Big & red, Di Natale scored two against Cyprus, today it was two from Daniele de Rossi, the Roma midfielder. The first was a great strike from 25+ yards out, missed the second as I had to go see my daughter's game.

Must have been a bad day in a certain household in Texas. Germany tied by Finland, and who was it that lost to Denmark?

VT2IT - I read it quick last night. Thanks for correcting me. A glass ot two of wine must have affected my reading ability.

Forza Juve/Forza Azzuri

quote:

Originally posted by VT2IT:
Must have been a bad day in a certain household in Texas. Germany tied by Finland, and who was it that lost to Denmark?

Actually, I'm fine with yesterday's results. Germany played a Finnish team that played above themselves on their home turf.

I don't think anybody was playing futbol in the last 5 minutes of the Portugal game. It was pretty much run back and forth between the goals and whoever nails the net the most wins. Bizarre.

quote:

Originally posted by VT2IT:
Must have been a bad day in a certain household in Texas. Germany tied by Finland, and who was it that lost to Denmark?

Thanks for thinking about me!

Now off to drown my sorrows. Milan better win the Uefa Cup this season, because the way they are playing they will not even qualify for THAT next year.

Juve beats Udinese 1-0 in the late match. Amauri scores his first for the Bianconeri. The midfield looekd great, especially Sissoko. The defense was solid against a great Udinese attack. Perhaps the friendlies slowed the Udinese attach down. Good to get the first win in the books.

Forza Juve

Nice stuff on the Juve win. Things are looking positive right now. Sissoko was strong last year, and continues to be so this year. Great in the midfield.

Milan was brutal. So, VT2IT - who will be Ancelotti's replacement? Donadoni or Rikjaard?

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:

Milan was brutal. So, VT2IT - who will be Ancelotti's replacement? Donadoni or Rikjaard?

Give me a day or two to mourn in peace and I'll get back to you. The one thing I do know is, this ain't working.

Maybe Robert Mancini ? He has a little experience with CL and Serie A.

Not sure about that, Purple. It'd be tough to go from one Milan team to the other without having a stop in between.

No way will Mancini take over. Futronic is right it will be between Donadoni and Rikjaard if Carlo gets the ax. They are both Milan fan favorites from their playing days, Mancini has no Milan ties. One question has to be, what is Rikjaard's relationship with Ronaldinho like after last season at Barca? The one other possiblity that I see is Paolo Maldini as player/coach. Once Nesta comes back he can spend his time on the bench.

My guess is that if Milan does not win in Zurich on Thursday Ancelotti is done. You can't have a payroll like theirs and have nothing to show for it, so Carlo will be the fall guy.

Juventus starts out their quest for the Champions League Cup with a hard fought 1-0 win over Zenit St. Petersburg. Del Piero with a trademark free kick for the goal. Great defense from Chiellini amd Legrottaglie.

Forza Juve

I thought the game was boring.

In the Champions League a win is a win and three points for the Bianconeri.

Forza Juve.

Champions League? Who cares about the Champions League? The real action is in ther UEFA Cup where Milan finally won a game. Sure it was only against Zurich, but after losing a friendly to Swiss second division Lugano last week I'll take whatever I can.

All four Serie A teams won their first Cup games, in the CL the Italians were 2-1-1. If there is one team off to a even more disappointing start than Milan it has to be Roma. Luciano Spalletti may well be fired before Carlo Ancelotti is. Loss to CFR Cluj? Who the hell is Cluj?

VT2IT. I understand your pain and hope that Milan wins the UEFA cup and really hope Juventus wins the Chamions League. However, with the injuries and a thin defense, this may be only a dream for the Juvenista.

Forza Juve

I hope you realize just how firmly my tongue was in my cheek with the who cares about the CL remark. It's always better to laugh than cry.

I didn't watch Juve's game so I can't comment on Purple's observation that it was boring. I was watching the Man U-Villarreal game. A perfect example of how a 0-0 game can be gripping, no scoring, but plenty of action.

VT2IT. No offense taken, I realy do hope Milan wins the UEFA Cup. When it comes to Italian Soccer in Europe and elsewhere, a rising tide lifts all boats. Juve has some serious flaws this year, particullarly in central defense and creativity in the midfield. That said, hopefuly they will finsh in the top four of the league and at least make it to the knockout phose of the Champions League. A sincere buona fortuna to the Rossoneri in the UEFA Cup.

I do not believe that I could be as magnanimous as you. While I certainly like to see Italian sides do well in European competition there is no way I could ever cheer for Juve to win the CL. Unless of course they where playing Inter in the final.

Now that's more like it, Milan 4/Lazio 1, although I still think they looked mighty suspect in the back.

Thanks to Milan beating Lazio, Juve goes top tied with Inter, albiet only three matchdays in the books. Amauri in attack and Mellberg in defense fitting in nicely as the two summer signings. Nedved looks ageless.

Forza Juve.

Don't say thanks to Milan. If VT won't cheer for Juve, you sure as heck shouldn't be cheering for the Rossoneri.

Well played by Juve again. Enough to get things done. Controlled the game against a dismal Cagliari side.

You're right about Milan's back line - something that will be repeated ad nauseum until the end of the season. Zarate devestated that back line, and Milan is lucky 2 or 3 balls didn't end up in the net.

It was a sarcastic cheer afterall.

Forza Juve.

1-1 for Juventus today in the Olimpico. Giovinco played from the start and he looks to be something special. Amauri wi