Podcasts Updated, The Azzurri Returneth, and the Azzurrini Triumphant.

a win's a win! but thiago motta? where did that come from? i forget that Slovenia are Italy's neighbors...kind of strange huh, so close geographically, yet so far away culture/language wise.

I've listened to about 10 of your La Magicast (sweet name!) podcasts and they're a good listen.

I find myself disagreeing with most of what Alex says though. I thought James made some excellent points, particularly about Menez when he was on the left cutting inside and allowing space for Riise to roam forward against Fiorentina and contribute offensively which effectively earned us the two goals. I completely disagree that Menez and Borriello were playing excellently at the turn of the year. In my opinion, it was Menez' excellent form that vailed Borriello's weaknesses. When was the last time Borriello had a good game? The most recent game that comes to mind is the game against Catania were he scored two goals on Jan 6th? Ranieri was sacked near the end of February, Borriello had plenty of chances to pick his form up before he was dropped from the starting eleven. He is very exposed in the 4-2-3-1 because playing as the prima punta in that formation means he has to contribute to our offensive build-up which he isn't capable of. His lack of invention and general all round ability (being able to pick a pass, drop deep and involve himself in play, general footballing intelligence) seriously hinder the effectiveness of the 4-2-3-1. In that formation, he is no longer spoon fed like he was under Ranieri.

I also didn't get why you said we have to sacrifice either Totti or Borriello and Menez for the other to start. Out of all three of them, only Totti and Borriello come into direct conflict when it comes to starting in the same position and right now, I'd choose Totti every single time over Borriello. It's one of Perrotta or Taddei that are keeping Menez from starting in his own position. In my opinion, the most important (and best) player in this team is Vucinic. He affects games more than anyone else. Menez may be more pleasing on the eye but he doesn't influence the final score the way Mirko does. Look at Mirko's body language when he plays with Borriello. He clearly doesn't want to play beside him. That to me is the most important factor. Vucinic is practically forced to play as a trequartista when he plays beside Borriello, Mirko obviously doesn't want to do that and we lose the dangerous aspect of our most lethal player just so that Borriello can play. Pek also plays so much better when Totti is our centre forward. Borriello's style doesn't, in any way, complement Pek's abilties. It makes no sense to play Borriello when he negatively impacts upon our best players.

Montella also said that this team cannot currently support a tridente. As long as Menez continues to consistently lose possession, fails to track back and support the full-back on his side and not have any impact on the scoreline, Montella is right. If I was allowed to choose only two out of all four of our attacking players (Totti, Vucinic, Menez and Borriello) to start, who both complement the rest of the team and can decide the outcome of the game, I'd choose Totti and Vucinic without a single doubt in my mind.

Anyway, keep up the good work! La Magicast and the Juve podcast (even though I have no ties to Juve) are by far my faves that I've heard so far.

Thanks for the great reply, MentalitaUltra. I kinda fancy that you disagree with me on those points (Boriello especially). I agree that it makes no sence to play Boriello when he negatively impacts upon our best players, if that is the case with Pizarro - as I rate Pizarro as perhaps the most important figure in our current system. A back to the Spalletti days, a system where Boriello obviously does not feel comfortable in, while Totti shines in it. But I don't think it's an coincidence that Menez and Boriello was our best players the first part of the season ('til new year), while Totti struggled. Now it's the opposite. It's too bad that we haven't found a way to make them all shine in the same system.

I prefer Montellas system over Ranieri's (its obviously better for us), but I wouldn't be suprised if Menez and Boriello had a better day on the field if we went back to the old system. Personally I hope the next coach can find room for Totti, Menez and Vucinic in the line-up. I don't know what will happend to Menez in this summer, but it's imperative (IMO) that we have a player with that ability and flair to rely on the upcoming years when Totti steps down. If we sell Menez, we need a similar player inn asap. Same goes for Vucinic, he's a transfer target aswell.

Hopefully Menez finds his place in the team again, it was nice to see a 24 y. old, potentially world class player, being such a big contributor to the team. Now we have to put a question mark behind both Vucinic and Menez, will they stay or will they go? Our current in-form player, our beloved captain, is 35 in less than six months, and my point with Menez/Totti in the pod was that - all strong feelings aside for our legend - it would be wizer to find a way to let Menez thrive again.

Would you mind if I sideswipe this now and answer it with the guys when we record on Sunday?

No problem. It'll make it even more interesting for me to listen to.

Listening right now ;)

Edit* ok, stupid beancast or whatever the service is called is not working! I dont know if its my computer or what. Will have to listen to the rest tomorrow

Sometimes it's the firewall. Me, and friends of mine, had problems with podbean. It got solved after a while, don't know what i did to fix it.
You can try iTunes for it or serieaweekly.com.

Been an hour and not a single comment.

I'll be listening to the Magicast later this afternoon. :)

Maybe they're all busy listening to the pods?

You wish.

Please never stop making this. It brings hope to my little foxhole in the calcio desert. Why does no one watch football anymore?

COMBO BREAKER!