PFTB Podcast- Episode Two

PFTB Episode 2 by Play From The Back on Mixcloud

PFTB Podcast- Episode One

PFTB Episode 1 by Play From The Back on Mixcloud

Serie A 2012-13 season review

Juventus had a stellar season. 

The 84th Serie A season signified the progression of a footballing dynasty, as Juventus clinched their second successive title under Antonio Conte. After leaving Siena, Conte guided Juve from 7th to 1st in his first season, and la vecchia signora strengthened almost immediately last summer to ensure this domestic success was maintained. The promising Frenchman Paul Pogba was 'stolen' from Manchester United, highly rated midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah was signed from Udinese (Asamoah was surprisingly, but effectively deployed at Left Wing Back this season), alongside his teammate Mauricio Isla (although this move proved to be unsuccessful),  and, er, Nicklas Bendtner (or Simon le Bon as some Tifosi nicknamed him) was loaned from Arsenal. Despite these signings though, it appeared Juve had missed out on their desired frontman (rumoured to be van Persie or Jovetic), and the signing of Bendtner (plus the fact that Conte was suspended from the touchline for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal) did send some fans into mumblings of discontent. However, Juve started the season in imperious form and continued for the rest of the season in that manner - bar the occasional blip (most notably a 3-1 home defeat to Inter which ended their 49 game unbeaten streak) - winning the title 9 points ahead of second placed Napoli. The league was another triumph for Juve, although the same couldn't be said for the Champions League, where they were roundly beaten by eventual Champions Bayern. Europe is the next frontier that must be conquered.

Napoli had another enjoyable year under Walter Mazzarri, in what proved to be his final season. Rafael Benitez is taking over the reins at Stadio San Paolo, and he will inherit a team which comfortably qualified for the Champions League and on occasion looked as if it might challenge Juve for the title. Although seemingly on his way out, Edinson Cavani has secured legendary status in Naples, as he again wowed crowds with his skill and goal-scoring prowess- netting 29 league goals and indeed the Capocannoniere award, whilst Lorenzo Insigne filled the void left by PSG-bound Ezequiel Lavezzi. After winning the Coppa Italia last season, Champions League qualification was the realistic demand and this was achieved with ease. Gli Partenopei have much to build on this summer, as hopefully they mount a serious assault next season.

Yes, we've noticed that guy in the background as well...

AC Milan's season seemed to be spiralling out of control early in the season, as all hopes rested on 20-year-old Stephan El Shaarawy. After losing star names (Silva, Ibrahimovic etc.) and the old guard (Seedorf, Gattuso etc.) in the summer, and with the club in shocking debt, things were looking very gloomy for i Rossoneri early on, but, as Massimiliano Allegri impressed again, Milan's fortunes experienced a thankful upturn - alongside the signing of Mario Balotelli. Milan surged up the table in the second half of the season - embarrassing rivals Inter in the process - snatching a 3rd Champions League spot from the clutches of Fiorentina. The future of Milan is far from gloomy now. With Balotelli for a whole season, and youngsters such as de Sciglio and Niang progressing well, I expect Milan to mount a serious title challenge next term.

Agonisingly missing out on the Champions League was the ultimate fate for Fiorentina this season - but they gained many fans and plaudits along the way. Playing an extremely attractive brand of football, Fiorentina shone across the pitch. Borja Valero proved to be a superb signing, as he linked up with the much improved Alberto Aquilani and David Pizarro in an exciting midfield three. Juan Cuadrado enjoyed somewhat of a breakthrough season at Wing-Back joining from relegated Lecce, as Adem Ljajic began 'living up to his hype' and Stevan Jovetic finally managed to stay clear of injury.

Udinese continue to punch above their weight on a minimal budget (Toto di Natale still managed to score 23 league goals at the age of 35) and finished an excellent 5th, whilst the Roman sides battled it out for 6th and 7th (and indeed the Coppa Italia trophy). Lazio won in the final, whilst Roma finished a solitary point ahead in the league. The Zeman experiment failed, Andreazzoli saw out the rest of the season, and Rudi Garcia will take charge next season. Lamela, Marquinhos and Totti stood out on the pitch - the 36-year-old grabbed 12 goals and 12 assists in Serie A this year. Serie A truly is the league for the 30+ forward! - as Lazio themsleves well know - Miroslav Klose scored 15 in 29 games!

Catania, Parma, Cagliari and Chievo all overachieved in mid-table, though the same can't be said for Inter, who finished a torrid season in 9th place. After some baffling recruitment, and a drastic decline in form, poor Stramaccioni has been replaced by Mazzarri. Perhaps some stability and improvement is in the offing. 

Bologna, Atalanta, Torino, Sampdoria and Genoa all stayed up, but Zamparini's Palermo performed well below expectations and the Sicilians will be plying their trade in Serie B next season. The same goes for Siena, and Pescara - I Delfini finished on a painful 22 points. 

Heartbreak for Palermo. 

Although we can look back on a season where the title race was overly-one sided, this was a very interesting Serie A season with fond memories for some (ie. Fiorentina and of course Juve). The same can't be said for the likes of Inter or Palermo- I hope Livorno, Hellas and Sassuolo fare better. The Verona derby is one to watch out for next season - and who knows, donkeys might fly! 

Antonio Di Natale

Continuing with the theme of Euro 2012, we take a look at a player who kick-started Italy's campaign on Sunday. 

Antonio di Natale was born in Naples on the 13th October 1977. A boyhood Napoli fan, Toto moved north at a young age and joined the youth ranks at Empoli. After progressing through the academy di Natale spent brief loan spells at minor clubs Iperzola and Varese managing a combined total of 37 games, and scoring 6 goals at the tender age of 19. However, in the 1997-1998 season, on loan at Viareggio in Serie C2, he came to prominence, playing 25 games and scoring 12 times. He made a big impression at Viareggio, with the Empoli coaches keen to take him back and experiment with him at a higher level. He remained with the Tuscans for another five years, becoming a club icon, scoring 49 goals in 158 appearances, in both Serie B and A. He became Empoli's main attacking threat and caught the eye of some big clubs when he shone in the top flight. In 2002, he made his debut for the national team in a friendly against Turkey. However, he did not feature again for a couple of years, hindered by not playing for a 'big club'. In 2004, di Natale joined Udinese Calcio, a major historical Italian club. He successfully linked up with experienced goal-scorers Vincenzo Iaquinta and David di Michele, despite getting a relatively average goal tally of 7 goals. It was a golden season for the Zebrette, finishing 4th in Serie and qualifying for the Champions League. Di Natale excelled in Europe, netting against Lens and getting a superb hat-trick against Werder Bremen. However, once again di Natale did not set Serie A alight, only scoring 8 goals. 

It looked as if di Natale might have reached his peak - a decent striker who was promising but never truly fulfilled his lower-league potential. Udinese finished a dismal 11th in the league, despite other teams around them being deducted points amidst match-fixing and betting scandals. At the age of 29 Toto finally reached double figures, scoring an impressive 11 goals in the league. He also received a confidence-boosting recall to the Gli Azzuri under Roberto Donadoni, scoring a brace against Ukraine. In 2006/2007 a slightly less ambitious Udinese side improved on their previous position, finishing 10th whilst di Natale became their star man. The next season Toto came alight, scoring 17 times in Serie A as Udinese finished a good season in 7th, the highest position since the 2004/2005 campaign. 2007/08 was also a landmark term, not only because he formed a formidable partnership with Fabio Quagliarella, but because he gained the Udinese captaincy, and a long contract extension to 2012. The 2008/9 term was hindered by an injury sustained in an Italy game but Toto still achieved a clinical tally of 12 goals, in just 22 games. Udinese again finished 7th. The next season was brilliant for di Natale as he scored a club-record 29 goals in the league. In contrast, it was a poor season for Udinese, despite the inclusion of foreign young talent such as Alexis Sanchez, Kwadwo Asamaoh, Mauricio Isla and Gokhan Inler, as the club finished an awful 15th. 2010 was an amazing year for Toto on a personal level, as he picked up the Italian Footballer of the Year Award, won the coveted Capocannoniere title and also won the Serie A Fair Play award. Furthermore, he surpassed the century mark on his Serie A goals tally.

New manager Francesco Guidolin was installed for the following season and he brought a fresh look to Udinese as an attacking and entertaining style was employed. Di Natale once again excelled, scoring a magnificent 28 goals, firing a young, exciting Udinese side into 4th place and consequently the Champions League. This year, Udinese were once again over-achievers, finishing third as di Natale scored 23 times and led the team as captain, despite losing some of his best team-mates. Last season was also the year that the tragedy of Piermario Morosini (the Udinese player on loan to Livorno) occurred. Di Natale stepped out and promised on behalf of the club that Morosini's sister would recieve lifelong financial aid, proving that he was more than just the average obnoxious footballer. 

Di Natale is an absolute legend at the Friuli and has remained loyal despite interest from 'bigger' clubs such as Juventus. He is immensely popular with fans of all clubs and is a genuine idol for aspiring players. A player who proves that "If you're good enough, you're young enough", he scored Italy's opening goal of Euro 2012 on Sunday. Class.