SERIE A REVIEW

Milan and Rome have split the Champions League places between them for 2007-08. Giancarlo Rinaldi reports on how they did it and who will be competing in the UEFA Cup

Milan and Rome have split the Champions League places between them for 2007-08. Giancarlo Rinaldi reports on Giancarlo Rinaldi reports on Giancarlo Rinaldi how they did it and who will be competing in the UEFA Cup

It will be a tale of two cities for Italy in the Champions League next season. Milan and Rome will each send a pair of representatives into the top competition at the end of an historic campaign. While Inter and Roma had secured their places some time ago, it was some impressive late form which carried their hometown rivals into the fray at their side. Milan’s charge was meteoric, as they caught up and passed their main rivals for a top four finish. Coach Carlo Ancelotti had been saying all season that his team had been playing with a double handicap of injuries and lack of full fitness. It certainly looked like he was telling the truth as they racked up the points in the last weeks of the season. “We have to be happy and satisfied with qualifying for the preliminary rounds of next season’s Champions League,” admitted Ancelotti. “Considering how things went in the first half of the season, I think you could say we reached a great target. It was vital that we got there. Getting into Europe is so important and we actually got there a little sooner than I expected.” Lazio’s final sprint was not quite as impressive but they could still feel justifiably proud of their year. Not many people would have given Delio Rossi’s side a chance of making it into Europe’s premier competition. His President was understandably happy with the outcome. “I wouldn’t say this qualification came as a surprise because I had set myself a target of three years to turn the club around,” said Claudio Lotito. “It is the product of a well thought-out plan alongside an effort to sort out our financial situation. The team was put together to do better than last season. And I think it deserves full marks for all its effort, sacrifice and dedication.” There will no doubt be envious eyes cast in the direction of the Biancocelesti from Sicily. Palermo should have had a first shot at the Champions League in their grasp, but they let it slip. In truth, their form was the direct opposite of Milan’s with an outstanding first half of the season but a dismal decline in the second. They have the UEFA Cup as consolation – after firing and then re-hiring Coach Francesco Guidolin.

It will be a tale of two cities for Italy in the Champions League next season. Milan and Rome will each send a pair of representatives into the top competition at the end of an historic campaign. While Inter and Roma had secured their places some time ago, it was some impressive late form which carried their hometown rivals into the fray at their side. Milan’s charge was meteoric, as they caught up and passed their main rivals for a top four finish. Coach Carlo Ancelotti had been saying all season that his team had been playing with a double handicap of injuries and lack of full fitness. It certainly looked like he was telling the truth as they racked up the points in the last weeks of the season. “We have to be happy and satisfied with qualifying for the preliminary rounds of next season’s Champions League,” admitted Ancelotti. “Considering how things went in the first half of the season, I think you could say we reached a great target. It was vital that we got there. Getting into Europe is so important and we actually got there a little sooner than I expected.” Lazio’s final sprint was not quite as impressive but they could still feel justifiably proud of their year. Not many people would have given Delio Rossi’s side a chance of making it into Europe’s premier competition. His President was understandably happy with the outcome. “I wouldn’t say this qualification came as a surprise because I had set myself a target of three years to turn the club around,” said Claudio Lotito. “It is the product of a well thought-out plan alongside an effort to sort out our financial situation. The team was put together to do better than last season. And I think it deserves full marks for all its effort, sacrifice and dedication.” There will no doubt be envious eyes cast in the direction of the Biancocelesti from Sicily. Palermo should have had a first shot at the Champions League in their grasp, but they let it slip. In truth, their form was the direct opposite of Milan’s with an outstanding first half of the season but a dismal decline in the second. They have the UEFA Cup as consolation – after firing and then re-hiring Coach Francesco Guidolin.

There will be a new face on Italy’s European roster next season as little Tuscan outfit Empoli secured an unprecedented UEFA Cup spot

There will be a new face on Italy’s European roster next season as little Tuscan outfit Empoli secured an unprecedented UEFA Cup spot

“Getting into Europe was an important aim and we can be proud of it,” he said. “The main thing is that we have qualified for the UEFA Cup for the third season in a row. It doesn’t matter whether I will be in charge for that campaign – I will find a job somewhere.” There should be no such employment worries for Cesare Prandelli, who steered Fiorentina from minus 15 points into Europe. Indeed, without their points handicap, the Viola would have been playing Champions League football. After a shaky start, the Tuscan side turned out to be one of the best in the League. “I am proud to be in charge of this team,” said Prandelli. “We have had a great season, full of suffering but in the end we deserved to get to Europe. My players have been consistent all season and our fans have never let us down.” The final Italian representative in the competition will be the altogether more surprising Empoli. Under Gigi Cagni they have been one of the revelations of the season and, after getting the all clear for their stadium, can look forward to a first term in Europe. It is a deserved reward for a fine campaign. City double

“Getting into Europe was an important aim and we can be proud of it,” he said. “The main thing is that we have qualified for the UEFA Cup for the third season in a row. It doesn’t matter whether I will be in charge for that campaign – I will find a job somewhere.” There should be no such employment worries for Cesare Prandelli, who steered Fiorentina from minus 15 points into Europe. Indeed, without their points handicap, the Viola would have been playing Champions League football. After a shaky start, the Tuscan side turned out to be one of the best in the League. “I am proud to be in charge of this team,” said Prandelli. “We have had a great season, full of suffering but in the end we deserved to get to Europe. My players have been consistent all season and our fans have never let us down.” The final Italian representative in the competition will be the altogether more surprising Empoli. Under Gigi Cagni they have been one of the revelations of the season and, after getting the all clear for their stadium, can look forward to a first term in Europe. It is a deserved reward for a fine campaign. City City doubledouble

RESULTS FIXTUR E S L I N E -U P S A T T E N D A N C E S R E S U L T S F
The latest news from Serie A direct to your mobile phone text ITALIA to 83188

(Messages 25p plus your normal SMS rate)

Delio Rossi has brought toplevel European football back to Lazio, much to the delight of the tifosi and President Claudio Lotito

Delio Rossi has brought toplevel European football back to Lazio, much to the delight of the tifosi and President Claudio Lotito THE BEST Claudio Ranieri (Parma) He is one of the most likeable people in the game, but even his many friends must have thought he had taken on too much in trying to save Parma. Instead, he turned them from a jaded side heading for relegation into one of the more entertaining outfits in the League with its Serie A fate in its own hands. In the process, he put himself back in the shop window as one of Europe’s top Coaches.

THE BEST Claudio Ranieri (Parma) He is one of the most likeable people in the game, but even his many friends must have thought he had taken on too much in trying to save Parma. Instead, he turned them from a jaded side heading for relegation into one of the more entertaining outfits in the League with its Serie A fate in its own hands. In the process, he put himself back in the shop window as one of Europe’s top Coaches.

Best Team – Inter It would have been simple to ease up with the Scudetto in the bag, but this Nerazzurri side is clearly one which likes to show no weakness. Even their ‘reserve’ team has proved too strong for the rest of Serie A and they obviously wanted to send out a message of intent. This is a side which has got used to winning things and has no intention of giving that up just because Juve will be back next season.

Best Team – Inter It would have been simple to ease up with the Scudetto in the bag, but this Nerazzurri side is clearly one which likes to show no weakness. Even their ‘reserve’ team has proved too strong for the rest of Serie A and they obviously wanted to send out a message of intent. This is a side which has got used to winning things and has no intention of giving that up just because Juve will be back next season.

Alessandro Rosina (Torino) It has been a troubled return to the top flight for the Granata and one where they have not lived up to their President’s aspirations. A side assembled for UEFA Cup contention only secured its salvation on the penultimate day of the season. That owed much to their inspirational little dribbler who took the team on his shoulders and dragged it out of trouble. Now they need to give him a better squad to be a part of.

Alessandro Rosina (Torino) It has been a troubled return to the top flight for the Granata and one where they have not lived up to their President’s aspirations. A side assembled for UEFA Cup contention only secured its salvation on the penultimate day of the season. That owed much to their inspirational little dribbler who took the team on his shoulders and dragged it out of trouble. Now they need to give him a better squad to be a part of.

Best Game – Palermo 3 Parma 4 It was the game which cost Francesco Guidolin his job – before he got it back again – but what a match. Both sides seemed intent on playing an open, attacking game. Igor Budan put Parma ahead before Mark Bresciano levelled and David Di Michele put Palermo in front. It might have crippled a lesser team, but goals for Fernando Couto, Andrea Gasbarroni and Giuseppe Rossi turned the tie around before Cristian Zaccardo got a late consolation for the home side.

Best Game – Palermo 3 Parma 4 It was the game which cost Francesco Guidolin his job – before he got it back again – but what a match. Both sides seemed intent on playing an open, attacking game. Igor Budan put Parma ahead before Mark Bresciano levelled and David Di Michele put Palermo in front. It might have crippled a lesser team, but goals for Fernando Couto, Andrea Gasbarroni and Giuseppe Rossi turned the tie around before Cristian Zaccardo got a late consolation for the home side.

THE WORST Maurizio Zamparini (Palermo) It seems to be becoming something of a theme here, but we should have known the great Zampa would not want to miss out on the new fad of sacking your Coach and then reinstating them. He was in danger of other Presidents looking more hot-tempered and short-sighted than he was, so out went Francesco Guidolin despite a strong season in charge. A few days later, the President saw that maybe his Coach wasn’t entirely to blame for the club’s problems and brought him back.

THE WORST Maurizio Zamparini (Palermo) It seems to be becoming something of a theme here, but we should have known the great Zampa would not want to miss out on the new fad of sacking your Coach and then reinstating them. He was in danger of other Presidents looking more hot-tempered and short-sighted than he was, so out went Francesco Guidolin despite a strong season in charge. A few days later, the President saw that maybe his Coach wasn’t entirely to blame for the club’s problems and brought him back.

“Empoli should be held up as an example to other teams,” said Cagni. “In the last 10 years something important has been done here. I expect to go into the UEFA Cup more or less with the players I have got and our target, as always, will just be to avoid relegation.” That was an aim which proved beyond Ascoli and Messina as they plummeted down into Serie B. Neither side put together any significant run of form throughout the season and, over the piece, looked out of their depth. Going into the final day of the season, however, it was still unclear who would join them with Siena, Reggina, Catania, Parma and Chievo all still at risk. There were loud sighs of relief, however, heard from Torino, Livorno and Cagliari, all of whom had looked in danger at one stage. Each one clinched their salvation with a day to spare – much to the delight of their respective Coaches. “I am very pleased,” said Gianni De Biasi of the Granata. “I thought we would have to clinch it on the last Sunday of the season, so we have gone one better. Since I returned to the bench here we have sorted out the major problems thanks to a great effort from everyone. It looked tough but we managed it.” All three teams, of course, will know that the bar will be raised a little higher to survive next season. A certain famous club from Turin is returning to the top flight after a year away. And that should make the standard of competition a little bit more demanding.

“Empoli should be held up as an example to other teams,” said Cagni. “In the last 10 years something important has been done here. I expect to go into the UEFA Cup more or less with the players I have got and our target, as always, will just be to avoid relegation.” That was an aim which proved beyond Ascoli and Messina as they plummeted down into Serie B. Neither side put together any significant run of form throughout the season and, over the piece, looked out of their depth. Going into the final day of the season, however, it was still unclear who would join them with Siena, Reggina, Catania, Parma and Chievo all still at risk. There were loud sighs of relief, however, heard from Torino, Livorno and Cagliari, all of whom had looked in danger at one stage. Each one clinched their salvation with a day to spare – much to the delight of their respective Coaches. “I am very pleased,” said Gianni De Biasi of the Granata. “I thought we would have to clinch it on the last Sunday of the season, so we have gone one better. Since I returned to the bench here we have sorted out the major problems thanks to a great effort from everyone. It looked tough but we managed it.” All three teams, of course, will know that the bar will be raised a little higher to survive next season. A certain famous club from Turin is returning to the top flight after a year away. And that should make the standard of competition a little bit more demanding.

Worst Team – Messina They showed a little pride to get a draw with Fiorentina despite being already relegated, but otherwise they went out with a whimper. At first the boys from Sicily showed a few signs that they were keen on their new surroundings, but since then it has been downhill all the way. Injury to Christian Rigano’ did not help their plight but it still cannot excuse the way they slumped out of Serie A without any fight.

Worst Team – Messina They showed a little pride to get a draw with Fiorentina despite being already relegated, but otherwise they went out with a whimper. At first the boys from Sicily showed a few signs that they were keen on their new surroundings, but since then it has been downhill all the way. Injury to Christian Rigano’ did not help their plight but it still cannot excuse the way they slumped out of Serie A without any fight.

Armando Pantanelli (Catania) He had already shown himself to be one of the most unreliable net minders in Italy but just when his team needed him, he plumbed new depths. A few dodgy moments against Ascoli were followed by an even worse clanger against Empoli. With his team desperate for points, he ensured they only picked up one from two games where they might reasonably have hoped for four.

Armando Pantanelli (Catania) He had already shown himself to be one of the most unreliable net minders in Italy but just when his team needed him, he plumbed new depths. A few dodgy moments against Ascoli were followed by an even worse clanger against Empoli. With his team desperate for points, he ensured they only picked up one from two games where they might reasonably have hoped for four.

Biggest Flops – Roma Everybody knows that once an Italian team has reached its target for the season it tends to take it easy. Just the same, the Giallorossi took it to new heights in the closing stages of this campaign. They became the team every side in relegation trouble wanted to meet as they dished out points left, right and centre. It was not the way such a fine second placed season should have been brought to a close.

ALTS FIXTURES LINE-UPS ATTENDANCES RESULTS FIXTURES

Biggest Flops – Roma Everybody knows that once an Italian team has reached its target for the season it tends to take it easy. Just the same, the Giallorossi took it to new heights in the closing stages of this campaign. They became the team every side in relegation trouble wanted to meet as they dished out points left, right and centre. It was not the way such a fine second placed season should have been brought to a close.

serie

87