Serie A Season 2011/2012

[Arturo Vidal]

Serie A wrap: Juve back on top, Napoli draw

27 November 2011

Juventus regained the lead in Serie A with a 1-0 win away to Lazio on Saturday, while Napoli snatched a draw at Atalanta.

Hosts Lazio enjoyed the first sight of goal in the eighth minute of the match at the Stadio Olimpico.A poor pass from Arturo Vidal fell to Hernanes, but the Brazilian's long distance drive flew over the bar.Minutes later and away side Juve went close to taking the lead, with Italy international Claudio Marchisio heading wide.

Juve threatened again on 20 minutes when Federico Marchetti produced an outstanding save to keep out Andrea Pirlo's free-kick, before Stephan Lichtsteiner missed a simple opportunity from the rebound, dragging his effort wide.

The hosts were unlucky to not be in front soon afterwards, when Tommaso Rocchi found himself in space just inside the box.He managed to lift the ball over the on-rushing Gianluigi Buffon, but the Lazio captain's effort was blocked by Andrea Barzagli.On 34 minutes Juve's early enterprise was rewarded through Pepe.

A counter-attacking move from the visitors led to Alessandro Matri finding himself in space on the left flank.His inch-perfect cross fell to the former Udinese forward Pepe, who slotted past Marchetti and into the bottom corner.

Juve held the advantage going into the break, and continued to control the match early in the second half.They could have doubled their lead a minute after the restart, but Matri's shot on the turn went over the Lazio bar.The hosts began to fight their way back into contention, with Hernanes looking the most dangerous.

The Brazilian had a great chance to level in the 51st minute, but the ex-Sao Paulo man was denied by an excellent block from Barzagli.And Lazio were again unlucky to not be back on level terms, as two more chances went begging.

First Hernanes struck the post with a powerful drive, before Buffon pulled off a great save to deny Miroslav Klose's curling shot from the edge of the box.Try as they might, Lazio were unable to convert their sights of goal into an equaliser.

And with 20 minutes to go, it was Juve who almost forced what would have been a decisive second.Pepe found substitute Emanuele Giaccherini in space, but the winger's drive was parried by Marchetti.In the 85th minute, the visitors would spurn another chance to finish the game off.

A great ball from Marchisio found Matri outside the box and he created some space for himself with a neat turn before unleashing a powerful strike which struck the outside of the post.Juve's late profligacy went unpunished, and the win sees them return to top spot on the table, one point ahead of Udinese.

In other matches, Napoli needed Edinson Cavani's 94th-minute equaliser to scramble a 1-1 draw away to Atalanta, who had led through a German Denis goal.Raffaele Rubino and Marco Rigoni were on target as promoted Novara came from a goal down to beat Parma 2-1 at home.

And Pablo Barrientos' last-minute strike saw Catania plunder a dramatic 1-0 win away to Lecce.​

 

[Arturo Vidal]

Agent: Rossi could join Napoli

Giuseppe Rossi's agent has not ruled his client from joining Italian outfit Napoli in the future.

Villarreal forward Rossi is currently recuperating from knee surgery after snapping his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during his side's 3-0 loss to Real Madrid last month.

Prior to that horrific injury, Rossi was rumoured to be on Napoli's radar in the summer transfer window with Napoli club president Aurelio De Laurentiis claiming then he was interested in the Italian international.

Nevertheless, while Rossi is expected to be on the sidelines until April at least, his agent Federico Pastorello hinted that a move to Naples might be possible in the future.

"Rossi to Napoli? It's normal that Napoli would be considered as they are great club and many players, Rossi aside, would like to join them because they are doing well in the Champions League," Pastorello told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"Also, Napoli have the advantage of now being able to attract top players in the transfer window compared to the past."

Although Napoli will face off with Villarreal in their penultimate Champions league group fixture next month, former Manchester United frontman Rossi will play no part in the tie.
​

 

[Arturo Vidal]

Mazzarri credits team spirit after draw

27 November 2011

Napoli's 1-1 draw away to Atalanta does not tell the whole story of the visitors' performance, according to their coach Walter Mazzarri.The away side needed a 94th-minute equaliser from Edinson Cavani to take a point from their trip to the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia in Bergamo.

Napoli are without a win in their last three league fixtures, but Mazzarri saw cause for encouragement during Saturday's match."I don't talk about the performance only with regards to the result and in the first half we played well, although didn't take our chances," Mazzarri said."

"I was interested in our approach in a very difficult arena.""The team (spirit) was there and that was the important thing. (German) Denis scored a great goal and put us under pressure, but at the end Cavani got a deserved equaliser." On-loan striker Goran Pandev made no attempt to hide his displeasure at being substituted for Ezequiel Lavezzi in the 62nd minute.

Mazzarri said the Macedonia striker might have earned the right to stay on the pitch, but with his team trailing, the coach felt the need to introduce danger-man Lavezzi."Pandev was angry and perhaps he was right, as I could've kept him on for another 10 minutes," Mazzarri said.

"He was improving. At that moment, though, I needed the pace and agility of Pocho (Lavezzi). I will apologise to Pandev."Napoli's indifferent league form means they are now nine points back from Serie A leaders Juventus, and seemingly falling out of contention for the Scudetto, even at this early stage of the season.

But despite finishing fourth last term, Mazzarri denied a title challenge had ever been one of his team's objectives for 2011/12."The newspapers made that our target, but we never did," he said.

"We beat Inter and Milan, so they said we were title-contenders, but the Champions League takes a lot out of you. We’re missing four or five points because of those commitments."​

 

[Arturo Vidal]

Nesta faces four weeks on sidelines

26 November 2011

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AC Milan have confirmed that veteran defender Alessandro Nesta will be sidelined for a month with a hip injury.

The centre-back picked up the knock against Barcelona in a 3-2 Champions League defeat at the Giuseppe Meazza in midweek, and will miss the Rossoneri's game against Chievo in Serie A on Sunday.

"The prognosis, unless there are complications, is about one month," a statement on the club's official website reads.

The 35-year-old was replaced after 66 minutes in the clash with the European champions by Daniele Bonera, who is set to fight it out with Phillippe Mexes for a place alongside Thiago Silva in the Scudetto holders' back line.

Nesta joins Mathieu Flamini, Gennaro Gattuso and Antonio Cassano on Milan's treatment table.

The Italian champions are three points behind current Serie A leaders Udinese, but can go back to the top of the pile if other results go their way over the weekend.

 

[Alexandre Pato]

Serie A wrap: Castaignos wins it late for Inter

28 November 2011

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Luc Castaignos was Inter Milan's hero as they claimed a late 1-0 victory over Siena in Serie A on Sunday.

Claudio Ranieri's men produced a below-par performance in Sunday's match at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.Nevertheless, they snatched all three points when teenage forward Castaignos, who came on after the break in place of the ineffective Mauro Zarate, fired home with just a minute of normal time remaining.

It was an increasingly laboured Inter who made the breakthrough, when Castaignos latched on to Thiago Motta's through ball before firing low past Siena goalkeeer Zeljko Brkic.Siena's Franco Brienza then collected his second yellow for lashing out at the corner flag in frustration following the goal, before Inter held on to claim a victory which takes them into 12th spot.

In the late kick-off, AC Milan dispatched Chievo 4-0 at home.Brazilians Thiago Silva and Alexandre Pato both scored one goal apiece at San Siro, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic claimed a brace, with his second goal from the penalty spot.

Victory sees reigning champions Milan climb to second, level on points with Lazio and one behind leaders Juventus.Elsewhere, Cesena made it rare consecutive victories after beating Genoa 2-0 at home, with the win lifting the struggling hosts off the foot of the table.

Palermo moved into fifth spot after beating visitors Fiorentina by the same scoreline, with the goals coming either side of the break from Fabrizio Miccoli and Josip Ilicic.Finally, Daniele Conti's 81st-minute penalty saw Cagliari manage a 1-1 draw in their match at home to Bologna.

 

[Alexandre Pato]

Roma´s Osvaldo facing 10-day ban

28 November 2011

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Roma striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo faces a 10-day suspension after allegedly punching team-mate Erik Lamela in the face.According to Il Messaggero, the incident took place in the aftermath of Roma's 2-0 defeat at Udinese, with Osvaldo lashing out at the youngster following an angry exchange.

The two players reportedly settled their differences in training on Sunday, but Osvaldo can nevertheless expect a hefty fine and a 10-day ban from the capital club.

Coach Luis Enrique could decide on further punishment for the former Espanyol forward too.

The incident was allegedly linked to the decision by Lamela to shoot when Osvaldo was in support in the latter stages of the defeat, which leaves Roma on just 17 points in sixth place after 12 matches of the Serie A season.

 

[Alexandre Pato]

Conte: Napoli favourites, not us

28 November 2011

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Juventus boss Antonio Conte believes Napoli remain title favourites despite his team's unbeaten start to the Serie A season.

Conte's men play their game in hand at Stadio San Paolo on Tuesday and will go four points clear at the top with a win.But Conte, 42, insists Walter Mazzarri's men, who are nine points adrift of Juve in eighth, are favourites to win their first title since 1989/90.

"We have a tough test on Tuesday against Napoli. They are a team that are surely the favourites to win the Scudetto, both for the quality of their squad and the quality of their football," Conte said after his team's 1-0 win over Lazio.

Simone Pepe's 34th-minute goal proved to be enough at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday as Juve extended their unbeaten start to the season to 11 matches.Conte was remaining cautious despite the win, with Juventus chasing their first league title since 2002/03.

"We know, as history teaches us, that at this point we have been in similar positions and we all know very well how those situations ended," he said."All that considered, we need to play with intelligence and common sense, and I like the fact my players think the same and don't get ahead of themselves."

 

[Alexandre Pato]

Milan only interested in Tevez loan

28 November 2011

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AC Milan will only sign Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez on loan in January, the Serie A club's vice-president Adriano Galliani says.

Tevez has fallen out of favour at Premier League leaders City after refusing to warm up in a Champions League match against Bayern Munich in September.

The Argentine is expected to depart Etihad Stadium when the transfer window re-opens in the New Year, and agent Kia Joorabchian has already held talks with Milan.

But while Galliani admits the long-term absence of Antonio Cassano after heart surgery means Milan could be in the market for a striker, he has revealed that the Italian giants are only interested in a loan deal with an option to sign at the end of the season.

"Whoever comes to Milan in January will be on loan for free, with an option to make that stay permanent," Galliani told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Tevez? We will see, there's time. Probably if we had not had (Antonio) Cassano's situation, we would remain as we are."

 

[Edinson Cavani]

Hamsik seeking Napoli perfection

29 November 2011

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Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik insists his side will need to be "perfect" to beat Serie A leaders Juventus on Tuesday.

The match between the Champions League hopeful and the Turin giant was previously postponed due to floods in the Naples area, and Hamsik is eagerly anticipating the match at the Stadio San Paolo.

Napoli trail Juve by nine points and a win would go a long way to propelling Walter Mazzarri's side back into contention for a Champions League berth, but Hamsik knows that will be no easy task.

"We will have to be at our very best in order to beat Juventus, and I'm not just talking about myself, Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi," Hamsik told Il Corriere dello Sport.

"We need a perfect team performance. We have shown in the past what we can do as a team and we have to repeat that on Tuesday."

"We have already proven our worth against big teams in the past and want to do so again."

Napoli currently sits eighth in the Serie A table with 16 points from 11 games, while Juventus leads the pack with 25 points from 11 games.

 

[Edinson Cavani]

Mazzarri envies Juve schedule

29 November 2011

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Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri says that Juventus' strong domestic form stems from them having no European commitments this season.

Turin giants Juventus, who Napoli host at Stadio San Paolo in league action on Tuesday, have taken Serie A by storm and currently top the table."The Bianconeri have one week to prepare for their games, we do not."

"They run 1000 kilometres an hour," Mazzarri told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.However, Mazzarri feels that despite his team suffering from fatigue, they will be capable of getting their title bid back on track, starting with a win against the league leaders."

"Despite the tiredness, I believe we can keep the tempo high because these games are typically highly charged.""Also, tomorrow is only the 12th matchday, so everything is still possible."

Meanwhile, Juventus coach Antonio Conte believes Napoli are a genuine title rival for his side.Napoli have already beaten AC Milan and Inter this season but their domestic form has been inconsistent and they now find themselves eighth in the table on the back of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Atalanta.

But Conte is adamant that Mazzarri's men remain contenders for the Scudetto."We have a tough test on Tuesday against Napoli," Conte told reporters. "They are surely one of the favourites to win the Scudetto, both because of the quality of their squad and the quality of their football."

Juventus arrive in Naples after a hard-fought win over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday and Conte is thrilled with the way his side are performing at the moment."We're playing well, sticking to our game plan and picking up as many points as we can because bad patches will come, no matter how much I wish they wouldn't," he said.

"We find ourselves on top because of our hard work and I have to thank my guys for their great effort."

 

[Alexandre Pato]

Brazilian Mancini jailed for sexual assault

29 November 2011

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Former AC Milan winger Amantino Mancini has been found guilty of sexual assault by an Italian court, according to ANSA.

Mancini carried out the assault on a young Brazilian woman at his apartment in Milan on the night of December 8, 2010, and has been sentenced to two years and eight months of jail time.

Mancini’s friend Gerardo Eugenio do Nascimento was sentenced to 10 months in prison for trying to coerce the victim into not reporting the assault to police.

Mancini, who maintained his innocence throughout the trial and insisted that the sexual intercourse had been consensual, had met the woman at a party hosted by his compatriot and then AC Milan team-mate Ronaldinho.

The 31-year-old Mancini enjoyed a successful five-year spell at Roma before joining Inter in 2008.

However, he failed to reproduce his best form for Inter and was loaned out to city rivals AC Milan last year before eventually returning to Brazil to rejoin Atletico Mineiro in January.

 

[Edinson Cavani]

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Report: Juve in for Palombo
Juventus are looking to strengthen their Serie A title ambitions with the signing of Sampdoria midfielder Angelo Palombo, according to reports.

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Report: AC Milan seal Lopez deal
AC Milan have reached an agreement with Catania for the loan signing of Maxi Lopez, according to reports.

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Klose: I could have moved to Russia
Germany veteran Miroslav Klose admitted that he spurned several attractive offers from Russian outfits in order to ply his trade with Lazio.

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Hamsik: We need to be at best for Juve
Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik has urged his side to be at the top of their game ahead of the midweek Serie A clash against Juventus at the Stadio San Paolo

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Cisse: Too soon for Lazio title talk
Lazio striker Djibril Cisse has dampened expectations that the Roman outfit are poised to launch a serious assault on the Scudetto.

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Genoa back under-fire Malesani

Genoa president Enrico Preziosi has handed under-fire coach Alberto Malesani a vote of confidence.​

 

[Edinson Cavani]

Ilicic linked with Inter move

29 November 2011

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Palermo midfielder Josip Ilicic has attracted the interest of Serie A rivals Inter Milan, according to reports in Italy.

The Slovenia international has impressed in the first half of the 2011/12 campaign, and Corriere dello Sport have linked him with a move in the January transfer window.

Inter Milan are reportedly keen to add some fresh blood to their ageing midfield, and sporting director Marco Branca is said to see Ilicic, 23, as the perfect addition.

Ilicic joined Palermo from Maribor in the summer of 2010 and has since developed into a key player at the Sicilian club.

His contract with Palermo runs until the end of the 2015/16 campaign and an offer in the region of 15 million euros could be needed to lure him away from the club.

He has previously been linked with clubs such as Juventus and English Premier League duo Chelsea and Tottenham.

 

[Edinson Cavani]

Tuesday 29th November 2011

Report: AC Milan seal Lopez deal

AC Milan have reached an agreement with Catania for the loan signing of Maxi Lopez, according to reports.

However, Sky Sport 24 claims the deal has been suspended for 10 days as the Rossoneri are currently in the midst of tying up a deal for Manchester City's Carlos Tevez.

It understands that the Lopez transfer will only go ahead if Milan fail to land Tevez, who has emerged as their number one target to replace the recovering Antonio Cassano.

Milan are the front-runners to rescue Tevez from his Manchester City hell after Juventus ruled out a move for Argentinean.

Lopez has been a regular first-team member at Catania since joining the club in 2010.

The 27-year-old striker has also had stints at River Plate and Barcelona and recently admitted that he "wants to help [Milan striker] Zlatan Ibrahimovic win the Champions League".

Catania chief executive Pietro Lo Monaco confirmed earlier this month that he would not stand in Lopez's way of a move to the San Siro despite the striker's importance to the club.

"Maxi Lopez is a player who can do very well in any team and the fact that Milan like him gives us satisfaction," Lo Monaco told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"If Milan show further interest in the player, then we will not stop any deal from taking place."

Milan are looking to make reinforcements up front after Cassano was ruled out of action indefinitely after undergoing heart surgery.
​

 

[Arturo Vidal]

Cavani blow for Napoli

30 November 2011

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Napoli have been rocked by the news that Edinson Cavani will sit out their Serie A showdown with Juventus on Tuesday.

The Uruguay striker - scorer of nine goals in all competitions for Napoli this campaign - suffered a tibia injury in last Tuesday's Champions League win over Manchester City and aggravated the problem in his side's league clash with Atalanta on Saturday.

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri was prepared to give Cavani up until just a few hours before kick-off at Stadio San Paolo to prove his fitness for the ninth-placed Serie A side.But, having woken up on Tuesday still feeling pain in his ankle, the player was forced to pull out of the squad for the visit of table-topping Juve.

Cavani’s injury enforced absence from the starting line-up is likely to result in a recall for Goran Pandev, who has yet to score for Napoli since arriving on loan from Inter Milan in the off-season.In better news for Napoli, influential Swiss midfielder Gokhan Inler has been passed fit to face Juve.

 

[Arturo Vidal]

Serie A: Napoli 3 Juventus 3

30 November 2011

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Juventus preserved their unbeaten start to the Serie A season on Tuesday, coming from behind to secure a thrilling 3-3 away draw with Napoli.

Marek Hamsik blasted a retaken penalty over the bar 16 minutes in at Stadio San Paolo, but the Slovakia attacker gave the hosts the lead with a header six minutes later before Goran Pandev made it 2-0 just before the interval.

Alessandro Matri pulled one back for Juve after the restart but Pandev seemingly sealed the points for Napoli when he restored his side's two-goal cushion on 68 minutes.However, Antonio Conte's men refused to give up and posted a swift reply through Marcelo Estigarribia.

And they deservedly claimed a share of the spoils when Simone Pepe fired home with 10 minutes to play.Pepe's strike ensured Juve extended their unbeaten start to 12 matches and moved two points clear of AC Milan at the top of the table, while Napoli climbed to sixth.

Juve enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, but it was Napoli who should have taken lead 16 minutes in.Andrea Pirlo dived in on Argentina forward Ezequiel Lavezzi in the area and Hamsik clinically finished from the penalty spot.

But he was ordered to retake because of encroachment from several players, and he blazed his second attempt over the bar.Hamsik made amends for his horror miss six minutes later by finding the bottom corner with a downward header after a Lavezzi free-kick.

Pandev made it 2-0 soon after, placing an effort across Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and into the bottom corner after Pirlo's attempted clearance fortuitously ricocheted into his path.But Juve fought their way back into the contest thanks to Matri's 48th-minute strike, before Pandev restored Napoli's two-goal advantage with a well-executed volley.

Estigarribia prodded in a Mirko Vucinic cross and Juve snatched a point thanks to Pepe, who scored for the third consecutive Serie A game for the first time in his career.

 

[Arturo Vidal]

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De Laurentiis insists Napoli won
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has criticized referee Paolo Tagliavento following his side's 3-3 draw against Juventus at the San Paolo.

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Di Natale wants Italy call-up
Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale has urged Italy coach Cesare Prandelli to look beyond his age and select him for the national team based on his club performances.

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Udinese not selling stars in January
Udinese will not sell any of their players during the winter transfer window, according to club owner Giampaolo Pozzo.

Berlusconi to return as Milan president
Silvio Berlusconi has confirmed he will return to be president of AC Milan.

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Pepe: Napoli draw worth a victory
Juventus midfielder Simone Pepe believes that the 3-3 draw against Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo was worth a win to the Turin-based side.

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Conte: Juventus showed their heart
After a thrilling 3-3 draw against Napoli, Juventus boss Antonio Conte lauded his side's "great moral qualities".

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Parma dumped out of Coppa Italia
Parma's nightmare week continued as they were dumped out of the Coppa Italia by Serie B side Verona.

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Moratti rules out returning 2006 title

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti insists he will not countenance any move to restore the 2006 Serie A title to Juventus at a meeting organised by CONI next month.​

 

[Arturo Vidal]

Wednesday 30th November 2011

De Laurentiis insists Napoli won

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has criticized referee Paolo Tagliavento following his side's 3-3 draw against Juventus at the San Paolo.

Marek Hamsik scored the opener for Napoli while Goran Pandev scored the first of two goals to put the hosts two up by half-time.

Alessandro Matri pulled one back for Juve three minutes into the second half and Pandev's second restored the two-goal lead before Marcelo Estigarribia and Simone Pepe earned Juve a draw with goals in the last 18 minutes.

However, De Laurentiis was angered by the decision to force Hamsik to retake a penalty, which he ended up missing, in the 13th minute because of encroachment from several players, including Gokhan Inler.

"For me, the game finished 4-3," De Laurentiis told reporters after the game. "I am referring to the goal that was disallowed, the standings count for nothing. "The decision to make the penalty be retaken is incomprehensible."

De Laurentiis did have praise for Napoli striker Pandev, who scored twice against Juve on Tuesday. "The absence of [Edinson] Cavani has allowed us to see Pandev who, although is not physically ready to play for 90 minutes, did well in his return with a second goal that I really liked," he said.

"I am extremely happy to have found a player like Pandev. Do not take into consideration reports about a January exit, he has played only a few times. It is impossible to judge."

The draw in the rearranged clash sees Antonio Conte's side increase the gap on second-placed sides AC Milan and Udinese to two points.

Napoli are in sixth place, nine points behind Juve.

 

[Arturo Vidal]

Wednesday 30th November 2011

Berlusconi to return as Milan president

Silvio Berlusconi has confirmed he will return to be president of AC Milan.

The 75-year-old Berlusconi resigned as prime minister of Italy earlier this month.

Berlusconi was forced to step down as Milan president in 2008 due to a conflict of interest when he began his third term as the country's primer minister.

When asked if he will be back as Milan president, Berlusconi said to Gazzetta dello Sport: "Certainly, I will re-take the position as soon as possible.

"I am the president who has won more than any other in the history of football.

"(Former Real Madrid president) Santiago Bernabeu, who is the second in that list, didn't win half the trophies I did."

Berlusconi bought Milan in 1986 and the club won 28 trophies during his reign, including eight league titles and five European Cups.​

 

[Alexandre Pato]

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"Pepe nearly joined Zenit St. Petersburg"
Simone Pepe’s agent has revealed that his client was close to finalizing a transfer to Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg in the summer.

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Cesar: We were shocked by our start
Inter Milan custodian Julio Cesar has conceded that their team’s shambolic start to the Serie A campaign has jolted the squad.

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Forlan set for Inter Milan return
Diego Forlan is set to give Inter Milan coach Claudio Ranieri a boost after edging closer to a comeback from injury.

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Capello: I won't be Inter coach
England manager Fabio Capello has ruled out the notion of being Inter Milan's coach, because of his love for AC Milan.

Cesena in comfortable Cup win
Cesena beat Serie B side Gubbio 3-0 this to set up a meeting with Napoli in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia.

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Abbiati facing spell on the sidelines
AC Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati will be out of action for two weeks with a right shoulder injury.

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Agent: Pandev wants Napoli stay

The agent of Goran Pandev has claimed his client would welcome a permanent stay at Napoli.​