When Donkeys Fly: Michael Bradley at Chievo, pt 1 [R]

Discussion in 'Yanks Abroad' started by bungadiri, Aug 30, 2011.

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  1. neems

    neems Member+

    Liverpool FC
    United States
    Apr 14, 2009
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I feel he is a bit far off from Milan for now. Mike really needs to assert himself and take the game by the scruff of the neck. He already mastered doing the quiet things that a lot of people cannot see, but now it is time for him to really enter epic mode. I think he has the ability to raise his game.
     
  2. Adiaga Two

    Adiaga Two Member+

    Oct 4, 2008
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    But I thought it was that he needed to become more disciplined and not try to do too much?

    It seems like no matter what MB accomplishes, there will always be people harping on some new "problem" with his play that he needs to change.

    Not necessarily calling you out, neems.
     
  3. comoesa

    comoesa Member+

    Aug 13, 2010
    Christen Press's armpit
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think you are just sensitive.


    Anyway, there is no problem playing on a lower end midtable team in Italy for the rest of his career.
     
  4. neems

    neems Member+

    Liverpool FC
    United States
    Apr 14, 2009
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I understand what you are saying. I do not find very many serious problems with Bradley as a football player. Trying to do too much, too soon is a problem. Slowly taking over a key position and influencing games can take you to the next level.

    Influencing games on both sides of the pitch is difficult, but Bradley may almost be there. He certainly has helped Chievo so far and has retained important set piece duties.
     
  5. warmblooded

    warmblooded BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 17, 2004
    Clowntown, USA
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thanks for the link. Interesting to hear that Bradley considers himself a defensive midfielder. I wonder if that quote is in context to where he's been deployed at Chievo, or an overall assessment of where he sees his optimal position. He's such a consummate professional. As someone who has lived in a foreign country for a spell, I'm extremely impressed by the fact that he's already speaking Italian conversationally already. How can one not be inspired by this guy?
     
  6. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    Here are the ratings from La Gazzetta dello Sport for Lecce 2-2 Chievo:

    Lecce: 6
    Benassi: 6.5
    Tomovic: 5
    Esposito: 5
    Ferrario: 5.5
    Obodo: 6
    Oddo: 5
    Cuadrado: 6.5
    Piatti: 5.5
    Grossmuller: 5.5
    Pasquato: 6.5
    Olivera: 5.5
    Brivio: 7 (chosen as Lecce's best player)
    Muriel: 5.5
    Di Michele: 6.5
    Cosmi (coach): 6

    Chievo: 6
    Sorrentino: 6.5
    Sardo: 5
    Andreolli: 6
    Cesar: 6
    Jokic: 5
    Luciano: 6
    Bradley: 6.5
    Sammarco: 6
    Hetemaj: 5.5
    Thereau: 7
    Pellissier: 5
    Cruzado: 5.5
    Paloschi: 8 (chosen as Chievo's best player)
    Di Carlo (coach): 6

    The comment with his rating: "Scholastic play, so precise and functional."
     
  7. LouisianaViking07/09

    Aug 15, 2009
    Maybe he should change his jersey number to 6.5
     
  8. Mr Martin

    Mr Martin Member+

    Jun 12, 2002
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I was trying to think of a clever comment along these lines. But, I'll just enjoy yours. :)
     
  9. Ron86

    Ron86 Member

    Jun 7, 2007
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Van Bommel did it, why can't Bradley.
     
  10. xbhaskarx

    xbhaskarx Member+

    San Jose Earthquakes
    United States
    Feb 13, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    mb90 --> mb6.5
     
  11. new_skin

    new_skin Member

    Aug 2, 2007
    Boston
    Club:
    VfB Stuttgart
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    There's definitely not. Nor would there been anything wrong with playing on one in Holland (Herenveen) or Germany (Gladbach). Stevie made himself a legend doing that very thing in Hannover. But we've always known Bradley was more ambitious than that.
     
  12. quinn

    quinn Member

    Feb 20, 2009
    Club:
    --other--
    In other news, Bradley made a cameo appearance in today's Coppa Italia match, coming on in the 81st min. Chievo lost to Siena 1-0. Kinda a shame that Chievo did not enter the game going for the win - should have been a winnable game.
     
  13. SoCalYid

    SoCalYid Member+

    Jun 11, 2011
    BigSoccer :)
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Which is silly.

    What is Cheivo hoping for in the league? At best a midtable imo so the Coppa Italia should be a priority. If you look at the bracket they got good end of the draw. The toughest team before the final would have been Napoli and they haven't been playing well lately. Two good park the bus matches aren't out of the question, they've taken points from clubs like that all season. The final would have been tough, I couldn't see them beating Milan, Juve or Lazio but your never know, no team likes playing against that style of football.
     
  14. INKRO

    INKRO Member+

    Jul 28, 2011
    Heard he almost got an assist too, shame.
     
  15. arkjayback

    arkjayback Member

    Mar 29, 2008
    Le Mars, IA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Freddy Adu signing for DCU in MLS as a 14 year old was a big deal. A lot of people forget that Bradley played 30 games in MLS (though not the league it is today) as a 16-17 year old.

    When he was scoring goals for Heerenveen, starting for Gladbach and starring for the US national team, many fans ignored his age and his potential and just focused on who his father is.
     
  16. arkjayback

    arkjayback Member

    Mar 29, 2008
    Le Mars, IA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If his dream is to play for Milan, he has quite a few years left to improve to get on their radar. And I don't think it is an insult to Bradley to say he still has some improving to do to get to that level. Other than Prince-Boateng, they have a lot of old guys in the middle.

    Speaking of Prince Boateng: AC Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng injured from robust, frequent sex
     
  17. sakibomb523

    sakibomb523 Member+

    Oct 13, 2009
    Orange County
    Club:
    AS Roma
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  18. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    Translation of an interview that came out last week in L'Arena:


    "Verona, what a beautiful city! There's nothing like risotto"

    A remake of a famous film. The title needs a little adjustment: "An American in Verona." Starring: Michael Bradley. Location: the Stadio Bentegodi. Synopsis: A young American soccer player arrives in Italy with the dream of breaking through. He has already worn the jersey of his national team. Now he's looking for consecration. His coach Mimmo Di Carlo studies him, and then, also because of the injury to team-mate Luca Rigoni, puts him in the center of the field. A starter. Before today, Chievo had never handed the midfield keys to a foreign 'regista'.

    Bradley, the first word you learned in Italian?
    "Buongiorno, ciao..."

    Italian language, Italian football. It's not easy to learn them in a hurry, no?
    "The Serie A is tough. Learning a foreign language is never easy. But it's fundamental to understand and communicate on the field with the others. I started studying and I think that people have understood that I'm giving it my all."

    Of course, you're only lacking a goal?
    "I think about it, but not too much. It'll come. But today only Chievo counts. If we win we're in good shape."

    Verona is the city of lovers. Your opinion as a tourist?
    "I'm discovering every beautiful corner of your city. Each time it's a surprise. I like all of it."

    Did you already know our cuisine?
    "Of course. Risotto something fantastic. I eat it in every way possible."

    We don't know much about you. For example, your favorite film?
    "The Shawshank Redemption. The one with Morgan Freeman. "

    And your favorite singer?
    "Bruce Springsteen. I must have seen at least a dozen of his concerts."

    Who is currently the best American player?
    "There are three: Donovan, Dempsey and Howard."

    And Bradley?
    "I hope to be useful to Chievo."

    What was your best game ever?
    "I believe in the Confederations Cup with the United States when we beat Spain 2-0."

    An American must also love basketball and football as well. Which teams do you cheer for?
    "The New York Giants and the Boston Celtics."

    What do you love about your country?
    "The United States is the land of opportunity. Everyone is given the opportunity to live a good life and to obtain the best for themselves."

    Negative aspects?
    "No, I don't see any negative aspects."

    And Italy?
    "I like it all: the people, the food, the soccer, the life. I'm content here."

    Where is the best place to live? You're a world traveler. But your home base...
    "...is the family. It's not the place that matters, but who you're with. And if I have my family with me I'm fine wherever."

    Alexi Lalas was the first American to explore this 'frontier'. What memories do you have of him?
    "Well, he was a good player. I know he played in Padova and stayed in Italy for a while..."

    What are your dreams for the future?
    "I want to grow, improve, become an excellent player. I was given a great opportunity here at Chievo. I hope to take advantage in it in the best possible way."

    The game against Palermo was perhaps your best since you've been here?
    "I think so. It was important for me, it was important for the team. We showed that we're a team that can cause problems for anyone. And if we continue like that, we're in good shape."

    You took over the midfield and now you're in competition with Rigoni, a stalwart of Chievo.
    "That's soccer. If there are many strong players in a team, it's better for the team."

    Is this what you expected from the Serie A?
    "Yes, I knew that I would always have to give my all. There are no easy games. But it's good that way. I'm comfortable in the role that the coach has given me. But when you win, everything is lovely."

    http://www.larena.it/stories/178_in...a_ma_come_il_risotto_non_c_niente/?refresh_ce
     
  19. City Dave

    City Dave Member

    Jan 26, 2007
    Cleveland, OH
    Club:
    Cleveland C. S.
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Man, he's a bandwagoner. How can you support a team from New York AND a team from Boston. Plus, he's from Jersey.
     
  20. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Perhaps they are hoping to not get relegated. I truly doubt they are expecting much from the league. Certainly no Europa nor CL. But the money they earn while staying up in Serie A is enough incentive to not get relegated. Having worn out players for this weekend match is probably not a big incentive to have gone for the win.
     
  21. cleansheetbsc

    cleansheetbsc Member+

    Mar 17, 2004
    Club:
    --other--
    I see Mike truly enjoys a light hearted comedy.

    Figures. Bruce looks like a midfielder who has gone seven miles by the end of his shows.
     
  22. LouisianaViking07/09

    Aug 15, 2009
    Always good to hear Bradley's thoughts/opinions. He seems so damn intent on his PLAY.
     
  23. Friedel'sAccent

    Friedel'sAccent Member+

    Jul 7, 2006
    Providence, RI
    Club:
    Reading FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Wow, I had no idea. As a Bruce fanatic, I couldn't be more pleased.
     
  24. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    I believe he's just following in the footsteps of his dad and uncle (who are both Springsteen nuts).
     
  25. loochy

    loochy Member

    Dec 28, 2006
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well, could you actually expect someone to like the Jets or the Nets?
     

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