The Azzurri Thread

[ShiftyPowers]

et tu?

no-no, good sir; when it comes to shameless, no one holds a candle to you ...


anyway, I thought my affiliations were known: Zambia, Italia, Cruyff ... everything I enjoy about football is directly linked to one (or more) of these three categories ...

yeah... but "Cruyff" extends to everyone who's ever been at Ajax...

And just so you know it's nothing too personal, I WAS really happy for you when Zambia won.

EDIT: And holy **** I just realized Zambia will be at the Confederations Cup next year!

 

[Xifio]

yeah... but "Cruyff" extends to everyone who's ever been at Ajax...

true story ...

 

[Jaboldinho]

Which one is Mourinho directly linked to?

 

[Xifio]

 

[ShiftyPowers]

If Italy wins I think 2012 will officially be the "Year of Destiny"

NY Giants
Chelsea
LA Kings
Italy

All teams that believed in themselves the entire way even though no one else did and defied huge odds. And in a different way, LeBron fulfilled his destiny too.

 

[Back Door Skip]

All in all a pretty ******* ****ty year in sports regardless.

 

[Rocky]

Horrible luck with the injuries.

Just ruins the spectacle.

didn't deserve to lose 4-0

 

[Deisler]

If Italy wins I think 2012 will officially be the "Year of Destiny"

NY Giants
Chelsea
LA Kings
Italy

All teams that believed in themselves the entire way even though no one else did and defied huge odds. And in a different way, LeBron fulfilled his destiny too.

You add Spain and take the Italians out of that post and it fits MUCH better in terms of destiny. First ever to win back to back to back major tourneys.

 

[Larry]

And just so you know it's nothing too personal, I WAS really happy for you when Zambia won.

EDIT: And holy **** I just realized Zambia will be at the Confederations Cup next year!

If you weren't being sarcastic, they actually aren't going to be at the Confederations Cup next year (unless they win African Cup of Nations in 2013).

http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/qualifiers/index.html

 

[Back Door Skip]

The juggernaut known as Tahiti will be there, though

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Wow, that is horribly harsh for Zambia. But I will cheer my ass off for Tahiti at least.

Italy... that sucks. But you did yourselves proud and I think you proved that you're better than where you've been put the last 2 years. I know that I have personally dismissed Italy like a pathetic has been, but this tournament made me realize that just because you hate a stereotype doesn't mean you can overlook individuals. The Italian midfield I thought was spectacular, even if you don't consider Pirlo. I also thought Balotelli was a lot better than I expected. I think you have a better future than your 4th coefficient suggests, and CLEARLY better than England. I was really impressed by you guys, and another 10 years of teams like this will wash away every shred of any bad memory I ever had of you guys.

You ran up against a better side, it happens to most teams. Don't take it too hard, realize it was a big achievement to get to where you got, and build from there. I liked this Italy team, and for me to say something, that really does mean something.

 

[Xifio]

well I'll be! amazing post, Shifty ...

 

[Xifio]

Prandelli's taking a look at the young'uns ...

Portieri: Consigli (Atalanta), Perin (Pescara) e Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain).

Difensori: Abate (Milan), Acerbi (Milan), Astori (Cagliari), Balzaretti (Roma), De Sciglio (Milan), Gastaldello (Sampdoria), Ogbonna (Torino), Peluso (Atalanta)

Centrocampisti: Aquilani (Fiorentina), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Nocerino (Milan), Poli (Sampdoria), Schelotto (Atalanta), Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)

Attaccanti: Balotelli (Manchester City), Destro (Roma), El Shaarawy (Milan), Gabbiadini (Atalanta)

looking forward to seeing how Verratti does, and especially how Mario and Stephan combine up front ...

 

[yoyo913]

Inter did not pick up the option to get Poli?

 

[ARIAGA II]

No they tried to negotiate another deal which took forever and Poli (or his agent) got frustrated and pull himself out of the deal. It's probably either Juventus or Napoli who will get him now.

 

[Mus]

Juventus won't want him.

Very young squad, very interested to see how they do especially the egyptian and mario like you said..

 

[Arnau]

I like El Shaarawy, he's fresh air for Milan and Azzurra in a nearly future.

 

[Mus]

Yeah me too, with Ibra gone and Cassano and Pato still very iffy he should get significant minutes this season

 

[yoyo913]

No they tried to negotiate another deal which took forever and Poli (or his agent) got frustrated and pull himself out of the deal. It's probably either Juventus or Napoli who will get him now.

Usually there's a pre-set amount you could buy for, perhaps inter thought he wasn't worth it... sucks, I thought Inter had a future Italian gem they could develop.

 

[Xifio]

Inter did not pick up the option to get Poli?

No they tried to negotiate another deal which took forever and Poli (or his agent) got frustrated and pull himself out of the deal.

Usually there's a pre-set amount you could buy for, perhaps inter thought he wasn't worth it... sucks, I thought Inter had a future Italian gem they could develop.

yeah, surprised Inter didn't agree the fee and the deal beforehand ...

It's probably either Juventus or Napoli who will get him now.

Juventus won't want him.

apparently an agreement with Samp has been reached: he's going to Juve in 2013 ...

Yeah me too, with Ibra gone and Cassano and Pato still very iffy he should get significant minutes this season

he's fine ... but I kinda do have fingers crossed for him to move back to Roma ...