Are AC Milan a serious contender for a Champions League spot?

A dreadful start to the campaign saw AC Milan languishing in the lower regions of the Serie A table for the majority of the opening half of the 2012-13 season, however their recent upsurge in form has seen them climb to fifth in the league, and they sit just six points adrift of the all-important third Champions League qualification spot.

'The Pharaoh' has been in amazing form for AC Milan all season

The Rossoneri lost five of their opening eight games; however a sequence of just one defeat in their 10 league matches has ensured the pressure of head coach Massimiliano Allegri has been relieved, for the time being at least! The turning point in AC’s season came about when the side trailed Napoli by two goals, before a Stephan El Shaawary double rescued a point. That unlikely point was then back upped by a solid victory against the Champions Juventus the following week, thanks a Robinho penalty. 

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Matri's volley extends Juve's long unbeaten run

Second half substitute Alessandro Matri rescued a point for Juventus in the top of the table Serie A clash with AC Milan.

Milan were left to feel aggrieved as a Sully Muntari header, with the Rossoneri leading 1-0, was wrongly not given, despite the ball being a good couple of yards over the line.

Antonio Nocerino, via a huge deflection, had opened the scoring early on, and despite Milan's first half dominance, Juve improved in the second half and probably deserved to draw level, which they did through a Matri volley. A late red card for Arturo Vidal, meant Juve had to hold off some Milan pressure, which they did, to ensure the Serie A title race stayed in the 'Old Ladys' hands.

Juventus started the game well, with Stephan Lichtsteiner twice getting into dangerous positions down the Juve right, without really threatening Christian Abbiati in the Milan goal.

Muntari did brilliantly to win the ball back from Giorgio Chellini, and the Ghanaian international found Urby Emanuelson whose shot was deflected wide for a corner.

The resulting corner came to nothing; however Leonardo Bonucci gifted Milan the ball with a poor pass across his own box and Robinho found Nocerino whose long range shot hit the hapless Bonucci, with the deflection giving Buffon no chance.

The games real talking point occurred in the 26th minute when Muntari's header was incorrectly adjudged not to have crossed the line, therefore preventing Milan from opening up a deserved two goal lead. Buffon did brilliantly to save the initial Thiago Silva header; however Muntari beat his marker to the rebound as his header crossed the line, despite Buffon's best efforts only for neither the referee or the linesman to see the clear goal.

Milan's injustice only spurred the Italian champions on and Mark Van Bommel, Silva and Robinho missed good chances to extend their lead.

Juve's best chance in the first half came and went as Vidal smashed wide when well placed on the edge of the Milan box.

Milan were comfortable in the first half, with Robinho, frequently dropping deep, in particular shinning in a different looking Milan, who despite the lack of several first team players, were in control of the match.

The second half was brought about with a flurry of changes, Milan replaced Pato with Stephan El Shaarawy, whilst Antonio Conte subbed off Marcelo Estigarrbia and Marco Borriello with Simone Pepe and Mirko Vucinic respectively.

The second half began in tame fashion, with neither side threatening to score the games vital second goal.

Emanuelson picked the wrong choice when Milan countered with a three on three attack, as the Dutchman tried to find the sub El Shaarawy instead of the easier option in Robinho and Juve cleared.

Juventus missed a great chance to level as Chellini crosses into space as Fabio Quagliarella shoots straight at Abbiati from close range.

With time starting to run out, Conte's side started to control the game and the sub Matri thought he had brought his side level, only to look up and see the linesman's flag raised. Replays showed the call was a very tight one, with the striker possibly just the wrong side of the last defender.

Matri put his earlier disappointment behind him to volley home an equaliser with just eight minutes left. Chellini, up from the back, crossed well and Matri held off Silva to volley past Abbiati to stun the San Siro.

Vidal stupidly saw red late on for a cynical hack on Mark Van Bommel; however neither side threatened a winner as the game finished 1-1 to extend Juve's unbeaten run to 24 Serie A matches.

A.C held in dour draw

Fiorentina held A.C Milan to a goalless draw in Delio Rossi’s first game in charge of the Florence side.

The home side never threatened to steal the three points, as AC Milan dominated the game from start to finish and were unfortunate not to claim all three points, as Clarence Seedorf saw a legitimate goal disallowed for offside.

Rossi unsurprisingly decided against recalling Stevan Jovetic on his return from injury; however the exclusion of Adam Ljajic was controversial as Fiorentina fielded a defensive looking eleven.

A.C Milan controlled the opening proceedings of the match, without ever looking like scoring, as Fiorentina, marshalled well by the young Matija Nastasić, kept the title challengers at bay.

However 18 minutes in and Seedorf looked to given Milan the lead. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s flick forward was perfect for the Dutchman, who finished well, only to be disappointed by an incorrect flag for offside.

Robinho missed Milan’s best chance before half time as the Brazilian blazed over after a spell of possession from the Rossoneri.

Half time came and went and still Fiorentina failed to threaten Milan. Massimiliano Allegri’s side were pleasing on the eye, however they lacked the creative threat of Antonio Cassano, as Ibrahimovic and Robinho were poor on the evening.

It took sub Pato to show the out of sorts duo how to finish, and the Brazilian was only prevented from breaking the deadlock by a fantastic save from Arthur Boruc. The former Celtic keeper did brilliantly to get fingertips to the smashed finish, which would’ve found the corner, if it wasn't for the world class reactions of the Polish international.

Fiorentina’s only chance of note fell to Manuel Pasqual whose long range effort went wide of Christian Abbiati’s post.

The result saw Milan slip up for the first time in five, and their missed opportunity allows Juventus the chance to overtake them again with victory over Palermo on Sunday.

The days other games saw Inter Milan record only their third win of a terrible Serie A season. The win saw them move to 16th as goals from Thiago Motta and Phillipe Coutinho, were enough to edge out Cagliari 2-1. Lazio's impressive goalless draw away to Napoli, ensured the Rome side stayed top of the Serie A table. Napoli were the better side; however the draw extends their poor form with just one win in five games. 

Prince Boateng hat-trick stuns Leece as AC come back from the dead.

AC Milan had started the defence of their Serie A title in limp fashion with just eight points from six games and 3-0 down away to relegation candidates Leece at half time, their poor start looked set to continue. Enter Kevin Prince Boateng and the most unlikeliest of revivals.

The former Portsmouth man stunned the hosts with a hat-trick as Milan won 4-3, with the forgotten man Mario Yepes heading the winner in the 83rd minute.

Guillermo Giacomazzi headed Leece in front with the slightest of touch from a Carlos Grossmuller free-kick. Christian Abbiati, who probably should have done better with Leece's opener, conceded a penalty mid way through the first half fouling Daniele Corvia, after dropping a simple corner at the Italian's feet. Massimo Oddo, ironically on a season long loan from AC Milan, stepped up and smashed the penalty home. Grossmuller incredibly made it three just before half-time, stabbing home a lose ball.


Boateng started the comeback just four minutes into the second half with an exquisite slashed finish. A Milan corner was only half cleared and after the ball found its way to Boateng, the Ghanaian, smashed home brilliantly.

If the former Spurs midfielder's first effort was good, his second was brilliant. Teed up by the controversial Antonio Cassano, Boateng let fly with another cracking effort, giving the Leece keeper simply no chance.

Boateng amazingly levelled an amazing game in the 63rd minute, in doing so completing his hat trick. Christian Abbate saw his effort blocked and the ball fell kindly for Boateng whose shot narrowly crossed the line.

The Colombian Yepes amazingly won the game for AC in the 83rd minute with a back post header. Cassano was again the creator, as his lofted cross was met well by the former PSG defender and his bullet header won the game for the Rossoneri.

Elsewhere in Italy, unbeaten Juventus were held to their fourth draw in the opening seven games as Genoa got a deserved 2-2 away to the 'Old Lady'. A late Andrea Caracciolo strike ensured the heavy spending Genoa left with a share of the spoils.

Thiago Motta ensured Inter got only their second victory of the season as they overcame Cheivo 1-0 at the San Siro. Roma bounced back from their derby defeat with a solid if not spectacular 1-0 home success against Palermo. The Argentine Lamela scored the only goal of the game after just eight minutes.

Despite their loss of key players at the start of the season, Udinese continued their fine start to the season with a comprehensive victory over Novara. Two Antonio Di Natale strikes and one from Maurizio Domizzi were easily enough.

Other results

Fiorentina 2 Catania 2

Cagliari 0 Napoli 0

Parma 1 Atlanta 2

Siena 2 Cesena 0

Bologna 0 Lazio 2

The weekend's Italian Round up (Done before midweek games + Inter sacking)

Link to goals and tables from Europe

Previous week's round up
Rest of Europe La Liga  Serie A

Serie A
Napoli were too good for AC Milan in a fantastic game which saw Edison Cavani score a hat-trick in a come from behind 3-1 victory, in doing so firing a warning to their Serie A rivals.

The result see's Napoli top the table after two consecutive 3-1 win's, where AC Milan slide down to 17th after just one point from their opening two games.

Alberto Aquilani opened the scoring with a brilliant header, after good work from Antonio Cassano. However Napoli's response was quick as Cavani lashed home from a Marek Hamsik free kick just two minutes later. The striker turned the game on its head after a great counter attack, spearheaded by the impressive Walter Gargano who set up his Urugyian counterpart who beat Cristian Abbiati at his near post. Cavani completed the scoring as well as his hat trick just seven minutes into the second half as he smashed home after Alessandro Nesta's failed clearence.

Napoli fully deserved the three points and under Walter Mazzari are geniune title contenders. Their 3-4-2-1 formation is very efficient and AC Milan never really looked like winning this match after Cavani had levelled.

How Napoli regularly lined up last year, however they've been improved with the addition of Gokan Inhler and Goran Pandev.

A.S Roma bounced back after defeat at home to Cagliari last week, with a good defensive display in the San Siro away to Inter Milan, as both Italian giants picked up their first point of the season in a goalless draw. The game's real talking point was the unfortunate injury to Roma's new number one Martin Stekelenburg after a collision with an onrushing Lucio. The Brazilian defender tried to hurdle Stekelenburg however his boot caught the keeper and the Dutch goalkeeper had to be substituted in the first half. The game on the whole was a lively encounter as both teams spurned good chances to steal a victory, with Wesley Sneijder's deflected effort somehow creeping wide.

Juventus, like Napoli, made it back to back wins with a 1-0 victory away to Siena. The match winner came in the shape of Alessandro Matri. Siena rarely threatened the Turin side, and the margin of victory should've been more. The goal came after great work from new signing Mirko Vuckenic who got the byline brilliantly to find Matri, who after his discomfort in front of goal last week, will no doubt be pleased to have finished the simple chance.

Udinese joined Napoli and Juve at the top of Serie A as they beat Fiorentina 2-0 with goals coming from  a Antonio Di Natale penalty and a Maurico Isla drive. Despite losing key players in the summer, Udinese have started the season well and Arthur Boruc in the Fiorentina goal was a busy man in ensuring the scoreline was respectable.

Genoa came from behind to beat Lazio with scoring a 71st minute winner. Guiseppi Sculli opened the scoring from a Miroslav Klose cross, before the Argentine Rodrigo Palacio finished cooly to level the scores early on in the second half. With the game looking like ending all square, Juraj Kucka finished the easiest of chances to ensure the three points were Genoa's.

Other results
Cagliari 2 Novara 1
Atlanta 1 Palermo 0
Bologna 0 Leece 2
Catania 1 Cesena 0
Parma 2 Chievo 1

Preview to Serie A and review of 1st La Liga week

Serie A

Champions AC Milan start the defence of their title tonight against a strong Lazio side. AC Milan had a strong transfer window bringing in the likes of Philpe Mexes, Taye Tawio and Alberto Aquliani aswell as completing permanent deals for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin Prince Boateng. Lazio brought in expierenced forward Miroslav Klose as well as  Djibril Cisse, and the duo are both expected to start tonight in a new look strikeforce having lost the former Birmingham City striker Mauro Zarate to Inter Milan.

The league's big spenders Juventus and Roma both start the new season with new managers and new optimism. Despite Italy only having three Champions League participants for the 2012/13 season, these two will be confident of challenging the likes of Napoli for the key third spot. Juve have brought in the likes of Mirko Vucinic, Eljero Elia, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal in an attempt to force their way back into Europe's elite competition, however for me I don't think they will have enough about them to do so.

The other big spenders in Roma however have a better chance, with not just exicting additions but clever and needed ones. The obvious loss of Mexes and Vucinic to their rivals will be huge, but new manager Luis Enrique has brought in no less then 17 players, and if the team can gel quickly then I can see them challenging Inter Milan for a second place birth. Fernando Gago, Bojan Krkic, Miralem Pjanic, Simon Kjaer, Pablo Osvaldo, Erik Lamela and Gabriel Heinze were all added in an highly exiciting window for the Rome side.

Inter Milan for me this year will struggle to really live with AC Milan at the top of the league with the choice of manager a suprising one. Gian Piero Gasperini's failed at Genoa despite big name signings, and the move is in similar fashion to AC Milan's move for Massimiliano Allegri, which was an obvious success. The loss of Samuel Eto'o is a huge one with Diego Milito really struggling to find the form of the treble winning season. Giampaolo Pazzini and Mauro Zarate are very hit and miss players, and much pressure will be placed on new signing Diego Forlan to replace Eto'o's goals.

My top 7 prediction
1) AC Milan
2) Roma/Juventus
3) Inter Milan / Napoli
4) Napoli / Inter Milan
5) Juventus/Roma
6) Udinese
7) Lazio

La Liga

The La Liga kicked off a week before the recent international's and somewhat unsuprisingly the dominant duo of Real Madrid and Barcelona won 6-0 and 5-0 respectively and already take their position at the top of La Liga.

You don't have to be a football genius to realise that these two will top the table come June and their infatic start to the season only goes to show the dominance the duo have over the rest of the Spanish League.

Athletico Madrid began life with Sergio Aguero, Diego Forlan and David De Gea in uninspiring fashion with a 0-0 draw at home to Osasuna. The amount of transfers in and out of the club obviously have dictated their start and it will take them a while to gel properly, with Falcao and Arda Turan good additions to the club.

Malaga the huge spenders in La Liga started life with a 2-1 defeat away to Sevilla. Manuel Pellegrini's side were poor in the first half and Alvaro Negrando exposed Malaga's centre half uncertainty for the first goal before a lovely finish doubled their lead. Despite a good second half showing, they only had new signing Santi Cazorla's wonderful free kick to show for it. The club were scheduled to play Barcelona on the first week of the season, meaning they would've had a doubly as hard start, however with Granada and Real Mallorca up next, expect to see them improve in not only performance but points. Sevilla in comparison to their opponents have had a relatively quiet transfer window with Manu del Moral and Martin Caceras their two big deals.