By Anna Italia

Good morning, buon giorno!

It's a beautiful morning, perfect to start our "Coffee Mornings Reading."  I am here ready with my cappuccino, a cup of strawberry and banana, and 2 slices of raisin bread.

How about you? Are you ready with your coffee, cappuccino, espresso, tea, juice, water, a snack?

Yesterday was the time for Juventus to shine in the preliminary of the Champions League, they did.  Today is the time for Napoli to shine in the preliminary of the UEFA Cup.

Ok, so  let's start our  Coffee Morning Reading  with Italy's sports newspaper Il Corriere dello Sport.  Here is the front page from this morning  Thursday, August 14, 2008.
          

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FC JUVENTUS - Champions League

Headline says, "Juve and Alex, what a night!.

Preliminary Champions: Artmedia goleada (4-0), A dreamed goal by Del Piero.

Anna Italia Opinion - I agree 100% with the headline and description of the match.  It was a total showtime and Juventus marked their return to EUROPE with the best signature: ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO.

Ranieri yesterday said that "the exile was over."  Well, you better believe it. 

There is no word to describe the excellent "card of presentation" from Del Piero yesterday and his goal was superb, a magic touch from the distance. 

Click here for the report and to watch the video highlights.
Juventus 4 - 0 Artmedia

The article compliments also Mauro Camoranesi and Vincenzo Iaquinta. I agree too. Camoranesi opened the score in the 7th minute.  Iaquinta substituted Grygera for injury in the 14th minute.

I agree with the article that the only thing missing was to see Trezeguet in action.  Despite playing all 90 minutes, Trezeguet could not make the explosive partnership this time with Del Piero. 

However, I am not worried because we are starting the season and I am sure this proven winning duo DEL PIERO - TREZEGUET will start scoring big time again, just like they did last season ending as the top two Serie A Scorers.

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Certainly, I agree with Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri on congratulating his Captain.  It is obvious that Del Piero is living a great period since last season.  Although Ranieri recognizes that Del Piero is not 100% at his best but he is getting there.

Good that Ranieri is not considering this victory as "an already qualification to the next round." I agree that Artmedia can be dangerous at home and can score 5 goals as they did against Celtic.  So, it is better to cool down and Juventus continue training for the return on August 26.

It was Chiellini, the author of the 3rd goal in the 88th minute to express what Juventus was going through.  "We have been waiting for this moment since two years ago. We never give up and now we have to play like this in the return."  Totally agree too. After Juventus were relegated to the Serie B for the scandal of Calciopoli, all Juventus players and fans dream with the return to the big scenario: The Champions League..... well... now, is up to them. Don't you think?


AS ROMA - Transfer Market

The article here talks about the arrival of Real Madrid forward Julio Baptista to Roma. Finally!!!!

Roma Sport Director Daniele Prade, technical director Bruno Conti and Doctor Cristina Mazzoleni all went to Madrid yesterday to finalize the transfer.

According to the article, the meeting at 11 p.m. in an important restaurant with Real Madrid Predrag Mijatovic, Herminio Menendez and Julio Baptista.  Wow, can you believe a business appointment at 11 p.m.. They would have been hungry!  The idea is to return to Roma today with Baptista and maybe go directly to the stadium of Frosinone where Roma will be playing a friendly match.  I think the arrival of Baptista is right on time to prepare for the first big match of the season for the gialloross.:

LAZIO - Transfer Market

Headline says, "Rocchi Worries Lazio while they dream with the return of Hernan Crespo."

Anna Italia Opinion - After the unexpected knockout from Lazio forward Tommaso Rocchi while playing for the Italian National Olympic Team, the latest theory in Lazio is about the return of Hernan Crespo.  According to the article, Inter already proposed it few days ago, and now Lazio without Rocchi for some time while he recovered might be speculating on this possible return.

I will definitely agree with the transfer from Crespo to Lazio for different reasons.  Crespo had not found a consistent form in Inter be it for lack of playing time or for not having total confidence from the coach.  Former Inter coach Roberto Mancini barely used Crespo because the preferences were Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Julio Cruz.  This season, Mourinho will also have Ibrahimovic as the main striker and most likely Cruz as second option.  So, here is where I say that Crespo will do better in other club if he wants to play.

Dilemma is now for Lazio because originally coach Delio Rossi was looking for Pelé. Now, Lazio needs goals and strong forwards. Who else can take that place than former Lazio forward Hernan Crespo?  Hello, knock, knock... Crespo scored 39 goals as a Lazio player and it is the last Serie A Top scorer from Lazio in their history.. Personal motivation can be a good aspect for Crespo to shine again with goals just like Del Piero is doing with his 33 years old.

If I were Crespo instead of remaining in Inter to fulfill his last year of contract, I rather negotiate the transfer to Lazio or to Sampdoria. Don't you think?

The article mentions that Lazio can use the "sentimental reasons to bring back Crespo."  Financially, Lazio cannot pay the high contract price of Crespo.  Therefore, best way to attract Crespo is for sentimental reasons.  Crespo's wife is from Roma and they got engaged precisely in his last year with Lazio (2001-2002).  They still have a house in Roma in Cassia. Most important is that Crespo himself as said many times that he left his heart at the Olimpico di Roma.

Well, say no more.... I think the next transfer market for Lazio will be Hernan Crespo.  Will you agree with his return?


NAPOLI - UEFA CUP

The article is about Napoli playing today at 8:30 p.m. the preliminary round of the UEFA Cup in Albania against Vllaznia. 

I definitely agree with Napoli Coach that players should be concentrated and with a winning mentality.  Hey, he is talking!  Good. That is what we need from Napoli to make it this time for the UEFA Cup after being out for 14 years since December 7, 1994. Reja mentions that he observed his opponent  and that they have good players and very fast.

The idea of Reja is to play carefully and then get control of the match. The point is that players should be all time concentrated and mentally focused on the match.  Wow, I have already goosebumps just to think about the match. Napoli must pass this preliminary round to qualify for the UEFA Cup.  First step is to win today in Albania. What a responsibility for Argentiian forward German Denis. I hope he do score and my other key player for Napoli is midfielder Marek Hamsik. 

So, cheer leader dance for Napoli!!!

    GO NAPOLI!   GO NAPOLI !!!  GO NAPOLI!!!


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ADRIANO - FC Inter Forward

Headline says, "Adriano out for one month."

Anna Italia Opinion - This news saddens me because Adriano --so far -- has been behaving well and not missing trainings.  Sadly, Adriano, who promised no to betray again Inter fans, suffered a right calf strain during trainings.  Problem is that medical tests indicate Adriano will be out for about a month.  Right now, Adriano will not travel with the squad to Portugal for the BENFICA CUP Benfica - Inter on Friday, August 15.  Next check up is for next week.



AC MILAN - Transfer Market

Headline says, "Milan to London to close the deal for the Transfer of Ivanovic."

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 Anna Italia Opinion -  According to the article the deal is still for negotiation for the transfer of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.  Supposedly, today is the final meeting.  The whole point is that if Chelsea who paid 14 million to Lokomotiv Moscow for his transfer wants to have more money from Milan who are not offering 14 million.  Come on, the player has not even played for Chelsea and just been warming up the bench. 

Most likely, the deal will be finalized today. It won't make sense that Chelsea consented to the meeting with AC Milan and now not doing the business when they know Ivanovic is not in the project of Chelsea coach Luis Felipe Scolari. Don't you think? 

Anyway.... I rather see Milan getting a central defender currently playing or being active in the last season. It just doesn't  make sense to me getting a player with practical no playing time in the last months. 


Which news surprised you and why or which news were you expecting in the front page and why?


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