Random Coppa Randomness

By: Steven | August 20th, 2008

Another slow newsday. While other big, fantastic clubs like Roma, Milan and Chievo are partying because, in no particular order, Francesco Totti has been able to shave his legs without cutting himself, Shevshenko might be back with his tail between his legs, and fan number 402 has been born, we have nothing to rejoice about. But hey, no news is good news, right?

So, what could we possibly talk about then? The Bresciano-to-Rangers story? Nope. Cavani to West Ham? Nope. Miggy’s joy? Nope. Let’s talk Coppa.

Some of you might remember the pre-Roma-Inter-Borefest days, when the Coppa Italia was a competition that could be won by everybody. Teams just below the absolute top, like Bologna and Parma, made it the highlight of their season. Hell, even Vicenza won it at the end of the nineties. It’s a nice trophy to put on the shelve, and it gets you into Europe. Every year since our return to Serie A, we have been competing on at least two levels. Serie A + Europe + Coppa. Now that there’s no Europe, why not go for that Coppa-victory? We came close twice, in ‘74 and ‘79, but we never won it. Hell, we never won anything. So why not go for it this year?

Things kick of this weekend, on Saturday at the Barbera at 20.30. Ravenna should be beaten to advance to the next round. I don’t expect anty difficulties here, but we need a squad that is focused and willing. After Ravenna, Genoa or Mantova awaits. Mantova would be nice, Genoa is doable. After that, the big guns come in to play. Vicenza, Bologna and Ascoli, accompagnied by minor provincial teams like Roma and Inter. By then our boys will be doing well in the league and will be focused to show the world their skill. And you know what helps? Having a big fuckin’ squad. Competing at two levels might work. Imagine playing your A-team in Serie A every week, and resting them for the Coppa. Then you still might be able to come up with something like this:

Jimmy
Cassani - Dellafiore - Bovo - Carrozzieri
Guana - Simplicio - Ciaramitaro
Jankovic
Cavani - Budan

Add 4-5 A-players to that, and you will get this:

Jimmy
Cassani - Bovo - Dellafiore - Carrozzieri
Jankovic - Simplicio - Nocerino
Miccoli
Cavani - Lanzafame

Doesn’t look too shabby, does it? This is the fuckin’ time guys, if we don’t have a great Coppa-run this year, we’ll never have one. Ravenna, shit yourselves, we’re coming.