Winning pitch?
I have been watching the Italian title contenders with interest over the last few weeks. One after another, they have come out and made their pitch with their Scudetto credentials. Each side has tried to get me to buy into their vision for the season ahead. More and more it has felt like an episode of Dragons’ Den.
Inter were first to make their play. “Listen,” they said. “We were the best last season, and we will be the best again this term. And we promise this time around we will deliver in Europe too. We have hired Jose Mourinho as our director of operations. If anyone can bring the Champions League back after four decades away it is him.”
But I’m sorry, boys, I don’t buy it. You will let us down again in Europe this year. I’m out.
“You want tradition and class,” insisted Juventus. “We’ve learned our lessons from Calciopoli and are back better and stronger than ever. Look at our summer acquisitions policy – everything about it says we are up for the Scudetto this year. Nobody else has a better track record.”
That, of course, is true. Nonetheless, I still see some weaknesses in your plan. I can’t be part of it.
“We have rejuvenated our team and brought in one of the best trouble-shooters on the market,” countered Milan. “Our Coach will become the Italian version of Alex Ferguson and our overseas imports are without equal. You don’t really believe we will miss out on the title fight again do you?”
No, I agree, the Rossoneri will be in the mix this year. But you slipped too far behind last year and your new boys don’t convince me. Count me out.
Then Fiorentina sent their bidder reluctantly into the room. “We’re not really Scudetto contenders,” he insisted. “We are building a team for the future. There are other sides much bigger than us who we can’t compete with. We are just a start-up business.”
I find that lack of ambition a bit hard to believe. But you are right to play down the expectations – I think you will have your work cut out to finish in the top four again this year.
Finally, there was Roma. “Look,” they said. “We pushed Inter all the way last year and we have made only minor adjustments. We have put down solid foundations to build our challenge from. There are doubts about all our market rivals but we have a record that speaks for itself.”
I’m not entirely convinced, I admit, but the argument rings true. And I don’t like to send everyone away empty handed. So, Giallorossi, I’ll back your chances of taking the Scudetto this year. Now let me make you an offer…
By Giancarlo Rinaldi
Channel 4
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