Alessandro Diamanti - Attacking midfielder - Guangzhou (28 Viewers)

[Buck Fuddy]

You think the decline has halted, Buck? Interested to hear your take on Serie A and how it will improve/get better in the future

It's just a gut feeling, but I do believe the decline has halted (which unsuprisingly has a lot to do with us). The actual improving part should be the next step.
Last year's Euro's pointed me in that direction, along with the results we have seen in Europe this season. If you look at the coefficient points earned over the last 5 years, this is basically the only time Italy has comfortably been in the top 4. (Just edged in 09/10 as well, but that was more of a fluke imo.)

I also think the worst is behind Milan now, for example. They'll be back. Napoli has been really smart the past 10 or so years, no reason to think they'll go full retard now. Which, like it or not, is a huge plus for Serie A. Then you have another 3 to 5 clubs who should have the potential to improve.

We'll see.

Have you ever predicted a big transfer would go through before?

Depends. If you consider Vucinic as a big one, then yes.
Otherwise, no.

Though I basically have a 100% track record when it comes to predicting supposed big transfers not happening

 

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[Bianconero81]

Fair enough: I am laughable, you are greedy.

Of course I'd like to win in Europe (I'd like to win wherever we participate). Sadly, I'm also realistic in what I expect from the club. I'm also aware of where we're coming from. And I also know that "spending" is NOT a guarantee for success. Which, if you look at Juve over the years, is pretty obvious.

And instead of complaining 24/7, I'm glad that we're on the way up. I'm glad that we don't have to sell our best players to survive (declining league goes both ways, you know - even if I think the decline has been halted).
Hell, I remember the days where we did sell many of our better players (going from Ravanelli to Vialli to Vieri to ...) & we still made it work.


Bottom line is this: if you have some extra money, go ahead & invest it to try to improve the team. And if you haven't, just don't. Now, depending on how you look at our books, there's either some limited room to work with or there's none at all.
Regardless, fact is that we're still far from being in a position to take real risks. And signing Diamanti is simply not a risk (limited risk, limited potential rewards).
Improving this team might seem easy for all the specialists & analysts on here, but I personally don't think it.

As a closing argument: I won't pretend that I know all there is to know about Diamanti, but signing is not something I would like (age having a lot to do with it), but I sure as hell won't throw a hissy fit if he arrives. I won't even throw one if he was the only player, together with Llorente, to arrive.


And as another closing argument: I can't shake the feeling that Jovetic will be a Juve player come September 1st

I am indeed greedy, but in no way was I implying that you are laughable, just the notion that we can win in Europe without the big names, especially with the way the game is structured now

As for JoJo, I'd be very pleased if we manage to sign him. I am sure Conte has made some demands and asked for certain guarantees, as I don't really see us making any progress without some significant investment over the course of the next 3 years.

 

[Bianconero_Aus]

It's just a gut feeling, but I do believe the decline has halted (which unsuprisingly has a lot to do with us). The actual improving part should be the next step.
Last year's Euro's pointed me in that direction, along with the results we have seen in Europe this season. If you look at the coefficient points earned over the last 5 years, this is basically the only time Italy has comfortably been in the top 4. (Just edged in 09/10 as well, but that was more of a fluke imo.)

I also think the worst is behind Milan now, for example. They'll be back. Napoli has been really smart the past 10 or so years, no reason to think they'll go full retard now. Which, like it or not, is a huge plus for Serie A. Then you have another 3 to 5 clubs who should have the potential to improve.

We'll see.




Depends. If you consider Vucinic as a big one, then yes.
Otherwise, no.

Though I basically have a 100% track record when it comes to predicting supposed big transfers not happening

Agreed re Milan. I think they will easily be our main challengers next season and I can see Berlusconi actually spending some money this mercato. Napoli, not so sure aout yet, I think losing Cavani could be a massive blow for them as I can't see anyone that they could possibly sign to replace him. They definitely could sign some better depth players, though.

I too, think the decline has stopped for Serie A. Up is the only way now for the league, and really, we are the team leading the way (as always)

 

[Bianconero81]

I don't share your optimism guys. There are definitely some positive signs, with the focus on youth and some interesting young talent being present in the league. However, a lot of the top players have defected to greener pastures, and will continue to do so, unless there is a complete restructuring of the system.

We are obviously leading the way, but we need other teams to pick up the pace (get their own stadia), in addition to better marketing, merchandising, and reverting back to individual tv deals (as this collective agreement is somewhat unfair on the bigger clubs who are the main draw of the league).

 

[Bianconero_Aus]

Individual TV deals would screw the league even more and make it less attractive anyway. It's not like us, Milan and Merda are getting chicken-feed from the TV deal, we are still getting a shit-load of money from it. I like the system that is in place now, makes the league more competitive and balanced.

IMO the biggest issue (by far) is stadiums. The rest will fall into place more or less when more teams start to build more stadiums (whenever that stadium law is passed) and make Italian Football actually look like an attractive product to sell to overseas TV companies.

 

[Zacheryah]

I don't share your optimism guys. There are definitely some positive signs, with the focus on youth and some interesting young talent being present in the league. However, a lot of the top players have defected to greener pastures, and will continue to do so, unless there is a complete restructuring of the system.

We are obviously leading the way, but we need other teams to pick up the pace (get their own stadia), in addition to better marketing, merchandising, and reverting back to individual tv deals (as this collective agreement is somewhat unfair on the bigger clubs who are the main draw of the league).

exactly. Our foreign tv income is far to low. we need at least 1 rival to do extremely well, just not better then us, to make the league more interesting

 

[ZoSo]

And merchandising too. If you look at merchandising of German clubs it is insane. That may come along with stadiums though.

 

[Enron]

And merchandising too. If you look at merchandising of German clubs it is insane. That may come along with stadiums though.

I read an article about how people go to Germany to take tours of the stadiums simply to look at the architecture. They got it going on.

 

[ZoSo]

 

[Hydde]

But most of the serie A teams are cheap poor. Apart from some millions they have... its definitely not enough to built stadiums.

Or maybe it can be done.... but then there re the greedy bastards who own the teams, using the money on who knows what.

On top of it all, they are always bitchin about how the italian government and local councils make it diffcult for them to negotiate a dela to built stadiums.

 

[ZoSo]

But most of the serie A teams are cheap poor. Apart from some millions they have... its definitely not enough to built stadiums.

Or maybe it can be done.... but then there re the greedy bastards who own the teams, using the money on who knows what.

On top of it all, they are always bitchin about how the italian government and local councils make it diffcult for them to negotiate a dela to built stadiums.

To be fair it is, Andrea said I think 10 years it took for us to build and own our stadium.

 

[KingGale]

They don't make it difficult, they make it impossible. Fuck everything about that. I'm happy we managed to punch through the red tape, maybe more clubs will follow our example.

 

[Joe]

I completely agree with Buck.

I think Serie A has hit rock bottom. There's not much further it can decline.

I think we're on our way up. Clubs starting to get plans rolling on new stadiums is a great start.

 

[K.O.]

I completely agree with Buck.

I think Serie A has hit rock bottom. There's not much further it can decline.

I think we're on our way up. Clubs starting to get plans rolling on new stadiums is a great start.

As usual, Juve starts everything good in Italian football.

 

[Hydde]

To be fair it is, Andrea said I think 10 years it took for us to build and own our stadium.

I know it is, and because of that i see it almost impossible for lesser teams to emulate our plan.

 

[dbochev]

Udinese and Fiorentina are currently one the run of building new stadiums.And then , there's Roma who's almost ready to begin construction.It's a start.

 

[Trequartista]

Udinese and Fiorentina are currently one the run of building new stadiums.And then , there's Roma who's almost ready to begin construction.It's a start.

Udinese have already started. Fiorentina have not received permission from the city council yet, which knowing Italian bureaucracy, will take months, even years.

Roma will have their stadium by 2016-17.

 

[Joe]

Sampdoria have some plans out. Inter are looking to build their own stadium. Milan looking to buy the San Siro.

Good stuff.

 

[Zacheryah]

How "good" is the san sire in terms of attractiveness and moderness ?

Last renovation was decades ago iirc.

It would be heavy for them, buying, but then having to renovate it.

Funny thing is, inter pulling much higher average crowds then them

 

[Joe]

How "good" is the san sire in terms of attractiveness and moderness ?

Last renovation was decades ago iirc.

It would be heavy for them, buying, but then having to renovate it.

Funny thing is, inter pulling much higher average crowds then them

I heard they are going to put 60M worth of renovations in the San Siro once Inter leaves.