The Race for the Scudetto

With one week left in Serie A few might have believed just weeks ago that only one point would separate Inter from Roma. Inter seemed to have it locked up after Roma’s surprising and disappointing draw with Livorno. But this season in Serie A has been a surprising one in general, with players deemed past it returning to the form that made them household names around the world, and with the struggles of AC Milan, who seemingly have finally got their Champions League place with their win against Inter, only to lose 3-1 to Napoli, and give Fiorentina the spot again.

 But onto the title race, one I very much doubted would even take place, but thanks to Milan, and now Siena we have one to talk about.  The matchups this weekend have Inter away to Parma, and Roma away to Catania, so not only is this a race for the title, it is a race to stay in Serie A.  All teams should be putting up a fight, and that will only make these two matches more exciting.  Ahead of the future deciding clash Parma have sacked manager Hector Cuper, and put their youth team manager Andrea Manzo in charge.  Now if this seems like a funny way to show your desire of staying in Serie A to you, consider that under Cuper, Parma has won just 8 points in 9 games.  That doesn’t make it less strange, just somewhat more understandable.  Other news leading into the weekend is that Roma has received a fan ban to keep their tifosi from travelling, because it was deemed to be too dangerous.  While the decision is laudable for the attempt at safety, Roma fans surely will not be happy with this decision to ban them, while Inter are allowed to take their fans to the Stadio Tardini without any ticketing restrictions. 

 So, who will win and become champions?  Inter seem to still be favorites in my book, even though they are slipping up, and will be without Cambiasso, who has been key for them all year.  Roma will be without Totti, Taddei, and probably Perrotta. Things just seem to be falling Inter’s way this week, but it will be up to the players on the field to determine who wins.   Both matches should be extremely exciting encounters, and something no football fan should miss.