Serie A: Five things we learnt this weekend, including Juventus march to the title continues

A look back at the action in Italy

Luca Toni (C) of Hellas Verona competes with Cristian Molinaro (R) and Kamil Glik (L) of Torino (GETTY IMAGES)

Torino eyeing Europa League

After a sluggish start to the season, Torino are on a roll. The Granata began their nine-match unbeaten streak in Serie A on December 6 with a 2-2 draw at home to Palermo and have also won their last four. The last time that happened? March 1978. The departures of strike duo Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci in the summer coupled with Europa League commitments prompted many to speculate Torino struggling this campaign, but their recent form has proved many wrong. Great individual performers in captain Kamil Glik, Fabio Quagliarella and Marco Benassi have led supporters to believe in another Europa League finish. Quagliarella now leads his side with nine goals this term as well. Toro are fancying their chances as they currently sit in 7th, four points behind fifth-placed Sampdoria.

Juventus' march to a fourth Scudetto continues

The sheer gulf in quality between Juventus and AC Milan was apparent at the Juventus Stadium on Saturday evening as Massimiliano Allegri guided his men to their 16th victory of the campaign and a seven-point cushion over nearest opponents Roma. Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata were both on the score sheet against Milan, the latter favoured over 29-year-old Fernando Llorente. Juventus’ star-studded midfield proved to be no match for the opposition, Claudio Marchisio perhaps the most involved player for the home side. While their starting XI is the strongest in the peninsula, their depth on the bench also sets them a part from the competition, especially compared to that of Milan’s. In the form the Bianconeri are in, it’s very improbable that they’re going to let Roma back in the title race now.

Milan's midfield needs vast improvement

While it’s true that Milan were on the front foot and proactive during the transfer window acquiring the likes of: Mattia Destro, Alessio Cerci, Luca Antonelli and Gabriel Paletta, the key point is that they failed to pick up a quality midfielder. Coach Filippo Inzaghi was left scratching his head over choosing his starting XI before Saturday’s clash. His first-choice midfielders, captain Riccardo Montolivo and Nigel De Jong, were both out injured. Giacomo Bonaventura is able to play in midfield but suffered from flu-like symptoms in the days leading up to the match. Therefore, the 41-year-old had no choice but to decide between midfielders: Sulley Muntari, Michael Essien, Andrea Poli and Marco Van Ginkel, opting for a trio of the first aforementioned three. The obvious part of this approach is that Muntari, Essien and Poli are very similar players, not to mention not highly-skilled. They were no match for the likes of Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba. Milan’s midfield desperately lacked and continues to lack a creative distributor to pull the strings. When the Rossoneri recovered possession against Juventus, they struggled in string passes in midfield to lead an attack. Meanwhile, De Jong’s contract is expiring this summer and it seems as though the Dutchman will be moving on to another club. They’ll have to wait for the summer to add some reinforcements but for now will have to make use of what they have.

Napoli remain consistent

Napoli generally struggle against tricky mid-table sides, but they were successful in edging Udinese at the Stadio San Paolo with a 3-1 scoreline. The club have now won four consecutive Serie A matches, six in all competitions. The fact that the Partenopei have bettered the likes of Cesena, Chievo and Udinese so far in 2015 demonstrates their mental fortitude and eagerness in locking down third-place and a Champions League berth. We’ve seen this season the club drop points against: Empoli, Cagliari and Atalanta so perhaps Rafael Benitez’s men have gotten over their psychological hump. His men have risen to their occasion in big match-days but have garnered the right focus in approaching smaller teams. A renewed concentration should help them clinch third-place and maybe even second.

Roberto Mancini's Inter slowly coming together

Inter hosted Palermo in Serie A’s late match on Sunday. A reaction was needed from the home side after losing to Sassuolo 3-1 in the last round of action, creating a heated exchange between away support and Mauro Icardi and Fredy Guarin. Nevertheless, the Nerazzurri delivered, winning 3-0. Both aforementioned players recorded goals in what proved to be just Roberto Mancini’s third victory as Inter coach after overtaking the club in late November. It was also the club’s first clean sheet under Mancio, highlighting their defensive struggles so far this term. The tactician opted for a 4-3-1-2 system, deploying Xherdan Shaqiri in the hole with Rodrigo Palacio and Mauro Icardi just ahead. Shaqiri rose to the occasion, performing much better when played centrally than out on the wing. Arriving from Dinamo Zagreb this past January, Marcelo Brozovic made his presence felt in midfield by continually orchestrating play and pushing his side forward. Icardi’s brace after the break would seal the deal for the Nerazzurrri. For Mancini it appears as though the tide may be turning after a nightmare return to Inter. The club made solid signings in January yet won only once in five domestic matches, unable to find a rhythm. With this victory, Inter can begin to plan an assault for European places.