[FM13] Giuseppe Bergomi - The King of Calcio

Pauker: I'm working on it, and, for the record, I've already updated today I appreciate your enthusiasm for my story, though

In the Supercoppa Italia, the Inter Milan hammered Juventus by a 4-1 scoreline. In Serie A, the Nerazzurri triumphed greatly again, this time 4-0. With some trepidation, the Old Lady of Italy visited the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza a week ago in a Coppa Italia first leg clash, and finally escaped with a somewhat respectable 2-1 loss. Now, however, at the Juventus Stadium, the Bianconeri would have to do something it had not done in the last 15 attempts: Beat Inter.

The reigning Coppa Italia champions were undermanned this time. Andrea Ranocchia, Philippe Coutinho, and Andrea Poli all were to miss out due to suspensions, while top scorer Ademilson was set to not play after sustaining a torn hamstring that would leave him out for nearly 3 months.

45 seconds into the match, Juventus sent a signal of intent when Sebastian Giovinco's long range strike was tipped onto the crossbar by an outstretched Fernando Muslera. 7 minute later, though, it was Mattia Destro silencing the Bianconeri faithful. The Italy striker robbed a careless Leonardo Bonucci at the back before rouding Nicola Leali and rolling the ball into the empty net.

Halfway through the first half, Raheem Sterling doubled Inter's advantage. The pacy English winger burst past his mark with ease before drilling a shot low and hard across Leali and into the corner. Not 10 minutes later, Isco's free kick jumbled around the box and Sterling was the man again to pop up with the goal, taking the score to 3-0 and 5-1 on aggregate.

It seemed the sides would go into the break with Juventus trailing 3-0, but Inter weren't done quite yet. Lorenzo Crisetig slipped in his name-mate Lorenzo Insigne down the left flank who whipped a delightful ball into the danger zone for Destro to punch in with his head for his second goal of the evening. Half time finally came with Inter up 4-0 (6-1).

In the second half, the Nerazzurri started to take their foot off the pedal and look to possess and kill off the game. However, 71 minutes in, Lucas Digne lofted a long ball into the box and Mattia Destro leaped into the air to score a header, only for it to be disallowed. Just a minute later, though, Emerson Luiz put the fifth goal past Leali after getting on the end of Isco Alcorcon's cross after a short corner.

The match ended with Inter triumphing 5-0 over Juventus, one of the biggest routs in the rivalry's history, and advancing to the Coppa Italia final by an aggregate score of 7-1. In the final they will play AC Milan in a historic derby final.

"This is the best I have ever seen the team play," said Giuseppe Bergomi. "We absolutely dominated Juventus. This is one for the fans to treasure for a long, long time, and the team cannot wait to face Milan later this season in the final."

I swear you always thrash Juve, well done again on making the final Neal

It's a rigged story, with rigged results. You know where I live, so if I don't make it through the night, you can contact the cops of Bolivia. All remains go to AJW

Walter: I love thrashing Juve

Pauker

It's a very short international break here at the end of January, time enough for only one fixture in the middle of the week, and for Italy, it will be a tricky one. The Azzurri will host Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Stadio San Paolo in Napoli in a weeks' time, and Giuseppe Bergomi has announced his 23 man squad for the match.

The biggest exclusions are that of Fabio Borini, Giacomo Bonaventura, and Andrea Poli. Borini had missed the last couple of squads due to injury but is now fit for selection but hasn't quite found his form with Porto and thus hasn't made the squad. Central midfielders Poli and Bonaventura miss out with injuries of their own.

A couple of surprise inclusions have been made as well, though. Francesco Bardi retains his spot in the squad after some top form at Ajax at Andrea Consigli's expense, surprising some people who believe Consigli to be a better 'keeper. Marco Veratti and Luca Marrone also made their way into the squad despite not playing too much for their respective clubs, mainly due to injuries to other players.

Italy is expected to triumph over Bosnia and Herzegovina but will face some good players on the opposition team; the likes of Miralem Pjanic and Asmir Begovic will ensure the match will be hard fought. Giuseppe Bergomi told the press, "Bosnia have a strong team, but I fully expect the boys to be professional and win this match."

The full squad is as follows, boasting no less than 15 domestically playing players:

Goalkeepers

Salvatore Sirigu (PSG)
Francesco Bardi (Ajax)
Emiliano Viviano (Juventus)

Defenders

Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan)
Ignazio Abate (Atletico Madrid)
Guilherme Siqueira (Granada)
Domenico Criscito (Zenit)
Andrea Ranocchia (Inter)
Giuseppe Bellusci (Inter)
Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus)
Davide Astori (Juventus)

Midfielders

Daniele De Rossi (Roma)
Lorenzo Crisetig (Inter)
Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan)
Marco Verratti (Arsenal)
Luca Marrone (Juventus)
Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus)
Alessandro Florenzi (Udinese)
Claudio Marchisio (Juventus)

Forwards

Mattia Destro (Inter)
Lorenzo Insigne (Inter)
Giuseppe Rossi (Villareal)
Mario Balotelli (Real Madrid)

Oh no, Balotelli at Real Madrid.. SS of his history pweeze.

Pauker: As you can see below, he's actually done very poorly. I'm very surprised Real Madrid ever bought him. The only reason I continue to pick him is because he has a pretty decent scoring record internationally.

Going into their friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy were fully expected to triumph comfortably. The Stadio Sao Paulo was rocking well before kick off as the crowd awaited their national heroes to step onto the pitch and hopefully give them plenty to cheer about over the next ninety minutes.

Giuseppe Bergomi had made two surprise inclusions in his first XI, though they were forced upon him by injury. Instead of playing Andrea Poli and Claudio Marchisio alongside legendary captain Daniele De Rossi, Riccardo Montolivo and Lorenzo Crisetig were given starts in midfield. The changes didn't seem to make much of a difference, though, as the Azzurri stepped out of the gates with ease and dominated the match, ending with 62% possession.

Mattia Destro, though perhaps enduring a difficult season with Inter compared to his last two, broke the deadlock almost on the stroke of half time. A minute into injury time, left back Guilherme Siqueira broke down the flank and whipped in a delightful ball for Destro to poke home for his 14th goal in 20 caps.

On the hour mark, Siqueira himself got on the score sheet after an inch-perfect pass from Sebastian Giovinco, unceremoniously hammering the ball into Asmir Begovic's near post from outside the box to double Italy's advantage.

Bosnia and Herzegovina hardly threatened all match, amassing only three shots, with only one finding the target at all, and spent most of the match defending. Bosnian stars Miralem Pjanic, Senad Lulic, and Vedad Ibisevic hardly influenced the match and sorely missed their injured star striker Edin Dzeko.

The match ended 2-0 to Italy, a deserved victory for the home side that had dominated the match from start to end. The fans in the Staio San Paolo were ecstatic to see such a dominant display from their country's best and brightest, and as was manager Giuseppe Bergomi.

"Perhaps this was only a friendly, but Bosnia and Herzegovina have some good players and we had to play well today to win. Guilherme [Siqueira] impressed me a lot today, he not only defended well but joined the attack excellently."

Italy play their next game in late March when they return to World Cup Qualifying by traveling to Israel for an important match against second place. The Italians currently lead their group with 10 points in 4 games and will look to continue to strengthen their World Cup bid.

Nice way to dominate a talented squad and put them on their back foot all game, and Destro shining as usual!

Really nice update mate, really like it :). Balo seems like shit in your game, btw.

ebEliminator: Thanks eb, it was a good game for the team and Mattia

Pauker: Thanks Pauko, and yep he is at the club level, but he's done well at the international level, oddly enough

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Now I know my ABC's next time won't you sing with me.

I think that Lille can surprise you, but still, great job with the wins mate. Roma in the relegation places :OO