Mind Games

As I recall, wasn’t Italy involved in a scandal in 1982 with Gentile and some other players. Hey isn’t that the year the won their 3rd World Cup.

Posted from  Canada

And beyond the problems you alluded to, Zlatan has a host of other problems completely unrelated to soccer….

But I think it’s a point worth further discussion too; the degree of effect the scandal will have at the WC boils down to the individual’s mindset, in my opinion. Del Piero has always struck me as a bit of a head case, though I profoundly admire his wizardry and leadership, especially when Juve need a goal. In the big games for the Azzurri, however, I’m afraid Alex has failed to deliver. And with the scandal looming large, I don’t foresee the Juve Captain having an exceptional world cup (at least, not “exceptional” in the good sense). But again, I think it comes down to the individual player’s perspective.

Zambrotta has always struck me as an optimistic & hard working player, not the type to scowl or throw his hands up in the air if the ball isn’t at his feet (like DP). He plays like each moment is an opportunity to achieve something positive. When he loses the ball, he goes right back, harder, to win it back. I think players like Zambrotta will not just view the WC as the excellent opportunity to showcase one’s ability (as it undoubtedly is), but will actually embrace that opportunity. (Nedved’s like Zambrotta, but he has other issues to worry about such as his dodgy knee, so we’ll have to see how he fares).

Many of the Brasilian players play so well simply because they’re out there having fun. Is there anyone having more fun than Ronaldinho? Is it a coincidence that there’s no one better than Ronaldinho? In the same vein, look at poor Adriano. What talent he has!! But then you have imbeciles at Inter who create strife in the locker room, which made the poor lad miserable. True, he wasn’t having a great year, but players like him need to be cultivated and reassured, not slammed by his own teammates. In the end, Adriano spiraled downward.

Same with Ronaldo, he’s used to having a great time on the pitch. Just look at him play for Brasil. All smiles. Having fun. Madrid really know how to suck the fun out of football, don’t they? In fact, it seems like everyone who’s gone there in the past five years ends up beleagured (by the fans & management) and devalued. Yes, they’re getting older, but numbers (in terms of numbers of players) don’t lie. Cassano too. And Robinho’s next.
I know many of the above players don’t play for Juve, but I think their stories make my point. It comes down to the individual player’s mental constitution and how it interacts with the team’s environment. This, IMO, will determine how the bianconeri will do at the WC.

Because of the starkly different environment in the Brasil camp, I think we’ll see more confident & inspired play from both Ronaldo and Adriano.

Posted from  United States

as i wrote in a previous post 1982 italy was indeed affected by a huge scandal involving players and teams in game gambling ..that italian team due also to some gossips (like Rossi and Cabrini being lovers)choosed to separate from the press and concentrate only in training and creating the best conditions for a team to stick together well i see this happening while we speak everyone will have an extra reason to give 150% starting from Lippi every player will have to get something more out of this world cup since so much else is at stake …so the scandal will be in my opinion a propellent of motivation and cohesion
PS :despite his bad record in major games with Azzurri i have the feeling that this time around Alex Del Piero will do something memorable…

Posted from  United States

as for my beloved Juve …serie B is quite sure at the moment..the family is buying back all the shares ..then will sue for damages the dinamic duo (Moggi and Giraudo) no noe should miss the fact both of them made millions on the side while running the team so all the stars will have to go (Ibra,treze,Zambro,Canna,Emerson,Camo,nevdev,Viera…)they all will go in ordre to make it for the losses and because the salary cap will be much lowernew coach most likely will be Walter Alfredo Novellino an expert in taking teams form B to A (4 times different teams)..only Alex del Piero will stay for a couple of more seasons before retirement just to foster the rebirth ……

Posted from  United States

I believe that although it shouldnt have an effect it will .. i mean look at buffon .. you know in the back of his mind he could be thinking that this time next yr he could be in jail.

Posted from  Australia

ohh and as for DP .. i like josh comment on zambrotta and not throwing his hands up when the ball aint at his feet .. i recon refs should give more yellow cards for faking to stop all the crap … also you know why DP will stay at Juve even if they go to serie b?? coz no one else wants him .. otherwise you recon he wouldnt go to another club.. i mean he spends half the time on the bench so im pritty sure he would love to be playen full games

Posted from  Australia

i take it marco won’t be sporting a no. 7 shirt this summer? LOL! seriously, give little alex some credit for staying with juve. we need more of that in football.

i agree with you about buffon; i wrote the other day about the likelihood of his having a cloudy mind because of the all the betting allegations–> IF THERE’S ONE PLAYER WE CAN’T AFFORD TO BE DISTRACTED IT’S GIGI!!!!!

Therefore, if there’s any question about Buffon’s focus, I’d go with Peruzzi. Shoot, I might even go with Peruzzi anyway. He’s been awesome. Nice to have a physical keeper too, you know, ala Barthez-Ronaldo in the ‘98 final:
“Oh, there’s an excellent through ball, and a great run by the speedy ghanian forward… FWAP!!!!!!!! Ouch, that had to hurt! Peruzzi’s okay, though.”

Posted from  United States

regarding Buffon there is no penal code for betting on line..all these investigations will not put peole in jail all the evidence has been already polluted by the press even before peolple would be charged so just not usable..but the outcome of investigations will be that the Calcio Judges will suspend players or managers involved with any illegal activity …

Posted from  United States

I think they’ll start Buffon. It’s just the mindset of Azzurri calcio; decisions are NOT made in a reactionary manner, and in the rare cases when they are, they are made s-l-o-w-l-y, sometimes after it’s too late.

Posted from  United States

[...] The big question is whether any of this will affect Italy’s performance in Germany. Jay, our Italy blogger, thinks it won’t make any difference. There is also some thought that it might help the team because it will take attention away from the players. [...]

Posted from  United States