THEelimination of Milan, Juventus and Atalanta from the Champions League marks a significant step backwards for Italian football, taking it back to ten years ago, when only Allegri's Juventus managed to reach the final in 2015.
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The European flop is not only a wound to their pride, but will have direct consequences on the championship, putting at risk the fifth place needed to qualify for the next Champions League. Spain, currently ahead in the UEFA ranking, could consolidate its supremacy, making the challenge of the Roma vs Athletic Bilbao in Europa League.
Serie A is proving to be fragile even among its top teams. TheInter, while remaining favourite for the title, has lost two of its last three matches and will have to deal with the absence of Summer for a month. The Napoli, despite the first place, is coming off three consecutive draws and is trying to find success again with the return of Politano and Spinazzola, while Breakers will continue to support Lukaku.
The pursuers are no better. The Juventus, overwhelmed by PSV, has wasted a favourable calendar and must now deal with a market that has not yet produced the desired results. Milan, eliminated by Feyenoord despite the purchase of Gimenez, addresses internal issues: Theo Hernandez appears out of the project, while Conceição had friction with Pulisic. In home Atalanta, Gasperini got furious with Lookman after the penalty miss against Bruges, a sign of a tense atmosphere.
On the other hand, the positive surprises are the Bologna of Italian and the two Roman teams: the Lazio seeks continuity at home to Venezia in crisis, while the Ranieri's Rome, dragged by Dybala, is aiming for its tenth consecutive useful match against the Monza tail light.
Weekend of traps for the big teams
The next round of Serie A, even without direct clashes, promises to be tricky. TheInter will have to face the Genoa of Pinamonti, reborn under Vieira, with a Lautaro in trouble and the imminent commitment in the Italian Cup against Lazio. The Napoli hosts the As Fabregas, capable of putting Juventus in difficulty and overwhelming Fiorentina, with Nico Paz special observation.
For Milan the most difficult commitment: the Rossoneri visit a Turin recovering, which he finds Ricci and relies on the goals of Adams. Conceição must decide whether to revive the discussed Theo Hernandez and Leao. Also the Juventus has a tricky away match against a Cagliari on the rise, who has already stopped Atalanta. Thiago Motta, disappointed by the performance of some of his signings, will rely on the duo Kolo Muani-Conception.
La Fiorentina, in difficulty after two defeats, recovers Kean and tries to relaunch itself against a Verona in full fight for salvation. The favourite, instead, is the Bologna of Italian, which addresses the Parma, in the midst of a crisis and fresh from the dismissal of Pecchia, replaced by the debutant Chivu.
Article published on 21 February 2025 - 17:53
