The Man Behind ADPB

May 9th, 2008 | By: Marco P. | 5 Comments

Yours trulyBefore we continue with all things ADP, I guess a few words about myself are in order.

My name is Marco Pantanella, and some of you may know me already on the Offside community, since I’ve been regularly posting comments on the Italy and Juventus blogs. I’m 26 years old, and have been a soccer enthusiast pretty much since I started kicking the ball around in my garden, back when I was still a little baby. From then on, enthusiasm became a passion, and passion eventually lead to starting a “career” as blogger and the creation of my mCalcio.com website in July 2007.

mCalcio - Serie A & World Soccer NewsDuring my childhood years, I was fortunate enough to have been exposed to a variety of cultures: born from Italian parents in Germany (1982, the year Italy won the World Cup!!!), I lived in a town called Darmstadt for 8 years before moving to Paris with my folks. I stayed in France until the year 2000, and with my high school diploma in hand decided it was time to move away from the home nest. So I embarked on a plane, crossed the Atlantic, and settled in… Canada! I have been here ever since. 

My dream of becoming a professional soccer player sort of never really took off (Dream? More like wishful thinking…), but I’ve been practicing the beautiful game for as far as can I remember. Over the course of my life, I’ve had the opportunity to play soccer on the fields of Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, Canada, and… Martinique.

Juventus-Brescia, two Italian legends side by side: Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del PieroAs a good patriot, I’ve been a vivid follower of Italian soccer throughout the years, but I’ve also kept a keen interest for most of Europe’s top soccer leagues. I became a Juventus fan back in the days of another Italian nº10 legend, which even led me to copy his ‘Divine Pony Tail’ at a point in my life (lame I know… and unfortunately, that’s the only thing I could copy), I am talking of course about Roberto Baggio. One year after the semi-glorious USA 94 World Cup, Roby departed to AC Milan, so it was only natural to shift my affection towards the man who inherited his iconic nº10 jersey. Alessandro Del Piero became my new idol and the rest, as they say, is history.

mCalcio.com as well as the ADP blog you’re reading is the result of my passion for soccer & writing, and an attempt to share this passion with others. I hope you enjoy it! :]

May 9th, 2008

Alessandro Del Piero Storms The Offside

By: Marco P. | Comments 7 Comments

Greetings Offside community! :) Less than one month after the introduction of the “Players” section on The Offside, one of the greatest legends of Italian soccer arrives in the blogging world! I am talking of course about Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero! Alessandro Del Piero wallpaper, courtesy of www.football-wallpapers.com
Read the rest of this entry »

Team News

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Daily Dose: 5.10.08

Some things to read while you're being sacked over a donut hole: We're down with ADP (Del Piero Offside) Just another 2-goal, 9-man comeback (The Beautiful Game) Does Poland have the nastiest derby? (Pitch Invasion) Ben Olsen, the working man ...

May 10, 2008 | Read this article...
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Alessandro Del Piero Storms The Offside

Greetings Offside community! :) Less than one month after the introduction of the "Players" section on The Offside, one of the greatest legends of Italian soccer arrives in the blogging world! I am talking of course about Juventus captain Alessandro ...

May 09, 2008 | Read this article...
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Nazionale News

Cassano and Del Piero can still hope for call-ups to Euro 2008. Why? Because players going to Euro 2008 need an anti-tick vaccine (haven't they ever heard of bug spray?), so the FIGC has contacted the clubs of 48 players that Donadoni has on his ...

May 07, 2008 | Read this article...
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Juventus Lookalikes- Our New Secret Squad

Brief comment on Siena-Juve. Well, that sucked. But since it seems pretty certain that Empoli is going down, we need a farm team for next year, right? Let's hope they can do better than they did with Molinaro. I mean, c'mon Secco, this isn't tough. L ...

May 05, 2008 | Read this article...
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Juventus Lookalikes- Our New Secret Squad

Brief comment on Siena-Juve. Well, that sucked. But since it seems pretty certain that Empoli is going down, we need a farm team for next year, right? Let's hope they can do better than they did with Molinaro. I mean, c'mon Secco, this isn't tough. L ...

May 05, 2008 | Read this article...
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If Del Piero goes to Euro 2008, he'll equal a record

Interesting article today from goal.com. It says that if Alex Del Piero's name is on Donadoni's 23 man final roster this May, he will equal a record. What is this record? The number of final tournaments played by an Italian player. Of course, it' ...

May 01, 2008 | Read this article...
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Cars of the Stars: Which Autos do Rich Footballers Drive?

According to Forbes.com, the average EPL player made $2.2 million last year. And what did he spend it on? Expensive toys. And it's not just the EPL guys, either. Highly-paid players all over are coughing up cash for the grownup versions of ...

May 01, 2008 | Read this article...
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LiveBlog: Juventus v. Lazio

After my 2nd attempt to write a preview for the game failed, I said screw it, I'll live blog it. Check out Salvatore's preview over at the Lazio Offside. My favorite bar is closing tonight so I may still be buzzed. It's early but hope to see you t ...

Apr 26, 2008 | Read this article...
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Transfer Market Musings- I swear to God this will not become a regular thing

After missing yet another live Juventus game this weekend due to court-mandated university-mandated community service (Thank god it was the last one) I am finally back. And I know there is nothing worse than someone constantly spouting market bullsh ...

Apr 22, 2008 | Read this article...
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Juventus v. AC Milan....the real Derby d'Italia

I was hoping to be liveblogging the game with all of you, but unfortunately to fulfill a public service requirement for university I'm going to be in the middle of bum-fuck bayou country Louisiana from 7am-10pm. I was terrified to see that at normal ...

Apr 11, 2008 | Read this article...

 

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