Maltese players leave their mark in Italy league

The first round of the Italian Serie A and Serie B championships was played recently in Chianciano Terme.

Five Maltese players are turning out for three clubs in the two divisions, namely Massimo Cremona (F.illi Bari Reggiana), Samuel Bartolo (CCT Roma), Joseph Mifsud, Hansel Mallia and Steve Austin (all Fiamme Azzurre).

As expected, European champions Reggiana, along with Italy champions Perugia and Coppa Italia holders Pisa, are ranked among the favourites for the Serie A title this season.

Reggiana and Perugia lead the table at the end of the first round with 20 points, followed closely by Pisa on 19.

Roma and Milano have 16 points each and Napoli and Bologna follow on 10 points in the provisional classification. At the bottom end of the standings are Bari, five points, Urbino, three, and Rieti, two.

“The league is tight this season. It’s still uncertain at the top as five teams are only seperated by four points,” Reggiana’s Cremona said.

“There’s still room for improvement in our play and if we do that Reggiana can win the title.

“The other Maltese players in the league are all doing great for their teams and that shows that our game has indeed reached higher levels.”

Fiamme Azzurre had a superb start to the Serie B championship after gaining eight wins and a draw (25 points).

With their Maltese players in fine form, Fiamme already have one foot in the Serie A as they lead second-placed Sessana by six points. Biella and Torino are one point behind Sessana on the 18-point mark.

The second round of the championship in both Serie A and B will be played on April 16-17.