The Serie A Thread

[Jase 43,479]

Would be an understatement to say Roma are failing rather miserably in their quest to win the Serie A. Seven points behind Juventus now after another draw.

Even the title race in Ligue 1 is becoming more interesting than the one in Italy. Lyon rampant in first place. Marseille and PSG inconsistent but close behind. Monaco slightly further back but have improved greatly after poor start.

[Term-X 7,891]

AC Milan are such a small-time club these days, they are moving away from the famous San Siro (80,000 seater) and building a little 48,000 seater stadium instead.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2939324/AC-Milan-reveal-plans-new-48-000-seater-stadium-club-prepare-ditch-ground-share-rivals-Inter.html

Disgrace.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

AC Milan are such a small-time club these days, they are moving away from the famous San Siro (80,000 seater) and building a little 48,000 seater stadium instead.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2939324/AC-Milan-reveal-plans-new-48-000-seater-stadium-club-prepare-ditch-ground-share-rivals-Inter.html

Disgrace.

It's financial (besides the fact that they can't even fill half of the San Siro these days). One of the main reasons why Juve have managed to dominate in Italy by having a stable finances throughout the economic crisis was because they became the first big team in Italy to actually own their stadium. Granted the Olympico was not as iconic as the San Siro, but financial stability of owning the stadium beats the advertising appeal of history.

[Spike 12,049]

It's financial (besides the fact that they can't even fill half of the San Siro these days). One of the main reasons why Juve have managed to dominate in Italy by having a stable finances throughout the economic crisis was because they became the first big team in Italy to actually own their stadium. Granted the Olympico was not as iconic as the San Siro, but financial stability of owning the stadium beats the advertising appeal of history.

Besides they don't even own the San Siro, they have to pay money each year to rent it out alongside Inter Milan. Expecting 80,000 fans to attend matches in a financially crumbling country is absolutely foolish.

Criticises a club for building a 48,000 stadium.

Still bigger than Stamford Bridge.

Bigger than Juve's stadium.

[Term-X 7,891]

Italian football these days smh, we're looking to increase Stamford Bridge.. whilst Juve and now Milan are going backwards. As a kid I went to the San Siro, at the height of their powers with Sheva/Kaka etc, it was awe-inspiring, it's an icon.. such a shame the 'lesser' Milan club are going to own it now.

Serie A needs to match the Premier League marketing power, although with FFP it might be too late for investment.. unless their FA improves the academies instead.

[Spike 12,049]

Italian football these days smh, we're looking to increase Stamford Bridge.. whilst Juve and now Milan are going backwards. As a kid I went to the San Siro, at the height of their powers with Sheva/Kaka etc, it was awe-inspiring, it's an icon.. such a shame the 'lesser' Milan club are going to own it now.

Serie A needs to match the Premier League marketing power, although with FFP it might be too late for investment.. unless their FA improves the academies.

Less is more in this sense. They will probably earn more money from owning a 48,000 stadium than renting an 80,000 stadium. Besides, Inter won't own the stadium unless they purchase it from the city of Milan.

[cosmicway 1,323]

Fiorentina were much the better of Roma yesterday.

Roma are lousy.

I mixed the shirts and believed Fiorentina was Roma for a while !

[Term-X 7,891]

Less is more in this sense. They will probably earn more money from owning a 48,000 stadium than renting an 80,000 stadium. Besides, Inter won't own the stadium unless they purchase it from the city of Milan.

The history element makes the Milan brand so powerful, that stadium is the most iconic in world football, it makes the Nou Camp look like a generic bowl in comparison. It's a shame attendances have fallen and the owners of these clubs were ignorant of FFP etc, that this sort of thing now has to happen for them to be financially viable, damn shame.

[Spike 12,049]

The history element makes the Milan brand so powerful, that stadium is the most iconic in world football, it makes the Nou Camp look like a generic bowl in comparison. It's a shame attendances have fallen and the owners of these clubs were ignorant of FFP etc, that this sort of thing now has to happen for them to be financially viable, damn shame.

Can't let sentimentallity hold you back. The stadium is named after an Inter legend for a reason.

[Jase 43,479]

Roma and Napoli are seriously allergic to first and second place respectively.

[Jase 43,479]

Benitez was sent off in Napoli's game with Atalanta yesterday ( ) and look at that statement from Napoli. Clearly, they don't watch Premier League matches enough.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/steven-gerrard-wasnt-only-one-8902256

The Spaniard, now at Napoli, claimed the refereeing his side experienced against Atalanta had “falsified the league” after a 1-1 draw left the Naples club five points off a Champions League spot.

Benitez was furious that referee Giampaolo Calvarese had allowed Atlanta’s equaliser after claiming his Brazilian Paulo defender Henrique had been fouled.

Benitez said: “It is very difficult to referee with only six officials! Clearly they need extra ones on either side of the goal, so they might actually see the incidents.

“I am convinced he didn’t see it, otherwise it would be dangerous. I am convinced him, the fourth official, the linesmen and the goal-line officials didn’t see it, otherwise obviously they would’ve awarded the foul.”

The Spaniard was sent off later in the game after continuing his protests. “I had never been shown a yellow card for dissent in all of my life, so it seemed frankly strange to be sent off,” Benitez added.

“After more than 600 games if I had not received a booking, it means if I got that angry then there was a reason.

“Losing a game against a team with 10 men for an incident like that was not a football incident. All I can say is they must not have seen it. It can happen.”

A statement from the club on Twitter claimed: “In England, this would not have happened.”

[robdog 2,084]

Roma and Napoli are seriously allergic to first and second place respectively.

you still think this is true? Maybe it is for Napoli, but IMHO Roma can hang in there, but Lazio will give them a run for their money.

[Jase 43,479]

you still think this is true? Maybe it is for Napoli, but IMHO Roma can hang in there, but Lazio will give them a run for their money.

Clearly Roma didn't want top spot this season having drawn so many games!

[robdog 2,084]

Clearly Roma didn't want top spot this season having drawn so many games!

Roma still are 2nd. I really think losing Gervinho for the ANC hurt their title chances. What is Napoli's excuse? BTW, it appear that Cagliari fucked up by canning Zola. At least they had hope of staying up w/ Zola. Now? They are doomed.

[Jase 43,479]

Roma still are 2nd. I really think losing Gervinho for the ANC hurt their title chances. What is Napoli's excuse? BTW, it appear that Cagliari fucked up by canning Zola. At least they had hope of staying up w/ Zola. Now? They are doomed.

2nd but 14 points behind Juventus and they were dropping points for fun even before the AFCON began.

[robdog 2,084]

2nd but 14 points behind Juventus and they were dropping points for fun even before the AFCON began.

I recall Roma started dropping points when 2015 began. That was when Gervinho left the club. I am not going to argue about that. They are 2nd & that is it. It is what it is. They were never good enough to win the Scudetto IMHO.

[Jase 43,479]

I recall Roma started dropping points when 2015 began. That was when Gervinho left the club. I am not going to argue about that. They are 2nd & that is it. It is what it is. They were never good enough to win the Scudetto IMHO.

Whether or not they were going to win the title is a different debate but one would have expected them to at least challenge Juventus all the way.

[robdog 2,084]

Cagliari fired Zola & what did that get them? Relegation. Now his replacement resigned. What a joke of an organization.