Serie A Season 2011/2012

[Marek Hamsik]

Roma boss Luis Enrique willing to 'risk everything' for victory against Juventus
The former Barcelona B team boss has pointed out that with his side chasing a place in next season's Champions League, they need the three points just as badly as their hosts

Record-breakers: Having surpassed Mancini's Inter, unbeaten Juventus now have Capello's AC Milan in their sights
The Bianconeri have now gone 32 games unbeaten this season, moving them two within two games of the Rossoneri side which enjoyed an unblemished 1991-92 campaign

Cavani uncertain of Napoli future
The striker insists that he will continue to give his all but declined the invitation to commit his future to Walter Mazzarri's side beyond the end of the current campaign

Conte: Scommessopoli allegations will not destabilise Juventus
The Bianconeri boss reacted calmly to claims made by one of his former players that he was aware Siena's match with Novara last season was being influenced

Sneijder will never be a problem for me at Inter, says Stramaccioni
The former Primavera boss has stressed the value of the Dutch midfielder to the Nerazzurri's fortunes, and wants his side to secure all three points on Sunday

Sneijder and Maicon included in Inter squad to face Fiorentina
Both players have recovered from their respective injuries and are available for selection when the Nerazzurri lock horns with the Viola at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday

Pjanic wants Roma to end Juventus' unbeaten run
The Bianconeri are yet to lose a game this term, and with Luis Enrique's men looking to challenge for third place in Serie A, the midfielder is hoping for a victory on Sunday

AC Milan agree terms with Nancy's Traore - report
The Malian has impressed for the Ligue 1 club this term, and it is believed that the Italian giants have concluded a deal to acquire the player on the Bosman ruling

Enough is enough: Something must be done after Morosini becomes 11th cardiac-related death in football since 2010
The Italian's death last weekend has once again asked questions of the ability of world sport to look after athletes who are at risk, with more and more players becoming victims

AC Milan's Galliani denies rift between Allegri and Berlusconi
Reports in the press have indicated that the president and the former Cagliari trainer are at loggerheads, but the 67-year-old supremo has dismissed such claims

Injured Brocchi vows to return next season: I want to play in the Champions League for Lazio
The 36-year-old midfielder has no intention of allowing his persistent foot problem to ruin his dream of representing the Biancocelesti in Europe's premier club cup competition

Unbeaten run will count for nothing if we do not win Serie A, admits Marchisio
After 32 rounds of action, the Bianconeri have yet to lose a game, but the title is the only thing that matters as far as the Italy international is concerned

Genoa president Preziosi confirms AC Milan's interest in Acerbi
The Rossoblu supremo has confirmed that the Rossoneri are keen on their co-owned centre-half, who has made a real name for himself at Chievo this season

Matri: Juventus must maintain focus to fulfil double 'dream'
The high-flying Bianconeri are currently one point clear at the summit of Serie A and have already booked their place in the final of next month's Coppa Italia

Stramaccioni has given me my confidence back, reveals Zarate
The Argentine attacker was in and out of the Nerazzurri lineup before the Roman's appointment as first team boss but he is now started three games on the bounce

Borini doubtful for Roma's trip to Juventus - report
The Italy international picked up a minor knock in Friday's training session and his availability for this weekend's match in Turin is not certain

 

[Marek Hamsik]

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[DerMannschaft]

Fan protests prompt Genoa-Siena Serie A match to be suspended with Siena leading 4-0

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First Posted: April 22, 2012 - 10:32 am
Last Updated: April 22, 2012 - 10:32 am
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GENOA, Italy — Fan protests have prompted the Serie A match between Genoa and Siena to be suspended with Siena leading 4-0 early in the second half.

Fans threw flares onto the pitch and climbed atop barriers as they were faced by stewards in riot gear. One section of hard-core "ultra" fans got up and walked out of the Luigi Ferraris stadium.

Genoa has the worst defense in the league and is fighting to avoid relegation.

It was unclear if the match would resume or not.

 

[DerMannschaft]

Trouble flares at Genoa match

April 22, 2012

Genoa's Serie A game with Siena on Sunday was suspended for 45 minutes due to crowd disturbances at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

A large group of Genoa fans accumulated around the tunnel area and threatened to invade the pitch early in the second half with their side 4-0 behind.

After a break of 20 minutes, the match officials and the Siena team left the field with the furious fans applauding them, but not letting the Genoa players approach.

Home captain Marco Rossi spoke with the group, who demanded the Genoa players took off their shirts before leaving the field.

After several more minutes, Rossi went round and collected his team mates' shirts, but Giuseppe Sculli refused to take his off and, with tears in his eyes, confronted the supporters, making it clear that he would not cave in to their demands.

A compromise appeared to be reached with the fans retreating from the tunnel and allowing the game to continue.


<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5rT_pXZKKkg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

 

[E.Lavezzi]

Serie A wrap: Juve move clear

23 April 2012

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Juventus moved three points clear at the top of Serie A with a 4-0 thumping of Roma on Sunday to firm as title favourites.The Turin-based club set up the victory with three goals in a dramatic first half that also included a red card to Roma's goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.Arturo Vidal got Juventus off to a brilliant start with two goals in the opening eight minutes.

The Chilean midfielder scored after just four minutes when he fired home Paolo De Ceglie's cross and then doubled the home side's lead after running from deep to support Mirko Vucinic, receiving a pass from the Montenegrin striker and powering a shot past Stekelenburg.The Dutch goalkeeper was sent off in the 26th minute for bringing down Claudio Marchisio in the box but Andrea Pirlo's penalty was saved by replacement gloveman Gianluca Curci.

Juventus did not have to wait long for their third goal, however, as Pirlo scored three minutes later.Marchisio wrapped up the win with a fine strike seven minutes into the second half.The victory puts Juventus three points ahead of AC Milan at the top of Serie A after their main title challengers could only manage a 1-1 draw with Bologna.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a late equaliser to steal a point for 10-man Milan after Gaston Ramirez's 26th-minute goal put Bologna ahead. Daniel Bonera was sent off eight minutes from time for the home side but Ibrahimovic had the last say when his blasted shot went in from a failed clearance.

Fan tempers flared in Siena's 4-1 win at Genoa with play stopped for over half an hour as Genoa fanatics stormed the field and demanded the players remove their shirts. With Siena up 4-0 early in the second half angry supporters backed down only after Giuseppe Sculli's emotional intervention but Christiano Del Grosso's own goal was all the fans had to cheer about after the resumption of play.

Franco Brienza was on target twice for Siena who moved clear of the drop zone with the important win, while for Genoa their run of games without a win was extended to 12 which sees them hovering dangerously above the drop by a point. In other results on Sunday, Lazio drew 1-1 at home to Lecce, Fiorentina and Inter Milan managed a scoreless draw and Cesena drew 2-2 with Palermo.

 

[E.Lavezzi]

Juventus have the strongest midfield in Italy, claims Vidal
The Chilean, a summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen, and his colleagues Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio have played an integral role in the Bianconeri's resurgence this season

Walter Samuel nearing Inter comeback
The Argentine defender has returned to the training pitch after spending the past 10 days on the sidelines due to injury, but will not be ready to face Udinese on Wednesday

Roma keen on Seydou Doumbia - report
The powerful attacker has supposedly caught the attention of the Serie A outfit with his good performances in Russia this season and could be available for €20 million

Agent: Van Bommel unsure about AC Milan future
The holding midfielder has yet to make a decision on where his future lies, and will hold talks with his current club at the end of the 2011-12 campaign

Rampant Juventus march towards Scudetto glory as frigid AC Milan slip up again
The Bianconeri are moving ever closer to the title after the champions squandered more points and fell a game in arrears to Antonio Conte's side

Buffon hails Juventus' defensive strength
The experienced goalkeeper feels that the Bianconeri's impressive stability in their back line and self-belief are the main reasons for their successful season so far

Conte: It's tough for any team to play against this Juventus side
The Bianconeri boss has expressed his satisfaction with his side's victory over Roma, and feels that any team will have a difficult game against the Old Lady when they're on song

Vidal: Juventus have not won Serie A title yet
The Chile international was over the moon with his side's victory over Roma, but added that nothing is decided yet as there are still five more games to be played

AC Milan full-back Abate: Everything is in Juventus' hands now
The defender has voiced his disappointment with his side's draw, and admitted that the Turin giants are now the favourites to win the Scudetto

Inter skipper Zanetti sustains leg injury versus Fiorentina
The experienced Argentine picked up a knock in the Nerazzurri's scoreless draw on Sunday, and will undergo a scan on Monday to determine the extent of the problem

Edy Reja 'bitter' at Lecce equaliser
The experienced Lazio coach was disappointed that his side could not hold on to the lead but believes that the players will bounce back from this setback

Emanuelson rues Milan errors against Bologna
The Dutch attacker was happy with his substitute appearance but was greatly disappointed that his side were held to a draw to miss the chance to go ahead of Juventus

Allegri: If Juventus defeat Roma, they are Scudetto favourites
The 44-year-old coach was disappointed that his side failed to take the three points and admitted that the Bianconeri are in a privileged situation to win the title

Genoa supporters halt match against Siena
Unsavoury scenes erupted at the Marassi after the hosts went down 4-0 to the Bianconeri with just 53 minutes on the clock, as ultras forced the team to remove their shirts

Fiorentina deserved to beat Inter, says Delio Rossi
The 51-year-old coach noted that the Viola were the better side and admitted the played played at a higher level than the usual standard this season

Inter's Stramaccioni: We have to give credit to Fiorentina
The 36-year-old coach said that his team met a very strong and well organised side and refused to write off the Nerazzurri's chances of finishing in the top three

Inter's Julio Cesar rues Fiorentina draw
The Brazil international was unhappy with the draw against the Viola but noted that the team will have more opportunities to climb up the Serie A table

Leonardo stabbed me in the back two or three times, claims Materazzi
The outspoken defender has accused the former AC Milan player and coach, who was at the helm of the Nerazzurri just over six months, of having no love for the club

 

[E.Lavezzi]

Genoa supporters halt match against Siena

Unsavoury scenes erupted at the Marassi after the hosts went down 4-0 to the Bianconeri with just 53 minutes on the clock, as ultras forced the team to remove their shirts

Apr 22, 2012 4:40:00 PM

By Livio Caferoglu

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Genoa's Serie A match against Siena was halted temporarily after disgruntled Grifoni supporters expressed their frustrations at the team's players for a below-par performance.

Alberto Malesani's men found themselves 4-0 down after only 53 minutes of play, but Luigi Giorgi's fourth goal for the visitors proved to be the final straw for many, who began throwing various items onto the pitch.

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The club's ultras then took action by blocking the entrance to the dressing room as they wanted the players to hand their jerseys over on the grounds that they were not "worthy" of the colours.

All of the Genoa players incredibly co-operated, except loan striker Giuseppe Sculli, who refused to remove his shirt, while wing-back Giandomenico Mesto broke down in tears.

Captain Marco Rossi, who was given the responsibility of taking the jerseys and passing them on to the ultras, proceeded to go over to the group of supporters in a bid to bargain with them.

In the meantime, referee Paolo Tagliavento managed to enter the dressing room, while club president Enrico Preziosi also made his way to the pitch and gathered the players in a huddle.

Sculli then appeared to try to negotiate with his shirt still on, along with Sebastien Frey, who tried to pull his back and was quoted in the Italian media as saying: "This is my shirt, we are all for Genoa."

Frey seemingly played the role of peacemaker between the ultras and players, as he then pleaded Siena to come back out onto the pitch and complete the game, which still had 37 minutes remaining.

Play finally resumed after a 40-minute delay, with the Bianconeri eventually winning 4-1. However, it is expected that a round of talks between the Genoa players and ultras will commence at the club's training complex on Monday.

 

[Lavezzi]

AC Milan's El Shaarawy donates defibrillator to former youth club

In the wake of the sudden death of Livorno's Piermario Morosini on the pitch, the promising attacker has decided to help out the side he left five years ago

Apr 24, 2012 8:26:00 AM

By Stefan Coerts

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AC Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy has donated a defibrillator to his former youth team Legino.

The act of goodwill comes in the wake of Piermario Morosini's collapse and subsequent death on the pitch during a Serie B match between Livorno and Pescara.

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AC Milan have revealed on their official website that El Shaarawy travelled to the Ruffinengo centre on Monday to present his former club with the medical device to express his gratitude for the football education he received at Legino.

The 19-year-old started his career at Legino, before leaving his boyhood team for Genoa at the age of 14.

He joined AC Milan on a co-ownership deal in the summer of 2011, after a successful loan spell at Padova the previous season.

El Shaarawy has netted twice in 20 Serie A appearances so far this term.

 

[Lavezzi]

Cavani not leaving Napoli, says De Laurentiis

The Partenopei patron has stressed that the Uruguay international is not going anywhere, but admitted that Ezequiel Lavezzi could be looking for a new challenge

Apr 24, 2012 1:15:00 PM

By Stefan Coerts

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Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has insisted that Edinson Cavani is not leaving the club at the end of the 2011-12 campaign.

The Uruguay international has continually been linked with a move to a bigger club, and refused to rule out a summer transfer earlier in April. Nevertheless, De Laurentiis does not think that the 25-year-old will say farewell to the Partenopei.

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"Cavani is a great guy and he is staying here, just like all the other players who want to remain at Napoli," he told Il Corriere dello Sport.

De Laurentiis then went on to admit that Ezequiel Lavezzi has a buy-out clause in his contract, and added that the Argentine could be on the move.

"He wanted to have that clause inserted when he signed, so there's a big chance it will be used at some point. We will just have to wait and see whether there are clubs ready to match his clause.

"Lavezzi is in my heart, but if he wants to leave, we will have to let him go if a team meets his buy-out clause."

Napoli are currently preparing for Wednesday's Serie A match away against Lecce.

 

[E.Lavezzi]

Castaignos heading for Inter exit
The talented youngster is unhappy with his lack of playing time at the Giuseppe Meazza outfit, and could be on the move in the upcoming transfer window

Juventus turn attention to Cavani
The Turin giants are determined to add a high-profile attacker to their squad in the summer transfer window, and the Napoli star has become their top priority at present

Stramaccioni: Inter can still qualify for Champions League
The Nerazzurri boss has insisted that everything is still possible in the remaining five games of the 2011-12 campaign as he has set his sights on a third-place finish

Corinthians director confirms Pato interest
The Brasileirao champions want to help the player to overcome his persistent thigh injury as they remain on the lookout for a new striker following Adriano's exit

'I know that my time will come at Inter' - Guarin
The Colombian midfielder is not fazed by the lack of playing time he has had at the club and remains upbeat about the chances of making his mark in Serie A

Palermo president Zamparini explains Panucci departure: I can't have a collaborator who causes more problems than he fixes
The eccentric Rosanero supremo, who has dismissed 20 coaches during his 10-year tenure, has explained how the pair clashed three times in just 15 days

Seedorf admits bust-up with Allegri
The former Netherlands international confessed he lost his cool with his coach but explained his boss has accepted that his outburst was borne out of frustration

Hernanes ruled out for rest of season with thigh injury
The Brazilian, who has been struggling to produce his best form in recent games, has suffered a first degree strain and requires at least a month on the sidelines

No war with Seedorf, insists Allegri
The 36-year-old Dutchman has been in and out of the starting line-up this season but the Rossoneri boss insists that relations between the two men remain cordial

Luis Enrique: Roma must prepare for life without Totti
The former Barcelona B coach admitted that the former Italy international cannot play forever and also received the support of director general Franco Baldini

Stramaccioni to drop Forlan for Udinese clash
The 36-year-old has revealed that the misfiring Uruguayan will not play from the start in the midweek fixture at Stadio Friuli as he continues to struggle for form

Cavani not leaving Napoli, says De Laurentiis
The Partenopei patron has stressed that the Uruguay international is not going anywhere, but admitted that Ezequiel Lavezzi could be looking for a new challenge

Liverpool set to face Aquilani dilemma as AC Milan decide not to keep midfielder
The Rossoneri are set to send the midfielder back to England this summer after declining to make the move permanent, forcing Kenny Dalglish's side to find him a new club

Conte: Juventus can go down in history
The Bianconeri coach has urged his side to maintain their focus until the end of the season, and stressed that winning is all that matters at this stage of the season

Italy job prevents Prandelli from taking over at Inter
The Nerazzurri have set their sights on the former Fiorentina and Parma trainer, but his obligations with the national team may prove to be a stumbling block

Leonardo to return to Inter to replace Branca - report
The Brazilian has reportedly grown unhappy in France and is keen to work in Italy again, with the Nerazzurri believed to be looking for a new sporting director

Juventus set to add third star to jersey
The Turin giants are determined to decorate their shirt in a way befitting of a side holding 30 domestic league titles, despite the Bianconeri officially having just 27 Scudetti

AC Milan's El Shaarawy donates defibrillator to former youth club
In the wake of the sudden death of Livorno's Piermario Morosini on the pitch, the promising attacker has decided to help out the side he left five years ago

Cavani wants to respect Napoli contract, says agent
The Uruguayan's representative played down rumours of a potential exit, but could not guarantee that his client will remain at the club in the upcoming transfer window

Borriello hopes for Juventus stay
The Italian striker believes that the club may buy him outright in the summer and is confident that the goals will come if he does the pre-season with the team

Diego Forlan wants to see out Inter contract, says agent
The Uruguayan striker is allegedly uninterested in a new challenge right now and wants to remain at the Italian club at least one more season after a disappointing first campaign

AC Milan duo Boateng and Thiago Silva return to training
The trequartista has not been seen since being replaced in the Champions League defeat by Barcelona at Camp Nou, while the Brazil centre-half has been out of action since March 24

Lamela handed three-game ban for spitting on Lichtsteiner
The Argentine attacker's offence was caught on camera and he will now sit out the Giallorossi's Serie A matches against Fiorentina, Napoli and Chievo

 

[E.Lavezzi]

Genoa to play remaining home games behind closed doors after crowd trouble against Siena

Supporters caused a 40-minute suspension of play at the Luigi Ferraris after throwing missiles onto the field just after the Rossoblu had gone 4-0 down

Apr 23, 2012 4:15:00 PM

By Mark Doyle

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Genoa have been ordered to play their final two home games of the Serie A season behind closed doors because of the crowd trouble which marred Sunday's clash with Siena.

The game at the Luigi Ferraris was suspended for 40 minutes after Rossoblu fans threw missiles and fireworks onto the field after seeing their side fall 4-0 behind early in the second half.

The supporters then demanded that the players remove their jerseys, claiming that they were not fit to wear the shirt.

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Consequently, Lega Calcio disciplinary officer Giampaolo Tosel has now ruled that fans will not be allowed in for Genoa's upcoming games against Cagliari and Palermo.

The Ligurians are currently 17th in the standings, just one point above the relegation zone with five games remaining.

 

[Lavezzi]

Lazio will buy three world-class players in the summer, says Lotito

The Biancocelesti supremo is keen to bolster the squad at the end of the season and revealed that Edy Reja's future at the club is not in doubt

Apr 25, 2012 2:50:00 PM

By Luis Mira

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Lazio president Claudio Lotito has said that he plans to make a number of high-profile acquisitions in the summer transfer window.

The Italian capital club's hopes of finishing in the top three and securing a Champions League place have taken a serious blow after they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Novara early on Wednesday.

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However, Lotito revealed that coach Edy Reja's long-term future at Lazio is not in danger and insisted that the club will focus on strengthening the squad in the summer.

"Reja's stay has never been a problem for us, we want to continue with our project," he toldSky Sport Italia.

"We hope to sign two or three champions so that we can also compete in Europe.

"Miroslav Klose? From what we know, he could feature in the last two matches, but it is still not a guarantee."

Lazio will visit Udinese in a key Serie A fixture on Sunday.

 

[Lavezzi]

Barcelona remind me of Inter's 1967 team, says Luis Suarez

The retired Spanish midfielder says that the Nerazzurri also lost it all in a few days during his time but insists the Catalans will be able to bounce back

Apr 25, 2012 6:30:00 PM

By Luis Mira

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Retired midfielder Luis Suarez has drawn comparisons between Barcelona's current moment and the one he experienced with Inter in 1967.

The Catalan club are all but out of the race for the Liga title after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid, which leaves them seven points behind Los Blancos, with only four matches remaining.

The Blaugrana were then eliminated from the Champions League as a result of Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Chelsea, and Suarez shared the emotions he felt with Inter when he endured a similar week.

"Losing so much in the space of a few days is a tremendous blow," Suarez told ANSA. "This is a heavy blow, even for experienced players who are used to winning.

"It must be said that the squads were very small back then and we were very tired after a tough season.

"Jair da Costa and I did not even play the European Cup final against Celtic. The disappointment was very strong and we lost to Mantova in the last match, which gave Juventus the Scudetto.

"At that time, if you did not win the Scudetto you did not qualify for the European Cup, so those defeats marked the fate of the team, which fell apart."

However, the 76-year-old has no doubt that Barca will be able to pick themselves up from their recent setbacks.

"Now it is different, the Champions League is more accessible. They have a squad filled with great players and talented youngsters. With or without Pep Guardiola, they will surely win things again."

 

[Lavezzi]

Cesena relegated from Serie A following defeat to Juventus

Mario Beretta's Seahorses have become the first side this season to drop out of the Italian top flight due to their inability to earn a winning result against the table-toppers

Apr 25, 2012 7:09:00 PM

By Livio Caferoglu

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Cesena have been relegated from Serie A after their 1-0 home defeat to Juventus on Wednesday.

The Emilia-Romagna outfit went into the clash at the Dino Manuzzi in the knowledge that only a victory would be enough to keep their unlikely hopes of staging a miraculous survival alive.

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But, despite their valiant efforts to keep the scoreline at a stalemate, it is now mathematically impossible for Cesena to extend their stay in Italy's top flight into a third consecutive season.

It has been a turbulent campaign for the Seahorses, who have overseen an alarmingly high turnover of players on their books and have made three managerial changes but to no avail.

The likes of Antonio Candreva, Adrian Mutu, Jorge Martinez and Gianluca Comotto were ambitiously snapped up last summer, while they also successfully kept want-away talisman Marco Parolo at the club.

However, the surprise decision not to retain coach Massimo Ficcadenti, who guided the side to 15th place in their first season back in Serie A since 1991, led to further unrest as three more trainers succeeded him.

Former Catania and Siena boss Marco Giampaolo was appointed as his immediate replacement, but he was sacked in October having led the team to just three points in the first nine games of 2011-12.

Daniele Arrigoni, once of Cagliari and Torino, oversaw a promising revival with four wins in his first six games at the helm, but they returned to their winless ways and he was dismissed in February.

Current incumbent Mario Beretta subsequently took charge, but he still remains without a win in 11 matches, with Marco Borriello's late winner at the Dino Manuzzi on Wednesday ending a run of five successive draws.

 

[E.Lavezzi]

Dalglish opens the door for Aquilani return to Liverpool
The Scottish manager has urged Milan to make a decision on the former Roma man's future but still insists he would welcome the on-loan midfielder back to Anfield

Ciro Ferrara: Pirlo is one of the best players ever
The former Bianconeri coach is full of praise for the deep-lying playmaker, and feels that he has made the difference for Juventus in the Serie A title race

Back for Milan & ready for Italy: Cassano has already hit the ground running ahead of Euro 2012
The striker had an ischemic stroke in October and looked set to be out until July, but just a few weeks after returning early he looks set to lead the Azzurri line at the Euros

Juventus director Marotta warns Real Madrid Vidal is not for sale
The Blancos are believed to be keen to lure the Chile international to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, but the Old Lady have no intention to sell the midfielder

Zanetti: Inter want Champions League football
The experienced Argentine has stressed that the Nerazzurri have set their sights on third spot in the table, and added they're only thinking about their own performances

Del Piero: Juventus are favourites to win Scudetto
The 37-year-old club legend thinks that the Bianconeri are in a good position to win the league but urged the team to stay alert to prevent any slip-ups in the final stages

Ranocchia: Inter believe in Champions League place
The Nerazzurri defender insisted that his side will keep fighting until the end of the season, while praising the impact of new coach Andrea Stramaccioni on the team

Thiago Silva in line for AC Milan return against Siena
The 27-year-old central defender has been out of action for a month, but he could return to Massimiliano Allegri's plans for the final games of the season

Benfica reportedly weigh up move for Juventus' Elia
The Dutch attacker has been a bit-part player at the Serie A club, which has alerted the attention of the Portuguese club, who are keen on signing a new winger

Moratti coy on Stramaccioni's future as Inter coach
The Nerazzurri are unbeaten since their former Primavera boss was appointed on an interim basis, but it has been claimed he must secure third place in order to remain at the helm

Vucinic: Just four more battles to get through to win Scudetto war
The Bianconeri need just nine points from their remaining four games to seal the title but the Montenegrin is taking nothing for granted and is viewing every fixture as a final

Prandelli buoyed by Cassano's condition after Milanello visit
The 29-year-old attacker had been considered a major doubt for the European Championship after being forced to undergo heart surgery last November, but he is now playing again

There has been no contact with Inter, says Atalanta director
The 57-year-old Avellino native has worked with a number of top clubs in Italy and is now reportedly being head-hunted by Nerazzurri supremo Massimo Moratti

Capello rules out taking over at AC Milan
The ex-Three Lions manager has stressed that he has not been approached to take over the Rossoneri, but admitted that he is eager to return to club coaching

If Juventus win the title by three points, Muntari's disallowed goal will have been decisive, claims AC Milan boss Allegri
The Rossoneri coach has revived the debate of the Ghanaian's ghost strike versus the Bianconeri as he strongly feels the contentious decision will cost his side in the end

Luis Enrique is one of the world's most talented coaches, insists De Rossi
The midfielder has offered his backing to the trainer, after he was forced to endure jeers from the crowd during the club's defeat on Wednesday against the Florence club

Marchisio: Juventus reaping the rewards of hard work
The midfielder feels that the Turin giants' extraordinary fitness levels are starting to pay off, and added that they cannot afford to underestimate any team

'I am back to my usual best again now', says Sneijder
The playmaker has stated that Wednesday's victory will only spur the Nerazzurri on in the remaining four games, and he was over the moon with his comeback from injury

Borriello scores! Italy's laughing stock finally finds the net to edge Juventus closer to Scudetto
The Bianconeri left it late to move nearer to a first title since Calciopoli, with Kevin-Prince Boateng's late winner unable to put a dent in their charge for glory

Nagatomo impresses in first full appearance under Stramaccioni
The Japan international has started on the bench throughout the month, but earned high marks from the new Nerazzurri manager following their 3-1 win at Udinese

Cambiasso backs Stramaccioni for Inter job: If you're good enough, you're old enough
The Nerazzurri's former Primavera coach is just 36 but the Argentine believes that the Roman has already done enough to prove he is a coach of immense talent

Conte on Juventus' Scudetto prospects: We're in front of a laid table and we're hungry
The Bianconeri are now just four three wins away from the title after Marco Borriello's strike earned them a 1-0 victory over Cesena at the Dino Manuzzi on Wednesday evening

Allegri focused on Scudetto race amidst ongoing speculation over his future with AC Milan
It has been reported that owner and honorary president Silvio Berlusconi has lost patience with the man who led the Rossoneri to the title in his first season at the helm

We're competing with Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter for Bremen's Wiese, reveals Hoffenheim boss Babbel
The 30-year-old Germany international will be a free agent at the end of the current campaign and has apparently attracted the interest of some of Europe's biggest clubs

Borriello dedicates winner at Cesena to former Juventus player Fortunato
The 29-year-old forward, who is on loan from Roma, scored the only goal of a game which coincided with the anniversary of the former Italy international's death

We thought Cesena had drawn with Juventus, admits AC Milan's Boateng after late winner against Genoa
A huge roar rang out around the Giuseppe Meazza which convinced the attacking midfielder and his colleagues that the Bianconeri had conceded a late equaliser at the Dino Manuzzi

Cesena relegated from Serie A following defeat to Juventus
Mario Beretta's Seahorses have become the first side this season to drop out of the Italian top flight due to their inability to earn a winning result against the table-toppers

Barcelona remind me of Inter's 1967 team, says Luis Suarez
The retired Spanish midfielder says that the Nerazzurri also lost it all in a few days during his time but insists the Catalans will be able to bounce back

Stramaccioni: Inter are now in the race for a Champions League place
The 36-year-old coach was delighted with the team's display at the Stadio Friuli and admitted that they are in contention for a top-three finish

Reja: Everything is going against Lazio now
The experienced coach said that his side are struggling on the attacking end and admitted that he is desperate for Miroslav Klose to return before the end of the season

Lazio will buy three world-class players in the summer, says Lotito
The Biancocelesti supremo is keen to bolster the squad at the end of the season and revealed that Edy Reja's future at the club is not in doubt

 

[E.Lavezzi]

Moratti plays down Guardiola link: For the future I'm thinking only of Stramaccioni

The Blaugrana boss has confirmed that he will be standing down in the summer but the Nerazzurri supremo is expecting the former Spain international to take a one-year sabbatical

Apr 27, 2012 3:30:00 PM

By Mark Doyle

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Inter president Massimo Moratti has played down speculation linking the club with outgoingBarcelona boss Pep Guardiola, insisting that he is thinking only of current coach Andrea Stramaccioni at the moment.

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Guardiola announced on Friday that he will leave Camp Nou at the end of the season, hinting that he intends to take a break from the game after four years in charge of the Blaugrana.

That has done little to quell talk that San Siro might be the Spaniard's next port of call, but Moratti does not believe that the 41-year-old will be on the market for at least another season.

"I think he'll take a sabbatical for a year," the Inter supremo told reporters on Friday. "And for the future I'm thinking only of Stramaccioni."

Moratti was keen to sing the praises of the Nerazzurri's former Primavera boss, who has led the club back into contention for a place in next season's Champions League after a five-game unbeaten run, which has featured victories over Genoa, Siena and Udinese, and draws with Cagliari and Fiorentina.

"Stramaccioni deserves a very good mark [for what he has done so far]," the oil tycoon mused.

"Against Cagliari and Fiorentina, although it didn't go well, he showed courage, and this is something that does not displease me in the least."

However, in spite of their resurgence, Inter remain three points in arrears of third-placed Lazio, two behind Napoli and one adrift of Udinese.

"We have to continue to do well," Moratti pointed out. "But we have a difficult match against Parma and then there's the derby!"

Before Inter travel to the Ennio Tardini next week, they must first tackle the already-relegated Cesena at San Siro on Sunday.

 

[E.Lavezzi]

Berlusconi plans to axe Allegri and half the current AC Milan squad - report

The ex-Italian PM is said to be disgusted that the Rossoneri are poised to end the season empty-handed and has concluded that a summer clear-out is the only way forward

Apr 27, 2012 2:50:00 PM

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AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi is planning an end-of-season cull at San Siro, which will result in the dismissal of Massimiliano Allegri as coach and the release of half of the current squad, according to Tuttosport.

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The former Italian Prime Minister is furious that the Rossoneri will likely end the season trophyless, having been dumped out of Europe by Barcelona, eliminated from the Coppa Italia by Juventus and now having slipped three points behind the Bianconeri in the race for this year's Scudetto.

Consequently, Allegri is now set to lose his job just under a year after leading Milan to the title in what was his first season at the helm, with the report claiming that Berlusconi has always remained sceptical of the 46-year-old's merits as a coach.

In addition, the media mogul also intends to offload roughly 50 per cent of the current team and bring in just seven or eight new players as he believes not only is the 33-strong senior squad lacking in quality, it is also too large.

The clear-out might not end there, either, with the position of athletic training manager Daniele Tognaccini under threat after a season in which Milan have been beset by injuries.

 

[E.Lavezzi]

Hamsik: I have signed a new contract because I believe in Napoli
The 24-year-old has complete faith in the club's project and urges the team to focus on their upcoming matches, rather than worry on the results of their rivals

Pirlo: Scudetto race against AC Milan is special
The Italy international admitted that he needed a new challenge in his career and revealed that he had no problems in adapting to life at the Turin-based club

Goran Pandev reportedly set to return to Inter in the summer
The former Lazio striker has featured infrequently for the Partenopei, which will reportedly make the San Paolo outfit decide not to buy him outright in the summer

Maarten Stekelenburg reportedly ruled out of Napoli clash
The former Ajax shot-stopper picked up a new shoulder injury during the week and will most likely not be at 100 per cent in time for the match against the Partenopei

Botafogo's Oswaldo de Oliveira confirms Seedorf interest
The Brazilian coach attested to the truth of the reports linking the club with the Dutchman, but stressed that nothing is settled yet

Spartak Moscow enter race for Sneijder - report
The Dutch trequartista was linked with a move to Anzhi Makhachkala during the January transfer window but now another Russian side has allegedly joined the hunt for his services

 

[E.Lavezzi]

Serie A preview: Milan struggling to keep pace

27 April 2012

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AC Milan face a tough task to keep pace with Juventus this weekend as they take on Siena in the Serie A, while Juve play second-bottom Novara.Siena, who are 10th on the Serie A table, have lost just once in their last six matches and they will present a tricky test for Milan who are three points behind league-leaders Juventus at the top of the league.

Milan edged past Genoa 1-0 on Wednesday thanks to a goal from Kevin-Prince Boateng.Massimo Allegri's men are the best attacking side in Serie A this season with 64 goals from 34 games.Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been the key with 24 goals in the league, but after the big Swede are a bunch of players who have chipped in at crucial times.

Boateng is one of those, having scored five league goals and a total of nine in all competitions this season, and has really proven himself as an important player for Milan as they chase back-to-back titles.Allegri will know that a win on Sunday in Siena will be critical because Juventus is almost guaranteed to win against Novara.

Novara, who are from the north-west of Italy, are highly likely to be relegated having won just six games this season and sitting eight points behind 17th-placed Genoa, who occupy the last position outside the relegation zone.The race for Italy's third and final European Champions League spot faces an interesting twist on Sunday as Lazio, who are currently third, will travel to play Udinese, who are just three points behind.

A win for Lazio will give the capital club a decent buffer over one of their major Champions League rivals. The two other contenders, Inter Milan and Napoli, take on Cesena and Roma respectively. Down the bottom of the Serie A table, Lecce can move out of the relegation zone if they get at least a draw against Parma and Genoa lose to Bologna.

In other games this weekend, Cagliari host Chievo and Catania take on Palermo in a Sicilian derby, while on Sunday, Atalanta face Fiorentina.

 

[E.Lavezzi]

Serie A wrap: Roma steal late point

29 April 2012

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Napoli moved into third in the Serie A on Saturday after a 2-2 draw with Roma but will be upset to have missed the win.The visitors looked on their way to a victory before Roma's Fabio Simplicio struck in the 87th minute to force a draw.

Roma hit the front four minutes before half-time when Marquinho smashed home Aleandro Rosi's right-wing cross, but three minutes after the break Napoli equalised when Juan Zuniga shot powerfully from outside the area past Bogdan Lobont in the home side's goal.Napoli were 2-1 up in the 67th minute after a rapid counter-attack.

Edinson Cavani ended up with the ball on the left-hand side of the box, cut inside and curled the ball inside the far post.But Walter Mazzarri's side missed out on victory when Junior Tallo crossed to Simplicio and the Brazilian midfielder volleyed the ball into the back of the net.

While Napoli moved above Lazio into third spot, Italy's final berth to next season's European Champions League, it is only on goal difference and Lazio have a game in hand.In the Sicilian derby, Palermo came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with Catania.

Catania had the better early chances and took the lead in the 25th minute when a cross from the left was nodded back across goal by Pablo Barrientos to Nicola Legrottaglie and the 35-year-old defender headed the ball into the back of the net.

But the home side's captain Fabrizio Miccoli equalised just two minutes into the second half when he ran onto a long pass and his shot beat Catania's goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo at the near post.Palermo moved above Fiorentina into 14th are now seven points clear of the relegation zone with three games to go, while Catania are eighth.

Cagliari also moved ahead of Fiorentina on Saturday with a 0-0 draw against 10th-placed Chievo.