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By Daniel Lucci.
The packed Serie A schedule got here to a halt for the vacations, and what a loopy marketing campaign it has been up to now.
We’ve got witnessed some unbelievable matches with controversial calls, unbelievable comebacks and sensational objectives.
Heading into the brief winter break, AC Milan had been the winners of the winter Scudetto. Sadly for them, successful the winter Scudetto means nothing and so they might want to proceed their spectacular type all through the remainder of the marketing campaign in the event that they plan to prime Serie A as soon as once more.
The likes of Inter, Roma, Napoli and Juventus is not going to go away quietly as soon as play resumes on Sunday.
How did we get right here? What wants to alter for the trailing groups for them to turn into actual contenders? And what do Milan must do to maintain up their spectacular type? Let’s have a look.
Milan
The Rossoneri got here flying out of the gates and a late purpose by Theo Hernandez gave them an unbelievable 3-2 win in opposition to Lazio of their closing match of 2020. Milan have held onto first place in Serie Some time sustaining an undefeated file by the primary 14 matches.
Although they’ve collected 34 factors with ten wins and 4 attracts, what has actually stood is Milan’s unbelievable teamwork. It appears it doesn’t matter what has been thrown their approach in these turbulent instances, they’ve all the time managed to gather essential factors.
Accidents to some notable gamers comparable to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Simon Kjaer, Ismael Bennacer, have meant different faces have wanted to step up at essential instances.
Hernandez is having a career-season, Franck Kessie has been a rock, Hakan Calhanoglu has helped make issues click on, and Alessio Romagnoli continues to be a strong chief.
Stefano Pioli is undoubtedly getting the perfect out of his group and continues to get assist from his squad gamers at essential moments.
With a possible tweak or two within the January switch window, Milan might be much more harmful in 2021.
If the Rossoneri hope to remain on the prime of the desk, Pioli might want to hold his squad firing on all cylinders, particularly with cross-town rivals Inter only one level behind them.
Inter
After a really disappointing Champions League exit, which noticed Inter end backside of their group, issues look to have circled for Antonio Conte’s and his aspect.
After an essential 2-1 victory over Hellas Verona the Nerazzurri have now received seven straight and their one Serie A loss this season got here in opposition to their metropolis rivals.
Romelu Lukaku continues to attain essential objectives and stays to be a focus within the Inter assault.
With Inter at present on a roll, and not having to fret about midweek Champions League or Europa League matches, they could pose the largest menace to Milan.
Roma
Roma could also be one of the inconsistent sides in Serie A this season however nonetheless discover themselves sitting in third place.
With an 8-3-3 file, Roma have regarded good at instances however have additionally suffered a number of embarrassing losses, most notably the 4-0 defeat to Napoli and a 4-1 collapse in opposition to Atalanta.
The verdicts on supervisor Paulo Fonseca appeared to be blended among the many Roma followers, however after shedding a number of gamers in the summertime, together with lacking arguably their finest participant in Nicolo Zaniolo resulting from a protracted harm, the Giallorossi proceed to be a difficult opponent for any aspect.
Veteran attackers Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pedro Rodriguez have actually stepped up, particularly when Edin Dzeko has struggled.
Third-place Roma might be internet hosting second-place Inter shortly after play resumes in 2021, and that match could present us if the Giallorossi are contenders or simply pretenders.
Napoli
After a fairly uninspired draw in opposition to Torino to finish their 2020 marketing campaign, fifth-place Napoli have regarded harmful at instances, however they too discover themselves missing consistency.
Leaving it very late to salvage a 1-1 draw in opposition to twentieth place Torino was actually not the way in which the Partenopei hoped to enter the brand new yr.
After back-to-back losses to Inter and Lazio, adopted by the draw in opposition to Torino, Gennaro Gattuso’s males discover themselves struggling, though they’re hanging onto the fifth spot.
Latest accidents to Dries Mertens, Kalidou Koulibaly, Hirving Lozano and Victor Osimhen have hindered their performances, but when they need to problem on the prime they must discover methods to gather victories even with accidents.
It’s essential to keep in mind that Napoli received their enchantment concerning the Covid-19 cancelled recreation in opposition to Juventus, which implies Napoli, together with Juve, have performed 13 matches as an alternative of 14. The rivals will now need to face one another twice within the new yr.
Juventus
Juventus’ closing recreation of 2020 resulted in humility, as they misplaced 3-0 at residence to Cesare Prandelli’s Fiorentina, and there’s no denying the Bianconeri have struggled at instances this season beneath new boss Andrea Pirlo.
Pirlo’s squad is at present caught in sixth place, although it’s secure to say if their performances don’t enhance, it will likely be robust for them to maneuver out of that spot.
Similar to Juventus’ inconsistency this season, their star in Paulo Dybala has had his justifiable share of points. The 27-year-old has not performed practically to the extent he was eventually season or years earlier. He had additionally been coping with a lingering harm which may probably be a purpose as to why we now have not seen the perfect from Dybala.
With the quantity of expertise he possesses, his type may change within the blink of an eye fixed. Each he and everybody else at Juventus might be hoping that occurs sooner fairly than later.
With an action-packed 2021 schedule forward of them, Juve higher hope they discover their type quickly or else they will kiss their tenth straight Scudetto goodbye.
Within the new yr, the Bianconeri must play two matches in opposition to Napoli, Inter and Milan, absolutely these six video games will make or break their season.
Serie A Transfers
With such a decent schedule within the second half of the season, many groups will look to bolster their squads throughout the January transfer window.
For starters, Milan could look so as to add some depth to their depleted backline, together with probably including one other attacker to assist protect the well being of Ibrahimovic who, at 39 years outdated, is unable to play as usually as he as soon as may.
Rumours are circulating that Milan are eager about Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez of Atalanta, who seems set to depart in January after a falling out with Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini.
They’ve additionally been linked with a transfer for Torino captain, Andrea Belotti. Though, with Torino at present making an attempt to climb out of the relegation zone it will be extremely unlikely they half methods with their finest participant and captain in January. Belotti has additionally by no means acknowledged his need to depart the membership, at the least not up to now.
On the opposite aspect of the town, Conte’s Inter are all the time trying so as to add veteran depth to the squad, which makes their very own hyperlinks with signing Papu Gomez unsurprising. He would definitely add some attacking depth to Inter’s lineup, and will probably take a few of the stress off Lukaku.
Different rumours have talked about that Eriksen could also be on his approach out of Inter after becoming a member of solely a yr in the past. It’s evident that he and Conte haven’t seen eye to eye, as issues haven’t clicked since his transfer from Tottenham. His departure may hand the Nerazzurri some extra January funds, which Conte would like to reinvest instantly.
With their new house owners taking up in the summertime, Roma could not have the funds to do something large throughout this winter switch window, however it will not be stunning in the event that they made a transfer for one more striker to assist out the ageing Dzeko.
The Roma captain has regarded removed from his finest up to now this season, and giving him some much-needed relaxation could also be finest for Roma in the event that they plan to remain in a top-four spot and problem for the Scudetto.
A big enhance for the Giallorossi could be getting Nicolo Zaniolo again as quickly as attainable. The return of the 21-year-old could be like a brand new signing for Roma, and would definitely assist their assault.
The principle concern for Gattuso’s Napoli is getting everybody match. As soon as Gattuso has all his deputies again in service, they may possess a squad of nice depth which may pose a menace to any group.
With that mentioned, Napoli could need to think about an improve at left-back. That appears to be their weakest place this season and with a January enhance of returning gamers and a savvy signing at full-back, who is aware of what is feasible for Gattuso’s Napoli?
With quite a few new faces becoming a member of in the summertime and lack of funds, it’ll be difficult for Juventus to make any large splashes this January.
With the potential exit of Sami Khedira, some funds might be recouped however evidently not sufficient to usher in a star participant.
The Bianconeri have been linked with quite a few backup strikers, full-backs, and even midfielders, however making all these strikes in midseason is nearly not possible.
What’s for sure is that Fabio Paratici and the Juventus hierarchy must be artistic and spend correctly in the event that they hope to make again the factors they’ve misplaced so as to full for the title as soon as once more.
The season is an extended, robust journey for any group that desires to realize the glory of successful the Scudetto and the subsequent few months might be essential for any group wishing to problem on the prime of the desk. All followers can hope for is extra jaw-dropping objectives and nail-biting matches.
Former Milan legend and present technical director Paolo Maldini mentioned it completely: “Milan are dreaming and so they don’t need to cease doing it. Above all, we is not going to surrender.”
There’s nonetheless numerous soccer to be performed and it’s robust to say who will find yourself on prime, however each fan will naturally be hoping their favorite group is ready to carry the coveted trophy. Could the perfect group win.
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