Torino halted their three game slump and found its winning charm with a 2-1 victory over Ascoli at Stadio Olimpico in week twenty-two of the Serie B campaign. With the result Torino stands at the top of the table as they look to realise their goal of returning to the top flight of Italian football.

Coming off a nil draw with Albinoleffe that saw them finish with nine men on the pitch and without a victory in the three most recent contests, Torino manager Giampiero Ventura made four changes to his line-up with Ferdinando Coppola between the woodwork for Davide Morello, along with Valerio Di Cesare, Giuseppe De Feudis and Migjen Basha for Kamil Glik, Manuel Iori and Simone Verdi. After a close range effort from Rolando Bianchi was foiled, Il Toro grabbed the one-goal advantage just past the eighteenth minute via some brilliant work by Mirco Antenucci. Latching onto the ball on the edge of the area on the left the twenty-seven year-old old attacker turned to his right before sending a crisp side footed dart to the bottom far corner of the net. The visitors wasted little time in levelling the contest as nine minutes later Papa Waigo nodded an corner from the right onto the path of Matteo Ciofani who quickly lifted it to the roof of the net. Now level Torino quickly mounted a charge but after an effort from the skipper, Rolando Bianchi, drifted wide helplessly left of the woodwork the match went the break even.

With the contest deadlocked the Torino tactician called upon Uruguayan international Juan Surraco for Alen Stevanović at the sixty-third minute and it was not long before the hosts restored their advantage Coming sixty-sixth minute, Mirco Antenucci accepted the ball on the right edge of the area before cutting down the channel away from Siniša Anđelković and Maurizio Peccarisi and firing the winning margin from an acute angle twelve metres out. Up by one, Torino was in clear control with Ascoli rarely advancing and in the final ten minutes Alessandro Sgrigna and Danilo D`Ambrosio were summoned in for Mirko Antenucci and Giuseppe Vives as the looked to secure the result. Torino’s defending proved resolute and as the final whistle sounded they claimed to the 2-1 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

Cagliari returned from the Christmas break with a vengeance as they delivered a 3-0 thrashing upon visiting Genoa at Stadio Sant’Elia in match-day seventeen of Serie A. With the result the Sardinians move level with Genoa in a four-way tie at ninth spot of the tightly compacted table.

Quick to the whistle, Cagliari quickly laid siege upon Genoa ‘keeper Sébastien Frey with Joaquín Larrivey unable to convert from cannot miss territory. However the twenty-seven year old former Huracán man made no mistake from the spot at the twelfth minute after Genoa was adjudged a penalty for Andrea Cossu being brought down in the area. Traffic was one-way but thanks to resourceful defending and stalwart work between the posts by Sébastien Frey, Cagliari had to be satisfied with the one goal advantage at the break.

After the break Genoa came out with a renewed vigour but four minutes shy of the half-hour the margin was doubled as via Andrea Cossu’s clever provision saw Víctor Ibarbo race the final third of the pitch, fighting off Chilean international Felipe Seymour before deftly chipping the ball past the outstretched ‘keeper from seven metres. The contest was ostensibly fait accompli ten minutes later as Emiliano Moretti was sent off with his second yellow-card, forcing Genoa to play with the personnel disadvantage. If there was a faint glimmer of hope for Genoa that was put to rest with eighteen minutes as Alessandro Agostini cross from near the left by-line was sent into his own goal by Andreas Granqvist. Cagliari continued to dominate for the balance of the proceedings and though they were unable to build upon the lead with the final whistle manager Davide Ballardini could celebrate a 3-0 victory against the side that terminated him in June of last year.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

In a showdown of two sides likely to challenge for promotion, Rolando Bianchi’s late strike sent Torino past Sampdoria 2-1 at Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genova.

The hosts, whose untimely fall from grace saw fall from the heights of the Champions League in 2010 before plummeting to relegation the year after, entered the day undeafted as did the visitors with sights on victory. To the delight of the Blucerchiati’s loyal home supporters, the deadlock was broken nineteen minutes after the opening whistle as coming via a corner from the right, Rolando Bianchi’s attempted clearance was latched onto by Franco Semioli. Surging down the right channel the thirty-one year old veteran delivered a skillful cross that Andrea Costa nodded into the net from six metres. Torino, in its own fight to return to Serie A after relegation in 2009. immediately went in the search for the leveller and four minutes shy of the break found what they were looking for with Alen Stevanović taking the role of architect. Coming off the right flank, the promising Serbia U-21 international pushed forward into the area with veteran Paolo Castellini in check before sending a low beaming cross that Sergiu Suciu volleyed into the net from fourteen metres.

After the break play was tight with so much on line but with fourteen minutes remaining in regulation Giampiero Ventura’s side notched the winner with no surprise the decider coming from sniper extraordinaire Rolando Bianchi. In a quick counter on the left Mirco Antenucci cut inside before spotting the striker moving into the right side of the area and immediately pushed the ball to the striker. Staring down Sampdoria goalkeeper Júnior da Costa, Rolando Bianchi showed no mercy and rifled his third goal of the campaign, fiftieth in Serie B, to send Torino to a 2-1 victory and top spot of the table.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

CSKA Moscow booked its spot in the next round of the Europa League as they came from behind to defeat Palermo 3-1 at Arena Khimki.

Coming off their draw with Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast, CSKA manager Leonid Slutsky made three changes to his starting eleven with Deividas Semberas, Keisuke Honda and Zoran Tosic coming in for Sergei Ignashevich, Alan Dzagoev and Sekou Oliseh.

In a fast past start, Palermo manager Delio Rossi saw his side take a 1-0 lead at the tenth minute as Massimo Maccarone headed Fabrizio Miccoli’s cross from the left to the bottom left corner of the net. Disaster struck a minute past the half-hour for the Serie A side as match-day referee Manuel de Sousa handed Antonio Nocerino his second-yellow card, forcing them to play with a man disadvantage.
The Army-Men came out after the break with volition and two minutes after the re-start Serbian international Zoran Tosic delivered a seeing eye cross that Keisuke Honda volleyed powerfully into the net. CSKA shifted into high gear with Tomáš Necid doubling the advantage three minutes later as the former Slavia Prague man latched onto the ball deep into the area and after creating some space, drilled the ball into the net from ten metres. The Army-Men showed no mercy and four minutes later as Tomáš Necid scored his second of the evening as accepted Keisuke Honda’s provision before professionally finishing. CSKA continued to dominate the proceedings and though they were unable to build upon the lead, were pleased with a commanding 3-1 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2010.
All rights reserved

CSKA Moscow enjoyed its trip to beautiful Sicily with convincing 3-0 defeat of Palermo in Group F play of the Europa League. With the result the Army-Men, lodged their third victory in as many matches and yet to surrender a goal.

Coming off their flourishing win over Terek Grozny on the weekend, CSKA manager Leonid Slutsky made four changes to his starting eleven with Georgi Shchennikov, Mark González, Keisuke Honda and Sekou Oliseh coming in for Deividas Šemberas, Alexei Berezutsky, Zoran Tošić and Alan Dzagoev. Delio Rossi, whose Sicilian side overwhelmed Bologna on Sunday, made five adjustments to his line-up with Francesco Benussi between the woodwork for Salvatore Sirigu, with Dorin Goian, Matteo Darmian, Massimo Maccarone and Abel Hernández coming in for Ezequiel Muñoz, Armin Bačinovič, Mauricio Pinilla and Slovenian international Josip Iličić.

The early stages of the contest saw few noteworthy advances, excluding a high probability chance by Massimo Maccarone but he sent his close range effort inexcusably over the bar. Midway of the opening half, CSKA got the break they were looking for when match day referee Robert Schorgenhofer awarded a penalty after goalkeeper Francesco Benussi up-ended Mark Gonzalez in the area. In the ensuing effort from spot, the Palermo ‘keeper made up for the error and stopped Vágner Love. The save did little to hold back the Army-Men and four minutes past the half-hour Seydou Doumbia, at the back post, nodded in Kirill Nababkin’s cross from the right side of the area.

After the break, Palermo was beginning to show some positive signs before Seydou Doumbia doubled CSKA’s advantage at the fifty-ninth minute in a deplorable display of defending. Latching onto the loose ball on the left side of the area, he worked his way back up from the by-line and after getting past three defenders scored from point blank range. With fifteen minutes remaining in regulation time, match day referee Robert Schorgenhofer handed Javier Pastore two quick yellow-cards, resulting in the Sicilian side playing the day of the evening with a man disadvantage. Seven minutes later Tomáš Necid scored from near the sport as he accepted Sekou Oliseh provision from the right that had started with Alan Dzagoev’s clever back-heel, to seal CSKA Moscow’s 3-0 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2010.
All rights reserved

Italy grapples with sporting tragedy as the Azzurri’s World Cup efforts came to a shocking quick ending as they lost 3-2 to Slovakia at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park Stadium. The result leaves the defending World Champions out of the round of sixteen, whilst Slovakia advances with a second place finish in Group F and will now face the Netherlands in Durban on 29 June.

In search of victory, Marcello Lippi summoned Gennaro Gattuso and Antonio Di Natale into the starting eleven but to the dismay of the Azzurri’s voracious supporters, Slovakia looked the better of the two sides early. Vladimír Weiss’ side started quickly with Róbert Vittek and Marek Hamšík, who plies his trade for Napoli of Serie A causing problems for the Italian defenders. Three minutes shy of the quarter-hour, Azzurri ‘keeper Federico Marchetti was forced into action to deny a top shelf opportunity of Róbert Vittek. However, five minutes shy of the half-hour the Azzurri supporters were in shock as Erik Jendrišek got in between Daniele De Rossi’s pass deep in the Italian third before sending the ball to Róbert Vittek, who subsequently drilled it into the bottom corner. Down by one the Azzurri lacked the venom so typical of their illustrious past and without the selection of Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero, they seemed stuck in low gear. Through the balance of the opening half, while Italy had a number of fine opportunities, finishing was abysmal. As time wore on, the Slovakian’s began to pose a greater threat with Zdeno Štrba and Miroslav Stoch narrowly missing extending the lead.

After the restart, the Azzurri tactician called upon Napoli duo Fabio Quagliarella and Christian Maggio as they went on the hunt for the all-important leveller. Seeing little change in his sides performance Mr. Lippi called upon Andrea Pirlo for Riccardo Montolivo four minutes shy of the hour. Quickly, the defending champions started to show the passion and pride so deserving of wearing Azzurri crest with Slovakian ‘keeper Ján Mucha called in to stop Antonio Di Natale’s effort. Quikly thereafter, Fabio Quagliarella looked to have lodged the winner but his scorching effort pulled off the line by former Zenit Saint Petersburg man Martin Škrtel. With seventeen minutes remaining, the situation turned bleak for Italy as Róbert Vittek out worked Giorgio Chiellini for Marek Hamšík before driving the ball into the net, giving Slovakia the shocking 2-0 lead. With nine minutes remaining in regulation time, the hopes and dreams of Italy surged forward as Antonio Di Natale pounced on the rebound of Fabio Quagliarella’s effort and drove the ball into the net. Four minutes later, Italy had the ball in the back of the net via Fabio Quagliarella but to the surprise of many the flag was raised, pulling the goal back. Surging forward, Italy looked on the cusp of a leveller but following a poor back pass, that saw Azzurri ‘keeper Federico Marchetti slid to kick the ball away for a throw in, Slovakia restored its two goal lead on a shocking defending flow with a minute remaining in regulation time. From a simple throw in Kamil Kopúnek, who had entered for Zdeno Štrba spliced through the Italian defenders and in chase of the ball he chipped it over the lunging ‘keeper. In the second minute of added-time, Fabio Quagliarella latched onto a loose ball and showed touch in easing the ball over the outstretched hands of the Slovakian keeper to pull Italy to within one. With tension thick, through four minutes of added-time that seemed to stretch for an eternity, Italy continued to press but with referee Howard Webb’s final whistle, Slovakia claimed the historic 3-2 victory.

Prepared by J. Davies
©Europa League News, 2010.
All rights reserved

Italy’s efforts to defend with World Cup triumph in 2006 are in question as they played New Zealand to a 1-1 draw at Mbombela Stadium in at Nelspruit. The result has staggering implications as the Azzurri are now level in points with the Kiwi’s, two points off Paraguay as they head to the final match day in Group F against Slovakia on 24 June.

The Kiwi’s, after shocking Slovakia with a last gasp leveller in their opening contest were heavy underdogs against the defending World Champions. In the shock heard around the world, New Zealand went in front 1-0 at the seventh minute as Simon Elliot’s free kick from the left, ricocheted off Fabio Cannavaro to Shane Smeltz, albeit in a arguably offside position, who then redirected the ball past ‘keeper Federico Marchetti. Shocked by the opener, Italy, honouring recently departed team member Roberto Rosato by wearing black armbands, saddled up its forces and charged forward without a moment of hesitation. Less than ten minutes later, Giorgio Chiellini had a gifted chance to level via corner but his effort drifted far off course. Following a series of squandered efforts, Italy was gifted a penalty a minute shy of the hour when match day referee Carlos Batres adjudged Tommy Smith for bringing down Daniele De Rossi in the area. Juventus man Vincenzo Iaquinta calmly stepped up to drive the ball into the left corner to square the match. Now even, Italy went on the hunt for the go-ahead goal but the Kiwi’s maintained a tough defending stance and what few chances did make it through, goalkeeper Mark Paston was playing the match of his career.

At the break, Marcello Lippi summoned veterans Mauro Camoranesi and Antonio Di Natale into the contest. Mighty Italy swarmed forward, fuelled with pride but with each turn of the screw the Kiwi goalkeeper, who ply’s his trade for the Wellington Phoenix of the A-League, matched their efforts with a series of spectacular saves. With two minutes remaining the Kiwi ‘keeper punched away Riccardo Montolivo’s booming effort from outsider the area before New Zealand’s Chris Wood hushed Italian supporter with an effort the skipped a shade wide of the post. The remaining time, include four agonizingly long minutes of added-time, saw Italy pin back New Zealand but with the final whistle, the shock of the World Cup concluded as a 1-1 draw honours even.

Prepared by J. Davies
©Europa League News, 2010.
All rights reserved

In their opening Group F contest of World Cup action at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, defending champions Italy met a determined Paraguay side, playing to a 1-1 draw

Played in a heavy downpour for much of the evening, Marcello Lippi’s veteran line-up looked disjointed early as the confident Paraguayan’s provided little space. As expected, the well-disciplined sides allow few opportunities in the early stages with the closest being Aureliano Torres’ effort the drifted a shade wide midway of the half. Six minutes before the break, Paraguay shocked the Azzurri’s loyal supporters six minutes shy of the break as Antolín Alcaraz headed Aureliano Torres free kick past legendary Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Coming out from the change rooms, Italy were forced to dig in without their great goalkeeper as he suffered a hamstring injury, resulting in Cagliari’s Federico Marchetti taking charge between the woodwork. Italy began to show its pedigree as a sense of urgency hung over the night. Juventus man Simone Pepe missed with a acrobatic effort from Gianluca Zambrotta’s cross and moments later saw a chance snuffed from the same area. At the sixty-third minute, their was no stopping Italy as Simone Pepe’s corner from the left evaded Paraguay ‘keeper Justo Villar and Roma’s Daniele De Rossi redirected into the net from close range. After the leveller, the affair was a one-way street as Italy pushed and probed for the winning mark. Uninspiring for much of the evening, the Azzurri charged forward in the final quarter-hour with a new life to them but with each turn Justo Villar turned them aside and match concluded as a 1-1 draw, honours even.

Prepared by J. Davies
©Europa League News, 2010.
All rights reserved

The Miloš Krasić era with CSKA Moskva nears conclusion as a deal to finalize his move to Serie A powerhouse Juventus is expected shortly.

Coming from FK Vojvodina in 2004, the Serbian international developed into a powerful attacking force for the Army-Men. In the last year, his stock has soared and he has been linked with a number of top sides in Italy, Spain and England but is said to be anxious to join new manager Luigi Delneri’s efforts. Though unofficial, the final pieces of transaction are rumoured to being put into place with the Bianconeri anxious to build a squad that can threaten to claim the Scudetto.

For CSKA, the transaction has been accepted as forthcoming for quite some time and they have planned well with the addition of Keisuke Honda as well as seeing Pavel Mamaev emerge as a dominating force. While Leonid Slutsky will naturally miss Miloš Krasić’s attacking vision, CSKA has shown notable improvement of late with Alan Dzagoev spearheading the attack with Guilherme and Tomáš Necid up top and Keisuke Honda and Pavel Mamaev in the flanks. Furthermore, CSKA Moskva club president Evgeniy Giner scored one of the winters top signing signings with Seydou Doumbia this past January and will see Côte d’Ivoire international join the club from BSC Young Boys on 1 July.

Prepared by J. Davies
©Europa League News, 2010.
All rights reserved

Diego Milito continued his tour de force play leading Internazionale with two goals, in a 2-0 defeat of Bayern München in the Champions League final at Estadio Bernabéu in Madrid Spain. With the result, the Nerazzurri claim their first European crown since 1965 as well as the “treble” with the Coppa Italia and the Scudetto. The victory does not come without some remorse as many believe that manger José Mourinho will immediately leave for Real Madrid with striker extraordinaire Diego Milito possibly to follow.

Entering the match, all eyes were focused on Internazionale’s tactical genius of a manager José Mourinho. The forty-seven year-old, though controversial in the media, is a near miracle worker on the pitch with his system a consistent winning model. Whether it his stunning achievement winning the Champions League with FC Porto in 2004, his work with Chelsea thereafter and now with Nerazzurri, he has proven himself a master. Against the Bundesliga champions who were without Franck Ribéry due to suspension, Internazionale controlled the run of play with a confident demeanour.

After a surprising attacking start by the Italian champions, play settled down and José Mourinho’s men waited for the right moment to pounce on a Bayern mistake. Though Louis van Gaal’s had plenty of ball possession early, they lacked the cutting edge without Franck Ribéry and the final effort was disappointing, most notably with the normally reliable Ivica Olić squandering a high probability chance. Played continued with neither side truly worthy of the lead until four minutes past the half-hour when goalkeeper Júlio César sent a long ball that Diego Milito linked to Wesley Sneijder. Surging into the area the former Genoa man sent the ball past Bayern ‘keeper Hans-Jörg Butt for the one goal advantage.

After the break, Thomas Müller had a gifted chance to level from ten metres ‘keeper Júlio César stood tall to parry the ball out. By the hour-mark, it was clear José Mourinho had turned the screw tighter as his side had locked out Bayern’s advances and were playing well behind the ball. With twenty-five minutes remaining, Arjen Robben sent a curling effort from seventeen metres towards the far left corner but Júlio César stretched out fully to paw away. Five minutes later, the contest was ostensibly fait accompli as Diego Milito latched onto Samuel Eto’o’s provision before surging into the left side of the area, turned Daniel Van Buyten the wrong way and hammered the ball into the net for the 2-0 lead. Though Bayern fought valiantly, they could not break through and without further incident the match concluded with Nerazzurri claiming the trophy.

Immediately following the match, old friends Louis van Gaal and José Mourinho met to shake hands in a honest display of good sportsmanship. For Mr. Mourinho who accepted the accolades of Internazionale’s die-hard supporters with sincerity, it also seemed to be his farewell and a time for him to move towards his goal of claiming three Champions League titles for three different sides. While a controversial figure in the Footballing world, where his words in the media often get the best of him, he is racing toward a career of unparalleled success. His victory at the Bernabéu, is considered by many is final charge for Internazionale and likely where he will be installed as the new leader of Real Madrid. For the Nerazzurri faithful, the question is now whether their side can retain Diego Milito or will he follow Mr. Mourinho to the La Liga giants.

Prepared by J. Davies
©Europa League News, 2010.
All rights reserved