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In week 9 we look at the Champions League and the four Italian teams, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Roma and Lazio.
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Transcript
DB: So of course the current Champions league champions are an Italian side, AC Milan, and theya€™re joined this year by Inter, their cross-town rivals, Roma and Lazio. What do you think about these teams? Leta€™s start with AC Milan, the current champions.
DF: Yeah, much like last season they have not done well in their own domestic league but you can never rule them out although I think possibly this year their team is probably a little bit too old to win the Champions League. However, in their group, even though they lost away to Celtic, I still think that they should qualify although wea€™ve had a couple of people tipping Shakhtar Donetsk to actually get through as well but I think Milan will actually make it. What do you think?
DB: Well yes, on paper theya€™ve got such a strong line up however theya€™ve already lost to Celtic, theya€™ve got a dreadful league performance, theya€™re in 11th position with only 7 points in the league. But I agree with you I think theya€™ll get out of their group, they may only qualify second, as second winners there and I dona€™t think theya€™re gonnaa€™ get further than the quarter finals.
DF: Now how about Inter Milan?
DB: Well, for me Inter Milan are a team that has a winning habit. I think theya€™ve got a winning mentality people say they are not playing so well but they are topping Serie A. Theya€™ve got a goal scorer in Ibrahimovic playing very well recently, of course, Crespo. Although in their game against PSV they got two red cards that may have an impact on their performance in the group but I can see them winning this group and going through comfortably and perhaps getting as far as the semi finals and then, who knows?
DF: Yes, ita€™s interesting you mentioned winning mentality with reference to Inter Milan because within Italy I think theya€™ve been the one team that does not have the winning mentality like say, Juventus or AC Milan. But as you say this season theya€™ve really, really improved and one of the key players, Ibrahimovic, he really has stepped up and hea€™s scoring goals for fun at the moment. Theya€™ll definitely qualify from their group but I still think that mental fragility will kick in later on. Possibly quarter-final, semi-final.
DB: How about Roma? What do you think?
DF: Everybody loves Roma, they play great attacking football. But theya€™ve had a bit of a torrid time in the last ten days. Theya€™ve drawn matches in Serie A, theya€™ve been beaten at home by Inter and theya€™ve just lost away to Manchester United in the Champions League. Totti is key, Totti is key. If he gets injured or if he dips in form then theya€™re not going to do anything but they should get through from the group with Manchester United. What do you think?
DB: Yes, I agree I think theya€™ll get through with Manchester United, even though they lost against Manchester United. And talking about Totti, it was a nice gesture sending a personal apology to the Manchester United fan who was injured in the stadium when Manchester United visited Roma. But they have had a bad time recently, theya€™ve failed to win in the last four matches and theya€™ve lost the last two. Theya€™ve got some injuries so troubled times ahead. Theya€™ll get through the group but Ia€™m not sure theya€™ll get further than the quarters, if that.
DF: Right, now how about their city rivals, Lazio? They actually had to play a qualifying round to get into the Champions League. They drew 2-2 with Real Madrid the other night at home. What do you think of their chances?
DB: I dona€™t think they have a strong chance at all. I dona€™t think theya€™ll get out of their group with Olympiakos and Real Madrid. Theya€™re good at getting draws recently a€“ six out of eight, in the last eight games, sorry six draws. I dona€™t think theya€™re going to get out of their group.
DF: Yes, ita€™s a tricky one. Obviously Real Madrid are favourites to get through there, yes ita€™s between them and Werder Bremen to get through I think and I think their home form might just see them through. Yes, Lazio to qualify but thata€™s it, theya€™ll go no further at all.
DB: OK so my order, running order for the Italian teams is Inter perhaps semi-finalist, AC Milan perhaps quarter-finalists, Roma no further than the quarters and Lazio not to get out of their group.
DF: Well, more or less I agree with you although I think Lazio may just get out of the group. Yes, Inter definitely have the best chance of the four.
