Serie A Season 2011/2012

[Arturo Vidal]

Allegri rues disallowed goal

20 November 2011

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Massimiliano Allegri feels Clarence Seedorf's strike was wrongly ruled out for offside during AC Milan's 0-0 draw with Fiorentina.Dutchman veteran Seedorf looked to have scored a legitimate goal in the first-half of Saturday's match at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

The decision ultimately cost the Serie A champions two points, after they failed to find a way past their hosts again in the match."The team played a good game, although we scored a valid goal that was cancelled out by the referee, but that's fine with me," Allegri told Sky Italia.

"Then in the second-half, Fiorentina posed us some difficulties through (Manuel Pasqual), while the goalkeeper (Artur Boruc) pulled off two major stops."Allegri said his players performed well in the match, and was disappointed they did not receive the full reward for their efforts.

"The team did everything possible to win, but we didn't find a goal and we had given (away) little or nothing to Fiorentina," he said."I only thought about a win tonight, and the guys did well, but I'm sorry for not bringing home the three points."

Next up is a challenging Champions League match at home to Barcelona.Both teams have qualified for the next round of the competition, but the visit of the defending champions represents an important test for Milan.

The Italian side secured a 2-2 draw in the first meeting between the teams in September, but Allegri knows that will count for little in the return clash."Barcelona will be a different (type of) game," Allegri said."On Wednesday we start at zero, then we'll see."

 

[Arturo Vidal]

Serie A wrap: Juventus on top as Udinese lose

21 November 2011

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Juventus returned to the top of Serie A with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Palermo on Sunday, as Udinese slipped up.

Simone Pepe opened the scoring in Turin with a first-half header before Alessandro Matri fired home early in the second half to double the hosts' advantage.Claudio Marchisio sealed victory for Antonio Conte's men with a 65th-minute strike.

Juventus began brightly and should have taken the lead just three minutes in, but Giorgio Chiellini headed over from close range after being picked out by Andrea Pirlo.Marchisio then fired wide from the edge of the box after Alexandros Tzorvas had flapped at a cross, before the hosts deservedly made the breakthrough on 20 minutes.

Chiellini made amends for his poor miss by producing a wonderfully precise cross from the left for Pepe to head home.Meanwhile, Udinese surrendered their joint-lead at the top of the league with a 2-0 loss at Parma.

Sebastian Giovinco recovered from a muscle problem to play for Parma and it was his ball that found Jonathan Biabiany for the opener just before the hour mark.Biabiany was left totally free in the six-yard box to nod home from a corner before the duo's roles were reversed some 18 minutes later.

Biabiany won a penalty after he was tripped by Dusan Basta and Giovinco sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-0 to Parma.A late Marco Parolo screamer gave Cesena a shock 1-0 victory away to local rivals Bologna in the Emilia-Romagna derby.

Bologna had missed a great chance after nine minutes when Adrian Mutu lost possession, but Gaston Ramirez's shot was charged down with Marco Di Vaio offside from the rebound.It was struggling Cesena's first win of the season.

Chievo shocked Catania with a 2-1 win at Stadio Massimino thanks to Sergio Pellissier's first-half penalty and Paolo Sammarco's tap-in on 73 minutes.Genoa snatched a late goal through Miguel Veloso to pick up all three points in a 1-0 win over Novara.

The victory was all the more impressive, as the home side played the entire second half with 10 men after Luca Antonelli was sent off.Siena twice fought back to snatch a 2-2 draw at home to Atalanta.

German Denis scored from the spot 15 minutes in, and also restored Atalanta's lead eight minutes into the second half with his second after Gaetano D'Agostino had equalised for Siena.But Alessandro Gazzi snatched a point for the hosts when he tapped home four yards out with four minutes remaining.

Finally, Roma defeated Lecce 2-1 at home in the late kick-off, thanks to goals from Miralem Pjanic and Fernando Gago.

 

[Arturo Vidal]

Guidolin lambasts Udinese attitude

21 November 2011

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A 'disappointed and bitter' Francesco Guidolin bemoaned Udinese's lack of humility after their 2-0 loss to Parma on Sunday.

Udinese had a chance to take the outright lead in Serie A with victory at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.But Jonathan Biabiany's goal and a penalty from Sebastian Giovinco sealed victory for the home side, leaving Guidolin furiously blaming his team's apparent complacency.

"The difference was in humility, which is the fundamental quality for every team and man," Guidolin said."Parma did well to remain humble.""It was clear this game would be decided by individual incidents, but I am disappointed and bitter, as I thought I'd see my team with a different attitude."

A second defeat in four matches leaves Udinese fourth, one point behind leaders Juventus, who have played one match fewer than Guidolin's side.Udinese finished fourth last term, earning a chance of Champions League qualification, but Guidolin is adamant his team have no automatic right to repeat the feat this season.

"With performances like this, Udinese cannot fight for the top-six places," he said."The leading teams do not play like this.""I've said from the start we are different to last season.""We have to aim low, because this is a dangerous campaign for everyone.

If you think outside your real dimension, you’re in trouble."Parma coach Franco Colomba was thankful his team's adventurous approach paid dividends, with a second win in three matches lifting the club up to 10th on the table.

"We don’t make distinctions when preparing for matches, as quite simply everyone in Serie A is tough, so we face each opponent the same way," Colomba said."You can tell that we take on everyone with open and attacking football, which is why we so rarely draw."

Colomba was relieved his team were able to withstand a period of intense Udinese pressure, and knows he can rely on the star men Biabiany and Giovinco to produce when it matters.

"In those five minutes when Antonio Floro Flores and Antonio Di Natale tested us, there were concerns, but we managed to get the measure of them and turn the situation in our favour," he said.

"I saw a solid squad with the right humility and desire to do well. That is what’s needed to support our diamonds, Giovinco and Biabiany. They are our crown jewels."

 

[Arturo Vidal]

Mazzarri: We should have won 4-0

20 November 2011

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Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri believs his side could have easily beaten Serie A rivals Lazio 4-0 at the Stadio San Paulo on Saturday night.

The highly-anticipated match featuring two of the top six sides in the league finished in a 0-0 draw, but a last-ditch effort from Napoli substitute Goran Pandev nearly stole all three points for the hosts.

After the match, Mazzarri firmly believed his team were superior and was disappointed Napoli could not penetrate the Lazio defence."I told the guys they should have won 4-0, they played a phenomenal game," Mazzarri said.

"I do not remember any Lazio chances.""We did not expect Lazio to play three [defenders].""We did not plan how to best attack their defence. So at half-time I explained new tactics and in the second 45 minutes we played much better."

"In the second half we did everything to win, but the ball didn't want to go in. Maybe in the future, we will win a game where we do not deserve the three points."Napoli provisionally sit in sixth position in the standings, seven points behind joint leaders Lazio and Udinese.

They host Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday."Now we think about Tuesday. It won't be at all easy, as City are a team of phenomenons," Mazzarri said.

"Roberto Mancini is right when he says they have no reason to envy Barcelona or Real Madrid. We'll try to the bitter end to go as far as possible."

 

[Arturo Vidal]

Monday 21st November 2011

Roma's Burdisso surgery a success

Roma defender Nicolas Burdisso has undergone successful surgery on Sunday to repair ligaments in his left knee, and will be sidelined for up to seven months.

The Argentina international suffered the injury in his national team's 2-1 win over Colombia in a World Cup qualifier last week.

"The surgery went very well and we are satisfied," said surgeon Giuliano Cerulli, who performed the operation on Burdisso.

"It was a complex injury considering that he had damage to his ligaments as well as his kneecap.

"The recovery period in these cases is between six and seven months."

The 30-year-old Burdisso will begin his rehabilitation next week in Rome.

He has made 10 Serie A appearances for Roma this season.
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[Arturo Vidal]

Monday 21st November 2011

Report: Inter monitor Nainggolan

Inter Milan are interested in signing Cagliari midfielder Radja Nainggolan, according to reports.

Sky Sport Italia claims the former Serie A champions have been following the progress of the player over the last few months and have been impressed by his form for the Rossoblu.

Inter sporting director Marco Branca allegedly sees the 23-year-old Nainggolan as a useful addition to the Inter squad.

Nainggolan's contract with Cagliari runs until the summer of 2014.

The Belgium international joined Piacenza as a 16-year-old before leaving to join Cagliari in January 2010 after establishing himself as a first team regular at the club.

He arrived at Piacenza from Germinal Beerschot's youth academy.

On Saturday, Inter got their season back on track with a 2-1 victory over Cagliari at the San Siro which took them above their opponents and into the top half of the table.

Thiago Motta put the Nerazzurri ahead in the 54th minute and it looked easy for Inter, who hit the woodwork twice in the first half, when Philippe Coutinho opened his account for the season six minutes later.

But Joaquin Larrivey made it interesting with a goal in the 89th minute which was not, however, enough to prevent Davide Ballardini from losing on his debut on the Cagliari bench.
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[Arturo Vidal]

Monday 21st November 2011

AC Milan consider Tevez move

AC Milan assistant boss Mauro Tassotti admits the club are interested in Carlos Tevez, but would need to assess him closely before making a move.

AC and city rivals Inter Milan are emerging as the most likely candidates to sign Tevez, who remains AWOL from Manchester City.

The Argentine striker returned to his homeland earlier this month without City's permission and he is yet to report back to training.

This came after City fined the player two weeks' wages for breach of contract, following their Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich on September 27.

Tevez has not been involved for City since the defeat in Germany and Roberto Mancini admitted last week that he does not see a way back for the player.

Now Tassotti has confirmed Milan's interest, but admitted they would need to look at the player first before deciding on any move.

"Tevez to Milan? He is a great player but we need to evaluate his condition and his head because as well as technical ability, you need to be mentally ready to play," he is quoted by the Daily Mirror.

"There are problems with Manchester City but it could be an idea."

Milan legend Alessandro Costacurta added to the calls for the club to bring Tevez in - insisting he would be perfect for them.

"Tevez would be perfect to substitute Cassano," Costacurta said.

"I get the impression that he could create some problems if he is left on the bench though - and that will happen at Milan when you consider the forwards they have in their squad.

"He would have to be managed properly. Nevertheless, he is the ideal attacker for Milan."
​

 

[Arturo Vidal]

Juve legend dies, aged 89

22 November 2011

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Former Juventus winger Carl Aage Praest has died, aged 89.Praest, who would have turned 90 in February, passed away on Sunday.

Praest enjoyed an illustrious career which included winning a bronze medal at the 1948 Olympic Games in London with Denmark.

At a domestic level, he played 232 games for the Turin-based giants before moving to Lazio, where he retired in 1957.

Praest, who played alongside fellow Denmark international John Hansen, won two Italian league titles during his time with the Turin club.

 

[Arturo Vidal]

Paulinho linked with Inter

21 November 2011

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Corinthians midfielder Paulinho could leave the Brazilian outfit, with AC Milan reportedly interested in the Brazil international.

The Corriere dello Sport has reported the 23-year-old could be set for a switch to the Serie A in the January transfer window.

The Rossoneri have previously been linked with midfielders such as Fiorentina's Riccardo Montolivo and Ajax's Christian Eriksen, but they have now allegedly turned their attention to Paulinho.

Milan are reportedly keen to sign the midfielder on a six-month loan deal, with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.

Paulinho previously played in Europe at Vilnius and Lodz before returning to Brazil in 2008.

He joined Corinthians last year and has since developed into a key player at the Timao.

The midfielder, who made his Brazil debut earlier this year against Argentina, has a contract with Corinthians until 2013.

 

[Arturo Vidal]

Mafia Mancini must be behind this...


Hamsik´s wife robbed at gunpoint - report

22 November 2011

The pregnant wife of Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik has reportedly been robbed at gunpoint.

alcionapoli24.it claims that Martina Franova suffered a terrifying ordeal when armed men stopped the BMW in which she was travelling and threatened her with a gun, just hours before her husband's Serie A club is due to meet Manchester City at the San Paolo in the Champions League.

After robbing Franova, the men then sped off and later abandoned the vehicle in Ceselle, near Naples.

Police were able to find the car as it was fitted with a tracking device and it has since been returned to Hamsik and his wife, as an investigation is launched.

 

[Edinson Cavani]

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Buffon: AC Milan are huge favourites
Juventus custodian Gianluigi Buffon is adamant that rivals AC Milan are still the overwhelming favourites for the Scudetto crown this season.

Ilicic agent denies Palermo exit
Josip Ilicic will not leave Palermo in the winter transfer window, according to the player's agent.

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Mangia receives Palermo backing
Palermo coach Devis Mangia has been handed a vote of confidence despite his team's dismal run away from home.

 

[Edinson Cavani]

De Rossi hints at Roma future

23 November 2011

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Daniele De Rossi wants to captain Roma, in a sign he is set to stay at the Serie A club.There has been widespread speculation over the 28-year-old midfielder's contract arrangements with Roma, with his current terms expiring in 2012.

Some have claimed a new deal has been signed, while the official line from the club centres around ongoing talks.Roma president Thomas Di Benedetto said last week was confident vice-captain and youth product De Rossi would sign an extension.

Just days later, however, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini revealed his club would be keen on the Italy international if he failed to reach a settlement with the Serie A side.De Rossi has now claimed he would be ready to step into Francesco Totti's shoes in future and become the new captain.

"Future captain? I cannot see myself being labelled this, but there is a precise explanation - once the current captain stops playing then I will take the armband," De Rossi told Radio 2 Rai."Do I need to reassure fans over my future?

Well, the heart is there for it to beat fast."While ruling out the Serie A title this campaign, the midfielder said he wanted to help Roma fight for a Champions League place."Will we win this year? I am afraid not, but everyone dreams of playing in the Champions League or winning the Scudetto," he said.

Roma are fifth in on the Serie A table and play Udinese on Friday.

 

[Edinson Cavani]

Roma line up Burdisso replacement

23 November 2011

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Roma are eyeing Benfica's Ezequiel Garay as a replacement for long-term injury victim Nicholas Burdisso, according to reports in Italy.

Burdisso injured his knee on international duty with Argentina and is likely to be out for six months, and Il Corriere dello Sport claims countryman Garay is top of Roma's list of reinforcements.

The Serie A club are hoping to offload defenders Juan and Cicinho during the January transfer window, and will need to strengthen their rear guard as a consequence.

Benfica's 25-year-old former Real Madrid defender is seen as the ideal man to relieve the Giallorossi's defensive issues, with the report indicating he would be available for 10 million euros.

Garay signed for Benfica in July 2011 for a fee of 5.5 million euros and has made 13 appearances for the Liga Sagres side this season.

If Roma are unable to tie up a deal for the Argentine, the list of alternatives is thought to include Borussia Dortmund's 15 million euro-rated Neven Subotic.

 

[Edinson Cavani]

Juventus deny Krasic problem

23 November 2011

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Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta says winger Milos Krasic is still a wanted player at the Serie A leaders.

Krasic's agent Dejan Joksimovic claimed on Tuesday that Juventus coach Antonio Conte does not need the Serbia winger, and hinted at a possible move in the January transfer window.

"The agent's comments were pretty strong, but I haven't spoken with him. We have spoken with Milos though and there's no problem from his side," Marotta told Tuttosport on Wednesday.

"He is not in the first-team at the moment, but that is because his team-mates are in better form. That doesn't mean that there's a problem, though."

"We are willing to listen to anyone who's unhappy when the market re-opens, but we don't know of anyone who wants to leave."

The 27-year-old Krasic's contract with Juventus runs until the end of the 2013/14 campaign.

 

[Edinson Cavani]

Thursday 24th November 2011

Moggi: Krasic is no Nedved

Former Juventus general director Luciano Moggi insists that Milos Krasic is a completely different player from club legend Pavel Nedved.

Nedved made 324 appearances for the Bianconeri in a eight-year spell after joining the club from Lazio in 2001, and is currently a board member at the club.

Meanwhile, Krasic made 41 appearances in his debut campaign for Juve last term, scoring nine goals and garnered comparison with Nedved due to his effective performances down the wings.

Nonetheless, Moggi does not believe Krasic is nearly good enough as his legendary predecessor, and feels the only similarity they share is their physical appearance.

"When they compared Krasic to Nedved I did not understand why," Moggi told Radio Mana Mana. "The only thing they have in common is their hair style.

"Krasic does the same thing all the time and he cannot help with his team's offensive moment.

"He makes many mistakes. I don't think anyone would be crying if he leaves Juventus and Serie A."

Juventus have been impressive this season and currently lead Serie A on goal difference, but Krasic has only had a limited role to play so far.
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[Edinson Cavani]

Thursday 24th November 2011

Piero edging towards MLS move

Alessandro Del Piero's agent has suggested the Juventus legend will move to the United States after rejecting an approach from the Premier League.

The 37-year-old's contract at Juve expires at the end of the season and he will not be offered a deal to stay with the Serie A leaders.

The striker has previously expressed an interest in playing in England and has been linked with moves to Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers.

However, Del Piero's representative Enzo Bronzetti believes the former Italy international is most likely to move to Major League Soccer after emerging as a target for several American clubs.

"I think he can go there," said Bronzetti in the Daily Star. "American football is said to have been on the rise for years, but now it is.

"In the last few days the leaders of Seattle, Chicago came to Italy and now come those of the Galaxy. Del Piero is highly respected in the United States.

"For Spain and England, I really do not see it. I know there was already an approach (from the Premier League), but with the Americans..."

Meanwhile, Sion president Christian Constantin has confirmed he is not giving up hope of persuading Del Piero to shun a move to the MLS in favour of heading to Switzerland.

"I have not yet talked to him, partly because I read he'd like to go to America," Constantin told TMW. "Of course I still believe in this move. We will play two games and then I'll make contact.

"I can tell you now that I will call Del Piero in a couple of weeks. I'll talk it over with him and see what he thinks about my proposal."
​

 

[Edinson Cavani]

Serie A preview: Lazio, Juve meet at summit

24 November 2011

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Lazio host Juventus in a clash of the top two teams in Serie A this weekend, while Udinese await the visit of Roma.With the two sides level on 22 points, Lazio can climb above Juventus to go top of the league, as they trail the current leaders on goal difference.

It is rumoured Lazio manager Edy Reja will drop out-of-form striker Djibril Cisse for the blockbuster, as the Frenchman has been goalless in the league since scoring on the opening day at Milan.Should Cisse be left out, Tommaso Rocchi could partner Miroslav Klose, who is returning from injury after missing the draw at Napoli last week.

Elsewhere on Saturday, relegation-placed Lecce will host Catania, second-bottom Novara welcome Parma and promoted Atalanta take on Napoli.On Friday, Udinese will welcome Roma to the Stadio Communale Friuli in the hope of furthering the gap the top four teams have on the chasing pack.

Udinese are four points clear of fifth-placed Roma, and will be keen to respond after a shock 2-0 loss to Parma last time out.Roma, however, are on a two-game winning streak, and have also won their past three league affairs between the two sides.

On Sunday, AC Milan - third in the league and one point off leaders Juventus - will host Chievo, with both teams in good form.Milan were on a nine-game unbeaten streak in all competitions prior to their 3-2 Champions League loss to Barcelona on Tuesday.

Chievo recorded back-to-back wins in the league in style with a 2-1 away win over Catania last weekend, and a win at the San Siro would take them to within three points of Massimiliano Allegri's men on the table.

Other Sunday fixtures see Bologna travel to Cagliari with both sides on losing streaks, Cesena welcoming Genoa, Palermo hosting Fiorentina, and Inter Milan on the road at Siena.

 

[Edinson Cavani]

Thursday 24th November 2011

Juventus take on Lazio for top spot

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has predicted a thriller when his team take on Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday in a battle for top spot.

Both teams go into the encounter on 22 points but Juve, who lead the standings on goal differential, have a game in hand. "Lazio is a team that I've always included among the best this season," Conte said. "I believe they can have a starring role in the campaign just as we can. "I think it's going to be a fantastic game between two teams that play attractive football."

Juventus, who are not playing in Europe this season, are the only unbeaten team in Serie A. "There is great satisfaction for what we are doing," Conte said. "But I don't like excessive euphoria and we know there's a long way to go."

Lazio, meanwhile, will be bolstered by the return of the team's top scorer Miroslav Klose. Klose missed last weekend's goalless draw at Napoli with a muscular problem.

AC Milan are one point behind Juve and host Chievo on the back of a 3-2 midweek defeat by Barcelona in the Champions League. Milan will now look to extend their unbeaten run on the domestic front at the San Siro.

Fourth-placed Udinese will look to bounce back from last weekend's defeat at Parma - their second loss of the campaign - when they take on Roma. The Udine outfit will be at home where they has won all of their league games.

Napoli visit Atalanta with their confidence sky high after a 2-1 Champions League home victory over Manchester City. The midweek result saw Napoli end City's run of nine consecutive victories in all competitions.

Fiorentina coach Delio Rossi will return to La Favorita this weekend for the first time since leaving Palermo in June. Rossi made his debut last weekend as coach of Fiorentina and the Viola had a goalless draw with AC Milan.

Inter Milan qualified for the knock-out stages of the Champions League as the first-placed team in Group B on Tuesday with a 1-1 draw at Trabzonspor. Inter can now focus on Serie A and the game on Sunday at Siena. The Nerazzurri are 16th in the standings - 11 points behind Juventus.

Cagliari, having lost three league games on a row, take on fellow strugglers Bologna in Sardinia.

Lecce will be hoping for a change in form at their Stadio Via Del Mare when hosting Catania on Saturday. The Giallorossi have claimed one point of a possible 15 at home.

Novara, who have not won a game since September 20, face Parma on Saturday.

Bottom side Cesena, who celebrated their first win of the campaign at Bologna last weekend, host Genoa on Sunday.


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Match Fixtures

Friday

Udinese vs AS Roma

Saturday

Lecce vs Catania

Novara vs Parma

Atalanta vs Napoli

Lazio vs Juventus

Sunday

Cagliari vs Bologna

Cesena vs Genoa

Palermo vs Fiorentina

Siena vs Inter Milan

AC Milan vs Chievo

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[Edinson Cavani]

Serie A wrap: Udinese return to the top

26 November 2011

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Late goals from Antonio Di Natale and Mauricio Isla handed Udinese top spot in Serie A with a 2-0 home win against Roma.

The hosts made a lively start and could have scored as early as in the ninth minute, but Simon Kjaer cleared the ball away from danger just as Di Natale was about to put the finishing touch on Giampiero Pinzi's low cross from the right.

Shortly after, Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin saw his plans take a considerable blow as an injured Maurizio Domizzi had to make way for Damiano Ferronetti.The hosts remained in the driver's seat, however, and almost broke the deadlock in the 44th minute but Di Natale blasted a shot high and wide with only the 'keeper to beat.

In the second half, Roma came out strongly and Pablo Osvaldo almost gave his side the lead in the 61st minute. The striker received the ball on the edge of the box and moved past Mehdi Benatia as he cut inside, but his shot went high.

Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was put to the test three minutes later, blocking Dusan Basta's close-range shot after a scramble in the box. It took Udinese until the 79th minute to beat Stekelenburg, when Pinzi picked out Di Natale with a long ball and the striker dodged the challenge of Kjaer to volley the ball home.

Roma surged forward in search of an equaliser, but it would be Udinese to score again on the counter, with Pablo Armero picking up the ball just outside the box and passing across the face of the goal for Isla to side-foot home.

With the result, Udinese moved two points clear of Juventus and Lazio in the Serie A standings, with those two teams clashing at Rome's Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

 

[Edinson Cavani]

Cavani unmoved by City talk

26 November 2011

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Napoli striker Edinson Cavani has distanced himself from a move to English Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Uruguay international Cavani scored a brace in Napoli's 2-1 Champions League victory over City on Tuesday and is believed to be a transfer target for the big-spenders.

City manager Roberto Mancini has reportedly been monitoring Cavani along with team-mates Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik, but last season's top Serie A scorer says he is not thinking about leaving Stadio San Paolo.

Cavani told the Daily Mirror: "I am only focused on Napoli. I am always ready for a challenge and can play in a big league, but I'm very happy doing that in Naples."

"We've given ourselves the chance to qualify for the knockout stage, we upset City and we have to remain focused on ourselves."

"It doesn't matter to me if City have increased their interest, because my only ambition is to help Napoli in the Champions League."

City are rumoured to be looking to sign a striker to replace Carlos Tevez who is set to leave in January.