Chiesa Di Totti - Know Your Enemy 2016: Assessing Roma's RivalsCautiously Optimistic Since 2007https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48469/totti-fave.png2016-09-10T21:16:06+02:00http://www.chiesaditotti.com/rss/stream/125659052016-09-10T21:16:06+02:002016-09-10T21:16:06+02:00Reformed Juventus title favorites
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<p>It's not often that a team loses a player that's worth almost a quarter of a billion dollars and manages to improve, but that's just what Juventus did this summer, which is why the Northern giants are favorites to capture a sixth straight scudetto. </p> <p>Hell, they might even be a dark horse contender in this year's Champions League, they're just that good. So how did all this come to fruition? Well it started rather unconventionally when <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/">Juventus</a> sold star midfielder <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/paul-pogba-transfer-rumours-news">Paul Pogba</a> to Manchester United earlier this summer for what can only be described as a small country's war chest. Mino Raiola, Pogba's agent, made so much money on the transfer, he could probably fill up his swimming pool with money a la Scrooge McDuck.</p>
<p>Instead of blowing all the Pogba money on seven or eight young prospects, like Tottenham after selling Gareth Bale or Liverpool after selling Luis Suarez, Juventus took a page out of the Book of Bayern, pilfering the top talent from the teams closest to them in the league table. By doing this, Juventus ensured that their league dominance will continue for at least a few more years. Without further ado, let's take a look at the Serie A super team in the final post of this year's Know Your Enemy series.</p>
<h3>Juventus</h3>
<p><b>Last Season: </b>1st place, 91 pts, +55 goal differential</p>
<p><b>Manager: </b><span>Massimiliano Allegri</span></p>
<p><b>Key Additions: </b>Dani Alves, <span>Mario Lemina</span>, Medhi Benatia, Marko Pjaca, Gonzalo Higuain, <span>Juan Cuadrado</span>, and Judas</p>
<p><b>Key Losses: </b><span>Paul Pogba</span>, Alvaro Morata, Mauricio Isla, <span>Simone Zaza</span></p>
<h3>Synopsis</h3>
<p>Juventus looks primed for a treble this season. It's hard to imagine anyone finishing within 15 points of them given the fact that they've signed the top talents on the next closest teams in the league. They've maintained their stranglehold on the rest of Italy while also improving their chances of winning the Champions League this year.</p>
<p>The juggernaut is showing no signs of slowing.</p>
<h3>Style of Play</h3>
<p>Manager Massimiliano Allegri has used the 3-5-2 formation, which Juventus is known for, during the first three rounds of Serie A play this year. The result? Three wins out of three matches. The Juventus roster is built for the formation, with the team absolutely stacked at the wing back and center back positions.</p>
<p>Juventus has so many attacking options that shots on goal are abundant, although it should be noted the team has an affinity for attacking down the right side of the pitch often times.</p>
<h3>Biggest Threat</h3>
<p>Gonzalo Higuain is the odds-on favorite to be Juventus' biggest threat. He won the <i>capocannoniere </i>last season at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/">Napoli</a> after scoring a record breaking 36 goals in 35 Serie A matches. The Argentine international has three goals in three matches with Juventus so far this season.</p>
<h3>Biggest Weakness</h3>
<p>No discernible weaknesses.</p>
<h3>Scudetto Threat Factor: 10/10</h3>
<p>If another team wants the <i>scudetto, </i>they'll have to rip it out of Juventus' cold, dead hands.</p>
<h3>Roma Threat Factor: 10/10</h3>
<p>This season could get ugly quick.</p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2016/9/10/12872196/reformed-juventus-title-favoritesvote4kevin2016-09-08T15:00:08+02:002016-09-08T15:00:08+02:00Napoli: Roma’s True Rival
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<p>Buoyed by some new signings, Napoli looks poised to threaten the top of table again, despite losing Gonzalo Higuain. </p> <p id="WPjADt">S.S.C. <a href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/">Napoli</a>, Roma’s annual foe for the hearts and minds of Southern Italy, are in many ways the model Serie A franchise, Juve notwithstanding of course. In the decade or so since their bankruptcy, reorganization and rebirth into the top flight, Napoli has remained a consistent contender through superior scouting, shrewd sales and even shrewder purchases. </p>
<p id="Vvc75v">Consider the following: After selling Edinson Cavani, Napoli was able to acquire Gonzalo Higuain, Raul Albiol, Jose Callejon and even Dries Mertens. With the money they then earned from Higuain, they were able to land <span>Arkadiusz Milik</span>, Amadou Diawara, Piotr Zielinksi, <span>Lorenzo Tonelli</span> and Nikola Maksimovic among others.</p>
<p id="hHJEdr">Such a lucrative domino effect insures that Napoli is able to load and reload seemingly without end and is the prime reason why they’re among Italy’s best teams, despite not pulling in as much revenue or spending as much on salaries as their more well known competitors. In fact, Napoli only spent roughly €80 million on transfers this summer...their entire campaign was funded by one sale. Let that sink in. </p>
<p id="g4nbng">So without further ado, let’s take a quick look at Napoli.</p>
<h4 id="NAW8CZ">Napoli</h4>
<p id="qKNU03"><strong>Last Season:</strong> 2nd place, 82 points, +48 goal differential</p>
<p id="QWRa80"><strong>Key Additions</strong>: Arkadiusz Milik, Amadou Diawara, Piotr Zielinksi, Lorenzo Tonelli, Nikola Maksimovic</p>
<p id="V5tXst"><strong>Key Losses</strong>: Gonzalo Higuain, Mirko Valdifiori</p>
<h4 id="1HO3D3">Synopsis</h4>
<p id="E8Cm7z">Under new manager <span>Maurizio Sarri</span> last season, Napoli edged out Roma for an automatic berth into the Champions League by two measly little points, and in doing so, secured a top five finish for the sixth consecutive season.</p>
<p id="lXTmkM">We sort of touched on it during the introduction, but Napoli seemingly have this <em>managing-a-football-team-in-the-21st-century</em> thing down pat: scout young talent, sign emerging stars from smaller clubs, flip them for substantial profits to clubs larger than yourself, lather, rinse, repeat.</p>
<p id="qDYw1U">Starting with Cavani, Napoli has been able to constantly stock, sell, and replenish their roster with top talent with little to no impact on continuity or results. They are in many ways a model for Roma. </p>
<h4 id="JXAsla">Style of Play</h4>
<p id="0w5UVf">Through two matches, Sarri has relied on a 4-3-3 formation headed by Callejon, Milik and Mertens, and so far it has borne plenty of fruit, resulting in six goals through two matches. If last season was any indication, Sarri will rely almost exclusively on this formation.</p>
<p id="qwm4Rd">Ah yes, about last season. To call Napoli dependent on Higuain would be a gross understatement. Higuain’s record breaking 36 goal campaign represented nearly 50% of Napoli’s domestic output last season, nearly double <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/">Juventus</a>’ reliance on <span>Paulo Dybala</span>, so how they’ll manage his absence is certainly a storyline to follow this season.</p>
<p id="0gXQ3X">Napoli’s defense was also rather stout last season, conceding only 32 goals, the league’s second best mark. Retaining Kalidou Koulibaly and adding Maksimovic to that mix can only stand to strengthen Napoli’s resolve. </p>
<h4 id="czGyvj">Biggest Threat</h4>
<p id="UGtDGf">Their frontline. While we just talked about coping with Higuain’s absence as a question mark, thus far they’ve done quite well. Through two matches each of Milik, Mertens and Callejon has two goals, suggesting there was more to their magic last season other than Higuain. Callejon in particular has always been a thorn in Roma’s side.</p>
<h4 id="Q9Nzej">Biggest Question Mark</h4>
<p id="Hh9FLd">Away matches. While no one was ever going to track down the Old Lady last season, if you want to find one spot of bother for Napoli, it was their record away from the San Paolo, where they managed only 31 points. And sure, this was the league’s third best mark, but when we’re talking about championship or at least Champions League qualification margins, look no further; it’s so often the little things that control our fates.</p>
<h4 id="ynlVbU">Scudetto Threat Factor: 2/10</h4>
<p id="euepKT">Juve are the odds on favorites, but Napoli is pretty well stocked all over the pitch, so we’ll give them a 20% chance. </p>
<h4 id="lF0efX">Roma Threat Factor: 10/10 </h4>
<p id="J0PZEv">Hey, they did it last year, right? Sure, if management had canned <span>Rudi Garcia</span> earlier, maybe Roma finishes a few points above Napoli, but they did just enough to catch up with and keep Roma at bay last season. Make no mistake, they are Roma’s true rival this season. </p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2016/9/8/12801144/napoli-roma-s-true-rivalbren2016-09-07T15:00:08+02:002016-09-07T15:00:08+02:00Improved Inter Should Worry Roma
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<p>Bolstered by some impressive summer signings, Inter Milan could pose a renewed threat to Roma</p> <p id="rgQ66S">I’ve mentioned it several times in these spaces throughout the year, but there are few teams on earth, regardless of sport, that I loathe more than Internazionale Milano. Born out of their early decade dominance—and by extension, dominance over Roma—my hatred for the blue and black side of Milan grew exponentially with each successive second place finish. </p>
<p id="o62Mnf">Quite naturally, then, I was delighted as the Nerazzurri swooned over the past several seasons, falling further and further out of Italy’s European places. Not one to rest on their laurels, Inter was busy this summer so let’s take a look and see what, if any, threat they pose to Roma.</p>
<h4 id="RReZmo"><a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/">Inter Milan</a></h4>
<p id="6IkOwe"><strong>Last Season:</strong> 4th place, 67 points, +12 goal differential</p>
<p id="oqXz4i"><strong>Manager:</strong> Frank de Boer</p>
<p id="AFmKBt"><strong>Key Additions:</strong> Gabigol, <span>Antonio Candreva</span>, Ever Banega, Joao Mario, Cristian Ansaldi</p>
<p id="yINhIZ"><strong>Key Losses:</strong> <span>Juan Jesus</span>...I guess</p>
<h4 id="Sc7eMR">Synopsis</h4>
<p id="S7Y97w">Well, despite those impressive signings and new ownership group, Inter decided to change leadership mere weeks before the season started. Not satisfied with their pre season performance, Inter cut ties with <span>Roberto Mancini</span> for the second time in eight seasons.</p>
<p id="8lFLZw">Not surprisingly, Inter has stumbled out of the gate, earning only one point from the season’s first two matches. However, once all their new signings gel with de Boer’s tactics, Inter could be a dangerous team.</p>
<h4 id="k2nMcT">Style of Play</h4>
<p id="PZo85p">Through his first two matches at the helm, de Boer has opted for the 3-4-1-2 and the 4-3-3, perhaps indicating that he’s still feeling out his new side. However, if we look to his last season at Ajax as a guide post, de Boer seems to prefer a four man backline, as he alternated between the 4-1-4-1 and the 4-2-3-1 last season in Amsterdam.</p>
<p id="gzuhVg">Either way, it seems as though de Boer’s line will be led by <span>Mauro Icardi</span> and Eder with Banega, Candreva and <span>Geoffrey Kondogbia</span> in support. It’s definitely an intriguing lineup and one Roma should not overlook.</p>
<h4 id="aPChQD">Biggest Threat</h4>
<p id="dTvb12">Wanda’s Husband. </p>
<h4 id="FqJsQO">Biggest Question Mark</h4>
<p id="akjqBS">I mean, it has to be <span>Andrea Ranocchia</span>, right? Inter won’t suffer for goals, that’s for sure, but their defense remains their biggest weakness, and as we saw last season, Samir Handanovic can only bail them out so often.</p>
<h4 id="WGgqnW">Scudetto Threat Factor: 0/10</h4>
<p id="0wC3Bg">With Icardi, Joao Mario and Gabigol in tow, things are looking up, but Inter is still a rung below the Juve’s, <a href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/">Napoli</a>’s and Roma’s of the world.</p>
<h4 id="RT9DEe">Roma Threat Factor: 5/10</h4>
<p id="bpCojY">Given Roma’s penchant to blow late leads, Inter has more than enough firepower to steal some points from the Giallorossi. </p>
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https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2016/9/7/12823754/improved-inter-should-worry-romabren2016-09-06T14:00:03+02:002016-09-06T14:00:03+02:00Fiorentina still strong, but won't challenge Roma
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<p>Next up in CDT's Know Your Enemy series is Fiorentina, who will be looking to improve on the 18 wins they accumulated last season under first-year manager Paulo Sousa. </p> <h3><span>Fiorentina</span></h3>
<p><b>Last Season: </b>5th place, 64 pts, +18 goal differential</p>
<p><b>Manager: </b><span>Paulo Sousa</span></p>
<p><b>Key Additions: </b>Carlos Sanchez, Cristian Tello, Hrvoje Milic, Hernan Toledo, Carlos Salcedo</p>
<p><b>Key Losses: </b><span>Marcos Alonso</span>, Mario Gomez, Matias Fernandez, <span>Giuseppe Rossi</span></p>
<h3>Synopsis</h3>
<p>On paper, <i>La Viola </i>replaced the quality lost earlier this summer with slightly less talented, yet still capable players. But having to integrate multiple players while playing in multiple competitions can complicate the gelling process for a team.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina's</a> still strong, but seems to lack the adequate depth required to compete in multiple competitions. Manager Paulo Sousa, now in his second year in Tuscany, is reportedly upset with some of the summer's transfers, particularly management's decision to let left back Marcos Alonso leave. <a href="http://www.espnfc.com/fiorentina/story/2944215/fiorentina-deny-reports-of-manager-paulo-sousa-leaving-club" target="_blank">Rumors</a> have been swirling that Sousa might resign, but as of this writing, it hasn't happened. The club has since refuted the rumors of his exit as well.</p>
<h3>Style of Play</h3>
<p>In the first two rounds of Serie A play this year Sousa used different formations. He rolled out a 3-4-2-1 formation in a 1-0 victory over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/chievo-verona">Chievo Verona</a> on opening weekend, followed by a 3-4-3 formation in a 2-1 loss to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/">Juventus</a> last time out. Fiorentina's <a href="https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/73" target="_blank">strengths</a> include executing attacking set pieces and attacking through the middle of the pitch with short passing.</p>
<h3>Biggest Threat</h3>
<p>Josep Ilicic will most likely be Fiorentina's biggest threat. Ilicic scored 13 goals and grabbed six assists in league play last year, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him get 10 goals and 10 assists this season (or even 15 and 10).</p>
<h3>Biggest Question Mark</h3>
<p>The status of manager Paulo Sousa is the biggest question mark at the moment. Although the club refuted rumors of him handing in his resignation, the situation still seems fragile. Should Sousa leave, it would be near-disastrous for Fiorentina.</p>
<h3>Scudetto Threat Factor: 0/10</h3>
<p>Fiorentina would be lucky to compete for Champions League spots this season.</p>
<h3>Roma Threat Factor: 3/10</h3>
<p><i>La Viola </i>certainly have the potential to beat Roma head-to-head, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the two clubs will be close to each other in the table at the end of the year.</p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2016/9/6/12805564/fiorentina-still-strong-but-wont-challenge-romavote4kevin2016-09-03T03:00:07+02:002016-09-03T03:00:07+02:00Will A.C. Milan threaten Roma?
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<figcaption>Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Short answer? No. But that's no fun, so read on for the long answer in the first installment of this year's Know Your Enemy series, in which the CDT writing staff dissects Roma's main competition for the season (excluding Roma themselves). </p> <p>While still one of the most historic clubs in all of Italy, A.C. Milan has merely been treading water the past few seasons, weathering a managerial carousel and multiple underwhelming transfer windows. This season is no exception, as new manager <span>Vincenzo Montella</span> arrived earlier in the summer, and the club had yet another disappointing <i>mercato</i>. Let's take a look at the key additions and losses:</p>
<h3>A.C. Milan</h3>
<p><b>Last Season: </b>7th place, 57 pts, +6 goal differential</p>
<p><b>Manager: </b>Vincenzo Montella</p>
<p><b>Key Additions: </b>Gianluca Lapadulla, Gustavo Gomez, Jose Sosa, Mario Pasalic, Matias Fernandez</p>
<p><b>Key Losses: </b>Jeremy Menez, Diego Lopez</p>
<h3>Synopsis</h3>
<p>Technically A.C. Milan's season last year was an improvement on the previous one, but not by much. And there isn't help on the horizon for the Northern giants. New manager Vincenzo Montella has his work cut out for him this season, with the quality of the summer's reinforcements not exactly meeting the stature of the club. Although, if things continue as they are, the club's stature will eventually match the quality of those replacements.</p>
<p>Montella may be the right man for the job, but it will still be an uphill battle given the talent at his disposal, as well as the fact that the rest of the top tier of Serie A has reloaded. Never underestimate <i>L'Aeroplanino </i>though.</p>
<h3>Style of Play</h3>
<p>In the first two rounds of Serie A play this season Montella utilized a 4-3-3 formation and found mixed results. While Milan triumphed over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/torino">Torino</a> 3-2 on a thrilling opening day encounter, they fell 4-2 away to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/">Napoli</a> last weekend. With Carlos Bacca at striker Milan is certain to score goals, but with a lackluster midfield and a sketchy defense, they're also sure to leak goals at an alarming rate.</p>
<p>Last year's defense conceded 43 goals. This year, the defense has already let in six goals in two matches... not good. It's still early but it seems A.C. Milan still haven't solved their problems from last year.</p>
<h3>Biggest Threat</h3>
<p>Bacca's easily A.C. Milan's biggest threat. He has the most quality in the side and it's not even close. Now that he's acclimated to life in Italy, Bacca will look to build on the 18 goals he scored in his maiden season last year, and he already has a good head start with three goals.</p>
<h3>Biggest Question Mark</h3>
<p>Literally almost every other area of the team is questionable.</p>
<h3>Scudetto Threat Factor: 0/10</h3>
<p>Leicester City has a better shot at winning it.</p>
<h3>Roma Threat Factor: 1/10</h3>
<p>The reason for the one? Because Roma happens.</p>
https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2016/9/3/12777976/is-a-c-milan-even-a-threat-to-romavote4kevin