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22.3.03
The injury crisis means the visit from Fermana is going to be so much harder. Cadeddu, Ragatzu, Rinaldini all play, and Jesus makes it through the pain barrier.
Varese 0 Gorini injured 45
Sergio Paez injured 63
Fermana 1
Montoan 53
The crisis turned into a horror show, as we picked up 2 more injuries to make our squad resemble a hopsital list rather than a football team. We showed some mettle as wee almost scored through first Ragatzu, then Jesus, as the latter hit the inside of the post. Gorini had to come off injured at half time with a twisted knee then Fermana's Enrico Montoan stabbed in the winning goal, to shade the win, and maintain their good position. The injuries weren't over, as Paez was taken off with a bad cut on his leg. More injuries, more problems.
30.3.03
Albinoleffe have a 4 point advantage over us going into the clash at the Carlo Martinelli. Some of the team are back, but we're still horribly weakened.
Pathetic We were 3 down inside 12 minutes, and Albinoleffe had another disallowed at 2-0 up. Del Prato opened the floodgates, and Araboni's header made the rout possible. 23 seconds later Colombo had a header ruled out, but Pellegris added the 3rd anyway. Biava tapped in the 4th, and we had lost already. I made a change at the break, and we played better, scoring through our first attempt - a Ragatzu header. But even then we couldn't score, Gascoigne came close, but Regonesi's first goal for his club completed a dismal day for us We haven't got the squad to go up yet, but with performances like today, we don't deserve to go up.
2.4.03
Reggiana are next, and again we're not at full strength, with a weakened defence and a totally different attack to the regular one.
Varese 0
Reggiana 0 De Vezze sent off 29
Not bad at all, considering we were thumped last time. A draw is good for me considering we're so stretched, and a clean sheet a nice bonus. I wonder how much that has to do with the return of Santi to hold the team together. He was MotM again with the passing and tackling that has served us so well this season. Very little action to talk about, the best opportunity fell to Gascoigne shortly after half time. We had a couple of half hearted penalty appeals turned down at the end, and the visitors had De Vezze sent off for a push. Not the most inspiring of games, but we got a good point.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Brian of Nazareth:
KUTGW - I think Good Stuff!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
thanks Brian - I do try
01-14-2003, 02:32 PM
I can't believe I thought it would be easy (the Italian Job challenge) Post #44
6.4.03
Treviso can be considered top of the League, as Fiorentina have run away ahead of them. It won't be easy, but it helps that the first choice back 3 are re-united at last.
Treviso 2
Dundjerski 27
Lanzara 50
Varese 2
Nielsen 5
Gascoigne 35
The only gripe I have with the game is that twice we surrendered a lead. Early doors, the first attack of the game lead to Anders Nielsen running in unmarked at the back post to score his first goal since returning to action As expected, Treviso began to get on top, and the pressure told as former Atalanta winger Dundjerski crashed in a drive to level. But we got ahead again, as Gascoigne found the net from close range, as Plaquet's crosses were again dangerous. The final goal came early into the second half, as Lanzara volleyed in his 1st of the season at this late stage in the campaign. I would have taken a point with both hands if offered before kick off, and we took it, although Gascoigne could have scored again late on.
Gascoigne played injured, and now faces a 2 week lay off.
13.4.03
Things look like getting back to normal as 3rd placed Lucchese try to gain a playoff place. Gascoigne is replaced by Ragatzu, and Sergio Paez returns to lead the line.
Varese 2
Sergio Paez 21
Ragatzu 45
Lucchese 3
Carruezzo 28
Binho 41
Stefani 68
Once again we've lost a game that could have gone any one of 3 ways. We took the deserved lead as Paez marked his return with a right footed volley past Gazzoli. Soon enough though, Carruezzo headed in the equaliser off the crossbar, and another header, this one from Binho, gave them a lead. But Ragatzu can header as well, as he showed when he equalised in first half stoppage time. The 2nd half was forgettable, as Stefani's headed winner was the only action noteworthy. We showed today that we can live with the better sides with what's close to our strongest side, and if we can get everyone fit regularly we can do better than our current 10th place.
The last 3 games we have the three P's - Pisa, Pro Sesto, and Pistoiese.
20.4.03
Finally, Brognoli is able to return, as we visit Pisa, sitting on top of us in the table. My strongest team (minus Gazza) is now available.
Pisa 2
Capuano 23
Loria 85 og
Varese 1
Sergio Paez 26 Brognoli injured 43
We couldn't have lost in a more cruel fashion. Pisa dominated from start to finish, and scored first as Capuano blasted home past Dei. But we pegged back into it straight away, Paez scoring to continue his run of finding the onion bag The home side pushed on with unbelievable pressure, but we held on for so long, until late on, as Constantino's header hit Loria's head, and took the ball over Dei to hit us with a cruel defeat The only solice we can take is the fact that because of other results, we are now safe from any battle against relegation
Brognoli hurt his thigh but it's not a big problem. The press, however, have decided to criticise his lacklustre attitude and performances. I tell them to look at his form before his injury, then make a judgment. The cheek!
27.4.03
Pro Sesto have had a bad season, and they're already confined to the playoffs for relegation. We, however, have nothing to play for. Gascoigne can return in place of Ragatzu.
Varese 3
Jesus 31
Gascoigne 48
Santi 60
Pro Sesto 2
Colombo 50
Putelli 81
A quite good game to watch, this was. Just a shade under 20 degrees in April, both sides played some good football. We took the lead after half an hour as Gascoigne drove in a viscious cross that Jesus only had to guide past Aciallini. We held the lead until after half time, after which we doubled the advantage as Gascoigne clipped in from range, a shot that nearly blew the net off And we needed that, as Colombo found a way past Dei two minutes later to get Pro Sesto back in it. We needed a cushion to play more comfortably with, and we got it through the 16 year old sensation Santi's first goal in his career. A loose ball fell to him, he feigned to shoot first time, went around Gobba, and unleashed a shot that Aciallini never saw Roberto Putelli headed in another goal to make the last 10 minutes less comfortable, but we claimed our 11th win of the season, and one of the more satisfying ones too.
4.5.03
The last day of the season is greeted by glorius sunshine, 32 degrees in Northern Italy, as already condemned Pistoiese come to play. For the first time in a while, and maybe last, my strongest side is selected, as I tell the team to enjoy the game, but to make sure we win.
Varese 1
Sergio Paez 32
Pistoiese 0
The lack of pressure on us meant that we played freely and lucidly, and got rewards too. Sergio Paez had 5 shots - all in the first half, and got the goal his work deserved on the half hour, as he was found unmarked to beat the goalie. To be fair, the visitors attacked their fair share, but the defence, especially Loria, played very well. We didn't score again, but we didn't need to, as the win ended up comfortable.
I think 9th place is a very impressive finish for us this season, after last season's relegation battle. We are absolutely in the middle of the table, and showed some real ability this season. The progression was good, and we can go on this summer and prepare for a real assault on promotion, if the money situation sorts itself.
01-14-2003, 02:36 PM
I can't believe I thought it would be easy (the Italian Job challenge) Post #46
15.5.03
We are in need of money, so I decide to take a look at our cumulative squad and judge who we don't need that is a) taking up too much space on the wage bill, and b) we can get decent return for. I decide the only real business to be made is to transfer list Lennart Lynge Larsen, who played all of my first season but none in the second.
Within a few hours I receive a bid from Kalmar FF of £140k Of course, payable over 6 months, but still, I accept the large sum. Larsen may want to move.
17.5.03
Chesterfield, Hull, and Orgryrte all bid for Larsen, £130k each, but all up front I accept them all and inform each other of each others interest, in the hope one will stump up more cash to get their man.
Later in the afternoon Larsen agrees terms with the Icelandic side Orgryte. £130k will be our shortly, a much needed windfall.
1.6.03
Lets take the annual look at how things finished in Europe....
Starting in Italy, and Lazio took the Serie A title convincingly, by 5 points after all was done. Nobody stood out as a star, but the teams unity and all round ability gave them their 3rd Scudetto. Milan took second place, ahead of 3rd placed Juventus, and Roma back in fourth. 3 of the 4 sides relegated were promoted this time last season, as Ascoli, Siena, and Palermo were all joined on the trip to Serie B by Piacenza. Going in the other direction to the promised land are Como, Napoli, Brescia and Venezia - 3 of the 4 were relegated last season. Oh how times change... Spain once again saw Barcelona take the La Liga title after a great 2nd half to the season. Saviola and Kluivert led Van Gaal's assault on the title, and they won it very comfortably in the end, 8 clear of Atletico. Deportivo are one further back in 3rd, and Racing Santander stole ahead of Real Madrid into the last ECL spot. Valencia made an amazing recovery to avoid relegation at the expence of Recreativo, who slide along with Malaga and Alaves, two sides who, after fairytale years, hit reality with a bang. Salamanca, Levante, and Sevilla (just) make it up to La Liga, leaving Rayo ruing missed opportunities.
Liverpool took the English Premiership Crown by a solitary point from Arsene Wenger's Arsenal. Gillingham, top for so long, ended up down in 8th. The real surprise saw Newcastle relegated from the top flight after a decade there. They drop down with Birmingham and Crystal Palace, and to be replaced by Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, and finally Portsmouth, who clinched a playoff win over Wolves.
In France it was Lorient who clinched their first ever League Championship, by a huge margin of 7 points from runners up Rennes. Patrice Loko's 33 goals gave them the title that no-one expected them to last for. Marseille turned their fortunes around by steering into 3rd spot. Sochaux, Niort, and Metz went down, the latter only on goal difference from Nimes. Caen, Bastia, and Champions Cannes go up to the First Division.
Finally to Germany, and Hertha Berlin won their first Bundesliga crown for 72 years, despite crashing 3-0 at home to Werder Bremen on the last day, as it was Leverkusen's win at Bayern Munich that sent them into second and gave Hertha the title with a 1-0 win at Bochum. As expected, Hannover, Cottbus and Bochum all drop out of the top flight, and they'll be replaced by Koln, Frankfurt, and St.Pauli.
6.6.03
It's Annual Awards time, as those who've impressed in the last year are recognised;
FIFA World Player of the Year - Fabio Cannavaro (Inter)
World Footballer of the Year - Javier Saviola (Barcelona)
Italian Serie C1/A Manager of the Year - Alberto Zaccheroni (Fiorentina)
Serie A Player of the Year - Walter Samuel (Roma)
Serie A Young Player of the Year - Andrea Barzagli (Ascoli)
Serie A Defender of the Year - Walter Samuel (Roma)
Serie A Top Goalscorer - Andriy Shevchenko (Milan, 18 goals)
Serie A Italian Player of the Year - Roberto Muzzi (Parma)
Serie A Foreign Player of the Year - Andriy Shevchenko (Milan)
Serie B Player of the Year - Stephan Appiah (Brescia)
Serie B Top Goalscorer - Mario Frick (Ternana, 26 goals)
Serie C1/A Player of the Year - Mirco Gubellini (Triestina)
Serie C1/A Top Goalscorer - Mirco Gubellini (Triestina, 32 goals)
And...Christian Santi was voted into the Serie C1/A Team of the Season, which is a great feat for a 16 year old in his first season He deserves it too.
01-14-2003, 02:37 PM
I can't believe I thought it would be easy (the Italian Job challenge) Post #47
7.6.03
I'll give my annual review of the season. It was a far better campaign than last year, as we consolidated ourselves in mid table, found out a bit more about ourselves, and put ourselves into a decent position to challenge. Inconsistency was again the same old problem, but at times we showed that we are capable of grinding out a result, or snatching something we never deserved. We could have done with scoring a few more goals, but that can be worked on.
The defence was far better this season, as Dei, Bandirali, Gorini and Loria started to respond as a team. They'll hopefully be together next season too, allowing us a base to build on. The emergence of teenage sensation Christian Santi was the highlight of the season. For a 16 year old to average 8.00 over 30 games is brilliant, and he held the defence and midfield together in a far more compact and rigid form.
The midfieders also did more this season. The 12 assists from Laurent Plaquet on the left far exceeded my expectations and he chipped in with goals. Marco Fuoco, Paul Gascoigne and Mauro Ragatzu all performed beyond themselves at times, and when Anders Nielsen returned from a years layoff he slotted in perfectly The backup wasn't bad either, as Rinaldini again fulfilled his role.
Up front we were at times lightweight. Stefano Brognoli struck 10 goals, half his tally last year, but he did suffer badly from injury. Sergio Paez took time to acclimatise, and found his feet nearer the end, scoring with regularity. The backup - Jesus, Majella and co. all gave their best, and were rewarded at times.
A prosperous summer for the club and the squad may again see a third season of improvement, especially if we can continue in our current ways, and avoid injuries.
Next: The summer break
01-14-2003, 06:30 PM
I can't believe I thought it would be easy (the Italian Job challenge) Post #48
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by flipsix3:
Looing good Juni, hope you've got yourself settled in for the long haul <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I've actually sidetracked the challenge, and gone with Varese for Serie A
seriously, everyone else who's picked a team in C1/A, I've only seen Varese battling against the drop, so I'm kinda happy :/
01-14-2003, 11:10 PM
I can't believe I thought it would be easy (the Italian Job challenge) Post #50
European Footballer of the Year - David Trezeguet (Juventus)
European Goalkeeper of the Year - Oliver Kahn (FC Bayern)
European Defender of the Year - Fabio Cannavaro (Inter)
European Midfielder of the Year - Oliver Neuville (Leverkusen)
European Striker of the Year - David Trezeguet (Juventus)
19.6.03
The Varese fans chose Christian Santi as their player of last season. Damn right as well
20.6.03
As ever, today sees the release of the Serie C Cup fixtures, our group as follows
Group C
Alessandria
Legnano
Pro Vercelli
Valenzana
VARESE
Again we are drawn against Alessandra and Valenzana. I'll reserve judgment on our chances this time
21.6.03
I eagerly await the fax of the new seasons fixtures, released today. Here they come...
We start away to Spal, before returning home for the visit from Alessandria, and then away to Pisa. I'll not say that's easy, because every game in the division is hard. It looks tricky though.
1.7.03
Today sees the transfer deadline lifted, and I complete deals for Welsh striker Neil Roberts from Wigan, and Simone Loria on a permanent basis. One hat falls through, and I'm thoroughly annoyed, is the one for Lucas Maximillian Cantoro. The board think £26,000 is too much to pay for a player of his ability. Over 60 goals - he's a bargain, and I WILL talk them around it.
Later in the day my deal for Alessandro Sbrizzo is completed. I have a bargain here, as this guy is very highly rated in his aggression, bravery, balance, determination, and his stamina. He is a tremendous addition to the squad.
a boring month rolls through...with very little happening in July. Big transfers around, but very little news as you'd expect. I concentrate on preparing the team for our first Cup game, again against Alessandria :o
Negotiations are ongoing with Lucas Cantoro, who my board don't think is worth £26k I'm trying to entice him, and a rather well known Argentinian hitman here on loan. But who?
Next Up: Our match against Alessandria to Kick Off Season Three, and you may just see who the mystery man is
then Fermana's Enrico Montoan stabbed in the winning goal, to shade the win, and maintain their good position. The injuries weren't over, as Paez was taken off with a bad cut on his leg. More injuries, more problems.
Good Stuff!
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