Serie A 13/14 CL Race

Yeah anything good i'm expecting from Rossi will be the season after this one

We've all seen how ACL type injuries *bleep* players up for an entire season. Well, he was just back to training when he went down with ANOTHER ACL

God knows what he's got left. It's a shame.

As of now:

Juventus
Napoli
AC Milan
Fiorentina

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

Surag wrote:Can easily see Fiorentina totally ignore EL and totally focus on the league.Its extremely dismissive to say they wont be in the race for the CL spots.

I wouldn't be so dismissive if i didn't see them heavily reliant on Gomez.

Rossi is overrated to start with and he's been injured for 2 years straight it would be a miracle if he performs well enough to get them top 3.

I give them about as much chance as i give Roma, with Napoli and Milan being heavy favourites for the final 2 spots as everyone knows Juve are walking it.

But they have continuity(something which Napoli wont have) and almost finished in CL places last year.They have a well settled midfield and actually have a striker now who can bang in goals.A 20 goal striker was all they were missing last season and now they have it.Which means they can only improve.

Jovetic will hardly be missed.Ljajic performed better than him,they have bought Ilicic and are in the market now for a CB and a DM.You cant deny that they have improved their squad very well.

Regarding Rossi,i heard he's back to full fitness and doing very well in pre-season so who knows he might be in for a good season too considering he might want to make the WC squad.They have a lot of depth and quality as well Mole,you cant deny it.They are a genuine contender for the CL spots.And it will go down to the wire as far as i'm concerned.

I never did though..... i just find Napoli and Milan a lot more likely.

But you think it wont be a race and i say it will go down to the wire.

I think we've wrapped up the scudetto

(Inb4Jinx)

Because it's ok looking at all these squads strengthening, but on paper we've got the best team by far. AND the fact that our team work as a team very well, and we definitely do not rely on some star attacker being on his A-game.

Still the best defence by an absolute Mile

Best midfield, only going to improve with Pogba

Now our attack doesn't look shit either. Not the best attack, but an attack which can do damage. We don't need the MF to carry us with goals whilst we watch Matri stumble about and trip over his own feet.

Surag wrote:But you think it wont be a race and i say it will go down to the wire.

When i originally posted that i thought he meant the league.

CL will be a little more interesting but still very predictable IMO.

The thing with Rossi, he looked really good for Italy back in the qualifiers. Its a shame he got injured, i sincerely hope he can get back in top form and possibly make it in time for the WC

Balo has the main striker spot wrapped up

So if a fit and firing Rossi, Di Natale, Quags (FFS PRANDELLI) etc can be called upon, then Italia have a *bleep* solid team.

Providing we stick with the back 3 that's completely improved the team every.single.time.

Ljajic >>>>>>>> rossi

if someone mentions referees and no matter what club they'll get banned, grow up already !

I was going to make a thread on "Who can realistically challenge Juventus for the Scudetto" but i guess this is good enough.

In my opinion, Napoli and Milan will really challenge Juventus. I am confident it won't be a one horse race. The quality is improving in the lower clubs and it won't be easy for the top teams to win as it was before.

Napoli have built a fantastic team that plays exactly how Rafa would want them to. He has bought functional players and despite not having a star player like Cavani. They have enough very good players to make the system work. A hard working, defensively solid with a great attack. Napoli should push Juventus.

Milan's 2nd half form was really good and it should encourage the fans that the season won't start as badly as it did last year. With few new additions and Balotelli starting a proper season along with a more experienced SES. Milan's attack is as good as any. They do need to buy a CB since Zapata isn't good enough and Mexes is seriously declining. Their midfield of De Jong-Motolivo-Honda/Poli/Sapunaru is pretty good. If they sign some defenders. They will be set.

Dark horses for me are Roma(obviously ), fiorentina and erm Inter.

Roma have bought in Benatia who is a quality addition. If they get De Sanctis then that's their GK department set. Maicon, i don't like him much but he should be ok. The midfield is probably one of the best in the league with Strootman, DDR and Pjanic. It's a perfect midfield. And of course upfront you have a tricky lamela and the evergreen Totti. Gervinho should provide them with Pace when needed.

Fiorentina have obviously sold Jovetic but they have bought in Gomez who will easily score 15+ goals in the league. A team with as much creativity as Fiorentina, they should be fine with the attack. The midfield is good but i do think their defence can be better.

Why inter? because they are Inter. They are unpredictable and despite not having a single star man, they will manage to at least compete for the 3rd CL spot. Their youngsters are good and can step up if required, but they really need some midfield reinforcements and a good striker.

So my prediction

1) Juventus
2) Milan
3) Napoli
4) Roma
5) Fiorentina
6) Inter
7) Udinese

RealGunner wrote:In my opinion, Napoli and Milan will really challenge Juventus. I am confident it won't be a one horse race. The quality is improving in the lower clubs and it won't be easy for the top teams to win as it was before.

Agreed.100%

If Napoli can hit the ground running I think they can get the spot after juve then milan, I think it will be the same top two again, with juve running away with it as well.

dont know if Totti will play to the level he was last season. roma will need to hang on to osvaldo who must stop getting benched for destro and be allowed to play consistent minutes, he is their only good goalscorer basically. Lamela scored most of his goals under Zeman last season, I dont think he will score as much this year. Gervais could help them. however If they play their cards right, I can see them in 4th.

Fiorentina Udinese and Lazio will probably take 4th 5th 6th though imo

Wow Viola are still super underrated. They'll surprise the lot of you.

McAgger wrote:Wow Viola are still super underrated. They'll surprise the lot of you.

No  you just vastly overrate them, there's a difference.

Lazio are the team that are vastly underrated.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

McAgger wrote:Wow Viola are still super underrated. They'll surprise the lot of you.

No  you just vastly overrate them, there's a difference.

They finished 4th, barely missing CL by two points, have massively improved and yet people think they'll regress?

Lazio is being overlooked, if they can keep Klose healthy and if Biglia cements a spot. Then i can seem probably challenge for 3rd-4th place but i have a feeling that they might choke towards the end

Lazio seemingly melt under pressure in the league tbh

I don't see them doing anything at all considering the clubs they failed to keep up with have strengthened significantly and the most significant bit of news around them is if Hernanes will leave or not.

Massively improved is debatable.....

They have sold their best player and replaced him with someone who has been injured for 2 years and a poacher who might not even be successful considering how Fiorentina play.

They haven't improved anymore than Napoli or Milan have.

I don't think Hernanes will want a move right now, especially when he's a starter for Lazio and the fact that he's trying to make the WC squad. A move abroad could hinder his form or even starting position

Though a move after the WC seems more plausible

Ljajic was better than Jojo last season, him getting the nod in the support role whilst Rossi recovers and having Mario G infront is definitely a big improvement on playing Ljajic - Jojo when neither have the qualities to be the main man up top.

They'll also be getting a new GK and probably a CB

Napoli and Milan are well ahead of them

Roma have made some proper transfers.

Meanwhile S.S Lazio have done pretty much nothing.

Tomwin Lannister wrote:Ljajic was better than Jojo last season, him getting the nod in the support role whilst Rossi recovers and having Mario G infront is definitely a big improvement on playing Ljajic - Jojo when neither have the qualities to be the main man up top.

They'll also be getting a new GK and probably a CB

Napoli and Milan are well ahead of them

Roma have made some proper transfers.

Meanwhile S.S Lazio have done pretty much nothing.

I know everyone says this but i disagree completely..... he was better statistically but i think a lot of that was due to Jovetic intelligence and link up pulling defenders away etc etc.

I wouldn't be surprised if he stays at Fiorentina this season that he has a worse season without him.

Biglia is a nice addition, though i agree, an additional upgrade to the defense is needed imo

They could also use a vice-Klose too

Tbh if Lazio want a top 3 finish they could use half a new team


They just don't have what it takes, they struggle in the 2nd half of the season all the time

They can normally pull off a top 3 spot for a couple of months, then they collapse. And one or two signings isn't going to change that.

Plus depth wise in comparison to others gunning for the top 3 they have nothing.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Lazio are the team that are vastly underrated.

Agree with that