Monday 31 August 2009

Week 2 roundup: Milan demolished, Juve sack Rome to go top


Week two of the Serie A season saw another fantastic round of activity. The Milan derby, Roma v Juve, a derby in itself due to the 80s rivalry between the clubs, and Fiorentina v Palermo, two dark horses for the title were the stand out games of the round. Yet, suprisingly somewhat at the end of week two the city of Genoa has two teams leading the way with Juventus and Lazio sitting alongside them as the only teams remaining with a 100% record. Lets take a closer look.

AC Milan 0-4 Inter Milan
Inter ran riot against 10 man Milan on Saturday night. Milan started the better of the two sides and dominated the early passage of play, although Inter new boy Wesley Sneijder fired a cracking effort on target early on to show his arrival to Serie A. However, Milan did not make the most of their early pressure and were made to pay on 29 minutes. A wonderful through ball from Diego Milito carved open the Milan defence for Thiago Motta to strike home with effortless power. It was 2-0 seven minutes later as Eto'o was brought down by Gattuso in the box. Milito converted from the spot. Gattuso, who had asked to be substituted due to injury, was sent off for a late challenge moments later as things went from bad to worse for Milan. It got even worse moments later, as Milito again sent Maicon through who fired home to silence the Milan fans in the San Siro. The game was effectively dead after that, and the introduction of Klass Jan Huntelaar, who should have started really, made little difference. On 67 minutes Dejan Stankovic fired home a 30 yard missile into the top right corner to complete the rout.

Roma 1-3 Juventus
Roma were looking to bounce back from their defeat to Genoa last weekend but had to deal with a reborn Juventus this weekend, and it just proved to much for them. Juve were the better side in the opening exchanges, but Roma, in a packed Olimpico, were not going to give up that easily. That being said, Roma shot themselves in the foot as Casetti lost possession to Diego on the half way line and the Brazilian ran the lenght of the half holding off two defender to open the scoring with a cheeky finish. The lead didn't last long though, as De Rossi fired home an absolute missile of a drive from 30 yards after the ball was touched onto him from a free kick. Roma should have doubled their tally just before half time, but Totti wasted a chance when 1 on 1with Buffon who saved well. Roma though were looking unrepresented upfront, and Juve made the most of it when Diego scored again in a brilliant move by the Brazilian. Totti hit the post with a good effort on 80 minutes, but Felipe Melo made it 3 for Juve with a powerful run through midfield and quality finish from 20 yards out.

Fiorentina 1 - 0 Palermo
In the other big game of the weekend Fiorentina defeated Palermo in a tense encounter at the Artemio Franchi that was not without chances for both sides. Indeed, Gilardino should have put Fiorentina ahead early on but for a stunning block from Palermo's Kjaer. However, Jovetic again came to the rescue for Fiorentina and put them ahead by touching on a through ball into the bottom corner. Palermo though fought back and Miccoli tested Frey later on. Indeed, Igor Budan should have leveled the scores for Palermo late on, but his header was just a couple of inches to high as Frey was motionless. Fiorentina took the points, and remain unbeaten so far.

Chievo Verona 1 - 2 Lazio
Lazio continued their great start to the season, but again looked unconvincing in the middle of the park. Lazio started the brighter of the two teams, and Mauro Zarate nearly put the Aquile ahead with a thunderous freekick that hit the post with the keeper well beaten. As it was, Chievo took the lead through Sergio Pellisier who was left unmarked in the box again highlighting the defensive frailties that haunted Lazio last season. Chievo were putting Lazio under pressure now, and had the ball in the net again only for it to be ruled no goal for offside. Lazio equalised from the spot on 36 minutes through Julio Cruz after a somewhat soft spot kick had been awarded their way. However, there was no denying the brilliance of the winning goal. Mauri laid the ball of to Zarate who played a wonderful ball through the Verona backline for Cruz to tap in at the back post. The joy was short lived though, as Cribari was sent off on 60 minutes to send Lazio down to ten men. Lazio held on, just, but again the lack of Ledesma in midfield forced him into not using attacking talents Foggia and Eliseu. The Aquile must sort this out, else there passage at the top of the table could be short lived.

Elsewhere in Serie A
Both Genoa and Sampdoria maintained their 100% record so far this season, albeit after only two games. Genoa won away in Atalanta, which is a result to be respected as many a big side fell their last season. Emiliano Moretti headed Genoa in front on 45 minutes as they look too break into the top four this season. Sampdoria again were very impressive, and beat Udinese 3-1 at home at the Marassi. Giampaolo Pazzini gave them the lead, and new signing Manini from Napoli doubled the score. Di Natale pulled on back, but Cassano completed the win with a stunning individual goal.

Napoli showed why, especially at home, they should be feared by downing Livorno 3-1. Quagliarella put them ahead with a smart volley, and moments earlier had hit the bar with a fantastic effort from 40 yards out. Hamsik doubled their lead after weaving his way through their defence and applying a cool finish. Crstiano Lucarelli pulled on back for Livorno, but Fabio Quagliarella completed a wonderful home debut by making it 3-1 late on.

Siena suprisingly won away at Cagliari thanks to two Calaio goals and a final 3-1 scoreline, while Bari and Bologna played out a 0-0 draw to make sure that both of those sides pick up another point at the start of the season. Parma, a team who I believe will stay up with ease this year, continued their fine start by beating Catania 2-1 at the Tardini. Paloshi gave them the lead and after Catania drew level new boy Daniele Galloppa scored with a curling effort from outside of the box to give them the three points. After signing Cristian Zaccardo from Wolsberg and adding experienced hitman Nicola Amoruso and midfielder Blerim Dzemaili from Torino today, Parma should ensure midtable status.

Coming tomorrow, all the fallout from the last day on the transfer market

Thursday 27 August 2009

Europa League, Champions League, Calcio Mercato


Europa League: All Italian sides go through

It was a good evening in general for the Italian sides in Europe. All three sides, Lazio, Roma and Genoa, have made it through to the group stages of the Europa League.

Elfsborg 1-0 Lazio, Lazio win 3-1 on agg
Lazio traveled to Sweden with a three goal advantage and looked to consolodate their decent form of late. Talisman Tomasso Rocchi should have put Lazio in front after 28 minutes or so in the first half, but his effort was saved well from six yards out. It was 0-0 at half time, but Elfsborg came out fighting. Lazio were content to sit back and absolrb pressure, but they did rely on some outstanding saves from young keeper Nando Muslera. Elfsborg broke the deadlock on 70 minutes with a headed goal, but despite being pushed back Lazio never really looked in any significant danger. Zarate was introduced and gave Lazio more ambition up front, but that did not last long as the outstanding wing back Kolarov was sent off for a dangerous tackle as tempers flared in Sweden. It finished 1-0, and was a timley reminder to Claudio Lotito that Lazio do need more midfield strength whether it be through dissenti Ledesma or the much admired Gaetano D'Agostino.

Roma 7-1 Kosice , Roma win 10-4 on agg
Roma absolutely ran riot in Rome tonight. The tie was dead after eight minutes during which Roma has scored three times, twice through Totti. It was 5-1 by half time after Alessio Cerci and Jeremy Menez added a fourth and fifth after Francesco Totti decided to un wrap some of his party piece tricks by supplying Menez with a checky back heel. Poor old Kosice did not know what had hit. For them it only got worse, as late on Riise added goal number six and Totti then completed his hatrick.

Odense 1-1 Genoa , Genoa win 4-2 on agg
Genoa completed a good end to a good start of the season by ensuring their participation in the group phase of the Europa League. This one was a lively game in Denmark in which the Danish side gave themselves a great chance of going through by taking the lead just before half time to put the Grifoni under pressure. Watching this, I admit, I was concerned for them. One goal more and Odense would be going through, but eight minutes into the second half Genoa confirmed their superiority. Domenico Criscito fired home a strong left footed shot from the left hand side of the D. Effectively that killed the game and it ended 1-1.

Elsewhere in the Europa League

Villareal confirmed why they are one of the favourites for this title by also running up a cricket score at home in Spain. Valencia are through as well as Everton, Fulham, Athletico Bilbao, Hamburg, Werder Bremen and Hertha Berlin. Ajax are through as well, but Aston Villa and former holders Zenit St Petersburg have crashed out tonight.

Champions League
The draw was made for the Champions league today, and an ironic one it was at that. Milan will face Real Madrid, Marseille and FC Zurich. So, Kaka will face his former employer in the Rossoneri. What reception will he receive at the San Siro? Inter have been group with Barcelona, Dianamo Kiev and Rubin Kazan. So, in another touch of irony Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return to the San Siro quicker than he initially expected. Juventus have been grouped with Bayern Munich, Bordeaux and Maccabi Haifa in a more balanced group but one I expect them to top nonetheless. Fiorentina will make the trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, and will also play Lyon and Debrecen of Hungary. An interesting draw with many interesting permutations.


Calcio Mercato
Reports are eminating that Inter Milan have finally signed Dutch International creative midfielder Wesley Sneijder from Real Madrid. This is a great coup for them as the Ducth exodus continues at Madrid, with Klass Jan Huntelaar having already left for AC Milan and today glass man Arjen Robben reportedly having been signed fby Bayern. I will be watching how the Sneijder move developed, and it should be confirmed soon.

Wednesday 26 August 2009

Champions League: Fiorentina make it through


Fiorentina have made it through to the champions league group stages for the second consecutive season. Thus, Serie A has four teams in the Champions League draw for the 2009/2010 campaign. They made it difficult for themselves though and continued their shaky start to this season. After a draw in Bologna at the weekend Fiorentina have today strengthened their squad by signing Lazio want away wing back Lorenzo De Silvestri yet he was not in the squad for tonight's game. It was at first end to end stuff with Fiorentina and Sporting Lisbon carrying much in the same way as they did in the first leg last week. Vargas looked sharp once more for Fiorentina and pulled much of the strings for them during the first 30 minutes or so. However, Sporting took the lead through a stunning Moutinho free kick that left Frey stranded. Fiorentina were shell shocked and could have fallen further behind before the break. However, teenage sensation Stevan Jovetic was introduced for the second half and should have scored immediately but dragged his effort wide. The Florentine faithful were understandably disappointed but they did not have to wait much longer to have something to cheer about. Stefan Jovetic showed all the composer to suggest that the comparisons with Roberto Baggio are not unfounded. His first touch offset the defender and then he slid the ball home. Fiorentina then asserted their quality on the game and could have taken the lead themselves, but it ended 1-1 and Fiorentina will be in tomorrows draw as they embark on their second straight Champions League campaign.

Calcio Mercato
Roma finally made a significant signing this summer as they captured Nicolas Burdisso on loan to sure up their defence. Napoli have offloaded Zalayeta to Bologna for around 4 million, and Livorno have added Nelson Rivas to their defence as Inter continue to trim down their squad. Fiorentina also began to add to their squad as a long season looms on the horizon for them now Champions League qualification has been assured. Their defence has been sured up with the signing of Lorenzo De Silvestri, a right back, from Lazio for around 6 million Euros. For Lazio one of their three 'dissenti' has now been shifted, and reports have suggested that the other two, Goran Pandev and Cristian Ledesma, may be on their way to Udinese in a swap deal for Gaetano D'Agostino. Time will tell over this one. One signing that does look more plausible for Lazio is defender Michele Canini from Cagliari. They highly rated young stopper could make his way to the Capital on a loan and then buy deal, a reports suggest this deal is very likely and negotiations are underway, with Lazio defender Stendardo going the other direction.

Monday 24 August 2009

Round One: Just great to be back

An impressive and entertaining start to the Serie A season saw some incredibly close, tense and pulsating encounters. The battle lines were well and truly drawn, with Milan proving the doubters wrong, so far, and Genoa continuing their splendid form from last season. Some new signings impressed as well.

Bologna 1-1 Fiorentina
Bologna deserved a point in the fixture that kicked off the 2009/2010 Serie A season. Bologna were without Di Vaio, but took the lead in this entertaining fixture through former Fiorentina man Pablo Osvaldo after some woeful marking by the suspect Fiorentina defence allowed him to head home unmarked. Bologna looked good, but so did the Viola and they poured forward in search of an equalizer, with Donadel going close just before half time. Mutu was introduced at half time, and to great effect. From a Viola corner, Mutu had time and space to send a thunderous, and unstoppable, effort into the top right corner. It was a stunning finish. yet, it ended 1-1, although both sides will be happy not to loose on opening day.

Siena 1 -2 AC Milan
Milan showed that their is life after Kaka in this entertaining clash at the Artemio Franchi in Siena. It was all Siena in the early going, with them pouring forward and putting the back line under pressure. However, Milan survived this onslaught and began to take control. Boy wonder Pato had a thunderous effort skim the woodwork, and shortly after had a goal disallowed after he nodded home a Ronaldinho freekick in an offside position. Yet this was a prelude for what was to come. Ronaldinho started to run the game, and supplied Pato with a stunning through ball that the young Brazilian slotted home. However, Siena levelled the tie with Ghezzal latching onto a ball at the back post leaving Storari stranded. After the break Milan again took the lead, with Ronaldinhho again splitting the defence with a pass to Flamini who fed Pato for his second goal at the back post. It could have been 3-1 later on with Ronaldinho's stunning overhead kick just deflected over. Pato almost got his hatrick late on, again with a Ronaldinho through ball, but just hit the side netting. A good game in which both sides looked pretty decent.

Inter Milan 1-1 Bari
Inter stuttered to a home draw against the Serie B champions who almost stole a win right at the death. Diego Milito, Lucio, Thiago Motta and Sammy Eto'o had their debuts at the San Siro. Miltio had the best chance in the early going after being fed through by Muntari, but blasted the ball over the bar. Inter though did not see as much of the ball as they would have wanted, as Bari failed to read the script and worked their way into the game. However, Mourinho introduced Quaresma in the second half to inject some creativity and it lead to a penalty kick as Milito was brought down in the area. Eto'o stepped up and sent the keeper right, and the ball in the bottom left. Yet Inter failed to add to their lead, and this allowed Bari back into the game, with even Eto'o missing an open goal. Bari drew level though through a well taken Kutuzov goal. In late injury time Bari should have taken all three points as substitute Rivas worked his way past the entire Inter defence yet shot well over.

Juventus 1 - 0 Chievo Verona
Juve got their Scudetto chasing campaign off to a good start by defeating Chievo. Diego supplied a wonderful ball to feed Iaqunita early on who headed home in splendid fashion to give Juve a 1-0 advantage. Iaquinta almost made it two later on, but was denied brilliantly by Chievo keeper Sorrentino kept out with his leg. Chievo were not dominated though, and felt they had a penalty shout when Grygera tugged Pellissier. However, Amauri really should have made it 2-0 after that. Diego again was at the heart of the play and played Amauri a ball that the Brazilian smashed against the post. 1-0 it finished.

Lazio 1 - 0 Atalanta
Lazio continued their great form by defeating a talented Atalanta outfit by 1-0. Indeed, Atalanta look like a very strong outfit this season with Acquafresca and Doni up front and Tibero Guarante and Edgar Baretto pulling the strings in midfield. Yet, after only a couple of minutes Lazio should have been infront thanks to a great ball by Mauro Zarate, but Rocchi shot wide. Yet, Rocchi didnt waste his second chance, and after a splendid ball by Foggia that split the defence Rocchi converted well. Zarate though was on fire, and nearly scored a wonder goal later on after waltzing through their entire backline only to be tackled just before he pulled the trigger. Atalanta had their chances though, and Acquafresca should have drawn them level but shot wide instead. After the break AAcquafrescaagain should have made it 1-1, but somehow missed the target completely from 10 yards out. Lazio got back into their grove though, and only more power on a volley by Rocchi would have seen the score made 2-0. Cruz came on for Rocchi, and nearly scored himself but just didn't get enough purchase on the shot. Lazio held on though, and picked up the three points.

Palermo 2-1 Napoli
Two of the teams that invested a lot of money this summer clashed on opening day, and it was the Azzurri of Naples that left disappointed. Palermo took the lead through sensation Edison Cavani who tapped in to make it 1-0, although up until this point Napoli were on top after rattling the woodwork on a couple of occasions. Napoli drew level in the second half through Marek Hamsik who belted one home from 25 yards, but Palermo sealed the win through a Miccoli spot kick and began their season on the right note. Napoli will look to atone next week at the fearsome San Paolo against Livorno.

Genoa 3-2 AS Roma
In perhaps the biggest clash of the round last season's 5th and 6th place teams faced off, and what a game it was. Genoa had many new signings on display and Roma had much quality to and new signing in Argentine International Nicolas Burdisso on show as well. Both sides had chances in the first half, but in the second the game came alive. Palacio and Criscito were introduced and the latter gave the Grifoni the lead with a volley. The lead did not last long as Rodrigo Taddei tapped in after Menez's header was parried. Roma went one better and took the lead through Talisman Totti who redirected a shot from distance. Spaniard Zapater made it a debut to remember though, as he fired home a stunning freekick to make it 2-2. Incredibly Genoa snatched the win. Sculli's volley was blocked by Artur but not well enough as Biava slotted home for Genoa to take a huge scalp.

Catania 1-2 Sampdoria
Sampdoria got their season of to a winning start in one of the toughest places to win in Italy. Catania is a difficult place to go, but Giampaolo Pazzini started from where he left of last season by opening the scoring after eight minutes by tapping in from a Cassano assist. Catania drew level in the second half though through the excellent Morimoto. Yet, this was not enough for Catania as Gasteldello secured the win deep in stoppages by heading home the winner.

Udinese 2-2 Parma
Parma impressed in Udine on their return to Serie A and will be dissapointed not to have taken all three points. Paloschi opened the scoring just before the break, but after Udinese equilised through Totto Di Natale who converted from the spot. Parma again got themselves in front through a Lucarelli header, but Udinese hero Di Natale restored parity at the death.

Livorno 0-0 Cagliari
Livorno and Cagliari both picked up a point to get their seasons of to a solid start. Both sides had their chances but both will not be disappointed to have avoided defeat in the first week.


So, week one is over and the battle lines have been drawn. Inter struggled, and now perhaps they are the underdogs for next weeks Milan derby. Roma were defeated and will have to pick themselves up next week against.....Juventus! A couple of cracking fixtures there, and with Palermo dropping into Fiorentina, Lazio into Verona and Udinese clashing with Sampdoria week two looks set to be an absolute cracker.

Thursday 20 August 2009

EUROPA LEAGUE: Good start for Italian teams

Genoa, Lazio and Roma will all be confident in progressing to the group stages of the Europa League. All three teams will fancy their chances in going deep in this competition. But there are quality sides in it. Hamburg, Villareal, Aston Villa, Everton, Werder Bremen, Valencia and champions Shakhtar Donetsk will be difficult opposition, not to mention the Champions League drop outs from the qualifying rounds and group stages of that Competition. This could include at the moment Panathanikos, Celtic, Sporting Lisbon and Anderlect amongst others, though this will be subject to chance depending upon next weeks Champions League return qualifiers.

Koscise 3 - 3 AS Roma
Roma, playing away from home, blew a 3-1 lead to eventually be pegged back to 3-3 against minnows Koscise earlier on today. They fell behind after just five minutes but talisman Francesco Totti drew them level from the spot later in the first half. Early in the second Jeremy Menez pulled il Lupi ahead and then on 67 minutes Francesco Totti gave them a two goal lead that looked to have won the tie already for Roma. However, Jan Novaks two goals leveled the tie and left Roma with a little work to do in Rome next week. Still, at home and with three away goals you would expect them to progress.

Genoa 3 - 1 Odense
Genoa made a great return to European action tonight beating Danish side Odense 3-1 at home. There last appearance in European competition was in 1991. They made light work of Odense though. Sculli's shot was parried only for Emilano Moretti to put off Sorenson and for him to turn the ball into his own net. However the Danish side did not give up and tested Genoa for the rest of the first half, coming close after hitting the woodwork. Still after the break Genoa doubled their lead. Argentine Luis Figueroa headed in to make the scoreline more comfortable and then he doubled his talley after Sculli was again involved by hiting the bar. Figueroa made it 3-0 on a follow up. Odense pulled one back later on to give them a chance in this tie, but Genoa take a two goal advantage to Denmark for next weeks second leg.

Lazio 3 - 0 Elfsborg
Lazio dominated the Swedish opposition after the first goal. Before that moment Elfsborg had a chance to take the lead thanks to sloppy Lazio defending but they failed to capitalise on their moment in the Italian Capital. Alex Kolarov though did not fail, and after bombing down the left wing and fired in a left foot missile from a tight angle leaving the keeper with no chance whatsoever. Argentine wonder kid Zarate doubled the lead moments later as he continues to make his case for the Argentine squad. After waltzing round the Elfsborg defence Zarate launched a right foot drive from 25 yards out that found its way into the bottom corner, again leaving the keeper with no chance. In the second half Lazio kept possession well and Zarate kept on waltzing round the Elfsborg defence. He did it again on 69 minutes and supplied a magnificent ball to Stefano Mauri who applied a consummate finish. 3-0. That was how it ended and you would think Lazio are all but through before their season opener with Atalanta on Sunday night.

Elsewhere in the Europa League: Best of the rest
Valencia, Hamburg, Werder Bremen, Villareal, Shaktar Donetsk, FC Twente and Everton all began their campaigns with Commanding wins tonight. PSV scraped a 1-0 away win while Ajax were dominant at home winning 5-0. The surprise of the night was Rapid Vienna downing Aston Villa by 1-0. Can Vienna hold on and pull off a shock? Time will tell. A lot of big names in this competition this year and it will be interesting to see who is drawn against who in the group stages.

Wednesday 19 August 2009

Serie A Season Preview: 2009/2010

Finally, the Summer draws to a close and football can begin again. Today I bring you a preview of each team in Serie A after a frenzied summer of transfer activity begins to draw to a close. Side by side, keyarrival and key departures, the likely battle that will ensue. Let it begin.

Atalanta
Stadium / Average attendance: Azzurri D'Italia / 12,231
Last Season: 11th
Key arrivals: Robert Acquafresca, Simone Tiribocchi, Edgar Baretto
Key departures: Sergio Floccari, Luca Cigarini.
Target: Midtable
A few words: After a decent season in which the Bergamo side defeated Inter, Roma and Lazio at home Atalanta should look to consolidate their midtable position. Aquafresca should replace the goals of Floccari.

Bari
Stadium / Average attendance: San Nicola / 15,345 (Serie B)
Last Season: 1st Serie B
Key arrivals: Langella, Paro.
Key departures: Lazanfame, Guberti
Target: Survival
A few words: Back into the big league after a long exodus Bari will do well to survive. Today they have been reportedly bought out by an American businessman. They will need investment to beat the drop.

Bologna
Stadium / Average attendance: Renato Dall'Ara / 20,762
Last Season: 17th
Key arrivals: Guana, Portanova, Santos, Tedesco
Key departures: Cesar, Volpi, Terzi.
Target: Survival
A few words: After survival on the last day this season, Bologna will look to make it more comfortable this time around. A partner for Di Vaio is required but the signing of Portanovo seems inspired. Must survive, a club who can generate 34,ooo fans easily on its day is one worth keeping in Serie A.

Cagliari
Stadium / Average attendance: Sant'Elia / Unknown
Last season: 9th
Key arrivals: Nene, Barone, Dessena
Key departures: Acquafresca
Target: Midtable
A few words: A Europa league place is probably out of the question, but Cagliari should survive easily and push on towards the top half. Biondini, Matri, Jeda and Marchetti remain. Strong signings in Danielle Dessena, Simone Barone and forward Nene will make Cagliari difficult to beat on home turf.

Catania
Stadium / Average attendance: Angelo Massimino / 18,167
Last Season: 15th
Key arrivals: Barrientos, Plasmati, Delvecchio,
Key departures: Bizzari, Paolucchi, Stovini
Target: Survival
A few words: A tough side to beat at home, Catania make the most of their island retreat to turn their stadium into a formidable atmosphere. They have been one of the most active teams on the market so their is a question over whether the side will gel. With 11 home wins and only 1 away Catania will need to pick up their road form if they want to be comfortably clear of the drop zone.

Chievo Verona
Stadium / Average attendance: Marc'Antonio Bentegodi / 13,352
Last season: 16th
Key arrivals: Gasperetto, Sorrentino,
Key departures: Langella
Target: Survival
A few words: A tricky side to play against, especially in the second half of the last season taking points of Juve away and Inter at home. Few quality additions have arrived although they still have retained Italy international forward Sergio Pellisier.

Fiorentina
Stadium / Average attendance: Artemio Franchi / 31,200
Last Season: 4th
Key arrivals: Cristiano Zanetti, Natali, Marchionni, Castillo
Key departures: Felipe Melo, Semioli
Target: Top four Champions league qualification
A few words: A quality team no doubt, but they surely lack the components to challenge for the title. Zanetti is a quality addition but a right back is still required also. If Montolivio continues to develop then perhaps they can push the top three.

Genoa
Stadium / Average attendance: Luigi Ferraris / 26,583
Last Season: 5th
Key arrivals: Crespo, Floccari, Kharja, Palacio, Zapater, Moretti, Amelia, Pele.
Key departures: Thiago Motta, Rubinho, Diego Milito
Target: Top six Europa League place / Europa League title
A few words: Potentially Genoa could reach even higher than top six, but much depends on whether the new additions gel. If they do then Genoa may reach a champions league place. A team to watch.

Inter Milan
Stadium / Average attendance: San Siro / 55,345
Last season: 1st
Key arrivals: Eto'o, Lucio, Diego Milito, Thiago Motta, Marko Arnautovic
Key departures: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Maxwell, Cruz, Crespo.
Target: Scudetto, Champions League.
A few words: It will be tougher for Inter this year with Juve looking much stronger and a potentially unpredictable Milan but nonetheless they remain favourites. Going deep in the Champions League is a must. A trequartista still is required though...

Juventus
Stadium / Average attendance: Olimpico di Torino / 22,396
Last season: 2nd
Key arrivals: Diego, Felipe Melo, Fabio Cannavaro, Caceres.
Key departures: Mellberg, Zanetti, Marchionni.
Target: Scudetto, Champions League
A few words: Juve look far better this season. Still waiting for their new stadium to be complete they remain in the small Olimpico. Diego looks an awesome buy and Felipe Melo is now firmly established in the Brazil side and in Serie A. Amauri, Iaqunita, Trezeguet, Giovinco and Del Piero give Juve one of the best forward lines in Europe.

Lazio
Stadium / Average attendance: Stadio Olimpico / 34,626
Last season: 10th
Key arrivals: Eliseu, Bizzarri, Julio Cruz
Key departures: Rozenhal, Carrizo
Target: Top six / Europa League title
A few words: The Coppa Italia and Italian Super cup holders have struggled in the league for the past two seasons. Much depends on the retention of Cristian Ledesma. With him holding a defensive line the likes of Foggia, Eliseu and Zarate will be able to play higher up and reek havok on opposition defences. Could finish anywhere from 4th to 10th in Serie A, capable of beating anyone but capable of loosing to anyone at the same time. Will new coach Ballardini change this mentality?

Livorno
Stadium / average attendance: Armando Picchi / 7,851 (Serie B)
Last season: 3rd Serie B
Key arrivals: Cristiano Lucarelli
Key departures: Bonetto
Target: Survival
A few words: After a season in Serie B the tuscan club bounce back to Serie A. Don't expect them to remain though. Forwards Tavano and Diamati remain but they will do well to keep them out of the drop zone.

AC Milan
Stadium / average attendance: San Siro / 59,731
Last season: 3rd
Key arrivals: Huntelaar, Onyewu, Silva, Abate, Roma, Storari.
key departures: Kaka, Shevchenko
Target: Scudetto / Champions League quarter finals
A few words: Kaka may have gone but Milan remain a title contender. The development of Pato is frightning for opposition defenders. Huntelaar virtually guarantees goals. Boriello is fit again. If Ronaldinho can get back to somewhere near his best Milan will do damage. Nesta returns from a years layoff and is joined by Brazil revelation Thiago Silva in defence. Written off by many, but not by me.

Napoli
Stadium / average attendance: Sao Paolo / 40,000
Last season: 12th
Key arrivals: Fabio Quagliarella, Luca Cigarini, Juan Zuinga, Morgan De Sanctis.
Key departures: Mannini
Target: Top six, perhaps top four
A few words: Napoli died a death last season after a wonderful start. Hamsik and Lavezzi remain and Datolo and Denis are looking to develop again in their second season. The arrival of Quagliarella and Cigarini ensures further creativity and with Morgan De Sanctis in goal Napoli finally look solid at the back. One to watch.

Palermo
Stadium / average attendance: Renzo Barbera / 23,228
Last Season: 8th
Key arrivals: Bertolo, Pastore, Goian.
Key departures: Amelia
Target: Top six
A few words: yet another side with the ability to make the top six. Palermo have added to the quality of their squad well. Kjaer and Cavani are developing from breakout seasons and Miccoli, Simplicio and Liverani remain. New keeper Rubinho adds to the quality of the defence. A genuine threat to anyone now and confirm the growing depth to Serie A. With Walter Zenga in charge expect them to be almost unbeatable at home.

Parma
Stadium / average attendance: Ennio Tardini / 10,301 (Serie B)
Last Season: 2nd (Serie B)
Key arrivals: Boijinov, Panucci, Galloppa, Dellafiore, Lanzafame,
Key departures: Reginaldo, Lucarelli,.
Target: survival
A few words: After a year in the Cadetti following years of success in Serie A during the 90s Parma have bounced back comfortably into Serie A. Forward Paloschi is one of the hot prospects in Italian football. The Milan owned youngster has Serie A experience already and will likely gel well with Valeri Boijinov. Goals are there for the Parma side and promising midfielder Galloppa joins from Siena.

Roma
Stadium / average attendance: Stadio Olimpico / 39,396
Last Season: 6th
Key arrivals: Guberti, Okaka, Esposito
Key departures: Panucci, Aquilani.
Target: Top four, possible Scudetto challenge / Europa League title
A few words: Many have written off il Lupi this season before it has already begun. But that is a dangerous thing to do. Last season was shambolic, there defence at times was woeful. But, the key components remain in De Rossi, Mexes, Juan, Pizzaro and Totti and the league should be their priority although they start as favourites for the Europa League. Having said all that, other clubs have improved and if they don't start well this will not be an easy season. That goes for everyone however.

Sampdoria
Stadium / average attendance: Luigi Ferraris
Last Season: 13th
Key arrivals: Zauri, Bonazzolli, Mannini, Semioli
Key departures: Da Costa, Campagnaro
Target: Europa League
A few words: After a quite season last year Sampdoria will be looking to get back into the top half of the table. They have one of the best forward lines in the league with Pazzini and Cassano up front and with promising younger Marilungo coming through. Palombo remains the heartbeat of the side and Semioli from Fiorentina will give them some quality experience and some width as he arrives today but there are question marks over the back line. Still, they remain a dangerous force at home beating Milan, Sevilla and Lazio there last season. A dark horse this season.

Siena
Stadium / average attendance: Artemio Franchi / 11,026
Last season: 14th
Key arrivals: Paolucci, Terzi
Key departures: Galloppa, Kharja, Zuinga, Frick, Portanova
Target: Survival
A few words: I like Siena as a side, passionate and usually surviving against the odds. But, this season could be too much for them. They have lost three of their best players, one in defence, midfield and attack. Galloppa, Kharja, Portanova and Zuinga have left for pastures new and there has been little way of returns for them. Terzi has arrived today and the promising Reginaldo has also but they will need to maintain their good home form, 9-5-5 last season, if they are to avoid the drop. It will be a struggle for them this season.

Udinese
Stadium / average attendance: Friuli / 16,880
Last season: 7th
Key arrivals: Bernado Corradi, Alemao
Key departures: Fabio Quagliarella
Target: Europa League qualification
A few words: A great start to the season and a fantastic finish last year. Shame about the middle part of it where they went something like 13 games without a win. Udinese showed again that they are a force in Serie A beating Juve and Milan at home and reaching the quarter finals in the UEFA cup. The key elements of their squad remain. Di Natale, D'Agostino, who was linked with Juve and Real Madrid and Simone Pepe make for a quality attack. Corradi should get goals and the development of hot prospects Kwadwo Asamoah and Alexi Sanchez will be interesting to watch. The young Asamoah looks like an outstanding prospect.


So, let it begin. With so many teams having spent so much money expectations will be high and it wont be long before a manager gets his marching orders. Serie A begins on Saturday at 18.00 CET with Bologna v Fiorentina and then at 20.45 CET with Siena v Milan.

Tuesday 18 August 2009

Champions League: Sporting Lisbon 2 - 2 Fiorentina

A tense affair in Lisbon tonight saw Fiorentina snatch a slight advantage in their quest for the Champions League group stages. This is Fiorentina's second straight season in the competition after being drawn in the group of death in last seasons tournament. Fiorentina did well last year taking points off Lyon away from home and Bayern Munich at home but perhaps lacked the experience to reach the second round. However, tonight in Lisbon they showed the character that should see them into the group stages and perhaps beyond up against a team that did make the second round last year finishing runners up to eventual winners Barcelona in their group.

Fiorentina started well and had the lead after only six minutes. Manuel Vargas added to his growing reputation by firing home from distance, as usual, to give the Viola the lead. Sporting came close just before half time, but a Postiga volley went just wide of the post. However, Sporting drew level on 59 minutes through Vukcevic. However, he was sent off straight after for taking his shirt off to celebrate, after he had already been booked.

Moments later, it was 2-1 to Sporting thanks to an outstanding goal from Miguel Veloso who left Frey with little chance after a powerful effort breached the top corner. However, Gilardino scored with an excellent volley after a great through ball from Richardo Montolivo to draw the Viola level. Indeed, moments later they could, and perhaps should, have taken the lead through Stefan Jovetic. The excellent youngster cut through the Sporting defence but aimed his shot at the keeper. Had he lifted it, it would have been 3-2 Viola. Still, a good nights work for Fiorentina. They have the upper hand in the tie and two away goals to boot. A solid performance at home should see them through. Shame they could not wrap it up here though.

Sunday 16 August 2009

Serie A 2009/2010: Top New Boy's


My preview of the new Serie A season continues today with a review of the top ten new players to join the league this summer. With Kaka and Zlatan Ibrahimovic heading to pastures new it is time to take a look at the players that will replace their brilliance this summer. Of course, some of the future best players in the world are already here. Marek Hamsik, Alexandre Pato, Sebastian Giovinco and Mauro Zarate have demonstrated they have the ability to step up to the plate this season, but some new arrivals may challenge them also. Here is my top ten new boys to Serie A.

10. Nene - Cagliari, arrived from Nacional
Cagliari have pulled off a real coup here. Nene arrives from Nacional in Portugal after topping the goal scoring charts in the Portuguese top flight last season after scoring 20 goals in 25 games. He should fit in well with the attacking Cagliari outfit and help them continue to maintain their Serie A status. Robert Acquafresca has gone, but Cagliari fans should be excited about this prospect.

9. Fabio Cannavaro - Juventus, arrived from Real Madrid
Il Capitano come back to Juventus after three seasons and two championships with Real Madrid to help bolster Juve's back line. With Chielini and Legrottaglie already in the centre back positions Juve certainly do look strong in this department. Cannavaro still remains one of the worlds best and with Momo Sissoko and Felipe Melo providing additional defensive midfield cover Juve look rock solid now.

8. Alberto Zapater - Genoa, arrived from Real Zaragoza
Alberto Zapater arrives from Spain with huge experience already in a top league having at the age of just 24 made nearly 200 appearances for Real Zaragoza. He helped them return to La Liga's top flight this year and was allowed to move onto pastures new. Noted for his great passing ability Zapater will help replace Thiago Motta who left for Inter. Again it seems Genoa may have unearthed another gem here in their push for European and domestic success this year. However, can he break the chain of unsuccessful Spanish players who have graced Serie A? Lets hope so.

7. Eliseu - Lazio, arrived from Malaga
Lazio signed the Portuguese international winger for just £1 million due to his contract almost about to expire. The pacey winger can run the 100mtrs in under 11 seconds and used this to great effect last season in La Liga. He tourmented even the best defences, registering two goals for Malaga in a defeat to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. With his pace, technical ability and powerful shot Eliseu will complement Pasquale Foggia, Lazio's left winger, well and add an extra dimension to the Lazio attack.

6. Lucio - Inter Milan, arrived from Bayern Munich
The Brazilian International central defender was requested by Mourinho as he can help bridge the defence and midfield through his ability to play the ball. A fearsome centre back noted for his tough tackles, Lucio will also weigh in with his fair share of goals as well as he does for Brazil. Inter already had the best defence in Serie A with Maicon, Samuel, Chivu, Cordoba and Santon in the mix. Lucio just adds to the quality.

5. Rodrigo Palacio - Genoa, arrived from Boca Juniors
Finally Palacio arrives in Serie A after 185 games for Boca Juniors. The highly rated winger has added to an already fearsome Genoa attack and will bring with him experience at International level also. During his 185 games for Boca Palacio netted 82 goals. Expect him to ripple the net in Italy, often. With Genoa loosing Diego Milito it has been suggested that they are weaker this season. But with Palacio, Crespo and Sergio Floccari now upfront that does not seem the case.

4. Klass Jan Huntelaar - AC Milan, arrived from Real Madrid
The Hunter comes to Serie A after scoring goal after goal in the Eredivisie for Ajax. Even in his brief spell with Real Madrid he was almost at the level of 1 goal in 2 games. This is a real bargin for Milan, no pun intended. With Pato and Ronaldinho supplying the goods all Huntelaar will have to do it put the ball into the back of the net. Much like Pazzini did for Sampdoria after he was frozen out by Fiorentina last season expect Huntelaar to florish in an environment that apprechiates him.

3. Javier Pastore - Palermo, arrived from Hurican (Argentina)
Some may not have heard of the Argentine wonder talent who was the star of the Argenine clausura this year with 7 goals and 3 assists, but give it time because you soon will have. Pastore arrives with a huge reputation much like Pato did in the beginning of 2008. The attacking midfielder has been dubbed as the Argentine Kaka and it would seem for good reason. Already he has settled well with Palermo snubbing the chance to take a summer break and getting straight into training and settling into his new environment. He turned down Milan, Porto and Manchester United to secure first team football with Palermo.

2. Samuel Eto'o - Inter Milan, arrived from Barcelona
Arguably the best forward in the world in terms of output of goals has arrived in Milan. Eto'o knows how to score and carries this through into crucial matches especially in the Champions League, something that Zlatan Ibrahimovic often struggled to do. He is already off the mark in the Italian Super cup with a thunderous goal. The favourite for the top scorers title, Eto'o will spark fear into every defender.

1. Diego - Juventus, arrived from Werder Bremen
Mooted as the new Kaka, Diego has a techincal abiltity which actually appears more like the Ronaldinho of old. After a few years of ripping defences to shreds in the Bundesliga Diego joins Juventus in the mould of their new creative force after the retirement of Pavel Nedved. For me he is the best arrival to the league this summer because of his ability to run a game and whilst he is at it deliver knock out blows to the opposition. He can score from virtually anywhere, and even registered a goal for Bremen from 60 yards out in his debut season in the Bundesliga. Two games for Juve already and two goals in pre season suggest he has settled well. He will be crucial to Juve's success this year but he rarely fails to deliver. Certain people suggest that the loss of Kaka is a blow. They are right, but Diego will fill this void. Anyone who has watched Serie A in the last two seasons will tell you that Kaka has been a fading force due to his knee injury. It has blighted his progress all too often. Diego conversely looks set to explode and spend the best years of his career in Serie A. He will likely be the new face of the league.

Friday 14 August 2009

The battle for Capocannoniere

Last year Serie A witnessed a keenly contested battle for the award of Capocannoniere, the leading goal scorers award, right up until the dying embers of the Serie A season. In fact, it was only clinched by eventual winner Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the last five minutes or so of Inter Milan's 4-3 win over Atalanta. Zlatan ended up with a total of 25 and managed to hold off both Marco Di Vaio of Bologna and Diego Milito of Genoa at the time who both ended up with 24 goals a piece. Indeed, Ibrahimovic was the first foreign winner of the award since Andriy Shevchenko took the title in the 2003/2004 season as through the next four years the title was dominated by Italian players with Cristiano Lucarelli, Luca Toni, Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero all taking the title over this period. One thing is for certain though, there will be a new winner of the award next season. With Zlatan moving onto Barcelona he will not be able to defend his title. So, and in no particular order, I have decided to look at the players who I believe will be the main contenders for the award next season.

The Contenders for the Capocannoniere title


Diego Milito - Inter Milan
Where better to start than the Argentine International. Milito was a revelation last season. 24 goals in just 30 games was a fantastic level of output for a player signed by Genoa on the last day of the transfer window last season. Indeed, had he not been injured for a brief period during the season it is arguable that he would have won last years award and got close to the magic 30 goal barrier, something only Luca Toni managed since Antonio Angelillo did in the 1958/59 campaign. With a better supporting cast for him at Inter, Milito will surely be in the mix again this season.

Klass Jan Huntelaar - AC Milan
A new addition to the league, and one who only knows how to score goals. Huntelaar is a prolific marksman, registering 76 goals in 92 games at his time with Ajax. Although less successful with Real Madrid Huntelaar did manage 8 goals in 20 games last year despite not always being given a starting shirt.

Marco Di Vaio - Bologna
Without Di Vaio last season Bologna would have been relegated. 24 goals amounted to more than 50% of Bologna's total goals for last season. However, the team did play for him and gave him the chance to finish off most moves the team made. They will need Di Vaio to be at his best again this season.

Alberto Gilardino - Fiorentina
Gila re-discovered his scoring touch last season to confirm himself as one of the best Italian forwards in the league. 19 goals last season was a return to form for the former AC Milan forward, who has struggled the previous two season to find his feet at the San Siro. A definite dark horse for the title and will need to be if Fiorentina are to get anywhere near the Scudetto.

Amauri - Juventus
Someone will need to lead the charge if Juventus are to win the league and if Amauri can stay injury free then he could be the one to do it. He had a great start to life in the Juve jersey before he was injured and tailed off to score only 12 goals when all was said and done. Talented and versatile, the Brazilian is dangerous from a variety of positions and for me that makes him an outside bet in this race.

Giampaolo Pazzini - Sampdoria
If he starts this season as he finished the last one, then Pazzini will be well above 20 goals when all is said and done. Isolated at Fiorentina the move Sampdoria re-invigorated his career. His partnership with Antonio Cassano is one of the best in the league. One complements the other to great effect, and more of the same is expected this season. A real contender for the award and a world cup place with Italy.

Robert Acquafresca - Atalanta
Atalanta is not an unusual place for top scorer winners to come from. The great Pippo Inzaghi began his career there and Acquafresca will follow in his footsteps next season thanks to his loan move from Genoa. Cagliari though was where he scored his 14 goals last season. With a very solid year in Serie A behind him expect him to step up this season.

Mauro Zarate - Lazio
Zarate was one of the revelations of last season. 13 goals, nearly all of them spectacular efforts, was a solid return in his first Serie A season and the young Argentine will likely better then by a considerable distance this season. However, he is rumoured to be playing in a deeper role behind the front man this season. Time will tell as to whether this will affect his chances but if pre season is anything to go buy then it may not.

Alexandre Pato - AC Milan
Like a duck to water Pato has settled into Serie A now nicely. 9 goals in 18 games in his first season, he followed that up nicely last year with 15 marks in the league to put him in 6th place overall. With Kaka gone he will be expected to contribute more to the build up play, but I don't think that will keep him off the score sheet.

Mirko Vucinic - Roma

An outside bet especially as he scored only 11 goals last year, but Vucinic is a class act. Much like Zarate of Lazio his goals are usually spectacular efforts. More consistency and scrappy goals are required from the big man, but it is about time he weighed in with 15 goals or more.

Edison Cavani - Palermo
Pato and Zarate stole most of the headlines last year with regards to the top young player, but make no mistake there is another class act developing down in Palermo. Cavani has been around for a little longer than the other two but his 14 goals are testament to his growing quality. With Palermo developing in quality also watch out for him to score many more this season.

Samuel Eto'o - Inter Milan
The bookies favourite already has found the back of the net for Inter in the supercup last weekend in spectacular fashion and is looking to follow on from his 30 goals in 36 starts last season for Barcelona. The defences in Italy will be tougher for him to crack but he is more than capable of doing just that. Competition will be rife with Milito though, and perhaps someone else may sneak in and spoil the party.

Wednesday 12 August 2009

Calcio Mercato: Interesting days in Florence

Juventus have cashed in on Cristiano Zanetti for £1.5 million, selling him to Fiorentina. This is a strange one for me. All summer long it seems as though they were obsessed with selling Danish hardman Christian Poulson after picking up Felipe Melo to play alongside Momo Sissoko. It is true that Zanetti only had a year remaining on his current deal and that it is after all another salary off the wage bill, but if it really was for financial reasons then perhaps Poulson would and maybe should have been the one to go. Still, he joins Fiorentina and has been registered in their champions league preliminary round squad. As had defensive rock Dario Dainelli, but it seems as if he is all but set to join Sampdoria as they bolster their squad for next season. So, the upshot of this is that Fiorentina have work to do. With Zanetti and Marchionni in the midfield they have additional quality, but the defence is a problem. They desperately require a right and centre back, but so far none have been forthcoming. Lorenzo De Silvestri is an option, but they will have to go toe to toe with Milan for him and convince Lazio to accept the deal. Indeed, they will need to go a few rounds with Lazio as well concerning Diego Lugano, the Fenerbahce centre back who is currently out of contract. Both Lazio and Roma are favoured to secure his signature, but the Tuscan side may enter the bidding now and lets not forget they can offer champions league football, something that Lazio and Roma cannot next season.

Its funny though, because despite these all being top top football clubs, there is still a level of uncertainty as to the key positions in their sides for next season. Lazio desperately require a centre back, still there fans await. Roma desperately require a centre forward, still they wait. Fiorentina require a right and centre back, still they wait. Inter require a creative midfielder and still they wait, although that may be sorted soon enough with Wesley Sneijder reportedly on the way. Really, you would think you would sort out your most crucial positions first, and then add the icing to the cake. But these are crucial positions for these teams to sort out, and if they don't they may not fulfill the expectations that they know they achieve.

Monday 10 August 2009

Calcio Legends: Gabriel 'Batigol' Batistuta


How many players , or athletes of any discipline for that matter, can testify as to having a statute erected of them by their supporters? Not many, but Gabriel Batistuta can. The darling of Florence, otherwise known as Batigol, spent nine years delighting the fans in Tuscany before moving on to both Roma and Inter for the twilight years of his career. They were nine great years for the man from Argentina, but it was not all plain sailing especially at first. Fiorentina were still reeling from the loss of Roberto Baggio to Juventus, so Batistuta had big boots to fill. He was spotted by the Tuscan side whilst debuting in the Copa America for Argentina who then proceeded to snap up the then young talent. Batigol repaid the faith that had been shown in him by duly scoring 13 goals in the Viola shirt in his debut season, and a custom machine gun celebration. He went some way better the season after with 16 marks in the league, yet this did not stop the club from relegation. Despite the undoubted possibility of moving on Batistuta did what perhaps many players in the current climate would consider unthinkable, he went down with his club to help them, and the fans of course, in their time of need. In the Cadetti he again hit the number 16 under the tutor ledge of a certain Claudio Ranieri to ensure them of Serie A status in the following season. International rewards duly followed as Argentina won the Copa America again in 1993, making them strong contenders for the 1994 world cup with the likes of Claudio Canniga and Diego Maradona in the squad. Indeed, despite spending a campaign in the Italian Serie B Batistuta was a key component for Argentina at the USA 94 tournament registering four goals in as many games. However, Argentina crashed out to Romania and Gheroghi Hagi in the second round after of course the infamous antics of Maradona at that tournament.

A Return to Serie A
Despite world cup disappointment, Batigol returned to Serie A with Fiorentina the next season and registered his highest ever tally in the league of 26 goals. Trophy's were to follow as well the following season as the Viola lifted the Coppa Italia against Atalanta and then the Italian Super Cup in the next seasons opener. The goals kept coming for Batigol as he registered 13 and 21 goals in 1996/1997 and 1997/1998 campaigns respectively and he headed to the France 1998 world cup as one of the best, if not the best, forward in the world. He was the type of player that could remain anonymous for 89 minutes, yet weigh in with the most vital of contributions. The goals came from everywhere and anywhere. 30 yard missiles, headers, tap ins, and the spectacular overhead kick were common place for the great man. Indeed, it was this range that separated him other forwards of his time. Widely respected and widely feared he spearheaded Argentina to the world cup quarter finals with 5 goals. But that was as far as they were to go after Holland took care of business against them in that match up.

Again the big honours just didn't happen for Batigol though. Yet despite no Serie A or World cup title to his name he stayed in Florence for the following season and was almost rewarded for it. The league that year turned into a four way battle between Milan, Lazio, Fiorentina and Parma. It was in that order that they finished that season despite Fiorentina leading the way for sometime, before an injury to the great Batigol, and then Lazio leading up until the second to last week. Somehow a dogged Milan side trugged their way to the title that year almost through the back door. Fiorentina though were still aside to be reconed with, and Batistuta knew it. With Rui Costa pulling the strings in midfield, Batigol stuck around for just one more season. But again it ended in disappointment as Fiorentina faded to seventh place that season, with Lazio taking the title and the likes of Inter, Juve and Roma having significantly strengthen their squads in the off season that year.

The end of Batigols Fiorentina dream
: The Roma and Inter years
And, that was that. Batistuta wanted to win the Serie A title and moved to a club on the up in AS Roma. Roma, who had been without a league championship since the 1982/1983 season. With the likes of Totti, Tomassi and Del Vecchio in the Roma line up Batistuta jumped ship. It was a fruitful move as Roma dominated the 2000/2001 Championship holding of Juventus and previous champions Lazio to take their third Scudetto. Batigol played a big part in this registering 20 goals in that season. However, age was beginning to catch up with the great one and only six goals followed the following season in which Roma lost their grasp on the title to fellow rivals Juventus. The season after Batigol again looked adrift of form and was loaned out to Inter Milan. Yet, he registered only two goals for the Beneamata in 12 games. That was in the end that. Batistuta played out his days in Qatar doing what he did best, scoring a hat full of goals. He remains Argentina's leading goal scorer with 56 goals in just 78 games. Remarkable does not begin to describe the one man goal machine who will go down as one of the most memorable and spectacular players to have graced Serie A in the last two decades or so.

Saturday 8 August 2009

Italian Super Cup: Lazio conquer Beijing



Incredibly, and against all the odds, Lazio defeated Inter Milan by 2 goals to 1 in China today to lift the Italian Super Cup. This was the Rome club's third Italian Super Cup title in nine years, in which the Scudetto winners are pitted against the Coppa Italia winners.

Incredible win after Inter dominated
Lazio went into this game minus two of their best players in Goran Pandev and Cristian Ledesma who currently are back in Rome sorting out their futures with the club. Indeed, this was their first real competitive match of the summer, with their last match being a 13-0 victory against Spal. However, their was still great quality available to Davide Ballardini with Mauro Zarate, Alexander Kolarov and Francelino Matuzalem boarding the flight to China. However, the Inter Juggernaut looked even more menacing this time around for Lazio than it did when they twice mauled the Aquilotti last season in the league.

However, Matuzalem showed signs of intent early on when he crashed a thunderous shot over the bar from distance in the early going. However, it did not take long for Inter to get going. Lucio, a summer signing from Bayern Munich, headed over from a corner to put the Aquilotti under pressure. Yet, the best chance of the match so far fell to Mauro Zarate around the 20 minute marker when he weaved through the Inter defence to test Julio Cesar from just outside the box. It took a magnificent save to keep the scores level. However, an even better chance fell to Sulley Muntari later on in the half when he was clean through on goal but he blasted well over. Inter were on top, and it took a great save from Nando Muslera from a Lucio header to keep the scores even at half time.

After the break Inter continued on their war path. Sulley Muntari tested Muslera with a effort from distance before Lucio again went close from a corner, proving what a good acquisition he was this summer. Incredibly new signing Eto'o missed an open goal ten minutes into the first half, as he latched onto a Diakite back pass. However, the angle was tight and he was under pressure. However, against Inter's dominance Lazio took the lead from a Kolarov freekick that was deflected into the path of Matuzalem. His shot bounced back off Julio Cesar and bounced off Matuzalem into the back of the net. 1-0 Lazio. The lead was doubled minutes later through a moment of genius. A splendid pass from Mauri was chested down by Tommaso Rocchi who then lobbed Julio Cesar with the outside of his boot from 25 yards out. Vieira and Balotelli were introduced and on 78 minutes Samuel Eto'o showed why he is considered the best forward in the world. Dabo made a dreadful error allowing Balotelli to take the ball and feed Eto'o, who smashed home on the half volley with his left foot leaving Muslera with absolutely no chance. Inter scored again moments later through Diego Milit, however it connected to Eto'o foot who was in an offside position at the time. Lazio held on for the win against the Italian Champions to perhaps spark optimism in the blue half of Rome as to what to expect next season, especially as a number of their best players did not play.

Match highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISY6Sbdmid4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1i6S_qzqOQ

Friday 7 August 2009

Champions League and Europa Leagure draw / Calcio Mercato roundup

Fiorentina will face a tough test in the Champions League qualifying round. They will play against Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon. Fiorentina have been very quite on the transfer market so far and will need to reinforce before they begin their season after loosing Brazilian International and world class midfielder Felipe Melo to Juventus. Time will tell who they sign

In the Europa League Lazio, Genoa and Roma will fancy their chances of going on into the group stages of the competition. Lazio will play against Swedish side Elfsborg, Genoa against Danish side Odense and Roma against Slovakian side Kosice after defeating Gent 10-2 on aggregate. The Italian side will fancy their chances in winning this competition but will have to watch out for their English, Spanish and German counterparts. The final qualifying round fixtures take place on the 20th and 27th of this month.

Calcio Mercato
Klass Jan Huntelaar has been confirmed as a Milan player today and it would seem he is not to be the last arrival in Milan this summer. Lazio's Lorenzo Di Silvestri is rumoured to be next in a swap deal with Ignazio Abate. This would be beneficial for both clubs, as Milan need to improve their defence and Lazio need further quality in midfield, especially if god forbid Eliseu or Foggia were to get injured.

However, there is sad news today for Roma fans. Alberto Aquilani has been sold to Liverpool for a fee of around £20 million. But, this does give them money to spend, perhaps to improve their defence or their forward line. After all, they have massive depth in midfield with De Rossi, Pizzaro, Perotta, Menez, Brighi and Taddei battling for positions.

And don't forget...
To check back on the site tomorrow night, to see a report on the Italian Super Cup final. Inter v Lazio kicks off at 13pm UK time and is being held in Beijing two weeks before the Serie A season kicks off. I simply cannot wait for it all to begin again. In light of that, a whole comprehensive preview will be available on the site in the near future. Check back to see who your team has signed this summer.

Thursday 6 August 2009

Calcio Mercato and Super Cup preview


Milan finally have signed a forward to play alongside Alexandre Pato. Klass Jan Huntelaar has arrived in a day of frenzied transfer activity in Calcio for a cool £13 million. This may spark a surge activity for the red side of Milan, and Lazio wing back Lorenzo Di Silvestri is tipped to be the next one to follow suit in an exchange deal with winger Abate going in the opposite direction. Not to be outdone, Inter Milan have completed the signing of Austrian revelation Marko Arnautovic today on loan from FC Twente with the option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.

Cagliari have also been active today, signing Simone Barone from Torino. The world cup winning midfielder joins on a three year deal, and can be considered an impressive signing by the Sardinian side.

ITALIAN SUPER CUP PREVIEW: INTER MILAN V SS LAZIO

The first piece of silverwear is up for grabs this season, and both teams will want nothing more than to take it with both hands. The league winners, Inter, will face off against the Coppa Italia winners, Lazio, in Beijing on Saturday afternoon uk time, 1pm to be precise. It will be a chance to show off Italian football to the Chinese and introduce the new signings both sides have made this summer, before the season opens on Saturday August 22nd. Inter will begin the match as favourites, and rightly so. Summer signings in Eto'o, Motta, Milito and Lucio are expected to start the match alongside the likes of Maicon, Julio Cesar, Estaban Cambiasso, Dejan Stankovic and Davide Santon for Inter who defeated Lazio on both occasions the teams met last season. Indeed, the only team in Italy they did not beat last year was Cagliari.

However, Lazio are highly motivated for this match. Despite leaving behind Goran Pandev and Cristian Ledesma, due to contractual issues, Lazio arrive with superstars of their own in Mauro Zarate, Pasquale Foggia, Tomasso Rocchi, and Alexander Kolarov. Indeed, they have a few signings of their own to show off as internationals in Julio Cruz and Eliseu have joined the frey. Lazio may be quitely confident in this one, they know their recent nemisis, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has gone and while Eto'o and Milito are world class, they will need some time to adjust to Inter's style of play. Also in Lazio's favour is their form in cup competitions from last season. Confidence on this front should be high, after defeating Milan, Juve and Sampdoria on the way to May's Coppa Italia triumph.

Lazio v Inter, a recent history
These two clubs are two of Italys heavyweights. Indeed, both have had a lot of success in the last ten years or so. Lazio have lifted the Serie A title in 2000, Coppa Italia four times in this period in 1998, 2000, 2004 and 2009, Italian super cup twice in 1998 and 2000, Cup winners Cup in 1999 and European Super Cup in 1999. Inter have hardly been outdone by Lazio's glittering success in recent years. League Champions in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 is a magnificent feat, with Coppa Italia wins also in 2005 and 2006. They have also boasted three Italian Super Cup wins during this period in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

Both sides have also had a positive and negative effect in huge moments for both clubs. In 2000, Inter lead Lazio 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico, and a defeat would have ended any hopes of a Scudetto win. However, two goals in the last ten minutes for Lazio leveled the tie, which eventually lead to a Scudetto win for Lazio over Juventus by one point. Lazio however wrecked any chance for Inter to lift their first Scudetto since 1989 in 2002 by crushing them 4-2 at the Olimpico. Inter needed to win by one goal to lift the Scudetto and prevent either Roma or Juventus from taking it instead. It was a party like atmosphere in the Olimpico in which the Lazio and Inter fans intermingled, both wanting Inter to win to prevent bitter rivals in Juve and Roma from taking the title instead. Yet the Lazio players did not read the script and beat Inter to allow for Juventus to take their first title since 1998. Despite this, the clubs fans have a great relationship.

What to expect this Saturday
A great game hopefully, and one that I look likely to miss due to work commitments and a lack of getting a sky connection in time for this game at least. Still, I believe it will be a close but attacking affair so expect some goals. It opens up a season that is going to be really really interesting. A lot of big names have left, but some huge ones have joined in Eto'o, Diego, Huntelaar and Lucio. Expect the unexpected in this campaign.

Wednesday 5 August 2009

Calcio Mercato: Pirlo to stay, Aquilani to go and Huntelaar and Arnatovic to arrive

Andrea Pirlo has committed his future to AC Milan today, after a meeting between Silvio Berlusconi, Adriano Galliani and Leonardo. The powers at be have demanded that he stay, and Pirlo has obliged. This is great news for Milan, because in all honesty who could they find to replace him in just three weeks? Cristian Ledesma was mooted for this position, but despite being a quality player it would have taken some effort to fill Pirlo's boots.

However, it seems that finally a striker will arive in Milan to play with Pato and Ronaldinho, and it will be officially confirmed tomorrow. His name? Klass Jan Huntelaar by all reports. The Dutch forward will follow a great tradition at the San Siro. Can he follow in the footsteps of Rijkard, Gullit and of course the great Van Basten? Only time will tell, but all this man does is score goals. Even at Madrid, where he was largely neglected due to the form of Higuian, he netted eight goals. At Ajax, it was a remarkable 76 goals in 92 games. This, provided it goes through , is a master stroke. Huntelaar is a classic centre forward capable of emulating Pippo Inzaghi in the long run, and working alongside the brilliance of Pato, a player who is on the way to greatness. Still, this cannot be the end for Milan. The require a quality wing back, and one wonders why Maxwell or Marco Motta for that matter were not considered long ago. Still, there is time. Not for a revolution, but for certainly for Milan to add the quality they need to win something next season.

Aquilani off to Pool
With Xabi Alonso having been sold to Real Madrid, Liverpool have moved to secure Roma player Alberto Aquilani for a reported £20 million. While this may be considered a loss in some quarters, it is not on this site. In Aquilani we have a great talent, but one that cannot seem to go a season uninjured . With De Rossi and Pizzaro last year running the show for Roma, and the emergence of Matteo Brighi at last fulfilling his potential maybe now was the time for Roma to raise some capital to invest in defensive depth and a forward. Just today they have been linked to the Real Madrid players in Van Der Vart and forward Negredo, players who would add quality to any side.

Arnautovic set to join
With Huntelaar set to join Milan tomorrow Inter do not want to be left in the shade. Austrian revelation Marko Arnautovic is set to complete his move from FC Twente to Inter on Thursday. Dubbed the new Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Aranutovic demonstrated the kind of skill and ball control that the great swede did before his arrival at the San Siro. He will be one to watch next season.

Monday 3 August 2009

Calcio Mercato: Milan close in on Huntelaar

Goal.com Italia has reported that AC Milan are inches away from securing their first big signing of the summer in Klass Jan Huntelaar. The huge Dutch talent did well at Madrid, but has found himself surplus to requirements following the arrival of Kaka, Ronaldo and Benzema. This would be a great start to Milan's slow mercato. However, reports are also suggesting Milan are closing in on Luis Fabiano. Could they really be close to both? They do need strength in depth up front with only Boriello, Pato and Inzaghi top options, but its likely that only one will arrive and Huntelaar is the cheaper, younger and arguably better option for them.

There has been little development in the proposed sale of Andrea Pirlo to Chelsea, but either way things are likely to be settled by the end of the week one would think.



Di Natale to Parma
?
Reports are suggesting that Parma are looking to purchase Udinese forward Antonio Di Natale. Christian Panucci and Valerie Bojinov have already arrived at the Emilia Romagna outfit but Parma are looking too establish themselves firmly in the division next season. Di Natale is a proven goal scorer and creator and would suit Parma's great tradition of top strikers. For Udinese, arguably its a good time for them to sell. A club that is great at developing and finding new talents, Udinese have Simone Pepe, Antonio Floro Flores, Bernado Corradi and Alex Sanchez at the club and it may be the right time to cash in on the Italian International. Still, the flip side of the coin suggests that its about time Udinese stopped selling their best players and looked towards European qualification and ultimately challenging for silverware. Whatever happens, its great to see Parma back in Serie A. Hopefully, they will be here to stay.


Bologna: Ready to spend some of their new money
Another club from Emilia Romagna, Bologna, have been linked to out of favour striker Javier Chevanton according to football-italia.com. Following their takeover Bologna have money to spend and they need a striker who can partner Marco Di Vaio up front. The former Valencia and Juvetus forwards cannot do it all by himself for Bologna, so Chevanton could be the perfect buy. The Sevilla forward is out of favour at the Sanchez Pizjuan and the club are apparently willing to sell. Could this be the beginning of something special for Bologna?


Aquilani off to Liverpool?
Reports have intensified that Liverpool are closing in on Alberto Aquilani. Despite his injury problems for Roma I believe that this would be a blow to them. Whilst they still possess Daniele De Rossi, arguably one of the best midfielders in world football, David Pizzaro, Rodrigo Taddei, Matteo Brighi and Simone Perotta it would be considered a loss to loose Aquilani. However, any funds that are secured through this deal are likely to be invested back into the team and the striker position.


Italian Super Cup: Inter Milan v Lazio, Saturday 8th August
The Italian football season begins on Saturday when Inter Milan take on Lazio in Beijing, a came that pits the League Champions Inter against the Coppa Italia winners Lazio. Both squads have new faces. Inter with Milito, Eto'o, Motta and Lucio and Lazio with Julio Cruz and Portuguese International Eliseu. It will be interesting to see how these new signings do in their first official games for their new clubs. However, new faces are likely to arrive for both clubs before the end of the transfer window, especially at Inter. The game takes place in the Birds nest Olympic stadium in China and will kick off 13.oo UK time. Check back for a full preview later in the week.

Sunday 2 August 2009

Cagliari Miracle: What to expect from the Sardinian side this season



Few would have predicted that Cagliari would have stayed up after the first five games of last season. Why? Because they were sitting rock bottom of Serie A after having lost five games in a row and it was almost certain, given the nature of the Cagliari president, that manager Massimo Allegri would have been fired. However, strangely he was not and as Match day six approached against AC Milan Allegri was given perhaps one last chance to salvage something against one of the Scudetto favourites. Amazingly, Cagliari did and rescued a point. That sparked wins against Torino and then Chievo. A defeat to high flying Genoa followed, but that only turned this side towards a six game unbeaten run including wins against Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Palermo. It was a remarkable turnaround and only pushed them on a draw with Inter at the San Siro and beat Lazio and Juventus both away from home. Indeed in the seasons dying embers they took an impressive win over Inter Milan making Cagliari the only side in Serie A not to have been beaten by the Italian Champions last season at one stage or another.

The brilliance of Allegri

Another Italian coach, another world class one in the making. Ancelotti may have left this summer, but with the likes of Prandelli, Spalletti, Ballardini and now Allegri managing in Serie A Italian football should have no fear. Allegri composed a team largely built on youth for a top ten finish last season. Robert Aquafresca was the target man, and has now moved on, but there was much more to this side than just him and so far this summer all have remained. Federico Marchetti in goal has been identified as the Azzurri successor to Buffon and perhaps rightly so. He was superb last season keeping them in some games that they should have been loosing, as well as granite defender Michele Canini who has been linked all summer with a move away to a big Serie A club. But the key to this side was that they had quality in all departments, Davide Biondini in midfield offered a creative and goal scoring threat that was in tandem with the forwards. While Acquafresca lead the way on 14 goals for the island side he was not alone, as talented Brazilian Jeda weighed in with 11 goals and the other young talent in Alessandro Matri also with 6.

What to expect from them next season?
Im hoping from more of the same from Cagliari. They play entertaining football and rise to the occasion against the big sides, a quality that is to be admired. I admit they I enjoyed watching them last season and did so on a number of occasions and look forward to seeing what they will offer in this campaign. But what will that be? The loss of hitman Acqufresca was a blow, but Brazilian Nene has arrived with a big reputation having scored 20 goals in 28 games in Portugal last season. But, the problem is that the teams around them, and arguably bellow then, have got better. Still, they should easily avoid the drop and hopefully, with the attitude towards developing young talents can become a Atalanta or Udinese style outfit and benefit the league for years to come.