Summary
WAS IT wishful thinking or blind stupidity that sparked Cesare Prandelli's thought process after the drab goalless draw at Ibrox just over a week ago? Prandelli, the manager of Fiorentina, was asked how Rangers might approach the decisive game at the Stadio Artemio Franchi and came up with a remark which, if said in jest would have been understandable, only he wasn't smiling at the time. Given that Rangers had spent 90 minutes defending their own line in their own stadium, Prandelli might have been entitled to crack a joke or make an attempt at irony or sarcasm at their expense. "I'm convinced they won't play the same way as they did in the first leg," he said, deadpan. "They will play higher up the pitch because this time they have to score a goal."
Hard to believe it but Prandelli was serious. Have to score a goal? Says who? Did he know nothing of the terrible beauty of Rangers' progression through this UEFA Cup and the unashamed tactics that are driving it? Anti-football. Got a problem? Tough.See the full content of this document
Extract
Awkward Squad in It to Win It
Walter Smith makes no great claims about his team, even though the Quad is now staring them in the face. He doesn't pretend they are easy on the eye and doesn't get upset (not much) about the flak that has come their way from disgruntled foreigners who see their stalling, their negativity, as an affront to the game. Italians are saying this. With straight faces, no less.
The...See the full content of this document
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