Napoli has after a recent slump seen two important encounters against Atalanta and Torino won 3-2 and 5-3. While results like these are great for the neutrals they are absolutely nerve wrecking for fans of the Partenopei. The games were considered winnable beforehand and everything else than victories would have been considered disappointing. The wins came about in exciting ways, but along with the reignited firepower of Edinson Cavani and unlikely Swiss hat-trick hero Blerim Dzemaili, they highlight the lackluster nature of the Napoli back three.
Apr
03
Napoli, defense, structure, change
Feb
20
Enjoy the path rather than its end
As rounds of Serie A, Coppa Italia, and European competitions come and go football fans all over the world gather at stadiums, in front of the television, and at murky online streams. Every day somewhere on the globe people take part in what is the football fans’ version of Bob Dylan’s never ending tour. While Bob’s, despite it’s name, has a foreseeable end, the traveling of the football fan from game to game, from tournament to tournament seems unstoppable and endless as fans die or fade only to be followed by their daughters and sons. And still we stare blindly into the future and forget about the present.
Feb
03
Calling Copenhagen calcio crazies
As many of you should know I’m a Dane. I live in our wonderful capital Copenhagen. I am calling out for other people who do the same, who would like to share the fascinating world of Sunday night Italian football with me.
Jan
16
Shirt off, shirt on, and so what?
Imagine this commonplace scene. A player scores a vital goal in an important game. The stadium goes wild as he wheels away towards the curva. In delight he reaches for his shirt and pulls it over his head. He’s waving it like a flag or clutching it like a cherished token – or maybe he’s just throwing it on the ground in an act of sheer relief. He has scored a goal. He has done exactly what football is about.
Dec
29
Viva el revolucion siempre – Genoa style
Writing a piece on the madness that is Genoa C.F.C. is the closest a calcio writer gets to be taking candy from a kid. With a main character as Enrico Preziosi the post nearly writes itself. Genoa is most likely the least ambitious wealthy club in Italy. As revolutions come and go in other clubs it has become an everlasting state of affairs in Genoa. In a world where ”project” is a buzzword it feels like Preziosi is inspired by the American movie Project X where some youngsters throw a party and everyone join in and wreck the place.
Nov
12
Why we need video evidence – now
The debate got going again in Italy two weeks ago. When Juventus stole a victory from Catania due to bad calls from linesmen and referee, several people called for the use of video evidence. But even more people should have raised their voice. To be fair to Juventus they didn’t steal the win as such. They took advantage of the extremely difficult work conditions we give our refs. Those work conditions should be improved as soon as possible, and while video evidence might not be the solution to end all troubles it’s the only way to go right now.
Oct
26
Calcio the gathering – the red magic of Roma
When I started this series of articles on how certain Italian football clubs fit the five colors of the strategic trading card game Magic The Gathering I had only one team in mind for the red slot – AS Roma. Red in Magic is all about attack, chaos, anger, and the joy of acting before thinking. On top of the dark red kits, red in Magic is about everything that the football club is also about.
Oct
01
Be nice to the ref – he’s there for you
When I was 14 years old we had a football tournament it my school. It was nothing huge. Just a bunch of kids on more or less random teams teams kicking a ball about. But to me it was important. I loved football just as I do now, but in the days before I got to love girls, beer, and heavy metal, football was my all consuming passion and hobby.
Sep
21
More awkward animals in football logos
Last year I wrote a post on awkward looking animals in Italian football logos. I must admit that I was ridiculing the poor animals to some extent. As an animal enthusiast I feel bad about this, and I’ve chosen in this new installment of ”Animals in football logos – the awkward way ®”, to view the animals as victims of cruel behavior from ignorant club officials. I have found three poor animals who deserve some light shed on their case. Isn’t this the duty of the free press?
Your comments (and ours)
- TT: Don’t get me wrong. I respect Conte and what he has done for Juve. His choice of hair is his own, even if I...
- shushu: The man likes his hair. He wants to have hair. Finds out about hair transplant. Does it. Gives absolutely...
- TT: Hey Mikkel – sounds cool! Maybe I should come by in a couple of weeks and try to make a deal with them...
- Mikkel Gottlieb: Hi mate, First of all great to hear about your passion for calcio, and I can only agree on your...
- Omair Taibah: I would suggest even that coaches are given like three chances to challenge a decision. Not any...
- Dante: Antonio Conte is looking good in his hair.. And remember women don´t like baldheads or skinnheads. It looks...
- Nicola: This article brings back some memories when we played football at school and had also some tournaments.
... - Alex: As you pointed out,it has become a tradition. Last season Juventus were moaning about referees about lack of...
- TT: Thanks for the comment. As far as I know Nielsen actually moved to Bergamo when he retired from work as an older...
- Claus Moeller: They won Coppa Italia in 62/63 with Flemming Nielsen – first and only title for Atalanta. So...
May
05
On the Götzedammerung of Dortmund’s dreams
by TT
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