Philip Rolfe

14.4.02
A vital relegation 6 pointer today. If we lose we fall into the relegation playoff zone, which I really don't need. Bruno's in for Majella.

Varese 0

Pistoiese 2
Ferro 17
Agostinelli 88

Oh no [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] We fall into the lower reaches with this defeat, and it's time to be very concerned as we haven't scored in 5 games now [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif" alt="red face[/IMG] We were again so poor today, I don't know what to do. Every tactical adjustment I try just fails with this team. Something drastic has to be done now because Cittadella and Spal will not be an easy final 2 games. Pistoiese found it far too easy today, and I'm gutted.

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Presotto, Larsen, Nielsen, Zebic, Gascoigne, Jesus, Bruno, Brognoli

24.4.02
People in the press are saying that Gazza should know now is the time to retire. I put them in their place and tell them he is a legend who will help everyone here no end. I get a personal thank you from Gazza, and he hopes to repay me in his performance in the must win match against Cittadella.

28.4.02
I really fear for the side if we lose today. I abandon all hope and line up 442 for the first time this season. A number of changes are made, in the vain hope we can win.

Cittadella 3
Zanon 6 pen
Baicu 13, 54

Varese 1
Majella 45
Nincheri s/o 5

I am livid at referee Mastropasqua, and at my side. 5 minutes in the so called 'referee' sent my left back off for a foul. Sure a foul, but never a red card. From the moment that happened my game plan was down the pan, and Cittadella had it easy. Mihail Baicu proved he can score on day one, and 2 today left me ruing coming to this club. We finally scored, but it's going to be a hell of a hard game against Spal on the final day, we must win.

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Nincheri, Molinaro, Gascoigne, Rinaldini, Nielsen, Zebic, Majella, Brognoli

30.4.02
Shockingly bad news for us today. Anders Nielsen has damaged his cruciate ligaments and requires at least 10 months out [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] He's not been as good as I wanted, but he remains one of the best here, and my plans are further scuppered.

2.5.02
I find that the FIGC have banned Nincheri for a further 7 games [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif" alt="eek[/IMG] for a show of petulance after his dismissal. I feel someone has it in for us [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG]

Philip Rolfe

5.5.02
Injuries mean our vital game is a lot harder. Gascoigne and Nielsen are both unavailable, and Nincheri is suspended. It is an absolute must win, no doubts.

Varese 3
Jesus 70
Brognoli 78
Zebic 80

Spal 2
Artico 42, 52

What a comeback. This was a true performance of grit and determination, and of some bad luck. 20 minutes in, and Brognoli had a goal disallowed. He may just have been offside, but I've yet to see it properly. Then Artico struck. Twice. We were in a horrible situation, and we just couldn't score. But Jesus finally found the net, and it was back on. Brognoli finally scored his 20th of the season after ages of trying and failing, and Zebic scored a great winner from range. A great victory, about time, but we finished level on points with Cittadella, and inside the relegation playoff zone [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] Because of that, we have to play Arezzo in 2 legs to stay up. The 2nd leg is at our place, which helps, but I didn't want this situation. Still, we'll make a fist of it.

Team: Dei, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Larsen, Molinaro, Cecchetto, Rinaldini, Zebic, Jesus, Majella, Brognoli

In our 2 games against Arezzo we've won 5-2 and 2-0, so form is in our favour. But that all goes out the window when league status is at stake.

14.5.02
Gascoigne is in line for more criticism from the local press, and my response is the same as before - we'd be in a far worse situation without him.

15.5.02
An Italian team claimed Euro glory tonight as Stephane Dalmat's 16th minute goal gave Inter a 1-0 victory over Leverkusen at Parken, Copenhagen.

18.5.02
Some bad news, goalkeeper Emiliano Dei is out of both playoff clashes with a bad neck. The last time he didn't play we lost, so it doesn't bode well [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG]

Philip Rolfe

19.5.02
The first leg of the playoffs away to Arezzo. Dei is replaced by reserve team keeper Nicolas Cinalli, but we're otherwise unchanged in a game we can't lose - it can't happen.

Arezzo 0

Varese 0

A draw is a fine result away from home, even though an away goal to build on would have been great. Cinalli played well enough in goal, but Bandirali was exceptional in defence. Man of the Match went to Proietti in the opposition goal, as time and again he kept us out, notably from Brognoli on 11 and again on 38. But we didn't score. All is not lost, as in a week it is the 2nd leg at our place, where things *should* pick up. Mustn't.Be.Complacent.

Team: Cinalli, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Larsen, Molinaro, Cecchetto, Rinaldini, Zebic, Jesus, Majella, Brognoli

21.5.02
Gascoigne is passed fit for the clash on Sunday, but whether I play him or not is another thing. I don't want to break up the team that has worked hard in the last 2 not to lose.

26.5.02
Second Leg, and it's definitely going to be high drama today. Gazza starts on the bench as we go unchanged.

Varese 1
Jesus 6

Arezzo 1
Aglieti 90 pen

Oh the tension and drama I went through today. This was an amazing game, all action, end to end, the way I expected a relegation dogfight to be played. The first chance lead to a goal. Brognoli lofted the ball over, Larsen flicked on, and Jesus nudged past the onrushing Proietti for 1-0 [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] Aglieti and then Zebic went close as it swung each way. Brognoli hit the bar on 45 as both sides had 6 shots at goal in the first half. My half time team talk just talked about solidity, focus, and the need to take a chance that came our way. 54 minutes, and Jesus was a whisker away from 2-0, as his turning effort shaved the post. A minute later, and Larsen hit the bar with a header from a Molinaro cross. 64 minutes, and we hit the woodwork again [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG] as Jesus' volley crashed off Proietti's bar - the keeper may have fingertipped it onto the frame. Arezzo pushed on, but Cinalli handled most things well. They pushed on in injury time, and then it happened. 4 minutes of injury time were scheduled, and on 93 Bricca intercepted a Cecchetto header. Larsen went shoulder to shoulder to guide him out of play, and Brica fell over. Referee Pasquale Nappi pointed to the spot [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif" alt="red face[/IMG] [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] . My team went mad - they couldn't believe it. I was crestfallen as Aglietti stroked home. By virtue of that penalty Arezzo had an away goal and stood to stay up and relegate us........

Philip Rolfe

..........or so I thought. Just as I had given up, my Assistant Manager Antonello Sartorel told me not to be down, that we were safe unless they scored. How, I wondered? They had the advantage. Sartorel explained that currently we were above them in the table, and this would mean that we were safe and they weren't. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] I knew I should have brushed up on the rules of Italian football. With that, the final whistle blew, and the great escape was complete. We'd survived, and the 4000 who'd cheered us on surged onto the field in delight. All a bit too much considering we shouldn't have been there, but who cares now [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]

Team: Cinalli, Gorini(c), Bandirali, Larsen, Molinaro, Cecchetto, Rinaldini, Zebic, Jesus, Majella, Brognoli

The Final Table

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> ************************************************** ********************************************** Italian Serie C1/A - Sunday 2nd June 2002********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2001/2 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st C Pro Patria 34 14 0 3 40 16 11 3 3 35 14 78 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Spezia 34 11 4 2 33 18 6 5 6 21 18 60 3rd Pl Padova 34 12 2 3 32 13 6 3 8 21 31 59 4th Albinoleffe 34 10 3 4 23 13 7 3 7 27 27 57 5th Alzano 34 10 3 4 28 18 7 2 8 24 29 56 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6th Treviso 34 9 3 5 33 21 7 3 7 27 31 54 7th Carrarese 34 9 3 5 28 18 6 4 7 22 24 52 8th Cesena 34 10 3 4 37 24 4 4 9 21 27 49 9th Spal 34 5 9 3 23 18 6 6 5 32 27 48 10th Pisa 34 7 5 5 25 17 6 2 9 17 20 46 11th Reggiana 34 8 4 5 26 24 4 3 10 21 30 43 12th Lucchese 34 7 6 4 22 15 3 6 8 18 23 42 13th Cittadella 34 9 3 5 37 28 3 1 13 20 35 40 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14th VARESE 34 7 1 9 19 25 5 3 9 26 30 40 15th Pistoiese 34 6 4 7 27 26 4 4 9 22 34 38 16th R Lumezzane 34 8 2 7 23 28 2 4 11 18 36 36 17th R Arezzo 34 5 4 8 35 43 4 4 9 20 34 35 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18th R Prato 34 4 4 9 21 39 1 3 13 12 42 22 </pre>

how lucky were we [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif" alt="red face[/IMG]

Philip Rolfe

2.6.02
Lets take a look at the way things finished on the continent.

Roma clinched their 4th Scudetto with a final day 2-0 win over Perugia at the Olimpico. A Vincenzo Montella double gave them the points they needed to stave off 2nd place Bologna, who did very well to come ahead of the big guns. Juventus and Inter complete the top 4, as Milan and Parma take UEFA Cup spots. Como, Udinese, Brescia and Modena all make the journey down to Serie B, where they will replace runaway champions Lecce, Palermo, Siena, and Ascoli, who make the big time at last.
In England Man Utd made a late break to win their 9th Premiership title, a Diego Forlan strike away at Sunderland enough to give them the 1 point difference to clear Arsenal. West London duo Chelsea and Fulham pick up 3rd and 4th, and with it Champions League qualifying spots - a major achievement for the latter. West Brom, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa all experience relegation, as despite WBA's 3-0 away win on the last day, West Ham beat already relegated Aston Villa 3-1 to stay up. Ipswich ran away with Division One to return to the top flight, where they will be joined by Gillingham, and playoff winners Crystal Palace, who beat Portsmouth 3-2 in Cardiff.
Spain saw Barcelona make a late second half of the season break to win their 17th League title, 2 points clear of Mallorca. The day came before the end, as Mallorca's 3-3 home draw with Valencia allowed Barcelona to seal the title at Huelva, and even lose to Valladolid on the last day. Real Madrid come 3rd, whilst Valladolid maintained a good start by finishing 4th, ahead of Sociedad by virtue of better results. Sevilla, Rayo, and Osasuna all found the top flight too tough again, all relegated long before the end. 3 of Zaragoza, Murcia, Oviedo and Elche will come up to the Primera Liga, as the two latter meet each other, meaning Cordoba may sneak in.
Lille won their first ever league title in France, by 4 points from Bordeaux. Metz suprise all to finish 3rd, one spot above Lyon. Bastia and Guingamp go down, as Marseille avoid the drop by the skin of their teeth, as Guingamp came so close to catching them.
Leverkusen finally won a League title in Germany, as they clinched the Bundesliga comfortably, opening a 6 point gap back to 2nd placed Dortmund. The two Munich sides are 3rd and 4th - FC Bayern and 1860 in that order. MGB, Nurnberg and Bielefeld will switch with Freiburg, Lubeck, and Mannheim next season.
Barcelona won the European Cup with a penalty kicks win over FC Bayern at Hampden. Scholl, Ballack and Bergkamp all missed their spot kicks, leaving Bonano as the hero. And Inter won the UEFA Cup with a 1-0 win over Leverkusen.

Next Up: A review of my first season at Varese

Philip Rolfe

3.6.02
My season review

I knew very little about Varese, but it didn't stop me from coming here in confidence. A poor start was changed early, and we looked a talented bunch. But it went downhill and we escaped with a final minute reprieve in one of the most dramatic matches I've ever been involved in. The squad was generally good this season - Emiliano Dei saved us numerous times in goal, and whilst orginal backup Cavaliere was poor, Cinalli came in late and performed great. In defence, captain Edoardo Gorini only missed one game, and was consistent throughout, if not a little disappointing he didn't score. His partner in the middle Bandirali may have conceded the odd penalty, and failed to score, but was superior in the ratings to Gorini, so I'm pleased there. I'm very disappoined with left back Larsen, whose one goal and one assist were too little for my liking - he could have done more. Rotational right backs Cristiano Molinaro and Stefano Presotto played well enough.
Zlatko Zebic was one of the better players in our midfield, scoring and assisting a handy half dozen or so. Anders Nielsen played well in fits and spurts before cruelly being ruled out for 9 months. Gascoigne was mercurial at times, but didn't do it too often, which maybe shows the signs of age. Young loanee Alessandro Bruno surprised me with some good games, and 4 goals to boot. Gabriele Cecchetto, Srdjan Novkovic, and Matteo Rinaldini all played well when called upon, especially the latter, who played 20 games, some of which very well.
The attack will grab the plaudits, most of which surely will head to Stefano Brognoli. 20 goals in his debut season, alongside an average rating of 7.50 is brilliant from a teenager with a very bright future ahead of him. Without his goals we would have gone down. Alfred Santos de Jesus scored 13 in his first season, which I was again pleased with, but he sometimes disappointed as he tended to drift in and out of games. Mauro Ragatzu and Rosario Majella generally played off the front, without much impression, as the former failed to hit the net. All of my strikers were without experience before this season, and now with a full season behind them they may have a much better 2nd season.

So, overall I'm delighted we stayed up, and now we can look forward to a full pre-season together, where I can scour the market for some bargains as we are fresh out of money , all part of my plan to dominate Italy with the English....oops, I shouldn't have said that much :o

7.6.02
I meet with Sergio Paez and his associates about a deal to move here. He's just been released by Cordoba after 5 goals in 3 games. He is very humble, asking for little, and it looks like he may be an addition here.

It's Awards day in World Football. A selection below;

FIFA World Player of the Year - Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
World Footballer of the Year - Javier Saviola (Barcelona)
Italian Serie C1/A Manager of the Year - Carlo Muraro (Pro Patria)
Serie A Player of the Year - Andriy Shevchenko (Milan)
Serie A Young Player of the Year - Adrian Mutu
Serie A Defender of the Year - Trianos Dellas (Roma)
Serie A Top Goalscorer - Andriy Shevchenko (Milan, 23 goals)
Serie A Italian Player of the Year - Claudio Bellucci (Bologna)
Serie A Foreign Player of the Year - Andriy Shevchenko
Serie B Player of the Year - Zlatan Muslimovic (Ascoli)
Serie B Top Goalscorer - Pippo Maniero (Palermo, 27 goals)
Serie C1/A Player of the Year - Luca Salvalaggio (Pro Patria)
Serie C1/A Top Goalscorer - Gianmarco Agostinelli (Pistoiese, 19 goals)

Lots to mull over there

My first signing of the summer is already complete. Midfielder Marco Fuoco will join from Lodigiani on a free transfer. He looks talented enough to play here - Lodigiani didn't see what I have.

12.6.02
The World Cup Kicked off today in Japan as France narrowly beat Senegal 1-0 by way of a Thierry Henry goal.

Today also sees the agreement of the deal to sign striker Sergio Paez on a free. Spaniards have rarely done well in Italy, but he looks a gem. Could be a good partner for Brognoli.

Philip Rolfe

16.6.02
More Awards;

European Footballer of the Year - Simone Inzaghi (Lazio)
European Goalkeeper of the Year - Oliver Kahn (FC Bayern)
European Defender of the Year - Mark Iuliano (Juventus)
European Midfielder of the Year - Luis Enrique (Barcelona)
European Striker of the Year - Simone Inzaghi (Lazio)

19.6.02
The Supporters Club announce their decision to award Stefano Brognoli as their Player of the Year. Well deserved too

Mohammad Zaaboub comes in for a two week trial so I can assess the Frenchman's abilities. He may be a decent left back in time.

20.6.02
Some large transfer fees change hands in Spain today. First, Barcelona pay Arsenal £23m for the services of Robert Pires, and part with £6.75m for Marco Di Vaio. Deportivo pay £17m to buy Luis Figo and take him to his third La Liga club. And Real Madrid, not to be outdone, pay nearly £11m for winger Victor, as part of the deal taking Figo to Galicia.

My 2 Yugoslavs, Zebic and Novkovic, are allowed to return home to Yugoslavia for 2 weeks, as they've expressed feelings of homesickness recently. Hopefully they'll return happier.

21.6.02
I met with the Board this morning to talk about the coming season. They all agreed that a similar result - ie Varese staying afloat in this division - would be the main aim. Anything beyond that would be brilliant.

The FIGC fax through the draw for the Serie C Cup Groups;

Group C
Alessandria
Novara
Saronno
Valenzana
VARESE

this group gives me a little hope that maybe we can get a little run in the Cup going - I think they're all beatable, if we play well consistently.

My transfer dealings have not, as yet, come to much fruition. Paez and Ruoco will join soon, but other than that I'll be looking for a bargain deal, and a couple of loans from big clubs.

Philip Rolfe

22.6.02
I was alerted by the chief scout, Mario Ceccarelli, this morning, that talented San Marino player Raffaele Moroni will be able to leave his C2/B club for a bargain £26k as they failed to reach promotion. I get onto their Director of Football, Alfio Pelliccioni, as quick as I can to see if we can thrash out a deal for the multi-talented youngster.

The new fixture list is faxed through in the afternoon, much to my eager anticipation. I find our opening game will be a tough one, at home to Cittadella. That is followed by a trip to newly promoted Alessandria, then a home game against promotion favourites Florentia Viola. A hard start :/ I also see we have Pistoiese on the last day - who knows what that may bring.

Scout Ceccarelli tells me to contact Greek Lower Division club Chania ASAP over a player named Anastasios Skalidis. I research a little, and discover this guy scored 58 goals in 36 games last season :cool: I contact them immediately, explaining our financial situation, and ask what they'll require for him. To my surprise they only want £30,000 :o - I tell them not to consider any bid other than ours, whilst I pester the board for the funds to acquire the man who will give our promotion push a huge boost.

23.6.02
I get young keeper Nicolas Cinalli to sign a new deal here, as he played well at the end of last season. The youngster may play a lot more this coming year.

My bid for Skalidis was accepted but the player rejects the move over fears of coming to Italy at such an early stage in his career. I will try my hardest to convince him it's the right deal for both parties.

24.6.02
Whilst enquiring about any funds I may have, I discover we have a debt of around £1.5m :eek: - this club has to go places just to survive - and without funding that's going to be very hard.

26.6.02
I am granted permission to discuss a contract with Raffaele Moroni. His demands are a little over what I can budget, but all my hopes are to get this deal put together no matter what.

I do seal a deal today, to bring in centre back Antonio Cadeddu from Terracina on a free (what else?). The 28 year old is a fine presence in the air and should provide cover and competition for the current crop. One more defender should arrive in the next few days.

28.6.02
My plans for Moroni look to be scuppered. Venezia of Serie B have offered him a deal, which is surely more attractive than ours. That's what's wrong in football - big clubs not looking out for smaller ones

My 2nd defender is signed and sealed (I hope). 22 year old Spaniard Edwin should arrive from Tenerife soon, which may be good company for the other new Spaniard. I've heard mixed views on this guy - just have to wait and see I guess - although being at Tenerife means you must have some quality.

30.6.02
As I thought, Moroni's joined Venezia Shame, he'd have done wonders here.

The board inject £1.1m to help the club stay afloat

1.7.02
All my new signings arrive today, and in a quick training session I discover some are better than others. Spaniard Sergio Paez looks a natural finisher, quite a good one too

Philip Rolfe

3.7.02
Zahboub leaves following his trial, having not impressed. Skalidis still won't consider moving to Italy, and I approach Valenciennes about winger Laurent Plaquet. He's on a free, and myself and his agent talk a deal, which should be acceptable.
I offer a trial to versatile Spanish defender Dioli, just to see whether he is worth buying.

Oh, and only one of my Yugoslavs returned :o Novkovic has taken it upon himself to stay at home and refuse to play for us I immediately issue him available for transfer - if he doesn't want to be here, he won't be. He will also be fined a weeks wages for the act.

6.7.02
Salvatore Avallone retired today after announcing he would last season. He wouldn't have played much anyway, but I wish him a good retirement.

Dioni arrives, and looks a good player. We talk figures, and he may stay here permanently.

9.7.02
Laurent Plaquet signs for Varese today, the left winger could be key player this season, as could a few of my signings. He's a pacy French winger, who can pass very well.

10.7.02
Dioni becomes our third Spanish signing of the summer. He isn't at full potential yet, but given time he could develop nicely. I think a goalkeeper is about the only thing I need now

13.7.02
France finish 3rd in the World Cup with a 2-1 win over hosts Japan. Philippe Mexes and Thierry Henry both scored in Yokohama.

14.7.02
Italy clinched their 4th World Cup with a 2-1 win over Spain in Tokyo this afternoon. Rome-based players Simone Inzaghi and Christian Panucci scored either side of the break to give Trapattoni's men the win.

24.7.02
15 year old defensive midfielder Christian Santi has been the player chosen by those running the youth academy to be promoted to the first team squad, after my discussion with them about promising youngsters. At 15 he may be too young to dive straight in, but from what I've seen he can pass accurately and consistently, and also has a good awareness of the rest of the game going on. A few reserve games should give me the scope of how he'll do.

Srdjan Novkovic returned today, to my surprise, and wants to play again. He isn't the most popular player amongst our team at the moment, and I'll give it a while before I take him off the list - see if he's truly sorry.

And England replaced Sven Goran Eriksson with.............Terry Venables after their dismal World Cup showing.

Next Up: I look to sign a veteran but prolific striker, and our first game of the season in the Cup at Alessandria.

Philip Rolfe

11.8.02
Alessandria are the first team to play us this season. It may be a Cup match, but I want to do well in the competition. I decide on giving debuts to Edwin, Fuoco, Plaquet, and Sergio Paez.

Varese 0

Alessandria 2
Spader 56
Tacconelli 66

They're a lot better than I gave them credit for, which in hindsight was a poor decision by myself to underestimate a side we've never played. We started bright enough for my liking, as good link up between Paez and Brognoli just didn't lead to a goal. Giulio Spader scored 15 goals last season, and a great goal from long range gave them the lead before the hour. 10 minutes later Tacconelli's header gave them the win, as we lost the first game I really didn't want to lose.

Team: Cinalli, Edwin (Bandirali 77), Gorini, Molinaro, Larsen, Rinaldini, Cecchetto (Gascoigne 77), Fuoco, Plaquet, Paez, Brognoli (Majella 77)

12.8.02
This morning I go on a major hunt for anyone and everyone available for loan, and bid for a load of them in the hope of getting some of them.

13.8.02
My first agreement Caglairi defender Simone Loria comes in until the end of the season - which is nice as he's better than most at this level Just waiting on more responses from home and abroad...

18.9.02
We travel to C2 club Novara with one change - Loria in for Edwin - and renewed optimism - something we need to keep for much of the season.

Novara 3
Palombo 9, 45
Brizzi 11

Varese 3
Brognoli 26 pen, 30
Sergio Paez 33

A game packed with action, tactics, and some fine spirit (no, not alcohol ) We were shocking early on - two down in 11 minutes as the two Massimiliano's - Palombo and Brizzi - both scored headers past the hapless Cinalli. But I decided a tactical switch was the only way we would get back in the game - and I moved to an attacking formation. Plaquet was fouled from a Cecchetto cross, and Brognoli sent Bini the wrong way. Shortly after, he scored again, after an assist from Rinaldini. The amazing turnaround came just 7 minutes after we got 1 back - as Sergio Paez headed home his first goal for the club. But we fell asleep, and Palombo headed home again for 3-3. At half time I was angry at Cinalli, who I replaced with Dei. Dei had an absolutely brilliant and inspired second half - nothing beat him. Loria, Larsen and Gorini all helped keep them at bay. A draw still isn't good enough, as I look for that style that suits us.

Team: Cinalli (Dei 45), Loria, Gorini, Molinaro, Larsen, Rinaldini, Cecchetto, Fuoco, Plaquet, Paez, Brognoli

13.8.02
Valenzana beat us in the Cup last season, and we're not in the best of ways to beat them now. Dei in for Cinalli

Varese 1
Jesus 63
Gorini sent off 71

Valenzana 5
Foglia 21, 29, 70, 78, 90

Deary me Felice Foglia grabbed all 5 goals as we were as dismal as we've ever been, and it's driven me to the brink of quitting, as I can't do any more The same team that drew 3-3 last time were well and truly stuffed - and it was deserved. Jesus' goal was the only bright moment, but Gorini getting sent off was stupid. One more defeat and I will probably go.

Team: Dei, Loria, Gorini, Molinaro (Cadeddu 45), Larsen, Rinaldini (Jesus 62), Cecchetto (Gascoigne 62), Fuoco, Plaquet, Paez, Brognoli

25.8.02
Saronno are apparently a mediocre team, according to my scouts. Well, lets see if we can at least beat them. A guest in todays crowd it Anastasios Skalidis, who finally agreed to talk contracts yesterday. If we can put on a show for him it may persuade him to come. Gascoigne starts for Cecchetto, and Edwin for the suspended Gorini.

Saronno 1
Di Stasio 59

Varese 0

Oh.My.God. If we lost to these we stand little chance of staying up. Acampora in goal was brilliant for the home side, as everything we tried just did not go in. They deserved the win, as they had one disallowed before Di Stasio's winner. If we ever needed a striker the quality of Skalidis, it's now

Team: Dei, Loria, Gorini, Molinaro, Larsen, Rinaldini (Cecchetto 59), Gascoigne, Fuoco, Plaquet, Paez, Brognoli

Next match is against Cittadella as we try to open our league campaign with a reversal in fortune. Resignation is in my mind...