Serie A Superthread 2011/2012

eagle eye

ilovelamp2000 wrote: »

I'm amazed, he has never used the press like this before.

Personally I think he is struggling with stress. I think the pressure of the Liverpool job got to him towards the end of the season they finished 2nd and I think he has been struggling with it since then. I think he needs to take a break from the game for a couple of months after this season for his own health.

Pauleta

Pinturicchio wrote: »

The other guy looks like Batistuta :cool:

ilovelamp2000

eagle eye wrote: »

Personally I think he is struggling with stress. I think the pressure of the Liverpool job got to him towards the end of the season they finished 2nd and I think he has been struggling with it since then. I think he needs to take a break from the game for a couple of months after this season for his own health.

Maybe he is, his last few years at Liverpool were characterized by lots of internal battles at the club, usually instigated by him. Everyone knows his rows with the owners, his ousting of Parry, his fallout with Pako Ayesteran (I think he was a stablising influence on Rafa) but there was also huge upheaval behind the scenes because he kept sacking coaches who disagreed with him.

He just came across as being a paranoid control freak, with a curious take on football.

flahavaj

ilovelamp2000 wrote: »

That's not what he said:



I'm amazed, he has never used the press like this before.

He was never afraid to fight his battle with Liverpool's owners in the press in fairness.

Pinturicchio

Pauleta wrote: »

The other guy looks like Batistuta :cool:

I think it is him.

Edit: It's actually Valerio Staffelli. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_67g8SnnRIo

Seaneh

Milan were so frustrating tonight, should have been about 3-1. Ibra missed two absolute sitters by his standards, robson should have scored early on, KPB had two really good chances and Seedorf really, really, really should have done better with his last long range.

Roma deserved the win.

Still going to be at leats 3 points clear of the pack come monday thoigh.

Napoli should win easy.

Lazio will have hard work keeping Di Natale quiet but I'd have them as favourites.


I have a funny feeling that the flying donkeys might give Juve a bit of a shock.

everdead.ie

Lazio one up in 90 seconds there kit is class no sponsor either.

Rekop dog

Hernanes has been class again so far. He'd slot into any Serie A team. Surprised nobody snatched Sanchez up post world cup...

Just Contribute

ilovelamp2000 wrote: »

That's not what he said.

Sorry, that's how it was reported on SSN last night.

carlop

Absolutely cracking end to the Napoli-Lecce match. A Lecce counter-attack in the 93rd minute looked like being a certain goal but Grava somehow got back and cleared it off the line. Napoli get it up to Cavani who beats a couple of players and smashes it into the top corner from 25 yards.

Anybody who says Serie A is boring should look at that second half. When a team that plays three at the back starts taking off defenders and bringing on strikers, you know you're in for a cracker!

Rekop dog

carlop wrote: »

Absolutely cracking end to the Napoli-Lecce match. A Lecce counter-attack in the 93rd minute looked like being a certain goal but Grava somehow got back and cleared it off the line. Napoli get it up to Cavani who beats a couple of players and smashes it into the top corner from 25 yards.

Anybody who says Serie A is boring should look at that second half. When a team that plays three at the back starts taking off defenders and bringing on strikers, you know you're in for a cracker!

Some goal alright!

Pinturicchio

Rekop dog wrote: »

Hernanes has been class again so far. He'd slot into any Serie A team.

Felipe Melo kept him very quiet.

everdead.ie

Benitez is out covering on the front of the Gazzetta this morning apparently they have decided to sack him

iregk

Just saw that now! in fairness his interview yesterday didn't help him much.

dizzywizlw

So as we enter the Winter Break we have a league that is genuinely up for grabs this year, thanks Rafa

Juventus, although unlucky against the donkeys still have a problem with capitalising on the mistakes of other teams to close the gap. It was a major problem last year and I dare say the year before that. I think the main problem is lack of a capable striker to partner Alex and Quag up front. Huntelaar wouldn't even be a gamble with his strike rate, maybe for Christmas.

At any rate, we need more players that can turn draws into wins, I still think a serious challenge is out of the question. Giandonato :mad:

Jax Teller

Benitez has been sacked according to twitter .

Rekop dog

dizzywizlw wrote: »

So as we enter the Winter Break we have a league that is genuinely up for grabs this year, thanks Rafa

Juventus, although unlucky against the donkeys still have a problem with capitalising on the mistakes of other teams to close the gap. It was a major problem last year and I dare say the year before that. I think the main problem is lack of a capable striker to partner Alex and Quag up front. Huntelaar wouldn't even be a gamble with his strike rate, maybe for Christmas.

At any rate, we need more players that can turn draws into wins, I still think a serious challenge is out of the question. Giandonato :mad:

As a Milan fan, Rafa getting fired would be horrible, he's doing a fine job at ruining the European champions.

As for Huntelaar, it's possible that he could have a bit of an inferiority complex when playing for the bigger sides. He was poor with us and only ok with Madrid, albeit he probably thought he was never given a fair crack at the whip, but I definitely wouldn't say he's not a gamble...

Mr. Presentable

keysersoze_88 wrote: »

Benitez has been sacked according to twitter .

I wonder will Ancelotti replace him?

speedboatchase

Mr. Presentable wrote: »

I wonder will Ancelotti replace him?

Spalletti apparently

Rekop dog

Cassano to sign for Milan tommorow apparantely. The 5m owed to Madrid will be split equally between Samp, Milan and himself- 1.66m each.

Don't know what to make of it, I'm a big Cassano fan but hard to know how he'll fit in with us especially when Pato returns. He's not the type of person who'll be happy to warm the bench, neither is Robinho, it could cause more harm than it's worth.

dizzywizlw

I'm upset that Juve didn't get Cassano but I can't see him being a calming force in Milan. He may turn out to be the one thing that stops Milan winning the league. Ibra,Robinho,Pony and Cassano? Talk ago Ego.

Seaneh

dizzywizlw wrote: »

I'm upset that Juve didn't get Cassano but I can't see him being a calming force in Milan. He may turn out to be the one thing that stops Milan winning the league. Ibra,Robinho,Pony and Cassano? Talk ago Ego.

By Pony you mean Ronaldinho?
He's gone. Berlusconi has said he's leaving. Most likely going to join Palmeiras.

I think it is, financially and tactically, a great signing.

Ronaldinho is on €190k a week, Cassano will be on less than half that (provavly about €75k a week), so that frees up a lot of money in the wage budget (€115k) to bring in young players, which Alegri has said he is keen to do.

We already have Davide Astori comming back from co-ownership in the summer, I think he is a natural replacement for Nesta, next season as backup and the season after that as a out and out replacement. We also have Sokratis and Bonera as backup after that, both very able players and Mateo Darmain, Elia Legati (who although being 25 stills looks like he could be useful) and Michaelangelo Albertazzi as further backups.

Just need to sign some fullbacks and we should be set for a while.


The beauty in signing Cassano is this.

He can play 3 positions comfortably.

As the second striker in a front two.
As a Left winger in a 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1.
Or as a classic number 10 in a system like the current 4-3-1-2.

It's kinda harsh on Prince but thems the knocks, I wouldn't be surprised to see Prince reinvented as a number 8, a real box-to-box midfielder, he has the power, pace and stamina he just needs to work on the tackling and positioning. He could really excel in that role imo.

I'd imagine that when he comes he will be used in the number 10 role behind Zlatan and Robinho/Pato.

I'm actually excited about this.

Pinturicchio

Cassano definitely isn't at his best behind a front two.

Seaneh

Pinturicchio wrote: »

Cassano definitely isn't at his best behind a front two.

Ah, sure him and Robson can swap about or we could play 3 up top. It's no big deal. Alegri will make it work

Jax Teller

Ronaldinho agrees terms with Gremio apparently

Seaneh

keysersoze_88 wrote: »

Ronaldinho agrees terms with Gremio apparently

Had an amazing season last year but hasn't looked interested this year. With Cassano as a replacement on less than half his wages, Ronnie will be no loss.
Wish him the bets though.

Raskolnikov

Ronaldinho had to go if Milan want to challenge for trophies. While he did improve in the previous season, there was still far too much inconsistancy. When he was good, he could win a game on his own. When he was bad though, he was usually the worst player on the pitch. The lack of fitness, his ridiculous laziness, his age and high wages were also factors too.

Mr. Presentable

http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/SerieA/Inter/23-12-2010/benitez-giorno-decisivo-712242485603.shtml

The gist:

The club and the coach reached an agreement for mutual termination of the contract (it is rumoured that Benitez will get €4 million). This is the result of Benitez`s outburst at the end of the world club final, where the coach attacked Moratii for not keeping the promise to get him 3 players and to give him managerial control. He claimed that he was being blamed for results and injuries while at the same time the players who hadn`t trained in the gym for two whole years were now doing so behind the coach`s back and hence risking muscular injuries.

Ush1

Raskolnikov wrote: »

Ronaldinho had to go if Milan want to challenge for trophies. While he did improve in the previous season, there was still far too much inconsistancy. When he was good, he could win a game on his own. When he was bad though, he was usually the worst player on the pitch. The lack of fitness, his ridiculous laziness, his age and high wages were also factors too.

It's shocking his fall from the top of the world in only a few seasons.

Seaneh

Two pieces of news from Milan's winter training camp in Dubai.

#1.from here Football-Italia.net

football-italia.net wrote: »

Ronaldinho has officially left Milan’s Dubai training camp ahead of a transfer to Gremio. “I’m sorry we couldn’t get him back to his best,” said Max Allegri.
The Brazilian has flown out to Porto Alegre for a meeting with his agent, Gremio and Rossoneri Vice-President Adriano Galliani.

"He will arrive in Porto Alegre today in order to negotiate with Gremio, but nothing is decided yet," said agent Roberto De Assis.

"If we don't reach an agreement with a club in Brazil, then he will return to Milan, as he is still a Milan player. We are not ruling anything out."

Although a move to Gremio is expected, there is also interest from Flamengo and Palmeiras, as Milan have set an €8m price-tag.

“There is a great deal of disappointment and I am sorry that we couldn’t get him back to his best,” Coach Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.

“Potentially he is the best in the world. I hoped for a great year from him.”

Ronaldinho may have gone, but Antonio Cassano has joined Milan from Sampdoria and could be ready to play against Cagliari on January 6.

“Antonio has not trained for two months, but is working well and will soon be in good shape. He should be ready for Cagliari,” continued the tactician.

“We are top of the table and can win the Scudetto, as the club has given me a very strong squad.”

and

#2
From here football-italia.net

football-italia.net wrote: »

Bad news for Milan, as Kevin-Prince Boateng has left the training camp. “I am worried at this injury and I fear it’s serious.”
The Ghanaian World Cup star has been one of the most impressive figures in the Rossoneri side since joining from Genoa in the summer.

However, he left the Dubai training camp this weekend in order to receive medical treatment.

“I am worried at this injury, as I feel pain and want to resolve the problem as soon as possible,” Boateng told Sky Sport Italia.

“I hope it’s nothing serious, although I fear it may well be, and came back to Milan early so I can see the specialists. The medical staff think it’s lumbago, but I hope not.

“In any case, I’ve been told that you can recover fairly quickly from this condition and I hope that will be my experience.”

Ronaldinho has also left the Dubai camp, but he has flown to Brazil to complete a transfer to Gremio.

“We all know what a great player he is and what he can do, so this situation is a little sad,” added Boateng.

“I hope he can be happy, wherever he goes. I told him that I’ll pay a visit, as quite apart from his talents as a football player, he is also a really great person.

“Antonio Cassano has also impressed me. It’s always difficult to change teams in January, but he knows many of the players and it will be easy to settle in at Milan.

“He seemed very calm to me. Let’s face it, we are not lacking in players with a ‘difficult’ character in this team. I’m a bit of a weird guy too, but it’s important to have personality.”

The second bit of news worries me. KPB has been fantastic this season, a real ball of energy and capable of pulling something special out of nowhere, always a worry for the other team with his late runs into box and just sheer power and pace. A very good piece of business indeed, Hope he recovers quickly!


The first bit, meh.
He was fantastic last season but this year he just hasn't looked bothered!
His 200k a week will be freed up to spend on younger players, maybe we can bring in a fullback to replace Zambrotta now, if not in January than in the summer.

dor83

Serie A football is back today, 3 live games starting with Juve v Parma.

11 : 30 Juventus v Parma(Live on ESPN and Setanta)
14 : 00 Brescia v Cesena
14 : 00 Cagliari v Milan(live on ESPN)
14 : 00 Genoa v Lazio
14 : 00 Lecce v Bari
14 : 00 Roma v Catania
14 : 00 Udinese v Chievo
14 : 00 Bologna v Fiorentina
14 : 00 Palermo v Sampdoria
19 : 45 Inter v Napoli(Live on ESPN and Setanta)

Cassano makes his debut for Milan today, they really do have an amazing attack this year. Leonardo makes his debut on the Inter bench with a difficult home game against Napoli, a big game for both sides that could get Inters season back on track or could cement Napoli as title challengers. Palermo v Samp should be another good game.

EDIT: Quagliarella has just been stretchered off after 5 mins, he looked like he was in agony on the pitch but hopefully it's not a bad injury.

EDIT: Melo deservedly sent after 16 for a disgraceful kick into Paci's face.

L'prof

Horrendous from Melo, a thoroughly deserved red card!

dor83

L'prof wrote: »

Horrendous from Melo, a thoroughly deserved red card!

Yeah I didn't see it first time and was surprised by the red but on the replay you see how disgraceful it was, and right in front of the ref too.

L'prof

Right decision to disallow that goal, raging though because I'm on overs :P

dor83

Yeah, the keeper had both hands on the ball and Chiellini kicked it from his hands. Eventful game so far anyway.

Seaneh

such a weird day to have early kick offs.

Seaneh

And yes, I realise little christmas is a national holiday in Italy before anyone says it.
But still, it's fecking thursday!

L'prof

Seaneh wrote: »

such a weird day to have early kick offs.

I was thinking the same, any particular reason? Hardly a public holiday in Italy?

EDIT: Snap!

dor83

Seaneh wrote: »

such a weird day to have early kick offs.

I only noticed it yesterday when I was checking if ESPN were showing the Inter game tonight, I'm not complaining though coz I get a full day of Serie A.

dor83

Parma take the lead through Giovinco, had to be him, and Storari looks to have a problem with his right arm. It has been a very bad day for Juve so far.

Le King

3-1 to parma now. Why was sissoko sent off?

L'prof

Le King wrote: »

3-1 to parma now. Why was sissoko sent off?

It was Melo, he kicked his studs up into someone's face while on the ground.

Pinturicchio

Pretty much everything that could go wrong in this match, has. One to forget and move on from!

Pinturicchio

Jesus, now everything really has gone wrong. Palladingo scored. :eek:

Seaneh

oh dear, oh dear, oh dear...

Seaneh

Alexander Merkel making his full debuet, starting in the #10 slot for Milan today, really excited about this!
Expect to see Cassano on at half time soon after to replace the young German.

Great chance for Milan fans to have a look at Davide Astori too.

Seaneh

Line Ups:

CAGLIARI: Agazzi; Pisano, Canini, Astori*, Agostini; Nainggolan, Conti, Lazzari; Cossu*; Nenè, Matri.

MILAN: Abbiati; Abate, Bonera, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Gattuso,
Seedorf, Ambrosini; Merkel*; Pato, Robinho.

*Players you might not recognise who are worth keeping an eye on in this game.

population

L'prof wrote: »

I was thinking the same, any particular reason? Hardly a public holiday in Italy?

EDIT: Snap!

It is indeed a national holiday and a bit of a strange one in my mind. It is known as "La Festa dell'Epifania", which translates as Feast of the Epiphany. It is celebrated by having a Witch deliver pressies to kids in a Santa style situation on the evening of the 5th of January. Anyway I am hopeful the old hag has brought Napoli a repeat of last seasons famous victory for tonight:D

Pinturicchio

Half time in Sardinia. I'd say Cassano will be on at half time.

Seaneh

population wrote: »

It is indeed a national holiday and a bit of a strange one in my mind. It is known as "La Festa dell'Epifania", which translates as Feast of the Epiphany. It is celebrated by having a Witch deliver pressies to kids in a Santa style situation on the evening of the 5th of January. Anyway I am hopeful the old hag has brought Napoli a repeat of last seasons famous victory for tonight:D

The Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated as the day the wise men arrived with gifts for Jesus. Hence why Italians get their gifts on the 6th, not december 25th.