Juventus will be facing Milan tomorrow in the Coppa Italia and unfortunately for both teams, they will not be getting a taste of the Ibrahimedic. He slapped (or rather 'nudged') Napoli's Salvatore Aronica in the face on Sunday something you shouldn't be surprised about, given Ibra's track record and is expected to serve a three-match ban.

Juventus will be facing Milan tomorrow in the Coppa Italia and unfortunately for both teams, they will not be getting a taste of the Ibrahimedic. He slapped (or rather 'nudged') Napoli's Salvatore Aronica in the face on Sunday something you shouldn't be surprised about, given Ibra's track record and is expected to serve a three-match ban.

Daniele De Rossi. Squandered several opportunities to show off his skillz in the rain. Image: Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images Europe.

We've got backchat, confusion and a massive moisture failure to deal with today, Kickettes.

What are you waiting for? An invitation?

EPL

Amazing news from the EPL this weekend, with Arsenal losing 3-2 to Swansea and manager Arsene Wenger taking the unprecedented step of blaming the referee.

This weekend saw lots of action in the Serie A: a furious downpour which forced the suspension of a game; a feisty, highly-anticipated derby; and some very decisive wins. The result? The Serie A standings have been, to borrow from the late, great Elvis Presley, "all shook up"!

On Saturday, Roma travelled South to Sicily to take on Catania.

Manchester City's coach, Roberto Mancini, reveals that they might try to snatch an additional midfielder in the January transfer window, but it will only happen once they managed to offload some of their current unused players, including Carlos Tevez.

Mancini reveals that there are around three to four players that his club planned to offload this winter and the manager is very hopeful that everything would happen just as planned.

As City wheel and deal in another transfer window, Samir Nasri falls further down the pecking order. And he just joined. Think how early-adopter Wayne Bridge feels.

It's hard to watch several leagues simultaneously, which somewhat tempers the distaste for the phenomenon of sugardaddied Manchester City and makes the team an intriguing entity to behold.

Roma relieved all pressure on their previously under-fire boss Luis Enrique with a Sunday evening victory at Napoli's San Paolo. Lining-up without regulars Miralem Pjanic, Fernando Gago and Simon Kjaer, the Giallorossi took the lead after just three minutes. Erik Lamela's cross deflected off Salvatore Aronica and bounced over the line after striking ‘keeper Morgan De Sanctis' arm: a freak goal,.

Almost three months and thirteen games into the new campaign and Roma capitulated to the Viola in dramatic fashion. Three goals against and three red cards gave credence to ‘unlucky thirteeen'. As the Giollarosso await the visit of the so far unbeaten leaders Juventus, the storm clouds continue to gather.

Ricardo Montolivo and Daniele De Rossi's contract situations exemplify a worrying trend for Serie A clubs. Two of Italy's first choice midfielders are out of contract next summer and there is increasing debate about whether or not their clubs can keep hold of them. It is an alarming situation that both Fiorentina and Roma find themselves in.

Ricardo Montolivo and Daniele De Rossi's contract situations exemplify a worrying trend for Serie A clubs. Two of Italy's first choice midfielders are out of contract next summer and there is increasing debate about whether or not their clubs can keep hold of them. It is an alarming situation that both Fiorentina and Roma find themselves in.

Serie A returned this weekend after international break and it returned with a bang with some cracking action. Juventus continue their fine form while Udinese slipped to Parma who is replaced at the top of the table by Juventus. Here are the top five goals of the weekend 5. Miralem Pjanic Roma vs. Lecce A defence splitting ball by Daniele De Rossi found Rodrigo Taddei on the left who crossed in.

Serie A returned this weekend after international break and it returned with a bang with some cracking action. Juventus continue their fine form while Udinese slipped to Parma who is replaced at the top of the table by Juventus. Here are the top five goals of the weekend 5. Miralem Pjanic Roma vs. Lecce A defence splitting ball by Daniele De Rossi found Rodrigo Taddei on the left who crossed in.

So Roma won one of those ‘should win' games hardly news to send ripples pulsating throughout Serie A. But slowly and surely, Luis Enrique's new Roma are coalescing into a more fluid unit with the signs of promise emerging. But while edging past Novara and Lecce is a positive, it remains a fundamental necessity and a journey to Udinese represents something far more meaningful and.

So Roma won one of those ‘should win' games hardly news to send ripples pulsating throughout Serie A. But slowly and surely, Luis Enrique's new Roma are coalescing into a more fluid unit with the signs of promise emerging. But while edging past Novara and Lecce is a positive, it remains a fundamental necessity and a journey to Udinese represents something far more meaningful and.

If you are ever planning a party, don't invite Uruguay. They famously scuppered Brazil's World Cup festivities back in 1950. And, on a much more minor scale, they burst the balloons blown up for the match to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italian unification in Rome. It brought the Azzurri back down to earth after a victory over one of the hosts of next year's European Nations a few days.

If you are ever planning a party, don't invite Uruguay. They famously scuppered Brazil's World Cup festivities back in 1950. And, on a much more minor scale, they burst the balloons blown up for the match to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italian unification in Rome. It brought the Azzurri back down to earth after a victory over one of the hosts of next year's European Nations a few days.

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is expected to start today's friendly fixture against Uruguay. The 21 year old striker who been instrumental in City's recent form will earn his 6th cap for the senior side in a match that could cement his position in the Italian squad.

After his amazing performances against Poland last Friday, Prandelli has decided to stick with Balotelli.

Daniele De Rossi is out of contract at AS Roma in the summer. Club director Bruno Conti is adamant the midfielder will not be leaving the Italian capital. So much so that today he revealed that Roma once turned down a bid of €70 million from Chelsea for the player.

Really? Really?

Good, but not €70m good

What exactly did Conti say?

Daniele De Rossi is out of contract at AS Roma in the summer. Club director Bruno Conti is adamant the midfielder will not be leaving the Italian capital. So much so that today he revealed that Roma once turned down a bid of €70 million from Chelsea for the player.

Really? Really?

Good, but not €70m good

What exactly did Conti say?

"Well, I can hear something rattling when you move your head..." Image: Claudio Villa/Getty Images Europe.

The search continues for the neuron that causes Daniele De Rossi to repeatedly remove his shorts during football matches. If it can be isolated by our team of undercover agents (represented by this nice gentleman with a ginger beard), we plan to introduce it to all players' brains.

A few words from the editor It is with great pleasure I welcome back Stuart Harper after a recent absence to the pages of Serie A Weekly. Stuart has been one of our best received writers during the last year and his coverage of AS Roma has surely been missed, welcome back Stu! Whether other tifosi feel the same it is hard to say, but for this particular Romanista, watching Roma this year.

Image Credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe.

With the winter weather (sort of) closing in, we're expecting the debate about footballers and their on-pitch accessories to kick-off again shortly. Before that happens, we'd just like to say we're feeling Demba Ba's shirtless with gloves look.

AS Roma's midfielder Daniele De Rossi is truly the best man to give that pre-match motivational talk... who needs Luis Enrique, again?!! (pra voce, Mari!)/ via Daylife

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Serie A returned with a bang at the weekend with some fantastic action. This week we got goals and more goals which included seven goals between Lecce and AC Milan. Udinese finished on top of the pile after a brilliant 3-0 over Novara. Here are the five top goals of the week 5. Alessandro Matri Juventus – Genoa This was Alessandro Matri 2nd goal of the game and it was a brilliant goal.

Sunday marks this season's first addition of the Derby della Capitale, as Rome's two fierce rivals face each other at the Stadio Olimpico. In a season where Serie A looks to be wide open, winning a tense clash like this could put the wind in a team's sails and propel them towards the top of the table, so despite the fact this game appears early in the schedule it could have long term implications for both squads.

Claudio Marchisio The Juventus midfielder has been in great form this season; including netting a brace in their 2-0 win over AC Milan last weekend. He was often forced out onto the left-side of midfield in previous years and not deemed capable of orchestrating a midfield. He's proved his doubters wrong this season and also forced his way into the Italian National Team's midfield.

Week 5 in Italy did not disappoint here are the top 5 goals of the weekend. 5. Bojan Roma vs. Atalanta Daniele De Rossi with a fantastic ball over the top to Bojan who took in his stride and finished calmly to net his first goal for the club 4. Alessio Cerci Fiorentina vs Lazio A purple patch for the Italian winger, Stevan Jovetic crosses in for Cerci who chested the ball on finish with ease by.

Failure to beat Cagliari on the season's opening game served to make Roma's trip to Inter a considerably more daunting prospect. Normally, both a clean sheet and an accompanying San Siro point would have been considered a profitable raid to the north, but in retrospect, Enrique was left to rue his team's bewildering inability to score.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has revealed he was eager to sign either Roma's Daniele de Rossi and Real Madrid's Fernando Gago but financial fair play led to the signing of Owen Hargreaves.

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott and star goalkeeper Joe Hart have both offered their backing to the club's reported pursuit of Owen Hargreaves, whose injury-prone background and past affiliation with bitter rivals Manchester United will make this a shock transfer.

City boss Roberto Mancini has openly expressed his need for another midfielder before the close of the transfer window and having been linked without success with the likes of Mark Van Bommel, Wesley Sneijder, Daniele De Rossi, and Fernando Gago, it now appears that the Eastlands outfit will take a gamble on Hargreaves.

AS Roma owner Thomas DiBenedetto has revealed that the Serie A outfit will not pressure Manchester City target Daniele DeRossi to stay at the club as the final decision will be made by the player himself.

De Rossi, 28, won the World Cup with Italy in 2006 but despite attracting interest from across the globe ever since, he has stayed committed to playing for the Giallorossi his entire career.

AS Roma owner Thomas DiBenedetto has revealed that the Serie A outfit will not pressure Manchester City target Daniele DeRossi to stay at the club as the final decision will be made by the player himself.

De Rossi, 28, won the World Cup with Italy in 2006 but despite attracting interest from across the globe ever since, he has stayed committed to playing for the Giallorossi his entire career.

Closing in on a deal for Samir Nasri, Manchester City' manager, Roberto Mancini shared some interesting talks regarding the transfer market, not only about the incoming but also regarding the rumors about the Citizens players such as Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli.

While confirming the arrival of Samir Nasri, Mancini revealed to the press that he also has another dream signing, that he believes would definitely perfected the Eastlands, that player is As Roma's Daniele De Rossi.

De Rossi, DiBenedetto d l'ok IL ROMANISTA (C. ZUCCHELLI) - Il primo vero giorno a Trigoria da proprietario della Roma. E la prima - necessaria - decisione importante: avallare in tutto e per tutto il rinnovo del contratto che verr sottoposto nei prossimi giorni a Daniele De Rossi. Quella di ieri è stata una lunga e calda giornata per Thomas DiBenedetto: il futuro presidente della Roma si è

Will someone please coddle this little lamb? Image: REUTERS/Albert Gea.

This past Friday, baby Bojan signed a curious deal for Captain Totti's AS Roma. After a a quick presser, where he gained major adorable points for his pouty sad face (see above), it was adios Barcelona and buon giorno Roma.

Chelsea and Manchester City have been put on red-alert after Roma midfield general Daniele De Rossi struggles to negotiate a new contract at the Stadio Olimpico. Both clubs have been keen admirers of the combative midfielder whose all-action style and play have won him much notoriety on the continent.

Chelsea and Manchester City have been put on red-alert after Roma midfield general Daniele De Rossi struggles to negotiate a new contract at the Stadio Olimpico. Both clubs have been keen admirers of the combative midfielder whose all-action style and play have won him much notoriety on the continent.

As Roma welcome new recruits into Giallorosso, fresh speculation about Daniele De Rossi's future has arisen. So what will this mercato have in store for Roma's ‘capitano futuro'? Recent press speculation suggests that Manchester City's Roberto Mancini has designs on Daniele De Rossi, with a sensational salary apparently on the table – a deal which practically doubles the package already being.

As Roma welcome new recruits into Giallorosso, fresh speculation about Daniele De Rossi's future has arisen. So what will this mercato have in store for Roma's ‘capitano futuro'? Recent press speculation suggests that Manchester City's Roberto Mancini has designs on Daniele De Rossi, with a sensational salary apparently on the table – a deal which practically doubles the package already being.

As Roma welcome new recruits into Giallorosso, fresh speculation about Daniele De Rossi's future has arisen. So what will this mercato have in store for Roma's ‘capitano futuro'? Recent press speculation suggests that Manchester City's Roberto Mancini has designs on Daniele De Rossi, with a sensational salary apparently on the table – a deal which practically doubles the package already being.