[ITA] Serie A 2013/2014 (50 Viewers)

Carlos Primera

Il Vecchio Signore
Mar 29, 2009
1,189
In May of 2006, Arsenal was headlining a CL final while Napoli was clawing it's way out of the abyss of the Serie C.

Fast forward to 2013 and now Napoli have snapped up Arsenal's transfer targets. :lol:

Despite being a monumental pain to deal with, I have to respect ADL for engineering Napoli's rise back to the upper echelons of Serie A. It took 7 years of wise decision making, patience, smart gambling and most importantly, balls. This "shopping spree" is a just culmination of those efforts. Growing a club like this is a lot more satisfying and enjoyable for it's supporters because it's success earned the hard way, rather than outright buying it as the sugar daddy clubs do.
 

JCK

Biased
JCK
May 11, 2004
125,395
Agreed on almost everything.(Bar the Inter part who i think will be in a rebuilding phase for a couple a more years imo)
That does not mean they are terrible and will fail miserably. I said they are a young side and have a coach who knows a thing or two in creating a unit.
 

Vlad

In Allegri We Trust
May 23, 2011
24,064
In May of 2006, Arsenal was headlining a CL final while Napoli was clawing it's way out of the abyss of the Serie C.

Fast forward to 2013 and now Napoli have snapped up Arsenal's transfer targets. :lol:

Despite being a monumental pain to deal with, I have to respect ADL for engineering Napoli's rise back to the upper echelons of Serie A. It took 7 years of wise decision making, patience, smart gambling and most importantly, balls. This "shopping spree" is a just culmination of those efforts. Growing a club like this is a lot more satisfying and enjoyable for it's supporters because it's success earned the hard way, rather than outright buying it as the sugar daddy clubs do.
They've been very impressive with their constant progress during the years. An example to follow. Although I'm a little bit skeptical with signings they made so far. They might be exposed to big risk. I still don't think their yearly income is enough to support those kind of investments. Missing CL for 2-3 years would set them back. And since we've seen every big team in Italy improving their squad they are all entering a new season with more ambitions. But someone's project will inevitably fail.
 
Dec 31, 2008
22,910
This time the league will be interesting, but we'll win it.

And forza naples soccer to go out in CL group stage and meelan in the play offs.

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They've been very impressive with their constant progress during the years. An example to follow. Although I'm a little bit skeptical with signings they made so far. They might be exposed to big risk. I still don't think their yearly income is enough to support those kind of investments. Missing CL for 2-3 years would set them back. And since we've seen every big team in Italy improving their squad they are all entering a new season with more ambitions. But someone's project will inevitably fail.
hopefully naples soccer and purple rats :xfinger:
 

Azzurri7

Pinturicchio
Moderator
Dec 16, 2003
72,692
I usually don't like talking much about figures and how much each player costs or is valued etc.. But I seriously still wonder why would anyone pay up to 40m for Higuain? The striker is good, I rate him but for 40?
 

Xperd

Allegrophobic Infidel
Jun 1, 2012
35,136
I will no doubt be rooting for Napoli in the CL.Certainly not Bbilan though because that would mean lesser share of the market pool.I'll be rooting for every Serie A side in Europe infact bar Inter and Milan.
 

icemaη

Rab's Husband - The Regista
Moderator
Aug 27, 2008
36,370
They needed a quality player to replace Cavani, they had the money, so they overpaid. I don't think ADL is sitting at home thinking what a good deal he has made, he's probably aware that he has been ripped off. There was no way he was going to compete with Arsenal unless he overpaid. If the risk pays off, Napoli might be able to attract established players in the coming seasons as well.
 

Azzurri7

Pinturicchio
Moderator
Dec 16, 2003
72,692
They needed a quality player to replace Cavani, they had the money, so they overpaid. I don't think ADL is sitting at home thinking what a good deal he has made, he's probably aware that he has been ripped off. There was no way he was going to compete with Arsenal unless he overpaid.
How much were Arsenal welling to pay? I wasn't up-to date with all the transfers.
 

Vlad

In Allegri We Trust
May 23, 2011
24,064
I will no doubt be rooting for Napoli in the CL.Certainly not Bbilan though because that would mean lesser share of the market pool.I'll be rooting for every Serie A side in Europe infact bar Inter and Milan.
You know who started with all that Bilan and Jube crap and why?
 

Carlos Primera

Il Vecchio Signore
Mar 29, 2009
1,189
They've been very impressive with their constant progress during the years. An example to follow. Although I'm a little bit skeptical with signings they made so far. They might be exposed to big risk. I still don't think their yearly income is enough to support those kind of investments. Missing CL for 2-3 years would set them back. And since we've seen every big team in Italy improving their squad they are all entering a new season with more ambitions. But someone's project will inevitably fail.
Given that nothing is a sure thing in football, their project could very well fail. But really, this course they are taking is the most natural progression for them.

Napoli have been performing really well the past 3 years and have been finishing well within the top 5 since 2010. As far as I know, they are doing well financially with minimal debt and decent turnovers. In addition to that, the sale of 2 of their prized assests have netted them close to €100 million euros. It's common business sense to spend money to gain money, so its natural for them to go after quality targets, lest they go the way of Arsenal the past few years.
 

Catenaccio

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2002
3,363
Napoli look strong - only worry if I was a Napoli supporter is Benitez and his spanish contingent - playing a very spanish formation in Serie A could back fire.

Their starting 11 (4231): Reina, Maggio, Cannavaro, Albiol, Armero, Behrami, Dzemaili, Callejon, Hamsik, Martens (Insigne), Higuain.

If Milan get Honda and a decent center back, they will look good in Europe.

My prediction: Juve still favorites for the league but I reckon Napoli will dissapoint in the league but surprise in the Champions League. Milan will probably score more points than Napoli in the league - their team is young and growing.
 

Amer

Senior Member
Feb 13, 2005
11,354
They needed a quality player to replace Cavani, they had the money, so they overpaid. I don't think ADL is sitting at home thinking what a good deal he has made, he's probably aware that he has been ripped off. There was no way he was going to compete with Arsenal unless he overpaid. If the risk pays off, Napoli might be able to attract established players in the coming seasons as well.
They have done very well in strengthening their team so far. IMO Napoli will fight us for Scudetto, while Milan and Fiorentina will fight it out for 3rd CL spot once again.

Still, Napoli doesn't have what it takes to win it, their defence sucks compared to the rest of the team. Cannavaro, Britos, Gamberini... that's the reason for another 2nd place finish.
 

Vlad

In Allegri We Trust
May 23, 2011
24,064
Given that nothing is a sure thing in football, their project could very well fail. But really, this course they are taking is the most natural progression for them.

Napoli have been performing really well the past 3 years and have been finishing well within the top 5 since 2010. As far as I know, they are doing well financially with minimal debt and decent turnovers. In addition to that, the sale of 2 of their prized assests have netted them close to €100 million euros. It's common business sense to spend money to gain money, so its natural for them to go after quality targets, lest they go the way of Arsenal the past few years.
Of course investing is necessary in order to reach more attractive goals. Apart from that they are really trying to increase the stature of their club with signings they made so far. Their logic is rather simple one. Better players bring more fans, this increases viewer ratings, better sponsors offer them more lucrative deals and the circle goes on. But all this is futile if they don't achieve good results. The direction in this case will change. All I'm saying is they took some big risk and if it doesn't pay off they will face difficulties. ADL and his business is just a fraction of what supported us on our way to the top.
 
OP
Dostoevsky

Dostoevsky

Tzu
Administrator
May 27, 2007
89,026
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread Starter #2,237
    I don't understand how people are repeatedly saying that the Milan teams are bad. Milan had a fantastic run from January onwards last season and there is no reason they can't do the same again this time around from the beginning of the season. Inter has a young team and Mazzari did great work with Napoli and there is no reason either that he can't do the same with Inter.

    As for the others, Napoli have lost Cavani but brought very good players instead. And all the talk about Benitez is just bullshit, the man has won titles. He won the CL with Liverpool FFS. The base that Mazzari has left and their attacking power can only become better with Benitez's defensive balance, they will do very good this season.

    Fiorentina played very good football last season and they have strengthened their squad very much. Their coach seems very good and has an idea and a plan on what to do with the team.

    Laugh on the other Serie A teams all you want but the fact remains is that we bought two forwards and still have no idea how they will turn out to be.
    There was no need for such a revolutionary change at Napoli. They had a very strong base with Mazarri and 3-5-2, they even did very well in the Champions League. Benitez's changes give an impression like they finished 5th so they want everything new, which I find rather weird. If anything goes wrong it sure is gonna be coaches fault, because there was no need for this. They are preparing to play with two winger and have to rely on Mertens (the 26yo guy who did good in Holland.. it gives no guarantees whatsoever) and Callejon (12mln and a nobody really, pulled out of nowhere as a typical Benitez signing). They don't have anyone on the bench bar Insigne, so no depth really. Their fullbacks for 4 man defense are pretty much shit, they are gonna have two big holes. CB position is not even stronger, they are relying on Albiol (another Benitez random signing for 12mln).

    He maybe won CL, but so did Rijkaard who's a shit coach (I rate Benitez higher, of course). He makes horrible signings and we've seen some already at Napoli. But despite of some very good players Napoli is a huge question mark and we can't know what to expect as everything is new. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up 2nd again, but they are still the biggest question mark in Italy.

    As for Inter, I think they suck. They suck a lot and I expect them to be the bigger flop of all teams.
     

    Catenaccio

    Senior Member
    Jul 15, 2002
    3,363
    They have done very well in strengthening their team so far. IMO Napoli will fight us for Scudetto, while Milan and Fiorentina will fight it out for 3rd CL spot once again.

    Still, Napoli doesn't have what it takes to win it, their defence sucks compared to the rest of the team. Cannavaro, Britos, Gamberini... that's the reason for another 2nd place finish.
    Agreed. If ADL wanted to re-inforce Napoli further, I would try and go for Tiago Silva more than Jackson Martinez
     

    Nenz

    Senior Member
    Apr 17, 2008
    10,472
    Don't you mean 12/13? In 11/12 they had Ibra, T.Silva, Gattuso, Van Bommel, Nesta, Cassano,Seedorf,Pato and El Shaa.
    C'mon mate. Half the players mentioned were in the twilight of their careers.

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    I usually don't like talking much about figures and how much each player costs or is valued etc.. But I seriously still wonder why would anyone pay up to 40m for Higuain? The striker is good, I rate him but for 40?
    Desperation as well poor negotiating skills. How often have Napoli had to bid for an established, class player like Higuain?
     

    Bianconero_Aus

    Beppe Marotta Is My God
    May 26, 2009
    81,189
    Who thinks Napoli has a better team on paper this year compared to last? I think Rossi is going to tear it up this year by the way, Fiorentina's team is :tup:
    Napoli had a better attack in 2011/2012 lol.

    They've good some good depth signings, but nothing that really gets the pulses racing. Reina is an upgrade on the hapless De Sanctis though. We'll see, I think they will initially struggle with so many new players, new coach, different tactics and strategies.
     

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