Serie A Power Rankings: Round 26

It was a mediocre week of results in Serie A, but there was a huge headline at the top.

There was an abundance of draws, and one of these draws led to one club taking complete possession of first place.

With only 12 matches to play for each team, who will step up? Who will fail? Will there be any movement?

Until then, all we can do is talk. Here are the Round 26 Power Rankings.

20. Cesena (20)

Round 26: Lost 2-0 vs. Fiorentina (A)

Drew make-up match vs. Catania 0-0 (H)

Well, with the draw at the midweek, Cesena move ahead of Novara based on goal difference, but there's no difference between either club. They're both going down.

12 points back with 12 matches to play, there is no chance of Cesena remaining in the top flight for the 2012-13 season.

If Cesena at least want to make it interesting, they'll get the win against Siena on Sunday.

Round 27: 3/11 vs. Siena (H)

19. Novara (19)

Round 26: Lost 1-0 vs. Bologna (A)

Another typical day for Novara, meaning another loss for Novara.

15 losses from 26 matches will usually put you in the relegation talk, especially when only three of the other 11 results were wins.

While Cesena, the other team destined for relegation, had the opportunity to play two years in Serie A, Novara will have no such opportunity. Relegation in their first year after promotion is a near guarantee.

Round 27: 3/11 vs. Udinese (H)

18. Lecce (18)

Round 26: Drew 2-2 vs. Genoa (H)

Holding down that first relegation spot still is Lecce. Though while I was extremely critical of them for a long time, this team may actually have a chance at survival.

They missed a chance to really pile the pressure on Siena when they drew 2-2 with Genoa at the weekend, but they are only four points back.

Luis Muriel continued his good form with a goal in the first half, and Davide Brivio scored what seemed to be the winner in the 81st minute before a late equalizer from Genoa.

They will need some help from other teams, but they need to help themselves and get the results. Lecce can survive, but they have to work very hard the next 12 games.

Round 27: 3/11 vs. AC Milan (A)

17. Siena (17)

Round 26: Won 3-0 vs. Cagliari (H)

Siena helped themselves with a big win against Cagliari, which put them four points clear of relegation rivals Lecce, who remain in the drop zone.

Erjon Bogdani, Emanuele Calaio and Cristiano Del Grosso scored in the win and put Siena in a more comfortable, but still pretty uncomfortable, spot.

The battle between Siena and Cesena at the weekend will be a big one in the relegation fight. A win for Cesena gives them a prayer. A win for Siena puts them further from danger.

Round 27: 3/11 vs. Cesena (A)

16. Parma (15)

Round 26: Lost 2-1 vs. Napoli (H)

Drew make-up match vs. Fiorentina 2-2 (H)

Parma picked up a single point this week as they got back on level terms for matches played with the rest of the league.

Cristian Zaccardo, Stefano Okaka and Sebastian Giovinco were the goal scorers this week for Parma, but this club is struggling. It has been a miserable year for the Crusaders, who need to figure things out.

Round 27: 3/11 vs. Atalanta (A)

15. Fiorentina (16)

Round 26: Won 2-0 vs. Cesena (H)

Drew make-up match vs. Parma 2-2 (A)

Fiorentina got the easy win, a 2-0 triumph over Cesena, but a penalty in the 87th minute prevented them from getting all three points against Parma at the midweek.

Despite blowing the lead, La Viola move up over their midweek opponent as both sides have been miserable this year.

For a team that was once so talented, Fiorentina have won only once on the road this season and have been dreadful lately.

Round 27: 3/11 vs. Catania (A)

14. Genoa (13)

Round 26: Drew 2-2 vs. Lecce (A)

Giuseppe Sculli scored his second of the match five minutes from time to save Genoa at the Via Del Mare.

Surprisingly, it was only Genoa's fifth draw of the season, but they've also lost 12 times. The draw total is among the fewest in the league, and they are tied with Palermo for the most losses by a team outside the drop zone.

Genoa are one of four teams that stand between 11th and 14th places that have 32 points. Their -13 goal difference makes them 14th in the table, but can they climb over their opponents?

Round 27: 3/11 vs. Juventus (H)

13. Inter Milan (12)

Round 26: Drew 2-2 vs. Catania (H)

Diego Forlan scored only his second goal of the year for Inter and it was badly needed, as it was the first of two goals that put Inter back on terms with Catania.

The problem is, that shouldn't be the case for Inter, especially at home. This side is struggling badly.

An improbably awful start to the year, followed by a meteoric rise, which peaked with a win over Milan, followed by a massive collapse. That has been Inter's story this year.

With the lower-table sides beating up on each other, Inter is still seventh on 37 points, but they are lucky to be so close to the European zone.

If they want to play in Europe next season, they need to step it up. They could help themselves by winning the Champions League, but already not considered a favorite, they go into the San Siro leg down 1-0 on Marseille.

Round 27: 3/9 vs. Chievo Verona (A)

12. Bologna (14)

Round 26: Won 1-0 vs. Novara (H)

Drew make-up match vs. Juventus 1-1 (H)

Bologna have arguably been the hottest team in Serie A lately, winning against relegation-sure Novara but then picking up a fantastic point against unbeaten Juventus.

After Robert Acquafresca got the winner at the weekend, Marco Di Vaio put Bologna on top of Juventus early in the make-up match, but the visitors were able to prevent an unbelievable upset with a 58th minute goal of their own.

In the span of a couple weeks, Bologna have climbed from 16th to 12th and show no signs of slowing down. This weekend could be tough, but hey, they drew with Juventus.

Round 27: 3/11 vs. Lazio (A)

11. Cagliari (10)

Round 26: Lost 3-0 vs. Siena (A)

Not a good result for Cagliari.

A 3-0 loss to a relegation-threatened club is not the result Cagliari wanted. Now, as unlikely as it is, they could be considered on the bubble.

They are on 31 points, only six points above the drop zone. While the thought is one not likely to become reality, it's still there as a possibility.

Round 27: 3/9 vs. Napoli (A)

10. Chievo Verona (11)

Round 26: Drew 1-1 vs. Juventus (A)

Boukary Drame scored 14 minutes from time to equalize and secure an away draw against Juventus.

The Flying Donkeys have been impressive of late, and the result against Juventus is truly an impressive one at a stadium that is very hard to play at.

Chievo are 10th in the table and could potentially put some pressure on the European contenders.

Round 27: 3/9 vs. Inter Milan (H)

9. Palermo (8)

Round 26: Lost 4-0 vs. AC Milan (H)

AC Milan obliterated Palermo at the Renzo Barbera.

It was a poor result for a team that is normally very good at home. It was only the club's third loss at home to go along with 10 wins.

There was a time when Palermo seemed like they could sneak into a European spot, but now they may only be able to put a little bit of fright into the contenders.

A nine-point gap with 12 matches to play may be too big of a gap.

Round 27: 3/10 vs. Roma (H)

8. Catania (9)

Round 26: Drew 2-2 vs. Inter Milan (A)

Catania kept Inter at bay on the road, but they also blew a two-goal lead.

Alejandro Gomez and Mariano Izco scored in the first half to put the Elephants in prime position, but a 10-minute defensive lapse in the second half put Inter right back in the match.

A total of 35 points has Catania eight points behind Napoli for the last Europa League spot. The odds are not in their favor for a European spot, but they can put up a fight.

Round 27: 3/11 vs. Fiorentina (H)

7. Atalanta (7)

Round 26: Drew 0-0 vs. Udinese (A)

Not a bad result against a tough team in one of the toughest grounds to play at in Serie A.

A goalless affair at the Friuli provided Atalanta with a point against Udinese, though a win would have put them in 10th place.

However, I still like to use the idea that without the point-reduction penalty, they would currently have 38 points, which would put them in seventh, five points behind Napoli.

Of course, this isn't the case, but Atalanta have played some of the league's best football this year.

Round 27: 3/11 vs. Parma (H)

6. Roma (6)

Round 26: Lost 2-1 vs. Lazio (H)

Roma were forced to 10 men seven minutes into the Derby Della Capitale, but they put up a great fight in a 2-1 loss to Lazio.

Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was sent off and Lazio given a penalty for his challenge on Miroslav Klose. The decision meant Bogdon Lobant had to make his first appearance since Jan. 10 and that Erik Lamela had to come off in order for the substitution to be made.

The penalty was converted, but minutes later, Fabio Borini made it 1-1 and Roma would press their rivals the remainder of the match. Lazio, however, would score again in the 61st minute.

Not a bad result given the circumstances, but no one is happy losing, especially a derby. They sit five points back of a European spot now. They have work to do.

Round 27: 3/10 vs. Palermo (A)

5. Udinese (4)

Round 26: Drew 0-0 vs. Atalanta (H)

Playing at their impenetrable home ground, where they've lost only once this year and heading into the 26th round had collected 32 points, Udinese should have done better against Atalanta.

However, they couldn't even score a goal and they missed a chance to stay above Lazio, as they now sit in fourth place.

There are 12 matches left and a two-point difference between the first Europa League spot and the last Champions League spot. This is going to be a great fight between Lazio and Udinese.

Round 27: 3/11 vs. Novara (A)

4. Lazio (4)

Round 26: Won 2-1 vs. Roma (A)

I played football for many years and I know there is no better feeling than a win in a derby. Lazio have to be feeling really good after their punishment of 10-man Roma in a 2-1 victory.

Miroslav Klose was taken down in the box by Maarten Stekelenburg, who was immediately sent off, and converted the resulting penalty kick.

Roma equalized and it was a fight the rest of the way, but Stefano Mauri grabbed the winner with a half-hour to play, putting Lazio fans in the capital into party mode.

The win also allowed Lazio to leapfrog Udinese for third place and the final Champions League spot. With 12 matches left, can they hold it?

Round 27: 3/11 vs. Bologna (H)

3. Napoli (3)

Round 26: Won 2-1 vs. Parma (A)

With Roma's loss and a win on the road, Napoli retained their position in the Europa League spots in the Serie A table.

Edinson Cavani scored off a missed penalty for his 16th goal of the season, and Ezequiel Lavezzi picked up his eighth.

Napoli are looking good of late and after a Friday match in Serie A, they will turn their attention to Chelsea in the Champions League, in what could prove to be the ultimate morale booster if they can retain their 3-1 lead from the home fixture.

Round 27: 3/9 vs. Cagliari (H)

2. Juventus (1)

Round 26: Drew 1-1 vs. Cheivo Verona (H)

Drew make-up match vs. Bologna 1-1 (A)

Draws. Draws. Draws. Draws. That has been the story of Juventus' season.

The Bianconeri are undefeated, but they are undefeated with 13 wins and 13 draws. The amount of points Juventus have dropped is absurd and because of it, they are now second place despite not having lost a match.

You have to have the feeling that the loss could be forthcoming. They have been lucky on many occasions not to lose recently.

They now have a lot of work to do to win the title. AC Milan will not give it up easily.

Round 27: 3/11 vs. Genoa (A)

1. AC Milan (2)

Round 26: Won 4-0 vs. Palermo (A)

AC Milan picked up a big three points at the Renzo Barbera, one of the toughest places to play as a visitor in Italy, by thrashing Palermo 4-0.

Combined with Juventus' two draws this week, Milan are now in first place by two points and are looking good.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic picked up where he left off before his questionably long suspension, scoring a hat trick in the first 35 minutes of the game and is now on level terms with Udinese's Antonio Di Natale with 18 goals in the race for the scoring title.

At that point, Milan let off a little bit, but Thiago Silva added his second of the season near the hour mark to put Palermo six feet under.

AC Milan have been playing very good football of late and won't likely let off the pedal anytime soon. The health is coming back for a lot of injured players, Ibrahimovic is back, and with Quarterfinal Champions League football for the first time in five years, they are feeling good.

Round 27: 3/11 vs. Lecce (H)