║║ Serie A Season 2012-13 ║║

[Edinson Cavani]

Flamini: Juventus deserve Scudetto
The Frenchman has admitted that the Turin side deserve a second-consecutive Serie A success and is keen to help the San Siro outfit to third place in the table

Juan targets top-three finish for Inter
The Brazilian defender is fully confident the Nerazzurri can end their frustrating season on a high and achieve Champions League qualification

Nocerino unhappy with bit-part AC Milan role
The Italy midfielder's agent has revealed his client is not content with life among the substitutes, but has stressed he is unaware of any potential bid from Napoli

Inter defender Jonathan denies exit rumours
The 27-year-old insists he has no plans to return to his native Brazil despite struggling to cement his place in Andrea Stramaccioni's first-team plans

Niang: I want to be better than Messi
The highly-rated AC Milan starlet has set his sights on eclipsing the efforts of the Argentine sensation while securing the Ballon d'Or in future

Verratti denies Raiola link-up
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has moved to dismiss reports that he had enlisted the services of the controversial agent

Jonathan left in the dark over Inter future
The defender has made it clear he has yet to make a final decision on where he will end up, but stated he could move on if the Nerazzurri no longer need him

Inter ponder Joaquin Correa swoop
The promising youngster has caught the attention of the 2010 Champions League winners and could be on his way to Europe this summer

Boateng: Racism will not make me leave Italy
The attacking midfielder has stressed he has no intention of leaving his current club any time soon, regardless of recent racial abuse

Chiellini: Juventus not champions yet
The Italy international has made it clear that the reigning champions must focus on their own match against city rivals Torino

Lamela poised to sign new Roma deal
The Argentina international is set to end speculation about his future by signing a new deal which will keep him at the Giallorossi until 2018

Pjanic: Roma must win the Coppa final
The attacking midfielder is relishing the up-coming clash against bitter rivals Lazio but has warned his side they cannot forget about their league form

Ledesma to snub Inter in favour of Lazio stay
The midfielder's agent, Vincenzo D'Ipollito, insists the player's intention is to prolong his career with the Rome outfit, although he did not rule out a future move

De Sanctis: Racism against Napoli fans should also be punished
The former Juventus goalkeeper feels that fans from the south of Italy are discriminated against and is calling on the powers that be to intervene

Marquinhos plays down Barcelona link
The 18-year-old Roma centre-half said "you can never say never" in response to reports linking him with a summer move to Camp Nou but says he is happy in Italy

Rossi cleared to return to full Fiorentina training
The American-born Azzurri ace has been out of action for 18 months with knee problems but he is now reportedly in line to make his comeback against Siena next month

Inter join Juventus in race for Diamanti
The Italy international previously appeared to be on his way to the Serie A champions, but has now caught the attention of the San Siro side as well

Unhappy Lopez puts Italian clubs on alert
The former Porto forward has insisted he will move on in the summer saying he feels "it's not possible" for him to continue at Lyon

Amelia: Milan determined to hold on to third place
The former Livorno goalkeeper is looking forward to a run in the Milan side and securing Champions League football

Inter are united ahead of run-ins, says Pereira
The versatile Uruguayan believes his side are fully behind coach Andrea Stramaccioni ahead of the final push for Europa League qualification

Verratti to Napoli was a done deal - Pescara president
The Delfini supremo claims the highly-rated playmaker was set to join the Partenopei until his representatives thrashed out last-minute move to PSG

Napoli link an honour, says El Shaarawy agent
The 20-year-old's performances for AC Milan have dipped of late and the forward has now reportedly attracted the interest of the Partenopei

Leonardo: PSG not interested in Cavani
There had been reports that the Ligue 1 leaders had agreed a deal for the Napoli star but the Brazilian has moved to dismiss such speculation

 

[Edinson Cavani]

Serie A Preview: Torino v Juventus

27 April 2013

Juventus go into the 227th Turin derby on Sunday knowing that a win could secure them the Serie A title.

Should second-placed Napoli lose at Pescara 24 hours earlier, Antonio Conte's men would be able to carve out an unassailable lead at the summit with victory.

And they will certainly be confident of doing so, having not lost to their fierce local rivals since 1995.

The reverse fixture in December ended in a 3-0 win for Juve, but they will be shorn of one of their goalscorers that day, Sebastian Giovinco, due to injury.

However, the reigning Italian champions go into the game having earned a win over Milan in their last outing and looking to stretch their unbeaten league run to nine.

Vice-captain Giorgio Chiellini is confident in Juventus' ability to win the game, but is not expecting to be celebrating the title just yet.

"It’s an important game and we want to do well and win," he told the club's official website.

"I honestly don’t think Napoli will slip up. They have an important objective which is to consolidate second place as soon as they can, especially seeing as Milan could win all their games from now until the end of the season. With all due respect to Pescara, I don’t think Napoli will drop points.

"However, we mustn’t think about celebrating or pay attention to matters which are unrelated to the game. It’s important we stay alert.

"Looking back at this season’s first meeting, we had some problems in the first half against a very organised side. Besides, it’s a derby encounter and the form book goes out the window for these games.

"It would be madness to underestimate our opposition, but I don’t think any of us will be doing that. We mustn’t let up in our quest for the Scudetto. Yes, it’s near, but until you reach it there’s always hope for the chasing pack."

Torino, meanwhile, face a battle at the other end of the table with the season nearing its conclusion, as they sit just two places above the relegation zone.

Giampiero Ventura's men are seven points clear of 18th-placed Palermo, though they have not won a league game since their 1-0 victory over Lazio in March.

Matteo Brighi, who has not featured since that win, though he is set to return from injury on Sunday.

Perhaps surprisingly given the clubs' fates this season, Torino's top league scorer Rolando Bianchi has notched more goals than any of his Juventus counterparts.

The former Manchester City forward has hit the back of the net on 10 occasions in Serie A, while Mirko Vucinic leads the way for Juve with nine.

 

[Edinson Cavani]

Serie A Preview: Milan v Catania

27 April 2013

Milan will hope to keep their bid for UEFA Champions League qualification on track against Catania on Sunday.

Massimiliano Allegri's team are locked in an intense battle with Fiorentina for third place and have a one-point lead going into the 34th game of the season.

Milan will undoubtedly be thankful to face mid-table opposition this weekend having encountered Serie A's top three in their last three games.

They earned draws from the first two games of that tricky triple-header against Fiorentina and Napoli respectively, but suffered a demoralising 1-0 defeat to Juventus last time out.

The San Siro outfit are now looking to avoid going four league fixtures without a win for the first time this season.

They will be helped in that quest by the return of Mario Balotelli, with the Italy international having completed a two-match spell on the sidelines through suspension.

"Mario is world class," goalkeeper Marco Amelia said ahead of Balotelli's return. "He is above average, and it is great to have him here and now to have him back for crucial games.

"We are still ahead of Fiorentina and we will try to defend our third place because we owe it to ourselves, especially after the start we had this season.

"We have to return to winning ways against Catania on Sunday, we have to show desire in order to take home all three points and keep Fiorentina at a safe distance."

Catania, meanwhile, have little to play for but pride as they sit in ninth place with little prospect of a late dash for European football.

The Sicilian club have won just one of their last seven fixtures, but boast the fourth-meanest defence in the league.

However, their backline will be weakened by the absence of goalkeeper Mariano Andujar, who is suspended after receiving a red card against Palermo.

Andujar has played more minutes for Catania than any of his team-mates this season.

 

[Edinson Cavani]

Inter fined €45,000 for racist abuse during Tottenham clash

By Tim Poole
Apr 26, 2013 7:17:00 PM

Uefa has punished the Italian side after fans waved inflatable bananas at Emmanuel Adebayor and his team-mates during their Europa League match in March

Inter have been fined €45,000 after fans racially abused Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor during their Europa League last-16 clash in March.

The Togolese scored during extra-time of the second leg of the tie to put Spurs through on away goals but he and his team-mates were the victims of abuse by Nerazzurri fans who waved inflatable bananas.

The Italian club had already been fined by Serie A authorities after former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli suffered racism during their domestic clash with AC Milan but the fee that the club received amounted to just €51,000.

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas publicly asked Uefa to hand out a more stringent punishment in the wake of the incident involving Adebayor during his side's clash at the San Siro.

Earlier in the season, fellow Italians Lazio were also fined for racist chanting from supporters in their Group J encounter with Tottenham at White Hart Lane, while they were again punished for similar behaviour in November's return game in Rome.

 

[Edinson Cavani]

Agnelli: Italian football is not interesting any more

By Henry Jackson
Apr 26, 2013 5:59:00 PM

The Bianconeri president has bemoaned the state of stadia in the country and believe Serie A has fallen behind its competitors in the world game

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has claimed that stadium attendances and crowd trouble make Serie A an uninteresting spectacle to fans.

The 37-year-old cited the development of the Premier League as an example for Italian football to follow, particularly in terms of budget.

“Is Italian football interesting to watch today?" he told the Financial Times. "Half the stadiums are empty, there is violence. I mean, it’s not the best product.

“You are reading messages in Chinese across all Premier League stadia. We access multinational companies, but we access their local budgets. We want to be talking to their headquarters.”

Despite Serie A's decline, Agnelli is optimistic about Juventus' with the club having recovered from relegation in 2006 following the Calciopoli scandal.

“The current team have great potential. I feel they're mine, whilst with the others I was, let me say, a privileged observer. This is my creature," he added.

"Our brand is enhanced now by our tremendous comeback story. That gave us the opportunity to show, in a louder way, how strong we are and how focused on leading the Italian system we are."

Juve are currently nine points clear at the top of Serie A as they chase a second consecutive Scudetto.

 

[Buffon]

Why Juventus must not pass up opportunity to re-sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Apr 27, 2013 9:00:00 AM

The Swede could return to Turin this summer if he decides to leave Paris Saint-Germain. And with the Old Lady short of striking options, they could do with a man of his calibre

COMMENT
By Kris Voakes

On Sunday afternoon, Juventus could well become champions of Italy for the 29th time. They did that once before. Back in 2006, a 2-0 victory over Reggina at Bari's Stadio San Nicola crowned them for the 29th time, only for the Calciopoli trials to strip them of that title and the one they had won the year before.

One of the Juve players back then was Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Left devastated by the insinuation that he had become a double Scudetto winner through foul means rather than sheer effort, the Swede immediately lambasted the findings of the courts. “Referees did us favours? Oh come on!” raged Ibrahimovic. “We fought hard on the pitch. We risked our legs and did it all without any help from referees. It’s all a load of crap.”

But weeks later, he was to be an Inter player. Like so many others in the Turin outfit's first-team squad, Serie B was not what he had planned for his future, but his decision to sign for the club that Juventini were fingering as the dark enemy of the scandal caused a furore amongst the fan-base. Ibrahimovic had decided to take a dispassionate, professional approach to the transfer and, not being one to care much about making his way into a few people’s bad books, he got on with his career.

Now, with the Bianconeri on the verge of a 31st title party, the Swede’s name is looming large once more. Recent reports have suggested there is a willingness on both the club and the player’s part for a reunion, with Ibra’s agent, Mino Raiola, stating that a move back to Turin is definitely a consideration for his player.

The main opposition to the move, though, would come from the terraces at Juventus Stadium. Having seen players such as Gianluigi Buffon, Alessandro Del Piero and Pavel Nedved strengthen their positions as club legends by agreeing to stay on through their Serie B ordeal, many Bianconeri supporters say they would find it difficult to cheer on a Juventus side with Ibrahimovic back in tow.

"Referees did us favours? Oh come on! We fought hard on the pitch. We risked our legs and did it all without any help from referees. It's all a load of crap"

- Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Calciopoli

Yet the truth is that the Paris Saint-Germain spearhead is exactly the type of player they need. For the last two seasons, the only thing that has held them back from becoming a great all-round unit has been their difficulties in attack. Alessandro Matri, Mirko Vucinic, Sebastian Giovinco and Fabio Quagliarella have all been ineffective in front of goal for the most part, while moves for the likes of Marco Borriello, Nicklas Bendtner and Nicolas Anelka have borne predictably disappointing returns.
In Ibrahimovic they would be signing somebody who is still producing to a very high level, has a huge amount of experience combined with a magnificent array of skill, power, attitude and authority and, most importantly, is a winner. While many ignoramuses claim him to be a big-game bottler, he has a record which stands up to pretty much any level of scrutiny.

Yes, there are political reasons not to sign Ibra. Yes, he may command a fair old wage packet. And yes, he is 31 now. But he continues to produce, he continues to be one of the best finishers in the world, he continues to bully opposition defences no matter what their level, and he continues to be exactly the sort of player that Juve have missed over the past two years.

It may take a bit of swallowing for Juventus fans, but just as Ibrahimovic was professional about doing what was best for his career back in 2006, now is the time for those that populate the curve each week to be professional and think about what is best for their club over the next few years. The likes of Edinson Cavani, Robert Lewandowski et al would come at a much higher premium, while Fernando Llorente will arrive in the summer without Ibra’s kind of track record. Some may see taking back the Swede seven years after he shunned them as a loss of pride, but pride generally comes before a fall.

If Juventus are to become serious challengers in Europe once more, then they should have nothing in their armoury bar a steely determination to succeed. And by allowing Ibrahimovic the chance to come back and win more trophies that cannot be tainted or questioned, then they could yet reach even greater heights than those they have achieved over the past two years.

 

[Marek Hamsik]

Serie A wrap: Napoli keep pressure on Juventus

28 April 2013

Napoli kept up the pressure on Juventus with a comfortable 3-0 win over Pescara on Saturday.

Walter Mazzarri's side needed three points to ensure the league leaders could not wrap up the Serie A title this week, but found the bottom side hard to break down in the first half.

It was a different story after the break, though, with Gokhan Inler scoring almost straight away. Goran Pandev added the second midway through the second half, leaving Blerim Dzemaili to complete the win eight minutes from time.

Napoli are now within eight points of Juve, who play their game in hand on Sunday - a Turin derby meeting with Torino.

Earlier, Udinese kept their European qualification hopes alive with a 1-0 victory over Cagliari at the Stadio Is Arenas, stretching their winning run to four.

A second-half goal from Roberto Pereyra was enough in a tight affair between two top-10 sides, as Cagliari ended the game with 10 men after Mauricio Pinilla was shown a red card deep into stoppage time.

Elsewhere, Atlanta and Bologna played out a 1-1 draw as both sides edged closer to safety.

Luigi Giorgi opened the scoring for the home side before Alberto Gilardino equalised with 15 minutes remaining.

 

[Marek Hamsik]

Serie A: Torino 0 Juventus 2

28 April 2013

Juventus are on the brink of winning Serie A after securing a 2-0 win over local rivals Torino on Sunday.

Arturo Vidal netted in the 86th minute, while Claudio Marchisio scored in injury-time to leave Antonio Conte's side requiring just one point from their last three games to wrap up a second consecutive title.

Sebastian Giovinco made the Juventus bench after his injury, while Mauricio Isla, Simone Pepe and Nicolas Anelka remain sidelined. Torino boss Giampiero Ventura was without the suspended Giuseppe Vives and Mattia Darmian for the game, while Paulo Vitor Barreto was surprisingly dropped to the bench.

Alessio Cerci whipped a fantastic early free-kick across the face of the Juventus goal, but it was the visitors who created the first real chances of the match.

Paul Pogba fed an inch-perfect pass behind the Torino backline but Mirko Vucinic dragged his shot wide of the post, before Arturo Vidal headed narrowly over from a Stephan Lichtsteiner cross.

Torino keeper Jean- Francois Gillet was then called into action to stop a curling effort from Vidal and a cross from Marchisio, but the Belgian keeper needed Kamil Glik to block Pogba’s close range effort.

Marchisio made a crucial interception at the back post to deny Mario Santana from heading in Cerci’s cross as the relegation-threatened side started to push forward.

Juventus found the back of the net after 35 minutes of play but Marchisio was flagged offside after he received the ball from Vucinic and chipped over the on-rushing Gillet.

Torino’s Santana had the best chance of the match just before half-time, only to see Gianluigi Buffon produce a brilliant save to tip his curling effort over the bar.

The first half was understandably a fierce affair and Riccardo Meggiorini and Lichtsteiner received bookings as tempers boiled over just ahead of the break.

Juventus dominated the early exchanges of the second half as heavy rain poured down at the Stadio Olimpico.

Vucinic went close after his strike took a wicked deflection off Migjen Basha and bounced inches wide of the post.

Vidal, who has scored Juventus’ last three goals, was denied by a block from Glik before failing to trouble Gillet with a header as the score remained level with 25 minutes remaining.

Antonio Conte brought on Martin Caceres and Fabio Quagliarella in the 74th-minute with hopes of influencing the score-line in Juventus’ favour.

Torino went close to grabbing a late winner as Cerci beat Kwadwo Asamoah and Andrea Pirlo down the left but his low cross failed to connect with Jonathas in front of goal.

But Juve stole the win as Marchisio laid the ball off to Vidal on the edge of the area and the Chilean thumped a half-volley into the bottom-left corner from 20 yards.

Things got worse for the hosts as Kamil Glik was dismissed for a second yellow card after fouling Quagliarella and Marchisio swept home a second in injury-time as Juve sit on the brink of the Scudetto.

 

[Marek Hamsik]

Serie A: Palermo 1 Inter 0

28 April 2013

Palermo moved out of the Serie A relegation zone with a 1-0 win over Inter at the Stadio Renzo Barbera on Sunday.

Josep Ilicic scored the only goal of the game when a mistake from Matias Silvestre allowed Fabrizio Miccoli to steal the ball and set the Slovenian up for a shot which found the bottom left-hand corner of the goal.

A fine Miccoli volley almost yielded a second goal for Palermo and two excellent pieces of skill from Ricky Alvarez almost brought an equaliser for Inter.

Miccoli replaced Mauro Boselli in the only change for Palermo while Tommaso Rocchi kept his place in an injury-ravaged Inter side.

Palermo made the brighter start, and could have taken the lead in the seventh minute when Santiago Garcia ghosted past two Inter defenders and laid the ball into Miccoli, only for the the forward to hit his effort straight at Samir Handanovic.

But the hosts did not have to wait long for the opener as, after Silvestre made a hash of his attempted clearance, Miccoli stole the ball and played a pass into Ilicic who side-footed into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

The home side continued to press, with Ilicic and Miccoli particularly impressive, but Inter had a great chance to level when Alvarez controlled an Alvaro Pereira cross with his chest and hit his half-volley just wide.

Inter were then almost left to rue that miss when a counter-attack led to a chance for Miccoli, but the forward failed to get good contact on his effort.

On the stroke of half-time, Rocchi missed a glorious opportunity to equalise for the visitors. The defender met a cross from the right-hand side but put his header wide when he should have at least tested the goalkeeper.

Jonathan almost gave Inter the perfect start to the second half, but his rising effort from 20 yards was parried by Palermo keeper Stefano Sorrentino.

Palermo then had three opportunities to double their lead. A quick free-kick led to a Miccoli cross but Andrea Ranocchia just got a touch on the ball to prevent Salvatore Aronica from getting a header at goal.

Soon after, Massimo Donati hit a low drive from the edge of the area just wide of the post, and the hosts continued to push for a second, as a sublime piece of skill almost brought a deserved goal for Miccoli.

The forward teed the ball up for himself on the edge of the area and smashed a left-footed volley towards the top corner but a brilliant diving save from Handanovic prevented a goal.

Inter, buoyed by those let offs, pushed forward searching for an equaliser and twice went close thanks to fantastic pieces of play by Alvarez.

The 25-year-old hit a delightful 35-yard strike that dipped in the air but landed on the roof of the net before gliding through the Palermo defence and blasting a shot over the bar.

Handovic made another fine save in the closing moments when he tipped substitute Abel Hernadez's half-volley around the post.

The forward was booked for protesting to the referee when he subsequently failed to award a corner but Palermo managed to hang on for a priceless victory in their fight against relegation.

 

[Marek Hamsik]

Serie A: AC Milan 4 Catania 2

29 April 2013

Giampaolo Pazzini climbed off the bench to score two goals as AC Milan came from behind to beat Catania 4-2 at San Siro on Sunday.

The hosts dominated proceedings but found themselves 1-0 down to a Nicola Legrottaglie header before Matthieu Flamini equalised just before half-time.

Catania took another shock lead through Gonzalo Bergessio with 25 minutes left before Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri brought on Pazzini and the Italian striker grabbed two goals in as many minutes before a Mario Balotelli penalty sealed the win in injury-time, moving Milan back into third place.

Balotelli and Flamini returned to the Milan starting line-up having completed spells on the sidelines through suspension.

But the home side were without the services of club captain Massimo Ambrosini after he was forced off against Juventus with ankle ligament damage.

Meanwhile, Catania goalkeeper Mariano Andujar, midfielder Giuseppe Bellusci and Nicolas Spolli all missed the game through suspension after last Sunday’s 1-1 derby draw with Palermo ended in a mass brawl.

There was a very early penalty claim from Milan as Alexis Rolin seemed to use his arm to block Kevin-Prince Boateng’s cross, but the referee waved away the protests.

Milan continued to pour forward during the opening exchanges and created a number of dangerous chances, the best of which was dragged wide of Alberto Frison's post by Balotelli.

The Italy international could then have put the hosts ahead in the 15th minute but his outstretched leg narrowly missed Boateng’s fierce ball across the face of goal.

And Milan were made to rue that miss, as Catania took a surprise lead just before the half-hour mark. Francesco Lodi swung a free-kick towards the far post and Legrottaglie rose the highest to head home.

Lodi almost immediately gave the visitors a two-goal lead but his low effort was kept out by Marco Amelia, before Balotelli hit the crossbar at the other end.

Milan continued to pile on the pressure but failed to find an equaliser as Flamini and Balotelli both had scrappy efforts blocked in front of goal.

Frison saw most of the action during the first 45 minutes and made a fantastic save to tip a Balotelli free-kick round the post.

However, the Catania keeper could not prevent Flamini's fierce volley from hitting the far corner of his net as Milan finally equalised on the stroke of half-time.
Stephan El Shaarawy started the second half brightly and brought a good diving save from Frison before being denied a penalty after Legrottaglie forced him to the ground.

Milan continued to dominate proceedings but the visitors took another shock lead in the 65th-minute after Pablo Barrientos released Gonzalo Bergessio down the left and the Argentine striker chipped the ball over the onrushing Amelia.

Allegri brought on Giampaolo Pazzini in response to going behind and less than 10 minutes later the Italian forward had two goals to his name.

Frison could only parry Balotelli’s curled strike and the substitute followed up to tap into an empty net before the goalkeeper saved an El Shaarawy effort and Pazzini smashed home the rebound.

The visitors conceded a penalty in injury-time after Balotelli was fouled inside the area, which the former Manchester City man calmly converted to seal the victory.

 

[Marek Hamsik]

El Shaarawy: I want to stay forever
The AC Milan attacker is eager to stay at his current club for many more years and has admitted that he is unhappy with his two-month goal drought

Zanetti will be back, says Ayala
Suggestions that the Inter captain would retire as a result of his latest injury have been refuted by his fellow countryman

Red-hot Ilicic hopes to spoil Juventus' party
With five goals in as many games the Slovenia forward is in scintillating form and is determined to ensure Palermo survive the drop by netting against the league leaders

Montolivo praises 'massive' Pazzini performance
The AC Milan midfielder was thrilled at the performance of his compatriot after he struck two goals in three minutes as a second-half substitute to seal victory over Catania

Moratti: I have no doubt that Zanetti will return
The Nerazzurri president is convinced that the veteran Argentine will not be forced to retire by an Achilles and will soon be back to his usual best

AC Milan fined over Zanetti chants
The San Siro side have been punished for their supporters' chants aimed at the injured Inter captain during Sunday's game against Catania

Zamparini targets Palermo party in Turin
The 71-year-old says nothing but a win will do ahead of meeting league leaders Juventus at the weekend and believes his team currently occupy a false position in Serie A

Zanetti: I would return even for one match
The Nerazzurri skipper has stressed that he intends on playing for the club again after suffering an Achilles injury on Sunday

AC Milan handed Bojan injury blow
The on-loan striker could miss the Rossoneri's remaining four Serie A games - though his length of absence is yet to be confirmed

'Roma seems like a ghost ship' - Gasparri
The Italian politician is unhappy with the leadership at the illustrious club, and would like to see Massimiliano Allegri or Jose Mourinho take over

Balotelli as decisive as Ibrahimovic, says Nocerino
The AC Milan midfielder has nothing but praise for the Italy international and has compared him to the Swedish attacker, who left the club last summer

Juventus admire Robben & Alexis, says Marotta
The Turin powerhouse's general director is full of praise for both attackers but fears a summer transfer for either player could prove problematic

Zanetti: Injury will not end my career
The Argentine has dismissed suggestions that he could end his playing days after sustaining a serious Achilles injury at the weekend

Allegri thanks Milan fans for support
The San Siro faithful displayed several banners asking the Rossoneri directors to show the under-fire coach greater respect amidst reports that he is to be sacked this summer

Balotelli lashes out at officials
The Rossoneri striker feels that he is being victimised by referees and their assistants, claiming that he is banned for offences that his peers get away with

Inter confirm Zanetti has Achilles tendon injury
The legendary Nerazzurri defender was carried from the field at the Renzo Barbera in obvious distress after a collision with Rosanero defender Salvatore Aronica

Marchisio: Juventus showed great character
The 27-year-old praised the resourcefulness of the team to overcome a tough Torino side and says he is looking forward to winning the title on home soil next weekend

Stramaccioni: Zanetti injury serious
The 39-year-old Argentine defender was stretchered from the field after colliding with Rosanero centre-half Salvatore Aronica and is now facing an uncertain future

Juventus coach Conte commiserates with injured Zanetti
The Bianconeri boss was upset to hear the legendary Argentine defender had suffered a potentially career-threatening Achilles tendon injury in Palermo

Vidal: Just one more point!
The Chile international made the vital breakthrough in the Turin derby, thus putting the Bianconeri in a position to clinch the Serie A title against Palermo next weekend

Conte fuels Ibrahimovic and Suarez rumours
The Bianconeri have been linked with moves for both players and their trainer feels both would react positively to the possibility of a move to the Serie A leaders

Mazzarri: It was normal that Napoli missed Cavani
Despite admitting his team felt its star striker's absence, the trainer still praised the side's efforts and their season after securing a win against Pescara

Battle for third place will go to the wire, warns Montella
The Viola trainer is adamant they can compete for a Champions League place while also praising the newfound maturity of Adem Ljajic

Allegri: My future is not in question
The 45-year-old has dismissed the possibility of leaving the club this summer and feels Sunday's clash with Fiorentina is decisive in their bid for European football

Roma's ambition is to emulate Dortmund, reveals Andreazzoli
The caretaker boss concedes that the Giallorossi's project since their takeover in 2011 has failed to ignite and aims to take inspiration from BVB in the coming years

'Inter are running out of players!' - Stramaccioni rues injury problems
The young coach has voiced his concern at the Nerazzurri's ever-increasing casualty list but believes they can still return to the top of Italian football

Bonera eager to extend AC Milan deal
The experienced defender's current contract expires at the end of the season, but he insists a move away from San Siro is far from his thoughts

 

[Marek Hamsik]

Serie A - Parma-Bologna moved

The Emilia-Romagna Derby between Parma and Bologna has been moved to a later kick-off.

FootballItalia – 19 hours ago

This game had been due to start at 14.00 UK time on May 12, but has now switched to a 17.00 UK time kick-off instead.

The Lega Serie A confirmed the news with a note released this afternoon.

 

[Marek Hamsik]

Serie A - FIGC pass Cagliari stadium rule

The FIGC has passed a new rule banning clubs from entering Serie A if they don’t have a stadium, a response to the Cagliari Is Arenas saga.

FootballItalia – 14 hours ago

FIGC pass Cagliari stadium rule

“Registration will be possible only if the stadium used by each club is clear and defined, therefore avoiding the complicated situations that affected us this season,” said Federation President Giancarlo Abete.

This season Cagliari started out with the new Is Arenas, which was built over the summer and repeatedly failed security checks.

Despite restructuring work, the stadium was still not considered suitable for a Serie A match and now the Sardinians are playing their home games at the Stadio Nereo Rocco in Trieste.

The new rule is for the 2013-14 campaign and is a new addition to the existing boxes that must be ticked in order to be allowed into the League.

Clubs must also be fully paid up on wages, taxes and contributions with relatively balanced budgets.

 

[Marek Hamsik]

Serie A - Pirlo: I agreed Chelsea switch

Andrea Pirlo says he was close to joining Chelsea in the past, but the move was blocked by Milan chief Silvio Berlusconi.

FootballItalia – Tue, Apr 30, 2013 10:45 BST

Andrea Pirlo celebrates for Juventus

The 33-year-old, now at Juventus, made the revelation in an interview with Sky Sport Italia where he also spoke of interest from Real Madrid.

“I think that I was close to a move to Chelsea and Real,” he noted. “I had already agreed terms with the London club, but then Berlusconi intervened and I remained at Milan.”

The playmaker spent a decade with the Diavolo until he joined Juve in 2011 on a free transfer once his contract had expired.

“I have no kind of regrets about leaving Milan,” he continued. “I needed a change and the best thing was to go and play somewhere else.

“It was also a good decision by the Rossoneri too seeing as they got other players in my role. I’m happy that I accepted a Juve move.”

Pirlo is coming towards the end of his career, but he has admitted that he could choose to remain in the game thanks to boss Antonio Conte.

“He’s surprised me on a tactical level and the way he works on a daily basis, I’ve learned a lot from him.

“I previously didn’t want to become a coach, but I could decide to now because of what he has taught me.”

Pirlo will collect his second successive Scudetto in Turin if Juve get a point against Palermo on Sunday.

 

[Buffon]

Serie A - Inter's Zanetti out for six months after Achilles surgery

Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti had a successful operation for his ruptured Achilles tendon on Tuesday and will be out of action for about six months, his doctor said.

Reuters – 16 hours ago

The 39-year-old, who has played more than 840 games for Inter and has a record 145 caps for Argentina, remained unflappable throughout, surgeon Franco Benazzo told the Inter website.

"The operation was a complete success, it lasted around an hour," said Benazzo. "He'll have his foot in a cast for the next three weeks and won't be able to walk on it, then he will start to walk in phase two of his physiotherapy.

"As ever in cases like these, we're looking at six months out of action, just as we've seen from other examples in recent times.

"Was he relaxed going into theatre? What do you think? Have you ever seen Zanetti worked up? He was very calm and relaxed. Was his hair in place? As ever."

"His incredible physique will give him an advantage. He has proved it by playing until (nearly) 40 and he will do so again," Benazzo added.

"Locally the muscle mass will decrease slightly during the time his foot's immobile. But the Inter medical staff have shown over the years that they can get players fit who have suffered from more serious injuries than a snapped Achilles."

Zanetti suffered the injury during Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Palermo in Serie A.

 

[Napoli]

Lavezzi was close to joining Inter, says agent
The Argentina international was close to signing for the Nerazzurri before he eventually made the move to Paris Saint-Germain instead

 

[Alessandro Matri]

Serie A Preview: Juventus look to capture title

2 May 2013

Juventus will look to wrap up the Serie A title when they host relegation-threatened Palermo at the Juventus Stadium on Sunday.

Goals from Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio in last Sunday's derby victory over Torino maintained an 11-point gap over Napoli with just four fixtures remaining.

Palermo secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Inter in their previous league fixture to leave them one place above the relegation zone on goal difference.

They will hope that forward Fabrizio Miccoli can continue his lively partnership with Josip Ilicic from the Inter win as they look to claim a vital three points.

Inter will try to re-ignite their European qualification hopes as they travel to the Stadio San Paolo to face second-placed Napoli.

A 1-0 loss Palermo last Sunday left Inter in seventh place with four matches remaining. Javier Zanetti damaged his Achilles tendon in the match and adds to a growing injury list for the club that has severely hindered their progress.

Napoli will try to cement their grasp on the runners-up spot and secure a UEFA Champions League place.

A 3-0 victory at bottom-of-the-table Pescara last Sunday leaves them eight points clear of Fiorentina with 12 left to play for.

Fiorentina host Roma at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Saturday in their bid to oust Milan in the battle for third. A Roma victory would keep their slim hopes of UEFA Champions League qualification alive but a loss would almost certainly end their chances.

Milan will be looking to capitalise on any dropped Fiorentina points to tighten their grasp on third place. They host Torino at the San Siro as the Turin outfit, who are not yet safe from relegation, will be looking to bounce back from their derby defeat to Juventus.

Udinese and Lazio both have home fixtures against Sampdoria and Bologna respectively on Sunday with both sides looking to claim a UEFA Europa League spot.

Elsewhere in Serie A Chievo play Cagliari on Saturday at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, while on Sunday Parma host Atlanta at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.

Also on Sunday, Pescara will be relegated if they don’t win their away fixture at Genoa and Siena's battle for survival continues as they travel to Catania.

 

[Alessandro Matri]

Serie A Preview: Juventus v Palermo

4 May 2013

Juventus can wrap up consecutive Serie A titles on Sunday if they manage at least a draw at home to relegation-threatened Palermo.

With four rounds remaining in Italy's top flight, Juventus top of the standings 11 points clear of second-placed Napoli, meaning a point would effectively wrap up the championship.

Juventus' goal difference is plus 46, far ahead of Napoli (plus 32), and Antonio Conte's team should be very confident against Palermo, despite the Sicilian club's good form.

Palermo have not lost in five Serie A fixtures as they attempt to avoid relegation, having beaten Roma, Sampdoria and Inter Milan to rise from second bottom on March 17 to just above the drop zone heading into this weekend's games.

Arturo Vidal will be key to Juventus' hopes on Sunday as the Chilean midfielder has scored four goals in his team's past three matches.

Vidal netted the opener in his team's last-gasp 2-0 victory away to Torino last week, cracking a stunning half-volley from outside the area into the bottom corner in the 86th minute, before Claudio Marchisio wrapped up the win in stoppage time.

The 25-year-old notched a penalty in Juventus' 1-0 triumph over AC Milan the week before, while he also scored both goals in the victory at Lazio on April 15.

Palermo stunned seventh-placed Inter last week thanks to Josip Ilicic's 10th-minute strike and Juventus should be wary of the Sicilians based on previous clashes in Turin.

The reigning Serie A champions have only won one of their past four home matches against Palermo, with that victory coming last season in their maiden clash at Juventus Stadium.

With 18th-placed Genoa likely to pick up points against bottom club Pescara this weekend, defeat for 17th-placed Palermo could see Giuseppe Sannino's side fall back into the relegation zone.

Palermo only lead Genoa on goal difference with both teams on 32 points, while 19th-placed Siena (30 points) still have a chance of staying in Serie A next season ahead of their trip to Catania on Sunday.

 

[Alessandro Matri]

Serie A Preview: Milan v Torino

4 May 2013

Torino head coach Giampiero Ventura may need to shake things up in defence against Milan if his side are to avoid relegation from Serie A.

Ventura's team have been in fine scoring form over the past two months having netted 11 goals in seven matches, led by Paulo Barreto and Rolando Bianchi, but poor defence has cost them.

Last week, league-leading Juventus held Torino scoreless for the first time in seven games as Ventura's side conceded their 18th and 19th goals in that period to lose 2-0 to the defending champions.

Ventura's first job in defence will be to improve discipline as Torino have finished the last two games with 10 men - Kamil Glik was sent off against Juventus, while Matteo Darmian received a red card in their 4-3 defeat to Fiorentina the week before.

While Glik will not play away to Milan on Sunday, Ventura may be tempted to make even more changes to his back four, as the likes of Angelo Ogbonna, Darmian and Danilo D'Ambrosio have been regulars in defence over the past two months.

Ventura may opt for Uruguayan left-back Pablo Rodriguez, who has only played one game this season, or central defender Valerio Di Cesare, who has only featured five times, to resurrect Torino's battle to avoid relegation.

Torino are two positions and four points above Serie A's drop zone with four games left this season, but having only won once in nine matches, Ventura's side are plummeting down the table.

Meanwhile, Milan must win if they are to have any hope of overhauling second-placed Napoli before the end of the season.

Napoli (69 points) have one hand on Italy's second automatic qualifying berth into next season's UEFA Champions League and will secure that spot if they knock off Inter and Milan (62) fail to defeat Torino.

Milan also need to win to ensure they stay ahead of fourth-placed Fiorentina (61 points), who will take on Roma on Saturday.

 

[Alessandro Matri]

Serie A Preview: Napoli v Inter

4 May 2013

Inter must turn their form around against second-placed Napoli if they are to stay in the hunt for a UEFA Europa League berth in Serie A.

Napoli will host Inter on Sunday knowing victory could secure a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League if AC Milan fail to win against Torino.

But Inter will arguably be more desperate for the points, having lost four of their past five matches to fall from fifth to seventh and two points adrift of Roma, who hold Italy's second UEFA Europa League spot for next season.

While a two-point gap is far from insurmountable, Inter need to stage a revival if they are to break into the top five in Serie A in the remaining four rounds.

Inter have a tough run home with three matches against opposition teams in the top eight - Napoli, Lazio and Udinese.

Roma's final four games are probably harder still, as they are set to take on fourth-placed Fiorentina, third-placed Milan and Napoli.

Having conceded 10 goals in their past five games, Inter must tighten their defence and head coach Andrea Stramaccioni will have to find the solution without veteran captain Javier Zanetti, who had surgery on his Achilles tendon this week after tearing it in the 1-0 loss to Palermo last Saturday.

Stramaccioni will also have to warn his side about Napoli's Swiss midfielder Blerim Dzemaili, who has hit a sweet run of goal-scoring form.

Dzemaili scored the third goal in Napoli's 3-0 win away to Pescara last week, the 27-year-old's fifth strike in as many matches in Serie A.

The Macedonian-born midfielder started his rich vein of form with a hat-trick in the 5-3 victory over Torino on March 30 and also netted in the 2-0 triumph against Genoa a week later.