Newsie Bits for Tuesday

By: Martha | September 11th, 2007

•Despite reportedly being outplayed for stretches by Albania, the Azzurrini pulled out a 1-0 away win today on a goal from Robert Acquafresca to remain top of their Euro 2009 qualifying group. Though they didn’t play particularly well this week, the U-21s have taken all possible points from their first three matches, and coach Pierluigi Casiraghi can breathe easy for a while as everyone spends their time glaring in the general direction of Roberto Donadoni.

•Jonathan Zebina has been banned for four games for that little steward-slapping episode. Yeah, Jonathan, you’re a hardman. Just keep smacking guys wearing pink bibs, that’ll get you respect.

•According to the doctor who treated Ronaldo in Brazil (once the fools in Milan got done screwing him up) there was no maybe-blood-doping going on, not because it’s illegal in Italy, but simply because it was deemed unnecessary. In other news, Carlo Ancelotti is pissed about the ineptitude of his club’s training staff, and isn’t even bothering to hide it.

•Patrick Vieira, AKA Mr. Fairplay, is “disappointed” that Inter reps have told the press they’re concerned about the Frenchman’s health, particularly if he appears in France’s game against Scotland tomorrow. Having spent virtually the entire preseason rehabbing a hamstring injury, Vieira is probably even more fragile than usual right now, which is saying a lot. And, since Inter are paying him an obscene €5 million/season, it’s understandable they’d be a little grumpy about him risking injury again.

•Good news, kids! Andrea Pirlo and Gianluca Zambrotta have recovered from the knocks they picked up against France over the weekend and are expected to be fit for Ukraine tomorrow. Granted, Rino Gattuso is still suspended but, still, the presence of those two will certainly be reassuring. (Also, word on the street is that Cristiano Lucarelli will get the start alone up top tomorrow, apparently because he plays in Ukraine. Alrighty then.)

Category: AC Milan, Azzurri, Inter Milan, Juventus, Rumors & News, Serie A

Tags: AC Milan, Azzurri, Inter Milan, Juventus, Rumors -amp; News, Serie A

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• chris |  September 11th, 2007 at 2:07 pm

  
  
  

  Props for not mentioning Acquafresca is half-owned by Inter, homer.

  And how was redirecting proteins ever considered doping? I’ve got WADA on lock and that just sounds ridiculous. Of course they do ban Robitussin….

  Posted from United States

  

• mele419 |  September 11th, 2007 at 2:29 pm

  
  
  

  well, in other news about the match against Ukraine, here’s the squad!
  Italy Squad: Goalkeepers: Christian Abbiati (Club Atlético de Madrid), Marco Amelia (AS Livorno Calcio), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)

  Defenders: Andrea Barzagli (US Città di Palermo), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid CF), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Alessandro Gamberini (ACF Fiorentina), Fabio Grosso (Olympique Lyonnais), Massimo Oddo (AC Milan), Christian Panucci (AS Roma), Gianluca Zambrotta (FC Barcelona)

  Midfielders: Massimo Ambrosini (AC Milan), Alberto Aquilani (AS Roma), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Pasquale Foggia (Cagliari Calcio), Simone Perrotta (AS Roma), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)

  Forwards: Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese Calcio), Filippo Inzaghi (AC Milan), Cristiano Lucarelli (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese Calcio), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus)

  Posted from United States

  

• Martha |  September 11th, 2007 at 2:41 pm

  
  
  

  Thank you for noticing, Chris. That was my moment of self-control for the week.

  And thanks for the list, Mele.

  Posted from United States

  

• chris |  September 11th, 2007 at 4:42 pm

  
  
  

  Didn’t Abbiati pull out?

  Posted from United States

  

• chris |  September 11th, 2007 at 4:46 pm

  
  
  

  And I forgot to mention: with 7 posts in 2 days on fat Brazilian strikers, porn, illegal yet still legal scandals, an article about the Azzurri with a picture of the only Italian at Inter who still DIDN’T PLAY IN THE GAME, Bobo, and a Juve player slapping someone in pink (classy guys that they are), it’s quite obvious you’re in mid-season form despite some significant time away.

  Nice to have you back.

  Posted from United States

  

• Francesco |  September 11th, 2007 at 6:25 pm

  
  
  

  After watching the U21 game today, I have to note that Sebastian Giovinco is a genius. He’s a magician on the ball. Definitely the Italian Messi. Without him the U21 squad would never score goals.

  Posted from United States

  

• Martha |  September 12th, 2007 at 4:53 am

  
  
  

  Thanks, Chris. And I pledge to continue to use pictures of Inter players whenever there is the slightest excuse.

  Francesco, Italian Messi is awfully high praise — I’m trying to track down the game online somewhere.

  Posted from United States

  

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