Monday, 28 February 2011
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Blast from the Past- Juventus V Bologna
Absolute heartbreak....What more can I say, they tried to keep the pace going but they just lacked that cutting edge that was needed, even with Del Piero at half time didn't help. It's week 27, there is no more room for error, and they are facing the in-form Milan, who have plenty of good marksmen that will take the shot when Juve make a mistake and score with absolute precision.
The first half was all Juve they were keeping Bologna in their own half for most of the time. But it.s no good if you cannot put together a decent attack, which Juventus struggled to do with alarming frequency. The end of the first half saw the game become more frantic, more reckless tackle and more " theatrical" fallen was becoming all to apparent. It was a cheap way to get possession back, and most of the time if Iaquinta had stayed on his feet instead of going to ground, they would've held onto the ball long enough to put a good attack together. The longer the game went goal less, the more Bologna grew in confidece, but the first opportunity to open the scoring fell kindly to Iaquinta. It came from a corner and only the woodwork kept it out, had it gone in the outcome may have changed.
The second half saw a more confident Bologna, and it wasn't long before their veteran striker, Marco Di Vaio ( Ex Juve man) found the back of the net. On the 49th the Olmpico was in stun silence as Juve were on the back foot, yet again! Although the contingent of travelling Bologna fan were ecstatic. Juve are guilty of relying on the off side trap, they shout realise that a man of Di Vaio's mature age will be able to get passed it. And while they were waiting for the flag to rise, they were down by one goal.
The Bianconeri did start to make more chances, and the first chance came to Leonaardo Bonucci in the 65th minute, he got on the end of a free kick by Del Piero but didn't have enough intensity to put it in the back of the net. And within a minute Juve were punished for their lack of desire, again Di Vaio got the ball passed Bonnuci and Grygera and beat Storari at the near post.
To Bonocci's credit he was maybe the only player who looked like scoring when his header went inches wide. In the 84th minute Luca Toni had an opportunity to get a consolation goal, but it wasn't meant to be as Portanova cleared it from the goal line and Bologna went back on the counter attack. It ended 2-0 with the home fans visibly frustrated as this was Juve's second 2-0 defeat in a row and they could not handle a third.
Juve stay stuck in seventh and it doesn't look as though Agnelli's speech had helped Juve in any way, it may have actually made things worse!! Juve have lost the thing that had made them special and it breaks my heart to see them this way.
Friday, 25 February 2011
Europe without Italy...
The final blow to the credibility of Italian football- they have lost a Champions League spot due to their poor performances in Europe. This may not come to much surprise as Napoli were knocked out the Europa League against Spanish side, Villareal. This and the fact that all the Italian teams in Europe have lost the first legs in the Champions League, and it saddens me. I know they are better than this, as I watch Serie A week after week, and I am always entertained. Although I am not surprised that they lost their place to Germany, as the Bundesliga is enthralling and German football has really changed for the better. What would have been devastating, is if they lost that space to England!!! English football is like basketball- it just goes from one end to another with no thinking in between.
Milan had great CL pedigree, I mean they had won 7 and the last one was in 2007. Inter had won the Treble last year... and I ask you what has gone wrong?? The decision to take away the spot from Italy didn't come overnight, it was over 10 years and in that time UEFA saw a steady decline in quality from the Italians.
This is just a little sad as I find Serie A to be an exciting League, who would've guessed that Napoli would be fighting for the title? The Italian game is more technical skill but that's where the beauty lies, it's a sad thing that no one else can appreciate that beauty. Yet I do hope that this snub will be the push that the Italian League needs to be promoting their youth systems, this is one of the main reasons behind Germany's success, they have an excellent youth system and they now how to nurture their youths to get the best out of them.
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
The Allure of Italy....
Many player are quickly labeled as "lazy" or "childish" or a waste of money when they don't perform in the EPL, but then they come to Italy and they blossom. Players like Robinho and Aquilani. Robinho was classed as a lazy player who didn't want to work for the team and he massively under performed, but at AC Milan he is seen working hard for the team, scoring goals and more importantly helping his teammates score.... and you want to know why..... He is happier in Italy, and it's not hard to see why.
Italy is a beautiful country, where people take pride in themselves and where they live and above all the weather is always nice. Know I know Milan has similar weather to England, but one thing it has in abundance is...GLAMOUR. And with all the money that the EPL have, they lack this and this might be why Davide Silva of Man City is also unhappy.. two players leave from the same club- Robinho was also at Man City- this is no coincidence.
Another player who has maybe not thrived at Italy, but he has certainly improved is Alberto Aquilani. He is currently on loan at Juve from Liverpool. Apparently Liverpool want him back....But here's the deal..he doesn't want to return. But the real sad thing is that Juve might not be able to pay the £11 mill for him. The price does seem excessive and they may not be able to keep hold of him, but if he does return to England and his performance does start to decline because he is unhappy- what then?
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