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The Croatia international will miss his country's upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier due to a knee problem and could face a spell on the sidelines
Inter could be forced to cope without Mateo Kovacic for some time after the midfielder picked up a knee injury while away on international duty with Croatia.
Kovacic was expected to play a big part for Group H leaders Croatia against third-placed Norway in Euro 2016 qualifying in Zagreb on Saturday, but the Inter man will now miss the qualifier.
Croatia chief national team medic Boris Nemec revealed a cruciate knee ligament injury has ruled Kovacic out of action.
"I saw Kovacic. He has a cruciate knee ligament injury," Nemec told 24sata.hr.
"He still feels a lot of pain and there is absolutely no chance he'll be able to play against Norway."
It is unknown as of yet how long Kovacic will be sidelined.
The 20-year-old has made 34 appearances in all competitions for Inter so far this term, scoring eight goals in the process.
Croatia top the group ahead of Italy on goal difference after four matches, while Norway are a point off the pace.
Biz as usual for M/V Leisure World, the casino ship will open 29/03 during the farewell parade for our beloved founding father's Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
Leisure World accept illegal Singapore 4D betting and also provide loanshark services to their players.
Albert Ng Cheow Leng, the boss of New Century Tours is making more more money since RWS, MBS and Singapore Turf Club are close to mark the respect of Mr Lee.
Hope the authority could stop Leisure World operation for a day otherwise Leisure World will be seen above the law.
The midfielder will be monitored on a day-to-day basis after a follow-up scan revealed no serious damage to his anterior cruciate ligament
Juventus have revealed that Claudio Marchisio's injury is not nearly as bad as originally reported.
The Italian FA (FIGC) had stated that an MRI scan on the midfielder's knee reavealed that he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while training with the national team ahead of Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifying match with Bulgaria and would be out for the remainder of the season.
However, the club performed their own tests on the 29-year-old, which show that he has not torn the ligament.
"After returning from international duty on Friday afternoon, Claudio Marchisio underwent medical examinations conducted by Juventus’ club doctors and Dr. Flavio Quaglia," a statement from the Turin side read.
"The 29-year-old then underwent an MRI scan on his right knee this evening. The tests, supervised by Dr. Carlo Faletti at Turin’s Fornaca Clinic, ruled positive, excluding the possibility of a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament.
"Marchisio will now rest and his condition is to be monitored on a day-to-day basis."
The news will come as a pleasant surprise to Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri, whose side are still competing in Serie A, the Champions League and Coppa Italia.
The Italian Football Federation president says he has never seen a coach attacked in the way the Azzurri boss has been in the wake of the Claudio Marchisio incident
Italy coach Antonio Conte has been "shaken" after being targeted by death threats, Carlo Tavecchio, the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), has claimed.
Conte has been caught in a furore involving former team Juventus after club patron John Elkann reportedly blamed the national team coach's excessive training for the knee ligament injury sustained by Claudio Marchisio on Friday.
Marchisio was thought to have ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while with the national team, but Juve's own MRI scans have revealed the injury is not as severe as first thought.
Tavecchio stated that Conte feels he is being unfairly criticised and revealed he has been the subject of online death threats.
Speaking to Rai Sport, he said: "I saw him and he was shaken.
"After the controversy with Juventus he received death threats on the internet.
"He feels vilified for responsibilities that are not his fault. The FIGC stands by him.
"I've never seen a coach attacked in the way he has been attacked. We defend him, he is the best we have and he is one of our greatest sporting heroes."
Italy take on Bulgaria in Uefa Euro 2016 qualifying Group H in Sofia on Saturday at 20.45 CET.
Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho revealed he injured his knee against Serbia on Sunday while celebrating his goal but argued he should be fit for Monaco's UEFA Champions League quarter-final versus Juventus.
Carvalho lasted just 16 minutes in Portugal's Euro 2016 qualifier in Lisbon, limping off to be replaced by Jose Fonte after giving the hosts the lead in the 10th minute, with the home side going on to win 2-1.
The veteran centre-back claimed he injured a knee ligament after wheeling away to celebrate his header from Fabio Coentrao's cross, which put Portugal 1-0 up against Serbia.
The injury had sparked concerns he would miss Monaco's Champions League first leg away to Juventus on April 14 but Carvalho was confident he will have recovered by then.
"I had the feeling that was when I was celebrating, I felt the knee open up a bit, and then in a bid to cut in with my left foot for a corner, I felt it again a little," the 36-year-old said.
"I think it is the internal lateral ligament. It is expected to be well within a week or 10 days."
If Carvalho's prognosis is correct the former Chelsea and Real Madrid defender may only miss on match for his club, their clash with Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 on Friday.
The Portugal international should be available to take on either Montpellier on April 7 or Caen on April 10 before Monaco's trip to Turin.
England captain Wayne Rooney has outlined his love for the Premier League and suggested he is unlikely to ever complete a switch to Serie A.
Rooney, who has spent his entire career in England's top flight and the last 11 years at Manchester United, arrived in Turin on Monday ahead of England's friendly with Italy at Juventus Stadium.
At a news conference, the 29-year-old was asked whether he sees himself playing club football in Italy.
"I love playing in the Premier League," Rooney responded.
"I used to watch [Gabriel] Batistuta for Fiorentina, but don't think I'd play in Italy."
England manager Roy Hodgson confirmed Rooney will start against Italy alongside Tottenham's Harry Kane - who made a goalscoring international debut as a substitute against Lithuania on Friday.
Inter need five star signings for Serie A title challenge - Brozovic
By Miles Chambers
Mar 29, 2015 15:48:34
The Croatian thinks the squad needs an overhaul this summer if Roberto Mancini's men want to end their slump into mediocrity
Marcelo Brozovic believes Inter need half of their squad overhauling with top players if they are to challenge for the Scudetto once again.
The Nerazzurri last won Serie A in 2009-10 - when Jose Mourinho won an historic treble - and they have not been involved in a title race for four years having slumped into mid-table obscurity.
Walter Mazzarri was fired earlier this season with former coach Mancini – who enjoyed a fruitful spell in charge at San Siro several years ago – brought back to revive their flagging season, but the move has failed as Inter sit down in 10th with 10 games to go.
Brozovic signed for Inter in the winter transfer window from Dinamo Zagreb and he praised the current coach, but accepted that a summer spending spree might be needed to return the club to Italy's summit.
"Working with Mancini is very enjoyable," the midfielder told Vecernji List . "He is a top coach and I don't have any problems with him.
"I hope that we can challenge for the Scudetto next season, we will see. But we need five more top players to get back to the top.
"We have Mateo Kovacic already, of course. He's injured now but I think he will be back fit in five or six days."
Brozovic, called up to Croatia's squad during the international break, is happy with how he has personally played under Mancini in 2015 but lamented how good performances have not been rewarded with positive results.
"I always play the same and I always give my all," he added. "Inter don't play in the same way as Croatia, but even when Inter put in a good showing we are unable to get a good result. I believe it will soon get better, though."
The 22-year-old started for Croatia in their 5-1 thrashing of Norway in Euro 2016 qualification on Saturday.
Greece players suffer minor injuries in fatal car crash
Verona’s Panagiotis Tachtsidis and Vangelis Moras as well Giannis Fetfatzidis of Chievo have been involved in a car crash.
By Reuters 7 hours ago FootballItalia
The three Greek internationals were travelling by taxi to Budapest Airport in Hungary, following a Euro 2016 qualifier.
One person was killed in the collision, but the Greek Federation has released a statement confirming that the three players were not seriously injured.
Three other people were seriously injured in the crash, and are being monitored in hospital.
Tachtsidis, Moras and Fetfatzidis are expected to be released later today after receiving treatment for minor injuries.
The taxi which took Fetfatzidis, Tachtsidis and Moras to the Budapest airport was involved in an accident
Fetfatzidis is the one who was affected the most by the crash.
"All three are in good health, contrary to reports claiming serious injuries," the Hellenic Football Federation EPO said in a statement.
"National Team officials have been in constant contact with them since early in the morning...more details will be announced within days."
Read the original article on Football Italia - The ultimate website for English-speaking fans of Italian football
Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio back in training - reports
Claudio Marchisio is remarkably ready to resume training with the Juventus squad tomorrow and could face Empoli.
22 hours ago FootballItalia
Claudio Marchisio (Juventus) 13-09-2014
The midfielder was sent home from international duty on Friday afternoon with a medical report showing a “sub-total lesion” to the anterior cruciate ligament.
There were reports he’d be out of action for six to eight months, sparking a furious reaction from Juve and their fans.
However, Marchisio underwent another MRI scan in Turin that same evening and that found no lesions to the ligament at all.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Marchisio has recovered so quickly from the sprain that he’ll be back in full training with the squad on Monday.
He could at this stage even play in Saturday’s Serie A game against Empoli.
The confusion over why the two tests showed such different results continues, as the Istituto Fanfani medics insist there is a sub-total lesion in the knee ligament.
It won’t stop Marchisio playing, but is something to keep an eye on.
Insigne out to bolster Napoli season after lay-off
31 March 2015 11:18
Following his return from a long-term injury, Lorenzo Insigne maintains Napoli have not switched off and that they remain focused on winning further silverware.
The Italy international has not played since November, having ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, but was an unused substitute in the games against Verona and Atalanta.
It meant Insigne missed Napoli's Supercoppa Italiana victory over Juventus in Doha, although Rafael Benitez's men are in the running to defend the Coppa Italia and challenge for the UEFA Europa League.
A Serie A title win looks all but gone for another season, but Insigne told Corriere dello Sport: "For those who play for Napoli, there is never a time where you can switch off.
"Now we enter a phase in the league full of crucial games, because there are important clashes in the league, the challenges of the Europa League and the Coppa Italia semi-final.
"We are alive and we will prove it. The next game is always the most important, therefore, we must focus primarily on Roma, then we will think to the other games.
"But the priority, as always, is the challenge."
A run of four league games without a win has seen fifth-placed Napoli slip 20 points off leaders and holders Juventus, although Insigne remains confident in Napoli's ability to challenge for a treble.
"I have seen moments of great football," he added.
"We are a team that has had predictable difficulties, because you play every three days and sometimes you are made to pay.
"But the [Supercoppa] victory in Doha is part of our history, it is a success against the reigning Italian champions who will almost certainly be the Italian champions in 10 matches."
Zamparini: Juventus and Arsenal have bid for Dybala
31 March 2015 15:46
Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini claims that Juventus and Arsenal have lodged bids for Paulo Dybala and stated that the highly rated forward is keen to remain in Serie A.
The Argentinian is set to leave Palermo at the end of the season and a host of clubs are reportedly interested in signing him.
Zamparini said on Tuesday that Italian champions Juve have made an offer for his prized asset, with Arsenal the most likely Premier League club to land the 21-year-old.
He told Radio Marte: "Juventus and Arsenal have already made offers for the boy.
"[Pierpaolo] Triulzi, his agent, will be in Italy on Friday. I’m asking for more than €40million.
"He would prefer to stay in Italy, he still wants to play in Serie A. Of the English teams, Arsenal is the first choice for the way [Arsene] Wenger’s team plays."
Gervinho faces a three-week spell on the sidelines after the Roma forward injured his hamstring during Sunday's 1-1 draw between the Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea.
The Ivorian was withdrawn 39 minutes into the stalemate in Abidjan with what transpired to be a hamstring strain.
It means Gervinho will miss around three weeks of Roma's Serie A run-in, including Saturday's clash with fellow high-flyers Napoli.
Trailing leaders Juventus by 14 points, Roma are in danger of surrendering second place to rivals Lazio after posting just one win in their last six league outings.
Gervinho, who is also set to be absent for the league clashes with Torino and Atalanta, will begin a recovery programme on Wednesday.
Mauro Icardi has no interest in leaving Inter at the end of the season unless someone at the club decides he is surplus to requirements.
With Inter languishing in mid-table under Roberto Mancini, the 22-year-old striker has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Manchester United and Chelsea reported to be monitoring his situation.
However, Icardi - scorer of 15 Serie A goals this season - still has three years left on his current deal at San Siro and is keen to extend his stay at the club.
"If we can find an agreement on a contract renewal then everyone's going to be happy," he told CNN.
"If other clubs want me, they have to talk about it with Inter. If the club wants to sell me, I'll pack my bags and go.
"Otherwise, I'll stay in Milan, as I really like it here and I'm happy. My family feels at home here."
Gomez: Barcelona couldn't lure me away from Fiorentina
By Peter McVitie
Apr 1, 2015 13:32:58
The Germany international insists he is happy at the Serie A club and believes his side can reach the final of the Europa League or the Coppa Italia
Fiorentina striker Mario Gomez says that not even Barcelona could prise him away from Florence this summer.
The Germany international has scored nine goals in 24 appearances in all competitions this season, returning from injury to score a double in a 2-2 draw with Udinese in his side's last game.
Gomez insists he is happy at the Viola, dismissing speculation that he could leave at the end of the season.
"I'm in the sights of Barcelona? The rumours do not interest me, I want to stay in Florence," he told Rai. "I came Fiorentina to win, I have a goal that I have not yet reached."
Fiorentina are in the Europa League quarter-finals and hold a 2-1 lead over Juventus heading into the second-leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final and Gomez believes his side can maintain a strong end to the season.
"The only thing that is sure is that we won't win the Scudetto. Our goal is to play to win every game in the Europa League and cup then, once you get to the final, you have a 50 per cent chance to win.
"We have to give everything to win the cup.
"Even when you take home small victories like the one against Roma, the fans do amazing things and I don't have any idea what will happen if we take home a cup."
The Empoli midfielder made his international debut on Tuesday and his coach believes he showed the 28-year-old deserved his call-up
Antonio Conte singled out Mirko Valdifiori for special praise after handing the midfielder his first Italy cap in the 1-1 friendly draw against England.
The Azzurri took the lead through Graziano Pelle's first-half effort but a stunning second half effort from Andros Townsend denied the hosts victory.
Italy's starting XI was much-changed from the 2-2 Euro 2016 qualifying draw with Bulgaria and Conte praised newcomer Valdifiori, 28, for showing his pedigree at international level.
"It’s a shame, as we had several chances against a very strong England side," the former Juventus boss told Rai Sport.
"I'm happy because I had the chance to see players work for 65 or 90 minutes, like Valdifiori’s debut.
"We certainly need to work and help these lads to get more confidence on the international stage with this type of match. There were plenty of positives, but we got tired and went too deep as time went on.
"We must keep working, believe in these lads and have the patience to let them grow. Valdifiori is the perfect example. I don’t look at their age; I look at who is doing well.
"Valdifiori deserved this call and deserves compliments for his performance, especially as it was his debut against England.
"Pelle, Eder and Franco Vazquez all did well, too. Everyone honoured the Azzurri jersey tonight."
Serie A Review: Pjanic downs Napoli, Lazio keep pace
4 April 2015
Roma strengthened their grip on a UEFA Champions League place as Miralem Pjanic's first-half strike was enough to see off Napoli in a 1-0 Serie A victory, but Lazio kept pace with a 3-1 triumph at Cagliari.
Rudi Garcia's men have endured a tough 2015 and had won just three league matches this year leading up to Saturday's contest, a run that has halted their title bid and left them battling to play in Europe's premier competition next season.
But Pjanic rounded off a fine team move in the 25th minute as Roma earned back-to-back victories, while goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis also impressed as a frustrated Napoli failed to win for a fifth straight league game and saw their own Champions League prospects dented.
A routine - if slightly unconvincing - 2-0 win over Empoli was enough for Juventus to restore their 14-point cushion over Roma, with Carlos Tevez starring in the absence of several key men.
Claudio Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba were among the absentees for Juve, but Tevez stepped up and proved instrumental for both of his side's goals, initially opening the scoring just before the break with an emphatic finish from an indirect free-kick.
Empoli twice went close to beating Gianluigi Buffon at the other end, but any hopes of a late comeback were thwarted by Roberto Pereyra, who was left with an easy finish after a Tevez effort was parried straight to the midfielder.
Lazio remain hot on Roma's heels after earning maximum points thanks to goals from Miroslav Klose, Lucas Biglia and Marco Parolo.
Stefano Pioli's side had seen their lead wiped out by Marco Sau early in the second half, but they responded well and punished Cagliari after Mobido Diakite had been sent off to record a seventh successive league win.
Jeremy Menez eased the pressure on Filippo Inzaghi as he snatched a 2-1 victory for Milan with an 83rd-minute strike against Palermo, keeping their late European charge on course.
Torino are right with Inzaghi's side after a 2-1 victory over Atalanta, Mauricio Pinilla's stunning consolation for the strugglers - a superb overhead kick - the high point of a game that saw both sides have a man sent off in stoppage time.
Things looked to be going to plan for Inter, too, as they took a 25th-minute lead against beleaguered Parma through Fredy Guarin.
However, Andi Lila earned Parma an unexpected 1-1 draw with his first goal for the club just before the break, leaving Inter further behind in the race for Europe.
Relegation-threatened Cesena fought back from three goals down to earn a 3-3 draw in a thriller at Verona, while 10-man Sassuolo won 1-0 at home to Chievo, and Genoa drew 1-1 with Udinese.
Roberto Mancini shouldered the blame as Inter's disappointing Serie A campaign continued with a 1-1 draw against Parma on Saturday.
Inter's failure to beat the league's bottom side stretched their winless run to five matches, and Mancini's 10th-placed side are closer to the relegation zone than the top three.
Fredy Guarin looked to have set Inter on their way to victory with the opener after 25 minutes, but Andi Lila snatched a point for the visitors on the brink of half-time.
Mancini has overseen only five league victories since taking charge in November and, after the latest missed opportunity, he apologised for another lacklustre display.
"I am the coach and therefore I am the one who must ultimately take responsibility for this situation," he told Sky Sport Italia.
"Evidently it's my fault, as I am unable to explain properly to the team what I want from them. They are doing all they can in the circumstances.
"We had scored and started brightly, but were sluggish and didn't have the determination that is necessary at this level. We lacked grit and aggression.
"The season hadn't started well, but of course taking over is a risk. It's Inter and I couldn't turn them down. I am sorry that the situation has got worse instead of improving, but I am the coach and I take responsibility.
"There are years when things don't go right and that's the case at Inter [this year]."
Roma proved they have the stomach for the fight in Serie A with their 1-0 victory over Napoli on Saturday, according to coach Rudi Garcia.
A string of draws since the turn of the year has seen Roma fall away from leaders Juventus, and allow Lazio to close in behind them.
Pressure has started to build on Garcia, but he expressed satisfaction after Miralem Pjanic's goal saw the club record a first home league win since November.
"If anyone needed another demonstration that this team always leaves everything on the pitch and that we always fight until the last second to win games, then yes in this sense we offered a very interesting performance," said Garcia.
"What I enjoyed most was the tactical ability of the team to follow the instructions I gave them.
"Today the team have had the right approach to the game and when we start the game with the right attitude and then the result comes because of a very good performance, it's obvious that I'm very happy with what I've seen.
"We have to consider this victory a base from which to start building up for the next games as well. The most positive aspect is that with this victory we are sure to maintain the second position in the league no matter what the other teams behind us do in their respective games.
"And another positive thing is that we can now prepare the next game against Torino having a 'normal week' [with less pressure], which we haven't had for a while."
Roma proved they have the stomach for the fight in Serie A with their 1-0 victory over Napoli on Saturday, according to coach Rudi Garcia.
A string of draws since the turn of the year has seen Roma fall away from leaders Juventus, and allow Lazio to close in behind them.
Pressure has started to build on Garcia, but he expressed satisfaction after Miralem Pjanic's goal saw the club record a first home league win since November.
"If anyone needed another demonstration that this team always leaves everything on the pitch and that we always fight until the last second to win games, then yes in this sense we offered a very interesting performance," said Garcia.
"What I enjoyed most was the tactical ability of the team to follow the instructions I gave them.
"Today the team have had the right approach to the game and when we start the game with the right attitude and then the result comes because of a very good performance, it's obvious that I'm very happy with what I've seen.
"We have to consider this victory a base from which to start building up for the next games as well. The most positive aspect is that with this victory we are sure to maintain the second position in the league no matter what the other teams behind us do in their respective games.
"And another positive thing is that we can now prepare the next game against Torino having a 'normal week' [with less pressure], which we haven't had for a while."
Serie A giants Milan have reported their under-10 players being racially abused by onlookers at a youth tournament in Tuscany.
The club's young players were reportedly heckled by those watching on, prompting Milan to release the following statement on Monday: "The Milan youth sector team, the Esordienti 2004, take on Benfica today in the semi-final of the Universal Cup.
"The prestigious youth tournament is taking place in Forte dei Marmi and kick-off is at midday. Milan reached this stage after defeating PSG yesterday.
"It has been brought to our attention however that during yesterday's match between Milan-PSG, that there was alleged incidents of racism from certain 'people' in the stands towards Milan's black players.
"We do not wish to magnify the issue, but truly hope that these reports aren't true or that it was simply a sporadic incident. If they were to be confirmed, then it would be simply unacceptable."
