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Phalanx Prophecy: Mancini Un-Manacled
No longer tied to Inter, Roberto Mancini's future destination provides the topic for this week's Phalanx Prophecy, before Zac Lee Rigg previews the week's Serie A action.
Oct 31, 2009 2:59:26 AM
By Zac Lee Rigg
There are two reasons you haven't seen Roberto Mancini linked with the AC Milan coaching position.
Mancini finally cut ties with Inter this week, receiving a hefty payout (reportedly 11 million Euros) to relieve him of his contract with the current Scudetto champions. After Jose Mourinho replaced Mancini in the Inter hotseat over a year ago, Mancini's contract still stood, making him a gaping drain on the club's finances.
When first shuffled aside to make way for the incoming Mourinho, the former Lazio boss wasn't hot property. Inter consistently underperformed in Europe and both Milan and Juventus were crippled by Calciopoli, causing clubs to undervalue Mancini's Scudetti wins.
Now, as a series of clubs question their coaching choices, the solid and steady Mancini looks a sure bet. The strongest rumors link him to the Real Madrid job, if the club pulls the plug on Manuel Pellegrini's reign.
Back to Milan. With coach Leonardo floundering, Mancini's proven track record of domestic success, and his ability to forge consistency out of an aging squad, the Milan post makes sense. But you probably won't read anything linking the pair.
Firstly, Mancini appears to want to leave Italy. He's always spoken fondly of his brief time as a player with Leicester City, and recently told the Italian media, "Experience abroad could be very useful for me, so I think that the time is right for it."
Secondly, Milan only hire former players as coaches. It's an odd tradition, but it's one the club sticks to. The former Italian international striker played for Sampdoria and Lazio for extended spells, after coming through the Bologna youth ranks.
It's a move that makes a lot of sense, yet one that will never come to fruition.
Last week: 2/3 (66%)
Season: 5/11 (45%)
Centurion – Napoli @ Juventus
Saturday, 6:00 p.m. EST
Fox Soccer Channel
The two Cannavaro brothers will meet in this battle between North and South. Big brother Fabio anchors the Juventus backline with experience and leadership, and the lesser known Paulo does a decent job for Napoli's defense. The interesting part of this match, familial rivalry aside, will be how the clubs carry on from positive midweek results. Juve finally clicked, stomping Sampdoria 5-1 and finding the best formation for the personnel available with the 4-2-3-1. Napoli scored twice in injury time to draw with AC Milan. Both sides will desperately look to keep the momentum going.
Key man: Amauri (Juventus) has sprung to life in recent weeks. With strike partner Vincezno Iaquinta injured, he became the lone fulcrum in attack and savored the extra space by scoring a brace against Sampdoria.
Prediction: Juventus win. At home, on song, and eager to catch Inter, this Juve side will prove too much for Napoli.
Optio – Genoa @ Palermo
Sunday, 7:00 p.m. EST
Fox Soccer Channel
Expect goals in this match. More goals have been scored in Genoa matches than any other team's Serie A games, and Palermo showed in its 5-3 loss to Inter midweek that it isn't afraid of high-scoring matches either. Both teams will line up with three-man defenses in progressive, attacking formations. It makes for great viewing for the neutral. As you watch the goals fly in, keep an eye on the goalkeepers. In the offseason these two teams swapped 'keepers. If one of the goalies has a good performance, you can expect extra grimaces on the opposing bench.
Key man: Giandomenico Mesto (Genoa) is one of the most electrifying players in the Serie A. He's already contributed a handful of long-range stunners to the season's highlight reel. With its narrow defense, Palermo may struggle to pick up Mesto's presence in the wide areas.
Prediction: Draw. Genoa can't seem to find the consistency needed to push for a top spot.
Decurion – Parma @ AC Milan
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EST
Fox Soccer Channel
After falling behind early and having to rebound to get results four games in a row, Milan tried a different tactic midweek. Goals from Pippo Inzaghi and Pato propelled Milan to a strong lead within five minutes before the team collapsed and let Napoli score twice in injury time to draw. Things do no look quite right at Milan, and fourth-placed Parma will lick its lips in anticipation of stealing a result.
Key man: Alberto Paloschi (Parma) is still part-owned by Milan. If the talented teenager scores another crafty goal like he did midweek, it could be the sort of convincing Milan need to bring him into the fold next season.
Prediction: Milan win. Despite the midweek collapse, Milan has looked far more assured of late.
Legionary – Inter @ Livorno
Sunday, 9:00 a.m. EST
Fox Soccer Channel
Serse Cosmi has two wins in the two games he's presided over for Livorno. For a newly-promoted team that had yet to win, that's quite the turnaround. Now the club sits just a point away from the spots safe from relegation. Cosmi will face his biggest task yet as Livorno manager when Inter come to town, fresh off a thrilling 5-3 win over Palermo. This game won't boast as many goals as that, but it should be an interesting coaching battle between Cosmi and Jose Mourinho.
Key man: Mario Balotelli (Inter) scored twice, assisted one, and won a penalty in the first half of the midweek win over Palermo. When on form, the temperamental 19-year-old striker can shred any defense in the world. If he carries that sizzling form into the weekend, Livorno doesn't stand a chance.
Prediction: Inter win. The team is just too strong, no matter how much Cosmi is enjoying his honeymoon period.
Civilians
Sampdoria need to prove the heavy 5-1 loss to Juventus is just a blip. "This match will be a valuable lesson to help us understand what our real ambitions are," said coach Gigi Del Neri, according to www.football-italia.net. Bari shouldn't pose much of a problem for the high-flying Sampdoria, but it will be crucial to return to winning ways immediately.
After an initial honeymoon period, Claudio Ranieri and Roma are well into the marital squabbles. Three losses on the trot for the capital club don't bode well. At home against Bologna, three points and only three points will satisfy the fans.
Zac Lee Rigg is an associate editor of Goal.com
Keep up to date with Serie A and Italy news with Goal.com's Italy page
There are two reasons you haven't seen Roberto Mancini linked with the AC Milan coaching position.
Mancini finally cut ties with Inter this week, receiving a hefty payout (reportedly 11 million Euros) to relieve him of his contract with the current Scudetto champions. After Jose Mourinho replaced Mancini in the Inter hotseat over a year ago, Mancini's contract still stood, making him a gaping drain on the club's finances.
When first shuffled aside to make way for the incoming Mourinho, the former Lazio boss wasn't hot property. Inter consistently underperformed in Europe and both Milan and Juventus were crippled by Calciopoli, causing clubs to undervalue Mancini's Scudetti wins.
Now, as a series of clubs question their coaching choices, the solid and steady Mancini looks a sure bet. The strongest rumors link him to the Real Madrid job, if the club pulls the plug on Manuel Pellegrini's reign.
Back to Milan. With coach Leonardo floundering, Mancini's proven track record of domestic success, and his ability to forge consistency out of an aging squad, the Milan post makes sense. But you probably won't read anything linking the pair.
Firstly, Mancini appears to want to leave Italy. He's always spoken fondly of his brief time as a player with Leicester City, and recently told the Italian media, "Experience abroad could be very useful for me, so I think that the time is right for it."
Secondly, Milan only hire former players as coaches. It's an odd tradition, but it's one the club sticks to. The former Italian international striker played for Sampdoria and Lazio for extended spells, after coming through the Bologna youth ranks.
It's a move that makes a lot of sense, yet one that will never come to fruition.
Last week: 2/3 (66%)
Season: 5/11 (45%)
 |
Saturday, 6:00 p.m. EST
Fox Soccer Channel
The two Cannavaro brothers will meet in this battle between North and South. Big brother Fabio anchors the Juventus backline with experience and leadership, and the lesser known Paulo does a decent job for Napoli's defense. The interesting part of this match, familial rivalry aside, will be how the clubs carry on from positive midweek results. Juve finally clicked, stomping Sampdoria 5-1 and finding the best formation for the personnel available with the 4-2-3-1. Napoli scored twice in injury time to draw with AC Milan. Both sides will desperately look to keep the momentum going.
Key man: Amauri (Juventus) has sprung to life in recent weeks. With strike partner Vincezno Iaquinta injured, he became the lone fulcrum in attack and savored the extra space by scoring a brace against Sampdoria.
Prediction: Juventus win. At home, on song, and eager to catch Inter, this Juve side will prove too much for Napoli.
Optio – Genoa @ Palermo
Sunday, 7:00 p.m. EST
Fox Soccer Channel
Expect goals in this match. More goals have been scored in Genoa matches than any other team's Serie A games, and Palermo showed in its 5-3 loss to Inter midweek that it isn't afraid of high-scoring matches either. Both teams will line up with three-man defenses in progressive, attacking formations. It makes for great viewing for the neutral. As you watch the goals fly in, keep an eye on the goalkeepers. In the offseason these two teams swapped 'keepers. If one of the goalies has a good performance, you can expect extra grimaces on the opposing bench.
 |
Prediction: Draw. Genoa can't seem to find the consistency needed to push for a top spot.
Decurion – Parma @ AC Milan
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EST
Fox Soccer Channel
After falling behind early and having to rebound to get results four games in a row, Milan tried a different tactic midweek. Goals from Pippo Inzaghi and Pato propelled Milan to a strong lead within five minutes before the team collapsed and let Napoli score twice in injury time to draw. Things do no look quite right at Milan, and fourth-placed Parma will lick its lips in anticipation of stealing a result.
Key man:
Prediction: Milan win. Despite the midweek collapse, Milan has looked far more assured of late.
 |
Sunday, 9:00 a.m. EST
Fox Soccer Channel
Serse Cosmi has two wins in the two games he's presided over for Livorno. For a newly-promoted team that had yet to win, that's quite the turnaround. Now the club sits just a point away from the spots safe from relegation. Cosmi will face his biggest task yet as Livorno manager when Inter come to town, fresh off a thrilling 5-3 win over Palermo. This game won't boast as many goals as that, but it should be an interesting coaching battle between Cosmi and Jose Mourinho.
Key man: Mario Balotelli (Inter) scored twice, assisted one, and won a penalty in the first half of the midweek win over Palermo. When on form, the temperamental 19-year-old striker can shred any defense in the world. If he carries that sizzling form into the weekend, Livorno doesn't stand a chance.
Prediction: Inter win. The team is just too strong, no matter how much Cosmi is enjoying his honeymoon period.
Civilians
Sampdoria need to prove the heavy 5-1 loss to Juventus is just a blip. "This match will be a valuable lesson to help us understand what our real ambitions are," said coach Gigi Del Neri, according to www.football-italia.net. Bari shouldn't pose much of a problem for the high-flying Sampdoria, but it will be crucial to return to winning ways immediately.
After an initial honeymoon period, Claudio Ranieri and Roma are well into the marital squabbles. Three losses on the trot for the capital club don't bode well. At home against Bologna, three points and only three points will satisfy the fans.
Zac Lee Rigg is an associate editor of Goal.com
Keep up to date with Serie A and Italy news with Goal.com's Italy page
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