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Free Weekly Episode - Allegri's Juve Preseason Woes, Alexis Sanchez Leaves Inter, Rabiot To Man Utd, Napoli Sell Fabian Ruiz To PSG & Much More (Etc. 245)
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From Allegri's preseason woes, Juventus selling Rabiot to Man Utd, Alexis Sanchez' legacy at Inter, Napoli close to Raspadori whilst selling Fabian Ruiz to PSG and much more as Carlo, Nima and John discuss the latest in the world of Calcio.
Every Monday episode of The Italian Football Podcast is free for all. To listen to this and all other full episodes of The Italian Football Podcast, go to Patreon.com/TIFP to become a Patron for only $2.99 USD per month (excluding VAT).
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Transcript
Introduction and Format Changes
00:00:01
Speaker
Welcome to the Italian football podcast with John Solano, Carlo Garganese and Nima Tuvali.
00:00:24
Speaker
Hello, everybody. Welcome back to another episode of the Italian football podcast. We hope you are doing well. As a reminder, this is a free episode available to everybody as
Exciting Football Season and Transfers
00:00:40
Speaker
you.
00:00:40
Speaker
Remember, we are changing the format, however, although today is a free episode, if you want to gain access to all of our episodes, written work, reaction, podcasts, you can go to patreon.com slash T-I-F-P to become a patron.
00:00:58
Speaker
for only $2.99 per month. That's excluding VAT tax, all of that good stuff. But this one, again, changing the format and it is available to everybody. So so much to get to transfer stuff. We are less than one week from the season beginning. It is arriving. We finally made it through this long summer.
Allegri's Diminishing Popularity?
00:01:20
Speaker
But, guys, before we get into the season preview stuff, obviously we have a lot happening on the transfer market.
00:01:27
Speaker
And we also already have our first calls for Max Allegri out, which is great because we didn't even make it to match. We didn't even make it to match day one. So we are right on schedule. So let's start out at the top with that old friend, Max. Let's go to that first.
00:01:50
Speaker
Well, apparently, Corto Musa has a lot more to do with just his tactics on the pitch. Apparently, it has to do with the margins by which he seems to be hanging on to his popularity within the supporter base at Juve.
00:02:08
Speaker
So Max Allegri, we already have Allegri out trending on Twitter, which we know is always the most level headed atmosphere in our society today.
Juventus' Preseason and Transfer Rumors
00:02:24
Speaker
It's definitely the most intelligent place where only intelligent people congregate, not at all emotional people hiding behind.
00:02:32
Speaker
accounts where no one can see their name and spouting all sorts of hateful crap, but that makes absolutely no sense. Well, they get... Juve, they look... Can I even say mid-season form? Because I lost 4-0 to Atelerco Madrid.
00:02:48
Speaker
Listen, it wasn't good at all. Not good. I would probably be putting it mildly. There's rumors of, well, hang on. We also got Ms. Villalique about to pull off another masterclass. Ms. Villalique, if you ever enter into like the media space and you become a media agent, please,
00:03:13
Speaker
Unblock me on WhatsApp. I will allow you to represent me because you have a way. I mean, she could have me unlike CNN International by tonight. I'm sure of it. I mean, this lady, her knack of pulling off deals and finding suitors for her son who has done some zero would probably be a kind way of putting it at the UVA. And now he's rumored to Manchester United.
00:03:41
Speaker
We have Paredes from PSJ, who is the equivalent of, you know how when you have a bunch of attractive individuals in a group photo, but there's always that one that just very clearly not as attractive as the rest, but simply by surrounding themselves with very attractive people, they by way increase their average attractiveness because even though they may bring down the overall average attractiveness of the group,
Juventus' Identity Crisis
00:04:10
Speaker
We're going to get so many complaints. No, no, no, no, no. That is how this guy has tricked people into thinking he is some sort of, you know, like the Argentine Pirlo or something.
00:04:26
Speaker
like sporty spice in the spice girls, is that what you're saying? But actually, I have to say, sporty spice I actually thought was the most naturally attractive out of all of them. So I thought it was harsh. I was ginger spice all the way. I like the red. I like the baby spice admittedly. Yeah, see.
00:04:41
Speaker
see we got three different see there's a spice for everyone there's a spice girl for everyone yes well don't dwell too much on that no but that's this man like he is the one ugly individual in the photo surrounded by very attractive people
00:04:58
Speaker
Well, they're all ugly eventers at the moment. Well, he's able to raise his overall level simply by surrounding himself with very attractive people. It actually doesn't even have to do with the statics. It's actually a good way to go through life. Surround yourself with smarter, more talented individuals than yourself. It can actually help you achieve great things.
00:05:19
Speaker
No way am I referring to myself. But in all seriousness, I just have to laugh at the fact that Playa de Sis somehow seen as some sort of answer on the market to Juve. But I guess that just sums up some of the issues we have seen this summer. And by the way, somebody tweeted out a video of Bernard Dashi, like
00:05:44
Speaker
You know they're doing a close-up of him after he played his had a guy he must have had a good match in MLS or something and They're doing like the close-up image of him as if it's you know prime Ronaldo coming off of the pitch after you know scoring a hat trick and
00:06:01
Speaker
That just felt like rubbing unnecessary salt into the wounds at this moment. But I know Nima's going to say everybody's overreacting because we know... Yes, they are. But Carlo, let's start with you because you always, we can always count on you for a good leggity cake. So you go first.
00:06:21
Speaker
Well, listen, I think it's got to the point now where, yes, Juventus need to bring in players. That is clear. But it almost doesn't matter who they bring in now, because it doesn't matter. Alegri, I mean, the game against Lezco Madrid, you can say it's only a friendly.
00:06:38
Speaker
It was absolutely embarrassing. It was embarrassing. They lost 4-0. It should have been 8. It should have been 10, because they missed a penalty, Atletico Madrid. Chesney pulled off some wonder saves, some miracle saves. And the last two performances against Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, embarrassing. Six goals conceded, none scored, just one shot on target in both games for Juventus.
00:07:02
Speaker
Nothing created at all in either game. And Juventus go into this season. They're just in complete crisis. Allegri, he still has no idea what his team is, what his formation is. He's been here a year now. There's still zero identity at all. Zero style of play. Zero patterns of play. Zero cohesion. Zero ability as a team to control the play, to dominate the midfield.
00:07:29
Speaker
to string any moves together, any passing moves together, to create anything. It's horrible to watch. And the worst thing is, as well as being absolutely horrendous in possession, a few times that they actually have possession of the ball, but they're also horrendous out of possession, which is something that Allegri
Defensive Issues at Juventus
00:07:50
Speaker
the defenders always say well at least Allegri you know he has them defensively uh tight you know they're strong he'll make them solid you know that they'll make them hard to be um you know people that say oh you know allegri parts the bass and he plays catenaccio they say yeah but at least they're hard to score against they're not they're they're they're incredibly easy to score games you watch the games against realm of judon athletico
00:08:12
Speaker
Even though they're playing deep, they're so open, so easy to play through them. I mean, look at the goals that they can see and just see how structurally, from a defensive point of view, what a mess Juventus are. Danilo was two meters behind the rest of the team for the first Marato goal. Alvaro Marato scored a hat-trick, by the way, for the same Marato that couldn't score for his life for Juventus. The second Marato goal, he went clean through on goal from an Atletico Madrid throw-in in the Atletico half. One straight throw-in down the byline,
00:08:41
Speaker
put him clean through on goal. And you just look at the team, and it's like the players have never played together ever again. I mean, Bremen Bonucci looked like two players who have never played with one another. And that's because they haven't. But actually, the rest of the team all look like they never played together ever before. Vlovich, he looks completely broken already up front, seven, eight months after joining. He already looks completely broken.
Juventus' Season Outlook
00:09:08
Speaker
So yeah, it's a complete mess and I have zero confidence. The season starts this weekend. I have no confidence at all, Juventus, going into this new season. It's just horrible. Wow. I guess that's that then.
00:09:28
Speaker
Yep, that's it. Pack your shit, folks. We're going home. Look, I think this is, I do agree with what he said in terms of that analytical game, but I'm sorry. I have never in my life ever cared about preseason friendlies. They mean nothing.
00:09:48
Speaker
It's just a runabout for players to understand where they're supposed to be on the pitch, to put into practice what's going on during pre-season. And the result and performances will look dreadful more often than not.
00:10:07
Speaker
And I'm not just saying this about Allegri. I feel this way about Inter. I feel this way about Milan being fantastic, Roma being fantastic. I do not care about preseason friendlies at all. They're part of work to prepare for the season. When it matters, it's this Friday, Saturday, Sunday, when the season starts. That's when it matters. That's when Juve, Inter, Milan, Napoli, all these teams have to be at their best, Roma, Lazio, et cetera.
00:10:35
Speaker
And I don't think it's that big of a deal. I mean, if they start the season with, you know, looking like this and they don't even get the results, then fine. But at the end of the day, this doesn't matter at all. And Bremen and Bonucci not playing together, not looking like they haven't played together. Well, they haven't, like you said. But I do think that what you are doing, again, being able, we're going to get to that, but
00:11:03
Speaker
They're signing Kostich, they're probably going to sign Paredes, and they've actually done a pretty good job because they paid for Kiazaa this summer as well, and yet they're on a plus 9 million in terms of transfer net spent, meaning they've done a profit, and they still have money to spend, and I'm sure they're going to do it.
00:11:26
Speaker
I'm not worried at all. I think at the end of the day, it's the season when it starts that matters.
Juventus' Transfer Market Moves
00:11:33
Speaker
I think Pogba is a bigger disaster than anything else. We spoke about that at length last week on both Monday and Thursday.
00:11:44
Speaker
And I think that's what they need to address. Getting rid of Rabio and getting rid of Veronique is just a blessing. And the fact that they're getting paid, this makes me criticize Marotta, because now, again, you know, Paratici used to joke about how he couldn't even sell life jackets on the Titanic. Well, Arriva Benes seems to be able to sell sand to Bedouin, because now he's cashing in on Rabio.
00:12:14
Speaker
You know, he's offloaded everything they needed to offload. They got quite a decent bit of money for both Koulousevsky, Bentancur and Delicht. Albeit granted, they're all young players with huge potentials and I think they all will do well and two of them have done well at Tottenham.
00:12:33
Speaker
Regardless, Juve can sell players and they've made a turn to profit. And this is the kind of sports directorship that you need to be due to to fix the messed up attitude left. Now, again, the Pogba thing is a setback. It's a huge setback. Let's not beat around the bush about that.
00:12:51
Speaker
But I don't think that you are going to have a horrible season. I think they're going to have a good season. In fact, again, I mean, I'm not I don't do predictions before the Mercatos close because we know that so much can change. But if they get in, as I said before, if they get in Kostich, if they get in Paredes, if they even get Morata, which is what Allegri wants and obviously him scoring was a hat trick is kind of ironic.
00:13:16
Speaker
Um, but if, if, if he gets all these players, then there are no excuses. You have to challenge for the title, but that's a big if, and we're not there yet. So the thing is that the people that are defending this are just saying, Oh, you know, people that defend in Allegri are basically just going to the whole preseason. It doesn't matter. Preseason friendlies and results don't matter. Even performances to an extent don't matter massively.
00:13:41
Speaker
But the problem is, if it was an intro, and when I will come to an intro, I've had a pretty bad preseason as well. And, you know, at least with intro, you can say, well, we saw how they played last season, you know,
00:13:56
Speaker
you know this this is just preseason whereas with Juventus it's just exactly the same football that we saw them play all of last season the same performances the same problems we've seen in preseason we saw all of last season so the only thing that we can conclude from preseason is that nothing has changed from last season because we've seen nothing else
00:14:18
Speaker
even with the new signings. Everybody was going crazy about
Preseason Game Significance
00:14:23
Speaker
De Maria because he ripped it up against some Mexican reserve team in the first game of pre-season. Well, what's he done since? To be fair, I think he'll probably do quite well for Juventus, but I'm just using that to illustrate my point.
00:14:40
Speaker
You know, there's this this is this is the reason why why i'm concerned, you know, because I there's I again and I repeat allegory has been there for over a year now He's had two full pre-seasons and I have seen zero Progress in any way zero nothing at all, you know, okay, the season's going to start now That's when the real you know, the real football starts. So we'll see i'm just saying going into the season
00:15:03
Speaker
I am not coming up. The only positive I have is the fact, and I don't want to be doing disservice to the league that we're promoting, is that in Serie A, Juventus will unfortunately get away with being not at a very high level because some of the teams, especially in the lower half of the table, they'll get away with being bad.
00:15:23
Speaker
But I'm pretty sure that if this, if Juventus were in the Premier League, this current Juventus were in the Premier League, or even in La Liga, I don't even think they would make the top half this Juventus as it is right now. It wouldn't make the top half of Serie A of the Premier League or the top half of La Liga right now. Don't think either. Inter Milan would challenge high up, both of them, but Juventus wouldn't get the top half. That's how bad they are right now.
00:15:49
Speaker
Okay. No, I disagree with that. And I think it's way, way too soon. And also what people have to remember is that during preseason, these guys are, you know, this is when they do the hard work. This is when they are trained
00:16:07
Speaker
The level of training, the amount of training is at its absolute highest because this is when they're building their bodies to be able to take all the games that are coming up. Therefore, teams will look, depending on how far they are in their pre-season preparations, they will look more tired and disjointed and stuff like that.
00:16:34
Speaker
Again, I understand the concerns because last season wasn't good, but that was year zero. This is year one. This is the year, again, depending on how the mercato ends, this is the year that Juventus have to start. I just think you can't expect things to just...
00:16:49
Speaker
I just think you, not you personally, but I just think that you can't expect your vendors to just magically suddenly go from zero to good. And that's kind of what I think a lot of people that are defending Allegra just assume that it's magically all going to go. That's not how things work.
Juventus' Attacking Concerns
00:17:07
Speaker
Sometimes there is a spark. There's a spark, you have a good game and then everything just goes
00:17:12
Speaker
from there comes together you often see that in tournament football like in a European Championship or you know your team gets hot and they ride the crest of the way but generally you usually see small improvements small improvements you get that little slightly slightly so we've seen nothing at all that's that's what worries me but what I know for sure is um I know we're going to discuss about Costitch is that the eventers definitely need to they definitely need to bring in players because there's there's a lot of players in this team a lot of positions that they're just they're just not good enough
00:17:39
Speaker
No, and now they've paid for Kiesa, so that signing is sorted. I think they've done a... Now with Kosti's coming in, I think he'll be a really good player, and I think he allows Juve to play a back three. I think they can also play him as a winger in a back four.
00:17:59
Speaker
and also has a full back in a back four if you have a, if you're right back, again, becomes like a back three in the same way that Italy play with Di Lorenzo. And what he will do is he will add a goal, he will add more goal threat to Juventus team because Juventus have no goal. I mean, last season, I think they scored, was it 53 goals off the top of my head? I'm trying to remember when they scored 53 goals, which is just pathetic, absolutely pathetic. It just says it all about, about, you know, Allegri's management, but also, you know,
00:18:29
Speaker
this Juventus team just doesn't have anybody that thinks Juventus can challenge for the Scudetto. Well, they are not going to challenge for the Scudetto with the current group of attacking the attacking threat that they have in this team. And and they they've actually got less of an attacking threat now this season and made it last season when you base on the players that have left. You know, Maratas left, you know, Pogba's come in, but but he's
00:18:52
Speaker
but he's obviously injured now. That is a bad, that I criticise them for because that's just bad planning, that's bad execution, but I can't criticise them for anything without having played against them. But there's not enough goals in this team at all. Kostic will help that because I mean his assist record over the last seasons has been brilliant. He's got 14 assists over the last two seasons
00:19:17
Speaker
The season before that got 17 assists, got 12 the season before that, so he's often hitting close to double figures or above double figures for assists. I know he plays in a more advanced position and obviously in Bundesliga they play more attacking football than Allegri will play, but still, those are great numbers, he's got decent goal. But the thing is, he's also at the right age.
00:19:38
Speaker
He's in the right age in the sense that he's not coming in to be good in a few years. He's coming in as someone who's won a few titles with Frankfurt, European title Europa League, and he's coming into Juve to be good now and hit the ground running. And I think he will. I really do think I really expect good things from him and Di Maria in the beginning in the Serie A or overall in the Serie A if they're fit. I really do.
00:20:03
Speaker
Yeah, well, you just brought up somebody with a few years of age on him. Manchester United seem to be looking at someone with a few years of age on him. I listen, I don't watch every match of the Premier League, but I was I was feasting on that wonderful smorgasbord of shit show that we were treated to at the hands of Manchester United. That was fantastic. I mean, even by their standards, that was
00:20:33
Speaker
hilarious. And I do it every moment of it. And like most clubs, you know, I mean, I couldn't if I wanted to, you have to remember, Sir Alex Ferguson left a self playing piano when he when he when he retired and went and went into you know, retired from football, he left
00:20:54
Speaker
an absolute self-playing, everything was working. I couldn't screw this up this badly even if I wanted to. Everything has been a giant f-up at that club ever since. It's becoming, they've become a meme.
00:21:10
Speaker
Is there a meme now? Well, the thing I laugh at is in my many stops through London and Heathrow, every time I'm in the airport, I seemingly seem to find darts being played on the television as I wait in my gate.
00:21:26
Speaker
This kind of reminds me how they've had like two dozen darts at their disposal and they have yet to... I'm not even looking for the bullseye. I'm just looking for the thing to actually stay within the board.
Manchester United's Challenges
00:21:43
Speaker
I mean, like most clubs, of course, when you see yourself lose to Brighton at home, the first thing that comes to my mind is Anoutolic, that, yes, him. 33, yeah, Bologna. He did good. That was fun. He's done good at Bologna. He has done very well at Bologna.
00:22:05
Speaker
Um, however, I just can't really picture what sort of problem he solves because that does not even begin to scratch the surface of what I kind of understand why 10 hog wants a player like out an auto, which tactically speaking, I'm just worried about off the pitch stuff. Cause I know to which is very strong in the air. He is, he can, he can hold up the ball. Strong with some sort of substance because I'm not going to say that.
00:22:35
Speaker
But I understand why they want to do that, especially now when Cristiano Ronaldo has lost his mind. That smirk he made on that was fantastic. And he's behaving, he's ruining his legacy.
00:22:52
Speaker
as a player at that club, the infantile childish behavior. This is again, the second time he's fighting his way out of a club by sulking and you know, reality check would be nice. I just had to laugh because, you know, this is what you get when you earn, you know, 30 million euros net per month. You know, you want to leave. OK, lower your wages.
00:23:11
Speaker
End off.
00:23:27
Speaker
I don't believe that. It smooths out the wrinkles and makes them appear larger. I'm sorry, but I don't believe that for one second. I mean, it's true. Google it. I didn't even know that was a thing to be honest with you.
00:23:52
Speaker
Well, there is the I was I reacted like you did when somebody informed me that you can have your anus bleached. I didn't understand why anyone would. Oh, OK. We're really so applaud. I didn't bring it up, but I don't believe that. And even if you did, who cares? Look, it's it's for me, it's it's an issue of his behavior and leaving it half time and fighting and ruining his entire legacy at that club because he was incredibly loved at that club.
00:24:19
Speaker
He was incredibly popular, you know, their last glory era was when he was there when they won the Champions League and and he comes back and he did score quite a few goals, but the way he's behaving this this summer has been just is ridiculous, but above all that club who the people who run that club are so incompetent that I'm starting to wonder
00:24:43
Speaker
Are they doing it on purpose? Because I couldn't screw things up this bad even if I tried. It is almost impossible to fail. The money, the riches, and I know the club are basically, the owners are basically, you know, bought the club by borrowing money and then just living off the dividend. So, you know, you could say lots of money or whatever, but they are incredibly rich, Manchester United.
00:25:07
Speaker
And the financial advantage, the advantage they've got economically over 99.9% of teams in football and to be this bad for such a long amount of time. I mean, it is.
00:25:23
Speaker
if you try it's almost it's almost impossible screw things up even if i wanted to and i feel back for eric tanhag because when they appointed him i thought that was an interesting appointment because he's a young coach he did absolutely fantastically at iax and and if they give him the time to build something up there but then he comes in there
00:25:43
Speaker
and they just don't back him up. Okay, they've brought in one or two players that he wants, but all the big problems are still lingering. Cristiano Ronaldo is sulking. He's leaving at halftime. You have the whole central midfield with Frankie Leong, who they haven't resolved. They've got Fred and McTominay, and now they're bringing in Rabior,
00:26:07
Speaker
I mean, there's no, there's no logic to this. No, I mean, I've never understood and I know they do it differently in the UK, but why would you not adopt some sort of traditional Italian in Spain? They use a tool, just a hierarchy of executive senior management. I have never understood that. Well, for a long while it was Ed Woodward, who was the only person really answerable to the, to the Glazers who basically did everything. He was the CEO, if you like.
00:26:37
Speaker
And he was coming completely out of debt. I mean, he came from a financial background, completely clueless. The only time I ever saw him do an interview was when they signed Schweinsteiger, who at the time was declining past his best and injury prone. And he
00:26:54
Speaker
he did an interview on it. I mean, YouTube is the most hilarious interview ever. I mean, he was he was like, oh, when Schweinsteiger is going down the tunnel, the opposition are going to be you're they're going to be scared. And like it was just it was just I was just
00:27:10
Speaker
it was it was hilarious and they never that he was never put on camera ever again after that because he was so clueless I mean he was a yes man he was just basically the bitch of the Glazers he was the Glazers bitch and you know he that's why he was there I mean it's just a lot of politics involved as well but I mean you look at these two signings Arnautovic and Rabio who they're in talks for and it it really sums up where Man United are right now I mean Arnautovic
Man United's Striker Search
00:27:35
Speaker
You know, he did very well at Bologna last season. 14 goals, like Lima said, as a lone striker or as the central striker in a forward three, which is what Man United plays. He does a good job, he holds up the play, he can be the wall, he can bring others into play. If Ronaldo leaves, if he manages to find a new club,
00:27:54
Speaker
Let me tell you now I'm out of it will be the best striker central striker the United have at that club He will be better than rashford He'll be better than marshall neither of whom can play as a number nine neither of them can do it Look at rashford. Yes, and I love the guy, you know, but um
00:28:09
Speaker
and Marciau as well. Marciau scored one goal this year. He will be better, but the very fact that they're going for the very fact that he is, he would be and he will be their best central striker, kind of tells you everything about where Manchester United are at. They shouldn't be going for a 33-year-old player who come out of semi-retirement a year ago. Three years ago, he went into semi-retirement and moved to China and he came out of it
00:28:35
Speaker
a year ago to join a mid-table Serie A club who he did well for and you know then Juventus will okay Juventus will decide in this what still want to I think sign him as well if they can get him as a backup and you know as a backup fine absolutely fine but but yeah not for a team that there's a super club that's managed to unite and it just shows the lack of planning and you know as for Rabio again the the the same really and it's quite I mean I tweeted this earlier
00:29:01
Speaker
It just pretty much sums up the similarities between Manchester United and Juventus. All the advantages that Man United have, Juventus have all those advantages, probably times 10 if you put it in a Serie A, you know, compared to the rest of the Serie A teams. Yeah, it's not even close. It's not even close. You look at Juventus' wage bill.
00:29:21
Speaker
Yeah, you look at Juventus' wage bill compared to everyone else's area. You look at the advantage they have economically in terms of, you know, just power and influence and size and reputation. And, you know, it is what Juventus have done in the last two years. And I know it goes back a little bit further in terms of the bad decisions they've made. It's just as impressive as Man United in how badly they've messed things up. So it's quite ironic that a player, Rabio, who kind of sums up
00:29:50
Speaker
you know, everything that has gone wrong with Juventus in the last few years is going from Juventus to the English Juventus. Well, this is the thing I disagree with. I don't think we can compare Juve and Man United. Juve won the Serie A nine years in a row, two Champions League finals over this last decade. Last year, last season was the first season they didn't win a title for the first time in like 10 years.
00:30:12
Speaker
Man United haven't been close to doing anything decent on the pitch for, well, since Ferguson left. I mean, they had that one year with Mourinho where they won two, three titles and that was fine, but then it all kind of raveled the following seasons. You have to laugh at the fact they let him go too. I mean, what that guy was able to pull out from that team. I mean, it really, we finished second with that.
00:30:35
Speaker
I mean, it's with that club and it was completely dysfunctional. It just goes to show that the problems that United have nothing to do with one person. It's a structural failure. I think if I remember correctly, when Sir Alex Ferguson left, wasn't that when David Gill left as well?
00:30:50
Speaker
And then they both left at the same time. And those two worked brilliantly together. And since then, they've not been able to... I think the similarities in terms of how badly both clubs have been run, how bad they've both been in the transfer market, how bad and how many times they've changed managers in the last years, I think they're identical. Absolutely.
00:31:10
Speaker
absolutely identical in terms of the way the clubs have run. Yes, you could say Man United's bad results have gone back further. They haven't won anything for five years. Juventus have just been awful for the last two years, albeit they won a few minor trophies the season before last, but they were dreadful in both Europe and in the league for the last two seasons. Manchester United's goes back a little bit further.
00:31:33
Speaker
But in terms of how the club's been run, you know, in the transfer market, in terms of appointing managers, I mean, Juventus are now four managers in four years. I think this will be Allegri's last season unless there's any dramatic improvement. I don't see him being here in a year. I can see him not being here in a year's time, the way things are going. But, yeah, Rabio in and out of it, it's definitely, definitely some things up. I just hope that the rumours that are going around that McTominay is going to be
00:32:01
Speaker
going to be in the deal and go see the other way. I just hope that's not true. I'm turning my phone off. I'm turning my phone off. That would be absurd. But what would have been the point of bringing him back to begin with?
00:32:19
Speaker
Well, I agree. Yeah. Well, what do you do? Imagine if they finish fourth again. I mean, you can't keep him. You know, it's again, there's a financial aspect as well, which has made it so ridiculous. The guys on twenty eight million salary over four years before tax. I mean, it's obscene. I mean, look, again, as I said, I'm reserving my judgment until after the Mercado closes to say where they need to be. But definitely regardless of
00:32:46
Speaker
where they are, there has to be improvement on last season. It's as simple as that. In the league, in the Champions League, they have to win. They have to improve, that's for sure. Where I think that improvement is in terms of making it concrete, I want to wait until after end of August. What about Inter Nima? Are you worried about them?
00:33:10
Speaker
No, you see, this is again, I don't give a shit about the preseason. I really, really don't. And I think it's, it's, you know, the way that Simon Inzagi has planned this preseason, he's been very clear about that. He said, I wanted to play teams that were further ahead in their preparations. I wanted to play good quality teams because I wanted us to, to be, you know, to go up against it from day one. And, and he's also working the players really hard, like physically,
00:33:37
Speaker
They look tired. The workload is heavy during pre-season. Talk to any professional football and they'll tell you they absolutely hate pre-season training camp because the amount of work is just gross and it's a lot. They are tired, but I think now that we're getting to the last week, that's when teams adapt the dose, except if you're Antonio Conte because he only has one gear.
00:34:06
Speaker
But everyone else will adapt to training and, you know, they'll go to Villa del Mare in Lecce on Saturday and kick off their season. And I think there are some question marks. I think the issue is that Simoni Inzagi, as I said before, was counting on Bremen and Milenkoic at the expense of screening out to play with a higher defensive line.
00:34:33
Speaker
he has to understand that he doesn't have those players. He cannot play with such a higher defensive line. Also, when he does that, it also means that you're back to Lukaku at Chelsea, meaning that he's not taking part in the build-up, he's not taking part in attacking space and having space to attack, and that's not when Lukaku's good. He's good when you do those things and he needs to
00:34:59
Speaker
He needs to adapt to that. Romelu Lukaku needs to see a lot of the ball.
Inter's Preseason Strategy
00:35:04
Speaker
He needs to be involved. Inter need to play with a lower defensive line and attack the space more. And these are things I think that I know that he's working on. I'm not bothered at all by the preseason results. Not at all.
00:35:21
Speaker
What about all the goals that are being conceded? I think Inter have looked, from what I've seen, I haven't seen the full 90 minutes in every game, they look very open on counter-attacks. That's the one thing that I've noticed most in pre-season with Inter, very open on the counter.
00:35:40
Speaker
When I look at how bad Juventus have been and how bad Inter have been, I look at Inter and I think they're going to score lots of goals this season. That's not going to be a problem. I look at Juventus and I don't see where the goals are coming from at all. But the one weakness that I definitely see with Inter is
00:35:55
Speaker
They look very open on the counter-attack. I know Brozovic missed the last game and there's always a massive difference between Inter with and without. I still think he's the most irreplaceable player that you've got. He is. He is. Inter, he is irreplaceable at Inter, but Inter have a backup for him in Christiana Slane.
00:36:13
Speaker
who's been very, who has actually been impressive during pre-season. And I think, you know, I think he'll probably start against Lece, I don't think they're going to risk Brozovic. And I think it's going to be Barela and Charanoglu next to him. And the most important thing for Simone this week, you know, this month and this week is to keep the players.
00:36:37
Speaker
And because he's been very clear, he's not going to accept starting players being sold at the death like last year with Lukaku. He's not having that. And I think he's every right to be. I mean, the last season, last summer was special in the sense that it was, you know, post first post real pandemic and they were cleaning up the mess, financial mess from everything that happened. But this summer,
00:37:01
Speaker
They can't do that again. They just cannot do this to this guy again and ruin his plans. But what he needs to understand, again, I think the reason for that is because there's no balance in the team. It's a little bit like how he started last season as well, when he played with a little bit too high. Now he's playing with even further higher up the defensive line, and the team can't play like that. They don't know what they're doing. They're not accustomed to it, and they don't have the players to do that.
00:37:27
Speaker
And I think he needs to understand that, he needs to address that, otherwise teams will just rip into a part in the Serie A on the counter-attacks, as you say.
Alexis Sanchez's Departure from Inter
00:37:37
Speaker
Because the reason why they are so open is that the midfield is too high up, and almost in the lap of Lukaku and Lautaro. And that's a tactical issue, that's on Simona, and he needs to address that, he really does.
00:37:51
Speaker
Let's move back to the transfer market with Inter, because Alexis Sanchez is leaving Inter. By the time this comes out, he might even be official. He's joining Marseille on a free transfer. Also, Pinamonti is on his way to Sassuolo. So, two parts to this. First of all, how will Alexis be remembered as an Inter player, as a success? Has he been a success? And also,
00:38:21
Speaker
Pinamonti, how good do you think he can become? And do you think Inter are making a mistake getting rid of him? Because he did show last season some real big steps forward.
00:38:34
Speaker
With Alexis, I think Alexis will be, you know, time is a fantastic thing. And I think he will be, you know, he will be remembered for having won a Scudetto, having, you know, played with, taken into a final of the Europa League, having won a Copa Italia, scoring the winning goal in the Supercopa against Juve.
00:38:52
Speaker
And his, you know, his points per minute ratio in that is insane. He didn't play that much. But every time he played, he got an assist almost pretty much every time he played, he got an assist or a goal. I think the, you know, the arguing of this summer will will not impact it too much in a few years time when he hangs up his boots. He'll be remembered as a player who a fantastic player who who came to enter at the twilight of his career.
00:39:22
Speaker
And a little bit like Figo, if you remember, he was past his best, but he still won Inter titles. Obviously, Figo became the club's ambassador and didn't exactly leave on bad terms, whilst Alexis is a little bit dodgy, feels a little bit disrespected. But this was a player that Inter wanted to buy when he went to Barcelona. He was destined to come to Inter, he didn't come. He went to Barcelona, then Arsenal, and then Inter at the twilight.
00:39:46
Speaker
And I think he'll be remembered with, you know, history will forget, will absolve the nonsense of this past, these past few months. And I think he will look back on it as well, but he came to Italy, he returned to Italy and he still managed to win. And he, I mean, the man, when he was at his best, I still think he's a, he's one of, he's a class player. I really, really. Yeah. At Utanese and Arsenal, he was, he was incredible. Barcelona.
00:40:12
Speaker
Yeah, Barcelona wasn't quite suited, but it did all right. And that, yeah, O'Donato in Arsenal, fantastic. And then it all went downhill after this when they met United. Yeah, no, it was dreadful at my United and he was good at Inter and he offered- As a sub, as a 20 minute impact sub, he was very good. I never thought that he was really cut out to be a starting player from the start. No, he was. He got too old by that stage.
00:40:36
Speaker
Yeah, he did. But the quality, the intelligence, the football IQ the guy has is fantastic. And I hope and wish him the best at Marseille. And I think he could have one more season at the very top, one or two seasons at that level before he kind of calls it a day.
00:40:54
Speaker
As for Pinamonte, I think he's a decent player. I think he's a player on par with Chiro Immobula. And I don't mean like Chiro Immobula in terms of goal score. It's one of the best goal scorers that the city has ever seen.
00:41:09
Speaker
But in terms of the court level that he can reach and you know the clubs that he can play for I don't see him ever playing For one of the super clubs in the Premier League or in La Liga or for inter you and Mila. He's just not good enough he's the kind of striker that he is and
00:41:29
Speaker
Well, first of all, he doesn't really work in a 4-3-3, I think. He needs to have someone next to him. I mean, Mauro Icardi is pretty much who he says he learned the most from when training with. And also Antonio Conte, even though he didn't play that much that season, he says he learned and developed a lot. I think he can become a 15-20 goal per season in the Serie A kind of player, but he's not a starting player ever at an Inter Milan or Juve, no chance.
00:41:59
Speaker
no chance. I mean he for me is a little bit like Sebastiano Esposito. They're good players and I think he'll do well at Sassolo. I honestly think with with Berardi and Boga flanking him. Sorry, no, Boga's gone to Alta Talanto. What am I saying? No, I think with with Berardi flanking him
00:42:16
Speaker
And the other players they've got, they're Traore and so on. I think he will do well. I really think he'll do well. He's at the right club, certainly, to develop. That's for sure. Exactly. It's a good signing for them. It's a good move for him. I think it's good that Inter can get 15-20 million euros for him.
00:42:37
Speaker
But do I think he will become, you know, the number nine that starts for Italy that becomes a superstar? No, I don't think so. I don't think he'll ever become that. I think he is the kind of one poacher, kind of Fox in the Box kind of striker. And I think he, you know, in a team that counterattacks, but when you play in one of the super clubs, usually you have to
Napoli's Transfer Activities
00:43:02
Speaker
you're faced against opposition that defends in low blocks and Pinamonti is invisible in that. Yeah, for sure. Okay, let's move on to Napoli. They're very active in the transfer market these days. They are negotiating with PSG.
00:43:19
Speaker
Fabian Ruiz is on his way to PSG. PSG somehow finding all this money, well we know they've got money, but spending this money without it having any impact on FFP or the new version of FFP, I think is it FSR it's called, I've forgotten the name.
00:43:41
Speaker
you know, they've given Kylian Mbappe a 10 billion pound contract. They're signing all these other players as well. I mean, yeah, so it's a joke. But anyway, he's on his way to PSG. 25 million or something, isn't it? 25 million. Yeah. And again, gotta hand it to this man, Aurelio De Laurentiis, you know,
00:44:02
Speaker
He knows how to run a football club. I think people are sleeping on Napoli. I said it last week. I think they're having a great rejuvenation window. I think they're bringing in players. Raspadori is a great signing by Napoli. I really, really like this signing. I think he will fit perfectly into Spaletti's 4-3-2-1. I think he will develop
00:44:27
Speaker
a lot. And you have to remember, this is a very mature kid. He's got a good head on his shoulders. He won't cause problems off the pitch. He studies at the university, I think, on the side. I think he studies finance. He's very much about being a good role model for younger players and children.
00:44:52
Speaker
He's not going to cause any problems and he's a hard worker. He knows that this is a big move after Intel and Yuva deals never materialized. I really like this transfer. I really like what Naapoli have done.
00:45:10
Speaker
And I was one of those who wanted to see Deolo Feo go to Napoli, but I think Raspadori going to Napoli is definitely not worse. But you know, I'm really happy about this. I'm happy for him, I'm happy for Napoli.
00:45:24
Speaker
Yeah. I mean, as for Fabian Ruiz, I have to say, first of all, he is a player I love watching. I love watching. He's not a modern player, you know, and that's, you know, you don't get, there's not too many of his type of players around anymore. He's, you know, he's slow. I mean, he is slow. I mean, you see where, if you have him in open space with a team on the counter, I mean, you're in trouble, but
00:45:49
Speaker
when he's on the ball. He's so elegant, lovely. I just love watching him play. I'm happy he's got to move to one of the giants of European football in a way. It seems that PSG are replacing Paredes with him. Boy, that's a big upgrade for sure. That's incredible. This is why I'm thinking, why isn't Juve signing him?
00:46:14
Speaker
Yeah. And I did think that just before coming on, I just think that, you know, if you're going to spend 15 to 20 million on Paredes, you might as well spend 25 on on Fabian Ruiz, you know, but then massive improvement.
00:46:28
Speaker
Yeah, I guess there's the Napoli, there's the De Laurentiis Napoli, you know, of course, what they sell, whether you join the rival. There's that we don't know. I have to repeat, though, what what I have said in the last few episodes that I look at the number of big leaders that have left the team.
00:46:45
Speaker
this summer and first-team players as well. And it does worry me a little bit. You know, Cooley Valley, Mertens, Insinia, Ospina and now Fabian Ruiz as well. You know, all first-team players, okay, Mertens maybe not so much. It's
00:47:05
Speaker
It does worry me. It does worry me a lot. It's a big change around. It's a big revolution, losing all that number of players all in one go. Yeah, it is concerning. It is concerning for me. They've still got quality. They've still got lots of quality. They've still got, you know, Victor Osseman up front. You know, you flank him with Raspadori, with Lozano.
00:47:27
Speaker
with Politano, I've always liked, but, you know, I know Spelletti doesn't like him. I look in the midfield, I think they need more numbers in midfield. They've still got quality there with Elmas, with Anguisar, with Zielinski, it looks like he might stay La Boca. They've got four good central midfielders there, but they definitely need more numbers. They're lacking in numbers right now. But then I guess it depends how the new players do as well, the Georgian lad. You check for it, yeah.
00:47:55
Speaker
If these turn out to be revelations, then absolutely. I think it's definitely a gamble to replace so many all in one. I think it would have been ideal if they got rid of maybe two or three of these players this summer and there may be another two or three of them next summer rather than doing it all in one summer.
00:48:17
Speaker
I guess you could say that, but at the same time, I think Martens was at the twilight of his career. I think Insinia showed that he peaked in the Euros and since then it was just one long, slow decline.
00:48:34
Speaker
I think he last season was probably one of his best seasons and I think he had kind of also reached that point. I understand what you're saying, the experience and the senators, but this is not the first time they've gotten rid of senators and they've always managed to replace them well. I think being able to cash in 25 million on Fabio Ruiz
00:48:52
Speaker
when he's only got 12 months left on his contract and he's made it absolutely clear he doesn't want to go anywhere. He's not going to sign a contract extension. I think that's, again, that's a brilliant piece of business by Napoli. Now they cash in on him and they've got money on hand to sign someone. And they've addressed every single issue they've had. They just need to, if they can fix the goalkeeper and bringing Kepa as well, like we spoke about last week. Now, I think people are sleeping on Napoli.
00:49:20
Speaker
I think they've had a brilliant. I'll tell you one player I would have liked to have seen them sign is Destiny Udoji from Udenezer, who is on the brink of joining Tottenham now for 20 million plus bonuses, probably will stay on loan at Udenezi for another year. We already shared our interview. We interviewed Destiny Udoji at the end of April.
00:49:48
Speaker
And we did a great interview with him. It was about 20 minutes long profiles here. And we asked him all about his his life and his career, his ambitions, his qualities, his weaknesses, his favorite club growing up, his favorite player growing up. He has fantastic English, like brilliant English. I mean, everybody knows everybody that swallowed me knows that, you know, I've been big on this player, you know, when when he was a complete unknown, I thought this guy was
00:50:17
Speaker
destined for the top and you know he's gonna he's gonna get a big move it's great for him but i just think that where are all the italian teams why are they not signing this guy i mean this is this is what frustrates me because it's one thing when a player gets to a certain level that you know
00:50:35
Speaker
that the Premier League clubs are going to have too much money and are going to outbid players and the established players, even someone like Fabian Ruiz, for example, as soon as PSG coming for Fabian Ruiz, well, there's no chance that Juventus or even Ninto or Milan are going to have a chance for him.
Destiny Udoji to Tottenham
00:50:50
Speaker
But someone like Udoji, who's playing for Udeneze, you know, in a case, his transfer fee is still reasonably high, but his wages are going to be low.
00:50:59
Speaker
I just think, where are the Italian clubs? I mean, they're absolutely sleeping. Why are they not signing this player? And that frustrates me, I have to say. Yeah, but I mean, he's going to stay in the Serie A. I mean, the deal is that he's going to be loaned back to Dinesse for a season. So I guess for Dinesse, I didn't think they were going to sell him for this low. I thought they were going to wait a year and cash in on him big next summer.
00:51:22
Speaker
But turns out, I mean, they decided to do it this summer, which is I find it strange. I find it strange because we know that given the development and strides he took last season, and if he continued on that path this season, he would have been a 40 million player easily because he's so young. And now it's a stranger. I thought it would cost more.
00:51:47
Speaker
But well done, Paratici. To me, this also shows that Konta's happy at Spurs, that he's going to stay there for at least two more years. It seems that way anyway, now. And that they're kind of planning for the future under Konta. But no, he's such a fantastic raw talent. And he really does have everything in his toolbox. The only thing
00:52:11
Speaker
he could maybe improve his ability in the air because his stats aren't too impressive there. But no, it's really interesting. It's a cool move and it's nice to see all these young Italian players joining clubs where they will most likely hopefully play. Whether it's Gattia Juve, Pobega Milan,
00:52:35
Speaker
Pinamontigo in the sasolo, Luca going to Ajax to replace Sebastian Alle, you know, Udoji, Destiny Udoji staying at Udinese, even though he's owned by Spurs, Raspadori to Napoli, Belanova to Interam a little bit, because I don't think he'll bench Denzel Dumfries.
00:52:53
Speaker
And Skamaka Westham, I've explained why I'm worried about that. I hope I'm wrong. I hope it's an absolute success, but I think that was the wrong move for him and the club.
00:53:09
Speaker
Yeah, no, I think that's the one positive from this summer with the transfer market with Italian teams is that we've seen a lot of younger players who are moving to bigger clubs which will allow them to develop for their own careers and for the Italy national team and you just run down some of those players there and
00:53:30
Speaker
and I think that is the one positive for sure. Too many players that have been playing at small clubs and that's something that Roberto Mancini has also complained about as well, that he wants more players playing for big clubs, playing in big competitions and these
00:53:47
Speaker
these moves will certainly help, certainly help that. And, you know, as for Doji at Tottenham, I mean, yeah, I think it probably will be best if he stays at Udenezi for another year also because while I think that Antonio Conte is perfect for a player like him, a wingback, because Antonio Conte is the perfect manager for wingbacks. He makes wingbacks, takes wingbacks, all wingbacks onto the next level. He makes average wingbacks look like well beaters.
00:54:18
Speaker
I think that the fact that Perisic is already there would not be good for Adoge because he's not going to play as good as Adoge is and as talented as he is. He's not going to play instead of Perisic at left wing back. I know they've got Cessignon as well. I mean, I think Adoge is better than Cessignon.
00:54:35
Speaker
You know, he's not going to play ahead of Perisic. And that so that would that would be a yeah, it wouldn't make much sense. OK, let's move on to Mauro Icardi. Right, I'm going to hand this over to you because I'm a subject. Well, I mean, this is so so he's split with his wife. No, no, because all of then all of a sudden she posted something on Instagram and then going on holiday together. You don't know with these two. It's literally as the Kardashians. You got it. You got to
00:55:05
Speaker
You got to stay tuned to their Instagram feed to see what's happening. The du jour, the news du jour that they do. I mean, they love the attention. They absolutely love turning their love life and their personal life into a reality TV show. But regardless, you know, it's what will happen with him. I mean, his contract expires in 2024. PSG can't wait to get rid of him.
00:55:36
Speaker
They don't want him there. He's barely played in for like two, three years now. And he's earning, if I'm not mistaken, he's like, is it nine, 10 million euros a net a year? You know, it's, it's, it's, you know, I can understand why Monts with the Trianno Cagliani and Silvio Petlusconi
Icardi's Potential Move to Monza
00:55:56
Speaker
want him. They, they like that kind of drama. And I think they can handle her.
00:56:01
Speaker
I think they can handle her. I think they can keep her happy and give her a TV joke. I think Bella Scanning will have her on his TV stage. I think he'll give her a show. He'll make sure that she's a show girl and all that nonsense. They know how to handle these people.
00:56:18
Speaker
this kind of this kind of person that she and him are. And I think they can. But I wonder, and it would be a fantastic signing for Monza. But I mean, I wonder, you know, I don't want to fat shame or body shame anyone, but he does not look fit. He does not look fit. He looks like he looks like he hasn't trained properly for years.
00:56:43
Speaker
And that lion tattoo on his stomach. I mean, it's big. It's not flattering. And he doesn't look like an elite athlete anymore. And I don't think he cares. I don't think he wants to be either. I think he's just happy to be.
00:56:58
Speaker
to be, you know, he's made his money, he's happy with it, you know, they're a celebrity, and they'll probably have a reality show waiting for him once that contract expires with PSG. But having said that, I mean, if they split up, and I said this before, last time we had an E Kardashian flash on this pod, if he and she split up, if it actually happens, if they move,
00:57:25
Speaker
if they move apart and they have nothing to do with each other, except for, you know, just like with her and Maxi, they have, you know, the kids and that. If that happens and she no longer represents him, next summer, you know, if, if, if Edwin Edin Jeko turns 37 and relives, if Inter can get him on alone, and they can use the Decreta Cressita to be a backup, and they can keep Lukaku, and he can be a backup, I'd take him. But she has to be gone.
00:57:52
Speaker
has to be completely finished, and Lukaku has to stay. Because I think in a front two, as a backup player, and if they can get him to re-kickstart his career and start working again, and if the guy's a killer in the box, there's no doubt. But that's a lot of ifs before that happens.
00:58:16
Speaker
okay yeah now as for Roma we all saw they welcomed Vinaldom last week or I should say late last week they are also closing in on Andrea Bellotti who will become the new Vicetami Abraham which you can't really do much better than that in my opinion for Roma this is exactly the type of striker that they have been in desperate need of
Roma's Transfer Plans
00:58:44
Speaker
It has nothing to do with Tammy Abraham, simply Roma have long needed a guy like Bellotti who has a fantastic work rate, as we all know, willing to do the dirty thing, so to speak. Dropback has an incredible, again, just incredible amount of work rate that
00:59:06
Speaker
um just no other attacker within the roster of Roma currently possesses so he's going to be a welcome addition not to mention again the fact you're getting him for free now i do think that Roma are
00:59:24
Speaker
probably going to wrap up the market there. I know Jose Mourinho has long been asking for a central defender that is left-footed. They have been linked with a number of players. They looked very hard at Marco Seneci of Feynord, a guy. They have a pretty close relationship with his agent.
00:59:47
Speaker
They tried to acquire him, but it never became feasible for what the Dutch club was asking so I I think that once they Acquire Bellati. I I do think that is probably it for the transfer market. They will undoubtedly try to convince a swallow one more time for Davide Fratezi, but it's going to be very difficult and
01:00:11
Speaker
The manager of Sassuolo, Alessio Dionis, he's already asked to the club's hierarchy to do everything they can to keep Flattese because he explicitly was very angry with them.
01:00:26
Speaker
he was okay with Skamaka leaving but now with Raspadori getting closer to Napoli he will hit the roof so to speak if Fratese were to be added to the list of departures so I don't think that the club are going to do that to him unfortunately for Roma even though Fratese the discussion with Roma has long been opened months and months and months ago Roma
01:00:52
Speaker
they began this they began this talk for him in december fratese even after signing a contract renewal with sasuelo in i think it was either february or march of this year he explicitly told the club if roma come back in for me you have to allow me to go and one of the things that is very much angered fratese and his agent peperiso is they had a
01:01:16
Speaker
not in writing, of course, but a gentleman's agreement that if Roma presented an offer to them that was reasonable, they would consider it and they would allow him to leave because Roma, they do have a 30% salon clause for Flattese, so that gives Asuolo a reason to negotiate with Roma to help maximize a potential transfer fee for Flattese,
01:01:45
Speaker
the club, Sasuolo, they just made it too, too difficult. So I, it's going to be very tough for Flates and to arrive in this, in this window, but Roma are still going to try. Yeah, absolutely. Okay, right. Let's move on to Baggio and Prem Face of the Week.
01:02:04
Speaker
Right, starting off with Badgio. Now I saw this, this is Giorgio Chilini. Just love it. I love Chilini where he commits an offence and then just plays all innocent and it was
01:02:20
Speaker
He misjudged the bounce of a ball or a high ball, and he just basically volleyed it with his hands, jumped up in the air with two hands in the air and volleyed the ball down. And then he was like, what did I do? What did I do? What did I do? And he was just brilliant. I love it. I love it. And nothing kind of sums up Keilini better, really. But he has been the master of
01:02:45
Speaker
of this kind of behavior, the dark arts. The defensive dark arts, the classic Italian defensive dark arts and being ultra competitive and bending the rules and pulling shirts and doing sly little fouls and stuff like that, but also off the pitch.
01:03:06
Speaker
just when the camera cuts to the camera is just the nicest guy and genuinely the nicest guy you'll ever meet. Such a lovely person, but they just showed the two sides of him perfectly. Yeah, it does. For me, Paolo Di Bala's back heel in that friendly against Shakhtar,
01:03:28
Speaker
and the back heel and then the shot, like that entire movement. And Roma, generally, that season presentation and an absolutely packed study of Limpico was just stunning. Roma are flying high. They are buzzing. I just hope that Mourinho is able to keep them on the ground.
01:03:50
Speaker
but there's a smell in the air with Roma, isn't there? You get that feeling that there's something special brewing there. And that's why I repeat, I see them as a, I wouldn't rule them out for a Scudetso Challenge just because they're just, it just feels like something special. I think there's something special in the era Roma and they do, and they can, you know, maybe they could win a title. I just don't think it's going to be the Serie A title because I think,
01:04:17
Speaker
I think the central defense is just not good enough. But as for in Europe, I think they're my dark horse to win the Europa League. They really are. And we know Mourinho and cups.
01:04:38
Speaker
He knows how to do that and he knows how to create a winning cycle when it comes to that. OK, Prem Face. Prem Face, go on, you take this one away. We've got InSach.
Sponsorship Issues at Inter and Roma
01:04:48
Speaker
It's this digital bits Zitarra mess that Roma will be impacted by too if they can't start paying what they said they were going to pay. I mean, they're the main shirt sponsor.
01:04:59
Speaker
And it's a mess because Inter have now removed digital bits from their billboards, from the women's team, from the primavera team. This could be a mess with Nike.
01:05:14
Speaker
Do they call back the shirts? I mean, what do they do? They need to resolve this. I can't believe it's coming to this. And nobody knows what's going to happen. So what exactly, just for those who don't know, what exactly? Inter seem to be claiming that they haven't there. They've missed their payments. This is the main shirt sponsor.
01:05:38
Speaker
And yeah, it's it's them. And has there been any comment? Nothing official. Has there been nothing official from either side? No, no. And it's no, it's it's it. And this is related to crypto. I don't know. I'm not. I'm too much of an old fob. Yeah, it's digital bits and Zitarra is the bank and
01:06:03
Speaker
I thought Zitara was in Thundercats. Wasn't that the main character in Thundercats? I don't know. I don't remember what... I was never a Thundercats guy. I was a He-Man. He-Man was mine and Transformers. He-Man and Transformers and Brave Star, if you remember that.
01:06:23
Speaker
Yeah, I like the Brave Star. I like He-Man. I used to love those on my shows. Brave Star. And we've gone from starting this show with the Spice Girls and finishing off discussing about Chitara in Thundercraves. So there we go. Okay.
01:06:40
Speaker
Well, thanks everyone for listening. We will be back on, well, first of all, on Tuesday to answer all your questions, all the questions from patrons. That's for patrons only. And then we'll be back with our midweek show on Thursday. That's for patrons only, where we will preview the new Serie A season, which kicks off this weekend. So join us for that. Until then, ciao ciao.