retired_deljo

21.2.10
Last season's equivalent of this fixture finished 6-5 to Bologna. To avoid a fourth straight defeat, and a similar result, Igor Tcherevchenko replaces Renzo Andreazzoli, who is tired, which has effected his performances. Roberto Javier Mina replaces Mateusz Dobek too.

Varese 1
McPhee 63

Bologna 0
Ronaldinho sent off 89

One of the most nerve-wracking games of the season, as it was one I've marked down as a must-win after the recent form (and lack off). It took something special to win it too. Before that arrived, the game was intense. Abbondanzieri kept out McPhee's bobbling effort, and Stekelenburg did something similar from Chumachenko's effort. Domenico Asara headed Cipriani's header off the line on twelve minutes. On the brink of 45 minutes, Santos ran through but sent his attempt skidding wide. Six minutes after half time things crashed and burned. A cross from Ronaldinho was finished by Cipriani, but a reprieve was handed to us as he was found offside. Immediately, Chumachenko thundered a piledriver just wide. Then the winner arrived. Mina was tripped on his way through, right on the edge of the area. Stephen McPhee stepped up and curled the ball into the net with Abbondanzieri left rooted to the spot. It was a lovely way to reach twenty for the season. It was a very nervous ending to the game, which showed on the pitch. Ronaldinho's outrageous lunge on compatriot Santos was worthy of the red card Gabriele Husic dished out. Thankfully, we claimed the win and ended the horrible rut we were in.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Orellana, Tcherevchenko, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Mina, McPhee, Alexiou

It's about time I was showing you a table

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * Italian Serie A - Sunday 21st February 2010********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2009/0 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Milan 23 10 1 0 25 8 10 2 0 20 6 63 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Roma 23 12 0 0 37 8 6 2 3 24 13 56 3rd Inter 23 9 2 1 21 7 5 1 5 11 13 45 4th Parma 23 5 3 3 13 8 7 2 3 21 8 41 5th Lecce 23 6 2 3 15 7 5 4 3 12 8 39 6th Venezia 23 7 2 2 18 11 4 3 5 12 19 38 7th Lazio 23 4 2 5 13 11 6 3 3 18 13 35 8th VARESE 23 6 2 3 24 19 4 2 6 26 25 34 9th Juventus 23 6 3 2 13 5 3 4 5 10 12 34 10th Bologna 23 3 7 2 18 15 2 2 7 12 22 24 11th Udinese 23 4 3 4 11 11 2 3 7 11 19 24 12th Perugia 22 4 3 5 13 15 2 3 5 3 13 24 13th Atalanta 23 3 6 3 10 10 2 2 7 9 19 23 14th Napoli 23 5 1 5 16 14 1 4 7 14 28 23 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15th Salernitana 22 3 3 5 13 16 2 4 5 12 18 22 16th Bari 23 4 2 6 16 22 1 3 7 7 23 20 17th Cagliari 23 3 2 7 12 23 2 2 7 6 15 19 18th Sampdoria 23 0 4 8 11 26 0 2 9 8 25 6 </pre>

retired_deljo

28.2.10
A win against Parma would take us within three points of fourth place, which entails a Champions League place, and currently occupied by Parma. We claimed a 2-0 win in the Tardini a few weeks back, and I'd accept a similar result. In the only change to the side that beat Bologna, Renzo Andreazzoli returns ahead of Tcherevchenko.

Varese 1
Dobek 66
Andreazzoli injured 53

Parma 2
Adriano 33, 41

Instead of being within three points of Parma, we're back in a rather disappointing ninth position and ten points behind Parma. This occurs because today we were simply not good enough. Nothing to do with effort or quality, simply that Parma are a better side - something we have to accept - for now. Statistics will show that the match was pretty equal in terms of posession and shots, but Parma had that something which took the points. Adriano. Parma's first goal was a sublime move involving Diana, Jankulovski and Di Michele before Adriano nudged the ball over Stekelenburg. The Brazilian wasted another attempt soon after before doubling the tally with a header from Marchionni's cross. Adriano beat Asara in the air and sent the ball past the Dutch keeper. Young Andreazzoli went off injured eight minutes into the second half with a badly twisted knee, and he'll be out for three weeks. The double change which followed changed the game. Dobek replaced Mina, and had the desired impact. A sweeping move culminated in Santos giving the Polish international the chance to score what turned out to be a consolation. Luciani made a fine stop from Santos to retain the points, which may condemn us to more midtable mediocrity.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Orellana, Andreazzoli (Tcherevchenko 53), Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Mina (Dobek 53), McPhee, Alexiou

7.3.10
Taking last week's defeat at Parma into consideration, we have to win in Udine today. We scored five here last season, but I somewhat doubt that will be repeated. A makeshift defence is required, as Orellana is suspended and Andreazzoli injured. Tcherevchenko and Lewis play, plus Dobek returns up front in place of Mina.

Udinese 1
Pinga 2

Varese 3
McPhee 53, 78
Alexiou 60

This was the perfect definition of a match of two halves, and how one change can make a world of difference. Udinese took barely two minutes to find a way through our desperately weakened defence (which, no matter how hard I endeavour to strengthen still looks as strong as a wet paper house) as Pinga was allotted time and space to beat Stekelenburg from twenty yards. A lot more came from them in an attacking sense. Artem Kontsevoy was very potent, as Greg Lewis in particular couldn't handle him - the Australian was very very poor. I needed something at half time. Lewis was replaced with Asencio, and after discussions with my captain, Claudio Cavalcante slotted into central defence. Never has a change had such an impact. Suddenly our play was fluid and sharp, and the defence almost watertight. It showed at the business end of the field. Substitute Asencio dribbled along the right channel before selecting a cross to which McPhee glanced a header past Alex Ramos. A similar attack gave us a lead. Santos, this time, went endeavouring down the right, and his near post cross was pounced upon by Alexiou. Asencio was playing like a man possessed. His dribble and consequential effort which thumped off the crossbar was inspired. The Argentinian crossed from the opposite wing to give McPhee (who isn't the tallest of players by the way) a chance to score our third header of the afternoon. He did. It keeps us in contention - but only just because of our tough run in.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Lewis (Asencio 45), Tcherevchenko, Franzese, Cavalcante(c), Doukas, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

It certainly gives me food for thought about future selections, as Cavalcante was fantastic in defence, as he reads the game so well and marshalls just as sufficiently. Pablo Asencio had his best 45 minutes for a long long time too.

retired_deljo

14.3.10
Venezia visit sitting one place and one point above us. A win could conceivably move us into sixth place. I decide to go in with Cavalcante at centre back with Orellana to his right, and Asencio in the middle of the park. Mina replaces the suspended Alexiou, in what is a must win.

Varese 1
Mina 45

Venezia 1
G.Lombardi 90

*This* close. We were quite literally seconds away from a win which would have boosted our European plans hugely, but a momentary lapse cost us. The first half was all about ourselves. The new compact look and feel was paying off in everything except managing to score a goal. McPhee could not have physically done more to try and score, but it simply wouldn't come off. Mirko Paluzzi in the visiting goal had a fantastic, almost unbeatable, afternoon. Almost, because in first half stoppage time a cross from Domenico Asara found Roberto Javier Mina's head, and the Ecuadoran scored the opener. It looked for so long as if it were to be the winner. It was only in the last five minutes Venezia ventured forwards out of desperation. We managed to hold out well - except in the 93rd minute. A low cross was fizzed in, and young striker Gianluca Lombardi scored his first ever goal for Venezia. You can't begin to feel how gutted the result makes me. We're into seventh - above Lazio and Juventus, but more importantly behind Venezia, Lecce and Parma - those we need below us.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Cavalcante(c), Orellana, Franzese, Asencio, Doukas, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Mina

20.3.10
Our game against Lecce has been moved in order for it to be shown on television on Saturday night. Delio Rossi's side have only conceded eight goals at home this season, so it's a tall order to get something against one of the best sides around. Alexiou returns from suspension, but otherwise the team is unchanged, as Cavalcante fits in defence once more, partially because of Asencio's impressive run.

Lecce 1
Marchesi 11
Teani sent off 3

Varese 6
McPhee 1
Doukas 12
Alexiou 14
Dobek 35
Asencio 49
Santos 51
Asencio injured 77

This is the exact definition of the complete performance. We were simply uncontainable - nothing Lecce offered stopped us notching up six goals. Another first minute goal from Stephen McPhee got us off to a fine start. Dobek's swinging shot was only parried by Abbiati, and McPhee was on hand to be the potent goal snatcher he is. Things went from bad to worse for Lecce. Captain Marco Teani received the first red card of his professional career for pushing McPhee over as the Scot was through on goal. Surprisingly, Lecce went and equalised. Tommaso Marchesi ran onto Di Cristo's layoff to rifle in the leveller. The Giallorossi knew they had to sit back and try and contain us, but they failed miserably. A few seconds later we won a corner. Cavalcante swung towards McPhee, and as Abbiati saved the attempt, Stilianos Doukas scored from the rebound for a surprise goal. We were cooking on full gas by now, and only two minutes later we made it 3-1. Everyone seemed to be involved, but the most important part saw Asencio roll Alexiou in for the Greek striker to clip in his 15th goal of the season. Twenty minutes passed before we found the net again, but it was worth the wait. Seconds after McPhee hit the bar, Asencio crossed for Dobek to hit a spectacular header past Abbiati. The next goal was made in Argentina. Daniel Orellana showed nimble feet to work a position for Pablo Asencio to break through and sent the fifth past Abbaiti. Asencio was involved in the sixth and final goal. He gave Alexiou a chance, but the attempt was saved. Santos was onto it in a flash and had an empty net to make the scoreline 1-6. :cool: Mateusz Dobek even found time to hit the post with another header. Pablo Asencio had the perfect match, except a knee injury which will sideline him for two weeks. What a fabulous result!

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Cavalcante(c), Orellana, Franzese, Asencio (Santi 77), Doukas, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

retired_deljo

27.3.10
We have what I consider to be a half decent record against Juventus. A last minute goal and a controversial penalty did for us in Turin on the last two games, and we ran La Vecchia Signora over 3-0 on the last day last season. My midfield is reshaped, as Franzese joins Asencio on the injured list. Santi and Lewis come in.

Varese 2
McPhee 32
Dobek 73

Juventus 2
Pazzini 45
Trezeguet 49

A draw isn't the worst result, as for a while we could have walked off with nothing. We dominated the opening exchanges, with Juve keeper Pegolo forced into a number of saves - one world class stop from Alexiou was unbelievable. We took the lead on thirty-two minutes, as Doukas planted the ball onto McPhee's head to score his seventh in eight games. If we could have taken the lead into half time we may well have won, but unfortunately Giampiero Pazzini (who I considered buying in the summer) headed past a rooted Stekelenburg. To make matters worse David Trezeguet scrambled in a second shortly after the restart. Thankfully for us, Ranieri instructed his side to sit back, which allowed us to take a more adventurous outlook. It paid off seventeen minutes from time as Dobek dribbled brilliantly to sear a shot past Pegolo. A decent draw in all.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Cavalcante(c), Orellana, Lewis, Santi, Doukas, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

Our run in is pretty tough:

Roma Away (2nd in table)
Inter Home (3rd)
Salernitana Away (12th)
Perugia Home (10th)
Atalanta Away (15th)
Bari Home (14th)

The last three could be the most crucial, as long as we make something from the first three.

4.4.10
I fully expect Roma to beat us this afternoon. After all, their quality is such that we shouldn't pose much of a threat. Shouldn't. We are also without Asencio, Franzese, and now McPhee for three weeks. Orellana plays through the pain barrier.

Roma 2
Piper 11 pen
Cavenaghi 21

Varese 0

At least we were able to come out of this with some respect. Roma started as I had expected - looking to pile in the goals against a defence known to leak goals. Their first needed to come from the penalty spot. Stekelenburg brought Eder Bau down, and Matty Piper stroked in his tenth of the season. The greatest striker in the world then made it twenty Serie A goals for the season, as Fernando Cavenaghi dribbled through powerfully and clipped in. We did pretty well - as well as we could - but Roma are just too superior, especially at home. They had a third disallowed as Luizao was just offside for a header. We went down the other end, and Alexiou finished nicely in front of the Curva Nord, only to also feel the wrath of the linesman's flag. The defeat may just see the end of feint Champions League hopes, as eleven points in five games is tough to make up - but not impossible.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Cavalcante(c), Orellana, Lewis (Mina 70), Rønning, Doukas, Santos, Dobek, Vieri (Makela 70), Alexiou

retired_deljo

11.4.10
We have a half decent record at home to Inter, and we must get something from them today. Bar McPhee, I have the strongest side I can name available. Makela replaces Vieri.

Varese 2
Franzese 63 pen
Santos 75

Inter 2
Leiva 41
Veron 60
Frey sent off 63

A point was a God-send here after the start we made, and how it looked eventually. Inter were all over us in the first half, but we were able to hold off everything the Nerazzuri threw our way. Until the fourty-first minute. A low corner somehow found its way to Max Leiva, and we were deservedly behind. Cupér's side came out even better in the second half, and doubled the advantage from Juan Seba Veron's timed volley. Then things went our way. Sebastien Frey took Alexiou down in the area, and was subsequently dismissed. Poor planning on Inter's part meant they didin't have a replacement to bring on, leaving Nicola Ventola to go in goal. His first task was to fish Franzese's penalty out of the net. Sensing blood, we surged forwards, as their goalkeeper was suspect to say the least. Their defence wasn't though. Santos equalised after we cut through and beat Ventola, who looked like a rabbit in front of headlights. We weren't able to get an winner, which means our Champions League dreams are gone for another season, but a UEFA Cup place is far from out of reach.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Cavalcante(c), Orellana, Asencio, Franzese, Doukas, Santos, Dobek, Makela (Mina 57), Alexiou

14.4.10
Lecce chief Delio Rossi contacts me this morning. He opens with pleasantries, congratulating us on our recent 6-1 demolition of his side. Business then gets going, as he offers £220,000 for my reserve team goalkeeper Sandro Liberti. Many of the backroom staff rate the youngster, but personally I don't see their way, and in truth I can't reject much money right now. I tell Rossi he may have a deal, and head off to inform Liberti of the news.

15.5.10
It appears that Liberti has accepted a move to Lecce. He'll leave when the transfer window opens, and I, hopefully, will be the recipient of some money.

18.4.10
Since Fabio Brini took over, Salernitana have been a less attacking side, but that doesn't take anything away from the danger they have. Mina plays ahead of Makela in the continued absence of McPhee, who should be fit for the final three games.

Salernitana 1
Favero 74

Varese 1
Asara 6

If anything we scored too early. Six minutes in Santos' corner was headed in by Domenico Asara for the youngsters first ever career goal. If the goal had arrived midway through the half we may have held out. In any event, we should have scored a few more. Alex Brunner had a fine day in the home goal, as he made saves from each of our front three, and then some. The second half told the same story. Alexiou was running the show, as he was both creating and attempting to finish. One attempt shaved the post, another forced an amazing save from Brunner. Time was running out, but not quick enough, as with just sixteen minutes remaining Matteo Favero shot speculatively from the edge of the area, and the ball travelled past an unsighted Stekelenburg. A point keeps us in the hunt for a UEFA Cup spot, especially with a relatively easy run in.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Cavalcante(c), Orellana, Asencio, Franzese, Doukas, Santos, Dobek, Mina (Makela 84), Alexiou

retired_deljo

25.4.10
Perugia have been comfortable in mid-table obscurity since their promotion, and although they shouldn't offer a tough task they do have the quality to pose us some questions. McPhee is fit to return to lead the line, so Mina makes way.

Varese 4
Santos 6
McPhee 7, 45
Asara 56
Dobek injured 45

Perugia 1
Román 40

A comprehensive win is just the tonic for two remaining matches against sides battling the drop. We needed an early goal against a rather zesty Perugia side, and we got two. The first was a typical Santos goal. The Brazilian playmaker set out on a run, beat some defenders, before slotting into Indiveri's corner to make it a round fifteen for the season. Before Perugia had time to think, we were two ahead. Asencio received the ball wide, and delivered a perfect cross for Stephen McPhee. He headed in his 100th league career goal. We started to look irrestistable. Indiveri made sabes from Alexiou, McPhee and Orellana as we seeked to put the match beyond the Umbrians. We were given a shock five minutes before half time as Spanish striker José MarÃ*a Román scored a delightful goal to bring Perugia right back into it. Mateusz Dobek was then taken off injured, but he should be fine - it was a small knock. Seconds later Santos' corner met McPhee's head, and he continued a career-best season with his 26th in all competitions, and nineteenth in Serie A. The second half was in our control, as we managed to kill the game with a fourth. Another Santos corner headed towards Domenico Asara. The centre back swung his left foot at the ball, and it rippled the net! Two in two for the unassuming centre back. With Lecce and Lazio facing tougher run-ins, it's highly likely we could make fifth place.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Cavalcante(c), Orellana, Asencio, Franzese, Doukas, Santos, Dobek (Mina 45), McPhee, Alexiou

2.5.10
Atalanta, despite being in a poor position, have some breathtaking talent. We'll have to be at our very best to get something from Bergamo. Makela plays in place of the injured Dobek.

Atalanta 1
Gatti 87

Varese 2
McPhee 63
Asara 90

Domenico Asara may have just become one of this clubs heroes. An injury time winner which keeps us in with a shout of a UEFA Cup place. The first half was a mixed affair as both sides cancelled each other out. In the sixth minute Massimo Donati had a header ruled offside. Rolando Bianchi was the Nerazzurri's best player, and on 36 minutes he too had a goal disallowed in similar fashion. Santos was as busy as ever on our part. At half time I told the team to keep it tight and try to nab a goal - but the way we play that never looked likely. Three minutes after the hour we stole the goal I so craved. Santos created the opening for McPhee, who saw Atalanta keeper La Notte advancing. He lobbed the Italian to perfection to give us a lead. With three minutes left I thought we had had the game cruelly snatched from within our grasp. Scotti shifted the ball to Fabio Gatti, who smashed past Stekelenburg. I could sense my lot were crushed, but when he was needed, Claudio Cavalcante picked them up for one last hurrah. And what a hurrah. Santos endeavoured to earn a corner. Taken by the Brazilian himself, he planted it onto Asara's free head for the defender's third goal in as many games, to take three vital points.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Cavalcante(c), Orellana, Asencio, Franzese, Doukas, Santos, Makela, McPhee, Alexiou

We only have sixth place to challenge for now, since Lecce managed to claim a 2-1 win in Roma of all places. I guess that shows how great our 6-1 win in Lecce was. Lazio have a home game against Bologna, in which they must win to guarantee sixth spot. We have Bari at the Franco Ossola, and we also need to rely on Bologna doing us a favour. It will be dramatic, as Bari themselves need a win to avoid dropping to Serie B.

retired_deljo

9.5.10
The last day of the season always has a certain element of tension and excitement about it. Even moreso if the team involved still has something to play for. Nowhere in Serie A has more riding on the outcome of one game than our match at home to Bari. If we win, there's the possibility of a place in the UEFA Cup (which believe me, is a major achievement for us, having only been in Serie A two years), which is a direct route as opposed to the Inter-Toto route. Bari need a win to have a chance of survival. If we live up to our part, we need a favour from Bologna. Giuseppe Pillon's side are horribly inconsistent, and have a pathetic record at the Olimpico - without a win in ten matches there. I'll be keeping touch with events there, by way of my scout Luciano Canala. On our side, Mateusz Dobek returns for the big match. Can we do it?..........

Varese 3
Santos 1
Doukas 8
Alexiou 35

Bari 1
Stefani 71

We lived up to our part, with a comprehensive first half performance. In the very first minute, Santos got us off to the perfect start by taking advantage of some poor defending to score his sixteenth of the season. Seven minutes later we doubled the lead in fine style. We were awarded a free kick around 25 yards out. Stilianos Doukas curled an effort low and hard into the bottom right hand corner, beating Mario Cassano. Bari looked like a team already relegated, as we swarmed over them desperate to secure our side of the bargain. Santos and McPhee both came agonisingly close to doing the job. After supplying endless chances, Roberto Franzese finally found someone who could finish his work. He gave Christos Alexiou the rather simple task of rolling the ball into an unguarded net for his sixteenth of the campaign. Going into half time, I was fully aware of developments down South in Rome......

......The first half of Bologna vs Lazio was a one sided affair, but ended with a scoreline which suggested far from that. Quite expectedly, Lazio came out looking for a lead to which they could cling to. Andrea Rabito came close for Mancio's men, and Denis Pavesi forced a half-decent save from Pompei. On twenty five minutes though, things went in our favour. Prete's free kick was headed in by Claudio Pizarro. Lazio looked shocked, and went desperately after an equaliser. Pellicori (once) and Riihilahti (twice) hit vicious efforts well saved by Pompei. In injury time it became even better. Manolis Ligkos created an opportunity to cross, and Pizarro headed in the second. The half time whistle went in the perfect situation for us.

Back in Northern Italy, the players half knew the situation as the crowd were already celebrating, as supporters inevitably will. But I told them not to become complacent, as anything was still possible. Bari needed something, which they came to get from Menezes Guimaraes in particular. The Portuguese striker hit the post and shaved the bar early in the second half. Shortly after this, things became more tense for me, as my audio connections to Rome broke down. The last thing I heard was "Stefan Schulze's still going, and still! Can he score..." and then I lost it. The crowd suddenly started celebrating, and I had the jist that Bologna were 3-0 up in Lazio! Twenty minutes from time, Bari clawed a goal back from Riccardo Stefani. They pushed on, desperate to stay afloat, but time ran out. We won 3-1, thus upholding our end. The question was, could Bologna hold out?

retired_deljo

YES! Aki Riihilahti pulled one back for the Biancocelesti, but against all odds, Bologna pulled a rabbit out of the bag and allowed us to leapfrog Lazio and secure a direct route back into the UEFA Cup, and with it valuable funds. The day was dramatic, even if only for a UEFA Cup place, but also a memorable one.

Team: Stekelenburg, Asara, Cavalcante(c), Orellana, Asencio, Franzese, Doukas, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

The Final Table

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * Italian Serie A - Sunday 9th May 2010********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2009/0 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st C Milan 34 16 1 0 38 10 13 4 0 29 10 92 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Roma 34 14 0 3 43 13 9 3 5 30 16 72 3rd Inter 34 13 2 2 30 12 9 2 6 19 20 70 4th Parma 34 9 4 4 22 13 9 5 3 29 14 63 5th Lecce 34 8 3 6 21 17 7 6 4 18 14 54 6th VARESE 34 8 5 4 37 28 7 3 7 38 31 53 7th Lazio 34 8 2 7 23 16 7 4 6 23 21 51 8th Juventus 34 9 6 2 19 8 3 6 8 13 21 48 9th Venezia 34 8 5 4 22 17 4 5 8 15 26 46 10th Bologna 34 7 7 3 31 19 5 2 10 21 30 45 11th Napoli 34 8 2 7 25 16 2 7 8 20 34 39 12th Perugia 34 6 6 5 23 20 4 3 10 8 26 39 13th Atalanta 34 5 6 6 16 17 4 4 9 15 28 37 14th Salernitana 34 5 6 6 24 23 3 5 9 19 30 35 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15th R Udinese 34 6 4 7 20 19 2 5 10 12 25 33 16th R Bari 34 5 3 9 20 29 4 3 10 14 31 33 17th R Cagliari 34 4 4 9 16 28 4 2 11 10 24 30 18th R Sampdoria 34 0 5 12 13 37 0 2 15 9 42 7 </pre>

The summer will certainly be a time of change. With so many of the squad reaching retirement, I will need to look for young, quality players who will shape the future of the club, both on the pitch and financially.

1.6.10
FIFA publish their official squad lists for the World Cup in Brazil, and a few Varese players will be gracing the tournament. Christos Alexiou is named in the Greek party, whilst Maarten Stekelenburg is named in the Holland squad.

retired_deljo

2.6.10
It's time for a review of the season;

We have to be satisfied again with a season of good progress. Moving into the top six in Italy is a tough task to achieve, with only Parma doing it well in recent times. An automatic UEFA Cup place will allow us a summer of preparation (excluding those who will be in Brazil) for another season. People were still labelling us as candidates for a relegation spot back in August, as they thought our debut season was just a fluke. We showed them, as with some cracking early form we looked good for a Champions League spot. A horrid run in the winter (once again) put pay to that, but we showed great character in the last dozen games to make up some ground and qualify for the UEFA Cup, where we made good progress this year too. Varese's debut season in European competition ended in disappointment, but we'll be better for the experience.

For the first time in a couple of seasons Maarten Stekelenburg could not take his position between the sticks for granted. Francesco Toldo came in last summer and did well initially. But when Stekelenburg was needed, he showed he was number one, and some fantastic performances showed in both our league position and the awards given out by the FIGC. That said, Toldo did the business when needed too. The defence wasn't too bad this season, as we conceded the same total of goals as we did last season. The plus points come in the form of two emerging teenage centre backs. First to make an impression was Renzo Andreazzoli, who showed incredible endurance and ability for a seventeen year old in Serie A. Injuries also brought in Domenico Asara from the academy, and this lad can play. He looks like an accomplished player already, and should form our defence for years. Three goals in the last four games also helped our push for Europe immensely. Daniel Orellana took on a more leader-type role as the senior member of the back three, but aged 22 he is still learning too. When Claudio Cavalcante moved back into defence nearer the end of the season he revelled in his new role at first. Some shaky performances followed, but he seemed to enjoy it. For how long he'll stay there is anyone's guess. The more experienced names like Rønning, Tcherevchenko, and Gorini all helped in at points, but I think this season was a big one for the defence, which they passed well.

The midfield played very well, as ever. Claudio Cavalcante was the star for the opening months, as a four-goal haul against Napoli signalled his brilliance. Stilianos Doukas chipped in with crucial goals and thirteen assists, which was great, considering I was on the verge of selling him in January. Roberto Franzese had his best season for a while, reaching double figures as a top flight player for the first time. Pablo Asencio found it hard to break into the three man midfield until the New Year, but when he did he was immense, and showed he was not prepared to give his role away to anyone. His thirteen games yielded one goal and six assists, but more importantly only one defeat. Carlos Alberto Viera Dos Santos had his 'worst' season for a while, as he failed to reach 20 goals, but sixteen is not to be scoffed at, as the Brazilian dug us out of some big holes.

The strikeforce was more organised than last season. Dobek and Alexiou were in place for much of the season, as with last season, but this time we found the focal point in the middle. Dobek did very well, and although people will note that both his goals and assists were lower than last season, it evens out with the other players. Alexiou scored sixteen more for the club as he attempts to prove he is the best striker here. But that will be a hard crown to remove from Stephen McPhee. The diminutive Scot may not look like your typical centre forward, but 27 goals in 41 competitive games is brilliant. 33 goals in 46 Serie A games for Varese is a record almost unmatched by even the best there have ever been. A league goals-per-game average of 0.71 so far in his Varese career is quality, and if he can carry that forwards then he may be the best Serie A has ever had. Juho Makela's two goals came at crucial times, whilst Roberto Javier Mina managed a good return of five goals from ten starts and numerous sub appearances.

It should be pointed out that we managed fewer points than last season, and fewer goals. All that matters however is that we finished two places higher in the table. A productive summer should lead to a revitalised Varese for the 2010/11 season, and hopefully we can take the big step into the Champions League by this time next year!

retired_deljo

Let us take a review of the major European happenings....

Here in Italy Milan went through an entire league season unbeaten, something unrivalled in its time. Dropping just ten points is no surprise for Ancelotti's squad of world beaters. Roma, with the irrepressible Cavenaghi, finished in second for the fifth straight season. Inter improved on sixth last season to make third spot, a clear seven points from Parma, who despite only finishing fourth have made an automatic Champions League place as they won this year's European Cup with a 2-1 win over Celtic in London's Wembley Stadium. It's been an amazing twenty years for the Emilia side, culminating with this outstanding achievement. Lecce and Varese take the UEFA Cup places. Udinese, Bari, Cagliari and Sampdoria all make the familiar trip down to Serie B, whilst returning from the nether regions are Brescia, Como, Vicenza, and Torino.
The English Premiership title belongs to Liverpool for the fourth straight year. A twelve point margin from second placed Sunderland meant Houllier's men had the league sewn up a long time before winning the Champions League in a 1-0 win over Inter to complete a fantastic double. Man Utd and Chelsea take the remaining European Cup places, as Chelsea drew 2-2 with Forest on the last day to do enough to deny the Nottingham side, and reduce them to a UEFA Cup spot. Middlesbrough, Charlton and Sheffield United found the season too tough to stay afloat, with West Ham, Blackburn, and Tottenham all making welcome returns to the top flight.
After a shaky start, Barcelona took an eight straight title in Spain. Javier Saviola is quite unstoppable, and it showed as Barca continue their amazing feat. Betis againn finished second, for the fifth time in eight years, a point ahead of Real Madrid. Mallorca stole ahead of Deportivo to make the Champions League qualifiers that come with fourth place. Real Sociedad are relegated for the first time in their history, as Gonzalo Arkonada was proven to be the wrong man for the job. Sevilla and Las Palmas join them on the way down, but times are brighter for Basque rivals Bilbao, who are Champions of the Segunda Division, and are joined in promotion by Elche and Albacete.
Quite amazingly, Nantes won the title in France. Nothing to do with their side, as the canaries have talent in depth. Nor Bordeuax in second place. Amazing because Lyon finished third. Striker Javier Portillo scored 41 goals in his 35 league games, whilst Sinama-Pongolle managed eighteen in total. However, it was Nantes who took the title as Lyon just couldn't defend. Laval, Valenciennes, and Saint-Etienne go down, and up are Guingamp, Troyes, and Istres. Special mention to Paris Saint Germain, who avoided a third straight relegation by finishing three points from the drop zone in the French National League.
Dortmund retained the Bundesliga crown in Germany after a dramatic collapse by Bayern Munich. A better end to the season from Hitzfeld's side may have seen them take the crown, but Dortmund held on. Leverkusen made third, ahead of Stuttgart and Union Berlin. Unterhaching, Cottbus, and Bremen go down, whilst returning to Bundesliga 2 are Bochum, Hamburg, and Borussia MGB.