Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here. The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.
Juventus coach Antonio Conte has suggested Pablo Daniel Osvaldo will take a pay cut to join the Serie A champions.
The 28-year-old striker joined the Juve on a loan deal until the end of the season on Friday, having only moved to the Premier League side in August from Roma.
Having not played since mid-December after being handed a two-week suspension late in January following a training-ground incident, Conte believes Osvaldo is eager to contribute to his side's Serie A title push.
"We grabbed an opportunity to sign him," Conte told Sky Sport Italia.
"He really wanted to play for Juventus and was even willing to take a pay cut. He will strengthen our attack."
Juve sit nine points clear of second-placed Roma in Serie A, having played a game more, after seeing off Inter 3-1 on Sunday.
Osvaldo adds to a Juve forward line that includes the likes of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente, with Conte hopeful the Italy international can keep his fellow strikers on their toes.
"As we are chasing the Scudetto and the Europa League we will need to keep our energy level high and competition for places will help us," he added.
The Brazilian has stressed he hopes to fight for the Scudetto and play in the Champions League after completing his €20 million move from Lazio last month
Hernanes insists that he joined Inter to achieve his ambitions and that the switch from Lazio was not motivated by money.
The Brazil midfielder left Lazio for San Siro on the final day of the January transfer window in a €20 million move, leading to furious supporter protests against Lazio president Claudio Lotito.
Hernanes, however, has stressed it was his decision to leave the club as he aims to fight for the Serie A title and play in the Champions League.
"I want to clarify that no-one forced me to say anything," he told GoldTV. "I chose to go away and it was not a question of money.
"After a fantastic three-and-a-half years, where I was always treated with dignity by Lotito and [sporting director Igli] Tare, I realised that if I wanted to play in the Champions League or win the Scudetto, I had to try something new.
"With Lazio, me and my team-mates were not able to reach certain goals. So, as soon as the opportunity came, I took it.
"I thought about, when Inter came in for me, and I made my decision. Again, after three-and-a-half years, I realised I would not have been able to achieve my dreams with Lazio.
"Inter made me an offer. This is a team that has a name, a higher outlook where maybe I can achieve my goals. It is not a question of money."
Hernanes joined Lazio from Sao Paulo in August 2010 and helped them win the Coppa Italia last season.
The 28-year-old could make his debut for Inter against Sassuolo on Sunday.
Lazio president Lotito claims to have received death threats
4 February 2014
Lazio president Claudio Lotito has revealed how he allegedly received death threats from fans in the wake of Hernanes' sale to Inter.
The midfielder made the switch for an undisclosed fee at the end of the January transfer window, prompting a backlash from fans of the Roman club.
"I received between 50 to 70 to 80 telephone calls from pseudo-fans, in which they asked me to leave Lazio and made death threats against me," he said.
"I live under escort. The supporters are part of the club but now they have overstepped the mark."
During his press conference on Monday, Lotita took a call from another angry fan.
"Who's there?" he said as he answered his phone. "It's a Lazio supporter," he revealed to reporters. "He says I should leave Lazio, as soon as possible.
"Why don't you say who is calling?" added Lotito before the fan hung up.
"It was Hernanes' decision to leave, so what could I do? He had an agreement with Inter. If he had stayed, he would have been unhappy," he continued.
"He would have stayed here unhappy until June, then gone off to the World Cup, then come back for a few months and left on a free transfer.
Clarence Seedorf reportedly wants the former Rossoneri centre-half to join his backroom team at San Siro but the Dutch champions are desperate to hold onto their defensive trainer
Jaap Stam's agent has reacted angrily to comments made by Ajax boss Frank de Boer and technical director Marc Overmars about speculation linking his client with AC Milan.
The former Rossoneri centre-half, who currently works as the Dutch champions' defensive trainer, was linked with a return to San Siro the moment Clarence Seedorf was installed as the Serie A side's new coach earlier this month.
De Boer and Overmars both expressed their hope that Stam would remain loyal to Ajax, with the former telling Voetbal International: "It would be a real shame if Jaap would be interested in Milan. Ajax invested a lot in Jaap and other former players."
However, Stam's representative, Henk van Ginkel, has now hit back at De Boer, while at the same time explaining that his client has a three-year contract with Ajax but one that will be re-evaluated at the end of the season.
"I hear people from Ajax saying that they don't want to let Jaap go," the agent told Voetbal International. "Frank de Boer even said that Ajax invested a lot in Jaap. But I'm wondering, what investments?
"I think this is all about money. Ajax asked Jaap to work over there, not the other way around, and now Ajax is acting like he must thank God for working at Ajax!"
Stam spent two years with Milan before spending the final season of his playing career in Amsterdam.
Moggi: Inter are back to their pre-Calciopoli level
By Stefan Coerts
Feb 5, 2014 10:56:00 AM
The 76-year-old has taken aim at the Giuseppe Meazza side following their disappointing performances in recent seasons.
Former Juventus director Luciano Moggi feels Inter are back to the same level they were at before Calciopoli changed the landscape of Italian football in 2006.
The match-fixing scandal effectively signalled the start of Inter's dominance as the Nerazzurri won four consecutive Serie A titles between 2007 and 2010, while the Bianconeri struggled to challenge for major honours after they were relegated to Serie B in 2006.
Nevertheless, Juventus have dethroned Inter as the dominant force in Italian football again and Moggi feels Inter cannot be considered a top team any more in the wake of their 3-1 defeat at the weekend.
"Matches between Inter and Juventus can no longer be called the Derby d'Italia. It's offensive," Moggi told reporters.
"This name was apt because at the time Juventus and Inter were the best teams around in Italy. At the moment, there's only Juventus, though.
"Inter, however, have lost the advantage that they had after Calciopoli. They are trailing Juventus by 26 points at the moment. They are back to their usual pre-Calciopoli level."
Juventus currently sit atop of Serie A with 59 points from 22 games, while Inter have to settle for sixth spot in the table.
Serie A Preview: Roma face derby test, Napoli meet Milan
6 February 2014
Roma must overcome local rivals Lazio if they are to keep the pressure on Serie A leaders Juventus and maintain their tilt at the title.
Rudi Garcia's Roma side trail Juventus by nine points in Serie A but have a game in hand after their match against Parma last week was postponed due to a flooded pitch.
With 17 games left in the Serie A season, Roma cannot afford to drop further behind the dual-reigning champions from Turin and must beat Lazio on Sunday if they are to remain in the hunt for the Scudetto.
Roma have triumphed in just one of the past six editions of the Derby della Capitale, although that win did come earlier this season when Federico Balzaretti and Adem Ljajic scored in a 2-0 victory.
If Garcia's men are to win against Lazio, who are on a five-game unbeaten run in Italy's top tier, Gervinho will surely produce a top performance as the Ivory Coast forward is in top form at the moment.
In Roma's past five games in all competitions, Gervinho has scored four goals and set up another three, playing up front on the left as part of Garcia's preferred 4-3-3 formation.
Gervinho scored twice in Roma's 3-2 win over Napoli in their Coppa Italia semi-final first leg on Wednesday, while the 26-year-old former Arsenal attacker struck once and set up Ljajic for Roma's opening goal in a 3-1 triumph away to Hellas Verona in their last league fixture.
Roma (50 points) have won their past six games in all competitions, with their last loss coming against Juventus (59) at the start of last month.
If Lazio continue their recent dominance in the Derby della Capitale, third-placed Napoli could draw within three points of Roma, although Rafael Benitez's men are struggling this month.
Napoli have lost both games in February in all competitions with their cup defeat to Roma preceded by a 3-0 failure at Atalanta in Serie A.
In fact, Napoli have only won once in their past five matches and Benitez will be desperate for a response from his players against 10th-placed Milan on Saturday.
Juventus will travel to Verona on Sunday to take on fifth-placed Hellas, while Inter are set to host Sassuolo, Genoa will visit Livorno, Parma will face bottom club Catania, Sampdoria are up against Cagliari and Torino will clash with Bologna.
In other matches, Fiorentina will welcome Atalanta to Florence and Udinese will host Chievo.
AS Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman, right, celebrates after scoring with AS Roma forward Gervinho of Ivory Coast , center, who scored the first goal during an Italian Cup, semifinal first leg match, between AS Roma and Napoli at Rome's Olympic stadium, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014. Alessandra Tarantino / AP Photo
By DANIELLA MATAR
Associated Press
Juventus visits Hellas Verona looking to maintain its charge to a third consecutive league title with a 14th win in 15 Serie A matches.
Antonio Conte's men have a nine-point lead over second-placed Roma, which has played a game less and visits Lazio in the capital derby on Sunday.
Napoli is third but 15 points behind Juventus in what is rapidly becoming a two-horse title race. It hosts AC Milan on Saturday.
Here are five things to know about the Italian league this weekend:
---
RAMPANT ROMA
Roma is brimming with confidence ahead of Sunday's derby match at bitter city rival Lazio.
Rudi Garcia's team has one foot in the Italian Cup final after winning the first leg of its semifinal against Napoli on Wednesday.
Roma has lost just one match in all competitions this season and sits second in the Serie A table.
"Yesterday was a great match against a great opponent," tweeted Kevin Strootman — who scored a fantastic goal against Napoli. "Now we have to prepare and be ready for the derby on Sunday."
Roma is nine points behind two-time defending champion Juventus, albeit having played a game less.
It won the first derby match of the season 2-0.
---
GOAL-BUSTING GERVINHO
Gervinho has gone from strength to strength since his move from Arsenal to Roma in the summer and is the capital club's top goalscorer.
The Ivory Coast striker scored twice in Wednesday's 3-2 Italian Cup win over Napoli, including a late winner, to take his tally to eight.
The last time Gervinho was as prolific was three seasons ago at Lille, under current Roma coach Rudi Garcia.
"He's full of confidence but I think he can still improve," Garcia said. "I'm not talking about the Napoli match where he played brilliantly, but overall. He plays to hurt opponents, whether with goals or assists."
---
STRUGGLING SASSUOLO
Sassuolo players will be dreading their trip to Inter Milan on Sunday night.
The last time the two teams met, newly promoted Sassuolo was given a baptism of fire to life in the top flight as it lost 7-0 at home.
There have been a couple of notable results since that hefty defeat in September, but Sassuolo remains in danger of relegation in its debut season in Serie A.
Sassuolo hired well-traveled Alberto Malesani as its new coach last week after firing Eusebio Di Francesco but lost 2-1 to Hellas Verona.
It has lost seven of its past eight matches but is only one point off safety.
---
SEEDORF'S BIGGEST TEST
AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf has yet to lose a league match since starting his managerial career at the beginning of this year.
Since replacing Massimiliano Allegri, Seedorf has steered Milan to wins against Hellas Verona and Cagliari and a draw against Torino.
However, he faces his toughest test yet at third-placed Napoli on Saturday.
Adel Taarabt is likely to make his debut after signing on loan.
"On top of the Italian (Mario) Balotelli, Milan now has the Moroccan Balotelli," Taarabt said. "Signing for Milan was a dream come true for me.
"I'm honored to be here, I'm at a top club. It's a big change for me and I cannot wait to make my debut with this shirt."
Kaka is a doubt for Milan with 'flu but Balotelli — who scored in each of his previous four matches — returns from suspension.
---
VIDAL ON SONG
Arturo Vidal is looking to continue his record-breaking season when Juventus visits Hellas Verona on Sunday.
The Chilean striker scored in Juventus' impressive 3-1 win over Inter Milan last weekend to take his tally to 11 goals in Serie A this season.
Vidal — who has also scored five in six Champions League appearances this season — has never scored that many in a league campaign.
"I'm happy for the team too," Vidal said. "We've shown that we want to win that third consecutive title. Let's continue like this until the end. We're strong."
Juventus' coach Antonio Conte looks on during their Italian Serie A soccer match against Hellas Verona at Bentegodi Stadium in Verona February 9, 2014. REUTERS/Giorgio Perottino
(Reuters) - Furious Juventus coach Antonio Conte launched another tirade at his players on Sunday, saying they had taken a "shower of humility" after squandering a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw at Verona.
"I'm very unhappy that we conceded two goals against a team that created little," he told reporters. "We go 2-0 ahead, then concede a goal and start panicking. There's no explanation."
Despite a nine-point lead at the top of Serie A, Juventus have been vulnerable to sudden, unexplained collapses which have already ended their Champions League campaign.
Conte's side were knocked out in the group stage after conceding late goals in both fixtures against Galatasaray, drawing 2-2 at home and losing 1-0 away.
Their only league defeat of the season came after they blew a two-goal lead at Fiorentina and conceded four goals in 15 extraordinary minutes.
A fierce competitor in his playing days, with one Champions League and five Serie A titles in his collection, there is nothing that annoys the short-tempered 44-year-old more than seeing his team throw away points with slack defending.
"We have to understand that the match lasts for 95 minutes," he said in his distinctive growl after Juanito Gomez scored Verona's equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
"We have to pay much more attention. It's not enough to be 2-0 ahead at halftime. I'm very unhappy that we lost these points because of a very serious lack of attention.
"This result should make us take a shower of humility, something which perhaps we needed."
Second-placed Roma were held to a 0-0 draw by Lazio, but that did not placate Conte.
"Regardless of what the others did, this is a wasted opportunity," he said. "Only we could have let Verona back into the game.
"We must learn from this and be aware the scudetto isn't won yet. In previous years we won it with determination, aggression and strength and it won't be easy to repeat that."
(Reporting By Brian Homewood; Editing by Rex Gowar)
Serie A Wrap: Higuain double downs Milan, Fiorentina win
8 February 2014
Gonzalo Higuain's double gave Napoli a 3-1 victory as Clarence Seedorf suffered his first Serie A defeat since being appointed Milan coach.
A debut goal from on-loan midfielder Adel Taarabt gave Milan the lead against the run of play after only seven minutes at Stadio San Paolo on Saturday.
Rafael Benitez's side had not won in three Serie A games and were also beaten by Roma in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg in midweek, but there was no sign of their lack of form as they dominated from start to finish.
Gokhan Inler equalised three minutes after Taarabt's measured right-foot finish with a left-footed effort that looped over Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.
Abbiati was lucky to escape with a yellow card when he brought down Dries Mertens, but Higuain struck twice after the break to give the Naples outfit a much-needed win.
First the striker headed home an inviting cross from Inler and he then took his tally for the season to 17 goals in all competitions with his second of the game eight minutes from time after Jose Maria Callejon squared the ball to give him simple finish.
Defeat for Milan was their first in the league since Seedorf was appointed and they were fortunate not to have lost by a more emphatic margin.
Benitez's charges are now three points behind second-placed Roma - who have two games in hand - and three clear of Fiorentina, who beat Atalanta 2-0 earlier in the day.
Rafal Wolski scored his first Serie A goal as the Florence outfit brought the Bergamo club back down to earth following their 3-0 win over Napoli last weekend.
Josip Ilicic put Vincenzo Montella's side in front with a measured free-kick at Stadio Artemio Franchi after 16 minutes and he was also denied by the post before Polish midfielder Wolski's left-foot finish four minutes from time sealed the points.
In the only other game to be played on Saturday, Udinese heaped more misery on struggling Chievo win a 3-0 home victory.
Evergreen striker Antonio Di Natale scored his third goal in as many games in the second half and further goals from Bruno Fernandes and Emmanuel Badu stretched sorry Chievo's winless run to nine games in all competitions and ensured they remain just a point above the relegation zone.
An injury-time equaliser gave Verona a 2-2 draw as Juventus missed the chance to go 11 points clear at the top of Serie A on Sunday.
Things looked to be going smoothly for Antonio Conte's side as Carlos Tevez scored his 12th and 13th league goals of a productive season to put Juventus 2-0 up at half-time.
But Verona fought admirably and pulled a goal back through former Italy striker Luca Toni, who headed in nine minutes after the restart.
The comeback was completed in injury time when Juan Ignacio Gomez rose highest to head home to snatch his side a point.
Title rivals Roma could not capitalise on that disappointment for Juventus, though, as they drew 0-0 in the Rome derby with Lazio.
The game was significant for Stefano Mauri's first appearance since last season's Coppa Italia final following a six-month ban for failing to report match-fixing.
Inter leapfrogged Verona into fifth with a 1-0 win over Sassuolo, who remain deep in relegation trouble after a fourth consecutive defeat.
Veteran defender Walter Samuel scored his first goal of the season just after half-time, when he emphatically headed home from a corner to give goalkeeper Gianluca Pegolo no chance.
That earned a deserved win for Walter Mazzarri's side, who dominated for much of the game and perhaps should have had more than the one goal they scored.
In the end, though, it mattered little as they finally ended a poor run of form that had seen them pick up just two points from their previous five games and not win in any competition since December 22's victory over city rivals Milan
Elsewhere, Torino slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat at home to relegation-threatened Bologna.
Ciro Immobile's third goal in the last four games gave Torino a dream start but Jonathan Cristaldo struck twice in 13 minutes as Bologna came from behind.
Genoa moved into the top half of the table after Luca Antonelli's early strike was enough to give them a 1-0 win at Livorno, who remain in the relegation zone.
Genoa's city rivals Sampdoria won 1-0 for the second weekend in a row, as Daniele Gastaldello's early goal was enough to defeat Cagliari.
Catania remain bottom of Serie A, despite picking up a credible 0-0 draw at Parma.
Udinese captain Antonio Di Natale has not ruled out rethinking his decision to retire at the end of the season.
The evergreen striker revealed last month that he will hang up his boots at the end of the current campaign.
Di Natale, 36, showed that age is no barrier on Saturday as he scored his third goal in as many games in a 3-0 Serie A win over Chievo.
He has now scored 10 goals in all competitions this season, and hinted after Saturday's victory that he may perform a U-turn over his decision to call time on his illustrious career.
"I want to have fun for another three months and then we'll see," Di Natale told Sky Sport Italia.
Udinese have won their last three games in all competitions, and Di Natale now turns his attention to securing a place in the final of the Coppa Italia on Tuesday, when Francesco Guidolin's side travel to Fiorentina with a 2-1 advantage in the semi-final.
"We are happy for us and for the fans. The team deserved a few more points in the table, but we are improving day after day," he added.
"Now let us enjoy this win and from tomorrow we'll think about the Coppa Italia."
The Giallorossi boss felt his side had the better of their 0-0 draw with Lazio, but let themselves down in key moments.
Roma boss Rudi Garcia believes his side's wayward finishing was to blame for their 0-0 draw with Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
The Giallorossi had the better of the Derby della Capitale encounter, but scuffed a number of chances to snatch all three points.
Their French coach believes they must work on their technique in front of goal, but insists that their Coppa Italia exploits in midweek did not leave them jaded.
"We had a serious match, to win this you have to be the best until the end and the last pass and we missed this," he told Sky.
"We have to settle for a point and we have to be more decisive in front of goal. We controlled it when we should have shot, we shot when we could have controlled it.
"Looking at the table, this draw is fine, but that's it. Sometimes the team who dominates the game does something wrong going forward, and we have to improve there.
"I don't think we were tired after the Coppa Italia. On the physical side, I saw us playing with energy. We simply didn't make good choicess in front of goal.
"Now we have to think about the Coppa Italia and rest because Napoli have an extra day's rest."
The Partenopei have stressed that no player has ever been on the receiving end of racist chants at the San Paolo after the striker was seen crying.
Napoli have released a statement insisting that Mario Balotelli was not racially abused during AC Milan's 3-1 loss at the San Paolo on Saturday.
The Italy international was pictured crying during the loss, sparking rumours that he was the victim of racial taunts during the match - allegations the Partenopei have swiftly denied.
"In relation to some suggestions on Facebook saying that Mario Balotelli cried on Saturday at the stadium because of racist chants against him, Napoli would like to point out that there were no racist chants towards him, just as there have never been any racist chants to anyone at the San Paolo," the statement read.
Milan had taken an early lead in Naples thanks to Adel Taarabt, but Gokhan Inler soon equalised before Gonzalo Higuain settled the match in Napoli's favour with a second-half double.
Despite a revival of sorts under new coach Clarence Seedorf, Milan are currently 10th in Serie A, some 18 points behind Napoli, who occupy the third and final Champions League spot.
The Brazilian marked his first appearance for Walter Mazzarri's men with an assist, admitting it was an emotional experience for him to line out at San Siro as a Nerazzurri player.
Inter midfielder Hernanes has spoken of his delight after making his debut for the club in Sunday's 1-0 win over Sassuolo at the Giuseppe Meazza.
The Brazilian sealed a deadline day move to the Nerazzurri from Lazio, but did not feature in last week's 3-1 loss to Juventus in Turin.
However, he made his bow for his new club at San Siro and set up Walter Samuel's winner.
"I was a bit agitated in the build-up to this game, I was desperate to play and make my debut. The best thing about today of course is that we won, I'm very happy with how it went," he told the club's official website.
"We created lots of openings and could have taken the lead earlier, but then we scored a great goal.
"I'm especially pleased because it came from a corner we'd rehearsed. I spent quite a bit of time working on them during the week.
"It was an emotional experience to play at San Siro. The pitch was in excellent condition. It's a bit faster than the Olimpico because the grass is a bit shorter.
"The stadium is magnificent, as always – the best I've played in. It will always be a pleasure to play here.
"What's Inter like on the inside? Fantastic. I've been welcomed really well by everyone. The people who work here are all really nice folk, so I'm even happier with my decision to join."
Serie A Preview: Seedorf eyes Milan recovery, Fiorentina host Inter
12 February 2014
All eyes will be on Milan this Friday to see if Clarence Seedorf's men can bounce back from defeat to Napoli against Bologna at San Siro.
Since taking over in January, the Dutchman had guided Milan to two wins and a draw in Serie A before Napoli overturned them 3-1 at San Paolo on Saturday.
Gokhan Inler's goal and a Gonzalo Higuain brace ensured Napoli of the points on Saturday, but Seedorf will be confident his side can get back on track against a Bologna outfit just four points off the relegation zone.
Sunday's 2-1 victory over Torino ended a run of five matches in the league without a win for Davide Ballardini's men - who have failed to beat Milan since August 2008 when goals from Marco Di Vaio and Francesco Valiani handed Bologna the points.
Seedorf handed debuts to Michael Essien and Adel Taarabt against Napoli, with the latter scoring the opening goal, and the former Chelsea man feels the Moroccan has plenty more to give.
"Taarabt scored a great goal and allowed us to finish the first half level with Napoli," Essien told Milan's official website.
"The goal will help increase his confidence. He's a good player, young and the more he plays, the more his confidence will develop which will lead to improved performances on the pitch."
Leaders Juventus, having taken five points from their last possible nine, host Chievo in a rare stuttering patch that has seen them concede goals in each of their last five Serie A outings for the first time since March 2011.
Any slip-up from the champions will be greeted well by Roma and Napoli behind them, as they take on Sampdoria and Sassuolo respectively.
Napoli currently occupy the final UEFA Champions League spot, but could find their position under severe threat if they drop points and Coppa Italia finalists Fiorentina can edge Inter in Saturday's only game.
At the bottom, Catania could move out of the bottom three if they are able to inflict a first league defeat of 2014 on Lazio.
Catania are unbeaten in three Serie A matches, while 18th-placed Livorno face fellow strugglers Cagliari at the Stadio Is Arenas.
Udinese are in fine form currently, winning their last two in the league before bowing out of the Coppa Italia in the semi-finals to Fiorentina, meaning Genoa will likely have their work cut out when the sides meet at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Atalanta host Parma, while Monday's only game sees two of the season's surprise packages meet at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi.
Sixth-placed Hellas Verona meet Torino, two places adrift in the league, with just three points separating them in the table.
Walter Mazzarri insists he had no doubts about joining Inter after leaving his post at Napoli at the end of last season.
Mazzarri spent the best part of four years in Naples, during which time he won the Coppa Italia in 2012.
After guiding Napoli to second place in Serie A last term, he left the club in May and was swiftly appointed as Inter coach, replacing Andrea Stramaccioni.
And Mazzarri is adamant there was never any question in his mind that he was making the right choice.
"I had so many requests, but after the words of (former president Massimo) Moratti, I had no doubts," he told Quotidano Sportivo.
"I did not look at the squad, nor the club, nor the market - I just said I will go and nothing else."
Inter currently occupy fifth place in the table, but are 11 points behind Mazzarri's former club in third, the final UEFA Champions League qualifying berth.
The Milan club claimed their first league win in six matches with a 1-0 victory over struggling Sassuolo on Sunday and Mazzarri is focussed solely on helping the team continue to improve.
"Targets for the season? I do not limit myself," he said.
"There are 45 points up for grab and I want to win as much as possible. I want a team that will improve day by day.
"We must look at ourselves and try to reach our maximum every day. And maybe go further.
"I do not want a crazy Inter, that one day can do well and another day not, but a team that will grow and improve day by day."
Fiorentina have confirmed that defender Stefan Savic will be out for at least 10 days due to a hamstring strain.
Savic has been a regular for Vincenzo Montella's men this season, making 26 appearances in all competitions.
However, the 23-year-old will be unavailable for the Serie A visit of Inter on Saturday and the UEFA Europa League trip to Esbjerg next Thursday.
There is good news for Montella, however, with Serbian defender Nenad Tomovic cleared to return following a knee injury.
Veteran midfielder Massimo Ambrosini, forward Ante Rebic and defender Ahmed Hegazy are all still out, although the latter is making good progress in his recovery from a knee ligament injury.
A statement on the Fiorentina website read: "Diagnostic procedures performed on Stefan Savic have revealed a Grade I hamstring strain in his right thigh. The defender has begun treatment and will undergo further tests in 10 days' time.
"Nenad Tomovic has completed his rehabilitation programme after his knee injury and is now able to take part in competitive action again.
"Massimo Ambrosini is still having physiotherapy for Achilles tendinitis and will continue to train separately for the next few days.
"Ante Rebic has resumed light training on the pitch as he recovers from metatarsal pain in his big toe.
"Ahmed Hegazy has been examined by professor Pier Paolo Mariani, who confirmed that the defender's reconstructed knee ligament is showing excellent stability following surgery on 6 September 2013.
"Hegazy will continue to work on regaining muscle strength, in his thigh flexors in particular, and will undergo another check-up in a month's time."
Francesco Totti is out of Roma's Serie A clash with Sampdoria on Sunday after suffering a recurrence of a buttock injury.
The club captain sustained the knock to his left gluteal region in last Sunday's 0-0 draw with rivals Lazio and underwent medical tests on Friday.
The 37-year-old came off the bench in Wednesday's Coppa Italia semi-final second-leg tie against Napoli, but was unable to inspire his side to the final as Roma lost 3-0, surrendering their first-leg advantage.
Roma have confirmed that the forward will take two days' rest and then undergo further tests before starting his rehabilitation.
"This morning (Friday) Francesco Totti underwent medical tests that revealed the recurrence of pain in the left gluteal region due to a knock he picked up in the last Serie A match," an official club statement said.
"The captain will rest for 48 hours before starting the rehabilitation process.
"Further tests are scheduled for the next few days."
Roma sit second in Serie A, nine points behind Juventus but four ahead of Napoli, having played one game fewer than both sides.
Totti, who has five goals in 16 league appearances this season, is also a doubt for the trip to Bologna on February 22.
Serie A leader Juventus will look to get over last week's disappointing draw at Hellas Verona when it takes on Chievo Verona.
Roma - Juventus' only realistic challenger to the title - will also be hoping to recover from a poor week when it welcomes Sampdoria.
Third-placed Napoli visits lowly Sassuolo, needing to win to maintain a healthy advantage over Fiorentina and Inter Milan, which play each other on Saturday.
Here are five things to know about the Italian league this weekend:
ROMA REELING
It has been somewhat of a miserable week for Rudi Garcia and his Roma team.
Roma was dumped out of the Italian Cup on Wednesday after a humiliating 3-0 defeat at Napoli in the second leg of its semifinal.
It was the club's second defeat in all competitions this season and came days after a 0-0 draw at Lazio in the capital derby, which would have seen Roma slip 11 points behind Juventus had the Serie A leader not drawn 2-2 at Hellas Verona.
This weekend sees Roma host Sampdoria, which is clambering its way away from danger after two successive victories.
"We need to be more clinical in attack and also in defense," Garcia said. "The start of the second half was awful; we need to improve. We will do everything to win on Sunday against Sampdoria."
Roma does have a game in hand on Juventus after its match against Parma was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
---
DISAPPOINTED TEVEZ
After slipping up against Hellas Verona last weekend, Juventus will be hoping not to fall foul of another Verona team on Sunday.
Juventus squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at promoted Verona and missed the chance to extend its Serie A lead to 11 points.
Carlos Tevez scored twice to take his tally to 13 for the season and he will be looking to fire his team to victory against Chievo Verona.
"I'm not happy because I like winning," Tevez said. "I haven't been thinking about my two goals against Verona, just the fact that we weren't able to come away with the three points."
Juventus has won all 11 of its home league matches this season.
---
NO LIMITS FOR MAZZARRI
Inter Milan will be hoping it has its season back on track after beating lowly Sassuolo for its first win of 2014.
It faces a much trickier test when it visits Fiorentina on Saturday hoping to reignite its faint Champions League hopes.
Inter is fifth, just one place behind Fiorentina, but eight points separate the two teams. Third-placed Napoli is 11 points ahead of Inter.
"This Fiorentina is a very dangerous side, especially at its own ground," Inter coach Walter Mazzarri said. "But we are confident we can give a certain continuity to our results.
"There are 45 points at stake; I would like to get most of them. I can't put limits on myself and I would be happy if the team goes into each game with my spirit."
---
MILAN FOCUSED ON BOLOGNA
AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf claims his team isn't thinking about the upcoming Champions League match ahead of its league game against Bologna.
After losing 3-1 at Napoli last weekend, Milan will be hoping to celebrate Saint Valentine's day with a win on Friday against relegation-threatened Bologna.
Spanish leader Atletico Madrid visits Milan for the first leg of its last-16 clash on Wednesday.
"We're clearly only focused on Bologna," Seedorf said. "We haven't given the slightest thought to the Champions League yet.
"Every match helps us improve and the Bologna one could put us in a good state going into the Champions League match."
Milan is the only Italian team left in the Champions League after both Napoli and Juventus were knocked out of Europe's elite club competition.
Full Time score : Milan 1 Bologna 0
---
GOMEZ RETURN
Fiorentina forward Mario Gomez could return to action on Saturday after nearly five months out with a left knee injury.
The Germany start was an unused substitute in Tuesday's Italian Cup semifinal victory over Udinese but is likely to make a long-awaited reappearance against Inter Milan.
Gomez was Fiorentina's marquee signing when he joined in the summer from Bayern Munich for a reported 20 million euros ($26 million).
He scored twice in his second league match for Fiorentina but was injured on his next Serie A appearance, against Cagliari on Sept. 15.
Gomez, who scored 112 goals in 172 games for Bayern, was initially expected to be sidelined for around six weeks with damaged knee ligaments but complications extended his recovery time.
Fiorentina's other star striker, Giuseppe Rossi, is still out with a long-term knee injury.
