News Roundup
•Corvino was in the press room yesterday [video|audio1|audio2], talking primarily about the transfer market. The full text of his statements is here; among other things, he said he'd decreased the size of the squad, which was his goal for the transfer period, confirmed the team's interest in both Palombo and Ivanovic but denied a deal has been worked out with the latter, talked about how important the youth program is, and said they're working on Kuzi's and Jorgy's extensions but not really on Santana's, since they're going to pick up the option in his contract, like they did with Krol.
•Santana's injury is sort of overshadowing everything else right now, since he's been an automatic starter, and it's looking more and more likely that his season is over. The question now is how to replace him and, since it's generally accepted that no one else on the team combines Santana's tactical sense with his willingness/ability to run nonstop for 90 minutes, the possibility of a system change is being discussed in the press and on fan sites. Obviously we won't know what Cesare's going to do until they take the field against Lazio, but some rumored options are a return to the 4-3-3 of last season, with Pubes in his old place on the right of the front line, or 4-4-2, with Pubes and Vargas (who had a lot of success in the midfield at Catania last season) out wide and Monty and Melo in the middle. If Cesare tries to stick with the 4-3-1-2, options for the hole player are Jojo (though Cesare has said he prefers him as a striker), Monty, Kuzi, Almiron, or even Melo, whose natural position is further forward that he's been playing this season.
•In happier news, former Fiorentina and Azzurri midfielder Giancarlo Antognoni is saying nice things about Monty -- who is being increasingly compared to Antognoni -- and his maturation, but he cautions that "humility is a crucial feature to be a true champion," and says that Monty has to stay humble. As an example, he cites Del Piero, who's been around forever and proved himself repeatedly, but "every Sunday there are a thousand reasons put it under review." Antognoni also says that he thinks Monty will face competition from Aquilani for his old place in the NT, but that those two have the potential to be "the best ever" in their position. Wow.
•Speaking of Monty his agent says the boy has bought a house in Florence. Wa hey! That means he's never leaving, right?
•In totally awesome news, Ujfi was in town over the weekend, and he helped organize a party for Mutu and his 101 goals. &hearts &hearts &hearts There was a "sophisticated" buffet, and a Romanian cake that sounds like it was actually purple. Anyone who finds pictures, share them immediately! Please. [ETA: Here's a picture of him and some ladies. Not quite the same, but it's a start.]
•A few last minute transfer did happen, but they're minor: Arturo Lupoli moved from Norwich to Sheffield United in the hope of playing more there, Primavera Serb Nikola Gulan went on loan to Monaco 1860 in Germany's second division, youth player Lorenzo Morelli went on loan to a Serie C1 team in Venice, and his fellow baby Danilo D'Ambrosio was sold to Juve Stabia, a Lega Pro team.
•And, finally, the UEFA Cup squad was announced over the weekend. No surprises that I can see, really, though it's odd that Kuzi's on the B List. Those players are as eligible as anyone else to play, but the B List is usually youth players -- I guess he was shoved over there to make room for Pubes and Comotto?
•Santana's injury is sort of overshadowing everything else right now, since he's been an automatic starter, and it's looking more and more likely that his season is over. The question now is how to replace him and, since it's generally accepted that no one else on the team combines Santana's tactical sense with his willingness/ability to run nonstop for 90 minutes, the possibility of a system change is being discussed in the press and on fan sites. Obviously we won't know what Cesare's going to do until they take the field against Lazio, but some rumored options are a return to the 4-3-3 of last season, with Pubes in his old place on the right of the front line, or 4-4-2, with Pubes and Vargas (who had a lot of success in the midfield at Catania last season) out wide and Monty and Melo in the middle. If Cesare tries to stick with the 4-3-1-2, options for the hole player are Jojo (though Cesare has said he prefers him as a striker), Monty, Kuzi, Almiron, or even Melo, whose natural position is further forward that he's been playing this season.
•In happier news, former Fiorentina and Azzurri midfielder Giancarlo Antognoni is saying nice things about Monty -- who is being increasingly compared to Antognoni -- and his maturation, but he cautions that "humility is a crucial feature to be a true champion," and says that Monty has to stay humble. As an example, he cites Del Piero, who's been around forever and proved himself repeatedly, but "every Sunday there are a thousand reasons put it under review." Antognoni also says that he thinks Monty will face competition from Aquilani for his old place in the NT, but that those two have the potential to be "the best ever" in their position. Wow.
•Speaking of Monty his agent says the boy has bought a house in Florence. Wa hey! That means he's never leaving, right?
•In totally awesome news, Ujfi was in town over the weekend, and he helped organize a party for Mutu and his 101 goals. &hearts &hearts &hearts There was a "sophisticated" buffet, and a Romanian cake that sounds like it was actually purple. Anyone who finds pictures, share them immediately! Please. [ETA: Here's a picture of him and some ladies. Not quite the same, but it's a start.]
•A few last minute transfer did happen, but they're minor: Arturo Lupoli moved from Norwich to Sheffield United in the hope of playing more there, Primavera Serb Nikola Gulan went on loan to Monaco 1860 in Germany's second division, youth player Lorenzo Morelli went on loan to a Serie C1 team in Venice, and his fellow baby Danilo D'Ambrosio was sold to Juve Stabia, a Lega Pro team.
•And, finally, the UEFA Cup squad was announced over the weekend. No surprises that I can see, really, though it's odd that Kuzi's on the B List. Those players are as eligible as anyone else to play, but the B List is usually youth players -- I guess he was shoved over there to make room for Pubes and Comotto?