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Did Juventus Make A Mistake Selling Dean Huijsen? Jacopo Fazzini To Lazio? Can Roma Win The Europa League? (Full Q & A Pod)
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Welcome to an episode of Questions From ItaFootPod Patrons where you, our patrons, decide what the show is about by sending in your questions.
Topics include:
- Did Juventus make a mistake selling Dean Huijsen to Bournemouth?
- How well will Empoli's Jacopo Fazzini do at Lazio?
- Can Roma finish in the top 6 in the Serie A & win the Europa League?
- What is the current status of Inter Milan & AC Milan's project of renovating the San Siro?
- Will Ivan Juric fail or manage to save Southampton from relegation in the Premier League?
And much, much more.
This is a free extra pod of this weeks full Q & A episode of The Italian Football Podcast, only available to patrons on Patreon.com/TIFP OR Spotify (See below) OR soon for members on YouTube (launching soon).
To send in your questions as well as listen to this & all other full episodes of The Italian Football Podcast (with no ads), go to Patreon.com/TIFP OR Spotify to become a Patron for only $2.99 USD per month (excluding VAT).
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Transcript
00:00:02
Speaker
Welcome
Introduction and Listener Interaction
00:00:03
Speaker
to the Italian Football Podcast. Hello, everybody, and welcome back to the first episode of questions from the Italian Football Podcast patrons of 2025, where you are patrons decide what the show is about by simply sending in your questions via email, DM on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, but as always, preferably by a DM on Patreon.
Meet the Hosts and Their Passions
00:00:23
Speaker
I'm joined, as always, by Carlo Garganeza. So let's start with the very first question, which has been sent in from Graham Todes. I'm sorry if I mispronounce your surname.
00:00:30
Speaker
um Ask, he says, a question. What are your favorite guys, hobbies or passions outside of sports football? Keep up the great work in Fort Sayuba. I don't know. I mean, i i I love, you know, music and the arts and, you know, films and TV and, and you know, culture, essentially.
00:00:53
Speaker
I have a lots of friends who work in arts and cultures, and I'm also very interested in it myself. so yeah and it's Outside of sports football, I'd say it's the law and literature and the arts, essentially.
00:01:11
Speaker
Yeah, for me, I'd say, well, the the usual stuff, you know, that most Italians like, you know, foods and culture, gravels. But I love I love film or more kind of like series is now because film is dead. You know know, they don't make any, you know, cinema is dead now, sort of kills it and take it over by by series is now. So I do love that. I do love watching those. I love history. I love I love learning about history.
00:01:40
Speaker
um I love, you know, the bigger questions, you know, where we come from, you know, philosophy yeah philosophy and everything. um And yeah. Yeah, same. Yeah, I mean, those. Yeah, I mean, I don't look as I mean, I know what you mean, but like, of course, I mean, food and stuff like that. But I feel like that stuff like that goes without saying, doesn't it? I mean, interesting food and stuff like that. but Yeah.
00:02:05
Speaker
um saying I also have a very, very big interest in in wine and you know everything about it from how you grow it to the different, you know the geology of the ground, blah, blah, blah, you know the code climate, how you help people make wine is is something that I'm very passionate about as well.
00:02:25
Speaker
But yeah, the same as you, pretty much. Lots of stuff. but yeah Thanks for that,
Debate on Under-23 Football Teams
00:02:30
Speaker
Graham. And next question. Alec Pearson says, who can play in any specific under-23 match? Juve Next Gen, Milan Futura, what are the rules? I assume Juve Next Gen cannot just play Vlawic, Koop, Gonzalez and Yildiz for under-23 if Serie A is decided. And they want to avoid relegation from Serie C or nick for Next Gen.
00:02:47
Speaker
Well, I guess they can play Yildis, but that would still that completely mess up the balance of power and city chief. Suddenly Savona, Yildis, and then Mangoula play every week. What about Konsei Sao, he's 22. Toram turned 23 this year year, so he must also be eligible. New Year is usually the cutoff for ages in relation to squad registration, meaning your age at the start of the calendar year determines your youth eligibility, which is ridiculous when the league is on a July to June year. The reason for these questions about eligibility is from an idea about, if it's from an idea about, in order to help limit the amount of senior games in so in the schedule, the then clubs with the Under-23 team who play in Europe should not play Copa Italia. Instead, their Under-23 teams play Copa. If we use English terms, Copa Italia is not an FA Cup, it's a League Cup in structure format. And I believe there are special rules for the League Cup in England, so as to keep clubs away from playing for competitions, meaning they are obligated to use youth team players in some way. Similar could apply in Italy.
00:03:38
Speaker
As long as Milan and Juventus play in Europe, then I believe it should be their Under-23 teams that play Cop Italian. The Under-23 team should be less of an option and more of an expectation, so there will be more focus on talent creation in Italy. Maybe have four Serie A cheese, where each has five Serie A team, Under-23 teams, or even better, 18 teams and Serie A and six in each of three times Serie A cheese. And then Bs, Under-23, playing D, also in a fixed slot, if those clubs have Under-23 teams. And then have a non Serie A B Under-23 team, playing an Under-23 league structure.
00:04:07
Speaker
Under 23 cannot be promoted or relegated in the senior CDT structure. Their division is determined by senior squads. League, how would you approach the development towards under 23 teams? Keep it like it is where clubs apply as Juventus and Milan did it or something else. Well, first of all, let's remember that there's no like all these so-called under-23 teams, like next-gen, Milan Futura, et cetera, there's no like law. They've not like obligated to play players that are under-23. It's just they they want to promote their younger teams by playing first-team football, albeit at a lower level. um So there's no like, oh, you can't play too, you know he's too old, he's too young kind of thing. It doesn't work like that because it's their choice. They have decided to call it Milan Futura, next-gen, et cetera.
00:04:53
Speaker
um I'm against under-23 leagues because it defeats the purpose. I want young players to play first-team football, and if you just create a capped level where only players of a certain age can play, that defeats the entire purpose. I'm all in favour of what these clubs are doing in terms of creating a younger, like a cantera team, and playing younger players there, and, you know, to get going like Milan did with, you know, they brought in somebody longer because they needed someone of experience to to stabilize the ship and so on.
00:05:27
Speaker
um just for a little while. it's ah I have no problem with that. um I don't want under 23 teams. I think we already have Primavera, I think we already have all these other things. I want the under 23 to be the middle step between youth team football and senior team football.
00:05:44
Speaker
um And therefore, you know, I don't know. It doesn't work either. That's been proven conclusively in every league that's ever had, including in England, where they had like, they had this and in England, and it didn't work at all. So it didn't develop players at all. And so um and so it was ah it was a complete waste of time.
00:06:03
Speaker
um and and money. and it's say So I think the best way to do it is to try and do it the way they do, but unfortunately the city achieves
Podcast Origins and Evolution
00:06:14
Speaker
the level is so low that it's better than than than having another 23 league, but it's still not of a high enough quality to to to develop and prepare these players for men's football but it is still better than and just going straight from from youth football. um What should be noted though, the only other thing to add to what you said Nimr is that and I think it's after about 50 games played, I can't remember the exact number if it's 30 or 50, I can't remember, if you play 50 for the senior team you can't then play
00:06:44
Speaker
for the for the for the ah is that per season or 50 per total or no total so like someone like Vallevic couldn't play because he already played too many games that makes sense i think that's fine yeah this is probably getting towards that number now as well so so yeah that there's there's that um that that is the that is the one rule that um that they do have That's fair. I think that's fair. Whether it's 30 or 40 or 50, I mean, you can debate that, but I don't have a problem with that. I think that's a fair compromise. um Next question, Milanismo says, Hi, I'm relatively new to the pod. Could you guys talk about how you guys came together to put this pod together? How did you and Nima meet? And how long did it take to get that synergy going where you didn't have to bite each other's heads off and still be able to put together quality content? i Love the pod. Thank you so much.
00:07:29
Speaker
Well, I ah remember the first time we actually met, that was at Old Trafford for the football blogging awards, as it was called, wasn't it? Yeah, football content awards.
00:07:41
Speaker
Yeah, but it changed their name. They were called of FBA's back then. all right yeah um And you were with Omar, my Omar Mumani, the cartoonist. That's right. Yeah, he's brilliant. I love his work. yeah He's a good friend of ours. And yeah, no, I remember that. and That was the first time we actually met. But before then, I think we we had contact when I was at the Marzio.
00:08:02
Speaker
and you that was the first time we spoke i think yeah you had an interview um that you were setting up with what's his name the the ex-inter owner um the indonesian uh owner oh to here yeah yeah and you were trying to set up an interview for me yeah they wanted an interview uh to to kind of you know go a little bit global and you came to me and then in the end i think somebody else one of my colleagues did it instead um And yeah, I remember that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I remember thinking like, how kind of you to think of me? ah five Yeah. Yeah. No. um Yeah. That's how we first met. And then we kind of, yeah, kind of got to know each other, get the contact. um And then during COVID,
00:08:45
Speaker
the the... It was before, wasn't it? Wasn't it four years ago? It was during Covid, yeah. It was like the summer of 2000. You came to me and said, look, yeah um you know, me me and John Solano and another girl, were we with you'd already kind of started your own little pod. One of you guys was leaving.
00:09:04
Speaker
and who's it Chloe wasn't it yeah it was Chloe Beresford was leaving you needed somebody else and I wanted to change the format of the pod either we wanted to take the next step because yeah it used to be called what did it used to be called the Seria show soririaha yeah so yeah you came to me and and you know I was available and and bought out of my head because of Covid and everything And I just thought, yeah, why not? Let's just give it a go. And then it just, um yeah yeah, we changed the name, we changed the format a little bit. And, and, ah yeah, it just took off straight away, really. And a first interview with Swangor and Erickson. Yeah, that's right. Yeah, the chemistry was synergy was always pretty good. I think there was ah sometimes you just have a natural chemistry with yeah somebody. and And we did because we both talk a lot and about football. So it was never
00:09:50
Speaker
It was never, you there was never a a situation where one of us was couldn't find anything to talk about. There was the other way around. It was trying to... Calm it down more. Try to cut down the mat we talked, rather than... You'll reduce it. reduces yeah Yeah, no, you're right. Yeah, it was always there. it was like We always got along really easily from day one, like it just worked. And I remember I got you so drunk and all trafficked. Yeah, I remember.
00:10:21
Speaker
You wrote me like three days later and you still hadn't recovered. I was like, what happened? And he said, you happened. ah Forget that. Yeah, I don't remember that. That was a good night.
00:10:33
Speaker
Wasn't as good as night as the one in Chelsea though, that was a better night when we got run over by Michael Essien. Well that was you and Naz, wasn't it? Yeah, yeah literally literally Michael Essien's car ran over Naz. And he's he's now the BBC now, he's actually a great guy. remember yeah He's lovely, yeah. I remember that.
00:10:55
Speaker
Oh dear. Right, next question. Nisa Kulikian says, is the theory true that a soul has to be sacrificed to release a soul from J medical Azkaban? Niko González got out when Cambiaso went in. Ruhi and Cambiaso will get out from Monza. Douglas Luis and Vea are now re-injured. It's like there has to be someone always present, someone always occupying the bed in the infirmary to release someone else.
Player Discussions and Transfer Speculations
00:11:19
Speaker
You know what's funny, now that Danilo is injured, Douglas Lewis is going to be back for the Fiorentina game. I'm telling you, this is Jay Azkaban. Also, I finally have given in to the fatwa of your friend Patrick Al-Kendrick, and I've accepted that Domenico Virardi would be an improvement to any team, and that's why I would be glad if he joins this Juve that lacks a person that can get the numbers.
00:11:38
Speaker
For a 2-3 year deal in a logical amount of like 10-15 million euros, do you think it would be smart to get at least one veteran in the forward line? The eldest one is Nico and he's like 26. He's got another question as well. He says, is the Premier League players, are they good enough for the Serie A? I mean, look look at this season's top performers.
00:11:53
Speaker
Cajuste was atrocious with Napoli, he's bawling for Ipswich. Milenkovic and Huiz sent two error-prone defenders in the Serie A team of the season talk in the Premier League, and vice versa with EPL players in the Serie A. Mo Salah never got 30 goals in assist by Christmas here. Douglas Luiz has been extremely poor with Juva, who was a top player Aston Villa. Can we start branding players as Calcho Proven instead of Premier League Proven?
00:12:19
Speaker
ah idea Let me start with the Berardi thing. i i am I think that ship has passed. Although I do do agree that you need to have balance in a squad. You can't just have young players. You need to have someone who's experienced and can you know lead by example. So I wouldn't be against that kind of assigning for you of it. I mean, if the oldest is 26, then maybe that's, you know you need someone to, to to to you know you need balance in a squad, right?
00:12:46
Speaker
ah You can't just have kids and you can't just have oldies. You you need somewhere, you know, you need in between. um So, so, but I don't know if I think Berardi should leave. I mean, if he's he stayed at Sasolo for so long, you know, he's helping them come up to the Serie A again after being relegated. I mean, it's a beautiful story. I hope he stays at Sasolo. I really do. I think he's, you know, let him let him be their dinatale, if that makes sense. What do you think? Yeah, well he's going to be 31 in the summer, so yeah the set the sale has has definitely um passed. with the The ship has definitely sailed with Biladi for sure, in terms of a big club. But you know he's useful in the sense that you know he guarantees numbers, I guess, and that's something that Juventus definitely are not getting from their from their attackers, and he's got somebody that guarantees numbers. so
00:13:37
Speaker
Yeah but from a financial point of view there's and there's no point signing him and that's all because i'm thinking more of like i think he would do a job for you but in the sense that i think he would lead and help you know like you said the numbers he's experienced but i'm looking at more from a romantic point of view and.
00:13:54
Speaker
You know, I love these provincial Ben Bandiera. And I just wish he'd stay, I hope he stays there forever. And, you know, becomes, we already is a legend, but I hope that he stays there forever. No point leaving now. No, exactly.
00:14:10
Speaker
um As for the Premier League, I love that thing, cultural proven instead of Premier League proven. I mean, it's such a stupid discussion. So that, yeah, I'm a firm believer that sometimes with dumb people, which these prem faces are, you have to give them a dose of their own medicine.
00:14:26
Speaker
You know what I mean? Like, you know, if a dog misbehaves and defecates indoors, you shove his face in it and he doesn't do it again kind of thing. Do you know what I mean? Like that kind of a... You can always find examples both ways if you want to kind of look for them, you know, and you pointed out some examples there. I don't know how good the KU State's been, to be honest, hips, which have been pretty crap for most of the season, although they got good, they beat Chelsea the other day. But yeah, you can find examples either way.
00:14:52
Speaker
I mean, zierx say, for example, was one of the best plays in the Serie A and it's been a disaster in the Premier League. So yeah, you can get examples by both sides. I have to say that broke my heart. Like but he's he's this is this is so horrible, like the booing and he looked completely devastated.
00:15:09
Speaker
It wasn't even booing, that's the worst thing. It was celebrating him coming off. yeah which i mean They were cheering him. It was like mocking. Yeah, that was so mean. like that that is that that was not Give me a lump in my stomach watching that.
00:15:23
Speaker
don't don't like shit like that. It felt like bullying, like being bullied by 80,000 people. It just didn't feel sit right with me at all that. um Anyway, next question. Matt Ionta says, just to alert you that the Napoli social media is at it again with this bizarre and misguided bullshit. And he sent me, I don't know what this is. it's I don't understand the point of it. It's it's it's it's ah it's an Instagram link. It's just photo photos of Napoli players on a bus.
00:15:52
Speaker
And it says by order of Peaky Blinders. but I don't understand this at all. It's just Napoli players standing on a bus and a plane.
00:16:03
Speaker
yeah I don't get it. They don't understand the Italian obsession, but they just think that they can say a phrase. The magic here becomes true. and and And everything makes sense around it. Just by saying, by order of the PT Blinders, suddenly it makes sense of whatever goes with it. In this case, a picture of people on a bus. They're just standing on a bus, like nothing more, nothing more.
00:16:29
Speaker
mental. It's a good serious candidate, but there's quite a lot of them going around. um Next question, Jack Hackens says, hi nameman carla I don't have so much a question for the part, but it's a scouting report. These are largely my own observations and I've omitted most forms of game data since I personally can't incorporate it into the report without investing more time than I have. The report is intended to be a concise presentation of knowledge inspired by the epilogue of the prints by ma Machiavelli, dedicated to Lorenzo de' Medici. It's a magnificent source of inspiration if you aspire to write something with the goal of transferring and gifting your insights to others.
00:16:59
Speaker
The subject is Santiago Jimenez of Feynoid, who's been recently linked to Mila, ah leaving the validity of the rumor aside. I'll explain why I think he would be suited to Serie A clubs like Mila Juve Napoli, where he fits into the Limo Nebol. I can't say I defer to Niemon at that point, if he doesn't mind. Positional profile. Santi's a striker, ah primarily operating as the farthest man at field in the most situations and central to the attack. Occasionally, he makes temporal position temporary positional switches.
00:17:23
Speaker
with the left-sided or right-sided wingers after receiving a quickly recovered ball. He excels in positional awareness, reading the game intently and adjusting himself to the flow of play. On occasion, he moves out to the left or right flank drawing defenders away and switching positions with a winger to create exploitable spaces in the center of the field. As a central start striker, his offerable movements are highly intelligent. He knows exactly how to position himself, whether behind or in front of the ball, and when to time his runs to pierce the opposition defense.
00:17:48
Speaker
In the box, particularly during set pieces of Wild Anticipating Crosses, he's extremely dangerous, his ability to produce stunning headers is underrated and adds significantly to his goal tally. One ah particularly noteworthy aspect of his game is his knack for the positioning, himself perfectly discordant and deflected or rebounded balls, a skill that can make all the difference.
00:18:06
Speaker
um On the ball, Santi compiles great pace with excellent ball control, allowing him to carry the ball forward with both skill and confidence. His fast movements and smart positioning are complemented by his technical skills, enabling him to beat defenders using a mix of pace and technique. Another stand-down aspect of his game is his strong passing range and ability to execute drill patterns of play. This facilitates effective combinations with other playing attacking players, creating opportunities to unlock defenses instead of course scoring chances.
00:18:30
Speaker
ah In front of goal, he's a clinical fishish finisher. He has the stopping power, ranging composure to pick the perfect spot to score. This makes him a cold-blooded and merciless striker, a true finisher. His composure also translates to penalty situation, where he has an impressive record scoring 14 out of 17 attempts.
00:18:45
Speaker
um In terms of European football, Santi has accumulated 1,064 minutes in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League scoring 10 goals in 18 matches. he's true He's also accustomed to the demands of a packed schedule of being played 41 matches for Feenora 15 for Mexico last season. However, this foot forward this workload can take a toll. When fatigued, his form dips and elements of his game suffer as a result. For instance, he endured two five-scoring two five-match scoring droughts last season during which his overall performance declined noticeably.
00:19:14
Speaker
It's been a pleasure to put these observations to paper as a creative outlet. I hope this little piece gives cultural fans a clear picture of Santi Jimenez should he move to Serie A or face Italian teams.
Impact of Bosman Ruling and Young Talent Migration
00:19:23
Speaker
Take care, Nieman Carlo. Remember, salvation comes from within, even Dumfries and Arnaud Tewic knows it. Yours truly, Jack. That was really interesting. I liked it. I love one jack when people send in these, not just Jack, but i when everyone sends in their observations and and reports. It's really interesting to read, I think. What do you make of ah Santiago Jimenez? I mean, I don't watch him week in, week out. I've seen him a bit in Europe. He hasn't, to be honest with you, he hasn't stood out as somebody that I think will be a big star in a bigger league. So I'm not sure, but it's always difficult to judge when they're playing in the area to visit. The area to visit is a really poor quality league and that's been shown also by a lot of the players that have
00:20:10
Speaker
especially like Eric Tenhag pull collect sidings from the Eredivisie, who have generally failed um in the last you know years. and that I don't particularly trust signing players from the Eredivisie, to be honest with you. and Certainly not forwards. So I don't know, I'm um'm holding fire on Santi Jimenez, to be honest. from From what I've seen of him, he's never really suggested to me is a big sign and also his record for Mexico is downright abysmal ah for the Mexico national team. He's got a lot of goals to final, but yeah, I don't know. Maybe that's unfair, maybe that's just judging him based on the fact that he's the area divisie. But yeah, from from when I have seen him, he hasn't he hasn't stood out for me personally.
00:20:57
Speaker
the same. I mean, I know he's been linked with Milan for quite some time, but I don't know. yeah um' I'm also very much on the fence, and I know he's been, you know, he's he's one of these players that they talk about ah quite a bit, and that he's come they're kind of waiting to, you know,
00:21:18
Speaker
his' he's He's only 23, so there is time, you know, he's not, you know, passed it by any stretch of the imagination. But I do think that it's probably, you know, it's time for him to take that next step. And question is, is he ready for the top of the seria immediately for exactly the reasons you said?
00:21:38
Speaker
um So yeah, it's it's a difficult one. But I do think that when I've seen him for Feynote, I do think that he's worked really well there. But like you said, it's difficult because the Dutch League is not what it used to be, unfortunately. You know, it used to be a very, very high quality league. Let's remember Romario.
00:21:54
Speaker
the real Brazilian Ronaldo, you know, these are the level of players that used to play in the Dutch league, right? That's no longer true. It's probably about the 15th best in Europe. Yeah. So it's just, yeah, it's difficult to take anything serious from what you've seen in it and the area divisi. Unfortunately, it's a little bit like Swedish league as well. I mean, all these minor leagues have been completely destroyed by bossman.
00:22:17
Speaker
I mean, you know, in 1994, when Sweden finished third, IFC Gothenburg had what, 12 players in the national team. That would never be ah like, that's impossible. That can never happen now. You know, there's there's always, you know, there's a there's a food chain that.
00:22:33
Speaker
devours these players and that's why these clubs can't succeed. The IFK Gothenburgs, the Malmöffs, they can't do what they used to do before because they have to sell their players and their players want to move to make more money and go to bigger leagues you know and now it's already gone so it's gone so low down the ages that we're talking about 15-16 year olds playing for you know, Premier League youth teams or Italian youth.
Milan's Stadium and Leadership Analysis
00:22:57
Speaker
Do you know what I mean? Like these big clubs, they hoover up the talent at such a young age. But it's it's completely from every angle. It's destroyed the quality. Right. ah Next question comes from Magnus Kaufmann. He says, Hi, a short question with a long answer. Sorry for this, Carlo. I know you don't like to talk about the stadium situation in Italy.
00:23:18
Speaker
Nima, can you explain the stadium situation in Milan for Inter Milan? What is the latest news and are there some dates for 2025? Also, it cannot be so that said enough how much this part means to me. I love Calco and listening to your content every week is really, really important to me. Take pride in your product. Merry Christmas, Happy year get new New Year, guys. Now, I'll listen to the mid-season review. All the best magnets from Muslim. Well, thank you very much, magnets, for all your kind words, always, and your support.
00:23:45
Speaker
The situation is very um is is is very clear in that it's not clear. um Milan have pissed off the mayor of San Donato when Scaroni came out and said that now it's plan B. That thing that they were saying was plan A is now plan B.
00:24:04
Speaker
because they're trying to work out a deal now where Inter and Milan buy the San Siro at a reduced price from the municipality and they refurbish it and rebuild it because they can't tear it down but they have to refurbish it as best they can.
00:24:22
Speaker
and make it into as modern a possible with surrounding areas, a museum and and stuff and you know and and and commercial areas and stuff like that. That seems to be what is being favoured and it's also garnered political support from the Italian government. The sports minister, for example, has supported this, which makes, of course, the work much more easier because the sancira will remain, it will be rebuilt, it will be stay in the city, so it's kind of a compromise that keeps everyone happy. However,
00:24:49
Speaker
This is Italy. The red tape um is is big. There's a lot of financial decisions. Everyone agrees until it's time for pay to pay for it, who's going to pay for it, and so on and so forth. So we'll see what happens. But I do think that we've kind of reached a point now where if this falls flat on its face,
00:25:11
Speaker
then there is no choice anymore. Not Milan nor Inter can hide. They have to move away. And the city will be left if if they can afford to. I don't think they can in this climate to take on the financial undertaking that's so that big. I think Milan are in a better position financially to do that than Inter and Oaktree are. Or Oaktree's finances are great, but Inter are still in in quite a bit of debt. So you know this is where we are. I'm sorry, but yeah Yeah, nothing to add. Next question, Joseph Mihalic says, Ciao fellas, I've got some questions about the recent interview with Jerry Cardinale and Mila Management with the Harvard Business Review. I'm a very recent sport business sports business graduate. So interviews with those at the top of culture are very intriguing to me, mainly for all the wrong reasons. Cardinale and the management come off not just out of touch about the clubby controls, but also completely backwards in their strategy.
00:26:07
Speaker
For example, Cardinale speaks of a need to recruit and invest intelligently as a key to building Milan into a sustainable operation. He speaks very highly of Fulani's background as an investor and being educated in the US way of doing business. However, it kept occurring to me that he puts Fulani as the CEO of a football club and also someone with great influence in determining the sporting direction of a club.
00:26:30
Speaker
but who has zero background background in making decisions about football. Yes, Moncada may effectively be his super-scout, but Fulani is still helping to set the overall direction of the sporting project with zero experience. I don't think anyone has a problem with Cardinale waiting to wanting to run a profitable club at Allanta, Napoli, and even Inter will have will buby but have business models that keep the club ah profitable will have to have The difference is they they have people with experience who are good at their jobs running the sporting side of their clubs and not some hedge fund guy. Why doesn't Jerry just put someone with experience and a proven track record of doing this in charge? I'm an interista, but Jerry's stupidity even triggers me enough to write a question into the pod about it. Thanks guys and keep up the great work.
00:27:17
Speaker
I really don't have anything else to add to that. I think everything he said there is pretty much my opinion. I think from a business side of things, in terms of vision and, you know, create creativity and growing profitability and new revenue streams, I agree 100% with Geri Cardinale. But like we said on Monday, and thank you to everyone who, I got to say, the response to that pod has been huge. It it was actually one of our most downloaded and listed two pods of 2024.
00:27:45
Speaker
um And Milan fans especially, thank you for the kind words. and that you you'd You liked what we said and you enjoy what we said. um I have to say, the man is clueless when it comes to running a football, the football side of football clubs. The business side, I think he's an excellent. But the other side, like, he doesn't know what he's doing. And it's it's clear that he doesn't know what he's doing. And he is appointing the wrong people. but I mean, this this notion that everyone goes on about Zlatan. Zlatan, I'm starting to think that Zlatan was brought on to be a patsy.
00:28:16
Speaker
Like he's brought Zlatan on there to hide behind him and then Fulani and Moncada get away with murder and everyone just talks about Zlatan Ibrahimovic because he's the most famous person out of a lot of them. And it's it's so weird. um the The whole, the way that they run the sporting side is just, it's not working. um And it's just, it feels dysfunctional whilst the business side of everything seems actually to flow pretty okay.
Financial Impacts of Champions League Qualification
00:28:42
Speaker
So, you know, maybe this kind of,
00:28:45
Speaker
inter model where you have a CEO for business and a CEO for sports, you know, something like that. And then you separate the two um is is is the way forward because it's just not working.
00:28:58
Speaker
Yeah, no, I think you summed it up pretty well. and But at the same time, you know and the it's only a matter of time before if Milan don't get into Champions League, then that is the business side of things. The financial side of things is going to be affected massively because Serie A clubs can't and con can't survive, not the big ones anyway, big teams with big budgets, um with big expectations like Milan, like Juventus, they can't survive without qualifying for the Champions League. It's not like the Premier League.
00:29:33
Speaker
like in the Premier League, if you don't qualify for the Champions League, it doesn't really, it barely makes any impact at all because all the money is coming from from the Premier League, from the TV money. If you lose 100 million a season for not being in the Champions League.
00:29:49
Speaker
is dropping the ocean. In Serie A it's everything and they can't you can't survive. Look look what happened with Juventus one season not being in the Champions League and it absolutely destroy me to them it destroyed the club and they had to have another massive bailout um which which only really you know ah yeah Only helped a little bit and so if that happens to Milan what other what other what what? Regardless of the good weather doing off the field. It's gonna have a massive impact So it's only so long that you can get away with failing in the sport in running at the club and as soon as you don't qualify and then that's it say so Yeah, it's not good.
Ivan Juric's Career Moves
00:30:34
Speaker
No good really isn't
00:30:36
Speaker
Next question, Akbar Parlavan says, three questions for the pod. Your live reaction to Ivan Yurich to Sam Southend, please. Can he finally be the one that breaks Darby's point tally of 11 and makes them the worst team in Premier League history? Two, everyone has asked you about your favorite films, music, video games. What about your favorite books? A book, full stop, not a football book. Many of them are crap and not properly written. A novel history book or a book about EU law, anything but a football book.
00:31:02
Speaker
One more thing. Can you recommend some fan-made songs? like qualiare la boom-bo I know we can just open Marco Violi's catalog, but do you have anything else you can recommend? Thanks. ah You reach to Southampton. I'm happy he went there because i just what happened at Roma was such a horrible thing and and and I hope that they can I hope that he can, I mean, I still rate Joric, I know many don't, but I think he's a good coach. I think he's solid. um And I hope that he can do something at Southampton, even though again, hes big he' his his career choices are very much questionable after he left Torino. Like going to Roma was career suicide. And now he's taking over another almost impossible job. But I do rate him and I hope that he can somehow magically pull a rabbit out of a hat here.
00:31:52
Speaker
what you think hey really zero chance no they they might as well they're down already they're miles behind everyone and is a bizarre appointment they come from from They've gone from a manager who and plays, you know, passing out of the back football to the complete opposite of the scale um in terms of, you know, in terms of in terms of how they play, and they're miles behind as well. So, yeah, that's a really bizarre appointment in Zurich from a philosophical point of view, and they're too far behind now anyway. So, yeah, Zurich is
00:32:33
Speaker
Yeah, it's been a bit of a bad season for him. His career choices are weird. I don't understand who's advising him. I don't know why he obviously accepted that job, no. and Unless he's been told, you know what, the rest of this season is a right off next season championship.
Hosts' Literary Interests
00:32:50
Speaker
Yeah, we'll build with you from the championship. Yeah. yeah and Then I think it's a smart decision. But other than that, I don't get it. ah Favorite books, that's not a football book. um I love Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. I think it's one of the greatest books ever written.
00:33:07
Speaker
Um, uh, that's that's one. Um, what about you? Ooh, quite a few. I mean, you've mentioned one of them, George Orwell's 1984. I mean, it's a bit of an obvious one, but you can't go wrong with that if you want to see how far ahead of the rest of the world George Orwell was. Just read his book that he wrote in 1984, he wrote in 1948. Everything that he's written in that has basically come to pass in terms of, you know, living in a
00:33:42
Speaker
a world that's big brother and totalitarian. and Well he should know working for British intelligence is spying on people. yeah Which he did. oh yeah So did Aldous Huxley. It's more of a confession than ah than a dystopian novel really. Well that's it. it's true no You're right. we're So with did Aldous Huxley. Aldous Huxley was his teacher.
00:34:01
Speaker
Yeah, I know. So yeah, I mean, so there's those. I mean, I'm very much into totalitarian stuff. and And if anybody reads David Eich, The Bigger Secret, which was written in the 90s, everything that's pretty much in there has is pretty much what's come to pass.
00:34:18
Speaker
and If you go further back, I love, and obviously, Nogola Machaveli, The Prince, is fantastic. ah The Art of War by by Sun Tzu. I don't know if you ever read that. That's fantastic. I've read excerpts from it. I mean, I love, um for me, I mean, I've i've got a very broad taste in literature, just like in music. I mean, I think Charles Dickens is probably the most, unfortunately,
00:34:41
Speaker
He's probably the most relevant writer right now. If you read his books, everything from Little Dorit to Great Expectations to Oliver like oliver Twist. I mean, he he is unfortunately more relevant today than ever before, which is bloody sad. But he's also a brilliant novelist. I mean, it's just the books are unbelievable. um I do love Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, the Swiss the Swiss painter or Swiss artist. ah He was he was unbelievable. um There's so much, you know, poet, he was a poet novelist, German Swiss novelist. um I love
00:35:25
Speaker
Shakespeare. um I love Oscar Wilde. I've read everything he's ever written. Mark Twain, Tennessee. I only like Shakespeare when it's been modernized and I know that's going to be a plus for me probably. No, it's not. it's i just I'll be honest with you, I can't stomach the language.
00:35:43
Speaker
I can't. ah just six hundred It's like 500 years old. But a lot of it is still done in its original language. like you You see films and you see, obviously, depending if you read the originals in their original language, I find it impossible. But I know there's a lot of people that love that. I can't stomach it personally. and I can't watch a Shakespeare film.
00:36:05
Speaker
with that's done in its original language. I can't i can't watch it. And I know that would be blasphemy for a lot of like purists. and But for me, looks very hard by met if you ask me about the stories themselves, when they are modernized, they're they're absolutely amazing. And I love all of them. I just don't like them in their original language.
00:36:22
Speaker
No, it's because, I mean, I understand that the language feels unnatural and foreign to you because it's four, five hundred years old, you know, four hundred years old, but it's there is an unbelievable beauty to his language and poetry.
00:36:35
Speaker
Whether it's a tragedy or a comedy or whatever it is, he has a his his the way he plays with words is is unique. the way that the that The structure, the flow and and the way of making a point with that. ah it's it's just it's um And he's given us the greatest insult ever by Napoli fans towards Verena as well. If it wasn't for Shakespeare, we wouldn't have that.
00:36:59
Speaker
Yeah, Rome Cuckold and Julia Charlotte. It's so, so good. No, so there's lots of that. I mean, it's, you know, we're talking, you know, I read a lot of, I mean, my favorite Swedish author, Joran Thunstone, for example. I mean, there's so much, I don't know, so many languages as well. Italo Calvino is another Italian writer whose writings I love.
00:37:25
Speaker
I mean, there's so much, there's so much. I mean, it's it's <unk> it's hard to try to um two to to condense it into, yeah. I mean, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, another, you know, or absolutely loved, you know, it's it's this's so much, there's so much.
Premier League Greats and Comparisons
00:37:45
Speaker
But yeah, that's that a little, those are a couple that we both enjoy.
00:37:49
Speaker
um ah Chaz asks, there's been some discussion around how Salah ranks amongst the Premier League all-time players. Those who say he's number one point is amazing GA stats, whereas those against say he doesn't he's not technically good enough and doesn't pass the eye test. I can see both sides. My question is, how do you see it? And also, what changes to Salah's game have you noticed from when he was in Serie A?
00:38:10
Speaker
I remember him being much more aesthetically pleasing to watch when he played for Roma and Fiorentina. Also Salah, a freak, anomaly, as an example of a player who's been successful in transition from Italy to England. Thanks, Chas. What do you make of this? i've I've noticed this a lot. I find these discussions... I think there's no doubt about it. He's one of the greatest players in Premier League history. listen Yeah, but he's not the best, is he?
00:38:33
Speaker
but The best? yeah well That's the debate. That's a different debate. Is he one of the best players? and For sure. i league No doubt about it. no doubt about it just I mean, Cristiano Ronaldo has to be one. like i mean Look at the number of goals and assists that he's had. I would say he's probably he's probably surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo, I would say. he played If you look at the the the length of time that Ronaldo was there,
00:38:59
Speaker
compared to Salah, who had more years at the top, playing at the very top, definitely Salah than Ronaldo. Ronaldo joined there, went there in kind of like 2003, 2004. It took him to about 2007 before he reached a world-class level. And then he left in 2009. So really he was that at a peak for about two to three years in the Premier League where he was a- Well, he was unbelievable those two, three years. like I know, but so is Salah. I mean Salah this season is is probably playing as well as he ever has. It's unbelievable. But it's like it's the technically thing which I understand. I think Cristiano at his peak was technically far superior than Salah. I even think Eric Cantona.
00:39:41
Speaker
technically was superior. But Cantona played in a pub league. Cantona has been so overrated. No, no, no, no. Eric when he was at Manchester United did fuck all in Europe. and so Have a look at him when he did nothing in Europe.
00:39:56
Speaker
And he played in a he played in a dreadful quality Premier League Amazing play to watch did nothing for France during the time that he was well he argued with everyone. They didn't let him play Well, he didn't he did until then the night they failed to qualify for the night for a World Cup. then Yeah then after that He fell out with everyone. He's been massively overrated by prem faces. I think he was wonderful. I mean, he's a wonderful player to watch, but he was playing in it literally. I know the quality of the Premier League back then was atrocious. The quality of the Premier League in the first half of the 90s was public standing. It was awful. But I mean, you could say something similar about Denis Barricamp then as well, because when he dominated in the Premier League, the Premier League was crap.
00:40:39
Speaker
He joined just as the just as the foreign invasion was starting and and then he went on to be brilliant when the Premier League starts to become good. He was still great. so But he was a man magical player.
00:40:51
Speaker
yeah and Ryan gigs has to be up there as well. I thought he was oh, yeah, for sure Yeah, I mean I wouldn't say sell as the greatest ever, but I would say he's definitely one of the greatest for sure Ryan has of course he's moved on to another level at Liverpool ah You know, he played under the clock who had the bet, you know who had the best nutrition And you know 60% I'll be careful. I say yeah Stop there the Yeah, be quiet.
00:41:20
Speaker
um Also, this is a freak anomaly. I think it's true. Players who've done well in both England and and Italy. I mean, Cristiano Naldo is one who's done well in both countries, in both f leagues. um But other than that, the, you know, great players, Zola is another one who's done great. But other than that, there's really not that many, is there? Like, who who have been fantastic in one league. And then, I mean, Shevchenko was atrocious when you went to Chelsea. um Yeah, not a massive amount in recent years, no. No, but even before Ian Rush was was a flop in U of S.
00:41:56
Speaker
Yeah, Graham Sooners was great in both leagues. Trevor Francis. Trevor Francis. David Platt did all right. Yeah, David Platt did all right, yeah. Yeah, not a massive
Ideal Serie A Lineup
00:42:11
Speaker
amount. Patrice Evra did excellent in both leagues. Patrice Evra. Yeah, for one season at Milan, no? What? Patrice Evra. Oh, Evra, I thought you said it.
00:42:23
Speaker
Yeah, okay. Yeah, but Evra was all right. Yeah, you're right. Now, there's an anomaly, but I mean, it's... Tevez did great. Tevez. Yeah, that's true. Tevez was fantastic. It was unbelievable. Right. ah Next question. Alexander Rico says, as I'm watching Genoa beat Empoli, I was thinking how glad I am that Genoa is staying up again. Serie A is best when Italy's best club and the club closest to the gaining its first star is there. That has me wondering, what's your ideal Serie A? From listening over the years, I know both of you would like an 18 team.
00:42:52
Speaker
So if we're up to you, what which 18 teams would you choose for Serie A at its best? This assumes each team is Serie A quality, so only the club itself that counts, not the quality of their current squad. I love this question. I love this question. So what, we have to pick 18 teams? Yeah, the best, no, no, no, the best Serie A, as we would decide it, like in terms of, but you know, historically and like, what would we, if we could decide which 18 teams would be in the Serie A, ignore the quality of their squad currently.
00:43:23
Speaker
Do you know what I mean? so So we have to pick the best 18 teams ever. No, no, no. The 18 teams that we want to be in the Serie A based on their history, based on fan base. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And discard the current the quality. So I would go Atalanta, Inter, Napoli, Lazio, Fiorentina, Juve, Bologna, Milan, ah Roma, Torino, Udinese, Genoa, Sampdoria, Parma,
00:43:53
Speaker
Kalyari, Katanya, Palermo, I think that's 18. You've got 18. Yeah. I mean, I'm biased. I have to chuck in Fodja and Abilino for my family. I don't have to have those two in there, but I think you've got most in there. Did you say Palermo?
00:44:17
Speaker
Yeah, Palermo and Catania for sure. I need my Sicilian daubies. Did you say bari? No, but that's the thing though. It's only 18. If it was 20, I'd throw in lecce and bari. Because I need that daubie as well.
Innovative League Structures
00:44:31
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. You've got genuine samp in there, yeah? Of course. Best, the most interesting. It's a fantastic daubie. Derbi dalante and I love that daubie. Yeah, I'd go with those lecce bari. You've got uve in there, yeah? Yeah, I've got all of them. Calm down.
00:44:47
Speaker
breathe ah yeah i'll go with that just just go to an abilino yeah yeah if it's 18 that but if it's 20 i'd have lechen bari as well because you need to have them there uh and i and i'd make it a closed league so that no one can get relegated oh god it's called false european super league yes i want my italian super league I just want them. But it's like, you know, you also have these other clubs as well. There's so many cool stories like you have Urinese, you have Ascoli, you have Provercelli, you know, you have so many other stories to tell as well. I mean, there's so many, like, it's difficult to just, you know, do that. But
00:45:25
Speaker
So yeah, I'd like to return to the pre- I think it was pre-fascist era before the Seria when they had a northern Seria and a so southern Seria. No, seriously, I'd like to have that like 15 northern, 15 southern, and then the win at the top eight from then play out in to to to win the Seria. That's what I would No, I mean, you'd have 15 teams from North, and North I define as everything from North of Rome, and South is Mezzo Giorno. So 15 teams from each of them, and then they play out home and away, that's 30 games each, and then the top eight in each one, they play each other. does That makes it like a home and away, so the number one in the Northern League plays the eighth in the Southern League, and vice versa, and then you seed them, and then you have a giant final, one-off final in Rome.
00:46:20
Speaker
How awesome wouldn't that be? What? You didn't like that? It's better than your bloody penalties. No, no, go for it. Go for it. go Next, your MLS penalties that are the bane of my existence gives me a knot in my stomach every time you say it.
Roma's European Potential
00:46:38
Speaker
You know why? Because I don't know why. Every time you say that, I think of Diana Ross in the 1994 opening ceremony.
00:46:46
Speaker
she still scored though no she missed the goal and the goal breaks they made out that she scored yes i know it's just oh it's so bad this is so cringy right next question uh johnny manja says would like to know if you think roma's improved form could lead to a top six finish or a deep run in ropaliq thank you again for the great content this year that's a good question um i i don't think top six is possible Um, because I think just between the current top six, I think they are too good. Uh, it's not impossible, but I think it's highly unlikely. Um, um, as for the Europa League, yeah, go for it. I hope they go as far as possible. I mean, Roma have shown these last four or five years that they do have European pedigree. So absolutely. Uh, and I hope, I hope I'm hoping for a Roma Lazzie Europa League final.
00:47:36
Speaker
ah Yeah, I said in the Panday pod that I've seen enough from Roma to suggest that I think they can be ah can be quite a threat in the in the Europa League. Obviously, there's ah there's a lot of tough teams, yeah Premier League teams and teams elsewhere that could be dangerous. But I think, yeah, I think they because they've also got the experience, you know, they've had so many great runs and in Europe that their squad is experience can handle these occasions as well with Ranieri, with something to play for. I think they can Yeah, I think that they're building up nicely. I think they can be just make sure they get through first because they're not through yet. and But they they I think they could be ah could be a decent threat. As for top six, they're 12 points off the top six going to be very difficult. But so the fact that everybody else is dropping points so much around, you know, around there, if they could get on a run, I wouldn't rule it out either.
00:48:28
Speaker
No, I wouldn't rule it out. I just think it's very highly, highly unlikely. As for the Europa League, like I said, I want the Derbi della Capitol final.
Influence of American Owners in Serie A
00:48:35
Speaker
How awesome wouldn't that be? A Roman, an old Roman final in the Europa League. Oh my God. That would be amazing. Oh my God.
00:48:46
Speaker
um Right, and you know what, I'd probably move it to Wembley just for shits and giggles. They'll probably do that anyway, to be honest. Next question, Joonas says, can we now say that the experiment of the American owners savi has in the league, i.e. the fraudkins? Jesus.
00:49:06
Speaker
has definitely failed. Seeing as how club football is effed either way, how about a couple of Arab oil peddlers for owners in the league? At least a beautiful league can go down in flames, the shitter, alongside the rest of the sport. But with Arab oil money, maybe with a few fun transfer windows and a run or two in the Champions League along the way. I love how Yoonas, as a Roma fan, is like so like he's reached the point now where he's like, if we're going to go to hell, let's let's go to hell and have fun while we're going to hell. Do you know what I mean? Rowie, our luck will get snake oil salesmen as our our owners from the Middle East.
00:49:41
Speaker
Oh my days. No, but look, it's again, I think that in terms of the business side of things, I think American owners and North American owners have been really good. The problem is the sporting side, which they don't seem to understand. They know nothing about. They don't understand it. They just don't understand it. And that's been the problem. And there has still been some good ones. I mean, I think the ones that have been good have generally been the ones that have left the sporting sides to the European... To people who know what they're doing. They're doing like Paliuka at Atalanta. He's obviously, he's gone in there and he's thought, well, why should I touch something that's clearly working? Same thing with Oaktree with the smartest thing they did was make Marotta Club president.
00:50:21
Speaker
Like it was it was just so intelligent. Just basically, you know, you do you for you you run this because you know what you're doing. yeah We'll handle the other side. I mean, that's the way it should
Transfer Speculations and Young Talent
00:50:30
Speaker
be. It shouldn't be any prestige. It should be right man at the right place. You know what I mean? Right woman, right man at the right place, you know?
00:50:36
Speaker
But that's wisdom as well, and that's that's that's the way that you should do things in any business, is recognizing what you can do, what you can't do, and putting somebody that's just appointing the right people is is is half the job. It's not about you having to be able to do everything. Amen. yeah Amen. In life and in everything, I agree.
00:50:58
Speaker
Next question, Stephen Barr says, hi, gentlemen, and happy holidays to you and your families. I wanted to ask you guys about the transfer rumors of three young Italian players and your thoughts, feelings about it. It's rumored that Fatsin is going to Lazio, Casadeo, Feynord or Monza, and Parfundi to Monza, all rumors from Nicolas Quira. Do you think a team like Monza will be a good place for them to play where they could be battling relegation, assuming Monza will play them regularly and not go for journeyman to help avoid being sent down to Serie B? Or would they be better off at a mid-table side like Empoli, Genoa, Torino or Milan, where the team is more secure to stay up but might have limited minutes? Well, happy holidays to you too. um I love the Fazzini Tlazio rumor. I think it's a good rumor, but I'm also a little bit upset because that means he leaves Empoli, no?
00:51:43
Speaker
Yeah, he didn't play the last game and I was thinking to myself that could be a sign that he's definitely leaving the fact that he didn't he didn't play we didn't start um but so Yeah, I mean, I think they need this sentiment feel that they need to they need a depth and depth and center mid so I don't think that's the worst that's the worst decision and as for Casa day he clearly has to leave Chelsea and as for Pafundi yeah He's failed in Switzerland. no Yeah, he has. He changed position and so to a more deeper so line or a deeper cent in midfield role. And I think the question is a good one. It is a very difficult one. um If he goes to Monza, who are bottom of the league, can they afford to play more youngsters who they've already been playing quite a lot of youngsters this season and they haven't been getting the results?
00:52:34
Speaker
difficult, isn't it? Whereas Empoli, Genoa, Torino, yeah. I'd love to see Pafundi and Empoli. Casade, I think, to to needs to leave, like you said, but Lazio is an interesting one, because I think I wonder if it's a step too big, but at the same time, I don't know. it's he'ss He does numbers, doesn't he? I mean, when he plays and he like when he plays at youth level and under 23 level and stuff. So it would be interesting to see what someone like Baroni could do with him. um But Pafundi, I'd love to go to Empoli. And Fazzini to Lazio, I think, is if he does that, that's such a shrewd sign in by Lazio.
00:53:16
Speaker
um And I think he will hope he does well. Yeah, I probably agree. I do worry with Paffundi because he just comes off as that kind of kind of flimsy, like not the biggest physically. And I just know the way that Italian managers think.
00:53:33
Speaker
when especially when they're fighting against litigation, they just don't trust these kind of players. no It's easy to trust a young player like Casade or Fazzini because they're physically strong guys and they run and they offer that kind of side of things. Whereas with Pafundi, he's an incredible technical talent, but he's small, he's quite weak and they just don't, he's a bit of a luxury kind of player and they just don't trust those kind of players, um which is why I'm worried about him, wherever he goes.
Juventus and Atalanta Squad Analysis
00:54:06
Speaker
Agreed, agreed, good shot. Next question, Hamza Meehl says, um question for the Q and&A now, looking at it, do you guys think you've ever made a mistake selling Dean Hosen? Because he has been one of the best centre backs in Europe this season. And second question,
00:54:20
Speaker
Do you think Atalanta should sign a new midfield partner for Edison? I like Martin Derun, but against teams big teams he struggles to cover the ground like Cook miners did last season and he struggled 1v1 as well against high level players. I remember last season in the big games Gasparini used to play Cook miners in Edison because they were more athletic and can cover the ground more. Also when both Edison and Cook miners started last season Atalanta conceded less goals, they were one of the best teams defensively in the Europa League last season. Thanks guys.
00:54:46
Speaker
yeah ah The Dean Hazen one, that's an interesting question, isn't it? Because he was very mistake-prone in the Serie A, but he has done really well this season, hasn't he? He's done all right. I think he's done well. still He's done OK. He hasn't been a a regular regular this season. He's better on the ball, I think, than he is defensively. Juventus, did they make a mistake? It's a bit too soon to say that. Well, they they they they're lacking numbers, aren't they? So that they made a mistake in that they had didn't have enough numbers.
00:55:22
Speaker
But then obviously they lost their best player to an ACL, their best defender and their best player. That's going to affect any team. so yeah and But they've left themselves short on numbers, a sense of that. ah with the f That's where they made the mistake. qui it was the mistake was selling hoisin in particular, maybe, maybe not, but the mistake was leaving themselves too short. um But at the same time, you know, you lose your best defender and then you lose another player, two players to ACO in defence, then it's difficult sometimes to plan for that.
00:55:56
Speaker
But absolutely as for Atalanta, yeah, I've been saying since the start of the season, and this is where Atalanta are short. They don't have another sentiment fielder that can help Edison. And I agree 100% with Hamza on his breakdown of the room. Every single word he that he said, he he's getting older, he can't cover the ground, and he has been getting murdered in one-on-ones this season. It's happening in a lot of games, including when he's drop back into the fence. um so So yeah, I think that that is Atalanta's weakness. They're short in centre midfield and they should try and sign someone. Also to give Edison some rest and to give him some help as well. And that's their weak link for me at Atalanta.
Italy's National Team Strategy
00:56:45
Speaker
So yeah, I would.
00:56:47
Speaker
Yeah, no, I think that's a good shot. I still think defensively, like central defenders, is I'd like to improve that department of them as well. But I mean, at the end of the day, How much can we demand of Atalanta, really? I mean, they're already doing fantastic things. um So I agree with that. Last question comes from Konal Sony. He says, my ah for next Italy Games against Germany, who would you pick as the forwards? Should Spalletti build around Atalanta forwards Rettigizagnoli and drop Chiesa? And should Gatti start as the right centre back instead of the Lorentz of thanks?
00:57:21
Speaker
Well, Kiazaa is not going to even be in the squad because he doesn't deserve to be in the squad. Well, yeah, you can't pick Kiazaa. He's playing with kids, playing with kids on cop, he's on cop kids TV. That's what he's doing. He's a children's TV host now. He's not playing with the cop kids.
00:57:36
Speaker
He played one game or two games because he's come back from injury. You're exaggerated now. I'm being facetious, of course he's not. But he might as well be playing with the Cop Kids because he's not getting any minutes for the first time. Might as well just take over and be a presenter for Cop Kids TV, I swear to God. Might have a better career. Stop bullying him to do that. I'm not bullying him. I'm annoyed. You know how much I rated him. And you know how much I thought he was going to be a superstar. And it's like, it's annoyed me. Yeah, this is what happens. This is what happens. But yeah, I mean, Zenyatta is doing okay at the moment. So I probably would call him up. He's as a kind of a, as a impact player. And I think, yeah, I would call him. I would call Rettigy.
00:58:26
Speaker
um Who else we got there? Raspadori, Rettigy, Moisaken, Astago. I think that Rettigy and Keen have to be your number nines. And then, yeah assuming you stick with the same formation. And then you have Zaniolo and...
00:58:45
Speaker
I go with Raspadori. I think is, I mean, there is a problem. I mean, Retiki is the only one and now he's had a bit of a dip in form and Zagnolo has done all right. But I think you have to give some continuity, but Mois can definitely, because I mean, he keeps scoring and he keeps being scoring important goals. So you have to you know yeah have to call him.
00:59:07
Speaker
Yeah. it's Yeah. I mean, they I think those three definitely, I think. yeah But then, yeah, like you said, you need another support strike and there isn't many options. So maybe you do go respiratory because I can't really think of any other alternatives to be honest that complain. Milorento Luca is good but I still feel like there's a little last step. Plus he's a number nine and then two number nines, we've got number two number nines already. yeah We need a number 10 or support striker you and you know there isn't really any other options other than Raspadori. I can't think of anyone else in Kiesa but yeah he's not playing and I'm still not sure about the position which is something that
00:59:47
Speaker
Spelletti is alluded to as well and then yeah the others are like wingers like zacagni or solini or you know that which which yeah they don't fit formations yeah i agree i think it has to be a spadoria i think so as well we're in agreement and then what about gati as a right centre back in teledilorento
01:00:09
Speaker
I don't know, man. I don't, I don't think his attributes suit suit. I think you get the, the kind of Mattias de Licht, Milan Scrino syndrome problem of not being that great laterally with their movement covering their space between this, the side center back and the, and the wing back. Uh, I feel like Gatti, if he is to play it'd be in a three back three, it would be as a center.
01:00:36
Speaker
Yeah, no, i I mean, I could be wrong. I mean, he's proven us wrong many times, Gatsy, hasn't he? Like, no, he kind of keeps proving people wrong. So I hope I'm wrong because it means we need right sided centre backs. But looking at his attributes, I i'm i think the he might, yeah, he might not have the qualities for that role. I think he should be in the squad just like you, but I'm with you on the rest as well. like I'd rather have Gianluca Mancini there as a right side. I think he's better in a back four getty as well, yeah where you can be a unit, you can hold the line and you can play as a four. Agreed. Agreed. And you have less ground to cover. Yeah, agreed. Agreed. 100%. Right.
Conclusion and Upcoming Content
01:01:18
Speaker
That's all the questions you guys have sent in in the first ah Q and&A of 2025. So please do remember to send in your questions via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, email, but preferably via DM on Patreon.
01:01:31
Speaker
um We'll be back on Monday for a full review of the Serie A action and as well, Mike do a post-match reaction as well on the Super Coppa games. We intend to play Atalanta tonight, Milan and Juva play tomorrow um and then there's a final in between there as well.
01:01:50
Speaker
but So lots of content coming on. I've got lots of cool things planned this year. um So thank you again for your support. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday or or holidays if you celebrate and New Year's. We'll be back next week. Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other. Ciao, ciao.