Champions format changes

Friday 30 November, 2007

From 2009 three Serie A sides will enter the Champions League automatically with a fourth to go through the preliminary round.

At the moment only the top two from Italy, Spain and England are given places in the group phase, while two more must qualify in August.

However, today UEFA confirmed that the format would be changed to increase competition in these preliminary rounds.

From 2009 the fourth-placed sides in Serie A, La Liga and the Premier League will have to face off against the runners-up from second seed nations such as Holland and Portugal.

Another change implemented by UEFA President Michel Platini is moving the Champions League Final to a Saturday night slot.

Usually played on a Wednesday, the Final is switched from 2010, so the first Saturday event will be at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

"We are all of the opinion that this is a great competition which provides a considerable spectacle," said Platini.

"I also hope that playing the UEFA Champions League Final on a Saturday will give families, especially children, the chance to see the game."

Today's meeting in Lucerne, Switzerland, also sounded the death knell for the increasingly unpopular Intertoto Cup, which will be scrapped.

Instead, from 2009 the UEFA Cup will have 12 groups of four teams with the top two progressing to the knock-out stage.

Here they will face off against the eight clubs that have finished third in the Champions League groups.

Serie A Week 14 - 1/12/07 (19.30 UK)

Milan 0 - 0 Juventus
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

Only the frame of the goal and some fantastic goalkeeping ensured the big game Milan-Juventus ended in a stalemate.

These two sides dominated Serie A in the 1990s, but this was a head-to-head battle to stay in the Scudetto race, especially for a Milan outfit that had not won a single domestic game at San Siro this season. Ronaldo, Marek Jankulovski, Mauro Camoranesi and Zdenek Grygera were sidelined and Claudio Ranieri surprisingly chose to drop Alessandro Del Piero.

It was immediately a very aggressive and fast-paced game. Vincenzo Iaquinta chested down the ball for David Trezeguet to drill wide, but the move was stopped for an incorrect offside flag.

Trezeguet went even closer on 11 minutes, as Cristiano Zanetti won back the ball in midfield and placed the searching pass over the defence for the Frenchman's volley to smack against the base of the near post.

Gigi Buffon slapped a corner kick off Kakha Kaladze's head at the back post, then Clarence Seedorf toe-poked the ball inches past the upright. Nelson Dida smothered a Zanetti volley and Kaladze required a perfectly-timed intervention to prevent Iaquinta going clear on goal.

Alberto Gilardino was halted for a very tight offside flag and Nicola Legrottaglie was booked for stopping a Kaka counter. Buffon got down well to block an Andrea Pirlo snapshot that bounced just in front of the goalkeeper.

Cristian Molinaro did extremely well to take Pirlo's long pass off Kaka's feet in the D, then Pavel Nedved cut back past Kaladze with a dummy and slipped as he pulled the trigger from 10 yards. Alessandro Nesta had penalty appeals for a Jonathan Zebina embrace, but Trezeguet's first-time pass set Nedved free and Serginho nodded out for a corner before Iaquinta could pounce.

Straight after the restart Juventus had perhaps their best chance so far. Hasan Salihamidzic skipped past Serginho with some wonderful footwork, his fierce rising strike bringing a brilliant one-handed save out of Dida. The move continued and Nedved's follow-up was charged down.

Moments later Buffon was also called into a fantastic reaction save with his shin from Kaka's volley. Gilardino put the loose ball into the net, but he was flagged offside.

Gilardino was furious when he just failed to get on the end of Kaka's cross, as he felt he was held back by Legrottaglie as the two came sliding in to the six-yard box.

Dida got down well to capture a touched-on Iaquinta free kick, while Buffon had difficulty spilling a Pirlo set-piece and grabbing it at the second attempt after it had looped into the air. Molinaro exchanged passes with Nedved, but the taut cross flashed across the face of goal with Iaquinta and Trezeguet unable to get the final touch.

Carlo Ancelotti went for experience, introducing Pippo Inzaghi and Paolo Maldini for Gilardino and the disappointing Serginho. Zebina slipped and almost left Kaka clear on goal before Legrottaglie cleaned up.

Kaka turned between three defenders and had his shot charged down by Legrottaglie. Inzaghi showed he can still ride the offside flag as his powerful effort was parried by Buffon at point-blank range.

Ranieri also made a double substitution with Del Piero and Marco Marchionni on for Salihamidzic and Iaquinta. Nesta intercepted a pass just before Del Piero could bury it, then veteran Maldini skipped between two defenders for Seedorf's cross-shot.

Maldini was almost the unlikely match-winner in the final minute, his strike whistling over the bar from the edge of the box.

In stoppages Massimo Ambrosini rolled a ball across the box for Inzaghi, but Buffon stood his ground and managed to use his legs to shield the goal.

A minute later it was Legrottaglie's turn to charge down a Kaka curler from the edge of the penalty area.

Milan: Dida; Oddo (Bonera 78), Nesta, Kaladze, Serginho (Maldini 63); Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf, Kaka; Gilardino (Inzaghi 63)

Juventus: Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Salihamidzic (Marchionni 71), Nocerino, Zanetti; Nedved (Palladino 81); Trezeguet, Iaquinta (Del Piero 71)
Ref: Morganti

Euro 2008: Italy's Group of Death

Sunday 2 December, 2007

Italy have drawn the Group of Death in Euro 2008 against Holland, France and Adrian Mutu's Romania.

The draw for the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland were held this morning in Lucerne.

Group C looks like by far the toughest, as Italy will face seeds Holland, Euro 2000 winners France and the impressive Romania, who already defeated the Netherlands in qualifying.

The Azzurri reached the finals by topping Group B ahead of France, but were not among the four seeds, those spots taken by joint hosts Austria and Switzerland, Euro 2004 champions Greece and Holland.

Italy open their tournament against Holland - who they beat in an epic Euro 2000 semi-final on penalties - on June 9 in Berne.

Romania take on Roberto Donadoni's men on June 13 in Zurich and the decider will be with old enemies France in Zurich on June 21.

Placed in the second pot, they ran into the 'Group of Death' in the tournament to be held from June 7 to the Final in Vienna on June 29.

Hosts Austria will take on neighbours Germany, Poland and Croatia in games that are sure to pack an emotional punch.

The opening match on June 7 will be Switzerland v the Czech Republic in Basel.


Group A
Switzerland
Czech Republic
Portugal
Turkey

Group B
Austria
Croatia
Germany
Poland

Group C
Holland
Italy
Romania
France

Group D
Greece
Sweden
Spain
Russia

Good game played by both team

2008: Don expected the worst

Sunday 2 December, 2007

Roberto Donadoni always thought Italy's Euro 2008 draw would be tough and believes they are ready for it.

"I was hoping for a little more good luck, but that is fine," said the Coach after they were placed in Group C alongside Holland, Romania and France.

"I had a feeling it was going to be a very difficult group and it is just the latest challenge that we must face with a relaxed state of mind. There are more worrying things in life than football."

It is a revenge mission all around, as Holland are still smarting from their Euro 2000 semi-final defeat on penalties against 10-man Italy, while relations with France have deteriorated to an all-time low after the ill-tempered World Cup Final and qualifying campaign.

France boss Raymond Domenech showed he is still angry about the encounters with the Azzurri, as he walked out of today's Press Conference when asked about Marco Materazzi.

"I don't talk about Materazzi, the Italians do," said the tactician who picked up a touchline ban during qualifying for false allegations against Italy.

"First they provoke me and then blame me for everything, but I won't let myself get swept up in it."

Donadoni was told of the incident, but decided not to get involved in another media melee.

"It is not up to me to judge Domenech's behaviour," said the former Livorno Coach. "All I say is that to avoid another run-up to Italy-France with a poisonous atmosphere we must all use common sense.

"Speaking personally, the idea of taking on France again does not create any particular emotions in me."

round 14 results :

Atalanta 5-1 Napoli
Cagliari 0-0 Livorno
Catania 3-1 Palermo
Fiorentina 0-2 Inter
Milan 0-0 Juventus
Parma 1-0 Empoli
Roma 2-1 Udinese
Sampdoria 3-0 Reggina
Siena 1-1 Lazio
Torino 1-1 Genoa

Inter n Roma now top the table with 31 n 28 points, n both hav 1 game in hand than the rest.


as for the Euro 2008 draw... well i say juz bring it on.

Current standing

want more??

click here.. http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_ita...wallpapers.html

how abt a little test for the Azzurri fans here : name all the players there ?

i for 1 wouldn't hav any problem of coz.

Azzurri third for 2007
Monday 17 December, 2007

Italy will finish 2007 in third place in FIFA's World Rankings as Argentina take pole position.

The Azzurri's successful Euro 2008 qualification campaign hasn't been enough to prevent Roberto Donadoni's men losing their grip on the top spot.

Copa America runners-up Argentina stole first place from Italy in October and remain there despite their 3-0 defeat to Brazil in the Final.

Italy's Euro 2008 Group opponents France and Holland are in seventh and eighth respectively and Romania are thirteenth.

Top 10 in full:
1. Argentina
2. Brazil
3. Italy
4. Spain
5. Germany
6. Czech Republic
7. France
8. Portugal
9. Holland
10. Croatia

Azzurri pick Euro 2008 base
Tuesday 18 December, 2007

Italy have booked the Austrian city of Baden as their base for the Euro 2008 tournament next summer.

Baden is a spa town 26km south of Vienna that already hosts many Italian tourists, famed for its warm baths, casino and 120 vineyards.

Coach Roberto Donadoni met with President Giancarlo Abete today to work out the arrangements for the squad.

Training sessions will be at the nearby Sudstadt complex in Enzeldorf, which holds 20,000 people and hosts the home games for Austrian club Admira Wacker.

The Azzurri are expected to fly in to begin preparations for the tournament a week before the June 7 opening ceremony.

Italy are in Group C and will play all three of those games in Switzerland. The debut is on June 9 in Berne against Holland, then switching to Zurich for Romania on June 13 and France four days later.

Donadoni wants new contract
Wednesday 19 December, 2007

Azzurri boss Roberto Donadoni has confirmed that he will hold contract talks with the Italian Football Federation before Euro 2008.

The former Milan midfielder is only tied to the FIGC until the end of June, but it seems that his future will now be decided before the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland.

"We will certainly clarify my contract situation before the Euro Finals, that's only logical," noted the tactician on Wednesday evening.

"FIGC President Giancarlo Abete is aware of this and he agrees with my logic on the matter.

"However, let's not talk about any difficulties because there are none for anybody. We'll talk about the contract responsibly and with respect."

Donadoni has been under immense pressure since taking over the side following Marcello Lippi's post Germany 2006 resignation.

But things have eased on the inexperienced tactician, especially as one of his potential replacements - Fabio Capello - is now the England boss.

"I'm happy for him," he said of his former Milan Coach. "To take charge of such an important national team shows the quality of Coaches brought up through the Italian scene."

Turning to team selections for Euro 2008, Donadoni admitted that he is keeping an eye on Sampdoria fantasista Antonio Cassano.

"I can mention a few names along with his," continued Don. "If players demonstrate that they deserve to be in the national side then I will be happy to evaluate their candidacy.

"It all depends on the results they obtain, the equilibrium shown and the consistency they have this season."

Week 17 - 23/12/07(14.00 UK time)

Fiorentina 5-1 Cagliari
Genoa 1-0 Parma
Inter 2-1 Milan
Juventus 2-0 Siena
Livorno 1-1 Atalanta
Napoli 1-1 Torino
Palermo 2-2 Lazio
Reggina 3-1 Catania
Roma 2-0 Samp (Sat 19.30)
Udinese 2-2 Empoli

Transfers: January moves

ATALANTA
In:
Out: Zampagna (A, Vicenza)

CAGLIARI
In: Storari (G, Levante), Jeda (A, Rimini)
Out:

CATANIA
In:
Out: Minelli (D, Triestina)

EMPOLI
In:
Out:

FIORENTINA
In: Cacia (A, Piacenza)
Out:

GENOA
In: Criscito (D, Juventus), Masiero (A, Central Espanol)
Out:

INTER
In:
Out: Adriano (A, Sao Paulo)

JUVENTUS
In:
Out: Criscito (D, Genoa)

LAZIO
In:
Out:

LIVORNO
In: Sidny (D, Nautico)
Out:

MILAN
In: Pato (A, Internacional)
Out:

NAPOLI
In:
Out:

PALERMO
In:
Out:

PARMA
In:
Out: Cardone (D, Cesena), Paponi (A, Cesena)

REGGINA
In: Cirillo (D, Levante), Stuani (A, Danubio)
Out:

ROMA
In:
Out:

SAMPDORIA
In:
Out: Foti (A, Messina)

SIENA
In: Porta (A, River Plate Montevideo)
Out: Bucchi (A, Bologna)

TORINO
In:
Out:

UDINESE
In:
Out: Sivok (M, Sparta Prague)

January 13, 2008
AC Milan 5-2 Napoli
Cagliari 0-1 Udinese
Siena 2-3 Inter Milan
Parma 1-2 Fiorentina
Torino 1-2 Livorno
Lazio 1-2 Genoa
Atalanta 1-2 Roma
Sampdoria 3-0 Palermo

January 12, 2008
Catania Calcio 1-1 Juventus
Empoli 1-1 Reggina

Azzurri's WC 2010 fixtures set
Tuesday 15 January, 2008

Italy have received their schedule for their World Cup 2010 qualification campaign and it kicks off with a trip to Cyprus.

The world champions begin the qualification process in Nicosia on September 6 and then host Georgia.

The toughest away games on paper against Bulgaria and the Republic of Ireland take place on October 11, 2008 and October 10, 2009 in a campaign that spans 13 months.

Roberto Donadoni's men will have to negotiate games against Cyprus, Georgia, Bulgaria and Montenegro this year, but don't face the Republic of Ireland until 2009

Italy's World Cup 2010 qualification fixtures in full:

September 6, 2008 - Cyprus (A)
September 10, 2008 - Georgia (H)
October 11, 2008 - Bulgaria (A)
October 15, 2008 - Montenegro (H)
March 28, 2009 - Montenegro (A)
April 1, 2009 - Republic of Ireland (H)
September 5, 2009 - Georgia (A)
September 9, 2009 - Bulgaria (H)
October 10, 2009 - Republic of Ireland (A)
October 14, 2009 - Cyprus (H)

Donadoni respects WC opponents
Tuesday 15 January, 2008

The Azzurri have their fixtures for World Cup 2010 qualifying and Coach Roberto Donadoni isn't taking anything for granted.

The World Cup holders are in a Group with Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Montenegro, Cyprus and Georgia.

Qualification should be easily within Italy's grasp, but Donadoni is aware of the potential pitfalls.

"It won't be an easy group," he insisted. "Besides Bulgaria, we mustn't underestimate Ireland and especially Montenegro, who have some top players who are plying their trade in top European Leagues.

"Our proposal to play the games in pairs with gaps between each set of two was agreed and now we have a balanced schedule that you cannot fail to be happy with."

FIGC President Giancarlo Abete was also delighted with the fixtures and the ease with which an agreement was found between the sides.

"We are particularly happy with the welcome and the respect that everyone has shown us," he beamed.

"Our fixture proposals were accepted and that is great considering that we can't use June 2009 because we will be in the Confederation Cup that FIFA have organised for a year before the World Cup."

Italy kick off their World Cup 2010 qualification campaign away to Cyprus on September 6.

Ballack backing Italy
Tuesday 22 January, 2008

Italy will be favourites to win the 2008 European Championship, says Chelsea and Germany ace Michael Ballack.

"Italy will obviously be favourites as they are the world champions," stated the former Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich star.

"Then you must also have to consider teams like France, Spain and even Portugal when talking about possible winners."

Germany qualified comfortably for the Finals after reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2006, but the midfielder is remaining cautious about his side's chances.

"We are still not at the level of the other nations, so we can't be considered as one of the favourites," he concluded.

Germany have been drawn in Group B of the competition along with Austria, Croatia and Poland.

Roberto Donadoni's Italy will take on Romania, France and Holland in what has been widely dubbed as the Group of Death.

Euro 2008 kicks off on June 7 with co-hosts Switzerland taking on the Czech Republic. The Final takes place on June 29 in Vienna.

Amauri exit already agreed

Palermo striker Amauri will leave the Sicilian club at the end of the season, his agent has confirmed.

The Brazilian-born player is known to be on the transfer wish list of some of Europe's biggest sides and a summer move is now inevitable.

"We already reached an agreement with Palermo in August that Amauri would be transferred to one of the big clubs in July of this year," Vittorio Grimaldi told TV station Sport Italia this evening.

More...

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holy cow let the bid war begin.