March 2012
29 posts
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Classic Calcio Kits: Fiorentina 92-93
A new series of posts all about kits that captured the imagination throughout the golden age of Calcio.
First up Fiorentina 92-93
Home Kit
Make - Lotto
Sponsor - 7up
Worn by players such as Batistuta, Brian Laudrup, Effenberg, Baiano and Caranascial.
Fact: Batistuta scored 16 times in the 1992-93 season
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Andrea Stramaccioni and ‘Baby Inter’ form Inter’s...
It is hardly a surprise these days when Massimo Moratti sacks a Coach. This is normally followed with him then failing to get the man he wants to replace him. However, before the Maurizio Zamparini comparisons start, it could be that Inter President has just played a master stroke.
After Moratti’s latest appointment, even those with an expert eye on Italian football would have been forgiven for...
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When Calcio ruled the World: Branco
Branco, the Brazilian left back who was more revered for his free kicks than his defending.
From 1986-88 he spent time playing on loan at Brescia, however, after going to FC Porto he returned to Italy to play for Genoa and it was here where he is best remembered.
From 1991-93 Branco played for Genoa 71 times scoring 8 times. A man whose powerful shot used to terrorise goalkeepers and defenders...
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Inter welcome the NextGen Coach
Inter have parted company with Claudio Ranieri after only six months in charge. The Nerazzurri are now on their fifth Coach in two years.
Ranieri had been brought in by Moratti to steady the ship after a poor start to the season had been accredited to Gian Piero Gasperini. Ranieri had brought some form to the team, however, after a terrible recent run that has only seen one win in ten, his time...
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Inter win the NextGen Final
Inter were crowned the NextGen Series Champions yesterday after they beat Ajax at the Matchroom stadium.
2,500 spectators came out to watch the stars of tomorrow battle it out in the tournament that has been christened ‘The Champions League for kids’.
The Italians scored took the lead through Samuele Longo’s first half strike, this came courtesy of a fanastic through ball from...
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Stadium development becomes key to Serie A’s...
“All of our fans are attached to San Siro, which will have new facilities installed by 2015. Stadiums in Italy are not made for families. A stadium like Arsenal’s, with restaurants, pubs and shops, allows financial return every day of the week.” Barbara Berlusconi
This was the crux of Barbara Burlusconi’s rhetoric after the Arsenal game. To some it not only heretically suggested that the...
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Where to stay when watching Calcio: The Hotel...
The Hotel Brunelleschi Florence
Cost on average £182 per night
http://www.hotelbrunelleschi.it/
This is one of the more expensive hotels I would recommend but is worth it for two reasons. Firstly, you are in Florence, do it right and secondly the concierge will move heaven and earth for you.
The only reason I booked this hotel was because I porposed to my now Fiancee on my trip, so...
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Gazzetta posta storia: Coppa Italia semi finals
Tues 20/03/2012: Juventus 2-2 Milan
Mirko Vucinic scored and amazing extra time goal to take Juventus into the Final of the Coppa Italia. Milan were defeated by their title rivals 4-3 on aggregate over two legs.
Wednesday 22/03/2012 Napoli 2-0 Siena
An own goal followed by Edison Cavani’s first half strike was enough to put the Neapolitans into the Final against Juventus. Napoli came...
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When Calcio ruled the world: Ruben Sosa
Both Lazio and Inter have seen exciting strikers grace their fields in their time, but Ruben Sosa has to be one of the most exciting and possibly one of the most underated.
The Uruguayan first came to the Peninsula in 1988 from Real Zaragoza and played for four years at Lazio where he scored 40 goals in 124 appearances. It was in this time that he caught the eye of the Nerazzurri and was promptly...
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Gazzetta posta storia: Mazzola hits out at Forlan
Inter legend Sandro Mazzola has spoken out in defence of Inter and Claudio Ranieri. This comes after reports from Inter’s game at Atalanta this weekend where Diego Forlan apparently told his Coach that he would not play.
Ranieri reported that Forlan had told him that he did not want to play on the lefthand side of midfield. The Inter Coach put this down to honesty but this is not a view...
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Moratti’s Vision For The Future Is Right Under His...
“It would be a wise idea to start thinking about the long-term future of the side, to build a team that will be essentially young,” (Massimo Moratti)
Nerazzurri fans across the globe must have released a deep satisfying breath of relief as the Inter President spoke those words they have been longing for. It was Moratti’s eureka moment, a moment of clarity, a moment where he grasped the enormity...
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When Calcio ruled the world: Fernando Di Napoli
Mr Napoli was quite simply that. He was the man with the Midas touch winning trophy after trophy in an era when Calcio reigned supreme.
There was much more to this winger than looking like Diego Milito and sharing the name of the club he played for. He was a creative player blessed with speed and an unselfish nature that would help those forwards in his presence. He peaked at Napoli from 1986 to...
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My guide to the grounds of Serie A: Udinese
Stadio Friuli
Team: Udinese
Capacity: 41,652
Built: 1976
City: Udine
The Stadio Friuli is a stadium with character and a stadium with style. Ultra modern in its construction in 1976 it was the only venue that hosted matches in the 1990 World Cup that needed no refurbishment. The ground was innovative for its time and has a Gym as well as athletics, fencing and martial arts facilities. Recognisable...
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Moratti finally sees the light?
Inter President Massimo Moratti has hinted that Inter should embark on a new project that focuses on youth players mixed with some experience in a Roma style mould.
He said: “A wise idea might be that of starting to think about the future not in immediate terms, but by building a team that is essentially young. The problem is that, if after three matches not everything goes well, you start...
Gazzetta posta storia: Batistuta's footballing...
Gabriel Batisituta was once the scourge of Serie A both for Fiorentina and Roma. Now in a recent interview with ‘France Football’ the legendary ‘Batigol’ told of how he is suffering as a result of his playing days:
“There was a time when I was very ill. I could hardly walk, Now I feel better. However, I cannot play football because I cannot run anymore, but now I can walk...
Juventus race Milan for the Scudetto: The Final...
“My question is this – why should I get depressed for an extraordinary League campaign that we are producing?” Antonio Conte
With the Scudetto race entering the final straight, Antonio Conte’s words look like they ring true. Why should the Juventus Coach feel like he should have to justify his league campaign to the hungry media wolves? He is undefeated after 26 games which in itself is a huge...
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Inter's treble was the end not the beginning
My article for In Bed With Maradona
“We asked where is the strong man in the boardroom…and nothing. We asked for clarity … and nothing. There are only two possible conclusions, dear president: absence or incompetence” (An Inter banner – Curva Nord)
The beleaguered Nerazzurri dragged themselves back from another near disastrous defeat at home on Sunday. Diego Milito this time was...
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Gazzetta posta storia: Roma injury woes
Defeat to Lazio in the Derby, for Roma fans, is possibly on a par with the death of a parent. Therefore the last thing that the Giallorossi faithful needed to hear now, was that in that devastating game they have picked up injuries.
Firstly, Brazilian center back, Juan, has suffered knee ligament damage which means that he will be sidelined for up to two months.
Secondly, Miralem Pjanic, who has...
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When Calcio ruled the world: Karl-Heinz Riedle
Karl-Heinz Riedle was only at Lazio from 1990-93 but in his time he was extremely effective.
A member of the West German World Cup winning team in 1990 he signed for the Roman outfit for 13 Deutsche Marks straight after the tournament.
Riedle who had been successful at Werder Bremen continued scoring goals at his new home notching 30 in 84 appearances for Lazio. The German was a fantastic...
My guide to the grounds of Serie A: Siena
Stadio Artemio Franchi - Montepaschi Arena
Team: Siena
Capacity: 15,373
Built: 1923
City: Siena
One of the most beautiful and bizarre stadiums on the Penninsula is the Montepaschi Arena. This sits in a back drop of Tuscan hills and is surrounded by a wooded area. This quaint and small stadium has an innovative design that allows the landscape to live in harmony with the stands. In the whole of...
My guide to the ground of Serie A:
Stadio Ennio Tardini
Team: Parma
Capacity: 27,906
Built: 1922
City: Parma
The Stadio Ennio Tardini is one of Italy’s oldest football grounds still in use. Immortalised by the famous Parma side of the 1990’s, the stadium had remained untouched until Parmalat’s ownership of the club came into fruition at the same time. In that era the stadium became an all seater and the capacity was almost...
Why Palermo must keep hold of Miccoli this summer
Football in Palermo is rarely calm nor is it consistent. Maurizio Zamparini sacks coaches on a whim and it seems sells some of their best players for similar reasons. There is one small element that is a constant to the Sicilian faithful whilst crucial to their sanity and nervous systems, Fabrizio Miccoli.
‘The pocket striker’ shot to fame in 2002 when he secured a deal to Juventus after...
