Six on the brain

Is there no rest for the Italy fan? Clearly not as the Azzurri head out on an away double-header that will have a big say on their Euro qualification. On paper, the Faroe Islands and Lithuania should be the two most straightforward overseas trips of the group. However, it would be foolish to ever take things for granted.

That said, anything less than back to back wins would be disaster. France play Ukraine this weekend which will go some way to deciding which one of the two emerges as top of the group contenders (probably France). While Scotland are next to play the Faroes and must be in line for another three points. That makes twin triumphs the only option for Donadoni and company.

It looks like Ambrosini and Zambrotta will miss the Faroes game but there should be enough cover there. The bigger concern is the bumpy pitch in Lithuania and a team which is stuffy to say the least. The longer it goes 0-0 the more cause for concern.

The squad does not look the greatest we have ever put together. No Toni, Totti, Nesta, etc. Still, it ought to be good enough. The six points would give a much healthier look to the qualification table.

So long, and thanks for all the goals

It looks like the end of an era for Florence - a short-lived but highly prolific era. We'll call it the Toni Age. A total of 49 goals in two seasons and then off to pastures new.

In truth, it comes as no surprise to anyone who has followed his career. The big striker has never stayed long anywhere and it was a miracle the Viola kept hold of him after last season's Calciopoli verdict. A team that should have been in the Champions League found itself fighting against relegation. It is to his credit that he remained to help his team out.

Now Fiorentina have let it be known that he is free to move on but there will be none of the wailing and gnashing of teeth that accompanied the departures of, say, Baggio and Batistuta. They stayed much longer and influenced the team more deeply. Also, the Tuscan side finds itself in the relatively healthy position of having Mutu, Pazzini and Reginaldo to replace him. None of them are of his stature, but still, it is not a disaster.

So, I say, let him go. And if he happens to come back to the Franchi, whatever club it might be with, I reckon he should be greeted with applause. Not jeered like the sorry bunch in Palermo do. He did a great job for Fiorentina, but let's move on.

Also, just a quick mention of poor Chievo, dumped to Serie B. In the end, those donkeys flew too close to the sun. They defied the odds to stay up so long and entertain us so much - particularly in their first few seasons. It will be a hard fight for them to get back up but they will be fondly remembered by anyone who watched them play.

Place your bets now please

The final day of the Italian season can mean only one thing - watch out for the dodgy results. In the normal course of affairs you would expect Siena to struggle against Lazio, Reggina to have their work cut out against Milan and Empoli to give Parma a tough time. But these are not ordinary circumstances.

A total of five teams could make the drop from Serie A - Chievo, Catania, Parma, Reggina and Siena. But the last three have the luxury of knowing they are playing teams with nothing left to fight for. And we all know how that usually pans out. Reggina and Siena must win their games while a draw would suffice for Parma. What price those being the outcomes of these matches? Not very high according to the bookies.

The situation becomes more intriguing, of course, because Chievo and Catania go head to head this weekend. With the other three likely to be gifted their salvation, it is likely to be a fight to the death. I have had my suspicions, since the Raciti tragedy, that Serie A would like to get rid of the Sicilians - so keep an eye out for some pro-Chievo action.

However, maybe something will slip from the script. Milan are likely to rest all their Champions League heroes but their reserves might be up for the fight against Reggina. Although, of all the teams in the dogfight, I think they most deserve to be saved. Parma have earned their place in Serie A under Claudio Ranieri and opponents Empoli have already shown themselves to be quite obliging. Lazio might be the only fly in the ointment against Siena. But why should they be so nasty?

My forecast, for what it's worth? Reggina and Siena to win, Parma and Empoli play out a draw and Chievo beat Catania sending them to Serie B along with Messina and Ascoli. You won't get much of a price on it but its a four-timer that could well come up...

The perfect moment

It wasn't beautiful but, be honest, we didn't really want that. Milan were beautiful in Istanbul and look where it got them. This time around it was enough just to win, it didn't matter how. And who better when that is called for than Pippo Inzaghi?

The game set out on a course that was worryingly familiar and seemed to be going to Liverpool's plan. Once again, without creating a lot themselves, they were able to smother the creative players in the Rossonero side and make them rush their passes and lose the ball with alarming regularity. It seemed that Carlo Ancelotti's men could not break free.

But, of course, we hadn't counted on that man Super Pippo. A ricochet off his shoulder (is there any part of his anatomy he hasn't scored with?) and the game changed direction. Liverpool were unable this time to raise a grandstand reaction and instead continued with their aggressive but ultimately toothless play. It was crying out for that man to put the game out of reach. When he did, it was in greater style.

A neat through ball from Kaka, the offside trap beaten and Reina rounded. The ball seemed to take an age to trundle across the line but the job, we thought, was done. There was the worry of a late Kuyt goal (offside, anyone?) but this time it didn't matter. The cup was rightfully Milan's. Seven times champions and a fitting coronation for Paolo Maldini.

The night in Athens joins a string of Rossonero legendary games. Sure, it was an ugly victory. But that doesn't mean we have to love it any less...

No words required

You all know what I am thinking today but this link says it better than I ever could.

http://www2.svenskafans.com/milan/Inno%20Milan.mp3

Ancelotti speaks the truth

There has been much coverage of Carlo Ancelotti "ridiculing" Liverpool in his latest statements in the build-up to the Champions League final. Leaving aside the fact that Carletto is far too cautious to put himself out on such a limb, wasn't he just setting out the facts as they are?

His first comment was that Liverpool were the least technically gifted of the three English semi-finalists. How can you argue with that, really? The league table surely tells its own story - they were streets behind Man Utd and Chelsea. They can clearly raise their game but, on balance, are inferior to both of those sides.

Then he said they did not play like an English side. Again, that seems a fair comment does it not given the number of foreigners they field and have a Spanish manager? Their cagey approach is not the traditional one of English sides.

Finally, he said he would rather have played Man Utd as they play their game and let you play yours. That hardly seems controversial at all. Still, anything to stir things up before the final, I suppose.

Just a quick note of thanks to Espanyol and Seville for producing an entertaining UEFA Cup final last night. I know I often criticise the other leagues around Europe but they brought a bit of credibility back to a competition that has struggled in recent times. I still don't like the format but it produced a good final between two decent (if not great) sides.

The Land of Do As You Please

Aside from being the title of one of my favourite albums, this would also appear to be the guiding principle of the world of English football at the moment. Come with me on a journey through a few sports stories of recent times and imagine if they had taken place in Corruption Ridden Italy (copyright UK tabloids 1963-present day).

Scenario one: A Serie A side, let's call them Prosciutto Ovest, signs up two Argentine internationals, let's call them Carlo Bevez and Jacky Mascheroni. It subsequently emerges that they remained in the hands of a third party who could decide whether they played or not. The Italian federation is called in to investigate and has the option of inflicting a points penalty - effectively relegating Prosciutto Ovest (nickname "The Spanners"). Instead, it decides on a hefty fine on new owner Magnus Eggbertson which - since he is worth a fortune - he accepts rather than fighting the decision.

Scenario two: Two sides in the top division agree to a loan deal for top Irish goalkeeper Howard Tim. The deal then becomes permanent but when the two teams meet later in the season he does not feature in the line-up. His new manager, Davide Moi, confesses it was down to an agreement with his old club. However, once again, after investigation, the Italian federation decides there is no case to answer.

Scenario three: A couple of teams are virtually relegated from Serie B and Serie C and facing administration. Realising the points penalty they face for such an action, both sides decide to render the penalty useless by taking their punishment before the end of the old season rather than the start of the new. Another piece of brilliant Italian skulduggery, I'm sure you agree.

Of course, if these had really happened in CRI (see above) what would really have happened was that Prosciutto Ovest would have been deducted points and relegated. In the second case, the phone calls between the two clubs would have been spattered all over the papers with a sporting "trial" dragging on for months. Finally, the last two teams would have been sent down to C2 and interregional football respectively. An interesting thought isn't it? Well, maybe not that interesting, but still...

Oh, and well done to Roma for tanking Inter in the first leg of the Coppa Italia final.

Kaka, Seedorf and the Gila monster

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bucharest - add last night to the list of great Milan displays. Awesome from beginning to end and too classy for the mightiest team in the Premiership. What a night.

There were heroes from front to back. Big Nelson Dida redeemed himself from the first leg and anyone who did not believe Nesta was back to his best must surely have been convinced. Oddo was full of marauding magic, Kaladze and Jankulovski extremely solid.

And what to say of the midfield? Gattuso was a model of intense, controlled, rage. His work on Ronaldo was out of this world. And I finally saw what a string of Italy and Milan managers have seen in Ambrosini. He won the ball, gave good passes and helped press forward. As for Pirlo, if there is a player with better vision in the world I have yet to see him.

As for Seedorf - the "old man" - I think he showed his younger opponents a thing or too about how to play in these big games. Scored one, set up another. Outstanding.

Pippo had a quiet night but he helped make space for the exquisite Kaka. Give me a man who puts the ball in the net over a pointless step-over merchant any time.

Finally, the Giant Gila Monster (see below) took his goal with great aplomb. That was brilliant to see. He needed to get that particular monkey off his back - the boy is a natural goalscorer and has been through a tough time of late.

Remember, though, to my mind it is just half time. The Rossoneri have to go on and beat Liverpool in Athens. What a booting that would be for the Premiership.

Italy 10 England 4 - remember that statistic. That's the number of finalists since the Champions League started, I am told. So, tell me, which is the greatest league in the world again?

Manchester United beware...

Thank goodness, in their hour of need, Milan have called in the services of a 1950s B movie star to pep up their attack. To wit, The Giant GILA Monster (pictured)! He is slow, sluggish but strikes with deadly results.

Watch out for his equally scary companions the Amazing Flying Pippo (apparently lightweight he never misses his prey), The Fleet Footed Kaka (his stealth and agility are legendary), The Lesser Spotted Pirlo (deadly, even from distance) and The Growling Gattuso (even his look is fatal).

As long as the Butter Fingered Dida, Wildy Impetuous Oddo and Bad Decision Brocchi don't interfere I can only see one result. Bring on Athens!

Two sides of a city

Sunday night's party for Inter eventually went as planned but not without Empoli causing them a few scares. The Tuscans were well up for the game and highly unlucky to go in at half-time a goal down. They equalised in the second period but that seemed to get the Nerazzurri angry and in the end they dismissed their visitors' challenge. Just the same, a UEFA Cup place would be just reward for Empoli this term. At the end of the game, for those who waited, we were treated to the Marco Materazzi karaoke. It was strangely gripping television as he seemed to just go through the Inter team and sing out their names in a dreadfully off-tune manner.

Of course, there is tension on the other side of the city too. Could the Rossoneri steal some of Inter's limelight by recording an amazing result against Man Utd? The English side put down their marker with a storming comeback against Everton while Milan edged past Torino. There is cause to believe that Milan have hit about their best form of the season but whether it will be enough remains to be seen. It would rival anything they have achieved before if they did get there.

I wanted to post something about the Rome derby too but it seems that fear was the main winner there. Neither side wanted to lose and compromise what has been a good season for both teams. I have recorded the game but don't know if there was enough in it to give me an incentive to watch the action...

Boring, boring England?

After the fun and games of Tuesday night it was more mundane fare as the might of England went head to head on Wednesday. After five goals at Old Trafford it was a 1-0 to the Chelsea affair at Stamford Bridge. To be fair, I only managed a slice of the first half but the chances were few and far between. Maybe it proves that these are the two most solid and well-equipped teams left in the competion. But I hope not.

My sneaking suspicion is that Chelsea will make it through this time. I know Liverpool have a good pedigree in Europe but I see Mourinho's men as stronger all round. The longer it stays 0-0 at Anfield, the more likely the Blues are to progress. And then hopefully lose to Milan in the final.

The Gattuso Factor

All I asked was a result which left Milan with a chance of qualification so I suppose I should be happy. That wasn't exactly how I felt at the 91st minute but, after a bad night's sleep (I kept seeing that Brocchi bungle) you have to say 3-2 away gives the Rossoneri a chance.

From a neutral point of view it was a cracking game. The usual Dida blunder gave Man Utd the lead but, unlike Roma, they did not fold and used all their experience (and an inspired Kaka) to go 2-1 ahead. To my mind, this was when Milan were playing their best stuff and early in the second half could have grabbed a third goal. Instead, Rino Gattuso limped off and fatigue set in which handed the initiative to the home side. An equaliser also put extra spring in Cristiano Ronaldo's stepovers but I think a 2-2 draw would have been a fairer result.

Still, credit to Man Utd for pushing right until the end and getting the winner. It should make for a cracking return in the San Siro. If Kaka stays in this form, if we get 90 minutes from Rino and if Gilardino gets some kind of support it could go our way. Nesta, by the way, was outstanding, I thought, back to his very best. A great Euro night and still a chance to stop the nightmare - an all English final.

Too many issues to handle

It was the kind of weekend that provided topics of conversation by the bucketload in Serie A and beyond. Let's kick off, however, with the best stuff - a cracking match between Palermo and Parma. The Emiliani have been resurgent under Claudio Ranieri and fought tooth and nail against the struggling Sicilians. The lead switched back and forward with alarming regularity, Di Michele had a candidate for miss of the season, Palermo had a man sent off and the diminutive virtuosi - Morfeo, Rossi and Gasbarroni - had a field day. There are three names who it is worth paying the admission for alone. Felt a bit sorry for Palermo at the end as they were jeered by their fans but Parma are fighting brilliantly for survival.

I should probably have kicked off with Inter's Scudetto win but, for months, it has only been a matter of "when" not "if". We all have our take on just how much this title is worth. Certainly the elimination of Juve and handicap to Milan played a big part. Still, up until defeat by Roma you could not have asked the Nerazzurri to do any more. They will want to prove their credentials by winning again next year. Are they up to it? I remain to be convinced.

Finally, Milan go into battle for Italian honour against Man Utd on Tuesday. The Rossoneri have hit a run of form in Serie A in contrast to their opponents. A little bit of restored pride must be top of the agenda after the Roma debacle. I don't know if the old boys can do it, but I so hope so.

As a little extra, great smash and grab win for Fiorentina over Lazio. The Champions League may be gone but even UEFA Cup qualification would be amazing.

Rinaldi shoots, Rinaldi scores

I had always hoped my son might be the first Rinaldi to score in the Premiership but no such luck. Our Brazilian cousin Douglas Rinaldi got off the mark for Watford against Blackburn on Wednesday night.

On an unrelated note entirely, well done to Roma for holding up Inter's Scudetto party. Weren't the Nerazzurro fans pathetic jeering their team after the game. How quickly they have adopted the attitude more suited to teams which win the league every year.

The Scudetto Stroll and Euro 2012

Well, tonight's the night for Inter. Almost certainly they will grab their first Scudetto won on the field of play for nearly 20 years. But how much, exactly, is it worth? One of their main rivals was taken out of the league while another was penalised several points. In addition they were able to cherry pick the best players from their stricken opponents. They have been ruthless and they have played some good football but it is widely recognised that it will only be next year that they can truly call themselves champions.

Elsewhere, Euro 2012 has gone to Poland and Ukraine ahead of Italy. Who knows whether recent violence cost the bid dearly. I suppose it is grudgingly nice for new nations to get a major competition. Certainly we have had our chances. Just the same it would be nice to see some of our stadia get an upgrade in the not too distant future.

And what is this about 100 milioni for Ronaldinho? Has Berlusconi gone cuckoo?

At last someone goes for Inter

After a season of largely watching Inter stroll to the title it was both nice and surprising to see Palermo have a right good go at them at the weekend. It was a real turnaround for the Rosanero who have been in freefall since losing Amauri to injury. They were back to their best in a first half which saw them go 2-0 up and have what looked like a perfectly good third chalked off for a dubious foul.

Credit to the Nerazzurri, too, however. They turned up the heat in the second half and when they got one back they were always going to get two. It was just a surprise that they didn't push on to get the winner. Perhaps they had Wednesday's clash with Roma in mind.

The Palermo performance makes the Champions League placings situation a little less clear. I had presumed they would drop out making way for, most probably, Milan. However, it now looks like Inter, Roma and Lazio could yet be joined by the Sicilians. That might yet leave the Rossoneri looking at the UEFA Cup along with the likes of Fiorentina and Empoli. So, while the Scudetto might be over by Wednesday night there are still a few issues to be deciced.

Solo contro gli inglesi

Well, there was some medicine to aid recovery from the Roma disaster. Milan travelled to Germany and overcame Bayern Munich to ensure they are now the only team that can prevent an English victory in the Champions League. It will be the focus of my prayers between now and the semi-finals.

It was all about experience on Wednesday night. They might be old but, by God, the Rossoneri have been there, done it and got exclusive selling rights on the T-Shirts when it comes to European competition. Of all the Italian sides they are the ones who have let us down least on the continental stage. Juve, Inter and everyone else don't stand comparison.

Carlo Ancelotti got the tactics perfect and soaked up a little early pressure before old chubby thighs, Clarence Seedorf, produced a brilliant low strike. Then he threaded a backheel to Pippo Inzaghi - dubbed the King of the Divers by the Germans - who finished in style (he was offside, but hey, who cares?).

The old legs did struggle towards the end as Bayern threw everything - including Oliver Kahn's hairpiece - in their direction. Still, Nesta, Maldini and Co held firm to get through to face Manchester United. I don't know if that is a blessing really, given the pounding they gave Roma. However, you have got to be in it to win it and this would be the sweetest ever triumph for Milan if they could see off the supposed might of the Premiership.

I'm really superstitious

Me and Stevie Wonder share a superstitious streak. Given what happened after my last post I want to knock it off top spot sharpish. So here is a gratuitous posting about anything other than last night's events in the Manchester area.

It really is the last stand of the old boys tonight. My feeling is that Milan will have to get ahead early because they ran out of steam terribly in the first leg. They need one of their strikers to find some kind of form and then be able to play it on the break. I just hope that Bayern don't rattle the goals in like that English mob.

It's like deja vu all over again...

I have been away from civilisation for so long that this is the first chance I have had to post on recent events in Italy and abroad. My in-laws are great hosts but their dial-up internet connection is too slow to make blogging a possibility.

In any case, maybe it was best that I had some time to meditate on this, my 100th post here, which will touch upon a familiar theme. Namely, the perception of Italy and Italian football in large sections of the English media. It is something of a personal crusade, as you are no doubt aware by now.

It all kicked off on Tuesday night in Rome when there was trouble between police and Man Utd supporters. Plenty of column inches were spent telling us how "heavy-handed" the Italian police were and then citing numerous previous incidents - including Anders Frisk being struck by a coin. I was watching the game in a pub on a small Scottish island and was the only one cheering Roma's goals. The general consensus seemed to be that "those Italians were at it again".

The following day's press coverage was largely laughable. Ignoring any thought of blame on the Manchester side it pretty much pointed the finger at Roma and Italy in general. A lot of nonsense about Raciti, mopeds being thrown in the San Siro and Ultras was written.

24 hours later, however, the mood changed. This time it was Seville and the Tottenham fans. Maybe there was an inkling that a common theme was emerging - English supporters abroad, rather than heavy-handed law and order. Both should shoulder the blame, not one exclusively.

The worrying thing, for me, is that there is a similar air of denial to the one which first circulated when hooliganism surfaced in the 1970s and 1980s. I hope it does not take another tragedy to get everyone to get their act together. There is no doubt there IS an issue about policing these games but there are also problems attached to several thousand English football fans travelling abroad together. I always imagine it like bumping into the biggest Club 18-30 holiday you have ever seen. At best, loud and offensive.

So please, spare us the sanctimonious headlines if there is trouble in Valencia when Chelsea visit tonight. No doubt we will also be on thug watch when Roma come to Old Trafford. The simple fact, I hope and pray, is that I can never remember there being any trouble when Italian fans travel abroad. Long may it continue.

I wish this post could have concentrated on matters on the field of play - where I will be watching intently in the days ahead. But, sometimes I feel a degree of balance is called for in the coverage of other matters - even if that means taking the opposite view to create debate rather than facile reactions based on stereotype and misinformation.

Totti tells it like it is

The usual pre-match wind-ups have started early after Alex Ferguson (accidentally) left Francesco Totti off his list of danger men for the upcoming Roma v Man Utd game. The Giallorosso skipper responded with some fine lines. Hopefully, he will live up to his statement that he would make Sir Alex remember his name.

He looked in fine form - as the whole Roma team did - in the weekend draw with Milan. But it was his lines on the Premiership in general that I loved. It reminded me of Bobo Vieri when he said he would like to play in England - when he wanted to collect his pension.

"I've never liked English football," said France'. "Even if there are some great players there. I don't like England either because the weather is gloomy."

Take that Fergie! Time for a Totti tripletta...