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AC Milan Sack Fonseca, Hire Conceicao, Napoli Catch Atalanta, Cambiaso Juventus Disaster, Scary Inter Milan & Much More (Ep. 483)
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From a full post mortem on Paulo Fonseca era at AC Milan, what to expect from Sergio Conceicao, Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk linkup for Roma is one of goals of the season, Andrea Cambiaso disasterclass cancels out Khephren Thuram brace for Juventus, Moise Kean continues to impress for Fiorentina, to Atalanta drop points despite second half dominance, Nicolo Rovella stars for Lazio, and scary Inter Milan breeze past Cagliari, Super-Sub Giacomo Raspadori the Napoli hero, as well as Baggio, Premface and Serie Ass of the week, plus much, much more when Nima and Carlo break down all the main talking points from Match Day 18 of the 2024/2025 Serie A season.
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:00:02
Speaker
Welcome to the Italian Football Podcast. Hello, everybody, and welcome to the Italian Football Podcast, the official podcast of Football Italia. I'm Carlo Garganese, joined as always by Nimata Valley.
Milan's Managerial Change: Fonseca Out, Conceição In
00:00:15
Speaker
On today's show, we will be reviewing the last weekend of 2024 and some absolutely massive news to to end the year.
00:00:25
Speaker
Paolo Fonseca has been sacked by Milan after their draw against Roma on Sunday evening. Sergio Consecell is coming in in his place. and So huge, huge news going into the new year.
Serie A Updates: Top Contenders and Key Matches
00:00:42
Speaker
Will it change the fortunes of of Milan in what has been a really miserable first half to the season, so we'll discuss all that. ah Elsewhere, Napoli join Atalanta at the top of Serie A, a late goal from Giacomo Raspidori beats Venezio, while Atalanta's winning run ends in a 1-1 draw at Lazio.
00:01:04
Speaker
It's Inter, though, who are who look like they're the team to beat, where they continue their run of big wins by Thresh and Callery. Juventus, another disastrous late mistake by but Andrea Cambiaso, cost them another two points at home to Fiorentina. We will review the rest of the this area weekend and we'll have our usual Badgio, Prem face and Celia ass of the week.
00:01:29
Speaker
For all our first time listeners, this is our free weekly episode that we do every Monday reviewing the weekend's Serie action and all the biggest talking points in Italian football. If you want to support the Italian football podcast and receive all of our content that we do throughout the week, including a weekly Q and A episode every Tuesday, where we answer all of our questions from our patrons, plus weekly Thursday, midweek review show, plus interviews, post-match reaction and much, much more, then go to patreon dot.com so slash and become a subscriber.
00:01:56
Speaker
for just $2.99 a month plus VAT. You can also say sign up to be a paid subscriber on Spotify. For all of you that do listen on Spotify, Apple's, and iTunes podcasts, we'd really appreciate if you give us a five-star rating, give us a follow and a like. and We're on YouTube as well. All of that really helps us to grow and do more more content for you guys.
00:02:17
Speaker
Okay, let's get into today's show. So only
The Fonseca Saga: Unawareness and Criticism
00:02:20
Speaker
one place to start then, Nima and Milan sat Paolo Fonseca after their draw against Roma on Sunday evening, 1-1 draw. Pretty ah farcical sequence of events that led to his sacking on on Sunday evening. and he He spoke to the the press after the game and to the enter the television media and basically not knowing anything about being sat having not even spoken to the club and then and drives away from San Siro after midnight and and then tells the journalist waiting that,
00:03:02
Speaker
is true that he has actually been sacked, something that all the rest of the media had known hours going into the game, that he was going to be sacked and that Sergio Conseil had already been ah spoken to and basically had already agreed a deal to to to to take over from Fonseca. So um that is the end of Fonseca. 12 wins, 6 draws, 6 defeats.
00:03:30
Speaker
in his all of his games, in all competitions, and pretty much tells the story, really. Eighth place in Serie A. it's been It's been a disaster, really, let's be honest, by ah by the standards of Milan for Fonseca. I think we have to look at this from very many different angles. The results haven't been good enough. I mean, just look at their position in the Serie A, there's no doubt about that.
00:04:01
Speaker
them They've done well in the Champions League. They're um they're own they're on route for 18 points, which would seal them in spot in the top eight, which is, well, that's pretty good if you take into consideration the draw and all the other stuff, beating Real Madrid away and so on. um Excuse me. But for me, there's a couple of angles to this, which I ah want to discuss. And the
Milan's Management Under Fire
00:04:30
Speaker
first one is Aside from being, you know, I can't get away from Milan's directors and Milan's ownership and how Milan isn are run. There is nothing tactically similar between Paolo Fonseca and Sergio Concille, other than they're both Portuguese and football managers. You had such a long time to prepare for post-Pioli
00:05:02
Speaker
You bring in Fonseca after a bit of a shit show, really, with Lopategi. You give him a contract, which, according to reports, means that and but if he's sacked within the first six months, he'll only be paid until June 25, which also then tells you you don't really want him. He is given some players that he wants,
00:05:32
Speaker
you give him some sort of a mercato, you don't really address the big issue. I mean, 20 million on Emerson Royale, God bless. It didn't exactly enhance or strengthen Milan. And throughout this entire process, this entire tenure, he has been hung out and left out to dry. The lasting impression with from Paolo Fonseca, with me, from the Paolo Fonseca tenure at Milan is,
00:06:02
Speaker
This is a man who was a dead man walking from day one. It was someone who this management just appointed and never really backed. He was constantly under fire. He was constantly under pressure. Never once had a director come out and defend him. Never once had anyone in senior management come out and defend the club and by extension him in the way that it is standard in Italian football when there's problems.
00:06:31
Speaker
um You have a coach who really tried everything to turn Milan from Pioli and a team that didn't really have any attacking identity into a team where getting Liao until especially Liao to work in a team in the system and actually towards the end making it somewhat work.
00:07:03
Speaker
And then you essentially sack him at halftime. You let him go out there, talk to the media, talk, do the rounds post game, and then you sack him. This is like, I don't know if they are just incompetent. I don't know if they are just unorganized. I don't know if they,
00:07:33
Speaker
are doing this on purpose to prove a point, but my god do they come across as a bunch of circus clowns. This on the back of a week where Geri Cardinale in this Harvard paper says one of the dumbest things about Krosstein rivals Inter prompting Beppe Marotta to come out and defecate on his head verbally and embarrass him and it's just completely this is what it's been like under him under Redbird since he took over. I'm not talking about the financial stuff which he loves to talk about and I do think he has a point
00:08:23
Speaker
i think I don't think it's that black and white. But when it comes to handling and running a football club of Milan stature, it is watching children. You're given the keys to the Lamborghini to a nine-year-old who's drunk.
00:08:39
Speaker
That's what it's across like. And it's from the the way that they have sack sacked and got rid of Massara, Maldini, to how they did did to treated Fonseca yesterday for the whole world to see, where the weather coach for the first time that I can remember announces his own sacking. I mean, I'm sure it's happened at some point before, but not at a big club like Milan.
Fonseca's Challenges at Milan
00:09:04
Speaker
is yeah but is truly, embarrassing. And I have to say, if I look at Fonseca, I was, we were both against his appointment. I said it the day he was appointed, I think he'll be sacked before, you know, within the next six to eight months. I think he, I think he's the wrong appointment. I, I thought it was the right appointment. I thought Sarri was the right appointment, but My lasting impression after having watched Paolo Fonseca these months at Milan is actually far more positive than it was when he was first appointed because of having watched him trying to impose an attacking identity, trying to make changes and impose things that
00:09:56
Speaker
are going to benefit Milan once someone with a who's better than him, tactically and better suited for this job than he is, who who's a strong character, like on Cisal. I think it leaves Milan in a better place, but it also shows I have a much higher respect for him as a coach, tactically. I have a much higher respect for him as a man. And conversely,
00:10:25
Speaker
I have no belief, confidence at all in this current crop of Milan directors in their current roles. I just i don't think these people could organise a piss up in a brewery.
00:10:45
Speaker
I disagree with with any of that, to be honest with you. I'm in full agreement. I think there are well ah think there's ah there's ah there's a number of isnt like you said there's a number number of angles to this. um I have lots of respect for Fonseca as a person and I think that's been demonstrated during these very difficult times at Milan where he has been left alone he has been working with like you said clowns I mean Zlatan Ibrahimovic I mean what an incredible player he was as a player but my god he's he's been embarrassed it's been embarrassing watching him in this role really really embarrassing um and it's unbelievable really that they put him in that place ah and and but at the same time
00:11:35
Speaker
regardless of all that, Fonseca was never good enough for Milan and nothing nothing nothing that we've seen has has changed that. Yes, he's made he's tried everything, he's been he's been left in a in a really difficult position to work with, working alone. ah Clearly, he doesn't get on with Zlatan, I think that's obvious. that that that that relate they don't have a good relationship. And I don't blame Fonseca for not liking Zlatan, the way that he's tried to undermine him, you know going into the training ground, giving speeches to the players without even you know
00:12:15
Speaker
but without Fonseca even knowing, ah going above his head. Fonseca giving, saying one thing to the media that they're not going to buy any more truck not going to buy any more players in the transfer market a few days before the summer window closes. um And then Zlatan, a couple of hours later, tells the tells the media that he decides, not Fonseca decides, when the transfer market is closed. you know like These kinds of things, and it made it difficult for him to work.
00:12:44
Speaker
um and also And that's before we even get to the playing staff as well, where you know he's got a bunch of individualists who, are like you said, they're like children, and the likes of Rafael Liao and Theo Hernandez and Tom Morey and Tammy Abraham, and the way that these these players have behaved, it's been very, very difficult. But at the same time, it's up to the coach to to be able to take control, certainly, of his playing staff.
00:13:10
Speaker
um but he has done that the problem and i disagree he hasn't i think he has done that he has done everything he can when he needed to show mark uh and show to teo and liao that their behavior was unacceptable he did that when he needed to do that to leo
Zlatan's Influence and Milan's Undermining Tactics
00:13:25
Speaker
he teo he did that he has done all of that the problem is we shouldn't have got there in the first place coach wouldn't it wouldn't get there in the first place You can't just put that square on the feet of the coach. The problem has been that he's been undermined from day one. Exactly like you said. The players aren't stupid. They they also read the papers. They also follow what's happening in the news and they probably
00:13:47
Speaker
also talk to their agents and given that they're all insiders in the club they probably know also what's happening such as you give a contract to a coach and say if we if if we're not happy with your work within six months we'll sack you and you get only get paid for the for the following six months. You you have a situation where He comes out like you said, we're not going to buy anyone. He says, I decide not him. like I know that it's a little bit tongue in cheek, but again, he has been undermined continuously from the very first minute that he was appointed.
00:14:17
Speaker
and he has handled that situation with grace. I agree with this. on the personal on a personal side i'm talking about personal i'm I'm talking also from a professional point of view. Of course he's made mistakes. Look again, I did not want this man at Milan. I thought it was a mistake tactically. I think he's too naive defensively for the Serie A and definitely for a club of Milan stature. I think it's been too inconsistent. Top four I mean, the season was pretty much over but before it started. Top four is you know that is going to be hard. It's still doable, but the scoreto is already over. It's been over for a month. Like, again, all of these things I get, but there's nuance here. You cut the way that they have undermined their own appointment from day one. It's just mind boggling. Then why'd you appoint him to begin with? Conseisao was already there in the summer.
00:15:08
Speaker
Like, did you see what I'm saying? It it makes no sense. This is where, you know, again, I separate, I mean, listen, yeah, from a you from a personal point of view or from a media point of view, the way that he handles himself ah in front of the media, and the way that he he handles himself in in the face of adversity, after bad results, after things go wrong, after off the players do things that they shouldn't do, the way that he's handled all that I think has been exemplary.
00:15:36
Speaker
<unk>t that they've I've got no complaints there. and and and and then that And that reinforces what I think of him as a person, which is I think he's a great, great guy. And I feel sorry for him on that level. But from ah from a purely from a you know how good is he is as a coach, you know as I said, as we both said when he was appointed, he's not good enough for Milan. This is not its this is a level too high for him. And yes, he's's it's been very, very difficult for him with all these other things, no doubt about that. But his whole career has shown ah up until the Milan, up until taking over at Milan, that he wasn't good enough for Milan. So these other circumstances, yes, they made it even more difficult for a person that already wasn't good enough. and And that's really the, that's the bottom line, to be honest with you. I mean, just you look at the numbers.
00:16:24
Speaker
i mean In Serie A this season, seven wins, six draws, four defeats from 17 games, scored 26 goals in 17 games, conceding 17 goals. They've got 27 points from 17 games. that They're 14 points off the the top of the table, 16 if in to win the game in hand.
00:16:48
Speaker
and you know And we're only 17 matches, not even halfway through the season. And he's already you know possibly 16 points off the top of the table. And he's 35, eight points off the the the top four. you know So I mean, it's it's not it's not good enough. The performances have not been good enough. Absolutely not. And that's the bottom line. And and and he he isn't good enough. he's not this is not He's not good enough for a big club. And so I think that I agree with that. I agree with that. That doesn't change regardless of all the difficult things he has had to deal with. And that's when the land made the mistake. They should never have hired him. Well, that's that's precisely my point. I can't. I agree with all
Milan's Leadership Criticism
00:17:30
Speaker
of that. Like we both said at the time, I all the go back and listen to the pre that episode when he was appointed, what we all said. I mean, I listened to it yesterday. Everything we said, both of us said has happened on that part. Like it's not even it's it's it's it's there. Go back and listen. But
00:17:46
Speaker
The issue is, once you make a decision to hire someone, you have to give them the tools to be able to do a job. You have to be able to create an environment for that person to do the job, and you can't do that when you undermine and humiliate the person you chose to appoint from day one. So this is just, I again, I fully understand Milan fans being furious with the owners and the and the and the directors. It feels like Skaroni is the only one who's who knows what he's doing.
00:18:21
Speaker
He's the only one, but he's kind of been relegated almost now to to to doing to to trying to maintain the peace and and keeping some some form of professionalism in very difficult times. um The rest of them, and directors, um and and Jerry himself, is when it comes to the to running a football club and a football club of Milan stature,
00:18:50
Speaker
are clueless. Again, the finances, sure, great. They've done a fantastic job. And I agree with his vision of football and and many other things he says are wise, but he's ah he's a business guy. He doesn't understand what club and where or he's bought and where he is. And that's the problem. you know as when When you have an owner I always think of Gordon Ramsay when he says, when he talks about restaurants and people who buy restaurants who don't know anything about restaurants and thinks it's easy, you just put food on a plate and go out with it. That's how it feels with Jerry Cardinale. He looks at numbers and go, well, like I know this side of it.
00:19:27
Speaker
But he doesn't have a goddamn clue about what a football club is. He doesn't have a goddamn clue how to run a football club. He doesn't have a goddamn clue how a football club of Milan statue is supposed to be run. He has bought something of which he understands nothing about other than the numbers, which I'm sure he's good at and he's great at. and And he'll probably, you know, it'll be difficult if they miss the Champions League, but I'm sure that he'll resolve the finances side of it. You know, there's no doubt about that.
00:19:56
Speaker
But there's more to it than that. and this i just a you know So far, every decision they've made is wrong.
00:20:08
Speaker
There was more opposition yesterday from the fans, especially at the start of the game. There were more calls for him to to sell the club and and and yeah massive opposition. then then They're not happy with him at all. But I've got to say, one thing though, I think one saving grace for them, um if they actually appoint Sergio Konsis out,
00:20:33
Speaker
because Sergio Consez-Sao is not Fonseca.
Sergio Conceição's Potential Impact
00:20:39
Speaker
Sergio Consez-Sao is Mourinho, Conte, he he goes to war. he If he's not happy, look, talk to Porto fans and journalists who cover Porto. There's a famous picture or famous before and after picture of Porto's sporting director,
00:21:02
Speaker
One week before and after the transfer window closes, I think it was two seasons ago, when Konsti Tsao had been promised things on the transfer market and he was fuming in the media about it and fried the sporting director There's a before and after picture of the summer and after. The guy had aged 25 years, because Concy Sow had destroyed him. like This is who Concy Sow is. He's a fighter. he He goes in there with a blowtorch to everyone and anyone who doesn't show commitment, professionalism, desire, hunger. He's tactically very defensively solid. He knows how to build a group.
00:21:48
Speaker
He knows all of these things, just the mentality monster that he is. So I do think we're going to see a Milan with much more fight, much more grit. But at the same time, they need to also back up whatever promises they have made to Sergio Consezial. Because if they don't, oh my God, this guy does not mess about.
00:22:18
Speaker
he doesn't miss about. yeah yeah i mean that this and this is where it willll be interesting with with conseel when when he comes in if he is able to control the group of players ah in a way or get the respect of the group of players um and we get them at least fulfilling exactly what he wants on the pitch in a way that Fonseca was never able to do. and We'll see, because if Concy Sal can do that, then obviously that that's ah an indictment on on the inability of Fonseca to be able to do that, which is something that you know I've always thought he just doesn't have
00:22:59
Speaker
he obviously doesn't have that in him to be able to, to you know, the the things that happened earlier in the season with the players, like with the calling break, with Liao and Teo, with the penalty incident, with Pudasic, Tami and Tomori, you know, these kind of things don't happen in clubs where the manager has the total control and respect and influence over his players. I wouldn't expect that to happen under under certain level of coach we'll see you know from from what I've seen of Conseca on the outside I would expect him to be able to control the dressing room fully in a way that probably Fonseca hasn't been able to do. ah Having said that though if he's not able to do that then that probably reflects well on Fonseca because it shows that well
00:23:45
Speaker
Concy Sal couldn't do it either. He couldn't control the dressing room. He couldn't take control. um But what what what what does remain is obviously the problems above Concy Sal's head, with the directors and the the you know the way that the club's being led that way.
00:24:02
Speaker
and that isn't going to change. So we'll have to see. I think from a from a point of view of trying to rescue Milan's season, getting them in the top four, this was a decision that had to be made. And I would expect Milan to certainly improve, certainly to start with. There's always a manager bounce, a new manager bounce always. So I would expect Milan's form to continue. I think their first game is in there in the Super Cup.
00:24:26
Speaker
against Juventus. so i mean yeah Father meets son. yeah yeah brother meet son yeah a bit i mean It's a bit of a Mickey Mouse kind of competition, but I guess it's ah it's a way for him to ah kind of slowly bed in and treat them as training sessions, I guess, those games.
00:24:44
Speaker
But so yeah, I think it's it's a decision that had to be made because with Fonseca, Milan clearly weren't going to get into the top four. And there's no doubt about that. No, there's no doubt about that. And again, you know, allla the reason why I'm not hammering Fonseca on this is because we kind of expected it. Again, go back and listen to the part we made about when he was appointed and all the criticisms and concerns we both had then. And every single thing has come to pass. So there's not I don't want to repeat myself. So I just refer back to that. But I do think that what has happened since then has been is is also very important because things don't happen in a vacuum.
00:25:23
Speaker
And he really did. you know when he the The words he said, I have a clear conscience, I gave it my all. I believe that. I don't think no one who has followed this situation can question that. And it's strange because, as I said, I think he's he actually comes out of this looking better than he did going into it, um which is very rare when you're when you're a coach who's just been sacked. It's not like when Rudy Garcia was sacked.
00:25:52
Speaker
um and it's um And that just goes to show that I think that he he he didn't do a good job. He failed where we expected him to fail, but he also did better in some regards. And the fact that he was the person who tried and began the process of transforming this Milan after Pioli, at least in the attacking phase, into a team with clear but patterns, which Pioli never had, um is even though it cost a lot of turbulence with Liao and so on,
00:26:33
Speaker
seemingly, then you know that's something that is a very important work that has begun, and I'm sure that Konstantin Tsai will build upon that. I don't think that the problems in terms of the players have disappeared.
00:26:47
Speaker
But we do know who Conseil São is as a character, who we do know how he is as a person. He goes to war. He's a warrior. He's not a gentleman in like that. he This is a man who once beat up a spectator because he was mocking his son whilst he was there watching his son play youth football. like he This is who Conseil São is. He doesn't take shit from anyone.
00:27:10
Speaker
um and he goes to he He goes to battle and he's prepared to almost, quote-unquote, die for his for for the for for the group. But he expects that kind of commitment and loyalty back, not just from the players, but also from his directors.
00:27:28
Speaker
Yeah, I think the other key, massive part of this, of Conseil Sel taking over at Milan is also is ah Milan also giving the keys to Jorge Mendez, having a big influence over Milan, is the agent of um of of consce sal and but he's also the agent of Rafael Liao, I think Emerson Royale as well. So what we are seeing is Jorge Mendez. As Patrick Kendrick will probably send me a message about pronunciation of Portuguese names. yeah but So what we're seeing is we're seeing Mendez
00:28:09
Speaker
not And it's not just Milan, were we're seeing how much influence he's now getting on Italian football um as a whole because we're also seeing it at Juventus because Francisco Conseil, Sergio Conseil's son is ah is at Juventus but also Mendez is trying to trying to take and he publicly it gave a statement the other day about bringing in Antonio ah silver from Benfica to Juventus, basically saying but that he wants to join Juventus. I mean, I don't
Jorge Mendes' Influence in Serie A
00:28:40
Speaker
know if that will happen. He's too expensive. But again, this is that the influence that Mendes is now um ah exerting over to two of the the two two of the three biggest clubs in Italian football. um So this is Mendes also
00:28:54
Speaker
we're we're starting to see Mendez going to be a big key decision maker at Milan going forward and that's not always a good thing. Mendez has his own ah gender agenda and that is obviously making money and consolidating power and money at clubs rather than the actual success of those teams on the pitch um and so you know getting his players at those at those clubs and so you know um yeah yeah we'll have to see we'll have to wait and see and we'll have to wait and see what it goes but i do think that Sergio Concy Sal is a better decision
00:29:38
Speaker
then ah than and he should have been appointed in the summer if they didn't want Maurizio Sarri, who I still maintain would have been the ideal solution yeah tactically.
00:29:49
Speaker
yeah as sure but We have to move on though, although um i mean there's there's not much to say to talking about the game from Milan's point of view, but from Roma's point of view, um i thought that they i mean I thought it was a really good game and I thought that Roma played ah their part in in the in a really entertaining match to watch um and you know I thought Milan were the better team um in terms of creating the chances for for most of the game but then I thought the last half an hour Roma really took over and created lots of opportunities to win it ah in the last 30 and I just think the bottom line is that I think it shows that the improvements that Roma have made under Ranieri
00:30:27
Speaker
and I think Di Bala has been really, i he's got a great goal and he's been really excellent the last few games. Paredes becoming really important um now as well in this in under Ranieri and um I think that, yeah, Ranieri's doing a good job. i Obviously we know it's the seasons are right off in terms of Serie A for Roma, in terms of top four and everything, but I've seen enough from Roma now under Ranieri that I think that they will be a threat in the in the Europa League in the in the new year. I do like watching them now. I think they're a team that now can kind of like fight it out with but most teams. I was yeah pretty pretty impressed by Roma in this game.
00:31:10
Speaker
I think Roma were impressive. I mean, the link up play for when they hit the post or when Dibala scored the equalizer, the movement was actually really good. It was some of the better football we've seen from Roma in a very long time. um and And that flick on from Dovbik was just stunning. I mean, that's one of the most beautiful little technical numbers we've seen in one of the goals of the season, for sure, in terms of the build-up and the the individual skill of players and the ball going almost like on a string between the players. um But equally, I think Milan you know should probably have had a penalty. um That looked like quite the barge um in the first half.
00:31:54
Speaker
um and And, you know, it was it was a very entertaining game, rather open game. um So I think Roma, they probably needed a win, but I think this was this was a good performance by Roma, um i in the sense that I think they were probably, you know, if we're talking about clubs in crisis, now that, you know, our good friend Gianni Rigilongari from Sportitalia reported last night that Gisolfi's, their sporting director, they appointed like three minutes ago, is being considered to be sacked by the Friedkins.
00:32:23
Speaker
clueless owners as to how to run a football club on the pitch, as as has been demonstrated. Great financially agree with them in terms of commercial growth and and PR and how to grow leagues and blah, blah, blah. But again,
00:32:37
Speaker
don't know what they don't know the product that they've that they own don't understand the company that they bought and think it's just you know that they they don't understand it but um so we'll see what happens there but i think on the pitch Roma were played some good football i like the link up between Dobrik and um Dibala uh i want to see more of that it seems like Ranieri you know is is using all his experience and using all his kind of the character he is and how loved he is at Roma to kind of get this play this least calm to calm everything down and get everyone moving in the right direction.
Juventus' Performance: Missed Opportunities and Challenges
00:33:10
Speaker
um and i it it was it was um it was It looked good um like in terms of the attacking.
00:33:20
Speaker
Yeah, for sure. let's meet We have to move on to Juventus now. um This is a really frustrating ah draw but for Juventus because I thought they actually played pretty well in in this game, and definitely with a better team, definitely deserve to win. But they're let down by um by just a a clown mistake from Cambiazzo at the end. I can't believe you can make a mistake like this. um wipe two minutes from the end. He does that. and Under no pressure at all. He loses slips, loses his foot. and um I don't want people to say, ah it's just unlucky. not It's not unlucky. you just don' not make ah top to A top player doesn't make a mistake like that.
00:34:03
Speaker
ah and Juventus end up conceding for the 2-2. It's unforgivable. It's the second time Cambiaso has done this. He has done it against Lecce as well, which which which cost Juventus two points. Cambiaso has single-handedly Juventus four points. It's a schoolboy mentality from Cambiaso. I can't forgive it at all. It's unforgivable. um You just cannot make a mistake like that. It's absolutely infuriating to see that mistake made and it's cost you vendors. They played pretty well in this game. Taram scored ah good score a couple of goals. and They missed
00:34:44
Speaker
They missed some other chart right big chances. Wlawicz missed an absolute huge chance. De Gea has made two one one of the saves of the season from Wlawicz. He's made another huge save at 2-1 from Gatti. Fiorentina really, i mean apart from the goal from Kean,
00:35:04
Speaker
I mean they haven't really created much at all really in this game that it's apart from the keen goal and where you know that was kind of like what Juventus has this one collectively bad moment of the game where they they got left three on two at the back post I don't know what happened with the mark in there but apart from that and you know Juventus weren't outstanding but they were they were they were you know it was one of their better games and they I think they definitely deserve to win the game they can't make a mistake like that and that's That's gone Cambiezo. We praise him enough. We want to talk about him and he's probably been maybe you know he's been one of Juventus' best players this season. But you cannot make mistakes like that. A top player does not make mistakes does meant not make a mistake like that. Unforced. Unforgivable. It's just completely unforgivable from Cambiezo.
00:35:50
Speaker
from the If I'm going to talk about Juventus from the positive aspect, I liked the midfield. I thought Locatelli, Turam and Copminers centrally looked really good. I liked how Copminers received the ball, how he moved. I thought Turam being used in that role was also very interesting. um and and And it's probably something that will help Juventus going forward.
00:36:13
Speaker
um that their midfield, is that the more goals coming from midfield, that their midfield offers more of a threat and the the midfield three trio regardless of if it's a double pivot with a 10 or a classic tridenta, however they choose to play that, is is is the is is going to be interesting to follow and I think it's it shows that you know but but but you know they're they're they're moving in the right direction from that aspect.
00:36:38
Speaker
but uh... the individual mistake by uh... can be also like you said but we've seen was from got the but he recovered from it and that's what can be also has to do the young players younger players great players they make mistakes they recover from them and then they and this is what he has to do now he has to show that he can learn and he can grow and he can just take it on the chin and understand what he needs to do i don't think it was a as horrible a mistake that I've ever seen. I think he puts himself in a position where he shouldn't be, which is why he falls over. um And that's it is what it is. ah You know, players learn from that. and And I'm sure he will, too. I just don't think this is much more different. OK, you've a dominated ball position, but we've kind of seen them do that before. ah But I don't think they created near enough chances.
00:37:36
Speaker
um that is acceptable. Yes, Fiorentina are a good side. They're defensively solid. We've seen so much. We've been very impressed by Fiorentina this season. Paladina has done a fantastic job and continues to do a fantastic job in in rather you know crazy circumstances, not even difficult you know between the horrible side passing of his mother, what happened to Bove, you know it's it's not been easy um for him um and the club as a whole. But I somehow am left with the impression that this Tiago Mota project under Juva continues to just limp along.
00:38:14
Speaker
They can't seem to string at this point in the season more than two, one, two maximum, two and a half games good in a row. And they can't seem to create. And whenever they do create, they have the patron saint of missing sitters up front, Dusan Blauwitsch, up front.
00:38:35
Speaker
You know, I remember Savo Milosevic when he was at Aston Villa and they called him Miss Alotovic. I don't know what to make, what what funny pun to make of Laovic then, because this guy just, you know, it's been such a long time of him at Juve being unable to to to score and being able to con convert and missing chance after chance after chance after chance after chance.
00:39:04
Speaker
It's, if we're talking not good enough, that's not good enough. And a few tap-ins in the Coppa Italia doesn't change that. It's the consistency we're looking for. Juventus bought him to score 25-30 goals a season across all games. Not 10-15 goals a season, twice against Leccia, then not score the missed open goal for 2-3 games, then scored once against Udinaeset. That's not what they signed him for.
00:39:30
Speaker
and this is now seriously an issue with him. um But I understand the anger and frustration being raised now. I don't want to talk about Allegri, because I think there's not much to say. But there is a concern here at U of I that it'll listss this it doesn't seem this thing just seems to limp along, that it doesn't seem to really unblock
00:40:01
Speaker
um And then you have all these crazy rumors of the transfer window of Tomori coming in, Danilo going, I mean, you know, and and and players, I mean, it's it's just a mess. And at this point, Giuntoli, more than Tiago Mota for me, is the person I'm looking at.
00:40:19
Speaker
um who needs to draw some accountability here. Yeah, I mean, that they that they they need a big, generous transfer market. There's no no doubt about that because they're going to... Listen, i don't I don't think the attack was was i thought the attack was better if we're if we're trying to look for progress.
00:40:38
Speaker
the that they definitely pro There was definitely progress in this game offensively. They had a 1.5 XG, which which isn't outstanding, but it's it's definitely so is's definitely step forward. It's definitely good, given the level of of of of a opponent. And um and they they had they had more more shots and more attempts and ah more corner kicks than they have done. So it was a step forward and that way. and but um But if you're talking in general, I agree with you. and it's they are is They are limping and that they don't come across like Milan, they come across don't come across like a team who can put ah win a string of wins together and that's for sure. And the the problem is is that they're starting to run out of time now as well because 18 games. So you know one we're one game away from the halfway point of the season. You guys actually have a very hard run of matches. just about to sum it up as well um like in in syria they've got a tur in derby but then they've got atalanter away milan at home then they've got napoli ne napoli away so really really difficult run of games and if those you know i mean you know they're going to drop points in that run, more points in that run. I mean, we they're already looking at where Juventus are in the table. They're three points off the top four, three points off Lazio. Level with Fiorentino, who have ah have a game in hand. Bologna can actually go above Juventus if they win their games in hand. um So they're already, you know I mean, we can, the top three are already, I think we can discount them, that their their way ahead, Atalanta, Napoli and Inter. But, you know, those,
00:42:19
Speaker
results go badly, Juventus can suddenly find themselves too far adrift and and and you know we can see as we've seen that they don't seem to be able to put another string of wins together so Juventus are in a delicate position and theyre also the fact that Fonseca has been sacked by Milan is also bad news for Juventus because with Fonseca in charge Juventus could kind of ah rest a little bit easy knowing that but Milan are going to continue to drop points and they're not going to really be that much of a risk I mean if Milan win their game in hand, they get their two points behind Juventus So so then you've got you know, a new manager conse sell you're gonna get the new manager bounce You know that Milan have got the so much potential in that squad all of a sudden Milan become a threat as well So Juventus are in a yeah, they're in a delicate position at the moment and they need they need a they need a big January market for sure and
00:43:15
Speaker
No, I agree 100% with that, especially the part about Milan being a top four contender under Concy South. There's no doubt about that. I think he he just by his the sheer energy and power and and mental strength that he imposes and and and introduces into his players, and the grit and fire, and his ability to to to create this belief in a group will, in and of itself, improve Milan. But, so you have a need to watch out, and also Lazio are so impressive, which we're going to get to as well. And Atalanta are in a race, a surprising Scoredetto race. So that means they're definitely going to finish in the top four as well. So it's going to be
00:43:54
Speaker
One of Milan and Europe like we said I think if we can almost assume now that one of them is going to not assume But we can almost not we can almost say we're certain. Yes thats one yeah no doubt about that yeah Yeah, that one of them is gonna miss out on top four if not both, you know potentially um but it's um It's crazy um So you ever need to watch out for sure um and I wonder how much more patience there is at Juventus if this limping continues with Thiago Mota. I wonder when the earth starts shaking under his feet.
00:44:32
Speaker
because, you know, 18 games in, 32 points, three points behind Lazio, you know, three points off top four is not the end of the world, no, but you have to be careful. Yeah, these these run of games are going to be very key, for sure.
00:44:52
Speaker
Yeah, absolutely. No doubt about it. um Let's move on to Lazio and Atalanta. Another very entertaining game. Finishes 1-1. Lazio took the lead in the first half. Dele Bashirou, late equalised 87th minute from Brescianini.
00:45:10
Speaker
um I thought the first half last year were but we're good were very good and probably deserved to take the lead. The second half though, Atalanta are completely dominant in the second half. I can't believe it took them until the 87th minute.
00:45:27
Speaker
to get the equalizer. I was looking at the XG in this game. It's absolutely insane. Atalanta had an XG of 2.84. in this match atalantza ah sorry Atalanta had an XG of 2.84. Lazio had an XG of 0.7. So how the hell this game? He finished 1-1. And 1-1 by an 87th minute goal. I don't know. But it was a very, very good game to
Atalanta and Inter: Strengths and Strategies
00:45:52
Speaker
watch. and and um It's a result which well Lazio will definitely be happy with especially considering the way the other games ended up going with Juventus and drawing and Milan drawing and for them it's a brilliant result. For Atalanta it's a bit frustrating for them especially with Inter winning and Napoli winning but it the performance itself showed that they that that they're there and they're doing well.
00:46:21
Speaker
Well, look, it's ah you know, one of the most tired cliches in football is a game of two halves. But here it's absolutely true. The first half, ah Lazio played wonderful football. I loved how composed they were. And when we talk about Lazio more in a minute, I want to talk about Nicola Ravella, who I think is was just sublime and in in the opening half, in the first half. But then this is what Atalanta is so impressive, and it's not impressive anymore because this is now, we can I think we can honestly talk about an actual growth. They are a topside in the Serie A who fight for titles. The reaction you saw from them at halftime, the way they went out there and just dominated Lazio was that's the thing you see from tea from big teams.
00:47:10
Speaker
The big teams behave like that. They react. They put in that extra gear. They can just turn that on and concentrate because they know what they're supposed to do. They're so well-schooled. They're so well-organized. They're so well-drilled. So they know exactly what they need to do. They just turn that kind of mental strength on and you see an immediate effect. And that's what we saw from Atalanta in the second half. And like you said, I can't believe it took almost to the 86 minute. i mean I was sitting there waiting for them to not just equalize, but also win. um But it turned out to be a task that surpassed their abilities on this particular evening. But I was very impressed by, again, this false nine thing in big games from Gasparini. This time, of course, he had no choice because of Rettigy's injury situation. but But it was still, again, impressive. And the way that they move the ball, the way that they
00:47:58
Speaker
they bully teams um in in the final third when they switch on that extra gear is is truly, truly, truly remarkable and impressive. And yeah, I see it's, you know, keeps I don't want to keep repeating myself, but yeah, Talanta are going to fight for this Correto until May, ah April, May. I just don't see them dropping off.
00:48:16
Speaker
um It would be very surprising unless they have like some so another so two serious yeah ACL injuries or something on key players and fine, you know, that would harm anyone's chances, let alone a tiny provincial site from Bergamo. But um it's, ah look, I think they they they they really ah impressed me again and it in Gasperini again, tactically was very, very impressive.
00:48:41
Speaker
and And to react the way they did in the second half was just it was it was very impressive to see because it it's it's again That's how big teams react. Yeah, but I'm talking about a big teams into I want to talk about Latio just one second. Yeah, because Nicola Vela listen You have to now I'm prepared to say it you've made a mistake selling him because the the the level that he's playing at I don't know if it's, you know, I'll caveat this and be a bit of a coward, but I don't know if it's Baron, he's brilliant, but he is so good right now. The way he he ties everything together in at Lazio from the back to the front and so on is just, it's a joy to watch right now, and it has been a joy to watch all season.
00:49:33
Speaker
um That first pass, the way that he intercepts and moves and sees, it's just... you know Again, another Italian central midfielder. like I'm so happy to see that with between Ricci, between him, between Tonali, Barella. It's a joy to to to see that Italy have so many... He was making some good charges up the pitch as well. Yeah, he was. Sarri never really used, didn't really trust him or like him, but we know that's Sarri. Sarri doesn't like yeah young players.
00:50:07
Speaker
and So, yeah. Society is a system coach like Konta. I don't think he doesn't dislike young players. Well, he's got a history of not using young players. and He doesn't like young players. No, I don't think he's got anything against young players. I mean, he launched the careers of players who were who were young.
00:50:23
Speaker
mean the book clark but he' neverton he's never registered yeah but I mean at the big clubs he's never trusted young players, that's what I mean. Like at his bigger jobs he's never really liked Chelsea, ah at so and's definitely at Lazio as well, he he just doesn't really like them. I think Bastone has given that trust to Ravela and yeah Barone, I think he said Bastoni, or did I hear wrong? I was like... Did I say Bastoni? Yeah, so Bastoni's gone to Latz, what the hell's going on? Barone, Barone, Barone. We're talking to Bastoni, he's got a great header for Inza.
00:50:57
Speaker
Inza showed again in this game why they're so head of shoulders, the best team in Serie A, and they're such strong favourites for this game. This was such a powerful performance. but battered cal you I mean, the first half not perfect, but I mean, overall, dominant, totally, lead totally dominant and even Lautaro back to scoring as well. It's five wins in a row, big wins as well. Like they're getting big, big victories, ah huge, racking up huge XGs, like three points something in this game again. I mean, that they're just, they just look unstoppable in there right now.
00:51:34
Speaker
Look, Inter, ah the first half was poor. um We can't joke, like, let's not, and let's keep it real. Inter, Interwood did not create that much, and Lautaro did his absolute best Roberto Galliadini impression by missing a sitter that was just my mouth was open um as to how that was even possible for him. And we, you know, it was a game where Inter just show that when, you know, again, like I said, that's what big teams do. They were in the second half, immediately in the second half, they they they, you know, they turned it around and they started, you know, they there' they started doing what they
00:52:23
Speaker
can do, but at a higher tempo with much more concentration and higher outcomes in terms of no mistakes, which was lower in the first half. There are too many unforced errors. But again, the movement, there's such a well-schooled, well-oiled machine that even when they're having a bad day, when DiMarco's having a bad day, when Lautado's having a bad day, when whoever's having a bad day, the the their basic level of play is so high, and they all know what they're supposed to do, that they just, by simply playing at 50, 60% of their ability, can can do this to teams. um Then in the second half, they turn it around by by playing to maybe 75, 80% of their ability, and they win deservedly and just kick the feet under, cal you know, pull the feet under Calliari's feet, pull the rug under Calliari's feet rather.
00:53:12
Speaker
and just, you know, cruised to victory. um They've got, like you said, five wins in the Serie A. I think it's it's it's if I'm not mistaken, they they they haven't conceded. Well, they they've only conceded one goal in those five wins, and that was against part of mine, the three one win at home after Darmin scored an own goal. So they even scored the opponent's goal for them ah in that game.
00:53:40
Speaker
But look, it's Inter are moving in the right direction. They they have the super Coppa and then they have rather interesting, few you know, easy few games. They got Venezia away, Bologna at home, Empoli at home, Sparta Prague away, Lece at home, before the difficult run starts for them. And they need to rack up undramatic, easy wins where they don't spend a lot of energy. um And I think that's kind of where Inter are headed right now.
00:54:06
Speaker
ah But yeah, the quality they possess is is when when they get going is is truly a joy to watch. And how Inzaghi has built this kind of machine, a well-old machine where everyone knows what they do. 45 goals scored so far this season, 17 games is mad. They've got the the best ah best number of goals scored and the and best best goal difference by mile as well in the league. so Yeah, they're looking they're looking great. and Quite a big difference in goal difference between ah ah Inter and Napoli, that's for sure, double the goal difference, Inter over Napoli, because Napoli get another 1-0 win this time against Venezia. and Not a particularly great performance from Napoli, they really did
00:54:55
Speaker
um struggle to create in this game. i mean They missed a penalty by Lukaku and it took until the 79th minute from Raspidori who might even leave in January to to to finally win the game for Napoli. They got the win but not not a good performance from Napoli at all.
00:55:17
Speaker
No, it absolutely was not a good performance. Lukaku missed a penalty, or I don't know if he missed a penalty if Stankovic saved it. Well, Stankovic literally saved it, but it wasn't a good penalty. to but No, it wasn't a good penalty, or every penalty that doesn't go in isn't a good penalty. but I'm so impressed by Stankovic, the past, you know, how well he's improved um and how well he, you know, how how how how many how many strides, how big of a strides he's taken the last two, three seasons, um and how he's made that number one spot of an Etzie zone and as as a shot stopper, how good he is and how imposing he is and how much
Napoli's Defensive Prowess and Struggles
00:56:00
Speaker
character he does. And what I like in a goalkeeper is someone who
00:56:03
Speaker
has character and dominates the area who who who takes control of his defenders and his defense in his area. and And he really does that for such a young age, so it's really, really impressive. um But if we look if we talk about Napoli, then look, they had an XG of 1.97. They had four you know four, five big chances. I think they had 25 shots in total.
00:56:27
Speaker
um so So, you know, they did create or they did try to create. The problem is like it usually looks like with contest sides this year or at this point of the season. It looks boring, dry, limpy, but they get the job done. But I do want to give credence to and I do want to validate the argument that many people make, that yes, you continue to win despite not playing well and you're not impressing.
00:56:56
Speaker
And this isn't sustainable. I do agree with people who say that. I think it would be unfair and disingenuous not to validate that argument, because if if if there isn't if it doesn't start unblocking, like it usually does in February onwards for content teams,
00:57:14
Speaker
then they're not going to then they're not going to win the title. but so So we need to just wait. I think February, you know if he doesn't start, if Conte's Napoli doesn't start,
00:57:27
Speaker
looking like Contes Napoli, like Contes teams usually do when it becomes much more fluid, when it becomes much more, you know, when when the key players really start shining and and and and coming into their own. that That's what I'm waiting for, February, January, February, like end of January, you know, from from the mid-January from the Atalanta game and onwards when they've got Atalanta, Juve, Roma, three in a row. um but that's what That's what I'm looking at. um But Other than that, you know there's not much to say. It's Venezia at home. It's a late win again, ah which builds belief and and confidence.
00:58:09
Speaker
and Konta thrives off of these kinds of fiery wins where his substitute comes on and scores the winner and runs into the crowd and he's running down the sidelines. what i mean like he's the kind That's the kind of group he wants to lead, a group of fired up people.
00:58:26
Speaker
um because he that's how he is. um So, you know, it's it's ah it's ah it's an important win. It's a clean sheet. um They've only conceded 12 goals in 18 games. That's the best in the Serie A.
00:58:41
Speaker
um And he, you know, and and if you take into consideration that four of those 12 came against, was it was it, wasn't it Hellas, not four, but three, was three sorry. yeah Like three came in the opening game against Hellas Verona. it just And then, of course, three against Atalanta. So half of those girls coming half of the girl is conceded coming in two games. that's That's a very good place to be um for for this project.
00:59:09
Speaker
Yeah and of course they go they're now joint top with Atalanta although in so when they came in handy and so we'll go top two points ahead of both Atalanta and Napoli and the rest of the Serie A weekend fixtures, Empoli 1, Genoa 2, Parma 2, Monza 1, Udenezer 2, Torino 2 and then we've got on Monday, Como Lecce and Bologna against Verona. Okay.
00:59:38
Speaker
I just want to just one comment there, Torino Ricci scoring, Empoli, sorry, Udenessa continue to to not lose um and get points.
Balotelli and Genoa: Coaching Changes and Impact
00:59:48
Speaker
And Balotelli's tenure come almost coming to an end at Genoa after Viera took over. Who knew? Who knew? Who could have possibly guessed that? Yeah, yeah he's only got scraps off the bench. And and and of course, Monza, despite the the the coaching change, they they lose.
01:00:08
Speaker
I wonder if... Once I don't get relegated now, I don't know what you think about that, but it's starting to smell, Sadie. Well, the they've got 10 points and they're they are five points from safety, but but ah from Hellas and Kormor, who have a game in hand. So yeah, they they've they've got to be careful with it because they're starting to drift. They could soon be too far away if they're not they not careful. Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. OK, let's finish off with Badjo, Prem Face and Sadie Ass of the Week.
01:00:40
Speaker
Okay, so bad show of the week. Nimav, what you got? I have to go with Rama's goal, like the movement of Big's back, he'll flick to Di Bala's one time finish with the wrong foot. It was stunning. I love that. I love goals like that. When you combine scare me with individual brilliance and skill is just, you know, that's just a plausible round. it was wonderful It was a wonderful goal.
01:01:09
Speaker
um So for me, that that was the bad joke of the week. I'm going to go for De Gea's save from Vlovich, which was just just insane. One, one hand, but such a strong hand. ah Prem face of the week. and I've got one, nothing to do with Italian football. This is absolutely insane. Made more so because I absolutely detest these two weirdos. So Chrissy Teigen and John Legend. ah with The musician John Legend. Yep. Okay.
01:01:37
Speaker
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend went to watch Arsenal vs Ipswich in the Premier League this week or last week um and Chrissy Teigen wore a Chelsea chelsea shirt with an Ipswich scarf. She claimed in an interview given at the end of the game that she thought Chelsea and Ipswich were the same team and it was a complete it was ah it was a complete car crash. Go Blue! yeah It was a complete car crash of an interview where it was clearly it was so ah clear that they both had no idea about football at all. They did not have a clue. And so they were getting... What the That's the wife of of John Legend. ah okay She's a complete weirdo. um She got cancelled um a few years ago because it came to light some tweets, all these tweets that she'd been tweeting about.
01:02:33
Speaker
sort of like 10, 15 years ago where she was basically ogling over little young kids. Ew. yeah Let me just say that. ah You can Google it. It's all on record. You can all see it. like And she's getting excited about, oh, I love this little kid, what they wear. It was disgusting. It's actually disgusting. So the fact that they're even interviewing this woman is prem face enough. I have no idea who this woman is. she that She's the wife of John. No, I know now, but I've never like I've I don't but then again, I don't really I don't know. It's funny because I don't I'm so out of this.
01:03:06
Speaker
bubble they've they've created of these celebrities. Yeah, I'm so out of it. i was i i was watching i was followed I was just randomly scrolling on Instagram and I see these people with like millions of followers And I don't have a bloody idea who any of the half of them are. yeah I've never heard of half of them. and And it's like I had no idea about that. yeah But that wearing an Ipswich car scarf, thinking they're Chelsea, i i she should be Bad Joe of the Week. like That's genius. They're blue. um and And I can just hear this like dumb chick voice saying it as well. like
01:03:45
Speaker
oh my god it's you know this this kind of oh well you know they're blue and i like the color and you know what i mean like that but kind of cheerleader voice yeah like i guess it everybody was ripping her and then she she she went on a she got really like angry that everybody was taking the piss out of her and then she went on like this social media rampage afterwards like trying to prove to people that she she does know about football and like she posted a picture of her like when she was like 15 like in the football boots on saying see all those people oh you're you're joking yeah you why do you not send these things to me like this is what you
01:04:22
Speaker
to me no this is oh my god this is so funny yeah so that's funny yeah that's the premise of the week and said yes it has to be in Milan I'm sorry but the the situation the Milan's directors and the way they've handled everything from well from for the last six months at least from the how Ponce Fonseca was handled to how they have behave towards him to to to just to the fans, that just everything about them, about how they've handled on the pitch has been just one giant Seria ass after another. um And it really, they, they I hope for Milan's sake and also for Italian football's sake that they get their shit together because Seria in Italian football needs a Milan whose house is in order.
01:05:16
Speaker
We need a Milan v Juve v Imto title race. It's good for the Serie A. We haven't had that in a long time. Yeah. Well, not going to happen this season. That's for sure. It's not going to happen this season. Right. Let's leave it at that. Thank you everybody for listening. and We will see you in the new year. um Everybody have a great and New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. and Let's hope for everyone that 2025 is a great year for you all and for the world as well. That would be nice. um But yeah, until next time, ciao ciao.