[IT] Serie A 2004/05 (14 Viewers)
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Inter target Cup to break 16-year wait
Inter Milan can move a step closer to claiming their first piece of domestic silverware in 16 years if they beat Cagliari in the second leg of their Italian Cup semi-final. The Italian giants' last triumph on home soil dates back to 1989 when they won the Serie A title. LIVE WESNESDAY FROM 17:30 CET
Bolstered by Obafemi Martins's away goal in the 1-1 first-leg draw, Inter's players should feel confident of progressing to the final, especially since they beat Cagliari 2-0 when they visited the San Siro little more than a month ago.
Inter coach Roberto Mancini is once again expected to field an attack partnership of Adriano and Martins.
Cagliari, meanwhile, are targeting their first Italian Cup to crown their return to Serie A this season.
Italy internationals Mauro Esposito and Antonio Langella, and Gianfranco Zola, who struck the opening goal in the first leg, are expected to start up front for the visitors.
In the second semi-final on Thursday, AS Roma travel north to take on Udinese with their tie also balanced at 1-1, though both sides could be forgiven for having Serie A on their minds.
While Roma's recent dreadful run of results has dropped them close to the relegation zone, Udinese are fighting with Sampdoria over Italy's fourth and final Champions League berth.
Roma's players were booed off the pitch after a drab 0-0 draw in the city derby against Lazio at the weekend.
Judging by the hostility of their fans -- some of whom have claimed the game was a fix and have demanded their money back -- Roma might even be glad to be playing away from home.
A match in Udine is rarely an enticing prospect, but Roma's 3-3 Serie A draw in April ranks as one of their more lively recent performances. They might also feel they have a score to settle from the first leg of their Cup semi-final.
Roma had the better possession, but Udinese defender Valerio Bertotto's late goal cancelled out Philippe Mexes's early strike.
Roma captain Francesco Totti, who is serving a five-match Serie A ban, is expected to step back into the team, though injuries to Traianos Dellas and Cristian Chivu means coach Bruno Conti must cobble together a back four.
Udinese's first choice keeper Morgan De Sanctis has a knee injury and should be replaced by Samir Handanovic.
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how pathetic :LOL:
Inter Milan can move a step closer to claiming their first piece of domestic silverware in 16 years if they beat Cagliari in the second leg of their Italian Cup semi-final. The Italian giants' last triumph on home soil dates back to 1989 when they won the Serie A title. LIVE WESNESDAY FROM 17:30 CET
Bolstered by Obafemi Martins's away goal in the 1-1 first-leg draw, Inter's players should feel confident of progressing to the final, especially since they beat Cagliari 2-0 when they visited the San Siro little more than a month ago.
Inter coach Roberto Mancini is once again expected to field an attack partnership of Adriano and Martins.
Cagliari, meanwhile, are targeting their first Italian Cup to crown their return to Serie A this season.
Italy internationals Mauro Esposito and Antonio Langella, and Gianfranco Zola, who struck the opening goal in the first leg, are expected to start up front for the visitors.
In the second semi-final on Thursday, AS Roma travel north to take on Udinese with their tie also balanced at 1-1, though both sides could be forgiven for having Serie A on their minds.
While Roma's recent dreadful run of results has dropped them close to the relegation zone, Udinese are fighting with Sampdoria over Italy's fourth and final Champions League berth.
Roma's players were booed off the pitch after a drab 0-0 draw in the city derby against Lazio at the weekend.
Judging by the hostility of their fans -- some of whom have claimed the game was a fix and have demanded their money back -- Roma might even be glad to be playing away from home.
A match in Udine is rarely an enticing prospect, but Roma's 3-3 Serie A draw in April ranks as one of their more lively recent performances. They might also feel they have a score to settle from the first leg of their Cup semi-final.
Roma had the better possession, but Udinese defender Valerio Bertotto's late goal cancelled out Philippe Mexes's early strike.
Roma captain Francesco Totti, who is serving a five-match Serie A ban, is expected to step back into the team, though injuries to Traianos Dellas and Cristian Chivu means coach Bruno Conti must cobble together a back four.
Udinese's first choice keeper Morgan De Sanctis has a knee injury and should be replaced by Samir Handanovic.
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how pathetic :LOL:
Paolo Montero recognises his career with Juventus is over and wants to play in Spain before finishing in his homeland with Penarol. Montero, who joined Juventus from Atalanta in 1996, has made only a handful of appearances in his ninth season with the club and his contract ends in June.
"I think my cycle in Italy has finished," the red card-prone central defender told Uruguayan media on Tuesday.
"As I haven't played this year, I don't feel comfortable. I haven't had problems with the coach, the players have earned their positions and have won them playing by the rules.
"Hopefully, I will leave with another championship although, by my way of thinking, I wouldn't say that I'm a champion because I haven't played much."
Juventus are five points clear of AC Milan with two games remaining in Serie A.
Asked where he would like to play next, Montero, 33, replied: "In Spanish football. I've always liked the way they play and hopefully it can come true.
"I feel good for the moment and I consider that I can play for another couple of years here (in Europe). My dream, as I've always said, is to play for Penarol, but not yet."
IMPROVED GREATLY
Montero, who began his career with Penarol and has won 56 caps, made a Uruguay comeback at the Copa America last July, two years after announcing his international retirement.
Uruguay have improved greatly since his return and, after a disastrous run of results last year, have climbed to fifth in the South American World Cup qualifying group.
Their next two games are away to Venezuela and Peru in June.
"If we play like we did against Chile and Brazil, we will get the points we need although the luck factor is fundamental," said Montero, referring to their 1-1 draws in both matches.
"If we don't play well, it doesn't really bother me. The important thing is the points."
"I think my cycle in Italy has finished," the red card-prone central defender told Uruguayan media on Tuesday.
"As I haven't played this year, I don't feel comfortable. I haven't had problems with the coach, the players have earned their positions and have won them playing by the rules.
"Hopefully, I will leave with another championship although, by my way of thinking, I wouldn't say that I'm a champion because I haven't played much."
Juventus are five points clear of AC Milan with two games remaining in Serie A.
Asked where he would like to play next, Montero, 33, replied: "In Spanish football. I've always liked the way they play and hopefully it can come true.
"I feel good for the moment and I consider that I can play for another couple of years here (in Europe). My dream, as I've always said, is to play for Penarol, but not yet."
IMPROVED GREATLY
Montero, who began his career with Penarol and has won 56 caps, made a Uruguay comeback at the Copa America last July, two years after announcing his international retirement.
Uruguay have improved greatly since his return and, after a disastrous run of results last year, have climbed to fifth in the South American World Cup qualifying group.
Their next two games are away to Venezuela and Peru in June.
"If we play like we did against Chile and Brazil, we will get the points we need although the luck factor is fundamental," said Montero, referring to their 1-1 draws in both matches.
"If we don't play well, it doesn't really bother me. The important thing is the points."
Inter set for major clearout Wednesday 18 May, 2005
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Inter are preparing for another summer revolution with the likes of Christian Vieri and Alvaro Recoba heading for the exit.
Reports in the peninsula on Wednesday suggest that many of the club’s ‘Old Guard’ will be sold, as they finally look to mount a creditable title challenge next season.
While it is widely accepted that Edgar Davids and goalkeeper Alberto Fontana have no future at the San Siro, they will probably be joined by some high profile colleagues.
Vieri, now 32, has stated that he intends to see out the remaining year of his contract but the Nerazzurri may want to cash in on the international.
He’s been linked with the likes of Milan and Juventus recently but a return to Atletico Madrid may be on the cards.
The enigma who is Recoba (pictured) is expected to wave goodbye after years of inconsistent performances.
Despite being a favourite of owner Massimo Moratti, the Uruguayan is a target for both Sampdoria and Palermo.
Turkish ace Emre will quit the club after he recently revealed his desire to go and play in England or Spain.
The midfielder, still just 24, has caught the eye of Everton who will be playing in the Champions’ League next term.
Cristiano Zanetti could also be sacrificed if boss Roberto Mancini decides that the best option for his central midfield is an Esteban Cambiasso and Juan Veron partnership.
On the arrivals front, reports are gathering pace that Inter will end Stefano Fiore’s nightmare at Valencia. "He is a good player who did well for me at Lazio," Mancini stated yesterday.
Inter have reportedly grabbed an option on Lecce striker Mirko Vucinic after his 17 Serie A goals this term.
While PSV Eindhoven stopper Alex, who is actually owned by Chelsea, is the latest central defender to be paired with the Italian giants. The Brazilian is valued at £5.5m
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Inter are preparing for another summer revolution with the likes of Christian Vieri and Alvaro Recoba heading for the exit.
Reports in the peninsula on Wednesday suggest that many of the club’s ‘Old Guard’ will be sold, as they finally look to mount a creditable title challenge next season.
While it is widely accepted that Edgar Davids and goalkeeper Alberto Fontana have no future at the San Siro, they will probably be joined by some high profile colleagues.
Vieri, now 32, has stated that he intends to see out the remaining year of his contract but the Nerazzurri may want to cash in on the international.
He’s been linked with the likes of Milan and Juventus recently but a return to Atletico Madrid may be on the cards.
The enigma who is Recoba (pictured) is expected to wave goodbye after years of inconsistent performances.
Despite being a favourite of owner Massimo Moratti, the Uruguayan is a target for both Sampdoria and Palermo.
Turkish ace Emre will quit the club after he recently revealed his desire to go and play in England or Spain.
The midfielder, still just 24, has caught the eye of Everton who will be playing in the Champions’ League next term.
Cristiano Zanetti could also be sacrificed if boss Roberto Mancini decides that the best option for his central midfield is an Esteban Cambiasso and Juan Veron partnership.
On the arrivals front, reports are gathering pace that Inter will end Stefano Fiore’s nightmare at Valencia. "He is a good player who did well for me at Lazio," Mancini stated yesterday.
Inter have reportedly grabbed an option on Lecce striker Mirko Vucinic after his 17 Serie A goals this term.
While PSV Eindhoven stopper Alex, who is actually owned by Chelsea, is the latest central defender to be paired with the Italian giants. The Brazilian is valued at £5.5m
Toni: Let’s Legitimate Our Season!
5/19/2005 7:51:00 AM
The Palermo striker wants his side to have a great performance at San Siro against the Rossoneri, to end the Rosanero’s excellent season on an even higher note.
Luca Toni is wary of Milan, despite the Rossoneri will most likely rest some of their key players ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League final in Istanbul against Liverpool. However, the Italian international wants to keep up the standard set by Palermo so far and prove that they deserve the league position they have obtained by going to San Siro and doing well.
“In Milan we want to play well, to legitimate our exciting season. The Rossoneri will want to continue hoping in the Scudetto. It’s true that they are very concentrated on the Champions League final, but we shall have to be careful. It will be a real game and we hope to make a good performance.”
Palermo are in 6th place, as the Rosanero are just a step away from a historic place in the Uefa Cup.
good news for juve
5/19/2005 7:51:00 AM
The Palermo striker wants his side to have a great performance at San Siro against the Rossoneri, to end the Rosanero’s excellent season on an even higher note.
Luca Toni is wary of Milan, despite the Rossoneri will most likely rest some of their key players ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League final in Istanbul against Liverpool. However, the Italian international wants to keep up the standard set by Palermo so far and prove that they deserve the league position they have obtained by going to San Siro and doing well.
“In Milan we want to play well, to legitimate our exciting season. The Rossoneri will want to continue hoping in the Scudetto. It’s true that they are very concentrated on the Champions League final, but we shall have to be careful. It will be a real game and we hope to make a good performance.”
Palermo are in 6th place, as the Rosanero are just a step away from a historic place in the Uefa Cup.
good news for juve