Serie A 2015/16 mid-season report: 5 things we learned so far
The 2015/16 season in Serie A has proved to be one of the most unpredictable affairs in recent memory and has spruced up some really intriguing talking points midway through the campaign.Inter Milan are the surprise leaders heading into the New Year but have been deprecated for their mundane brand of football. Reigning champions Juventus made a disastrous start to the season but have eventually picked themselves up and are firing on all cylinders again.At the other end of the table, promoted sides Frosinone and Carpi look set to return to Serie B much sooner than they would’ve hoped, whereas Hellas Verona, who sit rock-bottom of the table, hold an ignominious distinction of being the only side amongst Europe’s top 5 leagues to be without a single victory at this stage.The season has seen only 1 hat-trick so far compared to four at the same stage last year while the division has also seen the highest number of managerial changes with as many as 6 managers getting sacked till now.With that and much more to chew over, let’s get to the bottom of the major talking points from the first half of the 2015/16 Serie A season.
#1 Juve\'s quality may eventually put them through
Defending champions Juventus appeared to have worn out after last season’s exertions of winning the domestic double as they made a stuttering start to the new season, winning only once from their opening 5 games. Their long held domestic hegemony was dying out and just when they were about to be written off from the title race, the Bianconeris put pedal to the metal and got back in the hunt.
A run of seven consecutive wins has seen them take a giant leap to canter into the top four and look like a force again which certainly doesn't spell good news for their rivals. The likes of Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic are forging a very menacing attacking partnership, whilst Paul Pogba too is returning to his best. The defence, that looked so porous at the start, is regaining it’s solidity and coach Massimiliano Allegri is the happiest man in Turin right now.
The exodus of star players such as Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal supposedly took a toll on The Old Lady which is why the faltering start, but they’ve gradually acclimatized and the new additions to the roster have successfully stepped into their shoes.
Juventus are once again brimming with supreme quality, and that may eventually help in clinching the Scudetto for the fifth year running.