Italian Serie A Power Rankings: Round One

At long last, we are finally through one round of the 2011-12 Serie A season.

After the first round was postponed due to the players' strike and then the international break, teams finally got back to work on Friday when Milan and Lazio played to a 2-2 draw.

Now that all 20 teams have played it's time to update my power rankings.

I will be doing this every Monday. I presented my original power rankings for this season prior to the original start date of the season.

Without further ado, the power rankings for the 20 Italian Serie A clubs.

20) Lecce

Preseason: 20th

Round 1: Lost 2-0 vs. Udinese (H)

The 2011-12 campaign got off to the worst start possible for my preseason bottom-feeders.

Lecce opened at home against Udinese, fresh off its unlucky Champions League exit in the playoff round to Arsenal, and were put on the back foot almost immediately.

Dusan Bašta, who played seven games for Lecce on loan from Red Star Belgrade during the 2008-09 season while awaiting a move to Udinese, scored two minutes in for the visitors after missing the entire 2010-11 season to injury.

Antonio Di Natale netted 14 minutes later as Udinese had no trouble putting Lecce away.

The main reason for Lecce's loss was the lack of quality in front of net. The two sides shared the possession pretty closely with Lecce controlling play 52% of the time. The Wolves even out-shot the away club 18-15, but were off target 16 times. Even with more corner kicks, Lecce struggled to get anything going.

If Lecce have a hope of staying up this year, there is a lot of work to do up top.

This week: 9/18 vs. Bologna (A)

19) Atalanta

Preseason: 17th

Round 1: Draw 2-2 vs. Genoa (Away)

Atalanta pulled off a draw at Genoa, but that was after taking a 2-1 lead late in the first half through newcomer Maximiliano Moralez.

Making things worse for the Serie B champions is the point that they picked up at the Luigi Ferraris moves them up to -5 points this season after one match.

Yea, I wrote that right. Atalanta have -5 points.

The loss of six points prior to the start of the season comes as part of a match-fixing scandal that revolved around Atalanta, Udinese, and several smaller clubs.

I still think they're a better team than Lecce which is why I have them at 19, but obviously being 18th, 19th, or 20th in any order doesn't matter. You all still get relegated. Atalanta had a great chance to put themselves in better position in the league and blew it. The road doesn't get any easier from here on out.

This week: 9/18 vs. Palermo (Home)

18) Siena

Preseason: 19th

Round 1: Draw 0-0 vs. Catania (Away)

Well, they didn't lose. That's the plus.

In the only scoreless match of the round, Siena returned to Serie A with an ignorable performance. They were out-possessed 56-44 by Catania and showed a lack of discipline with 25 fouls committed, resulting in four bookings. The club only took four shots, were twice on target, and couldn't stay onside.

Next up is Juventus. If Siena thought they had problems against Catania, they are doomed on Sunday.

This week: 9/18 vs. Juventus (Home)

17) Bologna

Preseason: 15th

Round 1: Lost 2-0 vs. Fiorentina (Away)

Bologna weren't expected to make noise this season and they were pretty quiet at the Artemio Franchi this weekend when they fell to Fiorentina 2-0.

It was in all reality a fairly even game, with both sides possessing for 50 percent of the game and shots were 15-14 in favor of La Viola, but Bologna could get nothing going. They shot only twice on goal while keeper Jean Francois Gillet was hit with seven shots at his goal. The defense could do nothing to stop a revamped and quality Fiorentina side while Marco di Vaio failed to inspire on offense.

They have a chance at bouncing back next weekend, but this season could be a long one for Bologna supporters.

This week: 9/18 vs. Lecce (Home)

16) Catania

Preseason: 16th

Round 1: Draw 0-0 vs. Siena (Home)

Catania were uninspiring in their opening draw with Siena and make no move in this week's rankings.

The Sicilians had an opportunity to jump out to a quick three points against a club that was playing in Serie A for the first time in over a year. They controlled the field for the better part of the game, but Vincenzo Montella's men were unable to get anything going.

Next week will be an interesting game between two tough bottom-half teams. Should be entertaining.

This week: 9/18 vs. Cesena (Home)

15) Novara

Preseason: 18th

Round 1: Draw 2-2 vs. Chievo Verona (Away)

Newcomers Novara were able to snag a point on its trip to the Bentegodi against a tough Chiveo Verona side that has proven to be feisty since returning to Serie A.

Novara seemed to be dead and gone when in the 24th minute Cyril Thereau added a second to the quick opener Sergio Pellissier put past Samir Ujkani with just five minutes gone.

However, they kept their resolve, dominated possession, and were able to pull out the draw. Three minutes after Thereau put the Flying Donkeys well out in front, Francesco Marianini pulled a goal back and Novara kept up the pressure. Finally in the 85th minute, Massimo Paci grabbed the equalizer.

It was a great comeback by the newly promoted club, who will have to continue proving themselves on the road next week.

This week: 9/17 vs. Cagliari (Away)

14) Chievo Verona

Preseason: 14th

Round 1: Draw 2-2 vs. Novara (Home)

Chievo Verona were about to run away with its opening match against Novara, but the newly promoted club were able to come back and condemn the Flying Donkeys to only one point.

Sergio Pellissier and Cyril Thereau put the hosts up early, but the club was unable to keep the lead.

Rough break for Chievo, who came out firing. They will have a tough test this weekend when they go to play Parma at the Ennio Tardini. It will be difficult, but it could go either way.

This week: 9/18 vs. Parma (Away)

13) Parma

Preseason: 11th

Round 1: Lost 4-1 vs. Juventus (Away)

Parma were absolutely humiliated in its opening match of the season when title contenders Juventus put four past a team that gave the Bianconeri a tough time in their two matches last season.

Its a long season with 37 games to go, but Parma need to turn around and recover from the bashing they took during which they only took two shots and controlled the ball 35 percent of the game.

Parma are a good team but it has some work to do in its game this week if it wants to bounce back.

This week: 9/18 vs. Chievo Verona (Home)

12) Cesena

Preseason: 10th

Round 1: Lost 3-1 vs. Napoli (Home)

It was never going to be an easy test for the Seahorses, but Napoli dominated the game against Cesena from start to finish.

Ezequiel Lavezzi put Napoli in command three minutes in before Cesena leveled through Roberto Guana in the 24th. From that point on, Napoli controlled the game and finally Hugo Campagnaro and Marek Hamsik put the game away in the last half hour.

Cesena head to Sicily this weekend for a matchup with Cesena that promises to be a tough one.

11) Genoa

Preseason: 13th

Round 1: Draw 2-2 vs. Atalanta (Home)

Genoa managed a draw against Serie B champions Atalanta in their opening match.

Miguel Veloso got the home side off to a great start six minutes in when he beat Andrea Consigli, but his strike was offset less than two minutes later when Maximiliano Moralez got the first of his two goals. Moralez netted again in the 43rd minute to give the promoted side a 2-1 lead at the half.

10 minutes after the break, Giandomenico Mesto put Genoa right back in it. Despite going down before half, the host controlled play with 55 percent of possession and were able to keep its head on its shoulders.

Tough game coming up for Genoa at the Olimpico. It will definitely be a big early season test.

This week: 9/18 vs. Lazio (Away)

10) Roma

Preseason: 5th

Round 1: Lost 2-1 vs. Cagliari (Home)

Not the way Luis Enrique wanted to start his time as manager of the Romans.

Most everyone was expecting the Giallorossi to handle Cagliari with little effort. That was not the case.

Daniele Conti put the Sardinians up with 22 minutes to go. A minute later, Jose Angel was sent off on his debut for a reckless tackle on Davide Biondini.

Things were made worse when substitute Moestafa El Kabir put in his first Cagliari goal on his debut. Daniele De Rossi pulled one back, but right before the final whistle.

There are a lot of expectations on Roma this year. Like Juventus, they have been off the radar lately and are looking for a way back in. It's going to be difficult if they can't stay disciplined and in control against a mid-table side.

This week: 9/17 vs. Inter Milan (Away)

9) Cagliari

Preseason: 12th

Round 1: Won 2-1 vs. Roma (Away)

Cagliari pulled one of the biggest surprises of the round.

As mentioned in my look at Roma, Cagliari were too much for the boys from the capital. Daniele Conti and Moestafa El Kabir found the back of the net against a Luis Enrique's squad that was reduced to 10 men after Conti's goal.

It was all Cagliari after the Conti goal and De Rossi's consolation in stoppage time did nothing to affect the overall feel of the famous victory for the Sardinians, who should keep it going on Saturday.

This week: 9/17 vs. Novara (Home)

8) Inter Milan

Preseason: 4th

Round 1: Lost 4-3 vs. Palermo (Away)

Not the way Inter wanted to start this season.

The Nerrazzuri welcomed three newcomers into the starting lineup. Jonathan, Mauro Zarate and Diego Forlan were all making their Inter debuts for new coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Forlan was most inspiring, scoring a consolation goal in stoppage time.

The game was level for most of the second half with Diego Milito converted a penalty in the 51st for his second of the game, then Abel Hernandez netted a goal in the 54th.

In the dying minutes, Fabrizio Miccoli added a second to make it 3-2 and Mauricio Pinilla put it out of reach with a winner less than two minutes later.

There are three Champions League spots this year and Inter are one of the top four candidates, but they also seem to be the likely team out at the moment. They have a lot of work to do after a poor transfer market and will be tested to balance both Serie A and the Champions League.

This week: 9/14 Champions League vs. Trabzonspor (Home)

9/17 Serie A vs. Roma (Home)

7) Udinese

Preseason: 8th

Round 1: Won 2-0 vs. Lecce (Away)

Udinese stormed out to an early lead at the Via Del Mare and never looked back.

Goals in the 2nd and 16th minutes were enough to make Udinese forget their last match, an unfortunate fall to Arsenal in the Champions League, and now the black and white are ready to go this year.

Granted, they took care of the worst team in Serie A, but it was good to see a solid Udinese performance.

It's obvious that Antonio Di Natale will have even more responsibility taking control of the attack with the loss of Alexis Sanchez, but Udinese can manage. They won't be top three this year, but a fight for a Europa League spot seems reasonable.

This week: 9/15 Europa League vs. Rennes (Home)

9/18 Serie A vs. Fiorentina (Home)

6) Lazio

Preseason: 7th

Round 1: Draw 2-2 vs. Milan

Lazio and Milan put on a show in the first half of their opening match at the San Siro.

The visitors from Rome stormed onto the pitch and took a 2-0 lead with goals from newcomers Miroslav Klose in the 12th and Djibril Cisse in the 21st.

However after taking an early lead, they allowed the champions right back into it. Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulled one back eight minutes later and Antonio Cassano equalized four minutes later.

The game was back and forth after that with no goals. Milan controlled the ball for 60 percent of the game and had opportunities to go ahead, but Lazio caught them offside seven times.

Both teams were obviously hoping for a win and Lazio will be happier, but both showed shades of excellence. It won't be too difficult over the next couple weeks, but Lazio need to stay on its toes as it begins both Serie A and the Europa League.

This week: 9/15 Europa League vs. FC Valsui (Home)

9/18 Serie A vs. Genoa (Home)

5) Fiorentina

Preseason: 6th

Round 1: Won 2-0 vs. Bologna

Stevan Jovetic played for the first time in over a year and Fiorentina looked good in its first game of the season against Bologna.

Alberto Gilardino found the net early on and Alessio Cerci netted just after halftime.

It looked even on the stat sheet, with both sides possessing the ball equally and Fiorentina taking only one more shot, but it made the most of the opportunities.

A few tough tests await in the next couple weeks for La Viola. It should be a trying couple weeks.

This week: 9/18 vs. Udinese (Away)

4) Palermo

Preseason: 9th

Round 1: Win 4-3 vs. Inter Milan (Home)

Palermo pulled off one of the best results of the first round.

The Rosanero grabbed two late goals to finish off Inter Milan with a 4-3 win.

Palermo looked good from start to finish, making the most of its chances and proving that it could be a pest for the giants.

Despite losing Javier Pastore, the club looks pretty good.

This week: 9/18 vs. Atalanta (Away)

3) AC Milan

Preseason: 1st

Round 1: Draw 2-2 vs. Lazio (Home)

Milan fought back to earn a point against Lazio at the San Siro.

The Rossoneri started slow, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Antonio Cassano were able to grab a couple goals for Milan shortly after Djibril Cisse put the Romans up 2-0 with 21 minutes gone.

Milan were not at full strength. The club is still without Taye Taiwo and Phillipe Mexes, who will miss a couple more weeks, as well as Robinho. With the Champions League starting on Tuesday with a big clash against Barcelona, Pato and Mark Van Bommel didn't start for the Rossoneri. It didn't look like a typical Milan team.

Milan now face a larger setback with Ibrahimovic out for at least a week, but they are still a force to reckon with in the title race.

This week: 9/13 Champions League vs. Barcelona (Away)

9/18 Serie A vs. Napoli (Away)

2) Napoli

Preseason: 3rd

Round 1: Win 3-1 vs. Cesena (Away)

Napoli dominated Cesena in its opening match.

In a convincing victory, Napoli out-shot, out-possessed, and overall outplayed its opponent from start to finish.

Ezequiel Lavezzi, one of the many attacking options the Naples club have at its disposal, netted three minutes in to put the Azzurri on the fast track right away.

Cesena leveled in the 24th but were done in twice in the last half hour with Hugo Campagnaro and Marek Hamsik assuring victory for Walter Mazzarri's men.

Now it's time for Napoli to flex its muscles. This week will be a challenge for them.

This week: 9/14 Champions League vs. Manchester City (Away)

9/18 Serie A vs. Milan (Home)

1) Juventus

Preseason: 2nd

Round 1: Win 4-1 vs. Parma

Juventus made a whole lot of noise on the opening match day. The Bianconeri, having failed to return to prominence since Calciopoli crippled the club beyond compare, introduced their new-look club with a 4-1 whooping of Parma, a team that gave them nightmares last season.

Juventus spent €87.55 million in the summer market and it showed. Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Emanuele Giaccherini, and Mirko Vucinic highlighted the debut players for the Turin club, with Lichtsteiner starting the scoring and Vidal netting in the second half. Simone Pepe and Claudio Marchisio also netted for Juventus.

Juventus absolutely dominated this matchup. Parma were only able to muster two shots while controlling the ball for 35 percent of the game. The lone Parma goal came through a penalty kick by former Juventus man (and Juventus killer last season) Sebastian Giovinco.

The 27-time Italian champions put on a show and asserted themselves as the team most likely to dethrone current champions Milan this season.

This week: 9/18 vs. Siena (Away)