Odds and Ends Ahead of the Azzurri Match
By: Martha | August 22nd, 2007
•FIFA’s latest rankings came out today and the top five remain unchanged, with Italy third behind Brazil and Argentina and just ahead of fourth-place France and Germany, who remain fifth. The rest of the top ten are: Croatia (!), The Netherlands, Spain, the Czech Republic and Portugal.
•Kaka to Arsenal?!
•It’s about time for some more Adriano-to-Real rumors, don’t you think? Today’s come courtesy of Il Corriere dello Sport, which insists that Real have seen the light and want to bring in Adriano to backup Ruud van Nistelrooy, who still isn’t getting any younger. Of course, Adriano isn’t getting any less fat, either, but if they want to overlook that, who am I to judge?
•Rino Gattuso pulled up with a slight muscle problem and likely is out of today’s friendly (which will surely kill him, but is likely to make Carlo Ancelotti a very relieved man).
•Just in time to refute his own Real rumors, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has pledged his devotion to Inter, telling the press he thinks of no other clubs, and will shortly sign an extension. We’ll see if he’ll repeat all that at this time, next year.
•Apparently Cristian Riganò failed to turn up in Sevilla Valencia to sign his contract with Levante, so that saga is destined to drag out even longer.
•Palermo may have given up on their dream of signing Marco Amelia, but they (as well as Fiorentina) remain very interested in Lazio’s midfielder/defender Valon Behrami. The hope is that if Lazio fail to qualify for Champions League, they’ll be feeling a financial pinch and will be willing to sell the 22-year-old. Palermo have reportedly offered €10 million, while the Viola would spend less cash, but offer Manuel Pasqual as compensation.
•Slovakian fans serenaded an under-strength France side with chants of “Materazzi, Matterazi” as they watched their team beat them 1-0. Slovaks rule.
Category: 
Tags: AC Milan, Adriano, Amelia, Azzurri, Behrami, Fiorentina, Gattuso, Ibrahimovic, Inter Milan, Kaka, Lazio, Livorno, Materazzi, Palermo, Real Madrid, Rigano, Rumors -amp; News, Serie ASubscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
Don’t count Palermo out for Amelia… I think Zampa realizes how critical he could be for the club and may put up a little more, while I still think Spinelli is getting desperate. (and tired of waiting for man city)
Posted from
United States
-
As I’m watching today’s Azzurri match, I am very surprised to see that that the Hungarians love Weird Al Yankovic so much that asked him to coach their national team… up 3-1, it looks like a smart move indeed.
I can’t help but pretend that Gattuso is coaching Italy today, watching him sit on the bench wearing a polo shirt. He’s got his game face on, but he’s not screaming at all which is just weird.
Also weird: Cannavaro was schooled twice for 2 of the 3 goals… maybe that’s why Juve don’t want him back?
Posted from
United States -
Ouch. Just ouch.
Posted from
United States -
And the lad who did the schooling was Attila Filkor, an Inter youth player. That a nice silver lining, at least.
Posted from
United States -
Really, Martha? Another Inter non-Italian going against the Azzurri? Really?
You’re up for review.
Posted from
United States -
Oh, and like I’ve been saying for months and months now.
Fuckin fire Donandoni already.
Posted from
United States -
Right now all of Inter’s Italian hopes rest on that Ghanaian kid, which is precarious at best.
And you’re certainly not the only one — I wish I could have understood the post-game interview, because I’d imagine the kid gloves have been taken off and blown up at this point.
Posted from
United States -
I certainly hope Rigano didn’t turn up in Sevilla, as Levante is in Valencia. :)
Posted from
Australia -
Crap, Linda, thank you — fixing!
Posted from
United States
Comments are closed
Home 
