5 Things About Serie A That We Learned from Week 25 in Italy

Jack Alexandros RathbornMay 31, 2018

Serie A was enthralling this weekend with one of the games of the season so far. There were also several pivotal results, which may be a catalyst for each side's remaining fixtures, as we approach the business end of the season.

Milan drew at home to Juventus 1-1, but there was plenty more that happened aside from the goals. Sulley Muntari's ghost goal, Alessandro Matri's wrongly disallowed goal for offside and Philippe Mexes punching Marco Borriello off the ball without punishment were just a few incidents in an incident-packed match at the San Siro on Saturday night.

As always, there is a club in crisis and Inter are that club after they suffered their fourth consecutive defeat with Claudio Ranieri's job under even more scrutiny. Napoli were the benefactors of the Nerazzurri's current slump, as the Partenopei surged back into the race for third place, keeping in touch with Udinese and Lazio who are level on points for that final Champions League place.

Siena and Lecce secured crucial wins to boost their survival hopes and bring Bologna, Fiorentina and Parma into the relegation battle. Roma's trials and tribulations continue though; the Giallorossi slipped up in Bergamo with Atalanta handing them a real thrashing to send the club into disarray with two red cards and Daniele De Rossi missing the match with an internal suspension.

Without further ado, let's delve into the weekend's happenings.

Demands for Video Technology After Muntari's Ghost Goal

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The press were outraged after Saturday's big game at the San Siro between AC Milan and Juventus after Sully Muntari had seemingly put the Rossoneri 2-0 up before the officials shockingly ruled that the ball had not crossed the line.

Sky Italia debated the incident long into the night with former Rossoneri star Zvonomir Boban involved in a furious debate with the Bianconeri's manager Antonio Conte, who insisted that the offside given for Alessandro Matri erased the decision to not award the Muntari goal.

As the journalist Gabriele Marcotti mentioned on twitter over the weekend, Sky Italia reported in the aftermath of this incident that there have been 26 incidents where video technology would have either proved sufficient to award a goal that was not given or prevented a goal being given that was not legitimate.

With the stakes so high in the current climate of world football and the financial implications that hinge on each and every refereeing decision, it is surely beyond doubt now that video technology needs to be implemented.

The worry is that when this discussion first arrived many years ago, people insisted that it would inevitably be introduced into the game when there were examples in high profile matches to warrant its use. Unfortunately, there have been several instances and FIFA continue to resist.

Napoli Surge Back into the Race for Third Place

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Napoli continued their fine run of form by beating Inter 1-0 at the San Paolo, crucially raising themselves after their heroics against Chelsea in the Champions League midweek.

The Partenopei seemed short of ideas initially but lured Inter out of their defensive shell in the second half, which allowed them space. Blerim Dzemaili won possession and skipped past several Inter challenges before setting up Ezequiel Lavezzi to curl a delightful winner in to Julio Cesar's bottom left corner from the right side of the penalty area.

Napoli were able to jump up to fifth place ahead of Roma and Inter to become the main challengers to Udinese and Lazio, who are tied on points, in the race for the third place that ensures Champions League qualification for next season.

Napoli will face both sides away before the season is over in what is becoming a fascinating battle between five teams, as Milan and Juve seem certain to finish in the top two.

The challenge remains to maintain this run of three straight victories while also finishing the job against Chelsea in the Champions League. They travel to London for the second leg of their last 16 tied with a 3-1 lead.

Walter Mazzarri's men are being stretched to the limit with the inevitable factor of fatigue becoming ever more prominent as the season reaches its climax.

Napoli have been a pleasant surprise in the Champions League, and the competition would surely benefit next season by their participation. They are capable and have manoeuvred themselves into a position where it is feasible.

The main problem is that their direct competitors are all out of European competition (except Inter, who remain a rank outsider for third anyway) and the Coppa Italia, which means burnout is inevitable.

Ranieri on the Brink After Baffling Tactics Away at Napoli

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Claudio Ranieri's tenure as boss of Inter Milan is in the balance after a fourth consecutive defeat in the league and a midweek defeat away at Marseille leaves the Nerazzurri's season in tatters.

Ranieri showed his tactical ineptitude this weekend, as his side was typically set up in an extremely defensive manner and only conjured up a long-range Wesley Sniejder free kick in the first half.

At half time he made two changes, Ivan Cordoba and Giampaolo Pazzini replaced the disappointing Sneijder and the anonymous Diego Forlan, as Inter switched to a 3-5-2 to align their system more closely to Napoli's and assume a greater control on the match.

It worked to an extent, but the wide players, Yuto Nagatomo and Marco Faraoni, provided little penetration when the ball was worked out to the flanks and provided Napoli with the opportunity to counterattack.

Ranieri did the same while in charge with Roma last season, and Napoli gleefully accepted the opportunity to ruthlessly expose their defensive frailties on the break.

Ranieri's inability to bring out the best in Wesley Sneijder, who was the talisman in the side that won the Champions League under Jose Mourinho, has meant a lack of fluidity in the team.

The future of Ranieri will probably hinge on the Champions League tie against Marseille, which they trail 1-0 from the first leg. Elimination probably means Massimo Moratti will fire his second manager this season.

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Roma Implode with the Team in Disarray

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Roma completely imploded this weekend with a 4-1 defeat against Atalanta. Pablo Osvaldo and Marco Cassetti got themselves sent off for violent conduct and foul language, while Daniele De Rossi was omitted from the squad due to disciplinary procedures after arriving five minutes late for a team meeting.

The defence was in shambles, as German Denis, Maxi Moralez and Guido Marilungo picked the Giallorossi backline apart on the break; Roma showed little character in adversity.

Only Fabio Borini was visibly trying to rally the troops after Roma fell behind 2-0 in the first half, which is a worrying sign given the former-Chelsea striker is only 20 years old. With so few leaders on the pitch, Roma's chances of retrieving the seven points to Udinese (who occupy the third place for Champions League qualification) are slim.

Luis Enrique is dreaming of taking the Barcelona job when Pep Guardiola eventually leaves the Blaugrana, but there is plenty of work remaining with the Giallorossi. The record spenders in Serie A this summer, outlaying €83.4 million, will view anything below third as a failure.

Palacio's Heroics Keeping Genoa Afloat, Albiceleste Call

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Rodrigo Palacio scored twice as Genoa salvaged a draw at home to Parma to ensure the Grifone did not succumb to a fourth straight defeat.

The Argentine has been in sensational form with 14 goals this season despite the Rossoblu struggling for consistency and firing Alberto Malesani midseason. It has not gone unnoticed, as Alejandro Sabella called up the former Boca Juniors star for the upcoming Argentina friendly against Switzerland.

His versatility to play wide and also lead the line through the middle in a formation with one striker, can be highly valuable for Argentina who hope to emulate the Barcelona formation in order to bring out the best in Leo Messi.

Palacio's work rate can also fit into a system that requires high intensity.

Palacio has scored just once in nine caps for the Albiceleste thus far but will be hoping for a prolonged run in the side in order to further develop late in his career.