EXTRA TIME: Russ Pellerito 2025

In this CURVA MUNDIAL: EXTRA TIME, our most capped guest Russ Pellerito returns to talk about the current state of the Azzurri, Azzurre, Serie A, can Inter bounce back after their embarrassing UCL final and 2024/2025 Serie A predictions!

EXTRA TIME is when we bring back a former guest in between seasons to catch up on what is happening now. Season 12 of CURVA MUNDIAL kicks off August 2!

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome to Kurva. Mondial.
Hello and welcome to this Extra Time episode of Kurva Mondial.
Extra Time is when we bring backa guest from a previous season
and catch up with what is happening with them.
As we just wrapped Season 11 andSeason 12 is set to launch

(00:20):
August 2nd, this should hold youover until then, but follow us
on social media on places like Instagram, Blue Sky and Twitter
at Kurva Mundial Pod to never miss an update.
As always, I am your host Sal Bono and before I introduce our
returning guest, I just want to take a moment to reflect and pay
respects to Aston Villa fan and the Prince of Darkness himself,

(00:42):
Ozzy Osbourne. I know you're not used to
getting current news here on Kurva Mundial, but I couldn't do
a show this week without mentioning one of The Pioneers
of heavy metal and someone I really admired.
As you know from listening to this show, I'm a music nerd and
music is not only just a strong passion of mine, it was also a
career at points. And in 2002 I got to meet Ozzy

(01:04):
at my local record store at Looney Tunes in Long Island, and
then a decade later caught BlackSabbath at Lollapalooza where
they were only playing three gigs around the world that year.
And I was happy. And I was lucky enough to see
one of them, and they were incredible.
But one of the coolest experiences I think I've ever
had was I got to work with the band when I freelanced that
Republic Records. When Black Sabbath's final

(01:25):
album, 13, produced by Rick Rubin and featured Brad Wilk for
Rage Against the Machine on drums, had come out, I was
freelancing in the promo department, working there part
time. And this was special because not
only am I just a big fan of the band, but I also had some
interactions with Ozzy, Geezer and Tony.
One of them really being like a big pinch me moment was when the

(01:48):
record was unveiled in a church in the Bowery here in New York
City. All the members of the band were
there. Brad came in on via satellite
link up to introduce, you know, and talk about what he had done.
But I got to meet Ozzy again andthe man was exactly as he was
that you saw on camera in those interviews.

(02:09):
Just funny, just genuine and really welcoming.
One thing I'm always going to remember, aside from his music,
is his smile. The man just loved to make
people smile and he loved to smile himself.
I know a lot's been made. I know this is probably not the
most touching eulogy and tributeto Ozzy Osbourne, but 17 days
after he gives his final bow at the stadium for the team that he

(02:33):
loved the most, he leaves this earth.
I can't think of a much more fulfilling prophecy and moment
than that. So Ozzy Osbourne, thank you very
much and my thoughts and sympathies go out to obviously
his band, his family and his friends.
So with that, let's kick off theshow.
So please welcome back to the show. 1 of my best friends and

(02:54):
the most capped guest now in cover Mundial history, Inter and
Azuri supporter. And he's just going to be our
summertime summertime link up summertime romance.
That's what it is. Please welcome back to the show.
Russ Pellerito. Welcome back, buddy.
Thank you bud. Summertime romance.
I do. I do like that.

(03:14):
I mean, it's just, it's a combination of like all the emo
shit and, you know, it's like you're here for the summer and
then you fucking dip and then I see you a week, then, you know,
then a year from now you'll be back on.
So yeah. Oh good, I love it.
So we got a lot to chat about last year, Speaking of
prophecies that were fulfilled. So last year when you're on, I

(03:36):
made the wild accusation that Spaghetti should be sacked for
the national team and that a certain Reno got to so should be
manager. If you've also, I want to just
shout out real quick to Russ that if you notice on our social
media pages some more video content, that's because Russ is
cutting video for us. He's cutting very good video for

(04:00):
us. If a video looks like shit, it's
because I edited it. But if it looks great, it looks
like it came from Russ. So the first video Russ cut was
the the he remembered it. I didn't that calling out on
Gattuso for him to beat in the national team.
The video for us for here at Karma Mundial kind of went a
little viral. And by a little viral, I mean

(04:22):
like for us it's really nice. For the rest of the viral
Internet world, it's probably like fucking nothing.
But you know, we got some traction on it, but here we are.
So now the Azuri have Rino Gattuso as their manager.
How do you feel about it? Where were you when you heard
the news? Because I know where I was.

(04:44):
And I hate to say I told you also, but I told you also.
Yeah, that is crazy because it'sthe reason I remembered it,
because I, I'll be totally honest with you.
I I remember you saying it because it was, in my opinion,
was so, so dumb. It's so funny.
And I was like, you know, sometimes you'll throw out these

(05:04):
kind of like wild, these wild card things, right?
Which is like fair. But I remember thinking like,
yeah, there's no way like 1, I wouldn't want him.
And like, there's no way they'regoing to have this guy come on.
So it's funny that like, yeah, literally a year later, like
here we are. And I think it goes to show you
two things. One, like, you know, sometimes

(05:25):
to be fair, like, you know, you're shit, right?
I think it also says. That's very kind of you, but
I'll I can reinforce that. I can reinforce it but continue.
I think more importantly, it shows us how fucked we.
Are. As the national team that they
were like, yeah, we, we got nothing else here.
We got to go with this guy. Like it's like because it's it

(05:46):
was a funny like I remember you saying it's like funny.
And to be fair, like you did make valid points, which is
like, like your points were so valid.
I think it could work out in some weird way.
I'm not excited about it. But like, I think the point you
made like can still hold true. We'll have to see, but I also do
think it just shows like totallyan unprepared national team that

(06:09):
had no idea what to do fumble early on, didn't recover.
And then you're left with limited choices where you got to
have, you know, Gattuso come and, and take this national team
to hopefully qualify now for a World Cup that if they they miss
out, that's going to be the third World Cup in a row.
So that's crazy. And and I'm like, I don't

(06:30):
personally want any Gattuso's hands.
You know, I, I like, I was neverSmolletti's biggest fan, but you
know, we talked about it last time like he hadn't, he's had a
good career. He had an incredible time at
Napoli. He loved Napoli.
And it's like, of course you gotto hire this guy for the
national team now, but it didn'treally work out totally, you

(06:54):
know, and they, I think held on to him too long and then you
were left with limited choices. And I don't know if it could get
worse, but it I guess it could, right?
Like because I don't know if if he stuck around like I, I'm not,
I don't think we're necessarily qualifying anyway, so.
No. And I think yes, the, I think

(07:16):
it's, it's threefold. I think it's both of those
points that you said, but but it's also like the talent pool
isn't great. And the problem with the not a
good talent pool and Spiletti is, is that Spiletti's not a guy
that is malleable. He's not going to bend.
He's he you're playing my way and that's it.

(07:36):
Oh, you're a winger, great. I need you at in in the full
back position. It's like, but buddy, that
doesn't work here. And I think that's why it was
too many form. It's it's he's too structured
and too rigid. And when you're with these guys
2-3 days before a tournament, it's or or game or whatever,

(07:58):
you're in them with such a limited window that they don't
have time to adapt. You just got to hit the ground
running. And again, I go back to why I
think Catuzzo is the guy for that.
It'll be 442 or 4321 or 433. It's going to be a bunch of
fucked up weird formations for us as but it's going to be like

(08:21):
what he's going to actually adapt to, like whatever he's
given and whatever choices he makes.
The other thing too is, is that a guy like Spiletti is great at
a club because you have time to massage these players into their
position or where you see and have a vision for them.
And again, national team, you don't have that time.
So when I look back and I think Gattuso, I think of also like

(08:43):
Vicini who was the manager of the Italian national team in
1990 for the Italian Novanta. That guy never won Jack shit.
That guy like managed nothing but mid table sides.
The biggest thing he ever did was manage the Azuri.
And yes, of course the times areway different.
Like the times are completely different.
Like you could have literally had you and I managed the 1990

(09:07):
Italian squad. But you have like Baggio and you
have Barisi and you have Mancini.
You have like a murderer's row. Oh, and by the way, he's the guy
that calls up Skilacci to be whowe all then see as this like
underdog. Beautiful, incredible story.
He had the foresight to have himthere, but so like maybe a

(09:30):
manager wasn't as important in 1990 as it is in 2025 for this
team. But again, that was a manager
that was probably not the most exciting pick, but he was there
and they went to a semi final. They should have gone to a
final. They kind of shot themselves in
the foot that that's, you know, here we are neither here nor

(09:53):
there, but I'll yearn for a World Cup semi final at this
point. Like that's the thing.
Like Gattuso has got also like the biggest weight on his
shoulders in comparison to any of the other managers.
He's almost being set up to fail.
But I have this weird feeling he's going to at least qualify.

(10:14):
And at this point, that's all I can ask for.
Yeah, I agree. I think like as long as he,
which is so sad, as long. As he's so sad.
Yeah, as long as we qualify withhim, I feel like he'll already
be successful, which is not saying a lot, but.
And I actually don't think he has a lot of pressure to be
fair, because I think if he qualifies and he goes in there,
we got knocked out pretty early.Like, yeah, we could potentially

(10:36):
say like, oh, it's his fault or he wasn't the right guy for.
But like, you know, we kind of all know going in.
It's not like we're putting it on like Spiletti failing is more
I think you know, there's more pressure on him and Mancini and
guys like that, you know, the 2 are really in a lot of ways like
almost has like no right to be there.
So if you messed up like it's really not it totally his fault.

(10:58):
So I in my opinion, as long as he qualifies, you can kind of
only go up from there. You know, obviously anything
could happen and he could, you don't make really terrible
choices that we could all look at it and think like, OK, and
he's really bad. But I, I don't think it's going
to go that way. I actually, I agree with you.
I think like he'll be, he'll be less rigid.

(11:19):
I think the whole point of him and the hope of him is, as you
had said that a year ago was he'll be able to bring the, the
sort of right attitude to the team.
You know, hopefully get these guys to really give everything
they have for the shirt, becausethat's the kind of player he
was. He's the kind of manager he is
and that's what you have to hopehe'll be able to do, right?

(11:42):
Like because we've talked about,it's like there's only so much
you could do as a national coacheither kind of like this guy or
kind of like this guy. I think he's going to be the
warrior type. That's just like, you got to get
out there, you got to give 100%,you got to kill for the shirt,
I'm going to bust your ass, blah, blah, blah.
You don't all that stuff. Like for me, it's like the safer
choices obviously would have been like a Ranieri or Allegri

(12:03):
or something like that. But like they dropped the ball.
You know, I know Ranieri, you know, said no, but like they got
it. They got to.
He should have come in at these guys earlier, but what it is
what it is. So now you're in left in this
weird. I don't even know.
I mean, yeah, who knows? You know, it's just like
anything could happen. I don't think he's like the
worst man. I mean, he doesn't have a great
managerial wrecker, but he's notthe worst.

(12:26):
And to be fair. I go back to the fact that like
I, I enjoyed him at Milan. I think he, I don't.
Think he was that bad either to.Me, he Tees up.
Look, he left and his cycle had finished and he was replaced by
John Paulo, who was supposed to be, you know, the second coming
of Christ, who I hated from the jump.
And I didn't like the way. And if it wasn't for quite, you

(12:49):
know, that's Ampadori and John Paulo would have been, no one
would have talked about him. We see that John Paulo didn't
even last six months at Milan, purely comes in and purely
essentially just kind of plays Gattuso style with a couple new
players. Yeah.
So it's kind of like, again, he Tees up what was there.
And there are only two teams I feel, in the entire world that

(13:10):
he can manage. And he's managed one of them,
and he's currently at the job ofthe other, him managing other
clubs or other national teams. Yeah, no, sorry.
Like it's not the same emphasis like this.
Like he knows what these mean, these shirts mean.
And that's where I'm like, you know, we have, I think like,

(13:30):
that's it. And all these kids, these
players, now I, I'm going to be the old man yelling in a cloud.
They're all fucking prima donnas.
Like, you know, I, I've been fortunate enough since like
COVID to travel around, see someand gone to a bunch of stadiums.
And I see like even in places where like they don't have a
high transfer rate or like, you know, money to spend, but they

(13:53):
pamper their players. All of these players are far
more pampered than Gattuso ever was and his best paid day.
So it's kind of like, you know what, slap some people around at
this point, Like I'm not condoning violence, but fuck
them up. Look, I mean, I think, you know,
him and Darosi kind of have thatsimilar thing, right?
There were these kinds of players and now they're coaches.
But you know, and they've talkedabout like it is a struggle to

(14:16):
kind of go into a locker room and see the way these guys are
now compared to how they were. But it's the times, you know,
it's just how it is. It's like you've got phones and
you've got social media. It's just so different.
And they unfortunately, I think they've had more to adapt to
that as opposed to because you can't honestly, I don't think
you can really go in there and just like bust heads.
I mean, maybe. But like, I think you also have

(14:38):
to, there has to be a level of like adapting to the modern age.
And that's a true balance. You know, I you know, because I
get it, it it would I'm sure drives these guys nuts.
You know, they because the I mean that Gattuso especially, I
mean, he's just like, we all know what kind of player he was.
And so if you, you know. I mean, like he choked out his

(14:59):
former manager. Like when you saw him on the
sidelines, it's like. Look, I hope he goes in there
and and really does spark something because they do need
that more than anything, you know?
I mean, the players are the players.
Like it just is what it is. Like we're not the worst team.
We're definitely not the best team.
I think like, I don't think we're winning the World Cup, but

(15:20):
like, this team should be able to be OK, you know, you should
be able to go, you know, kind offar.
I don't know, you know. If they get in, that's the big
if they got to get. In you know, but so you know,
you were just you know, you know, we don't have a team of
superstars and now we don't havea superstar coach.

(15:43):
So I don't know, you know, I again, it would have been safer
with or even I know you brought Peoli.
It would have been, you know, even he I honestly would have
picked over a. Good deal.
Yeah, I I'm actually kind of shocked they didn't.
There was talk of him going to the national team after he won
Scudetto with Milan. Peoli was on fire at that point.
It probably would have been bestfor both parties at the time.

(16:04):
I wasn't crazy about it because I'm like, well, I just don't
know, you know, because Milan didn't what there was no one
link that we were like super sexy with, you know, there was
no one that we were linked to that was like, oh, oh, if we
sack Pioli, this guy's a clear upgrade.
And it was never that. So it was kind of like, well,
what do we do? Because on an episode with Frank

(16:27):
Risotto, who was on in Season 2,him and I had chatted about that
because he really pushed for himto be on the national team.
And I was like, I just, I, I personally didn't feel like that
was the moment. Now, on the other hand, yes,
yes, of course. But one thing that you and I
have talked about over the yearsoff camera, and it's a bizarre

(16:48):
philosophy and a bizarre thing that I want to study a little
bit more, that it's always teamswith a mediocre to shit men's
team have a really great women'steam.
We've seen it with the US Soccer.
We've seen it in China, we've now I guess we can say we've
seen it in Italy where the Azuri, the women's team have

(17:11):
never been great and the men's team were always the great team.
Now the men's team is mediocre to shit and here we are with a
women's team that went to the semi final to lose in the dying
embers of the match to Chloe Kelly in England in a semi final
of a women's Euro. I almost said women's World Cup.

(17:32):
I apologize. Women's Euro.
Pretty incredible. Pretty incredible because I
think it's the first time in my lifetime, in our lifetime that
they've not only gone this far, but they kind of have shown
women around Italy and the Italian diaspora like we can do
this, we can do this. Anything boys can do, we can do

(17:54):
better or in this case just as well.
So you know, what are your thoughts on that?
And what are your thoughts on that philosophy of good team?
Because it's also like, here's the other thing too, waiting for
the fucking daggers to come out.England men's team kind of
hyped. That's just that's it.
Just all hyped. Women's team, on the other hand,
they've got a World Cup in theirhands.

(18:14):
They could actually win this Euro, That's it.
Told the English team to beat anItalian team on the women's
side. I'd have to look.
I guess I'd have to to to. Really, Spain's the anomaly here
because they're just fucking great at everything now.
I'd have to, yeah. I mean, I obviously I can't say
I'd have to. Look, I was happy to see how far

(18:36):
they've, they've the Italian national team, the women's
Italian national team. You know, I don't, It's not,
it's something I'm following much of, but I, I remember my
mom was like, oh, we're going towatch the, the Italian women's
team today, her and my dad and Iwas like, huh, I've never, I'm

(18:56):
think I've ever heard those words before.
So I was like kind of like you could tell people were like
obviously very excited because they hadn't gotten this far.
So it was it is awesome to see. And I hope that it is, you know,
something that that becomes a little bit more of a regular
thing because it it will be coolto see them kind of getting

(19:18):
bigger and better. And, and let's hope so as far as
the game goes, like, yeah, it was like, you know, it's very
hard. It's heartbreaking to to take it
that far against a team you know, as big as England is, you
know, and. I mean, the English women's team
are the best in the world after the US that's like, or you can
argue maybe they're the same at this point, but.

(19:40):
So, you know, and I do think that they obviously got screwed
and things, you know, they were,you know, as they are unlucky in
the 1st place to get the, the, the sort of late goal
second-half, then obviously the penalty.
It's, it's heartbreaking, you know, like, I don't personally
think it was a penalty. Right.
You know, you go to, then you goto penalty shootouts and you
don't know what happens. I, you know, I guess you could

(20:03):
argue that they could have done better with the the goal that
kind of led them into the extra time in the first place.
You know, the way I look at these situations like, yeah,
it's I, I don't think it's a penalty, right?
But I do believe if roles were reversed, I'd probably say,
yeah, it's just not a penalty, but it's a penalty.
You know, it's a tough one that I think you it could, it could

(20:26):
go either way. My problem really is I wish the
rules were different where VAR could look at it in a way that,
you know, could, could potentially change the outcome,
but they they can't take it to VAR I think in in that situation
and that's really what's upsetting.
Yeah, that's the thing that likeI don't understand.
So like, what's the point of having VAR?

(20:47):
I think it's like if there's no clear error, I, I don't quote me
on this. I think if the referee makes the
decision on the field and then there's no clear and obvious
error that they, they won't, they aren't able to kind of like
go and look at it or if ours aren't able to like interfere,
essentially, I think it's like how it works.

(21:07):
So I, I guess like, so the, the call was just the call and it
was unfortunate and I imagine they're incredibly heartbroken
because it did feel really unfair.
And I hope it, they're proud of themselves and that they can
kind of you on because Italy's always been a little late to
those things in my opinion. And so it's, I'm really hoping

(21:29):
it makes people have more eyes on it, you know, and that it
just kind of continues on from here.
Yeah, and I hope it like also more than anything, I hope that
it leads to in much more investment in the women's game
in Italy because they're really scraping the bottom of the
barrel. Like if if it's First off, not
every city our team has a women's side.

(21:52):
So there's there's problem number one problem #2 there's
not a lot of financing behind it.
And problem #3 is, is that it's not talked a lot, it's not
talked enough or it's not talkedabout at all.
For instance, in the last Women's World Cup, it you know
how many journalists Italy sent to Australia for that World Cup?

(22:14):
10 there was not a single journalist from Italy in
Australia covering the Women's World Cup from any of the major,
from all those sports magazines because that's what those sports
Corredo sport, Giorno di Sashilia, you know, Giornala de
Milano, whatever. It's like the you go to Italy,
they still have fucking news kiosks like it's the 70s, which

(22:38):
is great. I love print media, I love
physical media, but there's thousands, thousands of sports
newspapers just dedicated to thegame or just sports in Italy in
general. Not one of them sent a
journalist to cover the Women's World Cup.
So now I'm hoping my hope is is that if they send two

(23:00):
journalists that that's obviously they double their
amount. It's literally they just got to
do the bare minimum. But I just hope that it gets
spoken about more, you know, because like when the Olympics
rolls around, Italy is very muchbehind the Olympics and both men
and women, it doesn't matter. Like, you know, but when it
comes to college show, it's likethe women are sort of the

(23:21):
afterthought. And now I'm hoping that like
because of this semi final and maybe you could argue the
injustice and I'm sure they'll argue the injustice of the
penalty forever, which is because that's what we do.
That's what we're great. At that.
Maybe now that this Stokes the fire a little bit and throws
some air in there and like, you know what, let's, let's keep

(23:42):
marching behind them. Yeah, it's very possible.
And I think you, I mean to go back to your earlier point, like
in some weird way, like it does help to if they're good and the
men's actual team like shit good.
It's like, well, maybe you do want to watch a team that's a
little bit more successful and you will have more eyes on that,

(24:05):
you know. So obviously the hope is that
they both are great at the same time.
You know, it's in the words of the current, absolutely.
Managers sometimes may be good and sometimes may be shit.
And the men's team, definitely the shit and the women's team,
sometimes it may be good. So yeah, you're right.
It's that you hope that like this is the thing now and that

(24:26):
they both get great together hand in hand in perfect fucking
harmony. But we all know Rice, that
perfect harmony and Italy and sports and anything that is
logical doesn't happen. Because Speaking of illogical
things, now, I'm very excited about the names I'm about to
read off that are playing Insidia this season, but I'm

(24:50):
also going to read off their age, which doesn't make me
happy. So we're going to start off with
my team. He's one of my favorite players
of this century. I think he's one of the most
incredible players I've ever watched in my life.
I have a chance. I've had a chance multiple times
to see him play in person, both at Tottenham Hotspur and at Real
Madrid. That is Luca Mondrich will now

(25:13):
be the starting midfielder for AC Milan at 39 years old.
Another another phenomenal player who I've been very
fortunate to see before and alsoincredible just that just as
talented and as phenomenal as Lukamoto Rich that is 32 year

(25:33):
old Kevin De Bruyne. I go on anomaly the big transfer
this summer and. He's even older, actually, I
think 34. 34 year old Kevin De Bruyne and and of course, and of
course, the man who's passed around City R more than we'll
just do it like this. Passed around more than a joint
at a party at Snoop Dog's house.Alvaro Monata, 35 years old

(25:58):
signing for Cuomo because again,back in city off keep failing
up. And and of course and of course,
how could I forget the the icingon the cake, cherry on top, 38
year old Eden Jeko coming back to city off at Fiorentina after
spells at Roma and Inter leaves.We're good.

(26:19):
We all thought, go to Fanorbacheand is now back in city at
Fiorentina. A team that I had so much hope
and promise for is now like relying on a 38 year old hidden
Checo so. They got they got Moisey cane.
If if he doesn't leave, if he doesn't leave.
He's been linked to so many clubs and I love Moise Keene and

(26:41):
I think he's great. But here we are Russ, the
fucking state of affairs of guysthat are closer to our age than
they are in Yamal Yamal's age. Again, kind of a sad state of
affairs here. It's a trick, yeah.
I mean, I do think in general, right?

(27:02):
Like it, I don't want to say sad, but it's like a little it
doesn't feel great because I have two very sort of OK,
please, please send, please. Well, I just like yes, I think
it is to some degree of sad state of affairs, right, Because
it's like Syria almost is like it's like it's almost becoming

(27:23):
like the MLS, you know, it's like, in that way where it's
like, oh, you're like a bit older and slower and maybe
you're not going to be go to Syria.
You know, it's like the way these some of these guys go to
MLS. So in that way, it's a little
bit of like a God, what, what isour league, you know, but I
mean, you're never going to findthat Ed and Jacko in a Premier

(27:43):
League, you know, or, and, and probably even La Liga, to be
fair. And then that league is not
particularly doing better than us, you know, But it this is
what happens at the same time. So your eye is the kind of
league that can cater to, to some extent to these guys who
are, yeah, a little older or sour because I think there's a

(28:06):
level of intelligence, you know,and talent over just, you know,
running the running into the ground, you know, and, and, and
being, you know, young and fit or whatever and being able to
run hard. You know, you'll see that a lot
in Premier, Premier League and some other leagues.
But so in that way, I don't think it's like always terrible.

(28:28):
Like I personally think like when I see Napoli get De Bruyne,
I I think like that's a really good as long as he could stay
injury free. Like that to me is a great
transfer, you know? I don't disagree on that, I'm
just hoping I would. I would have just wished that
that could have happened. And I don't want to bring up bad

(28:49):
memories, but we're going to bring up worst memories for you.
I would have wished that would have happened right after he and
City beat Inter. Of course.
Final and then it's like, oh, OK, I got my Champions League
here at City. I've won everything there is to
the win here. I'm out.
Oh, go Monopoly. And you know that's neither here
nor there. Maldrich again.
I'll take Luca Maldrich. He could be 130.

(29:11):
Nine years old too. I'm honestly jealous of you
guys. I mean.
But again, it's awesome. But again, it's like that's our
marquee signing. I know, I know, I get it.
And again. Napoli's marquee signing is
Kevin and I know they're not done yet.
They've been linked to Drac Grealish and they've been linked
to a bunch of other like outstanding players and they're
having a wonderful Maconto, but Jack Raelish also not a spring

(29:33):
chicken. And so again, it's like it goes
back to like fuck, man, like really like this is this is
where we're at now. Again, like older as you're
right the to to prove that your point is correct on the older
players. Maketarian at Inter young summer
at inter, my my boy, the amountical at Inter.

(29:57):
You get the horses there and they're in the race and they get
you to, they get you close to a finish line, you get to a, you
get to a UCL final twice in three years.
Pretty incredible. His last UCL final way fucking

(30:17):
worse than than the one against City.
Because the one against City, I will still go down and say you
were the better team that day. It was just an unlucky goal.
It was an unlucky moment. That was it.
But Jan Summer now back into thefold and here we are.

(30:38):
Yeah, Cherubi another yeah. I forgot about him.
How can I forget about him? It's like all these dudes.
And it's like, yeah, you're right.
The the older intelligence does work.
And when they go. Yeah.
But then to an extent, because then when it goes up against
young guns blazing. So like, let's, let's talk me
through that now. Well, I just think like, yeah,

(31:02):
it's you want a young team, you want a mix.
I mean, you want the young guys,you want experienced guys
because a team of young guys doesn't always carry you to the
end either. You know, you need that sort of
mixed bag. So and, and the state of Syria
unfortunately is just we kind ofhave to get these guys that are

(31:28):
just a little past it, unfortunately, because we don't
have that kind of money, you know, you know, any team in the
Premier League could afford any top player in Syria, right?
Like bottom of the barrel, mid level, whatever.
Leeds United could get our best could could make a blockbuster

(31:52):
offer tomorrow for Lotato Martinez.
Exactly. Now he probably, you know,
wouldn't maybe choose to go there, right.
But you know, we can't do that. You know, it's like we cannot do
that. So we got to rely on these other
kinds of players sometimes or these young guys or these, you
know, I mean, Inter obviously isthe is the best example of that

(32:14):
because they were sort of able to kind of get far with that.
You know, you get these, I wouldsay fringe players, but a little
bit like older players or guys aa bench, guys that are sometimes
on the bench or maybe want to start and they're not, and you
bring them on or, or maybe they don't look that great there, but
they come to enter and they, youknow, have a great season or

(32:36):
two. And you know, it's it, it, it
that's where I think like the a coach is the most important
thing. Because I think you guys, you,
you have examples where guys come over and, you know,
suddenly they are looking so much better than they were on a
team where they were barely playing, you know, or you've got
really good scouts and you got these young guys, you know, and

(32:59):
because sometimes you think like, man, how did we get, how
do we land this guy? I mean, over here, we got Taram.
I I think on like free transfers.
Correct. That is correct.
And he was supposed to come to us.
We sacked Maldi. We were in talks to get him.
Paolo Maldini was talking to gethim.
Milan sacked Maldini. He says, well, I'm not, I was

(33:19):
really only going to Milan, AC Milan because of him.
Inter finds out that he's still in the city.
He makes AU turn and that's how you get him.
It's it's that's an incredible thing.
And like he's a phenomenal player.
You look at a guy like Scott Mctominy who did fuck all that
Manchester United, goes to Napoli and is not only not

(33:42):
revitalize his career will neverhave to pay for anything in the
city of Naples for as long as helives for as long as his
children live. He's almost eclipsed Victor
Aussie men and and he and Aussiemen is one of the reasons why
not only Windsor screwed that though for the first time a few
years ago. He's almost eclipsed that

(34:03):
because he's like I'm he's choosing to not go anywhere and
in fact he's attracting people. Totally, Yeah.
I mean, he's a perfect example. It didn't work out there.
You come here, it works out. You know, that's why I'm never,
you know, when guys don't do well and some of these Premier
League teams and maybe you get, you know, there's rumors they're

(34:24):
going to come here. It's almost like you can't
totally just like rely on their last couple of seasons in these
teams because it doesn't always transfer the same way.
You know, I mean, even Lukaku atthat, when we got him an Inter
was a perfect example of a guy that was kind of like, you know,
people were like laughing at theguy.
You know, I don't think he was nearly as bad as people made him
out to be. But when he came and then we, I

(34:45):
mean, he absolutely killed for us.
You know, I mean, then we were able to sell for an insane
amount of money to Chelsea because of that.
So you just never know. So it's like, that's what I'm
saying. It's like it's a mixed match.
It's like, yeah, sometimes theseare the kind of guys you got to
attract, unfortunately. And but you know, listen, the
Bruno, OK, she's 34. Napoli just won.

(35:07):
They're going to be in Europe. They could potentially win it.
Yeah, I obviously, I think in most people's opinion, they are
the clear favorites. So I am like, I get it.
But Jack Grillish, you know, I don't know if he's going to go
or not, but like the fact there's even rumors, it's like
you can say what you want about the guy, but like I'm sure
there's a decent team that's playing in Europe that would

(35:29):
take him right in Premier Leagueor in wherever.
So, you know, if he wasn't, it'sa bad, you know, that's kind of
says something. I in my opinion, I don't think
you think the greatest. I I think he's a little bit
overrated and everything but, but that's the Premier Leagues
fault, you know, that's like. Yeah, that's not Jack Relishes
fault. Jack Relish and Aston Villa was
incredible, but he worth $100 million price tag to go to City.

(35:52):
No, it's because City can fork over that money and no one else
can. They're also kind of playing
like financial defense in that aspect of like or 3D chess where
it's like, we'll get him just sothat you can, which is what Pep
Guardiola and fucking Barsa did in those early years got about.
It's like they didn't need that though.
They didn't need it. Rahimovich.
They didn't need Tieri honoree, but guess what?

(36:13):
They got him so that no one elsecould have them and another
player. Also, again, to go back to your
point, also Christian Polisic, we we saw, I thought I we all
know how much I I fucking hated that the idea that he was going
to come to AC Milan. And now I hate the idea that
like he could leave should a blockbuster offer come in.

(36:34):
But then like there were weird reverse thing happens where
players from Italy don't do great in EPL or if they do it
does take some time. Georginio being one.
I'm sorry I know people don't like him but guess what?
He did win UCL and he did win Premier League.
That's more than what the entirety of fucking Arsenal can
say. Central Tonelli took a few

(36:56):
months to finally adapt. Then he got hit with the
transfer with the band because of betting, came back and is now
like a fan favorite where they're just like, we consider
you untouchable, but then you got afraid to go Quez.
And it's like, is that Quez's fault or is that Lonnie Slot's
fault? Because we've seen that.
You and I have seen that time and time again over the years

(37:16):
where Quez is not the exception to the rule here.
Like that has gone on multiple times with Italian players.
Yeah, I know it's true. I know.
You're absolutely right. I think Cali Fiori, we'll see
he's had. Like Cali Fiori's one we got, He
had a lot of injuries this year,but when he.
Came, he was like, yeah, he liketook a little bit, then he came

(37:37):
and he was looking great. Then he got injured.
So it's like it's hard to reallycan't.
The verdict's not really out on him yet, in my opinion.
So yeah, I'm with you. I actually don't, yeah, often
times I think when they leave, they don't do that great.
Once Hakim was another one because he went to Everton for a
for a hot minute and was just like he.
Was like he was everywhere, you know, I know yeah, it's tricky.

(37:59):
It's like I I often don't think it translates as well for
whatever reason. And and I think it and it feels
like it's maybe Premier League specific because you know, when
we lost Hakimi, you know, you went to PSG, He's incredible at
PSG, you know, and there and andeven and awesome and obviously,

(38:22):
and he's done well for Galatasaray.
You know, so it's like it's not it's it does sometimes feel like
it's like EPL specific and I butI think it's probably the other
way too. Like that's why I think like
what's his name for Napoli? We were just talking about the
comedy. Yeah, Like, that's why I think

(38:43):
it was like, whoa, I can. I actually was surprised how
well he's done, you know? Because I was expecting that out
of Ruben loft his cheek and thatdidn't happen.
Yeah, he, like, started hot and then kind of like, drizzled.
Yeah. Like I'm curious to see how,
like, what's his name we'll do at City Reindeers?
Was that his name? Oh yeah, I mean, he's already a
fan favorite this summer, I mean.

(39:03):
He's a good player. Man, like I'm so many, Yeah, you
know, but it is what it is. Who?
Knows he might not be who knows it might not work, you know so
but yeah, I think you're right doesn't always translate over
for whatever reason, you know I think it's just I mean I think
there's always factors, you know, style of play, what team
you're going on, adapting to a new culture and country and all

(39:28):
that stuff. Queza with Liverpool I mean I
just think that was like a weirdchoice.
I was never going to work out. I think if he went to like a
smaller team where he had a little bit less competition, he
would have probably done OK. I guarantee you he'll come.
I I don't know where he is or if.
Well, the rumors now as it is, right?

(39:49):
Yeah, the rumors this morning are, well, obviously like he's
linked to every major club in Italy.
But the one that's really serious about getting him at the
moment is Atalanta. And a year ago that would have
excited me. But rebuilding Atalanta sans
Gasparini? Kind of like I wouldn't do it if
I were you. I think he'll be yes, I agree.

(40:11):
I think maybe that's not like the best choice, but I think
wherever he goes to Italy, like he'll probably be pretty.
I think he'll have like an unclehere.
Honestly. I do feel that way.
I just don't think post injuries, I don't know if EPL
was the right move and I definitely don't think Liverpool
was the right move. I mean, it just doesn't make
sense but. And again, it's like, I don't
think also even Arnie Slott expected most allowed to have

(40:35):
the blockbuster season that he had.
Yeah, that is the other thing, right?
He had he has a Balandor contending season for sure.
Yeah, I, I think we all know he's great, but we probably
didn't think like he would be that good again, right?
Like, or like it was like, you know, it's like, like every year

(40:56):
you're kind of like, OK, then you'll slow down at some point.
But it's like, didn't really happen with him and it's crazy.
So, yeah, I, I mean, just bad choice to to go there in my
opinion. So we'll see.
I think he'll be fine, honestly.And Jekyll's going to score the
most goals in Syria, I guaranteeyou.
Know what I I should hear? I, I sit here.
I should hear I sit here. I'm keeping that in, not even

(41:19):
editing it out, but I'm sitting here talking all this shit.
And yeah, you're right. He'll end up 38 goals.
Right behind them will be Kevin de Verona with 37 goals.
Yeah, right. Right behind him.
What's his? That one was Tony when he scored
him in a cardi. Tide, right?
Oh, yeah, Luca, Tony, when he was at, where was he was?

(41:43):
Was he at Saint Pedor? No.
No, I think he was at maybe Verona or something.
I can't. Yes, that's right, Verona.
How can I forget? Yes, Hey, Hellas Verona.
Yeah. Yeah.
And he, I and I remember that year they tied because I think
he was. He was I, I think at that time
the oldest that had been the leading goal scorer in Syria.

(42:03):
I remember. And then Quagiola, I think broke
that record like like an hour later.
It's crazy, that's what I'm saying.
You just really never know. It's.
True. No, I like.
I think the thing would mean, and I sit here and I see like
people shit on Lagoon in France all the time and I don't know
why, because it produces great players and France as a national

(42:28):
team, the Blue are a force to bereckoned with and they're still
churning out great talent, right?
And a lot of it. Lagoon is why young kids are
getting a chance to play. You look at Spain and you see
how the Spanish are on fire. I will go I can finally say it
on record here that this Spanishside, current Spanish side, I

(42:52):
think is way better, way better than the ticky tock a trouble
winning Spanish side from the 20tens.
I they're just so much more exciting to watch.
I have a funny feeling that they'll they will be the team to
beat and will probably win it all and again like their women's
team. This proves my point that, you

(43:13):
know, you could have a, you know, great men's time, shitty
women's team. They've got both.
They've got great of everything because they're doing the right
thing by playing the youth. Portugal, again, a country that
doesn't have a lot of financial stability when it comes to
football, when it comes to the game, you know, they are those
teams are selling clubs unfortunately.

(43:37):
And again, phenomenal team, phenomenal team.
Yes, in all three of these casesI've just mentioned, majority of
their superstars don't play in the country that they represent,
but a majority of the team does.Germany is another one where I
don't think Germans leave Germany anymore.

(43:58):
It's kind of like they're they're, they're young, they're
building towards something. They're going to be very good in
a couple years. I wouldn't say that they're
going to be great, but they're building towards something.
They're golden generation of this century, I should say, has
phased out, but they're buildingsomething right.
And here we are city. Ah, the, you know, arguably like

(44:23):
top two, top three league in Europe, sweating older guys.
And why can't we get like, younger kids from elsewhere?
Or even just younger kids from our own backyard?
Yeah, I mean, that's there's something up with our youth

(44:45):
system, obviously. And, you know, smarter men have
attempted to explain it and change it and including people
like Bajo. And it seems like everyone comes
out of that situation frustratedand talking about how big of a
mess it is. So I don't know, Clearly there's
something there that isn't working.

(45:06):
I I don't think it's just about just about playing these younger
guys or entrusting these youngerguys.
It's about who are these youngerguys coming up?
What is the system in place and how does it work better for us
to get these guys playing more and develops better and
eventually on to like the national team?
I don't know, but it seems like there's obviously been for many

(45:30):
years an issue there, you know, and it's a it's unfortunate.
And a lot of the big coaches obviously don't trust these
younger guys. You know, you have like those
rare cases like like a Donna Roma and stuff.
But you know, and Zoggy too, youknow, you know, he had trouble,
I think, trusting some of these younger guys.
But then sometimes you watch some of these young guys and you
think they aren't ready. Right, that is also that point

(45:53):
too. That's also very.
There's always going to be it's again, it's mixed, right?
It's like, you know, we're not selling PO Esposito right?
So OK, he we're hoping he's a big prospect.
He's really young. That gives me hope that they are
making the right decision. They they turn down some big

(46:15):
money for him they're putting trust in.
But that is a rare situation, right?
More times than not, they're usually trying to like, sell
these guys off or not giving them the, the, the playing time
that they need really to develop.
But, yeah, I don't know where the exact issue is, but there
clearly is something wrong, you know, and it affects the

(46:36):
national team in the long run. Yeah.
And I'm happy that you brought up a name here which was
Inzaghi, which we know he is gone, he has left, he signed
that deal, lucrative deal to go.He's managing.
Is he managing Ronaldo now? I know it's not Ronaldo's team.
It's another team in Saudi. So he is not managing Cristiano

(46:57):
Ronaldo. So he will live in Saudi Arabia
for a giant paycheck. And it seems as if he made this
deal right before the UCL final.So he kind of knew he was going
to dip right after that. Do you think like the players
found out and that had implementimplications on their
performance? What do you think?

(47:18):
So because we've never actually,you and I chatted about this
final and I know we're a couple months too late here, but I
think it also kind of Tees up for where we're going to go in
this conversation, which is, youknow, injuries, prospects for
this season. You know, how do you bounce back
from one of the most embarrassing defeats on the

(47:40):
biggest stage on club football? Sorry, Club World Cup, Sorry
Infantino and Trump, you fuckingChampions League final is still
the biggest, you know. But how do you bounce back from
that? Plus new manager, plus knowing
that the guy that got you there maybe had an certain seems to

(48:05):
have had an exit strategy. Like there's a lot of
psychological damage that has been done to end during the last
few months. So like, what are you?
What are your thoughts here? Giving you the whole, yeah, I
mean, I don't personally like, Idon't, I don't know, I don't
really buy into the maybe I'm naive.

(48:25):
I I don't, I don't really buy into the whole like he may,
there's people out there say like, oh, he knew he was
leaving. He told the players he tried to
bring some players with him before like the Champions League
final. Like I listen, I don't buy into
it personally. I think that's crazy.
I just don't see a world in which this guy is like, hey,

(48:48):
guys, I'm going to Saudi Arabia.So then, you know, before we
play this Champions League final, Bastoni, Barela, you
know, whoever you say I need come with me, please.
It's just crazy to me. Why would you do that?
Like I, I just don't see it. I, I, he never struck me as that
kind of guy. So I don't bind that.
Did he make the deal before? You know, they're obviously

(49:09):
going to deny it. I imagine some kind of deal was
in the works to some degree, butMourinho did the same thing.
Right, I'm happy you brought this up.
You won, OK, Inzaghi wasn't going to win, unfortunately.
But like hypothetically, if Inzaghi had won and then he went
to Saudi Arabia, we wouldn't be talking about did he make the
deal before? What the fuck?

(49:30):
Because all we care about is that he lost.
I mean, he lost bad. So that that's what makes it
worse. So there obviously is this like
a this situation where it's likeit was so embarrassing that
there must be this other elementto it, right?
Like he must have been checked out.
He must have talked to these guys, They must have been fucked

(49:50):
in the head because I just don't.
I just think the timing is it just was poor.
I think if you look at them, I think their final was against
Barcelona. I think they let Syria slip in
those dying moments. They put everything they had in
Barcelona. They hadn't really been doing

(50:11):
well up into that point. Even the Barcelona game and
those games were crazy, but theythey did some miraculous things
in it. But I don't think they had been
playing particularly well for a long time at the end of the
Champions League and obviously in Syria.
So I think they were just burnt out physically, mentally.

(50:32):
I think Inzaghi was also, I think Inzaghi has had probably
some major issues with intern general and probably felt like
he wasn't getting what he neededfrom them.
And I think he was going to be done regardless.
Like I think he was done, you know, and I think PSG was

(50:53):
phenomenal. And I think and also maybe we
went in there a little bit, maybe unprepared and they were
super prepared. That's the thing y'all look
like. Unprepared in the way that like
we didn't like study them or like maybe just like maybe they

(51:13):
were just relied on like what they do too much right And they
just were not prepared to face this team who was not only
credibly talented, obviously, aswe've seen, but also, you know,
had prepared so well. So I just think it, I just think
we were done and and you just eat the burnout caught up to us.

(51:39):
And you know, people, what people don't understand is that
if you look at like the Germany Brazil game, I remember they
lost like 7-2. You know, it's like people don't
realize that like 2-3 goals or whatever quickly.
I mean, you're fucked in the head.
Like it kills you, you know whatI'm saying?
So I just think it's a combination of all that stuff.

(52:03):
And that's what and that's what happened.
It just, it was incredibly embarrassing and, and again, him
leaving so quickly after it hurt.
But I, again, I, I don't really buy into the whole like he told
the team he wanted people to go with him.
I do think, I'm sure he wanted people to go with him and I'm
sure he tried to, it seems like he has tried in the transfer
window. But no, I don't think I, I just

(52:26):
don't, I, I don't know that theyplayed a part.
And obviously there's been, I think there are some other
things going on in that locker room prior to this that we
probably were unaware of. That well, now we see.
Come out. The the Hawkin versus everybody.
Right, all that stuff. Listen, when you're riding high,
everything is perfect, right? Once it hits the fan, you know,

(52:49):
you pull the layers back and you're going to see, oh, there's
some cracks here, we just didn'tknow.
And then worse, in my opinion, is when it's just like, oh, we
think then there's this whole other thing going on because
again, and I just think some of that is true and some of it
isn't true. You know, it, it is like, I
don't want to think it was really embarrassing, you know,

(53:12):
and you have high hopes. And, you know, those Barcelona
games obviously give you a little bit of like, oh, maybe we
can pull this off. Like, look what we were able to
do, but I don't know, I didn't necessarily go in there
expecting to win, but I don't think anyone expected to lose so
poorly. It it just was, I mean, it was

(53:33):
shocking. I just like, I can't believe how
bad it was. I mean, yeah, it was incredible.
And so to answer your original question, how do you bounce back
from that? I I don't know, man.
I don't think you really do. I'm going to be totally honest
with you. Like I think like when we lost
the city, it was like kind of crazy.
We've gotten there. Not only did we get there, then

(53:54):
we like put up a fight where we could have beaten the best team
in the world and and won that, you know, won that Champions
League final with players that were kind of like, like you
said, like the sort of Fringy, you know, the Miketarians, the
Lukaku's and Jeko. You know, suddenly you're in
there and you're like, Oh my God, they're going to go up
against City and potentially winthat.

(54:17):
That was a a bummer when we lost, right.
But you know, now next year you're like, you know what, we
did deserve to be there and we got so close.
Now we got a really something toprove.
OK, Champions League. A lot of the Madrid thing was a
little it was just was unlucky. I don't think anyone felt there
and be like, oh, it's over. I think again, felt similar,
like, you know what, we're back.We got to get back there.

(54:37):
We know what our job is. We want to win this thing.
Then you have a whole year whereyou're like you're, you're,
you're battling Napoli, you know, it's every point matters.
Injuries are catching up to you,Burnout's catching up to you.
You've got no trophies. You know, at least when we lost,

(55:01):
we had won the Scudato, you know, but we were just like
everything was sort of slipping by us.
And it's just so I don't think next year, I don't think this
year, you know, we come back andbe like, guys, we had that final
again. We're back.
It's like, no, it almost feels like year zero.
I know it's not really, but it doesn't feel like, you know, we

(55:22):
got something to prove. It's like, oh, you better.
I don't even know. You got to start.
We got to just like make sure welike make top four basically,
which I think we will. But almost like that's the new
goal, unfortunately is like fighting for the screw that too,
obviously. But like really just trying to
be like, you know, get, yeah, get get into Europe.

(55:46):
I think honestly is like the biggest goal right now.
Yeah, I I don't disagree on any of that.
I also just want to just point out something too, because I
know a lot of people like to trash talk him because of the
fact that he might be past his prime or whatever.
But it kind of also shows you how great Mourinho was in 2010

(56:10):
and how great of a manager Mourinho still can be.
Because the fact that like you could have won a treble this
year. This was a treble winning
contending season for you and 15years ago you got it all. 15
years later you lose it all. And I think like the drive there
kind of also shows just how like, even if you're exhausted

(56:34):
and you're still scraping up thebottom of the barrel to get in
there and get, get like Mourinholike, And I think like this is
where like Mourinho's bizarre philosophy and how he reads the
game all like, please, where it's I know you're tired and I
I'm exhausted. We're all tired, but we have the

(56:55):
opportunity to do something that, you know, like if there's
something, there's just something just a little
different with him. Yeah, I mean, I think.
And that's where it's like man, cuz like you beat Peps Barsa
right And then and it's like, it's almost like bizarre
parallels of like you beat Barsato get to the final in 2010 and

(57:17):
beat Bayern Munich, also like one of the toughest teams in the
world at that time. This go around.
You beat Barsa to get to the UCLfinal to face PSG, who had a
phenomenal run, one of the toughest teams in the world.
And then the opposite happens. Instead of winning three nil,
you lose 5 nil. Yeah, I mean, look and let's not

(57:38):
play this game like PSG, some like underdog team like.
Yeah, I don't like that. Some of these superstars but
like the budget differences are crazy.
They got. Budget makes is, I think that
it's like more, it's like tripleif you were to take the top
three clubs of city up their payroll, that's just PS GS

(58:00):
payroll and I think there's still money to spare there and
that's not hyperbole. Yeah, you're still going into
this Champions League final withMick Itarian and you know what
I'm saying? And and a cherry, and I'm not
and I'm not putting these guys down.
I'm just saying like that that'sthe reality.
I mean, look at, I mean, yeah, we had a good yeah, we got

(58:23):
Lataro and Teram, OK, there's injuries or whatever, whatever.
But like we got to put Terami and we got to put, you know, our
not to I, you know, it's like, we're not like you almost can't
compare, you know, I'm put in and again, I'm I think so we've
got some incredible players and stuff and no one showed up that

(58:44):
day. I mean, no one showed up that
day, but I just like that. I think I you need to put in
there as well, for sure. But yeah, you know, I don't
know. Yeah, Marino at the time I think
was the best coach obviously in the world.
But this is 2000. That was 2010.
He had, in my opinion, better players.
It just the circumstances I think were better, you know, But

(59:07):
I honestly, I like Anzagi and I and I liked him and I, I, I'm
not even that mad at him, to be totally honest with you.
Like I thought he, I think we played some wonderful football
with him. I think he brought us further
than any other person would havebeen able to bring us with that,
with those team, with that team and the teams that he he managed
over the years with us. And I think he did.

(59:30):
I think he knew too that he did everything he could.
I mean, how do you, that's why I'm like, OK, yeah, it's OK if
you made the deal before I get it.
People are annoyed if that happened, but he's he's probably
thinking like, what else can I do?
There's I'm, I'm done. It's over, you know, and he's
and he's right, you know. So I think that's why I don't
really, I'm not mad at him. I'm not that mad at him about

(59:51):
it. It's just an unfortunate way to
go out. For sure like that's the thing
like that whole week just feels unfortunate.
It's like you lose 5 nothing thecoach is gone.
Players are just like, yo, I'm out.
Like, you know, it's. It's wild.
I mean, but again, like this is like the the beauty and

(01:00:15):
disgusting. Not I'm not even going to call
it disgusting. That's a bad word.
This is the beauty and the ugly of football, right?
Like, because again, as you said, had it been Mourinho 2010?
Mourinho made that deal with Real Madrid.
You guys knew he was going or the players knew at least he was
going. There's the video now that has
surfaced of him crying and all the players surrounding him

(01:00:36):
crying like after they win. Not because tears of joy that
they just won UCL. It's because this is it, guys.
I've taken you to the end of theroad.
We're victorious. I'll see you later.
Thank you for your service. Yeah, so it's like hide
something similar happened now in June, you know, May whenever
the game was, it's like, Oh yeah, we you know, this would be

(01:00:58):
like, yeah, whatever. So it's it's hard to swallow.
I feel for you, man. And like, look, and I'm not even
just like trying to like throw pity because it's like, oh, you
know, hey, look, Beeline fan interview.
It's like, you know, I'm not like that.
But you know, it, it sucked. It sucked watching them lose.
And I'm coming into this game essentially A neutral.

(01:01:19):
Yeah, yeah. But you know, one thing I want
to end on, which is something that we have done for for
forever, which is the top five fantasy, top five of the season.
Because now it's like we could literally go through every team
and talk about their because like every team is rebuilding or
in Napoli's case, getting more elite.

(01:01:40):
But I got my doubts on that one,which we'll get into.
So I got my top five ready, pal.Do you got yours?
I'll do my best. It's a weird year, man.
I don't, I don't know where it'sgoing to go.
I really don't. I mean, and it's not even going
to be a very original list. Like I don't know, it's just a
strange year for everyone. Like I have no idea where we're

(01:02:03):
going to go. I definitely think now please,
first, I think I don't have any doubts.
Obviously I could be went wrong.Like, you know, if they don't
get first place like that, that's a failure in my opinion.
Second year Rakanti, you're bringing in better players.
Yeah, you got Europe, which you know, which I guess is going to

(01:02:25):
be problematic, but every team in Syria in my opinion is going
to probably be, they already were kind of, we're going to
probably be weaker than as it is, everyone's going to.
It's like, it's like Milan's going with a different coach.
Event is going with a different,well, half of a different.

(01:02:45):
Coach, what do? You want to say Inter going in
with, you know, whatever you want to call them is the most
inexperienced coach. And then you know what we got?
What do we got Peoli at Fiorentina now?
And you know, it's just. Adelante now pneumatic.

(01:03:07):
Yeah, it's like it's. And I'm not saying like some of
the new managers good. I'm just saying it's like it's a
kind of a, it's a little like everyone's a little kind of
unsure, I think. Well, Lazio doesn't even know
who their coach is. I think sorry is coaching is.
He back because he he. Just can't buy they have like a
weird transfer ban so like he can't even really do much.
Because I think that's why, yeah, he like, he left for like

(01:03:30):
I went on vacation and he left. So he's back.
Oh, I I didn't. I think, I think he's there.
I could be mistaken. As far as I know, he's coaching
them, but I I could be wrong. I guess I could look it up real
quick. Yeah.
So I just think in for those reasons, I think Napoli should
be the coach, my God, the coach,the the the winners basically in

(01:03:52):
in my opinion. Yeah, I think, sorry, still
there. Yeah.
Then I don't know. Then it gets tricky because I
really don't know what interest going to do, man.
I really don't. It's like I actually think we
have, we're, we could, we're potentially going into this with
the best attack in Syria, hands down, in my opinion.

(01:04:13):
If Lukman goes through. I know we're, you know.
Yeah, if Lukman goes through, yeah, I mean.
And it's looking like it will. But if he goes through and we've
got Bonnie and and Pio and if Lukman comes and we still got
and as long as Toronto gets sold, which I don't think he's
gonna and Letaro, I mean, we aremiles ahead of where we've been

(01:04:37):
the last couple years. So and and really the our attack
has been the problem, the biggest problem, obviously, I
think for Inter for a while now.So that gives me a little hope.
But you just don't know because there's so much unknown about
Inter right now with the yet notonly have a new coach, but guy

(01:04:58):
who's just like essentially no experience.
And you've obviously got the hangover from the last season in
Champions League. And there's obviously some kind
of turmoil that they need to kind of work out because some of
these guys that there has been friction with are probably will
end up staying. So there's so many unknown parts

(01:05:20):
there, but I'm going to give them second for the list.
Oh wow. OK.
Little hopeful. So, all right, so number one
right now. Monopoly #2 Enter 3.
This is where I already get, youknow, I'm going to, I don't
know, man. I just think like just because I
kind of trust him and I kind of don't even like this guy, but I

(01:05:43):
trust him and I wish he was the Italian national coach, but I'm
going to go with Milan because Ithink Allegra is a is a good
coach. I really I like good is not
maybe the right word. No, he's a good coach and I
think he's going to he's going to go in there and he's going to
like handle business and I think.
One day a week, too. Yeah, I'll forget it, you know
so. And he's got the experience, I
think and the player, he's got adecent enough players.

(01:06:06):
I think where he he'll get in there, then I don't know, man.
Then I I'm curious to see like how Fiorentina do.
I'm going to go because you got Juventus too.
I just can never count Juventus out of the top four.

(01:06:27):
Unfortunately. That's how I'm going to go.
Juventus 4 and I'm I'm going to say Fiorentina 5.
All right? So I don't think Atalante's
going to have the year. I don't think Lata's going to
do. You obviously get to always
throw Aroma in there. I don't know what other team is
coming into this top five. I really don't.
I don't just yeah, look, I I think you got a point there.
So I just want to go over your list.

(01:06:48):
So #1 Napoli #2 into 3 Milan, 4 Uve and five was Fiorentina.
Yeah, yeah. All right.
I like this. That's solid.
I mean, mine's OK, so I'm rolling in at 5th here.
I'm going to go from down, up. All right?
Cuomo going enough. Cuomo fucking €118 million this

(01:07:10):
summer. Do fucking what?
8th place? 7th place.
Yeah. Like, you're going to barely
qualify for fucking Conference League, let alone it's like, I
get it. There's a hot destination.
It's a cool fan base. It's fun.
They got a lot of money. They seem to be the only team in
city with a lot of money but it's like they have spent a

(01:07:31):
fortune and I guarantee you theydo nothing beyond 7th or 8th
place like. To be honest, anyone expects
them to to be fair, you know? Except for them themselves, I
don't even think the fans expect.
I think it's that front office. But I'm coming in #5 for all the
reasons that you said earlier about Max Allegri Milan, I just,

(01:07:55):
I just don't think they're talented enough to get beyond.
You hate your own team so much. Dude, so much, so much.
So I'm going 5th place for Milanbecause I just don't think
they're talented enough to go beyond that.
If we get 5th place, it's a miracle.
Everything else is gravy. So yeah, so there's that.

(01:08:16):
Milan 5 at 4:00 for all the reasons why you stated earlier
for your side, I'm putting interbecause their attack is pretty
incredible and you still have Barela.
I'm sorry you still have the fucking best midfielder, top 10
midfielder in the world, one of the best mid the best midfielder

(01:08:36):
in city I Kevin the Brian and the jury still out because he
hasn't played in city I yet. So we'll see.
But but again, like the foundation for Inter is there.
Whether or not your manager decides to build on that or
figure that out, I don't know. But I think 4 for Inter, 3, this
is the team that to me has now replaced Atalanda as the team

(01:08:59):
that has all the hopes and dreams of all of Italy now that
Atalanda with the Gasperity era is over.
But Bologna at three, I'm putting Bologna at 3.
They've kind of remained to be the same core of players.
Obviously they have Italiano andof course getting oh, we forgot
to talk about Bernardeski comingback from MLS to fucking

(01:09:22):
Bologna. I completely forgot about that
because they. Can see like that's even almost
the most embarrassing. That is the most embarrassing.
First off, yeah, OK, we can argue you went to MLS too early,
right? Blah blah blah, but then to come
back, holy shit. Man, holy shit.
And now he's at Bologna and a team that I loved watching all

(01:09:43):
last season, a team that I thinkis actually going to do pretty
well. I do agree with you.
I don't agree with them where you do, but they they are fun,
Good team. They got a couple guys in there.
I do think Italiano has honestlygotten better and better.
So yeah, that's not, you know, listen, that's not crazy.

(01:10:03):
So yeah, Bologna at 3:00. Now here's where it gets a
little spicy. This is where the tomatoes or
the guns are going to come out. I don't know.
Or or maybe we revisit this in ayear from now and you're cutting
videos of just like this fuckingjerk off was right again.
But here's the deal. As much as we've talked about

(01:10:24):
the mercato for Napoli being incredible, I think Napoli's
biggest problem is that their manager can't manage games twice
a week. Yeah, I don't see them.
I don't see them winning Scudetto because if I'm Antonio
Conte, what I do now is say everyone fucking doubts me.

(01:10:45):
They all think I'm not that goodin terms of two days a week.
I just won Scudetto. I'm going to put everything in
with this Arsenal that I've established this summer.
I'm going full in on UCL and if I'm and if I'm there at Napoli
as a player, whereas I would just yeah, push everything you

(01:11:05):
can to go as far as you can in UCL because I.
He's going to do that. But I I get what I get what
you're getting. Yeah, I don't think he thinks
like that either. I think he just thinks like, you
know, what's in front of him anddoesn't go beyond that.
Like and as much as I love Conte, don't get me wrong,
that's the difference between him and like, I don't know

(01:11:26):
Angelotti where it's like Angelotti will look at the week
that he has. How do I prepare for you know,
Villarreal on Sunday and then Bayern Munich on Wednesday and
then oh, we have Barsa the following weekend.
How do I prepare for this week ahead, Whereas Conte is just
like we're playing this game fucking play this game.

(01:11:47):
Let me RIP my hairpiece out of my scalp, though.
I'm but I do think that with UCLbeing a thing now, I can also
see De Laurentiis being hey, buddy, I've given you everything
that you've asked for and more. I'm delivering still I wanted, I

(01:12:08):
want Champions League and I can see the guy up top because we
also know how De Laurentiis operates where it's like I'm
kind of tired of winning school that though we just won two in
the last five years. I want UCL now, I want UC.
We've won Cope Italia with Saudi, I don't need that.
I want UCL, get me UCL and I cansee that being where Napoli

(01:12:32):
lands at 2nd place. Which leads me to my first place
pick, a team that has been building and had a phenomenal
record towards the end of last season after they sacked their
second coach and hired their third coach.
But now they've hired, pound forpound, the best manager in city
OP, The Who knows how to work a budget, who knows how to get the

(01:12:55):
most out of players that no one's ever heard of, make them
into international superstars, sell them for a ridiculous
amount of money. But also, the difference between
this team that now that Gasparini has versus the team
that he had at Atlanta is that he does have a world class
superstar on his team, and that is Paulo de Bala.
So I'm picking Roma to win the Scudetto this season and there's

(01:13:19):
my fucking yo, Sal, you're a lunatic and you don't know shit.
You're a jerk off pick. And then we revisit this in a
year from now and it's like, maybe it was right.
No, I mean, I, I'm, you know, honestly, I'm probably more
wrong about Roman not making thetop five honestly, then you are
putting in the I mean, no, I don't think they're going to win
first place personally. That's fine.

(01:13:40):
My uncle thinks I'm crazy too. I, I, I get what you're saying.
And I, and they probably will make that top five and someone
else and someone in my top five will will be squeezed out.
Yeah, Milan. It could be Milan, it could be,
I don't know. You just never know.

(01:14:01):
I didn't even put and look just for everyone that does listen.
Y'all know how much I hate Juventus?
Yes, but I do respect their fansand you know you still have to
respect them as as an institution of Italian soccer
that just knows how to win. They have not done a damn thing
to be impressive this summer to for me to even consider them for

(01:14:22):
top five. In fact, Fidentina going for
Eden Djeko is more more of a more of a push for top five in
my opinion as we laughed about it then then whatever Juventus
hasn't done. That's a good point.
That's a good point. And Rome is the kind of team
where it's like you kind of want, I think if you're you

(01:14:44):
know, if it's not your team, it'd be fun to watch them kind
of go far, obviously. And Gasparini is an interesting
dude. I'm very curious to see, you
know, he's been at Atlanta for so long.
I'm so curious to see what it will be like to go there and
coach Roma. And it's almost the most

(01:15:05):
exciting thing to to that. I think it's happening this year
to just sort of see how how he'll handle it.
Yeah, I'm happy that he's picking up the reins.
After Renieri, there was talk ofother managers, all of the
managers that Roma would link towere very favorable.
Gasparini going there makes the most sense because I think like

(01:15:26):
he can literally hit the ground running.
He's worked with Devala before at Palermo when Devala was a
young buck. So I, I think now that both of
them have, yeah, I guess buddingdoesn't need any more
experience, but both of them have a taste of what winning is
like. And I think they're going to
bring that type of mentality. You know, I know Roma won

(01:15:48):
Conference league and people canlaugh at it all you want, but
when you win it, you win it and it's a trophy, you know, and,
and Ibala has won almost everything at Juventus.
So, you know, Gasparini winning,you know, winning conference
league is also incredible too atthe Lanta bringing them their
very first trophy in, you know, however long.

(01:16:09):
So here we are. It's like, I think like they're
they're on a mission for something and Ranieri was
building something really incredible that you almost hope
that he stayed for a full seasonand get a transfer window.
But the guy came out of retirement to save his team.
You'll understand why the circumstances.
So. Having Renetti in there is the
next best thing and I do think that Roma are going to turn a

(01:16:32):
lot of heads. I hope so.
We'll see. We'll see.
Is right. League starts in a couple weeks
but also starting in in a week is the season 12 of Cover them
on the AL. August 2nd we kick off of Belena
Citapani. Please follow us in socials.
Cover them on the pod. Rosario Palorito, thank you so
much again for coming on and listening to this and for all of

(01:16:58):
you for listening to this. We'll do it again next year.
Can't wait man. Nice e-mail, yeah.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at kirvamundialpod.
Thanks for listening.