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Serie A 09/10 Thread

donny1013

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Nov 4, 2005
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Serie A is finally back on UK screens thanks to ESPN and i no longer have to watch streams! I know there is a few on here that like Serie A so makes sense to have a thread for the season. These are the opening fixtures played out on the 22nd and 23rd August:

Bologna - Fiorentina 22/8
Catania - Sampdoria 23/8
Genoa - Roma 23/8
Inter - Bari 23/8
Juventus - Chievo 23/8
Lazio - Atalanta 23/8
Livorno - Cagliari 23/8
Palermo - Napoli 23/8
Siena - Milan 22/8
Udinese - Parma 23/8

My prediction is for Inter to win the league again, Juve second and Napoli to finish above Milan.
 

InOffMeLeftShin

Night watchman
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Jan 14, 2004
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I tried to start a Serie A thread earlier in the week but I was having problems posting from China.

It is going to be an interesting season. Inter are very very strong and will be undeniable favourites for the title. Juve have got stronger too with the additions of Diego and Felipe Melo in midfield and they should be Inter's biggest challengers, although that will depend a lot on how Ciro Ferrara takes to coaching. I like Napoli and Fiorentina too and I have been disappointed with Milan's rebuilding efforts.

I mentioned in other threads that I thought this was the time for Milan to reinvent themselves and invest in a more youthful dynamic squad to play in a more flowing 'Brazilian' style under Leonardo. After selling Kaka, I had hoped they would also sell Pirlo and try to refresh. Now it would seem like they will stick with the aging Pirlo, Gattuso and Ambrosini with little to offer in width. However they may have made the signing of the summer in Huntelaar, who is possibly the most perfectly suited striker to Serie A in the world. He doesn't possess great pace or power, but in Serie A and for Milan in particular that won't matter, but he will finish. His partnership with Pato might just take them above where they deserve to be based on their side and so I would have them just pipping Fiorentina and Napoli for 3rd.

As for my team Udinese, I hope to get to see them plenty when I get back to Italy in September, and I think they will have another middle of the table-ish season. They have managed to keep hold of the massively important central midfield pairing of D'Agostino and Inler and I am expecting Alexis Sanchez to step up and make the Udi fans forget all about Quagliarella.
 

donny1013

Well-Known Member
Nov 4, 2005
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Losing Cambiasso to a knee injury is a big blow to Inter. Hopefully they can land one of Sneijder or VdV to play in the hole as i'm not a massive fan of Stankovic, just don't think he is good enough to play that number 10 role. Will be a great contest at Inter as to who finishes top scorer between Eto'o and Milito. Interesting what you say about KJH suited to Serie A. He could have a similar style to Trezeguet at Juve. Not the quickest, no great technique but most of the time is always there to finish and get goals.
 

InOffMeLeftShin

Night watchman
Admin
Jan 14, 2004
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I guess it depends if Mourinho plays Eto'o and Milito together. Milito is a prime example of a striker that can do well in Serie A as are Di Viao and Trezeguet. I think you are a little harsh on Huntelaar, whenever I have seen him, his technique is excellent particularly in striking the ball. Just look at his volleys and bicycle kicks!

Inter still have that 40 million euros burning a hole in their pocket. They'll get someone in midfield.
 

donny1013

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Nov 4, 2005
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I was talking more technique wise as in taking players on, he definately has finishing technique. Well the rumours yesterday were saying £17.5 mill for Sneijder, i think he would be perfect. I think Mourinho will go with a 4-3-1-2 formation which he has done so far in pre season. It was a CM of Cambiasso, Muntari and Motta with Stankovic in the hole and Milito and Eto'o up top. I can't see Mancini or Quaresma getting much game time this season again.
 

DEFchenkOE

Well-Known Member
Feb 13, 2006
10,527
8,052
I'm also looking forward to this season can't wait. But I'm a bit disappointed with Milan's current team. Like you IOMLS I really thought they would shake things up this year. I think Flamini should get more game time. I hope Dinho can get back some form too. I think Napoli could have a big year with Lavezzi, Quagliarella and Hamsik, maybe they can take 4th??

I'm interested to see if Kerlon features at all for Inter and to see if he's actually any good!! Also I hope Giovinco can have a big season for Juve but again depends on how much chances he gets to play.
 

hybridsoldier

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2004
5,892
1,185
I think it would be Juve's year except for 1 thing, the coach.

Ferrara has a big rep, escpecially with the national side. Apparently the trainers at the FIGC who train the coaches said Ferrard stood out and will be a great coach. One who teaches tactics said Ferrara's model is similar to that of Barcelona...we shall see. Its a big task for him, Turin expects the title this year...I just feel Mourinho will have the tactical edge and experience on him and Leonardo.

Milan will finish 3rd/4th...I don't see them in the title race. Their rebuilding hasn't really happened, keeping Pirlo is a big deal, but the pressure on Pato will be crazy.

Eto'o wil dominate defences but I think you can't rely on him too much, he can be erratic and the quality around him is nowhere near as much as it was at Barca.

Juve will need more from Amauri who had a poor 2nd half to the season, Trez will always deliver, Del Piero will be vital and the progression and adaption of Giovinco and Diego will be key.

It'll be a good season, for thos who watch Serie A, it is a good league the football is very good, just the games have virtually no atmosphere due to the hooligan trouble scaring away the normal fans
 

mil1lion

This is the place to be
May 7, 2004
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So excited to have it back on here in the UK. Come on Milan! Hopefully Ronaldinho will role back the years. I also think Huntelaar will fit straight in and suit Milans style. I think they'll finish 3rd this season.

ESPN schedule
Total Italian Football August 21st 21:30
Siena v AC Milan live August 22nd 19:45
Inter v Bari live August 23rd 17:00
Serie A Weekly Roundup August 27th 20:30
Total Italian Football August 28th 21:30
AC Milan v Inter live August 29th 19:45
AS Roma v Juventus live August 30th 17:00
 

Bobishism

*****istrator
Aug 23, 2004
15,035
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I think Juve will do it. Or at least I hope they do. Their midfield is so much stronger than any other in Serie A. Inters is shit, although they're head and shoulders above anyone else in terms of striker quality.

It'll be interesting to see how Onyewu does.
 

donny1013

Well-Known Member
Nov 4, 2005
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I wouldn't say inters midfield is shit. Cambiasso is a top player and Motta was fantastic for Genoa last season. Muntari is the only question mark. Add to that the possible arrival of Sneijder and they in fact have a very good midfield. A defence also of Maicon, Santon/Zanetti, Lucio and Chivu is very solid
 

Bobishism

*****istrator
Aug 23, 2004
15,035
126
Fair does on Motta and Muntari's a pro. Other than those two I don't rate any of their midfielders. I think Balotelli will be a top player one day. Perhaps not in Serie A.

Also, yeah, their defence is solid.
 

danielneeds

Kick-Ass
May 5, 2004
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Sounds like another season with all the big teams playing narrow midfields, if one of them ever has the balls to play a genuine winger they will reap the benefits...
 

DEFchenkOE

Well-Known Member
Feb 13, 2006
10,527
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Italian style is not really to play with wingers, even the national team. I think a lot of teams play a diamond type formation and have the classic no 10 style player behind 2 strikers. I quite like this as it often leaves the most creative players with free roles.

Having said that I'm sure when Mourinho went to Inter he tried to implement his 4-3-3 system with the likes of Quaresma and Mancini. I hardly watched any Serie A last season though so can't confirm it, maybe someone else can.
 

donny1013

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Nov 4, 2005
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Jose tried the 2 wide men, Mancini and Quaresma with Ibra up top at the start of last season and it had mixed success. Notable results were a 1-0 defeat to Milan but then a 4-0 demolition of Roma at the Olimpico. One of the reasons he changed it was because of the form of both wide players. Quaresma was pants and was eventually loaned to Chelski and Mancini was a shadow of his Roma form
 

donny1013

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Nov 4, 2005
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Inter have agreed a £13m fee with Real Madrid for Wesley Sneijder but according to the player’s agent they will have to wait for him.

The Dutchman is yet to agree to the move and, although it is very likely that he will, the deal cannot go through just yet.

“Real told me by phone that their negotiations with Inter were positively concluded,” Soren Lerby told the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

“I spoke to Wesley and at the moment he doesn’t know what he wants. He is going to think about it now.

“If he is interested in this transfer then we will meet up with Inter to find out whether they are willing to agree to our requests.”

Inter were chasing Roma’s Julio Baptista as a potential alternative but the general feeling is that Sneijder will move to San Siro shortly.


Just the signing Inter needed
 

mil1lion

This is the place to be
May 7, 2004
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Yeah that'll be a great signing for them. I wonder if theres still room in their midfield for Muntari? :whistle:
 

mike_l

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2005
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Don't know why Milan didn't go for him, maybe as part of the Kaka deal, as he seems like the ideal sort of player to pep up their midfield.
 

mil1lion

This is the place to be
May 7, 2004
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Sneijder has turned down Inter apparently. Wants to stay at Madrid.

Serie A starts today. Cant wait for the Milan game tonight :dance:
 
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