| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| 01 | Internazionale | 13 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 7 | 13 | 30 |
| 02 | AC Milan | 13 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 27 |
| 03 | Juventus | 13 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 9 | 8 | 24 |
| 04 | Napoli | 13 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 24 |
| 05 | Lazio | 13 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 22 | 14 | 8 | 23 |
| 06 | Fiorentina | 13 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 23 |
| 07 | Udinese | 13 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 21 |
| 08 | Genoa | 13 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 21 |
| 09 | Catania | 13 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
| 10 | Atalanta | 13 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 15 | -1 | 17 |
| 11 | Palermo | 13 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 18 | -2 | 17 |
| 12 | Siena | 13 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 12 | -1 | 16 |
| 13 | Sampdoria | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 15 | -2 | 16 |
| 14 | Cagliari | 13 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 14 | 17 | -3 | 14 |
| 15 | AS Roma | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 18 | -4 | 14 |
| 16 | Torino | 13 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 19 | -5 | 12 |
| 17 | Lecce | 13 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 18 | -6 | 12 |
| 18 | Reggina | 13 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 24 | -12 | 11 |
| 19 | Bologna | 13 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 22 | -11 | 9 |
| 20 | Chievo | 13 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 21 | -15 | 6 |
Podolski: " I'm leaving in January"
By Bernie Adam. 25/11/2008Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski is apparently looking for a move away from the Allianz arena, and could be looking to leave Germany altogether. There are heavy rumors coming from Italy suggesting that Juventus are interested in the hitman as well as Fiorentina.
Bayern coach Jurgen Klinsmann has refuted Podolski's statement by suggesting that the German International will honor his contract with the club before thinking about looking for a move abroad. Only time will tell. Podolski is a striker who would fit into any team's line-up.
Real Madrid "offer" contract to Crespo.
By Bernie Adam. 25/11/2008.All across the Europe the football papers have been a buzz about a contract being offered to want away Internazionale striker Hernan Crespo by Real Madrid. According to Spanis newspaper AS, a contract til June 2009 has been offered by former Fiorentina and Real Madrid striker Predrag Mijatovic.
There is also a one year extension as an option on the contract.
Whether or not the 33 year old goal machine accepts the offer is yet to be known. It is thought that Crespo wanted a contract til 2010, but it appears that the offer is non negotiable.
Mourinho's list: 4 names for January
Adriano is likely to pay dearly: salary cut, exclusion in Palermo and likely sale in January.
While Panucci calls him from Rome, he is on time for his training session but that is not enough.
Mourinho focuses on Elano of Manchester City. Duel with United for the young Belgian Witsel.
(Tuttosport)
Inter, Malouda in January
In London they are sure: the French winger of Chelsea would be the solution to the crisis of Mancini and Quaresma.
(Corriere dello Sport)
INTER MARKET: These are the request that the Portuguese coach would have made to the club for January.
The list: away Adriano, Crespo, Jimenez and Dacourt
The Brazilian abroad and no Italy before 2012.
Punctual.
Very punctual indeed. Yesterday Adriano turned up on time to Appiano
Gentile. He trained apart and Mourinho did not give in. Officially
there is no case: the absence on Tuesday was due to the flu, so
there is no further action. Inter is getting used to the idea of a
separation from the ‘Emporer’. At least this is the idea of José
Mourinho, tired of his unjustified absences. The Portugese coach took
on the Brazilian in the best possible way and was happy with his
initial progress.
PATIENCE Ended - But now he can no longer
wait for him. He has informed the club that it would be better to find
somewhere else for him in January. But where? And how? This is
the thing. A year ago the loan to the San Paolo was a solution. Can
this be repeated? They will know more in early December, when the
players agent, Gilmar Rinaldi, will be in Milan to meet Nerazzurro
director Marco Branca. Inter want to have assurances about the future
of the attacker whose contract is expiring in 2010. It is hard to
imagine a renewal at this stage. If anything the club Nerazzurro points
to a transfer abroad. At this point Via Durini not want to take the
risk that Adriano will be reborn in another Italian club. There will
never be a day when he wears the Milan shirt. Rinaldi has already seen
the Nerazzurri ambassador: Adriano should be transferred abroad and
with a clause that prevents him from returning to Italy at least not
before 2012, when he will be 30. It will not be easy. It will not
necessarily happen.
LIST OF DEPARTING - However Mourinho has not changed his mind from
last summer when he said he did not want too many palyers. Then,
injuries and the rest have influenced their market strategies. But for
the reopening of the lists in January Mourinho wants to reduce the
number of players. There are four names highlighted. In addition to
Adriano, the coach would not veto the transfer of three other players
who have so far found little space: Hernan Crespo, Luis Jimenez and
Olivier Dacourt. Rivas will also have little space with the return
Walter Samuel.
UNSELLABLE CRUZ -Inter has not yet proposed his
contract renewal which expires in June, but the different issues of
Adriano and Crespo leave him unsellable this season. For this reason
his position will be clarified soon. He wants guarantees for the future
and has many offers. So in the end Massimo Moratti will have the last
word.
(Gazzetta dello Sport)
Training match against Africa Sports National
APPIANO GENTILE - The second training session of the week took place this morning at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti.
Mourinho's squad trained with Côte d'Ivoire side Africa Sports National, who are currently in Italy for a training camp ahead of the resumption of their championship.
Based in Abidjan, the defending Côte d'Ivoire Premier Division champions are coached by ex-Inter defender Salvatore Antonio Nobile, who made 38 appearances for the club from the summer of 1987 to November 1988.
The two teams trained together before playing a 70-minute practice match that was watched by Fabrizio Isena, honorary consul-general of the African republic in Milan, and Narcisse Kuyo Tea, cabinet chief of the presidency of the Republic of the Côte d'Ivoire (who attended an Inter training session back in April 2007).
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Maicon, Sulley Muntari and Javier Zanetti performed a series of drills with and without the ball after working with the mixed squad during the initial phase of today's session.
Cristian Chivu (therapy), Nelson Rivas (injury rehab), Luis Jimenez (strength building, running), Hernan Crespo (therapy, cycling & running in gym), Adriano and Luis Figo (circuit training with and without ball for both players), worked separately.
LOVE FOR FOOTBALL
MILANELLO - Here are the declarations made to Milan Channel by Alexandre Pato at the end of this morning's training session:
Yesterday you had a nice meeting in Rome...
"It
was a nice emotion for me to meet president Lula, he's in love with
football. I had a chance to get to know him and to understand he is a
good person. He talked a lot about football with us. I am very happy to
have had the chance to meet the President of my country.
He also
told us that he followed the match against Napoli and he told me he's
happy for me because he saw that I'm playing well and he's happy I'm at
Milan, but my joy was even bigger because for me it was the first time
I met him in person."
On Sunday against Lecce you came in as a substitute and did well like at Bergamo...
"Yes,
I came in, I did my duty, and I tried to help the team. I managed to
give that pass to Ronaldinho which was converted into a goal, even
though it was difficult to keep the ball because the pitch was wet. I'm
disappointed Lecce managed to draw and we lost two important points.
Personally even if I'm on the bench I always try to be ready for coach
Ancelotti, I am happy to be in this team, now I have to continue
working."
Next Sunday there's the match against Chievo...
"On
Sunday we're playing at home. It won't be easy like it isn't easy
against any team, but against Chievo we'll have to do our best to get
the three points."
Fabio Liverani talks about the next match against Inter. "I'm sure next Saturday we'll play a big match with more determination. I don't want to hide that the game against Inter will be very difficult, but in soccer there is no unbeatable team. We must be up to the game. We must be more incisive, pressure more because only playing like this we'll manage to put into trouble their players".
Coppa: 10-man Samp squeeze through | | ||
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Sampdoria eliminated Empoli 2-1 to reach the Coppa Italia quarter-finals despite playing with 10 men for an hour and missing a penalty.
Serie A strugglers Samp welcomed Serie B leaders Empoli in a fight to reach the quarter-finals, but play was made difficult by heavy rainfall over Marassi.
There was a great chance for the Blucerchiati in the opening minute, but Gennaro Delvecchio's cross flashed right across the face of goal with both strikers just inches away from sliding in for a decisive touch.
Samp did take the lead in fairly chaotic fashion. Marius Stankevicius started the move with a cross from the right and a series of ricochets and charged down shots eventually saw Bruno Fornaroli deflect the ball into the path of Emiliano Bonazzoli from six yards. The Empoli defence stood still, assuming he was offside, but replays show both forwards were kept in play.
The Tuscans fought back as Negrini nutmegged his marker down the right wing and his angled drive flew past Bassi to thump the inside of the far post.
Moments later, Samp shot themselves in the foot, as Andrea Dossena was shown a second yellow card for lunging out at Negrini in midfield. It was hardly new behaviour for the former Parma player, who has already been sent off in Serie A this season.
Empoli poured forward and Francesco Lodi had a couple of attempts, but Fornaroli tried to go round Angella and the referee awarded a soft penalty, as the striker appeared to run into him. Nonetheless, Fornaroli stepped up himself and scored despite Bassi getting some contact to it with his knee.
It was so nearly 3-0 seconds after the restart, but Bassi palmed a cross straight at Stankevicius and Negrini was fortunate to make a goalline clearance.
Mannini fired over from a promising position for Empoli, as Ighli Vannucchi and Antonio Buscè were thrown on. It worked, as Lodi curled a fantastic left-foot strike into the bottom corner from distance.
Walter Mazzarri made his own tactical switch, and within seconds of Antonio Cassano's introduction he had set up a chance that Delvecchio blasted over.
The referee pointed to the spot again when Negrini brought down Stankevicius, but this time Bassi was able to save Christian Ziegler's penalty and keep Empoli in the game. Buscè should have equalised, but fired straight at Antonio Mirante.
Vannucchi and Lodi both skimmed a coat of paint off the woodwork late on, but the siege was too late and Samp qualify for the quarter-finals.
Coppa: Napoli in derby triumph | |
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Napoli crushed local rivals Salernitana 3-1 to comfortably reach the Coppa Italia quarter-finals with the aid of an own goal.
This has always been a heated local rivalry and with that in mind Salernitana fans were barred from travelling to the San Paolo amid fears of crowd trouble. It was a prestigious trip for the Serie B side and Napoli's best shot at silverware following their UEFA Cup exit.
Marek Hamsik thought he had scored after seven minutes with a powerful low volley from nine yards, but Pinna did very well to get down and parry at the near post.
Napoli took the lead on 16 minutes thanks to a howler from Peccarisi, who at full stretch tried to clear a Michele Pazienza cross from the right only to volley it into his own net!
Pinna prevented it being 2-0 moments later with a splendid one-handed flying save on Marcelo Zalayeta's strike, but he could do nothing on a fine team move. Hamsik threaded through for Daniele Mannini to cross low for Inacio Pia's tap-in.
Play had barely resumed when Hamsik's rocket stung Pinna's palms, then the Salernitana goalkeeper performed another magnificent fingertip save on Mannini's free header at the back post.
However, it all opened up again after the restart, as Arturo Di Napoli's free kick took a huge deflection off Gargano to leave the goalkeeper stranded and get Salernitana back into the game.
A couple of minutes later Marchese foolishly hauled back Maggio by his shirt for a clear penalty and Hamsik buried it in the top corner.
Hamsik sprung the offside trap to go clear and was a little too altruistic in rolling back for a startled Montervino, while Pinna parried a Maggio angled drive. Di Napoli's fierce free kick was just over, but Zalayeta went even closer as his header clipped the crossbar and Pinna again parried from Pià at point blank range after going through the centre.
Tempers flared and Pestrin received two yellow cards in the space of 30 seconds for dissent and intentional handball. Napoli qualify to face either Juventus or Catania in the quarter-finals.
No compromises for Claudio | |
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Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri is wary of the effects of fixture congestion but demands “110 per cent” against Genoa tomorrow.
The Bianconeri have found form over the last month and approach their home fixture with high-flying Genoa on a high.
The fixture has been moved to Thursday evening due to Italy's rugby international being played in Turin on Saturday.
“It would be a real pleasure to get a victory to confirm that we are having a great spell, even if it's hard to keep performing every three days,” Ranieri said.
“The championship is very tight. The fact that there are eight teams within four points at the top and that the other sides are strong helps us to keep focused.
“Genoa spent lots in the summer and they signed quality players,” Ranieri continued.
“The team are doing excellent things and are a tight unit. They know how to close a game and how to find space so we will need to be on top form - I want 110 per cent.
“Raffaele Palladino is a stupendous player and has innate quality and I know Ruben Olivera and Andrea Gasbarroni well. Gian Piero Gasperini is an excellent Coach.”
Juve have been dealing with a number of injuries to important personnel recently.
“Slowly we have nearly recovered everyone, which is a very positive fact,” the Bianconeri tactician revealed.
“In the past I have had to make huge changes, but now I can just replace a couple of players and that is much better for the balance of the side.
“How is Mauro Camoranesi? At the Bernabeu and the Stadio Bentegodi I asked him if he wanted to come on at the end and he said he didn't feel ready yet.
“I have seen great desire from him this week. He stayed behind for extra training yesterday and that's a sign that he is nearing 100 per cent.”
Panucci: We can rule Rome | |
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The Lupi are struggling in Serie A, while their city rivals have enjoyed an unexpectedly good start to the campaign.
Luciano Spalletti's men shipped a last-minute Cicinho own goal to draw 1-1 with Bologna last weekend.
“We are doing much better and we have made the best possible preparations for the game,” Panucci told Sky Sport Italia.
“I think the derby is a special game and we need to show enthusiasm to win and to get out of this tough moment.
“But we feel strong and we certainly aren't looking at the League table and crying.
“Just because we are below them doesn't mean that we feel inferior to them
“We had a tough summer and we weren't in perfect condition for the start of the season so it was difficult for us.
“Then we became a bit nervy because we had lost some matches, but we are a team that scores goals and we are ready to return to our best.”
Juve to reel in Rossi?
Juventus have set their sights on luring Azzurri striking star Giuseppe Rossi, according to Press reports.
The Old Lady have long been admirers of the Villarreal marksman, but the Yellow Submarine fended off their advances in the summer.
However, according to Tuttosport, the Turin giants are considering breaking the bank to bring in one of Italy's greatest prospects.
Juve will need to meet Villarreal's bumper rescission clause, which is set at around £24m.
The Bianconeri may have to beat some fierce competition for Rossi's services as he made his debut for La Nazionale against Bulgaria last month and is respected across Europe.
However, the former Parma man has previously stressed his desire to play for one of the peninsula's giants.
Rossi, who is under contract until 2013, found the net 11 times in his first season in La Liga
L'Imperatore calls in sick
Inter striker Adriano is unlikely to play against Palermo after missing training yesterday with a mystery illness.
L'Imperatore has re-launched his career under Jose Mourinho after being frozen out under Roberto Mancini.
But the former Parma man angered his boss by turning up late to training last month after a late night in a club.
And Adriano's relationship with Mourinho has been further jeopardised after he called in sick while the rest of the players were already at Pinetina yesterday morning.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Adri reported a high temperature and was told to stay at home.
It now looks increasingly likely that the Brazilian international will be left out of the side to face Palermo this weekend.
Maradona on Zarate and Milito: 'They'll have their chances'
If they will continue to play well in their clubs, Diego Milito and Mauro Zarate will have their opportunity." Argentina's manager, Diego Armando Maradona, leaves the door open to the two players playing in Italy. The performance of the two attackers playing with Genoa and Lazio are followed by the 'Pibe de Oro', who is also following Gonzalo Higuaín of Real Madrid, not capped for the friendly with Scotland in Argentina. Maradona has returned home today after travelling in Europe: "Tevez is somewhat nervous because he doesn't play regularly, but I see him very motivated for the "Seleccion" - said Maradona in an interview with Radio La Red. I managed to convince Mascherano. I explained that this national team needs him as captain and he understood perfectly. "
FootballNonStop Exclusive: Barca are waiting for Cruz!!
| Julio
Cruz's stay at Inter could be drawing to a close as the club have no
plans to discuss a new contract and Barcelona are reportedly ready to
pounce. The Argentine hitman spared Inter's blushes against Anorthosis Famagusta with an equaliser in their last Champions League clash. And the 34-year-old was the man of the moment again on Sunday when he scored a last-minute winner against Udinese. However, a recent row with Jose Mourinho over the way he played against Genoa in Week 8 seems to have left a lasting rift between the two men. El Jardinero's contract at San Siro is due to expire next summer and his position at the club is uncertain. No effort has been made to negotiate a new deal, which means that other clubs will be allowed to approach Cruz in the New Year. Reports in La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest that Spanish giants Barcelona are keeping an eye on Cruz's situation. It may be that Cruz gets a chance to work with gifted compatriot Lionel Messi at the Bernabeu and former side Bologna are also said to be in the frame, but Inter still have time to prevent a valuable servant talking to his suitors. www.channel4.com/football_italia |  |
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After many rumors, now comes the official announcement: Fiorentina is very interested in the Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso.
Fiorentina scouts were recently spotted at various Sporting matches and this has led the media to talk about the possible interest of Fiorentina in the player. Now the player’s agent, Paulo Barbosa confirms: "Yes it’s true, there were Italian observers -he told the Portuguese press - and I can confirm that they were of Fiorentina. So I can only say that the news circulated has foundations of truth, even if there are no real negotiations. Of course, Florence would be a very pleasing destination for the player".Zampa blasts referee Rizzoli 11/11/2008
Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini has inveighed against referee Nicola Rizzoli for his treatment of the Rosanero on Saturday.
The Sicilians suffered an ignominious 1-0 defeat away to Torino to leave them bogged down in mid-table.
Midfielder Antonio Nocerino was sent off in the closing stages and the outspoken Zamparini was furious at the refereeing in general.
“Rizzoli hurt us,” Zamparini roared. “I don't want compensation - I just want fair refereeing.
“The officials have left us with 10 men in three of the last five games and Rizzoli also made a mistake against us in the Roma game last year. He also hasn't seemed faultless in his last few outings.
“Rizzoli made a mistake by stopping a move and sending off Nocerino. It's a real shame and it cost us.
“I would like to ask referee bosses Pierluigi Collina and Cesare Gussoni why the referees are doing this.
“All the red cards we have received have been yellow card offences in my opinion.”
Absent Buffon is proud of Bianconeri 11/11/2008.
Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon is pleased with the Old Lady's form in his absence. "I am replaceable."
Buffon has been out of action since the start of October, leaving Austrian international Alex Manninger to deputise.
However, the Bianconeri have dealt with the Azzurri ace's absence impeccably and have hauled themselves back into Scudetto contention in recent weeks as well as progressing in the Champions League.
“I will be back in the New Year and I want us to be second so that I can be the one to lead us to first,” Gigi joked.
“Seriously, six consecutive wins between Serie A and the Champions League have shown that Buffon is not indispensible for Juventus - that is a fact.
“Manninger is playing great and Antonio Chimenti could also overtake me in the pecking order.
“My teammates know how to react correctly to difficult moments, even though we all know you can't always win.
“We believe in the Scudetto and Alessandro Del Piero's recent performances have helped us to dream.
“We must believe in all our objectives while they are possible because we can achieve them all with the quality we have.”
