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The Turin club have been punished after it was adjudged that fans had mocked an air disaster that killed 18 Torino players in their 1-0 win over their derby rivals on Sunday
Juventus have been fined €25,000 after their fans displayed banners referencing the Superga air disaster in Sunday's 1-0 win over Torino.
Carlos Tevez scored the only goal of the encounter after 30 minutes at Juventus Stadium, but a section of home fans caused controversy when they appeared to mock the 1949 crash, which killed 18 members of the Torino squad, along with club officials and journalists.
Reports suggested that Juve could be hit with a partial stadium closure, but their punishment has been restricted to a one-off financial penalty.
The Lega Serie A judgement alleged that fans "displayed two banners insulting the memory of the tragedy of Superga".
Juve were fined €10,000 for a similar incident in 2012, and president Andrea Agnelli warned supporters over their conduct on Monday.
"Tragedies are not to be touched upon," he said in a statement on the club's official Twitter account. "No more vile chants or banners. From anyone."
The Colombian attacker who looked all but certain to leave San Siro in January is hoping to prolong his stay at the Nerazzurri, and says the transfer debacle has made him stronger
Inter midfielder Fredy Guarin has revealed that he expects to sign a new long-term deal at San Siro in the near future.
The Colombia international was the subject of a bid from Juventus in January, and initially looked set to join the Serie A champions in a swap deal that would have seen Mirko Vucinic head to Milan.
Inter fans reacted furiously to the prospective deal, leading new club owner Erick Thohir to controversially pull the plug - sparking an angry response from Turin.
However, Guarin has put that tumultuous episode behind him and has hinted that he would be happy to remain with Inter "for life" if offered the chance to do so by Indonesian businessman Thohir.
"The president knows about the player I am," Guarin told Sky Sport Italia. "We have talked about a contract renewal and we will do it soon.
"If Thohir offered me a contract for life with Inter right now, would I think about it? No, I wouldn't need to think for a moment.
"After what happened, I have had to work even harder because the fans expected more. Even I thought I should be doing more, the team needs me and I want it to win.
"I want to give everything for Inter and for the fans who have always believed in me.
"What happened in January made me much stronger and taught me a lot as a footballer and as a person. Now I am relaxed and happy and the boss knows what I can give."
Guarin, who also drew reported interest from Chelsea in the last transfer window, has scored three goals and assisted another 12 in 25 appearances this term.
Juventus have announced a €6.5million drop in profits for the first half of the 2013-14 financial year.
The Serie A leaders' profits fell from €11.3m to €4.8m compared to the same point a year earlier, with the club blaming the drop, in part, on an increase in player wages.
In addition, Juve's net debt has climbed almost €30m from €160.3m to €188m.
A statement published on the club's website read: "The first half of the 2013-14 financial year closed with a profit of €4.8m, posting a negative change of €6.5m compared to the profit of €11.3m registered in the same period a year earlier.
"This performance substantially derived from the increase in players’ wages and technical staff costs of €11.6m, a slight increase in revenues of €5.8m (also negatively influenced by one less home match in 2013-14 half year), as well as other net negative changes of €700,000.
"These net negative changes mainly included operating costs (€600,000), net financial expenses (€800,000), amortisation of players' registration rights (€700,000) and income taxes (€300,000), partly offset by lower provisions and write-downs (€1.7m).
"As of December 31 2013 Shareholders' equity totalled €53.5m, an increase compared to the balance of €48.6m at June 30 2013 due to the profit for the half year (+€4.8m) and changes in the cash flow hedge reserve (+€100,000).
"Net financial debt at December 31 2013 amounted to €188m (€160.3m at June 30 2013).
"The net decrease of €27.7m was driven by Transfer Campaign net payments (-€25.7m), advances paid to the City of Turin and various suppliers in relation to the Continassa Project (-€4.6m), other investments (-€4.5m) and financial flows (-€3.7m).
"These negative cash flows were partially offset by positive cash flows from operations (+€10.6m) and other net changes (+€200,000)."
Serie A Preview: Seedorf´s Milan face Juve challege, Roma host Inter
27 February 2014
Milan's recent resurgence under Clarence Seedorf could come to a grinding halt when they face Serie A leaders Juventus on Sunday.
Seedorf has made a fine start to his coaching career at San Siro, losing just one league game since taking over from Massimiliano Allegri last month and keeping Milan in contention for UEFA Europa League qualification.
Indeed, Milan are five points behind fifth-placed city rivals Inter and making up that deficit could be crucial for a team that are 1-0 down from the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 clash with Atletico Madrid.
However, Milan now host the defending champions Juve, who are in pole position to seal a third straight Serie A title having lost just one league game all season.
Juve are nine points clear of Roma at the top of the table and should approach the game with confidence knowing that they have lost only one of the last eight meetings between the two sides in all competitions, although Milan did emerge 1-0 winners at San Siro last season.
Roma will look to keep up the pressure on Antonio Conte's side with a win over Inter on Saturday.
Inter are winless in eight meetings with Roma who, like Juve, have lost just once in Serie A this term - with that reverse coming at the Juventus Stadium last month.
But Walter Mazzarri's Inter are also in strong form with just one defeat in five and will hope that recent acquisition Hernanes, a January signing from Roma's arch-rivals Lazio, can help them secure a long-awaited win against the capital club.
Meanwhile, Napoli travel to relegation-threatened Livorno as Rafael Benitez's side aim to further cement third place.
Napoli cruised to a 4-0 win in the reverse fixture back in October in a fine display at the Stadio San Paolo.
A total of 31 points separate the two sides, but the hosts should take heart from recent performances, which have seen Livorno beat Sassuolo and Cagliari to boost their survival hopes.
Benitez's men know that any slip up will allow Fiorentina, ravaged by suspensions to Borja Valero, David Pizarro and Modibo Diakite following ugly scenes in Monday's draw with Parma, to gain ground in the race for the final Champions League place with victory over Lazio.
Verona host struggling Bologna and bottom club Sassuolo entertain Parma desperate for the points after one win in the previous 12 league games.
Catania and Cagliari will look to ease their respective relegation worries with wins against Genoa and Udinese, while Chievo can pull away from the bottom three with triumph at Atalanta and Torino host Sampdoria.
Inter travel Roma in Serie A on Saturday hoping to record a first win in nine outings against the capital club.
Roma already hold a victory over Inter this season, a loss that was the Milan club's sole reverse on home ground this season.
Rudi Garcia's men turned in a stunning performance at San Siro back in October when they ran out 3-0 winners thanks to a brace from talisman Francesco Totti and an Alessandro Florenzi strike - all scored in the first half.
Since then, Roma have been overhauled by Juventus at the top but they lie second and are comfortably in the UEFA Champions League places.
If Roma complete a league double over Walter Mazzarri's side, it will put them six points behind Juventus and having lost just one solitary game all season, they will feel that they can mount a serious challenge to claim their first Scudetto since the 2000-01 season.
Roma will go into the game full of confidence, having won five of their last six games.
Their recent record in games against Inter is very impressive. They are unbeaten in five overall, and have not tasted defeat at the Stadio Olimpico against Inter in four outings.
Even more daunting for the visitors is Roma's phenomenal home record this season. They have won 10 and drawn two of their 12 home outings in Serie A, conceding a paltry two goals and winning their last five.
Inter are on a three-match unbeaten run of their own but stuttered to a draw at home to struggling Cagliari last time out.
It leaves Mazzarri's men fifth in the table, five points behind Fiorentina in fourth, and they will need a win with Verona and Parma lurking just behind.
Recent away form does not make for pleasant reading for Inter fans. They have lost four of their previous five on the road in the league, although before that run, they had not tasted defeat on their travels all season.
Mazzarri will be heartened with the superb 2-1 win at Fiorentina in their last away game though, and could have Hernanes back for the trip to Rome after the Brazilian midfielder missed out against Cagliari through injury.
For Garcia's men, Totti missed the win at Bologna through bruising and this game may come too soon for Roma's captain, while Florenzi was taken off with a twisted ankle and is a doubt.
Milan face a stern test to maintain their mini-revival under Clarence Seedorf on Sunday when Serie A leaders Juventus visit San Siro.
Under the stewardship of the Dutchman, Milan have played six league matches, winning four and losing just once in a 3-1 reverse at Napoli.
Despite the upturn in fortunes, a massive 31-point gap separates Milan, who have endured a massively disappointing campaign on the whole and sit ninth, from their fellow Italian giants.
In what has traditionally been a match that has helped determine the destination of the Serie A title, Juve will start as strong favourites having not been beaten in the league since October, a run that spans 17 matches.
There appears little reason to suggest that Juventus' unbeaten run will end in Milan, but midfielder Riccardo Montolivo is determined to spring a surprise on Antonio Conte's men.
"We need a victory against a big team, for reasons relating to the table, but also for our self-esteem," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"And with Juventus it is the right night in which to do it. We know that we have the capability and quality to play a great game and to cause them trouble."
Milan have serious doubts over the fitness of striker Mario Balotelli, who picked up a shoulder injury in the recent UEFA Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.
The Italy international trained separately from the rest of the squad on Friday.
Juventus are able to call on one of the league's deadliest partnerships in the form of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente.
The duo have claimed 24 league goals between them this season and were rested for Juventus' midweek 2-0 victory at Trabzonspor in the UEFA Europa League.
Tevez and Llorente can therefore expect to be fresh and ready, along with influential midfielder Paul Pogba, who was withdrawn in the first half on Thursday once Juventus had effectively confirmed their progression to the last-16.
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo is another forward option for Conte, the on-loan Southampton man having bagged his second goal for the club against Trabzonspor.
One disappointment for Juve is that influential midfielder Arturo Vidal will sit out the match through suspension, but the Chilean is confident his team-mates will rise to the challenge in his absence.
"I'm gutted I can't play against Milan," he told Juve's official website. "But I know my team-mates will play well even without me."
Napoli's 3-1 triumph over Swansea City on Thursday will see them carry some momentum to Livorno on Sunday.
Rafael Benitez's charges progressed to the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League with victory against the men from south Wales, but will be keen to get back to winning ways in Serie A after being held to a 1-1 home draw by Genoa last time out in the league.
And the Stadio San Paolo outfit could not have asked for a much kinder fixture on their return to the Italian top flight.
Livorno - currently 18th and one point adrift of safety - have struggled to make home advantage count this season.
Domenico Di Carlo's men have recorded just three victories at Stadio Armando Picchi this term, two of which came against the only teams that currently sit below them in the league.
Fourteenth-placed Atalanta are the highest-ranked team Livorno have beaten home or away this campaign, and Napoli's opponents this week have suffered four defeats in their last five matches on home soil.
Those figures should make Napoli confident of claiming victory, as should their record of having beaten Livorno in the last five meetings between the sides with a 12-2 goal difference.
Napoli made the best of their attacking depth in the reverse fixture back in October as Goran Pandev, Gokhan Inler, Jose Callejon and Marek Hamsik found the net in a 4-0 triumph.
Victory this time around would aid their quest to keep pace with top two Juventus and Roma, and Napoli midfielder Dries Mertens knows the importance of an early goal on Sunday.
"Sunday will be important to score a goal right away," he told Radio Kiss Kiss. " In short, it will be important not to repeat the mistakes made with Genoa. We must stay alert and focused for the full 90 minutes."
Napoli will be without the suspended Gonzalo Higuain and Raul Albiol for the trip to Livorno, while goalkeeper Rafael is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after surgery on a knee problem.
Livorno's struggle against the drop was made all the more difficult a fortnight ago when captain Andrea Luci was ruled out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
AC Milan's French defender Adil Rami celebrates Milan head coach Clarence Seedorf after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A football match between the Sampdoria and Milan AC at the Luigi Ferraris stadium in Genoa on February 23, 2014. (AFP PHOTO / FABIO MUZZI)
MILAN: There are two mouthwatering clashes in Serie A this weekend, with Roma entertaining Inter Milan Saturday and leaders Juventus traveling to Clarence Seedorf’s AC Milan Sunday.
Also, Fiorentina welcome Lazio and Napoli visit relegation-threatened Livorno.
Here are five things to know about the Italian league this weekend:
ROMA TROUBLES
Roma will be hampered for Saturday’s crucial clash with Inter Milan, which is a must-win battle for both.
The capital club will have to make do without a huge faction of their support, with three sections of the Stadio Olimpico closed because of anti-Naples chants in several of their matches this season.
Roma’s injury list also continues to grow, and they are likely to be without talismanic captain Francesco Totti, who – at best – is only fit enough for a place on the bench.
Defenders Maicon and Alessandro Florenzi and midfielder Vasilis Torosidis are also doubts, while Dodo and Federico Balzaretti are definitely sidelined.
Second-placed Roma are nine points behind Juventus, but have a match in hand. They have lost just once in the league all season and have won five of their past six matches.
INTER WOES
Inter Milan are once again struggling ahead of their trip to Roma after signs they had turned a corner.
Back-to-back wins against Sassuolo and Fiorentina had given Inter hopes of a revival after a dismal run left them without a victory in 2014.
However, they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to relegation-threatened Cagliari last weekend to dent their European hopes.
“Doing well for us means doing well each Sunday,” midfielder Fredy Guarin said. “ Roma is a very strong team, which is doing very well this season, but we have only one aim: to win every match.
“We didn’t do so against Cagliari, but we won the previous two with a good performance and grit, which is what [coach Walter] Mazzarri wants.”
Inter are fifth, just a point above Hellas Verona, with several other teams not far behind.
MILAN TEST
AC Milan have impressed of late and have slowly started picking up the points under new coach Clarence Seedorf.
Milan put on the best performance of their season in their narrow defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie and followed that up with another delightful display in a 2-0 victory at Sampdoria.
However, they will face one of their sternest tests yet against Juventus Sunday.
“We won this weekend without conceding so we’re on the right road,” Milan Cristian Zaccardo said.
“Now the real test will be against Juventus, but we have the basis to do well,” he added.
Milan are ninth but only five points behind fifth-placed Inter.
FLASHBACK FOR CONTE
Juventus are on course for their third title in a row and travel to Milan confident of protecting their nine-point advantage in Serie A.
However, coach Antonio Conte will be glad not to be facing AC Milan manager Clarence Seedorf on the pitch.
The last time they faced each other was 10 years ago, as players for the teams they now manage. Seedorf scored twice as Milan won 3-1 at Juventus.
Conte’s team have struggled on the road of late, drawing their past two league games away from the Juventus Stadium as well as losing at Roma in the Italian Cup.
FIGHTING FIORENTINA
Fiorentina host Lazio Sunday without their manager and one of their most influential players.
Coach Vincenzo Montella was banned for one match for remonstrating with the referee at the end of Monday’s 2-2 draw at Parma, which also featured three red cards.
A more severe punishment was handed out to Borja Valero who was banned for four matches for “putting a hand on the match official when protesting and pushing him” after his stoppage-time red card.
The club is appealing Valero’s suspension, but whatever the outcome, the midfielder will be unavailable for Sunday’s visit of Lazio.
“Borja Valero did not push the referee,” Montella said. “What is written on the report does not correspond to the truth; you only need to look at the images.
“In my case, I will not be appealing. I made a mistake Monday night, believing that the referees had to talk to the managers. I was wrong, and so there will not be an appeal against my one-match ban.”
Fiorentina are fourth, six points behind third-placed Napoli in the race for the final Champions League spot.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti would not consider joining Juventus as he believes it would be a "step back" in his career.
The 21-year-old reportedly rejected the chance to move to the Serie A champions in 2012 from Pescara, shortly before he joined the Parisians on a five-year deal in July of the same year.
Verratti has since become an established member of PSG's first team, making 21 Ligue 1 appearances for Laurent Blanc's men this term.
The Italy international has continued to be linked with a departure from the Parc des Princes, with La Liga leaders Real Madrid thought to have joined Juve on his list of suitors.
But Verratti has rubbished rumours of an exit, and foresees an exciting future in Paris.
"When I was a child I loved the Bianconeri, but today I am happy in Paris," he told L'Equipe.
"After all, PSG have one of the greatest projects in the world. If I were to go to Juventus now, it would without doubt be a step back.
"In Paris I have the possibility to win everything over the next few years."
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli dumped Daniele De Rossi from his squad after the Roma midfielder's punch on Inter's Mauro Icardi.
Prandelli announced his squad to face Spain on Sunday and De Rossi was the most notable omission, after he was caught on camera punching Icardi in the face during Roma's clash with Inter on Saturday.
Pablo Osvaldo and Mario Balotelli have previously been left out by Prandelli for misdemeanours at club level and, while De Rossi avoided sanction during Saturday's match, his punch has been discussed ad nauseam since in the Italian media.
It was better news for De Rossi's club team-mate Mattia Destro, who has hit the back of the net six times in 11 games in the Serie A since returning from a knee injury.
Destro was recalled by Prandelli, as were Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin and Milan defender Mattia De Sciglio.
Italy will face Spain in Madrid on Wednesday with two uncapped players included in the squad - Parma defender Gabriel Paletta and Torino forward Ciro Immobile.
Milan striker Mario Balotelli (shoulder) remains sidelined.
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Mattia Perin (Genoa), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St Germain)
Defenders: Ignazio Abate (Milan), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Zenit St Petersburg), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gabriel Paletta (Parma)
Midfielders: Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Emanuele Giaccherini (Sunderland), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan), Thiago Motta (Paris St Germain), Marco Parolo (Parma), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Marco Verratti (Paris St Germain)
Forwards: Alessio Cerci (Torino), Mattia Destro (Roma), Alberto Gilardino (Genoa), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Gonzalo Insigne (Napoli), Pablo Osvaldo (Juventus)
Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi has been handed a three-game ban by Serie A's disciplinary body after his punch on Inter's Mauro Icardi.
Television images captured De Rossi delivering the blow, which was not seen by referee Mauro Bergonzi, late in the first half of Saturday's 0-0 draw at the Stadio Olimpico.
The 30-year-old was suspended on Monday and will now miss matches against Napoli, Udinese and Chievo.
"The television replays show that the Roma player aggressively pushed (the) opposition player's head," a statement read.
"Then, in quick succession, he punched Icardi with the same hand from behind.
"The resolution is to sanction the player with a three-match ban."
Inter's Juan Jesus has received the same punishment after punching Alessio Romagnoli in the back during Saturday's fixture.
Meanwhile, Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli has defended his decision to omit De Rossi for the friendly encounter with Spain.
Prandelli has taken a dim view of De Rossi's conduct and has warned that any player who fails to follow his "code of ethics" will not feature, regardless of their role in the team.
"The code of ethics is our regulation," said Prandelli at his pre-match press conference. "From the first day of the season, if I have seen something that I deem inappropriate, I will not call up that player.
"With De Rossi, I saw it on television and decided. The lad has accepted the decision.
"I don't want any crazy things happening in (the FIFA World Cup in) Brazil, so this is a warning."
Prandelli has opted to take Giorgio Chiellini to Madrid for Wednesday's friendly despite the Juventus centre-back struggling for fitness following a calf injury.
Juve boss Antonio Conte voiced his concerns over the call-up, but Prandelli has defended the decision.
He added: "During all these years we've always had a good relationship with Juventus. That hasn't changed.
"Even if a player is on the bench, I have the right to call him up.
"Yesterday, the Juve doctor sent us a message saying that all the players were okay, and that Giorgio had trained normally."
Di Francesco back at Sassuolo after Malesani sacking
3 March 2014
Serie A's bottom club Sassuolo have sacked Alberto Malesani and reinstated former head coach Eusebio Di Francesco.
Sassuolo have lost all five league games since Malesani replaced Di Francesco in late January and, with 12 games to go, the club have put their faith back in the coach who guided them to the top flight.
Malesani's tenure lasted only 33 days and Di Francesco has been handed the task of stopping Sassuolo's slide towards Serie B.
A statement on the club's official website read: "Sassuolo announces that it has removed Alberto Malesani as coach of the first team.
"Malesani deserves thanks for the professionalism and commitment during this difficult stage of the championship.
"Coaching of the first team will be entrusted to Eusebio Di Francesco."
Di Francesco mastermind the club's first promotion to the top flight last term after winning Serie B by three points.
The Italian also guided Sassuolo - currently four points adrift of safety - to victories over Milan, Sampdoria, Atalanta and Bologna this season.
The Nerazzurri skipper has become a peripheral figure at San Siro and, amid Chelsea interest, he say his future will stay up in the air until the summer
Inter captain Javier Zanetti has refused to rule out a departure at the end of the season amid interest from Jose Mourinho in bringing him to Chelsea.
The 40-year-old veteran ruptured his Achilles tendon last April and has made only seven appearances for Walter Mazzarri's side this campaign.
Zanetti, whose contract at San Siro expires in June, played down links to Stamford Bridge in February, but has admitted during the international break that he has yet to make a final decision on whether to pass on the Nerazzurri captaincy.
"Inter have given me so much and I am very proud," Zanetti said at a special presentation to receive the 'Cartellino Viola' Fair Play award. "This season I wanted to return from a serious injury, show I can be useful and keep playing.
"The most important thing is the future of this team, qualifying for Europe and finishing the season well. Then we will see - I am here and available.
"The bond between Inter and I will last forever. At the end of this season, thanks to the great relationship I have with president Erick Thohir, we will assess what is best for Inter."
Tevez blasts title rivals: Juventus do their talking on the pitch
By Stefan Coerts
Mar 4, 2014 10:47:00 AM
The Argentine attacker is unimpressed with the Bianconeri's title rivals' media offensives and is delighted that Antonio Conte's men "effectively" sealed the Scudetto on Sunday
Carlos Tevez says that Juventus prefer to do their talking on the pitch rather than make bold claims about the title race and engage in debates over refereeing mistakes in the press.
The reigning Italian champions defeated AC Milan 2-0 at San Siro on Sunday night to open up an 11-point lead over second-placed Roma in the Serie A standings, though the Giallorossi do have a game in hand.
The Bianconeri have been repeatedly accused of benefiting from preferential treatment from referees this season but Tevez says that their rivals' accusations only serve to further motivate Antonio Conte's men.
"The other teams are kicking up a fuss outside the pitch, while we do our talking on the pitch," the Argentine was quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Last weekend's win over Milan could effectively have handed us the Serie A title again."
Tevez has been un sublime form for the Old Lady since joining from Manchester City last summer, scoring 15 goals in 26 Serie A appearances.
After sealing a deal for Nemanja Vidic earlier this week, the Indonesian has vowed to bring in more new faces before the start of the 2014-15 campaign
Inter president Erick Thohir has insisted that the Nerazzurri will make a number of signings this summer as they continue to rejuvenate their team.
The Giuseppe Meazza side secured the services of Hernanes from Lazio during the January transfer window, while they announced the capture of Nemanja Vidic on a Bosman move earlier this week.
Nevertheless, Thohir has promised Inter's fans that there will be more high-profile arrivals before the start of the 2014-15 campaign.
"We might add a few players for next season. We're building a team for the next few years," Thohir was quoted as saying on the club's official website.
"With Hernanes I think we have leadership in the middle. With Vidic we have a leader in the defence.
"I think we need to create stability in the team but I think by next season the average age of the team will be 26.5 years old.
"The most important thing, as I keep saying, is to balance the ages and also balance the positions."
Inter currently sit fifth in the Serie A table with 41 points from 26 games.
Fiorentina's initially promising season has run into difficulties in the last two months and may be about to get a lot worse as they face a triple header against runaway Serie A leaders Juventus.
Reuters – Thurs, Mar 6, 2014
Beset by injuries and bogged down in a controversy over referees, Fiorentina face the daunting prospect of a trip on Sunday (1130 GMT) to Juve who have a 100 percent home record in the league and are 11 points clear at the top.
After that, they must face Antonio Conte's side twice more in a Europa League round of 16 tie.
It is probably the last thing coach Vincenzo Montella wants as he battles to keep his side in the race for a third place finish in Serie A which would earn a place in next season's Champions League final qualifying round.
Fiorentina, who memorably beat Juventus 4-2 at home in October to hand the leaders their only league defeat so far, have managed only two wins in their last eight games and suffered to a shock 1-0 home defeat against Lazio on Sunday.
Their slump has followed a knee injury to forward Giuseppe Rossi, who was Serie A's leading scorer with 14 goals until he limped out of the 1-0 win over Livorno in the first game of the New Year.
That came on top of an injury to striker Mario Gomez, who is now back to fitness but is still struggling to re-find his prolific scoring form, something the former Bayern Munich forward warned would take time.
"Everyone thinks that when I come on as a substitute, I'm going to score two goals but it's not like that," the German told reporters.
"I need to have patience, I lack match practice, I need to play and get some minutes under my belt."
Gomez also said that Fiorentina, rather than a place in Germany's World Cup squad, was his priority.
"I haven't thought about Brazil. I want to qualify for the Champions League with my team mates, I want to win the Coppa Italia and I want to play more games in the Europa League," he said.
A further problem for Fiorentina is that they have also lost playmaker Borja Valero to a four-match suspension after he was sent off against Parma and then accused of pushing the referee, something the Spaniard vehemently denies.
That decision brought Fiorentina's anger with refereeing decisions to a head. Their discontent goes back to the final day of last season when they were denied a place in the Champions League playoffs by AC Milan who controversially won their final game 2-1 at Siena.
Fiorentina fans boycotted the first 10 minutes of the Lazio game in protest while Montella met Italian referee boss Marcello Nicchi this week to air his grievances.
"The important thing is that everyone remains civil, respectful and that it reflects the mentality of the city of Florence," said sporting director Daniele Prade.
Fiorentina, who have 45 points from 26 games, have fallen seven points behind third-placed Napoli, a gap that would have been even greater if Rafael Benitez's side did not keep dropping points against midtable opposition.
Napoli (52 points) host second-placed AS Roma (58) on Sunday (1945) hoping for a repeat of their recent 3-0 win over Rudi Garcia's side which took them to the Coppa Italia final.
Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain returns from suspension as Napoli attempt to reduce the six-point gap which separates them from Roma, who remain favourites to follow Juventus into the Champions League next season.)
Miroslav Klose has reiterated his desire to continue playing for a couple more years, and revealed that he has several ‘important offers’.
FootballItalia – Thurs, Mar 6, 2014
The 35-year-old’s current contract with Lazio expires at the end of the season and, alongside the Aquile’s perceived attempts to hand him a renewal, speculation is of interest from the Bundesliga and MLS.
It is a situation that the striker has now made clear does exist, to some extent.
“Thank God that I do have so many important offers,” began Klose to reporters this week.
“There are various options that I am analysing. Certainly I want to continue playing at a high level.
“I’m fine right now and if I keep working hard then I will be well to play at this level for another two years.”
The veteran, who is in line to head to the World Cup with Germany, is currently one goal behind Ronaldo’s all-time scoring record at the tournament finals.
“I’ve scored 14, I will not conceal that I’d like to score some more.”
Roma’s Kevin Strootman is set for evaluation on a knee injury sustained yesterday evening, but initial diagnosis is it is only bruising.
FootballItalia – Thurs, Mar 6, 2014
Whilst on international duty with the Netherlands during their friendly with France, the midfielder was forced to retire towards the end of the first half, visibly struggling with his knee.
The 24-year-old, who picked up the complaint in a clash with Les Bleus’ Mathieu Valbuena, is now set for tests at Trigoria upon his return to the Italian capital, to ascertain the extent of any damage.
However, the Corriere dello Sport lead today’s reports that the midfielder was substituted more as a precaution and that the injury looks to be only a bruised knee.
The Giallorossi face Napoli on Sunday evening and Strootman has so far only missed one League game this term for them.
Read the original article on Football Italia - The ultimate website for English-speaking fans of Italian football
Inter president Erick Thohir has denied reports that they are interested in replacing coach Walter Mazzarri with Ajax boss Frank de Boer.
Rumours in the Italian press have indicated that De Boer is on a list of candidates in the running to take over from Mazzarri should Inter decide to part company with the former Napoli boss, with Thohir expressing his admiration for the Amsterdam Arena boss last week.
De Boer has enjoyed much success with Ajax, leading them to three consecutive Eredivisie titles.
But Thohir insists he has not spoken with the former Netherlands international.
"He's a good coach but at the moment we don't have any discussions with Frank de Boer," Thohir said in a statement on Inter's official website. "I don't know him, and I've never met him.
Inter fans may be forgiven for treating Thohir's comments with caution following previous remarks surrounding the club's transfer policy.
Upon sealing a majority share in the club, the Indonesian stressed that Inter's side would be built around "talented Italian youngsters."
However, Inter's moves in the transfer market have been contradictory to that pledge, with Brazil midfielder Hernanes joining from Lazio in January and 32-year-old defender Nemanja Vidic poised to move to San Siro when his contract at Manchester United expires at the end of the season.
Yet Thohir is pleased with the business Inter have conducted since his takeover, which he feels will add leadership to the side.
"We're building a team for the next few years," Thohir added.
"With Hernanes I think we have leadership in the middle. With Vidic we have a leader in the defence.
"We might add a few players for next season. I think we need to create stability in the team but I think by next season the average age of the team will be 26.5 years old."
Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta is adamant that the club will resolve coach Antonio Conte's future at the end of the season.
Conte's contract with the Turin club is due to expire in June 2015, but the former Lecce and Juve midfielder has reportedly been attracting interest from foreign clubs.
However, Juve are keen to retain the 44-year-old, who joined from Siena in 2011, but the Serie A leaders are willing to wait until the 2013-14 campaign is out of the way before discussing a new deal.
"There are no problems or a distance between us," Marotta told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"The relationship between Conte, the club, president (Andrea) Agnelli and the board is optimum.
"Right now we are all focused on what would be an historic victory, that is to win our third-straight Scudetto.
"We have decided to leave to one side talks of the future and we will deal with that further ahead well aware that we have a great coach with us."
Juve have won two league titles and two Supercoppa Italiana crowns since Conte took charge and are 11 points clear at the top of Serie A.
