Managerial second stints hardly work out well, especially if they were successful the first time around. Scolari and Zagalo for Brazil. Lippi for Italy. I think the way Mancini left was unfavorable for his return. If Buffon blocked Mourinho too, I think he did you a favor. If you go out and get an Italian manager that plays Mourinho's style I could only imagine the complaints that would follow. If Mourinho were to fall, he would just say management did not get him the players he requested Someone who doesn't tolerate dissent with a cast of others who have won is the best way you could have gone. As an outsider looking in, most of the reports I'm reading seem accurate. That your general team play under Spalletti was lackluster. The players didn't seem into it and the defense was in shambles.Jogging about and unable to handle a cross. Bonnucci should be able to knock some sense into the defenders and Gattuso into the rest of the team. With this success maybe Buffon can make a play for president and continue the work at fixing what needs fixing.
Van Gaal with the Netherlands second stint did work well. I think it can depend on a lot of factors. Let's talk about Scolari's second stint with Brazil. He gets blamed a lot for the 7-1 loss to Germany, but frankly I think it did actually go well besides that. Let's face it, at that point Brazil were NOT a strong team on paper, and that was probably the weakest Brazil on paper I've ever seen for a very long time. Thiago Silva, Neymar, and Marcelo were the only world class players on that team. Maybe David Luiz but he's always been an inconsistent player especially defensively. Gustavo and Fernandinho were average, and so were Fred and Hulk. Oscar was decent but also inconsistent. And don't forget that they were without Neymar and Silva vs Germany which left serious holes in the team. Frankly all that to say: Brazil still won the 2013 confederations cup and made the World Cup semifinals (although I do have doubts about their opening game vs Croatia and how that was refereed). But frankly, everything considered, I do think Scolari did fairly well with that Brazil. That 7-1 loss to Germany was due to missing their two best players, and being the weakest Brazilian team on paper in a very long time, that many people not watching closely had a hard time realizing. Not to mention, that Germany team was extremely stacked with talent and very experienced. Many die hard Brazil fans have even admitted recently that Scolari was probably the best coach they have had ever since 2000 (prior to Ancelotti taking over). Just look at the Brazil forums on here. They believe that if Scolari was in charge rather than Tite in 2018 and 2022, they likely would've gone further. Lippi for Italy was definitely a flop in his second stint, and it was totally his fault, but I think the main reason for our flop in 2010 was that Lippi relied too much on older players that were way past their prime that probably shouldn't have been in the squad. Pirlo was also extremely key in midfield and was injured until the second half of the game vs Slovakia.
If it is true Buffon blocked Mancini and Mourinho, if we don't make the World Cup, he must be sacked.
At this moment in time, I have no problem with Buffon taking the reigns of the federation at least when it comes to big decision making for sporting matters. At least he has the balls and strength of character to force his will. Gravina instead was out of ideas asking the players who they wanted as their next coach. Until this rat gets sent into retirement the entire federation is doomed.
I watched the first half between the USA and saudia Arabia. I thought the American team was solid. The players are young, vibrant, fast, and creative. All the players looked very athletic. I enjoyed watching the US game. They were playing to win The Italian players don't look very athletic. I noticed that soccer games have completely changed. It had changed in a way that doesn’t help the Italian teams. The Europeans can learn something from the sports in the US. In American football, the coaches watch a lot of tapes to understand their opponents. I hope the Italian coaches watch a lot of tapes so they can discover the opponent’s weakest points As an opponent, all I need to do is block the shots and it really kills the game. I hate it when the whole team’s strategy is to block shots It has become easy to beat Italy. The Italians are predictable. Italy’s opponents are not afraid, and they are willing to attack first and score. It happened so many times.
I watched only the First Half of it and I'm not just saying this but I thought they played slow. For me, fast play is PSG or EPL or even Scottish football. Saudi hit the crossbar and US saved by last ditch defending on another chance. They definitely review footage. Upthread there is a list of Gattuso's staff, comprised of a video guy. For anybody who watched the documentary of the Euro 2020/2021 team there is a scene where they are reviewing match footage. The only thing can be learned from US soccer is proper stadiums. Other than that...
Just to circle back... Not meaning for Weston McKennie to catch strays because he wasn't playing but does he look more athletic than Calafiori or Frattesi? Even Bastoni who has been playing like dogshit the last 3 months is certainly more athletic looking than Tim Ream.
I remember seeing Diego Luna's father Alberto play in the late 1980's for the amateur San Jose Earthquakes team. He was a lot better player than his overhyped son. I think Pochettino is using this Gold Cup tournament to look at many reserves because they are all players average at best.
Fazzini to Fiorentina for 10m. Fiorentina have done good thongs for Italian football in recent times after years of being just as bad as some of the worst offenders. There is talk that they could also go for Esposito if Inter are willing to sell. Empoli will surely have to sell their best players. Viti is another interesting one.
Milan offering 13m plus Colombo for Leoni to Parma. This is something Milan have needed since they sold Thiago Silva and the main reason for me why they have not been able to return to the top of Italian football for a sustained period since 2011ish. Hopefully this is good for the Azzurri. Leoni is young enough that he still has time to get Champions League experience before it's too late. So Milan is a good project for him. Im sure Allegri will make him a great defender. He is already nearly there.
I'll give that kid credit though. Unlike the Italy players lately, Luna competes and has a high work rate. In the CONCACAF Nations League he was their best player because of this.
Yeah you need to examine your life if you shit talk a kid 1/5th of your age. Good to see the kid have the last laugh after getting shit-talked. What a boludo. Haven't watched a second of this farce tournament. Just what I read here. Getting owned by a 10 year old after talking 💩 is prime Club World Cup. Im here for it 🤣 pic.twitter.com/9ki1tRpZHK— herculez gomez (@herculezg) June 21, 2025
Inter don't know if they are on a pre-season american tour or if their season has still never ended they look exhausted. the south american teams have a big advantage in this tournament.
Have you guys seen this video? We need someone like him to yell at the players. he has not said anything in 2022 because he was satisfied with Euro 2020 trophy.
Don’t do it Moise According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Manchester United closely monitored Moise Kean during the 2024-25 campaign and are now considering paying the Italian striker’s €52m clause. pic.twitter.com/ys3QfrhQU4— Football Italia (@footballitalia) June 23, 2025
So it looks like Inter are ready to give up on Seba. They aren’t interested in giving him a new contract. Sebastiano Esposito could be set to leave the Nerazzurri in the coming days. He will be in the final year of his contract in the 2025-26 season.Fiorentina and Parma are keen on a deal with the Nerazzurri.(Source: Football Italia) pic.twitter.com/LAS02f6qKQ— SleeperFootballNews (@SleeperFootNews) June 23, 2025
Fiorentina may want both Seba Esposito and Fazzini to replace Gudmonson and in a way Bove. This makes sense as the players are already in the province. I would think some of the other Empoli players will be bought as well like Viti.
They have not been interested in him for awhile...Pio is the only one with a chance at Inter and even he too is likely to loan. Instead they are spending 25 million for the guy from parma. it literally makes no sense to me why italian clubs do this when they a re not exactly cash heavy like EPL clubs