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Serie A 2019/2020 Season Preview (Ep. 15)
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Transcript
The Return of Citya Show
00:00:01
Speaker
Welcome to the Citya Show. Hello, everybody. We are back. The Citya season is upon us. The long drawn out transfer market is coming to an end. Welcome again to the Citya Show. Nima Khloe, it's so, so good to be back. How are you two?
00:00:31
Speaker
Very good. Thank you. I'm good. I'm really happy to be recording with you guys again. I've really missed it. Yeah, me too. It's been a really, really long three month summer of Mercado rumors and I'm going crazy. So I'm really happy it's almost over and that we're back to talking about what, you know, what games and pitches and, you know, matches again.
00:00:54
Speaker
Yeah, so we have a lot going on here, even though we haven't been recording, it's actually been quite a busy summer for us. First off, you may have noticed that our podcast is now hosted by a different host. It's no longer on Buzzsprout, it's on Transistor. So for those of you who are accessing us through a new platform, through our new podcast network, Big Heads Media, I would like to say thank you and welcome.
00:01:19
Speaker
And soon we will also be having a homepage, just a little website where you can find all of the recordings and all of the previous episodes as well. So as I said, a lot going on here. Now this episode is more of a, a bit of a season preview, a bit of a weekend preview. So there are obviously going to be things that we just don't have the time to get to. We're going to be doing two podcasts weekly from
Fiorentina's Summer Upgrades
00:01:44
Speaker
now on. We're going to be doing a preview.
00:01:47
Speaker
episode, which will obviously come out before all the matches at the weekend begin, and then we'll be doing a reaction episode. So the preview episodes are generally going to be a bit shorter than our normal 45 minutes to one hour reaction episode. So this being the preview one, it's not going to be nearly as long as the one that, you know, houses all of our reactions to the results, the matches, the performances, but we still will get to some talking points that happened throughout the summer.
00:02:17
Speaker
So, Chloe, I want to start with you. There is not enough time in the next two days that we could get to every single talking point from this summer, but just a few of the things that happened this summer throughout the City Hall landscape. What are the things that stood out to you? I have an inkling I might know one of them, and it comes in the form of a legend with one of the best accents I've ever heard in my entire life, Rocco Comizo. What a hero he is.
00:02:46
Speaker
He's come in and he saved us from the Dell Valleys. Anybody who listened to the show last season will know exactly what I thought about Fiorentina's previous owners, who were penny pinching and let the team just stagnate, really. Camisos come in and in three months, less than three months, he's done everything that the fans wanted to say. I mean, the presentation last night of Frank Ribeiroi was just
00:03:15
Speaker
out of this world there were nearly 15,000 fans in the stadium and you know I've said this a lot of times but Fiorentina fans don't ask for much, they're not asking to win the title, they're not asking to be the best team, they just want somebody who understands them and understands
00:03:35
Speaker
why they care and what's important to them about this team. And Camiso and his number two man Joe Barone have just done that. They've shown a great deal of respect and willingness to learn. And they've invested in the team, which has been lacking for so long.
00:03:59
Speaker
Milan Badelli has come back in the midfield, we've got this great prospect in Eric Polgar from Bologna, Kevin Prince-Boloteng in the attack and there's still apparently some more players to come in. So it's been a massively exciting summer for Fiorentina fans and
00:04:22
Speaker
I just hope that they can back that up on the pitch when the action starts. My favorite part of Comiso coming into Fiorentina is the fact that his right-hand man, as he's known as in Italian media, is Joe Barone.
Balotelli's Homecoming: A Game-Changer?
00:04:38
Speaker
And that seems to be his official work title. He doesn't have a job title.
00:04:44
Speaker
other than Kumiso's right-hand man. And I think that is so, so brilliantly New York Italian that I absolutely love it. I think they've really been a breath of fresh air. They've shown some backbone by keeping Chiesa and the way Kumiso reacted to that. I think Fiorentina have done some really interesting deals and I think they'll make a few more before the window closes.
00:05:11
Speaker
Yeah, they have been certainly one of the talking points of the summer. Rivery coming into the side is fantastic. Him going on Instagram and immediately getting into the thick of it by saying, you've been mad now. But there are a lot of other things throughout the city that, in my opinion, have been very interesting talking points, particularly when you look at the very top of the league in the very bottom.
00:05:37
Speaker
Our first go at this podcast, where the quality didn't come out so great, I thank God it didn't come out because I said, Brescia, what in the world are you doing? Can you please reinvest, Mr. Cellino? You haven't brought in anybody of note. And I think roughly 24 to 48 hours after we said that, Mario Balotelli comes back to the Syria, which for me, anytime he's in the Syria, it's always fun because I like him.
00:06:05
Speaker
Yeah, I think, yeah, I think he is one of the most unfairly mistreated players that we have seen in the longest time. And I just love watching him. I'm admittedly a huge admirer of his. But obviously we have Sarri at Juve. We have Napoli, in my opinion, doing some of the best business in all of Europe. You could even make the case for bringing in Chucky from PSV, Manolas from Roma.
00:06:35
Speaker
Nima, what has stood out to you this summer in terms of whether it's a new manager, whether it's a new reinforcement, who is the club that has really caught your eye in that regard? I mean, first of all, I think I just got to say on the Balotelli thing, I think that is the most beautiful transfer. I think that's the most beautiful signing. For those who don't know, Balotelli was raised in Brescia.
00:07:00
Speaker
And I think him coming back to his hometown is so beautiful on so many levels. And I hope that he, because now he will be one of the more established players. He will be the guy everyone in that team looks up to. And I hope he's ready to take on that responsibility. So I really, really hope it goes well. And I hope he stays there for the rest of his career, because that would be so, so beautiful.
00:07:29
Speaker
on so many levels. But other than that, I mean, it's been such an interesting summer in
Inter and Roma Rebuild: Can They Challenge Juventus?
00:07:37
Speaker
the Serie A. There's so much going on. You've already mentioned a few. But I think Antonio Conte coming to Inter is huge and the impact he has had and the signings that Inter have made completely revamping the squad. It's the revolution that Inter fans have been talking about that they wanted since pretty much the day after the treble.
00:07:59
Speaker
when Mourinho left, that has been very eye-catching. And also, I was telling you before we started recording, I am really, really, really impressed with how well Petracki and Palota have rebuilt Roma again.
00:08:18
Speaker
I mean, you probably know more about this than I do, but I think if there's one thing during the Palota era they've been pretty good at is to rebuild year zero. They're good at that. They just don't seem to be able to take the final step to start winning things. But the rebuild phase has been really impressive, and Petraki, I think, has been
00:08:42
Speaker
sensational in what he's done. And for me, Roma, look, our shoe in this thing stand today for a top four place, in my opinion. Interesting. OK, so we're going to be getting to our top four and then our relegation candidates coming up here shortly. But real quick, both of you, do we have a genuine Scudetto race on our hands this season? Yes or no? Chloe, you first.
00:09:11
Speaker
For me, 100%, yes. I think, obviously, you may have dominated for the last eight years, but they're at a point now where I think, especially with Sarri, unfortunately, suffering from pneumonia and won't be on the bench for the first two games of the season, that they have got, although they've got such quality in their squad,
00:09:37
Speaker
they've got a little rebuilding to do. And the moment that they blink, I think, Inter will be ready to pounce because Conte just demands this constant work rate and effort from his players. And I think that also Napoli, as you said, with the soundings that they've made and the fact that Carlo Ancelotti has had a year of transition time already under his belt, I think that they too will be ready to challenge. And I think I'm hoping
00:10:07
Speaker
that it's going to be much more exciting this year and that we will actually have a genuine title race. When you say title race, do you guys mean that the title will be won on the last day of the season? Or do you think that someone can dethrone Juve? Because for me, that kind of matters because I don't think anyone will be able to dethrone Juve. I think their squad is too good compared to the others. But I think that the distance between them
00:10:36
Speaker
And Napoli, Anita, it's shrunk. It's not as big as it was last season. So having said that, I don't know. It depends on your definition of a title race, I guess. Okay. Well, they won the last campaign by 11 points. So
Juventus' Squad Dilemma
00:10:56
Speaker
will it be under six?
00:10:59
Speaker
Yeah, I think I think I think I'll definitely be close. I think under five, I think within I think we'll see we'll see five, six points between first and third. I actually think that somebody else could win it as well this year. I really do. And I know they've got such quality and I know that they are so used to winning, but
00:11:21
Speaker
I'm not saying that U of A won't win it, but I'm saying it could be somebody else. The thing is though, I don't see who that would be because, you know, I don't think, you know, although Ancelotti and Conte are fantastic managers, I just don't see the, you know, Inter have their own situation to deal with, which I think we'll get into a little bit later. At Napoli, I think the signings they've made defensively, Manolas is a great signing.
00:11:50
Speaker
your favorite there, John, from Empoli, the right back. I think that's a good signing as well. And Dio Lorenzo. Very good signing. Yeah. And I think Lozano is a player that I wanted Inter to sign. So I really rate him. I think he will be great.
00:12:05
Speaker
I just don't see the squad depth for them the same way Juve have to be able to win week in, week out the way I think Juve and Juve will this season. That's why I don't see either one of the inter-anopoly challenging them. Okay, now you talk about squad depth. However, do you think that Juve will run into a problem with
00:12:35
Speaker
Listen, they have a number of names that they still have to offload. The market closes in under two weeks. There are a number of names, a number of players in the side who have been linked to moves away. Iguain, Manzukic. I mean, we could go on and on. Rugani, who is for some reason being heavily pursued by Roma. Do you think that will be an issue for them? It almost seems like there are too many cooks in the kitchen in this case. True.
00:13:04
Speaker
I just, I can't believe that they've, I mean, obviously they've brought in some good players, but I mean, surely this is going to really hinder them. And Sari said himself that they had six players, too many. And I just don't see why it's been so difficult for them to offload
Transfer Deadline Drama
00:13:22
Speaker
these players. And, you know, from from what they were saying about Rugani, that they were, you know, they were holding out for a high value and
00:13:33
Speaker
You know, I just think, why did they not just sell him? He didn't cost them that much. I don't know. It seems very un-Yuvai-like to me, the way that they've operated in terms of player sales this summer. I see your point there, but I still think that at the end of the day, two of the three of Dibala, Manjukic and Higwain will leave. It depends on
00:14:02
Speaker
I still think that they will be managed to offload the ones they want to offload. I think they will struggle a lot to offload someone like Kedira, who has made it abundantly clear that he's not going anywhere. So, no, I mean, for me, the question that I want to know is, who's going to be Sariz Giorginio? Is it Pianic? But, you know, every day we read that Pianic is on his way out.
00:14:28
Speaker
So who's it going to be? Who's going to be his Giorginio? Surely not Kadira. No, it's not going to be Kadira and it's not going to be Rabio and it's not going to be Aaron Ramsey who's not that type of player. That for me is a bigger question mark and also who is going to be Sarri's number nine? Who's going to be the bomber in his number nine?
00:14:52
Speaker
in the number nine role because he's been very clear that he doesn't want to play Cristiano Ronaldo there. He wants to play him on the wing, although that may change. He may be forced to play Ronaldo as the number nine and use one of the extra wingers of which he has quite a few.
00:15:12
Speaker
So, no, I think all of this will kind of, you know, when we get to deadline day, September 2nd, that Monday, I think it will be quite the deadline day because there's quite a lot of things that need resolving. You know, these things have a domino effect. I mean, Neymar is not happy at PSG. I think if he leaves for one of the big two in Spain,
00:15:37
Speaker
then I think Dibala will be the natural replacement and then Juve can go to Quinta to get Icardi and then they can offer someone like Manjukis plus cash to get Icardi and that way they've resolved that. You know what I mean? So I think there's quite a lot, it's a lot of uncertainties right now. It's why it annoys me really that the transfer deadline is after the start of the season because you're watching the first few games and you're never really quite sure
00:16:07
Speaker
what's going to happen once the deadlines pass. You're never really quite sure if that's the final squad or not. I remember a few years. I agree 100% with that. I just agree 100% with that. I remember a few years ago when Fiorentina sold Marcus Alonso to Chelsea on the last day of the deadline. And they obviously, under the dell of allies, they wanted to accept the cash in.
00:16:37
Speaker
But I mean, they didn't have any time to get a replacement. So they ended up playing some random milik with a C, not a K, who was just absolutely dreadful and no kind of replacement for Marcus Alonso at all. So it's really difficult when you're the selling club as well, because they'd already played two games with Alonso.
00:17:00
Speaker
John, I'm kind of keen to hear what you think.
Roma's Summer Moves: A Winning Strategy?
00:17:05
Speaker
From a Roma perspective, what do you make of this new Roma? You know, it's been very interesting. I thought up until this point, it's been going quite well. I'm under the, well,
00:17:25
Speaker
I am under the illusion that had Roma had somebody like Paul Lopez last season instead of Robin Olsen, they would be the ones in the Champions League right now. Now, many people will probably find that delusional and that's fine. I'm a Roma supporter to begin with, so there's at least some sense of delusion to begin with to even start supporting this club. But yeah, I do like the moves they made. I mean, Paul Lopez has looked really good. Fonseca, I think, plays a very attractive brand of football.
00:17:55
Speaker
I think Nima, you and I, we didn't hide our affection for Dia Vwada, who is a guy I've wanted for, it's 2019. I have wanted him since 2016. I was devastated when Roma decided to keep the Anto Pérez instead of bringing Dia Vwada to the club. I think he's a great reinforcement. I do like the acquisition of Gianluca Mancini. I think everything they've done up until the last 48 hours has been almost perfect. Why they would think
00:18:24
Speaker
Daniele Rugani is even remotely an acceptable replacement for Costas Manolas or an acceptable edition is beyond me. I don't know if Fonseca Petraki did not watch him.
00:18:41
Speaker
within the last 365 days but maybe isn't that isn't that the pack that we've been hearing about maybe that's the uv and roma pack that we've heard so much about i had to bring it up i have to ask your opinion on that i mean what do you make of that surely um there's one rumor worse than rugani that's safest over the last few days oh no about a certain Croatian striker
00:19:06
Speaker
okay so I wanted to I was I was going to wait to see if this even got brought up but since you open this can um Nicola Kalanich Roma are going it looks like Roma are going to send away Patrick Sheik who um Ramon Monchi if there were if there were crimes against football he would be in jail right now for at least the next decade now I won't say anything worse than that because um he's a very sensitive guy so I won't
00:19:36
Speaker
I won't be any more harsh than that, but, um, Patrick Schick looks like he's on his way out. I don't know. Like if you rolled the dice and a name came up, um, I don't know how many rolls it would take to get Nikola Kalinich, but I would try and roll again because Chloe, I, if, if Nikola Kalinich is the answer.
00:19:58
Speaker
to what Rome are looking for. They're asking the wrong question. I have to ask you guys there on that because I'm not so convinced that it's it's I don't think Kalinich is coming in to be the starter. I think Jekko is so I think the question they're asking is they want a player who can who is similar with similar attributes to to Kelly to to Jekko and is willing to accept
00:20:23
Speaker
to play in a backup, like a backup to Jekyll. I think that's what the question is. And I mean, is Kalanich really that bad in that situation? To me, yes, because... Compared to Defrel, I mean, if you've got Defrel and Sheik, and I mean, is it really that bad?
00:20:47
Speaker
In that situation, I'd say yes, because I'm all joking aside, he doesn't have, I'd say the worst thing about him is his weak mentality and his tendency to let his head drop and to sulk. And he's not the kind of player that's going to sit on the bench and be prepared to fight for a place. He's not tenacious. He's just, you know, what I would describe as a drip.
Serie A Top Four Contenders Debate
00:21:13
Speaker
He's just, you know, I mean,
00:21:15
Speaker
We all saw what happened in the World Cup and he, because of his silking, he lost out on the chance to play in the World Cup final. And, you know, to me, just, you know, having watched him at Fiorentina, that, that really just sum him up. And I just don't think he's got enough about him to, he's just got no fighting him to me. I mean, I don't know, I've not watched him at Atletico Madrid, I don't know, but I mean, he's, he's got records and Bismal, I think he's got
00:21:46
Speaker
10 goals in the last 60 games between Milan and Athletico so it's not exactly like he's been looks seems like a reformed character or you know but don't pretend you've got you've got a you but then that's great because since you then need to get rid of he going to manjuki so you've got a pact with you there then you can take one of them what do you say we don't i'm not even going to dignify that question with the response so
00:22:10
Speaker
Let's get to our top four predictions, because Nima, you seem to make it very clear nobody can unseat you. Chloe, you made it seem like maybe somebody could. I think somebody might be able to, particularly when you consider. I mean, guys, even though Sarri has come in, isn't their mentality is still Champions League or nothing, right? I mean, don't you think that will have at least some effect? Well, I mean, I guess now Sarri is a winning manager in Europe, so...
00:22:41
Speaker
You know, who knows? But I would assume that that is still their primary focus. I mean, last season, the winning of the Scudetto seemed very subdued because it was they didn't really play good football and it wasn't, you know, I suppose. I mean, none of us can sympathise with this, but I suppose it gets a bit boring.
00:23:09
Speaker
Oh, gosh. Well, I mean, yeah, but at the same time, if the if you win the script or eight years running, you know, you have to keep, you know, creating new goals and objectives and more. And so I think that's the natural part of it, although it is like you said, Chloe, a bit, you know, poor, like, you know, John said, like poor you before winning, like it's a bit ridiculous. But that's what happens when you have a team dominate the league like you like you have.
00:23:36
Speaker
I personally don't see that ending this year. I think Juve will win it, but the distance will be much smaller to second and third. I said within five, six points, one to third.
00:23:53
Speaker
Okay, well then give us your top four then, Nima, for this season. For the 2019-2020 campaign, Nima, your top four is... Youve Napoli Inter and Roma, a few five, six points behind them and fourth. Chloe? It was interesting, actually, just as a little aside. In today's gazetta, there was a little thing where they asked all the journalists that worked for them to give their
00:24:22
Speaker
League winner, I think it was. And there was a real big mix across people saying Uwe, Inter and also Napoli. So there's quite a lot of mixed opinions there, I think. I'm going to go out on a limb and I'm going to say Inter. Sorry, Nima. I'm trying not to jinx it, but Inter. You jinxed it massively. Then Uwe, then Napoli.
00:24:52
Speaker
And then I can't decide out of Milan or Roma. I think I'm going to say Milan. No, that's fine. My top four Nima. I am sorry too, but I will say Inter Juve Napoli. Okay. So there, there, there we have it. So
00:25:19
Speaker
when none of these scenarios happen you can send abuse to all three of us because it is now published in the public sphere for everyone to listen to that's the beauty of this um all right so if we can for a moment just go to the under other end of the table in the previous episode that didn't ultimately go out we we spent quite a bit of time on the newly promoted clubs who we believe will be towards the bottom and
Relegation Predictions: Who's in Trouble?
00:25:50
Speaker
Like I said before Pérez just signed Balotelli, I said without question I thought they were already set for the drop but I feel like adding him is certainly that that pushes them or gives them a boost that somebody like uh Danessa just doesn't possess. So Chloe we'll start with you this time. Who is going to make the drop? I think Lecce certainly um are a big candidate and I think they will go
00:26:19
Speaker
I think Udinese have been very close to the wire the last few years. So I think, I think they will go, especially if they lose to Paul, he's been linked with Fiorentina, so we don't know about him yet. And maybe Hellas Verona because they've been such a yo-yo club in the last few years. Well, I hope to God Verona goes down.
00:26:46
Speaker
And the city of gods, knowing full well that I would be in Veneto during the holiday, they scheduled the Roma match at the Bentagori just before, a few weeks before Christmas. So thank you, because now I'm obligated to go. Now, Nima, I know you and I are on the same wavelength with that. I don't even want to rehash it again. Before I go to you, I think Verona,
00:27:16
Speaker
leche are almost, you could pencil them in today to make the job. And I'm with you, Chloe. Uteneze, they have had a dreadful summer. What are the Potsos doing? Because it doesn't look like they have any interest anymore because they have not brought in anybody. As you said, DePaul is the only remotely decent player, technical player that they have, especially that attack possesses no punch whatsoever.
00:27:44
Speaker
So I agree with you, Chloe. I have the exact same bottom three. Nima, are you on board or do you think Udeneze or maybe Verona Lece can survive? No, Lece and Hellas are for me. They're going to finish last without a shadow of a doubt. That's like number 19 and 20. Who finishes 18th? I mean, the last, it will be down to the wire between, I think Brescia
00:28:12
Speaker
Um, and, uh, Audinez and, uh, what's, uh, uh, Spal, uh, who I think- They've had a poor summer as well. Yeah. And I'm worried about that because I really, really like what they did, uh, like how they, how they, I mean, last season's everyone, anyone who's listened to the show knew, knew I was like completely
00:28:34
Speaker
you know, I was addicted to the to the relegation battle last season in the Serie A because it was so exciting. And I think and I really liked the football that Spal played. So I'm a little worried there. But for me, it's between Brescia and Spal for that last last position. Interesting. Again, Nima, you and I in particular are big fans of having
00:28:57
Speaker
the club situated throughout Italy. It makes it a lot more fun. I hope Lechik can survive just because I'm a big fan of that. There are not many Southern clubs, so I would really, really like for them to avoid the drop. I just don't see it. I really don't. I think it's going to be very difficult for them. So let's move away from the summer predictions. Let's talk about this weekend.
00:29:23
Speaker
opening weekend of
Fiorentina vs Napoli: A Match to Watch
00:29:25
Speaker
the Serie A. So we have part of my hosting UVE, we have Fiorentina Napoli, Chloe, we have Udenese Milan, Caieri Brescia, Spal Atalanta, Roma, Genoa, Verona, Bologna, Samp, Lazio, Torino, Sasuolo, and then Inter Elece. Chloe, I have to say, your team against Napoli is without question the one that interests me the most this weekend.
00:29:54
Speaker
Yeah, it's usually it's usually a good fixture as well. There's usually plenty of goals between them. How do you see it shaping up? I don't know. I think it'll obviously it'll be a tough game, but it's it's it's at the Franke and and the fans are going to be really, really fired up. There's been a lot of season tickets sold this summer and
00:30:21
Speaker
they're so enthusiastic about this new ownership that I think it will be a real, it will be a really good atmosphere and the fans are going to get behind the team. So I don't know how much effect that's going to have, but, you know, I would hope to see some kind of maybe a two-two draw or something like that. And, you know, but it's hard because there's so many new players, I just don't know how they're all going to gel together.
00:30:48
Speaker
I expect a lot of goals in that game. For me, it's one of those crazy games, two, two, three, three, kind of back and forth. So I expect a spectacular afranky. We hope so. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's certainly an interesting match. The thing that is just so curious to me, Chloe, and maybe you can shed some light on this. This whole thing of playing Kevin Prince Boletang that started last season is a false nod.
00:31:20
Speaker
Why? Why? Why? I don't get it. I don't get it. And from Montella's perspective, Chloe, I mean, Simeone, I mean, he was one of the brightest jewels in all of the Serie A two seasons ago. Last season, he had a very poor campaign. I mean, has he really fallen that down the pecking order that they're willing to put
00:31:47
Speaker
Borteng at the false nine. I mean that just does not seem inspiring even I Mean the woods talk of some you and even go to hella spirona on the loam thing. Yeah, I read that yeah Yeah, and for all the noise that's coming out of the club seems to suggest that he will be a substitute so I mean they are I think they are looking to bring at least another attacking player in but I
00:32:17
Speaker
I don't know. I don't know. It does seem very strange. There's a lot of talk like it is every summer about Domenico Berardi to finish. Well, you can't live with him every year. And there's also talk, I mean, Skye, I mean, it's pretty much Matteo Politano's agent confirmed it, that there's been an an important offer from Sorrentino to Inter for Matteo Politano, which Inter declined because of the
00:32:44
Speaker
chaos they have regarding the striker position, the striker department at the club, so they can't really afford to send Politano right now. So I think if they brought in someone like Politano, I think that would be really interesting because it would allow
00:33:01
Speaker
it would allow Federico Chiesa to operate as a kind of a false line as well. I think there would be a lot of positions shifting in that 4-3 between the wingers and the number nine, the striker.
Cultural Shifts with Rocco Commisso
00:33:14
Speaker
So I think something like that will probably happen. Yeah, I'm going to just go out on a prediction. I am saying Montela, masterclass. He still has the magic in his...
00:33:25
Speaker
in his suit from when Mr. Rocco took him to Times Square in New York City. Wow, that's very cool. That was, listen, Rocco should have arrived in the City Eye years ago. The fact, I mean, could you get two polar opposite presidents between the glum de la Valle brothers and this guy? I mean- Not at all. Not at all. Get Mr. Comizo a sitcom because I could
00:33:52
Speaker
Listen, the way he mixes his English with his Italian is poetry. I could listen to this guy read an audiobook for two hours. It's just gorgeous stuff. He did try. We should mention that he did try to buy Milan before it went to... He did? Yeah, before Belis Kogisoda to Yong Hong Li, who eventually defaulted.
00:34:17
Speaker
Maybe that would have been quite the entrance to take over from Bare Lasconi, because they do have larger than life characters, both of them, don't they?
00:34:28
Speaker
So, no, I'm happy commissos in the Serie A. It's so nice to see these Italian-Americans, these Americans with Italian roots come back to Italy and bring their like, you know, they know the culture and they understand it, but they also, they're American and have a different approach to business and sports business, which I think is ultimately going to do work wonders for the Serie A. Yeah, agreed. Yeah, I think he's great. I think he's an absolute phenomenal personality.
00:34:56
Speaker
I'm going to go out on a limb and I say Fiorentina actually win. Um, I don't know why I say actually win as if it would be some sort of, Yeah, but we did nearly get relegated last season. Yeah. So, um, yeah, I actually think Fiorentina nipped that one and they take the victory. Um, what is another one that we can discuss? Uh, Tonino Sasuolo is another interesting one. Uh, Samplazio, um, Eusebio de Francesco at Sampdoria.
00:35:25
Speaker
Very interesting. When we're talking about relegated teams, I want to add Sampdoria to that because it's not just because I don't believe in the Francesco's ability to handle a team at all. I think the situation is also very precarious for Sampdoria because whenever you have an ownership change,
00:35:46
Speaker
And that's apparently very, very close to happening at Sontoria with the consortium taking over from Ferrero. That always creates a lot of turbulence at a club and it's quite a very difficult situation to handle when you have a new ownership with the new ideas and new directors and all that.
00:36:08
Speaker
So I think having someone like the Francesco in charge when you have instability is devastating for Santorio. And I hope they don't get relegated, but I think that could easily spiral out of control. Well, we have to say they do have Gianluca Viali in that consortium who is going to buy them. So maybe that could help ease things.
Atalanta and Lazio: Dark Horses for the Title?
00:36:30
Speaker
I think they're very interesting.
00:36:32
Speaker
You know, in all of the season previews I've been reading, a lot of people are not tipping Lazio to fight for that fourth position. I found two things interesting. I've seen a lot of people not saying Lazio will challenge for that Champions League spot. And I've also seen the same being said about Atalanta. Now, this weekend, Atalanta faced Spal. We all have said Spal have had a pretty poor summer.
00:36:58
Speaker
I mean, what do you two think, Atalanta? They're playing in the Champions League this season, obviously. Do you think they've reinforced properly A and B? What do they do at the weekend against Spaal? They're a way to Spaal. I honestly think that Atalanta... The thing is, like when I said Roma fourth, I have...
00:37:19
Speaker
Lazio fifth and Milan sixth and Atalanta seventh. But I don't think that there will be much between those fourth to seventh. I think it will be like last season, where fourth to seventh is separated by only three to four points. Because I think Atalanta are a top side in the Serie A. There's no doubt about it. I think they've reinforced in the exact right way.
00:37:42
Speaker
They brought in players that suit Gasparini to a tee. I'm very excited to see Luis Muriel, but I think that to be able to handle playing in the Champions League and the Serie A with a squad that is not that big will cost them, and that's why I think they'll finish seventh. As for Lazio, I agree with you. I think Lazio are... I don't understand why people don't rate Lazio, because Lazio, to me,
00:38:11
Speaker
they've not lost any big player at all, and they've only been reinforced. And, you know, Simone Inzaghi won, you know, last season, won the Copa Italia, and he's, you know, he's signed a new contract, if I'm not mistaken, with the club, and he's going to stay there, and he's a very good manager. So I definitely rate Plazio. So I think they will win this weekend, and for me, Atalanta will draw.
00:38:41
Speaker
Yeah, I think being in the Champions League is obviously something very new for Atalanta. I think Muriel's a good signing and I think Martin Skirtle will bring some experience to them as well, but I think being in the Champions League will just see them naturally just drop off a little bit in the league because it is something very new and different.
00:39:05
Speaker
I mean, I guess they get written off every year and Gasparina keeps proving people wrong, but I'm not sure you can keep doing that over and over again. And so I, you know, maybe they, maybe they still finish in the Europa League spots, but I just, I can't see them finishing fourth or higher at all this year. Now, before we sign off here, each of you pick a match that really stands out to you this weekend, other than the ones that we haven't already discussed.
Cagliari's Ambitious Transfers
00:39:32
Speaker
For me, Caillerie Brescia. And
00:39:36
Speaker
We talk about reinforcing sides who have improved themselves. I'm hard pressed to think of a side who has raised their overall level of quality more than Caillourie. I mean, yes, they did get rid of Barrera to eat there, but what they've done with that money, in my opinion, has been nothing short of sensational to get Nangolan to potentially reinforce the attack with the Frel who is in between Caillourie, Sampdoria. It looks like probably Sampdoria at this point, but his talks are still alive with Caillourie.
00:40:06
Speaker
Nandez, they still have Valtterbirsa. I think they're actually one decent central defender away from potentially fighting for a Europa League place. And like I said, Brescia, I like what they've done with Balotelli. I still think that they need to reinforce, particularly in the midfield, but they held on to Tonali, which was very, very important. I think that could actually be a good match. I wouldn't be surprised if Brescia got a point from that. What about you, Chloe?
00:40:34
Speaker
I'm looking forward to seeing Interplay on Monday night because I think the fact that they're playing Lecce means that Lukaku could well score on his debut.
Inter's Opening Match: Setting the Tone
00:40:44
Speaker
I think it'd be really, really good to see him get a run out and against one of the newly promoted sides as well. I can just imagine him getting at least one goal against them.
00:41:01
Speaker
So yeah, I think that looks like an interesting one. For me, it's actually part of my Juventus, because I'm very interested to see how Juventus play.
00:41:12
Speaker
under the Sarri, you know, how they've reacted to his way of training and his way of playing. And also because Parma have been one of the, you know, they've signed some really interesting players this summer. And they play a very interesting, they play very attacking football, which is, I think we can see a goal fest in that game. They have some very quick players.
00:41:40
Speaker
in Caramel, Gervinho and I'm really keen to see that game and also, you know,
00:41:52
Speaker
I would be lying if I didn't, you know, say that I'm really interested to see how Antonio Conte's Inter react at a packed San Siro against a lecture that, you know, they've got 2,000 fans coming up from the south and everything that comes with it. So, no, it's those two games that are really interesting
Serie A Top Scorer Speculations
00:42:14
Speaker
for me. Sorry, before we go, shouldn't we predict Cappo Cammieri as well? Oh, well.
00:42:19
Speaker
That's a good thought. I didn't do my homework for this one. You know, my heart for some reason, because Nima, uh, handed Mr. Icardi a shirt number after this. I don't even want to get into it because he was linked to Roma and everybody was telling me it was going to happen. And I tried warning everybody. It was never going to happen. Um,
00:42:45
Speaker
Part of me thinks, Nima, that they are going to realize that they can't get anybody else and they're going to put him back into the team. Is that the sense you get? Because if that's the case...
00:42:57
Speaker
He is my vote
00:43:20
Speaker
He's staying. Embrace the madness, my friend. It is absolutely insane that he is staying. And it seems that he's refusing to accept even you by the sounds of everything. So if he's staying, I think it will take quite a bit before he's reintegrated into a starting lineup, to be honest. But for me, I think Piontek will really benefit from Gianpaolo's brand of football.
00:43:48
Speaker
as will Cristiano Ronaldo, as will Lukaku, I think he's going to score so many goals, he's got so much to prove, you can tell that
00:44:02
Speaker
He's really comfortable and happy with life. He absolutely loves Conte, who loves him. And he wants to, you know, show everyone wrong for criticizing him so much at Man United. So for me, it's one of Piontek, Ronaldo and Lukaku. And Chloe? Nicola Kalanich. Oh, no, no, no, no, no. That's where you say Gerro Torcazzo.
00:44:31
Speaker
Now, for me, it's Lukaku. I really do think he's had a bad time at Manchester United. There was all that silly stuff about him being overweight, and then he posted that picture where he's clearly not overweight. And I think that against some of the weaker teams, he could really destroy them with his
00:44:59
Speaker
you know, with his speed and his physical presence, I just, I just, you know, I think, I think it's going to be him. Yeah. So hold on. After Nima spoke, I have to retract my halfhearted prediction because otherwise I'm going to receive more stick than I generally receive. Um, I mean, do we, I find this surprising too, uh, DeBala, are we just writing him off? Like was last season that bad that we're not even going to
00:45:29
Speaker
I mean, even if he stays, I'm not sure that he's going to have a good season.
00:45:36
Speaker
I don't know. I mean, Piontek Nima is a good shout. Obviously playing that Gian Paolo brand football alongside another striker, I think could do him really, really well. Look out for that. I think Milan's, I forget his name, the new signing from Portugal. Oh, Liao, is it? I think he's going to be a revelation in the Serie A. He's a very good player and I think he's going to
00:46:03
Speaker
is going to be one of those standout breakthrough players this season. I think Milan's problem won't be scoring goals. I think Milan's problem will be trying not to concede them.
00:46:16
Speaker
And I think that's what will ultimately keep them from the fourth spot, because I think Roma's back four is really good. I really rate Mancini. I think the full backs are more than good enough to finish fourth in this league. So, no, you don't have Kwanke Zusen's Davide Santon starting, so that already there you're going to concede, and Robin Olsson, so already there you're going to concede about 30 less goals than you did last year.
00:46:45
Speaker
Wow. Well, that's called addition by subtraction. And again, I maintain had that subtraction been made sooner, maybe they would be in the Champions League, but there's not enough time to even get into that. So as I said, at the top of the podcast, we will be back to react to all the matches after the weekend, after the match day is complete. You will have our full reaction. And as I said, a few days later, we will be doing very short. It won't be nearly this long because this is
00:47:15
Speaker
going to end up just under an hour. We will be doing the previews throughout the season and the reactions throughout the season as well. So you'll be getting two, you'll be hearing from us twice per week. So very excited and very much looking forward to that. So as always, thank you for listening. If you could leave us a rating wherever you're hearing us, whether it's iTunes, Spotify, Google, wherever, please leave us a review. It really, really helps.
00:47:42
Speaker
Again, thank you for listening and until next time everybody, bye bye.