The Scudetto race is taking shape as the Serie A season approaches its mid-point. As expected, defending champ Inter Milan and defending No. 2 AS Roma are pulling away from the pack. Each posted comfortable victories during makeup games last night: Inter breezed past Roma neighbor Lazio, 3-0, while the Romans were caused few problems by Cagliari, winning 2-0 at home. Inter is first on 34 points, 3 ahead of Roma with 31, followed by Juventus, 26, Udinese, 25, and Fiorentina, 24.
Last year, Inter cruised to the Serie A title, finishing 22 points ahead of second-place Roma. So far this year, the Giallorossi are keeping pace with the two-time defending champ, but it was during the second half of the season that Inter really pulled away. After the 3-0 win over Lazio on Wednesday, Inter coach Roberto Mancini warned that the season still has a long way to go, and that Juventus’ title challenge would be strengthened by not having to play in Europe.
Against Cagliari, Roma was boosted by the return of Francesco Totti, who had missed a month-and-a-half with a foot injury. But the Roma captain looked rusty and lasted only 62 minutes. Instead, another recent injury returnee stole the show: Brazilian Rodrigo Taddei scored both goals in an impressive display from central midfield. “The squad always stayed in balance and was forceful in attack,” coach Luciano Spalletti said of Roma’s 2-0 win. “That’s because Taddei has the quality to put things in order.”