Ten Things We Learned From Serie A This Weekend

By: chris | March 24th, 2008

capted72a8a39dc747e09730138bbfe149c7italy_soccer_rgc111.jpgReggina Calcio needs better goal celebrations.

As you can see to the left.


Franco Brienza could be the surprise recall of the Euros.

The little man did pretty alright playing with Luca Toni on the island a few years back, and he’s looking like a man possessed for Reggina these days. Maybe The Don would like to rekindle some of the ol’ fire. It wouldn’t be considered probable, but I’ve seen much, much stranger……

Nicholas Burdisso might be the worst defender for a title contender in the history of calcio.

Seriously, he’s just fucking horrendous. You almost have to try to be that terrible. I don’t believe for a second that Inter and all its cash dollars does not have somebody down in the Primavera who could fuck up less than he does.

Alessandro Del Piero has a dartboard at home with Roberto Donadoni’s face in the bullseye.

Still awaiting the results of ADP’s pee test after the Inter game. That was the ultimate revenge performance after being left off the squad in favor of Marco Borriello and the half of his contract which is owned by….wait for it…..Milan.

Alright, Borriello still deserved his spot. But I’d be willing to bet if ADP had spent the last 15 years wearing red & black instead of a jailhouse uni, he’d be in the squad. Just sayin’.

Marco Materazzi’s Euros spot is not assured.

Six months ago, definitely. But form combined with the long term injury he suffered (those two not being mutually exclusive either) really makes his inclusion a question mark, even though he’ll still probably go for no other reason than lack of options. Del Piero made him look like a Primavera player – or pasta primavera – on Saturday, and his penchant for cards isn’t going to help matters in an immensely difficult group with 3 games, each which may very well turn out to be do or die.

So, uh, any of those wildly talented Italian centerbacks ready to come off the assembly line just yet? Please?

Simone Perrotta slept with someone’s someone.

He’s had two red cards this season, the first being almost inexplicable when he was standing at the touch line waiting to be subbed in during the Super Coppa, assumed to have said something the sideline assistant didn’t appreciate. This weekend he got another baby’s bottom soft red for a tactical foul. That’s two head scratchers. He obviously slept with Collina’s daughter, or something. No clue why, though. (His Mrs. is on the far left.)

Amauri knows PKs with style.

The man obvious had some sort of vendetta against the ball because he just pounded the shit out of it – or at least the recoil would indicate. The black boots & socks combo is a nice look for him as well; a little more menacing.


You can leave it ’til late as long as you clean up the mess.

Three games had results decided after the 88th minute: Massimo Maccarone won it for Siena with two after the 88th, while Daniele Franceschini and Brienza snatched a draw with daggers in stoppage time. Three games in ten ain’t bad for high drama.

Daniele Portanova is an absolute machine.

Daniele’s played in each and every one of Siena’s games, he’s been subbed off three times: once at half-time, once in the 93rd minute and once in the 94th. Still looking for that 4th yellow card too.






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Comments  

  • Marco P. |  March 25th, 2008 at 6:02 am

    cornercorner

    Commenting on the Marco Materazzi issue you raised…

    Firstly I don’t think Matrix’s recent bad run of form will make him lose his spot in the Don’s eyes, unless he horribly horribly fucks up an important match in the weeks to come (his performance vs. Del Piero came awfully close this week-end).

    Secondly, “lack of options”? Well, Christian Panucci can always be turned into a center-back, and… uh, hello? Giorgio Chiellini ring a ball? Guy’s been litterally dominating the center-back scene this season (since his transformation from left-back), and scored an absolute ripper in the Azzurri match vs. Faroe Islands, back in November. Ok, it was against Faroe Islands, but still. Right now between him and Materazzi, Chiellini’s the better man.

    Also (and I think you mentioned him too last week), Fabiano Santacroce has been dishing out quality stuff at Napoli lately. He could possibly be the surprise in the hat, come May.

    Lastly, there’s ‘Usual Suspects’ Daniele Bonera, Alessandro Gamberini, and Andrea Dossena, who I’m sure have not completely given up hope yet.

    Posted from United States

    cornercorner
  • chris |  March 25th, 2008 at 8:00 am

    cornercorner

    I meant be on the squad for lack of options, not be in the lineup. Chiellini and Panucci will likely be there, barring injury or something. Still, the two starters will be Canna and Barzagli, for better or for worse.

    Santacroce did enter my mind, but I think we’ll have to wait for 2010 for that.

    Posted from United States

    cornercorner
  • karila |  March 25th, 2008 at 5:05 pm

    cornercorner

    Santacroce is Italian ? He looks like an African,imo.Burdisso and Matrix played really bad in the derby d’Italia. I hope they’ll improve .

    Posted from United States

    cornercorner

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