Serie A 2013/2014: Page 10 - The Arsenal discussion community: One More in the Tolly

Serie A 2013/2014

Bold Tone

Is there a particular reason as to why standard of Serie A teams has dropped over the past 2 decades?
Strange, as the national team has arguably become stronger over this period and i haven't noticed any major exodus of Italian players abroad.

Klaus

I only watch them occasionally so I can't say much about consistency, but Verratti is pretty solid too every time I see him. I'm really impressed by that guy. He'll go on to great things at some point in the future. I just hope he gets out of France soon. It's not a league you want to be stuck in too long when you're young.

Volante

He's a quality 'controller' but defensively he's all over the place.

Klaus

Yeah, bit like Wilshere in that sense. He's only 20 though. I think he'll learn, and he'll do it quickly judging by his current career curve.

Volante

Of course. Not easy stepping up from Serie B to the Champions League. Matuidi is available for free in the summer, quality all around midfielder. Would love to sign him and get rid of Flamini.

Bold Tone

Even if Wenger had reservations over Flamini, (he doesn't btw!), he won't get rid of him when he is performing well.

Klaus

Rossi putting on a show against Juve today. Hattrick and man of the match in a 4-2 spanking. I like that. He's had a tough couple of years.

Volante

It's time for Pirlo to be sent to the scrap heap. Can't see Juve offering him a new contract.

Bold Tone

Do you guys think the relatively recent dominance of Pirlo and Totti over their younger counterparts is a sign of a general weakness in that league?

Volante

Not really, they're amazing footballers.

Bold Tone

Would they still dominate in Spain or England?
Edit: Good Pirlo from the past 3/4 yrs rather than Grandpa Pirlo of this season.

Volante

Depends on the tactics of the team they play in and the quality of the players that surround them. Lampard scored 15 PL goals last season mate, he was 34/35 years old.

Bold Tone

Lumpard did not dominate anyone last season!

Klaus

It's just a sign that they don't rely much on physical attributes. They've still had to adjust to the times, mind. Pirlo in particular reinvented himself when he went to Juventus. Totti has played - and excelled on - every attacking position known to man, which is why every new manager keeps finding him indispensible regardless of which formation they are playing.

Volante

Bold Tone wrote:
Lumpard did not dominate anyone last season!

Dominated Coquelin/Diaby/Wilshere at Stamford Bridge last season.

Bold Tone

Timbob

Volante wrote:
It's time for Pirlo to be sent to the scrap heap. Can't see Juve offering him a new contract.

Don't know how he does week in and week out for Juve, but he's been a passenger in every Champions League game I've seen for the last 15 months. Pace looks too much for him.

Xavi looks virtually finished as a really top player too.

Klaus

Pirlo is still amazing in the league. I thought he was excellent in Champions League last season too.

Generally I think the best players will find a way to adjust to new surroundings. They might lose interest or burn out or whatever, but there's nothing to keep them from playing well into their thirties if they really want to.

Bold Tone

Yesterday was the worst i have ever seen Xavi. Ever!

Volante

Timothy wrote:
Don't know how he does week in and week out for Juve, but he's been a passenger in every Champions League game I've seen for the last 15 months. Pace looks too much for him.

Xavi looks virtually finished as a really top player too.

He did well in the group stages last season to be fair, bar the match vs Chelsea away when Oscar destroyed him in both phases of the game.

You're right though, Xavi and Pirlo were both made to look well past it vs Bayern. Arteta was as well. Xavi then went and got completely embarrassed by Brazil at the Confederations Cup.

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