Serie A Season 2011/2012

[E.Lavezzi]

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El Shaarawy to remain at AC Milan
Stephan El Shaarawy will not be leaving AC Milan in the January transfer window, according to his agent.

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Bonucci: Juve must aim for Scudetto
Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci believes his team-mates should not be afraid of entertaining thoughts about winning the Serie A this season.

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Ranieri ready to roll up his sleeves
Inter Milan manager Claudio Ranieri knows his struggling side will need to put together a string of good results if they hope to win silverware this season.

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Juventus line up bids for Aogo, Damiao
Juventus coach Antonio Conte is apparently not willing to rest on his laurels despite his side's fine form, and is reportedly lining up new signings in January.

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Lopez: I want to help Ibra win UCL
Catania striker Maxi Lopez has revealed he wants to help AC Milan hitman Zlatan Ibrahimovic win the UEFA Champions League.

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Robinho targets second Serie A title

AC Milan forward Robinho is looking forward to the return of Serie A next weekend in order to continue their charge for a second Scudetto.
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[E.Lavezzi]

Lopez: I want to help Ibra win UCL

Catania striker Maxi Lopez has revealed he wants to help AC Milan hitman Zlatan Ibrahimovic win the UEFA Champions League.

Lopez has recently been linked with a move to Milan after Antonio Cassano was ruled out of action indefinitely following surgery.

And earlier this week, Catania welcomed a bid from the Rossoneri by stating they would not stand in the Argentinean's way if an offer was to be tabled.

Milan CEO Adriano Galliani himself declared that a player like Lopez would likely be successful at the San Siro.

Lopez, who - like Ibrahimovic - had a fairly unsuccessful spell at Barcelona, reveals a move to Milan would interest him, and that he would like to help his Swedish counterpart win European football's biggest prize.

"[Diego] Milito and [Diego] Forlan often talk to me about the city of Milan," Lopez told Il Corriere dello Sport.

"The Rossoneri are in the top four [in Serie A] and Galliani's words made me rejoice.

"I admire Ibrahimovic. I want to help him win the Champions League."

Despite scoring just two goals in 19 appearances during his time at the Nou Camp, Lopez was a member of the Barcelona side that won the Champions League in the 2005/06 season.
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[E.Lavezzi]

Juventus line up bids for Aogo, Damiao

Juventus coach Antonio Conte is apparently not willing to rest on his laurels despite his side's fine form, and is reportedly lining up new signings in January.

The Bianconeri have had a flying start to the season under Conte, and are currently fourth in Serie A, two points behind joint leaders Udinese and Lazio having played a game less.

However, despite their impressive performances so far, Conte has reportedly identified a number of areas that could do with some improvement, and is planning to bolster his squad when the transfer window reopens in January.

Il Corriere dello Sport believe he is after some defensive cover, and is looking at Hamburg's Dennis Aogo as the perfect addition.

With Fabio Grosso and Paolo De Ceglie both failing to impress in recent weeks, Giorgio Chiellini has been forced to cover out wide.

But with Conte preferring to deploy Chiellini in the centre of defence, the €7million-rated Aogo could be set to follow Eljero Elia in moving from Hamburg to Juventus.

However, Conte is also said to be looking for another option in attack, with Sky Sports' transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio linking to Bianconeri to a €20million bid for Internacional striker Leandro Damiao.

Brazil international Damiao had been linked to Tottenham earlier in the summer, but a move never materialised.

Already this year, the 22-year-old has scored 39 times for his club.
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[Alexandre Pato]

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Azzurri boss defiant in defeat
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli saluted Uruguay for their solid work in defence but insisted they did not deserve their 1-0 victory over his side.

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Milan confirm Drogba, Anelka interest
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has revealed his club's interest in Chelsea strikers Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba.

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Inter Milan deny Guardiola talks
Inter Milan have denied speculation they have been in contact with Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola about becoming their new manager.

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Ancelotti urges Milan to sign Drogba
Former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has urged AC Milan to snap up Blues striking pair of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

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Cavani: I'm similar to Balotelli
Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani believes he fulfils the same role at his club Napoli as Mario Balotelli does at Manchester City.

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Agent: Taiwo not joining Liverpool
The agent for AC Milan left-back Taye Taiwo has rejected claims his client will move to Liverpool or Newcastle in the winter transfer window.

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Del Piero: I'll play until I turn 40
Juventus striker Alessandro del Piero has quashed retirement rumours by declaring that he intends to continue playing until he turns 40.

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Roma claim de Rossi bid was rejected

Roma once turned down a €70million (£60m) offer from Chelsea for midfielder Daniele De Rossi, according to club director Bruno Conti.​

 

[Alexandre Pato]

Ancelotti urges Milan to sign Drogba

Former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has urged AC Milan to snap up Blues striking pair of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

Both players' future at Stamford Bridge are at the tail end and so are their careers.

Meanwhile, Milan are a striker down after losing Antonio Cassano to a heart surgery last month.

And Ancelotti, who coached the Italian giants from 2001 to 2009, believes Drogba and Anelka will be useful additions to them.

"Certainly - they are great players in good physical condition," the Italian said, according to The Daily Mirror.

"They are players of great quality and attitude. I would see both of them fitting in very well at Milan - but that doesn't [mean] that one of the two are going to go."

Ancelotti also dismissed speculation that he is set to take over at French side Paris Saint Germain and insists he would like a return to the Premier League.

"I want to stay in England," he stated.
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[Alexandre Pato]

Wednesday 16th November 2011

Milan confirm Drogba, Anelka interest

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has revealed his club's interest in Chelsea strikers Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba.

The Italian champions are looking to reinforce their attacking line in the winter transfer market with Antonio Cassano ruled out indefinitely after undergoing a heart procedure earlier this month.

Anelka and Drogba are both in the final year of their contracts with Chelsea and have been linked with a move to the San Siro outfit in January.

"If Cassano returns to play in a short space of time then we will not bring a reinforcement," Galliani said as reported in Gazzetta dello Sport. "We will evaluate what to do further on.

"Perhaps only one (striker) will arrive in spring.

"Anelka? He continues to score, we shall see. He is an important player but I was in love with Drogba when he played at Marseille."
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[Alexandre Pato]

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Zanetti would love Balotelli return
Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti admits the club would welcome Mario Balotelli back.

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Inter scheming for Serie A comeback
Inter Milan boss Claudio Ranieri is hoping to replicate the feat he pulled off as Roma coach in the 2009-10 campaign by steering his side back into contention.

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Azzurri boss defiant in defeat

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli saluted Uruguay for their solid work in defence but insisted they did not deserve their 1-0 victory over his side.
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[Alexandre Pato]

Gattuso returns to Milan training

17 November 2011

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AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is recovering well from his eye problem.

The former Italy international has been out of action since the opening Serie A match against Lazio on September 9, after being diagnosed with sixth nerve palsy, a disorder which affects the movement of the eye.

It was initially feared that Gattuso would miss at least six months of action as a result, but the Serie A champions said he will return sooner than expected."AC Milan would like to inform that Gattuso has undergone a medical examination with specialist Emilio Campus at the Sant'Orsola hospital, in Bologna," a club statement read.

"It was evident that he has made significant progress and the player has received the definitive go-ahead to participate in training sessions with the squad."Earlier this week, Milan's chief medical officer Dr Rodolfo Tavana confirmed that the former Rangers man was making progress in his recovery.

"His symptoms have been improving and so he has gradually been intensifying his work load and today he trained with the squad for the first time," Dr Tavana said."We are still keeping a close eye on the player and over the next few days we will conduct further tests."

Gattuso, 33, has been at the San Siro since 1999, when he joined the club from Salernitana.

 

[Alexandre Pato]

Dunga: Pirlo ´a true Brazilian´

17 November 2011

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Former Brazil coach Carlos Dunga has described Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo as the Turin side's 'true Brazilian'.

The Bianconeri have regularly being linked with a move for Leandro Damiao, currently under contract with Internacional. But Dunga has insisted that the Serie A giants already have a samba star in their ranks.

"Juventus have a Brazilian in their team - and it's not Amauri. I am talking about Andrea Pirlo. He's the most Brazilian player of all Europeans and is Juve's true Brazilian," Dunga told Tuttosport.

"His positional sense, technique, rhythm and accurate passing. He's fantastic. He's the first player on the paper if I had to make a dream team."

"Like we say in Brazil, Pirlo has turned this Juventus into what they are now. You can see that his team-mates respect him as their new leader."

Juventus actually have two Brazil-born players under contract in striker Amauri and midfielder Felipe Melo, although the former has represented Italy at international level, while the latter is on loan at Galatasaray.

 

[Alexandre Pato]

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Inter scheming Serie A comeback
Claudio Ranieri is scheming to ensure that Inter Milan make a comeback in their Serie A title challenge.

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Zanetti: Get well soon, Burdisso
Inter Milan club captain Javier Zanetti said that Nicolas Burdisso's knee injury while playing for Argentina on Tuesday was "terrible".

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Agent: Giovinco not joining Juve
The agent for Parma midfielder Sebastian Giovinco has downplayed suggestions his client will join Juventus in the new year.

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Amauri eager to leave Juventus
With the January transfer window just around the corner, Juventus striker Amauri has expressed his eager anticipation to leave his current club.

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Roma chief confident of De Rossi talks
Roma president Thomas DiBenedetto believes that the club will be able to tie down midfielder Daniele de Rossi despite rumours of contract talks being stalled.

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Samuel: Inter are not giving up

Inter Milan defender Walter Samuel believes that despite a poor start, they have every chance to catch up to the league leaders with a good run.​

 

[Alexandre Pato]

Aquilani reveals Liverpool´s price

18 November 2011

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Alberto Aquilani said Milan will have to sign him from Liverpool for six million euros if he plays in 25 matches this term.

The Italy international midfielder is on a season-long loan deal with Milan after it became apparent that first team opportunities at Anfield would be scarce.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has selected the Italy international 13 times in all competitions so far, and Aquilani has divulged the details of a potential permanent move.

"There is a buyout fee set at six million euros and it is activated after 25 games," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I feel more assured. You can never say no to Milan. I have always had the hope of becoming a Rossoneri player."Aquilani spent last season on loan at Juventus, and believes a long term deal at the Turin club was blocked by Liverpool's large valuation of him.

"I did not expect to be bought by Juventus, the price set by Liverpool (16 million euros) was too high. Juve was an opportunity and I have used it well," he said."It was a critical step in my career as after Liverpool I needed to play continuously.

Maybe if I had not gone to Juventus I would not be at AC Milan," he concluded.The Scudetto holders play Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Saturday.

 

[Alexandre Pato]

City chasing Roma´s De Rossi

18 November 2011

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Roberto Mancini has confirmed Manchester City's interest in Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi.The Giallorossi vice-captain is out of contract at the end of the season and several of Europe's elite clubs are thought to be interested in the 28-year-old who has 70 caps for the Italian national team.

"It's difficult for a Roman player to leave the city, Romans are very fond of their specific life style and surroundings," Mancini told Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport."It wouldn't surprise me if Daniele De Rossi signs a contract extension.

Alessandro Nesta managed to move away from Rome and adapt to his new surroundings. He has a different character than Daniele though.""That doesn't mean that we're giving up on him. If De Rossi becomes available one day, Manchester City will try to sign [him], just like Real Madrid, Chelsea and all the other big clubs."

"He's a superb player and one of the few who would be able to blend in in a top team. He's a complete midfielder with a lot of quality and experience."Another Serie A player out of contract in the summer is Alessandro Del Piero, who will be leaving Juventus after almost 20 years at the Turin club, and Mancini is enthusiastic that the Italian legend can continue playing, possibly in England.

"It's kind of sad that Alessandro Del Piero is leaving Juventus, but that's the way things go. He's 37 years old, but he can still enjoy himself on the pitch," he said."Life doesn't end after Juventus. There are plenty of alternatives, perhaps the Premier League, but there are more options."

Mancini also discussed his time in England and hinted that he wishes to stay for a long time due to the country's love for football."In England, I have ended up in a nation that loves football," he said. "Now I understand why Carlo Ancelotti wants to stay here."

"It's great to work here. It doesn't all depend on the results you get.""A club sets a goal and doesn't fire its coach right away if things aren't going according to plans after 10 games. There's a completely different culture. Even coaches who got relegated were retained."

 

[Alexandre Pato]

Friday 18th November 2011

Napoli on alert as City plot raid

Napoli have been put on alert after Manchester City admitted interest in signing Marek Hamsik, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani.

City chief scout Carlo Cancellieri confirmed the Barclays Premier League club were monitoring the trio.

"I confirm the interest of Manchester City in Hamsik, Lavezzi and Cavani, and I think that this should only please the Napoli fans," Cancellieri told Radio Crc.

"Napoli are a growing team who do not want to sell their best players. The strength of Napoli is the very soul and compactness of the group.

"Cavani in particular has always been my 'bullet', a player I like a lot. Other than Ibrahimovic, Cavani is the most incisive attacker in Serie A.

And his agent knows well Manchester City's appreciation for his client."

Roberto Mancini's side face the Serie A outfit in the UEFA Champions League next week.


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Meanwhile, AC Milan have also been linked with a move for Lavezzi in the winter transfer window.

However, the Argentinean's agent insists the player is committed to the Naples-based outfit.

Milan are looking to reinforce their attack in January with striker Antonio Cassano ruled out indefinitely after undergoing a heart procedure.

 

[Alexandre Pato]

Deschamps denies Milito rumours

18 November 2011

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Marseille coach Didier Deschamps has rubbished claims his side are interested in Inter forward Diego Milito.

A report in the French press on Wednesday revealed that Marseille had made the Argentine striker their number one priority for the winter transfer window as they look to move up in the Ligue 1 standings.

Milito has been linked with a new challenge after enduring a disappointing start to his third season at the club, with the striker recently admitting he could move on once the transfer window reopens.

Questioned about the rumours, Deschamps said: "Do not read the papers. It is better than way."

Marseille are eighth in Ligue 1, 12 points off leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

 

[Alexandre Pato]

Serie A preview: Udinese aim to stay top as Lazio pin hopes on Klose

18 November 2011

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Lazio will travel to Napoli in an important Serie A clash on Saturday, hoping league leaders Udinese stumble at Parma.Level on 21 points with Udinese, second-placed Lazio travel to Naples to take on Walter Mazzarri's side, who are in indifferent form.

German striker Miroslav Klose has notched up six goals in his debut season in Italy, and he also scored during the international break.Napoli have won just one of their past four, and if they are to overcome Lazio, Uruguayan striker Edison Cavani adding to his four goals will be key.

Table-toppers Udinese travel to 15th-placed Parma looking to hold off second-placed Lazio with a convincing win.Sitting atop the scoring charts with eight goals, Antonio Di Natale will be looking to increase his tally at Stadio Ennio Tardini on Sunday.

Juventus will be out to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign when they take on fifth-placed Palermo in Turin.Antonio Conte's team is the only one yet to taste defeat in the league, but four draws in nine matches sees them in fourth.

Uruguayan striker Abel Hernandez and Fabrizio Miccoli will lead Palermo's challenge up front, while Juve midfielder Claudio Marchisio and striker Alessandro Matri are both enjoying stellar seasons.Just a point behind Lazio and Udinese, AC Milan will look to close the gap on the top two when they travel to take on Fiorentina on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Inter Milan boss Claudio Ranieri will be eager to arrest his team's slide, beginning with their clash against mid-table Cagliari at the San Siro.Diego Milito is back in the fold for Ranieri with three goals, and the Argentine needs to produce to ensure his team avoids dropping into the relegation zone.

Elsewhere, mid-table Siena take on Atalanta, Bologna kick off at home against bottom-placed Cesena, Chievo travel to Catania while Novara visit Genoa and Lecce do battle against Roma.

Match Fixtures

Saturday

Inter Milan vs Cagliari

Fiorentina vs AC Milan

Napoli vs Lazio


Sunday

Bologna vs Cesena

Catania vs Chievo

Genoa vs Novara

Juventus vs Palermo

Parma vs Udinese

Siena vs Atalanta

AS Roma vs Lecce

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[Marek Hamsik]

Hamsik commits to Napoli

19 November 2011

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Slovakian striker Marek Hamsik wants to stay at Napoli as he feels the best is yet to come for the high-flying side.

Hamsik, 24, joined Napoli from Brescia in 2007 but has been linked with a big-money move to one of Europe's top teams, with Manchester City and AC Milan the main suitors.

Despite the allure of the European giants and Sheik Mansour's millions, the Hamsik is eager to stay with Walter Mazzarri's men for the immediate future.

"We have a great relationship with our fans," Hamsik told Repubblica.it."I've been here for five seasons and now I feel like Naples is my second home.""Why will I stay in Naples? Because the best is yet to come, I'm sure. I don't believe that Napoli's cycle is at its peak. (Aurelio) de Laurentiis is building a team and the club is getting bigger and bigger," he said.

Napoli face Lazio in Serie A on Saturday before taking on the Etihad Stadium outfit in the Champions League in midweek, and Hamsik knows his side's chances of progression hang in the balance.

"The match against Manchester City is a challenge that the entire city of Naples has huge expectations over," he admitted.

 

[Marek Hamsik]

PSG tempt Palermo pair

19 November 2011

Palermo president Maurizio Zamperini is willing to sell two of the club's stars to Paris-Saint Germain.

The Parc des Princes club have supposedly been chasing the Sicilian team's Abel Hernandez and Federico Balzaretti, after buying Javier Pastore in the summer.

Despite the pair's prominence in the Serie A side, Zamperini said he could sell the players should the right offer come along.

"I often conclude other business with Leonardo and this may continue," the Italian businessman told France Football."I know he likes Balzaretti and that the player would like to move to France since his wife often works there. But he will offer me good money, otherwise the boy will remain at Palermo."

"There may be an opening for Hernandez. He has a great relationship with Pastore, who hopes the couple can be reunited.""I'll see what happens in January. Our goal as a club is always to seek out talented players, help them grow, then make a nice capital gain," he said.

Balzaretti and Hernandez have helped take Palermo to fifth in Serie A after 10 games.​

 

[Marek Hamsik]

Saturday 19th November 2011

Samuel praise for starlet Castaignos

]Inter Milan defender Walter Samuel has seen enough to be convinced that young striker Luc Castaignos will be a hit for the Nerazzurri.

Castaignos joined Inter from Feyenoord in the summer, having scored 15 goals in 30 league appearances for the Rotterdam-based outfit, and has already drawn comparisons with French legend Thierry Henry.

Inter reportedly beat off competition from the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich for the 19-year-old's signature, but the player has only featured sporadically for the Nerazzurri, struggling to force his way past Giampaolo Pazzini, Diego Forlan, Mauro Zarate and Diego Milito.

Nonetheless, Samuel believes youngsters like Castaignos are important for the future, and believes the Holland U-19 international has what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

"Our group is made up of mature players, but also of youngsters, who I hope will give their best together with us," Samuel told Inter Channel.

"We need them, and in fact, they are helping us. They're making a great contribution.

"I really like Castaignos, he moves like a true centre forward. He's difficult to mark, he's fast and he has a nose for goal.

"We just need to give him a bit more time to find his feet. He'll get better once he starts playing regularly."

Castaignos has only made three Serie A appearances for Inter so far, and is yet to net his first goal for the club.
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[Arturo Vidal]

Serie A wrap: Lazio, Milan held

20 November 2011

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Lazio top Serie A by one point following a 0-0 draw away to Napoli on Saturday, as champions AC Milan were also held at Fiorentina.

The first half of Lazio's trip to the Stadio San Paolo was forgettable; Hugo Campagnaro's wayward header was the only chance of note for hosts Napoli, while the visitors could only muster a Hernanes shot from distance.

The match came to life after the interval, with Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti stealing the show after a number of telling saves to frustrate Napoli.Ezequiel Lavezzi went close through a curling effort from range and also threatened from Edinson Cavani's flick-on, drawing good stops from Marchetti on both occasions.

Blerim Dzemaili tried to test the Lazio custodian with a vicious free-kick from 25 yards out, but his effort whistled just wide of the target.The visitors failed to make an impression at the other end, as Djibril Cisse struggled to lead the line without the assistance of an injured Miroslav Klose.

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri introduced former Lazio man Goran Pandev, on loan from Inter Milan, in an attempt to force the breakthrough.But Marchetti stood firm as the pressure mounted, superbly keeping out another Lavezzi chance with virtually the last kick of the game.

The draw leaves Lazio first, one point ahead of Udinese, who visit Parma on Sunday.Third-placed Milan are level with Udinese on 21 points, after they played out a 0-0 draw away to Fiorentina.A goalkeeper also played a decisive role at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, with Fiorentina's Artur Boruc the hero.

The Poland international produced great saves to keep out Alexandre Pato and Urby Emanuels.Despite Boruc's efforts, Milan should have found the net.Clarence Seedorf had a goal harshly ruled out for offside, and the veteran Dutchman also shot wide after being played in by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

There were goals for Milan's city rivals Inter, as strikes from Thiago Motta and Phillipe Coutinho helped Claudio Ranieri's side record a 2-1 win at home to Cagliari.A first victory in three league matches sees Inter climb to 16th place, but they are still 12 points off the lead following a disastrous start to their Serie A campaign.

 

[Arturo Vidal]

Osvaldo explains Espanyol exit

19 November 2011

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Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo still feels bad about the way he left Espanyol but says the move was pushed through by the Spanish side.

The Buenos Aires-born attacker left La Liga for Luis Enrique's men despite having a storming season at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat, where he was a fans' favourite.The 25-year-old has apologised for the move, but felt it was too good an offer to refuse.

"First of all, I want to apologise to the fans for the way and speed in which I left Espanyol," he told Mundo Deportivo."I was not lying when I said I wanted to stay at Espanyol. That was true. My agent knew this. That said, I have gone to another club to win more."

"Like any player, I'm a professional and I have a family to be supported. In addition, before the offer came, I asked if it was possible for Espanyol to recognise my contribution to the club.""I am not ungrateful. The club's response was clear: 'no'," he said.

Osvaldo has since made his debut for Italy and is happy in Rome, but has not ruled out a return to Espanyol in the future."I can assure you that I feel a deep respect for the fans of Espanyol. I feel grateful because my family and I always felt supported and made to feel at home."

"So it really hurts when I have been reading that they are very disappointed in me and call me stingy.""I love this club and its fans. And hopefully someday I can return. I had a hard decision to make. But I'm honest and I cannot say now that I am sorry because I am very happy in Rome," he said.