December 2010
49 posts
"It Ain't Over...." Podcast Latest Episode
Talking Tactics: A Tale Of Two Very Different...
Much has been said and written about those charged with the demands of playing fullback under Gigi Delneri at Juventus, whether the men currently in the squad are of adequate quality to continue at the club or indeed the names of possible replacements on either flank. But in order to discuss the merits of these players an understanding of the two very different roles each is asked to play is...
“With Chiellini beside me you have seen my best, now I want to continue to earn...”
– Leonardo Bonucci
Heroes In Black & White (21): Michelangelo...
Where to begin with Michelangelo Rampulla? Unlike every other player in this series he was never a first team regular, is not a famous name, nor a legend in the traditional sense of the word. What he represents however is what makes the Old Lady different to most other ‘big clubs’ in world football, that Juventus style & spirit that has far more in common with a provincial side...
Boniek's Star: Double Standards On Display In...
Juventus have this year revealed the names of those players who will be honored on a “walk of fame” at their yet-to-be-named new stadium. Since buying the old Stadio Delle Alpi, the board of directors have made clear their desire to celebrate the club’s heritage at the new ground. It will be the first time since 1960 that Juve have had their own stadium and the club...
“There are two construction sites in progress at Juventus: the team and the...”
– Gigi Delneri enjoying life as a builder
Mercato Musings: "Hello, Haven't We Met Somewhere...
With everyone in Serie A now on their annual Winter Break, actual news is hard to find and as usual the void is being filled by constant transfer talk and baseless rumours. Not a day passes without another new name being linked with a move to Turin, with some quite believable suggestions and of course the frankly ridiculous ones. While a move for a striker may depend on the deals available to...
Rinaldi's Blog: Farewell Enzo Bearzot →
giancarlorinaldi:
The brilliant Giancarlo Rinaldi always paints a beautiful picture of Calcio’s bygone days, and this is no different. A far better tribute to the great man than I could ever hope to write, ladies and gentlemen I leave you in the hands of an expert.
Ciao Mister, grazie di tutto.
Talking Tactics: Brilliant Reshuffle Undone At The...
Sometimes it is better to go unnoticed, to fly continually below the radar and not have yourself touted as being the most likely of challengers. Difficult at anytime for a club as prestigious as Juventus but the dramatic late winner against fellow challengers Lazio had seen the Bianconeri touted as the ‘Anti-Milan’ in Italy, the team most likely to overhaul the lead established by the...
“There are some clubs, including ours, who on top of technical gifts also look at...”
– Beppe Marotta invokes the spirit of l’Avvocato
Chievo-Juventus: Donkey's Stall Delneri's Title...
Juventus headed into the Bentegodi stadium knowing their Scudetto credentials were in a far better state of repair than the Veronese pitch. Roma’s win over Milan on Saturday night meant that should Gigi Delneri’s men manage to win three games in a row for the first time under the former Chievo coach, they would only be three points behind the early leaders going into the Winter Break.
...
Mes Que Un Quote: 'Juventus To Follow Barça Model'
In yet another example of a headline most people will just look at, scoff & move on to the next piece of over-emphasised, hit-chasing nonsense, the Barcelona reference made by Juventus Direttore Generale has been seized upon in the same manner as Gigi Delneri’s comments on the clubs goalkeeper situation. What has been largely missed is the salient point the newest member of Board of...
The Italian Football FanCast
The Italian Football FanCast is the podcast for English speaking fans of Serie A and Calcio, it’s presenters Dov Schiavone & Kris Voakes have welcomed many wonderful guests onto their insightful & entertaining show such as Susy Campanale & Giancarlo Rinaldi. This week however they must have been struggling to find someone to talk to & instead of dialling up a real...
Juventus-Manchester City: Pointless But Points...
Juventus were eliminated from the Europa League in the frozen aftermath of the draw in Poznan, their fifth consecutive in this competition & it made this game the deadest of dead-rubbers to the Bianconeri. Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City side secured the point they needed to top the group after Jô equalised Niccolò Giannetti’s opening goal.
The youngster, who can play either on...
Latest Episode "It Ain't Over...." Podcast: Click... →
The 1985 Intercontinental Cup: "After The Storm"
Sometimes a picture truly does speak a thousand words and when discussing the class, style and nonchalant grace of ease that was Michel Platini in his pomp, this picture taken during the 1985 Intercontinental Cup Final – is truly one of those images.
Read the full article here at inbedwithmaradona.com
Talking Tactics: Stepping Up Defensively Against...
Much has been said already about the nuances & complexities of the fluid system employed by Juventus under Gigi Delneri. A number of players, both current squad members & those who played under the coach elsewhere, have spoken of the difficulty in learning the patterns & movements demanded by the former Roma boss, & of the time it takes to entirely understand it to a level where it...
In bed with Maradona: Coronation Of A Legend →
As Inter travel to the Club World Cup, the first of two features I have written on the competition for this excellent site. This piece recalls a clash between two heavyweights of world football & a happier time for Italian teams. Take a look & remember to bookmark inbedwithmaradona.com, the site is filled with brilliant contributions from some great writers.
Spies, A 'Slap' For Buffon And Other...
On Saturday afternoon, as his team prepared for a vital clash with Lazio, Juventus coach Gigi Delneri gave the statutory pre-game press conference at the clubs Vinovo training complex. It was quite an eye-opening experience for a number of reasons, but reading the coverage of it in the Sunday morning papers & on the internet it is clear that reporting the ‘news’ is the furthest...
Juventus-Lazio: Last Minute Momo, Milos & Muslera...
Juventus went into this game trailing leaders Milan by nine points, knowing that keeping as close as possible would have an impact on both their mental approach to the second half of the season as well as the January mercato as they look to push on in the title race. After taking a dream start through a Giorgio Chiellini goal from Alberto Aquilani’s corner Juve saw their lead vanish after...
“We are delighted with this win, especially the way it arrived. We gave it our...”
– Gigi Delneri
Whatever You Need: Simone Pepe Proving He Belongs
Of all the summer signings made by Beppe Marotta, Simone Pepe was the one met with the most derision. An incredibly average season for Udinese last term & a very poor World Cup were all held up as valid reasons why his transfer was both ill advised & unnecessary. Very few people believed he was a good acquisition, & almost nobody expected him to have any real impact upon the team.
...
Two Wins May Change The Mindset (& Mercato) In...
Juventus have just two games remaining before Serie A breaks for the winter, a traditional point of both reflection & forward planning. In the summer as new President Andrea Agnelli began putting all the pieces in place to rebuild a team as poor as any in la vecchia Signora’s illustrious history, all the talk centred around an aim of restoring Champions League football to the club. This...
“Juve have found the true Melo. Delneri has designated him as the true architect...”
– French Sports Daily l’Equipe
Building The Squad: Why 'Balance' Is Not The...
As the Serie A Winter Break approaches - & with it another transfer window - thoughts inevitably turn to the squad & what changes or additions are needed to make it ‘complete’. For Juventus the answer at first seems simple enough, a striker, a right back & a left winger to compliment Milos Krasic. But watching the team closely over the past few weeks shows that to be only...
“Lo Stile Juventus? You have it inside you, we are born, you cannot invent it”
– Antonio Cabrini is as beautiful as ever
“I like this Juve. It’s great, compact & is still growing”
– When Gigi Buffon speaks, bandwagon jumpers listen
Catania-Juventus: Approximate Thawing Time 30...
Juventus travelled to Sicily to face a Catania side undefeated at home in almost a year, returning to the ground where their faint Champions League hopes were finally extinguished last term. That disappointing 1-1 draw meant it was mathematically impossible for the Bianconeri to finish in the top four. Nothing would so decisive in this seasons encounter but a win would keep Juve in third place.
...
Guilt By Association: The One Mistake Of Beppe...
Regular readers of this blog will be fully aware of the high esteem with which Juve’s Direttore Generale Beppe Marotta is regarded. The remarkable transformation of the squad from last seasons debacle to this years impressive start is testament to the fantastic job done by the former Sampdoria man. Of course he has not done this alone, & the work of Fabio Paratici & Jean-Claude Blanc...
Early Exit: Juventus Out Of Europe As Weaknesses...
That’s that for another year, pack away the sponsorless white shirts & the UEFA bunting, the Old Lady won’t be going further abroad than Sicily between now & next season. A fifth consecutive draw in the Europa League in polar Poznan last night mathematically eliminated Gigi Delneri’s team from the competition by away goals on the head-to-head rule, making the Turin game...
unthinkablemo asked: first of all, I love and appreciate your blog a lot. Thank you =)
the main question is what do you know about diego contento? and who do you realistically feel would be a short term and long term solution to our fullback problems? because I felt de ceglie was doing very well and was improving until his injury, while motta on the right just proves why no club has permanently bought...
the main question is what do you know about diego contento? and who do you realistically feel would be a short term and long term solution to our fullback problems? because I felt de ceglie was doing very well and was improving until his injury, while motta on the right just proves why no club has permanently bought...
Lech Poznan-Juventus: Another Thaw Point!
Juventus entered the Stadion Miejski tonight in sub-zero temperatures knowing that anything less than three points would probably bring a premature end to their European campaign for another year. Unlike last season however this edition of the Bianconeri seemingly already understand the importance of such ties, but were unable to overcome their opponents or the conditions.
Going behind to an...
Hidden In Plain Sight: Manuel Giandonato Growing...
As Frederick Sørensen continues to grab the limelight as the biggest talent to emerge from the Juventus youth system during the injury hit last few months, another player has had an equally meteoric rise, but one which is going largely unreported. Thanks to the Danish defenders instant impact a homegrown player has managed to make similar strides without garnering too much attention.
Quietly...