Italy Serie A Preview Part I

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Italy Serie A Preview Part I Serie A Italy, Italy	25/08/2012 18:00	other		1	Bet at Howtobet bookmaker
Betting prediction was written by Dan Adair

Atalanta:

One of the revelations of last season, despite starting with 6 points deduction, still managed to finish 12th in the league. The team is very similar to last season.Atalanta have lost few players but managed to hold on striker German Denis and of the structure from last season. Key players will be left back Peluso and young midfielder Bonaventura/ Atalanta have managed to keep Ezequiel Schelotto (called by Prandelli for Italy’s test versus England). Out go young and promising striker Manolo Gabbiadini (gone to Bologna through Juventus) Also captain Cristiano Doni has left due to the ban obtained from the fixed matches scandal. one to watch will be Argentinean striker Maxi Moralez who did well last season. Among other players bought there’s much expected from Australian promise James Troisi from Juventus, who was part of the Gabbiadini’s deal.

Manager:
Stefano Colantuono: For his second stint at Bergamo, Colantuono is once again impressing as manager of Atalanta. In his first run, he took the club from Serie B to Serie A. Last season in a difficult situation due to the points deducted managed to have such a strong start that saw Atalanta closing the gap with the rest of the group in their first 10 matches.

Star striker: German Denis. The Argentinean,  has found his perfect environement. Where last season scored 16 goals for the club.

Bologna:

After finishing 9th last season, Bologna will try to do even better in this new challenge this year. With one of Italy’s most rising managers, Stefano Pioli, they have lost their main striker, Marco Di Vaio (moved to Montreal in Canada) Howeverthey have managed to buy-out Diamanti. They also have the most promising Italian striker,Manolo Gabbiadini, who comes on loan from Juventus but was at Atalanta last season. The biggest loss could be Uruguayan starlet Gaston Ramirez who could move to Southampton. With Acquafresca confirmed and the defence strengthened by a new goalkeeper, Curci from Roma. Bologna will try to achieve at least the same target as last season.

Manager:
Stefano Pioli is an excellent coach and maybe the most promising in Italian football. After having taken Sassuolo to an unexpected play offs in Serie B. He then managed to save Chievo Verona from relegation with the fourth best defense in Serie A. After a short appearance with Palermo (sacked before the beginning of the season!), last season he was on Roma’s shortlist before they chose Luis Enrique.

Star striker: Alessandro Diamanti, is the leader of Bologna. Scored 8 goals last season, is the main man and will be taking any corner and penalty given to the rossoblú. Playing alongside youngster like Acquafresca and Gabbiadini, Diamanti will have to lead by example and show his class and good form.

Cagliari:

Last season it was a difficult one for the Sardinian club, who had to fight for relegation. They have managed to lose only one key player, central defender Canini to Genoa. They have managed to hold on the other defender Astori, who after being linked to several clubs. Also Belgian midfielder Naingollan and striker, Pinilla have stayed at Cagliari. Late arrival is midfielder Arevalos, who played for Uruguay at the Olympics.

Manager:
Massimo Ficcadenti has been confirmed on Cagliari’s bench after a decent season in 2011/12. This year will have to try to secure the Serie A spot with the players that have already managed to win a relegation fight last season.

Star striker:Mauricio Pinilla, is the star striker. The Chilean scored 8 times last season in only 14 matches. This season if he’ll find continuity in his game and with less injuries could really be the player that could keep Cagliari dreams alive.

Catania:

The biggest surprise last season, ended 11th, but impressed everyone in Italy. This season although it will be difficult to confirm the same position even if most of the team from last year has stayed on.After coach Montella left for Fiorentina, the club have appointed Rolando Maran from Varese. Maxi Lopez has definitely left to Sampdoria but it seems they have managed to keep Gomez and Barrientos. Players arrived so far are: new goalkeeper Frison (Varese), midfielder Salifu (Fiorentina) and offensive midfielder Argentinean Castro (Racing). Also Japanese Morimoto and full back Alvarez have returned from loan spells. Last season best player Francesco Lodi is staying put despite rumors of interests from AC Milan.

Manager:
Rolando Maran really impressed last season, when he almost took small club Varese to Serie A losing in the final to Sampdoria. He was voted Manager of the Year and convinced Catania to appoint him in the difficult task to replace Montella.

Star striker: Gonzalo Bergessio. The striker from Argentina scored only 7 goals last season but is always decisive in the team’s plan. He fights and assist his teammates and is a reference for the whole team.

Chievo Verona:

The small club from the city of Verona once again try to impress and keep their Serie A spot. With an impressive 10th final position in last season league, Chievo is always surprising and will try to keep their record of having never been relegated in their history.The departures of defender Acerbi (Milan) and American midfielder Bradley (Roma) have been covered by the arrival of some experienced players: Dainelli (Genoa) in defence, Guana (Cesena) in midfield and Di Michele (Lecce) up front.

Manager:
Domenico Di Carlo is a very good organizer of his teams has at his second experience on Chievo’s bench. He is proving his qualities as tactician and team motivatior.

Star striker:
Captain Sergio Pellissier is the team main striker. After over 300 matches with Chievo and 103 goals including the 8 he scored last season; he’ll partner with Di Michele from this season.

Fiorentina:

One of the team who has made the most of this summer’s transfers and comes out stronger than last season looking at their roaster. With the arrival of coach Montella and of players like: Aquilani (Liverpool), El Hamdaoui (Ajax), Roncaglia (Boca Jrs), Cuadrado (Udinese), Viviano (Palermo), Mati Fernandez (Sp. Lisbon), Borja Valero and Gonzalo Rodriguez (Villareal) and Pizarro (Roma). Their transfer window has been rather impressive and if they manage to keep hold of star Jovetic Fiorentina will be a threat and a serious contender to the top 3 spot for Champions League. Montolivo (Milan), Behrami and Gamberini (Napoli) and De Silvestri (Sampdoria) have left the club, but we doubt they’ll be missed.

Manager:
Vincenzo Montella is new in the panorama of football managers but is already very appreciated and has impressed the critics. In his short time at Roma, when he replaced Claudio Ranieri he managed to achieve 7 wins in 13 matches. Given the following year the opportunity to manage Catania, he had  the team playing good football and finished 11th.

Star striker:
In his last season with Fiorentina Stevan Jovetic managed to score 14 goals playing only 27 matches. The new Captain is wanted by some big European clubs but Viola are trying to keep hold of him.

Genoa:

The Football and Cricket club from Genova have like every season changed a lot in their squad. The biggest losses have been striker Palacio (Inter), Miguel Veloso (Din.Kiev) and Papastathopoulos (Werder Bremen) They were replaced by Canini (Cagliari), Anselmo (Palmeiras) and Serie B top goalscorer last season Immobile who was on loan at Pescara. The team looks competitive but did so last season when they dramatically avoided relegation at the end of the seasons.

Manager:
Luigi De Canio managed to keep the club in Serie A last season after replaced Malesani with just five matches to play. This season with a full pre-season he might have an impact to the team. De Canio, who has coached QPR, likes to play an offensive football with a 3-4-3 and the club hopes that this season they can achieve some positive results and take the club back to the glorious past they deserve.

Star striker:
Alberto Gilardino is called to prove himself at Genoa this year. After a very disappointing last season he scored only 6 goals.

Inter:

The Mourinho’s era brought quick success and great players, now only two years later and a very disappointing season it’s time to rebuild. Many players have left Inter: Cordoba (retired), Lucio (Juventus), Zarate (Lazio), Forlan (Internacional) with also Maicon and Julio Cesar on their way out. But few new players have moved to the Milan club: Mudingayi (Bologna), Handanovic (Udinese), Gargano (Napoli), Palacio (Genoa), Alvaro Pereira (Porto) and in the highest profile move of this summer, Cassano arrived from AC Milan in exchange of striker Pazzini.

Manager:
Andrea Stramaccioni is one of the youngest coach in Italy and replaced Claudio Ranieri only last season. Famous at youth level where he made his AS Roma team Italian champions, was taken by Inter to train their reserves team. His capabilities were noticed by the management, who did not hesitate when asked to find a new manager. Stramaccioni will try to boost the Inter game and a top 4 results sounds like a great achievement for the neroazzurri.

Star striker:
Diego Milito, was the second best striker in Italy last season, just behind Ibrahimovic with his 24 goals scored. This season with players like Cassano, Sneijder and Palacio, could be killer in the penalty area.

Juventus:

The Italian champions, undefeated last season have already started the season with a trophy: the Italian SuperCup. Will hope to be competitive in the Champions League. The summer transfer window have made the team even stronger with the insertion in the squad of excellent players like Lucio (Inter), Isla and Asamoah (Udinese), Giovinco (Parma) and Pogba (Man United) They are after an out and out a striker.The roster has been cleared with the departure of Del Piero, Krasic, Melo and Elia; the future definitely looks bright for ‘La Vecchia Signora’. The only issue with their season could be the 10 months ban for manager Antonio Conte who is facing a process involved in the match fixing scandal.

Manager:
So far the manager is Antonio Conte, the mastermind of last season perfect run in the league that brought an unbeaten season. But Conte will be out for the ban and his absence could be dear to Juve. The club will probably look into a interim solution with Carrera probable substitute until Conte ban has expired.

Star striker:
The clubs main priority is a number 9 that can score loads of goals. Many names have been rumored to be on Juventus’ radar, from Dzeko to Llorente to Higuain and AVP but so far none has arrived. If they failed to bring any ‘top player’ the bianconeri could turn back to Borriello. If no striker will be added we believe Vucinic could be the player to make the difference up front.

Lazio:

The club that has moved less player with transfers this summer; in fact only Brazilian midfielder Ederson has been brought in from Lyon. Also Zarate has not been confirmed at Inter and has returned to the biancoblú. With very few players also left, Lazio squad is almost identical to last season when they finished fourth. An extra defender might be added to the team but considering the way things are going it’s not too sure either.

Manager:
The biggest news for Lazio fans is on the bench. Vladimir Petkovic has arrived from Sion. The Serbian who has not a great fame around Europe is the biggest bet for Lazio; knowing for being an attacking coach he will try to start a prestigious career in Rome.

Star striker:
Miroslav Klose, the German striker scored 12 times last season . The question is will the old striker manage to lead a team that would be very lucky to repeat last season result?

Milan:

The Rossoneri have had a very animated summer with a big ‘Sale’ banner on their head. Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva (PSG), Seedorf (Botafogo), Inzaghi (end career), Gattuso (Sion), Van Bommel (Psv Eindhoven), Nesta (Montreal Impact), Roma, (Monaco), Zambrotta (end contract), Taiwo (Dinamo Kiev) have all left. Cassano has gone to Inter in exchange of Pazzini. Montolivo (Fiorentina), Traoré (Nancy), Acerbi (Genoa), Didac Vilà (Espanyol), Gabriel (Cruzeiro), Constant (Genoa) and Zapata (Villarreal) have made their way in. With just over a week before the end of the transfer window they need to add more players to their team, with the return of Kaka seen as their dream for this summer.

Manager:
Massimiliano Allegri starts his third season with the Diavolo. Never really loved by the fans he has remained put on Milan bench and with the squad revolutionized but weakened he needs to show he is good enough to manage a club like Milan.

Part II to follow.

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