Monday, July 17, 2006

A week is a long time

Last Monday I was still recovering from my World Cup winning hangover, basking in the glory of the Azzurri's triumph. In the space of seven hectic days the world of Italian football has been turned on its head. In all the time I've followed the game I can't think of more dramatic times. I need to get a few things straight in my head.

1) Marcello Lippi has stood down as Italy boss (can't say I blame him, only way was down).

2) Roberto Donadoni has been appointed the new CT (exciting, if risky appointment).

3) Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi have been called before FIFA (quite right in the first instance, a nonsense in the second. No amount of provocation justifies Zizou's act).

4) Juve, Lazio and Fiorentina have been banished to Serie B. Juve stripped of two titles and Milan dumped down Serie A with a 15 point penalty to start the next campaign.

A couple of thoughts spring to mind on the Calciopoli thing. Firstly, from a purely Viola standpoint, it hardly seems fair that Fiorentina were hit just about as hard as Juve when it was the Bianconeri who allegedly ran the whole system - often to the Viola's detriment.

Secondly, it makes Serie B a hell of tough league next season. My estimate puts it at about 50 scudetti between teams in that division. Juve (27), Genoa (9), Bologna (7), Napoli (2), Fiorentina (2), Lazio (2) and Verona (1). Have I missed anyone out?

Finally, will Inter finally be able to win the league or will they manage to find somebody to beat them again? Probably Roma...

And even more finally, I hope there is not a mass exodus of our best players out of Italy. It would be truly awful to see some of our World Cup heroes end up playing in England.

5 comments:

* (asterisk) said...

It also seems that Berlusconi's AC Milan has been the least severely punished team, no? Strange, that...

ginkers said...

Glad to see you are entering into the proper spirit of Italian conspiracy theories. This one has only just started and is sure to run and run...

martinobhoy said...

Ginkers

I expect the best Italian players to end up at clubs like Inter, Roma or even Milan even though there's no European football for a year for the rossoneri. If they go abroad surely it will be to Spain rather than England.

Although you'll hear no complaints from me if Cannavaro and Toni turn up at Celtic Park for signing talks - I can dream........

Spangly Princess said...

hahaha. Cannavaro at Celtic. sorry, martino, but hehe. *stries unsuccessfully to stifle giggles*

yes the punishment for Fiorentina seems harsh relative to that of Juve BUT imo that's more because the dirty gobbi have got away lightly.

and I really hope none of our boys end up in the uk. Zambro has said he doesn't fancy chelsea much so that's a start.

martinobhoy said...

Ach well, lost out to Real Madrid on Cannavaro. I suppose that makes us even after we beat them to sign Roy Keane.