Italian Serie A - 2020-2021
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
What curse is that? Wasn't Shevchenko #9?
Thank you! Thats a pretty significant list. Might be similar to United's #7 "curse" post SAF.
We are going for the tenth in a row with Il Maestro
but... but... #PirloIsNotImpressed, you don’t say?
but... but... #PirloIsNotImpressed, you don’t say?
Got my first taste of Amrabat with Fiorentina. Can't wait to see his progress continue with La Viola, and to see him play with Castrovilli and Ribery. I will miss his partnership with Veloso, though.
Just a shame he got that silly red card against Genoa on the last day of the season.
Just a shame he got that silly red card against Genoa on the last day of the season.
I'm liking Milan's transfers, think they'll be back in the Champions League soon enough.
Atalanta keeping all their key players and getting Miranchuk is also great business and I expect them to be every bit as good as last season, if not better. Maybe they get to 100 goals this time around.
Juve and Inter still fairly quiet but I expect them both to bring in some top players since both Conte and Pirlo will have a lot of pressure on their shoulders.
Should be an exciting season
Atalanta keeping all their key players and getting Miranchuk is also great business and I expect them to be every bit as good as last season, if not better. Maybe they get to 100 goals this time around.
Juve and Inter still fairly quiet but I expect them both to bring in some top players since both Conte and Pirlo will have a lot of pressure on their shoulders.
Should be an exciting season
Milan has been spending a lot in recent seasons but barely worked out.
They have been improving slowly, since Maldini came in they've done a lot of good work.
Tonali, Kessie, Bennacer, Donnarumma, Saelemaekers, Theo Hernandez, Leão, Brahim Diaz are all under 23 years old... plus Rebic, Calhanoglu and Romagnoli who are only 25-26. All very good players already and still young. And they kept Ibra for one more year, I think they'll make top 4 this season.
They're lacking in a few positions still (a starting centreback should be the priority) and lack depth but they've got a really good base of players to build upon, especially that midfield which is looking pretty impressive.
Milan need a startin caliber RWB and depth at CB and CM
as to juve and inter, money's an issue. Juve chasing Dzeko but will likely end up getting Suarez if he's free and wage demands aren't excessive, otherwise limited to swaps, loans or free transfers. They also need to offload a bunch on top of that
Inter likewise. They'll get Vidal and Kolarov, and that's probably it, and they also need to sell a bunch of players(vecino, gagliardini, perisic, naingolann, joao mario...). Inter might actually be more active if they end up selling Skriniar and/or Brozovic/Eriksen
as to juve and inter, money's an issue. Juve chasing Dzeko but will likely end up getting Suarez if he's free and wage demands aren't excessive, otherwise limited to swaps, loans or free transfers. They also need to offload a bunch on top of that
Inter likewise. They'll get Vidal and Kolarov, and that's probably it, and they also need to sell a bunch of players(vecino, gagliardini, perisic, naingolann, joao mario...). Inter might actually be more active if they end up selling Skriniar and/or Brozovic/Eriksen
Should be a good season this year in Italy. Juve arent quite the machine they were in the past but are still very good, and Inter, Lazio, Atalanta and AC all feel like they're improving. Roma and Napoli were disappointing last year, but if Roma can improve their defence and Napoli can improve their attack, neither are far off getting into the top 4 mix.
Key thing is, there seems to be a lot more teams that can beat Juve this year. Usually Juve ram home their advantage by only losing 2 or 3 games in a season to the top 6 or 7 teams home and away, while the other teams all take lots of points off each other. But I think any of the teams from 2nd to 7th would fancy their chances against Juve this year. They could easily get two or three more defeats than usual, which could open the door for a contender.
Personally I think AC could be the most interesting team this year. Great little group of young players there. They're not good enough to get in the title mix, unless something remarkable happens, but they could make the top 4 with a fair wind.
Key thing is, there seems to be a lot more teams that can beat Juve this year. Usually Juve ram home their advantage by only losing 2 or 3 games in a season to the top 6 or 7 teams home and away, while the other teams all take lots of points off each other. But I think any of the teams from 2nd to 7th would fancy their chances against Juve this year. They could easily get two or three more defeats than usual, which could open the door for a contender.
Personally I think AC could be the most interesting team this year. Great little group of young players there. They're not good enough to get in the title mix, unless something remarkable happens, but they could make the top 4 with a fair wind.
The biggest question mark is closed doors. Without fans, league games are similar to training friendlies, too much too often unpredictable and the home factor is lost. Really 20-40-60k fans in Italy play together with their team.
First round of matches -
Update on this: Juve presented a plan to allow 30% of fans in while complying with the latest health protocols but the entire Serie A, most of the media and even the holding Sports Ministry balked, so it was rebuffed. This again for all the Einsteins pretending Juve has it easy in Italy a la Bayern in Germany. Parochialism vs System, instead.
Kolarov signed for Inter earlier today. Conte continues his crusade with ageing generals.
Milan pull off a major coup - https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2020-09-09/official-statement-sandro-tonali
Bad to the eyes but still solvent and just a Ronaldo (€90m amortisation cost per year) away from getting back in full control of the accounting numbers. If not enough, daddy Exor putting another chunk in the form of who knows what, a la Man City: FFP is dead in the water with Covid and the latest City’s sentence. Ferrari is doing so bad recently, Exor really needs to keep Juve afloat to compensate in the sports & entertainment sector.
Just watched Arthur's debut for Juve. He's far from perfect but I love watching him play.
I can't wait to - hopefully - see Arthur vs Amrabat. I also hope Juve meet Barca in Europe to see him vs De Jong, too.
I can't wait to - hopefully - see Arthur vs Amrabat. I also hope Juve meet Barca in Europe to see him vs De Jong, too.
Really looking forward to how Benevento get on this season. Fillippo Inzaghi joining his brother as coach in Serie A, have two brothers ever managed in a top league at the same time before?
I remember them a few years back, were very spirited but lacked the quality to stay up. Can also remember their keeper scoring 96th minute equaliser v Milan. Looking at their squad now and got some interesting names. Getting in Kamil Glik when he was still first choice at Monaco looks fantastic business given he did well for Torino previously in Serie A. Christian Maggio still going at 38, loved watching him as a wingback for Napoli in the Mazzari era. Lapadula upfront aswell who got double figures for Leece last season.
I remember them a few years back, were very spirited but lacked the quality to stay up. Can also remember their keeper scoring 96th minute equaliser v Milan. Looking at their squad now and got some interesting names. Getting in Kamil Glik when he was still first choice at Monaco looks fantastic business given he did well for Torino previously in Serie A. Christian Maggio still going at 38, loved watching him as a wingback for Napoli in the Mazzari era. Lapadula upfront aswell who got double figures for Leece last season.
Higuain's signing for Inter Miami after Juve cancelled his contract a year before it ran out. Disappointing 3 years in Turin for him, and Juve end up with an 18m deficit despite saving on his wages for a year.
According to Juventus's official statement, the deficit only takes into account the remaining amortised value; it doesn't include the wages that they save on him.
Aaaaaand it’s back! Serie A 2020-21 opening for business, with half a promise to allow 20% fans in in mid Oct.
Mods, please stick this thread... our cheapskates, penny pinching, farmeeers league starts tomorrow!!
Mods, please stick this thread... our cheapskates, penny pinching, farmeeers league starts tomorrow!!
Not yet! 1 more day left!Aaaaaand it’s back! Serie A 2020-21 opening for business, with half a promise to allow 20% fans in in mid Oct.
Mods, please stick this thread... our cheapskates, penny pinching, farmeeers league starts tomorrow!!
With Amrabat being suspended for Fiorentina's game, there aren't any standouts for me this weekend. I'll probably watch Juve for Arthur, tbh.
Benevento-Inter and Lazio-Atalanta look decent watches to me.
They do but when I looked up the fixtures for tomorrow and Sunday on whoscored they weren't listed... Have they got that wrong?
Ah you're right! Benevento-Inter not being played until 30th September so guess them and Atalanta get extended break due to playing in europe in August.
I see! You got my hopes up for some potentially exciting games there
but when Juventus released Matuidi they wrote that it would generate a 11m savings for next year meaning his gross wages while they didn't do so for Higuain.
It's highly unlikely for Higuain leaving without asking for a fee
Yeah, they've had to compensate him somehow, and I guess they used that amount to compensate him.
I thought he put in some decent numbers for Juve last season. I looked up his stats and didn't even realize he played for Chelsea on loan.
Thought he still has a few seasons at the top level. Didn't expect him to go to MLS so soon. At least he gets paid comfortably.
I'm unsure where to ask this question so il ask it here -
After Wojciech Szczęsny was deemed not good enough for Arsenal how is he number 1 for Juventus? Has he improved that much and is he consistent now?
After Wojciech Szczęsny was deemed not good enough for Arsenal how is he number 1 for Juventus? Has he improved that much and is he consistent now?
I think so yes. Really underrated GK IMO.
Oh wow. I was quite shocked seeing him as a number 1 for Juventus over the last years and considered it might be a stop gap but it doesnt seem to be the case. Good for him.
Thanks.
Yes. The bottom line is arsenal's gk coach under Wenger was a poet...
...he sure as hell wasn't a gk coach though
Pirlo changing formation to 3 at the back and playing Frabotta who I hadn't even heard of before, he's certainly going for a change Allegri and Sarri would have put De Sciglio there 100% rather than trust a 21 year old who's barely ever played at the top level.
Nothing's changed regarding Juve's ability to have a bunch of starters out at any point of the season though. First game back and De Ligt, Dybala and Alex Sandro are already out
Allegri and Sarri would have put De Sciglio there 100% rather than trust a 21 year old who's barely ever played at the top level.Nothing's changed regarding Juve's ability to have a bunch of starters out at any point of the season though. First game back and De Ligt, Dybala and Alex Sandro are already out
And benching bentancur, that's surprising.Pirlo changing formation to 3 at the back and playing Frabotta who I hadn't even heard of before, he's certainly going for a change
Nothing's changed regarding Juve's ability to have a bunch of starters out at any point of the season though. First game back and De Ligt, Dybala and Alex Sandro are already out
Great kulusevski goal.
Kulusevski looks a gold buy from Juve. Good player, upgrade on Bernardeschi and Costa
Why are Juve and Madrid scheduled at the same time?