[Glen]

While Moggi and Bettega are secretly conducting our business behind the EURO transfer curtains abroad, this week may see us off-load excess players to the newly promoted sides.

Mirkovic has been certain to leave for some time, but we didn't know the destination. Atalanta now seems big favourites.

Birindelli was a bit of a surprise to me, but since we bought strong players for the defence we don't need him for cover there anymore and it seems he and Amoruso will both go to Napoli.

No tears to spill here. We allready have a great squad, and if the continuos rumours about Juve shopping for both Vieira and Anelka are anything to go by- it's obvious that we will se some major players joining before the start of next season. The silly season is actually prolonged this season, as we won't start up before 1st of August.
This is because of the Olympics, and even if we don't have that many players involved it will be a great benefit to us, as SO many of our players are involved in EURO 2000. Zidane is our most important player, and we've all seen that he can be off in a season if he's not allowed to rest properly.

Another note on the transfer sceene.
Is it just me or are Juve trying to strenghten the ties to all the small and midtable teams ? Loan deals are in the process for Rigoni and Sculli as we speak with Reggiana and Verona as likely destinations. We all know what happened with Bologna and Udinese concerning Paramatti and Zanchi's transfers. Damiano Zenoni might be a part of Mirkovic' transfer and Napoli look set to stay in serie A this time around as Parma President Tanzi is investing in that team too. Possibly dealing with Napoli can improve our relationship with both them and Parma.

Ciao.

 

[Glen]

Amoroso; On Pessotto. We can't agree on this one I know, but you have to understand what I want. I want Pessotto to be a sub. I want Candela (unrealistic), Nedved (unrealistic) Robert Pires (unrealistic) or Athirson to start, and despite everything you say Pessotto is the BEST left mid DEFENSIVELY. He doesn't add ANYTHING to offense, but he's still a valuable player to have in terms of depth- difficult away games, late gamekilling substitutions etc. etc. He's great provided he'll be second chair- as a starter he doesn't do the trick for me.
Napoli is your colony- that's fine with me. But don't think we wont get our fingers mixed up in that one too, as Moggi's son is a newly hired manager there (conducts their transfer negotiations) .

Svennis; It's always nice to see you recognize what we're doing behind the scenes . I think you're wrong on Vieira, but let's leave it at that.
Strikers- Let's see what happens. I don't believe in Anelka allthough he's surely a potential great, but his attitude would have to change alot.

I wanted to comment on some of the many rumours flying around calciomercato these days, but... there's just too many of them. If Cragnotti is serious about those estimated fees for Figo he has definately lost his mind. Let him dissemble his team- I'd like that .

Ciao.

 

[Glen]

Pessotto was terrible against Turkey- Granted.
Pippo don't know offside, has missed too many chances and dived his way to a penalty- Granted.
Kovacevic- Didn't gt many chances and all of yugo was playing like... when he was on. Nothing special- Granted.

Conte- Captain Marvel.
Del Piero- has been great when coming on. Everyone wants him to start.
Iuliano- Pushing Maldini into midfield was a wise choice by Zoff and Iuliano will CONTINUE to reward the confidence bestowed upon him with foulproof, disciplined and dependable defending.
Zambrotta- OK, but nothing more I feel.
Pippo- I know.... But just like at Juve he has still earned a match for Italy and gave a nice assist to Fiore for the second yesterday. His talent is limited, but I'm quite sure Zoff is happy at least.

Zizou and Davids: BOOM.
Van Der Sar- One fabulous save- otherwise so and so.

That's our score svennis.
Should we make one for Lazio as well ?.

Ciao.

 

[Glen]

Hi eringi- good to see you back here .
Like you I really enjoy the new design- Jan has done a splendid job.
I always bet against Denmark so at least I win some money while we're being slaughtered (50£ yesterday combined with France's 1 goal win). Having said that I like that we're actually trying to play football unlike Sweeden and Norway . we had the Dutch contained for an hour, but as they scored we we're completely unable to keep up the pressure on them, and they exploited the gaps we left them in defence. Denmark is a counterattacking team that relies on pressuring the opponents, but if we fall behind we're a dismall team. Things could have been very different if we'd taken advantage of our opening chances against France AND Holland because we're really dangerous when we're in the lead. Anyway- France and Holland are both super teams so it's OK even if our 0-6 scoreline is a little hard to swallow (I don't think it fairly resembles our efforts eigther but that's another, pointless discussion).

On Pessotto; You have to realise that I think we need a new left wing as well. I just want Pessotto to stay as a competent substitute. I agree with both you and AMO (and basically everyone else) that we would benefit from getting more speed and crativity on the left, but Pessotto is a usefull player for many scenarios because of his grit and experience.

I too like the French connection theory, but I must admit it's sad that it can't be Henry. We completely failed to take advantage of his striker qualities and seing him with Zidane now simply tears me apart. Anelka I still find asulky and overraaed, but that doens't mean he's not a possibly great acquisition. Vieira- yummie.

Willem sterk; Interesting list you've made- keep it up. Damiano Zenoni and Donati are Juve bound so keep us posted OK .

AMO; Fuser is brilliant, but I like Zambro every bit as much. I think Fuser would give some competent depth to the attacking options of the side and HAD HE BEEN FIT I'm sure he would have been there instead of Di Livio .
To answer your question in a simpel manner: yes i think Zambrotta deserves to start but if Fuser started in his place I wouldn't complain because he's a good player as well. That's the difference between that situation and Albertini-Tacchinardi in my opinion.

Ciao.

 

[Glen]

The thing about Athirson is that I've only seen him once while playng for the brazilian Olympic team. He was very good, but it's always "dangerous" to buy a Brazilian directly from their league, as it's a completely different game over here. The main reason why I'm all for it now is that I've consulted Ze da fiel on the Brazilian forum who tells me that he's better than Roberto Carlos, captains Flamengo and has scored 12 goals this season (he play left wing back of left midfield). Pace, skill, defensive abilities, composure, leader qualities. Apparently it's a complete package, and since Ze generally know's his Brazil players VERY well I choose to believe him this time around .
Also- Pessotto is an EXCELENT sub, but we would really proffit from getting a more attacking minded left wing as it would give our game more variety.
The European options are limited I feel. We won't get Nedved, Pires is goping to either Arsenal or Real Madrid, FIGO is virtually impossible to sign considering his obscene prize and apart from those I think there's a real shortage of left midfields in Europe.
Apparently we'll be able to catch a rocketing Brazilian star which would also be good business wise. Merchandicing, brand awareness and so on.
That's why .

Ciao.