Halftime In Italy

Now that they've run through the first half of the Serie A season, it might be helpful to reflect and think about what the second half has in store for us. What can be said is that Inter can probably ease into the lazy-boy and put some slippers on because the Serie A is wrapped up.

• Inter are the undisputed frontrunners, a virtual lock for their 15th Scudetto. They've won 12 on the trot and currently hold a nine point lead over Roma. After a tough start in the Champions League and a couple of hiccups at the beginning of Serie A play, Roberto Mancini's side have been unstoppable. As well all know, form can be fleeting, so with tough matches against a resurgent Valencia on the horizon Mancini will have to be hitting on all cylinders to continue their excellent run. For the record, Inter last won an Italian championship (last year's doesn't count) since 1989. They haven't made it to a European Cup/Champions League final since 1972. They haven't brought home the trophy since 1965. [BBC, UEFA official site]
• Luciano Spalletti's Roma side are the only team that can catch Inter. With how calculating Italian clubs are, my guess is that they'd be happy to solidify second place and put all their eggs in the Champions League basket. I only see that changing if they beat strugglers (Livorno and Siena) in their next two games and then go the San Siro on February 4th with the mentality that they can win and make rest of the season competitive. An away victory over the leaders would, at the very least, cut the deficit to six points and give Francesco Totti and his teammates a huge pschological lift. If Roma can win these next three matches and put Inter under some pressure, look out. A little too pie in the sky for me, but hey, it could happen.
  
• Because of the Calciopoli scandal and the point deductions that were handed out as punishment, the rest of the table looks unfamiliar to those who have come to expect Juventus, Milan, Fiorentina, and Udinese in the top spots of Serie A. This season, the surprise of the tournament is third place Palermo. After a dynamite start to the season, the Sicilian side has dropped off a bit though they have been able to lay claim to the third Champions League place. They currently have a 12 point lead over fourth place Catania.
• Speaking of Catania, what a season for the little Sicilian side that could. Promoted just last season, Pasquale Marino's side are enjoying a dream-like season in the top flight. Their home form (5 wins, 3 draws, 16 goals) has carried them to their current league position. It'll be their matches on the road that will determine if they'll be able to contend for a European place. During the first half of the season, they've only collected eight points out of a possible 30 away from home, giving up 25 goals along the way. Catania finds itself with in a tie with Lazio for the fourth and last Champions League spot. There are seven teams within four points of them.
• What of the punished? After appeal upon appeal brought the point deductions down, Milan (-8), Lazio (-3), Reggina (-11), and Fiorentina (-15) still find themselves looking up and in a race to secure European places for next season. My guess is that all but Reggina will qualify for Europe by season's end. If you are a little hungry and need more Italian scandals to fill your plate, don't fret. Just go here or here for some good eats. [Italian Calcio]
• So I guess they're saying that professionals are less likely to take a bribe? Well, if you think that Pierluigi Collina was one of the world's better referees, than this move by the Italian Referees Association should come as a delightful turn of events for Serie A. Let's just see if any other recommendations are implemanted. [ANSA, Soccer Mad in America]
• By my count, Ascoli, Cagliari, Chievo, and Udinese are all playing with their second coach of the season. You can count on least another four getting the boot by the end of May.
  

Here are the matches I'll be keeping on eye on during the second half of the season:

Sunday - Inter v. Fiorentina
Feb. 4th - Catania v. Palermo, Inter v. Roma
Feb. 20th - Celtic v. Milan
Feb. 21st - Roma v. Lyon, Inter v. Valencia
Feb. 28th - Palermo v. Milan
Mar. 6th - Lyon v. Roma, Valencia v. Inter
Mar. 7th - Milan v. Celtic
Mar. 11th - Inter v. Milan
Mar. 18th - Fiorentina v. Roma
Apr. 1st - Roma v. Milan
Apr. 7th - Catania v. Roma
Apr. 15th - Inter v. Palermo
Apr. 29th - Roma v. Lazio
May 6th - Milan v. Fiorentina, Palermo v. Roma
May 27th - Inter v. Torino

-ac