Don't mention the WaR...

With the World Cup fast approaching, expecting a flurry of blogging in the days ahead but, we promise you we won't be mentioning that chubby cheeked Man Utd striker with the dodgy foot. As the perfect antedote to wall-to-wall metatarsal discussions you will find no mention of him here. Guaranteed. Indeed, the only Rooney we recognise is Mickey the star of so many legendary musicals.

Instead, here's your guide to the top ten scapegoats for England's World Cup exit. Following in the footsteps of Peter Bonetti, Chris Waddle, David Beckham etc there has never been a tourney they have gone out of that there hasn't been somebody to blame. Otherwise, of course, they would have been world and European champions countless times. The top ten scapegoats we forecast for the summer are:

1) Sir Alex Ferguson.
2) Sven Goran Eriksson.
3) Peter Crouch.
4) Peter Crouch.
5) Peter Crouch.
6) The star player caught drinking dodgy German beer out of a brassiere.
7) Posh Spice.
8) The damaging reperations exacted on Germany at the Treaty of Versailles.
9) Asylum seekers.
10) Somebody Argentinian.

Scandalous, absolutely scandalous...

A top club manager with a son employed as a football agent, a league where everybody is alleged to like a "bung", regular Asian betting coup scandals - including the match which decided its Champions League places, clubs which spent money on European qualification before it was achieved, managers trying to influence referees... and all the power concentrated in the hands of a few mega rich clubs.

It sounds horrible doesn't it? I don't know how anyone can watch the English Premiership any more...

Did I do wrong?

I admit it, I couldn't bring myself to watch the Champions League final. Firstly, because I can't stand listening to English commentators ramble on about their own teams. And secondly, because I can't stand to hear them going all weak at the knees when Ronaldinho gets the ball.

I can probably guess a few themes running through the punditry. I can't believe they got through the night without mentioning Liverpool in Istanbul. I wouldn't be surprised if they had Ronaldinho's Brazil meeting England in the World Cup final. And I bet it was a shame that Henrik Larsson never tested himself in the Premiership. If I didn't get at least one right out of that I will eat my Fiorentina hat.

In some sections of the media it was billed as the dream final. Although I don't understand quite why. Certainly Barcelona are a powerful side, Liga champions and all that. But Arsenal? They finished fourth in the Premiership. Call me old fashioned but I still like to see a league champion win the top European title.

Of course, this is all sour grapes because no Italian team got there. It's a lot clearer now why Juve are half the team in Europe that they are in Serie A but I think Milan could have competed. There's always next year although lord knows who will be representing us. Roll on the World Cup.

Rinaldi responds to Lippi

Having seen the call-ups for the Italian World Cup squad by his fellow Tuscan Marcello Lippi, a sorry Scottish-Italian blogger has responded with his own 23 for Germany. It is a tradition he has followed for many competitions trying to name a "shadow" squad which he thinks might do pretty well at the competition.

The underlying thought process - if you want to credit him with one - is that it shows the strength in depth Italy possess (or not, depending on your viewpoint). See if you can come up with any players that you would like to have seen in either squad.

Lippi's 23

Portieri: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Angelo Peruzzi (Lazio), Marco Amelia (Livorno).

Difensori: Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Alessandro Nesta (Milan), Marco Materazzi (Inter), Andrea Barzagli (Palermo), Gianluca Zambrotta (Juventus) Massimo Oddo (Lazio), Cristian Zaccardo (Palermo), Fabio Grosso (Palermo).

Centrocampisti: Andrea Pirlo (Milan), Gennaro Ivan Gattuso (Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Mauro German Camoranesi (Juventus), Simone Perrotta (Roma), Simone Barone (Palermo).

Attaccanti: Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus), Alberto Gilardino (Milan), Luca Toni (Fiorentina), Filippo Inzaghi (Juventus), Francesco Totti (Roma), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Udinese).

Riserve: Morgan De Sanctis (Udinese), Daniele Bonera (Parma), Franco Semioli (Chievo), Marco Marchionni (Parma).

Rinaldi's 23

Portieri: Francesco Toldo (Inter), Christian Abbiati (Juve/Milan), Carlo Cudicini (Chelsea).

Difensori: Christian Panucci (Roma), Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina), Paolo Maldini (Milan), Dario Dainelli (Fiorentina), Paolo Cannavaro (Parma), Emiliano Moretti (Valencia), Cesare Bovo (Roma).

Centrocampisti: Christian Brocchi (Fiorentina), Massimo Ambrosini (Milan), Enzo Maresca (Sevilla), Fabio Liverani (Lazio), Stefano Fiore (Fiorentina), Eugenio Corini (Palermo), Alberto Aquilani (Roma).

Attaccanti: Antonio Cassano (Real Madrid), Tommaso Rocchi (Lazio), Cristiano Lucarelli (Livorno), Francesco Tavano (Empoli), Mauro Esposito (Cagliari), Fabrizio Miccoli (Benfica).

Riserve: Francesco Antonioli (Sampdoria), Christian Terlizzi (Palermo), Pasquale Foggia (Ascoli), Massimo Maccarone (Middlesbrough).

For your information, my team plays a very Lippi like 4-3-3 with Toldo in goal, Panucci and Pasqual down the flanks with Dainelli and Maldini in the middle. Brocchi is the midfield battler with Maresca to break forward and Liverani pulling the strings. Cassano and Tavano play off Lucarelli up front. Or any combination you prefer.

A little light relief

In amongst all the angst for the latest scandal to rock Italian football let's take a moment to honour my nomination for best banner of the season. It came on the last day of the campaign at Chievo-Fiorentina and was dedicated to home coach Bepi Pillon who had shaved off his whiskers to celebrate reaching the UEFA Cup.

"Bepi," it said. "My mother-in-law has shaved off her moustache too!"

Maybe not PC, but priceless. Dai, ridiamoci su...

A hollow sound

Even the most ardent Juventino would have to admit it was a sorry end to the Scudetto race on Sunday. Their title celebrations were most definitely overshadowed by events off the pitch. Even the festivities for the 20,000 or so Viola fans who travelled to Chievo to watch them get into the Champions League had a question mark hanging over them. And Lazio, too, must wonder whether they will get their UEFA prize.

The sad fact is that the very thing that most of us joked about for years - that ref's helped out Juve - may well have been true. It really takes the heart out of following Serie A when you hear just how deep the problem is alleged to have gone. I have no great fondness for the Bianconeri but I still want to say "Say it ain't so...".

I don't like the idea of giving out league titles to teams who finished third or whatever other solutions might be proposed. Better that nobody gets the crown and we start again from scratch. The biggest thing is to sort it all out quickly. The longer it drags on, the lower the reputation of Italian football sinks.

Not again...

For seasoned Italian football watchers the latest scandal to rock the game can provoke only one reaction - NOT AGAIN!

It hardly seems that a season can go by without some match-rigging, sporting-fraud, dodgy-dealing claim. With the case of the 'intercepted phone-calls' by Juve top dog Luciano Moggi it looks like some famous names are going to be dragged through the mire once more.

Some big name players have been mentioned as gambling on games. Juventus are the biggest club implicated but Lazio and Fiorentina along with a number of others have been mentioned. There are even suggestions that 29 out of the 38 weeks of last season's campaign were 'falsified' in some way.

My greatest feeling is one of sadness. Particularly on the eve of a World Cup. All this can only destabilise Italy's bid to win in Germany with so many players and teams involved. It should be stressed, at the moment, that all of these charges are no more than accusations. They may, or may not, turn out to be true. But the damage to the reputation of Serie A and Italian football has already been done.

The actual content of the phone calls - from what I have heard of it - was not really that shocking. It appeared to confirm what many of us knew already - that Moggi is an expert in using every means possible to help his team. Maybe it is the regulations that need changed, rather than any great clear-out from the game. On the other hand, Italy being Italy, it looks like more blood-letting is in store and who knows where the casualties might be? If only this could be the last scandal in Calcio but I doubt that will be the case.

I think it's all over

After Sunday's results it's time to admit it. Like it or not (and you know my feelings), Juve will pick up Scudetto 29 in a week's time. They haven't been brilliant but they've been the best over the season. Milan threw in a few too many wobblers throughout the year and Inter - well, let's not even go there.

I just can't see Reggina troubling the Bianconeri. Especially when they have to play the game in Bari and, presumably, with a referee still meeting Mr Moggi's approval (a little bit of politics, eh?). On the evidence of the game against Fiorentina, Reggina are already in "ritiro" with their minds on sun, sand and picking up some TV showgirl. I'm pinning my hopes on the ire of the rejected Nick Amoruso to maybe stick one to his old employers. Although I think the odds should be about 100-1. Still, remember Perugia.

Milan face a much tougher game against Roma but, in the process, they could do Fiorentina a favour. As long as the Rossoneri don't lose - the Viola go into the last Champions League place. That would be a great achievement and, on balance, I think a fair one. The Giallorossi have been brilliant in the second half of the campaign and, if they'd played that way all season, would be worth fourth place easy, maybe even second or third. But, (and I know I'm biased) I think the boys in purple have been more consistently good throughout the season. Still, whoever gets in should be a better representative than Udinese - especially with a little bit of investment.

I could well live without a Premiership style end to proceedings. I hope somebody's watching what they cook for the Fiorentina team in Verona. And no Totti hat-trick for Roma in Milan. Otherwise, I may fling my satellite dish over the garden wall...

Guess who's back?

It looks like being a big night on Wednesday with Francesco Totti making his comeback to competitive action in the first leg of the Coppa Italia final against Inter. This is great news for Roma but even better for Italy. If he comes through unscathed, the Azzurri have just got a big player back for Germany.

No matter what your allegiance, you have got to wish him well and hope that he keeps clear of Materazzi! I believe that he and Pirlo together give Italy one of the most creative and defence-splitting midfields in the world. The Milan man has been on a slump of late but teaming up with Totti could be just the tonic he needs.

In the UK, it seems, they always say that Totti lets us down on the big occasions but I would still rather have him with us than against us. There are not that many matchwinners in the world and he is one. If he can finally keep his head, get among the goals and supply the killer passes for Toni, Gilardino and whoever then it could be one hell of a summer.

So, although I am no Interista nor Romanista, I will be watching this year's Coppa Italia final with more interest than usual. Forza Francesco!

The 'magic' of Materazzi

There was still a chance that Inter could snatch a place in the group stages of the Champs League without having to play qualifying ties until their star man stepped in. Up came Marco Materazzi with one of the most spectacular long-range own goals ever seen. In one act he saved Empoli from relegation, condemned Inter to the qualifying stages and gave the rest of us a right good laugh.

All of this on the same day that Marcello Lippi called up his squad for the latest training stage. Roma and Inter players were left out because of their cup final commitments but, surely, the Mister would be best to tell Materazzi his invitation has been lost for good. We will never tire of saying it here - the man is a liability for both club and country. He will either make a blunder or get sent off. Neither of which is a good thing.

On the same note, we notice our power has seen Inzaghi called up to the squad (nothing to do with his goals of course). Also in there a few surprises. Looks like Amelia is favourite for the third goalkeeper spot (although De Sanctis is in there too). Fiorentina's Gamberini gets a call up (a good player and a great seafood dish), so does Semioli (Chievo have been going great) and Tavano (his goals deserve it). I think Lucarelli might still end up being more likely to get a spot - particularly if Vieri cannot go. No big shocks but still hope for a few outsiders to sneak in at the end.

Good to see Daniele De Rossi in such good form from the point of view of the Nazionale and Simone Perrotta. Plus will be watching Totti through the week to see how he goes. Of the Inter omissions, well, there is only really the aforementioned Materazzi and I think you all know what I think of him...

Isn't it ironic?

A team sits back in defence all night, barely manages a shot on goal, provides no support for its loan striker and earns plaudits. Yes, Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Villareal has been receiving the usual rave reviews from the media. Is it too cynical to suggest that if an Italian team had played in that manner they might not have received such recognition? Indeed, isn't the 'crime' of catenaccio one that Italian sides have been sentenced to condemnation for decades after they stopped playing it?

Still, hats off to the Gunners for getting to their first Champs League final. In previous games, to be fair, they were not so defensive. A team that can't even finish in a Champions League spot in their domestic league salvaged by a dodgy foreign keeper. It all sounds horribly familiar, doesn't it? It would be nice for Milan to get through to get a chance to kill the ghosts of Istanbul. Doesn't look likely but if they can at least convert the chances they will undoubtedly create they might yet have a hope...

Amazing days

After their weekend win over Empoli and Roma's surprising blank at home to Sampdoria, Fiorentina are three points clear in the race for the last Champions League place. Let's just stop to think about that.

Last year the Viola only survived in Serie A on the final day of the season.

The year before that they won promotion out of Serie B in an end of campaign play-off after an amazing final run of results.

And 12 months earlier they were kicking of their Serie C2 life against mighty Sangiovannese.

If there has been a more miraculous recovery in football I have not noticed it. Even if they miss out now and end in the UEFA Cup it would still cap a phenomenal resurgence. Hope, if it were needed, for Napoli, Genoa and other big club laid low in recent seasons.

May the Genio be with you

Milan v Barcelona will never be an ordinary game for anybody of a certain age. For tifosi of Italian football who can remember it, the fixture produced one of the great European Cup finals of all time. The Rossoneri were cast as the evil ones, defenders of the dark arts and negativity personified. Barca, on the other hand, were all that was good about the game which their Coach - Johann Cruyff if memory serves - was not slow in telling anyone who would listen.

The match, of course, was the stuff of folklore. Milan went on the attack from the outset, destroyed their Spanish rivals with a string of beautiful strikes - the pick of them a peach from Dejan Savicevic, Il Genio. May his spirit be with the Rossoneri again on Tuesday night as they carry Italy's colours in the the Champions League. I have read a lot recently about the decline of Italian football - it would be nice to turn that on its head. Whatever happens, it is unlikely to be a dull game.

The impossible dream?

Ok, let's face it, the "Culo di Juve" is alive and well as their 95th minute equaliser against Cagliari underlined. But, just the same, the Bianconeri have looked far from impressive in recent outings. Could it yet be possible for them to miss out on Scudetto 29?

In a word, no. Carlo Ancelotti has got his Milan team so concentrated on Europe that the title barely seems to merit a mention. It's a shame they fielded an understrength team at Lecce which cost them defeat. Otherwise we could all have a great showdown.

Their only hope is the lesson of history. When Ancelotti himself was in charge of Juve they lost a similar lead to Lazio.

The last games are Juve (away in caps): Lazio, SIENA, Palermo, REGGINA.
Milan: MESSINA, Livorno, PARMA, Roma.

I would bet on Juve clinching it at home to Palermo but if they can come away from the Lazio match without defeat it is probably all over. Still, it's nice to dream isn't it?

Not again

It seems that Bobby Mansions - the erstwhile Roberto Mancini - is pig sick of Italian football. The latest sorry incident where two of his players were apparently attacked by fans was the clincher for Mancio. He will apparently leave the country at the end of his reign at Inter to seek employment elsewhere - somewhere where the game is still played for fun.

Good luck, Roberto, in finding that place but certainly there are more and more of these sorry incidents creeping into the game. It was truly rich to hear Juve fans jeering their team off the pitch after capitulation to Arsenal. Yes, the Bianconeri were bad over two legs but what to these fans think they deserve. They have got a team strolling to its 29th title and that is not enough for them. What exactly do they expect?

There is a lot wrong at Inter and maybe Mancini could find a bit of refreshing change at a smaller club. The Nerazzurri are turning into the most paranoid side in Italy - seeing conspiracy and nasty plots where really there are none. They were short of the quality needed both in Serie A and Europe this year. A few minor adjustments and they could certainly be good enough in Italy but, instead, Mancini will probably leave, the whole team will be scrapped and it will be back to the same old routine.

If there was anything I could change about Italian football it would be that. The constant recriminations - rather than accepting defeat - and the knee-jerk revolutions that have never done anybody any good. Ask Aldo Spinelli at Livorno about pushing Donadoni out to be replaced by losses-on-the-trot Mazzone!

Pippo Must Go

After his latest heroic performance for Milan, it seems the right time to launch a campaign to ensure that Filippo Inzaghi gets a place in Marcello Lippi's squad for the summer.

He can be frustrating, annoying and a general nuisance but no Italian player puts the ball in the net as regularly as he does - nor at such crucial moments. That is why I am seeking support for the "Pippo Must Go" campaign launched on April 5, 2006 with the sole aim of seeking Pippogol among the 23 taken to Germany.

If you feel like me, join the campaign by emailing the Italian federation with your view.

The email address is: figc.presidenza@figc.it

Our template message, if you wish to copy is as follows...

Egregio/a signore/a,

Sono un tifoso italiano che vuole vedere la nostra nazionale vincere i mondiali in Germania. Per questo aderisco alla campagna "Pippo Must Go" e scrivo per esprimere il mio desiderio di vedere Filippo Inzaghi tra i convocati per Germania 2006.

Distinti saluti,

Come on Italian football fans, you know it makes sense.

Honours even in Champions League showdown

On a beautiful Florentine day it ended honours even between the Viola and Roma on Sunday in their battle for the last Champions League spot in Serie A but what a battle it was.

The men in purple went ahead - no surprise - through Luca Toni who was a half a yard offside but the goal stood. That came just two minutes into the game and Cesare Prandelli's men were content to sit back after than and let Roma pile on the pressure which eventually told when the unlikely source of Leandro Cufre levelled the match.

It was disappointing to see the Tuscan team show so little attacking intent when that has been their hallmark all season but, equally, credit to Roma for throwing themselves forward despite their lack of a recognised striker. On balance they probably deserved to win although Fiorentina always looked dangerous from Pasqual's free-kicks.

The match saw a number of World Cup contenders on show but Fiore was quite quiet, Perrotta still looked strong, Brocchi was dependable and Pasqual pretty impressive. It's a shame the old 'mad dog' Panucci is out of favour as he has been in the form of his life this season. Also, would it really be so outrageous to give Dainelli a shot at glory? He has been solid as a rock this season and is not prone to the rushes of blood we always get from Materazzi. Just a thought.

The run-in continues like this. Away games in capitals.

Fiorentina: JUVE, TREVISO, Empoli, PALERMO, Reggina, CHIEVO.
Roma: Lecce, PALERMO, Sampdoria, CHIEVO, Treviso, MILAN.

My guess is the Viola will pick up eight or nine points from what they have left, Roma should manage 10 or 11 and sneak home with a couple of points to spare. Although a lot will depend on how the season pans out and if some teams have nothing left to fight for we all know what a strange country Italy is.

All open for the Milanese

Well, after the grim performance that Juve provided there was some pleasure provided by the two Milanese outfits on Wednesday night.

Inter, let's face it, were their usual infuriating selves slipping behind to a goal that Wome should have a few nightmares about but fighting back with some determination and passion. They will have a hard but not impossible task in the away leg. One thought that crossed my mind during the game was - why did Mancio sign Cesar? I am about 50/50 split on his imports from Lazio. I understand Stankovic and, to a lesser extent, Veron. But Mihailovic and Cesar leave me cold. The latter was poor against Villareal and has never made an impact. Mind you, he is better than Kily Gonzalez.

On the Milan front, they started off well and could have gone in at half time ahead. Maybe Lyon showed them too much respect but they did not look the goal machines they did in previous rounds. In the second half they were sharper but Milan held firm. A word of praise to Billy Costacurta who looks determined to become the oldest player ever to play in Serie A and is in condition to do so. He was impressive and so was the returning Paolo Maldini. Italy fans will have been pleased to see Nesta in fine form too. At 0-0 they have every chance of going through.

Black night for Juve

Well, it was 2-0 going on 5-0 for the Italian champions elect at Highbury last night which was both disappointing and embarrassing. The Bianconeri started off alright but quickly faded as the Gunners took the initiative and a big advantage to the Delle Alpi next week. A few random thoughts on proceedings:

1) Why did a manager so astute as Capello bring Zebina with him to Turin? He looks a liability and is prone to seeing red on a regular basis.

2) Is Adrian Mutu really any good? He gets good reviews in Serie A but was a failure (for a variety of reasons) in the Premiership and rarely impresses in Champions League.

3) Once Ibrahimovic was well-marked the Juve attack had very little to offer. Despite what Luciano Moggi says they do need some back up to Trez-Del P-Ibra as the gap to Zalayeta is too great.