Pretty men in pink kill another giant….and the Serie C2/A being shocked by Alessandria
By: Marco |
4 Comments
Sure its Steven’s job to talk about this but I might get my two cents in on it and rant about it. Everyone expected Milan to walk over Palermo considering their 2-0 drubbing against camel boy and the United Nations team but holy crap it was the complete opposite. The first half proved to be the starting point of the upset and you could see Palermo wanted it more. My boy Miccoli aka uni-brow aka fashion expeditionary extraordinaire was all over the place. It brought a tear to my eye and reminded me of all of those months spent playing FM leading Palermo to glory. With that epic midfield partnership of Daniele Dessena & Juan Manuel Torres, the Argentine duo of Andres D’Alessandro and Augusto Fernandez with Adriano (the party boy) up front. Ok enough of the flashbacks.
Atalanta still sit mid table but the Lazio win is vital and gives us a lot of momentum. Roma are slowly making their way up top and look like the Milan of last year. Juve and Milan are tied for second place with the United Nations leading the league like they usually do so no surprises there. The Serie C2/A you say? What the f*** is that? Its our equivalent of the Coca Cola league or whatever its called in England. Real football fans watch lower league football and at least support a team down there instead of a top 4 team and I personally love the lower leagues. My beloved Alessandria are rocking the league after being promoted from the Serie D (the Italian version of the Blue Square) and I would love to see them up top. Sure it would take them another three or four seasons at least but we can at least dream. Legnano are the worst team in the Serie C1/A and it looks like they are getting relegated. The pretty men in lilac just haven’t been able to do anything after a good season last time around. But at least I get to wear my pretty kit tomorrow proudly 
Category: Atalanta Team News
I used to have big plans for the future but then I decided to buy FM09…as if FM08 hadn’t taken enough from me :(
By: Marco | 5 Comments
I don’t get obsessed when it comes to games. Unless its Football Manager. You have to be a certain type of person to enjoy the pain, suffering and eventually glory that makes up the glorious journey through football. I started my path back in 06 and I never looked back. Ivan Klasnic (I will explain his story later) led my Milan to glory over the course of six seasons. Eventually though it wore off and I moved on to 07 and beyond. I started up as Palermo and managed to take them to glory and make them into a powerhouse. Yes I sold Fagzarli and Zaccardo early on but I tried to keep hold of Amauri and Cavani as long as possible. But then again Mr. Adriano carried us to victory over the course of six seasons bring us three CL titles, one UEFA Cup, three Scudetto’s, four European Super Cups and unfortunately only one Coppa Italia.
He became the club symbol but then left to Real Madrid for 155M. Sure I let him go for that kind of cash. By the end of those five years we had a balance of 489M and we were the second richest club in the world. Who would have thought the pretty men in pink would be so rich. After that I tried my hand at A.C Legnano & Igea Virtus in the lower leagues. I won the Serie C1/A and Serie C2/C but I lost interest and went to Eastern Europe.
It was a huge change to say the least. I started fresh with Dinamo Kyiv or Dynamo Kiev or whatever…and I dominated the Vyscha Liha with a nice 10 point gap in my first season. I also beat United and Porto in the CL but I am still working on that. I decided to get as much silverware as possible after that and finished my other game with CSKA Moscow. It wasn’t much of a challenge and I won the RFPL along with the Kubok Rosii. So here I am planning out my next move. I will return to my Palermo and Kiev saves since they were successful and fun but I want to continue to other leagues. Maybe a little Croatia and Serbia here and some Belarussian and Bulgarian over there with a mix of Slovenia and Slovakia to finish out my tour of Eastern Europe. I never had much success in South America except with River Plate (*cough* hire me as manager… *cough*) but again it wasn’t as interesting as the others.
So here is my trophy case so far:
Domestic Leagues:
Serie A: x 5 (Palermo x 3, Milan x 2)
Serie C1/A: x 1 (A.C Legnano)
Serie C2/C: x 1 (Igea Virtus)
Vyscha Liha (Ukrainian): x 1 (Dinamo Kyiv)
Russian Premier League: x 1 (CSKA Moscow)
Argentine Primera: x 1 (River Plate)
Continental Cups:
Champions League: x 5 (Palermo x 3, Milan x2)
European Super Cup: x 6 (Palermo x 4, Milan x 2)
Club World Cup: x 2 (Palermo, Milan)
UEFA Cup: x 1 (Palermo)
Domestic Cups:
Sicilian Cup: x 2 (Palermo)
Italian Cup: x 1 (Palermo)
Italian Super Cup: x 3 (Palermo)
Superkubok Ukrainy: x 1 (Dinamo Kyiv)
Kubok Rosii: x 1 (CSKA Moscow)
International:
Africa Cup of Nations: x 1 (Algeria)
Euro: x 2 (Italy, Serbia)
Hopefully I will be adding some more to that list very shortly before a break…then I will start with 09 
Category: Random Stuff...brews :)Samba didn’t really connect but Ricky Kaka did
By: Marco | 2 Comments
In my heart I will always be a Milanista and considering I would rather have them up top then Shinter or Torino (I can’t think of a generic and corny nickname) I am glad they won. Milan have a history as of late of slacking off against weaker sides and losing and the match was pretty much one sided as they could have done much more but three points are three points. I know Atalanta won’t be up in the top 4 but at least a top 10 would be great because we need to rebuild some more next season.
We peppered Abbiati with shots and somehow managed to dribble the ball in their box a couple of times without getting a shot off and we managed to shut down Ronaldhino except for a couple of decent passes but Kaka did what well Kaka does and score. All in all its Milan…history didn’t matter yesterday and shit happens. But I want them to get back into the Champions League….and don’t even ask me about the Palermo game and Gila’s volleyball shot. He is getting a two match ban right? Should be more but then again he doesn’t have much class (no offense to the Viola, I love Prandelli)
Category: Atalanta Team NewsThey terk urrr knerrr (They took your knee)
By: Marco | Add Comments
Atalanta lost 1-0 to Milan on Sunday at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia, but the worst peice of news could be that talented midifielder Luca Cigarini will be out of action for at least six weeks.
The Orobici star sustained an injury in the defeat to Milan and had to be stretchered off, tests later revealed the former Parma player had a torn ligament and will need several weeks to recover. Now the 22-year-old has been told to rest, before the exact extent of the damage can be ascertained.
Cigarini has been a key part of Atalanta’s good results this season after arriving in the summer and is considered one of the brightest midfield prospects in the peninsula. Many fans and pundits have compared his style of play to Milan and Italy maestro Andrea Pirlo.
Atalanta returned to training without Cigarini on Monday, as they prepare for their away match against Torino, who are struggling with just five points after their loss to Juventus on Saturday
Bad news indeed…I know how he feels as I suffered through a bad knee dislocation but mine wasn’t as bad as this. Very bad news for Atalanta and its a shame but he still has a long career and plenty of more injuries ahead…welcome to the Serie A brew. I saw the tackle err attempted tackle and I knee it was serious.
Category: Atalanta Team NewsSerie A Preview: Samba Destruction :(
By: Marco | Add Comments
This match promises to be an exciting encounter. Milan will be determined not to slip up on the road this time around, having lost the past two seasons when they visited Bergamo to play Atalanta.
Taking those past victories into account, Atalanta will have a high level of confidence in themselves going into this encounter. In their home victory against Milan last season (they also won at the San Siro), they shocked the Rossoneri by obtaining all three points in a 2-1 win, despite their rivals having controlled most of the match.
Atalanta will not sneak up on Milan this time around. The two sides are levelled on thirteen points after seven rounds of the season. In addition, Carlo Ancelotti’s men will have memories of that night last January, when they were undone by two goals which came quickly on the counterattack.
Milan had taken the lead through Gennaro Gattuso after a quarter of an hour and maintained large amounts of possession. However, they did not convert any of this into more goals and were stunned by a quick strike from Antonio Langella just before halftime.
When play resumed after the break, the first half was but a distant memory compared to how the match played out in the second stanza. Rather than sit back and absorb Milan’s advances, Atalanta were now fully into the flow of the match and counterpunched each time Milan took a swing.
With twenty minutes remaining, The Oribici struck the decisive blow, as Fernando Tissone side-footed a one-time shot past Zeljko Kalac in the Milan goal.
And Now…
Moving on to the current campaign, Atalanta have shown that they could very well be contenders for a European spot come season’s end. They have done well to defend their home turf so far by winning all three games in their own backyard so far this term.
They have not fared so well on their travels, with a record of one win, two defeats and a draw, which came last weekend against Chievo in Verona. That match was Atalanta’s to win, but they could not get that second goal after having gone behind and then fought back to level.
As For the Visitors
Milan are surely the favorites in this match, but anyone who has followed the Serie A in recent seasons will be well aware of the Rossoneri’s propensity for dropping points on the road. Far too often, they have controlled possession, had the better of the chances, and come away with only a draw and on some occasions a shocking defeat.
Despite their scoreless draw away to Cagliari three weeks ago, they appear to have rectified this habit of losing points on their travels. Not only have they gone from strength to strength in Serie A play, but they are rolling in the UEFA Cup, and appear to be the favorites to win the competition.
This was evidenced by their 3-1 trouncing of Heerenveen on Thursday in the Netherlands. Filippo Inzaghi scored two goals in his typical close-range fashion while Gennaro Gattuso also chipped in with a strike of his own.
FORM GUIDE
Atalanta
24/09 (Serie A): Atalanta 1-0 Cagliari
28/09 (Serie A): Roma 2-0 Atalanta
01/10 (Coppa Italia): Lazio 2-0 Atalanta
05/10 (Serie A): Atalanta 4-2 Sampdoria
19/10 (Serie A): Chievo 1-1 Atalanta
Milan
28/09 (Serie A): Milan 1-0 Inter
02/10 (UEFA Cup): Zurich 0-1 Milan
05/10 (Serie A): Cagliari 0-0 Milan
19/10 (Serie A): Milan 3-0 Sampdoria
23/10 (UEFA Cup): Heerenveen 1-3 Milan
TEAM NEWS
Atalanta
It was hoped that Christian Vieri would be fit in time for this match, but he is now seriously in doubt. Also, Antonio D’Agostino and Alessio Manzoni will be out for this encounter.
The Oribici have no suspended or cautioned players heading into this fixture and they will have Luca Cigarini return from sanction.
Possible Formation (4-4-1-1): Coppola – Garics, Talamonti, Mandredini, Bellini – Ferreira Pinto, Cigarini, Guarente, Padoin – Doni – Floccari
Milan
It appears as though Alessandro Nesta could finally make his season debut after having suffered from a back problem for quite some time. Andrea Pirlo and Philippe Senderos will not be fit to participate due to injury, and Kakha Kaladze is absent from the defense with a knee ailment.
Milan have no suspended players, while Marek Jankulovski is one yellow card away from a mandatory one-match ban.
Possible Formation (4-3-2-1): Abbiati – Zambrotta, Nesta, Maldini, Jankulovski – Flamini, Seedorf, Ambrosini – Kakà, Ronaldinho – Borriello
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Atalanta
Cristiano Doni usually amps up his game when he plays matches against the big sides, and this just so happens to be one such occasion. Thomas Mandredini has performed well in defense this season, and could be on the verge of a national team call-up.
Milan
Ronaldinho only saw a small amount of time when coming on as a substitute in the UEFA Cup victory against Heerenveen, so he will be fresh. Kakà played well played in that same match, and was himself substituted, so he also should be ready to go. After scoring two goals against Heerenveen, Filippo Inzaghi could be called upon late on if Milan find themselves needing to score.
PREDICTION
Milan come into this match on a hot streak, but Atalanta aren’t looking too shabby either. Whenever these two hook up, you’re sure to see plenty of attacking talent on display, and this match will not be any different. Milan lost to Atalanta twice last season, and cannot allow it to happen for a third-straight time.
Atalanta 1-2 Milan
- Goal.com
I will be vouching for Milan on this one. Kaka, Ronaldhino, Pato and Super Pippo are going to cause some serious problems for the La Dea backs. But if history is anything Atalanta might upset them or tie. Milan has a way of slacking off against smaller sides *cough* remember last season? Empoli? I can keep going *cough* But with the current lineup and form I expect Milano to pull it through. I hope that Atalanta puts up a fight…
Category: Atalanta Team NewsFlying Donkeys…….
By: Marco | Add Comments
Another bore draw against Chievo….reminds me of last year. Pinto had a good game and managed to get on the board while also being a constant thorn in the flying donkey defense. Garics, Guarente and Floccari didn’t do much and had a sub par game. Garics is Garics but if Guarente should have been on fire considering his recent form and winning goals. Same with Floccari who can’t seem to get started this season but its a very long season. Just ask Roma 
Again the Serie A resembles the stock market by being completely random. I am currently in Palermo and I heard about the Sicilian derby….we deserved a win against the elephant men but shit happens…just ask Roma. The look on Rosella Sensi’s face sums it up. They weren’t even on the field. Inter were out there by themselves passing the ball around and occasionally kicking it in the net. I am sure that she was listening to some death metal in that iPod getting ready to rip Luciano’s bald head off and basically rip the team a new one. At least Milan won against Sampa and the Samba finally worked with a 3-0 drubbing. Looks like its either Inter or Milan for the Scudetto considering Lazio were surprisingly beat by Bologna 3-1 and we all know Samba > everything. Team Ibrabimbobitch needs to be dethroned by the real Milan. Its early in the morning and I have a full day of sleeping, fishing and eating ahead of me….arrivederci
Category: Atalanta Team NewsTrofeo Achille and Cesare Bortolotti Atalanta v. KV Mechelen
By: Marco | Add Comments
Atalanta thanked its fans for 100 years in existence by playing Belgium side KV Mechelen during the week in the Trofeo Achille. We won the trophy of course and really not much to say about it. Nice to thank the tifosi for all of their service…
Category: Atalanta Team NewsIt doesn’t matter if you like the EPL, Serie A or La Liga this is a call for us to unite
By: Marco | 6 Comments
This is a great article for everyone to read.
My debate today was originally going to be on the Italian goalkeeping crisis. This was until I stumbled across a story on SKY Sports detailing the stadium scuffles that occurred between Bulgaria and Italy fans in Sofia on Saturday night.
“Nothing wrong with reporting this story,” you may think. And you would be right. The problem with SKY Sports though is that the only Italian news they ever cover is either violence, racism, diving, corruption, or any other negative Calcio stereotype. It has reached the point now where it is obvious that this is a deliberate and dirty ploy to damage the image and integrity of Italian football.
SKY markets the Premiership as the “best league in the world”, even (probably) paying their pundits extra money for uttering this motto as often as possible. Thus, they portray every positive aspect of the league (I don’t deny there are many), while covering-up any negative features.
Yes, Italy has problems (it also has many great things that are NEVER reported by SKY). But at least the country strives, albeit often unsuccessfully, to publicly confront its problems, and does not embark on some brainwashing marketing scheme to fool the rest of the world. Yes, English stadiums are better and safer than Italian ones, there is less DOMESTIC racism and violence, the policing is far more advanced, and there have been no Calciopoli-type scandals in recent years – I am not disputing any of this for one second.
But, do you honestly believe that England is the squeaky clean country it is made out to be? If you do, then you also believed that Britney Spears was a virgin up until a few years ago. Any downbeat and malevolent episodes are totally ignored by Murdoch’s media, and those that may emerge in a deliberately diluted form, are just swept under the carpet.
If you were to listen to SKY you would be made to believe that racism is completely extinct in English grounds. Well, I have been to a number of Anglo-Italian games in the past decade and been subjected to vicious first-hand racism in English stadiums (I’m sure many overseas readers will have too). One such example was during the 1999 Champions League semi final at Old Trafford between Juventus and Manchester United. My father and I were in the Italian section, but a group of Red Devils had managed to obtain some tickets, and were situated in the row in front of us. With Juve leading 1-0 through Antonio Conte, these fans began to grow frustrated and the racist remarks started to flow. “Cheating Italian scum”, “greasy Wops”, “war cowards”, “fascists”. My father can be something of a hothead and did not hold back in his reaction, as he duly grabbed the most vocal of these idiots by the throat and was almost about to strangle him. The person sitting next to my dad stopped him, and this person ironically happened to be none other than the great Welsh/Italian boxer Joe Calzaghe, a passionate Juve supporter, who my dad is acquainted with. The Mancunian and his friends were then ejected before they risked a Jeff Lacy-style beating.
Forms of racism, just like fan violence, are customary in parts of Italy yes, but those who say they don’t take place in England are once again fooled by SKY, who refuse to report any such instances as it would risk damaging their Premiership image. It’s clever marketing, but it leads to a circle of denial and, as a result English football actually ends up suffering more. To offer two prime examples, we could talk about the foreign involvement (owners, players and coaches) in the Premiership, which is bordering on the laughable, as well as the recent struggles of the national team.
SKY is so determined to make the Premiership the best league in the world that they have destroyed the footballing soul in the country. Most fans flock along and jump on the bandwagon like a bunch of blind sheep, but I personally long for the days when the likes of Gus Caesar and Justin Edinburgh (look them up) were on show in the North London derby. Yes, they were not the best of players, in fact Caesar was atrociously bad, but at least there was some meaning then to an Arsenal against Spurs clash. Today, everything is fake and false, and I say this as someone who was once a huge fan of English football, but now feels cheated by its sell-out. Everything Michel Platini says about the Premiership is right on the money. The only people who say he is anti-English are those who have been brainwashed.
The Italian league has its issues, but it also has many things to be proud of. If SKY wants to obtain some respect from those who are not so easily led astray, I suggest they read this article, and start highlighting some of the positives about the Italian game.
The game would be beautiful if we all united together but sadly this won’t happen anytime soon.
Category: Atalanta Team NewsAtalanta B.C Player Profile….well kind of
By: Marco | Add Comments
Well not really a profile since he isn’t well known but Atalanta defender Daniele Capelli was called up by Casiraghi’s Azzurrini due to numerous injuries and suspensions. It will be interesting to see what he can do and hopefully he doesn’t suck it up. The Azzurrini failed to get past Israel in the first leg but since its still 0-0 we should have enough determination to get past them.
Category: Atalanta Team NewsThis reminded me why I love football
By: Marco | 1 Comment
Emotional Ancelotti Fighting For Borgonovo
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has shown his soft spot as he prepares to play in tonight’s charity match for former Rossoneri and Fiorentina player Stefano Borgonovo, who is suffering from a form of Motor Neurone Disease…
Ancelotti will be one of many football celebrities to take part at the Artemio Franchi. The game has been organised by Fiorentina and Milan to raise money for charity which will help in the research to find a cure for the illness. The coach is looking forward to playing for his former team mate Borgonovo and, although Ancelotti is usually cool, calm and collected, he couldn’t hide his emotions on this occasion.
“This game is fundamental to make people more aware of this illness and to help research,” the coach told Sky Italia.
“We will all be emotional and it’s going to be a different night for everyone.
“Borgonovo is a friend and we shared many adventures. He was always a sensible man and we are all standing by his side in this moment of need.
“I hope this night will bring him [Borgonovo] plenty of joy and help him stay better as well as help find a cure for this illness.”
Ancelotti will be joined by a number of former legends including Marco Van Basten, Roberto Baggio and Franco Baresi. The Italian national team will also be in the stands showing their support.
____________________________________________________________________________________Roberto Baggio Returns To Football
Football legend Roberto Baggio will make his return to the pitch for the first time since hanging up his boots in 2004 for the ‘Tutti per Borgonovo’ charity match.
Baggio played alongside Borgonovo during the late 1980’s when they were both at Fiorentina. Both players enjoyed different careers. Sadly, Borgonovo fell ill and he was diagnosed with a form of SLA, a disease which begins to affect muscles leading to a deterioration in movement and, eventually, to whole paralysis. Baggio is one of the many stars who will feature later tonight and he has explained why he has come out of retirement to show solidarity for his former team mate.
“Everyone knows I love the Viola jersey,” Baggio told La Nazione.
“I have come back to this stadium and to the pitch for Stefano, he has brought me here.”
Milan and Fiorentina organised the game and proceeds will go towards Borgonovo’s charity which helps raise funds to further research to find a cure for the illness. A number of current and former stars will take part. Seedorf and Ronaldinho will play, as will Ruud Gullit, Demetrio Albertini, Franco Baresi and Marco Van Basten amongst others. Borgonovo is in Florence and, although he will not play a part in the match, he will be taken and paraded around the stadium by his children before Baggio gets proceedings underway.
I heard about Borgonovo’s story a while ago and it is really sad. ALS is a terrible disease that needs to have more attention brought to it. But Borgonovo still manages to love the Serie A and still have a positive attitude. I can imagine what it will be like when he goes out on the field; I can truthfully say it will be an amazing event its a shame that I don’t get to see it. Even reading about the match makes me get emotional and that takes a lot. With all of the talk about match fixing, all of the cheating, trash talking, accusations, classlessness, arguments with fellow football fans, fan boys and general idiots that come along with the sport this really reminds me why I truly love this game. Here’s to you Borgo.
Category: Atalanta Team News
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