Seria A - 2012/13

[Blackcanary]

For anyone that can stomach another battle-for-the-final-champions-league-spot-battle, Milan (in need of a win) are currently 1-0 down to already relegated Siena. If it stays like this, then Fiorentina (3-0 at Pescara) will get the final slot. Tense!

 

[DEFchenkOE]

Balotelli from the spot makes it 1-1 with 5 to play.

 

[Blackcanary]

2-1 Milan! Holy crap!

(Poor Fiorentina)

 

[DEFchenkOE]

And it looks like Milan are in.

 

[Syn_13]

The bastards. Was hoping Fiorentina would pip them to that spot. Would've loved to see it just for the look on that prick Galliani's face.

 

[Hoddle_Ledge]

What a finish. Only hope AC beat the goons in the CL playoff now.

 

[Hoddle_Ledge]

Hard to argue with him

Mario balotelli ‏@Finally_Mario

5m​

28th October 2012: AC Milan third from bottom.
29th January 2013: Mario Balotelli signs.
19th May 2013: AC Milan secure third spot.
I am god

 

[Partizan]

Mazzarri has resigned from Napoli btw. He did a brilliant job there and will surely be on high demand, but can quite clearly see him at Inter next season.

 

[Ribble]

I saw there was talk of him taking some time off too. It'll be interesting to see who takes over and how Napoli approach it. I was thinking perhaps Guidolin, but he's already taken himself out of the running.

 

[michaelden]

Juve are going to need to shed a few players as they have a pretty large squad

 

[DEFchenkOE]

Juve are going to need to shed a few players as they have a pretty large squad

Are you a Juve fan? If so what do you think of Matri?

 

[michaelden]

Are you a Juve fan? If so what do you think of Matri?

Yip. I thought he was going to be the next big thing, but he has tailed off a bit. tbh though I've only caught snippets of Serie A this season. So my opinion can be counted as fluff.

 

[Blackcanary]

Mazzarri has resigned from Napoli btw. He did a brilliant job there and will surely be on high demand, but can quite clearly see him at Inter next season.

Inter are a disaster - he'd be crazy to go there!

 

[ShelfSide18]

Ahhhh I decided to move out of my parents home last Feb who had ESPN, now in my flat I don't even have Sky so much less European football, was loving watching Serie A too this season.

Can anyone see Juve being challenged next season at all, they seem so strong all over the pitch and with Llorente they are going to add another dimension to their squad - I think the midfield 3 of Pirlo / Vidal and Marchisio is superb and up there with Europe's best, can Milan get their shit together?

 

[Syn_13]

Yip. I thought he was going to be the next big thing, but he has tailed off a bit. tbh though I've only caught snippets of Serie A this season. So my opinion can be counted as fluff.

I was also hoping he'd be the bollocks. Was great for Cagliari and looked like a complete forward. He's exactly the same as Borriello and Gilardino. Start off well and look like good, old fashioned number 9s, but never quite make it at the big level.

As far as the big squad comment - Storari, Padoin, Peluso, De Ceglie, Pepe, Bendtner, Anelka and Matri all need to be taken off the books. Not good enough for me, as far as I'm concerned. Isla, Quagliarella and Giovinco I'm happy to keep but need to see improvements next season.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

Times I've watched Matri he's looked very good but other times just not involved, seems to have the talent but not the heart maybe? Juve have struggled for forwards so he should have made that position his own.

Obviously depends on who does what in the window but I can only see another Juve title win next year.

Inter need huge amounts of work

Napoli will be interesting but they'll probably lose Cavani. But with the cash they get from him plus CL money and they could possibly go scouting in South America and find some real talent

Milan, well who knows. As long as they play Balotelli and keep getting pens they will have a chance.

Fiorentina, so unlucky to miss out yesterday but if they don't sell anyone and improve with some shrewd signings they could be up there.

Lazio/Roma, well I don't see any of those guys making a title challenge next season. Which is a shame as for me serie a is at its best when you have all these clubs in a strong state. Makes for a much better league.

 

[Ribble]

Times I've watched Matri he's looked very good but other times just not involved, seems to have the talent but not the heart maybe? Juve have struggled for forwards so he should have made that position his own.

I think that's exactly the weight which crushed him - it was his to begin with. After his great start on loan big things were expected, when they didn't come it just started to pile up to the point where he couldn't buy a goal. I think he may fare better with less pressure as a backup player, he's been more productive this season playing that role more often than not.

Next season will be interesting, Juve have shown that they're resilient enough to continue to stay top in Serie A but perhaps not enough to really push in the CL which is what they really want. With Llorente incoming and interest in Tevez seemingly confirmed by Tevez' agent they've certainly identified solutions to the big problem area. Along with that Pogba is developing well and gives Conte the option to alter the dynamic of the play massively should he need to.

Milan will be a much bigger challenge next season, their players are starting to grow together well now. Napoli look to be talking to Benitez as their new manager, not sure what to think about that. Inter are in turmoil but the injuries took their team to pieces this season, losing Milito especially as the guy is fantastic. Fiorentina will have Rossi next season which is going to be interesting to watch, if he can regain his full form he will be a bargain acquisition but the IF is a big one.

Oh and Udinese will surprise everyone again by doing exactly the same thing they've done for ages now and punch well above their weight.

 

[Syn_13]

I think that's exactly the weight which crushed him - it was his to begin with. After his great start on loan big things were expected, when they didn't come it just started to pile up to the point where he couldn't buy a goal. I think he may fare better with less pressure as a backup player, he's been more productive this season playing that role more often than not.

Next season will be interesting, Juve have shown that they're resilient enough to continue to stay top in Serie A but perhaps not enough to really push in the CL which is what they really want. With Llorente incoming and interest in Tevez seemingly confirmed by Tevez' agent they've certainly identified solutions to the big problem area. Along with that Pogba is developing well and gives Conte the option to alter the dynamic of the play massively should he need to.

Milan will be a much bigger challenge next season, their players are starting to grow together well now. Napoli look to be talking to Benitez as their new manager, not sure what to think about that. Inter are in turmoil but the injuries took their team to pieces this season, losing Milito especially as the guy is fantastic. Fiorentina will have Rossi next season which is going to be interesting to watch, if he can regain his full form he will be a bargain acquisition but the IF is a big one.

Oh and Udinese will surprise everyone again by doing exactly the same thing they've done for ages now and punch well above their weight.

Agree fully here about Matri and the teams for next year. Milan will be Juve's biggest contenders.

Inter will be rebuilding but won't have the strength yet.

Napoli is interesting. I don't think Benitez is suited to them, their style of play and formation is very effective and I think he could possibly ruin them if he tries to change them too quickly.

 

[Ribble]

I know Berlusconi isn't supposed to like Allegri, but what the hell is going through his mind looking to replace him with Seedorf?! He's a nice guy and knows his eggs but Allegri has them moving in the right direction, sacking him off now (and furthermore possibly letting him go to Roma) is crazy.

 

[Syn_13]

I know Berlusconi isn't supposed to like Allegri, but what the hell is going through his mind looking to replace him with Seedorf?! He's a nice guy and knows his eggs but Allegri has them moving in the right direction, sacking him off now (and furthermore possibly letting him go to Roma) is crazy.

I agree. I actually think Allegri is doing a good job for them. Which is exactly why I'll be happy if that moron Berlusconi does sack him.

Hopefully he replaces him with Luis Enrique instead.