Serie A View #1785
The Soap Opera and the Fall of Juve
Juventus is slowly becoming a soap opera at this point. It's been a season of drama, disappointment and distractions. This is the growing theme at the club. It doesn't seem like the theme of the season is going away from that either. Juventus underwent huge controversy prior to the World Cup. They underwent a financial scandal surrounding alleged falsified informations in relation to transfers. Despite all of their problems this season, they've earned the second most points in the league this season. The key word is earned. The initial consequences for their financial breaches was a negative 15 point deduction. They went from the Champions League positions to slipping out of the Europe all together. It was appealed. They got their points back temporarily. However, this is a very complicated case and apparently the evidence of their innocence still remains inconclusive. They were given another deduction this week. As they were deducted 10 points. This took them from second in the league down to 7th. 7th does not hold European position. If that wasn't bad enough. Earlier last week they were bounced from the Europa League semi-final by Sevilla. They scored first in the match yet were beaten in extra time. Setting up a final between Sevilla and Roma. Unfortunately, all of the control all of a sudden has slipped out of their hands. Their European journey could be determined on whether or not Roma win the Europa League. It's unclear how everything will play out, but a lot of it depends on Roma winning the Europa League with Jose. That seems like a strong possibility. Juventus has gone through a lot of adversity this season. They could affect the summer. They are already in some financial trouble and this entire investigation certainly hasn't helped the situation one bit. In spite of all the stuff that I've had to go through, they still remain having earned the second most points in the league. However, the entire season has been a disaster. From the investigation going trophyless Again. Getting bounced from the Champions League. Getting bounced from the Europa League. Getting knocked out of the Copa Italia semi-final and on top of all that having Max allegri still in charge holding them back from what they could accomplish. They will not be back in the Champions League next season. Regardless. They are too far out to still qualify. Getting into Europe at all seems to be a concern in itself. They are likely to lose pieces this summer. They might be forced in a situation that they need to sell. Juventus went from the most dominating force in Italian football history to scraping by. Juventus fans may have complaints regarding the investigation but the standard they have set is being ignored and unfulfilled. Even the way they are operating in the market is very different than Juventus. They are no longer operating as if they're a big club. They're targets show that they aren't acting like it. The investigation the chaos the everything. This is a Juventus season that they'll probably want to forget. On top of that, it's hard to see how much of a stable future they will have beyond this season.
It had to be another Argentine: Latauro and Inzaghi saved Inter
Inzaghi has been under tremendous pressure this season at Inter. They've been wildly inconsistent throughout this campaign the pressure was building on him through each day. Inter Milan have struggled to recreate what they have done. Last season there's absolutely no excuse for them not walking away with the title they coughed it up. They handed over the title as their rivals down the road lifted the title. By the way, the AC Milan side that won the title last season was the worst team to win the league in over a decade. That is on Inzaghi. Considering how everything fell apart last season, there was going to be even more pressure on to deliver. This time. It ended up being even worse. There was a point this season that Inter Milan at the same number of victories as defeats. There was the possibility that they would miss out on the Champions League. They fell short of the mark. There's been so much made about this season however, last night he is been vindicated he has delivered this team Another trophy. Inter Milan beats Fiorentina in the Copa Italia final on Wednesday night in Rome. They repeated as champions of Italy's domestic cup. Adding another trophy to the collection he has started since being a pointed at Inter Milan last season. There's no denying the fact that he is a great coach. However, he's always seemed to flonder under the pressure when it matters most. Not only did they capture the Copa Italia again but they ended up making the Champions League final. He's managed to respond to the adversity with silverware. In 2010, Diego Molito delivered Inter Milan a massive upset against Barcelona considered one of the greatest teams of our time. It was Diego molito that won Inter Milan the Copa Italia in Rome beating Roma in their house of worship. He was the hero of that team Jose leaned on him more than any other. In important moments to deliver when it mattered the most. It was an Argentine forward that came through and delivered for Inter. This campaign with this Inter Milan it's been no different. Latauro Martinez has been that one for Inzaghi. In hindsight, he may have even salvaged his manager's position at the club. Getting to the Champions League final and now last night delivering a brace in the final against Fiorentina. Martinez has always been the difference for Inter Milan. He never gets the credit he truly deserves but simply put they are not here without him. They would have fallen through the cracks prior to this point. He is the captain of the ship. He bears all the responsibility. 27 goals and nine assists this season. He is building his case especially with the trophy last night for the possibility of being a top five candidate for the ballador. He has been criticized and crucified for his occasional mischances. However, it has always been harsh done by. He has missed some big chances on occasion. However, he is the one that's been carrying this Inter Milan team through every diffcult moment. When they won the title with Conte he was the one that was the most decisive. He never got credit for it at the time but this has been his team and will continue to be his team for a long time. Even when Lukaku was at his peak, it was Martinez that in reality always made the difference. Five years ago he was brought in from racing club Argentina. For just 20 million. He was brought in under Spalletti. Maruco Icardi was there at that time he was one of the most clinical strikers in Italian football. One of the most ferocious and dangerous players Inter Milan have had for many years. In six seasons with the club he scored a 121 goals 6th in club history. He was a divisive figure that often caused chaos and a toxic environment. Largely to himself and his actions as well as his wife who became a nuisance to the club's progress. Martinez has all the quality and then some without any of the distractions or negative pessimistic aspects that you got with him. He is also a leader, someone that can take the responsibility even if it's not his responsibility to take. Martinez has been right there with Roma's Dybala the most valuable player in Italian football. Victor is having a season of his life in Napoli yet. Martinez has had more goal involvements this season. I bet you didn't know that. He scored two unbelievable goals that delivered another trophy to Inter Milan. He also broke the century mark goals at the club. He now sits at 101 goals in 5 years at Inter. He's the one that has been relied on by the manager. History could repeat itself you know? An Argentine could once again be at the forfont of the improbable
Raffaele Palladino Doing the Imposible at Monza
Raffaele Palladino continues to take Monza to incredible heights this season. The 39-year-old that has been with Monza in his seat since 2019, while beforehand being the manager of the u19 and u15 teams for the club. He did a terrific job of earning them promotion. However, what he is done this season with a newly promoted team is one of the most spectacular things we have witnessed in recent years. It gives me vibes of Hellas Verona under Juric. Verona came from Siri B and finished in the top 10 his first season. Raffaele Palladino looks to be on a similar pathway. For a very young manager in his first season at the top of Italian football in the top flight to do what he is done with this Monza side is hard to ignore. So many will anoint Luciano Spalletti as the manager of the season given what he has done with Napoli but I won’t . However, what is happening in Monza is even more impressive. They did an incredibly intelligent job building the squad They brought in experienced players that have been in the top flight for a long time. Had Monza finished in the top 12. It would be a great season. The expectations for the club was so small coming into this but he is taking them to another level. Monza came from behind in the second half on Friday beating Sassuolo. They managed to get a winner in the 94th minute. They have earned 52 points this season Two points ahead of bologna who also has been quite a surprise as campaign. While Monza will not make European football this season next season could be on the table perhaps. What has been done here is unbelievable. They went from newly promoted side to finishing in the top eight. A lot of eyes will be on the young manager as he is expected to take the next step next season. It wasn't always swimmingly. The club had a rough start at the beginning of the campaign but they've continued to steadily climb the table and absolutely deserve where they are now. An opportunity like AC Milan could be on the table in the summer for Raffaele Palladino but if not, he can continue to build Monza into pushing for European football again next season. With a right adjustments and the right players they can keep this up and keep it rolling. In likelihood he will depart in the summer for a job in the top six that he is more than deserved. However, the job he's done here is nothing short of spectacular. Monza hadn't made the top flight and 132 years in their first season back. They're in the top eight. It's truly a touch of class from Raffaele Palladino.
