Serie A - The 2007-08 season thread

Juve would not sell Palladino. They would ideally need 4 strikers in total to see the season through. Del Piero would not be playing full 90 mins & there would be injuries in the season as well. Palladino should soon be getting his chances on the pitch.

Tarun, which of the new signings impressed you the most against Livorno?

Luis wrote:Tarun, which of the new signings impressed you the most against Livorno?

Luis, it would be a tough choice between Nocerino & Criscito, but I guess I will go with Criscito for the match against Livorno. He played with a lot of grit & determination alongside Andrade in the central defense in the absence of Birindelli/Grygera & was instrumental in breaking down a couple of very dangerous charges. With him maturing further in that role, it's a very good sign for Juve's defensive woes

I would say Criscito and Iaquinta. The latter is not that prolific or even technical, but tactically he is brilliant.

I would say its Iaquinta.

Tho Molinaro, Criscito & Sali are proving to be shrewd buys too.

I cannot believe Fiore went to Mantova.

UEFA: Italians avoid giants
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The UEFA Cup draw has been kind to the Italian sides with Palermo’s clash against Swiss champions FC Zurich arguably the sternest test. Palermo qualified automatically for this stage after dropping out of the Champions League places late last season and have to overcome Czech outfit Mlada Boleslav. The Rosnaero shouldn’t underestimate the Gambrinus Liga side as they stunned Marseille at this stage last term.

Tuscan minnows Empoli make their first foray into European football and will play Swiss champions FC Zurich.Cesare Prandelli’s Fiorentina will fancy their chances against Dutch side Groningen, who only finished eighth in the Eredivisie last year and qualified thanks to the play-off system.

Sampdoria beat Hajduk Split 2-1 on aggregate, but endured some nervy moments as they conceded a late free-kick against the Croatian runners-up at Marassi on Thursday evening.Walter Mazzarri’s men have been rewarded with a tie against Danish side Aalborg, who overcame Finnish runners-up HJK Helsinki 4-2 in an all-Scandanavian third preliminary clash.

Surely Mancio is not serious about leaving Adriano out of the CL squad?? I mean, surely the best way forward is to register him in the list, and then maybe not play him unless really required??

Mancini To Adriano: Help Inter Help You

With Alvaro Recoba away to Torino, it seems that Adriano will remain at the San Siro as Internazionale's fifth striker. The troubled Brazilian has been exiled from first team duties of late - but now that they're stuck with each other, coach Roberto Mancini has urged Adriano to retake his Emperor's throne... Inter coach Roberto Mancini and Adriano have resigned themselves to the Brazilian's staying at the San Siro, with the manager determined to make the best of the situation.Adriano refused to go out on loan and, with no serious buyer presenting itself, Inter are now holding on to the player until winter at least.Even with Alvaro Recoba leaving to join Torino on loan, there are still four strikers currently ranked ahead of Adriano - but Mancini insists that L'Imperatore can find his way back in from the cold.

"We have always tried to recover Adriano, but we can only do so much. If he helps us, we will help him: Inter alone cannot make it happen," said the manager.However, the coach would not confirm that Adriano would be a member of the team's Champions League squad."The Champions League is a possible eventuality, but he's more likely to find space in the [Serie A] championship," added Mancini.

A possible reason for this is that Adriano's continental value for the winter transfer window would depreciate severely if he was "cup-tied" in Europe. Perhaps, then, the saga is only over for now, and not forever. Mancini publicly acknowledged once more that the door was open for Adriano to leave, at least on loan."He chose not to go on loan because he didn't see it as an ideal solution for him, so he remained, and he hopes that he'll regain his place in a hurry," concluded the Inter boss.

Week 2 - 2/9/07

Atalanta-Parma Sun
Cagliari-Juve Sun
Catania-Genoa Sun
Empoli-Inter Sat
Livorno-Palermo Sun
Milan-Fiorentina Mon
Roma-Siena Sun
Sampdoria-Lazio Sun
Torino-Reggina Sun
Udinese-Napoli Sun

Tough match for us on Monday against Fiorentina.

Here are the most important last-minute moves in the Italian transfer window that took place today:


Alvaro Recoba from Inter to Torino
Hernan Dellafiore from Palermo to Torino
Fabio Caserta from Catania to Palermo
Bernardo Corradi from Manchester City to Parma
Mariga from Helsingborgs to Parma
Erjon Bogdani from Chievo to Livorno
Daniele De Vezze from Messina to Livorno
Edgar Alvarez from Roma to Livorno
Adailton from Genoa to Bologna
Mirco Gasparetto from Genoa to Chievo
Gianluca Pegolo from Genoa to Mantova
Gabriele Cioffi from Torino to Ascoli
Manuel Belleri from Lazio to Atalanta
Angelo Ogbonna from Torino to Crotone
Adriano from Atalanta to Monaco
Mattia Biso from Catania to Spezia

So how do you grade the top teams on their transfers? Based on whether they have strengthened their squad covering the right gaps in order to achieve their objective?

A = Excellent
B = Above Average
C = Average
D = Below Average
F = Poor

Summary of major transfers of the supposed top 10 teams:

Fiorentina: C - did not buy enuf experience
IN: Mazuch (D, Brno), Vanden Borre (D, Anderlecht), Balzaretti (D, Juventus), Hable (M, Hradec), Lupoli (A, Arsenal), Vieri (A, Atalanta), Semioli (M, Chievo), Osvaldo (A, Atalanta), Ranocchia (D, Arezzo)
OUT: Toni (A, Bayern Munich), Reginaldo (A, Parma), Bojinov (A, Manchester City)

Inter: B - few quality changes, but will they be enough?
IN: Cesar (M, Livorno), Suazo (A, Cagliari), Jimenez (M, Lazio), Rivas (D, River Plate), Chivu (D, Roma), Pele (M, Vitoria Guimaraes)
OUT: Gonzalez (M, Palermo), Ribas (A, Spezia), Acquafresca (Cagliari), Grosso (D, Lyon), Carini (G, Murcia), Andreolli (D, Roma), Recoba (A, Torino)

Juventus: B - did well in rebuilding and keeping all their stars, but 1-2 big name short of being an excellent summer
IN: Molinaro (D, Siena), Grygera (D, Ajax), Criscito (D, Genoa), Nocerino (M, Piacenza), Salihamidzic (M, Bayern Munich), Miccoli (A, Benfica), Iaquinta (A, Udinese), Almiron (M, Empoli), Tiago (M, Lyon), Andrade (D, Deportivo La Coruna)
OUT: Balzaretti (D, Fiorentina), Kovac (D, Borussia Dortmund), Tudor (d, Hajduk Split); Bojinov (A, Fiorentina), Volpe (A, Livorno), Paro (M, Genoa), Kapo (M, Birmingham), Giovinco (M, Empoli), Miccoli (A, Palermo), Tacchinardi (M, Brescia), Giannichedda (M, contract terminated), Zalayeta (A, Napoli), Blasi (M, Napoli)

Lazio: F - poor buys, no replacement for Perruzzi, are worse off talent-wise
IN: Kolarov (D, Ofk Belgrade); Scaloni (D, Racing Santander), Meghni (M, Bologna)
OUT: Peruzzi (G, retired), Foggia (M,Cagliari),Jimenez (M, Inter), S Inzaghi (F, Atalanta)

Milan: C- 2 good buys, but did not address some questions raised last season, specially in the defence
IN: Pato (A, Internacional), Emerson (M, Real Madrid)
OUT: Costacurta (D, retired), Borriello (A, Genoa),Donati (M,Celtic), Abbiati (G, Atletico Madrid) Sammarco (M, Sampdoria), Di Gennaro (A, Bologna), Oliveira (A, Zaragoza), Storari (G, Levante)

Palermo: B - great buys in Miccoli & Jankovic, but neglected their defence a bit.
IN: Ujkani (G, Anderlecht), Jankovic (M, Real Mallorca), Miccoli (A, Juventus), Rinaudo (D, Siena)
OUT: Corini (M, Torino), Caracciolo (A, Sampdoria), Di Michele (A, Torino), Bovo (D, Genoa), Terlizzi (D, Catania), Dellafiore (D, Torino)

Roma: A - easily the best summer in Serie A, have strengthened their squad considerably in all areas.
IN: Brighi (M, Chievo), Pit (M, Bellinzona), Juan (D, Bayer Leverkusen), Kuffour (D, Livorno), Barusso (M, Rimini), Esposito (A, Cagliari), Montella (A, Fulham), Giuly (M, Barcelona), Andreolli (D, Inter), Cicinho (D, Real Madrid)
OUT: Wilhelmsson (M, Nantes), Tavano (A, Valencia), Faty (M, Bayer Leverkusen), Montella (A,Sampdoria),Okaka Chuka (A, Modena), Chivu (D, Inter), Nonda (A, Galatasaray)

Sampdoria: B - big loss in Quag/Flachi but managed to cover it up well
IN: Bellucci (A, Bologna), Caracciolo (A, Palermo), Sammarco (M, Milan), Gastaldello (D, Juventus), Ziegler (M, Tottenham), Montella (A, Roma), Cassano (A, Real Madrid)
OUT: Falcone (D, Parma), Quagliarella (A, Udinese), Bazzani(A, Brescia), Flachi (A, contractterminated)

Torino: A - some brillaint moves like Corini/Recoba/Di Michele, have considerably strengthed themselves to gear up for the derby!
IN: Malonga (A, Monaco), Corini (M, Palermo), Grella (M, Parma), Ventola (A, Atalanta), Bjelanovic (A, Ascoli), Sereni (G, Lazio), Natali (D, Udinese), Di Michele (A, Palermo), Lanna (D, Chievo), Motta (D, Udinese), Recoba (A, Inter), Dellafiore (D, Palermo)
OUT: Bovo (D, Palermo), Abbiati (G, Milan), Taibi (G, Ascoli)

Udinese: C - Done well, but De Sanctis will be missed.
IN: Floro Flores (A, Arezzo), Quagliarella (A, Sampdoria), Paolucci (A, Juventus), Sanchez (A, Colo Colo), Mesto (D, Reggina), Boudianski (M, Ascoli)
OUT: Muntari (M,Portsmouth), Iaquinta (A, Juventus),Natali (D, Torino), De Sanctis (G, Sevilla)

Ibraaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!

0-1 Inter, 14th minute

2 goals by Ibra, Empoli 0-2 Inter.... we are back!!!!!!!!!!

In other news, Mancio could not find place for Adriano in the 25 member squad registered for CL!! So no europe for "The Emperor" this season...

bluenine wrote:Ibraaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!

0-1 Inter, 14th minute

One of the biggest problems Inter has faced in the Moratti era has been that the coaches were never able to manage the "Moratti pet" primadonnas... Ronaldo, Vieri, Recoba, Adriano etc got away with murder and the coaches just looked on helplessly.

Until Mancio.

For the record, I am very impressed with the way Mancio's has handled the Adriano situation. He has helped Adriano in any way he could, from resting him, to extra training, to publically saying encouraging stuff, to even sending him on a mid-season holiday. But at the same time, he has made it very clear that he will not tolerate any nonsense, and has punished Adriano when ever needed.

Dropping Adriano from the CL squad required balls, thats one thing our coach does not lack! Well done, Mancio!

Mancio cuts Adriano out of Europe
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Roberto Mancini has confirmed that Adriano will be left out of Inter’s Champions League squad. “Someone had to miss out.”

The Brazilian refused loan moves to West Ham United, Manchester City, Parma and Lazio over the past week, but instead looks set to spend most of this season in the stands. Reports suggesting that Adriano had also been excluded from the 25-man list handed in to UEFA proved to be founded. “I have already made the decision and I was very sorry to have to leave people out.” As l’Imperatore has also been dropped from both Serie A games this term, has his rapport with the Coach broken down irrevocably?

“We have spoken many times face to face in these years and there is no need to say things publicly. I have always had faith in him, both now and in the past when he was left out. “I am convinced he can get back to the player he was and we will do what we can to help him. If both sides work together, you can achieve great things.” The Nerazzurri got off the mark this evening with a 2-0 victory away to Empoli, both goals netted by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. “I am satisfied, seeing as things aren’t going terribly well at the moment,” continued Mancini.

Inter squad for the CL:
1 Francesco Toldo; 12 Julio Cesar; 22 Paolo Orlandoni; 2 Ivan Cordoba; 4 Javier Zanetti; 6 Maxwell; 13 Maicon; 16 Nicolas Burdisso; 23 Marco Materazzi; 24 Nelson Rivas; 25 Walter Samuel; 26 Cristian Chivu; 35 Dennis Esposito; 5 Dejan Stankovic; 7 Luis Figo; 11 Luis Jimenez; 14 Patrick Vieira; 15 Olivier Dacourt; 19 Esteban Cambiasso; 21 Santiago Solari; 36 Francesco Bolzoni; 8 Zlatan Ibrahimovic; 9 Julio Cruz; 18 Hernan Crespo; 29 David Suazo.

Juve kick off soon, forza Juve!

I think Adriano's situation has as much to do with personal foibles as it does with Inter's environment. The club's structure doesn't have the same kind of discipline and unity that Juve or Milan have/had.

Even players have said as much. In a way Inter are a lot like Real (post 2003) in that they have failed to achieve harmony inside the club. Partly because of the purchase of a slew of players every year, but also due to the club's culture.

Zaccheroni once said that at Inter the players don't have a sense of history that they do at Milan. Maybe he was bitter, but remember he was sacked by both clubs.

I also think Mancini is one of the biggest morons in football (in terms of demeanor, statements to the press), and he is a very overrated coach. I still don't see his imprint on the Inter team. I can't see a distinct philosophy when they play. Hence one day they can dismantle a team, and the next self-destruct like against Valencia. I can only partially attribute that lack of identity to the fact that they change so many players every year.

Of course Adriano has been dealt with kid gloves, but Milan would never have brooked his excess to begin with.

The standings:

Juventus 6
Roma 6
Atalanta 4
Inter 4
Sampdoria 4
Napoli 3
Milan 3*
Fiorentina 3*
Cagliari 3
Palermo 3
Torino 2
Reggina 2
Catania 2
Lazio 2
Parma 1
Genoa 1
Udinese 1
Empoli 0
Siena 0
Livorno 0

*have played 1 less game

Juventus were $h!t today, they were very lucky to win that game. Del Piero is looking a bit fat.

Week 4, thats when we'll know what stuff Juve are made of... in Rome!

Murray wrote:Juventus were $h!t today, they were very lucky to win that game. Del Piero is looking a bit fat.

Napoli have found a hero!!

Napoli elect Emperor Lavezzi
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Napoli have a new Argentine hero to cheer on in Serie A. “Ezequiel Lavezzi can really excite the fans,” said Coach Edy Reja after their 5-0 win in Udine. The striker has already scored a hat-trick in the Coppa Italia and proved decisive at the Stadio Friuli this afternoon with his inspirational performance. “With his characteristics, Lavezzi can really excite the fans in a place like Napoli and further afield,” noted Reja.

“After the first week of pre-season training I had already noticed his talent, although it is obvious he cannot always perform to this remarkable level. We are still at the start of the season. Give it 10 games and see how we are. “Marcelo Zalayeta was crucial, as he can hold up the ball and give Lavezzi the space to come in from behind. In the transfer market we focused solely on Zalayeta because he was tactically the key to everything.” Napoli had a disastrous start to their campaign with a 2-0 home defeat to Cagliari, but made up for it with their 5-0 demolition job on Udinese.

“How can one not smile after a win like that? I am very satisfied,” added the tactician, who was under pressure following that Week 1 setback. “It is the first 5-0 victory of my career and it’s not something that happens every day, so it may well also be my last. Today we dominated and I am sorry for Udinese, as I supported them as a child and came to see their games.”

Montolivo is injured and has not travelled to Milan for tonights game

Murray wrote:Juventus were $h!t today, they were very lucky to win that game. Del Piero is looking a bit fat.

So far so good...though one has to agree that they were not sharp at all in the game

Score one for Inter, Bobo, silence the rossoneri once more with the trademark finger on the lips!!

Vieri Set For San Siro Return
"Bobo" Vieri will take to the pitch for Fiorentina this evening as the Viola takes on his old enemy, AC Milan... Christian Vieri is set to take part in tonight's crunch tie between Fiorentina and Milan tonight at the San Siro - and has goalscoring on his mind.

Cristian Brocchi, a former AC Milan and Fiorentina player himself, said of Christian, "Bobo's dream is to strike Milan down 1-0 with a goal scored by himself. He's a proud man and the San Siro is the ideal stage for him to show that he's still number one." Vieri himself hasn't spoken at length yet about tonight's encounter, but seems to be in fine form, at least in training. Indeed, yesterday a teammate remarked on his shooting ability, to which he nonchalantly replied, "Scoring goals like this is normal for me. Otherwise I'd be in your position, playing in crosses."

Such is the confidence of Vieri!

Of course, "Bobo" will relish a return to the San Siro for all kinds of reasons. The player will always be associated with Internazionale, with whom he spent six glorious years, albeit years without a Scudetto - that came the year after he left. And that season, 2005/06, saw him spend an unhappy season with Milan - still at the San Siro, but in a different world. Then followed a nomadic spell - Monaco, Sampdoria, Atalanta - before he finally settled down at Fiorentina. He only appeared as a substitute in last week's 3-1 over Empoli. He may not start here. But he's set to appear - and one wonders if he can finally regain the form that made him a San Siro hero

Why do they even mention us here? Vieri didn't even play. He held up our shirt then fucked off.

From what I heard, he did a big favor for Sampdoria to let them off the contract when he realised that his injury will be season long... I think a Doria fan like you should really respect him for that... it can't be the money, he accepted a minimum wage contract from Atalanta after that.

Deano Ashton wrote:Why do they even mention us here? Vieri didn't even play. He held up our shirt then fucked off.

The standings after week 2: (Well done Fiorentina!!)

Juventus 6
Roma 6
Atalanta 4
Inter 4
Sampdoria 4
Milan 4
Fiorentina 4
Napoli 3
Cagliari 3
Palermo 3
Torino 2
Reggina 2
Catania 2
Lazio 2
Parma 1
Genoa 1
Udinese 1
Empoli 0
Siena 0
Livorno 0

Fiorentina did well yesterday. A draw at San Siro is always an achievement. Vieri almost scored a winner

Blue, I do agree that our squad is very young and that it is a disadvantage. But Prandelli knows what he is doing, he is fantastic with youngsters. These youngsters have played together for a while and bond well. Prandelli has invested in a lot of young talent and has been excellent in motivating them to achieve results in the past. I am sure we will have a good season and even though we may not be able to compete with Milan or Inter or even Roma this season, we can compete with Juventus. We want CL football, last 2 seasons we did mathematically qualify and this season Juventus will have to do something special to deny us of that.

Good selection for week 2

Serie A Team Of The Week: Round 2

Goal.com provides a brief list of those who deserved a place in the sun after the Serie A Round 2 action. As every week there were more players who deserved a place than places available...

Team of the week:
Buffon (Juventus): He conceded two goals (from the penalty spot), but he also made some incredible saves which galvanized his team-mates. Spectacular.

Samuel (Inter): Great performance by the Inter defender who was practically perfect in his defensive duties, closing down all opponents. The Empoli forwards will be having nightmares about him this week.

Maicon (Inter): A lot of work on the wing, going up and down to help both in attack and in defence. The assist for the first goal arrived from him.

Barzagli (Palermo): Solid display by the Rosanero defender, who played an excellent match without too much hassle.

Mexes (Roma): Chivu will not be missed if the French defender continues performing constantly during the season. Yet another positive performance.

Foggia (Cagliari): Apart from the two scored penalties, the former Milan player proved his quality with great assists and passes all throughout the game. A player to watch out for.

Camoranesi (Juventus): Practically decided the game in favour of Juventus when he came in the second half as he was involved in all three goals of the Bianconeri. Will prove fundamental for the Old Lady’s aspirations this season.

Aquilani (Roma): What a match by this young midfielder who deservedly received a call-up by Donadoni for the clash against France. A goal, a goal-post and an assist, but also a lot of quantity during the entire game.

Ibrahimovic (Inter): Always a pleasure to watch with his moves. And when he scores (2 goals in this case) then those are just the cherry on top of his performance.

Miccoli (Palermo): This is why they call him the Italian Romario. Two goals and an assist for the former Juventus player who can reach his best form this season unless of his usual injuries slows him down.

Lavezzi (Napoli): What a surprise! This player is in line for best newcomer of the season if his first two matches are an indication. 3 goals during the Coppa Italia game and a goal and lot of dribbling, assists and spectacular moves against Udinese. Brilliant purchase for Napoli.

Honourable Mention

Toldo (Inter)
Nesta (Milan)
Cribari (Lazio)
Giuly (Roma)
Rosina (Torino)
Mutu (Fiorentina)
Zalayeta (Napoli)

Palermo hitman Amauri is set to apply for an Italian passport and could soon be in the frame for an Azzurri shirt.

Where did you get this from?

Liverpool were linked with him this Summer.