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Extra Free Weekly Episode - Juve Lose to Benfica, Allegri Must Go, and Much More (Ep. 256)
1.7k Plays3 years ago
Following Juve's Champions League defeat to Benfica, Carlo is joined by Adrian Del Monte to break down everything that's gone wrong in Torino and why it's time for Max Allegri to go as well as Napoli's and Milan's victories.
Every Monday episode of The Italian Football Podcast is free for all. To listen to all full episodes of The Italian Football Podcast, go to Patreon.com/TIFP to become a Patron for only $2.99 USD per month (excluding VAT).
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Transcript
Introduction & Guest Host Introduction
00:00:01
Speaker
Welcome to the Italian football podcast with John Solano, Carlo Garganese and Nima Tuvali.
00:00:24
Speaker
Hello everybody and welcome to another episode of the Italian Football Podcast. I'm Carlo Garganese. Today we have no Nima or John. They're both away on holiday, but we do have a fantastic substitute in the form of our good friend, the brilliant broadcaster and journalist Adriana del Monte who
00:00:46
Speaker
He broadcasts for a number of places, Super Sport, TV, being sports, ESPN, Sony Sports Network, Optus Sport, BT Sport, and others. And he's also presented a number of big football events and shows, including the Champions League, World Cup draws, the Europa League, Europa Conference League. So he's a very busy guy. And last night he was actually at the Allianz Stadium to cover
Juventus' Crisis: Should Allegri be Sacked?
00:01:15
Speaker
Juventus against Benfica and he's the perfect guy to help me review that game and all the Champions League action but particularly I do want to talk to and really review Juventus' crisis and the Max Allegri situation so we'll get into all of that. But first of all Adrian, thanks very much for joining us. How are you doing?
00:01:37
Speaker
Color always a pleasure, looking forward to chatting. I'm doing well, I'm doing okay, I suppose. I've just got home after my trip to Torino last night for Juve Benfica. And well, I think again, more questions and answers from another very, very underwhelming performance by an Allegheny team.
00:01:55
Speaker
Yeah, absolutely. And a lot of big questions and one big question in particular, and that is, and I saw you tweeting about it last night where you kind of pretty much said you were kind of on the same page as me that you think probably is the time now for a legary to go. So do you think, given the crisis that you've entered to find themselves in, they're two defeats from two now from the Champions League, zero points, six points of qualification already. I mean, it's looking like
00:02:22
Speaker
that already needs something of a mini miracle to qualify, do you think Allegri should go now? I think there's no choice. Something has to give, something has to change. The club has to be bold and if that boldness means Allegri out the door, it just has to happen. Something has to happen because this is a club that have just completely lost their identity. This is a club with one win in seven now.
00:02:45
Speaker
with a trip to Monza at the weekend that there is no guarantee that three points are coming in that one either. A team that obviously very unfortunately denied the win against settled in Itana but what are you doing in the 95th minute at home against settled in Itana needing a VAR decision to go your way to get maximum points. This is a team that have lost their opening two Champions League matches in a group stage for the first time in their history. All signs are pointing in a negative direction and from what I saw last night yet again up and close pitch side at the Allianz
00:03:15
Speaker
It's a team that are absolutely clueless going forward. It's just so frustrating to watch and you and I have discussed so often how important it is for the Italian clubs to be performing on the biggest stage and when our biggest club of them all, obviously in terms of a domestic sense, are putting up performances like that, something has to change and I think certainly there are more at the club
00:03:37
Speaker
who have plenty to answer for. It's not just Allegri, but I think his inability to bring anywhere near the best out of this team, he must be held accountable.
Tactical Analysis: Juventus vs. Benfica
00:03:47
Speaker
And I think knowing the fact they're already on the verge of elimination in the Champions League in September, which is incredible, I think it's still early enough that they can make a positive impact with a change if they're bold enough and salvage this season in some capacity.
00:04:01
Speaker
Yeah, and okay, we'll get on to a little bit later about everything else that's going wrong in the club. Because I know you have some strong feelings on that. And we also look at potential replacements if he does go. You mentioned about them being completely clueless, completely structuralist. Now, this is something that I've been banging on about pretty much since the day that Allegri returned to Juventus.
00:04:26
Speaker
coming on 15 months ago now, over a year ago now. And how there is just no structure to the team. There's no style of play. There's no identity. There's no, and I use this term all the time, there's no patterns of play. There's no progressive football. They don't seem to be able to string a few passes together, but even positionally, they don't move as a team.
00:04:51
Speaker
There's no pressing. There was pressing for like 15, the first 15 minutes last night, and then everything just fell apart after that. There's no counter pressing at all. I remember vividly in the Selena Turner game, where one moment where Juventus lost the ball and Mazzocchi traveled with it on the left wing.
00:05:08
Speaker
about 40, 50 yards without anyone even making the challenge because everyone was backing off. They just as soon as they lose the ball you've entered, they just all back off into a low block. I mean, it's, it's such outdated football. Now, having, having been there at the games, you know, a number of Juventus games this season, and you're close up and when you're at the stadium, you can see things that you can't see, you know, on TV. So you'll see the structure, the lack of structure even more. I mean, what, what
00:05:34
Speaker
How bad is it in terms of the lack of structure and the lack of identity when you see it at the stadium? It's a very good question. And look, I think the concerns that you've raised over the last 15 months spot on, I'm in full agreement with, but look, I think last night, more than any match I've covered of Juventus this season. And that this is mainly because of the quality of the opponent. Make no mistake coming into this match, I favored Ben Fica to come away with maximum points. They haven't won every match they've played.
00:06:03
Speaker
this season by chance. They're a very, very good team, a very well organized team, a very well structured team, a team full of youth players from their academy, a team full of new signings who have adapted to a style of play. Juventus are the complete opposite. You are right. There is a
00:06:22
Speaker
that there are clueless players in that team who don't know, positionally, where they should be, what they should be doing, particularly in the middle of the park. And that, for me, is where I really saw holes in Juventus last night. Defensively, there are issues. We know that. In attack, we know that they have issues bringing Vlawic, particularly, into the game. But it's in the middle of the park. And the middle of the park for Juventus is the area that we have discussed now for six years that they needed to reinvest in and really strengthen in.
00:06:51
Speaker
And look, it's not about picking on individual players, but players for me of the quality of Western McKinney who I've never felt was a player at a level that should be playing, let alone starting and playing 90 minutes of the Champions League for Juventus. These are players that are clearly beyond their depth.
00:07:08
Speaker
playing at this level for this club and conversely last night. I'm not sure how well it or how easy it was to see on on the the television but certainly inside the stadium last night. Enzo Fernandez who I didn't know much about before coming into this match. The number thirteen for Benfica joined from River Plate recently.
00:07:27
Speaker
He was, for me, the star of the show. He was pulling the strings, calling the shots. Everything went through this player in the middle of the park. At not one point did he have an opposing Juventus midfielder anywhere near him. He was able to play the ball, do as he pleased. Conversely, Juventus getting the ball in the middle of the park. It was rushed. It was find an open man, knock it wide, and make it their problem. And it just led to no build up play. And I really felt that as the match went on, Juventus became more desperate.
00:07:56
Speaker
the chances became fewer and further in between, let alone the fact they didn't even have any golden opportunities. I really felt that this was, I think the lack of structure came into play when Di Maria came in the game. Di Maria comes into the game clearly the best player on the park with respect to everyone else.
00:08:12
Speaker
There were times where the likes of Mckenny, Pardes and the other midfielders would just pass him the ball and be like, well, it's your problem now. Try beat four or five plays and let's see if we can create a half chance out of nothing. And there was, again, just no system, no structure to their attacking movements. For me, though, the low light of the match and really where my frustration for Allegri reached potentially a new high was the moment that he decided to sub Milik off.
00:08:38
Speaker
Milik by far the best player, the most threatening player in the last few games for Juventus. And if not for some injury or something that we may not know about, with respect to Wlawic Milik by far superior last night, withdrawing Milik and replacing him with Kane later on,
00:08:53
Speaker
and leaving Vlovich there, there was just no avenue to goal and no way Juventus were going to get back in the match. So at this point, plan A is non-existent, plan B, well, we don't even know what that is. And that, again, coming back to why Allegri should move on, it's just because there is no synergy between coach and players at the moment.
00:09:11
Speaker
No, absolutely. And we saw there's a video that you will have seen has gone viral with DeMaria questioning Milik at full time and asking him, which is again, which is not a good look. Why the hell did the manager take you off? He was asking him. He even did the signal with his hands, the substitution sign with his hand.
00:09:32
Speaker
And, you know, so that's, that's not good either because it looked, I don't know what it looked like when you were at the stadium, but it looked to me, this is for the first time, it looked to me in second half, the body language of the players was terrible. It looked like the event space had given up in the second half. And that's something they were colored. There was no flat. There was just not that, that energy that the volia we say in Italian there, there was none of that, there was none of that fire, none of that passion, which at the very least, even if you are not on top, you can still show it was non-existent.
Juventus' Internal Issues and Management Decisions
00:10:00
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, this is for the first time. I mean, as bad as Juventus have been throughout the Allegri time back at the club, I never ever, not until last night's game did I get the feeling that he'd lost the players or he'd lost some of the players. This was the first time I actually felt that he had lost them because that second half, it looked like they had completely given up. Maybe some of it was tightness and that's something I want to come to after at the physical state of the players.
00:10:28
Speaker
But it looked like they'd given up. Then we saw this Milliken Di Maria episode at the end. But I think it was also telling to me that when the post-match interviews, when all the questions were about Allegri, about where is he going to stay, should he be sacked, and he was asked that himself. But not once did you see, you didn't see a single player stick up for him, say that we're with the manager.
00:10:49
Speaker
You know, we didn't see anybody on social media saying they support the manager. I mean, maybe I'm reading too much into it. But, you know, I would have thought that at least somebody, you know, would have would have given their support. And you also saw before the game, which was again, this was pretty hilarious. And also probably not very good. Areva Bennett, the CEO, came out of a restaurant before the game with with somebody from the Benfica team that went for, you know, went to the week before the game.
00:11:13
Speaker
i'm the fan was shouting at him you know i like reality and he responded you know what are you gonna pay for the next what are you gonna pay for the next manager no, he actually ended up explaining himself afterwards and saying it was just a joke you know i didn't mean anything i was just joking around but,
00:11:32
Speaker
I think, you know, number one, the CEO shouldn't be making a joke like that, because it's not very professional. It doesn't come across very well, especially, you know, with the situation. But number two, I think there was actually actually showed that there is actually some truth in the in what he said, because Juventus are in a position where, well, do they sack him because of the financial
00:11:53
Speaker
situation. You know, Juventus are about to post the 240 million euros loss for the year, which just shows how badly things are going on, you know, financially as well as sportingly right now. Now, in order to sack Allegri, they can have to pay him something around about 25 million net to pay him off for the rest of his contract. Now, I'm not sure what that translates into with growth. We know we include the taxes and stuff, but I'm imagining it will be 40 plus or something like that. So
00:12:23
Speaker
I mean, that is a hell of a lot of money for a club that's in such financial situations. So what do you do? Do you not sack him and stick with a manager who clearly, in my opinion, it looks like a lost cause for me. I think after 15 months, I've seen zero improvement at all. Nothing. I've seen nothing. And it doesn't look like anything's going to improve. Or do you sack him, lose all that money? Then you have to hire somebody else and pay a new manager as well.
00:12:52
Speaker
They're kind of, Juventus are stuck between a rock and a hard place, like they can't win really either way.
00:12:59
Speaker
I think this one is actually very simple. It's, and I'd love your thoughts on it, but I really think this is simple. Obviously they've made another bad business decision. One of many that they've made since the 2017 UEFA Champions League final. But I really firmly, strongly believe that keeping Allegri on just for the sake of not having to pay him out to avoid that financial blow is the worst possible outcome that they could do because it is
00:13:27
Speaker
Well, currently, Juventus are losing value on their players. The brand has taken a massive hit. They're not progressing in any competitions. And at this rate, they won't even finish top four playing this football. I think they need to dig deep. They need to be bold. They need to go and invest in someone who they truly believe in and will truly commit to.
00:13:46
Speaker
And I think that that change needs to be made now while the season can still be salvaged. I still believe this Juventus team are a good squad. I still believe this Juventus team can win their last four games in the group stage. I think that winning home and away against Maccabi Haifa is possible. I certainly think that if they're playing a better brand of football with more confidence, more energy, I certainly think they can go to Lisbon and get the points.
00:14:11
Speaker
and then against the Paris Saint-Germain side on match day six who definitely will have already qualified for the round of 16 if things go according to plan and definitely with three superstars in Mbappe Neymar and Messi who will be firmly looking at the World Cup a few weeks later, I think there's a massive opportunity still in this group.
00:14:29
Speaker
With Allegri, there is zero chance and maybe not even the Europa League will be the eventual outcome because who knows what could happen home and away against the Israeli team. I think they need to be bold though in making that decision. Obviously, we can discuss who those potential candidates can be soon. But I think that when we look at the finances, okay.
00:14:47
Speaker
maybe it's going to cost 40 gross to pay him out. And maybe then you bring in a top new manager, and that's another new 20, 30 million deal over a couple of years. But that's essentially, let's say, a 60 million hit. Obviously, it's a big hit. But that's essentially like signing a new key player. And I think that's where you've entered Sarat at the moment, that this position really needs to be invested in. They tried the cheap option in peer law,
00:15:12
Speaker
I thought it worked. I thought it worked much better than what this has been doing at the moment, but obviously they didn't think so. They took a step away. They can't go back down that path. They need a key figure at the top to lead this club forward. And there are some out there. Are they bold enough to make that decision? I think they need to be, but it's up to them whether or not they pull the trigger.
00:15:32
Speaker
No, I'm in total agreement. I said it on Monday and our podcast on Monday that I think that allegory is a sunk cost now. I think that you've lost that money now. You've lost that 40 million or however much it will cost to pay him off. Whatever you do, you just have to write that off. Now you have to make the decision, well, we've already lost 40 million.
00:15:51
Speaker
if we stick with Allegri, we're going to lose more because number one, we're going to go out with definitely with Allegri, we're going to go out of the Champions League group stages. So you're going to lose all the money that you would make for qualifying through getting to the last 16 or quarterfinals or however far you get, which is absolutely crucial to all Italian clubs revenue the Champions League is.
00:16:12
Speaker
And then you're also, like you said, rightfully so. Top four is going to be very difficult as well with Allegri, because for me, I think Milan, Inter and Napoli are by far ahead of Juventus right now. I see those three teams definitely finishing above Allegri's Juventus.
00:16:31
Speaker
then I think it's really probably out of Juventus and Roma for the way the season started. I mean, things can change, you know. Throw Atalanta in there as well without European football. I think they've got some potential as well, absolutely. No, exactly. No, absolutely. Yes. That's a good point. So, you know, and I wouldn't trust them. You'll be gambling again for them to get forward.
00:16:52
Speaker
And they're just not developing. So what is the point? I mean, what's the point of keeping around? And they've won two of their last 12 games, including the end of last season. You said they've only won one in seven, but they've only won two of 12. So this isn't just a
Comparing Juventus' Struggles with Other Clubs
00:17:07
Speaker
bad run of form. This is something that's been going on for a lot. I mean, that's relegation form. And he's breaking all kinds of them. I mean, it's the first time Juventus have ever lost their first two Champions League games. He just seems
00:17:20
Speaker
I hate to say, but he just seems delusional. Like when you see, even when you see what he says at the end of games and his press, press, uh, and his press conferences after him, he said last night that Juventus could have won three, one. He said, he goes, you know, and I just think what game, what game were you watching? I mean, it could have ended five or six one for Ben Fica in that second half. I mean, it's like, it's unbelievable. So.
00:17:42
Speaker
Yeah. Before we move on to who could replace him, what I do want to look at is, is the problem that you've entered right now bigger than Allegri? IE, would hiring a new manager, whoever it may be,
00:18:00
Speaker
actually solve anything? Or is the problem above him? And I'll give you the perfect example of that. Manchester United over the last decade. They've hired coach after coach after coach. They've thrown so much money in the transfer. They spent so much money in the transfer market. But they've been so badly run, so incompetently run in so many different departments on the pitch, the transfer policy.
00:18:26
Speaker
everything to do with the football inside of the club basically. And I look at Juventus, and I think that that is the same, that is true at Juventus as well. I mean, I look at the transfer policy since Beppe Marotta left, starting with the signing of Ronaldo.
00:18:43
Speaker
And then you look at the medical department, J medical at the moment. I mean, the number of injuries they've not only got now, but over the last, again, last one to two years, and also the fitness of the players. I mean, the first 15 minutes last night was actually pretty good. They showed good intensity, they pressed, they were getting at Benfica, you know, they looked, you know, they looked good. You thought, wow, this is brilliant.
00:19:09
Speaker
But they couldn't maintain it, and we've seen that time and time again in the few games that Juventus have played well over the last year or so under Allegri. They've never been able to maintain it for longer than a half. I remember the Villareal game, which I think you were at as well, the second leg, where the first half they played really well. They were completely dominant. Villareal didn't even get out of their own half.
00:19:29
Speaker
Then Juventus just fell apart physically in the second half, and they got picked off and they lost. The Inter game at home, I remember, when Juventus played probably their best half under Allegri. To be fair, they were very unlucky in that game as well. Decisions went against them. But they played really well. And then again, they just fell away physically in that game. The same in the Coppertalia final as well. They don't seem like they're physically prepared for the rigors of really elite football.
00:19:56
Speaker
And so there's that as well. Then, of course, you've got Andrea Ranielli himself. And I mean, in my opinion, pretty much every decision he's made since including and since getting rid of Marotta has has has been a disaster, to be honest, and include the super league, how that was executed as well as amateurish, the way that he's executed. But then you look at the number of coaches,
00:20:18
Speaker
that he's hired and fired, like one a year. I mean, that's, he's acted like, you know, to give you an example, a bit like the Marathi, like Marathi, Massimo Marathi used to operate during the, you know, the middle of his time there into where he would sat coach every year or two in a year, you know, and everything was just such a mess and so chaotic and, you know, just wasn't very well run. So you've had that, you've had the transfer policy, I mean,
00:20:45
Speaker
Paratici, although he's doing not too bad at Tottenham, I thought, I mean, he was terrible. I thought at Juventus and then he said, I still need to be won over by him. You know, he doesn't have any football in back. He doesn't have any football in background. He's come from Ferrari, where he didn't do particularly great things in his early 60s.
00:21:03
Speaker
You get a job in your early 60s, your first job in football, proper job, operative role in football at the age of the early 60s. I'm already asking questions. I might be unfair there, but I'm asking questions. So, you know, what's your take on it? I mean, do you feel like there's something wrong in the club itself above the manager?
00:21:24
Speaker
No doubt. I think you've raised some really interesting points there. I think all of them collectively point to one thing and one thing only. The club is just not in sync. There is no synergy between departments. There is no synergy between decisions. They're running an incredible business off the field. We know the money that was invested into building the new stadium, into redeveloping the entire area. It's quite beautiful. It's phenomenal what they've done. I wish every club in Italy were able to do exactly the same.
00:21:52
Speaker
but that has not translated in any case now to what's happening on the pitch so the business may be making some money they may be taking a hit a little bit with their poor business decisions on the pitch but off the pitch well the business looks all flashy and good but on the pitch things are a mess and we have seen this coming for so long
00:22:13
Speaker
Fans have seen it, people in the industry have seen it, people at the club have seen it. It's just a messy business inside. And look, I know a lot of people that work at that club, a lot of wonderful people doing incredible things and they work hard and they're all part of the objective, which is take this club back to the top of European football.
00:22:34
Speaker
But as things stand at the moment, there has to be more to it than just, oh, well, Marotto's gone, so we've just made a couple of bad decisions and now we've found ourselves here. So in short, is Allegri the sole problem of this club? Absolutely not. Absolutely not. Rehiring him was a big problem at the start. If there was no way to entice or bring in anyone fresh, well, perhaps we
00:22:58
Speaker
perhaps as a club, as a league, it would have been in a better place. I think at the present time, I'm not sure that Angeli has the same support that he had around him when the club was stable and winning. And we know that when Marotta left the club, we know that things started to change in terms of football decisions. We know that there were already issues internally. We know that he was not in favor of the Ronaldo move.
00:23:24
Speaker
Nor was I, nor still am I after all that time because it was a move made by Aniele for the wrong decisions. And I think we've discussed this before on the podcast previously, but the Ronaldo acquisition proved to me personally exactly what was wrong with the direction of Juventus Football Club and that they were bringing in
00:23:48
Speaker
one of, if not the greatest of all time, to put a cherry on top of the business cake. Sure, he came in and scored his hundred goals and people debate all the time. It wasn't him who was a problem, it was Juventus. He wasn't a problem because he delivered. But when you pay one player 30 plus million euro and you're struggling in every other department of the park, it's a ridiculous acquisition. And as a result now, the flow and effect is that you mentioned earlier, what, 240 million euro
Fan Disillusionment and Allegri's Philosophy
00:24:16
Speaker
in the red from the last 12 months well that's a key reason as to why. There are so many things that need to be fixed and amended in this front but at the moment it just feels like every decision is going against what they should be doing and so questions do need to be asked top to bottom. Obviously there are a couple of notable former players who have now gone into the
00:24:37
Speaker
Well obviously now former players and there is some talk that they may come back to the club in new roles and I think the time if ever is right it is now that in the next three to five years we see change. I wouldn't call for sudden change across every element of the club but I think the comparison you made to Manchester United I think it's a fair one because at the moment again I come back to my original point I just don't see synergy in the decisions made from top to bottom off the field on the field
00:25:05
Speaker
And that's where Juventus find themselves where they are at the moment, which is quite incredible after a club that won nine straight Scudetti only a few years ago. Yeah, no, absolutely. I couldn't agree more with everything that you say there. Just before we move on to the managers though, one other thing which I haven't brought up that's been quite interesting is just how many empty seats
00:25:30
Speaker
There were last night and there has been in a lot of events as home games. You'd think Champions League must win game, you know, Champions League, the biggest club competition there is, you know, that music goes on. It's where every fan would want to go. Now, you've been to the biggest
00:25:48
Speaker
by distance, the most well-supported club in Italy, they can't even fill out their stadium, not even close. There was one stand virtually half empty. The one that you see on the TV, from the TV cameras in front of you. Can I just touch on that? This is a problem across the board in Serie A as well. Another concept that they just do not grasp. If the section of the stand that is in view of the main camera is empty, it makes your product look awful.
00:26:17
Speaker
Plain and simple, if you look like you're playing in front of no one, the product doesn't look as flashy. I believe it's La Liga, where if they've got a stadium which isn't full, they tend to pack fans into where the cameras will be to give it a better image for the TV viewer because it's a better sell of the product.
00:26:35
Speaker
This is one thing that said I need to improve in because they just have no idea about that whatsoever. But for Juventus, it is right. There were a number of seats free last night at the match. I can tell you that the noise and atmosphere from the Kudva was probably the best I've heard for some time. There was that buzz and excitement from the Kudva, which was pleasing, but in the end, minimal impact, too many free seats. And look, I think Juventus again, as a business, as a club, they need to
00:27:02
Speaker
look at their pricing model for these games. There is no reason why they should not be selling out a 45,000 seater stadium every week. They need to, especially games of this significance, they need to be sold out for many, many reasons and if that means making it a bit more affordable,
00:27:19
Speaker
encouraging more people to come or they need to start looking and assessing these options because it's not good enough that you have 35,000 only for Juventus home match in the Champions League and like you said, the best supported club in the country. It's part of the problem. It's evidence that there is a problem and again, reason why things need to change.
00:27:38
Speaker
Yeah, and I think it's also evidence as well. I know there's an issue between Aniele and the Ultras. It's something that's been going on for a while whereby, and I do kind of, I am sympathetic with Aniele on this point, actually. I do understand what he's trying to do. He's looking at the Premier League and he's looking at how
00:27:58
Speaker
Premier League stadiums are family friendly. And, you know, okay, there's a corporate element to that. But I do want I do see where he's coming from, you know, if you go to a stadium, you don't you don't want to be fearing for your life, you don't want to, you know, there to be violence and obviously the ultras are
00:28:15
Speaker
Unfortunately, they are connected with that and so I do understand that but at the same time it's it's the situation I was harming your answers. So that's something that has to be that has to be solved but at the same time I also think that you know events as fans I've never seen them as disillusioned as they are now in all my life as a you know, I
00:28:39
Speaker
watching football. I never remember the Juventus fan base being. It's got to the point now where we're way past the anger stage in the stage of emotions. We're way past that. It's got to the point now where Juventus fans are, when they watch games,
00:28:55
Speaker
it's they're just there's just no emotion at all anymore there's nothing it's just like well they know they're going to play badly they know that they're probably not going to get a good result if they do get a good result it's you know it's just no they just they just don't want to watch you know and and i think that's another reason why you know fans are like well why should i even go to to the stadium to watch event is i'm not going to enjoy them they play such bad football
00:29:18
Speaker
And, you know, so we're not even, you know, we're not even winning anymore, either. And we keep hearing Allegri say, and it drives me, it's the one thing that does drive me mad, is when he goes on about saying, well, you know, I don't care about, you know, if you want to see good football, go to the circus, he's saying, you know, and he keeps saying about, you know, I don't want to play good football, I just want to win, you know, that's all that counts. Well, the thing is, you're not winning at the moment.
00:29:40
Speaker
You're not winning, so why make that point? It drives me mad and he just doesn't seem to grasp that in modern football, playing progressive good football generally translates, not all the time, there's always exceptions, but generally it translates into winning football now. That's been the case for the last three to five years generally.
00:30:04
Speaker
Oh, and generally the case in general, isn't it? But Carlo, I need to ask you because last night post-match I was live and so I missed some of the Allegri press conference. I did see a couple of comments on Twitter and I just want some confirmation from you on this, whether or not they were valid comments. But I read that Allegri was questioned about whether or not he's the problem at the club. And his response was something along the lines of,
00:30:26
Speaker
I'm not the problem because we're in a bad moment, but I'm going I am the solution to resolving the problem, which is just absurd for me when I read that and I couldn't quite believe it, but just confirming that is a real quote.
00:30:40
Speaker
Yes, that is what has been reported. He says, I feel part of the solution. I must find the solution. Those were his words. When I returned, I thought it would take time to build. Unfortunately, I don't think we could lose two games in a row. I didn't think we could lose. These defeats are annoying, but it's useless to talk too much now. Yeah, I mean, yeah, he believes he's part of the solution.
Potential Replacements for Allegri
00:31:06
Speaker
All the words from the people
00:31:09
Speaker
close to the club that I've spoken to since, believe that he's not going to resign. I mean, he's got a massive payoff. So, you know, why would he? And that, you know, at the moment, it doesn't seem like they're going to second, but I mean, there is a lot of pressure from the fans. So we'll have to see. I mean, if they don't beat Monza,
00:31:29
Speaker
And it would be ironic if it was Silvio Belisconi who put the final nail in his coffin. Monza team have got one point this season and have looked dreadful themselves. And they've got a few good players. I mean, they're a team with no structure or no, you know, they're just not a team at all either. I mean, then that really would be, I mean, surely then. I mean, I think now it should be untenable now. But if they lose to Monza or they don't beat Monza at home, I mean,
00:31:58
Speaker
He has to go and if yeah, and if he does and if he does so this is the question who would you replace him with?
00:32:06
Speaker
Well, this is that we could debate this for a very long time. Who would you replace him with? Look, I'm a big believer in timing of things. You know, you put your head down, you work hard, and sometimes things just fall in your lap at the right time. Now, I don't know if it's the ideal coach for Juventus, but I just, something inside me with the timing of the two-hole dismissal at Chelsea,
00:32:29
Speaker
I just think that would be a very fortunate opportunity to make a big bold move for a coach who's done some really big things in recent seasons. If you had a choice of 10, 20 coaches, best coach in the world, would he be number one? Probably not. But I just feel that there is a really established, experienced, successful manager ready to be taken and was still hungry to coach this season.
00:32:55
Speaker
A lot of people, Pochettino's come up, I've seen a bit. I'm not so sold on Pochettino, Zidane, a bit the same. There's some whispers that he's interested in France. Look, I think they have to be bold and go for a top, top name manager. And for me, Touhel ticks probably more boxes than others at this point in time.
00:33:14
Speaker
Yeah, no, I agree. I agree. I mean, looking at who is available, those names you just mentioned there, you know, did it impress me with PSG? Zidane, as crazy as it sounds for a manager that's won so many Champions League titles, I still feel it's kind of unproven.
00:33:31
Speaker
Again, we think very similarly. I'm with you. It sounds ridiculous. That's why I sort of avoided saying those words, but it's true. And I don't know, is he the man to come in and bring this mess of a squad back to what it should be? I don't think so. It wouldn't be my first choice at all. But obviously he has the UAV inside of him. There's that side, which I'm not going to disregard, but no, he's not top of my list at this point.
00:33:56
Speaker
And I think he's surely going to France to replace them. I agree. I agree. Well, I mean, it adds up, doesn't it? And the other name that has been mentioned, and I've seen it today, is Deserbe. And I know he's in negotiations with Brighton, but they're also in negotiations with other possible managers as well. So there is Deserbe as well. But again, it's a bit of a gamble. I mean, I like him. I like his vision of football. I like him. He's a progressive coach. He plays good football. He improves players, which is something that
00:34:25
Speaker
is something that Allegri is just incapable of. He just doesn't, you can't, you can't name me a single player that is improved under Allegri, you know, significantly. I mean, some people say, oh, but this, this video is improved. I mean, he's improved from one out of a hundred to two out of a hundred, you know, you know, so
00:34:43
Speaker
It's like, you know, I'm talking about, you know, you look at Loca Telly, the player that joined from from the Euros and he hasn't he's probably regressed. Vlauovic is the same player at best. And he's got one goal in open play this season. And, you know, so Kieza was regressing last season before his injury. I mean, he just doesn't he doesn't improve players at all. It doesn't develop players, which does it does?
00:35:07
Speaker
And so, you know, he, that's one thing I do like about him, but then you'll get jumping from Sasualo Shattar. He wasn't there very long. I mean, it's a gamble, isn't it? It's not a guarantee. Whereas with too, too cool. You think, okay, well, you know, he's been at big clubs, you know, he's been with big players.
00:35:23
Speaker
He's been in a situation at Chelsea that was similar when he joined and they were, they were a banter club under track Lampard. And then within four months he won the Champions League. So correct. Yeah, I think, I think you go for two cool, but I know the same time. I know he's going to be expensive. Yeah. But as we discussed earlier, for me, I think that that expense is now at a point where it's worth it. And I feel that this dismissal of Allegri and arrival of
00:35:47
Speaker
new manager, it has to be considered as effectively a new player arrival. So if you're willing to spend 40, 50 on that new player, well, unfortunately, that new player is not going to be able to arrive because as a club, they need to make this investment. This is a worthy investment. Now, I wouldn't be against
00:36:05
Speaker
does it be i like the idea of a of an up-and-coming italian manager i like the idea of a really well it's it's a it's a pretty raw squad this event is there's plenty to do with it there's plenty of work to be done there some young players coming through i think it could be positive
00:36:21
Speaker
But, you know, ultimately Saswalla, where he did his best work, he only had a win percentage rate of sub 36%. He went to Shakhtar, obviously difficult time there and that's done quickly. So it's, look, the ZB could, but it's, there's going to be a lot of things that are going to need to fall in place for him to really prosper and do very well. And again, obviously more experience than what they had when they brought in Piedlaw.
00:36:50
Speaker
But for me, it's more down that sort of, oh, let's go for a cheaper option, but let's hope that it works out. With Touhou, there's no guarantee with anything in life, but with Touhou, you've got likely a chance of growth, of improvement. And if he was able to turn around that rabble of Frank Lampard's Chelsea, I think there's a bit more quality here that he can really work with. And I also looked at the fact of as well, Touhou built some nice relations with some of those Chelsea players.
00:37:19
Speaker
we know that maybe some of those Chelsea players could be on the way out. There could be that opportunity as well for Juventus team that are still needing to top up and replace in certain areas and I'm not against that at all. I think that Touhou would certainly be the one to invest with, I think that he would be one to commit to, but in doing so it cannot be a case of unyelly where the club goes through four coaches in four seasons again. You really commit this time and you really commit to a plan, you be
00:37:45
Speaker
Bold. Bold is the word which Juventus have not been in these seasons. They've made decisions which, as I said, have not been aligned with other decisions. And ultimately, you know, when you go from five years ago renewing Kedira's deal for six million a year for no reason to then offering the Ramsey and Rabi or nine million each per season, you've got no strategy. And I think they have to really put full trust in a new manager that comes in, give them a few, two, three, four years to do what they need to do and bring this club back to where it deserves
Milan's Strategic Victory Over Dinamo Zagreb
00:38:14
Speaker
to be.
00:38:14
Speaker
Yeah, spot on. I couldn't agree more. Okay, that's enough of Juventus. We will just go through quickly the three other Italian teams that played in the Champions League this week. Apologies everyone that the last two episodes have been so dominated by Juventus, but obviously it is the big massive story of Italian football, which I think everybody is really interested in. So
00:38:37
Speaker
That's why we've spoken a lot about Allegri. But we'll move on to Milan versus Dino Isagreb. 3-1 win for Milan. I'll just give my two cents on this first. I thought that it wasn't a great performance by Milan, but they got the win. I think they deserve to win. I think they had a lot of shots, but they didn't create too many clear chances. I thought that really they won this game because they're two star players. They're two difference makers.
00:39:07
Speaker
Rafael Liao and Teo Hernandez, they stepped it up for key moments of this game. And Rafael Liao, he won the penalty for the first, he got a brilliant assist for seller makers with step overs and cross for the second. And then Teo Hernandez went on that little trademark run down the left and cut it back for Pobega to score the third. So that was really, I think, what won Milan the game. But
00:39:32
Speaker
in the end, you know, they're in a good position now Milan, Chelsea drew their game. So they've got a double header against Chelsea with a three point gap over Chelsea. So yeah, Milan are looking pretty solid for qualification, right? Very solid. Look, I was pitch side at Juve while this game is being played. So I didn't catch the full match was trying to watch as much as I could. But
00:39:51
Speaker
It's a Milan team that are playing in a fashion that, well, Juventus need to get to that level, don't they? We've just touched on it. But Milan really are a united group. And I love covering Milan and Sadia because they play with a spirit and energy that will help them grow, obviously, off the back of last season when they were drawn into that group of death in the Champions League, albeit disappointingly eliminated bottom of the group. They'll take a lot from that. And we're starting to see signs of improvement collectively. You're right. They've got those couple of stars that when they need to, they can be the difference makers.
00:40:21
Speaker
This is a Milan team that I really feel should be targeting a quarterfinal appearance this season I I actually tipped them to win this group. I just I don't rate Chelsea at all I'm not surprised that they're they're struggling thus far in the competition But this home and away now against Chelsea match day three Stanford Ridge match day four at the Sun Cedar four points
00:40:41
Speaker
out of six from these two matches Milano Milano going through, there's no doubt about it. So I'm really excited for Milan, obviously big match in city of this weekend against Napoli. But this Milan team really playing at a level that, okay, it's inspiring people in Italy, Milan are back, they're back in European football and hopefully get through the group this time around and can really make a name for themselves. And this young squad can do some things this season, I really believe in them.
00:41:04
Speaker
Yeah, no, I agree. I think you mentioned about strategy there, and the lack of strategy at Juventus. That's something that we have, and synergy, you mentioned the lack of synergy as well through the department. That's something that we absolutely have at Milan, you can see, especially, especially between
00:41:21
Speaker
the transfer policy and the transfer, you know, Masada and Maldini worked on the transfers and the coach and the players that they want and how when they sign players, they sign specifically for the style of football, they want to play for the suit, the formations.
Napoli's Champions League Success
00:41:39
Speaker
you know, they know what they're trying to sign. And that's something with the events that we just haven't had for a good few years now. You know, they have the piece and then that's one thing also you mentioned Chelsea, that's one thing that Chelsea, I think have got very wrong this summer, that they haven't bought players for certain systems or, or that can play with one another that the pieces, the jigsaw don't fit together. And that's something that Milan have done really, really well, especially built in
00:42:04
Speaker
around young players as well who can improve and can be developed and Pioli's done a great job in developing them as well. So yeah, it's looking good. And also one last point about Milan I'd like to make is, you know, their high press has really impressed me. It impressed me in the derby against Intel where they had too much energy for them. But it also impressed me in this game, even though they weren't playing brilliantly against Dino and Suggle, they weren't creating that many chances.
00:42:26
Speaker
they were winning the ball high up so many times and sailor makers who's got two goals and two games in this group so far is a perfect example of that because he is quite a limited player let's be honest he's not the best player technically in the world but you watch him how many balls he wins high up the pitch he's chasing back winning the ball back for the team and in modern football
00:42:47
Speaker
You know, it's not something that everybody likes, but it is important part of modern football. And he's somebody, he's an example of someone who fits into the dynamic of what they want from their players. So yeah, well done to Milan. Well done to Napoli as well. Yes, yes. So they have been the team to watch, haven't they? Napoli.
00:43:08
Speaker
Napoli are a special, special team. I covered, it was my first ever match at the Maradona in the Champions League. I covered match day one, Napoli Liverpool. And that was as special a match as I've ever been to. It was an incredible experience. The Maradona is something else. There's no doubt about that. And to see them score four against Liverpool in quick time was incredible on a night when it should have been seven. Let's not beat around the bush. It was unbelievable performance.
00:43:37
Speaker
And I think Napoli can certainly win that group. I think that they have the ability to do that. And again, this Napoli team, well, we saw the usual didn't we, Carlo? We saw the British pundits after the match come out and just suggest the fact that Liverpool went down because they're struggling and without stars, albeit the fact that they still had eight of their regulars starting that match, but credit all to Napoli because losing the players that they lost and obviously it's been discussed already, but losing the quality of player and the
00:44:07
Speaker
the iconic players that they lost and replacing them in the manner that they've done so quickly. Well, Spoletti has made it look just so easy and this team are absolutely flourishing. And well, what a performance to go to Rangers win three nil. Tough, tough away trip. No, no fans at all. Incredible, incredible achievement. So Napoli for me, really exciting and obviously Ajax home and away coming up next.
00:44:33
Speaker
They're only a few points away, and they're going through there. It's a really, really promising team. And many people were writing them off and said, yeah, let's not forget that already at the start of the season. And so far, so good. So can't wait to see more of them.
00:44:46
Speaker
Yeah, I have to put my hands up and say that before the season started, as soon as I watched them in the first game, I was kind of like, well, okay. Maybe I should have said that. But I did have my doubts. I thought they'd got rid of too many leaders, too many important people in the dressing room once.
00:45:03
Speaker
all at once. When you lose Insinia, Mertens, Cully Bally and then Fabio Narisse, you lose three and a half first team players all in one window, but all with so much experience, so many games behind them, you lose them all at once. I just thought maybe that's too much, but
00:45:26
Speaker
you know, what they have done is that they the players they brought in have been fantastic so far. And but there's just so much more energy and intensity. And obviously, Kvarat Scalia, Kvaradona has just been an absolute revelation. He looks like a superstar.
00:45:43
Speaker
That was the first, that was the first Napoli match I'd covered this season. I've got Milan Napoli this weekend. Can't wait to see him at the Sun Siddle, but what a player. He made Van Dyke Alexander Arnold look like they were absolutely nothing and just an electric, exciting player. And I did read some reports that he was potentially close to Juventus as well. So another poor decision on their front, but what a player and again, a very exciting team going forward with all that quality and depth as well. So I've got big hopes for Napoli this
Inter's Victory and Player Form Issues
00:46:12
Speaker
season. And like Milan,
00:46:13
Speaker
For me, I'm targeting a quarterfinal appearance for this Napoli team. I think they have the quality to do exactly that. Yeah, they've got the European game and they also do, like you just said, they have the depth. I mean, they've got six players for the front three positions. Correct. They're all good. I mean, you look at the first choice front three are Cavada, Osseman and let's say Lozano, but then, you know,
00:46:35
Speaker
You've got Politano, I think is very underrated and he's developed so well over the last year or two. Then you've got Simeone and then you've got Raspadori. I mean, that is the envy of many teams in Europe to have that kind of depth and attack. They create so many chances and they score so many goals. They always look like score. They always create. And same happened with Rangers last night. They created plenty of chances.
00:46:57
Speaker
And the Rangers had a few chances themselves, but it was a totally deserved win for Napoli. And they're now in a really excellent position. They've got six points from two games. Ajax have got three. Liverpool have got three. Rangers zero. They've got the double-headed against Ajax. If they take four points from six, they're through. But even if they take three, I think they'll be in a perfectly fine position going into the last two match days.
00:47:20
Speaker
Yeah. They're looking good. They're looking good. Yeah. Finally, in the Champions League, Victoria Peltzen against Inter, comfortable win this for Inter. I've forgotten the score now. Was it 2-0? 2-0. 2-0. Jeko and Dumfries, right. So it seems like ages ago now with everything that she did. It does, it does.
00:47:44
Speaker
So, yeah, not too much to say on this other than I thought Jeko was really good. He showed that he still has something to offer. I thought a Cherby had a great debut and really, really great debut, defended well, used the ball well, showed that he's actually probably in better form than probably all the other defenders.
00:48:00
Speaker
Fun game. Brozovic was good in midfield. Dumfries has been criticized. I thought he was really, really good. The only player that's disappointed me in this game for everyone else played well apart from one player. And I want to ask your view on this, like what is going on with this player? Barela. What's happened to him since the Euros? I mean, he doesn't look the same player.
00:48:18
Speaker
He doesn't, and I knew you were going to say, Barilla, because I share the same thoughts. I don't know what's going on with him, but he lacks that same level of bite, that energy that he once had, and just the quality is not there. Look, obviously there, it's an inter-team at the moment that's...
00:48:37
Speaker
more or less, you know, same squad. It's, they've had their issues thus far this season. I know that Nima's happy with Onana getting the start again in this one and look, another clean sheet there. But yeah, Barela is one to keep an eye on because I've seen also covering a few intergames, even just the energy off the ball and just around the park. He just, I don't know, doesn't seem to be as far and as passionate as he normally is. So,
00:49:06
Speaker
We'll see. I think that there's obviously an interesting period coming up for the Italian players in Serie A, given the fact that the World Cup will be a six-week pause for them with nothing else to do. Maybe it's a case of a couple of seasons of non-stop football just getting the better of some of these players, maybe coupled with the disappointment at international level. I'm not so sure.
00:49:29
Speaker
Yeah, a player certainly not at the same level as we saw, what, only 14 months ago when Italy incredibly won the Euros and now we're not going to the World Cup. Would you drop him for Italy? For Italy, sorry. For Italy, for Italy at this point, I think in midfield is probably our strongest area of the park. So I don't think that that's a guaranteed starter there. Verratti, for me, is the only one who would be a guaranteed to start in his role there. But we know that there's a lot of quality coming through in the middle.
00:49:58
Speaker
So I don't think he's a certain starter. Do you drop him Italy play England next Friday? Does Barilla start probably? I think Mancini will go with that. But yeah, no, I don't think that at this point in time, if there was World Cup to come and given this form, I don't think that he's a guaranteed starter at this point. No, but I stick with him because we know that the quality is there, but something needs to change.
Upcoming Serie A Matches Preview
00:50:20
Speaker
Okay, great. Right. Let's just just to finish off, let's, let's look ahead to the to the weekend. Romer actually played since our last podcast, Romer actually played and they won against Empoli 2-1 on Monday. So we'll just we'll talk about that a little bit when when we talk about Romer Atalanta. So I'll just first of all, I'll run through the fixtures. We've got Selena Tana, Lecce on Friday, then we've got Bologna against Empoli, Spezio Sampdoria, Torino versus Sasualo.
00:50:50
Speaker
all on Saturday, that's Tiago motors first game in charge of Bologna in those in the first of those games. Then we got Udena on Sunday, we've got Udenaise Inter, Cremonaise Elazio, Fiorentina Verona, Monza Juventus, Roma Atalanta and Milan versus Napoli on Sunday evening. So we'll start off with Milan Napoli, because because you're at that game, you're covering that game for BT Sport.
00:51:14
Speaker
This is obviously a huge game between maybe the two best teams in Serie A or maybe the two biggest, the two best teams out of the biggest teams, let's say, so far. The key talking point, I guess, is there's no Rafael Liao in this game. So could that tip things in Napoli's favor maybe? No, Liao, no, Oceman, obviously, as well.
00:51:37
Speaker
Could it tip things in Napoli's favor? Why not? I think so. Obviously, Liao is super, super important and we've just touched on the depth of Napoli's attacking quality. So for all the quality that Aussie men brings, they're not short of replacements. This is tough to predict, very, very tough to predict. It was last season corresponding fixture, Napoli got the win, if I recall correctly.
00:51:59
Speaker
Look, I think historically, recently, results have been split between the two clubs. In fact, I've just checked that. Yeah, it was a zero one to Napoli in the week before Christmas. So, look, I think Napoli can win this match. Liao, obviously, out is a big blow to Milan. Obviously, last match before the international break.
00:52:19
Speaker
Look, I'm tipping a draw in this one. I just can't separate them. But I think this is an early six-pointer for the Scudetto, perhaps, because there's still plenty of quality. And we spoke about it earlier. But yes, Lee, our big blow. But Milan and the team, the unit, that's what you need to beat.
00:52:35
Speaker
So, while Milan may not be as free flowing going forward without their best attacker, but they've still got the quality as a unit to do some damage. I think this is going to be fascinating. And again, Kavarra Scalia, I cannot wait to see him at the sunset. I think he could be a handful for the Milan defense, but they've come up against some tall tasks and have stepped up. So, either way this one can go, but I'm going to sit on the fence and predict the rule.
00:53:00
Speaker
Yeah, I think guns the head, you probably would go for a draw, but I do. I do think that, and it will be interesting to see, I do think that there's one irreplaceable player in this Milan team, it's Rafael Liao, because I look at the rest of their attack and I think they lack pace. I think they lack pace without, without, without Rafael Liao. And now they do not, now they do not.
00:53:21
Speaker
No, they certainly don't. Okay, so that's going to be an incredible game that is. Roma Atalanta is also going to be a really, really good game because these are two teams that are up there challenging at the moment. We saw Roma who went for a mini bad run, let's say.
00:53:37
Speaker
But they got back to winning ways against Empley, with Di Barla scoring an absolutely magical goal. I think he's been really, really good so far this season for Rome. It's great to see him. And also coming back to the original point about Juventus' medical department, it's also interesting to see how fit he's been this season. No injuries at all.
00:53:55
Speaker
makes you wonder whose fault it really was. What have you made of Roma so far this season and also what have you made of Atalanta because they're doing well out of Europe and they're kind of just quietly going about their business and they're right up there.
00:54:08
Speaker
They are Atalanta. Obviously they had that disappointing draw with Cremonese last weekend in Serie A, but I mentioned earlier when we spoke about the race for the top four. I do think that Atalanta without that distraction of European football this season, I think finishing eighth last season in Serie A will actually be a blessing in disguise. I think we'll see them really
00:54:28
Speaker
Not challenged for the title, but I think they're well and truly in the race for the top four. And again, there is obviously the break for the World Cup, but coming into that second half of the season, for those five or six clubs still in European football from Serie A, Atalanta a bit fresher, I think it will hold them in good stead. And great to see them there at the top of the table with Napoli and Mila on all 14 points. I think they're going to really push. Roma
00:54:52
Speaker
It's an interesting one. Obviously many, we spoke that many were writing Napoli off. Many were all on board the Roma train and Mourinho's going to win the Scudetil this season. Look, obviously they had that disaster at Uldaneze a couple of weeks back and the defeat Lutogerets that they'll play Europa League again midweek this time around.
00:55:12
Speaker
I think i think i'm satisfied with where with roma at the present time do they have the ability to probably push as far as others were suggesting and lead up to see i don't think so i certainly like the arrival of the baller how sustainable is this long term is it.
00:55:31
Speaker
Was the J medical all at fault for his injury issues or will something creep up shortly? I don't know, but I think Romer at their free-flowing best are very attractive to watch. I think they're playing some nice football. They're a great brand. There's a lot of faces in there doing some really nice things. Obviously Abraham off the back of his last season, Zagnolo, love watching him flourish and they're an exciting team. And I think that buzz, I think certainly feeding off, obviously having Murinor there. So I think
00:55:59
Speaker
They've got a lot of buzz and appeal around the club. I just don't think that they have the quality to go with the likes of Milan and Napoli, as you've touched on, is probably the strongest two all the way this season. But I think this is an interesting one. I wouldn't be surprised if Atalanta go there and get the win. Obviously Roma with that midweek game as well.
00:56:18
Speaker
Atalanta will be very hungry to respond from those drop points last weekend.
Potential Turning Point Match for Juventus
00:56:23
Speaker
So, again, this one I'd probably tip a draw as well. But if I had to pick a winner, I think I'd go with Atalanta here to pull off a win at the Olympics. Yeah. Yeah. And there's Udinese Inter as well. That's also going to be, that is also a tricky game. It's a good day. Sunday's a good day. Yeah. Some great games. And Udinese are on a four match winning streak and they have two attackers in Beto and Delafeyo who are real handful.
00:56:46
Speaker
Real handful to anything any defense especially and into defense that has been leaking a lot of goals So far this season and then finally the other big game is obviously as we said before months of versus Juventus Sorry months are at home. I got that wrong before and so months are at home
00:57:03
Speaker
And yeah, it's Giovanni Stropa got sacked. They have a caretaker coach in charge Rafael Paladino, who was actually a former Juventus player was over a decade or so I paid for Italy as well. And so will Juventus win this game?
00:57:21
Speaker
Well, Paladino, Paladino was actually having a pizza beside me the other night here in my street in Milan. And I think, I think he got the call the day after. So look, it's, it's a strange one, but when former Juventus players play against Juventus, this is actually my brother's theory. So I'll credit him with this. They always score against you.
00:57:38
Speaker
And I find that this time around, if Paladino is to get a result against Juventus team, come back to our initial discussion of the conversation, Allegri is sacked on the spot. There is no doubt. There is no shying away from that. So, for a Monza team that have one point, that point away to Leccia last weekend, anything but three points here for Juventus, and that's the end of Allegri, there's no doubt about it.
00:58:03
Speaker
Again, given what we've seen from UWE this season, even last season, there's no guarantee with anything. Although surely, surely they have to win this match and get their season semi back on track. I guess going into the international break where some big decisions will need to be made.
00:58:20
Speaker
Yeah, I can already picture it. As I said before, Belisconi and Galliani getting their former coach Allegri sacked. I mean, it's just couldn't write it better. Maybe he'll be the next coach of Monza. Who knows, Allegri? Maybe he will. Maybe that's what they're waiting for. That's what they're waiting for. They haven't appointed anyone yet.
00:58:42
Speaker
Okay, well, thanks. Thanks so much, Adrian. Fantastic, fantastic analysis. You're one of the best, the best footballing minds, Italian footballing minds for sure. They're in the business. For those of you who don't, don't know you can follow Adrian on Twitter at at Adrian del Monte.
00:59:04
Speaker
and also on Instagram and Facebook as well. I haven't used Facebook for years. Instagram and Twitter will do. That's where the magic happens. Much appreciated, man. Good fun as always and anytime.
00:59:17
Speaker
Yeah, absolutely. Thank you. So thank you so much, Adrian. Everybody else, we will be back on Monday for the review show of the weekend's football and possibly talk about Juventus without Allegri. We will see. But until then, ciao ciao.