Larsson and Ibra enjoyed playing together a great deal. If there's one player Zlatan was always humble when stood next to him, that was Larsson.
I think I did a translation from Offside here once which explained how much of a role model and idol Larrson was to Zlatan.

Edit: When Zlatan emerged, he was an overly cocky, untamed half-loon. He's still a bit wild but Larsson has meant a great deal to Zlatan. Ibra has said so himself. Larsson was his one most important mentor who taught him a lot about how to handle media and other things.

I have not seen a lot of Ibra with Sweden so it's hard for me to comment on his contributions to their play, but I have seen enough of him at club level to think that his overall style of play is deceptive. He appears to be doing nothing for much of the game, but I don't know if that's accurate. I think he just understands when pressing another player will lead to getting the ball back and when letting the player have the ball will be ok. I know that I am talking about his defensive contributions here, but he seems to understand that if a central defender has the ball and can easily pass the ball when pressed by Ibra that it's not worth Ibra pressing, especially when the central defender holding the ball near his own box will not lead to a goal. Ball possession in one's own half is not going to win a game.

Similarly, he seems to understand when and how to move when his side has the ball, but he still lacks the gusto of someone like Kuyt, for example. In the end, though, these runners like Kuyt or Arsenal's Ray Parlour are nowhere near as effective (or good) as Ibra. These 2 guys seem to be Ibra's antithesis.

Again, I think he just looks kind of lazy but really he does what he needs to do to help make goals and score goals. I say all of this as someone who thought Barca were complete fools to do the deal they did because (A) they spent money when a straight swap could likely have worked and (B) I would have rather had Eto'o. And I say all of this as a PSG fan who thinks the purchase of Ibra is insane given the money involved and the overall quality of/competition in Ligue 1. In short, I have nothing invested in him, but I think he's a winner and if Liverpool or Roma had bought him I would be happy.

Getting down to the serious stuff in the Calcioscommesse trials... Antonio Conte has just turned down a plea bargain of a 3-month ban, and will now go to full trial and risk a much lengthier spell in the cooler.

The Conte story is strange.

He seems to think that he had a deal for a three month ban in exchange for some kind of plea, but the authorities are saying that was never the case.

It's also a bit weird that whereas he has been charged with failing to report the fix while at Siena, they haven't charged any of the players who allegedly fixed the result.

All of this is allowing a certain kind of Juventini to turn their paranoid conspiracy fantasies up to 11.

A good background piece for Anglophones by Suzy Campanale.

I see Juventus are due to play Napoli in Beijing in the Super Cup. Is there any particular reason why this is held in China or is it one of those 39th game gimmick type of things?

The Super Cup has been held abroad for a few years now, for the standard 'expand the brand' reasons.

Second year in a row in Beijing. There have been a couple in America in the past as well.

Leo Bonucci looking good (or bad) for a Calcioscommesse ban now, so Juve are scrabbling around looking for a replacement defender.

The one immediately after juve played AC milan in the Cl final was in america if I recall correctly.

Yes, and the year before that it was in Libya.
However, Napolis owner Aurelio de Laurentis said a few weeks ago that he refuses the bullshit of a super cup being played in China and that Napoli will not travel.

Have they fixed the opening day fixtures yet? You see, I could do with the cash this month and I thought I'd put a few quid down.

See first post. Bet for a 89th min penalty win for Juventus

Pietro Paolo Virdis wrote:


Indeed. I can't share the positive sentiments in the early posts on this thread I'm afraid, I'm more turned off Serie A than ever. Juventus will walk it even without their coach as Milan don't have a team and Inter are too busy fussing over their new stadium to worry about strengthening on the pitch either. The relegation places will probably be decided before the kick off by points deductions so no excitement down that end of the table either. Nobody trusts any game or result anymore, ticket sales are down and there just feels like a general malaise over the whole game.

This season I will mostly be following Serie D. Or possibly another sport entirely.

From the ACM page. So much wrong with this.

Etienne wrote:


Ah ok, thanks.


Interesting. I figured getting back into the Champions League would've been all important for Inter. So they're gonna move out of the San Siro?
Highlights from Juve's 2-0 win over Malaga in Salerno.

El Tel wrote:


Yes. The contract is going to the Chinese Railway Company. Can't see anything going wrong with that...

Marco Di Vaio got a one year ban, which has Montreal Impact more than a little concerned.

Jobi1 wrote:

Reading that book on Italia 90 by Pete Davies I'm guessing that no matter what it will take forever and a day to build.


I seen the prosecutor is pushing for a 3 year ban for Bonucci, I wonder why Juve just gave him a new 5 year contract when this was hanging over him?

jefe wrote:


I haven't paid close attention to this stuff, because, to be honest, football is a pleasurable hobby for me. Thus, I prefer the ignorance is bliss approach to scandals. It's hard to ignore, though, when every Milan game seems to have endless amounts of injury time and when penalties/throw-ins/offside decisions go in Juve's favor.

But to the matter at hand: DiVaio has scored a to of goals ever since leaving Juve for Valencia about 5, 6, 7 years ago (can't remember exactly, obviously). What are the accusations as they relate to him?

danielmak wrote:


This article from Gazzetta details what the various parties are being prosecuted for. In DiVaio's case I guess its failure to blow the whistle.

So, Bonucci & Pepe cleared, Conte suspended for 10 months.