The 2013-14 Calcio Saga Episode II

We'll see i guess , but in my honest opinion it will always be too soon to write off teams like Milan and Inter , even in current state .

Anybody else surprised by Verona?

the annual team who came from Serie B , who does does well at the beginning and then chokes . So far , surprised no , impressed yes. I like Jorginho though , didn't expect such a good start in Serie A football by him . Apparently , many big clubs have been looking about him even since last season and they were right to do so as it seems.

As for Verona , they have a few experienced players with them and they certainly don't lack in mentality . It's been good for them this far , but i don't know for how long they will keep going like that , even though they aren't a fluke , i can't really expect them to stay at least 6th when December ends.

Most probably it's all downhill from thereafter , all the rest of the big boys will want points from them at any cost. However they ve been adventurous so far ; and they certainly don't have inferiority issues against the more experienced sides in the league , which is really impressive .

Liverpool were super close to signing Jorginho this summer. I wish it had happened Haven't see him play but his numbers do tell a story.

Guardado was sent off for simulation while it looked like a penalty. Would love to see a replay

Fiorentina should have got a penalty, Cuadrado clearly tripped in the penalty box by Inler, referee gives Cuadrado a 2nd yellow card for simulation, when it was an obvious penalty.

What a farce.

Casciavit wrote:Fiorentina should have got a penalty, Cuadrado clearly tripped in the penalty box by Inler, referee gives Cuadrado a 2nd yellow card for simulation, when it was an obvious penalty.

What a farce.

The first penalty was not a penalty in million years and Fiorentina scored from that.

zizzle wrote:I hate to break it down to you Forza but neither Inter or Milan will make it to the CL next season, baring a major collapse for one of the top teams

Could happen.

Inter are obviously in a better place to take advantage of it. As for Milan, we are in dire straits. I'd say no CL for us next season.

Fiorentina, despite having all the ball, did not deserve anything from the game imo.

They created 1 chance on the whole game and that was lucky when the ball bounced off the defender to land at Valero's feet.

Penalty decisions evened themselves out, Napoli defended well, Viola no plan B.

I disagree, Viola had more chances. Quite a lot to be honest.

Glad to see Kaka back in the scoresheet

Bonucci made it in?

Looooooooooooool


Chiellini was outstanding, Bonucci was our worst player last game. But he scored a goal. So in effect, CB's that score goals are more important than CBs who put on a defensive master class.

Albertazzi

Milan Primavera legend.

Tomwin Lannister wrote:Bonucci made it in?

Looooooooooooool


Chiellini was outstanding, Bonucci was our worst player last game. But he scored a goal. So in effect, CB's that score goals are more important than CBs who put on a defensive master class.

Yeah I was surprised... PDC had one hell of a game if he can continue this I don't see Asamoah being the first option for to long because yesterday PDC was great in attack, defense he was menace for the opposing defense lol. ... but we all know he won't continue doing that

Yeah it's unlikely he keeps it up

But good form or not, he can actually cross unlike our other wing backs.

Maybe a short term solution left mid in a 4-2-3-1?

Tomwin Lannister wrote:Yeah it's unlikely he keeps it up

But good form or not, he can actually cross unlike our other wing backs.

Maybe a short term solution left mid in a 4-2-3-1?

If he keeps it up It will be miracle from god lol and something we really need. A lot of experts said that PDC is winger not a full back and that he is great in attacking, crossing and dribbling. What I like about PDC is that he is to damn fast and always gives his best I remember when he was in form under DN he was our best defender and attacker (bar Vucinic,KRasic)... IF he can continue like this Asamoah will see the bench and tbh Asa sucks in attack he is CM/AM/B2B not LWB

Yeahmy hopes aren't high but it would be great if he could play like he can, only on a regular basis

Asamoah is a very poor wing back, if it wasn't for him being so athletic, he'd fail there badly.

Tomwin Lannister wrote:Yeahmy hopes aren't high but it would be great if he could play like he can, only on a regular basis

Asamoah is a very poor wing back, if it wasn't for him being so athletic, he'd fail there badly.

*caugh* Molinaro

Torosidis

Slotted right into our backline. Another player on the way out that Garcia has brought back to form.

By Football Italia staff

Dave Taylor picks his best XI from the midweek round of Serie A action.

Zeljko Brkic [Udinese]

A top performance from the big Serb and the reason why Udinese won the points. Saved at least three goal-bound efforts while blocking several strong shots and commanded his area giving sustenance and substance to his whole defence. Impervious.

Vasilis Torosidis [Roma]

Not quite Maicon, but the 28-year-old Greek sailed down the right flank on several occasions winning free-kicks and putting across some fine balls into the box. Never overlooked his defensive duties and kept a tight ship throughout. Assiduous.

Mehdi Benatia [Roma]

Another faultless display and the reference point for the Roma defence and midfield. Always alert to any danger and left Chievo forwards Alberto Paloschi and Sergio Pellissier floundering around like fish out of water. Luminous.

Giorgio Chiellini [Juventus]

Apart from his silly foul on Gonzalo Bergessio, Chiello was an absolute rock at the back. Totally in control, dominant in the tackle and almost set up Arturo Vidal early on thanks in part to a fabulous 98 per cent pass accuracy. Rapacious.

Michelangelo Albertazzi [Verona]

Won every aerial encounter, made several crucial tackles and smothered his opposite number Davide Gavazzi so completely he was subbed. Although played out of position at left-back, after just three League games he looks made for the role. Tenacious.

Michele Pazienza [Bologna]

The ex-Napoli midfielder strode through the game with ease and worked equally as hard in defence as he did attack. With just one attempt on goal he certainly made it count, finding space to convert a well-placed header. Dangerous.

Jose Callejon [Napoli]

The Spanish ace was unstoppable. And although the hosts had the majority of possession, when he had the ball he made it count, unlocking the stalemate with a dynamic volley from the right into the far left corner. Marvellous.

Andrea Pirlo [Juventus]

The Architect had the most touches of anyone across Serie A with 130 and, as usual, controlled the game with metronomic precision. Scoring the second goal with a Pirlo-typical free-kick, he whipped it over the wall into the net. Meticulous.

Paolo De Ceglie [Juventus]

Taking over from Kwadwo Asamoah he was a dynamo down the left flank, inspiring and finishing attacks from that side. Set up several chances with his superb crossing and over ran Pablo Alvarez on every occasion. Adventurous.

Carlos Tevez [Juventus]

Man of the Match? The Argentine is the man for all seasons. He was everywhere, threatening from the flanks, straight through the centre and had a massive hand in two goals climaxing with his own neat strike. Illustrious.

Dries Mertens [Napoli]

A standout performance from the Belgian ace who also scored his first goal. Like a hawk after its prey, he slalomed Maradona-like past two defenders before squeezing past two more to slot a left-footed screamer inside the far post. Glorious.

Special mentions: Gonzalo Higuain [Napoli], Luca Toni [Verona], Marco Borriello [Roma], Alessio Cerci [Torino], Rene Krhin [Bologna], Kaka [Milan], Panagiotis Kone [Bologna].

After 10 rounds:



Looking at the ladder like this, you can see the progression of each team throughout the season.



It's easy to see how screwed Milan are.

Also there is an easily discernable top 3 (Roma, Juve, Napoli) and 4-6 (Fio, Inter, Verona).

How impressive has Jorginho been?

McAgger wrote:How impressive has Jorginho been?

Very. You have to also consider that this guy is not a one-season wonder. Having watched a bit of Serie B last season, he was one of the big reasons that Verona was promoted to Serie A in the first place. He's not really a natural goalscorer, but more of a Hernanes-type player who is an expert at quick passing when in transition from defence to attack. He is more of a CM/AM than a second striker and he has decent defensive capabilities too. Although he is Brazilian born, he is a naturalised Italian, so he doesn't take up a non-EU spot.

As for stats: 5 goals, 2 assists in 10 games this season. I think 4 of those goals were penalties though.

Yeah I saw him play once, he's got a great technique. Played CM from what I saw, looks exactly like what Liverpool need and we were linked with him strongly during the summer. I wasn't sold on him then but he seems to be doing well considering Verona are sitting level on points at 4th. In hindsight I wish we'd signed him. He's definitely one to watch.

Yeah, lots of EPL clubs taking notice of him, but I think he will go to a big Italian team instead. We'll see.