Serie A 2011-2012 Previews: Will AC Milan Snag The Scudetto Again?

SB Nation Italy's Serie A previews conclude with AC Milan, last year's scudetto winners. We've asked Gianfranco Barbato for his views on the season ahead because we could think of no one better than the expert behind AC Milan Offside.

Entering the season as the reigning Scudetto Champions brings back fond memories for most Milan fans, but seeing as this is our first reminder in seven years it is best not to dwell on recent success and focus squarely on the challenge ahead.  They say winning cures all that ails you, and in Milan's case the uncertainties of last season's aging roster and new arrivals made for an interesting start of the season, but the prize at the end of the road put all that negativity behind. Gone is the uncertainty of last season and in its place is the expectation of retaining the Serie A title and adding to Milan's trophy cabinet.

For many, Massimo Allegri was a relative unknown, a Coach who cut his teeth in lower tier Serie A teams, and climbed the proverbial Coaching ladder.  While it took him some time to instill his own image on the tactics of the team, when he was finished he had created a Milan team comfortable in possession, bullish in defense, and elegant in attack.  Boasting Serie A's best offensive and defensive record, it is the defense that proved the backbone of this team.  If Allegri can continue to build on this defensive foundation and continue to receive a steady stream of goals from an electric attack comprising of the dynamic Brazilians, Pato and Robinho, the giant Swede, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the wiley Antonio Cassano, and evergreen Pippo Inzaghi, then he may have success for a second season.

Who's out?

Pirlo: A once and a lifetime player, and arguably one of the most visionary passers of the last decade.  Allegri and Milan decided to move on without the services of Andrea Pirlo.  Pirlo, unhappy with a short term contract offer, decided to ply his trade for Juventus. Never a good practice to sell to a direct rival; Milan will hope this move works out in the long run. For Milan fans it wasn't easy to say good bye to such a special player, but the thought of the team moving in a new direction is just as exciting.

Who's in?

Taye Taiwo: I have been an admirer of the Nigerian for quite awhile now. Having watched him since his time at OM, I am glad he has finally made his way to Milan, and on a free transfer to boot, a great piece of business all around. Strong, durable, and an excellent motor makes him an imposing figure at left back and a handful going forward. His defense needs work, but there is no better league to learn defense than in Italy, and no matter teacher than Mauro Tassotti. What once was a liability of AC Milan, the outside back position may finally return to glory with Abate and Taiwo.

Philippe Mexes: Not sure what to make of this move, the price was surely right, but the risk is fairly high. Coming off a pretty serious knee injury, if his pace doesn't return he may lack the mobility and speed that Milan really need in center back depth. Ideally he is the third CB, but that is all dependant on fitness. There is also the little problem of the two red card per season average, that lack of discipline won't fly at Milan, and hopefully he can stay fit, disciplined and on the pitch. He has talent, let's just hope he can remember that fact.

Stephan El Shaarawi: The Little Pharaoh is an interesting signing. Young and full of promise, it is the type of signing formula that Milan has shown to be successful in the past. Buy young, and let the player develop and become the star the Club thinks he can be. Drawing comparisons to both Kaka and Baggio, the talent is there, the size and experience is not. Milan desperately needs a player to link the defense to the attack, and without putting too much pressure and expectations on the youngster, his success will be crucial to Milan's future.

What to Expect from 2011-2012

It is easy to claim the desire for more trophies but a more efficient and competitive AC Milan is the real expectation.  Watching Milan struggle in last year's Champions League due to a lack of depth and versatility in personnel was difficult, a team historically dominant in Europe's showpiece competition has not been successful since last lifting the trophy in 2007.  While I don't harbor a strong belief that Milan is a true contender, a stronger showing coupled with a little bit of luck may go a long way.  Retaining the Title domestically is certain expecation, but adding a Coppa Italia to go with this year's SuperCoppa would make for a successful season on all fronts.

Potential Breakout Star

We witnessed Tiago Silva become a truly exceptional Center Back last season, and I think this season's breakout star comes from the defense as well.  Milan has always had a legacy of strong fullbacks in Maldini, Costacurta, Tassotti, and Cafu and Ignazio Abate looks poised to carry the mantle.  His defensive lapses are almost extinct, and his forays forward are electric and full of pace.  His crossing has improved and his ability last season to give trouble to both Cristiano Ronaldo and Samuel Eto prove he has the fearless mentality of the defenders before him.  It will only be a matter of time before Cesare Prandelli has no choice but to call up the Milan right back.

Key Players

It is always easy to look at an attack like Milan's and say that a player like Zlatan is crucial to the team's success.  Many seem to forget that while he carried the team early in the season, it was at the end of the season, without him, that Milan seemed to find the identity of an entire team, and not Zlatan dependant.  Robinho's propensity to get into dangerous areas and create chances should make him a key man in the attack, and if he finishes the chances he squandered last season we may see a player capable of scoring thirty goals.

Mark Van Bommel and Massimo Ambrosini, two very similar players in the central midfield role, will provide leadership and give Allegri the strong defensive presence in the middle of the park.  Both players are on the wrong side of thirty, so rotation will most likely be employed to keep the fit and healthy over the length of the season in filling this vital role to Allegri's Milan.

Prediction

I hate predictions! You either come out looking like an oracle or an overzealous super fan.  For me retaining the title is crucial, restore Milan's domestic glory while the team builds and progresses toward the success in Europe that was once the expectation of each and every Milan team.  Can they win the Champions League this season? Probably not, but it doesn't mean they can't be competitive on all fronts and show that Italy and the Serie A are not in a catastrophic decline.

SB Nation's Serie A previews continue with last season's second place finishers, and winners of the Coppa Italia, Inter Milan. Interista Johonna Shea, who writes at Internazionale Offside, gives us the lowdown on what to expect from the nerazzurri this season.

F.C. Internazionale Milano in 2011-2010, And So It Begins...

Here we are, at the start of a new Serie A season, in what has become a familiar situation. Inter has a new coach, a crop of young hopefuls, and has just sold one of their highest profile players. Given that Inter are on their fifth coach in almost as many years, we Interisti have become used to the gastric upset and sweaty palms that come with opening day under unknown and untested guidance. Fortunately, this has worked out pretty well for Inter - well, except for that one Spanish blip last season but the less said about that the better. I don't see any reason why the team can't roll with this next punch and aim high. New coach Gian Piero Gasperini is well respected on the peninsula, now he has the money and the talent at his disposal to really show what he can do.

BEST GOAL FROM LAST SEASON

Inter had a number of memorable goals last season. In particular, Dejan Stankovic had two corkers: one in the Champions League, the other a great volley against Roma.

Samuel Eto'o had 34 goals for Inter last season and I am sure many of them were spectacular. For me, though, thinking back now, the best goals were Giampaolo Pazzini's injury time double against Cesena last April. Neither one was particularly spectacular but I think they embodied the 2010/2011 Inter exactly: they were the result of a team that never gave up, that battled to the last possible moment to get a positive result when that seemed almost impossible. They just went to show that even when down, you can never count Inter out.

SUMMER MARKET:  Comings and Goings

Last summer, Massimo Moratti learned that even with the sword of Financial Fair Play hanging over your head, it is imperative to participate in the summer market, especially when the team has a new coach. This summer the coffers have been opened a bit and reinforcements have come to augment the crop of youth players moving up to play with the big boys. 

In defense, we have one new player, Brazilian right back Jonathan, the self-proclaimed heir to Maicon. Jonathan is 25 and  joins Inter from Brazilian team Santos. Unfortunately, he joined the club with a muscle strain and is just now beginning to train with the team.  The real bonus with him, though, is that he already has that all important Italian passport.  In the world of UEFA's home grown player rule and the Italian FA's limit on non EU transfers, this makes Jonathan all the more desirable. He joins promoted youth players Faraoni, Bianchetti, and Caldirola. Of these, Davide Faraoni looks most promising. He joined Inter's youth team last season from Lazio. At the time, it was considered a real coupe. In addition, Davide Santon has returned from his loan and, with Maicon's injury, it looks like he may actually stay for a while (Yipee). 

Thanks to Bologna's spectacular clerical error when it came to settling the joint ownership, Inter picked up goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano by mistake and for a song. Unfortunately, he broke himself during preseason training which means he will have to hang around Milan for a few months. The club has no intention of keeping him so look for his move to Genoa this winter.

In midfield, the club has brought in one new player (so far), Ricardo Alvarez.  At 23 he is young, though should be entering his prime. He is an attacking midfielder, best played on the left or in the center, and joined Inter from Argentinian club Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield.  Bonus!  He joins recent Primavera graduate (and all around hottie) Lorenzo Crisetig. So far, Alvarez has been struggling with the transition to Italian football, but it is early days yet.  I think most Interisti are well aware of Crisetig. He is a fixture with the Italy U20 side and made his full debut with the men's team when he was 16. Plus, he really is a looker - no lie.

Up front, Luc Castaignos has finally moved to Inter. If you recall, he was bought last year but wanted another season at Feyenoord before making the big jump.  Stay tuned, though, as I don't think Inter is done shopping yet. Gasperini has said that the squad needs a couple more players, specifically a wide attacking player or two and a midfielder. I expect at least one forward and one midfielder to join the bench before the market closes.

With the new, though, we must also have some outgoing. Probably the two biggest outgoing names this season are Marco Materazzi and Sameul Eto'o. After ten years of service to the club, Materazzi (Matrix to his fans) has moved on. It isn't clear whether he has hung up his boots for good or will be playing a couple more seasons abroad (like in the MLS), but his days at Inter are (at least temporarily) over. I suspect he will return to Inter in the front office, but it won't be the same.

Samuel Eto'o is finally off to Russia where his obscene salary will keep him warm at night. I am sad to lose his talent at Inter, but if he wants to go then I would rather not keep him. Besides, who can compete with 20 million euro a year?  I think my biggest beef with this sale is that it took so long to conclude. Now Inter has to work double time to try and work out a deal for new forwards (no one man can replace Samu) and other clubs will know they have us over a barrel.

Other outgoing players include McDonald Mariga, who has landed a loan deal with  Real Sociedad, and Houssine Kharja who went back to Genoa after Inter declined to pick up his card (he has since moved to Fiorentina).  Newly promoted Denis Alibec has gone on loan to the Belgian club Mechelen. Davide Suazo is finally out of contract and has left Inter's physical therapy rooms for Catania's (he was going  to make an emotional return to Cagliari but that fell through). Rumors are that Goran Pandev and Sully Muntari are also on the way out, though both want to stay.

2011-2012, WHAT TO EXPECT

With a new coach and this many new players, I think it is fair to say that this year will be bumpy. Preseason friendlies show the squad is having a little trouble effectively implementing Gasperini's three man defense and the loss of Eto'o leaves a huge hole right were 30-some-odd goals uught to be. A lot will depend on just how much the new coach can wring out of aging players like Stankovic and Lucio and how fast the younger set can pick up his ideas.

So what do I expect for the coming season? Gray hairs, sweaty palms, a sore throat from shouting at my TV, and manic depressive highs and lows. Basically, the same as every year for the dedicated football fan.

KEY PLAYERS

I think this year will be made or broken by our youngsters. Look for Ranocchia to grow into that gangly body and Joel Obi to give us hope for a post-Cambiasso Inter. In attack, all eyes will be on teenage phenoms Coutinho and Castaignos. If they can live up to their hype, then maybe, just maybe, things will be ok.

THE NEXT BIG THING

I am hoping that this is the year that Pazzini really breaks out as a super star. I think he has the talent, now he just needs the stage and the service. Another place to look is young Luc Castaignos. FIFA named him one of their Players to Watch in 2011 while Spanish magazine, Don Balon, put him on their 100 top young players in 2010. The hope that this step up will allow him to blossom.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I like to maintain a positive attitude, especially about new seasons, but is the team to repeat the triple? Probably not. Still, I think we have a pretty good shot at at top two finish, maybe even a scudetto depending on AC Milan's fortunes, and a Coppa Italia final. Inter is transitioning from our old guard (you know, the ones who won five scuddetti in a row and are the only Italian team to triple) to who will be the next generation in Nerazzurro.  There will be growing pains, but in the long run, it will all be worth it, I'm sure.

Today's Udinese preview comes from a slightly surprising source: Gianfranco Barbato, editor of AC Milan Offside, which will soon be part of the SB Nation network. He shows he's knowledgeable about more than the rossoneri with this look at the zebrette.

I have always looked at Udinese as the Arsenal of Serie A.  Comprised mostly of young talent and complimented by a strong veteran core, Udinese has some of the best scouting and plays some of the most entertaining football in all of Italy.  Like Arsenal they never spend big, and the dynamic duo of the shrewd owner Giampaolo Pozzo, and the master tactician Francesco Guidolin are always able to recognize new talent and integrate them into the squad.  What they share in positives with Arsenal they also share in negatives, and their lack of experience sometimes shows on the pitch as they are not always as consistent as their talent should be, and because they operate on a shoe string budget they often have to sell to keep the Udinese machine running at full force.

This season was no different, despite qualifying for Champions League football, and playing none other than the aforementioned Arsenal in the qualifying round, Udinese was forced to sell some key pieces.  This move was not exactly met with praise by fans of the Club and Serie A, wondering why a team with such potential would sell at this pivotal moment, but such is life for a small provincial Club.  It would appear belief in the system that Udinese has created is far superior to belief in a single player, a formula that if successful may give hope to smaller Clubs across Europe.

Who's out?

Alexi Sanchez: the energetic forward/winger was chased by many Clubs, but finally landed in Barcelona.  I guess better at the Camp Nou then with Inter Milan, but his loss will prove pivotal as he was one of Serie A's best last season.

Gokhan Inler: the winger was sold to direct rivals Napoli, which is never a good piece of business, but the money was right and it appears Guidolin was happy with the success of a player like Pablo Armero and willing to give him the reins on the left side.

Cristian Zapata: the most difficult loss to contend with, as Zapata was a stalwart in defense.  One of the most underrated defenders in Serie A; he makes Villareal's back line instantly better.  What Udinese loses in the back though is a field marshal comfortable playing in a three man defense, centrally in a four man defense, or on the wing in a back four.  At 18M Euros his value was justified, but Udinese will struggle to replace such a key component.

Who's in?

 Diego Fabbrini: co-owned with Empoli the twenty one year old attacking midfielder is a promising prospect for both Udinese and Italy.  He can play both behind and off a striker and if he can work his way into the first team will surely assert himself in hopes of realizing his potential.

Danilo Larangera: seen as the heir apparent to Zapata, the twenty seven year old Brazilian can play in a three man back line or a four man defense.  It will take some time for him to adjust to playing defense in Serie A but his skill set is strong enough to slot him into the first team.

Abdou Sissoko: younger brother of Momo Sissoko, his work in the preseason will determine if he stays with the Club or is loaned out to further develop.  A smart low risk buy for Udinese and one that could provide dividends in terms of depth for a player like Giampiero Pinzi in central midfield.

Thierry Doubai: twenty three year old Ivorian midfielder was purchased from Young Boys and can play almost any role in the central midfield.  Another low risk high reward move, for a player hoping to return to his National team after his only cap in 2008, something that will surely please the Club as Doubai will work hard to earn his next cap.

What to Expect from 2011-2012

One thing is certain every time Udinese steps on the pitch they will do their best to play an entertaining style of football that is tactically diverse and fun to watch.  A repeat of last season would be a hope for everyone, but the turnover in personnel may make that impossible.  If anything it will be exciting to see the new players slotted into their roles and if they can overcome Arsenal in the second leg of the qualifying round at home, Udinese fans may have something to cheer for in terms of Champions League football.

Potential Breakout Star

Midfielders Armero and Kwadwo Asamoah are poised to have breakout seasons.  Asamoah had an excellent World Cup last year and he carried his form into the Serie A season. Tracked by Clubs like AC Milan you can see why, a pure box to box midfielder who is adept at attacking and just as bullish in defense.  A complete player in every sense of the word he should be crucial to any success Udinese have this season.

As for Armero, he is lighting fast, and a player who started to come on strong at the end of last season.  A winger type who is comfortable on the ball, but balanced enough to be successful in Guidolin's wide formation, you can see why Inler and Sanchez were good sales because there is talent behind them on the depth chart.  Armero will be a handful for slower full backs, and he gives the pace and width needed to make Udinese dangerous.

 
Key Players

There is no player more crucial to his Club than Antonio Di Natale.  One of Italy's most consistent goal scorers over the past five years and Club captain, when he is on his game he can score goals in bunches.  A workhorse striker, he is just as dangerous on the ball as he is off it. Udinese need his goals now more than ever with departure of Sanchez and he will always bring his A-game for the Club.  His love for the Club is so strong that he refused to leave despite offers from clubs such as Juventus.  Players like him are becoming a rarity in the modern game, and he is key to the success of his Club and a hero to all the fans.

Prediction

When you run a team like Pozzo, success has an ebb and flow feel.  Sell off some pieces; buy the right players and sometimes things just click. In the same sense it may take some time for the new team to gel and success for Udinese often comes after a year or two.  It will be difficult for them to repeat the success of last season, but no reason why a team with this much talent and ability to play some pretty football can't be certain of a place in European football, even if it is just the Europa League. 

Less than a week until the Serie A season starts, and SB Nation is on to the top five clubs of last season. Previewing Lazio is Rocco Cammisola, who manages to hide his fandom quite well on his Twitter account. Rocco can be found writing about Italian and English football on various sites, including his own, The Football Express.

The 2010-11 season of great joy for Lazio fans. Lazio soared to the top of the table early in the season and remained there for the first few months of the campaign. Their grip on top spot was not tight enough, though, and they eventually slipped down to fifth, losing out on the Champions League. This could be regarded as a relative failure given their quick fire start, but after flirting dangerously with relegation the season before fans should be glad to have European football back in their calendar.

The signing of Hernanes was certainly a pivotal moment in the transfer campaign, but Edy Reja's side were built on some solid foundations. Cristian Ledesma, Andre Dias, Stephen Lichtsteiner and Stefano Mauri - six goals and nine assists - all proved they were worth their match fee. Edy Reja, too, isn't resting on his laurels and has refused to sign anything more than a one year contract extension. Here goes then.

Who's out?

As well as the usual exodus of youth players on loan to sides further down the Italian league pyramid, a few bigger names have left Formello in the summer. Mark Bresciano has left for the riches of the UAE Pro League, joining Al Nasr, after seeing his playing possibilities diminish and his age increase. Juventus have sought to plug the huge gaps in their squad at full back by purchasing Lazio's Swiss right back, Stephen Lichtsteiner for a reported €10 million. The most controversial exit of the summer so far has been the young goalkeeper, Fernando Muslera, who refused to sign a contract extension was sold to Galatasaray in Turkey - seen as a strange move for a man who has just won a Copa America with his National side.

Who's in?

The transfer window has been described as "the first time in Lotito's tenure in which Lazio fans are actually able to get excited about their transfer window". The club have brought in a number of players to add depth. Bosnian left back, Senad Lulic, from Young Boys and Lorik Cana made use of Fernando Muslera's return flight, joining from Galatasaray, will add intelligent steel to the Lazio central midfield. Abdoualay Konko joins from Genoa, a replacement for Lichtsteiner, as well as bullied and exiled goalkeeper Federico Marchetti who will replace Muslera between the sticks.

All of these have been able replacements, or added depth to the squad but the real show piece signings have come up front. Lotito has raided the war chest and signed Ex-Liverpool and Marseille striker Djibril Cisse - who has been scoring goals for fun in Greece. The marquee signing of the window, though, has to be German international marksman Miroslav Klose. Klose joins on a free transfer from Bayern Munich and will be paid approximately €3 million a season, making him the highest paid player at the club. Hopefully he can translate his form for the national team to his new club.

What to expect from 2011-12

Fighting on two fronts will present a new challenge for Reja and the squad. There are certainly enough bodies there but it remains to be seen whether they possess the quality to battle for top honours among other sides who are engaging in some exciting transitional periods. Qualification from the Europa League group stage and a top six finish should be an acceptable lower limit for the side, anything more should be seen as a bonus.

Potential breakout star

Tomasso Ceccarelli was included in the match day squad for the Europa League playoff, but it remains to be seen how much hope Reja will be pinning on the exuberant youngster this season. He shone on multiple occasions for the primavera side last season and could be a very useful addition for use in wide forward areas of the pitch - something the squad currently lacks.

Alvaro Gonzalez isn't a new face to Lazio fans, but his debut season was a tentative one. The dazzling limelight of Hernanes allowed him to take his time to settle in to life in Rome, but at the Copa America he showed what a marvelous player he can be. While he may not be as gifted technically as Hernanes, he has the lungs to make up for it. Gonzalez will be looking to make his mark, positively, on the Lazio side this season.

Key Players
Djibril Cisse will be relishing the opportunity to have another go to impress in one of Europe's top five leagues. He hasn't had the best of luck over the years - two broken legs - but he will know that at 29 years of age this is his last chance. Lazio were light on goals up front last season, which is what saw them eventually topple down the table. Cisse will be one of the main protagonists in turning this around.

Hernanes had a wonderful season, greasing the wheels in the Lazio midfield. From his trequartista position he was able to provide beautiful passes for Zarate, Floccari and Mauri to bury. There has been no concerted effort to find a deputy for the Brazilian, so it is paramount that he keeps turning up this season. Great things are expected from the prophet, but he'll know that already.

Prediction

All the talk in pre-season has been very optimistically predicting a charge toward the Champions League places this season, but battling on two fronts (League and Europe), the reduction in available spots from four to three and the raft of positive changes elsewhere means that expectations need to be managed and predictions readjusted. A successive fifth place finish should be seen as a success - despite the idle chatter.

Immediately following their 1-0 first-leg loss to Slovan Bratislava in Europa League play, SB Nation brings you a preview of AS Roma's 2011-2012 season. This one is by Chris Govoni, who can be found at Roma Offside when he's not banging his head against a wall. (I imagine. After Thursday, anyway).

Roma in 2010-2011

Great expectations followed shortly by lots of fans looking at their watches, wondering just when the hell the season would be over, with a capitulation (or several) and a coaching change in the middle.

After Claudio Ranieri's wizardry in picking up the pieces when Luciano Spalletti resigned in 2009-10, bringing them to a scudetto fight on the final day, it seemed life would be grand with a full year under his stewardship and hopes were high. Unfortunately, the whole thing crumbled from the off, with the staunch defense and hardened mentality which had served as the backbone of its 09-10 success off on holiday in the Maldives, along with Mirko Vucinic's smile, which didn't help.

Claudio fell on his sword and playing legend, coaching novice Vincenzo Montella was brought in, which worked briefly, but was ultimately flawed, as the problem wasn't with the coach, who was also flawed, but rather in the locker room. As they were demolished by Shakhtar in the Champions League Round of 16 and barely scraping to a Europa League spot, it became clear heads were going to roll in the summer with a new ownership on the horizon.

In the summer, they rolled like Cicero on loop.

Goal of Last Season

The opposition, the timing, the assist, the celebration...the brilliantly unexpected essence of it all. Unfortunately, it sums up Vucinic's career for Roma, leaving him much missed.