2018/19 Calcio Saga

Simeone really looks like a fraud, doing the bare minimum in front of goal

Christ. What a double from Muriel . Two goals like these to his Samp that otherwise would be winning clearly.

Roma's unexpected resurgence right after that nervy game 3-2 versus Prandelli's Genoa is highly unexpected and the biggest hero behind it is Di Francesco himself who under a tantamount beacon of pressure somehow turned it all around by his make-shift system that involved mostly fringe players up front in the absence of El Shaarawy, Dzeko and of course De Rossi.

Most impressive candidates on the squad itself have had to be Under, Kluivert and of course Zaniola who has more Roma in him than most Romans themselves. Really odd to see a 6'3 awkward youngster completely change as he does on the pitch where he takes on Real Madrid to Juventus in fearless fashion.

Having SES return clearly made a difference and not just with his match winning goal. The story of him has been a career slowed down blighted by injuries and one ankle one that took away much from what he's been able to produce so hopefully he can stay healthy and rise to the occasion.

Karsdorp I've stated from the beginning is a huge talent as practically any Dutch football follower I have met has high praise for him and if he continues this without falling out again, once again it a testament to EDF's ability to surprise us and Roma have a very talented fullback on their hands for the future.

Schick finally seems to be recovering past his mental slump as that psychological coach clearly did some work and his talent is too undeniable for him to continue limiting himself with his all too tentative play and is capable of far more if not leading the line by his style alone.

McLewis wrote:I highly doubt that actually. Foreign talent like Schick, Manolas, and Under are ahead of these guys in terms of sales. We may be a selling club, but we rarely sell homegrown talent unless they explicitly want to go (see Romagnoli and Bertolacci) so I don't see any of Florenzi, El Shaarawy, Lo. Pellegrini, Lu. Pellegrini, Zaniolo or Cristante leaving. They are expected to form the spine of the team for foreseeable years, especially given that Monchi has expressed a desire to make the team more Italian as well. It would take an Alisson-level offer to even get Monchi to a negotiating table for even one of these players if they all fully realize their potential, I believe.

But if we keep selling key players (foreign) that will impede the growth and will encourage even these home-grown players to move-on, right???

I love to banter over Milan and what not, but seeing Romagnoli's name reminded me he existed.

Regular Serie A watchers; do you still think he has potential to live up to the hype from a few years ago? or is he destined to be a bang average CB. Genuinely curious. I don't really see hype around him much nowadays.

I can't remember the last time a highly touted CB actually lived up to the hype. Varane? Romagnoli's still got like 10 years of prime football in him in Serie A so I know he probably isn't even at his peak yet.

Yes. There isn't as much noise about Romagnoli any more because it's not new hype. He confirmed to be a great player. Got thrown into the mess that is Milan and came out captaining them as the bright spot.

The opposite story as Rugani, since he plays well, but can't find as much playing time for us.

Then came Caldara and Skriniar. Caldara got injured and basically lost this season, while Skriniar continued on a great path.

The new one is Mancini (Atalanta)

To those (probably just Rincon) that watched that Fio-Sampdoria match in its full entirety: I envy you a lot. That just looked like a proper match from the highlights.

Firenze wrote:I love to banter over Milan and what not, but seeing Romagnoli's name reminded me he existed.

Regular Serie A watchers; do you still think he has potential to live up to the hype from a few years ago? or is he destined to be a bang average CB. Genuinely curious. I don't really see hype around him much nowadays.

I can't remember the last time a highly touted CB actually lived up to the hype. Varane? Romagnoli's still got like 10 years of prime football in him in Serie A so I know he probably isn't even at his peak yet.

Serie A hype is rather internalised due to the small scale of English spoken viewership compared to far better marketed leagues but more importantly given Milan is just a very unattractive destination at the moment due to its constant merry-go-round having the fans, neutrals and press rather jaded by the clubs flighty nature; a player will only be hyped as much as the station he is in.

So bar his odd lapses in concentration there really is nothing he lacks. From his dynamic technique to his wide range of passing to his more anticipatory and not reactionary defending and then of course his leadership to which has been tremendous so far.

Hard to be hyped when youre dealing with a new coach each year and Cristian 'Wunderkind' Zapata as your CB partner the majority of the time.

Firenze wrote:I love to banter over Milan and what not, but seeing Romagnoli's name reminded me he existed.

Regular Serie A watchers; do you still think he has potential to live up to the hype from a few years ago? or is he destined to be a bang average CB. Genuinely curious. I don't really see hype around him much nowadays.

I can't remember the last time a highly touted CB actually lived up to the hype. Varane? Romagnoli's still got like 10 years of prime football in him in Serie A so I know he probably isn't even at his peak yet.

For me Koulibaly Chiellini Skriniar (random order)are best CB in Serie A. Then Manolas, Bonucci,Romagnoli,De Vrij are on 2nd level.
Yeah I " relegate"  Bonucci because I've his bad Milan experience in my eyes.
Anyway these 8 defenders named by me are  best Serie A denfeders  and they all 'd play easily in Premier League
I mean, yesterday I watched Chelsea-Arsenal... so much quality but about defenders... these names 'd starters on both teams.

Napoli Lazio 1-0 now

Callejon is their black beast.
1st goal in season for him this year, and of course against the first team of the Capitale (no ok don't ban me mclewis)

Insigne, Koulibaly, Hamsik, Allan, Ghoulam, Hysaj out, and Napoli are doing this to Lazio

What a goal by Milik again on free kick

The league of Polish players @Myesyats

7 - Duván #Zapata is the first Atalanta's player to score in seven Serie A games in a row since Opta collect this data (1994/95). Unstoppable.#FrosinoneAtalanta #SerieA pic.twitter.com/amW3WZvsQY

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) January 20, 2019

funny how things change quickly in football

i was watching replay of their match vs Empoli from Matchday 13 and he had scored 1 goal up to that point[gave manolas nightmares in that 3-3 match earlier in the season though) and commentator was saying he is under pressure and hasnt met the expectations
now top scorer in the league WATTBA

I so envy Napoli for Fabian Ruiz.

I envy Napoli for all their young midfielders. The three of yesterday's Diawara-Zielinski-Fabian would be great to have for us instead of the German bros.

On that note, I see rumors of deal for Allan to PSG for 70m. Extremely overpriced. He is great and a super useful player, but not for that much. This is his peak season. If Napoli sell him for 70m they would be doing extremely well since they already have replacements in hand. Like Ancelotti said after the match "Who remembers the absences? no one"

iftikhar wrote:

McLewis wrote:I highly doubt that actually. Foreign talent like Schick, Manolas, and Under are ahead of these guys in terms of sales. We may be a selling club, but we rarely sell homegrown talent unless they explicitly want to go (see Romagnoli and Bertolacci) so I don't see any of Florenzi, El Shaarawy, Lo. Pellegrini, Lu. Pellegrini, Zaniolo or Cristante leaving. They are expected to form the spine of the team for foreseeable years, especially given that Monchi has expressed a desire to make the team more Italian as well. It would take an Alisson-level offer to even get Monchi to a negotiating table for even one of these players if they all fully realize their potential, I believe.

But if we keep selling key players (foreign) that will impede the growth and will encourage even these home-grown players to move-on, right???

I really don't believe that will be the case. Like I said, for our top Italian talent like Zaniolo and Lo. Pellegrini, it would take an astronomical offer to sell them. I just don't see it happening this summer or even the next.

Robespierre wrote:Napoli Lazio 1-0 now

Callejon is their black beast.
1st goal in season for him this year, and of course against the first team of the Capitale (no ok don't ban me mclewis)

You're lucky I like you, Robes ffs

Mauri, Strinic, Simic, Bertolacci, Tsadjout, Torrasi, Castillejo, A. Donnarumma, Laxalt

Milan's bench for the Genoa game looks exactly like a Genoa lineup.

No Piatek, no Higuain and played in the middle of Monday. Strange match.

Quagliarella has just scored for the 11th match in a row

Equalized the record got by Gabriel Omar Batistuta.

Ekdal having a good season at the base of diamond
at least been good every time i watch

Quagliarella is playing with the stamina and speed of a 28 year old. It's not just finishing and penalties, he plays well all game. Beautiful to watch.

It's been clear for a long time, Giampaolo needs a bigger club. Even Saponara and Ekdal are playing well in his Samp. Every player looks good and the system chokes out opposite teams.

Someone get Hakan outta here please i can't even bear to see him on the starting sheet

when i look at Napoli's double pivot im kind of amazed tbh, this is two "attacking" CMs supposed to provide balance to the whole team...ok

Mr Nick09 wrote:when i look at Napoli's double pivot im kind of amazed tbh, this is two "attacking" CMs supposed to provide balance to the whole team...ok

Seeing how many counters they are giving up not a great idea

Calhanoglu needs to piss off back to Bundesfodder

Paqueta trying to be too cute with the ball. I love the flair and all that but he needs to do the simple things well first.