded from this squad. All that matters now is how the players on the team will perform. So, here are 5 players that will impress the most for the Italian National Team in the Euros!

 

 

1. Nicolo Barella

Nicolo Barella is arguably the best Italian central midfielder, currently. In my view, the only Italian central midfielder that could be better is Verratti.

Nicolo has everything you want in a box-to-box midfielder. He’s top-class at playmaking, dribbling, passing and not to mention tracking back. If he’s this good, hasn’t he already impressed the football world?

Here’s my answer. Of course, he’s already world-class. In saying that, international tournaments are where players like Barella can impress even more with in front of a bigger audience. It’s been that way ever since these international tournaments began.

 

Specifically, How Will Nicolo Barella Play a Big Role for the Azzurri?

Above, I’ve just talked about his talent and type of player he is. Here’s how he’ll specifically play a big role for Italy in their group.

Italy is definitely the favorites to win their group because they are with Turkey, Switzerland, and Wales. As a result, they’ll most likely have the most of possession in each game.

This means that each of these other teams will sit back and play on the counter-attack.

Offensively, Nicolo will provide that extra forward run that they will need to break down their opponents’ backlines.

Defensively, Nicolo will have the speed, strength, and positioning to stop teams from starting threatening counterattacks.

Let’s hope Nicolo Barella impresses like I think he will.

 

 

2. Manuel Locatelli

At the young age of 23, it’s been interesting to see how much Locatelli has improved in so many areas.

At Milan, he was a decent defensive midfielder. Over the last couple of seasons, he has turned into a deep-lying playmaker. Now, is he or will he ever be close to the calibre of Pirlo or Xavi were? I’m guaranteeing he won’t. He will stand out in the Euros, though.

If you’ve watched him in Serie A the last couple of seasons or for Italy, you know how good he is.

Some other clubs also know how good he is. It is rumoured that man city, juventus and psg are interested in him.

 

So, How Will He Be Important for Italy?

Locatelli is such a talented player in his position.

He creates space with his playmaking abilities and takes away space with his defensive abilities.

For Italy, he’ll be the last midfielder back, which means he’ll play an important role. He’ll make it hard for opposing teams to get into Italy’s half.

Think of him like Italy’s security guard in the middle of the park.

 

 

3. Gianluigi Donnarumma

In the last few seasons, Donnarumma has become one of the best goalkeepers in the world. The 2020 Euros will be his first big international tournament as Italy’s goalkeeper.

It will be tough for him because he’s taken over from the best goalkeeper of all time, Gigi Buffon.

I’m sure he’ll embrace the pressure he’ll be under, though. Remember, he made his debut at 16 with one of the biggest clubs in the history of soccer.

 

How Will He Be Important for the Italian National Team?

We all know why elite goalies are important in the beautiful game, physically. Donnarumma has the potential to be important for the squad mentally too, though.

When Buffon was in net for Italy, you could tell that their backline was always super calm and composed.

If Gigio plays at an elite level in this tournament, he’ll have the same effect on Italy’s backline. The only thing he should try to avoid doing is having the ball at his feet as much as possible. He can be vulnerable with the ball at his feet.

 

 

4. Alessandro Bastoni

Alessandro Bastoni is another player on Italy’s squad that has so much potential and will impress in the Euros.

A year ago, he probably wouldn’t have been on Italy’s Euros squad. That has completely changed, though.

He’s the perfect defender that can play out from the back and also has great aerial ability. So, he’s a massive scoring threat on corners and some freekicks.

Not to mention, he’s probably one of the most underrated players defensively. I know that sounds weird, given he’s a centre-back. It’s true, though.

 

How Will He Make an Impact in the Euros?

Given his abilities, he’ll be important in the Euros for a couple of reasons.

The first is because he’s a good passer and can handle the ball well in his own half, he gives the Azzurri the option to play out from the back.

Defensively, he’s also super reliable. If I were Mancini I’d consider starting him. He’ll be that impressive.

 

 

5. Giovanni Di Lorenzo

Giovanni Di Lorenzo is one of those defenders that not too many people talk about. They should, though.

Di Lorenzo is so talented for several reasons.

The first is that he’s probably the best right-back in Italy, defensively. Maybe, the issue is he’s so good defensively that he’s not that noticeable to the average fan. Clearly, Napoli and Roberto Mancini have noticed him.

Offensively, he’s super effective and efficient. If I were to pick a right-back that’s consistently reliable anywhere on the field, it’s him.

 

Why Will He Be Super Important for Italy in the Euros?

Pretty much all the other players I’ve mentioned here have specific skills that will make them important and stand out like crazy.

With Di Lorenzo, his quiet reliability in both halves of the field will impress. If Italy concedes goals, I’m sure it won’t be on Di Lorenzo’s side of the field.

 

 

Conclusion

Whoever you believe will stand out for Italy in the Euros, it will be fun to watch them play in a major tournament for this the first time in 5 years. This squad will probably be their best since the 2014 World Cup.

There you have it, above are the 5 players that will impress the most for the Italian National Team in the Euros!

 

 

Honourable Mentions

Federico Chiesa, Giacomo Raspadori, and Marco Pessina

 

 

So, which Italian player(s) do you think will impress in the Euros? Let me know in the comments!

 

 

https://calciofanwohome.wordpress.com/2020/11/19/predicting-italys-euro-squad-after-their-latest-international-fixtures/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Reasons Why Milan are Currently First in Serie A

 

Milan hasn’t lost a Serie A match since March 8th of this year and currently sit first in the league. There’s a good chance that they may not finish in first when it’s all said and done. However, here are three reasons why I think Milan currently sits in first in Serie A!

1. The Signing of Simon Kjaer

When Milan announced the signing of Simon Kjaer in January of 2020, I never thought that he would be a huge part of Milan being undefeated since March. He’s a very talented defender. However, I never thought he’d make that much of a difference for Milan. Simon Kjaer previously played in Serie A for Palermo, Roma and Atalanta and came to Milan in January on a loan. In July, Milan made the move permanent only paying €3.5 million. So far, that looks like a steal. He has not only brought great defending to the club which was lacking at Milan for years, but he’s also provided leadership that you can’t teach. His style of defending has also provided balance to this Milan squad. He’s not a centre-back that lines to possess the ball and join in moving the ball into the opponent’s attacking half too often. However, he has eliminated the burden of defending that has plagued Milan for several seasons and has played solid. Many would probably argue that so far this season, he’s been Milan’s best defender and I’d have to agree. If the rossoneri end up winning the scudetto, the rest of the squad should pay for one of his meals, as he deserves it.

2. The Signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic

When it was announced in December of 2019 that Milan would be signing the Swedish legend once again, I instantly thought that this was going to be a great signing for the squad and so far I’ve been right. Other than Zlatan’s salary, Milan didn’t have to pay any transfer fee for the lion. To say he’s been a great signing is a high understatement. So far, he’s been a world-class signing and a big reason why Milan is currently first in the league. It’s common knowledge that despite his age, Zlatan Ibrahimovic can still score. However, similar to Kjaer he had brought leadership and a winning mentality back to the club. It’s must be tough when a lot of players on the squad are over 10 years younger than you are, as the average age of the squad is 25, which is the youngest in Serie A. He has taken the lead for this squad, which like I just pointed out us not easy and leads them to currently sitting in first in the league. Currently, he’s injured. However, I guarantee that while he’s watching matches and training sessions he’s providing much-needed leadership off the field. When he does step back onto the field, I’m sure Milan’s squad will welcome that.

3. Stefano Pioli

When Stefano Pioli was hired as Milan’s interim manager last season, it was clear he had a mountain of work to get done. However, slowly the squad starting playing to the tactics of his liking and now he’s turned them into a Scudetto challenger this season in what almost seems like he did overnight. That’s how fast time has flown by. Anyways, he’s made a huge impact with his tactics. A big reason for this in my view has been because he’s willing to play the members of his squad in their preferred positions, especially in the attack. Calhanoglu is now playing his preferred number 10 as a central attacking midfield role and has thrived. Countless other players have played their best under Padre Pioli. He’s also got the best out of the likes of Bennacer, Kessie and others in the midfield. There’s no doubt he’s made a huge difference in the attitude and tactics of the squad. Even if they don’t win the scudetto leading the club to qualify for the Champions League once again would be remarkable. Let’s see if he can continue to consistently get the best out of this squad for the rest of the season.

The Scudetto race is far from over. But, Milan has shown they have the potential to win the trophy for the first time since 2011.

You can reach out to me on Twitter  @calciofanblogs1, on Instagram @calciofanblogs, and my Facebook Page Calcio Fan Blogs. Additionally, if you’d like to reach out to me via email, my email address is calciofanblogs@gmail.com and/or connect with me on LinkedIn!

Previewing Both Clubs Ahead of the Turin Derby

 

The Turin Derby is one of the most underrated derbies in Italy, in my view. However, this weekend it should be fun to watch. It will take place at the Allianz Stadium this upcoming Saturday at noon ET. Here is my preview of both clubs as well as the most interesting matchup coming into this game.

Juventus

Coming into the Turin derby, Juve has looked shaky early on during the season. On paper, their squad has improved. However, I believe that because their manager, Andrea Pirlo, is inexperienced and due to Juve’s midfield being overhauled over the Summer, it’s been tough for Pirlo the find the right formation and balance for the squad. However, this match may present the opportunity to rebound. Juve’s backline will have their hands full trying to contain Andrea Belotti. If I were Pirlo, I’d deploy a 3-5-2, as Torino’s strength is mainly down the centre of the attacking half. An extra defender in the middle would provide extra security for aerial duels as well, as Belotti is great in the air.

Torino

Again, it’s still early in the season. However, Torino under Giampaolo has looked atrocious, to say the least. Defensively, they look mediocre as well as in the midfield. Their saving grace so far has been their attack, especially Andrea Belotti. Andrea Belotti has performed superbly for il toro and could be the main reason Torino won’t get relegated this season. So far, he’s scored 7 goals in the league which is tied for third-highest in Serie A. Torino will be happy to know that Juve’s defence, particularly at centre-back has been vulnerable this season. Torino should look to exploit Juve down the middle in the attacking half. If I were Giampaolo, I would go with a 4-3-3 against Juve. They’ll need a lot of width to swing crosses into the box to the likes of Zaza and Belotti as Juve is particularly vulnerable with aerial balls. Torino will be hoping to get a result in this derby to boost the squad’s momentum, as they need it.

Most Interesting Matchup

Usually, in a derby, there are several key matchups during a match that catch the viewer’s eyes. However, in the Derby Della Mole, I want to point to one particular match that I think will be the most interesting to watch and that’s Belotti against Juve’s central defenders. Like I pointed out earlier, Andrea Belotti is a handful to deal with. He’s not the most technically sound player and doesn’t possess top-class dribbling abilities. But, he’s very physically strong and is difficult to deal with inside the 18-yard box. Also, he possesses a powerful shot and is quick, so Juventus’ centre backs will have to focus on trying to limit him from getting open looks to shoot. I’m sure Belotti will be extra motivated to score during the derby, so this will be an interesting match, at least for me.

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You can reach out to me on Twitter  @calciofanblogs1, on Instagram @calciofanblogs, and my Facebook Page Calcio Fan Blogs. Additionally, if you’d like to reach out to me via email, my email address is calciofanblogs@gmail.com and/or connect with me on LinkedIn!

Things That Serie A Can Do To Increase Their Broadcasting Rights Revenue Worldwide

In a year where very few fans, if any, can attend sporting events worldwide due to the pandemic, broadcasting rights revenue will become more important and could mark a shift in how sports leagues make revenue. As a result of all this, I’ve decided to write an article on things that Serie A can do to improve their broadcasting rights revenue worldwide. So, here we go!

How Does Serie A’s Broadcasting Rights Revenue Compare to Other Leagues Worldwide?

When I was researching Serie A’s Broadcasting Rights Revenue over the 2019-2020 season compared to other sports leagues worldwide, I couldn’t find stats for that particular season. However, I did find Serie A’s 2019 broadcasting rights revenue compared to other sports leagues. According to statista, in 2019, Serie A earned US$ 1.51 billion, in broadcasting rights revenue worldwide. That was the seventh-highest compared to sports leagues worldwide and the fourth-highest compared to soccer leagues worldwide. The EPL, La Liga and the Bundesliga were the soccer leagues that surpassed Serie A’s broadcasting rights revenue in 2019. Now, stats are great and all. But, how can Serie A increase its broadcasting rights revenue? Here are things I believe Serie A can do to increase their broadcasting rights revenue!

1. Try to Make More Deals with Streaming Platforms

I would not say that broadcasting via tv is dying, by any means. However, for several years, there have been additional paid ways for fans to watch sports games in addition to traditional tv and radio. If Serie A wants to earn more broadcasting rights revenue they should look to reward more streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, and others the rights to broadcast their matches. Of course, that would be in addition to tv channels acquiring the rights to broadcast league fixtures, as the more mediums used to show live Serie A matches, the better. According to Football Italia, Serie A’s CEO, Luigi De Siervo, in September of 2020, said that Amazon and Netflix are interested in broadcasting Serie A matches on their platforms. If there are more recent developments on these streaming platforms acquiring rights to broadcast Serie A, be sure to let me know. Anyway, I hope Serie A utilizes more streaming platforms to further increase their broadcasting rights revenue in the future.

2. Promote the League’s Matches/Events in More Languages

This idea is not something that would solely help increase Serie A’s broadcasting rights revenue but would help increase revenue in various aspects for the league. I’ve been pushing for Serie A to promote the league further around the world in previous blog posts. Allowing Serie A broadcasts to be in various languages as well as promoting what happens within the league in different languages via social media more often, would be beneficial. A great example to follow for every Serie A club and even the league itself would be Roma’s Twitter accounts. Roma has Twitter accounts in English, Italian, Arabic, Indonesian, Spanish, Portuguese, Persian, Pidgin and Swahili. It would be beneficial to follow Roma’s lead, as it would attract more viewers to Serie A broadcasts around the world, which would probably incentivize more media companies/streaming platforms to buy the rights to show matches. Here are just some of the tweets from Roma’s English Twitter Account as an example:

Tweets by ASRomaEN

3. Market Star Players in Better Ways Around the World

Say all you want about the quality of Serie A as a league. But, there’s no doubt there’s some top-class players in the league. Not just Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and Matthijs De Ligt. Serie A should also be promoting other stars in the league as well. I feel as though promoting other starts in the league as well as the elite ones will allow the league to grow traction around the world, which will lead to more fans and more incentive for tv channels/streaming to broadcast the league, as they’ll get more viewers, which may lead to more ad revenue for broadcasters. This may sound tough as if it’d require more spending on marketing to execute this, but it’d be with it, in my view.

Let me know things that you think Serie A should do to increase their broadcasting rights revenue in the comments below. If you’d like to be featured in one of my articles or write any articles for this blog, be sure to reach out to me.

If you’d like to reach out to me further, my Twitter handle is @calciofanblogs1, my Instagram account is @calciofanblogs, and my Facebook Page is Calcio Fan Blogs. Additionally, if you’d like to reach out to me via email, my email address is calciofanblogs@gmail.com and/or connect with me on LinkedIn!

Previewing Napoli Vs.Milan

We will have to wait ten days to watch Napoli take on Milan due to the international break. However, this will be a top match early in the season, so I’m already thinking about it. Here’s my preview of both clubs heading into this thrilling match.

Napoli

I’ve reiterated this multiple times and I’ll say it again. Last season, was very disappointing for Napoli, as they finished 7th. So far this season, they’ve looked the opposite. I mean, Napoli signing Osimhen and Bakayoko might’ve helped. Also, keeping Koulibaly might’ve boosted their’s squad morale. Either way, they look like a Scudetto contender early on. They’ve lost two Serie A matches. One was against Sassuolo and the other was against Juve. However, that loss to Juve was due to a controversial decision where Napoli didn’t show up to the Allianz Stadium in Turin to face Juve. Despite that controversial decision and the loss against Sassuolo, Napoli should be a formidable opponent for Milan. Also, who knows? Maybe, they’ll produce a master-class and get the win. It wouldn’t be surprising, that’s for sure.

Milan

If you’re a Milan fan right now, I’m sure you’re pleasantly surprised at just how good the rossoneri have done early in the season. Currently, they sit two points clear atop the Serie A table. Everything has gone their way, so far. Ibrahimovic is the current top scorer in Serie A at 39 years old. Add to that, how well Theo Hernandez, Rafael Leao, Donnarumma and the rest of the squad have been playing and you’ve got yourself a possible fairytale. The match against Napoli on November 22nd will be a stern test for this squad. It could be a measuring stick to see where they’re at as a squad. This clash should be one for the ages and could be a scudetto decider for the end of the season. I can’t wait to watch it and I’m sure fellow calcio fans are excited in anticipation of this match as well.

Thanks for reading this article! Be sure to spread the word about my blog to people you know that are interested in calcio or want to learn more about it. If you’d like to follow me further, my Twitter handle is @calciofanblogs1, my Instagram account is @calciofanblogs, and my Facebook Page is Calcio Fan Blogs. Additionally, if you’d like to reach out to me, email me at calciofanblogs@gmail.com and/or connect with me on LinkedIn!

Three Possible Ways Juve Should Lineup On Sunday

Lately, Juve’s form has been under par, to say the least. Juve’s loss against Barcelona should motivate Pirlo and the coaching staff to make some changes to the starting 11. So, here are three possible ways I think the bianconeri should lineup on Sunday. Cristiano Ronaldo also got cleared to play this Sunday, so that should help them. Anyways, here we go!

Option 1: 4-2-3-1 Formation

The first possible option for Juve to deploy this weekend should be a 4-2-3-1, in my view. Let’s start with the backline! At the centre-back, position, there are not many options for Juve at the moment, as De Ligt and Chiellini are both injured. As for the full-backs, I don’t think there are many options right now, either. Where this lineup would be interesting is in the central midfield and the attack.

In the Central Midfield, I think starting McKennie and Arthur would provide the most balance. McKennie is a player who loves winning the ball back in the midfield. While Arthur can be the player that starts attacks with his superb playmaking abilities. Also, I think that starting Dybala as the Central Attacking Midfielder role would be key in linking the midfield to the attack. On the left-wing, Ronaldo is a shoe-in. As for Kulusevski on the right, I think that’s pretty obvious considering his performances so far this season. As for Morata, I’m not a big fan of starting him, I’d rather he came off the bench as super-sub. But, in this formation, there’s no other option that would be effective.

Option 2: 4-3-3 Formation

So, if Juve we’re to deploy the 4-3-3 on Sunday, the backline should remain unchanged. Right now, this is the best backline Juve could field in a 4-man backline, in my opinion.

The Central midfield would look different in this formation. Bentancur would be that extra central midfielder. He’s a very effective box-to-box midfielder, who can also be the last midfielder back due to his pace and defensive abilities. This midfield would be balanced. Bentancur would be the box-to-box midfielder, McKennie would the more defensive-oriented midfielder, while Arthur would be the playmaker. As for the striker, Juve should deploy Dybala as a false-nine in this formation. Starting Kulusevski on the right would help because if Dybala decides to drop back, he can cover Dybala’s position. Dybala would have a lot more free space to roam in this formation.

Option 3: 3-4-3 Formation

In this 3-4-3 formation, Danilo would be the extra centre-back. Unfortunately, because Juve don’t have other options right now, Danilo would have to be deployed here in my view. Of course, this lineup and formation would look better with De Ligt or Chiellini available. But, that’s not possible at this moment.

In my view, the most interesting part of using this formation for Juve would be the amount of coverage there would be on either wing, defensively. In this formation, Juve would be strong on the flanks. However, the flaw of this lineup would be down the middle. I’m not sure I trust a three-player backline without De Ligt or Chiellini there. But, I think this would be interesting to see, nonetheless.

So, which lineup should Juve deploy on Sunday? Let me know your thoughts on this article in the comment section below!

Thanks for reading this article! Be sure to spread the word about my blog to people you know that are interested in calcio or want to learn more about it. If you’d like to follow me further, my Twitter handle is @calciofanblogs1, my Instagram account is @calciofanblogs, and my Facebook Page is Calcio Fan Blogs. Additionally, if you’d like to reach out to me, email me at calciofanblogs@gmail.com and/or connect with me on LinkedIn!

The Three Best Serie A Signings of the Summer Transfer Window

3. Marash Kumbulla

Now that the Summer Transfer Window has concluded, all the focus has turned to how these new signings will perform with their new clubs. Here are my top three signings from Serie A clubs in the Summer Transfer Window!

Last season, Kumbulla played absolutely marvellous and grabbed the attention of some clubs in Italy. You probably already know this. But, just in case you didn’t, Kumbulla signed with Roma! In some people’s eyes, this is the best Serie A transfer of the transfer market. I’m rating at number three. However, that doesn’t take away just how good of signing this is. Roma clearly needed another centre-back and they definitely got another adequate one in Kumbulla. The toughness and defensive skill he’ll bring to the squad is already noticeable early in the season. Kumbulla is probably one of the most physically imposing defenders in his age group. He also possesses the defensive intelligence to be world-class. One of his weaknesses is his technical abilities. But, Roma just needs another defender that knows how to defend at a top-level.

2. Victor Osimhen

One of Napoli’s needs coming into the Summer Transfer Window was a striker. There were several names linked to the club. However, they ended up landing a highly-touted young striker, Victor Osimhen, from Lille. It cost them a pretty penny. However, this addressed Napoli’s huge need at striker. Also, he’s young so he should benefit Napoli long-term. He possesses so many great qualities that a striker needs. His positioning and all that stuff are very good. He even possesses the above-average technical ability and is also a good passer of the ball. So, he’s versatile. Another reason why this was such a great signing for Napoli is that it gives them more options in the attack. That’s key for Napoli because they’re competing in the Europa League as well as the Coppa Italia and Serie A, so he provides much welcome depth. I can’t wait to watch him blossom for Napoli!

1. Achraf Hakimi

During his time at Dortmund, Hakimi showed how world-class he is as well as can be. Now, he’s part of Inter’s squad. I’m not even an Inter fan and still hasn’t even sunk in that Hakimi is playing in Serie A. He possesses so many good qualities. Not only is he super fast, but he also provides so much in the attacking half and can defend well for a full-back of his age. By signing Hakimi, Inter addressed one of their massive needs which were signing a wingbacks. At Dortmund, Hakimi was deployed as a right-back. However, it’s clear from the first few matches that he fits being a right wing-back. He possesses top attacking ability down the right side of the field. It’s not only that, though. He has so much speed up and down the field, that his tracking back is also world-class. I don’t know if I’ve seen a player in a while that can transition from attack to defense or vice-versa so rapidly. It’s remarkable to see it!

Thanks for reading this article! Be sure to spread the word about my blog to people you know that are interested in calcio or want to learn more about it. If you’d like to follow me further, my Twitter handle is @calciofanblogs1, my Instagram account is @calciofanblogs, and my Facebook Page is Calcio Fan Blogs. Additionally, if you’d like to reach out to me, email me at calciofanblogs@gmail.com and/or connect with me on LinkedIn!

My Serie A Top Four Predictions for the 2020-2021 Season

The 2020-2021 Serie A season will kick off at 12 PM ET this upcoming Saturday, where Fiorentina will face Torino. One race that will be very fun to watch this season should be the Serie A top-four race. For me, there’s a clear top 3 heading into this season. However, I believe that the fourth spot should be a fight to the finish. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting my popcorn ready! Here are my predictions for the top four places in Serie A this upcoming season!

4. Milan

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For Milan, it seems as though everything has fallen into place for them this offseason. Not only were they able to keep Stefano Pioli and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They also signed probably the most in-demand player in Italy, currently, Sandro Tonali. Add to that the possibility of Bakayoko returning Milan and the summer couldn’t have gone more perfect for the Rossoneri. Considering the mix of old and young talent in their squad and also considering Milan have solidified their central midfield, I think they’ll finally qualify for the Champions League in 2021. It should be a tight race to the end. However, I see them claiming that fourth spot. Their only issue in my view is at right-back. But, I don’t think that weakness will be enough from them accomplishing a top-four finish.

3. Napoli

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On paper, Lazio, Inter, Juve and possibly Atalanta have better starting lineups than Napoli. However, under Gattuso, they’ve shown that how their squad is on paper doesn’t matter. In saying that, they made some crucial signings. Their biggest need for the last couple of seasons has been buying a Striker that’s more clinical. Well, they addressed that issue by signing both Andrea Petagna and Victor Osimhen. That attack will be dangerous for any opposing defence. They’ve also added depth in the Centreback department by signing Amir Rrahmani from Hellas Verona. In my view, they still lack a proper right-winger and a left-back. However, given they have Gattuso as their manager and they finished way below par last season. Expect them coming into this season wanting revenge. As a result, I believe they’re a lock for third this upcoming season.

2. Juventus

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As a Juve fan myself, this prediction is very difficult to make, trust me. However, the fact that Pirlo was appointed as their manager and has no experience managing at this level influenced this prediction. Also, while there is still time left in the transfer window to address their weakness, particularly at right-back, as of now I think that’ll be their biggest Achilles’ heel. In saying that, bringing in Arthur, Kulusevski, and McKennie has resulted in them significantly upgrading their midfield, which is a big positive. Also, if Juve keeps Luca Pellegrini that’ll also be a positive and will lessen Alex Sandro’s load at left-back as well as giving him competition to ensure he consistently performs. Obviously, time will tell. But, as of now, Juve haven’t convinced me they’ll win the scudetto for the 10th time in a row this upcoming season.

1. Inter

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The Scudetto was already wrapped up for Juve last season with two matches to spare. However, Inter managed to only 1 point behind Juve. Fast-forward to currently and they’ve addressed pretty much all of their main issues in the Transfer Window, so far. At the left-wing back, they’ve signed formidable veteran, Alexsandar Kolarov. They’ve also signed top-class right-back Hakimi, which couldn’t be better for Inter. Also, consider that Nainggolan has come back from a loan at Cagliari and could very well feature in Inter’s plans for the upcoming season. It seems unlikely that’ll happen, but you never know. They’ve addressed their squad’s biggest needs so far and they possess a top-class manager in Antonio Conte who has a track record of success in Serie A and the EPL. His biggest flaw may be his stubbornness to make changes. But, now he has a squad that fits his style of play. Therefore, Inter should win the scudetto this upcoming season.

Honourable mentions should go to Lazio, Atalanta, and Roma, who I don’t think will finish in the for the top four. But, anything is possible and as I’ve reiterated throughout this article, there should be a tight race for that fourth spot.

Thanks for reading this article! Be sure to spread the word about my blog to people you know that are interested in calcio or want to learn more about it. If you’d like to follow me further, my Twitter handle is @calciofanblogs1, my Instagram account is @calciofanblogs, and my Facebook Page is Calcio Fan Blogs. Additionally, if you’d like to reach out to me, email me at calciofanblogs@gmail.com and/or connect with me on LinkedIn.