Serie Aaaaargh!… - All Comments

re: Big freeze and frosty relations hit Serie A as Zlatan sees red

SpoonME — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:54:10 GMT

What can be better than a cup of coffee in a rainy day and reading the article about it on hahaped..

re: Big freeze and frosty relations hit Serie A as Zlatan sees red

Maybemike — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:07:39 GMT

get on hahaped! God, somehow they get all the news about football right from the source! Cant believe it! Check it, bro

re: Milito refinds his regal form as Inter fire five past Parma

SpoonME — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:55:18 GMT

Fergal, No signs of intellect – off to hahaped with all your speed

Blizzard kings: all-weather Juve blow pretenders Udinese off course

Serie Aaaaargh!… — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:03:34 GMT

RESULTS Sat 28 Jan Catania 1-1 Parma; Juventus 2-1 Udinese Sun 29 Jan Fiorentina 2-1 Siena; Cesena 0

re: Della Valle vows to act as Fiorentina faithful lose patience again

Fergal — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:19:47 GMT

Fiorentina have been going steadily backwards since the night Bayern knocked them out of the CL a few seasons ago. Gilardino wasn't doing much so selling for 7m isn't too bad. What is bad is the fact that Amauri seems to be coming in to replace him. He's even worse! Jovetic won't be hanging around much longer at this rate.

re: Milito refinds his regal form as Inter fire five past Parma

Fergal — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:43:22 GMT

It's hotting up now in to a real battle between the top 7. I'd imagine Lazio will fall away eventually. They look a bit mechanical and laboured to me.

re: Tevez to Milan: Another pact with the Devil?

Fergal — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:39:06 GMT

It's hard to know with Tevez. He frightens the life out of defenders and could be great, but it's just too much of a risk. Galliani knows how to bring the price down on a player alright, but the players themselves have not always worked out. Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Emerson, Robinho, Zambrotta and the like were never likely to succeed. And none did. Instead of Tevez, I think Milan should sell Robinho and go for Jovetic and a decent left-back like Armero.

Get more from the January 2012 issue

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:51:40 GMT

The January 2012 issue of FourFourTwo is out now , and positively bursting with fantastic features, sensational

re: The demise of Inter

Fergal — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:09:12 GMT

I remember saying that Milito and Maicon should have been sold straight after the CL final win. They could have got 40-50m for those two but missed out. I think next summer Cesar, Milito, Maicon, Sniejder, Pandev and Mariga should all be sold. This should bring in 60m if done properly. Get Muntari and Chivu out on Bosman's too. They could sign Handanovic, Isla, Poli, Criscito and Rossi for 45m and get Cahill and Montolivo on frees. The math isn't that hard.

HANDANOVIC - ISLA - CRISCITO - LUCIO - RANOCCHIA - CAMBIASSO - MOTTA - MONTOLIVO - ALVAREZ - ROSSI - PAZZINI. castellazzi - zanetti - forlan - castaignos - poli - coutinho - nagatomo - cahill - samuel - obi stankovic - jonathan - cordoba - miccoli - kucka - mannone

re: Naming rights: A black and white issue for Newcastle United and Juventus

justchampion — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:51:11 GMT

Factually incorrect. The club tried to leave ST JAMES PARK but were unable to due to the number of objections against the new site. As a consequence ST JAMES PARK was redeveloped. The lop sided effect is because the buildings behind the east stand are listed and thus cannot be developed, otherwise the potential would be there for an 80k seater stadium

re: 'Mute fish' Mihajlovic still swimming against the tide of fan opinion at Fiorentina

Captomente — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:33:36 GMT

Great stuff. Marvellous insight to the singularities of italian football, my favourite league after my Sporting Lisbon's national league "Liga Zon".

Thanks and regards.

Weekender: 211011

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:05:59 GMT

1) Young guns fire at old pots Arsenal hosting Stoke this weekend pits the Premier League’s greenhorns

Weekender: 211011

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:05:57 GMT

1) Young guns fire at old pots Arsenal hosting Stoke this weekend pits the Premier League’s greenhorns

Weekender: Snooty, stocks and kids going south

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:13:34 GMT

1) Ivor Lott 1-2 Tony Broke It's the haves vs the have-nots at Stamford Bridge this weekend as Chelsea

Weekender: The Grim Reaper's efficiency drive

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:45:48 GMT

1) Pride comes before a fall for promoted clubs Last weekend all three Premier League newbies won their

re: House of Inter crumbling as Gasperini fails to make the most of his tools

Fergal — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:40:26 GMT

Things are a bit mental at Inter at the moment. Firing Gasperini won't help though, unless there is someone better to take over. And who is there? He'll be gone if they lose to CSKA and don't improve in the league, I think. Jonathan was poor alright, he looked decent at times, then like a sunday pub player seconds later. And Muntari coming on was laughable. That squad needs a serious overhaul over the next few years, but where will the money come from?

Weekender: Fouls, feasts, freebies and fire

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:52:44 GMT

1) Holt and Davies set for foul-off Last weekend Kevin Davies became the second player in the history

re: AC Milan act their age to prove a point, Inter show their age to lose it

Fergal — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:16:52 GMT

Inter are in real trouble. A defeat to CSKA in the next game will leave them with a mountain to climb. It's not the easiest of groups, but the home game against Trabzonspor would have been seen as a must win. Milan did quite well. It was great to see the battle between Nesta and Messi. They've given themselves a chance of topping the group now. As for Napoli, they played well. The defending throughout was good, despite giving away too many frees around the box. The front 3 also looked dangerous, especially in the second half. The home game with Villareal is vital. A win will give them a good chance of a top 2 finish.

Weekender: Robocop, chained-up coaches and back-rubs gone wrong

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:11:58 GMT

North London has the edge over Manchester While things may be looking rosy for the two big Manchester

Weekender: Tweets, Wombles, stalking horses and balls

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:49:53 GMT

1. Pride comes before... After waiting 35 years for a trophy, Man City are chasing their second in three

re: Inter switch to 3-3-1-3 to suit Sneijder

Fergal — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:42:37 GMT

Inter still need to find a few new players. There is no point in relying on Eto'o to do it all like they did last season when you've got a disaster like Chivu at the back.

re: Patience on the cards at Roma

Fergal — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 23:29:19 GMT

Vucinic and De Rossi are talented players, but if getting 30-35m for these two helps bring in a group good players, then I'd sell them. De Rossi is not the player he was anyway. The likes of Menez is the player Roma should be keeping, not Totti. He's been a great player for them, but time waits for no-one and if Roma are relying on him for 40-50 games, then they'll fail.

Why Barça should sign Vidic, not Cesc – and Real should bag Bale

La Liga Loca — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:37:00 GMT

LLL has a tiny brain when it comes to football tactics. Public questions about how a manager should improve

Weekender: Better than a date with a supermodel

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Fri, 27 May 2011 12:08:08 GMT

1. Wembley final? The President's out, then... Suspected West Ham fan Barack Obama will be out of

Champs Milan choose who to chop from the old guard

Serie Aaaaargh!… — Mon, 16 May 2011 11:42:34 GMT

When AC Milan won their first post-war title in 1951, the players shook hands on the pitch and their

Weekender: Fairy tales and dangling swords

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:59:00 GMT

1. Don't wish for a fairytale start While romantics may hope Stoke break the deadlock to bring the

Weekender: Fairy tales and dangling swords

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:58:57 GMT

1. Don't wish for a fairytale start While romantics may hope Stoke break the deadlock to bring the

Palermo prepare to pour into Rome for Coppa Italia

Serie Aaaaargh!… — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:09:32 GMT

As all ancient would-be conquerors would no doubt testify, you can't march on Rome without a large

re: Milkman Zanetti prepares to deliver for 1,000th time

phil92united — Thu, 12 May 2011 10:47:36 GMT

A class player and model professional

re: Milkman Zanetti prepares to deliver for 1,000th time

Fergal — Wed, 11 May 2011 22:30:47 GMT

A truly great player. Probably the best over the last 15 years.

re: Allegri free to bask in title glory as Milan end seven year wait

Fergal — Tue, 10 May 2011 04:02:09 GMT

Milan winning the title doesn't say much for the strength of Serie A. Yes, they have a better squad then last year, but it's still not a great squad. If Taiwo works out, then that will improve them. If not, then the same old problems at left-back will continue.

Weekender: Webb, Wolves, Wycombe and the plot to kill Shearer

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Fri, 06 May 2011 11:51:04 GMT

1. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is better than Ronaldo …and Torres, and Tevez, and Berbatov. And he knocks Defoe

Milan almost champions but fight for fourth continues

Serie Aaaaargh!… — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 11:46:14 GMT

RESULTS Sat 23 Apr Roma 1-0 Chievo; Bologna 0-2 Cesena; Cagliari 1-2 Fiorentina; Internazionale 2-1 Lazio;

Weekender: Road king Roy, Torres solved and Neil Morrissey's fun-juice

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:19:19 GMT

1. Roy Hodgson is king of the road If West Brom can win at Tottenham on Saturday, Roy Hodgson will have

re: Sleepwalking Inter risk going from heroes to zeros after European exit

Fergal — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:16:49 GMT

It was an embarrassing exit against an average side. Mourinho would never have let what happened in the San Siro to transpire. I'm not sure what Lucio was doing when he ran away from Raul to gift him the first goal. And as for Milito, he was shocking. He played so well in the first half of the first leg, but to watch him last night you'd never believe he was the same player. I don't believe in complete overhauls of squads, usually all that's needed is a few changes here and there. I'd sell Chivu, Muntari, Milito, Maicon, Materazzi, Rivas, Kharja and maybe Cesar if they need money. They could get 40-50m for these. Then sign Coentrao, Viviano, Ganso, Srna and a few others.

Weekender: Torres v Sutton, Rooney v world

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:57:26 GMT

1. Torres has until half-time to avoid surpassing Sutton Fernando Torres certainly hasn't enjoyed

Weekender: Torres v Sutton, Rooney v world

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:57:20 GMT

1. Torres has until half-time to avoid surpassing Sutton Fernando Torres certainly hasn't enjoyed

re: Leonardo left speechless as Inter face up to the end of an era

Fergal — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:23:15 GMT

The defending was as bad as I've seen in years. Chivu, as I've said a thousand times before, is not up to it. He was a disaster last night. Yes, the squad needs rebuilding. Nothing drastic, but at least half a dzen young players need to arrive in the summer. I remember being so dissapointed when they didn't take the big money for Maicon and Milito last summer. And now look.

I'd sell : Muntari 9m...Chivu 4m...Cesar 17m...Materazzi free...Rivas 1m... Milito 7m... Maicon 10m 48m

IN: Coentrao 14m...Viviano buy outright...Srna 8m...Ganso 16m...Miccoli free

VIVIANO-CASTELLAZZI-BARDI

SRNA-SANTON

COENTRAO-ZANETTI

LUCIO-CORDOBA-NATALINO

RANOCCHIA-SAMUEL

MARIGA-STANKOVIC-OBI

CAMBIASSO-MOTTA

SNEIJDER-COUTINHO

GANSO-PANDEV-OBINNA

PAZZINI-CASTAIGNOS-DESTRO

ETO'O-MICCOLI

It's not an ideal squad, but it has 7 young players in it. Something Inter now need before they turn into the way Milan did.

Weekender: Tonkings, the ex and bad manners (shorter)

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:38:27 GMT

1. Bolton should expect a tonking at Villa …and not just because Gary Cahill has joined Jussi Jaaskelainen

Weekender: Tonkings, the ex and bad manners

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:35:42 GMT

1. Bolton should expect a tonking at Villa …and not just because Gary Cahill has joined Jussi Jaaskelainen

Weekender: Tonkings, the ex and bad manners

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:35:39 GMT

1. Bolton should expect a tonking at Villa …and not just because Gary Cahill has joined Jussi Jaaskelainen

re: Pressure mounting on Rossoneri ahead of Milanese showdown

Giovanni — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 05:51:08 GMT

Try to write a little more unbiased. Its blatantly obvious that you're an Internazionale fan-boy. God only knows why, because they're barely an Italian side anyway.. More like a whose who of South America. Get over yourself. Plus you would have more people commenting on your blog if you actually took the time to look at the feedback from your articles and respond.

re: Inter comeback spares Cesar's blushes and sets up possible Jose reunion

Fergal — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:09:37 GMT

It was one of the best comebacks in a long time. I fancied Inter to win before the game but at half time, I thought they were dead and buried.

Pandev didn't do much right all night(ala Brecia)but he kept going and was rewarded with a great finish.

The main man again, however, was the guy who is definately the world's best centre forward this season: Samuel Eto'o. It was another immense showing from him. Every time I've seen him this season he's been great.

With a tricky Bayern team out of the way, Inter can certainly win this trophy again.

The only squad better than their's is Barcelona. Any of the others can be beaten. Although, Lucio will be a loss for the next game, with Samuel still out.

Let's hope they don't come up against a good attack with Chivu and Materazzi playing.

re: Inter comeback spares Julio Cesar's blushes and sets up possible Jose reunion

Codorniu — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:09:26 GMT

Playing snijder, who is by a distance the best Dutch player and I think the best player in the serie A, on the left instead of at 10 is as close to heresy as you can come in football really. I imagined sneijder had. Big enough balls to play in the middle anyway.

Great game though!

re: Milan and Ibra flunk English test yet again

Fergal — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:40:20 GMT

It was pleasing to finally see a decent performance from and Italian club in the CL. They were unfortunate not to get at least extra time out of it. But why wasn't this the starting 11(besides Boateng) in the first game?

I hope Leonadro was watching. Inter can take heart from Milan's attitude and spirit. If Milan can come this close to turning around a 1-0 home defeat, then there is no excuse for Inter against an average Bayern team. Let's just hope Chivu is out for Zanetti and Eto'o actually has someone to help him this time. One of Milito, Coutinho or Pandev would do.

re: Roma go down without class or clue

Fergal — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:33:48 GMT

Desperate exit, alright. I don't think one player played well. Rosi at least tried when he came on. Roma were okay at the start and tried to make a game of it but gave up after Mexes went off. Thought his second yellow was a bit harsh. It was a challenge we see all the time in football that doesn't get punished.

As for De Rossi, I think, at his age Roma might be better off selling him. He has faded in the last few seasons but still has a big reputation. If they can get 20m for him then they should sell. Or, ring Mancini and those idiots might pay 30.

re: Duck becomes top dog at Milan as Pato outshines Ibra

Fergal — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 06:53:44 GMT

Milan must keep Pato. As for Ibra, send him back to Barca. Milan can't afford 24m on a player like that.

Palermo fans reject backing boss after 7-0 home defeat

Serie Aaaaargh!… — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:43:52 GMT

It has been one of the great mysteries of the season how Delio Rossi has survived so long in charge at

re: President Agnelli gives King's Speech to stuttering Juve

Fergal — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:51:57 GMT

IN/OUT for the summer:

buffon 13m - sissoko 7m - grygera 2m - grosso fr - amauri 4m - manniger 1m - tiago 3m - giovinco 7m - toni fr - matri/traore/rinaudo loan end. 37m

boruc 2m - sorensen fr - nagatomo 4m - aquilani 10m - pepe 3m - bovo 3m - donadel fr - quagliarella 8m - elmander fr - larsson fr - rossi 12m - lanzafame 40m

storari-boruc-costantino

motta-sorensen-salihamidzic

nagatomo-de ceglie

bonucci-bovo

chiellini-barzagli

aquilani-larsson

melo-donadel

marchisio-martinez

krasic-pepe-lanzafame

rossi-elmander-del piero

quagliarella-iaquinta

re: Inter/Bayern match-up highlights problems facing the Italian game

Fergal — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 22:42:47 GMT

With Napoli having been just knocked out, it looks like a desperate end to this seasons European campaign.

Leonardo's leaving the ever-unreliable Chivu on for 90 minutes to be torn apart by Robben evry time he got the ball in the second half was a joke.

I'm not sure how long managers have to go before they notice that Zanetti at left back would be a much better option to stop the Dutchman. And as for leaving the excellent Eto'o alone up front for most of the game, well Leonardo deserved nothing more than a defeat. Coutinho or Pandev should have been brought on earlier and Chivu taken off. They must start with one of these in the return and put Zanetti at left back, otherwise they should stay at home because Robben will go past that other clown all night.

Inter are probably the only Italian team that have a chance of turning it around. I wouldn't hold out any hope for the other two. Here's the teams I think they should pick for the returns.

MILAN: abbiatti - abate nesta silva vila - seedorf flamini boateng - robinho - pato ibrahimovic

INTER: cesar - maicon lucio ranocchia zanetti - cambiasso motta stankovic - sneijder coutinho - eto'o

re: Gattuso's Jordan spat reminds Milan of a past they'd rather forget

Fergal — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 02:27:42 GMT

I have just watched Roma lose as well so it's not the best of weeks so far for the Italian teams. You've hit the nail on the head, Riccardo, about Milan. Ibrahimovic and Robinho showed yet again exactly what they are: over-rated wasters. I lost count of the number of times Ibra gave the ball away stupidly, including the goal.

It was only when Pato came on that they pushed Spurs back a bit. Yepes was unlucky not to score but he's a poor centre back at best. Get Silva back there for the next game and try to dig up a left bag from somewhere before the return leg.

As for Gaattuso, he is well past his best and needs to be off-loaded in the summer. In fact, a huge number of that squad needs to be shipped out in the summer, including Ibrahimovic. Milan must not spend 24m on a guy whose's almost 30 and continues to fail in the big games. I think the only big game he's played really well in was way back in 2004 for Sweden against Italy when he gave the great Nesta and Cannavaro a torrid time.

The lack of pace in midfield for Milan and Roma was shocking. Milan must score first in London to have any chance while Roma are as good as out, with Menez gone so are their chances. If Roma are not revamped too by new owners then the likes of Menez and Vucinic will be out the door to play for a real team.

It's depressing to watch two of the supposedly strongest Italian teams beaten quite easily by average enough sides. Both will have to go all out for early goals in the return but to be honest I think they are both on the way out. Hopefully Inter and Napoli aren't as rubbish as these two.

re: Old Lady kisses goodbye to her season as cup goes into hibernation

Fergal — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:34:35 GMT

It's strange to see Juve letting their season go up in smoke as they let Inter sign Pazzini and let Cassano go to Milan. The funny thing is, Juve needed these two far more than the Milan teams did.

If Juve had these two up front for the rest of the season they would be feared. Now they're a laughing stock. Who's going to get the goals?

I'm not sure what Inter were thinking, either. Yes, Pazzini is good, but where does this leave Milito? I think he'll be sold in the summer now. And getting rid of Biabiany is another mistake.

We've seen some bizarre transfers over the last few days, I can't see many of them working out. And yes, Milan should have left Van Bommel where he was.

re: Juve unlikely to window shop, leaving Delneri to look for a Plan B

Fergal — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:08:32 GMT

The attack at Juve wasn't good enough even when Quagliarella was fit. And he was carrying them. Toni and Amauri just aren't good enough anymore, while Iaquinta and Del Piero are not up to it either.

Getting Fabiano, Forlan or any proven striker in, even on loan, before the window shuts, is vital. If not, Krasic and others at his level will soon be wondering what the point is. The fullback positions are nearly as bad, yet they sign an average centre back. Braindead.

re: Juve unlikely to window shop, leaving Delneri to look for a Plan B

Yorugua — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:38:53 GMT

Diego Forlan's inclusion as a possible Juventus transfer is funny. Nobody wants to buy Forlan, Atletico Madrid even offered him on the cheap to Real Madrid via a bizarre loan payment system yet Real doesn't want him.

Forlan scores nice goals, but pay attention to the way he plays midfield, he consistantly disrupts the flow of a play by dumping the ball back to midfield. Too many bad habits, the last thing Juventus needs is another striker thinking he can play midfield (see the Brazilian Diego) --- the best thing to do is stay the course, see where the season takes you, risk the Champions League berth or settle for a Europa League berth at the very worst.

Sad to say but Forlan with or without the World Cup Balon D'Oro is a horrible buy for any team.

re: Cassano cameo can't inspire Milan, but Inter on the march again

Giovanni — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:47:20 GMT

Cassano to start ahead of Seedorf. Seedorf looks fit, that doesn't necessarily mean he is getting around the pitch quick enough. His play-making ability in the final third has deserted him too.. All those killer passes in the final 3rd are well over-hit these days. If Milan are to move on to win SerieA, Seedorf cannot be relied on anymore. Secondly Bonera should not play anywhere along the back four.

re: Cassano cameo can't inspire Milan, but Inter on the march again

wastlord — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 23:31:27 GMT

do juve have the slowest forward line ever now?

delps, toni and amauri.

sort it out zebras!

re: Milan target Van Bommel as Serie A sides go on bargain hunt

Fergal — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:56:54 GMT

Criscito isn't the best full back in the world but he is a step in the right direction. Genoa have no chance of getting 18m euro for him though. he's hardly worth half that. A right back too(De Silvestri, perhaps) would all of sudden give Milan a chance of doing something in this years CL. If no fullbacks arrive, then they'll be knocked out pretty soon.

And stay the hell away from Van Bommel. Is past his best, a best that was never much good in the first place.

Hopefully Juve can get Rossi as they badly need a striker. As for Napoli, a good centre back would be useful. The ever reliable Richard Dunne is rotting away at Villa. I think he could be the one to push Napoli into next years CL.

re: Merkel a good boy, but Melo can expect nothing but coal

Fergal — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 22:56:39 GMT

It was sad to see Dkeko move to Man City when he clearly was interested in Juve. But Italian clubs shouldn't try to compete too much with that farcical club, I suppose. £27 million was too much for him. Chances are he will turn into yet another player who will fail at City because he has no real desire to play for them. Let's just hope his move to City doesn't mean that waster Adebayor will be coming to Italy.

Whoever had the idea of singing Toni for Juve needs to be shot. Is this the best they can do? This guy was past it years ago. Quagliarrella was doing very well but Toni's not good enough to replace him. Juve need to sign another forward before the end of January or they can forget about winning anything. In fact, they'll probably miss out on the top 4 too.

Melo was stupid in that last game. Anyone who kicks studs into someones face should get a long ban.

As for the likes of Merkel and Strasser, hopefully they will be good enough to help Milan become a great team again.

re: Serie Aaaaargh's Italian Team of the Season so far...

Codorniu — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 13:23:31 GMT

No mention of Wesley sneijder makes this a silly article.

re: Leonardo may need to adapt softly-softly approach to succeed at Inter

Fergal — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 04:14:32 GMT

I was hoping Spalletti would get the job but I suppose Leonardo is a reasonable choice. Moratti will be happy that this appointment gets under Berlusconi's skin but I think he did it for football reasons. Moratti never struck me as the clown the other guy is.

The signing of Ranocchia was vital while an early move for Coentrao would be wise. After that I think the squad is fine when fully fit. Over the next 18 months Inter need to start bringing in younger players.

If Liverpool are offering 12m euro for Muntari then Moratti should throw him up on his shoulders and carry him there himself. If anyone offers 3 or 4 million for Chivu then take that too. Getting shot of Mancini and Suazo would help lighten the wage bill also. There is also talk of Santon being sold which sounds like madness to me. Yes, loan him out for a while, but don't sell. He could be the natural replacement for Maicon in the near future.

It will be interseting to see how Leo fares. A bad run in January and February will put huge pressure on him, but I hope he succeeds.

re: Leonardo may need to adapt softly-softly approach to succeed at Inter

Yorugua — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:19:05 GMT

Did they bring him in to coach or to bring in more Brazilians? Neymar for example? If it's to bring in flavor of the month Brazilian players, then Leo might have a job for a while despite Inter's record.

re: San Siro to zero: Milan are beaten and Rafa signs suicide note

Joel Oberstone — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 19:09:24 GMT

Moratti's only significant mistake was to provide Benitez with a contract and a landing place after the latter was booted out of Liverpool. Signing that condescending, arrogant, one-dimensional manager who has the ability to antagonize both player and management with his every ungrateful word makes it unimaginable that any sensible FC would want him working with its players. Possibly he has hidden talents that are not apparent, but I have not seen any. Winning the CL gives credence to the concept of rare, chance events occurring—however unlikely. Hire Benitez and you have no one to blame but yourself. And I mean all of this in the best way. Hide the pie. Here comes Rafa. Apologies to Riccardo.

re: San Siro to zero: Milan are beaten and Rafa signs suicide note

Fergal — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 13:17:10 GMT

The full back positions are probably Milan's weakest link. The thoughts of Bale and even the average Lennon running them in a few months could signal the end of their CL hopes.

Benitez looks to be on his way out. He seems to think he is still in charge of Liverpool where the don't tend to sack managers at all. He's in Italy now, which, like Spain, is a different kettle of fish altogether to England when it comes to firing coaches. I mean, look at Wenger. If he had gone as long as he has without a trophy at Madrid or Inter he would have been sacked ten times over by now.

I dread Capello arriving though. Benitez would be better than him. The football Capello's Roma and Juve sides played was a disgrace. Brain dead long balls hoofed up to the corner flags. Some of the worst rubbish I've ever seen.

Spalletti is my choice. He may not win as much as Mourinho but I think the players will enjoy his passing game style.

re: Milan ready Cassano move as shadow of Ancelotti hangs over Ranieri

Fergal — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 05:53:28 GMT

I think Cassano could be a fine signing for Milan. Although I think Juve could do with him more. Can he play in the CL though after being in the qualifiers with Samp? It'll be a sad end to Ronaldinho in Europe if he goes. I said Milan should never have signed him in the first place but he was a great player in his day and arguably still the most gifted player today. I think in the future he may look back with regret on the last 5 years of his career.

The draw was decent enough for the Italian's. Which makes a change after years of horror draws. However, it won't be easy and all 4 remaining sides will have to be at their best to see off the opposition. A full strength Inter should see off Bayern(once Zanetti's marking Robben, not Chivu)while Milan might just outscore Spurs in what should be a goals filled double header. Roma will need not to do their usual collapse to get by Shakhdar while Napoli v Villareal should be close to call. If all 4 teams get through then anything is possible.

Italian players lay out their demands as strike threat looms

Serie Aaaaargh!… — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:32:05 GMT

“Right lads – down tools, we're all out.” You know the world has gone crazy when footballers are

re: Wins for Roma and Milan put smile back on the face of Italian football

mastrilli — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 03:29:01 GMT

watching inter reminds me of eating ill prepared lupini beans

re: Zlat the Splat turns Serie A into the walking dead

Fergal — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 22:41:13 GMT

I wouldn't get too excited if I were a Milan fan, either about Ibrahimovic or their league position. They are a pretty average squad overall and are in a false position. I'd be amazed if they became champions and if they do I think it will be because of the other teams failings. A bit like if Arsenal won the English league, it would be more down to declining Man Utd and Chelsea teams then Arsenal's talents.

As for Inter, things are a bit of a mess at the moment. Defeat, however unlikely, to Twente could be the end of Benitez.

re: Tetchy Moratti gives Benitez his backing - for the time being

Fergal — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:55:56 GMT

It's hard to know how this will go over the next month or so. Yes, he's no Mourinho, but also he has had terrible trouble with injuries to key players that Jose didn't.

I think a few more bad results in the next month will see him sacked. I'm sure the derby showing and Benitez's and the players total failure to stop Bale will push Moratti into thinking of a replacement already. I mean, can anyone see Mourinho letting Bale do to Inter what he did? He would have switched things straight away to stop him.

And I doubt Moratti will give him the players that he wants in January if he's planning to sack him.

Still,I think they should sign Ranocchia outright and put Zanetti at left back and sell that liability, Chivu.

All aboard Chelsea’s private jet

FourFourTwo's Inside Track — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:44:14 GMT

FFT's Gregg Davies cadges a luxurious lift with the league leaders Ever wondered what it’s like to

re: Preview: AC Milan look to reassert derby dominance over Inter

Andy Hunter — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 19:17:27 GMT

It would be great to see Milan win the Scudetto this season. I have not seen as much of them as Inter this season but some of the Nerazzurri look somewhat disillusioned by Benitez and I wonder how long they will stay if things turn sour. If Milan can strike an early blow now it could be their title this season.

re: Preview: AC Milan look to reassert derby dominance over Inter

Bruiser — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 07:01:51 GMT

But important point is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. This time long and combative Swedish is in rival team (A.C Milan) In my opinion he is very right transfer after unsuccesfull years...Only he seems real medicine of The Boys in Red Black.

re: You can dupe a ref, but can't evade video justice

Giovanni — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 06:32:37 GMT

Trying to rely on delivery from the wings from Simone Pepe, will make this weekend's game much easier for Milan. The one player that could hurt the likes of shaky players such as Bonera is now suspended. Krasic is currently the tip of Juve's attacking sword, without him Milan should grind out a victory ahead of their rematch with Real Madrid next week.

re: No surprise to see Italians not make the grade

Yorugua — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:05:55 GMT

Julio Cesar was horrible in the World Cup, how he got on the list is beyond me --- it seems to me that after the Champions League final he ate himself into a stupor. You can even see the rolls of fat on him in the crucial match against Holland. And to think Gomes was on the bench and Dunga insisted on an out of form Julio Cesar.

re: Serie A-ren't we terrible...?

Fergal — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:29:52 GMT

It was a pretty poor week, alright. One win from seven is terrible. If the Italian clubs don't wake up, especially in the Europa, then they will lose a European place very soon.

There is no excuse for these 4 Europa teams not being among the favourites to win it, yet every year we seems to see half-ass efforts. What's the point in qualifying for it if you don't plan to put the effort in the following year. Idiots.

I wouldn't be too hard on Inter. The two late goals were understandable, I suppose, although I thought Cesar would have got the hint at where the ball was going by the third goal. Benitez can't be blamed for keeping Inter as an old side either. Coutinho, Biabiany,Mariga and the fit again Santon are all being used. Hopefully Santon will soon take the place of the only weak link in the team: Chivu.

re: Serie A-ren't we terrible...?

Yorugua — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 10:51:14 GMT

You should have titled this entry, "No Country For Old Men"

re: Inter only Italian option for Rooney

Fergal — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 08:06:58 GMT

I doubt Rooney would join Inter, although it would be nice to see. All his talk today of ambition would suggest he will move to either Madrid or Man City. The days when the likes of Juve and Milan could buy guys like him are gone for the time being. They now have to settle for wasters like Robinho and half-*rse average squad players.

As for the CL, it showed again the problems Milan and Roma have. Really, if Roma go out at this stage in this group, then they should be shot. As for Milan, the fullback positions are a mess and they have no chance of winning this comp.

re: Serbs bring darkness to Genoa (again)

Giovanni — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 06:56:25 GMT

So why do Serbian nationalists need to ruin a potentially great football match? If they have a political agenda, they should march over to their capitol's governmental structures and pelt politicians with flares. I understand its all in the name of media attention, which RAI the ridiculous Italian broadcaster, couldnt help themselves but give full coverage to them.

Mission status: success

re: Serbs bring darkness to Genoa (again)

Yorugua — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:47:17 GMT

The balaclava-clad ultra, the next FIFA president. LOL

re: Serbs bring darkness to Genoa (again)

sakana — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:20:35 GMT

Unlikely the three fingers was anything to do with the score of a forfeit: en.wikipedia.org/.../Three-finger_salute_(Serbian)

re: Belfast, Bestie and barn doors

Giovanni — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 05:34:16 GMT

Balotelli will be the answer to the striking problem when fit.

Italy desperately needs a new Camoranesi and its not Pepe.

Pepe needs to be dropped from the national squad and shipped off to SerieB immediately.

If De Rossi is not cutting the mustard, there is absolutely no problem with Cigarini who is in stellar form in spain currently.

Spice is a problem, the only player I could suggest if he were able to get into peak physical condition is Miccolli. Otherwise Cassano must pull up his socks

and give us some consistency.

re: Zambrotta return a sign of the times

Yorugua — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 11:35:15 GMT

Yeah I kind of agree with you, as long as Andrea Pirlo keeps getting called up, it's all good.

re: Zambrotta return a sign of the times

Giovanni — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 06:41:28 GMT

Prandelli feels that the younger crop, while extremely talented, dont have the correct mentality that we've seen in some of the 2006 world cup winners. The youngsters should play though anyway, because with caps will come confidence even if the initial results are a bit sticky.

Italy's world cup campaign this year was atrocious. However, even though Montolivo was impressive or at the very least solid, Pirlo came on in the last 20min against Slovakia and the Azzurri were a beauty once more even if it was only for that short time.

Pirlo changed that team and I shudder at the thought of how far they could have gone had he been able to play from Italy's opening game.

re: Inter united on the pitch, divided off it

Giovanni — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:32:40 GMT

I once watched a Champions League magazine show that did a full expose on Zanetti.

So apparently he owns a popular restaurant. He said on the show that sometimes he invites the entire squad to eat there.. And they sit around, laugh and have a good time. Was this a lie?

re: Inter united on the pitch, divided off it

Fergal — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:37:29 GMT

It was a fine win by Inter. Eto'o is on fire this season, as is Sneijder. Another 4 points or so against Spurs will all but see them through, but it's a worry to see Samuel and now Lucio both out. Despite the treble last season, this squad is a bit thin. Coutinho looks to be a good player while Biabiany and sub Obi both did ok too.

Roma got the vital win they needed, while Milan stuttered to a point in Holland. Two defeats to Madrid though could see them in real trouble, but I think they'll go through. I'd be surprised if all three don't go through now.

re: Totti walks out of Roma regularity

Serpico — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:55:36 GMT

I thought it was a rather intriguing game between these 2 sides, certainly a much more watchable affair than the battle royale that was dished up in the Super Cup at the start of the season.

If a positive can come out of a Roma victory, then it now leaves no side unbeaten in serie A after 5 matches. I still believe Inter will triumph come May, but there'll be a few extra twists and turns than normal before they get there.

re: Totti walks out of Roma regularity

Fergal — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:09:42 GMT

Totti has been a fine player over the years for Roma. But Vucinic and Menez are the future. Vucinic is one of the most gifted players in the world, while Menez could well turn out to be a great player. Totti and Adriano still have something to offer, but I think a front 3 of Vucinic, Menez and Borriello is the way forward for Roma and hopefully these 3 start for the must win CL game this week.

re: Squabbling, lies & big feet

eduardo persson — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:02:59 GMT

Great piece. Thanks for the inside look!

re: Milan already taking Ibra to their hearts

eduardo persson — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:46:34 GMT

I'd love to read what you have to say about the post match bust -up between Ibra and Sacchi! I just saw a clip, but could only understand bits of it. What does the Milan faithful think about Zlatan's petulance towards one of their best ever managers?

Great blog.

Eduardo

re: Italy finally deliver the goods

rudybronx — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 08:12:09 GMT

It would be nice to see Italians in good condition at European Football Championships [url=http://www.eurocup.org]Euro 2012[/url] in Poland and Ukraine.

re: My Perfect 10: Roberto Baggio

disraelite — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:42:57 GMT

"Keep coming back to FFT.com this week for more Perfect 10s..."

Funny, I've checked out the Food For Thought website and there's no football articles there. Lots of food and drink, but no Perfect 10s...

re: My Perfect 10: Roberto Baggio

Giovanni — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:00:21 GMT

I wish I could remember Baggio. Unfortunately his career peaked in the first 5 years of my life so I was just too young. My dad said he was amazing, that he didnt look like he possessed one ounce of talent by his appearance.. But what he could do with his feet were other-worldly.

re: Mou & Ibra almost overshadow new season

KPsoso — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 06:46:25 GMT

ricardo, id love to see as roma finally raise the scudetto after so many close calls, but i feel like it will come down to inter vs milan (if they land ibra of course). the italian teams should play with a purpose this european season as they cannot let themselves get overtaken by the germans on coefficient!

re: Mou & Ibra almost overshadow new season

Fergal — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:18:15 GMT

It wasn't a great draw for the Italians in either the CL or the Europa. Still, I would expect most, if not all, to qualify. Milan are probably in the most danger of getting knocked out, and it wouldn't be any loss if they did.

Roma and Inter should go through. As for Juve, I don't see any point buying the likes of Krasic if they then offload Diego. Quagliarella is an ok player, but Juve have serious problems up front this season if some signings are not made soon. I would'nt be surprised to see Pazzini arrive before the deadline.

re: Galliani capable of wrestling Ibra from Barca

Fergal — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 07:59:15 GMT

He's not what Milan need. Still, that hasn't stopped them signing others they didn't need either, I suppose. All common sense seems to have evaporated at this once great club. Yes, he is a far more gifted player than Huntelaar or Borriello, but he is also a waster, who vanishes in big games when he is needed most. For Berlusconi, this is just a gimmick to get the woeful season ticket sales up. Hopefully Milan fans don't fall for it.

re: Galliani capable of wrestling Ibra from Barca

don_cule — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:07:22 GMT

I get what you mean.

I miss FCB having Eto'o...Guardiola made a huge mistake letting him go.

Mourinho will no doubt find a way to fleece FCB yet again in the derbies this season.

re: Galliani capable of wrestling Ibra from Barca

Thetruefootball — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:37:51 GMT

@don_cule

It's a nice idea you present but for a variety of reasons we have very little nostalgia concerning Ibra.

1. He has always been a mercenary and even his body language suggests it.

2. He never loved Inter and wanted to leave as soon as things got stale for him.

3. He often performed very poorly in big games.

4. The sale of him funded the acquisition of the 6 players who were necessary for the Triplete victories, players who have gone out of their way to endear themselves to us.

5. It is clear the only system in which he can operate effectively is one that is based around him (Inter for his first couple years). Unfortunately, this system is quite easy for good teams to neutralize.

At the end, every team (except Juve who went to B) he has played for has been better off after he left. For us Interista, it is like an ex-girlfriend who was sexy as hell, but was also selfish and treated you like crap. But now you have a girlfriend who is super hot but also treats you right. All you can think is how naive you were when you didn't know and you just laugh at your old self for not knowing any better (and you feel sorry for the guy who now has to put up with your ex's bullshit).

Do you understand?

re: Galliani capable of wrestling Ibra from Barca

don_cule — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:15:28 GMT

Am I the only one who thinks Zlatan would be under some pressure from Nerazzurri supporters who kept faith with him despite his eccentric style of forward play?

Having said that FCB could do without a player unlikely to play as much while siphoning a huge wage. Or half of it anyway.

re: Roma must play Inter at their own game

Thetruefootball — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:25:25 GMT

Lack of resources?

Juventus:

Diego, 24.5 million

Amauri, 22.5 million

F. Melo, 25 million

Inter:

Sneijder, 15 million

Lucio, 5 million

Eto'o, came for Ibra and evaluated at about 18 million

Milito, 25 million

It doesn't seem to make sense to me that Inter has been using more resources...

re: Roma must play Inter at their own game

James Goyder — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 06:45:58 GMT

The problem for Roma, AC Milan and Juventus is that they simply lack the resources to challenge Inter.

Inter really took advantage of the match fixing scandal to establish themselves as the dominant force in Italian football and I don't see any of the other 'big' teams breaking their monopoly on Serie A anytime soon.

As long as Inter are in a position to strengthen their squad by taking their pick of players such as Chivu and Mancini from their closest rivals Serie A will remain a one horse race.

Credit to Ranieri for pushing Inter so hard last season but I think Roma will struggle to perform to the same level again this time around.

re: Kevin Prince and the paupers

gunner94 — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:54:04 GMT

what are milan thinking. he is a mediocore player and as he proved in the cup final cant handle the pressure at the highest leve

re: Kevin Prince and the paupers

Karl J. — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 18:42:24 GMT

I'm sorry but are we talking about the same Kevin Prince Boateng here? The same player who was not good enough for Spurs not 3 years ago? It's fair to say that he has improved since his days in London but surely a player of his stature cannot be good enough for AC Milan, a team that have prided themselves on producing players and buying players whose demeanour has accurately embodied the high standards the club has built up and maintained over the previous decades. It is a sad day for football when this poser is deemed good enough to play for this prestigious club.

re: Kevin Prince and the paupers

Fergal — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 11:02:20 GMT

Can't see this guy working out either. He brings some much needed youth to the squad but I've never seen anything to get excited about when I've seen him play. He just seems like yet another modern day footballer who thinks they are great, but in fact are only poor to average. Milan fans must really be losing the will to live as they see clowns like this guy arrive. I imagine it is only a matter of time before Pato and Silva leave. I doubt they want to waste their careers at a club which seems determined to go backwards.

re: Kevin Prince and the paupers

Suivaloom — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:26:24 GMT

What Milan need now is some decent fullbacks. That should have been the priority. Flamini seems lost but he is the answer to anchor their midfield. Cissokho or Bastos would be ideal for Milan but they have not a pot to pee in it seems.

re: Kevin Prince and the paupers

Catman — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:50:51 GMT

As far as im concerned he will be the forlorn figure after missing the penalty in last seasons FA cup final. And then watching chelsea fly up the other end and score to win the cup. A player who no doubt thinks the sun shines from his derriere, but to me hes a cocky loser with a ridiculous name. Milan have enough problems without this man upsetting players and fans with his arrogant antics. And boring them with his tales of "heroic acts" at the world cup.

re: Big Three go head to head to head

Fergal — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:25:50 GMT

The season start is almost here again but none of the big Italian teams are any better now than they were last year. Inter were right to sell Balotelli for 25m. He's more trouble than he's worth and could well spend the next 10 years floating around from club to club.

I think Juventus would be mad to sell Diego. With such a lack of real talent in that squad they'll be even worse off without him. Instead of selling him, they should be signing Dkeko and playing the two of them up front.

Genoa are doing the most in transfers, who would have thought they could land Veloso and Rafinha?

As for Milan... is their any point? Maybe they can boost season ticket sales with the capture of Camoranesi.

re: Azzurri look to end annus horribilis

Serpico — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:04:29 GMT

Nice to see Prandelli keeping up with this years tradition. Will need a big shake up to get things right, hopefully they'll still be having teething problems by the time they reach Windsor Park in October.

re: Azzurri look to end annus horribilis

Thetruefootball — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:35:54 GMT

Mari*o Balotelli and Antonio Cassano deserve each other. Truly talented, truly flawed.

re: No tears for Balotelli departure

James Goyder — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 17:07:40 GMT

Balotelli is extremely volatile by all accounts and unlikely to settle for anything less than regular first team football.

Manchester City already have a surplus of world class attacking players and he is unlikely to be a first choice striker ahead of the likes of Adebayor and Tevez.

It would not rank as a major surprise if Balotelli followed in the footsteps of another multi million pound striker Robinho by becoming rapidly disillusioned and loaned out to another club who will barely even cover his wages.

re: No tears for Balotelli departure

holding midfield — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:21:46 GMT

It looks like he is going to cry every time he does not receive absolutely perfect service to his feet. Every time. I will celebrate when he leaves and do not even care if he scores 20+ for City.

I think United should get him, because him and Berba would be the perfect combination of whining, over-paid under-achievers.

re: No tears for Balotelli departure

Suivaloom — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:46:55 GMT

colm - You say you don't watch Italian football and then say there is no way he can be worth 30 million euros?!? How would you know then?

He is a massive, massive talent in my eyes. He has 20 goals in 59 appearances (a lot as a substitute) and he is 19 years old.

Find me any other striker in a top 3 league with a similar record. Look at the hype over 20-year-old Stevan Jovetic yet his record is not nearly as good. 8 goals in 58 league appearances.

I would put Balotelli on the same level as Pato in terms of potential and he is a big loss for Italian football.

re: No tears for Balotelli departure

Fergal — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:05:25 GMT

I would have rather seen him sent on loan to another Italian team i.e Sampdoria, but if Inter can get 25-30m for a player that never looked that great in the first place, well then I hope they screw every penny out of the pretend big club, Man City.

His attitude is dreadful, and other than a bit of pace and a good shot, I don't see anything special about him. In fact, 50m for him and Maicon would be a great deal for Inter,especially if they could get Vucinic in. A front four of Milito, Vucinic, Sneijder and Eto'o/Pandev would frighten the life out of most teams.

Replacing Balotelli is easy. Maicon, however, would be a lot more difficult, with such a lack of good right backs around.

re: No tears for Balotelli departure

colm — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:13:43 GMT

I have no idea why Man City want to waste 30mil on Balotelli when they already have a glut of talented strikers. However if they offer 30mil Inter should snap their hand off.

I don't watch much Italian football, but I'll take everyones word that Balotelli is talented and has potential, but theres no way that potentialis worth 30mil.

re: No tears for Balotelli departure

Thetruefootball — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:02:33 GMT

Nico, I completely agree that the racist abuse in Italy is disgraceful. However, it is certainly no worse than in Spain and we have seen players with the class of Eto'o come out of it with some perspective.

The commentary that a team with the name FC Internazionale being comprised of international players seems natural to me. Yorugua, should we expect something different?

re: No tears for Balotelli departure

Yorugua — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:55:43 GMT

There goes the last "Italian" on the squad... Inter Milan should change their name to Inter-Argentina and be done with living up to any Italian expectations.

re: No tears for Balotelli departure

Nico76 — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:50:29 GMT

God forbid you mention the fact that his 'attitude' towards Inter and its fans could be due to the appalling racist abuse that he gets. In fact let’s skirt around the whole fact that the level of racist abuse in Italian football is an absolute disgrace, with Inter one of the worst offenders.

In fact I would imagine he's had to put up with a fair amount of abuse his entire life, which would certainly explain the obviously big chip on his shoulder. Just a thought.

re: Diego's face doesn't fit at Juve

ZvonimirBoban — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 17:49:14 GMT

the number 10 seems to be a dying breed in Italy these days. he's an incredibly gifted player and Alex doesn't have many years left so to sell Diego would be very short sighted in my opinion. i'm expecting a no thrills Juve team next year, they'll go back to basics.

re: Diego's face doesn't fit at Juve

Yorugua — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:22:27 GMT

Diego suffers from the same disease that ails Ronaldinho, too much Churrasco!

re: Benitez not in awe of task ahead

RedKnoxie — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:58:54 GMT

Yep Benitez much publicised mythological poor record in the transfer market.

Xabi Alonso eventually sold for 3 time what he paid. Pepe Reina best keeper in the Premiership for a few seasons now.

Torres need I say more.

Mascherano- on every major European clubs shopping list.

Agger-very good defender slightly beset by injuries

Benayoun- sold at profit to league champions

Bellamy-Sold at profit

Crouch- sucessful signing sold at profit

Kuyt- Well liked by vast majority of supporters, workhorse and recently highly praised world cup finalist

Skrtel-decent solid defender bought for not much

Mark Gonzales-Sold profit

Sissoko- Sold for 2.5 mill profit

Scott Carson-sold for a profit

Fowler, Zenden,Pellegrino- free transfers

Major failures

Keane- still a good player admittedly bought for a ridiculous and mysterious price but according to most sources cost around 3 mil to do the hokey cokey with him.

Morientez-much heralded player, considered one of the best in Europe before his arrival at Anfield; was just not suited to the English game.

Dossena-Italian international with good reputation.

Babel-expensive 11-12 mil not done a massive amount but not played a massive amount either and has a number of interested parties.

Pennant-gamble that never paid off despite a natural talent and a few decent performances.

Benitez wasn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination but he certainly did far better than he's ever given credit for. Liverpool suffered greatly with injury to key players and the loss of Alonso. When Benitez initially looked to get rid his form had been poor. Cue a blinding season and a 30 mil move to Madrid. Liverpool don't have the resources of United, Chelsea, Arsenal, City or even Spurs yet the expectation is possibly higher than at most other clubs. Net spends at United and Arsenal have been ofst by massive sales, Henry, Ronaldo, to barely scratch the surface. Benitez inherited a squad riddled with dross and turned it round to an ever present in the CL semis and final and runners up in the league. The man is great but human. Why hasn't Wenger come in for the stick Benitez has with less sucess and a more established settled squad over the same time period?

re: Benitez not in awe of task ahead

Yorugua — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:56:42 GMT

Get Steven Gerard to Inter and the titles will continue...

re: Benitez not in awe of task ahead

Fergal — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:38:16 GMT

Benitez is not the greatest coach around, but is probably the best they could have got after Mourinho vanished. I'm sure Inter fans hearts will be in their mouths every time he makes a transfer request. His record overall in that department is poor. At least Inter can get in about 40m on players they don't really need like Burdisso,Muntari,Suazo,Obinna,Chivu, Mancini and the already departed Quaresma. Maybe loaning Balotelli to Sampdoria for a year would be better than selling him too. That way Inter don't lose him and he gets to play in the CL next yaer. A few good replacements for these would be Vucinic,Kolarov, Miccoli,Marchena and even Mascherano.

re: Writing on the wall for stricken Roma

Yorugua — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:37:45 GMT

Forza Lazio!!! ;)

re: Knee-jerk ruling will hurt Italian football

Thetruefootball — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:27:46 GMT

This statement is just, players must be homegrown. But when other leagues have different standards and regulations, how do you propose for Italian teams to protect themselves?

www.thetruefootball.com/.../human-trafficking-is-it-still-ok.html

For years, English teams have been stealing the talent developed by Italian, Spanish and French teams. Until the major clubs can make a commitment to the future of Italian football, laws or no laws, we will see this continue to fester.

re: Knee-jerk ruling will hurt Italian football

logz90 — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:46:01 GMT

yeh but are their countries outside the eu?

re: Knee-jerk ruling will hurt Italian football

Quiggle — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:02:05 GMT

Juventus, for example, have been chasing Edin Dzeko and Milos Krasic but will have to drop their quest for one of them;

both european, so surely the ruling does not affect them?

re: Knee-jerk ruling will hurt Italian football

Rob Hartnett — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 11:56:18 GMT

Perhaps this is as much a knee jerk to the victory of Milan with such little Italian input as much as the World Cup. You are right that the Bundesliga approach of positively fostering talent rather than excluding overseas players is the best way forward. Chile's Sanchez was one of the stars of the tournament. Now his kind will more likely appear at Dortmund or Wigan than Udinese. A loss to the Italian game without doubt.

re: Knee-jerk ruling will hurt Italian football

Yorugua — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 11:47:11 GMT

The Italian FA should clone Pirlo, start with that.

re: Will Italy's new broom sweep clean?

Thetruefootball — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 20:21:13 GMT

Do you suppose new EU workforce laws would encourage the bigger clubs to develop young Italians? It seems that the Juves, Milans and especially Inter do not have such a sense of duty to the Azzurri. Wouldn't new laws just defer the search for youngsters to different areas, such as Russia and the Baltics? If the major clubs wanted to oblige the national team they could do so with or without new laws.

re: Inter prepare to board managerial merry-go-round, thanks to the Deserting One

Fergal — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:53:02 GMT

Italian football will be worse off without Mourinho. He was a great coach and gave the Italian league plenty of exposure. Hopefully Inter will get someone who can keep the success going. Capello would be ok, despite my memories of his dreadful Roma and Juve sides in Europe, where they walloped the ball upfield to the corner flags and hoped for the best. It was some of the most braindead and pathetic football I've ever witnessed. Still, he'd be a better bet than Benitez or Mihajlovic. Whatever happens though they are in a far stronger position than the other Italian teams with Juve, Milan a mess and Roma and Fiorentina unable to compete in the transfer window. Can't wait to see Milan's "major singing". Now that should be a laugh.

re: Party time in Milan, but the 'Blubbering One' doesn't fancy the challenge

abu — Wed, 26 May 2010 01:03:32 GMT

@don_cule

Milito played like this and scored loads everywhere he went. He was just unlucky that no big team offered him a chance before he turned 30.

Motta was rediscovered and rejuvenated by Genoa, for whom he played awesomely last year, much better than this year for us, to tell you the truth.

Both were Inter director Branca's choices, by the way, not Mourinho's.

Huge kudos to Jose for being an exceptional motivator, which is what counts more in football, and also for make things work this year with 6 new faces in the first 11.

But Milito and Motta can't be ascribed to his genius

re: Party time in Milan, but the 'Blubbering One' doesn't fancy the challenge

Vergilius — Mon, 24 May 2010 18:11:15 GMT

Looking for a new challenge isn't always the same as looking for a bigger challenge. Mourinho probably feels this is the perfect time to go; Madrid want him now and have a great squad that hasn't quite fulfilled its potential. At the same time he has achieved what he came to do at Inter: Scudetto + Champions league crowns. It really is pretty impressive considering how far behind Inter seemed against Barca in the group stages just seven months ago.

re: Party time in Milan, but the 'Blubbering One' doesn't fancy the challenge

don_cule — Mon, 24 May 2010 09:40:48 GMT

It was a great sight to see so many different nationalities represented in that internazionale side who lifted the champions league trophy.

But I'm still bemused by how Thiago Notta, who was rejected by FCB and Atletico...and Milito who was about to be playing in la Segunda with Zaragoza...both became part of a team which are now champions of europe.

Not that I am criticising Motta or Milito.

I suppose it shows just how clever a coach Mourinho is to get the best out of these players.

Well done to Internazionale, we'll see if they can make history.

re: Party time in Milan, but the 'Blubbering One' doesn't fancy the challenge

Fergal — Mon, 24 May 2010 09:15:55 GMT

I thought exactly the same : Why not stay another year and try to win it again? Now that is a real challenge. Maybe even add a few to the squad. Kolarov, Vucinic, perhaps?

Still, he will join the circus soon at Madrid and I suppose that is another grand challenge in the waiting. I wonder how he will fair trying to get a grip on the worlds worst run club.

Hopefull Inter get a good replacemant. I hope it's not Mihajlovic or that clown Benitez(I'm sure he could go through a billion of Moratti's money in a fortnight), or even Capello(remember his dreadful Juve side's a few years ago, hoofing the ball to no one all night). I'm hoping it will be Spalletti. He did well at Roma and might do even better with some money behind him. Speaking of which, some of these ageing Inter players are talking of following Jose out. Madrid are stupid and will pay whatever price Inter ask. I say take it and buy the two I mentioned earlier, along with a few others.

re: Mourinho's impending departure leaves Moratti lost for words

temjin — Sat, 22 May 2010 18:18:12 GMT

"His Holiness of Setúbal". hyperLOL

Dude, you just don't know how funny that sounds. If you'd ever been to Setúbal you'd be laughing your ass off and patting yourself in the back for having come up with that one.

Imagine a harbour town where EVERYONE has as Brian Clough complex. That's Setúbal.

re: Mourinho's impending departure leaves Moratti lost for words

Fergal — Sat, 22 May 2010 11:19:45 GMT

I hope he doesn't leave, as Italian football will be weaker without him, but it looks as if he is off to Madrid. Why I don't know, as Madrid have been nothing more than a joke for several years now. Still, Mourinho would probably see himself as the man who can bring this huge club back to the top. Whether he will be left in peace to do so is another thing.

As for the final I can only see an Inter win. Probably only 2 or 3 of the Bayern team would get into the Inter 11. Hopefully Inter push forward and expose Bayern's weak defence.

re: Mourinho's impending departure leaves Moratti lost for words

Yorugua — Fri, 21 May 2010 17:35:13 GMT

Leaving Chelsea to coach Inter is one thing, leaving Inter to coach Real Madrid might be the move that finally ruins the Special One.

re: Inter Milan dominate Serie Aaaaargh's Team of the Season

Giovanni — Thu, 20 May 2010 08:33:41 GMT

Thiago Silva over Burdisso; Julio Cesar over Sergio.

I so badly want to also include seedorf but there is no place for him. He is the perfect balance between palombo and sneijder but unfortunately does not have the work rate of the former or as much creativity as the latter.

So just those two changes from me

re: Is reigning champ Lippi throwing out a smokescreen with his selection?

Giovanni — Fri, 14 May 2010 06:59:23 GMT

You know you'll have problems when the most exciting player you call up is Montolivo, who will probably sit on the bench anyway.

Some members of the old guard stil deserve to be there: Gigi, de Rossi, Camoranesi, Chiellini and Iaquinta.

The others i'm not so sure about. Gila is as lost a cause as Toni.

Some players i'd definitely look at: Matri, Brighi, Paolo Cannavaro and Santon.

The biggest regret that this squad may have however, is that there was no spice included: i'm talking about, although some of them not exactly young anymore: Cassano, Miccolli, del Piero and Giovinco. The team that steps out against paraguay, will be lacking a bit of ol' clever buzz and inventiveness in the final third.

Its a shame that based on his current attitude Ballotelli will have to be left at home. Also I'll be more than happy not to see Guiseppe Rossi make the cut. I watch la liga and have seen him on countless occasions, although he has great technique, his strength and shot are far too weak.

So those are my suggestions all the way from south africa. Great article, but you havent said who you would fancy seeing in SA in june. C'mon give us a few of your inclusions oh professional one! I want to see Riccardo Rossi's squad.

re: Rafa needs to be a gentleman and not keep the Old Lady waiting

sof2210 — Thu, 06 May 2010 00:21:37 GMT

Frankly, the 'Old Lady' should stop begging and bawling and pleading. It's just embarassing.

re: Rafa needs to be a gentleman and not keep the Old Lady waiting

Fergal — Wed, 05 May 2010 11:34:52 GMT

Let's hope Benitez stays where he is. His record is pretty poor overall at Liverpool and his signings have been one disaster after the next for the main part. Can Juve really afford to piss money away on this guy? I hope Prandelli or Spalletti can get the job, they have done more with less money over the last number of seasons.

Like Milan, Juve will need a clear out very soon as the squad ages. I would prefer if Buffon stays but if they are offered crazy money for him then maybe they should take it. Trezeguet however, should fit in nicely at Milan's old folks home and at the same time help bring the average age down a few years.

re: Rafa needs to be a gentleman and not keep the Old Lady waiting

PedroFernando — Wed, 05 May 2010 11:31:58 GMT

I'm afraid the Old Lady will be waiting for a long time for Rafa. I honestly can't see Benitez leaving Liverpool for Juve. The only attraction there is money and as you say a large portion of the existing squad are leaving. Benitez clearly loves going through the money like Paris Hilton on an unlimited credit card but I really think he has more to keep him in the cloudy, rainny North- West of England than the charming north of Italy. For a start, the spine of a quality team, fans that idiolise him, and a stadium that is liked by the fans and is actually in the city! I'm afraid The Old Lady should keep her eye out for other men to tempt into her home. I hear Phil Brown would be interested in topping up his tan for the next few months.

re: A Special night for every Interista

Fletch — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 22:35:45 GMT

Barca had plenty of chances but for all the hype they were about as much good in front of goal as this lot:

www.youtube.com/watch

What do you make of the Paddy Power video? Funny or naughty?

re: A Special night for every Interista

Fergal — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:14:57 GMT

Great to see an Italian team in the final after the last few years of poor displays. The passing and attack of Inter was shocking, to say the least. But the defending was as good as I've ever seen. Motta can't really have too much to complain about I suppose as he was already on a yellow and should have kept his arm down. As for that clown Busquets, hopefully he'll be banned for a few games too.

The final is there for Inter to take now. I hope they attack Bayern as their defence is rubbish and Inter's 4 forwards could have a field day against the likes of Van Buyten. Bayern's forwards will also be up against a far better set of defenders than they have met so far so it all points to an Inter win. They are stronger in every area of the pitch.

re: A Special night for every Interista

Yorugua — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:23:18 GMT

Thank God! I'm so sick of hearing about Barcelona, no one with the exception of Jonathan Wilson acknowledges that the 2005 change in the Off-Side rule is the real reason for Barcelona's recent triumphs the last 3 to 4 years... Mourinho is a true coach's coach, his dismantling of Barcelona (Game 1) is historic and will be talked about for years.

re: Inter & Juve fired up at end of phoney summer war

gwane — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 08:49:23 GMT

I would rather watch football rather than receiving <a title="Industry-First Social Gift Card Exchange from Card Hub" href="personalmoneystore.com/.../">unwanted gift cards</a>.

re: Time for Berlusconi to allow Milan's next generation to blossom

Fergal — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 10:48:59 GMT

The situation is getting pretty desperate at Milan now. The squad has aged so much that only a small handfull of players would bring in any money now. I can think of only 6 players in the entire squad that are worth any serious money, Pato, Silva, and to a lesser extent Flamini, Borriello, Ronaldinho and Huntelaar. And Milan would not want to lose many of them I'd say. And with Berlusconi not interested anymore it looks like a bleak near future for Milan fans.

Yes, the youth players might be a cheap option but how often do we see young players given a chance in Italy? It's really sad to se a great club left to rot like this.

re: The Serie A team of the decade

Maroussia — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 06:13:21 GMT

It will be great to watch X Factor Live, i have bought tickets from

ticketfront.com/.../X_Factor_Live-tickets looking forward to it.

re: Derby weekend takes limelight away from Moggi's day in court

Alex666 — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:39:23 GMT

Oh and I should add - Inter will win Champ League against - yes, of course, Bayern Munich. It's all too perfectly set-up not to happen!

re: Derby weekend takes limelight away from Moggi's day in court

Alex666 — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:12:54 GMT

As a Juve fan, I recall this season went to crap after the last Inter match: That ended 2-1, and seemed to promise so much. Then came the FALL - starting with Bayern the very next match.

Would it be too ironic if Juve's season re-found itself today with another win against Inter? It would be the way football always works; Juve destroy Inter's serie A season (no chance of Lazio beating Roma) only for Inter to win the Champ League and Juve to finish 4th with 100 million dollars and Benitez (who will surely leave Liverpool now that the club is up for sale) in the can.

Oh I can only dream!

re: Why Mourinho must fuse two-faced mentality

kat — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:50:20 GMT

"his mouth twists into a half sneer to tell everyone he is sick and tired of Italy and Italian life."

I challenge you to reproduce the quote where he says this. You won't be able to because he never did. He said he didn't like Italian FOOTBALL, which is different.

re: Mourinho ready-made to cut Messi down to size

wastlord — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:26:04 GMT

oh inter will chase shadows for 180 minutes and lose 4-1 on agg.

NO chance inter will finish either match with 11 men which will be a huge problem for them. one among many.

re: Mourinho ready-made to cut Messi down to size

kurdi — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:16:14 GMT

JM vs. JG plus the 22 divided by two .. barca = campions

re: Milito goal the perfect first step on march to Moscow

Beast — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:36:52 GMT

Yeah WOW not doing anything just top of la liga for the past 7/8 weeks with a higher goal scoring record than Barca

troll on the loose

re: Milito goal the perfect first step on march to Moscow

Yorugua — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 01:14:56 GMT

OH WOW for a team that's not even in the Champions League, big deal... They're not doing anything... Barca is taking La Liga...

re: Milito goal the perfect first step on march to Moscow

Beast — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 00:50:38 GMT

Maybe cause Higuain score a goal every 70 minutes !!?

Duh

re: Milito goal the perfect first step on march to Moscow

Yorugua — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:38:08 GMT

and to think that Maradona prefers Higuain over Milito.

re: Milan ain't big enough for both Mourinho and Balotelli

steverayner — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:41:59 GMT

Mourinho will come back to England and was a great manager. The english love a big ego remember Brian Clough!

re: Milan ain't big enough for both Mourinho and Balotelli

Fergal — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:52:05 GMT

I would be more concerned about Mourinho leaving than Balotelli to be honest. The teen looks like a train wreck waiting to happen. Kalac, the former Milan keeper, was talking on Australian TV this morning about how over the top Balotelli was when they played each other. If he doesn't wake up pretty soon then I think Inter should call those clowns at Man City and take them for every penny they can get. If he goes to Arsenal as part of the deal for Fabregas that would be great but I can't see the Spaniard going to Serie A. He will surely end up in Barca. As for the game Inter did quite well. They should have buried CSKA in the second half though and it will still be tough to go through. What odd's now there is no English team in the semi's with Arsenal outclassed and Rooney injured?

re: Juventus' Fulham shame bodes ill for Italy

Alex666 — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:41:10 GMT

awful times indeed, but let's remember the players Zac had his disposal: After Cannavaro's farce, they were left with 10 men - 5 of whom were: de Ceglie, Zebina, Grosso, Salihamdzic, and Grygera - all 5 of whom are full backs primarily. There were no central defenders left after Fabio's dismissal, and in goal you had a man who hadn't played a competitive match in a decade. With those 5 in a team of 10, naturally there was going to be a long day ahead: Yes, the team is awful right now, without shame or honour, yes it's ugly and shameful to lose to Fulham - but which players were missing? Buffon, leggrotaglie, chiellini, ceceres, marchisio - that's the spine of the team. Cut them some slack - it's hard enough as it is, and there is a good spine to this squad; a little time in the off season and some good buys (full backs, plus a midfielder who can get the ball down and boss) will see this team back to its glory days. I am not that depressed, and as a 30 year fan of Juve, I remember when Platini and Zidane were as unwelcome in Torino as Diego is now ...

re: Juventus' Fulham shame bodes ill for Italy

The Brain — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:04:34 GMT

Italy need to find how to cope with the intensity of English opposition as they failed again away. Fulham are god at pressuring at home (see Arsenal and United this season) and in that respect Melo and Sissokho were always going to fail (and that bodes bad news for Brazil as the suspicions have always been that Melo can be pressured into submission and made to look like a headless chicken).

re: The two players with whom Mourinho destroyed Chelsea

Mikas — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:50:09 GMT

Whilst they weren't hanging on for dear life in an overall sense, there were a couple of moments in the penalty area where there was some impressive holding going on...things could have been pretty different had either of those been penalised.

re: The two players with whom Mourinho destroyed Chelsea

zedzdead — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:16:03 GMT

Its exactly that laid back relaxed approach that did us (Liverpool) in '88. I became a fan of Wimbledon that day. Supporters like to mix with their heros. I know lots of Liverpool supporters who think Mourinho is all show, but here's more to him than that, its about deflecting press attention and he's better than Fergusen at that.

Benitez? He still gets credit for www.punterslounge.com/.../rafa-goes-pub-13391 and if we were on a sound financial footage, I think he could be a match for the best.

Footnote: None of them were special compared to Shanks

re: The two players with whom Mourinho destroyed Chelsea

Fergal — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:09:36 GMT

It was a performance to be proud of alright. Lucio was as good as ever while Samuel is showing his best form in years. The goal from Eto'o,as good as it was, probably saved him from the critics though. I didn't think he was looking anywhere near his best. Wesley Sneijder looks like a man who wants to show the Madrid circus what they are missing every time he steps on the pitch. Credit also due to Cambiasso and Motta too, although the whole team played well as a unit. I said last summer that the English sides all looked weaker coming into this season than they have for some time and it seems to be heading that way at the moment. Well done Inter and Fiorentina,and as for Milan...

re: Inter self-destruct as Jose is put back in his box

Yorugua — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:12:56 GMT

Inter losing to Catania, the 2nd best team in Sicily is an embarrassment of epic proportions!

re: Humiliated Milan can't even save wrinkly face

Fergal — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:51:21 GMT

It was an awful night for fans of Milan and Italian football, but the score was no great surprise, especially after United got the first goal, which was all important. The 7-2 agg score was harsh on Milan who were the better side in the first leg. But this result has been coming for years now as the team rots away. With that clown for a president its hard to see where the improvement will come from though. Here's who I'd realistically buy and sell.

OUT Dida-f/Abbiatti-2m/Beckham-circus/Favalli-f/Kaladze-2m/Gattuso-2m/Huntelaar-10m/Ronaldinho-11m/Oddo-f/Onyewu-2m/Mancini-lo

IN Srorari-lo/Di Gennaro-lo/Jovetic-24m/Clerc-bosman/Di Natale-2m/Marchetti-8m/Dkeko-22m/Bonucci-9m/Kolarov-10m

Thats probably a bit too much for the billionaire Silvio to spend so I suppose my wishes are unlikely to be answered. Maybe they can fly in for a transfer summit this summer to announce the permanent signing of Mancini and the contract renewal for Favalli and Dida.

As for Fiorentina, they played well the other night and deserved to go through. Its a pity they were so negative in the latter stages against a Bayern team there for the taking. It was also interesting to see two players, Rooney and Robben, carry their respective teams through to the next round. I doubt United and I know Bayern would not have got through without these two.

re: Balotelli banished as Lippi chooses team men

Giovanni — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:33:29 GMT

Dilemmas dilemmas.. I'm sorry but i dont fancy Rossi. I watch la liga more than anything else, and while he has a sharp mind, his body just doesnt respond or follow what He is thinking.

Rossi, destined to choke I'm afraid.

A cassano/super mario pairing would be fun to watch because they both make creative runs and passes that defenders dont expect. An in form Iaquinta is always a productive and solid choice.

Come on Lippi, stop being so conservative! Pick some volatile hotheads and mix it up a bit! Italy might just play more exciting football for once!

re: Balotelli banished as Lippi chooses team men

Alex666 — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:33:10 GMT

Giovanni, I agree entirely - Cassano/Balotelli as Plan B sounds indeed like a plan in case Rossi/Gilardino strike blanks, though I do hope Iaquinta gets some form, he's obviously fresh and will be ready to go come June and he is Italy's most accomplished finisher, pace, good in the air, and very mobile; Rossi, meanwhile, can quite comfortably fill in the number 10 for a while. Big pity that Nesta has refused to come back though - Nesta/Chiellini in central defense is enough for Italy to secure a 0-0 against any team in the world, especially with an in-form de Rossi holding the hole. For sure, though, what we saw yesterday up front will not do the business in South Africa, there's just no creativity. On the other hand, Lippi could always play Pirlo further up the park and stick in Gattuso next to de Rossi ... mmmm ... pity that Pirlo is so damn slow though!

re: Balotelli banished as Lippi chooses team men

Giovanni — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:07:04 GMT

Ok look, for the national side di Natale would be a great prospect wide left. And yes balotelli is much more technically gifted than all those strikers put together.

But just like with Cassano.. i dont think Lippi ignores Mario's talents, But is rather worried that He could have a destabilising effect on the squad and dressing room. I would take him with and tell him to behave and focus on his football. Simple. To me italy plays too defensively, i want to see more width exploited.

Pirlo and De Rossi to hold the middle; di Natale wide left, Camoranesi wide right and Super-Mario through the middle.. In the match Di Natale can interchange with Mario. Bob's your uncle!

And so what if He doesnt track back?! He'll be the only one not doing it, big deal..

re: Balotelli banished as Lippi chooses team men

Alex666 — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:08:22 GMT

Giovanni you're absolutely right - did you watch the Cameroon game? Awful stuff - though Cannavaro looked solid for once, belying his form for Juve this season where's he's been decidedly dodgy. And yes, Camoranesi is a good player, but he's 'Argentine' so he'll never really be 'Italian' - much like Amauri, doesn't matter if he scores a hat-trick in the final, he'll always be a foreigner for many Italians-sad, but there it is.

Sad, too, that Italy has not been able to produce an outstanding midfielder in 2 generations now - this team cries out for one player like Iniesta, or Xavi ... hey, maybe Jose can convert Balotelli into a number 10? He looked great for the under 21s as always, and was even smiling there for a few minutes! I know Lippi is Lippi, and after his brilliant tactical masterpiece against Ajax all those years ago (when he went with 3 up front in the final to counter Ajax's 3-man defense) I won't say a bad word about him, but bloody hell - if my life depended on it, and I had a choice between pazzini, di natale or balotelli, I know who'd I would choose. Surely there's space in a 23 man team for balotelli when the alternatives are gilardino, di natale, and pazzini!!!!

re: Balotelli banished as Lippi chooses team men

Giovanni — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:57:59 GMT

Great post Alex. You're right on the money there. Too much pragmatism equals BORING. There's nobody in that squad that can and will give me a tingling sensation in my toes.

I am glad however to see Camoranesi there, because I've always thought him to be severely underrated even though He has achieved so much.

Pepe is an exciting runner as well as having the most pathetic shooting capabilities to ever grace a national side (and that's saying a lot considering Luca Toni and Gilardino).

Why not call up de Ceglie if He is keeping Grosso on the bench?

Lippi needs to realise that his teachers pet stalwarts cant produce every world cup, especially now that they're crippled and decrepit.

re: Balotelli banished as Lippi chooses team men

Alex666 — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:20:48 GMT

It's the most untalented squad since 1978 this one: The defense is old and slow, the midfield slow and old, and the front line without any kind of spark. Where will the goals come from? Not from Di Natale, Iaquinta has been MIA for what, 8 months now, Pazzini has not developed at all, Gilardino was a has-been 2 years ago, had a so-so season last year but if he's Lippi's 'titolare' then Italy might as well send in a sick-note for South Africa.

It's also something of an irony that the 2 best talents of the new generation in racist Italy are Balotelli and Stefano Okaka.

I have always come into every world cup (been watching em since 78) with a faint hope for Italy, but 2010 is going to be very ugly; Cannavaro is no longer a world-class defender, Gattuso warms the bench for Milan, Pirlo has scored once in 2 years from open play and looked slow against Man Utd's geriatric midfield, imagine that central midfield pairing against Spain (depressing!), Grosso has been usurped at Juve by De Ceglie, Legrottaglie may have one decent game in him a season so we can only pray on that score, Criscito is still 'developing', unfornutately he's almost 30, Marchisio is not ready for prime-time, while for Zambrotta this world cup is one season too late; Borriello may turn out to do a Paolo Rossi, but I suspect not...

Only names missing from your roster are Montolivo (I can see Lippi taking him in case he needs someone who, on paper anyway, may have once upon a time opened a defense with a pass) Maggio, and Quagliarella.

But truth is, this Italian team is very capable of duplicating France's performance in 06 - played 3, won 0, scored 0, going home before the party even starts.

Oh, and Cassano is the only natural heir to Del Piero/Totti, and Italy needs him - even if it is for an extra-time debut.

re: Balotelli banished as Lippi chooses team men

wastlord — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:16:12 GMT

well they could win it. far more likely that they bomb heavily and early.

That really is a very uninspiring squad.

Surely there is room for one maverick?

re: Balotelli banished as Lippi chooses team men

JuveAdam — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:45:50 GMT

Good blog as always. Your assessment of Balotelli is so right. The predicted squad looks right too, although Ambrosini has proved far more effective than Ringho this season, & Guiseppe Rossi has to be in there, above Di Natale.

re: Conspiracy and silence (sometimes) in Italy

Alex666 — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:55:30 GMT

Always enjoy your blog mate despite your hate for Juve - btw, Jose can say what he wants about calciopoli but we all remember - don't we? - that he was in charge of Porto during the cheating scandal in Portugal (just in case anyone forgets, news.bbc.co.uk/.../3643515.stm, for details).

Why does no-one remind Jose of this? Probably because we Italians are far too indifferent to Portugal and their football - but still, Jose ought to be quiet for a while, he was intimately - if ultimately unaffected - involved with that cheating scandal that made calciopoli look a bit provincial.

re: Big bird soars as Inter rise to Chelsea challenge

Fergal — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:41:54 GMT

It was a great performance by Lucio. Not quite up there with his breathtaking display away to Kiev but still fantastic to watch. Samuel also surprised me as we saw some of his old Roma form last night.However I can see why the ref didn't give a penalty to Kalou, he was far to dramatic in his fall, and fell after the challenge anyway. It's nice to finally see an Italian team beating an English side and there is no doubt Mourinho has built a stroger side than Mancini ever came close to. His introduction of Balotelli for Motta made me smile when I think of how Fiorentina tried to see out their tie with Bayern by packing the side with defenders. This result would not be possible two years ago with Mancini's average team. However, it's all in the balance and could go either way yet.

re: Cross Mourinho makes a silent protest noisy

JuveAdam — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:38:55 GMT

To say the ref lost control is mis-placed. As a Juventino it hurts to admit but Mourinho was simply brilliant here. Not only did his touchline performance take the heat & focus away from his players (as he always tries to) he managed to oversee one of the most amazing tactical displays of recent years while putting on such a show for the cameras.

The fine & ban are inconsequential when weighed against the psychological boost gained by the point won here against the odds.

Inter didnt hold off Doria, they attacked after halftime to the extent they actually domianted the game.

re: Cross Mourinho makes a silent protest noisy

wastlord — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:15:06 GMT

He could maybe, just maybe, be forgiven for his tedious histrionics IF his teams played champagne football; however they don’t, they are generally on the browner side of turgid. Therefore please shut up you abhorrent little man.

FORZA CHELSEA

re: Old legs and young Mister taught lesson by Man U

bittermb — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:37:37 GMT

What game were you watching or did you just hear about it? Ronaldinho was playing Man U alone...I agree with you that Milan is old and that's it...they controlled the game but didn't capitalize on the possession and the amount of shots on goal they had...Man U did (four shots on goal and three scores)Milan had double digit opportunity research it yourself...that's the difference...Ronaldinho was responsible for both goals in terms of scoring and setup...I'd rather you say you were rooting for Man U come let's be fair...Milan played well and not to make excuses but Milan has nobody to blame but themselves for losing and this does not make Wayne Rooney a world beater and I like Rooney alot...let's keep things in perspective...it was a good game

re: Fiore must take positives from Bayern performance

Fergal — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:55:13 GMT

I agree that Bayern are there for the taking, but why didn't Fiorentina go for it last night? The Bayern centre backs and keeper are hopeless. I'm sure Bayern fans are wondering how they ended up with the likes of Van Buyten and Demichelis playing for a club that size. 10 years ago they were winning this comp. with Andersson, Kuffour and Kahn at the back, who were all formidable. Yes the goal was well offside but I have little sympathy for Fiorentina as they sat back like idiots instead of pushing up and finishing the tie in Germany. Prandelli has to take some of the blame for this for taking off Jovetic for yet another defender. Gobbi also deserved to go, despite what people say, he clearly tried to catch Robben with an elbow. But Italian teams seem to be better when behind so they still have a good chance of going through against an average side.

As for Milan well they probably missed their chance to put out one of the poorest United sides in quite a while by missing some fine chances with a decent Ronaldinho at the heart of most of it. Beckham should have been off long before he was too. I think they can score 2 or 3 at Old Trafford but I still think they have little chance of progressing, especially with Rooney at the other end, who seems to be United's only true star now.

re: Thanks to God for a traditional Italian Sunday

Yorugua — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:12:44 GMT

Someone has to answer for the Bologna/Milan snore-fest...

re: Romans eye the end of Inter's empire

Ahh Yeah — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:38:44 GMT

Mmm Roma overthrowing Inter.....

Wait til Jose escapes back to England and then maybe we'll see a shift in powers in Serie A, but for now Inter remain kings (not that I'm happy about it though, I am a Juve fan)

P.S. It's great to see Napoli getting stuck in and going for a place in the top four

re: Shuffling zombie Juve seeks fresh blood

ACMilan — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:58:39 GMT

My goodness Riccardo, I have to say that your blog, once very funny, sharp and witty, has become a tad boring.

We all know Juventus are a joke but there are also many other blog-worthy things happening in Italy.

It seems you are stuck in the Juve thing, maybe you are a disgruntled supporter, but how about looking up from the zebra trials to see what else may be fun to talk about.

PS Yes, it is great to see Juve like this!

re: Maestro Mourinho makes sweet music in Milan derby

Ninja Death Star — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:06:13 GMT

Jose's reaction after the penalty save was priceless. We need more characters like him in football.

re: Maestro Mourinho makes sweet music in Milan derby

Vergilius — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:56:20 GMT

I sometimes worry about Mourinho, his rantings seem to become increasingly paranoid and unhinged during his stay in Italy, and even success like last night does not seem to change that. Hope he keeps it together as he's one of the great coaches of the world today.

re: Punch-drunk Rocky survives another round

Youporn — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 23:28:36 GMT

I'm a fighter, like Rocky to ;-)

re: Punch-drunk Rocky survives another round

don_cule — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:55:32 GMT

A slightly different point Signor Rossi but...

In the Guardian newspaper it was reported Mancini is encouraging Manchester City players to drink red wine and eat pizza, among other things, before matches.

Is this typical of Serie A's Italian coaches? Or is Mancini a rogue manager with a unique take on players dietary requirements?

re: Ronaldinho party-night shock: It's his first in ages

twotenmom — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:34:05 GMT

If he's working hard in training and goes out before the team has a day off, I can't understand why a footballer shouldn't go dance all night, join in with the band, or enjoy the company of women. No one said he was drunk in Turin, and he's never been accused of being rude, abusive, or a danger to underage girls, as have so many multiple offenders in the premiership and throughout the sport. I'll save my moral outrage for those "heroes" of the game, thank you.

The only interest we should have in a player's evening activities are if they impact his form -- as in Ronaldinho's case in the past. If not, I'm all for harmless fun. In fact, in some cases, if a bit more joy were returned to professional play, it would probably be a bit more fun to watch.

re: Ronaldinho party-night shock: It's his first in ages

AGI — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:17:04 GMT

JUST A TOP MAN

re: Ronaldinho party-night shock: It's his first in ages

bthomas — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:21:25 GMT

Geographical correction: Torino is in the northwest of Italy, not northeast, no?

That would be somewhere in the Veneto, where football shineth no very bright light.

Also, I can't imagine "storm in a coffee cup" is proverbial somewhere, unless it translates an alliterative phrase in Italian?

"Tempest in a teacup," maybe?

re: Becks is back – but can't get in Milan's team

cescy7 — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:34:25 GMT

Signori Rossi, once again you are dead wrong. Why is is that everyone keeps underestimating Becks? He is perpetually criticized yet never fails to impress-- Beckham to star for milan and england again!

re: Becks is back – but can't get in Milan's team

BoroKnight — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:42:33 GMT

HA!

after that 5-2 walloping most of you must be chokin' on your words!!

re: Becks is back – but can't get in Milan's team

Marrsio — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:41:33 GMT

I think this is about spot on - he will struggle to be there. However, training with world class players, coming on late to shore up games, getting access to the Milan Lab and maybe covering injuries will be more useful to him and Fabio than staying in the USA.

Of course, he could have got a starting berth at a Premier League Club... but I think the reasons might have swung it for Becks.

RCM

leftbackinthechangingroom.blogspot.com

re: Becks is back – but can't get in Milan's team

Yorugua — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:06:09 GMT

This is your best Blog entry ever!!! Seriously.

Beckham at Right Back? Nah how about making him the goalkeeper, have Victoria design some fashionable Pink oven mitts, the TV cameras could focus incesssivly on Beckham as he pretends to "still care" about the game of football.

re: Becks is back – but can't get in Milan's team

JuveAdam — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:03:25 GMT

Good to see normal service resumed! A great read, lots of insight, some humour & a detailed look at one of Italy's biggest clubs.

All of which makes Monday's anti-Juve rant look all the more out of character, this is the stuff we love to read, more please!!

re: Juve's return to dark ages deserves to fail

Maz — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:18:33 GMT

Mr. Rossi with all due respect I think you have misinterpretted the remark, I am sure that what is meant is that we will soon see the Juve we are used to seeing, winning games and challenging for all competitions rather than crashing to Catania and collapsing in the Champions League. Come on, be serious!

re: The Serie A team of the decade

Marrsio — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:41:00 GMT

Couldn't disagree with any of that.

RCM

leftbackinthechangingroom.blogspot.com

re: Juve's return to dark ages deserves to fail

JuveAdam — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:24:07 GMT

Usually enjoy this blog & find myself agreeing with most of what you write. Today am very disappointed in your view on one of the true greats - & true gents - of Calcio. Roberto Bettega not only wasn't accused of having any part in the Calciopoli scandal, he remained the only member of the pre-Calciopoli backroom staff to stay with the club.

A Turin-born native he was as hurt as any Juventino by what had happened to his club, & he stayed another year to help the Old Lady when she needed it most. Coboli-Gigli decided not to renew his contract as it expired in 2007, but Blanc has simply moved to rectify this clear error of judgement.

To call it a return to the dark ages is narrow-minded, & quite honestly in poor taste. Of all clubs involved in Calciopoli, Juventus were the only ones to make changes. Even now the people implicated continue to run Fiorentina, Lazio, Milan and Reggina, yet no comments on their "murky" past.

re: Juve's return to dark ages deserves to fail

Juventino29 — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:47:28 GMT

What a terrible article full of inaccurate statements. For a start Bettega was never accused of anything in Calciopoli, and is free to work wherever he likes.

Secondly no evidence linking Moggi, Giraudo or Juventus to match fixing exists. All the evidence in Calciopoli points towards a set up aimed at destroying Juventus and the Triade, as some got fed up at just how good they were at their jobs.

Thirdly there's a series of anti-Juventus statements on this article which can only be described as defamatory. Linking Rafinha going AWOL to Bettega's arrival at Juve is disgraceful and hugely disrespectful.

I'd expect a higher standard of reporting from FourFourTwo than this which is full of lies and anti-Juventus propaganda.

Maybe Mr Rossi is an Interista and is scared of the truth of Calciopoli. If he is, he should be because it'll all come back to haunt Inter one day.

Juventus - 29 times champions of Italy, and proud of it.

re: Juve's return to dark ages deserves to fail

Suivaloom — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:14:57 GMT

Tifoso - English clubs don't dominate Europe.

English clubs have only won the Champions League twice in the last decade, and have been much worse in the UEFA Cup.

If I had to, I'd say the Spanish dominate Europe.

re: Juve's return to dark ages deserves to fail

Tifoso — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:43:41 GMT

Afraid of great Juve back in action,so England clubs wont dominate Europe anymore..Cmon,i tought this is page for fans who acctualy uses brain

re: The Serie A team of the decade

JuveAdam — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 10:29:04 GMT

I would say Thuram deserves a place over Cannavaro. Yes he was amazing in 06, but that was it. At Inter he didnt exist, at Madrid he was awful, & now back at Juve he is just as bad.

Also have to agree with anyone saying Sheva over Zlatan. He was Serie A's best over the whole 6 season he played of the decade, & performed in Europe too. Would also make a case for Gila & Toni over Ibrahimovic too. A change of formation would see me include Emerson over Zanetti.

(4-2-3-1) Buffon, Cafu, Thuram, Nesta, Maldini; Emerson, Pirlo; Kaka, Totti, Nedved; Shevchenko.

Subs; Frey; Zambrotta; Gattuso; Inzaghi, Gilardino

re: The Serie A team of the decade

The Brain — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:37:05 GMT

Shevchenko has to be there. Serie A's best striker and for a few years, looked the best forward in the world. As much as I like Totti, has only recently stopped being mercurial and even then he's had his fair share of injury problems.

Otherwise a spot on list but would have loved to see some cult classics in there. Liverani anyone?

re: The Serie A team of the decade

don_cule — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:25:10 GMT

Rino

Phillipe Mexes

Trez

Lucarelli (sentimental choice)

re: The Serie A team of the decade

Yorugua — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:47:29 GMT

No Sheva? C'mon... the Ukrainian deserves a spot as a starter (and not as a sub).

The best substitute has to be "Super" Pippo Inzaghi... with an honorable mention going to Tommaso Rocchi.

re: Man City's Mancini the latest Italian import

Fergal — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:52:32 GMT

This could be bad news for Italian teams as he will no doubt look to Serie A for alot of his signings. I'm sure a bid for the likes of Pato, De Rossi and Chiellini are not out of the question. Will the Italian teams be able to say no to huge bids for these players?

re: Man City's Mancini the latest Italian import

Yorugua — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:56:21 GMT

It's really 2 titles, the first one Inter got because Juventus was caught cheating in the Calciopoli...

I never understood what was so good about Mancini, he pretty much kicked Recoba out of Inter while playing players with less match fitness than El Chino.

I don't think Mancini will last a whole season at Manchester City, he's too impatient, he'll probably have many rows with Carlos Tevez as well... stupid signing if you ask me.

re: Downbeat Italians fear Champions League foes

Codorniu — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:10:39 GMT

I don't think Juve should be smiling! Ajax beat Fiorentina home and away last seasons and Ajax is MUCH better this year.

Also I think AC Milan might do it! They are a very different team as soon as the Champion league tune starts.

re: Downbeat Italians fear Champions League foes

Fergal — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:50:19 GMT

Well it couldn't have been much worse. Every season in recent years the Italians seem to have received very tough draws. But if they are not good enough to beat these sides in the next round then they can't complain.

One thing is for sure though,all 3 will have to be at their best to win. The only consolation is that for the first time in probably 15 or 20 years the English top 4 didn't all get stronger than they were the season before, as we saw last summer with a pretty weak transfer campaign.United, Arsenal and Liverpool got weaker while Chelsea stood still.

But, despite this I think all 3 Italian teams will be knocked out. I don't think the draw could have been any worse than it was. Still,I can hope.

re: Third-rate Italy must reject past to improve future

Fergal — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 06:43:58 GMT

I would be first to complain about the state of Italian football but the fact remains that all 4 Italian teams were in tough groups(far tougher than any English team was in)and 3 of them still qualified. Whatever happens in the draw it is going to be bad for the two Milans. The "easy" draw for both would probably be Bordeaux and that says it all. Fiorentina should be well capable of beating a pretty average bunch of runner up teams though.

Juventus were shocking the other night but ditching Melo and Diego won't solve anything. Given time these two should do well. I mean, who are Juve in a position to sign to replace them? Diego was an excellent player at Werder and should prove himself eventually.

As for an Italian winner of the CL...no, little or no chance.

re: Why Balotelli would welcome a move to Arsenal

superman — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:41:28 GMT

I don'tknow why Baletoli is trying so hard to impress the Italians. Yes he was adopted and raised there but I don't think he owes them anything.I believe his adopted parents will not insist that he plays for Italy as a way of paying them back. Whether he likes it or not he is a blackman, a Ghanaian and he should be proud of that. We are a proud people and a proud nation and are always willing to welcome our kinsmen home. We love ourselves and humanity.Forget about those racists.Hey brother you are one of us and you will realize your full potential by playing for Ghana. Though a staunch supporter of Chelsea,I will advise that you leave for Arsenal FC in England. That will be a big boost you.

re: Why Balotelli would welcome a move to Arsenal

The Brain — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:27:49 GMT

He's defintiely an enigma wrapped in an enigma. Great with the ball at his feet, he kinda reminds me of van Persie. But being 6ft plus, you'd expect the fella to like heading the ball, ecept he takes corner kicks and free kicks.

But Wenger loves to tame a wild child and will definitely jump at the proposition to nuture such a talent. But Inter will be reluctant to sell so I think a loan is the best option for both parties, seing as van Persie is out.

re: Why Balotelli would welcome a move to Arsenal

Valobino — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:04:42 GMT

Let him come 2 arsenal and use that his fiery temper 2 score goals 4 us. He will get balls passed 2 him in positions that he can score 25 goals this season

re: Genoa slap Samp into submission in derby

The Brain — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:52:08 GMT

Another good advert for Italian football. Great tactically and has produced a good amount of goals too. Nice post.

re: Fighting Fiorentina flourish, arrogant Inter fail

Fergal — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:43:25 GMT

After watching 3 of the four games in full it is still hard what to think what the current state of Italian football is. Well done Fiorentina. Who would have predicted the would be through after 5 games? Milan were ok against Marseille but could have easily lost too. Pato looks like a great prospect but the rest of the midfield seemed to tire as the game went on. Juve have put themselves in a bad position but their only saving grace is that German football is in a poor state at the moment and Bayern are beatable.

As for Inter. It was terrible to watch. Not only outplayed but totally outfought. It was a great performance by Barca, a perfect example of how to play with and without the ball.

There could be 4 Italian teams in the last 16, but there could also just as easily be one.

re: Fighting Fiorentina flourish, arrogant Inter fail

Ninja Death Star — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:58:15 GMT

Seriously, this says a lot about Italian football right now. What a pity.

re: Fighting Fiorentina flourish, arrogant Inter fail

gerryboi10 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:44:12 GMT

after watching the inter barca game i was left bemused inter did not turn up they were sluggish and did not close down barcalona. It wasent that barcalona were really good it was inter were just bad ,and this is meant to be the besr team in italian football well i worry for italian football

re: Nervous midweek for Italian teams in Europe

Fabrecass — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:55:40 GMT

The new Inzaghi without the diving?!?! Mr Gilardino is guilty of one of the worst dives i've ever seen, I'm sure celtic fans will remember....

re: Italians gleefully gloat about French farce

Yorugua — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:19:16 GMT

Well why not, the Italians have been accused of cheating on the last two World Cups they have won and that for some reason FIFA has given them the World Cup because in the years that they won the World Cup (82 & 2006) their league was embroiled in match-fixing controversies.

What Zidane did was unfortunate because he was the best player in the 2006 World Cup but what Italy did fielding players like Pirlo, Totti, Del Piero & Gattuso together is a formula that will be emulated by many teams.

Henry should be suspended from the first 3 group matches. What's fair is fair. Returning to Zidane though, I remember the referee in that match, the Argentinean Horacio Elizondo didn't actually see the infamous headbutt and in fact I think the linesman caught it the Jumbotron. The problem to me is that if we start overusing technology, trying to find mistakes on the pitch by referees --- you'll slow the game down and make it into a four hour contest, allowing commercials to creep in eventually. Football is fine the way it is, 90 minute match, you don't spend 4 hrs watching a game the way you would an NFL game and its still a sport controlled by humans not some "Hal-9000" computer --- the way it is in Tennis.

re: Italian talent taught to play the Arsenal way

Keano — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:01:23 GMT

Learn to play the Arsenal way or merely a poor imitation of Barca??

re: Italian talent taught to play the Arsenal way

Valobino — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:47:26 GMT

Thats what arsenal is all about, giving kids the opportunity 2 play football and develop 2 world class footballers and thats why i am proud 2 be a Gunner

re: Dealing with depression – or not

BoroKnight — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:33:33 GMT

Very good piece. Very similar things happened with david james and carlton cole too in the BPL. I mean cmon , these guys are ppl too. I think its time we stop overevaluating them and get on with our problems and life.

re: Kaka quietened as Milan and Madrid share spoils

Fergal — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:22:01 GMT

The last two rounds of the CL has been pretty good for Italian teams with 20 out of a possible 24 points won.

Having watched both Milan clubs I think they got the results they deserved. Milan are not a great team by any means but have a good chance of going through now.As you said Ambrosini was in fine form. Inter got the win,and rightly so. They were poor in the first half but dominated the second. However I thought they were doomed after Balotelli and Eto'o missed easy chances. A special mention should go to Lucio whose attitude was outstanding. He grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and drove Inter forward.

Juve have a tough final two games but should go through too. Fiorentina are doing great,much better than I expected but I think if the fail to beat Lyon the could collapse in the last game at a packed Anfield and go out,even with 10 points. So I think they must beat Lyon.

re: Big Brother closes in on time-old Italian tradition

Yorugua — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:52:49 GMT

But considering what happened during the Catania match a couple of seasons ago which resulted in the death of a Carabinieri, the "Ultra" Hooligans aren't giving the clubs much of an option but to enforce stricter security policies.

re: Big Brother closes in on time-old Italian tradition

rosso diavoli — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:33:51 GMT

"Milan’s wretched season looked set to get even more pitiful when after a mere three minutes Thiago Motta trod on the ball and allowed Jeremy Menez to run unhindered into the area to score."

Are you sure you went to the game? Motta doesn't play for Milan. He plays for that other lot. It was Thiago Silva

re: Totti talk cools Cassano campaign

don_cule — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:06:11 GMT

I know they are world champions at present...but until I see Cassano, Balotelli or Pazzini in that squad they will just be a generically Italian side leaving it late to win stylishly whilst prancing around for most of the campaign.

At least Cassano or Balotelli would provide some flare and fire, whilst Pazzini would get the chance to exhibit his footballing ability on the world stage.

re: Can Italy pull off another sting?

Yorugua — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:37:34 GMT

Andrea Pirlo is the best playmaker in the planet. Regarding Cassano, I don't know, Sampdoria is number two in the Serie-A table, clearly he's doing something right, so he should be included... so I don't think the argument will ever die down.

re: De Laurentiis finds new leading man for Napoli B-movie

Yorugua — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:30:22 GMT

Donadoni must be one of the most luckiest Italians in recent memory, he inherits the Azzurri right after they won the World Cup and then inherits Napoli right after they climbed all the way up to Serie-A, what is exactly that this guy did to warrant such support? Both times he was utterly disastrous --- and looking back Napoli completely mishandled the Zalayeta showing up late for practice incident, they miss the "Black Panther" and have thereby cost Napoli games this season.

re: Headbands and headbanging for morose Milan

ronanok — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:01:53 GMT

Nice piece and sad to see such a great side in decline. I took a look at where things have been going wrong as well. Take a look when you get the chance, http://ronanok.wordpress.com/

re: Headbands and headbanging for morose Milan

Yorugua — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:56:59 GMT

Who knows what's going on in Milan... they recruit has-beens like David Beckham and give up on promising players like Tabare Viudez (that scissor kick against the Three Lions should be tattooed on everybody's minds by now) --- they sell Kaká but never bothered replacing him.

It really is sad, Milan took the position that Kaká was like Shevchenko, a replaceable part, but he wasn't, they had access to a Ferrari but now have a tired old "Ford" at best.

Maybe Ronaldinho rebounds from a lousy year and half, maybe he doesn't... Milan has to start looking for Kaká's replacement, something they should have done already once they sold him to Real Madrid.

And what possessed them to sign Leonardo who never even coached in the Brazilian league? I guess its impossible to have two solid teams playing in Milan at the same time.

re: Headbands and headbanging for morose Milan

don_cule — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:24:49 GMT

It strikes me that until the old guard (which were probably only comfortable with paolo maldini leading them) are moved on, including seedorf, the rossoneri will continue to look and play in a tired manner. Pato was supposed to be a revelation, but how can he with old-style tactics.

Spalletti turned Roma into a stylish, modern team whilst putting old boys like Panucci in their place when required. He would no doubt do the same for Milan.

Whilst club patron seems, understandably, to be more intent on fighting his political corner at the moment.

re: The blight on Italian football

The Brain — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:21:52 GMT

I'm not sure some punishments are deterrents but merely sweeping the issue under the carpet. However such punishments may make people open there eyes but I think it's all about people's environment and Italia is not the most cosmopolitan of countries.

But then again they do watch a lot of different races play the game they love.....

re: Dinho down in the dumps

Yorugua — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:29:13 GMT

Ronaldinho is that rare Brazilian that its okay to like... unfortunately as your article points out, there isn't much to like about him anymore... too bad, I think he'll end up in the Turkish League .

re: Dinho down in the dumps

Fabrecass — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:16:29 GMT

Desperate for Ron to fight his way back into the Selecao for the world cup. Pull your finger out son.

re: Inter-Barça clash shows gulf in quality

Suivaloom — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:27:56 GMT

I disagree with the opinion that Inter defended well. They did not.

Barcelona had 2 clear goal-scoring chances within the first 10 minutes of the tie. Over the course of the match, they had about 5 clear chances to score. Consider Chelsea last year limited a Barca side in perhaps the greatest form of the clubs history, to 1 half chance (which was taken by Iniesta at the death) at home, and you can see clearly how Inter lag behind the best of Europe, despite the heavy reinforcements.

re: Young coaches rely on past masters

Fergal — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:50:30 GMT

It's great to see a real pro like Inzaghi get the two goals the other night. As you said Ronaldinho could learn a thing or two from from him. I have never seen a striker so hungry and desperate for goals over the years and he never has, or never will, change. It was a good start for Milan but still a false dawn. The squad is poor overall and has no chance of winning this CL. Juve may struggle now but I expect them to get to the QF at least. I also watched Fiorentina and Inter too last night. They were both outplayed for long periods and were lucky the results were not worse. Watching Aly Cissokho for Lyon was also depressing. How did Milan let him get away? Funny how the Lyon doctors didn't find much wrong with his teeth. It all points to Berlosconi trying to save the pennys and stick with past it players like Favalli, Oddo, Zambrotta and Jankulovski.

re: Genoese-y does it at top of Serie A

Yorugua — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:12:14 GMT

There is no basis... none whatsoever. There is only the question "did you see the goal?"

re: Genoese-y does it at top of Serie A

Fabrecass — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:36:56 GMT

"But did you see Diego Milito's goal against Parma yesterday? "Marone"... Genoa is missing him already.

where's the basis for this?!?!?!!??!?!?!?

re: How do you solve a problem like Ibra?

is_it_nemanja — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:20:52 GMT

Didn't Ibra give it to the Inter fans after hitting that Exocet against Fiorentina last season? Or was he just 'cleansing his soul' as Mourinho would affirm?

re: Genoese-y does it at top of Serie A

Yorugua — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:00:59 GMT

But did you see Diego Milito's goal against Parma yesterday? "Marone"... Genoa is missing him already.

re: Function but no fun from artless Azzurri

Fergal — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:41:22 GMT

The side from 2006 was the outstading team of that tournament. Other nations played well in flashes but the Italian side was the only one that was consistant. But now the side looks a shadow of the one 3 years ago. Cannavaro, in my opinion the best centre half in the last 15-20 years is past it but there seems to be little option but stick with him.

Pirlo,Gattuso,Zambrotta,Camoranesi and Toni are all on the way out too. But it seems Italy might have to wait untill 2012 to see if the younger players will come through.

Mine for 2010:

Buffon-Amelia-De Sanctis

Motta-Zambrotta

Grosso-Santon

Chiellini-Bocchetti

Cannavaro-Gamberini

Pirlo-Montolivo

Palombo-Gattuso

D'Agostino-Marchisio

Cassano-Giovinco

Rossi-Pazzini

Gilardino-Quagliarella

A decent squad, but little chance of silverwear.

re: And the biggest salary in Serie A goes to...

don_cule — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:58:13 GMT

How much does Cristiano Lucarelli earn?

I expect he pays some of it into his newspaper...and charity?

re: Spalletti escapes Roman ruin

Suivaloom — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:03:35 GMT

Roma were always punching above their weight these last few years, and it is a testament to Spalletti's abilities as a coach that Roma were mixing things up at the sharp end of the table whilst he was in charge.

Now I fear Roma may slip into a slow decline and they may also lose their free-flowing style.

re: Spalletti escapes Roman ruin

yesdeleon — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:13:14 GMT

I may have missed this, but why is Roberto Mancici a persona non grata in Italy (and elsewhere, I guess). Did he not lead Inter to several scudetti, even if it was because one was given to them, one they won without Juve being there and Milan being docked points, and one on the last day of the season?

re: Comic capers in Milanese massacre

The Brain — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:26:40 GMT

There is a craze sweeping in the football world to buy strikers and central defenders, who although useful, are brought in surplus to demand.

Inter went about it the right way but Milan, knowing they had a lack of funds went about and brought a 15million striker.

re: Comic capers in Milanese massacre

Fergal — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:58:26 GMT

The scoreline wasn't a huge surprise but still I would have thought there would be a little bit more from Milan in a derby game. Leonardo is not to blame. I don't think even the players are to blame. Berlusconi and his kind have run this club into the ground for the last number of years. I think it's only a matter of time 'till Pato is on his way too. Look at the difference in the transfers this summer of the two Milan clubs. Both got in around 60-70m in sales. How is this money spent?(or not in Milan's case).

INTER: Lucio,Motta,Sneijder,Milito,Eto'o.

MILAN: Huntelaar.

See the difference? There is no doubt that Inter are stronger all round than last season. Still not good enough for the CL crown but could go a bit further. As for Milan, no chance. If they lose to Marseille in the first group game then I think they'll be out early. I want them to do well, but perhaps it would be better in the long run if they fail, because then maybe Berlusconi can go and we won't have to listen to the same rubbish every few weeks about how strong this squad is. You're fooling no one Silvio. And neither are you Ronaldinho. The sooner this guy is sold off to some English club with more money then sense, the better. Only Milan could have four attacking midfielders, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Gourcuff, Seedorf and get rid of the two they should have kept and kept the two the should have sold. Talk about braindead.

re: Why Jose and Leonardo should swap jobs

Long Live Zola — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:20:09 GMT

HA! made me chuckle

re: Serie Aaaaargh's 2009/10 predictions

Becca — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:27:05 GMT

I would love to see Roma win the Scudetto, but seeing as that isn't going to happen, I'm going to say I don't care who wins the Scudetto as long as it isn't Inter.

re: Serie Aaaaargh's 2009/10 predictions

Beast — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:27:06 GMT

Forgot to add , Fiorentina ? give me a break Ricardo they can only lose players , i think they are in the same line as Roma , unless something dramatic happen for the 2 teams Milan will take the third place.

Watch out for Huntelaar , he will have the breakthrough season

re: Serie Aaaaargh's 2009/10 predictions

Beast — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:24:53 GMT

Juve are better equipped for Serie A this year much more than Inter.

While Eto'o piss all over Ibra and the pairing with Milito (two impressive liga strikers ) is thrilling Inter lack any form of creativity or plan B . it's all about passing the ball from the center while Maicon provide the only width ( Santon maybe good defensively but a suspect going forward )

Juve additions of Cannavaro (old but will cut it in Serie A ) Felipe Melo and Diego quite impressive in fact i'd say Juve central midfield is Superior to Inter

for the attack it's Amauri-Del Piero-Iaquinta and Trezgoal vs Eto'o-Milito-super Mario and Suazo.. Inter is better by a whisker .

Used to hate Mancio now i can't wait for Mourinho to be sacked the dullest Inter i've seen in a long time

re: Serie Aaaaargh's 2009/10 predictions

don_cule — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:32:28 GMT

If the Neopolitans are to make it into the top four ahead of Milan and Roma...I would even say they could win the Scudetto...there, I said it, Napoli for the 2009/10 Scudetto!

re: Serie Aaaaargh's 2009/10 predictions

kbones — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:12:13 GMT

You got everything about right, but I'd wait for Sneijder at Inter before writing this. from what we've seen in preseason, Eto'o and Milito are working together very nicely, but with a top playmaker like that they can get spectacular.

re: Record-breaking Cannavaro showing no signs of slowing

Long Live Zola — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:06:09 GMT

Cannavaro is an absolutely superb player. He deserves to be spoken about in the same breath as Desailly, Koeman and Maldini. As for 2010, unquestionably he should be in Italy's starting XI. There is not a defender in the country who reads the game as well as he does, he is consistently inpenetrable and has proved himself a great leader time and time again.

re: Mourinho yet to find his fantasista

bthomas — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:26:53 GMT

I thought Luis Jimenez was often excellent in this role during the Mancini's last year - and whenever healthy and given the chance to play regularly.

It can be a difficult position for Inter, though, since the holding midfielders like to move forward and gum up the space without really linking strikers with the midfield. Like Chelsea, too many of these players are basically defensive midfielders at heart, better at shutting play down than generating incision or creative dynamism.

Enough with Cambiasso, Burdisso, Vieira and all their forward limitations.

And then Zanetti is always charging pointlessly forward and into the middle of the pitch with the ball whenever he gets it - also closing up space in the middle without the possibility of creating anything.

re: Little Prince ups sticks for shiny lights of Liverpool

The Brain — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:40:08 GMT

Good signing..potentially. Am a fan of his but injuries, especially with a frail body as his could prove costly in the physical prem. Also wish well for Roma; there 4-6-0 formation was under used last year but previous years provided some great entertainment.

re: Italian Super Cup set for TV blackout at home

sampson — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 06:14:49 GMT

Any chance of this being shown on Rai in the US (RAI International/RAITALIA)? Two years ago the game was shown , but last year it wasn't and we missed a great game! Any way to contact them?

re: Italian Super Cup set for TV blackout at home

sampson — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 06:03:24 GMT

Looks like you may have been plagiarized my friend: blogs.nypost.com/sports/soccer/archives/2009/08/italian_supercu_1.html

re: Italian Super Cup set for TV blackout at home

sampson — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 06:02:57 GMT

Looks like you may have been plagiarized my friend... blogs.nypost.com/.../italian_supercu_1.html

re: Has Serie A seen the last of marooned mariner Mancini?

The Brain — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:18:31 GMT

For a minute I thought you were referring to Amantino Mancini of Inter. Now why does Mourinho not rate him much anymore?

re: Milan tread water in sadly shallow summer

ronanok — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:05:01 GMT

Hey Ricardo, I agree with you about AC Milan. Their ageing squad is in serious need of investment in youth. I had a look at some other stories concerning the Italian game last evening on my own blog,

ronanok.wordpress.com/.../football-season-2009-2010-preview-part-1

Cheers,

ronanok

re: Milan tread water in sadly shallow summer

BoroKnight — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:27:05 GMT

" we did it three times already!!"

re: Milan tread water in sadly shallow summer

BoroKnight — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:22:28 GMT

hey, hey,

see that photo of jose and the half-naked bari 'baller'...

doesn't it look like Jose is saying " Not tonight monami"

re: Milan tread water in sadly shallow summer

BoroKnight — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:19:03 GMT

If i was a Milan supporter, I'd chuck a pig's head at Berlusconi, and then sue him for stealing my din-din!!

re: Mourinho: Back and as mean and moody as ever

logz90 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:46:31 GMT

jose looks quite a lot like sid from iceage in that photo. either that or elmo

re: Mourinho: Back and as mean and moody as ever

Cesc.Pistol — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:40:15 GMT

Funny thing is the top 5 players play in Liga: Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Kaka, C.Ronaldo. And then there's the likes of Gerrard etc from EPL. So Zlatan's got quite some way to go.

re: Mourinho: Back and as mean and moody as ever

Emmet — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:11:07 GMT

hes no where near it.

re: Mourinho: Back and as mean and moody as ever

kbones — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:43:21 GMT

Oh no, he is close.

re: Mourinho: Back and as mean and moody as ever

psdiggs — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:33:49 GMT

Quite simply. He is not one of the top four players in the world. he is not even close.

re: Mourinho: Back and as mean and moody as ever

David Kim — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:58:00 GMT

Of course Zlatan's worthy of number 10. He's one of the top four players in the world (yeah I don't think so yeah sure that's debatable yeah whatever he is).

re: Star-studded la Liga leaves Serie A sulking

Emmet — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:26:23 GMT

The Spanish league is incredibily weak, outside of Barca and Real who is there? really? Villarreal, Valencia, Athletico, all average teams. Italian teams always have the beaten of Spanish teams. Case in point. 08-09 season, Juve beat Madrid twice(quite comfortably I may add) and Samp beat Sevilla in the UEFA.

Serie A is above La Liga in terms of teams IMO. Sure we dont have the star power, but sure when did individuals ever win competitons? Except when your name is Maradona.

re: Star-studded la Liga leaves Serie A sulking

Fergal — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:01:19 GMT

TO SNYDE. Yes, Barca won the champions league and deserved to do so too. But that doesn't make the rest of the Spanish league strong. Chelsea, Arsenal and Man.Utd all had tough games against the Italians last season.But what kind of resistance did the English get from Madrid and Villarreal? They were both destroyed. Juve also did the double over Madrid too. The Spanish were also very poor in the Uefa cup. I'm not saying Italian teams are better, but there is no question that besides Barca, the Spanish teams have been average in Europe in the last few years, which points to a weak league overall. Still, watching truly great players like Xavi and Iniesta in the final was fantastic.

re: Star-studded la Liga leaves Serie A sulking

Forza Il Lupi — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:36:38 GMT

But overall, outside of the top 2 or 3 teams, Serie A is a stronger league and more competitive. AS Roma or Aston Villa?

re: Star-studded la Liga leaves Serie A sulking

Snyde — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:08:03 GMT

Talking a bit out of your *rse Fergal?

Weak spanish league? I thought Barca just won a competition in one of the most complete victories seen in the final. Which competition? The one Serie A miserably failed in.

Serie A should now be more concerned with Bundesliga and Ligue 1 than looking above.

re: Star-studded la Liga leaves Serie A sulking

David Kim — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:37:02 GMT

This will be good time for Serie A to just try to develop good Italian players. Serie A shined in the 90s largely because of the Italian stars like Del Piero, Totti, Vieri, Maldini, Nesta, etc. I'm not denying that Zidane, Rui Costa, or other foreign players helped make Serie A awesome but now Italy is the underdog, and there's nothing they can do about that. Just hope that Italy does good in next World Cup or Euro 2012 so that public will turn its eyes back to Italy.

re: Star-studded la Liga leaves Serie A sulking

Fergal — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:12:11 GMT

As a fan of Italian football I wouldn't get too concerned about whats going on at Madrid. Yes, they are signing all in front of them but they are still a long way from being a great team, or even a good one. There's no point having all these great forwards when the guys behind them are all wasters. They may win a weak Spanish league but they'll come unstuck in Europe against the first decent English,or even Italian side they meet. As for the Italian transfer market it has been a bit depressing so far. Diego is the only big signing so far while only Milan could fall about blindly with the two attempts to get Cissokho and Dzeko.It's a pity neither worked out as they are exactly the type of player Milan should be looking for.As for Adebayor- stay away. Inter's signings have been nothing but average, but why no deal for Benzema?. They could have easily bought him with the money from Ibrahimovic,who they should sell. Roma and Fiorentina have yet to do anything. Still, they all have a few months to get a few good players in

re: New-look Napoli ready to rise again

Rasvinder — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:51:02 GMT

I think De Ceglie should move to Napoli or any other ambitious club because sadly I don't think he will get much of a chance at Juventus. If a manager can convert him into a left winger/midfielder it would be beneficial for the Italian national team as Italy will have the option then to play with natural wingers.

re: Little chance of Lippi ditching class of 2006

Rasvinder — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:36:02 GMT

If Lippi is not going to change his stance then get him out of there before it's too late. Someone in the board should already see a humiliating catastrophe approaching. Get a younger manager like Zola or promote Casiraghi. Prandelli would be a good shout as well now that Ancelotti is in Chelsea. Read my blog http://rasvinder.wordpress.com to know more on my opinions of the Azzuri's failures.

re: Little chance of Lippi ditching class of 2006

David Kim — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:20:11 GMT

Italy has no attacking mid/shadow striker without Totti/Del Piero, and the rest of the 06 squad doesn't have vitality or creativity (except Pirlo). Italy's best hope is to get as many U-21 or other Italians in Serie A to play for the national team as possible. Juventus, Inter, and other clubs have plenty of young talents, so just feed them some experience and Italy might make through the group stage next year.

re: Embarrassment vs Egypt sets up Samba Boys excitement

Suivaloom — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 10:57:51 GMT

Italy are really suffering up front. Toni I have never liked. Gilardino just hasn't got it. Rossi is still growing.

They need to find a world-class striker for 2010, much like England.

re: Embarrassment vs Egypt sets up Samba Boys excitement

philliptasker — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:49:07 GMT

What have Juventus done getting back Cannavaro? Awful decision, he is not the same player anymore. He was sub par at Real Madrid and looked no better last night. Could be the unravelling of Juve's recent progress if he plays week in week out.

re: Embarrassment vs Egypt sets up Samba Boys excitement

182 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:57:04 GMT

Del Piero call up anyone?

re: As Kaka packs, the duckling quacks

Fergal — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:37:44 GMT

I said a few weeks ago on one of these blogs that Pato would be looking for a move to England soon if Kaka left and Milan continued to stagnate like they have over the last few years. What I didn't expect was that he could be leaving this summer. Although I would have preferred Kaka to stay, I can understand Milan selling a 27 yo for 60m. Fair enough. But selling a 19yo is a different situation entirely. If Milan sell Pato to Chelsea it will prove once and for all that Italian teams are finished, for now at least, as a power in European football. Pato is a player for Milan's future and must be kept. However, if he wants to go then I suppose there is no point keeping him.Milan must make sure they fleece whoever buys him though. Milan's terrible transfer poicy of the last few years seems to have really come back to bite them this summer. Now instead of Kaka, Pato and Gourcuff up front next season Milan's fans could be stuck watching jokers like Ronaldinho and Shevchenko. God help season ticket sales for next year. It's sad to see a great club in this state, now incapable of competing with nothing tams like Chelsea and Man.City. As for Pirlo, if they can get 12-15m from Chelsea, then take it, he's past his best and exactly the type of player Milan should be looking to offload. Here's my cure for the summer:

OUT... IN...

G dida f G cudicini f

G kalac f G storari -

D maldini - D agger 15m

D senderos - D silva t. -

D kaladze 4m D mattioni 4m

M kaka 60m M sammarco 5m

M gourcuff 12m M silva d. 19m

M emerson - M abate -

M pirlo 12m M lucho g. 12m

M seedorf f M/S di natale 3m

M ronaldinho 12m S dzeko 22m

S shevchenko - 100m S paloschi - 81m

abbiati-cudicini-storari

mattioni-antonini

zambrotta-jankulovski-favalli

nesta-bonera-darmian

agger-silva t

lucho-cardacio

gattuso-sammarco

flamini-ambrosini-abate

silva d-di natale- vuidez

dzeko-inzaghi

pato-borriello-paloschi

re: Why Inter should sell Ibra – and buy Eto'o

kbones — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:40:11 GMT

from a cule point of view, I'd prefer Eto'o, but I won't despair if the exchange takes place. Zlatan, apart from his goalscoring, can create a lot for himself and his teammates - without having the likes of Messi or Xavi behind him.

On the other hand, Eto'o with his eagerness to fight for every ball and work hard in general, could add much to Inter.

Risks? Zlatan could still be lazy under Pep, and Eto'o could have problems adapting to italian football.

re: Why Inter should sell Ibra – and buy Eto'o

hum4ndyn4mo — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:43:38 GMT

What you say about Eto'o being more suited than Zlatan to a 4-3-3 is true, but Bara have far deeper foundations in that system, so why would they want Zlatan over Eto'o.

I also think that you and many others are guilty of being overly critical of Ibrahimovic as his worth in goals and moments of freakish genius is undeniable.

The suggestion that he does not perform in the UCL is unfair as nobody wearing an Inter shirt performs in the UCL, they just haven't been able to adapt their game as a team and Zlatan suffers as a result of this.

re: Money talks and Kaka walks as Silvio suffers austerity

the_outsideruk — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:51:47 GMT

Big mistake! Selling Kaka will be crippling to the club. Milan can rebuild using the money ? Dont think so! The sale is for economic-reasons which means we will only see like 10mill of the money, the rest will be to pay of debts.

re: Leonardo looking to create masterpiece in Milan

Fergal — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:51:25 GMT

I think Leonardo has a big job on his hands now. It will be interesting if they let him buy the players he wants and not just circus performers like Beckaham and Ronaldinho. If they dont give him control then I think it could be years before Milan are a force again. Kaka looks to be on his way, Gourcuff was stupidly sold, while former greats like Pirlo, Gattuso, Zambrotta and Nesta are all on the wane. It will take a lot more than the over-rated Adebayor to sort out the mess that Milan are in now.

re: Leonardo looking to create masterpiece in Milan

the_outsideruk — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:06:32 GMT

well, the rumours about kaka going to real do not bode well for milan. i fear for the club if they sell kaka. they have already sold gourcuff who could have been the ideal replacement. milan should be building a new team around kaka not without him.

also, kaka's loss will be a huge blow to serie a.

re: Rudderless Milan face fourth-place shame

Fergal — Sat, 30 May 2009 00:26:38 GMT

They seem to be in a bit of a mess now. But it has been building for years.It's hard to see a serious player like Kaka hanging around much longer while the club signs nothing players like Shevchenko,Ronaldinho,Senderos and Beckham. I'm sure it wont be long either before Pato starts eyeing a move to England too. They also let Gourcuff get away this week as well,which makes you think who the hell is runing this club. No Gourcuff next season probably means Milan fans will have to put up with another season of circus from Beckham and Ronaldinho. One thing for sure, this current squad has no chance of winning next years champions league.

re: Boo-boys fail to mar Maldini's San Siro swansong

Forza Il Lupi — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:01:45 GMT

Paulo Maldini - Greatest defender the world has ever seen.

re: Knives out for the English angels and demons

Forza Il Lupi — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:59:14 GMT

Tne Britihs media's idea has been very stereotypical for some time. There is an issue of stabbings in Rome but those of us who attend games know it's not really anything to do with The Roma Ultras.

Man Utd fans have the highest arrest rate of any club in England but this gets no attention. Every Chelsea games has racist chanting outside games and on the tube plus the many stabbings of Spurs fans.

The British media sensationalises everything in order to sell papers. Romes crime rate is tiny in comparison to Manchester and London.

It all comes down to the hype from Sky/Itv for the EPL. Even the Maldini issue was a minority but gets a big focus as it sells more papers than something positive.

Hopefully Barca will win tonight for football and not the corporation they play against.

re: Knives out for the English angels and demons

Beast — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:44:24 GMT

Never said it's ok so don't put words in my mouth

.. I'm explaining things from the Spanish point of view due to following my team for the last 25 years.

As i said in my last post , what you describe as rubbish you cannot reply to in a mature or even immature way because it's the plain truth

re: Knives out for the English angels and demons

Suivaloom — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:52:25 GMT

Beast - When you write such things as:

'it just happens that 90 + % of recent events all had a British team playing in Europe , coincidence ? too much coincidence to be considered one.'

I knew I couldn't be mature with you. You've typed a load of rubbish. And your reasoning that racially abusing players is OK because it is merely used to 'provoke players and get them off their concentration'...my god...

re: Knives out for the English angels and demons

Beast — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:34:44 GMT

Suivaloom , be more mature and don't insult if you have nothing to reply with

we are talking about hooliganism and traveling away fans trouble not RACISM. But i guess you couldn't find anything to defend your blind views

Racism in Spain is used to provoke players and get them off their concentration then being actual racist act.for example Real Zaragoza are a well known club which their fans intentionally boo players like Eto'o when Barca play Real Zaragoza.. those same fans cheer their own dark skinned player.. in Spain it's a tactic you might do yourself some good and travel around Europe and live in some of these cities for a while to have a better grasp

In Italy it's a bigger issue and mostly due to different political back grounds between right & left (Lazio-Livorno for example )

.. most of the troubles in Italy occur domestically not internationally ...

have you ever heard of special security preparation because Italy is playing Germany or any other team ? or Spain ? but you heard it zillion times of British fans traveling to support England or any English clubs in Europe

re: Knives out for the English angels and demons

Suivaloom — Tue, 26 May 2009 21:12:16 GMT

Beast, you are an idiot.

I suppose monkey chanting and putting black face-paint on to depict coloured sportsmen is Spain's harmless past-time when watching sport.

Even the kids are taught to join in. Despicable.

re: Knives out for the English angels and demons

Beast — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:38:15 GMT

Yeah , it's always someone else to blame for the British isn't it ..

it just happens that 90 + % of recent events all had a British team playing in Europe , coincidence ? too much coincidence to be considered one .

recent visits to Seville,twice in France, twice in Rome, the lovely Liverpool fans in the final of the CL and the ever polite Rangers invasion in Barcelona

and that's just on top of my head.. that's of course without putting into consideration the death threats to refs (enter Chelsea )

you don't see it happening (as often) to Spanish/German/French traveling fans ..

re: Knives out for the English angels and demons

mrplow2000 — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:52:16 GMT

Agreed. The biggest threat to safe match is the Italian police, then the Roma fans. A terrible decision to stage the tie in that city. Platini's faults are growing by the day.

re: Knives out for the English angels and demons

Suivaloom — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:38:23 GMT

Italian perceptions of English football fans? What about the worlds perception of the Italian hooligans running riot after every matchday in Italy?

This is ridiculous. The tables have turned dramatically; it is the image of the Italian Ultras that is synonymous with the word "hooligan" these days.

Only the other day yet another fan died because of Calcio whilst attending a game in Italy. Italian's should get their own house in order before trying to patronise others by doing things such as imposing a 24-hour drinking ban in Rome. Unnecessary and ridiculous.

re: Ranieri: Where did it all go wrong?

Fergal — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:43:09 GMT

Ranieri was always going to lose out,as usual. I think club boards see him as the guy to hire if your club is in trouble but not the guy to keep after he turns things around. As for the signings well that has been one disaster after another. Diego is a fine player but would the money not be better spent on other area's and let Giovinco take a first team spot instead?

re: Maldini out, Leonardo in at new-look Milan

FFS — Sun, 10 May 2009 03:19:38 GMT

Every two weeks you write about ancelotti leaving and leonardo coming in, and its never comes true... why? what's the point anymore? is it common practice to report on rumours now?

re: Serie A (finally) to follow in Premier League's footsteps

Fergal — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:25:37 GMT

It's good to see the money will be spread out more evenly than the current situation. However, I think it would be madness not to give a percentage to the lower leagues too. Hopefully the clubs in the top division will now take the next step on stadium development.It's time Italian football caught up with the rest of the modern European game.

re: Salesman Silvio still knows how to sell a lost cause

Suivaloom — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:48:18 GMT

All I can say is this:

Milan have been awared 14 - yes FOURTEEN - penalties this season.

What the bloody hell is going on in Serie A eh???

re: Decline and fall of the Roma empire

Fergal — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:03:52 GMT

I think you may be getting ahead of yourself a bit Riccardo. I think the squad Roma have is still strong and the current situation may have something to do with their attitude more than their talent. With the money the could get from the sale of Doni,Baptista and a few others, they could sign what they've needed for years now,a real centre forward. Lisandro Lopez would be perfect I think,but it will be hard now to get him,or any other top players with no champions league football next year. But there is no-way that this squad needs to be cleared out just yet.

My choice for next years team would be;

curci-arthur-sergio

motta 7m -cicinho

riise-tonetto-antunes

juan-cassetti-andreolli

mexes-diamoutene 2m

aquilani-pizarro

lucho gonzalez 11m -perrotta

de rossi-brighi-barusso

vucinic-taddei

totti-menez

lopez 12m -belluchi free -okaka

re: A weekend to forget for second-best Serie A

purduem — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:53:18 GMT

I agree that the current Prem is an unsustainable business. I predict the creation of a European Super League comprising the top teams from England, Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands, Scotland.

re: A weekend to forget for second-best Serie A

Forza Il Lupi — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:58:10 GMT

Macheda and Rossi went for the moeny simple as that! Rossi didn't get a chance at Utd and Macheda has only played due to injury and suspension as well Ferguson fiedling an under strength side. Patrucci also went for the money.

Plenty of youngsters have come into the Azzuri side over the years. De Rossi,Montoliv,Chiellini,Quagliarella. I do agree that a few players need to make way but Lippi will mostly stick to the team who are WORLD CHAMPIONS for now.Who are all the great English player then? Capello has already seen through the Villa players and Aaron Lennon...really?

The fact is the players need to DEVELOP and shouldn't be playing first team at 17 or 18. How many of these starlets go onto be something? Rooney maybe, but he's only slightly better than he was at Everton, there has been no huge strides in his development, he just plays for a better side. Rossi had to move away to get a game.

Yes, Calcio has problems but if we can look long term rather than short term like the EPL (it will be financially bust in 4 years)

The racism is an issue but at least the league has sanctions.The Drughi have made a very important statement about there was no racial abuse. There is racism and coin throwing at English games and on trains to grounds every week but the media hides it away and the league has no sanctions. Phil Neville has pucnhed in the back and spat on at ANFIELD last season. It too a year to ban the culpri after pressure from support groups.

Problems yes but it's not the end of the world. The Italian Primavera sides are the best in Europe. Thye are technically gifted and players are develped as FOOTBALLERS not ATHELETES. Do we really want to play long term and chase everything for 90 mins like in England? Hva e you seen EPL teams outside of the 'TOP 4' play? Wigan are a top half side for God's sake!

re: Serie A laments Champions League shipwreck

Jai Bans — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:35:13 GMT

Yeah the Italian domestic situation certainly looks doomed. Actually when I watched Utd vs Inter this year I couldn’t bear to watch as Inter, a side renown for giving the Italian game some fame, entertainment and uncertainty (results wise) had the x-factor of one of Henry Ford's assembly lines. Mourinho for me has no pue understanding of the game, only a very mechanical and limited one, which invariably achieves results; hence the argument 'but he always wins something'

Whenever a critique of Italian football is brought up invariably it is cyclical and those who condemn it 'doomed' should take a look at the golden era of Batistuta, Ronaldo and Del Piero decorating the game in a period which now seems like a dream that had lost its way.

I wonder if we will ever see this great league recapture or capture any glory.

re: A weekend to forget for second-best Serie A

purduem — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:55:07 GMT

I greatly enjoy Riccardo's writing. It is his job to be skeptical. What should he write? That Juventus announced a new summer football camp for 10-year olds? Calcio has a huge problem. No Italian clubs in the Champions League quarterfinals, and one in the UEFA Cup quarterfinals. Il Calcio is slipping away, and yet those idiots in Turin have the gaul to chant racist garbage at Balotelli, a man who could possibly help save Italian football. Disgusting. They should be ashamed of themselves. Forza Rossi!

re: A weekend to forget for second-best Serie A

Rasvinder — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 04:21:48 GMT

I am a fan of Italian football and the Italian national team but I am a realist. I love reading Riccardo's posts because its realistic, it's not too negative and it's not overly positive either.

I do have to agree with you that Fabio Capello's Juventus was terribly boring. The racist chanting is also very sad and horrible moreover it is directed at a fellow Italian. How will the person feel when called upon to represent the country in the future. Balotelli is certainly going to be a future full Italian international and to be given this treatment by his fellow countrymen is sad. He might also get it on the pitch from fellow players no-one knows except him.

For Forza Il Lupi,the fact remains that young Italian talents are not given enough opportunity at the big clubs in Italy so they move elsewhere. Case in point: Macheda and Rossi. Even in the national team, older players are given more chances than the younger ones. I feel Lippi is also living on past glories and still relying on a lot of the heroes of 2006. He has got to freshen the squad and his tactics and get rid of those who are over-the-hill or not playing well enough anymore.

Serie A as a whole has to change. Juventus wants to sign a 35 year old Cannavaro when they could have been better off giving a younger player chance. A lot of the Italian clubs have too many old players who were great during their times but are past it now. There is a lot of Italian talent which has not been given a chance because of the reliance and preference of experience.

Italian clubs tend to sign young Brazilians and Argentines but not give the Italians a chance and this is really sad and not healthy for Italian football. A change in attitude is needed and I hope Mourinho and Inter will provide that next season.

re: A weekend to forget for second-best Serie A

Forza Il Lupi — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:37:22 GMT

Riccardo,did you ever hear the phrase 'If you've got nothing good to say, then don't say anything at all!' On a weekley basis you seem to tear Calcio apart as if you're a Daily Mail Sports editor is disguise. We all know Seie A isn't what it used to be. Football goes in cycle. Let's see if the Premier League 'dominance' lasts for over a decade as it's only been 5 unlike when Italian clubs rulled the roost.

We must also not forget that Italian did dominate Europe. What I mean by this was that it was based on Italian players and coaches as the limit on foreign players existed then. The current powerhouses are Premier League and not English by any means. Install the past limits and it would be a different case altogether. Liverpool v Chelsea last week had only 3 English players on the pitch!!! Liverpool reguarly field reserve teams with no homegrown players. Man Utd even come to Italy to unethically steal their talent (not to mention Quieroz using Spalletis system to create a wining side)

Foreign owners, foreign money, foreign players and foreign coaches. Please don't go on like every other Sky Sports 'journalist'!!! Isn't the great new England team only winning due to Capello?

Forza Calcio! Forza Italia!

re: Meandering Milan need a new Arrigo Sacchi

Jai Bans — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:35:08 GMT

I agree and this is all to prevalent in the decayed and backward team at ac Milan under Ancelotti. The success of the Champions League seems to have blinded the fossilsed stature of Milan. A club showered with historical success is now a mere haven for the elderly and decrepit wanting their famous name being chanted 'one more time'

I am a Manchester Unitd fan so my fascination with Milan has topical due to Utd's elimination to Milan in various european campaigns. That time the sense of experience blended with youthful vigour seemed truly admirable like an effervescent experiment providing great results, all at the hands of its creator Ancelotti. Now they are just backward crumbling. The fact that Pato has his own subtle and engineered celebration braced from the habitual tendancies of the celebrities around him is testament of how archaic Milan is becoming.

They need reform and big style, for the expiry date has truly run out.

re: Meandering Milan need a new Arrigo Sacchi

Fergal — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:02:06 GMT

Well said Riccardo.Milan seem to be going down the Real Madrid circus road at the moment. This is a huge club with a great history and its sad to see them like this. The likes of Ronaldinho and Beckham should have been left to Man.City and Hollywood respectively. And the less said about signing Senderos and Shevchenko the better. Here's my cure below

OUT; dida f,kalac f,favalli f,maldini ret,senderos lo,oddo f,kaladze 4m,emerson f,seedorf f,ronaldinho 12m,shevchenko lo.

IN; frey 9m,storari lo,mattioni -,silva -,zapata 10m,

cigarini 7m,sammarco 4m,gourcuff lo,di natale 3m,abate lo paloschi lo

frey-abbiati-storari

mattioni-antonini

zambrotta-jankulovski

nesta-bonera

zapata-silva-darmian

pirlo-cigarini

gattuso-sammarco

flamini-ambrosini-cardacio

gourcuff-abate-viudez

kaka-di natale

pato-borriello-inzaghi-paloschi

re: Macheda may make more Italians switch shores

elBongocero — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:59:39 GMT

crossmaheart - I can just see your thought processes now... "Man Utd... they're happy. Federico... he's happy. The Macheda family... they're happy. Great - that's everyone accounted for. Let's have a cup of tea."

It's a nightmare for LAZIO, you muppet!!!

re: Macheda may make more Italians switch shores

crossmaheart — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:33:57 GMT

"Apparently, the youngster received a contract of 104,000 euro a year" "and in a few years he will be worth a fortune" Nightmare for who exactly?

re: The stars start to jockey for summer moves

Fergal — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 09:43:17 GMT

If someone is stupid enough to pay 20m for Adriano then Inter should take the money and run.Ibrahimovic is another that could go.Inter would then be able to sign Benzema. As for Milan,Kaka would be a loss but 50-60 million for a player over 27 would not be a disaster.Buffon is the best keeper Ive seen since Schmeichel, but with his age and injury record then Juventus could do worse than sell him for a huge fee. I dont want big name players to leave Italy but sometimes its wise to sell them on, particularly if you've already probably got the best yeras out of them.

re: Mourinho unleashes both barrels with a lady on his lap

kaiser — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 07:49:52 GMT

OK..so the article points out that Ireland drew this match. The pre-match article stated that it would be plain sailing for Italy after the first goal..on roughly 30 minutes. Not a mention of Italy being played off the pitch..in their southern hotbed no less. Not a mention of them Italy being blessed with a draw in the first place. In summary...blog before the game was about Italy being great...blog after the game was about ads.

re: Lippi's Italy looking to put catenaccio kid in his place

182 — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:56:21 GMT

Not quite put in his place!Could've won this one!

re: Lippi's Italy looking to put catenaccio kid in his place

purduem — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:37:47 GMT

Ireland seems prime to pull the upset here. They should have beaten Bulgaria, but were embarrassed at home by an OG. So they will be focused. A defensive struggle could favor Ireland. All the pressure will be on the Azzurri, and they will be quite flaccid after beating Montenegro. But, then again, I am a pessimist. In bocca al lupo!

re: Pirlo can make fantasista role his own

Fletcher_Defender — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:16:40 GMT

I agree that Toni is too old. I felt in the Euros last summer Italy seemed to play to suit his style too much.

In the match where they were eliminated i lost count of the number of high balls that came in the box from deep, that just totally wasted counter attacks.

Rossi has a bright future and Italy need to use him.

re: Pirlo can make fantasista role his own

Suivaloom — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:25:06 GMT

You gotta be kidding me.

Italy are heading for disaster if they have to resort to playing Pirlo behind the strikers. And whatever fancy word you call it - fantasista or trequartista - you can't hide the fact that Pirlo, yes Pirlo, will be employed just behind the striker as some sort of goal threat.

He has never been fast but has slowed to a walking pace over the last couple of years.

He is weaker than a women's football U-18 player.

He has scored 3 goals from open play in 2 years.

He has the fitness of someone with one lung.

Personally, I don't see Pirlo as a fantasista.

re: Juve conquer the capital & Becks learns the lingo

purduem — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:17:55 GMT

So, Mr. Rossi, what will become of Trez? Certainly Juve knew they were getting a player whose huge talents are only overshadowed by his larger mouth. I do not see how Ranieri can be so shocked; Trez publicly pilloried Domenech not too long ago. With the emergence of Iaquinta and the Atomic Ant in the attack, can Juve now afford to part ways with Trez and his 20 goals each season? And risk losing him to another Serie A side? But perhaps Arsene Wenger wants him.

re: Clueless Italian football hits rock bottom

kat — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:04:48 GMT

You this week:

"And Jose Mourinho is totally off the mark: Italy is hurting and anyone who really cares for the state of the game is not crowing that Inter, Juventus and Roma are Euro also-rans."

You last week:

"the unbridled glee throughout most of the country that will greet a pounding at Old Trafford."

re: Clueless Italian football hits rock bottom

Fergal — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 07:05:21 GMT

I think Riccardo's comments are a bit harsh on Italian clubs. I mostof the 6 ties with the English and although the 3 Italian sides are all missing something,I think they all did quite well. Roma and Juve matched their opponents while Inter could have scored 2-4 goals at Old Trafford. However,only a fool would say the Italians are as good as the English at the moment. This is not a disaster though as each nation has its time at the top. The Italians had it all through the 90's,then it was the Spanish and now the English. But that wont last either and another nation will rise to the top. And lastly,the performances this year against the English compared to 12 months ago show a huge improvement.

re: Clueless Italian football hits rock bottom

Suivaloom — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:43:12 GMT

I feel sorry for Italian fans but then again, I think to myself, they only just won the World Cup in 2006.

If Italy don't make another single WC final for the next 43 years - yes FOURTY-THREE YEARS - then they will have suffered as much as us English.

That puts things into perspective for Italian fans. Yes, your club teams are going through a mire at the moment, but it really isn't as bad as you think, is it?

So instead of feeling sorry for the Italians, I will bask in the glory of English club football!

re: Clueless Italian football hits rock bottom

Fletcher_Defender — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:00:44 GMT

i dont mean to rub salt into the wound, but i thought united and arsenal were terrible as well and still managed to progress.

re: Italian trio plot vanquishing of English from Europe

Suivaloom — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 03:01:48 GMT

"No you can't"

Er...sorry about that

re: Juventus KO puts spotlight on Roma and Inter

Fletcher_Defender — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:33:44 GMT

Juve were unlucky last night Riccardo, the last twenty mins was where they were goin to target Chelsea, and Chiellini put pay to that.

re: Jose starts swinging, leaving Serie A battered & bruised

murlan9 — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:39:00 GMT

thats what is so boring about italian football people are too nice and they wont havea bit of banter and mind games running like in england and a little in spain. They need to get with the times and start fighting and call names and even bring in Diouf to do a bit of spitting because other italy will end up with the states and being a nobodies league/retirement home

re: Jose starts swinging, leaving Serie A battered & bruised

Suivaloom — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:37:08 GMT

A loss to Man Utd - which looks likely - would be the beginning of the end for Mourinho in Italy. Especially when you consider the lurking Man City FC.

re: Big guns serve up Sunday night San Siro treat

Suivaloom — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:57:16 GMT

Riccardo Rossi once remarked a coach in Italy would be fired if he allowed his team to brainlessly throw away a 2-0 lead.

Seems to me tactics are increasingly being thrown out the window in the Italian Serie A and being replaced by the gung-ho madness of the Premier League of 4-5 years ago.

Is that a good or bad thing? I'll leave you to decide.

re: Knives out in Milan after Ancelotti's old men crumble

Fergal — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:35:13 GMT

Its really shocking to see a club of this size reduced to this. Some of the transfers over the last few years have been a joke. Here's the players I would ditch:

Dida,free Favalli,free maldini,retire senderos,go home oddo,free emerson,free beckham,hollywood ronaldinho,12m

A new squad:

Frey 9m--Abbiati--Kalac

Mattioni--Antonini

Zambrotta--Jankulovski

Nesta--Silva--Darmian

Zapata 11m--Bonera--Kaladze

Pirlo--Cigarini 7m

Gattuso--Song 4m

Flamini--Ambrosini--Cardaccio

Kaka--Gourcuff--Viudez

Pato--Borriello

Benzema 36m--Inzaghi--Paloschi

Yes I know there is no chance they would spend 36m on Benzema,but still it would be nice.

re: Inter hanging on after Jose gets it wrong

Suivaloom — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:28:30 GMT

I think Roma have an even smaller chance than Inter.

Daniele De Rossi is suspended, and likely Adebayor, Walcott and possibly Fabregas will be back for the second-leg. Roma play a counter-attacking style, but they need 2 goals to progress so will have to come out and play. This will prove fatal against Arsenal.

I predict 2-1 Arsenal.

Inter will lose 2-0 at Old Trafford, I don't care how much the press gush over Mourinho in almost erotic affection. Football is won on the field, and Inter's players lack character and spirit.

re: Inter hanging on after Jose gets it wrong

psdiggs — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:19:05 GMT

John O’Shea pedestrian? Thats harsh. He may not be the greatest but look at what he has won and who has been and gone for United while he has been at the club.

re: Inter hanging on after Jose gets it wrong

Gregg Davies — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:27:15 GMT

Roma have been in decent enough form in Serie A in recent weeks. And with Totti and Vucinic back to full fitness, their fans would probably be quietly confident of a 2-0/3-1 win in a noisy Stadio Olimpico if things went their way.

Just ask Chelsea.

re: Inter hanging on after Jose gets it wrong

cesc007 — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:29:08 GMT

So Roma lost, failed to score an away goal, and face a team who seems to play better away from home in second leg. So why do they feel confident of progressing again?

re: Van Basten the man to take Milan back to the future

Joeninho — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:14:05 GMT

Ajax fan here, currently watching us barely keeping level with against what is basically the Dutch equivalent of Kettering Town. At Home. And this same team has already bumped us out of the Cup.

I'll pay for Marco's plane ticket if we can swap him with Ancelotti.

re: Van Basten the man to take Milan back to the future

philliptasker — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:44:29 GMT

Van Basten really??? All reports of his domestic performance with Ajax are of a horribly boring and largely ineffective team, 3rd to AZ and FC Twente, and only 3rd largely becuase other big teams are even worse. Bringing in Van Basten would be reminicent of the transfer policy that thought Lentini was worth 13 million over 15 years ago, basing a large investment on flashes of brilliance with no real evidence of consistent success.

If Milan were to turn the clock back, bring in someone who knows the club and can re-vitalise the squad with youth, then Frank Rijkaard is far better placed. It may have been an unglorious end, but his achievements at Barca infinitely outway Van Basten's to date.

If Milan

re: Cannavaro out! Pirlo out! Toni out! Italy need revolution

Suivaloom — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 01:46:59 GMT

This 'Lippi's great 31 unbeaten run with Italy' talk is a load of old malarky.

Firstly, that run of unbeaten games is two batches of games unbeaten stuck together

Secondly, a massive 13 of those 31 games have been draws.

Now, if you want to bemuse in wonderment at a real awe-inspiring run of undefeated games, look no further than Spain, who are unbeaten in 29, in which 26 have been wins and 3 - yes only 3 - have been draws.

Quite a bit better I think.

re: Pouting, poaching Pippo the key to Kaka conundrum

El Nino — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:13:48 GMT

Really looking forward to this, should be a decent game.

What's your prediction Riccardo?

re: Genoa on track to booking Champions League ticket

FourFourTwo Team — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:38:28 GMT

How right you are Grifone. Thanks for spotting it.

FFT.com

re: Genoa on track to booking Champions League ticket

Grifone — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:18:27 GMT

Vicenzia?

Eh? A new team?

Come on Four Four Two, you can do better than that. Might have expected a typo like that from The Sun or The Mirror, but you are supposed to be a knowledgable football magazine for Chris'sakes.

re: Galliani & Golden balls 'Working on a Dream'

Fergal — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:58:02 GMT

Its sad to see how far Italian teams have fallen in the transfer market,if not so on the pitch,when Beckham is seen as a dream signing.Is that the best Milan can do? I hear Miguel Veloso could be going to join nothing clubs in England soon.Are there no Italian teams in for this fine player,Milan included?

re: Sour puss Panucci bites the hand that feeds him... again

Fletcher_Defender — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:37:06 GMT

I know he has a bit of a whinge bag reputation, but have you thought that he might just want to play football and not be overlooked?

re: Feel good factor back in value for money Serie A

Armagh Andy — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:41:33 GMT

but is Beckham as in love with Milan as Milan are with him? it would be great to see him stay in Milan, playing in a great league for a great club. his talents are wasted in America, hope he does a kaka and chooses football over financial rewards.

re: Robin Hood of reffing ruins Inter - Roma Cup clash

CuchuForPresident — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:32:13 GMT

Inter and Roma where the finalists for the last four years.

Dear Riccardo ROssi having read quite a few of your posts i'm beginning to think AC Milan has already enough media on his side and your mediaset attitude is a little redundant.. it's too bad cos you really boast a witty yet competent writing..

ah, il piano di rinasita democratica..

re: What Milan might do with all that filthy lucre...

Armagh Andy — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 16:20:21 GMT

its interesting, that apart from the keeper, you aren't suggesting that Milan actually splash the cash but promote from within, which is of course the best way for the long term, and no big name replacement?

re: Milan should cash in as City come calling for Kaka

the_outsideruk — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:16:58 GMT

Cash-in ? NO WAY!

Simply put, kaka is milan! A milan team without kaka is a severely weak team. 'Dinho cant fill the void that would be left by Kaka. Look over the games 'Dinho has played for milan and you can see he lacks the ability to run into space or even beat his man.

The only person that could fill kaka's void is messi... and there is no chance barca would let him go.

The money being offered would be great... as we could invest into other players.... but whats the point in that.. when we would be losing a world class player.

Oh yea, we dont need to sell kaka to bring back gourcuff... we just have to hope that Bordeaux do not meet the release cause in his contract.

If we were really interested in a player like cigirani then we would hve got him this season... i mean he ended up at Atalanta hardly a team that is loaded with money. Zapata currently we could afford if wanted to... i mean we managed to sign 'dinho didnt we ?

re: Milan should cash in as City come calling for Kaka

Fergal — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:02:42 GMT

Couldn't agree more Riccardo. I don't think he will leave to join City as they cannot offer CL football for some time at least. However if they offer say,£70m then Milan should consider it.Whatever they do they MUST make sure that they fleece those clowns for every penny they can. Benzema,Frey,Clerc,Cigarini,Zapata and Mexes could all be signed with that money,plus Gourcuff back too. It would be interesting to see which Milan fans would pick: Kaka,or the players I've just listed. Its definitely the latter for me,despite the fact he is an outstanding player.

re: Ronaldinho rumpus the straw that could break Kaka's back

Fergal — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:42:28 GMT

I think Ronaldinho was purchased to sell more shirts to be honest.The signing of Beckham perhaps confirms this.However,if the signing of these two along with wasters like Senderos and possibly Pennant then I doubt a serious player like Kaka would be impressed with Milan.I think he could well leave in the next year or so. Still,if Milan can get 60million or so for him it would help them to shore up the rest of the ageing squad.

re: Cut-price Pennant appealing amid credit crunch

Fergal — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:29:55 GMT

Is this serious?.I mean,is this the best Milan can do?.

re: Ronaldinho rumpus the straw that could break Kaka's back

the_outsideruk — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:51:40 GMT

Simply put: Kaka is Milan. A milan starting line up without kaka is not the same. Even if 'dinho is at milan and seems to be getting all of the attention, kaka is still as important or even more important now.

We saw how effective 'dinho was on his own against palermo ?

You have to note that kaka wanted 'dinho here at milan, and it shows the intent to meet the same objectives.. win trophies and play good football.

re: Cool reaction to San Siro experience

Suivaloom — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 02:02:42 GMT

Chinese food is the best in the world

re: Hungry Italians ready for full English

Fergal — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 07:58:34 GMT

Interest wise,its a great draw.But as a fan of Italian football it could not be much harder than this.There is a real chance all 3 will get knocked out just as they were disposed of easily last year. I cant see Inter going through now,while Juve probably wont do it against Chelsea. As for Roma,I think its about 50-50 for them against a fine,if slightly over-rated Arsenal.Heres my predictions on agg.

Inter-United 2-4

Chelsea-Juventus 2-1

Villareal-Panath 3-1

Sporting-Bayern 2-3

A.Madrid-Porto 5-2

Lyon-Barcelona 4-6

Real-Liverpool 2-3

Arsenal-Roma 1-1(roma on away goals)

re: Milan begging for Beckham after trouncing in Turin

Fergal — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:22:58 GMT

I think Inter should sell Adriano. Hopefully Man City will be stupid enough to give them an inflated fee for him.Drogba to Inter is not something I'm too sure about though.Maybe he is past his best. Forget Drogba and get Benzema,who looks like a huge talent. As for Beckham,hopefullly Milan make some money from it and then send him home again. Its sad to see such a huge club reduced to signings like Beckham,Senderos and Shevchenko,even if they are only on loan.

re: Milan begging for Beckham after trouncing in Turin

Fletcher_Defender — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:28:07 GMT

i think and i hope Beckham will be a success in Italy, and hopefully move their permanent.

re: Ancelotti out to get even with Juventus

stejay — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:36:25 GMT

Great article. I think that the Serie A title will be going to the Rossoneri come the end of the season, unless Inter and Juve invest in some talented defenders. I would love the Viola to win the Scudetto, but that dream looks to be on hold for another season at least, but Champions League is very much possible.

re: Car doors & comedy defending leave Jose with a headache

Fergal — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:19:16 GMT

Its a big shock to see a team under Mourinho so poor at the back.As a fan of Italian teams I thought at the start of the season Inter had a decent chance of winning the CL this year but if they continue to use wasters like Burdisso then they will be hammered by the first English team they meet.Sell that clown to Middlesborough or Newcastle and get in a few real defenders in January.As for the other Italian sides I cant really see a winner with them either. Juve's squad is not good enough,with people getting too excited over a few wins over the circus from Madrid,while Roma will be found out before the final.Still,I hope I'm wrong. The UEFA cup seems like a much more plausible target with both Milan and Fiorentina well capable of winning a trophy the Italians have not claimed in 10 years.

re: How Mourinho won over the Italians

Fletcher_Defender — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:24:40 GMT

He had the same two systems at chelsea. after winning the league twice, he abandoned cole and robben in favour of more central players in ballack, essien, lampard and makelele.

i think the packed central midfield will work better in serie A than it did in England.

re: How Mourinho won over the Italians

kat — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:22:04 GMT

First you told us they loved him, then that they hated him, now they love him again, can't wait for the next twist...

The interesting thing to buck a stereotype is the total absence of him attacking refs. I remember him doing little else in England despite winning all the time. Strange as he's in the home of the reffing controversy.

re: Milan's missing men poop on Pompey's party

Fletcher_Defender — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:30:32 GMT

'brutally tickled under the chin by a Celtic fan'. made me chuckle that.

will still be a super result for portsmouth if they win, no matter what team Milan put out.

HSBGuzzler - im sure Riccardo will agree with this. i think he is just been a bit negative like we all are with our teams.

re: Milan's missing men poop on Pompey's party

HSBGuzzler — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:52:47 GMT

Your article completely contradicts a headline thats seems designed to spread negativity where none exists, and discredit Pompey's victory before we've even had the chance to beat them. Not impressed.

re: Who needs Capello! Lippi's Italy just don't know how to lose

princedadon — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:24:10 GMT

good for the italians but ireally love Del Peiro too much he is ma mentor please sent him to south Africa if u qualify. i like the god of roma too (francesco Totti)

re: The life and times (and conquests) of Bari bawler Cassano

Armagh Andy — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:43:01 GMT

its great in these days of over paid prima donna footballers at least one has managed to keep his feet on the ground.... o no wait he didn't!!!! LOL

re: Milanese unruffled by Beckham arrival

Fletcher_Defender — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:48:36 GMT

give me giggsy's career over beckhams any day. its not about money, you can only need so much.

re: Milanese unruffled by Beckham arrival

benfawkes — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:00:42 GMT

I'm pleased, the marketing chat is very true and does take the excitement off a little, but it would be fun to see him playing with Seedorf, Kaka and Pirlo and he might even feature in the UEFA cup. Fair play to him, that lad knows how to make money.

http://www.footballfilter.com

re: Milanese unruffled by Beckham arrival

Fletcher_Defender — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:22:59 GMT

I hope he does well and realises what a mistake he made moving to that third-rate hollywood outfit. On the advice of his showbiz wife.

re: Devilish Del Piero leading anti-Ranieri revolution

Giovanni — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:23:32 GMT

Fletcher- you are being far too nice! Ranieri is rubbish and Juve are going to draw with Napoli and get beat by Real Madrid and then he'll be on his horse by the end of the month. Look at what he could have achieved at chelsea? the way chelsea is run these days, even I could do well coaching them, but Raniera proves a flop everywhere he goes- maybe he should coach Bari or something.

Even though I am a Real Madrid supporter, my Grandad supported Juve to the ends of the earth and he'd be very dissapointed with current management if he were still alive. Come on Juve- pull up your socks!

re: Devilish Del Piero leading anti-Ranieri revolution

Fletcher_Defender — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:52:54 GMT

If i was the owner of a club, no offence to the man but Ranieri would not be managing it. He is probably the nicest man in football, but he isnt the best of managers.

re: Bright future on pitch marred by scenes off it

Fletcher_Defender — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:13:15 GMT

Nobody was more gutted than me to see Rossi leave, he has a very bright future and i hope he comes back one day. I feel he may end up in Serie A though.

re: Bright future on pitch marred by scenes off it

louis — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:21:44 GMT

Gotta say Riccardo, Ferguson rated Rossi extremely highly and he was offered a new contract on dramatically better wages. He wanted to leave for first team football and hence the buy-back clause that Ricochet mentioned(7mil I believe) - wouldn't be surprised to see him back at Old Trafford one day.

re: Bright future on pitch marred by scenes off it

ricochet — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:56:40 GMT

to be fair i think it was more that rossi wanted first team football, thats why there was a buy back clause added. it is about time though that italy started to take a proper look at their squad and start brining in more talented kids.

re: Milan's Samba skills leave Italian press purring

frela — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:51:29 GMT

Who is Eric Catania? Or did you mean Cantona?

re: Mourinho on form as Milan derby day looms

MadraMor — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 09:04:17 GMT

On form he sure is.... he even landed on the moon ahead of todays Chinese space walk....what a Champion! www.youtube.com/watch

re: Mourinho on form as Milan derby day looms

benfawkes — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:22:57 GMT

Zanetti seems to have been banging around for bloody years, fair play to him. Hearing Mourniho work his magic in Italy makes me miss his antics in the premiership, the UK Football Journalist really dont have anything to say when he's not around and the Guardian's reporting is even more average since his departure. I particularly enjoyed Jose's jibe about that Monk fella. Come back Jose!

http://www.footballfilter.com

re: Milan and Roma restore order ahead of midweek malaise

Ricardo Lozano — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:18:47 GMT

Ciao Ricardo!

Could this 9 year old be the next Kaka? AC Milan thinks so! Check out his videos. The kid is simply amazing! Enjoy!

Video 1. (Invitation to AC Milan)

mx.youtube.com/watch

Video 2. (Highligths of the kid's amazing moves)

mx.youtube.com/watch

Video 3. (He even plays indoor like an adult)

mx.youtube.com/watch

re: Lazio lovin' it atop the pile in Serie A

Fletcher_Defender — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:26:09 GMT

Ronaldinho and Shevchenko was never going to work, it was obvious.

re: New Italy go gung-ho and Wenger targets a new diddyman

PrinceOfWhiteTower — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:28:45 GMT

4-3-3 fits with the current squad and with the forthcoming one. I am a bit sceptical though cause 4-3-3 isn't used in italy so much (just a notice, the majority of italian caped players belong to serie A teams). In the other hand lots of teams use just one classic striker, as in the 4-3-3. Roma and milan are the most bright examples. Its a good thing that new things are getting tested but unfortunately in the expense of some point-cost games.

re: Spalletti takes a spanking after just one game

Fletcher_Defender — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:21:52 GMT

how can anyone knock spalletti? a credit to the game in my opinion, as well as a superb manager. success in the champs league took alex ferguson years, people need to be patient.

re: Spalletti takes a spanking after just one game

PrinceOfWhiteTower — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:11:14 GMT

Many people bet for zenit or roma to do the surprise in the CL. And while roma has done well the last years, they have a major disadvantage. Their base is the frenzy form of some key player, for example vucinic's form the last season or Giuli's before. However to win trophies you need consistency from all the players. This is the key point for roma to take.

re: Fiery Napoli fans send Serie A back to square one

Fletcher_Defender — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:02:19 GMT

good blog. in the youtube napoli video, it looks like more than 2000 made the trip though.

re: Never fear, real grown-up Serie A is here

pawlu — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:02:53 GMT

Shouldn't that final sentence be "and one day we might even be rich again"?

There are plenty of potential stars to look out for such as Inter's Balotelli and even Roma's Okaka. On the whole, however, Fiorentina really do look to have a balanced side. Are they the new Roma?

Thankfully the dispute between the Lega calcio and RAI has been solved so we will be able to watch the highlights of the games.

Anyway, I've written a team-by-team preview for the Serie A on my own blog www.ilrecalcio.blogspot.com. Take a look and leave a comment.

re: Juventus outcast Tiago just won't take the hint

Giovanni — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:51:55 GMT

Poor Juventus... they have nobody to blame but themselves. They should know better to fork out 10mil plus on a mediocre player... poor Juve (oh wait they just did it again with Momo Sissoko- think they need to transfer their transfer guru- the only good thing he has done all summer long is bring in Amauri

re: Juventus outcast Tiago just won't take the hint

BigWelshDefender — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:26:15 GMT

Just thinking about a centre midfield combo of Tiago and Maniche at Atletico is enough to make a grown man cry!!! What must is be like to be a Rojiblancos fan i don't know... This reminds me of Winston Bogarde who was so annoyed at the way Chelsea treated him that he refused to leave until his contract ran out...they dumped him in the reserves and I even think he ended up playing with the youth team but he still got his several million quid a year. 2013 though...long time to wait!

re: Silvio, Sheva, Roman, Kaka and... Jordan?!

BigWelshDefender — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:21:30 GMT

Oh well...at leeast they have balanced the quality of their strike force with the bizarre signing of Phillipe "Swiss Titus Bramble" Senderos...

re: Senderos to Juve, Mourinho gears up, Sheva plays golf

Giovanni — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:04:12 GMT

The only league that would suit Senderos's style is the Colombian 2nd division and maybe the island of Malta's 1st division..maybe

re: Senderos to Juve, Mourinho gears up, Sheva plays golf

Fletcher_Defender — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:11:47 GMT

i accept what benfawkes is saying, but i think italian football would suit his game more. a bit like it did with materazzi.

re: Senderos to Juve, Mourinho gears up, Sheva plays golf

benfawkes — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:10:21 GMT

Senderos is rubbish, I don't understand why anyone would be interested in him.

re: Nice setting for Lippi's Italy Mark II debut

Armagh Andy — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:43:28 GMT

"unwilling to track back as the coach insinuated when he drew comparisons with Italian frontmen and Wayne Rooney."

whats this about Rooney not tracking back has he ever seen him play, fergie was trying to stop him tracking back so much, so he didn't wear himself out!!!

re: Juventus back in Europe with a bang

Giovanni — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:18:59 GMT

yet they just lost 4-1 to Milan..

re: Reborn Gilardino ready to fire for Fiorentina

benfawkes — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:38:39 GMT

Glad to see he has move don Milan seem to be slowly crumbling so although Milan may see his departure as no loss, I feel Alberto will feel the same.Lets hope Kaka feels the same and heads of to Chelsea,woop woop!

http://www.footballfilter.com

re: Chelsea courting of Kaka rocks Milan's boat

Armagh Andy — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:21:13 GMT

don't know what's more embarrassing as a milan fan, getting hammered by chelsea, losing to a below par man city team or the sight of Ancelotti and Tassotti dressed in dodgy looking bomber jackets and looking like bad Max and Paddy extras!! this from the capital of fashion

re: Chelsea's courting of Kaka continues to rock Milan's boat

benfawkes — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:29:35 GMT

Any chance if Chelsea do buy him that he could Shevchecko 2.0? This knee of his - how bad is it? To be fair tho, he is absolute class and would be amazing, the supposed 78 million is absolute ridiculous money.

http://www.footballfilter.com

The dahsboard to the best football sources in one place - articles, news, images, vids, podcasts, blogs....

re: Italy Olympians set for gold medal assault

Armagh Andy — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:16:37 GMT

after today's game Giovinco certainly looks the part, it will be interesting to see if he gets a chance at Juve this season, the big clubs have such huge, established squads its hard to see young player coming through.

re: Not all plain sailing on the good ship Mourinho

Armagh Andy — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:55:33 GMT

what is it with the milan teams? inter have no defenders left and milan have no strikers! thats what happens when the chairman buys the players and the managers don't get a say in the matter!! funny how then its always the managers fault when the teams crap!

re: Not all plain sailing on the good ship Mourinho

Giovanni — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:25:12 GMT

Mourinho is solid. thats my only comment, he sets up a team by set functionality (4-3-3) that he takes from club to club much like Capello does with his Central defensive mid double pivot. Neither of them know how to make championship winning teams that will go down in history as great champions but they make champions none the less. They would not be capable of making teams that would win competitions as emphatically as Ferguson's ManU final win over Bayern; or del Bosque's Real Madrid win over Leverkusen; or Benitez's Liverpool triumph over Ac Milan.

They are however considered to be some of the greatest managers the game has ever seen. Mourinho will bring results to Inter, probably 2nd in Serie A; winners of Coppa Italia and a CL semi final but dont expect more than that in his first season.

re: Milan collectively whoops after bagging dirt cheap Dinho

BigWelshDefender — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:00:42 GMT

"a toothy Brazilian dressed in Snoop Dogg’s castoffs"

Hahahahahahaha...He looked like a latin version of Ali G.

re: Serie A's legends of the fall begin to fade away

danielscunny — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:21:25 GMT

hey SerieArrgghh, Argy Bargy here - did you hear anything about Argentine players in Italy on fake passports? There should be a blog up tomorrow but would be interesting to hear what the Italian press make of it - the report I read implies the clubs.

re: Serie A's legends of the fall begin to fade away

kat — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:15:30 GMT

"Serie A has rightly been labelled the home of divers, con-merchants and all sorts of miscreant behaviour"

I'm surprised you say that. More than South America?

I think the Premiership is as bad as anywhere for that now.

re: Can Lamps light up Italian football?

Ireland1England0 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:12:13 GMT

Comparing Lampard and Deco doesn't work for me. Lampard gets a lot more goals than Deco because he shoots within 40 yards of the goal, rather than passing the ball to a team-mate in a better position (and sometimes they come off for him!). Deco's is less selfish, but can be slightly over-elaborate.

re: Can Lamps light up Italian football?

Armagh Andy — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:21:16 GMT

what is it with Italian clubs buying over priced, over hyped foreigners, rather than getting the best Italian players into their sides, they're world champs for goodness sake there must be a couple that are half decent!!! Inter, Roma and milan have some of the best Italian youngster on their books, its no wonder the epl clubs are snapping them up 'cause they know they'll never get a chance in serie A

re: Can Lamps light up Italian football?

JimG — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:03:15 GMT

Oh come on! Lampard or Deco? Anyone who has seen Chelsea and Barcelona play in the last two seasons will know that Lamps is a much more effective midfielder than Deco. If you doubt this have a look the number of goals Lampard averages a season compared with Deco. If you need further proof consider Laporte's delight at unloading Deco and compate it with Abramovich's reluctance to let lampard leave.

As a Seria A fan living in the UK I would love to see Lampard sign for Inter as this might increase coverage of Italian football on our screens and possibly even encorage the likes of Sky or Channel 4 to cover a live game each weekend. How about Marcotti and Lamps being the new James Richardson and Gazza?

re: Old Lady nearing end of long road to redemption

BigWelshDefender — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 23:15:35 GMT

hahahahaha...ah christian poulsen.

re: More murky goings on in Italian football

BigWelshDefender — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 23:10:48 GMT

Cheaters never prosper is probably the most apt phrase after reading that!

re: Can Lamps light up Italian football?

BigWelshDefender — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 23:06:17 GMT

To be honest I think i would rather Paul Ince as he is now to Lampard - another example of an overrated player because he is English. Something that Nerazzurri fans just won't care about!

re: Can Lamps light up Italian football?

spursforever99 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:53:50 GMT

He will not be as good as he is now.Although he will be reunited with Jose, he does not have the potential to suceed playing Inter's game and style. But, that's my opinion

re: Can Lamps light up Italian football?

Midgads — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:10:55 GMT

Perhaps Inter supporters DO know about Lampard, and that's why they're apathetic about his joining. He's not a player who is going to dramatically improve any club he joins; look at his (low) pricetag. Mourinho probably has it in for his former boss, and if he can get Lampard on the cheap, it'll be nothing more than a small personal victory and may actually improve Chelsea in the process by not having him in the first XI...

re: Old Lady nearing end of long road to redemption

veltrosa — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:00:53 GMT

interesting reading whitty. who's gonna win it next year?

re: Old Lady nearing end of long road to redemption

Armagh Andy — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:01:38 GMT

Nice one mucker,

still after a couple of years the whole scandal still stinks and I'm still not convinced that it has fixed the problem. It has damaged italy's footballing image and status in the game and for what? Do they really think that it has stopped? juve where scape goats, yes they did wrong, but its a fair guess they weren't and aren't the only ones!

re: Donadoni's men disrupted by strippers and nutella

pawlu — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:54:43 GMT

Erm, shouldn't that be 'uncollected refuse' rather than 'uncollected refugee'.

www.ilrecalcio.blogspot.com

re: Donadoni's men disrupted by strippers and nutella

Socrates — Thu, 29 May 2008 23:13:52 GMT

The joys of being an Italian footballer...

re: Exit the Moody One... enter the Special One

Socrates — Thu, 29 May 2008 01:39:02 GMT

Well, don't expect Jose to be best buddies with all those players.

re: The 2007/08 Serie Aaaaargh! awards go to...

Hanno — Tue, 27 May 2008 10:42:12 GMT

Why did that not come up?

re: The 2007/08 Serie Aaaaargh! awards go to...

Hanno — Tue, 27 May 2008 10:41:24 GMT

I totally agree with the award for the worst player of the season.

He is a massive hack.

I was watching live when he missed that penalty, funniest *** ever.

re: Stadio Olimpico fitting setting for Mancini swansong

Socrates — Sun, 25 May 2008 19:57:39 GMT

Nice to go out with a defeat...

re: Serie A showdown something of a damp squib

gilbertdinho — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:10:47 GMT

Inter winning lo scudetto, Milan finishing 5th. Worse feeling than blowing a three goal lead in Istanbul!

re: Amauri ready to send Del Boy to scrapheap

cambiasso — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:15:03 GMT

Beautiful it's a great bargain for a guy who has been lost.

re: Who's the daddy? Inzaghi's still the daddy!

CajunMilanista — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:28:23 GMT

Go Pippo! You are truly a succes story proving that heart and hard work can make dreams come true.

re: Inter implosion leaves party planners stewing

pawlu — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:03:53 GMT

A win would still give Inter the title because they've done better than Roma in direct encounters. It would have been nice for them to beat Milan but effectively it doesn't really matter a bit.

www.ilrecalcio.blogspot.com

re: All other derbies pale in comparison to Milan vs Inter

danielscunny — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:13:46 GMT

Whoa - fighting talk from Italy - As Argentina 's Argy Bargy correspondent I would have to disagree (just cos its fun). But it is also derby weekend here, and even my mum's dog knows this is the biggest game ever. Fireworks, friendly banter (lie), party atmosphere and a city of 14 million people coming to an utter standstill unlike at any other time of the year. Inter - Milan. Pah. Might be the mother country of Argentines, but they've taken it and multiplied it by ten.

...Or maybe not.

re: Totti tirade makes Mancini spit his dummy

benfawkes — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:25:30 GMT

Roma seem to making a name for themselves as little whiny bitches. This is based purely on the slagging off of Ronaldo and Totti's bad behavior tho.

http://www.footballfilter.com

re: Ronaldinho for €17m? AC Milan need a defence

Footballer — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:13:09 GMT

Ronaldinho is not at the top of his game... As the crack slows down tremendously he will disappear from the world of football by the end of next year...

Footballerworld.blogspot.com

re: Ronaldinho for €17m? AC Milan need a defence

pawlu — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:52:16 GMT

Milan, or rather Silvio Berlusconi, need to be seen talking to 'huge' stars like Ronaldinho because that is the best way to boost popularity which, in an election run-up, is all that they are interested in.

www.ilrecalcio.blogspot.com

re: Inter implode, Roma rev up for the title

pawlu — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:16:31 GMT

The thing is, Mancini increasingly likes to surround himself with veteran / experienced players. If they were clear of the rest like last season then this causes no problemb but, given that Roma don't seem to be giving up, it puts the pressure on them to keep performing every week and that is something they're finding very diffcult.

www.ilrecalcio.blogspot.com

re: Get ready for 'The Derby of Italy'

Leon ZHU — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:58:33 GMT

yeah ,you are right !

more love ,more beautiful in the soccor game!

rome is a wonderful sity ,and hve two great teams!

re: Mancini quits: but will Mourinho or Benitez step in?

pawlu — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:54:16 GMT

Mancini probably realised that he would never be appreciated at Inter. That said, he was a regular at the club's youth games which is not what someone who is only thinking about the short term would do.

www.ilrecalcio.blogspot.com

re: Mancini quits: but will Mourinho or Benitez step in?

pawlu — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:51:45 GMT

Whatever he does, Mancin

re: What Jose does next

Panz — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:54:26 GMT

I think you're right with the last line except I'm not so sure it is Barca he is holding out for.

As you say Juventus is a bit too ambitious for him. Inter will be safe with Mancini for a little while yet and the AC Milan project will be too huge. It would take more than 3 years to successfully replace the old guard with youth at Milan, and I think this is longer than the time scale he is looking for in his next project.

re: "The real Galacticos are the Giallorossi"

El Nino — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:04:30 GMT

Just wondered, is there a like highlights show of Italian football in the UK on any channel?

I know Sky have La Liga rights, and Setanta show near enough every league in the world except Italy, but is there any show relating to Italian football?

I know Channel 5 show matches every Sunday, but not a highlights show to my knowledge..

re: Arsenal: the Italian view

gilbertdinho — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:10:48 GMT

One game does not signal the end of a great team. With a new manager coming in the summer, Milan still have a team good enough to win trophies, although consistancy at home in Italy has to be a priority. Lets start at the back. The goalkeepers (Kalac and Dida) are not the greatest but they are satisfactory and have both at times kept Milan in certain games. The full backs are fine and Nesta is world class. Kakladze is a quality defender and with one/two more defenders to come in the summer, Milan will continue to be as tight as ever. Rememer, conceding goals is not their problem. The reason Milan lost to Arsenal was because their midfield had a rare poor game. Pirlo is still probably the best passer of the ball in Europe (you do not lose this ability overnight) and Gattuso is a good foil for him. Seedorf and Kaka are key but Ambrosini probably isn't the greatest player that could play in that position so another solid midfielder would not go amiss. Up front Pato is top draw and showed glimpses of what he could do against Arsenal. Once this boy settles in he will have no problems cutting teams apart and scoring goals. Gilardino, Inzaghi and Paloschi are good back ups but I am led to beleive that either Drogba or a rejuvinated Adriano will lead the line next summer, we shall see. Milan are a great side with great players who just did not perform on the night and no-one said that this team was passed it when they lifted the Champions League last summer. As they say, form is temporary, class is perminant.

re: Inter prepare to end their Scouse love-in

Snyde — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:34:12 GMT

Italy got the toughest of opponents. I hope but doubt that Roma can do in Madrid. The rest are tough to call, some may say inter will have a walkover but overconfidence will be Inter's bane if they go with that mentality. Keeping it tight at the back should be Inter's priority, apart from shutting Torres and Gerrard down. Same with Milan, a 4-0 defeat to ManU only means lower confidence and determination to strike back for Arsenal.

re: Donadoni right to snub Del Piero's desperate lobbying

unabomber08 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:07:27 GMT

ok..riccardo rossi, read this and read it good. i dont know who you are, i dont know if u have any qualification to judge the way u do or to assess and analyse football with a descent and proper perspective. ur comments on cassano are aight, i give u that. but lets get to ludicrous comments u made bout delpiero, shall we? first of all, how dare u compare his situation to beckhams, delboy is playing, week in week out, in one of the best leagues in the world and not in some random league (MLS) or just keeping fit by training with the reserve of the french squad...eh sorry...i meant arsenal of course (that is a different topic, innit).

donadoni shoudnt be smartin over delpieros comments, to play him up front instead of a left winger. he should acknowledge it, coz there is no point critizising delpiero for playing *** when he plays outta position. ask buffon to play as forward, well see how good he plays then!

plus, dont tell me that dinatale, quagliarella or palladino are betta than delpiero, if u do that, u really have no clue what ure talkin about.

also, delpiero didnt only play well against livorno and palermo. he played well during most of the season and he doesnt stop scoring. people have been sayin hes finished since 1999...but he keeps on scoring like there is no tomorrow and hes still 5th in the champions league all timescorer history (despite not playin there for 2 years now).

i tell u what, instead of u givin shitty advices and give u one myself: why dont u retire...from ur job!?