Serie A Power Rankings: Round 7

Round 7 in Serie A has come and gone with some great matches as always.

Some key wins, well-played draws and one of the fastest hat tricks ever mark the seventh round of games in one of the world's toughest leagues.

There was a bit of movement in the weekly power rankings, so who takes the top spot?

The rankings are based on recent form and movement is based on where the club was in the previous week. These are the Round 7 rankings. Next week will cover rounds 8 and 9.

20. Cesena (19)

Round 7: Lost 2-0 vs. Siena (A)

Cesena are continuing to disappoint, as they lost for the fifth time this year.

One of the surprises of last season, Cesena are the only team of the 20 that has failed to win this season. With only two goals and a lot of miserable results, Cesena seem to have boarded a one-way flight back to Serie B.

Still, the club have 31 games to play, so there is plenty of hope for the time being, but only if Cesena's form improves.

A couple of tough tests this week, especially since they have to go on the road, where they haven't captured a single point.

This Week: 10/26 vs. Cagliari (H)

10/30 vs. Parma (A)

19. Novara (18)

Round 7: Lost 3-0 vs. Udinese (A)

Novara have struggled to adjust to life in Serie A so far, so it can't be much of a shock that they left Udin without any points.

Udinese continued their strong form, leaving Novara as a victim in their wake.

Novara could easily pick up six points this week, but they'll have to be in top form.

This Week: 10/26 vs. Siena (H)

10/30 vs. Lecce (A)

18. Bologna (16)

Round 7: Lost 2-0 vs. Lazio (H)

Aside from Cesena, no team has arguably been as bad as Bologna. Maybe Novara, who fell 2-0 to Bologna in Round 6, but with only four goals for and 12 against while losing five of its first seven, it seems like things are only getting worse.

Interesting week for Marco Di Vaio and company. A match with Chievo could prove a tough match, but then they face the high-flying Goddesses.

This Week: 10/26 vs. Chievo Verona (A)

10/30 vs. Atalanta (H)

17. Chievo Verona (13)

Round 7: Lost 1-0 vs. Inter Milan (A)

Chievo completely outplayed by a struggling Inter Milan side.

The Flying Donkeys have been extremely average this season. With two wins, two losses and three draws and a zero goal difference, the club have been unimpressive.

A chance to turn their fortunes around is in sight for Chievo with their upcoming matches.

This Week: 10/26 vs. Bologna (H)

10/30 vs. Parma (A)

16. Lecce (19)

Round 7: Lost 4-3 vs. AC Milan (H)

Lecce may have lost, but they deserve a lot of praise for the way they played in the first half.

They took the game to Milan right from the start, and the champions weren't sure what to do.

A case can be made that the second and third goals shouldn't have happened. Daniele Corvia seemed to go down way too easy, and it appeared that there may have been offside on the third goal, but the calls were what they were, and Lecce went into the break 3-0.

Lecce were impressive at the start, but it's not like anything crazy is about to happen with this team. Two tough games are in line for this week.

This Week: 10/27 vs. Palermo (A)

10/30 vs. Novara (H)

15. Inter Milan (20)

Round 7: Won 1-0 vs. Chievo Verona (H)

Inter took control at the San Siro, picking up their first home victory of the season.

Thiago Motta's struck just after a half hour, and Inter didn't look back. They controlled the game, but even on 22 shots, they only mustered one goal.

Its a step in the right direction for a struggling team.

This week will be a tough one for Inter, facing two of the league's hottest teams.

This Week: 10/26 vs. Atalanta (A)

10/29 vs. Juventus (H)

14. Siena (15)

Round 7: Won 2-0 vs. Cesena (H)

Siena took advantage of bottom feeders Cesena to earn three points this weekend.

It was a balanced game, but Siena made the most of their chances.

No marquee matchups this week for the team. Shouldn't be too exciting to watch.

This Week: 10/26 vs. Novara (A)

10/30 vs. Chievo (H)

13. Genoa (14)

Round 7: Drew 2-2 vs. Juventus (A)

Juventus got off to a roaring start, but Genoa held their ground and held on for a 2-2 draw at the Juventus Stadium.

Twice the visitors went behind, and twice, they came back. Marco Rossi and Andrea Caracciolo were the heroes for the Grifone on the day.

Roma and Fiorentina provide a couple of interesting tests for Genoa.

This Week: 10/26 vs. Roma (H)

10/30 vs. Fiorentina (A)

12. Parma (7)

Round 7: Lost 2-1 vs. Atalanta (H)

Parma lost their fourth game of the season after wins over Genoa and Napoli, this time to a feisty Atalanta team.

Sebastian Giovinco and company just couldn't get anything going.

Rough matchup midweek for Parma, but a chance to pick some points up at the weekend.

This Week: 10/26 vs. Milan (A)

10/30 vs. Cesena (H)

11. Catania (10)

Round 7: Drew 2-2 vs. Fiorentina (A)

Catania were able to secure a point on their trip to the Artemio Franchi.

The point keeps them in range of some of Italy's toughest, but can the Elephants actually keep it up? This week will give fans a clearer idea of that.

Two of those tough teams are on the schedule for this week.

This Week: 10/26 vs. Lazio (A)

10/29 vs. Napoli (H)

10. Palermo (6)

Round 7: Lost 1-0 vs. Roma (A)

Palermo fell once again to one of the league's stronger clubs as they were knocked off by Roma.

Despite out-shooting the hosts, Palermo could get nothing going and suffered another loss. They still remain in the top half of the table despite the two losses to Milan and Roma in the last two rounds.

It should be an easy three points on Thursday for Palermo before a tough test with Udinese at the weekend.

This Week: 10/27 vs. Lecce (H)

10/30 vs. Udinese (A)

9. Fiorentina (9)

Round 7: Drew 2-2 vs. Catania (H)

Fiorentina were unable to get more than a point when Catania visited the Artemio Franchi.

Stevan Jovetic scored twice, each time giving the Viola the lead, but the hosts were unable to hold the lead either time.

Fiorentina need to turn right around and put the game in the past. Juventus are on the docket for Tuesday.

This Week: 10/25 vs. Juventus (H)

10/30 vs. Genoa (A)

8. Roma (11)

Round 7: Won 1-0 vs. Palermo (H)

Erik Lamela struck within 10 minutes, and Roma were able to propel a feisty Palermo side.

The Rosanero fired 22 shots and pressured Maarten Stekelenburg, but the phenomenal Dutch keeper was able to fend off any chances the visitors had.

Following a heart-breaking derby loss, Roma were able to bounce back and remain near the top of the table, only four points off the pace.

Genoa and Milan are on the slate this week, meaning Roma have to stay on their toes.

This Week: 10/26 vs. Genoa (A)

10/29 vs. Milan (H)

7. Atalanta (12)

Round 7: Won 2-1 vs. Parma (A)

There are few teams hotter right now.

Atalanta are taking the league by storm. Had it not been for a six-point deduction before the season, the Serie B champions would be sitting just behind Udinese and Lazio in the Serie A table.

The hot streak continued this weekend as Atalanta took care of Parma.

Mixed week for the blue and black, but nothing they can't handle.

This Week: 10/26 vs. Inter Milan (H)

10/30 vs. Bologna (A)

6. Cagliari (8)

Round 7: Drew 0-0 vs. Napoli (H)

Two of the league's best played to a scoreless draw this weekend when Cagliari and Napoli faced off.

A few years ago, the idea of Cagliari and Napoli both competing at the top of the table was ludicrous. Times change.

Despite the scoreless draw, Cagliari have been one of the league's best all season. They are sure to keep the pace up and continue to challenge their rivals at the top of the table.

There is a great chance to grab some points for the new contenders on the block this week.

This Week: 10/26 vs. Cesena (A)

10/30 vs. Lazio (H)

5. Napoli (5)

Round 7: Drew 0-0 vs. Cagliari (A)

Again, two great teams playing to a draw. Not a bad week for Napoli, but it's still not the three points they were hoping for.

Since the break, Napoli have not had much luck. A loss against Parma and draws with Bayern Munich and Cagliari have caused some struggles.

However, this is still Napoli. Few teams have made the rise to championship contender as they have. There's no denying that they are in with a great chance at the title.

Napoli-Udinese will be one of the biggest, if not the biggest game of the midweek fixtures.

This Week: 10/26 vs. Udinese (H)

10/29 vs. Catania (A)

4. Juventus (3)

Round 7: Drew 2-2 vs. Genoa (H)

Juventus got off to a fast start through Alessandro Matri, but they weren't able to prevent Genoa from escaping the hostile confines of Juventus Stadium without a point.

Matri put Juventus up 1-0 within 10 minutes and then 2-1 after the break, but Juventus were unable to keep Genoa from scoring with five minutes left.

Not a devastating blow for Juventus, though. They still sit third in the table.

Tricky road ahead. It will be a good chance to evaluate the 27-time champions.

This Week: 10/25 vs. Fiorentina (H)

10/30 vs. Inter Milan (A)

3. Lazio (2)

Round 7: Won 2-0 vs. Bologna (A)

Lazio kept running off the high of a stoppage time winner in the Rome Derby to beat lowly Bologna on the road.

Senad Lulic added to an early own goal to give the visitors another three points and put them within one of Udinese.

Lazio should be able to get through this week unscathed, though they do face a tough Cagliari team.

This Week: 10/26 vs. Catania (H)

10/30 vs. Cagliari (A)

2. Udinese (4)

Round 7: Won 3-0 vs. Novara (H)

High-flying Udinese kept things going this week, with a win over struggling Novara.

Ever since losing to Arsenal in the Champions League, the Zebras have been on a mission and sit alone at the top of Serie A with 15 points, though some of the league's best are on their back.

With so many teams in range, Antonio Di Natale and company will need to be at their best every match from here on out.

This week is going to be an extremely difficult test. If they make it through the week unscathed, they would have to be called a favorite to win the Scudetto.

This Week: 10/26 vs. Napoli (A)

10/30 vs. Palermo (H)

1. AC Milan (1)

Round 7: Won 4-3 vs. Lecce (A)

Wow.

AC Milan are at No. 1 because their second half performance was dominant and a display of the Milan that won the league last season.

Milan were down 3-0 at halftime against Lecce and looked miserable, but as Milan know all too well, there is no such thing as an insurmountable halftime lead, especially 3-0.

Kevin-Prince Boateng came storming into the game as a second half sub. He scored a wonder-goal in the 49th, and 14 minutes later, was on one of the fastest hat tricks of all time.

Once Milan leveled, they seemed to stop going for a fourth, though they came close several times and absolutely dominated the game.

Mario Yepes got the winner in the 83rd, and AC Milan are back.

They are within range of taking top spot in Serie A, and few teams are as hot. Can they keep it up against Parma and Roma?

This Week: 10/26 vs. Parma (H)

10/29 vs. Roma (A)