Once more into battle

Well, I don't think the Champions League draw could have come out much more tricky for the remaining Italian trio. Two battles with England and a duel with Real Madrid lie in store. Whoever progresses will have to do it the hard way.

Inter will get their chance to show if they really have European pedigree with a trip to Anfield. All evidence suggests to me that the Nerazzurri should be good enough to beat the Reds. However, they have let us down so often in the past I don't have as much faith as I should. Still, now is the time for Bobby Mancini to show his side are truly top class.

The other side of the city also comes to England. I think the Rossoneri against Arsenal clash is one of the most appetising of the last 16. Wenger's side like to play in a certain way and it is a style which I reckon will suit Milan. I expect a lot of goals from this one and it will be a stern test of the World Club Champions. It would be nice to put the Premiership table-toppers in their place once more.

Finally, Roma take on Lazio's conquerors Real Madrid. It would be sweet if the Giallorossi could pull off another tactical masterstroke like they did against Lyon last year. They will be up against it but, as we know, on their day they can outwit anyone.

Oh, and Fiorentina landed Rosenborg in the UEFA Cup. Getting one of the "drop down" teams seems harsh for finishing second in your group. However, if they had had to pick one it might have been the Norwegians. A strong side, certainly, but not unbeatable.

A grand derby in store

With Milan winning the World Club thingy at the weekend and Inter blasting all before them in Serie A what a cracking game we are promised on Sunday afternoon.

In the red-and-black corner the reigning European, World and Intergalactic champions. In the blue-and-black, those "Martian" champions of Italy. The Rossoneri might be a bit jet-lagged but it should still be a classic encounter. It is one which Ancelotti's men have to win if they harbour any hopes of an improbable comeback in Serie A.

Can Milan seriously trouble Mancini's masterful side? It really depends how committed they are to the game. On their day they are as good as anyone but how much is their heart in the fight for the Scudetto? I guess we will find out at the weekend.

Inter had their traditional stroll past Cagliari at the weekend. They were made to work hard in the first half but once they got ahead it was easy going. Elsewhere, Alex Del P impressed with a couple of breakaway goals which showed an old cynic like me that he might still have some life left in him. And Udinese lost which helps boost Fiorentina's chances of getting into the Champions League.

May the force be with them...

It can't have escaped your notice that something extraordinary is about to happen. I wasn't around in the 1950s but I can only compare it to the astonishing events when the mighty Magyars humbled England on their own patch and forced them to admit they might have something to learn from overseas football.

In some ways, however, this is even more astounding. In their search for a new manager the English FA appear to be heading towards not just a foreigner but, whisper it, an Italian.

I know they have already had a Straniero at the helm but that was a Swede. A northern European - cool, calm and essentially dull (except for the off-the-pitch stuff). Now they have turned to the Dark Side in their possible recruitment of Fabio Capello (pictured).

It must stick in many a craw, surely, to turn to the home of corruption, cheating and defensive football? Is their desperation to win so deep? Clearly it is.

I find it an intriguing prospect. There is no doubt Don Fabio is in Europe's elite managerial bracket - one of the top four or five on the continent. He will certainly have no truck with any primadonna antics. And he might even harness the power of Wayne Rooney as he did Antonio Cassano.

But how has he prepared for all the extra-curricular rubbish? In Spain and Italy he suffered plenty of criticism but it was always based on football. What will he think of having the prying eyes of the tabloids on his wife, children, and anyone he speaks to in the street?

He is the ultimate pragmatist and from a footballing point of view his interest in the job makes a lot of sense. He can only do better than Steve McClaren. He gets to work with a decent group of players who have underachieved. And he gets a lot of money.

Whether it makes such sense from a lifestyle point of view I'm not so sure. He will have to conquer a lot of prejudice if he hopes to be a success. Italian football carries all the 'baggage' mentioned above in many English eyes. A lot of fans don't want him. I know Capello will not care but every time a result doesn't go his way he can expect to have a lot of old stereotypes dragged out.

In many ways, I still don't want to believe the deal will go ahead. At the last minute Capello will pull back his hand and thumb his nose. Or someone will snap their fingers in front of the FA and they will wake from their trance with a look on their face like they had just bitten into an onion. But I just saw Fabio getting off a plane to meet Brian Barwick. And there wasn't a light sabre anywhere in sight.

And the good news is...

While Inter's multinational mix delivered another hammering at the weekend to march towards the Scudetto there were some things to warm the Italian football fan's heart. Here were a few of my best bits...

1) The first half performance of Amauri in Palermo's win over Fiorentina. His ball through to Miccoli for the opening goal was outstanding. If he is still available for Italy, Donadoni should seriously take a look. He would make a better Toni replacement than Lucarelli. (The downside to all this is that the Viola got beat but at least the team performance was better than of late).

2) Udinese v Parma. Some magic from Antonio Cassano suggested he was back to his crazy best. He got booked, won a penalty and set up a goal. All in day's work. There were also fireworks from Fabio Quagliarella which could be encouraging for the Azzurri too.

3) Nicola Pozzi. With Empoli in dire straits the young striker produced the goods in thrilling style with all four goals in a 4-1 victory. He was strong in the air, quick on the turn and a little bit lucky. A winning combination if ever there was one.

Also, Rolando Bianchi scored for Manchester City. Not bad for just a couple of days of action.

Show us your worth

I was out in Italy at the weekend as Fiorentina were overwhelmed by Inter. I wasn't at the game but I watched the Viola get outclassed from a little bar in Tuscany. The following day, the Nerazzurri fans were busy crowing about just how good they were.

I had a few observations to make. Undoubtedly, they were streets ahead of the boys in purple but, then again, so they should be. They have had their pick of Serie A players for the last couple of years and have reserves that the Artemio Franchi team could only dream of.

Their fans, too, have slipped into an arrogance that ill-befits them. Until such times as this team ALSO wins in Europe it will have a question mark over it. So now is the time for them to deliver a Champions League crown - it has only been 40 years since the last. Or had their fans forgotten?

Elsewhere, Italy landed Romania, Holland and France for the European Championships. I was going to write something about the ludicrous seeding system. However, I think the group makes that comment more eloquently than I could.

Don't forget me

I am off for a few days away from the blog. I thought I would leave my favourite strike of the past few days to remind you of me.

Well, OK, he has got a bit more skill, hair and money than I do. But so what?

Back soon...

Now I'm a believer

I must admit that at the outset of this season - and for the opening weeks - I had my doubts about Juve. They rode their luck in a few games and didn't look all that sharp. But after their demolition of Palermo on Sunday night they look like they might be the real deal.

To some degree, I couldn't make up my mind if Juve were so good or the Sicilians were so bad. The Rosanero were a shadow of their old, aggressive, exciting selves. They were tame in the extreme but I think they were outbattled by the Bianconeri. Men like Nocerino (I like to call him Ball Buster as I am sure the football club Nocerina once had a group of Ultras with that name), Nedved, Zanetti and Camoranesi (yes, really) gave them hell.

Are Juve really good enough to take the Scudetto? I am starting to think that if Inter and Roma progress in the Champions League they just might be. The Turin giants only have the league to focus on. Hell, if Udinese can be up there challenging then surely La Vecchia Signora is in with a shout. Next week's trip to Milan will tell us a lot.

In other news, Italy landed Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro for the World Cup 2010 qualifiers. It could have been better (ie Group 2) but it could have been worse. Bulgaria and the Irish will be tough on their home soil but all teams should be beatable in Italy. Got to get Euro 2008 out of the way first...

Imagine the conversation

I have read some daft stories in my time but this one tops the lot. Marcello Lippi turns down Birmingham! "This is not a stunt - it is genuine!" insisted the club co-owner. It gives me great pleasure to produce a transcript of the telephone call.

Brummie City Person: Hello, can I speak to Mr Lippy?

Marcello Lippi: Yes, speaking.

BCP: I understand you are out of work at the moment.

ML: Well, yes, apart from the odd bit of punditry for Sky.

BCP: Are you in the market for a return to management?

ML: Might be, depends who is speaking.

BCP: Oh yes, sorry, I represent an English Premiership club.

ML: Mmmm. Interesting, which one? Manchester United? Chelsea? Liverpool?

BCP: No, not exactly.

ML: Look, Signore, I have got a big cigar waiting for me! What club do you represent?

BCP (whispers): Birmingham City...

ML: What? Speak up.

BCP (mumbles): Birmingham City...

ML: What? Bird in hand shitty?

BCP (shouts): OK! OK! Birmingham City.

The line goes dead.

Who do you fancy?

While Italy strolled past the Faroe Islands there were other countries with bigger games to play on Wednesday night. Most of the big guns who needed to get a result got what they needed. Except, of course, for England. Oh disappointed Scots rejoice!

That Steve McLaren's men had fought back to 2-2 will only make it a more bitter pill. After all the jubilation about the help they got from Israel they couldn't even manage to get a point off a team that had already qualified. No doubt there will be calls for the manager to be hung, drawn and quartered at the very least. All of which will, once again, mask their shortcomings as a team.

So the final line-up for Euro 2008 is as follows. Austria, Switzerland, Greece and probably Holland in pot one. Italy, Croatia, Germany and the Czech Republic in pot two. Romania, Portugal and Sweden in pot three where England should also have been. Presumably France will be promoted into that bracket. That would leave Poland, Spain, Turkey and Russia in the last bucket.

It leaves a wide range of possibilities open. Clearly Holland would be the one to avoid in the top tier, while Turkey, Russia or Poland might be alright from the bottom drawer. However, as we all know, maybe Italy are best getting the toughest draw possible. So bring on the French again!

Call it what you will, but not a robbery...

Well, on a wet and grey Glasgow night, the Azzurri got the job done. It wasn't always pretty and there were a few shaky moments but they showed a lot of guts and "grinta" to record a first ever win on Scottish soil. Shame it had to knock the Tartan Army out as well and put them Frenchies through.

The mission could hardly have started better when Luca Toni (right) poked the ball home in a little over a minute. The big man does not get all the credit he deserves for just how skillful he is. Watch that finish again, he scooped the ball into the net in some style.

Much of the rest of the game revolved around the match officials. Italy had a lengthy spell in control as Scotland recovered from the shock of the early strike. Then Antonio Di Natale had a goal ruled out for offside which should have stood. At 2-0, I reckon, the game would have been pretty much over.

In the second half, however, Scotland struck back. They were certainly pushing hard but the manner in which the goal came saw the officials in the spotlight again. The Scottish press has said Barry Ferguson "may have looked a shade offside" or the goal had a "hint of offside" about it. Let's be frank here, he was a good half-yard offside and the assistant referee had the benefit of a line right across the pitch to help him judge. In exactly the same position as he had ruled out Di Natale's strike, he got it wrong again.

In fairness, I also struggled to see how Chiellini's shoulder barge on Hutton ended up being a free-kick to Italy. In the last minute it led to Panucci's winner. The timing was harsh, but over the game it still made the major error count 2-1 in Scotland's favour. Call it what you will, but not a robbery.

Old Mejuto Gonzalez the referee is notoriously inconsistent. The apparently same incident can lead to a foul, a play-on gesture or a yellow card. That is annoying for players, in fact, annoying for everyone. It was certainly a shame that he was in charge.

I do think the better team went through but I would have rather seen France go out rather than Scotland. I hope now Alex McLeish can build on what his team showed last night. And, above all, I hope they are not in Italy's group again when the World Cup draw is made next week...

Fit to burst

I've been around a long time but I don't remember Scotland ever building up to a football game like this for a while. Maybe those play-off games with England or the meeting at Euro '96 but even those I don't recall having this intensity of coverage. Maybe it is because it is against Italy it has made more of an impression on me.

I think the whole country might explode by 4.59pm on Saturday.

That's the great thing football can do, the flip side to all the rubbish that has been associated with it recently. One way or another it will end in tears, joy or maybe in suspense on Saturday evening.

My main hope is that the Azzurri are as up for it as Scotland. If they are, I believe they will get at the very least a draw. If they are not, they might run into trouble. It will be a tense day when I expect to receive about 100 texts at full time. Whatever the outcome, I will try to take it on the chin. I have had plenty of highs and lows following Italia.

But, what the hell. Dai, ragazzi, fammi sognare ancora una volta!

Counting down the days

With just a few days to go, a sample of random thoughts on the upcoming Scotland v Italy clash at Hampden.

1) I have seen a few mentions that Donadoni might go against his traditional 4-3-3 and head for a 4-1-4-1 formation. How does that square with his talk of coming for the win? Is he going to err on the side of grafters (Iaquinta, Perrotta, Ambrosini, etc) over the more lightweight skill men (Camoranesi, Palladino etc)?

2) "Italy have never won on Scottish soil" - while this is true there have only been three meetings - and two of them were draws. And the win came in 1965.

3) Is there any real chance of Ukraine beating France and getting us both through?

Grim reading

I always try to keep a sense of humour about my football but this weekend has tested that to the full. The tragic death of a Lazio fan on his way to watch his team against Inter and the resulting acts of violence have thrown Italian football into darkness once again. I sometimes wonder if it can ever find a way out.

Coverage in a lot of sections of the UK media has been superficial at best. I feel that this Sunday's events ought to be distinguished from the death of Filippo Raciti last season in some significant respects. This was not the kind of pre-meditated horror which that incident turned out to be.

By all accounts it appears a tragic accident prompted the unsavoury scenes in Bergamo and Rome. Yes, the skirmishes at the service station in Arezzo were unacceptable but when word got out that a fan had been shot and killed there were large sections of Ultras up and down the country who felt all games should have been suspended. That appears to have been what Atalanta fans wanted and, ultimately, achieved.

The scenes in Rome also had the air of an improvised response to the shooting by the Carabinieri. It was senseless and stupid - without waiting for any kind of explanation - but it was not entirely incomprehensible. The more hardcore Italian fans have been maintaining an uneasy peace with police and it was always likely to take a lot less than this to set things off. And, of course, there are plenty of imbeciles out there who were only looking for an excuse to go out and cause trouble.

Ultimately, the scenes flashed around the world are easy prey for newspapers and television stations happy to continue the Italian football chaos theme. There have been knee-jerk calls for games to be abandoned but this, in truth, would achieve little. Everything which happened on Sunday was either a long way outside any football stadium or prompted by matters which had precious little to do with the game itself. To hold Calcio responsible for that would, I believe, be unfair.

Unfortunately, a bit like a hopeless criminal who keeps getting caught, the sport's previous convictions are likely to be taken into account.

Win it for Liedholm

I am a bit behind the times but have only just caught up with the news that Milan legend Nils Liedholm has passed away at the age of 85. I am not old enough to have seen him play but I remember him as manager of Roma and his name was always linked with one of the great Rossonero sides.

My favourite story about the Barone - indeed, probably my only story about him - is how his first incomplete pass was greeted at the San Siro. The fans are supposed to have applauded such was their amazement at seeing one of his passes go astray.

So the current team owe it to his memory to go out and thrash Shakthar Donetsk tonight. And Roma owe it to him to go out and perform similar heroics when they face Sporting Lisbon tomorrow. Remember, he will be watching in judgment.

Addio, Barone.

Title remains in the open

Grazie Juve. With a battling draw on Sunday night they stopped Inter setting sail for an easy Scudetto. The Bianconeri might not have the quality and strength in depth of Mancini's men but they surely showed a lot of balls. They were worth their point in the end which kept the Serie A fight wide open.

Sneaking up on the rails are Fiorentina. Nobody really speaks of them as serious title contenders and that is how they like it. But a 1-0 away win to Lazio tells the story of a team increasing in maturity. I think they will struggle with UEFA and league duty but they look set for a great showdown with Inter next month.

Roma lived up to their "bella ma sprecona" (beautiful but wasteful) crown. Two goals up away to Empoli they should have buried them in goals (Vucinic the main culprit). Instead, they left the door open and two wonder goals by Vannucchi and Giovinco levelled the match. I still believe the Giallorossi can overhaul Inter thanks to an easier set of fixtures in the weeks ahead. But they have to kill their opponents off.

Oh, well, back to the Champions League watch tonight.

Bobo in Nazionale?

Well, the big man has admitted it. Bobo Vieri would love to squeeze his big Aussie butt back into an Azzurri strip. The question is, should we let him?

After scoring the winner against Napoli last night our Christian soldier said he did have an eye on the Nazionale. Now, my first reaction was simply to laugh. But, on reflection, is it so ridiculous? Is he a worse option than, say, Lucarelli or Quagliarella? Personally, I would like him to have more games under his narrowing belt but could it be worth a gamble? As an understudy to Toni we could do a lot worse.

In other news, the much maligned Mancini and Gilardino were heroes on Wednesday. The Roma man helped to win the derby while Gila was inspirational in the 5-0 hammering of Samp. If he keeps this form up he will get more than 20 Serie A goals for the Rossoneri this year. Who will the fans boo then?

Inter and Juve both won too setting up a mouthwatering Sunday night clash in Turin. The Derby of Italy is back in style. Sit back, pour yourself a good glass of Barbera and watch the sparks fly.

Sympathy for the Devil?

I have been having this strange sensation all weekend - well, since Saturday night anyway. It kind of tingles and is definitely something I have never felt before. I can't exactly put my finger on it but, if I had to, I would say that I was actually feeling a bit SORRY FOR JUVE!

The reason for this unwanted emotion was their clash with Napoli at the weekend. Normally, I would be 100% behind the boys from the San Paolo. Anybody who can beat the Bianconeri will do in my eyes. However, the manner of their victory - or, rather, the decisions which led to it - made me feel a bit of pity for La Vecchia Signora.

The story of the game, for those who missed it. Del P gives Juve the second half lead, Napoli equalise through a blistering run and finish from Gargano. Game on, I thought. But then Mr Bergonzi, the referee, decided to give two of the most pathetic penalties I have ever seen. First a perfectly clean Chiellini tackle sent Lavezzi flying and he pointed to the spot. Then Marcelo Zalayeta bit his old team's bottom with a leap that any self-respecting salmon would have been proud of. Another penalty and the game was over.

I actually FELT something during the post-match interviews with Nicola Legrottaglie. I could share his hurt at the injustice of it all. I know, I know, that Juve have kicked other teams in the same way 100 times before. But, still, I would rather they were beaten fair and square - not in this manner.

One team who were beaten fair and square, once again, were Milan. The curse of Serie A and the San Siro continues. How can a team so beautiful one day be so ugly the next? We have mused on this before and will no doubt do so again.

At least Inter were held to a draw in Palermo throwing a lifeline to the chasing pack. The procession of last year looks unlikely and the league table is really shaping up nicely. Fiorentina blew their chance to go second on Sunday night but the game with Genoa quickly descended into a midfield battle with few goalscoring opportunities at either end.

Crazy, crazy nights...

Phew. I have just finished watching Milan take on Shaktar Donetsk in one of the most entertaining games of the Champions League. I lost count of the goalscoring opportunities at both ends. Kalac was superb in Dida's place. Seedorf struck two sweet, sweet goals. And the Gila monster awoke in style with a double. Which brings me to my main point.

Let's take two players - Alberto Gilardino and Amantino Mancini. The Milan man has been regularly jeered by his own fans, the Roma man was booed off on Tuesday night after missing a penalty. Just how fickle are supporters allowed to be?

There was plenty of understandable rage in Gila's goal celebrations. Do the Rossoneri believe in him or not? Do the fans have faith in him or not? Is it OK to cheer your player when he scores and jeer him when he does not. Or should those fans grow up and get behind ALL their players. It has not helped the striker that the fans are ready to get on his back at any moment.

The same argument goes for Mancini. Remember that great goal he scored against Lyon, the one where he did about 68 step-overs? Everyone was praising him to the heavens then. He misses a penalty (not even taken all that badly) and the Olimpico berates him. Hasn't he earned a little more respect? I don't know, maybe there is more to it than that.

One thing is for sure, both players seem to hurt more than most at the criticism thrown their way. There is the same look in Mancini and Gilardino's eyes when their own supporters start to lose patience with them. Their confidence seems a brittle thing and the tifosi have the power to snap it. Maybe they should use that power a little more wisely.

Anyway, a last thought for all Milanisti. If only Serie A sides defended like Shaktar....

Is it time to call it a crisis?

Following defeat by Empoli in the San Siro on Sunday, is it time to admit the Rossoneri are in a full-scale crisis? I myself drooled at their display against Lazio a couple of weeks ago, thinking they were back on track. But ten points from their opening eight Serie A games tell a different story. Anything other than a win against Shaky Donetsk this week would be disastrous.

Did last year's Champions League triumph mask major shortcomings? Or will it all click once Ronaldo and Pato join the fray? I don't like to make snap judgments on a team, especially one which has won so much. Nonetheless, there is work which needs to be done.

Elsewhere, Roma confirmed everything about their crazy nature with a 4-4 draw with Napoli. While Juve showed a real tough attitude to see off Genoa. It wasn't a great display, but boy did they work hard for it. And, sneaky, sneaky Fiorentina cuffed Siena with a fantastic first half and super goal from Giampaolo Pazzini (happy now Juventino?). Unfair not to mention Inter, too, since they lead the league. They won 1-0 against Reggina.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lhBIPDU2tW0

Grande Pazzo!

Two out of three ain't bad. Or is it?

I'm going to be honest here, I am facing one of my worst-case footballing scenarios on 17 November. Scotland take on Italy at Hampden with the home side needing a win to guarantee qualification while the Azzurri have two results out of three potentially in their favour (assuming they go on to beat the Faroe Islands).

I had always hoped to avoid this position. In my ideal Scottish-Italian world both teams would go through but it would take Ukraine beating France and a draw in Glasgow to achieve that. Frankly, it is not a combination of results I see as very likely.

Don't get me wrong, I don't have divided loyalties. I want Italy to get through - simple as that. But I wish it was not at Scotland's expense. The build-up to the game will be unbearable and the aftermath, if Alex McLeish masterminds a win, would be unthinkably painful. It is one thing to be hurting on your own (I've done enough of that in my time as an Italy fan). It is quite another to be miserable while all about you are in a state of delirium.

My football intellect reassures me. Player for player Italy are superior to Scotland in every department. Historically, too, there is no comparison. And yet over the years I have suffered enough setbacks to know that being the best on paper is no guarantee of anything.

That is where the worries set in. I often gripe about the English press being the main problem with the England team but there are sections in Scotland which are just as bad. They are just as prone to outlandish claims for their players and stereotyping foreign opposition. If I could have a penny for every time Italy are cast as defensive, play-acting and cynical in the build up to this match I would not be as poor as I am now. To be fair, it strikes me that the media around the world indulges more and more in this pre-match hype nonsense which gets in the way of enjoying the game.

Still, come 17 November I will have to pin my colours to the mast once more. Just as I have since I was a little boy in a Scottish primary school pretending to be Paolo Rossi (hence the picture above) when everyone about me wanted to be Kenny Dalglish. I took it on the chin when Liverpool were lording it over Italian sides in Europe. I hope that I don't have to do it again in a few weeks time.