By Tonte Davies
Three In A Row
Juventus FC clinched the Scudetto for a third consecutive season on Sunday without playing over the weekend. The Bianconeri would play their league match on Monday (today) already have won the league title at the expense of Roma’s 4-1 loss to Catania on Sunday. Roma, who shocked the whole of Europe with a 10-game win in the opening season, suffered their third defeat in 36 games. Under tutelage of Antonio Conte, Juventus are on the verge of witnessing Italy’s first-ever 100-point lug with an impressive 30 wins out of 35 games.
Juventus recent Scudetto Record: 2013/14, 2012/2013, 2011/12
Still in Italy…
Milan was on Sunday, set alight with fireworks of football in the Derby della Madonnina between AC Milan and local rival, Inter. The much anticipated Derby had its usual tension as both sides aimed to outwit and possibly outscore each other. At the end of the game, AC Milan overcame Inter 1-0, thanks to a Nigel de Jong second half header in what is portrayed as a ‘drab’ encounter.
“We weren’t ourselves, the tension got to us,” Mazzari said, going on to say “we didn’t play well, as everyone saw.” Mazzari’s opposite side Clarence Seedorf believes the system he adopted for his team got them the win. “In this game I wanted to surprise Inter by changing the system, especially as I said the philosophy was more important than the system,” stated Seedorf.
Napoli came out of what could be a scare Coppa Italia encounter against Fiorentina at Stade Olimpico. A violent clash unrelated to the final, preceded the match resulting in a 45 minutes delay and at least one fatality and several casualties. The Partenopei led by Rafael Benitez defeated Fiorentina 3-1 to lift the trophy but Marek Hamsik recaps the night. “It was a very difficult night. Every final is complicated, but at the end the emotion of the victory put everything behind us,” explained Hamsik.
Napoli changed their manager with the departure of Walter Mazzari at the start of the season, employing Rafa Benitez, who brought in during the last summer transfer window. The likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Jose Callejon, Pepe Reina were added to re-inforce the attack line and defense of Napoli.
In Spain…Title Trio Still In It
It appears the trio of Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid will have to wait another weekend to know who wins La Liga. While Atletico lost their match 2-0 against Levante, Barcelona and Real Madrid each came from a near loss scare to draw their games 2-2 against Getafe and Valencia, respectively.
In England…Advantage Manchester City
Manchester City FC returned to top the English Premier League table after beating Everton FC 2-3 at Goodison Park. Liverpool FC would play their game against resurgent Crystal Palace on Monday (today). Everton are out of the race to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League. Arsenal FC secured fourth place with a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. Chelsea FC was held to a 0-0 draw by Norwich City FC at Stamford Bridge.