Six rounds into the new Serie A season and the Italian league has thrown up one of the more open seasons of recent memory.
Teams have started to gel, with form and fitness developing more effectively for some, throwing up a number of surprise packets and underachieving teams for the season to date.
The surprises
Roma
Hard to start anywhere else but with Roma who, six games in, still hold a 100 percent record, registering six wins to kick the new season off.
Not many would have predicted such a strong start for the Giallorossi (including myself), however they have nothing but impressed in the new season, topped with a satisfying 2-0 derby win on match-day four.
In my Serie A preview article, I thought Roma might struggle to gain a European spot for the season, given their only purchases (at the time) were players who had underperformed of recent seasons in Maicon and Gervinho.
However, both new recruits have managed to find form in the Italian capital, coupled with the leadership of Danielle De Rossi and the never-aging Francesco Totti, have been not just unbeatable but un-matchable as yet.
Totti, who has even re-signed for an additional two years at 37 years of age, in fact leads the Serie A in assists with six from six matches so far.
The late recruitment of Adem Ljajic from Fiorentina has also added an additional force, minimising the loss of Erik Lamela.
Hellas Verona
It was hard not to get excited about the return of Verona to the Serie A and they have not disappointed.
Having picked up former Italian talisman, Luca Toni, who has shown a great deal of maturity perhaps not seen before, leading the team to seventh position after registering three wins.
Similarly, Livorno, despite not impressing in the transfer market have so far managed to hold their own with two wins and two draws.
The underachievers
AC Milan
Despite bleeding the Nerazzuri colours, I really did not think I’d be wondering (again) how AC were not picking up the results that their quality demands.
Six matches in, Milan sit in ninth position with just the two wins.
Their quality will eventually rise towards the top, as it always does, however a mid to late season comeback may not be as easy this season given the wide range of teams vying for Europe.
Mario Balotelli, despite the team’s disappointments, has looked in form and will no doubt be at the forefront of any comeback.
Meanwhile, we are yet to see what kind of an impact the return of Kaka can have for the Rossoneri.
Udinese
Every season, Udinese manages to compete beyond their weight with an exciting brand of counter-attacking football.
Their football brand does not demand consistency and so far they have struggled to twelfth position on the table, however it will only take a short vein of form to see them back among the fight for Europa placings.
The rest
Juventus
The champions are still unbeaten as yet and remain the deserved Scudetto favourites.
That said, it may seem that the sizeable gap to the Bianconeri of recent seasons has closed in the new Serie A season which could make for a very interesting April and May.
Napoli
Edinson Cavani’s loss has not shown in the Partenopei’s results, with Gonzalo Higuain filling the void upfront.
Marek Hamsik has stepped up into a leadership role on the pitch and has arguably been the Serie A’s form player with four goals to date, keeping Napoli as a strong force in the Serie A as well as in the Champions League.
Internazionale
Walter Mazzarri’s reign has so far been very impressive and provides a great deal of optimism for Nerazzuri fans.
Across the pitch, there are lots of positives with Ricky Alvarez in form, Yuto Nagatomo causing many problems down the sidelines and the combination of Rodrigo Palacio and young Mauro Icardi (while also welcoming back Diego Milito) providing a menacing attack.
With no European commitments, Inter could grab an important edge over their rivals for Europe this season as fatigue starts to set in through 2014.
Fiorentina
Despite losing Stevan Jovetic and then Adem Ljajic late in the transfer window, Fiorentina has been very impressive with Vincenzo Montella continuing his strong managerial record.
The likes of David Pizarro, Alberto Aquilani and Borja Valero have shown a great deal of quality through the midfield, while Giuseppe Rossi has made an incredible return to the goal-scoring sheet with five goals in all competitions.
With Mario Gomez still yet to hit form, there is a lot to like in the Viola who must still surely be a threat for a Champions League place.
Lazio
When Lazio are on, they have the ability to play some very pleasing football, with the likes of Hernanes and Antonio Candreva pulling the strings.
Consistency seems to be the key for the Biancocelesti however given their two losses were away to Juventus and Roma, aside from their draw with Sassuolo, they should not be too disappointed with their season’s start (particularly given the ongoing circus around Captain Stefano Mauri’s match-fixing case).
Torino
Torino’s determination to purchase Alessio Cerci outright has proven to be a big success, with the form striker sitting equal top of the goal scorers list with five goals.
The Toros have produced a reasonable set of results and will be keen to keep themselves above the relegation scrap and as close to the top half of the table as possible.
Looking ahead
Matchdays 7 and 8 throw up a number of intriguing match-ups with many of the top contenders going head to head as title credentials are tested.
Inter host Roma in Milan and will look to put a dent in the Giallorossi’s perfect record to date.
Milan will not have an easy path back to form as they travel to Turin to play the Champions in Juventus, while Lazio at home to Fiorentina also provides a very interesting battle for the weekend ahead.
In matchday 8, Roma will again face a challenge at home to Napoli, Fiorentina will host Juventus while Milan will welcome Lazio to the Guiseppe Meazza.
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