'08 Italy Round-up
'08 was a quiet year for Italian football as their displays on club and international level were well under par. With the English club's domination on club level the three wondering stars of Italy fell in Champions League while the Euro was an extreme reflection of their lack to win.
While Inter were dominating on the domestic front they couldn't seem to keep up with the power of Liverpool as they were eliminated in the early stages of the knock- out- round of the Champions League. While Mancini created more controversy declaring that he would leave Inter, the nerazzuri didn't seem to know to was happening while their cross0city rivals knew less.
Milan in Europe always seemed the better team out of the Italians however when it came for them to defend their European title they gave little effort and enthusiasm as the old guns were out classed by Wenger's boys.
The European stage wasn't the only place were Milan failed. Losses in games were they should have won saw them not only loose sight of the scudetto but all hope of qualifying for Europe as they finished fifth; summing up their disappointing season with a UEFA Cup spot.
Roma were the only team to make it reasonably far as they became the only non-english team in the semi-final of the Champions league. While they managed to gather some silverware by beating Inter to win the Coppa Italia.
Regarded as a meaningless trophy the Italian's had a dry year in the silverware as Italy's last hope, Fiorentina were knocked out of the UEFA Cup semi-final.
Hopefully it will a more exciting year for the Italians as both club and national teams have a busy and eventful year ahead of them.
While Inter were dominating on the domestic front they couldn't seem to keep up with the power of Liverpool as they were eliminated in the early stages of the knock- out- round of the Champions League. While Mancini created more controversy declaring that he would leave Inter, the nerazzuri didn't seem to know to was happening while their cross0city rivals knew less.
Milan in Europe always seemed the better team out of the Italians however when it came for them to defend their European title they gave little effort and enthusiasm as the old guns were out classed by Wenger's boys.
The European stage wasn't the only place were Milan failed. Losses in games were they should have won saw them not only loose sight of the scudetto but all hope of qualifying for Europe as they finished fifth; summing up their disappointing season with a UEFA Cup spot.
Roma were the only team to make it reasonably far as they became the only non-english team in the semi-final of the Champions league. While they managed to gather some silverware by beating Inter to win the Coppa Italia.
Regarded as a meaningless trophy the Italian's had a dry year in the silverware as Italy's last hope, Fiorentina were knocked out of the UEFA Cup semi-final.
Hopefully it will a more exciting year for the Italians as both club and national teams have a busy and eventful year ahead of them.
Comments