Recapping The 2011-2012 Season

Posted: 10th May 2012 by sentoff in Sent Off Podcast
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Man City is back on track to take the top spot, but will Man U spoil their party? Arsenal, Tottenham, and Newcastle are still battling out for third in the EPL. Juventus has retaken the Scudetto and is about to end their season with an impressive unbeaten record.

With this being the official final episode of the 2011-2012 Sent Off season, the boys take one last look at the Serie A, Premier League, and La Liga seasons. They also answer the following questions…

  1. Best transfers of the year?
  2. Player of the year?
  3. Team of the year?
  4. Biggest surprise of the year?
  5. Biggest flop of the year?
  6. Coach of the season?
  7. Most foolish decision?
  8. Who wins the Euro?

Check back soon for more exclusive interviews and random footy chatter over the summer. The guys will try to record random poddys in-between poolside mojitos. Cheers.

Juventus Wins The Scudetto

Serie A: The Fall Of Rome?

Posted: 28th April 2012 by Cicc in RIGORE! Serie A Blog
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Perhaps, my feelings towards Roma’s recent back-to-back losses can best be expressed through the musical compositions of iconic 80’s Synthpop/New Wave bands.

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Howard Jones…

“And do you feel scared – I do
But I won’t stop and falter
And if we threw it all away
Things can only get better”

Yes, things can only get better once Luis Enrique resigns. After Sunday’s 4-0 loss to Juventus, Roma fans greeted Lucho with “Tornatene in Spagna” Before today’s match with relegation-threatened Fiorentina, the Curva Sud welcomed the Spaniard with a Va fa Napoli chant (actually, it was much meaner than that). This was preceded with every player (except Francesco Totti) receiving resounding whistles during player introductions.

For old times sake, can I get a “Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoah…”?

Read the rest of this entry »

Pep Guardiola Says Farewell, And Chelsea Will Face Bayern In Champions League Final

Posted: 27th April 2012 by sentoff in Sent Off Podcast
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Pep Guardiola has announced his departure from Barcelona upon the season’s end. What’s next for the prolific manager of one of the world’s greatest clubs?

The Champions League Final has been decided, Bayern Munich will face the Great Wall Of Chelsea. The two teams defeated heavily favored Real and Barcelona respectively, to earn their spots at the big show.

Also on the podcast, Man United vs Man City, Roma vs Napoli, and other Premier League/Serie A predictions and analysis.

Pep Guardiola

Chelsea’s Blue Wall Defeats Barca, Bayern Outplays Real, And Wynalda Relives Glory Days In Legends Game

Posted: 20th April 2012 by sentoff in Sent Off Podcast
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The Spanish have been routed in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals… Chelsea’s defensive strategy and a goal from Didier Drogba earns them a win over Barcelona. Bayern defeats Real Madrid 2-1 with a impressive performance at the Allianz. Does Barcelona need a Plan B to cut through Chelsea’s blue wall? Is Barca too dependent on Messi to score and assist? Why Wynalda still hates Busquets, and why his flopping annoys him more than Drogba’s? What adjustments can Mourinho make to ensure Real advances into the final? And will this Saturday’s Super Classico between Barca and Real effect their performance in the second leg?

Arsenal is still on track to take the third spot in the Premier League. With no titles won this year, can it still be said that the Gunners had a successful season?

Roberto Di Matteo has turned The Blue’s around, but will his efforts be enough to guarantee his job next season?

With the implosion of Tottenham’s Title chances, is Harry Redknapp still the right man for England’s National Team?

George predicts that Roma will end Juventus’ undefeated season when the two meet this Sunday. This match may be the last time Totti faces Del Piero, who will not be returning to Juve next season.

And finally, Eric Wynalda recaps his experience at this past weekend’s Legends Game, where the arch rivals of old USA and Mexico reunited for a friendly. Wynalda talks about the USA 2-0 victory, his assist, how they turned the game around in the second half, and his good friend Alexi Lalas, who has that “Other” podcast.

USA Legends Team

USA Legends celebrate after defeating Mexico Legends 2-0

Serie A: It’s Hip To Be Over 30

Posted: 13th April 2012 by Cicc in RIGORE! Serie A Blog
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Genoa 1 – 1 Cesena
Juventus 2 – 1 Lazio
Roma 3 – 1 Udinese
Catania 1 – 2 Lecce
Napoli 1 – 3 Atalanta
Parma 2 – 0 Novara
Fiorentina 0 – 0 Palermo
Inter 2 – 1 Siena
Chievo 0 – 1 Milan

With the modern game dominated by younger, faster players, clocking  5-8 miles per game,  it is refreshing to see two older and slower Italian legends lead their teams to victories against quality opposition in Round 32. Specifically, it was 37-year old Alessandro Del Piero and 35-year old Francesco Totti that made all the headlines in the Italian periodicals this morning. Del Piero’s exquisite free kick endangered Lazio’s Champions League position gave extra meaning to Totti’s game winner over Udinese. The Giallorossi are now four points behind their city rivals with 6 games remaining. Read the rest of this entry »

Balotelli Strikes A Song, Wynalda Dusts Off His Cleats, And The Big Match Ups In La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and The EPL

Posted: 10th April 2012 by sentoff in Sent Off Podcast
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Balotelli Strikes Song

Mario Balotelli is again at the center of controversy after an out-of-control performance against Arsenal, most notably a studs-up tackle against Alex Song. UPDATE: The FA is currently deciding whether the attack warrants a 9-game ban. What should happen to the talented, but volatile and unpredictable striker?

Barcelona and Real have some important matches in next couple of weeks, especially since only 4 points separate the two teams. And Málaga, led by ex Real manager Manuel Pellegrini, continues to impress as they hold onto 3rd place in La Liga.

Wynalda dusts off his cleats and announces that he’s entered a team into the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

On Wednesday April 11, No. 1 Borussia Dortmund face No. 2 Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. A win for Bayern will bring them level with Dortmund.

Juventus surpasses AC Milan last week and takes the top spot. Who is most likely to win the league? UPDATE: AC Milan retakes the top spot today with a win over Chievo Verona.

And finally, Eric gives his predictions for the number 3 and 4 spots in the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga.

Serie A: Senor Enrique, Gracias Pero No Gracias

Posted: 9th April 2012 by Cicc in RIGORE! Serie A Blog
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Luis MurielLazio 3 -  1 Napoli
Palermo 0 – 2 Juventus
Atalanta 1 – 2 Siena
Lecce 4 – 2 Roma
Udinese 3 – 1 Parma
Milan 1 – 2 Fiorentina
Chievo 3 – 2 Catania
Novara 1 – 1 Genoa
Cagliari 2 – 2 Inter
Cesena 0 – 0 Bologna

I think I have finally realized the foundation for the system Luis Enrique has tried to install at Roma: arrogance. In Saturday’s 4-2 loss away at Lecce, the Spaniard obviously did not prepare for the match by trying to defend the wide open speedy play of the Colombina dynamic duo of Muriel and Cuadrado. As a result, Lecce scored four goals in a span of 35 minutes. The Italian sports journals were taken aback by a motionless Enrique who couldn’t muster the courage to rally his troops.

As my loyal readers will know, this is not the first time that I point this out. Enrique has been hell-bent on introducing and perfecting his possession-overkill system that he has forgotten to address the offensive and defensive capabilities of his opponents. Who cares about 65% ball possession when you can only produce two shots on goal? I think Romanistas like myself are less concerned with a new style of play but more concerned with where Lazio is in the standings. Mr. Enrique thanks for trying but I’m sure Barcelona B would love to have you back and take Simon Kjaer with you. It looks like Carletto Ancelotti is not adapting well to French football. Please come back home. And if that can’t be done, then please, at all costs, get Luciano Spaletti. And from now on, Gladiators need only apply. Read the rest of this entry »

Extra: EPL Relegation, Serie A Battle For 3rd, Real and Barcelona’s Super Classico, And FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

Posted: 6th April 2012 by sentoff in Sent Off Extra
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There are only a few matches left in the EPL season. While some teams are battling for Champions League spots, those at the bottom are fighting to prevent relegation: Aston Villa, Bolton, QPR, Blackburn, Wigan, and Wolves. Which three will not make it to next season?

Over at Serie A, things are getting interesting as only 8 points separate the currently ranked 8th Catania and 3rd place Lazio. With 6 teams vying for the 3rd and final Champions spot, this Italian race is the one to watch.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are heavy favorites to meet in the Champions League final. This meeting has yet to be written in stone, but their upcoming match in The Super Classico is. And while Real leads in La Liga, Barcelona could turn the tide with a win at the Classico.

Tensions rise in the studio when George and Christian argue over which league is better, La Liga or the EPL… And then it gets even uglier when they disagree over whether Europa League really matters. This is one podcast appearance El Chino was happy to have missed.

What really happened in the studio between "Jersey" George and Christian Miles

The Great Giorgio Chinaglia, Champions League Quarterfinals, Busquets is Dirty, and Man City’s Title Race

Posted: 5th April 2012 by sentoff in Sent Off Podcast
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In honor of Giorgio Chinaglia, the late Lazio and NY Cosmos legend, Wynalda and company kick off the podcast with some personal stories.

Champions League quarterfinals are over… Real and Bayern make it through as expected. The guys discuss AC Milan vs Barca and Chelsea vs Benfica. Did the referees ruin the matches? Is there a Dutch conspiracy? And is Sergio Busquets the dirtiest player in the world?

And it looks like Man City’s title race is over. What does that mean for Mancini, and will Mourinho take over?

Also, to help keep our facts straight the “Stat Man” David Mosse makes his 1st appearance at the studio.

The Great Giorgio Chinaglia

What The F**k Happened? How Did The U.S. Men Not Make The Olympics And Who Is To Blame

Posted: 29th March 2012 by sentoff in Sent Off Podcast
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Fox Soccer’s Nick Webster (Twitter Feed) co hosts this special episode of Sent Off.

The U.S. has failed to qualify for the Olympics and Wynalda is pissed. Who is to blame? Eric and “Jersey” think the fault lies completely with current President of the U.S. Soccer Federation Sunil Gulati. Caleb Porter is not at fault because he was over his head.

Also, Champions League recap and predictions. Chelsea, Madrid, and Bayern can’t be stopped. Milan Barcelona match is the only real game. Will/can Barca lose to Ibra and his Red and Blacks?

Sunil Gulati President Of The United States Soccer Federation

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