Serie A

This should have been a fun article to write. This should have been an article in which Lazio were praised and evangelized; the remarkable rehabilitation of striker Ciro Immobile after years in the wilderness; the astounding performance of manager Simone Inzaghi, only appointed after Marcelo Biesla refused to show up for work on his first day; the way in which the entire team has blown away opposition this year, propelling themselves all the way up the table and sitting, right now, level with Juventus. It should have been a fantastically positive article. 

But it’s not.

Roberto Donadoni and Nuno Manta have spent most of their careers playing and coaching in the countries of their births. Donadoni played many years AC Milan and has coached all throughout Italy, now leading Bologna. Nuno Manta played for Amigos Cavaco and has spent his entire coaching career at Feirense in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

Over the weekend, both managers showed various levels of control on the sideline. Their reactions to a ball bouncing toward them tell you all you need to know about Portuguese and Italian football managers.

Juventus defeated AC Milan 2-0 in this weekend’s marquee Serie A matchup with Gonzalo Higuain scoring a phenomenal brace to silence the San Siro.

The significance of the occasion was clearly not lost on Milan supporters as the 80,018-capacity San Siro was absolutely electric, a cauldron of noise as the October sun set on a balmy day in Lombardy. There was a sense that all could be forgiven regarding Milan’s slow start to league play should the Rossoneri put one over on a Juventus side stranded in unfounded territory following 10 matches — third. 

Mauro Icardi, the kid you went to high school with who would not shut up about how he was getting out of your little town as soon as he got the chance, has revealed his future career plans.

“I want to win something with this shirt, but I won’t be in football at 40, I’m not like Totti. I’m not going to be a Coach or a director, I don’t think I’d like those roles. I think I’ll just be a dad, at home, with my family."