Mourinho explains Balotelli row

February 4, 2010

Jose Mourinho has explained the reason behind last night’s shouting match with Mario Balotelli during Internazionale’s Coppa Italia match against Fiorentina (1-0).

The Portuguese manager commented on the cause of the touchline row. “He’s got to defend first, then focus on his problems.”

A furious Balotelli was substituted moments after the row and the youngster went straight into the tunnel, throwing his gloves on the ground and avoiding the Inter bench entirely.

“In my tactics the players must always defend first and foremost, even if they have a problem,” explained Mourinho on RAI television.

“I don’t care if they picked up an injury or lost their contact lenses. He’s got to defend first, then focus on his problems.”

Diego Milito produced the only goal in the first leg win at the Giuseppe Meazza while the second leg is in Florence on April 14.

“I liked the result more than the performance, especially in the second half,” added Mourinho.

“I expected more from my men, but the Viola controlled the tempo and forced me into certain changes.

“Only after the second leg will we know if this was a good result. It is already an advantage that we did not concede on home turf.

“Playing in Florence will not be easy and they’ll be eager to overturn this defeat.”

Tags: april 14, balotelli, bench, contact lenses, coppa italia, diego milito, Florence, giuseppe meazza, gloves, home turf, internazionale, Jose, jose mourinho, mario, Mario Balotelli, Rai, second half, shouting match, television, tempo, viola, youngster

Gago and Real blast Manchester City

February 3, 2010

Fernando Gago is very disappointed that his move to Manchester City was cancelled right at the end.

The Real Madrid midfielder hoped to boost his World Cup chances by leaving Real this winter but his move to City was stalled at the last moment. “They used us,” said Gago’s agent Marcello Lombilla.

Manchester City launched their first bid on Gago last week and the Argentine midfielder felt the deal would be settled. However, City manager Roberto Mancini opted to move for McDonald Mariga, the Kenyan midfielder who signed for Internazionale at the last day of the transfer window.

The Citizens then returned to Real Madrid for Gago but it was already to late. They could not complete the deal until they had an official agreement from club chairman Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who they could not reach in time.

“They had nothing prepared, not even one document signed,” Real’s sporting director Jorge Valdano told El Pais. “They had not reached an agreement with the player and they would have had to have done everything in 40 minutes.”

Lombilla is very angry at City, considering his client might miss the World Cup.

“This has never happened to me before,” the agent told radio station Onda Cero. “”I don’t want to talk about the figures that City were offering because they approached Madrid without even knowing there wasn’t physically enough time to put something together.”

Lombilla insists that Gago will now concentrate on getting his Real career back on track.

“Despite the fact he went from being ‘untransferable’ to suddenly ‘for sale’, he will always continue to work hard,” he stated.

Tags: Al Nahyan, Argentine, citizens, club chairman, fernando gago, internazionale, Jorge Valdano, last moment, MADRID, manchester city, marcello, mcdonald mariga, midfielder, onda cero, radio station, real madrid, roberto mancini, sheikh mansour, world cup chances, zayed al nahyan

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

Zaccheroni set to replace Ferrara

January 29, 2010

Several Italian media report that Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara will get the axe today. Tuttosport claims that Alberto Zaccheroni will replace Ferrara at La Vecchia Signora.

Ferrara’s position at Juve came under further scrutiny on Thursday night when his side was sent out of the Coppa Italia by Internazionale (2-1). Tuttosport claims that this was Ferrara’s last game in charge of the Bianconeri.

Tuttosport reports that Zaccheroni has arrived in Turin to sign a contract that will tie him to Juve until the end of the season.

Zaccheroni is said to have been interviewed along with former Italy Under-21s boss and Juventus legend Claudio Gentile on Wednesday.

Juventus President Jean-Claude Blanc has promised a decision later today. He was reportedly in England yesterday trying to convince Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez to leave Anfield now or in the summer.

Tuttosport claims that Zaccheroni is now in a lawyer’s office in Turin along with the Juventus directors, signing a four-month contract.

Zaccheroni won the Scudetto with Milan in 1999. He also worked for Lazio, Internazionale and Torino.

Tags: 21s, Alberto Zaccheroni, axe, boss, claudio gentile, coppa italia, England, internazionale, italian media, Italy, Jean-Claude, juventus, last game, lawyer, lazio, Liverpool, Milan, rafael benitez, scrutiny, scudetto, thursday night, torino, turin

Upset Mourinho: ‘Nobody respects Ferrara’

January 29, 2010

Jose Mourinho’s Internazionale reached the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia on Thursday night, knocking out Juventus: 2-1. Afterwards, the Portuguese manager backed under fire Juve coach Ciro Ferrara who is expected to be axed on Friday after a dismal run.

“We are men, we have families,” said Mourinho to support his colleague. “It’s not nice all this talk of every other coach.

“I don’t like the atmosphere around him.

“Ferrara deserves respect. If the club decides to make a change, we know that is part of our job, but at least while we are still on the bench and working we deserve respect.

“Right now nobody is giving Ferrara respect. Nobody. But I respect him.”

Juventus president Jean-Claude Blanc didn’t exclude a dismissal of Ferrara. “We are very disappointed, as we have failed at another of our objectives for the season,” said Blanc after the match against Internazionale.

“Tomorrow (Friday) we will make a decision and when we have made it, we will let you know.”

Ferrara remained calm as usual after another setback. “I have not been told of anything. I will be conducting Juventus training tomorrow, as per usual,” Ferrara stated.

Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon rued the Bianconeri’s ‘unlucky period’. “We wanted to win this evening, and did not deserve to lose,” the Italy international said.

“But Inter also did not deserve to lose.

“Unfortunately, the team has been unlucky in this period, but we are trying to rectify this.”

The 32-year-old goalie picked up a red card in last Saturday’s match against Roma (1-2 loss) and will miss the game against Lazio this weekend.

Tags: atmosphere, bench, bianconeri, ciro ferrara, coach, colleague, coppa italia, dismal run, Ferrara, game, gianluigi buffon, internazionale, Italy, Jean-Claude, Jose, jose mourinho, last saturday, lazio, respects, semi finals, setback, thursday night

Ronaldinho and Mancini tip Milan to win derby

January 21, 2010

Ronaldinho is full of confidence ahead of Sunday’s long awaited clash between Milan and Internazionale. The Brazilian star player thinks the Rossoneri are favourite to win the city derby. His opinion is shared by former Inter coach Roberto Mancini, surprisingly enough.

Ronaldinho is in great form at the moment. The 29-year-old forward scored six times in his last three matches for Milan. In general, Leonardo’s team has got back on track after a sloppy start of the season.

The Rossoneri only lost one of their last eleven Serie A matches. The excellent results have left them in second position in the league standings, six points adrift of Inter but with a game in hand.

“I really think we can win the derby,” Ronaldinho told Il Corriere dello Sport. I am going through a great patch and Milan are playing very well.

“It will be a very important game for us.

“We are back on track now and have climbed up the table. We have everything to keep doing well.”

Italy is looking forward to the ‘Derby della Madonnina’. Mancini was asked for his opinion regarding Sunday’s match and the former Inter coach choose side for the ‘enemy’.

“It’s impossible to say it, but Milan have the chance of a lifetime. They are doing very well, while Inter seem to have been treated badly a little.

“I don’t think that the winner of the derby necessarily wins the Scudetto. In my opinion anyway Inter will win it again.”

Tags: chance of a lifetime, clash, coach, confidence, game, il corriere dello sport, internazionale, Italy, league standings, leonardo, lost one, match, Milan, roberto mancini, ronaldinho, rossoneri, scudetto, six points, six times, star player, winner of the derby

Leonardo: ‘Ronaldino is the best in the world’

January 18, 2010

With his first hat-trick for Milan, Ronaldinho paved the way to victory against Siena (4-0) on Sunday. The Brazilian has started the new year excellent by netting six goals in three games.

Leonardo hasn’t been surprised by his compatriot’s performances. “Ronaldinho has always lived his career like this, transmitting passion and happiness,” the coach told the press.

“This is what he wants. He is the greatest footballer in the world and he has refound his taste for football.”

Milan benefits from Ronaldinho’s excellent form. The gap with league leaders Internazionale has been reduced to six points.

Leonardo was also keen to remember the other protagonists who have played their part in Ronaldinho’s revival.

“He has to thank this team, who could have given up on him when he made mistakes. Instead they supported him and took him to where he is today,” he concluded.

Ronaldinho has caught national coach Dunga’s interest with his recent performances, according to several Brazilian media. The 87-times capped forward played his last international match on April 1, 2009.

Tags: april 1, brazilian media, compatriot, dunga, footballer, happiness, hat trick, internazionale, league leaders, leonardo, Milan, national coach, new year, protagonists, revival, ronaldinho, ronaldino, Siena, six points, three games, victory

Leonardo: ‘Ronaldino is the best in the world’

January 18, 2010

With his first hat-trick for Milan, Ronaldinho paved the way to victory against Siena (4-0) on Sunday. The Brazilian has started the new year excellent by netting six goals in three games.

Leonardo hasn’t been surprised by his compatriot’s performances. “Ronaldinho has always lived his career like this, transmitting passion and happiness,” the coach told the press.

“This is what he wants. He is the greatest footballer in the world and he has refound his taste for football.”

Milan benefits from Ronaldinho’s excellent form. The gap with league leaders Internazionale has been reduced to six points.

Leonardo was also keen to remember the other protagonists who have played their part in Ronaldinho’s revival.

“He has to thank this team, who could have given up on him when he made mistakes. Instead they supported him and took him to where he is today,” he concluded.

Tags: april 1, brazilian media, compatriot, dunga, footballer, gap, happiness, hat trick, interest, internazionale, league leaders, leonardo, national coach, new year, protagonists, revival, ronaldinho, ronaldino, Siena, six points, three games

Dassier issues Mancini ultimatum

January 16, 2010

Olympique Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier claims that if Mancini does not sign by Sunday the deal, concerning a switch to Stade Velodomre, is off.

The French giants have been pursuing the versatile Brazil international for the past fortnight and agreed a deal in principle with Internazionale on Wednesday night to sign him until the end of the season.

Mancini has yet to put pen to paper on a deal at the Stade Velodrome, with Manchester City and AC Milan also said to be interested in the 29-year-old, and Dassier has now laid down an ultimatum.

“It shouldn’t be too long now,” he told L’Equipe.

“We sent off the last documents asked for by his agent yesterday at midday.

“We have decided to wait for his response until Sunday. After, it will be too late.”

Mancini joined Inter from Roma in 2008 but is desperate for playing time after making just six league appearances all season.

Tags: AC, ac milan, brazil, fortnight, giants, internazionale, jean claude dassier, Jean-Claude, l equipe, league appearances, manchester city, Marseille, midday, olympique marseille, pen to paper, playing time, principle, Roma, stade velodrome, ultimatum, wednesday night

Flamini: ‘Inter on top because they are lucky’

January 15, 2010

Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini has hit out at rivals Internazionale by saying that their success is born from the seed of luck.

“Inter are catchable,” said the former Arsenal player. “But they have been really lucky, or we would have decreased the gap by now.”

Inter are eight points ahead of rival Milan, who do have a game in hand.

“We have to stay focused ahead of the derby, which is just around the corner.”

Flamini’s lack of regular playing time has seen him linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, but he hopes to stay at the San Siro and convince coach Leonardo.

“I am waiting for Leonardo to make his decisions. I am always ready for the team, but the decisions whether I play are with him,” he concluded.