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That very defensive-minded Chelseas has scored 25 goals in its last 8 EPL matches including 4 goals, 5 times. Not coincidentally, that coincides with Robben being back in the side. They're very solid defensively but not too shabby going forward either. Though I agree that Mourinho likes to take care of the D first.

Happy Holidays.

And yes. That defensive minded Chelsea can score goals too.

LOL

This board format sucks. And the fact that it takes one extra click to view your own post sucks too.

Bineaz, I've felt your pain -- had it done at the ripe old age of 19 or so. Won't go into the details, TMI, but suffice it to say that I suggest you stay away from anything that might be a source of arousal. If I remember correctly, those stiches pull mighty hard when stretched...if you get my drift :x

For instance, don't look at stuff like this, because for the time being you've become a:




Oh well, look at the bright side, your Juve has drawn my dire Madrid. Barring an unlikely upset, you should be as good as through to the quarters.

Happy Holidays, to you and the rest of your family...and to the rest of the Azzurri family here as well!

Un abrazo fraterno a todos.

Thanks Red. Things could change in a couple months, but like pramzan I see the Serie A sides advancing. :

Chelsea-Barca

I have always maintained that league results are not the same as CL. Just because Chelsea has scored so many 4 goal games in the EPL doesn't mean squat for CL play.

Yes, they have the weapons. We'll see how the weapons perform.

Agreed. But it also suggest that they're not "very defensive-minded", which was my point. Course, they might play that way against Barca.

Cheers, Windy. Happy holidays to you too

Juve-Milan

Anybody still cares about football around here?

Juve-Milan, one of the 2 big games we'll see this year. The other one being Milan-Juve. Nobody else will be able to come back into the race for the scudetto.

Today. For Juve I really hope Zambrotta can take advantage of Cafu. IMO he's been less good than last year so far, especially on the defensive end. Juve needs to take advantage of that. Del Piero in there is good for the left side. IMO Zambrotta has been more involved in the attack when Del Piero is in the game, could be wrong as usual though. Prediction: None. Milan has been playing better lately, Juve a bit less than in Oct/Nov. Forza Juve and fuck Milan

juve were man-handled.

They got some home-town calls to save their asses...

ADP was benched - that was Capello's best move...

Zebina was in "Bidone" mode...after a long absence.

Thuram is still a stud.

Crespo seemed to be a step behind all game - IMO - he cost milan 3 points.


This game shed some light on the remainder of juve's season and the Scudetto race....juve need some serious strikers....ADP is just too inconsistant to get it done anymore - why is he wearing the armband? That's a joke in itself.....Trez' is far from returning - if he returns at all. Nedved is once again pulling the load for their attack, and it's an easy read for oppenets.

They're going to do well defensively all season long...but they have peaked. I say it's Milan's to lose.

As far as the CL, milan won't contain RVN at Old Tratford. They can win the return leg, but I see ManU scoring more home goals - I see milan too defensive and although they have a fantastic possesion game, they seem to dilly-dally a bit too much with the ball. ManU go straight-forward - right at the heart of a team - that's the way to beat Milan...also watch for Keane and Co. to get rough on Kaka and Pirlo...IMO, this is the best match-up of the CL...Barca/Chelsea a very close second.

Inter will go through.

juve CAN beat R. Madrid with that stellar defense, but again - where are they gonna get the goals from? R. Madrid's defense is still a bit shakey, but as a team they still hold onto the ball better than any other team in Europe. I don't think R. Madrid as strong as their aura, but the officials like R. Madrid, and they're the CL Darlings.....

If juve beat R. Madrid, it will be due to Gigi Buffon, and the back line shutting them out in both games...IMO, that's what it will take.

juve plays on the road first...that's a plus for them...if they get a good defensive effort, a 1-0 loss can't hurt them too bad in the return. BUT IN THE RETURN, I don't see juve scoring more than a goal.


I think R. Madrid wins 2 - 0 at home, and loses 1-0 on the road to get through.

Well yes, they were manhandled. They did little throughout the match that was almost totally controlled by AC Milan.

There were some bad calls and AC Milan fans are livid. It appears that giuve not only get PK calls and off-sides calls in their favor but they can also get the referee to whistle a play dead after a foul they commit where AC Milan had possesion and the advantage.

It happened at least twice on Saturday night.

Result was 0-0 and not a pleaseant one at that.

Dez,

We'll see how it plays out. Capello has eased the reins a bit, but Moggi has to do some midseason magic for a striker. We'll be fine.

Juve-Milan

Spoke to my dad about it. He told me that Milan was all over them and that ADP was too tired. Even Tosatti pointed that out. In the end, 0-0 is one in Juve's favor, IMO.

We'll see how the return match goes in the spring at San Siro.

Milan was on their game, Juve was not. That it ended nil-nil is a good result for Juve and a frustrating one for Milan, who despite their control in midfield, did not get that many good chances off. The Juve midfield was terrible in this match with only Camoranesi touching the ball much. Makes you wonder if Capello had them play in a more defensive role.

The bottom line is that Juve is still 4 points clear of Milan. A stellar defense is what wins Scudetto's. I think Juve's offense will be fine. Trez is expected back in January, and that should help.

Letting go of both Miccoli and DiVaio was clearly a mistake. ADP just isn't going to carry the load anymore. He'll score some timely goals here and there, but he's not the offensive weapon we need.

Ibrahimovic is good, but nothing spectacular. He's too fancy around goal...he needs to just focus and shoot sometimes.

I'd really think about purchasing a striker during the transfer window. We need some speed, unpredictability, and someone that can break defenses down on the dribble. I hate all this static play.

Let's give some credit to Zaleyeta, who's filled in well and just as valuable as ADP.

The problem with Juve is not what Del Piero and Ibramohivic do or not or whether another striker is needed. The problem is that Capello prefers a 4-4-2 formation and he has a player that is not suited to that role, at least in the position that Capello puts him. That is Nedved. Nedved does not play the left wing position and in all honesty, it would be a waste to play him there. If Capello wants to stick with the 4-4-2, then he should put Nedved in the middle with Emerson, play Zambrotta at left midfield and perhaps use Pessotto at left back (it would have been nice to have Chiellini with the squad). Emerson is not a playmaker and pretty much gives you what Tacchinardi, Blasi and Appiah give. Losing Miccoli was not such a big deal. DiVaio never did fit in with this squad. The loss, one that I hope Juve would get back but is unlikely is Maresca.

Capello's not a risk-taker

This was also Capello's problem with Roma (4-4-2). He could get away with it on the road, although it cost us some precious points against minnows in last year's run, but at home, playing the 4-4-2 is far too conservative. And the same problem he is having with Nedved position-wise is the same problem he had with Totti. Both players can score, yet both players are not strikers....both players can defend, yet neither are mid-fielders.

That's an honest knock on Capello.....too defensive.

Another knock (and perhaps the only other one) is that Capello wasn't very willing to let younger guys get their minutes...this resulted in over-playing too many guys, and then relying on totally inexperienced guys when injuries resulted in the starting squad.

Having said all this, I think that Capelllo's line-up for Saturday was the right one. He knew milan were going to bring it, and they did. Had Capello let the midfield or back line to risk anything, they surely would have lost - they barely hung on as it was.


Piero

You're spot-on about Zaleyeta. You guys had better get behind him if you want trophies in ANY competition this year....it's true, Trez' will back in January, but when he'll actually be back to playing at a level of substantial performance is anyone's guess, and January is cutting it pretty close for a guy who's missed most of the season thus far.

I think Moggi sees the writing on the wall, and a striker will be coming your way....but who?

Geez Dez, I make a cogent point on soccer and you give Piero the credit--you New Yorkers stick together.

Falc - I disagree with you about Emerson. I am not saying he isa playmaker but he certainly gives you more than those bidoni Tacchinardi, Appiah and Blasi.

Come on now. Juve is playing much better this year and one of the reasons for that is because a guy like Emerson doesn't turn the ball over 20 times per match like a Tacchinardi or Appiah did last season.

Juve's offense

Based on what little I've seen and alot that I've read, Falc is right about the offense re Nedved but I have to also agree with Piero about Juve letting Miccoli and DiVaio go. ADP can't carry the load. He's just not able to do it and Nedved is limited on the wing.

There is the crux of Juve's scoring problems. But you know what? So it's been working. The defense is solid enough and the offense is scoring enough to win.

Del Piero: We Need To Recharge Our Batteries
12/21/2004 4:05:00 PM
In recent weeks, what seemed like a perfect machine has luckily, for Serie A, shown signs of fatigue which led to under-par performances by Juventus.
This has been highlighted by the Bianconeri’s captain, Alessandro Del Piero, who expressed his satisfaction at not losing against Milan, despite his team’s current problems.

“The 0-0 against Milan can be considered satisfying as it leaves the balance of the standings intact.

“Unfortunately my conditions, and a slight bit of fever, did not allow me to finish the game. Luckily now we have a well deserved break of a week, just in time to help us recharge our batteries.”

Serie A football returns on the 6th of January when Juventus will travel to the Emilia to face troubled Parma.

Gilardino To Real With Sacchi? Rubbish, Says Agent
12/21/2004 5:02:00 PM
Alberto Gilardino’s agent Francesco Romano spoke exclusively to Goal.com about a possible transfer of the Parma star striker to Real Madrid.
“It’s true, Sacchi knows him well. I am happy my player has been linked to Real of late, but there is nothing true to this story. The only thing that is true, is that Sacchi is close to a deal with Real,” said Romano.

Sacchi, who has been Parma’s technical director for the past few years, is expected to vest the same role at Real starting in January.

Gilardino is likely to make a move at AC Milan at the end of the season, even though Sacchi’s arrival in the Spanish capital could well change the cards on the table.

get well soon buddy...

I agree with Piero too

I believe it has been confirmed that one of the greatest Italian coaches of all time, Arrigo Sacchi, will become the technical director for Real Madrid.

It appears that Sacchi was confirmed yesterday and rumors are flying that his protege, Carlo Ancelotti, may not be too far behind...


Il presidente madridista Perez ha ufficializzato l'ingaggio dell'ex parmigiano come direttore tecnico. Ancelotti? "Adesso no. Siamo contenti di Remon".

MADRID, 21 dicembre 2004 - Arrigo Sacchi è il nuovo direttore tecnico del Real Madrid. Lo ha annunciato il presidente Florentino Perez al termine della riunione della giunta direttiva: "Sacchi è una persona che porterà tutta la sua esperienza e la sua conoscenza al servizio del nostro club. La durata del suo contratto non sarà annuale ma è a tempo indefinito come è uso con tutti coloro che fanno parte del direttivo del club e noi speriamo che resti il più a lungo possibile". Dopo l'annuncio, i dettagli: "Domani definiremo quando comincerà a lavorare con noi. Vogliamo un uomo di calcio, che non vuole allenare ma portare la sua esperienza di allenatore". Capitolo tecnico: "Noi siamo contenti di Remon e Remon è contento dell'arrivo di Sacchi perchè la sua organizzazione sará molto importante". Carlo Ancelotti?: "Questa possibilità non viene oggi contemplata. Sono voci che non hanno nessuna ragione di essere perché non succederà". Mai? "Non mai. Se mi chiedono adesso, la risposta è no".
Ma la nomina di Arrigo Sacchi non è l'unica novità: Emilio Butragueno sarà il vicepresidente del Real Madrid. "Avevamo previsto di realizzare questa organizzazione a settembre, ma è stata rimandata a causa delle dimissioni di Camacho", ha spiegato Perez. Infine Ramon Martinez è stato nominato direttore generale aggiunto.

Dopo i contatti, avviati già da un mese, per Sacchi si concretizza dunque un ritorno in terra spagnola, dopo l'esperienza sulla panchina dell'Atletico Madrid nel 1998-99, conclusa per troppo stress. Stavolta l'incarico sarà quello di direttore generale tecnico dei Galacticos, con l'obiettivo dichiarato di risollevare le sorti della squadra, di ridurre il gap che attualmente la divide dai rivali catalani del Barcellona e con delega piena sulla scelta di arrivi e partenze, allenatore compreso. E già naturalmente fioccano le previsioni, con Rijkaard e Ancelotti in pole position, da giugno in poi, naturalmente.

Nel pomeriggio aveva parlato l'allenatore in carica del Real Madrid, Mariano Garcia Remon, in una sorta di "bienvenido" anticipato: "Per il club è positiva la figura di un manager sportivo che cominci a lavorare in vista soprattutto della prossima stagione - ha spiegato il tecnico -. I grandi club non possono essere fermi. Bisogna cominciare a lavorare subito per il futuro. Se davvero arriverà, chi meglio di Sacchi che ha fatto tutto nel calcio, per il Real Madrid del futuro? A me va benissimo". Sulle voci dell'arrivo di Carlo Ancelotti, l'allenatore ha risposto: "Non sono stressato nè preoccupato dalla ricerca di un eventuale nuovo allenatore. Sono molto tranquillo. Confido nel mio lavoro. Può anche essere che in dieci giorni il Real prenda un altro allenatore ma confido nell'intesa che c'è tra me, il presidente Perez ed il d.g. Butragueno. Sarebbe una sorpresa se un'eventuale novitá non la comunicassero a me per primo".

It appears that Sacchi was confirmed yesterday and rumors are flying that his protege, Carlo Ancelotti, may not be too far behind...


Il presidente madridista Perez ha ufficializzato l'ingaggio dell'ex parmigiano come direttore tecnico. Ancelotti? "Adesso no. Siamo contenti di Remon".

MADRID, 21 dicembre 2004 - Arrigo Sacchi è il nuovo direttore tecnico del Real Madrid. Lo ha annunciato il presidente Florentino Perez al termine della riunione della giunta direttiva: "Sacchi è una persona che porterà tutta la sua esperienza e la sua conoscenza al servizio del nostro club. La durata del suo contratto non sarà annuale ma è a tempo indefinito come è uso con tutti coloro che fanno parte del direttivo del club e noi speriamo che resti il più a lungo possibile". Dopo l'annuncio, i dettagli: "Domani definiremo quando comincerà a lavorare con noi. Vogliamo un uomo di calcio, che non vuole allenare ma portare la sua esperienza di allenatore". Capitolo tecnico: "Noi siamo contenti di Remon e Remon è contento dell'arrivo di Sacchi perchè la sua organizzazione sará molto importante". Carlo Ancelotti?: "Questa possibilità non viene oggi contemplata. Sono voci che non hanno nessuna ragione di essere perché non succederà". Mai? "Non mai. Se mi chiedono adesso, la risposta è no".
Ma la nomina di Arrigo Sacchi non è l'unica novità: Emilio Butragueno sarà il vicepresidente del Real Madrid. "Avevamo previsto di realizzare questa organizzazione a settembre, ma è stata rimandata a causa delle dimissioni di Camacho", ha spiegato Perez. Infine Ramon Martinez è stato nominato direttore generale aggiunto.

Dopo i contatti, avviati già da un mese, per Sacchi si concretizza dunque un ritorno in terra spagnola, dopo l'esperienza sulla panchina dell'Atletico Madrid nel 1998-99, conclusa per troppo stress. Stavolta l'incarico sarà quello di direttore generale tecnico dei Galacticos, con l'obiettivo dichiarato di risollevare le sorti della squadra, di ridurre il gap che attualmente la divide dai rivali catalani del Barcellona e con delega piena sulla scelta di arrivi e partenze, allenatore compreso. E già naturalmente fioccano le previsioni, con Rijkaard e Ancelotti in pole position, da giugno in poi, naturalmente.

Nel pomeriggio aveva parlato l'allenatore in carica del Real Madrid, Mariano Garcia Remon, in una sorta di "bienvenido" anticipato: "Per il club è positiva la figura di un manager sportivo che cominci a lavorare in vista soprattutto della prossima stagione - ha spiegato il tecnico -. I grandi club non possono essere fermi. Bisogna cominciare a lavorare subito per il futuro. Se davvero arriverà, chi meglio di Sacchi che ha fatto tutto nel calcio, per il Real Madrid del futuro? A me va benissimo". Sulle voci dell'arrivo di Carlo Ancelotti, l'allenatore ha risposto: "Non sono stressato nè preoccupato dalla ricerca di un eventuale nuovo allenatore. Sono molto tranquillo. Confido nel mio lavoro. Può anche essere che in dieci giorni il Real prenda un altro allenatore ma confido nell'intesa che c'è tra me, il presidente Perez ed il d.g. Butragueno. Sarebbe una sorpresa se un'eventuale novitá non la comunicassero a me per primo".

Thanks 2cold. Merry Christmas. And your recovery? How's it going?

Hmm Ancelotti to Real.

Gilardino to Real. Does that mean Real can put Ronaldo, Owen, Morietes (again), Raul, ??? up on the trade block?

Gilardino had better keep his ass in Italy.....

Riding the bench at R. Madrid may be well worth it for some, but Gila' isn't that guy...he needs to be "The Guy", and he'll never get that shot in Spain...it would also hinder his standing in the Italian NT considerably considering that he's just only this year broken into the squad.

I think it's the annual holiday rumors getting papers sold.....Gila' will stay in Italy.

First Half of the season notes:

As I stated - juve are in trouble if they wish to have aspirations for silverware this season....the goals are drying up, and unless some Moggi Magic manifests, I don't see them getting over this hump.

milan have the deepest squad, and like last year with Roma, this year they continue on the heels of the blistering pace set by juve...it's milan's to lose.

Inter will make things interesting and I suspect at some point they'll put together a string of wins enough that toward the final 3rd of the year, they'll be part of a THREE-horse race for Scudetto glory.

Watch for Roma in the second half...they have no European games to play, and STILL one of the most lethal striking squads in Europe. Del Neri is slowly but surely tightening up a shakey defense, and the players are buying into his program...they could quite realistically make it a FOUR-horse race by the season's end. Is that a stretch?

Laugh all you want...in a few weeks time, ASRoma will be the team NOBODY wants to face. It's starting to come together.....of course this derby arrives at a fragile time - I certainly would like an easier opponent to give us our first 3-game win streak of the year, but if it's to be lazio - so be it...I feel more positive about this derby than I have in years....could be because of last year's fiasco, and the resulting chaos that set us off the course of the title....I think we're ready to take them down once and for all.

Milan Also Rubbish Ancelotti Rumours
12/22/2004 12:21:00 PM
Milan have joined Real Madrid in denying the rumours linking Carlo Ancelotti with a move to the Bernabeu.
“We are happy with Ancelotti and he is happy with Milan,” vice-president Adriano Galliani was quoted as saying in ’Corriere dello Sport-Stadio’.

“The team play well. I heard from him a few minutes ago from Spain, he is there just to play tennis. Ancelotti remains at Milan because he has a contract until June 30, 2007, and not until 2006 as someone has reported. 2007 is the right expiry date of Ancelotti’s bond.”

yeah I agree (Gilardino) he should also avoid Milan, he needs to play in order to develop, if I were him I'd go to Roma or Juve where he would get a chance to shine.

Juve has (and had) a number of ex-parmigiani, so it could happen, but does that sound the white flag for Parma?

Is he Cup tied?

Dez,

"juve are in trouble if they wish to have aspirations for silverware this season"

Capello has slackened things, but we are ahead on all fronts. What was it we said: In Capello (Moggi) we trust. The past couple years I think the emphasis is the CL. We are winter champions (almost) BFD. We'll win the CL this year--take it as a 50/50 proposition. I'm half full. FORZA

It's Milan's to lose when they have the real lead. Not just a 0-0 draw they "won." How many PKs have Juve gotten? And Milbn? And Atalanta?

Inter, I agree doesn't have the full pressure and can get the goals the next half like they didn't the first. The darkhorse blue and white could take it IF they surpass the two contenders ahead of them. Roma will get a European spot, but the 4th team is up in the air. A chance to redeem would be nice.

Forza Islanders 3/3 salvezza would be great.

FORZA

I'd like old stucco background.

I believe it has been confirmed that one of the greatest Italian coaches of all time, Arrigo Sacchi, will become the technical director for Real Madrid.

Juve in trouble if they want silverware this season. Yeah, right. First place with 4 points over Milan, quailfied for the next CL round with no problems, maybe Pabs was right after all. We should just forget about Juve....

Inter will get more wins than draws, but not enough to come back into the race. It's between Juve and Milan.

Roma making it a 4 horse race. That is a stretch. CL spot, that's the realistic goal for Roma. But first they'll have to catch Udinese. The scudetto is still between Juve and Milan.

Milan & Juve

It's Milan's to lose? Not yet. Don't count Juve out. I realize 4 points isn't alot but anything can happen.

Although I do believe that if Milan remains healthy they will win the scudetto.

Sacchi & Parma

Well, it's off to fry bigger fishes. Parma is going no where this season. If they're lucky they'll avoid relegation. Sacchi knows this so he's jumping ship. And a what a ship he's jumping to!

Juve - Milan

We haven't even seen Super Bowl IXL or is it XXXVIIII :


BUON NATALE e FELICE ANNO NUOVO

Buon Natale a tutti

I may not log in tommorrow so I just wanted to wish everyone and their families a Happy Holiday.