Ad un mese dall'apertura dei Mondiali sudafricani, oggi è giorno di prime scelte in casa dell'Italia.
In attesa di sapere quali saranno i 23 calciatori che faranno parte della spedizione azzurra, possiamo rendervi noto l'elenco dei 30 pre-convocati, dal tecnico della nazionale Marcello Lippi, per il ritiro a Sestriere in vista del Mondiale.

What is on paper a strong team could end up being a weak one when tested by a tricky opponent. How the players gel and work together, how effective the coach is in bringing the best out of players, the strength of the defensive line and often the rise of a relative unknown to help carry the team can all influence who ends up winning.

Marcello Lippi announced the provisional Italian national team roster today on the FIGC website (official website notice here, Goal.com English summary here). Few controversies were expected, as the Italian squad won the last World Cup and looked to return most of that roster. There were however a few items of note:

• AS Roma stars Francesco Totti and Luca Toni were not on the 30-man roster.

The 2010 World Cup is coming fast, and the time has come where provisional squads are being announced from countries in the tournament. The FIGC (Federazione Italiana Giouco Calcio) or the Italian FA has revealed the 30-man provisional squad chosen by Marcello Lippi.

Here are all 30 players in their positions and the clubs they play for:
Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Marchetti (Cagliari), Sirigu (Palermo)

Defenders: Bocchetti (Genoa), Bonucci (Bari), Cannavaro (Juventus), Cassani (Palermo), Chiellini (Juventus), Criscito (Genoa), Grosso (Juventus), Maggio (Napoli), Zambrotta (Milan)

Midfielders: Camoranesi (Juventus), Candreva (Juventus), Cossu (Cagliari), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pepe (Udinese), Pirlo (Milan)

Strikers: Borriello (Milan), Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Pazzini (Sampdoria), Quagliarella (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal)

If you want a breakdown of all the new additions and players left out, be sure to check this article out.

E' arrivato il giorno dell'esordio azzurro ai mondiali. E' finita 1 a 1 dopo essere passati in svantaggio per 1 a 0. L'avversario è stato ostico e c'era da aspettarselo. Il pareggio è stato il risultato giusto, perché se loro hanno concluso una sola volta in porta, noi non abbiamo fatto molto di più.

The Azzurri have played their first match, and while some will view the 1-1 draw result as a bad thing, the match was actually filled with positives for Italy. Although we've seen Germany demolish Australia 4-0, I think that the Azzurri match was unique, it finally felt like I was watching a World Cup match.

Yet another disappointing result for the Azzurri, while they drew with Paraguay last round of matches, that result seemed acceptable because New Zealand and Slovakia drew as well. But a draw against New Zealand, knowing that Paraguay had beaten Slovakia 2-0 is definitely a bad result.

Lippi decided to start with a standard 4-4-2 formation, with a defense of Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, and Criscito from right to left.

Italy managed to draw 1-1 against both Paraguay and New Zealand while failing to impress despite having seen a lot in terms of ball possession, in particular against the Kiwis when the Italians had just over 70% in terms of ball possession. Pundits and fans alike are debating what has gone wrong for the Azzurri in South Africa 2010 with some attributing it to the Italian tendency to start slow referencing Spain 1982, USA 1994 and even Germany 2006.

Juventus have passed their first test, they've qualified for the next round of the Europa League defeating Shamrock Rovers 2-0 away from home and 1-0 in the return leg at home. Now Juventus will play a play-off against Austrian side Sturm Graz, and if they win that playoff, then they will play in the Europa League group stages.

Italy have begun to forget about Lippi and the World Cup failure, the team has new faces and is beginning to click under Cesare Prandelli. The first qualifying match for the European Championships Poland/Ukraine 2012 was against Estonia, and while Prandelli couldn't use Balotelli, Buffon, and a few other important players, Italy were able to win.

Finally Italy has clicked. While the comeback win against Estonia was a good result, this 5-0 win shows that Prandelli has found harmony within the team. Prandelli's home debut as the coach of the Italian National team is certainly positive, Cassano inspired the team, and he looks ready to face any opposition.

This threesome are not fit to lick Nemanja's boots!

Get Manchester United Tickets at Fantastic Prices!

Join Our Facebook Fan Page for the Latest News/Rumours/Forums/Videos/WAGS/Funny Stuff/Features!

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has played down any talk of a rift with manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but the Daily Mirror suggests that the club is already preparing itself for the Serb's exit.

Tre punti di crisi

In periodi di vacche magre, tre punticini ottenuti contro il Parma sono prezioso fieno in cascina. Il fieno non è la classifica; il fieno è la riscoperta tranquillit post natalizia dopo le contestazioni furenti del dopo Catania. Non so se Ferrara abbia lo spogliatoio in pugno, oppure se Del Piero prepara l'ennesima rivoluzione in un club privo di solidit .

(highlights)
TABELLINO
JUVENTUS (4-4-1-1): Manninger; Grygera, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Salihamidzic (15'st Del Piero), Poulsen (18'st De Ceglie), Felipe Melo, Marchisio; Diego; Amauri. A disp.: Chimenti, Legrottaglie, Zebina, De Ceglie, Tiago, Immobile. All. Ferrara.
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Dida; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Gattuso(20'st Flamini), Ambrosini; Beckham, Borriello (40'st Huntelaar), Ronaldinho.

(video gol highlights)
TABELLINO
JUVENTUS (4-4-2): Manninger; Caceres (38'st Zebina), Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Grosso (46' Grygera); Diego, Salihamidzic, Felipe Melo, De Ceglie; Amauri, Del Piero (40'st Immobile). A disposizione: Chimenti, Zebina, Grygera, Cannavaro, Esposito, F.

(video gol highlights)
CHIEVO (4-3-1-2) - Sorrentino; Sardo (37' st Frey), Morero, Yepes, Mantovani; Luciano, Rigoni, Marcolini; Pinzi; Granoche (25' st De Paula), Abbruscato (41' st Ariatti). A disp.: Squizzi, Mandelli, Bentivoglio, Bogdani. All.: Di Carlo.
JUVENTUS (4-3-1-2) - Buffon; Grygera (34' pt Zebina), Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso (13' st Salihamidzic); Marchisio (38' st Immobile), Felipe Melo, De Ceglie; Diego; Del Piero, Paolucci.

• Manchester City's hopes of Mathieu Flamini loan signing fade | Football | guardian.co.uk

  tags: City

• Nowhere man finds a home at City - Manchester City - Football - Sport - Manchester Evening News

  tags: City

• Manchester City tempt West Ham with £15m offer for Valon Behrami - Telegraph

  tags: City

• Battle for Chiellini - Manchester United - Football - Sport - Manchester Evening News

  tags: City

• BBC Sport - Football - Manchester City will be world's best club - Garry Cook

  tags: City

• Manchester City risk FA Cup giant killing by one of their own at Scunthorpe - Telegraph

  tags: City

Posted from Diigo.

Si disputa questa sera il derby d'Italia, tra Inter e Juventus, match con il quale si completano i quarti di finale di Coppa Italia.
Ieri sera abbiamo assistito all'eliminazione del Milan, sconfitto con il risultato di 1 a 0 dall'Udinese di De Biasi (ai friuliani toccher la Roma in semifinale).

Credo che ormai sia superfluo pronunciare qualsiasi parola: dico solamente una cosa: in questa squadra possiamo salvare solo questi giocatori: Chiellini, Marchisio, Candreva, Trezeguet (che anche se sul viale del tramonto almeno la mette dentro), Caceres e Iaquinta. Il resto sono o campioni finiti e demotivati, o giocatori scarsi, con quoziente intellettivo pari a zero e carattere nullo.

El campeón defensor ya tiene una prelista para este próximo mundial de fútbol Sudáfrica 2010, y en ella no están el "Racista" Francesco Totti ni el controversial busca problemas Antonio Cassano, en cambio con una grata sorpresa se tuvo el llamamiento de Giusepe Rossi delantero del Villarreal en la Liga Española.

La reciente pre convocatoria de 30 jugadores que el seleccionador de Italia, Marcelo Lippi, ha dado a conocer no ha dejado indiferente a nadie. Las ausencias de Francesco Totti, Antonio Cassano, Fabrizio Miccoli, o incluso las del gigantón Luca Toni o Amauri -todos ellos delanteros, por cierto, y los tres primeros con buenos números este año- han provocado muchas críticas.

Juventus finished their abysmal campaign with another humiliating defeat as they were brushed aside by a rampant Milan side 3-0 at the San Siro. The hosts did not do anything extraordinary but rather the visiting Bianconeri once again were deflated after conceding a goal first.

As has become habit during this season the Juve players dropped their heads after conceding a goal and were not able to mount a comeback.

To think that this madness will continue until August, it's enough to do your head in! Who's being chased by who, who's staying, who's definitely going, transfer fees resembling telephone numbers...
Continue to the full story

La reciente pre convocatoria de 30 jugadores que el seleccionador de Italia, Marcelo Lippi, ha dado a conocer no ha dejado indiferente a nadie. Las ausencias de Francesco Totti, Antonio Cassano, Fabrizio Miccoli, o incluso las del gigantón Luca Toni o Amauri -todos ellos delanteros, por cierto, y los tres primeros con buenos números este año- han provocado muchas críticas.

Just to start with, it looks like the expected departure of Fran Merida on a free to Atletico Madrid has finally come to pass. I consider that a real shame as he was expected to be the obvious replacement for Cesc Fabregas, and he could possibly had made his big breakthrough to the Arsenal first [...

Robin van Persie is world class. No one would argue with that. However, his body just is not fit to handle the pressure and stress that is endured on a footballer's body at the highest levels of the game. The Arsenal and Netherlands striker has produced moments of magic in both shirts, but, unfortunately, he has also succumbed to injury far too often.

Italy v Mexico, Mexico v Italy Live Soccer Streaming: Mexico and Italy will play a friendly practice game before the FIFA World Cup 2010 at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium. Juventus duo Giorgio Chiellini having calf injury and Vincenzo Iaquinta suffering from back problem are recovering .

Italy World Cup 2010 Preview #21 (Group F) is a post from: Just Football

Italy World Cup 2010 Preview

Appearances at World Cup finals: Imperious Italy will be playing at their 17th World Cup finals in South Africa, as current World Champions no less.

Best ever performance: 4 time winners, most recently in 2006 after beating France on penalties in Germany.

Ambas selecciones se pararon con una línea de 4 atrás y un llanero solitario al frente, Gilardino por Italia y Barrios por Paraguay. El italiano tuvo mejor compañía en el papel, pues le asistían por los extremos Iaquinta en el sector izquierdo y Pepe en el derecho.

I know that all footballing focus is currently on the World Cup but for those of you who haven't heard, clubs are already attempting to sign new players for the coming season.

Already Chelsea have released three of their big star players in Michael Ballack, Deco and Joe Cole along with the ex- Barcelona full back Juliano Belletti.

Niente da fare, nemmeno contro una Nuova Zelanda volenterosa ma modesta, l'Italia riesce a centrare il primo successo mondiale. Una brutta nazionale quella vista a Nelspruit, una squadra apparsa tesa e incapace di sviluppare una manovra armoniosa.

ITALIA, LE PAGELLE DI MARCO

MARCHETTI 5.5: mai impegnato dai modesti neozelandesi, non dimostra il massimo della reattivit sul gol quando Smeltz lo brucia in anticipo.
ZAMBROTTA 7: largamente il migliore in campo. È in grande condizione e si vede, ma ci mette anche tanta personalit e iniziativa, sfiorando il gol nel primo tempo.

What should be considered a fair result; Slovakia were better, and Italy were poor, it's just as simple as that. In the end Italy ends up right where they deserve to end up, the bottom of the table, behind New Zealand, Slovakia, and Paraguay. Italy has not played well throughout their three games, only turning it on in the final minutes after they'd gone down a goal.

By Mirko Corli, writing from Torino

As I told you all during the past few weeks, Italy's main problem was the coach. Now, thanks to him we are out of the World Cup, but we are relieved thinking that he left the job: no more arrogance on the bench, we can now start thinking about football.

The Azzurri performed poorly throughout the World Cup and waited till the 80th minute of the match against Slovakia to start playing when it was too late to make a reaction to compensate for the failures in the previous 260 minutes of football. What is most troubling is the fact the Italian reaction was not due to team effort but rather down to a spark offered by Fabio Quagliarella who was behind one goal and scored another.

Gli irlandesi dello Shamrock Rovers, avversari nel terzo turno preliminare di Europa League, si avvicinano (andata il 29 luglio), e la Juventus incomincia a scaldare i motori.
Positiva la prestazione dei ragazzi di Delneri nell'amichevole disputata, ieri sera, a Cosenza contro il Lione e vinta dai bianconeri per 2 a 1 in rimonta.

Juventus have been preparing for their Europa League qualifier which will be played against Shamrock Rovers with friendlies against Hamburg (0-0) and Lyon (2-1 for Juventus). Juventus will play the Irish club over two legs, and the team with the best results over the two legs will go through.

As on any given Sunday there are always lots of Arsenal transfer rumours around, and today is no exception. Arsene Wenger's search for another centre-back has thrown up the name of Phillipe Mexes again. The Italian paper ‘La Repubblica' reckons that Arsenal have offered £9m for the 28 year-old. Mexes has more than a few things [.

Non solo ha ritrovato l'azzurro, dopo il periodo di ostracismo lippiano, insieme ai tanti attestati di stima del Ct Prandelli, condottiero del nuovo corso che sta per intraprendere la nostra nazionale. Ora per Antonio Cassano, pronto a guidare l'attacco dell'Italia nell'amichevole di Londra di domani sera, è pronta la maglia numero 10, indossata da Francesco Totti e dal Divin Codino, Roberto Baggio a Usa '94.

Si prospetta una serata di grandi emozioni. A partire dalle 20 e 30, infatti, sono di scena al San Nicola di Bari tre grandi del calcio italiano ed internazionale. Inter, Milan e Juventus si sfideranno nell'ormai classico appuntamento del Trofeo Tim, evento di grande prestigio che precede l'inizio della stagione agonistica.