A new look Inter and Roma hit five goals as they went on to win their weekend games against Genoa and Novara, respectively. Roma had five different scorers in their 5-2 victory over Novara while Inter’s Diego Milito claimed a hat-trick in a nine goal thriller to help see of the challenge of Genoa in what was the perfect start for their new manager, Andrea Stramaccioni, who just this past week took over from the sacked Claudio Ranieri. Inter and [...]
A date with destiny for both Chelsea and Napoli, who will do battle at Stamford Bridge for a place in the last eight of the Champions League. In winter 1066 Harold Godwinson was thrust to the forefront and took the throne of Anglo-Saxon England after the death of his predecessor Edward the Confessor. His reign was rather short lived and he died in the Battle of Hastings later that year. Harold earned his place in history after a stunning battle [...]
Unlike Notts County’s kit and Mister, the football term Derby used throughout Italy has largely diverged from its original English etymology. While fans in the Premier League still expect two-footed tackles and rabid commitment when local sides meet, some Italian derbies incur little or in the case of Sunday’s meeting between Fiorentina and Siena, no added enthusiasm. Only 700 Siena fans made the 70km trip across Tuscany for the early kick-off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, while a portion of [...]
Recently we discussed the importance of deceleration in relation to high performance training and injury prevention. We learned about eccentric strength and the role it plays in reducing momentum. We also made reference to dynamic balance and the importance it plays in maintaining control while performing skillful athletic movements. In this segment we will discuss movement training. Looking at the demands of the sport of soccer, we clearly see the importance movement plays. Movements on and off the ball are [...]
In the last midweek action before the holiday break there was a plethora of goals in Serie A. Napoli hit six past Genoa, Atalanta hit four against Cesena and Inter Milan also notched four this time at home to Lecce. AC Milan ended the year as winter champions after Juventus were held 0-0 away at Udinese. Tuesday 20th December There were two games on Tuesday evening; the first game was Fiorentina away trip to Siena which ended up in a [...]
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 claimed that Italian football is on the rise [...]
Adequate Provocation in the Heat of Passion is a legal phrase, used in the American court system to mitigate a crime from murder in the first or second degree down to voluntary manslaughter. Why bring this up now, in the context of writing about Napoli? Well, I confess, it’s because I’ve been having homicidal thoughts about some who don the azzurri kit. And when one sketches out a plan involving tricking Salvatore Aronica into getting a shampoo, and then holding [...]
This week’s round of Serie A games wasn’t exactly full of outstanding team performances. Napoli scored four but still managed to concede twice to relegation-threatened Lecce, Juventus and Milan recorded routine victories against struggling opposition and Bologna took three valuable points from Siena. On paper, Fiorentina’s 3-0 win over Roma seems the weekend’s most notable performance, but there was more to this game than met the eye. Both teams were in need of a win. New Viola coach Delio Rossi [...]
Tomorrow’s encounter at the Etihad stadium will prove to be one of Manchester City’s most important in its recent history, needing a win against an already-through Bayern Munich side as winners of Group A. Eyes in Manchester will also been on the Villarreal-Napoli tie where a Napoli win would eliminate the Citizens from the competition; otherwise, their Champions League adventure will be over with the Europa League beckoning. On the previous matchday, Bayern eased past a sinking Villarreal side on [...]
There are multiple story lines that could be woven into a discussion on Napoli’s win over Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday. The partenopei, an average club paying average wages to a relatively small squad, defeated the oil-sheik’s wealthy play toys. On a broader level, the team from the inferior Serie A beat the club from the best league in the world to take second place in Group A. And on a much narrower level, Edinson Cavani, who’d [...]
Gazzetta dello Sport Juve, you can do it! – Operation Scudetto – Assault for Montolivo Antonio, come here and let me hug you Napoli – Mazzarri against Mancini: “We need a super game” Inter – Ranieri charged up: “I’ve noticed new air. Immediately into the last 16” Denis, a saint and a diet: “That’s how I score at Atalanta” Tuttosport Del Piero: “Joy and suffering” Here comes Cassano again! Napoli want to achieve Ranieri: “Double standards with Inter” Toro chase [...]
The number if Italians plying their trade abroad is steadily increasing. Yet despite this, there wasn’t a single Italian named on the Balon ‘dor short list last week. In one way this isn’t entirely surprising given the common disregard Serie A is held in nowadays. Since the hey-day of the last 80′s early 90’s, financial resources of Italian Serie A clubs have decreased significantly. The world’s top players are more likely to play in Spain’s primera for clubs like Real [...]
