[ITA] Serie A 2007/2008 (18 Viewers)
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Calcio Debate: Juve Lost Scudetto Against Small Teams?
Juventus’ win over Milan on Saturday night was the latest in a line of impressive results against the Serie A big boys. Carlo Garganese believes that a key reason why the Bianconeri have not offered a Scudetto challenge has been due to their poor form against the smaller squads…
“The Scudetto is won against the small teams,” said Roma captain Francesco Totti after the Giallorossi defeated struggling Parma way back in week seven.
“When we won Serie A in 2001 we lost to Milan and Inter, and drew with Juventus, however we beat all the small teams so we ended the season as champions.”
Totti is far from being the brightest human being that God ever created, however he certainly had a valid point here.
In direct confrontations between the so-called 'Big Four’ (Inter, Milan, Juve and Roma) Juventus have easily the best record, and in fact are unbeaten. They defeated Milan at home, and drew away, did the same to Roma, while they picked up a point in Turin against Inter, before famously winning at San Siro.
Roma and Inter have both picked up four points less than Juventus in their meetings with the big four (the former do still have Milan to play), yet the Serie A table shows us that the Bianconeri are 10 and 14 points behind both of these teams respectively.
The reason for this is simple – Juve have just not performed against the provincial sides fighting against relegation.
Claudio Ranieri’s men have dropped 13 points against those in the bottom eight positions, picking up 26 out of a possible 39 points. Inter meanwhile have relinquished just two points, racking up a stunning 34 from 36, with their only slip-up surprisingly coming in a 2-2 draw with bottom-of-the-table Livorno in round four. Roma, like Juve, have also struggled against those in relegation waters, having accumulated six points less than Inter, despite playing one game more.
Thus you have a key reason why Inter will probably end the season as champions. Their record against the top clubs is nowhere near perfect, but they simply have not dropped any points against teams that they have been expected to beat.
In the past this has been Juventus’ speciality, particularly when Fabio Capello was in charge. A squad not blessed with the greatest technical qualities, and who would occasionally struggle against more skilful opposition, but a machine that would overpower and steamroll those smaller and weaker than them. It is for this reason that many describe Inter as the “new Juve”.
Of course there have been other factors in why Juventus have not really challenged for the Scudetto. The first year back in Serie A after Calciopoli was always going to be tough, the disastrous transfer policy of Alessio Secco (despite his claims today that it was “impeccable”) actually weakened rather than strengthened Juve, while the referees most certainly robbed the club of at least six points in the games against Napoli, Parma and Reggina.
Nevertheless statistics are important in football, and any numerical analysis of the Serie A season will show that Juve lost their chances of the Scudetto due to their shortcomings against the small teams.
goal.com
Juventus’ win over Milan on Saturday night was the latest in a line of impressive results against the Serie A big boys. Carlo Garganese believes that a key reason why the Bianconeri have not offered a Scudetto challenge has been due to their poor form against the smaller squads…
“The Scudetto is won against the small teams,” said Roma captain Francesco Totti after the Giallorossi defeated struggling Parma way back in week seven.
“When we won Serie A in 2001 we lost to Milan and Inter, and drew with Juventus, however we beat all the small teams so we ended the season as champions.”
Totti is far from being the brightest human being that God ever created, however he certainly had a valid point here.
In direct confrontations between the so-called 'Big Four’ (Inter, Milan, Juve and Roma) Juventus have easily the best record, and in fact are unbeaten. They defeated Milan at home, and drew away, did the same to Roma, while they picked up a point in Turin against Inter, before famously winning at San Siro.
Roma and Inter have both picked up four points less than Juventus in their meetings with the big four (the former do still have Milan to play), yet the Serie A table shows us that the Bianconeri are 10 and 14 points behind both of these teams respectively.
The reason for this is simple – Juve have just not performed against the provincial sides fighting against relegation.
Claudio Ranieri’s men have dropped 13 points against those in the bottom eight positions, picking up 26 out of a possible 39 points. Inter meanwhile have relinquished just two points, racking up a stunning 34 from 36, with their only slip-up surprisingly coming in a 2-2 draw with bottom-of-the-table Livorno in round four. Roma, like Juve, have also struggled against those in relegation waters, having accumulated six points less than Inter, despite playing one game more.
Thus you have a key reason why Inter will probably end the season as champions. Their record against the top clubs is nowhere near perfect, but they simply have not dropped any points against teams that they have been expected to beat.
In the past this has been Juventus’ speciality, particularly when Fabio Capello was in charge. A squad not blessed with the greatest technical qualities, and who would occasionally struggle against more skilful opposition, but a machine that would overpower and steamroll those smaller and weaker than them. It is for this reason that many describe Inter as the “new Juve”.
Of course there have been other factors in why Juventus have not really challenged for the Scudetto. The first year back in Serie A after Calciopoli was always going to be tough, the disastrous transfer policy of Alessio Secco (despite his claims today that it was “impeccable”) actually weakened rather than strengthened Juve, while the referees most certainly robbed the club of at least six points in the games against Napoli, Parma and Reggina.
Nevertheless statistics are important in football, and any numerical analysis of the Serie A season will show that Juve lost their chances of the Scudetto due to their shortcomings against the small teams.
goal.com
its a valid point to consider and the more you think about it the more impressed i am with our club this year. especially since the article points out that we have the best record out of the big 4 against the big for themselves.
but one cannot overlook goal.com's constant bashing of all that is calcio, such that they needed to throw this into the article because it was soo necessary:
greatness
but one cannot overlook goal.com's constant bashing of all that is calcio, such that they needed to throw this into the article because it was soo necessary:
greatness
Rino to receive Milan axe?
Press reports in Italy suggest that Milan could begin their summer clearout by sensationally selling Gennaro Gattuso.
The world champions have just five games left to save their season and secure Champions League football by clawing back fourth-placed Fiorentina’s four-point lead.
With the Rossoneri’s squad ageing, they are expected to make sweeping changes at the end of the campaign wherever they finish in the table and Gattuso, who has disappointed this term, could make way for new blood.
There have been suggestions that Bayern Munich could step in to sign the 30-year-old, who would link up with Azzurri teammate Luca Toni.
It has been reported that Premier League sides Tottenham and Newcastle and Scottish giants Rangers are keeping an eye on the Gattuso situation.
A move across the Channel doesn’t seem out of the question given that Rino spent the 1997-98 season with Rangers and has a Scottish wife.
channel 4
Press reports in Italy suggest that Milan could begin their summer clearout by sensationally selling Gennaro Gattuso.
The world champions have just five games left to save their season and secure Champions League football by clawing back fourth-placed Fiorentina’s four-point lead.
With the Rossoneri’s squad ageing, they are expected to make sweeping changes at the end of the campaign wherever they finish in the table and Gattuso, who has disappointed this term, could make way for new blood.
There have been suggestions that Bayern Munich could step in to sign the 30-year-old, who would link up with Azzurri teammate Luca Toni.
It has been reported that Premier League sides Tottenham and Newcastle and Scottish giants Rangers are keeping an eye on the Gattuso situation.
A move across the Channel doesn’t seem out of the question given that Rino spent the 1997-98 season with Rangers and has a Scottish wife.
channel 4
Ya I've read for the past few days that the city of milan is battling out to see who wins dinho, but then I also read that chelsea was in the mix as well. But just about an hour ago I was watching tv and ESPN actually had a headline regarding milan beating out inter and chelsea.
If this is official, then when do you guys think this would be announced by milan? Would they hold off until after the season/CL finals or immediately once the deal is inked?
If this is official, then when do you guys think this would be announced by milan? Would they hold off until after the season/CL finals or immediately once the deal is inked?
Referees Have Cost Us Dearly, Fumes Seedorf
Milan midfielder Clarance Seedorf has controversially suggested that Milan would not be sweating on a place in the Champions League next season were it not for the perceived ineptitude of Serie A referees.
Milan's aspirations to finish fourth were seriously dented by the 3-2 defeat against Juventus last Saturday, and left many Rossoneri fans cursing the official following a number of debatable decisions that went against them.
“I don’t like to talk about referees. It’s even difficult to talk to them because they just say that they call things as they see them,” he said.
“But on Saturday again there were certain episodes that changed the game. The referees have to apply the rules, but they can interpret them as they wish.
“This year Milan have been on the receiving end of too many refereeing errors and it has had a big influence on the season.
“Three or four mistakes is one thing, but there have been almost 10 games with quite serious errors.”
The Dutch midfielder went on to insist that all is not over for Milan yet, despite the fact that they missed a golden opportunity to take advantage of Fiorentina’s defeat at Inter, and are still four points behind the Viola with just three matches remaining.
“We didn’t do our bit, but we can still do it, given yesterday’s results,” Seedorf stressed.
“Against Juventus, the first half was totally Milan, but we still conceded two goals and we have to reflect on that.
“The scores gave us hope, but also angered us at the same time. We got hope because the other results went our way, but we were frustrated as it was a missed chance to close in on fourth place and that’s the fourth time in a month and a half.”
Seedorf also commented on the rumours tipping Ronaldinho for a blockbuster move to the San Siro in the summer. While he insisted that he was delighted to have the Brazilian superstar on board, he also made clear that he isn't about to give him any special treatment.
“I will be happy if he comes to Milan because he is another great champion,” he added. “I would welcome him. His arrival would give us all a boost.
“When I arrived at Milan from Inter, where I had the No 10 shirt, I didn’t get it because I was behind Manuel Rui Costa,” he recalled.
“Then, when Manuel left, I asked if I could have that number, as it has always been my favourite and I think that goes for everyone.
“But I’m not involved in these discussions and I just hope that the club does what is necessary.
“The Coach and the directors know what is needed and will find players who can make the difference.”
Derek Wanner, Goal.com
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welcome to our world seedorf and co.
Milan midfielder Clarance Seedorf has controversially suggested that Milan would not be sweating on a place in the Champions League next season were it not for the perceived ineptitude of Serie A referees.
Milan's aspirations to finish fourth were seriously dented by the 3-2 defeat against Juventus last Saturday, and left many Rossoneri fans cursing the official following a number of debatable decisions that went against them.
“I don’t like to talk about referees. It’s even difficult to talk to them because they just say that they call things as they see them,” he said.
“But on Saturday again there were certain episodes that changed the game. The referees have to apply the rules, but they can interpret them as they wish.
“This year Milan have been on the receiving end of too many refereeing errors and it has had a big influence on the season.
“Three or four mistakes is one thing, but there have been almost 10 games with quite serious errors.”
The Dutch midfielder went on to insist that all is not over for Milan yet, despite the fact that they missed a golden opportunity to take advantage of Fiorentina’s defeat at Inter, and are still four points behind the Viola with just three matches remaining.
“We didn’t do our bit, but we can still do it, given yesterday’s results,” Seedorf stressed.
“Against Juventus, the first half was totally Milan, but we still conceded two goals and we have to reflect on that.
“The scores gave us hope, but also angered us at the same time. We got hope because the other results went our way, but we were frustrated as it was a missed chance to close in on fourth place and that’s the fourth time in a month and a half.”
Seedorf also commented on the rumours tipping Ronaldinho for a blockbuster move to the San Siro in the summer. While he insisted that he was delighted to have the Brazilian superstar on board, he also made clear that he isn't about to give him any special treatment.
“I will be happy if he comes to Milan because he is another great champion,” he added. “I would welcome him. His arrival would give us all a boost.
“When I arrived at Milan from Inter, where I had the No 10 shirt, I didn’t get it because I was behind Manuel Rui Costa,” he recalled.
“Then, when Manuel left, I asked if I could have that number, as it has always been my favourite and I think that goes for everyone.
“But I’m not involved in these discussions and I just hope that the club does what is necessary.
“The Coach and the directors know what is needed and will find players who can make the difference.”
Derek Wanner, Goal.com
--
welcome to our world seedorf and co.
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