It was supposed to be the most heart-warming of sport stories. The triumph of life over illness borne from a self-determination forged in the fires of football, and all done with a quaint moustache. Yet it turned out to be just another calculated chapter of misadventure in calcio. After recovering from the stomach cancer that curtailed his time as coach of Albinoleffe in 2011, Emiliano Mondonico.

When Pasquale Sensibile arrived in Genoa following a triumphant two years as Sports Director of Novara, Sampdoria seemed to have invested wisely as it sought to wake from a nightmarish nine months. Sensibile's CV was fat with success after presiding over the arrival of coach Attilio Tesser and a number of productive signings including Samir Ujkani, Michel Morganella, Marco Rigoni and Francesco.

AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi could be on his way out of the San Siro according to Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani. The 38 year old veteran striker has failed to make an impact in Allegri's squad this season and with the impending arrival of Carlos Tevez next month, Inzaghi's chances of playing look dimmer and dimmer.

Napoli, Juventus, Udinese and Cagliari look to continue their winning ways midweek. While manager Eddy Reja is sticking with Lazio after having his resignation refused by club president Claudio Lotito which means, start to the famed Italian managerial sack race is avoided if only temporarily. Champions Milan will be looking to avoid a back to back loss results when they welcome visitors Udinese.