The Story Of The Most Remarkable Redemption Arc In The History Of Football

Today, we will look at the remarkable redemption arc of Dmitri Alenichev and how he went from one of the worst Serie A imports to a key player in Jose Mourinho's 2003/04 Champions League winning side.

[@sebastiankvamme8769]

Good Video!

[@Baresi-Unico-Capitano]

I usually refrain from commenting on youtube football videos, and especially those that partake in woeful historical revisionism, riddled with inaccuracies and sensationalism.
Let's deal with some actual FACTS:
1. When Alenichev joined Roma for the 98-99 season, they had Zeman as their coach. THE last manager you can call 'overly defensive' in style is Zeman who literally made his name because of his liberating 4-3-3 system. Roma that season scored 69 goals. Not only that, but Totti, Delvecchio and Paulo Sergio all scored more than 10 goals. Even Eusebio Di Francesco who wasn't known for goalscoring scored 8 that season.
2. In his 2nd second, you can point towards the coach and style as being defensive because Sensi hired Capello. But the truth is, Capello was then allowed to bring in the likes of Montella, Nakata, Assuncao and Poggi to an already decent attacking lineup. Alenichev actually did well in the cup games, but the fact is, Roma just had better players.
3. At that time, it was no shame to fail in Serie A. Around pretty much the same time, Henry couldn't find his feet in Serie A either. Even Kluivert was shipped out to Barcelona by Milan. In order to truly standout, a player would have to be exceptional. And the reality is that Alenichev was not on the level of either Totti, Delvecchio or Montella. Roma had also paid a lot of money for Nakata who unlike Alenichev had actually already demonstrated he can make the difference in Serie A. There was a lot of pressure on Sensi and Capello to build a title challenging team because of how strong Lazio were at the time. And in hindsight, Capello got it right putting trust in those players because they delivered Roma the title.
4. Alenichev was a very very decent player. But whilst he was maybe at the wrong club at the wrong time at Roma, he certainly struck the jackpot when getting that move to Porto. Nothing about his performances at Perugia would've suggested that he deserved a move to arguably an even bigger club than Roma, but I'm sure that Porto looked back to his time in Russia and thought there was certainly a player there worth investing in.
5. Nothing can take away from his contributions towards both the Uefa cup and champions league victories. He might've been second fiddle to Deco but he made sure to write his name into Porto's history books. What I would though say that quite a few players who looked good in that Mourinho team did so as it was the right time, system and place. Derlei, Carlos Alberto, Maniche, and even Costinha seemed like they were readymade for that team, but everything they achieved there was in total contrast to the rest of their careers.

[@adriancimpoi8765]

Tim Howard, not Schmeichel.

[@SaudiGod]

Edgis Jankaukas was playing up front for Porto as well

[@Lyralikesit]

A sublime player

[@pedrorebelo9291]

Yorke, Schmeichel and Cole did not play for Man Utd in 03/04

[@jeezyhuncho2783]

Do Mason Greenwood

[@a.r.i.s.e.5]

Do make a video about Ibrahim Affelay 👍👍

[@Baresi-Unico-Capitano]

WHY?? 😂😂

[@a.r.i.s.e.5]

@@Baresi-Unico-Capitano He is one of the Dutch best player whom everyone forgot😞

[@Baresi-Unico-Capitano]

@@a.r.i.s.e.5 one of the best dutch players??😂Of all of the great dutch players of his generation and before it, Ibrahim Affelay is the one you thought about?

[@WrexhamToThePrem]

To be fair, though, this channel mostly covers forgotten or underrated players, so that's not a bad suggestion

[@a.r.i.s.e.5]

@@Baresi-Unico-Capitano Yes, he is the player whom I admire and he have my respect 🙏

[@lordbendtner6404]

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