Serie A Talk

SportsXhange - the sports news and betting information channel have the exclusive rights to air Italy’s first match of World Cup 2010 qualification Saturday Sept. 6th 19:45 GMT. More…

You can also watch it live on Sky Sports in the UK.

 From the National Team website FIGC.it

Doubts over Del Piero starting in the Cyprus match are circulating, still the player will fly with the team to Cyprus.  A decision will be made tomorrow regarding Del Piero after an injury scare on Thursday.  The Juventus striker trained with the team Friday under the watchful eyes of the athletic coach.

“He worked separately today and we will evaluate the situation tomorrow - he could be ready for Cyprus,” Lippi said

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La Gazzetta dello Sport

Balotelli: A true Italian - makes his Azzurri debut this evening against Greece (il grande momento)
President Berlusconi speaks out on violence (by defending Napoli?): Napoli shouldn’t pay
Zamparini, 27 sackings - From Palermo, Out goes Colantuono, in comes Ballardini

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Balotelli was born in Palermo and is the son of Ghanaian immigrants. He is considered one of the games most promising youngsters.

Due to Balotelli’s legal problems, he could not answer a number of call-ups received by Italian national U15 and U17 teams, as he was still considered a Ghanaian immigrant.

Tuttosport

Nedved: would give infinitely all for the Champions (meaning to be a Champions League winner)
€70 million for Buffon - Arab investor goes mad for Buffon, fans say no
Del Piero is a possible show for Cyprus v. Italy
(Roberto) Mancini to go to England?
Palermo change Coach here is Ballardini

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I believe the Arab investor is reference to the new ownership of Manchester City in the English Premier League.

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Serie A has it’s first managerial change with sacking of Stefano Colantuono after rehiring late last season. Maurizio Zamparini has dismissed Colantuono for the second time and turns to former Cagliari tactician Davide Ballardini.

From La Gazzetta dello Sport

Reasons Why - In an interview yesterday with Primaradio, the club president strongly criticised the Roman coach’s work, indicating his own ideas on how the side should have played against Udinese. “I would have played Miccoli and Cavani up front,” he said, “with an attacking midfielder behind them to help out in midfield.” But in the same interview he offered the manager some partial reassurance, making an implicit ultimatum with reference to the game against Roma on 13 September, the early kick-off for the second round of league games. “I haven’t slept for two nights. I would like Colantuono to stay with us for a long time, but after defeats against Portogruaro (friendly), Ravenna (Italian Cup) and Udinese, the match against the Giallorossi is crunch time.” His statement can hardly have pleased Colantuono. More…

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Serie A Talk - Another One Bites The Dust

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Nerazzurri Fans may well ask who is this Portuguese wonder boy? What will he add to our club?  What is his style? and will he fill the boots of Luis Figo to become the next midfield magician for Inter? 

Comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo is little surprise as Quaresma is yet one more from that current crop of outstanding Portuguese playmakers.

Born of the Sporting Lisbon youth system, Quaresma will surely make his mark but the trick is in how he does it.  Discover Quaresma’s favorite technique called Trivela, courtesy of the UEFA Champions League Skills video library at UEFA.com.

After the skills exhibition follow the Official Inter Press Conference with Don Mourinho in the second video. (English translation below video)

Official Team Introduction of Ricardo Quaresma   

(Quaresma speaks in Portuguese, English translation for Serie A Talk readers) 

“I’m very happy to be at Inter. My first sensation is very beautiful. I’m sure I’ve arrived at a club with big players.  I have to work immediately and find my place in the team as soon as possible and help the team achieve its objectives. I think we can play against any other team. In Italy there are star players. We can face Milan like we can face any other team, I am ready to play any opponent. I think any player wants to improve on his contract. It is clear having cost a lot it is a responsiblity for me but responsibility doesn’t scare me. I have faced other responsibilities before.“ 

(followed by Team Manager, Jose Mourinho practicing Italian)

“Our team is now balanced. With options for players in different roles and tactics. I have everything at my disposal. It’s a pity that a winning player like him, that in this moment has 4, 6,9, 10 titles couldn’t arrive 10 days ago and win the Super Cup, because he could have had 11. I think that in the end of the season, he could have more titles. A player young like him. Where can he play? on the right, left, 4-4-2, 4-3-3. He can play on the bench, he can play in the stands. 

APPIANO GENTILE - Today’s training

Some player history, Quaresma was the player that made Deco’s move to Barcelona possible. After refusing to play under Frank Rijkaard  he was transferred to Porto in a deal that would bring his countryman to the Nou Camp.

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The King XL FG Ruby is a 40th year anniversary special edition boot, designed to commemorate the iconic career of the PUMA King boot line.

Based on the career of Eusébio (the Black Pearl), one of football’s greatest players, the edition features the years “1968-2008″ below the King logo and comes in a red colour having two equally important origins; it is the traditional gem colour for a 40th anniversary and is the primary country colour of Eusebio’s beloved Portugal.

The King is Born 

The idea for the King boot was born after Eusébio scored nine goals at the 1966 World Cup, worked with Puma to develop a signature football boot which debuted two years later. Over the years, the King became a legend and was worn by other legends including Brazil’s Pele, Argentina’s Maradona and Dutch maestro Johan Cruyff.

From PUMA literature, this newest addition to the Puma King range includes classic lines and traditional styling, but with updated materials, enhanced features and new design details.  The King XL contains a lightweight TPU injected outsole with fixed moulded studs, suitable for use on firm and hard surfaces.

It also provides interior comfort utilizing the PUMA AptoLast design we took a look at during the

Serie A Talk - PUMA v1.08 FG Speed product review 

Aptolast features conform to the natural curvatures of the foot, offering an extreme all over snug fit.  The boot also has a full grain leather upper which provides that traditional look.

I liked the traditonal look and feel of this boot, it tends to be a bit bigger and heavier than several of the newer boots coming out this year but the all leather exterior creates a great feel and the stud design provides good footing on a wide variety of field conditions. (discovered that during testing) This is a limited edition boot so not too many to go around but if you aren’t into the ruby red colour the King XL does come in a black edition.

Finally, the King XL ships with several extras including an all black leatherette King boot bag containing leather food, brush and polish cloth as well as an anniversary ruby booklet with the complete story of the PUMA-Eusebio connection.

Eusebio Snapshot

• he scored 727 goals in 715 games
• helped the Portugal national team reach third place at the 1966 World Cup, being the top goalscorer of the tournament with nine goals 
• he won the European Cup with Benfica, scoring two goals in the final against Real Madrid CF
• Eusebio was awarded the ”Ballon d’Or” (Golden Ball) as European Footballer of the Year in 1965 
• awarded European Golden Boot award in 1968, 1973 (42, 40 goals)
• was selected as the Golden Player of Portugal by the Portuguese Football Federation as their most outstanding player of the past 50 years 

Additional pictures of PUMA King XL

 PUMA KingXL - Ruby 40th Anniversary edition

PUMA King XL Black / White model

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In 11th hour Genoa made probably the most impressive move of the transfer deadline by bringing back Diego Milito from Real Zaragoza.

Arrivals

02/09/2008 Iago Falqué Barcelona to Juventus
01/09/2008 Bosko Jankovic to Genoa
01/09/2008 D. Brivio Vicenza to Genoa (Loan)
01/09/2008 Djordje Rakic Salzburg to Reggina (Loan)
01/09/2008 G. Stendardo Lazio to Lecce (Loan)
01/09/2008 B. Dzemaili Bolton to Torino (Loan)
01/09/2008 C. Del Grosso Cagliari to Siena
01/09/2008 Dušan Basta Red Star Belgrade to Lecce
01/09/2008 Nenad Krsticic OFK Belgrade to Sampdoria
01/09/2008 Kerlon Cruzeiro to Chievo
01/09/2008 Carlos Javier Matheu Independiente to Cagliari
01/09/2008 Gianluca Frontino Grashoppers to Lecce (Loan)
01/09/2008 D. Marchini Triestina to Bologna (Loan)
01/09/2008 Diego Milito Zaragoza to Genoa
01/09/2008 Cosmin Moti Dinamo Bucarest to Siena
01/09/2008 S. Aronica Reggina to Napoli
01/09/2008 M. Domizzi Napoli to Udinese

The Argentine Diego Milito makes his way as Capitano of Real Zaragoza to Genoa for €8 million in a 3 year deal. The player refused a move to join Tottenham because he wanted to return to Genoa and what good news that is for the Rossoblu now absent one Marco Borriello. “This is my city; I’m coming home.”, said Milto. Other interests for the player included Valencia and Manchester City.

Departures

01/09/2008 D. Di Michele Torino to West Ham (Loan)
01/09/2008 M. Andreolli Roma to Sassuolo (Loan)
01/09/2008 R. Baronio Lazio to Brescia (Loan)
01/09/2008 A. Poli Sampdoria to Sassuolo (Loan)
01/09/2008 M. Gasparetto Chievo to Pisa (Loan)
01/09/2008 Roberto De Zerbi Napoli to Avellino
01/09/2008 M. Cottafava Lecce to Triestina
01/09/2008 Pablo Mariano Louro Granoche Chievo to Triestina (Loan)

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Hands down the goal of the week goes to Francesco Valiani of Bologna FC for the winner against AC Milan at the San Siro.

(AC Milan 1 - 2 Bologna FC)

Goalscorers - Di Vaio 18 (B), Ambrosini 42 (M), Valiani 79 (B)

Line Ups

Milan: Abbiati; Zambrotta, Maldini, Kaladze, Jankulovski (Shevchenko 46); Flamini, Pirlo, Ambrosini (Emerson 85); Seedorf, Ronaldinho; Inzaghi (Pato 69)

Bologna: Antonioli; Zenoni, Moras, Terzi, Bombardini (Castellini 88); Mingazzini, Volpi; Adailton (Marazzina 60), Amoroso (Mudingayi 60), Valiani; Di Vaio

Goal Highlights

Now for the Mourinho Hour (Mourinho hits back at recent attacks on Serie A by English media)

I’ve been reading about the English press bad talking the Italian game (sounds more like sour grapes, especially since a majority of top talent has been making it’s way to Serie A) but guess who has put on his shining armor to come to the rescue?  That’s right it’s The Special One, read More… 

I think Mourinho will quickly discover this ain’t going to be a walk in the park. Serie A will test his metal. Looking at total attacking output of match day one, Serie A trumps the Premier League

Goals,   Serie A 26 - 24 Premier League

Sampdoria 1 - 1 Inter

channel4 Football Italia - President Moratti, “The team played relatively well in what is always a very tricky arena and we can consider that a good result,” said the President.“It’s not like England here, there is always this constant level of pressure and no easy games, but I think Mourinho dealt with it. It could be a good lesson for him.”

New Mourinho gets his man, Ricardo Quaresma meets the press today after his medical and final paperwork

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At which club will Tiago Mendes end up? I hear he only wants a deal with a Champions League contender. And is Hernán Crepos a Mourinho man after all?

Late yesterday Serie A Talk learned the Ricardo Quaresma transfer from Porto to Internazionale was now finalized.  Several news sites earlier indicated Quaresma was expected to sign a five-year contract with an offer of €22m from the Nerazzurri.

Here is how the transfer math should pan-out, Inter will pay Porto €18.6m (£15m), and will yeild full rights to Vítor Hugo Pelé, valued €6m (£4.8m). [1]

Club Porto’s website announced late Sunday night the player has been sold to Inter, nothing yet from Inter’s official website inter.it

Related Articles

1. channel4 Football Italia - Quaresma arrives at Inter
2. Goal.com - Official: Quaresma Joins Inter
3. Goal.com - Mourinho Kicks Crespo Out Of Champions League?

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Serie A On TV  has been updated for this week so check it out for Match Day One repeats.  There is no Serie A next Saturday due to World Cup qualifying, Serie A will return with Match Day Two Saturday Sept. 13.

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Saturday
Udinese       3 - 1       Palermo
UDI: Di Natale (9′, 34’), Inler (70’)
PAL: Bresciano (69′)

Sampdoria       1 - 1       Inter
SAM: Delvecchio (68′)
INT:  Ibrahimovic (33′)

Sunday
Atalanta          1 - 0      Siena
ATA:     Padoin (15′)

Cagliari           1 - 4      Lazio
CAG:  Larrivey (31′)
LAZ:  Zárate (62′ pk, 71’),  Foggia(75′ ),  Pandev(84′)

Catania      1 - 0      Genoa
CAT: Mascara (61′)

Chievo        2 - 1      Reggina
CHI:  Marcolini (76′-pk), Italiano  (88′)
REG: Corradi (72′-pk)

AC Milan    1 - 2      Bologna
ACM: Ambrosini (41′)
BOL:  Di Vaio (18′), Valiani (79′)

AS Roma    1 - 1      Napoli
ROM: Aquilani (29′)
NAP:  Hamsik (56′)

Torino      3 - 0      Lecce
TOR: Rosina (29′-pk), Zanetti (33′), Bianchi (75′)

Fiorentina      1 - 1      Juventus
FIO: Gilardino (89′)
JUV:   Nedved (39′)

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