Even in the great anti-Italian world of Sepp Blatter he has hit new depths. The FIFA chief has apparently apologised to Australian fans for their country's elimination at the World Cup. He says the penalty on Grosso was a refereeing mistake (fair enough, though softer have been given) and that the Socceroos would probably have gone through in extra time (very debatable and conveniently ignoring the fact that Materazzi hardly deserved his straight red).
App
Apparently FIFA have now issued a statement saying he has been misreported but, let's face it, it is hardly out of character. I don't remember any apology to Spain and Italy after the crazy decisions in 2002.
On a happier note, I watched two cracking adverts for the Italian game at the weekend. The Milan derby was an absolutely gripping spectacle - not just for the seven goals but for the sheer drama. Then I watched my beloved Viola go down 3-2 in another memorable match at home to Palermo. We scarcely deserved to be held to a draw, never mind lose. Still, pazienza, we are playing well. Great game. Maybe it's going to be a good Serie A season after all...
Monday, October 30, 2006
Friday, October 27, 2006
Tonight is the night...
The verdict is set to be delivered tonight on any reduction of the points penalties inflicted on Milan, Juve, Lazio and Fiorentina. It is a totally unsatisfactory situation but it will have a major impact on the league table.
Juve's Serie B procession could be made a lot easier, Milan might come back into the Scudetto hunt and Lazio and Fiorentina might have a better chance of avoiding relegation. It proves, once again, that the game would be a whole lot better if everything could be decided on the pitch.
Still, I won't be complaining if the Viola get back into positive figures.
Juve's Serie B procession could be made a lot easier, Milan might come back into the Scudetto hunt and Lazio and Fiorentina might have a better chance of avoiding relegation. It proves, once again, that the game would be a whole lot better if everything could be decided on the pitch.
Still, I won't be complaining if the Viola get back into positive figures.
Monday, October 23, 2006
A grim affair?
Well, is it or isn't it? I can't make up my mind whether this is the most exciting title race for years or the most boring. The weekend has me leaning towards the latter although that would be pretty unfair on Palermo's historic win at Milan.
There have probably never been so many teams so closely piled together at the top of the table so, in some ways, that makes for excitement. But if you watched Udinese against Inter and a couple of Roma's recent struggles you would be hard pushed to work up much enthusiasm. Is it just me, or do we maybe miss Juve?
I mean, no offence to them, but seeing Udinese, Livorno, Siena, Atalanta and the rest up at the top end is refreshing in some ways but it doesn't exactly smack of quality does it? I tend to think the quality of football has been diminished by taking away one of our great sides and handicapping another three big sides with whacking points penalties. Perhaps it is just the sour grapes of a Viola man who is now working out that his team would be in third place without its points handicap (admittedly that would probably be fourth if Juve were still in things).
So, an open question - is this an exciting, open league or has the whole Calciopoli thing dragged down the standards significantly? Or maybe both?
There have probably never been so many teams so closely piled together at the top of the table so, in some ways, that makes for excitement. But if you watched Udinese against Inter and a couple of Roma's recent struggles you would be hard pushed to work up much enthusiasm. Is it just me, or do we maybe miss Juve?
I mean, no offence to them, but seeing Udinese, Livorno, Siena, Atalanta and the rest up at the top end is refreshing in some ways but it doesn't exactly smack of quality does it? I tend to think the quality of football has been diminished by taking away one of our great sides and handicapping another three big sides with whacking points penalties. Perhaps it is just the sour grapes of a Viola man who is now working out that his team would be in third place without its points handicap (admittedly that would probably be fourth if Juve were still in things).
So, an open question - is this an exciting, open league or has the whole Calciopoli thing dragged down the standards significantly? Or maybe both?
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Tonight, we are all Amaranto
Ladies and gentlemen, for those of us brought up north of the border and with all that following football up here entails, tonight is a special one. All Italo-British clashes are emotional occasions for me but a clash with the boys from Ibrox is particularly keenly felt.
I don't care about the whole religious thing and am not particularly fanatical about the other half of the Old Firm. However, personal experience makes it impossible not to hope Lucarelli and Company give the Rangers a roasting. I have visited Ibrox a few times and been called an "Effing Tally" often enough to want the boys from Leghorn to win this one in style.
What are the chances? Rangers come to the game in truly awful form while Livorno could hardly be playing better. In addition, I saw somewhere that the boys in Blue have only managed one draw and nine defeats in ten previous visits to Italy. Although, these UEFA group games leave me cold, I have to say. Four matches to knock two teams out of a five side group - how dull is that? That old mad dog Aldo Spinelli was right when he said the UEFA Cup meant something when he was President at Genoa but it has become a joke now.
Still, despite my natural aversion to all Tuscan teams outside of Florence I will be at the Armando Picchi in spirit tonight. Then it's time to turn my attentions to the battle of the minus signs on Sunday when Fiorentina take on Reggina.
I don't care about the whole religious thing and am not particularly fanatical about the other half of the Old Firm. However, personal experience makes it impossible not to hope Lucarelli and Company give the Rangers a roasting. I have visited Ibrox a few times and been called an "Effing Tally" often enough to want the boys from Leghorn to win this one in style.
What are the chances? Rangers come to the game in truly awful form while Livorno could hardly be playing better. In addition, I saw somewhere that the boys in Blue have only managed one draw and nine defeats in ten previous visits to Italy. Although, these UEFA group games leave me cold, I have to say. Four matches to knock two teams out of a five side group - how dull is that? That old mad dog Aldo Spinelli was right when he said the UEFA Cup meant something when he was President at Genoa but it has become a joke now.
Still, despite my natural aversion to all Tuscan teams outside of Florence I will be at the Armando Picchi in spirit tonight. Then it's time to turn my attentions to the battle of the minus signs on Sunday when Fiorentina take on Reggina.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Back and angry...
Let me vent my anger over the latest issue which is blighting Italian and world football and really starting to bug me - namely face-clutching. I watched a bit of the Siena v Messina game on Saturday night and they were at it there. I recently saw Willy Sagnol get Fabio Grosso sent off with a similar action. And it seems to go on as a matter of routine in almost every match staged across the continent at the highest level.
You know what I am talking about. Somebody gently brushes a player with his left pinky somewhere within three feet of his nose. Then the player "struck" goes down as if his cheekbone was fractured in 12 places. The red/yellow card is brandished and the "offender" suffers while the "victim" is back up and playing in seconds.
It is something which annoys me on a number of levels. At the very least it slows up play as any decent referee has to stop play for a supposed head knock. It is a pathetic attempt to land a fellow pro in trouble. But most of all there appears to be no sanction against anyone who is clearly play-acting. "Simulation" to try to get a penalty often earns a yellow card, I think this kind of feeble falling down should also earn a card to try to cut it out. Otherwise, I seem to be seeing it about three or four times in every match these days.
You know what I am talking about. Somebody gently brushes a player with his left pinky somewhere within three feet of his nose. Then the player "struck" goes down as if his cheekbone was fractured in 12 places. The red/yellow card is brandished and the "offender" suffers while the "victim" is back up and playing in seconds.
It is something which annoys me on a number of levels. At the very least it slows up play as any decent referee has to stop play for a supposed head knock. It is a pathetic attempt to land a fellow pro in trouble. But most of all there appears to be no sanction against anyone who is clearly play-acting. "Simulation" to try to get a penalty often earns a yellow card, I think this kind of feeble falling down should also earn a card to try to cut it out. Otherwise, I seem to be seeing it about three or four times in every match these days.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Phew!
OK, so it wasn't vintage by any standards but it was still good to get the ball rolling with three points against the Ukraine. And what a strike from Toni, quite similar to the one he belted in for the Viola a week earlier. Didn't understand the use of Del P (I feel his day is done at Nazionale level) or Iaquinta (I feel his day should never have come at Nazionale level). Still, it put me in a better frame of mind for Georgia.
Cracking result for Scotland but not sure whether it was good or bad for overall Italian qualification. The bottom line, however, is always to focus on your own results. Another win on Wednesday night and we would be right back in the hunt for a top two spot. Anything less than a win, however, would undo the positive feelings I have right now.
I have to confess here and now that my vision of the Ukraine game was severely impaired by my own stupidity. I forgot that my wife had invited friends round for whom I cooked a lovely meal (stuffed peppers followed by linguine with king prawns). However, it meant my overall game view was very limited. And I may have done even worse for Wednesday having booked to go away on holiday with the family. Chances of holiday park showing Georgia v Italy over Croatia v England or Ukraine v Scotland? Less than nil. I will be with the boys in spirit and regularly checking on ceefax, WAP or with my cousins...
Cracking result for Scotland but not sure whether it was good or bad for overall Italian qualification. The bottom line, however, is always to focus on your own results. Another win on Wednesday night and we would be right back in the hunt for a top two spot. Anything less than a win, however, would undo the positive feelings I have right now.
I have to confess here and now that my vision of the Ukraine game was severely impaired by my own stupidity. I forgot that my wife had invited friends round for whom I cooked a lovely meal (stuffed peppers followed by linguine with king prawns). However, it meant my overall game view was very limited. And I may have done even worse for Wednesday having booked to go away on holiday with the family. Chances of holiday park showing Georgia v Italy over Croatia v England or Ukraine v Scotland? Less than nil. I will be with the boys in spirit and regularly checking on ceefax, WAP or with my cousins...
Thursday, October 05, 2006
What have we done to make them so disrespectful?
OK, OK, I know the World Cup is over but just the same you would think it would have earned Italy some RESPECT!
Firstly you have Paul Hartley saying that the Azzurri might have won the World Cup but everybody knows France are the better team. Bite the tongue, I told myself, take it on the chin. Silly wee Hearts man.
But then you get Oleg Blokhin saying he expects to beat Italy this weekend. Now that's taking things too far. Did he miss the Mondiale? Has he forgotten the beating his boys took? Does being champions of the world count for nothing? (I don't know what the blogging equivalent of grabbing your balls and pulling a Sylvester Stallone type pose is but I am doing it now).
I demand RESPECT for the Azzurri and I demand it now. We are four times world champions, a couple of times finalists, always near the top of the Euro tree. We are right up there side by side with Brazil. So give us some RISPETTO!
...And let's beat Ukraine and Georgia please!!!
Firstly you have Paul Hartley saying that the Azzurri might have won the World Cup but everybody knows France are the better team. Bite the tongue, I told myself, take it on the chin. Silly wee Hearts man.
But then you get Oleg Blokhin saying he expects to beat Italy this weekend. Now that's taking things too far. Did he miss the Mondiale? Has he forgotten the beating his boys took? Does being champions of the world count for nothing? (I don't know what the blogging equivalent of grabbing your balls and pulling a Sylvester Stallone type pose is but I am doing it now).
I demand RESPECT for the Azzurri and I demand it now. We are four times world champions, a couple of times finalists, always near the top of the Euro tree. We are right up there side by side with Brazil. So give us some RISPETTO!
...And let's beat Ukraine and Georgia please!!!
Monday, October 02, 2006
Back to Del Piero...
More than one quizzical eyebrow has been raised at Roberto Donadoni's call-ups for the crunch Euro qualifying clash with the Ukraine. Alberto Gilardino and Antonio Cassano are the biggest name casualties from his first competitive clashes - seemingly sacrificed to make room for Luca Toni and Alex Del Piero.
The move smacks a little bit of uncertainty from the new boss. Why call up Cassano in the first place only to dump him this time? While Gilardino is crying out for somebody to show a bit of faith in him having been questioned at both club and country level for no good reason. It is surprising to see Del P back in the squad while nobody doubts Toni deserves his spot after the cracker he scored on Sunday. Still, judgment reserved until after the game.
On the league front it is Palermo and Roma who go into the national break on top after Inter's slip up at Cagliari. Neither side sparkled at the weekend but it is shaping up like an amazingly exciting campaign. The door is open for a real surprise Scudetto winner, is anybody prepared to take the chance?
The move smacks a little bit of uncertainty from the new boss. Why call up Cassano in the first place only to dump him this time? While Gilardino is crying out for somebody to show a bit of faith in him having been questioned at both club and country level for no good reason. It is surprising to see Del P back in the squad while nobody doubts Toni deserves his spot after the cracker he scored on Sunday. Still, judgment reserved until after the game.
On the league front it is Palermo and Roma who go into the national break on top after Inter's slip up at Cagliari. Neither side sparkled at the weekend but it is shaping up like an amazingly exciting campaign. The door is open for a real surprise Scudetto winner, is anybody prepared to take the chance?
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Povero Toro!
I would freely admit I have a soft spot for Torino. Maybe it is their dislike of Juve, maybe it is their tragic history (Superga, Gigi Meroni etc) or maybe it is just the colour of their strips. Whatever it is, it never seems like a proper Serie A season without them.
But, boy oh boy, did they take one hell of a beating on Saturday night. 4-0 going on 8-0 by Lazio. They held on reasonably for a half but once they went behind, the floodgates opened. Maybe their President, Mr Urbano Cairo, will be having a few regrets about sacking the Coach who got them promoted a few days before the season started to bring in Alberto Zaccheroni. If you too thought that Zac's day was done it was proved in spades in front of the long-suffering Granata support.
The team clearly don't want to play for him because, although they are bad, they are not that bad. They desperately need a striker and a way to get the best out of undoubtedly talented players like Rosina and Fiore. Otherwise, they might pass Juve coming up as they head straight back down to Serie B.
But, boy oh boy, did they take one hell of a beating on Saturday night. 4-0 going on 8-0 by Lazio. They held on reasonably for a half but once they went behind, the floodgates opened. Maybe their President, Mr Urbano Cairo, will be having a few regrets about sacking the Coach who got them promoted a few days before the season started to bring in Alberto Zaccheroni. If you too thought that Zac's day was done it was proved in spades in front of the long-suffering Granata support.
The team clearly don't want to play for him because, although they are bad, they are not that bad. They desperately need a striker and a way to get the best out of undoubtedly talented players like Rosina and Fiore. Otherwise, they might pass Juve coming up as they head straight back down to Serie B.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
We are not alone...
So, we stood and took it for most of the summer about how we were the most corrupt league in the world, the shame of our top teams, the scandal that was Serie A. Well, ladies and gentlemen, it's time for a little payback.
Tune yourselves in to Panorama tonight and find out how many Premiership managers like a bung. That is to say, a little sweetener of cash for their pocket to clinch major transfer deals. It appears we are not talking, as in Italy, the simple use of influence but rather the more grubby subject of cold, hard notes. The results of a full inquiry are expected out early next month.
What can we expect? Managers banned, teams relegated, points deductions? Probably not. More likely the sound of the old carpet being lifted and a judicious bit of sweeping...
Tune yourselves in to Panorama tonight and find out how many Premiership managers like a bung. That is to say, a little sweetener of cash for their pocket to clinch major transfer deals. It appears we are not talking, as in Italy, the simple use of influence but rather the more grubby subject of cold, hard notes. The results of a full inquiry are expected out early next month.
What can we expect? Managers banned, teams relegated, points deductions? Probably not. More likely the sound of the old carpet being lifted and a judicious bit of sweeping...
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Some surprises - and Inter...
In the end it was only Inter who let down Italy in Europe in the Champs League. I made the mistake of watching their clash with Sporting Lisbon not Roma's impressive 4-0 victory over Donetsk. It was drab, dull and uninspiring as Inter have often treated us to in Europe. The Giallorossi, by all accounts, took their time to break down their opponents but when they did - they did it in some style.
As for Milan, they looked pretty good and I was particularly impressed by Gourcuff or however it is spelled. Oliveira looked less stellar but luckily for the Rossoneri old Pippo was in full swing.
Now bring on the UEFA!
As for Milan, they looked pretty good and I was particularly impressed by Gourcuff or however it is spelled. Oliveira looked less stellar but luckily for the Rossoneri old Pippo was in full swing.
Now bring on the UEFA!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Champions apprehension
I dont think I ever approached the Champs League with a greater sense of concern. I really struggle to see Italian teams making any impact this year.
Roma struggled last season with the double burden of league and UEFA Cup so don't look to have a squad ready for the top competition. Milan will be totally focussed on getting their points back in Serie A. And Inter, well Inter just always let us down.
With Chievo gone already and our UEFA contingent looking modest too, I fear there are a couple of lean years ahead. Or am I just too pessimistic?
Roma struggled last season with the double burden of league and UEFA Cup so don't look to have a squad ready for the top competition. Milan will be totally focussed on getting their points back in Serie A. And Inter, well Inter just always let us down.
With Chievo gone already and our UEFA contingent looking modest too, I fear there are a couple of lean years ahead. Or am I just too pessimistic?
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Bring it on
Well, it hardly seems like yesterday we were beating France to win the World Cup and it is back into action against the old enemy on Wednesday night. There has been a lot of nonsense spouted about the game but I think most of it has been sour grapes on the French front. I hope that Italy don't rise to that particular bait and just concentrate on playing football.
I was actually happy enough with the Lithuania game - apart from the result. I thought there was some good enterprise shown and Cassano was outstanding. Also Gattuso, Pirlo and Cannavaro have grown even more in stature with the World Cup win. However, there were a few worrying gaps at the back and I think we might be better advised to bring Zambro back against France and maybe consider a more prudent 4-4-2 (with Cassano behind front two if we want to be adventurous).
Anyway, here's hoping we beat them fair and square (again) and stop them crying into their chardonnay...
I was actually happy enough with the Lithuania game - apart from the result. I thought there was some good enterprise shown and Cassano was outstanding. Also Gattuso, Pirlo and Cannavaro have grown even more in stature with the World Cup win. However, there were a few worrying gaps at the back and I think we might be better advised to bring Zambro back against France and maybe consider a more prudent 4-4-2 (with Cassano behind front two if we want to be adventurous).
Anyway, here's hoping we beat them fair and square (again) and stop them crying into their chardonnay...
Sunday, August 27, 2006
The shape of things to come?
Phew, if the Italian Supercup is anything to go by we could be in for quite a season despite all the scandal that has preceded it. Roma go three goals up, Inter fight back and win it in extra time. Not bad entertainment value from the two teams most touted to win the Scudetto this year.
I think it could be a really open fight with so many teams trying to make up points and without a real dominant force like Juve. In theory, Inter should probably stroll to the title but somehow that just doesn't seem likely to me. They were strong already and have brought in a lot of good players. But, remember, Inter are still Inter and could probably lose an egg and spoon race to a man with the shakes. That makes for an exciting league.
Just can't wait now for the court rumbles to be over with and get back into action. Also intrigued to see how Cassano gets on for Italy having been brought in from the cold. I'm a bit worried about Lithuania and France in the post-World Cup haze. If Donadoni can get the team properly motivated he will have performed a miracle.
I think it could be a really open fight with so many teams trying to make up points and without a real dominant force like Juve. In theory, Inter should probably stroll to the title but somehow that just doesn't seem likely to me. They were strong already and have brought in a lot of good players. But, remember, Inter are still Inter and could probably lose an egg and spoon race to a man with the shakes. That makes for an exciting league.
Just can't wait now for the court rumbles to be over with and get back into action. Also intrigued to see how Cassano gets on for Italy having been brought in from the cold. I'm a bit worried about Lithuania and France in the post-World Cup haze. If Donadoni can get the team properly motivated he will have performed a miracle.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Let it go, let it go...
I know I have never been known for my pro-Juventus leanings but they are starting to slip even further in my estimation with their unwillingness to accept their punishment and get on with Serie B. Not only has this protracted fight dragged Italian football through the mire, it is also threatening to see the Serie A season delayed further AND see action taken against the whole Italian football federation.
In the end, we could all sit and debate who deserved to be punished more or less by the Calciopoli scandal. In some ways Juve were hard done by but in others they got off quite lightly. Seeking a solution at the regional court of Lazio is, to my mind, taking things too far. It's time to move on and if that means the Bianconeri in Serie B, so be it. I hope their request is thrown out and I can actually get on with writing about football.
Watched Chievo go out the other night to Levski Doodah in the Champs League qualifier. I know that the Viola were going out to Genoa in the cup at the same time but I still think we could have been in the group stage draw which took place yesterday. Just bought my copy of Champions magazine which is full of stuff on Luca Toni and Cesare Prandelli. It will be a collectors item one day. In the meantime, it will be at least another two seasons before that dream comes true. If Fiorentina, Lazio, etc have to get on with it, then why can't Juve?
Finally, sad to see Oba Oba Martins leave Inter. He was always one of my preferred players in a team that I didn't have too much time for. I reckon he could score a lot of goals in England...
In the end, we could all sit and debate who deserved to be punished more or less by the Calciopoli scandal. In some ways Juve were hard done by but in others they got off quite lightly. Seeking a solution at the regional court of Lazio is, to my mind, taking things too far. It's time to move on and if that means the Bianconeri in Serie B, so be it. I hope their request is thrown out and I can actually get on with writing about football.
Watched Chievo go out the other night to Levski Doodah in the Champs League qualifier. I know that the Viola were going out to Genoa in the cup at the same time but I still think we could have been in the group stage draw which took place yesterday. Just bought my copy of Champions magazine which is full of stuff on Luca Toni and Cesare Prandelli. It will be a collectors item one day. In the meantime, it will be at least another two seasons before that dream comes true. If Fiorentina, Lazio, etc have to get on with it, then why can't Juve?
Finally, sad to see Oba Oba Martins leave Inter. He was always one of my preferred players in a team that I didn't have too much time for. I reckon he could score a lot of goals in England...
Monday, August 21, 2006
Have they taken leave of their senses?
I know that nothing should really surprise me now but just the same I have been taken aback by recent TV reports and stories I have seen on Italian football websites of some repute (and now here, too). There are transfer stories that shock you (Mo Johnston to Rangers), stun you (Luther Blissett to Milan) or just downright make you laugh (Steve Staunton being linked to a Serie A move springs to mind). But my mixture of revulsion, hilarity and disbelief has rarely been so great as when I read...
Milan want to buy Ronaldo
Is this the same tubby-guts, lackadaisical, unimpressive hitman we watched slump out of the World Cup this summer? Apparently so. But why? Why? Why? Why? (Is that enough) do Milan want to sign him? I know they have lost Sheva but this is such a backward step they might as well snap up Gazza, Gunnar Nordahl and Silvio Piola at the same time. Apparently, Inter are even thinking of intervening to spoil their plans. Madness, sheer madness.
Surely a young up and coming striker, maybe even an Italian, would be better than the man who can no longer get off the ground. Or am I being too harsh?
Milan want to buy Ronaldo
Is this the same tubby-guts, lackadaisical, unimpressive hitman we watched slump out of the World Cup this summer? Apparently so. But why? Why? Why? Why? (Is that enough) do Milan want to sign him? I know they have lost Sheva but this is such a backward step they might as well snap up Gazza, Gunnar Nordahl and Silvio Piola at the same time. Apparently, Inter are even thinking of intervening to spoil their plans. Madness, sheer madness.
Surely a young up and coming striker, maybe even an Italian, would be better than the man who can no longer get off the ground. Or am I being too harsh?
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Return of the champs
OK, we all enjoyed the summer but it's time to get back down to business with the first friendly of the Donadoni era. I admit it, the thought of seeing a squad including, I think, one World Cup winner (Amelia) doesn't exactly fill me with joy. But, still, the Azzurri are the Azzurri and the last time I missed a game was when I was wearing nappies (yes, it was six months ago but that was just a phase, honest).
Apparently there was a joke in the Gazzetta the other day about Dona's first squad, it said, more or less: "Donadoni has announced his first squad it contains: 7 debutants, 5 Sampdoriani, 3 dentists, two folk singers, one pensioner and three of his neighbours..." Nice one.
Still, interesting to see just how we get on and plenty of interest for a Viola man with a lot of our current and past players in the squad. I just hope it's not too embarrassing but then, Lippi started with a bad loss to Iceland.
Will also try to watch the Under 21s tonight and see what Gigi Casiraghi can come up with. That's a strange managerial selection indeed. However, if he gets the wins, you won't find me complaining. And, you know what, whatever happens we are STILL WORLD CHAMPIONS!
Apparently there was a joke in the Gazzetta the other day about Dona's first squad, it said, more or less: "Donadoni has announced his first squad it contains: 7 debutants, 5 Sampdoriani, 3 dentists, two folk singers, one pensioner and three of his neighbours..." Nice one.
Still, interesting to see just how we get on and plenty of interest for a Viola man with a lot of our current and past players in the squad. I just hope it's not too embarrassing but then, Lippi started with a bad loss to Iceland.
Will also try to watch the Under 21s tonight and see what Gigi Casiraghi can come up with. That's a strange managerial selection indeed. However, if he gets the wins, you won't find me complaining. And, you know what, whatever happens we are STILL WORLD CHAMPIONS!
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Milan miss Sheva...
They might protest to the contrary but Milan could desperately do with a striker to replace Shevchenko if last night's Champs League efforts are anything to go by. The Rossoneri looked good until the final third but only that old stager Inzaghi could find the net. It is early days of course but they looked more in need of Ibrahimovic than neighbours Inter who have clinched his signature. Still, there is plenty of time for a deal to be put together, I guess. Otherwise, they will struggle more than I thought to make up ground in Serie A.
Spare a thought for little Chievo too beaten 2-0 by Levski Sofia in their Champions League debut. Expectations were low for the Veronese but they will have their work cut out to turn things around. I couldn't help looking at the fixture and thinking that should have been Fiorentina, that should have been Fiorentina...
Spare a thought for little Chievo too beaten 2-0 by Levski Sofia in their Champions League debut. Expectations were low for the Veronese but they will have their work cut out to turn things around. I couldn't help looking at the fixture and thinking that should have been Fiorentina, that should have been Fiorentina...
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Is it that time again?
It hardly seems like the grappa, spumante, chianti and montepulciano have had time to settle in my bloodstream after the World Cup and we are back into Euro action. Milan and little Chievo in the Champs League. I have pretty much written off the continental competitions this year given the loss of three of our better sides. Still, maybe I can be proved wrong.
On other notes, it looks like Luca Toni is going to stay put in Florence. I am never sure how much players want to leave and how much is stirred up by agents, newspapers and other clubs. However, it can't be denied that 30 goals a season would have left a big hole in the Viola attack. They need all the points they can get starting 19 down on the competition.
Finally, I wouldn't rule out Milan from the Scudetto reckoning just because they are starting with a points penalty. Bigger gaps have been made up in the past and even though Inter have got a title under their belt AND bought up all the best players in Italy they still never convince me. The only other contenders are Roma who might finally have some strikers to pick and are able to sign new people to the cause. It will be an odd year but definitely and exciting one - looking forward to seeing Juve, Genoa, Napoli, Bologna and other big guns fight it out in Serie B too...
On other notes, it looks like Luca Toni is going to stay put in Florence. I am never sure how much players want to leave and how much is stirred up by agents, newspapers and other clubs. However, it can't be denied that 30 goals a season would have left a big hole in the Viola attack. They need all the points they can get starting 19 down on the competition.
Finally, I wouldn't rule out Milan from the Scudetto reckoning just because they are starting with a points penalty. Bigger gaps have been made up in the past and even though Inter have got a title under their belt AND bought up all the best players in Italy they still never convince me. The only other contenders are Roma who might finally have some strikers to pick and are able to sign new people to the cause. It will be an odd year but definitely and exciting one - looking forward to seeing Juve, Genoa, Napoli, Bologna and other big guns fight it out in Serie B too...
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
The strangest Scudetto
So Inter have their 14th league title, in the most bizarre manner imagineable. Having finished third in Serie A they saw all their nearest rivals penalised and won it more than a month after the season ended. Never before has it happened in Italian football - the last time a team had its title revoked (Torino back in the 1920s) it was simply not assigned. So, is there really any glory for Inter?
On the one hand, why shouldn't they have it? If they were the only clean ones in the top four then the title should be theirs. On the other hand, it can never be known how the league would have finished without all the alleged piloting of referees. And after such a long wait, would you really want to win the Scudetto that way?
I can see that as a fan you would want a title any way you could get it. Nonetheless, I still think there must be a bit of an odd flavour to the celebrations. I reckon most true Nerazzurri would give up ten titles won in this manner for one won on the pitch without sporting justice's intervention. They can protest all they like but it is a bit of a tarnished trophy. That will fade with time, of course, but still the Scudetto 2006 will remain one of the strangest in Italian football history.
On the one hand, why shouldn't they have it? If they were the only clean ones in the top four then the title should be theirs. On the other hand, it can never be known how the league would have finished without all the alleged piloting of referees. And after such a long wait, would you really want to win the Scudetto that way?
I can see that as a fan you would want a title any way you could get it. Nonetheless, I still think there must be a bit of an odd flavour to the celebrations. I reckon most true Nerazzurri would give up ten titles won in this manner for one won on the pitch without sporting justice's intervention. They can protest all they like but it is a bit of a tarnished trophy. That will fade with time, of course, but still the Scudetto 2006 will remain one of the strangest in Italian football history.
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