Around Europe: How it's looking - Italy's Serie A

Second in this quarterly season feature is the Italian Serie A - And what a fascinating year this one is shaping up to be in Italy...

Claudio Raineri took over at The San Siro in
late September.

The story so far has to be that of European giants Internazionale, after Italian coach Gian Piero Gasperini had horrendously struggled with his squad at the beginning of the 11/12 campaign, he was given the marching orders around late September with his side of individual class hovering precariously above the relegation places. Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri was bought in as his replacement, Inter's 4th coach in a year after Rafa Benitez, Leonardo and Gasperini. Though as has been well documented results haven't exactly shot through the roof and Inter Milan remain in 17th spot, following a disappointing result this weekend to The Old Lady that is Juventus. As a football follower it is extremely difficult to see where that squad is going wrong - they've achieved much success in recent years, not to mention the quadruple achieved a mere 2 years back. Could it be the ageing squad? Is it time for Javier Zanetti, Walter Samuel, Esteban Cambiesso and Lucio to step down? The lack of expenditure over the summer cannot contribute to the baron spell - Diego Forlan being the man supposed to fill the rather large boots that were left behind by Samuel Eto'o after his trip to Russia. The Uruguyan hasn't delivered as would of been expected, only 1 goal in 5 league appearences isn't great, but the worry that fellow striker Mauro Zarate, Giampaolo Pazzini and Diego Milito only have 4 goal between them so far is a real worry for Inter fans.

Rasing our eyes further up the table the view, admittingly without Internazionale, is not to dissimilar to what we are being accustomed too. Juve, the only unbeaten squad remaining in the Serie A, hold top spot with 19 points from 9 games, although not to suggest they're pulling away, their defence hasn't been exactl water-tight, conceding more goals (7) that 7th place Siena. Lazio, A.C Milan and Napoli prop up 3rd, 4th and 5th places in what is a relaively imaginable top half it is Udinese sitting pretty in second spot only one point behind Juventus that falls under the far over-used term 'shock'.

Antonio Di Narale has raced clear
in the Seria A scoring charts this term.

Udinese seemed to have found the perfect balance between exciting youth, Chilean full-back Mauricio Isla is a well documented, sort-after future star. Gabriel Torje too, the Romanian 21 year old winger has been linked with the Premier League in Chelsea. Their midfield is packed with powerhouses, Ghanain duo Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and Kwadwo Asamoah have both featured in all leagues games, and look very dynamic and useful. It has to be said though experience is where Udinese are really profiting from this year, with 30 year old Giampiero Pinzi happy to sit in behind talisman Antonio Di Natale, a figure who, after his explosive start to the term, needs no introduction. After goals in all but 3 league games thus far, seasoned 34 year old Di Natale has been thrust back into the spotlight as the central figure and creator in chief. 7 goals in 8 games have proved terrific, and are the essential reason on Udinese's brilliant start.

This time casting our eye down to the foot of The Seria A, after barely surviving last time around Lecce already find themselves in a bit of a tangle, having only taken 5 points from 9 games they are sandwiched inside of the bottom three by new-comer Novara and Cesena. Lecce need not to be to worried though, after s soid 14th spot last time out, 2nd season syndrome seems to really have been the case for Cesena, rock-bottom without a win all season, and with only turn-up forward Adrian Mutu to turn towards for a serious goal scoring threat, they look as though they are there for the long run this term.

Siena's 'keeper Zeljko Brkic has been the
second least busy goalkeeper in the division

A shout-out once again to last years Serie B runners-up Siena, fighting out with the likes of Palermo and Fiorentina for mid-table security after a non-pour-us solid defence seems to be the boundaries on their making of a side. Despite not holding many household names they boast of a solid back 4 of Vitiello, Rossettini, Terzi and Del Grossi, it is mainly thanks to these 4 and Zeljko Brkic behind them for that 7th spot, with only 6th goals conceded they hold the second best defensive record in the league behind second placed Udinese. Not only here to they pack a punch though, up top they can put the ball in the back of the net, with Italian forward Destro and Calaio amongst the goals, 8 league between them. They look an almost certainty to continue their marvelous start, and to carry on shocking the pundits and onlookers.

Antonio Cassano is in every football fans
prayers whilst recovering from his rare illness.
Following such an impressive start to the year.

Individual watch - Having already glorified Antonio Di Natale it is only correct to find a mention for German Denis, Sergio Giovinco and Miroslav Klose, of Atalante, Parma and Lazio respectively, one goal behind Natale on 6 these three have all also flew into the new season, with emphasis on the Argentinean Denis who is helping his Serie B Champions Atalante no end with this tremendous scoring run. Miroslav Klose has been round the block, and to many he could be placed in any team inside any league on the planet and score goals for fun. The tragic news of A.C Milan schemer Antonio Cassano's illness is a shame, his start to the year creativity wise has been nothing short of first class, with 6 assists for his team-mates, alongside Liverpool-Loanee Alberto Aqualini, with 5,  A.C look like they have all the ammunition and firepower to mount another serious title challenge. First and foremost hoping a swift and successful recovery for Cassano.
Household names, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Rodrigo Palacio, Steven Jovetic and Wesley Sneijder have all been solid, the first and latter of that list admiringly not as solid enough for Inter fans to be 100% satisfied however the goal and assists stats can't lie...

We've just entered November, and those who say there's a problem with Inter clearly have an argument and ground to stage it, yet it is very early days, a few wins on the spin which this side are clearly more than capable of will put the smiles back on Internazionale fans faces, under new coach Ranieri, things should start improving. For the last word keep an eye on Sienna and Atalanta, 2 sides bought up from Serie B last year, that with a bit of guile mixed with solidarity have proved that they can rub shoulders and even overtake the big boys. Here's hoping the Italian folks have such excitement in their Seria A come this time in May.