Last Saturday saw Italian football witness tragedy that just a few weeks ago could of easily befallen our own game. Piermario Morosini a 25 year old midfielder was playing for Liverno in Serie B on Saturday afternoon when he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. All of Italy's remaining weekend fixtures were postponed shortly after Morosini's death was announced.
Morosini was an emerging talent in Italian football, he was on loan at Liverno from Udinese and he had played for Italy at Under 21 level. But putting football aside Morosini was an extrodinary young man. Having seen his brother commit suicide and his mother and father pass Morosini was left to care for his severely disabled sister, Maria Clara. His close friend and Udinese team mate Antonio Di Natale stated this week that Maria was Piermario's life and that he dedicated all his time and money to her. Udinese have issued a statement this week saying that will pay for Maria's care for the rest of her life.
Morosini's funeral was held in his home town of Bergamo on Thursday. Thousands of fans from his first and local club, Atalanta lined the streets along side Liverno and Udinese fans to pay tribute.
In a country that is notorious for its footballing divisions it is great to see the whole Italian football community unite to morn the death of such a young and talented player.
An inquest into Morosini's death has been announced to see if he could of been saved in a similar manner to which Fabrice Muamba was a month ago. But the results of that and the action that the Italian F.A take on its results are for another day. This week, and for many more weeks the focus in Italian Football and in the wider footballing community will be on the loss of not only a talented footballer but on the loss of an exceptional young man. My thoughts are with his friends and family.
There is a full fixture list in the Serie A this weekend, and all games are expected to go ahead. There will be a moments silence before each game in memory of Piermario Morosini. There are five games being held this Saturday beginning with Parma host Cagliari. Neither side are safe from the drop just yet with Parma with both teams just 4 points above the drop zone and sitting in 15th and 14th respectively. Parma's 2-0 win over Novara 9 days ago could prove crucial in their bid to survive after winning just once in 4 attempts before that victory. 8 days ago Cagliari were beaten 1-0 by Bologna to plunge them back into the relegation fold. They have managed just two wins in their last five. There is hope for the Sardinian's with their side boasting a good record against Parma, an unbeaten run that stretches 7 matches. With both sides struggling its a difficult game to call, Cagliari may just edge it but the most likely outcome is a draw. Draw - Two teams who can't afford to lose scrap out a low scoring draw.
Udinese travel to Verona in hope of ending their disastrous run that saw them fall away in the race for the title and if it continues will cost them a European place. Francesco Guidolin's men have won just one of their last five and were beaten 3-1 by Roma last time out. Their hosts remain comfortably in mid table despite losing 1-0 to AC Milan, their first defeat in 5. Udinese have a good record against Chievo but their away form is atrocious at the moment, losing 3 of their last 4. That said Udinese have a lot more to play for and that could well be crucial. The suspecion is despite Chievo's decent run and Udinese's poor one, if Udinese put in a good performance they will prevail here. Away Win - Udinese need to win and that will spur them onto a narrow victory over Chievo.
Another team in dire need of a return to form are Napoli and they host second bottom Novara in what is a must win for both teams. Napoli have not won in the league in their last four games, including a shock 3-1 defeat to Atalanta last Wednesday. They will also be without Ezequiel Lavezzi for this one, removing one of their main goalscoring threats. Novara too have not won in 4 and remain 11 points from safety after losing to Parma. The history between the two sides reads in Novara's favour however they have only ever played each other once since the 1950's which was in the 1-1 reverse fixture this season. Like Udinese its hard to see Napoli continuing on such a poor run given the talent they possess in their ranks. Novara will certainly test them but with their situation looking more and more bleak their confidence will be low. Away Win - Napoli bounce back against a Novara side who look set for relegation.
Saturday's last game sees a mid table battle as Catania face Atalanta. Vincenzo Montella's Catania suffered a surprise loss last time out as they were beaten 2-1 by Leece, they have now lost 2 in a row and are without a win in 4 games. Atalanta meanwhile added another name to their list of triumphs this season as they beat Napoli 3-1. They remain inconsistent however, winning just two of their last 5. At this stage of the season it is very difficult to call these mid table bouts and given the inconsistency of both teams a draw is the safest option. Draw - Two sides with nothing to play for other than pride play out an entertaining draw.
Sunday's first of six games sees Fiorentina host Inter at The Stadio Artemio Franchi. Fiorentina were unable to build on their great win over AC Milan as they drew 0-0 with Palermo 9 days ago. They AC Milan victory remains their only win in 5 games and they hover just 3 points off the relegation zone. Inter remain in 7th after beating Siena 2-1 a result that saw Andrea Stramaccioni's unbeaten run in charge continue. Inter will also be boosted by the return of playmaker Wesley Sneijder. Fiorentina haven't beaten Inter in 11 attempts and its unlikely that will change here given the form of both clubs. Fiorentina's win over Milan showed that they can beat the big teams but Milan were poor that day and their city rivals are unlikely to make the same mistake. Away win - Inter's new manager continues his unbeaten run as Fiorentina crash to another defeat which puts them in real trouble.
Bottom, and seemingly doomed Cesena host 11th placed Palermo as they seek to give themselves any chance at avoiding the drop. A 1-1 draw with Genoa last weekend means that Cesena have still only won 4 games all season, they are 15 points from safety and could be all but mathematically relegated this weekend. Palermo have won just one of their last 5 after a 0-0 draw with Fiorentina. It's not hard to envisage a similar score line here with Palermo having one just once on the road all season and Cesena drawing all of their last 4. Cesena will push for the win, they simply have too but Palermo will but up enough resistance to at least leave with a point. Draw - Cesena's lack of quality is again shown as they fair to beat a side that are dismal away from home.
Genoa will be looking to end their win draught that stretches back 11 games as they host Siena. Genoa's draw with Cesena highlighted again their inability to win see games out and keep clean sheets. They are just two points above the drop zone and are in a real battle to stay up. Their opponents sit in 13th and should be safe for another season, their 2-1 defeat to Inter was their first in four games. Genoa haven't won any of their last five home matches but Siena have only won twice away from home all season. Again home advantage looks the key here and although it will be tight Genoa have more to play for than Siena and they are taken to take all 3 points. Home Win - Genao scrap to avoid the drop by beating Siena in what looks set to be a high scoring affair.
Bologna travel to The San Siro to play title contenders AC Milan. Bologna won their last outing 1-0 against Cagliari, gaining their first win in 5 games. They have a poor record against Milan however, losing the last 6 meetings between the two. Milan returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Chievo, they remain injury stricken with Boateng, Pata, Silva, Ambrosini and Roma all set to miss this game. However they boast the best attack in the league, lead by the league's top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he is expected to be supported by Robinho. It is the strength of the Milan squad that will be tested here but with those two world class strikers upfront they remain impossible to oppose. Home Win - Milan cruise past Genoa to keep the pressure on Juventus at the top of the table.
Third from the top plays third from the bottom as Lazio host Leece. Lazio remain unpredictable with form figures of lose,win,lose,win,lose after being beaten 2-1 by Juve. Leece in contrast are on a good run, unbeaten in 5, after beating Catania 2-1 they have given themselves a real chance of survival and are just two points off survival. Both teams will be desperate for points which may play to Lazio's strengths if the game opens up. Also at home Lazio are largely consistent losing just one of their last 6. This represents a really tough task for Serse Cosmi's Leece and they may well be up to it but its Lazio who have more solid claims and they should continue their bizarre form figures. Home Win - Home advantage pays dividends as Lazio strengthen their grip on third place.
The game of this weekend could decide were the title is destined as Juventus face arguably their toughest assignment in the run is as they host Roma. Juve remain unbeaten and a point clear at the top of Serie A after beating Lazio 2-1. They have won all of their last 4 games, and have only been beaten by Roma once in the last 13 meetings between the sides. Luis Enrique's Roma are still eyeing third place and are just 4 points behind Lazio after a 3-1 victory over Udinese. Totti is expected to be fit but Roma's defencive problems remain and that could be their downfall here. For Juve, the former Roma duo of Vucinic and Borriello are expected to feature. Roma have blown hot and cold all season and given their poor record against Juve it is difficult to make a case for them, despite their excellent win over Udinese. Juve remain imperious particularly defensively, sporting the best in the league. In attack too The Old Lady have re found form and one suspects the damage will be done well before Totti & Co even have a chance to test that defence. Home win - It may well be tight or a rout depending on which Roma turn up but Juve should continue their pursuit of the league title here.
Selected Match Betting:
Udinese, Napoli, Inter, Genoa, Milan & Lazio - All To Win: 27/1
Milan V Bologna - Correct Score 5-0: 16/1
Napoli V Novara - Cavani Hat-Trick: 9/1
Enjoy The Games!
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