Lecce v Bari to be played behind closed doors: Ridiculous

Derbies in Italy are always great to watch. Whether its the clash of European giants in Milan v Inter or the passion on display in Lazio v Roma, it's never dull. This year in Serie A saw the return of the Lecce to Serie A which meant one thing and one thing only, the return of the Southern derby between Lecce and Bari. It represents an extremely passionate derby highlighted by events in recent years which saw former Lecce player and then Bari manager Antonio Conte attacked on a beach by a mindless set of Lecce fans while more recently last month current Lecce player Souleymane Diamoutene was accosted in training by Lecce Ultras on the pretext of his Bari history. Both incidents were mindless, both not in the spirit of sport. But, was simply banning anyone attending the best option? The answer is clearly no, for one being that it is a defeat for sport and for the so called wonderful fancard which once again has been shown to be utterly pointless. Prior to the ban only Bari fans with the fan card would be allowed to attend in the away section. Now none of them will as what should have been a colourful and passionate affair will  now be nothing more than a damp squib in the South of Italy unless minds are changed.

Calcio mercato: Last chance saloon for Cassano?

Antonio Cassano's move to AC Milan has been dubbed as his last chance at the big time. After dramatically falling out with Sampdoria club President Riccardo Garrone Cassano was frozen out of the squad for virtually all of this season, and since that moment the anticipation of his likely destination has been hot topic. Somewhat surprisingly in my view Milan have answered the call instead of Inter or Juve, both of whom are in far greater need of a world class forward than the Rossoneri. Nonetheless, with Pato, Ibrahimovic, Robinho and now Cassano upfront few teams in Europe can boast a better armory. 

However, will Cassano be able to settle here? The answer probably will be yes in the short term at least. Milan is a club used to big ego's and getting the best out of them, although in some respects this does not seem to be Cassano's problem on the pitch at least. Never one to hog unnecessarily Cassano was the perfect foil for Giampaolo Pazzini upfront carving out chance after chance for the young Italian hitman. His main problem has been his temper and his inability to control it. Asking the referee for a fight in one of his infamous 'Cassanata's' perhaps being the pick of the bunch. Additionally, from Milan's viewpoint, it's worth noting too that with the exception of Bari Cassano has hardly left any of his following clubs on good terms falling out with Del Neri at Roma, Capello at Real Madrid and now Garrone at Sampdoria. What would make the same any more unlikely at Milan? Perhaps it is the fact that in big clubs terms at least this is probably his last chance, and a chance that he may well of believed he would never get anyhow having seemingly been settled at Samp coming into this season. The truth is however that players of Cassano's ability will always be wanted, even if he ends up becoming a journeyman like Baggio who ended his playing days between Bologna, Inter and Brescia.

Serie B: Novara set to make the double jump

It was only a year ago that Novara had put themselves back on the calcio map once again. Having finished 8th in Serie A in 1952 success for the piedmont based club has been quite hard to come by. Indeed, the club had spent years rotting in Serie C2 until winning that division in the 2002-2003 campaign. However, last year saw them play Milan in the Coppa Italia. The occasion didn't mean much to the Rossoneri but for the Novara it meant everything to play at one of the cathedral's of European football and it seemed as if ther whole of their fanbase had come along as they packed the lower tier of the Curva Nord. This day in the sun ended in a 2-1 defeat, but promotion to Serie B, for the first time in 33 years, put the icing on the cake of a fine season and put Novara back on the map. However, it seems this smattering of success has not ended here. Back into Serie B Novara are running away with the Championship and and sit three points clear of Atalanta and five points clear of Siena, both of which were in Serie A last season. Along with Siena they have the best home record in the division, 8 wins and 2 draws, but they've also won four games on the road as well as their campaign approaches the half way stage.

Looking at Novara's squad it's hard not to notice the name of the once Inter Milan forward Nicola Ventola on their books, a player who was in their promotion campaign from Serie C1 last season. Nonetheless, Forwards Cristian Bertani and Argentine Pablo Gonzalez have both scored 11 goals a piece this season forming the most deadly partnership in the division. It's statistics like this that point towards a promotion this campaign and not one of survival which surely would have been the target at the start of the season.

All Things Calcio Half term 'Team of the Season'

Whose made the grade for the team of the season so far in this 3-4-3 formation...

In Goal....

Cristian Abbiati (Milan): If ever there was an underrated goalkeeper, then Abbiati fits the bill. A rock in the San Siro fortress so far this campaign he has come up with big save after big save and has rarely made a mistake. His experience could be key for Milan in Europe this season.

In defence...

Alessandro Nesta (Milan): When fit there is still few better, arguably none in all honesty. Along with Silva Nesta has marshaled Milan into the tightest D in the league. No question that Milan will need him in their line up for the whole season if it is to be successful.

Thiago Silva (Milan): A rock at the back for Milan. Hard to belief this is only his second season with the club but he has learned well of the master 'Nesta', of that there is no doubt. Milan have the best defence in the league and Silva is the second reason why.

Federico Balzaretti (Palermo): I can't be the only one impressed with Balzaretti's searing runs down the left flank of the Favourita in Palermo. Often Balzaretti is involved in Palermo's positive attacking play and he has been rewarded with a call up to the Azzurri this season. 

In midfield....

Milos Krasic (Juventus): Some were dubious over his arrival from the Russian top flight. But there is no doubt anymore. He's arguably been the best player in the league this season with his explosive pace being a huge weapon for Juventus that along with Fabio Quagliarella has launched Juve into contention. Goals, assists, pace and a top notch passing ability have given Juve fans there answer to Pavel Nedved.

Hernanes (Lazio): Cool, calm and collected describe the Brazilian in my opinion. He's taken to European football like a duck to water and has turned Lazio's midfield in one of the best in the league. His footwork is outstanding and he has left some of the best defenders in the league for dead this season. Five goals as well so far is a tidy return.

Javier Pastore (Palermo): The explosive Pastore has dipped in form as Christmas approached but there can be no denying him a place in this team. The comparisons to Kaka are obvious but at just 21 he is arguably a better finisher than the Brazilian already. On his day unplayable.

Marek Hamsik(Napoli)

If it's consistency you want then Hamsik is your answer. Seven goals, the same as Pastore, is his total so far but he has run the Napoli midfielder like a true box to box midfielder supplying the ammunition for Cavani and Lavezzi upfront. It seems like he's been doing this for years now, is he really only 23? At this rate he is on for 15 goals this season. Not bad for a midfielder. 

In attack...

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Milan): Zlatan returned to Serie A and once again finds himself in a team leading the league. Where he goes, he wins and his 13 goals and 8 assists in Serie A and Europe combined are proof of his imput. Additionally, his partnership with Robinho has been a pleasure to watch.

Samuel Eto'o (Inter); The best forward in the world, without question. Goals from anywhere and everywhere in explosive Eto'o fashion have been the only saving grace of Inter's season so far. If he was not suspended for three games for a Zidane style headbutt against Chievo then he would have improved on his 19 goals in 18 games this season.

Edinson Cavani (Napoli): The big money move of the Summer from Napoli has delivered in supreme fashion. Wanted across the continent Cavani signed up to play on Maradona's old stomping ground and so far along with Di Natale leads the top scorers chart with 10 goals, not to mention his 7 goals in Europe this season. His goals against Lecce and Twente this season will live long in the memory.

Merry Christmas

A Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all 'All things calcio' readers!

Serie A half term report: Benitez expelled

It's time for the infamous half term report. No, not from school or college but from Serie A as we delve deeper into the ongoings of calcio to see who's good enough to be on Santa's list this Christmas, or whose going to be handed a bit of coal instead.

Top of the class

One team with A grade's down the line is Napoli. Despite having European distractions Napoli currently sit in second place just three points behind Milan. With Edinson Cavani replacing Fabio Quagliarella in the Summer optimism was high about the young Uruguayan coming to town, but few would have expected the top notch rate  of goal production that he has produced. Since coming up from Serie B a few years ago the Napoli project has hit top gear. They've held onto their best players in Marek Hamsik and Lavezzi, whilst adding quality in the off season over their return to Serie A. Can they get better and hit the top of the league? We will no more about their capabilities after their double header against Inter and Juve in the coming rounds. 

AC Milan are also being given top marks. The additions of Robinho and Ibrahimovic added flare to go along with the brilliant young Brazilian Pato. Not to mention Kevin Prince Boateng whose signing has proved to be a master stroke as he continues to impress in his first season at a top club. If that wasn't enough Antonio Cassano seems set to arrive. But, the real success has been on the pitch. Despite not quite delivering in the big games, as defeats to Roma, Real Madrid and Juve have shown, Milan have been consistent against the so called smaller sides this term, something that in recent seasons has not always been the case. However, if it leads to the Scudetto, which I think it will, no Milanista's will be complaining. 

Doing good, but could do better

Juventus, in my opinion, fall under this category. A season in which they have pulled off some impressive results, without actually setting a real challenge at the top as of yet. Five points off the top however is not too much to catch up and under Del Neri they are a much better side than they were last season, despite going out of Europe all too early for their high standards. Too many draws has also been advanced at them as a side, and if they had converted just one of their seven into three points they would be in a extreamly strong position as things stand. However, they've only been beaten twice all season long, the last time coming in week four of the season in September. Scudetto contenders? Yes, and if they spend in January they could be well on the way to being the force they used to be. 

Bottom of the class

Inter Milan: After the heroics of last season, this campaign has so far been something of an anti-climax for all Inter fans out there. Yes, they could still win it all once again. But there has undoubtedly been a drop in intensity from Inter even with the huge injury crisis that they have suffered. Blame it all on Benitez may been somewhat unfair, but his cold touchline demeanour seems not to have the same effect as the all action, all power, showmanship of Mourinho. That being said Benitez should have received some funds for transfer activity to leave his mark on the team. But now Inter will be looking for a new coach and one wonders whether President Moratti will be as reluctant to invest again in this mercato after the somewhat average start to the season

Bari: After a great season last year for the Southern side this campaign has been one of total disaster as they sit rock bottom of the division. There last win was registered against Brescia in late September, and this contrasts to their excellent start to the season where they handed Juve the first of only their second defeats so far in a 1-0 win at the San Nicola. Perhaps it's been the injury issues that this side have suffered, perhaps the loss of Ranocchia and Bonucci at centre back has hit harder than first imagined, perhaps it second season syndrome. Whatever the problem time is running our for coach Giuseppe Ventura, which is a shame after his excellent work in the last campaign. Bari would be a loss to Serie A given their solid attendances and passionate fans in the curva, but it is looking ominous as things stand.

Calcio Video: Edinson Cavani attempts to break the net in Naples while Quagliarella is head over heals with his finish

Two of the best goals your see this season...

Serie A: Milan, winter Champions as title race opens up

AC Milan are crowned winter Champions. We knew this a week ago, but this round provided conformation of it and it's significance cannot be denied as in most cases whoever tops the table at Christmas will top it come week 38 in May. However, Milan's crowning as winter Champions saw them slip up a home to a determined Roma side, who absorbed everything Milan could throw at them before Milan's 'old friend' Marco Boriello put the Lupi in front midway through the second half. In truth Milan never looked like scoring after that, and really only looked there devastating selves in the first 10 minutes or so where a superb chance engineered by Robinho was squeezed past the far post under the Curva Nord after he tied Mexes in knots. The defeat was a blow to Milan, there fourth at home to Roma in their last five attempts, but arguably the biggest blow was the injury to Andrea Pirlo who looks set to be out a month. That being said Milan will look over their shoulders and seem themselves five points ahead of Juve, seven ahead of Roma and 13 ahead of Inter, who do have two games in hand, and be very very happy with their season so far.

Keeping up the chase however are Lazio and Napoli, as Juve fell by the way side in Verona having conceded a last minute Sergio Pellissier goal  after fabio Quagliarella opened with a contender for goal of the season. Lazio squeezed out a win at home to Udinese in an end to end pulsating clash. Having taken the lead twice, with star Hernanes on the mark again, Udinese pulled them back twice and confirmed there significant improvement this season under Francesco Guidolin. However, Udinese lost out thanks to an own goal from Cristian Zapata in the latter stages. Napoli also left it late and again Edinson Cavani answered the call with a breathtaking goal from distance after dancing around the Lecce midfield. It was his 17 goal in 25 games this season as his confirmed his rise to an elite Serie A player. Palermo, another side reaching for the stars, failed in their bid to keep pace with the leaders as ten man Bari pegged them back in 1-1 draw.

At the bottom of the table despite their point Bari look in deep trouble as things stand. However, Cesena pulled their heads above water with a win over Cagliari and joined Brescia and Lecce on 15 points. It's tight in the lower half of the table but Bologna would have been pleased with their point in the derby against Parma to leave them both comfortable as things stand. Catania can also consider themselves in a similar shape as Maxi Lopez hit the winner against Brescia.

The big game of the round, the Genoa derby, was sadly postponed due to adverse weather.

Calcio comment: Italian clubs avoid bigger tests

Many feared the worst for the Italian clubs when the draw for the second round of the Champions League was made on Friday. With all the Serie A sides finishing up second in their groups there remained the potential for nightmare second round draws for them, against Barcelona, Real Madrid , Chelsea and Manchester United most notably. The good news for Milan, Inter and Roma is that avoided all of the above and instead will face Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Shakhtar Donestsk respectively. All games will be tough in the second phase of this competition no doubt, but the feeling in Italy is that it could have been much much worse for the Serie A sides this year. All three Italian clubs will fancy their chances here, but will be aware of the potential dangers that each of the three opposing sides can create. 

Arguably the most interesting of the three fixtures in a repeat of last years final as Inter are reunited with Bayern again. The Germans will no doubt be out for revenge but much like Inter have experienced a poor start to their domestic campaign leaving themselves well of the pace of the Bundesliga title. Both sides as well have experienced big injury problems which have hampered them so far this season. However, these factors will be likely irrelevant when they face of in February for a place in the Quarter finals. Motivation will take over for both sides knowing that victory here could galvanise a path to the final, like it did for both sides last year.

Tottenham will once again travel to Milan but this time face the Rossoneri. Based on this season alone it will be a tougher test for the London side, but with Gareth Bale they have a player who can exploit Milan's weakest positions, their full backs. However, the Italian league leaders have an abundance of mussel in midfield and real quality up front. Lets not forget that they are top in Serie without the help, for much of the season, of Alex Pato. 

Roma however have Shakhtar Donetsk, and this will be a tough game. Having beaten Arsenal to their group leadership the side from Ukraine are not to be taken lightly. Roma will want to build up a home advantage before having to play the second leg. However, under Claudio Ranieri they have improved as the season has progressed.

In the Europa League Napoli will entertain Villareal in a game that see's two teams having super seasons clash. Napoli have grown in strength under Walter Mazzari and of late have been grinding out wins, showing the sort of form that Champions do. However, Villareal are a polished European outfit. A win here for Napoli will raise their profile across Europe no doubt.

Calcio comment: Napoli up to second now, time to be taken seriously?

Napoli have been slow burning into fruition for some time now. The De Laurentis project has been taking shape since their meteoric rise from Serie C back to where they belong in Serie A, but the question is are we now at a stage where it can be considered to have peaked? For me, the answer is clearly no.

Napoli are are one of the most exciting teams to watch in Serie A. Whether it be the endless hustle of Lavezzi, the passing precision of Hamsik of the sheer quality in finishing ability of Cavani they are at times a joy to watch. However, they have changed, if this season is anything to go by. They've begun churning out three points when really, they haven't deserved them. Tonight against Genoa they to some degree were on the back foot in the second half, though it could be said that Napoli should have buried the game by then. But, as has been said time and time again in football folk law, winning when you don't play that well is the hallmark of Champions. It's a little too early to consider Napoli as worthy of than mantle but all the while they remain three points from the summit then they will be regarded as a top class side, and rightly so. It's not just the input of Hamsik, Lavezzi and Cavani that has taken them to this position. The threat of Maggio down the right channel and the solid presence of Italy international Morgan De Sanctis in goal have exacerbated their quality this season and have made them a team to be feared. 

This, for me at least, is no flash in the pan. Their 6th placed finish last season was in my opinion something of an understatement. They remain a superior side to Sampdoria and Palermo, who finished above them last year, and in Cavani have added a weapon that can hurt any side in world football with 15 goals in just 21 games this season so far confirming that notion. With Lecce up next for the Azzurri will be confident of ending this year on 33 points. Ahead of Inter, Palermo, Samp, Fiorentina and Roma for certain. It's no small achievement and with the mentality of De Laurentis at the helm their is no reason for believing that it will stop there. It sure is an exciting time to be a Napoli fan, I would imagine.

No Inter , probably for the best for the Interista's for now

Inter will sit this round out because of the Club world cup, probably for the best from their viewpoint. Currently they are getting beaten left right and centre by practically any team that takes to the pitch against them. Most recent was an absolute demolition job by Werder Bremen, a team that had nothing to play for as they were already eliminated from the Champions League. Conversely, Inter had everything to play for. A win would have allowed them to top the group, and avoid nightmare draws against Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United or Real Madrid but they barely mustered an attack, let alone a chance, against the German side. Rafa Benitez said it was a game they didn't have to win, but come the Champions League draw next Friday one wonders whether he will regret saying that. 

It's an understatement to say that this season so far has been a total anti-climax if you like this season, a hangover from the glorious night before. They've already been beaten four times in Serie A this season by Lazio, Roma, Milan and Chievo and for their punishment sit ten points behind city rivals Milan. And, whilst it is true they have been injury ravaged some of the performances have simply beggared believe, and would not have been seen on Mourinho's watch last season. There has been a drop in intensity and a focus on ball retention as opposed to the shape counter attacking style that destroyed all comers last season. Additionally, a lack of investment in the summer has caught Inter with their trousers down. With Milito injured and no Balotelli sold Pandev has often had to lead the line, especially with Eto'o suspended and with all due respect to the former Lazio player he has not looked like Inter Milan calibre. B

But these problems are certainly not enough to see Rafa Benitez escape criticism. His bewildering reliance on Marco Materazzi, in the derby especially, left Inter exposed to the pace and power of Milan's Ibrahimovic and Robinho. It would have been better for him to have played Santon at right back in that match allowing Cordoba to sit in at centre back, but that was not to be and Inter slumped to their first home defeat in the league since Juve conquered them in 2008. Many have said Benitez took on an impossible task, winning the treble was always going to be an insurmountable mountain to overcome and even at this stage winning the Scudetto seems very difficult indeed. With Milan having two winnable games before the winter break Inter could find themselves miles off the pace. This leaves Europe as the priority and Moratti will want to taste European glory again. To do that he'll need to pray for a fully fit squad, a signing or two in Jan and maybe a new manager as well before their season is well and truly pissed up the wall.

Calcio Vid: Lazio took on Inter, and surprisingly put them to bed with ease

Lazio steamroll Inter, Milan destroy Brescia and Napoli and Juve join the breakaway

Lazio put European Champions Inter to the sword, and they fell upon it at the Olimpico on Friday night falling to a 3-1 reverse to the Aquile. It could, and arguably should, have been worse, but Goran Pandev pulled a goal back after Biava and Mauro Zarate gave Lazio a 2-0 lead after 55 minutes. Pandev's goal allowed Inter to pile on the pressure, but Hernanes calmed the nerves with a freekick that left Inter's injury ravaged lineup pointless, and down to 5th in the table. With that in mind city rivals Milan rubbed salt into the growing blue and black wounds on Saturday night, with old friend Zlatan Ibrahimovic architect and executioner in explosive fashion either side of a Robinho goal. All that happened in the first half, leaving Milan with little to do in the second aside from rest a few legs and strut across the San Siro pitch.

With Milan and Lazio steaming away at the top both Napoli and Juve have broked away from the mini group of teams still in touching distance at the top to launch their title challenge. Juve ended Catania's long home unbeaten run last night with Fabio Quagliarella star of the show. He should have had a hatrick but had a goal wrongly disallowed when it was clearly over the line. Still, he made up with it with his second goal, catching Catania's Argentine goalkeeper Andujar off his line with a classic Quagliarella stunner. For Napoli it was not quite as comfortable, and after lots of huffing and puffing tonight it took a last gasp Cristian Maggio goal, with Cavani assisting, to settle the game against Palermo in injury time.

In the chasing pack, both Genoa clubs were victorious pulling themselves back into contention while Roma blew a two goal lead against Chievo to stall their ambitions for a while. Fiorentina put a win on the board against Catania but are still four points behind the bulk of the chasing pack at this point in the season. With a trip away to Udinese next up for them, they may remain off the pace for a while yet as they will look to make up for an away defeat to Hernan Crespo's Parma.

Bologna were victorious in Cesena after their one point penalty deduction for financial irregularities midweek, and have pulled themselves away from the bottom four whom look set to battle relegation this season. Lecce, Brescia, Cesena and somewhat surprisingly Bari are beginning to slip significantly behind Bologna in 16th, and look set to have a long and difficult season ahead of them.