[Fillipo Simone]

Hmh, we'll see what comes out of it. But I think it means Bologna stays on relegation-course...

[Tennie]

And today, Chievo have sacked their coach Iachini and replaced him with Domenico Di Carlo.

[dst]

Modena contact exorcist
Tuesday 4 November, 2008
Modena have got in touch with exorcist Gregorio Colosio in the hope that he can rid the side of its demons.

The Canarini are currently bottom of Serie B, three points adrift of the relegation playoff zone and five points away from absolute safety.

“There has to be a devil in that dressing room,” declared Modena President Giancarlo Gibellini who decided enough was enough after his team won just one of their opening 11 games this season.

A couple of hours before Saturday's match with Cittadella, Gibellini called his old friend Father Colosio, a 70-year-old Benedictine monk from Modena's St. Peter's Basilica.

Answering a friend in need, Colosio made the short trip to the Stadio Alberto Braglia, entered the empty Modena dressing room and started a prayer from his book of exorcisms.

“O Lord, free this house, expel from it the dangers of the enemy. Take care of us in your peace,” Colosio then proceeded to read the rest of the prayer, which he had revised especially for the football club.

“Send your saints to comfort, support and visit our lads because in this stadium they have to carry the victory of the good.”

Unfortunately, his words did not appear to help much. Modena drew 3-3, had two players sent off and a penalty awarded against them.

However, Gibellini did not rule out bringing Colosio back in the future. “I am a fan first and foremost,” he said. “I want to do something to help the team, but I don't look for publicity. I don't want to do anything spectacular.”

Meanwhile, putting his faith elsewhere, Gibellini will today present to the Italian Football Federation a dossier of all the refereeing mistakes that have affected his team so far this season.

channel4

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) So Italian. It has happened before a few times.

This post has been edited by dst: Nov 4 2008, 07:43 PM

[TriniKing_CE]

I'm sure this can qualify to go into the Comedy Thread

This post has been edited by TriniKing_CE: Nov 4 2008, 08:28 PM

[MizNelson]

Modena contact exorcist
Tuesday 4 November, 2008
Modena have got in touch with exorcist Gregorio Colosio in the hope that he can rid the side of its demons.

Crap, you beat me to this. Oh well, just when you thought Galliani was the biggest crackpot in Italy. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[han2503]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) So Italian. It has happened before a few times.

Are we supposed to actually believe this? Aren't there really strict rules when it comes to exocism and a whole bunch of measures taken by the church before an exorcist is allowed to perform the exorcism? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

This post has been edited by han2503: Nov 4 2008, 10:54 PM

[dst]

Are we supposed to actually believe this? Aren't there really strict rules when it comes to exocism and a whole bunch of measures taken by the church before an exorcist is allowed to perform the exorcism? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Yes, I don't think it was an exorcism per se, probably a benediction or something...

[Tennie]

^^ What dst said. There are very strict rules for actual exorcisms.

[han2503]

^^ What dst said. There are very strict rules for actual exorcisms.

That's what I thought. The article probably says it's an exorcist to make it more intrigueing. It was probably an average run of the mill priest

[TriniKing_CE]

Juve Open Joaquín Talks With Valencia
Juventus have made initial enquiries about signing Joaquín from Valencia and talks opened this week about a bid reported to be around €15 million.

La Vecchia Signora made no secret of their desire to tempt the 27-year-old to Turin and travelled to Mestalla on Thursday to speak to Che officials about a deal, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

After their game against Real Madrid in midweek, the Juve sporting director, Alessio Secco, did not return to Italy and instead flew to Valencia to hold speak to the club.

Joaquín's contract runs until 2012 and has a buy-out clause of €40 million, but that would not be the figure that would be asked for amid the club's alleged financial problems.

Juve are more likely to suggest a figure of around €15m for the former Betis star and Valencia would be prepared to consider it in order to boost their own spending plans.

The aim is to push the signing through for the end of the season, but if the player and both clubs are open to the idea then a deal could even take place in January.

Last summer Joaquín was rumoured to be set to leave as the club stated that they would have to sell one star player and were desperate to hold on to David Villa and David Silva.

After a torrid season under Ronald Koeman, who stated that he was worth €30 not €30 million upon leaving, Joaquín has become a key member of the resurgence under Unai Emery.

Juve linked with Joaquin - GOAL.COM

[CrazyMilanFan]

i think these have been denied by joaquin on C4

[TriniKing_CE]

As CMF indicated above:

Joaquin cools Juve talk

Valencia winger Joaquin claims he knows nothing about recent Press speculation linking him with a move to Juventus.

The Spanish international is seen by some experts as a possible answer to the Old Lady's shortage of midfield options.

There were reports in several Italian newspapers that Juve sporting director Alessio Secco had flown to Valencia to discuss a possible deal for Joaquin, but the player is in the dark.

“I don't know anything about a transfer to Juventus,” Joaquin maintained.

“All I have been told by the club is that there have been no offers for me.

“I just want to have a good season here at Valencia. Things are going well and I am happy after my recent problems.”

Joaquin has played 66 games for Valencia since arriving from Real Betis in 2006 and has 51 caps for Spain.

Joaquin cools Juve talk -- Channel4 Italia

[TriniKing_CE]

Long Live Del Piero (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif)

Blog: Leading by example

Just when things look bleak in Turin, Juventus and their talismanic captain step up their game. James Sugrue hails the second coming of Alex Del Piero

(IMG:http://img37.picoodle.com/img/img37/3/11/7/f_DelPiero2ndm_367356e.jpg)

Every season Juventus seem to bring in a long-term replacement for Alessandro Del Piero. With his 34th birthday arriving this week, the likes of Vincenzo Iaquinta, Amauri and Sebastian Giovinco have all teamed up with the Old Lady to seemingly spell the end of Alex's time.

He has withstood all those tests of his ability and dedication though, and even seems to come out stronger every time his place in the team is threatened. Never has that been more evident than now.

Juve were struggling to live up to their potential in Serie A and battling against a growing injury list, while their return to the Champions League had begun with a less than comfortable home win over Zenit St Petersburg and a lacklustre 2-2 draw with Belarus minnows BATE Borisov.

After back-to-back wins over Spanish giants Real Madrid, both inspired by Del Piero's fantastic goals, things are looking very different in Europe. Sitting top of their group and already guaranteed a place in the next round Juve can relax, but in the League the horizon is also much rosier.

Three wins on the trot, including a derby victory over Torino and the conquering of Roma, have left their doubters baffled and highlighted the one important fact that everyone seems to have forgotten since Calciopoli. When push comes to shove and the chips are down, Juventus are still Juventus and probably always will be.

The same applies for their captain. When he walks out in front of a packed stadium, whether it be the Olimpico or the Bernabeu, Alex steps up to the plate and rarely disappoints. He has received his fair share of criticism for his performances in an Italy shirt - which, World Cup 2006 aside, are probably deserved - but in the Bianconero his hero status is well earned.

Few players have the ability to do what he does, and even less have the composure and iron will to try it in the first place. His goals against Real in both games demonstrate that perfectly. Realising he didn't have the pace to take on the Spanish defence he could have held up the ball and waited for support. But not Pinturicchio, he thought he'd just score from where he was!

Far from fading away with age, Del Piero seems to become even more vital to the Juve cause. His recent performances have even seen people forget that the likes of Gigi Buffon and David Trezeguet are still absent with injuries, such was the decisive manner with which he despatched the Spanish champions.

Of course it won't last forever, as even Alex will have to succumb to the sands of time eventually, but just don't expect him to fade quietly into the background. Del Piero's style suggests that when he does go it will be with a huge bang on the biggest stage, maybe even holding the Champions League trophy in his hands.

Blog: Del Piero - Channel4 Italia

[Zed.D]

Del Piero is doing wonders to say the least. last season was Serie A's top scorer and this season has already destroyed Roma, Madrid, etc. with his magic. no striker matches Del Piero's immortality as far as I'm concerned. he's so fresh, playing like a 28yo despite being 33-34. scores high class goals too.

Hope to see him lift the CL this season. Juve have been ridiculously unlucky in finals. they don't deserve to be level with Inter in the number of CL titles won!

This post has been edited by zdrossoneri: Nov 7 2008, 08:46 PM

[Tennie]

Very nice article about Del Piero. When he's on form - as he is right now - he's a real joy to watch.

It's unfortunate he hasn't really replicated his juve level performances for the azzurri.