Daily Calcio News and Notes: 5/22/08

Let’s start the news round-up with some news from yesterday.

-The Italian Olympic Team (the U21’s with a few overage players) is currently participating in the Toulon Tournament. They won their first game yesterday, defeating the Ivory Coast 2-0. Italy were unimpressive in the first half, and Empoli keeper Davide Bassi saved a penalty. In the second half the Azzurrini improved, and Sebastian Giovinco scored off of a Graziano Pelle’ assist to put them ahead. Giovinco closed the game, scoring on a low free kick that skipped past the Ivorian keeper. Their next game is tomorrow vs. Turkey (2:30 PM EST, televised on FSC, press the mute button though, the announcers are terrible, they called Giovinco “Giovinky”).

-After weeks of uncertainty and constant rumors that he would leave, Sampdoria coach Walter Mazzarri has extended his contract with the Blucerchiati until 2010. Apparently he has asked Sampdoria to sign Reggina striker Nicola Amoruso. Sampdoria’s next objective is to permanently sign Antonio Cassano.

-Udinese midfielder and former U21 starlet Gaetano D’Agostino is a wanted man. The Roma youth product was converted into a Pirlo-style playmaker this season by Udinese boss Pasquale Marino and was one of the many reasons for Udinese’s success this season. Two clubs now want the Sicilian midfielder. One is German club Wolfsburg, who have already signed another Italian (Cristian Zaccardo), and the other is Torino, who are looking for a playmaker to conduct their midfield after a disappointing year from Eugenio Corini.

-Quick question to Gianluca Zambrotta: Are you going to be a Milan player next season? Answer: I don’t know, my agent hasn’t told me anything yet.

-Fabio Quagliarellahas fired his agent and is now looking to hire famed agent Alessandro Moggi. The reason? Supposedly Quaglia wants to go to Juventus, and hiring Moggi would make that a lot easier. Supposedly Juventus already made a bid a few months ago, offering cash + left back Paolo De Ceglie for the striker. However it also seems Napoli wants to bring Quagliarella home this summer.

-Juventus youth product Abdoulay Konko impressed many this season with his performances. He showed lots of promise and it was rumored all year that Inter would buy the French midfielder at the end of the season. However it seems Sevilla are interested in Konko’s services. In exchange for Konko, they have offered Genoa Italian midfielder Enzo Maresca in exchange. Maresca hasn’t been consistent since arriving in Spain, and may be looking for a move back to the peninsula.

-Juventus want Liverpool’s Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso to direct their midfield next season. Alonso seems to be on the way out at Liverpool, especially since they are looking to buy Gareth Barry. Juventus are interested and have been told by the Reds that Alonso will cost 20 million euro.

-Napoli will partake in the Intertoto Cup this summer to try and qualify for the UEFA Cup next season, and now 3 players out on loan are interested in coming back and helping out. Christian Bucchi (sent on loan to Bologna), Roberto De Zerbi (sent on loan to Brescia), and Ignacio Pia (sent on loan to Catania), all said they are willing to go through pre-season training camp with the Partenopei and hope to be part of Napoli’s squad next season. Hmm I wonder if this has something to do with Napoli’s possibility of European action next season…

-Goalkeeper Marco Amelia has expressed his desire to leave Livorno this summer after the Labronici were relegated to Serie B. Amelia has fetched interest from abroad and from Italy and it seems that Palermo is now in pole position to grab the Roman goalkeeper. Palermo are looking for a new goalkeeper because Alberto Fontana is probably playing his last season as a professional and Federico Agliardi is too mistake prone.

-Gigi Cagni, who tried his best to save Empoli from the drop but failed, has stated that he wishes to coach a Serie A team next season. However he has a backup plan just in case nobody wants him. He said he is also willing to coach in Serie B, but only a big team that has a chance at promotion.

-Speaking of Empoli, 23 year old right back Andrea Raggi will most probably leave this summer. Raggi has been impressive the last two seasons and has been linked with a move to numerous clubs. It seems that Fiorentina and Palermo are the two teams that are most likely to grab the former U21 right back.

-SuperPippo Inzaghi is still dreaming of wearing the Italy jersey this summer. It won’t be with the national team at Euro 2008, but with Casiraghi’s Olympic team in Beijing this summer. The article says that Casiraghi was ready to take a gamble on Antonio Cassano as one of the 3 overage players to bring, but since he has been called up for Euro 2008 he may decide to use one of the spots on Inzaghi, who has stated his desire to try and win gold in Beijing this summer. However it may be hard to convince Milan to let go of Inzaghi, as they have stated on numerous occasions that they will not let Kaka’ go play for Brazil. Other overage players Casiraghi is considering are goalkeeper Francesco Toldo, defender Giorgio Chiellini, fantasista Alessandro Rosina, and strikers Raffaele Palladino and Giampaolo Pazzini.

-Fiorentina midfielder Fabio Liverani will make a decision on his future in the next 48 hours. The Roman midfielder has three choices: sign a new contract with Fiorentina, accept Palermo’s offer of a 3 year deal at 850,000 euro a season, or accept an offer from Napoli.

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Category: Azzurri, Rumors & News, Serie A