The Daily Mirror has reported AC Milan midfielder Ronaldinho has said that at the end of the season, he would like to have a meeting with the directors. While the former Barca player did say that this season was not a positive one for him, he reiterated that he is a professional, and will do everything to help Milan do well. He further said that he would consider his future only at the end of the season. The noncommittal response of the player has fuelled rumours that the 29-year-old may join fellow Brazilian Robinho at Manchester next season.

On another note, Roma goalkeeper Alexander Doni insists he has no intention of accepting a reported £12m offer from Manchester City.

Related Articles

channel4 football italia - Ronaldinho reconsiders City

skysports - Ronaldinho to hold AC talks

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After the first 45 minutes, Italy up 1-0 over hosts Montenegro off the free kick of Andrea Pirlo. Some early controversy involving Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro who hacked down Jovetic. Luckily for the Italian he did not see a straight red and the Azzurri are off the hook, as they avoided going down to 10 men.

Out of the red and into the black, try your luck with online sports betting. Make extra cash and have fun watching your favorite teams make you money.


Finally and most importantly, Antonio Di Natale went down with a left knee injury without contact, falling awkwardly after five minutes, he had to be stretchered off in obvious pain.

Starting XI

Italy (4-3-3) : Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Palombo, Pirlo, De Rossi; Quagliarella, Iaquinta, Di Natale (Pepe 8)

Montenegro (4-3-1-1) : Poleksic; Pavlcevic, Basa, Batak, V Bozovic; Drincic, Pekovic, Boskovic; Jovetic, Vukcevic; Djalovic


DISCLAIMER: SERIEAWEEKLY.BLOGSPOT.COM DOES NOT HOST ANY VIDEO CONTENT ON THIS WEBSITE, PLEASE CONTACT THE AGENCIES TRANSMITTING THE AUDIO-VISUAL STREAMS IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A COMPLAINT. serieaweekly.blogspot.com provides links to other web sites. No responsibility is taken for any information that may appear on any linked web sites. These external information sources are outside our control. serieaweekly.blogspot.com does not necessarily endorse any company or organisation linked to from this site. By using this website at any time you agree to the above disclaimer.

I waited till today before posting on this match because I wanted to provide readers with all the links and stories on the actions of manager Lippi and the Italian National Team. Italy lead group eight of Europe on goal difference ahead of Ireland with Montenegro in fourth out of six teams. To get to this point the National team has won three and drawn one of their four matches while Montenegro are yet to win a game.

No Cassano Again

Lippi has chosen for his squad irregularly played Vincenzo Iaquinta and his Juventus teammate always injuried Mauro Camoranesi while raising eyebrows with the absense of Antonio Cassano and Alessandro Del Piero yet again.

National goalkeeper Gigi Buffon stated to the press this week, “I don't think that the doors of La Nazionale should be closed to anyone. Cassano behaved well at Euro 2008 and is one of the most in-form players in Serie A.”

When asked the obvious by Italian media Lippi responded, "I choose who is in the squad and who isn't and I don't have to explain those decisions"

Moving on, nice to see new man Giampaolo Pazzini getting the call up. Pazzini has been on fire for Sampdoria since coming over from Fiorentina in January. Lets face it folks Luca Toni has not been successful for the Azzurri lately in the lone striker role, and with better striking options appearing in Antonio Di Natale and his Udinese strike partner Fabio Quagliarella PLUS a rejuvenated Pazzini, time to make the change even if the replacement isn't the Cassano-Del Piero fan favorite.


The Best non-Italy XI

Finally, Goal.com are running an interesting discussion on the Best non-Italy XI. Now this isn't a poll on non-Italians but on Italian players who haven't made Lippi's cut for the Montenegro and Ireland World Cup qualifiers.

Goal.com - The Azzurri have several stars in their squad, but consider the ones who are left at home to watch the international matches on TV

(4-4-2 Abbiati Oddo - Panucci - Barzagli - Santon, Maggio - Marchisio - D'Agostino - Giovinco, Cassano - Floccari)

Potential Starting XI Against Montenegro

Gigi Buffon, Zambrotta, Fabio Cannavaro, Giorgio Chiellini, Fabio Grosso, Angelo Palombo, Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi, Fabio Quagliarella, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Antonio Di Natale

Match Feed

Return to Serie A Weekly on Saturday for information on potential links.


Related Articles

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channel4 Football Italia - Zambro forced to sit out
Reuters UK - Soccer-Hostile reception reports irk Italy coach Lippi
Goal.com - Calcio Debate: The Best Non-Italy XI

These drills will help with your dribbing and ball control thank you once again UEFA.com.

Learn these two techniques which will give you confidence in running at the opposition with the ball at your feet.

Match Highlights from UEFA.com
Roma v Arsenal

no longer available

A 70% hit rate with 7 out of 10 winners predicted correctly by Serie A Weekly not too shabby.

Adrian Mutu broke the deadlock in the Tuscan derby, during the final quarter against Siena, scoring the only goal of the match. With his usual uncanny precision, the Romanian international split the defense and buried the ball behind Seina goalkeeper Curci, final score Fiorentina 1-0 Siena.


Earlier matches on Saturday would see Catania given a well deserved 1-0 victory after a dogged performance against the visitors Lazio. The islanders continually hounding the capital side, forcing repeated turnovers. Although Lazio was given a majority of changes on target 5-2, the Catania defense was able to shut down all Lazio attacks including the missed penalty by Lazio striker Goran Pandev on keeper Albano Bizarri. (see match highlights below)


Juventus of Turin came to Rome and humiliated a vastly depleted Roma by a score of 4-1. After holding the visitors to only 1 goal during the first 45, and even drawing even in the early moments after the interval, Roma would give way to Juventus, who would go on a goal frenzy, scoring an additional 3 times before it was all over. Vincenzo Iaquinta would net the winner and go on to score another while Swedish defender Olaf Melberg would score off a header of what is best described as super clinical finish for a goalscorer in the air redirecting the ball down and away from the keeper with added force behind the shot. The last goal of the match and the most delightful to watch was placed behind Roma keeper Doni by Juventus veteran Pavel Nedved hit as a one timer off the volley with power and accuracy. (see match highlights below)


Troubles for Torino continue as Giampaolo Pazzini finds the mark yet again in 2009 for his new club Sampdoria. Scoring the opening goal, Pazzini moves to 8 goals on the top-scorers chart, as Sampdoria defeat the homeside with a final tally of 3-1. (see match highlights below)


Finally, I wasn't expecting the 0-0 result at the stadio San Paolo between Napoli and AC Milan, especially as the Rossoneri had scored in each of their last 29 games. On the flip side Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani was lucky to escape the carnage of Napoli Ultras who vandalized his car as he left the San Paolo. Upset with the result after Marek Hamsik had a valid goal disallowed for offside on the 37 minute mark, Napoli Ultras refused to allow the AC Milan executive to pass and began to throw stones at his car, breaking a window and prompting his police escort to call for back up. Clearly Milan was let off the hook as the entertaining matched ended in controversy.


Game Highlights

Catania 1-0 Lazio




Roma 1-4 Juventus




Torino 1-3 Sampdoria





All The Weekend Results

Catania 1 - 0 Lazio AS
Roma 1 - 4 Juventus

Sunday March 22nd
Bologna 0 - 1 Cagliari
Chievo 1 - 0 Palermo
Fiorentina 1 - 0 Siena
Genoa 2 - 0 Udinese
Inter Milan 3 - 0 Reggina
Lecce 2 - 2 Atalanta
Torino 1 - 3 Sampdoria
Napoli 0 - 0 AC Milan

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The following interview with author John Foot was from a year ago and after listening to it several times and really enjoying the dialogue, I thought it a good idea to do a focus piece for others searching the web for interesting podcasts to download to their ipod or mp3 player on the sport of football.

Mando from Forza Futbol does a great job in interviewing John Foot and in letting the historian run with the ball (no pun) Foot's observation and analysis of the game in Italy and the impact it has had on politics, economics and general rivialries across the nation is eye opening stuff.

John Foot, author of Calcio: A History of Italian Football, published in the United States as Winning at All Costs, is a comprehensive history of Italian football from its origins as an English import, and re-branding with imagined Calcio Fiorentino (an ancient Italian foot game), to the final moments of the Calciopoli scandal.

You can download the podcast directly from Forza Futbol HERE or

Listen Now to The John Foot Interview

Monday 23th of March

Gazzetta dello Sport

- Ibra double thrill - A fairytale lob, but on the future he is uncertain“Will I stay? We will see.”
- Editorial - A poet with a stomachache
-Mourinho gets his seven point lead back and overtakes the Inter of Mancini
- Valid goal disallowed during Napoli - Milan Galliani insulted at the end of the game
- Genoa refuse to stop Mutu launches Fiorentina
- Lippi calls up Pazzini, Motta and Bocchetti

Corriere dello Sport

- It's all Ibra - The Swede scores twice and is the capocannoniere
- Inter remain seven points ahead of Juventus
- But Ibra freezes everyone by refusing to commit to Inter
- A centre-forward with feet for 10
- Napoli make Milan scared - Great performance from the Partenopei
- A younger Italy - Lippi selects Pazzini, Motta and Bocchetti



Tuttosport

Mourinho bows to Juventus: “You are great!”

Torino capsize - The Granata may sack Novellino

Camolese or Papadopulo could get the Torino job

Ibra breakdown at Inter: “Scudetto, and then we'll see”

The battle is getting heated in amongst the Roma back four, as the Frenchman Mexes received yet another yellow card to add to his season tally for a slicing tackle on Del Piero. After 45 minutes, Roma 0 - 1 Juventus with Vincenzo Iaquinta scoring the only goal of the half and what a brilliant goal by Iaquinta! The Juventus striker checked back inside at the edge of the Roma box, beating Loria and then polished off the maneuver with an emphatic low finish in the right corner of the net. Roma will have to show more quality in the second half as Juventus have had the majority of possession.

Live Commentary courtesy of Yahoo Sports UK

Starting XI

Roma (4-3-2-1) : Doni; Panucci (capt), Loria, Mexès, Riise; Filipe, Brighi, Baptista, Tonetto; Menez, Vucinic

Juventus (4-4-2) : Buffon; Grygera, Mellberg, Chiellini, Molinaro; Salihamidzic, Tiago, Poulsen, Giovinco; Iaquinta, Del Piero (capt)

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

DISCLAIMER: SERIEAWEEKLY.BLOGSPOT.COM DOES NOT HOST ANY VIDEO CONTENT ON THIS WEBSITE, PLEASE CONTACT THE AGENCIES TRANSMITTING THE AUDIO-VISUAL STREAMS IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A COMPLAINT. serieaweekly.blogspot.com provides links to other web sites. No responsibility is taken for any information that may appear on any linked web sites. These external information sources are outside our control. serieaweekly.blogspot.com does not necessarily endorse any company or organisation linked to from this site. By using this website at any time you agree to the above disclaimer

It's poll time so give us your opinion

Matchday Previews

AS Roma vs Juventus

Roma Manager Spalletti is in a very bad way with De Rossi, Pizarro, Diamoutene and Motta all suspended, and out injured are Juan, Totti, Perrotta, Cicinho, Aquiliani, Cassetti, and
Taddei. Brighi and Loria are both considered major doubts also. John Arne Riise believes this might be a good thing fo the club as Spalletti calls up six youth team players - Riccardo Brosco, Alessandro Crescenzi, Marco D’Alessandro, Adrian Stojan, Alessandro Malomo and Sebastian Mladen hope the defender has this one right.

Juventus on the other hand have less headaches but could possibly be short defenders Legrottaglie and Chiellini who are struggling so watch for the starting XI news. Marchionni is back and could start. Although my heart is with Roma, my thinking is Juventus will take all 3 points from a very depleted Giallorossi.

Chievo vs Palermo

I normally choose 3 matches containing one of the traditional top four clubs or review a derby or cross country rivialry, however this week I thought I'd focus on a match involving two clubs battling for middle of table positioning. Chievo are unbeaten in six games and after winning at the stadio Olimpico against Lazio on match day 28, they are beginning to look like Serie A survivors. Their striker Makinwa will miss this match, with Bogdani and Pelissier starters up front again. Also missing will be Bentivoglio. Palermo will be short hitman Fabrizio Miccoli this weekend as Guana and Bresciano are also out for this match. Succi is in for Miccoli, I guess. Both sides are in the best of form, but Palermo missing Miccoli, suggests I back Chievo with the 12th man, home advantage.

Napoli vs AC Milan

AC Milan even before being knocked out of UEFA Cup always had their sights set on a top three finish and automatic entry into next season's Champions League group stages. However, this match day the northerners face a tough trip to Napoli, as they continue their push with several key injury doubts surfacing. Goalkeeper Christian Abbiati will be missing after being stretchered off in agony during the game with Siena last Sunday and Kaka is injured once again most likely missing this match also. Abbiatia tore the ligaments in his right knee in a collision with team-mate Giuseppe Favalli so that means Brazilian Didi is back between the sticks ouch. Ambrosini is suspended, but Seedorf will be back.

Napoli by no means played a great game at Reggina last week, but they stopped the rot by finishing with a 1-1 draw. New manager syndrome obviously hasn't kicked in yet with the arrivial of Donadoni and the club still needs all the positive infusion they can muster. With both Aronica and Rinaudo sidelined and also Christian Maggio after his terrible injury last week, Montervino and Datolo should earn starting roles. On any other day I would support the home win, but how good is present Napoli form? I'm going to side with AC Milan's greater experience over youth, as Donadoni prepares to meet his old employer at the stadio San Paolo.

Matchday Predictions

Udinese the only Italian club remaining in this year's UEFA club competition continue the dream as they go down 0-1 last night to Zenit in St. Petersburg, yet still qualify for the quarter-finals with a 2-1 aggregate.

Thanks to the two late goals scored by the strike-duo of Fabio Quagliarella and Antonio Di Natale during the first leg in Udine, the Italians retain hopes of winning European glory this season.

It should be mentioned the Northern club has never won a major European competition, and will now face German side Werder Bremen on their journey. With talk of Serie A possibly losing it's ranking to the Bundesliga for UEFA placements in next seasons competition, Udinese will take the Serie A coefficient head on by knocking Bremen out of the Cup. The Italians will have their plate full as Bremen was able to draw 1-1 and 2-2 against Milan while also beating Inter 2-1 in earlier competition.



UEFA Cup Quarterfinals, Leg 1


Thu., Apr. 9
Hamburg vs. Man City
PSG vs. Dynamo Kiev
Shakhtar vs. Marseille
Bremen vs. Udinese









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I join Mando and Gene in a Serie A Round Table podcast this week, and together we discuss what is going on in the world of Serie A. You'll enjoy our post Champions League Final 16 discussion on the English media hype machine, give the show a listen.

Get the podcast download here if you want to listen offline or listen now with,


Podcast 57: Serie A Roundtable #4



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Thursday is UEFA Cup 2nd leg action between Zenit St. Petersburg and Italian side Udinese Calcio at the Petrosky Stadium.

Udinese are the last Italian club still in European competition, while Zenit are last year's Cup winners and after the 1st leg are down 0-2 to the visitor.

Will it be chalked-full-of goals today or are we going to see a great defensive battle by the visitors? Tune in to watch

Starting eleven news and feed updates to follow.

I happily announce our new partnership with Soccerpro.com and here is our first product review, featuring new gear designed by Puma for the Italian National team.



Half Zip Training Jacket with the FIGC WC Four Star Logo

The official Italy National Team training jacket is a beautiful half-zip pullover with stand-up collar design. In the Puma v1.08 design it includes USP technology for climate control with rear venting panels and made of 100% soft polyester microfiber for a new level of comfort.

Features include:

• official Italia Lextra 3D Federation Badge
• rubberized PUMA Cat 3D logos on chest, left shoulder and right forearm
• screened italia across the back
• 100% Polyester, Circular Knitted, Double Knit microfiber

Personal Thoughts

This ultimate performance gear manages moisture away from your skin to keep you dry and comfortable while training. I especially liked the light weight design which is very durable and of course the authentic azzurri colour and stylish cut make it a must have for all dedicated tifosi .

The fit around the neck, and shoulder area is nice but I'm still not sure about the USP mesh wrist extensions. Overall, the garment allows for good movement without any noticable restriction and I was quite pleased.

My thanks goes out to SoccerPro a US based online retailer for their partnership on all future reviews. If you want style, comfort and full motion with your training or casual soccer jackets, checkout Soccerpro for the Puma Italia 1/2 Zip Training Jacket or browse the SoccerPro collection of soccer jerseys and jackets by cruising Licensed Soccer Jerseys and Gear at SoccerPro.com.

have all the soccer gear, youth soccer apparel and nike soccerballs you could want.

Adidas.com - the official match ball of the UEFA Champions League final 2009 in Rome, the adidas Finale Rome football possesses a seamless surface for a more predictable trajectory. Power Balance technology delivers otimal flight characteristics and a superior touch.

Power Balance technology: Highest FIFA rating

Official match ball of the UEFA Champions League final 2009 in Rome

Latex bladder for outstanding rebound: Thermal bonding and value counterweight for outstanding flight.

Seamless surface for predictable trajectory, better feel and low water uptake

100% polyurethane

Supper Pippo does it again with his third century after scoring the 300th career goal against Siena on Sunday.

Match Day Results

Saturday, March 14th

Cagliari 0 - 1 Genoa
Juventus 4 - 1 Bologna

Sunday, March 15th

Atalanta 2 - 0 Torino
Lazio 0 - 3 Chievo
Palermo 5 - 2 Lecce
Reggina 1 - 1 Napoli
Sampdoria 2 - 2 AS Roma
Siena 1 - 5 AC Milan
Udinese 1 - 1 Catania
Inter Milan 2 - 0 Fiorentina

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic after a poor performance against Manchester United mid-week, is showing his worth with a first half goal, Inter lead the visitors 1-0 at the San Siro. Earlier today AC Milan won 5-1 against Seina, best result of the season away from home for the Rossoneri. Young Alexandre Pato is moving up the scoring charts with 2 goals and elder statesman Super Pippo matched the youngster with 2 goals of his own. Pippo Inzaghi is proving he still has the magic touch even with limited appearances in the red and black jersey this season.

LIVE commentary from Yahoo Sport UK





Starting XI


Inter (4-1-3-2): Julio César; Maicon, Chivu, Samuel, Santon; Cambiasso; Zanetti, Muntari, Stankovic; Ibrahimovic, Balotelli


Fiorentina (4-1-3-2) : Frey; Comotto, Gamberini, Kroldrup, Vargas; Jorgensen; Kuzmanovic, Montolivo, Melo; Gilardino, Mutu



DISCLAIMER: SERIEAWEEKLY.BLOGSPOT.COM DOES NOT HOST ANY VIDEO CONTENT ON THIS WEBSITE, PLEASE CONTACT THE AGENCIES TRANSMITTING THE AUDIO-VISUAL STREAMS IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A COMPLAINT. serieaweekly.blogspot.com provides links to other web sites. No responsibility is taken for any information that may appear on any linked web sites. These external information sources are outside our control. serieaweekly.blogspot.com does not necessarily endorse any company or organisation linked to from this site. By using this website at any time you agree to the above disclaimer.

Juventus are down a goal after Mutarelli scored a lovely one for the home side Bologna in the 24th minute. The Atomic Ant Giovinco started for Juventus and has had several opportunites to equalize. Del Piero also has had his chances for the visitors, hitting the woodwork off a header and also grazing the crossbar with one of his magical free kicks.


LIVE commentary compliments of Yahoo Sport UK


Starting XI

Juventus (4-4-2): Buffon; Grygera, Mellberg, Chiellini, Molinaro; Salihamidzic, Marchisio, Tiago, Giovinco; Del Piero, Iaquinta

Bologna (4-3-2-1): Antonioli, Zenoni, Britos,,Terzi, Lanna; Volpi, Mutarelli, Mudingayi; Valiani, Bombardini; Di Vaio

Referee: Antonio Damato

Serie A Weekly is proud to announce the arrival of SerieALive.com (formerly mySerieA.com), as the online portal to fantasy football targeted specifically for fans of Serie A.


FSB.com - Talk about going after a niche market.

MySerieA.com (now SerieALive.com), which launched back in late January, knows exactly the kind of fan that will frequent its site. That’s because the new portal is devoted to the Italian soccer league that appears in its domain name. Some might find such an approach limiting, but founder Vince Cullotta sees a need in the marketplace.

“I think part of the problem with fantasy Serie A is that there are all of these sites out there that are doing it just to do it,” Cullotta told FSB.com. “The fantasy games are stripped down and not very exciting to the average fan. Serie A fans have nowhere else to go so they play because the options are limited.”

With an entire site devoted solely to Serie A — or Lega Calcio, for our Italian readers — Cullotta hopes to give his audience more than they might get from existing games such as those available via Yahoo, ESPN and Ole Ole.

“Our focus is the Serie A and nothing else, which sets us apart from other fantasy sites,” Cullotta said. “We want to raise the bar for Italian fantasy soccer.”

Along with the game, the site offers forums and a blog devoted to the league. The game itself offers 24 different scoring categories and provides live scoring, and the accompanying player news comes from one of the industry’s most respected sources in RotoWire.

“We’ve been impressed with Vince’s vision for his game and think it’s going to take off with a growing and untapped U.S. soccer market,” RotoWire president Peter Schoenke told FSB.com. “RotoWire has expanded our soccer coverage to include all the world’s major leagues, so it was a natural fit for us to work with Serie A Live.”

Of course, no matter how strong the effort, there figures to be a limited audience in this country. The American appetite for all things soccer beyond the youth level has proved to have its boundaries.

On the other hand, the wonderful thing about the Web is that a site’s access is not limited to its country of origin (at least not around these parts). To that end, Cullotta says he has plans to extend the reach overseas in the coming years, specifically into the United Kingdom and Italy.

That kind of audience should come with a healthier appetite.



Upcoming Interviews at Serie A Weekly and Forza Futbol

Keep your eyes open for our new infocus audio interviews at Serie A Weekly starting with fantasy football. SerieALive.com (formerly mySerie.com) founder Vince Cullotta will one of the guests.



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Saturday Matches

Cagliari vs Genoa
Bologna vs Juventus


Match Previews

Bologna vs Juventus

How on earth could Ranieri omit the best Juventus striker, Amauri, from his starting line up against Chelsea? Nedved and Marchionni are major doubts ahead of this Bologna matchup and stilll missing will be Sissoko and Camoranesi, the mid-field options will be sparse for the Bianconeri. Bologna took a major step forward after so many draw results with a crucial 3 point win last match day against Sampdoria., Bologna forward and golden boot cadidate Marco Di Vaio managed a hat trick. Di Vaio and Gilardino, have been the positive surprises in Serie A this season and with a quick look towards the topscorers list you could mention others as Serie A currently outperforms the EPL in the goal results.

Mudingayi has been doubtful this week for the home side, but should make his return this weekend whereas teammate Moras will be missing. After a sorrowful draw result against helsea mid-week, the challenge is on Juventus and it's veteran strike force of Del Piero-Nedved to help re-focus the team aspirations on a top Serie A finish.

Inter vs Fiorentina

Fiorentina were poor last week at home to Palermo. Mutu should have been taken off at the half and he just did not care about his performance. The Viola went out of the UEFA Cup losing to Ajax and they're now left with the race for a Champions League spot in Serie A. We will see on Sunday, if manager Prandelli has whipped his squad into shape to make them ready to face the scudetto leaders.

Dainelli will be suspended this time with Kroldrup his replacement in defence. Kuzmanovic is expected back and with his determination will be a big boost. Cesar Prandelli does favor the 4-3-3 formation so possibly we'll see Kuzmanovic join Mutu and Gilardino up front as the 4-4-2 formation last week could not break Palermo. Inter have no Champions League Finale this season once again even after bringing in the The-Special-One Mourinho. Had Inter won their group last stage, they would not have faced Manchester United this early. Surely they ought to have finished first in a group with W Bremen, Panathinaikos and Anorthosis.


Sampdoria vs Roma

Sampdoria will have the advantage with no game midweek for them, while Roma endured a bitter lose to Arsenal on penalties to bow out of the Champions League. Last week Sampdoria went down to Marco Di Vaio and his 3 goals but it was all Sampdoria for most of the first half. Two of the Di Vaio goals came in the very last minutes of the game and the scoreline does not justify a fairly good Sampdoria performance. Just before the Bologna encounter Sampdoria defeated Milan and Inter the same week. They will have Delvecchio back for this match and all of a sudden they only have Gastaldello on their injury list. Roma have to do without two of their most influential players De Rossi and Philippe Mexes, both suspended. De Rossi is missing alot of game time with his absence in the Arsenal match due to cards as well.
Perrotta and Juan are injured. Juan recently returning to the squad and scored the only goal against Arsenal but had to leave that match early after reinjurying himself.

Final thoughts - Roma deserved the win against a very poor Arsenal side Wednesday evening but after the terrible first leg performance by the Giallorossi, the real culprit(s) was still the home squad, especially Baptista and Vucinic who could have single-handedly finished this one early. The biggest disappointment was definitely Vucinic who would go on to miss his penalty. A striker of his quality should have hit the mark and wrapped this one up before Tonetto even had to step up and take his.

Serie A Weekly Predictions

Before we start yes I got it totally wrong last week but it wasn't your normal match day was it with Palermo beating Fiorentina away (so unlike them), Napoli losing at home to Lazio (classy victory I might add) and the prime whammy, Seina traveling to Sicily to shellac Catania and Walter Zenga's men by a scoreline of 3-0.


Have I forgotten anything? oh, the 3-0 whiplash given Sampdoria by Bologna, after Sampdoria performed so well in maintaining a clean sheet against Inter during the Italia Coppa mid-week.

This one step training technique will help to improve close ball control. UEFA.com has some excellent skills training and young players should take the time to watch this video and then attempt the skills in training on the pitch to improve performance.

Juan has scored the opener for Roma!!! Everything even now

LIVE Commentary from Yahoo Sports UK





DISCLAIMER: SERIEAWEEKLY.BLOGSPOT.COM DOES NOT HOST ANY VIDEO CONTENT ON THIS WEBSITE, PLEASE CONTACT THE AGENCIES TRANSMITTING THE AUDIO-VISUAL STREAMS IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A COMPLAINT. serieaweekly.blogspot.com provides links to other web sites. No responsibility is taken for any information that may appear on any linked web sites. These external information sources are outside our control. serieaweekly.blogspot.com does not necessarily endorse any company or organisation linked to from this site. By using this website at any time you agree to the above disclaimer.

NEWS FLASH: DONADONI REPLACES REJA

Napoli have sacked Eduardo Reja and named former National Team Coach Roberto Donadoni as his replacement.

Donadoni will hold his first Press conference on Wednesday morning at 11.00 UK time at the club headquarters in Castel Volturno.

Napoli have taken a mere 2 points from a possible 27 in their last 9 outings.

This week I joined Mando and Gene in a Serie A Round Table podcast. Together we discuss what is going on in the world of Serie A and the upcoming Champions League Final 16 matches so give the show a listen. Get the podcast download here

Podcast 55: Serie A Roundtable #3

We called it a month ago as the Derby Della Madonnina Approaches and now it has come to pass, as news outlets talk on David Beckham dipping into his own pockets to make the deal final.

See the latest Beckham video interview on finalization of his loan deal below from Yahoo Sport UK.

The English International is set to stay in Italy until the end of the season after loan club Milan agreed a deal with Los Angeles Galaxy.

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Serie A Weekly - The Derby Della Madonnina Approaches As Beckham Steals The Show
Serie A Weekly - Beckham Expresses Desire To Stay
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channel4 Football Italia - Becks happy with move
Telegraph UK - David Beckham: Deal agreed between LA Galaxy and Milan is 'dream come true'

UEFA.com News Widget


The UEFA.com widget has just been added to our sidebar at Serie A Weekly. Scroll down the righthand side of your screen and you'll find all the news on Champions League, UEFA Cup, players and teams posted from UEFA.com

Saturday Matches

Champions League Final 16

Next Wednesday, unlike the superstitions associated with the "Forza" opera, there will be no avoiding the Champions League Final 16 showdown of AS Roma vs Arsenal. Roma will seek revenge for the 0-1 loss to Arsenal from their first leg encounter 10 days ago and Arsenal will attempt to hold onto their slim advantage with the quarter finals already in sight. I personally hope the capital side can overturn this 1 goal deficit early on in the match and make for an entertaining verse nail-biting affair.

Roma's #10 and talisman Francesco Totti should be fit as should defender Juan who is already back in the lineup for the Lupi, whereas Arsenal forward Emmanuel Adebayor won't however be fit to face his Roman hosts.

When asked by Sky Sport Italia on the absence of Togolese international Adebayor from the Arsenal squad, Roma forward Mirko Vucinic responded,

“It's a bit of luck for us because he is a fantastic striker” continuing, “The important thing for us will be to get level as quickly as possible and then to look for a second goal calmly"

The French say revenge is a, "dish best served cold" and with no Adebayor things do look better for them considering the Giallorossi will be missing some of their own finest in Daniele De Rossi who is suspensed and Simone Perrotta who is injured.

Big performances will be required from replacements Alberto Aquilani, Julio Baptista and the young Jeremy Menez in the midfield if the Giallorossi hope to control the pace of this one and play their game. Allowing Arsenal to dictate will be their undoing and failed vendetta come 11.03.09.

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Watching yesterday's Coppa Italia between Sampdoria and Inter Milan confirmed one thing for me, Giampaolo Pazzini who I've been following since January, has kick started his Serie A career in a very positive way with the move to Sampdoria.


The Genoa club is a perfect match for the 24 year old, with regular starts and a very comfortable strike partnership with Antonio Cassano , a dream team no doubt. Since his arrival, Pazzini has scored 9 goals in as many appearances, including the two against Inter on Wednesday. Not too shabby for the Serie A forward scoring only once in the first half of this season for previous owners Fiorentina.

Cometh the hour, Cometh the Man

Of course it's no mystery as to why the turn around as he is no longer understudy to the likes of Adrian Mutu nor is he riding the bench due to Alberto Gilardino, a major summer signing for the Viola which effectively caused the young Pazzini to lose his starting XI position to a more experienced Gilardino. In Contrast, Pazzini has made it into the Sampdoria lineup almost every match since his transfer move and is clearly enjoying the opportunity presented him as the rising goal tally only adds to the evidence. Of course the new partnership with bad boy Casano does hurt him, in fact it was Cassano who fed the former-Viola man the ball, assisting in his first goal against Inter.

Cassano was the center of attention prior to Pazzini'a arrival grabbing the majority of headlines but things are about to change. I sense the new man from Florence has made his mark already and after yesterday Pazzini has proved he is capable in adding a one-two punch to the Sampdoria attack. Scoring 2 goals on the road against Coppa favorites Inter Milan, has pretty much guaranteed last year's champions are going to be eliminated. Now there is a second leg against Inter come April but Pazzini is most definitely man of the hour as his club take a 3-0 lead over Inter. After being knocked out of UEFA Cup action and their struggle to avoid relegation in Serie A, the only silverware left for Sampdoria to shoot for would be the Coppa Italia and it is looking very possible now.


The new boy has most definitely added that needed spark, helping to rejuvenate other players, and reignited the club's winning spirit, stopping the free fall from earlier in season.

Although it looks unlike Sampdoria will be able to catch cross-town rivials Genoa, who are battling for a place in next years Champions League, with Pazzini now aboard, come early May, the Genoa Derby won't be a walkover for Diego Milito and company.



Final Words

If you didn't have an opportunity to watch yesterday's drubbing of Inter I suggest you find the complete replay on the internet. All the goals came in the first half and during the second 45 Inter simply could not penetrate the Sampdoria defence nor could they finish any available opportunities in front of the Sampdoria goal which did fall to them.


Pazzini was so instrumental in the win in not only scoring 2 of the 3 goals for Sampdoria but also causing much confusion amongst the back four of Inter, especially for Ivan Cordoba who eventually losing his composure in the 53rd minute, pushed Pazzini to the ground after the play, receiving a yellow card. The second goal by Pazzini right before the half was directly related to the Inter defender's incompetence and no doubt Cordoba received a talking to by manager Mourinho in the dressing room moments prior.

Also, there was extra drama in the final 20 minutes and concern for the young Inter forward, Mario Balotelli, who went to ground in the center area, moments after colliding with the Sampdoria goal post and was stretchered off the pitch.

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