5 Things About Serie A We Learned from Week 22 in Italy

Jack Alexandros RathbornJun 7, 2018

Serie A is really heating up amid the freezing cold temperatures.

The league is still as competitive as ever, and new stars such as Fabio Borini are breaking out for our viewing pleasure.

Week 22 brought some enthralling matches, and all of the top five teams dropped points, further emphasizing how competitive this league is.

This week the snow has covered Italy, with some parts of the country, such as Rome, experiencing the white stuff for the first time in 26 years.

Several of the midweek matches were postponed from this round of game, including Cesena - Catania.

Instead all nine remaining games were scheduled for 15:00 CET on Sunday.

Fortunately the rescheduling worked as the matches avoided postponement due to frozen pitches, and we were treated to some great calcio.

AC Milan: Rossoneri Live and Die by Ibrahimovic

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AC Milan are beginning to wobble at the top of Serie A as Juventus sense an opportunity to distance themselves from the champions in second place.

Milan slipped up in Rome to a Lazio side missing Miroslav Klose midweek and then drew 0-0 against Napoli this weekend.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was particularly poor in the midweek game and cost Milan any hope of three points on Sunday, which would have taken them back to the top of Serie A, by getting himself sent off.

Ibra ludicrously reached around his teammate Antonio Nocerino to slap Salvatore Aronica, and after Morgan De Sanctis pleaded with the assistant referee, a red card was brandished.

With a crucial run of games upon the Rossoneri, this three-game ban will become highly significant in their pursuit to retain the scudetto.

A tricky run of games that includes Juventus in the Coppa Italia and Arsenal in the Champions League will culminate with a pivotal match against Juventus at the end of this month at the San Siro.

Fiorentina: Jovetic Is Keeping the Viola Afloat

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Stevan Jovetic is dragging the Viola clear of the relegation zone.

The Montenegrin has scored three in back-to-back wins against Siena and Udinese to give Fiorentina some breathing space and amend fears they could be relegated.

Since Alberto Gilardino left for Genoa, Fiorentina have been entirely dependent upon Jovetic.

The 22-year-old is a magician and is capable of starring for a Champions League side but is made of the right stuff.

Luckily for Viola fans though, according to Goal.com, Jovetic intends to honour his five-year contract, despite interest from the likes of Arsenal and Real Madrid.

Parma: Donadoni Building a Wonderful Project of Gialloblu

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Roberto Donadoni has only just begun his tenure with Parma, but the immediate signs are promising.

The former Azzurri manager has implemented some interesting changes since taking over the Gialloblu.

The formation switch to 3-4-3 is gutsy as it has meant that Sebastian Giovinco's position has been altered.

The Atomic Ant has been relishing a central role as a trequartista, and it seemed risky to change the position of the team's best player.

It has worked, though, as it has benefited the team while also ensuring Giovinco continues to have a significant amount of influence on the game.

Newcomers McDonald Mariga and Jonathan will allow more variety with this formation too.

Parma are unbeaten in four and sit in 11th place, so the managerial switch has already been justified.

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Genoa: Palacio's Goal Is Genius, Not Luck

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Rodrigo Palacio scored one of the goals of the season against Lazio this weekend.

The Argentine mimicked Gianfranco Zola's goal against Norwich by flicking the ball goal-bound from a corner at the near post.

Instantly fans began to debate whether it was deliberate or not.

I believe it was intentional, as he immediately looked back once he connected with the ball to check if it is destined for the back of the net.

Palacio has been outstanding for Genoa this season and is the protagonist in Pasquale Marino's rebuilding project with the Grifone.

Check out his sumptuous goal here.

Roma: Borini the Next Great Star of Serie A

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Fabio Borini scored a brace as Roma thrashed Inter 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.

The former Chelsea striker has impressed as an impact substitute already but further enhanced his reputation with his fourth and fifth goals of the season against the Nerazzurri on Sunday.

Borini has played just 11 Serie A games in amassing that total, which is an impressive strike rate.

Borini showed great nerve to shun attempts from Chelsea to resign as his ambition was questioned.

Brendan Rodgers handed him his big chance with Swansea last season as they achieved promotion to the Premier League, and Borini has not looked back since.

Originally signing for Parma before being claimed on loan by Roma, Borini is developing quickly back home.

The Azzurrini international may yet figure in Cesare Prandelli's Euro 2012 plans also.

Since Pablo Osvaldo suffered a medium term injury, Roma have needed his source of goals to be replaced, and it appears that Borini is prepared to step up.

At just 20 years old, Borini is fulfilling his talent early, and the Giallorossi are benefiting.