Serie A discussion

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Serie A title is over - race is on for CL spots now and Fiorentina took a massive blow this morning with Rossi going down again - bad for Italy's WC hopes as well as he was on fire.

Juve good for the 3 points - thought Roma were probably unlucky to be behind at half time, but the early 2nd half goal killed the game as a contest and the marking was very poor for Bonucci to be free at the back post.

Napoli vs Samp on RAI tonight 10pm midday game for La Befana - almost a sell out.

[Juventino]

Great way to start the year!

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Good performance by us last night, especially Higuain and Mertens who were outstanding against a Sampdoria side that had vastly improved under Mihailjovic in the last 6 weeks or so. They certainly made it difficult and were a whisker away from equalising with Gabbiadini hitting the underside of the bar at 1-0. Mertens then scored a nice free kick and his second after opening the scoring with a fine assist from Higuain who is as good a provider as he is a goal scorer, much more rounded than Cavani IMO.

Second place only 2 points away now but a really tough run I think we are away for 4 of the next 6 and that includes a tricky game at those f*ckers Verona this week. Expect crowd trouble.

http://www.101greatgoals.com/goals/ital ... o-updates/

[LFTWNG11]

Higuain is not better in any aspect than Cavani.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Higuain is not better in any aspect than Cavani.

Comes down to opinion really and whilst disappointed he left, this has allowed us to strengthen the team across the board.

[LFTWNG11]

Higuain is not better in any aspect than Cavani.

Comes down to opinion really and whilst disappointed he left, this has allowed us to strengthen the team across the board.

Higuain and change is an amazing consolation prize... but it is still a consolation prize.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Higuain is not better in any aspect than Cavani.

Comes down to opinion really and whilst disappointed he left, this has allowed us to strengthen the team across the board.

Higuain and change is an amazing consolation prize... but it is still a consolation prize.

I think it was an excellent deal in the scheme of things.

We need to buy a very good Centre Back and Centre midfielder.

Talk of Nainggolan, but it seems Roma have jumped to the front of the queue which is interesting given they have an excellent midfield three of Pjanic, Strooman (Quality player) and De Rossi. Maybe Pjanic is on the way to PSG?? Spells the end of Bradley's Roma career

[LFTWNG11]

Excellent? Probably the best outcome Napoli could of hoped for... much better than just excellent!

Strootman is a gun. Won't be at Roma for too much longer I hope, he is an a very rare box to box midfielder in that he provides a goal threat as well as midfield steel.

I don't really rate Nainggolan.

[BAGGIO 15]

Very happy with the Juve result also.

Agree with Lefty re Nainggolan.
I don't think he is at that level.
I'm not upset that we will miss out on him.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

He would be handy for a Roma or a Napoli that are looking to build squad depth.

Juve didnt need him anyway.

[Blue Mastiff]

Napolis MIDSEASON REPORT CARD

Napoli could not have done more in the CL - just plain unlucky in the end

Napolis win overnite v Verona was impressive. Those pezze i merda e figli di putane!

Napolis 13W 3D 3L is a excellent report card for 1st half season

Napols 3 losses coming against Juve and Roma both Away and our loss to Parma at home with 5 minutes to go all deserved

Napolis 3 draws v Sasuolo and Udinese at Home both disappointing considering Sass had been spanked 0-7 at home v Inter game prior and we were leading twice v Udinese to drop points. Then the remaining draw v Cagliari with a dissalowed winner was wrong.

All in all were probably missing 4 points

Good to see last 2 games with clean sheets.

Juventus just too good at the moment

[Juventino]

Berardi! Incredible stuff from the kid. Four goals to possibly end Allegri's Milan reign. They will make an announcement tomorrow, with Inzaghi set to take over. Glad to see Sassuolo doing well - they were written off after four games, but have talent in the squad and only needed time.

Juve with a club-record 11th win. Tough as usual away to Cagliari and the score flatters us in the end. Was very tough until Marchisio's thunderbolt.

Florenzi That was brilliant.

Big win for Napoli too, thought Verona at home could be one where they are tripped up, or at least struggle to get maximum points.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Berardi! Incredible stuff from the kid. Four goals to possibly end Allegri's Milan reign. They will make an announcement tomorrow, with Inzaghi set to take over. Glad to see Sassuolo doing well - they were written off after four games, but have talent in the squad and only needed time.

Juve with a club-record 11th win. Tough as usual away to Cagliari and the score flatters us in the end. Was very tough until Marchisio's thunderbolt.

Florenzi That was brilliant.

Big win for Napoli too, thought Verona at home could be one where they are tripped up, or at least struggle to get maximum points.

Spewing about Berardi, not his form, just that we lost the bidding war with Juve for him.

Great win for us - god to see the little man score thats what had been missing for him (I mean Insigne, not the other hobbit Mertens)

[David Puddy]

Berardi, what a star!

Juve have some sort of future strike force lined up with him, Zaza, Gabbiadini, and Boakye.

[GK1]

Allegri sacked. Thank God hopefully we can find someone better and bring some stability a and some better defenders.

[Fact Hunt]

Inzaghi the front runner apparently

[Juventino]

I thought Allegri, while not good enough to coach a top club, was made the scapegoat at Milan. He won a Scudetto and did well in the next two seasons with an ever-changing (worsening) squad.

Aside from them being the cheap options (which could well be the driving force given their financial situation) I don't see why there is a fascination with Seedorf, while Inzaghi should be left to grow as a Coach before stepping into a position such as this.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

I thought Allegri, while not good enough to coach a top club, was made the scapegoat at Milan. He won a Scudetto and did well in the next two seasons with an ever-changing (worsening) squad.

Aside from them being the cheap options (which could well be the driving force given their financial situation) I don't see why there is a fascination with Seedorf, while Inzaghi should be left to grow as a Coach before stepping into a position such as this.

Have to agree here.

Allegri was not the problem, the fact that the club sold their best players from under him and didn't replace them makes it pretty hard to be competitive. Zapata and Mexes are very average defenders and unfortunately Abate has not come along as would have been expected. Constant at LB is also questionable.

They need to go for Spalletti and back him in the transfer market - proven top quality coach.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Also been watching Bryan Cristante's progress closely over teh past few years - Chelsea tried to sign him when he was 15, played in favour of Montolivo against Sassuolo and provided the assist for Balotelli's goal. Looks a great prospect.

[Baresi]

Allegri sacked. Thank God hopefully we can find someone better and bring some stability a and some better defenders.

Seedorf is now coach. WTF

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/117 ... -Milan-job

[BAGGIO 15]

Allegri sacked. Thank God hopefully we can find someone better and bring some stability a and some better defenders.

Seedorf is now coach. WTF

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/117 ... -Milan-job

Odd move as Seedorf has not coached before. Inzaghi in his first season as youth coach.
I think considering they have been selling and not replacing they are taking the cheaper option.

[LFTWNG11]

Allegri sacked. Thank God hopefully we can find someone better and bring some stability a and some better defenders.

Seedorf is now coach. WTF

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/117 ... -Milan-job

Odd move as Seedorf has not coached before. Inzaghi in his first season as youth coach.
I think considering they have been selling and not replacing they are taking the cheaper option.

Haha you reckon?

Milan are now just your typical mid-table break-even type club. Seems to be the mentality running through the club at the moment. Definitely not a force anymore, and don't see them improving anytime soon.

[Baresi]

Haha you reckon?

Milan are now just your typical mid-table break-even type club. Seems to be the mentality running through the club at the moment. Definitely not a force anymore, and don't see them improving anytime soon.[/quote]

Wow thats a bit harsh. You do know they are still in champions league this year dont you and have quite a few injuries? If we can get our defence up and running we should be very competative next year!

[LFTWNG11]

Wow thats a bit harsh. You do know they are still in champions league this year dont you and have quite a few injuries? If we can get our defence up and running we should be very competative next year!

They will be knocked out by Atletico. They won't qualify for next season. They won't buy any players that cost over 3.50 Euro and will probably sell Balo and The Pharaoh. Will be a solid 4-9 club for as long as Berlusconi and co. are tightening the purse strings and running the club into the ground.

Just my opinion, but I have a soft spot for Milan, so I will not be happy to see their demise, like I was with Juve a few years back.

[Baresi]

Wow thats a bit harsh. You do know they are still in champions league this year dont you and have quite a few injuries? If we can get our defence up and running we should be very competative next year!

They will be knocked out by Atletico. They won't qualify for next season. They won't buy any players that cost over 3.50 Euro and will probably sell Balo and The Pharaoh. Will be a solid 4-9 club for as long as Berlusconi and co. are tightening the purse strings and running the club into the ground.

Just my opinion, but I have a soft spot for Milan, so I will not be happy to see their demise, like I was with Juve a few years back.

Yeah I am probably talking with my heart rather then my head but I wouldnt be a supporter if I didn't!

[BAGGIO 15]

Wow thats a bit harsh. You do know they are still in champions league this year dont you and have quite a few injuries? If we can get our defence up and running we should be very competative next year!

They will be knocked out by Atletico. They won't qualify for next season. They won't buy any players that cost over 3.50 Euro and will probably sell Balo and The Pharaoh. Will be a solid 4-9 club for as long as Berlusconi and co. are tightening the purse strings and running the club into the ground.

Just my opinion, but I have a soft spot for Milan, so I will not be happy to see their demise, like I was with Juve a few years back.

Yeah I am probably talking with my heart rather then my head but I wouldnt be a supporter if I didn't!

They simply lack quality in defense.
In other area's they are quite solid.

[LFTWNG11]

They simply lack quality in defense.
In other area's they are quite solid.

I can't take them seriously as long as Constant is still in their squad

They signed Rami, on loan of course, he is a definitely an upgrade on Bonera. I didn't notice until the other they have Zaccardo as well, he is a dud.

[INTERISTA]

LFTWNG11 - Milan are now just your typical mid-table break-even type club. Seems to be the mentality running through the club at the moment. Definitely not a force anymore, and don't see them improving anytime soon.

Same can be said about Inter Milan... What's the point of making yourself FFP compliant if it’s the expense of being competitive ... won't see European football again for a long time.
Its a wonder Inter are as high on the table as they are . . .

[Juventino]

Tough going in parts when we really should have wrapped up the game earlier, but it's now 12 in a row

[David Puddy]

18-1-1 with +36 goal difference is an unbelievable record after 20 games for Juve.

Pogba's value keeps on rising and Vidal is undoubtedly the best midfielder in Serie A and possibly in Europe.

De Ceglie and Motta left out of the matchday squad so expect them to be moved on officially in the next couple of days.