Derbies and high stakes on Serie A Matchday 11
The first ten matchdays of the league season are behind us. Next comes the final round before the international break. It will be shorter than September’s, but it still gives teams time to recharge and set their priorities for the weeks ahead. Matchday 11 runs from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 November, with meetings between sides chasing similar goals, games in which the front-runners can ill afford to slip up, and some familiar regional rivalries. Paolo Zanetti returns to Serie A Enilive, taking over from Kosta Runjaić with the task of reviving Udinese. Venezia host Udinese on Friday before Parma and Bologna meet in the Derby dell'Emilia on Saturday. Sunday’s action kicks off at lunchtime with Napoli vs. Lazio. There is plenty at stake when Inter host Como at San Siro at 18:00 CET, before Fiorentina vs. Juventus brings the round to a close that evening. A win before the break would lift confidence and give the teams something to build on when the league resumes.
Venezia vs. Udinese (Friday, 20:45 CET)
The Triveneto derby opens the weekend. Venezia and Udinese come from different regions, but the short distance between the two cities makes this a longstanding local rivalry as well as a vital game in the fight against relegation. Nicola’s side earned plaudits against both Inter and Como but came away with two painful defeats. Udinese’s long slump cost Runjaić his job after a comprehensive defeat by Roma at the Bluenergy Stadium. Zanetti arrives looking to lift a group short of energy and confidence. The visitors will need to raise their level considerably against a Venezia side still showing plenty of fight despite sitting bottom.
Cagliari vs. Frosinone (Saturday, 15:00 CET)
The two sides come into this in contrasting form. After an excellent start to the season, Cagliari have slipped into a worrying run of defeats. In their last two outings, they played well in spells against Roma and Lazio and came close to taking a point from each game. Sorting out the defence is Pisacane’s priority: twelve goals conceded in four straight defeats is too many. It marks a departure from their early-season form and needs addressing before they face Frosinone. Alvini’s side continue to defy expectations. They beat Torino 2-0 in convincing fashion, but an injury to Raimondo has taken some of the shine off their excellent run. Bîrligea, who scored twice against Lecce around ten days ago, looks set to replace the Bologna loanee. Frosinone are maintaining their momentum and will do all they can to hold on to sixth place.
Torino vs. Lecce (Saturday, 15:00 CET)
Torino have lost two in a row, and Lecce three. Abate and Di Francesco both need their sides to bounce back quickly. Just days before the midweek round, Torino were on the fringes of the European places and playing direct, convincing football. Defeats to Como and Frosinone have checked the progress Ignazio Abate’s side had been making. There is still time to recover, but the Granata will need to be more consistent to finish in the top half. Meanwhile, Lecce should not be underestimated. They have shown more than once this season that they can respond to a difficult spell. Through the ups and downs, the Giallorossi have kept fighting and stayed above the relegation zone. Important wins for Parma and Fiorentina last time out have tightened things up below them. Lecce need another result to keep a safe distance from the bottom three.
Parma vs. Bologna (Saturday, 18:00 CET)
The weekend continues with the Derby dell'Emilia. Both sides come to the Tardini in good form and looking to build on it. Gilardino finally seems to have Parma playing the way he wants, bringing the best out of players who made little impact in the opening months of the Serie A Enilive season. Giovanni Fabbian, for example, opened the scoring against Atalanta and set the tone for Parma going forward from midfield. The 3-0 win in Bergamo was a huge boost, and Parma once again look like a difficult side to face. Bologna, meanwhile, continued their good run with a 2-1 win over Monza, showing maturity in the way they came from behind at the Dall’Ara. Orsolini is back, Piccoli is pushing to return before the break, and Palladino is getting the most out of his entire squad. A win could give Parma more breathing room above the bottom three or bring Bologna closer to the European places.
Roma vs. Sassuolo (Saturday, 20:45 CET)
Roma have a chance to make the most of playing before Inter and Lazio. A win would take them into second place outright, a point behind the Biancocelesti. Gasperini will also want to move on quickly from the painful ending at Old Trafford, where his side lost 3-2 to Manchester United. The Giallorossi remain unbeaten in the league and have dropped just two points at the Olimpico. Alberto Aquilani returns to his former club with Sassuolo still in a difficult spell. The Neroverdi went toe to toe with Fiorentina last time out but suffered another defeat, losing 4-2 at home. Their position in the table is a worry, and this trip could put their defensive weaknesses under even greater pressure. Notably, Sassuolo’s only wins this season have come at the Mapei Stadium. To pull off an upset at the Olimpico, Aquilani will need his side to get everything right, perhaps taking advantage of any fatigue or dip in confidence after Roma’s Champions League defeat.
Napoli vs. Lazio (Sunday, 12:30 CET)
Lazio can pull further clear at the Maradona. In one of the weekend’s standout fixtures, Allegri’s Napoli need a strong response at lunchtime to slow down Gattuso’s side. The Napoli coach comes up against a player who was central to his midfield during his first spell at AC Milan. Gattuso, meanwhile, faces his former coach with the chance to show that Lazio’s superb start can become something more. Napoli are under real pressure after a 2-0 defeat by Juventus and a 4-1 loss away to Porto in the Champions League. Lazio, meanwhile, came from behind to beat Cagliari with Isaksen leading the way, making it nine wins from ten. They sit alone at the top and can strengthen their case as title contenders. Lazio are staying grounded, but their fans are already thinking about a big win in Fuorigrotta. The demands of the Champions League could play a part, and Napoli will need to be at their best to contain Gattuso’s side.
Genoa vs. AC Milan (Sunday, 15:00 CET)
Genoa and AC Milan are both looking for points to keep their seasons moving in the right direction. With the break approaching, both can take confidence from their recent outings. Genoa have come roaring back after a difficult start. Buoyed by three straight wins, they are playing with pace and assurance. De Rossi has made full use of his squad, sharing out minutes carefully to ease the strain of a busy schedule. AC Milan will be a real test of that progress. The Rossoneri enjoyed a memorable evening when they beat Inter 3-1 in the derby, cutting the gap to their city rivals. Amorim cannot afford to lose focus: his side sit fifth, outside the Champions League places. Lazio are setting a fierce pace at the top, Juventus are closing in from behind, and Como and Roma continue to pick up results. The meeting at the Ferraris could show where both sides stand.
Monza vs. Atalanta (Sunday, 15:00 CET)
Another local rivalry takes us to Lombardy, where both sides are looking to get back on track. Three straight defeats have dragged Jurić’s team down the table. Monza played well for an hour against Bologna but still came away from the Dall’Ara without any points to help their fight for survival. The Biancorossi have played some good football but have struggled to sustain it for 90 minutes. They need to be more pragmatic if they are to put together a solid campaign and get the best out of their squad. Atalanta, meanwhile, cannot afford another setback. The painful 3-0 home defeat to Parma exposed their lack of cutting edge: too many chances went begging, and they now sit 13th. Injuries are a concern, and Sarri will also have to manage the demands of the Conference League carefully to avoid overworking the regulars who are still available. There is time to recover, and Atalanta have enough quality to respond quickly. They host Inter at the New Balance Arena after the break, and Maurizio Sarri hopes to have a few more players available and confidence restored by then.
Inter vs. Como (Sunday, 18:00 CET)
From the Duomo to the shores of Lake Como: Inter host Como at San Siro in Matchday 11’s second Lombardy derby. Chivu’s Inter won 3-0 away to Feyenoord at De Kuip, while Fàbregas’s side stunned Europe with a 9-1 victory at Lens. Attention turns back to Serie A. Inter have 25 points, Como have 23, and both are chasing Lazio at the top. The derby defeat by AC Milan still weighs on Inter, but they remain on course to challenge at the top. The visit of the Lariani gives them a chance to show their authority and confidence. There seems to be no limit to what Como can do at the moment. The Champions League has strengthened their belief, and effective rotation has helped them manage both competitions. San Siro is the ideal stage for Como to show how far they can go this season and whether they can stay in contention right to the end. All eyes will be on the Giuseppe Meazza for a game that promises plenty of sparks.
Fiorentina vs. Juventus (Sunday, 20:45 CET)
Both sides head into the game with confidence after wins and encouraging displays last time out in Serie A. Fiorentina and Juventus are about to write another chapter in a historic rivalry that has produced some memorable matches. It is too soon to say Fiorentina are out of trouble, but their win over Sassuolo brought the attacking quality of Mastantuono and his teammates back to the fore. Spalletti’s side also took a step forward, with flashes of individual brilliance making the difference in a convincing 2-0 win over Napoli. For the Bianconeri, three points away from home would be a sign of maturity. For the hosts, a win would be a chance to move away from the danger zone. Both sides need a convincing response as they look to take control of their seasons.