[ITA] Serie A 2013/2014 (16 Viewers)

[Nzoric]

Time will tell. I'm quite sure that for 1-2 years we are covered well with Buffon.

I disagree. To me, at least, it's obvious that Buffon is declining physically. Form dips are a natural process, but a 32 year old Buffon in his dip was as good as Marchetti is now. Thats not the case anymore, he has a tough time physically reaching low shots and he panicks quite often. The low shot from Rossi that Handa pulled out yesterday is a save which I dont think Buffon physically can pull anymore.

 

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[Raz]

How much do you rate Marchetti then?

And this whole thing about physicly not being able not really strong to me. It's not like when you go past 30 or 32, you suddenly become 50% of your pre birthday self. Nowdays with improvements in fitness programs and the way players are cared for keepers can easily go from 35 to 40 imo if they commit to it and want to.

 

[JCK]

We always blitz the end third of the season, which is the most important time.

When we're not under pressure, the first time we were chasing Milan and did not even think of winning anything. Also Milan got sever problems back then. The second time around we had a comfortable lead and Napoli were the ones under pressure.

 

[JuveJay]

When we're not under pressure, the first time we were chasing Milan and did not even think of winning anything. Also Milan got sever problems back then. The second time around we had a comfortable lead and Napoli were the ones under pressure.

Only the last 6-7 games of the season, at that start of that period post-winter we were tied or close to points with Napoli (it was 49 points tied at the start of February), then we just pulled away by the end of the month.

 

[petersmit]

Milan always fuck up their start of the season... this year 5 points out of 5 matches... last year 7 points out of 6 matches... year before 5 points out of 5 matches...

they always finish top third because...well..... penalties and shit

 

[Elvin]

They can't always get away with it... I'd bet my house that Milan won't be in top 3 this season.

 

[Orgut]

Relax! Buffon is still one of the best in the world!
Buffon in his prime was the best GK of all time his form has declined since then and he was still the best that`s until the last two years which his form has declined drastically and now he is one of the best in the world altough not the best anymore...

I`d say Buffon is the 2nd best GK in Serie A right now with Handanovic 1st and Marchetti 3rd
Non of them are currently WC
I think that there arent many WC GK nowdays
The best one for me (nowadays...) is Bayern`s Neur and is by far the best GK in the world right now

 

[Nzoric]

How much do you rate Marchetti then?

And this whole thing about physicly not being able not really strong to me. It's not like when you go past 30 or 32, you suddenly become 50% of your pre birthday self. Nowdays with improvements in fitness programs and the way players are cared for keepers can easily go from 35 to 40 imo if they commit to it and want to.

Depends on the players individual physical attributes. Buffon had terrible back problems in 10/11, injuries can/will (often) leave marks on the flexibility and reflexes. Furthermore, some people feel the weight of age harder than others, Zanetti is still incredibly when it comes to the physical aspect, whereas other not so old players, like Pirlo, are feeling the age much harder. The only thing I can say for is; that Buffon seems slower these days and there for he seems to have less selfbelief which results in moments of panic or terrible decision making. And that is not something that can be caracterised as a form slump, it's just the downward trajectory of his abilities. The man is 36 (?), there's nothing wrong with this. I'm just saying he's far from the best anymore, even in the Serie A.

 

[Red]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...field-at-napoli-with-our-players-8843732.html

 

[Nzoric]

Good read

 

[Fred]

Guys, anyone know why Inter fans whistled Guarin yesterday, I was quite surprised at their reaction. Was it because he didn't play well yesterday, or is there some background story.

 

[JuveJay]

Commodore 64

 

[Nzoric]

Guys, anyone know why Inter fans whistled Guarin yesterday, I was quite surprised at their reaction. Was it because he didn't play well yesterday, or is there some background story.

Because Inter fans are ingrates. He had a poor game, but their team is unbeaten and near the top of the Serie A - they need to show some gratitude.

 

[Red]

Roma who were always very dangerous going forward are now able to defend and I don't buy this "they have played weak opponents" they destroyed them and isn't it there you win the league?

A valid point.

Roma, rather like Juve when they were shite, have still maintained a pretty respectable record against the big clubs in recent years.

It has been their inability to relentlessly hoover up points against the lesser clubs that has really held them back.

Still can't see Roma getting enough points to challenge for the title unless Juve have a poor season, though.


I'll be interested in the next five game in Serie A, because you'll then have a better idea of how teams are shaping up. So far we've seen teams like Inter and Roma make good starts, but can they keep winning as teams figure out what they are doing and they are no longer a surprise?

You look at someone like Lazio, who no-one has mentioned as having a good start (and they haven't - they've been okay-ish), but they have still managed to pick up points despite not looking to be in good shape, not having the excitement and enthusiasm that comes from a new coach and generally having to overcome a fair bit more adversity than Roma and Inter have. Now I don't suppose Lazio will threaten to win the title, but they have shown a resilience that we don't yet know if this Roma team or this Inter team has.

 

[ALC]

you guys remember in the del neri year when we were second by the start of the winter break? beginnings can be misleading.

 

[Mr Chocolate]

I try to forget the Del Neri days

 

[Red]

you guys remember in the del neri year when we were second by the start of the winter break? beginnings can be misleading.

Or when Inter beat Juve to close to within a couple of points at the start of November of last season.

But for all the heaps of examples of clubs stumbling after promising starts, there is an 11/12 Juve occasionally.

Mighty hard to spot the team with the ability to keep going this early, though.

 

[JuveJay]

you guys remember in the del neri year when we were second by the start of the winter break? beginnings can be misleading.

Of course, although I think this applies more to others than us (assume that is the point you are making).

We simply don't know how mentally strong the others are.

 

[Lion]

dont think napoli have enough depth to able to compete on both CL and serie a, even if benitez is capable of instillling a winning mentality. they will challenge for either, but not both.

roma have the benefit of playign only once a week so that helps them immensly considering outside their first 11 their squad looks poor

 

[Zacheryah]

Because Inter fans are ingrates. He had a poor game, but their team is unbeaten and near the top of the Serie A - they need to show some gratitude.

you guys remember in the del neri year when we were second by the start of the winter break? beginnings can be misleading.

Thats true, but most of that was because Quagliarella, our best player, got injured for the season (remember inter falling when milito went out last year)
And del neri beeing unable to work out how to bypass the tripple krasic marking. (look at el sharaawy second half of season)

Of course, although I think this applies more to others than us (assume that is the point you are making).

We simply don't know how mentally strong the others are.

This very point, is why i find it hard to include anyone apart from napoli and inter as actual rivals just yet