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Thiago Motta Juventus Sack Calls, AS Roma Beat Lazio In Derby, Napoli Flatten Fiorentina & Much More (Ep. 484)
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From Lorenzo Pellegrini heroics and a Claudio Ranieri psychological masterclass as Roma win the Rome derby, Lazio react well but fail to comeback, potential Derby della Capitale Europa League Final, analysis, discussion and debate if Juventus will and should sack Thiago Motta, to David Neres, Scott McTominay and Amir Rrahmani all shine for Napoli, to Fiorentina run out of steam on and off the pitch, and goalless relegation scraps, as well as Baggio, Premface and Serie Ass of the week, plus much, much more when Nima and Carlo break down all the main talking points from Match Day 19 of the 2024/2025 Serie A season.
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Transcript
Introduction and Agenda
00:00:02
Speaker
Welcome to the Italian Football Podcast. Hello everybody and welcome to the Italian Football Podcast, the official podcast of Football Italia. I'm Carlo Garganese joined as always by Nima Tavalli. Happy New Year to to everybody. and This is our first ah Monday show of the of the new year. ah Hope everybody has a has ah had a great New Year's Eve celebration and has ah has a great year ahead.
Thiago Motta at Juventus: Future Uncertain?
00:00:31
Speaker
um On today's show we will be discussing Thiago Motta's future at Juventus as for the first time really his position is now being called into question following
00:00:42
Speaker
the the defeat to Milan in the Supercoppa semi-final in Saudi Arabia. ah We'll also review the very limited Serie A programme this weekend. It's going to be a much shorter show today. um Two big games as as Napoli flattened Fiorentina to temporarily go top of Serie A.
Supporting the Podcast: Subscriptions and Benefits
00:01:02
Speaker
And then, of course, the Rome Derby, Claudio Ranieri masterminding victory for Roma over over Lazio and we'll also have our usual Badjo, Premface and Celia as of the week. For all our first time listeners, this is our free weekly episode that we do every Monday, reviewing the weekend's Serie action and all the biggest talking points in Italian football. If you want to support the Italian football podcast and receive all of our content that we do throughout the week, including a weekly Q and&A episode every Tuesday there where we answer all of the questions from our patrons, plus the weekly
00:01:34
Speaker
Thursday midweek review show plus interviews post much reaction and much much more, then go to patreon dot.com slash TIP and become a subscriber for just $2.99 a month plus VAT. You can also sign up to be a paid subscriber on Spotify. We'll provide the link in the description, same price and terms. And for all of you that do listen on Spotify, Apple and iTunes podcasts, we'd really appreciate if you give us a five star rating, give us a
Expanding on YouTube: Membership and Growth
00:01:56
Speaker
follow and a like. and We're also on YouTube as well. All of that really helps us to grow and do more quality content for and starting this week we have now launched the YouTube memberships as well meaning you can become a supporter or instead of going on Patreon or Spotify to to support the show you can go do it on YouTube as well because we've grown so much in the last seven eight months that we started doing this so we figured we might as well offer memberships exclusive memberships there too which means basically that you get
00:02:26
Speaker
everything that patrons get on other platforms, but you get it on YouTube. um And I'm not sure exactly if you get it without ads or with ads. I'm not. I don't know how that works yet because YouTube of deliver a little bit, a little bit unclear or I'm just a bit of a boomer. Probably both combo of both. But it's $5.99 a month there ah on on on YouTube.
00:02:51
Speaker
And we'll be you know given that we also are doing more videos and stuff like that. We're really trying to grow that community there because it's it's it's a different community. And a lot we've discovered that we've reached very new audiences there as well. It's a huge audience. So yeah, there'll be a link to YouTube there as well for $5.99 a month.
Juventus' Strategy and Performance: Should Motta be Sacked?
00:03:12
Speaker
yeah absolutely okay let's get into today's show so we're going to start off with Juventus and Thiago Motta and for the first time really on this show I think we have to now ask the question because and his Juventus position for the first time really is starting to be questioned and and we're maybe not at the stage of He's at risk of the sack, but I think we're definitely at the stage where the question needs to be asked. And in my opinion, you know, it's warranted to ask this question. Now, this is Juventus. It's the biggest club in Italy, the most successful club domestically in Italy. And if you are halfway through the season, which is where we are now, basically, and you're out of the top four and you've won just seven of your 18 Serie A games,
00:04:08
Speaker
And most importantly, which I think we'll come to in a bit, there are improvement improvements are not being seen in some of these key in some key areas, in particular the attack. then Then yes, I think the question needs to be asked. And I think you'd be hard pressed to find anybody that wouldn't say that, what whatever side of the fence they're on, whether they're pro-motor or not. And I think it's only fair, the question has to be asked. you know just like It was asked and I asked it of Allegri and Pierlo before, who you know were in similarly struggling at this stage of their of their first seasons. um I think the question needs to be asked. Do I think Mota should be sacked? Well, I think that's a different question altogether. and There's lots to take into account with that, which we can go through now. you know He's six months into a three-year project.
00:05:01
Speaker
It's a new project with a revolutionized squad. It's a squad that has gone from counter-attacking football for three years to possession-orientated football ah with an incredibly young team. It's ah the youngest team um the events are so that have set new records for how young they are, this Juventus team ah in Champions League and Serie A. If you're going to sack Motta, do you make the decision to tear that project up after after six months so so really where I'm at is yes the question absolutely should be asked but should he be sacked that's a different question altogether yeah that's kind of pretty much where I am too you know you know my position on sacking coaches and sacking managers it's
00:05:49
Speaker
It i I think it depends entirely on whether or not this has the working relationship between the coach and the players deteriorated to the point where you can't rehabilitate it, where they can't work together any anymore, where the results are so awful that it warrants that you need to break everything up. I don't think we're there yet. I don't think we're close to there yet.
00:06:14
Speaker
um I understand, ah I mean, the question, should he be sacked is a resounding no um for the reasons you outlined. I think it would be complete insanity if you've anticipated that. I think it would be make them make Juntholi and make the Uwe leadership look like even bigger clowns and clueless than the Milan ownership and and directors who did what they did against Fonseca. I think the biggest difference between Fonseca and Tiago Mota is exactly that. There were obviously some issues in the dressing room between the coach and the players from pretty much the onset. though it just didn't there was no There was something there that they didn't work in the most harmonious way
00:07:06
Speaker
and And of course, Milan are in a worse position than Juventus are. So I think but that's the biggest difference um between ah those two issues, those two instances. So no, I don't think i don't think he he should be sacked. I don't think he i don't think he will be sacked um for for the reasons I outlined.
00:07:31
Speaker
um But the question whether or not I think the only reason the only will I agree with you I think the only way that you can sack him now is if he has either lost a dressing room or he doesn't have either the trust and belief of his squad and the club, but the squad especially, and but but more so he's not it's been proven that the squad and he's not able to to get a tune out of his out of his squad and that I think was clear with Milan, it was clear with Milan and Fonseca that if he hadn't lost the dressing room he'd certainly lost the ability to
00:08:10
Speaker
to to to to influence, to to to get what he wanted out of the squad, to make it understood, but also to have that authority and that um faith of his squad, we clearly didn't have. I don't feel, like we we're obviously were we you can never say for sure, unless you're ah you're inside the dressing room, you can never say for sure what what the what the situation is. But from all from the people I've spoken to and everything,
00:08:36
Speaker
we're not that we're not but not there. There isn't that situation. He hasn't lost control of the dressing room. There are some there are some some players ah that are not happy with some of his training methods and how that's contributing to injuries and fatigue, but we're not ah there's nobody that seems to doubt Mota's ability as a coach in general.
Tactical Analysis and Squad Challenges at Juventus
00:08:57
Speaker
um So while that's the case, then I think that yeah, you can't make the same decision that maybe Milan were able to make because because Fonseca that wasn't the case with Fonseca Well, and also these things matter not just points tally but Milan have lost four games in the Serie A Juventus have lost zero These things are important as well. They haven't won, of course ah They've won the same equal amount of games. Of course Milan have one less game played. They won one seven but
00:09:27
Speaker
These things matter as well, like losing games, and they haven't lost games, and defensively they've looked more solid than Milan overall in games, but it doesn't mean that they've been good defensively either, because with Juve, it's been like, yes, if the defence looks good, the attack looks atrocious, but when the attack looks good, the defence is wide open.
00:09:53
Speaker
So that suggests to me that, you know, these are more, you know, that's a problem, of course, but it's not like with Milan who. They beat Real Madrid and then they drop points against lower teams like time and time again like that. It's it's it's just a different dynamic. um yeah's more It's more inconsistent, but I would say on the on the the defensive side, I think there's i mean if you know there's a noticeable drop off since the the injury to Bremmer with the defence. Even if you look at like the last month of games, Juventus have conceded two goals exactly in four of their last
00:10:27
Speaker
five games now um and and then before the Man City game they also conceded two against Bologna, they conceded against Lecce, you know, so so we're we're seeing like the Juventus are consistently starting to concede now, and I think the the effect of Bremmer is being seen now. um it's it's The event has conceded more and more goals. So he's goingnna you know he's going to lose that, he's got to be careful not to lose that credit as well because that has been the the one thing that's kind of held Juventus together. um but so But yeah, I mean... And basically what I wanted to say is basically that I think there's this's is's a really there's an important
00:11:08
Speaker
difference ah between what happened at Milan and Juve and and and you've ah and and and and my my issue is that I think with, if we're going to talk about Thiago Mota more specifically, um I do think that he has the results aren't good enough. um I think the results are Yes, the injury issue is is a Juventus club problem, and it has been for many years. They need to look at that. I can't blame Mota for that, because it's been happening under Allegri as well. um and And there are several other aspects as well, important aspects that have happened under under Allegri and now under Mota, such as Dushav Laovic, which I think is a huge, huge important factor. Juventus, no team can have their starting number nine.
00:12:02
Speaker
be this ice cold for such a long period of time and it not have an adverse impact on their results, maybe only Inter can or or Napoli to a much lesser extent can get away with that because of the way that they the quality they have in midfield.
00:12:22
Speaker
ah the quality they have in other players that can make up for that, and and also other strikers, but they play differently. And same thing with Napoli, you've got someone like Scott McTominay in the contest system that excels because of the system, right? These are different things. And I think that, you know, of course, Tiago Mota has to kind of reach that level too. But the Dusan Vlawovic situation has been a situation that has been ongoing, and I think he's saved a little bit by that.
00:12:45
Speaker
when he can't even rehabilitate Dusan Vlawic, then Juventus will have be forced to act. But regardless... ri regard just he gets the regardians Just before he gets to regardless, because let's get the excuses out of the way first. The the injury crisis and Vlawic. There's no doubt the injury crisis has ravaged events this season. you know There was a period of two months, ah kind of in November,
00:13:09
Speaker
ah end of October, November, into December, where Juventus only had like a couple of outfielders on their bench for long stretches of those two months. I mean, Juventus have lost their best player.
00:13:22
Speaker
for the whole season in Bremmer. They haven't been put able to put a senior back line out for stretches this season. People forget that Savona was a next-gen player at the beginning of the season. he was He was rushed into the team because of lack of options and he just kind of stayed there and he's done well. but yeah Well, that's another thing as well. so the The point I'm making is, you know and then they've had one striker if you can call him a striker for the first half of the season, one one completely ah let's put honest useless striker to pray for the entire season. Now that is going to massively impact any manager, but it's easy to overlook because that's what happens. once Once injuries happen after a couple of months, a few months, people forget that you're without your best player for the whole season and they just do they just forget about it.
00:14:06
Speaker
um and it sort doesn't matter. you know so we do i mean but I'm just going through the excuses here. We'll get to the where he's fading in a second, but you know that that that would affect any manager, especially a manager that's just starting at a new team um with all these revolutionary but all the revolution that's taken place with changing the style, changing so many new players,
00:14:29
Speaker
having the youngest team in in the in the league, and you know that would affect anybody. um so you know i think you know That's the thing though, that's what I wanted to say. I think that's also the saving grace in Bangula, Savona, Yildiz. The fact that he is making young players look good and improving, nobody expected in Bangula and Savona to have the impact they had. Yildiz was an unwritten card, great great talent, but he was unwritten. we you know You see that with Thiago Motta, and that's kind of if he continues on with with what he did at Bologna as well, the sense that he he can improve young players. And as long as he can improve young players, and as long as young players respond to him, then then you know his his his tenure at Juve won't be in court. But I do have to come back on that too. and this is so way let me finish Let me finish, until the results in the Serie A become
00:15:24
Speaker
out of the top four, then they have to act. um But I don't think we're there yet. I don't think Juventus are going to finish outside the top four. But if we go to the other side of it, there is lots of cause for concern. And the game against Milan In isolation, it doesn't mean much, but it's an expression of a tendency that we've seen pretty much since Match Day 4-5 onwards in the Serie A until today, and that is that Juventus can't kill off games. Juventus are in control of games.
00:16:00
Speaker
but ah in the second half or in the middle of the second half fall apart and lose complete control and lose complete ability to control games. That is a concern. That is where Tiago Motta has failed more than anything.
00:16:18
Speaker
Well, um' I think it's that's true. But I think it's the reason why they can't kill off games is is that and there is because they can't they don't create enough chances. and they can't and they And so they're not going to score a second goal. ah that's That is the big problem. And that is the biggest concern. That's the only real concern I have with Mota, because this has been a constant throughout the season. And you said since game four, I would say even from game one, I mean, that the 3-0 win over Cuomo and the 3-0 win over Veron, if you look at the XG,
00:16:48
Speaker
in that game. They way overshot their XG. They had a 1.31 XG against Cormor. They had a 1.36 XG against Verona and I think wasn't one of them a penalty in that game. I think i think one of the goals was a penalty if I'm not mistaken um in in that Verona game.
00:17:06
Speaker
you know So even in those matches, they they they were just they were over so they were they out ah you know they outperformed their their actual XGs.
Transfer Prospects and Strategies for Juventus
00:17:13
Speaker
This has been a constant all season, basically. Juventus do not create enough chances and this is where it is a serious problem because we are not seeing an improvement in the chance creation, the goals going yes, there are a lot of reasons for this, which I've gone through, the injury crisis, the fact you've only got one sub-par striker that clearly doesn't fit in what's the system, the fact that Nico Gonzalez has barely been fit at all, um you know, Lealdez is 19 years old and is going to be inconsistent at that age, of course, these are all reasons, um but
00:17:48
Speaker
Even when these players have been available, as they were, and most of them were available in the Milan game, um okay, Nico's not fully fit, and okay, Consecelle gets an injured before the game, but even when he's had most of the the offensive players available, um we're still not seeing enough of a chance creation against Milan, they barely created anything.
00:18:08
Speaker
The only real big chance they had was the the the ah chance for Wlawicz at 1-0, because they're not creating enough chances. And because we're not seeing an improvement, for me, that is where Mota's future is most at risk, because we're not seeing an improvement. That's that's what I was going to get to. I think the ch the lack of chance creation is more is is a combination of both Mota's inability structurally as a coach to how to create teams that create enough, and also because I think so far,
00:18:38
Speaker
between Corp Miners, David Luis, Douglas Luis, sorry, might as well be David Luis, Douglas Luis and Nico Gonzalez, that's 130 million euros, which to this date, on the 6th of January, has been a complete waste of money. Yeah, that's the other area. Let me finish. um i My issue here is Tiago Mota um you Yes, the chance creation can be a problem if you don't have you know strikers who can help you out, blah, blah, blah. But the problem is the midfield isn't creating enough. This isn't a striker issue as such. This is more a structural issue with Mota. That's what he was able to do when he was at Bologna because of players like Calafiori, because of players like Zirksir.
00:19:25
Speaker
there was who broke the patterns ah of games because ah of the because of the kind of characteristics they had, whether it was hold-up play and link-up play with Xirixe or running and break breaking lines and press with Calafiori, they were able to mask a lot of that. And also, it's Polonia. Teams aren't going to defend us deeply against you, right?
00:19:45
Speaker
But here I do see a structural problem in Thiago Motta's way, the way that he builds and structures. And that is he knows how to position teams to get out and it looks good in safe spaces. I've said this before, but as soon as they get near the opposition's penalty area, the creativity, the c plan flat lines, there is doesn't seem to be any structure in place for the for the final, final third.
00:20:14
Speaker
And that is our motto. Now, some of that, you you can kind of say, well, that's that the midfield, all three of them, or sorry, that the midfield trio should help out. Right. And someone like Kiefer and Turam has, has in recent games shown an ability to kind of you know, mask up for that. But it doesn't change the fact that Luis Coopminers is just not working. No, that's damming. Coopminers and Douglas Louise, but it's not just on motto, that's also on Juncely. Without a doubt. There's also, there needs to be a real proper investigation into that, into the Coopminers. I want you to do an analysis, what's going on? Yeah, because that is damming. Coopminers
00:21:00
Speaker
He's persisting, and this is Chris, he keeps persisting with Kupmanas as a number 10, it's clearly not working. Whether that's also because Vlovich is so useless, um and and that is that that's not helping him, if if, maybe, if and when, if and when Turks he comes in.
00:21:16
Speaker
whether suddenly Koopman starts playing well as a number ten is clearly not working and the fact and this is my other criticism and mont the fact that he keeps persisting you know it's a cliche but the the definition of insanity as as has been repeated so many times is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting things to change. You know, we're just going round and round and round in circles with Monta the same. It's like like the the famous seat scene from Squid Game with that ah that song that everybody that the most that everybody keeps playing in the last week of them going round and round in circles, the Korean song.
00:21:51
Speaker
like he just goes round and round and circles the same thing over and over and over again and is the same tune all the time and and he still but he's still persisting with it when it's clearly not working why is he persisting with coop miners as a number 10 it's not working yeah so he needs to change something whether it goes to a 4-3-3 and plays coop miners deeper whether you just play coop miners in the in the double pivot i don't know you why are you playing coop miners as a 10 it's not working he was abysmal against milan he was the only player on the pitch The only play on the pitch was worse than him was was Blauwitsch that that Blauwitsch performance against Milan was was so so bad. It was Embarrassing it was absolutely Matteo Bernetti check his Twitter feed He did a compilation of his of his game like the the most basic controls the most basic six-yard passes that he was getting wrong the ball was coming to him and he was and he was tried to trap it and he went under his foot. I mean, it was like watching, you know, it was like watching a Sunday league donkey after after that was drunk from the night before. That's how bad embarrassing. How bad Vlovich is it? I mean, you know, I don't know. I don't know. I don't know what to do. I don't know what to say about Vlovich. The thing is, like, it's not just even sitters anymore. It's not just it's
00:23:13
Speaker
It's not him just missing sitters. It's not the fact that he he can't make simple passes. It's it's just it's genuinely awful um at every level. um He looks mentally off as well, which can happen. You know, things can become at one environment.
00:23:37
Speaker
It doesn't work out and you leave and go somewhere else and it just works for you because you find in a place where you where you're happy and you're enjoying yourself. and you know just you know Sometimes life just doesn't work out in certain places. But if we're talking from a football technical point of view, the issues are still the same. He can't play with his back against the ball with his back against the goal. He can't link up. His passing, his ability to put others into play to help him is atrocious.
00:24:06
Speaker
Um, his attitude just off. Um, and, and I have to stick up for motor here with large, cause I've seen a lot of criticize it criticism for, for motor for taking off allow, which midway through the second half against Milan when you've entered a one nil up at that time. And then, and then you've entered send up losing two, one and people kind of trying to put the two together that taking blah, which off event the you know is what cost you venters the game and blah, blah, blah.
00:24:33
Speaker
Did anybody watch the 65 minutes that Vlovich put in? That's probably the worst performance I've seen from Vlovich in the Juventus shirt, and there are a lot of contenders for worst performance, let me tell you that. It was absolutely horrendous. i don't I can't, anybody that watched that game and tell me that they wouldn't have taken Vlovich off, even if you've got no striker on the bench, he was so bad. Every single ball that came to him, he lost. So I'm sorry, um I cannot criticize Motta for taking Vlovich off in that game.
00:25:01
Speaker
It's unfortunate that that we've had a whole so first half of the season where he's had no other striker to use. And that's on Ginterby. That's not on Mota. You know, Mota isn't criticised for taking Mota too much. Yeah, no, I think that's the right thing to do. And I think when when it's not working, when you've tried everything else, because again, there's this context here, Allegri tried everything with him too, and it just didn't work. It looked somewhat better. You had, what, 15 goals last season in the Serie A. But the fact that this guy can't play with his back against the goal in a one in a single pre like a one number nine system is a is a Vlovich problem. You can't even control the ball never, like hold the ball up, you can't even control it. But this has been going on for a long time now.
00:25:49
Speaker
the only time now he's a lost cause limo let's just just say what it is he's gone he's done this is this this is the thing when when he was at Fiorentina they were there were a side that attacked the space and he scored a lot when he was faced towards goal but when you play for the biggest sides regardless in Italy, Spain, Germany, for England you're gonna have to learn to play with your back against a goal in order to succeed and The only time that someone like Romelu Lukaku was world-class was when he was under with under Antonio Conte, because he taught him how to do that. Vlawovic has had two coaches now, who one established coach, one new up and coming, who evidently can work with young players and improve players. Both of them can't seem to get him to do it. He can't control the ball. He can't seem to do it. And that is a Vlawovic problem. That's not an Allegri problem. That's not a Mota problem.
00:26:43
Speaker
That's a Vlovich problem, and that needs to be taken care of in the sense that i was I've been on the fence because I wanted to give him time, but at this point, I think it's time to get rid of him.
00:26:55
Speaker
I think that's obvious. The problem is no, no i no, no, I think it's they have to get rid of him. I think it's just not when he got us here is saying there's a possibility that he could even go this month. um I think if the possibility, the opportunity is there to to get rid of him in January, I would get rid of him. But then you have to bring someone in. And that brings us on to the January transfer window, because like if you get rid of Mota, which I don't think is going to happen, if you get rid of Mota, it has to be now.
00:27:18
Speaker
Like right now today tomorrow before you sign players because if you if you're gonna bring in players that are motor players Like Xerxes for example, who are you going to start in talks for at the moment? Then there's no point bringing in Xerxes and then second motor in two weeks and then another coach comes in and it you know and it ends up being like a Man United where the coach doesn't want him, you know, is is you you you bring in players for Mota. So if you're going to stick with Mota, then you stick with him and you bring in players that work for his system. And Zikzi is one of those players. And with regards to that comes in nicely with Vlovic, like with Zikzi, I think he can help a lot. um You know,
00:27:59
Speaker
he can help to link the game up, to hold the ball up, to bring others into play, to make the other attackers and the midfielders that are going to be attacking forward, to make them better and to create more for them and hopefully get them to score more goals. Will he score more than Vlovic? No, I think he'll score less than Vlovic. Vlovic does still have 12 goals this season somehow, I know a few of them are penalties. Vlovic does still have 12 goals in all competitions which you know, it means he'll probably end the season with 24, 25 goals in all comps, which isn't actually that bad. But it masks the, you know, the other problems that ZXC will hopefully solve. So whether or not, you know, this is going to solve Juventus' goal scoring issues, you know, 30 goals in 18 Serie A games is simply not good enough. um XG of 29 is not good enough. we we Will ZXC
00:28:54
Speaker
solve that? I don't know. is is is I can't say for certain and that he will. I think he will make the team play better though. and the thing is like I think there's two aspects to the Zirksi discussion. We know that Tiago Mota can get fantastic levels out of Joshua Zirksi. There's no doubt about that. We've seen that.
00:29:13
Speaker
um i i do Do I think that he works better in a motta system? Yes, of course he does, because the number nine in the motta system is is almost, is is a midfielder almost. you You have to, you know, they like to compact and overload the central midfield and then have dynamic midfielders and and and wide players who can who can help out to to to create numerical advantages and create more chances. Like, I think absolutely Ziggs works better than that.
00:29:39
Speaker
um I even think that in terms of goal scoring, I can't remember if Zirksi took penalties at Bologna, but um regardless now he didn't and maybe he took one maybe yeah yeah but regardless, I think he's more important for the overall play and I think he's still a young player and he can he can maybe become he's the kind of player Zirksi that I think He's the kind of striker that, usually that kind of a striker, they hit the goal-scoring peak from 28-29 onwards. um But regardless, i my concern about the Zirchse transfer is
00:30:16
Speaker
and We're talking about a player who's been pretty mentally abused at Manchester United. How broken is Zirksi if he were to come it to Juva? And can Juva afford to rehabilitate him and give him the time to rehabilitate him? That's what my concern with Zirksi is. Not that he would work it moth under Mota or in Seria or at Juva or anything like that.
00:30:39
Speaker
Well, Juventus have to do something. they cut these is is I think it's pretty clear. You cannot go the second half of the season with Vlawovic, just Vlawovic, as your striker. Milik has had another little injury problem. doesn't you know He's going to be out for still a while longer and when he comes back he would have been out for... pushing on a year. So I mean, that's obviously ridiculous. and So they need to sign someone and Zixi seems to be available. and But Junzli has to prove himself, you know, obviously, he yeah another he needs to sign the dependence. So far, you know, his transfer overall transfer market has failed. Some of his some of his transfers have worked and been good, you know, like Kalulu has been really good. ah You know, Conse sell, I think has shown enough to show that, you know,
00:31:20
Speaker
he he he can have a he's He's going to be an important player for Juventus going forward. um you know Some of his transfers, Taram, I think has been good. ah De Gregoria, even though he was terrible against Milan, I think he's been pretty good. so I mean, there has been success stories there. Even Cabal was good and until until he got the injury and that's unlucky. He can't be completely complacent. But also, you there has been some huge, huge failures, especially Luis and Kukmanis for the money that was spent.
00:31:45
Speaker
Those were the big signings, those were the big financial undertakings yeah in the summer and they've both missed it. And the gaps that he didn't solve, like go in ah going into the season with just Vlovich, having to spend the first half of the season with just Vlovich as your only striker, that's unforgivable, that's that's a huge failure, the biggest failure of all. you know And and that's and that's also like that's also part of the reason that i wanted to I wanted to bring that up and I think that Juntoli is is very capable. I think he's he's good at what he does. I think we should give him time too. But the buck has to stop with him. He's the one who's responsible for the sporting project. He's the one who's responsible for the structure of this new Uwe. And although there are positives, there are also very, very big failures and negatives.
00:32:30
Speaker
And he the the he that they have the buck has to stop with him. He has to take responsibility for that. Does that mean he has to leave? Of course not. That's stupid. Let's remember that Marotta failed in his first year and a half or two at Yule as well. It took some time. Yeah, it took some time.
00:32:47
Speaker
for Juve under Marotta to things to settle down, um for things to you know go into gear. So I think we should give Giuntoli this season, but I'm looking at it from next season that he can't afford, already in January, if they're going to do something, they can't afford to F this up.
00:33:07
Speaker
Well, i'm I'm critical of Jensley already because um for January already, I have to be honest, we're January the 6th now. ah Now Bremer done his ACL in, you know, October, when was it beginning of October? I mean, he's had like pushing on three months now to to prepare and plan to get in a replacement for Bremer. Then of course you had the Cabal injury as well, and which was, which was what, November, beginning of November. So that's the two months.
00:33:34
Speaker
We shouldn't be here now at ah the 6th of January and it's completely unclear as to um who Juventus are going to sign us at centre back. there because you know There was Tomori, there was Hansko from Feynord, there was the Bemfica guy Antonio Silva,
00:33:53
Speaker
um You know, Tomori, since the the change around that, that doesn't look like it's going to happen because Konsei Sal's come in. Hanchko's probably too expensive at the moment. Antonio Silva probably too expensive. You know, we shouldn't be a situation with January the 6th. And the biggest criticism I have is that Juventus have made the decision as a club, and this is fragently, to completely freeze out Danilo. Juventus are already completely and massively understaffed even with Danilo, who I'm not a fan of. I think he's finished as a top player, and he's and he's not good enough.
00:34:23
Speaker
but you should not be freezing out one of your few bodies in January already. So he won't play again now for Juventus. You should not be freezing out Danilo ready to sell him when you don't have a replacement already already already in place. So Juventus have had to play the Super Cup and now they're going to have to play the Turin Derby and they've got three huge tough games coming up after that don't even have one defender they need two defenders in january maybe three if you're getting rid of danilo ah pop well probably yes almost certainly you need three defenders if you get rid of doindo you need an extra defend that's three defenderss
00:34:55
Speaker
haven't brought anyone in and it's complete and it doesn't seem like any negotiations
00:35:12
Speaker
You've got even less options now in defense. I mean, that's ridiculous. Just do not do that. Why do you freeze out Danilo? Keep playing him, then sell him once you've got someone in. I mean, I have to be critical. He's had three months, two months and three months to plan for this. They should have already had someone in already by now. At least one defender should have been signed or very, very close to signing and we're being told, well, they're in the final negotiations, blah, blah, blah. We're not even close to that.
00:35:40
Speaker
and So I'm sorry, but I'm not impressed by the way juntly start this January market either ah He needs to he needs to get moving and he needs to prove himself fast because because Juventus have coming up Torino away Atalanta away Milan home Napoli away That's their next four games in Serie A then they have Inter in the middle of February as well now You know Juventus are three points off the off fourth place right now after this run of games and with the options you know lack of options in defence I'm talking about, with the problems and in ah in an attack, with the form that they're in. I mean, they they could be out of the top four. They could be seven, eight, nine points behind if they're you know things go badly in those games. Junsuly should have moved by now. We should have players in already now. So i'm I'm not happy with Junsuly, the way he started this journey. He needs to get moving.
00:36:31
Speaker
Yeah, no, he he does. He absolutely does. And it's been pretty pretty damning that he already, that he hasn't, you know, especially with Cabal and Bremer gone and Danny, you know, pushing Danilo. I get what you want to push Danilo, but like you said, it's it's, he's had a couple of months to do it um and it doesn't look like he's doing much. But then we've seen these tamoorings. I mean, I'm not, you know, let' let's wait and see what happens. But yeah, I'm not too impressed with what he's done. I think he, but again, like I said,
00:37:00
Speaker
I give him this season because last season was not a real season. like They couldn't do anything because of the blowback after Paratici. So this is the first season I think he's really we we can judge him on. But he has to get to start getting it right already this January. So we'll see what happens by the end of January. But I do think that there's plenty of blame to go around. And I think there's been mistakes made. The question is, of course, are these mistakes irreparable? I don't think they are. I think they're more than reparable.
00:37:31
Speaker
And of course, where do you go? I don't think it's time to blow that project up yet.
Claudio Ranieri's Impact at Roma
00:37:36
Speaker
I don't think it's we're there yet. But I do think that serious questions need to be asked. um And Tiago Mota has to start to deliver tactically, especially in the final third, regardless of who the players are speaking players are playing. Of course, the quality of players matter. But when things flatline and consistently flatline for half a season, as soon as you approach the opposition's third,
00:38:01
Speaker
There is a problem. It's not just a personnel issue. It's a tactical issue. And that is where I think Mota has failed. And I think it's right to criticize and question him. Yeah. Okay. That's a good place to finish. We have to move on there now. Um, Rome Darby, um, the big game of the, of the weekend and, um, Roma win two nil. Uh, Claudio Ranieri is really the that the hero. I mean, Lorenzo Pellegrini on the pitch, but Ranieri, I have to sing his praises. What a job I think he's doing.
00:38:31
Speaker
at Roma. The way that he's turned Roma around so much is a completely different team ah and that was all displayed i think in the in the derby as well, especially in that first half where I thought Roma were absolutely fantastic. i he you know The way that he's found the system and a way of playing to get the best out of everyone, the way that he's resurrected the big-name players whose Roma careers seemed like they were over when he took over. I mean, Di Bala was on his way out. Hummels was was it was ah was a joke. Paredes was a joke. Even Pellegrini, who was getting absolutely hammered by the fans and was blamed for the sackings of Mourinho and De Rossi. um And the way that he's you know resurrected all those players, he's created a team, a togetherness.
00:39:19
Speaker
the spirit of the team, mentally very strong, something that Ranieri said at foot at the at the end of the game, he said that we are a team now, um but also like tactically, but really quite a versatile team he's created now and already, like a team that can play on the front foot like they did in the first half against Lazio, but then also play on the back foot like they did in the second half and soak up the pressure and defend well and defend as a unit, defend as a team. um And you know they're in great form, they've won one five of their last seven drawn the other one. um And now he now he wins the Derby as well. um And um he's won all five of his Derbys as a Roma coach. I mean, he really is like ah a legend of Rome, really. like I mean, how can you not love Ranieri? I mean, everybody loves Ranieri. But if you're if you're a roman ah Roma fan, how can you not love Ranieri? What he's done. and and and ah And just to finish off, I have to say,
00:40:17
Speaker
like everything that he's doing is touch is is turning into gold. I mean that bluff of Pellegrini, same before, that's what i was good that wasn't going to play and then, you know, he plays it. But listen, he is an Altmeister, he's been around the block and he's got his techniques and, you know, he didn't just use the stick, he didn't just use the carrot, he didn't just use you know, defend him, but he just he also kind of made this kind of old school approach of validation, but also demand ah performance in the sense that yes, it's more difficult if you're Rome, you know, the things he alluded to, like, it yes, it is more difficult if you are a son of Rome, and if you are a Romanista,
00:41:03
Speaker
and you're the captain of Roma and things aren't working, it is more difficult, it weighs on you more, it is a different piazza, it's a different environment. these you know This is how it works, which is very true of places like Roma, Latio, Napo, etc. um But then to say he's not going to start, he's not going to play but not, but without really like harshly creating drama about it, but very calmly saying, no, I'm not going to start him. He's not in the right place right now. And then starting him. That kind of thing. That's what that's what you do when you're an experienced manager who knows how to kickstart and jolt players mentally. And Ranieri has done it.
00:41:45
Speaker
all his life and he's done so really well at it. he's He is good with with with with doing that and and we've seen it before as well and he's got a very good way of rehabilitating players if they in in the sense that getting them if if they are available and um are willing to sacrifice themselves for ah the project and and the team and the cause,
00:42:09
Speaker
And the way that he did that with Pellegrini and the hunger in Pellegrini's eyes, even if it was just for one game and one derby, to be able to to get him to channel that frustration and that angst, he knew exactly what he was doing and it worked and it worked brilliantly. And it was... I just can't get away from how... well I feel we're so blessed to see the last dance of Ranieri, that it is at Roma, that it is helping his Roma kind of end this season with some kind of respect and dignity. And again, the Derby thing that you touched on. That's mad. That's insane record, that is. Not just in Roma, but also when he was at Inter, he won the Derby.
00:43:01
Speaker
Like he he has a good Derby record period. um And it's it's it's, you know, again, it's like it's he it, all the accolades he gets, because he is a loved one. I like what he said about Darby's, how to to so play Darby's. He says sometimes you can be too fired up, too motivated for Darby's and you need to get the balance right between being up for it, but also being lucid and and something that Ancelotti often speaks about as well. Like Ancelotti doesn't like players that are too fired up sometimes because he he feels like it makes them nervous and makes them technically more likely to make mistakes. um So, you know, I think that Ranieri very, very good
00:43:47
Speaker
kind of with the balance of that and that was shown I think also with what you said about Pellegrini as well feeling that pressure of of of you know being who he is and from Rome and everything and I mean it's amazing he scores after what 10 minutes to break the deadlock the beautiful goal and it's not just that he scores the goal it's that the build-up too is beautiful and he's involved in that and then the ball falls to how many places it absolutely stunningly it's it's a beautiful beautiful goal and you can just see how much that meant to him and how much it meant of to the entire Roma environment that their captain, and their guy, though the link between the city and the club and the squad, that is so important to to them and and and he's a popular guy and they all like him. I thought i thought it was a great first half performance from Roma. I thought everyone really performed well, maybe, except maybe Dovbic, it was a bit quiet, but apart from that I thought everybody else
00:44:42
Speaker
was really, really good. and I mean, the defence stood up, and especially in the second half, Svela made some good saves when when he was needed. I thought they were really good at wing back, especially in the first half, that's where they caused all the problems at Lazio, Angelino, Sallamaker's. Sallamaker's got a goal and assist, and Hummels as well. i mean he He's looking like the Hummels, peak Hummels at times, the way that he starts attacks from the back. um Brilliant, like with both, some of his passing, but with both feet to kind of like break the line, spread the play, um medium range passing, but also bringing the ball out from the fence, going on these li like his runs. His broad stability and experience have calmed to a back line that lacked some calm.
00:45:30
Speaker
um I think together with Mancini... It's pretty damning, I think, on certainly on Djuric, now, what Ranieri is doing. and The way that Ranieri has got these individuals that Djuric completely i mean humiliated, let's be honest, the way that he humiliated Hummelz, making him warm up with five minutes to go in a game, and then Paredes being just left on the bench. and and Di Bala and like the way that that that that Juric was i mean just a joke i mean i and i was quite i was quite ah lenient on on Juric i tried to say you know well he was put into a really really difficult situation and and everything but maybe he should never have been a billionaire it was a stupid appointment well Renieri's starting to make me rethink that and think well actually
00:46:16
Speaker
because Roma actually look really really good now ah and Ranieri has shown that it is possible with a good manager and making right decisions and knowing how to use your players and motivate them. I don't think it's a technical issue when it comes to to Roma with Ranieri. I think it's both a technical but it's also these things that we refer to in Swedish as soft values. okay Do you understand where you are? Do you understand the environment? Do you understand the culture? Do you understand what it takes to be at Roma and how to succeed at Roma?
00:46:45
Speaker
or or or a club, Ranieri is Roma through and through. Yuric would have needed time, at least ah at least a whole summer, in order to get into the swing of things. I thought that was an insane appointment at the time, and I said it at the time. I think it's a bad appointment. I think it's bad for Yuric. I think it's bad for Roma.
00:47:05
Speaker
um But what has happened now is that you have someone who understands the entire environment, has been able to unite the entire environment, and because of his experience, because of who he is, you know young and old, experienced and inexperienced, they listen to him, they they they they they follow him.
00:47:25
Speaker
um and And that united Roma because they were very fragmented after De Rossi was sacked. that that that that was one of the most it's It's a decision so stupid, if you look at the totality of it, that I think it will almost be studied what they did during that area ah during that period of time. the way Talk about breaking a club in half.
00:47:49
Speaker
the way that De Rossi was sacked, the way that the first day kept him, the Mercato, the Shicho with Di Bala, then then sacking De de Rossi. it just It's like taking a toy. It's like taking a beautiful marble statue and then just shucking it on the ground. That's what they did. Well, Jurec, and then trying to put it together by bringing an elephant with a hoof or a horse, which is the perfect crushing a device to try to put that marble statue together. They've now they've actually brought the a guy who knows how to repair statues. Yeah, it was a bad day for Zurich. That's for sure. He got hammered five nil at home by the South. They're dead last. The question now is like how far can Raymond go? I mean, the top four, the top four is this season. That is top four is is probably too much to ask. I mean, they're 12 points. They're 12 points behind top four, but
00:48:45
Speaker
you know you'd never know because Juventus and Milan keep dropping points like they have in the first half of the season. And I'm looking at Roma's run and they have a pretty decent run of games. I mean, look at this. They've got Bologna away in Serie A, Bologna away, General at home, Udenez away, then they have Napoli at home. And then after that,
00:49:04
Speaker
They have Venezia, Palma, Monza, Cormor, Empoli, Caliari, Lecce. I mean, if they like keep playing like the way they have, obviously they're going to have Europe as well, which will take it out of them. But I mean, if they keep playing the way they are, I mean, they could rack up a lot of points and they they could suddenly...
00:49:21
Speaker
It's going to be very, very difficult and unlikely. but is is Listen, I'm saying Roma, what I'm seeing at the moment, ah I think that they have the players, they're pretty good depth. They have, you know,
00:49:35
Speaker
but The Europa League especially, I think Roma are a threat in the Europa League now um because they have the experience
Roma vs Lazio: Serie A and Europa League Prospects
00:49:43
Speaker
as well. So many good European runs in in recent years. and They have the enthusiasm back, they have the pride. and i'm looking at and I was looking at this yesterday. Look at the teams that are in the Europa League this season, right?
00:49:57
Speaker
from England, Man United and Tottenham. They've got nothing to fear from those two teams. They're both a complete joke. ah Spain, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad. Germany, Frankfurt and Hoffenheim. France, Lyon. Turkey, two dangerous teams, Galatasar and Finobacci. And then of course you've got Lazio from Italy. I mean, but my opinion Roma in terms of on paper the players they have um And the experience as I mentioned, I think they can challenge any of them. I don't think they've got anything to fear from anyone I think Roma Make sure they get through first because they've they've still got you know, they had a bad start to the Europe Europa League campaign
00:50:35
Speaker
I think Roma can i think roma are are are in there with a shout of the Europa League. As for the Serie A, I think top four is completely out of the picture. There's no chance. Top six is a possibility.
00:50:47
Speaker
um ah But I think more importantly, ah like I said and have said since before the season started, I do see Roma as a potential threat in in the Europa League.
00:50:59
Speaker
And I have no reason to change that because of looking at all those teams that are the main contenders, maybe athletic ah aside, who've actually been really, really good. a political but um they They're also someone I don't discount in Europe. um they They're fantastic at home. They barely concede any goals.
00:51:19
Speaker
and and And, you know, they're they're a very good side. They're a very strong unit. um So they they're also thereabouts. But yeah, Lazio, Roma, Athletic United, Spurs, you know, Lyon, Frankfurt, you know, these you never know. it's It's a really interesting tournament. But yes, I do think that in Europe, in the Europa League, Roma can be a big threat. And I just would like to hope, I really, really hope that the draw allows us for a Lazio Roma final. I think it would be the most epic, most beautiful, most fantastic Europa League final we've seen in decades. Renier's final game, Lazio in the Europa League final, that would be that would be pretty special. That would that would be a magic that would be the way to to definitely go out for good, wouldn't it? Like finally retire, because he yeah i keeps overturning this retirement so many times. But but but yeah, I like it. If we speak quickly about Lazio though, um I think, look,
00:52:13
Speaker
bad first half from Lazio. The defence let them down on the goals, especially the full backs. Very passive. Nuno Tovares and Maricic were caught out positionally. and and and yet there's The defence in general but let them down. um um But you know as Barone said after the game, I thought I thought they were really good second half. I thought they rallied. and They showed good tempo. They were really pushing Roma back. And they reacted? They reacted well. They just couldn't get the goal. They were unlucky. They definitely deserved the goal. They definitely deserved to reopen the game. Whether they would have got an equalised in the end, I don't know. I was really i really liked them second second half. um So, listen, obviously, whenever you lose a derby, it's the
00:52:59
Speaker
for for any fans of Roma or Lazio it's devastating like it it means more to those fans than you know than the season as a whole often and um and obviously they're going to be devastated but again you know I don't think that they shouldn't panic um yes their form has has dropped a bit lately it's been a bit more inconsistent i mean the last seven in sear is one two drawn while lost three but you need to take into kind of had a very tough run of games through that they played roma atalantta inter napoli within that time and they've actually taken four points
00:53:30
Speaker
from those four matches which isn't isn't has dropped bit lately. have a horror run, which i which I mentioned before. I'm not sure what Milan's run is, but they're in a really good position and based on what I saw in the second half, I think they're going to continue to do well. So yes, it's still it will hurt, but I think, i again, I saw enough from that to tell me that theyre they're going to continue having a good season.
00:54:15
Speaker
Well, exactly. I think now Barani's job becomes really important. um And in the sense that can he react once more after the interdrubbing, they reacted, they struggled, but they won. um the big you know This is when when when when he has to show his mettle. And so far, I think he's done really well. I think I don't think they've got bad form in the Serie A. I think it's more like you said, drawing, you know, they've beaten Napoli, they drew Atalanta, they lost to Derby, that's never good, but it can happen. um the These Darbys are very special. um So they're still in a very good place. They're top of they top of the Europa League in the league phase. They are still in within very good chances mathematically to finish in the top four.
00:55:00
Speaker
they They're in a good spot. They're also in the Copa Italia, where they're playing there in a couple of weeks. So, you know, it's it's about how you react. And so far, Lazio under Baroni, one of the good things is they do know how to react, not just in games like against Roma in the Derby, but also after a tough defeat, after a tough result. And that's what he has to continue doing. He has to continue looking at, you know, getting the group to rally around his football, his identity, what he wants to do.
00:55:31
Speaker
and to continue delivering um and in producing great results, because again, I do think that this could be a very respect fantastic season for Roman football, both Lazio and Roma. i I am looking, I hope the draw allows for it, but I would love a Ropa League final between Lazio and Roma. for for rome For Roman football, for Italian football, it would be fantastic, it would be beautiful.
Napoli's Performance and Title Contention
00:55:56
Speaker
And the fact that you don't even have ah You don't have any um You know Champions League teams coming into from the eye. Yeah, exactly. I like that. I really like that I think it it makes the Europa League its own kind of thing and look I I like you said, I mean the the upcoming games como Hellas Caliari Montza is is not impossible they can put in a good decent run together they do have the quality to win it and
00:56:24
Speaker
um um But they you know it's it's again, in the city of Rome, in Naples, the the issue is always about keeping your head cool. um That's always been the biggest problems that these clubs and these these players at these clubs face, maintain and the and manager in turn, to manage the expectations and keep everyone's heads cool.
00:56:46
Speaker
the this The sun shines a bit brighter in those places and and it can get to people. That's a good place to finish because there was a they didn't keep their heads cool right at the end. There was a ah customary brawl um at at the end, which Castellanos got a red card, which is, again, what I'm coming to. you know They need to keep their heads cool because he's going to be going to get banned now maybe three games because of his violent conduct. um So, you know, that it's a derby, it happens.
00:57:14
Speaker
and you know And just to be clear, the reason that Castellanos was sent off was because of the kick. Yeah, he studied hummus in the fire. In the balls. Depending on how big hummus balls are. but yes That is the area on the male anatomy on which the testicles usually are found, regardless of the size of said testicles. yeah but it's um it's it's ah it's it's ah Yeah, that's why he was sent off and and that that's dumb. But it's also par for the course with ah with the Roman Derby. It was a very heated Roman Derby. And I'm surprised that there was only that no one else was was sent off before that, if I'm perfectly honest with you. The way it was shaping up earlier on, in yeah it looked like one of them, didn't it?
00:58:10
Speaker
Yeah, so absolutely. yeah But no, it was a great game, ah a very enjoyable game for the neutral. I enjoyed watching it because it wasn't, to be honest with you, it wasn't a great weekend in Serie A for games. and I mean, there wasn't many of them to start as because of Atalanta in Milan and Juventus playing the Supercopper, but many of the games were really pretty boring.
00:58:30
Speaker
for me anyway i'm sure you'd have enjoyed those nil nil uh relegation games but yeah but i mean this is the thing about the relegation battle that you have to look at it like it's not a short story it's a it's it's a novel it's it's it's a collection of novels and this point in the season mid-season when these teams are kind of careful depending on where they are and and you look at where where where most of them are and you're thinking Well, you know, OK, so you don't want to risk too much. And and he becomes this kind of attack like a chess match, not just tactically in the game, but also looking towards the future. I mean, let's say Genoa zero zero Torino Palma zero zero. Like it it though there is a there is a there is a special like they live their own little world, don't they? And it's really, really interesting to see.
00:59:17
Speaker
Yeah, well, before we get on to that, not much to say, but um Napoli, Napoli temporarily go back to the top of Serie A after a, I thought, very impressive performance away at Fiorentina. They win 3-0, considering the plays they had missing. No Buongiorno, no Cuada Scalia, no Politano. I thought first half, especially, they really took control of the game.
00:59:42
Speaker
dominated the first half ah clinical with their chances as well. um A lot of really impressive individual performances. and David Neres, I mean what what a fantastic signing, under heralded signing Neres has been. Whenever he plays he performs. um He's always scoring, assisting, his goal contributions per minute is really incredible.
01:00:05
Speaker
um I mean, there's even an argument. I mean, he broke the deadlock. There's even an argument for me that pound for pound, he's been better than Clara this season based on minutes. I agree. He's been really, really good. And, you know, I think there's the question now, I mean.
01:00:20
Speaker
Conte doesn't like using Neres and Clara together because ah because I think balance and defensive coverage and all that kind of stuff. But I mean, it's becoming really, really difficult for Conte to leave him out. How do you leave out Neres from the start? Because he's he's always making things happen. He's always scoring. He's always assisting. It's becoming impossible not to play him.
01:00:42
Speaker
Oh, it's it is becoming and this is I don't want to take a victory lap just yet, but because I think there's so much we were only at the midway point, but 44 points after 19 games.
01:00:58
Speaker
12 goals con seeed it conceded, 30 scored. That's nowhere near good enough. And that's why I don't want to take a victory lap, but also want to concede the point and also validate the criticism that this is not sustainable. You can't win the league scoring 60 goals over a season. it's just You know he just it's we can, it's possible, but it's very, very unlikely.
01:01:19
Speaker
And that's why when people say this is not sustainable, I agree with them. However, my counterpoint throughout all of these dreary content November one nil wins has been this. Usually, if history is anything to go by from January, February onwards, that's when content teams hit their peak. That's when the attack starts clicking.
01:01:40
Speaker
And usually, up until now, it's been like that. And if you take into consideration the fact that this is when it becomes really important, the fact that Napoli only play once a week. um That's why I want to, that's why I've consistently said Napoli are a title contender. They will fight. It is a three horse race.
01:02:01
Speaker
where Napoli are going to be there, for the simple reason that now you saw against Fiorentina how fluid it looked, how natural it looked, because Konta, his football and his system Oh, that's how they are. You know, that's how it works. It takes time to imprint the attack more than it does to defence the defense. The defense usually with him is six, you know, because that's what he focuses on in the beginning. He starts with that. He stabilizes once that stable, then he moves to focusing more on getting players to to attack and move the way he wants them to do naturally. That usually takes about five to six months if he has a full preseason.
01:02:44
Speaker
And especially now, when there's only one game a season, this becomes particularly important from now onwards, because now he can now he can also mentally go to the group and be like, we have 19 finals between here and Eternal Glory. And that, I think there are few managers, not just in World Football today, but throughout history,
01:03:11
Speaker
who are as good as Antonio Conter to create a group to believe and take it one day at a time, one final at a time, firing them up, getting everyone almost foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog, but not crossing that line.
01:03:28
Speaker
I think he's easy he's a master at that. So, you know, I'm not saying they're going to win, but I'm saying they're going to be there to the end and the others better watch out. Atalanta and Inter need to watch out. They cannot afford to drop points because if Conte at this moment in the season racks up a four, six, seven, eight point lead, that's it, that's gone, it's over.
01:03:54
Speaker
yeah Yeah, I was very impressed by Napoli. Not just Neres, but I thought Rachmani was absolutely brilliant in this game without Bongiorno. Brilliant. The number of blocks, important blocks he made. One, absolutely superb goal-saving block at 2-0.
01:04:11
Speaker
Jesus next to him. Jesus, who actually played well as well. but Yeah, he did. He did as good he did ah as good a job on Kean, Moisakine, Rachmani, and Kean was probably the only one for Fiorentina that really turned up, but Rachmani really defended him well. um I thought the Senate midfield was very dominant, and Guisa is really picking up steam. Tominee scored another goal, and um yeah, but very impressive. Very, very impressive from Napoli.
01:04:37
Speaker
after they take into account that Fiorentina have lost their way now, that they they are dropping off their performances, not just the results, the performances, and this has been happening, this has been going on for about a month now, two draws, three losses in their last five games in all competition. Before we go to Fiorentina, I just need to end on Napoli here, because the the run here is fascinating. So they've got Verona,
01:05:01
Speaker
at home. Atalanta away. Juventus at home. Roma away. Udinese at home. Lazio away. Como at way. Napoli at home. Sorry, Inter at home. These next, these next games are absolutely fantastic. They're going to make or break the Spidelli's chance. It's going to be so interesting to see to see how Konta handles this and how Naples handles this because it's not a natural fit. We have to remember that. The Antonio Konta Juventus winning is the only thing that matters. That's not the name in na Napoli way. there's you know There's been a compromise between Napoli and Konta that I'm going to get you back at the top. Give me the keys. Give me the wheel. Give me the keys. Let me run this. I'm not going to do it your way, but I'm going to get you back to the top.
01:05:50
Speaker
and everyone was like okay but when despite them winning there was lots of grumblings and annoying people saying this isn't Napoli this is not how we do so this compromise has worked because of the results but if they start scoring goals and winning consistently and so on and so forth it's it's a fascinating project it is it really is Yeah, it is. It's going to be make or break for them because like you said, Atalanta, Juventus, Roma, Lazio, Inter, those five big teams in the next eight games. And then after that, they've got Fiorentina and Milan and two of the next three after that. So so we're talking about basically they're playing all the big teams in between now and the end of March. And usually that's when just playing it during a period of time when the Conkta teams are hitting forms. Yeah, for sure. fire Just quickly on Fiorentina, they have dropped off now. and Two draws, three losses in the last five games, as I said. and They have been struggling for a while. They they were lucky to draw with Juventus as well, in my opinion. They deserved to lose that. and Before that, they were also lucky to beat Cannery, I remember, ah in the game. They went out to Empley in the Coppa Italia against an Empley reserve team. So they they they they have they have started to fall off. It's kind of what
01:07:07
Speaker
was expected. um i've I've said consistently, I think that Lazio are going to have the potential to to really stick there in the top four and and you know maybe even finish in the top four. maybe it's they've They've got a chance, Lazio. I think they'll challenge.
01:07:22
Speaker
Fiorentino, I never thought that would happen. I thought that they would start so to fall away. I mean, they're still there at the moment, but I feel like they that we're seeing them return towards that that they kind of ru the mean. And yeah, they've they've they've started to fall away. And yeah, a few of the players that were playing well started said to drop off. I mean, Komutso has been pretty poor the last few games, I have to be honest. He was really poor against Juventus.
01:07:49
Speaker
um He would had an error here in the goal, along with the other youngster, Moreno, who had a bit of a horror show in this game. The whole defense, actually, um was was bad. Dodo was getting down on the left, even by spin at Sola. Padezi on the left, on Pieroncina's left. and so So, yeah, I think it's, yeah.
01:08:13
Speaker
Fiorentina, again, like with Lazio, Fiorentina just need to keep their heads, they're they're way over performing what was expected at the start of the season.
Fiorentina's Form Decline and Future
01:08:20
Speaker
um They just need to keep their heads, just keep going. Look, I think Fiorentina, with the Bova situation, and and I really have nothing but empathy and sympathy for ah for them. they they they they all They're always hit by Oki, this time it ended well, but they're always hit by these crazy things from the outside that is just that that would break any group and and would shatter any group. And I do think that they have regressed to and meet to the mean a little bit more like qualitatively. But I look at Fiorentina's season and I'm happy that they're out of the Copa Italia. I look at them and I'm thinking, well, you know,
01:08:59
Speaker
What can you do? I think a top six finish is what they need to focus on. And more importantly, um i I want to see them make a run for it really in the conference league. And I know Chelsea are going to be a difficult nut to crack, but in a final, in a one-off game, anything can happen. but And I think that would be a fantastic revenge for everything that's gone on the last few years and would probably launch Paladino's career as a serious coach or potential big club coach, because I do think he's done really well. I've been very impressed by him this season. I didn't think I was a little bit skeptical, depending on given his last season a month. But I think what he's done so far and the way that he's handled himself and, of course, in the middle of
01:09:48
Speaker
you know, personal tragedy when his mother passed away as well. it's you know He's handled it the best he could. And and um and again, Fiorentina are just so, so unlucky. I mean, these things that keep happening to them year after year after year, you feel that at some point, you know, enough's enough. Leave leave them alone.
01:10:08
Speaker
you know, leave people, leave Fiorentina and people connected to that club alone. Let them heal. It's it's it's between Astori, Barone, Bove, Palerino's mum, it's just non-stop and it's really, really, there's a human side to this that but I think most people are sympathetic to.
01:10:25
Speaker
yeah Yeah, for sure, for sure. And they also lost a former manager um yes this week as or last week as well, Aldo Agroppi, Torino legend, former midfielder for Torino, who was for a former manager twice of Fiorentina as well. um Okay, rest of the...
01:10:42
Speaker
Excuse me, as soon as you want to talk about the relegation base you get you start coughing. Yes Yes, terrible. And the rest of the story are weekend pictures, but let's see a one employee one Verona Neil, who didn't as you know, let you know, Jenna, we're new. So, you know, Neil and Monza one category to the contempt in your voice. It's just so beautiful to listen to. Oh, that's terrible. I tried to watch some of these these relegation games. They were bad, really bad.
01:11:12
Speaker
really bad, although Monza Cannery was quite exciting to be fair. But some of those nil-nils were pretty unwatchable, let's be honest. I just love this point of the season where like in the relegation but race they all kind of do this kind of, it's not biscotti but they don't want to hurt each other, especially if they're, you know, if you're in the mid-table and you're kind of overperforming a little bit.
01:11:35
Speaker
um Let your Christmas be Scotty. Yeah, leftover Panettone. Dry, stale Panettone. Listen, a couple of things I want to say. Let's share Unlucky against Genoa. Tushbi with one of the most horrific misses in football history. I saw a stat that the XG on that chance that Tushbi missed for Genoa is 0.90. Yes, I saw that as well.
01:12:05
Speaker
I mean, that is genuinely astonishing. But somehow it's not as bad as Galliardini's, which which tells you all about ah because I re-watched the Galliardini one and and that is still worth it. It was Galliardini, 0.99. Yeah, but the 100. Like you don't miss that. It's impossible to miss that. Unattacked alone with the goalkeeper on the floor. No, never mind. You can't even blame that the ball came to add him to. Anyway, um that's that.
01:12:34
Speaker
Sebastian Esposito scoring his 8th seriago, if I'm not mistaken, for Empoli. There's been calls for him to get an Italy caller. Yeah. And I understand why they do that, but I disagree with those calls.
01:12:48
Speaker
unless you, you know, in the sense that qualitatively, I don't think he's there yet. But in a two man attack, he's actually serviceable. And Colombo next to him has been outstanding. Like that the goal that he scores is is all Colombo fighting, winning the ball.
01:13:09
Speaker
playing him through. So yeah, ah I don't know if about Italy just yet, but it's an interesting career and it's an interesting thing to look at for his future because there's no doubt that or the Empoli are going to buy him. They have a five million option that they're going to exercise it, of course, and they're going to buy him from Inter and I think that's a good thing. But I hope more importantly that he stays at Empoli for another season and builds on this season.
01:13:35
Speaker
um And and and see where we can go from there. I still think that he's a Personally, this is just my personal opinion I've thought about thought it all the time that I think he's he's the kind of striker at the level of us Pinamonti or maybe above Pinamonti perhaps but there about I think it's more technical quality though than than pinnamonsey pinnamon Yeah, well, that's what I'm talking about. Yeah, I know but but i'm I'm saying slightly Pinamonti plus if you want a peanut Pinamonti premium um But not more than that. I've never thought that he's good enough for any of the top four clubs. But, you know, who knows if he can think well up and I'll happily hold my hand up and say I was wrong. But it's an interesting one. And then, of course, Montza Caliari. Montza are in a world of trouble. Like, it's just not very strange appointment, I thought. Replacing Nesta with Salvatore Boquetti with the experience, lack of experience. a Very strange appointment for me.
01:14:31
Speaker
Same. and Uncle Fester, I'm not sure what he's saying. I feel that Uncle Fester without, ah with what's the name of the father in the Addams family? with Without Silvio, he's lost.
01:14:48
Speaker
um he's he's lost And I wonder if this might not be the end of the um the the Galliani era in Italian at the at the top levels of Italian football. Gomez. Gomez, yeah. Thank you. Gomez.
01:15:05
Speaker
I love how you know this. um Yeah, but but I mean, I'm looking at their form, sweet mother of Christ. I mean, you know, it's it's just it's... I remember about like 15, pushing on like 50, over 15 years ago when I used to write articles about Galiani and I used to just call him Uncle Festa in the article. i said just go to Uncle Festa.
01:15:30
Speaker
But that's what he's the corner. He's the corner of Gagliari. He's always been called that. Yeah, no, it's it's um I feel bad for Montsard, but, you know, it's been a nice acquaintance. We'll see what happens with the club. I don't feel like the Berlusconi family are too.
01:15:45
Speaker
I don't see them bouncing back, but I could be wrong. Gagliani is a legend of Italian football. Maybe he can pull one out of the hat. I'm looking at the quality of that squad and they've got some interesting players, but overall it does feel... I think they're underperforming personally. They are underperforming. I think they should be doing better. I think they lack the striker though. They do. That's what they need. They need a number nine.
01:16:05
Speaker
They had a number nine, I just think they'd be fine. But anyway, let's finish off with Bad Joe, Prem Face and Sadie Ass of the week. Bad Joe, I think there's only one man it can be that's Claudio Danieri for Mastermind in Roma's win in the Derby and especially that that that that piece of genius bluffing the the Lorenzo Pellegrini decision to start him and having said he wouldn't start starts him He scores the the goal to to break the deadlock genius from Ranieri five wins out of five in the Rome Derby as a manager, which is absolutely insane incredible for me, it's It's got to be Pellegrini for the way that he reacted um It's the goal
01:16:57
Speaker
the the everything, like the the way that he has handled this, the beauty the the how he played and the in the build up and then that wonderful finish. He's being linked with the move as well, hasn't he? to inthe that There's been talk of his Fratese Pellegrini swap. And of course, you know, but that that kind of has also been part of it, hasn't it? yeah But um and for him to then score this goal for his a Roma as the captain in Rome, Roma as the home team at the Olympic Awards.
01:17:28
Speaker
and the way that he does it too. it's it's it's yeah it's a great It's a great story. Also a great story is my prim face of the week. So this is from Portugal, ah second division side, Oliveranza. This come from Zach Lowry, I saw this on Twitter just to give credit. So second division sign, Oliveranza, didn't have paint to draw the goal line. So they match against Felgueros. So they used, what did they use instead? Milk, milk.
01:17:59
Speaker
I had to actually like double check this to see if this was actually true, but it just seems so unbelievable. But they actually use milk. sure I love this. I love this so much. I love this so much. This is the kind of thing you would get in in Italian football, like lower league divisions as well. This is me this is peak Mediterranean football shit, Housary.
01:18:23
Speaker
just solve the issue with whatever you got at home, do you know what I mean? It reminds me of the poetry, look into the fridge, what can we do here? I love this, I love it. It reminds me of my Sunday league in Bedford when I used to play when they didn't have, you know they used to have, you usually have pegs yeah to keep the nets down on the ground so that sort of like if the ball goes in the net, doesn't roll under the net, and the pegs, yeah. Well I remember playing where we didn't have pegs um ah the ground so we use like big wheelie bins and put the wheelie bins on there to keep the nets down behind the goal. I love that. Or the other one that came to mind when I saw this story, slightly different, but this is one of the great stories. So one one game, this is when we play new football, our goalkeeper
01:19:08
Speaker
um didn't turn up or he was unavailable so we had to have an outfield player in goal and this player turned up and he didn't have any didn't have any gloves so we're like all rushing around oh we need to get some gloves what we're going to do so so his dad who bless his heart isn't with us anymore rested peace ah he went home to to get some gloves for his son so that he could he could he could play in goal and he returned with gardening gloves He didn't have any proper gloves. He gave you any gloves. They still had like all the i don't love me they had all the dirt on there. So he so there he is. He some plays the whole game with guarding gloves in goal.
Lower-Level Football: The Essence and Humor
01:19:51
Speaker
This is beauty. We got absolutely smashed. This is the beauty of football. like this This is like the like football's essence of
01:20:01
Speaker
you know when was you know at at at these lower levels where you get into like the we get into this the meet these personalities and and you've got parents who are stressed and they just want to resolve the situation so the kids can play. I love this. It's absolutely fantastic. It was brilliant. and We got Smash 7-1 in that game, so the Guardian gloves. Were you playing for Bedford Tigers? No, no, this was under 11, so I was playing for a team called EuroCults. Euro what? EuroCults.
01:20:35
Speaker
you coatts yeah coltons is ah like um It's quite a common common name in in England for for the for the end of ah of a football team.
01:20:46
Speaker
oh really say colts yes it's like town or city but you only get it in um in uh more in in in youth football like sunday leave really don't you don't really i haven't seen it in professional or men's senior men's football haven't really seen it you see it more and in ah in uh in youth football yeah euro colts yeah that's awesome yeah that's lovely we got smashed yeah and his gardening gloves were I love the gardening glove story. yeah it It's brilliant. I love that.
Social Media Blunders: Paredes and Serie A
01:21:17
Speaker
Sarias of the week? Yeah. um This is one of the funniest things. like I can't stop laughing. So Leandro Paredes wanted to like hype up ah the the um the the Rome Derby.
01:21:34
Speaker
And so he decided to release on his Instagram, he decided to put out a photo of what he thought was the Colosseum, only it wasn't, it was Ariana di Verona. And it's it's like not even the same city. And and this is like such a, it's brilliant. like Obviously, i don't think i don't even it wouldn't surprise me if it was him. I hope it kind of is. I would be very sad. I tell you who it probably was. It's probably the same person that runs the the official Serie A Twitter account because they did the same thing last year. I don't think it was the Arena de Verona. It was something else. It was the Milan Derby.
01:22:13
Speaker
yeah It was the Milan Darby, they were promoting the Milan Darby and they used to pick the picture of the Colosseum as to promote the Milan Darby. It's hilarious to me how the Colosseum ends up constantly being misidentified in situations because it ah it is only one of the most and and famous buildings. One of the most historic buildings ever. like yeah It's like it's it's it hilarious to me how how people don't So you can't seem to get that right. ah it's It's funny. So i know yeah, no, the under Paredes, the Paredes one, I just giggled like a child. It reminds me of the famous viral post of of ah a girl in front of um ah a pylon and and saying that she's li at a Eiffel Tower.
01:22:59
Speaker
That's brilliant. That'll be the next time when you've entered into a playing PSG or into a playing PSG. Yeah, absolutely. Oh, and also one last badger as well, the Rome Derby as a whole, the atmosphere, the songs, but chanting <unk>foes the the the everything that that that Darby is truly spectacular. Yeah, absolutely. Okay, let's leave it at that. yeah Before we go, I just want to say so. Last week we we we basically did all the the Q and&A and post-match reaction pods for free to give everyone ah you know a taste of what we do. ah This week we'll be back tonight already. We're recording this on Monday morning. I'll be doing a post-match reaction pod for the Supercoppa Italiana or Intel in Milan.
01:23:48
Speaker
face off in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. And then later on in the week, we'll be doing a Q and&A as well. um Both of those are for patrons only. And as always, remember, you can sign up on Patreon dot.com or Spotify or now on YouTube ah memberships. link will Links will be provided in the description. Yeah, thank you, Nima. OK, let's leave it at that, everybody. and Have a great week. We will see you soon. Ciao ciao.