The 2016/2017 Calcio Saga

Napoli with Milik was the only team that could challenge Juventus for the scudetto.

Could well be season over. That's *bleep* up.

Milik doesn't need his knee to play TBH. Only his Head...

Napoli have Gabbiadini now and they need to give him space to shine and now is the time when their first choice will be out for a long time. Otherwise, they have Callejon and Insigne, so they could play with a false 9 with Insigne in the center, Callejon and Mertens on the wings. Also, they have Jack, who isn't being used wisely currently. He could offer Napoli A LOT.

I must open an Edgardo Bauza  Appreciation Thread that calls up   Alario and not Icardi for Seleccion
It 's better for the Inter.
Anyway the scudetto was already done , while it's will change for the 2nd place. Shame we wasted points while the Milan was the contrary

Huge blow, reports are saying some 4 months out. Gabbiadini has his chance. Media also saying that they can sign a free agent until January, like Berbatov. With Giaccherini back from injury they can rotate more up front so there is that at least.

Napoli are looking at a solution for Milik's replacement, Klose, Adebayor, Macheda and Berbatov among the names (GDM)

ES wrote:Napoli are looking at a solution for Milik's replacement, Klose, Adebayor , Macheda and Berbatov among the names (GDM)

Its just basically all the names of the free agent strikers, Osvaldo has also been mentioned.

Wouldn't be Serie A unless Osvaldo has played for Roma, Juve and now Napoli. Milan next probably

Remember he played half a season at Inter too.

Last I heard he had quit football to dedicate to his music or something like that.

I always took him for an artist

Osvaldo, Benzema and Jese can collaborate something i am sure

Napoli just can't get a break. Better for Inter though. 4-6 months they are saying for Milik.

I ' d not sign another CF,  looking at these poor names. ..
Besides Sarri is used to this sort of situation,  basically he saved Empoli,  playing great football,  with no CFs

Perin's agent: "Donnarumma has taken advantage of wearing the Milan shirt to subvert Perin in the hierarchy [in Italy national team]. In terms of playing time, Perin deserves more. Donnarumma is a great goalkeeper, but for him to get to the level of Perin it will still take a couple of seasons."

Not hopping on the Donnarumma wagon yet but lol

“The priority for SES is now closing the purchase of AC Milan. We regret Paolo Maldini’s decision regarding our proposal because we firmly believe that he will soon realise how much of a winning project ours is for AC Milan.”


The Trump effect

Media saying that Roma's new director will try to pull Saponara in January, could include the loan of Gerson to Empoli.

Good move for Roma, Saponara and Gerson. Not sure how it will fly with Empoli.

zizzle wrote:“The priority for SES is now closing the purchase of AC Milan. We regret Paolo Maldini’s decision regarding our proposal because we firmly believe that he will soon realise how much of a winning project ours is for AC Milan.”


The Trump effect

Didn't know El Shaarawy is now a part time business deal closer.

rincon wrote:Media saying that Roma's new director will try to pull Saponara in January, could include the loan of Gerson to Empoli.

Good move for Roma, Saponara and Gerson. Not sure how it will fly with Empoli.

Gerson needs time and minutes at this point. He looks a good talent. Not the absurb talent that he was touted to be, but he looks like he'll do well somewhere if he can get used to the environment in Europe.

Saponara would be a certain upgrade, but a player like him might not play as much as he wants to in this squad. If Ricky can pull this off, it would be a good deal nevertheless.

Probable formations after the break from Gazzetta and me:

Chievo vs Milan: Donnarumma; De Sciglio, Romagnoli, Paletta, Abate; Bonaventura, Locatelli, Kucka; Niang, Bacca, Suso

Locatelli starts for Montolivo after the injury (5-6 months out). Calabria will be monitored, but Abate is likely to start. Niang benches Adriano.

Inter vs Cagliari: Handanovic; Santon, Murillo, Miranda, Ansaldi; Banega, Medel, Mario; Perisic, Icardi, Candreva

Ansaldi is the only news. Mario returns after injuries.

Juventus vs Udinese: Buffon; Benatia, Bonucci, Barzagli; Sandro, Pjanic, Hernanes, Khedira, Litchsteiner; Dybala, Mandzukic

Chiellini is not 100% fit after an injury with the NT and Benatia is back. Cuadrado and Alves come back too late from south america so Litch starts. The midfield is a doubt, thats just my guess. Could see some Sturaro or Lemina in there. Mandzukic shone for his NT with 4 goals, and Higuain doesnt come back until thursday so he is likely to start. Most importantly, Claudio is back!!!, he will probably be on the bench.

I expect Inter and Juve to win and Milan to get a draw max. Chievo are a b*tch to play, they are not quite the Chievo of ~5 years ago that just locked down the game, but they sit 5th and will be tough to score on.

A separate post for one of the biggest matches of the season, plays on Saturday at 3pm (CET)

Napoli vs Roma

Albiol is a doubt, unlikley to start. Milik is obviously out so its up to Gabbi. Mertens may get the start over Insigne. For Roma Dzeko should start as he finally looks very good, El Sha on the bench, Nainggolan back from the start. The defense is a mystery so this will just be me guessing, Peres could play LB with Florenzi RB just to avoid playing Jesus who would just be a train wreck.

Reina; Ghoulam, Koulibaly, Maksimovic, Hysaj; Hamsik, Jorginho, Allan; Mertens, Gabbiadini, Callejon

Szczesny; Peres, Fazio, Manolas, Florenzi; Nainggolan, De Rossi, Strootman; Perotti, Dzeko, Salah

If Jesus starts then RIP Roma. Even without Jesus, I can only see a Napoli win at the San Paolo. I don't think Roma will be able to frustrate Napoli like some smaller clubs have done. They can't and won't park the bus. Starting Mertens might be a mistake, so many times he shows his best play as a supersub, opposite of Insigne. Still Hamsik and Callejon are in fantastic form, even Gabbi and Mertens should be too much for Fazio and co.

My prediction is 3-1 Napoli, maybe 3-2.

Yeah we don't have the defensive tools to cope with Napoli honestly. Doesn't matter who we play back there, they will get chances and likely take them. All eyes need to be on Roma's midfield and attack. We need good performances from the likes of Nainggolan, De Rossi, Salah, and Dzeko. The former 2 have been pretty average, the latter 2 are in better form.

No Peres or Strootman for Roma tomorrow

This matchday, the first ever player in Serie A to be called up born in the year 2000, which makes me feel incredibly old

16 year old Italian striker Moise Kean, from the Juve academy and a sensation in all the youth categories for Juve and the NT. With the exceedingly unlikable fat man that @Hapless_Hans gave me for my avatar as his agent. 99% won't feature, but its cool he is called up at such a young age.

Seriously, who makes these schedules? Why is Juve-Udinese 19:45 and Napoli-Roma is 14:00 ffs