Serie A Power Rankings: Round 6

It was quite a strange weekend in Serie A.

With five scoreless draws, a couple of shock defeats, a last minute derby victory and the revival of a down champion, it was a week of ups and downs.

Amidst the mixed results, there was a lot of movement in the power rankings following the international break. Who is the new No. 1? The top teams struggled a bit this week, so there is a new top club.

20. Inter Milan (Last Week, 13)

Round 6: Lost 2-1 vs. Catania (A)

Things could not be going any worse for Inter Milan at the moment.

After not winning the Scudetto last season after five seasons at the top, Claudio Ranieri's men sit only one spot above the relegation zone, kept there by their one-goal advantage on Bologna and Lecce.

Through six games, Inter have one win, one draw and four defeats, the fourth coming on Saturday at the hands of Catania after the visitors took an early lead through Esteban Cambiasso.

They were absolutely dominated by the Elephants and need to recover quickly. They are here at 20th as a message. They are not playing anywhere near the standard we have come to expect. After a potentially trying battle in the Champions League on Tuesday, Inter will have a couple games where they should be able to recover points. Then again, the way Inter are playing, it's no guarantee.

Its not crazy to say right now that Massimo Moratti may be making at least one more change at the helm if Ranieri can't right the ship.

This week: Champions League: 10/18 vs. Lille (A)

Serie A: 10/23 vs. Chievo Verona (H)

19. Lecce (20)

Round 6: Draw 0-0 vs. Genoa (A)

Lecce were lucky to escape with a point at the Luigi Ferraris, as they leveled 10-men Genoa in a scoreless draw.

The game got ugly late, but then again, it was ugly the whole way. Both sides were uninspiring, but Lecce least of all.

Things aren't looking good for this team, and they may only get worse. Milan and Palermo are next on the calendar. Might be awhile before Lecce get off four points.

This Week: 10/23 vs. Milan (H)

18. Novara (16)

Round 6: Lost 2-0 vs. Bologna (H)

Novara were the better team in the first half at the Silvio Piola, but that won't be what's remembered about their 2-0 loss to Bologna.

Bologna, probably the most miserable team in Serie A besides Inter, were able to snatch two goals away from home and nullify the lack of possession and high number of fouls.

Without looking at how many goals each team scored, Novara dominated, but the most important thing is putting the ball in the net. Of 15 shots, only two went on target, making for a miserable day for the hosts.

Novara take on one of the league's best this weekend, but after that, have a chance to make up some ground.

This Week: 10/23 vs. Udinese (A)

17. Cesena (17)

Round 6: Drew 0-0 vs. Fiorentina (H)

Well, Cesena were able to snatch a point surprisingly against Fiorentina, but their rough season continues.

If not for the actions of the teams below them this week, they would be 20th, just like the actual table, but such is the way of things.

They were able to hang in the game, maintaining almost even possession with the Viola, but they lacked the quality needed in front of goal to get anything more than a home draw.

Cesena need to recover against Siena, or else the road will only get tougher.

This Week: 10/23 vs. Siena (A)

16. Bologna (19)

Round 6: Won 2-0 vs. Novara (A)

Bologna actually won a game.

In the first match for new manager Stefano Pioli, Bologna were outplayed in the first half, but stole two goals and all three points away to Novara to pick up three points.

After one season at Chievo and being sacked at Palermo before even taking to the sideline, Pioli got off to a flying start with his new club.

Gaston Ramirez and Roberto Acquafresca were the heroes for the visitors, who were out-possessed and out-shot.

It was a great first win, but it came against lowly Novara. Don't get too excited.

A tough game against Lazio is in the cards this weekend. Should be an extremely long night for the hosts.

This Week: 10/23 vs. Lazio (H)

15. Siena (18)

Round 6: Drew 0-0 vs. Cagliari (A)

Cagliari had a chance to go to the top of the table this weekend when they hosted Siena, but a scoreless draw prevented that and moved the visitors clear of the drop zone.

Zeljko Brkic was phenomenal in the net, making six crucial saves and keeping the most surprising team in Serie A at bay.

It was a surprisingly exciting 0-0 draw and a good result for the Serie B runners-up. The next couple games could provide a spark for Siena, but they will be tough tests with the rest of the bottom table.

This Week: 10/23 vs. Cesena (H)

14. Genoa (12)

Round 6: Drew 0-0 vs. Lecce (H)

Terrible result for a struggling Genoa squad.

Kakha Kaladze was sent off with 11 minutes to go, but even with 11 men, the Griffins probably wouldn't have gotten more than what they ended up with.

They controlled the possession and dominated the game, and they should have found at least a goal, but Massimiliano Benassi was brilliant for Lecce in the goal, especially on Bosko Jankovic's free kick in the 94th minute.

Genoa need to get back on track. The idea of that happening anytime soon will be difficult. It's doubtful the team recovers this weekend.

This Week: 10/22 vs. Juventus (A)

13. Chievo Verona (11)

Round 6: Drew 0-0 vs. Juventus (H)

The Chievo defense was able to keep Juventus at bay in their match last weekend.

Despite Juventus' clear control of possession and Chievo's lack of threatening play on offense, the hosts were able to salvage a point against the men at the top of the Serie A table.

It was really uninspiring, and in reality, Juventus should have won handily.

The Flying Donkeys have a chance to make a statement against Inter, who have been dreadful thus far. Can the Verona side make some noise?

This Week: 10/23 vs. Inter (A)

12. Atalanta (14)

Round 6: Drew 0-0 vs. Udinese (H)

Atalanta got another good result this past weekend, getting a draw against table-toppers Udinese.

Atalanta dominated and were really unlucky to not win the game.

It is amazing that the Serie B champions are on five points right now after starting the season with negative-six due to their match-fixing scandal. That means that if they started with zero, Atalanta would be sitting in fifth place with 11 points, tied with Cagliari and Lazio, who edge them on goal difference.

They are starting to realize cheating was a bad idea.

This Week: 10/23 vs. Parma (A)

11. Roma (9)

Round 6: Lost 2-1 vs. Lazio (A)

The Derby Della Capitale was something special. Well, not if you were a Roma fan.

Roma took the lead early through Panlo Daniel Osvaldo, but after that, and especially after Simon Kjaer was sent off, Lazio controlled the game. Roma seemed to be ready to scrape through, but Lazio found the net at the death.

Roma have been less than inspiring so far and need to pick it up. Its a tough road ahead, however, one that could test exactly how good the Romans actually are.

This Week: 10/23 vs. Palermo (H)

10. Catania (15)

Round 6: Won 2-1 vs. Inter (H)

Catania were one of the best teams of the round, completely dominating Claudio Ranieri's Inter Milan side.

After Inter snagged a quick lead, Sergio Almiron and Francesco Lodi scored in a four minute span to secure one of the most famous wins in the club's recent memory.

Can Catania keep this up? Probably not, but they do have an incredibly tough road ahead.

This Week: 10/22 vs. Fiorentina (A)

9. Fiorentina (8)

Round 6: Drew 0-0 vs. Cesena (A)

Cesena were able to hold Fiorentina, who were off to a good start this season.

The visitors were unable to capitalize even after former Viola star Adrian Mutu was sent off with about 20 minutes to play.

Even with the extra man, Fiorentina could get nothing going, especially since Francesco Antonioli was phenomenal in net for the Seahorses. He stopped all seven shots on goal.

La Viola had no answer for the struggling Cesena side and definitely need to pick up the pace. A potentially tough test awaits on Saturday against Catania, a team who stole the spotlight this weekend.

This Week: 10/23 vs. Catania (H)

8. Cagliari (7)

Round 6: Drew 0-0 vs. Siena (H)

Cagliari missed the chance to set the pace in Serie A when they failed to win against newly-promoted Siena.

This is the second time in their first six games that Cagliari failed to score. Both have resulted in 0-0 draws.

They outplayed Siena; that is certain, but as mentioned before, Siena keeper Zeljko Brkic was absolutely brilliant.

Cagliari suffered a minor hiccup, but they have a chance to show their quality against Napoli this weekend.

This Week: 10/23 vs. Napoli (H)

7. Parma (10)

Round 6: Won 2-1 vs. Napoli

What a win for Parma this weekend.

Coming off the international break, Parma went into the San Paolo and took care of Napoli 2-1.

Massimo Gobbi put the visitors in front nearly an hour in, but when Napoli finally broke through thanks to Giuseppe Mascara, the match seemed to be going towards a draw.

With about 10 minutes left, Francesco Modesto netted his first goal of the season, sealing a famous win for the guests.

That's six points from their last two matches for Parma. Can they keep it up? They have an opportunity on Sunday, but it will be a tough test.

This Week: 10/23 vs. Atalanta (H)

6. Palermo (3)

Round 6: Lost 3-0 vs. Milan (A)

Palermo were pulled apart on Saturday at the hands of AC Milan.

The champions were in good form for the first time this year, and Palermo couldn't handle it. They were out-possessed, out-shot and couldn't keep up at all.

Palermo have a chance at recovery when they take on Roma this weekend, but they need to settle down quick.

This Week: 10/23 vs. Roma (A)

5. Napoli (1)

Round 6: Lost 2-1 vs. Parma (H)

Napoli controlled the game on the stat sheet, but not on the scoreboard, and Parma were able to snag the three points.

After Parma took the lead early in the second half, Giuseppe Mascara leveled with 15 minutes to play, but the defense couldn't hold the visitors from getting the winner.

Wouldn't be too concerned about Napoli. They're going to recover, but this week could be a challenge.

This Week: Champions League, 10/18 vs. Bayern Munich (H)

Serie A, 10/23 vs. Cagliari (A)

4. Udinese (4)

Round 6: Drew 0-0 vs. Atalanta (A)

Udinese ran into a hot Atalanta side and were only able to get a point this past weekend.

The Zebras should have done better. They got off only six shots compared to Atalanta's 18. The hosts were able to keep Udinese from going top of the table by themselves.

Francesco Guidolin's men have shouldn't have any trouble bouncing back from this. A couple of games this week for the black and white in Europe and Serie A.

This Week: Europa League, 10/20 vs. Atletico Madrid (H)

Serie A, 10/23 vs. Novara (H)

3. Juventus (2)

Round 6: Drew 0-0 vs. Chievo Verona

Juventus also suffered a scoreless draw in a game they should have won.

Juve controlled possession and out-shot the Flying Donkeys, but couldn't get the ball in the net.

This is surely a minor setback for a club that has been so amazing this year.

Saturday should be a step back in the right direction for the Bianconeri.

This Week: 10/22 vs. Genoa (A)

2. Lazio (5)

Round 6: Won 2-1 vs. Roma (H)

The Rome Derby was one of the most exciting games in awhile, with Lazio winning in stoppage time 2-1.

Paolo David Osvaldo got Roma off to a dream start with his fifth minute strike, but a red card for Simon Kjaer and a converted penalty put Lazio back in the match.

No matter how hard Lazio tried, they couldn't get anything going. Finally, in the 93rd minute, Miroslav Klose slotted home the winner.

Had it not been for a dominating win by another big club, they would be the new No. 1.

A thrilling win and a great result for Lazio. They will go to Bologna on Sunday a point behind the leaders Juventus and Udinese.

This Week: Europa League, 10/20 vs. FC Zurich (A)

Serie A, 10/23 vs. Bologna (A)

1. AC Milan (6)

Round 6: Won 3-0 vs. Palermo (H)

The Rossoneri are back.

Why are Milan No. 1? Because they played like the champions from last season.

Milan have had a rough start to the season, but with nearly 10 players injured heading before the international break, the difficult start was to be expected.

Kevin-Prince Boateng is presently injured, but Robinho was able to make his debut. He was instrumental to Milan's attack and netted his first goal of the season.

Goals from Antonio Nocerino and in-form Antonio Cassano netted, and Ignazio Abate came back from injury to provide influence on defense.

As Milan get healthier, they will only become more dangerous. The schedule ahead is favorable for Milan, and it looks like Milan could get back in the race.

This Week: Champions League, 10/19 vs. BATE Borisov (H)

Serie A, 10/23 vs. Lecce (A)