Italian Serie A 2008/2009

I cant wait for the new season to start. Should be one of the best season in SERIE A in a long long time.
This is the first time in quite a few years, that Italian teams are making so many moves in the market, even bossing some of the English teams around, which is good to see. The biggest supplier thought is still the Argentinian league.

While some good players like Ujfalusi, Barzagli, Zaccardo, Ronaldo (probably), Gourcuff (on loan), have left the league, they have been more than compensated by arrivals of Flamini, Zambrotta, Jovetic, Melo, Carrizo, Melberg, Nicolae Dica, Alexis Sanchez, German Denis, Zarate etc, and a host of other signings to come, as the official transfer window opens on July 1st.

Even from midtable clubs like Lazio and Napoli, you are seeing a lot of intelligent and smart spending. Fiorentina probably have had the best mercato in the whole of Europe uptil now. Bologna are back in SERIE A, and have been bought by the Americans, the first SERIE A club to be owned by the foreigners, expect them to spend quite a bit as well.

Roma after developing a fetish for unsettled EPL players, are now looking at some better signings. Kranjcar, Hunteelar, Guiza etc. As much as I hate the Romans, and never think, they could win the title unless the Sensi's sell their shares to some rich American investors, I think under Spalletti, they will always be a threat. Juventus, I think their fans wont be happy with how the transfer market has gone so far. They still havent done much for their shaky defence.
The top 5 spots will be battled between the usual suspects, an honestly believe that instead of top 4, there really is a top 5 this time round in the league. Fiorentina may not have the depth or the skills to win the league but I wont be surprised if they manage to come third or somethning.

Apart from the top 5, special shout out to Napoli and Lazio. Napoli have had balls to reject 25mills bid for Hamsik. A mid table Italian club rejecting bids of 25mills was unheard of before. Also they have beaten Milan to sign Maggio and gotten themselves another Argentinian striker to partner Lavezzi, German Denis from Independiente.
Lazio have finally found themselves the keeper they had trying for, for more than a year now, Carrizo. Further more, they have singed Foggia, and have made signings of Stefan Radu and Rozenhal permenant. Most importantly, they have gotten themselves Zarate. A 21 year old Argentinian striker.

Two players to watch out so far, Alexis Sancehz and Mauro Zarate. Both of them are really young and skillful player, so we will definitely see more flair in the league this time round.
Lazio got Zarate for Al-Sadd, after Zarate had spent half a season on loan at Birmingham, and had been an absolute revelation over there. At 21, he may not be on the same level as Messi or Aguero, but he has something going on for him. Very skillful player, that you enjoy watching.
Alexis Sanchez was signed by Udinese in 2006, but could not play for them, because he was a minor. After spending two seasons on laon at some Chilean club and Riverplate, he returns to Udinese. He is only 19. Is known as the Chilean C.Ronaldo. Again a very skillful player.

So yeah, in short, I cant wait for the new season.

shahz_nerazzurri said:

compensated by arrivals of Flamini, Zambrotta, Jovetic, Melo, Carrizo, Melberg, Nicolae Dica, Alexis Sanchez, German Denis, Zarate etc,

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lol who? come again?

I guess I shouldnt put the EPL arrivals list

Boswinga, Jo, Elmander, Modric, Nasri, who else?

Considering the fact that they are losing out, Flamini, Hleb, Adebayor, C.Ronaldo, Lampard, Drogba, I wont be too happy if I were you.

Also just because you dont follow anyting outside of EPl, and have not heard of Felipe Melo (the main man behind Almeria's success in laliga), Juan Pablo Carrizo(Argentina's best GK),
Nicolae Dica (Euro 2008 anyone), or German Denis, it doesnt mean that they are all crap.

Stop bashing Hal

But you're free to post English transfers, if you have good eye for that league, I would be happy to see who are they getting.

Shahz made a great introduction, and I as well, as probably all Serie A admirers, are considering this season to be great since some time now, and can't wait for it to start. What is really admirable, is that in Serie A, there is a lot of youth coming, and a lot of great prosopects, that can set this league on fire again.

Besides us, I can't wait to see how Udinese, Napoli, Fiorentina and Lazio will do next year.

Shaz im sure those playes are all good unsung heroes

As for the people leaving, yeah sure thats normal. But liek you said for Italy, the list is only the beginning. Expect Arsenal and Liverpool to do alot, Tottenham and especially Chelsea. They need about 2 strikers, Ronaldinho, Villa or Benzema apparently. Not a bad list.

Thanks for that info's shahz, great news. I admit that I didn't know much about that players, except Denis.

But I know much about future arrivals like Lampard, Adebayor, Quaresma, Ronaldinho etc.

Unfortunately Boswinga, Jo, Elmander, Modric, Nasri >>>>>>>>>> Flamini, Riise, Zambrotta, Jovetic, Melo, Carrizo, Melberg, Nicolae Dica, Alexis Sanchez, German Denis, Zarate.
It's quality over quantity in my opinion.

I think it's going to be a very good year for Serie A, but still, teams like Lazio, Torino, Bolonia and Genoa need even more improving. Also Fiorentina need someone to sub. Ufjalusi, Vargas and Gilardino are nice but they are not CB defenders. But i'am looking forward to it.

Looking forward to it and esp. for INTER. We havent make a move on the transfer market but I expect some big signings soon.

I'd love to believe that Serie A is improving and attracting quality players, but that is not really the case. Serie A will again be third behind La Liga and EPL in terms of quality and following.

Jürgen 'Hammoudi' Häßler said:

I'd love to believe that Serie A is improving and attracting quality players, but that is not really the case. Serie A will again be third behind La Liga and EPL in terms of quality and following.

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How is the serieA behind Laliga? Spain division was a joke last year with probably the most incosistent league performances i've ever seen... I followed both leagues and SerieA is still way ahead...

When there will be italian side reaching the final, and another one reaching a semi-final, you will see the story changed.

Serie A, was always known for the argentinians and brazilians in the league, but since recently there was a lot of problems, with especially JuBe, and overally the finances, there were problems with quality and talented players coming.

EPL got all the attention from the players they would never acquired if Serie A, and spanish La Liga weren't into trouble. They got all the attention from the spanish, portuguese and argentinian players, but if it wasn't for the money they wouldn't go there.

A technicaly gifted player will never choose EPL club over spanish/italian club if the financial offer is simmilar. And those players went to EPL, only because they didn't have alternative.

For instance, I've never read a players like that to state, they would love to go to EPL. What they say is either Spain or Italy. But, because those 2 weren't in great shape lately, they have chosen EPL in the end. They hype will be over, and the players will stop going there as well.

Alex de Large said:

Unfortunately Boswinga, Jo, Elmander, Modric, Nasri >>>>>>>>>> Flamini, Riise, Zambrotta, Jovetic, Melo, Carrizo, Melberg, Nicolae Dica, Alexis Sanchez, German Denis, Zarate.
It's quality over quantity in my opinion.

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Even the quality is high. If ManU would have dished out 20mill pounds for Zarate, every one would have hailed him as a great signing. What have Boswinga or Nasri ever done to be considered quality players? They are just from Europe, and have been bought by English clubs, so they are better known.
I might have missed some players that EPL signed, and the transfer market just started, so they'll sign more. But so far, it is stupid thing to say, that EPL has bought more quality players than SERIE A.

I have an Arabic friend from Kuwait, and he kept on telling me how good Zarate is. Al-Sadd(a Kuwaiti club), managed a huge coup last year by signing him for 15mill Euros, and promising him some outrageous wage. Then after frist half of the season, they couldnt afford his wages, so they loaned him out to Birmingham city, and he really impressed over there. Was one of their top players, attracting interest from all over Europe. Lazio have managed a huge coup by signing him, and they are paying a whopping 18mill Euros to get him. Getting him means Lazio not getting Palacio, and I think thats a smarter decision. Zarate has way more talent than Palacio will ever have.
Also, Alex do you know about Melo? People are calling him a better and younger version of Vieira. This guy took Almeria to the 9th position in Laliga, in the first year after their promotion.

I'd love to believe that Serie A is improving and attracting quality players, but that is not really the case. Serie A will again be third behind La Liga and EPL in terms of quality and following.

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Hamoudi laliga isnt doing great. There is no doubt, that EPl is the best league right now, but I wont put laliga about SERIE A. Apart from Barca and Madrid, they really dont have any big teams. Lets see what Atletico can do this season.
Plus Valencia are set to loose a bunch of star players. I am hoping Villa and Silva are not amongst them. If Valencia can manage enough money from the likes of Banega, Albelda, Miguel, they will manage to keep Villa and Silva.

shahz_nerazzurri said:

I have an Arabic friend from Kuwait, and he kept on telling me how good Zarate is. Al-Sadd(a Kuwaiti club), managed a huge coup last year by signing him for 15mill Euros, and promising him some outrageous wage.

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Shahz, I'm Kuwaiti, and there's no Kuwaiti club called Al-Sadd. I think you meant Qatar, not Kuwait. Al-Sadd is a Qatari club, and it's one of the best in Asia. Also, Lyon's current striker Keita was playing for Al-Sadd before moving to Europe.

But this isn't the point. I fully agree you about Serie A getting better players so far this summer, and Zarate is one of them. I always hear about how talented he is.

Just because not many heard of him (like Nasri), that doesn't make him a less player. The same thing we can say about Lavezzi, and look how good he turned out with Napoli. Walter Gargano too.

it's because i did not even know who was zarate before this transfer, and i know who are nasri, elmander and boswinga.
if lazio or genoa would have signed elmander i would be celebrating right here.

melo is a good player but i think fiorentina payed too much for him (13 millions), almeria was a good team last year with a coach coach (gone to valencia now).

SerieA gets more and more competitive now with such class players..
And much more interesting to watch..
This year I expect an antagonistic (for the title) Fiorentina,an improved Milan,a Bologna side able to stand for her history and a new and enthusiast Palermo..
I don't think the current Lecce team has any chance against all these giants..
Reggina has made a surprise so far being always in the top league..Will the Calabresi make it this year?..

Knezevic has joined juve from livorno on loan and Vieri has joined Atalanta even with the fan protests.

German Denis is also officially a napoli player today.

Alex de Large said:

melo is a good player but i think fiorentina payed too much for him (13 millions), almeria was a good team last year with a coach coach (gone to valencia now).

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Honestly have you seen him enough this year, to say whether it is too much or not ? Honestly :>

I have not, honestly, i only saw Almeria vs Madrid and Espanyol in 2 games, not enough to judge a player, but 13 millions it's too much for 1 good season, he was not starter in Racing before the last season.


Btw Roma is close to sign Julio Baptista for 12 millions, he is a good player i think, but like Riise, hes a reject from a big team, Roma SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BE A BIG TEAM.

Zigic after one good season with Racing Santander was bought by Valencia for 20 Mil Euros.

100% agreed on the second part though.