Azzurri Dreams

Let the madness begin...

2009-12-04T10:13:00.001-08:00

Let me get this straight. 1.5 hours to pick 32 balls out of a glass bowl and tell us the fate of the 32 teams in the World Cup? Call me a skeptic, but maybe, just maybe, The brain-trust that is FIFA is rearranging things behind the scenes for a clearly planned route for the ultimate final in next years world cup: South Africa vs. Switzerland! Ok, maybe they are just trying to milk TV and advertisements dollars for every single minute on TV, but seriously, 1.5 hours to tell us what we already know: There are two teams that will contend for the Cup, and everyone else is looking up to them.

The unfortunate thing about watching this draw in the US, is only having two TV options, none of which is great. I can watch the ESPN crew and the brilliant commentary and conjecture as they pull for the US to get drawn with England...whoa, great insight guys. On the other hand, I get the BBC feed which is boasting about England's new attitude. Surely they will win now! I wish to revise to my earlier prediction of a South Africa-Switerland Final and think its now all about that other amazing final possibility, USA-England! Bummer, it won't happen.

It comes down to this. Brazil, Spain. Nothing else matters with the two teams. Midfield's and attitude's win Cup's, not supermodel girlfriends, dope, luck of the draw...all that can help, but the those two team are a notch above everyone else. Spain now has the confidence it has always lacked and Brazil, well they are Brazil. Plus historically, no European team has ever won outside of Europe and No Latin America team has ever won in Europe. But their is something about this Spanish team and Brazil always shows up and this team will grind down opponents unlike previous Brazilian teams.

On top of that, the cultural voodoo and pomp of next year's celebration will scoop in and frighten a few players ala Ronaldo 1998 when something spooky took over his soul and his country lost to France. I am expecting some really weird things happening next year, not of which will be shady officiating(surely mandated by FIFA to get South Africa to the knockout stages), players being upset about pending transfer rumors right before their big games, robberies by the locals and David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo losing their hair gel. But really it to comes down to this Cup being a total crap shoot and for once everything possibly being able to happen, including the Ivory Coast coming out of the Group of Death to run crazy through the competition...call it a hunch.

Leave the silly bracket guessing to the American and English press. And now for my prediction...I will wait on that for at least a moment or two. Forget everything we know, this is going to be a grand World Cup and a lot can happen between today and the first kick off...lets just enjoy it and let it breath! The countdown has started.

So, what did I miss in the last 3 years??

2009-12-03T10:56:00.001-08:00

Like Krishna, I too have been called back from my very long hibernation and have been asked to write again. And while I have been basking in World Cup Glory since July 9th, 2006, the time had come for me to come back. Adoring readers and their emails kindly requested that we start blogging about the beautiful game again.

Yes, it feels great to be back and with a vengeance. I feel the game in the last three years, is pretty much where it was before I disappeared, in total chaos.

Essentially here is a quick recap:

The state of soccer is being sacrificed to the idiocies of Sepp Blatter(nothing has changed since I last blogged 3 years ago), players and their supermodel girlfriends are running to placenta cures and new age stuff that would make the ballers from the previous era's call them wimps, Beckham is sporting a goofy haircut even for his standards, The French are doing stupid stuff on the field (again) and Liverdrool(aka Liverpool), well, there being Liverdrool and putting me to sleep with every draw.

You see, I had to come back and shed some light on the what really matters, the game itself! Boy it feels great to be back! So we look forward to reconnecting with all of you and be on the look out for out "Get Sepp Fired" campaign to launch shortly.

Calling for a Boycott

2007-12-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

And no I am not referring to a boycott of the Spice Girls Reunion. Seriously, I am so disturbed today, that I had to write on my one day off. Feyenoord is MIA...again, and to tell you the truth, since I saw him at the Spice Girls Reunion show the other night, he has gotten even weirder then usual. Is that possible? No one here today to keep the Azzurri Dreams offices running smoothly, except for me. So I decided, and realized, there really is a comparison to be made between how I run and operate Azzurri Dreams, and what the FA is trying to do in hiring a new coach.

My boycott is simple. I am calling for the José Mourinho fan club to stop positioning this guy as the top contender for the gaffer of the English Side. What the myopic English fans do not realize is how wrong for the job this guy is. True he is a winner. I will give him more credit for his work at FC Porto then for his work at Chelsea. And as if reading Feyenoord's ever-absent mind, I will tell you why.

He won the domestic league and Champions league with a team from the Portuguese League. I, and I mean, I or anyone could have coached the Chelsea teams he had for the last few years. And no disrespect to the FA Cup, a poultry two league titles with the pounds spent at Chel$ki, had to be expected.

His football was unimaginative, dry, and functional. But they won. No one can take that away from him. Ever wonder why they got rid of him this year, and of all of sudden, a certain flair come to the London club with the hiring of a Dutch field master, Henk ten Cate and the continuous approach for a truly once again potentially spectacular player in Ronaldinho?

Chelsea needs to contend for the Champions League, like the top teams in Europe have been doing for since the tournament took over as the pre eminent club football tournament in Europe. I mean, if Liverpool (aka Liverdrool, since I tend to fall asleep watching their matches), can win in, why and what is wrong with Chelsea?

And while I applaud him for actually fielding English players in England(novel concept, huh Arsenal and Inter, use domestic talent, very interesting??), his lack of creativity ultimately cost him his job. And the point is this. True Jose truly understands the English game, but lets be honest, he is not going to get this job. Brian Barwick is not going to hire him. Jose is simply positioning himself, getting some attention and headlines and keeping himself relevant.

What England needs is a coach that understands the English game, and can mold a strong defensive spine, and create some creativity at the same time, and get his flank players to be able to make a cross (reference to this mornings' Chelsea Match where Shaun Wright Phillips could not make one). Creativity is the key word here. I know I have said to hire someone with experience and age, someone willing to go at his own way and be willing to deal with the consequences.

What the FA needs is to look beyond the obvious, like so many fans are incapable of. Go old school, look at the rosters of the great Liverpool and Manchester Teams, and start cold calling to inquire who is still alive and who is still willing to get off the links to even consider this position. Alan Shearer and Gerard Houllier are potential candidates. But lets all agree, their is once again, no need to make a hasty decision, i.e., Steve McClaren.

I mean it could always be worse, like the Scottish Vacancy that has Grahame Souness associated with it. Just when the national program was on a rise, you are going to consider giving it this guy, who has dismantled more teams that I can even rattle off. I digress, as always, but lets just wrap it up and say this. Stop the internal bickering at the FA, make sure your assistants are not sleeping with the coaches, and no not make a hasty decision.

Azzurri Dreams

Rumor Control

2007-12-07T09:37:00.000-08:00

I owe our growing readership an apology...again. I know this, as last night, set up an interesting moment in the careers of Feyenoord and I both. As I sat patiently awaiting my opportunity to shower Victoria with presents, I saw Feyenoord in the same line as me waiting to get into the Spice Girls reunion show in Lala land. He pretended to ignore me, and let me tell the ever growing Azzurri Dreams readership, Feyenoord has been acting very very strangely lately.

I quickly, asked, if you are," here, who then is answering our phones...?" but he just pretended to ignore me, so typical lately. I am wondering if Feyenoord is seriously considering another job offer at another football orientated website. I pretended to have better seats then him, but I could not lie. He had the better tickets because of his Azzurri Dreams Press pass. But the conversation quickly evolved to what I know best, which besides know the Spice Girls reunion is football.

One of the best times of the year is among us...almost, the winter transfer market. And what I have asked for in the past, is actually happening, i.e, the big clubs holding off and potentially acquiring ONLY one player if not anyone! Can you imagine Manchester United or Inter not associated with the next wonder kid or Ligue 1 starlet? But I digress and here is the latest. The latest rumors are:

Lulinha, the under 17 year old phenom is supposedly going to Chelsea. Hopefully, anything to spice up a Chelsea is game is well worth it.

Mirko Vučinić , finally, healthy, ala his Lecce Days, playing as Roma's goal scorer, linked with Real Madrid. Then again, what striker is not linked with Real Madrid. Just once I would like to see a player stay and give thanks and appreciation to a club while he got paid for rehabbing.

Amauri, also finally healthy, the move that was supposed to happen last summer, might finally happen now, with AC Milan, desperate to add yet another Brazilian. If he shows, the gordito aka Ronaldo I have to believe is LA Galaxy Bound.

Fabio Cannavaro, rumors continue to swirl around the master of central defense. He wants out of Spain, but if you have seen a Real Madrid game lately, even with Cannavaro there, their defense is...well lets just leave it there, I don't know if I trust my back four to two or three Brazilians.

Gianluca Zambrotta. As far as I have been told, going nowhere, even though Milan are trying to make a push for him

Adriano. I never thought I would say this, but maybe the Swedish-Savant might be able to resurrect his game. After all, is the party scene that good in Manchester? Maybe he can just focus on playing ball again.

Rafael Ferdinand Van Der Vaart. With a name like that he has to be good, right? After the move to Valencia fell through, he stayed at Hamburg. Just when I thought I had had enough of Inter, here they are again linked with yet another player. Visions of Bergkamp, anyone? Feyenoord will like this move, as he is already hounding me with SMS' telling me how the Azzurri should be fearing the Dutch in June 9th's showdown in Switzerland. Bottom line, this move actually makes sense, because no matter what the Italian press say, Caesar is not that great a playmaker, and this is the one thing Inter lack. The kicker, is he would be eligible for the Champions League. Don't count out Valencia in going after him again.

Yoann Gourcuff, gone from Milan and possibly heading back to France to play with PSG along with Juventus midfiuelder Tiago.

Tulio De Melo, Brazilian kid to Palermo

Azzurri Dreams

Dreams do Come True

2007-12-02T08:13:00.002-08:00

Well, enough said. The posting title says it all. Feyenoord will get his dream and watch his beloved Dutch play my beloved Azzurri in next years Euro's.

Since we have four stars, and he has none, I am not too worried. But, let me assess the group draw and come back with some notes and navigation's. Here we go, the countdown has begun.

I haven't seen Feyenoord this animated since the 2000 Euros or when I tried to out him and his performance last year when he disappeared with his lover. But seriously, I know you are the 'real' brains behind Azzurri Dreams, but can you , please please give me one minute to at least assess the Euros Draw. I have already lit my candle and asked the great Lippi for his guidance on how to navigate this group. You see he knew something about not only surviving but winning the previous group of death during the 2006 World Cup.

Brief Thoughts on the Draw:

Group A:
Czech Republic
Portugal
Switzerland
Turkey

Also very tough. And what this group has, is a home team, so you can never discount the home field advantage, the illogical calls they will get, and possibly Sepp Blatter communicating directly to the refs during matches to insure Switzerland at least advance to the knockout phases.

Group B:
Austria
Croatia
Germany
Poland

Leave it to the Germans to always get an easy round to navigate. I swear these guys are always at least assured of a semifinal in every tournament.

Group C:
Italy
France
Holland
Romania

Where is the love?? At first take, you know there has got to be apprehension for the members of Group 3. To think that we get to ignite WWIII between the French and Italians, Gattuso and Raymond Domench warms my heart. I am confident we will see some beautiful matches, but realistically, two potential contenders could not make the elimination round.

Group D:
Greece
Russia
Spain
Sweden

Guss Hiddink for leader of the WTO, UN, and President of the European Union. Seriously with this group, he will be able to weave his magic again and again. I can hear the FA making their offer to him somewhere between his second and third game.

And although there are member of the ever growing Azzurri Dreams readership, looking for their nearest oxygen tanks to help them comfort themselves and wonder what their countries did to deserve these draws, I leave them with this.

It could be worse, you could be England.

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Azzurri Dreams

My Christmas Wishlist

2007-11-30T12:45:00.000-08:00

Feyenoord, showed up this morning to the Azzurri Dreams offices. I must have shown him distrust or wonderment, in my expression, because he kept staring me, as if to say, "its me..." I mean I know he is busy, very busy lately, but it does not excuse him from his daily responsibilities to our ever growing readership.

The latest numbers show Azzurri Dreams to be the most read soccer blog among our Gutrati brethren and San Francisco, CA. But as he kept looking at me, I must have sensed he was getting weirded out by me and not the other way around. He calmly, asked, "why the bottle of whisky and the Santa Clause outfit so early this morning?"

My response, was simple, the whisky is because I love this game, and usually publish news before the bigger sites get it, kinda of like my posting on the Balon d'Or yesterday, only to have ESPN Soccernet publish the same information today: Click here

Now I am not saying that ESPN and some other notable brands get ALL their news on European football from me, but I am sure you can infer, that although the www is a small place, and we are all fans of the beautiful game, there are some poachers who need some information and thus they log unto to Azzurri Dreams. And I am more then happy to share with you big guys. But I digress, and Feyenoord continuing looking at me as I told him this very thing.

Secondly, the Santa Clause outfit is because my date with an Internet babe went so poorly last night, that I wanted to bring merry and gifts to our readership and myself. And who else besides Santa Clause delivers all the goods on time as we do at Azzurri Dreams. Thus the outfit I explained, plus it made me feel festive, slightly drunk with power(and whisky) and I decided, going into the end of the year, I would ask the real Santa Clause for certain gifts that pertain to the state of of my beloved football in Europe.

Feyenoord, looked at me, like the great publicist he is, and I knew what he was thinking, with this whisky in his belly, who the hell is going to spellcheck this latest wish list. But nonetheless here it goes. This football(holiday season), I want:

Safer matches in my beloved Italy. Stop the insanity and just watch the game. Teach the young ones in the stands, that with this game, you will learn all you ever need to know about life and love

Francesco Totti back on the Azzurri for the Euro's in 2008

FIFA to ban their ranking systems. Funny how teams that don't play actually go up in the rankings. Could be a good strategy for the US National team going forward

All my football in the US to be on HDTV

To view all the African Cup of Nations matches

To see Riquelme play for one of the top teams in Europe. With the excess pounds being wasted on some of this years players, can I ask the Azzurri Dreams readership to contribute to the Riquelme Fund to keep him here and not in Argentina

For the FA, not to stop being as screwed up as you are. When the Sweedish-Savant left for Manchester City, I was wondering who would be as easy of a target, and lo and behold, the FA quickly volunteered.

For the English Press to stop thinking they are the centre of the football universe. You might have been during the times of scurvy and when you first introduced the game, but have not been for so long, its too funny. Yet annoying.

To see an Italian team say no to a Brazilian player. Note to Milan, just because you can have Ronaldinho, does not mean you should. One lazy gordito on your bench is enough.

To see Fabio Grosso come back and play in Italy

To see England stop thinking they have the best league in the world. Although I like the fun.

To see David Beckham and Posh unedited, wondering if this is what was published on this youtube video, what was cut out?

To see Posh eat a double burger

To see any of the these top players' model girlfriends naked

For the LA Galaxy to reimburse fans for this years ticket purchases 100%.

For coaches to stop complaining about the players they do not have and just play the dam game with what you got

For Luciano Spalletti to smile

For players to stop pledging their "futures" and life to one club. In today's era, most players lack the integrity to turn down the the big money moves and play for their childhood team their entire careers

For a wonderful 2008 Euros in Switzerland and Austria, considering Azzurri Dreams will be there in person reporting on the fate of the 16 nations

For South Africa to finish their stadiums, we already have rooms booked for 2010

Azzurri Dreams

I am appalled

2007-11-29T04:50:00.000-08:00

In the Azzurri Dreams offices early this morning, and let me tell you, our ever growing readership, the title of today's posting has nothing to do with the fact the Spice Girls are actually on some sound station in Liverpool working out their new routines for their upcoming 'reunion' tour....I never knew they broke up, kinda of like, I didn't know Becks was still playing.

And today's mood, is also not at related to the fact that George W. is seeking a leadership role in fostering middle east peace; its almost like wal-mart coming in, tearing you house apart, then saying, hey I brought some donuts and coffee, want to talk! The point being, if it were not for Feyenoord doing his best geisha imitation and trying to relax me this morning, I very well might have had to tell our ever growing readership that I am through!

I am referring to the 'unofficial' ranking of Europe's top ten players. I do not contend with the fact the the Ballon D'or will be awarded to Kaka' next week, but what I have a problem with is the morons that decide this award must not understand, sometimes, the less glamor as a player, the bigger star...I mean the bigger stud you actually are.

For instance, no one question's Posh's role in the evolution of the Spice Girls, but she could not do it alone. And the fact of the matter, great players do not act alone. When you look at the rankings which will read like this when they are officially announced next week, I have a few questions:

1. Kakà
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
3. Messi
4. Drogba
5. Pirlo
6. Van Nistelrooy
7. Ibrahimovic
8. Fabregas
9. Robinho
10. Totti

What happens when you take numbers 2, 3, 4, 7 off their respective teams. Their coaches go to their bench and they bring in another player, maybe not as dynamic as #'s 2, 3,4, and 7 but you know Barcelona, has two 17 year old phenoms that can still play off the flank, score, and even a gordito Ronaldinho, can still feed them the ball. Drogba scores his goals, well a)because he plays in England, and b)because Sheva takes two runners with him on diagonal runs. If they sub him, the midfield, still scores enough goals, and well eventually, Shevenchko, might score again.

If Mancini takes Ibrahimovic off, he calls to replace him with half the Argentina National team, and they will continue to put goals in. The same goes for Ronaldo at Manchester United. The point being, there great, dynamic, but their positions are easily filled. Now you look at Andrea Pirlo, aka the Fonz(for an uncanny resemblance) and you realize, Milan cannot move the ball without him. Nothing, no where, the team stagnates. And lets not even mention the free kicks. When was the last time Drogba got one through a Wall outside the 18 yard box?

Pirlo is a great orchestra leader, he pulls all the strings, lets Seedorf(calling Marco, either play him for 90, or don't tire him out with needless travel, on a side note I will be at the Euros next year, and if I don't see the one player who I think actually proved Ponce de Leon was correct in finding the fountain of youth, I will boycott all your future press conferences,) and Kaka' do what they want in the midfield.

And if you look at the game tape of Milan and the World Cup Matches, you realize he plays box to box and actually has become tougher at getting the ball back himself. He'll work, he'll set up the team, with accuracry and let his players, operate freely. If you have seen a Milan match in the last few years without Pirlo, its like watching a Birmingham-Derby match, full of drab, boring football, the type you only wake from when you realize you have started to drool on yourself.

And yet his ranking was number 5. There were plenty of media in Italy that actually believed Pirlo should have and could have won the award. But he simply just gets it done, weekly, both for country and club. I guess that was and is not enough. What I don't understand, is how he would have dropped to number 5, thats right number 5. In today's tv generation, there are only a handful, of truly great midfield players, throwbacks, where the ball and the team runs through them. And yes, Riquelme is one of them, too bad he was exiled to Argentina again this week. Pirlo, while not a true number 10, is up there with Ronaldinho, Juninho and Diego(Werder Breman). So with that said, we at Azzurri Dreams have come up with our own top 5 list:

1. Kakà
2. Pirlo
3. Ronaldo
4. Messi
5. Posh

Azzurri Dreams

Beginning of a new Era

2007-11-24T14:31:00.000-08:00

Would you trust this man to lead your nation into a major tournament? And would you trust the management behind the country's football association, who chose this man, to help lead their leader??

And with that, I reclaim my spot in cyber eternity, bringing you a fresh look at the debacle known as English Football...But wait, I can already hear it, here it comes via a blackberry message from Feyenoord, "don't the English have the best league in the world?" and wont this translate to the world stage.

Too many questions and delirious tidbits going through my head right now, and although I have been underground working with the South Africans, sending out communication after communication, reassuring, Sepp that they will be ready to host the world cup in 2010, I could not be quiet any more.

And while Feyernoord, might say, it is usually at the expense of the drama that befalls the French and English, that brings me out of hibernation to write, I will keep this simple and impart my knowledge to the FA and what they need to do.

But first, a quick lesson. Post 2006, when Beckham was too "exhausted," and the Swedish-Savant was fired, the FA had their pick of coaches. Here is a quick refresher and their current status:

Guus hiddink, Coach Russia, qualified for the Euros and on in a chateau somewhere, thinking boy those voodoo dolls that I had made up for the England-Croatia game really work. Especially that one of Carson.

Luis Scolari, Coach, Portugal, currently working on his jabbing, as he gets ready to kick some Greek ass for revenge next year. If only England had shown as much passion at this old man, they might be getting ready to plan their itineraries to Austria/Switzerland. Oh well.

Marco Van Basten, Coach, Holland, still alive in Holland, for reasons unbenownst to me, and still coaching well.

Steve McClaren, ex-coach of England. I am sure you get the point. After the World Cup, with an abundance of riches, both financially to pay out their new coach and in the quality of world renowned available coaches, the FA did what the FA have recently become giants at doing; over reacting and making a bad choice. In their nationalist ego trip and wanting to appoint an Englishman to the post of national caretaker, they forgot one critical thing- the English, on the World Stage have not accomplished anything, since, when...and I don't mean Beckham coming back from an injury or qualifying, seriously when did they last win something?

So here we are, the creators of a beautiful game, without a coach. And while I know the players and coaches are equally to blame for this, I would also put the blame on the FA. What the FA cannot recognize, and more deeply troubling, what they fail to comprehend, that besides the 7 minutes of folly in Istanbul in 2005, the English game, even domestically has not even come close to the level of play and dominance to that of the Italian and Spanish Leagues. France and Germany's domestic leagues, have been able to excel as well, incorporating foreign talent without affecting their national teams.

All European leagues are inundated with foreign players, in all their divisions, but what the English fail to recognize is that all the long balls in the world wont beat the top defenses in the world especially, when your ball control and mid field has absolutely no creativity. And on top of that, you bestow the Country's legacy to a guy, who I think, greatest sporting accomplishment in recent memory, was getting his club team to the final of the UEFA cup.

The FA are just as much to blame for this mess and crisis in the English Game. As I have often told Feyernoord (but I think he tunes me out a lot these days, I guess that is the problem with always being right,) is that this could be the best thing to happen to English football.

I know the pain must be excruciating for the die hard fans of the Three Lions, but here is my logic. The English team can only go up from here. You also have the same opportunity the Dutch had post their 2002 World Cup qualifier howler and Argentina and France did post 2002 world cup folly; to build, to go young, and bring in a completely different approach and start building towards, well you know the only true great football tournament in the world, the World Cup in 2010.

Here is my advice to the FA. Don't screw this up again, Don't rush and make the same mistake you made 18 months ago, don't think about even looking at the Stuart Pierce's of the world. Harry Redknapp, Sam Allardyce , great coaches, but seriously, sit on your decision for a while since you do not have a truly significant game until September 2008. Watch the Euros and make your approach for the multitude of world acclaimed coaches that will be available even before the tournament starts.

My second piece of advice, go with with a Foreigner, who can at least bring some creativity and mold a team...hmmm Hiddink, I mean if you could have had him for 10M Pounds in 2006, what do you think he will command in 2008 when his next turnaround job is complete as Russia advances far into the tournament. Thirdly, don't hire anyone under the age of 60 or so unless you run it by me first. I swear I am here to help you idiots. Bring in a gang of translators ala the United Nations and hope the Lippi's of the world would even consider this job. Your country and players, need experience, and someone willing to make difficult decisions and make it his team, mold his own identity and be willing to deal with the consequences and carry the litany of media scrutiny on his shoulders and let his players focus on one simple thing; playing football.

Start thinking outside the box, start thinking Jose Peckerman, Juergen Klinsmann, Fabio Capello, you know, winners, just to name a few. Think long and hard about it, because no matter how much we bagged on the Swedish-Savant, at least he got you into tournaments. And lastly, just so that the laughter and boredom that goes along with watching an England match passes, please please find some creativity in the midfield and get me four players, that play four different roles. I know this is a lot to ask of the FA, but you, know, for a nominal fee, I am always open to "consulting," and providing some suggestions. I am sure Feyernoord can man the Azzurri Dreams offices for a while.

Azzurri Dreams

Intimately Azzurri

2006-08-22T12:07:00.000-07:00

No this is not a picture of Feyenoord on vacation. As if Feyenoord and I did not have enough to do, he had to perform CPR on me this morning. Having found me passed out in the Azzurri Dreams offices pre-dawn, he was determined to know what had caused this sudden change in my physical appearance.

When he leaned over to breath 'life' into me, I was so startled, I sprayed him with my limited edition of Intimately Beckham perfume. I went ahead and told Feyenoord I had passed out from the odorous and gaseous intoxicating fumes of this over-hyped package...he wondered if I was talking about David Beckham or the perfume. Touché, I said!

Things have gotten so nutty, that Sir David could not even attend this ceremony to launch his perfume. Nor could his skinny wife that now rivals Peter Crouch as the skinniest Brit alive. But at last account, his fragrance had outsold his wife's by a 2-1 margin. I can only imagine what type of text messages are going back and forth as we speak. Then Feyenoord, slapped me. The first one was talking about his sweaty lover in his absence he said. The second time, was so that I would focus and report the news of the day.

But he was adament I not stoke the Ronaldo rumor. Ok I wont, but Milan are worried about his 18-20M valuation from Real Madrid, and Fabio Capello being who he is, already has made it known he prefers the Dutch Phenom as his number one striker. Something fishy at Milan, might have to do with only having a one goal lead going into their Champions League Match, but they have nixed their moved for Brazilian Sobis. Attention has now turned to Carlitos, aka Carlos Tevez, now that he has said he will never play for Corinthians again and has gone into MIA. Iaquinta is still in play here. They should get bold and grab Adrianno from the brain trust at Inter, but then again I am not here to start rumors.

Roma, once again proving me correct and showing, that they, unlike Inter, will play some attractive ball this season, are on the move for some good players. They are intent to sign Vucinic while also bringing in Esposito. Both these kids can flat out play and would add speed and length to Roma's attack.

Inter. Ok, here we go again, have agreed to purchase Mauro Camoranesi from Juventus. Phenomenal player with width and speed, too bad Inter have another 16 midfielders. What is another player to contirbute to the fall of their coach come this spring? Anyone thinking what I am for his replacement with the Annointed One, Marcello Lippo?

And in the please don't say so section of today's news, Anelka is off to Bolton. If anyone can turn this kid around, its Big Sam. But why oh why do you need this kid? If Juventus, yes Juventus, a relegated team, can say no to a perpetual malcontent such as Bobo Vieri, why couldn't Bolton do the same thing. Then I just remembered, I was writing on Bolton and decided to quickly move on. I have lost all concentration, which is typically what happens when watching any English match and have decided to stop writing. I will be back shortly with more news.

Azzurri Dreams

Dutch Team

2006-08-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

No I have not decided to go with a Dutch motif today to appease Feyenoord so that he would leave this shacked-up existence to respond to the media inquiries that are coming into the Azzurri Dreams offices. I know for a fact, he is alive and well, and while his lover is napping, he is sending me SMS messages showing what a powerhouse Van Basten's team is after yesterday's triumph. I responded by saying, when you win a game against a)someone other then Ireland, b)a penalty shoot-out, or c) a game that actually matters, there is nothing to talk about and go back to your business...and notice the SMS messages have stopped coming in.

But suffice it say to say, last night after their great performance, something we have been mentioning for a while happened. Liverpool signed Dirk Kuyt which does two things:

1)It spares us the bummer of having him play for Newcastle where his career would have rotten away worse then a Grahame Souness pep-talk

2)This insures Van Basten's future team, young team is all playing in England(competitive league), keeping them in top shape and all playing Champions League. The exposure will be great for these guys. And while I know Feyenoord, the team, have lost another great player, the Dutch national side now have another kid aside from Robben, V. Persie and van der Vaart that will be playing top flight football for a few years before the real opportunity will arise, the World Cup in 2010. Van Basten's future success is linked to these youngsters as well as Klaas Jan Huntelaar. Now for the rest, lets have some fun with this:

AC Milan delegates are in Rio to negotiate the transfer of Carlos Tevez. Finally, the rest of the world will be able to see this kid play. Not to say it again, but I will, players like Tevez do not end up in England. Sorry Fergie

Massimo Oddo also is ok'd to transfer to AC Milan. Good pick-up, even though he was on bench for Marcello Lippi's, incredible squad, he's young, an excellent crosser of the ball, and should make the Milan defense younger by about 45 years...and that just on Cafu's side.

And rounding up the Dutch mood for today, our condolences to Servaas ("Faas") Wilkes who passed away yesterday. Another great Dutch player, gone, but never to be forgotten.

Azzurri Dreams

Kiss the Shirt

2006-08-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

No I am not referring to the fact that right now, Feyenoord is somewhere with his lover, probably kissing her sweaty shirt as he peels it off of her. I swear this guy takes more vacation then is humanly possible, but in all fairness, he does play a role in establishing AzzurriDreams as a media giant in the world of reporting football news.

But I am referring to the drama surrounding Shevchenko's first goal for Chelsea over the weekend. Now if only the game was as exciting as the fallout from his former AC Milan teammates responding to his kissing his new jersey, and all this exhilaration after one goal? Even Pele has been brought into the discussion to say that players need to stop kissing their sweaty jerseys. I thought the English press was hard to deal with, but the Italians...well we take drama to another level, but chicks dig it.

Supposedly, everyone chimed in and was upset that he showed disrespect to his former team and so quickly when he kissed his jersey. One should note, that any man getting such satisfaction out of kissing a micro-fiber polyester shirt, should be examined. And secondly, seriously who cares when he followed it up by saying the only jersey he truly loves is that of the Ukraine. For that I respect the world's greatest striker. As Feyenoord and I often discuss(excluding this week, since he is tied up or, is it the other way around?) country over club. One hard tackle by Gattuso in some eventual Champions League match should suffice to put all animosities aside.

Now for the real drama. Leave it to the brain trust at Inter to get creative. They are listening to offers for Adrianno from Manchester United and Real Madrid. The sum being thrown around is roughly € 45 Million , or only a tips worth more then was spent on Michael Carrick(still laughing about that one). OK I am exagerrting but you get the point, you cannot even compare the two players.

The strange thing, is if this deal goes through, Inter loses out on a young talent and has him replaced with Hernan Crespo(who I adore) but has a limited time left being a solid #9. Two years done the road, even with Ibrahomovich will not replace him. And by-the-way, players like Adrianno do not end-up in England. I wish Fergie would understand that. And in the rumor that I just wont let go of, if he ends up Real Madrid watch for the gordito aka Ronaldo to come back to Inter.

AC Milan need a striker. With the Fernando Torres deal still not finalized, the back-up plan is Vincenzo Iaquinta.

Lens midfielder Alou Diarra is off to Roma for about €5 Million.

Ok, now its time to shower to rinse myself of the dirty thoughts I have just had about Feyenoord and his lover. But I will be back shortly. But do expect a delay when ringing our offices, because my faithful assistant is not here to answer the phones.

Azzurri Dreams

Oh Captain, My Captain

2006-08-11T17:30:00.000-07:00

To quote Walt Whitman is an honor. To quote him to discuss Sir David is blasphemous...but then again, here at AzzurriDreams, we can do whatever we want. Feyenoord and I talked about the 'news' that David Beckham is no longer the captain of England and has been omitted from McClaren's first match next week. Then we realized, unless you are metrosexual with a David Fetish or the English Press, this is really not news worthy anywhere else in the world. Who cares, when was the last time he played a full 90 and earned it for England?

I believe that due to his exhaustion, at always needing to be next to a camera and to make sure his wife does not eat too many tic tacs, he can now focus on playing club ball. For the remaining part of his career, he can dazzle us, for once in a long time, by just hustling and playing football. I know this is a bit of a stretch, but it could happen. Yeah, and England will play the short ball.

England need to rejuvenate itself, its image and hopefully qualify out of a very difficult group for the Euros. So like I have mentioned quite often in the last few weeks, go young, go different, and don't play five in the midfield. This is good change and only the beginning to make this his own team. McClaren and I have been speaking and he has hired me as a virtual assistant. If you are reading this, Steve, you are getting tired, very tired(I need tickets, I need tickets).

David Beckham's plight is like all players at this phase of their career. They cannot all be like Fabio Cannavaro, still excelling(I kid Feyenoord, that has grown tired of my allusions to the 4-time World Champions at any opportunity). They start to fade because their bodies change and the natural progression of the next generation of players that are coming in. They retire from International Play and let the youth take over. It will be difficult for Sir David to let go of the limelight. Unfortunately, even the great ones become carted off us last weeks news.

That is the unfortunate plight of the footballer, to still connect with fans long after their magic has passed. David Beckham's right foot has lit up many a stadium and will do for a little while longer. But to have his mug all over the soccer press and websites, today, I felt sorry for him because I was sadder to see the Swedish-Savant go then this guy. But I know not all is lost, I will get to heckle him when he comes to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Can you imagine him on the same bench with Landon and how much abuse(I mean friendly fan banter) the AzzurriDreams Staff will welcome him to this country with.

Azzurri Dreams

All Wet

2006-08-07T08:39:00.000-07:00

And no its not from the fans in the cheap seats that kept pelting my friends and I with water missile's as we watched the Barcelona-Chivas match at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Its from the sprinklers that were turned-on in the second half of the match and to the amusement of 90,000 plus fans, I was reminded, no wonder no team wants to professionally play at this awful stadium. It made the pitch in Milan seem like a field of dreams. The last time I was at this stadium, Feyenoord missed two Van Nistelrooy and he still has not forgiven me.

But as one of the only four white guys in a wonderful crowd draped in Marquez jerseys, I was reminded what a wonderful experience live football is. Sprinklers and all. I am happy to be alive when it involves this nutty game.

Even with the two brawls in the stadium, a fat woman flashing us her breasts, Chivas not being able to score sitters, no Lionel Messi and Ronaldinhno coming on in the second half, watching the likes of Frank Rijkaard, Edminilson, Puyol and Von Bommel about sixty feet in front of me is a surreal experience. Better then any television experience, even with the new, plush flat-screens at the AzzurriDreams offices, the game, live is like nothing else. And this all for a pre-season friendly.

Can you imagine what it will be like when next month Feyenoord and I are in Portugal watching champions league matches? Actually I can, but I might be taking applications for his substitution, as he has completely vanished lately. If you are young, a female, into football and with and European passport, please send me your headshots...whoops I mean your resume and I promise to call you back. Tickets are pre-paid. But I digress.

As I sat in the stadium, talking to my Mexican brethen, I realized, just how similar we men are. We talk the same, we act the same, we struggle the same and we celebrate the same in this goofy game called football. And I would not want it any other way. The atmosphere and the pulse was a calumniation of great marketing and public relations and a lot of beer. 90,000 plus fans just watching a game. Of course, I told as many people as I could about this blog, hopefully our readership will spike today. Now if only MLS matches were this exciting. Now unto the news:

The real deals will start after this weeks Champions League matches insure teams like Arsenal and AC Milan they will have their Euros for spending this season. Rev them up because until the end of the month, the real deals are to be fast and players you thought were going one place, end up somewhere else.

Milan and Inter are in the race to get Zlatan Ibrahomovich. I don't know what Inter would do with this kid, since they just signed Hernan Crespo(on top of Cruz, Martins, Adrianno, and someone else to be yet named so so they could have him) as we have been saying for, how long now? But another version of the Milan derby is under way.

Franck Ribery wants out of Marseille. Why, that is such a shock. This is a repeat of what he did in Turkey last year. At this pace, he will have a new team every year and become the French version of Christian Vieri. Arsenal supposedly pick him for the fee collected after the sale of Reyes. What a neat coincidence.

William Gallas to Milan. Initially we had him going to Juventus, but we all know what happened, so now its between Arsenal and AC Milan. This would be a good move for Milan as their defense is about 218 years old. And Gallas said he wants to play in a different league. We wont hold the fact that he is French againist him.

Roma are set to push for Mahamadou Diarra with Milan eyeing this situation but like I said earlier, I do not expect any movement from Milan until after the qualifiers.

Palermo are now linked up with Mirko Vucinic as is Roma. This kid can flat-out play.

Juventus have officially made an offer of €4 Million to Corinthians for Ricardinho and are also intent on signing Ghanaian Sulley Ali Muntari. I guess this answers who is the hottest set of players post-World Cup(excluding the Juventus players) as they are being linked with many top teams. Nothing like beating the USA to increase your market value. More news to follow shortly.

Azzurri Dreams

Historic First:

2006-08-05T19:16:00.000-07:00

Feyenoord has not picked up his phone for two days and it leaves me wondering how we are to build our media empire when he screens his calls. Who is setting up my next media days? I know he is at the Stadium in Rotterdham already looking, desperately trying to scalp tickets to his teams upcoming match against Chelsea, but let me tell you something my friend, do not spend the money. Any team with Shaun Wright-Phillips is not fun to watch so much that you need to spend your hard earned Euros. Especially with today's performance.

Some of my readers believe me wanting to replace him with Alexandria might have irked Feyenoord. But he has no idea what irked is until he has to listen to dumb and dumber(ESPN's Dave Ryan and Eric Wynalda) do play-by-play as I just have painstakingly done for the last 90 minutes as I watch the MLS All-Star Game. Seriously I could comment on the game, but Bruce Arena would probably blame me for everything, so I decided not to mention much.

My boredom reached an all new level on this lazy Saturday afternoon. No I am not talking about being so bored that I actually had to watch the MLS all-star Game. Actually I am...just in case you have no idea what I am talking about, the growing readership of AzzurriDreams knows I dislike the MLS. It reeks of mediocrity and a hype machine, which, well to say the least, does no good to the future of the development of its National team.

But you just beat a Chelsea team. Some would say it, so, it was Chelsea's b-side team, and their first match of the summer. But either way, and my compliments are, well very sparse towards American players(maybe in some way, that is maybe why Feyenoord is avoiding me, maybe he feels overlooked, overshadowed...more on the therapy, later though) you beat them and these are building blocks for the success of the game in United States. Moral victories go a long way towards shaping the future.

New heights were reached today. A slow, but productive, counter-attacking style that actually won you a game on a beautiful Dwayne DeRosaio goal. Congratulations. And to the MLS and its players, do not be annoyed that I keep my praise so short, I am sure Feyenoord is envious nonetheless.

Azzurri Dreams

Rumor Has It

2006-08-03T12:45:00.000-07:00

We are huge in the United Kingdom. Actually I over-exaggerated, more like England. Funny because I rarely have anything pleasant to say about the English...actually not really true, I love the English folk, its the French I tend to dislike...but then again who does not?

Feyenoord came into the AzzurriDreams office to find me alone this morning, in deep meditation, lighting many candles. He wondered if the visits to the doctors had gone well. I assured him I am healthy but was just praying for the football season to start. Seriously, how many MLS matches can one man endure? And since the start of my beloved Serie B...whoops Serie A was pushed back another two weeks, I had to call my physic and find out when I will actually get some competitive matches(barring the Euro's clash between Italy and France). I am feeling like a junkie needing a quick fix, and bad. Feyenoord assured me that we are close to the start of the new season. I said that the Charity Shield does not count. He said I should be nice. I said, what else do you have for me as I lit one more candle.

But August 16th looms he mentioned, when we will see the top English teams field teams, that will don't really look English. Look at the landscape of the top English club teams right now and, well to say the least, they look like Inter. Very few domestic, English players. But oh well, that might not be such a bad thing, right? It might cut down on the long balls and two-footed, studs up tackles into the shins. So with only a few days to the start of their season, I was wondering what is the most exciting thing happening in England right now. Besides the Swedish-Savant being unemployed, what else is there to report. I am reaching for anything right now.

I am just handed a piece of paper from Feyenoord that shows that Azzurri Dreams fastest growing readership is coming from England. So, ok twist my arm just a little bit more. The latest is this:

Are these photos of David Beckham in his Speedos while vacationing??: CLICKHERE, you dont want to miss this: Seriously, no children should browse these photos. Can I get away with calling him a wanker even though I am not English?

Ok, Feyenoord, just mentioned, to focus on the football:

Liverpool really want Dirk Kuyt. And he wants to go. He would make an interesting paring with the naughty-sms sender, Craig Bellamy with some tremendous speed between the two of them. But my hunch is Martin Jol, still laughing at how he got all that cash for Michael Carrick, will try to steal this kid.

Anyone that knows me, knows I am a huge Argentina fan and adore their players. So when one of the best central defenders, Roberto Ayala wants a new club, I have to speculate why he has not been snatched up. He would make a perfect fit with Fabio Cannavaro in the Real Madrid central defense and let Ramos play on the side with Cichino. Or he could end up at Inter with every other Argentian...no I am just kidding on that. This guy can flat out play, and even at 33, should be assessed by Manchester United, AC Milan and Roma. Why not, its my rumor. I can do whatever I want.

Seriously does anyone care about Robert Huth or Thomas Gravesen...I don't so I wont spend any time on it. The two best strikers left on the market are making it ugly with Zlatan Ibrahomovich claiming to use legal action to get out of his contract and Luca Toni calling on his crook employer to let him go so he can play Champions League. The funny thing, is I am convinced Juventus do want Zlatan to stay because even with a 17 point deficit, they will rise back to Serie A next year and to sell this player, so young and gifted does not make sense. Ok, now Milan can steal him.

The more interesting point here, is the legal precedent that might be allowed to let this player void his contract because on the demotion of this team(unless his contract had a disclaimer on this?). I know there are a lot of lawyers that read Azzurri Dreams, so if you know anything on this, specially with Italian Law, we would really like to hear from you.

I need to sign off, the candles are all dwindling now and Feyenoord believes this might be a safety issue...he is no fun lately. But this is a warm welcome to our new viewers overseas. Come back and come back often and please let your friends know. I might need some new friends. And please let me know when Wembly is completed.

Azzurri Dreams

End of an Era

2006-08-01T22:26:00.000-07:00

No, that picture is not of Feyenoord. It is the a picture of how I feel today. The end of an Era is upon us and we at Azzurri Dreams, are definitely, well to say the least very sad. We will need to name a new captain, find a striker who can score, and put the Swedish-Savant-era in the very distant future...that and work diligently towards a second star. Whoops, now I sound like Steve McClaren. Sven, please find a new job quickly and please let a microphone be near you on all your cruises or staff meetings because you have given me so much enjoyment over the last few months that I am seriously wondering if we can sustain Azzurri Dreams without your participation. Sven we will miss you but here is my take on the situation in England.

My question, actually more of a rambling today is to ponder the following in regards to the FA. You paid a stiff for close to five years all that money who brought you nothing but shame and a few quarterfinal appearances and yet you were not willing to pursue Hiddink or Scolari with the funds necessary. And no disrespect to McClaren, but seriously, he is not the guy for the job. And although I had to turn down the position because my numerous speaking engagements would not allow me to be in two places at once, my initial thoughts on the state of English Football are these:

Build your team on fluidity and be stern. Stick to one or two formations, not the Swedish-Savants preferred method of numerous formations on any given whim to match the mood of the last woman he was sleeping with. Keep your players informed but keep it simple. Play to your strengths.

Use the next two years and the qualifications for the Euros as the necessary development of your English youth. The tournament is worth, what half-a-star, so go young, give them experience and help them grow-up.

Don't put 5 in the midfielders(whoops 4, Beck's doesn't actually count, does he?) all playing the same position. Use some flair and go offensive, you have the strikers to do it, so use them.

Sell some of your top players to the other domestic leagues in Europe. It'll do wonders for their adaptability and growth in the game. They will learn to play different styles and get them away from only using the acclaimed long ball.

Don't think you are going to win simply based on history. Seriously, you have won 1 World Cup, nothing to brag about...unless you are the French. Stop the press from creating champions before they have proven something on the field. As far as we are concerned, for South Africa 2010 everyone is on equal grounds right now...well, except the Azzurri who just clinched their 4th, but we do not need to bring that up again.

And definitely not least importantly, please do not sleep with any of your staffers. Be the gaffer and let your players own the spotlight and let them excel. Do not talk behind their backs and of course, please do not have the stupid smirk on your face, as if you are actually deep in thought while watching a match...wait, this message is addressed to McClaren, not the Swedish-Savant, so strike the last point.

Azzurri Dreams

No Doubt

2006-08-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

Like I keep telling Feyenoord, there is no doubt in my mind that what I write is true and will happen. Now convincing the powers to be to follow my advice is another story all-together. A difficult job. Almost like being unveiled at an Inter press conference but dreaming of playing for Manchester United...see Patrick Viera. But let us focus on the big deal that I have been talking about for a while. Feyenoord has been making all his calls and the rumors are in fact true, that is until they change again later today.

AC Milan have agreed to personal terms with Zlatan Ibrahomovich. Trust me when I say this deal is done. Now they just need to work on personal terms with the player himself. Next to be posted on their website is once again confirmation of something we have been talking about for a while--Gigi Buffon going there as well. Just a matter of time.

Juventus is looking to strengthen their squad with purchasing Livorno players Marco Amelia and Cristiano Lucarelli. They have also said they will not get rid of Mauro Camonaresi. Juventus is already building its team with an eye on being back to the Serie A after this season. And if that was not enough, they have already started pursuing Robinho...but I am not here to start rumors.

Now I could chime in on the Michael Carrick situation. But I wont. Ok I lied. Are you kidding me with what you paid for this 25-year old midfielder. Thats right, £18.6m for Carrick. If that is the case, what is a Seedorf, Appiah, Gattuso, Camonaresi or Cambiasso(all proven International Players) worth? Manchester United, once again, taking notes from the Inter braintrust, have overpaid...lets see, can we say Rio Ferdinand, part II? Just because someone asks for the money, does not mean you have to give it to them. Wow, good thing you leveraged all that debt because you are going to need it with another another average performance this season in both the league and Champions League. Good things you sell a lot t's and have premium sponsors because, winning titles is not going to fund your acquisitions.

Sir Alex, I know you have an eye for talent, but this is just too much. Seriously with the way Roy Keane played the last few seasons for you, why still focus on finding his replacement? I would have given you a Feyenoord on a season-long loan, whom even with his chronic smoking, would have been a better deal then this one.

Azzurri Dreams

Im Speechless

2006-07-31T09:27:00.000-07:00

I'd like to say she is the new spokesperson for Azzurri Dreams. I love Feyenoord and he is invaluable to our opertaion but if this woman, Alexandra Paressant, wanted his job, his ass would be out in a moment. But unfortunately I have not replaced Feyenoord.

In the where are we until the football season starts part of the summer, we are reminded that those pesky Brazilians are always scoring. Maybe not against France, but who cares when rumor has it you scored with this woman. night in and night out. So what if they only burned down your statue, I am sure you did more then that to her in the hallway.

Now I understand why Ronaldihno did not have his game legs during the World Cup. And I promise not to stoke this fire any more, but one can only say that I rarely respect the English press, but this story, as reported in The Sun, whether true or not, just made my day.

But now, for legal purposes, I need to focus on football.

Ashley Cole is going to Chelsea. Next story. Oh wait he is going to Real Madrid. No, wait he is going to Chelsea. Just sign this deal will you, you're driving us all crazy. Hope you had a great honeymoon, now make up your mind so you can join up with some new team for your tour of America.

Juventus are asking Inter for €40M for Zlatan Ibrahomovich, pricing him out of the market so he either ends up staying at Juventus for one season until they come up to Serie A next season. Or just a hunch, so he can end-up at Real Madrid.

Palermo are intent on signing midfielder Christian Zanetti.

Turkey calling. Why is it all that Brazilians end-up there. Latest has Roberto Carlos going to Fenerbahce. He has come out since meeting with Fabio Capello saying he wants to stay at Real Madrid. But with Cannavaro, Ramos, Cichino, and one more addition to the defense(see Ashley Cole), Madrid's MLS-like defense is solid and then don't need him. I am sure Roberto can hang out with fellow Brazilian Marcelinho in some Turkish cafe' wondering if the rumors about Alexandra Paressant are true.

Reading the Future

2006-07-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

I too would look this worried. No not for the 9-month suspension I just received after my national football tribunal. But because if I knew my star's father had been in Madrid negotiating a new contract on his behalf, I would be this long-faced. But wait, Galliano always looks this way, doesn't he...but I digress.

This summer's deal are fun, aren't they? Although the most protacted deals in the past few years were those of Sir David and Ronaldihno, the ones that are about to happen still have another 32 days before the summer conclusion to this transfer market. So get ready, because some of these we will get tired of hearing about. And the name-calling(see Real Madrid vs. Milan) and finger-pointing will only intensify. Players will know their interests are best-served by asking for transfers and then bidding will offically being. See Kuyt, Tevez, Reyes, Landon(nah, I am just kidding on this one).

No I am not a psychic who knows what is going to happen before it happens. But when it comes to Real Madrid I do know one thing; what they want they get. Two news agencies, Telemadrid and AS both have Milan's Kaka' signing for Real Madrid. And the kicker is this, they will unveil him on August 9th so that Kaka' does not play Champions League for Milan this year-Ouch. Now, the growing readership at Azzurri Dreams knows we do not like to speculate(ok, well I lied) but I have a feeling we will see Ronaldo or Julio Baptista mentioned possibly in some swap. Great, a great player for a fatty. That is fair but I digress again. Call it a hunch. And to add injury to insult, supposedly Kaka', with the thousands of Real Madrid fans already waiting for him and sleeping in the parking lot of the Santiago Bernabeu, will be unveiled wearing the #19 jersey as worn by the great, drum-roll please...Jonathan Woodgate whose greatest contribution to that team has been his fashionable hair style over the past two years. This move makes absolutely no sense to me and why Milan would want to sell him is beyond me.

But maybe, just maybe, its because they need the money to launch an official bidding war for Fernando Torres and are intent on bringing defensive midfielder Mahamadou Diarra from Lyon. The Mali star is great but he plays a different position but Carlo Ancelotti wants to remake the mid-field of his team freeing up Andrea Pirlo. Milan is thin with strikers and should focus on this. They are already looking to offer Bonera whom they just signed from Parma last week.

Back on the other side of town, its getting sticky. Luca Toni's bid from Inter is rising by the moment, just as my blood pressure does when I watch an England match. One vicious rumor has Adrianno going to Fiorentina and Toni coming over for close to €20M. Fiorentina now needs to compensate for the loss of Champioms League money and Inter know this. zlatan Ibrahimovic is to follow shortly for close to €12M. Juventus keep claiming they are not selling any other players but then again, they say that because their phones are still being tapped and are trying to deflect all the calls that aren't from the cash-rich Inter.

As for me, I need to make an appearance and wave to the many passerby's that stand below the Azzurri Dreams offices hoping to get a glance of me. More news to follow shortly.

Azzurri Dreams

Clean Urine

2006-07-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

As if there was any doubt that I would pass any drug test, I am here to announce to the ever-growing Azzurri Dreams readership that I have not doped. Not now, not in the past. My analysis of the game is all natural. Although some would suggest my disgust at anything to do with the French and English national sides is heightened by some 'abnormal' substances recently found in my bloodwork, I am here writing with this the full legal and moral support of Feyenoord. With that said, we can now address today's ramblings. Roma are looking to strengthen their team ahead of their Champions League appearance this year.

They are keen on signing Ghanaian midfielder Stephane Appiah. I am sure he will want to leave his Turkish experience behind and go back to a country with no match-fixing implications. Roma are also looking to bring in Serbian striker Mirko Vucinic. And just to re-assure our American viewership, I did not intentionally choose the picture with a dejected American team from the last game of this years Group of Death, it was merely a coincidence.

It is on. It is off. Luca Toni has been categorically told he will not being to Inter. Oh well. I do not buy it. Now the brain trust has decided to focus on bringing the Juventus strike force of Ibrahimovic and Trezeguet to Inter. Lets see, what to do...with Adrianno, Martins, Cruz. I think Trezeguet goes elsewhere, but as you all know I have been know to be wrong from time to time.

Manchester United are after Argentina players Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez. No way. Supposedly Mascherano is off to Inter and Tevez is too good to end up at Manchester United. Tevez is on his way out and that is obvious after what happened in Brazil on Monday night. I look for AC Milan to make a move for this kid that can flat-out play and pairing him up with Crespo.

As for other news, lets just say if I were Liverpool I would focus on not going to Haifa without at least 1,000 hooligans. I am sure they can offer all the security they would need in a war zone to handle Hezbollah, Israel and the PLO and still have time to have some very nice pints of warm beer.

And in the 'did miss something' portion of today's ramblings why is Sol Campbell such as hot commodity right now. Seriously, if anyone can tell me, please email me. The latest has him linked up with Roma and Marseille. Ok, I have to go back to have my Sample B re-tested but will be back shortly.

Azzurri Dreams

Im Out

2006-07-27T11:22:00.000-07:00

No, not like Lance out-of-closet. But out of ideas on how to hide the fact, the disappointment, that surely must come with not being able to bash the Swedish-Savant. But it may be my lucky day after all. Rumors circulating in England have him, minus one-sheik taking over the Aston Villa coaching job. Could this be my lucky day? Seriously, if that is the case, Feyenoord may never be able to pry me away from the AzzurriDreams offices. If that is the case, can you imagine an entire-seasons worth of sexual innuendos, meetings with Beckham and whatever drama that merely being the Swedish-Savant brings. I shudder to think at how much worse my carpal tunnel will become because I will be typing at a feverish pace...almost non-stop, like the media lining to ask him what the hell he was thinking in Germany.

But for now, lets just report some news. Feyenoord has just handed me a small piece of paper. It reads, "Do not mention Hezbollah and mention something Dutch." So I say, for lunch today, we will go Dutch. He frowns and I know what he means. Ok, here it is, the deal for Dirk Kuyt is back-on with Liverpool. The Dutch team wants €14 Million, Liverpool, after picking up another dud in Pennant only want to pay €10 Million. But this kid can flat out play.

Milan, have just trumped Inter's bid for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, offering €22 Million. This along with Gilardino upfront and Kaka' running wild behind them would make for a great, young striking force. Look for Inter now to really start freaking out and trying to secure Luca Toni that wants to leave but has been told by Fiorentina that he now going anywhere.

As if this makes any sense. We all know Ruud Van Nistelrooy is leaving Manchester United. That is not the news. The news is that Ferguson is taking a chance and looking to bring in Jermain Defoe to replace him. Seriously, are you kidding me. Replace one of the top Champions League scores of the last few seasons and a guy with a 150+ domestic goals with a guy...wells lest just say, the Swedish-Savant did not even pick him for his illustrious squad in Germany. The argument here is about age, and just once, I would like to see Sir Alex Ferguson acknowledge this rather then publicly out his players that have given him so much. Ruud we wish you only the best at youre new team and don't worry, Manchester United will do nothing without you this season. But seriously look at the picture above and I too would be that happy to leave the drama that is now Manchester United. Oh wait he now has to deal with the Real Madrid circus.

Azzurri Dreams

Only a Warning

2006-07-25T13:12:00.000-07:00

This type of media attention usually follows Feyenoord and I when we leave the plush offices of Azzurri Dreams. It usually takes at least a drink or two to take the edge off after I feel like Carvalho whose personal space has been intruded(but for the sake of legal purposes, I cannot decribe this analogy any further).

I must admit, we at Azzurri Dreams always looked at the match-fixing crisis in Italy and subsequent verdicts as those huge rainmaker law settlements only to usually see the actual damages awarded dwindled down. And so it goes that the Italian landscape has changed, for the short-term, but the long-term implications have not. Lost in all this that a message was sent, a strong one, but teams were still given the lucrative opportunities to play back in the Serie A so really, what type of message was sent. This was the opportunity to clean out the game. And it did not, entirely.

In all, we saw the dismantling of Juventus for two years and Milan(-8), Fiorentina(-17), Lazio(-11) appeal and rejoin the race for the scudetto. Now the funny thing, is you have two teams vying for the Championship, Inter Milan and Roma with Milan probably focused on the Champions League.

Now the idiots at Inter still do not have a team that will run away with the title with AC Milan still being able to make a strong run for it. As for Roma, I do not know if they can win it as they need strike support(look for them to grab Iaquinta) but then again they are only chasing Inter. I wonder how great it will be watching a team play that has 2 games in hand over their nemesis and city rival. At least, in the Serie B, we are geared up for nights of fabulous riots when Napoli and Juventus play...take that Inter, oh wait that is what your fans do.

Now let the deals start coming together. Inter up their bid for Luca Toni, want Viera(almost a foregone conclusion) and will sign at least another Argentine player they do not need to go along with the other 11 they already have. Watch for Crespo to be linked up with either Inter or Milan and for the conclusion of the Buffon deal in the next short few days now that his new employer will be playing in the Champions League.

The Italian Championship now looks like this:

Ascoli
Atalanta
Cagliari
Catania
Chievo
Empoli
Fiorentina (-19)
Inter
Lazio (-11)
Livorno
Messina
Milan (-8)
Palermo
Parma
Reggina
Roma
Sampdoria
Siena
Torino
Udinese
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Inter, Roma
PRELIMINARY CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Milan, Chievo
COPPA UEFA: Palermo, Livorno e Parma.

The future is that the lesson here in Italy(again) is that the special interests in the game, won out again. Corruption has a smiling face on it again. There is a dink in the armor, but they all came out alright. Again, as they always do.

Now we can focus on the new story rocking the European football community...the scandal in Turkey. Not really, that would be as interesting as watching David Beckham apply hair gel at half-time to spike his hair. But lets give thanks that this saga just like Wayne's kick and the terroist head butt situation is behind us and I can get back to doing what I do best, talk about football and not the drama that comes along with it. Then again, I might be bored.
Azzurri Dreams

45 Million and Counting

2006-07-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

No, that is not the number of times Zidane's ass has been kissed in the media since July 9th. Or how many times I have watched Fabio Grosso's penalty kick to win the World Cup. That is the what the crisis at Juventus has netted them as of today in selling off the worlds top players. Gone, Zambrotta and Thurman to Barcelona. Lost Cannavaro and Emerson to Real Madrid. And while I cannot hide my sadness that my National players will not enter their own stadiums to the cheers of Gladiators upon the start of the upcoming Serie A season, I wonder if there has ever been a player Diaspora like this. Sir Alex and the rest of the gaffers in England must be wondering why, just why they cannot recruit any of these players to England. But I will answer that later on.

And the selling will continue with Buffon off to Milan, Vieira set to reach terms with Inter while they also try to sign Ibrahimovic and Trezeguet to be offloaded by next week. Its sad with all this player movement from the team where we have seen so many of these players becoming great. But not as sad as the Chelsea signing of Roberto Carlos so the owners son can watch his favorite player at $tamford Bridge every weekend and maybe, just maybe on occasion get a free kick on target(notice I did not say score).

Seriously, though with the quality of the players that the Spanish giants have signed, the European landscape is altered again...this time dwindling the group of ultra-competitive teams across Europe vying for the Champions League down to just a hand full. Look for Bayern and maybe one other team to team to be able to keep up and compete this upcoming season for the Champions League.

But hey, somewhere, of course in England someone is signing Nicolas Anelka as I mentioned some idiot would do many months ago. But the bottom line is what a coach like Fabio Capello, just maybe in the post-Galatico phase of Real Madrid, they might actually just focus on playing the game again and win something. And if they could only get rid of a fat Ronaldo(ok, now I sound like the Brazilian Press, I am now sure from the early training videos that Fabio Capello may be, just maybe, be the man that ultimately says to the world, Becks take you and your wife off to the MLS, we do not need another prancing midfielder who disappears for the entire game but re-appears for the photo opps.(this comments might seen rude and needless but now that I cannot bash the Swedish-Savant and grown tired of my own Zidane-tirades, I might need a new target).

Real Madrid will still have some problems in defense but with Cannavaro, Ramos, Cichino and another stiff(see Woodgate, Pavon, see entire 2003-2006 Madrid Defense) Capello has just secured a strong defense with two flank options in Ramos and Cichino that can make those runs and keep teams pegged back. Barcelona has just added Thurman to help Carlos Puyal in the middle and with Zambrotta on the side, have also revamped a defense that was suspect last year. Now if they get some striking support for Et'o, now that Ronaldihno has gotten over the disappointment of seeing his statue burned to the ground upon his return from the World Cup(some would say he never left?), you have the top two teams in Europe contending for the Champions League making Spain, not England(as the only the English Press would lead you to believe) the dominant league in Europe. Eclipsed in all this, is that Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United will once again only pretend to compete for the Champions League and be able to offer their players an incredible array of fish and chip platters as parting gifts. Although with a weaker landscape in Europe this year, they should be able to cash in.

Dare I say it, if England is the greatest domestic league in the world, why is that their teams have not signed anyone truly great this summer(with the exception of Andriy Shevchenko)? The argument for great cannot be made for Ballack, Kalou but granted Rosicky will let Arsenal once again play the most entertaining and tactically sound and free-flowing ball in England, English teams will not compete for the Champions League. I tell you, the readers of AzzurriDreams why England's league is lacking... because England for all its prowess and open and entertaining style, in this league, their is a lacking technical and tactical capabilities of the Italian and Spanish Leagues. The long ball just does win games(Ask the Swedish-Savant and Bruce Arena, to name a few).That is why the truly creative players(the Dutch excluded) typically opt to not play there. Now trying to convince the England media to leave what happened in Istanbul...well in Istanbul will be difficult. We will reduced to watching European matches in the next two to three years without Juventus and Milan contending but I still do not think it will be enough to bring the English league up to par with the other league I have mentioned...but hey we all have the Charity Shield and the Carling Cup to look forward to this year in England.

AzzurriDreams

Azzurri Dreams Calls for Peace

2006-07-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

No. Not with the French but with the political powers within the International Community that read our site on a daily basis. Although the White House today came out and said Marco Matterazzi is not on the top 10 most wanted list, he is quickly closing in on the top spot held by Osama Bin Laden. Prodi, Blair and Putin have all decided to focus on capturing him to personally thank him for making the French seem, well you know French. Although there are many rumors that are circulating as to my spotty appearances lately, there is no truth that I am in Lebanon organizing a peace match between a Zidane-led team and a coalition team comprised of Israeli's, Syrians, and Lebanese.

If only the UN, the G8 and the WTO would listen to my podcast(circulating via the web, but you have really dig for it) advocating football as a way to spread love and peace, the world would be a happier place and I could charge more for advertisements on this site. I thought the shameless headbutt would be the most aggravated act of violence that I would see this summer but it was only the beginning. As I am writing this, my legal counsel has been alerted by Feyenoord that I am officially getting 'political' and they worry that this might alienate the growing readership of Azzurri Dreams. But that is not case.

My simple theory, in actuality, a simple template for World Peace is as follows. Watch and learn from the beautiful game and you will learn how to overcome all the atrocities that lead to war; ego, possession, religion, selfishness and lack of unity. Watch the great club teams in the world playing for 90 minutes, and you will see followers of Allah kicking around a ball with friends of Jesus. African players and Scandanavian players pass to each other. Language barriers are overcome through simple gestures. Strikers learn to trust their defenders and goalies look to midfielders for a quick link-up through the spine of the field. There are no barriers when it comes to soccer, because, in its ultimate simplicity, is the core value that it is a team sport. Hell bent on putting a little ball past a goalkeeper who is only waiting for his chance to shine, we realize that the game is the ultimate experiment in proper race relations, unity and team work. You need eleven men(sorry to all the feminist followers of Azzurri Dreams) to combine to carry out the ultimate goal. There is no need for ego or a mightier attitude. Personal differences, cultural and religious, are put aside as a team comes together to battle against a common opponent. Now calling your mother a bad name, well that is another case(but we won't touch that one, for a while).

And although FIFA is on my short-list(especially since the London Times ran an article saying they tapped the Azzurri Dreams switchboard) of people I currently dislike, they do stand united behind winning a war of prejudice and racism and inequality that is overwhelming the game, especially in Europe where an uprising in neo-nationalism is threatening to ruin the game for so many. And while that might seem like a lot to stomach(almost like Sepp's smile), the game teaches one thing. Man rallies around a common goal; whether it ends triumphantly or in defeat, the hand shakes and hugs after a match go a long way to bridging relationships that will help in the next 90 minute battle they wage together.

As for the crisis(call it a war, but I prefer crisis because it reminds me of men that need psychological assessments, constantly), I suggest this...let us start a pick-up game in the middle of Haifa or some remote Lebanese field and watch the as bombing stops, it will come to a standstill as everyone gathers around to come watch and ask if they can play. It will garner enthusiasm and calls, whistles and excitement and people will forget to bomb each other. They might still headbutt each other, but at the end of the day we'll leave the real crisis in the world(see Manchester United and the USA managerial void) and just try focusing on getting along and wondering, how in a world so dam cynical, a game could actually bring together people, so different, yet so similar that for about 90 minutes would let us all forget our problems.

Azzurri Dreams

Leave My Mommie Alone

2006-07-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

As if our world needed any other reason to dislike the French, here we go again. In the days of censorship, I would been prohibited from saying what I am about to say...but since Feyenoord has cleared this with our legal team, here it goes.

Zidane, you messed up. All men, great and lesser make mistakes. What differentiates the two is the acceptance of their actions and not to make any excuses. I know you are still bitter about that chance in Golden Goal saved by the chosen one, but please let it be. Your mother would want it that way. I am certain that on the streets of Marseille you heard even worse then you did Sunday in Berlin.

President Jacques Chirac called Zinedine Zidane's head-butt in the World Cup final "unacceptable" on Friday, adding that something must have provoked it. "What is certain is that, for a man like Zidane — a man balanced in all respects — to have this type of reaction, there had to be something," Chirac said. So what your saying is that a man is not repsonsbile for his actions if provoked? Does he not have the freedom choosing not re-act? And do you really want to raise the next generation of players in France to be so disappointed over something that was suppossedly said that no one can veirfy. Why is it that we only have one side of the story, that of the Accussed...maybe jusy maybe because he is trying to right his wrong?

Hear is a news flash to the French--Did your press agents say anything about not crying about it especially about your mother? These guys are gladiators on the field and to believe that something like this would cause the golden boy of the last generation to loose his cool is just BS. Zidane over-reacted due to the fact that he was exhausted, hurt and not aided by a French bench with whom he pleaded to take him off the field. Anyone that knows anything about European football can make these three points and pass them along as truth:

1)Zidane has history of violence(see 14 reds in professional career)
2)Materazzi has a history of provoking players and getting questionable calls against him as well because of his reputation(need I remind you, look at the red card against Australia and the penalty kick awarded to the French)
3)FIFA has an idiot at the helm that has let political and cultural pressure surround him to start an investigation into....drum roll, Materazzi, not Zidane, who performed the aggravated act of violence towards him. Lets blame a guy that may or may not have uttered something that we cannot verify.

Trash-talking is part of the game. Be it about your wife, your team, your reseeding hairline or sister, you just learn to deal with it. It makes you stronger to walk away from it only to come back and score the winning goal on the guy who insulted you. You then shake hands and exchange jersey's. But what strikes me as odd is that now the attention has shifted to how Zidane is a victim in all this. Zidane, poor Zidane. Can we say, that the French star has already started positioning himself for a position in the governing body as did his countryman, Platini.

His acts, his need for sympathy and lack of manliness on how he has handled himself after the game dwarfs him in my opinion. His status as a man among boys(as was always the case on the field) for me is gone. Even his apology reeked of inconsistency and lacked conviction, unlike the head butt. Admit to your mistake, take responsibility for your actions and do not seek out the approval of a nation that is distraught with losing...dare I say it again...you lost and to the Azzurri.

Don't you guys have other problems in your country--for instance crime, unemployment and making sure the new Airbus 380 can actually fly? Unlike the bias shown in France, and the press we will give Zidane the benefit and say he lost his composure(again) and now simply needs to move on with his life. Enough with the drama.

Here is the final newsflash to the French...The Cup is with the Azzurri where it rightfully belongs and no mamma's boy can take it away from us.
Azzurri Dreams

Press Conference

2006-07-12T13:21:00.000-07:00

Now that the happiest of times have started to mellow a bit and the last of the fire works from the Olympiastadion have settled down, we at Azzurri Dreams called this press conference to quash any rumors on our prolonged hiatus from reporting the news that our growing readership painstakingly had to deal without for nearly four months.

I repeat, nothing vicious was ever said about Feyenoord's mother or sister let alone his younger brother. He never labeled me a dirty terrosist. In jest we might have kidded about swapping girlfriends in all honesty but who does not during thesemoments of crisis as our teams ascended towards the finals. Azzurri Dreams was requested from sources that cannot be named to drop the reporting on the World Cup. We were not paid off with a bribe, our phones were not tapped. But we were kindly reminded that our commentary on the game was not needed for a short while by the footballing powers that secretly control the game.

We have not received access to the deluge of emails that were sent to us during this great World Cup and we regret that we cannot respond to all of you. Thus, at the advisement of our legal counsel, we simply say that we are back to doing what we love to do at Azzurri Dreams--reporting on the beautiful game with a glance towards what might be happening next in the great leagues across Europe. As we have all learned, during the past four weeks, dreams do in fact come true. Our growing readership now knows that since we are back live.

Azzurri Dreams

FIFA Probe

2006-07-11T15:25:00.000-07:00

I am (un)officially launching a probe into FIFA. Feyenoord fears for the political implications but it must be done. Leave it to Azzurri Dreams to look at the situation like no one else dares to. Even more despicable then the ridiculous Zidane headbutt, is the lack of class shown by FIFA during the finals match. That's right I am now convinced that Sepp Blatter, along with George W. Bush and Tony Blair is part of the Axis of Evil. Sepp, the President of FIFA, must have been too busy counting all the kickbacks his organization is still getting for awarding the 2010 World Cup to Africa for I cannot come up with any other reason he would have been too busy to attend the medal ceremony. The president of FIFA himself snubbed the ceremony.

I have many theories in regards to this blatant disrespect; since he is Swiss he was afraid to walk down the steps of the Stadium in Berlin in case someone in the stands might ask for more restitutions from his country dating back to World War II. Or maybe, just maybe, he was wiping the sweat and tears off Zidane in the locker room wondering how the hell did the Italians win this World Cup and steal away from his beloved French. Or maybe he just wanted the jersey off the number 10 before someone else could get it and put it on eBay. Even Franz Beckenbauer who was still destroyed by Germany's epic loss to Italy a few nights before was seen smiling and congratulating the Italians.

But the real reason why it simply no longer matters Sepp is this. And its very simple; this World Cup was part fantasy, part fate, and not even your lack of class or deafening influence on the game could affect what was written sometime before ol' chap. Italy was chosen as a team of destiny, amid allegations, suicide attempts, negative press and racist taunts and the group of death to show the world one thing as Romano Prodi said yesterday that this was about giving "calcio nazionale la dignità che merita." For those who do not understand, it means giving the national team the dignity it deserved.

Sepp Blatter, I count down the days to your resignation. The game will be better for it. Like Raymond Domenech you showed arrogance and tasteless class when it came to congratulating the Italians. Its ok, though we were more then happy to receive the medals and World Cup trophy from Lennart Johansson.

Azzurri Dreams

24 Memories

2006-07-10T18:51:00.000-07:00

The World Cup is about memories. But not the obvious ones of who scored how many goals or what players or nations were discovered. Its not about stadiums filled with fans and the television replays that make legends of one-time goal scorers. It runs deeper then that. Back to childhood and infant dreams, when the game itself was the memory we all longed for. Where cheering our nation or allies rallied entire populations together for the good of seeing a little round ball kicked into an opponents goal.

The World Cup is about the circularity of life within 120 minutes that shows you your entire existence and its beautiful opposite within seconds of each other. The high can quickly be followed by a limping low. Glory is usually hindered by flaw. The euphoria of the moment will never last as long as the disappointment you can just as easily feel. Yet we gravitate towards it. The game itself creates illusions that eleven men are in control of their fate; that is the folly of this game--the illusions of control that cause so many greats to fall and those lesser to aspire to new heights. The beauty itself is that every four years the World Cup creates new memories for young and old alike.

But ultimately the World Cup is about yourself. Your recollections and dreams and disappointments, poignantly kept in a neat little calendar that only seems to recount four weeks of madness every four years. It is about an older man looking at himself in the mirror and not seeing 24 years past since Italy's last World Cup, but rather 6 tournaments and three continents of tears and disappointments. It is about a boy waking up on a beautiful sunny day in July 1982 to see his team win the World Cup and wait what felt like an eternity to win it again. It is about an older man wondering where that young boy has gone only to become that young boy again on another beautiful July day in 2006 and watch his country hoist the cup again. From both the child in me and the adult that I have become, thank you again to the Azzurri for having given me this wonderful memory to seek out again.

Azzurri Dreams

Dream Team

2006-07-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

Team of Destiny:

Azzurri Dreams

The Village Idiot

2006-03-17T10:48:00.000-08:00

No I am not talking about my agent. Even though the man has had me booked on so many talk shows that I have not even been able to connect with my ever-growing readership. I am soo sorry for not responding to the thousands of emails and voicemails I have received since February 17th. AzzurriDreams has a responsibility to report to you and we have failed to do so.

And although so many of you were angry, needing the latest news before it became the news that the English Press reports, I simply failed to respond to your needs. And even though I have not been booed, I am truly sorry.

But I am here to dispel some of the rumors making the rounds in the last few weeks. No I did not suffer a breakdown due to exhaustion. No I did not run away to Turkey where I could simply be left alone for a few weeks. And no, I have not been in Spain meeting with Real Madrid to discuss their coaching vacancy. And no, it was not me sitting next to the Swedish-Savant at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday during the Roma-Middlesbrough match. I simply have been trying to figure out why I have lacked the passion to write about the beautiful game lately. And I figured it out: Its the idiots at the large teams.

I am sick of the drama and idiots that are ruining the game. In the haven't-we-been-here-before game, lets rehash the story that unfortunately wont go away--Ronaldo and the idiots(3rd time I have used this word) at Inter Milan that officially want him. Was there any doubt on this? Now in the era of available players such as Carlos Tevez, Thierry Henry, Ruud Van Nistelrooy(he might not have been kicked by a flying shoe ala Becks, but this is trouble), Dirk Kuijt, Ewerton, Cassano and Ballack, why would you want an overweight striker? In his last interview before he left Inter Milan, a pensive Ronaldo is seen in a luxurious yard talking to reporters via his mobile and says he would never rule out a return, saying that Inter was always dear to him; it would be dear to me if I got paid €8M for not playing for the better part of three years, but I digress.

So now Inter Milan is becoming the Real Madrid of Italy, simply buying players on reputation and marketability that are past their prime(although Luis Figo is the recent exemption because his play has been stellar). They have not won anything since 1989. Their focus should be on getting players, not primadonnas. The kid they signed from Barcelona in 1997 is no longer that same player. I do eventually see a Ronaldo and Hernan Crespo paring at Inter but is that just me attempting to predict the future again? Now if you are Inter Milan are you going to guarantee that your fans do not boo Ronaldo when he shows up inspired and out of shape especially if he does not have his way at the World Cup? The team(see Moratti) needs to focus on building a team that can contend for the Serie A and Champions League very year and adding Ronaldo will not do it. And oh yeah, about at least having an Italian or two on your team.

Azzurri Dreams

He is Everywhere

2006-02-17T07:47:00.000-08:00

While many people might think I live a double life(Feyenoord being my alter-ego), rest assured, he does exist. Who else would keep me in check, help me break down the news, and keep me humble as the press and the hottest groupies in Europe keep texting me at all hours of the day? And last night as I sat tirelessly in bed staring at my ceiling and wondering, why o' why, have they not called to schedule my interview for the Newcastle position, I was reminded just how similar a wart and the Swedish-Savant are; neither goes away simply, and it just stays with you. Always. As if omnipresent. You want it to leave but it just does not easily. Not knowing what to make of today's news, how about I simply report it.

The English FA want Juventus head coach Fabio Capello and have lured him with a £19M offer as well as a villa. Lets see, Fabio Capello or one of the English Stiffs being mentioned for this impossible job? I can see it right now, Capello benching David Bechkam and the drama that would insist. Compelling, ok I am convinced, on the merits alone(of this fantasy of mine) that Capello is a bold coach, willing to make hard decisions when necessary(unlike someone you know), he is a great candidate. Now the problem is that like every other melo-drama in Italian culture, this will one will spiral out of control. And you guessed it, who is linked with the 'potential' Juventus job..Drum roll please....................the Swedish-Savant, as well as Roberto Donadoni and Gianluca Vialli.

To assume Fabio Capello, at 59 is not going to be at Juventus for ever is the easy part. And with the English media jumping on the fact that both in November and January he publicly stated his desire to coach abroad(read between the lines, Manchester United or the Spanish National Team) this is one is not over just yet. Dave Richards, Brian Barwick, and Noel White are representing the FA properly when they look outside their national media pressures and look at one of the finest coaches to potentially coach England to the World Cup in 2010. The compensation package offered to Capello is twice what he makes annually at Juventus. Should he win the Champions League this year, I think this decision will be very easy for him. The only thing that annoys me is that somewhere the Swedish-Savant is thinking, I never would have thought that getting fired would be so rewarding(noting that he is already linked with this job). I can only imagine what is going through his mind, already thinking of all the beautiful Italian women that are in his potential new employer's offices in Torino. Then again, that is why this site will be down from 1-3 pm today as I addresss this and many other issues in therapy.
Azzurri Dreams

Dutch Coaching Carousel

2006-02-14T14:24:00.000-08:00

As I sat back in the cush Azzurri Dreams offices on Sunday, I was wishing Feyenoord had allowed me to expense that 44' Samsung LCD television that I had mysteriously delivered the preceding Friday. The anticipation of watching the Italian Derby made me get the perfect television for the big match. I wanted to see the look of panic settle in the faces of the Inter Milan management as they watched just how far behind Juventus they are. But no, I had to settle for my 1994 29' Toshiba(it does not even have picture-in-picture) as Feyenoord had me send it back while emphasizing that I were to pay the re-stocking fees. But two days after that great match, the real panic has settled in at Inter. Quite possibly, as I have mentioned time and time again on Azzurri Dreams, Inter Milan is just as dysfunctional as Newcastle but unlike their English counterparts, they can still claim to be an elite team and attract top talent.

So get the rumors started because here it goes and I think this will reverberate all the way to Spain. Inter Milan have finally recognized they need more offense after their fab two strike-force of Adrianno and Martins(who was just back from the African Cup of Nations) did not do anything. So the latest is this, they want AC Milan's Pippo Inzaghi during the summer transfer market and are willing to ship Marco Matterazzi to their city rivals. This moves makes sense for AC Milan who need to shore-up their central defense going into next season and while they would be getting rid of albeit a stud in Inzaghi(who is 33) but for Inter, well lets just say they are so dam predictable. What this has to do with Spain...read between the lines, they have just acknowledged that no one is safe. Here we go again with the Ronaldo-Adrianno rumor mill, tiring as it must be to be a hamster on that dam wheel, but this will re-surface shortly.

Keeping with the Milan angle today, as we have been reporting, Frank Rijkaard could leave to join AC Milan. It is never good when your president says he will not stand in your way if you want to go to another team. And if anyone mentions the Swedish-Savant as a potential replacement for a Rijkaard, I will gag as I do not believe a team like Barcelona should reward mediocrity(see the Swedish-Savant's coaching record) by even inquiring for his services.

Now this is where it gets interesting, AC Milan are supposedly also looking at Marco van Basten as well as replacement for a coach who is not said to be leaving anytime soon in Carlo Ancelotti. Hmm, could there be any more Dutch news today. How about the fact that Guss Hiddink is going to be announced as the new coach for Russia sometime this week. Ok, Feyenoord, that is all the news that concerns the Dutch today, I hope you are happy as long as I do not lose you as well to anyone else's coaching staff.

Azzurri Dreams

Stop The Rumors

2006-02-13T15:32:00.000-08:00

It is not true. The rumors floating around the European media right now that I have been taking time off to recuperate from accidentally being shot by Feyenoord while quail hunting are just not true. I am just soo bored that I have decided to hibernate until the next significant soccer milestone, the re-start of the Champions League next week. Lets face it. Chelsea's lead dwindling down to 12 points just pails in comparison to the significance of the Winter Olympics right now. Yet I must report something or else my sponsors will say I am getting lax on the job and we cannot stand for that at Azzurri Dreams. The same can be said for Barcelona who now leads Valencia by only 6 points. But lets face it, besides giving thanks for surviving another Mido breakdown the pulse of European soccer right now is not that these two teams are being challenged in their domestic leagues; is it that we are only eight days away from the Champions League, and some teams are in better form heading into the Quarterfinals then others.

Juventus, on fire, enough said. Team is co-existing nicely and with the great Alex coming off the bench and a proven defense, they might just steal it this year. Watching yesterday's Italian Derby, gave me a renewed belief that Juventus are serious about winning(besides their typical 1-0 results). Bayern Munich, on fire and with a flying Dutchmen scoring(oh, to have Marco van Basten's problems right now) at will are playing well and their domestic leagues rapped up, they were my early season pick to win it. AC Milan has decided to play for second in the Serie A, yet Kaka is not convinced. Already the nightmares of him playing in Canary yellow have started. Make them stop. Lyon, well this just might be there year if Gérard Huoullier does not screw this up, they can win this(I know, it pains me to complaint the French, but I have found this new 'objective' gene in my soccer analysis). PSV will not be easy, ask AC Milan but we should see some goals in these matches.

And as for everyone else, well, lets just say...its going to be very tough. What I have noticed in the last few Champions League seasons, is teams underachieving in their domestic league and coming in strong to contend in the Champions League; Liverpool last year, and Chelsea and Monaco the year before come to mind. This year it might well be Arsenal and lets face it, they must like their chances with Thierry Henry going against Madrid, even 1-on-4, he can score on these guys. Madrid better show-up and play some ball tomorrow in the second leg of the Copa del Rey against Zaragoza or else, their focus for Champions League will go right out the door. Overcoming a 6-1 deficit against the most inform team in Europe(Roma a close second) right now will take a gallant effort, almost like keeping a straight face when you mention the Madrid back four as a 'defense.' Barcelona, just needs Ronaldihno back, but in his absence you see just how thin this team really is. Guily, Deco, Messi and the Great One out, and they are just about as good as an MLS team. Ok, I am exaggerating, buy you get my point. Barcelona, will start to feel pressure and the longings from the Italian media will start to pulsate like an Armin Zoeggeler gold-winning luge run for Frank Rijkaard to join AC Milan if he does not win the Champions League this season. Then again, I am sure one of these coaches that gets fired for not winning the Champions League will be happy to submit his resume for the Newcastle job.
Azzurri Dreams

Back From The Dead

2006-02-09T16:49:00.000-08:00

Feyenoord found me passed out this morning, drool seeping into the company laptop at Azzurri Dreams. Deadline after deadline, and a growing readership to appease. I am sorry for not getting back to everyone, including Sepp Blatter, and Brian Barwick to only mention a few as I have been positively swamped tracking down the truth in the world of soccer. This is a quick post to let our great readers know that we are happy to add to our Blogroll aka "Our Friends" Section two great sites.

One is purely dedicated to the US National Team, and log often because the content will be coming fast and furious, kinda of like a fans panic-attack when Landon Donovan is about to shoot. I am happy to join our friends at USSoccerblog and to let you all know that I am contributer to their site as well.

The other is the great NikeSoccerBlog maintained by our good friend and great writer, Adam Spangler. This is just one of the cooler sites around.

Please pass these sites along to all your friends. My doctor told Feyenoord that due to the high levels of stress in my life and with the World Cup now only 120 days away, that I need to rest and keep my posting to a minimum...kinda of like the Swedish-Savant coaching.
Azzurri Dreams

NATO Calling

2006-02-02T19:14:00.000-08:00

There is no need to worry. Feyenoord is not going to Kabul, Afgahistan to patrol and secure the countryside as part of the Netherlands troop delegation. The Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende is a fan of Azzurri Dreams and knows what a disruption it would be if I lost my co-editor. After all, who would proof-read my commentary, book me on my upcoming BBC and SKY appearances and motivate me to write again when the mega-dramas of the Swedish-Savant makes me want to go into hibernation.

Just because the winter market finished two days ago, does not mean we cannot do it all over again. The new, well, the continued drama that is Michael Ballack is everywhere with the latest reports linking him definitively..,or until he and his agent change their minds, to two likely teams, Inter Milan and Juventus. Inter is leading the case. But in the time it took to write this, my sources say he is off to Qatar.

Dutch goeth, Dutch cometh. AC Milan want another Ajax player and will more then likely get him, Wesley Sneijder. All this to make sure Frank Rijkaard feels comfortable upon his return to Milan...But I am not starting any rumors.

Roma are willing to gamble on Liverpool's Djibril Cisse, makes you wonder how little your coach thinks of you after the return of Robbie Fowler. Somewhere, Rafa Benitez, is thinking, get the hint young man.

Juventus will move for Ajax player Hatem Trabelsi.

This is either sublime or it is preposterous. But the latest grumbling's out of Madrid are huge. And proving Azzurri Dreams correct once again, President Florentino Perez wants Juventus striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic using Antonio Cassano as the bait. Wonderful. Is this a ploy to disrupt Juventus as we are just three weeks away from the start of Champions League? Who knows but when your team is not close to winning anything like Real Madrid is this season, as the president you must come up with creative ways to keep busy. Starting rumors(I mean reporting the news) is what I do to pass my idle time at Azzurri Dreams so I cannot fault him entirely.

With these juicy snipits coming daily, I cannot wait until the summer transfer market starts.
Azzurri Dreams

Always The Best Dressed

2006-02-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

Crisis at Newcastle. Isn't that a bit like saying drama at the FA. Its obvious. Its redudant. But the growing readership at Azzurri Dreams just needs the information. So here it is. The funny thing is that I Ineed a new a secretary at Azzurri Dreams to answer the onslaught of supermodels wanting to hang out with me, designers wanting me to wear their designer suits for all my 'outings,' and to help me priortize the media requests from the worldly soccer press that want to know how I get my information before anyone else. Quick call Sam Allardyce. He is the answer to all our problems. Seriously, the problem with success is that everyone wants you. Now I know how it feels to be Big Sam. At least, no one wants me for the vacant coaching position at Newcastle, at least not yet. And seriously why would you leave the blossiming offices of Azzurri Dreams or Bolton for the mess that is Newcastle. But so we must continue to kindly say that we are not interested. I cannot speak for Sam, but I would venture to say he is not interested. I think the only people thinking Grahame Souness was going to survive this season were living under a rock, maybe Souey himself. Lets do a quick recap of this glorious 16 months at St. James park:

He spent a record fee of €25M for England striker Michael Owen. If being duped once was not enough, he went ahead and spent more than €29.4M on defender Jean-Alain Boumsong, midfielders Scott Parker and Emre Belozoglu and forward Albert Luque. Smart moves.

But maybe Grahame Souness was under a rock himself or least should have been put under one for some of his decisions. Almost like a time-out for children acting infantile. No need to rehash, but here it goes:

Letting go of Craig Bellamy to Celtic on Loan and then losing him to Blackburn. Big Mistake. He was the only striker you could count on. True he had a huge amount of injuries but this team was inept from the top down, and no matter how much fun we like to poke at Grahame Souness(second only to the Swedish-Savant) here at Azzurri Dreams, he isn't alone for the annual Newcastle meltdown. There is no accountability at this team, this starts from their Chairman Freddy Shepard who funded this team well knowing that Souey was not going to make it(but I wonder if the acquisitions were also brought to Alan Shearer?) since we all knew he was eventually going to take over. So why fork out the money? Secondly, the ex-coach, what can you say, known as a disciplinarian, let one of his players Lee Bowyer try to bludgeon another, Kieron Dyer last season; and if anyone has seen a Newcastle match lately, you know what it is like to be bludgeoned.

We cannot fault Grahame Souness for trying but it was agnozing watching him on the touchlines. He tried, we will give him that and his suits were impeccable. But once. Just once, as I have pleaded before on Azzurri Dreams, I would like to see someone have the courage to say, 'No, you can't buy another player,' This asks questions of Newcastle, primarily, what the hell are you doing with your youth academy and alas, what the hell are you doing with Shepard as your Chairman. Look at the other top teams in England with Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal who could go young if they chose (Chelsea excluded for obvious reasons since they can buy anyone they want and do not need to build from within) and you have to start from the ground up. Newcastle has what they wanted now in a player-coach in Alan Shearer splitting duties with Glenn Roeder. But they have no real prospects for ending their trophy drought. My first solution, bring back James Milner, the kid can flat-out play. Additonally try not to stress out about Europe; the only way into Europe next year is via the Intertoto Cup and that would be a stretch.

I have not turned on the news today, but I can see at least one effigagy being burnt outside St. James Park and it might be the wrong one. Now Newcastle has the daunting task of rebuilding, re-selling and dealing with outraged and loyal fans and the firing Grahame Souness might not be the solution. And you know you have an ordeal when you know somewhere the Swedish-Savant is laughing, thinking that this is one job he actually does not want. This picture says as much but you can decide for yourself.

Azzurri Dreams

Take A Chance

2006-01-31T18:00:00.000-08:00

National pride is beautiful. It is a wonderful feeling. But if you are the English FA, you have a dilemma on your hands. And a major one. But at times of crisis, it is your unique opportunity to look at things differently and proceed with a different perspective.

I started to think about England's dilemma today. Hire an Englishmen or a foreigner to your vacant post...whoops the Swedish-Savant is still the coach on paper but really the FA is already on the clock when it comes to hiring his replacement. The difficulty will be figuring out who is a viable candidate and who is simply using this position as leverage in their current position. Dangle it in front of your current employer that England wants you, you more then likely will see an increase in pay. But the problem persists in that all the likely candidates, of which we do not need to discuss again, are shall we say, not worthy candidates.

True many of them of have not slept with their staffers like the Swedish-Savant has but their overall football accomplishments are the equivalent of his accomplishments--Zip, Nada, Zilch, as empty and fleeting as watching David Seaman trying to recover on that free-kick from 2002. The "line-up" of potential candidates--and I use the term line-up because none of these guys should make it past their initial look to the right, look to the left, look straight ahead--they will get from the FA. Alan Curbishley, Steve McClaren, and Stuart Pierce have never won anything of note between them.

England have been given a cakewalk for their 2008 Euros qualification. So now is the time to take a chance and hire a young, energetic person that the younger generation of English players can all look-up to. We all know being a great player does not make you a great coach. Ask the likes of George Hagi. But you also have rich footballing countries that have taken a gamble. For instance Holland and Germany appointed Marco Van Basten and Jürgen Klinsmann respectively, neither with any prior coaching experiencee. While I doubt Germany's chance in this years World Cup, I do picture Van Basten's team being a legitimate contender if they get out of Group C.

I know somewhere my faithful contributor Feyenoord is wishing I had not put this hex on his team but Holland after the debacble of not qualifying for Japan & Korea in 2002, they needed to start fresh and they did not do it with the hiring of the little general aka Dick Advocaat(even though he took them to the semis of the 2004 Euros). They merely recycled. Just as the Italians, French and Spain have done and continue to do. Now they have a young team building and playing well and limitless possibilities with some tweaking of their mid-field have as serious chance at their first Star. Germany is in the same position with Klinsmann intent on combing any remote corner of the world to naturalize any player he can for Germany and has a young team, a team truly his own and he is willing to stand-up to his football federation. Both these young coaches are proving that sometimes even dominant footballing nations need change and need their associations to be bold enough to enact change from the ground-up and need to look at young(different, soccer personalities that have taken some time away from the game) coaches willing to sacrifice, try new patterns, younger players, and to stand-up to their domestic teams when dealing with call-ups and to be, well un-Dutch and German in their case. This is England's chance to do the same, to shake-it up, ensure the fans keeps showing up and revamp your image and while being bold. Your players will react if you do. With that said, the FA needs to look at two candidates. Teddy Sheringham and Alan Shearer.

These two guys with a combined age of something like 98 could still show the young kids a trick or two. They understand the pride that goes along with wearing the jersey of one's country and both would instill a different work ethic in the England squad, just as Van Basten and Klinsmann have done. And like Van Basten and Klinsmann, they have not been jaded by previous coaching expereinces(unless, you consider having to constantly tell your teammates Grahame Souness will stop yelling at you like Alan Shearer does, coaching). The FA will search all over the world, will talk to just about everyone for the position. In fact I am being interviewed next week(As I have stated repeatedly on Azzurri Dreams and through my agent, I am not interested in the job but I want to see the amazing assorment of teas in the offices of the FA so I agreed to go in). But I digress.

The FA's list of potential candidates, if they decide to stay English should include the great Teddy Sheringham and Alan Shearer. Now is your chance, take it and do something different for your country just as Holland and Germany have done. Not winning anything since 1966 means you might need to re-consider your approach. Seriously, barring any catastrophic aberration like England winning the World Cup this June, you can only go up, unlike the Swedish-Savant that is always up...for the wrong reasons.
Azzurri Dreams

The Beauty of Text Messages

2006-01-30T14:31:00.000-08:00

I swear I did not receive any text messages. I categorically deny that I am being offered the coaching position at Newcastle. Seriously, who in their right mind would want that job...hmmmm the Swedish-Savant comes to mind, but who knows. The BBC wants to know why I am not interested in this position and have requested a copy of my phone records but the only text messages they will see, are not from the north of England but from my astute contributor, Feyenoord beaming me the latest news from Holland. And here is the quick round-up on today's news:

As we reported on Friday, Jaap Stam has requested to leave AC Milan and just announced he will return to Holland and play for Ajax. He left one mediocre team for another but we wish him the best and pray that we get to see him on Marco Van Basten's world cup team this summer in Germany.

Inter Milan. These guys never stop and have just agreed to sign Rodriguez Aparecido Cesar, aka Cesar, the Brasilian playmaker from Lazio. They have been salivating over this guy for too long and know they have him come this June.

Additional reports out of Italy are saying Sampdoria are willing to sell Aimo Diana, the midfielder to Fiorentina for about €6M. With only a few hours left in winter transfer market, this might not happen by tomorrow but will definitely be on for June. But this is where is gets tricky, they want Valery Bojinov on loan.

So close. Yet so far. Tottenham's attempt to bring Juventus defender Jonathan Zebina to White Hart Lane failed when Fabio Capello, who insisted on bringing the player with him from Roma had a last minute change of heart. I must applaud Martin Jol as he has been one busy dealer in the past few weeks, but we all know who he really wants, but we will not tease him. At least not today.

How about one more deal for Inter Milan. They beat Juventus to signature for the Brasilian aka Maxwell from Ajax. The player in turn will be loaned out to Empoli until the end of the season. Seriously, I cannot keep up with Massimo Moratti and his brain trust.

Again, as we reported last week it is now official with Manchester United trying to get one deal done before time runs out with a £4m bid for AC Milan midfielder Johann Vogel. Good player, but it still wont give you the mid-field presence you need.

Must be fun playing for second, but the rivarly between Manchester United and Liverpool is evolving to a war of economics and stock-piling good talent for the 2006-2007 season. Since Liverpool are likeliest to catch Chelsea in the next two seasons, they have decided to pursue Marseille's Franck Ribery. And we at Azzurri Dreams definately trust when one teams says the player is not for sale. Read between the lines, Marseille need to hold unto this kid until after the World Cup, watching his price go up and up, just Sir Alex's bloodpressure will once he realizes this was another one that got away.

Kily Gonzalez is headed for Real Betis in Spain. Two in for Inter Milan, one out today, must have been a slow day for them. The player and his new team have agreed to terms, now its the teams turn to define their terms.

AC Milan. I would say you need to update your defense, but I am sure you know that already. They are looking to sign the Livorno goalkeeper, Marco Amelia. And as we mentioned previously, they now really want Lyon defender Cris.

Part of me will be sad when the winter market ends tomorrow but I cannot type fast enough to keep our growing readership at Azzurri Dreams well informed. So here is to doing it all over again tomorrow!
Azzurri Dreams

Too Much

2006-01-27T10:54:00.000-08:00

Dare I say it. There is just too much soccer on the calendar right now. Today FIFA made its draw for the 2008 Euros. Seriously, I believe this dilutes the game in Europe, all of which makes FIFA happy as it is constantly creating and re-creating tournaments to keep the game active year-round. But enough is enough. We are officially on the 'clock' with this years tournament and now we have to worry about 2008. Let the teams, countries, and staff focus on the monumental task of having a great 2006, and forget about 2008. And more importantly let us fans enjoy the moment.

The Euros are a great tournament but they pail in comparison to the World Cup. Always. They give hope to the never beens in European soccer and we all know there is no direct correlation between winning the Euros and going on to success two years after at the World Cup. Of course there is not, when you do not have to play Argentina and Brasil. We are now only 134 days away from the World Cup and I awoke this morning to realize how many similarities there are between the stock market and FIFA. Why would you bet against yourself and take the attention off the premier tournament in the World. If you liked a stock and bought it at €10, and its at €8, you buy it again, its called doubling-up. This is the logic on the street when it comes to stocks and its flawed. FIFA must think the same, constantly giving us more, for our ever-growing appetitte in the lulls. Like a buyer between market fluctuations, we are now between the Champions League and the World Cup, with really all that is keeping us interested is the latest FA debacle so I think FIFA believes now is the right time.

I know the cynics will say that the qualifications for the EUROS start this fall after the World Cup and that the host nation(s) should be rewarded, but come on, enough is enough. I am not a business guru like so many of our astute readers at Azzurri Dreams, but it does not make sense to put more product on the market at a time where all the attention should be geared towards the biggest sporting event in the world. Look at the African Cup of Nations being played in Egypt right now. It is not receiving nearly the attention it deserves because it is a scheduling nightmare and it detracts from domestic play. Lets face the possibilities that FIFA needs to re-prioritize itself, for once maybe putting someone first beside the media-craving Sepp Blatter. Restructure your schedule, make the African Cup happen after the domestic season's; seriously there is no alternative, and quash the argument that is too hot and watch the domestic leagues throughout Europe applaud you. Secondly, announce the draw for the EUROS after the World Cup, as to not diminish what we are about to witness. Seriously, how can England focus on planning its victory celebration if it now has to worry about beating the likes of Andorra, Israel, Estonia, and Macedonia. Even without the Swedish-Savant they should be alright. But I digress. Back to my point. Thirdly, diminish the games in Latin America qualification from 18 to 12. Seriously entire governments are toppled, new planets are discovered, and the cures for weird fungi are resolved during this arduous years long process. FIFA needs to simplify. Sometimes less is more. And the latest rumors making the rounds are:

Japp Stam wants to leave AC Milan. Milan are going after Palermo's Andrea Barzagli. Palermo want €10M for the player. If they do not get him, Milan will turn their attention to Inter Milan's Marco Matterazzi. I have nightmares picturing this man taking instructions in Germany from Marcello Lippi.

Manchester United in their never-ending search for mid-field help are after Johann Vogel who is always on the bench at AC Milan but still not giving up on landing Thomas Gravesen. This reeks of desperation.

AC Milan are also going after Dynamo Kiev's Goran Gavrancic. This one is for the women readers of Azzurri Dreams. David Beckham, watch out.

Azzurri Dreams

I Will Coach England

2006-01-24T17:09:00.000-08:00

The office phone at Azzurri Dreams has been ringing off the hook today. Inquires are coming fast and furious from all over Europe wanting to know if I am available for the England job. And with only 136 days left to the World Cup and my deep understanding off what ails the English national team(see my 2004 research Article, entitled, "How to lose Games you should win"), you can understand why I am getting all the attention I am.

My agent and I will be providing our growing readership with a press release shortly that confirms my commitment to Azzurri Dreams and that I am not actively engaged with the English FA to take over for the Swedish-Savant. But I will be honest, while still not completely convinced that the FA was not in on this "News of the World" piece that has caused such an uproar over the last few days, I do believe they have created yet another quandary to deal with, one that might even be bigger then getting the captains arm band from David Beckham.

The FA has gotten their wish; their coach by mutual 'consent' has stated that there was already an agreement in place for him to leave after the World Cup in Germany. And the English being English, they have been total gentlemen and have allowed this to circulate and pass off as truth in the media. Athole Still, Eriksson's agent now has come out and publicly stated that his client might not receive any compensation once the contract is voided. This from a man who had wanted to negotiate an extension for Sven-Goran Eriksson to be England coach until 2010. Of course, who would not want to be paid what the Swedish-savant is paid for doing at best a very mediocre job. One point to the FA which will save millions of pounds annually. The problem is that the majority of English fans(too bad their opinions do not count) want and an Englishman to coach. And I agree. But with the media circus following this coaching spot, the FA is now in the unenviable position of having to assure whoever their top candidate is, that they will be there to support them. The second problem is that the legitimate English candidates for the job will not consider it unless they can split their duties between country and club, which is highly unlikely. The third problem is that the list of potential candidates for this job is split between the contenders and pretenders. Lets look at the pretenders first:

Alan Curbishley, Charlton. Are you serious. Why not give the job to Grahame Souness while you are it.

Steve McClaren, Middlesbrough. Would make a logical fit especially if his team, in a relegation battle goes down since he is already on the England Bench. One of these two, if not both could will be out of a job come the summer and this would make the decision easy for the FA. But the FA should not settle for easy and should not settle until they get a coach that can bring England back to greatness(laughter heard from the staffers at Azzurri Dreams as this was being proofed).

The contenders are:
Guss Hiddink, PSV and Australia. Merely a genius, this guy is too strong a coach to take over this team.

Luis Felipe Scolari, Portugal. Excellent coach, the FA's dream if they cannot get an Englishman to coach this team and more then likely will be done with Portugal after the World Cup.

Ottmar Hitzfeld. Forget about it, with what he will demand financially, he will not be a serious part of any discussion.

Which brings me to this point, when you look at all the names being dropped and bookies taking bets on the likes of Paul Jewell and Sam Allardyce, you have to accept that the FA will try courting two successful coaches in their prime, too driven to only coach on limited basis. These guys live for the everyday, and would not leave. There is no viable English candidate for this job, not at present. Typically you want a coach that can come in and shake things up for you and with retreads like Keegan and Robson being mentioned, you do not have the chance to create the stability the post needs. I suggest you look at Alan Shearer but at this point I would think that while he is sunbathing on some beach come the World Cup, he will be screening endless calls from Freddy Shepard pleading with him to coach Newcastle once they get rid of Grahame Souness and he will not properly consider the job of England manager.

For now, the FA has gotten what they were hoping would happen sometime after the 2004 Euros, a lame-duck coach whom they can finally control and one whom they relied on the media to help oust. What they did not plan on was how this might pail in comparison to the daunting task of recruiting their next coach.
Azzurri Dreams

Stop the Calls

2006-01-23T14:02:00.000-08:00

Over the past few days, I must admit, I have been feeling a lot like the Swedish Savant. I have just wanted to be alone. I mean, I know I have not contributed recently, but seriously the rash of emails and calls from the growing readership of Azzurri Dreams has made me simply want to screen my calls like someone we all know that is just making the news for the wrong reason.

I have gone at it alone, with no drink, therapist, or voodoo dolls, but I feel leaving the dedicated followers of Azzurri Dreams this long without some new information, has been unjust. And what makes me happy is to report the news of the days for all of you.

It is with pleasure that I will let the world know that I am in fact ok, alive, and just biting my time for a story that makes me want to come out of my hibernation. Since I gave up Sven-bashing for 2006(well, ok, I have tried and that must count for something, right), I have had to look deep inside and ask what is it that makes me happy? What do I enjoy? And let me tell you loyal readers, the past few days it has been an up-and-down battle with editors, advertisers, and the press all trying to get a piece of me and always wanting to know, what is wrong with me. I told them that I was simply taking a break but that did not suffice. They challenged me to get back to doing what it is I do best, making fun of Sven-Goran Eriksson. So I obliged but only under one condition. That I would dedicate only a few words to address the latest developments, which I have come to call Sven-Gate(because it is just one debacle after another with this man) and not re-visit the subject after today. Although I do not and cannot rely on a source called Deep Throat, I know that I do not need a source when Sven being Sven is enough to give me all the information I need. Watching this man stumble has now becomea favorite passtime.

It has been 'officially' decided that Sven-Goran Eriksson will be leaving the England Job after the World Cup. Too bad the English FA needed any other reason to sack this guy but at least they have their graceful way to get out of this unmanageable contract they gave this coach a few years back. Alleging corruption is not a subject to tread lighlty on and it was what eventually broke the FA's strong patience. They cannot fire him but they sure sent a bold message today. But they are stuck with this coach that apparently no one wants. I do not care what the players are saying, if he were gone, they would be relieved. Going into a World Cup year, you need a few things to have any chance to win. Among these are a full fit team with no injuries, your manager not to be an idiot, no Brasil in your bracket and critical to any success you need absolute tranquility. England has three of the four. Ask the Italians, Spanish, Argetinians and Dutch what they would give to go into a World Cup with no drama and you would probably see four coaches deliriously happy looking for the nearest friend to hug. You can make up all the arguments you want about entrapment, but seriously be professional, do not talk negatively behind the backs of the your players who have stuck it out with you (see Northern Ireland result), wipe that silly grin off your face and go back into hiding until June.

The latest rumors making the rounds are as follows:

Milan and Juventus are in a bidding wat believed to be at €15-17M for the Brazilian defender Cristiano Marques Gomes aka Cris that plays for Lyon. Also being tracked by Juventus is Cris' teammate Anthony Reveillere.

Inter Milan are set to sign the Lazio pair of Cesar and Simone Inzaghi. Bring in the Dalai Lama while your at it, you do not need anybody else, you just need to put yourself on a player diet and see about catching Juventus with what you have.

Why not just make it all about Juventus today. They are also far into discussions, hoping to bring in Christian Terlizzi from Palermo. In the absence of Luca Toni, Terlizzi has become a force in Italy. Although their first goal is to shore uptheir central defense that is 66 years old combined(Cannavaro and Thurman), I would not be surprised if we did not see Manuele Blasi move to Palermo as part of some trade.

Ajax have stated that West Ham are the only club to have made an official approach midfielder Nigel de Jong. What no interest from Chelsea or Manchester United, what is this world coming to.

Lastly. We welcome back to the team he should never had left, the only and only Pierre van Hooijdonk who has come back to play for Feyenoord. I believe other then being on a deserted island with his lady friend, this surely must have brought just as wide of a smile to mycolleaguee. Please go to the stadium and enjoy one of his Pirlo-like free kicks.
Azzurri Dreams

How the News Helped Sven

2006-01-21T05:31:00.000-08:00

I think my co-contributor would wring my neck at reading this, but I have come to realize that this News of the World piece has actually helped Sven and the English teams chances this summer. A good old fashioned case of backfiring.

As crazy as all the shenanigans have been, I believe the British public actually will sympathize with our poor Swedish friend. I mean, in reality, who would not have been tempted by all the fake-sheik's offerings and innuendo. And the comments he made about the players are things that the majority of the English fans believe as well. Add to that, the FA want him gone after the World Cup, and it looks like everyone may just get their way.

Don't get me wrong though. I still laugh at the idea that England have a chance at this tournament. Unless Steven Gerrard suddenly kan play left mid, this team has an overdose of central minded players and a strike force that is 6th or 7th at the tournament at best.

As much as I love watching the premiership, it is this very competition that is thwarting the England's squad's development - more so than any foreign coach's lust for women or Arabian dollars. I hate quota rulings, but it may be what is needed for England to improve. Look at Arsenal at the moment where last week not 1 British player was in the squad. I think England will also need a coach like Sam Allardyce who will re-introduce hard-nosed football and most likey choose young and aggressive English talent for the national squad. In the meantime, the FA should ban any more French players from joining the league - or just let Arsene Wenger go back to his homeland, and the balance shall be restored.

Oh Sven

2006-01-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

They say a picture is worh a thousand words. In this case, this picture is priceless and it makes me wonder what he is saying about Azzurri Dreams behind our backs. This man(see picture, exciting new development at Azzurri Dreams) is just giving me too much idiotic information to work with these days. And I will not dedicate any words to this man, as I choose to merely link to the NEWS making its way around England right now. And now unto the real news of the day,

This is big because it could spell the end for one of Holland's most promising players at Chelsea with it being reported that Chelsea have made a £15m bid for long-term Liverpool target Simao Sabrosa because Arjen Robben will apparently be leaving Stamford Bridge during the summer. I think this might be politics to raise the price, but you never know.

Palermo have signed Italy striker David Di Michele from Udinese. Udinese will get
midfielder Salvatore Masiello and forward Simone Pepe, on loan.

As we have been reporting for weeks, Valeri Bojinov is set to leave Fiorentina. Even though Monaco and Hamburg are both said to be interested, watch Inter get another player. But this deal, and I hold my breath saying this, makes a lot of sense for Inter. They need cover for Adriano and Obefemi Martins, with the strike force depleted right now and Julio Cruz possibly leaving this summer.

Rangers have reported not willing to sell to Birmingham striker Peter Lovenkrands.

Azzurri Dreams

The Gift of Wood

2006-01-13T14:01:00.000-08:00

You knew it was bound to happen. Seriously, how long could we go on reporting without a mention of the Swedish-Savant, aka Sven-Goran Eriksson. In yesterday's relevant news, we forget to mention that Sven-Goran Eriksson was celebrating his 5th year as coach of England. And I for one would like to remind our readership that the traditonal 5-year anniverasry gift is Wood. Ease your minds gentle readers, but I am sure someone got a Rise at the FA yesterday, maybe another secreatry or intern wondering what the appropriate gift for this man is.

But my question is this, how many of us would still have our jobs if we underperformed for five years as this man has? His greatest contibution to the English game has been to name David Beckham captain of this team. No other coach except Marcelo Bielsa ex-Argentina comes to mind having more then 1 major tournamanet with a team without a significant result in the last few years. I also believe it is because no one really wants these jobs(as well as the Italy one) because of the excessive media scrunity. Sven's teams have not even played for third place in any competition. No need to recap all the details but in brief, he has nothing to show from the World Cup in 2002, Euros 2004 and well lets just say, if he wins the World Cup in Germany, this site might be have be shut done as Feyenoord finds me borderline comatose from ramming my head into my wall to stop all the voices of the BBC and Sky saying somethings as original as 'this was a team of destiny.'

The true defitniion of giving wood as a gift might come if Sven pulls off this miracle and is then requested to ride his own bus alone during any post-world cup celebrations as not to endanger any other women in England. Good coach at Lazio, but lets face it, he has been mediocre at best and the English belief in themselves must be at an all time low if they keep this guy around after 2006, regardless of what he does. Bite the bullet, and pay off his contract that is worth more than 4 million pounds (US$7 million; €5.8 million) a year and hire yourself an Englishman to coach this team. Your domestic league is strong enough, your top teams are contending for Europe...whoops, I forgot they are all coached by foreigners...but you get the point, do not settle and let Real Madrid take him off your hands. In this todays news, lets disclose the following:

The Giant and the midget. Liverpool will launch a £10m bid for Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe at the end of the season and hope to pair him up with Peter Crouch. You should not have sold Michael Owen. Thanks to our buddies at FoxSoccer for alerting us to this possible deal.

Real Madrid have turned down a £2.5m bid for Thomas Gravesen from Manchester United. This is not over.

Sir Alex Ferguson has been given a £20m summer transfer stipend to buy a replacement for Roy Keane. If anyone saw Keane's first performance for Celtic, you'd think 20 quid was more like it to replace him. Someone must not have read my previous plea not to give this man any more money.

In the please-do-not-say-it-is-possible realm of news, the Great Alesandro Del Piero mentions the possibility of leaving Juventus after this year to possibly join a team in England or Spain.

Fiorentina signed from Serie B side, Ternana chilean striker Luis Jimenez.

Lyon and West Ham will fight for the rights to acquire Chelsea's Glen Johnson.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed striker Stefan Kiessling from FC Nürnberg.

O(h)-NO! And what will be a sad day for my co-editor, Japan midfielder Shinji Ono has completed his move back to Urawa Red Diamonds from Feyenoord, where he won the UEFA Cup in 2002. The 26-year-old had been linked with a switch to English Premiership side Bolton Wanderers but that did not happen. A great player and also the player that helped my co-editor and I bond many years ago, we wish him only the best.

Scottish title contenders Heart of Midlothian FC have signed Lithuanian international Nerijus Barasa until the end of the season from FBK Kaunas. First news on the Dutch league two days running, now mentioning the Scotish league twice(see below) makes as truly a work in progress as we strive to cover all the relevant leaguse here at Azzurri Dreams.

I wish I could spellcheck Ducth names. Gregoor van Dijk will join FC Utrecht on 1 July when his contract with Roda JC expires.

Vitória SC in Portugal will sign 21-year-old Sierra Leone winger Julius Wobay after reaching an agreement with Cypriot club Nea Salamis FC.

And for our very new reader(you know who you are Sir), Livingston FC have secured striker Graham Dorrans on a three-and-a-half year deal. The 18-year-old had been sent to second division side Partick Thistle FC in September but has been recalled since he started to score goals.

Sorry to keep it so short today, but I need to start my wood scultpure to show my appreciation to Sven.
Azzurri Dreams

Someone is up to something

2006-01-12T13:42:00.000-08:00

Call it a sneaky suspicion but as soon as someone denies something, is it not just human nature to wonder why they would deny it in the first place if in fact there is nothing to deny? In our quest for the latest speculation in world of European soccer, I hope, we at Azzurri Dreams, have not become like those annoying paparazzi trying to break the latest rumor or get the latest scoop on the SMS's coming out of Beckham's phone just to feed our addiction. But there is something fishy in Turin. And what raises my suspicions that Juventus is actually plotting to take Michael Ballack from Bayern Munich is that the man spearheading the attack to land the German superstar is non-other then Luciano Moggi, president of Juventus. This is the same man that during Napoli's golden run in the late 80's said he had no idea Maradona was sniffing enough cocaine and running a prostitution racket that would rival the gross revenue of half the ex-eastern bloc nations. With that said, we will keep up on this story but if I am correct in predicting a fairly mediocre World Cup for Germany, Ballack, being the captain of his 'naturalized' teammates might jump ship to avoid the criticism that most unjustly will fall on his shoulders. And now, beyond the speculation, we will proceed with the latest barrage of relevant news.

Manchester United are planning a £12m summer swoop for Lyon midfielder Mohamadou Diarra. Once again playing catch-up with Chelsea, got to love the Scottish pride that keeps Sir Alex Ferguson going and going. But seriously if you want the player, why awaken the giant(Chelsea), just swoop in and get him.

Walter Pandiani leaves Birmingham for Espanyal. I wonder if he is dejected or just thanked his agent with a blank check for getting him out of there while saying buy yourself something nice.

Dutch side FC Twente announced the capture of Jerônimo Daneluz Soares. The 19-year-old Brazilian midfielder comes in from EC Juventude on a six-month loan, with Twente having the option of a permanent transfer in the summer. Feyenoord this is just for you.

Bulgarian champions PFC CSKA Sofia have signed Yannick Boumsong, younger brother of France and Newcastle United defender Jean-Alain Boumsong. Seriously you might consider a name change the way your older brother is playing this year.

Dutch outfit NEC Nijmegen have announced the signing of David Jones from Manchester United FC. The 21-year-old midfielder comes on loan for the remainder of the season. Wow, two mentions of the Dutch league in one day will leave Feyenoord wondering if he should go on vacation more often.

Benfica are ready to jump in for Bolton striker Jared Borgetti. I am convinced after watching him terrorize the Italians in 2002 that this guy can still play and Bolton was just not the right set-up for him.

AC Milan have their man in Marcio Amoroso who landed this morning for his medical. But we all know the real transfers at Milan are coming this summer.

I wish to say that the funk is now just a random memory as the latest news keeps me bullish that somewhere, somehow I am just getting back to myself and that I have stopped stalking Grahame Souness to see if he is actually crying when he leaves St. James Park because there is enough happening to keep me occupied.
Azzurri Dreams

Finally, some interesting news

2006-01-11T11:09:00.000-08:00

Lets face it, my latest contribution to the world of European soccer lately has been only to complain, but sure as I woke up on a beautiful day, I felt like finally there was some news worth reporting. So the lastest frenzy of relevant news goes like this:

Real Madrid is considering an offer of €15 millionfor Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole, Spanish sports daily Marca reported. Arsenal are set to lose Viera, Henry and Cole all within two seasons. I sure hope they can fill that new stadium next year. What this means is that Roberto Carlos will be leaving Madrid at the end of the season. I have been warned not so start rumors, but can you say Inter Milan.

Arsenal may try to sign 20-year-old Greek striker Georgios Samaras from Dutch team Heerenveen for about £3.75 million, the Daily Mirror reported. I have to reprt this as Feyenord believes I do not give the dutch league enough coverage, so this one is for you. But as I have told you earlier, the player I want to write about is Dirk Kuijt but we will have plenty of time this summer to write about him as he leaves Holland.

Manchester United want to sign Thomas Gravesen, according to Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet. The paper said Alex Ferguson's side had offered €3.8 million for him. Real Madrid once again is looking to cash in on another player they bought for less but I see this as a smart deal since United's mid-field has been non-existence and needs some grit in there. Can you say, who is Roy Keane when this deal is done as many at Old Trafford will.

As reported yesterday on Azzurri Dreams, Hernan Crespo will apply for an Italian passport so he can escape the London Blues and re-unite with Milan. At last news, he was seen already packing his bags. The only problem with this is that Milan is also linked for a June acquisition of Vincenzo Iaquinta.

Inter Milan. Here we go again. I swear if it were not for these guys, I might not have anything to write about. They are now linked with Valeri Bojinov, the Fiorentina striker who has also been linked with Bayern Munich. One scenario is him going to Inter Milan and Fiorentina receiving goaltender Francesco Toldo in return since their starting keeper Sebastian Frey injured himself in a Coppa Italia match yesterday.

I am so happy to have some exciting news to report, that I even spared all our readers another Sven Goran Eriksson joke. Here is to the funk being over.
Azzurri Dreams

Azzurri Dreams in a funk

2006-01-10T16:22:00.001-08:00

Yes it is true, the funk has hit and it has hit big time. But unlike Grahame Souness who can send out his loyal assistant to deal with the media after another lackluster performance, I unfortunately have no such support considering Feyenoord is still tanning somewhere and not returning my calls. So I have to force myself to wade through another day of riveting will-he-or-will-he not Nicolas Anelka rumors and report today's news.

Even though I like to think Newcastle is the most dysfunctional team in Europe, Real Madrid is easily poised to win this award for 2006. Yet, today they finally announced something that makes sense. They want to sign one of the most elegant, excellent, playmakers in the world Juan Ramon Riquelme. Lets face it, since Barcelona signed Ronaldinho a few seasons back, Real Madrid have been playing keep-up with the Catalan side and have also been seriously lacking a creative mid-field presence.

The problem(s) with this deal before we address why it makes sense is that Real Mardid is making a fundamental mistake in asking for the coach's Juan Ramon Lopez Caro's approval. Team president Perez said he needs to fit in Caro's plans. Seriously, who is this guy other then the sponge needed to stop the sinking at Real Madrid until they can focus on getting a big name coach in the summer. If you can get Riquelme you do for one small reason. Your team is awful right now, no creativity, no mid-field magic, Zidane is Zidane but only to a certain extent and the rest of your mid-field, well ok, we wont poke fun at David Beckham today. Now, just maybe your over-hyped, under-worked strikers will have a chance to score. I do not see this deal happening any time soon, but I will be the first to admit being wrong just as I did when I said David Beckham shaving his arm pits was not news but I had to admit just how wrong I was.

Hernan Crespo will leave Chelsea at the end of this season, and Azzurri Dreams sees one likely possibility, an all-out bidding war between the Milan rivals.

Seriously, there is more news ro report but the inspiration has left my fingers and I am left counting the days to the next round of Champions League matches or at least until the next David and Posh marriage crisis because if this lack of interesting news continues on this pace, I will be committed to an insane asylum wondering just why did David Moyes make a bid for Anelka in the vicinity of £5m and Feyenoord will return to find an empty office with no trace of me.
Azzurri Dreams

At Least I Have a chance

2006-01-09T14:35:00.000-08:00

To report the news, unlike Arsene Wenger who must now convince Thierry Henry not to leave for Barcelona and make the news! This is spin-control at its finest and everyone knows this. The two men stating that Henry wants to stay at Arsenal. Come on, do you take us for idiots.

Henry is a going, whether he knows it or not, and if I am Arsenal, I take the money. Moving into a new arena as they are next year, building a young team, Wegner would be silly not to cash in on his amazing 29 year-old striker. He'l be able to buy half the stars from League 1 as he likes to do with all the new cash. Which only leads us to this point, if Didier Drojba was bought for €44M, what is Henry worth? Although Aresnal will not be dealing with the idiotic business penchant of Peter Kenyon of Chelsea who can simply pay anything, in Barcelona thay have an active admirer and a person in president Joan Laporta who is keen on signing Henry like the did with Ronaldinho a few seasons ago. Laporta knows how to get his man and remember this, he passed on Beckham, which must mean he at least understands something about soccer. And while they will not break the bank to do it, I figure Henry, barring any major attack of conscience holding him to the London club and any serious injury, will be sold for about €20-€24 Euros(sorry, I do not feel like making the conversion to Pounds right now). As for the other days pending deals, here we go:

As reported last week on Azzurri Dreams, Christian Vieri will be officially unveiled as a Monaco player tomorrow.

Real Madrid defender Alvaro Mejia has been linked with a loan move to Blackburn. Rumor has he asked for Sir David's advice and Becks told him to move, as he'd be silly to pass away the opportunity to play along side Robbie Savage.

Manchester City will make a final £5m bid to land Steed Malbranque from Fulham.
Azzurri Dreams

Today's news leaves me uninspired

2006-01-04T13:56:00.000-08:00

In fact, the most exciting thing that is happening in the world of European soccer today is that my co-editor, Feyenoord is lounging on some deserted isle in the Caribbean, with a cocktail and his lover. And although I pleaded with him to take me, actually to swap roles with me, he urged me to keep our ever-growing readership informed on the days happenings. I said I promise to take great pictures if you let me hang out with her as we sun bath topless and drink great vodka concoctions with little umbrellas in them, but yet he resisted again. So Feyenoord, this one is for you.

AC Milan's Christian Vieri is on the move, looking to play regular ball so he can increase his chances of playing for Italy in the World Cup. I am amazed he has not run out of teams to play for yet considering he seems to always be on the move. Chelsea should make a move for him, but stay tuned for more details.

In the here-we-go-again never-ending dumb-and-dumber saga known as Newcastle, the team is now interested in re-uniting with target Nicolas Anelka, who is desperate for a return to the Premiership. Seriously, this guy is so over-rated, how does he keep coming up with teams that 'desperately' want him.

While Juventus is busy looting every other European team's defense, they are now intent on making a move for Chelsea defender William Gallas in the summer. Along with Sagnol, Kovich and possibly Gallas, what does this mean for Jonathan Zebina, aka 'I want raise' while not having played in three months. Zebina will be on the move to a team in England by the end of the month.

More uneventful days like today and I will phoning this column in from the Caribbean...I hope Feyenoord does not mind the company.
Azzurri Dreams

First Owen, Now Cassano

2006-01-03T08:12:00.000-08:00

I know it has become easy to criticize Real Madrid just as it is easy to make fun of Sven Goran Erikkson. But when a team with a tradition such as Real Madrid is focused on 'laundering players,' then I know they are a little bit confused and need some guidance, which means they are ripe for making fun of. But Enzo, what do you mean by 'laundered' players?

Roma striker Antonio Cassano and his hot girlfriend are in Madrid as we speak to undergo his medical examination before signing his new contract tomorrow.(On a sidenote, if I were the physician, I would rather check her out then the thug from Bari, but ok back to the point).

The Sensi family bought him for $28.5M Euros in 2001 and now will sell him for $6M Euros, and they are thankful they will get this since his contract is up at the end of the season and they are in financial problems. But, just as they did with Michael Owen, Real Madrid bought a premium striker, in his prime, only to turn around and sell him at a profit. For some reason, when they bought Owen and just as quickly decided to sell him, they had a slew of suckers(see Newcastle United) willing to pay double what they paid in just twelve months. I was happy to hear Rafa Benitez refuse to pay what Real Madrid were asking just as a matter of principal. Great business and great profit. Owen never had a chance to make an impact at Real Madrid yet they still cashed in on him and I fear this is what will happen with Cassano especially if he is invited to Italian side for Germany 2006, performs well and the usual suspects(see Inter Milan) start to salivate and pay double, maybe even triple what Real Madrid paid for him this week. What happened to building a team contending for European honors? Real Madrid's profit making machine is ambitious and smart but other teams in Europe need to wise up to this.

Right now, Real Madrid reminds me of the bored housewife that is not getting any so she turns to real estate and the stock market, buying and selling to feel the rush, any rush, when she would simply give her new 'hobby' up for the touch of a good man, kind of like Real Madrid would give up all this buying and selling just to feel the rush of reaching second place in La Liga.
Azzurri Dreams

Man killed watching Boxing Day Matches

2005-12-28T13:19:00.000-08:00

Ok. I am exaggerating, as you can see by this post, I am still alive, but barely. For Christmas next year, I will simply ask that the Italian, German, and Spanish leagues play through the holidays. We are only human, and can only watch so many English games at once. So without resorting to quirky posts or more pleas to the gods to grace me with some elegant soccer, I have decided to keep it simple and give you the latest rumors making the rounds:

Barcelona want Luca Toni from Fiorentina, willing to double his contract in June 2006 and trade Maxi in return. I doubt this and believe we are in for an avalanche of these type of rumors in 2006 as teams and countries try to confuse and distract their opponents. After all, if you were the Spanish media, do you really have anything else to do? Stay tuned.

Liverpool, proving to the be the Inter of England are going after more international players including Deportivo la Coruna defenders Fabrizio Coloccini and Cesar as they look for back-up for Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher.

Do not, and I repeat do not piss off Sir Alex Ferguson, see Jaap Stam, David Beckham, Roy Keane...the saga now involves Mikael Silvestre possibly going to Lyon.

Newcastle aka Hell on Earth is considering selling striker Alberto Luque for Â£8m to Real Madrid and they would also get Thomas Gravesen. Sure, this will fix Real's problem, another striker with no service...hmmm, I guess Raul, Ronaldo will have another companion as they sit at the half-line as the ball is being pulled out of their net wondering, where the drinks tonight and how smart was Figo for leaving when he did?

Brazilian winger Gustavo Manduca has joined Benfica from Maritimo on a four-and-a-half-year contract.

Maradona will not sign for Primera C side Excursionistas. And even though Azzurri Dreams only comments on happenings in Europe, anytime you can mention Maradona, you do. I for one would have welcomed this. I bet there is a team or two in the Premiership that have tried to interfere with this signing and raced to sign him since top strikers are at such a premium!

And lastly, welcome to my overseas Azzurri Dreams colleague, Feyenoord. Its a good thing we will not have any shoot-outs on this blog...

Azzurri Dreams

The Dutch Conundrum

2005-12-28T05:01:00.000-08:00

Here's my first post to the Azzurri Dreams blog. As Feyenoord I will be giving a slightly different view on topics than the eloquent and eternally witty Enzo Bearzot. I must first compliment the man on what is truly a unique commentary on the football world. Having said that, I have no intention of emulating nor competing with Enzo's style and opinions. I will find my own way through this and have decided to start with something that has always puzzled and intrigued me : The Dutch Conundrum.

The BBC often put it bluntly : The Dutch always find a way to implode. For over 30 years now, the army of Orange, or the Dutch National football team has the unique honor to be the best team to (almost) never have won a major tournament. The 1988 Euro's are of course an exception, but it's all about the World Cup. Twice they have lost to the host nations in finals (74 + 78) and in 1998 were playing the best football in the tournament until they hit their familiar foe - the penalty kick - in the semis against Brazil. 4 years earlier they also lost to champs Brazil in the quarters, while in the Euro tournaments of 1992, 2000, 2004 they again were semi-finalists twice losing on penalties, while in 1996 again losing on Penalties in the quarters.

What is it about a team that continually plays dominant football, can produce a squad with all its players on Champions League teams, is always a favorite pick of experts, continually ranks in the top 5 of the FIFA ranking, but somehow finds a way to lose. Well, I think I have finally figured it out.

Ask any Dutch person what they want most from their football team, and they will almost always first answer that they want to see "beautiful football". In other words, the result is often secondary to playing well. Now, there is no Dutch fan in their right mind that would give up winning a World Cup for just nice looking play, but it goes to show where the problem lies.

Ever since Johan Cruyff graced the world with his presence and impossible logic, the Dutch have prided themselves at being the master technicians and tacticians. They perfected the 3 forward system supported by an attacking midfield # 10, and ever since have demanded from themselves and the team that they play dominant football. This is of course all well and good as they often have had the players to do so, but as more teams have developed a knack for counter attacking styles of play with 2 lethal and very speedy strikers up front, the Dutch have fallen into the trap so often. And afterwards they always complain about having been the better team and deserving to win. Well, I have news for you orange folk, the scoreline determines the winner and not a panel of judges on the sidelines with signs ranging from "6" to "10".

Marco van Basten now is the head coach leading the team to Germany next summer. He also has proclaimed that they wish to play dominant football, but that they first are going to revitalize the team with young new talent. As it turns out, the team doesn't play very dominant at all (except for 1/2 in a friendly against Germany), but qualified for the tournament without a loss and the best record the team has ever had in the process.

And so the Dutch are now confused. The results are great and the aesthetic value of play has declined. If you ask me, WHO CARES ! Just win the damn game. After countless chokes, this may be the best remedy for the orange men yet. Bring it on, Mr. Van Basten. We need someone to at least pretend they have the capacity to beat Brazil next year...

Azzurri Dreams 2006 All Star Team

2005-12-21T10:39:00.000-08:00

Here at Azzurri Dreams, we are steadfast in our belief that we provide objective analysis of European soccer. With that in mind, we have decided to put together our Azzurri Dreams 2006 All-Star team. These were the players that were just a notch above everyone else and fun to watch. What you won’t find on this list is David Beckham, overpriced and over-hyped Chelsea players, Inter defenders or French naturalized players(well ok, only one). And so, drum roooooooooooooll please:

Goalkeeper:
Ikor Casillas, Real Madrid. Without this guy, Madrid does not finish in the top 10. I am certain those calls from Manchester United are on his mind when he is picking himself off the floor time and time again.

Defense:
Lucio, Bayern Munich. I swear I am already having nightmares about this guy in canary yellow in Germany in 2006.
Gianluca Zambrotta, Juventus. Forget Ashley Cole, this is Chelsea's dream defensive signing. Dream on.
John Terry, Chelsea. And now he is beginning to score goals as well. AC Milan will try to sign him next year.
Fabio Cannavaro, Juventus. It was a great move for Inter to let him go and stick with three-back line defense. In a few months, he will have his second Serie A scudetto and Inter will still be left with Marco Matarazzi on defense

Midfield:
Andrea Pirlo, AC Milan. When Johan Cruyff calls you the best deep mid-fielder in the world, it means something. He is so talented, I won't even bring up that he looks like the Fonzi.
Claude Makelele, Chelsea. Like Judas before him, he was sold for pennies of what he is truly worth. But I am sure Thomas Graveson is a great replacement, right?
Mauro Camoranesi, Juventus. Even with the bad ponytail, the engine that makes Juventus click in the mid-field.
Ronaldinho, Barcelona. The only man granted immunity for bad hair in Europe, makes all those great Argentinian mullets look fashionable but what a joy to watch him play.

Strikers:
Thierry Henry, Arsenal. No matter how it pains me to compliment the French, it will be fun to watch him play outside of England next year.
Andryi Shevchencko, AC Milan. Berlusconi is the godparent of his first-born, the two of them can talk more while the (ex)Prime Minister sits in the San Siro stands watching more games next year when he is ousted as Prime Minister. Sheva is going nowhere, no matter how match Chel$ea are willing to offer.

Coach:
Rafa Benitez, Liverpool. I am still trying to figure out how you won the Champions League with that team.

Azzurri Dreams

Ronaldo on the move, here we go again

2005-12-16T08:43:00.000-08:00

Would it not be great if we could punish the top teams in Europe? Just enough, I am not saying we will make them watch a Charlton Athletic match, but just enough, to hear millionaires scream, breaking them down to the point where they have to realize the error of their ways. My solution is this:

As we are only a few days away from the winter transfer market, the ultimate sacrifice that top five teams in Europe need to make, is sometimes to be patient and eventually they will get the players they want. Barring Chelsea that can buy at will and outbid anyone, except for the fact that the top players do not want to go to Chelsea(would you, if everyone on your team played the same position?) three teams should be banned from buying any more players in the next transfer market.

Just once I would like to hear the heads of Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Inter say, enough is enough to their coaches and supporters, and say you need to WIN WITH WHAT YOU GOT! But only Azzurri Dream's is that bold to actually put it in print, and here it is, before we get into the latest Christmas wish lists for these three teams, YOU ARE HERE FORBIDDEN TO BUY ANY NEW PLAYERS UNTIL YOU WIN something.

My advice to Real Madrid, play Guti more and run the mid-field around him or someone off your reserve team. To Manchester United, start praying for a miracle that your academy has your next mid-fielder, because Ballack is not coming. And to Inter, its simple, you are forbidden to call yourselves or anyone else, your phones are tapped and you are prohibited to make any inquries, especially when it comes to Ronaldo.

The latest rumors are as follows:

Inter President Morratti acknowledges that linking Adriano and Ronaldo is not a far-fetched idea but that Real Madrid will not get Adriano in return. They have said also they will not contend for Antonio Cassano this winter market which means, the purse-snatcher is waiting for a SMS saying he has been sold from Roma. The funny thing is that Newcastle United is also looking to make a bid for him.

Santos of Brasil are currently trying to sign FC Porto midfielder Diego, a former Santos player, and striker Luis Fabiano, who is with Spain's Sevilla.

AC Milan is tracking Chelsea's John Terry to go to the world's oldest defense, but still better then Real Madrid's

I figure if the President of Real Madrid actually responded to one of my emails, I could help him spend some of that money, first of all, I would tell him he needs to buy banner ads on the Azzurri Dreams blog and that I am currently holding one small ration of the Trapattoni holy water which will help him more then other player he is thinking of buyiny as a special end-of-the-year clearance price.

Azzurri Dreams

Champions League Draw Spares us another Liverpool-Chelsea Nightmare

2005-12-16T07:49:00.000-08:00

The football gods are smiling on me. Actually they are smilimg on all of us! Last night as I stared off at the oddly colored wall while making use of the the urinal in the Azzurri Dreams headquarters, I was reminded of the sacrifices I would make, actually just about anything to avoid another match between Liverpool and Chelsea in the Champions League. I have been told that I need to stay more positive and I will be rewarded in life. But one last negative thought of having to watch these two teams play again had me thinking mean thoughts. And my mean(some would say anti-English rhetoric) thoughts were matched by an inconceivable act of randonness, by which, the toilet seat I had just put up, came down with the force of an Essien tackle, broke off its hinges, and clipped me on my foot, which now has an abrasion, not to mention, there was urine all over the place. I now walk with a noticeable limp but still very thankful the Champions League draw just released has spared us ALL another 0-0 draw between the "English Giants." The Draw is as follows:

Chelsea v Barcelona
Real Madrid v Arsenal
Werder Bremen v Juventus
Bayern Munich v AC Milan
PSV Eindhoven v Lyon
Ajax Amsterdam v Inter Milan
Benfica v Liverpool
Rangers v Villarreal

Unlike the English press that has major problems, like trying to explain how Chelsea will beat Barcelona, my only problem is that I cannot walk without a limp. But I still would not trade places with them.

Azzurri Dreams

Drama in Europe

2005-12-14T17:47:00.000-08:00

As the Roy Keane drama is about to end not a day to soon, I am reminded of all the drama that European Soccer will feed us in the months leading up to the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Soccer and Drama are now interwovern, like gagging and watching a Julia Roberts movie, you cannot have one without the other.

Roy Keane not going to Real Madrid as I reported when this whole ordeal started, is no surprise. He is either going to sign in the next 48 hours for Celtic or play for either Bolton or Everton. But I got to thinking, where would I be without this drama? For one, my blog would be any empty assortment of white pages with photo-shopped pictures of Sven-Goran Eriksson wearing lipstick, for how else would I pass the time, seriously? And secondly without the drama, we could not try to really attempt to gauge what is happening in the game, especially in a season where managers and press try to unsettle even the greatest to gain any competitive advantage going into the World Cup.

And the next few months leading up to the World Cup, I believe will give us enough drama to rival that of few summers back when both Beckham and Ronaldinho were being pursued, with almost hourly reports having us blown in different directions like the Real Madrid defense. So what is true and fake, will be very difficult to gauge. But here it goes, as far as I see, this is what we have to look forward to and trust me, going into the new year, these stories will take on a life of their own:

1)Thierry Henry will leave Arsenal, if not my faith in an athlete's choosing loyalty over €(aka as Euros, only Azzurri Dreams has the font) will be re-stored. And with Arsenal struggling to even secure a spot for the UEFA Cup next year, the full press from Catalonia will be hard to escape.
2)Frank Lampard will be linked with Barcelona and if Chelsea wins the Champions League(I shudder at the thought of another English Team winning this) and has a good World Cup, look for him to swoon over Barcelona especially if England makes it far enough to play Brasil(whoops, ok, I am back from laughing).
3)Antonio Cassano will be seen latching unto an elderly women's purse outside the Piazza Navona but still every one will try to buy him especially if he does not renew his contract with Roma. Something has to be done by the end of January or Roma lose him a free-transfer.
4)Michael Ballack will go, he will stay, he will go, he will stay. Seriously, with the problems Germany has in mid-field, I would be concerned with other things right now.
5)Sir Alex Ferguson. This will be a Shakespearian Drama to rival any day-time soap and will get ugly. The media has in it for Sir Alex Ferguson, he is coaching a second-rate team that is going nowwhere and fast. The Glazers will be all to happy to cut him lose considering Manchester United has not won anything since 2003. You will start to see Sven's name surface for the position. Sir Alex will be torn to pieces and will also reach out to the Pope to change the Sir to Saint before before all this is done.

All these fun events will make us feel like we are watching the whole David and Posh text-message sex scandal all over again as we are inadated with too much information, drinking warm beer once again feeding the cycle of drama that I pray never ends!

Azzurri Dreams

February seems a long time away

2005-12-13T14:15:00.000-08:00

I am addicted to soccer(aka calcio, football, futbol), lets just put that out there right now. But, besides this Friday's UEFA Champions League draw which Azzurri Dreams will publish for all our readers as soon as humanly possible, I have realized, there is no significant soccer to be played until February when the Champions League starts up again.

The title races in England, Italy and France are done, Chelsea, Juventus, and Lyon will win again. But at least we can watch as these events happen simultaneously to keep us all entertained:

Manchester United will disintegrate before our very eyes and this will be interesting(see DRAMA) but only for a while, listening to Frank Lampard say how much he loves Barcelona will become very boring, very quickly unless it is his hot girlfriend saying it, and wondering why Newcastle boss Graham Souness still has a job, I figure my good-natured responsibility as a 'soccer journalist' is to simply report the latest news. Here it goes:

1)Newcastle United will make a bid for Real Betis Joaquim and try to beat Chelsea to him in the January transfer window. Would you want to commit to a team whose coach looks like he is pissing himself every game on the sidelines while Freddy Shepard looks over him?
2)Manchester United will bid for PSV's Nigel De Jong. I guess all my emails to Sir Alex telling him he needs a mid-fielder have finally paid off.
3)Juventus will make a play for Bayern Munich's French defender Willy Sagnol which has has Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge annoyed at the Italians as they were also able to steal Robert Kovac away last year. But wait, where is the love, weren't we allies once.
4)Arsenal will make a move for Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. Nothing to boost your confidence when you are Jens Lehmann and trying to get the number 1 for Germany and hearing rumors like these to help you concentrate.

At least in the process of writing this, we are already closer to February 21st when the Round of 16 starts in the Champions League!

Azzurri Dreams

I Thought Pele Could Do No Wrong

2005-12-12T16:57:00.000-08:00

At this pace, why even play the World Cup in Germany next year, I say we just sit back and give it to England. Pele's comments today ranking England(as well as Italy) as Brazil's biggest challengers just made me laugh. As if the British Media needed any other reason to not start popping open their Champaign, I think this could actually be a detriment to England's chances. They are already lining up their moves through group play and into the finals, only to probably be reminded as the whole world will be next year, that games are won on the field, not through paper analysis and dumb-smiling Sweedes that exude dumb-looking confidence. I guess if I slept with half the staff of English Football Association, I would be smiling too. I forgot there are these two other little soccer nations, Holland and Argentina that will have something to say before the tournament is over.

Ok, lets get one thing straight, we are a little under seven months from the World Cup, enough for all the soccer channels across the world to beat the proverbial horse into a jack-in-the-box cheeseburger(see Beef Scandal circa 1985) and actually try to convince us that they know who will win the World Cup. It is too early. But since we all have computers and access to the web, what's another opinion out there, right?

Since Pele made as bold of a prediction, I will make a few predictions about England as well but only with the legal Azzurri Dreams disclaimer that at any time, I can say, "I was wrong."

1)Tony Blair will declare victory in Iraq later this week
2)There is evidence of human-like life form on other planets and Sven-Goran Eriksson has slept with one of their representatives to prove it.
3)England has found a way to cure world hunger, stop AIDS and actually knows Boy George's real sex and will be doing a Geraldo-like expose' later this week on the BBC

Seriously, please stop the insanity and self-applause...on the other hand there is reason to stay optimistic if you are English, at least you do not have to play Northern Ireland again(see September 7th, 2005 if you need a refresher course)

Azzurri Dreams

World Cup Draw has people screaming

2005-12-09T14:57:00.000-08:00

Relax, even with this draw Germany cannot win the world cup and England will still only be the prettiest team in Germany. Even with four midfielders ALL playing the same position, I still have visions of David Seamen from 2002 and this just makes me smile. If England wins the World Cup, I will do the following...well let me think about this, because right now I am still laughing too hard already listening to the BBC planning their victory celebration down Piccadilly Square. But lets break this down on the few groups that are truly difficult and hopefully prevent some of our friends from jumping from the balconies on the second floor.

This morning as I showered, shaved, and wondered, what shall I do with my life today, I realized, the more competitive the group stages of the world cup is for your country, the better it is for their chances to advance. My logic, very simple is this:

When you have two or three strong teams in a group, being conservative simply will not work for you. You have to play your game and take points, preferably try to win games. Case in point, while the Italians are probably fretting over this group draw, I say bring on the challenge of Ghana, United States, and the Czech Republic. These are three teams with a legitimate claim for making the knock-out rounds. Group E and I would claim this to be the group of death because you'd better win this group or you face Brasil in the quarterfinals....Ouch, unless the Soccerroos win their Group.

And for my Dutch brethren, do not worry about your games aganist Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro. The team is strong enough to advance out of Group C but start your 'WE NEED SEEDORF" campaign because you do. At leats this year you made the World Cup and Marco van Basten is the man to make winners out of this country for the first time(excuse me, you know winning the Euro's does not Count). This is definitely not the group of Death as my friends would want me to believe. But maybe if you play well enough you can exorcise the demons of 1978, but we will not touch on that, it could be a sensitive subject.

The cup is to see who plays Brasil or Argentina in the final. Barring any major setbacks or another Ronaldo 1998-like breakdown on the eve of the finals, this team is so dam strong, it will be fun to watch. Group F with Brasil, Croatia, Japan, and Australia. Two strong, attacking teams like Croatia and Japan could make it interesting on Brasil's defense, leaving us to wonder, are Robert Carlos and Cafu actually the same person, but so old, they had to clone one to fill in their defense?

As for the other groups, seriously who cares...we all dream of adding stars to our jerseys, and the only star in this World Cup will come from one of these three groups...unless Saudi Arabia can pull off the miracle of all miracles(second only to helping us find Bin Laden).

Azzurri Dreams

2006 World Cup Draw

2005-12-09T13:19:00.000-08:00

I have to catch my breath and will be back with commentary shortly

FIFA World Cup 2006 Group Stage Draw
GROUP A
A1 Germany GER
A2 Costa Rica CRC
A3 Poland POL
A4 Ecuador ECU

GROUP B
B1 England ENG
B2 Paraguay PAR
B3 Trinidad & Tobago TRI
B4 Sweden SWE

GROUP C
C1 Argentina ARG
C2 Ivory Coast CIV
C3 Serbia & Montenegro SCG
C4 Netherlands NED

GROUP D
D1 Mexico MEX
D2 Iran IRN
D3 Angola ANG
D4 Portugal POR

GROUP E
E1 Italy ITA
E2 Ghana GHA
E3 United States USA
E4 Czech Rep. CZE

GROUP F
F1 Brazil BRA
F2 Croatia CRO
F3 Australia AUS
F4 Japan JPN

GROUP G
G1 France FRA
G2 Switzerland SUI
G3 South Korea KOR
G4 Togo TOG

GROUP H
H1 Spain ESP
H2 Ukraine UKR
H3 Tunisia TUN
H4 Saudi Arabia KSA

Group winners and runner-ups qualify for the Knockout Round of 16.
Winner Group A plays Runner-up Group B in Munich on Sat., Jun. 24.
Winner Group B plays Runner-up Group A in Stuttgart on Sun., Jun. 25.
Winner Group C plays Runner-up Group D in Leipzig on Sat., Jun. 24.
Winner Group D plays Runner-up Group C in Nuremberg on Sun., Jun. 25.
Winner Group E plays Runner-up Group F in Kaiserslautern on Mon., Jun. 26.
Winner Group F plays Runner-up Group E in Dortmund on Tue., Jun. 27.
Winner Group G plays Runner-up Group H in Cologne on Mon., Jun. 26.
Winner Group H plays Runner-up Group G in Hanover on Tue., Jun. 27.

Azzurri Dreams

FIFA Gets It Wrong, Again

2005-12-06T12:44:00.000-08:00

So, today FIFA announced that Germany, Brazil, Italy, France, Argentina, Spain, Mexico and England were named as the top eight seeds for next year's World Cup finals in Germany. Lets recap the last world cup in Japan/South Korea and see if these seedings were actually justified, before I tell you how I think FIFA should seed countries:

1)Brazil, enough said, deserves a top seed, plus with their travelling (sometimes almost topless)fans, well now you know why Sepp Blatter is constantly holding binoculars at matches
2)Germany, not since the Berlin Wall have Germans seen anything fall so quickly as their chances to win and the true ranking of where they stand in the pantheon of great teams. FIFA has to give them a top seed since they are the host country.
3)Italy, hate to admit it, do not deserve it, what I remember from this World Cup is terrible calls against the Italians, holy water being used on the sidelines and a team that underachieved, again.
4)France, great performance...what you scored one goal in three games?
5)Argentina, my early favorite to contend for the World Cup in 2006 along with Brazil, they didn't do anything in 2002, oh yeah, we got to see Veron in the national jersey for the last time...thanks for the memories, another team like Italy that totally had within its grasp the Cup with their team, but leave to Coach Bielsa to screw this one up.
6)Spain, seriously, Spain, because besides criticizing the Italians for complaining about the referees and then doing the same thing after they lost, is all I remember the Spaniards doing in 2002.
7)Mexico, can anyone even name three players off the 2002 team?
8)England, hold on, I am still laughing, seriously, what have you have done since 1966? I'm waiting.

So, what is the point, the point is simple, FIFA needs to update their ranking system, start from scratch and use the two-year qualifying cycles for the world cup to be a true barometer of the nations ranking. Forget friendlies, preferential treatment(see ticket sales and traveling fans) and forget this outdated methodology of using the countries performance in the previous two or three world cups, keep it relevant and make the 'dominant' countries have to earn these top seeds again. Based on your ten matches(more in other qualifying regions) in your two-year European window is how you should be ranked. This could possibly throw the game in chaos, but also challenge the smaller nations to thrive for these lofty seeds while insuring that the larger European nations no longer coast into the world cup.

Azzurri Dreams

Paging Vicente Del Bosque

2005-12-05T13:42:00.000-08:00

Ahh...how times have changed since they canned Vicente Del Bosque in 2003 after winning their last championship...and rather then sit here and go over every coach since then that Real Madrid has had like every other site, Ill keep it simple and say...suckers you deserve it.

"Madrid's sporting failures are notorious and no commercial success can hide this," El Pais sports editor Santiago Segurola wrote in Monday's edition. As I copy his sentiments to my blog I cannot help but laugh and realize when the circus started(see Beckham's arrival) is when the problems really started and they have not truly been assessed since. Simply put Segurola is correct but yet with all the (wrong) moves in place, these guys have become so much more then a great football team...words like mediocre, boring, brutish and out-of-touch come to mind when describing Real Madrid. Focus on what needs to be done like:

1)updating your defense, I think the combined age is about 425..Their defense makes the AC Milan back four look like a bunch of spring chickens
2)buy a dam mid-fielder that does more then prance around and look pretty...give Zidane some support and give him someone to win the ball so he can distribute it to your overly priced strikers that are bored out of their minds waiting for service...see Makelele, whoops, Gattuso, Emerson if you need suggestions
3)think outside the box for your next coach...maybe Paul Le Guen ex-Lyon, think big Guss Hiddink of PSV, that will really piss off Barcelona, if you went out and actually got a Dutchman of your own who can outcoach just about anyone out there
4)Bench Raul and start playing your youth players, lets face it, this season you are not going to win anything, might as well start getting them ready for next year
5)And lastly you are prohibited from buying anymore Brazilian players until either you start winning and playing pretty soccer again or you shave Jonathan Woodgate's head

Azzurri Dreams

Bad Hair, Bad Players

2005-12-02T08:54:00.000-08:00

It's early December, so teams are getting desperate to buy players for the January 2006 transfer window. And desperate is the key word. Real Betis want to bring in Florent Sinama-Pongolle of Liverpool on a short-term loan. Seriously, I am available and even with a bad knee could help you win games more then this kid can. An able 21-year old, he has made 8 'appearances' for Liverpool. I must have watched only two or three of there exciting draws....Yawn

Marseille are likely to swoop in for Liverpool's Djibril Cisse which makes me wonder, if this guy worried as much about his game as he did about his hair, he might actually make a better player. I think, reading between the lines, if Rafa benitez cannot field a starting team with only Spanish players with the exemption of Steve Gerrard, he does not want players that have better hair then he does on the field.

Louis Saha, gone from Manchester United, which is a bummer because this guy can flat-out play but because of injuries, Rooney, when he was brought in from Fulham, he never really got a chance to play. Rumor has it he is back to France in January

Real Betis is also looking at the Portuguese Striker Helder Postiga

Azzurri Dreams

Who Wants to Coach Real Madrid:

2005-12-01T09:13:00.000-08:00

Three coaches that will not coach Real Madrid are:

Fabio Capello
Arsene Wenger
Rafa Benitez

Fabio Capello with this designer glasses, has a young Juventus team, is on the verge of dominance in the Serie A, and he beats Milan to the Champions League this year, he is not going anywhere. Why would you leave Juventus for the David Beckham circus and have to start over. Arrigo Sacchi's presence at Real Madrid gives them a chance, but it will not happen.

Arsene Wenger, as much as it pains me to compliment a Frenchman, is doing an awesome job this year and yes, unlike Manchester United and all the other pretenders in the England, has his team rebuilding for 2006-2007. A young team, with the likes of Van Persie, Kleb, and Fabregas, this man is a maestro at buying the right players under the radar. With that sneaky smile, he knows he has a team that next year can contend with Chelsea, is seeking European Glory(this won't happen) and a new stadium while waiting to take over the French Side. But he will probably lose Henry, but for now he is not going anywhere

Rafa Benitez won the Champions League with Liverpool and with Players like Cisse nonetheless. A class act that can simply coach, and while the rest of us are still trying to figure out how he it did last May in Istanbul, he is not going anywhere. Which brings me to the why these coaches are attracting so much attention.

Real Madrid is going nowhere. They are a second-rate team, with the likes of Villareal and Valencia vying for number tow in La Liga. But Vanderlei Luxemburgo is going to be fired for sure, its just a matter time, but my theory is not before Real Madrid get another one or two top Brazilian players to commit to come over to play in Madrid. I think just as Beckham was brought in to sell mass appeal, hair gel and whatever else he is into this week, Luxemburgo was brought in to shore up the pipeline of young players from Brazil to Real Madrid. So for now, the top three sought after coaches after Mourinho are going nowhere, but I have a solution, have Roy Keane coach Real Madrid...that would be cool, watching him and Posh Beckham fight over who get the last slap on David...

Azzurri Dreams

Soccer Transfers

2005-11-30T08:19:00.000-08:00

Get ready; the winter transfer market will open in January 2006, which means a few things:

Chelsea will start to be interested in just about everyone including my 4-year old nephew who can strike at a better clip then Didier Drogba.

Manchester United will buy someone they do not need just so they can buy someone.

Real Madrid will buy the other half of the Brazilian national team they do not have already and still end up second in La Liga, but boy they sure look pretty playing MLS-quality ball.

Somewhere, some desperate team will inquire about Fenerbahce's French striker Nicolas Anelka and leave me wondering why why why.

And the real possible transfer possibilities already making the rounds are these:

Inter Milan want the 20 year Brazilian Rafael Sobil who plays for Porto Alegre. They have already offered 10m Euros, but German team Werder Breman want him and have been dealing with bringing him over. He already has played for the Brazil Under 20 team and figures to go.

Manchester United will make a £3m move for Aston Villa midfielder Steve Davis in January, says The Daily Mirror. The Northern Ireland international will add to Man Utd slew of midfielders. What and bench Darren Fletcher...say it isn’t so Sir Alex Ferguson.

Chelsea are ready to make a £25m bid for Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres. Good luck with this. It’s like asking the same girl out over and over and over. Face it, the kid isn't coming to Chelsea. Although it was just announced today that the City Council wants to knock down the Vicente Calderon stadium, so the timing might be right.

Real Betis are ready to make a bid for the young Serbo-Montenegrin international Mirko Vucinic who plays for Lecce in Italy's Serie A as a replacement for Real Betis' Ricardo Oliveira who is out injured for four months. When you play for Lecce, its only a question of time before you are sold, so this is quite possible in early January.

Aston Villa keeper Stefan Postma, on loan at Wolves, is being chased by five clubs in his native Holland. Lets see, stay behind and play in England for Aston Villa, or go back to the land of Decadence...go back to Holland, Villa is going nowhere and nowhere fast.

Azzurri Dreams

I Want My ESPN Deportes

2005-11-29T14:40:00.000-08:00

This is a challenge to all the fans in the united states. Notice how we only get 1 out of the possible 4 Champions League Matches every champions league Tuesday and Wednesday on ESPN? This is dumb. Please support me and call your local Cable Provider and request:

ESPN Deportes

Happy times! Maybe they will listen to all of us, give us this channel and we will be able to watch something other than a 0-0 draw involving Manchester United. ESPN Deportes is like Disneyland for all of us, all the Champions League Matches. I have included the links to some of the major cable providers customer service page so that you can type in your zip code and it will give you a phone number;

1)Aldephia: Adelphia Customer Service

2)Comcast: Comcast Customer Service

3)Time Warner: Time Warner Customer Service

Azzurri Dreams

Roy Keane to my team

2005-11-29T13:59:00.000-08:00

Let me be the first one to say, Roy Keane, you were and still are a wonderful footballer. What pains me is the bitter end for a true legend of our generation of football fans. BUT ENOUGH already. This is now replacing the David Beckham transfer saga of a few summer ago. Will he go, will he stay, will he go, will he stay. We know Roy will end-up somewhere, but seriously, do we care?

Why would any team that is currenlty thriving want to change their composition and bring in this temperental bloke(im not British, so that is the only word I could come up with) into their dressing room risking the early success of the first few months of the season.

I know where Roy Keane will end-up, but you will have to wait to the end of this posting to know it. Lets look at the possibilities:

1)Inter Milan; not even the most dsyfunctionally mangerial 'brain trust' of these guys wants him...I thought they specialized in signing over the hill multi-milliionares, but they wont even touch this one, what does that say about Keane?

2)Juventus: ok, lets bench Nedved, no maybe Viera, ok, maybe we will bench Emerson...for who Roy Keane, seriously give me a break.

3)Celtic: forget all those childhood dreams and growing up being a fan of the the old team, they cannot afford his wages

4)West Ham: truly a funn team to watch in the English Premiership this year, currenlty, up to 9th place and palying well. Alan Pardew what are you thinking? I know what your thinking, discpline, determination, and a younger team could use this guy. But you got such a good thing going do not change that

I think, Roy Keane will end up in Qatar along with Gabriel Battistuta...hey, is he still playing??

Azzurri Dreams