Philip Rolfe

cheers abu [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG]

Philip Rolfe

9.12.01
Another game against the bottom team, and a few tactical adjustments preceed the match against Pistoiese.

Pistoiese 1
Agostinelli 86

Varese 0
Avallone injured 41

A 5th straight defeat, and embarrasingly Pistoiese comprehensively outplayed us, as we fall into the relegation playoff zone just 5 games after being in the top 5. Agostinelli's late strike may have been a heartbreaker for us, but the only player who showed a fight was Dei in goal. I'm lost now, I can't understand our loss of form. Something needs to be done before the visit of highflying Cittadella.

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Avallone (Rinaldini 42), Presotto, Larsen, Bruno, Zebic, Gascoigne, Jesus, Majella, Brognoli

16.12.01
2nd placed Cittadella must fancy their chances against us, seeing as we've had 5 straight defeats. I make a slight tactical switch, in the vain hope of securing a win. I take a quite bold decision to drop the in-form Zebic in favour of a more defensive minded Rinaldini

Varese 2
Bruno 20, 45

Cittadella 1
Amore 3

We were slow out of the blocks, and it certainly wasn't Amore for us as Enrico scored following a solo burst. But we started to come back. Brognoli shaved the post on 8 minutes, before we got level as Alessandro Bruno was on hand to fire past Pavesi. The game then took a slower feel, as if both sides were happy with their lot. But it was Bruno, who hasn't impressed like i'd have hoped, who grabbed the eventual winner, tapping into an unguarded goal as Majella rolled him in. Even though we lead, the slenderness always made me feel that Rolando Maran's men would sneak back into it, but we managed to hold on and claim our first win in 6, as Rinaldini was brilliant in the holding role [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG] Hopefully our bad run is over, we'll find out in 18 days against 3rd placed Spal.

The 18 day Christmas break will be a godsend, as hopefully our injuies will clear up, and we'll be back to something like full strength.

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Molinaro, Presotto, Larsen, Bruno, Rinaldini, Gascoigne, Jesus, Majella, Brognoli

31.12.01
As the year ends, lets take a look at the situation in the major European Leagues...

Starting here in Italy, and Roma lead the way on 35 points, 2 clear of Milan, but the Giallorossi also have a game in hand over the Rossoneri. At the bottom, Modena seem lost already, claiming just 2 wins from the first 15. Udinese, Brescia and Como are also in trouble, as Empoli and Chievo just sit on the right side of the dotted relegation line. Moving over to Spain and we find the surprise joint leaders are Recreativo and Valladolid. Both teams surprisingly lead the way, each a point clear of Celta and Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid and Barcelona can be found floundering in mid table, and Deportivo are struggling to stay out of the relegation zone, which is currently occupied by Alaves, Betis (surprisingly) and rock bottom Rayo, whose win over Malaga on Nov 25th is their only one to date.
In England Chelsea lead Arsenal 47 points to 45, but the Gunners have a game in hand, against Aston Villa, who lay adrift at the bottom - 14 points from safety. Newcastle and Southampton are also in a spot of bother. Chasing a place in the top flight are Ipswich, who lead Division One by a point from the season's surprise package Gillingham. Lille lead the way in France, but only by 3 points over Bordeaux, who have played one less. Montpellier, Bastia, Guingamp and Lorient all look to battle it out to avoid the 2 relegation places. And finally to Germany, Dortmund lead the way from 1860 Munich by two points. FC Bayern are back in 4th.

Philip Rolfe

1.1.02
Happy New Year, or as they say here, Buon Anno!

3.1.02
One change is needed for the visit to Spal; Bandirali returns from suspension in place of Molinaro, who's got a damaged wrist. Nielsen also returns from injury, but only takes a place on the bench due to poor form.

Spal 0

Varese 2
Brognoli 8
Larsen 31

There's little doubt Walter de Vecchi has a better squad, and has more to pick from, but our reversal in fortune carried on at the Paolo Mazza stadium. Stefano Brognoli carried on a fine season by converting a header from Bruno's cross. Aurelio then hit the bar for the opposition, before Lennart Lynge Larsen scored a long overdue first of the season. He went on a virtuouso run past Zago and Morello before leaving Pierobon with no chance. We then took control of the game, making Spal play at our pace, which I was really pleased at. We've beaten 2nd and 3rd in the last 2 games, which is a very encouraging sign [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG]

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Presotto, Larsen, Bruno, Rinaldini, Gascoigne, Jesus, Majella, Brognoli

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> ************************************************** ********************************************** Italian Serie C1/A - Thursday 3rd January 2002********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2001/2 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Pro Patria 17 7 0 2 19 9 4 2 2 11 7 35 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Cittadella 17 7 1 1 24 9 3 0 5 9 12 31 3rd Carrarese 17 5 2 2 17 8 3 2 3 8 8 28 4th Spezia 17 5 2 1 15 9 2 4 3 10 10 27 5th Albinoleffe 17 6 1 2 12 5 2 2 4 10 14 27 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6th Spal 17 2 5 2 10 11 4 3 1 15 8 26 7th Alzano 17 6 0 2 14 6 2 2 5 9 18 26 8th Padova 17 5 1 2 11 7 3 0 6 12 20 25 9th Cesena 17 6 0 2 21 10 1 2 6 9 17 23 10th VARESE 17 4 1 3 11 11 3 1 5 15 19 23 11th Arezzo 17 3 2 3 20 24 3 3 3 13 17 23 12th Lumezzane 17 5 1 3 14 15 1 2 5 9 16 21 13th Reggiana 17 3 2 4 13 15 3 0 5 13 15 20 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14th Lucchese 17 2 3 3 7 8 2 4 3 12 9 19 15th Treviso 17 3 3 3 15 12 2 1 5 9 18 19 16th Pisa 17 1 4 3 7 9 3 2 4 9 9 18 17th Pistoiese 17 3 2 3 10 9 2 1 6 13 20 18 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18th Prato 17 3 3 3 14 17 1 2 5 8 17 17 </pre>

not the worst position to be in, considering our bad run.

Philip Rolfe

5.1.02
The last 2 days sees a whole host of managerial casualties. Paterno, Thiene, Aglianese and Fano all part company with their managers, and it's only a matter of days before Vicenza lose their boss.

13.1.02
We travel the fair distance to Prato, knowing they're bottom, and also knowing our recent form against teams who've been bottom. No changes are needed following the last 2 wins.

Prato 1
Padoin 69

Varese 4
Brognoli 38, 49
Gascoigne 77
Bruno 87
Presotto injured 67

I felt this was a thoroughly professional performance. We bid our time in the first half, knowing a goal would come at some point, and 7 minutes before half time that teenage sensation Stefano Brognoli followed in a rebound from Presotto's attempt to give us a just lead. Shortly after the break, he doubled his total in the match with a 2nd following Gascoigne and Bruno's build up. Porro then had a goal disallowed for offside for the home side, before Nicola Padoin finished a fine team move to bring the home side back into it. But our run of form has coincided with the return of Paul Gascoigne, who made it safe with the 3rd on 77. Alessandro Bruno signalled his fine form is continuing with the 4th late on, as Prato looked down and out.

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Presotto (Moretti 67), Larsen, Bruno, Rinaldini, Gascoigne, Jesus, Majella, Brognoli

Presotto twisted his knee in the 2nd half and will miss 3 weeks.

19.1.02
The local newspaper today send a reporter to do some work on the club. The journalist has some nice comments about Stefano Brognoli, saying that he feels he could be a full Italian international if he takes the right path. I can't do anything but agree, he's a talented player.

20.1.02
Carrarese are 2nd in the league, but we've shown some good character and spirit recently, and with that, we should get something, considering our home record is good. Molinaro comes in for the injured Presotto.

Varese 2
Jesus 16
Brognoli 70

Carrarese 0
Di Giorgio sent off 72

The luck was certainly on our side today, but we played well enough to deserve some. Jesus found his shooting boots again after a barren run on 16 minutes, but only after Alberti had a header disallowed for offside. The visitors then had a 2nd disallowed, as Rubinho was harshly adjudged to have fouled Bandirali. But we continued to bombard their goal, having a total of 16 shots on goal, as Alejandro Saccone was a brilliant last line of defence. But Brognoli showed his difference in class 20 mins from time, expertly lobbing Saccone from the edge of the box to secure the points. Carrarese's luck was really out when Vito Di Giorgio pushed Jesus, and was dismissed rather harshly. But we make our own luck, and things are looking up again [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG]

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Molinaro, Larsen, Bruno, Rinaldini, Gascoigne, Jesus, Majella, Brognoli

21/1/02
Reggiana sack their manager Adriano Cadregari after their poor league performances left them 3 places from bottom. Just like Treviso before, we play them next game. I'll make sure we're not complacent against them.

23.1.02
Mauro Ragatzu sprained his wrist at home yesterday, God knows how [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif" alt="red face[/IMG] [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] - anyway, he needs a week off of full training.

27.1.02
And so to Reggiana, with an unchanged team, as we look to break back into the playoffs.

Reggiana 3
Catanese 28
Ekong 72
Eliakwu 74

Varese 2
Brognoli 2
Gascoigne 30
Jesus injured 70

We looked so comfortable after Brognoli gave us an early lead with a sublime finish. Catanese may have levelled, but Gascoigne put us ahead and we looked comfortable. But the turning point was the injury to Jesus. Nielsen came on, and acted like a kinx for us. Within 5 minutes the teenage Nigerian duo of Ekong and Eliakwu turned the game in their favour, and our winning run ended [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] But I'm not too angry, as I'm sure they raised their game for their caretaker manager. But we need to get back winning ASAP.

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Molinaro, Larsen, Bruno, Rinaldini, Gascoigne, Jesus (Nielsen 70), Majella, Brognoli

Philip Rolfe

10.2.02
Injuries dictate my team for the game at home to Albinoleffe. Ragatzu's in for Jesus, and Moretti comes in for Larsen, who injured his jaw. Presotto returns in place of Molinaro.

Varese 0

Albinoleffe 3
Araboni 32, 36, 85

They're not 2nd by luck. Albinoleffe are a talented side, with a very decent squad if you consider the level we're at. Araboni took his chances today, and we didn't [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] Hopefully this won't take us on another downhill run like last time. Maybe when everyone is back fit it'll pick up, but 2 defeats in a row and I'm not happy.

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Presotto, Moretti, Bruno, Rinaldini, Gascoigne, Ragatzu, Majella, Brognoli

17.2.02
Larsen and Jesus are able to return today, so let's see if my theory that my fully fit first XI are good enough to beat Lummezane away and get back to winning ways.

Lummezane 0

Varese 2
Gascoigne 12
Jesus 36

Looking at the statistics the match was very close, but statistics count for nothing at the end of the day, so it was important we took the points. Gascoigne has been an inspired signing, and he opened the scoring with his 4th of the season as Brognoli put him in acres of space to score. Alfred Santos de Jesus made double figures in his debut season with the 2nd, a typically furious shot past Tosti in the home goal. From then on they never looked too dangerous, although Scazzola came pretty close on the hour.

Even throughout our indifferent form, we are 2 points off the playoff zone with 13 games to go - a very nice position to be in at this very moment [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG]

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Presotto, Larsen, Bruno, Rinaldini, Gascoigne, Jesus, Majella, Brognoli

14.2.02
Pro Patria are top and looking far good for the division. I name an unchanged side for their visit.

Varese 1
Brognoli 60

Pro Patria 2
Pennacchioni 32
Manicone 83

An unfortunate end to a game which showed why Patria are top. A very even match was split on the half hour as Emanuele Pennacchioni finished nicely. Stefano Brognoli levelled on the hour with a pick up and shot from a loose ball. But veteran Antonio Manicone stole the points late on [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] just as we looked quite likely to get a draw. Still, a good performance, but the results need to pick up.

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Presotto, Larsen, Bruno, Rinaldini, Gascoigne, Jesus, Majella, Brognoli

28.2.02
Stefano Brognoli is in line for more praise from a major newspaper this time, the Corriere Dello Sport. They suggest he is far too good for this level and surely will look for success at a higher plateau. I agree that he is a wonderdul talent, but that any immediate success he could have will be here at Varese, as I cannot afford to let my main goalscorer go as we push for promotion.

Philip Rolfe

3.3.02
Padova will be another really tough game for us, and away as well. If we don't win I see mid table mediocrity beckoning [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG]

Padova 2
Ferronato 12
Ginestra 32

Varese 1
Brognoli 3

The praise and attention for Brognoli obviously spurred him on to open the scoring and hit his 18th of the season early on. The lead lasted barely 10 minutes however, as Alessandro Ferronato drove in from the right and finished sweetly past Dei's left. Ciro Ginestra's header proved to be the deciding goal, but in the last 5 minutes we bombarded their goal, as sub Novkovic caused havoc, but the ball wouldn't go in [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] As I have said before, the performance pleases me, but the result doesn't, and we're 6 points off Treviso, the nearest playoff contenders. We can catch Alzano if we beat them next week.

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Presotto, Larsen, Bruno, Rinaldini, Gascoigne, Jesus, Majella (Novkovic 82), Brognoli

10.3.02
A defeat today would almost see the end of any promotion push we have. Novkovic is back in for Majella after a fine performance late last time.

Varese 0

Alzano 1
Piccinelli 53

It just would not go in [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG] We hit the bar 3 times, through Larsen (twice) and Jesus, and set up camp in front of their goal, But it wasn't going in, as Violini played a blinder in goal. Just about their only attempt of the match went in, as Fabio Piccinelli scored his first ever goal. It's all over as far as I'm concerned - 27 points are still available, but I think our chances of promotion are gone [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG]

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Presotto, Larsen, Bruno, Rinaldini, Gascoigne (Zebic 45), Jesus (Majella 80), Novkovic, Brognoli

17.3.02
Spezia are 4th, and we're in such a dismal run of form I can't see a win for us [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG]

Spezia 2
Caverzan 12
Stojkov 53
Caverzan m/pen 45

Varese 1
Jesus 21

All of a sudden we're only 2 points from the relegation playoffs [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] Again today we played well, but no result. Caverzan scored first with a free header, before Jesus scored an equaliser as he scored for the 11th time this campaign. Caverzan then missed a penalty on the stroke of half time, and things looked up. But a wonder goal from fully 35 yards by Aiko Stojkov kept his prolific run and our poor run going [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG]

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Presotto, Larsen, Bruno, Rinaldini, Gascoigne, Jesus, Ragatzu, Brognoli

Philip Rolfe

24.3.02
Arezzo are way down the other end of the table, and so now this could be billed as a relegation 6 pointer. I know the board want me to avoid relegation, but I won't be happy unless we show some desire to reach the playoffs, no matter how hard it now is. Nielsen gets a recall in favour of the out of touch Bruno.

Varese 2
Gascoigne 52
Brognoli 88

Arezzo 0

Finally, a win after playing poorly. Arezzo dominated the first half, and we were lucky not to be behind to the dangerous but wasteful Lorenzo Pinamonte. Second half, and a change in our fortunes. 52 minutes. A free kick. 25 yards out. Gazza steps up....and scores [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] From then on we were under pressure, until very late on Brognoli took another step towards 20 goals with an unmarked opportunity which he snapped up. The win leaves us 9 points from a playoff place, but at least our 2nd bad run of the season is over.

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Presotto, Larsen, Nielsen, Rinaldini, Gascoigne, Jesus, Ragatzu, Brognoli

Taking a look at our run in, I realise 3 of the teams are directly above us in the league, and the other 4 battling against relegation. The future now lies in our hands - a few wins strung together and you never know.

31.3.02
Away to Pisa, who shocked us with an 2-0 win at the Franco Ossola earlier this season. We go to their stadium today aiming to avoid defeat, as I name a team the same as the win over Arezzo

Pisa 0

Varese 0

A 2nd successive clean sheet is the bright point to this match, and the fact we didn't lose. Pisa had more shots than we did - we only mustered 3 in what must have been a horrible match for the 10670 who turned up at the Arena Garibaldi. The closest they came was 4 minutes from time, as ei saved well from Furiani. Our best chance fell to Ragatzu, whose 70th minute header was just wide. I can take satisfaction from only our 3rd draw of the season, and a clean sheet too.

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Presotto, Larsen, Nielsen, Rinaldini, Gascoigne, Jesus, Ragatzu, Brognoli

Next Up: A visit from Cesena

shawng1

Good story. You shouldn't be shocked that Italia is a land for managerial sackings. Good to see you've kept yourself free so far. I'll keep an eye on this.

KUTGW!

Philip Rolfe

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by shawng1:
Good story. You shouldn't be shocked that Italia is a land for managerial sackings. Good to see you've kept yourself free so far. I'll keep an eye on this.

KUTGW!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

cheers - I'm not safe yet [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]

Philip Rolfe

3.4.02
Not much time between matches, as Cesena visit us with a 3 point gap between us and them directly above us. Gorini misses his first match of the season through injury, so Avallone comes in and Nielsen gets the captaincy.

Varese 0

Cesena 2
Meloni 43, 70

Baws [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] They did us 5-1 earlier this season, and Meloni scored a brace to take the points and leave us stuck in mid table, where we will end up. We didn't have a shot on goal, so we were never going to win. Meloni poked in two low crosses to give them a double over us, which I don't like but Giuseppe Iachini obviously did as manager of the opposition.

Team: Dei, Avallone, Bandirali, Presotto, Larsen, Nielsen(c), Rinaldini, Gascoigne, Jesus, Ragatzu, Brognoli

Pro Patria won the C1/A title with a draw at Reggiana. Marco Asara's first half strike, his 8th of the season, was enough to give them the point they needed.

We are, however, just 2 points from the relegation playoffs. That's the perils of this division - if you're not in the playoffs, you're fighting relegation. Mid table is very rarely a solid place to be.

7.4.02
I make some more tactical changes for the visit to Lucchese. A more balanced attacking and defensive shape, and Gorini returns for Avallone.

Lucchese 0

Varese 0

For the 2nd successive match we were absolutely annihilated - the home side struck 17 shots at our goal, but Emiliano Dei and the defence were as strong as I've seen them. Our only shot came 3 minutes from time, as Gascoigne wasted a free kick. Carruezzo and Stefani came so close for Piraccini's side, but it's very encouraging that we didn't concede, therefore not losing. We just have to score. The result also means we can no longer get into the playoffs.

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Presotto, Larsen, Nielsen, Rinaldini (Novkovic 84), Gascoigne, Jesus, Ragatzu, Brognoli

14.4.02
Treviso have turned their fortunes around since they beat us, and they'll be looking to continue some fine form recently as we look to stop the rot (again). Majella returns for Ragatzu.

Varese 0

Treviso 2
Gallo 21
Lorenzini 80 pen

It sounds the same every game but we really deserved something today. Fabio Gallo took an opportunistic chance to put them up, and even then it was lucky. We came back at them, and almost scored through Majella. 15 minutes from time Bandirali almost headed home, and then the linesman made a catastophic error. He adjudged Dei to have fouled Lorenzini, which the ref didn't immediately agree with. Still, the kick was given, and Lorenzini picked himslef up to strike the winner. Bandirali and then Zebic hit the bar, but it wouldn't happen. As soon as the season finishes I'll be happy, as it's not been the best start to my time here, and I can then rebuild. But now we seriously have to look at the position below us - 1 point from the relegation playoffs.

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Presotto, Larsen, Nielsen, Zebic, Gascoigne (Novkovic 70), Jesus (Ragatzu 45), Majella, Brognoli