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Free Weekly Episode - GK Giroud Takes AC Milan Top, Bologna Ruin Lautaro’s Day, Juventus Win Turin Derby, Pogba Doping Ban Incoming, Napoli Flop Again, Roma's Lukaku On Fire & Much More (Ep. 366)
2.7k Plays2 years ago
From Federico Gatto redemption as Juventus play "Brexit football" when winning the Turin derby against an awful Torino, Paul Pogba incoming doping suspension, Inter throw 2 goal lead and 2 points away after Lautaro Martinez rocket against impressive Bologna whose coach Thiago Motta looks to have big future ahead of him, Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud the heroes as AC Milan beat Genoa in insane ending to the game, Maurizio Sarri's Lazio turn a corner in 5 goal thriller win over Atalanta, to Romelu Lukaku can't stop scoring for José Mourinho's Roma, Rudi Garcia has destroyed Luciano Spalletti's work at Napoli who lose at home again this time to Fiorentina and all other Serie A matches as well as Baggio and Premface of the week and much, much more when Nima and Carlo break down all the main talking points from a jam-packed weekend in Italian football.
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Transcript
Introduction and Overview
00:00:02
Speaker
Welcome to the Italian football podcast.
00:00:06
Speaker
Hello everybody and welcome to the Italian football podcast.
Milan's Rise and Controversies
00:00:09
Speaker
I'm Carlo Garganese joined as always by Nima Tavalli and on today's show we will review match day eight of Serie A as Milan go clear at the top of Serie A after a dramatic ending to their win over Genoa which saw Olivier Giroud end the game in goal after Mike Manion's red card and Giroud making a big save to win the game at the end.
Inter's Struggles and Inzaghi's Decisions
00:00:33
Speaker
Inter throw away a two goal lead at Bologna as Bologna deny yet another big team this season. Juventus take the bragging rights in the Turin Derby with a redemption story for Federico Gatti. We'll also react to Paul Pogba's counter analysis drug test confirming the positive first test. He now faces a long ban.
00:00:56
Speaker
and probably a contract termination from Juventus.
Juventus: Triumphs and Trials
00:01:00
Speaker
Elsewhere, both Roman clubs win, the Frosinone fairytale continues, while Napoli hosted Fiorentina in the big Sunday evening game. We also have more barely believable crimes against Pemfret, Pemfessary, so please, can't even say the word, so please stay to the end and listen to those.
Podcast Features and Sponsorship
00:01:22
Speaker
For all our first time listeners, this is our free weekly episode that we do every Monday, reviewing the weekend CERI 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&A episode every Tuesday where we answer all the questions from our Patreons,
00:01:39
Speaker
plus the weekly Thursday midweek review show, plus interviews, post-match reaction, and much, much more. Then go to patreon.com slash TIP and become a subscriber for just $2.99 a month plus VAT. And now you can also sign up to be a paid subscriber on Spotify. We'll provide the link in the description. It's the same price and the same terms. For all of you that do listen on Spotify or on Apple, iTunes, podcasts, we'd really appreciate if you'd give us a five-star rating.
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Give us a follow and a like, and we're on YouTube as well. All that really helps us to grow and do more quality content for you guys. Yes, and also the new updated Patreon app for all patrons is really, really good. It's become a real community. There's now a chat function where you can talk to everyone else who's a patron and you can interact with other patrons and also with us. So make sure to check that out.
00:02:33
Speaker
But let's get into today's show, but first a word from our sponsor.
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Juventus' Tactical Analysis
00:03:40
Speaker
Okay, let's start off with the Turin Derby. It was the big game of the weekend and Juventus get the win. 2-0 victory against Torino. An industrial, industrious Juventus? I don't know if that's how we want to describe it all.
00:04:01
Speaker
I could be crueler and call it Brexit Juventus, which is a term I coined last season because Juventus was scoring so many goals off corners and that was basically their way of scoring and they scored both goals off corners in this game and their only other big chance in the game came from across and so this is
00:04:23
Speaker
This is the way that Juventus create chances. Corners, crosses, mistakes or an individual moment from someone like Chiesa. But it did the damage in this game. I think the big story is the Gatti redemption story, which I think is a really lovely story because
00:04:39
Speaker
You know, he made such a horrific mistake in the Sassuolo game. I mean, one of the all-time Serie A bloopers, let's be honest, with that own goal from the Chesney pass into his open net. And he got hammered. He got absolutely hammered by Juventus fans, but he got laughed at by everyone all around the world. It couldn't have been easy for him. And I think that he's really shown
00:05:03
Speaker
you know, he's a really strong mental strength that within, like when was that a fortnight ago, within a fortnight, he's come here, he's played a really good game, solid in defense, and then he scored really the decisive goal, the goal that broke the deadlock in this game. So I think that's a that's a lovely story, isn't it? No, it is because it was horrible for him, the way you know, you like to see people
00:05:28
Speaker
get, you know, redeem themselves because that was that was just shocking. And he was he was good in this game. But I mean, I think he's a decent player. I don't think he's ever going to be world class or top class, but I think he's a decent rotation player who can do well for you in a back three. And I'm not mistaken, he was called up to the Italy national team as well. He was. And I still think that he's actually more suited for a back four, I think, when he doesn't have to cover so much.
00:05:53
Speaker
ground to the sides, you know, I think that's where he struggles kind of on the turn. But when he can kind of be part of a unit, I think he is better. But yeah, I think that was a really nice story. I think that there were some positives individually for Juventus. I thought Kostich
00:06:11
Speaker
It was really good in this game with his crosses. He put some really wicked crosses in from set pieces. It's so good. I mean, we give credit to DiMarco, but we have to give credit to Costage. I mean, his left foot as well. I mean, for how many years now is it that Costage is always top in terms of assists for his crosses? Yeah. I mean, he's very, very one dimensional.
00:06:33
Speaker
But you can't tell me that he's much more... I don't think he is as one dimension from Costich in that I think that DiMarco pays some really nice passes as well like Costich is really just a crossing machine and that's it really whereas DiMarco I think he can do some nice short passes long passes he doesn't give the ball away but yeah he is he's very very you know when he crosses like this he puts so much pace on the ball as well that he invites you to attack it and if you do attack it
00:07:00
Speaker
and get good contact on it. The power is already in there from the cross. So I think that we have to give some praise to Kostitch in this game. I also want to give a bit of praise to Moisakine because, I mean, the first half of this game was terrible. It was unwatchable.
00:07:20
Speaker
he I thought he did really well like I mean just just his battling qualities just just you know his hold-up play was actually not too bad I thought he had a great finish for the goal that was disallowed he was correctly disallowed it was off-site it was an amazing finish into the into the top near post top corner
00:07:40
Speaker
and he did one really amazing control as well. Have a look at this one control, it's kind of like Zlatan Ibrahimovic-esque control, sort of like karate kick high up in the air and brought it down. And he also was called up for the Italy national team as well. So, you know, I want to give a word of praise for Moisakim, just for the work. I think he's looking, yeah, I was going to say, I think he's found himself again, if that makes sense. I think he's looking
00:08:08
Speaker
balanced on and off the pitch. I think he's found his role and the team and he's accepted it and he's just working hard. I think, yeah, I mean, I don't want to go over the top, but I think like he has got to a point now whether he's kind of showing that he's got something to offer. We all know that there's weaknesses there. I mean, he has his head down. His awareness of others is really just not good enough. He's head down. I think I joked once that
00:08:35
Speaker
You wouldn't want to be in a car with Moisakine driving because he'd be head down all the time, not looking at what's going on, the traffic. I think he did quite well in this game. The other positive was the Juventus defence. They conceded no chances in this game.
00:08:51
Speaker
three clean sheets in a row since that Sassuolo game and the defence really has tightened up. In the Lecce game, Lecce didn't have a single shot. They had one shot in the entire game, off target, nothing on target. Torino created nothing in this entire game. I think their first shot on target was in the 87th minute or something.
00:09:08
Speaker
And in the Atalanta game, Atalanta did have a few chances and maybe just deserved to win, but they didn't really create that much. It was just a few chances. So considering it's away at Atalanta, I think Juventus Defence did pretty well in that game as well. So, I mean, Juventus have tightened up since that Sassuolo disaster. In terms of the offensive side of the game,
00:09:30
Speaker
I'm not changing my mind at all. I'm not impressed by it. They only create chances of corners in this game, and that's not good enough. But, you know, at the end of the day, they won. And the table, if Milan and Inter, I mean, just remember, I would come on to Milan, Inter dropped two points, but Milan were three minutes away from dropping two points as well. If Milan and Inter are going to continue kind of being this shaky after
00:09:53
Speaker
after international games then you know Juventus can have their say as badly as as I think they're playing offensively you know if those two teams are going to continue dropping points then you know Juventus can kind of maybe they can kind of stick around with them we'll have to see how they do when they they play against Milan and into them so.
00:10:13
Speaker
are two points off Inter and they haven't really played well. I think Milan have had a fantastic start to the season. Seven wins, one loss and that loss coming in a drubbing against your crosstown rivals and the way you pick yourself up after that is really really impressive. So they are, it's quite clear, I mean Marcello Lippi always said the Serie A really begins from match day 10, before that it's preliminary rounds.
00:10:39
Speaker
Well, I'd say Milan have had a fantastic start to the season. Inter, very good start. And Juve as well. So the three of them, you know, it could be a situation. I was talking with our good friend Patrick Kendrick the other day. I said, I think we're going to have a classic Inter v Milan v Juve trident for the Skoretto this season. I don't think Juve will go all the way, but I think they will push for it. Yes, I do think so.
00:11:04
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, I don't think you've entered the plane anywhere near well enough to change for the Scudetto, but if Milan and Inter are going to drop points or...
00:11:13
Speaker
you know, play like they did this weekend after, you know, tough midweek games, then, you know, who knows? Just want to word on Sereno, though, Nemer, because... Before we go, I just got to... We have to pay tribute to Max Alegri, who is writing history now. He is the coach with the most wins in the three-point era in the Serie A, 289 now.
00:11:35
Speaker
He's the third ever for a number of wins in the Serie A behind only Trappatoni on 3.52 and Nereoroko with 3.02 which means this season he could overtake Nereoroko as in second spot for the coach with the most wins in the Serie A.
Pogba's Doping Scandal
00:11:59
Speaker
Yeah, 352 matches won in the Serie A, Nereroco 302, Allegri 289. That's truly remarkable. It's unique. He's the coach with the most wins in the three-point era, and the three-point era started 94-95 season.
00:12:15
Speaker
289 wins and that's truly you know give credit where credit is due he is a fantastic coach and he's a winner it's as simple as that and people can make fun all they want but 289 wins in one lead. Yeah well no I don't think anybody unless they're stupid doubts what Allegri did in his first well at Juventus I've never doubted that was a big fan of him and obviously he did you know he won the Scudetto at Milan as well. What he did at Caliari as well I mean
00:12:42
Speaker
Yes, you can't take that away from him. I'm not a fan of him since he's come back to Juventus, but those numbers obviously show the career as a whole. I think he'll overtake Nereroko this season. 302 is only, what, 13 wins away, which is not. Yeah, of course he will. Yeah, so he should overtake them. So that's pretty cool, to be honest. Yeah. No, impressive. Very impressive. A word on Serena, though.
00:13:12
Speaker
Torino were awful in this game. Absolutely shocking. I'm annoyed. You know how much I rated Ivan Joric and wanted him to take the next step, but this is unacceptable. He's not taken the next step. He's stagnated as has Torino. He admitted it in his post-match. I'm sorry, I haven't been able to take this team further in the last two and a half years. I think he realises that he hasn't been able to
00:13:42
Speaker
No, he really hasn't, and I thought he would be. And I mean, the first shot on goal they had came in the 86th minute with Zapata. Before that, they just, they were blunt. And you've got to give credit to you, therefore neutralizing them and illegally for neutralizing them, but for the love of God. The problem is, if it was just this one, if it was just this one game, you could give it all to your vendors. But it's not, this is a common theme. And it's not even just a common theme. I mean, this season, Tarino scored six goals in eight games.
00:14:10
Speaker
And that's the lowest in the top half. I think they dropped down from the top half now. I mean, no one in the top half has lower than that. But, you know, we've spoken about it for so long, haven't we? About the last two seasons as well. They're just Torino, you know, they're well organized. I think they're a decent pressing team. I think they're very good at this team, actually. He seems to be able to, he seems to be really good at all that other stuff. He's actually not bad at developing players as well.
00:14:38
Speaker
You know, we had a question on the Q&A about, you know, Djuric maybe being the wrong manager for Atalanta next, which, which I think he is the wrong manager, but he has developed some good players as well. So it's not like he can't develop players. I think he just, he just, just chance creation. He just, in the final third, Torino just can't create, can't put those patterns together to create chances. And yes, they haven't had the best attackers, but, and Zapata is probably a little bit past his best as well. I don't think he's the solution either, but still, you know,
00:15:08
Speaker
you have the number one look at the coach for not being able to create chances and this is yeah like you said this is the reason why he's not going to coach a big club unless he can somehow turn this around he's not he's still reasonably young i guess but he yeah it's it's very disappointing very disappointing um just before i want to do a little dedication um just want to talk about pogba um
00:15:32
Speaker
because his DOPIN confirmation, DOPIN test has been confirmed. He had the counter-analysis test on a second sample after he'd failed the first DOPIN test on August the 20th, which was after the other net again. And that test came back positive as well, which it nearly always does. So he's been, he'd already been provisionally suspended. He's now obviously suspended ahead of,
00:16:03
Speaker
what's going to be a trial to determine. Well, he has to he has to make a plea. He has to say whether he wants to admit guilt or he wants to fight it in court, what he wants to do. You know, does he want to plea bargain or does he want to make his case and fight it and say, you know, and contest it and lay a legal groundwork for what on what grounds he wants to contest it regardless
00:16:31
Speaker
even, you know, even say shortest period, even if he does plea bargain, which I don't think he will, I would be surprised if he did, because I think they would want to give him a seven to eight month ban minimum, or even a year. Well, I saw a friend of the show generally speaking about this. And if
00:16:54
Speaker
If it's determined that it was deliberate and he's facing up to four years, then I think we know that wasn't the case. If it was kind of an accidental, we could be looking at two years, up to two years. But if he does a plea bargain, we could be talking about kind of one year.
00:17:13
Speaker
So does he just go for the plea bargain and just accept the one? The thing is the deliberate thing is and also he's a first-time offender and I don't think you know the deliberate aspect of it you know I don't think anyone can argue that he's did it deliberately because he's literally shown the you know he trusted a doctor to eat and some kind of
00:17:33
Speaker
was it like, what do you call it, like vitamin? Apparently it was DHEA supplement, which would be a good thing for him. He was looking for a supplement. I mean, when you eat these things and you ask a doctor, is it on the list and they say, no, you trust the doctor. Yes, of course you're responsible for what you put in your body, but
00:17:52
Speaker
then you know it's not like he was you know wanting to and if he can prove that and if the doctor testifies in his favor and all that then I think we can we talk about accidental but it's still his responsibility I mean but that remains to be seen I still think that we are
00:18:09
Speaker
I think he's going to get a seven, eight month ban. I think the earliest this gets resolved is within a month or two, and then he gets a seven, eight month ban, or if he wants to push it and argue it, then
00:18:25
Speaker
then go to court and then they make a decision and if he's not happy with the length of the suspension, he'll appeal that and all that. So I think that at the earliest, this thing will be done within two, three months and at the latest May. What that means for Juva, I think for Juva, I think Juva look at this in two ways. If he's going to get over a year, year and a half suspension, when by the time he gets that suspension,
00:18:51
Speaker
That's when I think they will start negotiating a mutual termination. But if he's only given a six, seven, eight month ban and he plea bargains it and the whole thing is like, you know, goes away, well, then his suspension will end by the end of this season and he'll be free to start working again with you over for next season.
00:19:15
Speaker
I'm not entirely convinced that they terminate his contract. I think it depends on the punishment. But regardless, I still think that Juva will, if they terminate his contract before the two years are up,
00:19:31
Speaker
they will get, you know, they will have to pay taxes on his wages, because he obviously either used a decreta crescita when he joined, and you have to fulfill at least two years of that contract for to be able to enjoy that, you know, the 50% or, you know, the tax, we call it reduction on that. So I think Juventus will do the math on that. But regardless, look,
00:19:58
Speaker
I think, you know, they can look at this and go, OK, you got seven, eight months off. OK, well, now you have seven, eight months to really build up your body. Do you know what I mean? And then next season, if it's only seven, eight months and they really they put him on a diet and close. I think I think Pences will will will terminate.
Tribute and Personal Stories
00:20:18
Speaker
But like you said, it will it will depend on when they're allowed to, whether they're allowed to. They have as any possibility they're they're allowed to terminate.
00:20:26
Speaker
No, no, they are allowed to because he's doped, but, you know, because regardless of what he is, that's the case. Yeah. But what I mean is I don't think they'll do it before the before two years have passed. I don't know. I'm not. I want to wait and see what happens first before we because because I think you will obviously want to, you know, if they can offload him, they will. But.
00:20:49
Speaker
I don't know. I'm a little bit on the fence here. I think it depends on how long the punishment is. If it's more than a year, I think he's gone. I think they'll terminate him if they're allowed to, basically. No, they can terminate him. In that case, 100%, they will terminate his contract. Because we know, even if he was willing to be out for a month, we know his body's broken. And then they were trying to sell him this summer anyway. So they're not going to pass up an opportunity to get him up there.
00:21:19
Speaker
And I think it's sad. I think it's very sad and it's a shame that it's come to this. It's been one of the most disastrous returns to a football club. Probably the worst one. I can't remember a more awful return by a player to a club ever. Player. Well, there's been a few bad coaching returns, I guess. But no, but as a player, as I said, as a player, I can't remember ever
00:21:43
Speaker
a second tenure being as bad as Paul Pogba's. Everything. Injuries, performances and everything. Just been watching. The wages as well. It's awful. I just want to finish this segment. It's quite tough to do with just a little dedication. I want to dedicate not just this segment but this episode to a really
00:22:08
Speaker
dear friend of mine who was a massive Juventus fan who actually just passed away just before we started recording actually today on Sunday. And he was a big fan of this podcast. He listened to every episode and he's been on well this year. And he actually often listens to this pod while he was in hospital and while he was in bed at home.
00:22:39
Speaker
He was a big big, as I said a big big Juventus fan and we were only speaking last night actually after the Juventus Serena game and you know he was he was he was okay he was doing good he was in good spirits but unfortunately I'm not going to say his name because I think that's up to the family to announce and everything but
00:23:00
Speaker
the last thing that he messaged me was when is Allegri going to change his tactics and start playing some entertaining football. And that was like 9.30 on Saturday evening. And that was the last time I spoke to him. And then I just found out today and I'm just, yeah, I'm totally gutted. He was ill and kind of,
00:23:25
Speaker
you know, we knew that he was on borrowed time, but it was kind of unexpected that it would happen as it did. But I'm just a bit in shock because, you know, we only spoke about Juventus last night. And he was, you know, we always discussed about Allegri, like he wasn't a fan of Allegri, like, because, oh, they always put me to sleep. And when he wasn't well, he wanted to watch Juventus play, wanted them to entertain him. And he's like, oh, you know, it's not entertainment for me. And like, yeah, just we spoke last night, say, yeah, this was just a
00:23:54
Speaker
a little dedication for you. I'm glad that, you know, the last game, the Juventus game, you've got to see, you've got to see Juventus win. And yeah, so this is for you, brother. That's all I wanted to say.
00:24:09
Speaker
OK, right. Let's move on then to Inter. And they dropped two points, Nima, against Bologna. Two goals up. And they draw 2-2. What went wrong in
Inter's Frustrating Draws
00:24:22
Speaker
this game? Now look, it's...
00:24:25
Speaker
Inter started the game really well. They continued the second half against Benfica. The first opening in 20-25 minutes was really good. The way they imposed themselves, they looked relaxed, they looked in control. But the problem is that when they went 2-0 up after that fantastic Lautaro goal, Lautaro made a mistake. He made a silly mistake, conceded a penalty, and they scored. Sommer was close to saving it. But that's the thing that annoys me so much, is the fact that Inter suggests
00:24:54
Speaker
The way that after that, they can see the penalty and immediately after going to Lelop and conceding a goal, the fact that it seems that Inter look mentally fragile. And this has been something that's been going on at Inter for a couple of years, even under Antonio Conte. And I thought that we were past this stage. But this this seems to be an issue with Inter. They look nervous and
00:25:19
Speaker
they just lost all their groove and all their jazz and they just looked.
00:25:25
Speaker
They just were out of it and looked scared. And that's not good. And you could tell that Simone, he's usually very active on the sidelines, but he was angry. He was so angry, he barely said anything. He was very calm on the sidelines. And afterwards, he was furious. He's the angriest I've seen him at. I mean, I've never seen him this angry at Inter, for sure. Elazio, he had a few moments where he lost it, but he was fuming afterwards.
00:25:54
Speaker
with throwing away points, not handling games well, not handling situations well, lack of concentration. And that's something that this inter needs to grow from. I think that, and Lautaro obviously is the captain and he's a symbol of this inter, and he was unable to pick himself up and lead by example after that. And inter just felt flat and
00:26:22
Speaker
didn't have any bite. And of course, you know, I praised Pavard in the first half for being brilliantly defensively. And then, of course, him and Acherbi do whatever the hell that was for the equalizer in the second half. Lots of mistakes, nervousness. I think a lot of it is it's not just one thing. And I don't want to, you know, this is match day eight. We can't draw any conclusions from this. It's too soon.
00:26:49
Speaker
And I think people panicking over this after match they need to chill out, okay? But I don't like the fact that Inter can come across as arrogant or lose concentration this early on in games after one half or after 25 minutes because it suggests that they're a mentally fragile team. And I don't like that. And I think they should be much more assertive
00:27:18
Speaker
I think Simone got his line-up and rotations wrong, this entire window between the last international break and this international break. He opted to start the same team against Benfica in the Bologna game. I think that was wrong. I think De Frei should have started. I think Carlos Agosto should have started. I think Fratesi should have started instead of Mikitariam.
00:27:43
Speaker
I think he's got his rotations wrong, and now he has a couple of weeks to think things through and get it right, because now the season starts. The preliminary rounds of the Serie A are always...
00:27:59
Speaker
Um, are, you know, as the leap be famously said, is, you know, before match day 10, it's the preliminary rounds. Everyone's just getting warmed up and you need to collect as many points and bank them as much as you can. And instead of done well, you know, six wins, one draw, one loss is not bad.
00:28:16
Speaker
But it just feels four drop points, especially after you've beat Monza, Fiorentina and Milan as convincingly as you did. And Monza and Fiorentina were teams you dropped points against. Well, those points you dropped last season against them, well, you've gone and just thrown them away against Bologna.
00:28:37
Speaker
excuse me and Sasolo teams you beat at home it was six points then you took only one point from Fiorentina and Monza at home you only took one point so yeah it's unnecessary it's unnecessary how much of this is down to the post Champions League dip because
00:28:57
Speaker
After the real saucy of that game, Inter looked tired against the employee. They won 1-0 and they were in total control of that game. But, albeit against an employee team that had lost every single game heavily. So, it was a terrible employee team.
00:29:14
Speaker
And then as a result, after that, the next game was Sasualo and they then dropped the points against Sasualo. And then obviously this season as well. And I had a little look back last season and Insta's record after Champions League midweek games and the weekend game straight after.
00:29:33
Speaker
record was lost six in the weekend games straight after Champions League. So you can clearly see that Inter struggle after Champions League games. No, they do. And the difference, of course, now is
00:29:51
Speaker
You know, you've got four more games in the Champions League and so, you know, before Christmas and that's, you know, that's not too many, but, you know, it's still now the season begins because Interplay Torino Wei
00:30:11
Speaker
if I'm not mistaken, they play Torino away immediately after the seria begins or, you know, restarts again. They play Torino away. They have Salzburg at home, Roma at home, Atalanta away, Salzburg away, and then Frosinone at home. Now, you really have to win both of those games against Salzburg, and you can't really afford to drop more than, well,
00:30:40
Speaker
They have to be Roma, they have to be Torino. They can afford to draw Atalanta or Torino away, but one of them they have to win, and Frozino, of course, they have to win at home. So it's unnecessary. It doesn't give them any of these drop points against Bologna and Sassolo, because it could have given them a perfect eight start. It would have given them some room. And now they don't have that.
00:31:06
Speaker
So, you know, it is what it is. But I just, I think at this point, I want to, I'm glad to see Simona's reaction. I'm glad that he got angry, because I think it's sometimes, you know, he's, he's always, he's been a very modern coach. He's been this kind of, you know, leadership I can send to win the hearts and minds and, you know, and lead that way. And
00:31:28
Speaker
But I think sometimes getting angry and, you know, like I said, the Gothenburg saying, bring your plum peep out and smack it on the table and say, for fuck's sake, you know what I mean? Like, you know, come on. That is the best of the Swedish seconds, I have to say. That's a very Gothenburg saying.
00:31:47
Speaker
like, get angry and smack you on the table and say, come on, sort yourselves out. And I think he did a little bit after. I'll tell you what, Lautaro definitely slapped it about with that goal. I mean, that was that was a sensational goal. That was amazing. What a rocket top corner. And his goal record this season, he's got 10-8 in Serie A, and he's only the third player in the history of inserts to reach double figures in the first eight games.
00:32:12
Speaker
plays of the season after Giuseppe Miazza, 1935-36 and Antonio Valentin Angelillo, who got 16. Yeah well that's 50-59. Yeah 59, so we're talking about over 60 years ago. He's doing
00:32:31
Speaker
He's writing history now. I mean, he's taking that step, that honest to God. I have no problem admitting it. I never thought he would be a bomber. I always thought he was a nine and a half or a ten and a half. Now he's becoming a bomber, a real bomber. And it's just truly remarkable to see. I just want him to continue
00:32:56
Speaker
I just want him to, like I said, not when he makes a mistake as a captain that he immediately picks himself and the team up because it's
00:33:05
Speaker
It annoys me because if you've only conceded five goals in eight games and you've lost one and drawn one, that's too much. You have to react. You have to be able to... You can't lose a 2-0 lead at home. And same thing with Sasolo. Losing leads at home, that's just unacceptable. That cannot happen.
00:33:30
Speaker
Yeah. We have to give a word of praise, though, to Bologna, because I ticked them at the start of the season. And a few people, I said at the start of the season that I think that they're going to cause a lot of trouble to
Bologna's Surprising Form
00:33:47
Speaker
the big teams and that they are a dark horse for Europe. They are. And a few people laughed at me.
00:33:55
Speaker
naming Patrick Kendrick, Patrick, who tipped them for relegation. Who tipped them for relegation? He tipped them, but he said they could probably get relegated. No, he was just having a laugh, wasn't he? There's no way he said they were going to get relegated. He said that to me in a WhatsApp message. Yeah, because he was whining. I can't even know. There's no way he said Bologna. He was just whining you up. OK, Patrick, you can confirm this. There's no way. You can confirm this. The Bologna was going to get a revenge. This is my revenge for him, for him having a go at me about the market versus Beckham.
00:34:24
Speaker
I know that really pissed him off. He really hates DiMarco. He absolutely hates him. No, he doesn't hate DiMarco. He doesn't hate DiMarco. He woke up early in the morning because I was talking to him that day. He's like, I've not even had my morning coffee and I listened to your pod. And the first thing I hear is DiMarco Beckham. And then he listens to a French radio talking about, was it Zidane equating Del Piero? Was it Zidane or something like that? And he was just like, OK, this is too much. This is too much in the morning.
00:34:55
Speaker
But no, he doesn't hate the market. Well anyway, Bologna have had such a hard start to the season and they've played Milan, Napoli, Juventus and Inse already in the first eight games. They've got three draws from those four games and I think they played well against Milan as well and they've dominated the second half in that game. To be only a few points from Europe after this starts the season, I think is very, very impressive. And Moza, the job Moza's doing is magnificent. I don't know how it finished last season but
00:35:24
Speaker
Going into the closing weeks of the season, I remember reading that after he had joined Bologna last season, that they were in the top four for points earned based on if you added up the points from when he took the job until the end of the season. If you look at this season, he lost against Milan on a match day one, but he drew Napoli, Juve and Inter. And Juve and Inter were away. So it's impressive. He beat Bologna and Empoli at home, and then he drew Monza away.
00:35:52
Speaker
and Veron our way. He's doing a good job. There's no doubt about that. He's doing a very interesting job. I like him. I think he's got a big future ahead of him. He plays that progressive football. He has the clear passing patterns. His players are always comfortable coming out, playing out of dangerous areas in their own half, rather than booting it away.
00:36:14
Speaker
I think the other thing that's really telling is that players want to play for him as well. Look at the players that signed. Players like Carlson, Kristensen, Froehler, you expect these players to have moved to clubs bigger than Bologna this summer. Kristensen actually said that he joined Bologna because of Motta as he saw him as the best manager to help him on his journey to become
00:36:36
Speaker
Well, he said one of the best in the world. I think he's maybe got bigger ambition, quite famous. No, nothing wrong with that. I think he's ambitious, a bit too big. But I mean, it shows, doesn't it, that, you know, it shows kind of how much we've seen. The other thing I want to say about Bologna is, and I might have to put her hands up on this eventually, is Joshua Zirksi.
00:36:57
Speaker
after I slagged him off after the first game against Milan. He's been brilliant since then. Well, I don't know if brilliant, but he's shown signs of brilliance. He's had moments of brilliance. There's something there, because I got a minute when I watched him in that Milan game, and I haven't seen him kind of last season, and who was he at in Italy before? Was it Parma? He was at for a while. Who was he at a couple of years ago? Anyway,
00:37:20
Speaker
terrible touch heavy first touch really messy kind of lazy kind of player couldn't get it under can't get it under control on a ball bounce off him like leukaku like touch um didn't shoot very cleanly um and i just thought what is this guy but whatever motta has done with him he's done a great job developing him because
00:37:45
Speaker
He's a handful. He's very strong. Defenders bounce off him. He's really good, kind of protecting the ball. And he has improved that touch and that link up this season. I mean, he really caused Juventus all kinds of problems. And again, in this game, he scored the second, he scored the equaliser, didn't he? So he's an interesting player because these kind of players are
00:38:09
Speaker
kind of, these are the strikers, aren't they? Nowadays in modern football, these kind of big, kind of Zlatan kind of players, then they can hold the ball up like that. They're a huge asset. So yeah, he's grown on me. He has grown on me. He has. And I've got to say, we have a question on this on the Q&A pod tomorrow.
Milan's Narrow Victories
00:38:30
Speaker
But I have to say, I'm kind of leaning towards changing my opinion, because I wanted to see you on Yurice at Atlanta.
00:38:39
Speaker
I think I'd rather see Thiago Motta there, to be honest, as his next step. Because it'd be very interesting to see what he can do, replacing Gasparini, playing three times a week. I think that's what I want to see, as well. And we have to give praise to Calafiori against Inter, because what a monster he was in this game. He just didn't give Inter a... Playing center back as well, wasn't he? Yeah. Which is not his natural position.
00:39:08
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah, because of the injury crisis, Bologna had three of their first choice players out. The only criticism I do have for Motta is defending post on corners, not putting the man on the other corner. That jab goal was just so easy. Just had it on target goal because you didn't have someone on your post. So that is one criticism I have of Motta, otherwise very, very
00:39:27
Speaker
Very impressed. Let's move on to Milan, then, who take advantage of Inter's slip-up and go top on their own. Two points clear now. Beat in Genoa, 1-0, but only just. It's called an 87th minute winner. Which was controversial. We have to talk about that because... I've watched it so many times and I still can't tell whether it hits his hands or his arm or not. This is the thing. We have to...
00:39:49
Speaker
talk about what it where what is a punishable you know the shoulder is not handball it's everything below the shoulder that's punishable and where his position of his arm is it is horizontal with his shoulder so it is not in a you can't say it's in natural position okay the question is exactly what you said and i agree with you i have looked at it with four in five k we're in
00:40:14
Speaker
in grainy, I don't know if it touches below his shoulder. I think it looks like it does, but I can't say conclusively. I really can't. But I have to say, and then in situations like that, the referees are told, if you can't, you have to let it go. You can't erase a goal if you can't conclusively see that the ball touches his arm. Or if you give it, you can't turn it around.
00:40:40
Speaker
Well, exactly. That's what I mean. You can't turn the... Either way, you stick with your original decision. Yeah. You can't do that if it's not conclusive. And I don't think it is conclusive. I don't think anyone can tell me it's conclusive. Well, unless you see it for definite, you can't really guess on it, can you? I mean, it's one of those that could have hit his hand, but we just can't know for sure. But again, when we say handball, we mean everything below the shoulder as per defined in the laws of the game of what is unpunishable offense, like what is handball. It's everything below the shoulder.
00:41:10
Speaker
So does it touch him? I think you can say with 90% certainty that it does, but you can't say with 100% certainty and so you can't overrule it. You really can't.
00:41:22
Speaker
Um, but it is, it looks to me, to me, I think it's not a wild assumption here to say that, well, based on gravity and Isaac Newton's laws of physics working in Italy as well, um, when the ball, the way that the ball hits and the way that he moves, I don't think it's a huge assumption to make that the ball hits his eye. Yeah. I think that's a good way of putting it. Yeah.
00:41:48
Speaker
So to me, that is, I think it shouldn't have stood. But I don't think it's this kind of... You can't give it though. If you don't see it, you can't give it. They're not allowed to do that. If he had taken away that goal based on those images,
00:42:06
Speaker
he probably would have been suspended because it's beyond his authority, if you know what I mean. And that's just how the world works. But that was just part of a crazy ending, one of the craziest endings to a Serie A game we've seen in a long time. And I have to say, until that Pilicic goal and everything that happened afterwards, this was a terrible game. This was, again, another unwatchable game. Nothing happened in the game. There's barely any chances in the entire game for either team.
00:42:36
Speaker
It seemed that all for the world, it was going to finish as a goldish draw. And then obviously, Pulisic scores, he came on as a sub at halftime. And it was a good finish. He's a good finisher, Pulisic. We said that last week, didn't we? We said he's dribbling, he's one on one, he's a bit, he can be a little bit predictable.
00:42:56
Speaker
No, he's not good at that. He's not a one-on-one, but he is good at getting into the positions, making those runs into the box, attacking the space, and he is a good finisher. And I think he showed that with this goal. He scored some key goals already in Serie A. I was ridiculed by some people when I said that I think that Pulisic, before the season started, I said I think Pulisic is going to be the first US men's national team player to become a star at a traditionally big European club.
00:43:25
Speaker
I feel very good with that prediction because the way that he comes clutch, no matter how you feel about this goal, he continues to score important goals for Milan. And not just these kind of two nil goals, but one nil goals, you know, these important goals that in Italy, they're the ones they count as being the winning goals, scoring the first goal to give you the lead. These are important goals and he keeps doing it for Milan.
00:43:53
Speaker
And this time he did it as a substitute and it's it's really he's really looking like a fantastic season I have to say about Milan Look seven wins one loss that loss came against your crosstown rivals and you were outclassed in that game
00:44:11
Speaker
And you turn it around and in the first eight games you have seven wins. No matter how it looks, you still have banked 21 points out of 24. That is unbelievably impressive. That is the kind of form you need to be if you're going to win the Serie A title. And I think Milan and Inter are
00:44:33
Speaker
It's going to be a crazy Milanese affair for the Serie A title. And I hate to say it because I tipped Mila. I tipped Inter to win the Serie A. But Mila are giving me those kind of Scudetto winning vibes. When you win the game like you did against Genoa,
00:44:52
Speaker
like they did this year. It's time to feel like it's their year. I just get those. I mean, it's way too soon to say, but against Bologna as well, like they win games, but they really don't deserve to win. And that is the hallmark of a big team. Whilst India, not a big team, but a team that wins titles. Whilst India dominate games for 45 minutes, score one, two goals and still can't win.
00:45:17
Speaker
At least this first 25%, I'd say Milan are probably the most impressive and the team that have grown the most compared to last season. Because last season, these are exactly the kinds of games that Milan would drop points in, that they would lose, let alone win.
00:45:36
Speaker
and let alone draw. These kind of games are probably the games you're going to get after Champions League. After Champions League you're going to get these kind of games where you're a little bit flat and you're a little bit tired and maybe you rotate and your rotation plays are not as good and they weren't great.
00:45:53
Speaker
Okafork started, Jovic started, and I don't know if he even touched the ball, it was so bad. Chukwezi hasn't really hit it off yet at Milan so far. So there's still some question marks on some of these rotation signings. Musa, who I was really eager to see, and I thought started quite well at Milan in his first appearances, has been really bad in the last week. So there's still some question marks there, but they got the win, and that's the key thing.
00:46:22
Speaker
And but we have to talk about Giroud going in goal for the end. I mean, that was, I mean, again, talking about football, the kind of things, the beauty of football and what we love to see. I mean, that was just that was amazing to see Manion get sent off.
00:46:37
Speaker
and it was a shocking red card. I tweeted it was Harold Schumacher against Patrick Battistan in 1982. It was G in the head. I think he has to get two matches minimum for that, right?
00:46:56
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, listen, I'm sure it wasn't deliberate. I still have my question much wherever with Harold Schumacher was deliberate. I think that was deliberate. Go and look at that again and also remember who Schumacher was. Exactly. I'm sure this wasn't deliberate. And I think some strong words have been said afterwards. I think somebody called it murderous. He can't do that. You can't do that. You can't behave like that. And I think he should apologize.
00:47:26
Speaker
It was the general president that said that, right. Alberto Sangrillo, yeah. He called it a murderous challenge. And Manon has rightly, he's replied, he says, Sangrillo, words have meaning. What happened yesterday was a gamble, perhaps a deplorable gamble, but in no way was it murderous. I wish you the best of the future. I hope you will never have to experience what you just accused me of. I mean, he's absolutely... I think he handled that really well, Manon. I mean, it's...
00:47:52
Speaker
people need to chill out sometimes. I mean, there's no way he did it on purpose. He took a gamble, he got it really wrong, and I think he should be suspended for it, but... Kalma. Yeah, but I mean, it seems you're really going go and then make that save at the end. I mean, that was incredible. That was incredible. And then the genuine goalkeeper gets sent off as well. It was just the most insane ending ever. It really was. It was mental.
00:48:20
Speaker
but Milan got through. It came at a bit of a cost though. Juventus will be smiling because who's suspended for the Juventus game? Not just Manon, but Cleo Hernandez as well. So, Juventus will be very happy with that. I think you've really struggled against Milan in recent years, almost on par with how Milan have struggled against Inter.
00:48:46
Speaker
So, this is going to be a real test. I mean, if Milan end up winning that game, then, wow, purely, like, what can I tell you? But if they lose, you know? Yeah, well, it'll be more difficult now without those two.
Roman Clubs' Revival
00:49:02
Speaker
Absolutely. They're both irreplaceable players. Let's move on to the Roman clubs now. Good weekend, well, good week for both Lazio and Roma.
00:49:13
Speaker
Roma are both in crisis in the last week and they both get two wins in two, both in Europe and in Serie A. Lazio is getting that 2-1 win against Celtic with a 96-minute winner from Pedro.
00:49:28
Speaker
And then they win a thriller against Atalanta, 3-2. Pedro scored again. But it was Vicino, wasn't it, that scored the winner with five minutes to go. They were 2-0 up. Atalanta brought it back to 2-2. And then they went 1-3-2. So have they turned the corner? I think so. I'm going to go out on a limb and say I think so. And I think the reason for that is that Castellanos is doing what they signed him to do.
00:49:56
Speaker
And I think Chiro Imobula, the process that I've said before and I've spoken about how it's time to phase him out, especially out because again, Maurizio Sarri's systems are like a marching band. I keep using this example because his defending and his attacking, his defending starts with a number nine and his defending or his defending starts with a number nine and his attacking starts with a goalkeeper.
00:50:20
Speaker
So, you know, it's a complete system. Everything has to click. And it did. In Attack, at least. They played not all the way for 90 minutes, but there were spurs, there were moments and stretches for this game where they played Saribol. They played absolute Saribol. And it was beautiful to see. And this was an exciting game. It was a thriller.
00:50:47
Speaker
Now, I think this is something to build from. This has been such a difficult period for him, for Lazio, and they've turned it with, you know, now they can look upwards and onwards. And again, like I said, they can actually top their Champions League group, which is insane if they do that.
00:51:05
Speaker
And I think Sari, the way that he's spoken seems to have had an effect on the players as well. It suggests to me that they want to fight for him, that what he says they listen to, they take it on, and they believe in him, they love the football he plays.
00:51:24
Speaker
I think the biggest story from this game was Castellanos again. Castellanos scoring, he got an assist as well. Man of the match performance, let's say. I have to say, I actually was impressed by Tati Castellanos against Milan as well. I thought he was the one of the only Lazio players that I actually thought he did well in that game against Milan. And obviously, Imobles started, didn't he, against Celtic and was pretty poor.
00:51:53
Speaker
I'm wondering whether Castellanos keeps his place in the team now. I am wondering. Well, like I said, I think, like I've opened up the segment by saying, it started because it's starting to work because Castellanos, the number nine or the attacking player in the Sari system has to fit the rest of the system and he does. Chiro Immobula doesn't. I mean, it's a good option to have to throw in from the bench, Chiro Immobula.
00:52:22
Speaker
But no, I think it's time to phase him out. I think their biggest mistake was not selling him in the summer. I really think they should have sold him in the summer, where he is in his career and the money that was being offered. I mean, come on. Yeah, I think we're seeing a changing of the guard. And I think that it's going to work now for Lazio. And the thing is, when it starts working and immobilism on the pitch, who knows what happens in January?
00:52:50
Speaker
He could leave and maybe they can do something else. Who knows?
00:52:53
Speaker
Yeah. Okay. Roma as well. They get a big win today. 4-1 against Calgary. I think the big question from this is how many goals will Lukaku score this season? Give us a prediction there because he's now got seven goals in eight games since joining Roma. And remember, he joined Roma completely unfit as well because he had basically done no running for like the whole summer. Some would argue since he left Inter for Chelsea.
00:53:22
Speaker
But that would be... 7-8. 5-6 in Serie A. How many goals do you think he's going to score this season? In the Serie A or overall? Both. All competitions. I think he gets 15 in the Serie A and I think he gets 20 overall. 20-25 overall. But 15 in the Serie A. 15-17. Somewhere there. 15-17 in the Serie A. 20-25 overall.
Cagliari's Coaching Woes
00:53:49
Speaker
Yeah, I'm going to go 25. If he stays fit, 25, maybe even 30, because they're going to play a lot of games in Europa League and they're in a weak Europa League group. And he's just scoring for fun at the moment. He really is. We have to talk about Dibala's injury, don't we? I mean,
00:54:07
Speaker
Well, we'll see how bad it is. I mean, Mourinho has spoken after the game and Mourinho, well, apparently the Roma physios are quite optimistic about it. My initial impression was it was a hit. I always feel like when it's a hit,
00:54:23
Speaker
The chances are good for you. It's an impact injury rather than, but maybe there was some kind of twist in there, maybe. Mourinho said that Di Bala was not optimistic and that Di Bala knows his body the best. So, you know, hopefully it's just Di Bala, you know, being a little bit kind of sad because it's another injury. Hopefully it's just an impact injury and in which case I think he'll be back for the next game.
00:54:50
Speaker
it's anything ligaments or anything like that then yeah it's not good at all I mean he's got five goals in the city after eight he's played six games I think and he's got five goals you know Lukaku I was just thinking just thinking out loud and and I'm thinking
00:55:05
Speaker
I feel very confident with what I said. I hope Di Bala is okay. Well, Bellotti is doing well. Bellotti has got five goals this season as well. That was a really great finish. People disrespect Bellotti so much that it's not even fun.
00:55:24
Speaker
Like, you know, give the man, you know, he's he's a good player, you know, no one's ever said he's a wild man. To be fair, if you score zero goals in a season, you've got to take it off.
00:55:37
Speaker
You know, he got a difficult injury. He didn't score zero, he's got four last season. He got zero goal, Sariano. Yeah, but I mean, he was awful year and, you know, after a very difficult injury and, come on, be... No, I respect Gallo, respect Gallo. I think Gallo is a hard worker. There is Bellotti's biggest... Bellotti's biggest defender. I'm dumb for he's his biggest defender and you're Bellotti's biggest defender.
00:56:08
Speaker
He's going. I think he's going. And I don't think it will matter because I had Empoli as the worst team going into the season, but I feel
00:56:20
Speaker
I was wrong. Caliari are dreadful. They are genuinely unwatchable. Yeah, they are. They're really bad defensively. Look at that. That's just not Serie A. That's pub defending. I mean, there was like
00:56:36
Speaker
four defenders two were on the top of the penalty area two were in like on the left right hand side completely out and then there was a while all by himself on the left side unmarked being played on by the other two who were the other side i mean it was just watch the watch the OR got defended for the OR guys in terms of an actual defensive line it's just
00:56:56
Speaker
It was just shambolic and they conceded loads and they've only scored three goals as well in eight games. So they're bad at both ends. I think Ranieri has to go, I think. Then they need somebody that will just have a little bit of a go. The kind of cautious, conservative way, it just isn't going to work at all. No, it's not. And they're just not good enough, the way that they
00:57:25
Speaker
they can barely create. You talk about Allegri playing antiquated football. No, I didn't want to mention him, but you have. Sorry, but if Allegri plays dinosaur ball, then I don't know what call Ranieri plays. He plays football that was like unmodern.
00:57:44
Speaker
in the 70s like it's just it's a straight four four two kind of i don't know what now it's it's it's bad man it's really bad but we're just we're just waiting for the Napoli game to finish we've just gone into injury time so just while we wait for that to happen uh just go keep an eye on that yeah so i've been watching it i've been watching while recording because i'm so good at multitasking um so seriat who said men can't multitask
00:58:12
Speaker
So, there is the Serie A matches. Emply Udenez and Nil-Nil. Lecce 1, Sasualo 1. They were Friday matches. And then this Sunday game. So, Monza 3, Selenitana, Nil.
00:58:28
Speaker
We said Ranieri has to go, Paolo Sousa, I think he has to go as well. Yeah, he has to go to, yeah. No, he does. Because they're the results disastrous and that you look at their performance as disastrous and they're XG against every game. It's so high every single game and Monza could have had six in this game and they really tore them apart.
00:58:50
Speaker
I was really happy to see Vignato start and play really, really well. He scored, he went on another really, really great run, which the keeper made a great save. So I was really glad to see Vignato after the role that he played in the
00:59:06
Speaker
in the under 19. Yeah, the under 19. And just as we're saying that, if you're in senior school, the third goal, Nicole, three, one. And just before we get to that, frozen on it to Verona one, the frozen on a fairy tale continues. And we have to talk about, I just want to mention a moment, a month, a colpani colpani colpani. I mean, yeah, you're a fan of him. Yes, I like what I've seen. I am really, really impressed.
00:59:35
Speaker
with everything he's with the season he's having. And I, this was a player who I had on my radar, but I wasn't expecting him to have the season he's having. And him and Vignato. No, Monza. I like Monza. They play a lot of Italian players, a lot of Italian youngsters. Colombo's there as well. Halladini plays football, develops them. Yeah, they're a good team.
00:59:59
Speaker
Talking about coaches that have a big future, Paladino has a big future. We had a question on the Q&A on Tuesday about coaches that develop players and I think he's definitely fits into that bracket.
01:00:17
Speaker
Now we have to talk about Napoli, who... Well, just before we do talk about Napoli, let's just, just, just, uh, Frosinone.
Napoli's Defensive Issues
01:00:23
Speaker
So, Frosinone went 2-1 against Verona, their fairytale continues. Renier scored on his debut, which was nice, but there's only one player to talk about, and that is Mathias Soule, who was absolutely insane in this game. He had something like six shots on this game, he hit the post twice, he scored,
01:00:42
Speaker
He was dribbling, he was cutting inside. Di Francesco compared him to Berardi of this game. I have to be honest, I'm pleasantly surprised how good Sulei has been for frozen on it. I didn't think he could be this good, certainly not this fast.
01:00:58
Speaker
I saw him at Juventus and I wondered, did he lack a little bit of pace? I mean, there's no doubt about that lovely left foot he has, the technique that he has. I wondered whether he had the ability to kind of beat his man and do all this, what he's been doing for Frosted Iron. He's been incredible so far. Did you see the game? I mean, he could have had a hat trick. He hit the woodwork twice. He had a good goal.
01:01:24
Speaker
he was by far, in my opinion, the best player on the pitch. By my, he was unbelievable. It was unbelievable in this game. Yeah. It was genuinely a joy to watch him. Yeah.
01:01:36
Speaker
And he has something he can call that critically. Well, there's that possibility. But I mean, I have to say when he went on loan and the Juventus were considering actually selling him outright this summer, I have to say I wasn't against Juventus selling him because I thought I didn't. I was unsure. I mean, I'll be honest with you, I didn't think he was a Juventus level player. I didn't think he would be an Juventus level player. Now I've seen what he's done so far, I'm thinking,
01:02:04
Speaker
Maybe he is in the right system. Obviously, Allegri system is the wrong system for him. He can't play in a 3-5-2, he's playing as a winger in a winger system. So that didn't help him under Allegri, of course. Maybe he needed to play under a coach there. Whatever you want to say about D Francesco, he is good at developing players, youngsters, if nothing else. He's good at developing youngsters, so maybe he was the right coach for him.
01:02:26
Speaker
And also, let him have a full season. Same with Kalpani. I hope nobody tries to pick him up. Leave him there for the entire season. Let him finish the season. I'm a full season there. Let's see what we're dealing with afterwards. I'm surprised. I have to sound very pleasant. I didn't think...
01:02:44
Speaker
he had this in him, not this fast anyway. But we'll see, like you said, we'll see if he can keep it up. We'll see if he can keep it up. Okay, let's move on to Napoli now because the Napoli game has finished and a bit of a disaster for Napoli. They've lost 3-1 at home to
01:03:04
Speaker
Fiorentina. And they deservedly lost, to be honest. Yes, they did deservedly lose. And it's incredible because I thought that Napoli had turned a corner, did one-two games in Serie A, and the game against Real Madrid, they went toe-to-toe against Real Madrid. They probably just about deserved to lose that game against Real Madrid, as we said in our poll on Thursday. But I thought that they went toe-to-toe with them. I thought they were really good in the second half against Real Madrid until
01:03:32
Speaker
until Modric came on, until Valverio scored that goal, that ended up being an own goal from Eric, kind of out of nothing. But what we did see in that Madrid game is that Napoli cannot defend at all. Defends is shocking. And we saw that again in this game. Shocking defense in this game.
01:03:52
Speaker
conceded another three goals, six goals conceded in two games, nine goals already conceded in Serie A this season, five goals already conceded in two games, or no, sorry, four goals conceded in two games in the Champions League. So that's 13 goals conceded in 10 games, new season. I mean, that's the shocking that is. So that's not all just down to
01:04:20
Speaker
Not replacing Kim Min-J. That's on Rudy Garcia, isn't it? Yeah. Look, I was not a big fan of that appointment. And I wonder at what point he was... I think anybody was, never. Maybe surprised. But look, I wonder how long he has a job at Napoli.
01:04:46
Speaker
Seriously, because I never thought that I would be saying this. I'm starting to question whether or not Napoli even finished in the top four with him in charge. And that's not a question of me questioning the quality of the Napoli squad. No, that's me questioning Ruri Garcia, because
01:05:08
Speaker
I mean, 14 points, eight games, three points already off the top four, or the fourth place Fiorentino and Juventus, both on 17. I wonder, and there's an international break coming up. All I'm going to say is I wouldn't be surprised. I've seen stranger things happen. And I think, honestly, if you're going to sack someone, it's better to do it now than in a month's time, the next international break, because
01:05:38
Speaker
Now's the time to do it. Now is the time to do it. No, this is when you can still salvage your season. Yeah, you can save the season. If they sack him and bring someone in who can do something, they can salvage the season. This is just, it's looking broken. They don't, they just don't. I feel there's a disconnect. How do you take that team, minus Kim and Jay, and turn it into this? I just don't understand.
Fiorentina's Joint Third Position
01:06:02
Speaker
No, it is astonishing. I mean, I'd say. Do a tiny full Napoli in this game.
01:06:08
Speaker
Yeah, neither they were. They were dreadful. The criticisms that I had against Garcia's Napoli in the first games of the season where there was just no, the team was disjointed between the departments, big massive gaps.
01:06:25
Speaker
too easy to play through, too easy to open up, too easy to create chances. I had the big criticism of them during the Lazio game, during the Genoa game especially, and then I thought they turned it around like they were better against Bologna, then they destroyed the Udenez in Lecce, but obviously we have to consider the opposition there, but then they also went toe-to-toe with Real Madrid.
01:06:49
Speaker
I was ready to not give Rudy Gossi the benefit of a doubt because I don't rate him as a coach but I was ready to kind of say well maybe Napoli have enough in their players that they can kind of overwrite the coach a little bit but then again bam we see in this game again that
01:07:07
Speaker
You just, the importance of a coach, we've seen again how important it is to have a good coach. And if you have a bad coach, he can even destroy a really quality team like Napoli. And that's what's happened there. And once again, unless there's an injury there that I haven't seen, he's taken Osseman off again while Napoli are chasing the game at 2-1. In the 76th minute, he takes off Osseman. Now, I don't understand.
01:07:37
Speaker
if I'm mistaken and that there was an injury that I didn't see. We're reacting to this straight after full time. He's taken Osseman again. Off. How the hell can you take off Osseman when you're losing 2-1? It's insane. That's a sackable offence on its own. How can you take Osseman off? You're losing 2-1.
01:07:56
Speaker
I mean, do you want to get sacked? Do you want him to... I don't understand what he's doing. What is he trying to do? Is he trying to get Osseman to leave the club in January? What is he doing after he took him off in the game against Bologna? Was it Bologna when Osseman had strong words against him? They had a little bit before that. It was a Bologna game, wasn't it?
01:08:17
Speaker
Yeah, I think so, yeah. And then there was obviously the TikTok stuff. And now, I mean, just forget about all that. You want to try and get back into the game. You take off Osteeman. I mean, are you insane? Are you actually out of your mind? I don't get it. I just don't get it. I don't understand what he thinks he's going to do.
01:08:37
Speaker
I mean, I like Simeon, you don't get me wrong. Me too. But you do not take off Victor Osseman when there's 15 minutes past injury, 20 minutes left of the game and you're chasing the game 2-1. You take off the best player in, probably the best player in, well, the best player in Serie A. Take off the best player in Serie A. Well, the best striker of last A is just... It's just absolutely insane. Yeah, it's...
01:08:58
Speaker
just get rid of him now. Seriously, I can't believe I'm saying this, but yeah, I never thought I'd say these words because I think even a limited coach like this guy can't screw it up as bad as not probably being in risk of missing top four. No, I'm with you. I don't think it's a guarantee. I don't think top four is a guarantee. No, no.
01:09:19
Speaker
And I'm even starting to think when you said the other day, and I was almost laughing at you about the fact that do not discount Union Berlin or Braga from finishing above them. Well, I thought that was insane. I haven't watched Braga and the Union Berlin play and seen how bad they were. Well, you can't bank on Napoli with Garcia against anyone. No, you can't. It's such a mess. It's almost impressive what he's done to this team.
01:09:47
Speaker
No.
Michael Kayode's Promising Rise
01:09:49
Speaker
Yeah. And I have to say, I can't believe Fiorentina and where they are in the league. I really can't, you know. And I'd like to stick up for Italiano and praise him like that because, you know, I like that modern brand of football. How are Fiorentina fourth, joint fourth? No, no. Yeah, they're joint third. They're joint third with Juventus. They've got 17 points. Yeah.
01:10:14
Speaker
Yeah. They've moved above Napoli. Yeah. How off the ONC? I don't know. Because I don't think they've played well this season. They've been awful in Europe. Did you see them? It gets very glamorous. It's just embarrassing. Too, too, they drew. But yeah, no, it's shocking. But we have to give credit to Bonaventura. I mean, he has been great this season. He got called up for the international team as well. Yeah, well, he deservedly so. Let's be honest. The form he's been in, and he's such an underrated player. And to see him have this kind of
01:10:45
Speaker
this late resurgence in his career. I'm just glad that he's playing Parisi. That's the only thing I'm happy about. And I think Parisi, the more Parisi plays, the less Biragi plays, the happier I am.
01:11:01
Speaker
And I want Mandragora to play as well. I love Mandragora. But no, no, look, it's Fiorentina, you know, again, when you don't play well and you win and winning away at Napoli... Well, they did play well.
01:11:17
Speaker
Yeah, and I mean like overall. Yeah, overall season. Yeah, I mean, yeah, if you keep winning and I mean, if you know, 17 points, they're challenging for a top. Yeah, they won't keep it up. I'm pretty sure they won't keep it up. But yeah, and absolutely impressed. It's an impressive start to the season that superseded my expectations on them. So credit where credit is due.
01:11:38
Speaker
No, no, for sure. Okay, right. Well, one player did play very well in this game is, and this has worked out really nicely, is Michael Coyote. So we're going to do a little profile on Michael Coyote. He's 19 years old. He is the right back for Fiorentina, who has now become basically the starting right back for Fiorentina.
01:11:58
Speaker
And the regular starting robot following that the injury to Dodo, we've got serious injury and he's going to be out until 2024. But already Kayodi was already playing and rotating with Dodo until before Dodo's injury.
01:12:13
Speaker
And he was really, really impressive against Napoli this evening. Had a really good battle with Kvaletskaya, not just defensively, but he also did well going the other way as well. And Kayode really came to the fore during the summer. He was one of Italy's stars in the Euro under 19.
01:12:39
Speaker
Euro Championship victory. He started the tournament as a right bat, then in the knockouts moved the two as a right-winger. He was absolutely brilliant in the semi-finals against Spain, destroyed Spain as a right-winger with his pace and his direct running. And then again in the final he was fantastic and he scored the winner for Italy against Portugal in the final to complete what was a really, really excellent tournament for him. He's very fast, physically very, very strong.
01:13:09
Speaker
um big upper body um kind of a bit like I guess comparable to destiny or dodgy in the sense that he's like a man in a boy's body already um he's very good in the air he's got a really good leap on him um he's got an insane long throw like the one of the longest long throws i've seen so if you ever playing brexit pool which i don't think italiana will ever play but if you ever need if you ever need a long throw into the area um yeah
01:13:37
Speaker
Sean Dyche maybe might look at him but he's now been promoted to the Italy under 21 squad and Arsenal are interested in signing him and sent scouts to watch him in the win against Cadbury.
01:13:57
Speaker
So, he is a player. Apparently, they've been scouting him for a good few months, apparently. So, he is somebody that is getting eyes from bigger clubs, including the Premier League. And he's doing really, really well. He grew up in the event as a youth system for seven years.
01:14:15
Speaker
before leaving for Gotzano. And then he went to the Fiorentini Premavera team a couple of years ago. And now he has now developed and been promoted into the senior teams. And he's actually paid, listen to this, 30,000 euros a season right now. Contract until 2025. Fiorentini, they are working
01:14:35
Speaker
on a new deal. So this is a player that I'm really excited to see his development because he was fantastic in the summer and I think he's done really well at Fiorentina so far.
01:14:48
Speaker
He really has, and he's only 19 years old, and it's really exciting to see. If we're talking with all due respect to Godzan, it's not really the first team experience. But no, I'm really impressed. And one thing I want to give credit to
01:15:11
Speaker
to Italiano is that he's good at working with young players. That we know from his era, from Spezia, where he did a fantastic job.
01:15:27
Speaker
is we've seen him work wonders. I still think that what he did with Spezia, those two seasons, bringing them up and then also keeping them up with a team that had no business staying up, that's his greatest feat to date, I think.
01:15:49
Speaker
And it's interesting because he's worked under Alberto Aquilani at the Fiorentina Primavera squad. He's actually quite highly rated as a youth coach or a youth director or whatever you want to call it.
01:16:09
Speaker
No, it's really, he's looking interesting and it's fun to see these new young Italian players coming up. Teenagers, we don't have that many teenagers in the Serie A who play regularly now.
01:16:24
Speaker
do we so it's nice when they do when we get to have no this is why I cried about it so much in the summer give these guys a chance because you know you give them a chance and this is this is what what can happen you know sorry yeah sorry just to give just to give a context you know Fiorentina have
01:16:43
Speaker
They're one of the best sides. They're one of the best youth setups in all of Italy. And he's won one primavera coppa italia and two super coppa primaveras. So we are talking about and he was also, if I'm not mistaken, part of the under 19 squad that won the euros.
Italy's Under-19 Talent
01:17:03
Speaker
If I'm not mistaken, who's that sorry?
01:17:06
Speaker
Yeah, the under-19s. Yeah, the under-19 yet. Yeah. So he has, you know, it's an interesting generation that Italy are producing. Well, yeah, this is why I say, play these guys. I mean, he was a part of the under-19s and so was Vignato. Vignato is now starting to get some, he started today and played really, really well against the Laetina.
01:17:28
Speaker
You know, play these players, give them a chance, don't let them just rot away. And they're two of the most exciting youngsters in Serie A, so absolutely more of the same as that. Okay, right, let's finish off with Bad Joe and Prime Place of the Week.
01:17:49
Speaker
Okay, Badgeo, who have you got for Badgeo this week? I've got Colpani for his goals and his start to the season. Lautaro's goal, of course, and Lautaro's performance this week has been against Benfica as well, because I thought he was unbelievable against Benfica, even though he didn't score.
Premier League's New Challengers
01:18:14
Speaker
But yeah, for me, Lautaro's goal against Bologna is up there.
01:18:18
Speaker
One of him won't call Pani. Yeah, I'm going to go for Soule. Soule for me. I thought he was magnificent. Even Pedro for Lazio at his age. He scored two goals this week, so that was a nice little story as well. OK, Prem Face of the Week has always quite a lot of competition this week. Martin Keown calling Lon's Leon is such a quintessentially
01:18:48
Speaker
prim-faced thing to do. It's insane, isn't it? It's just... Commentating on lens versus Austin on the Champions League, and you call them Leon. I mean... Repeatedly too, from what I understand, isn't just one type.
01:19:03
Speaker
Joe Cole come out with what is now the 2023 modern version of, can he do it at Stoke on a wet and windy Tuesday night? This is the 2023 prim face version of that. What is the obsession with Brentford? I don't know. But this is not the modern version of that, which is Brentford are tougher than. Inserting. Insert quarantine. That is the new.
01:19:33
Speaker
It's a possession they've got with Brentford. It's like Brentford has become some sort of, I don't know. It's like... That's what I said, Brentford are the 2023 version of Stoke. That's what they are, the new Stoke. That's a really good, yeah.
Fan Opinions and Criticisms
01:19:49
Speaker
They're the new state. They use as the example that foreigners, you know, they won't be able to hack it against Brentford, you know, because they are the premier league English through and through. And, you know, did you see our good friend Rory the Tory waffling about about how you football fans should unite around Liverpool?
01:20:10
Speaker
His speech, his... Rory the Tory promoting socialism. The irony. It was hilarious how he was going on about how you should...
01:20:25
Speaker
unite around Liverpool's banner because this is bigger than just one game and I don't know it was the most incoherent word salad I think I've ever seen and this is the thing and he does this time and time again the thing is with people like him is that they use terminology whose meanings they don't know but they've heard it so many times on social media and they think that if they use it it makes them somehow relevant
01:20:51
Speaker
I used to do that too, but then I had my 10th birthday and stopped because I was told by my parents to not use words whose meanings I don't understand. Most people stop doing that around 10-11. Rory the Tory doesn't.
01:21:06
Speaker
Um, it's it's truly truly remarkable. Um, but yeah, no, it's it's it's it's just it's not non-stop. We got a late we got a late entrance though. Um, while we're recording our prem face hunter sam samuel vinteros He sent sent it in. Um, so alan pardy was being on shock horror talk sport
01:21:26
Speaker
this evening. He's been complaining about why Calvin Phillips is not getting in the first scene at Manchester City. Yorkshire Pierlo isn't good enough. And he said, and I quote Alan Pardee, I quote,
01:21:42
Speaker
played Kovacic and Bernardo Silva instead. I don't understand it. Why doesn't Phillips get in ahead of them? So there you have it. Alan Pardue thinks that Kovacic and Bernardo Silva are not as good as Calvin Phillips. But that doesn't surprise me at all, because when Alan Pardue was West Ham manager, he used to play Marlon Harewood, head of Carlos Tevez, and he used to play Hayden Mullins instead of Javier Mescalano. And that was true.
01:22:11
Speaker
I know it was. I remember I was in uni then. This was around 06-07, wasn't it? This was, yeah, after the 2016-12 Cup. I remember this vividly because I was in uni. Tevez eventually managed to break his way into the first team and basically saved West Ham's occasion. And Mascurano didn't know. Maybe not until the very end. I think he struggled. Hayden Mullins had that shirt.
01:22:37
Speaker
I had that shirt nailed on, but the runner was there watching on, and then, oh my God. Just hilarious, isn't it? Absolutely hilarious. Yeah, I know I remember Alan Pardee because that was, he got them, didn't he get them to the UEFA Cup Final? No, FA Cup Final. Sorry, FA Cup Final, sorry, FA Cup Final, which they lost to Liverpool in that crazy game at Cardiff Millennium Stadium. That's right, 3-3, wasn't it? And I remember this vividly because one of our patrons,
01:23:05
Speaker
who is a good friend of mine, I went to uni with him and his hatred, rancid hatred of Liverpool was one of the most... he's a West Ham fan and his rancid hatred of Liverpool started because of that final and he just never forgave them for not allowing West Ham to win the FA Cup final and he's still to this day
01:23:31
Speaker
hates Liverpool with a fire with a burning passion, which is hilarious. He's a good friend of mine. Actually, he was when I was in Milan in February, I was with him. It was and we spoke about and yes, it's it's still all these years on. He still absolutely hates Liverpool because of that ethnic up final loss. Hilarious. I bet he's enjoyed the last week then of the AR and replay gates.
01:23:57
Speaker
Oh, he's been so happy. So happy. And the thing that the table is playing again today, the Liverpool fans, because we've seen it against Brighton because when when Liverpool scored the second goal, they got the penalty to go to one up. And the the to be fair, by the letter of the law, it seems as if Pascal Grosz should have been sent off for deliberate, deliberately.
01:24:19
Speaker
fouling the play and preventing the goals for an opportunity, but he didn't get sent off.
Upcoming Content and Sign-off
01:24:25
Speaker
They scored the penalty to go 2-1 up, and then Luis Dunge equalised in the second half to make it 2-2, and that's how the game finished 2-2. So Liverpool fans, they're going berserk again against VAR and the ref saying that they cost them two more points.
01:24:40
Speaker
The reason why I remember this is because when you mentioned Tevez Mascherano third-party contracts because that season Sheffield United got relegated and they wanted to have West Ham relegated because they were all you know they were all tied up in this scrap and
01:24:57
Speaker
That's correct, yeah. And I remember this vividly, because Sheffield United were like in every court in the land trying to get... That was key interruption, wasn't it? Yeah, it was. Iranian. So we've come full circle. I remember this vividly, so vividly. And I remember Sheffield United, you know, going about it the way that they did and how much they were moaning.
01:25:20
Speaker
and West End were pissed off and oh it was it was that's one of my favorite Premier League seasons that was 0607 to be honest around that 0607 and 0708 was really really fun good years yeah it was okay right let's leave it at that and we'll be back on Tuesday for the Q&A
01:25:38
Speaker
and then later in the week where we'll preview the Italy Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and England. Huge, massive for Italy. Okay, right. Enjoy the week, guys. We will see you on Tuesday. Ciao ciao.