| 1/8/01 - Well, more news of the calciomercato. How about a full report! IN: Frey and Taffarel in the nets, Djetou, Ferrari, Mangone and Gurenko at the back, Marchionni, Bachini, Maini and Nakata in the midfield, Grieco and Bonazolli return from loans up front. OUT: Buffon, Thuram, Conciecao, Lassisi, Fuser, Amoroso. (Also, coaches favorite Stefano Torissi is suspended for 10 months.) LOANED: Laursen to Milan, Montano and Poalo Cannavaro to Verona for the year. Personally, I like some of the additions (Ferrari, Frey, Nakata, Bachini), and don't mind loosing Conceicao (whiner). Strangely, though, we gave Laursen away again, which is silly, especially considering Milan are too good as it was, with Rui Costa and Inzaghi. The first real game is on August 8th against Lille in the Champions league qualifying round. The probable line-up is as follows: Frey; Djetou, Ferrari, Cannavaro; Bachini, Almeyda, Lamouchi, Junior; Nakata; Milosevic, Di Vaio. 7/7/01 - Season's over, and the transfer season is in full swing. So far, we have lost Buffon, Thuram, Conceicao, Fuser, Amoroso and Lassissi (not that he played for us last year, but I like him). That is the past now, and the future is here: Nakata, Laursen, Ferrari, Frey and Marchionni. I like the youth factor and hopefully they have the desire and the determination to fight with the big spenders. I can see Ulivieri's influence already in the picks ( Conceicao never a favorite, eh?). In case you missed it all, we lost the Coppa final 2-1 on aggregate (Vanoli, Nuno Gomes and Milosevic), lost our last two games in Serie A (still finished 4th) to Verona and the Champions, Roma. Di Vaio finished with 15 goals, and we still have him. Other's on the shopping list are Djetou, Oddo and Simic, but Cannavaro may go (Check www.soccerage.com for the latest!). Also, Verona may take Bolano and Paolo Cannavaro (maybe on loan). Things might not be so bad, if this is the team: Frey; Djetou, Laursen, Ferrari; Oddo/Marchioni, Lamouchi, Almeyda/Appiah, Junior; NAKATA; Milosevic, Di Vaio 2000-2001 Season end. 18/05/01 - WE ARE GOING TO THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. Unless we really slip up, that is. Milan lost and we beat Inter 3-1, with two goals from Junior. Erases the memory of a sad defeat at Reggina, doesn't it. Napoli the week before was a 4-0 rout, and we played like magic. Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia next, but they are on form, so watch out! 19/04/01 - A gitty win away to tough Vicenza, and we are still 3 points clear in 4th place. Atalanta and Inter lost ground, and now it is a rejeuvenated Milan that is our closest rival for the last Champions League spot. We should be decently safe if we stay focused and players stay healthy (hardly a safe bet). Almeyda is back, but hardly on form, as are Junior and Falsini (?). Hoorah for old-boy Nestor Sensini. Squad: Buffon; Thuram, Sensini, Cannavaro; Fuser, Lamouchi, Almeyda, Junior; Micoud; Amoroso (Mboma 57'), Di Vaio - (Goal, 80') 22/04/01 - After facing the 3 sides closest to us in the Scudetto race, we come out 1-1-1. Lazio were lucky to beat us, but we made sure Juventus were not as lucky. With a little luck our way, though, we could have put 5 points between us and Atalanta and Milan (neither of whom won). Considering we were missing Mboma and Milosevic, the fact that we couldn't score isn't too big a surprise, and Juve has the best defense in the league. Squad (Lazio/Juve): Buffon; Thuram, Torrisi/(Sensini 11'), Cannavaro; Conceicao, Lamouchi, Bolano/Almeyda, Falsini/Junior; Micoud; Mboma/Amoroso, Milosevic/Di Vaio. 15/04/01 - Today Savo returned from injury to score and Parma won 1-0 away to Atalanta, our main rivals. This comes after a dissapointing 0-0 at home with Bologna, and a rained out away match in Rome. We will replay that game on Wednesday, which means we have both Lazio and Juventus (home) in one week. Fortunately, we got over the first hurdle just fine. And Almeyda is finally back. Squad: Buffon; Thuram, Torrisi, Cannavaro; Conceicao, Bolano, Lamouchi, Appiah; Micoud (Almeyda 60'); Milosevic (Fuser 92') Di Vaio (Mboma 57') 18/03/01 - Two wins since I last reported. 4-0 over Bari and 3-1 over Udinese (away!). Di Vaio scored 5 times, and Amoroso twice. We are now firmly in 4th place, and look forward to the champions league next year. Conceicao is leaving, they say, and since we've won without him, I say fine. We can get somebody decent for him--preferable a young talent like Baronio, someone from Atalanta, etc. I think a goal scorer is still needed, but possibly out of midfield rather than a striker, as three of ours look quite good (bring back Bonazzoli too!). S. Inzaghi might be a possibility, but I'd prefer Pirlo or Liverani. Also, Pecchia is a personal favorite of mine, but probably not worth it. It would be nice to see some youth, though: Di Vaio has done well, but Fuser, Sensini, Mboma and even Lamouchi aren't young anymore. Micoud and Milosevic might yet adjust, however, and Junior has won me over, so I think next year will be good. Who to coach though? Ulivieri gets my vote! Squad (v. Udinese): Buffon; Thuram, Torrisi, Cannavaro; Sartor, Bolano, Fuser (Appiah 45'), Junior; Micoud; Di Vaio (Amoroso 45'), Mboma Against Bari, Sensini started instead of Fuser, though Fuser replaced him. |
| NEWS ARCHIVES NEWS ARCHIVES NEWS ARCHIVES NEWS ARCHIVES NEWS ARCHIVES |