How to reform Italian football…

Various club Presidents have ideas to restructure the Italian game. David Swan puts some of their suggestions under the microscope.

Saturday’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport featured a report that asked a number of Serie A Presidents and owners to offer three ideas each that they would like to see implemented in Italian football, in a week where FIGCPresident Giancarlo Abete stated his desire to see Serie A return to 18 teams. Here, we analyse some of the more interesting options and their viability.

Introduce B teams into the professional system (Fiorentina owner Andrea Della Valle)

A call that you hear often in England has started to seep through to Italy, possibly due to the success of Spain, where this has been present for years.

Della Valle’s reasoning was that B teams would be made up primarily of young players and allow them a greater chance of growing by playing against pros and not youngsters of the same age.

A large part of the feeling on this will depend on the extent to which you believe youth football in Italy ‘works’. Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli now has a number of young players to pick from across the squad, many of whom, though not all, started in the youth teams of Serie A clubs, so the system is not all bad.

The Lega Pro may hold the key to this being introduced at any point in the future. The third tier of Italian football has just been reduced to 60 teams due to so many clubs struggling to stay afloat financially, but Lazio President Claudio Lotito openly pondered whether there were 60 teams that could maintain competitiveness over a season. If he turns out to be right, and if more struggle to keep their position, the option of B teams filling the spaces could become viable.

Introduce UEFA’s Financial Fair Play into Serie A (Andrea Della Valle and Torino President Urbano Cairo)

The two who suggested this felt it was a necessary step to balance the League. The glaring problem is that while it will give many teams a greater chance of competing near the top, it will place the top clubs competing in Europe at a competitive disadvantage relative to the rest – not somethingSerie A needs at the moment.

It represents a conflict for both the FIGC and the Lega. They would probably love a competitive and balanced League, but if it comes to the detriment of Italy on the European stage then it is difficult to see how this would help in the long-term.

Reduce Serie A and Serie B to 18 teams (Lazio President Claudio Lotito)

An increasingly popular idea, with backing from the very top after Abeteexpressed his wish to see Serie A reduced to 18 teams.

Parma President Tommaso Ghirardi suggested something similar, though his idea was to keep Serie A at 20 teams and reduce Serie B to 20, from 22.

Just by looking at Ghirardi's counter-suggestion, you can see this is going to be difficult to pass. Clubs unsure of their Serie A status on a yearly basis, or who could get drawn into trouble, are going to fight a reduction at the top level that limits the number of opportunities to generate more revenue from a presence in Italy's best League.

But the biggest issue with the idea in the short-term is the new TV deal. Sky have paid a lot of money to show every single Serie A game live for the next three seasons and a reduction in the number of teams means fewer games for TV.

As such, do not expect to see this implemented until after 2014-15. But with the backing of the man at the top, and a number of Presidents, there is a very good chance of change occurring within both Serie A, from 2015 onwards, and Serie B.

Stop broadcasting every match on TV (Urbano Cairo)

Often ignored as one of the reasons for the bad attendances in Serie A, with the focus instead on the quality of the stadia. The fact is that, leaving the stadia aside, fans in Italy do not actually need to go to a ground to watch football. With every match screened live they only need to find a bar showing it or take out a subscription themselves.

Cairo referenced the "English model", but did not specify whether he wanted a protected kick-off time, as England has with the traditional Saturday 3pmmatches.

Again, this comes back to the TV deal. Protecting kick-off times like the Premier League will undoubtedly see Sky substantially reduce the amount they pay to screen Serie A matches. What they offer now is crucial in keeping some clubs in business – both in Serie A and below thanks to the parachute payments and mutuality agreement that filters down to Lega Pro and the amateurs in Serie D – and a reduction in that could hit them hard financially.

With the stadia owned by local councils, driving fans towards the ground is not going to make up for the loss of TV revenue. Once the clubs have done the maths, it is unlikely many of them will be in favour of this.

@FootballItalia

Juventus Vs Chievo Verona - Serie A - Game Preview By Roberto Rivelino

Juventus Vs Chievo Verona
Juventus Arena | 22nd September 2012 | Game Week 4 | 19:45 GMT

 

Referee: Matteo Russo

Since the start of the season, Juventus have been dominant and the motivation for the Chievo match couldn't be better. Italian Super-Cup in the bag and 3 Serie A matches, 9 points and a comeback at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea being up 2-0, until Vidal and Quaglirella (this one at the 80th minute), tied the match.
Simone Pepe and Simone Padoin are still injured for the Home side, while Luciano is the biggest loss for Chievo's side.
Juventus are undefeated for 42 matches in Serie A, but, take notice, Chievo hasn't lost in the last 5 matches against them as well.

Squad list for the game.
Keepers - (1) Gigi Buffon, (30) Marco Storari and (34) Rubinho;
Defenders - (2) Lúcio, (3) Chiellini, (4) Martin Cáceres, (11) Paolo De Ceglie, (15) Andrea Barzagli, (19) Bonucci and (26) Lichtsteiner;
Midfielders - (6) Pogba, (8) Marchisio, (21) Andrea Pirlo, (22) Asamoah, (23) Arturo Vidal, (24) Giaccherini; (33) Mauricio Isla and (39) Luca Marrone;
Wingers / Forwards - (9) Vucinic; (12) Giovinco; (17) Nicklas Bendtner; (27) Quagliarella and (32) Matri.

Predicted Line-Ups.


Roberto Rivelino.

Genoa 1-3 Juventus Post-Match analysis

Juve resilience shines through in Genova

September 16, 2012

Mirko Vucinic and Kwadwo Asamoah came off the bench to inspire a second-half fightback as Juventus battled from a goal down to register a 3-1 win over Genoa.

The Bianconeri struggled to find their rhythm in a frenetic first half and found themselves behind when Immobile tapped home on 18 minutes. But a spirited second-half showing, sparked by the introductions of Vucinic and Asamoah, tipped the balance in the visitors’ favour.

A fine Giaccherini strike levelled matters, Vucinic then put Juve in front from the spot and Asamoah made the points safe with five minutes remaining to preserve Juventus’ winning start to the season.

It was a significantly changed side that took to the field at the Luigi Ferraris, with Antonio Conte electing to shuffle his pack ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League bow against Chelsea. Caceres, Giaccherini, De Ceglie and Matri came in for their first starts of the season as Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Asamoah and Vucinic dropped to the bench.

Massimo Carrera had previously warned the Bianconeri to expect a tough test against a plucky Genoa outfit, and Luigi De Canio’s men, backed by a passionate home crowd, kept to the script by putting their visitors under a significant spell of pressure in the opening stages.

Half-chances fell to the feet of Borriello and Jankovic before a defence splitting pass sent Immobile one-one-one with Buffon. The striker, however, was unable to keep his composure and rolled a tame shot wide of the target.

Redemption arrived just minutes later. Immobile and Bertolacci exchanged passes outside the area before the former Juve frontman elected to pull the trigger, squeezing the ball in between Buffon’s despairing dive and the post for his second goal of the season on 17 minutes.

Faced with an uphill task, Juventus remained patient and began to settle into their passing game. Good work from Giovinco, who cleverly peeled off his marker to connect with Pirlo’s low corner, almost got the visitors back on level terms, but the former Parma man blazed his attempt over the bar.

Matri also went close towards the end of the first half, but, like Giovinco, was unable work the goalkeeper from a promising angle.  

The start of the second half yielded a much sharper and purposeful Bianconeri display. And when Giovinco embarked on a mazy run before stroking a delicately placed effort goalwards, it seemed that Carrera’s half time words had paid instant dividends. But the diminutive frontman was left to rue his misfortune as the ball cannoned back off the post.

The turning point of the game arrived on 60 minutes. Having rattled the woodwork with Borriello’s header a few minutes earlier, Genoa went a whisker away from doubling their advantage. Bertolacci found the ball at his feet in the area but Buffon was sharp off his line to thwart the former Roma man’s instinctive attempt.

Undeterred, Juventus broke with pace on the counter and saw their persistence pay off when Giaccherini curled an unstoppable strike past a motionless Frey after being teed up by substitute Vucinic.

With just under half an hour to win it, the Bianconeri, galvanised by the introductions of Asamoah and Vucinic, attacked with menace.  

And after the Montenegrin had made his presence felt by laying on the first goal, it was soon Asamoah’s turn to make an impact.

With 78 minutes on the clock, the Ghanaian’s silky skills proved too much for Sampirisi, who sent him tumbling with a clumsy challenge in the box.  Rocchi was left with no option but to point to the spot, and Vucinic held his nerve to tuck his low penalty beyond Frey’s grasp.

The points were made safe when Asamoah reacted first to Vucinic’s deflected centre and turned the ball over the line with four minutes remaining.

GENOA 1-3 JUVENTUS

GOALS: Immobile 18, Giaccherini 61, Vucinic 78, Asamoah 84

GENOA
Frey; Sampirisi (Ferronetti 79), Canini, Bovo (Ganqvist 67), Antonelli (Melazzi 82); Kucka, Seymour, Bertolacci; Jankovic, Borriello, Immobile.
Substitutes not used: Tzorvas, Moretti, Merkel, Toszer, Stillo, Piscitella, Anselmo, Jorquera.
Coach: De Canio

JUVENTUS
Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Caceres (Lichtsteiner 76), Giaccherini, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie (Asamoah 55); Giovinco, Matri (Vucinic 55).
Substitutes not used: Storari, Rubinho, Lucio, Marrone, Vidal, Isla, Pogba, Bendtner, Quagliarella.
Coach: Carrera

REFEREE: Rocchi
ASSISTANTS: Di Fiore, Giordano
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Preti

BOOKED: Immobile 18, Pirlo 25, Bonucci 43, Canini 63, Barzagli 69

@Juventus.com

Genoa Vs Juventus - Serie A - Game Preview by Roberto Rivelino

Genoa Vs Juventus
Luigi Ferraris | 16th September 2012 | Game Week 3 | 14:00 GMT

 

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Juventus, after beating Parma and Udinese on Game Week 1 and 2, are ready to play Genoa (who won Cagliari at home for 2-0 and lost to Catania, away, last Sunday, for 3-2), at Genova's own, Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Lúcio returns from a twisted ankle and for the first time, Nicklas Bendtner, Mauricio Isla and Rubinho, all Juventus Summer signings, will be available for Massimo Carrera options, who, also, will surely consider that Wednesday Juventus will play Chelsea in London for the Champions League.
This match will be special for Ciro Immobile, Genoa's striker, who will face his beloved and previous team, Juventus. Immobile has played the two game weeks and scored one goal, against Cagliari, in 180 minutes played.

Squad list for the game.
Keepers - (1) Gigi Buffon, (30) Marco Storari and (34) Rubinho;
Defenders - (2) Lúcio, (3) Chiellini, (4) Martin Cáceres, (11) Paolo De Ceglie, (15) Andrea Barzagli, (19) Bonucci and (26) Lichtsteiner;
Midfielders - (6) Pogba, (8) Marchisio, (21) Andrea Pirlo, (22) Asamoah, (23) Arturo Vidal, (24) Giaccherini; (33) Mauricio Isla and (39)Luca Marrone;
Wingers / Forwards - (9) Vucinic; (12) Giovinco; (17) Nicklas Bendtner; (27) Quagliarella and (32) Matri.

Massimo Carrera's Word.
"This game is every bit as crucial as Chelsea (...) We are facing a difficult side in a fiery atmosphere like Marassi. Plus, when Juventus come to town there is always a surge in motivation and determination from our opponents."
"We have to fight them on the same level with that degree of passion. Don’t forget last season Genoa took points off us both home and away."
About Chelsea game on Wednesday: “Squad rotation is the wrong term, because we do not have first choice picks and reserves. Every time we will put out the side that can give us the best guarantees (...) It’s important for a player to step on to the pitch, regardless of the opponent or whether it’s the Champions League or Serie A."
"Fortunately we have options to choose from. Lucio has recovered, so has Nicklas Bendtner, while Mauricio Isla played 76 minutes with Chile and is available (...) Will Andrea Pirlo be rested? He is a champion and knows how to deal with his energy levels."

Roberto Rivelino.

Inter Milan 1-3 AS Roma - Post-match Performances Commentary

Inter Milan 1-3 Roma.

It was a good game to watch, specially if we consider that it was an open game, end to end.

Enjoyed Francesco Totti, Marquinho and Stekelenburg's performances for the away side.
I refuse to say that Osvaldo is up there with the Man of the Match mentions because of his stupid red card at the end and that's why Osvaldo doesn't deserves to be at Milan, Inter or Juventus. He shows no-brain decisions on moments that can cost his team(s) something in the future. Though, he scored a great goal and made another great, trivela, assist to Marquinho's goal.
Totti had those two great assists, but the second, for the wonder goal of Osvaldo, was purely amazing. He runs as much as Andrea Pirlo does for Juventus, but the class is there, as is Pirlo's.
Marquinho was consistent and in the end he scored a great goal, in which we can also blame Castelazzi, specially considering that he is an experienced goalkeeper (he can never suffer that goal), but that doesn't takes credit from Marquinho at all. He likes to get up the field and he risks the shot a lot.
Stekelenburg had two great rushes, but the one that sticks out the most is the one on Milito's feet that even led to some penalty appeal's, with no sense. It was a shame the TV didn't show his good save in the stoppage time to Sneijder's bicycle kick.

From Inter... Sneijder, Nagatomo and Álvaro Pereira deserve a good mention.
Sneijder is always the watch. He is consistent, always on the ball and always active. His heart at the end of the game is always racing and today it was no different. Absolute class with the ball on his feet. He deserved better contribution by Cassano and Milito up front.
Nagatomo has four lungs. He was always running and seemed a warrior sometimes. But with the ball on his feet he has to think a lot better. Still, a good complement to Álvaro's runs in the attack.
Álvaro Pereira was being "bullied" by Porto and was training alone for nearly 2 months and that was shown today. He was everywhere and he did a good match, but near the 60th minute he was tired and couldn't take it anymore, so he got replaced, but he is, without a doubt, a World Class left back. His skills were shown and his style as well with that tribute to Recoba on the socks.

Alberto Gilardino - Oscillation - Vídeo Compilation

Alberto Gilardino's Oscillation is my entry for the MKB Compilations Competition, edition 10.
I chose Gilardino for my theme because he has one career that interests me. For once he was Italia's best player (in 2005), and then, his career wasn't so good at all, specially at Milan, where he was overshadowed by players like Inzaghi or Kaká. Then, he managed to put his act together at Fiorentina, where he scored his 200th goal in Serie A and helped them during their Serie A campaigns. Though, in the start of 2011/2012 season his performances weren't getting better and Fiorentina sold him to Genoa in January 2012. There, he helped them to accomplish the goal of remaining in Serie A with 4 goals and 6 assists.
Here is the story of a World Champion (2006), World Club Champion (2007) and Champions League Champion (2006/2007)... Alberto Gilardino!

Alessandro Diamanti Vs Cagliari (Bologna 1-0 Cagliari - Match Compilation)

Freddy Guarin Vs Genoa (Inter Milan 5-4 Genoa - Match Compilation)

Diego Milito Vs Genoa (Inter Milan 5-4 Genoa - Match Compilation)

Napoli keen to keep Cavani and Hamsik

Napoli keen to keep key duo

De Laurentiis reluctant to part with Cavani and Hamsik

Edinson Cavani: Continues to be linked with a big-money move away from Napoli

Speculation regarding the pair's future in Italy continues to mount, with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City said to be readying big-money bids.Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis claims he has no intention of parting with Edinson Cavani or Marek Hamsik during the summer transfer window.

Napoli have fended off the rumours on a regular basis, with club officials and the players themselves ruling out imminent exits.

De Laurentiis has previously admitted that everyone has their price but he has made it clear that he is attempting to piece together a successful side, not break one up.

Requests

"Do clubs in England and Spain have the money to buy Cavani? We will see," De Laurentiis told Sky Italia.

"We have recently spent a lot of money on (Eduardo) Vargas and we are waiting for him to grow as a player.

"We had to pay a lot for him so anyone wanting Cavani will have to make an adequate offer. Not out of respect for me, but for him. He is a really good player who feels happy at Napoli.

"As for Hamsik, there have been many requests down the years but he has a contract with us until 2016."

@SKY Sports

LAZIO Vs Roma: "Laziale" MOTM Quick Analysis

Great match by Lazio on Sunday.

I really enjoyed to see the "old" likes of Brocchi, Klose, André Dias or Cissé, playing with this kids (Gago, Pjanic, Osvaldo), heads. They were really in.

Klose had a typical class match of his. Holding the possession of the ball with his backs turned to the goal, and then, involved on every single offensive move of Lazio, with or without the ball. And of course, he was there to give the win.

Cissé was pretty great. I watched (well, I downloaded it) the match with ESPN coverage and it's commentator was really annoying and persistent when he was saying that Cissé was having a poor match.... eh, disagree. For his age he's still fast and he can decide quickly. I've had A LOT of chances to watch him for Panathinaikos and I thought he was still the "Superstar", the "Individualist", but heck, he changed a lot. He gave a couple of good balls and on the start of the second half he had the chance to score the 1-1, though, he decided fast enough to make a poor shot. His movements were crucial and when he went to the center, Roma didn't had a chance to breather (also, thanks to Hernanes move to the left side).

Hernanes was Hernanes. He's really top class. No news about it. He's still the same amazing player (wow, it's really rare to see me saying this about anyone), that I watched on his debut for São Paulo. Plays with both feet, and that tells a lot, and then, he is the type of player that can change a match, just like he did for this match.

Brocchi and André Dias were class as well. Dias had the chance to mark Bojan and / or Osvaldo, and he was really good at it. Konko left Osvaldo slip, on his goal, but then Osvaldo rarely did anything except a backheel pass to Angel, major thanks to the Brazilian. Brocchi was fulcral with his positioning and ball distribution. He had the brains and the emotion to control the team. He hold on Gago and Pjanic's youth (though I'de say they are not good as "they" say) and conquered the penalty. Had to leave because an injury, which is sad.

Lulic and Matuzalem substitutions where the culmination of everything. The Bosnian was simply surprising on the left side, helping Hernanes with his maneuvers. And Matuzalem gave a classy-touch to the midfield, full of flair and with that magnificent assist to Klose's goal.

- Roberto Rivelino

Juventus Vs Parma - Individual Performances Analysis

Heads up, the new season has started in Italy, and so did started to grow the expectations of Juventus fans, specially, after such show against Parma, in which Juve won for 4-1, with goals scored by Lichtsteiner, Pepe, Arturo Vidal and Marchisio, for Juventus and, for Parma, Giovinco scored with a penalty committed by De Ceglie during the extra time, the red card followed Juventus full back, in consequence.


Juventus got their defense tested and Barzagli was the best defender, along with Lichtsteiner. Barza' really worked his body off and had some great tackles and interceptions, but, not only, defensively, he was important on the ball release from the defense to the midfield, with good passes and moves.
Lichtsteiner was really good as well. Lich' has something that Juventus have been missing from long time ago. He can defend and he can attack, and he is really good with the ball on his feet and he is brave and aggressive, which is perfect for a Right Back.
De Ceglie for some part of the match was good. He is really aggressive as well, but though, I think he needs to have more brains, because he has a lot of heart and has improved quite a bit since last season.

On the midfield, well, I could just mention Pirlo and that would do it.
He was amazing. He gave Juve something that they didn't had the chance to see on the last decade or so, maybe since Zidane. And that is flair, technique and class to our game flow.
Sometimes I thought about three things:
1- I wonder how would be this Midfield with Felipe Melo and Diego. Oh hell, that would be amazing. Diego would play so much better with Pirlo supporting his moves, and then Melo learning from Pirlo and doing (almost) the same as him (though, not really comparing both, take notice).
2- Juventus will score many goals with Vucinic and Matri because of him. The ability that he has to put the ball on defenders backs is really remarkable. He did it 10 times (from the top of my head) in this match, though, most of them were to Del Piero, who is not a 26 year-old anymore. Then when Vucinic came on, he (Andrea) served him a lot, but he was really nervous and didn't had a good debut at all.
3- This will have some irony... He reminds me of Busquets for Barcelona. (There's the irony, it should be the contrary) Busquets is like a watch for Barça, and so that will be Pirlo's role for Juventus too. Both turn the game to the left, the team game-play goes to the left, they turn to the right, and the team plays to the right. They are dictators of the rhythm of the match, they are fulcral on their teams because they are the major player in the first phase of game-construction and both are amazing players and I can't imagine Juventus without Pirlo right now.
Marchisio will also learn a lot with Pirlo, though, Pirlo's performance out-shined Marchi's. But I saw a couple of movimentations and skills (and with that I also include passes) that will give, Juve, points.

Then, the attack, and there I'll include Simone Pepe and Giaccherini.
Del Piero was really good, in my opinion, for the time he played. He served Matri really well, specially when Matri hit the post, he made an amazing pass, but not only talking about passes or shots, he was amazingly amazing when it came to the tactical campus. He opened a lot of spaces for Pirlo's balls and to Matri's runs behind the defenders. When Lichtsteiner scored Juve's first goal, I believe Del Piero pushed one or two defenders of Parma, which left Licht alone.
Matri was good. He looked really sharp and I the fact that he got pissed with himself for not scoring, when he got substituted is a good indication. He had some good runs, he hit a ball on the post, "scored" and had some great controls with his chest, receiving passes from Pirlo. He was also majorly helped by Del Piero and I think they will do a great combination during the season, specially if Matri hits the goal many times.
Vucinic was really really average on his debut. I think he will be a great player, but he was a bit nervous indeed. He had a lot of opportunity's and he crumbled. I might be being a bit severe, but I excepted a lot more from him, and that's about it.

Simone Pepe had a good match too. He showed some major improvement from the "narrow-minded" Pepe from Udinese or from the first half of the past season. He worked a lot, helped Lichtsteiner defensively, and had some good passes and scored a good goal. His crosses are terrible, though.
Gia' was a shame. Probably the worst man on the field.

Krasic had a good impact on the match, but honestly, I'm sick and tired of watching him doing the same skill: Ball Roll, followed by a Stepover with his left foot and then a push to his right and run. Every defender in Serie A knows that he makes that every-time and he is becoming more and more predictable with every match.

Arturo Vidal had a good impact on the match, as well, I must repeat. He gave a bit of muscle to the Midfield and his goal was pure class and power. I'm expecting good things from him. 

- Roberto Rivelino

Start of Serie A postponed as players strike

By Richard Allen

ROME (Reuters) - The start of the Serie A season this weekend was postponed on Friday after the Italian Players' Union (AIC) called a strike after failing to reach agreement with clubs over a new deal over players' rights.

The Lega Serie A, representing Italy's 20 top flight clubs, refused to agree to a last-minute proposal from the AIC to sign a one-season deal to avert strike action, prompting the postponement of Saturday's and Sunday's fixtures.

"The players' union takes note of the negative response from the Lega of our latest proposal and thereby confirms the intention of not entering the field for the first match of the season," said an AIC statement.

AIC president Damiano Tommasi had earlier on Friday proposed signing a temporary contract along existing lines until 30 June 2012 while negotiations continued, but clubs' president Maurizio Beretta rejected the last-minute bid.

"Our assembly has been clear. We will only sign an agreement if it contains the two points under discussion - the solidarity contribution and that of training outside the first-team squad," Beretta told Italian news service Ansa.

The two disputed points are over the interpretation of the so-called article seven concerning players who are no longer wanted by their coaches, and who should pay a new austerity tax introduced by the government.

AIC wants those players to be allowed to train with the squad until they reach the end of their contracts while the clubs want autonomy for the coaches.

The clubs also want any new agreement to include a clause stipulating that the players must pay the government's recently introduced solidarity tax - on wages over 90,000 euros per year - rather than the clubs.

Without compromise following weeks of deadlock, there is now a possibility that more Serie A fixtures could be postponed.

"I have the distinct impression that 15 days will not be enough," said Tommasi. "We may need months."

The dispute has rumbled on since the end of the 2009/10 season when a previous agreement expired.

Strikes were twice averted at the last minute last season.

source: Reuters