Gazzetta dello Sport
Never an Inter like this
Thiago Motta: “With Ibra we can win the Champions League”
Galliani insists on Dzeko
Chelse come back for Pato
Ferrara puts Camoranesi in a diamond

Corriere dello Sport
Juve - Ledesma, contact
His manager has been called
The Laziale is an alternative to D'Agostino
Diamanti dreams of Inter
Lazio, Simplicio ready to return to Ballardini
Roma in ritiro from Thursday

Tuttosport
Juve decide everything
Torino and the three coups: Italiano, Bentivoglio and Belingheri
Inter in Belgium and Holland buying youngsters
Milan go for Huntelaar and Luis Fabiano
Sorrentino now sees Genoa
Drenthe and Cruz near Fiorentina

Sunday June 28, 2021 8:30am - sitting in my kitchen on the eve of Canada Day celebrations I'm not flipping pancakes or frying Canadian bacon, but being so unpatriotic as I sip my morning coffee reading the paper, pondering a fairytale finish in today's Confederations Cup final, for my American neighbours.

If you are not up to speed on events from the past week then you won't know the US Men's soccer team pulled off an upset Wednesday in beating Confederations Cup favorites Spain 2-0, the Americans booked a place in today's the final. This feat in itself is a huge accomplishment, which I am sure many within the US sports media are still trying to formulate an adequate response. This competition and sport normally garnishes only 10 second sound bites and back page reports on this side of the pond.

To the chagrin of anti-soccer types like Jim Rome, the US Men's team now concentrate on further greatness with promises of giving it their all in their first ever FIFA tournament final. "For U.S soccer, this is a very special day," U.S. head coach Bob Bradley said yesterday. "It's the first time we're playing in a final of a world competition like this, and to play against Brazil - everybody knows their history - is extra special."

US forward Landon Donovan has had a great tournament in my opinion and his words about today's spectacle, makes you believe another miracle can happen. "This is a big opportunity for us, and one we don't get very often, Donovan said. "There's no promise that we'll ever get back to a final like this, so we've got to try to take advantage of it. If we lose we lose, but we're going to give everything we have."


Will spirit overcome experience? After all team USA are facing an opponent they've only beaten once in 14 tries. The Brazilians are also seeking a record third title in this competition and know what is required to come out on top. True the Americans are playing tactically strong, as was evident in the victory over Spain but lets not forget they had the services of key midfielder Michael Bradley in that one and after a questionable red card in the 90th minute, Bradley will be missing for USA today. ( listen to Minute+5 pod Spain vs USA Review with Kartik Krisnaiyer)


A small amount of good news does exist for the Americans as Brazilian forward Luis Fabiano said he has flu and had trouble sleeping after the last match against South Africa with a fever. Best of luck my American cousins as you face the Samba boys from Brazil and take heart in knowing you are the singular reason why this year's Confederations Cup is an all-western hemisphere final, no Italy, no Spain. European football snobs eat your hearts out, as North America meets South America at, Ellis Park, Johannesburg 20:30 local time today.

Related Posts
The Kartik Report - Confederations Cup: The Shattered Myth of Western European Supremacy
MadAboutFutbol - Confederations Cup Final Is Set
LaLigaWeekly - Minute+5 Spain vs USA Post-Match Review II
The Third Half - USA 2-0 Spain Shows Its Potential

This episode Serie A Weekly Minute+5 guest Kartik Krishnaiyer and I take a look at Guiseppe Rossi, his success at the Italian national level and the disdain US national team supporters are voicing about this young man.

If you wish to download the Minute+5 pod and listen later,
right clicking the audio icon

UEFA European U21 Championships

Helsingborg, Sweden- the time was right for Robert Acquafresca Wednesday whose equaliser just before half-time was crucial in the defeat of opponents Belarus.

Acquafresca would go on to score the winning goal for Italy in the second half sealing Italy's success, in coming from behind to beat Belarus 2-1, finishing atop Group A to book a semi-final place.

The young Caligari forward was awarded the Carlsberg Man of the Match for his game-winning performance yet was quick to share the credit with his teammates,

"I'm very proud of this award but I have to thank my team-mates who created so many chances for me," said the player who netted 14 Serie A goals for Caligari last season.

"I could even have scored another but I mistimed my shot and missed the target. We are all very happy because reaching the semi-finals was our objective and we have earned some reward for two years' hard work."

Final Group Table

Group A
Jun 16 Sweden 5-1 Belarus Malmo
Jun 16 Italy 0-0 Serbia Helsingborg
Jun 19 Sweden 1-2 Italy Helsingborg
Jun 19 Belarus 0-0 Serbia Malmo
Jun 23 Serbia 1-3 Sweden Malmo
Jun 23 Belarus 1-2 Italy Helsingborg

P W D L F A Pts
Italy 3 2 1 0 5 2 7
Sweden 3 2 0 1 9 4 6
Serbia 3 0 2 1 1 3 2
Belarus 3 0 1 2 2 7 1

Group B
Jun 15 England 2-1 Finland Halmstad
Jun 15 Spain 0-0 Germany Gothenburg
Jun 18 Germany 2-0 Finland Halmstad
Jun 18 Spain 0-2 England Gothenburg
Jun 22 Finland 0-2 Spain Gothenburg
Jun 22 Germany 1-1 England Halmstad

P W D L F A Pts
England 3 2 1 0 5 2 7
Germany 3 1 2 0 3 1 5
Spain 3 1 1 1 2 2 2
Finland 3 0 0 3 1 6 0

Italian football has produced a long list of talented players who have become household names throughout the world. As one of the most consistently successful national teams in the world, Italy has won the World Cup four times as well as the European Cup, but it is often the flamboyance and passion of their players which take all the headlines. Paolo Rossi is one of the most famous names of the modern football era. He captained the Italian attack to the 1982 World Cup, on the way winning the golden boot award for scoring six goals in the tournament. Pele has listed him as on e of his all time favourite players. Rossi scored twenty goals in forty eight appearances for Italy. Marco Tardelli, was another player well known to the footballing world. He played for ten years with Juventus, and won three European trophies, including the European Cup, as well as Five Serie A championships. Tardelli was well known for his tough tackling and stamina. He made eighty two appearances for Italy, and scored in the 1982 World Cup final against West Germany which Italy won. Marco Tardelli is currently the Assistant Manager of the Republic of Ireland football team. During the 1960s, Sandro Mazzola was one of the most famous Italian footballers. He was a creative inside forward who played for Inter Milan. Mazzola played in the 1964 European Cup final against Real Madrid and scored twice, and was in the same side the following season as they retained the European Cup. Sandro Mazzola played seventy times for Italy and scored twenty two goals. He was part of the Italian side which lost 4-1 to the famous Brazilian side in the 1970 World Cup.

Paola Maldini played until the age of forty one in a career which spanned twenty five years. He is considered by many to be one of the best defenders ever to have played football. His collection of winners medals is impressive and include seven league titles, five UEFA Champions League Cups and a FIFA World Club Cup medal. Maldini is the joint record holder as the most capped Italian player, winning a hundred and twenty six caps. One of the most technically gifted Italian footballers was Roberto Baggio. Although never winning a World Cup winners medal, he did help the Italians to second place in the 1994 World Cup, and is the only Italian ever to score in three World Cups. Baggio won the FIFA World Player of the Year, and the European Footballer opf the Year in 1993. Roberto Baggio scored two hundred and five goals in Serie A, thus becoming the fifth highest Italian goal scorer of all time. He also scored twenty seven goals in fifty six appearances which made him the fourth highest scorer of all time for the national team..

The greatest Italian player of all time goes back to the1930s era. Giuseppi Meazza scored two hundred and forty three goals in three hundred and sixty one appearances.. Meazza scored two goals on his debut for Inter Milan at the age of seventeen, and he still holds the record for most goals scored in a debut season with thirty one. Meazza played for Italy in the 1934 and 1938 World Cups which Italy won. He scored a total of thirty three goals in fifty three appearances for the Italian national side.

addendum: as pointed out by one of our readers Dino Zoff was the official captain of the 82 World Cup Azzurri

Hi folks I thought I'd post some non-football related news after hearing this terrible story coming out of Iran. Please visit CNN or any of the major news networks and read about the young Iranian girl shot dead in the street by pro-Khamenei- pro-Ahmadinejad militia.

Here are several 125x125px icons I've come across on the web, bloggers I urge you to place one on your blog sidebar and spread the news by hyper-linking the story.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/21/iran.woman.twitter/

Special K

Things are not looking good for the Azzurri after the first-half as the score is, Italy 0-3 Brazil with one of those an o.g. off Dossena hmmmm.

For the first 30 minutes both teams struggled to create chances until Brazil turned up the heat and the style to score 3 goals in the final 10minutes before the interval.

Only good news for the Italians is Egypt are down a goal to the USA but even this isn't good enough as Italy now needs some goals of their own.

Your match-cast for Italy vs Brazil from FIFA if you can't view the third-party streamin.

LIVE feed at UStream below


Starting XI

Italy

Keeper: Buffon
Defence: Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Dossena
Midfield: Pirlo, De Rossi, Montolivo
Forward: Iaquanta, Toni, Camoranesi

Manager: Marcello Lippi


Brazil
Keeper: Julio Cesar
Defence: Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Andre Santos
Midfield: Gilberto, Melo, Kakà
Forward: Ramires, Fabiano, Robinho

Manager: Carlos Dunga


Referee: Benito Archundia Tellez

Goalscorers: Fabiano 37’, 43’ Dossena 44’ (o.g.)





UStream URL


DISCLAIMER: LALIGAWEEKLY.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. laligaweekly.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.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.

The final two Group matches of the Confederations Cup will be played this evening simultaneously,

Group B
Italy vs Brazil (at 20:30)
Egypt vs USA (at 20:30)

FIFA previews:

Italy-Brazil preview

Marcello Lippi's side now find themselves level on three points with the Egyptians, three behind their opponents on Sunday, which means that even if they beat Brazil they could still conceivably go out of the tournament. And as a look at the history books reveals, the Brazilians have a habit of dashing Azzurri hopes on big occasions, having won their two FIFA World Cup™ Final meetings in 1970 and 1994. read more...

Egypt-USA preview

Egypt head into their clash with USA in Rustenburg in high spirits, fresh on from a shock win over world champions Italy last time out. The Stars and Stripes, for their part, are suffering through a dreadful run of form and poor results here in South Africa, having lost both of their games thus far. read more...

Additional Comments

Looks like Lippi is going to make several changes to the Azzurri starting XI but I can't say I agree with all his choices, including replacing Fabio Grosso with Liverpool's Andrea Dossena.
I do like the potential switch from Gattuso to Riccardo Montolivo but don't like the obstinant decision of sticking with big man Luca Toni upfront with support of Alberto Gilardino and Mauro Camoranesi on the flanks.

Related Posts

This Minute+5 Dov and Kevin discuss Team Italia at the Confederations Cup in South Africa, the team's defeat to Egypt, manager Lippi's mistakes and will the Azzurri qualify for the semi-finals?...

This episode is the 11th with David Schiavone from Italia Football Fancast who is quickly becoming a regular at SerieAWeekly and to celebrate this is twice as long.

Minute+5+5 Azzurri On The Ropes



If you wish to download the Minute+5 pod and listen later,
right clicking the audio icon

Why all the hate on Giuseppe Rossi? What happened to that rugged individualism America was built on? What about the failure of the feeder system for the men's team isn't some of the blame for poor performance on the shoulders of those who have designed an inadequate system?

Rossi played most of his ball in Europe and NOT in the US. He was offered a position on the Parma youth team at the ripe age of 13. He travelled to Manchester England when United bought his contract at 17. In 2007 Manchester United sold Rossi to Spanish club Villarreal for an undisclosed fee, for whom he has made 57 appearance in the Primera. Turning to his international career, Rossi has represented Italy at almost every youth level from U-16 to U-21 and NOT the US. He was only invited to train with the US squad by former US national team Bruce Arena as late as 2006 at a pre-World Cup camp and only then did he decline a "training" offer by the Americans.

Italy came calling in 2007 for the UEFA U21 by head coach Pierluigi Casiraghi and made 21 appearances scoring 11 goals. At the 2008 Summer Olympics he scored four goals, making him the top scorer for the tournament, despite only reaching the quarter final.

In the final analysis Rossi is as much European as he is American. If the US are so hard up for players to fill national team positions build a better league, train a better coaching staff or better yet, sent them abroad so they can return better prepared and tactically ready to take on a Brazil or Italy.

In the words of my Jamaican waiter at the Real Jerk in Toronto, "stop ya blogclot cry'in"

African Champions Egypt bounce back from their dramatic opening defeat against Brazil, in unseating the World Champion Azzurri 1-0 at Ellis Park Stadium Johannesburg this evening and record the first upset of the tournament.

It was a header from Mohamed Homos in the 39th minute off the corner which kept Egyptian chances of making the semifinals alive and well. In beating the Italians the Pharaohs have positioned themselves to qualify for semin-final action, with their final match against a 4th place USA who have proven thus far they aren't up to the task.

In their final group match the Italian squad will now face group leaders Brazil on Sunday, requiring most likely a win against the Samba boys.

The United States is still in contention but would need Italy to lose to Brazil and would have to defeat Egypt by a large margin. The tiebreaker would be goal differntials and currently the US is last with -5.

Italy were the clear favorites heading into today's match but Egypt kept pace with the Azzurri the entire first half which paided off with a goal just before the interval. Italy applied pressure late in the match and had multiple chances which included several blocked attempts by Egyptian keeper Essam El-Hadary

The Azzurri simply could not convert on their chances and the Pharaohs beat them at their own game winning with by a 1 goal margin.

For a match summary see FIFA Match Summary


Egypt 1-0 Italy Goal Highlights

UStream URL

It is match day two for Group B at the Confederations Cup and is a good one to catch by all as USA vs Brazil and Egypt vs Italy.

Match times (local time)

16:00 United States ? - ? Brazil
20:30 Egypt ? - ? Italy

Serie A Weekly will have matchcasts posted later.

UStream URL

Things are just starting at Free State Stadium, in Bloemfontein South Africa as Spain are eyeing a semifinal berth at Confederations Cup.

An additional goal for the Spanish side today will be accomplished if they earn a win or draw against the reigning Asian champions, they will move within one game of the world record for the longest unbeaten run by a national team of 35 matches, established by Brazil between 1993 and 1996

Your match-cast for Spain vs Iraq from FIFA if you can't view the third-party streaming


live feed at UStream below



Starting XI

Spain

Casillas S. Ramos C. Marchena G. Pique J. Capdevila X. Alonso .. Xavi S. Cazorla J. Mata D. Villa F. Torres

Manager: Vicente Del Bosque
Captain: 1. Iker Casillas


Iraq
Starting line-upK. K. Kadhem A. Kareem S. Shaker F. Majeed R. Ali Hussein B. Abbas N. Akram M. Khalid H. Mulla S. Saeed A. Zahra

Iraq Manager: Bora Milutinovic
Captain: Nashat Akram


Referee: Matthew Breeze



UStream URL

DISCLAIMER: SERIEAWEEKLY.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.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.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.

Second Match Today

20:30 South Africa vs New Zealand (Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg)

The Duel
Bernard Parker-Ivan Vicelich
FIFA.com -To put it mildly, things did not go the Bafana Bafana forward's way in his country's opening game, except for a goal-bound effort from team-mate Kagisho Dikgacoi which Parker inadvertently cleared off the Iraqi line. And despite being the hosts' liveliest front-man, his failure to find the net means the Crvena Zvezda player has much to make up for against the Kiwis.

Looking to deny him a shot at redemption will be the All Whites' veteran defender Ivan Vicelich, who postponed his international retirement in order to appear at South Africa 2009. Though the Auckland FC man and his colleagues had a game to forget against La Selección, his leadership skills and experience will be vital if New Zealand are to bounce back into contention.

National Team Rosters (starting XI will be posted at game time)

South Africa

Goalkeepers: Brian Baloyi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Rowen Fernandez (Armenia Bielefeld)

Defenders: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers), Bryce Moon (Panathinaikos), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United)

Midfielders: Lance Davids (Djurgardens), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Steven Pienaar (Everton), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Benson Mhlongo (Orlando Pirates), Elrio van Heerden (Club Brugge), Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates)

Strikers: Bernard Parker (Red Star Belgrade), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thembinkosi Fanteni (Maccabi Haifa), Katlego Mashego (Orlando Pirates)

New Zealand

Goalkeepers: James Bannatyne (Team Wellington), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix)

Defenders: Andrew Boyens (New York Red Bulls, MLS), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), David Mulligan (Wellington Phoenix), Steven Old (Kilmarnock, Scotland), Aaron Scott (Waitakere United), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City FC)

Midfielders: Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Jeremy Christie (Wellington Phoenix), Simon Elliott (San Jose Earthquakes, MLS), Chris James (Tampere United, Finland), Duncan Oughton (Columbus Crew, MLS)

Forwards: Kris Bright (Panserraikos, Greece), Jeremy Brockie (North Queensland Fury, Australia), Chris Killen (Celtic, Scotland), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United, Australia), Jarrod Smith (Seattle Sounders, MLS), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion, England)

Serie A Weekly will have links to the game play-by-play, the starting XIs and a matc-cast at game time.

First Match Today,

16:00 Spain vs Iraq (Free State Stadium, Mangaung-Bloemfontein)

Key Battles

Fernando Torres vs Mohammed Kassid
FIFA.com -Thanks to a mixture of good fortune and good positioning, the Iraqi keeper managed to keep the South Africans at bay in Sunday's tournament opener, denying Bernard Parker, Katlego Mashego and Teko Modise with some fine reflex stops. But with Spain and their fearsome strike force up next, there is sure to be plenty more work for the Al Zawraa custodian to get through on Wednesday evening.

"We've got a sweepstake going on who will end the tournament as top scorer. I went for Fernando Torres so I'm winning right now." Cesc Fabregas, Spain midfielder

National Team Rosters (starting XI will be posted at game time)

Spain

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Manuel Reina (Liverpool, England), Diego Lopez (Villarreal)

Defenders: Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Valencia), Arbeloa (Liverpool, England), Gerard Pique (FC Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Joan Capdevilla (Villarreal)

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona), Santiago Cazorla (Villarreal), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal, England), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool, England), David Silva (Valencia), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia), Xavi, (FC Barcelona), Albert Riera (Liverpool, England)

Forward: Daniel Guiza (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Fernando Llorente (Athletic de Bilbao), David Villa (Valencia), Fernando Torres (Liverpool, England)

Andres Iniesta was originally announced in the squad but had to pull out of the squad due to injury.

Iraq

Goalkeepers: Mohammed Kasid (Al-Zawraa), Nour Sabri (Talaba), Uday Talib (Duhok)

Defenders: Basim Abbas (Talaba), Muayad Khalid (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya), Aws Ibrahim (Al-Zawraa), Samal Saeed (Arbil), Farid Majeed (Talaba), Essam Yassin (Amana), Dara Mohammed (Sulimaniya), Salam Shaker (Al-Khor, Qatar), Ali Hussein Rahema (Al-Wakra, Qatar), Mohammed Ali Karim (Al-Jazeera, UAE)

Midfielders: Ahmed Ayad (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya), Hussein Abdul-Wahid (Arbil), Mohanad Nassir (Duhok), Safwan Abdul-Ghani (Duhok), Hulgard Mulla Mohammed (Sulimaniya), Mahdi Karim (Al-Khor, Qatar), Samar Saeed (Al-Ahly Tripoli, Libya), Salih Sadir (Al-Ahed, Lebanon), Qusai Munir (Nadi Qatar, Qatar), Nashat Akram (Al-Gharrafa, Qatar), Karrar Jassim (Al-Wakra, Qatar) Hawar Mulla Mohammed (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus), Abdul-Wahab Abu Al-Hail (Sepahan Isfahan, Iran)

Forwards: Loay Salah (Arbil), Ali Salah (Al-Wahda, UAE), Emad Mohammed (Sepahan Isfahan, Iran), Alaa Abdul-Zahra (Al-Khor, Qatar), Younis Mahmoud (Al-Gharrafa, Qatar)

Serie A Weekly will have links to the game play-by-play, the starting XIs and a matc-cast at game time.

Gazzetta dello Sport
Italy of the Rossis
Editorial - Bring that boy home
Juve on Diarra
Milan - We can get Dzeko
Kaka and the action replay beat Egypt

Corriere dello Sport
Inter boom!
They ask Real for Higuain and £50m for Ibra
Ederson is also in their sights
Another Rossi makes La Nazionale win
Ballardini is the new Lazio Coach
A new contract is ready for Totti
Napoli press for De Sanctis

Tuttosport
Juve of Italy - A World Cup team for Ferrara
The Bianconeri want Dossena, D'Ago and Rossi
Mellberg says goodbye
Milan prepare £25m for Dzeko
Inter - Chelsea and Real fight for Ibra
There is a deal between Lazio and Ballardini
Torino - It's Colantuono!
Palermo take Pastore, the new Kaka

Early in the second half and Italy have just tied it with a shot from US born Giuseppe Rossi, USA 1-1 Italy!

Your match-cast for USA vs Italy from FIFA if you can't view the third-party streaming

Update: replay now available at Ustream

live feed at UStream below

Short and sweet, Kartik Krishnaiyer (of The Karitk Report) and myself cover the first half surprises in this one as the US lead the Azzurri 1-0 in their Confederations Cup Day 2 match at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, South Africa.

please listen to the minute+5 below

Dov from Italian Football Fancast joins me as we discuss the movement of Kaka to La Liga and Real Madrid.

Has Serie A lost it's posterboy? Will Italian Calcio find a replacement? Perhaps it is time to look within.

A Dov Minute On Ricky Kaka

If you wish to download the Minute+5 pod and listen later,
right clicking the audio icon

With the loss of Kaka to the second Galactico era of Real Madrid, AC Milan have a lot of rebuilding to do and a pot of gold to do it with.

It has been a summer of loss of the Rossoneri, Paolo Maldini has retired, Carlo Ancelotti has moved to Chelsea and Kaka has taken on a new challenge in Madrid. Together with the losses of David Beckham, who was a veritable hit during his short spell at the San Siro, although is seems he will be back. The ever ineffective Shevchenko, will depart for Chelsea once more, this time it is only the end of his loan spell and Phillipe Senderos will join his in London as he is returned with joy to Arsenal. Other players expected to leave are calamity keeper, Dida and walking corpse, Guiseppe Favalli.

With new coach Leonardo being brought in, some say on the cheap others say as a puppet for President Berlusconi. I am more optimistic as think Leonardo is a smart man, an intelligent man and a man that has been around the club for a number of years, thus know its workings inside out. It must also be noted that he was instrumental in bringing Brazilian starlet Alexandre Pato to Milan.

It is believed he will play a Brazil 1982 inspired 4-3-1-2, with the much maligned and often said dead trequartista role being resurrected. This position is seems is destined for former World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho. It is hoped he can rediscover the form that was so instrumental in Barcelona’s success of a few years back. Kaka is gone and Ronnie will have the team build around his deflated genius. Most hope he can rediscover his past form, especially those in and around Via Turati.

The summer has only just begun but Milan have already lined up a couple of young defenders. First to arrive was Thiago Silva, actually signed in January for around €10 million, although he couldn’t join due since his Milan already signed two non-EU nationals during the season. He has already played in Europe for Porto and Dymano Moscow, this spell was unsuccessful and he returned to his native Brazil to rebuild his career and reputuation. His good showing for Brazil in the Olympics and Fluminense earned him a return to Europe and the fortress that is the San Siro.

He has more recently been joined by Frenchman, Aly Cissokho who has just joined from FC Porto for around €15 million. He has had a rapid rise from French division 3 side Gueugnon two years ago, to the bright lights of Milan. He cemented his reputation in the Champions League against Manchester United where he dominated the left side of the park. He is mostly compared to Dani Alves; he can also play on both sides of the pitch and on the wing. It seems he will be a useful signing for the Rossoneri.

With both players being 24 and 21 respectively is seems youth will finally be given a chance.

Along with this newly found youth, Alessandro Nesta and Gennaro Gattuso should have recovered from long-term injuries adding a touch of class to the side.

The pursuit of a striker seems to be on the cards very much so. Emmanuel Adebayor linked repeatedly throughout the season, but of late it appears Edin Dzeko, German Footballer of the Year, is going to be moving across Europe. Plus being only 23 himself, a new transfer strategy is most definitely in place. Others linked include Phillipe Mexes and 23 year old, attacking midfielder, Hernanes of Sao Paulo, who is rated by some as the most promising young player in the world.

Leonardo is presiding over a revolution in Milan, and could well be leading a renaissance just as his namesake did over 500 years ago.

Related Posts

Serie A Weekly - Podcast: Minute+5 On Kaka Transfer
Serie A Weekly - Kaka Says It Ain't So‏ Amidst The Tragedy Of Sao Paulo

PRETORIA, 12 June - Last test for the Azzurri (Italy's national squad) before the Confederations Cup, and Marcello Lippi tries Toni and Iaquinta in attack.

As announced from the Azzurri technical officer, the game is against the Tshwane Eleven (a squad representing the local region) which serves to train the titolarì, and offer a singular testing of the climate.

Off to the Super Stadium at Atteridgeville, the Italian national side enters the field in unnumbered training gear and lineups with, Buffon between the sticks, Zambrotta, Legrottaglie, Chiellini and Grosso in defense; in midfield Gattuso De Rossi and Pirlo; and finally Camoranesi to right of attack with Toni and Iaquinta up front.

The players are watched closely by 5,000 local spectators, nearly double the quantity present at Italy's last friendly against New Zealand two days prior. Hundreds of children, sing to each other, supplying a chorus loudly to the players and surprising the Azzurri with their admiration of the game events. ITALY wins 6-0, but are they ready for a US squad seeing the first game of competition as their best chance at points?

Follow us at twitter with play-by-play coverage of today's contest, USA vs Italy

After 9 minutes it is 1-1 at the Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein, South Africa as Egypt immediately pull one back after Ricky Kaka netted the opener for Brazil. No sooner than I write this Brazil scores a second to recapture their lead. Brazil 2-1 Egypt

Your match-cast for Brazil vs Egypt from FIFA if you can't view the third-party streaming

live feed at UStream below

UStream URL


Return later to Serie A Weekly for USA vs Italy coverage.
DISCLAIMER: SERIEAWEEKLY.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.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.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.

The first matches of the Confederations Cup will start today in South Africa, we will have all the team pics and rosters posted at Serie A Weekly.

Italy play their first match on Monday against USA. The following table lists the complete match schedule for the opening group stage.

Confederations Cup Group Stage Match Schedule
(click on table for zoom pic)


The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup will be the eighth Confederations Cup, and will be held in South Africa from 14 June to 28 June 2009, as a prelude to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. he defending champions are Brazil, who won in 2005

We are a little late on this transfer news but even so exciting stuff for a Genoa side now short Diego Milito. Team Genoa have just lost Diego Milito to Inter Milan, receiving on the flip-side from the 2008-2009 scudetto winners an aging but very eager to impress Hernán Crespo.

Go back about 30 days and the news was Crespo was headed to the Fiorentina to wear the Viola. Flashing forward to June 8th and badboy Crespo has thumbed his nose at Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino, completing his medical to formalized the transfer as a new Grifoni with Genoa C.F.C.

"The move to Genoa offers me the opportunity to play with confidence and the possibility of playing in my fourth World Cup," Crespo told the club's official website.

Crespo is still hoping to get the call-up before World Cup 2010 and a final kick at the can with the Argentine National team for glory. Argentina haven't won the World event since Mexico City86 when their current manager Diego Maradona lead them to victory. In South American qualification the team currently sits fourth with four games remaining and definitely need a shake up. Argentina main man Diego Maradona has stated if Crespo manages to find playing time, he will be highly considered for a recall to the national team.

Last season Crespo (with 66 caps for Argentina) was benched regularly by new Inter manager Mourinho, making 13 Serie A appearances with only two of those in the starting XI. Hopefully now that player and manager have parted ways for yet a second time, we'll witness a return to the flash of a striker once know for timely and game winning goals.

Other news
Genoa also receive striker Robert Acquafresca from Inter in the Milito transfer so the question is, are we about to see a another great Serie A scoring partnership? One can only hope and wait to see.

Club Honors

• Primera División Argentina: 1993 (Apertura), 1994 (Apertura), 1996 (Apertura)
• Copa Libertadores: 1996
• UEFA Cup: 1999
• Coppa Italia: 1999
• Italian Super Cup: 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008
• FA Community Shield: 2005
• Premier League: 2006
• Serie A: 2007, 2008, 2009

Player Honors

• 1996 Summer Olympics: Top Scorer
• Coppa Italia Capocannoniere: 1999 and 2007 with 4 goals in 4 matches
• FIFA 100
• Serie A top scorer 2000-01
• World Cup Silver Boot: 2006
• Primera División Argentina top scorer: 1994 (with River Plate)
  
  

Related Posts

ESPN Soccernet - Genoa pull off coup as Crespo completes move
Channel4 Football Italia - Why Crespo chose Genoa
Goal.com - Genoa Stole Fiorentina's Idea About Hernan Crespo

This episode Kartik from our affiliate site The Kartik Report talks Confederations Cup and US expectations. Will the boys win one against Italy or Brazil? Hold your breath folks and pray.

If you haven't tried visiting the OwnGoalNetwork take an opportunity now to read and listen to other bloggers from our affiliated sites covering US soccer, South American futbol, German Bundesliga news and the English Premiership.

Listen now to the next Minute+5 Kartik Report

Gazzetta dello Sport
Real make crazy £80m offer for Ronaldo
Ibrahimovic certain: “I know where I will play”
Dunga: “Dear Milan, take Hernanes”
Brescia-Livorno will be the final for Serie A
Exchange idea: Trezeguet for Elano

Tuttosport
Juve, you should not be scared by Real
Ferrara does not fear the team of Perez
Giampaolo: “I only want Torino”
Mou: “Ibra is not moving”
Trezegol for Rossi
Milan, Dzeko is first choice
Acquafresca to Atalanta

Will Grosseto be the Albinoleffe darlings of the season?
Grosseto have a chance to close the door on Livorno today by keeping the goal margin to less than 3 and that means Livorno have a high mountian to climb if they wish to move on to face either Brescia or Empoli in the third place showdown for promotion.

During the first leg, Grosseto was able to upset Livorno by a scoreline of 3-0.

Unione Sportiva Grosseto Football Club was founded in 1912 as as Football Club Grosseto and made its debut in a match played and lost in Orbetello. The club joined the Italian Football Federation only nine years later, in 1921, being admitted in the Promozione division.


Over the years Grosseto has played primarily in the third division of Italian football, successfully winning Serie C2 in 2004, being thus promoted to Serie C1. In 2005, Grosseto qualified for the promotion playoffs, losing the semifinal to Pavia; one year later, Grosseto gained again a spot in the playoffs, where they defeated Sassari Torres in the semi-finals, but lost to Frosinone in the finals, missing the opportunity to be promoted to Serie B for it's first time in history.

In 2007, Grosseto finally managed to win Serie C1 following a 1-0 away win at Padova in the final matchday with a goal by Carl Vareri, thus gaining a historical spot in the Serie B 2007-08.

A lot of money at stake for these clubs as the winner will be hoping to benefit by the separation of Serie A and Serie B for next season. Grosseto have never played in Serie A so what timing for them if they succeed.

In the other semi-final match Brescia play Empoli, clubs drew their first match 1-1.

Today's Game Time

19:00 (noon EST) Grosseto - Livorno

21:00 (2pm EST) Brescia - Empoli

Dov from Italian Football Fancast joins me as we discuss managerial movements around the peninsula. This minute+5 was produced before the news on Walter Zenga going to Palermo from Catania what a shocker!

This minute+5 was produced before the news on Walter Zenga going to Palermo from Catania what a shocker! In the final analysis Conte stays with Bari, Ranieri still searching, Zenga to Palermo and Spalletti remains at Roma.

A Dov Minute On Managerial Movements




Give this minute+5 a listen and leave us your comments below