UEFA
So as the last 16 is set to start next week, there’s a lot less expectation on this blog and other predictions as there is on Italian teams .. 3 out of 4 Italian teams qualified from the group stages, with only Juventus failing to qualify.
Juventus have had problems in the league too so this is maybe not to unexpected, 3 teams qualifying is as good as any other country management this year, so so far so good for Seria A .. but the draw in both European competitions (Champions and Europa Leagues alike) have been unkind and the Seria A representatives will have to be at their best! the true test starts Now!
Fiorentina
Of the 3 that qualified, surprisingly Fiorentina was the only one to top their group!
A group featuring CL stalwarts Olympique Lyon and Liverpool, Impressive performances from the Viola were rewarded in the worse way .. Bayern Munich!!
Only 5 of the 8 teams that qualified 2nd were eligible to be drawn against Fiorentina .. and in that lot Bayern is by no doubt the strongest and after knocking out Juventus with a thumping 4-1 victory in Turin, the group runner-ups will go into this tie as favourites!
And this tie carries a lot more than is just seen on the surface, as the all important fight for co-efficient is between Italy and the German Bundesliga .. with Wolfsburg crashing out, and Stuttgart drawing reining
champs Barcelona .. a lot rides on Bayern doing well, so a Fiorentina win would go along way to securing the 4th UCL spot remains a Seria A privelage.
Last season saw all 3 Italian teams in the last 16 draw English opposition, this year is little different, with 2 of the 3 getting EPL teams! Last season the English teams won all 3 direct encounters! Seria A has a lot to make up! To add to the prestige it’s the top two teams in each countries logs which will face each other ..
Inter Milan
Lets start with Inter, they’ve in fact drawn English opposition in the last 16 for three years running, the Liverpool lose 2 years ago was the beginning of the end for Mancini! Last year Man Utd were good and Inter unlucky, as an Ibra carried squad failed to perform when Ibra didn’t score, and this year Chelsea’s up! The in-form English team led by old enemy Carlo Ancelotti! Chelsea have had good runs in Europe’s top competition with out winning it, they’ve manage at least a semi-final appearance in the last 3 editions of the tournament.
But Mourinho will know this team well having led them to their most successful period in their history!
Inter have looked like European hopefuls for a few seasons now, and in that respect this season is no different, however any one who watches Inter know this season they are VERY different, for one Zlatan is gone, and they’ve changed the their attitude and look on the field as they’ve been forced to play more as a team and rely less on just one player, so in many ways they’ve gained as much as they’ve lost with the big Swede.
However a sobering game at the Nou camp where the Italian Champions were made to look like headless chickens .. is a reminder that they’re maybe still way off from able to challenge for the Cup – in contrast Chelsea was 1 penalty away from the highest honour and cruised through their group stage finishing top.. so you must say Chelsea are favourites to take this tie, and unless Mourinho comes up with something “special” it’ll be the same outcome again for the Italian champions!
AC Milan
Lastly Milan! They are the Italian team with the best European pedigree .. over the last 20 years they have consistently challenged and won in Europe, and with( besides the Derby) an awesome domestic form will be looked on as Seria A’s best hope.
But they however have a Big Challenge ahead .. finalists for two years running Manchester United! Recently these teams had some great battle, Kaka ousting Ronaldo one year, only to be undone by the Portuguese player the year later .. now both are at Real Madrid and the two teams are doing well without their former Star Players..
Besides the recent rivalry which sits at 1 -1, This draw has much to be talked about, Beckham returning to Old Trafford, and although he still has exceptional crosses and passes, he isn’t the player that once ruled the Premier League!
I feel if Pato is back he would be a better option, hopefully Leonardo can find a way to slot both these players in, they’ll need both if they going to challenge United.
Domestically Ronaldinho and Rooney have been carrying their respective teams and will be good to see if they can do it in Europe .. Ronaldinho being favourite here as he did it with Barca, Rooney won the CL, but was without a doubt in Ronaldo’s shadow that season more than any other.
Both teams have been struggling with injuries in defence, which gap fillers will come out tops?
Since United finished top and have recent great runs in Europe I’d say they favourites on paper, but in reality this is the closest draw of the lot
So officially all 3 Italian teams are expected to lose! This is not where the state of Italian football should be! Lets hope after this round of games we have a bit of a different perspective and opinion on the Italian teams!
The Champions League is the benchmark by which people judge football and the state of your league and Seria A needs I’d say 2 teams in the quarters to be respected, but 1 would be a bare minimum to be taken seriously.. 3 fails would be catastrophic.
Having All 3 teams progressing is not completely impossible, Fact is each 3 individual team can win their respective tie!
Put your money where your mouth is:
Inter through on away goal – Mourinho getting one back at Abramovich
Milan win at home but get slaughtered at Old Trafford, and crash out
Fiorentina score an away goal, but can’t put it to good use and fail to win
in the 2nd leg at home.
1/3 and all rides on wether or not Inter can leave a real mark on the tournament and not just spoil it for Chelsea.
