Serie A Power Rankings: Round 9

Another week of intense Serie A action is gone.

Italy's 20 best teams went toe-to-toe during two rounds of action this week. There were clear-cut victories, a few upsets, and some teams that should have played a lot better.

As the season moves into November, this is where the contenders start to become extremely clear and we get down to the thick of it.

Can Cagliari keep up their hot start? What about Atalanta? Will Inter build off their Round 7 win and climb back up? In Serie A, you never know what can happen.

This is the power rankings of the Serie A clubs following Rounds 8 and 9. Next to each team, you will see where they were ranked after Round 7.

Two-round weeks are never easy, so who survived, who needs work, and who seems done and dusted?

20. Cesena (20)

Round 8: Drew 1-1 vs. Cagliari (H)

Round 9: Lost 2-0 vs. Parma (A)

Things are looking the same for last year's sweethearts.

Despite the hype of Cesena this year, not as title contenders, but as a team on the rise, they have fallen off the grid big time and are sinking pretty fast.

If the club are going to get back on track, it has to be soon. Marco Giampaolo was fired on Sunday, so the new boss will need to impress quickly, as Cesena have only three points nine matches in.

Not a better first match than Lecce arguably. The mystery boss may only be around long enough to see out the 90 minutes if the Seahorses can't get a result at home.

This Week:

Round 10: 11/6 vs. Lecce (H)

19. Chievo Verona (17)

Round 8: Lost 1-0 vs. Bologna (H)

Round 9: Lost 4-1 vs. Siena (A)

Rough week for the Flying Donkeys.

Chievo missed out on six potentially easy points and could get nothing going as their play continues to look weak.

Can Chievo turn it around? This week provides an extremely difficult test at the Bentegodi when they welcome Fiorentina. It might be a difficult struggle back to form for Chievo.

Round 10: 11/6 vs. Fiorentina (H)

18. Novara (19)

Round 8: Drew 1-1 vs. Siena (H)

Round 9: Drew 1-1 vs. Lecce (A)

Two weak opponents, two draws for Novara during a week which they should have picked up at least four points.

Novara move up, but because of the poor results around the league this week.

A very tough game is in sight for them this week. Roma will provide a difficult home challenge.

Round 10: 11/5 vs. Roma (H)

17. Inter Milan (15)

Round 8: Drew 1-1 vs. Atalanta (A)

Round 9: Lost 2-1 vs. Juventus (H)

Oh wow Inter, wow.

Just when you looked to be heading in the right direction too.

Inter Milan have failed to hit their stride all season and this week just made things worse.

Atalanta have been amazing, but they haven't had much of a chance to take a swing at the big boys. Inter can't really be considered a big boy right now the way they played.

What can Inter do? With so much supposed talent, you would think they would be higher than 17th in the standings, just a point outside the relegation zone.

A trip to Genoa needs to result in three points for Inter. It has to.

Round 10: 11/6 vs. Genoa (A)

16. Lecce (16)

Round 8: Lost 2-0 vs. Palermo (A)

Round 9: Drew 1-1 vs. Novara (H)

Well, same old for Lecce.

Not much they could do against Palermo, one of the league's best, but against Novara, they missed a chance at some nice points that would have seen them closer to moving out of the drop zone.

Can Lecce recover soon? A trip to Cesena may be the best medicine.

Round 10: 11/6 vs. Cesena (A)

15. Bologna (18)

Round 8: Won 1-0 vs. Chievo Verona (A)

Round 9: Won 3-1 vs. Atalanta (H)

Bologna knocked Atalanta off their pedestal and attained six points in a very impressive weak for a struggling team.

The solid form is exactly what was needed for a team on the decline and looking like they are destined for Serie B this year.

However, Chievo and Atalanta are not Juventus and Milan. Can Bologna keep it up?

Palermo is next so it could be difficult to pick up a third win in a row.

Round 10: 11/5 vs. Palermo (A)

14. Parma (12)

Round 8: Lost 4-1 vs. AC Milan (A)

Round 9: Won 2-0 vs. Cesena (H)

Parma recovered against the league's worst after being walloped by defending champions AC Milan.

Parma seemed to be heading towards a close game at the San Siro, but Antonio Nocerino's brilliant performance screwed any chance Parma had.

They continue to drop after a decent start to the season. Is a recovery possible at this point for Parma? It's early, but their recent form has been iffy to say the least.

Two tough tests over the next two rounds, starting with Lazio. Parma need to get something out of the next two weeks to get back to the top half of the table.

Round 10: 11/6 vs. Lazio (A)

13. Genoa (13)

Round 8: Won 2-1 vs. Roma (H)

Round 9: Lost 1-0 vs. Fiorentina (A)

Genoa did pick up a good three points this week against Roma, but then fell to a tough Fiorentina side.

They were close to a draw with Roma after Fabio Borini offset an early goal from the Griffins, but Juraj Kucka was a hero, making it a good start to the week for Genoa.

No movement in the rankings this week is a result of the rest of the league's performances and the fact that they lost to one of the better teams in the league.

Goal difference is the only thing that keeps Genoa out of the top half of the table. If they can get it going, they can get into contention for a European spot. A big game at home this week could help them get it going.

Round 10: 11/6 vs. Inter Milan (H)

12. Siena (14)

Round 8: Drew 1-1 vs. Novara (A)

Round 9: Won 4-1 vs. Chievo Verona (H)

Not a terrible week for Siena.

After what should have arguably been a win over Novara, who equalized with 10 minutes left, Siena put a hurting on Chievo Verona at the Montepaschi.

Two more goals for Emanuele Calaio see him in fifth in the race for Italy's top scorer through nine games, only two off the pace.

If he can provide the spark in the attack, Siena can survive and stay out of the drop zone. They could even remain in the top half of the table, where they currently sit seventh.

How will they react to playing one of the league's best on Sunday? They've had only one game against the current top five. They lost 1-0. They get one of the tougher sides and have to travel for what could be a long game.

Round 10: 11/6 vs. Udinese (A)

11. Roma (8)

Round 8: Lost 2-1 vs. Genoa (A)

Round 9: Lost 3-2 vs. AC Milan (H)

Not a good week at all for the Giallorossi.

Two rough losses this week see Roma fall out of the Top 10.

They looked set to pick up at least a point during a trip to Genoa, but after Fabio Borini's equalizer, the defense was unable to keep the hosts from getting a winner in the 89th.

Then came the game on Saturday at the Olimpico, a happy place for AC Milan, who clinched the Scudetto last season on their visit to play Roma to a 0-0 draw in May. Luis Enrique admitted himself that AC Milan were far and beyond the better team and that Roma in no way deserved any points from that game.

Roma should be back in the Top 10 next week. They go on the road and should take all three points.

Round 10: 11/5 vs. Novara (A)

10. Atalanta (7)

Round 8: Drew 1-1 vs. Inter Milan (H)

Round 9: Lost 3-1 vs. Bologna (A)

Not a great week for Atalanta, who were arguably the hottest team to start the season.

Don't let this week be any indication though. Only if this trend continues for a few more rounds would I be worried about the Serie B champs.

Germain Denis has been spot on this season, finding the net six times.

The Dea are certainly a team that fans can feel for and wish no ill upon. They have a big game this week against another surprise team in what could end up being one of the best games of the week. How will they fare?

Round 10: 11/6 vs. Cagliari (H)

9. Cagliari (6)

Round 8: Drew 1-1 vs. Cesena (A)

Round 9: Lost 3-0 vs. Lazio (H)

Cagliari also struggled this week.

After a disappointing draw with lowly Cesena, one of the biggest surprises of the season, Cagliari, were handed a devastating defeat at the hands of Lazio.

Cagliari were off to a roaring start this season and were sixth in the power rankings last week, but one point this week saw them drop to ninth in both these rankings and the standings.

Not too much to worry about though. This side has been incredible to start. Everyone goes through a rough patch at one point or another.

It will be a great game on Sunday for sure. Both Cagliari and Atalanta have been fantastic to start, but hit a lull this week. Who wins the big clash of the two unlikely shiners in Serie A?

Round 10: 11/6 vs. Atalanta (A)

8. Catania (11)

Round 8: Drew 1-1 vs. Cesena (A)

Round 9: Won 2-1 vs. Napoli (H)

Who would've thought that Catania would be in sixth at any point of the season?

The Elephants had a pretty decent week. They should have done better against Cesena, but they made up for it with a big victory at home against Napoli, showing that they are for real the way they're playing.

An ultimate test awaits on Sunday when they visit the champions. AC Milan will be waiting for them at the San Siro without three key players and their manager. Can they knock off the Rossoneri?

Round 10: 11/6 vs. AC Milan (A)

7. Palermo (10)

Round 8: Won 2-0 vs. Lecce (H)

Round 9: Lost 1-0 vs. Udinese (A)

Palermo got the guaranteed points, but couldn't get the big ones against high-flying Udinese.

A little bit of recovery after last week, but Palermo still need to prove themselves against the best.

Saturday should just be a confidence booster for the men in pink. Bologna shouldn't be much of a challenge, but after they beat Atalanta, who knows?

Round 10: 11/5 vs. Bologna (H)

6. Fiorentina (9)

Round 8: Lost 2-1 vs. Juventus (A)

Round 9: Won 1-0 vs. Genoa (H)

Summer acquisition Andrea Lazzari was the hero in Round 9 as Fiorentina picked up 3 points in a big win over Genoa.

The win keeps Fiorentina in the top half of the table, where La Viola belongs.

Fiorentina need to be more consistent, but its a talented team that should compete for European positioning.

This week should be a gimme for Fiorentina.

Round 10: 11/6 vs. Chievo Verona (A)

5. Napoli (5)

Round 8: Won 2-0 vs. Udinese (H)

Round 9: Lost 2-1 vs. Catania (A)

They got the big points, but Napoli dropped the easy ones.

Napoli should've beaten Catania, despite the Elephant's good start to the season. Napoli are a title contender and missed a good chance at three easy points.

Still, there are plenty of games to play so there's no need to worry about this team.

One of the biggest clashes of the season is on the agenda for Sunday. Napoli will want to impress against Juventus in an epic matchup at the San Paolo.

Round 10: 11/6 vs. Juventus (H)

4. Udinese (2)

Round 8: Lost 2-0 vs. Napoli (A)

Round 9: Won 1-0 vs. Palermo (H)

Udinese lost some ground as the rest of the top five had stronger weeks.

It was unlucky for the new kids on the top level of Serie A to have Napoli and Palermo back-to-back, but such is the way of football. They got the easier points, but were completely outplayed by Napoli.

The loss keeps them in second place. Even a draw would have put them in first ahead of Juventus.

An easy three points should present themselves this weekend when Siena travel to Udin.

Round 10: 11/6 vs. Siena (H)

3. Lazio (3)

Round 8: Drew 1-1 vs. Catania (H)

Round 9: Won 3-0 vs. Cagliari (A)

Decent week for Lazio, picking up four points against two of the surprise teams in the league.

Catania have been impressive so far and Cagliari have been even better. Lazio are a great team, but they can't expect all six points from a week like that.

The high soaring Eagles are in third in both the rankings and the league, with one of the best defenses (eight goals allowed) and a lot of energy that could take them places this season.

They can keep their form up with a not so difficult matchup with Parma this week.

Round 10: 11/6 vs. Parma (A)

2. Juventus (4)

Round 8: Won 2-1 vs. Fiorentina (H)

Round 9: Won 2-1 vs. Inter Milan (A)

Great week for Juventus.

The Old Lady took down two regularly tough teams in La Viola and Inter in one week.

Juventus looked strong as they have all season and remain at the top of the table for now.

Napoli will make for an amazing matchup on Sunday. This game could have major implications.

Round 10: 11/6 vs. Napoli (A)

1. AC Milan (1)

Round 8: Won 4-1 vs. Parma (H)

Round 9: Won 3-2 vs. Roma (A)

Milan continue to look good following the break, having now won five straight.

The Rossoneri have found their stride, but tough times may lie ahead.

Heading into a tough match with Catania, Max Allegri has been given a touchline ban, Antonio Nocerino is suspended one game, and Kevin-Prince Boateng is out for two matches.

Milan also now need to worry about life without Antonio Cassano, who is out for the season due to necessary heart surgery after a stroke on the way back from Rome.

Milan will need to cope as injuries and suspensions begin to provide challenges. Of note, they have as many points (17) through nine games as they did last year when the won the championship. Can they do it again?

Round 10: 11/6 vs. Catania (H)