De Rossi warns Inter and praises Ranieri

February 3, 2010

Daniele De Rossi still believes Roma can mount a title challenge despite an eight-point gap with league leaders Internazionale.

Roma are back on track after a struggling start of the season and are unbeaten in seventeen games.

“It’s an incredible thing,” Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Many factors have tied in together: a maturation of character, serenity, results. It’s credit to the group.

“Other teams would have beaten someone up in the dressing room. Instead we always remained united. We are healthy. Sure, Inter are too, but the Champions League could bother them later on.

“The table says that, together with Milan, we are the anti-Inter. Let six or seven games pass and then we’ll see. Also because there is still a match to play against them at home.”

Asked to explain the difference Claudio Ranieri made since he took over from Luciano Spalletti De Rossi said: “He is an expert. He never gives up the charge.

“Claudio has given us the compactness that we needed. And it’s not true that he doesn’t love good football. Look at the games against Fiorentina and Genoa.”

Finally, De Rossi outlined his ambitions this season: “I would like to win the Europa League, but our objective now is to finish third and return to the Champions League without the preliminaries.

“It’s too important for us as a window and for the club on an economic level.”

Tags: ambitions, champions league, claudio, Claudio Ranieri, compactness, daniele de rossi, dello, dressing room, economic level, fiorentina, gazzetta dello sport, genoa, internazionale, la gazzetta dello sport, league leaders, luciano spalletti, midfielder, point gap, preliminaries, Rossi, serenity, seven games, title challenge

Roma look to pile pressure at the top

January 30, 2010

Roma are looking to pile further misery on strugglers Siena on Sunday in order to keep up the pressure on Serie A leaders Internazionale.

The Giallorossi expect to clinch their fifth win in six games against rock-bottom Siena and reduce their current 11-point deficit on Inter.

And with the prospect of climbing into second place above AC Milan, if the Rossoneri lose to Livorno, motivation will not be lacking for Claudio Ranieri’s men.

Ranieri and co have reason to be optimistic as his side followed their 2-1 win at Juventus with a 1-0 triumph over Catania in midweek to reach the Coppa Italia semi-finals.

“We can compete in all competitions if luck is on our side,” said Roma midfielder Simone Perrotta.

“We are humble and we have the determination to go all the way in all the competitions.

“We want to hand our fans great joy this campaign.

“Three months ago we were considered a group that couldn’t get the job done and now we are third in the standings and still alive in the Champions League and the Coppa Italia.

“We have to enjoy the moment.”

It is all the more pleasing for Roma considering they have had to cope without injured captain Francesco Totti since the start of the year.

However, the Giallorossi have shown no signs of slowing down, scoring six goals and giving away just one in their last three league games.

With Totti still out with a knee injury and striker Luca Toni also unavailable with a calf problem, Ranieri will rely on Mirko Vucinic and Julio Baptista to deliver in front of goal.

Tags: ac milan, captain Francesco Totti, catania, Claudio Ranieri, coppa italia, giallorossi, great joy, julio baptista, knee injury, league games, livorno, luca toni, midweek, Milan, Mirko Vucinic, point deficit, rock bottom, Roma, rossoneri, semi finals, Siena, Simone Perrotta, six games, Toni

Juve´s ´dead coach walking´ looks doomed

January 30, 2010

Ciro Ferrara’s troubled reign as Juventus coach could end this weekend, even before Sunday’s Serie A home clash against Lazio.

Ferrara’s position has looked increasingly untenable in recent weeks as his side have slipped to sixth in the standings after losing five of their last six league games.

They have also been knocked out of the Champions League and exited the Italian Cup.

Some commentators even used the term “dead coach walking” to describe his situation ahead of Thursday’s Italian Cup quarter-final at league leaders Inter Milan, which they lost 2-1.

The former Italy and Juventus defender, who was handed the job despite his lack of experience just before the end of last season when Claudio Ranieri was fired, has accepted his time in charge may be up.

“This experience will be useful for me in the future,” he told a press conference.

“Six months at Juve are worth 10 years elsewhere. When, and if, someone says something (about my position) I’ll accept it serenely. Even if the club bring in another coach, I’ll always be grateful to them.”

Former Italy Under 21 coach Claudio Gentile is the favourite to take over until the end of the season, when the Turin giants reportedly hope to lure Rafael Benitez from Liverpool.

Whoever is in charge on Sunday will have to cope without a long list of injured players, including forward David Trezeguet and Italy winger Mauro Camoranesi, while keeper Gianluigi Buffon and defender Fabio Grosso are suspended.

Lazio are also in the doldrums after last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Chievo left the Roman club just two points above the relegation zone in 15th.

It is a big change from the build-up to the early-season fixture between the sides after two league games, when they both had perfect records before a match that Juve won 2-0.

Second-placed AC Milan are looking for a response against Livorno on Sunday after their title ambitions suffered a massive blow with last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Inter.

They also went out of the Italian Cup with a 1-0 loss to Udinese on Wednesday.

Brazil forward Pato is still unavailable with a thigh problem while influential centre back Alessandro Nesta, badly missed against Inter, is fighting to shake off a leg muscle strain.

Struggling Livorno will visit the San Siro under Serse Cosmi, who made peace with club president Aldo Spinelli on Tuesday having resigned as coach after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat by Napoli.

But they cannot count on first-choice goalkeeper Alfonso De Lucia and Brazilian midfielder Mozart because of suspensions.

Inter, who are nine points clear after having played one game more than their city rivals, will be without Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder and Brazil defender Lucio at Parma on Sunday after their red cards in the derby.

But coach Jose Mourinho may be able to field Samuel Eto’o, who has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon, if an ankle knock is not too bad.

AS Roma, who are two points behind Milan in third, face Siena at home on Sunday.

Fourth-placed Napoli, who, like Roma, are in excellent form, entertain Genoa on Saturday with fifth-placed Palermo visiting Bari earlier that day.

Fiorentina, who have slipped down to ninth after some poor recent performances, are unlikely to be able to field Adrian Mutu at Cagliari after it was announced on Thursday that the Romania striker had failed a drugs test.

Saturday

Bari v Palermo, Napoli v Genoa

Sunday

AC Milan v Livorno, Cagliari v Fiorentina, Catania v Udinese, Chievo v Bologna, Juventus v Lazio, Parma v Inter Milan, Roma v Siena, Sampdoria v Atalanta

ROME (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, adrian mutu, Africa, Aldo Spinelli, Alessandro, Bari, Bologna, cameroon, catania, ciro ferrara, claudio gentile, Claudio Ranieri, coach claudio, commentators, David, david trezeguet, doldrums, Fabio Grosso, genoa, gianluigi buffon, inter milan, italian cup, Italy, jose mourinho, juve, juventus, league games, Liverpool, livorno, massive blow, mauro camoranesi, Milan, napoli, Palermo, relegation zone, Romania, ROME, San, season fixture, trezeguet, winger

Zaccheroni replaces Ferrara as Juventus coach

January 29, 2010

Juventus on Friday named Alberto Zaccheroni as their new coach in place of Ciro Ferrara, who was sacked after a string of poor results.

It is Zaccheroni’s first job since he was fired as coach of Torino in February 2007, and he takes charge of Juve in time for Sunday’s Serie A home clash with Lazio.

The 56-year-old has previously coached Udinese (1995-98), AC Milan (1998-2001) — with whom he won the 1999 scudetto — Lazio (2001-02) and Inter Milan (2003-04).

Ferrara’s departure had long been predicted after the Turin giants slipped to sixth in the league standings following five losses in their last six games.

They have also been knocked out of the Champions League and exited the Italian Cup, for a record of nine losses in 12 games played since the end of November.

Ferrara, a former Italy and Juventus defender, had been handed the job despite his lack of experience just before the end of last season after current Roma coach Claudio Ranieri was fired.

ROME (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, AFP, Alberto Zaccheroni, champions league, clash, Claudio Ranieri, coach claudio, Ferrara, first job, giants, inter milan, italian cup, Italy, juve, juventus, lazio, league standings, losses, Milan, Roma, ROME, scudetto, six games, torino, turin

Riise late show sinks Juve, leaves Ferrara on brink

January 24, 2010

Norway left-back John Arne Riise popped up in injury time to head home the winner as AS Roma condemned 10-man Juventus to an eighth defeat in 11 matches with a 2-1 success in Turin on Saturday.

The defeat will surely leave Juve coach Ciro Ferrara on the brink as his mis-firing team slumped to a sixth defeat in eight Serie A clashes, and to make matters worse Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was dismissed.

The win moved in-form Roma to within two points of second-placed AC Milan, who play Inter Milan on Sunday.

They now have eight wins and three draws in their last 11 league matches but club captain Francesco Totti doesn’t want to get carried away.

“We’re going through a great period in terms of results, we stood up to Juve,” he said.

“Where do we want to get to? Right now we’re not thinking about anyone else than ourselves.”

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri, who was fired by Juve two games before the end of last season, earned his first win as a coach away to Juve but denied there was any extra satisfaction.

“The city (Rome) is starting to believe in this team, we’re having fun and we’re playing well,” he said.

“I feel nothing personal, I’m part of Roma and I’m happy because we’re in top four.

“It’s an important win because Juve want to stay in race for a Champions League finish and a win today puts them further behind us.”

Ferrara sprung a surprise in his line-up, leaving out former World Player of the Year Fabio Cannavaro in favour of Nicola Legrottaglie, possibly in order to combat the aerial threat posed by Roma forward Luca Toni.

But both coaches’ plans were thrown out the window a couple of minutes in as Toni pulled up with a calf injury and was replaced by Totti, making his comeback from injury.

The switch seemed to suck any attacking threat out of Roma and Juve dominated the first 45 minutes.

Bosnia veteran Hasan Salihamidzic fired well over from distance on nine minutes before Brazilian forward Amauri rose highest in a crowded box to meet Zdenek Grygera’s right wing cross, heading wide under pressure from Nicolas Burdisso.

Juve’s best chances were coming from the flanks and Amauri won another header on 31 minutes, this time from Fabio Grosso’s left wing cross but again he directed it wide.

Next it was a devilish free-kick from Diego that caused a problem in the Roma defence but Alessandro Del Piero couldn’t get enough contact to direct his header on target.

Juve needed a stroke of luck or a moment of genius to break the deadlock and they got both six minutes after the restart.

Diego’s low ball into the box spun up off Juan’s foot, Del Piero was perfectly placed for the dropping ball and his left foot volley from a tight angle low into the far corner was pure vintage.

But if Juve had needed something special to find the net, Roma needed a helping hand, and they got it courtesy of Grosso and the referee.

Rodrigo Taddei ran onto a through-ball into the box and tried to turn inside Grosso but the full-back left out an arm and although contact was minimal, Taddei flopped to the ground and the referee pointed to the spot with Totti slotting home the penalty.

Juve resorted to the tactic that served them well in the first period and substitute Antonio Candreva lofted a high ball into the box but Amauri’s header was straight at goalkeeper Julio Sergio.

The hosts were almost made to pay as Taddei released the breaking Riise with Juve caught upfield but Buffon sacrificed himself, charging out of his area and bringing down the marauding Norwegian full-back to prevent him going through on goal.

Buffon barely even waited for the red card before walking off the field.

But then Riise it was who charged forward deep into injury time to meet a David Pizarro cross at the back post and heap misery on Juve.

Earlier, Catania cruised to a crucial 3-0 victory at home to Parma to improve their chances of beating the drop, leaving them 18th but just one point from safety.

ROME (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, amauri, calf injury, Claudio Ranieri, club captain, coach claudio, couple of minutes, fabio cannavaro, Ferrara, francesco totti, gianluigi buffon, injury time, inter milan, john arne riise, juventus, legrottaglie, world player of the year, Zdenek Grygera

Milan´s title chances on line against Inter

January 23, 2010

AC Milan head into this weekend’s top of the table derby clash with Inter Milan knowing defeat could spell the end of their Serie A title hopes.

Champions Inter have a six-point lead at the top although Milan, in second, have a game in hand, away to Fiorentina in February.

In-form Milan head into this match with eight wins from their last nine Serie A clashes while Inter have stumbled several times recently, particularly on their travels.

They have won only one of their last four away matches in the league and even needed two late strikes to earn a 4-3 victory at home to rock bottom Catania in their last home match.

They will be the hosts at the San Siro on Sunday, although the stadium is also Milan’s home.

The nominal visitors know that while a draw would not be a disaster, the loss of all three points would be.

“The table says we are six points back with a game in hand although that is away to Fiorentina and will be very difficult,” said combative midfielder Gennaro Gattuso.

“But we cannot afford to lose the derby, even with a draw we’d still be in with a chance. We’d still be six points back but with a game in hand and the fight would be open.”

Gattuso, though, admitted to being worried about Inter’s amazing powers of recovery.

“Inter cause fear because many times they go behind but still pull out incredible recoveries,” he said.

“I’m thinking of the match against Siena or the one at San Nicola (stadium) when they were 2-0 down to Bari and only narrowly failed to come home with the three points.

“Inter have a strength and a squad that worries you. There’s (Wesley) Sneijder and (Diego) Milito who have great quality but it’s (coach Jose) Mourinho himself who worries me the most because he’s one who certainly won’t go to sleep until he’s found a solution to stop us.

“I know that right now he’s watching many videos to study and see how to stop us.”

Mourinho is going to have to come up with something as he is likely to be without three important midfielders in Dejan Stankovic, Thiago Motta and Sulley Muntari, all stuggling with muscle problems.

Things are little better in their neighbours’ treatment room where striker Pato and full-back Gianluca Zambrotta have been ruled out while centre-back Alessandro Nesta is struggling to be fit.

Further down the table crisis-club Juventus host AS Roma with Claudio Ranieri coming back to face the club that fired him two games before the end of last season.

Ironically, it was following a 3-1 home defeat to Juve at the beginning of the season that saw Luciano Spalletti leave Roma and replaced by Ranieri.

Juve looked set for a great season back then as they won their first four league matches while Roma struggled.

However, Roma have won seven and drawn three of their last 10 league games while Juve have lost seven of their last 10 in all comeptitions and Ranieri’s replacement Ciro Ferrara is under extreme pressure.

Roma are third with Juve down in fifth, although they could be overtaken by both Fiorentina and Cagliari if they win their games in hand.

Fixtures:

Saturday

Catania v Parma, Juventus v AS Roma

Sunday

Bologna v Bari, Genoa v Atalanta, Inter Milan v AC Milan, Lazio v Chievo, Livorno v Napoli, Palermo v Fiorentina, Siena v Cagliari, Udinese v Sampdoria

ROME (AFP)

Tags: Alessandro Nesta, Bari, catania, cause fear, clashes, Claudio Ranieri, Diego, diego milito, gennaro gattuso, genoa, home match, inter milan, Jose, lazio, livorno, luciano spalletti, midfielder, napoli, Palermo, rock bottom, ROME, san siro, several times, Siena, six points, strikes, Thiago Motta, Wesley, Wesley Sneijder, zambrotta

Toni sends out reminder to Lippi

January 18, 2010

Italy’s forgotten man Luca Toni scored a brace in AS Roma’s 3-0 defeat of Genoa to send out a timely reminder to national team boss Marcello Lippi.

Toni has hardly featured since Lippi returned to the Italy helm 18 months ago after Roberto Donadoni was fired as his team crashed out in the quarter-finals of the European Championships.

This season has been particularly poor for Toni who failed to impress Bayern Munich coach Luis van Gaal and found himself out of favour.

But a loan move to the Italian capital has transformed him.

And two goals from Mirko Vucinic crosses will surely have made Lippi sit up and take notice.

“Lippi knows what I can do for the national team, I’ve already had a lot of satisfaction from wearing that shirt,” said the World Cup winner from 2006 under Lippi.

“I know that the better I do with Roma the more chance I’ll have of returning to the national team.

“For me right now it’s important to score many goals to keep Roma heading upwards.”

His new coach Claudio Ranieri, who wasted no time in starting him despite his lack of recent match-time, paid tribute to the forward’s strength in the air.

“He was a player we needed, he’s good with his head,” said Ranieri.

Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Taddei has also been impressed with the team’s new acquisition.

“He’s a great centre forward who scores important goals. He’s a target up front for everyone on the team.

“He wins all the high balls and earns many free-kicks.”

ROME (AFP)

Tags: Bayern, bayern munich, Claudio Ranieri, coach claudio, crosses, favour, free kicks, genoa, helm, italian capital, Italy, Luis van Gaal, marcello lippi, midfielder, Mirko Vucinic, quarter finals, Roberto Donadoni, rodrigo taddei, Roma, ROME, target, team boss, timely reminder, Toni, Van Gaal, world cup winner

Ferrara’s Rocky spirit cannot hide the failures of another rookie

January 13, 2010

Under pressure Juventus boss Ciro Ferrara has come out fighting after a fourth defeat in five matches but it may not be enough for another first-time coach to save his job.

“One of my friends, one of the few I have at the moment, said to me, ‘you are like Rocky’. I am full of punches and blood but I say to my opponent, I am not hurt, punch harder because you are not hurting me,” Ferrara said in the wake of a 3-0 home defeat by AC Milan.

“There is nothing that could knock me down, my mother punched harder.”

His determination is admirable but are Juve now regretting appointing a man with no real managerial experience to replace Claudio Ranieri last May?

In recent times, Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola is possibly the only man to have succeeded in his first big club job.

Ferrara, previously much-loved in Turin as a no-nonsense defender, is in danger of following some other rookie coaches out the door.

Juergen Klinsmann and Marco van Basten had reasonable success as first-time coaches of Germany and the Netherlands, but their only important club roles at Bayern Munich and Ajax turned out to be disasters.

Alan Shearer was adored by Newcastle United fans for all his goals but when it came to trying to save the club from relegation from the Premier League, he failed miserably and went back to TV punditry.

Even AC Milan coach Leonardo had a dreadful start to his first managerial season, including a home defeat by FC Zurich in the Champions League, before a pickup in form which some critics allege is because of the weakness of Serie A rather than the quality of their play.

Managing prima donna players, dealing with unreasonble supporter expectations and fending off criticism from the media are no easy tasks. Why would someone who was a good player be naturally adept at being a coach if they only had minimal training?

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho’s playing career ended before it had begun but after years of shadowing a maestro like Bobby Robson he has achieved great things as a manager.

Is it all proof yet again that being a top player does not make you a top manager?

PHOTO: Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara looks on before the start of the Italian Serie A soccer match against Catania in Turin, Dec 20, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo

Source

Tags: ac milan, alan shearer, alessandro garofalo, Barcelona, Bayern, bayern munich, boss, catania, ciro ferrara, Claudio Ranieri, club job, fc zurich, Germany, inter milan, jose mourinho, juventus, klinsmann, leonardo, managerial experience, marco van basten, Milan, newcastle united, pep guardiola, premier league, prima donna, punches, punditry, relegation, Robson, the Netherlands, time coach, training inter, ZURICH

Roma hit back in Italian Cup against Triestina

January 13, 2010

AS Roma bounced back from conceding a shock early goal against Serie B strugglers Triestina to win 3-1 on Tuesday and qualify for the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.

Roma, who will play Genoa or Catania next, joined Serie A leaders Inter Milan in the last eight after Jose Mourinho’s team beat Livorno 1-0 in December.

Triestina were ahead after just five minutes as Luigi Della Rocca converted a penalty after he himself had been fouled by Marco Cassetti.

A shock was on the cards against a weakened Roma, for whom coach Claudio Ranieri rested the likes of centre-back Juan, striker Luca Toni and midfield dynamo Daniele De Rossi.

But Roma drew level on the stroke of halftime as Matteo Brighi shot home following a rebound.

Montenegro forward Mirko Vucini gave the hosts the lead on the hour after he was set up by French winger Jeremy Menez.

And 10 minutes from time Brazilian flop Julio Baptista sealed the victory direct from a free-kick.

In Wednesday’s matches Juventus host Napoli in the tie of the round while third division Novara travel to the San Siro to tackle mighty AC Milan.

ROME (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, catania, Claudio Ranieri, coach claudio, coppa italia roma, de rossi, dynamo, genoa, italian cup, Jeremy Menez, Jose, jose mourinho, julio baptista, livorno, Luigi Della Rocca, marco cassetti, matteo brighi, Milan, Mirko, Montenegro, napoli, quarter finals, ROME, San, san siro, Toni, win 3, winger

Injured Totti out of Juve clash

January 12, 2010

The Roma fans will have to be patient. They are desperate to see Francesco Totti link up with new striker Luca Toni in the Giallorossi’s attack but they will have to wait until after the match against Juventus, on January 23. Totti still suffers from an injury that will probably keep him sidelined for the rest of this month.

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri is excited by the potential of his new-look attack of Toni and Totti but he won’t be able to test the duo because of Totti’s injury. The club icon is set to miss the matches against Triestina (Coppa Italia), Genoa and the top match against Juventus, which is scheduled for next week.

“I don’t feel well at all. But I will be back after the Juve game,” promised Totti, who has played twelve league matches so far this season.

Roma are fifth in the table, one point behind struggling Juventus. Ciro Ferrara’s side were stunned by Milan, last weekend while Roma defeated Chievo.