Calcio comment: Tight Serie A season ahead

Last year, of course, earned the title of the epitomy of a tight season. Once again Inter and Roma were involved as the Scudetto changed hands three times on the final day of the season in the last campaign. But, especially after Sampdoria were victorious in Rome against Roma in the last rounds of the campaign, Inter's victory had an air of inevitability about it. They were, and are, the best side in the division and in Europe after their Champions League heroics last season and remain a tough nut to crack for any side .  Indeed, despite Mourinho's much heralded arrival in Madrid for myself Barcelona and Chelsea remain the threats to their European crown. However, it seems as if this year their historic challengers to the Scudetto, Juventus and Milan, have perhaps awoken from their slumber. Milan have transformed their attack with Zlatan Ibrahimovic being the reference point up front and Robinho providing pace down the flanks and if they can keep Alex Pato fit then they have an attack that can damage any defence. There's more balance in the midfield as well with Mathieu Flamini beginning to play more of a role and Kevin Prince Boateng able to weigh in both defensively and from an attacking viewpoint. The crux for the Rossoneri will however be the ability for Andrea Pirlo to leave his creative mark on the game. Last season was not his finest it is fair to say but in the last few rounds the metronome has started to show the passing range that he is famed for. 

For Juventus, it seemed as if the lack of confidence, and frankly quality, that dogged them last season has not gone away. The home defeat against Palermo highlighted the lack of idea's that blighted Juve last term, while the inability to defend without question returned againt Lech Poznan and Sampdoria at home in Serie A. A corner, to some degree, seems however to have been turned. A credible win over Cagliari showed that Juve have no problem scoring goals while a comfortable draw at Manchester City, second in the EPL, began to show a Juve growing in confidence and the influence of their news players, most notably Milos Krasic and return to form of Felipe Melo. It was however the 0-0 at Inter that perhaps highlights the potential of this Juve side. Chance for chance it was a game that Juve probably should have won and that alone should inspire confidence that Del Neri can drill into the squad. However, its not so much confidence, quality or individual ability that will top Inter Milan, it is the simple word of consistency. It's one thing to rise to the challenge against the Barcelona's of this world, but it's quite another to bring your A game against the likes of Lecce and Chievo. That's exactly why Milan and Juve have to do this weekend else they can forget about the Scudetto. However, I think this year they both have the tools to achieve the kind of consistency that can result in a title win, making for an exciting, tight and tense season ahead.