Serie A relegation prospects.

Discussion in 'Italy' started by 352gialloblu, Nov 2, 2003.

  1. 352gialloblu

    352gialloblu New Member

    Jun 16, 2003
    England
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    Or, why are Empoli so bad?

    Empoli were a solid, enterprising little side last year, and this year, they have 2 points after 7 games. I expected better of them. And Bologna as well. I didn't expect Modena and Siena to be the smaller sides in mid-table.

    Have Empoli sacked their manager yet?

    I expect Bologna to pull out of the zone eventually, but I don't see Ancona (too bad, Jimmy Maini!) and Empoli doing it. Lecce either.

    Which squads do you guys think look the strongest out of the bottom ten, and who is headed for the drop already?
     
  2. SueB

    SueB New Member

    Mar 23, 1999
    Waterbury, VT
    DISCLAIMER: I haven't seen today's results yet, so this discussion refers to things that took place up till today.

    It's always year to year for any little club like this. A few years ago, it seemed hard to imagine the likes of Bari or Cagliari going down because they were "enterprising little sides". But one bad year, and down they go, in a downward spiral.

    Empoli and Ancona are each on their second coach of the season. I think both will be going down although Ancona showed signs of life in their second half comeback vs Juventus, then getting a point at Reggina last week. Empoli lost their one game so far under Perotti at home to Chievo. Both teams are edging into that awful position of being so bad that every team will approach their games NEEDING to get 3 points, and it will be even harder for them to get anything.

    IMO, Lecce is better than both of those teams but has just had a run of bad luck. But if the bad luck continues, they'll be in the same boat as the other two. Same with Perugia, whose league form continues to confound their success in Europe.

    The last one or two spots are really up for grabs. I don't think any of the teams in the bottom half of the table can feel safe because any of them can go into a bad stretch. That includes Reggina, Brescia, Bologna, Modena and Siena. I doubt Sampdoria will get dragged into the mix. We'll see.
     
  3. Forza Brescia

    Forza Brescia New Member

    Oct 11, 2003
    I have to admit that Brescia are starting to worry me - We just do not seem to be pulling the results together and last seasons solid defence has all but dissappeared.

    I just keep my fingers crossed that next weeks game against Carlo Mazzone's bologna can be our turning point and that Inter turn on the stlye against Ancona {Mainly because I will be there}

    Ciao
     
  4. 352gialloblu

    352gialloblu New Member

    Jun 16, 2003
    England
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    I don't think Samp will be drawn to the fight either. They have filled their squad with quality, somehow--did they just have more to spend than everyone else, and more loan connections? Siena as well have made a lot of additions. I think it's probably going to show in the final standings, just as it does now. Empoli, Ancona, Lecce and Perugia look to be in trouble, though Bologna and Brescia will have to do better. It's hard being a mid-table club in Italy, because the fraction relegated is higher than in England, for example (4/18 vs. 3/20).
     
  5. phillips10

    phillips10 New Member

    Oct 15, 2001
    Cranford
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    its is very tough being a small club in Serie A for sure....on talent I think Ancona and Empoli are finished. Lecce has a decent side but has been wrecked by injuries...I'll think they'll recover. Bologna seems to be going in the wrong direction, some bad management choices there....
     
  6. Mario

    Mario New Member

    Mar 11, 2000
    San Salvador, El Sal
     
  7. SueB

    SueB New Member

    Mar 23, 1999
    Waterbury, VT
    It's a long season, my friend. Siena will probably be drawn into the struggle and maybe even with Modena, despite their current positions. Squad depth is a big problem. Modena started well last year as well and just hung on by the skin of their teeth.

    And much will also depend on how things go at the mid-season transfer window. These teams always get offers from big teams that are sometimes hard to refuse, while others might go out and buy (or rent) a player which could prove to be the difference. Getting Bonazzoli saved Reggina last year.
     
  8. Mario

    Mario New Member

    Mar 11, 2000
    San Salvador, El Sal
    maybe Chiesa is Siena's key move, just like Bonazzoli's signing saved Reggina last year???
     
  9. SueB

    SueB New Member

    Mar 23, 1999
    Waterbury, VT
    I'm just betting Chiesa will face an extended injury layoff at some point this season. Hopefully, not to the extent he was hurt two years ago, but just enough for them to go into a slide ...
     
  10. Gaglitm

    Gaglitm New Member

    Jul 14, 1999
    Totowa, NJ, USA
    Chiesa can go rot in the gutter.
    He's an ungrateful, egotistical person, may he
    go ahead and blow out the other knee this season.

    Lazio takes him in after a long and painful recovery from an ACL injury, assigns full time trainers to him, pays him a substantial amount of $$, and what does he do??? Flatle refuses to adhere to the Baraldi Bankrupcy Plan that all Lazio players signed.

    This was a bold statement from the players. Basically saying that they want to stay at Lazio, understand the ugly financial situation that Cregnotti created, and are willing to sacrifice a few
    dollars in salary to pull the club through.
     
  11. SueB

    SueB New Member

    Mar 23, 1999
    Waterbury, VT
    Please... don't mince words. Tell us what you REALLY think about the guy. :D
     
  12. Mario

    Mario New Member

    Mar 11, 2000
    San Salvador, El Sal
    long time no see!
     

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