The Serie A thread

[culloty82]

Plenty of activity in Italy this summer, here's an update on transfers and coaches:

Last Updated: 13 July 2010
AC Milan
In: Mario Yepes (free, Chievo Verona)
Out: Fernando Coppola (loan, Siena)
AS Roma
In: Fabio Simplicio (free, Palermo), Adriano (free, Flamengo), Bogdan Lobont (€800k, Dinamo Bucharest)
Out:
Bari
In: Sergio Almiron (co-ownership, Juventus), Paulo Vitor Barreto (co-ownership, Udinese), Nico Pulzetti (loan, Livorno), Abdelkader Ghezzal (co-ownership, Siena)
Out: Filippo Carobbio (co-ownership, Siena), Pedro Kamata (co-ownership, Siena)
Bologna
In: Daniele Paponi (co-ownership, Parma), Pablo Daniel Osvaldo (loan return, Espanyol), Riccardo Meggiorini (co-ownership, Genoa)
Out: Pablo Daniel Osvaldo (loan extension, Espanyol), Gabriele Paonessa (co-ownership, Parma)
Brescia
In: Matteo Sereni (free, Torino)
Out:
Cagliari
In: Alex Pinardi (free, Modena), Lorenzo Ariaudo (co-ownership, Juventus), Radja Nainggolan (co-ownership, Piacenza)
Out:
Catania
In: Raphael Martinho (undisclosed, Paulista), Bostjan Cesar (free, Grenoble), Giovanni Marchese (undisclosed, Chievo Verona)
Out: Gennaro Sardo (undisclosed, Chievo Verona)
Cesena
In: Marco Parolo (co-ownership, Chievo Verona), Giacomo Tulli (co-ownership, Vicenza)
Out: Luca Righini (co-ownership, Vicenza), Milan Duric (co-ownership, Parma), Denis Tonucci (co-ownership, Vicenza), Giacomo Tulli (loan, Vicenza)
Chievo Verona
In: Mattia Minesso (co-ownership, Vicenza), Gennaro Sardo (undisclosed, Catania), Fabio Barrichello (co-ownership, Bassano), Rubinho (loan, Palermo), Jefferson Trazzi (free, Lecce)
Out: Mario Yepes (free, AC Milan), Marco Parolo (co-ownership, Cesena), Giovanni Marchese (undisclosed, Catania), Yonese Hanine (loan, Crotone)
Fiorentina
In: Gaetano D’Agostino (co-ownership, Udinese), Artur Boruc (€2m, Celtic)
Out:
Genoa
In: Gergely Rudolf (free, Debreceni), Luca Toni (free, Bayern Munich), Eduardo dos Reis Carvalho (undisclosed, Sporting Braga)
Out: Selim Ben Djemia (loan, Frosinone), Robert Gucher (loan, Frosinone), Riccardo Meggiorini (co-ownership, Bologna)
Inter Milan
In:
Out: Ricardo Quaresma (undisclosed, Besiktas), Giulio Donati (loan, Lecce)
Juventus
In: Simone Pepe (loan – €2.6m, Udinese), Leonardo Bonucci (€15.5m, Bari), Jorge Martinez (€12m, Catania), Tiago Mendes (loan return, Atletico Madrid), Marco Motta (loan – €1.25m, Udinese)
Out: Cristian Molinaro (undisclosed, VfB Stuttgart), Fabio Cannavaro (free, Al Ahli Dubai), Lorenzo Ariaudo (co-ownership, Cagliari), Sergio Almiron (co-ownership, Bari), Martin Caceres (loan return, Barcelona)
Lazio
In: Juan Pablo Carrizo (loan return, Real Zaragoza), Eliseu Pereira (loan return, Real Zaragoza)
Out: Thomas Hitzlsperger (free, West Ham), Sebastian Eguren (loan return, Villarreal)

Lecce
In: Antonio Mazzotta (co-ownership, Palermo), Giulio Donati (loan, Inter Milan), Ruben Olivera (free, Penarol)
Out: Jefferson Trazzi (free, Chievo Verona)
Napoli
In: Matteo Contini (loan return, Real Zaragoza)
Out:
Palermo
In: Pajtim Kasami (undisclosed, Bellinzona), Mauricio Pinilla (undisclosed, Grosseto), Massimo Maccarone (undisclosed, Siena)
Out: Fabio Simplicio (free, AS Roma), Marco Giovio (co-ownership, Grosseto), Antonio Mazzotta (co-ownership, Lecce), Rubinho (loan, Chievo), Simon Kjaer (undisclosed, VfL Wolfsburg)
Parma
In: Gabriele Paonessa (co-ownership, Bologna), Milan Duric (co-ownership, Cesena), Valeri Bojinov (undisclosed, Manchester City), Gabriel Paletta (undisclosed, Boca Juniors)
Out: Daniele Paponi (co-ownership, Bologna)
Sampdoria
In: Nicola Pozzi (undisclosed, Empoli), Gianluca Curci (undisclosed, Siena), Simone Zaza (loan, Atalanta), Bruno Fornaroli (loan return, Recreativo Huelva), Marius Stankevicius (loan return, Sevilla)
Out: Roberto Soriano (loan, Empoli)
Udinese
In:
Out: Gaetano D’Agostino (co-ownership, Fiorentina)


Coaches:


Bari: Giampaolo Ventura
Bologna: Francesco Colomba
Brescia: Giuseppe Iachini
Cagliari: Pierpaolo Bisoli
Catania:Marco Giampaolo
Cesena: Massimo Ficcadenti
Chievo: Stefano Poli
Fiorentina: Sinisa Mihajlovic
Genoa: Gianpiero Gasperini
Inter: Rafa Benitez
Juventus: Luigi Del Neri
Lazio: Edy Reja
Lecce:Luigi Di Canio
Milan: Massimiliano Allegri
Napoli: Walter Mazzari
Palermo: Delio Rossi
Parma: Pasquale Marino
Roma: Claudio Raineri
Sampdoria: Domenico Di Carlo
Udinese: Francesco Guidolin

[Closed Account 2]

I think there are some errors on that transfer list. I don't think Eguren ever made it to Lazio, he left Villareal for AIK (Sweden) around Christmas but had problems there with fans of his former club Hoemmerbey and had to have police protection. I think he failed a medical at Lazio prior to the AIK move, he's supposed to be off to some Spanish side now. Mark Bresciano has signed for them from Palermo.

Also there is growing discontent amongst Italian fans. The northern politicians have run a new bill through the courts which requires any fan going to any away game, or an "at risk" i.e. big / derby home game to have an ID card. These cost €15 (last for 5 years) and are a pain to apply for, so some of the fan groups are boycotting Serie A this season.

[The Good Son]

Also there is growing discontent amongst Italian fans. The northern politicians have run a new bill through the courts which requires any fan going to any away game, or an "at risk" i.e. big / derby home game to have an ID card. These cost €15 (last for 5 years) and are a pain to apply for, so some of the fan groups are boycotting Serie A this season.

No Alla Tessera del Tifoso!

Before the World Cup Daniele De Rossi had to apologise after he supported the 'No Alla Tessera del Tifoso!' movement and criticised the police -
http://www.football-italia.net/may26z.html

[culloty82]

Yeh, got the managers list from Football Italia, just Googled the transfers. Both Flamengo and LA Galaxy are chasing Ronaldinho, while Olympiakos are bidding for Gattuso. Uruguay's Cavani has signed for Napoli, while Genoa are trying to sign Miguel Veloso from Sporting Lisbon. Also, the Inter Mascherano rumour still has legs, but Balotelli could be moving to Old Trafford.

[Ciprian Marica]

A lot of co-ownerships in the transfer list. Why are these so popular in Serie A and how come they're not used in other leagues? I see AC Milan continue their over 30 age policy.

[WexCar]

Excuse my ignorance on this front, but how exactly does co-ownership of players work?

[culloty82]

Wasn't sure myself, but remember reading one time that when di Stefano first played in La Liga, he was jointly owned by Barca and Real, that he was to play the first season with Real and the second season at the Nou Camp, but after a bad start at the Bernabeu, Barca sold their share. After looking at the Wikipedia article, it seems that if a player is a success at the smaller club, the bigger club can buy them outright:

Co-ownership (football) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co-ownership_%28football%29)

[culloty82]

A better explanation of co-ownership than I gave:

"The two clubs have to come to an agreement on where the guy will play and who will pay what share of his wages. They usually do agree, but if they can't, they "go to the envelopes", which is a procedure run by the league in which each club submits a sealed bid for the half of the player's registration that they don't own. The higher bid wins.

It's a peculiarlity of the Italian system that doesn't have a counterpart elsewhere, but it is incredibly well-established. It's uncertain how it evolved, but it probably has its roots in Italy's Byzantine tax and employment rules, along with things like social charges.

In other news, a Serie B club, Ancona have been thrown out of the League pyramid due to bankruptcy, in addition to over 20 Lega Pro (Serie C) clubs, the most famous of which would be Perugia.

[culloty82]

Inter have agreed to sell Balotelli to Man City for €30m and Maicon to Real Madrid for €28m, increasing the likelihood of signing Mascherano. Meanwhile Bonucci is a doubt for Juve for Thursday, along with Legrottaglie, and the Serie A calendar will be released tomorrow night.

[superfrank]

€30m for Balotelli is a great deal for Inter. He's a good player but his attitude is terrible. Mancini must believe he knows how to get through to him.

[osarusan]

€30m for Balotelli is a great deal for Inter. He's a good player but his attitude is terrible. Mancini must believe he knows how to get through to him.

With Man. City's money I'd say his attitude is like me buying something in a 2-euro shop. "It might turn out to be **** and worthless after a try or two, but where's the harm?"

[The Good Son]

Fixtures here-
http://www.gazzetta.it/speciali/risultati_classifiche/2011/calcio/seriea/calendario.shtml

[culloty82]

Roberto Baggio's been given a technical director job with the Italian FA, whether he's any practical role with the national team's another question.

[culloty82]

Totally unscientific bottom-half predictions:

20: Cesena

Look to be out of their depth, have made no meaningful signings.

19: Brescia:

Same as Cesena.

18: Bologna

Have flirted with relegation the last few seasons, this could be the end.

17: Lecce:

The classic Italian yo-yo club, experience should keep them up.

16: Chievo

New coach, but should have more quality than the sides around them.

15: Catania

Usuallly struggle, but their home form is impeccable.

14: Cagliari

Manager Allegri has joined Milan, but had good spells last season and should finish mid-table.

13: Bari

Their two best defenders have left, so last season's 10th will prove beyond them.

12: Udinese

Di Natale remains the jewel in the crown, but the rest of the squad remains weak.

11: Lazio

No significant signings at the Olimpico, so an upturn in fortunes looks unlikely.

[culloty82]

Now for the top half:

10: Palermo

Have lost Kjaer and Cavani, Europe will further stretch the squad.

9: Parma

Impressed last season, but will find it difficult to make further progress.

8: Fiorentina

Can't be as bad as last year's disaster, but over-reliant on Jovetic and Gilardino.

7: Sampdoria

Cassano remains the key player, but the Champions League may affect domestic form.

6: Napoli

Cavani should prove the perfect signing, but the top four may be beyond them.

5: Roma

The owners are in financial turmoil, and the squad looks too thin to maintain last year's form.

4: Genoa

Will raise eyebrows, but have been very active on the transfer market, and should be the surprise of the season.

3: Milan

Berlusconi has refused to open the purse-strings, and could fall victim to a resurgent Juve.

2: Juventus

Del Neri is the most astute Italian coach, and looks to have bought wisely, but will ultimately fall short.

1: Inter Milan

The treble-winners remain the team to beat, and look unstoppable to retain the Scudetto.

[ped_ped]

1: Inter Milan

The treble-winners remain the team to beat, and look unstoppable to retain the Scudetto.

You underestimate Rafa ;)

No I'd agree, Inter are probably looking the strongest at the moment. No summer signings though?

[culloty82]

They've no excuse for not landing Mascherano at any rate, now that cash isn't an excuse.

[The Good Son]

I don't know if this is new info, it is to me anyway, but Setanta are showing Serie A this season. Setanta Ireland have Bari v Juventus and Milan v Lecce on Sunday. Bologna v Inter is on Monday evening. Between ESPN & Setanta a good range of games every weekend hopefully.

[TheBoss]

I think this will be a cracking season. A lot of very good teams, it will be close throughout the whole season in regards to European places.

[culloty82]

I don't know if this is new info, it is to me anyway, but Setanta are showing Serie A this season. Setanta Ireland have Bari v Juventus and Milan v Lecce on Sunday. Bologna v Inter is on Monday evening. Between ESPN & Setanta a good range of games every weekend hopefully.

Hadn't heard that, but excellent news, bit much to stretch the games over four days though. Apart from Germany, it's probably the most even of all the major leagues, up to eight teams will be in the running for either the title or European places.

[TheBoss]

Roma v Cesena on ESPN and also, Fiorentina v Napoli on both stations.

Thats 5 games live, better than the 1 game per week last season.

[culloty82]

Toni limped off injured after 40 minutes, but a late goal away to Udinese sees Genoa snatch the first win of the season. Roma looked dire in their scoreless draw tonight, you'd never think they almost won the league three months ago.

[TheBoss]

I thought Cesena were very good, I can see them causing one or two real upsets.

[paudie]

Setanta showing live games this year on Saturday and Sunday.

[culloty82]

For all Juve's new signings, the results haven't changed- if anything, should have been 2 or 3. Milan and Samp both had good wins, but surely even Benitez can't screw Inter up?

[TheBoss]

Not really sure why Mazzari decided to let Fiorentina back into the game, as once the 2nd half started they sat back for the whole half. They were in control of the game and then do that, a costly error there.

[culloty82]

Bologna sack their boss and promptly draw with Inter. The Rossoneri should be fun to watch, Ibrahimovic and Robinho aren't exactly the most humble of players.

[culloty82]

And this week's Serie A leaders are *drumroll* Chievo! after their shock 3-1 win over Genoa. Looks like Cesena could be this season's Hoffenheim in terms of impact.

[TheBoss]

Fantastic match between Juve and Samp, some great play by both sides.

[culloty82]

Inter resume their familiar position on top of the table, sitting on 10 points after a 4-0 thrashing of Bari. No obvious immediate title challenger, with Milan, Napoli, Sampdoria and Genoa locked on 5 points and Juventus on 4, albeit playing Palermo tomorrow. The most surprising story is Roma, in the drop zone with 2 points out of 12, and going nowhere.

[The Fly]

What a goal by Pirlo for Milan against Parma...

(I love those long-range strikes with no spin on the ball - they just seem to float into the net)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-RVtpe8EQk

[SwanVsDalton]

Great goal but what is Ronaldinho doing in that video? He looks like he's just tried to eat a Rustlers straight out the microwave and burnt his fingers...

[culloty82]

Inter far from impressive so far this year with four draws and a loss, the latest being a 1-1 draw with Brescia last night, in which they were on the back foot right up to their penalty. It looks like a very competitive title contest, with Juve back in contest, Ibrahimovic very impressive so far for Milan, and Napoli also in the mix thanks to Cavani and Lazzari. Of course, the Rome derby is on this afternoon, with Lazio possibly stretching their lead at the top if they win.

[culloty82]

Milan go four clear at the top as Ibrahimovic scores the winner at Fiorentina, while Roma climb to third after beating Udinese, incredible given their start. Genoa v Juventus and Parma v Lazio are today's top games, not easy for either of the title contenders.

[paudie]

Juve, sampdoria and Palermo knocked out of europa league before the last series of games. Napoli not qualified either. Not a great sign of the health of Serie A.

[culloty82]

A slightly earlier resumption of the Serie A calendar today - no sooner do Juve put themselves in title contention, than they crash 1-4 at home to Parma. Milan look strong title favourites going into their trip to Sardinia, while match of the day is Leonardo's Inter debut at home to Napoli.

[Stevo Da Gull]

Felipe Melo's sending off made life very tough for Juve. The guy is an absolute clown and a liability.

[elroy]

AC Milan 4-4 Udinese

What a game this was, Milan 3 1 draw, brought it back to level with minutes left. Then Udinese restored their lead on the 90th min before a late late equaliser from Ibrahimovic.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/863392/serie-a:-ibrahimovic-rescues-point-in-thriller?cc=5739

Serie A is an incredibly unpredictable league.....certainly not one to be trying to get a successful accumulator from each week. Considering the recent scandals surrounding Italian football I cant help wonder do the underlying issues surrounding the scandals contribute to the unpredictability of this league or am I just being very cynical?

[culloty82]

It think it's more the fact that home advantage has a bigger effect on results than in Spain or England - ESPN saying this'll be six home league wins in a row for Napoli. Cavani tearing Juve to shreds, surely he's heading for one of the European giants in the summer. Napoli have to be taken seriously as title contenders now.

[DeLorean]

Inter will need to be taken more seriously now too.

[Mr. Totti]

The genius that is Zlatan strikes again. Unbelievable strike from the worlds best.

[elroy]

The genius that is Zlatan strikes again. Unbelievable strike from the worlds best.

Presume you are having a laugh??

[Sullivinho]

For anyone who fancies a bit of Italian football, ESPN (Sky digital 417) is freeview this weekend. AC Milan, Inter and Lazio all in action tomorrow.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3923/italy/2014/02/23/4641761/conte-concedes-torino-could-have-had-a-penalty?ICID=HP_BN_2

Amazing to think that favoritism towards Juventus is still alive and well after they were relegated to Serie B for match fixing.

[DeLorean]

Random one but I never realised that Verona won Serie A in 1985. Must have been more than shades of a Leicester about that. They stick out like a sore thumb on the Serie A role of honour list, even more so than Leicester in England.

The miracle season of Hellas Verona (http://backpagefootball.com/miracle-season-hellas-verona/94088/)

Some nasty looking carry on in the stands from the day they won it as well.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB2q6i-_FA0

[BonnieShels]

Random one but I never realised that Verona won Serie A in 1985. Must have been more than shades of a Leicester about that. They stick out like a sore thumb on the Serie A role of honour list, even more so than Leicester in England.

The miracle season of Hellas Verona (http://backpagefootball.com/miracle-season-hellas-verona/94088/)

Some nasty looking carry on in the stands from the day they won it as well.

[video=youtube;eB2q6i-_FA0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB2q6i-_FA0[video]

I've read a lot about that Hellas side over the years. It's amazing. That was the year when referees were assigned at random...

[pineapple stu]

There's a few strange things that have happened in Serie A over the years.

Perugia were the first team to go a whole season unbeaten, in 1978/79...and they came second. 19 draws out of 30 games!

In 1966/67, Mantova drew 22 of 34 games. They were involved in just 45 goals over the whole season.

In 1972/73, Napoli scored once away from home all season, and just 18 times in 30 games - which was still more than 5 other teams.

Cagliari conceded just 11 goals in 30 games when winning the league in 1969/70. Bari scored just 11 goals when coming last the same season.

Italy is weird.

[DeLorean]

Never even heard of Mantova! Some mad stats there alright.


That was the year when referees were assigned at random...

The corruption free zone didn't last too long.

[pineapple stu]

Mantova (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantova_F.C.) are a very typically Italian team actually.

Founded in 1911, 1983, 1994 and 2010...

Not sure who has the record in that regard, but wiki says Parma were founded in 1913, 1930, 1967, 1970, 2004 and 2015. I don't know if that includes simple name changes, but they've been declared bankrupt at least three times.

[DeLorean]

Pretty small little place so by Italian standards - 48,000 people.

Poor old Parma, it wasn't always so bleak...

https://media.balls.ie/uploads/2015/02/Parma_vs_Marseille_1999-05-12.jpg