Juventus-Pot 1 in the CL group stage My predictions: anywhere from semifinalist to champions Napoli-Pot 2 in the CL group stage My predictions: either R16 or QF exit Roma-Playoff Round in CL My predictions: anywhere from drop into EL and R16 exit or CL R16 exit Inter-Pot 1 or 2 in EL group stage My predictions: anywhere from R32 exit to champions Fiorentina-Pot 1 or 2 in EL group stage My predictions: anywhere from R32 exit to champions Sassuolo-3rd Q Round in EL My predictions: anywhere from 3QR exit to R16 in EL
Think Juve will make bare minimum the semi's this year. A summer of strengthening for a team that nearly knocked out Bayern in a transition year will do a world of good. Napoli may surprise a few. I think Sarri's Napoli is above the Napoli a few years ago that tied with Arsenal and Dortmund on points (the same Dortmund that went to the final I believe); Think they have what it takes to make some kind of run. If I were them, I wouldn't be afraid of a team like Real Madrid in the least. Madrid look woefully average and if Roma actually could finish, Real wouldn't even be in the final right now. Add that to the fact that Napoli already has strengthened their defence and play some very fluid attacking football; should do something. Roma is a toss up. One moment they can go head to head with almost any team, and the next they get smashed. I'm leaving it as a coin toss. Inter (disgusting club); probably QF/Semi-finals of EL. Then they won't take it seriously and bow out to a weaker team. Sassuolo I think will surprise a few, even without Berardi. They have Sensi now, who is arguably better than Verratti at the same age, and majority of the core of their team is still in tact. Could be a Sevilla like team for Italy who mostly use the domestic talent and do well in Europa. Fiorentina are chokers so I don't expect much from them.
Napoli weren't able to defeat Villareal so I don't think they will get very far in Champions League, which is full of teams of Villareal's calibre..also Roma doesn't usually perform very well in Europe. They might play against Villareal or Monchengladbach in CL play-off..Sassuolo might be last season's Sampdoria. Fiorentina didn't stand a chance against a Tottenham B team. Juve could have a weaker side if Morata and Pogba depart and don't even get me started about Inter..I'm not too optimistic, the Italian season in Europe two years ago might be the exception and not the norm, unfortunately.
Can the playoff teams make it to the group stage this year FFS ?? This is what ruins it for Italian coefficients. I think in the last 5 years All but Milan have lost their playoffs. England did good last year so its time Italians make it up this year. At least get to semis of EL somehow.
Napoli were in the middle of a title fight when they faced Villarreal so I think they can be excused for taking Serie A more seriously than the EL.
Napoli rested their entire starting 11 against Villareal to focus on the league, and they still only lost because of a lucky goal. Doesn't matter. Roma still has quality, and talented young players coming in. Like I said, if they could even have a semblance of finishing ability, beating the likes of Real Madrid is entirely possible. Sassuolo are a tier ahead of Sampdoria. Better system, better coach and more talented players. Fiorentina actually dominated the first leg against Tottenham, just couldn't finish. And that was the Spurs first team. Pogba is going nowhere. I don't care about your optimism because it's clear you're a pessimist. Be gone.
To add on, the links with Lapadula (30 goals and 11 assists this season in Serie B) and Juve are apparently loaning Mandragora as well to Sassuolo. If that happens, Sassuolo will be very good. Lapadula being fed by Sensi, while Mandragora brings stability and Sansone provides pace on the wing. Rogerio at LB and assuming they keep Vrsjalko; they'll be deadly in Europa. More than makes up for the loss of Berardi.
They have no European experience at player or coach level. I do hope they perform well, there is a chance. A small one. I'm just worried what it will do to their league performance.
Best case scenario is that Roma drop to the EL and then push deep with Inter and Viola. Sassuolo is a fairy tale situation. If Napoli get some depth they could maybe get to R16 but their chances are better in the EL as well. All these teams should just focus on the EL and make sure Italy gets the 4th spot back. Next few years they can compete for CL again, maybe....
The point is that they will have to juggle going deep into the EL in March when they can't afford to drop points in Serie A. Chances are it won't happen.
Sassuolo have drawn Luzern (Switzerland) in the EL 3rd Qualifying Round. That could be tricky, but Sassuolo should get through.
Sassuolo drew Luzern today in Swtizerland, 1-1 West Ham lost 2-1 to some no name Turkish team. Let's hope they crash out.
Sassuolo is winning 2-0 at half-time, leading 3-1 on aggregate. Berardi has both goals. So far West Ham is winning 2-0, leading 3-2 on aggregate.
Not really, if West Ham lost they'd be out of Europe, which only hurts England because at that point dividing up their points would be x8 even though West Ham's not in it. If they qualify they have chances to win in the group stages, etc.