This season is exemption. I don't blame just Udinese or Palermo, I clearly remember embarrassing tries by Roma, Lazio and Inter as well. Why Italian clubs stopped to care about the UEFA Cup in general is a riddle. Just remember the late 80's and early 90's, almost every final had at least one, if not two Italian finalist.

it's a shame Juve and Fiorentina played each other, both had the quality to reach the final.

Yeah, agreed, it's been this way for years now, which is totally the reason why Italy lost the 4th spot to begin with, while German and Spanish teams killed in it, Italy were sending out Livorno, Udinese, Palermo, even Roma and Inter, with half @ssed teams like x-off and Filippo said.

I still vividly remember the Livorno president (I think it was Livorno anyway) having a right go at Donadoni for fielding a strong team in a UEFA Cup tie. I think this was around 05/06. But I'm certain the coach was Donadoni.

And now they whine and whine about that 4th spot when most of the mid-table teams which benefit from that extra spot as well, did all they could to throw it away. Because up to 2 to 3 years ago Italian teams were still doing very well in the CL with both Inter and us winning the thing as well

Galliani used to blast those teams for not trying in the UEFA cup.

Why Italian teams have not succeeded in it in recent times is beyond me, however Milan, if they qualify, will do their utmost to get to the final.

Atletico's season this year is a very good one, however the same was built on several attempts at the EL. Not like they woke up and found themselves challenging barca in the quarter finals.

Wishful thinking eh

Very. The suckers couldn't care the last time we were in it, bro. Not even for Maldini. At least he tried. It was the only trophy missing in the cabinet, and well, I so wanted us to win it. We could have. Now with this new coach we have, it is wishful thinking times two. Hundred.

Seedorf was one that did not care as a player, as I recall. He will not as a coach.

Unfortunately history is history for us. If we can not increase income to fund for a better squad quality to hence target CL and CL glory, then the EL is a fate we have to strongly consider.

True in Seedorf's time as a player, when we temporarily played the EL, the team was not interested. The same holds true for the Coppa Italia, where we used to field a second rate team, this season we were giving it our all as a 'realistic' objective.

That being said, if a new inveator does come in, then we go back to our usual arrogance as fans who can have a realistic chance to celebrate big competitions success. If we remain as we are, then we have to accept the EL as an important target, as is the Coppa.

From this premise, I came to conclude that we go for EL, as the quality in that competition, as opposed to the CL, corresponds to a realistic target for us, currently. Unless new inveators pop up with respective lucerative sponsoring to help fund a gap that is awe so evident (evident; from what we were then and what we are now, post FFP).

Oh, I agree 100% with what you say. Let's just hope the management does too. Because if we somehow managed to enter Europa League, then we'd have both earned, and deserved it, fair and square. Wouldn't hurt seeing some commitment on field for a change. The previous attitude as we talked about won't cut it.

Are you feeling down? Things haven't been going well lately? Watch an Inter game, and you'll get back that smile in no time!

FC Inter, providing the best comedy since 1907.

Whhhat?

Poor translation?

I think paloschi actually got 3 goals and 1 assist today... Might he be the alternative should pazzini wish to go elsewhere?

I tried raising this point of contention earlier today... sadly in last season thread!

I don't see a reason for Pazzini to go, but should he wish to, and Alberto be willing to fall in line as a back up I think this would work well within our favor.

But as mentioned by han, it might probably be best for both parties (Milan & Alberto) if we were to part ways now as well. He is on a really good run of consistent form this season (and still some games to add...), and we're possibly covered upfront, and can do with the money if cashed in on.

*shrugs*

I always wanted to see him return to playing for us though.

Ever since he scored that 18sec debut goal of his when coming off of the bench, I was intrigued to see what he can become and how how well he could emulate his idol (Pippo)

We could try and sell him, at this point we get to chose from Petagna, Paloschi and Boatang (who played well in his few minutes agaisnt us)

Criticise the "mediocre" Candreva and Cerci all you want, they've scored or assisted 38 goals between them this season. That's pretty fantastic for players who aren't even at top clubs. They'll be going to the WC, and probably at least one of them starting, on merit. Actually enjoyable to watch them play, too.

Cerci, yes. Candreva? Nah...

Cerci is good to watch when he's in full flight and his team is counterattacking the sh!t out of their opponents. However, he's never impressed with Italy when Prandelli gave him the chance, that's why f****** Candreva and Giaccherini get in ahead of him, and even I can say that Cerci is a MUCH better player than either one of those 2. And he's also never impressed when he was given opportunities at bigger clubs. He's the typical mid-table club dweller. Loves to be the big fish in the small pond but crumbles when he's given the chance to be in bigger settings

Candreva though?? What a total waste of space mediocre player. Can't stand him. I'd even prefer Giaccherini and Diamanti ahead of him any day of the week. So terrible imo. And worst of all Prandelli prefers him ahead of Insigne, Cerci, etc.

They'll be going to the WC yes. Every WC squad has it's good to decent players who are squad fillers, that's definitely what Cerci will be but I'm sh!t scared of the fact that we might be seeing a lot of Candreva in the summer, sort of like with Camoranesi with Lippi in 06 when there are better options on the bench but he plays his Juve guy none-the-less

I have to say, kudos to Roma! 34 games, 82 points. If it wasn't for Juve's amazing run, the title would be theirs. We had 82 points in total when we won the scudetto in 2011. Great work from Ruudi Garcia. He completely turned them around.

Can't argue with that.

+1

Next weekend's game will be a tough test for us, before the derby!

I think if we draw that one and manage to win the derby somehow we'd be in a good position with 2 games to go

Looked at the table and they're nearly twice as close to Juve as they are 3rd. Very impressive from Roma.

Inter are playing Napoli next week, so if we manage to snatch a point at the Olimpico we should still be in the run for that 5th spot. However, if Inter win and we lose/draw, it's all over.

Correct me, but all this means is that we are then forced to play the qualifiers for Europa League correct?

If we finish sixth that is...

You are not wrong. I'd take sixth, if we are to qualify. Fifth the better option, obviously. But there is a part of me that says, to heck with it, let's not qualify. Most of the fudgers in our team don't deserver playing in Europe, and have not earned it (going by the first half showing in the season). They will, if they do make it, but yeah.

Besides, that just might do the trick in terms of putting up a strong challenge for domestic gold.

Really? I thought EL is only for the 4th and 5th places...

Me too. Maybe the fact that Roma will play in the CL and Fiorentina are 4th has something to do with it? Since they are the finalists of the Coppa Italia.

Hmm, good point... Don't know. Anyone know where we can check this out?

Well, sixth places qualifies for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. As well as Donadoni has managed Parma this year, let's face it, the two clubs below them, Milan and Lazio, are bigger and more experienced. So we stay 6th, we play continental matches. Provided we qualify in the next round, of course.

Continental matches?

Across Europe, that is. Europa League. And not just domestic ties like Serie A and the Coppa.

Higuain injured, didn't look good. it'll suck if he misses the world cup.

Other than that it's ridiculous how many Argies/Spanish took part in this game.

^ It shouldn't be anything serious according to Mediaset.

Don't know if it's been confirmed but I read that two Napoli fans have been shot in clashes between fans before the Coppa final, one is in critical condition.

Idiots.

I don't know if it's directly related to football. I read it was Romans who shot them not Fiorentina fans...

Who cares whose fault was it? It's an absolute shame what happened last night. First the clashes among fans, then the pressure to postpone the game. Italy lives in the Medieval. The government has no balls to do anything. It's been this way for a long time. We're in 2014, and the ultras still control everything. Disgraceful...

If things have not changed since Filippo Raciti's death. Then football related violence will never change. Why can't Italy start to follow the German model.

Mentality. History. Context.

Too true.

Catania 2-0 up, hope they survive.

That's random why?

4-1

LOL, what happened there Roma?

I've enjoyed watching them in previous seasons. Under Montella, though it was only a year, they were a joy to watch. A lesser reason is their kits are awesome.

Comparing Italy to Germany is just useless, it's a totally different lifestyle, culture, ideology, everything basically. From government to the man in the street.


I always thought their kits were ugly as hell

I think Roma have basically given up, after a monster season that I'm personally sill sceptical if they'll manage to repeat, with an overhaul of points that would usually win you the title, they still can't manage to do it, it's probably taken the wind out of their sails

ScoutNation made a comp. about Immobile about a week ago. It's really good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBJ8Fa_AOQ0

I know it's only a compilation video, but his positioning and finishing have been just superb! Impressive.

No wonder he's scored 21 goals playing with Torino.

I watched Berardi and Sansone at Sassuolo do nasty things to the viola. I think the both of them will be at better teams come this season!