Rise of Serie A’s lesser sides could lead to an interesting European race

Published on: 03 November 2016

Although the title race might not offer much excitement in Serie A this year, the battle of the other sides to land European football could offer interesting viewing.

While Serie A clubs wait for a fourth Champions League qualification spot to arrive, it remains a keenly fought contest to finish behind Juventus – assuming they receive their customary winners medals in May.

However, even if AC Milan finally join the chase for Europe’s top table with Napoli and Roma, it is those jostling for Europa League places that could provide far more entertaining viewing.

With just two places up for grabs and the likelihood that one is taken by the losers in the Champions League race, opportunities are limited for clubs such as Sassuolo – currently experiencing their first overseas adventure.

Like the Neroverdi last term, though, the new faces currently hovering around the upper reaches of the table make a refreshing change.

Not seen in European competition since a UEFA Cup quarter-final loss to Inter, Atalanta are finally finding their feet under new coach Gian Piero Gasperini, and their fans already have aspirations of a Leicester-style Scudetto.

Solid defensively, the Nerazzurri have seen off Napoli, Inter and Genoa in Bergamo recently, seemingly resolving the issues that brought consecutive defeats to Cagliari and Palermo to be unbeaten in six.

In an even stronger position than Atalanta are capital side Lazio – actually ahead weekend foes Napoli – powered by the goals of Ciro Immobile after last year failing miserably to follow up a third place finish in 2014-15.

However, with the all domineering Bianconeri and the overall squad strength of the Partenopei and city neighbours the Giallorossi, will do well to keep pace after Christmas.

Of the other challengers, Torino and Cagliari face-off on Saturday evening, the former reaching the group stages by default two years ago after Parma’s financial meltdown meant they would not be granted a licence.

With long-term coach Giampiero Ventura departing for the national team this summer, a season of transition was expected in Turin, however, incoming Sinisa Mihajlovic has done wonderfully integrating some decent signings into the squad.

While the Granata were bolstered by the high-profile arrival of Joe Hart, the acquisitions of Adem Ljajic, Iago Falque and Leandro Castan look inspired and give them a real chance of last the distance.

The Isolani, in contrast, will surely fall away once age catches up with 34-year-old striker Marco Borriello and his current scoring run ends, not to mention their less than watertight defence that has shipped 10 goals more than their rivals.

A worry for all of those looking for a rare venture into Europe is the ascent of Fiorentina. Struggling since the season commenced and by no means convincing during recent victories, Paulo Sousa’s side are perennial European qualifiers, thus possess the know-how to plan for the long haul.

Beyond that, Genoa and Chievo – 10th and 11th on 15 points each – who meet at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday are outsiders, but given comprehensive defeats last weekend to Atalanta and Crotone respectively will be focusing first on survival.

However, if one of this unlikely group of sides can break into the Europa League or even Champions League places this season, it will be a massive incentive for others to follow suit when a fourth place in UEFA’s premier competition arrives in 2018.

Hopefully, Serie A’s mid-ranking sides will take it more seriously than those from some other major leagues across Europe once there, though.

Source: forzaitalianfootball.com

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