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France Top As Italy Crumble, Ranieri Gladiator III, Juventus ACL Hell & Much More (Ep. 473)
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From Italy losing to France at the San Siro after Guglielmo Vicario horror-show, review and analysis of Azzurri in Nations League, which players Luciano Spalletti should axe and which players he should call up in 2025 as FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers commence, to Claudio Ranieri returning to Roma, as well as Juventus terminating Paul Pogba contract, Juve lose Juan Cabal to an ACL, preview of Match Day 13 of the 2024/2025 Serie A season including Napoli vs Roma and AC Milan vs Juventus, 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 the conclusion of the 2024/2025 UEFA Nations League group stage.
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Transcript
Introduction to the Italian Football Podcast
00:00:03
Speaker
Welcome to the Italian Football Podcast. Hello, everybody, and welcome to another episode of the Italian Football Podcast, the official podcast of Football Italia. I'm Carlo Garganese, joined, as always, by Nima Tovale. We have a slightly shorter show for you today, the international
Italy vs France Nations League Analysis
00:00:21
Speaker
break. We will be reacting to Italy's final Nations League matches, in particular, the Sunday evening match at San Siro, where Italy crumbled against France losing 3-1 losing top spot of the Nations League group in the in the process so we will break down that game and we will also look ahead to 2025 and the Azuris World Cup qualification as well as their quarterfinals of the Nations League and look at what lessons are to be learned from the from these Nations League matches, which players should stay, which players should go and how Italy are building up ahead of the World
Club Football Updates: Roma and Juventus
00:01:05
Speaker
Cup. ah In club football, not too much to talk about, but we will react
00:01:09
Speaker
ah to claudier Claudio return for a third spell at Roma. Juventus have had a ah bad week suffering another ACL casualty with Juan Cabal um putting them in in complete crisis in defence and also Paul Pogba has officially said goodbye as his contract is termate terminated and we'll also look ahead to the return of Serie A this weekend. We'll also have our usual bad joke prim face in Serie S of the week.
Supporting the Podcast: Subscriptions and Engagement
00:01:39
Speaker
For all our first-time listeners, this is our free weekly episode that we do every Monday, reviewing the weekend Serie action and all the biggest talking points in Italian football. If you want to support the Italian football podcast and receive all of our content that we do throughout the week, including a weekly Q and&A episode every Tuesday, where we answer all of the questions from our patrons, plus the weekly Thursday, midweek review show, plus interviews, pace match reaction, and much, much more, then go to patreon dot.com, slash T-I-F-P, and become a subscriber, which is $2.99 a month, plus VAT. You can also sign up to be a paid subscriber on Spotify,
00:02:07
Speaker
Same term, same price. For all of you that do listen on Spotify, Apple and iTunes podcasts, we'd really appreciate it. Give us a five star rating. Give us a follow and a like. and We're on YouTube as well. and All of that ah really helps us to grow and do more quality content for you guys.
Italy's Performance Against France
00:02:23
Speaker
Okay, let's start today's show So Italy versus France on Sunday evening the last match of the UEFA Nations League group stages and Italy went into the game only needing to to avoid losing in by more than one goal and they would finish top of their group and They failed to do that, they lost 3-1 so not only did they lose the game, they also lost top spot which means
00:02:56
Speaker
that when the draw is done, I think later this week actually, and before the end of the month, for the quarterfinals of the Nations League, ah Italy will be unseated, which means they are guaranteed a ah very, very tough game. um So, not a good evening for for for Italy, and I thought a bit of a ah reality check and for for the Azuri, because ah The spirits and the hopes of everyone were were were had been restored after that disastrous Euro 2024 we would won our first four and drawn one of the five games in the Nations League ah and Everybody was was was quite hopeful um and this I think was a reality check, but we lost three one. We were very very poor and and this game showed that we there's still a lot of work to do, there's still a lot of weaknesses that we need to and we need to address, um the attacking options not being good enough, but but more than anything,
00:03:58
Speaker
nema I think our defence and in particular our set pieces. that that has That is absolutely crystal clear now. na's on lucianno spelettti We need to sort out our defending on set pieces going forward into 2025 if we are going to become a force because the last six goals that Italy have conceded have all been from set pieces, including three goals from set pieces in this match. That is on Luciano Spoletti. We have some great a great group of defenders, ah all fantastic aerially, and it's unacceptable for us to to to be so vulnerable and to concede so many chances and and goals of off corners, off free kicks, off set pieces. So that was the biggest lesson from from this defeat against France, I think, never.
Learning from Defeat: Italy's Prospects
00:04:50
Speaker
Yeah, I gotta to be honest, i'm not as I'm not as upset about this. um I actually think that that couldn there are moments in where a defeat can actually serve one well. And given how this nation's league campaign has been very good for Italy, a barring Pellegrini losing his mind against Belgium,
00:05:17
Speaker
which would have made this match completely a moot point and Italy would have secured the first part. and this ah this was ah This was a healthy defeat because I think it's gone a little bit too well for Italy um since the Euro's debacle. what I think overwhelmingly the European Nations League has been positive for Italy. I think they've learned Spalletti has been humbled and he's worked really well.
00:05:45
Speaker
um and understood the mistakes he made last summer, um learnt from them, and he's created and and a situation where I think now the formation and tactics are actually pretty solid. Italy, I've got something something really good.
00:06:05
Speaker
Excuse me. um I've got something really good. A project that looks, for the first time since Mancini took over, they actually have something that looks really good going into the World Cup and World Cup qualifiers.
Weather Humor in London and Sweden
00:06:20
Speaker
um It's gone maybe a little bit too good because, um excuse me. elll bitma What is going on? It's policies. Well no, it's not policies and it's it's the change of
00:06:36
Speaker
It's when things get really bloody cold in this country, we go from 10 degrees to close to zero degrees, and and I'm a little bit affected by that and sneezing like an idiot. Well, it's minus one degrees in London. and Well, there you go. For when you come over. Oh, lovely. you'll brought the sweet right weather You brought the Swedish weather with you. Yeah, it's making me feel right at home. um For those in not understanding, it's the Football Content Awards this week.
00:06:59
Speaker
um And it's winter in Sweden. um But no, so I'm a little bit congested. up So sorry about that. No, I think this, like I said, it's it's ah it's a healthy loss in the sense that I think things have gone a little bit, maybe too good. And and and Italy needed a reality check. in Italy needed to come down to earth. And I think their their weaknesses that they need to work on have have been exposed against France. And I think that's a good thing.
00:07:24
Speaker
but because I don't really care about the Nations League. As I keep saying and have said for the last two years since Paletti took over, it Italy has to qualify for the World Cup, they have to deliver good results in the World Cup, and they have to go far in the World Cup.
00:07:42
Speaker
That's the target. Everything about the Azuri I see working towards 2026 and that, nothing else matters to me. So I'm glad that they got exposed the at the San Siro against a very good side, a side that they comfortably beat away in France when this thing started one or two months ago.
Italy's Defensive Concerns
00:08:07
Speaker
um And they were they had they show it showed that they they can't just cruise, and that this 3511, I like the 35 part, not so much the 11 part, because I don't think Italy have players for the 11 part. um And of course the set pieces which have been dreadful under Spaletti for over a year now.
00:08:29
Speaker
um The defence in general, I think, has to improve and and but under because we've only... The game against Belgium, ah which we won 1-0 last week, which we didn't deserve to keep a clean sheet in, um I should add. ah You know, Dukaku misses a sitter, they have other chances in that second half where where where we defended badly in that second half. We didn't... At the moment, our defenders are not doing the basic things well in terms of defending their box.
00:08:57
Speaker
But we're not getting opened up much, like even in this France game, France didn't create anything from open play. um it was all you know they didn't They didn't slice us open, they didn't have one-on-ones, they didn't have loads of space in the penalty area. It was just basic, old-fashioned box defending. Defend your crosses into the box, defend your high balls, defend set pieces. This is what we haven't been doing well enough under Spelletti.
00:09:21
Speaker
like you said for the last year and especially that is that is highlighted especially on on set pieces and the game against Belgium which we didn't deserve to keep a clean sheet that's the first time in a year that we've that we've kept ah ah a clean sheet in a competitive game under Spelletti.
00:09:40
Speaker
So you add that to the set piece problems. That's on Spelletti. I'm not saying that modern football's different. It's not like it was in the past. I'm not demanding that we're Italy in 1990 and we you you never score you never even have a shot against us because football's changed.
Goalkeeping Issues: Vicario vs Donnarumma
00:09:56
Speaker
But if you're not if you're keeping one clean sheet in a year and you can see that this number of goals are set pieces Then that's clear That's on the manager and it shouldn't be happening when we've got the number of we've got a really good group of center backs now Really top top group of center backs, you know, they've showed that for their clubs, bastoni ah colourla fury but john nor ne fi napoli um you know and and from an aerial point of view, they're all great aerial. De Lorenzo is very good aerial. Gatti, if he plays, is brilliant in the air. Even plays like Manchini, they're all great in the air. um is There's no excuse for us to be this bad at at defending our box, doing the basic defending. And that's down, I think, down to a lack of organization, that's a lack of
00:10:40
Speaker
and Just the work isn't being done to organize them and to drill them um in In training that's on the manager ah for sure. I've no doubt about that at all So, you know that is that's on Spoletti the good the good thing about it is that that is something that should be easily solved it'd be more of a concern if it's you were getting opened up and you know that we didn't have the defenders and Do you know what I mean? This is something that should be easily solved ah and you know one of those one of those things to solve is is Vicario should never play for Italy ever again. but there's absolutely For me, he should not be playing for Italy ever again because you cannot have
00:11:23
Speaker
a goalkeeper playing field. I know Donnarumma is not the strongest. PSG fans will tell you that Donnarumma is one of his weaknesses, his off corners as well. and But Vicario, you cannot have a goalkeeper playing for Italy. You cannot have your second goalkeeper, who will have to play occasionally, who is as bad at corners. every penalty Every corner is almost like a penalty when Vicario is playing. You are Tottenham fans. you like yeah I was just about to say, the tot and tottenham if it if it wasn't just Italy, like if it if it was just Italy, I'd be disagreeing. But yeah given how it looked for Tottenham as well,
00:11:52
Speaker
He has problems in on-set pieces. There's no denying that. like You just need to look at the last 10, 15, 20 goals he's conceded for club and country and you'll understand that there is an issue with him on set pieces.
00:12:09
Speaker
Corners that go into the six-yard box That's on the goalkeeper or at least partly on the goalkeeper as we saw with the first goal, you know last night wasn't all on him But you know if you the corners put into the six yard box pretty close to the goalkeeper You need a goalkeeper to be commanding and to command that area to be in control of that area in one way or another and the number of goals that the carrier concedes and Not just for Italy, but for Tottenham, especially, that are corners into the six yards. But look at the one that Arsenal scored, Gabrielle scored this season. That's a good example. You know, so for me, Vicario, Vicario... He looks anxious on corners, and I don't understand why. Like, it's weird, because that's like the bread and butter, isn't it? I mean, a simple corner nowadays, this isn't the 80s. Do you know what I mean? Like, you should be able to handle that, and I don't understand why he can't.
00:13:01
Speaker
um I don't understand what the issue is. He looks anxious every time there's a corner, and and I don't get it. I really don't, because I don't think i'm not im not you know i don't think that it's he's irredeemable or you know it's it's it's a permanent state of affairs. I just don't understand why why he looks so afraid and anxious every time there's a corner, and everyone knows it, and so they ruthlessly expose it. yeah Yeah, just like Allegri did with long shots against Antonovich when he was coach
Italy's Attacking Challenges
00:13:31
Speaker
of Juve. Like, you know, every time they were going to play each other, Juve fans were going to shoot from pretty much every goddamn point off the in the pitch because they know that Antonovich was going to do his laser eyes treatment. And then it becomes never then it becomes a mental problem as well. Yeah, exactly. Which it clearly is. So I think that Spiletti needs so that that split me to go away and and sort the defense and make them
00:13:54
Speaker
because at the moment they're underperforming the defence when you bear in mind the quality that we have. in defence. We're up there with, in terms of centre backs, I think we're up there with any nation for the group of centre backs that we have available. Yeah, but there is something I want to talk about, and that is Bonjourno. Look, I think Bonjourno's been outstanding so far. I think Conte has improved him brilliantly, and he's even improved him playing in a back four, which I had no one expected. But then again, you know, it's Conte thinks he's fantastic at improving players when when you don't, when you you kind of least expect it, but if the player is is of is is the kind of player that he works in his system and in and and and applies himself, Conte can work with anyone. You may bloody screen your work in a bag three for crying out loud. um But, which which was like, who thought that? So I'm not worried as such, but I do think there isn't there is something here that shows that Bonjourno's not quite there yet. And that is, both for Napoli and now Italy, the last month,
00:14:54
Speaker
You know, we see him, he was outstanding against Inter, but against Milan. And the week before that, he he may he makes mistakes. He's still not 100% there yet. And I think we saw that for Italy in the second game against France as well, that he still makes these airhead mistakes. I'm not too worried because I think these are things that he will work on. And as a result, he will improve.
00:15:22
Speaker
because he seems he's got a good head on his shoulders, he seems very very focused, very determined to improve, and and so I'm not worried about that, but we have to acknowledge that he's not the finished, the fully finished product just yet. um He's at a fantastic start to the season, Contes made him take that salto di qualita, the stepping quality upwards, he has done that, but he's not there yet, he's not at the level that we want them to be. Yeah, now he was at fault for the first go, wasn't he? For that the first header, yeah. So so i'm not I'm not worried, but that is also a factor. And you know what, this is kind of, it's like it all comes full circle for me because Spaliti's job isn't fully done yet. He's got a year and a half to sort that out.
00:16:04
Speaker
Bonjourno's got a year and a half to take that final step. Calafiori, when he comes back from injury as well, ah and other players that are injured. um So I think that it's ah it's ah it's a work in progress, and I'm glad that
Spalletti's Tactical Experiments
00:16:18
Speaker
things are but there are problems that they are that they have to deal with now, because there's time to deal with that. Well, let's talk talk about another problem, Nima, the attack, because I think the other thing that was apparent in this game, even though, like I think before this match, we were the second-highest scorers in the Nations League.
00:16:33
Speaker
if i'm if I'm not um not mistaken. A group was a good group, you know France, Belgium. so you know it wasn't that's That's pretty impressive, you know winning away at Belgium, winning away at France as well.
00:16:47
Speaker
um So it's you know it's not like we struggled, but in this game, I think, again, it was a reality check of of where we are in attack. And we just, again, have to be honest that that we just don't yeah we just don't have the quality in attack. We need some place to come through in attack. I mean, um the only danger in this game was crosses coming from wine, mainly from DeMarco.
00:17:11
Speaker
but me with The American can be also were the only players that were a threat in this match. Out wide. That was our that that was our only threat in this match. and Anything else from the attack, including from the midfielders, but through the centre there was nothing. It was it was so easy for France. they They gobbled up everything. And you know but that is because also because we really are lacking quality.
00:17:32
Speaker
and um And he was very disappointed in both of these games and very, very disappointed. and he was He played in these two games like the Retagie of last season, the Retagie who we doubted had the overall game in terms of his um involvement in the play, in linking up with teammates, and in and in you know being involved and not just being a penalty box guy and and nothing else. And this season for Atalanta, we've lauded him but and even for Italy in the early games in like in September and October for being you know for having that in his game. These last two games, he was he was like the old retro game. And yes, he didn't really get the service. He was a bit isolated. Partly that was partly it. But but yeah, he was bad. And then everybody else,
00:18:16
Speaker
There was just no nothing else. There was no ah attacking threat. And I agree with you completely. I think this also showed that Parela is not, the we we can't be using Parela as a one behind the one. um it's not you know It hasn't worked. um And it's not it's not his role, obviously. It's not gonna get the best out of him, but it also means that we don't have enough of an attacking threat.
Formation Suggestions for Italy
00:18:40
Speaker
So we need, I think we need two attackers. We don't need to be that,
00:18:45
Speaker
that have that many midfielders? No, you're right. You're absolutely right. And I think i think we need to get rid of the 3-5-1-1. I want to play a 3-5-2 instead. um I don't think Italy have players that can interpret that 10-roll.
00:19:05
Speaker
unfortunately yet unless Baldansi explodes under Ranieri and then we can play him there but I don't really see anyone else or Pellegrini has a you know has some sort of a renaissance I'm surprised he he didn't give Maldini a proper chance this game like just give him a chance like you know and then see how he does I actually thought he did okay when he come on but yeah you know he got on the ball, he wanted the ball, he made quick one twos and stuff and we didn't have enough time on the pitch really, that's the problem. But like, you know, we've learned, I think we've learned conclusively that we can't use Borrello and we need to have more numbers in attack and have more of an attacking threat. But unfortunately, part of the reason why Borrello was playing in that position is because Spelletti realises, like the rest of us, that we just don't have many options, don't have any options. Our attacking options um are just not there.
00:19:59
Speaker
Moisakine had a good shot at the end, which Manuel made a brilliant save, but apart from that, he flocked in both these two matches, his audition. he e He just didn't look up to it at all. In the first game, he was even worse. He had two kind of one-on-ones with the last defender against Belgium and fluffed it completely.
00:20:18
Speaker
And then he had one in this game where the ball, I think it was De Marche played it into him in the six-yard box. And he had quite an easy, to be honest, at this level, but quite an easy control and and turn to get a shot at goal. And it would have been a good chance if he'd have done that because the the defender but that it was too close to him. And he miscontrolled the ball and and and then lost ah the opportunity to get the shot in. Moisakin, yeah, he he he
Midfield Dynamics: Locatelli's Role
00:20:42
Speaker
flopped. And he's doing so well.
00:20:44
Speaker
in in Serie A. I'm not writing him off because, you know, i'll be we've both been praising him. I'm just saying that I think this was a reality check on kind of. Yes, I think it was for everybody. And and i and I think from from the attack to the defence to the goalkeeper and and above all to the midfield, I think Spalletti was completely ah redeemed by not trusting Locatelli. OK, that's not Locatelli's role, perhaps.
00:21:10
Speaker
But he's not a starter for Italy, Locatelli. He's just not. And I think we saw that. Why? He was ruthlessly exposed, his limitations. And I think he should still be in the squad, but I just don't think he's a starter. I think I'd rather have Ravella starting, or Ricci is the starter. Well, that's it. That's what I was going to say. I think that this, again, this international break has shown that Locatelli is behind both Ricci and Ravella. I think Ravella did I thought Ravela, when he came on, he actually did okay. yeah He showed a bit more energy, he was a bit more involved. um And but Locatelli, I don't think Locatelli was bad. I just think that I mean, he made them he was his fault on the the third goal, which was from a set piece, the head of the Rabio second goal, the header, that that was his but he was marking him. So I mean, he was to blame them. I mean, in over overall play, I don't think he was bad.
00:22:02
Speaker
But I think that he doesn't offer you, I think off the ball, he you can see his limitations. He's he's a bit slow. He he doesn't win the ball back. And I think Spelletti called it kind of eating, cleaning the game was his words. Cleaning the game, which means like winning it back quickly, the counter press or or the press and the counter press and just kind of like having that more that more kind of that intensity and and and bite. And and and you know I don't think he does that as well. And he's a little bit more methodical, I think. and and yeah So I think that that was shown. and But also, like just the midfield in general, like you know you would have expected Italy to dominate possession in this game, like they did in in Paris.
00:22:56
Speaker
when you consider that, we' look at the look at the the France midfielders in this game, they're all runners, Guendouzi, Conneil, and who's the other, Rabio. I mean, these are these are not ballplayers, these are not players that dominate possession and control the game. they They're all generally, I mean, I thought Conneil was excellent, I think that's a good news for Roma. but you know that They're their but they runners, they're runners and they're tacklers and their they're athletic, but they're not players that are going to control possession. For most of this game, it was 50-50. It was actually 53-52 to France. I was watching the possession count during most of the game. France were actually having a slightly more possession than us.
00:23:39
Speaker
in this game. We didn't did not control the midfield and run that midfield like we but we usually do on the Spelletti. And you ask yourself, well, what's changed? Well, it's Locatelli. That's the only that the only change, really, because Tonali's been playing, Batezi's been playing, Beretta's been playing. So we didn't get control of that midfield. And I think that's, again, that's going to be a black mark against Locatelli because he's the only one that's the only difference in that midfield.
00:24:07
Speaker
Yeah, no, no, absolutely. um is I agree with you on that. I think i think um overall, I think it was it was very good to see that. And I think this kind of puts an end to that discussion, doesn't it, um as well, with Spaletti.
00:24:28
Speaker
why is it Locatelli there? Well now he was and we saw why he doesn't trust him and and I think that's that's good for him to have shown that and and and also so people can't complain and criticise him too much. I still do think that Locatelli should be in the squad.
00:24:43
Speaker
um and I don't have all that because you've got you're only going to pick two registers aren't you? so so they Well I don't see look yeah but I don't see look Catelli as a regista I think he should be more in the midst of like one of the backups to the mid salon well I think he's he's not going to play polite he's not going to pick him for that if he never plays there for Juventus does he he plays with the regista well yeah but he's got a different role at you his look he doesn't have a pure regista role for you there I think he's he's got, it's Mota, Mota is actually one of the one of the interesting things about what Mota does is how he manages to kind of
00:25:18
Speaker
create systems where you don't have maybe very fluid roles but where it's also given the situation who is where and and how and so on. I think Locatelli, Spalletti plays with pure registers and Locatelli is not a pure register and we know he's not. He's not been one since ever.
00:25:40
Speaker
But I do think that in ah in a more, he can play, he he is a dynamic midfielder who has something to offer off the bench. I do think that. um I don't want to see him playing in this system in front of the defense because I don't think he's got that in him. And I think that's now been definitely established that debate is now over.
World Cup Preparations for Italy
00:25:58
Speaker
But, and I don't want to see Barilena number 10 either. Again, the number 10, Italy should not play with a number 10 because they don't have the players for it.
00:26:06
Speaker
um not not not a classic number 10, not the kind of number 10 that he wants to have, because he wants a number 10 that can help pack the midfield centrally. I don't think Italy have players for that. I think they should play a 3-5-2 with ah either Ras Badori or someone like, you know,
00:26:23
Speaker
Maldini or something next to Retegi and i think and um up to top um and that they all kind of help out and press in without possession and and you have more of a you know someone moving between the lines like Arasparori in the two or if you just have two out and out strikers depending on who you're playing but this one one thing needs to stop um because it's not working and Italy don't have the players for it and you're just killing Barilla as well and there's no need to kill Barilla. Here's a tough one. I understand why Spoletti tried it because I think he looks at our group, our our options in attack and he thinks well we can barely get one top attacker let alone two and so he's trying to
00:27:04
Speaker
use more of his strong suit which is his midfielders and so I understand why he thought that but he's tried it and it hasn't worked so now he needs to he needs to he needs to try something else and and you know it was a reality che check also because we were playing a France team missing their best players you know France missing half their team they didn't have them Bape didn't have Chua
France's Depth vs Italy's Limitations
00:27:26
Speaker
Mani. Teo Hernandez was was was injured as well. um You know, they they were they they had other, Camavinga was suspended. You know, they had a lot, they had a lot of players who should have played, who would have played in this game that that didn't, that didn't play. And, you know, to lose 3-1, I mean, yeah, it's a disappointing result. um I think from France's point of view, I think it was a good good day for the Serie A French players. I mean, I thought,
00:27:52
Speaker
thought connee's excellent I think he's been really good this season. He's been a really good signing. He's the one Roma signing that really, you know I think, has done well. And I think Ranieri will be good for Ranieri. I thought when those he was his usual pain in the arse self, just winding players up.
00:28:10
Speaker
you know and and I thought he did pretty well and Taran was excellent. Taran kind of showed Rettigy what Rettigy needed to do in this game, his hold-up play, you know occupying defenders. I thought he was really, really good at bringing others into play. Manon didn't have much to do until the end, but he you know he so he won them the group at the end. with that i mean know That was a brilliant reaction save on on Ken right at the end, like the the last kick of the game, wasn't it basically?
00:28:37
Speaker
and that was great. So I think for Serie A, the Serie A French players all did really well. but for And Rabio of course, the old Juventus guy, scoring two goals. So it was, yeah. Rabio's a good player as I keep telling, he's very disrespected and I and i think people should should stop disrespecting him. I think he's a very useful player who scores, you know, who who who who in ah in a system is is a very, very serviceable player. I've always liked him. I always thought that from PSG to Juve,
00:29:07
Speaker
I think he he's he all he's a very serviceable player. And I was surprised ah that no one wanted to get him. Well, not really given. Well, if we disregard Veronique's nonsense and and the wage demands and sign-on fees and and all that nonsense, you know you get that. But as a player, I i would have absolutely loved him to be adding that. I think as ah as a rotation player and adding that he would have been a fantastic, fantastic player.
00:29:35
Speaker
um he works He works, I mean, he doesn't really, he seems like the kind of person also who, you know, he he just gets on with it. I mean, if you discard discard his mother slash agent, he's the kind of player he seems has matured a lot. um And he he he puts in a shift for the team always in both phases. And I think players like that. And he also has this kind of tactical awareness and intelligence. And that's why he gets into goal scoring positions. His finishing is good. So, no, I do like him. And I think he, you know, him um I think ah think he's a good player and I think people have been a little bit too harsh on him.
00:30:11
Speaker
um But yes, France did miss a lot of their best players, um but they that just goes to goes to show the incredible depth that France have, that they can... Which Italy which italy don't have? Well, not many in world football have, if we're perfectly
Consequences of Italy's Loss
00:30:27
Speaker
honest. I think France are the only ones, ah together with Germany perhaps, who can field two, three lineups who are just as good, maybe Portugal even or Spain.
00:30:36
Speaker
as well you can add to that. yeah But other than that there's not many in the world who can do that. I would definitely not say Germany but yeah the others they've got good depth. Right so that result means that that France and I should say also add that that saves Deschamps' job which in the long term might actually be good for Italy and and and the other the other rivals. But so the final table is that France now come first in the group And they they they finished the same number of points as Italy 13, but they have a better goal difference as a result the result of matching Italy's win in Paris. So so France are first, Italy second, and Belgium third. And so France are seeded for the quarterfinal draw. Italy are unseeded for the quarterfinal draw, which basically means that Italy will play one of Portugal, Germany, or Spain in the
00:31:26
Speaker
in the quarterfinals. It's a two-legged quarterfinal at the end of March. Away, first game, no, there'll be a home for the first game now because they finished, they're unseated. Away for the second leg. And then it's one-legged semifinals and the final in in June. m So there you have it. ah Tough, gonna be a tough, tough game. But what that means is, it means that Italy will now be in a four-team group.
00:31:52
Speaker
for the World Cup qualifiers that start in September 2025 and end in November 2025. So the World Cup quality Qualification Cafe is very, very short. It lasts just over two months and Issey will only play six games. It's a ridiculous ridiculous format. FIFA and UEFA have completely bodged this up.
00:32:12
Speaker
um yeah Only the top team qualifies otherwise Italy will have to go to a to a playoff if they come second Which is a ah which is again ridiculous format. So one-legged semi-final and then a one-legged final Which you might be playing away from home in so there's not much room for error due to this, you know this ridiculous qualification format that the idiots at FIFA have come up with. So Italy have to be careful. um The positives are that Italy will be seeded for the World Cup qualification draw, which I believe is next month. um So they will be seeded and there are more seeds now as a result of this expanded format. So there are they're going to be 12, I think 12 groups, 12 seeds, which means that um the groups are going to be weaker.
00:33:00
Speaker
but there's likely to be one of the one of the four teams is likely to be someone that could be dangerous and because you're only playing six games there isn't room for error you lose one of those games to this to this other dangerous team and all of a sudden There's a really really big risk that you're gonna come second and you're gonna have to go to a playoff Which one-legged semi-final could be away from home one-legged final could be away from home. It's a ridiculous format So again going on from kind of like the reality check, you know, we have to we have to say
00:33:32
Speaker
we have to be careful. We have to be on our game straight away in September when usually our players are, our you know, not not fully matched fit because everybody's having Fedecosto and the season's starting late. And so, you know, I don't want to be all doom and gloom here. I'm just saying, just warning everyone, we have to be a little bit careful, never. No, absolutely have to be careful. and And I'm glad that they have to be careful. I like Italy.
00:33:59
Speaker
should never underestimate that. When when Italians get arrogant and and but that's when things don't go well. this This was a good defeat. Again, I don't really care about the Nations League and I'm actually quite happy and I hope Italy are drawn with Spain and get knocked out because I think it's a stupid tournament and a waste of time and I don't want more games. I don't care about the Nations League. um I care about the World Cup. We play friendlies instead, where the semi-finals and finals are.
00:34:25
Speaker
give but What final Nations League? Mickey Mouse Cup? like what what are we What are we even doing here? Oh, congratulations. What a what a trophy. like The Nations League is bullshit. I'm sorry. um And and i'm I'm just glad. what i What I see it as, the group stages of this against Belgium and France, the early games, a couple of was to see where italy Italy are. And I think
Building Italy's Core Squad
00:34:47
Speaker
they're in a good place. As for the knockout stages of the UEFA Mickey Mouse Cup, I do not care, especially given the workload that these players had.
00:34:55
Speaker
So I hope they get pla get faced against Spain and I hope they get knocked out so that they can rest because these players are already overplayed. um So I don't really care about that. I care about, the like you said, the warnings there should be a warning sign sent and I think Spalletti is wise enough to understand that and I think he will start working towards that um and and understanding that the the big target is the World Cup 2026. Italy have to qualify without drama.
00:35:23
Speaker
and Italy have to go far in the World Cup step by step. The problems that we've seen are there. Now it's time to to to address and adjust um that move with ah with an eye towards the World Cup in 2026, where we'll have to wait and you know where where we have to see which players should come in and which players should come out.
00:35:44
Speaker
ah Let's discuss that then. let's discuss it then so Based on what we've learned from this from this whole UA for Nations League campaign, let's have a look at kind of who we should build our 2025 around, shall we? and Let's start off with the with with the goalkeepers. so If we kind of if we kind of divide it between who the core should be, let's say, who who should be there or you know should be in the and the talking point. But also, let's put our foot down and say, right, these players, we want them out. We don't want them to be to be near the set up. So I would say in terms of the players
00:36:19
Speaker
I want to be to be there or thereabouts from the goalkeepers. I think that Donnarum are obviously undisputed, number one. Then I would say, De Gregorio, Carnosecki, I would have as my as as my other two in the th three. Perrin, I would even have above Vicario and Meret. I don't want Vicario ever to be to play for Italy again.
00:36:44
Speaker
unless he can somehow prove that he's OK on corners anymore, because we can't have Vicario playing in a game and costing us a goal of a corner in a big World Cup qualifier or a big match. We just can't. We cannot take the risk of him being in a game ah because anybody can score corners. So we can't have we can't have Vicario there. And Meretz, I think, is below the others. So I would i would want Donnarumma, Digregorio, Canacecki, even Perin, I would have above those two.
00:37:10
Speaker
No, nothing to add to that. I agree 100%. Digregoria has to be the second choice goalkeeper. That's just how I see it. I think he's the the age he is, where he is in his career, how well he's done for Juve. Yes, Digregoria, without a doubt, is should be the number two behind Donaruma. And I'd rather have Karnasecki as the third one above Merit and Vicario for sure.
00:37:31
Speaker
Okay, nothing bad. Let's do centre backs now. We'll come to wing backs separately. So centre backs, like I said before, I think we've got a really good ah core of centre backs. So I would say that Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Buongiorno,
00:37:47
Speaker
and Scalvini, fingers crossed. I mean, I've seen that he's back already and he could play so this weekend. He's recovered from an ACL in five months. umt want I don't want to give any negative energy and and say what what I know you're thinking as well. and that's that that's But me, that's too soon. But, but you know, let's hope they know what they're doing. um And let's just pray that he he comes back and as well. um I think those are the core, though, that we build around. And and then, you know, let's say Gatti,
00:38:18
Speaker
Gabbia, Komuzo, who didn't play, let's see how he comes on. Even a Cherby, I would consider, if we're desperate and we need to get a result to qualify and we've got a player out on two, I have no problem in playing a Cherby, say in September or so, if he's still at the level he's at now, and we need just to get a result to qualify. And then just to get over on, we need to qualify. We haven't qualified for a World Cup for 12 years. We need to qualify. If it means the Cherby comes in for one game, I'm fine with that because he's still at the level. So that's what I'd have as my core.
00:38:47
Speaker
in terms of players out i mean maybe mancini uh... no we need a right-sided so we need a right for the right center back in to to back up to the loren so i was going to be yeah i'm not entirely convinced of the i wasn't convinced of him before uh... and i'm not too convinced now and i think we should give him this entire season to prepare i don't like that he's coming back after five months only i think this is um... the alarm bells are really going off there uh... but I mean, as I said, loeno calaiori bastoni bongjonos calvini if fit and continues to progress well, fine. Those are the five. The sixth one, Acherbi in a pickle, absolutely. But I definitely have have have Mancini involved because I think Mancini
00:39:35
Speaker
you know is is ah is ah is a mean s SOB and you need a mean SOB in the defence. You No, you need the douche bag.
00:39:49
Speaker
I'm thinking of Godfather now. Yeah, and ryan you need exactly. you need you need ah You need a douchebag in a defense. I'm sorry, but you do. You can't just have... A cherubee is a mean SOB too. easy He gets under people's skin. He's a great man marker. Manchini's matured a lot, I think, under Mourinho and de Rossi. um So I definitely have him there. But I mean, it depends. I mean, if Komuzo and Gabbia continue to play really well, then why not?
00:40:16
Speaker
yeah But we're talking like 5th, 6th here. The starting lineup, the first four are so like the Lorenzo Calafieri Bastoni Bonjorno, as long as they stay healthy and continue to play well. the the the those it's It's three out of those four.
00:40:29
Speaker
yeah for sure for sure yeah mancini okay you you okay mancini ain't no band leader right we can win that wing wing backs he's more Luca Brasi in that case yeah he's the guy sitting there talking to himself saying may your first born be a masculine one we yeah well stuttering right wing backs listen i think campiasso di marco or dodgy i think that that's an absolute guarantee i think our only question mark is really who's the Who's the the fourth? Who's the back up right wing back to Cambiezo? That's the only real question I've gone forward. At this point. Yeah. I mean, it's Bela Nova, the Savona who was in this squad didn't get a chance of Jerry, but he's obviously on the left. I think that's really what we're looking at, really, right now. g Agreed. da yeah Those three are just late thirsly again, those three are just just like the Cinevacs. You've got two positions and three players who are when fit and inform those are who you take. Yeah.
00:41:28
Speaker
Damien, I would say, definitely out. We need to move on move on from him now. He's going to be 35, so he's out. and I mean, he hasn't played since the Euros either. Central midfielders now, I would say, our call should be built around for certain Richie, Tonali, Barela, Fratesi.
00:41:48
Speaker
at the moment, you know, Ravella, but I wouldn't say he's a guarantee right now. So as I say, Richie Tonali, Beretta, Fratazzi are the guarantees. Then we're looking at the likes of Ravella, you know, Pizzilli, Fagioli, maybe, you're probably going to say it out for him, Breccianini, Breccianini, maybe, let's see. Yeah, Breccianini is an interesting one. um If you're going to play that three, five, one, one, I'd actually do wouldn't mind playing Breccianini.
00:42:14
Speaker
I forgot about him when we were speaking about it, to be honest. Yeah, Breccianini in the three, five, one, one, but then I want Locatelli in the score as well. Like Ricci Ravella, Tonali, Barella, Fratese, Locatelli, those are the, those are the like five, sorry, those are the six. And then I'd have Breccianini as in the number 10. I do not want to see Christante, Giorginio, Fagioli, Pisilli, Let's Wait. Pellegrini has to improve vastly for a ro Roma, which we're going to talk about is in complete turmoil.
00:42:44
Speaker
Cristante Godnow. Can we move on, please? yeah like it's just Absolutely. 100% out Cristante and Giorgino. 95% out Pellegrini for me. And then Locatelli, I'm on the fence. I don't want to completely write him off. but but I think he's behind the other options but right right now in in that Regista role and whether or not, I don't think he's seen as as somebody that can play as a Metzalah by Spoletti, but we'll see. As for forwards, this is really difficult. I mean, for me, there's only one one guarantee in the squad right now, thats retigy and and that's after two really bad games as well.
00:43:32
Speaker
And then, again, I mean, you've got respiratory, you've got keen, you've got Maldini, then you've got like Zanyol and Kiesa, of course, but it depends on whether they can get their bodies in shape, which is a big if, and but and probably the answer is no to that. And then you've got, you know, Nionto, Kolyosho in the championship, the young coming through, then you've got Lorenzo Luca,
00:43:56
Speaker
You've got Skamaka, if you can come back from the ACL. I mean, these are all kind of ifs and maybes. And and I think the bottom line is, I mean, it's Baldansi as well. Maybe you could throw in there. But I mean, the bottom line is that we need we need someone to develop really big time. And we need Raspadori to play more. We need King to continue his great form. um And we need Luca to continue. I think Luca should be in the squad.
00:44:25
Speaker
based on how well he's performed and I think he offers something that when Retegi's tired or having an off day I think he offers something as ah as a good you know as a decent replacement for Retegi. So I definitely have Luca right now.
00:44:39
Speaker
Luca Reteghi, Raspadori and then one of Keen and Maldini I guess. Skamaka like Skalvini, we have to wait and see. I mean he's training again, Skamaka, which is good. But, you know, given the the nature of the injury that kept him out, we have to be a little bit careful. Yeah. Yeah, I agree. The the only place I would say out are, I mean, Beradi,
00:45:07
Speaker
Polyps are not over. Not just because they're out each, they're in their 30s now, but because of their position, you know, the wingers just are not going to work in a 3, 5, 1, 1. That's the same reason we don't have Zakhani, even though he's playing well for Latio. Yeah, and playing well for Latio, and was actually one of the few players that played well in the Euros as well. Yeah, there's no point. If you're going to play the system, you're going to have to sacrifice wingers. And which could do it for Kolyosha as well, who's actually been linked to some big clubs, by the way. So Bayern Munich are apparently looking at him as well. I mean, that's probably partly due to the
00:45:42
Speaker
The conventional company factor. it's so yeah um ah okay well That's Italy. um we that's it That's Italy for the 2024. That's all their games over.
Ranieri's Return to Roma
00:45:56
Speaker
and but so There will be you know the the Nations League draw this month. I think it's late this week. and There will be the World Cup qualifying draw next month, which we will definitely.
00:46:06
Speaker
ah react to, so there's still that to to look forward to. um before we Before we finish, just briefly, let's talk about a few club matters. First of all, Claudio Ranieri to Roma. Very, very quick on this because we we spoke about this in depth on our on our Q and&A show, um which all patrons can can can listen to. um Claudio Ranieri has returned to to Roma for his third spell at the age of 73.
00:46:35
Speaker
very romantic. On the day that gladiator two came out, um I'm calling this Claudio Ranieri, Claudio Ranieri's gladiator three. Will he restore the glory of Rome? Come on.
00:46:54
Speaker
you know you You love your Roman history. oh Yeah, I do. Listen, I watched his press conference and I absolutely loved how he answered the Di Bala question and I absolutely loved that he's reached the stage of his career that he's not getting suckered into stupid discussions where he made it absolutely clear that as long as he's there he's going to pick his team based on his decisions and his
00:47:25
Speaker
thoughts and ideas and not take any consideration into anything the owners think about clauses being activated and so on. I felt that was a brilliant answer. He he basically made clear his authority from the get-go of either I'm here and I do the job or you don't or I leave, which I think was very important. And given where Roma are, I think it's the more clarity is in in leadership and start and and everything surrounding this first team is very needed. um i I do think that he's going to provide some sm much needed stability to Roma. I think he's going to provide some much needed structure, organization, and also instill a sense of pride in what it means to play for Roma, what it means to
00:48:23
Speaker
to wear that shirt, which I think has been lost a little bit due to the Friedkin's ridiculous decisions of the last 12 months, sacking this guy, bringing that guy, then but giving him a contract and sacking him. I mean, it's just it's just been nonstop the chaos. Ranieri, I think, will have quite a lot of will be able to, you know, everybody respects Ranieri in Italian football and definitely in Rome. They love him. He's one of them.
00:48:52
Speaker
um And he will, I think he he will have, there there will be quite a lot of patience with him. um hello I think he he has a lot of work to do on his hands and it's not going to be easy. It's going to be very, very, very difficult um because
00:49:16
Speaker
the the The mess that is Roma is is just the way that we've gone from being in the winning the conference league, being in the final of the Europa League, where they lost on penalties, where they would have been in the Champions League, to where they are now. is just like it's it's The-off is off the crank Grand Canyon. That's the level of fall-off we've seen.
00:49:44
Speaker
I don't think Ranieri will get Roma into a top four, maybe not even top six, but I think what he will do is instill some, some much needed, as I said, stability and also pride and, and, and, and give the supporters and the club and the entire environment around the Jallarossi some, some calm yeah because he's very good at that.
Juventus's Defensive Crisis
00:50:06
Speaker
It'll bring some calm and it'll allow them to to try and plan for next season and the future, which is a why I think they've hired him. yeah and also And he'll be part of that as well. because I was just about to say he's going to be given some sort of a technical role, which I think is a good good thing maybe.
00:50:23
Speaker
um They need someone who they can, who they trust because the Friedkins don't know what they're doing. They need someone with a connection and Roman connection and identity, also with the fans as well, yeah that can that can you know because that is part of part of running a football club. It's not just you know on the pitch, it's off the pitch as well and connecting the the pitch to the management. and and the and you know so is is Yeah, big, big, big job for Ranieri, no doubt about it. um Also a big job for Thiago Motta to try and sort out this Juventus defence because it is an absolute crisis now, Juventus defence.
00:51:07
Speaker
defender this season to to suffer an ACL tear. Juan Cabal on international duty with Colombia in training and and he yeah he ruptures his his ACL and will be out for the rest of the season. um it's It's devastating blow for for well for both players, of course, Bremen and then first Cabal, but but more so for Juventus now because they now only have four senior defenders in their squad between now and and January. One of them is is Danilo who I think everybody that's watched him play because see he's completely finished and then they have two plus two promoted next-gen players Savona and Rui. I mean some would say that Savona is now an established senior player but the point is that there's barely any options there at all and
00:51:56
Speaker
This just shows that Juventus absolutely they need to sign a centre back and a left back in January now. There's no doubt about that. They already they already want to they already but they already need a forward because they've only got one striker. So the the squad is so, so thin. um it's just not There's just no options there. So Motto really has his work cut out between now and January. He needs to just somehow try and keep Juventus somehow in the mix between now and January, still in the kind of like there or thereabouts at the top. You can do that and be only kind of like a few points off the top between now and January. I think he would have done an amazing job because there's a lot of games coming up. There's Europe, there's a lot of Champions League game games as well. And this squad, the defence, they're not going to have any rest and
00:52:47
Speaker
It's ah yeah, it's ah it's a bit of a mess. ah Probably according to from what I'm hearing, the events are going to have to sacrifice someone because they spent a lot of money in in the summer. And they don't really have any budget to play with in in
ACL Injury Crisis in Football
00:53:03
Speaker
January already. So the idea they have to go and sign a centre back and a left back and maybe a forward as well. I mean, where's the money going to come from? They're probably going to have to sacrifice someone. They're talking about in Bangula. I don't know how much money they would get for him.
00:53:16
Speaker
and even Danilo, somebody they might try to sell just to get him off the the books to save on his wages. We'll have to say, um but they mean they're they're in a really kind of desperate position. them ah
00:53:31
Speaker
Desperate doesn't even begin to describe what's... I mean, it's like normally, I would be here saying, ink that I've had really bad luck with injuries, but then I compare to what's happened at Juve and I mean, what the bloody hell is going on? It's like we had a question on the Q and&A, didn't we, about this last week? yeah Are they doing something wrong, Juventus, with the injuries? I don't know. um But I mean, there's a bigger question here, isn't there, Nemo, which again, we've what we've done to death and you know I don't want to go over and over it again. But, you know, I tweet i tweeted this out after the cabal
00:54:12
Speaker
ah Injury and it and it went viral the tweet that sweet that you know this this year in 2024 There's been 39 ACL injuries in the big five leagues in 2024 There's over 20 ACL injuries this season already in this big five weeks. We're only in the middle of of November There's over 20 ACL injuries in the big five leagues If you go to women the women's Super League, I wrote an article on this it's is it's like far, far worse. There's there's something like, I think something like 20, around 20 ACL victims in the women's super league in England alone this season. and I mean, I concluded that I think the players should have the strike.
00:54:56
Speaker
they have to go on strike now about this because the the number is is clear you know as as when we did it when I did an interview with ah with ah with a medical expert on this that the biggest cause, the biggest factor in and causing all these ACL injuries is there's too many games and and but there's too many matches and that there needs to be a reduction in matches and they're doing the opposite. The FIFA, UEFA are just increasing the game. We've now got this club World Cup that's going to start as well at the end of the season that's going to be played into July. You know, there needs to, something needs to be done about this. They're not doing anything about it. This is a clear crisis. This is an epidemic. And FIFA and UEFA are not talking about it. They don't care. They don't want to do anything about it. So the only way we're going to do something about this is as if the players strike.
00:55:49
Speaker
it's It's getting ridiculous. like We can't have it like this. um
00:55:57
Speaker
um' i'm really like they the it's it's It's just not working. um and I really don't know what to say. Well, they're ignoring it, Nemo. That's the problem. They're not saying anything. They're just ignoring it as if it's not an issue. We can see the figures. It's clearly this is an epidemic and they're just ignoring it like it doesn't exist. Like something else in football right now, and but let's not go there. You know what I mean? like You're not going to solve the problem just by pretending it it doesn't exist and just by adding more games and more competitions. It's going to get worse.
00:56:36
Speaker
course is going to get worse. It's not, just just um, um, if course is going to get worse and it's not, it's not working and and it's like, uh, like how do you like like, but the thing is though, that you know, what's going to happen is that if they go on a strike, it's going to cause complete mayhem, chaos, and they're going to be vilified and people are going to be,
00:57:03
Speaker
You know, the the the machine will we will go against them and so on and so forth. And it's like, I don't know. I think they should do it. I i think what they should do is probably in the off season say, look, we finished this season. We've had this many injuries. Either you solve this because you've got three months to do it until next season.
00:57:23
Speaker
Or we sit at the negotiating table and and and do something or else we're going on strike from next season. Like, simple as that. Because it can't continue. Their health, their careers, the quality of football, all is at stake here. And it's getting to the point now where every bloody week, every other day, you're just waiting to hear about someone's suffering a serious knee injury. Yeah.
00:57:51
Speaker
Well, the last week has been a really bad one. The the space of seven days, we had Cabal, but before that we had Militel and we had Icardi as well for Galatezra. We had like three high profile ACLs in the space of like, I think six days or something, five days or something. It's mad. It's like you say, every other day, every other game, every other match day of football, there's like there's an ACL for pretty much at the moment. No, it is. It's it's it's absurd.
00:58:21
Speaker
Yeah, it is mad. And just check those list and check out women's the women's women's football. It's unbelievable. But that's probably something physiological to do with the the women's body is causing more, you know, it's causing more ACLs in women's football is that as well. But it's like, the problem is that nothing's been done about it at all. No, no, that nothing I don't know if it's physiological. I think it's where you see the men's football and you see the number of games and No, there has been studies to say that there is that there's physiological reasons why women women are actually two to six times more likely to to suffer ACL injuries than than and men. But you know I'm just saying that there is that as well. But with with the men, it's clearly, we know what the we know what number one reason is. It's bloody obvious.
00:59:06
Speaker
ah you know so and out And all that the, you know, the health experts are all saying it
Paul Pogba's Career Reflections
00:59:11
Speaker
as well. So it's not like, you know, just me and you here sitting on a pod saying it, you know, it's pretty clear.
00:59:18
Speaker
um Talking of of players who won't be playing for Juventus this season or ever again, Paul Pogba has is officially left Juventus and finally terminated his contract. I feel like we've spoken like this so many times. so by But here we go again for one final time, Nimmer. This is the end of Paul Pogba at Juventus. Very, very sad, I think, and in a way that that you know this is Now he'll still be remembered for the the great first spell, of course. You can't take that away with it. I mean, let's be honest. This second spell has been a complete disaster, I think, as we both said. No, it's the worst comeback of any player at any club. ah There's no doubt about it. like you Literally, if you look at what, since the day he returned, first and question marks around his fitness and health. He has that meniscus injury. He messes around with it because he doesn't want to miss the World Cup.
01:00:14
Speaker
doesn't you know doesn't decide to not have the surgery, then it's forced to have the surgery, it misses for the the entire beginning of the season with you, but then as soon as he's about to come back, he gets the doping suspension. I mean, it's been an unmitigated disaster and it's, it's just been a complete waste of money. Um, and it's been a complete waste of time and money. And I think it's unfortunate to say that Pogba at this level, he can't play at this level and his body just can't take it. I think he's finished at this level. I think if he continues his career, MLS or Saudi, something like that.
01:00:51
Speaker
Yeah, I reckon MLS. That's my prediction. I'd love to see him still play in a top five league. I would love it. um It would be a great story. But I don't think his body's up to it. I mean, his body was falling apart for three years before the open suspension.
01:01:07
Speaker
and which is probably part of the reason why, yeah, well anyway, let's not go there, but it's sad. It's still sad. It is sad. it ah I always feel that although he did win important trophies and he was important for France, it still feels like he never really fulfilled his potential. like Oh yeah, absolutely. It still definitely feels like that. He made a mistake joining Man United. He should never have gone to Man United. That's where it also went wrong. He went to a club that Was it free fall? the yeah Yeah, that just was just a terribly run club. It's a giant club. Don't get me wrong, it's one of the biggest clubs in the world. There was nothing wrong with joining a team like Man United. It was just that, as we've seen since Ferguson left the last 11 years, 12 years, they've been run so badly by the Glazers. It's just a joke of a club. and but Any big player should not be joining Man United because you're not going to really have it fulfilled. You're not going to fulfill your career.
01:02:02
Speaker
um And that's obviously, you know, he made a mistake. If he was going to leave Juventus, he should have gone to Real Madrid or Barcelona or or or, you know, if he was going to join one of the bigger Premier League teams, you know, Man City or or someone like that, you know.
01:02:19
Speaker
Even PSG, you know someone someone where he could have been playing the the big games and the ah big competitions and all the time not a team like Man United that you know were a complete mess off the pitch. so That's where it started and then yeah his body started to break down. then No, it did. It really did. and And it's sad. It's really, really sad to see. And it was, yeah, it just goes to show how important, you know, you've got to make right decisions, career decisions. And even if it's like a hundred million pounds or whatever it was when he joined Man United and the high wages and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Him him and Lukaku going to United was just, it was bad for both of them. It was a complete mess. And
01:03:04
Speaker
you know, Conte and Mourinho kind of went in, you know, they they kind of screwed each other there because Lukaku should have gone to Chelsea when Conte was there and Morata should have gone to United when Mourinho was there. That would have been better for everybody. Instead, they just messed with each other. Neither, you know, Ke Conte won the Premier League in the FA Cup, but he, would you know, it would have been better if Lukaku was there.
01:03:28
Speaker
um and And of course, yeah, Mourinho won three trophies at United, but it still wasn't, it could have gone so much better. They could have built something, you know, that long, but better, both of them, you know, could have built something more sustainable there. Yeah, certainly Unfordville, but still a career that most people would dream of, if you look at well of course what he did at Juventus in his first bell, which was magical. And also obviously, you know, he won the World Cup with France, not being a bad career. Yeah, Himundi Barla, Juve, that first bell was truly fantastic.
01:03:57
Speaker
Yeah, for sure. something else right let me Let me go through the Serie A fixtures.
Podcast Nomination and Serie A Preview
01:04:01
Speaker
and Now we won't have a show later in the week um because Nimr is coming to London for the ah football content awards where we are nominated for best podcast, best international podcast.
01:04:15
Speaker
in the world. So yeah, we're going to be attending the awards ceremony at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. um Thank you everyone that the vote for us, I can say now, confirm now that we've won the the the social vote by landslide. and It's a 50%, it's a 50-50 vote though. So half of the votes come from fans, from from ah from social media and half half the votes come from from a panel of judges. So I can say, I can tell you all now, if it was just a fan vote, we've won the water already. We've won by a landslide. So we'll see. We'll see how we do with the judges. and But so thank you everyone for voting us. It means a lot to us and thanks for your support.
01:05:03
Speaker
We can certainly have fixtures. I'll read through them. So Saturday we have Verona, Inter, Milan, Juventus, and Parma, Atalanta. Then on Sunday we have Genoa, Caliari, Como, Fiorentina, Torino, Monza, Napoli, Roma, Lazio, Polonia. And then on Monday we have Empoli, Udenezer.
01:05:21
Speaker
be nezia leche So two huge games in particular here, the biggest of them all, of course, Milan against Juve, which is a massive game for both teams, with for the Scudetorates. I mean, for Milan, it's massive because, you know, after their draw against Kadri in the last game, you know, they really need to win this game because if they lose if they lose, but even if they draw, they are at risk of being out of the Scudetorates. I mean, neither of us think they're in the Scudetorates really, but They have the quality to be the skill to raise, but in terms of points, if they lose this game or draw this game, you know, with Interplaying at Verona and, you know, Napoli at home, I mean, there's a good chance that we could pretty much write off their chances. I've already have done that because ah even before the season began, because I just don't think they're there about. But even with the game in hand, the five points behind Napoli,
01:06:19
Speaker
Napoli play Roma. But no, no, they they need to win. they they They can't afford to lose. Let's put it that way. They can't afford to lose this game. um milan And if they were to win it, which I think they have a good chance of doing, to be honest.
01:06:33
Speaker
um It would kind of clear clear things up a little bit. it would It would make for smooth sailing again, if that makes sense. Well, yeah, I mean, generally Milan have actually done all right in the big games so far this season. I beat Real Madrid, they've done okay, really. And they were, they were even against Napoli, they were They probably, yeah, based on the play, they they they they controlled a lot of that game as well. So they've done they've generally done all right in the big matches. and As for Juventus, obviously, as we just said, they do have a bit of a, well, not just a bit, a big defensive crisis. and But again, you know they need to just they just need to try and hang in there until January. and That's what they need to do. Just try and hang in there. Just just try and get to January and then see what what can be done, see what Gensilu can cook up in the in the market.
01:07:25
Speaker
and Napoli-Roma, of course, huge as well. and Napoli still top, and but Roma, Callery, I mean, Callery, ex-Callery, Coach Ranieri coming out of retirement. I mean, that's ah it's a great, that's a baptism of fire, isn't it, and for Ranieri. I mean, that's going to be a great game as well. Oh, absolutely. I mean, Roma have had some time to Land, Ranieri's come, there's always going to be a positivity around that, but you know now that he's worked with a squad, it's important to see how he goes, but he goes up against an athlete who you know have done well. um ah In terms of the beginning to the beginning of the season, they had a decent um ah you know they've had they had a decent result against Inter,
01:08:16
Speaker
um They're still top of the league, so you know Napoli and also Napoli are are always going to be structured and well organized, especially at home. Antonio Conte teams at home are are always difficult to beat.
01:08:27
Speaker
um but But the biggest game, of course, is Venetia Lecce. Of course, of course. What are you talking about? I don't even know what you're on about. It's Venetia Lecce. So ironic that Nimmer books his flight back on Monday morning and not... No, Sunday, Sunday evening. He just books his flight to make sure he's back for Venetia Lecce. I mean, who cares about Milan Ube and Natalie Romain? I've got to be back for Venetia Lecce, haven't I?
01:08:54
Speaker
But it's true. I mean, you've got, you know, leches sacked, you know, leches got a new coach and, you know, they got Marco Gianpaolo returning to the Serie A, which is going to be very interesting. And then you've got, you know, Venezia under de Francesco, who's actually done pretty all right. They've done better than I expected, even though they're last. I expect them to have zero points. They've got eight, which is eight more than I expected them to have. um But ah no, and and and then it's it's it's definitely interesting. And then, you know, you' you've got already there.
01:09:24
Speaker
You've got Genoa Caliari as well, which is like going to be very fascinating to see what happens. And then you've got Monta Bling Torino. No, no, no. The relegation battle, the the interesting part of the League table is is is the two important clashes are, of course, Venizio Leccia and Genoa
Weekly Highlights and Humor
01:09:43
Speaker
Caliari. Of course, of course. Right, let's finish off with Baggio, Prem Face and Celia S of the Week.
01:09:50
Speaker
Okay, um okay, I think we're struggling a little bit and on this this this week I have a fantastic said yes of the week, but bad Joe. Do we have a bad show of the week? Um, i' I'm not, no, I haven't seen anything bad to be honest. that It's, it's been a very, like it's in, in terms of, uh, like it's, it's no, ah ranerri I guess, so just give it a ro runerri yeah. Ranieri's return and the love of the Roma fans and him returning home is, is beautiful. I think that's a beautiful story. I think that's been, that's been, uh, it's been a very typical.
01:10:29
Speaker
Rome Italian football story, isn't it it? It's very, very pretty. It's very, very romantic. It's, it's you know, Christmas morning for cultural romantics. And I'll be around here returning to Rome. Okay. ah Prem face of the week.
01:10:46
Speaker
I've not seen anything. um I've not seen anything really premp prem facery. I mean, I can't remember. Someone sent me me to something stupid that Goldbridge said, but I mean, that's just every day that ends in a Y. So it's ah it's not, you know, it's I don't really listen to. but Was it? Was it going to be on some reality they theyre doing a reality show for for the next influencer or something like that? Of course they are. Yeah.
01:11:14
Speaker
To me, the Prem Face, I'll tell you what I think Prem Face is, that Mike Tyson thing was just embarrassing for everybody involved.
01:11:25
Speaker
Yeah, but thisyn eicsis this is what they do. I mean, these influencers, they make a ton of money. I don't understand why. Who pays for this shit? is that Again, I don't want to go into our conversation on on the young generation again. Leave the younger people alone. This is what they're into. They worship these bloody influencers, these talentless influencers. They worship them. That's their idols. You know when we were kids, Nima, we had posters up in our room of our idols, you know?
01:11:54
Speaker
you know, football idols or or, you know, I had Roberto Badgio poster up in my room when I was a kid, you know, and then, you know, then you you get older, you might have a pop star, pop star idol in in in your room or, or, you know, a movie, so movie idol or, you know.
01:12:10
Speaker
these these These youngsters, that they their idols are what? Influencers. YouTube influencers. That's who they want to be when they get older. And and that's their heroes. Oh my god, it's ah it's a YouTube influencer. Oh my god. You know, it's... Oh man. And the mother the money they make... Who the hell is Jake Paul? You know Boxer? What the hell is he? Who the hell is he? These Boxer, these fights, they make more money than than the actual world title boxing fights. You know, it's insane.
01:12:40
Speaker
Jake Paul, it was him or his brother did that stupid ah advertisement for Juventus. Remember that prime oh that prime one where they just hold in there and then you've got that idiot, what's his name, Spade, holding his arm. This is the young young generation, Emma. This is this is this is their thing.
Dutch Football Personalities' Outbursts
01:13:02
Speaker
You know? But anyway, Sarajas of the Week, though, um is Valt Vighorst. Not really anything to do with Sarajas, but let's call him Ass of the Week. So in the the Netherlands versus Hungary, Nations League game, um about seven minutes, I think it was, into the match. Adam Zalay, who's the former Hungary hungary player,
01:13:26
Speaker
now member of the the coaching staff of Hungary. He collapsed, had a medical emergency on the pitch and it was you know very, very serious. I think the reports are that it was a seizure, but it was very, very serious um and he they they formed like a huddle around him you know to to to and he was given medical attention. It was really serious that everybody was really shaken up. He got rushed to hospital and nobody knew like how you know if he was conscious if he was okay no one knew anything they debated you know this the game was stopped for over 10 minutes and they debated whether or not to to continue the game and some of the players so it's obvious by the Liverpool player but he looked he He looked completely like a nervous wreck. like And anyway, they eventually they decided to to to continue the game. And thankfully, later on in the evening, we didn't know this until later, later on it emerged that he was conscious. um The Hungary FA put out a statement saying that he was fine. And the player himself, or Zelaj himself, also um did a post on Instagram saying that he was fine. And you know they're they're having more medical tests to see you know what it was and what it is and everything.
01:14:38
Speaker
um So obviously best of wishes that but he you know, he makes a full recovery and that that he's okay But at the time of the incident, you know, it was it was really serious. No one knew what the hell was going on and they resumed the game anyway um as they went on to the pitch though ah the referee got called to do a VAR check on an incident that happened just before he collapsed and and gave a penalty. So they went back on the pitch and the Netherlands got a penalty straight away. Belkwegkor steps up, takes the penalty, scores it and then sprints over to the fans and celebrates it, like he scored the winner in the World Cup Final, like for vociferously celebrates it, does a knee slide, he's really delighted to have scored.
01:15:23
Speaker
I mean, wow. I mean, I mean, talking about insensitive and, and and you know, understanding like the moment um he does that, I mean, it's unbelievable. And he's been bombarded with abuse, obviously, rightfully so. I mean, that's unbelievable that you can do something like that when, who knows? I mean, as far as they knew, Zala could have died. They don't know. definitehanly I saw that and it was insane.
01:15:51
Speaker
Like the way that he slid on his knees and like it was, it was very weird. Um, and if, from what I understand, it was a pretty meaningless game too. Like it wasn't exactly.
01:16:02
Speaker
no Like, yeah, it was very, very weird. I don't know what that was about. I think he just forgot about it. He's just happy that he scored, but it was very scary. I mean, do you remember during the Netherlands versus Argentina game, during the World Cup quarterfinal, there was that massive melee at the end of the game between the two players that who knows who was in the right or the wrong, probably both were in the wrong, but Messi, like, laid into it.
01:16:28
Speaker
What are you looking at, Bobo? Yeah, I remember that in the mix zone and on camera at the end of the game, like, yeah, Eddie thought he was disrespectful. So I don't know, maybe, maybe the little dictator had a point there. Maybe, maybe that caused was maybe that caused was, yeah, disrespectful. Who knows? I mean, that was that was shocking. That really was.
01:16:48
Speaker
Yeah, that was hilarious. but yeah that's so yeah The veg horse thing during the World Cup was hilarious. What are you looking at, dumbm dum-dum? Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Loved it, loved it. Okay, right. Oh, and also... ah It was quite and ah quite amusing, the the response, when he was asked about this ah at the end of the game, Ronald Koeman, the manager, was asked about you know what do you make of all the all the people on social media that ah that are criticizing Beghorse for celebrating you know the the goal. And Ronald Koeman's response was, people on social media are imbeciles, I think he called them, or something like that. It was quite amusing as well.
01:17:34
Speaker
Yeah, he's I remember that. Ronald Kuhnman is so unhinged. he He does say stupid. I've got to say though, like the the dutch Dutch football is full of characters who can like have hilarious meltdowns. like I know Fangal on TV has given us some of the most golden like clips of all time. I can't remember a lot of them. Schneider van de Vart is the best right now. Van de Vart just lays into everyone, especially Harry. No, no, but I mean like Harry Maguire. Some of the some of the think it about yeah the lot things says about Harry and TV is like in insane. and But but I mean, van Gaal, especially like when he's having a bad day and he's not happy with with even if he's hired to be a pundit, he doesn't even have a club at the moment.
01:18:25
Speaker
Like, he can literally just... No, they all come up, they're all, they all come up with some Van Hannigan, the 1970s edge, and he comes up with some mad stuff. Van Da Maida, some of the stuff ive I've been, some of the stuff he's done on on on reality TV, on the Dutch big brother. I'm not going to explain what he did because I don't want to condone it, but like some of the stuff. He's Dutch. He's mad. Dutch footballers like on TV. They don't mix their words, do they? No, they do not. Van Basten, oh my God. He upset Mark Goldbridge, didn't he? Talking to Mark Goldbridge with what he said about Ugarte. He related to him.
01:19:00
Speaker
Yeah, they really don't, like, they don't mince their words. He said something like, how the hell is he worth 60 million? And someone said to him, well, you've only watched him play once for United. He says, I i only needed to watch him once to see that he's not worth 60 million. yeah It's hilarious. Yeah. And then Mark Oldbridge said something incredibly stupid about who the hell are you? And it's like, didn't Fombustan win? Yeah, he says, you you you're overrated. yeah you You built your career on a mishit volley, and like Tony Lebowa.
01:19:30
Speaker
Yeah. Anyway, let's leave it at that.
Upcoming Q&A Session
01:19:32
Speaker
We will be back for the Q and&A on Tuesday or Wednesday. Yeah, maybe Wednesday. yeah and and Yeah. And then we'll see for the rest of the week because Nima is coming to so London. Until next time, everybody. Ciao ciao.