Hamad Bahrouh

Most Calcio Fans have witnessed one of the least entertaining brands of football these last couple of years. But will Italian football rediscover its best again? Inter started the season as hot favourites and have lived up to this tag. That being said, some suspicious events have caused havoc recently, with many labelling the Neruzzurri, the “new Juventus”. In a time where Milan are too old, and Juventus too young, and Roma too few. Considering that Milan, the only squad that has the ability and potential to compete with Inter are virtually out of the title race, whilst Roma, who many would look to for sort of challenge sit 8 points behind, one must wonder: Is the title race over?

In all honesty, Inter have been caught up in a few very controversial refereeing errors, some of which have cost other teams their title hopes, but assuming that the refereeing has gone there way is one thing, accusing them of cheating is another. As far as strength and team mentality is concerned, I bow to the almighty Inter, they have been marvellous this season, and considering that Roma have only lost two games so far, we have to acknowledge that Inter are just unstoppable. They have a squad of about 30 world class players that includes the likes of, Figo, Cambiasso, Zanetti, Ibrahimovic and Materazzi, and the list doesn’t end there.

Having all those players in one team, managed by an improved coach Roberto Mancini makes you wonder what this team is actually capable of. Truth be told the black and blue have THE strongest team on paper in Europe and maybe even the world. I’m not exaggerating when I say Inter could field two teams in the league and both could be battling it out for number one spot. With so many players who could play more than one role in the squad, not only will they not suffer, but they could afford to lose a host of players and still be well equipped to play in all 3 major competitions.

Besides having a world class squad, Inter have a very tactically aware team. They also have an amazing defence which has only conceded a meagre 13 times in 22 matches played, this always proves to be the difference in Serie A. Inter play a host of formations, and Mancini has bedazzled opponents with his tactical superiority, I remember it like it was yesterday, how he played with a 6 man midfield against title rivals AS Roma and totally demolished them, closing up every little gap in the midfield area and putting the Romans under immense pressure in the first half.

Reasons why Milan are under-performing is a subject of fierce debate amongst critics, as words cannot begin to describe how good Milan’s squad is. Pirlo, Kaka, Seedorf, Maldini, Nesta and Gattuso are all winners, and Carlo Ancelotti isn’t much of a loser as either. Their lack of attacking options isn’t an actual reason for the team under-performing, and goalkeeping blunders cannot define a team’s inability to win against relegation battling sides. If we want to take a closer look at how Milan started playing this season, we will find that the first choice 11 are absolute superstars and can win a game single handily. However the forever injured Ronaldo has baffled everyone. We all wish him a speedy recovery but obviously he hasn’t had much impact on the Rossoneri this season as he has been out for almost the entire season. Pato is a youngster and putting the World Champions fait upon his shoulders and another 18 year old Paloschi is just unacceptable.

In my humble opinion Milan need to boost their squad with fresh new young faces, the likes of Juan Vargas, Zambrotta and Barzagli to equip the defence, Hamsik to boost the midfield, Quagliarella or Lavezzi in attack, but most importantly, a goalkeeper is an absolute requirement. A host of players have been linked in the past, but I personally would recommend, Frey, Boruc or Curci,  Milan need those signings more than ever, the reason being Ronaldo career is virtually over, whilst Maldini has decided to call it quits and on the other hand we have Cafu, Serginho, Emerson and Dida who are way past their prime. Milan need to rebuild, and regenerate with younger talent, as in few years time more than half of their squad will be retiring. They need to form a newer generation and give them time to gel in order to make them competitive and get back on track as we all know what this terrific team is capable of doing.

In other terms Milan needs to spend! And they need to spend big to get their squad back to the top!

Juventus are probably the shock of the season, even after a distasteful transfer campaign, signing so many fringe players and losing so many great players due to their involvement in the Calciopoli scandal, they are still holding out strong in third place. The likes of Buffon, Trezeguet, Del Piero and Iaquinta have proved to be the difference; they lived up to their top notch status and proved why they are considered world class. Whilst a host of youngsters have also proved decisive, Nocerino, Molinaro & Chellini, have without doubt answered their critics and have proved very decisive, the tinker man has also had a lot to do with the fact that Juventus are so high up the table, after being ruled out by most critics at the start of the season.

Ranieri has found the ability to get the best of his players at the times they were down the most. Claudio Ranieri’s most famous find this season has of course been, Chellini, the man many have tipped to be the new Marco Materazzi, we all remember how he marked Zlatan Ibrahimovic out of the game.

After such a good start to Serie A, Juventus were shown to still be lacking in certain areas, the Bianconeri need a play maker, and they still have to fill that vacant gap, Secco has many believing that he is incompetent and doesn’t deserve to run such a prestigious club, and with signings like Salihamidovic, Grygra, Tiago, Almiron and to top it off Sissoko, who is a defensive midfielder (Juve have plenty of those), many are asking what is going on. It’s obvious why people have questioned his ability and clearly they have a right to be so questioning. Juventus need to sign at least 2 defenders and a world class midfielder if they are to compete with Inter, Roma, Milan and Fiorentina. With the likes of Van der Vaart and Diego being linked with a move to ‘La Viccha Singiora’, I can assure the Old Lady’s fans that they will have reason to smile once more, Scudetto wise that is.

Last but not least, the Wolves of Italian football, the Giallorossi have had a very impressive season, even without their influential captain Francesco Totti, Er pupone has been suffering from back to back injuries and he has struggled to find form since the start of the year. The Giallorossi have been able to stay within touching distance of Inter but, and it is a big BUT, without a natural striker in the squad, how can the team compete with Europe’s top sides. The 8 point margin doesn’t begin to describe the difference in class between the two teams. Added depth did add more stability to the Giallorossi, but a lot more needs to be done before Roma can be challenging for major honours this season.

3 or 4 good signings would make a huge difference to the team’s chances, Quaresma, Diego, Vargas, Amauri and Di Natale have all declared their interest in joining Roma, whilst Huntelaar has also confirmed that he would love to join Roma and to play along Francesco Totti. Roma are always solid and play that free flowing magnificent one touch football that is rarely seen. However fatigue is what ruined Roma’s season last year, and it looks like it will be the case again this season. If the Giallorossi play their game, they are unstoppable.

Roma’s record of being runners up is beginning to stir chaos amongst the Romanistas and with every year when people say “This year it’s going to be Roma’s year", everyone is just left in a perpetual state of disappointment as Roma once again fail to deliver.