Serie A Mid-season Report Cards

By: Francesco | January 6th, 2009

And so, with Serie A starting up again this weekend, the second half of the season begins (although technically it begins January 25th when the girone di ritorno begins). I thought it would be a good idea to give each team a grade for their efforts so far. Serie A has been very interesting this season and has provided us with some top quality football to gaze our eyes upon. I’ll give the grades American style, from A through F. Report cards after the jump.

ATALANTA
Grade: B+
Gigi Del Neri has transformed Atalanta into a solid mid-table club that is capable of beating any team if in form. 24 points in the first half of the season and a place close to the European zone is the fruit of hard labor. Atalanta have proven to be a tough physical team that are very hard to break down and if they continue like this they should be happy at the end of the season. I would’ve given them an A if they weren’t so inconsistent.
Best Player so far: Sergio Floccari. The striker has been excellent this season and has an impressive combination of technique, power, and positioning. Could be a late-bloomer like Luca Toni.

BOLOGNA
Grade: C+
I guess we have to give Bologna some leeway since they did change ownership very late in the transfer season but their transfer campaign (besides bringing in Di Vaio and Mudingayi) was very unimpressive. They bought three unknowns from South America (Britos, Rodriguez, and Coelho) that are still unknowns. However the sacking of Daniele Arrigoni and the hiring of Sinisa Mihajlovic is what earns them the plus and what makes Bologna fans feel a little more optimistic for 2009. They already stregthened the side with the signings of Cesar, Massimo Mutarelli, and now Inter defender Tyson Rivas on loan. We’ll have to see if they can avoid the drop.
Best Player so far: Undoubtedly Marco Di Vaio. The Roman striker has found a second wind at Bologna and is the Serie A scoring leader at the moment.

CAGLIARI
Grade: B
At the beginning of the season we all thought Massimo Cellino was nuts when he fired Davide Ballardini and hired Massimiliano Allegri, who had only coached in Serie C before. And most of us thought we were right when they started dreadfully. However the team started to click and has turned their season around, becoming a tough side to beat especially at home and Allegri’s style of play has been imposed on the squad. If everything goes according to plan they shouldn’t be in relegation trouble.
Best player so far: Daniele Conti. The hardworking captain of the Sardinians has been instrumental in holding the side together. Also scored one of the goals of the season vs. Roma.

CATANIA
Grade: A-
Nobody thought Catania would be this good. Walter Zenga has put together a compact side that plays good, smart football and isn’t easy to breakdown. If you look at their roster, they don’t have many standout players which makes it even more amazing. Zenga is hoping they don’t drop their performance in the second half of the season because if they keep going like this they may even finish in a UEFA spot, but that’s only a dream right now.
Best player so far: Giuseppe Mascara. He may not be the most good-looking players in Serie A, but he is one of the most skillful. When he has a good day he is devastating to opposing defenses.

CHIEVO VERONA
Grade: C-
From the miracle 2001 season to being relegated and then winning Serie B last season, Chievo have seemed to have lost their miracle touch. This year they are probably the weakest team in Serie A, and they didn’t do much to strengthen their roster. They have been unlucky sometimes in recent weeks, but they have a Serie B caliber roster and it looks like they may have to suffer another relegation this season.
Best player so far: Stefano Sorrentino. The goalkeeper has kept them in many games and at times has made miraculous saves. But there’s only so much he can do.

FIORENTINA
Grade: B+
Although they are sitting in fourth place, they don’t get an A because we still have not seen the real Fiorentina yet this season. They are still not playing to their potential, and we have only seen glimpses of the Fiorentina of last season. Mutu still has to get back to his best, and other players have to start performing for La Viola to finish in the top 4 again. We’ll see if Prandelli can motivate them.
Best player so far: Alberto Gilardino. Gila has been reborn in Firenze and we are seeing the Parma Gilardino that all of Italy fell in love with. He is scoring in the boatloads again and is on course to win the capocannoniere title. Hopefully he stays consistent in this second half of the season.

GENOA
Grade: A
29 points and 6th place as well as playing exciting attacking football. More than this you could not ask for from the Rossoblu, and they deserve their A. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side has been excellent, especially at home, and they look like they can push for a spot in Europe next season, which would make Rossoblu fans everywhere ecstatic. Hopefully they continue like this after the break.
Best player so far: Diego Milito. The Argentine striker returned to his old club at the last minute and has become an idol for the fans yet again. His play has been stunning and he is up there in the scoring charts as well. He is absolutely vital to Genoa’s success.

INTER
Grade: A
Inter are doing what they are expected to do, win and dominate Serie A. Mourinho’s side is a machine that doesn’t look like it can be stopped (at least in Italy) and they never seem to give up, always grinding out results wherever they travel. They know how to beat the small teams, and that is very important in Serie A. We wonder if they will ever get tired however, or if the Champions League will hinder their domestic play, or if luck won’t be on their side as much, but these are all questions that will be answered once Serie A resumes.
Best player so far: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The big Swede has shown everyone that he is one of football’s great geniuses. Some things he does with the ball are jaw-dropping. But you wonder if his form drops will Inter’s form drop?

JUVENTUS
Grade: A
Claudio Ranieri’s side have proven to be extremely good and tough to beat, and have the fighting spirit of a provincial side with a never-say-die attitude. The Bianconeri are second place and are trying to catch Inter domestically but also face tough opposition in the Champions League. These upcoming weeks will be where Juventus show whether they are serious contenders in Italy and Europe.
Best player so far: It was a tough choice between Giorgio Chiellini and Amauri, but I went with Chiellini. Chiellini is the rock at the back that holds the Juventus defense together and he improves with every game. Juventus needed a leader in defense and now they have one.

LAZIO
Grade: B
An excellent start by the Biancocelesti but then a drop in form that cost them the higher places in the table. The Lazio we saw at the start of the season was great to watch. An exciting side with great ball movement and team play. But the Lazio side we saw towards the end of the first part of the season was like the Lazio we saw last season: slow, predictable, and boring. We’ll have to see if Delio Rossi can bring back the first Lazio, and if he does that they should grab a spot in Europe.
Best player so far: Mauro Zarate. We didn’t know what to expect from the little Argentine at the start of the season, but he has proven to be a great player. Extremely quick with awesome skill and technique. If he can just get his personality under control he will become a star.

LECCE
Grade: C-
Lecce didn’t do a great job on the transfer market either and their roster, like Chievo’s, is Serie B caliber. Although they have an excellent manager in Mario Berretta, he can’t work miracles if he doesn’t have a good squad at his disposal. They are rather good on the counter attack, but they really need to improve in all areas. Daniele Cacia up front has been especially disappointing.
Best player so far: Simone Tiribocchi. “Il Tir” as the Giallorossi fans call him has been the one player that has stood out for Lecce. Very strong and powerful and knows how to finish the ball.

MILAN
Grade: A-
Before the season everyone expected Milan to be neck and neck with Inter for the Scudetto, but after these months I think everyone has realized that Milan may need at least another year of transition before competing for the Scudetto again. Realistically Milan’s main goal is just to get back in the Champions League, which is looking rather likely. The defense needs to be completely redone, and that’s something they will address in the summer. Sheva hasn’t worked out so far, while Ronaldinho has shown glimpses of his former self but still needs to work hard. And now we get to witness the Beckham circus…
Best player so far: Milan’s best player in the first part of the season was undoubtedly Gennaro Gattuso, and it’s a shame he’ll be out for the rest of the year. He was the Gattuso of old, dominating the midfield and he even looked like he improved his technique. See you next year Rino.

NAPOLI
Grade: A
The Partenopei have made Napoli fans everywhere ectastic. Edy Reja’s team has been extremely exciting to watch, especially when they have a player like Lavezzi. The dream for the side is getting into the Champions League, but the UEFA Cup is a more realistic goal. While they are almost unstoppable at home at the San Paolo, their away form is where they have to improve if they want to challenge the big clubs. We’ll see what they can do once Serie A resumes.
Best player so far: Ezequiel Lavezzi. Lavezzi is starting to become idolized like Maradona was by the Napoli fans and his performances back him up. When he runs at full speed he is almost impossible to catch and his technique is excellent. So fun to watch.

PALERMO
Grade: B+
After not even qualifying for Europe last season, Maurizio Zamparini wanted to make sure Palermo could qualify this season. After the sacking of Stefano Colantuono in the first game of the season, we all thought this would be another crazy year, but the hiring of Ballardini was excellent by Zamparini, as he brought stability and excellent tactical play to Sicily. Fabrizio Miccoli has really become their catalyst and they need more good play from him to achieve their goals. The one problem they have is filling the gap that Amauri left.
Best player so far: Fabrizio Miccoli. The Romario of Salento has shown all of his quality this season, scoring beautiful goals and leading the Palermo attack. If he can keep it up Palermo show be playing in Europe next season.

REGGINA
Grade: C+
Not bad but not good either. Reggina find themselves second to last but they do have hope as Beppe Pillon is in charge now and he will impose his style of play on the team. Nevio Orlandi was just too inexperienced to be managing in Serie A and Foti made the right decision in canning him. We’ll have to see if they can pull of another miracle, but if Bernardo Corradi signs for Bologna like the rumors say it will be very tough.
Best player so far: I think it’s safe to say that this award goes to Francesco Cozza, Franco Brienza, and Bernardo Corradi equally. The attacking trio haven given their all for the Amaranto so far and they are very important to Reggina’s fortunes.

ROMA
Grade: B-
This was not the Roma we were expecting this season. We were expecting a Roma squad that would challenge for the Scudetto, but unfortunately that is not going to happen this season. They will have to give 110% to get a Champions League spot at the end of the year. That bad slump really hurt them and they have to rebound and start getting results in every game. Roma-Milan this Sunday will be an important test to see how serious they are.
Best player so far: Daniele De Rossi. Capitan Futuro is Roma’s most consistent performer and Italy’s best midfielder at the moment. He does it all and he improves every year.

SAMPDORIA
Grade: C+
After last season where we saw Samp almost qualify for the Champions League, this season has been a major disappointment. The exciting side we saw last season is non-existent and hasn’t been able to be consistent. Claudio Bellucci isn’t the same as last season where everything touched became gold, and as well as Antonio Cassano is playing, he can’t do it all himself. Sampdoria really need to find another attacking option during the transfer market, as well as a defender.
Best player so far: Antonio Cassano. Peter Pan is a changed man this season, keeping his temper in check and captaining the side like a real leader. He needs help up front though, even if he can give a little more himself.

SIENA
Grade: B-
Not bad at all from the little Tuscan side. They are very inconsistent, but on their day they are very tough to beat. Marco Giampaolo is one of the best up and coming young Italian managers and he makes his teams play smart football. Daniele Portanova has been a rock in defense, while Kharja and Galloppa have been impressive. Massimo Maccarone is always reliable for goals.
Best player so far: Daniele Portanova. Portanova has held the defense together and has really been impressive, even getting interest from Marcello Lippi.

TORINO
Grade: C
Yet again Toro are not playing to their potential. They have a squad which is capable of finishing safely mid-table yet they are embroiled in a relegation dogfight. For some reason this team just does not click. Rosina has been a ghost, and Bianchi and Amoruso haven’t been prolific upfront. We’ll see what Novellino can do with this side in the second half of the season but the Torino front office has to figure out why they can’t put a good team together.
Best player so far: Blerim Džemaili. The Swiss midfielder has proven to be Urbano Cairo’s best buy this summer. He is likened to Pirlo because of his deep playmaking style of play and he has shown lots of potential. I wouldn’t be surprised in the big teams are asking for him in June.

UDINESE
Grade: B
From Champions League contenders to mid-table nobodies. The Friuliani hit a terrible slump (which is still going on) which killed their chances of competing with the big boys. They had such an encouraging start and even supplied their front trio to the national team (Di Natale, Pepe, Quagliarella) but now they have to analyze what went wrong and fix it fast, or else they will sink even further.
Best player so far: Gaetano D’Agostino. The Sicilian midfielder really looks like Pirlo at times. His passing ability and organization of play is sublime. Pasquale Marino was a genius to move him into that position.