ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Juventus FC

Posted by Sumeet Paul on 01/26/2010

‘They want to stop us winning’. ‘A strong wind blows against us’. Just a few of the ridiculous comments emanating from the Nerazzuri after their Derby della Madonnina success on Sunday.

With Juve well and truly out of the title race, and likely to be facing an uphill struggle to even qualify for Europa League football next year, I thought I would spare my readers my usual moans and groans for this week only and discuss the biggest story in Italian football at this moment... what is fast becoming a situation of Italy v Inter.

Firstly, ‘give credit where credit is due’. A saying my elder brother drummed into my head as I was growing up. Inter to their credit, fully deserved the three points on Sunday. They out-performed their Milanese counterparts in every department and thoroughly deserved their victory. However, as is the usual case with Jose Mourinho and his charges, they taint their success with their attitude.

Arrogant, disrespectful and quite frankly embarrassing. From Wesley Sneijder’s rightful dismissal for his shameful degrading treatment in sarcastically applauding referee Gianluca Rocchi to Marco Materazzi’s ridiculous post match celebrations in wearing a Silvio Berlusconi mask. Inter are champions for a reason, but they will never be a popular choice. Perhaps this doesn’t even matter to them.

For weeks if not months, we have had to put up with Mourinho’s constant comments that have tarnished Lega Calcio. His latest instalment suggests he believes there is corruption within the higher powers of Italian football. Following the Calciopoli scandal of 2006, this is the last thing the game needs as it attempts to rebuild its image. Despite being an exuberant character, and bringing a wide audience to Serie A, I would gladly sacrifice this if it meant not hearing his nonsense every week.

Instead of concentrating on his side’s fantastic performance, the main talking point is as usual his opinion on the referee. In my honest opinion, after the dismissal of Sneijder it was Inter who were receiving most of the decisions as Rocchi attempted to even things up. My anger was exacerbated further upon reading Mourinho’s words of 'I am a foreigner. I will leave and the problem will remain yours.' Well Mr Mourinho I would gladly pack your bags for you now and give you a free lift to Malpensa Airport if it meant I would see the back of you.

I take great pleasure in the knowledge that the Bianconeri inflicted defeat upon these supposed professionals, only one of two defeats all season that they have suffered. However that now seems so long ago, and things have drastically changed since that night in Turin. With Ciro Ferrara and the board continuing to embarrass this great team, I can only hope my next post will be of a more positive nature.

As a Juventino, I don’t believe Rafa Benitez is an appropriate successor if Ferrara was to leave. With a squad full of average players already, I can only see the Spaniard adding more of the same and ultimately delivering no success.

Comments

Posted by Juve storia di un grande amore on 01/27/2010

Well, not to be defensive of Inter, but Milan fans and even many coaches in Europe (Ancelotti, Mancini) were "provoking" them with their constant belief that Milan was going to crush Inter just like they did in the beginning. So, if I was Inter, I would want to rub it in their faces and deliver a piece of humble pie to all my opponents. But, this was Il Rossoneri not Juventinos. I actually knew Il Nerazzuri were going to win emphatically against Milan again, and gave credit to their team of new players as well for playing so effectively this first season. Also, I too don't think that Benitez is the best choice for Juventus if Ciro Ferrara were to leave. He is doing the same thing as Ciro Ferrara with his team, if not worse considering Liverpool's amazing season last year. Like Ciro, he too frustrates everyone with his selections and formations at Liverpool.
But I guess anyone would be better than Ciro Ferrara at this stage.

Posted by Ryan on 01/29/2010

I understand your team is down at the moment and it must hurt to see a 16 point gap but attacking a man who makes comments about a league that was PROVEN to be corrupt is fairly weak, even for a Juve fan.

I hope you enjoyed the game this morning though. It was good to see that black Italian that your fans love so dearly end your involvement in another competition.

Posted by D-Day on 01/30/2010

"But I guess anyone would be better than Ciro Ferrara at this stage."

That's the key really. However, the actual team's biggest problem (I'm not going to talk about the management, which should be wiped clean) is that he can't find the proper formation. In order to suit Diego you need two smart strikers up top, but in order to help Melo you need Marchisio to hold his hand. Playing Marchisio/Del Piero out of position on the left wing in inexcusable. Whomever comes in needs to clean up the squad and settle on a 4-4-2 if you are building your team around Diego.

Juve unfortunately brought in a defender for a team that should be more attacking, especially with Canna and Chiellini at the back.

I think Juve parallel some of the problems Phil Lahm pointed out with Bayern; they buy players not to fit in a system but rather based on hype and demand.

Posted by Tony on 01/31/2010

Jose does not respect the game and his comments should not surprise you. His arrogence will be his down fall, some day! He takes complete credit for the fine form of Inter but did he not take over a team that had already won 2 scudetto's with Mancini?
He also has two squads of internationals to draw from and their style of play is less itneresting than many of the minnows in serie A considering the depth of his team. Defensivley they can be undone and only for the lack of better finishing by some of the opponents do they survive. How many last minute or add on time victories do they have? More than nayone else in the league and some goals are very controversial.

Posted by Mike on 02/01/2010

Rightful dismissal of Sneijder? That red card was a joke and the ref just wanted to be part of the show. Was a yellow deserved? Yes, it was, but there was no way Sneijder should have been sent off. Inter will coast to the Scudetto again and continue to dominate Italian football in part to their world class players and in part to the Special One. Yes, he is arrogant, disrespectful, and egotistical but he is also one of the best managers in the world and will always be a winner. He will also always be hated by as many as he is loved by.

Posted by Casanova on 02/01/2010

"we have had to put up with Mourinho’s constant comments that have tarnished Lega Calcio"

Riiiight... because it was NEVER tarnished before Mourinho got there... Juventus, anyone?

Posted by Idris Mohammed on 02/10/2010

I have supported juventus all the way from the great days of platini,bonieke and a host of other great players. It pains me very deeply the way things are going now, i hope we'll be able to salvage something out of this present campaign.With regards to inter they should know we're still ahead of them no matter what they have achieve these past few season. we are the old lady of italian football 27 league titles is a huge number.

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