Forza: The Italian Serie A Weekly Wrap, Preseason Week 1
We are now just weeks away from the beginning of the 2011/2012 installment of the Serie A. Italian football may not prove to be the most exciting on the pitch at times, however off the pitch you can be almost guaranteed that something humorous or slightly out of the ordinary is happening off the field.
Whether it be Luciano Moggi criticizing Juventus' directors, Moratii going head to head with Galliani or Napoli unveiling "animals" at their press conferences, I will have it covered.
The weekly segment of Forza will touch base on everything Serie A and everything on the Italian International front. Weekly segments will include:
Summary of the week in Italy (Italian International match report if there is no Serie A)
Team of the Week (Once the Serie A kicks off)
Transfer rumours and signings and other news
What did they say? (quotes and comments from the Serie A)
Serie A video of the week
Great Serie A Goals from the past
Italy 2 Defeat Spain 1 and AC Milan Lift the Coppa Italiana
1 of 6ITALY VS SPAIN
Giuseppe Rossi had talked up Italy's chances of defeating Spain in the International Friendly. Cesare Prandelli named a squad which contained only a handful of the players who had won the World Cup with Italy 2006.
Leading the front line was Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi, both preferred to Mario Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini.
From the onset Italy came out firing. It only took until the 11th minute when a through ball from Domenico Criscito put through Fiorentina man Riccardo Montolivio.The attacking midfielder calmly chipped the ball up and over an oncoming Iker Casillas to give Italy a 1-0 lead early on. Italy was up and looking much better than their opposing outfit.
However their joy was short-lived, as Italy gave Spain the chance to score from the penalty spot. Giorgio Chiellini was ruled to have had brought down Fernando Llorente after they both contested a ball played in by Carzola. Xabi Alonso made no mistake from the spot slotting home the equalizer.
The second half saw the introduction of Barcelona break through Thiago.The substitution proved to be the debut for the impressive youngster. His flair taunted the Italian defence as he attempted to pounce on every opportunity. However, the Italians held out and to their credit eventually tamed Alcantara's play.
Balotelli had come on for the final part of the game and almost made it count as he blasted just over the bar late on. The teams continued to exchange attacks with Buffon saving Italy from a Silva shot which looked to be going in. With things heading towards a draw, Italy upped the anti.
Minutes remained as Italy played around with the ball on the edge of the penalty area, until Aquilani took a touch and fired a ball at the Spanish goal. The ball took a deflection on the way to Casillas and within seconds the ball was in the back of the net and the World Champions were on the brink of defeat.
Italy held out to record a great victory over the World Champions. Call it a friendly if you like, but great signs for the Azzurri.
Team of the Italy vs. Spain Friendly
2 of 6It was, for the most part, an equally contested match at the San Nicola between Spain and Italy. Seeing as though the Serie A will not kick off for another few weeks I will compile a team of the game between Italy vs. Spain. The formation I selected to use to compensate for the players chosen is a 4-2-2-2.
It proved to be the less experienced internationals who shone on the night. A number of big guns didn't fire—perhaps focused more on not getting injured for the upcoming season. Regardless, many players stepped up to the plate. Special mention to Alcantara who played exceptionally well in his debut for the national side. Domenico Criscito was spectacular at the back, even grabbing an assist on Montolivio's goal.
Montolivio was dangerous throughout the duration of the match, with his well-deserved opener setting the stage. Aquilani justified that he deserves to start at whatever club he plays at this year with his solid midfield display. Finally, one could only predict how Italy would've faired in 2010 if Cassano had made an appearance, yet another great performance from the Milan striker,
So here is my team of the match:
————————Buffon————————
Criscito——Pique—Ranocchia——Maggio
————Pirlo————Aquilani—————
——Montolivio——————Alcantara——
———Cassano—————Mata————
Sneijder and Eto'o Leaving the Serie A, Juventus Challenge for the 2006 Scudetto
3 of 6Wesley Sneijder has fueled a possible move away from Inter Milan after stating that he is "for sale if the right offer comes in." The statement made by the Dutch superstar followed Inter's narrow loss to AC Milan in the Coppa Italiana where he scored a brilliant free kick.
According to Goal.com, Sneijder said that Inter was willing to sell him if the price is right because the club needs money. Just how much money do they need? Well earlier in the transfer window it was reported, also by Goal.com, that Sneijder would be allowed to move with a bid in excess of €40 million.
Meanwhile fellow Inter Milan star Samuel Eto'o is also set to leave the Serie A along with Snejder. Eto'o has been the subject of a move from Anzhi Makhachkala. The Russian side has been behind the signings of Roberto Carlos and Balasz Dzsudzsak. Money is certainly no obstacle for the club and according to Goal.com a move for Eto'o will be in the range of €35 million. But why would Eto'o choose to leave? €20million-per-season over the course of a four-year contract and you would convince any player.
After being relegated to the Serie B for apparent match-fixing, Juventus is now challenging for their revoked Scudetto in 2006. The Bianconeri were stripped of their 2005 and 2006 titles. Club chief John Elkann said that Juventus would go after the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Agnelli claims Juventus will fight every possible legal avenue to get the trophies that they rightly won in 2006. If such a decision comes into being, Juventus would have the right to sue for a large lump sum amount of money.
What Did They Say?
4 of 6Andrea Agnelli ignites the Calciopoli debate by claiming Juventus will challenge for their revoked Scudetto. He took a shot at Inter in the process:
Massimo Moratti in response to Juventus' claims to regain their 2006 revoked Scudetto:
Gianluigi Buffon believes that Cassano is the man to lead Italy to glory in Euro 2012:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims he wants to play out the rest of his career with AC Milan and then retire:
""I will hang up my boots once I've met all these objectives and my contract with Milan expires."
"
Mario Balotelli's agent talks up the chances of his player at Milan:
Fancy that, not one Moggi quotation. He must've taken Moratti's advice and gone on holiday.
Supercoppa Italiana: AC Milan vs. Inter Milan Highlights
5 of 6Check out the highlights from the Supercoppa Italiana.
In what was a great curtain raiser for the upcoming Serie A season, I will take a look at how I think the respective players from each side of Milan performed. All scores are out of 10, with a perfect 10 denoting the best individual performance I have ever seen in a football match.
AC MILAN
| Player | Rating | Goals + Cards | Minutes Played |
| Christian Abbiati | 6 | 0;0 | 90 minutes |
| Gianluca Zambrotta | 6 | 0;1 yellow | 90 minutes |
| Alessandro Nesta | 6 | 0;0 | 90 minutes |
| Thiago Silva | 6.5 | 0;0 | 90 minutes |
| Ignazio Abate | 6 | 0;0 | 90 minutes |
| Clarence Seedorf | 7 | 0;0 | 90 minutes |
| Mark van Bommel | 6 | 0;0 | 90 minutes |
| Gennaro Ivan Gattuso | 5 | 0;1 yellow | 75 minutes |
| Kevin-Prince Boateng | 7 | 1 goal;1 yellow | 82 minutes |
| Zlatan Ibrahimovic | 7.5 | 1 goal;0 | 90 minutes |
| Robinho | 5.5 | 0;0 | 62 minutes |
| Urby Emanuelson | >10min | 0;0 | 8 minutes |
| Massimo Ambrosini | >10min | 0;1 yellow | 15 minutes |
| Alexandre Pato | 7 | 0;0 | 28 minutes |
INTER MILAN
| Player | Rating | Goals + Cards | Minutes Played |
| Julio César | 6.5 | 0;0 | 90 minutes |
| Cristian Chivu | 5 | 0;0 | 90 minutes |
| Walter Adrian Samuel | 6 | 0;0 | 90 minutes |
| Andrea Ranocchia | 6 | 0;0 | 90 minutes |
| Ricardo Gabriel Álvarez | 7 | 0;0 | 63 minutes |
| Thiago Motta | 6 | 0;0 | 90 minutes |
| Obi | 7 | 0;0 | 82 minutes |
| Dejan Stankovic | 6 | 0;0 | 74 minutes |
| Javier Adelmar Zanetti | 5.5 | 0;0 | 90 minutes |
| Eto'o | 6 | 0;0 | 90 minutes |
| Wesley Sneijder | 7.5 | 1 goal;1 yellow | 90 minutes |
| Marco Faraoni | 6 | 0;0 | 27 minutes |
| Giampaolo Pazzini | 6 | 0;0 | 16 minutes |
| Luc Castaignos | >10mins | 0;0 | 8 minutes |
Serie a Great Goal of the Week: Del Piero Freekick vs. Inter
6 of 6The Serie A goal of the week comes from 2008 where Del Piero scored a stunning free kick to sink Inter Milan. Check back each week to see a different goal which proved to be instrumental in the Serie A.
