Baggio speaks about calcio

Since retiring from the calcio world, Roberto Baggio has dedicated himself to his family and has stepped out of the limelight, preferring to live the normal life. Every now and again he’ll give the odd interview, and when he does it’s always interesting to see what the most skillful player Italy has produced in the last 25 years has to say about the current state of the calcio world. Baggio was interviewed by “La Nuova Sardegna” on various topics and gave his thoughts.

On Jose Mourinho: “I find it funny when he argues with journalists, first he draws them in by agreeing with their thoughts, then he gives his thoughts and silences them all. He obtained extraordinary results in Portugal and England and they speak for themselves.”

On Alessandro Del Piero, his ex-teammate and considered a “rival” on the Nazionale: “Ale is a phenomenon. When you journalists thought and wrote that he was finished, he proved you wrong with tons of goals, beautiful ballistic efforts, and a very serious and professional behavior. Ale is phenomenal on the pitch and off of it, and is demanding first and foremost of himself. An exemplary captain for the youngsters, a guide for the newcomers, a trusted colleague for the veteran bianconeri like Nedved, Camoranesi and Buffon. I’ll say that he’s the mark of quality in this Juventus, and in my opinion he can make them fight until the end in the Campionato and Champions League.”

Then he had some quick words on Lazio: “Pandev and Zarate, che fenomeni (what phenomenons)”

on Cagliari striker Roberto Acquafresca: “I like him because he has strength, intuition, the essentials of the game and sees the goal like very few do.”

on Udinese and Napoli: “I won’t exclude an exploit from the Friuli side, I’m sympathetic towards Reja’s squad“.

and finally on Roma: “Roma, beautiful and fun to watch up until a few months ago, is like a withered old woman who needs plastic surgery to bring back it’s beauty and glamor.”

And for all those people reading this that are now becoming nostalgic and missing the beautiful play of Roberto Baggio on the pitches of Serie A, don’t worry I found a cure. Watch the following video:

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Serie A Weekend Round-up: Giornata 11

Can anyone tell me what type of performance enhancing drug Alessandro Del Piero is taking right now? (Juventus fans don’t jump on my back, that was my attempt at humor). Another inch perfect free kick, and on his 34th birthday to boot. Serie A results after “il salto” (the jump).

Bologna-Roma 1-1
Scorers: 68´ Totti (Rom); 92´ aut. Cicinho (Rom)
Report. Player Ratings. Highlights.

Catania-Cagliari 2-1
Scorers:6´ Jeda (Cag); 37´ Mascara (Cat); 87´ Sabato (Cat)
Report. Player Ratings. Highlights.

Chievo-Juventus 0-2
Scorers:40´ Del Piero (Juv); 53´ Iaquinta (Juv)
Report. Player Ratings. Highlights.

Fiorentina-Atalanta 2-1
Scorers: 20´ Melo (Fio); 23´ Gilardino (Fio); 77´ rig. Floccari (Ata)
Report. Player Ratings. Highlights.

Genoa-Reggina 4-0
Scorers: 53´ rig. Milito (Gen); 74´ Milito (Gen); 81´ Sculli (Gen);
90´ Milito (Gen)
Report. Player Ratings. Highlights.

Inter-Udinese 1-0
Scorers: 90´ Cruz (Int)
Report. Player Ratings. Highlights.

Lazio-Siena 3-0
Scorers: 58´ Zarate (Laz); 86´ Rocchi (Laz); 90´ Rocchi (Laz)
Report. Player Ratings. Highlights.

Lecce-Milan 1-1
Scorers: 80´ Ronaldinho (Mil); 93´ Esposito (Lec)
Report. Player Ratings. Highlights.

Napoli-Sampdoria 2-0
Scorers: 23´ Mannini (Nap); 75´ Zalayeta (Nap)
Report. Player Ratings. Highlights.

Torino-Palermo 1-0
Scorers: 89´ Saumel (Tor)
Report. Player Ratings. Highlights.

SERIE A STANDINGS

Inter 24; Milan 23; Napoli 23; Lazio 22; Udinese 21; Juventus 21; Genoa 20; Fiorentina 20; Catania 18; Palermo 16; Atalanta 14; Lecce 12; Siena 12; Torino 11; Cagliari 10; Sampdoria 10; Roma 8; Bologna 7; Chievo 6; Reggina 5

NEXT MATCHES

Atalanta-Napoli; Cagliari-Fiorentina; Catania-Torino; Juventus-Genoa; Milan-Chievo; Palermo-Inter; Roma-Lazio; Sampdoria-Lecce; Siena-Bologna; Udinese-Reggina

Francesco’s Serie A Goal of the Week

I think this week it’s a tie between Del Piero’s free kick vs. Chievo and Mauro Zarate’s free kick vs. Siena. Both free kicks were awesome ballistic efforts and beautiful to watch.

Del Piero

Zarate

SERIE B

AlbinoLeffe-Mantova 1-2
Marcatori: 37´ Carobbio (Alb); 79´ Corona (Man); 84´ Godeas (Man)

Ancona-Avellino 0-1
Marcatori: 83´ Pellicori (Ave)

Brescia-Piacenza 0-1
Marcatori: 78´ Moscardelli (Pia)

Frosinone-Empoli 0-1
Marcatori: 78´ Lodi (Emp)

Grosseto-Modena 2-1
Marcatori: 42´ De Oliveira (Mod); 47´ Sansovini (Gro); 77´ Abruzzese (Gro)

Parma-Bari 1-1
Marcatori: 9´ Pisanu (Par); 34´ rig. Barreto (Bar)

Pisa-Ascoli 1-1
Marcatori: 53´ Soncin (Asc); 91´ Viviani (Pis)

Rimini-Triestina 0-2
Marcatori: 8´ Della Rocca (Tri); 24´ Testini (Tri)

Sassuolo-Cittadella 3-1
Marcatori: 30´ Poli (Sas); 56´ Pagani (Sas); 83´ rig. Salvetti (Sas);
92´ Manucci (Cit)

Treviso-Salernitana 2-2
Marcatori: 3´ Di Napoli (Sal); 11´ Piovaccari (Tre); 35´ Ciarcia` (Sal);
73´ Missiroli (Tre)

Vicenza-Livorno 0-1
Marcatori: 79´ Diamanti (Liv)

SERIE B STANDINGS

Grosseto 24; Empoli 24; Sassuolo 23; Livorno 22; Bari 21; Vicenza 20; Triestina 20; Parma 19; Mantova 19; Brescia 19; Salernitana 19; AlbinoLeffe 18; Pisa 17; Ancona 16; Piacenza 16; Frosinone 16; Avellino 12; Rimini 12; Ascoli 11; Cittadella 11; Treviso 8; Modena 7

NEXT MATCHES

Ascoli-Parma; Avellino-Brescia; Bari-Ancona; Cittadella-AlbinoLeffe; Empoli-Grosseto; Livorno-Treviso; Mantova-Pisa; Modena-Frosinone; Piacenza-Sassuolo; Salernitana-Rimini; Triestina-Vicenza

COPPA ITALIA

Just a reminder, there will be 3 Coppa Italia games this week: Sampdoria-Empoli, Udinese-Reggina, and the derby between Napoli and Salernitana. GOLTV will show Udinese-Reggina and Napoli-Salernitana live.

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Video of the Week: Lavezzi vs. Cassano- Spectacle at the San Paolo

If you find yourself watching the Serie A game of your choice this Sunday and start yawning (not due to tiredness but due to the boredom of the game), try and find a way to switch over to Napoli-Sampdoria. With Ezequiel Lavezzi leading the Partenopei and Antonio Cassano leading the Blucerchiati, there should be fireworks. Lavezzi and Cassano are two of the most fanciful players in Serie A, the players that make a ticket worth buying. They are both players that can change the game at any moment and make the crowd go wild. It should be good to watch. 20 years ago in Napoli-Sampdoria you would witness the great Argentine-Italian duel of Diego Maradona vs. Roberto Mancini, and now 20 years later both fans can enjoy another great Argentine-Italian duel: Ezequiel Lavezzi vs. Antonio Cassano. After the jump we’ll enjoy some videos:

I actually found a Lavezzi v. Cassano video on youtube, but it’s not that great:

here are just two compilation videos of both players:

Ezequiel Lavezzi

Antonio Cassano

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Champions League: Two Italian teams happy, one sad, and one with a manager who has no feeling

Not bad for Italian teams in the Champions League this week: 2 wins, 2 draws. Roma and Juventus have to be ecstatic after their victories, while Fiorentina after their draw with Bayern at home can’t say the same. Inter drew away to Anorthosis, but are still top of the group so they can’t really complain but they can’t be very happy either. Quick summaries after the jump.

Fiorentina-Bayern Munich 1-1
Goalscorers: 11´ Mutu (Fio); 78´ Borowski (Bay)

Standings
Bayern Munich 8; Lyon 8; Fiorentina 3; Steaua Bucharest 1

Next round
Bayern Munich-Steaua Bucharest; Fiorentina-Lyon

Fiorentina went ahead at the Stadio Franchi through Adrian Mutu but Bayern drew level late on through Tim Borowski. Fiorentina are now third place and haven’t won yet. They still have a chance to qualify, but must beat Lyon at all costs next round at the Franchi, then beat Steaua at all costs in Romania and hope Lyon lose to Bayern on the last. They have to win and hope things go their way but it looks like more realistically they will fight it out for the UEFA Cup spot.
For more on Fiorentina, read theFiorentina Offside.

Real Madrid-Juventus 0-2
Goalscorers: 17´ Del Piero (Juv); 67´ Del Piero (Juv)

Standings
Juventus 10; Real Madrid 6; Zenit St. Petersburg 4; Bate Borisov 2

Next Round
Bate Borisov-Real Madrid; Zenit St. Petersburg-Juventus

Juventus stunned Real at home tonight with two goals from Alex Del Piero. Del Piero has been awesome so far in the Champions League, and scored two more beauties tonight to lift the Bianconeri past the Merengues. The first was a nice angled drive with his left foot, the second a trademark free kick. Juve are now top of the group with 10 points and can finish the group with ease.
For more on Juventus, read the Juventus Offside.

Roma-Chelsea 3-1
Goalscorers: 34´ Panucci (Rom); 48´ Vucinic (Rom); 58´ Vucinic (Rom);
75´ Terry (Che)

Standings
Chelsea 7; Roma 6; Bordeaux 6; CFR Cluj 4

Next Round
Bordeaux-Chelsea; CFR Cluj -Roma

Roma got a big boost by defeating Chelsea at the Olimpico 3-1. Christian Panucci scored in the 34th minute to put the Giallorossi ahead. After the half it was the Vucinic show. First the Montenegrin striker laser beamed one home from 20 yards out, then he won the ball in his own half and sped down the pitch, beating John Obi Mikel and finishing past Petr Cech. John Terry pulled one back but it should’ve been disallowed. Roma can’t afford to lose anymore and have to beat Cluj and Bordeaux and can’t simply rely on Bordeaux slipping up.
For more on Roma, read the Roma Offside.

Anorthosis-Inter 3-3
Goalscorers: 13´ Balotelli (Int); 31´ Bardon (Ano); 44´ Materazzi (Int);
45´ Panagi (Ano); 50´ Frousos (Ano); 80´ Cruz (Int)

Standings
Inter 10; Anorthosis 5; Panathinaikos 4; Werder Brema 2

Next Round
Anorthosis-Werder Brema; Inter-Panathinaikos

Inter had defensive problems vs Anorthosis and let the Cypriots gain a draw. Mario Balotelli scored to put the Nerazzurri ahead (his first Champions League goal) after a bullet of a free kick from Zlatan Ibrahimovic was parried into the U21 starlet’s path. Anorthosis drew level but then Marco Materazzi headed home from a Balotelli corner kick. Anorthosis scored 2 to bring the game to 3-2, but with 10 minutes to go Julio Cruz headed home a Balotelli free kick and Inter took home the point. Inter remain top of the group with 10 points and should qualify with ease.
For more on Inter, read the Inter Offside.

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Daily Calcio News and Notes - 11/4/08

Here’s what I found interesting after reading various calcio news sites today:

-First, we have another managerial change in Serie A. Chievo haven’t won since the first week of the season and manager Beppe Iachini has been sacked. Taking his place will be Domenico Di Carlo, who was in charge of Parma until March of last season. Di Carlo will try to turn the Flying Donkey’s season around.

-Don’t worry Napoli fans, Ezequiel Lavezzi’s agent has stated that Lavezzi is extremely happy at Napoli and won’t be going anywhere else anytime soon, despite the interest from big clubs. He does mention talks about maybe getting him a new contract, but he also states that Lavezzi can play even better than he is playing now. And that is very scary for opposing Serie A defenses.

-Is Carlo Mazzone going to be Roma boss again? Absolutely not. Who says? Mazzone himself. Mazzone said he has never been contacted by Rosella Sensi in recent weeks to possibly take over from Luciano Spalletti, but he is very connected to his native city and beloved giallorossi and hopes they get out of their crisis soon.

-Ex-Lazio and Inter defender Sinisa Mihajlovic is the new boss at Bologna and some fans are a little doubtful about his chances because of his largely empty resume. The Serbian has only worked as an assistant to Roberto Mancini at Inter but he said “I’m not worried about not having experience, did Fabio Capello have any experience when he started coaching?” If he becomes the next Fabio Capello I think Bologna fans will be fairly happy.

-Speaking of Bologna, they may get two reinforcements from Inter (thanks to Mihajlovic’s connections) in January. Inter are set to hand the Rossoblu’ midfielder Olivier Dacourt, and one of Hernan Crespo or Julio Cruz. It will be difficult for Crespo to join because of his high salary, but Julio Cruz is a good option and it would be a return for the Argentine striker, who made his name at Bologna when arriving in Italy.

-Ignored by Carlos Dunga yet again, Amauri has stated which national team he is playing for. The answer? Juventus. The Brazilian striker said at the moment Juventus is his national team and will continue to work hard and score goals.

-Alessandro Nesta keeps getting hit with the injury bug. When it looked like in recent weeks that he was on the road to full recovery, it seems his recurring shoulder problem has hit him yet again. This time Nesta will go to Miami (where he owns a house) and undergo rehab in a clinic there, the same clinic he used in 2006. It looks like we won’t see him on the pitch until January, which is a shame for such a world class defender.

-Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini, always known for his outspokenness, has stated that Roma will not be able to get 4th place. Why? Because there are too many good teams fighting for the spot already. Zamparini says he sees Inter first, Milan and Juve second and third, and Palermo, Fiorentina, Napoli, Lazio, Udinese, and maybe Genoa fighting for the last Champions League place. So no room for Roma according to Zampa…

-Lorenzo De Silvestri, who last season was one of the best young talents in Serie A, hasn’t found much space this season because of the signing of Swiss fullback Stephan Lichtsteiner, who has been one of the most consistent performers in Serie A this season. The 20 year old fullback and Italy U21 regular has only started one game so far, and may go on loan in January to gain valuable playing time. If De Silvestri is put on the market many teams will be interested in his services.

-And finally, Lippi has answered some questions about possible national team call-ups. First on Del Piero, he said Del Piero will stay home for a while since he already knows what kind of player he is and what he can contribute. He says he wants to see new faces at this moment. On Cassano, he was still very vague, just stating “He is like everyone else in Serie A, any player from the age of 18 to 40 can dream of the Nazionale.”

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