Serie A - The 2008-09 season thread

bluenine wrote:Milan have entered Intertoto cup!!

heh heh

Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has discussed the prospect of playing in the Intertoto Cup, as the Diavolo struggle to secure European football.

These are strange times for the world champions, who find themselves four points short of fourth-placed Fiorentina and a Champions League qualification.

While the Rossoneri are currently in joint fifth place, Udinese are just one point behind and there is a possibility that Carlo Ancelotti’s men could finish seventh, possibly missing out on the UEFA Cup.

Red n' Black wrote:

bluenine wrote:Milan have entered Intertoto cup!!

heh heh

Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has discussed the prospect of playing in the Intertoto Cup, as the Diavolo struggle to secure European football.

These are strange times for the world champions, who find themselves four points short of fourth-placed Fiorentina and a Champions League qualification.

While the Rossoneri are currently in joint fifth place, Udinese are just one point behind and there is a possibility that Carlo Ancelotti’s men could finish seventh, possibly missing out on the UEFA Cup.

Did you read what Galliani said about that? I'm sure if we win it he'll say it's another European cup won

bluenine wrote:Milan have entered Intertoto cup!!

heh heh

Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has discussed the prospect of playing in the Intertoto Cup, as the Diavolo struggle to secure European football.

These are strange times for the world champions, who find themselves four points short of fourth-placed Fiorentina and a Champions League qualification.

While the Rossoneri are currently in joint fifth place, Udinese are just one point behind and there is a possibility that Carlo Ancelotti’s men could finish seventh, possibly missing out on the UEFA Cup.

Calcio Debate: Wakey Wakey Juventus!
Gianluigi Buffon yesterday complained that Juventus were compromising their chances of success due to their inadequate first half displays. Carlo Garganese believes that the world’s number one goalkeeper has a point… The jury is split over whether this season should be deemed as a success for Juventus. Some argue that finishing third and qualifying for the Champions League is a fair return in the Bianconeri’s first year back in the top-flight.

Others, including me, believe that with the five or six champions already at their disposal, had the Juve hierarchy conducted even a half-decent transfer campaign last summer, then a realistic Scudetto challenge would have been possible. What is certain, however, is that this season Juventus have regularly given themselves too much to do in games because they have been so painfully slow out of the traps.

“We deserved at least a draw, but unfortunately we didn’t start playing until our opponents were 2-0 ahead,” roared Buffon, after Juve had fought back to 2-2 against Palermo on Sunday night, only to see the Sicilians snatch a last minute winner. The Gazzetta dello Sport today drew up a league table of where teams would be if matches only lasted 45 minutes. Juve were down in ninth place alongside Napoli, with only 40 points, a massive 18 points less than their current, full-time total.

At the interval the Old Lady have only been ahead in eight of their games, they have been trailing seven times, while the scores have been level on the other 16 occasions. Juve have conceded the first goal in 10 of their 31 Serie A matches which, considering they have also been involved in four scoreless draws, is quite a high total.

“These mistakes may not be decisive this year because we are only going for third or fourth place, but next season when we set our sights higher, we cannot afford these slip-ups,” Buffon stated. Indeed Juve have twice been forced to recover from two goals down. In week 12 they struck twice in the last 15 minutes to draw 2-2, and indeed would have won the game in stoppages, had Vincenzo Iaquinta not seen a seemingly good goal disallowed. Last Sunday evening at Palermo they again hauled themselves back to 2-2, and had chances to win the game, until Mattia Cassani’s brilliant late winner for the home side.

While Juventus must be commended for their character and determination in repeatedly coming back from the dead, it is clear, as Buffon says, that if they realistically want to challenge for the Scudetto next season, then they must start dominating right from the start of matches. League-leaders Inter Milan’s point’s tally of 72 is exactly the same at half time as it is at full time. Once the Nerazzurri get their noses in front they are very difficult to peg back, and this ability to fly out of the traps must be seen as a factor in their success. Roma meanwhile have only two points less after 45 minutes than they do at 90.

One team who have notoriously struggled this season in the first half of matches is AC Milan. The Rossoneri have only been ahead in six Serie A games at the break, trailing five, and with the scores level in an incredible 20. Indeed of their last 27 league matches they have only led two at half time, one of which was the 3-1 weekend win over Cagliari. This pretty much says it all about the Diavoli’s disappointing campaign.

There are a number of improvements that Juventus, and indeed Milan, need to make for next season if they are to close the gap on Inter. One of these will be to rectify their first half sleepiness.

Ronaldinho Wants Us & We Want Him – Berlusconi
Ronaldinho is looking increasingly likely to join Milan this summer, and Silvio Berlusconi has admitted that there is a determination on both sides to complete the transfer. Barcelona star Ronaldinho has endured a miserable season, ridden by injuries and a loss of form, and he is widely expected to leave Camp Nou this summer.

Speculation has been increasing in the Italian media over the past week that Milan are closing in on a deal to sign the 28-year-old, and Milan President Silvio Berlsuconi has now intensified all such talk.

“We are doing everything possible to bring Ronaldinho to Milan,” Berlusconi declared.

“He has said that he doesn’t want to join any other team except for us, the champions of the world.”

A number of teams including Inter, Chelsea and Manchester City have also been linked with bids, but there are other reasons why Ronaldinho only wants Milan.

“Ronaldinho also has motive to join us because there are so many of his fellow Brazilians here, and because at Milan everyone is treated very well,” Berlusconi explained.

Tweedle wrote:Ibrah only has 7 goals from open play!

Inter have not scored from a direct freekick all season!!! Almost makes me wish for Adriano and Recoba to come back.

Tweedle wrote:Ibrah only has 7 goals from open play!

bluenine wrote:Great article from goal.com. Thats one aspect of Inter that has been very good in the last 2 years... we usually score quick, and when we do, its very difficult for the other team to come back.... The Inter strategy works best when we are ahead, with a physical and stubborn defence, and an attack with pace and width.

Calcio Debate: Wakey Wakey Juventus!
Gianluigi Buffon yesterday complained that Juventus were compromising their chances of success due to their inadequate first half displays. Carlo Garganese believes that the world’s number one goalkeeper has a point… The jury is split over whether this season should be deemed as a success for Juventus. Some argue that finishing third and qualifying for the Champions League is a fair return in the Bianconeri’s first year back in the top-flight.

Others, including me, believe that with the five or six champions already at their disposal, had the Juve hierarchy conducted even a half-decent transfer campaign last summer, then a realistic Scudetto challenge would have been possible. What is certain, however, is that this season Juventus have regularly given themselves too much to do in games because they have been so painfully slow out of the traps.

“We deserved at least a draw, but unfortunately we didn’t start playing until our opponents were 2-0 ahead,” roared Buffon, after Juve had fought back to 2-2 against Palermo on Sunday night, only to see the Sicilians snatch a last minute winner. The Gazzetta dello Sport today drew up a league table of where teams would be if matches only lasted 45 minutes. Juve were down in ninth place alongside Napoli, with only 40 points, a massive 18 points less than their current, full-time total.

At the interval the Old Lady have only been ahead in eight of their games, they have been trailing seven times, while the scores have been level on the other 16 occasions. Juve have conceded the first goal in 10 of their 31 Serie A matches which, considering they have also been involved in four scoreless draws, is quite a high total.

“These mistakes may not be decisive this year because we are only going for third or fourth place, but next season when we set our sights higher, we cannot afford these slip-ups,” Buffon stated. Indeed Juve have twice been forced to recover from two goals down. In week 12 they struck twice in the last 15 minutes to draw 2-2, and indeed would have won the game in stoppages, had Vincenzo Iaquinta not seen a seemingly good goal disallowed. Last Sunday evening at Palermo they again hauled themselves back to 2-2, and had chances to win the game, until Mattia Cassani’s brilliant late winner for the home side.

While Juventus must be commended for their character and determination in repeatedly coming back from the dead, it is clear, as Buffon says, that if they realistically want to challenge for the Scudetto next season, then they must start dominating right from the start of matches. League-leaders Inter Milan’s point’s tally of 72 is exactly the same at half time as it is at full time. Once the Nerazzurri get their noses in front they are very difficult to peg back, and this ability to fly out of the traps must be seen as a factor in their success. Roma meanwhile have only two points less after 45 minutes than they do at 90.

One team who have notoriously struggled this season in the first half of matches is AC Milan. The Rossoneri have only been ahead in six Serie A games at the break, trailing five, and with the scores level in an incredible 20. Indeed of their last 27 league matches they have only led two at half time, one of which was the 3-1 weekend win over Cagliari. This pretty much says it all about the Diavoli’s disappointing campaign.

There are a number of improvements that Juventus, and indeed Milan, need to make for next season if they are to close the gap on Inter. One of these will be to rectify their first half sleepiness.

Galliani: Dinho and Sheva are ours	Friday 11 April, 2008
Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani claims the Rossoneri have a “180 per cent chance” of signing both Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko. There are reports in the peninsula that Milan are closing in on an agreement with Barcelona for the transfer of unsettled Brazilian ace Ronaldinho. At the same time, President Silvio Berlusconi has stated that he expects to secure the return of former striking star Shevchenko and Galliani doesn’t believe the deals to be mutually exclusive. “Ronaldinho and Shevchenko are 180 per cent Milan players,” he revealed to journalists last night. Press sources state that agent Ernesto Bronzetti acted as a middleman in a meeting between Barca’s Txiri Begiristain and Galliani on Thursday evening to discuss Dinho’s future. Inter had been in the frame to swoop for the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, but they now seem to be out of the race. “We only want to talk to Milan,” Dinho’s agent and brother Roberto De Assis confirmed. “He will either go there or stay at Barcelona.” Bronzetti is expected to arrive in Italy’s fashion capital at the weekend to smooth talks between Galliani and De Assis.

Thunder wrote:
The best midfielder of Serie A!!

bluenine wrote:Looks like its Sheva AND Ronaldinho. What do Milan fans here think of this??

IMO if this buying spree is not accompanied by a top GK, a top defender, and a quality back up DM, this will not solve Milan's issue.

Galliani: Dinho and Sheva are ours	Friday 11 April, 2008
Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani claims the Rossoneri have a “180 per cent chance” of signing both Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko. There are reports in the peninsula that Milan are closing in on an agreement with Barcelona for the transfer of unsettled Brazilian ace Ronaldinho. At the same time, President Silvio Berlusconi has stated that he expects to secure the return of former striking star Shevchenko and Galliani doesn’t believe the deals to be mutually exclusive. “Ronaldinho and Shevchenko are 180 per cent Milan players,” he revealed to journalists last night. Press sources state that agent Ernesto Bronzetti acted as a middleman in a meeting between Barca’s Txiri Begiristain and Galliani on Thursday evening to discuss Dinho’s future. Inter had been in the frame to swoop for the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, but they now seem to be out of the race. “We only want to talk to Milan,” Dinho’s agent and brother Roberto De Assis confirmed. “He will either go there or stay at Barcelona.” Bronzetti is expected to arrive in Italy’s fashion capital at the weekend to smooth talks between Galliani and De Assis.

bluenine wrote:Looks like its Sheva AND Ronaldinho. What do Milan fans here think of this??

IMO if this buying spree is not accompanied by a top GK, a top defender, and a quality back up DM, this will not solve Milan's issue.

Gone wrote:

bluenine wrote:Looks like its Sheva AND Ronaldinho. What do Milan fans here think of this??

IMO if this buying spree is not accompanied by a top GK, a top defender, and a quality back up DM, this will not solve Milan's issue.

Amelia, Flamini and Zapata and we are set.

I know both players aren't in their best form but maybe things will change for them at Milan.

bluenine wrote:

Gone wrote:

bluenine wrote:Looks like its Sheva AND Ronaldinho. What do Milan fans here think of this??

IMO if this buying spree is not accompanied by a top GK, a top defender, and a quality back up DM, this will not solve Milan's issue.

Amelia, Flamini and Zapata and we are set.

I know both players aren't in their best form but maybe things will change for them at Milan.

I have started having doubts about Amelia. He isn't having the best of seasons. And while almost anyone will be an improvement on Dida and Kalac, I am not sure whether Amelia is an improvement on Abbiati for example.

Red n' Black wrote:I don't like these news, especially about Sheva. I mean, what's the point?? Ronaldinho, I don't mind at this price,he's a great player but I dunno if it would work in a tactical sense.

And if this means that we won't get at least a GK and a couple of defenders then we just f@cked up big time!

edit: I think Sheva will score goals if he comes back but he is nothing more than a short-term option plus most people don't really like him anymore(apart from G&B, the idiots).

Tweedle wrote:If you steal Flamini off us I'll make your lives living hell

kas wrote:If Ronaldinho returns to peak form and fitness, "tactics" are redundant. The guy is simply magical. Just be careful not to let him become a Rivaldo, though of course that depends on how hard he works too.


@bluenine: Why a top DM? Last summer I remember you trying to tell us all how great Emerson was and how Milan signing him put fear into you