Uncertain Futures: Two Fratelli, a Team, a Goalie, and a Striker

Today’s news roundup features one thing in common: the future is hazy for nearly everyone.

A Tale of Two Fratelli

Daniele De Rossi and Alberto Aquilani were once the crown jewels of Roma’s youth academy, two midfielders who complimented each other perfectly. Now, both face uncertain futures. De Rossi faces a lengthy ban (3-4 games) in Europe after his elbow on Darijo Srna last night in Roma’s 3-0 away loss to Shakhtar. Unseen by the ref, who instead booked the Ukranian player, FIFA will likely use video evidence to give Daniele a sentence. His place in the national team may be up in the air, as well. Cesare Prandelli wants his men to show proper conduct and may drop De Rossi as punishment for his poor behavior.

Aquilani’s future is similarly hazy. The maestro started the season off tremendously at loan to Juventus but has tailed off since. His form lately has been rather mixed, and injuries have taken their toll on the glass man as well. Football-Italia suggests that his place on the national side may have been lost to Thiago Motta, which would be rather odd as they are not similar midfielders in the least: Aquilani is a roving creative machine jut now working on his defensive duties, whereas Motta is much more of a rough tackling box-to-box midfielder. Furthermore, his Juve future is equally uncertain, as Beppe Marotta seems to believe that both his price tag and wages are too high.

Champions’ League Action

AC Milan travel to Tottenham today, looking to overturn a 1-0 home loss. Probable formations:

TOTTENHAM ((4-4-1-1): Gomes, Hutton, Dawson, Gallas, Essou Ekotto; Lennon; Jenas; Modric, Bale; Van der Vaart; Crouch. A disp.: Cudicini, Bassong, Kranikar, Palacios, Pienaar, Defoe. All.Redknapp
Squalificati: nessuno
Indisponibili: King, Huddlestone, Kabul, Woodgate

MILAN (4-3-1-2): Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Jankulovski; Flamini, Seedorf, Merkel; Boateng; Pato, Ibrahimovic. A disp.: Amelia, Antonini, Zambrotta, Oddo, Yepes, Strasser. All. Allegri
Squalificati: Gattuso
Indisponibili: Inzaghi, Ambrosini, Pirlo

Milan face a rather fully-featured Spurs side, with the likes of Modric, Bale, and Van der Vaart all likely to start. Merkel is likely to make a start as well, and Milan should be lifted by Boateng’s quick return to the side.

Salvatore Sirigu and Palermo

Sirigu, Palermo’s starting goalie and Buffon’s deputy for a while on the azzurri when he was out injured, looks likely to leave Palermo this summer. He’s one of the poorer paid players at the cub, netting just 240 thousand Euros per season. He has refused marginal increases in his pay, looking for a much higher salary. It seems that Roma could swoop for him in a much-needed squad overhaul this summer.

Zarate is a Striker Dammit

Mauro Zarate’s brother and agent has hit out at the role the striker has been playing for Lazio. He believes that Zarate is currently playing more as a terzino and less as a striker, claiming that he’s closer “To Muslera’s door” than the opposition’s net. However he did say that they aim to respect their three year contract with Lazio- unless a team comes with an offer.

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Category: Serie A