The Rumour Commode XLI: Ragnarok

[MilanBG]

Every summer it's the same shut with Inter. "They are poor, they're going to fall apart, they gotta sell x amount and end in x amount of positive, they will default, they are over, etc."
Yet, every summer they somehow end up ok and still in the top 4.

I love taking a dump on them as much as the next guy, but somehow I think we are exaggerating their situation a bit and come September they'll still be top 4/Scudetto rivals for sure.
So as much as I wish they become a mid-table team again, it's not going to happen next year.
So I hope this new management has an idea of how to strengthen our own squad.

They are slowly declining every season. Their last 3 Serie A campaigns - 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
Their CL run means nothing as their KO path was a disgrace for the sport. I honestly can't think of an easier path to the final ever since I started watching CL.
They have enormous debt, they have an aging squad and they have a lot of players that need to be replaced. They simply don't have the financial power to rebuild properly. They have 2 options:
1. Keep all core players like Bastoni, Lautaro and Barella and surround them with new donkies because they can't afford to buy anyone decent
2. Sell one or two important players and start a modest rebuild
Either option leads to a slightly worse team than last season. My prediction is they will be much worse as I can't see them keeping all key players. I don't think it is actually possible at all from financial POV.
Marotta will likely come up with a few nice short term ideas or major book cooking, but their trajectory is relentlessly downwards.
It's actually Inzaghi's amazing work that masked their huge problems. 2 trophies, early securing of top 4 and a CL final with this squad is beyond incredible. If you open FIF and go back to August/September 2022 you will see a lot of suicidal people. Nobody dreamed of having such a season.
They are going back into the shit where they belong unless an ambitious buyer comes in. But the good thing is that right now Stevie G will ask for even more money for them which should logically make them harder to sell.

 

[taura]

 

[Wild]

Those coaches have the benefit of time, there's no reason to think Pep won't be looked back at in a similar manner. He is the most impactful coach of this era by far

His CL performances are obviously a fair criticism. It probably has to do with his teams being system-oriented and those types of teams struggle in a knockout setting. But he's so young I imagine he'll still finish with a rather impressive CL resume

His player development is actually the reason I think he would still do well in a lesser team. The guy turned John Stones into prime Beckenbauer to the point he was the best player in a CL final. If he can do that with John fucking Stones I'm sure he can turn Salad into something useful

Pep is 11 years younger than Carlo & 3 years than Klopp.
Pep coached for 14 years winning 11 league titles & 3 CLs.
Carlo during his first 14 years won one league & two CLs.
There is no argument.

Imagine Pep coaching for another 10 years.

 

[DeNiro]

The greeting of #BrahimDiaz to #Milan :
"Dear Milan, today I have to say goodbye and thank you for everything we've experienced together. From the first moment I wore this shirt, I knew I was in a special place. My teammates. You have been like family to me "because we shared laughter, tears and success. You taught me the true meaning of effort and teamwork. Heartfelt thanks also to the coach, staff, doctors and people at the club.

And to you fans, what can I say!? You are the best. With your support and passion, you have pushed us through every game. Your chants and energy made every moment on the pitch unforgettable. I am truly grateful for all the love and encouragement you have shown me during my time here. I know that in both good and bad times you will continue to cheer and support this team.

This goodbye does not mean that I will forget you. I will always carry in my heart the memories of the moments we lived together, such as important goals, exciting victories and crazy celebrations. But also the difficult moments that made us stronger as a team. I greet you with nostalgia, but also with emotion for what is to come. Go Milan".

Best of luck brahim. If only you were a bit taller so you don't get bullied on the pitch.
We need a team of lions, not mouse.

 

[Pingu]

I will miss Brahim. Loved the shirt and the club, had his huge moments, and was loved by most. Sad to see him go, could've made something more of the RW spot (if not for Pioli).

 

[Samaldinho]

It's definitely gonna be interesting to see how Pep will be looked at in 20ish years. Even if he wasn't to win domestic cups or CL titles.

I mean Sacchi is seen as a GOAT coaching candidate because he revolutionised football. One could argue tho that despite "only" revolutionising football, his only truly successfull stint as a coach was the 1987 - 1991 stint with us, where we were probably the biggest spending club in Europe (or at least one of the biggest spending clubs) and Silvio took "professionalism" in squad evaluation and preparation to a whole new level too.

No one really remembers what came afterwards concerning Sacchi because, franky, it's not been impressive at all.

Now I wasn't there in 1987 when Sacchi built his Milan side so I'm not the person qualified to compare Sacchis work with let's say Peps 2008-2012 Barca side. I know there are a lot of controversies when it comes to ref bribing. If true, some titles definitely should be revoked. But I mean... I've seen that team play, and referee or not, it was unplayable for a lot of years. I think that can count towards building under challenging circumstances too, despite being lucky enough to have one of the greatest generation of players coming from the own youth academy.

He's an all-time great manager, so far, even if the whole bribing refs thing is a pretty big cloud--but the idea that he's as jarring as I'm supposed to believe.. I dunno.

He has crushed the EPL, which is impressive.

I just don't like annointing players, managers, etc with "greatest" status before they've finished their career, few figures who deserve that.

let's say Peps 2008-2012 Barca side. I know there are a lot of controversies when it comes to ref bribing. If true, some titles definitely should be revoked. But I mean... I've seen that team play, and referee or not, it was unplayable for a lot of years

Chelsea with the "its a disgrace" game? I mean, it was reported (not sure if this is true) that Barca didn't get a red card for years? I'm sorry, if 2 CL titles in 4-5 years makes you a GOAT, then Carlo should be there too with his 2002-2007 team.

I don't even know who I would say is the GOAT. I just look at it in "tiers."

Pep is a great coach, but I just want to see how people look at him after he's done.

I feel like our current sports culture is obsessed with creating narratives and "grand views" and "legacy" questions before things have finished, and its tiring.

What if Carlo goes and wins a World Cup? What if Pep coaches somewhere else and it goes badly?

I think my disagreement centers mostly around the nature of the discussion, when it seems so much more beholden to our current mood. A journalist before the game wrote in BBC that even if Pep lost to Inter, he'd still be the GOAT, and... I was like, how?

I just feel like current sports, everywhere, try to manufacture legacy, try to manufacture greatness, try to manufacture accolades and new stats to convince ourselves we're watching greatness--it just doesn't seem authentic to me, everything seems forced. We feel the need to make everything we watch extraordinary and life changing, when, the reality is in a few years... we'll know if we are or not.

 

[Dena]

Djokovic is officially a tennis goat

But they will probably say that Federer is goat because he played nicer tennis and has nicer hair than Djoko or that Nadal has nicer muscles.

 

[Pigeon]

THIS IS TOO MUCH

 

[sheva]

Beautiful sendoff from Brahim, loved the boy even when he ran into defenders for entire matches since he was giving a shit for the team

His magical touches like against juve and Napoli weren't seen even by players getting x10 his salary, was forced into playing cam when he doesn't have the body for it over and over and for a reason

I think he will have a great career in a more technical oriented team/league than a tactical one and as predicted before, people will soon lament him leaving when he plays great as a sub RW for Madrid/starting for a less quality team as an RW.

 

[nonsonoqui]

Djokovic is officially a tennis goat

But they will probably say that Federer is goat because he played nicer tennis and has nicer hair than Djoko or that Nadal has nicer muscles.

Federer definitely doesn’t have nicer hair than Djokovic.

 

[Caladan]

After beutifull garewall of Brahim Diaz. Redbird must find somebody who will have better numbers than Diaz at the end of next season.

 

[Gennaro8]

Fuck you Brahim. Now I will miss you, you little pain in my ass. I love you man

 

[AC_Wesley]

Djokovic recognizing Ibra and Giroud in his vistory speech

 

[Wild]

He's an all-time great manager, so far, even if the whole bribing refs thing is a pretty big cloud--but the idea that he's as jarring as I'm supposed to believe.. I dunno.

He has crushed the EPL, which is impressive.

I just don't like annointing players, managers, etc with "greatest" status before they've finished their career, few figures who deserve that.


Chelsea with the "its a disgrace" game? I mean, it was reported (not sure if this is true) that Barca didn't get a red card for years? I'm sorry, if 2 CL titles in 4-5 years makes you a GOAT, then Carlo should be there too with his 2002-2007 team.

I don't even know who I would say is the GOAT. I just look at it in "tiers."

Pep is a great coach, but I just want to see how people look at him after he's done.

I feel like our current sports culture is obsessed with creating narratives and "grand views" and "legacy" questions before things have finished, and its tiring.

What if Carlo goes and wins a World Cup? What if Pep coaches somewhere else and it goes badly?

I think my disagreement centers mostly around the nature of the discussion, when it seems so much more beholden to our current mood. A journalist before the game wrote in BBC that even if Pep lost to Inter, he'd still be the GOAT, and... I was like, how?

I just feel like current sports, everywhere, try to manufacture legacy, try to manufacture greatness, try to manufacture accolades and new stats to convince ourselves we're watching greatness--it just doesn't seem authentic to me, everything seems forced. We feel the need to make everything we watch extraordinary and life changing, when, the reality is in a few years... we'll know if we are or not.

Thats a fair take.

 

[patosheva]

After beutifull garewall of Brahim Diaz. Redbird must find somebody who will have better numbers than Diaz at the end of next season.

Hahah
Redshit to find better yeeeh sure

 

[Wild]

Djokovic recognizing Ibra and Giroud in his vistory speech

Fuck anyone who doesnt like Joko.

 

[AC_Wesley]

Fuck anyone who doesnt like Joko.

#1 tennis player in the world

Is a Milanista

 

[Dena]

Federer definitely doesn’t have nicer hair than Djokovic.

“They” think he has

 

[Wild]

#1 tennis player in the world

Is a Milanista

 

[Samaldinho]

Pep praised Pioli [Sky]:

"... from Milan last year with Pioli. They are good, it's not throwing the ball forward, everyone behind and wait for the counterattack."

I love how he said Pioli... last year.

He beat Inter while undermining his own success by bribing refs? And now he hints at his disgust with Pioli's transformation from impressive to bum?

Wow, I'm such a huge Pep fan.

Did I mention that Inter lost?

Inter have less than half as many CL titles as we do?

 

[Forza AC Milan]

Thuram free
Sam 20
Kamada free
Sms 30
Cm loan plus option fofana
Lb

Lens are not going to give you their best player for Loan plus option when they can easily sell him for 40 million and they also have champions league.

Also we are not buying SMS under this ownership so better to stop thinking about him.

 

[killerkid]

 

[Wild]

Djokovic is officially a tennis goat

But they will probably say that Federer is goat because he played nicer tennis and has nicer hair than Djoko or that Nadal has nicer muscles.

Its insane how those three competed with each other when all three eligible for the goat argument.
The jocker as avatar is no coincidence.

 

[killerkid]

Mbape is Milanista too

 

[Samaldinho]

Hilarious talking about others doping we most likley doing it ourselves back in the 80's. Especially the late 80's was a freefall especially the use of EPO which Italian doctors were masters. Especially Francesco Conconi the Don of EPO and Michele Ferrari Lance Armstrongs doctor. You do know Italy is elite level doping country. 2016 and 2017 they finished above US Russia and China in the failed doping tables for those years.

Deaths of Italian footballers fuel 'doping' fears in Britain

An Italian judge is investigating the suspicious death of 70 football stars amid fears that drugs their clubs gave them may have triggered their fatal illnesses.

www.theguardian.com

The only mention of a Milan player is one who died in 1986, from ALS. Otherwise, how does this hint at Milan being doped up?

You know that Galliani made a stink about Marseille doping and cheating, when has anyone accused of doping during the 80s and 90s?

 

[Wild]

Its 2023 , like imagine Joko disappointing me

 

[nefremo]

Djoko and Nadal are neck and neck imo. 1 win separates the 2 overall, with Nadal leading by more than that in majors. They split head to heads in the 4 majors. Nadal in France and USA and Djokovic in Australia and Wimbledon. It's impossible to pick one over the other.

The nice thing about tennis is that it's a head to head game. And the 3 greatest players of all time, played in the same era against each other. Sure, you could make a slight argument that Fed was aging a bit when Nadal and Djoko were in their prime, but still, he was at the top when they came along, so he faced them in his prime.

Impossible to call Federer a goat when he doesn't even have a better head to head against either one of Djoko/Nadal.

The other two like I said, neck and neck. Impossible to call it. Nadal's body is now broken though and he is done. Djokovic will probably win a few more majors and lead the all time record and likely never be overtaken. But again, no matter how many majors he wins after Nadal's done, in terms of the goat conversation, I think you only have to look at the years they shared together. And in those years, it's impossible to call it.

 

[Kojak]

thuram is average.

Disagree…Thuram is a very good player coming off a strong season although he will probably never be WC (ditto for Kamada). However, we need these kind of signings to raise the overall quality of the squad (especially for FREE) allowing us to spend more in other positions.

Also, the numbers don’t lie. If you look at his career stats, he has 98 goal contributions in 250 games (aka 180 FULL 90 min matches) which is EXCELLENT. Of these matches, he’s roughly played half @ CF and the other half @ LW so would be able to cover for Leao too in addition to playing up front so we wouldn’t need to sign a Rebic replacement.

Therefore, all things considered, it’s actually a very SMART signing by Moncada and an opportunity to add a 30m+ asset to the BS at no cost plus PSG are pushing for him too and both Luis Campos and Moncada have a great eye for talent.

 

[Omer]

I don't think they've started to include the debt payments in the clubs finances.

I never said that. Even Sunings's debt of 375 mil to Oaktree is not included in Inter's finances. Then they have additional debt that is on their balance sheet.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/08/sports/soccer/champions-league-final-inter-milan.html :

That relative return to success, though, has come at a cost. Inter is the most indebted club in Italy; according to its most recently published accounts, its total liabilities run at around $931 million. In the last two years for which information is available, it recorded losses of almost $430 million, leading to punishment from European soccer’s governing body. It fined the club 4 millions euros (about $4.3 million) for breaching fiscal controls last year, and it has threatened a bigger penalty (26 million euros, or roughly $28 million) if it does not get its finances in order.

Your boy Marotta has been getting good results, but has been running the club at a huge loss. To continue like this, he needs some Arabs to buy the club and keep paying for the losses.

 

[nonsonoqui]

Its 2023 , like imagine Joko disappointing me

He’s the man