[han2503]

All talk for next season's Serie A here

This is our fixture list btw

(IMG:http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah232/hannvis/fixtures_zpstnnfnmft.png)

[han2503]

Lazio look good against Juve in the Super Coppa, I think they'll do well this season

[Danny]

Lazio look good against Juve in the Super Coppa, I think they'll do well this season

This season? They were top three last!

For them that's outstanding. Can't see them failing to last the pace this time either.

[Fillipo Simone]

We'll see.

[han2503]

This season? They were top three last!

For them that's outstanding. Can't see them failing to last the pace this time either.

Well actually it's a very common trajectory for teams like Lazio to have a good season like they did last - it was actually more like a few good months rather than a whole season, they just took advantage of the complete lack of consistency from other teams in those months to gain that spot - and then struggle the following season

The reasons vary, but usually it's the fact that they have a lack of depth in their squad especially quality depth and they have to play a demanding competition like the CL (if they even make it through qualifiers)

They looked solid vs Juve (even though they lost in the end) but 1 or 2 injuries and their season would spiral.

We've seen this happen to many teams in Serie A over the years

Plus, I don't think teams like Napoli, Inter and hopefully us as well will have seasons as turbulent as last was for them.

[han2503]

This is the new Serie A youtube page https://www.youtube.com/user/legacalcioserieatim

It looks good, and finally something that doesn't isolate the international fans by being in just Italian. The lega needs to be more pro-active in marketing the league as an international brand.

[acid911]

Thanks for the share, Han. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)

[X-Offender]

Yeah, thanks for sharing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Fillipo Simone]

Good news, Allegri-mode is back on (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[han2503]

Good news, Allegri-mode is back on (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

What happened? Didn't watch

[Fillipo Simone]

Well, they lost to Udine at home and blew their 2 and a half year record.

[X-Offender]

Well, they lost to Udine at home and blew their 2 and a half year record.

Not to mention all the injuries...

[Fillipo Simone]

Yep. Don't get me wrong, Juve played okay and could/should have won. But there I felt that old Allegri feeling again, breezing through the Turin mountain air. Sadly, I don't see much competition for the this season as well.

[han2503]

Yep. Don't get me wrong, Juve played okay and could/should have won. But there I felt that old Allegri feeling again, breezing through the Turin mountain air. Sadly, I don't see much competition for the this season as well.

The injury thing simply has to go down on him now. It can't be a coincidence anymore that we probably had a record number of injuries under him, at times having to play even 3rd choice players more regularly than 1st shoice. Now Juve keep having injury troubles when under Conte they basically kept the same 11 for 3 whole seasons running with barely any injury problems.

I think they'll struggle a bit but they'll still win it in the end anyway. Roma are just too mentally fragile to even pose a threat to Juve

[Danny]

(IMG:http://s23.postimg.org/sw0h19c97/Untitled.jpg)

Allegri effect my backside! They totally dominated the match and simply failed to covert their chances. Pure luck which saw Udi win this one.

[X-Offender]

Juve are very close to signing Draxler.

Yes, they lost Vidal, Tevez and Pirlo (who was pretty poor last season anyway), but they've signed Khedira, Cuadrado, Dybala, Mandzukic and now Draxler. Compare that to the names we've gotten. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[Danny]

Perhaps, but in our defence they can attract better. They're champions, and have UCL.

We have Galliani jerking off in the bathroom.

[X-Offender]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[han2503]

How are Roma not winning this??

[acid911]

They are now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif) 1-0 up against the dozers.

[han2503]

2-0

If I understood correctly, this could be the first time in Juve's history starting with 2 losses!

Allegri breaking records at Juve as well. So touching...

[X-Offender]

Juve were absolutely terrible bar the last 10 minutes after they scored. Allegri playing 3-5-2 with Padoin and Sturaro in midfield. Typical.

[han2503]

Juve were absolutely terrible bar the last 10 minutes after they scored. Allegri playing 3-5-2 with Padoin and Sturaro in midfield. Typical.

He's got Khedira and Marchisio injured. This scenario is funnily a lot like the one he had with us in the second season

All these injuries and having to try and patch up an 11.

[Fillipo Simone]

That's why I said - Allegri-effect on (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[X-Offender]

He's got Khedira and Marchisio injured. This scenario is funnily a lot like the one he had with us in the second season

All these injuries and having to try and patch up an 11.

That doesn't refrain you from playing a more offensive formation. He had Cuadrado, Pereyra and Alex Sandro on the bench.

[Danny]

Twitter melting down with this haha.

tbh I don't care what anyone says, I can't fathom them letting their three best players go. Vidal, Tevez and Pirlo.

To this day it still makes no sense.

[han2503]

Twitter melting down with this haha.

tbh I don't care what anyone says, I can't fathom them letting their three best players go. Vidal, Tevez and Pirlo.

To this day it still makes no sense.

Tevez and Pirlo both wanted to go. It was out of their hands

And I'm guessing Vidal also pushed for the Bayern move

They've also lost out on Draxler today. Gone to Wolfsburg

[X-Offender]

They sold Vidal because they wanted to keep Pogba. It was one or the other.

[d'Arc.LP]

Juve on regelation zone, what a feeling. We have bigger problems than them, but man this cheered me up.

[Danny]

They sold Vidal because they wanted to keep Pogba. It was one or the other.

I'd have kept Vidal every minute of the day day of the week week of the month etc.

[X-Offender]

I'd have kept Vidal every minute of the day day of the week week of the month etc.

Vidal is 28, Pogba is 22. I think they made the right choice.

[d'Arc.LP]

Vidal is 28, Pogba is 22. I think they made the right choice.

No doubt there.

[han2503]

I'd have kept Vidal every minute of the day day of the week week of the month etc.

Agreed.

It would have made much more sense to sell Pogba for a huge sum (80m figures being thrown around) and kept Vidal, who didn't go for a lot imo when you consider the transfer fees of today.

[d'Arc.LP]

It would be pretty dumb to sell Vidal this season in order to keep Pogba, just to sell him after a season though. If they dont keep Pogba for at least next 5 years they fooled themselves.

[d'Arc.LP]

Jovetic scored for Inter. If they win, they will have 6 points and more important they will be in better mood for the derby.

[Fillipo Simone]

Milan target Baselli doing very well at the moment for Torino. Two goals and good performances overall.

That's what I've been talking about: you can have a less creative and more working oriented midfield but still produce chances and play well. Milan simply fails at this because of the players mentality.

[William405]

Milan target Baselli doing very well at the moment for Torino. Two goals and good performances overall.

That's what I've been talking about: you can have a less creative and more working oriented midfield but still produce chances and play well. Milan simply fails at this because of the players mentality.

So true. Miha knows it, and will work on fixing it.

You just can't convince me that having this one or two players in the lineup will change the whole team! There is a mentality problem more than anything.

[Danny]

Vidal is 28, Pogba is 22. I think they made the right choice.

Really?

Whole of last season:

Pogba: 9 goals, 6 assists, 83% passing accuracy.

Vidal: 8, 4, 84%

About the same - sell Pogba like Han said and get far more cash from, and I know few share this view, but the idiotic clubs who overate him.

[X-Offender]

Really?

Whole of last season:

Pogba: 9 goals, 6 assists, 83% passing accuracy.

Vidal: 8, 4, 84%

About the same - sell Pogba like Han said and get far more cash from, and I know few share this view, but the idiotic clubs who overate him.

What I meant to say is that Pogba has about 10 years of top football in him, whereas Vidal about 4-5. And Pogba has the potential to become one of the best if not the best box-to-box mid in the world.

[Danny]

Whatever I think of his abilities, Han's logic makes more sense. No effing way is Pogba staying at Juve for 10 years.

[X-Offender]

Maybe not 10 years, but why not 6-7? Kaká stayed with us for 7 seasons despite many lucrative offers. Same with Sheva.

[Fillipo Simone]

Because things changed. Back then Italy was still the league where all the stuff, all the magic happened. You had great rivalries, you had teams like Milan and Inter spending serious money (for good players), you had the best defenses, the best midfielders, the best coaches. On top of it, Milan always offered a good (if not the best, at that time) shot for CL success. No wonder they stayed.

Now everything changed. Firstly the big money is elsewhere, secondly the big players are elsewhere. What's most important, Juventus reached their maximum last year with a shot to the CL trophy. You think Pogba would be satisfied with playing more "derbies" against the Milans and Inters of our present Serie A? Another "contest" with Roma for the title? Nah, he'll be soon off, off where all players want to be nowadays - Spain or England.

[Danny]

Because things changed. Back then Italy was still the league where all the stuff, all the magic happened. You had great rivalries, you had teams like Milan and Inter spending serious money (for good players), you had the best defenses, the best midfielders, the best coaches. On top of it, Milan always offered a good (if not the best, at that time) shot for CL success. No wonder they stayed.

Now everything changed. Firstly the big money is elsewhere, secondly the big players are elsewhere. What's most important, Juventus reached their maximum last year with a shot to the CL trophy. You think Pogba would be satisfied with playing more "derbies" against the Milans and Inters of our present Serie A? Another "contest" with Roma for the title? Nah, he'll be soon off, off where all players want to be nowadays - Spain or England.

Bingo to infinity and beyond.

[X-Offender]

He can wish for the moon, but if Juve say no then he can't do anything about it. Unlike Pirlo and Tevez, Pogba is only 22. The fact that Juve sacrificed Vidal and have been rejecting 100M offers pretty much seals it. And how do you know they won't reach another CL final this year or next year? Besides, England right now is no better than Italy. Just because they spend more on average players means nothing.

[Danny]

He can wish for the moon, but if Juve say no then he can't do anything about it. Unlike Pirlo and Tevez, Pogba is only 22. The fact that Juve sacrificed Vidal and have been rejecting 100M offers pretty much seals it. And how do you know they won't reach another CL final this year or next year? Besides, England right now is no better than Italy. Just because they spend more on average players means nothing.

*cough* Raheem Sterling *cough*

[Danny]

PS Chelsea lining up an 80M bid now apparently.

[han2503]

Milan target Baselli doing very well at the moment for Torino. Two goals and good performances overall.

That's what I've been talking about: you can have a less creative and more working oriented midfield but still produce chances and play well. Milan simply fails at this because of the players mentality.

You can't compare a big club with a team like Toro, everything is different, the way the team approaches games, the tactics, the system, etc.

Why does a player like Cerci excel at Toro but fails miserably at every top club he's gone to? Why do strikers like Gila, Matri, Di Vaio, Pazzini, Tavano, etc excel at their mid level clubs where service and opportunities are at a premium but are generally lacklustre at bigger clubs with better players behind them where they are given more to play off of?

Toro play a certain way, they are generally a counterattacking side. Meaning when they do attack they have more space to work in. At Milan we're trying to play a possession based system when we don't have the players for it. It's why Bertolacci for example looks seriously terrible, because he's not a good passer or a visionary on the ball. He's great at vertical runs into space and being the extra man in the box, but when it comes to possession football he's more of a liability for us.

Sure you're right, it has to do with mentality as well. But for me the major problem is that Silvio wants the team to play in a certain way when we don't have the players for it. His little mind that's stuck in the 80s still thinks that playing attractive football has all to do with the attack. But that's imo the least important factor in it. This is the guy who admires Pep and his past Barca side. How can you watch that team play and still think that midfield is not the most crucial department for any top side is beyond me.

And btw, we can thank Allegri for this idea of by-passing the midfield to score, because this has been going on since his first season with us, only back then we could punt the ball in the general direction of Ibra and he'd do the rest

Really?

Whole of last season:

Pogba: 9 goals, 6 assists, 83% passing accuracy.

Vidal: 8, 4, 84%

About the same - sell Pogba like Han said and get far more cash from, and I know few share this view, but the idiotic clubs who overate him.

I personally don't think it's an issue of overrating him, for me Pogba is one of the best young talents out there and at his age also one of the best in the world at what he does as well.

However, as I said, Juve will lose him anyway, it did not make sense to sell Vidal, one of their most important players, for so little when they could have probably made triple that for Pogba, who they will end up selling next summer anyway

Maybe not 10 years, but why not 6-7? Kaká stayed with us for 7 seasons despite many lucrative offers. Same with Sheva.

Do you really have to ask that question? Fillipo answered it best. What top player in today's football wants Serie A over England or Spain, or heck even Germany when Bayern come calling

[X-Offender]

You all make it sound so simple...

[acid911]

You all make it sound so simple...

To be honest, it's not all terribly complicated, either. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[X-Offender]

Juventus are a top club. Who gives a sh*t what offers come from England or Spain! Unlike Tevez, Pogba is a project for them, the kind of talent you build your team around. And it's not like they're in desperate need for money. If offers of +100M come though, who wouldn't accept? You could sign 3-4 top players and rebuild your team from scratch, like they did after they sold Zidane.

It's a win-win situation for them. Hence, why they kept him instead of Vidal.

[acid911]

Exactly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) The only concern is though that these mega offers might not come, if Pogba has a less than stellar season or two. They had their chance this year, but decided to keep him. And like with Shaarawy, these young players are hyped up quickly and can see their market value falter after an ordinary season.

Be interesting to see which way Pogba goes this season.

[han2503]

Inter just signed Ljajic today as well.

Hmm, so Mancini got rid of all their creative mids and seems to want the creativity to come from the attackers. Sort of replicating what he had at City there


@ acid, I wouldn't use Shaaawy and Pogba in the same sentence. They're world aparts in terms of quality. Pogba might struggle a bit more this season since he's suddenly the main man and the other guuys that also helped him look so good are gone, but he's still a top class talent and I don't think anyone comes anywhere close to him right now in football. Maybe Verratti when talking about that age range and level of talent

[Danny]

I wouldn't use Shaaawy and Pogba in the same sentence. They're world aparts in terms of quality.

The first statement using those two names we've ever agreed on. I might not rate Pogba anything like you guys but he pisses all over SEFS.

[acid911]

No comparison between both, but Pogba has it easy, being a midfielder and all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) People don't worry about their statistics, goals, assists and things like that. Same goes for Verratti, and while I rate both these as better than what El Shaarawy brought to the table, Pogba is going to find it tough this season.

For the reasons you mentioned, and also because of his hype, which might make teams focus more on him.

[Danny]

No comparison between both, but Pogba has it easy, being a midfielder and all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) People don't worry about their statistics, goals, assists and things like that. Same goes for Verratti, and while I rate both these as better than what El Shaarawy brought to the table, Pogba is going to find it tough this season.

For the reasons you mentioned, and also because of his hype, which might make teams focus more on him.

The great players cope with that. He's not a great player. He's a good player thoroughly overrated.

[acid911]

The great players cope with that. He's not a great player. He's a good player thoroughly overrated.

My feelings exactly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Thoroughly overrated is the best possible description for him now, and I'm curious when (or if) he makes the jump to the next level and start dominating matches as some expect him to. Maybe this season? Or maybe in another club, with a more solid environment in terms of talent and teammates.

[han2503]

I disagree with the statement that he's overrated. I don't think he is, at all

[han2503]

Just to lift the spirits a bit

(IMG:http://i57.tinypic.com/2mqt5d2.jpg)

[X-Offender]

Someone should do the same for us.

Kondogbia -> Witsel -> Kucka

And anyway, Hernanes is still a decent player that we'd kill for.

[Danny]

Why do I have the feeling Inter might actually be serious title contenders this season?

They've quietly done well in the window, have two wins from two, and just seem like they're well-managed and nicely balanced.

I think, from absolutely nowhere, they might just be the ones to watch out for this season, and not Juve.

[X-Offender]

I think they will fail. They lost the only two sources of creativity they had in midfield. They won against Atalanta at the 93' after a wonder goal from Jovetic, and barely defeated a newly-promoted Carpi who had been destroyed the previous week by Sampdoria with a 90' penalty.

Granted, the championship just started, but I have a feeling they won't achieve much.

[acid911]

I disagree with the statement that he's overrated. I don't think he is, at all

Oh but he is. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) No one is worth 100m, and even if the few that are, are the types that have a more direct bearing on match results, instead of the usually passive work Pogba puts in as a midfielder. He is a very good player, though, but the fact that some rate him much higher than what he has delivered so far, on potential that is to say, means that he is overrated.

At least right now. If he keeps on improving and imposing himself, then yes, the hype will be justified. And that's what I'm interested in finding out. Point being, you can be really good and overrated at the same time. Or great and underrated.

[Fillipo Simone]

You can't compare a big club with a team like Toro, everything is different, the way the team approaches games, the tactics, the system, etc.

Why does a player like Cerci excel at Toro but fails miserably at every top club he's gone to? Why do strikers like Gila, Matri, Di Vaio, Pazzini, Tavano, etc excel at their mid level clubs where service and opportunities are at a premium but are generally lacklustre at bigger clubs with better players behind them where they are given more to play off of?

Toro play a certain way, they are generally a counterattacking side. Meaning when they do attack they have more space to work in. At Milan we're trying to play a possession based system when we don't have the players for it. It's why Bertolacci for example looks seriously terrible, because he's not a good passer or a visionary on the ball. He's great at vertical runs into space and being the extra man in the box, but when it comes to possession football he's more of a liability for us.

Sure you're right, it has to do with mentality as well. But for me the major problem is that Silvio wants the team to play in a certain way when we don't have the players for it. His little mind that's stuck in the 80s still thinks that playing attractive football has all to do with the attack. But that's imo the least important factor in it. This is the guy who admires Pep and his past Barca side. How can you watch that team play and still think that midfield is not the most crucial department for any top side is beyond me.

And btw, we can thank Allegri for this idea of by-passing the midfield to score, because this has been going on since his first season with us, only back then we could punt the ball in the general direction of Ibra and he'd do the rest

I think those two are interconnected, more then you know. Because not all players are Gilardinos and Chiesas. You had also players like Batistuta, like Simone, like Bierhoff who knew how to transform and adapt to a bigger and more demanding environment. But if this environment is constantly polluted by an inefficient and plan less management, beginner or poor coaches with small ideas, with mentally problematic players - well then it certainly gives you a knock or two down.

Juventus are a top club. Who gives a sh*t what offers come from England or Spain! Unlike Tevez, Pogba is a project for them, the kind of talent you build your team around. And it's not like they're in desperate need for money. If offers of +100M come though, who wouldn't accept? You could sign 3-4 top players and rebuild your team from scratch, like they did after they sold Zidane.

It's a win-win situation for them. Hence, why they kept him instead of Vidal.

I'm not sure you understand this correctly. You keep giving examples from the past, which is sadly brutally different then the Serie A present.

Firstly, Juventus has a habit of selling their best players for the right prize. They did this countless times in the past, Baggio, Zidane and Inzaghi are names that come to mind quickly. But this was a different time. When they sold Zidane, they already had self-sustainable team - and they invested into 3-4 top players.

Nowadays you cannot just raid Parma or Lazio like Juventus did in the past and snatch up world class players like Buffon, Thuram, Cannavaro, Nedved, etc. Because pretty much none of the Serie A players is world class.

Secondly, I think you underestimate the shining attractiveness of Spain and England. Nowadays everyone wants to prove himself there. It's a set of different components that make these destinations more desirable: competitiveness at the biggest level, big derbies and big opponents (not just clubs, but players as well), media focus, etc. All these components go in favor of England and Spain right now.

That being said, I don't see much options for Juventus this way or the other. Pogba will soon outgrow them, if not by merit then by pure media overrating. He'll end up in England or more probably Spain one way or the other. The same will happen to any player who makes more then just good in Italy nowadays.

[Ry4n]

Don't have high hopes for the derby but its a derby , so i hope its the anything can happen vibe..

2-1 either way. or draw

[han2503]

Why do I have the feeling Inter might actually be serious title contenders this season?

They've quietly done well in the window, have two wins from two, and just seem like they're well-managed and nicely balanced.

I think, from absolutely nowhere, they might just be the ones to watch out for this season, and not Juve.

Nah

Mancini basically wanted all the creative players out and brought in physical players instead. From a midfield I was envious of just a month ago to this... Ours is probably on a par with theirs now. Selling Kovacic and Hernanes (to a direct rival at that) was just stupid.

Sure they have creative forwards, but you can't rely simply on that. Especially when Jovetic doesn't have a great track record with injuries.

And as x-off pointed out, they have been far from convincing in their opening games. Especially when they had a relatively easy start compared to the other contenders for those places

And I still think Juve will win it in the end. I don't really see any solid competition for them

Oh but he is. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) No one is worth 100m, and even if the few that are, are the types that have a more direct bearing on match results, instead of the usually passive work Pogba puts in as a midfielder. He is a very good player, though, but the fact that some rate him much higher than what he has delivered so far, on potential that is to say, means that he is overrated.

At least right now. If he keeps on improving and imposing himself, then yes, the hype will be justified. And that's what I'm interested in finding out. Point being, you can be really good and overrated at the same time. Or great and underrated.

I'm not even thinking of bringing transfer fees into this. Those have been way over inflated years ago and no player is worth that much, not even Messi imo.

I just don't think he's overrated as a player in the most basic sense here. Like I said, only Verratti comes close to him in that age range and level of talent

[acid911]

I'm not even thinking of bringing transfer fees into this. Those have been way over inflated years ago and no player is worth that much, not even Messi imo.

I just don't think he's overrated as a player in the most basic sense here. Like I said, only Verratti comes close to him in that age range and level of talent

If you put it that way. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif)

[Danny]

Nah

Mancini basically wanted all the creative players out and brought in physical players instead. From a midfield I was envious of just a month ago to this... Ours is probably on a par with theirs now. Selling Kovacic and Hernanes (to a direct rival at that) was just stupid.

Sure they have creative forwards, but you can't rely simply on that. Especially when Jovetic doesn't have a great track record with injuries.

And as x-off pointed out, they have been far from convincing in their opening games. Especially when they had a relatively easy start compared to the other contenders for those places

And I still think Juve will win it in the end. I don't really see any solid competition for them

Kondogbia is better than any player in our midfield. Including De Jong. The guy is a colossus. You tried to convince me he was far better than Berto and I thought they were comparable. I was wrong - Kondogbia is on a different planet to anyone in our midfield.

PS they've replaced Hernanes with Ljajic. Couple of MOTMs last season, 90% passing rate (Hernanes with 83%). Not bad.

I think they're in a stronger position than us and have a balance that we just don't have.

[Fillipo Simone]

My God how fast you are in giving these remarks. All I have to say right now...

[Danny]

My God how fast you are in giving these remarks. All I have to say right now...

Well what I said was factual. With a strong hint of opinion. What the others said was purely opinion.

I'd say we all have entitlement to express whatever we all like though, whenever we like?!

[Fillipo Simone]

Sure, nobody said anything here to make you think otherwise.

[Danny]

Sure, nobody said anything here to make you think otherwise.

You just appeared to be condemning those posts?

[Fillipo Simone]

You just appeared to be condemning those posts?

Certainly not. It's just that I tend to wait and evaluate things at a slower rate, and with less defined terms. That's all man (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[X-Offender]

I was skeptical about Inter's sale of Kovacic and Hernanes, but when you think about it, they have about the right players for Mancini's 4-2-3-1/4-4-2:

Brozovic - Kondogbia
Perisic - Jovetic - Ljajic
Icardi

Same argument about Juve:

Pogba - Marchisio
Cuadrado - Hernanes - Dybala
Mandzukic

Instead, we have f*ck all.

#GallianiLeave

[acid911]

Fudger just couldn't fork 11m for Hernanes. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[X-Offender]

Fudger just couldn't fork 11m for Hernanes. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

But we could fork 20M for Bertolacci. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif)

[acid911]

But we could fork 20M for Bertolacci.

Yup. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif) And to think that Hernanes is someone that can play anywhere in the midfield, has tons of league experience, and is someone that could helped us with our lack of creativity in attack. Him Lamela and Witsel should have been the three signings to alleviate a lot of our concerns.

I don't know but I have not written off Bertolacci totally, though he has been a disappointment. But sometime I think Galliani is riding a vendetta train and actually wants to bring down the club with bad signings and splashing the cash on wrong players.

I'd tire if I started naming them from 2007, our CL win, onwards. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) One after the other, oh man!

[acid911]

By the way, I like how you have Galliani in his trademark "Golden Tie" in your signature. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Best one in the forum right now, love it more than the anti Allegri one you had going around a few years back.

[X-Offender]

Haha, I didn't even notice the yellow tie.

[acid911]

Trademark Golden Tie®. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Danny]

I was skeptical about Inter's sale of Kovacic and Hernanes, but when you think about it, they have about the right players for Mancini's 4-2-3-1/4-4-2:

Brozovic - Kondogbia
Perisic - Jovetic - Ljajic
Icardi

Same argument about Juve:

Pogba - Marchisio
Cuadrado - Hernanes - Dybala
Mandzukic

Instead, we have f*ck all.

#GallianiLeave

I think Serie A is between Inter, Juve and Roma this season. Juve are favourites but I think the loss of their three best has upset them hugely and they're struggling. Inter have scraped their opening matches but the stats showed complete dominance in EVERYTHING in both except goals. And Roma have signed rather well in the window to re-balance their squad.

"Instead, we have f*ck all."

[Fillipo Simone]

I'm not sold on Inter, not yet at least.

[Danny]

I'm not sold on Inter, not yet at least.

Me neither, just pointing out on paper (we love paper so much) they are pretty balanced, have a decent squad, and have managed 2 from 2.

They also have a pretty safe pair of hands in Mancini.

[CrazyMilanFan]

Our net spending was 56.9 M, only PSG and Man City spent more.. Juve was at 36 and inter at -2.7

[X-Offender]

Our net spending was 56.9 M, only PSG and Man City spent more.. Juve was at 36 and inter at -2.7

Which makes it even sadder that we're as bad as we were last season.

#GallianiLeave

[Danny]

Which makes it even sadder that we're as bad as we were last season.

#GallianiLeave

Worse. Last season we had a balance, just a badly managed one. Now we don't even have that.

This post has been edited by Danny: Sep 3 2015, 03:24 PM

[han2503]

Kondogbia is better than any player in our midfield. Including De Jong. The guy is a colossus. You tried to convince me he was far better than Berto and I thought they were comparable. I was wrong - Kondogbia is on a different planet to anyone in our midfield.

PS they've replaced Hernanes with Ljajic. Couple of MOTMs last season, 90% passing rate (Hernanes with 83%). Not bad.

I think they're in a stronger position than us and have a balance that we just don't have.

Sure, he's obviously better than Bertolacci, I mean that was pretty obvious from the get-go. And this is not just an argument about one player though. Their midfield has been considerably weakened and Macini seems to want to go in the root of having an all action midfield and the creativity coming from the attack. It might have worked for him in the EPL with City but in Italy it generally doesn't work that way, just like it doesn't in Europe.

Like I said, I was envious of their midfield about a month ago, now not so much. They had a very good balance of creativity and physicality. They just went down the latter route completely now

[X-Offender]

Their signing of Melo leaves me a bit perplexed. Failed horribly at Juve, spent the last four seasons in the Turkish league. And he's 32. But from what I understand Mancini plans on using him as a starter. Meh...

Anyway, even after the sales of Kovacic and Hernanes they're far better than us in every department, aside from defense maybe.

PS: When you think about it, their starting line-up barely has any Italians. Typical Inter.

[Danny]

And ours is absolutely full of them. Maybe that's a symbol of why we're so bad. Italian football is not what it was, and the national team is the pits. I gather they scraped a 1-0 over the might of Han's guys.

Point is Italian players are not as good as they used to be. And our first team is:

Antonelli, MDS, Romag, Berto, Monto, Bona. The spine of the team.

Not really a shock we're so bad.

[han2503]

And ours is absolutely full of them. Maybe that's a symbol of why we're so bad. Italian football is not what it was, and the national team is the pits. I gather they scraped a 1-0 over the might of Han's guys.

Point is Italian players are not as good as they used to be. And our first team is:

Antonelli, MDS, Romag, Berto, Monto, Bona. The spine of the team.

Not really a shock we're so bad.

I was laughed at for saying this a few months ago. When I said I'd rather pick from the French pool of talent in midfield than Italy's

But fact is, the only shining light for Italy right now is Veratti, when in the past it was littered from front to back with world class talent.

Sure there are even good or great players in the Azzurri set-up nowadays like Marchisio, Chiellini, Darmian, De Rossi and maybe even Buffon still. But no where near in the past where you had top world class talent all round, even on the bench when short sighted coaches couldn't manage to play both Del Piero and Totti at the same time.

The talent in Italy has completely dried up. Sure there are a couple here and there who are shining lights but the majority simply aren't good enough to wear the shirt.

I personally cringe at seeing the likes of Eder, Candreva, Pele, Bertolacci, etc playing for Italy

And btw, Berlu's bright idea was to have an ItalMilan, and we followed that to a T aside from the attack which as usual, under this regime, is always given special treatment

[acid911]

I personally cringe at seeing the likes of Eder, Candreva, Pele, Bertolacci, etc playing for Italy

Imaging how I feel when I see the hacks that play for Brazil these days. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) And the fudgers that coach them, that always give preferential treatment to players from big clubs in Europe, instead of of those with talent, effort and local fan following behind them.

Point being, Italy may be in a bad state right now, but Brazil is worse.

[Danny]

Imaging how I feel when I see the hacks that play for Brazil these days. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) And the fudgers that coach them, that always give preferential treatment to players from big clubs in Europe, instead of of those with talent, effort and local fan following behind them.

Point being, Italy may be in a bad state right now, but Brazil is worse.

Brazil have some glorious talent in there but it's been painfully badly managed. Last year's world cup (sure there was pressure too, but these guys can handle it) saw world class players like Silva, Alves, Oscar, Neymar - and the truth is Scolari, like he did with Chelsea, disgustingly mismanaged them.

To not take Moura was just a f*ck up of monumental proportions, and hindsight is easy but he should have taken one old-timer like Kaka to inspire them.

Instead it was just a disgrace. Brazil are a much better team than their current status suggests, but something is badly wrong with how they're being managed now.

[han2503]

Imaging how I feel when I see the hacks that play for Brazil these days. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) And the fudgers that coach them, that always give preferential treatment to players from big clubs in Europe, instead of of those with talent, effort and local fan following behind them.

Point being, Italy may be in a bad state right now, but Brazil is worse.

At least Brazil has a huge talent pool to pick from, with new players always emerging. The talent pool in Italy has dried up nowadays, with barely a handful of world class players to pick from

Brazil have some glorious talent in there but it's been painfully badly managed. Last year's world cup (sure there was pressure too, but these guys can handle it) saw world class players like Silva, Alves, Oscar, Neymar - and the truth is Scolari, like he did with Chelsea, disgustingly mismanaged them.

To not take Moura was just a f*ck up of monumental proportions, and hindsight is easy but he should have taken one old-timer like Kaka to inspire them.

Instead it was just a disgrace. Brazil are a much better team than their current status suggests, but something is badly wrong with how they're being managed now.

Agreed

[Rossoneri7]

Imaging how I feel when I see the hacks that play for Brazil these days. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) And the fudgers that coach them, that always give preferential treatment to players from big clubs in Europe, instead of of those with talent, effort and local fan following behind them.

Point being, Italy may be in a bad state right now, but Brazil is worse.

An Arab proverb "if it was always with others, you would never have received its benefit'. Somethings are lost in translation, but the idea is; had Madrid always won the European cup Milan and co would not have gotten a chance.

Hence, life is a cycle of ups and downs. same goes for Italy, Brazil and the state of our Milan today. (Or Serie A as a whole)

I like it that way, it gives flavor to the good times. That's my opinion at least (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[acid911]

An Arab proverb "if it was always with others, you would never have received its benefit'. Somethings are lost in translation, but the idea is; had Madrid always won the European cup Milan and co would not have gotten a chance.

In Arabic or it didn't happen. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif) Besides, I read Arabic much better than I speak it, so if it is possible for you, then write the proverb here, and I'll see if something is lost in translation or not.

I like it that way, it gives flavor to the good times. That's my opinion at least

You're right in that sense, but I always want the National Team coaches to put out the best possible players they can in all matches. I don't know about others, but these matches are a matter of prestige, maybe even more than club football. Partly because it's yearly, and major tournaments are few and far between.

But when I see politics, and NT coaches playing favorites, that's just bad man. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I don't quite see that happening in Italy to that extent, as to what's going on in Brazil right now. Win or lose is another matter entirely, but fielding players that have not earned the call, ahead of those that deserve it, that's just painful. For me, it is.

[Rossoneri7]

In Arabic or it didn't happen. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif) Besides, I read Arabic much better than I speak it, so if it is possible for you, then write the proverb here, and I'll see if something is lost in translation or not.


You're right in that sense, but I always want the National Team coaches to put out the best possible players they can in all matches. I don't know about others, but these matches are a matter of prestige, maybe even more than club football. Partly because it's yearly, and major tournaments are few and far between.

But when I see politics, and NT coaches playing favorites, that's just bad man. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I don't quite see that happening in Italy to that extent, as to what's going on in Brazil right now. Win or lose is another matter entirely, but fielding players that have not earned the call, ahead of those that deserve it, that's just painful. For me, it is.

لو دامت لغيرك ما اتصلت إليك (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I didn't know you read Arabic (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[acid911]

لو دامت لغيرك ما اتصلت إليك

Neat proverb! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/friends.gif) Got it nice and fine. Thanks for the share!

I didn't know you read Arabic

Oh, but I do. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/devil.gif) Lots and lots of it. In fact, I'm good with a number of languages, in varying quality (some in reading comprehension, others I can converse in, and a couple that I just barely find my way through). Arabic and Farsi (Persion) I'm pretty decent in, partly because both make up the majority of Urdu.

And plus, I've spent two decades and regularly visit the Middle East.

[William405]

Juve are losing 1-0 against Chievo..knew these massive changes will have a bad effect on the team. Didn't think it would be that bad though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

[han2503]

Juve are losing 1-0 against Chievo..knew these massive changes will have a bad effect on the team. Didn't think it would be that bad though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

Just tuned in, watch them score now that I'm watching...

Btw, the power of Allegri is strong here!

[han2503]

lol, penalty for them

Knew it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[han2503]

1-1

Can this now be the time for Juve to panic? 3 matchdays in with only Roma being the biggest obstacle and they just have one point...