GOING UP
The Slovakian attacker Josip Iličić is in
the form of his life, beating last year’s
haul of 12 goals with four months to
spare. Iličić may not be an orthodox
centre-forward but at the age of 32, has
never performed better and is playing
an instrumental role in guiding Atalanta
to another Champions League finish.GOING DOWN
The writing was on the wall for former
Napoli and Inter boss Walter Mazzarri
after his Torino side were thumped 7-0
by Atalanta and 4-0 against relegation
candidates Lecce. Mazzarri left his
squad in mid-table and there is work
to be done to get anywhere near last
year’s seventh place finish.GOING UP
GOING DOWN
Josip IličićWalter Mazzarriout on loan after just six months at the club
- Nicolo Barella, Stefano Sensi, Diego Godin
and Alexis Sanchez. The sextet all arrived in
the summer, in an intense recruitment drive
geared to giving the new manager all the
tools necessary to compete with Juventus.
Fast forward to the winter, and Conte
received Ashley Young, Victor Moses and
Christian Eriksen. Yet, surprisingly, the
former Premier League winning boss has
still voiced his frustrations.
Back in November, the 50-year-old
complained his squad was too small to
compete on two fronts, both domestically
and in Europe and even referenced Barella
and Sensi, two new additions, from
Sassuolo and Cagliari respectively, in a
slight at the clubs they were bought from.
This was an unfair comment from Conte,
particularly as the duo are the heartbeat
of Roberto Mancini’s new Italy and both
are highly coveted amongst Europe’s elite
clubs.
Away from the deflection tactics, Conte
will be fully aware he must now deliver. The
former Bianconeri league winning captain
was brought in by an ambitious Inter board
to win silverware, and the group-stage exit
in this season’s Champions League will not
have pleased the hierarchy.
Inter are expected to field the second string
in the Europa League, but Conte would be
wise to have a real go at the competition
as it may be his best chance of a trophy
this term, and would likely lead to another
summer of big spending.
THE UGLY
Bitter foes Fiorentina and Juventus went
to battle at the beginning of February
and the latest instalment of an intense
rivalry certainly didn’t lack any spice.
Geographically, the respective clubs are not
in close proximity, but there is a real edge
to each match between the sides.
The Viola and Bianconeri famously went
head-to-head for the Serie A title in 1981-
1982, with Juventus clinching the title on
the final day of the campaign and this was
just the beginning of what has been a 30-
year conflict. The clubs contested the UEFA
Cup Final in 1989-90, where the Turin giants
once again got the better of the Tuscans,
but not without controversy.
There remains uproar to this day on the
streets of Florence and matters were not
helped when star man Roberto Baggio
transferred to Juventus shortly after. The
Bianconeri have enjoyed immense – and
continued success, while Fiorentina have
floundered and even suffered relegation.
Off the pitch, the Bianconeri have also been
able to take players from the Viola at will,
with Federico Bernardeschi the most recent
mover, and Federico Chiesa likely to be the
next to transfer to the Juventus Stadium.
Unfortunately, Fiorentina were not able
to stop Bernardeschi from departing, but
will make it much more difficult to prize
Chiesa given the new ownership at the
helm. Billionaire Rocco Commisso took
the reins from the Della Valle brothers last
summer and has been a man of his word.
The Italian-American gave then manager
Vincenzo Montella ample funds to bring
in new acquisitions and there is a real
sense of excitement in the terraces given
Commisso’s immense wealth.
The President endeared himself further to
the supporters after the 3-0 loss against
Juventus, slamming the officiating that
led to the second penalty being awarded.
Opposite number Pavel Nedved responded
shortly after, to which Commisso took great
offence and the war of words has since
waged on.TOP OPPOSITE PAGE:
Simone Inzaghi
BOTTOM RIGHT
OPPOSITE PAGE:
Antonio Conte
Alexis Sanchez has
struggled to make an
impact since joining Inter
BELOW:
Rocco Commisso
Fiorentina will look
towards Chiesa and
Cutrone to lead them back
into Europe