Im sick and tired of all your crying about penalty shoot outs.
First of all in 94 thank god for the Italians that there was a penalty shoot out if there wasnt god knows we would have seen Baresi having a heart attack or stroke with Romario running circles on him.

Next yeah you bring up Baggio and Rossi gee I wonder if people think Zico and Rivaldo are better.
Lets see Zico like Cryuff never won a world trophy but is forever imortalized around the world.

Next why reward a team that plays solely on the defensive stance?? You desevered to lose in 98 in 94 in 90. God willing you will lose ever time you try some crap like having 5 defenders and 5 midfielders and no strikers.

The only reason Italy has a good league is because of each teams best player is a foreigner. Except for inter that has Vieri -who is number 2 to Ronaldo when fully healthy no Italian player on a MAJOR team is the number one guy. By the way Inzaghi and Del Piero are not at the same level of Zidane.

So here is a hint if Italy is ever going to actually win lose the catacannio and dont think your going to win by passing the ball around in your own half for 120 minutes. Because if your entire team is full of chokers when it matters oh well better for the Brazilians.

By the way 1970 Brasil 4 Italy 1
Greatest offensive explosion ever. The greatest team ever.

Brazil did deserve to win in '74 ,but not in 94.2nd they never used 5 defensemens .They usually put4-4-2 .Recently it was change to 3-4-3.

First of all it was in 1970 - the greatest world cup ever.

Second in 1994 and 1998 they used 5 men at the back.

Zoff and his counter parts only do ambitious "Brasilian" attacking 3-4-3 or 4-4-2 with wing backs only against weaker nations.

Look at the world cup 98. Against France when ever the Italians touched the ball what did they do?? Keep it in their own end.

They played with one attacker Vieri.

And put del piero - later baggio in midfield.

Same in 94. Massaro the only striker 5 at the back and they put roberto baggio in midfield.

So if they dont attack and go for the penalty shootout they deserve to lose especially to Brazil which always makes it a point to continuiously attack.

If Brazil couldnt score against Italy ,it meant Brazil had a weak offense or Italy had a better defense .And the thing about France is bull ,cause in Extra time ,Italy was attacking and incase you did not see Baggio almost scored in extra time ,France dominated Italy in the first 2 halfs,but Italy were dominating them in extra time.

Actually Italy82 you should do a little research. In 1994 Brasil was voted as the team that had the best DEFENSE!

They let in 3 goals all tournement. 2 against Netherlands and 1 against Sweden.

In addition it is quite obvious that Italian Clubs need to rely on South American talent to help their clubs.

Just look at Lazio they are ready to sell Nesta - Italy's best defender just to get Rivaldo - who is quite frankly better than any Italian player in the last 10 years.

Italy deserved to lose both in 94 and 98 because of the stupid coaching decisions.

94: no Signori in the final, the one player who might have actually made some good runs vs the Brasil defense, he never even gets in the game as a sub!

98: they dont start their best player, R. Baggio, and when they finally bring him in as sub he has the best chance of the game!

Italy is so conservative when they play away its disgusting considering their talent, what about their defensive tactics vs Poland and Georgia in away games in WC 98 qualifiers? Its a mystery that Italy cant find a coach who would trust his players to go out and kill the opposition.

I agree with what Polishpower said,
regarding Nesta, you surely don't believe that Cragnotti will sell him? Keep dreaming, Nesta will never wear another teams colors! Trust me on that one.
Juninhio, I truly believe that you're f***ed in the head, if you think Brazil is great, good for you, I believe that Italy isn't the best team in the world but with the right coach they can be.
As far as Brazils defensive qualities, well please, don't make me laugh.

And one more thing **** for brains...
do you remember WC82?
I rest my case!

what about 82?

do you mean when attractive football (Brasil) lost to butt ugly defensive football (u know who).

Thats what you get when you try to put on a show.

"Zico, Socrates, Falcao and Eder could not stop attacking and Brazil paid for it when they lost 3-2 to a Paolo Rossi hat-trick"

CECCO DO You remember Mexico70?

4:1 http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif

Its weird but the 82 italian team was the most offensive team that they ever had ,with Paolo Rossi scoring all their goals through out the World Cup.Another thing that was funny is that no one ever tought they would win that year cause they played in the same group as Germany and Argentina.I guess Zoff and Rossi showed them whos better.And Paolo Rossi showed to those Brazilians by scoring a hat trick .That win was in revenge for their loss in wc'70.

"that team was the most offensive team that they ever had"

You mean the most offensive by Italian standards right?

You are wrong again,look at Juventus they have a strong defence when u look at guys like Ferrara ,Pessotto,Iuliano or even Parmas Cannavaro,Thuram,Bennarivo or even Milan's Maldini,Costacurta,Sala .First of all the reason that Lazio want to give up Nesta is cause they have already talented defensemen (Mihailovic,Pancaro,Couto,Favalli,all of them play with their national teams)

I totally agree with you edu. Italian standards of beautiful football is with 4 defensive defenders 2 defensive midfielders a support striker and maybe one attacking midfielder and a striker.

Every 20 or so years hey, they get lucky (Italy 3 Brazil 2)

Gee, I wonder who is better Pablo Rossi or Zico??
Just like saying i wonder who is better Johan Cryuff or Daniel Passarella??
It must be Passarella right Italy82, I mean he beat them and won the world cup right!!!

Check out the World Soccer century of Soccer Readers poll:

Zico 390 votes Rossi 104

Italy 82: 12 goals in 7 games, with 3 goals in the final.

Brasil 94: 11 goals in 7 games, 0 goals in the final.

How can you knock that game? yeah Italy was so defensive they scored after 5 minutes! It was a great game, and the final was great too, Italy was unstoppable...

hmm, why not compare against Brazil in 62 or 58 or 70??

By the way polish, whos better zico or rossi.

How could you pick, they were both great, but you have to admit Rossi was a bigger surprise star at WC 82.

kind of when a mother says she likes both her kids the same, but deep down she knows which is better.

Well im not afraid to say Zico was superior even without a world cup.

Arnt all you Italian fans relieved that 1994 ended in a penalty shootout???
I mean, what if the match were sudden death.
I think some azzuri would have died. They are not used to the 30+ degree cel heat and running all afternoon in the sun is a stroll in the park for the Brasilian national team.
Thank god no one in the Italian defense died that day. That would seriously be shame no one deserves such fate.

First of all 94 ,we had player who could of enduered the the temperature(They are used to it anyways).The reason why Rossi got less vote than Zico is cause he just performed well during the 2 world cups that he had played,he didnt do much in the seasons though.What rank is Dino Zoff ,im sure hes way ahead of Zico,if hes not then the World Soccer century of Soccer Readers is a sham.

Edu and Juninhio, I think that you both can't take the fact that we kicked Brazil's ass in 82, something that you can't say about Brazil in 94. You must go back 30 years to find out the last time Brazil kicked Italy's ass.
Sorry dickheads but it seems that even in this debate Italy is kicking Brazils ass.

2-1 for us....losers

Go back 30 years?? Hey genius, 1994 isnt 30 years ago.

I admit that Brasil lost in 1982. Unfortunately I also admit Rossi was better than Zico in that tournement. But you should also admit that without a doubt comparing careers Zico is much superior to anyone on that Italian Squad.

Im just curious was 1982 - 17 years ago - the last time Italy won a tournement of any kind?? Can any of you tell me??

How did they do in Euro 1996?? My god, really?? And in 1998, no way just like in 1994- but surely they won in 1990 I mean the tournement was in their own country right?? What do you mean!

in my almanach 96,it says Italy faced Brazil 11 times in history(including friendly games) .4 wins for Italy ,4 wins for Brazil
3 ties.I dont see how Brazil ever dominated Italy.Junihnio ,face the face the fact ,Brazil did not beat Italy in 94.They just beat them in penalty kicks and not on 11 on 11 ,it proves that they cant beat them .Wc'70,Brazil did deseve to win against Italy and Italy did prove they were a better team then Brazil in 82.But Brazil didnt prove anything by winning in 94.

I am an Italy fan but I admit that at the moment (and in history) Brazil is better.
But stop that crap about the Serie A being top only because of foreigners. There are plenty of great Italian players today, mostly the young ones, just check their Under 21 squad - this team is better than their A side (mostly because Dino Zoff is an idiot).
Pirlo will be the Maradona of the new millenium and Cassano's skills seem to have no boundaries and he is only 17.
And please: Ronaldo better than Vieri??? Rivaldo may be better, but that's it.
And for that team stuff:
Lazio - Nesta
Roma - Totti
Parma - Buffon
Inter - Vieri
These are 4 top teams, and their best players are Italians, but Nesta and Buffon don't get credit abroad because they don't score (guess why...). And Juve's best player is neither Zidane nor Inzaghi nor Del Piero - it is Davids.

Be fair - I'm out.

Zambrotta is the player your talking about Pirlo is his last name Casiraghi...

No ,its not Casiraghi ,I think Casiraghi is somewhere in England ,Pirlo is a young player playing with Lecce(Im not sure )All i know about him is that he has bright futur ,ive seen him play with the under 21 italian
team and hes an excellent player .He and Ventola are both gonna be stars .

He`s at Chelsea...the premierships forign legion.

Can Someone please list Inters starting lineup and the best 5 subs (excluding Injury)
thanks

For anything you'd ever want to know about Italian soccer, the Serie A, it's teams, etc...

go to: http://www.italian-soccer.com/

My buddy Alex runs the most informative site on the net for complete Italian soccer coverage.

Inter
Gk-A.Peruzzi
Def-L.Blanc
Def-C.Domoraud
Def-J.Zanetti
Mid-Georgatos
Mid-C.Seedorf
Mid-V.Jugovic
Mid-P.Sousa
Mid-B.Cauet
St-C.Vieri
St-A.Recoba

Subs
St-I.Zamorano
Def-S.Fresi
St-R.Baggio
Def-F.Colonese
Mid-F.Moriero

My question is simple:

Why is Ronaldo captain of Inter?

Sorry Zambrotta, missed your response. I agree with you on Totti, but Vieri Ronaldo is too close to call.

As for Lazio, well your all but saying without a doubt Nesta is the best on the team- I have often said Nesta is an excellent player- are you hearing this Italy82, Cecco?? But Veron Salas etc its really close to call.

Personally Veron is the best on the team in my book. I mean they sold vieri to have money for him. They are even ready to sell Nesta to get Rivaldo.

As for Buffon - well Herman Crespo has the most goals in the league, i know goals arn't everything but doesn't that count for anything.

Also parma rejected a 21mil london offer from inter over the summer for Lilian Thuram. Buffon is great but sorry Crespo is better.

Crespo is great, no doubt about it. However, given that Buffon is only 21 years old, if he continues to improve his game than in 5 years he could be the world's best goalie by far. But at the moment Crespo is Parma's MVP.
Thuram is a very good player, but this year Cannavaro is more valuable, because he scores every now and then. Thuram should have been footballer of the year in 1998 instead of Zidane, but since then they both lost a bit of their touch.

p.s. Andrea Pirlo plays for Reggina but belongs to Inter.

I am pretty sure that they won't sell Nesta. He is Roman, and he means to this team what Totti means to Roma, I guess if they moved him fans would go crazy.
I think, now that they have Ravanelli, Rivaldo won't go to Lazio, but if he will I see Salas on the move.

Junhinio ,the reason they sold Vieri was cause he was demanding a lot of money .Of course ,Milan ,one of the richest cities in Italy ,signed Vieri .Lazio would do a big mistake if they sell Nesta in return for Rivaldo .They have already so many forwards ,they cant afford to lose any defensemen at this time.

Italy82,
Doesn`t Baggio get a spot in the first 11?
I don`t watch too much Italian games but i liked the sound of the players they now have and my fav on the team was Baggio so i was a bit surprised to see him on the bench.

The reason why Baggio is not playing is cause 1)hes old .2)They have already Vieri ,Zamorano and Recoba ,there arent any room for Baggio.Dont be suprised if he goes to England just like Zola and Casiraghi .

Baggio was great back in the day. But he and Zamarano are getting too old. Inter should bring in Ronaldinhio.

They should play three up front Vieri Ronaldo and Ronaldinhio.

Also what are they going to do with Recoba, Ventola, Pirlo, Mutu. These players will all be there next year.

Maybe they should sell Ventola or Pirlo so they have money to buy a defensive midfielder like Emerson or Davids.

It's become obvious that your not going to answer my question.

Why is Ronaldo captain of Inter??

There are 2 posibilities :
1)Lippi must of been drunk
2)Other than Zamorano ,everyone else in the team are new .If I were Inter ,id keep both Ventola and Pirlo.If I were them ,id sell Vieri,cause I see him being with Juventus again.Wouldnt it be great that trio Del Piero-Inzaghi-Vieri.

Wrong again Italy82. :-)

Ronaldo is captain because---
The team had a vote after Beppe Bergomi retired.

Ronaldo got 14 votes
Diego Simeonie 8 votes
Zamarano 6 votes.

But now with diego gone zam is vice captain.

And hes been there longest?? What 2 years??

So what ,most of Inter players came just recently.Vieri came this season ,Recoba hasnt played much Inter and was loaned to Venezia last season ,Paolo Sousa came the same year as Ronaldo ,but does not have a big impact to the team,Peruzzi (same as Vieri) and the list goes on.Look ,im not saying Ronaldo sucks ,but you have to admit he is not same since WC98.

First you call him a faggot, then he doesnt suck, now hes good just since 1998.

Make up your mind.
He is a captain because he like Batistuta is great.

Do you know who Aldair is??
Defender for AS Roma, he was captain and said it was best to give the band to an Italian player, because he said Italy was losing its way.

Im just saying Ronaldo hasnt proved anything ,I dont care if some brazilian is captain of a team.What about Juventus ,they have Conte as captain ,im not going to do like you and say it loud .

hey juninhio...roberto baggio was a great fan of zico's when he was young, but now zico claims to be greatest fan of baggio...what do u have to say about that??

also why did u bring up such a ridiculus arguement in the first place...italy lost in 94, ok... ronaldo is captain of internazionale, ok...italy beat brasil in 82, ok...its all in the past, there is no need to make a big deal out of it

Christos, Roberto Baggio is great.

Italy82 will back me up with this - I have said Nesta, Buffon, Vieri are great.

I am an Inter fan I was extremely excited when Baggio arrived.

But I am extremely upset when I hear Italy82 and others say crap like Ronaldo sucks, hes a faggot, he only scores from penalties.

The reason I make my messages is because I will not let the fans of south american soccer be bullied. If someone pushes me, i push back.

So in response to the fact that Ronaldo only scores from the penalties, I ask you do you think its easy to score from the spot??

I assure you its not. Vieri has scored 9 times this year with Coppa Italia, but from the spot he is 0 for 2.

Penalties take great concentration and skill under the strictest of pressure. So if you say Ronaldo sucks because his goals are mainly from this angle, I assure you that Baggio, Baresi, Di Bagio, Vieri, Massaro, Serenea etc all disagree. I am sure they have the utmost respect for any player that scores from the spot because they know its no easy task!

I thought Baggio "still had it" in france 98 amazing how he could have been relegated to sitting on a bench since.

thats right...baggio still does have it, unfortunatly he is in a very, very strong team, with the worlds most expensive player(vieri) and the worlds best player(ronaldo)who both play in the same position as he...anyway there are rumours around that he may be heading to newly promoted TORINO...

I heard Baggio was going to Chelsea so he can play with his best friend Zola .Another rumor says he's going to Udinese.

Hey Junhinio ,when a guy ,lets per example Vieri ,Vieri gets a pass from Georgatos ,suddenly Vieri gets tripped in the box .Somehow Ronaldo is going to kick .Dont you think thats unfair .The rules should be changed ,players who gets tripped in the box has to get a penalty shot and not another player .
Another thing ,so Vieri missed 2 penalty shots ,have you seen the number of goals that he scored .Dont tell me hes not a good player .Remember he scored 24 goals in 24 games with Atletico Madrid .Is Vieri gonna leave Inter at the end of the season ,cause
his contract finishes at the end of the season and im sure his contract offer wont be cheap.

Of course its fair. Not a single person professionally thinks otherwise. If Vieri said to Ronaldo, "hey i won that penalty" im sure if inter were up 3 - 0 Ronaldo would say go ahead. The reason he doesnt take penalties is that it takes a lot more skill than you think.

Im sure Baggio, Vieri , (god im not going to make the whole list again) agree with me.

Best goal scorer on Madrid is Raul, but Hierro takes penalties.
Plenty more cases.

so what ,what about Juventus ,Del Piero is 2 for 2,Shevchenko 2for 2 also .By the way Baggio missed 1 and it was in 94 ,since then he hasnt missed much .

Roberto Baggio still kicks ass it's just that he's in the wrong team...he was doing great in Bologna...i still miss the ponytails though...i think thishas to do with team management and positioning...i will use Rivaldo as an exaple, befor wc 94 he was given opportunitys to play but didnt make the final team and he did good in 98 under zagallo but now with wanderly luxemburgo he is currently Brazils top player in the national team and now van gall wants to change his position so if he suddenly sucks you know why...

As long as Inter has Vieri,Ronaldo and Zamorano,dont expect Baggio to play much ,but he will be soon transfered ,lets hope Inter makes it fast.