ISP Special: Top 20 teams of the Season(12-14)

14. Fiorentina

Some important players have been sold in Fiorentina. Genius Melo has gone over to rival Juventus. In the midfield also great talent Kuzmanovic is sold. But good players are bought. Marchionni is a great player if he stays injury-free. Zanetti is brought in as a defensive midfielder. The 32 years old has a great deal of experience, great pass calculations and with an enormous capacity workrate.  I

In defence, Dainelli and Gamberini get tough competition from Køldrup and Natali. Natali is a new signing from Torino and is a very wise purchase ahead of Champions League. At right-back we have to see if Comotto will take the spot or the new purchased talent De Silvestri. Silvestri is one of Italy's greatest hopes. He is far from fully developed. On the left side Pasqual and Vargas fight for the place. Vargas is a very good offensive player who is missing much of the defensive skills. Pasqual is good both ways, but not far as exciting as Vargas offensively. The possibility is that Vargas is maybe used as the left wing.

In midfield, the coach has tough choice; will he start players who complement each other, or he will make room for all? We know the coach prefers 4-3-3 system. Evidence indicates that Donadel and Zannetti will be somewhat withdrawn midfielders and Montolivo be played as creative one. But it is only 2 seats left for 3 major players: Mutu, Gilardino and Jovetic. Mutu and Jovetic can both play on the left side and striker. Mutu is more stable while Jovetic is still young and has much up and down. But he is without a doubt one of the best talents in Europe currently. Gilaridino scored 19 goals in Serie A and should be first choice upfront. So one way to make room for all three will be to create a more offensive role in the center and use Jovetic in the role. Otherwise, the players like Jørgensen would be played at left wing position even if he can play on the right side. Jørgensen can also play right back or behind the strikers if there is a need for it. Should he manage to stay injury-free he will be used as a wildcard bit everywhere on the pitch. The right side will be compeed between Santana and Marchionni. Both are perhaps one of Serie A's best wings if they play at their best. My personal favourite is Santana because his pace fits the formation better. In the goal Fiorentina have a match winner in Frey; A great keeper who is linked to Manchester United next year.

My starting 11 will look like this with a 4-3-3:
The goal: Frey
Defense: Silvesteri, Gamberini, Dainelli, Vargas
Midfielders: Montolivo, Zanetti
Behind the striker: Jovetic
Wings: Mutu and Santana
Striker: Gilardino

If the coach goes for a 4-4-2 the problem upfront is solved.


Profile: Gilardino
Will either fly ore never take off: Vargas


13. Valencia


Valencia is Spanish version of Arsenal team. A team that transforms young talents to world stars, but at the same time a team that are struggling to win silverware, yet always a challenger. There have been talks that Valencia were going to lose their stars because of bad economy this year, but they kept the two biggest stars Villa and Silva; Both are among the best in the world in their position.

Valencia's team have the combination of good players, technically very good players and not least their stars who know each other very well and a couple of good, experienced players. In goal they have Moya with good reflexes and Cesar as a backup. Cesar is 38 years old now and well experienced. In defence, we find offensive Miguel, Bruno was bought from Almeria who likes to play on the right side, but can also play on left. On left side they have Mathieu and Del Horno. There are great expectations for Mathieu; Mathieu fits perfectly in Spanish football. In midfield is somewhat unclear and weak. Maduro and Raul played here together at the end of the last season. But will Valencia use Maduro in central defence and who will stand by his side? Alexis? Unknown Deal Bert? Strong marker Navarro? Or captain Marchena? Marchena also fits well into the midfield in Valencia. So he may be moved up and Valencia uses Alexis in defence with Maduro.

At the center Valencia will use two withdrawn central players. One who will be responsible for the creative part and who dedicates the tempo and the other to re-win the ball. Baraja is 34 years and can play both roles and will be a good substitute. Albelda is 31 years and has lots of experience and want to really fight against Marchenna on the slightly more defensive role in midfield. Big prospect Fernandes's role is somewhat unclear, difficult to see him play in any of these two roles. Banega was bought by Valencia for quite a lot of money and it is expected that he will master the role as the playmaker. On the right side is the struggle between the fast and dribbling strong Hernandez and another dribbler and strong winger called Joaquin! With Joaquin at his best, Valencia can have one of the best wings in La Liga. On the left the position belongs to the placey Mata. Mata is only 21 years and is without doubt one of the biggest hot prospects in the world.

Behind the strikers, there is no discussion, There is only one name, Silva. In my opinion, he is among the top 5 world's best players. A strong dribbling player, who is also very fast, with a lot of movement and is also a very creative player. Valencia has taken back Gonzales from Newcastle as a sub for Silva and Michel has been taken up from the B-team as sub. Michel is a very exciting player. Up front, we find Villa who is among the world's best striker and fits perfectly in Valencia's play. Fast, technically good and impressive finish in front of the goal. Missing somewhat heading ability, but that job belongs to Zigic!

My starting 11:
4-4-2
Moya
Miguel - Alexis - Maduro - Mathieu
Joaquin - Marchena - Banega - Mata
Silva
Villa

Profile: Silva
Will either fly ore never take off: Banega


12. AC Milan

Leonardo is almost in the same situation as Pep was at a couple years ago in Barcelona. He played in the club for couple of seasons, been at the club after his playing time was over and he became responsible for a big team in Europe who have not played up to the expectations. He has some players who do not seem hungry to win anymore, and a few young players. But the difference is that Milan board will not help their young coach to get new players which is much needed.

Milan was really weak in the summer transfer window and their young coach has to get these old stars motivated once more. In the goal Milan have much experience but no real match winner. The goalies is not good enough if Milan want to return among top European elites. The club lost among other: Beckham, Maldini, Kaka, Emerson, Viduez and Cardacio. The last two names cost Milan about 6mil pounds. They got 1 game each in their 1-year stay in Milan. It's a shame that these young players slip away from the club and the club does not benefit any more from them. The defence is better than last year. Thiago Silva is ready to play and is considered a great player. In addition to being solid back in defence, he is very impressive with the ball and has plenty of speed. The legend, Nesta is back and will together with Thiago Silva be one of Serie A's best pairs. On the right back position 33 years old Oddo with his nice crosses will fight against Zambrotta, Antonini. Zambrotta is the favourite to take this spot. On the left, the solid  defender Jankulovski take this place. Leonardo will use the diamond in the middle, but there was some uncertainty whether he would have 1 or 2 strikers. It looks like he goes for 2 strikers; That means, it will be tough fight for Ronaldinhio and Seedorf to fight for the single place behind the strikers. When both are at their best, they are among the best! But it seems that both seem satisfied on their previous achieved success this date, and dont seem hungry enough.

The playmaker: Pirlo, without a doubt; One of the world's high-quality passers. But should he be injured, there is no one similar to fill in for him. Flamini and Gattuso will be favourites to take the two seats that are left in the middle, with Ambrosini as a strong challenger for this seat. Abate and Gennaro are also good offensive players who can play behind the strikers or in midfield, but it is very doubtful that we see much of them. Up front the eternal young Inzaghi is still a strong challenger. One of the best strikers of his time inside the box! He continues to be in the right place at the right time. Pato is also one of the best prospects at Milan. Good at dribbling, good speed and fine finishes, Huntelaar, who had a tough season in Madrid last year, is very good both in the air and with his feet in front of the goal, and finally Milan have Borriello who is very similar to Huntelaar in his playing style. I think this season will be similar to last season for Huntelaar with lots of  frustration.

I would guess we will see Milan as follows:

Gk: Abiatti
Defense: Zambrotta, Nesta, Thiago, Jankulovski
Midfield: Flamini, Pirlo, Gattuso, Ronaldinhio
Strikers: Inzaghi, Pato

Will either fly ore never take off: Huntelaar
Profile: Pirlo