• Wolfsburg’s 2-0 defeat to Dortmund this weekend has completed the Wolves’ worst ever start to a Bundesliga season. Also, as mentioned on 'It Ain't Over Til The Old Lady Sings' second official podcast, Diego's injured and Dzeko looks increasingly uninspired. Head coach Steve McClaren admitted the "pressure is mounting" and Wolfsburg general manager Dieter Hoeness had this to say about the team's start:
"The players are playing below their actual ability. It is hard to explain, and I don't only mean Diego. Simon Kjaer is usually far more assured than he is and I know that Cicero is a lot better than this. We are in a critical situation."
• Also, this is just a reminder that the Sissoko-Wolfsburg rumour has officially appeared more than once. That is all.
• On loan left-back Armand Traore has already picked up an injury. The Arsenal man will be sidelined for a month due to a muscle strain he suffered in his left hamstring while preparing a day before for the game against Sampdoria. Fabio Grosso has been taken into custody for questioning.
In other injury related news, there's a chance Amauri might be fit enough to play in our mid-week Europa League challenge this Thursday against Lech Poznan. Also, Sissoko has returned to normal training today after he recovered from gastroenteritis, perhaps as a result of observing Ramadan, the annual month of fasting. However Martinez is still injured and should return in about three weeks.
• In case any of you want to re-live the roller coaster ride that was our Sunday game against Sampdoria in more of a tactical light, check out ZonalMarking.net’s post-game analysis of it. It seems Delneri’s move to take off Krasic and Pepe together didn’t make any sense to them either.
"With 15 minutes to go, we seemed to be set up for a brilliant finale, but Delneri made the slightly strange decision of taking off both Krasić and Pepe, introducing Alberto Aquilani and Vincenzo Iaquinta, and going 4-3-3. Although Iaquinta went close, withdrawing Krasić (who had been involved in two goals) and Pepe (who was involved in all three) off the pitch was a disappointment, and the final ten minutes was the least exciting period of the game."
• Pavel Nedved has made plans to meet with his Tuesday night men’s league teammate Andrea Agnelli this week to outline a few ways La Furia Ceca can work directly with the club. It’s reported that he could become an extra team manager or a ‘special counsel’ to the president.
• Antonio Cassano is obviously very talented. According to his former Sporting Director and Coach, Juventus don’t have any champions, and need very talented players to win the Scudetto. However, Lippi doesn’t approve of Cassano and Juventus only approves of those with Lippi approval. Where do we go from here? That’s anyone’s guess.
• Finally, Giovinco has declared that he will celebrate if he scores against Juventus when Parma visits Torino on January the 18th 2011. No need to worry Sebastian. Juventus fans will celebrate with you.
IERI... OGGI... DOMANI... SEMPRE JUVE!!!