Juventus’s 3-1 victory over Empoli continued their recent resurgence and marked the first time this season the champions have won back-to-back league games. PHOTO: AFP
After 12 games, only five points separate the top five teams, four of whom can harbour serious scudetto ambitions following Juve’s disastrous start to their title defence.
But like poker players knowing they could be on a winning hand, none are giving much away.
Roma out to maintain Serie A charge
Roberto Mancini, who won seven trophies including three consecutive league titles in his previous spell with Inter Milan, was dismissive after seeing his side pull level with leaders Fiorentina after a 1-0 win at Torino on Sunday.
Fiorentina are playing some great football but Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa claims he just wants other teams to recognise the team’s ‘quality’.
Roma now have no excuses as they go in search of a first league trophy since 2001, but two years of being humbled by Juventus has seen coach Rudi Garcia swap a tone of defiance for one of cautious optimism.
Inter fail to go top after being held by Juve at home
As for Napoli? Try mentioning the word ‘scudetto’ around Maurizio Sarri and you will be reminded they have not won the title since Diego Maradona led them to the second of their two titles in 1990.
Treble winners in 2010, when Jose Mourinho led them to the league, Cup and Champions League titles, Inter are finally back in the hunt after years in the domestic wilderness.
Inter are the only team in the top five not involved in Europe this season, but that added bonus means little for Mancini.
Juventus title defence on the line in trip to San Siro
“I would say the others [title challengers] have a slight advantage because they’ve been playing together for longer,” said Mancini. “This squad has only really been together since August. We’re trying to create a quality squad that includes younger players that can develop down the line.”
Although Italian football’s 1990 heydays are long gone, this season could help rekindle a forgotten love for watchers of ‘calcio’.
And Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri admits his side now has to go “step by step” to revive their title hopes.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2015.
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