Serie A Power Rankings: Rounds 21 and 22

The two-round week is over, but Rounds 21 and 22 of Serie A aren't completely finished, as several matches during both rounds were called off.

Snow and slaps highlighted the week that was in Serie A. It was quite an interesting and strange two-round week. There were a couple upsets, a lot of draws, and not much shifting around in the latest version of the power rankings.

20. Novara (20)

Round 21: Lost 2-1 vs. Chievo Verona (H)

Round 22: Drew 0-0 vs. Cagliari (A)

New Novara boss Emiliano Mondonico will surely be wishing his first week on the job went better as his club picked up one of a possible six points this week and sit dead last in the Serie A table.

In the first match, Chievo went up 2-0 with 12 minutes to play and Giuseppe Mascara's first goal for Novara since joining from Napoli last month wasn't enough to give Biancoazzurri a chance.

After a glimmer of hope that maybe they could survive for more than a season, it looks like Novara are on their way back down to Serie B. There are a couple months to play, but that's the way it seems.

Round 23: 2/12 vs. Inter Milan (A)

19. Cesena

Round 21: Drew 0-0 vs. Napoli (A)

Round 22: Match vs. Catania postponed

Cesena were affected by the weather, but picked up a respectable result when they drew Napoli at the San Paolo.

Cesena were able to hold the hosts in a feisty game in front of nearly 50,000 in Naples. Francesco Antonioli was the star for Cesena, making 10 saves and keeping Cesena alive despite 30% possession.

The second match of the week was called off for Cesena, but they return to action on Thursday. They're sitting only four points from safety, but still face a daunting task.

Round 23: 2/9 vs. Lazio (A)

18. Lecce (17)

Round 21: Lost 2-1 vs. Udinese (A)

Round 22: Drew 0-0 vs. Bologna (H)

Lecce like to at least challenge big clubs while faltering against the weaker sides.

At the Friuli, one of the hardest places to play in the league, David Di Michele equalized the match 26 minutes in for Lecce against Udinese but the tie was short lived and the points went to the hosts, despite Lecce holding the most possession and taking more shots.

At the weekend, Morris Carrozzieri's red card with 16 minutes to play made things tough for Lecce, who had barely more possession and shots then the visitors Bologna, and the match ended in a draw.

They are actually the closest of the drop zone teams to achieving safety, as they sit three points behind Siena, but they have to bring their big game mentality to every match.

Round 23: 2/12 vs. Atalanta (A)

17. Siena (18)

Round 21: Match vs. Catania postponed

Round 22: Drew 0-0 vs. Juventus (A)

Gianluca Pegolo was the hero for Siena in a game that was eerily similar to that of Napoli and Cesena's.

Similar to the team that sits below them in these rankings, Siena had a match postponed this weekend, but were able to quell one of the giants of the league in a 0-0 draw. Like Cesena, Siena only had 30% of possession and Pegolo's goal was peppered throughout the match by the more dominant team. However, the 30-year-old was brilliant, making a season-high seven saves in his fifth straight start and sixth appearance of the season in place of the injured Zeljko Brkic.

Siena have the capability to pull away from the drop zone. They are currently three points clear but they would like to have a safety net to be sure. They entertain a very difficult opponent in their next match. Can they pull the upset?

Round 23: 2/13 vs. Roma (H)

16. Bologna (16)

Round 21: Match vs. Fiorentina postponed

Round 22: Drew 0-0 vs. Lecce (A)

Bologna were unable to capture anything more than a point this week as their first match was postponed and they finished level with Lecce.

The point keeps them two ahead of Siena and five points clear of the relegation zone. They have a lot of work to do to prove they belong in Serie A next year.

Round 23: 2/12 vs. Juventus (H)

15. Chievo Verona (14)

Round 21: Won 2-1 vs. Novara (A)

Round 22: Lost 2-1 vs. Parma (H)

Chievo split this past week, but a home loss to Parma after beating the bottom feeders puts Chievo a spot lower then last week.

Cyril Thereau was the star for the Donkeys this week, scoring twice in the two matches. Sergio Pellisier netted the other and an own goal by Siqueira Luciano was the difference between a draw and a loss in the second game.

Chievo aren't a fascinating team, and although the 10-point gap between them and the drop zone should ensure that they are safe for another season, nothing is guaranteed.

Round 23: 2/13 vs. Napoli (A)

14. Parma (15)

Round 21: Match vs. Juventus postponed

Round 22: Won 2-1 vs. Chievo Verona (A)

Parma gained three points this week as they picked up a road win against Chievo Verona.

Sebastian Giovinco added to an own goal from Chievo Verona to give Parma the victory at the Bentegodi.

As Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Antonio Di Natale run away in the scoring title race, Giovinco continues to climb. He is tied for 10th with nine goals.

Parma are looking to get into the top half of the table and if they can keep getting results, they should definitely find their way back.

Round 23: 2/12 vs. Fiorentina (H)

13. Catania (11)

Round 21: Match vs. Siena postponed

Round 22: Match vs. Cesena postponed

Wednesday: Resumed match vs. Roma ended 1-1

Catania were unable to play all week as weather affected both of their matches, but on Wednesday, they resumed their match with Roma and played out the end of a 1-1 draw.

The Elephants get back to work on Sunday and will be looking to get back in the swing of things.

Round 23: 2/12 vs. Genoa (H)

12. Cagliari (13)

Round 21: Won 4-2 vs. Roma (H)

Round 22: Drew 0-0 vs. Novara (A)

It was a solid week for Cagliari. After finding out that Radja Nainggolan would be staying at the club after heavy transfer speculation, the club celebrated with a 4-2 win over a very tough Roma side.

Thiago Ribeiro scored twice and Mauricio Pinilla and Albin Ekdal each added a goal in the mauling.

Cagliari were unable to get anything but a scoreless draw on their trip to Novara. They controlled possession and were horribly inaccurate on 17 shots, with only two going on goal.

With all possible games played to this point, they sit one point outside the top half of the table. The team that started so well could be ready to make a comeback. We shall see.

Round 23: 2/11 vs. Palermo (H)

11. Fiorentina (12)

Round 21: Match vs. Bologna postponed

Round 22: Won 3-2 vs. Udinese (H)

Fiorentina completed their more difficult match of the week and pulled off a great victory against Udinese.

Fiorentina were aided by two penalties and Stevan Jovetic converted both and Mattia Casani added a goal from the run of play.

With a match in hand, Fiorentina have a chance to pull away from some of the bottom-half teams and ensure a finish in the top 10.

Round 23: 2/12 vs. Parma (A)

10. Napoli (9)

Round 21: Drew 0-0 vs. Cesena (H)

Round 22: Drew 0-0 vs. AC Milan (A)

No goals. Two points. That's about all you can say about Napoli's dismal week.

10 shots on goal and 70% possession couldn't help them at home against Cesena as they were embarrassingly held to a draw before a trip to play the champions, who they dominated early on in the season.

Even though Milan controlled possession, Napoli had a man advantage for 26 minutes and were unable to capitalize.

Napoli need to get back on track. The schedule doesn't get much easier from here on out, especially with Chelsea lurking in the Champions League.

Round 23: 2/13 vs. Chievo Verona (H)

9. Genoa (10)

Round 21: Match vs. Atalanta postponed

Round 22: Won 3-2 vs. Lazio (H)

Genoa came off a postponed mid-week match to collect one of their more spectacular victories this season by defeating high-flying Lazio 3-2 at the Luigi Ferraris.

After Rodrigo Palacio started the scoring, Bosko Jankovic stole the show, scoring in the 25th and 46th minutes to seal the victory.

With Genoa up 3-0, Lazio pulled two back, but even the late 90th minute goal couldn't give them a chance at victory.

Genoa are now only six points away from a European slot. There is some hope.

Round 23: 2/12 vs. Catania (A)

8. Atalanta (7)

Round 21: Match vs. Genoa postponed

Round 22: Lost 2-1 vs. Palermo (A)

Atalanta played only once this week due to snow and were outdone 2-1 by a feisty Palermo side.

Maximiliano Moralez scored the lone goal for La Dea to bring them within one, but Atalanta were unable to capitalize.

Atalanta are 12 points out of a European spot, still being tortured by the Cristiano Doni scandal. They will hope to climb back into the top half.

Round 23: 2/12 vs. Lecce (H)

7. Inter Milan (5)

Round 21: Drew 4-4 vs. Palermo (H)

Round 22: Lost 4-0 vs. Roma (A)

Inter gave up eight goals in two games and collected only one point this week. They will hope to forget the horrific showing very quickly.

Against Palermo, Inter came from behind to equalize twice, but Diego Milito's four goals weren't enough as the defense broke and allowed an equalizer five minutes from time.

There was no defense over the weekend as Roma torched Inter for four goals on 66% possession. It was a demoralizing performance—the kind that gets some managers fired.

Claudio Ranieri isn't worried about his job right now to be sure, but if the team keeps losing, Massimo Moratti may not be so forgiving.

Round 23: 2/12 vs. Novara (H)

6. Palermo (8)

Round 21: Drew 4-4 vs. Inter (A)

Round 22: Won 2-1 vs. Atalanta (H)

5. Roma (6)

Round 21: Lost 4-2 vs. Cagliari (A)

Round 22: Won 4-0 vs. Inter (H)

Wednesday: Resumed match vs. Catania ended 1-1

Roma suffered a tough loss at the midweek at the hands of Cagliari, but they absolutely thrashed Inter.

66% possession and four goals sent Inter back north in a state of disbelief and anger. It was one of those matches where you wish Jose Mourinho was still Inter's manager just for the sound bytes.

Juan and Fabio Borini led the offensive assault this week, scoring a combined five of Roma's six goals and Bojan Krkic added the sixth.

Roma are just outside the European zone right now and need to keep the pressure on Inter for that fifth spot.

Round 23: 2/13 vs. Siena (A)

4. Udinese (4)

Round 21: Won 2-1 vs. Lecce (H)

Round 22: Lost 3-2 vs. Fiorentina (A)

Udinese picked up the guaranteed points but were unable to do more then that as Fiorentina got the better of them at the Artemio Franchi.

Antonio Di Natale continues to lead the way in Serie A with 16 goals after scoring twice this week. He is one ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Udinese remain in the hunt for the title, but they sit only two points above Lazio in the contest for the Champions League Qualifying Play-off spot.

Next up for Udinese is a tough task, but one that they can definitely surmount as Di Natale will have a chance to push farther away from Ibrahimovic. The Swede is suspended for the clash of the two title contenders. Udinese will be hoping to escape injury-free as the Europa League resumes on Thursday.

Round 23: 2/11 vs. AC Milan (H)

3. Lazio (3)

Round 21: Won 2-0 vs. AC Milan (H)

Round 22: Lost 3-2 vs. Genoa (A)

It was a week of mixed results for Lazio.

Hernanes and Tommaso Rocchi scored nine minutes apart late in the second half to seal a 2-0 win at the Olimpico over title-holders AC Milan. The two goals were a long time coming as Lazio controlled the game for the better part of the 90 minutes.

However, the Romans slipped up on their trip to Genoa, where Cristian Ledesma and Alvaro Gonzalez were too late putting their goals in. By the time Ledesma converted his penalty, it was already 3-0 Genoa and the 3-2 loss at the Ferraris stopped Lazio from jumping Udinese for third place.

Lazio play on Thursday and then get a week off before a tough clash in the Europa League with Atletico Madrid.

Round 23: 2/9 vs. Cesena (H)

2. AC Milan (2)

Round 21: Lost 2-0 vs. Lazio (A)

Round 22: Drew 0-0 vs. Napoli (H)

Milan struggled this week as they enter an extremely difficult stretch of the schedule. Serie A, Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Champions League are all going to tire the club out.

The club will also be hoping for the speedy return of injured stars Kevin-Prince Boateng, Alberto Aquilani, and Alexandre Pato.

Lazio struck twice late in Rome on Wednesday while Milan were unable to capitalize against Napoli, a task made harder by Zlatan Ibrahimovic's red card.

Milan will be looking to appeal the decision of a three-match ban for Ibrahimovic. It should be reduced to two, because it was barely a slap to the face of Salvatore Aronica. Far worse has gone unpunished. If the suspension is upheld, he will miss a match against Juventus, who beat Milan 2-1 in Coppa Italia on Wednesday.

Max Allegri's men need to put their heads on straight. They have a tough weekend match before a clash with Arsenal in the Champions League next week.

Round 23: 2/11 vs. Udinese (A)

1. Juventus (1)

Round 21: Match vs. Parma postponed

Round 22: Drew 0-0 vs. Siena (H)

Juventus' only match of the week was a scoreless draw with one of the struggling Serie A sides, but there is no denying who is out in front in the title race right now.

The Old Lady was the victim of a brilliant goalkeeping performance which kept them off the board at the weekend. However, Juventus got right back on track with a win at Milan in Wednesday's Coppa Italia action.

With only Serie A and Coppa Italia to worry about and only two more possible non-league games, Juventus can focus all it's energy on winning the Scudetto, which hasn't happened in quite a long time by Juventus standards. It is looking more and more like the Turin club are in the driver's seat.

Round 23: 2/12 vs. Bologna (A)