Serie A Superthread 2012/13

Seaneh

Italy's preliminary squad for the Euro championships has been named, bloody strong squad!

Goalkeepers: Bardi (Novara), Colombi (Modena), Leali (Virtus Lanciano), Pigliacelli (Sassuolo)

Defenders: Antei (Sassuolo), Bianchetti (Verona), Biraghi (Cittadella), Caldirola (Brescia), Capuano (Pescara), Crescenzi (Novara), Crimi (Grosseto), De Sciglio (Milan), Donati (Grosseto), Frascatore (Sassuolo), Regini (Empoli), Sabelli (Bari), Romagnoli (Spezia), Sala (Amburgo), Santon (Newcastle)

Midfielders: Baselli (Cittadella), Bellomo (Bari), Berardi (Sassuolo), Bertolacci (Genoa), El Shaarawy (Milan), Fedato (Bari), Florenzi (Roma), Insigne (Napoli), Marrone (Juventus), Rossi (Brescia), Sansone (Parma), Saponara (Empoli), Verratti (Psg), Viviani (Padova)

Forwards: Borini (Liverpool), De Luca (Atalanta), Destro (Roma), Gabbiadini (Bologna), Immobile (Genoa), Paloschi (Chievo), Zaza (Ascoli)

Probable line up, 4-3-3

Bardi

Santon
Caldirola
Donati
De Sciglio

Marrone
Rossi
Florenzi

El Shaarawy
Immobile
Destro

MD1990

Lichsteiner should be no where near team of the season
he has been poor this season imo
my team of the season would be

Marchetti
Bonucci Barzagli Campagnaro

Cuadrado Montolivio Vidal Cerci

Hernanes

Cavani Lamela

Seaneh

MD1990 wrote: »

Lichsteiner should be no where near team of the season
he has been poor this season imo
my team of the season would be

Marchetti
Bonucci Barzagli Campagnaro

Cuadrado Montolivio Vidal Cerci

Hernanes

Cavani Lamela

Cerci has actually been excellent for Torino, totally forgot about him, he's a forward though :P

Seaneh

Really good to see after such a long time out!

From Football-Italia.net

Rossi maiden Fiorentina call

Giuseppe Rossi has received his first call-up to the Fiorentina squad for tomorrow’s game with Siena.

The Italian international joined the club in January, but is still recovering from a devastating knee injury.

Rossi snapped the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in October 2011, then damaged the same ligament again during a training session on the eve of his comeback in April 2012.

The 26-year-old had a specialist check-up in America last week that allowed him to return to full training and he’s now named in the squad for the first time.

Alberto Aquilani, Momo Sissoko and Michele Camporese are out injured, while Adem Ljajic and Nenad Tomovic are suspended.

Pinturicchio

Marchetti
Campagnaro Bonucci Chiellini
Cuadrado Vidal Hernanes Hamsik De Sciglio
Cavani El Shaarawy

Seaneh

I really don't get the people who include Pirlo... He's had a few good games but he's been mostly decent at best this season.

dor83

Seaneh wrote: »

Rannochia has been a lot better this year and he's probably been Inter's best player.

He has been decent but there is no competition for best Inter player, Handanovic by miles. Haven't watched enough of other teams this season to pick a team so I won't.

Seaneh

dor83 wrote: »

He has been decent but there is no competition for best Inter player, Handanovic by miles. Haven't watched enough of other teams this season to pick a team so I won't.

Hando has kept you in a few games in fairness.

dor83

Seaneh wrote: »

Hando has kept you in a few games in fairness.

Without him we would easily be in the bottom half of the table, there are a few players who haven't been bad, like Palacio, Zanetti and Rano, but most of them have been poor.

Pinturicchio

Seaneh wrote: »

I really don't get the people who include Pirlo... He's had a few good games but he's been mostly decent at best this season.

It's based purely on reputation. He's had a few fairly poor games this season. Same goes for Buffon.

Seaneh

Pinturicchio wrote: »

It's based purely on reputation. He's had a few fairly poor games this season. Same goes for Buffon.

I still think Buffon is easily the best 'keeper in the league.

Pinturicchio

Seaneh wrote: »

I still think Buffon is easily the best 'keeper in the league.

Yeah, I would say he is but his recent form hasn't been the best.

MD1990

Seaneh wrote: »

Cerci has actually been excellent for Torino, totally forgot about him, he's a forward though :P

hes a winger
i just wanted to have him in it since he has played great this season

Pinturicchio

Oh dear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67_5pqrGJBA

Seaneh

MD1990 wrote: »

hes a winger
i just wanted to have him in it since he has played great this season

I know he's played as a winger for Fiorentina and Roma but I think he's played his best stuff for Toro this season just behind the front man!

Moneymaker

MD1990 wrote: »

Lichsteiner should be no where near team of the season
he has been poor this season imo
my team of the season would be

Marchetti
Bonucci Barzagli Campagnaro

Cuadrado Montolivio Vidal Cerci

Hernanes

Cavani Lamela

Thought about Lamela, Osvaldo and Denis all been good but I just love me some ADN

Cienciano

Pinturicchio wrote: »

Oh dear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67_5pqrGJBA

Jesus wept!

mitosis

Pinturicchio wrote: »

Oh dear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Did he get carded?

Pinturicchio

mitosis wrote: »

Did he get carded?

No.

I didn't see the match. I think there's some suggestion that Dainelli actually stamped on De Rossi's foot. You can't see in that video.

Smithwicks Man

Pinturicchio wrote: »

Marchetti
Campagnaro Bonucci Chiellini
Cuadrado Vidal Hernanes Hamsik De Sciglio
Cavani El Shaarawy

Some team, would have very similar myself. I feel space needs to be made for Lamela though!

Any space for Balotelli in these teams of the year :pac:

Rekop dog

Quite enjoying this

Festy

Lamela >>> El Shaarway this season tbh especially when you take into account the terrible season Roma have had.

Smithwicks Man

Festy wrote: »

Lamela >>> El Shaarway this season tbh especially when you take into account the terrible season Roma have had.

(Perhaps a bit of bias in my post because I'm a strong Milanista but anyway)
I think that's unfair on El Shaarawy. If he had have started the season like he actually finished it and then went on to score 15 goals after christmas he'd be getting praise heaped on him.

The fact is he scored some incredible goals and put in several fantastic performances at the start of the season when he was playing in one of the worst form teams in the league at the time.

Without El Shaarawy's performances before Christmas Milan could have played like munich after, they still wouldn't have got near the champions league.

It's no wonder he's so fatigued since March.. The lad kills himself every game defending, how he has the energy to attack and dribble when he gets on the ball is beyond me.

I think Lamela's had a great season too, but El Shaarawy's pre-Christmas performances are not to be under-appreciated or forgotten.


On another note, I hope for the sake of Serie A that Cavani, Jovetic etc. don't leave in summer. For me, the serie a was very exciting this year and would've been even better only for Juventus being that extra bit stronger. If teams like Napoli, Roma and Fiorentina make a few additions in summer instead of selling then it could be a very good title race next season. Milan will be stronger, Fiorentina have Rossi, a few solid signings and the league will be back on the right track after selling off several great players abroad (mainly to PSG)

Pinturicchio

I think it'll be between Juve and Milan for the title next season. I can't see the likes of Roma or Fiorentina strengthening enough to genuinely challenge.

Seaneh

Pinturicchio wrote: »

I think it'll be between Juve and Milan for the title next season. I can't see the likes of Roma or Fiorentina strengthening enough to genuinely challenge.

No, me either. And I think Napoli will lose a few more players this summer.

I think Roma are being sensible and putting all their money into a new stadium for the next few years.

dor83

Pinturicchio wrote: »

I think it'll be between Juve and Milan for the title next season. I can't see the likes of Roma or Fiorentina strengthening enough to genuinely challenge.

Yeah I'd agree with that and I have a feeling Cavani will move this summer too which will be a huge loss to Napoli if it does happen, but if they manage to keep him and get in one or two players to strengthen they might have a chance.

Smithwicks Man

Can see milan strengthening well. A top up-and-coming keeper, 1 or 2 of Ogbonna/Dédé/Sakho and 1 of Poli/Strootman as well as clearing out some deadwood to free funds and Milan would be in an excellent position without breaking the bank.

Moneymaker

CL football gives Napoli a chance of keeping Cavani. I'd say its 50-50.

And SES literally carried Milan on his back for 4-5 months, its no surprise he's burnt, his workrate particularly early in the season was astonishing. Definitely pick him over Lamela.

Seaneh

Bonera and Yepes are both out of contract and hopefully will be allowed to leave.

Zapata should be sent back to Vilareal, he's been decent but he's not good enough to start for Milan and hos wages are too high for a back up player.

Ogbonna would be a great signing, I'd like us to sign Astori as well as him, Sakho is a pipedream, he's not leaving PSG, and besides, he can't even get ahead of Alex for them! Dede would also be a good signing, but I don't know how realistic it is.

In midfield we need to play Boateng in midfield more, him, De Jong and Montolivo in the middle is pretty good, keep Flamini and Ambrosini for backup and youngsters like Fossati and Cristante and add one or two to them and you'd be laughing.

Traoré and Muntari should be sold and to be honest, I reckon we should ship Nocerino off to Napoli, he's been terrible this season, we could probably use him in part exchange for someone like Inler or even Hamsik.

I don't see Poli happening seeing as Juve co-own him and are apparently interested.

Bojan should be let go back to Barca, he's not going to work out at Milan.
Robinho should be moved on as well, he's a waste of money, undoubted ability but lazy as sin and on silly wages. I's like to see SES, Pazzini and Balotelli starting together next season, Niang with rotating.


Basically.

Out:
Robinho
Traoré
Muntari
Nocerino
Zapata
Bojan
Constant
Bonera
Yepes
Emanuelson
Taiwo
Vila

In:
Any 2 of
Ogbonna
Astori
Dédé
Benatia

A few midfielders for cover/competition.

2 full backs to provide cover/competition for Abate and De Sciligo

A young forward or two to compete/cover with SES, Balo, Pazzo and Niang.

Smithwicks Man

Seaneh wrote: »

Bonera and Yepes are both out of contract and hopefully will be allowed to leave.

Zapata should be sent back to Vilareal, he's been decent but he's not good enough to start for Milan and hos wages are too high for a back up player.

Ogbonna would be a great signing, I'd like us to sign Astori as well as him, Sakho is a pipedream, he's not leaving PSG, and besides, he can't even get ahead of Alex for them! Dede would also be a good signing, but I don't know how realistic it is.

In midfield we need to play Boateng in midfield more, him, De Jong and Montolivo in the middle is pretty good, keep Flamini and Ambrosini for backup and youngsters like Fossati and Cristante and add one or two to them and you'd be laughing.

Traoré and Muntari should be sold and to be honest, I reckon we should ship Nocerino off to Napoli, he's been terrible this season, we could probably use him in part exchange for someone like Inler or even Hamsik.

I don't see Poli happening seeing as Juve co-own him and are apparently interested.

Bojan should be let go back to Barca, he's not going to work out at Milan.
Robinho should be moved on as well, he's a waste of money, undoubted ability but lazy as sin and on silly wages. I's like to see SES, Pazzini and Balotelli starting together next season, Niang with rotating.


Basically.

Out:
Robinho
Traoré
Muntari
Nocerino
Zapata
Bojan
Constant
Bonera
Yepes
Emanuelson
Taiwo
Vila

In:
Any 2 of
Ogbonna
Astori
Dédé
Benatia

A few midfielders for cover/competition.

2 full backs to provide cover/competition for Abate and De Sciligo

A young forward or two to compete/cover with SES, Balo, Pazzo and Niang.

Good post. Agree with a lot of it! However:

Bonera will more than likely be kept on witha 1 year extension. Traoré seems to be liked by Allegri so if he stays I wouldn't be surprised to see Traoré stay (can't stand him, no idea how he ever got joing in the first place.) I can't see us selling Constant and then buying someone to replace him Be better off keeping him as cover because if Abate gets injured, De Sciglio can move to the right and if De Sciglio gets injured then Constant can slip right in.

Muntari's wages are low enough as well as far as I know so I wouldn't be surprised to see him stay. Too much change can be a hindrance as well, even though I agree with you that none of the players you listed in the Out category are good enough/worth their wages in my opinion.

What are your thoughts on a new keeper? Marchetti maybe? And what about Strootman? For 15 million he could add serious quality to our midfield.

I think Saponara could suffice as cover for the front 4 and then you have Boateng as well (provided he stays).

Signing Bojan would be a mistake and Pazzini must stay imo.

Seaneh

Smithwicks Man wrote: »

I can't see us selling Constant and then buying someone to replace him

He's co-owned with Genoa, just ship him back there :P

Smithwicks Man wrote: »

What are your thoughts on a new keeper? Marchetti maybe?

I don't see Marchetti leaving Lazio and to be honest, he's not much of a step up from Abbiati. I'd rather see a youngster like Mattia Perin come in as backup for Abbiati with Amelia being sold. Cristian has been really good this season and I don't see the mad rush to replace him, it would be very hard sign a better keeper without spending silly money. There was a chance of maybe getting Stekelenburg for a while there when he was dropped by Zeman but he's back in the Roma team now and they won't be letting him go.

Smithwicks Man wrote: »

And what about Strootman? For 15 million he could add serious quality to our midfield.

I don't think he's worth that sort of money, and I don't think he'd get a look in with Boateng, De Jong and Montolivo ahead of him to be honest. Expensive rotation option, there is better value to be had.

Smithwicks Man wrote: »

I think Saponara could suffice as cover for the front 4 and then you have Boateng as well (provided he stays).

Totally forgot about Saponara, yeah, he looks a real talent, hopefully he can come in and impress like the youngsters have this year.
Cristante can play a similar position to him as well (as well as centre mid), the kind of wide attacker/support striker role that Niang and SES have played this year.

Smithwicks Man wrote: »

Signing Bojan would be a mistake and Pazzini must stay imo.

Yeah, Pazzo has to stay, I don't think there is any question of that really, he's had a great season after a slow start.



I actually don't think Bonera staying for another year at reduced wages would be a terrible idea, but I think he owes it to himself to move on and play regularly. He hasn't been a starter since he left Parma, he's not young anymore, he could do a great job and be one of the best players for a team who are in the middle of the table like Catania or Parma or Cagliari.

Smithwicks Man

Seaneh wrote: »

He's co-owned with Genoa, just ship him back there :P



I don't see Marchetti leaving Lazio and to be honest, he's not much of a step up from Abbiati. I'd rather see a youngster like Mattia Perin come in as backup for Abbiati with Amelia being sold. Cristian has been really good this season and I don't see the mad rush to replace him, it would be very hard sign a better keeper without spending silly money. There was a chance of maybe getting Stekelenburg for a while there when he was dropped by Zeman but he's back in the Roma team now and they won't be letting him go.






I don't think he's worth that sort of money, and I don't think he'd get a look in with Boateng, De Jong and Montolivo ahead of him to be honest. Expensive rotation option, there is better value to be had.



Totally forgot about Saponara, yeah, he looks a real talent, hopefully he can come in and impress like the youngsters have this year.
Cristante can play a similar position to him as well (as well as centre mid), the kind of wide attacker/support striker role that Niang and SES have played this year.




Yeah, Pazzo has to stay, I don't think there is any question of that really, he's had a great season after a slow start.



I actually don't think Bonera staying for another year at reduced wages would be a terrible idea, but I think he owes it to himself to move on and play regularly. He hasn't been a starter since he left Parma, he's not young anymore, he could do a great job and be one of the best players for a team who are in the middle of the table like Catania or Parma or Cagliari.

Fixed your post there

Agree with Perin actually, he'd be a great investment, plus he's great friends with El Shaarawy so it would be a boost to him as well!

Disagree about Strootman, I think he'd be a starter if he joined. He's a real leader on the pitch and he has a lot of quality for someone his age. Plus he has serious consistency as well as being someone who can put in a shift as well as pass the ball. I'd be delighted if we signed him and I can see him either being sold for a lot more in the not too distant future or joining someone like United and becoming a star.

As well as Saponara and Cristante, Mastour is supposedly making the step up to the senior side next year. Bit early for him in my opinion but I can't wait to see this kid play!

Didn't like the look of the Pazzini swap deal but (bar El Shaarawy and De Sciglio) he's been the player who has impressed me the most this season.

True about Bonera, he's someone who looks like he'd rather play a bit-part role for Milan than join a weaker team though. He has a role to play as a leader in the dressing room as far as I'm concerned. Keeping him on for a year is the best solution.

Pinturicchio

I had completely forgotten De Jong was at Milan.

Torino are talking about crazy money for Ogbonna. 20m+.

Poli will probably be at Juve next year, but I don't think he's good enough.

Jelle1880

Hellas with one foot in Serie A.

They won away to Juve Stabia and Sassuolo drew 2-2.
Next game is Sassuolo - Livorno, so if Hellas win at home to Empoli they'll get promoted.

Pinturicchio

It'd be good to see Hellas back in A. It's been a while.

I'd highly recommend A Season With Verona if anyone hasn't read it.

Smithwicks Man

Pinturicchio wrote: »

It'd be good to see Hellas back in A. It's been a while.

I'd highly recommend A Season With Verona if anyone hasn't read it.

One team I've never regularly seen play except for the odd game. Any standout players in the squad?

Jelle1880

Smithwicks Man wrote: »

One team I've never regularly seen play except for the odd game. Any standout players in the squad?

Emil Hallfreðsson (yes, I copy pasted that) seems to be one of their main players, together with Ferrari, Ceccarelli and Cacia.

They have a lot of loan players though, so it'll be interesting to see what they bring in if they get promoted.

Cienciano

Never been there, but Verona looks like a really nice city too. Could be good to take in a game there.

The Internet

Smithwicks Man wrote: »

One team I've never regularly seen play except for the odd game. Any standout players in the squad?

Jorginho is a young midfielder of theirs who has been linked to a few big teams

Domenico Berardi for Sassuolo is one player that I can't wait to see more of next season, he's only 18 but has probably been their best player

Jelle1880

Cienciano wrote: »

Never been there, but Verona looks like a really nice city too. Could be good to take in a game there.

I've actually been once on a school trip, it's a smaller city than you'd think but it's beautiful, postcard stuff.

Didn't see the stadium though

Seaneh

Verona is lovely, it's only about the size of Galway (could be bigger, feels Galway sized though), but it's gorgeous.

carlop

It looks like Luca Toni has just relegated Palermo. A bit of a Dennis Law moment.

Seaneh

Zampari has noone to blame but himself. He's turned the club into a ****ing jokeshop.

grenache

Hope Verona do come up. Their rivalry with Napoli is notorious. There is proper hatred there, would be great to take in a game against them.

batistuta9

grenache wrote: »

Hope Verona do come up. Their rivalry with Napoli is notorious. There is proper hatred there, would be great to take in a game against them.

what is it about?

Ulysses Gaze

batistuta9 wrote: »

what is it about?

The Whole North/South Italy thing. Napoli fans were looked down as peasants and unwashed scum by sections of the Verona fans.

I read Maradona's Autobiography and he mentioned that when Napoli played Verona back in the 1980's the Verona crowd started chanting 'lavatevi, lavatevi' (in essence wash yourselves you peasants) at the Napoli fans.

Apparently when Napoli scored in that game, the entire Napoli bench did not run off to celebrate with their team mates but ran towards the Verona crowd making obscene gestures at them!

monkey9

What's the story with Milan's kit?

batistuta9

Ulysses Gaze wrote: »

The Whole North/South Italy thing. Napoli fans were looked down as peasants and unwashed scum by sections of the Verona fans.

I read Maradona's Autobiography and he mentioned that when Napoli played Verona back in the 1980's the Verona crowd started chanting 'lavatevi, lavatevi' (in essence wash yourselves you peasants) at the Napoli fans.

Apparently when Napoli scored in that game, the entire Napoli bench did not run off to celebrate with their team mates but ran towards the Verona crowd making obscene gestures at them!

right, thinking it could've been that but maybe a league rivalry or something

is it just napoli that gets that or any club from the south? the rome clubs?

Juve had banners this year about vesuvius erupting over them, something like that

Jelle1880

No idea, but the shirts look horrible, so tacky.

batistuta9: It's mainly Napoli, since the city of Napels is (perhaps unjustified) seen as a mix of crime, dangerous areas, low education,...

This is perhaps a decent way to show the pure hatred between both fans, the commentator is a Napoli fan commentating for Napoletani radio during Verona - Napoli:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM-2SGmDG7M

Nuri Sahin

Milan vs Roma might be suspended due to racism chants from the Roma Ultras. Looks like the ref will give the game one more chance.