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| Best XI August 2003 - January 2004 |
| Formation : 3 - 4 - 3 |
| Shevchenko | Totti | |
| (Milan) | (Roma) | |
| Cassano | ||
| (Roma) | ||
| Nedved | Gattuso | Dacourt | Mancini |
| (Juventus) | (Milan) | (Roma) | (Roma) |
| Zambrotta | Maldini | Nesta |
| (Juventus) | (Milan) | (Milan) |
| Dida | ||
| (Milan) |
| Roma After spending the last season whining and moaning Roma have done their talking on the pitch. The football has been spectacular and even when Totti goes awol in big matches Cassano and Mancini win Roma the match. As Roma don't have the distraction of European football (the UEFA Cup is a mere afterthought) there's a good chance they'll take advantage of Milan and Juve's arduous schedule. Key Players : Totti, Cassano, Mancini Prospects : Champions/Runners-Up Milan Milan's football can be laborious at times but despite the continued lack of goals from midfield the European Champions have matched the incredible pace set by Roma thanks to the best defence in the World and the form of Shevchenko. Having won a cup double last season the team are determined to add the scudetto to their trophy haul. Like Juve the Rossoneri are still in the running for a treble. Key Players : Maldini, Gattuso, Shevchenko Prospects : Champions/Runners-Up Juventus The reigning champions find themselves in the unfamiliar position of playing catch-up following successive defeats against Inter and Lazio. Juve's defence is a big cause for concern as is an over-reliance on the world's best player, Pavel Nedved. Both Milan and Roma are matching Juve's results against the lesser teams which makes the upcoming head to head clashes even more important. Key Players : Zambrotta, Nedved Prospects : Champions/Champions League Inter Having replaced Cuper early in the season, Zaccheroni got Inter within touching distance of the leaders before a run of three defeats in four games sent them tumbling back down the table. Off the field problems haven't helped (the resignation of President Moratti and his board) nor has speculation over the future of super brat Vieri. Adriano's arrival will give the team a massive lift but with an eleven point deficit to make up, Inter need all the help they can get. Key Players : J Zanetti, Cruz, Adriano Prospects : Champions League Parma Despite the Parmalat scandal and despite the loss of star striker Adriano, Parma are still fighting for a Champions League place. If they lose Frey the only way they'll play in Europe next season is through the Intertoto Cup. Key Players : Frey, Mauri, Gilardino Prospects : UEFA Cup Lazio Even if Lazio manage to keep hold of Stam and Stankovic the teams weaknesses in defence and attack don't bode well for their prospects of getting a Champions League place. Key Players : Stam, Stankovic, Fiore Prospects : UEFA Cup |