SECCO, I HOPE YOU BURN IN HELL

By: agiamba | August 10th, 2009

Honestly, I’m so infuriated that I can’t even post anything coherent. But this more or less explains it for me.

It doesn’t make sense. It just doesn’t. Why have Juventus, on the eve of a season when they do seem to be competitive enough to fight Inter for Lo Scudetto, sold Cristiano Zanetti to Fiorentina?

Granted, it’s not the biggest transfer shock of a summer which has seen Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic move for ludicrous amounts of money, but Zanetti’s £1.5m switch to Tuscany is, in its own way, a major surprise. More than that, it could turn out to be a potentially costly own goal by the Bianconeri officials who had spent most of July and August repairing the damage caused by their calcio mercato deficiencies over the past 36 months.

Granted, he did have less than a year left on his contract in Turin, but he was sold for such a measly figure that finances shouldn’t have been the deciding factor. And even if Zanetti left at his own request, surely Juve could have convinced him to offer his services for just another 12 months? It’ll be up to the major players in the move [Zanetti himself and Juve sporting director Alessio Secco] to answers those questions, but the fact remains that La Signora are now missing a potentially vital element in their ranks. Although Zanetti’s fragile muscles mean that he isn’t physically up to the challenge of a whole season uninterrupted, he was unique to the Old Lady.

(IMFUCKINGPORTANT) Zanetti was not just an ordinary midfielder for the Italian giants, he was their only playmaker, the man in their ranks who could organise and dictate the tempo of the whole side. The only deep-lying central midfielder with true vision and one of only a few in the squad who can pass a ball accurately over 40 metres. His departure is all the more noteworthy given that Juventus opted against signing the more creative Gaetano D’Agostino recently by spending £20m plus on the Viola’s Felipe Melo. Possibly because they already had Zanetti at their disposal. Perhaps Martin Caceres, despite the assurances of Secco last week, won’t be the club’s last summer buy after all…

Non-coherent angry ramblings:
#1- Goodbye Scudetto. No, I’m not overreacting, I’m serious. We’re going to be battling for 3rd/4th place, at best. Everyone is excited about our mercato, but our defense is still garbage, and now our midfield is lacking any kind of fluidity.
#2- Sissoko isn’t going to be playing until October. Then he’s gone for a month+ for the African Cup of Nations. Oh, he also fasts during Ramadan.
#3- Who is going to be passing the ball in midfield?!
#4- What the fuck is with undervaluing players? Has Secco ever heard of trying to squeeze money out of sales, Mellberg, Marchionni, and Zanetti sold for collectively 9million euros. Are you KIDDING ME.
#5- Why are pieces of shit like Tiago, Zebina, Almiron, Poulsen, etc still on the team when we sold 3 decent players? You’re supposed to shed the shitty parts, not the quality reserves.
#6- Secco is back on my shitlist. Also, Corvino shits on Secco.
#7- New mercato- Sell off the Italians, sign foreigners. Or traitors. At this rate, we will be Inter in 5 years. (maybe faster if we can force Del Piero, Buffon, and Legro into retirement)
#8- To Fiorentina, really? Why don’t we sell Camoranesi to Inter, I think he would feel home with all the Argies there as well and Inter could really use a trequartista.
#9- New tactics- Prepare for long-ball from the defense, hopefully to Amauri’s chest or Diego’s feet.
#10- I need a drink.

Apologies for the swearing, but good Lord I have no idea what Secco is doing.

Some Related Juventus Posts:

Category: Team News

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Glen M.

Oh - and btw. the reason we aren't getting more for these players is that we signed them on free-transfers, consequence being that their wages are too elevated for anyone to take them on but for big teams... who usually have better. Its the same reason Almiron is virtually unsellable. The fact that we got money for them is one thing. Its almost as important that we don't have to pay their wages.

These are good deals and help free up room in the budget for the transfers that can actually take us forward.

NB: Just re-read your post, and I find it border line absurd that you'd call Zanetti a playmaker. He is an ankle biter who occasionally finds a grain with his long passes. Both Melo (in particular) and Poulsen have more vision and a better passing range than Zanetti does.
Alex

Man you are so right! You reminded me abot the sissoko's ramadan... It will be real hard without him. And I also think that Cristiano was a part of Melo's deal. I hope that Melo would play for that money Cecco spent.
alessio

Both Melo (in particular) and Poulsen have more vision and a better passing range than Zanetti does.

Having watched Zanetti in 2007-2008, disagree. Also, the above blog I cited is from Channel4 and there's no doubt in my mind Zanetti's toe has more vision than all of Melo and Poulsen combined. Xavi he's not, but give the man his due.
Glen M.

Oh - and btw. the reason we aren't getting more for these players is that we signed them on free-transfers, consequence being that their wages are too elevated for anyone to take them on but for big teams... who usually have better. Its the same reason Almiron is virtually unsellable. The fact that we got money for them is one thing. Its almost as important that we don't have to pay their wages.

These are good deals and help free up room in the budget for the transfers that can actually take us forward.

NB: Just re-read your post, and I find it border line absurd that you'd call Zanetti a playmaker. He is an ankle biter who occasionally finds a grain with his long passes. Both Melo (in particular) and Poulsen have more vision and a better passing range than Zanetti does.
Glen M.

Dear Alessio. I like your posts. I also usually agree.
On this notion you have however gone completely bunkers :-).
Zanetti is very much overrated, he is slowing down big time, and is useful as a cover-player in only one position - the one Melo is supposed to inhabit in front of defense. That's also the one (and only) position Poulsen excels in, and when the idea of selling him for a substantial fee tanked because Poulsen (understandably) didn't want to leave for a privinziale, it became a much better idea to keep him for that sub-duty and get some plusvalenza for Zanetti who will be out of contract after the season.

Forget about Poulsen's first season. It was ruined by injury and for anyone who has followed his career with Denmark, Schalke and Sevilla, he is much better that that. He is also a better player than Zanetti, and not just a little bit, IMO (of course - he gets terrible press in Italy because of the history with Totti and the lame Milanese bitching after the CL games with Milan when he was at Schalke). A much better passer and equally solid in defense - while not quite as slow and this not as often out of position (its been ridiculous watching Zanetti for us in pre-season, whenever he challenged anyone he was overplayed or plain beat).

If you think differently, you are frankly thinking about Zanetti while he was a starter at Inter. That's five years ago.

Zanetti served us well when he was healthy and we were not (financially and status wise). It was a very good decision selling him. Hopefully Grygera is next.

NB: That Secco is classless for trying to pass it on as if Zanetti wanted out - that's something else. We'd agree on that, I'm sure.
HolyMann

If what Zanetti is saying is true ---> the whole thing is just simply disgusting. i dont remember Juve ever mistreating players like this (at least not the ones who didnt desereve it). This should have happened to the 2 players of which im sick and tired of mentioning.....ridiculous!!!
ned lowe

this zanetti interview http://www.football-italia.net... puts a whole new spin on his transfer...echoes of a blanc and secco's ruthless streak with the older players
Sam

Yeah but remember the game against Chelsea, he came on in the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE and dicated teh whole tempo of the game. I reckon hell do well in everything competition he plays in, its just a matter of wheather he will get game time.
Marco

The problem with Gio is he is just to small. Seriously. For Serie A he will manage. With a game that is dictated by tempo he flourishes. The games that are scrappy, hard fought, we lose with him being in the middle or pivoted behind the forwards because he gets pushed off the ball so easily. There is NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO way he is starting ahead of Diego - D is an established player at 24. Gio needs to be out on the wing creating and having space to run in and out of. That is his weapon. He has speed, he has finess ball control, good vision, good passing, and a wicked shot. Who are we playing on the left wing anyways? That should be his desired position. We can sub him in as the pivot man when Diego is needing some rest. I prefer Del P as the super sub at the pivot spot - because he gets fed the ball plenty, and if you ever observed Del P when his at the center of attention for Juve - he usually comes through. We have depth in most of our positions. Molinaro is not half as bad as you guys make him out to be. He should not be starting as much, if we could expedite De Ceglie progression he would make a great wingback - and lets not forget Caceres. He could be a suprising asset to this team.

Seriously - we could field two great teams. They need cohession and contunity and the results will come. We all have very high hopes for this team obviously, but the chemistry is not there, the involuntry thinking is not yet there - so be prepared to see some hard fought games from the duration of the season, and my fingers are crossed that come Champions league we will be hitting on all cylinders.. Forza Juve!!!!!!
agiamba

That's a good idea, Ivo. New post up in a bit.
juvenite

c'mon man. Tiago can pass the ball. Yes he has not proven it yet. Yes Momo will fast and go to Africa Cup of Nations, but Poulsen is his direct replacement. The only thing i agree to is the fact that too many foreigners are flocking in, even though i'm ghanaian. Juve will still have the most number of players in the Azurri in the future, just look at Seba, Marchisio, Paolo and Gigi (for at least 4 years). The tactics will work out. Long balls? Amauri is best in the air, and so are Trez and Iaq. Diego and Seba can play on the ground. So Chill out!! Forza Juve!
Ivo

Alessio, can you post a poll as your next post where everyone who comes to this blog can vote if they realistically think Juve will win the Scudetto this year? I am really interested in the numbers (im kind of a numbers guy) as to what the most faithful following believes in simple yes or no terms. Thanks :)
Rinaldo

"a smokescreen a la Moggi? or is it true to the words, given the “nice guys” image maintained by current regime? i’d clearly wish for the former.."

Surely Almiron is on his way out? He played in the Juve A vs B game today. Scary. Also, if it were upto me, Molinaro would go (even if we aren't buying another LB). I'd prefer Caceres, Grygera, Brazzo and especially De Ceglie on that LB spot. I just don't see the point of Molinaro.
adam

Absolutely nothing wrong with the sale of Zanetti, sure he could of been useful but to go as far as saying that we won't win the scudetto with out him is going a little too far.
incredible cock

@Sofia
even considdered
1 he wanted to leave
2 he's in his last year of contract
3 he's a substitute
4 injuried all the time
5 almost 33
6 we have plenty of midfielders,
he would'n have playd much anyway as camoranesi sissoko, melo, marchisio and hell even probably tiago will be in frotn of him in the picking order
7 ferrara might actually get the very best out of poulsen and tiago who're both younger

to me the sale is crystal and logic
Sofia

ok wow just when we thought secco was redeeming himself for incidents such as tiago, almiron, poulsen he goes and pulls a stunt like this. when i first read that he did this i thought it was a joke. i mean really why would he sell zanetti and for such a shit amount of money?! we are sitting here wondering how in god's name the aforementioned terrible three still have a job when what we really should be thinking about is why secco still has a job with this team...
cayenned

I do not think Giovinco is as good as Diego is right now,that is why they brought him in.
hant00

oh, and i just read this:

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10...

a smokescreen a la Moggi? or is it true to the words, given the "nice guys" image maintained by current regime? i'd clearly wish for the former..
hant00

"No water during games, that would be pretty brutal. How do they do it?"
Strong faith, my friend. Anyway, if Momo is already injury-free during Ramadhan, he'll still be able to participate (while not fasting) in evening games of Serie A and UCL. Hell, given his physique, i believe he can even afford some appearance in afternoon games, though not 90 mins of course. Just believe in him and the physios/coaches to choose the best option for his situation.

while writing about this, an idea comes to my mind: perhaps this is one of the reason why Ribery doesn't want to play in England. All matches are played before sunset there, as opposed to Spain. but i digress..

congratulations, alessio, for writing such a hot (controversial?) topic. i can't remember the last time juve offside amassed this amount of replies. keep it up!
Sam Dj

maybe ferrara wants marchisio to be our regista since now we have melo for his position
adam

Exactly Alessio.
Pablo

I was being sarcastic... I just don't know how to put an emoticon with rolling eyes here :p.
agiamba

No water during games, that would be pretty brutal. How do they do it?

I think adam's point was Diego's pricetag will generally mean he starts over Giovinco even if they are equal footing, which I would agree with. Felipe Melo would start over Zanetti even if both were healthy, if only because we paid an unbelievable sum of money for him.
HolyMann

yes Alessio, during Ramadan, people who r fasting can eat and drink after the sunset and before the sunrise......basically when ur fasting ur not allowed to have anything (including water)
Nnahoj

"The only problem i see that will prevent Giovinco starting over Diego is that we spent 30mil on Diego."

OR...that Diego is better than Giovinco. Why is it hard for some to admit that? And he should be; he's 2 years older and has a lot more experience.
Nnahoj

"Or maybe we could have signed a worst player than Seba, so he could get the starting spot and we still have someone for that position when Giovinco gets injured, tired, sick, etc. Yeah, that makes sense."

I hope you were being sarcastic.
adam

Pablo, Giovinco will have plenty of games to start this season. The only problem i see that will prevent Giovinco starting over Diego is that we spent 30mil on Diego.

And for those who are worried about our lack of possession now, just wait until Sissoko comes back. It'll be around 2-3%
Pablo

Ok, answering that question about who will pass the ball now...Well: Nobody. But keeping Zanetti would have been the same. He wasn't going to play more than probably 10 games this season anyway, between injuries and starting players, well, starting. So, since he wasn't going to play, even with him in the team, NOBODY was going to be able to pass.

And we need to have depth. If we have signed DIego and he is better than giovinco this season, well Seba will have to work harder to improve. I think that's way better than play a player for an entire season, even if he struggles, because we want to develop him. This way the best one will play and the other one will have to improve. Whoever he is.

Or maybe we could have signed a worst player than Seba, so he could get the starting spot and we still have someone for that position when Giovinco gets injured, tired, sick, etc. Yeah, that makes sense.
agiamba

2nd half: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
agiamba

If we could actually use the ball in midfield, I think we could adam. But when we're playing 40-45% possession games, those fullbacks are going to have a lot more to do. Which is generally not a good thing.

Highlights from the first half of Juventus A v. Juventus B, 2nd part to come shortly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
DonMichele

It's not only eating, you can't even drink (that includes water btw).
adam

Our team has more things to worry about then 1/2 a regista. Our fullbacks are horrible, we wont win anything with Zebina, Molinaro, Grygera, and Salihamidzic.
agiamba

Losing Ibra makes Sfinter a better team because they’re more complete….but gaining Diego Melo and Canna is a wash if we lose Zanetti……right

I've posted all along that we are very up against the Scudetto without a regista. Now we sold the only 1/2 regista we had.
agiamba

True true, alex.

Jeez what the fuck is you guys’ problem with Brazilians??? We have 3 Brazilians! Yes, only 3! They way you all are acting you would think we signed the entire Brazilian national team!

How many Brazilians have we ever had, period? Juve has always prided itself on developing young Italian talent, and now we have young Torinesi talent. I've stated many reasons why I don't like South American football players, anyways.

DonMichele, someone pointed out Ramadan is when he's injured so he won't be playing. I'm not suggesting he doesn't fast at all, but I can't imagine not eating all day would be good for performance on the pitch. (Muslims can eat after sunset and before sunrise though, right?)
lev lucien

nnahoj save it...your never going to convince them that Zanetti, a 30 something sub coming off an injury plagued season, doesn't make or break Juve's season.

Losing Ibra makes Sfinter a better team because they're more complete....but gaining Diego Melo and Canna is a wash if we lose Zanetti......right
Sam Dj

chill out guys...the season has yet to start
DonMichele

'#2- Sissoko: Oh, he also fasts during Ramadan.'

Would that affect his game at all? Just curious...
alex

"montero, thuram, platini, dechamps, davids ,nedved , zidane,"

slightly ironic there are no brazilians there?
alex

i think its a problem when they affect the development of two turin natives though...
incredible cock

Nnahoj,..ur 100% right!
3 brazilians for the love of god BRAZILIAN!!!! the madness! outrageous!? brazil happens to be footballcountry nr1 in the world and deliver generation after generation after generation, worlds very best,gifted and most skillfull footballplayers most countries can only DREAM of!
one must be utterly insane and very sick in his mind to even considder 1 brazilian joining the squad!
besides juve's greatest strength hav always been a good mixture of both domestic and foreing players(ehm montero, thuram, platini, dechamps, davids ,nedved , zidane, ... ring a bell any1?)