Odds and Ends to Prove that Life Goes On

By: Martha | November 12th, 2007

Sweet Adrian. [If you're looking for the latest on the tragic events in Italy yesterday and their repercussions, go here. Serie B and C matches are suspended this weekend; as of right now, Serie A will resume on schedule, on November 25.]

•Adrian Mutu, in addition getting a hole knocked in his head yesterday, has been diagnosed with a severe thigh strain and is expected to be out at least three weeks, missing two matches each for Romania (Bulgaria and Albania) and ~~Inter~~ Fiorentina (Reggina and AEK Athens). Three weeks ends just in time for the Viola’s huge match against Inter on December 2; fingers crossed he’ll be back for that one.

•As Bob mentioned earlier today, there are bizarre reports today that Liverpool’s American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have been secretly buying up Roma stock, possibly eying a takeover of the club. Mmmhmm. Good luck with that, fellas.

•English Sunday rag The News of the World claims to have spoken with Adriano, who told them a move to Manchester City would his first choice for a winter escape destination. The press in both England and Italy are pushing the story that the Brazilian could change places with Man City’s unhappy Italian, Rolando Bianchi, but this is the first time anyone’s even pretended to talk to Adriano about it. (Mr. Burns, needless to say, denies any such thing is in the works.)

•One win and six draws though 12 matches wasn’t enough to keep Siena boss Andrea Mandorlini his job: He’s been sacked and replaced with — wait for it — last year’s boss, Mario Beretta, who achieved a minor miracle by keeping the team up last year, but lost his job shortly after the season ended.

•Just a few weeks after making his return from a lengthy gambling ban, Torino’s David De Michele is set for another long spell on the sidelines, this time because of a knee injury he suffered in yesterday’s draw with Catania. He was rushed the hospital after the injury because of fears his leg had been broken, so I suppose the month out that’s being projected is a whole lot better than the alternative.

•Inter want Tomas Rosicky, so much that they just might splash out £10 million on him in January. No, really.