Lega Serie A – General Discussion

[RomaShield27]

Holy feck Mutu with a very late hattrick for Fiorentina to complete a spectacular comeback!

Genoa 3 - 3 Fiorentina
Thiago Motta 12 (G), Palladino 38 (G), Milito pen 57 (G), Mutu pen 60, 81, 94 (F)

All goals from Week 24 here:
http://www.101greatgoals.com/
http://www.goalsarena.com/

[Carlo Romano]

10. Gabriel Batistuta
Batigol
One of Serie A’s all-time top hitmen, he was known as the Angel Gabriel and more commonly as Batigol by his devoted Fiorentina followers. You have to be some striker for goal to be incorporated into your moniker and boy he was!

9. Giuseppe Bergomi
Lo Zio
The legendary Inter captain was known as The Uncle given that he looked and played with a maturity beyond his years. Sporting a fully-grown moustache during his teens, the 1982 World Cup winner was one of the toughest stoppers around.

8. Marco Tardelli
Schizzo
The Juve midfielder will always be remembered for his famous urlo after scoring Italy’s second goal in the 3-1 defeat of West Germany in the 1982 World Cup Final. Dangerous in attack and even harder in the tackle, his sudden breaks up the field earned him his Spurt nickname.

7. Nils Liedholm
Il Barone
The Swedish international was a highly successful midfielder in the 50s and won four Scudetti with Milan with his graceful and elegant play. However, his majestic nickname only came into common use when he became a Coach, inspired by the fact he married a member of Italian nobility.

6. Roberto Baggio
Il Divin Codino
Baggio was worshipped by his legions of fans and thus became known as The Divine Ponytail after sporting that once fashionable hair style. However, when he turned to Buddhism, he probably heard about Siddhartha rescuing someone from a river by grabbing their ponytail and possibly kept it as a symbol of his own rescue.

5. Giampiero Boniperti
Marisa
The Juventus legend was called Marisa by Juventus fans, but mainly by opponents as a reference to his blond hair and the way he wore it in waves, like a girl. Yet the long serving striker was far from feminine in the way he played and led the club to five Scudetti.

4. Giorgio Chinaglia
Long John
The former Lazio legend, who scored the penalty that saw the Biancocelesti win their first Scudeto in 1974, was affectionately known as Long John by his devoted tifosi. The tall, impressively built striker was also nicknamed Giorgione.

3. Fabrizio Ravanelli
La Penna Bianca
The former Juve striker was named The White Feather following the premature greying of his hair. It has also been suggested it was because of the way he floated in behind defenders. When he played for Middlesbrough, being a fan favourite, he was also called Silver Fox.

2. Cafu
Il Pendolino
Brazil’s fabulous full-back was nicknamed after the tilting high speed train between Rome and Milan, which reached speeds of up to 200mph. Like the Pendolino, Cafu sped down the right flank and was almost unstoppable over an amazing 11 years in top-flight Italian football. It was almost inevitable that he would leave the capital for Milan…

1. Alessandro The Waterboy
Pinturicchio
Named after the Italian painter of the Renaissance by legendary Juventus patron Gianni Agnelli, the apprentice to master painter Roberto Baggio. Agnelli baptised many players throughout his reign, famously referring to Zibi Boniek as Bello di Notte – Beauty of the Night – for his performances under floodlights.

[Messinterista]

Zlatan Ibrahimovic = Ibracadabra!

[RomaShield27]

Super Cup headed for China
Monday 16 February, 2009 – http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_ ... eb16q.html

It has been announced that next year's Italian Super Cup will be played in Chinese capital Beijing. This season's battle between the Scudetto winners and the Coppa Italia holders saw Inter beat Roma on penalties at San Siro. The fixture has been played outside Italy on three occasions - in 1993 it took place in Washington, in 2002 the game was in Tripoli in Libya and it was played in New York in 2003. After this afternoon's meeting between Lega Calcio President Antonio Matarrese and Beijing Football Association head Wang Hui, the decision is final.

[Messinterista]

I remember hearing about this a while ago. So they've confirmed it. Interesting decision.

[Carlo Romano]

[quote][color=red]


[i][size=84]FIFA's attempt to encourage top European clubs to nurture home-grown talent could have taken one step closer to implementation.

According to reports in the British media, FIFA's proposed '6+5 rule' has been boosted by the news that an investigation has found it to be legal.

It had been claimed that a measure to ensure every European club fields six players eligible to play for the country in which they play their domestic football would breach EU (European Union) regulations.

Apparently, the European commission, in addition to many EU governments, have warned that the new law could be deemed discriminating and seen to be limiting the free movement of workers.

However, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who would like to employ the rule by the 2012-13 season, has been boosted by the finding that the law could at worst be accused of “indirect discriminationâ€

[Carlo Romano]

I can't believe the Italian media today... They are foaming at the mouth over the Cassano/Pazzini double act against Inter last night which is fair enough. It was a joy to watch! But to refer to them as the new Mancini-Vialli Sampdoria goal twins... Not in a month of Sundays!

[RomaShield27]

Referees' Association chief elected
Friday 6 March, 2009 – http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar6p.html

Marcello Nicchi has been elected the new President of the Referees’ Association, but the Lega Calcio vote has been postponed until March 18. Cesare Gussoni stepped down from the post at the head of the Italian Referees’ Association (AIA) after his term expired. He had been brought in to lead the way in the wake of the Calciopoli scandal and has been replaced by Nicchi.

“I will not be a part-time President, but rather someone ready to talk to everybody,â€

[Carlo Romano]

[Carlo Romano]

[quote]


[i]Zenit Coach Dick Advocaat is confident his team can take advantage of Udinese’s “slow defenceâ€

[red]

Hope Udinese hold on.

Italy isn't that far away from losing it's 4th CL place to Germany, so the more wins that Italian clubs get in Europe, the better.

[Carlo Romano]

Glad you mentioned that not so small point, Andrew...

Italia must be sailing close to the wind on the co-efficient score! Only the blind continue to believe Serie A is as strong as ever it was. Fortunately we have a ways to go yet before losing a CL qualifying place.

I see the Euro Super League has reared it's head again, this time from a French direction. I'm sure you will have read about it and know Italy would be given 4 places. The difference though between past proposals and this, is that they are talking 3 divisions. Can't see it...

Anyway, Udinese upheld Italian honour this evening, losing the game 1-0 to ZSP in the Ukraine, but winning the tie 2-1 on aggregate! For once Dick Advocaat appeared to take the defeat philosophically! But the important fact is...

Marzo di Udinese sopra!

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

Abete re-elected Italian FA president
www.uefa.com – Monday 23 March 2009



Giancarlo Abete will continue as Italian FA president for a second term (©AFP)

Giancarlo Abete has been re-elected president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for the next four years. The 58-year-old was elected for the first time in 2007. "Thank you for the faith you have put in me," said the former FIGC vice-president to the assembly in Rome. "I hope I can repay you with hard work and results. There is a willingness to work together as an association, with a view to restructuring the organisation. I also hope to repay your trust by being totally committed to tackling the challenges that face us." Abete started working in the FIGC technical department in 1988.


Abete elected to UEFA Committee
Wednesday 25 March, 2009 – http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar25q.html

FIGC President Giancarlo Abete has won election to a spot on the UEFA Executive Committee, replacing Franco Carraro. The chief of the Italian Football Federation received 45 out of 53 votes at the first ballot of 12 candidates during today’s meeting in Copenhagen.

The 53 continental Federations met to discuss various elements of the sport in the 23rd Ordinary UEFA Congress, a form of “annual parliamentâ€

[RomaShield27]

Lega Calcio aids earthquake victims
Saturday 11 April, 2009 – http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/apr11a.html

The Lega Calcio has created a united fund-raising initiative for earthquake victims and explained why today’s Serie A fixtures are going ahead. There have been numerous calls for this weekend’s games to be postponed as a sign of respect for the nearly 300 people who have died in the Abruzzo earthquake this week. Serie B Week 35 was originally scheduled for Friday evening and has been postponed, but the top flight fixtures will not be affected.

“Italian football has, via Serie B, stopped for the day of national mourning,â€

[RomaShield27]

Genoa put a new slant on second-season syndrome

Gian Piero Gasperini's side are making a decent fist of the top flight and a Champions League spot beckons


The thoroughly tedious quadopoly of the Premiershit is such that you almost feel as if an outsider would need formal ratification from the Queen to finish in the top four. In Serie A, however, anyone and everyone can have a go. Eight sides have finished in the top four in the past four seasons, and it looks increasingly likely that there will be a ninth this season after Genoa's thrilling 3–2 victory over Juventus .

Genoa are only two points clear of Fiorentina in fifth but, perhaps more importantly, they are now eight clear of Roma, in sixth, with seven games to play. Under the bold managership of Gian Piero Gasperini, who sets his side out in a 3–4–3 formation, they have been the revelation of the season, an intrepid, little-known group who play football so delicious that even Jose Mourinho likes them (you can count such clubs on the thumbs of both hands this season).

A number of shrewd signings have energised the team: Diego Milito has scored 16 times in 25 games; Thiago Motta – who was apparently finished at the top level when Atlético Madrid terminated his contract last summer – has been outstanding in midfield; and the defender Salvatore Bocchetti, bought from Frosinone last year, is now part of Italy's international squad. Their success evokes the era of Tomas Skuhravy and Carlos Aguilera: they finished fourth in 1990–91 and then, as now, that was only their second season back in Serie A. They also reached the Uefa Cup semi-final the following year.

The prize for finishing fourth is much greater these days, and it is in their hands after the win against Juve. The match was a classic, and included one of the worst refereeing performances in recent memory from Gianluca Rocchi. At least he spread his incompetence equally: both sides were given a goal by his eccentricity.

First there was Motta's opener for Genoa, swept in from the edge of the box a split-second after Rocchi had blown for a Genoa free-kick, an act he conveniently ignored when the ball ended up in the bottom corner. In truth it made little difference – no Juve players stopped and Gianluigi Buffon was well beaten – and any sense of injustice Juve had was assuaged by a shocking penalty award on the stroke of half-time. Matteo Ferrari clearly won the ball from Alessandro The Waterboy; the linesman signalled for a corner but by then Rocchi had pointed to the spot. The Waterboy did the necessary in that absurdly cool manner of his.

Motta restored Genoa's lead moments later – to Juve's not inconsiderable chagrin, the allotted three minutes of added time had already been played – and when Mauro Camoranesi was sent off in the second half, the points looked safe. Juve rallied, however, and Vincenzo Iaquinta equalised deftly with six minutes to play. Then, the sting: Raffaele Palladino, who joined Genoa on a co-ownership deal from Juve in the summer, tapped in the winner after Marco Rossi broke the offside trap.

All of which meant that, where Juve's title chances were concerned, slim had just left town: even though Internazionale were held at home by Palermo, they have a 10-point lead going into this weekend's meeting between the two. A more exciting prospect is the meeting between Genoa and Lazio, who blew away the cobwebs from three consecutive defeats by battering Roma 4-2 in a furious derby that included three red cards and an outrageous goal from Mauro Zárate. Genoa have already beaten Milan, Roma and now Juve at home; few would bet against Lazio joining the club.

Results Bologna 1–4 Siena, Chievo 0–1 Milan, Fiorentina 2-1 Cagliari, Genoa 3–2 Juventus, Internazionale 2–2 Palermo, Lazio 4–2 Roma, Lecce 1–3 Sampdoria, Napoli 0–0 Atalanta, Reggina 0-2 Udinese, Torino 2–1 Catania.

[Carlo Romano]

I realise this subject has been discussed already on our forum but I have to say I still found the following to be interesting reading as there are a couple of items I hadn't known! How ironic that it took an American source, ESPN, and not a European one to deliver the goods! There is however one discrepancy...contrary to the journalist's statement that "Italian clubs generally wait longer to start younger players," I can well remember in better times when many young stars in the making got played...Maldini, Baggio, The Waterboy, Signori, Vialli, Mancini...the list just goes on and it's one of the principal reasons our Azzurrini were always so strong. Because many of them had regular first team experience! Of course, the writer means in the present time...a point he ought to have clarified but perhaps didn't want to get involved in! A sign of changed times and working policies within our sistema di calcio...


[quote][size=84]Lazio president Claudio Lotito has come out and stated that Man U poached Macheda from them.

The Italian system currently prevents young players from putting pen to paper before their 18th birthday, allowing Europe’s elite to offer up lucrative terms (with the promise of locating their families and friends to the new country) and a guaranteed deal when they turn 17.

English clubs only have to satisfy a rule which states that Academy players over the age of 11 must live within a 90-minute radius, which is easy to do when you can uproot a youngster from his home country and place him within the catchment area. Added to that, the financial terms can be at least five times the size of that on offer from their home club.

Basically, in Italy you have to be 18 to sign a fully professional contract, whereas in England, they can offer you one years before. And that means the players can be earning big money even before they can get a US driver’s license. All England has to do is promise the young Italian a decent amount of money and fly him within an hour and a half radius of the stadium, and they’re golden. Another reason why so many leave the shores of Italy is that Italian clubs generally wait longer to start younger players. So whereas Fabregas and half of Aston Villa debuted in their late teens, guys like Giovinco and Marchisio are only now playing for Juve in their early 20s. Juve are hardly the only offenders, as nearly even club in Italy does that, with few exceptions. Italian clubs generally place experience over youth, a move that’s now coming back to haunt them.

The bigger problem here is that it’s taking away players from clubs in the peninsula. Lotito describes it like this:

“We tried in every way to stop Manchester United from taking away our player but the present Italian regulations don’t give you any type of defence. In reality we find ourselves in front of a proper cattle market.â€

[Messinterista]

Italy's top clubs agree to form a new competition similar to the EPL

Serie A's 20 clubs have voted to break away from their Serie B counterparts and form a new competition along the lines of the Barclays Premiershit.

The new league, which would no longer involve second-tier clubs in its decision-making process, is to be called Lega Serie A.

Only Lecce, who are in the relegation zone and look set to drop to Serie B next season, voted against the motion to split from the Lega Calcio, which currently organises the top two divisions in Italy.

The new organisation has picked Maurizio Beretta, a former director of Italian television channel Rai Uno, as its new head.

"We've agreed a new A league. Am I satisfied? No, but it was necessary," said Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini following the meeting in Rome.

Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 15,00.html

[RomaShield27]

Italian clubs continue to battle over television rights payments
www.eufootball.biz – 4 May, 09 | Italy | Television

Components of the English Premiershit may find their way to Italian football, following a vote overwhelmingly in favour of the change. Last week, all 20 Serie A clubs cast their votes, with all but one supporting a switch to the English model. The changeover will significantly affect the league’s television rights, which are sold individually. As a result, larger clubs like Juventus and AC Milan bring in more than GBP 85 million in revenue, with less fortunate clubs such as Chievo securing a mere GBP 4 million.

On account of the disadvantage this causes the smaller clubs, Serie A teams make a lump-sum payment to Serie B. In previous years, this figure was reported at GBP 90 million but has since fallen to GBP 60 million for the current season, as noted by The Times.

Starting next season, Serie A rights will no longer be sold individually, as is the case in the English Premiershit. The gap created by the top clubs’ rights deals will be narrowed, much to the dismay of Serie A.

Serie A clubs have been trying to free themselves from their obligation to Serie B for quite some time, arguing that they cannot afford to support their extravagant expenses. Serie B clubs have been criticised for incurring player wages similar to those found in the Coca-Cola Championship, therefore spending beyond their means. They are bound to have a hard time coming to terms with the changes, reporting an average loss of GBP 5 million despite the significant contributions made by Serie A.

With Serie A and Serie B unlikely to come to an agreement, it is expected that the Italian Football Association (FIGC) will assume control of the Lega Calcio. If a settlement fails, Serie A could move toward independence with the support of the Italian FA.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - 2009 All rights reserved.

[Carlo Romano]