[ITA] Serie A 2007/2008 (59 Viewers)
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Who Are The Early-Season Winners From Serie A?
As we are currently in the middle of an international break, now is a good time to take a look at some of the players who have really impressed in Italy so far this campaign. Carlo Garganese offers some suggestions…
Riccardo Zampagna (Atalanta) – Two absolute wonder-goals against Fiorentina and Lazio has helped his club to a fine start to the season. This 32-year-old veteran is a real street-player.
Pasquale Foggia (Cagliari) – The Sardinians were many peoples tip for relegation after the sale of star-duo David Suazo and Mauro Esposito. However Foggia has been a revelation and his creativity and dribbling-skills earned him his first Italy cap against Georgia last Saturday.
Sebastian Giovinco (Empoli) – This 20 year-old wonderkid has been criminally underused by club boss Gigi Cagni. However for the Italy Under-21s the playmaker has been a revelation. Small, skilful, with lightning acceleration, many regard Giovinco as the 'Italian Lionel Messi’. A star in the making.
Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) – The Romanian has carried his phenomenal form from last season into the new campaign. The 28-year-old is at the peak of his career and his six goals in nine games in all competitions have led the Viola to a superb unbeaten start in both Serie A and Europe.
Marco Borriello (Genoa) The 25-year-old has long been regarded as a bright prospect in Italian football but has until now failed to display his talent. This campaign it seems Borriello has finally burst onto the scene with five goals in seven games, including a fantastic hat-trick against Udinese in week five.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter) – The Swedish superstar has been the best player in Italy this season and has already scored nine goals in all competitions. At times the ex-Juventus man has been unstoppable, and if the 26-year-old can keep up this form it really is difficult to look past Inter as Scudetto champions.
Cesar (Inter) – The 32-year-old winger had become something of a forgotten man since joining from Lazio in 2006. However the Brazilian, who famously served time in prison for robbery, has had something of a renaissance and is arguably now Inter’s first choice pick on the left-hand side of midfield.
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) – It gets boring to continually state the obvious, but Buffon is the undisputed number one goalkeeper in the world. Juventus may sit in a healthy second position in Serie A but this is only thanks to some truly world-class saves by Gigi in the games against Cagliari, Roma and Fiorentina.
David Trezeguet (Juventus) – As the prolific Frenchman said himself after being sensationally snubbed by French Coach Raymond Domenech recently, “I have never had a better start to a season.” Seven goals in as many games have put the 30-year-old on top of the Italian scorers chart. An absolute goal-machine.
Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus) – Many people questioned whether Iaquinta had the ability to cut it at a top club, however the 27-year-old has had a magnificent start to his Bianconeri career. Four goals in four games and a man-of-the-match performance against Roma – Iaquinta has a bright future in Turin.
Andrea Pirlo (Milan) – In truth Pirlo’s performances over the past few games have not been anything out of the ordinary, however his form in the first month of the campaign warrants his inclusion in this list. He was the best player on the pitch by the proverbial mile in Italy’s September Euro 2008 qualifier against France.
Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli) – The Napoli fans have never been so excited about a player since the days of the Diego Maradona. The 22-year-old certainly shares some characteristics with his legendary compatriot and this includes a hot temper, as the recent road-rage incident last Friday demonstrates.
Paolo Cannavaro (Napoli) – Napoli have the second best defensive record in Serie A and until their week six defeat to Genoa, they went four matches without conceding a goal. Much of this was down to Cannavaro, younger brother of Azzurri captain Fabio. This week Paolo became the first Napoli player in 15 years to be called-up to the Italian national team.
Christian Panucci (Roma) – After three years in the international wilderness, Panucci is back in the Azzurri fold, and on the evidence of his recent performances against Ukraine and Georgia, he is now a virtual guarantee in the eyes of the Italian media to start at right-back in the monster clash with Scotland on November 17.
Francesco Totti (Roma) – Another imperious start to a Serie A season from Roma’s talismanic captain. Six goals in seven games, including a brace against Juventus, it is absolutely criminal that Er Pupone was not included on the 30-man shortlist for the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year.
Alessandro Rosina (Torino) – The wing-wizard has been troubled by injury and contract problems just recently. However the 23-year-old scored three absolute screamers in the Serie A games against Lazio and Reggina and the Coppa Italia tie with Rimini. Selected for Italy for the first time against South Africa on Wednesday – I am expecting a big performance.
Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) – Di Natale was a national hero in September when his two goals in Ukraine gave Italy a priceless Euro 2008 qualifying victory. He followed this up with the winner for Udinese against Juventus in Turin, before hitting two magnificent goals in the week four victory over Reggina.
goal.com
As we are currently in the middle of an international break, now is a good time to take a look at some of the players who have really impressed in Italy so far this campaign. Carlo Garganese offers some suggestions…
Riccardo Zampagna (Atalanta) – Two absolute wonder-goals against Fiorentina and Lazio has helped his club to a fine start to the season. This 32-year-old veteran is a real street-player.
Pasquale Foggia (Cagliari) – The Sardinians were many peoples tip for relegation after the sale of star-duo David Suazo and Mauro Esposito. However Foggia has been a revelation and his creativity and dribbling-skills earned him his first Italy cap against Georgia last Saturday.
Sebastian Giovinco (Empoli) – This 20 year-old wonderkid has been criminally underused by club boss Gigi Cagni. However for the Italy Under-21s the playmaker has been a revelation. Small, skilful, with lightning acceleration, many regard Giovinco as the 'Italian Lionel Messi’. A star in the making.
Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) – The Romanian has carried his phenomenal form from last season into the new campaign. The 28-year-old is at the peak of his career and his six goals in nine games in all competitions have led the Viola to a superb unbeaten start in both Serie A and Europe.
Marco Borriello (Genoa) The 25-year-old has long been regarded as a bright prospect in Italian football but has until now failed to display his talent. This campaign it seems Borriello has finally burst onto the scene with five goals in seven games, including a fantastic hat-trick against Udinese in week five.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter) – The Swedish superstar has been the best player in Italy this season and has already scored nine goals in all competitions. At times the ex-Juventus man has been unstoppable, and if the 26-year-old can keep up this form it really is difficult to look past Inter as Scudetto champions.
Cesar (Inter) – The 32-year-old winger had become something of a forgotten man since joining from Lazio in 2006. However the Brazilian, who famously served time in prison for robbery, has had something of a renaissance and is arguably now Inter’s first choice pick on the left-hand side of midfield.
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) – It gets boring to continually state the obvious, but Buffon is the undisputed number one goalkeeper in the world. Juventus may sit in a healthy second position in Serie A but this is only thanks to some truly world-class saves by Gigi in the games against Cagliari, Roma and Fiorentina.
David Trezeguet (Juventus) – As the prolific Frenchman said himself after being sensationally snubbed by French Coach Raymond Domenech recently, “I have never had a better start to a season.” Seven goals in as many games have put the 30-year-old on top of the Italian scorers chart. An absolute goal-machine.
Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus) – Many people questioned whether Iaquinta had the ability to cut it at a top club, however the 27-year-old has had a magnificent start to his Bianconeri career. Four goals in four games and a man-of-the-match performance against Roma – Iaquinta has a bright future in Turin.
Andrea Pirlo (Milan) – In truth Pirlo’s performances over the past few games have not been anything out of the ordinary, however his form in the first month of the campaign warrants his inclusion in this list. He was the best player on the pitch by the proverbial mile in Italy’s September Euro 2008 qualifier against France.
Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli) – The Napoli fans have never been so excited about a player since the days of the Diego Maradona. The 22-year-old certainly shares some characteristics with his legendary compatriot and this includes a hot temper, as the recent road-rage incident last Friday demonstrates.
Paolo Cannavaro (Napoli) – Napoli have the second best defensive record in Serie A and until their week six defeat to Genoa, they went four matches without conceding a goal. Much of this was down to Cannavaro, younger brother of Azzurri captain Fabio. This week Paolo became the first Napoli player in 15 years to be called-up to the Italian national team.
Christian Panucci (Roma) – After three years in the international wilderness, Panucci is back in the Azzurri fold, and on the evidence of his recent performances against Ukraine and Georgia, he is now a virtual guarantee in the eyes of the Italian media to start at right-back in the monster clash with Scotland on November 17.
Francesco Totti (Roma) – Another imperious start to a Serie A season from Roma’s talismanic captain. Six goals in seven games, including a brace against Juventus, it is absolutely criminal that Er Pupone was not included on the 30-man shortlist for the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year.
Alessandro Rosina (Torino) – The wing-wizard has been troubled by injury and contract problems just recently. However the 23-year-old scored three absolute screamers in the Serie A games against Lazio and Reggina and the Coppa Italia tie with Rimini. Selected for Italy for the first time against South Africa on Wednesday – I am expecting a big performance.
Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) – Di Natale was a national hero in September when his two goals in Ukraine gave Italy a priceless Euro 2008 qualifying victory. He followed this up with the winner for Udinese against Juventus in Turin, before hitting two magnificent goals in the week four victory over Reggina.
goal.com
Who Are The Early-Season Losers From Serie A?
Earlier in the day we had a look at some of the best early-season performers in Serie A – now it is time to recognise some of the worst. Carlo Garganese offers some suggestions…
Giampaolo Pazzini (Fiorentina) – When Pazzini scored a hat-trick for the Italy Under-21s against England earlier this year, many were labelling the youngster as the new goal-machine of Italian football. Fiorentina certainly believed so and sold star-striker Luca Toni in the summer. However Pazzini has failed to fill his boots and has scored just once in seven games.
Marco Di Vaio (Genoa) – The ex-Juventus hitman was seen as Genoa’s top dog on their first season in Serie A for 12 years. However the 31-year-old has been hugely disappointing. He has scored just the one goal and has been dropped from the Rossoblu starting line-up.
Adriano (Inter) – What has happened to The Emperor? He was once one of the most feared strikers in world football but is now unfit and overweight. The Brazilian seems to be overcoming the personal problems that have plagued him ever since the sad death of his father but unless he gets himself into shape, there is no chance of him ever returning to the great player he once was.
David Suazo (Inter) – The Honduran has been one of the most prolific goalscorers in Serie A in recent seasons with Cagliari but things just haven’t worked out in Milan thus far. Despite a bright pre-season, Suazo has failed to score a competitive goal for the Nerazzurri and is lagging behind in the forward pecking-order.
Jonathan Zebina (Juventus) – The fiery Frenchman started the season as one of the few experienced members of the Juventus defence. However an act of stupidity during the week two clash with Cagliari, where he got himself sent-off and then slapped a cameraman, led to a four-game suspension.
Tiago Mendes (Juventus) - The Portuguese midfielder was Juventus’ most expensive acquisition for the new season as the Bianconeri forked out £9.2m for the Lyon man. However the ex-Chelsea man has been a complete disaster in Turin and has made just one Serie A start this campaign. A January-exit looms for the 26-year-old.
Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) – The Golden Boy has been in hugely disappointing form by his own standards and has scored just once this season. Dropped by Claudio Ranieri for the week seven clash with Fiorentina and then axed by Italy boss Roberto Donadoni from the squad to face Georgia and South Africa – is this the beginning of the end for the Juve legend?
Fernando Muslera (Lazio) – Lazio beat off the likes of Arsenal, Juventus and Inter to sign the Uruguayan youngster in the summer, but the sudden plunge from Uruguayan to Italian football has been too much for the 22-year-old. His display during the 5-1 pummelling by Milan in week seven was stuff that nightmares are made out of.
Luciano Zauri (Lazio) – The dreadful Biancocelesti defence has been a key factor behind the team’s poor start to the season. Club-captain Zauri has been arguably one of the worst performers and his performance against Olympiakos in the Champions League (despite scoring) was particularly poor, as he was continuously beaten by his man. Not the kind of example you want to be setting to the rest of the team.
Diego Tristan (Livorno) – In truth the whole Livorno team could have been selected but the ex-Deportivo man has been absolutely appalling. Signed to replace the prolific Cristiano Lucarelli, the Spaniard has not scored a single goal.
Francesco Tavano (Livorno) – Two seasons ago Tavano was the talk of the Italian peninsula after a stunning campaign with Empoli. A big-money move to Valencia followed but Ciccio had a nightmare and barely set foot on the field in Spain. He retuned on loan with Roma last January, where his form failed to improve, and this pattern has followed at the Armando Picchi this campaign.
Dida (Milan) – A horrendous start to the new season for the Brazilian shot-stopper. During the week three clash with Siena he gifted Massimo Maccarone a goal in the most comical of circumstances. He then proceeded to earn himself a two-match UEFA suspension after over-reacting to an altercation with a fan during the Champions League clash with Celtic a fortnight ago. That’s not to mention the two howlers he made during that game.
Ronaldo (Milan) – The Brazilian has yet to play this season due to injury and caused friction within his club after flying out to Brazil to get a second-opinion on what medical treatment he should be receiving. El Fenomeno needs to return soon as Milan certainly need him.
Amauri (Palermo) – The Brazilian had an explosive start to the 2006/07 campaign before a serious injury picked up in December ruled him out for the rest of the season. He has since returned but has not looked the same player. Once he rediscovers his understandable lack of match sharpness we will be better placed to make an analysis.
Domenico Morfeo (Parma) – A player of such undoubted talent, who has never for one reason or another fulfilled it. The 31-year-old had a pre-season bust-up with his Coach and is currently out of the first-team reckoning.
Luca Castelazzi (Sampdoria) The 32-year-old has made some dreadful boobs this season, particularly in the UEFA Cup home tie with Aab and the Serie A defeat to Napoli.
Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese) The 24-year-old had a fantastic season with Sampdoria last season, scoring 13 goals in 35 appearances and making his debut for Italy. However things have not gone so well since moving to Udine in the summer and Quagliagol has struggled to link up with fellow Azzurri international Antonio Di Natale. I am quite certain however that he will turn the corner soon.
goal.com
Earlier in the day we had a look at some of the best early-season performers in Serie A – now it is time to recognise some of the worst. Carlo Garganese offers some suggestions…
Giampaolo Pazzini (Fiorentina) – When Pazzini scored a hat-trick for the Italy Under-21s against England earlier this year, many were labelling the youngster as the new goal-machine of Italian football. Fiorentina certainly believed so and sold star-striker Luca Toni in the summer. However Pazzini has failed to fill his boots and has scored just once in seven games.
Marco Di Vaio (Genoa) – The ex-Juventus hitman was seen as Genoa’s top dog on their first season in Serie A for 12 years. However the 31-year-old has been hugely disappointing. He has scored just the one goal and has been dropped from the Rossoblu starting line-up.
Adriano (Inter) – What has happened to The Emperor? He was once one of the most feared strikers in world football but is now unfit and overweight. The Brazilian seems to be overcoming the personal problems that have plagued him ever since the sad death of his father but unless he gets himself into shape, there is no chance of him ever returning to the great player he once was.
David Suazo (Inter) – The Honduran has been one of the most prolific goalscorers in Serie A in recent seasons with Cagliari but things just haven’t worked out in Milan thus far. Despite a bright pre-season, Suazo has failed to score a competitive goal for the Nerazzurri and is lagging behind in the forward pecking-order.
Jonathan Zebina (Juventus) – The fiery Frenchman started the season as one of the few experienced members of the Juventus defence. However an act of stupidity during the week two clash with Cagliari, where he got himself sent-off and then slapped a cameraman, led to a four-game suspension.
Tiago Mendes (Juventus) - The Portuguese midfielder was Juventus’ most expensive acquisition for the new season as the Bianconeri forked out £9.2m for the Lyon man. However the ex-Chelsea man has been a complete disaster in Turin and has made just one Serie A start this campaign. A January-exit looms for the 26-year-old.
Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) – The Golden Boy has been in hugely disappointing form by his own standards and has scored just once this season. Dropped by Claudio Ranieri for the week seven clash with Fiorentina and then axed by Italy boss Roberto Donadoni from the squad to face Georgia and South Africa – is this the beginning of the end for the Juve legend?
Fernando Muslera (Lazio) – Lazio beat off the likes of Arsenal, Juventus and Inter to sign the Uruguayan youngster in the summer, but the sudden plunge from Uruguayan to Italian football has been too much for the 22-year-old. His display during the 5-1 pummelling by Milan in week seven was stuff that nightmares are made out of.
Luciano Zauri (Lazio) – The dreadful Biancocelesti defence has been a key factor behind the team’s poor start to the season. Club-captain Zauri has been arguably one of the worst performers and his performance against Olympiakos in the Champions League (despite scoring) was particularly poor, as he was continuously beaten by his man. Not the kind of example you want to be setting to the rest of the team.
Diego Tristan (Livorno) – In truth the whole Livorno team could have been selected but the ex-Deportivo man has been absolutely appalling. Signed to replace the prolific Cristiano Lucarelli, the Spaniard has not scored a single goal.
Francesco Tavano (Livorno) – Two seasons ago Tavano was the talk of the Italian peninsula after a stunning campaign with Empoli. A big-money move to Valencia followed but Ciccio had a nightmare and barely set foot on the field in Spain. He retuned on loan with Roma last January, where his form failed to improve, and this pattern has followed at the Armando Picchi this campaign.
Dida (Milan) – A horrendous start to the new season for the Brazilian shot-stopper. During the week three clash with Siena he gifted Massimo Maccarone a goal in the most comical of circumstances. He then proceeded to earn himself a two-match UEFA suspension after over-reacting to an altercation with a fan during the Champions League clash with Celtic a fortnight ago. That’s not to mention the two howlers he made during that game.
Ronaldo (Milan) – The Brazilian has yet to play this season due to injury and caused friction within his club after flying out to Brazil to get a second-opinion on what medical treatment he should be receiving. El Fenomeno needs to return soon as Milan certainly need him.
Amauri (Palermo) – The Brazilian had an explosive start to the 2006/07 campaign before a serious injury picked up in December ruled him out for the rest of the season. He has since returned but has not looked the same player. Once he rediscovers his understandable lack of match sharpness we will be better placed to make an analysis.
Domenico Morfeo (Parma) – A player of such undoubted talent, who has never for one reason or another fulfilled it. The 31-year-old had a pre-season bust-up with his Coach and is currently out of the first-team reckoning.
Luca Castelazzi (Sampdoria) The 32-year-old has made some dreadful boobs this season, particularly in the UEFA Cup home tie with Aab and the Serie A defeat to Napoli.
Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese) The 24-year-old had a fantastic season with Sampdoria last season, scoring 13 goals in 35 appearances and making his debut for Italy. However things have not gone so well since moving to Udine in the summer and Quagliagol has struggled to link up with fellow Azzurri international Antonio Di Natale. I am quite certain however that he will turn the corner soon.
goal.com
Roma Move For Ajax Starlet Emanuelson, Again
Less than two months after the summer transfer period, when they pocketed no less than 50 million euros, Ajax may now examine the possibility of another big-money sale.
The Ajax Sale
With Wes Sneijder, Ryan Babel, Tom De Mul, Kenneth Perez and Zdenek Grygera all leaving Amsterdam last summer, AS Roma’s attempt to lure Urby Emanuelson seemed destined to fail.
Now, as the January transfer window nears, the Italian giants think the time is right – and so does Emanuelson.
"It doesn’t surprise me that they’ve made contact again," the 21-year-old left fullback told Amsterdam-based 'De Telegraaf’, Holland’s largest morning daily.
"They were prepared to offer Ajax eight million euros in the summer, but my agent, Brian Berkleef, and me turned them down, as (technical director and former Ajax midfielder) Martin Van Geel told me that no-one else could leave."
One of the latest products of Ajax’s famous academy, Emanuelson joined the first team under Ronald Koeman before making the left back position his own during the Danny Blind days.
Also a regular U-21 international at the time, the man with Surinamese roots broke into the national side on August 16, 2006 and has since recorded seven international appearances – Marco Van Basten has also selected him for Wednesday’s clash with Slovenia in Eindhoven.
Emanuelson made no secret of his desire to try his luck with the Italian Super Cup and Cup holders: “AS Roma is a nice club, where I’d certainly like to play. The only question is if I should move to Italy as soon as January.”
With 20-year-old Portuguese international Vitorino Antunes still waiting for his debut and Max Tonetto rather a midfielder than a defender, it’s only natural that Luciano Spalletti should be looking for a dependable left back.
Who’s next?
Henk Ten Cate had already predicted that Emanuelson would be the next Ajax player to move abroad. If he indeed opts for AS Roma fellow international Hedwiges Maduro may be the next in line, as he told 'De Telegraaf’ he would prefer to hold talks with Ajax over a possible contract extension when the current one expires, in the summer, and not now.
The versatile 22-year-old, who made it into the first team around the same time as Emanuelson, said that he feels he must persuade the club to keep him by 'constant enough’ performances.
All this transfer talk in mid October should be a concern for Ten Cate’s interim successor, who revealed he’s not planning on major changes, sticking with the 4-3-3 formation.
However, Adrie Koster learned on Tuesday that he’ll have to wait a little longer for Kennedy Bakircioglu to return. The Sweden international, an 1.3-million-euros acquisition from FC Twente in the summer, will continue to train separately from the group. The 26-year-old right winger has not played for the Johan Cruyff Schaal and Dutch Cup holders since September 2, due to a groin injury.
Galliani: Pato Will Be The Only Striker Arriving In January
Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has once again expressed his high-hopes for Alexandre Pato and says that the club will not be purchasing any other strikers during the January transfer window.
The Rossoneri’s front-men have been struggling badly for goals this season, with it taking until the week seven clash with Lazio before a striker hit the back of the net in Serie A.
Milan currently have just three senior-forwards in their first-team squad; Ronaldo, Alberto Gilardino and Filippo Inzaghi, which has led the Italian media to question whether an extra striker will be signed.
Brazilian wonderkid Alexandre Pato was snapped up in the summer from Internacional but he is ineligible to play until January.
"Our coach tells me that Pato is doing very well,” said Galliani. “From January he will be one of our four strikers.
“Then it will be up to the coach to decide who plays between Ronaldo, Pato, Gilardino, and Inzaghi, even though, from January, Ronaldo will also be available and we will probably play with two strikers and a playmaker.
“Pato's age is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage. So, in January, all we shall do is add Pato, a great striker, to our squad. There will be nothing else.”
gol.com
Less than two months after the summer transfer period, when they pocketed no less than 50 million euros, Ajax may now examine the possibility of another big-money sale.
The Ajax Sale
With Wes Sneijder, Ryan Babel, Tom De Mul, Kenneth Perez and Zdenek Grygera all leaving Amsterdam last summer, AS Roma’s attempt to lure Urby Emanuelson seemed destined to fail.
Now, as the January transfer window nears, the Italian giants think the time is right – and so does Emanuelson.
"It doesn’t surprise me that they’ve made contact again," the 21-year-old left fullback told Amsterdam-based 'De Telegraaf’, Holland’s largest morning daily.
"They were prepared to offer Ajax eight million euros in the summer, but my agent, Brian Berkleef, and me turned them down, as (technical director and former Ajax midfielder) Martin Van Geel told me that no-one else could leave."
One of the latest products of Ajax’s famous academy, Emanuelson joined the first team under Ronald Koeman before making the left back position his own during the Danny Blind days.
Also a regular U-21 international at the time, the man with Surinamese roots broke into the national side on August 16, 2006 and has since recorded seven international appearances – Marco Van Basten has also selected him for Wednesday’s clash with Slovenia in Eindhoven.
Emanuelson made no secret of his desire to try his luck with the Italian Super Cup and Cup holders: “AS Roma is a nice club, where I’d certainly like to play. The only question is if I should move to Italy as soon as January.”
With 20-year-old Portuguese international Vitorino Antunes still waiting for his debut and Max Tonetto rather a midfielder than a defender, it’s only natural that Luciano Spalletti should be looking for a dependable left back.
Who’s next?
Henk Ten Cate had already predicted that Emanuelson would be the next Ajax player to move abroad. If he indeed opts for AS Roma fellow international Hedwiges Maduro may be the next in line, as he told 'De Telegraaf’ he would prefer to hold talks with Ajax over a possible contract extension when the current one expires, in the summer, and not now.
The versatile 22-year-old, who made it into the first team around the same time as Emanuelson, said that he feels he must persuade the club to keep him by 'constant enough’ performances.
All this transfer talk in mid October should be a concern for Ten Cate’s interim successor, who revealed he’s not planning on major changes, sticking with the 4-3-3 formation.
However, Adrie Koster learned on Tuesday that he’ll have to wait a little longer for Kennedy Bakircioglu to return. The Sweden international, an 1.3-million-euros acquisition from FC Twente in the summer, will continue to train separately from the group. The 26-year-old right winger has not played for the Johan Cruyff Schaal and Dutch Cup holders since September 2, due to a groin injury.
Galliani: Pato Will Be The Only Striker Arriving In January
Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has once again expressed his high-hopes for Alexandre Pato and says that the club will not be purchasing any other strikers during the January transfer window.
The Rossoneri’s front-men have been struggling badly for goals this season, with it taking until the week seven clash with Lazio before a striker hit the back of the net in Serie A.
Milan currently have just three senior-forwards in their first-team squad; Ronaldo, Alberto Gilardino and Filippo Inzaghi, which has led the Italian media to question whether an extra striker will be signed.
Brazilian wonderkid Alexandre Pato was snapped up in the summer from Internacional but he is ineligible to play until January.
"Our coach tells me that Pato is doing very well,” said Galliani. “From January he will be one of our four strikers.
“Then it will be up to the coach to decide who plays between Ronaldo, Pato, Gilardino, and Inzaghi, even though, from January, Ronaldo will also be available and we will probably play with two strikers and a playmaker.
“Pato's age is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage. So, in January, all we shall do is add Pato, a great striker, to our squad. There will be nothing else.”
gol.com
Berlusconi Admits Ronaldinho Defeat?
AC Milan supremo Silvio Berlusconi finally seems to have given up in his chase to sign Barcelona star Ronaldinho...
AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has admitted that Ronaldinho seems virtually unsignable, the Barcelona star being treated just like his own prized asset, Kaka.
During a live chat with Gazzetta dello Sport website readers, Berlusconi declared, "[Ronaldinho] is for Barcelona as Kaka is for us: not for sale.
"I've spoken personally with the Barcelona president [Joan Laporta] and I suggested, in jest, that they could allow Ronaldinho to play for a year in Milan and, the following year, I'd permit Kaka to go to Barcelona alongside Ronaldinho.
"Laporta replied that, if he sold Ronaldinho, he'd no longer be the president of Barcelona!"
Berlusconi continued, "There are certain players who are only sold for the economic needs of their clubs.
"But what i can say is that, should there come a day when Ronaldinho is up for sale, Milan will be at the front of the queue."
As for Kaka, the president announced, "He's doing well with us, and he's never expressed any wish of leaving, and he'll continue to wear the colours of Milan with pride.
"There is no economic offer that could make me change my mind, and I won't be able to change to 'no'.
"Andriy Shevchenko? He left for family reasons, as he requested.
"I maintain a parental relationship with him, and I've spoken on a number of issues with him, such as his family."
"Football is like woman: irrational. That's why we like them both," he added, in a typically sexist Berlusconi flourish.
The president moved on to discuss sporting director Ariedo Braida, ruing just one decision made by the veteran Milanese.
"The only mistake that I can attribute to him is not moving for [Zinedine] Zidane. We bought [Christophe] Dugarry but somehow missed that incredible talent," he said.
"How can one not be enamoured with Zizou after seeing him play?"
After waxing lyrical on Pato, he moved on to Dida.
"I think he's a great goalkeeper and the whole team's alongside him," he said.
"It's difficult to get into the mind of a player when certain things occur. Even great champions can err.
"And the San Siro? I won't move from it.
"I'm in love with the San Siro, which is the most beautiful stadium in the world.
"If we built a stadium then our San Siro would be a cathedral in the desert; we cannot let that happen."
Berlusconi, the famously outspoken former Italian Prime Minister, took the reins at Milan in 1986.
goal.com
AC Milan supremo Silvio Berlusconi finally seems to have given up in his chase to sign Barcelona star Ronaldinho...
AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has admitted that Ronaldinho seems virtually unsignable, the Barcelona star being treated just like his own prized asset, Kaka.
During a live chat with Gazzetta dello Sport website readers, Berlusconi declared, "[Ronaldinho] is for Barcelona as Kaka is for us: not for sale.
"I've spoken personally with the Barcelona president [Joan Laporta] and I suggested, in jest, that they could allow Ronaldinho to play for a year in Milan and, the following year, I'd permit Kaka to go to Barcelona alongside Ronaldinho.
"Laporta replied that, if he sold Ronaldinho, he'd no longer be the president of Barcelona!"
Berlusconi continued, "There are certain players who are only sold for the economic needs of their clubs.
"But what i can say is that, should there come a day when Ronaldinho is up for sale, Milan will be at the front of the queue."
As for Kaka, the president announced, "He's doing well with us, and he's never expressed any wish of leaving, and he'll continue to wear the colours of Milan with pride.
"There is no economic offer that could make me change my mind, and I won't be able to change to 'no'.
"Andriy Shevchenko? He left for family reasons, as he requested.
"I maintain a parental relationship with him, and I've spoken on a number of issues with him, such as his family."
"Football is like woman: irrational. That's why we like them both," he added, in a typically sexist Berlusconi flourish.
The president moved on to discuss sporting director Ariedo Braida, ruing just one decision made by the veteran Milanese.
"The only mistake that I can attribute to him is not moving for [Zinedine] Zidane. We bought [Christophe] Dugarry but somehow missed that incredible talent," he said.
"How can one not be enamoured with Zizou after seeing him play?"
After waxing lyrical on Pato, he moved on to Dida.
"I think he's a great goalkeeper and the whole team's alongside him," he said.
"It's difficult to get into the mind of a player when certain things occur. Even great champions can err.
"And the San Siro? I won't move from it.
"I'm in love with the San Siro, which is the most beautiful stadium in the world.
"If we built a stadium then our San Siro would be a cathedral in the desert; we cannot let that happen."
Berlusconi, the famously outspoken former Italian Prime Minister, took the reins at Milan in 1986.
goal.com
AC Milan, a club known to whine and cry about everything posted this one their site:
http://www.acmilan.com/index.aspx
REFEREE MISTAKES: MILAN PENALIZED
10/16/2007
MILAN - After 7 matchdays, the Observatory on referee mistakes confirms the doubts and perplexities:
THE LEAGUE TABLE: HOW IT IS AND HOW IT WOULD BE
10/16/2007
MILAN -
HOW IT IS: Inter 17 points; Juventus e Roma 14; Fiorentina 13; Genoa 12; Palermo e Udinese 11; Milan, Napoli e Atalanta 10; Catania 9, Sampdoria 8; Torino, Lazio e Cagliari 7; Siena e Parma 6; Empoli 5; Reggina 4; Livorno 2.
HOW IT WOULD BE WITHOUT REFEREE MISTAKES: Inter 19 points; Juventus 18; Milan e Roma 15; Fiorentina e Genoa 14; Palermo e Udinese 11; Reggina, Napoli e Atalanta 10; Catania e Lazio 9, Sampdoria 8; Torino e Cagliari 7; Siena e Parma 6; Empoli 5; Livorno 2.
___________________
Juve would be 1pt behind Inter instead of 3.
http://www.acmilan.com/index.aspx
REFEREE MISTAKES: MILAN PENALIZED
10/16/2007
MILAN - After 7 matchdays, the Observatory on referee mistakes confirms the doubts and perplexities:
THE LEAGUE TABLE: HOW IT IS AND HOW IT WOULD BE
10/16/2007
MILAN -
HOW IT IS: Inter 17 points; Juventus e Roma 14; Fiorentina 13; Genoa 12; Palermo e Udinese 11; Milan, Napoli e Atalanta 10; Catania 9, Sampdoria 8; Torino, Lazio e Cagliari 7; Siena e Parma 6; Empoli 5; Reggina 4; Livorno 2.
HOW IT WOULD BE WITHOUT REFEREE MISTAKES: Inter 19 points; Juventus 18; Milan e Roma 15; Fiorentina e Genoa 14; Palermo e Udinese 11; Reggina, Napoli e Atalanta 10; Catania e Lazio 9, Sampdoria 8; Torino e Cagliari 7; Siena e Parma 6; Empoli 5; Livorno 2.
___________________
Juve would be 1pt behind Inter instead of 3.
AC Milan, a club known to whine and cry about everything posted this one their site:
http://www.acmilan.com/index.aspx
REFEREE MISTAKES: MILAN PENALIZED
10/16/2007
MILAN - After 7 matchdays, the Observatory on referee mistakes confirms the doubts and perplexities:
THE LEAGUE TABLE: HOW IT IS AND HOW IT WOULD BE
10/16/2007
MILAN -
HOW IT IS: Inter 17 points; Juventus e Roma 14; Fiorentina 13; Genoa 12; Palermo e Udinese 11; Milan, Napoli e Atalanta 10; Catania 9, Sampdoria 8; Torino, Lazio e Cagliari 7; Siena e Parma 6; Empoli 5; Reggina 4; Livorno 2.
HOW IT WOULD BE WITHOUT REFEREE MISTAKES: Inter 19 points; Juventus 18; Milan e Roma 15; Fiorentina e Genoa 14; Palermo e Udinese 11; Reggina, Napoli e Atalanta 10; Catania e Lazio 9, Sampdoria 8; Torino e Cagliari 7; Siena e Parma 6; Empoli 5; Livorno 2.
___________________
Juve would be 1pt behind Inter instead of 3.
http://www.acmilan.com/index.aspx
REFEREE MISTAKES: MILAN PENALIZED
10/16/2007
MILAN - After 7 matchdays, the Observatory on referee mistakes confirms the doubts and perplexities:
THE LEAGUE TABLE: HOW IT IS AND HOW IT WOULD BE
10/16/2007
MILAN -
HOW IT IS: Inter 17 points; Juventus e Roma 14; Fiorentina 13; Genoa 12; Palermo e Udinese 11; Milan, Napoli e Atalanta 10; Catania 9, Sampdoria 8; Torino, Lazio e Cagliari 7; Siena e Parma 6; Empoli 5; Reggina 4; Livorno 2.
HOW IT WOULD BE WITHOUT REFEREE MISTAKES: Inter 19 points; Juventus 18; Milan e Roma 15; Fiorentina e Genoa 14; Palermo e Udinese 11; Reggina, Napoli e Atalanta 10; Catania e Lazio 9, Sampdoria 8; Torino e Cagliari 7; Siena e Parma 6; Empoli 5; Livorno 2.
___________________
Juve would be 1pt behind Inter instead of 3.
hmmmm so milan reckon they would have had 5 more points if referees had not made so many mistakes?
exactly how many paenalties do they reckon they SHOULD have had so far this season?should the refs simply award a penalty whenever a team has the gall to score against milan?"sorry son thats a penalty for Milan,why?well the ball crossed teh line and they are losing now, i better tie it up
exactly how many paenalties do they reckon they SHOULD have had so far this season?should the refs simply award a penalty whenever a team has the gall to score against milan?"sorry son thats a penalty for Milan,why?well the ball crossed teh line and they are losing now, i better tie it up
I just read that and not only that. I read about Berlusconi bitching of how he regrets not signing Ibrahimovic because of unjust Calciopoli penalties. :rofl2:If there was any justice, Milan would be rebuilding their team now instead of Juventus. And they would probably have lost as many stars as we did.
I can´t believe it. What a douchebag club. I hope they get thrashed by an EPL club.
Dutch prodigy’s Roman interest
Ajax defensive starlet Urby Emanuelson has told the Dutch Press that Roma are chasing his signature.
The 21-year-old international left-back has revealed that the Giallorossi saw a bid rebuffed this summer, but claims that the capital club will redouble their efforts in January.
“It doesn’t surprise me that they have come in for me again,” Emanuelson told
De Telegraaf.
“They approached my agent Brian Berkleef in the summer and told him that they would pay £5m,
“But a move was impossible because technical director Martin Van Geel banned any further departures after Ryan Babel and Wesley Sneijder.
“Roma are a great club and I would certainly be happy to play for them,” the Amsterdam native concluded.
channel 4
Ajax defensive starlet Urby Emanuelson has told the Dutch Press that Roma are chasing his signature.
The 21-year-old international left-back has revealed that the Giallorossi saw a bid rebuffed this summer, but claims that the capital club will redouble their efforts in January.
“It doesn’t surprise me that they have come in for me again,” Emanuelson told
De Telegraaf.
“They approached my agent Brian Berkleef in the summer and told him that they would pay £5m,
“But a move was impossible because technical director Martin Van Geel banned any further departures after Ryan Babel and Wesley Sneijder.
“Roma are a great club and I would certainly be happy to play for them,” the Amsterdam native concluded.
channel 4
Totti may miss Napoli
Roma captain Francesco Totti is in doubt for the Derby del Sud against Napoli on Saturday.
Last season’s Golden Ball winner trained on his own in the gym this morning after reporting muscle fatigue.
Er Pupone famously retired from international football in order to reduce the demands on his body.
The 31-year-old has hit six goals in six games this term, but has already missed Week 5’s clash against Fiorentina due to muscular problems.
However, there is good news for the capital club as midfielder Simone Perrotta appears to have shaken off his injury woes ahead of the weekend’s crunch match.
It has been confirmed that only season ticket holders will be allowed to attend the Stadio Olimpico battle as the two rivals meet for the first time in six years.
channel 4
Roma captain Francesco Totti is in doubt for the Derby del Sud against Napoli on Saturday.
Last season’s Golden Ball winner trained on his own in the gym this morning after reporting muscle fatigue.
Er Pupone famously retired from international football in order to reduce the demands on his body.
The 31-year-old has hit six goals in six games this term, but has already missed Week 5’s clash against Fiorentina due to muscular problems.
However, there is good news for the capital club as midfielder Simone Perrotta appears to have shaken off his injury woes ahead of the weekend’s crunch match.
It has been confirmed that only season ticket holders will be allowed to attend the Stadio Olimpico battle as the two rivals meet for the first time in six years.
channel 4
I thought the same but i couldnt find it,like that thread disappeared. 
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