Latest / The Calcio Guys / The Future of Coaches in Serie A - Ep. 214 ft. Daniel Russo

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The Future of Coaches in Serie A - Ep. 214 ft. Daniel Russo · The Calcio Guys

0:26
We have one common theme on the couch guys this week, and that's coaches
0:31
and unemployment here with Adriano and Nicholas. Johnny's out this week, a bit
0:35
busy, caught up with school work, with the actual work. Not that
0:39
we're unemployed here on the couch guys. We're very much employed, but other
0:42
people might be unemployed soon. Yeah, Adrian, how's it going? Not
0:46
bad? Not bad? Uh, just how do you be back? Guy?
0:49
We're missing Johnny. Johnny, if you listen to this, we still
0:52
love you. Uh, you know, I don't know you chose out our
0:56
wrong time to be off tonight. All kinds of not way stuff to talk
0:59
about. But well, we're delighted to have a good friend of the pot
1:03
Daniel Russo later on to talk that and yeah, just happy to be back
1:07
talking culture. Yeah, yeah, I'm pretty good. I mean, you
1:12
know, in terms of couch wise juve, it's been in a shitty February.
1:17
We've seen that, we've talked about that. We'll talk about it more.
1:19
Uh. Daniel will be joining us about twenty minutes uh to talk about
1:23
Napoly, So we might as well just start start and talk about our two
1:26
teams because they're both going down a slippery slope where you know, the battle
1:33
we talked about it last week, the battle of the second and third place,
1:36
and it's it's kind of you know, which team is going to be
1:40
less worse at this point? Now, which team is gonna be better?
1:42
Which team is gonna be less worse? You know, you look at the
1:46
standings, You've still in second at fifty four points, nine points behind Inter.
1:49
Now, uh An, Inter still has that game in hand and which
1:53
I play. I think they played next week, so realistically they could be
1:57
twelve points up on Juve with the same amount of games played, but you've
2:00
still has that two point advantage over Melan. I forget when they do play
2:06
each other though for the scime it's all the way in April, so I
2:10
believe, so they'll lose a bunch of more games each before then. Uh
2:15
And then looking below, you know there is a bit of a gap between
2:19
Atalanta and Bologna. Each had forty five, but it's it's slowly catching up
2:23
because they're they're the hot teams right now in the city. I know Attlanta,
2:27
we don't talk about them enough. They're on a nice little winning streak
2:30
bowling and a four four game winning streak. They just be Lazzio. But
2:36
you know, for you and me, Lin, uh, it's it's frustrating.
2:39
Obviously you've just tied two two against Hellas Verona in a game in which
2:45
you know they they had to win it. It feels like every time they
2:46
play hell less Verona, though they're they're the team that always gives them struggle,
2:51
kind of like I don't know, Melan and Empli or something, there's
2:54
always that one team that that a top team has shown against. You think
3:00
Inter it's a swallow but to two for Verona, Uh, it was a
3:06
game in which just you've a just nothing was really happening. Obviously, they
3:09
still scored the two goals, one from the penalty and then one from an
3:14
actual nice play from a finish by Rabbio. But defensively they weren't there and
3:19
that was that was their idea then the all season up until this point was
3:23
defensive football. And look they haven't had a clean sheet now since they beat
3:29
Le three nothing on January twenty first, it's almost a month to a goo
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that you know it allowed one against emplely allowed winn against Inter, allowed one
3:37
against you Nines and then allowed two. Now now against Verona. Uh so
3:40
you know when they when when they lose that defensive identity, that's when they
3:44
really struggle. We've known that with Legry for many years. As soon as
3:47
the other team scores first, it's I wouldn't say it's game over. You
3:52
know, you've a has come back in games this year, but it's it's
3:57
a real struggle. You've plays better when the game is tied or when they're
4:00
up ahead. I know obviously in that game against Emply they were up ahead
4:03
and they still tied. You know, that's a different story. But you
4:08
look at these games against inter against Interview, Dense and in Verona, what's
4:13
the common theme The other team scores first. Yeah, but starting besides besides
4:20
the U struggle, I mean, the hell has came to play, I
4:25
mean full of Runco's goal was was was incredible, incredible, incredible goal,
4:29
probably goal of the week candidate or one of the goal of the year.
4:33
Yeah, no, honestly, really a really great goal. Uh player.
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I believe that's owned by anap on loan to hell So, I mean not
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super young, but you know middle seven. Yeah, so he's in that,
4:49
he's in that you know, spot where he's I don't know if he's
4:53
going to be an up with player starter in the in coming years, but
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he's proven not to be a pretty decent for for Verona. And yeah,
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man, like listen, they you know, hats off to Highlas because then
5:06
they need the points to write. Not only is is juve and and you
5:11
know, speak about me on later, but uh, you know, fighting
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for for top four, I mean, you know, hell as Verona's is
5:15
fighting for for for salvation, right, so there was a big point.
5:20
Obviously they would have preferred the three. But yeah, I mean, I
5:25
don't know, I didn't catch all the game of that one, but uh,
5:30
I mean, I don't know, they didn't seem they didn't seem hungry.
5:32
I don't know if that's that's something that maybe I just was picking up
5:35
but later on in the game. But I don't know, they needed the
5:39
points, they knew they needed the points, and you I don't know,
5:41
they didn't seem hungry. Do you agree with that or disagree? I don't
5:44
know. But at the same time, they still, uh they had more
5:49
shots and more possession, they had less shots on target. That was surprisingly
5:54
nine to four. So Chasney, someone did keep you in it. But
5:57
at the same time, that second goal by Nozlynn was you know, went
6:01
right through his legs, like he has to stop that. For me,
6:04
I think, what the you know what I didn't like, Well, what
6:08
an issue was they missed their chances. Like obviously against a team like Kellis
6:14
Verna, you're you want to get a lot of chances and if you miss
6:17
one, hopefully you get another one. You know, when you think about
6:21
games against teams like inter you might have that one chance all game and if
6:26
you miss it, it's it's a it's over. But that's what it felt
6:30
like against Rona because Keiza had that one chance at the end and he missed
6:32
it and he didn't really get another chance. And now you know people are
6:35
going to criticize all he wasn't given much opportunity this and that, Like,
6:40
come on, guys, to tell us Verna he did have somewhat of a
6:42
half chance a bit after. I think it was off a corner or a
6:45
free kick, but like he he created space for himself. He did a
6:48
good job getting getting loose in the box, but he's got to finish there.
6:54
I know. It was a nice saved by the keeper. But other
6:58
than that, like this is gaming, need to win, you know,
7:00
I know now obviously even to twitter out alliger out. I mean, at
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this point in the season, you know, what are we gonna do.
7:08
We're gonna be monopoly fire three coaches over the course of the season. Like
7:13
there's thirteen games left, there's cope tala left. Like if you fire a
7:18
legery now you're you're really hitting the panic button. And what is that?
7:21
What message is that sending to the players. Of course, this has been
7:25
a terrible February, and I know you've as Eve just wants to move on.
7:30
Turn the calendar, you know, And and as we talk about all
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the time on the podcast, is if you fire someone, who's who's next?
7:38
Who's that next guy? Uh? You know, ideally, I think
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you ask any of a fan right now. Ideally, Tago mate, he's
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a golden boy right now for coaches. If if another team comes along offers
7:50
more money, I wouldn't be surprised if he accepts. I don't know what
7:53
his contract situation is like with Bologna, but you're not getting him today.
7:58
You will have to wait for the summer. You might have to pay out
8:01
Bologna. I don't know how that worked. So unfortunately this is I'm not
8:07
I'm not saying unfortunately, this is what we're stuck with. You know.
8:11
I I've criticized the Laker a lot in the past. This season up until
8:16
this up until this month, it's been a successful season. What's happening,
8:22
I can't tell you. I don't know if he's lost the room or whatever.
8:26
I don't We know that Juve doesn't have a lot of depth, but
8:28
I don't think that's an issue here because they're still playing only once a week.
8:33
Yeah, I think personally, I think is just in preparation, because
8:37
like you said, they didn't look prepared. That's it. And you just
8:41
need more out of your players. Like I know, Kis didn't start,
8:45
but he comes off the bench like Kis is better than anyone hellas Rona has
8:48
And if you're bringing that off the bench, you expect him to score and
8:54
and that didn't happen. So you just need more for the players that do
8:58
have an opportunity. Yeah, no, yeah, and listen, you know
9:03
people were criticizing you know, uh, you know Volvic many times during the
9:07
season. He had a good little stretch. He was scoring goals. Uh,
9:13
you know he goes obviously I think he scored the penalty if from a
9:16
mistaken but you know, maybe he goes a bit quiet, and you know,
9:18
again everybody's on him. Fair. I understand price tie expectation. I
9:22
understand k Haza the same thing. I understand. Then the whole yield this
9:26
thing like I mean, there's listen, you is not the ver that obviously
9:31
we've we've known in the past that that's that's no secret. We've said it
9:35
many times on the show and anywhere you look in cultural Twitter. We know
9:39
that, guys. But again, for a team that's plating one tame one
9:43
game a week with the players that they do have available, which are still
9:48
quality players. Maybe not to a man, but for the most part.
9:52
Right And you know, like you said, Nick, against a team like
9:56
Alas Verona, and listen, you give them their far because they picked up
10:00
they picked up the draw and got that point a crucial point for themselves.
10:03
But with all due respect, you know your point House Verona. You you're
10:09
you're in a position where you know you can separate yourself a bit more,
10:13
get a bit closer to Inter. I know inter is that you know it
10:16
seems impossible to catch. But again just to be on that same mentality and
10:20
and and track and they don't pick up the points. And again that's all
10:24
this bleeds into Mewan as well, right because both teams, like you said,
10:28
uh we spoke about it last week, Okay, who has maybe the
10:31
better advantage of of of finishing higher and having that maybe those uh those bragging
10:35
rights if you will, and those those those extra funds for finishing second over
10:39
third place, you know, and they and both teams shut themselves in the
10:43
foot. They both had an opportunity to do something. You know, meon
10:45
had the benefit of seeing you as results first. Obviously, not that you
10:48
know that that really matters because you still have to take care of your own
10:52
business. But you know, Juve doesn't pick up maximum points, and and
10:56
and me one doesn't do the same, and uh you know they they they
10:58
stay more or less where they were a week ago. Right, So I
11:05
don't know for for you, I think there's more than just one issue.
11:07
Uh. Same with Milan and I probably will bleed into later. But yeah,
11:13
because we could talk about Melan. Yeah no perfect, Yeah for sure.
11:18
Is it purely out like both of us a basis are talking about,
11:24
we might as well just talk about Poli out Yeah yeah, well listen,
11:28
like so I mean whatever that was, you know, this is what two
11:35
point oh allegory. We've spoken about it. We know purely like as soon
11:39
as he got hired, it was already Puly out right, So that was
11:41
that there was million fans from the get goes to calling for his head before
11:46
as he was getting hired. So for me, I I didn't understand that
11:48
at that time. We gave him time to to show what he can do.
11:52
Listen, guys, get something that we haven't touched in in quite a
11:58
few years, or this banter area, the banter era that we went through.
12:01
So for that, you know, as I find you're grateful for it.
12:07
Does he have his flaws? Does he have his mistakes? Absolutely?
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Up until probably before just before yesterday, we had an unbelievable twenty twenty four
12:16
and we still have. Like this is only one small dent. It's a
12:18
big one because of you know what's going on in the table, but it's
12:24
our first loss in the in the league in twenty twenty four, So you
12:30
know, is that all on po I mean this game was was was a
12:33
game that looked that looked messy from the get go, if I'm honest,
12:37
and I was traveling between both my Nona's houses on on on Sunday yesterday and
12:43
catching the game here, catching the game there. You know it was it
12:50
was almost written in the stars. I was kind of going to be an
12:52
ugly, an ugly game. But you know, again, like I said
12:54
towards Sealas Verona, I'm going to say the same thing for two mons Chap.
13:00
You know, they they came out to play. They really pressed me
13:03
on meon looked you know, not not I don't know if you want to
13:09
say not prepared, because it baffles me when people say like, oh yeah,
13:13
these guys don't they don't they don't know the magnitude of these types of
13:18
games they need to get the points. Don't give me that, man.
13:20
They have to know they're they're playing it, they know what's at stake.
13:26
But what I don't like is when you know there's a lack of effort,
13:28
there's not that green that you know, we saw the bit when they were
13:31
behind. Sure, you know we had we had the courage, which I
13:35
was not shocked about, but you know, uh, pretty impressed that you
13:39
know they were able to even come back. Uh, not only would they
13:41
go down two goals, they went down the man and they scored two goals
13:46
with ten men. So you know, the ending of the game it was
13:50
what it was, you know, the the Bundle goal and and then the
13:56
Colombo goal was was kind of like an empty net in in hockey, right
14:00
that that way goal there. But yeah, I don't know, after seeing
14:05
them come back to the two two, obviously you would take the point.
14:09
Just to see that end of the game crumble at that and just lose all
14:13
three points. It was obviously a piss off. But now it's like who's
14:18
where do you put the blame? Like whose finger? You know what I
14:20
mean? Like, where where are we putting his finger on the blame?
14:24
Like I said, up until recently, U you know there was even therese
14:28
even rumors and and and and you know, uh articles out that maybe the
14:35
shift from p o out to yeah he's gonna be leaving in the summer to
14:39
maybe he has a chance to be staying another year. So I think it's
14:43
it's it's hard to really put the finger on Hu the blame. Obviously,
14:48
he made some some changes in this game, starting eleven wise, you know,
14:52
taking out both Sorry, the front three was a different front three with
14:58
with the Oka for and Uh and Yovic up top. You know, Jovic
15:03
didn't do himselves any favors by getting the red card. Now, people,
15:09
I was soft. There was another red card, you know, but stony
15:11
he elbowed somebody a halfful of weeks. Okay, guys, this whole back
15:16
and forth, we're gonna take clips from seven weeks ago. It's enough of
15:20
that. You know it was what it was. Was he right to do
15:22
it? Was he wrong to do it? Call it house you want,
15:24
But like you said, for you of it, one has to be better.
15:30
This is, this is and again no disrespect to Manza. I know
15:33
this was the bony the Berlscony coup over here, you know, but and
15:39
I guess I no disrepart to to Monsa, but you know me, one
15:41
has to pick up these points, especially knowing what's at stake, you know,
15:46
seeing seeing the result. Like I said for j of A that they
15:50
didn't pick up maximum points. They could have. We frogged Jova by a
15:54
point. They didn't do it. Yeah, we we we have to wait
15:58
for another week and another crazy week of sitting to see what happens, uh,
16:00
you know, going forward. But I don't know. I think I
16:04
think ultimately, ultimately, you know, PYOI probably will be out, uh
16:11
you know, come come the summertime, unless some sort of miracle does happen.
16:15
But again I don't say I don't say that in a sense of POI
16:21
out and yeah fuck him, this, that and the third. I mean
16:22
I I don't think that because what he was able to do with our squad.
16:26
And again he's no he's no Ancelotti, he's no Capello, he's no
16:30
Saki, that's for sure. But he stuck with this team. He's improved
16:36
this team. He brought us to scudetto alongside he Brooke, because I think
16:38
he brod a lot to do with that as well. But you know,
16:41
I don't say I don't take him to the curb. Uh when I say,
16:47
POI out and he'll probably be out to come the summertime. If we
16:51
have to part ways, that that's one thing it'll probably be. But again,
16:56
like you said, also, and we've always said this, when coaching
16:57
changes happened, who's next? Who is the grass greener on the other side,
17:00
Who's coming? Is? Is that coaches or that managers, you know,
17:07
philosophy gonna jail with what we have. Are we gonna have to sell
17:11
you know, big time players to to to bring in, to bring in
17:15
other players that that kind of fit a new system. So you know,
17:19
for the most part, you know, he always done. You know,
17:22
statistically, he's done pretty well. It's it's it's these individual moments during seasons
17:27
when it matters the most in the league, in Champions League, in you
17:33
know, just in Europe in general. It's Coal, I mean, is
17:37
another example. So it's it's these individual moments. I think he gets a
17:41
lot of what a heat for. And I'm saying he's not perfect by far,
17:47
not perfect, but again he's done a lot. I just don't know
17:51
where we would go next. People are gonna say Conte then you read today
17:53
maybe contees want to Buyern. You know, guys, let's just wait for
17:56
the summer. We'll see what happens. I try to finish us as possible,
18:00
and I feel like You've is probably thinking the same, along the same
18:03
lines. Let's finish this season as strong as we can and we'll take it
18:07
from there. Like you said, you know, Mata is a big name
18:11
you know what he's doing at Bologna. Again, chapel to him as well.
18:15
We've seen it, we've said it. He's a big name amongst all
18:18
the you know, the upper echelon from Bologna teams, if you will,
18:22
right, so, you know, the Italians of the world, the dead,
18:26
the word everywhere you turn, there's a new name. Right, So
18:30
we'll have to see. I just want this team to finish as high as
18:33
possible. Come, come, get into the season and again, well we'll
18:37
take it from there because like you said, also, man, uh,
18:40
the team is just below us. I know there's a bit of a gap.
18:41
But if we could if both you of it, both me and continue
18:45
to shoot themselves in the foll like this that gap, that seems okay,
18:49
Yeah, that's comfortable. Have all the you know that they're gonna come and
18:52
catch us. They're gonna come and catch us if we if we don't be
18:55
careful, So let's not make that happen. I guess for human fans and
19:00
you were fans alike, it's not often that we kind of come together like
19:03
this into wanting one goal. But I guess we'll have to take it and
19:07
uh and see that where that takes us. Yeah, I mean you're you're
19:12
on the same pages as my thinking. Right, there's no point in season
19:15
coaching changes, especially this point. Even if you know you're in you're in
19:21
Europa League. Obviously you get that three nothing win in Europa League against really
19:25
huge And I said it last week. I don't know how good RN is.
19:27
I saw some chat on Twitter that they're not a good team. I
19:30
don't know if you had a chance to watch that game, like, are
19:32
they are? Are they any good? If you put them in this like,
19:34
uh, compare them to a city, a team, who would it
19:38
be? Yeah, I don't know. I was able to really catch more
19:41
the first half. I didn't catch as much as the second half. So
19:44
I saw the first goal, I wasn't able to really catch the two other
19:49
goals live obviously called the highlights after and kind of rewatch a bit of the
19:53
game. So are they good? Are they bad? I wouldn't say they're
19:59
good, wouldn't say they're they're terrible, but they're not good. I didn't.
20:03
I didn't know what to expect because again I don't watch the French League,
20:07
guys. I'm not gonna sit here and lie to you guys. To
20:08
you guys listening at home that yeah, I ran this that you no,
20:11
I don't know, guys, I really don't. But from watching, you
20:17
know, part of the game in Europa League, and they're not, like
20:19
I said, they're not great, but they're not. I wouldn't say their
20:23
their dog shit either, right Obviously, I think le One is just a
20:26
better team on paper and on the pitch. And that's what came out in
20:33
a game like this, you know, uh, you know, after she
20:36
coming up big, obviously they all finally getting uh you know, hopefully that
20:41
monkey office back getting his goal that he's so desperately needed. You know.
20:45
Obviously hasn't been able to produce as many goals this year, but he's producing
20:49
I think, more assists. But if I would have to compare them to
20:52
a team, I don't know. Maybe I don't know anywhere anywhere in that
21:00
mid mid to low table a Swallow Maybe I don't know, because they're kind
21:07
of where they're at right now. I think they have some sort of probably
21:14
decent enough squad, but I wouldn't say there anything to go crazy about,
21:22
especially if we're talking about the OSS up today and you know there's a Swallows
21:26
up today, you know, and yeah, probably anywhere around the anywhere around
21:30
those teams. But again, huge result obviously three now it was positive and
21:36
I didn't know what to expect. Obviously I expected to for a win.
21:38
I didn't know if it was going to be a dominant one or or how
21:41
it was going to be. But I was expecting. I was expecting a
21:45
good result, and I think that's what was merited and deserved. So we
21:51
take that that result and we go forward and another step closer to the around
21:57
the sixteen, right, because it's around the thirty two. So yeah,
22:00
just that's kind of how I how I how I see it. But not
22:04
only for Setia, but for for for Europe. But I think Newan has
22:10
the tools and and and hopefully the brains to to go as far as they
22:14
can. Uh. Well, we're on the topic of coaches before we have
22:18
Daddy long h Is there any coach like I don't know how many coach firings
22:26
are they're going to be from now until the end of the season. If
22:27
there are, probably the mid like bottom table teams because they always go through
22:32
coaching carousel. It's minimum three four coaches per season. But is there any
22:36
coaches now that you think we'll get fired at the end of the season and
22:41
are pretty much fighting for their job in the last thirteen games, because I
22:45
have one in mind. Uh, that's a that's a good question, that
22:51
are going to be fired. I don't know that's a good question. I
22:56
haven't had a chance to think about that. But hmmm, who's doing who's
23:03
doing bad? I mean, uh, maybe I don't know, maybe maybe
23:06
a n C. I don't know, maybe maybe a trophy like I said
23:08
that you're doing of the world. I mean, so's really taking a dip.
23:12
But I don't know. I'm not mistaken there what sixteen seventeenth place?
23:17
If I'm mistaken? So this was this was a mager that I know people
23:21
had and even us, I think we're I don't want to say guilty for
23:25
for saying these types of things, but you know he was having a good
23:27
stretch with as well. And you know, I don't know if I don't
23:30
know if it's not but if that's a real bold take to say. But
23:37
because we know, like you said, teams aw, uh, you know
23:41
in those lower spots are are are are bound to fire somebody. But are
23:45
you thinking about somebody in the top in the top half of the table.
23:48
Is that is that what you're thinking? I think actually too. Now,
23:52
first one I'll say is even you're rich, who you know his Trino is
23:56
forever tenth. This's his third season already. With know, it feels like
24:00
like, obviously they haven't gotten worse, they haven't gotten that much better.
24:03
Sometimes you just need a change. Not that he's a bad coach or whatever.
24:07
Again, I don't know what is his contract situation is like, but
24:11
sometimes you just you just need that change, and Torino seems like a team
24:17
that would change a change of coaches For that. I'm honestly surprised he's been
24:22
there that long. I thought it was like maybe a second or third season
24:26
for our second season or something. It's it's his third season already. They
24:30
finished tenth last year and and curly in tenth. They finished tenth in the
24:37
season his first season, and at least that was an improvement from seventeenth to
24:41
the season before and from sixteenth the season before that. So yes, he
24:45
did he did make them improven. Are they a team that could finish higher
24:49
than tenth? Probably not. They probably need better investment in terms of players.
24:53
But again, you know, if you're constantly the same thing, and
24:56
if you're not getting better, uh, you know, and that there's always
25:00
gonna be a change. Yeah, and just before you continue to continue,
25:04
just before you continue. And that's and that's like the big topic with with
25:07
you know, the competitiveness of Seedia and those complacency teams, like you said
25:12
in that in that ten to sixteenth, fifteenth place sixteenth, you know what
25:18
I mean, Like they know they're not gonna go down, they know they're
25:19
not gonna go into Europe. They're just in that middle. Uh. You
25:23
know. Obviously the hot topic of oh should there be eighteen twenty teams?
25:26
I don't want to break open that can of worms, but you know it
25:30
kind of you know that competitiveness that you know with maybe with an eighteen team,
25:34
uh you know, Uh, Seria brings a bit more of a fight
25:38
that we're not talking about. You know, a yodic Torino's Totino's yodic,
25:44
you know constantly and in a tenth you know, eleven anywhere between nine and
25:48
eleventh places, you know what I mean. So I don't know, it's
25:52
it's pretty interesting. But again they have some players. I know, Zapata
25:55
has been doing decent recently obviously Bunjordan and the defense looks looks solid. Uh
26:03
you know, potential national team player will see. But you know, so
26:07
now I was having his moments, so I think there are pieces there.
26:10
But you know, I think maybe a breath of fresh air could could do
26:14
them some good. I just really don't know how much higher they can go
26:17
personally, Like you said, the investment has to be there, you know,
26:22
like you said, third season already, and and and this is this
26:25
is a yuricch and and and a Torino. Uh you know management uh uh
26:30
team that that we're fighting almost on day one right in the parking lot.
26:33
So he's come a long way, I guess, yeah, exactly. And
26:38
then and then the other guy, uh formerly Napoly uh coach Maritusary again not
26:45
so I mean, I know, the finished top four next year, but
26:48
they were on the decline this year, so I wouldn't be surprised. It
26:52
feels like him he doesn't stay longer than three years. Uh. It's got
26:55
a team and Daniel Russell, who will have on uh talk about Napoli.
27:00
We'll sure know about that. So coming up will chat some Napoli and some
27:03
coaches firing over there and joining us now, Daniel, Daniel Russo from night.
27:12
I missed that one up, guys, I missed that monopoly. It's
27:17
late on the Monday night. My brain was not working all day. It's
27:19
not working now. But Daniel, how's it going. How's it going?
27:22
Guys? We're good. We're good. Probably be better than you, Daniel,
27:26
for honest, Actually I can't say that too much because you know myself
27:30
being to me one fine Nick the juno uh having a bit of a of
27:36
a tough week in terms of a result. Not as tough as not we
27:40
But listen, bro' not even the same shots. We know, try to
27:45
try to try to you know, cushion the ball a bit. But listen,
27:48
We're happy to have you on, I know, on short notice.
27:51
We appreciate you, you you jumping on with us and just I guess bro
27:56
give us your thoughts about what's going on. This was a crazy afternoon in
28:02
the NAPI verse, in the cultural world. Just your thoughts on not we
28:06
uh you know again find another coach in Walter Mazzari and and bringing bringing back
28:11
French school uh as as head coach of Napoly. Your thoughts. Thank you,
28:18
guys for having me on first and foremost. I always love coming on
28:22
here. I know I've only been on once before. It was two years
28:26
ago and Johnny was there, and so at least I had another Napoli fan
28:30
there. But you're filling the void. You're feeling the filling the void today.
28:34
But no, I mean it was needed, it was a needed change.
28:38
Again, Uh, unfortunately we're paying for summers filled up, a full
28:47
summer of wrong decisions from every every viewpoint, every way you look at it.
28:53
There was a wrong decision here here, there, everywhere by the Laurentes,
28:57
by the the coach that he picked, by Garcia. Unfortunately, Matsari
29:06
was a victim of poor decision making that happened in the summer. Does it
29:11
change my viewpoint on him in general? No, I still love Matsari to
29:18
death. I will always have a fond memory of him. I don't let
29:22
this current situation mar his image of my to me at least, I don't
29:30
know about other fans. But yeah, I mean, he clearly wasn't getting
29:36
in the players heads with what he wanted them to do. And if that's
29:40
what he wanted them to do, then yeah, definitely get him out of
29:42
here. But yeah, but no, I mean, I even tweeted this.
29:51
I think that this move is coming four months too late. I think
29:53
Cadzona would have been a great hire right after Garcia as a caretaker, which
29:59
he is clearly right now He's only signing what like a four month contract.
30:04
But I think that because actually when I back then, I had no idea
30:12
he was even the Slovakia coach, so I thought he was just Zvinklad.
30:17
I thought he was a free agent. But judging by the higher I think,
30:26
I think I think he will be a great higher not only because he
30:30
knows the club, but the people that he was underneath at the club at
30:34
the time, Sari and Spalletti both playing four three three, These players know
30:42
him. Most of the players on the team now know him. Osi Man.
30:48
I don't think Klada knows him because I think he came he Conzona left
30:52
the year the summer that Karada came in, so I don't think they know
30:56
him. But most of the players that are here now, Labar especially,
31:00
I think the book was literally the captain of his Slovakia team. So yeah,
31:04
so I mean, I'm I'm positive, I'm optimistic, just that he
31:12
maybe he could write the ship a little bit, but I have no faith
31:17
in our team getting into the top four at all this season. I think
31:22
it's way too far gone. I think I lost all faith after the Roman
31:25
match. To be quite honest, my fellow Napoli fans would tell me that
31:33
I'm losing faith way too early. But I don't know. I'm more of
31:37
a realist than anything, trying to be a realist. But yeah, I
31:42
mean that that's really my thought on it. That it is nuts ye to
31:48
come one day before the Barcelona game. Yeah, I don't really get where.
31:53
I think that this is a del out empty special. You know,
31:59
he always loves doing is like his film stuff, you know, Yeah,
32:05
it's it's a true movie right now. Yeah, this is this is this
32:08
is his best directed film that I guess. I I I honestly don't know
32:17
what to say. I don't know what else to say about it. And
32:21
you know what we feel, I mean, I know I can speak for
32:23
myself. I feel the same like you know, just and we said on
32:28
our show, you know plenty of times. Obviously it's it's no secret,
32:30
you know, the decline of of of not after last season. It's it's
32:35
been uh, you know, obviously a tough pillar swallow, as as as
32:39
obviously a not we fan. It's it's a tough pillar swallow as you know,
32:43
just a SETI a cultural fan and just as a neutral. You know,
32:45
it's just hard to watch. I mean, you know, three coaches,
32:52
you know, after after winning the school at the last season, and
32:54
I know there were some changes, and I know there was some some things
32:58
that you know obviously didn't go uh maybe according to plan and you know obviously
33:02
SPELLCT believing and you know whatever, We're not gonna get into that kind of
33:07
worms. But there's been some changes. But I think the reaction, like
33:10
you said, it hasn't been hasn't hasn't been there? And again is this
33:15
something and you called it, you know, the deal Oriente special, which
33:19
makes us laugh. But is this on deal orientis? Is this is this?
33:24
Is it really on the manager? Like I mean, like Garcia?
33:28
For me, what wasn't it? In my eyes? This was how I
33:30
see Garcia? Wasn't it as a replacement for me? Mazardi got thrown in
33:36
into a tough time, a tough schedule, so for him to make a
33:39
miracle for me it would have been already hard. Clearly he didn't. He
33:44
wasn't able to do it. So he's no longer the coach. And now
33:47
we're doing we're we're we're putting a band aid on top of the band aid
33:53
in terms of god Zona and no disrespect to Godzona whatsoever. I don't know
33:57
him very very well. I know a bit of obviously, you know,
34:00
being being part of the staff and knowing Naples and knowing the team. Uh
34:06
being being you know, a manager of a national team that will be you
34:08
know, Euro twenty twenty four if I'm not mistaken, Yeah, is right
34:15
is a huge thing. So I don't doubt that he can't you know,
34:19
manage managed, managed, not we But where do you kind of put put
34:23
this if you want, if you will blame if you want, I don't
34:25
know if blames the right word. But where do you put the faults and
34:29
all this and and and why this is happening? Uh to this? Not
34:32
poly and you're this is this is Dela reentis through and through. I mean,
34:37
I hate to say, because I love the guy I I personally he's
34:42
the guy that you know, brought my team back on the map through his
34:47
business idea and his decision making throughout the years. I think that he got
34:55
way too full of himself, if that is even possible for this summer.
35:00
Yeah, and that caused this whole disaster. This this sporting disaster. This
35:08
is a This is one of the worst defenses of a championship I think I've
35:15
ever witnessed. I think it is the worst I've ever There's no way in
35:19
recent in recent memory, I don't put any people go in to say they
35:22
want but I'm pretty sure this takes different. This is completely different. Because
35:28
this is not only because at least with Melan they still, like, you
35:30
know, they had one or two performances here and there, even during that
35:36
dark period where you're like, all right, they're still there. There's still
35:38
a team. This is there's nothing of the sort. I don't see any
35:45
push, I don't see any any any passion from these guys. There's certain
35:49
players that every game they're consistently giving it. They're all I get, like,
35:52
fine, But this goes way beyond the players. This is there's a
35:57
there's a lack of a sporting director, there's a lack of a back room
36:00
staff where that's the backbone of a team, that's the backbone of a winning
36:06
team. Last year. You know, Juntule the first few years of his
36:09
tenure was was kind of crap for lack of better words. With Knopoly.
36:15
He signed a lot of terrible players, but you know that that's to be
36:21
expected of a guy that's coming from Coffrey, you know. But so I
36:27
I kind of want to sympathize with this new guy, Maluso a little bit,
36:30
because you know, fans want to say, already, what has he
36:34
done? He's only you know, been a sporting director of Lech and Specia.
36:37
But we got a guy that now is on Juva and the whole world.
36:42
I think they didn't win like Sporting Director of the Year. Yeah,
36:45
and everybody's yeah, exactly. You know, we got that guy from Coffrey,
36:50
So you know, I want to give him the benefit of that.
36:52
But then I'm thinking, you know what, but we're Componi and we gotta
36:55
we got to give a guy three four years to become good, now,
37:00
you know what I mean. We got Juntoly back in twenty fifteen when we
37:05
were still on the rise, so he could he was able to rise with
37:09
us. Now we're up here. Now we're up here. We have to
37:13
get guys that are up here and what did we replace these guys that were
37:17
that got us there with we get we replaced Kim with which not then is
37:22
a good player, but he's not anywhere near Kim or Kulibi or any of
37:25
the sort. He's very raw, has never played in Europe in his life.
37:31
Uh, Meluzo for Juntovi, Garcia, for Spalletti, Garcia, Garcia.
37:40
Yeah, that right there, for any Knopolye fans should have been like,
37:45
yet, we're in for a really long season. I want to ask
37:51
you about clubs. On the fact that you brought it up. He's still
37:54
coaching Slovakia. I don't know how much time commitment that is for him.
38:01
I don't know how he's going to manage both, especially as the first time
38:05
coach, which is crazy to think about. It's his first club coaching job
38:09
and he has to manage it with the national team job, which not even
38:13
the highest most respected coaches in the world do. Is that Is that a
38:20
concern for you? Of course? I'm sure, Yeah, what's what's the
38:25
biggest concern with that? I mean, this guy, Luckily we had homseek
38:31
there to kind of soften the deal, like kind of mediated with the Slovakian
38:36
FA clearly that was his role in this whole thing. They were even there
38:40
were even news reports of him actually being on the staff with Calza, which
38:46
I would have loved. But at the same time, it's like, do
38:52
we really want these figureheads coming into Novelly just to be figureheads? You know?
38:58
The Homsek no at a coach? Does Homsek know how to do this?
39:00
That that and this that that you would need to do? Like I
39:04
hate to bring them up because maybe I'd be throwing shade at Johnny because he's
39:07
a Roma fan, but he's not here. But like Roma does that Roma
39:13
does? You know? They put a bit a big figurehead at the top,
39:17
like a talk to for example, what was he like a sporting director
39:21
for a little bit or something like what does what does talk to? You
39:23
know about sporting directing? You know what I mean? Of course they were
39:29
going to be crap, you know, but getting getting a little off off
39:34
track. But going back to your point, of course, I'm I'm very
39:37
you know, I have no idea how he's going to juggle that that.
39:40
Those are two huge tasks and you're talking about a team that's going to Euro
39:45
twenty twenty four. That's not sam Marieo. Yeah exactly. Yeah, man,
39:52
you know, and this is uh yeah, exactly. No, you
39:55
said it perfectly, like not only is this yeah, Okay, I can
39:58
understand it. Maybe if he was a national coach of of of a of
40:00
a lower quality than than Slovakia or not in a tournament year, Okay,
40:07
maybe you can kind of swindle this, uh and kind of pull uh you
40:10
know, a fIF or f C twenty four sorry type of move here.
40:15
But for me, it's it's crazy, like how he's going to be able
40:20
to juggle And I know, obviously the commitment levels are obviously different from being
40:23
a club coach to to to to the to a national team. Uh.
40:30
You know, with the club, you know your point every week, you're
40:32
you're, you're you're training, you know. With with the national team,
40:36
you see your players, you know certain points during the year, and and
40:38
it's just a different different, uh you know, mindset. But listen,
40:43
listen, if he's able to pull this off in uh in a somewhat of
40:46
a positive way to end this season for an up week, if that even
40:50
is possible, I mean, honestly, you know, kuros to him,
40:52
hats off because you know, the Ancelottes of the worlds are aren't doing this,
40:59
you know, the Guardiola's of the world aren't aren't doing reason exactly right.
41:05
So I don't know. I don't know what to expect. I guess
41:09
we'll get our first taste obviously in two days time, with with the game
41:15
against Barcelona and Champions League. Is there any expectation for that, Daniel for
41:21
you or is it just let's see what let's throw everything, let's see what
41:24
kind of sticks. I mean, I actually expected I expected the players to
41:30
show up for that game. Yeah. One, because it's going to be
41:37
a more open game. We struggle huge against teams that just sit back every
41:44
game that we play. It's we're a very predictable team. It's a we
41:50
can't break you down, so we're just gonna throw it to come out and
41:52
hopefully he does something. So all you need to do as a team against
41:55
Novel right now is just sit back and let absorb all the pressure hit them
42:00
on the counter. It's every game. It's the same thing against the Barcelona
42:05
in the Champions League. They're obviously going to want to attack. They're going
42:07
to have to attack. So I was always expecting a decent game from us.
42:10
We're gonna have more space now. Whether our defense could hold up with
42:15
them, that's a different story. But that's what I was thinking up until
42:21
this. Now I have no idea what to think. I have zero expectations,
42:24
I have zero anything. I don't know. I don't know what to
42:28
think. There's nothing to think because we have nothing to base a thought off
42:31
of. If we had him, maybe last weekend I could say, all
42:37
right, maybe you know, there's he's going to try this against them.
42:40
There's nothing to say. We have nothing. Yeah, No, like I
42:45
was hearing, you know, comes in today, first training tomorrow, which
42:51
is Tuesday and Wednesday, Barcelona is it at home? It is at home,
42:55
is at home, right, So and he has to welcome you know,
42:59
Barcelona to the Marlona, you know, in Champions League. So listen,
43:04
the task is huge for him. I don't know. I'm with you
43:08
on this, and I'm I mean, it's you know, there's obviously you
43:13
have to kind of be ah, you know, blind to not realize all
43:16
this. But I mean, I don't know what to expect, but what
43:21
I will, what I would hope to expect. Maybe if I can say
43:23
it that way, just as a neutral of of this whole situation. Uh,
43:29
it is a bit more of a fight, I think at the very
43:31
minimal, At the very minimum, uh, you know, not only the
43:37
Ceia or you know, forget Sea, I just you know their fans,
43:43
Uh, you know, anybody who supports the club deserves is that is that
43:47
green? Is that is that is that vault yet to go that Catsima right
43:52
as they say. So, at the very minimum, that that's kind of
43:57
what they deserve. I'm hoping for that because even though the situation is what
44:02
it is in terms of this whole coaching carousel, you know circus, you
44:09
know, you still are an APO, you still are pointing at home,
44:13
You're still in the Champions League. You know, you have to fight for
44:15
the shirt. That shirt means a lot. You know, they're pointing against
44:20
a historic team in Barcelona, a team that graced uh you know Maradonna like
44:27
themselves right in April. So at the very minimum, like I said,
44:31
and I don't want to drive this point home more than that, because it
44:35
is where it is. But that fight I think has to be shown for
44:40
from NAPO at the very mem if they get that, if they don't like,
44:43
if they don't get a result, but they show that fight. If
44:47
I was a fan, I can kind of maybe accept that, but if
44:51
it's continuing what it's been continuing on like with this this season, under under
44:55
Mazari or even Rudy Garcia, this this lacks of Diesel type of nap that's
45:02
nowhere near what we thought would be this season. It would be a it
45:08
would be a shame in my opinion, and something needs to happen on Wednesday
45:13
because as the fans, we deserve way better than what we've been given this
45:16
year, like top down from De loud Empties all the way down to Tommy
45:21
Stadach, the guy that does the coffee. Like everybody's let us down.
45:24
I'm sorry, it's just like none. I don't think any any fan,
45:30
any real fan with a brain, didn't expect us to repeat. But I
45:37
think all fans expected us to defend the title with dignity. Yeah, with
45:45
dignity right at least at the very least, and this is it's not even
45:51
in the same You can't even nowhere near dignified what we've done this year.
45:59
And and it's very sad. It's a very sad involution of a team that
46:04
was so good, so good, m hmm. If cold Zona has is
46:12
successful, I think there's a certain food you got to eat to celebrate,
46:15
right this little cald Zone. Yeah, Calzon for Calzona. If he wins
46:21
on Wednesday, maybe uh, maybe you'll have to go eat a Calzone.
46:24
The memes that are it's already they're already me too. When I first saw
46:29
his names, wait, I had to double take. I thought at first
46:32
I saw caled ZENI like a sock. Then I was like, this is
46:37
this is hilarious in terms of the future because obviously this is I don't know
46:45
if they're officially calling it an interim caretaker job. I don't know what the
46:50
official deal is, but in terms of the future until June, okay,
46:53
they officially said that. In terms of the future monopoly, is there someone
46:59
you'd want them to pursue in the summer. In terms of coach, is
47:01
there more changes that you think you need more than just coaches? You know,
47:07
even in terms of players. I know you brought up everything with the
47:09
whole backroom staff, that a sporting director and all that, but you know,
47:14
specifically focusing on players and coaches, what do you think is gonna happen?
47:16
And let's say the next six months. Well, I mean me personally,
47:22
I think I would love Conte. I hope Conte would come. I
47:28
mean, I think this is a team that Conte would love to come and
47:32
fix because he's so egotistical, that guy that he for him to say I
47:37
fixed Novelty from what they were last year to what they are now. I'm
47:42
just thinking ahead in the future. He would. I gotn't say it on
47:46
the pod, but he would. I think he could. You could kind
47:51
of figure out what I'm about to say, we got we got you.
47:53
Yeah, he would. He would be I think he would be the guy
47:58
that I would go for. I think that's what Deludenties really wants. I
48:00
think what he's trying to do is courte. I mean, that's what That's
48:06
what he did with you it right, They finished seventh twice in a row
48:08
in city. He comes in and then they win nine Street scudet the okay,
48:12
not all under him, but fix it right, he started exactly,
48:16
and that that's what he goes for. Really, he's not a guy that
48:20
goes to like a For example, if Ancelotti were to leave real this summer,
48:23
which I don't think is gonna happen, but if he were, Conte
48:28
wouldn't go there, you know what I mean, He doesn't go to teams
48:30
that are already successful. I don't think he's a guy that wants to challenge,
48:36
and especially with anopolye that more more than likely will not be playing Champions
48:40
League next year, that would be a really, really good hire for him
48:45
and for us. Whether he accepts it, I don't know. I don't
48:51
know what's going on there in that front, but yeah, I I do
48:58
think that the coach is the biggest thing for us right now. I mean,
49:00
if there is ever like someone wants to write a thesis on how important
49:06
the coaches to a soccer team, it's nopoly. Monopoly is the is the
49:13
proof that coaching in twenty twenty four is the most important thing in this sport.
49:21
A team that is properly coached will win. A team that is not
49:24
properly coached will lose all the time. And Spaletti is the perfect example.
49:30
No Spaletti, but you replace him with Garcia, that's that's it. You
49:36
ruin the entire team, and it's a trickle down effect, right because then
49:40
players get they're not content, Then the backroom staff is not content, and
49:46
it's a whole mess. No, no, you trade. Yeah, they
49:51
definitely traded, you know, a dollar and they only got you know,
49:54
seventy five maybe fifty cents back. I don't know that. In that Spalletti
49:59
too, I see you. And then when I saw Madzadi come back and
50:02
I listen the sawt spot. That's fine obviously the history there with with Madzadi,
50:07
but he looked out of it as soon as he walked into the building.
50:09
In my personal opinion, but yeah, listen, I don't know.
50:14
I think the reaction has to start a s A P. I mean,
50:17
it's the only thing that I think people can really say in terms of all
50:22
this, Like people are gonna maybe pretend that they maybe know and this and
50:24
that what they need, But we have to see guys. It's it's it's
50:29
really hard to the pinpoint in all this. But one thing I wanted to
50:36
another thing I wanted to ask you done it was you know you you made
50:38
it pretty queer as soon as you came on that you know, you don't
50:40
see top four as a as a as a possibility anymore, which which is
50:45
fair. I mean, there's there's obviously a lot of competition, Uh,
50:50
you know going for these these European spots. Currently I believe you guys are
50:54
in ninth ninth spot, right, so hm, if there is any expectation,
51:01
not maybe an expectation, but maybe thought of where do you see this
51:06
not we finishing? If there is any thought in that is, do they
51:13
make Europe of any stretch in terms of conference? Europa will save out Champions
51:17
League? Because you already said that, but it is there because for me
51:22
personally, you know, they're like there, their backs are already against the
51:29
wall, They're already down. How much more obviously they can go more?
51:31
Like realistically, they can obviously go more down in the table. I understand
51:36
that. I just don't see that happening. Uh, But with their backs
51:39
against the wall like this, like, where do you kind of see them
51:44
ending off this this season under cult Zonna? I think? I mean,
51:49
obviously, I don't want to make a sentencing for a guy that I have
51:53
not seen coach this team yet. You know, I want to see what
51:57
the team looks like under him before making a real real judgment saying like where
52:01
we're going to place? But as of right now, I see like maximum
52:07
seventh place. I don't see this team going anywhere past seventh. Uh,
52:14
especially with the teams above us right now, they're kind of flying like Atalanta
52:20
they're most likely going to get that fourth spot. Uh, Bologna is most
52:24
likely going to get the fifth. You know, I don't see us getting
52:29
anywhere near those two Latsios. I don't see us being that much inferior to
52:37
Lotsio. Even if we're inferior at all, I don't know Roma too,
52:43
they're actually Roma with that all see looks completely different. So yeah, even
52:46
they they're high flying without us without ever since they've changed their coach again.
52:52
See they're changing coaches, is what happens. And what do you change a
52:58
washed up guy for a guy that's hungry, That's what happens. Mm hmm,
53:04
especially a guy who knows the like I'm not gonna compare Calzona and that
53:07
at all. For guys, don't come. We'll come out of here on
53:09
this. But uh, you know in the sense of of you know that
53:15
all knowing Rome, he is Rome. You know, he led for for
53:20
for Roma. Cala Knowsnopoly. He's been uh in the building right uh for
53:28
for for many years. So it's not Roma comment before. My Roma comment
53:34
before was not about that as by the way, I just want to make
53:36
sure. Yeah, because he because he's the guy that's been studying for a
53:40
while. He's absolutely and he's hot, and he's had and he's had he's
53:44
had obviously the Spoul I think it was the spell experiment then maybe was going
53:47
to plan. But you know, just even him being with with with the
53:51
national team right drin the Euros, I mean, got a little bit of
53:53
his his his his feet wet in terms of uh, you know, in
53:58
terms of the you know, the coach the world if you will, but
54:01
yeah, no, no do I'll see you Listen. I'm pleasantly surprised by
54:05
what he's able to do. I'm not gonna say say here and and say
54:08
Carlton is gonna do the same, because I don't know, Like you said,
54:12
Daniel, we don't know. But yeah, no, listen, as
54:16
long as there's a reaction, I think is is the most important thing.
54:20
And I think just kind of finishing this season as as intact as possible I
54:28
think will probably be the biggest I would think maybe the biggest, the biggest
54:32
joy for Napoli fans in terms of being able to finish this season with with
54:38
like you said, maybe this this defense, the school defense hasn't been one
54:44
to really be proud of in terms of going out with dignity. But hopefully
54:46
this end of the season can kind of, you know, pick up a
54:51
bit of that dignity, uh and finish the season. Someone stung because again
54:55
they who they they play General over the weekend or was there one one one
54:59
one resolve against them? Right? Right? And again General is I think
55:05
a decent team personally. It's no disrespect to them at all, but second
55:09
time they tie them to this season, yeah, right right, they're good
55:13
tea. It's just more like the accumulation of the bad results, you know
55:20
what I mean. That's like if you if you cushion a Genua tie in
55:23
between like three wins or four or five wins in a row, you know
55:28
what I mean, then it's different. But there's so many games in a
55:30
row where we're not picking up points. It's like then a game against General
55:35
where you could take a tie because it's like, all right, they're a
55:37
good team. You can't take a tie at that point because you don't give
55:42
yourself the chance to take a tie. You're already in the ship. No,
55:45
you're you're you're right. I also want to ask is because we spoke
55:50
about this last week with Jenny. But look at Napolis, you know,
55:54
season results, they're extremely inconsistent, both in the good and the bad.
56:00
They haven't They haven't won back to back games since September. They did that
56:05
twice all season. But at the same time in City. Sorry, no,
56:09
I was just nothing. I don't remember. Oh yeah, there you
56:15
go. And but at the same time, they haven't lost back. They've
56:19
only lost back to back games once. They're very you know, win one,
56:22
draw, one, lose one. You're looking at their past six games,
56:25
they've drawn, lost, one, drawn one lost, draw lost one
56:30
uh lost lost going back to their uh last back to back losses, do
56:36
you think, just in terms of consistency, do you want to see more
56:39
of a stretch of games or even if it's three draws in a row,
56:43
maybe a draw in two wins in a row. Is that something you hope
56:45
to see from cuts on a I would love to see like two or three
56:50
wins in a row. That would be yeah, happens for me. It
56:52
would be like, I mean, we were doing eleven with what we did,
56:58
I think thirteen wins in a row eleven and Sea Fan. I'm thinking
57:05
past seven wins in a row. I'm feeling like, oh, this is
57:07
Squetro, you know what I mean. We I think we did it once
57:12
in twenty sixteen or seventeen, where we won like seven in a row.
57:16
I thought I was dreaming. I thought it was like, we're going to
57:20
get the scudetto. It's on, It's on the patches on us already,
57:22
you know what I mean. Obviously we lost, but that was that was
57:25
it, you know what I mean? And this year it's it's nuts,
57:31
Like two wins in a row. You can't even get that. Yeah,
57:37
not sud You can't even buy it if you wanted to. I mean,
57:42
I understand, you know, losing a game against Melan that that can happen.
57:46
Melon is a great team. Melan is much in a much better mental
57:52
standpoint than we are right now as well physically and mentally. They're way off,
57:55
way better off than us right now. So that was that was,
57:59
you know, understand the Bowl And I was actually even almost proud of the
58:02
performance against Melon because I thought we did a pretty good job. But then
58:08
to just throw it all in the toilet against Jannel the way that we did.
58:15
It's just that I don't know. It's very disheartening, very disheartening,
58:19
and you know, to go back to your point, I would take like
58:22
a as long as the draw is cushioned in between a few more wins,
58:28
like two or three wins, it's okay. But no, at this point
58:32
it's almost like impossible to fit. You can't fail anymore. We've lost the
58:36
ability to drop any points. How about uh we spoke about it earlier,
58:44
Me and I drown about the hot coach. Right now that everyone talks about
58:46
Tiago Wata, He's doing fantastic things with Bologna. He'll probably be the most
58:51
sought after coach come the summer. Probably you've a probably Melan Will will at
58:55
least want to talk to him. Is that a guy you think Napoli should
59:00
pursue? What do you? What are your thoughts on him? In general?
59:04
I think we've already pursued him. Actually, I think last summer that
59:07
was one of the guys we wanted, but with Delaurenties and his antics,
59:15
I think he kind of ruined that. I don't know if you guys saw
59:20
the the pressor that he left thiag left or his agent left. Sorry.
59:27
I think he said something like we we don't speak about him, we won't
59:30
speak about him because he was asked about Delaentes trying to get Malta to do
59:37
the Napoli job last summer and he just he wouldn't comment. Wow, But
59:45
yeah, I don't know what happened, you know, what could have possibly
59:50
happened. But yeah, it doesn't look like that's ever going to be a
59:53
possibility for us. But to answer your question, I love what he's doing
59:58
with Bologna. I think he's doing a middle job almost revolutionary actually in a
1:00:06
sense that two seven two type of thing. But the way that he looks
1:00:09
at it, he looks at from like to the side. He doesn't look
1:00:13
at from the goalie, and it's really cool. That's right, It's true.
1:00:20
We spoke about that way of our poet. We laughed at him,
1:00:24
We laughed at him for that. Yeah, and then he's come home years
1:00:30
later. Yeah, he's come out definitely a long way. Like, Yeah,
1:00:34
he looked terrible like when he first became, like you know, into
1:00:37
into the coaching world. Like I'll we there's there's evidence, right, and
1:00:42
we said it on the show. Guys, it's out there, right,
1:00:44
So but listen, we read our words and and and we called what it
1:00:47
is. Now, I mean he's doing he's doing an incredible job under under
1:00:52
sorry, I mean you've got to give him his followers. I mean,
1:00:57
now, he's obviously the hot topic of a coach across many SETI teams.
1:01:01
Obviously, if and when he does make that jump, we'll have to see
1:01:07
if, if he if it was the right timing for him to make that
1:01:09
jump into a bigger team. But yeah, listen, I I didn't realize
1:01:15
that about about him and not with that that that discomfort there. Listen,
1:01:21
when you deal with DILENTI, he's just a unique character. So I'm not
1:01:22
surprised by that, to be honest. But yeah, I guess that is
1:01:28
what it is. So I don't know Conte for me, I don't know.
1:01:32
One week, it's not with one week, it's it's it's Milan.
1:01:36
One week, it's now today you see Bayern, then you're gonna see I
1:01:39
mean, it's it's it's it's a you know, it's it's it's crazy up
1:01:44
until the summer, absolutely in the mix as well. Yeah, right,
1:01:50
so we'll definitely have to see about that. You mentioned. Uh, you
1:01:55
know with with with with the coaching and and and just not these players not
1:02:01
you know, making some changes, you know the not time from from from
1:02:05
Kim and j and stuff. Is there other you know, positions for you
1:02:08
Daniel that uh, that need to be addressed, you know with serious reinforcements
1:02:15
kind of where do you because at the end of the day, you know,
1:02:17
the coach puts these players out and tries to put them in positions to
1:02:22
do their best. And for me not we still has players. This is
1:02:28
not a set of a B quality team in terms of some of the players
1:02:31
that they have on their on their squad. So where's your biggest reinforcement for
1:02:37
you in the in the squad? Uh, no matter who the coach is,
1:02:42
like just for you in terms of where do you want to see or
1:02:45
where do you think needs the most help in this squad? So as the
1:02:50
team is placed currently, definitely midfield midfield is like where disasters here? Uh,
1:02:58
and Sa just the shell of the player that he was last year.
1:03:05
Zelenski's obviously he's on the way out. He's got his head in Milan,
1:03:08
so it's whatever. But yeah, other than Labotka, who's there, Who's
1:03:15
who's consistently performing for us, who's doing anything really Labalka, I love the
1:03:20
guy to death because not only does everyone disrespect him, but this guy is
1:03:27
always just like one against three every game in the midfield. He does everything
1:03:32
everything, He gets the ball back, he keeps the ball, like,
1:03:37
when's the last time you saw in the last five six games, when the
1:03:39
last time you saw I don't remember him losing the ball. He doesn't really
1:03:44
lose the ball either. So I mean, he's just a quality of midfielder.
1:03:47
But other than that, we've got nothing. He's kind of just like
1:03:52
a diamond in the rough right now. And so yeah, midfield really needs
1:03:58
a lot of reinforce, and if you think about it, we really need
1:04:01
a striker as well, because I don't think Simona can do it all on
1:04:05
his own and assimn is clearly leaving, so we need to definitely need a
1:04:14
reinforcement at striker. Yeah, so you're you're you're saying you're on the side
1:04:19
of Oman is definitely out the door. Kay, Okay, you feel the
1:04:26
same block or is he definitely think he's storry for you. I think he'll
1:04:31
It would break my heart if he left. I think I think he'll stay
1:04:35
one more year. Maybe. I think he's just they They literally made an
1:04:41
Adidas commercial with him that just came out today in Naples, you know what
1:04:45
I mean, announcing his partnership with Adidas, and they did a whole It
1:04:53
was a pretty cool commercial. Actually, that's really cool. But I think
1:05:00
he's the way I think he's like, he's making a life for himself in
1:05:03
Naples with his wife. They bought a house there, so like, I
1:05:11
think he's trying to settle down there for a few years, or at least
1:05:15
that's what his agent's trying to make it seem like. Obviously, it's very
1:05:19
difficult to tell what an agent's ulterior motive is what they're just saying, you
1:05:24
know what I mean, I can't really take what they're saying of face value,
1:05:28
but you know, I try to. Yeah, I mean, yes,
1:05:34
going back to what you're saying, Men's definitely out though. Yeah,
1:05:41
I can't see a world where he stays, especially that, and we spoke
1:05:45
about it on the show that many times, and especially recently with with with
1:05:48
with his comments and interviews and just what you hear and what you see in
1:05:55
the cultural world. I mean, the dollar value that not people to receive
1:06:00
in terms of him going, I mean, I think will be is obviously
1:06:04
huge, right, I mean you spent a lot on him. He helped
1:06:10
bring a school back to Napoly, amongst all other other factors. But if
1:06:16
you can get the types of you, I don't know if one thirty one
1:06:20
for almost one fifty, it's it's it's actually one thirty, right, Like
1:06:26
these are astronomical numbers, right, especially for for for Sei, for its
1:06:30
just it's just crazy, right, So it would it would be a shame
1:06:33
to see him leave because he's been he's been uh fun to watch in this
1:06:38
league. He's brought I think a lot of guys not only to Napoly but
1:06:43
to to and in general. But you cannot pass up these numbers that that
1:06:48
are there that are going to be triggered, right because he has the changes
1:06:51
team that you change exactly so and you know, maybe we're talking about you
1:06:57
know, you you get what you I go of an o man and you
1:07:00
bring in you know, three four, maybe maybe five, you never know,
1:07:02
right, Like it's it's what you can get out of that well would
1:07:08
hopefully be spent smartly, uh in areas of need and and maybe reinvent this.
1:07:14
This not with team uh you know once more? So Yeah, I
1:07:18
don't know, man, it's for me, It's it's I'm just like you
1:07:25
and I'm a neutral. I'm just up in air with all this. There's
1:07:28
not a way much more to say. I don't think. I don't know.
1:07:31
I don't know what else you guys spoke about on your end with with
1:07:34
with RAFA, But I don't know, think did you have anything else?
1:07:40
Not wise, I mean Wednesday, Any any predictions Champions League in general,
1:07:50
any expectations at all, expectations. I have no expectations, but my prediction
1:07:57
for Wednesday will be a one one. I really did. I think we
1:08:00
do get a result out of that game. Ship setting up to be I
1:08:06
don't want to say annihilated in the in the second leg, but sent home
1:08:11
in the second leg. Well, hey, listen, nobody, nobody thought,
1:08:15
you know, lots of would pull what they pulled on Byron and they
1:08:17
got the one nil, right, So listen, anything, I will really
1:08:20
hope I'm I'm completely wrong. I hope that this comes back and I have
1:08:26
a guy get clipped. Yeah, it goes on Twitter like look at this
1:08:29
buffoon and you want he said his team was going to go home now with
1:08:33
in the quarterfinals. You know what I mean, I really hope but reverse
1:08:38
psychology, right, Hope's hope it works enough his favor. But listen,
1:08:43
we always say it, the Champions League is a different beast, right,
1:08:45
So anything is possible in this competition. And listen, this is all brand
1:08:50
new, like we just spoke about with so we don't know what will stick.
1:08:55
We hope something does, if if anything at all. Right, So
1:08:59
I'm just curious to see how this all unfolds. Like you said before,
1:09:04
I think some of some of the uh, some of the players obviously do
1:09:08
know them, you know, obviously people other people in the building behind cloes,
1:09:13
you know, behind the scenes obviously know them. So I think I
1:09:16
think the fight will be there. I'm hopeful for that. That's like what
1:09:18
I was stressing before. Besides that, I don't think there's much more you
1:09:24
can really ask for, like you'd be greedy to start asking for. Yeah,
1:09:29
we're gonna finish the season thirteen wins, like you guys, it's impossible.
1:09:33
So I think just managing these expectations, these last this last stretch of
1:09:40
the of the City season, Champions League season, imagine your expectations kind of
1:09:45
going in there with maybe minimal expectations seeing what sticks. Like I said,
1:09:47
and I think that's kind of kind of the mentality that as a as a
1:09:53
neutral, I'm kind of gonna try to look at this as as a fan.
1:09:56
You can do whatever you want your that's your club. I respect.
1:10:00
So yeah, Nick, I think you said you had another another question,
1:10:04
maybe a fun, not not quick question. I did as well. I
1:10:08
did as well after, so I don't know if it's gonna collash with your
1:10:11
question, but go ahead. Yeah. I feel like we've been talking so
1:10:14
much about Napoli and you know the light in the little bit. Yeah,
1:10:18
exactly, Doniel, he's not his normal self. We got to get the
1:10:23
boot up a bit. I want to ask. Because Italy is coming to
1:10:26
the USA. They play Venezuela and for Lauderdale March twenty first, and Ecuador
1:10:31
against Ecuador in Harrison, New Jersey on March twenty fourth. Are you going?
1:10:39
I hope, so, you hope? So nothing official yet seeing this,
1:10:44
see this so that she could buy me the tickets because she knows I
1:10:47
want them and my birthdays March eleventh, Oh fucked? What's her name?
1:10:54
Her name. Yeah, can we post this on social media? What's your
1:10:59
name? What's dam Sorry didn't catch it, Megan, Megan, she's gonna,
1:11:03
she's gonna probably she's gonna get us tickets. Megan, get this guy
1:11:10
some tickets. Please do it for us. We know we need to see.
1:11:17
This is not a sponsored eyed by, this is none of that stuff.
1:11:21
But Megan, please do us a favor, do us all a favor
1:11:26
if you want to get us tickets to more than but you know, we
1:11:30
don't want to be great. We don't want to be greedy here for our
1:11:33
buddy Daniel. Please, Megan, if you're listening to this, well it,
1:11:36
we'll send it to you. Do us a favor. Get Daniel at
1:11:42
the stadium, in the court with all the fans. O. Man.
1:11:45
But it's crazy because they're coming all the way here in the middle of the
1:11:49
season, and it's like, Okay, I can't say I know too much
1:11:53
about the Venezuela and Ecuador national teams, but it's like, how much how
1:11:59
much value to do these teams do these games? Havelf you know we're gonna
1:12:02
see a lot of surprise injuries, you know, a little knocks of players
1:12:06
from teams, especially let's say from inter if they're stilling the Champions League at
1:12:11
that point, they don't want to be sending their players across the sea for
1:12:14
two games against against South American competition as known for physical play. But you
1:12:20
know, it's good for the fans above all, it's good for the fans
1:12:24
Italians and in the States. But the first time, the first time during
1:12:28
the yeah, exactly, first time they're in the States in quite a while,
1:12:31
twenty years. What was it, you know it was three yeah it
1:12:36
yeah, Well they'll be back in three years hopefully two years, hopefully in
1:12:41
New Jersey again to you guys, Yeah yeah, yeah, we're out here
1:12:47
in numbers, so h no. But you know what again, I agree
1:12:53
with with you're obviously what you're saying, Nick, and I think it's just
1:12:59
good. I think it just good. Again, if we're obviously by you
1:13:02
know, obviously biased uh as Italians as I have, you know, the
1:13:06
Budjo Jersey behind me, happy belaited obviously to to to uh to Budjo his
1:13:14
birthday yesday. Find him on Instagram God Buss his daughter got him on Instagram.
1:13:17
But no, I think it's good. I think it's good. Obviously
1:13:20
for the for the you know, the growth of the game obviously anytime coming
1:13:25
to North America. I think for US it's obviously huge. We're obviously saying
1:13:29
that as as as biased fans, but I think it is it broadens these
1:13:32
horizons. Is it good for the players, Is it gonna adds to the
1:13:35
schedule more games? We always say it, it's terrible for those types of
1:13:40
reasons, but to have you know, you know, national teams in our
1:13:45
backyards, you know, Ploral. If if I can say that it's huge,
1:13:48
it's huge. Uh yeah, That's really all I can really say for
1:13:59
what I want in terms of the national team. I know, you know,
1:14:01
the the Nation's League draw obviously happened, and and it kind of just
1:14:05
bleeds into to to to the Euros as well coming up this summer. Any
1:14:13
like your thoughts on on on on the state of the national team, obviously
1:14:16
you're Luceanno Spalletti at the Helm. Any thoughts or or or expectations in in
1:14:24
these tournaments coming forward? The groups like, what are your what are your
1:14:28
overall thoughts before we let you go here? You know our group is pretty
1:14:31
nervy. I'm not gonna lie the Albania game kind of worries me, not
1:14:38
because I think Albania is what whatever, but just the fact that this is
1:14:44
a team that they have a very proud fan base, they're very proud nation.
1:14:49
To go up against that type of team and against basically like Mediterranean rivals,
1:14:55
almost you know, they're they're gonna see it as a big rival rival
1:14:59
game and it's just gonna it's it's gonna be a difficult game. So as
1:15:01
long as we get past that game, I think with a W with three
1:15:05
points, I think we could definitely get out of the group. It will
1:15:10
at least be halfway there. I think in terms of the national team overall,
1:15:16
Ah, we have some really people forget how good our team is sometimes,
1:15:23
I think I think I think we forget how good our team is sometimes.
1:15:27
Uh, we haven't really shown it yet because we espect he really hasn't
1:15:31
had the time to instill his philosophy into the guys. But uh, I
1:15:36
don't know that. I've seen like bits and pieces from the last two games
1:15:41
that really like we're impressive. To me, in that Ukraine game should never
1:15:45
evented zero zero. We should have won that. So I mean, yeah,
1:15:50
people will say that we got in because of that dubious call at the
1:15:55
end, but it really shouldn't have even gotten to that, right, I
1:15:57
think we should have had like two roles in that game, I remember correctly.
1:16:02
So No, I mean I'm very optimistic, especially with the guy at
1:16:08
the helm that we have with Salt. I think I think we're really gonna
1:16:12
We're in for a treat. I think now what you're there. Definitely optimistic,
1:16:16
Uh, definitely optimistic. We have to see more. I do agree
1:16:20
there, we have to see more. Obviously, these these upcoming tournaments will
1:16:24
and friendlies and preparation games, and then we got the World Club coming up
1:16:28
in three years. There's there's a lot, there's a lot to be had,
1:16:31
a lot to be said, A want to be seen with his national
1:16:34
team with So again I'm excited. I mean, no matter what game it
1:16:41
is for the national team, like there's something that comes out of us that
1:16:44
it's like I don't care, like we're gonna complain it's international break, but
1:16:47
fuck I'm watching right like it's it's something that that'll for me, at least
1:16:54
for me personally, I'll speak for myself, will never go away. So
1:16:59
yeah, I know I'm I'm excited the little nerve you like you said,
1:17:01
I think is a fair statement. But but yeah, it's it's it's definitely,
1:17:06
it's definitely exciting because I think there are there are quality, uh you
1:17:11
know players. I think they got to be put in the right position to
1:17:14
succeed, that's for sure, and their big time players have to step up.
1:17:16
And and I think if that blend can happen, and I feel like
1:17:20
you said that, the helm could kind of mesh it out together. I
1:17:23
think hopefully we're we're in good hands for these upcoming upcoming years with the national
1:17:29
team. If we have a healthy kids, I think will be fine.
1:17:32
Genuinely, I'm not even Yeah, I genuinely think. But he'll always be
1:17:39
informed for Italy. He'll always will He'll make himself informed. Really, that's
1:17:45
what he Yeah, he seems to be a very national teams driven guy.
1:17:50
I love that about him. No, no, I agree, Nick,
1:17:56
I didn't think about it that way. But you know, he's he's got
1:17:58
a point, he he. Oh, I guess we're scared it away.
1:18:04
I don't know. I don't know why I said I mentioned kids that he
1:18:09
said, no, yeah, not I mentioned kids. I exited at the
1:18:14
wrong time. I said, he's having the season that you don't want to
1:18:17
have right before the Euros, like you want to go into those Euros hot.
1:18:23
That's exactly what happened in twenty twenty one. He was fantastic during the
1:18:26
Euros. He's he's pretty cold right now. I know there's a whole talk
1:18:30
the injury. Well, he got injured two years ago now, and you
1:18:34
know this is his first full season. He's been kind of on and off.
1:18:38
Came off the bench against hell Us like he needs to be better straight
1:18:42
up. You know, if I'm making a starting lineup today, or Selini
1:18:45
might be might be my starting winger because he's the guy taught. You want
1:18:50
to guys, and this is this is a U fan speaking, but you
1:18:55
want to go in with the guy who's hot. And I agreed that.
1:18:59
I know, like he's always gonna be informed for for Italy. You're right
1:19:02
that he always has something actura with Italy. You even think back it was
1:19:08
the Nations League when they played. I think it was the the Netherlands.
1:19:13
I think, yeah, the Netherlands, a third place game in the Nations
1:19:15
League. Uh, he scored, I forget he scored one or two goals
1:19:19
that game, but he was better than he was all season last year with
1:19:23
you. So yeah, hopefully we'll get that CASA. But he's got to
1:19:29
be better. But hopefully he stays healthy. That's the most important thing.
1:19:32
Yeah, no, that's that's fair. But no, I'm sorry to Nick
1:19:38
Deanni who might be listening to this, but it's still over OSCELINI for me.
1:19:43
Sorry, I love you, Butlin's a very good player. By the
1:19:46
way. No, it's good, that's great, don't get me wrong.
1:19:48
He's there. He's hopefully finally turning that page. Like there was hype on
1:19:54
OSCELINI, like you know, four or five, six years ago even right,
1:19:58
So uh, hopefully that that that hype is is maybe coming back and
1:20:02
maybe I'm going to stick a bit more. I would hope, because listen,
1:20:06
we can use all the help we can get. Even though I do
1:20:10
think there are quality players on this team, right So, I don't know,
1:20:14
man, I'm excited. I agree with I see both sides with with
1:20:18
the statements of Kisa, but I think, you know, if there's one
1:20:23
guy that's a national team player, like I agree with Daniel, I mean
1:20:26
it's as of late, it's Kisa in terms of this player, in terms
1:20:30
of him stepping up or even if he doesn't produce at the level that we
1:20:33
want him to produce or think that he can produce for me, at least
1:20:36
he still shows that that agree into that that that to go forward, right,
1:20:43
he takes on his man exactly right, So as long as that continues
1:20:47
for me, I mean me person, I don't care what he doesn't you,
1:20:51
I don't care what he does. I just don't want him to do
1:20:58
good. And no, guys, no disrespect you been. We have one
1:21:01
here tonight. It's it's no disrespect. But I don't care for the national
1:21:05
team. He needs to for me, he needs to strow up for the
1:21:09
national team. I don't care, you may but no joking aside. Yeah,
1:21:14
no, I'm just excited, I think for for this summer. You
1:21:16
know, twenty twenty one was was was a big summer for US Italians and
1:21:20
we're hopeful for for another another is the Italiana right as we were calling it
1:21:27
all all all those summers ago. So yeah, Daniel, honestly, bro,
1:21:31
it's been an absolul pleasure talking to We always have a bust, uh,
1:21:36
you know, communicating with you before we let you go and before we
1:21:41
we we kind of sign off out of here and and and plug our stuff.
1:21:44
Where can we find yourself? Anything that you want to plug below the
1:21:47
four is yours? Oh so uh me. You can find me on Twitter
1:21:51
Daniel Underscore Underscore Rules twenty two. Also I wanted to plug my uh me
1:21:59
and raphispo. We all have we have a Sorry, I think Nick actually
1:22:04
plugged it for us a little bit in the beginning, but I'll say it
1:22:06
again. We have we have a podcast called Monopoly. You can find us
1:22:13
on Twitter. Let me pull up. Let me pull it up because it's
1:22:15
a little difficult to because I think we have a bit of a crazy tag.
1:22:23
Let me pull it up really quick. Sorry, there it is.
1:22:26
It's t n A. I still can't find it. I don't know I
1:22:33
had it. I had dim n A Underscore f f V. So far
1:22:40
from there's also far from Vesuvius that I would like to plug. That's also
1:22:45
the same thing. It's just a network of Monopoly podcasts that RAFA runs,
1:22:51
So it's just at far from. Other than that, you could also find
1:22:57
me on Instagram Daniel Russell nine d eight And other than that, I don't
1:23:01
think I got anything else no, perfect and listen, I know this is
1:23:05
all new, well far from the studious No, I know that's definitely not
1:23:10
new. But uh, the podcast, excuse me, the podcast to monopoly.
1:23:15
I know that's kind of been new in the works if I'm not mistaken.
1:23:18
Yeah, we just started, I think like a month ago. This
1:23:21
is our second episode was tonight. There you go, so perfect. Listen.
1:23:27
We obviously wish you guys nothing but the best. I know that the
1:23:29
rough and rough rant went on for a while. Uh, Raf respol,
1:23:32
raf biz. I love them both, fans of fans of both of them,
1:23:38
and they've been on the throw many times. So listen. Uh,
1:23:41
it's a newer undertaking. It's a new project under the FFV name as well,
1:23:44
under that umbrella. Guys, go give them a follow, Let's get
1:23:48
the let's get their content going, because not only is it is it good
1:23:54
quality content, it's good people behind it as well. So yeah, for
1:23:58
us, it's always it's always a must fall and always I must like,
1:24:00
must add whatever it is, Guys, do it. Go follow them for
1:24:03
us, we say every week at the Cultural Guys on all social media platforms.
1:24:10
For the audio version of the podcast, only your favorite podcasting platforms and
1:24:15
yeah, any video content, subscribe to us on YouTube, post notifications like
1:24:18
all that good stuff, comment rate us as well five stars. I hear
1:24:25
that does something for for our value if we have any. So but yeah,
1:24:30
besides that, guys, Uh, we appreciate all the love and support.
1:24:33
Uh, we're back on this on this cultural grind and yeah hopefully cub
1:24:40
zonazonas on Wednesday and we'll be back next week to talk a lot more cultural.
1:24:45
One thing I want to say before we go, Joshua Zerxi has never
1:24:50
played for Netherlands. I was just looking it up so if he could get
1:24:55
a magical Italian citizenship before the Netherlands. We're rolling, boys, We're rolling.
1:25:00
It's it. Striker problems solved, solved, solved for two dollars.
1:25:05
Thanks for listening. H