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Recently we haveA looked at the start of the new Dutch,A German, Spanish and English seasons and this week we turn our focus to Italy and Serie A. You can listen to the report by clicking on the link above, and you can also read the transcript of the report (below). There is also explanations of key vocabulary (in bold).Serie A Preview 2015/16
The 2015-16 Serie A season is two games old and I wonder if anyone would have predicted that Chievo, Torino, Inter, Sassuolo and Palermo would be the only sides with a 100% record and that last season’s champions Juventus would be joint bottom with no points? In this listening practice report, we take a look at the favourites, possible dark horses and some of the teams that may be fighting relegation in this season’s Serie A.
Favourites
Turin side Juventus have dominated Serie A in recent times with four consecutive titles and they are yet again favourites to win this season. Last season’s Champions League runners-up have lost talisman Pirlo, star striker Tevez and midfield dynamo Arturo Vidal but manager Massimiliano Allegri has replaced them with Croatian forward Mario Mandžukić, Alex Sandro in defence and Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado and the ‘Old Lady‘ can still call on stars such as Morata and Buffon. Will it be enough to see them over the line at the end of the season? Despite their poor start to this year’s campaign, probably.
Dark Horses
Last season’s runners-up Roma will once again be challenging and they will be buoyed after their victory over Juventus just before the international break. Manager Rudi Garcia has made some interesting signings – among them Edin Dzeko from Manchester City – and if Totti and Pjanic stay free of injury they could well win their first title in 14 years.
It feels strange to call Inter and AC Milan dark horses but after a few years in the wilderness both sides have a more stable look about them. Inter, under Roberto Mancini, already have maximum points from the start of their campaign and with Jovetic lining up alongside Argentine Icardi up front they have the potential to score lots of goals. Milan are also hoping that their new strikers Balotelli and Carlos Bacca will hit the ground running and fire them to glory this year but maybe this season has come too early for SiniÅ¡a Mihajlović’s men.
Fighting Relegation
It is going to be a tough season ahead for new boys Frosinone and Carpi both of whom will be making their Serie A debuts this season. The top two in last season’s Serie B took everyone by surprise but the lack of finances and footballing experience means they will almost certainly return to Serie B next year. Joining them could be any one of Empoli, Atalanta or Bologna who also were promoted from Serie B last year.
These are our predictions, how about yours? Let us know by posting below!
Vocabulary
a 100% record: Have won two games out of two
joint bottom: All 6 teams have 0 points
four consecutive titles: 4 titles in a row
talisman:A A player seen as representative of the team, a key/notable player
Old Lady: The nickname of Juventus
over the line: To finish first
they will be buoyed: They will be confident and happy
in the wilderness: Out of the limelight, not among the best teams
lining up alongside: Playing with
will hit the ground running: Start well
new boys: Newly promoted teams
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