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Juve Stun Atleti, Roma Sack Di Francesco, and the Milan Derby Preview (Ep. 7)
155 Plays6 years ago
The Serie A Show's Chloe Beresford, John Solano, and Nima Tavalley review Juve's comeback victory over Atletico, the drama at Roma, Lazio and Fiorentina's draw, the race for the Europa League, and preview this weekend's Derby della Madonnina.
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Transcript
Juventus vs Atletico Madrid Recap
00:00:01
Speaker
Welcome to the City Ass Show! And we are back. It is another edition of the City Ass Show. Thank you so much everyone for joining us. Guys, I'm glad we held off a day of doing our usual recording because
00:00:28
Speaker
the Calcho gods gifted us an absolutely spectacular performance from Juve. What did you guys make of that yesterday Chloe and Nima? I was stunned because all three of us were we had our trepidations about Juve's ability to come back. Absolutely. Yeah it was it was uh totally unexpected. I mean I think I think we said last week that
00:00:53
Speaker
You do have that, even though it seems really unlikely, you do have that little bit reserved just to say that you could never say never with them. But I didn't expect them to come out so positively after everything seems to have been so negative over the last few weeks.
00:01:11
Speaker
right from the word go they were on the front foot and they were just every single thing about them were so impressive and you know obviously Ronaldo got the three goals but and whilst he was the driving force it wasn't just him there were some great performances from Emre Chan, Federico Bernadeschi and Spinat Sol are impressed on the left hand side as well
00:01:37
Speaker
To be honest, it was great to see because we want an Italian team to go through as far as they can.
00:01:46
Speaker
I was absolutely stunned by Spinazzola. Nima, what did you make of the Spanish side, though? I was... Listen, you mentioned it on the last episode, how compact they are. They really clog up the midfield. They're very organized at the back. I have to tell you, I was absolutely astonished at the level of possession. They were willing to gift Juve. I thought that was...
00:02:09
Speaker
the totally wrong approach. At one point, I think the possession was almost up to 80% in the first half for Juve. I mean, to me, what a poor approach they took. Yeah, but for me, I got to be honest, after the first leg, Alegli was quite justifiably and quite correctly, completely slated for his
00:02:31
Speaker
his poor approach and his wrong tactics playing right into Simeone's hand, but what a comeback by him because he, I mean, Juve completely, allegedly completely tactically outclassed Simeone yesterday. No matter what Simeone did,
00:02:48
Speaker
Alegri was in complete control. Juve was a perfectly executed and perfectly planned match. Juve needed to score but they never felt rushed, they never felt panicked, they were never frantic.
00:03:02
Speaker
It was controlled performance from minute one to minute 95. And you could see, I mean, when he made that change, when he brought Spinazzola off for Di Bala, hello, Mr. Freud, when he brought him off for Di Bala, that was when the game was, when Atletico were starting to, he worked their way a little bit back
Allegri's Tactical Masterclass
00:03:24
Speaker
into the game. He switches things up once more.
00:03:26
Speaker
And then, you know, sure, Simeone's plan was to concede possession, but also pack everything in and allow Juva not to go get it, go anywhere. Allegedly completely, you know, completely overran him. The movement from Juva's midfielder, I mean, Bernard Eski yesterday, that was the best game he's ever had in his life that I've ever seen.
00:03:53
Speaker
Matuidi was all over the place. Emre Chan, who's been ripped to shreds. That was his best performance I've seen before his injury at Liverpool. He got everything spot on. He got every single player to buy into how to play. And Keilini was the best defender in the world yesterday. In my opinion, when you get everything so spot on, and every single player in your team
00:04:20
Speaker
gives one hundred and ten percent and has a fantastic performance, some of them the best performances of their careers, that to me suggests that it's a tactical outclass, it's a masterclass, tactical masterclass and Allegri, I've been a fan of his and wow, what a performance his side gave yesterday and it's all down to him if you ask me.
00:04:45
Speaker
I agree. I thought, I was surprised at the level of scrutiny Allegri has come under. Obviously they were very, very, very poor in the first leg. And I think all three of us mentioned that had Atletico scored that third goal. I think we're looking at a much different outcome on an entirely different tie. And lo and behold, that goal that they didn't get came back to haunt them.
00:05:11
Speaker
Chloe, what did you think of just Allegri in general? Because again, it sort of seems like what they do in the league is almost irrelevant anymore. And to an extent, that's rightfully so. They're just so much more superior than anybody else at Serie A in the moment. But
00:05:29
Speaker
What do you make of all the criticism he's received recently? Because I think he's been really, really unfairly criticized. Yeah, I think a lot of people that you see commenting on things on Twitter, I think they deal in absolutes.
00:05:43
Speaker
you know, either there's a defeat and, you know, Allegra is like the worst guy in the world or when they win, you know, he's the greatest coach ever. I think, you know, a lot of people don't see the sort of shades in between that.
00:05:59
Speaker
And, you know, in that first leg, he did get it spectacularly wrong. And in the following league match against Bologna as well, they were awful. And, you know, as we mentioned on a previous podcast, they were very, very lucky to come off with a 1-0 win. And after that match, Allegri said, we're going to be El Thatica Madrid. You know, that's what he just came out and said. And to be honest, after two terrible performances, he made himself look a bit ridiculous for saying that.
00:06:31
Speaker
But I think that he genuinely believed that they were going to do it. And you've got to give him the credit he deserves for that absolute, like Neema said, a complete masterclass last night. But that doesn't mean to say that he wasn't awful in the first place because he was. Exactly. One thing doesn't exclude the other, does it?
00:06:55
Speaker
No, no, he was, but you know, everybody has, everybody has bad days, you know, in such a high stakes environment. So it's always a chance you're going to make a spectacular era and, and, you know, perhaps
00:07:11
Speaker
perhaps that it went so badly wrong has actually given him the shock that he needed to stop being so cautious and you know you can't say anything about last night was cautious they completely went for it and Athletico they defended really really well in the first period and I thought oh it's going to be you know hard for them to get through but again like Nima said they were very patient and
00:07:40
Speaker
It was almost as if, even if Athletico had planned to go out and attack and to try and take the upper hand, I don't think Juve would have allowed that to happen because they were so in control. I just think with Allegri, it's definitely a case of giving credit where credit's due and to discuss it on a case-by-case basis. If you look at the overall picture, Allegri is a brilliant coach, he's a brilliant guy.
00:08:10
Speaker
But that doesn't mean he's immune to criticism just as, you know, last night warranted absolute praise. Yeah. I mean, that's the thing though. I mean, there was one guy who tweeted at me yesterday and I couldn't stop laughing because I found it ridiculous.
Ronaldo's Influence and Impact
00:08:25
Speaker
Obviously saying that Diego Simeone is an overrated coach and it's like,
00:08:30
Speaker
No, he's not. He just got it wrong in one game. In fact, if anything, if you look at his entire career, when Real Madrid and Barcelona have been at a galactic level, he's dethroned them in every single competition domestically, and he's been to two Champions League finals.
00:08:53
Speaker
I mean, and he's won the Europa League twice. I mean, he's won everything with Asletico, except for the Champions League. And he's built them into a European powerhouse. And he's no, he's not overrated. He just had a bad game yesterday. Just the same way that Allegri had the game before. I mean, I read somewhere that Allegri had said that
00:09:12
Speaker
that when Lemar missed that chance in the first leg, that was when Allegri reportedly said on the sideline, that miss is the reason we're going to go through. I mean, that's how tiny these, you know, that's how small of margins of error that is needed at this level. We're talking, you know, we're talking world-class athletes.
00:09:35
Speaker
and it's about performing on that day and Allegri got it all right and his Tjouve got it all right that day and I mean we've got to say I mean Cristiano Ronaldo I mean it's just
00:09:47
Speaker
you know the man has scored 123 goals in the Champions League. I saw a list that he's scored 63 at the group stage and 61 in the knockout stage. I mean he's scored well what is it like more than 85% of the teams that have participated in this league that in this tournament he scored more than them
00:10:09
Speaker
together, even. I mean, it's just insane. It's insane, isn't it? I mean, that's why they bought him and to give them that extra edge. And you could see that yesterday was the first time since he came to Juve that he showed that he's that player that they bought. It was an absolutely magical performance by him. And for me, now Juve are the clear favorites for in this tournament. If they can play like that, they can wipe the floor with anyone.
00:10:39
Speaker
And I think it's not just his own personal performances either. I think it's the fact that because he's so great, he lifts everybody around him. You see a lot of individual stars that have maybe always been super talented.
00:10:59
Speaker
they just kind of focus on themselves and you know that's fine because they're amazing and but Ronaldo he does buy into the whole team thing and that he doesn't need the players around him and
00:11:15
Speaker
I saw a little video of him encouraging everybody in the tunnel as they came back out after half time and I think that's a very important aspect of his game. In the Euros when Portugal were, he had to come off in the final and he was on the sidelines encouraging all his team mates even though he had to come off and eventually they wouldn't.
00:11:38
Speaker
I think that's something that's also really important about him and another string to U of A's bow at the moment.
00:11:47
Speaker
Yeah, I agree. I saw that video. It's great. If you're on Twitter, I recommend looking forward. It's fantastic. Also, his gesture post-match making fun of Simeone was top level. But I mean, you know, makes my petty level. I mean, as a very petty individual, that's a man after my own heart. That's sensational stuff.
00:12:11
Speaker
yeah me too no but the thing is i agree with that because he he you know when when what's his uh when when he you know when we'll see me on it did that to me it's like well you know if you're gonna if you're gonna do it you should take it uh you should be you know if you dish it if you can dish it out you should be able to take it and i found his comments really petty afterwards saying you know that's that's his you know he wanted to do that because i did that that speaks to his character well
00:12:39
Speaker
Why did you do that then? I mean, what are we talking about? Like, you know, if you're going to be cocky, if you, you know, you should, you know, you should be, if you diss it out, you should be able to take it. Yeah, he was absolute. Listen, a lot of people, when he was brought in this summer, they scoffed at the price, given his age, which let's be, let's be honest with ourselves. I mean, most of us would scoff at that.
00:13:03
Speaker
had your club or any other club purchased a player of that age for that amount of money. But this is not any other player. This is one of the best of all time. And he delivered. I don't want to say he justified his price tag with that because you obviously have higher ambitions than making
00:13:21
Speaker
you know, just getting past the first knockout, I mean, that's clear, but my goodness, did he deliver on everything they ever could have hoped for. That was a sensational performance. Guys, one of the other talking points that I found interesting was the exclusion of Dibala from the starting formation of Allegri.
Dybala's Role and Future at Juventus
00:13:41
Speaker
What did you two think about that? Because it certainly, in my opinion, was a noteworthy talking point. I think, you know,
00:13:50
Speaker
DiBala has performed poorly and there have been a lot of games where he's just been wandering around the pitch and he's just not contributing enough, whether that's
00:14:06
Speaker
You know, I think obviously that's partly to do with his position kind of clashing with the way that Ronaldo wants to play in that front three and it doesn't really work and all of that. But I do think he doesn't seem to have that determination, that mentality of, right, I'm going to make this work no matter what. You know, he seems to come on and he's just like, yeah, la, la, la, la. You know, he's not really 100% committed.
00:14:35
Speaker
you know, Bernard Eske, you know, I have to say that he really is the opposite. He's, he's willing to do anything and he's, he's clearly takes instruction from Ronaldo and wants to, to get the best out of his teammate, who's obviously a bigger style than him. But I think maybe DiBala has got his nose a bit pushed out of joint. I don't, you know, I don't know, that's just a guess. But I think that
00:15:05
Speaker
Well, you can't argue with the result that actually having Bernard Eschion worked better than starting with Dibala. I mean, for me, Dibala is a favorite player of mine. And I think when we first saw Dibala under Allegri, he took the strides that really, you know, because he played slightly differently. That's the thing about Allegri is that he's very pragmatic. He adapts to the best, to get the best out of what he's got.
00:15:34
Speaker
he's the kind of you know if you were a chef he's the kind of guy that looks into the pantry and says what have I got and then builds makes a fantastic dish best based on what he's got he doesn't need specific ingredients and that I think is his biggest strength.
00:15:50
Speaker
Di Bala didn't, you know, they got to the Champions League final, but they didn't win it. And with, you know, with the players of Bernard Eski coming in and with all the players he's bought, now that he doesn't play the football he did when he first bought Di Bala.
00:16:07
Speaker
And it's clear that there is something that is not, there is not, the feeling between those two isn't there anymore. And if this has been going on, rumors have been going on for years, for about two years now, that Dibala would want to once out from Juventus because of Allegri. And I think, I really think this could happen this summer, because I don't think that
00:16:30
Speaker
He's going to accept being on the bench for much longer. If they win the Champions League and Allegri decides to leave, then I think Diwala could stay. But I don't see those two continuing their relationship much longer beyond this season.
00:16:49
Speaker
because Dibala is in the beginning of his career. He wants to be the focal point. He wants to have the team built around him. And I don't see that happening if Allegri stays. Not as long as Cristiano Ronaldo is there, not as long as Bernard Eski, this talk of... I mean, if they buy someone like Sergei Milinkovich-Savitch as well, he's just surplus the requirements. But I'm a big fan of...
00:17:14
Speaker
Dibala. I'd gladly take that swap between him and Iqaladi in a heartbeat. Well, I'm glad we were able to wait a day to record so we could talk more Juve Atletico because had we not, then I think the primary story would have been Roma, which
Roma's Managerial Changes and Future
00:17:38
Speaker
If you want to talk about fatigue I think I've reached my my limit because this past week I don't think I've slept less in my life and that's someone with two very young children with a third on the way Jesus I don't even know what the hell that was his past seven days just feel like a blur
00:17:59
Speaker
It's been weird. Tell me your opinions on this whole thing. Cause I weird like the whole thing has been weird. And then, but I'm really, really happy to see Ranieri back though. I got to say it was weird and it ended. It really had a happy ending, I think, because Ranieri will guide this ship. You know, you'll stop hemorrhaging goals once, you know, I think after the international break is when you can really see, uh, the real Ranieri Roma, because he's just walked in there. He's at home.
00:18:27
Speaker
Um, he's, uh, you know, this, this team was that, that, that's so, so damaged, uh, under, under our dear friend, uh, Jose Bioda de Francesco. Um, I mean, sure, you know, Roma, Roma against Porto, I think we're unlucky, uh, Porto were good, but I think Roma were unlucky. Um, and then you just, Oh, there was a match. Oh, we're not even talking. Okay.
00:18:54
Speaker
No, no, but like all of that happened. I mean, I don't know what, you know, it's been so weird. It's just been really, really weird at Roma. But I think that at the end of the day, it had a happy ending because Claudio Ranieri is exactly what you should have at Roma. Calm, positive.
00:19:16
Speaker
character whose teams don't leak goals, who has organization, who knows that piazza, he knows the club, he knows the city, he loves the club, he's calm, he gets everyone working in the same direction. Basically, the polar opposite of Eusebio di Francesco. To his sulkiness and confusion, there is happiness and clarity now.
00:19:44
Speaker
And I think that is what will ultimately make this Champions League race really, really intriguing.
00:19:52
Speaker
I think it seems to be a great selection for lightening the mood at the club because it seems to, I'm sure you'll agree John, it seems to have been very very dark for the last few months and you know a character like Ranieri will definitely give everyone a lift because that's just how he is and you know
00:20:21
Speaker
Dean Francesco obviously had to go at some point and at least now there's what, 11 games left to salvage the season. And in that period of time, I'm sure he can do what's required of him.
00:20:37
Speaker
yeah i i maintain the second that it was announced that it doesn't even matter frankly what he is able or not able to do tactically you both just mentioned it to me this is beyond this is beyond tactics this is beyond four four two three at the back whatever this is all about enthusiasm
00:20:58
Speaker
This was absolutely needed. This was something that should have happened in December. And Chloe, I have seen three different newspapers a day, unfortunately, say that Difenechesco would be wanted at Fiorentina for the Dopo Pioli.
00:21:14
Speaker
This, while you think you may have escaped the Definite Chesko experience, you may be getting a sort of refreshed and renewed subscription should he arrive at Fiorentina. But beyond the Definite Chesko news, I think the shocking thing was Monchi leaving, which
00:21:38
Speaker
wasn't to me surprising. He's been so attached to Difanechesco that you knew if the club overruled him and decided to sack Difanechesco, Monchi would follow soon. So what did you two think about him leaving as well? Because, listen, everybody knows how I feel about him. I think he's a very nice man. I sent you guys a picture of the text he sent me just after he left.
00:22:03
Speaker
where he misspelled my name. He's misspelled my name the last two years, so it's only fitting that the final text that he sends me, my name, is once again misspelled. But truly, I'm curious as to hear what your opinion is on this double exit at Roma.
00:22:18
Speaker
I agree with that analysis. I think that you're 100% right there. I think they had to get rid of those two together because it just wasn't working. He just got everything wrong at Roma from the first day, pretty much, except for Zagnolo. Everything he's done has been a complete disaster.
00:22:39
Speaker
De Francesco has looked more and more miserable with every passing day, where he's reaching mazzari levels of misery now, which I didn't think was possible for any human being to ever reach, because I think he's the most miserable human being that has ever greased.
00:23:00
Speaker
graced the planet, but De Francesco, they had to do this. And you can immediately see that there was a lightness in their step. I mean, and I think it's a good thing to get rid of whoever, to get rid of Monty and already start working on who they want to bring in.
00:23:21
Speaker
and take a proper hiring process and start building for the summer. I think this is exactly the right time to do it. I think Piero Aussilio, if I'm going to be perfectly honest with you, I 100% give credence to those
00:23:37
Speaker
murmurs that are being spread around the peninsula, that Aussilio could be your next sporting director because I think he fits the identity kit, as the Italians say. Aussilio gets whatever is available with the money he's got for the coach that is there.
00:23:57
Speaker
I think, I think, I think, I'll see Leo has been seven years at Inter. Marotta doesn't seem to like having anyone he wants to have full control. So I really give, give credence to those to that I think I'll see Leo would would would be do a great job at at home as well.
00:24:14
Speaker
Because, you know, he can work. If he can work, you know, the past seven years at Inter, I think everyone, I'm not stretching it when I say it's been complete mayhem and chaos. And he's been the person who's kind of been the calm, cool person that's kind of guided this ship.
00:24:34
Speaker
throughout storms and I think Roma, if you're looking to build a new project and a new coach and all that, I think he should be your sporting director. His contacts, his vast contacts, he's good at dealing, he's got a great eye for young Italian talent
00:24:50
Speaker
No, I really think he's your next sporting director, I really do think so. I think quite often when there's a problem identified in a football club, too often those in charge kind of hedge their bets a little bit and don't really make the necessary changes because they're afraid of what the press might say, what the fans might say.
00:25:14
Speaker
and you know they kind of go with a bit of a softly softly approach and you know whilst it probably is quite unusual to let your sporting director go when the season is in progress as well as the coach I think for Roma again I agree with you both that
00:25:30
Speaker
it was important to make that clean break to say, right, that was wrong. We made a mistake with that, but that's over now. Draw the line and let's move on. And I think too often that problems in a football club can carry over between coaches because not enough has been done to stop the rot and to make the change. So I think it was quite a brave move, but I think it was the right one.
00:25:58
Speaker
Yeah, I think it was the right one too. For their next sporting director, I do think it's going to be the current interim Ricky Massada with Federico Bazzaretti along by his side. That's what I'm hearing. That's what I do think inevitably happens, but we'll have to see.
00:26:18
Speaker
As for manager, because Ranieri, it's been very clear that he will not stay beyond June. The name everybody seems to be pointing to, and I know you two really like this guy, is Santor is Gianpaolo. So how do you think you would fit in at the club, as far as the players that are already there, players they could potentially bring in, just the club in general? Because he plays such a distinctive 4312.
00:26:43
Speaker
Roma has amazing wingers, and I think that would be a misuse of that talent that Roma have, because I don't think the Roma squad is that poor. I mean, aside from the goalkeeper, which is an absolute disaster that Monchi created, that will resolve pretty quickly, easily. I think Kanye is a safe bet for Roma, and he's young, and I think your goalkeeping situation is sorted.
00:27:14
Speaker
and what needs to be done is the defense and I mean if you're looking for defensive solidity Marco Gianpaolo is not your man he's you know his you know this is a club you're looking for a guy that can give you solidity and my biggest critique to Gianpaolo has been this kind of thing where he can build you know it's going really well and they look unbeatable and then for five games they can lose
00:27:44
Speaker
seven nil or completely hemorrhage goals and look unwatchable. And I don't think that that's a guy that Roma needs. I think Roma needs stability. I think Roma as a club, as a piazza, they need a guy that can handle and lift the team during, you know, in terms of stability. And I don't think Gianpaolo is that guy. I honestly don't think that he can take it at a heated place like Roma. No, I think
00:28:14
Speaker
in a way, although I like him, I think it would be a bit of a de-Fantasco-esque move. He's done really good things in Serie A at some slightly lower level clubs, not that Sampdoria are lower level, but they're not that very top portion of clubs that they don't have the ambitions of Roma.
00:28:40
Speaker
you know, to just put him in, you could find another De Francesco situation where he's just not up to it. And, you know, he's not proven at that level. And, you know, it needs to be somebody where it's not yet another gamble, yet another sort of, well, this guy looks good at sample. Let's try him and see if he's any good. I just don't think that's the right idea. I agree. I agree.
00:29:07
Speaker
I agree 110% with you there, Chloe. For me, it is exactly the Francesco 2.0. And I think that would be a shame because I really like Sampdoria under Gianpaolo. I really like Gianpaolo. I love the football they play. I think he should stay there. If anything, if he were to leave, I'd rather see Gianpaolo if you're in Tino there.
00:29:32
Speaker
because I think that with the players Fiorentin I've got that suits him much more and also the Piazza Florence is a similar place to Genoa and in that case I'd rather see him do that but I definitely don't think
00:29:49
Speaker
I think it would be a shame for Roma, it would be a shame for himself. Yeah, because we don't, you know, nobody wants to see his reputation spoiled in the way that De Francesco's has been, because, you know, I think we would probably, before Roma, that we would probably all have said that we actually think he was good and he played nice football at Sasrollo and they were good to watch. So, and now he's in a situation where really,
00:30:16
Speaker
His chance of managing another top club is going to be probably a long time coming now because of what's happened Oh, it won't happen. It won't happen. I mean he in my opinion the Francesco will is we're talking Bologna or That's the kind of club. He will have to restart now and I don't see him as
00:30:35
Speaker
going to any of the top five, top six teams. So if you could choose an ideal replacement, then Roma, who are just a couple of names because Maorizzi, you're sorry. In Roma, everything they do. I have been, you know, as a friend, a colleague and friend who lives in Italy said, when I tweeted that my dream for Roma was sorry. And then that three days after that rumor started, she's like,
00:31:02
Speaker
I swear to God you started this rumor. I've been hammering beating on the salary drum to Roma for a long time now and I think that would be the ideal solution for Roma. I think that would be fantastic for him. It would be fantastic for Roma. You've got the players, you've got the midfielders to do. All you need is a goalkeeper and Giorginio. That's it. If he leads, Giorginio won't stay at Chelsea.
00:31:26
Speaker
So he'll join you. And I think with the midfielders you've got, with the Kizaniolos, the Chistantes, even a player like Florencie, because I think he would play centrally, not as a fullback, that would be ideal. And then all you do is need is a goalkeeper. And get rid of Juan Quezús, who I sometimes call Juan Quezús, especially Juan Quezús.
00:31:54
Speaker
I mean, Jesus, that own goal he scored yesterday. Spectacular. Only he is capable of that. It was the most beautiful goal I have ever seen. No, not ever, but in a very, very long time. It was it's one of those things that you see in lower level, lower leagues like Sunday Leads when somebody just like, you know, I chuckled a lot. And like for me, Juan is just.
00:32:20
Speaker
You know, no, no, no. Like you need to get rid of this guy. And Sarri, Sarri would be ideal because the football he plays, the ability this man has to withstand pressure. I mean, Naples and Rome are very similar in that sense. And if you can handle Napoli, you can handle Roma. And the football he plays suits Roma's tradition, Roma's history. No, for me, it's a no brainer.
00:32:50
Speaker
And I also think that, honestly, if Sari came, it would also increase De Rossi's career. It would extend it. Because I think that De Rossi would be schooled into a central defender.
00:33:02
Speaker
because he's the kind of central defender that Sarri likes, an intelligent defender that can play the ball well. And De Rossi's got the intelligence to be able to play, to adapt, I think. So no, for me, it's just Maurizio Sarri, Maurizio Sarri, Maurizio Sarri. Yeah, I have to say I agree. You know, I think, you know, a place like Roma, the supporters want
00:33:27
Speaker
want to be entertained. Obviously, there are certain, there are certain targets that they need to achieve, but Sarri's proved with Napoli that he, you know, okay, he didn't win the league, but he achieved all the targets that at the moment that Roma want to achieve. And yeah, I just, I think it would be a really good fit. And he's that, he bridges that gap in between someone like Di Francesco, because
00:33:56
Speaker
he's actually had experience at a top level club. I mean, he came from MP straight to Napoli and proved that he could handle it and tolerate it. He's already done that. So, you know, that's immediately put him ahead of the likes of Gianpaolo or whoever else like that. Well, getting to the fixtures this past weekend, Chloe, you warned me not to get my hopes up for Fiorentina getting anything off Lazio, but
Fiorentina's Challenges and Prospects
00:34:25
Speaker
Lo and behold, I was worried in the onset because in the beginning Fiodentina I thought were very, very poor. I thought they started terribly. But Muriel, another goal to his name, I thought in the second half, I thought Fiodentina were going to pull that one. Yeah, I mean the first half was completely one-sided if they were just, yeah, if it wasn't to the standing goalkeeper,
00:34:50
Speaker
I just I don't think I think it could have been three or four nil maybe even at half time because like you say if you're into it were very very poor but I think in the second half they came back into it a little bit you drop the Gerson back into the midfield and they just they just look better in the second half
00:35:14
Speaker
Nouriel, I genuinely don't know where Fiorentina would be if they hadn't assigned him in January because he's been that player that can get a goal out of nothing. And without that, I think we would have been seriously, seriously struggling because at times the
00:35:32
Speaker
the play is just not enough to get a goal. But it was an interesting tactical battle in the second half. I thought, you know, each coach was kind of making a little move and then Fiorentina would have a good five minutes and then Lazio would. And, you know, it wasn't sort of incident filled, but it was very, very interesting to watch what was sort of happening. And it was a bit like a chess game almost.
00:36:00
Speaker
So yeah, I didn't expect to get a point, but I guess that's what a player like Muriel does for you. I love this man. I love Luis Muriel. And I think that the similarities with Brazilian Ronaldo are just so, I mean, at times, he literally looks like him when he runs with the ball at his feet. I thought you were body shaming him for a minute.
00:36:29
Speaker
What current version of Brazilian Ronaldo shot me? Yeah, no, God, I saw something on his Instagram and I was like, Jesus, great.
00:36:36
Speaker
Yeah, I'm no vogue supermodel myself, but I mean, Jesus. I love my carbs. But, yeah, no, seriously. But his movement and his intelligence and his finishing and his class, it would be so interesting to see what Fiorentina next season will do with this trio if they keep him.
00:37:02
Speaker
Right now, if it were up to me, I'd send Mauro Icardi and Ivan Perisic for Federico Chiesa and Paolo Di Bala in a heartbeat. Can we just include Benassi in the deal? Yeah, actually we can because I like Benassi. I know you don't. It's a pleasure.
00:37:23
Speaker
The thing is, I remember this, I watched him a lot when he was launched onto the scene by Samachoni at Inter and I really, really liked what I saw and he started as a regista and now he's kind of a Metzala and he scores a lot of goals and I know you don't like him.
00:37:39
Speaker
But for me, he just doesn't do anything else. He just doesn't contribute. He just goes missing and he doesn't hold his position properly. And it makes me despair. He really does. I know what you mean, but I think that's more to do with Peole. I guess.
00:38:01
Speaker
There's been a lot in the media to say he gave a bit of a strange press conference about his future was not really decided and there's been a lot of speculation that he will leave in the summer. I think he will.
00:38:23
Speaker
purentina are way too good to be where they are yeah yeah i love the guy i love the guy but he's just he isn't good enough and um you sound exactly like i did when i had purely at inta absolutely love the guy yeah a lovely person but he's just not good enough no
00:38:44
Speaker
And, you know, I also think that after the sort of the one-year anniversary of David A. Storey's death and everything that's come with that, I actually think that
00:38:59
Speaker
as brilliant as he has been throughout the whole thing. And I just have so much respect for how he's handled himself and how he handled the young players with their grief and everything. I actually think that the club now need him to go so that everybody can kind of start to rebuild and move on. I think it needs a bit of a clean break from what happened because as awful as it is, he is a reminder of what happened.
00:39:27
Speaker
And I think the need to now try and look to the future. And I think, you know, just for that reason, you know, alone, it needs a new start, really.
00:39:40
Speaker
Yeah, I do think Fiona and Tina are far too good to be in the position that they are. I mean, correct me if I'm wrong. Well, I should pull up the table. OK, so I was right. So they do lead the entire league in draws. They have 13, which is insane, which at the end of the season, I mean, that's over a third of your matches being draws. That is crazy. So, yeah, I do think they need to upgrade. And again, Deef and Francesco being linked to that is pretty daunting.
00:40:08
Speaker
That to me is insane because you're just basically getting a coach that is on the same level as Pioli and has all the same defects. It just makes absolutely no sense. Obviously, he's much more of a miserable person than Pioli is.
00:40:24
Speaker
but as a character and personality-wise, but I just don't understand that. To me, Fiorentina should get someone that can shore up that defence, because the attack is sensational. I mean, can they just get someone to stabilise that midfield centrally? Because you can drive a tank through that. You can actually land a airplane. We need a midfield expert to come in, I think.
00:40:49
Speaker
Yeah, a central midfield. It's the lines centrally that are just non-existent. And if you can sort that out. It's scary where they could go if they had a proper midfield. I mean if they can keep the three up there and just get a coach that can sort out
00:41:09
Speaker
defensively and centrally, Fiona and Tina for me are good enough to be in the top five without a doubt. The scariest name I heard linked with the job was Rolando Moran. Oh no, please no. I mean that would be the ultimate proof that the De La Valle brothers just don't care.
00:41:30
Speaker
It's just they don't care anymore. And, you know, the one of one of the which one is the one that has a tantrum and they've got two one that has a tantrum and one that never speaks. Diego de la Valle never speaks. And Andrea de la Valle is the one who stamped the state. That's the one because I always mix them up now because because because he I don't know how many times I've heard Andrea de la Valle say that he wants to build a new stadium. They're going to go in for it. Then five minutes later, he's going to sell. He's not even going to show up.
00:41:58
Speaker
They're named every year on the rich list that's produced of the world's top billionaires or whatever it is. They're named on that list every single year, but yet the team has to finance itself. They just don't put the money in. For me, it's not even about putting the money in. It's about if you're that rich, you do have the context.
00:42:21
Speaker
you know, put some time in it, you know, put some effort and time into it or sell it, sell it on because this is just ridiculous. The thing was they put it up for so much money that nobody wanted to buy anyway.
00:42:33
Speaker
Yeah, exactly. Well, we had, Nima, I think they tweeted you and I, but someone lamented that we don't talk enough about some of the mid-table sides in Serie A. So I wanted to do that now only because we actually have, we talk a lot about the champions like race, we talk about Roma, Milan, and Inter.
Torino's Rise in Serie A
00:42:52
Speaker
But there's actually a nice little race going on for the Europa League as well. Listen, I know you guys like to make fun of him, but Matsari, what he's done with Torino. Yeah, incredible. Spectacular. No, but I mean, it's fantastic. I mean, he's done exactly what at Torino, what I want someone to do at Fiorentina, because I think Fiorentina have better attacking options than Torino. And that is that he, you know, Matsari
00:43:20
Speaker
his his football is basically um is anti-football in the sense that he he locks the games up and then he counts on his attacking trio the three tenors at Napoli to to work the magic for him up front um and at at um and at Torino it's Bellotti and it's um
00:43:44
Speaker
to produce the magic, and they have, because they don't concede a lot of goals, they don't hemorrhage a lot, and sometimes they can do really, really well when going forward. I mean, only five losses, 11 draws, 11 wins.
00:43:57
Speaker
That's really impressive for Torino. Five losses? I mean, that's less than Roma, that's less than Inter. Absolutely. And that's only one more than Milan and Napoli. Exactly. That's sensational. That's fantastic. And you've got to give credit to that. And they've conceded 23 goals, which is one more than Inter and two more than Napoli. They're the fourth best team in terms of conceding goals. And that is all Mazzari.
00:44:26
Speaker
You know, but the problem is that this is this is the level that he will reach he can't he cannot retire because when it comes to because he doesn't know how to
00:44:36
Speaker
how to play attacking football. He needs brilliant, you know, he, I mean, Napoli was basically give the ball to Cavani, Latz, Lavetsi and Hamshik and let them do what they want. And that's what happened. And it can go really far. And at Torino, I think he's doing really well. I think his time is well there, really, then. You think he's... Yeah, that's where he should be. This is where Matlavi should be. Torino is the perfect place for him to be
00:45:04
Speaker
you know, Europa League play says, you know, I'd like to see, I mean, they've got Cairo as the owner, who, I mean, if you're talking about Otto Financiato, that's, that's basically Cairo's, that's how he runs that club, which is a shame. It's, you know, I'd like to see them maybe not, maybe not go gung-ho in terms of,
00:45:26
Speaker
in terms of, you know, spending wise, but I'd like to, you know, a player, you know, someone who can give them an extra player, and then you could see Torino maybe going quite far in the Europa League, perhaps, and be in those. That would be great to see, actually, because they're such a historic club, and, you know, it would be really good. I have to mention as well, the foremost, the goalkeeper, Salvatore Siregou, has been superb, and I think this is a big reason why they've conceded
00:45:55
Speaker
so few goals because he has been excellent. I mean, when we, you know, as everyone knows, I'm a big fan of sporting directors and I think Torino is an excellent example of that.
00:46:08
Speaker
I think, you know, they had Petraki, who was their sporting director. I'm not sure if he's still there, but he's the one who got Matsari. He's the one who got Sirigo. He's the one that has built this
00:46:26
Speaker
this team and he always gets it right. He's very good at what he does, he's great at spotting young talent, he's great at finding coaches and building an organisation that can
00:46:45
Speaker
that i can i can do that and also maybe get you know sign players that didn't really make it at big clubs like a yahitch or a yago falke at romaninta respectively and get them to perform um he's good at building teams he's really he's really really good at building teams and i think petraki he's one of those he's one of those uh sporting directors that i really really love
00:47:08
Speaker
Yeah, and you also have right in that mix, Atalanta, who would an episode with Gasparini.
Atalanta and Europa League Predictions
00:47:18
Speaker
This is why Serie A is the best. You just don't see this anywhere else. Gasparini was caught pushing a member of Sampdoria's coaching staff after being sent off, or maybe it was a backroom staff member, I forget. But nonetheless,
00:47:37
Speaker
Absolutely sensational. Nowhere else outside of Serie A where you find this. This is why we love the league. But Atalanta, they're the level on points with Torino, Lazio with the game in hand. They are just two points behind Torino and Atalanta respectively. So with that sort of Europa League race being fairly tight, just as tight as the Champions League race, who would you guys like to see and who do you think will eventually come out?
00:48:04
Speaker
I think or what I hope is that Roma and Torino
00:48:15
Speaker
Well, I'm not going to sit here and say I hope in to go to the Europa Ligurai. Come on. It's not going to happen, John. No, but honest to God, you know, what I think will happen is I think it will be Roma and Torino, but I do hope that it will be Atalanta and Roma because
00:48:40
Speaker
I really like Atalanta. But at the end of the day, I think given that the Copa Italia is the way that it is, the semi-final teams, I think that the ideal solution, Atalanta would win the Copa Italia and then they get their local league spot that way and roll my opinion on it. It is coming to annoy me, I'm done here.
00:49:07
Speaker
I mean, I honestly think that the only team that can beat Milan in a final, or Lazio for that matter, because I think that is the moral final in terms of those two teams are the way they look and the way they defend.
00:49:24
Speaker
I think the only thing that can beat both of those teams is Atalanta. I think Pioli will just hemorrhage against a team like Lazio or Milan in the final. So that's why I'm putting my money on Atalanta. Chloe. After Nima just shit on both of you.
00:49:45
Speaker
There was no shame. You want my Europa League predictions? Yes. Yeah, okay. Sorry, I got distracted. Okay, I think... And this is not just, you know, taking revenge on Nima, but I think into us slipping. They are, they are. So, possibly into and...
00:50:12
Speaker
It's hard to say between Torino and Atalanta at the moment because Torino are very steady but Atalanta have kind of more attacking talent so it's hard to call so you probably have to say Atalanta.
00:50:25
Speaker
Well, we'll see how it eventually plays out, but if we keep an eye towards this upcoming weekend... Yeah, I don't want to talk about that. No, but seriously, no. Well, we have... Honestly, other than that, the slate of matches isn't great. Roma have Spal. We have Calleoli, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Atalanta, Kievo, Genoa, Juve.
00:50:54
Speaker
And then the Derby. So really the Derby is the highlight. There's no point in talking about anything else. So what do you expect?
00:51:03
Speaker
No, I have a nightmare.
Milan vs Inter Derby Preview
00:51:06
Speaker
I've had a nightmare scenario ever since they signed Piontek and I think it's going to come to fruition this weekend. I think that Gattuso is going to do exactly what he's done in the other matches. He's going to lay low and defend and then hurt in turn on the counter.
00:51:22
Speaker
only the difference is now that he's got a striker that can really really that suits perfectly into that into that into that system and his name was Christoph Piontek and I with Milan being the home team and the positivity around Milan and the fact that Inter haven't won that the Inter that Milan haven't defeated Inter in the derby for for years the fact that Gattuso you know wants this win in the derby more than anything else
00:51:52
Speaker
that I think Spaletti is going to walk right into Gattuso's trap once again, in the sense that he's going to attack frantically and Gattuso, they're just going to sit patiently and counter. So I think, honestly, I really have nightmares about this therapy.
00:52:12
Speaker
And that piont, everything about him, this is the first Milan player I'm fearing that I feared since Kaka. That was the last player I feared that played for Milan. This guy I fear. This guy is gonna haunt and terrorize Inter for as long as he plays for Milan, Piontek. I just see it. I just see it everywhere. And the fact that Inter haven't even played against him when they played against Genoa,
00:52:36
Speaker
he wasn't on the pitch. That means that Defrayan screaming, I don't know how to handle this guy. I can just see him scoring three goals on Saturday. I just see Milan winning three now and I see him just like a cobra just attacking.
00:52:55
Speaker
just three chances, three goals. I read, I read that they nicknamed him Robocop because he's like, he's just got ice in his veins, he's just got no emotions whatsoever, he's just like this deadly weapon against the opposition and you know, off the field he's just completely emotionless. We should probably not good names for your name above.
00:53:19
Speaker
No, I know. It's totally going to happen. I can see us getting hammered in this Derby. It's totally going to happen. I'm seeing it. And I see him and Paqueta completely just... And Suso's always good in the Derby anyway. And he likes space. He's a player that can attack the space really well. And so is Piontek.
00:53:42
Speaker
I hope to God that Spalletti knows what he's doing, that he does not walk into Milan's trap, that he instead says, you know what, here's the ball, you do something with it.
00:53:52
Speaker
Because I think that would surprise Milan I think that I think you've even started playing defending deep and giving it to Milan Then then I think that would frustrate me. Plus you guys You've got a match on Thursday as well. Yeah, I'm I'm track Frankfurt Yeah, but I mean half the squad is out for that game. So I'm not that that shouldn't have any effect for for anything I mean Lautaro suspended as a more suspended Dalbit Galliardini
00:54:18
Speaker
and João Mario aren't even registered for the Europa League squad because of the financial fair play restrictions. So I'm not worried. Inter will come into the Derby with a full squad. Except Ducati, he's not going to play is he?
00:54:35
Speaker
I don't think he's going to play neither. I was just genuinely asking. No, no, no, no. He's he's his knee is injured. And I think that's why that's the story. And I don't know, man, I just you know, the last Sunday on Tiki Taka.
00:54:53
Speaker
when she goes out and is looking very statesmanlike and talking about how she and Marotta are on speaking terms and they are all, you know, families argue and then they kiss and make up and blah, blah, blah. You know, I think for me, the way I look at it is this, that the Cardi's or the Kardashians, they gambled and into saw their bluff. And now it's a lot of hurt egos to try to patch everything up. But I think they've basically understood that.
00:55:22
Speaker
This has hurt them more than it's hurt Inter in terms of image-wise because they've just seemed like, they've come across like clueless amateurs. And I think that's where it's kind of, that's why she's toned it down a lot and she's brought it down and it's a lot about, we want to stay at Inter, we're Inter Isti, we're, you know, we love Inter, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
00:55:46
Speaker
So I think it's basically the safe face, because they gambled and they lost. Marotta played them off the table, and may God bless that man. He is the best thing that has happened to Inter since, I don't know, since the treble. I mean, he knows what he's doing, and long may it continue.
00:56:07
Speaker
Well, Nima, should they lose, they will be, and Roma win, obviously, they will be level on points. So if I was a, if I could sell you something,
00:56:20
Speaker
Well, cyanide pill. No, no comment on that. But if I could sell you that eat that win the Europa League, but finish fifth. Is that something you take without a doubt? I take that in a heartbeat. I take that in a heartbeat because it's so important to win trophies. It's so important to win trophies.
00:56:42
Speaker
It builds a winning culture. It builds a winning mentality. So I, without a shadow of a doubt. And you get a place in the Champions League anyway, don't you? So everyone could be happy. Yeah, that's OK. So moving forward, that's the the modus operandi that we're going to operate under. OK, so Atalanta wins the cup. I'll trade you. I'll trade you that for Atalanta Cup win.
00:57:14
Speaker
Well, when you make omelets you've got to break a few eggs.
00:57:19
Speaker
All right, so real quick before we sign off here, who wins the Derby then? No, no, it's Milan. It's going to be Milan. It's going to be, you know, I'm dreading it already. It's going to be Milan. I've already told all my Milan friends to not contact me. Because I just see it happening. They're going to win. I have zero faith going into this. Yeah, same for me, Milan.
00:57:45
Speaker
I'll make it a clean sweep. I will say Milan as well. I just, you know, one of the things that I think Artuso does not get his due, and I've said it in a previous episode tactically, he has come so far this season. Yeah, absolutely. And real quick, Nima, should Inter lose, is it possible that we see the goodbye of Spalletti? That's a really good question.
00:58:10
Speaker
It wouldn't surprise me if you were to get sacked during the international break. It really wouldn't. I mean, if you put it this way, Inter lose badly against Eintracht and badly against Milan within the space of three days.
Podcast Closing Remarks
00:58:26
Speaker
I wouldn't be surprised if the summer move of a certain Portuguese man would to be already come in. I wouldn't be surprised. I wouldn't put it out. I wouldn't put it past Palo Sosa.
00:58:41
Speaker
No, I didn't mean special in that way. I meant special as in that. I don't care if it's the same fruit installed at Bordeaux. Yes, exactly. We can all do this out of relief.
00:58:55
Speaker
Yes, we can. I have a friend who's a Bordeaux fan and he's a journalist who covers Bordeaux and he was happy that Paolo Sosa was there and I was like, I'll talk to you in six months time. Not good, not good at all. All right, so we're going to leave it there, everyone. As always, thank you so much for listening. If you could continue to rate, like, subscribe, all that good stuff wherever you're listening to us.
00:59:20
Speaker
We would greatly greatly appreciate it and until next week we will talk to you then. Ciao!