Serie A begins!

[Von Wigglestaff]

The only league that matters has kicked off another season.

Italian football began to change in 2005; out went the grinding catenaccio in came a faster pace and creative play-making. While Manchester City - Arsenal was sucking a lemon; Torino - Lazio, Juventus - Livorno produced 10 goals in total. The broadcasting of games has improved, listening to the raucous Genovese crowd gave the fast paced Genoa - Milan match an extra element of excitment.

Juventus made an empathic return to Serie A by hammering Livorno 5-1. I don't agree with Del Pierro starting, a Trez(3)/Iaquinta(2) partnership could give opposing defences fits. Provided that the Frenchman can stay healthy, of course. The Olympic Stadium looked impressive and could be the blue print for Italian football grounds yet to be built.

A very exciting first week of play; let's hope that the match of the week (Palermo - Roma) lives up to what went before it.

 

[the_big_E]

The only league that matter in terms of trying to induce you into a deep sleep...

okay Arsenal dominated Man City, and it was rather entertaining...given I only have TLN, it kind of sucks both of the games they showed this morning were on tape delay.

Should be better though this year with the return of Juve...

 

[VERYBADBOY]

Nice to see that Juve is back in the fold and in fine form, too bad they are out of CL or UEFA cup play this year. Kaka and AC Milan looked good on the pitch and Inter has it's same old problems with Adriano, lets see what happens by the end of the tranfer deadline this week. Lots of transfers out this year that should make things interesting.

I caught a glimpse of the Italian Soccer Fanatics last night ... Alf, Gina, Sev and this other guy? ... it looked like Sev was pissed that his two buddies were not around ... not sure if this format remains, don't really care for them but I do enjoy the Midnight Serie A Highlights. What was really bothersome was in the bottom right hand corner where the scores from the games played that weekend were being shown the TLN logo overshadowed the scores making it useless.

VBB

 

[frasier]

The only league that matters has kicked off another season.

.

You mean the Bundesliga?

 

[the_big_E]

Soccer Fanatics is such a BAD show.

It used to be tolerable, but they freakin' say the exact same thing every week!

Joe, Inder is great!

 

[Von Wigglestaff]

You mean the Bundesliga?

Couldn't agree with you more.

I've been a Bundesliga fan since the day Toby Charles did Soccer Made in Germany on Channel 47. He would openly proclaim that he was broadcasting with a beer in his hand, and the more he drank the more eloquent he became. He was also a fountain of knowledge, bringing out stats on every player on the pitch. He became such a cult figure that SCTV spoofed him (one of Dave Thomas's funnier moments).

Bayern had a great team (Rummeniege, Breitner, Hoeness) but they chocked against Aston Villa in the 1982 Champions Cup Final. I loved Hamburg, they were a complete team with players like Magath, Klatz, Litbarski and my favorite German player of all time Horst Hrubesch. In 1979 they won the Bundesliga, the UEFA Cup and Kevin Keegan became European Player of the Year. In 1983 they became giant killers when they defeated a massively favored Juventus (Platini, Rossi, Boniek, Tardelli......) to win the Champions Cup. Those were the days.

The rest of the CL are lucky they dont have to play against Bayern this year, with Klose, Toni and Ribery, they look unstopable.

 

[David Beckham 23]

On a side note I just heard that Sevilla midfielder Antonio Puerta died on Tuesday, three days after collapsing during a Primera Liga match against Getafe.

A shame. Only 22.

 

[VERYBADBOY]

Soccer Fanatics is such a BAD show.

Understatement !!!

This weekend ...

1) the TLN logo was still in the bottom right hand corner blocking the scores from the past weekend.
2) Juventus was listed twice with 6 and 3 points placing them in 1st and 6th place.
3) The other 2 guys showed up, I believe Joe has a new "Inder" shirt.


VBB

 

[Von Wigglestaff]

The fanatics embarass even me!

I wish someone would reunite Brian Budd and Bob Iarusci; now that would be a football show I'd make time to watch.

Cagliari 2 Juventus 3.....Buffon Almighty.

This was a game that Juve richly deserved to lose; Buffon made two highlight reel saves. You could almost hear Nigel Reid fall out of his chair. Patsy Foggia made the locals think that they were watching GF Zola, for his efforts he was rewarded with a call up to the Azzurri against France and the Ukraine.

AC Milan 1 Fiorentina 1

It may have been that the emotional Super Cup match against Seville took it out of the Rossoneri; their high-powered offence was erased from the pitch by the Viola's stout, and very quick, defenders. If it was up to me Pasqual, Gamberini and Dianelli would all start against France.

 

[David Beckham 23]

The AC Milan vs Fiorentina was a pretty good match. even though it ended in a draw, it was entertaining.

 

[the_big_E]

I believe Joe has a new Inder shirt....hahahaha, too funny.

I havent caught it yet, but I've noticed its only 30 minutes now? That's probably a GOOD thing.

For those who want EPL highlights, thescore.ca has them up every weekend to every match, which is better source than youtube now!

 

[Von Wigglestaff]

Something puzzles me.

I never watch the Fanatics, I tried once and it was too painfull. But some of you appear to be real fans. If you are you have way too much time on your hands.