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Atalanta's Three-Goal Comeback, Torino Beat Inter, Juve Outlast Lazio (Ep. 1)
291 Plays7 years ago
The Serie A Show's Chloe Beresford, Nima Tavalley, and John Solano discuss this past weekend's slate of matches as we saw Atalanta make a miracle comeback against Roma, Inter fall 1-0 to Torino and Juve outlasting Lazio in the final minutes.
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Transcript
Introduction & Hosts Background
00:00:01
Speaker
Welcome to the Seria show!
00:00:16
Speaker
All right, everybody. Welcome to the very first edition of the Sadia show. Thank you so much for joining us. I'm John Solano joined alongside me are my two wonderful co-host Chloe Beresford in Niemata Valley. How are you two doing? Very well, thank you.
00:00:35
Speaker
I'm very good. I'm excited. I've been looking forward to this. I'm very excited, and I also am looking forward to this. So I'm sure many of you follow one of us on Twitter. So I'm a Roma supporter. Chloe, you support. Fiorentina. And Nima, you support. Unter.
00:00:55
Speaker
So, with that in mind, this is not going to be a Fiordentina InterRoma podcast. We are all going to be discussing the various matches throughout the week, transfer rumors, storylines, so on and so forth. And yes, while we do each support a separate team, oddly enough, we all have the mental capacity above, I don't know if that- The current US president. Sure, okay, sure, we can say that. So with that in mind,
00:01:25
Speaker
If I criticize Lazio, it's not because I'm a Roma supporter. If Chloe criticizes Juve, it's not because she's a Fiorentina supporter. And if Nima criticizes Milan, it's not because he's simply an inter supporter. We all have the ability to look at this in sort of an unbiased way. So that's the beauty of this. Unbelievable, isn't it? Amazing, isn't it? It's astonishing in this day and age that that is even possible. So
00:01:51
Speaker
I think the point is that in one head, can someone live at that speed? I think the point is that we're all fans of the league in general, that's all of watching Serie A and we want that to appeal to everybody else out there who is also the same, even though like us, they may prefer one particular team.
00:02:10
Speaker
Yeah, exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself. So this is our very first episode. Please be patient with us. We're going to skin our knees a little bit. We're going to find out what the zone, what everybody prefers sort of is. So please bear with us. We're going to find the groove for the show eventually. And once we do, we hope to deliver great content. So with this being the first
00:02:36
Speaker
episode. Obviously the the couch show gods blessed us with a sensational week of football in Serie A.
Serie A Matches Review
00:02:44
Speaker
There were some very high scoring matches, some incredibly exciting affairs. So we had Sasuo, Lobi, Calieri, 3-0. We had Semp, absolutely dismantle, Utenese, 4-0. We had Milandro, Napoli, Chloe, your Fiord and Tina edged one out against Kievo. Yeah, I nearly had heart failure to be honest in that game. It had everything.
00:03:06
Speaker
But yeah, it was a roller coaster ride. It was a roller coaster and we can stop here and talk about that match for a minute because if anyone follows me on Twitter, they know how much of a hatred I have for Quievo Verona and for the Stadio Bentegori, which I think is one of the most decrepit places on all of Earth.
00:03:31
Speaker
It's basically Mordor. That's my simile for describing that place. I absolutely hate it. I've been there once and I've been scarred for life. I know exactly what you're talking about. It's a miserable place. It is where happy thoughts go to die. I mean, it's just absolutely horrible.
00:03:51
Speaker
It's terrible, and I'm going to go on just a very small rant because I'm originally from Vicenza just outside of Verona. Vicenza, the football there is not good whatsoever, so the major teams are, you know, Quievo Verona, Hellas Verona, and those two sides are just the footballing equivalent of like an STD. It's terrible.
00:04:17
Speaker
And just growing up, you have these two sides. Personally, I've always preferred Verona. The fans are a bit more passionate. Now they bounce around a lot more than Kievo, but I mean, I think everybody, I've never seen anybody from all these clubs unite to see a team. All of us are behind Kievo going down to Serie B, no?
00:04:38
Speaker
I hope so. I'm more excited about Kievo going down than the prospect of Roma. I mean, I understand that. And the thing is, it is not a sexy team at all. And it is a horrible place to go. But at the end of the day, I'm really impressed by what Campadeli and they have done for now. Is it like over a decade or something? They've been on the Serie A continuously. They don't really have a fan base. It's basically like a part.
00:05:06
Speaker
No fan base, it's basically like a part of the city. Like a local pub team, pretty much. They've managed to stay in the city. That's really impressive. But they play such ugly football, you know? You think, oh, when your team's playing Kieva, you're kind of grown and you think, oh, because it's going to be so dreadful. Yeah, sorry, sorry.
00:05:30
Speaker
No, no, it's just that I just think that there are so many more sort of colourful teams with stories and passionate fan bases, even like with Benevento that came up last year. They were they were so entertaining. And you think, you know, I'd prefer anybody over Kievo, really. Couldn't agree with you more. But at the end of the day, the fact that they are they're a little bit nobody likes them is kind of the charm of them as well, isn't it? Like the fact that they're so and you know, the antipathy is so high with them.
00:05:58
Speaker
And they basically have no fan base. It's basically a club that's really, it's run really well. And that's why they're doing so well and have been doing so
Serie A Relegation Zone
00:06:05
Speaker
well. But by all rights, they have no business in this area. They really don't. But at the same time, you got to respect that. I respect it. I just feel like Cappatelli, I feel like he's been there for five decades and he's never invested a Euro into the team. No, it's completely, it's all self running.
00:06:25
Speaker
and self-sufficient. And that makes it even more interesting, isn't it? Like, I mean, Sorrentino, Pelissier, and all these, like, and Moscardelli, they were talking characters. I mean, yeah, they have that, but it's not a fun team. But the thing is, I'll tell you what, I think they're gonna make it this year. I think they're gonna, once again, scrape through. I am sorry, but I really think they're gonna take the points needed to not get relegated. They've only got eight, though. They've only got eight points.
00:06:56
Speaker
Yeah, but I think... They've got a lot to make up. Yeah, and part of me, I just have such a... I do not want to see photos I know when I go down. If anybody has been to their stadium, I urge you... Oh my gosh, it's beautiful. They're one of the few teams in the city that actually owns their own stadium. It's very modern. Now, granted, it's not in the best area, but yeah, I don't know.
00:07:25
Speaker
I just don't want Bologna to go down because I really believe in Bologna. It's a medium-sized piazza. It's a club with a lot of history. And now with the launch of the new stadium, they're going to build a turdalara. I really don't want them to go down. I think they'll stay up now with Mihailovic, though. I think he'll keep them up.
00:07:44
Speaker
Yeah, I hope so. Yeah, that's a great point because as we're recording this, Mija has not been officially, I believe, I don't think he's been officially introduced, but he's one of those managers to me. He's sort of like Gasparini in the sense that he is so good at that mid-table club level that he just, he's almost too good, but he's not good enough for a big club. I think he's perfect for them. I agree. Agreed.
00:08:10
Speaker
I mean, but speaking of managers that are not perfect for any club, I think is this the last we saw of Filippo Inzagi in the city art? I think so, yeah.
00:08:21
Speaker
Yeah, I was sort of surprised that he took the job. Now, I don't blame him for taking it, but he seemed to have it so well at Venezia. I was shocked that he decided to leave because if you look at both sides, I mean, they're struggling in Serie B. Bologna have been horrible this season. I just think that's one of those moves that nobody won. Everybody loses.
00:08:46
Speaker
Agreed. They've only scored 16 goals in 21 games, which is like the lowest of any team under Pupo Enzari. It reminds me a little bit of when Zeeman took Piscara up to the Serie A and then left and went to Roma. Piscara lost. Roma would leak hemorrhaging goals in classic Zeeman fashion. And Piscara got really good at immediately. Now, obviously, he didn't manage to give an Etsy up last season, but he does kind of have that kind of vibe to it.
00:09:17
Speaker
It's interesting. Yeah. So, I mean, if we look at the table now, um, it is an interesting race. I mean, Kievo are at the bottom with eight frozen on a 13 Bologna 14 and police 17 with an easy 18 Genoa at 20 is, you know, there's always that one team that is sort of lagging at the bottom. But if you look at, if Kievo had not had that point reduction, they'd be right in the thick of it. Really? Yeah. Yeah.
00:09:43
Speaker
So personally, I just hope, sorry, personally, I just hope that Udinez and Bologna don't get relegated. I really don't. Yeah. Bologna, they have that old historical charm. I completely agree with you. I mean, who do you, who do you want to go down? I mean, for me, it's difficult to pick three. It's really difficult. Yeah. But tell you what, Empoli Frosinone Kievo are the two ones, I think.
00:10:12
Speaker
Although it's not that I want them to go down, but I think they will go down. Empoli to me is one of those teams that although they have that history and it's nice to have a local rivalry when they play Fiorentina.
00:10:23
Speaker
It's still, I mean, the other projects like Udenes' Bologna's, even Spal, you know, with their new stadium, they're more exciting. And I think they have more to give to the Serie A and Genoa as well. With Prandelli, I think next season we'll be really interested unless Preciosi kicks him out and brings back Yurich and what's his name? For the 50 millionth time. It's like they've got a rota, doesn't it? They've like divided the seasons a month. Him and Balladini.
00:10:50
Speaker
balladini yeah it's like they're on a rota basis like june like june to september it's huge you reach then it's balladini and then it's someone else well callie i would assume you would want emply to stay up just because that's a fun derby in my opinion yeah i mean the furentina fans themselves don't really recognize it um adabi they they kind of think it's a bit beneath them to have adabi with employees
00:11:14
Speaker
I think the rivalry is more fierce with Pisa and Livorno actually. But obviously for Empoli, a couple of times recently they've actually won at the Francine, for them that's massive.
00:11:27
Speaker
And I actually really like Emply as a club. The owner is really smart and they've got plans for a new stadium. And I would actually like to see Emply stay up. But I guess, you know, a friend of mine supports them and I've sort of followed them. So I've kind of got that bit of attachment to them. I personally prefer to see someone like Udinese go down than Emply. But I guess it's just, you know, what you've come into contact with and what you know.
00:11:58
Speaker
Sure. And we sort of brushed over it, but Milan Napoli was a draw. I didn't really know what to make of that one. It was very strange. I found, in my opinion, I think Gattuso, although I think he's
AC Milan's Tactical Pursuits
00:12:15
Speaker
really, really impressed. I think the job he's done is given the situation when he took over and what he's kind of got Milan doing is almost like a little bit he's overachieving.
00:12:26
Speaker
Or maybe the level below Juventus and Napoli's is a little bit too thin this year I don't know but I think but I'm really impressed with the fact that the Milan are fourth despite everything they're fourth yeah that's that's really impressive but
00:12:41
Speaker
I just don't think moving forward to next season, they should continue with Gattuso. And especially now with Piontek and Cutrona up front, I mean, to me, this squad is just, this is made for Antonio Comte to take over the squad and play his 3-5-2. It's just made for it.
00:12:59
Speaker
I don't know what you guys think. I agree Nima, I think that Gattuso has done a really good job. I think he deserves an immense amount of credit coming into such a really high pressure club and you know the fact that he hadn't really got that much experience before. But I think you know sometimes he gets found out a little bit tactically by some of the more experienced coaches and I think that
00:13:24
Speaker
like you say, I'm not sure you can take them further and give them that push to be back where they want to be, really. I think they need to make a change at some point. Yeah, I think it's funny. I think this race for fourth place, I think each of the clubs could really do frankly with a new manager. I think Roma could, I think Milan could, obviously Atalanta, no. Chloe, what do you think about Fiorentina?
00:13:52
Speaker
Yeah, it's a tricky one. I think he's got a lot of credit in the bank for the way that he handled the whole Astoria situation last year. Yeah, absolutely. There couldn't have been, in my opinion, anyone better to deal with the group of players and to nurture them through their grief and such a shocking thing that nobody expected to happen. And obviously they were galvanised and they played really well at the end of last season after that.
00:14:20
Speaker
Yeah, and I think, sorry, I think Pioli too is one of those guys sort of like Mija in the sense that I think he's such a good manager at sort of that level. I mean, nothing against Fiorentina at all, especially with a young club. I think he's fantastic. Yeah. And I think in general with the young players, he's absolutely brilliant, but there have been some things this year that I've had me absolutely pulling my hair out with him. And even though.
00:14:49
Speaker
even though I genuinely love the guy and I think he's brilliant, you know, some of the stubbornness around team selection, lack of discipline, things like that, he really, really needs to get a hold of and it's just the same stuff every week. And I just, you know, a real bugbear of mine is the fact that he's not playing Brian Dabo, who is an excellent player in the holding midfield role, in my opinion. And I just don't understand
00:15:16
Speaker
what the reason he could possibly not select him. I just don't get it. And I think it might be stubbornness from his part or maybe something he perceives in training. But yeah, I think there are one or two issues there. And I think that with the squad that Fiorentina have got that they could be doing a little bit better this season than they are. I think Luis Muriel was like the ideal signing. I think it's such an intelligent signing back. Yeah. Because although I do appreciate Giovanni Simione a lot, I just don't think he
00:15:46
Speaker
He's more of a, if you guys remember Flokkari, he was this kind of striker who always fought really hard, like a defensive striker almost, did an excellent job. To me, Giovanni Simeone is that kind of a striker. He's not that prolific, and I think that has maybe cost Fiorentina a little bit. I think Muriel was brilliant, because he also gives you that tactical choice in the sense that he can play on the wing, and he saw that with Kieza and Muriel,
00:16:13
Speaker
on the wings and then you have Miralas on the bench and I don't know what's going on with Piazza, but at least it gives you options. And I think it's, I mean, I really like where they're going with this Fiorentina, but then again, if you have Pantaleo Corvino, I mean, in my opinion, together with Pierpaolo Marino, maybe two of the best sporting directors they have ever had.
00:16:39
Speaker
where Vino is sensational. Yeah, he just keeps pulling it out of the bag. I mean, the odd one or two ones that don't end up working out, but in the main, he just keeps on... Yeah, he's brilliant. He's brilliant, isn't he? I mean, he just, he always gets it right. He's a master negotiator. He's done fantastically from Letcher to Fiorentina. I mean, this is like his third session. Like this is his third time at In Charge of Fiorentina, which is quite amazing. And every time he does it really, really well. So no, I...
00:17:08
Speaker
I'm really keen to see. I'm just a little bit, you know, that defence, Fiorentino's defence, I think everything looks good except for the defence and goalkeeper. I have big, big question marks there. Yeah, I mean, at the weekend they did have a bit of a makeshift defence. I mean, in general, they've not been so bad this season. It's fine when they've got the regular guys in there, but when there's injuries or suspensions, of which there've been a lot because of the discipline issue, then it looks very shaky.
00:17:37
Speaker
Chloe, I know a lot of what all my supporters will be curious to hear your assessment of jazz son. How do you think he performed this season? No, I like him. He's he's determined. He's clearly talented. I think that Fiorentina's midfield issues have slightly hampered him. But, you know, he basically won as the game at the end because Kieva were attacking and
00:18:02
Speaker
You know, they could, they could have pulled it back to a draw because it was that much of a crazy game, but Gerson had this sort of, I know he's young, but he had the sort of experience and the cool headedness to, to see out the game. And, you know, I just, I'm really impressed by him. I really liked that. I mean, that for me, the ideal midfield trio for the Valentina would be.
00:18:24
Speaker
Benassi and Gerson and then Veratou maybe a little bit deeper than he plays because I think he's I think he has that defensive intelligence and tactical brilliance in him to kind of be able to play. He does but I feel that he's wasted in that slightly more defensive role and personally I'm not very keen on Benassi either. Send him back because I love the kid. I've been regretting inter-silling him since the day he left.
00:18:50
Speaker
He's good. He's good with the goal scoring. He's scored some brilliant goals, but I don't feel like he contributes enough personally in this Fiorentina. My preferred would be Dabo in the holding role, as I've said, 50 million times. And then, further forward, Verityu, because he can show you a bit more of an attacking flair and he can help out defensively when needed and Gerson.
00:19:13
Speaker
Interesting.
Sampdoria's Performance Highlights
00:19:14
Speaker
Now, it would be remiss of us if we did not talk about Quagliarella in Sampdoria, which is, for the life of me, I can't understand Quagliarella. If you just want to talk about career, just trajectories, I mean, his is just so puzzling. It's astonishing the things that he's able to pull off at his age. It's just leaving you without work.
00:19:40
Speaker
It's so reminiscing, in my opinion, of Antonio de Natale, I think. That's a good shout, yeah. I mean, he, like, if you look at their careers, I mean, de Natale really peaked at the end of his career at a medium-sized piazza like Udinese, whilst Caliarella the same. I mean, he's been to Juventus, he's been to Napoli, didn't really get it, you know, didn't really get it to work there. But at Sant'Oria, it's a club with traditions, but it's not too big. It's a medium-sized club.
00:20:07
Speaker
And he's playing the football of his life because he's been, he's had trouble with fitness before. And now he is, he's never been better. And I think, you know, the, the scored, maybe the gold, the most beautiful goal I've ever seen or not this, this year, at least, uh, that back heel volume forever. I mean, you can't stop watching that. And, and, uh, so, so now in my, in my opinion, this is, this is, he's, it's very Italian, this kind of thing where,
00:20:34
Speaker
You find these strikers towards, you know, when they're a little bit towards the end of their career, they suddenly find like this new, uh, new brilliant form. Um, and, and I say, you know, it's good, it's good because I mean, if you can't, you know, not all players can make it, uh, can, cause it's not just playing and delivering, you know, playing for you, the Mila, uh, in the Roma, you know, these, these, there's a lot of pressure on the side. You have to be able to handle that and a lot of players can't. And therefore it's so nice to see that you still have this.
00:21:02
Speaker
We can still afford the Serie A, we can still afford these great players the space to show their full talents, even at a later age. Yeah, agreed. He's just an absolute Serie A legend, but he's really coming to his own now. I think he scored the highest number of his goals in his career last season was 13, and then this year he's already on 16. 11 in a row. He's got Batistuta's record of 11 consecutive games.
00:21:32
Speaker
And it means so much to him. I think people can really identify him because he wears his heart on his sleeve. Dan Paolo was saying about the fact that he really nurtures the younger players at the club as well and it takes time to teach them and to talk to them. He just seems like an all-round good guy and I think we all love to love those kind of players. I agree. He's extremely likeable and
00:21:58
Speaker
It's not like he's playing either for a Cagliari who, frankly, the ambition there is little to none. I mean, whether we like it or not, they are fully in the hunt for that final Champions League place.
00:22:15
Speaker
I mean, Gian Paolo, I mean, he's one of those guys that, in my opinion, in the summer, it would not shock me at all. It shocked me in the slightest if one of the big clubs came knocking because tactically, I think he's sensational. Yeah. I agree. I mean, anyone who follows me and Chloe knows that we have a little bromance with Sampdoria. We do. A little bit on the side. Yeah, a little bit on the side. It's our missus on the side. It's our little side thing that you can't tell anyone about. But no, seriously, I mean,
00:22:44
Speaker
It's John Powell. I'm so glad you brought that up, John, because I think, you know, Chloe and I have been talking about his problem. I mean, he's really, really good at getting this, you know, players to perform well. And I mean, I just look at Albany, the Swedish international was brought in from Hamburg where they were relegated to the site to Bundesliga.
00:23:04
Speaker
And I mean, I've followed this guy play, I've never seen him this good. I mean, he's replaced Torayra with a player that basically didn't cost anything. And Ekdal is maybe not as dominant as Torayra was, but he's definitely at that level. He's been simply sensational. You can see this with the Sampdoria players time and time again. They have this amazing ability to find good young talent and you have a fantastic coach, you can also get them into the team. Personally, I think the only thing that might be
00:23:33
Speaker
especially last season that can speak against Gianpaolo taking over one of the bigger teams is the consistency. The lack of form, when they dip, it's freefall. It's complete hemorrhage. And I think that is the only thing that maybe prevents him from going to Milan or in Inter or Juba. I mean, because he's somebody that's come into the top flights of quite late, honest.
00:24:01
Speaker
Obviously, he's not a Maurizio Sarri, but he's been at a lot of lower league clubs and then he did well at Emply and then that gave him the step up to Stamp. He's a relative newcomer to the league, but he's just done so well.
00:24:16
Speaker
Yeah, and everybody compares them to Saturday, and frankly that annoys me a bit, because I mean it's such a lazy comparison just because they're, again, they made similar stops at Empoli, obviously, but I just think, frankly, Gianpaolo's football is so different.
00:24:33
Speaker
But just the way he's been able to resurrect some guys. I mean, Chloe, you saw Saponara, Fiorentina. I mean, he did next to nothing. He looked great with Saponara. Yeah. And I think the thing with Saponara is that, and he's admitted it himself, that he does struggle mentally. And I think a lot of his sort of, he's clearly got so much natural talent, but
00:24:56
Speaker
I think maybe in a similar way to Balotelli that getting him focused and ready to play is a difficult thing. And I think that's why if you're on Tina, sadly, let him go to Samp because they, you know, it probably wasn't worth it for them to invest the time into making him into the mentally ready kind of player that they needed him to be. So I think Gian Paolo has done a fabulous job with Saponara and I think his man management skills are spot on.
00:25:25
Speaker
and he's managed to get him firing and that's really good to see because he's a really good guy. He just clearly has struggles in this sort of mental aspect. Yeah, and that was a sensational match, but we'll get to the other ones now. So we can start with your team, Nima.
Inter's Winter Slump and Management Challenges
00:25:46
Speaker
That was not good against Torina. He was hoping he'd forgotten. Do we have to? Do we have to?
00:25:52
Speaker
Nima, as someone who not only has met Luciano Spelletti has been a, I don't know if I'll call it a, well, I'll just call it a casual viewer of many of his seasons. And I've eaten at his brilliant restaurants. I don't know if you've been there, Chloe, but it is in Florence, and it's fantastic. Yeah, I'm not asking.
00:26:17
Speaker
that's right yeah i've not actually made it there but i've heard a lot of good things about it if if you're ever in florence fashion food baller it's a it's a great little spot um nima this this is right out of the spaletti history book in the winter this is when all the fun starts with him no this is um
00:26:36
Speaker
First off, I have to say- If that's your idea of fun, John, I'm not sure. Well, having been subjected to one too many seasons of Luciano Spelletti, I can attest to the winners being more than harsh with him. So, Nima, first I have to say, I think them going to three at the back was smart. I'm curious as to why it took so long.
00:26:59
Speaker
I think it was an absolutely idiotic move that he was forced to. I'm sorry, but I cannot stand the three man defense. I just cannot stand it. I don't like it. I never liked it. I will never like it. But if you're going to play it, you need to, you know, you have to have some sort of readiness in the squad. And this, this, you know, if you're going to play it like that, you should play it the same way maybe a Sarri does when he
00:27:24
Speaker
because he shifts between a three, four, three, and a four, three, three, and a match. Inter have done that last season, but they haven't really done it this season at all. Last season was Joao Cancello pushing up. It always happened. The Dombrosio cut in. Now we've not had that at all this season. And also this midfield doesn't know how to behave. We don't have the wingers for it. I thought, I thought, I understand why he did it, but I thought it was, and he was forced to do it. I think it was a really silly, I'm against it, but I understand why he did it.
00:27:52
Speaker
and criticizing too much for that because he was forced to. I mean, you have a situation where Politano hadn't suffered an injury in the beginning of last week, wasn't going to start because he was just not fit enough. Then you have a Perisic that is sulking and sulking, sulking in the background and just not happy with life because he wants to go to the Premier League. You have an Icardi and a contract situation with Wanda, who over the past month has basically
00:28:21
Speaker
thrown everyone at the club under the bus and then try to walk things back when it's, she realized that maybe she took it too far. I mean, all of this is, and then at the, in middle of all this, you have a Spalletti that's trying to hold everything together. And the fact that Inter were, I mean, you know, traditionally these past five, six years, I mean, as soon as December and January comes Inter, Inter fly into a recession mentally and recede mentally, they start, they start making stupid things. They start losing points. So far, Sasolo,
00:28:51
Speaker
Uh, I mean, this game was a draw. It was hardly beautiful to watch. They are nemesis, aren't they Nima? Yeah, they really are. They really are. I mean, it's our biggest boogie team. It's, it's, it's just, that's just how it is. It's just, you know, it's just accepted. But then you have Matsari, a Torino that struggled a little bit. Uh, I mean, I knew Inter were going to lose this game. I, I was 100% sure of it because Matsari always wants to give him to his former paymasters a little.
00:29:17
Speaker
snub on the nose and and and you know in his his foot and sadly was always going to overperform so I mean I understand why Spaletti did what he did but I think that right now look his job was to stabilize Intel as a top club last season they finished fourth this season's ambitions were to finish in the top four were third it was to qualify from the Champions League arguably the toughest group in the Champions League and it's for inter finished third
00:29:45
Speaker
Same points, just one goal difference awake. It caused them to qualify. And then you have the Copa Italia where they have to go to the semifinal. That's what you can expect of Inca this season. Anything above that is an overperformance. And I don't think you can expect that from a team that is constantly, there's constantly some turbulence going on. I mean, you just had a change of ownership. Minority shareholders, sure. But that still causes change.
00:30:13
Speaker
You had a bit of Marotta as a new footballing CEO come in. That's changed. And you've got a lot of unresolved issues from before, like I said, with with with the screen, our contract with with a cardi. And then you have Paris. So this is this is just classic intern. I think the Spaletti's handle is handled this really, really well. Inter is still third, five points of fourth. They played one of the team that they always struggle against. Historically, I think it was. I mean, if you look at the stats past 10 meetings, it was three wins each two draws.
00:30:44
Speaker
So sorry for draws. So it was like it was completely, you know, completely balanced between them. So now I I'm not I'm not with you. I don't think Spaletti has gone off the rails like the wheels haven't come off like it did at Roma. And it certainly did come off at all my times, but it hasn't gone there yet. Hmm.
00:31:03
Speaker
Anybody who's read anything of mine about Spoletti knows that I cannot stand him. I've made no secret of it. I just can't. Maybe not mainly, but a thing that really bugs me about him is his body language on the touchline that he's always, you know, he's never like galvanizing his team. He's always like sighing.
00:31:30
Speaker
I just, it's not for me. I just hope he doesn't come to Fiorentina forever. Well, we know his ties to.
00:31:40
Speaker
Florence, Chloe, so that may not be out of the question. When he was at Roma, I mean, he would spend his off days in Florence. He was there all the time. Nima, do you fear, though, that Inter could be dragging themselves into this race? And I won't even call it a race. I feel like this battle for the fourth position is almost like a
00:32:04
Speaker
a competition between everyone who's had their legs cut off and we've got a crawl on our arms towards the finish line. It's terrible because it has nothing to do with quality. It has to do with who is less crap than the rest. Do you fear into dragging themselves into it? Because frankly, I sort of get that feeling they may be.
00:32:26
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, it's January. It's the January blues. I mean, this team always loses its mind in January. Usually this, this, this meltdown begins usually in December, but this December was actually pretty good. Um, and then so, so they postponed it. Um, and I guess that's progress if you want to get it that way. Um, but no, I think they are, but I mean, this weekend against the Bologna that is sinking helplessly and sub sector coach, it's three points or it's full on crazy. Uh, and I think.
00:32:54
Speaker
They, I think Spalletti knows this because as I, you know, as you asked me when I was a guest at your part this summer, uh, about Naingolan and I, and I said, if it's the Naingolan we got, we get from two years ago, then it's good. But if it's the Naingolan we've seen then, you know, this is Hernandez 2.0 and all my, you know, all those worries have turned into actual problems now. Naingolan is an problem at Inter and Spalletti really, really, really went out on the limb for this guy.
00:33:22
Speaker
So, you know, he pretty much demanded him and got him. And he's been a complete failure. Yeah, we know we have to talk. No, so go ahead, Chloe. We can we can get to my my I've been waiting for Nima to bring this up. OK, just just a very quick thing. I think that with Spelletti this insistence on certain players has kind of cost him a bit. I think it was the same with Boca Valero because
00:33:48
Speaker
He wanted him even when he was at Roma, I'm sure John will confirm this, that he spoke about him several times. And then by the time he eventually got him, he was a shell of the player that he was. And Fiorentina were all too happy to say, yeah, here you go. And I think maybe a similar thing has happened with Nangolan. I think his fixation on certain players is perhaps costing him a little bit.
00:34:16
Speaker
In the way it's worked out for Roma, it's just astonishing. I mean, if you want to flip a storyline on its head, I mean, when this initially happened, I mean, it was inter-supporters essentially trolling Roma supporters because they handed Nangolan to them.
00:34:36
Speaker
It's just crazy to see a guy who was arguably a top five midfielder in the world during that 2016-2017 campaign under Spaletti just disappear. He's gone. He's completely gone. He's completely gone. It's nothing left. And it's sure you can say that, okay, he had this preseason ruined by an injury and therefore he's been playing catch-up ever since.
00:35:03
Speaker
But it's not just that, it just looks like, it just doesn't have it in him anymore. I mean, to me, it just, he looks like, he looks empty. And it just started last season at Roma. And, you know, I don't particularly make too much of the Zaniolo thing because those things can always be hit and miss. You never really know. But I just think that if you were going to pay that much money for someone, why not,
00:35:30
Speaker
bring in the player who actually helped you reach the Champions League, Rafinha, who was doing really, really well. Now, obviously, he's injured now, but I think he deserved to stay because I thought he was really good. And, you know, because we know he worked at Inter, he did an excellent, and he wanted to stay. He was happy with himself, with how things were. So I personally think it was
00:35:53
Speaker
He gambled a lot and I tweeted it out at the time and I said on every podcast I was on to my own as well that I think this is a gamble by Spaletti and it sure looks like this one has not paid off at all. And for me, even the things off the pitch, I mean, we all know what happened around Christmas with the audio that leaked from Nangolan reportedly saying, you know, I need to get out of here to even the stuff with Nima, you and I talked about it a little bit.
00:36:23
Speaker
this is just insane. I mean, for a top quality footballer, they should not be involving themselves in things like this. Exactly. I mean, the thing is, his volatility as a person is pretty, that's pretty charming when things are going well. But when things aren't going well and he looks like a shadow of himself, you know, the stuff he said at Christmas and let's not beat around the bush, anyone with a functioning pair of ears can hear that.
00:36:53
Speaker
It was Naingolan saying these things. And obviously, Inte did not want this to come out. That's why they suspended him and they didn't say anything. But then it came out anyway. And so Inte were prepared and I thought Marotta handled it perfectly. But by then he had other fish to fry, fish named Wanda to begin with. But no, I think I just don't. In my opinion, I think there's going to be a big, big, huge change at Inte this summer. And I think
00:37:21
Speaker
One of the players who will leave is an England. I think, Nima, that at least you've got the comfort of the fact that I don't think this will happen again. Now you've got Marotta. I think you won't stand for any kind of nonsense like that. And he will be very much in charge. And we know from his record with you how that works out. So, you know, I think I think that's probably, yes, there have been mistakes, but at least from now on you're going to be
00:37:50
Speaker
Okay. Absolutely. Absolutely. Marotta is brilliant. I think Marotta, the way Marotta handled this and the Wanda situation, he's been absolutely, he's been on top of it. This isn't the usual inter. I mean, by this time, usually if it were anybody else, there'd be, there'd be fighting in front of everyone, but not, they're not because Marotta is the boss.
00:38:11
Speaker
Soonings support him 100%. It's not like when Sabatini was there. This is really boating well. So I trust Marotta.
00:38:21
Speaker
Yeah, I agree. In some other matches, we had Spal beat Parma 3-2. Who else did we have? Well, currently, Geno and Boli is going on. Geno is up 1-0. Juve Lazio. We'll save that to Lazaroma for last. What did you think of Juve Lazio? Because if you want to talk about harsh results, I thought that was the harshest of the weekend.
Juventus' Strategic Play
00:38:42
Speaker
Yeah, it was. But were any of us surprised? Were any of us surprised that that was the final outcome? No, no, of course not.
00:38:51
Speaker
I mean, this is Yuva. The way this Yuva play and the way they're strong, they are. I mean, I'm so impressed by Alegri, to be honest. I think he was, I mean, when he took over after Conte, everyone was laughing at Yuva and said, what have they done? And then he brought them to two Champions League finals. They've won everything in Italy, except for the Supercoppa a few times. But other than that, it's a clean sweep. Four doubles in a row. And this Yuva he's got and the way they play and his ability to
00:39:21
Speaker
to find the right, to find the right lineup every game and to read games and this pragmatic, but yet intelligent approach. It's so, so, so impressive. And then you've got that one Mr. CR seven up there and he scores goals. I mean, he's done it everywhere. And now, now you've are just, they're just doing what is needed and saving energy to take themselves to
00:39:43
Speaker
to when things really are decided from March onwards in the championship. And the scary thing is that, you know, you can see it, that they're not firing on all cylinders. And, you know, they've not lost the game yet. No, it's unbelievable, isn't it? Yeah. I was one of those people who was laughing at Allegri's appointment. In fact, I was doing a live broadcast on a Rome-based radio station and we started laughing.
00:40:11
Speaker
because if you guys remember, Conte essentially quit after Roma to one Manuela Turbe. So the Karma gods not only got me once for that because Roma ultimately signed a Turbe, but they got Allegri as well. So that is one of those, I've learned my lesson from that, but I couldn't agree more. And the introduction of Cancello yesterday changed that entire match.
00:40:40
Speaker
Yeah, he is. It's always his subs, isn't it? Like, yeah, always gets them right. I mean, he reads a game so well and he's and I love the fact that he's not, you know, he doesn't have this. I mean, Spaliti always plays with a four, two, three, one with with a leg. It doesn't really matter because he's so pragmatic and he can get that out of those players as well. I mean,
00:41:01
Speaker
I don't really know if you were playing a three, four, three yesterday or a four, two, three, you know, it's hard to say because he, he moves it around so much. Very fluid. Very fluid. And he gets every player to understand and deliver exactly what he wants. And he, it's, it's so impressive. I mean, we're, we're talking, everyone was saying, you know, everyone after Ancelotti, who's the next big thing, well, this is the best Italian coach around right now. There's no doubt about it. Yeah. Agreed. I don't think there's any doubt about that. I couldn't agree more. He's sensational.
00:41:32
Speaker
But for me, it's clear that they're the strongest in the league. I think we're at the point where something massive would have to happen over the next few years for you then not to win the Sculeta, for me. For me, I mean, you guys may disagree, but I think their entire season hinges upon the Champions League, no? They said that in their Netflix documentary. They said, you know, they were very open about the fact it was
00:42:01
Speaker
Champions League or bust basically. They've proved that with the signing of Ronaldo that they're going all out for that. And why wouldn't you? When you've won the league and the last four seasons in a row, why wouldn't you be going to the Champions League, especially if they've got to the final twice as well? They really want to be seen as a top European club and that's the only way to do it. Yeah, I agree. I just hope they don't win the treble because I think that is what's
00:42:30
Speaker
that's what's been that's what's been you know that ever since inter did that they've not had a good night's sleep and that is what's bothering them that the inter have done something they haven't and i think that that is pretty much what this all hinges on i mean they this the league they've already won the copo italia it depends on how you know i think i think they might put that on
00:42:52
Speaker
as a little bit on the back burner. Yeah, I think so too. Just because I think that they're so hell-bent on winning the Champions League that when the schedule starts to get messy around that time, they could probably do without the copper Italia. I mean, I might be wrong, but I have a sneaking suspicion and they do play Atalanta next, which I think was one of the teams we wanted to talk about. Atalanta.
00:43:18
Speaker
Roma. Sorry things. Speaking of angst and like annoying things, this de-franchisico defensive tactic, what is your thoughts on that, John?
Roma's Managerial and Player Challenges
00:43:31
Speaker
That was, well first off I have to say, the 3-0 lead was the most undeserved 3-0 lead I have seen in the many many years that I have suffered watching Roma play football. I thought Atalanta bossed 75 of those 90 minutes. I thought they turned off for maybe 15.
00:43:52
Speaker
And in those 15 minutes, Roma hit them. Especially for one of the goals, the one of El Chirawi, Atalanta were completely turned off and Roma rightly punished them. But I thought it was one-way traffic. Frankly, I am shocked Atalanta didn't win the match. And I think, as I told you guys, we have a group chat. I think in that match, it's abundantly clear what you get when you have a dynamic manager like Asparini,
00:44:21
Speaker
versus one like different Chesco, who is very, he's very stagnant, very rigid in the way he approaches a match. I think it was one way traffic and frankly, I think they were lucky to leave that come on with a draw. Absolutely. Yeah, agreed. I think the Gasparini, we've seen in the way that they've defeated big teams like in the Europa League with Everton and teams like that.
00:44:46
Speaker
He's instilled an ethos of no fear whatsoever into his team. They just ruthlessly go at the opposition and, you know, they don't, they don't hold back. And, you know, I think conversely Roma got three nil up for, Oh, you know, this is really good. It's kind of a bit against the run of play. And then they start to get worried, especially as they conceded a goal right before halftime, which was a terrible time to concede.
00:45:12
Speaker
And playing against such a fearless side is, you know, they did it to them in their game at the Olympico as well, didn't they? I mean, in my opinion, when you talk about the perfect manager at the perfect club, it's Gasperini at Atalanta. He's the perfect man. He's talking about the right guy at the right place, at the right time. And even without Gasperini, I think Atalanta have this incredible ability at home
00:45:39
Speaker
They turn on the style in a way that I honestly think they can be anyone, anyone in the world at the Atleti Datsuri. They are just this super team. They turn into this world team, world class team, whenever they play at home. And I mean, to be honest, they finished fourth a few seasons ago when Pioli was a team that I think was 16-17, which is really, really impressive.
00:46:05
Speaker
the same way that I think, you know, exactly the same measure. I think Roma, DeFrancisco is the wrong manager at the wrong club at the wrong time. You've gotten the wrong sasolo guy. I think the Zerbe is your guy. He's what Roma should have, not DeFrancisco, who looks miserable, who doesn't, like there's no energy around him. He just looks upset. He looks
00:46:30
Speaker
under pressure, he's not enjoying it. And this is what he's sending to a team that I think is actually pretty talented. I think they're talented too. I hope nobody sees this as biased, but I do think for the fourth place, I do think just in terms of pure talent, I do think Roma are the fourth most talented team in Serie A.
00:46:51
Speaker
But I just think that they have a manager who is just so far out of his element. I mean, this is the fourth time they've blown a two-goal lead. So this is not just a, you know, a once-in-a-season thing where, okay, we turned it off and we were punished and, oh, well, that happens, it's football. I mean, this is a concerning trend. They've done it against Cal Yeti.
00:47:20
Speaker
They've done it time and time again this season where they get up and just mentally they just switch off. They did it against Kieva. And it's entirely concerning when you have a manager who says the same things after the match. He just said he every time it's, well, I don't know what it is. We have this mental problem. I don't know how to motivate these players. It's ridiculous. That's literally his job.
00:47:45
Speaker
Exactly. He's basically admitting he can't do his job. Exactly. I do have a theory on this. It may be a little off the track, but... Is it the DNA? No. Okay, let's hear it. Since he's stopped wearing his glasses, it's like he's lost his superpowers. I'm willing to hear that and maybe see that through and that could be it. He needs to put them back on.
00:48:15
Speaker
It's inexplicable because... I don't know. What do you think about the deserbe thing? I don't know. I don't know. You know, I thought... He's certainly done well at Sasuolo. I think he was put in a very unfair position with Benevento. They did not properly reinforce that side when they were brought up the city. I think that was very unfair.
00:48:42
Speaker
That's a good shot. I mean, he's a good manager. The thing that has scarred me with T. Francesco at Roma is giving a clearly talented young manager a shot at Roma where the pressure is just immense. For a club who's won three Scudetti, the pressure from the fans is absurd. For me, I think you need a type more like Ancelotti. When I saw Napoli get him, oh, yeah.
00:49:12
Speaker
Yeah, and the thing was when he was brought in, he was billed as the guy who knows the environment, you know, the ambiente Romano, he knows what it takes to win in this environment. But I don't know. I mean, part of part of me thinks, my gosh, this is the guy who was one goal away from a miraculous comeback against Liverpool to go to the Champions League final. This is the same guy. Yeah, you feel like you're being a little bit harsh because of that. But I think
00:49:41
Speaker
You know, I really loved watching him when he was at Sasuolo. I thought he was brilliant. But like you say, John, maybe he's just not at the right club. I'd love to have him at Fiorentina with the young players that we've got. I really would. But whether he's up to, you know, he does look like a man under strain or joking apart about his glasses. He does look strained.
00:50:06
Speaker
He does and the thing that has really puzzled me is his man management this season. He has taken Patrick Sheik out behind the home and just beaten him over the head with a stick. It's astonishing to watch him praise Ed and Jekyll who is having one of his worst campaigns at Roma since he first arrived.
00:50:29
Speaker
But he'll still build up Jeko in the press. He says things like, you know what, the goals are going to come for Eden, whereas for Patrick Schick, he has a fantastic match in the Copa Italia against Verutu Sintella. He scores a double. He gets an assist. And after the match, he says he needs to score more. And I'm just like, wait.
00:50:48
Speaker
hold on what hold on what he just had his best performance and you're not rightly praising the guy he was the best on the pitch and it's just confusing to see that he does um you know he praises him in the press very very he's doing great he's sensational we didn't think he'd be at this level and then you see him with someone like luca pellegrini who could have walked to psg who could have walked to uve
00:51:14
Speaker
because his agent is Mino Raiola, he was out of contract last summer, and he says, well, he needs to work harder in training. It's just baffling to see his approach with some players versus others. Do you think he will stay? Do you think he'll stay? I can't see him staying. I don't understand how he's going to stay. Even if they make fourth, I don't get how Roma can afford to keep him.
00:51:39
Speaker
Yeah, I think he's just one of those guys, even if they do manage forth, that he's just so beaten down and downtrodden by the environment that you just have to walk away just for your mental health. I think we'll get to that point if it doesn't happen before the season, which is entirely possible. I think it will happen in the summer because
00:52:00
Speaker
I mean, we had to be frank, he was brought here because he was a very, very cheap manager. We just had to be clear. Palota, he has never paid managers handsomely, which is why Luciano Spelletti left. I mean, Inter paid him handsomely, whereas Roma were barely offering more than what he was given when he was brought on as an interim manager.
00:52:24
Speaker
So I think that was a recipe for disaster to begin with. I still think that they needed a type like Ancelotti and who's doing sensational stuff at Napoli. I think that's the type of manager they need. Someone, as Chloe said, thick-skinned. He's been through the difficult times at big clubs. I just think it's so much to ask of a young manager so early in his career. I mean, he's in his 40s. He is young for a manager.
00:52:53
Speaker
I mean, this is almost like punishment, bringing a young manager to Roma. You're almost doing them a disservice. The thing is though, the Francesco played at the club, and that's why I think they kind of, you know, they were reasoning a little bit like, he knows what it is to be Roma, he knows all that pressure, he knows what all of that implies, and that's why they thought, you know, they brought him in. I personally, you know, thought, okay, well, because he did really well at Sassuolo.
00:53:20
Speaker
But since he's coming at Roma, he's never really looked happy once since coming there. The team is not, I mean, aside from that magical comeback against Barcelona, Roma haven't really looked that happy and they haven't looked like they've enjoyed their football. And I think that's a shame because there's so much talent, I think, in the team, especially going forward. Now defensively, you know, if you sell Benatia, if you say, you know, you keep selling your best players,
00:53:45
Speaker
then, you know, if you replace them with Juan Jesus and David de Santon, you're gonna concede goals. It's just that simple, you know, yeah. But I'm just thinking, if they're gonna bring someone in, because he does not look happy, and if they don't do something in the summer, I'm sure that things will go so pear-shaped start of next season that he will be let go in September already. And that is such a shame, it's better to give a
00:54:13
Speaker
new coach a fresh start and let them walk away. And I think what I've seen from the Zerebi, I mean, obviously, I don't know if it's too soon or not. We can argue that. But from what I've seen, this guy has such incredible tactical awareness. And he's got so he's such a brilliant match coach. And he really can go toe to toe with the best managers out there.
00:54:33
Speaker
And I think with what he did against Paletti, what he's done against, especially Paletti, both these matches now, it's so incredibly interesting to see how he counters and nullifies every move the opposition coach does. It's really, really impressive. And I think the kind of football he advocates would suit Roma as well.
00:55:00
Speaker
Yeah, I think he's a good manager. So before I get any further depressed, we can take a look to the next match day, which it does have some interesting, some interesting ties. We have Napoli against Samp, we have Juve Parma, we have Udenese Fiorentina, Roma Milan, Inter Bologna. Pretty interesting slate of matches. Obviously, I think Juve are going to run away with it.
00:55:29
Speaker
The one that has my eye, Napoli Sampdoria Roma Milan, if we could just give your thoughts on those. I mean, Samp are flying right now, but obviously Napoli at the San Paolo are always difficult. That's going to be so, so interesting, isn't it?
00:55:49
Speaker
For me, Mila Roma is the one I'm really looking forward to, but mainly because of everything that's going on in both clubs. But Sampdoria Napoli, I mean, Ancelotti is a fantastic coach, world-class coach, there's no doubt about it. But I'm not sure if I like this 4-4-2, because I don't think he's utilizing all the talent that he has. I think Diabara, for example, he's got Gulam and Husai on the bench. Obviously, Gulam just came back from an injury.
00:56:17
Speaker
this force for two, I'm not entirely convinced. I think they've got too many central talented central midfielders to not let them play. But then again, you know, this is a little test for Gian Paolo, what we're talking about earlier about if he can he also take it to a, you know, show up, get his team to show up away at the San Paolo. If you remember, Sampdoria beat Napoli in the
00:56:46
Speaker
reverse picture at the beginning of the season and it was 3-0. It was 3-0 and they absolutely ran riot over Natalie. I know that was Antwerty's first few games but it will be interesting to see if the same thing can happen again. Sampdoria in that game had the Atalanta approach of fearlessness and just
00:57:08
Speaker
just attack, attack, attack. And, um, you know, yeah, he did. He did. Um, so I would like to see, uh, actually quality arella break, but astute his record as much as that pains me to say, as if you're on Tina fan at Napoli. I just think that the place is from. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I think, I think that that's written in the stars for him. That one.
00:57:33
Speaker
Yeah, that, gosh, that'd be such a storyline. It's, ugh. Yeah, that'll be a tasty fixture. And then Roma Milan, I, yeah, I mean, as I said, this isn't, you know, I would love to see a Roma Milan from a decade ago. I know that that ages me maybe a little bit, but, ugh, I mean, again, this is a match between two sides without legs that are,
00:58:00
Speaker
essentially trying to outdual the other as to who could be less crap. Which is why I think it's going to be so interesting. I think it should be the calamity derby.
00:58:13
Speaker
to see who can be more calamitous. Yeah, or Loser has to take the other team's manager, which I don't know who would be less upset in that case. Yeah, I don't know what to make of this one, frankly. Daniela De Rossi will be back for Roma. Steven Anzonzi is out this team with Daniela De Rossi in the fold.
00:58:37
Speaker
I don't know what it says that a 35 year old player who is well beyond his best years has to be in the side for them to even appear remotely motivated. I mean, the last time he was on the pitch, they got a result at the San Paulo against Napoli. They played terrible, but they still snatched the result, which is the opposite of everything they've done this year. So John, John, can I just can I just ask you because something I noticed is that I think Roma have played their best football this season when
00:59:08
Speaker
De Rossi and Anzonzi have played together. I think them in that holding together, I think it makes them look much more solid and they can take it in terms to go forward, but they're experienced enough for one of them to stay back. I just think that they work really well together, even though De Rossi is a veteran.
00:59:28
Speaker
I agree, and as much as I've liked seeing Brian Cristante in a more deeper role, and he's actually done quite well, he's adapted. I mean, you could argue he's been Lloroma's best player the last month and a half, maybe behind Zaniolo. I think Enzonzi is very underrated from his ball distribution and his attacking abilities.
00:59:51
Speaker
I think with De Rossi out there, it allows him, as you said, Chloe, to venture forward. De Rossi said this was the worst injury of his career. I don't know. For me, it's difficult to expect him to have a strong performance for 90 minutes in his first match back against Milan. And let's be frank here, it's a crucial match. I mean, they cannot afford to lose. No. But part of me thinks they're going to.
01:00:21
Speaker
I think we're going to see something insane here. I mean, if we're going to start talking like what we're expecting, I wouldn't surprise if we end up in another three, three draw. Like this is a pion. Do you have the pion tech aspect of Milan? Um, you know, you've got, you've got the everything you say. I mean, neither team can afford to lose. Um, both teams are good going forward. Both teams are a little bit shaky in defense. I'd say Milan, I'll give them a slight edge.
01:00:49
Speaker
Mila's midfield, however, is looking really, really good. I think the way Kesier and Baka Yoko have been, they've really, really started to show up and play really, really well. But, you know, at the same time, you know, Roma is such a moody team. They can show up and then be amazing and beat Barcelona 3-0 at home. Like, you know, you never know. It's so hard with Roma. I find Roma, especially under Di Francesco, are just impossible to predict.
01:01:19
Speaker
They're extremely moody. Again, I don't know what to expect. Again, this team, from one week to the next, it's just astonishing that you would just think it's a... They're like a side who just swap shirts with a pub team. It's astonishing the way they play at times.
01:01:38
Speaker
But just because we're getting towards the end here, I'm curious to hear who you guys think ultimately ends up in this fourth position because Roma, Milan, Lazio, Fiorentina, Atalanta, Sampdoria, it's so difficult to get a read on this because from one week to the next, I mean Roma dismantled Sampdoria for now and then they're dropping points to the likes of Quievo.
01:02:08
Speaker
Atalanta go toe-to-toe with everybody, but then they had such a terrible start to their season. Certainly, that's what's affecting them now. I don't know what to make of this. I think it's what will keep people watching, which is a great thing that, you know, it's probably going to go down to the wire and, you know, it's going to be close. But I think, John, I think Roma will do it eventually. Before the season, I said you, Venapoli, in the Roma.
01:02:38
Speaker
Lazio Milan. The thing is, for me, this is between Roma and Milan. And if Inter want to really screw up life for themselves, they'll be involved in there as well. But primarily, it's Milan and Roma, this is about. But right now, I have to say it's a little bit advantage, Milan, because they look a little bit more stable in midfield. And whilst Roma de Francesco just does not look happy,
01:03:08
Speaker
He does not look comfortable. He's got Champions League coming up. I think I don't want to revise my preseason, what I said at the start of the season, but for me, ultimately it's
Speculation on Fourth Place Contenders
01:03:21
Speaker
between those two. I don't, I don't see Lazio. I see Lazio, Atalanta, Mila, you know, though they're the, you know, Saptoria, they're the ones for the Europa League, in my opinion.
01:03:31
Speaker
Yeah, I think it's a toss-up. I do think it's between Milan and Roma, but just because I've seen Roma playing so terribly, frankly, the last few months, I wouldn't actually mind Atalanta getting that fourth place. Because frankly, I think it'd be exciting for the league to see them get it, and I'd be curious to see what Gasparini could do with a big budget knowing Champions League money is coming in.
01:04:15
Speaker
then, then, then, you know, but I still think he should stay at the club. I really don't think he should go anywhere else. I think he's at the perfect club. Yeah, it wouldn't, it wouldn't be the same anywhere else. I don't know. No, I don't think so either. Yeah. And we saw him at Inter and, and frankly, that, yeah, I mean, Nima, you can attest to it. I mean, that just looked like from the very start, a bad fit. I mean, you're, you're, you're coming off of trouble. Um, and you're trying to just completely alter
01:04:20
Speaker
I'd be curious to see who they could attract to the club. I think there'd be so many storylines if they were to get it.
01:04:46
Speaker
The team. Yeah. You don't, you don't start playing a three-man defense with players that are in their mid thirties. I mean, I've never played a three-man defense before in their life. You don't sell Samuel Etoile replacing with the 33, 34 year old Diego Forlan, who's basically takes the wheelchair to training. I mean, it was, it was, that was the, were you talking about the wheels coming off after Morati won that treble, he
01:05:11
Speaker
than the financial fair play rules. They knew they had to adapt to that. I mean, he'd achieved what he wanted to do. He had won everything as a president. He wanted to sell the club because, you know, he was running it according to the old Italian model of, you know, money, you know, making, you know, revenue is that's, that's not how we work here. We just basically run the club. But whenever it goes in red, he, you know, his, his parent company will, will cover that the same way we land under the same way that all Italian clubs we used to be run.
01:05:42
Speaker
Now it's not like that anymore. So basically he, you know, that was after the travel, it was just basically trying to sell and then Eric Tahir came in and all he did was try to basically fix the numbers so that someone like Suning could get interested, could be interested. You have to remember that the number, the amount of, you know, Eric Tahir just came in because he thought were in such dire straits and were so cheap. I mean, what he bought 70% of the club for,
01:06:11
Speaker
he made back with a tiny profit for selling 40% off to Suning. The remaining 31% he sold was just profit. So he made loads of money off of Inter. And I mean, the wheels had come off at that point. Gasparini was a low budget, easy, you know, signing that was never going to work. I never forget that game away against the, what were they called?
01:06:39
Speaker
I can't remember, but it was a newly promoted side where the wheels really came off and Cambiaso tells everyone, just runs over the coach and says, we're playing it back four. And that's, that's when he got sacked. Cause I mean, when, when, when someone of Cambiaso and Zaleti's stature makes that decision and says, we're not playing back three anymore. And he says, we're playing back four. You go there, you go there, you go there. Then, then that's, that's it. Yeah. People forget. I mean,
01:07:05
Speaker
and i would think that nobody ever talks about do you remember guess that you know about a lot of sorry about about it was about it was novada away the first or second game of the season sorry
01:07:16
Speaker
That's okay, I was just going to relive the storied history of Gasparini at Palermo. Do you remember that? It was so, it was like the most random, like five, six months of his career, I bet. I think people, well, if you remember, if you remember, he was sacked and then rehired like three weeks later in wonderful Zemparini fashion.
01:07:46
Speaker
The man is a genius. The man is an absolute genius. We need him back. We need him back in some way, shape or form. I don't think Palermo fans agree. No. No, they don't. But I love him because I mean, if we're talking crazy, classically crazy Italian football presidents, I think, you know, you've got the Gauci, the Perugia, you know,
01:08:07
Speaker
But for me, Zamparini is the best. I mean, he's just everything he did. And because it was a stroke of genius there as well. You have to remember, he took this team, he took a Venezia that barely has a crowd and bought them to the Serie A. He took a Palermo from the Serie C and took them all the way to fifth spot, you know, two points away from a Champions League. I mean, there is a stroke of genius in there, but he is entertaining. He is incredibly entertaining.
01:08:35
Speaker
You know, he says he grew up near Udina in Friuli and he would love to have Udinaise. I think Udinaise would rather not have that happen, but I definitely want to see Zamparin in the city again.
01:08:49
Speaker
Yeah, and hopefully we'll be entertained as much as we are by him this weekend with with Aranda Fisher. So we will leave it there, everybody. Thank you so much for listening. If you could leave us a rating on all of the platforms, wherever you listen to us, whether it's iTunes, SoundCloud, we would greatly, greatly appreciate it. And we will talk to you again next week. Ciao.