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Ranieri: Self-esteem comes first
Inter Milan coach believes that restoring the self-esteem of the players is important in order to bring the results back to the club.
Marchisio cautious of Inter threat
Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio refuses to take Saturday's trip to Inter Milan lightly, despite the Nerazzurri's lowly position in Serie A.
Moratti: Inter not paying the penalty
Inter Milan president has played down talk of referees targeting his team ahead of their clash with Juventus on Saturday.
Matri: Juve focused on Inter clash
Juventus striker Alessandro Matri insists his side are hungry for a victory against Inter Milan at the San Siro on Saturday.
Milito: I'm staying at Inter Milan
Inter Milan striker Diego Milito insists contrary to speculation, he will not be leaving the San Siro in January.
Bonera: AC Milan regaining top form
AC Milan defender Daniele Bonera believes that the Serie A side are close to returning back to top form,
Roma eyeing shock Manchester swoop
Roma could make a shock move to bring Carlos Tevez and Rio Ferdinand from Manchester to Rome during the January transfer window.
Gago promises Roma improvement
Roma midfielder Fernando Gago has vowed his side will soon improve and reclaim their place amongst Serie A's elite.
Matri fit, but Juve have doubt over Buffon 28 October 2011
Striker Alessandro Matri is likely to feature for Juventus against Inter in Serie A on Saturday, but goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon may not.
In-form Matri, who scored the winner in a 2-1 triumph over old foe Fiorentina on Tuesday to keep his side top of the table, is eagerly anticipating the trip to San Siro.
"It's nice to be at the top, but now we have to focus on Inter. We have to think about the game on Saturday," the former Cagliari star told La Repubblica.
"We can feel this game and it will be like a marker of where we are going.
We want to do well and we are hungry (to win)."But after Inter - 16th on the Serie A table - lost their goalkeeper Julio Cesar to an adductor injury in the 1-1 draw against Atalanta on Wednesday, Juventus could be without their number one in Buffon.
La Repubblica claims the Italy international is still struggling to recover from a shoulder injury which forced him to miss Juventus' previous two Serie A matches.
Buffon had physiotherapy on Thursday, but his presence in Milan is in doubt.
Serie A preview: Inter have Juve in their sights 28 October 2011
Inter Milan, languishing fifth from the bottom of the Serie A table, have the chance to start the long climb back in Turin against leaders Juventus on Saturday.
Inter grabbed a valuable point at Atalanta in midweek and coach Claudio Ranieri will be hoping for more of the same.
Juve, who are one point clear of Udinese and Lazio, maintained their unbeaten home record on Tuesday with a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina.
Juve midfielder Claudio Marchisio is enjoying being top of the table, a position the Turin club have not held since 2006.
"It’s very nice being top of the table," Marchisio told Juventus Channel."Yet there are some regrets, as we dropped all those points along the way, so could’ve been clearer in front.
"Inter's Achilles heel this season has been penalties, conceding their fifth of the season against Atalanta.
Both clubs are set to field reserve goalkeepers with Gigi Buffon (collarbone) likely to miss for Juve and Julio Cesar (thigh) extremely doubtful for Inter.
Udinese and Lazio, hot on the heels of Juve, have tough matches against seventh-placed Palermo and Cagliari, who are in sixth.
Udinese, with striker Antonio Di Natale leading the scoring charts with six goals, lost their first league match of the season on Wednesday, 2-0 at Napoli, and will be hoping to bounce back into the title race at home to Palermo, who have collected just one point in four away matches.
Lazio, who will be keen to keep their unbeaten away record, dropped valuable home points in a 1-1 draw with Catania on Wednesday in which Miloslav Klose claimed his fifth goal of the season.
Also on Saturday, fourth-placed Napoli travel to Catania, where the hosts have drawn five times this season.
Rounding off the top five, AC Milan, on 14 points, face a tough task at Roma, despite enjoying a comfortable 4-1 win over Parma in midweek.
Antonio Nocerino hit a hat-trick as the Rossoneri maintained their unbeaten home run with their third win of the season.
But they are unlikely to have it so easy against a Roma side who had nothing to show from their midweek trek to Genoa, despite dominating for most of the 90 minutes.
On Sunday, Bologna are at home to Atalanta, Fiorentina entertain Genoa, Lecce welcome Novara, Parma host Cesena while Chievo travel to Siena.
Juventus winger Milos Krasic has dismissed rumours linking him with a January transfer, stating that he is committed to the Serie A leaders.
The Serbia international has been unable to secure regular first-team football under head coach Antonio Conte and clubs such as Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla are all believed to be keen on luring the 26-year-old away from Turin.
Nevertheless, Krasic insisted he is unaware of any interest and is determined to stay at Juventus.
"All the transfer rumours are just nonsense and I don't want to waste any time on that," Krasic told Sport.
"All the clubs mentioned are big teams and I'm flattered.
However, neither I nor my agent are aware of any of it."
"But, even if there is some truth in it that wouldn't change a thing, as all my plans are connected to Juventus.
"Krasic has a contract with Juventus until the end of the 2013-14 campaign.
Serie A wrap: Juve stay top as Inter flounder, Milan second 30 October 2011
Juventus defeated Inter Milan 2-1 on Saturday to regain the lead in Serie A after AC Milan briefly topped the table with a win over Roma.
Goals from Mirko Vucinic and Claudio Marchisio either side of a Maicon thunderbolt at San Siro ensured Juve remain unbeaten from nine league matches played this season.
Hosts Inter started the brighter of the two teams, with Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon forced into a good save to deny Giampaolo Pazzini early on, while Esteban Cambiasso's hooked effort sailed narrowly wide of the post. With just over 10 minutes gone and against the run of play, Juventus took the lead through Vucinic.
The Montenegro forward was the quickest to react after Inter shot-stopper Luca Castellazzi parried Alessandro Matri's effort, smashing the ball into the back of the net. A great finish from Maicon brought Inter back on level terms when the Brazil fullback latched onto a neat pass from Wesley Sneider before unleashing a powerful drive beyond Buffon in the 28th minute.
But just five minutes later the visitors struck again to restore their lead. This time Claudio Marchisio was the man on target, the midfielder slotting past Castellazzi following a neat one-two with Matri.
Juve could have won a penalty just before the break, but referee Nicola Rizzoli waved away their appeals after Marchisio was clumsily brought down by Castellazzi.Vucinic missed a great opportunity to grab his second of the match shortly after the restart, firing straight at the keeper from two yards out.
It was all Juve as the match drew to a close, with midfielder Andrea Pirlo and veteran striker Alessandro Del Piero both missing chances to extend the lead.The victory sees Juve top the table with 19 points, two ahead of reigning champions Milan, who are second.
The title holders briefly held first place earlier in the day after their 3-2 win away to Roma.The visitors led through Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal in the 16th minute at the Stadio Olimpico, before Nicolas Burdisso levelled for Roma.Alessandro Nesta restored Milan's advantage on 29 minutes.
And although they lost midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng to a red card in the 65th minute, Ibrahimovic made sure of the win with his second and Milan's third with 13 minutes remaining.Bojan Krkic's 86th-minute effort for Roma proved too late for the home side to mount a comeback.
Finally, goals from Giovanni Marchese and Gonzalo Bergessio saw Catania come from behind to record a surprise 2-1 win at home to Napoli, who had Mario Santana sent off just before the break.
Ibrahimovic: AC Milan tough to beat
AC Milan attacker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has warned opponents it will be difficult to beat his side if they keep up their current form.
Moratti: Ranieri not the problem Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has refused to blame Claudio Ranieri for his side's continued slump after losing 2-1 to Jvuentus.
Lazio, Udinese close gap at top
Lazio and Udinese moved back to within a point of Serie A leaders Juventus with impressive wins.
Cesena part ways with coach Giampaolo
Serie A strugglers Cesena have parted company with coach Marco Giampaolo after less than six months in charge.
Enrique rues lack of Roma tenacity
n the wake of their 3-2 loss to AC Milan on Saturday, Roma coach Luis Enrique concedes his side never really had a chance of beating the in-form Rossoneri.
Ranieri trying to keep Inter calm
Despite a 2-1 loss to Juventus, Inter Milan manager Claudio Ranieri was keen to keep his side calm.
Serie A wrap: Udinese bounce back, Lazio up to third 31 October 2011
Udinese climbed to second spot in Serie A with a 1-0 win over Palermo on Sunday, while Fiorentina also returned to winning ways.Antonio Di Natale's 38th-minute goal was enough to see Udinese take all three points at the Stadio Communale Friuli, as they bounced back from a midweek defeat to Napoli.
The win sees Francesco Guidolin's men rise above AC Milan, who had taken second place on Saturday with their 3-2 away defeat of Roma.
Milan ended the day fourth in the table after Lazio defeated Cagliari 3-0 in the late kick-off.First-half goals from Senad Lulic and Miroslav Klose, followed by Tommaso Rocchi's effort with three minutes remaining, sealed all three points for visitors Lazio at the Stadio San Elia.Edy Reja's side move up to third, level on points with Udinese and one back from leaders Juventus.
Elsewhere, Atalanta lost just their second game since being promoted back to the Italian top flight, going down 3-1 at Bologna.
Stefano Colantuono's visitors took an early lead at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, when German Denis struck in the seventh minute.But a lapse late in the first half saw Marco Di Vaio equalise from the penalty spot for Bologna.
The home side took the lead through Gaston Ramirez three minutes into the second half, before Simon Loria sealed victory with his team's third.
Fiorentina snapped a five-game winless streak with a 1-0 triumph at home to Genoa, courtesy of Andrea Lazzari's strike in the 41st minute.
Lecce and Novara both remain in the relegation zone after playing out a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Comunale Via del Mare, with Lecce's Rodney Starsser firing the hosts ahead before Marco Rigoni's equalised from the spot.
In other matches, Parma beat bottom-placed Cesena 2-0, while Siena thrashed Chievo 4-1 in the early kick-off.
Proof in Inter triumph, says Buffon 30 October 2011
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes his side's 2-1 defeat of Inter Milan prove winning Serie A title is a realistic possibility.
Goals from Mirko Vucinic and Claudio Marchisio either side of a Maicon strike were enough for Juventus to take all three points from San Siro on Saturday.
The result allowed Antonio Conte's men to maintain the pace at the top of the table, and Buffon said Juventus they can lift the Scudetto if they replicate the level of performance shown in the Derby d'Italia.
"If we keep this aggression up for the rest of the season then we will win the league," Buffon told Mediaset.
"If not, then we will go back to what we were (last season).""Yesterday (Saturday), we showed personality and rhythm. I just knew I could not be on the losing team on the night.
"Juventus travel to Napoli on Sunday in their next Serie A match.
Milan striker Cassano hospitalised 31 October 2011
AC Milan have confirmed Antonio Cassano has been taken to hospital after falling ill upon the club's return from Rome on Saturday.
The 29-year-old, who featured in the 3-2 Serie A win over Roma, complained he was feeling sick soon after the match and was subsequently taken to a local hospital in the city.
The cause of his illness is unknown, but the club released a statement revealing he would undergo medical tests to determine the extent of the problem.
"AC Milan communicates Antonio Cassano has been taken to hospital for tests after feeling sick upon arrival at Milan's Malpensa airport following the flight from Rome," the statement read.
Milan play BATE Borisov in the Champions League on Tuesday, but Cassano's presence in Belarus is now in doubt.
Moratti: Ranieri not the problem Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has refused to blame Claudio Ranieri for his side's continued slump after losing 2-1 to Jvuentus.
There appears to be no end to Nerazzurri's problems after they fell to the hands of their Turin rivals at home on Saturday.
Inter have now won just twice in their opening nine Serie A games and are currently languishing 17th in the table.
But Moratti refused to point the finger at Ranieri, who recently replaced Gian Piero Gasperini.
"In any case, the problem is not Ranieri," said Moratti to Sky Sport Italia.
"We'll just go ahead taking each match as it comes, we have to be patient. The first half against Juventus was fantastic, the second not quite so good."
The Inter supremo then went on to hint on a potential spending spree in January if the situation does not improve at the club.
"Let's hold on and see what the situation is in January," he concluded.
Inter are currently preparing for Wednesday's Champions League match at home against Lille.
Udinese attacker Antonio Di Natale has tipped Barcelona forward Lionel Messi to win this year's FIFA Ballon d'Or.
FIFA will reveal the official list of candidates for the award on November 1, but a report in El Mundo Deportivo last week suggested that Di Natale is the only Italian to have made the cut, much to the experienced forward's satisfaction.
"I support Messi to win the Ballon d'Or, because he is absolutely extraordinary. He can decide a match at any time with a moment of brilliance," Di Natale said.
"I also want Messi to win it because he's Argentine, just like my idol Diego Armando Maradona.""I was quite emotional when I heard that I've allegedly made the list. I felt like it was just a dream for the first two days, but then I actually realised that I deserve it."
The 34-year-old played a major role in Udinese's qualification for the Champions League play-offs by scoring 28 league goals last season.
Top duo fined for fans' misconduct
Inter Milan and Juventus have been fined for their fans' misbehaviour during Saturday's game at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium.
Milan: Cassano's condition improved
AC Milan striker Antonio Cassano will undergo further tests in the next few days, but his condition has improved, the club have confirmed.
Allegri: Cassano illness shocked us
AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is hoping forward Antonio Cassano can return to action after the winter break.
Cassano to undergo further tests
AC Milan forward Antonio Cassano will have further tests after being admitted to hospital following Saturday's game at Roma.
Buffon: Juventus can win Serie A
After a 2-1 win over Inter Milan, Juventus custodian Gianluigi Buffon believes his side can go all the way to win Serie A.
AC Milan deny forward Antonio Cassano suffered a mini stroke in his side's 3-2 win over Roma on Saturday.
The 29-year-old was taken to Milan's Policlinico hospital after the match and is said to have developed problems with his vision, speech and balance after the game.
Reports suggested the Italian international suffered a mini stroke, a diagnosis Milan said was purely 'hypothetical'.
A statement from the club read: "AC Milan inform that the news in circulation containing a hypothetical diagnosis on Antonio Cassano's state of health cannot be considered true as it does not come from an accredited medical source."
"AC Milan underline that Antonio Cassano is in a phase of marked improvement and in the next few days will undergo further medical examinations.
"Cassano has made nine appearances so far this season for the defending Serie A champions, finding the net on two occasions.
Lille striker Eden Hazard has revealed both Inter Milan and AC Milan tried to lure him to Italy during the off-season.
The Belgian international said on Monday he did not feel as though he was ready to leave the French champions, but thinks he is getting closer to a move away from France.
The 20-year-old was also linked with clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in August, but has now revealed the interest from Serie A was the most concrete.
"Inter made me a rather interesting offer in the summer," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"However, there was still a lot of uncertainty about who would be the coach and whether Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto'o would stay."
"Inter were not the only ones, though. AC Milan also made me an offer. They proposed that I stayed at Lille and open serious talks at the end of the season.
"Hazard - who has a contract with Lille that runs until the end of the 2014/15 season - said he will definitely not move to another French team, but said he does not have a preferred destination in mind.
"Every league has its merits, all the big clubs make me dream," he said.
Juventus striker Alessandro Matri says AC Milan are still favourites for the Serie A title despite his side's strong start to the 2011/12 campaign.
The Turin outfit are top of the table after nine unbeaten games and demonstrated their title credentials by beating Inter Milan 2-1 at the San Siro on Saturday.
But Matri believes Massimiliano Allegri's men are still the team to beat this term.
"AC Milan are the favourites for the Scudetto because they are already the champions of Italy and have great players," the 27-year-old told Tuttosport.
"Saturday's game is forgotten, we are already thinking about the next game with Napoli.
"While Walter Mazzarri's Napoli have an important Champions League tie against Bayern Munich in midweek, Matri is unsure whether this is to Juventus' advantage.
"Do we benefit because we are not in Europe? Honestly, we were hoping to be able to play in the Champions League," he said.
"Maybe from the physical point of view we will have some advantages, but in these games effort is the decider."
"From this point of view, we can count on (manager Antonio) Conte, who is good at keeping his concentration in all types of games.
"Juventus sit one point ahead of Udinese and Lazio in Serie A, with Milan two points off the pace in fourth.
AC Milan say forward Antonio Cassano could return to action in 'a few months' despite confirmation he is set to undergo heart surgery.
Cassano became ill during the flight back from Saturday's 3-2 Serie A win over Roma and was rushed to hospital after experiencing problems with his vision, movement and speech.
It was initially unclear what the mystery illness was, but Milan revealed on Wednesday that the 29-year-old suffered an ischaemic stroke.
"Having consulted with the Policlinico (hospital) in Milan, AC Milan can confirm that Antonio Cassano suffered from a cerebral problem related to an ischaemic stroke," a Milan statement read.
"The instrumental and neurological examinations needed 72 hours to be developed and demonstrated a small problem in the cerebral area which has not caused lasting damage."
"The cause has been identified as a hole between the (left and right) atriums (in the heart) which could only be detected by sophisticated equipment.
"Milan also confirmed that the Italian international will undergo minor heart surgery and will be out of action for several months."Therapy should result in a rapid recovery and improvement in his clinical condition, which is good."
"The footballer will undergo in the coming days a small heart operation (to close the hole) and the recovery period before returning to sporting activity will be several months."
Inter Milan keen on Vidic swoop
Inter Milan are keen to make a bid for Nemanja Vidic, should Cristian Chivu move on this summer.
Nedved: Juventus are unstoppable
Pavel Nedved is not surprised that Juventus are currently top of the Serie A, and believes the Bianconeri have what it takes to remain there.
Cassano to undergo heart surgery
AC Milan have confirmed that striker Antonio Cassano will undergo surgery to tackle a heart problem and is expected to be sidelined for "a few months".
Report: Juve plan shock Valencia bid
Juventus could be planning a shock January move to sign Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia.
Cesena name Arrigoni as new coach
Serie A strugglers Cesena have appointed Daniele Arrigoni as their new coach.
Inter Milan are keen to make a bid for Nemanja Vidic, should Cristian Chivu move on this summer.
According to reports in talkSPORT, both Liverpool and Manchester City are planning on snapping up the 31-year-old defender, whose deal expires at the San Siro this season. As a result, the Serie A side are looking to make a move for the Manchester United defender to fill their vacancy in defence.
Although Chivu is mainly a full-back, Chivu has been used as a centre-back by several Inter managers, and will be sorely missed. New Inter Milan manager Claudio Ranieri is looking to fill his boots with an experienced centreback, and has come to the conclusion that the Serbian is a perfect replacement.
However, it will not be easy to pry Vidic from Old Trafford, as he has recently signed a new four-year deal in August, and it will also take much persuading in order to get Sir Alex Ferguson to let the defender leave, given that Rio Ferdinand has been told he is no longer a guaranteed starter in the Scot's first team, which leaves a gap in experience with young centrebacks Phil Jones and Chris Smalling still learning their trade in the Premier League.
The Scot admitted speaking to Ferdinand about his demotion, saying: "What I explained to Rio the other day is simply this: That we have two young centre-halves coming through and I'm have very happy to have four of them, and I hope to keep the four of them for a long time, said Ferguson.
"Whereas he used to rely on his pace, he doesn't do that now, he can't do that now, that's obvious. Rio is almost 33 now and obviously he has lost a yard of pace he had five years ago. "That doesn't mean to say he can't tailor his game in a different way. Whereas he used to rely on his pace, he doesn't do that now, he can't do that now, that's obvious.
"We've all faced that deciding moment in your career when you realise you have to change your game. I did it myself as a player when I lost that real sharpness and tailored my game differently. Rio will do the same and he'll be fine. He will still play a big part for us", Ferguson concluded.
Report: Juve plan shock Valencia bid Juventus could be planning a shock January move to sign Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia.
With Milos Krasic a target of Europe's top clubs as a result of his good performances for the Turin side, the current Serie A league leaders are looking to bolster their squad with the Ecuadorian, according to reports in talkSPORT.
What is intriguing is the fact that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is also interested in Krasic himself, and could well tender a swap deal, sending Valencia to Italy in exchange for the midfield maestro.
This would help satisfy Juventus manager Antonio Conte's need for a replacement for the Serbian.
Ferguson could well deem Valencia surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, especially after the 26-year-old failed to sparkle following Ashley Young's arrival in the summer.
He was not helped by a broken ankle last season, and has been struggling with further ankle niggles ever since, which has restricted his appearances for the Red Devils.
Although he signed a new deal that extends his contract to 2015, Juventus will be keen to put in a bid for him in January to test United's resolve.
Roma chiefs back under-fire Enrique 3 November 2011
Roma general manager Franco Baldini and sporting director Walter Sabatini have backed coach Luis Enrique to turn the club's fortunes around.
The capital outfit succumbed to a fourth defeat in nine league matches following their 3-2 reverse to AC Milan last Saturday.
That led to doubts about the former Barcelona B man's credentials to spearhead new owner Thomas DiBenedetto's project at the Stadio Olimpico.
"Luis Enrique is responding 100 percent to our expectations and those of our players," Sabatini said on Monday."We are going through a transitional phase, but we have not lost a game without having been able to win."
"We understand that people are losing patience, but Luis Enrique is not the bearer of our problems."Baldini and Sabatini have offered Luis Enrique their unequivocal backing, despite disgruntled Roma fans voicing their frustrations.
Baldini told Radio Rai: "It is an ambitious project and, despite the lack of results, we will continue to support Luis Enrique."Roma sit 13th in the Serie A table and will be looking to secure three points from its away match against Novara on Saturday.
