Strikes and Cassano make for decisive week in Italy

Serie A is no stranger to controversy, with the 2006 match-fixing scandal and hooligan problems still fresh in the memory, but the coming days are likely to offer as much drama and suspense as any top-flight match.

The union, at odds with the league over a new collective contract which lays down the basic rights of soccer players, postponed a strike in September to allow more talks but Tuesday's deadline for an agreement is fast approaching.

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