Il Re Calcio

Cellino Doing It His Own Way. Again.

2009-06-30T22:03:00.001-07:00

Massimo Cellino has always been a unique sort of club owner, one who delights in going against public opinion but who, it has to be admitted, does get a number of decisions right.

This past season must have been particularly pleasing for him as he shut up a lot of people. Cellino was portrayed as a madman when he decided not to offer a contract to Davide Ballardini, the man who had saved Cagliari from the drop against all odds, and instead plumped for Massimo Allegri who up till that point had only managed in the Serie C.

He even went against his own nature and granted Allegri time when Cagliari started the season in disastrous fashion by getting just one point in their opening seven games. And he was proven right because, as soon as the team settled and got more comfortable with Allegri’s tactics, they were transformed into one of the most entertaining sides in the Serie A.

That success has fuelled his taste for a gamble, which explains why he has decided to replace Roberto Acquafresca, a key player these past two seasons but who was recalled by Inter, with Nene from Portuguese side Nacional.

Yet even by his standards the reason behind his choice of the Brazilian are bizarre. “I heard his name and I liked it: it intrigued me. So I looked him up and noticed that we share the same birthdate. I thought to myself that this was a sign of fate and decided to sign him up.”

Who needs scouts, eh?

This compilation from last season shows that Cellino's views aside, Nene is not a bad player:

The Start of Something Special

2009-06-24T01:05:00.001-07:00

When people talk of the great Italian fantasisti of recent years – Roberto Baggio, Roberto Mancini, Gianfranco Zola, Alessandro del Piero, Francesco Totti – one name often tends to be overlooked. Giuseppe Giannini played for over fifteen years in the Serie A and almost fifty times for the national side yet, away from the streets of Rome, he seems to have been forgotten.

Probably, it is because er principe (the prince) never strayed away from AS Roma despite their relative lack of resources and inability to challenge. It is certainly why such a graceful and talented player ended his playing career with just one league title – won when he was still a fringe player back in 1982 – and three Coppa Italia successes to his name.

It could also be the reason why Giannini has struggled to make his mark in management. Where others have been able to rely on their name to kick-off their second career in football with a good job – Giannini’s contemporary Mancini, for instance, started off at Fiorentina – he has had to trawl the lower leagues, with all the pitfalls that this entails.

And Giannini has certainly come across many of those difficulties who was sacked by Foggia (after 6 months), Sambenedettese (7 months), Arges Pitesti (2 months) and Massese (7 months). Yet it is in the nature of Italian football that, despite the speed with which clubs decide to get rid of their managers and the frequency with which they do so, this doesn’t seem to have that much of an impact on the manager’s reputation.

So too it was for Giannini who, despite never having finished a full season at any one club, the offers still kept coming and the decision to leave Massese was quickly followed by an offer to take over at Gallipoli.

Here another tough season was expected for him. Few listed them among the favourites in the Southern section of the Prima Divisione (the Italian equivalent of League One) that contained heavyweights like Perugia and Pescara. After all, just ten seasons earlier this side had been playing in amateur football.

Yet there something seemed to click and, having gone to the top of the league by October, they never looked back. Eventually, main challengers Crotone fell away and Gallipoli won both the league title as well as direct promotion to the Serie B.

“Everyone played a significant role in this promotion,” Giannini said afterwards. “The players, the club, my staff and the fans. Yet I dedicate this win to myself: a joy after so many dark and unhappy moments that I’ve gone through in recent years. Destiny has repaid me. ".

And it could be about to repay him even more. Giannini has made little secret of his desire to manage Roma and, with Luciano Spalletti’s future still uncertain, that isn’t as preposterous a notion as one might think. After all, Giannini remains revered in Roma and, having been Francesco Totti’s idol, he would certainly curry the capitano’s favour.

Even if that doesn’t happen, Giannini has made his mark. People are talking about him as a genuine managerial prospect rather than, potentially, another player who failed to make the transition. As a player there had been suggestions that Giannini’s reluctance to move away from Rome was fuelled more by the comfort zone that playing there provided, that he wasn’t up to the challenge of really fighting it out to win titles.

It is a reputation that had stuck to Giannini. That he had often failed to reproduce the kind of form that he showed for Roma with the national team seemed to support such an implication. Now, at Gallipoli, he has finally shut such critics up. In the hope that it really is the start of something special.

From Unknown to Serie A: The Aly Cissokho Story

2009-06-18T22:21:00.000-07:00

At a time when players are changing clubs for sums in excess of ₤50 and ₤80 million, it is hardly surprising that little notice is given to a transfer that amount to just ₤12 million. Even more so when there are no British club involved.

Yet there is plenty that is noteworthy in Aly Cissokho’s move to AC Milan.

Two years ago, Cissokho made his debut at Geugnon in what was a desperate season for them. Anchored at bottom practically from the first day, they were relegated to the French Third Division having won just five games all season.

Eager to avoid playing at such a lowly level, Cissokho moved to Portuguese side Vitoria de Setubal. It was a good move for him, but only just. True, they played in the Portugues Primera Liga but that was about the only positive thing about them. A squad of limited ability coupled with financial problems that saw the players going some two months without being paid, there was never any doubt that they were going to struggle.

So it proved to be yet Cissokho did well enough to attract Portuguese giants Porto to make a move fore him in January. Initially it looked like a stop-gap move, a player signed purely to bolster the squad in case of emergency. Yet that wasn’t the case.

A series of injuries meant that a chance quickly came his way and suddenly Cissokho found himself playing in the Champions League against Manchester United. It was the ultimate test and Cissokho played exceptionally well. As he did for the rest of the season where he helped the side to the Portugues League and Cup double.

That would have been enough to signify a fairytale ending, yet there was more to come. Both Marseilles and Lyon had expressed interest in signing him before, out of nowhere, Milan came in and tabled a ₤12 million bid.

Even then there was a further twist as the medical revealed, out of all things, a problem with the Cissokho's wisdom teeth. A strange situation but apparently one that could have been indicative of posture problems. Nothing to it, however, as a second medical gave him the all clear to move.

Now all that Cissokho has to do is replace the living legend that is Paolo Maldini. A next to impossible task for many defenders yet, for the man who has made it all the way from Guegnon to the top, not even that will be too much to ask.

Ancelotti's Big Challenge

2009-06-10T01:23:00.000-07:00

There's no hiding from it now: the Premiership they won were nice but what Chelsea really want now is the Champions League. In truth, that has been well known for quite a while yet if any confirmation was needed it came with the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as manager. For, despite winning an Italian league title, Ancelotti's biggest achievements at AC Milan were the two continental triumphs that he achieved over Juventus and Liverpool.

Despite that success, however, there seems to be a fair bit of scepticism about his abilities. Perhaps not from Chelsea fans - although I wouldn't exclude everyone - but certainly from a good portion of fans from rival clubs. There the feeling seems to be of relief that Hiddink didn't stay on.

Ancelotti, it seems, has been tainted by Milan's failures in recent years. They didn't make it to the Champions League last year whilst this season they were dumped out of the UEFA Cup that everyone (at least in Italy) had assumed they would .win.

If that's the case then it is a grossly unfair assesment of his abilities. The truth is that he was lumbered with an ageing squad - thirty-five year old Pippo Inzaghi and forty-one year old Paulo Maldini were still regulars last season - and an opinionated owner who wasn't interested in spending any money to rebuild the team. Making matters worse for Ancelotti, he had very little say in which players were bought.

So it was that last year they signed the error prone Philipe Senderos who was presented to Ancellotti as the solution for a defence. And, with a side crying for back-up in the centre of midfield, he was given the marque signings of Ronaldinho and David Beckham. At least, Beckham added something to the team and arguably it was his arrival that kick-started Milan's season in January. The truth is that the side overachieved in nailing a spot in the Champions League.

At Chelsea, he won't have such issues as he will have both the money to spend and a say in how it is used. Then again, that could be his biggest challenge given how unused he is to being in charge of such matters. It will certainly be interesting to see who he brings in although it wouldn't be that surprising if a couple of his Milan players were to follow him.

More so because he was an extremely popular man with his squad. Always eager to shield his players, whom he never criticised in public, he even put a brave face when Silvio Berlusconi chose to criticise his tactics during a chat with journalists. A talent, that of handling a rather meddlesome owner, that might come in handy at Chelsea.

Yet what Chelsea will be banking on is Ancelotti's tactical knowledge: that is his strenght, something that is far too often overlooked. It was Ancelotti, for instance, who had the intuition of withdrawing Andrea Pirlo making him the most effective playmaker in Europe. And it was Ancelotti who built the wonderful Milan side of 2005, a team that could play beautiful attractive football. Sadly, and this seems to be a repetitive trait for Ancelotti, all that was forgotten when they lost the final to Liverpool.

Indeed, the view of Ancelotti in Italy is that he is a good man. Too good, in fact, to win. A label that was assigned to him when he was at Juventus where and which he has never been able to really shake off since.

At Chelsea, he has cut those links with the past and will be looking to re-invent himself. He will never be the outspoken and brash manager that Jose Mourinho was, but, if he manages to win the Champions League for them, then nobody will really mind.

You're Not Local

2008-09-30T14:03:00.000-07:00

The funniest story that I've heard this week is that a group of Japanese tourists wanted to watch Roma play last Sunday but were unable to do so. The reason: as Atalanta fans were banned from watching the game the order was that tickets could only be sold to people coming from the Lazio region.

This was interpreted as an exclusion for the rest of the world so these poor souls couldn't buy a ticket (at least, not from official sources), perhaps in case of some Japan based Atalanta ultra coming over to cause havoc.

Remember the Name

2008-09-20T23:43:00.000-07:00

Juan Emanuel Culio is a name that will long be remembered in Rome: cursed by the red half, lauded by the blue.

It is also a name that few in Europe – and not many more back home in Argentina - had heard of before his two goals that kicked off the latest round of talks about Roma’s crisis and, more importantly, gave CFR Cluj an unexpected dream start to their Champions League adventure.

Culio’s story is an intricate one and full of hardships but, with those two goals, a happy ending seems in sight.

Born in the city of Mercedes, some 100km away from Buenos Aires, there was little hope of the talented striker nicknamed ‘El Zurdo’ – the right footed one – catching the attention one of the capital’s big clubs. So, at the age of 13, he started working as a builder in a local yard earning the equivalent of 60 Euros each month. And that, he thought, was that.

Then, as with any self respecting fairy tale, everything changed overnight. One evening, as Culio was enjoying a kick-about with his friends, a gentleman approached asking him whether he played for anyone. It was the president of Third Division side CS y Deportivo Flandria and soon afterwards Culio signed his first professional contract at 19. That was 2002 and two years later he was in the First Division first with Almagro and then Racing Club.

He stayed in the Argentine top flight until 2007 when he moved in search of better luck to Chile, playing for Deportes la Serena. It didn’t last long and within months he was on the move once more, this time to Romania and the newly promoted Cluj.

Even there, Culio was by no means a star. In fact, he was a squad player until Maurizio Trombetta’s elevation to manager two weeks ago and, in thirty two games had scored just once. Then came those two at the Olimpico, with Culio’s satisfaction doubled by the knowledge of him, an Argentine, felling a team with such a Brazilian flavouring.

Those same two goals look to have earned Culio a call up to the Romanian national team and transformed him into a star. His wish is to play either in Italy or in Spain and that may yet be granted. One thing is for certain, wherever he goes next, it won’t be as an unknown.

Football’s Real Disease

2008-09-07T23:57:00.000-07:00

When a group of Napoli fans laid waste to a train on their way to Rome, it kicked off once again the debate about violence and Italian football. With it came the usual wailing and moralizing on why more needed to be done to fight football’s disease. Futile talk that will almost inevitably lead to nothing.

Stefano Borgonovo is faced an altogether different battle. The man whose muscles wore out defenders allowing a young Roberto Baggio to shine for Fiorentina and who scored the winner against Bayern Munich that put AC Milan in the Champions Cup final in 1990 is still 44 years old yet it would be hard to tell that by looking at him.

Confined to a bed and unable to talk, his only means of communication is through an electronic device. It is a shocking sight but a common one for those who are struck with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurological disorder characterized by the slow wasting away of the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord which is also known as Gehrig’s disease.

That Borgonovo was ill had been rumoured for quite some time yet few were aware of the extent of his condition. That was revealed during an interview on Sky Italia to announce a friendly between Fiorentina and AC Milan on the 8th of October with the aim of raising funds for Borgonovo’s own foundation that will in turn pass them over to researchers working on a cure for the disease.

Most of the talking was done by Stefano’s wife Chantal and who has been with him ever since the two met when they were fifteen years old. “At first I thought that it was a nervous tick, then a neurologic professor told us of the reality,” she said, recalling when the first symptoms of the disease were emerging back in October of 2005.

“Everyone knew that something was up but at first we didn’t want to talk about it we were in total denial. His hands, his arms, his legs, he used to lose something each day, he was in free fall yet we tried to live as if nothing was up.”

Eventually, there was no hiding so now Stefano has decided to make his disease public so as to give life to this friendly wit the aim of “using Stefano’s popularity to talk about ALS, to help those who aren’t as well off as us, to raise funds for researches and, who knows, perhaps one day finding a cure.”

Yet, Borgonovo isn’t the only former footballer who has been struck by this desease: in a judicial inquest handled by the Turin judge Raffaele Guariniello, it has already killed 39 players.

The links between ALS and sport are very real as the research of Dr. Gabriele Mora, from the Salvatore Maugeri Foundation and that of Professor Adriano Chiò of the department of Neuroscience in Turin has shown: "We did our research on 7,325 Italian footballers. Statistically when you have such a small sample the incidence of ALS should be around 0.5 to 0.7 percent meaning that, at best, we should have found one person with the disease. Instead we found eight. Too many.”

Dr Mora warns that "I don’t feel comfortable in defining ALS as a football disease. However, the ball allied with other factors could be enough to kick it off”

What factors? “Genetic, repetitive traumas to the legs, intensive physical activity, being in contact with pesticides used to maintain pitches, the abuse of pain killing medicine. .."

Another interesting detail uncovered by Chio’ and Mora’s research has been the role of those struck with the disease: midfielders are the most at risk. "Midfielders run more than others, they get hit by countless tackles and they have the tendency of over-pushing themselves. It isn’t a coincidence that no goalkeepers have ever had this disease and that there are no known cases in basketball and cycling.” ASL, on the other hand, is common in American Football and “we’re now looking into rugby,” Mora concluded.

For Borgnovo and his family, including five year old daughter Gaia, that is of little comfort. “I’m angry with (Gianluca) Pessotto who has written a book to tell how he wanted to die whilst I’m here wanting to live.”

“He’s a fighter,” says Chantal. “He has always been. Hard? It is worse than hard. Yet I’m convinced that it isn’t over for us. We live day by day. Our future isn’t written yet.” Do they feel that Borgonovo could be the first to recover from the disease? “Yes” he says.

Serie A Preview: Napoli

2008-08-30T00:16:00.000-07:00

They made their return to the Serie A in brilliant fashion thanks largely to the inspired signings of Ezequeil Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik. This summer Napoli went for a similar strategy making few transfers but those who have come in really count.

General director Pierpaolo Marino first went back to Argentina to bring in German Denis to partner Lavezzi up front and then raided Sampdoria for their right sided midfielder Christian Maggio.

Otherwise, Napoli have only brought in a couple of players to bulken up a squad that admittedly looks rather lightweight. Last season Napoli struggled when Marcelo Zalayeta suffered an injury and it could be a problem again this season if they were to suffer any similar injuries.

Key Man: Clubs had long been admiring the talents of Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik but it was only Napoli who made a bid big enough to convince Brescia into letting go. Their faith in him proved to be more than justified with Hamsik taking the Serie A by storm last season. With added maturity and consistency, he is bound to become even better.

Best bit of business: Antonio Cassano was Sampdoria’s undoubted star last season, but Christian Maggio caught the eye just as much with his hard work and excellent timing. Napoli certainly took note, focusing on him most of their resources during the summer.

Keep an eye out for…Andrea Russotto. As a sixteen year old at Lazio, Russotto made news by opting to move to Switzerland rather than change agents to join GEA as he was being pressured to do by the club. As a result, the talented player had fallen off the radar even though he’s spent the past two seasons at Treviso. Napoli have taken a gamble on him, taking Russotto on loan for the season, but he looks set to be another of Marino’s finds.

Serie A Preview: Inter

2008-08-29T23:20:00.000-07:00

He’s only been here a matter of weeks but already Mourinho is making himself new enemies. Predictably, the first target was Juventus’ Claudio Ranieri, also Mourinho predecessor at Chelsea, with a tit-for-tat squabble over each other’s winning mentality.

Mourinho’s criticism of Ranieri will obviously win him points with the Inter fans not that anyone needed any convincing of his abilities. Few however, seem to appreciate that what Mourinho does best is making his players comfortable enough to play their best football. His bluster is simply one of the ways he ensures that comes about.

Already, his work is making an impact. Dejan Stankovic, who Inter wanted to get rid of for much of the summer, is making a mockery of their desire to buy Frank Lampard such have been his early season performances in midfield. If Mourinho manages to repeat this trick with Adriano, then surely it would be enough for him to justify his hefty wage packet.

Of course, that is an exaggeration. Inter still want to win the title but what they’re really desperate for is the Champions League. Just as it was at Chelsea, it will be on delivering on that objective that Mourinho will be judged.

Key Man: That Roberto Mancini was on the way out was evidenced by Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s continuous disregard and disrespect towards his manager at the tail end of last season. The Swede will find that Mourinho is much less malleable yet the Portuguese manager will be aware that if he wants to win he need Ibrahimovic to be at his best.

Best Bit of Business: He’s not a player that Inter really needed but Mancini’s transfer from Roma will, if anything, ensure that their creativity isn’t reliant on Ibrahimovic’s form and

Keep an eye out for…Mario Balotelli. Ok, so he’s not exactly a player of whom little is known but the young striker really deserved to be tagged as a phenomenal prospect. For one so young he displays incredible maturity and composure, and Mourinho is bound to put much faith in him.

Serie A Preview: Roma

2008-08-29T23:13:00.000-07:00

The death of Franco Sensi put a downer on Roma’s season but probably cemented the Sensi family’s place in the hearts of the fans. And, having been tempted by the dollars of George Soros, they have decided to stay on and it does seem as the best decision for the club.

They may not have the sort of money to throw about as they did when Franco first took charge but under the guidance of his daughter Rosella, they have still remained one of the main challengers for the title thanks to long-term planning and belief in what they are doing.

This includes going for players who others have discarded. John Arne Riise’s departure from Anfield was welcomed by many whilst it is doubtful whether anyone at Real Madrid will realize that Julio Baptista has gone. Both players, however, have the quality and experience to keep Roma at the top.

Otherwise the squad is strong enough to take off from last season and the departure of Matteo Ferrari has been more than made up for by the arrival of Simone Loria. The late transfer of Jeremy Menez will also add options in a midfield shorn of Ludovic Giuly who did reasonably well last year.

The doubt at the back of everyone’s mind,however, is whether that will be enough to keep Roma as Inter’s main rivals or whether they’ve been overtaken by Fiorentina and Juventus.

Key Man For all of the progress made by Danile De Rossi and Alberto Aquilani, Roma are still highly dependent of Francesco Totti. Last season they briefly managed to get by without him but, had he been available for the finish, they would probably have won the Serie A.

Best bit of Business: Whilst Milan went for Ronaldinho, Roma opted for another Brazilian discarded by a major Spanish side: Julio Baptista. The big striker’s reputation has been hit after average seasons at Real and Arsenal but for evidence of his talent one only has to look at how he played in last year’s Copa America.

Keep an eye out for…Stefano Okaka. The Italian U19 international striker may still go on loan but the feeling at Roma is that he should be retained because he is already good enough to play in the Serie A.

Serie A Preview: Juventus

2008-08-29T23:09:00.000-07:00

This will be the key season for Claudio Ranieri. Having seen his side strengthened with the arrival of some big-name players the aim is to win the title. Even though you won’t find anyone connected with Juventus admitting it, last year’s talk of being a ‘ neo-promossa’ (newly promoted) with the implication that even staying up was a success simply won’t wash.

Ranieri might be disappointed at the refusal to pay that little bit more in order to sign Xabi Alonso, a player he had personally requested, yet otherwise there is nothing to be dissatisfied about.

The arrival of Amauri probably is the key buy especially given the way with which the Brazilian striker tormented Juventus during last season’s away game with Palermo. He will take some of the pressure for scoring goals off David Trezeguet’s back whilst at the same time ensure that it isn’t simply down to Alex Del Piero to create chances.

Slightly more of a gamble is the arrival of the Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen to add steel to their midfield. There are still a lot of people who are unconvinced about his abilities – hardly surprising given that he was basically fourth choice after Matthieu Flamini, Dejan Stankovic and Xabi Alonso – but Poulsen has all the characteristics of a player who can be a success.

Away from the big names, Juventus have also ensured that their future is catered for with the return home of Claudio Marchisio, Sebastian Giovinco and Paolo De Ceglie. All will feature prominently but their best will surely come in future years.

Key Man: Now more than ever, it is Alex Del Piero. Written off a number of times during his career – none more so two seasons ago when he was one of the first to agree to playing in the Serie B – the capitano has bounced back each time. Last season was a fantastic one for him, one that led to public pressure on Roberto Donadoni to choose him for Italy.

Best bit of Business. Ever since Palermo reluctantly agreed that Amauri would be allowed to leave, Juventus were the favourites to sign him. A word of caution, however: this move is very much similar to that of David Suazo last season, the striker who was supposed to make the step up after moving to Inter from Cagliari. That move didn’t work out so placing to much pressure on Amauri might not be the wisest of choices.

Keep an eye out for…Sebastian Giovinco. Despite Empoli’s self inflicted problems last season, Giovinco shone for them proving not only his talent – of which there had never been any doubt – but also his ability to handle the physical challenge of the Serie A. Juventus had little worries in taking him on, seeing in Giovinco the man to eventually take over from Del Piero.

Serie A Preview: Fiorentina

2008-08-29T23:06:00.000-07:00

Claudio Prandelli is not a man known for his angry outbursts so when he did go public with his dismay over the potential transfer of Adrian Mutu to Roma, it was enough for the club’s owners to re-think and pull back.

It was understandable, too. Slowly and patiently, Fiorentina have built a squad capable of really challenging for the title. Not simply a good starting eleven but a real and proper squad of twenty five players each and every one capable of slotting easily into a side going for the top prize. And they’ve done so without going overboard with their spending.

Yet every side has its stars around whom play is centred and to whom they turn when things are getting tough. For Fiorentina, Mutu is one such player so selling him would have sent them out of balance.

The prospect was particularly galling for Prandelli having finally managed to re-partner Mutu with Alberto Gilardino who he had managed with so much success at Parma. Fiorentina’s determination to get Gilardino, who Milan were so determined to get rid of, underlines their manager’s belief in his abilities and rightly so given what he had managed to do in a struggling side.

It was still a somewhat surprising transfer, certainly compared to the arrivals of Jaun Vargas and Luciano Zauri who will give their defence much more power whilst there is much hope around the arrival of Felipe Melo from Almeria even though Fiorentina have also brought in Almiron just in case the Brazilian’s move doesn’t work out.

Key Player: Adrian Mutu had a frustrating summer with Romania in the European Championships and his eagerness to join Roma – perhaps to raise some cash with which to pay off Chelsea – wasn’t much appreciated by the fans. Yet they realize that he remains their most talented and experienced player against whom holding a grudge would be completely futile.

Best Bit of Business: The arrival of Stevan Jovetic was heralded by Fiorentina as a major signing even though he is just eighteen years old and will have to wait a while till he gets a chance to play. Having seen the player in action, however, it is easy to comprehend their enthusiasm such is his talent. He’s ready to play in the Serie A and, given Fiorentina’s track record in bringing players through, will undoubtedly go on to be a star.

Keep an eye out for…Zdravko Kuzmanovic. An unheralded player when he signed for Fiorentina last summer, the Swiss born Serb went on to have an excellent debut season for the Viola. Hard working but with great ability on the ball, he is the ideal player for Prandelli’s system with the plus point of having the potential to get much better given his age of just twenty.

Serie A Preview: Udinese

2008-08-29T00:22:00.000-07:00

The well remunerated sales of Gyan Asamoah to Rennes and Andrea Dossena to Liverpool have been sufficient to fend off the much feared sale of their star players. This means that for the first time in a long while Udinese can go into a season with confidence that they can build on a side that promised so much last year.

Not that they haven’t been tempted. Arsenal were only one of a host of clubs to show an interest in Gokhlan Inler whilst defender Christian Zapata already has already caught the attention of some of Europe’s biggest teams.

Yet, as long as the bank balance is healthy enough and the offers not big enough, then Udinese were more than happy to resist. As in Udinese tradition, to that squad they’ve added a host of semi-unknowns from around the globe. The gigantic Swiss defender Alain Nef has been brought from Piacenza, striker Alexis Sanchez from River Plate and Serbian midfielder Dusan Basta from Red Star Belgrade.

Neither one of those three is likely to start the season as a regular in the excellent Pasquale Marino’s starting eleven. One player who should, however, is the twenty two year old Argentine Fernando Tissone who Udinese got from Atalanta and who will be replacing Dossena. With the Italian youth international Marco Motta slotting in at right-back after arriving from Torino and Luigi Sala offering back up as well as experience, it is starting to look that Udinese have the strength and depth to cause a few upsets.

Key Man: Hype would point at either Fabio Quagliarella or Antonio Di Natale but the man that Udinese would really struggle to do without is Gokhan Inler. Last season the little known Swiss midfielder easily slotted into the gap left by the departing Sulley Muntari where his tactical diligence and technical ability promptly shone through.

Best bit of business: In co-ownership with Atalanta, both clubs were desperate to sign the other’s half of Fernando Tissone yet it was Udinese who won out when the two clubs bid in a silent auction. The Argentine had impressed with the Bergamo club last season and Udinese had long since earmarked him as the potential replacement for Dossena.

Keep an eye out for… Alexis Sanchez. In a revealing story of how Udinese manage to find so many exceptional players, Sanchez was spotted playing for Chilean side Cobreloa back in 2005 when he was just seventeen. Udinese promptly signed him up and then loaned him out first to Colo Colo and then to River Plate. He did well enough with both to confirm that he was good enough to play in Europe so this summer he made his way to Italy despite River’s best attempts to retain him. So, when in twelve months’ time Udinese opt to sell either one of Quagliarella or Di Natale, there will be a ready made replacement waiting.

Serie A Preview: AC Milan

2008-08-29T00:11:00.000-07:00

After the debacle that was last season’s fifth place finish this was supposed to be the summer in which Milan finally started to re-build. Lessons learned, was the message coming out of Milanello, and our problems will be seen to.

A couple of months later and, whilst there has been an influx of new players, it is difficult to conclude that whatever problems there were have been solved. Take Philippe Senderos: presented to the Italian media as the solution to Milan’s defensive problems, he is nowhere near that. The truth is that Senderos has failed to develop after a positive first season with Arsenal and his lack of mobility was being ruthlessly exploited in the Premiership.

Much more complex is the move that led to Ronaldinho. Initially it looked like the usual ruse by Berlusconi in an attempt to boost popularity ahead of the upcoming election. That feeling was re-inforced by Milan’s sudden pull out from the deal once Berlusconi got elected. It was only when Barcellona had substantially lowered their demands that Milan went back in.

Whether they really need Ronaldinho or if it was simply a marketing ploy remains to be seen. Ronaldinho remains a very good player but the rush with which Barcellona wanted to get rid of him suggest that perhaps his reputation exceeds his real value.

Another gamble, for that is what most of Milan’s signings amount to, is the return of Andrii Shevchenko. Effectively this is the least risky of all: in Milan he will find a coach and a team that knows how to play to his strengths rather than one unwilling to see how best to integrate him. And, if any motivation was needed, the possibility of beating Jose Mourinho should surely see to that.

Despite all this, the summer had gotten off to a great start with the arrival of Matthie Flamini from Arsenal. Then Milan seemed to get lost in their desire to sign a striker to really look at other problem areas. Defensively, for instance, they are still vulnerable whilst the reliance on Zeljko Kalac a disaster in waiting.

At least in that area they’ve seen the return of Christian Abbiati. Whether the man who enjoyed an average season in Spain with Atletico Madrid and of whom Milan have continuously tried to get rid of in the past can prove to be better than the Australian is, however, the subject of a huge debate.

Key Man: There is a reason why Milan have rejected off-hand all the offers that have been put through for Kaka and that is that he remains arguably the finest player in the world. With Ronaldinho alongside him, Milan fans should be in for quite some spectacular football.

Best bit of business. There might still be question marks over how he will adapt to live away from the lose comfort of the Emirates and an understanding manager like Arsene Wenger but Matthieu Flamini remains the least risky out of all the new arrivals.

Keep an eye out for…Pato. Perhaps the most deserving mention would have been that of Alberto Paloschi but with the young striker now apparently on his way away from Milan, the next choice is Alessandro Pato.

Serie A Preview: Sampdoria

2008-08-29T00:06:00.000-07:00

Having found the perfect manager in Walter Mazzari and fully recovered the talent of Antonio Cassano, Sampdoria have built the ideal platform on which to build and hopefully return to something nearing their former glory.

Their need to keep check of their finances occasionally means that some difficult sacrifices have to be made such as the transfer of Christian Maggio but if this ensures that they can keep the rest of the squad together than it is well worth it. After all, that was also Sampdoria’s policy during the great days of Paolo Mantovani.

To compensate for Maggio’s departure Sampdoria have gone for the Lithuanian Marius Stankevicius who has matured after years at Brescia in the Serie B whilst Daniele Dessena is bound to flourish having finally been libered from playing for a club that is continuously struggling against relegation.

Apart from Maggio, the players who have left – Volpi and Montella in particular - did so because their age suggested that they were past their best. Neither one of the two is expected to be missed too much but a replacement for the erratic goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi, however, would have been beneficial.

Key Man: How is it possible to look beyond Antonio Cassano? He may be a head-case, his theatrics annoying and his antics frustrating but there’s no player in the Serie A who can match his ability to thrill.

Best bit of business. If there was an area where Sampdoria struggled last season, it was that of scoring goals. The Uruguayan striker Bruno Fornaroli has been brought in to solve that issue having done wonders for Nacional.

Keep an eye out for…Andrea Poli. The midfielder is just one of Sampdoria’s highly rated primavera team that won the league next season and on whom Mazzari is expected to start turning with increasing regularity this season.

Serie B Preview: Mantova

2008-08-27T05:33:00.000-07:00

Mantova fell well short of their stated ambition of making it to the Serie A but that hasn’t deterred their rock and roll president Fabrizio Lori (pictured).

His desire to see the team win through attractive football has seen Mantova to shell out in order to buy midfielder Tomas Locatelli. This despite last season’s failed experiment of Stefano Fiore who found it too difficult to adapt to the pace of the Serie B. Another experiment that didn’t impress was that which put Giuseppe Brucato in charge and he has apparently done enough to see him in charge even in the new season despite rumours of the possible return of Mimmo Di Carlo..

Their forward line certainly seems to be up to the task with the experienced duo of Denis Godeas and ‘Re’ Giorgio Corona. Allied with a group of talented individuals and the support of one of the Serie B’s most loyal set of supporters, perhaps this could be the year when Mantova’s dreams come true.

Key Man: Denis Godeas
Best Bit of Business: Tomas Locatelli from Siena
Key an Eye out for…Gaetano Caridi

Serie B Preview: Ascoli

2008-08-27T05:30:00.000-07:00

Twice in recent years they’ve announced the start of a long term strategy and on both occasions their hopes ended in disappointment. With hindsight, letting go of Attilio Tesser after their relegation from the Serie A was a mistake and, whilst initially Ivo Iaconi had done well, in the long term he wasn’t too convincing.

So the club have turned to a new man – Nello di Costanzo – and the heralding of a new, patient strategy with long term goals. Di Costanzo has a good record in the lower leagues and his sole experience in the Serie B was promising even though it ultimately ended in disappointment with the financial meltdown of Messina.

During the summer, Ascoli lost Massimo Bernacci to Bologna but managed to include Christian Bucchi in the deal. Few strikers have Bucchi’s track record in this division and he’s the closest you’ll get to a sure fire bet. Otherwise, the side remains unchanged from last season meaning the inclusion of a certain Massimo Taibi (pictured) as regular goalkeeper with Roberto Benigni (no, not that one) as president.

Key Man: Simone Pesce
Best Bit of Business: Cristian Bucchi from Bologna
Key an Eye out for…in demand midfielder Stefano Guberti

Serie B Preview: Rimini

2008-08-27T05:28:00.000-07:00

It is an end of an era for Rimini after manager Leo Acori – the man who took them from the Serie C2 to the Serie B in the space of six season – decided that he had taken the club as far as he could. Wisely, Rimini have gone for continuity and have handed the job to Acori’s long time assistant Elvio Selighini.

They are also quietly optimistic about the coming season having improved on the side that just missed out on the play-offs last season. Most of their play will go through the talented Argentine midfielder Adrian Richiuti (pictured) whilst striker Daniele Vantaggiato is developing into a good striker.

In the summer, they brought in goalkeeper Federico Agliardi confident that he will be able to re-discover his best form after a traumatic experience at Palermo whilst the twenty year old Marco Mancosu, a loanee from Cagliari, will add width to midfield.

Key Man: Adrian Richiuti
Best Bit of Business: Federico Agliardi from Palermo
Key an Eye out for…midfielder Marco Mancosu

Serie B Preview: Pisa

2008-08-27T05:27:00.000-07:00

No one expected Pisa to do as well as they did last season when they made it to the play-offs and this coming season is likely to be met by similar expectations. Their hopes have been hit by the dismantling of last season’s impressive forward line with Alessandro Cerci and Vitali Kutuzov both returning to Roma and Parma respectively whilst Javier Ignazio Castillo has been sold to Lecce.

At least they’ve retained manager Giampiero Ventura, something that was in doubt for quite a while as the club’s ownership changed hands. Ultimately that was sorted when Luca Pomponi took over from Leo Covarelli, the man who had financed Pisa’s rise to the Serie B but who eventually decided that his money was better spent financing his hometown club of Perugia.

All that hasn’t helped the club’s preparations and as yet their only significant arrival is the experienced full-back Alessandro Birindelli. Ventura will have to alter his tactical approach given that his forward line is much less talented than it was last season. They should still enjoy a quite enough season but hopes of repeating, let alone improving, on last year’s success are rather far fetched.

Key Man: Gael Genevier
Best Bit of Business: Alessandro Birindelli from Juventus
Key an Eye out for…on-loan midfielder Ivan Radovanovic

Serie A Preview: Atalanta

2008-08-27T00:20:00.000-07:00

After a fairly quite campaign in which they once again exceeded all expectations, Atalanta had quite a summer with the fans protesting against the transfer of Cristian Vieri (pictured) from Fiorentina.

Apart from signing Vieri, Atalanta have done very well in signing the promising Luca Cigarini from Parma – it makes a change from seeing your own best young players continuously sold off – as well as taking Alessio Cerci on loan from Roma.

Otherwise, their only other highlight has been trying to fend off clubs wanting to take Sergio Floccari with the striker who came to the fore last season heavily interesting both Genoa and Palermo. As always with Atalanta, a substantial bid by any one of those two will see the striker go.

Last season was a significant one for Gigi Del Neri who finally managed to put together his reputation that had been shredded by a series of unlucky job choices. With a squad that seems stronger than last season and Atalanta’s perennial ability to produce talented young players, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them pushing on for a place in Europe.

Key Man: With Atalanta, there is only one option: Cristian Doni. The midfielder probably should have done more with his talent but try saying that in Bergamo where he is a living legend and with reason. Goalscorer, goal creator, team captain and a player who gives his all, he has been Atalanta’s outstanding player of the past decade.

Best bit of business: He was expected to join Juventus but for some that deal fizzled out. So instead Luca Cigarini has joined Atalanta hopeful of building on his fine showings for Parma last season.

Keep an eye out for… Michele Marconi. The latest to emerge from Atalanta’s youth scheme, Marconi made his debut towards the end of last season and Del Neri clearly has a lot of faith in him. The nineteen year old scored his first goal in the Coppa Italia first round win over Modena and with Vieri’s injury and Floccari’s possible departure, he could be getting his chance earlier than expected.

Serie A Preview: Genoa

2008-08-27T00:17:00.000-07:00

After a decent first season back in the Seria A where they finished in mid-table, Genoa have opted for revolution rather than evolution. They’ve been one of the most active sides in the transfer market and at least six of next season’s starting eleven are set to be filled by new arrivals.

Genoa have opted to stick by manager Gianpiero Gasperini who did better than expected last season despite a couple of worrying patches. Surprisingly, they were the ones who won out the auction for former Roma defender Matteo Ferrari whilst the additions of Giandomenico Mesto from Reggina and Raffaele Palladino from Juventus are both intelligent signings. That trend should continue after the arrival of the wily Rino Foschi (pictured) from Palermo to take over the role of general manager.

Lucho Figueroa is worshiped among the fans yet he is no Marco Boriello whose presence will be greatly missed unless Genoa make a move in the last days of the transfer window.

Key Man: One of the revelations of last season Omar Milanetto’s vision in midfield remain fundamental for Genoa, with the midfielder giving balance to a side that is often too focused on the attack.

Best bit of business: There’s too much unjustified hype around Matteo Ferrari to make him anything more than a decent signing. Not the same can be said of Raffaele Palladino who found it next to impossible to break through at Juventus but who has the talent to make his former club regret letting him go.

Keep an eye out for… Sokratis Papastathopoulos. Rino Foschi’s first buy since taking over as general manager at Genoa, the young defender is already a Greek international and if someone like Foschi swears by his talent, then he must have something to him.

Serie A Preview: Palermo

2008-08-27T00:14:00.000-07:00

A disappointing season was made bearable thanks to Amauri’s return to full fitness in the second half of the season. Most of Palermo’s problems were of their own making. Having placed faith in Stefano Colantuono, it didn’t take long for president Maurizio Zamparini to change his mind opting instead to bring back Francesco Guidolin.

That move didn’t turn out too well either so it was soon back to Colantuono who remains in charge this season despite not fully convincing in his second stint. An early defeat in the Coppa Italia won't have increased his chances of surviving for much longer.

Unlike Colantuono, striker Amauri isn’t there since, was widely expected, the Brazilian striker moved to Juventus. With the money they got for him, Palermo have almost completely rebuilt their side and could start the season with just two players from last season.

In fact, rather than Amauri Palermo’s biggest loss in the summer was that of general manager Rino Foshi who opted to return to Genoa. Foschi is one of the shrewdest operators around and his final transfer campaign for Palermo bears that out. In have come the Italian national team goalkeeper Marco Amelia, the promising defensive trio of Andrea Raggi (Empoli), Cesare Bovo (Genoa) and Moris Carrozieri (Atalanta), as well as the highly rated duo from Juventus Davide Lanzafame and Antonio Nocerino.

Palermo still lack a suitable replacement for Amauri as the Brazilian TUlio De Melo hasn’t convinced, but they’ve got a basis of a side that could develop along the lines of Prandelli’s Fiorentina.

Key Man: Palermo made a mistake in getting rid of Eugenio Corini who wasn’t ever really replaced. The arrival of Fabio Liverani looks set to make up for that shortcoming.

Best bit of business: Palermo were determined to include Davide Lanzafame (pictured) in the Amauri deal and, after the player’s initial fears had been allayed, they got their man. Lanzafame was sensational for Bari last season and Palermo’s insistence is more than justified

Keep an eye out for…Simon Kjaer. Having spotted Kjaer at the Viareggio Tournament, Palermo moved quickly for the young Danish defender before others could be alerted of his talent. A typical Rino Foschi buy, he should soon be pushing for inclusion in the side.

Serie A Preview: Lazio

2008-08-27T00:11:00.000-07:00

It is easy to write off Lazio and their frugal president Claudio Lotito but for all their lack of activity, it seems that they have put together quite a useful squad.

Lotito never fails to irritate yet his steadfast stand against paying too much for players – both in transfers and in wages – is to be admired especially in a league where everyone seems to be doing the opposite. This has cost him Valon Behrami, who opted to move to West Ham, and could see Lazio lose out on Cristian Ledesma who is threatening to follow a similar path at the end of the season.

This doesn’t help foster stability, and neither does the fans’ continuing criticism of Lotito, yet regardless of all this manager Delio Rossi has done quite well in the past. This could be Rossi’s final season in charge but he’s been handed the most complete squad for quite some time so has the perfect opportunity to go out with a bang.

At long last, Lazio have solved their chronic problem in goal by brining in the Argentine Juan Pablo Carrizo who is already looking like a solid choice whilst Behrami has been replaced by his Swiss team-mate Stephan Lichtsteiner. With Matuzalem offering more fluidity in midfield and Mauro Zarate a viable alternative to Tommaso Rocchi and Goran Pandev, Lazio have strengthened in every department.

Key Man: Much of Lazio’s fortunes over the past couple of years have depended on Goran Pandev and his partner up front Tommaso Rocchi and, for all the new additions, not much has changed in that respect this season.

Best bit of business: But for a farcical problem with his passport, Juan Pablo Carrizo would have been a Lazio player last season. However, a further season at River Plate under Diego Simeone – who is already being mentioned as the long term successor of Delio Rossi – and a title win has helped his development.

Keep an eye out for…Lorenzo De Silvestri. After the hype of the previous season, De Silvestri seemed to lose his way last year but the young central defender remains a huge talent with comparisons to Alessandro Nesta more than justified.

Serie B Preview: Brescia

2008-08-26T03:38:00.000-07:00

Brescia made a real hash of things last season when a side that was too talented not to go up lost their way and only made it to the semi-final of the play-offs.

Thankfully, financially Brescia are in a healthy position and as a result the only major departure has been right-back Marius Stankevicius. Otherwise they’ve sensibly held on to the host of promising players that they’ve managed to attract to the club thanks also to the efforts of their former general manager Gianluca Nani.

Nani has since gone, taking up a similar role at West Ham, but somewhat surprisingly manager Serse Cosmi has been retained. The former Perugia coach, however, knows that he can make no mistakes this time round and is boosted by the arrival of Domenico Morfeo.

Now in his thirties, Morfeo hasn’t achieved anything as much as he should have during his career thanks to a combination of a series of injuries and a difficult character. At Brescia, he is likely to play in a different role to the one that he is used to: rather than up-front he is likely to be used in a midfield position and asked to dictate play as a sort o mini-Andrea Pirlo.

Apart from Morfeo, Brescia will also be looking at striker Andrea Caracciolo who last January returned to the club where he came to prominence after bitterly disappointing experiences at Palermo and Sampdoria. If Caracciolo and Davide Possanzini can hit it off up front, then Brescia shouldn’t find too many problems in winning promotion.

Key Man: Andrea Caracciolo
Best Bit of Business: Domenico Morfeo from Parma
Key an Eye out for…German youth international midfielder Savio Nsereko

Serie A Preview: Siena

2008-08-26T00:50:00.000-07:00

The surprising departure of manager Massimo Beretta means that it is back to the drawing board for Siena. They’ve turned to Marco Giampaolo who has hardly had the best of times lately but who is promising to build on Beretta’s work.

His job is made easier by the fact that Siena haven’t sold too many of the players who helped keep them in the Serie A last year. Those who did go – Alex Manninger and Simone Loria – were key men and it will take time to see how their replacements will do.

In goal Siena will have the promising Gianluca Curci (pictured), one of the three players taken on loan from Roma, who has to prove his worth having found his path in Rome blocked by the excellent Doni. Up front they can no longer turn to club legend Enrico Chiesa (the thirty eight year old will play out his career at non-league Figline) but the arrival of Emanuele Calaio from Napoli will add solidity whilst Abdel Ghezzal was the standout player in the Serie C last term and well worth a gamble.

Key Man: He may not get too many headlines but every team needs a player with Simone Vergassola’s assurance and consistency. The thirty four year old will once again anchor Siena’s midfield.

Best bit of business: The hero of Napoli’s rise through the leagues, Emanuele Calaio was given short shrift once they got to the Serie A. The move to Siena will help revitalize a career that had stalled and provide the former youth international with the opportunity to shine.

Keep an eye out for…Fernando Forrestieri. Born in Argentina of Italian parents, the eighteen year old is slowly making a name for himself and with seventeen games last season for Siena, he is already looking as something more than simply a promising player.