9 Things We Learned This Weekend: Giornata 30

Matchday 30 was pivotal for the scudetto, relegation spots, and the Champions’ League positions. One hero has fallen, another has been revived, and one team is as good as gone. And yes, it’s Bari.

1. Serie A is as tight as ever. 10 games played, 21 goals scored. No team won by more than two goals. As the season winds down, each and every point becomes precious as teams try to reach objectives. All games are vital from here on out.
2. Udinese are the real deal. A 2-0 win over Catania actually shot the side up to third before Napoli played the late game, with the Champions’ League firmly in the hands of Guidolin’s side. As long as the side keep winning- and little suggests they won’t- it will be theirs at the end of the season. Alex Sanchez, however, may be another story.
3. Gigi Buffon has fallen. Since his return from injury, Buffon has looked rather shaky. He’s alternated great performances with horrible blunders, and committed another of the latter against Brescia today. Goalies tend to need long run-outs to regain form, but Buffon’s decline is rather shocking and sad to see for a man who once appeared impenetrable.
4. Even with defensive mistakes, Juve can win… at least against lower sides. Sometimes. As they did against Brescia, their first win in five. It sure helped that Milos Krasic returned to goalscoring form, and that capitano Alessandro Del Piero put the game away. However, the goal Juve conceded was comical, due to some horrendous defending in the box. A better side would’ve punished the team more severely. Gigi Del Neri must tighten the rear of his ship, which have conceded more goals than Bologna and Brescia themselves this season.

5. Giampaolo Pazzini is a second half player. Six goals for Inter since his move, all after the 45th minute mark. Most were vital as well- winners against Lecce and Fiorentina, the opener and tier against Palermo, the tying goal against Genoa. That’s at least 8 points for his new club. A fantastic acquisition.
6. And Sampdoria miss him. The side, this year, are absolutely awful. They played at home against Parma in what was a relegation battle for the two sides, surely the most under-performing in all of Serie A. Parma got the goal they needed via Zaccardo, and when it was Sampdoria’s turn to equalize, Massimo Maccarone skied the penalty. The side are now a mere three points from the drop.
7. The Scudetto race will depend largely upon the derby. Milan’s loss against Palermo and Inter’s win against Lecce let the second place team gain three points on the league leaders. And what’s next gameday? Why the Milan derby, a true six pointer if ever there was one. Milan must do it without Zlatan but are winless since his suspension.
8. Bari are going down. Mathematically the side may have a small chance, but in reality, they’re already in Serie B. The side are 12 points from safety and have only amassed 17 points all campaign. The other relegation spots look likely to be occupied by two of Lecce, Brescia, Cesena, Sampdoria, Catania, or Parma, all of which are at most four points from the drop. The relegation race is far more open than the scudetto one.
9. And Cavani is back. Edinson was just too quiet for too long, wasn’t he? He was instrumental in Napoli’s win over Cagliari, notching twice. Napoli are just one point behind Inter and three behind Milan. The Scudetto race is back on for Walter Mazzari’s side. The second from Edinson was a thing of beauty. Watch for the great pass from Marek Hamsik:

Hero of the Week: Francesco Totti. 201 goals in Serie A says it all. The Roma captain is four behind legendary Roberto Baggio, and there’s little to suggest he won’t surpass him, perhaps by the end of this campaign. Say what you will about his attitude and petulance, but the man is a true goalscorer and an all time great.

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Category: Serie A