By Chris Wright

His eminence Mario Balotelli has been speaking to the plebs and mere mortals again, telling all and sundry that he wants to sign for AC Milan at some point in the near future...again.

Speaking to Italian rag Extra Time, Balotelli said:

"Do I envy (Antonio) Cassano for going to AC Milan?

With a new year upon us, the January transfer window will be opening up soon. While normally we don't see super-stars switch allegiances in this period, but 2011 could be different. The names of Klose, Toni, Gilardino, and Kaka have been circulating, but can we really expect these players to move in January?

With a new year upon us, the January transfer window will be opening up soon. While normally we don't see super-stars switch allegiances in this period, but 2011 could be different. The names of Klose, Toni, Gilardino, and Kaka have been circulating, but can we really expect these players to move in January?

The year has come to a close, and as is the fashion we're looking over our favorite stories to compile a starting eleven, Cult Football style. The players on our squad aren't always the most talented, but they tend to bring a joy, or promise, or general absurdity to the game. We hope you've enjoyed the time you've spent with us over the last six months, and here's a wish of good fortune to all in the new year!

By Mirko Corli, writing from Torino

In Italy's top league, you have to defend a little, no matter who you are. You have to run a little, no matter who you are. Think about José Mourinho's Inter: they just won everything because every player, even the most talented and offensive-minded ones such as Milito, Eto'o, and Sneijder, put a fantastic attitude on and off the pitch.

Leonardo good off to a winning start in charge of Inter as Thiago Motta scored twice to help Inter beat Napoli 3-1. in a 3-1 success against SSC Napoli in the final game of a full Epiphany programme in Serie A.

Thiago Motta was the hero for the home side with the first and the last goal in a pulsating game.

Seeking for more playing time in order to improve his personal qualities, Manchester United's youngster, Federico Macheda, looks set to leave the club as his agent has already confirmed the possibility and according to the rumors it looks like the player is indeed heading back to Italy.

The latest reports even claims that Macheda is set to face a new experience with Sampdoria for the next 6 months.

Gazzetta dello Sport Pato Yes Cassano Almost Milan win 2-1 against the Arabs and Cannavaro Reja: 'Lazio, the month of truth' Inter: Leo opens the doors to training The duel at Juve: Buffon feels ready, Storari doesn't feel close Gila-Toni-Floccari in Juventus' sights Corriere dello Sport Maicon for Kaka Juve on Agger Liverpool put the.

Antonio Cassano made his debut for AC Milan in a friendly against Al Ahli which they won, 2-1. No goalscoring spectaculars but some useful work down the wings for the former Sampdoria player.

Cassano had a very public falling out with Riccardo Garrone, Sampodoria's president of Sampdoria and his situation became untenable with the case going to arbitration.

Sampdoria club president, Riccardo Garrone, has confirmed that Federico Macheda will join the Serie A outfit until the end of the season.

"I am very happy that Macheda has chosen Sampdoria and I think it's the same for the fans," said Garrone. "Macheda has easily filled the void left by Cassano, he will definitely do well.

Federico Macheda has been loaned to Italian club Sampdoria after Antonio Cassano departure to Milan.

"Macheda has easily filled the void left by Cassano, he will definitely do well," Garrone said.

"In these five months we will try to treat him well. With him here, the enthusiasm has increased tenfold.

MANCHESTER, England Sampdoria have confirmed that Manchester United star Federico Macheda has joined them on loan for the rest of the season. The 19-year-old striker was made available by Sir Alex Ferguson after he found his route to a first-team place blocked by the emergence of Javier Hernandez. Although Ferguson's preference was for Macheda [.

Federico Macheda has revealed that the reason why he chose to join Sampdoria on loan for the rest of the season, ahead of other Italian teams, like Lazio, who showed an interest, is because they were the keenest to sign him. With the recent departure of Antonio Cassano, Kiko knows he should get a lot of time in the team which will help him improve as a player.

Welcome to the first episode of the Serie A Weekly podcast. Writers Adam Digby and Frank Tigani join our host to discuss after the break news from Italy and quickly approaching Matchday 18. Listen in to hear more on Cassano, Pazzini, Ronaldinho, Sampdoria Prez Garrone, Dzeko, a final four finish and match of the day for Thursday in Italian Serie A.

It is official; Antonio Cassano is now a Milan player. With his arrival the Rossoneri undoubtedly possess the strongest strike force in Serie A and perhaps one of the strongest in Europe. Given the attacking talent already present at Milan, it has come as a surprise that Milan's first signing, and perhaps last, of the January transfer window was another striker.

It is official; Antonio Cassano is now a Milan player. With his arrival the Rossoneri undoubtedly possess the strongest strike force in Serie A and perhaps one of the strongest in Europe. Given the attacking talent already present at Milan, it has come as a surprise that Milan's first signing, and perhaps last, of the January transfer window was another striker.

Gone are the days when Milan was home to some of the football's most liked and cherished professionals. The likes of Paolo Maldini, Kaka, Cafu, Andriy Shevchenko and Manuel Rui Costa were all highly respected and talented stars of the game when they plied their trade for the red and black of Milan. These players [.

The winter break in Serie A is over and the New Year is here. All the teams have had the chance to regroup and refocus as they look to make a charge for Europe and the all important Scudetto. Bologna – Fiorentina It has been nearly a month since Sinisa Mihajlovic's side last took to the field in Serie A and that was a 2-1 defeat to Udinese.

The Serie A will be resuming tomorrow, when a fresh slate of midweek games will be played. There are many interesting fixtures, but the one which I'm really looking forward to is Cagliari - AC Milan. AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri will be returning to his former club at the Stadio Sant'Elia, and he'll be bringing a slightly different side than usual with him.

The Serie A will be resuming tomorrow, when a fresh slate of midweek games will be played. There are many interesting fixtures, but the one which I'm really looking forward to is Cagliari - AC Milan. AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri will be returning to his former club at the Stadio Sant'Elia, and he'll be bringing a slightly different side than usual with him.

New Milan signing Antonio Cassano got his club career back on track with this superb assist which fellow sub Rodney Strasser put away with 5 mins of normal time leftto play breaking the home team Cagliari hearts. The win See's Milan lead Serie A by 5 points from Lazio in second place.

There was some question of Rodney Strasser's goal being scored from an offside position today. You decide yourself, goal video is embedded below. After not having an opportunity to watch events live I tweeted the offside question. No doubt difficult this to catch by officials but of little concern now for the neutral as all 3 points go down in the record books to Milan who by the way.

Palermo started 2011 with a bang and comfortably beat a sorry Sampdoria side 3-0. Last season this was a head-head game for the Champions league and Sampdoria came up on top. Palermo was missing Mauricio Pinilla and Abel Hernandez was both sidelined. For Sampdoria Antonio Cassano was sold to AC Milan during the Christmas break and to replace him Sampdoria brought in Federico Macheda from.

Gazzetta dello Sport Oh Juve, Giovinco does harm Inter Lions Fantasy Milan Quaglia crack, Toni arriving Roma go, but what mistakes Corriere dello Sport Here is Cassano: Milan fly Leonardo Inter joy Juve desperate: Now Toni Roma-Palermo-Bari: What wins Tuttosport Arriving Toni Serious injury to Quagliarella speeds.

Antonio Cassano si è accasato al Milan, e gi è tornato a entusiasmare nel campionato di Serie A con la maglia rossonera (nella foto Strasser festeggia insieme al barese il gol vittoria dei milanisti a Cagliari, arrivato proprio su assist geniale di Cassano per il giovane colored), con molta soddisfazione da parte sua (finalmente una [.

Merely one game into the Milan honeymoon period, Antonio Cassano already had a decisive impact on their fate, setting up the winning goal for Rodney Strasser who, until this point, was mostly famous for drawing the ire of Zlatan's frustrated inner martial arts master.

Now he's finding himself on the receiving end of Antonio's old tricks, and Cassano has very, very curious ways of making friends.

When Milan signed Antonio Cassano his arrival was met with much scepticism. Given Cassano's turbulent past that has seen him in trouble with managers, players and presidents alike, this scepticism was justifiable. The former Bari prodigy is an incredible talent but is also an equally volatile character.

The games are coming thick and fast in 2011 after the midweek round we have a full card of games on Sunday to look forward to. Milan extended their lead at the top to five points so the chasing pack will have to pull their socks up if they are to have any hope of catching Max Allegri's side.

ROME, Italy — AC Milan grabbed an injury-time leveller to share a 4-4 draw with Udinese at the San Siro on Sunday in a thrilling game that gave them a six-point lead at the top of Serie A. Udinese had led 3-1 at one stage and also moved into stoppage time with a 4-3 lead [...]

Antonio Cassano nunca ha sido el ejemplo a seguir por parte de los jóvenes por su mal comportamiento, pero tiene algo que llama la atención a toda costa, siempre da de que hablar. Genial e insoportable a la vez el italiano Antonio Cassano mete mano una vez mas. via BD
Antonio Cassano, no entrenó por dos meses antes de llegar al AC Milan, pero silenció a aquellos que dudaban de él con tres excelentes asistencias en dos breves actuaciones como sustituto.

Antonio Cassano nunca ha sido el ejemplo a seguir por parte de los jóvenes por su mal comportamiento, pero tiene algo que llama la atención a toda costa, siempre da de que hablar. Genial e insoportable a la vez el italiano Antonio Cassano mete mano una vez mas. via BD
Antonio Cassano, no entrenó por dos meses antes de llegar al AC Milan, pero silenció a aquellos que dudaban de él con tres excelentes asistencias en dos breves actuaciones como sustituto.

Diego Bonera had a nightmare game. Alexis Sanchez, Antonio Di Natale, and German St Denis were beneficiaries of some very shoddy defensive work by the central defender.

The second goal by Di Natale highlighted a poor defensive sequence as Clarence Seedorf was stripped and Di Natale scampered down the field to leave Bonera hopelessly out of position.

It had been a long time that the Serie A wasn't as interesting as it is now. The vacuum left by Inter's downfall was filled with a tempestuous AC Milan which is now beginning to slow down. Along with AC Milan, Juventus have also begun to lose their knack of outscoring their opponents, especially noticeable in their 3-0 loss to Napoli.

Episode 2 of the New Year bring more surprises as the boys are joined by Matthew Barker a freelance writer who has been published in the pages of FourFourTwo, When Saturday Comes, Esquire, GQ, ITV and Skysports. Topics include the Macheda loan-transfer, Roma and Mexes, Juventus' crashing fall and Udinese's romp in the San Siro.

Edin Dzeko is a man certainly better at making new friends than Antonio Cassano, if we're comparing big January purchases. Sitting in his press conference, he made several digs at United with one fell swoop.

It's sort of the modern evolution of "I want to win trophies and I also want to score goals against [insert hated rival here].

Week 20 has a lot to live up to after last weekends goalfest. Many have proclaimed week 19 to be the best of the season so far, and they would not be wrong. But with Inter looking ominous, Napoli looking superior and Juventus forever stumbling, it seems Milan might have to work a little harder in the race for this years Scudetto.

Gazzetta dello Sport A Wasted Ibra Zlatan Ibrahimovic's most spectacular career goals was not enough for Milan, who were pegged back 1-1 at Lecce Good thing there is Del Piero After two losses a shot in the arm for the Bianconeri still in emergency mode (2-1). A moment of magic from Alexandro and Aquilani punish Bari.

For the second consecutive week Milan failed to claim all three points. An absolute wonder strike by Zlatan Ibrahimovic that was deserving of a match winner was cancelled out late in the game by a Ruben Olivera equaliser. In truth, Max Allegri's side did not deserve victory. The Rossoneri lacked imagination in the final third and only recorded three strikes on goal in the whole match.

Chances are if you love Serie A then you keep up with the Italian National Team, or gli Azzurri. The national team has a long history on the national stage. Italy has won the World Cup tournament 4 times, only second to Brazil's five time championship record. The names Giuseppe Meazza, Alessandra Del Piero, Dino Zoff and Paolo Rossi have all worn the blue jersey at one time.

Gazzetta dello Sport Ibra-Cassano, merry Milan Balo is treated in America in Tiger's clinic Mancini sends him to see the knee magician Del Piero negotiates for his renewal Yesterday the first meeting with Agnelli. The difference is still 1.5 million. Here's Ganso, an ace for Leo Adriano, shoulder KO, he'll be out for a month Mou's Real triumph, Ronaldo is derby-man .