If the Serie A title race is proving tighter than expected, it’s even more of a mish-mash in mid-table, where only three points separate Sampdoria in sixth place and Bologna down in 12th as the divide between top and bottom grows with each season. Milan’s summer splurge in the transfer market seemed a sure-fire sign of intent that they would go back to competing for the Scudetto, yet Leonardo Bonucci and co. find themselves nearer to the relegation zone than the top four.

For a long time, Samp threatened to break into the Champions League reckoning with their stylish displays, among them a 3-2 victory over Juventus, but four defeats in their last five games have seen them fall nine points behind fifth-placed Lazio. Furthermore, sixth spot is not so much of a certainty, judging by the way Atalanta have bounced back from their culture shock of juggling the League with European football. Six wins in eight suggest last term’s finish of fourth was no flash in the pan. Continue reading →