The last time that AS Roma were top of the Italian Serie A, they marched onto win the scudetto and the Giallorossi fans would be basking in hype and expectation once more now that Roma hold control of the pole position after 5 rounds of matches so far this season.
With three wins and two draws, Luciano Spalletti’s side have 11 points, same as that of Inter Milan but are ahead due to a better goal difference.
But while the Italian capital may be enjoying their football, the red and black half of the fashion capital isn’t. AC Milan might have won the UEFA Champions League last season but they lost all hopes of challenging for the scudetto as early as October and this time around too, history appears to be repeating themselves.
Carlo Ancelotti’s ageing side failed top hold onto their lead against Palermo on Wednesday and lost 2-1. This relegates the Rossoneri to 9th in the table and more worryingly 5 points off the pace already.
Milan started the game well against Palermo and went ahead in the first half through a Clarence Seedorf strike but failed to capitalize on their chances and let the hosts seep into the match in the last 15 minutes of the match.
The equalizer came from Aimo Diana and Fabrizio Miccoli scored in the last minute of the match to stun Milan and their star-studded line-up.
The defeat for Milan is their first of the season but with just one win and three draws from the previous matches, Milan do look to heading out of contention for the Serie A title this season soon. And heading in are Juventus.
A much depleted squad they might be, but the bianconeri were at their ruthless best in thrashing bottom club Reggina 4-0 at home. Claudio Ranieri’s men have climbed to third in the table, one point behind Roma and Inter, who comfortably beat Sampdoria 3-0 at the San Siro thanks to two goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The surprise team in the top four is Napoli, who are back to the top division in Italy after some 6 year. They have made a great start to the season and stretched the optimism further by beating relegation candidates Livorno 1-0 at home. Napoli are fourth in the table and have the same number of points as Juventus do.
Yet, it’s had to see them getting a Champions League place at the end of the season since Milan should get their act together very soon and rush for the scudetto.
But, for that Ancelotti ought to group his team together and bring out the best in his players. Or else, energetic Roma could be the only one to provide the stiffest challenge to Inter in their bid to win the Serie A for one more year.
Image Source: WSoccer
Source: Football, UK
