Serie A - Team of the Week 33
Antonioli (Cesena)
Zapata (Udinese) - Sardo (Chievo) - Kaladze (Genoa) - Rafinha (Genoa)
Seedorf (AC Milan) - Inler (Udinese) - Zarate (Lazio)
Cassano (AC Milan) - Giovinco (Parma) - Pinilla (Palermo)
Serie A - Team of the Week 33
Antonioli (Cesena)
Zapata (Udinese) - Sardo (Chievo) - Kaladze (Genoa) - Rafinha (Genoa)
Seedorf (AC Milan) - Inler (Udinese) - Zarate (Lazio)
Cassano (AC Milan) - Giovinco (Parma) - Pinilla (Palermo)
Serie A - Team of the Week 34
Andujar (Catania)
Zaccardo (Parma) - Balzaretti (Palermo) - Bovo (Palermo) - Silva (AC Milan)
Perotta (AS Roma) - Cerci (Fiorentina) - Robinho (AC Milan) - Sneijder (Inter Milano)
Eto'o (Inter Milano) - Amauri (Parma)
AS Roma duo banned for rest of season
AS Roma midfielders Daniele De Rossi and Simone Perrotta will miss their side's late push for a Champions League qualifying spot after Serie A confirmed their 3-game bans.
The pair were sent off for violent conduct during Sunday's 3-2 win at relegated Bari, with Italy's De Rossi guilty of using an elbow and Perrotta having caught an opponent in the back.
With 3 games left in the season, AS Roma are a point behind city rivals Lazio who occupy the 4th and final Champions League qualifying place.
Serie A - Team of the Week 35
Buffon (Juventus)
Ceccarelli (Cesena) - Silva (AC Milan) - Nesta (AC Milan)
Cerci (Fiorentina) - Hamsik (Napoli) - D'Agostino (Fiorentina) - Vargas (Fiorentina)
Totti (AS Roma) - Pazzini (Inter Milano) - Caracciolo (Brescia)
Siena and Atalanta promoted to Serie A
Siena and Atalanta have both won promotion back to Serie A at the first attempt.
Siena drew 2-2 at home to AC Torino while Atalanta thumped Portogruaro 4-1 at home in Bergamo to join the Tuscan side on 74 points, 10 ahead of third place Novara with 3 games left.
The third promotion place will be decided by a 4-team play-off.
Bari have already been relegated from Serie A.
Cavani banned for final two games
Napoli's hopes of wrapping up the third automatic Champions League slot in Serie A were hit when top striker Edinson Cavani was banned for the last two matches of the campaign.
The Uruguayan will also miss the first game of next season after Serie A said in a statement he would get a 3-game ban for being sent off in the loss to Lecce and sarcastically reacting to the referee's decision to book him twice.
Napoli need just a point at home to Internazionale Milano on Sunday or at Juventus in the final game to secure a return to Champions League for the first time since 1991.
The Naples club, who went bust in 2004, have surpassed fan expectations this season having been in the title race until champions AC Milan pulled away.
But that has not stopped coach Walter Mazzarri clashing with club bosses and hinting he could leave.
Serie A - Team of the Week 36
Handanovic (Udinese)
Silva (AC Milan) - Juan (AS Roma) - Pellegrino (Cesena)
Jimenez (Cesena) - Rigoni (Chievo) - Isla (Udinese) - Sanchez (Udinese)
Di Natale (Udinese) - Boselli (Genoa) - Eto'o (Inter Milano)
Sampdoria on brink of shock drop
Sampdoria's descent from Champions League aspirants to relegation fodder has been a remarkable one and Sunday's meeting against a Palermo side free of any pressure further complicates their horrid season.
4th last term, Sampdoria started the campaign in the Champions League qualifiers but lost to Werder Bremen and the season has continued on a downward spiral ever since.
The former European Cup finalists, who once boasted stellar names like Ruud Gullit, Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini among their ranks, lie third from bottom with 2 games remaining and are 2 points adrift of safety.
The Genoa side, one of the most recognisable in Italy, were sitting comfortably in mid-table halfway through the season but the decision to sell strikers Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini in January without adequate replacements has cost them dearly.
"We practically reached mid-way though the season with a decent amount of points and no one expected this", defender Stefano Lucchini said.
"We then went through lots of games thinking that we would arrest the slide the next Sunday. By doing this, Sunday after Sunday, we probably didn't understand the mess we were getting into."
On-loan Manchester United forward Federico Macheda is among 4 players doubtful for the clash.
Failure to beat Palermo at home could signal relegation if 4th-bottom Lecce win at derby rivals and already relegated Bari. Cesena, who could still be caught by Sampdoria, face relegated Brescia.
How Bari, Brescia and Palermo approach the games will be key given all 3 teams have little to play for, which sometimes sparks a freedom of expression among the players or a resigned indifference to the match.
Palermo no longer need to win the game to boost their hopes of Europa League via their league position because they have already secured their spot in Europe's second tier competition courtesy of reaching the Coppa Italia Final.
Win or lose in the Final, they will enter the Europa League because opponents Internazionale Milano are destined for the Champions League for finishing second in Serie A.
Inter travel to third place Napoli on Sunday with the hosts needing a point to secure the third automatic Champions League place and their first European Cup slot since 1991.
Udinese go to Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi hoping to consolidate the 4th and final Champions League qualifying spot on Sunday while new champions AC Milan will hold a San Siro party for Saturday's game against coach Allegri's former side Cagliari.
Serie A - Team of the Week 37
Buffon (Juventus)
Maggio (Napoli) - Silvestre (Catania) - Lucarelli (Parma) - Isla (Udinese)
Hernanes (Lazio) - Parolo (Cesena) - Giaccherini (Cesena) - Giovinco (Parma)
Gomez (Catania) - Robinho (AC Milan)
Cavani pens new deal
Napoli striker Edinson Cavani has signed a 5-year deal that will keep him at the club until 2016.
Cavani was originally signed on a season long loan from Palermo, but the Uruguayan has scored an impressive 26 goals this campaign and Napoli have been keen to make his deal permanent.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed the new deal on radio station Radio Marte.
"With Edinson we met today and we have extended our relationship. Then he left for Uruguay after signing the new agreement with me", De Laurentiis said.
"We are satisfied and I am personally pleased to have a champion in the team but especially a nice person. Edinson is a man who has great faith and great personality, an important element for a Napoli team that has plenty of personality."
Udinese hunting Euro berth
Udinese will be looking to seal a place in next season's UEFA Champions League when they host champions AC Milan in Serie A on Sunday.
Francesco Guidolin's team can guarantee their 4th spot with a point against Milan, who are unbeaten in 7 league outings, at Stadio Friuli on the last day of the season.
Udinese would book their spot in Champions League for the first time since 2005/2006 if they can achieve the result and Guidolin said they would need to be clinical in the attacking third.
"AC Milan are not just any team but the Serie A champion", Guidolin said.
"We need one more point but it will be very difficult. We need to be focused and ready for the task that awaits us."
"We have to make the most of our chances in order to obtain the result that would take us to paradise."
Lazio, who are 2 points adrift in fifth, will need to collect 3 points at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi if they are to have any chance of stealing Udinese's spot.
Juventus are also relying on other results if they are to sneak a European spot for next season.
They host third place Napoli and need to win, as well as hoping AS Roma lose at home to the relegated Sampdoria, to clinch 6th spot.
Second place Inter Milano head into their meeting with Catania with the runners-up position already confirmed.
Coach Leonardo will want to go into the Coppa Italia Final against Palermo on 29 May with a full strength squad, meaning he will not be taking any risks, while Catania can finish no higher than 10th.
Serie A - Team of the Week 38
Marco Amelia (AC Milan)
Zapata (Udinese) - Silva (AC Milan) - Lucio (Inter Milano) - Nagatomo (Inter Milano)
Maggio (Napoli) - Sanchez (Udinese) - Vargas (Fiorentina)
Totti (AS Roma) - Pazzini (Inter Milano) - Huseklepp (Bari)
Coppa Italia Final preview: Inter Milano - Palermo
The Serie A runners-up prepare to face off against the surprise finalists from Sicily, in what promises to be a goalfest with both sides having prolific firepower in their squads.
Inter will be hoping talisman Wesley Sneijder passes a late fitness test in time for this match, although it is expected that he will feature from the outset. However, if he indeed fails to prove his fitness, then Houssine Kharja will continue to deputise in his absence. Other notable absentees include midfielder Esteban Cambiasso and full-back Maicon, who are injured and suspended respectively.
Coach Leonardo spoke with enthusiasm about his side's performance this season despite being forced to contend with numerous setbacks, but feels a victory against the Rosanero will ensure their season ends on a high: "We've been heavily penalised through a series of injuries but the team has shown great spirit. We struggled in the semi-finals to overcome AS Roma but the Final of the Coppa Italia will be a celebration".
Julio Cesar - Chivu, Ranocchia, Lucio, Nagatomo - Motta, Stankovic, Zanetti (C) - Sneijder - Eto'o, Pazzini
Defensive lynchpin Cesare Bovo and midfield man Armin Bacinovic are the only confirmed absentees for Delio Rossi's side, as the duo are banned from participation. Afriyie Acquah and Federico Balzaretti are also doubts, but they are expected to be passed fit.
There have been strong indications from Italy that this will be Rossi's last game in charge of Palermo, but despite the rumours, he showed confidence about his side's ability to beat the Serie A runners-up.
"We know we are up against the World champions but if we can play at our full potential we can beat any team. The players really want to bring home the cup for our fans", Rossi said.
Sirigu - Balzaretti, Munoz, Goian, Cassani (C) - Nocerino, Acquah, Migliaccio - Ilicic, Pastore - Pinilla
Serie A - Team of the Season
Abbiati (AC Milan)
Abate (AC Milan) - Zapata (Udinese) - Silva (AC Milan) - Balzaretti (Palermo)
Sanchez (Udinese) - Boateng (AC Milan) - Hernanes (Lazio)
Cavani (Napoli) - Di Natale (Udinese) - Eto'o (Inter Milano)
Tremură şi Serie A
Numărul meciurilor suspectate de blat s-a dublat de la 19 la 37, între acestea apărând AC Milan 3-1 Chievo şi incredibilul Genoa 4-3 AS Roma.
Caracatiţa pariurilor clandestine şi-a extins tentaculele până la vârf. Şi în spatele reţelei din care făceau parte mai mulţi actuali şi foşti fotbalişti s-ar afla Camorra.
Sumele mari mizate pe piaţa asiatică şi cele destinate aranjării meciurilor ar fi fost, de fapt, banii pe care mafioţii i-au spălat. Numărul blaturilor suspectate s-a dublat, ajungând la 37, între care sunt 4-5 partide din Serie A.
De Rossi implicat ?
După Brescia 3-1 Bologna şi Inter 1-0 Lecce, umbrele corupţiei cad peste jocul care a adus demisia lui Ranieri de la AS Roma pe 20 februarie.
Giallorossii au pierdut cu 3-4 cu Genoa, după ce au avut 3-0. Primul gol al gazdelor a fost comic în urma gafei comune Mexes - Julio Sergio. Suspiciunile sunt întărite şi de o interceptare telefonică în care Paoloni, portarul lui Benevento reţinut în cadrul anchetei, se laudă că "De Rossi m-a asigurat că va fi OVER".
De Rossi, suspendat, n-a evoluat pe Marassi, dar l-a avut pe Paoloni coleg la juniorii Romei.
Apare şi Milan
Nici campioana nu stă liniştită. Il Giornale scrie că există bănuieli asupra victoriei Milanului cu Chievo (3-1) din 16 octombrie. În schimbul unui gol, pe care Pellissier s-a lăudat că-l dă (l-a şi marcat), oaspeţii ar fi acceptat să piardă, iar meciul să se termine cu minimum 4 goluri. Pe lista neagră mai apar Cagliari, cu seria de eşecuri din final, Bari, Sampdoria şi Juventus.
€2.5 miliarde e suma pariată în Italia pe piaţa neagră în 2010, 56% din cele 4.4 miliarde încasate de agenţiile legale
Sentinţe în 2 luni
Federaţia italiană a anunţat că ancheta va merge rapid, în aşa fel încât până la finele lui iulie sau prima săptămână din august să fie anunţate sentinţele. Stefano Palazzi, procurorul federal ce s-a ocupat de Calciopoli, a garantat că nu va fi afectată derularea ediţiilor viitoare de campionat.
Giampaolo chooses Cesena
Marco Giampaolo will sign as Cesena coach and is not in the frame with Luis Enrique for the AS Roma job, he said on Tuesday.
Giampaolo agreed over the weekend to take over at Serie A side Cesena after Massimo Ficcadenti left by mutual consent despite keeping them in the top flight.
Media reports said Giampaolo had since held talks with AS Roma but he has denied changing his mind.
FC Barcelona B coach and former Spain midfielder Luis Enrique now looks poised to take over at AS Roma, who had been managed on an interim basis by youth team boss Vincenzo Montella since Claudio Ranieri's resignation in mid-season.
Former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti had been linked with AS Roma but has said he is taking a year off while Didier Deschamps is staying at Olympique Marseille.
Catania have said Montella is close to being named their new coach.
Catania hire Montella, Di Carlo joins Chievo
Vincenzo Montella has been appointed coach of Catania and Domenico Di Carlo has returned to Chievo.
Montella took over from Argentine Diego Simeone, who led the Sicilian side to 13th position and Serie A safety before leaving by mutual consent last week after just 4 months in charge.
"Catania has recruited the services of Vincenzo Montella who has signed a 2-year contract", said a statement on the club's website.
"The new coach will be officially presented to the press on Friday morning."
Montella, 36-year-old, took temporary charge of AS Roma after Claudio Ranieri's resignation in February but he was not offered an extended contract as the Giallorossi finished 6th and failed to qualify for Champions League.
Di Carlo returned to Chievo after an unhappy spell with Sampdoria ended with his sacking in February.
The 47-year-old, who had coached the Gialloblu from 2008-2010, takes over from Stefano Pioli who led Chievo to 11th last season before being snapped up by Palermo.
"Domenico Di Carlo will take technical charge of Chievo's first team squad for the 2011/2012 season", read a statement on the club's website.
Di Carlo's old club Sampdoria, who were relegated to Serie B, appointed Gianluca Atzori as their new coach on a 2-year contract on Thursday.
Capello linked to Inter Milan job
England coach Fabio Capello is a candidate to replace Leonardo at Inter Milan, according to reports in Italy.
Leonardo is expected to leave after just six months at the helm of the Nerazzurri outfit to become sporting director at Paris Saint-Germain.
Capello was interviewed by Sky Italia and when asked about Inter´s reported interest, he said: "I am in Marbella (Spain), in the sun, with my grandchildren.
"I am not aware of what is being said as in my house, my grandchildren have taken over the TV.
"They make the decisions regarding the TV and watch Walt Disney."
When asked if he was surprised that Leonardo would leave Inter, Capello said: "Leonardo? Everyone decides which path they feel is right for their own career.
"I respect everyone´s decision."
Leonardo leaves Inter
Inter Milano chief executive officer Ernesto Paolillo has confirmed that Leonardo has left his post as manager of the Serie A giants.
Leonardo has been linked with a move to Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint-Germain over the past week in a role that would see him likely to take up a position as general manager of the club.
And that move now seems more likely after Paolillo's comments on Friday.
"Leonardo is going to Paris and the club are now looking for a new coach. We want to find another coach", Paolillo told Bloomberg.
His revelation means Inter will now be on the hunt for their third manager in just over a year.
After Jose Mourinho left the Meazza outfit after winning a Treble with the club in the 2009/2010 season, an extensive search saw former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez appointed.
But the Spaniard struggled and was sacked in December, with Leonardo drafted in as his replacement.
Palermo tie down Slovenian pair
Palermo have announced that Slovenian midfielders Josip Ilicic and Armin Bacinovic have both signed contract extensions.
The Rosanero signed both players from Maribor last summer and they made a favourable impact in their first season in Serie A.
Ilicic, a skilful playmaker, particularly impressed and was linked with a move to Inter recently.
However, both players have been rewarded with improved salaries and a one-year extension to their contracts.
A club statement read: "Armin Bacinovic and Josip Ilicic have signed a contract extension with Palermo until June 2016".
Lucio makes Inter deal demand
Brazil international Lucio says he will sign a new contract at Inter Milano if the club agree to give him a 2-year extension.
Lucio, 33-year-old, has one year remaining on his current contract and his future has been the subject of speculation after his agent said the defender was waiting to see who the club appointed as their new head coach.
But Lucio himself says the sticking point is the length of contract on offer, as he wants a deal that will tie him to the club until 2014, when he reaches the age of 36.
"I want to stay at Inter, but only if they renew my deal until June 2014", he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I trust Inter and I am sure that they will construct a side that is again capable of winning everything on offer."
Lucio has been a superb servant for Inter since joining the club from Bayern Munchen in the summer of 2009, playing an integral role in their Treble victory in his first season at the club.
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