Originally posted by Shevchenko-[7]
ha?
outsell the Milan derby?
he was talking about the roma derby
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Scouting Report by Robbie Amins' for talklfc
Lecce's teenage sensation Valeri Bojinov
Just last month, Valeri Bojinov was named by the Times as one of the world's top ten young sports stars to look out for in 2005. The Bulgarian whiz kid was named along with other young hopefuls like the athlete Jo Ankier, tennis player Nicole Vaidisova, racing driver Lewis Hamilton, rugby league player Sean O'Loughlin, cricketer Alastair Cook, rower Andy Hodge, jockey PJ Brennan, golfer Steven O'Hara and rugby union player Mathew Tait. And as expected, I didn't know who the others are....
Lecce's highly-rated teenager is continuing to draw in the scouts and agents (offering their services) with his exciting exploits for the unfashionable Italian club. Other than the Reds, he has also been linked with moves to Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona and Juventus. Hristo Stoichkov, the Bulgarian legend (and current Bulgaria national team manager) even personally recommended his former club, Barca to sign the lad. But the Spanish giants, like Liverpool, are not the richest club in the footballing world at the moment and any moves to sign him have been put on hold.
Bojinov not leaving - 24th Nov 04
Starlet told he won't be sold - 11th Dec 04
Milan have got one of (if not) the best defence in the Italian Serie A. The central defence pairing of Maldini and Nesta is as good as any backline in world football and that would mean a very good test of Bojinov's talents. Znedek Zeman surprised the fans by benching him. Bojinov was among those who started among the subs but I knew he'd make an impression if he comes on.
Valeri Bojinov Watch
Already 2-0 down to goals from Chelsea reject Hernan Crespo at half-time, Zeman probably realised his error. Lecce were completely outclassed by the red and black army from Milan in the first fourty-five minutes. And it was no surprise when Bojinov came on at the start of the second half.
47th Min - Paolo Maldini uncharacteristically gives away the ball cheaply to Bojinov. The Bulgarian moves towards the Milan penalty box only for the Italian veteran to redeem himself with a crunching tackle to stop the teenager.
50th Min - Bojinov and co.'s task are made even more difficult. Andrei Shevchenko heading home Pirlo's freekick at the farpost to make it 3-0 to the home team.
56th Min - Bojinov not getting the ball from his team-mates as Crespo secures his hat-trick. Unselfish play by Shevchenko.
58th Min - Bojinov goes for the high ball played in into the box but fails to get a clean contact on the ball. Nesta claims he was fouled by the strong teenager.
59th Min - Bojinov gets the ball down Milan's left wing but Italian workhorse Gennaro Gattuso does well to steal the ball from the Bulgarian.
60th Min - Bojinov shows silky stuff to avoid two attempts by Milan defenders to take the ball away from him. Ledesma then tries a shot but straight at Dida in the Milan goal.
63rd Min - Bojinov pounces on the loose ball outside the box. Turns a player and tries to bend the ball to the top corner with his left foot! But the shot goes just over the bar... Decent effort.
67th Min - Bojinov steals the ball from Maldini but Cafu was quick to recover and retrieve the ball. The No.14 then puts in a challenge on the Brazilian. Throw-in to Milan.
69th Min - Bojinov tries a shot from a long way out but it hits a Milan body. Powerful shot but very optimistic to say the least...
73rd Min - Bojinov controls a hopeful ball from midfield. Two v one - Bojinov against Maldini and Nesta. Nesta brings down the Bulgarian and the referee shows the Italian international the red card! The assistant ref at the far side claims he was the last man with Bojinov through on goal.
74th Min - The man fouled takes the resulting freekick himself. EIGHT Milan players at the wall but nothing can stop Bojinov from scoring there. Strong curling freekick to Dida's right. Delight for the Lecce fans. Probably just a consolation goal. Bojinov celebrates by pointing to his name at the back of his shirt....
78th Min - Great cross from the right by Casetti. Bojinov outmuscles two players to get his head to the ball. Good header but Dida saves...
80th Min - Bojinov does well to get three players' attentions on him. He lays the ball off cleverly to an unmarked Dalla Bona who slips... The Bulgarian raises his hands in frustration as the move breaks down.
82nd Min - Bojinov overpowers Vikash Dhorasoo but the referee blows the whistle for a foul.
84th Min - A loose ball falls to Bojinov down the left. The striker does superbly to drill in a cross-shot....simple tap-in by Casetti. Goal! Good play by Bojinov. 4-2 now...
88th Min - No miracle fight-back for Lecce now. A counter-attack leads to Shevchenko laying the ball off for Jon Dahl Tomasson to score. Another goal for Milan.
Full-time Score:- Milan 5-2 Lecce
Verdict:-
Znedek Zeman must have wished that he started with Bojinov in this match. The introduction of the teenager along with former Atalanta man Alex Pinardi completely changed the script. Milan started to look shaky and cautious and didn't attack with the swagger they had in the first half.
With his physical attributes, I don't think Bojinov would have any difficulties adapting to the English game. He does remind one of Inter Milan's Adriano with his strength (even though he's not as big as the Brazilian striker) and his powerful left foot. That's his tenth league goal of the season and he's just started in 14 of the matches.
Making his Serie-A debut at the tender age of 15 says a lot really. Many so-called hot prospects faded into obscurity as they get older but Bojinov has got 'class act' written all over him. Still just 18, he's got time on his side and the striker can move if someone offers 15 Million Euros. Lecce were fast to get the hit-man to pen a new contract extension recently to 'keep him' at Lecce until 2009 but the player is widely tipped for a big move in the near future....
Revealing the release clause, Bojinov said, "I am very happy as I got everything I asked for in the contract. Lecce are obliged to accept an offer from anybody who bids €15 million."
Bojinov also told the Bulgarian media that he met Andrei Shevchenko after the match to congratulate him on winning the major Golden Ball award. In return, Sheva reportedly said that he would be pleased to have the Bulgarian striker as a Milan team-mate. Enough said....