Serie A - The 2008-09 season thread

Didn't you just write that Pirlo? Why the repost? Glitch in the Matrix?

I have to disagree with that Blunine because i remember Cassano played quite well in euro 04 on the left plus if he were to play he should get a free role allthough i gues this is what you mean by changing systems. it would also mean he wouldnt go back and defend to turn it into a 4-5-1. but getting Del Piero is even more useless imo because he has no pace and he isnt smarter then Cassano.

Regarding Iaquinta he should defo because he physical striker with pace which isnt seen alot.and he play in a 3 man attack when he gets the chance. here im especially thinking of his performance against Roma where he did great.

Exactly what I have been saying.

Pirlo wrote:Iaquinta and Amauri both offer the back-up to Toni in a pure physical presence sense of the role.

In terms of effectiveness, Amauri could play a lone role at the head of a trident attack or isolated, whereas Iaquinta has a nautral tendency to pull out wide and make space for central players.

Iaquinta is perfect on the wing of a trident attack and is exactly the sort of player Milan have been missing. Only Juventus' tactical system has stopped him excelling and playing regularly there, unsurprisingly his best performances has been when he has been brought on late in matches when Ranieri switches to a 4-3-3.

Amauri is probably a closer type of player in style to Toni but for their physical presence and options they bring to a system, they are both very useful players to have.

Supermadrid wrote:I have to disagree with that Blunine because i remember Cassano played quite well in euro 04 on the left plus if he were to play he should get a free role allthough i gues this is what you mean by changing systems. it would also mean he wouldnt go back and defend to turn it into a 4-5-1. but getting Del Piero is even more useless imo because he has no pace and he isnt smarter then Cassano.

Regarding Iaquinta he should defo because he physical striker with pace which isnt seen alot.and he play in a 3 man attack when he gets the chance. here im especially thinking of his performance against Roma where he did great.

I think a lot of people are going to disagree to that.

Supermadrid, I see what you are saying, but its a question of whom to drop to take Cassano....

Donadoni's preferred starters are Di Natale - Toni - Quagliarella, and all there have had fantastic seasons. Moreover, all 3 play the exact roles at their clubs that Donadoni wants in the Azzurri. So these 3 are surely travelling.

That leaves 3 spots for back ups. Now most likely, one of these spots will be taken by Camoranesi (in an advanced role) - he is the Quagliarella substitute that Don has used so far when he wants a more defensive tactical set up - against big teams... and looking at Italys group, Don will surely take Camoranesi - who also has had a great season.

That leaves 2 spots, and no back up for Di Natale and Toni.

Cassano CANNOT be a back up for Toni. The ones in contention are Iaquinta, Amauri, Inzaghi, Boreillo, or Rocchi. Most likely it will be Iaquinta, even tho I would prefer Amauri here.

That leaves the last spot... the left wing striker, back up for Di Natale. I think that is now basically a direct fight between Del Piero and Cassano. Del Piero has scored 18 goals in Serie A already, people are calling it his best season since 1997. The only thing that might work in Cassano's favour here is that DP had critisized being made top play on the left last time Don played him - and he has not been picked since. Cassano has got 8, but he has played very well too.... but he is up against a legend here... true, a legend who has never really preformed for the national team, but a legend never the less. As a striker, DP has played more games for the Azzurri than any other striker in Italian history! That experience and his current form makes him a favourite to win this last spot.

Btw, I am only trying to be objective here... I am no fan of Del Piero, I wannt Cassano in the squad as he is so unpredictable - and the main issue of the Totti-less Azzurri is that while they are a very efficient striker force, they are also very predictable. But the form DP has been in, its impossible to ignore him.

So in summary, if Amauri is not an option, I would like Don to take:
Toni, Di Natale, Quagliarella, Iaquinta, Del Piero, & Cassano

But I suspect that he will take:
Toni, Di Natale, Quagliarella, Iaquinta, Del Piero, & Camoranesi.

Cassano won't get picked by Donadoni now...he keeps not picking him in friendlies. Cassano has been amazing for us, I don't understand his problem. He is so talented and has been showing everyone that this season. He's finally got his head down since he's came to us and should be given his chance.

Donadoni should have an image of how he wants his team to play and then pick the appropriate players, just like Lippi did. To me, it seems that Del Piero doesn't fit in, yet Donadoni is being swayed by the media to take him. Ditto with Inzaghi. He has to be strong and pick the right players for his team. Temporary form isn't everything, and quite often it has no bearing on how the players perform come tournament time.

West Ham e Sampdoria wrote:Cassano won't get picked by Donadoni now...he keeps not picking him in friendlies. Cassano has been amazing for us, I don't understand his problem. He is so talented and has been showing everyone that this season. He's finally got his head down since he's came to us and should be given his chance.

Cassano has been magic this season, but I think Donadoni doesn't want to risk locker room unrest, or abuse hurled towards referees. On talent alone, Cassano should be one of the first names on the squad sheet. As a coach, you weigh your options. Should I take an infinitely talented Cassano, who is a brat, or a player like Del Piero, who gives it his all.

It's a no brainer for me.

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:Donadoni should have an image of how he wants his team to play and then pick the appropriate players, just like Lippi did. To me, it seems that Del Piero doesn't fit in, yet Donadoni is being swayed by the media to take him. Ditto with Inzaghi. He has to be strong and pick the right players for his team. Temporary form isn't everything, and quite often it has no bearing on how the players perform come tournament time.

Yes but when a forward like Del Piero, who can play in a variety of positions and is experienced, is on fire, I think it's stupid not to take him. Almost as stupid as Trap leaving out Gila for Euro 2004.

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:Donadoni should have an image of how he wants his team to play and then pick the appropriate players, just like Lippi did. To me, it seems that Del Piero doesn't fit in, yet Donadoni is being swayed by the media to take him. Ditto with Inzaghi. He has to be strong and pick the right players for his team. Temporary form isn't everything, and quite often it has no bearing on how the players perform come tournament time.

Yes but when a forward like Del Piero, who can play in a variety of positions and is experienced, is on fire, I think it's stupid not to take him. Almost as stupid as Trap leaving out Gila for Euro 2004.

I'm not so sure he can play in a variety of positions. He sucks wide on the left. And as for experience, that is one thing we are not lacking on this team. The Gilardino situation in 2004 was different to this one.

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:Donadoni should have an image of how he wants his team to play and then pick the appropriate players, just like Lippi did. To me, it seems that Del Piero doesn't fit in, yet Donadoni is being swayed by the media to take him. Ditto with Inzaghi. He has to be strong and pick the right players for his team. Temporary form isn't everything, and quite often it has no bearing on how the players perform come tournament time.

Yes but when a forward like Del Piero, who can play in a variety of positions and is experienced, is on fire, I think it's stupid not to take him. Almost as stupid as Trap leaving out Gila for Euro 2004.

I'm not so sure he can play in a variety of positions. He sucks wide on the left. And as for experience, that is one thing we are not lacking on this team. The Gilardino situation in 2004 was different to this one.

He can play as a second striker, as a conventional striker, and on the left. Ok, the left position isn't his greatest position.

Gila situation was similar. Trap didn't take the hottest goalscorer in Italy. Right now after Borriello, DP is the hottest striker in Italy.

while i understand it if he doesnt take Cassano because of his temperment but not if it is between Del Piero and him. having direct subs is a good thing but so is having something different so they should at least have one or two players that really offers something they dont have and currently they lack big time with creativity upfront. i can see Italy having big problems if they behind to France with that midfield.

An international match can be very different from the club level ones so I would not really harp about the current form that DP is in but the fact that he has tremendous amount of experience at the national level. With a Totti-less national team it would be very important to have a player like Del Piero in the team who can give a creative edge to the side & if needed he is known to play behind the strikers as well. Many believe that he is not comfortable on the left but one only has to see him recently to know that it is not entirely accurate.

But, having said that I have a feeling that Donadoni will still snub him or at best take him along & use him as a super-sub to silence the fans & the media.

My final thoughts are that DP has given it his everything even after being openly snubbed & written off by Donadoni, to be part of the national side. His goals, temperament, experience & finally the fans speak for him.

Juan Manuel Vargas of Catania

Wha are the general views on Vargas and would he be any good in the EPL/Liverpool?

His name has been linked with Liverpool recently as well as today in the Irish press and Liverpool Echo?

Ade Alves wrote:Juan Manuel Vargas of Catania

Wha are the general views on Vargas and would he be any good in the EPL/Liverpool?

His name has been linked with Liverpool recently as well as today in the Irish press and Liverpool Echo?

Top player, a revelation this season.

But his name has also been linked with Inter, Roma, Milan, Juve and a few top european clubs. It won't be easy, and it definately won't be cheap. Ask Puro.

Ade Alves wrote:Juan Manuel Vargas of Catania

Wha are the general views on Vargas and would he be any good in the EPL/Liverpool?

His name has been linked with Liverpool recently as well as today in the Irish press and Liverpool Echo?

He won't go to Liverpool. Both he and his agent expect the deal to be done with Roma, wonderful dynamic player, 'El Loco' has been the best left wing back in the league for the past two seasons.

Why would he join Roma when they have tonetto?

Liverpool seems far more realistic as there isn't really anyone particularly decent ahead of him in the pecking order.

Tweedle wrote:Why would he join Roma when they have tonetto?

Liverpool seems far more realistic as there isn't really anyone particularly decent ahead of him in the pecking order.

Coz Vargas >>> Tonetto, its not even a contest!

bluenine wrote:

Tweedle wrote:Why would he join Roma when they have tonetto?

Liverpool seems far more realistic as there isn't really anyone particularly decent ahead of him in the pecking order.

Coz Vargas >>> Tonetto, its not even a contest!

But we were told last season that Tonetto was as good as Evra Bluey

Has Vargas stated any preference yet?

A realistic chance of winning the CL might swing it for him

Tweedle wrote:

bluenine wrote:

Tweedle wrote:Why would he join Roma when they have tonetto?

Liverpool seems far more realistic as there isn't really anyone particularly decent ahead of him in the pecking order.

Coz Vargas >>> Tonetto, its not even a contest!

But we were told last season that Tonetto was as good as Evra Bluey

Has Vargas stated any preference yet?

A realistic chance of winning the CL might swing it for him

You are too impressionable, Tweedy, you shouldn't believe everything you are told

Vargas's agent has mentioned Roma as a preference recently. But recently Juve have shown a great interest in the player as well.

Tonetto is also in his early 30's, don't suppose he has much left in the tank for a FB.

I've only ever seen Vargas in the Copa (least I think it was him) definitely one of the standout Peruvians.

Tonetto used to be as good as Evra...his days at Sampdoria and his first season at Roma, he was immense.

West Ham e Sampdoria wrote:Tonetto used to be as good as Evra...his days at Sampdoria and his first season at Roma, he was immense.

I think Evra is overrated (I know I'm the only one) but I think his pace covers up for the fact his positioning is poor, if Messi used his brains (and pace) to run in behind the defence rather than demand the ball to feet, he would have had a field day last week. I've seen Evra leave huge gaps in other games too. Going forward, again he's pacey and always provides an outlet though for me there is always very little end product.

Before anyone attacks me, I don't actually think there are many better LB's than him, if any, and I don't actually think there are any WC FB's atm.
Miguel, Sangol, Zanetti & Zambrotta a couple of years back, but they've alll declined (yes even Zanetti) and I don't think anyone else has stepped up to the plate who is great at going forward AND at defending.

Zanetti has declined?

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:Zanetti has declined?

Well for one he doesn't even play FB that much for Inter now, and he's not necessarily a starter for the national side. I still think he's amongst the best in the position, but he's not as good as he was a few years ago.

Calidad wrote:

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:Zanetti has declined?

Well for one he doesn't even play FB that much for Inter now, and he's not necessarily a starter for the national side. I still think he's amongst the best in the position, but he's not as good as he was a few years ago.

Fair enough he doesn't start there anymore but i wouldn't say his level of performance has declined. Probably been the best player in Serie A this season.

I havn't been following the Argentine NT but do they really have any other options better than Zanetti at RB? Burdisso is very limited going forward while Cufre is pretty average.

Tweedle wrote:Why would he join Roma when they have tonetto?

Liverpool seems far more realistic as there isn't really anyone particularly decent ahead of him in the pecking order.

Tonetto is turning 35 in a couple of months, he already only plays once every 2 weeks due to his fitness issues.

Oh Tweedle, sometimes you resemble a Serie A novice, come on man you're better than that! How could you say "Liverpool seems far more realistic" without knowing all the facts. Vargas has said that he would love to play in the Eternal city and that Roma would be his No. 1 destination. Guess what Catania's owner's favourite Football team is? Roma of course! Apparently he regularly has dinner with the Sensi's. Rosella has put in an unwritten bid already and will be finalised at close of the season.

Ade Alves wrote:Juan Manuel Vargas of Catania

Wha are the general views on Vargas and would he be any good in the EPL/Liverpool?

His name has been linked with Liverpool recently as well as today in the Irish press and Liverpool Echo?

Best LB in Serie A and every Calcio fan knows it.

Vargas has practically become Italian, I don't see him leaving Italy for a long while yet. Roma have already signed him me thinks with Bruno Conti saying on Romanista.com that "The Giallorossi's first major signing of the summer is almost completed." It's Vargas!

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

Calidad wrote:

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:Zanetti has declined?

Well for one he doesn't even play FB that much for Inter now, and he's not necessarily a starter for the national side. I still think he's amongst the best in the position, but he's not as good as he was a few years ago.

Fair enough he doesn't start there anymore but i wouldn't say his level of performance has declined. Probably been the best player in Serie A this season.

I havn't been following the Argentine NT but do they really have any other options better than Zanetti at RB? Burdisso is very limited going forward while Cufre is pretty average.

Zanetti does play FB even now, but since Inter have got an excellent RB in Maicon, zanetti usually plays as right winger or LB or left winger (or sometimes DM/AM).

But whenever he has played fullback this season, he has been excellent - as good as he ever was. He has easily been Inter's best player this season, an honour he has won most of the seasons he has been at Inter.

bluenine wrote:

Ade Alves wrote:Juan Manuel Vargas of Catania

Wha are the general views on Vargas and would he be any good in the EPL/Liverpool?

His name has been linked with Liverpool recently as well as today in the Irish press and Liverpool Echo?

Top player, a revelation this season.

But his name has also been linked with Inter, Roma, Milan, Juve and a few top european clubs. It won't be easy, and it definately won't be cheap. Ask Puro.

Thanks Bluey and Pirlo.

I have only seen him play twice for 90mins and he stood out from every player on the pitch

Apperantly we have enquired about Vargas a couple of times now during the season.

How much do you think he is worth and how much would you say he will go for?

Tonetto is only 33...I don't think he's 34 for a good 6/7 months...