Italian Football Thread

[Dr. Pepper]

Conte is 2 games away from achieving something incredible. His Juventus team could go unbeaten in every competition this season. Outstanding how he's turned them around, and Pirlo has been at the centre of that revival. Truly class player.

Also this is the first season since 2003 where Ibrahimovic hasn't won the league.

 

[puddleduck]

First time he hasn't had the best team by a mile around him...

I don't count the two titles that were subsequently struck off for match fixing either

 

[Auwais]

What a derby that was! Much more open and end to end than in recent meetings.

 

[Haarithan]

Without doubt the most talented cheat and most disgusting footballer in Italy for my entire lifespan. Not to mention his immense ability to fail in any big game or let down his entire team because he's such a selfish ......... (use whatever word you feel best describes him). Vile human being on the pitch and I will consider football an ever so slightly better place once he retires.

That's incredibly harsh. Agreed he was short tempered throughout his footballing career and red cards used to be analogous to Francesco Totti, but it's beyond ridiculous to question his talent on the pitch. Shame he couldn't reciprocate the same for the national side, but I'd take that 95th minute penalty against Australia anyday, thank you.

And I've seen him score against each and every single rival I can think off over the last three years alone - Lazio (x2, Roma won 2-0), Milan (x2, Roma won 2-1 at the San Siro), Inter (x1, 89th minute free kick winner at the San Siro), Juventus (x1, Roma lost 3-1 iirc)

There's a reason why Prandelli still insists Totti stands a chance albeit a bleak one of making the Euros...

 

[puddleduck]

Meanwhile I'll remember the spitting incidents, the diving, the rolling around trying to get players sent off. The going missing for Italy whenever needed (obviously with the exception of a world cup win heh), and the ability to disappear whenever it really matters. Scoring winners in some games against big clubs doesn't change the fact that for a player who was apparently so talented, he'll end his career with 1 league title compared to 6 runners up medals.

Obviously he is a very good player, but it doesn't mean I have to like him. Absolutely vile footballer.

 

[thedon5]

Meanwhile I'll remember the spitting incidents, the diving, the rolling around trying to get players sent off. The going missing for Italy whenever needed (obviously with the exception of a world cup win heh), and the ability to disappear whenever it really matters. Scoring winners in some games against big clubs doesn't change the fact that for a player who was apparently so talented, he'll end his career with 1 league title compared to 6 runners up medals.

Obviously he is a very good player, but it doesn't mean I have to like him. Absolutely vile footballer.

This. He is to Italian football what Pepe and the Barca team are to Spanish football.

 

[Haarithan]

His Juventus team could go unbeaten in every competition this season.

I don't know whether this's classified as a draw/defeat - but Juve lost the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal at home to AC Milan 2-1 in normal time, and with the aggregate level after 2 legs, the game went into extra time where Juve got a goal to progress to the final. 2-2 was the final result after extra time, but they did lose 2-1 in normal time. But like I said, I don't know how people look into that result. A friend of mine (Juve fan) said that was officially termed their first defeat.

 

[Bevab]

I'd say that it was a draw.

 

[War]

Conte is 2 games away from achieving something incredible. His Juventus team could go unbeaten in every competition this season. Outstanding how he's turned them around, and Pirlo has been at the centre of that revival. Truly class player.

Also this is the first season since 2003 where Ibrahimovic hasn't won the league.

Indeed. He proved this season why he blip in form with Milan was simply down to injury and decline in that team.

He is still the best mid-fielder in the world along with Xavi. Mind you i've love to see a European XI in which Xavi & Pirlo could be in the mid-field together.

 

[puddleduck]

Indeed Pirlo is just pure class. Very much an equal to Xavi but without the same level of players around him.

 

[Haarithan]

How Milan happened to let go of him is bloody beyond me. Allegri deserves the sack for that solitary move alone - similar to Rafa following the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real.

 

[JBlues08]

Congrats to Juventus. Deserving Champions of 2011/12!

 

[KBC]

What in the sweet world is going on at Milan?

Nesta, Gattuso, Inazghi, Van Bommel, Zambrotta and now Seedorf out of Milan!!!!

I can't believe this. Was Silverware all that has kept them or the age factor rolling in? Can't say the same for Van Bommel.

 

[Auwais]

Transition.

 

[Haarithan]

Yeah, they have 30 players in their squad - around 20 of whom age above 30! About time their transition period arose. Fresh legs required in every single department now.