The Italian Football Thread

Zeman Zeman vaffanculo. There is no way whatsoever he should be allowed to carry on. Gonna take any blame tonight Zeman? Ever thought it might be you that's at fault?

Zeman's gone.

Well that went well

Zeman sacked and Dortmund interested in Petkovic, in the summer I doubt anybody would have guessed that would happen.

Had to be done 100%. There was no way it could go on. The conceding of a ridiculous amount of goals, De Rossi being on the bench etc.

Let's see if Sabatini and Baldini can make the right appointment this time. Enrique and Zeman have been very poor ones.

What's happening with Klopp?

Shame about Zeman, I saw Roma against Fiorentina and AC Milan and it looked like it was beginning to work.

EDIT - ZEMAN OUT!

Heard Blanc was the first name on Roma's list if Zeman were to be fired a few days ago.

Nothing, I think their just preparing for the worst seeing as Real Madrid will probably be after a new manager in the summer and Petko's someone their apparently keeping an eye on.

Apparently Madrid wanted €18 million for Kaka during the January transfer window.

Balotelli scores on his debut

Balotelli has scored the winner against Udinese, 2 goals on his debut

That was a horrendous decision. It was as clear as anything in real time that he took the ball.

Although if it hadn't have been given, Roma would have slipped to 9th - don't think I could have handled that!

Not a bad start for Super Mario by what I've read.

You have read correctly.

They're only 3 points off the CL now. Lazio are in a slump (in the league anyway) so Milan could be back in the top 3 before too long......

Aye, he had a very good game but overall Milan looked a lot better than the other times I've seen them this season, well, the attack and midfield at least. For all the inevitable talk about Balotelli I thought Niang had a great game, frightening to think he's just turned 18.

The penalty decision was a joke though, in a season full of poor calls it's right up there with the worst.


Edit: It's the usual story with Lazio, we start the season well, have a poor winter mercato where we fail to strengthen then start to struggle when the injuries to key players start to bite.

What happened with Felipe Anderson?

The fax from Brazil didn't arrive. Lotito's line is there was a mix up between Santos and the investment group that own around 30% of his rights. Then he decided negotiations had started on the 9th of January and we were always planning to bring him in during the summer. Outwith the club the general idea is we'd agreed a price for Santos' share but there was a disagreement with the investment group, they wanted 35% of any fee we received when we sold him but Lotito wasn't willing to go above 30%.

Roma are horrendous. 3-1 down at Samp and Osvaldo did the unforgiveable (took a penalty off Totti).

Balotelli put another penalty away too. He's excellent at them, to be fair.

Three goals in two games, although two were penalties. Good record anyway and hope he keeps it up just to get it round the English media.

Gutted that Fiorentina lost against Juventus on Saturday as the hotel I work in is hosting a lot of Juventus fans so I probably shouldn't mention that I like Fiorentina if I get talking to them. I think we'll just fantasise about Del Piero all night.

Shame about Fiorentina, considering it's a derby in those parts they were rather sh*te against Juve, I hope this isn't another Montella side fading out as other teams figure out how to beat them. Same for Milan today, dreadful against a side with a fraction of their budget, shame a penalty (and therefore a Balotelli goal) saved them.

Inter weren't a lot better tonight, though Cassano had a great game and arguably made the difference. Credit to Zanetti who (as he does week in week out) outran almost every player on the pitch. The occasional good games from Giggs and Scholes really pale in comparison with this guy doing it week in, week out.

As for Lazio, we had a good first half against Napoli and could have killed the game with a second goal, but we didn't and Napoli came back in the second half and almost deserved to draw level - they did anyway in the end. After coming on Insigne was the difference, that Hobbit is a different player with the ball at his feet.

Cagliari president Massimo Cellino has been arrested after he apparently pressured the local authority to divert funds from other projects towards the construction of their new Is Arenas ground. He's also accused of building a permanent structure despite only having permits for a temporary one.

Because of this the stadium could be demolished, especially as it's meant to be disturbing the wildlife in a nearby wildlife preserve.

Juventus are beaten thanks to a genius strike by Totti. What a man.

Top result!

Inter look like their going to get a hiding from Fiorentina, 2-0 down already, really missing Milito and their CB's have gone AWOL. Now I've said that they'll do doubt get their act together...

Edit: Never mind, 4-0 now

Really rubbish result for Fiorentina last night.

It should have been 6/7-1

Inter are horrendous. If a bunch of Milan and Juve fans had took control of the club after they won the Champions League in 2010 I don't think even they could have made them go downhill as much as they have done in reality since then.

Siena 3-0 Lazio tonight. Lazio are in a pretty minging run in the league (although still 3rd I think). You get the impression that despite all Milan's problems, they're still gonna end up 3rd eventually - Fiorentina the most likely challengers going off current form.

Elsewhere, finally found Carlo Zampa's commentary for Totti's latest piece of genius - http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xxk7c1_roma-juventus-1-0-telecronaca-carlo-zampa-16-02-2013_sport#.USAdtnRJURd.facebook . Brilliant!

Milan derby starts in 5. Looking forward to it.

Good win for the Giallorossi earlier, 3-2 at Atalanta, which can be a tough place to go - without DDR and Il Capitano as well.

Milan 1-0 up through El Shaarawy and Palermo have sacked Malesani has been sacked after 3 games, to be replaced by Gasperini, who he replaced 19 days ago.

El Shaarawy \o/


Zamparini

I want to say it's a new low for him but I'm really not sure it is.