Calcio Mercato: Ranocchia in at Inter

Andrea Ranocchia has followed Leo Bonucci out of Bari to join one of the worlds biggest clubs in Inter Milan. Both formed a rock solid partnership in the deep South of Bari last season but both now will stare across the pitch from one another when the Derby D'Italia takes place next season. The two hugely talented defenders have earned their call to represent two of Italy's biggest clubs although Ranocchia at Inter may find himself playing second fiddle to the likes of Samuel and Lucio next season. Bonucci however will no doubt find himself in the thick of the action right from the off next season which should bode well for both Juve and Italy in the long term. Indeed, after the debacle handed to Azzurri fans from Marcello Lippi at the world cup it is encouraging to see these two Italian giants having faith in some young Italian talent.

Perhaps that is more than can be said for AC Milan. Despite signing the highly talented young Greek defender Sokratis to their back line all they have really managed to do so far is apart from this is extend the contracts of Zambrotta and Oddo while trimming their salaries. No wonder then that Silvio Berlusconi received a barrage of abuse when showing up at Milan's pre season training venue Milanello in the last week. Banners such as 'we gave you are vote, now sign the cheques' were on display as the Milanista's vented their frustrations. And rightly so as a credible Scudetto challenge has not been mounted since the 2005/2006 season, despite winning the Champions League in 2007. In many respects the big players, the difference makers if you like are there. Pato, Ronaldinho, Nesta, Silva, Pirlo all remain. But its the depth in the squad and quality down the channels that is the issue. A few genuine talents could be signed without breaking the bank. Seems like the bank is shut though, and Berlusconi has no intention of opening on time.

Pre Season: Juve up and running

Juve enjoyed a 0-0 draw at Hamburg this afternoon as they begun pre season friendlies prior to their duties in the Europa League qualifying round. New signings Jorge Martinez, Marco Motta and Davide Lazanfame all played their part in the first period with a Diego freekick the effort of note that almost broke the deadlock. David Trezeguet played upfront with Diego acting as a support striker, the rumoured position that he will occupy under Luigi Del Neri. In the second half Del Piero also tested Hamburg keeper Frank Roost from a dead ball situation but the keeper dealt with the effort. In the end both clubs were unable to take the win. Juve's next test will be against Champions League semi finalists Lyon on the 24th July.

It will be interesting to see who arrives and departs before their season starts. There is sure to be action at Juve as they won't stop until they take back the Scudetto to Turin, whether it takes them one year or ten. Del Neri stated recently four more players are required, including a winger, a left back and a forward. Diego Forlan has been heavily linked but it would be an investment for the short term rather than one for the say 5-6 seasons or so. In that regard Edin Dzeko has been linked but the price tag of 50 million seems absurb. From this point of view Forlan seems the more assured choice. He has had some splendid campaigns in La Liga for Athletico Madrid and showed he could deliver at the highest level at the world cup.

Calcio Mercato: Cavani in at Napoli for 16 million

Edison Cavani, one of the Uruguayan stars of the world cup in on the verge of a moved from Palermo to Napoli for a reported cool 16 million euros. Cavani has been one of Palermo's best players in recent season, scoring 14 times in Serie A in the 2008/2009 season and then 13 times in the 2009/2010 season. Technically gifted, Cavani has the ability additionally to come good in big games as demonstrated in Palermo's 2-0 win over Juventus in the early rounds of last season. At that moment Juve were enjoying a great start to the season but were out gunned in Sicily with Cavani scoring a stunning goal that Gigi Buffon could do nothing about.

Cavani, aged 23, was originally thought to be moving to one of the big big Italian clubs with Inter or Juve lurking. However, Napoli came in with the big bid and clearly Cavani thought a lot of it. Indeed, getting a game at Inter would have difficult for him with their gold plated forward line, while Juve perhaps are looking for a forward who is ready to lead their line towards the Scudetto now, with another Uruguayan, Diego Forlan, believed to be on their list. Instead it seems as if Cavani will be playing alongside Fabio Quagliarella and Argentine International Lavezzi next season with Marek Hamsik supplying the ammunition.

Elsewhere talented Greek defender Sokratis is on the verge of a move to AC Milan. Sokratis, from Genoa, did a superb job against Leo Messi when playing against Argentina in the world cup for most of the game shadowing him around the pitch, much like Gentile did against Maradona in 1982. It is believed a player swap deal with Genoa will secure the services of the talented defender for the Milan giants.

Business is not booming: Slow Market

The squads are beginning to get together to go off to the pre season training camps, and in reality little has happened to most of the big Italian sides to conjure up much excitement for next season for the battle hardened tifosi. Put it down mainly to the world cupJuve have, of course, had the most impact so far with Marco Motta, Leo Bonucci, Simone Pepe, the talented Jorge Martinez and back up keeper Marco Storari arriving. More is certain to come from them, with Milos Krasic, Philpe Mexes and Edin Dzeko targets for the old lady. Milan and Inter however have been quite inactive. Whilst Milan have signed goalkeepr Marco Amelia to replace Dida at San Siro, little else of note has happened. This is a dangerous sign for Milan, whose fans voted on their feet last season with 20,000 a game less attending in most cases. Kaka was never replaced, even if it was the right time to sell, and outside a still impressive starting 11 their is little depth to compete across three competitions. Berlusconi must act else it will be another title less season. Inter however have far less to worry about, but should look to strengthen their line up as every team in Europe will be gunning for them next year. Still, we await their first action of this slow mercato.

Dropping down south both Rome clubs have hardly set the world on fire either. Cash strapped Roma look set to be up for sale which may help them secure an investor, but despite this Adriano has arrived from Flamengo. The enigmatic hit man has undoubted quality, but can he keep his mind on the job in hand, that remains the question. Still, a Totti, Vucinic, Adriano front line remains an impressive one. Conversely Lazio have been trimming their ridiculously huge squad down, seemingly forgetting to actually adding in quality. Marc Bresciano has arrived and quality front man Sergio Floccari has signed, but more must arrive in the middle of the park if they are to push for a European place.

Elsewhere, Napoli and Palermo have yet to really get going, while Fiorentina have only added Gaetano D'Agostino to their midfield. Still, their squad is already very competitive and with just Serie A to focus on they will be a dangerous proposition.

Ultimately, slow mercato. But, take a look around Europe and it aint much different anywhere else.

World Cup: Holland in the final , repeat of 1974 awaits

Holland have made their first world cup final since 1978 against Argentina, in Argentina, where they lost. This will be their third final having lost also in 1974 to Germany in Munich. They will hope this time to reverse the role and pick up the glimmering cup come Sunday night and won't have to take on the host nation this time.

Holland however had to come past a tough and uncompromising Uruguay side who have entertained in this tournament, and with Walter Gargano, Nando Muslera and Martin Caceres on display Serie A was well represented. After a stunning goal from Geo Van Bronckhorst, Diego Forlan leveled the game in equally stunning fashion. However, Inter's Wesley Sneijder and then Arjen Robben gave Holland 3-1 lead, depsite strong questions of offside over Sneijder's strike. Maxi Pereira pulled one back in injury time but it was too little too late. Uruguay exited with the thoughts of what could, and maybe should, have been given Holland were wobbling after Forlan's equaliser. Holland go onto the final, ready to take on Spain or Germany Sunday night.

Calcio mercato: Juve revolution continues

Marco Motta is the new arrival at Juve at the talented right back moves across from Udinese, via Roma. Motta broke through in the 2008/2009 season but fell into obscurity in the capital. Much like Davide Santon a bright start faded somewhat but now he has the chance to assert himself in a side looking to progress with young talent in the lineup, and already is a big improvement on either Zebina or Grygera. Not a bad idea really. For starters theres no Champions League football in Turin next season so attracting the very best will be difficult. But, players like Bonucci and Motta should grow alongside Chielini and potentially Mexes next season. Defensively for Juve there is still the left back position to sort out and Juan Manuel Vargas and Lyon's Bastos are strongly linked.

The forward line will no doubt come to attention soon enough and that is where the big money will need to be spent as an ageing Del Piero and Trezeguet and poor Iaquinta and Amauri suggest. It looks like it will be some mercato in Turin. After last season it will need to be.

World Cup: Friends go head to head

Brazil v Holland pits friends against each other for a place in the world cup Semi final, a stage that players of this level dream off. A place in history is potentially at stake for both of these teams to make the final as both will fancy their chances against either Ghana or Uruguay in the semi. So, with that in mind friendship will be cast aside for one match as Hollands classic number ten Wesley Sneijder, of Inter Milan, locks horns with Lucio, Maicon, and Julio Cesar, also of Inter Milan. Sneijder has had the defensive protection of this wall of a defence for a whole year in Milan but now must come up against them to reach the next round. Arjen Robben however will be able to tell Sneijder all about playing against them, as his fruitless and thankless task in the Champions League final proved. However these two dutch superstars will have to contend with more than just the Inter Milan contingent. Juve's Felipe Melo has been beyond rock solid in the centre of midfield in this tournament and will look to continue to renforce the wall of granite that is the Brazil defence in this match to allow the likes of Maicon, Alves and Robinho to bomb forward and feed Fabiano, whilst Roma's Juan continues to keep Milan Thiago Silva out of the starting eleven.

It promises to be an excellent game and the biggest test for either side so far, and for one of them more than likely a place in the final awaits. Despite winning all their games so far Holland will have to take their play up a notch against Brazil and have Sneijder and Robben firing on all cylinders. They have been doing so all season long and there world class talents will be needed Friday afternoon.

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