carlo cimmino

No algol. I'm not from Milan. I was born and live many kilometers further south, and even though - like any respectable southerner - I have countless relatives residing in the outskirts of Milan, I rarely find myself in those parts. The last time, however (in August), I was there scientifically for the derby. The cap you see on my desk is indeed the cap of Portsmouth. But that's not me. That's Tony Adams! A player who, despite my support for Liverpool, I particularly loved during my youth. Similarly, I can't help but get emotional reading about all the great champions of Red Star that you mentioned. You're right about Bergkamp. He was a quirky guy: notably afraid of flying. As for Balotelli... bear with me! He is already a great player. Better than all those Mister Paul Newman prefers for the national team. I believe there's a certain media frenzy against him that's truly unwarranted. Let's give him time; he's only nineteen.

Algol. Of course I agree with your judgment on "Perda il migliore". You really have to know Franco Rossi to appreciate him. He definitely doesn't mince words. Sometimes he might exaggerate, but other times you have to admit he says things that other journalists, to please the "reading public" and to sell, don’t say. "Fùtbol" is practically the next themed book, not only and strictly football-related, that I had promised to review. I shouldn’t even have to say it, but I liked it a lot. And I particularly like Soriano, whom I consider not only very talented but with whom I share a tremendous passion for Raymond Chandler and his Marlowe. Anyway, once I asked "Pancho" what he thinks of Soriano. In his usual style, curt and unyielding, he told me: "HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL. HE KNEW HOW TO PLAY WITH WORDS LIKE WRITERS DO." Naturally, throw in some grammatical errors here and there. The poor Pancev will probably be remembered by history as the ultimate flop. The same goes for Shalimov. With the difference that Darko (like Bergkamp, for example) will go down in history and has shown he can perform in contexts of international relevance. The trivèla, which certainly isn’t worth 25 million and has so far (if we exclude the recent match with Fiorentina) distinguished himself for laziness and football stupidity, I think has done no worse than Amantino Mancini in these two years. And he doesn’t seem worse than the "heir of Zico, Platini, and Maradona" who plays for Juventus. Finally, I warmly shake Franci's hand! and hug Kosmogabri. Or, at least, his legs. Bye.

- Hi algol. Thanks for the compliments. Of course, I wouldn't mind seeing Hiddink on the Inter bench. But I doubt we'll ever see Guus coaching in the Italian league. Who knows, though. Certainly, Italy does not seem very welcoming or benevolent towards foreign coaches. Anyway, I share your "desperation" for the failure of Hiddink's Russia to qualify for the upcoming World Cup. The World Cup is losing out a lot. Regarding the missed World Cup successes of the Netherlands and Hungary, I refer you to the at least entertaining read of "Perda il migliore" by Franco "Pancho" Rossi. - anfoxx. Elsewhere, it seemed to me that you are an Inter fan. Inevitably, then, you underestimate Igor Shalimov, who I think was not a champion, but certainly a good player. Honestly, that Inter, the pre-Moratti Inter, was perhaps the worst of all time. About St. Petersburg, I agree: it was a "fasciopseudometallarizzazione." Something tells me we could spend days commenting/discussing without finding common ground. I can come to terms with that. - Enbar. As Aries, whom I greet, regularly points out, "eastern teams" have shown considerable quality over the years. All in all, titles, as often they are the only thing remembered by fans, aren't that important after all. Anyway, just off the top of my head, (the Great) Hungary did play in a World Cup final and won Olympic games. Club teams like Steaua Bucharest and Red Star Belgrade have also triumphed in the Champions Cup in relatively recent times. Before 1990, of course. - So yes, aries. A bit of nostalgia and the conviction that everything has gone to hell.

- Dear Eltonjohnian Starblazer. I actually wanted to publish this review a few days before Inter-Rubin. But it’s fine the way it is. Anyway, and here I also quote Jurix, I believe that Russian football is at least on par (if not superior) to French football. Unfortunately, it is hindered by the calendars. They are indeed forced, due to climatic issues, to follow a different schedule that often affects them at crucial moments of the season. See the playoff against Slovenia (ciao boredom) - the same argument applies to the Ukrainians defeated by the Greek hero Otto Rehhagel - or even yesterday's match. In other contexts, the calendar works in their favor. April-May is when they run faster than others. Hiddink's Russia at the last Euros was in excellent shape. - Hi Bob. Your comment is interesting. And, I add, the football made in DDR is very interesting and fascinating. Definitely a topic worth exploring. At least as far as I’m concerned. - Jurix, thank you for the compliments. However, I’d like to point out that there is growing attention towards the Russian league (satellite TV regularly broadcasts matches from the Russian Premier League), but also that there is some literature that rightly praises the Great Hungary. One of the strongest teams of all time. - Hi voodoo. Thank you. And I also thank Enbarseventyseven and the soccer-deprived Flo.

... at this time no one would know them! I would then have something to say about the cover. But I wouldn't want to be repetitive.

If this isn't a five...

I will read the review later. In the meantime, it is nonetheless a subtle pleasure to award a 1 to this delightful volume.

In fact, I too don’t understand that "asshole" Balotelli. And, I add, it is certainly curious how Italian fans (and all journalists) seem almost scared in front of what is probably already the most talented player in our league. I wouldn’t want the obsessive idolization of players who are all speed-no talent to have influenced the way football is viewed in this country. Which, by the way, would explain a lot of things. ANFOXX. It doesn’t seem to me that the reviewer has made any profound criticisms or offensive remarks towards the character Di Canio – something that, by the way, I would have done. On the contrary. He only limited himself to saying that this autobiography doesn’t say a damn thing. Moreover, I would add that it doesn’t seem to me that this person is in any way marginalized since he is a regular guest on talk shows and has practically played in his career with almost all the most important teams in our league.

In the end, Camilla is a whore.

I prefer Franco Nero when he drags himself through the desert, pulling along the usual inevitable coffin. But interesting!