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Free Weekly Episode - Serie A Mid-Season Awards, Milinkovic-Savic To Juve, Saudi Arabia Shock Argentina & Much More (Ep. 276)
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From who has been the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and attacker in the Serie A so far this season to overall MVP, U21 MVP, Argentina shock defeat as well as Iran national team players off field issues affecting them in the FIFA World Cup, and much more as Nima and Carlo discuss it all.
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 to the Italian Football Podcast
00:00:01
Speaker
Welcome to the Italian football podcast with John Solano, Carlo Garganese and Nima Tuvali.
00:00:24
Speaker
Hello everybody
World Cup Delays and Surprises
00:00:25
Speaker
and welcome to another episode of the Italian Football Podcast. I'm Carlo Garganese, joined as always by NIMA. First of all, we're bringing you this weekly free episode a little bit later this week. The reason is pretty simple actually. NIMA wanted to watch Iran play against the
00:00:45
Speaker
against England in the World Cup and I think he's probably regretting that. I think we should have probably just recorded the podcast anyway and you've not watched that game because I don't think you would have enjoyed that watching that match, would you Nima?
00:00:59
Speaker
No, not too much. We will come to that. We will talk about that. We're going to talk a little bit about these opening games at the World Cup. We're recording this on Tuesday, just after the Denmark versus Tunisia, Neil-Neil games. So we've already had the huge shock of Argentina losing to Saudi Arabia, one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history. For me, it's up there with
00:01:23
Speaker
with Cameroon in 1990 and and you know it's right up there with North Korea beating Italy in 66 it's right up there so we'll talk a little bit about that we're going to talk about a little bit about the World Cup but what we're going to do for the first half of the show is we're going to use this this show because it's the the mid
00:01:41
Speaker
season break for Serie A is we're going to do our Serie A mid-season awards. We usually do it in December, at the end of December, but there's not going to be any more Serie A action until the first week of January. So now is the best time to do it really while there's still a little bit of a connection to the Serie A just finishing just over a week ago. So that's where we're going to start today.
00:02:06
Speaker
Okay,
Serie A Mid-Season Awards
00:02:07
Speaker
right. So what we're going to do is we've got a lot of a lot of different segments here on the on the Serie A season. And what I'm going to do to start with is I want to go through each department on the field. So goalkeeper, defender, midfield.
00:02:21
Speaker
and forward. I've put together a short list of five for the goalkeeper and ten for defender, ten for midfielder, ten for attacker. We'll go through each department, I'm going to run through the players on the short list, then both myself and Nima will pick
00:02:38
Speaker
are winners for those departments. So we'll have a goalkeeper of the season so far, a defender of the season so far, a midfielder of the season so far, and then a attacker of the season so far. So very, very simple. Start off then with the best goalkeeper in Serie A this season. The five people, five players, five goalkeepers I've picked on my short list are Provedel from Natsio,
00:03:03
Speaker
He has the most clean sheets in Serie A. He has the third highest safe percentage. I'm picking Mattia Perin from Juventus, which might be a little bit of a surprise, and he's only played probably around about half of the game to Juventus. But I thought he was so fantastic in those early games.
00:03:22
Speaker
I think I've said on the pod quite a lot how Juventus had an XG against, XGA, expected goals against of double their actual number of goals they conceded, and that was all down to Perrin. Even though Juventus had that terrible start to the season, it would have been much, much worse. They overperformed massively despite performing so badly at the start of the season.
00:03:47
Speaker
thanks to Perrin, it's all down to him basically. So they really have to thank them, thank Perrin that they're actually in the top four and sort of somewhat back into the thick of things at the top now. So him, I picked Alex Merret because I think he's, I don't think he's been outstanding, but I think he's done well. I think he's shown that he, yeah, you know, Napoli, there were doubts on him. And I still think maybe he could be a weak link, but I think he's done well. I think he did well for Italy as well when he played for them last week. So Merret,
00:04:16
Speaker
Then Vicario from Empoli, and I've also, I mean, you might not agree with this, but I've also picked Andrea Nana, because I think that, again, I don't think he's been outstanding, but I think he's done very well in replacing, you know, such an outstanding, one of the best goalkeepers in Serie A the last 10 years, and Handanovic in a difficult situation. I think he's helped study the ship at Inter as well. He's done brilliant in Europe, in the Barcelona ties, and so,
00:04:42
Speaker
He's my fifth on the shortlist. First of all, what do you think of the shortlist and then single out? I think the shortlist is spot on. I think you've got every single player there that I would have picked.
00:05:00
Speaker
uh... as well uh... i think i think it's uh... it's pretty much for now i don't think you've missed a single one i think those play i think every single one of them deserve to be there uh... i think i was thinking about this cuz i was gonna pick uh... providel but uh... to be on it because of the clean sheets but then when you look at the numbers actually you look at i think the fact that you latsios defense has been so organized he's benefited a lot from that uh... i think
00:05:27
Speaker
He's, you know, he's been great. He's been absolutely one of the signings of the season, given expectation, the role he was brought in to do and what he's actually gone on to act to do. But I think I'll probably go with Vicario. I think he's been outstanding. The reason, I mean, if we look at, you know, in terms of the most highest percentage save and most big saves in the Serie A, I mean, he's leading that one by quite a bit, isn't he?
00:05:59
Speaker
He's got 28 big saves and the next most is 23. You have to take into consideration, of course, Empoli are a team that will obviously suffer more chances, but that doesn't take away the sheer how well he's done when making those saves.
00:06:19
Speaker
I think it's about him being a complete goalkeeper as well because he's very tall, he's very commanding I think, he has that presence about him as well I think which I always like in a goalkeeper but he's also shown himself to be the best shot stopper in Serie A so far this season but also he's got the most interceptions for a goalkeeper in Serie A so he's very good at coming out and sweeping which is obviously a modern
00:06:47
Speaker
part of goalkeeping, and he's also brilliant at saving penalties. He's saved two penalties, more penalties saved than anyone else, and he should have saved another one, which I forget who it was against. I think it might be Napoli against Rosano, but he should have saved that one. He's very good at going the right way on penalties as well.
00:07:05
Speaker
He's my, yeah, I think we both agreed then. Yeah. Vicario, best goalkeeper of the season so far. Yeah. So far, I think just based on performances, I think I would have
Top Midfielders Discussion
00:07:13
Speaker
him there for sure. And I can't remember seeing Vicario making any howlers. I think every single other one on that list has made one, except for maybe Perin. I've not seen him make a howler or Onana as well. I've not seen him make a howler either, but no, I think, I think Vicario is the fairest one.
00:07:30
Speaker
yeah yeah okay we're unanimous there with with um with vicario let's move on to best defender so i've got 10 players on the shortlist for best defenders i've got and to be honest i could have picked all naphaly defenders to be honest with you but i've only gone for three so i've gone for kim minj
00:07:47
Speaker
who has the third most interceptions in Serie A, the most air challenges in Serie A for a defender, that is, and the fourth most ball recoveries, so that's all very impressive. Mario Rui, who as well as being, I think, pretty solid, he's definitely improved defensively in the last year or so, Mario Rui, but he's also an absolute monster going forward, five assists.
00:08:13
Speaker
and Di Lorenzo, so I've got three Napoli players who easily could have out put Rachmani in but I thought that we have to have some kind of spread in here, I guess he was injured for a bit, so I left Rachmani out. I picked Di Marco, okay, hasn't really played let's say a defender-defender but winged back in a 3-5-2, I mean.
00:08:30
Speaker
Let's not argue over little things, so DiMarco's in it. Similarly, Costic, same position. I put him as well again, like Mario Re, so many crosses and assists this season.
00:08:46
Speaker
But for Juventus, I really think he's been excellent. I don't know why he's been unnecessarily criticised by some. I think he's been really, really good. Roman Joly from Lazio, we've talked about all the clean sheets and Lazio have got and he's just come in there from Milan on a free and really been a leader and really been outstanding there.
00:09:06
Speaker
Chris Moreland, who has been the best Englishman in this area, better than Tomori. Parisi, who we spoke about in the last show, I think he's been really, really great. Again, he's got three assists, really, really fast, really, really attacking, gets forward a lot, lots of pace and intensity, but also,
00:09:24
Speaker
very good defensively as well because he's the top defender in Serie A for tackles. So again, this is somebody who's shown himself to be pretty complete. Another young, emply player that's been developing well. And finally, last player in my shortlist, and he's playing right now as we speak, is Jacob Kywier, Polish centre-back for Spezia, who is second in Serie A for interceptions.
00:09:53
Speaker
So, Senema, what do you think? Anyone missing from that list? And again, who would be your winner? Anyone missing? I think Danilo, I think he's been really good in that back three to the right. I think he's been, I mean, some games he's been outstanding to the back of that three and the back of that three. And I think
00:10:15
Speaker
But yeah, no, I think, I think, uh, I think Kalulu and Tamori as well. But if we're looking at consistently, I mean, if we're just looking at central defenders, I think for me, the, uh, like Chris Smalling, I think has been outstanding. I don't think, I think him, him and Roman Yoly, uh, for consistency this season have been ahead and shoulders above everyone else. Bremer struggled when Mila, when, when you were played in a back four, uh, I think that was, that was always going to happen.
00:10:43
Speaker
So I don't think the criticism was unfair to him that because he did look out of a little bit out of place in a back four. But as soon as you returned, you know, reverted to a back or went to a back three, they I think he's been him and Danilo have been outstanding. So for me, I have I can't discard Chris Smalling. I think he's been consistently the best central defender in the Serie A this season. And I do kind of make a difference between
00:11:12
Speaker
the defender and wing back because I think Costic for example Di Marco those those guys Mario Rui as well no doubt Di Lorenzo for sure those are in their own category but just a central defender I think Smalling just ahead of Romanioli just simply for the consistency and and the high level he's played I mean he's not really made any howlers you can you know people are going to come and say oh but what about what happening is Osseman that wasn't a howler that was more Osseman being fantastic
00:11:40
Speaker
more than Smalling being making a howler. That's how I see it anyway. No, I mean, Smalling has been outstanding. Is Smalling your, is he your winner then? Yeah, for a central defender, yeah, and as a lift and as a wing back or a full back, I have to go with DiMarco because I think he's been, I mean, his contributions, but it was between him and Kostich for me. Okay, fair enough.
00:12:05
Speaker
I'm going to go for Kim Minjae as my defender of the year because I think that
00:12:10
Speaker
you know, looking at, putting it into context, looking
Evaluating Forwards and Lautaro Martinez's Performance
00:12:13
Speaker
at the whole picture, you know, he was coming in and replacing Koori Bali, who's probably been the best defender in Serie A, if we're looking at consistency over the period of time that he was at Napoli, you know, eight years was it? And, you know, that was such a huge gap to fill, not only in the team, but leadership in a changing room and everything. And Kim Minjae is coming from the Turkish league, you know, his first,
00:12:38
Speaker
move to a big league, let's say, and he's just come in and just immediately just being absolutely, absolutely outstanding. And just a monster, like, like his nickname, an absolute monster. And, you know, his stats back it up, you know, that I said, you know, he's right up there for, for interceptions, for ball recoveries, for
00:13:01
Speaker
uh the most air challenges for a defender i mean you know he's been absolutely outstanding he'd done it with rachmani without rachmani uh brilliant in europe as well you know so i think yeah i'm on the top of the league as well so i mean i'm going for i'm going for kim midget the only reason i didn't go for him is because he has made one or two a bit howler mistakes you've not seen that from the others and that that's why i have them he made one in that last game didn't he against um
00:13:28
Speaker
Udenezer. Udenezer, yeah, but I mean, it didn't cost them. So, I mean, yeah. Okay, let's move, let's move on to midfield, midfielder. So again, 10, 10 plays in the shortlist for best midfield of Serie A. Milinkovic Savage. He's got three goals, seven assists. That's the most number of assists in Serie A. Andrei Zambo in Giza, two goals, three assists.
00:13:50
Speaker
Piotr Zielinski, three goals, five assists, he's got the same number of goals and assists in all competitions already this season that he had in the whole of last season. Lebokka as well, so you've gone for three Napoli, you could easily pick so many Napoli players in all these categories. Lebokka, who isn't really someone that you look at tangibly at his numbers, he's just somebody that's just been so good at just controlling the play and everything.
00:14:15
Speaker
Rabio, surprisingly, you would have never picked him before the start of the season, but he's, he's had, you know, probably his best season, maybe of his career so far, three goals, two assists. Ismael Ben-Assaire, foot from Milan, I think he's been their best, probably their best player actually this season, Ben-Assaire, consistency wise anyway. Then Barrella, who's having a comeback season, five goals, five assists already. This is only in Serie A, by the way, these numbers.
00:14:40
Speaker
Pellegrini one goal for assists which you know that might not look like high but his numbers are very high but look at his numbers of the key passes for goal chances created he's very very high up. Koop miners from Atalanta I think he's been there there
00:14:54
Speaker
they're outstanding player and then I picked Roberto Pereira from Udenezer because I was looking at his numbers he's been playing in a wing back position this year quite surprisingly not really his position but his numbers are really good like it's created numbers he's got five assists and creating a lot of chances so I thought he deserved to be singled out on this so that's my short list what are you yeah who have you got Noah
00:15:20
Speaker
I think maybe Sandro Tonali is the only name I'm kind of missing on the list, but other than that I think these are the best midfielders and I think this is the most difficult, I really think this is the most difficult category to pick from because there's been so many good central midfielders in the Serie A this season and the level they've played at.
00:15:43
Speaker
But for me, it's so difficult to pick. I mean, if you're going to pick who's been at the highest level, you know, who's played at the highest peak level reach, but then you also think, okay, well, what about their lowest level when they've been dreadful? For example, Milenko Vitsavic against Juve was unwatchable. Barella, the first two, three games of the season was unwatchable, then he turned it around.
00:16:04
Speaker
But I mean, if you're going to go with consistency, if you take all of these things into account, meaning the lowest level, being how high the lowest level they've played at in the Serie A versus how high they've reached overall, Anguisa, I mean, has he had a bad game this season?
00:16:22
Speaker
Like, I can't remember him having a single bad game this season. No, he hasn't. Every single one. He just missed a couple of games, didn't he? He missed a few games for injury. Well, that would be the only thing against him then. But I mean, because other than that, every single time he's played, he's been brilliant or great. His worst level has been great. Whilst, I mean, again, Milenko Itzaves against Juve was unwatchable. Barilla, the first two games, two, three, four games of the season, was dreadful.
00:16:51
Speaker
But for me, Anguissa, but I mean, you could make, look, this is for me, you can make an argument for any of them. You can make an argument for Zielinski, Barella, Anguissa, Milenkoitsavic, Benacer. You can make an argument for all of them. But personally, I'm just going to go with the ones that with Anguissa, because I don't think I've not, I'm yet to see a bad game from him this season.
00:17:14
Speaker
Yeah, it's hard to pick against Anguisa. For me, it's either Anguisa or Zielinski. If we're talking about consistency, like you said, pure consistency, every single game he's played. He's either been outstanding or he's played good. He's never been anything less than good, you know, Anguisa. Then you go for Anguisa. If you're looking at somebody who
00:17:36
Speaker
tangibly you know in terms of numbers in terms of goals and assists creativity you'd maybe go for Zielinski but you know at the same time Anguisa has shown himself to become into becoming the complete midfielder because he's not just that kind of physical dominant player who you know you know he's now actually turned into someone who
00:17:56
Speaker
is becoming box to box and also chipping in with goals and assists as well. He sure is. He is becoming complete. It really is difficult. It's so hard to pick between the two of them. I feel that Zielinski has made a difference also in games that have been tight for Napoli and that's important as well.
00:18:17
Speaker
where you need that bit of individual brilliance. And Zielinski has got that together with like Kvada, kind of to make the difference. So it's really, really hard. Because you went, I mean, I was gonna go for Anguysal, but because you've gone for him, I'll go for Zielinski just to.
00:18:31
Speaker
Yeah, just a bit of variety there. But I mean, again, like we said, you could choose any one of these, like you could choose Minko Itzavic, you could choose Barella, you wouldn't be wrong. I mean, you really wouldn't, because I think it's all of them. I mean, again, I see this is the toughest category, in my opinion. I think the central midfield in the Serie A is absolutely packed with quality players.
00:18:56
Speaker
Yeah, for sure. Okay, let's move on to best forward now. This is maybe a little bit easier to pick, even though there is so much quality here, and that's because one player has just been head and shoulders above everyone, really. So the shortlist is Kvadat Skalia, six goals, five assists, most men of the matches in Serie A this season. Victor Osimen, top scorer in Serie A. Rafa Liao, six goals, four assists. Lautado Martinez, seven goals, two assists.
00:19:23
Speaker
Adam Ola Lukman, who probably could have put in the midfield category, but I mean, I consider him more of a second striker really personally, but you know, you could pick him as a midfielder. Seven goals, two assists, a few of them penalties. Di Bala, five goals, two assists. Beto, six goals. Marco Naltovic, eight goals, three assists. That's fantastic. Boulade, six goals, and Lapictum Bala and Zola, seven goals. They're my 10th. Yeah, again, who have you got?
00:19:57
Speaker
It almost doesn't matter. It doesn't matter who's going to be the clear winner, but yeah. Yeah. I mean, he checked for Australia, even though he's not a forward is such as a winger, but I mean, you lay.
00:20:09
Speaker
What are the goals he scores? Look, his assists, his goals. What are his weaknesses? Genuinely, I don't know. I think he's just... I think there's only one obvious weakness that I've seen in his game, and it's one that I'm sure he will improve on, and that is he snatches at his shots when he gets into shooting positions.
00:20:36
Speaker
whether it's outside the box or even inside the box and the ball comes to him, he snatches at his shots, sometimes he just shoots too quickly and he doesn't get clean contact on the ball. He has a little bit of a rush and that's the only thing, that's the only weakness I can say that and I'm saying that as somebody that's
00:20:55
Speaker
Look how many things got eight goals in all competitions, I think it is. But that's the thing though, I mean, I kind of, I kind of like the fact that he's a bit of an opportunist, that he kind of snatches at shots. And I think that it's more about the timing there, knowing when to snatch at them.
00:21:13
Speaker
and when to go after them and when to do that, because I think that's actually a good thing for a striker. When I say snatch, I mean the connection as well. He sometimes doesn't get a clean contact. Yeah, that's fair enough. He's finishing. Yeah, I get that. That's probably the only thing he can probably improve.
00:21:33
Speaker
but you know what he's not the only one I mean Rafael Liao yeah I was going to say Rafael Liao still has the same problem you know but I think that Cavaro has got a much better technique in his shooting than Rafael Liao whereas Rafael Liao sometimes he can look unrefined with his with his connection and the way he kicks the ball sometimes and also
00:21:51
Speaker
Don't you reckon that Kvartelje is much more composed in front of goal than Léo is? Léo still kind of feels a little bit rough. That's exactly what I mean by being a little bit, he's still a little bit raw and unrefined.
00:22:07
Speaker
every single time you think that he's improving on it you then have a game like that to get that one where you put it miles over the bar oh it was this last one wasn't it where he just blasted over the top against Fiorentina but like it's I mean you could say somewhat
00:22:24
Speaker
for somewhat similar reason, but not yet quite yet fully that reason is Lautaro as well. I mean, I thought we were past the stage of him squandering chances, and I thought he was going to be much more efficient than he has scored more goals in the Serie A than at any other point at this stage in his career. But he still misses way, way too much for my liking. And but I mean, so you can say that it's definitely not a technical. There's definitely not a technical flaw there. That's the thing.
00:22:53
Speaker
there's not no no god no god no no no no no there's nothing wrong with his technique even if you know we're going to talk about it even if you see these two finishers that were disallowed uh against saudi arabia i mean they were absolutely gorgeous finishers i mean you know but he is technically the guy is an amazing
00:23:12
Speaker
finisher he's just yeah he is just a little bit just seems to go on those streaks where he doesn't well it's not as much the streaks as me for me as well because i mean yes i do agree with apache goal scoring but it's also the kind of the number of chances he needs to be able to score one i i want him to bring that down by at least 30 40 because if he does he will become an absolute top top
00:23:34
Speaker
goal scorer in the world because he's already a fantastic forward one of the best in the world but the goal scoring is and the efficiency is a little bit yeah
00:23:44
Speaker
Yeah. Now there's lots of plays on there. Some of these are new signings that we'll come on to. Most of them are that we haven't spoken to about yet are new signings. But I mean, Arnalta, which is the only other one, I wanted to single out because eight goals, three assists for, let's be honest, a really, really poor Bologna team. I think that is, I think that is exceptional. And we know we're going to come on to Istio. I thought he was also very good against Italy the other night. And you know, we've mentioned United getting rid of Bologna or getting rid of Ronaldo. It wouldn't surprise me if they,
00:24:12
Speaker
Try to come back in front now, which the only thing that might stop them might be the the the virtue signaling fans that don't want him because apparently he was racist once when you watch he wasn't you know, so That might that might stop him stop them from getting him because I think he could do pretty good job there for you
Best Players and Transfers Discussion
00:24:33
Speaker
No, he's absolutely worthy of a bigger club for sure, even at his age. And I think he's been outstanding. Yeah. Okay. All right. Well, this one will be quick then. So we've done a lot of positions, best player overall. It's not really, doesn't really, yeah, it doesn't really need much. It's quite, it's quite, it's quite a, quite really. Yeah.
00:24:55
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, his numbers are incredible. He's got the most, I mean, six goals, five assists in Serie A, but he's also got the most chances created in Serie A, the most key passes, the most dribbles. I mean, he's like every single attacking category he's topping.
00:25:13
Speaker
Yeah, I agree. It's crazy. And also given that, you know, nobody really knew that much about him and the way that he's exploded onto the scene, it's been outstanding. And if he took the penalties, he'd be top scorer of Serie A. Oh, not even close. Assuming he can take penalties, I don't know if he can, but yeah, he'd be top of that as well. Right, let's move on to best transfer in Serie A so far this season. So again, I'll read out my shortlist players. I've got
00:25:43
Speaker
Lukman, Onana, Bremmer, Costic, Romagnoli, Provodel, Cuada, Kim and Jay, Di Bala, Bouladea, and then one player that we haven't mentioned yet today in any of the categories. That's Loriente from Sasuolo. So those are my 10. I mean, look, it's obviously Cuada because he's been the best player. He's going to be the best transfer as well. But I mean, if you were to pick, like, let's say a top three, I mean, who else would you have in your top three from those? Oh, um,
00:26:15
Speaker
I think you've mentioned every single one. I find it really, you know, I can't think of any other one that I would pick. I think out of the new signings, I think that the shortlist is pretty complete there, because no other, I mean, the, you know, the Napoli signings have all been outstanding. So you've got to have every single one of them there, because they've all been great. Maybe not Ustigar, that's probably the only one, he's not played enough.
00:26:40
Speaker
But other than that, I think every single one has been really, really good. But yeah, I mean, I look at this a little bit differently. I look at how much investment, how much return. And when you look at it that way, the best investment and the best return
00:26:58
Speaker
would have to be one of Qwara, Romanioli and Provedel. I mean, as I said, if you take into consideration what you were expecting, then it's definitely one of Provedel and Qwara, because I was expecting Romanioli to do well.
00:27:13
Speaker
but yeah no it's one of those three for me because like you know just just based on how much money was spent what the expectation was and what the output was and to me it's it's uh it's it's it's even also their value what their values become now as well yeah Nevada is over 100 million now yeah and you know they bought him for how much did they buy Nevada for was it 10 million something like that yeah
00:27:37
Speaker
They need to work over 100. They've 10 times as valued at least already. Kim the same, if they could remove his release clause, you're looking at somebody who's probably over 60 million, 70 million now already. They've done really, really well as well.
00:27:57
Speaker
The only thing with Provodel coming back on your point, while I agree, is that they've spent $10 million on Maximiliano. So if you look at it as a whole, probably wasn't the wisest thing. But who was to ever know that Provodel was... Because they're scared, I don't think anybody... No, no, no. And that's exactly what I mean in terms of surprise and also in terms of impact and how much they spent and blah, blah. But I mean, Romagnoli came on a free transfer, but I was expecting him to do well for Lazio.
00:28:24
Speaker
I've been talking that move into existence for five years now. I've wanted him to join Lazio for a long time. I think that's where he should be. And he's been great. But no, I mean, take your pick out of those three. You can make an argument for all three. Yeah. Okay. Best on the 21 so far. I hope I haven't missed anybody out. You can tell me if I have. So best on the 21. Again, we know who the winner is. This is 21 years old currently or under.
00:28:53
Speaker
Kvara, Miretti, Okoli, Scalvini, Udoji, Ricci, Robella, Banda, from Lecce, Colombo, from Lecce, and Josh Deuch, from Verona. Now those are my 10. So far this season, obviously, Kvara wins it again. He's sweeping up every single category. In the under, if we're talking under 2100. If we were removing Kvara, who's the best on the 21? Kvara doesn't count. He's won an award already.
00:29:22
Speaker
I'll probably have Fajoli on the shortlist as well, because he's only 21. He hasn't turned 22 yet. Oh, is he? I thought he was 22. Nah, he's February 12, 2001. That's the only one I would add. But other than that, I think the shortlist is complete. But look, it's got to be Khvara. I mean, the fact that he's so young is insane. But I mean, if you take away Khvara,
00:29:51
Speaker
You could make an argument for Udoji, you could make an argument for Ricci, Scalvini, Okoli, Miretti, Fajoli, I mean, all of these guys are with the shout, but it's just the fact that Ricci has been so much better than them. I mean, we're talking, you can't be the best, we can't name him the MVP and then not name him the best under 21. Like, it just doesn't make sense. Yeah, of course, yeah.
00:30:18
Speaker
yeah yeah it's a tough one actually i think they've all been around about the same after kavara i think they're they're all kind of on a similar level most most of those not all of them but it's hard to pick out one i think that shines upon the rest to be honest with you and so
00:30:33
Speaker
Yeah, let's just say Clada's the winner. Best coach so far. I picked a three-man shortlist for this. I mean, again, it's obvious who the winner is. So we've got Spaletti, Sadi, and Sotel, them are three. Would you have anybody instead of them on the shortlist? Well, I mean, if you want to count the Champions League, I think you have to throw Simone and Zaghi in there, because that was an incredibly, you know, that was an overperformance.
00:30:57
Speaker
But if we're just talking Serie A, Spalletti and Sottil are in Sarri. I think those are the ones I would go with as well. And of course, the winners got to be Spalletti. And even if you count the Champions League, you have to go with Spalletti.
00:31:14
Speaker
Yeah, it's got to be Luciano because the way that they change between 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1 in games, the way that he has this team, the way that he's rotated this team, the way that he's approached games and won them, the substitutions, the depth, all of it, you've got to just tip of the hat what a season he's having.
00:31:41
Speaker
I mean, the question now becomes, can he keep it up? You know, he's had these kind of mid-season breakdowns and meltdowns in the past. And, you know, January is so, so crucial. So, but no, look, Valetti so far, hands down, and it's not even close.
00:32:02
Speaker
No, no, no, he's been, he's, like I've said a few times on this pod, everything that he has touched this season has turned to gold. You know, obviously it's not all him. It's also Juntoli and De Laurentiis and the whole, you know, the whole team above him have just done incredible in the transfer market and, you know, the plays they moved out.
00:32:22
Speaker
players that they've brought in, they've all hit it off, but just everything that Spelletti's done tactically when players have been missing, he's brought players in. The most recent example is Elmas, for example, he put him on the left wing when Cladd has been out and he's
00:32:39
Speaker
come in with key goals and all the substitutions he's made Spelletti, the number of goals that Napoli have scored, where the subs have come on and they've won the game for Napoli. That's down to having depth, which goes down to the transfer team, but also down to Spelletti making the right subs and just everything he's touched has been great. And the football they play, the way that Spelletti's developed players, the way that he's improved these young players, he's taken them on to a next level.
00:33:05
Speaker
The way that he gets the very best out of players and almost makes them...
00:33:12
Speaker
almost Antonio Conte like in some regards that he makes players look maybe better than they actually are in some cases you know and if you and like you said which was that which was a really which something could really really you know i think was spot on was if he can get Undon Bele and he's not quite there yet to be fair but he's he's improved and he's doing all right he's proven useful if he gets Undon Bele back to you know fulfills the potential that Undon Bele had three or four years ago when
00:33:39
Speaker
He looked like one of the most exciting midfielders in Europe, young midfielders in Europe, you know, with his press break and ability. If you can get him to become a top player, then you know Spoletti is an absolute genius because, you know, that would be his Mona Lisa. That would be his 16th captain. Yeah. I mean, that would be his masterpiece. That would be like that. That's just, I mean, we've seen this guy do it time and time again. So if he were to rehabilitate in Dombele, then Luciano.
00:34:09
Speaker
Yeah, for sure. Okay, team of the season now. I've picked my team of the season. I'm going to tell you is, I mean, we've discussed all of these players already. So I always go with the 4-3-3. I mean, I could easily pick another formation, but I just, it's just generally what people do when they pick their teams the season. So I'm going to go 4-3-3. So Riccardio in goal, Di Lorenzo, Andy Marco as the full backs. And then I've got Kim and Brema as the center backs.
00:34:37
Speaker
Then in midfield I've got Lebokka, Anguis and Zielinski. I've just gone for an all-nathalie midfield because they're so good, you know, why pick anybody else basically? And I actually think they all deserve it, to be honest with you. Ask me to pick my three best centre midfielders of the season so far in Serie A. I would pick those three before anybody else, even apart Milinkovic, Savage and Parela.
00:34:58
Speaker
and then up front Kavada and Ossemane I think pick themselves and then it's quite difficult to really know who to pick elsewhere but I've gone for Di Bala as my other one and the only reason I've gone for this and we haven't really
00:35:12
Speaker
spoken about him so far is because I just look at Roma and how they were playing when Di Bala was in the team and how many chances they were creating with Di Bala in the team and you know they were underperforming at XG because they weren't taking those chances and then I look at how many chances they then created after Di Bala went injured and they just completely just stopped making any chances.
00:35:34
Speaker
performance levels just dropped so much when he left the team and when he came back in as a substitute in the last match and they kind of got the draw and won the penalty and everything. It was just light and dead, the difference between them and he's the only one.
00:35:50
Speaker
despite all the offensive firepower, Tammy Abraham, Belotti, even Pellegrini, he's only scored one goal. All the offensive firepower, it's only Diwala that's been producing and scoring. So I think he's been that important for Roma. So he's the reason why I picked him. But the rest of my team, I think more or less picks itself. If we're going with a 4-3-3, and that's the formation,
00:36:17
Speaker
I wouldn't have had Bremmer in it. And I would have probably had Anguisa, Barela and Milinkovic Savage with Liao, Osim and Quara. I want the three of them to play together. But, yeah, I mean, Di Lorenzo, Kim for sure, and Di Marco, yeah, I think that's fair. And Envikario, of course, best goalkeeper, as we said, for everything else. But I wouldn't have Bremmer in a back four. I'd probably go with someone like
00:36:47
Speaker
I'll probably go with with Ramani because I think Ramani next to Kim was before he got injured was just outstanding or even Based on how good I know he plays in the back for Milano Scriniar Di Lorenzo, Kim Minjae Scriniar Di Marco would be very interesting and then of course Anguisa, Parela, Milenko Itzavic and then Yeah, Liao Osimen Kvara Yeah, okay, fair enough
Worst Transfers and Italy's Tactical Analysis
00:37:16
Speaker
Finally, finally on the awards for our Serie A mid-season awards, worst transfer of the season so far. So we've been very positive for once in this episode, unlike us. So worst transfer so far. So this is my shortlist.
00:37:34
Speaker
Desas from... from... who does he play for Desas? Clemoneza? Yes, Sam. Yeah, of that year. And a brain freeze there. Yeah. Di Maria. Di Maria Pogba Paredes, three players. Paredes. Maximiliano from... Lazio, as I said, 10 million, they paid for him and he only played a few minutes. And then that's probably his career over at Lazio. Di Quetzalaya, Origi,
00:38:02
Speaker
Rannochia, that's Andrea Rannochia. You almost forget that he exists. Well, he's hung up his boots, he's retired. So, you know. Belotti, Andrea Belotti and Harry Winx from Sampdoria. So there's 10 there, quite a lot of, quite a few stinkers in there.
00:38:23
Speaker
Well, you've, you've got to add Lukaku as well. I'm sorry. You can't not have Romelu Lukaku there. I don't care about the injuries. He was brought in to be a starter. He's played less than Di Bala. I mean, that's that, that is, has been a bad transfer. I guess I didn't put Lukaku in because, because I feel like, you know, I still think if he can, I mean, it's a big if, if he can get himself fit and healthy.
00:38:48
Speaker
then I still think he'll, while I don't think he's going to be the player he was two years ago, I still think he'll score, he'll still score goals and still be used to it. Yeah, but that's very, yeah, but that's exactly, that's a big if, it's a huge hypothetical. Up until this point, what we've seen is him talking about, you know, shorties on the side, on the stands and we'll keep it moving and stuff.
00:39:09
Speaker
That's been his highlights at Inter this season, posting stories on Instagram. But other than that, it's not been much at all. So he has to be on amongst the worst transfers so far because he was supposed to start for Inter and he's done anything but. So he has to be on the worst list for sure.
00:39:31
Speaker
I wouldn't keep Ranocchia on there because he was a free transfer at that point in his career and then he injured himself and his career ended so I mean if you had high hopes of Andrea Ranocchia then the problem is with you and your hopes not Andrea Ranocchia. I should say that I should say that we both picked him as worst transfer of a season. Yeah I thought he would yeah exactly but I mean I can't
00:39:54
Speaker
We did, but then he kind of injured himself and retired. So I feel like it's, you know, I didn't have much of a high hope for him to begin with. But if, I mean, again, it depends on your parameters. If you're looking at the overall value, how much you paid and the output so far, then the Kettler and Maximiliano have to be amongst them because the amount of money that they that that that was spent, the, you know, the
00:40:24
Speaker
the expectation and what you've got from them, the output, has been dreadful from both of them. But I don't think he was brought in to start this season. So I don't think I can name him the worst transfer. I think they brought him in to build for the future, that this season is just learning curve like Tonali's first season was. So I'm not, I don't know, I think Origi
00:40:48
Speaker
Bellotti, Pogba, Lukaku, Winx, you name it, whichever you want. Yeah, I think that when you combine the financial outlay with the actual sporting performance on the pitch, I think based on what we've seen this season, and we're only 15 games, but like you said with Lukaku,
00:41:12
Speaker
We're judging this on what we've seen so far, not necessarily how good we think they're eventually going to be. No, no. And then some of these other players as well could easily turn it around. But Pogba hasn't even played for the event. You know, you could get fit after the new year and have an outstanding six months potentially.
00:41:29
Speaker
Paredes has been a disaster. Just to finish off what I was saying, I think the Ketzleff, if you're putting into consideration, a lot of these other players with free transfers, Oretes and free transfers, Renocchia, Bellotti, Winx is on the line.
00:41:45
Speaker
Demaria was free. Pogba was free. Okay. Some of these are on big wages. Paredes was on a loan. You know, so you're actually looking at transfer fees. There's only actually, I think there's only actually three players on this list that have a transfer fee. Matsumiyano, 10 million desas. I'm not sure how much Kuemonese paid for him, but certainly a lot less than the others. Diketile is on 40 million. And I just think that when you spend 40 million,
00:42:09
Speaker
Yeah, I don't think you can, you expect something more than what he's shown. I think based on what you've seen this season, it has to be De Keter so far. He really has been such a disappointment. Just hoping that he can start to show something because Milan definitely need something from there. We said it didn't we? We did a segment on one of our recent shows.
00:42:36
Speaker
but they're some assignments so far. They just haven't provided anything. None of them have. Only Pobega, if you include in him, and he was already at the club. He's been steady, not spectacular, but he's been steady. He's offered something as an option, as a kind of rotational backup option, but the rest have not offered anything. They haven't taken the team forward at all. And the Quetzalas, one of the reasons for that. So for me, the Quetzalas, worst transfer so far this season.
00:43:06
Speaker
Okay, right, that's our mid-season awards all done, so we'll move away from that. Just before we talk about the World Cup, let's talk a little bit about Italy's game against Austria on Sunday evening.
00:43:22
Speaker
a bad game for Italy. Benucci said it after the game. I think the World Cup was probably which started that day. I think maybe that waded over them a little bit psychologically. But 2-0 win for Austria, in Austria. And it was a very bad performance for Italy. Manchini was experimenting, which I think is good. It was what we want. We want him to try and find a plan B.
00:43:52
Speaker
He tried this 3-4-3 formation again which he had played against Albania earlier last week and I said on our reaction pod the following day to the Albania game that this 3-4-3 formation I wasn't sure on it. I didn't like the look of it, I thought that Albania
00:44:08
Speaker
We were too open against Albania. Albania had too many chances and openings, chances to make chances, especially on the transitions, on the counter attack, too open through the middle with the two central midfielders. And I had my doubts and I said against better teams and against more intense teams, I was worried for us. And exactly what I said played out in this game. Austria, who
00:44:35
Speaker
You know, they're not a great team, but they do have lots of intensity. They do have a look. They're very good at pressing. They have the Godfather of Geergen pressing Ralph Ragnick as their coach. And you can see that unlike Man United, he's actually got them. You can see that he's got them playing how he wants them to play. They're actually listening to him. Unlike Cristiano Ronaldo and others, they're actually doing what he wants them to do. And, you know, they were just.
00:44:58
Speaker
every time and even though Italy had like 60% of the position, they were just destroying Italy, especially in that first half, every single time Italy had the ball, they were just picking their moments and they were pressing and gagging press and nicking the ball off them and then just launching attacks.
00:45:13
Speaker
and they were just, yeah, Italy for me, I'm glad he played this 3-4-3 formation because I think it showed that this is not the formation for Italy. You cannot play this formation in big games or against teams with the intensity of Austria because the two men in central midfield, at least two open on transitions, two stretched out with DiMarco and Di Lorento playing very wide. You've got gaping holes in the centre of midfield.
00:45:39
Speaker
both in the half spaces but also in between the lines, in between the two centre-mids and the three-man backline. So yeah, not for me, especially when you play three central defenders that are slow as the three that he started, Banucci a chair being Gatti.
00:45:57
Speaker
Gatti looked way out of his depth. For the first time I was worried about Gatti and what the future is for him watching this game. But yeah, three slow defenders in a three for three is definitely not an option going forward.
00:46:16
Speaker
No, it's, look, 343, I mean, like, for every reason you said, I think he, I'm glad he tested it out. I think what he's wanting to do is he's, I think he's kind of decided that he wants to play Manchini, that he's wanted, that he wants to play with a back three, and he wants to, like, he wants to find the ideal solution to do that. Is it a 343? Is it a 3421? Is it a 352? I think that's kind of what he set his heart on, that he wants to move towards back three, because he thinks that's the best way forward.
00:46:44
Speaker
Because we already know that Italy can play in a back four, four, three, three, they won the Euros that way. But I think he's trying to look for other options. And I do agree with him. I think a three, five, two is the best way forward, given what Italy have. You know, even when Kiesa returns, because I think Kiesa can play as a, not a wingback, but as one of the two in the front two. I think he's a very useful player there.
00:47:09
Speaker
but also for Juventus, I should add. But no, overall 343 makes the midfield just gaping holes. And yeah, midfield three should always be played. I think Italy has so much quality back midfield. That's where their strength is though, isn't it? You want to make use of your strengths, don't you?
00:47:30
Speaker
No, exactly. You really do. And I do think that that's the way to do it. I was not bothered at all by this performance or this result. In fact, I'm kind of glad they stunk the place up, because I think that will keep everyone on their toes. It was a completely meaningless game. And Mancini saw it for what it was. And he'll learn, and the players will learn. And no.
00:47:56
Speaker
The only thing that concerned me, I'm glad that he played the three-four-three, because it's good to test formations, good to try and find different options. You can't play one formation. That's one of the reasons we didn't qualify, because we play the same formation, teams start to learn our movements, we start to become a bit predictable. So it's good to have these different options, for sure. And it's good to test out formation now and know that this formation doesn't work. Assuming Mancini, that's what he takes from the game. The only thing that concerned me was the fact that
00:48:25
Speaker
Mancini could possibly think that playing a defensive Gatti, Echebe and Bonucci are back three of those three players so slow together regardless of whether you're playing a four or five but especially when you're playing a four-man midfield and you're going to be so open and we know that Mancini likes to play with a high line or at least a mid-block you know to play with those three all of them so slow I mean
00:48:53
Speaker
And especially against a team like Austria that you know got so much intensity and so much pace and, you know, pressing that, you know, I just, I just, I think that that was the only thing that concerned me a bit that surely Mancini must have known before Kit got, this isn't going to work. You know, I can't play. I mean, just logic, all logic tells you that that's a bad idea, you know? So that was the one thing that concerned me. Goody for how it was really good against Albania. I thought it was poor in this game and I'm still,
00:49:22
Speaker
He's 29 years old. He plays for Freiburg. I know he's playing well this season. He's having a great season for Freiburg. But you know he's 29 and it's Freiburg. I don't know. I'm not sure if he's going to be the level that we need.
00:49:38
Speaker
But, you know, I thought the second half was a bit better when Scalvini, Pacina, Kamo Chiesa, Zenyolo, they all came on. I thought they were a little bit better. But yeah, 3-4-3 formation. For me, no. I think the only time when it's mainly may be usable, let's say if you're chasing the game, they're drawing, they need to get a win, or they're even losing, they need to get a win. And it's the last 20, 25 minutes. That might be the time when you go for a 3-4-3 because you can get away with it in the latter stages of the game because the other team are going to be tired. They're not going to be able to press.
00:50:08
Speaker
unless they're Liverpool and they're not going to be able to press for the last 20, 25 minutes, like let's say like Austria did in the first half, they're going to get tired so that it doesn't matter so much if you're a little bit more open like that. So that may be, if they learn anything for that and maybe they can use it then, then it would have served the purpose, this game.
00:50:34
Speaker
Okay, right. Let's talk about the World Cup then, briefly.
World Cup Dynamics and Surprises
00:50:41
Speaker
First of all, well, there's two things I want to talk about. First of all, Argentina has shocked the feet. There's a number of Serie A players in that Argentinian team, or an ex Serie A players in this team. You tipped Argentina to win the World Cup before the World Cup. Are you still sticking with that? Of course I am. Of course I am.
00:51:03
Speaker
It's a bad result. It's an upset. I think the first half Argentina showed their class how much better they are and what they can do. The problem is that they were just not concentrated and focused. In the second half, Saudi Arabia deservedly turned the game around, scored two good goals. The second one is the most beautiful goal we've seen in the tournament so far, in my opinion.
00:51:27
Speaker
and they they had a they had a it was a goalkeeping performance that was world-class their defense was outstanding they were very well organized um now you know hats off kudos well done one deservedly Saudi Arabia I don't like these um these reactionary takes that oh one bad result and everyone shit no Spain lost to Switzerland in the opening game of 2020 2010 won the world cup
00:51:52
Speaker
Germany lost against Algeria in 1982, went to the World Cup Final. Argentina lost in the opening game against Cameroon, went to the World Cup Final. I don't think it obviously complicates life for Argentina, but they still have it all to play for, all with their own hands, and I think they will do better.
00:52:14
Speaker
If they don't, then of course, you know, it's one of the greatest upsets ever because I was hardly alone in picking Argentina to win the World Cup. I think lots of people had them. Them were Brazil or France. I mean, they are the main or even England. Those were the main candidates and Germany. So, no, it's I think it was it was a look, I would have been more worried if Argentina didn't create chances, if they hadn't created enough.
00:52:42
Speaker
and they but they did they created more than enough to score three four goals but they were just a bit off in the final phase and and and so they lost and and congratulations Saudi Arabia um for me I think they yeah I mean I think they should still go through because as we're recording this I've been watching Mexico Poland and neither of these two teams uh are impressed with me absolutely and to be honest I said that before the tournament as well I mean I know Poland have got
00:53:08
Speaker
Poland have got obviously some outstanding players like Lewandowski, Zielinski, but I don't think they really have a system, like an identity for me, Poland. They don't have those patterns of play that I always go on about. They don't really do much for me and I just think again, same with Mexico, I just think they're
00:53:29
Speaker
They're just a good team at most. But then again, probably would say the same about Saudi Arabia as well. You know, everybody would expect them to be the whipping boys and they've gone there and let me just let me just contextualize this. Let me just contextualize for people who don't watch Asian football.
00:53:45
Speaker
Even for those of us who do watch Asian football, this was a surprise. Look, the last two, three years Saudi have been decent, been good, but they've never done anything to suggest that they could have pulled a performance like that out of the bag.
00:54:00
Speaker
For me, this is the biggest upset in World Cup history, in modern times, that is. Since 82 Germany, Algeria and Argentina, Cameroon, I think this eclipses both of those, because just based on where the team was,
00:54:20
Speaker
Based on talent, unless suddenly two or three of the Saudi Arabia players end up emerging and becoming top players and moving to clubs afterwards, which I think is very, very much unlikely, then absolutely, I think you could almost call it the biggest shock in modern World Cup history, if not all World Cup history.
00:54:39
Speaker
those that Algeria team in 82 had some blooming outstanding players and they actually would have qualified if it hadn't been stitched up by Germany and Austria afterwards, we fixed the game. Yeah, the one old disaster. They had in that team Rabbe Magia, who's one of the greatest strikers and he scored the winner in the European Cup final for Porto against Bayern Munich. That Cameroon team should have been in the semi-final in 1990. Gary Lineker,
00:55:05
Speaker
blocked me, who blocked me on Twitter for pointing out that he dived for two of the two penalties that he won in that game against Cameroon. They should have been in the semi-final in 1990, Cameroon. They had some good players, a lot of them played in France. They were a dangerous team. This Saudi Arabia team, I don't think they'll ever have any of those players. I did feel that with this game, I'd been very disappointed by the World Cup. Up until that game, I'd been very, very disappointed.
00:55:34
Speaker
the the quality of the football would be bad but more so the actual just the whole it just didn't feel like a World Cup which obviously is partly down to the fact that the time of the year it's being played but also just the the atmosphere the crowds it's just been there just hasn't been a World Cup atmosphere at all until that Argentina game that was a great atmosphere that was a proper World Cup atmosphere the Argentina fans traveled probably better than any other nation they're the way that they travel they get going big numbers
00:56:03
Speaker
that creates such an amazing atmosphere with their scenes and everything. Let's be honest, the majority of the fans that created the atmosphere at that game were Saudi fans who traveled in the tens of thousands to that game. It was absolutely incredible. I agree with you, it was the best game. Also a lot of Argentina fans as well. Yeah, of course. I think your point, Stan, this really felt like a real World Cup game. This was the best one for everything, for the fans.
00:56:32
Speaker
the performance, the level of performance for both teams. You could feel it though, you know, you could feel the atmosphere, you could feel it got to that crazy five minute spell with Saudi Arabia, you could feel like the magic of that, of the World Cup. You know what, when you feel like the magic of the World Cup, when you're young, you feel that magic, you felt that magic. That's how I felt as well. That's how I felt and it just almost felt like it was, like it meant to be, I mean, of course.
00:56:53
Speaker
Yeah, Argentina, based on the chances they created, didn't deserve it. But I think at the same time, I was disappointed with Argentina. I mean, you know, they, they should be, they should be putting these teams away easily. And I feel like, you know, Saudi Arabia, well done to them. I mean, their coach, Herv Renard, I mean, you look at his record, I mean, the guys perform miracles.
00:57:14
Speaker
everywhere, especially with African teams. He's also the best dressed coach there is out there. He's a very good national team coach. He was supposed to take over Iran in 2019 from K-Rosh and instead they gave it to that Mark Vilmots was useless and he screwed almost cost around the qualification in one of the earlier stages of the Asian qualification and then got sacked and then the Scottish got them to the World Cup and he was sacked and
00:57:43
Speaker
I will say one thing that I do think though that Saudi Arabia maybe showed provided a little bit the blueprint of how you go against Argentina and that is this high line they kept going with this this high line and it was working brilliantly I mean you can say you know Argentina created chances and everything but you know they were and in the day they were the the goals they scored you know they were off-site you know so the the way that they put that high line on and it looked
00:58:12
Speaker
suicidal at times but it was working so you know maybe that was more down to Argentina not not having exactly what I was going to say maybe it was down to them not picking their moments but you know it worked but what I did think what it did show me is that you know Argentina don't have any pace in attack Lautaro slow, Messi slow, Di Maria
00:58:31
Speaker
He's not slow, but he's not fast anymore. He's old. You know, I just don't really have that any outstanding pace in their team. I don't think Lautaro is slow. So I don't think Lautaro is slow, but I do play a high line against them. This is what you do to do against against Argentina. I think it's the way to go against them. You play with a high line and and, you know, it I think that's the way you go against you play. No, I think I think I think I think it was more down to chance, to be honest. I think it was more down to because I mean, the sheer number of
00:59:01
Speaker
you know offsides that Argentina which were only just offside I mean any other day that that's that's millimeter precision that's down to Argentina of course not being concentrated enough the look hindsight is 2020 right so of course Saudi Arabia they didn't create a single chance though from from a from a from an opening from a from a fruit ball you know so it worked today whether you mean it could be all black I mean
00:59:25
Speaker
No, it's not luck. I think it's a combination of, yeah, it worked today, but I think that's, I would never do that against Argentina, because unless you put pressure on what Saudi Arabia did as well at times, and that is get the press on the ball right all the time. It's very risky to play like that against a team of Argentina's talent. But I mean, look, it worked, they won,
00:59:52
Speaker
uh argentina have to do better it's as simple as that but um no i i wouldn't go so far as to you know say that argentina are dreadful or this and that i i know i still have them as a favorites to win the tournament i really do
01:00:07
Speaker
yeah it's a little bit yeah i mean we'll see i think that looking at poland and mexico they don't impress me at all i'm gonna be honest with you so i mean they they they should still go through but you know um they've got uh they you know they can't make any more they can't make a
01:00:24
Speaker
any more mistakes. What I would say though is that you know it also goes to show and now we're going to come on to Iran you know everybody was mocking not mocking but everyone was saying about England you know they won 62 against Iran but it was due to Iran being bad and everything well you know
Impact of Politics on Iran's World Cup Performance
01:00:43
Speaker
Saudi Arabia should have you know you'd have thought Saudi Arabia would have been similar level opposition to Iran if not even weaker than Iran and Argentina lost to them so you know it's it's it can go it goes both ways yeah absolutely what happened I mean what happened to it to Iran I mean well everything that I was hoping was would not have happened happened it turns out that the pressure
01:01:09
Speaker
all the off-field stuff that's happening in Iran has been really getting to them. Mainly because a large group, not a majority, but a sufficient number of Iranians, expats, as well as people in Iran have been hurling abuse at these players and calling them murderers and fascists and regime puppets and so on for about 100 days now, 90 to 100 days.
01:01:38
Speaker
on social media, threatening them, threatening their families, and this is things that I've had individually corroborated by people. They've been, they've had their families' death threats sent to them and so on, by people who
01:01:53
Speaker
don't understand because clearly are putting their frustrations on the wrong people. To think that the Iranian national team players are a representative of the Iranian regime is about as ludicrous as holding Christian Pulisic responsible for the Supreme Court of the United States tearing up Roe v. Wade, the abortion decision. It has no bearing on them. They are there to represent as a footballer
01:02:22
Speaker
your biggest dream in life is to represent your country at the biggest stage. They don't represent the so-called regime anymore than they represent the so-called opposition. They represent all Iranians everywhere, full stop, because they're Iranian. They are representing Iranians. And it's absolutely astonishing to me what the level of
01:02:49
Speaker
of how low people will sink because someone doesn't do exactly what you want them to do. I mean, the very idea, the very fact that Carlos Queiroz today, the Iranian coach, had to post a video on Instagram with a caption that said, quote, the players are not our enemies, end quote, with a video of five minutes is disgraceful. It's absolutely disgraceful.
01:03:19
Speaker
and people who because what what did they do the players they before the game and after the game they were wearing black um armed bands of sorrow holding standing in a circle holding up their hands they didn't sing the national anthem i don't understand what what more they could have done what do you want from them to do um they are football players they are not politicians and this is something else in our society globally which is driving me
01:03:48
Speaker
insane and that is that since when do we hold actors and singers and actresses and sports stars to a higher account and at a higher standard than bloody politicians who make the policies? I don't understand this. It's positively bizarre. It's like holding Harry Kane responsible for what Rishi Sunak does.
01:04:15
Speaker
Are you dumb? What's wrong with you? Like, if you're upset with the government of England, you go, you protest the government of England. You do not hold Harry Maguire or Harry Kane or Christian Pulisic or Mehdi Tarami responsible for what the government does, do. It's utterly bizarre.
01:04:33
Speaker
um and and it's this has been going on for three months and it's clearly affected them because they are human beings they are they are also Iranians they are affected by what they see on the streets and to be on top of that they're also worried and and concerned they are friends and family too and on top of all of that they have to suffer the abuse and harassment of a bunch of
01:04:53
Speaker
Well, scum, for the lack of a better word. Scum. I call these people scum. If you call these people, do what you've done to these players for three, four months now, daily, insulting every member of family that they have, their mothers, their grandmothers, their fathers,
01:05:12
Speaker
accusing them of being murderers or collaborators, all that for nonstop day after day after day for three months. What do you expect is going to happen? You're going to see what you saw. I saw a group of completely deflated, destroyed, mentally completely destroyed people who were sad and heartbroken because they felt betrayed.
01:05:37
Speaker
And it's disgusting, I'm disgusted. And it's just, as far as I'm concerned, this World Cup is over. What I saw against Iran, what I saw against England, they might as well all just go home. What was the point of this? What was the point? They're damned if they are, they're damned if they don't. If they don't call, I mean, no matter what they do, they're screwed.
01:06:05
Speaker
And it's so unfair by people who claim to stand for democracy and freedom to put these players in this position. It's disgusting. And that's all I've got to say about it.
01:06:19
Speaker
Yeah, we could discuss this for hours, but unfortunately, this World Cup we've seen, haven't we? All the politics are being brought to this World Cup, and I can see both sides in many of these discussions, but we've seen certainly with Iran the effect that it can have on
01:06:42
Speaker
on certain teams. I mean United States and Wales drew in the other game, which is a good result. That's the only save in the race. But obviously it depends on them.
01:06:54
Speaker
Well, they have to recover mentally. Can Carlos Keos get these guys to recover mentally? Can he get them to, I mean, what he did today, will that have an impact? Will the team talk that he has? I mean, afterwards, what he said, I mean, the national coach team of Iran had to come out and say that, why are you coming to boo us? We don't want that. You know, we're here to make Iranian football fans happy. We're not politicians.
01:07:15
Speaker
And the fact that he has to say that is disgraceful, but it's also true. And, you know, I wonder, I hope that the players after yesterday are angry and feel angry, are pissed off and can use that anger into building some sort of team spirit and recover from it. But to be honest with you, Carlo, I think that Iran won't even win a point in this World Cup. I think they are
01:07:41
Speaker
They're going to go home with zero points, and that's going to be it. They're going to lose to Wales, they're going to lose to the United States, and to all the democracy-loving, so-called Iranians who precipitated this, congratulations, you're no better than the regime you despise because you put these guys in a completely impossible position, insulting them, threatening them.
01:08:00
Speaker
so that which the other side does so congratulations you're i mean it's disgusting absolutely disgusting morally there are no there's no winners here the morally you are no superior of no one you're just as batting but the what's worse is that you claim to say stand on the side of tolerance and freedom and and and democracy but you don't you're just as bad as the other side
01:08:21
Speaker
in your actions because what you've done essentially is break this this team of young lads who who've chased a dream to play for iran in the world cup their entire lives and this was the chance this was the world cup with the world cup being in the middle east this was iran's chance for the first time in history qualify from the group but they haven't and they won't i i sincerely doubt that so congratulations you must be so proud of yourselves
01:08:46
Speaker
Yeah, OK, right. Well, I can see obviously. No, I'm pissed off. I am pissed off and beyond pissed off. You know, it's it's it's disgusting to see. Absolutely disgusting to see. And it's regardless of where you stand on politics. I mean, no, come on, use your brains, people. How are these play? How are these players? I had some idiot tweeting at me talking about poverty in Iran. Do you mind telling me how Sardar Azmoun affects or affects poverty in Iran in one way or another? It's it's so stupid.
01:09:15
Speaker
It's just nonsense. And it's been going on now for about three months and I've just about had enough of it. You don't say anything for a couple of months. You try to move on and you're like, OK, whatever, whatever. But then you see the result of it and you're like, well, thanks. Well done. You must be so proud of yourself.
01:09:32
Speaker
I don't claim to understand the situation in Iran as well as obviously you do or others do, but this World Cup, I think there has been too much politics in this World Cup for sure. I mean, just to take the whole Qatar situation, no one doubts the shocking
01:09:51
Speaker
human rights, you know, abuses that take place on a daily basis in Qatar. You know, no one doubts that the country needs to, you know, a lot of advancements need to need to take place in society. There's a lot of things wrong with Qatar. There's a lot of things wrong with Qatar, how they got the World Cup, how they built the stadiums, migrant workers, you know, no one doubts all of that. And absolutely, it's something that should be
01:10:19
Speaker
should be raised and should be spoken about but the way that um certain sections of the media in certain countries um have have gone about it and cherry picking cherry picking and being selective and the hypocrisy that is on on show and just you know everything really is it's the way it's gone that it's gone about it i i just think that and like you said the way that they've almost put the pressure on the players to be
01:10:47
Speaker
the ones that had to do the bidding for them, you know, has been in bad taste. But anyway, we could discuss this for ages and we're already over. So let's just, just to finish off with, Surgeon Minkovic Savage to you enters.
Transfer Rumors: Milinkovic-Savic to Juventus
01:11:04
Speaker
It is hotting up for next summer now. We've had our friend Alfredo Pedula from Sportitalia. He's done a big report today that Milinkovic-Savage has agreed personally in terms of Juventus for a move next summer. Six million euros a season plus bonuses. Milinkovic-Savage would be happy to move there.
01:11:25
Speaker
His contract runs out in 2024, I believe, if I'm not mistaken. He's happy to sign a new contract with Lazio, but he wants a release clause put in of around 40 to 50 million euros. Latito wants a clause of more 70. We know how difficult it is to do. So, yeah, it looks like Juventus are, and I know, I can personally say that Pedro Lara and our other friend Gianluigi Longali, I know that these guys
01:11:51
Speaker
are very, very rarely wrong. This is definitely solid. Is this something that you think can happen? Because it is difficult. He's not saying it's going to happen. He's saying that Juventus are going for it. Is this something that you think that could happen because it's so difficult doing deals with Lotite?
01:12:11
Speaker
Well, Lotito will accept. You got to make him happy. And he is difficult to deal with. But I think that this summer, I think he will leave. I think he realizes that this is his last chance to play for a big side. And I think he's going to be 28.
01:12:32
Speaker
Yeah, and he's been more than loyal to Lazio. No one can ever question that. He's been one of the best players to ever play for Lazio, if we're perfectly honest, and he's always given everything he has.
01:12:48
Speaker
So, and Lazio are going to get paid for him. He's not living on a free is either. So, so he's basically what he's trying to do is basically, you know, he's happy to sign a contract with Lazio, but he wants a release clause of around 50 million euros to be able to, to leave. And Latino is asking for 70 million euros around, according to reports. So I think a deal could be done. I really do think a deal could be done. I think based on Juve,
01:13:13
Speaker
you saw with Bremer they are not shy in paying out big money if the player is worth it and also if you look take into consideration that well yes they've done they've been doing minus numbers setting records even but
01:13:29
Speaker
They are also, you know, they know how to, you know, they also know, they also have cash to spend when it's worth it. And does that mean that they will make a big sale to do, to balance it? Maybe. I mean, we've seen it again. You know, they bought Vlawicz by Koleszewski and Bentanko leaving. They bought Bremer by selling Delicht. So they're kind of plus minus zero there. It'd be interesting to see
01:13:56
Speaker
how they invest and if they invest and of course if they have reduced wages and how much and all that. But yeah, I do think that this is a move that's been a long time coming. This is the most Juve move ever. He would walk into Juve's midfield and improve it vastly. He's played in a 3-5-2, he's played in a 4-3-3, he can play in every single midfield position centrally. It's a fantastic move.
01:14:20
Speaker
he's an allegory player as well because he's a ready-made player and we know allegory likes he's ready-made players he doesn't need to do any work with and develop but my question mark is and I think I said this in the last show or the show before that
01:14:31
Speaker
Yeah, I'm kind of intrigued. Let me put it that way, how he fits into the same team with Pogba. I mean, I think they're very similar players. They're not, I don't see either of them as real team team players that fit into a system. They're kind of, there's the Maverick quality, I think, in both players. I'm just not sure how they fit in into them. Obviously you have to play a three man midfield for them to work. But yeah, it will be,
01:14:57
Speaker
It will be, yeah, I'm intrigued. I'm intrigued to see how it works better that way. Absolutely, absolutely. But I feel bad for, yeah, I feel kind of bad for Lazio fans, but I mean, at the end of the day, had it been for COVID, I wonder if they would have been able to keep
01:15:24
Speaker
if they've been able to keep Milenko its savage for as long as they did but such is the game this is this is the modern game and you know it is what it is but yeah no it's um we'll see what happens it's definitely going to be interesting to see if he ends up at Juve and if he goes to Juve with Kostich and Blau which already there wow
01:15:47
Speaker
Yeah, we'll definitely talk more on this ahead of the January. We'll try and get Gianluigi on, or somebody from Sport Italia, or one of our Juventus. For sure. We'll talk about it more.
01:16:04
Speaker
OK, Badjo and Perim face very, very quickly. I mean, Badjo of the week, I'm going to go for Saudi Arabia. And the reason why you might say this has no link to Italian football at all, it actually does. And the reason I'm going for them is because of Saudi Arabia's win over Argentina, it means that Argentina's record, their run of 36 games unbeaten ends. Italy, which means Italy still hold the world record of 37 games unbeaten, which they set, which ended last year, a year ago.
01:16:33
Speaker
when they lost to Spain. So, Italy are still the record holders, world record holders, and that's all thanks to Saudi Arabia beating Argentina. So, Italy did win some week in this World Cup. We are winners still, even though we're not there. Something for us to celebrate. It's not much, but it's something that will stay in the record books. So, yeah, that's something for us to cheer. That's a bad joke. Prem face. Did you have a prem face? I mean, there's going to be so much prem face during this World Cup. No, no. Yeah, but really this week was difficult, but
01:17:02
Speaker
Lightning Seeds, Badil Skinner, it's coming home for Christmas. I have not cringed this much in my life as I did when I saw that. Shout out to our patron Kunal Soni who sent that to us.
01:17:18
Speaker
I cringed to the point where I felt like I was physically going to cease existing. It is one of the most, and the funny thing is I actually like the original song from 96. I think it's a good song. The lyrics are nice, but this is just one of the worst. You know how every Christmas
01:17:38
Speaker
Someone, some famous person who's no longer relative, you know, someone who once was famous and no longer relevant, tries to make a bit of cash ahead of Christmas by pushing out some sort of Christmas song. This is the worst example of that. But I mean, it's like how they drag this out, these two, every single tournament England played in now. Do it every single year. I mean, it's like,
01:18:04
Speaker
How much juice are they going to try and squeeze out of this lemon? Do you know what I mean? It's like every single tournament. They do it every tournament. And now they just put Christmas in the title this time. But it was just the lyrics. Listen to the first kind of like 45 seconds. I don't know who did the lyrics for the first 45 seconds to a minute of the song. It is the most cringe worthy writing, lyric writing that I've ever seen. It's horrible. Like it's so, so bad.
01:18:34
Speaker
It really is. Yeah. And oh, God. Yeah. No, no, it's absolutely. I will be we will be linking to this masterpiece in in our in in our description, because it's it's so, so cringy.
Cringe-worthy Football Media
01:18:56
Speaker
Just go on YouTube and search for it. It's it's coming home for Christmas, it's called.
01:19:02
Speaker
I want to know how far in you get without cringing. I got into about 15 seconds. I think that's good. That's well done by me. But yeah, it's one of the worst cringiest things I've ever seen in my life.
01:19:18
Speaker
Sure is. Okay. Right. Let's leave it at that. Yeah. Thanks everyone. Yeah. Thanks everyone for listening. We will have the Q&A episodes. When are we pushing this one out on Wednesday, right? This is going out on Wednesday? No, no. This is going out on Tuesday. The Q&A is going out on Thursday.
01:19:36
Speaker
Q&A is going on Thursday, right? This was supposed to be the Monday pod. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. We switched things around. We will make up for it. We will do an extra, we'll do an extra pod at some point this month to make up for having one less this month.
Podcast Engagement and Subscription Information
01:19:50
Speaker
We do, we are working on some interviews. I do have one already agreed with a, with a, with a, with a player from Serie A.
01:19:58
Speaker
a good player as well. But I don't want to confirm yet until I've got a date, but I've got it agreed. So we will have that, which will be something extra special, I hope, for everyone. Yeah, we will be, the Q&A episode will be out on Thursday for all our Patreon listeners. And if you want to become a Patreon, then go on Patreon.com slash TIFF and sign up for $2.99 a month.
01:20:20
Speaker
And if not, if you're listening to us on Spotify, Google Podcasts or iTunes or Apple Podcast, then please hit a subscribe, give us five stars. It really helps us go up the list in terms of the algorithm. So, yeah, we'll talk to you. For those of you who are patrons, we'll talk to you on Thursday. Everyone else will talk to you next week on Monday. OK. Ciao ciao.