It's pagellone time again. While the Italians prepare for the maxi-holiday exodus (and some lucky ones will read us directly from the beach), the transfer market continues unabated. The last week was characterized by Milan and its illustrious transfers. Thiago Silva and Ibrahimovic left in one fell swoop, heavy losses for the Rossoneri but also for Italian football. The economic crisis has hit the happy oasis of football this time, even if the big names continue to earn exorbitant sums (and in some cases, see Ibra, they even get a raise!). Now all eyes are on Berlusconi and Galliani, but the moves of Juventus and Inter shouldn't be underestimated either. The Italian champions are almost complete and the last box to fill in (the top player) is the one that keeps the fans' attention high. The Nerazzurri also have dreams and goals, but first they have to sell to raise cash. So who is moving better among the greats of our championship?
Juventus 7,5
Juventus remains the (Italian) queen of the transfer market. In a moment of crisis like this, the bianconeri have invested a lot, strengthening the team in all departments. The defense (the best of last season) added two important pieces: Lucio and the young Masi. Experience and freshness, the components that everyone is looking for. Even in midfield Marotta moved quite well, signing Asamoah and Isla, excellent reinforcements for a department that could already count on Pirlo, Marchisio and Vidal. Too bad for losing Verratti, who would have really completed the Juventus median perfectly, but withdrawing from His Majesty PSG is no longer a crime. On balance, therefore, the only department to fix is the attack, at the moment not up to par with the rest of the team. The club's ideas seem a bit confused: are you looking for a first striker (Van Persie) or an offensive joker (Jovetic)? Probably both. In the sense that Dutch is the forbidden dream, but if you really can't get it, then it's better to change your goal. One thing seems certain: the top player will lead to an important sale, like Matri (the most probable candidate) or Quagliarella. The only drawback: the outgoing campaign is struggling. Felipe Melo, Krasic, Martinez and Iaquinta are still in Turin, far from being sold, and those who have left (like Motta) have done so on free loan. High salaries slow down sales, but money is needed.
INTER 6
Full sufficiency also for Inter, who are slowly carrying out their project. The idea is to rejuvenate the squad by heavily reducing the amount of wages, without losing competitiveness. For now, the works are in progress and the feeling is that they will continue until the end of the market. In fact, the Nerazzurri are encountering numerous difficulties, especially in transfers. Julio Cesar, Maicon and Pazzini are the thorniest cases. The first was burned by Inter's decision to set him aside in favor of Handanovic, and gives the feeling of wanting to keep everyone on their toes for a while longer. Then he will leave, probably abroad (Tottenham?), to the delight of Moratti and the Inter fans. The other separated in the house is Pazzini, who is refusing all offers. Lokomotiv Moscow would have covered him with gold, as well as Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen, but he wants Italy and is waiting for Juve's proposal, for what would be a considerable slight. Everything is at a standstill for Maicon, as well as for Sneijder, who is fundamental in words (Moratti dixit) but in practice could leave. Thorny situations, which block incoming operations. Lucas is still on the market stalls, but we need to move before someone else takes him, or the price becomes prohibitive. In the middle there is an Olympics, which could make his quotation skyrocket. Work in progress also in midfield: Mudingayi is fine, but this Inter lacks a director. Paulinho seems nuanced, Branca and Ausilio will have to come up with something. That said, the Nerazzurri market remains sufficient, because Handanovic, Silvestre, Palacio and Guarin (a new signing to all intents and purposes) are excellent shots.
MILAN 4,5
Half a vote more for the trust that Galliani deserves after 27 years of hard work. For the rest, the Milan market is giving goosebumps, and, ça va sans dire, it's not a compliment. The sales of Thiago Silva and Ibrahimovic may have brought in a ton of millions, but technically they have devastated the team. The Brazilian was considered by all to be the best defender in the world, the Swede the added value, the only one capable of winning games (and championships) on his own. Now they are gone, so the vote can only be seriously insufficient. Of course, the transfer market is still long and Galliani has plenty of time to restore meaning to the team, but the arrivals will hardly be able to obscure the departures. As we write, the hottest name seems to be that of Matri, a good striker but far from the physical and technical overwhelming power of Ibra. Even for the defense there are many names, and even here the comparisons with the past are merciless. But it's not just the shortcomings of the two big names that are worrying. Milan made a clean break with the past, giving up all the old glories in one fell swoop, an understandable decision from a personal and economic point of view, but still very risky. Despite the permanence of captain Ambrosini, the dressing room is no man's land, and given the numerous hotheads (above all Cassano and Boateng) there is cause for concern. From Montolivo to Costant, passing through Acerbi and Traorè, the newcomers seem to be above all gamblers, with lots of lungs but little experience. And since even the old flaws have remained such (there is no director and a quality left-back is missing), the vote remains unforgiving. Waiting for Galliani to realize once again the wedding with dried figs, or if you prefer yet another miracle.
