[Jack Sparrow]

Caraciollo huh? Weren't we linked with him. Besides his good looks I don't know if he's got much else.

So I'm kinda relieved to see this deal go through. Wouldn't put it past Galliani to buy the bloke and say "We lost Suazo, but we got a guy who looks a 100 times better. so now we can shut our transfer market" (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

C'mon R10. Come to Kaka.

[dst]

Ranieri: This is my Juve
Sunday 24 June, 2007

Claudio Ranieri discusses a trident attack, aiming for a Champions League place and why Juventus will be “a real pain for everyone.”

The former Parma and Chelsea boss will lead the Bianconeri back into Serie A after their year of purgatory in the wake of Calciopoli and he has ambitious plans for 2007-08.

“At the very least we are working towards a Champions League spot. When we met the club immediately said there was the money to bring them back to where this side was accustomed to being – as high up the table as possible. The directors kept their word,” he told the ‘Gazzetta dello Sport.’

This week alone Juve have signed Sergio Almiron from Empoli, Lyon’s Tiago Mendes, World Cup winner Vincenzo Iaquinta, Cristian Molinaro of Siena, Piacenza’s Antonio Nocerino and Domenico Criscito from Genoa.

“Both Tiago and Almiron have the technical abilities, but also the determination and work rate needed in that midfield role. They have the personality of a leader.

“These players mix the offensive and defensive play and are also as versatile as I had requested. They’re two real Juve players and that comforts me, as the midfield is the brain of the team.”

The Tinkerman is already planning several options in his line-up for next season and the transfer campaign isn’t over yet.

“Considering their versatility we could have Almiron, Tiago and Cristiano Zanetti in a three-man midfield. Or Pavel Nedved, who can play a central role with those two.

“As for defence, I am more than covered on the left with Molinaro, who I faced at Siena and noted he guarantees great pressure down that flank, Criscito and Giorgio Chiellini. On the right I’m fine with Alessandro Birindelli and Jonathan Zebina.”

With David Trezeguet refusing the latest contract extension, the shape of the Juventus attack is up in the air.

“Why can’t Iaquinta play alongside Alessandro Del Piero and maybe even Trezeguet? I am curious to see what the pre-season period will tell me,” explained Ranieri.

“I have been tracking Iaquinta for six years and complimented him after a friendly between Udinese and Chelsea, as even if he was a little rough, you could see he had the characteristics of a great player.

“In fact, now he is a World Cup winner. I like him because he never gives in and fights for every ball. This is the Juve spirit of the warrior that we need.”

The ultimate Bianconeri fighter is Nedved, but next week the player will announce whether he’ll retire or continue playing for another year.

“Like everyone, I hope he’ll stay. He suffered in Serie B, so why should he not take this team in hand and lead them back into Serie A? I think he will continue, as he is like those batteries that never run out of charge.”

There are reports this weekend that Juventus have approached Fabio Cannavaro to tempt him back to Turin after a year at Real Madrid. Ranieri’s comments on their future transfer plans suggest this is the case.

“We haven’t finished yet, as we are still missing something in defence,” explained the Coach.

“A central defender needs to be a leader, someone who commands the area, has the tactical intelligence to point the way and allow the other defenders to be aggressive.”

The current World and European Player of the Year certainly seems to fit the bill.


channel4

I'm not convinced. As a Zebra fan, I'm worried rather than joyous!

[dst]

Roma rage over Inter-Chivu talks
Sunday 24 June, 2007

After the David Suazo chaos, Inter have again been accused of an illegal approach, this time to Roma’s Cristian Chivu.

It is well known that the Nerazzurri are interested in the defender, but Barcelona are close to a deal – according to Spanish newspaper ‘Marca’ with the official announcement coming on Monday – and a new saga could develop.

‘Marca’ insist that the Romanian will move to the Nou Camp in exchange for £8m plus Ludovic Giuly.

Today ‘Il Romanista’ alleges that Coach Roberto Mancini telephoned Chivu personally to convince him to choose Inter instead.

This infuriated the Giallorossi, who have already felt the burn of these unorthodox transfer techniques this season.

“Roma will never go behind another club’s back,” stated general manager Rosella Sensi.

“Roma have chosen a professional approach and will stick with it right to the end. Inter have chosen another and we respect their decision.”

It is claimed that if Chivu does turn down the move to Barcelona in order to join Inter, then Sensi will report them to the FIGC and FIFA for an illegal approach.

There was a hint of this problem earlier this weekend, when transfer guru Ernesto Bronzetti revealed the background to the negotiations with Barcelona.

“Roma thanked Barcelona for not going directly to the player first,” he told ‘Radio Radio.’

It would be the second time the Nerazzurri have been involved in controversy for contacting players under contract this summer.

Cagliari already revealed that Roma had asked after Suazo back in February, but had kept their promise to the club not to contact him directly until the campaign had concluded.

“Roma were the side who requested Suazo in February and I asked them not to contact the player, as I was afraid it would distract him,” revealed Cellino on ‘Radio Radio.’

“They waited until the end of the season and acted in a very professional manner, but Suazo already had a deal with Inter. Unfortunately, the respect Roma showed me could well have penalised them.”

That same technique created chaos after Milan agreed a £10m transfer with Cagliari for the player, only for them to back out several days later upon realising he had already signed for their San Siro rivals.

Inter are also in the headlines after an investigation was launched into their financial practices, alleging the club was not stable enough to qualify for the 2005-06 season.

Today financial newspaper ‘Il Sole 24 Ore’ claims that the Nerazzurri have the worst economic problems in Serie A, running at a loss of £122m this year.

The debt is covered by an increase in capital performed by oil baron Massimo Moratti and the shareholders.

Juventus ran at a loss of £24m following their demotion to Serie B and the consequent loss of several sponsorship contracts.

Of the ‘big’ clubs only Milan made a profit at £1.6m thanks to the £30m sale of Andriy Shevchenko to Chelsea.

In Serie A the healthiest finances belonged to Udinese, who ended up with a profit of £4.4m.


::channel4::

Punish them! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Tennie]

22.30 L'attaccante francese della Juventus, David Trezeguet, ha rinnovato il contratto con i bianconeri fino a giugno 2011.

[David Trezequet has renewed with the zebras through 2011.]

[misha]

[David Trezequet has renewed with the zebras through 2011.]

All that crap was just to get a higher salary (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Portman]

All that crap was just to get a higher salary (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Bingo. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[whoarethepatriot...]

Caraciollo huh? Weren't we linked with him. Besides his good looks I don't know if he's got much else.

So I'm kinda relieved to see this deal go through. Wouldn't put it past Galliani to buy the bloke and say "We lost Suazo, but we got a guy who looks a 100 times better. so now we can shut our transfer market" (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

C'mon R10. Come to Kaka.

We do need more female fans

[Tennie]

We do need more female fans

Speaking as a female fan, the current team has quite a few visually pleasing players already!

More would always be welcome though. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/devilsmiley.gif)

(If we're talking looks, my vote would be for Cannavaro!)

[kurtsimonw]

Speaking as a female fan, the current team has quite a few visually pleasing players already!

More would always be welcome though.  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/devilsmiley.gif)

(If we're talking looks, my vote would be for Cannavaro!)

Not Ronaldinho? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

You don't see us guys talking about women like that. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

David Trezequet has renewed with the zebras through 2011.]

Man, I told you they were going to win the league. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Jun 25 2007, 11:47 PM

[misha]

Man, I told you they were going to win the league.  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Higher than third will be a big surprise for me.

[kurtsimonw]

Higher than third will be a big surprise for me.

My prediction:
1. Juve
2. Inter
3. Milan
4. Roma

[bigmacmtl]

My prediction:
1. Juve
2. Inter
3. Milan
4. Roma

if we dont sign new players for our "strong squad" then yess i dont see us finishing higher than 3rd.

[kurtsimonw]

if we dont sign new players for our "strong squad" then yess i dont see us finishing higher than 3rd.

I predicted that before any transfers had been made. But I think a battle with Roma for third is the best we can hope for. Juve are always going to be up there and Inter are only getting stronger. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[bigmacmtl]

I predicted that before any transfers had been made. But I think a battle with Roma for third is the best we can hope for. Juve are always going to be up there and Inter are only getting stronger.  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

ya i hate to admit it but even if we make 2 or 3 strong transfers inter is way ahead of us in the league, and juve i have this feeling about them. i dont think they're going to win but i wont be too surprised if they pull off 2nd place. anyways we'll see...

[Tennie]

I don't know about the zebras. They've made some good purchases, but...they'll have some weaknesses. They will, however, be highly motivated. As long as someone (Milan, Juve, Roma, or my personal dark horse, Fiorentina) finishes ahead of the Merda, I'll be happy.