Milan once again failed to win in the Champions League after conceding two late goals to Viktoria Plzen as the game ended 2-2 leaving coach Max Allegri understandably angered by his team's display. "There is anger rather than bitterness [at the result]," Allegri told Sky Italia. "We had opportunities to grab a third goal, but [.

This titan's reign may soon be over at Stamford Bridge. Alex has told Italian television he is open to a move away from Chelsea.

apparently loves Italian football

I've sort of been resigned to Alex leaving the club for some time. He has been somewhat marginalized in recent seasons despite some herculean performances, all of which have been well documented around here.

The Philadelphia Union announced today that the club has secured defender Carlos Valdes's full rights from Colombia's Independiente Santa Fe, while simultaneously announcing that forward Carlos Ruiz has actually, legitimately been transferred to Mexico's Veracruz. Of course, the Ruiz transfer was no surprise at all -- only logistics separated the deal from being made official over the last week, and there were suspicions that such a transaction with Ruiz would take place for the better part of two months now.

Giuseppe Rossi's agent Federico Pastorello says that the striker will stay at Villarreal and will not make his much anticipated move to Juventus.

Like most La Liga teams, Villarreal are in serious debt, but the sale of playmaker Santi Cazorla to Malaga for €19 million has eased their financial worries, and as a result they don't need to sell Rossi.

Sky Italia has nailed the preseason advertising market with some holy commercials designed to highlight the miracle that is calcio. Or miracle that it, despite the constant shitstorm, still stands as a structure.

Ambrosini, Mauri, Eto'o and a Totti statue in one, while Andrea Pirlo dons stripes (or trades a red for a white) for the first time in the other.

It is being reported tonight that Manchester City have agreed a fee of £25m with Arsenal for the transfer of Samir Nasri to the Eastlands, just hours after Arsene Wenger said that he "would fight to keep him". The exact translation of the article on Sky Italia (according to Google) reads: Manchester City as [.

Gerald Pique dressed like one of the quidditch players from Hogwarts gives an old lady some potion to drink which makes her display football skills that are normally beyond the reach of ladies of that age.
Pique does not get on his broom and fly away at the end - which is a bit disappointing.

Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani has expressed excitement over his return to Liverpool after negotiations with Juventus came to a halt.

Aquilani, who thrived in a loan spell with the Turin outfit last season, was poised to extend his stay in the Serie A but Juve's budget did not allow them to meet the price in the pre-agreed purchase clause, particularly after they unveiled four major signings in recent days.

Alberto Aquilani says he is looking forward to returning to Liverpool with "great enthusiasm".
The Italian was not offered a permanent deal by Juventus despite playing 33 times for the club last season on loan.
The 26-year-old midfielder also insists it is not true that he does not want to go back to Anfield.

Federico Macheda had a dismal time on loan at Sampdoria, our young striker has told Sky Italia he hopes to return to the Premier League next season.

"Psychologically it was not easy because to go from United to Sampdoria and to fight to avoid the drop was a difficult situation," he said.

Federico Macheda had a dismal time on loan at Sampdoria, our young striker has told Sky Italia he hopes to return to the Premier League next season.

"Psychologically it was not easy because to go from United to Sampdoria and to fight to avoid the drop was a difficult situation," he said.

Blackburn is finding out that even if their Indian owners are rich and can afford to spend big on players, that doesn't mean that the players want to come to Ewood Park.

The latest player to turn down Blackburn is Roma striker Mirko Vucinic whose agent says he deserves a "more prestigious" club.

It has been building all week and yesterday Inter officially confirmed that Leonardo would be leaving the club after six months as coach in order to take up a position as sporting director at French club Paris Saint Germain.

Inter chief executive Ernesto Paolillo told Bloomberg:

"Leonardo is going to Paris and the club is looking for a new coach.

They do say a seven days is a long time in football, well try the Monday after the final Serie A game of the season..... Less than 24 hours after Napoli completed the Serie A campaign with a 2-2 with Juventus and it appeared like Napoli were about to sack Walter Mazzarri, and hire the jobless Gian Piero Gasperini.

They do say a seven days is a long time in football, well try the Monday after the final Serie A game of the season..... Less than 24 hours after Napoli completed the Serie A campaign with a 2-2 with Juventus and it appeared like Napoli were about to sack Walter Mazzarri, and hire the jobless Gian Piero Gasperini.

Liverpool are being linked with a summer move for Inter Milan starlet Philippe Coutinho.
The Brazilian teenager, who officially signed at the San Siro in 2008 before spending two seasons on loan at former club Vasco da Gama, has reportedly fallen out of favour with manager Leonardo and is considering a switch away from the club.

Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez is still on the Liverpool radar, according to reports.
The Chilean international has been on the radar of Barclays Premier League teams for some time now, with Liverpool thought to be one of those keen to bring the player to England.
Damien Comolli, director of football strategy at Anfield, is a known admirer of the 22-year-old, although it's thought that Liverpool will face stiff competition from a number of clubs around Europe.

Liverpool is facing stiff competition from Chelsea in the race to sign Chilean international Alexis Sanchez.
The Udinese star has been monitored by a string of top European clubs in recent seasons, with Liverpool one of those keen to bring the player to the Barclays Premier League.
Former Reds boss Rafael Benitez was keen to bring the player to Anfield as recently as May, and his Liverpool replacement Roy Hodgson was also thought be interested in bringing the player to Merseyside before his recent departure.

By Chris Wright

Serie A outfit Udinese have confirmed that Chelsea have made tentative enquiries as to the availability of their 22-year-old Chilean tyro (and long-term Manchester United target) Alexis Sanchez with a view to snapping him up before the end of the month.

Liverpool is ready to enter into talks with Juventus about the future of Alberto Aquilani with striker Amauri also on Damian Comolli's agenda, according to Sky Italia.
Aquilani is currently on loan at the Old Lady and has admitted he is enjoying his time back home and would relish a permanent move to Turin.

By Shanna Murady, writing from Jakarta

Following our previous post on Ronaldinho's fate in Milan this season:

Milan coach Massimo Allegri has confirmed to Sky Sports Italia that the football superstar is set to leave for his former club Gremio this January:

"We are waiting for his departure to become official," Allegri told Sky Italia.