Grazie Luca!

Well the nerves were unnecessary as Italy completed a competent win over Scotland on Wednesday night. I thought it was a pretty comfortable victory - one save for Buffon - and if Di Natale had been a bit sharper it could have been more emphatic. As it was, the great hitman Luca Toni did the job. And what a vital win it was given the way the group is shaping up.

The defence was almost impossible to judge as it was rarely put under pressure but the wide men Zambrotta and Oddo were immense. Both got forward in style, both delivered fine crosses. I thought the De Rossi - Gattuso tandem was impressive and allowed Perrotta the freedom to push forward. De Rossi, in particular, bossed the midfield with a great deal of composure.

Di Natale did fine although he should have scored at least one goal. While Camoranesi was his usual frustrating self mixing brilliance with blunder. Of the subs coming on, Del Piero seemed intent on showing off his dribbling skills, Pirlo slowed things down nicely and Quagliarella really did not have time to be judged. Now, off to the Faroes to leapfrog up the table.

The future's purple

If there ever was a way to make me happy about the official opening of the new Wembley then this was it. A tripletta from Viola man Giampaolo Pazzini - and what a hat-trick.

A total stonker after 27 seconds to become the first man in history to score at the new stadium and then write his name further into the record books with three. By all accounts, he should have had more. Things look bright for the Viola.

Time for La Nazionale

OK, we know Totti won't play until September at the earliest. We have our reservations about Donadoni. But, still, it is time to get the old Azzurri strips back on again as Scotland travel to Bari to face the world champions.

Alex McLeish's men, of course, have the little matter of Georgia to get out of the way before them. Whatever happens, however, they will be ahead of Italy when they meet them and that makes it a must-win home tie. Looking at the respective squads, there is no way anything less than three points is acceptable but football can teach some cruel lessons.

New faces are Max Tonetto and Fabio Quagliarella. Both have been doing well this season. Tonetto has been around the block a few times and looked like being one of those nearly men. However, his form with Roma is such you could not argue with the call up. Quagliarella is a bit more exciting. He is a regular scorer of spectacular goals and a genuinely tricky customer. He is unlikely to get the nod ahead of the likes of Toni and Gilardino but, still, he has the potential to come on and be a match winner. So, all eyes on Bari next week...

Guidolin loses it

My weekend viewing was spoiled immensely by the antics of Palermo boss Francesco Guidolin during their home tie with Fiorentina. Adrian Mutu scored a cracking goal against his team after Roberto Guana fell to the ground injured. This was bound to happen with the new directive to players only to stop when the referee halts play. Maybe Mutu was a bit sneaky, we'll never know, but equally none of the Palermo players stopped playing.

However, Mr Guidolin went bonkers. He was eventually sent off and continued his tirade against Cesare Prandelli and most of the Fiorentina players. Apparently they should have let Palermo equalise, in his opinion. In truth, the Viola did take their foot off the gas anyway and the Sicilians did draw. But their manager's antics left a bitter taste. I have always liked him in the past but, this time around, he got it badly wrong. Especially when his own team has been guilty of such actions in the past...

Derby weekend

Here is a bizarre thought which struck me at lunchtime. Has there ever been a Milan derby which meant so little as the one which will be played this weekend? Certainly I can't think of one where the points gap has been so huge in Inter's favour. I doubt even the great team of the 1960s ever had this kind of advantage.

Coincidentally, it is also derby weekend in Scotland with similarly little at stake. I know no Old Firm game is ever unimportant but after the downfall in Milan it is hard to see how Celtic could get "up" for this game. Still, no doubt they will manage it.

On another note, the Champs league draw has thrown up two intriguing ties for the Italian sides left. Milan must once again lock horns with Bayern Munich. The Rossoneri are more than capable of getting through but they must start to get more goalscoring out of their team.

The other tie is even more appetising from my point of view. Roma take on Manchester United in another game they will be considered as underdogs. Long may it continue - right the way to the final! I am even thinking of going down to Old Trafford. Of course, if you listen to Sky Sports an all-English final is a virtual formality. Mind you, wasn't that the case last year, and the year before, and the year before...

The long night of the Rossoneri

Well, Milan made it through but boy did they have to work hard for it. Eventually a Kaka cracker in extra time was all that separated the sides as they knocked Celtic out of the competition. In truth, the Rossoneri were clearly the better side over the two legs but the Hoops remained in with a shout throughout.

I felt Carlo Ancelotti was a bit overcautious fielding Ambrosini and Gattuso. It resulted in a team which had a lot of the ball but let itself down with the final pass over and over again. I also find both Inzaghi and Gilardino frustrating in their propensity to spend time on the ground. Great strikers both but they need to invest in better studs. Kaka needs to find his shooting boots while Pirlo is not as influential at the moment as he can be. The defence was not harshly tested but I am quite liking the arrival of Bonera which rejuvenates the back line considerably and Oddo has settled in well.

From a Celtic point of view there is no doubt that there is the spine of a team there which can make a regular impact in Europe. Most pressing priority, to my mind, is to find a replacement for Neil Lennon for games against the top teams. If they could find somebody like Milan's Brocchi it would give them the extra pace and energy needed for such matches and also provide a better platform for Nakamura and McGeady. The young centre-backs looked very good but could definitely benefit from having a real top class experienced player to learn from (not sure Pressley fits that bill).

Finally, a bit more strength in depth in the striking department is obviously needed since the "drop off" from Hesselink to Beattie is enormous in European terms. Oh, and make sure they keep a hold of Boruc - that man is brilliant.

Grazie Roma!

You post one great dummy and then someone comes along and makes it look like nothing.

What a piece of stepover magic from Roma's Brazilian genius. And what a great result. In a way it was set up perfectly for the Giallorossi to catch Lyon out on the break but boy were they good.

Sorry end to Inter's campaign. I must have written that of about every Champions League they have ever been part of. They were too scared and took too few risks, too late. The end of the game stuff was pathetic although it would probably have calmed down a lot quicker if Navarro hadn't stormed off the bench to break Burdisso's nose...

The Italian school's last stand

If there is one thing we learned at the World Cup, it is that Italians know how to manage a football team. Marcello Lippi took an unfancied bunch and turned them into the best on the planet. Now it is up to his direct descendents Carlo Ancelotti, Roberto Mancini and Luciano Spalletti to uphold the nation's honour.

It looks tough for all three, particularly Mancio and Luciano. Both could do to grab a goal first if they are to stand any chance of getting the results they need away from home. Milan have to start favourites to knock Celtic out but anyone who has watched them of late will know how hard it has been for them to score goals. The longer it goes without taking the lead the more nervous things will get.

Still, the main thing I hope for is that they all give everything to these games. No thoughts of Serie A, no excuses, just a full blooded battle to make it to the quarter-finals. One team through looks most likely, two would be great and three would be exceptional.

A breathtaking dummy

Nice to see Alex Del Piero back to his best - even if it is in Serie B. This is one of the best dummies I have seen in a while...

Only in Italy.... Or maybe not!

So it would appear the Italian disease is not only Italian after all. The Seville coach was knocked unconscious by a bottle during a derby game last night. One can only presume the blanket coverage given to incidents in Italy will be duplicated for La Liga.

Games behind closed doors, clubs forced to play at neutral venues and a suspension of fixtures are sure to ensue. Or is that only in Italy? Probably.

On the field of play, a dodgy penalty wasn't enough to get Milan three points on Wednesday. Inter finally were held to a draw, by UDINESE! The only top team to make progress were Lazio who now must harbour serious hopes of catching Palermo in third spot. Intriguing times.

A three-way thriller

With the Serie A league title decided and Roma and Palermo apparently safely settled in second and third the most exciting part of the league looks like being the fight for the last Champions League spot. Three of our biggest guns - Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina could all be in the running.

Without handicaps it would be an even better four-way fight for a couple of places with Palermo being dragged in. Their form is so bad at the moment they may yet have to fend off some of these sides. Milan huffed and puffed to a 1-0 late win over Sampdoria (Celtic take note of how organised the Doriani were). Tommaso Rocchi struck a screamer as Lazio saw off Cagliari while it was the usual Mutu and Toni show as the Viola scored a vital win over Empoli.

Emotionally, it would be incredible to see Fiorentina get fourth after a 15 point penalty at the start of the campaign. Then again, UEFA would probably change the rules and only allow three qualifiers and leave us missing out again...

Mixed bag at the top table

Last night's viewing was Roma v Lyon with the Giallorossi more than holding their own against one of the most-touted teams in the Champions League. The visitors started well but Totti and company gradually came onto a game and had their chances. Once again, the lack of a quality striker was there for all to see.

Still, they showed a lot of fight and might just manage to sneak through if they can score first in Lyon. The trouble is, in a quiet game, they picked up EIGHT yellow cards making the squad prospects for progress a little shaky. First job, however, to seal a dramatic qualification.

Inter were undone by two wonderful strikes from Valencia being held to a 2-2 draw at home. The Nerazzurri did have the initiative for a fair bit of the time so I wouldn't give up hope on them yet. Nonetheless, it will take a great performance to qualify for the quarter finals.

Sadly, the English teams did rather well with Chelsea getting an away score draw and Liverpool doing even better. What a twit the Barcelona goalie looked...

The champs is back

It was great to see some gripping football action in the Champions League last night with more to come tonight. The Celtic v Milan clash was a typically cagey and tactical affair but it looked like the Rossoneri had the edge thanks to their midfield quality. A little more precision in the final third and they could have come away with a win.

Still, the 0-0 scoreline leaves all options open but Milan must be strong favourites. I thought Sno had a good game for Celtic while Pirlo and Gattuso were stand-outs for the Rossoneri. Although, it was goalless, it was a thoroughly entertaining clash.

Tonight it is Inter and Roma's turn. The big question is have the Nerazzurri shaken off their traditional role as Euro disappointments? They are all-conquering in Italy but will they let us down again on the Champs League stage? As for the Giallorossi, they can be anything, let's hope they have one of their good nights.

Happy birthday, Roby!

Much has been said about all the bad things to do with Italian football of late. So it is nice to celebrate something good. Today is Roberto Baggio's 40th birthday. The only sad thing about it, really, is that he is no longer gracing the fields of Serie A.

Baggio is probably my favourite all-time Italian player (a straight fight with Giancarlo Antognoni). I can remember exactly where I was when I first heard about him (in a small pizzeria with some friends). And just how thrilling his first impact with both Fiorentina and Italy was. He never quite had the same effect at the big three - Juve, Milan and Inter - preferring to save his best for smaller sides like Bologna and Brescia later in his career. You always got the feeling that he needed to be loved to produce his best.

A fragile figure, he underwent serious knee surgery as a youngster when the Viola signed him from Vicenza. He became an idol of the Fiesole and his transfer to Juve provoked riots in the streets. His goal against Czechoslovakia at Italia '90 remains one of the greatest in the history of the Mondiali. His performance for Fiorentina against Dynamo Kiev in the UEFA Cup the stuff of legend. On an icy pitch, his poise and elegance was there for all to see.

I can only speculate how he might be celebrating his 40th year. Possibly out shooting or meditating (what a man of contradictions). Whatever he is up to, I hope he is thinking about coming back to football in some way soon. Ci manchi tanto, Roby! Buon compleanno!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcTS9H0usf0

The route to self-destruction

Is Italian football really intent on killing off what little chance it had of being competitive in Europe? First of all Calciopoli robbed us of half of our best teams in the events. Now we are making them all play in front of little or no crowd.

I know we face a problem more grave than most but I don't remember anyone else inflicting such self-harm after such incidents. There has been plenty of coin throwing, pitch invading and senseless violence across Europe. I don't remember any of those nations bashing ALL their teams over the head because one of them offended.

It always looked like being a bad year but now I can only see failure in both Champions League and UEFA Cup. Our teams were weak enough without having much home support. It is true that the San Siro was often half empty for European games anyway but such limits on capacity will make for a poor atmosphere and definitely assist both Valencia and Celtic. At least Roma get a full house but they face the toughest game of all.

Our silent Sunday

Well, it promised to be a strange weekend and so it turned out. Watching Fiorentina take on Udinese at a deserted Artemio Franchi had its usual surreal atmosphere. The game without fans is rubbish.

Not that I can complain about the result but, just the same, I think Roberto Mancini has a point. After his Inter side beat Chievo in front of no supporters he said it would be just as well to stop the championship now. It certainly seems a fundamental flaw to play some games in front of fans, some in front of season ticket holders and others in front of nobody at all.

Biggest shock of the weekend was probably Empoli's away win at Palermo. Maybe the Sicilians were still recovering from the terrible events of a fortnight ago. Just the same, their form has nose-dived and it gave the little Tuscans the fourth Champions League spot for the time being.

Who is the biggest?

I have been intrigued by the outrage sparked by Rafa Benitez's comments on the respective "size" of Liverpool and Everton. I suspect there has been a bit of media manipulation of the story but it got me thinking. How do you measure which is the "biggest" club? Is it support? Is it success? Is history more important than the present? Let's take Italy.

Juventus v Torino. You would say no doubt Juve is the bigger team on all counts. But, then again, they tell me that in Turin itself the Bianconeri are not the best supported side.

Milan v Inter. On domestic glory there is not much to choose between them but on the European front the Rossoneri are streets ahead. I think they also get a bigger average support so maybe the red and black half is bigger. Or is it?

Roma v Lazio. I'd be inclined to say Roma on all counts. They have won more in Italy although without a great deal of Euro glory. Also they have spent a lot less time in the lower divisions than their city rivals.

Sampdoria v Genoa. That one is a bit like past versus present. There is no doubt that the Doriani have been a major force in recent times but the Grifone is our oldest club and has many more honours in its locker. I'm inclined to give it to the Rossoblu.

Fiorentina v Anyone else in Tuscany. No brainer. Ale Viola.

Venezia v Vicenza. I don't really care I just put it in for Venezian and as an excuse for another favourite proverb. "Veneziani gran signori, padovani gran dottori, vicentini magnagatti, veronesi tutti matti". Venetians fine gentlemen, Paduans great doctors, Vicentini cat-eaters and Veronese all mad". Apparently Venezia gave cats to Vicenza to combat a problem with mice. The cats were never returned - prompting the "gran signori" to speculate on what happened to them. Apparently Vicentini themselves say "finché ghe xe gati se magna" - as long as there are cats we will eat!

Anyway, anyone think of any other interesting my club is bigger than yours comparisons?

Adesso basta!

Am I the only one getting a little bit tired of how Italian football is being portrayed at the moment in the British media? OK, there is a problem. No doubt the Catania v Palermo incidents were disgraceful and demand change. But you would be under the impression that to go to a Serie A game was to take your life in your hands.

I've been to plenty of matches and never felt the slightest bit of danger. I have never had a scooter land on my head, never been spat on or been struck by a projectile. Indeed, I have always enjoyed the atmosphere. Hopefully, that will continue in future.

I am not sticking my head in the sand and saying that we don't have a problem. We clearly do. But to portray the country as a den of violent disgrace goes too far in my opinion. It is not as if the UK is perfect.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/6249261.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/6151618.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/6191189.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6209342.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/5372228.stm

I know Italy has more serious issues. I am not trying to make light of them. But, please, spare us some of the sanctimonious coverage.

The Blackest Night

Catania v Palermo. It should have been a celebration of Sicilian football returned to the top level. Instead, it turned out to be one of the saddest nights I can remember for the Italian game. Injuries, arrests and a policeman killed. It makes me feel ill.

No games this weekend. Nazionale cancelled and Euro 2012 bid as good as destroyed. Will it never change? From Calciopoli to the Mondiale to this. The rollercoaster of loving the Italian game has hit one of its lowest points. I could write a lot more but, just now, I don't feel like it at all.

Sono senza parole, ragazzi, senza parole.

A strange kind of chart

We all like to get on our high horses about these ridiculous rankings that are produced from time to time in football so the latest one from soccer statisticians is bound to provoke debate. According to the IFFHS the greatest club team of all time is - wait for it - Barcelona.

To be fair, they have only taken into account 1991 to present day which explains a lot about the skew of the figures. Indeed, Parma (11th) rank ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea. Cool.

From their chart I have extracted the Italian standings for my own strange satisfaction. I have put in brackets their overall rating too.

1. Juventus (2).
2. Milan (3).
3. Inter (7).
4. Parma (11).
5. Lazio (18).
6. Roma (22).
7. Torino (33).
8. Sampdoria (56).
9. Bologna (71).
10. Genoa (77).
11. Fiorentina (81).
12. Palermo (87).

The biggest surprise to me is just how highly Torino got ranked. I remember them having one good season in Europe but a lot of time in Serie B during the period in question. It was also a bit of a shock to see Palermo pop in there on the strength of just a couple of seasons back in the top flight. My own Italian top ten - including all time history - would be more like this.

1. Juventus
2. Milan
3. Inter
4. Roma
5. Torino
6. Fiorentina
7. Lazio
8. Genoa
9. Bologna
10. Napoli

The first three are a no-brainer, I reckon. After that, it depends how much you rate old Scudetti against the new. I put Roma up high because of their outstanding record in staying in Serie A. The others, to be fair, you could swap around in any order. Certainly any top division needs all those teams in it. At the moment we are missing four of them which is another comment on how low the league has sunk.

Cuore Viola

It was one of the strangest games I have seen in my long years tracking Fiorentina but, in the end, the boys from Florence came away with three points. Prandelli's men must have had about 30 shots at goal but still found themselves 1-0 down thanks to the deadly Lucarelli of Livorno.

It looked like being one of those games as Adrian Mutu in particular saw his goal attempts thwarted or sail wide. Eventually it was that man Toni who got the Purples back on terms and good old Martin Jorgensen grabbed the win. It was all the more vital looking at the league table as it permitted the Florentine side to climb a couple of places in the table.

Elsewhere, a word of reproach for Gennaro Delvecchio of Samp. Idiot. He robbed us all of a good game as the Doria team and support looked up for the challenge against Inter until he stuck the head on Materazzi (it's becoming a theme!). Even so they put up a good fight but Mancini's men were just too powerful.

Finally, a word on the hilarious press conference Carlo Ancelotti held to defend His Royal Pieness, Ronaldo. He is not fat, apparently that is a myth. "He is an imposing figure, he is a robust player but he is not fat," insisted Carlo on a subject close to his heart. So, remember that the next time somebody calls you tubby after your eighth portion of pasta. "I am not greedy, I am just an imposing and robust eater..."

Bentornato Tubby

Well, the big deal of the January window has been clinched. Milan have beefed up their attack (gettit?) with the return of Ronaldo to Serie A. We remember him, of course, from his times as part of that legendary Inter team which won nothing at all of note. The last time he was in these parts he tumbled over Iuliano's legs in THAT game sparking a million years of recrimination. So it is impossible to ignore his arrival - this time on the red and black side of the city.

Some view it as more of a media move than anything else. It has given good profile to the Rossoneri, is one in the eye for their city rivals AND secures the barrel-shaped Brazilian access to his own image rights. So everybody's happy, right. Right?

There have got to be big question marks over his fitness for the rigours of Italian football. How will he recover from a battering from Fabio Galante? Will he have the pace to outrun anyone? And will anyone else get a sandwich at the Milan buffet table?

In other news, Michel Platini becomes UEFA supremo. Good news or bad? On the one hand he has spoken some sense about football. On the other hand, he is French and an ex-Juventino. Watch out for a new law allowing the Serie B champions to play in the Champions League.

The last temptation of Totti

There were a few talking points arising out of this weekend's Serie A treats but none more so than Francesco Totti's expulsion from the Livorno v Roma game. Having helped his team fight back from a dodgy penalty behind he then laid his hands on Fabio Galante and saw red. It wasn't much of a push, especially compared to what followed when he clobbered his own personal trainer! He does get singled out for "the treatment" from defenders but still this will have confirmed his hot-head reputation in many people's eyes.

Elsewhere, Inter outclassed Fiorentina in the Meazza. The Viola went in with a far-too-defensive mindset and even when they went ahead it was only a matter of time before the Nerazzurri overwhelmed them. I think it is always a managerial admission of failure when you have to make a substitution before half time. Off came Liverani and on came Pazzini in a clear indication that the initial line-up had been too cagey. A dubious goal that barely crossed the line gave Inter the comfort they craved but it was a disappointing Florentine display.

Finally, Lazio and Milan dished up a drab affair in the Stadio Olimpico. The Biancocelesti were too well organised for the Rossoneri to break down and they rarely looked dangerous. Kaka was very subdued indeed. There might be a lesson - and encouragement - there for Milan's upcoming Champions League opponents.

Grazie Mantova!

You know those things that you don't experience for a long time and wonder if they will still feel the same when you do? Those matters that give you great pleasure and are all the sweeter because they don't happen all that often? Well, the weekend furnished me with one of those - Juve got beat by Mantova (what did you think I was talking about?).

I had pondered whether relegation to Serie B might make the Bianconeri more endearing. Their humbling during Calciopoli might have made them less dislikeable. Indeed, their new faith in young Italian players could even have prompted me to consider them a role model for other sides. But, instead, no. It felt great to watch them lose.

No doubt they will still get promoted but it's just nice to see them taken down a peg or two. At the winter break the papers were all full of "Who will Juve sign WHEN they return to Serie A?" stories. Now, if there is one thing Serie B does not like it is arrogance from big teams. So it was fitting that little Mantova kicked the Bianconeri in the balls. They bounced back, of course, against Cesena. But still, it was fun to see them get beat again.

Why I love Serie A

I always knew he was a crackpot but just the same, it is fine to see Livorno President Aldo Spinelli in top form. Not content with firing his Coach Daniele Arrigoni after the 5-1 defeat by Atalanta, he has now got it in for his best players too. Check out his bile for goalkeeper Marco Amelia who spoke up in the manager's defence.

"Amelia loves the sound of his own voice - like all Romans," he ranted. "I hope we can sell him as soon as possible.

"As for Lucarelli, he is our captain, but if the team wanted to save their manager they should have played better."

I can remember Spinelli from his Genoa days and he seems to be getting more barmy with age. In recent times, of course, he effectively pushed Roberto Donadoni out the door when Livorno were flying high. Earlier this season he "dissed" the UEFA Cup by saying it was a pain and hoped his team was out of it soon.

It is this kind of oddball activity which makes Serie A such a loveable spectacle. Even in a predictable season like this (see below) you still have the likes of Spinelli, Cellino and Zamparini to liven things up every so often.

Stop press: Incredibly, player power appears to have worked and Arrigoni retained his post thanks to pressure from Lucarelli. Truly amazing!

Hand over the title

I watched Inter overcome Torino on Saturday night and thought they looked ominously strong. They bossed the midfield in some style and took the lead deservedly. When Torino managed an equaliser they went straight up the field and scored again. It was all ruthlessly efficient.

Then on Sunday afternoon Roma ended up dropping another two points at Messina. A bit of a foolish tackle by Christian Chivu gave the home team their penalty to snatch a draw. The end result is Inter even further clear with nobody capable of holding them. Serie A, which used to be one of the more balanced leagues, is in danger of becoming so one-sided it will fall over. Here's hoping for better next campaign.

I won't even mention Fiorentina, the match with Samp was one of the worst of the season.

Don Fabio's greatest challenge

Even in the great career of Fabio Capello he can scarcely have faced a tougher challenge. To transform Real Madrid from a bunch of gifted, skilful, overpaid, headless chickens into a winning football team. Think of all the ingredients working against him.

1) Being in Spain. The diffidence/hostility of La Liga towards all things Italian is the stuff of legend. They don't like to see one of their top teams being run by a man from the land of "catenaccio". Nonetheless, it needs a man of Capello's strength to solve the club's problems.

2) The Galacticos. The club seems to have been run for years as if by a primary school pupil. Buying up every player possible with no real concept of building a "team" or strengthening positions where you are weak. At least he has weeded out David "Becksy Boy" Beckham by the looks of it.

3) Antonio Cassano. Even the Don must have run out of patience with the boy from Bari. OK, he is the only manager so far to manage to tame him but just the same, he must drive him nuts.

4) Fan expectation. Real have been much more competitive this season but they have had a bad run of results of late. If he fails to deliver something this season just how much time will he be given? Probably not much.

I've got a lot of time for Fabio because he scored the first ever goal to beat England at Wembley AND he took over Sacchi's Milan and made them even better. If anyone can do the job, he can. If not, I hope he comes back home. We miss him.

It's been too long

This winter break is driving me nuts. Alright, I wouldn't go down the English route and play every couple of days but nearly three weeks without Serie A action is killing me. What to do of a Sunday afternoon? The lack of action and controversy is frustrating in the extreme.

I did, however, get the chance to settle down and watch the highlights of the summer once more. What a team the Azzurri were, what brilliant moments they gave us. I can only hope for more of the same once things get back under way. How many days until Sunday?

A festive quiz

How Calcio are you? In the spirit of those Christmas and New Year filler stories in the newspapers, here is my effort. Answer honestly please to discover just how Italian your approach to football is.

1) Your team is back in Europe after 20 years away. Do you:
a) Go to the ground two hours early to soak up the atmosphere?
b) Proudly prepare a "Siamo Tornati" banner?
c) Throw a firework on the pitch and get your ground banned for three matches?

2) Your side, aiming for a UEFA season, is in relegation trouble. Do you:
a) Start travelling to away games to give them the vital support they need?
b) Give them early vocal backing but jeer when they fall three goals behind again?
c) Organise a fans strike which leaves the stadium empty for half the match?


3) A star player for your bitter rivals loses a leg in a serious car crash. Do you:
a) Make a donation to his support fund in appreciation of his skills which rose above petty rivalry?
b) Wish the next derby game was next week?
c) Buy a "You Must Be Hopping Mad" flag?


4) Managing your favourites you find yourselves trailing 4-0 with a man sent off and 40 minutes to play. Do you:
a) Throw on another striker, might as well lose 8-0?
b) Shore up the midfield but keep one pacy front man in the hope of getting something?
c) Get as many defenders on as you can to limit the damage?


5) Installed as president you see your team flying high in an unexpected Champions League spot. Do you?
a) Put a little extra in the January transfer pot to help your manager build on his success?
b) Savour the moment as you know it will pass?
c) Sack the manager after he fails to beat Inter in the San Siro and put all your best players on the transfer list?


6) Working as a touchline reporter you watch the national team record a convincing 3-0 win over Brazil. Do you:
a) Congratulate the coach on his great achievement?
b) Ask the manager if he thought his team was capable of such a result?
c) Ask him why he didn't pick Totti?


7) Your team loses the derby 3-0. Do you:
a) Weep constantly for a month?
b) Curse your players for letting you down?
c) Blame it on the referee's decision not to give you a dodgy penalty in the 89th minute?


8) Jumping for a ball in midfield an opponent accidentally brushes your face with his pinky. Do you:
a) Play on, it never hurt a bit?
b) Flinch and warn him to watch his hands?
c) Fall to the ground writhing in agony, clutching your face and screaming in pain?


9) What is your favourite football food?
a) Pie and bovril?
b) Panino con prosciutto?
c) Pasta, steak, bottle of wine, coffee and grappa during three-hour post-match analysis?


10) Playing at a small provincial team you are at the centre of a bidding war from a number of big sides - including the one you have supported all your life. Do you:
a) Join your favourites, it's a dream come true?
b) Weigh up the financial and emotional advantages of each offer?
c) Sign for Inter, get a whopping signing-on fee and the Scudetto on a plate?

What your answers say about you...
Mostly A - Ma sei proprio inglese! You have a lot to learn about the levels of cynicism, pettiness and stupidity needed to follow Serie A.
Mostly B - Mica male. You are quite a balanced individual who loves their sport but not to excess.
Mostly C - Benvenuto al calcio! You are totally bonkers and would happily watch 38 replays from different angles of a controversial penalty decision in order to discuss the incident for another three hours. Welcome to the club.

An almost perfect Christmas

After moaning about the late goals, only fair to say Saturday was stupendous. Fiorentina drubbed Messina 4-0 with some cracking goals from Toni, Potenza, Liverani and Mutu. Celtic saw off Falkirk (might not have been the best game for Neil Lennon) and the mighty Queen of the South defeated Livingston to get of the bottom of division one.

A perfect way to go into Christmas, Queens safe (for the time being), Celtic miles clear and the Viola with maybe, just maybe a shot at Europe after starting off from minus 15!

Buon Natale to everyone...

The weekend of the late goal

Sometimes you get a weekend where things just go wrong for all the teams you take an interest in. How about this one?

Queen of the South in desperate need of the points to drag themselves off the bottom of Scottish Division One are leading 1-0 until the 88th minute. Then they lose a goal to Airdrie United which means they fail to leapfrog them in the table.

Then, Fiorentina lead Milan with minutes to go and are about to perform a similar leapfrog manoeuvre when Gilardino strikes back to keep us behind the Rossoneri.

Finally, Celtic are winning the Old Firm game (should have been two up, usual cast-iron penalty turned down) when a deflected shot gives Rangers a share of the spoils. Probably the least painful one given the gap at the top of the table but still...

Sometimes I wish games were 87 minutes long.

The crazy world of Berlusconi

Everyone knows that Silvio Berlusconi is prone to the odd crazy outburst but his latest tirade against dearly (very dearly, £30m) departed Sheva is positively cuckoo.

"He is his wife's puppy!" he howled, or words to that effect. "A real man and Milanista would never have done such a thing. In my house I'm in charge. Sheva, however, when his wife calls to send him under the bed, runs along like a puppy!"

I think we can probably rule out a return to Milan in January, then. Unless, of course, Mrs Shevchenko has other ideas and throws in a doggy biscuit to clinch the deal. "Here boy! Here boy!"

Mind you, based on the evidence (above) how many of us would actually blame old Sheva anyway?

Place your bets now please...

The time is almost nigh for our Italian trio - Inter, Milan and Roma - to find their fate in the Champions League. Only the Rossoneri go in as group winners and a whole host of interesting possibilities lie in store. Certainly, there are very few easy draws out there.

The chances must be good of an Anglo-Italian clash with a Italo-Scottish clash not off the agenda as Milan v Celtic is a possibility. Who would we like to get? Who would we like to avoid? I would settle for the following...

Roma v Liverpool, Inter v Arsenal, Porto v Milan, Celtic v Valencia, Barcelona v Man Utd, Real Madrid v Chelsea, Lille v Bayern Munich, PSV v Lyon. Or something like that if it is possible. How many do you reckon out of eight?

Incredible at the Olimpico

I can honestly say if you had told me after half an hour of the Rome derby that Lazio would win 3-0 I would have thought you were having a laugh. So much so that I even risked a few hard earned pounds on a Giallorosso triumph. They were passing the ball well, creating chances - it looked only a matter of time until they went ahead.

Then Cristian Ledesma struck a thunderbolt shot that gave Lazio the lead and the whole Roma edifice seemed to crumble. A blunder from the ridiculous Phillipe Mexes helped to gift a penalty. Then the dubious decision to send on Vucinic (what has Montella done to be ignored in his favour?) and throw caution to the wind left gaping gaps in the Roma defence. It could have been an even heavier defeat in the end, which seemed impossible given the class gulf between the sides.

The result puts Lazio in the running for a Champions League spot while just about killing off Roma's Scudetto hopes. That's a shame as I would like to see somebody put some pressure on Inter. But it looks like they are too powerful for anybody to seriously challenge. I never thought I would be saying that about Inter.

Trains, rains and Luca Toni

Well, it turned out to be one of the strangest Sundays on record in my time tracking the Viola. Our first plan was that myself and my father would drive to Lucca, catch a train to Florence and watch the boys. Train strike, however, so no go on that front.

So, the day dawned and about 11am in our little Tuscan village base everything looked set fair. Until we set out on the car journey. With every passing mile the fog intensified and the rain got heavier. The conversation went something like this.

Dad: "This is awful."
Me: "Too true."
Dad: "Be even worse later on."
Me: "Too right!"
Dad: "Don't think I could face driving home in this."
Me: "Me neither."
Dad: "Will we just go to the Pozzo and have a slap-up lunch and watch it on telly?"
Sound of brakes as car turns around to head back to the heart of the Garfagnana.

So, we never made it to the game but ate and drank like lords instead. In our local bar some scemi wanted to watch Cagliari-Milan so we ended up in a friend's house just in time to see Toni strike. Happily, we didn't miss a classic but the three points were vital. As the night got even more miserable I think we realised we had made the right decision to stay put. And another cracking meal with a good bottle of red made the case all the more convincing.

Franchi, my dear...

The time fast approaches when I make my annual voyage to old Firenze to watch the boys in purple give me heart failure. After twice taking in the Fiorentina-Milan game (one win, one defeat) it is time to face up to Lazio. It is the battle of two of the teams penalised at the start of the season, although the Laziali got off a lot more lightly than us.

Much of the day will be spent in nervous anticipation. A meal nearby and then into the ground far too early. Three points would be a great tonic, my overall record at the Franchi is not too bad, especially given I generally pick one of the tougher opponents. I've seen more wins than losses which is a pretty decent return for a club that has given its fans as much heartache as the Viola.

Still, I fear Lazio's form is better than ours and if they can sneak in front that wee Rocchi man can hurt us on the break. On the other hand, in front of the Fiesole many a better team than Delio Rossi's side has been defeated. Here's hoping - I'll say 3-1 with goals from Toni, Montolivo and lucky mascot Jorgensen.

A change of look

I thought it was time for a bit of a change as I never really liked the old look. Inspired by the confirmation that Cannavaro had been crowned Balon d'or - take that Frenchies - I finally found the energy to shift things around. I'd still like to customise it a bit more (especially the banner) but I'm not sure if my blogging skills are quite up to it. Anyone who has any advice it will be gratefully received.

Anyway, it is time to go and watch the second half of Brescia v Milan in the Coppa Italia. Yes, I am that sad...

Bad night at the Barbera

The scene was set, the beers were in, the television primed and ready to go. The build-up impressive, the supporters choreography cracking and the general buzz outstanding. Then play got under way in the Palermo v Inter match.

It is hard to explain why I was so disappointed in this would-be clash of the titans. It was clear from the outset, with a cagey 3-5-1-1 formation that the Rosanero were scared. For most of the first half either Inter were very good or Palermo stood back and watched them, depending on your viewpoint. Still, it took a howler from Inter old boy Alberto Fontana to give the Nerazzurri the lead. Then, amazingly, the well-kept-quiet Amauri scored a scorcher with the outside of the boot to level matters.

That should have sparked a cracking second half but instead Inter took control again with Guidolin's men still surprisingly submissive. It was no surprise when Patrick Vieira thumped home the winner. The only shock was that a late header against the post could have salvaged an ill-deserved draw for the home team.

It looked to me like a medium-sized team struggling to cope with being in a league winning position. It was almost as if they would have been happier being a bit further down the table. All hope of Inter not winning the Scudetto is now officially in Roma's hands who scored goal of the week through Francesco Totti at the weekend.

At last, some good news for Milan

In a season of shaky form and dodgy results at last the Rossoneri have received some good news. Ropey Brazilian goalkeeper Dida is out for three months injured. Without being too harsh on old Duda, apart from one great season he has always looked prone to error. In comes big Kalac for the time being with Marco Amelia lined up for a January swoop along with a decent striker, surely.

This is a big weekend for Serie A with Palermo and Inter going head to head on Sunday night. I'd like to see the Rosanero win it, mostly just to keep the league open. However, a 1-0 Inter sneak job would not surprise me. Hope it's a good game. Main beneficiaries could be Roma who have an easy looking trip to Sampdoria although it is a ground where they have not historically done well. My old Viola have yet another Tuscan derby, this time away to Siena - a week before I watch them in person taking on Lazio.

Finally, I made some money backing Fenerbahce to beat Palermo last night. If there is one thing you can guarantee it is that an Italian team won't let you down to lose in Europe when a big league game is round the corner. Especially when they field their boys team.

Not only in Italy...

Bremen, Germany - The Champions League reaches its closing stages with Chelsea needing just a draw to get through. Or, indeed, a defeat would actually still see them qualify - as long as it is by a single goal. And those three points for the Germans would allow them to take on Barcelona needing just a draw to get through themselves. The final result? Miracolo, 1-0 to Werder...

Jose Mourinho, the world's greatest wind-up merchant, said before the game that he only played to lose against his children. In that case, it was a masterstroke by Bremen to find 11 of his infants out there.

Grande Capitano!

It might seem all I do is moan and groan here about the lack of recognition for Italian football. So, it is only fair to spend a few words in tribute to Fabio Cannavaro winning the Pallone d'Oro.

I don't think anybody who watched the World Cup could deny he was our most influential player (close-run thing with Buffon). His timing was amazing, his leap for such a small guy and his sheer guts and determination so typical of the team. I think his defining moment was when he won the ball and drove forward for the second goal against Germany in the semi-final.

Here's hoping he can get out of Madrid soon, come home to Napoli and Serie A and end his career in style. Grazie Capitano!

Inter - the new Juve?

With the Bianconeri safely shunted down to Serie B somebody had to take on the role of pantomime villain in the top division. After watching their late show against a battling Parma side, could it actually be Inter?

How ironic it would be after all their bickering and moaning and dossier compiling over the years if the Nerazzurri were to turn into their arch-enemies. The first thing they have done is sign up a couple of Juve's more objectionable players - Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Patrick Vieira. Ibra's goal celebrations are the kind of thing that would make even a mild-mannered father of two (never mind me!) leap up and try to slap his face through the television. While Vieira's mastery of the elbow, shunt, kick and trip are second to none.

Now, however, Inter also seem to have added the 'Culo' factor so long thought to be the reserve of the residents of Turin. Up pops Julio Cruz after a good save by De Lucia to give them three points they scarcely deserved. And Maicon's celebrations, goading the Parma fans, were something we could all have lived without.

Maybe you always need a baddy. Maybe a team that wins a lot just becomes dislikeable. Inter should win the league this season by a mile but I am becoming more and more convinced that I would really rather they didn't. It used to be "Tutta l'Italia contro la Juve" but I suspect most of Italy - especially juventini - would like to see Inter contrive to lose out somehow this year.

A strange night

All credit to Roma for overwhelming the Viola in the second half on Sunday night but it was a strange night from a purple perspective. We started off so well that even the absence of Toni was hardly noticed. But in the second half we were a different team.

A lot of the honour has to go to the Giallorossi who came out transformed but just the same I was disappointed with my boys. Reginaldo looked a bit out of his depth and we were a bit unfortunate with deflections that ended up at Taddei's feet but it was still a worrying display. Still, I guess Atalanta this weekend is more what I should be worried about and the pursuit of points to get us off this darned zero...

Kaka - simply the best?

Following his virtuoso performance against Anderlecht on Wednesday night the question has to be asked. Is Milan's Kaka the best player in the world at the moment?

OK, his World Cup displays were poor but the whole Brazil team was unimpressive there and many players played out of position. With the Rossoneri, he has been breathtaking for a while and last night was outstanding. He is one of the very few people in the game who really makes you sit up and take notice - and he does it very regularly. The way he spins round a marker in particular is truly outstanding.

I can't think of anyone playing better at the moment. Is there anybody else out there who can?

Blatter must go ... and faith in calcio restored

Even in the great anti-Italian world of Sepp Blatter he has hit new depths. The FIFA chief has apparently apologised to Australian fans for their country's elimination at the World Cup. He says the penalty on Grosso was a refereeing mistake (fair enough, though softer have been given) and that the Socceroos would probably have gone through in extra time (very debatable and conveniently ignoring the fact that Materazzi hardly deserved his straight red).

App

Apparently FIFA have now issued a statement saying he has been misreported but, let's face it, it is hardly out of character. I don't remember any apology to Spain and Italy after the crazy decisions in 2002.

On a happier note, I watched two cracking adverts for the Italian game at the weekend. The Milan derby was an absolutely gripping spectacle - not just for the seven goals but for the sheer drama. Then I watched my beloved Viola go down 3-2 in another memorable match at home to Palermo. We scarcely deserved to be held to a draw, never mind lose. Still, pazienza, we are playing well. Great game. Maybe it's going to be a good Serie A season after all...

Tonight is the night...

The verdict is set to be delivered tonight on any reduction of the points penalties inflicted on Milan, Juve, Lazio and Fiorentina. It is a totally unsatisfactory situation but it will have a major impact on the league table.

Juve's Serie B procession could be made a lot easier, Milan might come back into the Scudetto hunt and Lazio and Fiorentina might have a better chance of avoiding relegation. It proves, once again, that the game would be a whole lot better if everything could be decided on the pitch.

Still, I won't be complaining if the Viola get back into positive figures.

A grim affair?

Well, is it or isn't it? I can't make up my mind whether this is the most exciting title race for years or the most boring. The weekend has me leaning towards the latter although that would be pretty unfair on Palermo's historic win at Milan.

There have probably never been so many teams so closely piled together at the top of the table so, in some ways, that makes for excitement. But if you watched Udinese against Inter and a couple of Roma's recent struggles you would be hard pushed to work up much enthusiasm. Is it just me, or do we maybe miss Juve?

I mean, no offence to them, but seeing Udinese, Livorno, Siena, Atalanta and the rest up at the top end is refreshing in some ways but it doesn't exactly smack of quality does it? I tend to think the quality of football has been diminished by taking away one of our great sides and handicapping another three big sides with whacking points penalties. Perhaps it is just the sour grapes of a Viola man who is now working out that his team would be in third place without its points handicap (admittedly that would probably be fourth if Juve were still in things).

So, an open question - is this an exciting, open league or has the whole Calciopoli thing dragged down the standards significantly? Or maybe both?

Tonight, we are all Amaranto

Ladies and gentlemen, for those of us brought up north of the border and with all that following football up here entails, tonight is a special one. All Italo-British clashes are emotional occasions for me but a clash with the boys from Ibrox is particularly keenly felt.

I don't care about the whole religious thing and am not particularly fanatical about the other half of the Old Firm. However, personal experience makes it impossible not to hope Lucarelli and Company give the Rangers a roasting. I have visited Ibrox a few times and been called an "Effing Tally" often enough to want the boys from Leghorn to win this one in style.

What are the chances? Rangers come to the game in truly awful form while Livorno could hardly be playing better. In addition, I saw somewhere that the boys in Blue have only managed one draw and nine defeats in ten previous visits to Italy. Although, these UEFA group games leave me cold, I have to say. Four matches to knock two teams out of a five side group - how dull is that? That old mad dog Aldo Spinelli was right when he said the UEFA Cup meant something when he was President at Genoa but it has become a joke now.

Still, despite my natural aversion to all Tuscan teams outside of Florence I will be at the Armando Picchi in spirit tonight. Then it's time to turn my attentions to the battle of the minus signs on Sunday when Fiorentina take on Reggina.

Back and angry...

Let me vent my anger over the latest issue which is blighting Italian and world football and really starting to bug me - namely face-clutching. I watched a bit of the Siena v Messina game on Saturday night and they were at it there. I recently saw Willy Sagnol get Fabio Grosso sent off with a similar action. And it seems to go on as a matter of routine in almost every match staged across the continent at the highest level.

You know what I am talking about. Somebody gently brushes a player with his left pinky somewhere within three feet of his nose. Then the player "struck" goes down as if his cheekbone was fractured in 12 places. The red/yellow card is brandished and the "offender" suffers while the "victim" is back up and playing in seconds.

It is something which annoys me on a number of levels. At the very least it slows up play as any decent referee has to stop play for a supposed head knock. It is a pathetic attempt to land a fellow pro in trouble. But most of all there appears to be no sanction against anyone who is clearly play-acting. "Simulation" to try to get a penalty often earns a yellow card, I think this kind of feeble falling down should also earn a card to try to cut it out. Otherwise, I seem to be seeing it about three or four times in every match these days.

Phew!

OK, so it wasn't vintage by any standards but it was still good to get the ball rolling with three points against the Ukraine. And what a strike from Toni, quite similar to the one he belted in for the Viola a week earlier. Didn't understand the use of Del P (I feel his day is done at Nazionale level) or Iaquinta (I feel his day should never have come at Nazionale level). Still, it put me in a better frame of mind for Georgia.

Cracking result for Scotland but not sure whether it was good or bad for overall Italian qualification. The bottom line, however, is always to focus on your own results. Another win on Wednesday night and we would be right back in the hunt for a top two spot. Anything less than a win, however, would undo the positive feelings I have right now.

I have to confess here and now that my vision of the Ukraine game was severely impaired by my own stupidity. I forgot that my wife had invited friends round for whom I cooked a lovely meal (stuffed peppers followed by linguine with king prawns). However, it meant my overall game view was very limited. And I may have done even worse for Wednesday having booked to go away on holiday with the family. Chances of holiday park showing Georgia v Italy over Croatia v England or Ukraine v Scotland? Less than nil. I will be with the boys in spirit and regularly checking on ceefax, WAP or with my cousins...

What have we done to make them so disrespectful?

OK, OK, I know the World Cup is over but just the same you would think it would have earned Italy some RESPECT!

Firstly you have Paul Hartley saying that the Azzurri might have won the World Cup but everybody knows France are the better team. Bite the tongue, I told myself, take it on the chin. Silly wee Hearts man.

But then you get Oleg Blokhin saying he expects to beat Italy this weekend. Now that's taking things too far. Did he miss the Mondiale? Has he forgotten the beating his boys took? Does being champions of the world count for nothing? (I don't know what the blogging equivalent of grabbing your balls and pulling a Sylvester Stallone type pose is but I am doing it now).

I demand RESPECT for the Azzurri and I demand it now. We are four times world champions, a couple of times finalists, always near the top of the Euro tree. We are right up there side by side with Brazil. So give us some RISPETTO!

...And let's beat Ukraine and Georgia please!!!

Back to Del Piero...

More than one quizzical eyebrow has been raised at Roberto Donadoni's call-ups for the crunch Euro qualifying clash with the Ukraine. Alberto Gilardino and Antonio Cassano are the biggest name casualties from his first competitive clashes - seemingly sacrificed to make room for Luca Toni and Alex Del Piero.

The move smacks a little bit of uncertainty from the new boss. Why call up Cassano in the first place only to dump him this time? While Gilardino is crying out for somebody to show a bit of faith in him having been questioned at both club and country level for no good reason. It is surprising to see Del P back in the squad while nobody doubts Toni deserves his spot after the cracker he scored on Sunday. Still, judgment reserved until after the game.

On the league front it is Palermo and Roma who go into the national break on top after Inter's slip up at Cagliari. Neither side sparkled at the weekend but it is shaping up like an amazingly exciting campaign. The door is open for a real surprise Scudetto winner, is anybody prepared to take the chance?

Povero Toro!

I would freely admit I have a soft spot for Torino. Maybe it is their dislike of Juve, maybe it is their tragic history (Superga, Gigi Meroni etc) or maybe it is just the colour of their strips. Whatever it is, it never seems like a proper Serie A season without them.

But, boy oh boy, did they take one hell of a beating on Saturday night. 4-0 going on 8-0 by Lazio. They held on reasonably for a half but once they went behind, the floodgates opened. Maybe their President, Mr Urbano Cairo, will be having a few regrets about sacking the Coach who got them promoted a few days before the season started to bring in Alberto Zaccheroni. If you too thought that Zac's day was done it was proved in spades in front of the long-suffering Granata support.

The team clearly don't want to play for him because, although they are bad, they are not that bad. They desperately need a striker and a way to get the best out of undoubtedly talented players like Rosina and Fiore. Otherwise, they might pass Juve coming up as they head straight back down to Serie B.

We are not alone...

So, we stood and took it for most of the summer about how we were the most corrupt league in the world, the shame of our top teams, the scandal that was Serie A. Well, ladies and gentlemen, it's time for a little payback.

Tune yourselves in to Panorama tonight and find out how many Premiership managers like a bung. That is to say, a little sweetener of cash for their pocket to clinch major transfer deals. It appears we are not talking, as in Italy, the simple use of influence but rather the more grubby subject of cold, hard notes. The results of a full inquiry are expected out early next month.

What can we expect? Managers banned, teams relegated, points deductions? Probably not. More likely the sound of the old carpet being lifted and a judicious bit of sweeping...

Some surprises - and Inter...

In the end it was only Inter who let down Italy in Europe in the Champs League. I made the mistake of watching their clash with Sporting Lisbon not Roma's impressive 4-0 victory over Donetsk. It was drab, dull and uninspiring as Inter have often treated us to in Europe. The Giallorossi, by all accounts, took their time to break down their opponents but when they did - they did it in some style.

As for Milan, they looked pretty good and I was particularly impressed by Gourcuff or however it is spelled. Oliveira looked less stellar but luckily for the Rossoneri old Pippo was in full swing.

Now bring on the UEFA!

Champions apprehension

I dont think I ever approached the Champs League with a greater sense of concern. I really struggle to see Italian teams making any impact this year.

Roma struggled last season with the double burden of league and UEFA Cup so don't look to have a squad ready for the top competition. Milan will be totally focussed on getting their points back in Serie A. And Inter, well Inter just always let us down.

With Chievo gone already and our UEFA contingent looking modest too, I fear there are a couple of lean years ahead. Or am I just too pessimistic?

Bring it on

Well, it hardly seems like yesterday we were beating France to win the World Cup and it is back into action against the old enemy on Wednesday night. There has been a lot of nonsense spouted about the game but I think most of it has been sour grapes on the French front. I hope that Italy don't rise to that particular bait and just concentrate on playing football.

I was actually happy enough with the Lithuania game - apart from the result. I thought there was some good enterprise shown and Cassano was outstanding. Also Gattuso, Pirlo and Cannavaro have grown even more in stature with the World Cup win. However, there were a few worrying gaps at the back and I think we might be better advised to bring Zambro back against France and maybe consider a more prudent 4-4-2 (with Cassano behind front two if we want to be adventurous).

Anyway, here's hoping we beat them fair and square (again) and stop them crying into their chardonnay...

The shape of things to come?

Phew, if the Italian Supercup is anything to go by we could be in for quite a season despite all the scandal that has preceded it. Roma go three goals up, Inter fight back and win it in extra time. Not bad entertainment value from the two teams most touted to win the Scudetto this year.

I think it could be a really open fight with so many teams trying to make up points and without a real dominant force like Juve. In theory, Inter should probably stroll to the title but somehow that just doesn't seem likely to me. They were strong already and have brought in a lot of good players. But, remember, Inter are still Inter and could probably lose an egg and spoon race to a man with the shakes. That makes for an exciting league.

Just can't wait now for the court rumbles to be over with and get back into action. Also intrigued to see how Cassano gets on for Italy having been brought in from the cold. I'm a bit worried about Lithuania and France in the post-World Cup haze. If Donadoni can get the team properly motivated he will have performed a miracle.

Let it go, let it go...

I know I have never been known for my pro-Juventus leanings but they are starting to slip even further in my estimation with their unwillingness to accept their punishment and get on with Serie B. Not only has this protracted fight dragged Italian football through the mire, it is also threatening to see the Serie A season delayed further AND see action taken against the whole Italian football federation.

In the end, we could all sit and debate who deserved to be punished more or less by the Calciopoli scandal. In some ways Juve were hard done by but in others they got off quite lightly. Seeking a solution at the regional court of Lazio is, to my mind, taking things too far. It's time to move on and if that means the Bianconeri in Serie B, so be it. I hope their request is thrown out and I can actually get on with writing about football.

Watched Chievo go out the other night to Levski Doodah in the Champs League qualifier. I know that the Viola were going out to Genoa in the cup at the same time but I still think we could have been in the group stage draw which took place yesterday. Just bought my copy of Champions magazine which is full of stuff on Luca Toni and Cesare Prandelli. It will be a collectors item one day. In the meantime, it will be at least another two seasons before that dream comes true. If Fiorentina, Lazio, etc have to get on with it, then why can't Juve?

Finally, sad to see Oba Oba Martins leave Inter. He was always one of my preferred players in a team that I didn't have too much time for. I reckon he could score a lot of goals in England...

Have they taken leave of their senses?

I know that nothing should really surprise me now but just the same I have been taken aback by recent TV reports and stories I have seen on Italian football websites of some repute (and now here, too). There are transfer stories that shock you (Mo Johnston to Rangers), stun you (Luther Blissett to Milan) or just downright make you laugh (Steve Staunton being linked to a Serie A move springs to mind). But my mixture of revulsion, hilarity and disbelief has rarely been so great as when I read...

Milan want to buy Ronaldo

Is this the same tubby-guts, lackadaisical, unimpressive hitman we watched slump out of the World Cup this summer? Apparently so. But why? Why? Why? Why? (Is that enough) do Milan want to sign him? I know they have lost Sheva but this is such a backward step they might as well snap up Gazza, Gunnar Nordahl and Silvio Piola at the same time. Apparently, Inter are even thinking of intervening to spoil their plans. Madness, sheer madness.

Surely a young up and coming striker, maybe even an Italian, would be better than the man who can no longer get off the ground. Or am I being too harsh?

Return of the champs

OK, we all enjoyed the summer but it's time to get back down to business with the first friendly of the Donadoni era. I admit it, the thought of seeing a squad including, I think, one World Cup winner (Amelia) doesn't exactly fill me with joy. But, still, the Azzurri are the Azzurri and the last time I missed a game was when I was wearing nappies (yes, it was six months ago but that was just a phase, honest).

Apparently there was a joke in the Gazzetta the other day about Dona's first squad, it said, more or less: "Donadoni has announced his first squad it contains: 7 debutants, 5 Sampdoriani, 3 dentists, two folk singers, one pensioner and three of his neighbours..." Nice one.

Still, interesting to see just how we get on and plenty of interest for a Viola man with a lot of our current and past players in the squad. I just hope it's not too embarrassing but then, Lippi started with a bad loss to Iceland.

Will also try to watch the Under 21s tonight and see what Gigi Casiraghi can come up with. That's a strange managerial selection indeed. However, if he gets the wins, you won't find me complaining. And, you know what, whatever happens we are STILL WORLD CHAMPIONS!

Milan miss Sheva...

They might protest to the contrary but Milan could desperately do with a striker to replace Shevchenko if last night's Champs League efforts are anything to go by. The Rossoneri looked good until the final third but only that old stager Inzaghi could find the net. It is early days of course but they looked more in need of Ibrahimovic than neighbours Inter who have clinched his signature. Still, there is plenty of time for a deal to be put together, I guess. Otherwise, they will struggle more than I thought to make up ground in Serie A.

Spare a thought for little Chievo too beaten 2-0 by Levski Sofia in their Champions League debut. Expectations were low for the Veronese but they will have their work cut out to turn things around. I couldn't help looking at the fixture and thinking that should have been Fiorentina, that should have been Fiorentina...

Is it that time again?

It hardly seems like the grappa, spumante, chianti and montepulciano have had time to settle in my bloodstream after the World Cup and we are back into Euro action. Milan and little Chievo in the Champs League. I have pretty much written off the continental competitions this year given the loss of three of our better sides. Still, maybe I can be proved wrong.

On other notes, it looks like Luca Toni is going to stay put in Florence. I am never sure how much players want to leave and how much is stirred up by agents, newspapers and other clubs. However, it can't be denied that 30 goals a season would have left a big hole in the Viola attack. They need all the points they can get starting 19 down on the competition.

Finally, I wouldn't rule out Milan from the Scudetto reckoning just because they are starting with a points penalty. Bigger gaps have been made up in the past and even though Inter have got a title under their belt AND bought up all the best players in Italy they still never convince me. The only other contenders are Roma who might finally have some strikers to pick and are able to sign new people to the cause. It will be an odd year but definitely and exciting one - looking forward to seeing Juve, Genoa, Napoli, Bologna and other big guns fight it out in Serie B too...

The strangest Scudetto

So Inter have their 14th league title, in the most bizarre manner imagineable. Having finished third in Serie A they saw all their nearest rivals penalised and won it more than a month after the season ended. Never before has it happened in Italian football - the last time a team had its title revoked (Torino back in the 1920s) it was simply not assigned. So, is there really any glory for Inter?

On the one hand, why shouldn't they have it? If they were the only clean ones in the top four then the title should be theirs. On the other hand, it can never be known how the league would have finished without all the alleged piloting of referees. And after such a long wait, would you really want to win the Scudetto that way?

I can see that as a fan you would want a title any way you could get it. Nonetheless, I still think there must be a bit of an odd flavour to the celebrations. I reckon most true Nerazzurri would give up ten titles won in this manner for one won on the pitch without sporting justice's intervention. They can protest all they like but it is a bit of a tarnished trophy. That will fade with time, of course, but still the Scudetto 2006 will remain one of the strangest in Italian football history.

One degree of separation

My recent trip to Italy - to receive a little medal from my family's home town of Barga - was given a bit of added pleasure by the fact that I got my hands on the World Cup. Well, almost.

One of my fellow award recipients was none other than Enrico Castellacci, the Italian team doctor and probably the most famous set of baffi in football. I couldn't miss the chance to get my picture taken with a man who only a couple of weeks earlier held the Coppa del Mondo. Of course, he said meeting me was right up there with winning the tournament...

Quelle surprise!

Zinedine Zidane gives a headbutt, three-match ban. Marco Materazzi, receives a headbutt, two-match ban. This is how justice works at FIFA. I honestly think if they could come up with a way to strip Italy of the World Cup they would. The whole organisation needs to be looked at.

What message does this send out to players? Dish out a few insults or clobber an opponent, it's all the same. If it's going to start a grass roots weeding out of all players who verbally provoke opponents then fair enough. But I reckon your average game would finish about three against three.

It smacks more of something they felt they had to do to justify giving Zidane the Golden Ball thing. Anyway, I'm off to Italy for a few days to fume. Catch up with you all soon!

A week is a long time

Last Monday I was still recovering from my World Cup winning hangover, basking in the glory of the Azzurri's triumph. In the space of seven hectic days the world of Italian football has been turned on its head. In all the time I've followed the game I can't think of more dramatic times. I need to get a few things straight in my head.

1) Marcello Lippi has stood down as Italy boss (can't say I blame him, only way was down).

2) Roberto Donadoni has been appointed the new CT (exciting, if risky appointment).

3) Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi have been called before FIFA (quite right in the first instance, a nonsense in the second. No amount of provocation justifies Zizou's act).

4) Juve, Lazio and Fiorentina have been banished to Serie B. Juve stripped of two titles and Milan dumped down Serie A with a 15 point penalty to start the next campaign.

A couple of thoughts spring to mind on the Calciopoli thing. Firstly, from a purely Viola standpoint, it hardly seems fair that Fiorentina were hit just about as hard as Juve when it was the Bianconeri who allegedly ran the whole system - often to the Viola's detriment.

Secondly, it makes Serie B a hell of tough league next season. My estimate puts it at about 50 scudetti between teams in that division. Juve (27), Genoa (9), Bologna (7), Napoli (2), Fiorentina (2), Lazio (2) and Verona (1). Have I missed anyone out?

Finally, will Inter finally be able to win the league or will they manage to find somebody to beat them again? Probably Roma...

And even more finally, I hope there is not a mass exodus of our best players out of Italy. It would be truly awful to see some of our World Cup heroes end up playing in England.

Grazie Paul Newman!

So, Marcello is gone. It really shouldn't surprise anyone because how could he cap what has been a glorious couple of years? A record of just two defeats in 29 games (one of them a friendly) is completely unprecedented. The only way was down with a number of our elder statesmen likely to step down.

It's a shame that external matters seem to have played a part once again. Criticism of his managerial qualities (he could only succeed at Juve and that kind of thing) as well as the allegations against his agent son put him under unfair pressure. One thing is for sure, he goes straight into the hall of all-time greats.

I always liked his straight-talking, ballsy attitude in interviews. He was willing to disagree strongly with pundits, show a sense of humour and try to ignore their attempts to stir up scandal. He brought together a team which, let's be honest, few thought could actually win the World Cup and took off the ultimate prize. For that reason alone he stands among the greats.

Addio, Marcello. Enjoy all the cigars you like and a great summer in Viareggio. You deserve your place beside Bearzot and Pozzo...

Campioni del mondo!

Yes, read that title. Read it again. Then read it once more. Then go, make the coffee, put your feet up and read it again. Then phone up all your friends and tell them. It is true, Italy are world champions.

It was a rollercoaster, especially last night. A goal down so soon, back on terms through big Marco, then a few good chances before falling a bit onto the backfoot. A goal disallowed, more penalty shouts and then THAT headbutt. And finally, victory ... on penalties! Five great penalties. That Trez missed his only made it sweeter but our boys kept their cool marvellously well.

I will blog some more about this in due course, no doubt. Indeed, I may blog about nothing else for the next four years. Savour it, tifosi, all the heartache has been worthwhile...

Il sogno continua...

Fratelli e sorelle d'Italia, it has taken me a couple of days to come to terms with what I witnessed on Tuesday night. Right up there with Brazil 1982, West Germany 1970 and maybe the backs to the wall Holland win in Euro 2000 came THAT amazing display. Even as I type, I struggle to come up with words to do it justice.

Cannavaro maintained his claim to player of the tournament, Buffon was impeccable as always, even Materazzi won my heart. Nobody in the world can have better attacking full-backs than Zambrotta and Grosso who played fantastically. The midfield was strong in the first half and when it faded a bit, Lippi made the right changes. Gattuso gave everything, Perrotta had one great chance, Pirlo kept us ticking, Totti is improving with every game, Toni worked tirelessly. Only Camoranesi still frustrated me but, on such a night, let's not pick flaws.

And what about the goals? The first one was pure Marco Tardelli stuff, even Grosso's celebration brought the same goose-bump feeling. And Del P was like the Del P of his boyhood brilliance as he sped the length of the pitch to ping the ball home. Lovely set up by Gila too.

There's one more hurdle to overcome, the French. No doubt they are a strong side with plenty of individuals worthy of respect but we've built up such a momentum we'll be hard to stop now. If we can keep up the team spirit, concentration and quality we have shown this far then, as Il Messaggero apparently proclaimed, "Not even the Martians can beat us!".

Here's hoping ragazzi. Keep the faith, no doubts and go for it!

We're in business

Come what may, the Azzurri have brought back a bit of respect to Italian football over the past few weeks. If they pull off a win against Germany, the job would be even better. Still, to get to the World Cup semi-final is back to the business end of football's biggest competition which is somewhere we have not been for 12 years.

The win over Ukraine was impressive with Toni among the goals, Totti pulling the strings and that defence truly breathtaking (especially the Juve connection Cannavaro, Buffon and Zambrotta). What you've got to like about this team is its spirit - typified by Gattuso but carried on by everyone in the side. All the old debates like Baggio/Zola, Totti/Del Piero and, for those with longer memories Rivera/Mazzola have been put to one side. There is no outstanding superstar which has made everyone seem happy to work for each other.

There are any number of omens you can take into account. We've not, so far, ever lost a major tie to Germany. The last time four European teams were in the semi-finals was 1982. Paolo Rossi went four games without a goal (like Toni) before ending up top scorer. And so on, and so on.

The biggest factor is that the boys are playing well, improving every game and look desperate to do well. They have earned the right to think they can go all the way and win it. Now wouldn't that be sweet?