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Calcio Debate: Diego – The New Star Of Italian Football
Juventus star Diego dominated the headlines in the Italian newspapers this morning after his super-show against Roma, and Carlo Garganese believes we have just witnessed the birth of the new Serie A superstar…
| Bet: | Returns: | Milan £22.00 | Draw £31.00 | Juventus £31.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Milan £22.00 | Draw £32.00 | Juventus £34.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Milan £22.00 | Draw £32.00 | Juventus £32.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Milan £22.00 | Draw £32.50 | Juventus £33.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Milan £22.00 | Draw £31.00 | Juventus £31.00 |
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Aug 31, 2009 2:45:55 PM
We all knew that Diego was good when Juventus forked out €24.5 million for the Werder Bremen playmaker at the beginning of the summer, but no one knew he was this good.
While the former Santos man had been one of the Bundesliga’s top stars over the last three years, he had yet to play in one of Europe’s big three leagues and had also been offered only limited opportunities at international level.
Any doubts over Diego’s extraordinary pedigree were swept aside yesterday evening when he announced himself as the next possible star of Italian football with an irresistible display against Roma, scoring twice in a 3-1 win at the Stadio Olimpico.
The 24-year-old possesses a rare blend of skill, invention, pace, strength, a low centre of gravity, and deadly finishing – attributes he demonstrated to devastating effect for both of his goals. Concerns that Diego may not be a team player were put to rest as he pressed opponents off the ball, and knew when to dribble and when to pass. The idea that there is no longer a place for trequartistas in modern football also seemed to be dispelled as Diego found space in the hole with consummate ease before attacking the space like another famous Diego once did.
When we consider some of the wild transfer fees dished out these past few months - €93m for Cristiano Ronaldo, €67m for Kaka, €30m for Carlos Tevez – Diego is already looking like the bargain of the summer.
And Juventus are certainly back as a European force. Sporting director Alessio Secco, so long criticised by supporters after a string of disastrous signings, bizarrely seems to be a pantomime hero among these same fans after helping conduct a stellar summer of spending. Felipe Melo, who arrived from Fiorentina, was an all-conquering midfield rock in the Eternal City, even crowning his debut with the third goal. Meanwhile, the returning Fabio Cannavaro looks to be at his fittest since the 2006 World Cup and for the second week in succession was the best defender in the league. Doubts still remain over Juve’s full-back positions, and the signing of Fabio Grosso before tonight’s closure of the transfer window at 19:00 CET would certainly give the Bianconeri every chance of glory at home and abroad.
The Scudetto battle between Juventus and Derby destroyers Inter promises to be fascinating, and one gets the feeling that this race could go all the way to the wire, perhaps even to the final day when intriguingly the Old Lady must go to San Siro to play Milan.
Juventus are joined on the top of the table by Lazio, whom they meet after the international break, as well as Genoa and Sampdoria. While on the topic of internationals, Marcello Lippi yesterday announced his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria and, again, Antonio Cassano was missing. ‘Talentino’ was irresistible in Samp’s 3-1 win over Udinese, despite missing a penalty, scoring a trademark curler and delivering a back-heel assist.
Some of the other star performers from Sunday include Napoli’s Fabio Quagliarella, who scored twice on his home debut and hit the crossbar from the halfway line in the victory over Livorno, and the respective matchwinners for Fiorentina, Lazio and Siena – Stevan Jovetic, Julio Cruz and Emanuele Calaio – as well as Serie A’s ‘new Pippo Inzaghi’, Alberto Paloschi.
But the day belonged to Diego – the new star of Italian football.
What are your views on this topic? Is Diego the new star of Serie A? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…
Carlo Garganese, Goal.com
While the former Santos man had been one of the Bundesliga’s top stars over the last three years, he had yet to play in one of Europe’s big three leagues and had also been offered only limited opportunities at international level.
Any doubts over Diego’s extraordinary pedigree were swept aside yesterday evening when he announced himself as the next possible star of Italian football with an irresistible display against Roma, scoring twice in a 3-1 win at the Stadio Olimpico.
The 24-year-old possesses a rare blend of skill, invention, pace, strength, a low centre of gravity, and deadly finishing – attributes he demonstrated to devastating effect for both of his goals. Concerns that Diego may not be a team player were put to rest as he pressed opponents off the ball, and knew when to dribble and when to pass. The idea that there is no longer a place for trequartistas in modern football also seemed to be dispelled as Diego found space in the hole with consummate ease before attacking the space like another famous Diego once did.
Diego celebrates his opener against Roma
When we consider some of the wild transfer fees dished out these past few months - €93m for Cristiano Ronaldo, €67m for Kaka, €30m for Carlos Tevez – Diego is already looking like the bargain of the summer.
And Juventus are certainly back as a European force. Sporting director Alessio Secco, so long criticised by supporters after a string of disastrous signings, bizarrely seems to be a pantomime hero among these same fans after helping conduct a stellar summer of spending. Felipe Melo, who arrived from Fiorentina, was an all-conquering midfield rock in the Eternal City, even crowning his debut with the third goal. Meanwhile, the returning Fabio Cannavaro looks to be at his fittest since the 2006 World Cup and for the second week in succession was the best defender in the league. Doubts still remain over Juve’s full-back positions, and the signing of Fabio Grosso before tonight’s closure of the transfer window at 19:00 CET would certainly give the Bianconeri every chance of glory at home and abroad.
Grosso is waiting for Juve's call
The Scudetto battle between Juventus and Derby destroyers Inter promises to be fascinating, and one gets the feeling that this race could go all the way to the wire, perhaps even to the final day when intriguingly the Old Lady must go to San Siro to play Milan.
Juventus are joined on the top of the table by Lazio, whom they meet after the international break, as well as Genoa and Sampdoria. While on the topic of internationals, Marcello Lippi yesterday announced his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria and, again, Antonio Cassano was missing. ‘Talentino’ was irresistible in Samp’s 3-1 win over Udinese, despite missing a penalty, scoring a trademark curler and delivering a back-heel assist.
Some of the other star performers from Sunday include Napoli’s Fabio Quagliarella, who scored twice on his home debut and hit the crossbar from the halfway line in the victory over Livorno, and the respective matchwinners for Fiorentina, Lazio and Siena – Stevan Jovetic, Julio Cruz and Emanuele Calaio – as well as Serie A’s ‘new Pippo Inzaghi’, Alberto Paloschi.
But the day belonged to Diego – the new star of Italian football.
What are your views on this topic? Is Diego the new star of Serie A? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…
Carlo Garganese, Goal.com
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