The writing has been on the wall for some time in truth, but the ultimate signal that ended Claudio Ranieri's tenure at Internazionale came after their defeat to Juventus at the weekend when Massimo Moratti said "I think he'll be here until the end of the season". 24 hours later, Ranieri was clearing his desk and Inter were ushering in their third manager of the season.
Here are ten things worth more than Moratti's backing:
10. Monty Panesar's batting average.
9. A contract to manage first-team affairs at Palermo longer than six months.
8. A timeshare in the Algarve.
7. Millionaires running a penniless country telling poor people that "we're all in this together".
6. A ministerial resignation in order to 'clear my name'.
5. An internal investigation by News International.
4. A penalty shout by an away team at the Stretford End.
3. An invoice for services rendered from noted trustworthy government outsourcers A4E.
2. A LibDem election pledge.
1. Roman Abramovich's backing.
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Showing posts with label Internazionale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Internazionale. Show all posts
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Deadline day: The good, the bad and the downright panicky
January 31, the day when everyone awaits the visit of the Transfer Pixie and hopes they find the star striker/dominant centre-half in their stocking that was diligently hung over the fireplace the previous night. Only the good get what they want, while the very bad boys and girls get an Ade Akinbiyi. So who has been good and who ended up with the booby prize? Let's have a look at what highlights there were:
Steve McClaren
The former England manager has definitely been good this year. Indeed, his signing of Wesley Verhoek from ADO is perhaps more significant in terms of his recent career choices for Verhoek it was that McClaren wanted at Nottingham Forest only the board to blanch at the prospect of actually having to pay for him. By contrast, the FC Twente board were happy to compensate the Den Haag club and pay Verhoek some wages. Good bit of business that, replacing the outbound Mark Janko. McClaren also picked up Glynor Plet and hung onto Luuk de Jong. ADO got Ebi Smolarek which will also do nicely to replace Verhoek.
West Ham
Ravel Morrison. £650k. £1m agents fees. This just smells bad from the off.
Porto
Swiped back Lucho Gonzalez from Marseille and got Janko from FC Twente, offsetting the loss of Fredy Guarín to Italy. That looks a good swap to us.
The Olsson twins
Someone at Blackburn has a dodgy internet history. File under P for panic buy.
Donal McDermott
After terrorising Huddersfield in four games for Bournemouth last season, the Terriers moved quickly to sign McDermott from Manchester City in the summer and then proceeded to either not play him or play him in a totally unsuitable position. He's well out of that and away to Bournemouth again where he'll probably do well. Good for him. Meanwhile Huddersfield are crying out for defenders and signed one, 19-year old Murray Wallace from Falkirk. And loaned him straight back there. Good for Falkirk, bonkers for Huddersfield.
Espanyol
Took Philippe Coutinho on loan from Internazionale. It looked like he was working his way into Claudio Ranieri's first-team plans, but hadn't played for a bit. Instead, the 19-year old - marked out as one of the top 100 young players in the world by In Bed With Maradona - represents a bloody good bit of business for the Spaniards.
Sunderland
Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Wayne Bridge. Panic!
Internazionale
Sent Coutinho out on a low-risk loan to gain experience and brought in Guarín on loan from Porto with an option to buy. Again, that's a low risk move. If it doesn't work out, back he goes, but it will work out because he's a classy operator. They also bolstered their attack by moving Sulley Muntari on. Best of all, they palmed him off on their stadium buddies. Just good business all round.
Kevin de Bruyne
Not the player, but a transfer symptomatic of a sick system. Chelsea paid decent wedge for de Bruyne and immediately loaned him straight back to the Belgians. He'll be off out on loan somewhere next season too. See also Thibault Courtois, Gael Kakuta, Josh McEachran, Patrick van Aanholt, Jeffrey Bruma, Tomas Kalas. It's no wonder the Chelsea gaffer is the one to pop his head up above the parapets and call for B teams to play in England's lower tiers. It'd save him having to sort out loan moves for his stockpile of young players. Bad.
Ryo Miyaichi
Injury robbed Bolton of their two best midfielders - their two best players really - before a ball was kicked this season: Stuart Holden and Lee Chung-Yong. Miyaichi, more like the latter than the the former, is a talented player who did well on loan at Feyenoord last season. Bolton have a good track record in taking young players - Jack Wilshere and Daniel Sturridge, for two examples - and looking after them, so this looks a good move beneficial to all parties; Bolton, Arsenal and Miyaichi.
There's probably more to be said and more analysis to be done, but frankly it's too much like hard work to sift through all the deadline day moves. What do you want from us? Anyway, time to put the Deadline Day Stocking away until the end of August now and Jim White can return to hibernation. Sleep well children and be good, unless you don't want the Pixie to come in summer.
Steve McClaren
The former England manager has definitely been good this year. Indeed, his signing of Wesley Verhoek from ADO is perhaps more significant in terms of his recent career choices for Verhoek it was that McClaren wanted at Nottingham Forest only the board to blanch at the prospect of actually having to pay for him. By contrast, the FC Twente board were happy to compensate the Den Haag club and pay Verhoek some wages. Good bit of business that, replacing the outbound Mark Janko. McClaren also picked up Glynor Plet and hung onto Luuk de Jong. ADO got Ebi Smolarek which will also do nicely to replace Verhoek.
West Ham
Ravel Morrison. £650k. £1m agents fees. This just smells bad from the off.
Porto
Swiped back Lucho Gonzalez from Marseille and got Janko from FC Twente, offsetting the loss of Fredy Guarín to Italy. That looks a good swap to us.
The Olsson twins
Someone at Blackburn has a dodgy internet history. File under P for panic buy.
Donal McDermott
After terrorising Huddersfield in four games for Bournemouth last season, the Terriers moved quickly to sign McDermott from Manchester City in the summer and then proceeded to either not play him or play him in a totally unsuitable position. He's well out of that and away to Bournemouth again where he'll probably do well. Good for him. Meanwhile Huddersfield are crying out for defenders and signed one, 19-year old Murray Wallace from Falkirk. And loaned him straight back there. Good for Falkirk, bonkers for Huddersfield.
Espanyol
Took Philippe Coutinho on loan from Internazionale. It looked like he was working his way into Claudio Ranieri's first-team plans, but hadn't played for a bit. Instead, the 19-year old - marked out as one of the top 100 young players in the world by In Bed With Maradona - represents a bloody good bit of business for the Spaniards.
Sunderland
Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Wayne Bridge. Panic!
Internazionale
Sent Coutinho out on a low-risk loan to gain experience and brought in Guarín on loan from Porto with an option to buy. Again, that's a low risk move. If it doesn't work out, back he goes, but it will work out because he's a classy operator. They also bolstered their attack by moving Sulley Muntari on. Best of all, they palmed him off on their stadium buddies. Just good business all round.
Kevin de Bruyne
Not the player, but a transfer symptomatic of a sick system. Chelsea paid decent wedge for de Bruyne and immediately loaned him straight back to the Belgians. He'll be off out on loan somewhere next season too. See also Thibault Courtois, Gael Kakuta, Josh McEachran, Patrick van Aanholt, Jeffrey Bruma, Tomas Kalas. It's no wonder the Chelsea gaffer is the one to pop his head up above the parapets and call for B teams to play in England's lower tiers. It'd save him having to sort out loan moves for his stockpile of young players. Bad.
Ryo Miyaichi
Injury robbed Bolton of their two best midfielders - their two best players really - before a ball was kicked this season: Stuart Holden and Lee Chung-Yong. Miyaichi, more like the latter than the the former, is a talented player who did well on loan at Feyenoord last season. Bolton have a good track record in taking young players - Jack Wilshere and Daniel Sturridge, for two examples - and looking after them, so this looks a good move beneficial to all parties; Bolton, Arsenal and Miyaichi.
There's probably more to be said and more analysis to be done, but frankly it's too much like hard work to sift through all the deadline day moves. What do you want from us? Anyway, time to put the Deadline Day Stocking away until the end of August now and Jim White can return to hibernation. Sleep well children and be good, unless you don't want the Pixie to come in summer.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Goal of the week: Benedikt Höwedes
The damage had, of course, been done at the Giuseppe Meazza, but Schalke were also very good in the return leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Inter. Everyone expected Inter to come flying out and Schalke set up as if expecting that, but the onslaught never came and the Germans took a while to realise what was happening. They adjusted slowly and took the lead through Raúl late in the first half, again exposing the statuesque Inter defence.
Revitalised, Schalke were much better after the break despite conceding to Thiago Motta's scrambled effort and Höwedes had the ball in the net from a corner, but had half his left foot beyond the last defender and was flagged offside. Late in the game came the moment. Höwedes started the move by putting Raúl in space and immediately signalled where he wanted the ball, in between the full-back and centre-half. The ball was perfect, chipped into the space, and Höwedes continued his run and lashed in a thunderous shot low to Julio César's left.
It was a cracking goal all round. The vision of Höwedes, the through-ball from Raúl and the emphatic finish were all pretty much perfect, but it's what it represents that is more important. The tie was over at that stage - Inter weren't about to get five in ten minutes - and any other side, certainly the Schalke of the early part of the season, would have been content to knock it about at the back and play out time. Moreover, under Felix Magath, the likelihood is that Höwedes would never have thought about that gallop forwards. Had it not worked out, perhaps even if it had, the likely first comment from his manager would have been a reading of the riot act. The fear of the bollocking would have seen Höwedes give the ball to Raúl and immediately return to his station in the back four. Ralf Rangnick is a different type of manager who places a great deal of trust in his players to make the right decisions. With this backing from the bench, Höwedes saw the opportunity to create something and went for it. That it worked so spectacularly is almost a side issue.
The Bundesliga table may lull Manchester United fans into a sense that they're halfway there already. This new Schalke who beat Inter home and away without one of their main strikers are a different beast to the one that began the season with three straight defeats. Benedikt Höwedes slammed that point home emphatically at the Veltins Arena and S04 are live contenders in the semi-finals.
Revitalised, Schalke were much better after the break despite conceding to Thiago Motta's scrambled effort and Höwedes had the ball in the net from a corner, but had half his left foot beyond the last defender and was flagged offside. Late in the game came the moment. Höwedes started the move by putting Raúl in space and immediately signalled where he wanted the ball, in between the full-back and centre-half. The ball was perfect, chipped into the space, and Höwedes continued his run and lashed in a thunderous shot low to Julio César's left.
It was a cracking goal all round. The vision of Höwedes, the through-ball from Raúl and the emphatic finish were all pretty much perfect, but it's what it represents that is more important. The tie was over at that stage - Inter weren't about to get five in ten minutes - and any other side, certainly the Schalke of the early part of the season, would have been content to knock it about at the back and play out time. Moreover, under Felix Magath, the likelihood is that Höwedes would never have thought about that gallop forwards. Had it not worked out, perhaps even if it had, the likely first comment from his manager would have been a reading of the riot act. The fear of the bollocking would have seen Höwedes give the ball to Raúl and immediately return to his station in the back four. Ralf Rangnick is a different type of manager who places a great deal of trust in his players to make the right decisions. With this backing from the bench, Höwedes saw the opportunity to create something and went for it. That it worked so spectacularly is almost a side issue.
The Bundesliga table may lull Manchester United fans into a sense that they're halfway there already. This new Schalke who beat Inter home and away without one of their main strikers are a different beast to the one that began the season with three straight defeats. Benedikt Höwedes slammed that point home emphatically at the Veltins Arena and S04 are live contenders in the semi-finals.
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Adriano signs for Flamengo
After having his contract cancelled by Internazionale Milano for staying in Brazil after the last round of World Cup Qualifiers Adriano has resigned for Rio de Janeiro giants Flamengo.
After leaving Flamengo to join Internazionale in 2001 he made 143 appearances for the Milan giants scoring 48 goals. In this time Adriano also had loan spells away from the San Siro at Fiorentina and Parma. Adriano who was out of contract in the summer was thanked by Internazionale for his efforts at the club but in truth they were glad to see the back of him after his off field problems.
Adriano could make his debut for Flamengo in their opening Série A match against Cruzeiro on Sunday.
After leaving Flamengo to join Internazionale in 2001 he made 143 appearances for the Milan giants scoring 48 goals. In this time Adriano also had loan spells away from the San Siro at Fiorentina and Parma. Adriano who was out of contract in the summer was thanked by Internazionale for his efforts at the club but in truth they were glad to see the back of him after his off field problems.
Adriano could make his debut for Flamengo in their opening Série A match against Cruzeiro on Sunday.
Monday, 16 February 2009
Serie A Round 24: Inter Grab Derby victory as Juve flounder
Lazio 1-1 Torino
Napoli 1-1 Bologna
Atalanta 3-0 Roma
Cagliari 2-0 Lecce
Chievo 1-1 Catania
Genoa 3-3 Fiorentina
Inter 2-1 AC Milan
Juventus 1-1 Sampdoria
Reggina 0-0 Palermo
Siena 1-1 Udinese
A breathless Milan derby delivered on its billing as game of the week as Internazionale overcame their great rivals to extend their lead at the top of Serie A to 9 points. What was refreshing about this derby, in contrast to previous skirmishes between these two illustrious sides, was the level of respect shown between players - There were very few nasty tackles, incidences of play-acting or petulant behaviour which so blight 'big' premiership fixtures. In the end, Carlo Ancelloti's side were overcome by a more pragmatic, dynamic team in Jose Mourinho's Inter.
Inter took the lead midway through the first half when Adriano, who I have labelled in the past a waste of talent and oxygen, headed a Maicon cross onto his arm and past Abbiati. As an Inter fan I am freely admitting this goal should not have stood - the impact of ball on arm, however unintentional, crucially causes the ball to deviate goalwards and Abbiati, the only Rossoneri player to protest, has a right to feel aggrieved. He could do little about Inter's second, however, a consumate finish from Dejan Stankovic after the Serbian had missed a sitter earlier in the half. Milan, though competing throughout, failed to create anything of note in the first 45 but came out with renewed purpose in the second half. Alexandre Pato, the solitary youngster in an ageing side, duly obliged in pulling a goal back and Filipo Inzaghi, on for the ineffectual (and injured) David Beckham, had a goal correctly chalked off for offside before missing a gilt-edged chance to level late on.
For Milan, their ageing defence simply couldn't cope with the intensity and pace of Adriano and Ibrahimovic. Ronaldinho, shouldering the creative burden with Kaka out, had Esteban Cambiasso snapping at his heels the whole game and, while Pirlo and Pato were exceptional, in the end Mourinho's more counter-attacking, disciplined approach came out on top.
Juventus fell further behind the Nerazzuri after being held to a 1-1 draw by Sampdoria in a frustrating sunday afternoon in Turin. Gianpaolo Pazzini gave the visitors a first half lead only for Amauri to level with a brave header for his 12th of the season. Alessandro Del Piero struck the bar and then the post with the same free-kick and the Gobbini could not find a way through, further jeopardising their title chances.
Comeback of the week goes to Fiorentina, who came from three goals down to record a point in a pulsating match against Genoa at the Estadio Luigi Ferrari. The Grifone had raced into a seemingly unassailable lead through ex-Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta, Raffaelle Palladino and Diego Milito (The Prince recording his 15th of the season) and even had time for Giuseppe Biava to be sent off in between. The viola looked dead and buried only for Mutu to record a hat-trick inside 20 second half minutes, his first from the penalty spot, to rescue a draw that keeps Cesare Prandelli's team a point ahead of Genoa in fourth.
Roma's great 2009 was brought to an abrupt halt by Gigi Del Neri's Atalanta - a tricky side at home as regular Euroballs readers will note - with a 3-0 hammering. All the goals came in a quick-fire second half spell during which Danielle Capelli fired home the first before Cristiano Doni, the veteran playmaker still doing the business at 35, showed skill and precision for a brace before Simone Perotta capped Luciano Spalleti's miserable afternoon by getting his marching orders from the referee.
Napoli were unable to capitalise on this slip-up by being held at home by Bologna. Marco Di Vaio hit his 16th of the season for the visitors after Christian Maggio had earlier put Napoli ahead, in a result that leaves Edy Reja's side in 10th, a far cry from their position at Christmas. Beneficiaries here were Cagliari, who moved to 7th following a 2-0 win over Lecce. Fini and Matri scoring either side of half time to condemn Lecce to a third straight loss and strengthen the Sardinian's European ambitions. Ambitions fading fast for Lazio as they were held at home by Torino; Udinese, who have stopped their rot, could not find their way past a stubborn Siena side even after Antonio Di Natale had grabbed an equaliser; And draws for Chievo and Reggina do little for their survival prospects. Its getting tight down at the bottom with 6 points seperating Sampdoria in 15th from Chievo in 19th.
Napoli 1-1 Bologna
Atalanta 3-0 Roma
Cagliari 2-0 Lecce
Chievo 1-1 Catania
Genoa 3-3 Fiorentina
Inter 2-1 AC Milan
Juventus 1-1 Sampdoria
Reggina 0-0 Palermo
Siena 1-1 Udinese
A breathless Milan derby delivered on its billing as game of the week as Internazionale overcame their great rivals to extend their lead at the top of Serie A to 9 points. What was refreshing about this derby, in contrast to previous skirmishes between these two illustrious sides, was the level of respect shown between players - There were very few nasty tackles, incidences of play-acting or petulant behaviour which so blight 'big' premiership fixtures. In the end, Carlo Ancelloti's side were overcome by a more pragmatic, dynamic team in Jose Mourinho's Inter.
Inter took the lead midway through the first half when Adriano, who I have labelled in the past a waste of talent and oxygen, headed a Maicon cross onto his arm and past Abbiati. As an Inter fan I am freely admitting this goal should not have stood - the impact of ball on arm, however unintentional, crucially causes the ball to deviate goalwards and Abbiati, the only Rossoneri player to protest, has a right to feel aggrieved. He could do little about Inter's second, however, a consumate finish from Dejan Stankovic after the Serbian had missed a sitter earlier in the half. Milan, though competing throughout, failed to create anything of note in the first 45 but came out with renewed purpose in the second half. Alexandre Pato, the solitary youngster in an ageing side, duly obliged in pulling a goal back and Filipo Inzaghi, on for the ineffectual (and injured) David Beckham, had a goal correctly chalked off for offside before missing a gilt-edged chance to level late on.
For Milan, their ageing defence simply couldn't cope with the intensity and pace of Adriano and Ibrahimovic. Ronaldinho, shouldering the creative burden with Kaka out, had Esteban Cambiasso snapping at his heels the whole game and, while Pirlo and Pato were exceptional, in the end Mourinho's more counter-attacking, disciplined approach came out on top.
Juventus fell further behind the Nerazzuri after being held to a 1-1 draw by Sampdoria in a frustrating sunday afternoon in Turin. Gianpaolo Pazzini gave the visitors a first half lead only for Amauri to level with a brave header for his 12th of the season. Alessandro Del Piero struck the bar and then the post with the same free-kick and the Gobbini could not find a way through, further jeopardising their title chances.
Comeback of the week goes to Fiorentina, who came from three goals down to record a point in a pulsating match against Genoa at the Estadio Luigi Ferrari. The Grifone had raced into a seemingly unassailable lead through ex-Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta, Raffaelle Palladino and Diego Milito (The Prince recording his 15th of the season) and even had time for Giuseppe Biava to be sent off in between. The viola looked dead and buried only for Mutu to record a hat-trick inside 20 second half minutes, his first from the penalty spot, to rescue a draw that keeps Cesare Prandelli's team a point ahead of Genoa in fourth.
Roma's great 2009 was brought to an abrupt halt by Gigi Del Neri's Atalanta - a tricky side at home as regular Euroballs readers will note - with a 3-0 hammering. All the goals came in a quick-fire second half spell during which Danielle Capelli fired home the first before Cristiano Doni, the veteran playmaker still doing the business at 35, showed skill and precision for a brace before Simone Perotta capped Luciano Spalleti's miserable afternoon by getting his marching orders from the referee.
Napoli were unable to capitalise on this slip-up by being held at home by Bologna. Marco Di Vaio hit his 16th of the season for the visitors after Christian Maggio had earlier put Napoli ahead, in a result that leaves Edy Reja's side in 10th, a far cry from their position at Christmas. Beneficiaries here were Cagliari, who moved to 7th following a 2-0 win over Lecce. Fini and Matri scoring either side of half time to condemn Lecce to a third straight loss and strengthen the Sardinian's European ambitions. Ambitions fading fast for Lazio as they were held at home by Torino; Udinese, who have stopped their rot, could not find their way past a stubborn Siena side even after Antonio Di Natale had grabbed an equaliser; And draws for Chievo and Reggina do little for their survival prospects. Its getting tight down at the bottom with 6 points seperating Sampdoria in 15th from Chievo in 19th.
Friday, 30 January 2009
Serie A Round 21 & 22
I took my eye off the ball this week and didn’t notice that there was midweek action in Serie A on Wednesday. The results were as follows:
Fiorentina 2 - 1 Napoli
Chievo 1 - 1 Lecce
Sampdoria 3 - 1 Lazio
Udinese 2 - 1 Juventus
Catania 0 - 2 Internazionale
Milan 1 - 1 Genoa
Atalanta 0 - 1 Bologna
Cagliari 1 - 0 Siena
Torino 0 - 0 Reggina
Roma 2 - 1 Palermo
Inter stretched their lead to 6 points after Juventus lost, and Milan’s draw with Genoa leaves them further off the pace. Roma have steamed into a UEFA cup spot and there was a vital win for Sampdoria. All of which means, round 22 shapes up like this:
Saturday Jan 31
17:00 Napoli v Udinese
19:30 Juventus v Cagliari
Sunday February
14:00 Atalanta v Catania
14:00 Bologna v Fiorentina
14:00Siena v Lecce
14:00 Genoa v Palermo
14:00 Reggina v Roma
14:00 Chievo v Sampdoria
14:00 Internazionale v Torino
19:30 Lazio v Milan
On Saturday, Napoli have the chance to get back to winning ways having only collected 3 points from a possible 15 recently. They will do so, however, against an Udinese team that beat Juventus on Wednesday to record their first win in 11 matches which has taken Pasquale Merino’s men back to the relative sanctuary of 12th.
Juventus were awful on Wednesday with Sebastian Giovinco copping the most flak, and he will most likely be replaced by Alessandro Del Pierro for their home clash with Cagliari. This will be no walkover for the Gobbini as the Sardinians are unbeaten in 2009 and have collected 10 from a possible 12 since the new year, with the strikers Jeda and Acquafresca in enviable form.
On Sunday two Jekyll-and-Hyde teams Atalanta and Catania, clash at the Azzuri d’Italia with just a point separating them. On their day, both these teams can beat the best but those afternoons do not come frequently enough – although Atalanta’s home form should tell in this case. Fiorentina visit Bologna looking to keep their European credentials intact, although the Rossoblu bounced back from their Milan beating last week to win at Atalanta to put 5 points between them and the drop zone. Siena and Lecce meet at the Artemio Franchi with the visitors desperate to pull away as well, while Reggina, in some trouble at the bottom, welcome Roma who are quite simply red hot, having taken 19 points from their previous 8 games.
Genoa, who are European contenders depending on whether Diego Milito scores, entertain Palermo and Chievo host Sampdoria. Jose Mourinho will be without Sulley Muntari and Adriano (both suspended) for the visit of Torino but only a miracle will enable Walter Novellino’s team to gain so much as a point. Rounding off the weekend Lazio host Milan, the visitors are unlikely to have David Beckham, as well as being without Maldini or Flamini. But with Lazio continuing to struggle after their brilliant start, the Rossoneri will still be confident of gaining three points from their trip to the capital.
Fiorentina 2 - 1 Napoli
Chievo 1 - 1 Lecce
Sampdoria 3 - 1 Lazio
Udinese 2 - 1 Juventus
Catania 0 - 2 Internazionale
Milan 1 - 1 Genoa
Atalanta 0 - 1 Bologna
Cagliari 1 - 0 Siena
Torino 0 - 0 Reggina
Roma 2 - 1 Palermo
Inter stretched their lead to 6 points after Juventus lost, and Milan’s draw with Genoa leaves them further off the pace. Roma have steamed into a UEFA cup spot and there was a vital win for Sampdoria. All of which means, round 22 shapes up like this:
Saturday Jan 31
17:00 Napoli v Udinese
19:30 Juventus v Cagliari
Sunday February
14:00 Atalanta v Catania
14:00 Bologna v Fiorentina
14:00Siena v Lecce
14:00 Genoa v Palermo
14:00 Reggina v Roma
14:00 Chievo v Sampdoria
14:00 Internazionale v Torino
19:30 Lazio v Milan
On Saturday, Napoli have the chance to get back to winning ways having only collected 3 points from a possible 15 recently. They will do so, however, against an Udinese team that beat Juventus on Wednesday to record their first win in 11 matches which has taken Pasquale Merino’s men back to the relative sanctuary of 12th.
Juventus were awful on Wednesday with Sebastian Giovinco copping the most flak, and he will most likely be replaced by Alessandro Del Pierro for their home clash with Cagliari. This will be no walkover for the Gobbini as the Sardinians are unbeaten in 2009 and have collected 10 from a possible 12 since the new year, with the strikers Jeda and Acquafresca in enviable form.
On Sunday two Jekyll-and-Hyde teams Atalanta and Catania, clash at the Azzuri d’Italia with just a point separating them. On their day, both these teams can beat the best but those afternoons do not come frequently enough – although Atalanta’s home form should tell in this case. Fiorentina visit Bologna looking to keep their European credentials intact, although the Rossoblu bounced back from their Milan beating last week to win at Atalanta to put 5 points between them and the drop zone. Siena and Lecce meet at the Artemio Franchi with the visitors desperate to pull away as well, while Reggina, in some trouble at the bottom, welcome Roma who are quite simply red hot, having taken 19 points from their previous 8 games.
Genoa, who are European contenders depending on whether Diego Milito scores, entertain Palermo and Chievo host Sampdoria. Jose Mourinho will be without Sulley Muntari and Adriano (both suspended) for the visit of Torino but only a miracle will enable Walter Novellino’s team to gain so much as a point. Rounding off the weekend Lazio host Milan, the visitors are unlikely to have David Beckham, as well as being without Maldini or Flamini. But with Lazio continuing to struggle after their brilliant start, the Rossoneri will still be confident of gaining three points from their trip to the capital.
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Serie A Preview
Saturday January 17
17:00 Catania v Bologna
19:30 Milan v Fiorentina
Sunday January 18
14:00 Atalanta v Internazionale
14:00 Cagliari v Udinese
14:00 Siena v Reggina
14:00 Torino v Roma
14:00 Chievo v Napoli
14:00 Lecce v Genoa
14:00 Sampdoria v Palermo
19:30 Lazio v Juventus
There's some football going on this weekend amidst the tedious and frankly distasteful Manchester City pursuit of Kaka. The Brazilian should feature in AC Milan's match against Fiorentina in a game David Beckham is also slated to start. Two points seperate the hosts in third from the visitors in second, and two of the league's in-form strikers, Alexandre Pato and Alberto Gilardino will face off here. Gilardino has flourished since leaving the Rossoneri and will want badly to get one over on his former employers. If you've not already seen it, watch Pato's goals last weekend - in particular the way he strolls past Phillipe Mexes like he isn't there. Hilarious. Elsewhere on Saturday Siniša Mihajlović takes his Bologna team to Catania. Like or loathe him, the former Lazio and Inter man is unbeaten since he took over from Daniele Arrigoni, and he's inspired journeyman Marco Di Vaio to 13 goals, making him Serie A's top scorer.
On Sunday, Inter Milan face a tricky visit to Bergamo, against an Atalanta side who are notoriously good at home. Inter's nemesis last week, Robert Acquafresca (who they own) and his Cagliari side welcome Udinese who have been in free-fall since October - only a point seperates them. Siena will look to put some daylight between them and the bottom three by defeating second-bottom Reggina, Roma will accept nothing less than 3 points away at Torino while Napoli, who are enjoying a good season, visit bottom side Chievo. Genoa, who have a series of teams coveting their European spot, will hope to maintain it away at Lecce who have won twice at the Via Del Mare all season, Palermo visit Sampdoria with the home crowd desperate for improvement and finally, Lazio and Juventus face off at the Olimpico. In what way will Alessando Del Piero dominate this week? The veteran is in terrific form and is carrying his side, who have one of the best records away from home.
17:00 Catania v Bologna
19:30 Milan v Fiorentina
Sunday January 18
14:00 Atalanta v Internazionale
14:00 Cagliari v Udinese
14:00 Siena v Reggina
14:00 Torino v Roma
14:00 Chievo v Napoli
14:00 Lecce v Genoa
14:00 Sampdoria v Palermo
19:30 Lazio v Juventus
There's some football going on this weekend amidst the tedious and frankly distasteful Manchester City pursuit of Kaka. The Brazilian should feature in AC Milan's match against Fiorentina in a game David Beckham is also slated to start. Two points seperate the hosts in third from the visitors in second, and two of the league's in-form strikers, Alexandre Pato and Alberto Gilardino will face off here. Gilardino has flourished since leaving the Rossoneri and will want badly to get one over on his former employers. If you've not already seen it, watch Pato's goals last weekend - in particular the way he strolls past Phillipe Mexes like he isn't there. Hilarious. Elsewhere on Saturday Siniša Mihajlović takes his Bologna team to Catania. Like or loathe him, the former Lazio and Inter man is unbeaten since he took over from Daniele Arrigoni, and he's inspired journeyman Marco Di Vaio to 13 goals, making him Serie A's top scorer.
On Sunday, Inter Milan face a tricky visit to Bergamo, against an Atalanta side who are notoriously good at home. Inter's nemesis last week, Robert Acquafresca (who they own) and his Cagliari side welcome Udinese who have been in free-fall since October - only a point seperates them. Siena will look to put some daylight between them and the bottom three by defeating second-bottom Reggina, Roma will accept nothing less than 3 points away at Torino while Napoli, who are enjoying a good season, visit bottom side Chievo. Genoa, who have a series of teams coveting their European spot, will hope to maintain it away at Lecce who have won twice at the Via Del Mare all season, Palermo visit Sampdoria with the home crowd desperate for improvement and finally, Lazio and Juventus face off at the Olimpico. In what way will Alessando Del Piero dominate this week? The veteran is in terrific form and is carrying his side, who have one of the best records away from home.
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