Frank Tigani
Spain have arrived, Fernando Torres is back is a post from: Serie A Weekly Spain have arrived,
Fernando Torres is back is a post from: Serie A Weekly Once upon time a draw with Italy would have
been considered a good result for Spain. In light of past results between the two nations, it still
should be – Spain have never beaten Italy in normal time in a world cup or European championship
match.
Following Italy's shock 1-0 loss in Genoa to the USA on Wednesday night, Gigi Buffon told
reporters, "there's no need to get worried" and that "we absolutely did not deserve defeat
tonight". The Juventus ‘keeper was absolutely correct. The Azzurri dominated proceedings at the
Stadio Luigi Ferraris from start to finish and as Giorgio Chiellini opined, "we deserved at least a
draw from this.
In a matter of hours the reigning World and European champions, Spain, will take on four time World
Cup winners Italy in Bari's San Nicola stadium. For a match that pits the two latest winners of the
world cup, the difference between them could not be greater. After years of underachievement the
Spanish national team have been exhibiting a brand of football that is game changing.
It is incredible to think that Italy, World Champions five years ago, were ever ranked outside of
the top ten in the FIFA rankings. But, such had been their fall from the summit of world football
that started after their horrid display in South Africa, that the Italian National team found
themselves in sixteenth position last November behind the likes of Slovenia, Norway, Egypt and
Greece.
Earlier this season, even one month ago before the winter break, it seemed as if Juventus had
finally returned as a force in the Serie A. As the most successful club in Italy with more Scudetti
than any other club, it was a welcome return indeed. During the summer Juventus made a number of
signings that have aided in their bid to again be champions of Italy.
That was that. Well, not yet quite, but, everything seems to be signalling that this is the end.
The end of Luis Enrique's troubled tenure at Roma. And, with it the end of the club's bold and
ambitious Barcelona-inspired project. From the start it was always going to be a monumental task
for a coach with no prior top level experience.
"Everybody talks about violence, but violence is another thing," said Fabrizio Fileni, one of the
ultras that brought a halt to Genoa's home match with Siena over the weekend. It is remarkable, not
only does he defend himself, but, that he actually remains convinced that his actions and those of
his fellow Ultras were not violent.
Hi Barbara, welcome to Serie A weekly. Is this your first interview with a football website? I
have done a few interviews for sports magazines but I don't think I've ever done an interview for
an online football website before. Our readers are mainly football fans, so perhaps you could tell
us a bit about yourself?
Ahead of tomorrow night's mouth-watering Champions League semi-final between Barcelona and Milan,
former Rossoneri striker Marco Simone has claimed that, "Milan have 50 per cent chance to win the
second leg against Barcelona in my opinion." Simone would be right were the game to be decided by
the flip of a coin.
Ahead of tomorrow night's mouth-watering Champions League semi-final between Barcelona and Milan,
former Rossoneri striker Marco Simone has claimed that, "Milan have 50 per cent chance to win the
second leg against Barcelona in my opinion." Simone would be right were the game to be decided by
the flip of a coin.
Tuesday night's Coppa Italia match between Milan and Juventus was a fantastic advert for the
Italian game. This season's two best teams by some distance, eights point to be exact, played out
an entertaining draw at Juventus's new and impressive stadium. There were goals, two splendid ones
at that, and the two strongest sets of players in the Serie A on display.
Italian football is on a high. After years in the mires, more than partly brought about due to the
calciopoli scandal of 2006, there is reason for hope. One aspect of this hope is embodied in the
fact that the Serie A, for the first time since the mid-1990's, has more representatives in the
Champions League knockout stages than either England's Premier League or Spain's La Liga.
It was barely two years ago that Inter, guided by the inextricable genius of Jose Mourinho, were
the proud torch bearers of Italian football. As Milan were embarrassingly crushed 4-0 at Manchester
United and as Juventus failed to even progress past the group stages, against the odds, the
Nerazzurri overcame Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Chelsea as they went on to claim European
football's most.
It could not have been any better. It could not have been any sweeter. Four unanswered goals from
Milan against Arsenal ensured the Italians have at least one foot in the quarter finals. For coach
Max Allegri, it was his most significant moment in the Champions League of his short managerial
career. But, Allegri was not the star of the night.
As the old cliché goes, history repeats itself. And this could not be truer come every February
for Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Whether at Barcelona or in the blue or red half of Milan, the
‘big' Swede's scoring record often leaves something to be desired at this time of the year.
Goals, to be precise.
On October 11 last year in the provincial city of Pescara, Italy ended their qualifying campaign
with a 3-0 win over Northern Ireland. It was the perfect ending as Italy finished top of their
group. It was also just reward for coach Cesare Prandelli who managed to rebuild a strong Azzurri
from the wreckage of the 2010 World Cup disaster.
It was not supposed to happen this way. After years as a wayward, controversial and underachieving
player, this was the season when Antonio Cassano's career finally started to show all of its
glorious potential. And it did, at least until November. The Italian champions start to the current
campaign was nothing short of atrocious.
Many in Italy consider former Azzurri international Roberto as the greatest Italian player of all
time. He may have never won the world cup though he did come very close to doing so, nor did he
ever win the Champions League or the European Cup as it was called during his time. However, a few
days ago the former Inter, AC Milan and Juventus striker, who is now attaining his coaching
credentials.
UEFA Champions League Recap: BATE Borisov 1-1 AC Milan On Tuesday night Milan secured qualification
to the next phase of the Champions League after their 1-1 away draw against BATE Borisov. Despite
seeing his team qualify with two games remaining, Max Allegri was clearly not content with how
things unfolded in Minsk.
Milan recorded their first win in the Champions League this season after they defeated Czech side
Viktoria Plzen 2-0 at the San Siro on Wednesday night. It was not a vintage display by any stretch
from the seven time European champions but it was enough to gain all three points and keep pace
with Barcelona in Group H.
There was much excitement garnered after earlier in the summer Milan declared they were searching
for a certain Mr. X. As the name suggests, it appeared as if the club were looking for a player who
possessed an x-factor element. A player who single-handedly would elevate the team to a higher
level and with it bring the club closer to the lofty heights that have characterised it's history
in the.
Overview At the start of last season many did not expect Milan to challenge for the Scudetto. That
was, at least, until the club secured the services of Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the
eleventh hour of the transfer window. Luciano Moggi, for all the criticism regularly aimed at him,
spoke prophetically when he said that "thanks to him (Ibrahimovic), the title race will be between
Milan and.
Milan's Champions League campaign has ended for another season following their nil all draw against
Tottenham. The Rossoneri needed to win after losing by a goal to nil in the first leg. But, in the
end, the Italians could only muster a draw and, consequently, bowed out of Europe's premier
competition at the round of 16 for a second consecutive season.
During the nineties it would have been unthinkable that Tottenham would come to the San Siro and
defeated the mighty Milan. Back then, Milan were one of the greatest teams in the world and Italian
football was number one in the world. Times have changed dramatically since. Today, the tables have
completely been reversed.
This year's January transfer was one of the busiest in recent memory. There were major transfers
across Europe, particularly in England and in Italy. Amongst the major movers and shakers of the
January transfer window was AC Milan. It speaks volumes of the club that, despite entering the New
Year top of the table, they felt the need to bring in a number of reinforcements.
When the first half of the season came to a close, Milan ended it with a limp one nil defeat at
home to Roma. As the New Year began, despite edging past Cagliari in their first match the
Rossoneri could only managed draws in their next two matches. It seemed that all of a sudden the
league leaders' challenge for the title was in jeopardy.
Over the weekend Milan continued their push for the Scudetto with a deserving two nil victory over
minnows Cesena. In truth, had it not been for some poor finishing it could have been more as the
Rossoneri dominated possession and create numerous opportunities. But, in the end two goals was
enough to avenge the defeat at the hands of the Sea Horses earlier in the season.
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.
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.
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.
The Rest
"I think that Napoli are superior to this Chelsea team, Mazzarri's Napoli are doing better and they
have all the cards in their favour to give the English trouble even at home," said former Napoli
player Moreno Ferrario earlier this week. Whether this is true or not, this is probably not the
attitude the Partenopei will want to take into their date with Chelsea at the Bridge.
