By Anna Italia

Good morning, buon giorno.

I am very happy today and ready for our "coffee morning news readings" with my cup of cappuccino, and protein shake, plus on the side a coffee maker because I need to be super awake with so many matches going for the UEFA Cup following our 4 Italian clubs AC Milan, Napoli, Sampdoria, and Udinese

How about you?  Are you ready with your coffee, tea, juice or snack?
 
Say no more, le'ts read the news from the front page of Italy's  leading sports newspaper "La Gazzetta dello Sport" from this morning  Thursday, September 18,  2008. 

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

FC Juventus

Headline says, "First Round Juventus suffers but defeat Zeni with a free kick from Del Piero from 38 meters."

Anna Italia Opinion - I love the headline of "Dynamite Ale"

I agree with the article saying that despite Del Piero being 33 years old, he has still a lot to contribute to football. 

Del Piero scored his goal number 38 in the Champions League and hello guys, you bet he was happy.

Can you see his photo doing a "capriola' to celebrate his goal.  He wa like a kid in DISNEYLAND! 

For Del Piero it was the return to Europe and taking his team FC Juventus by the hand to grasp the three points. 

You can read my report of the match here.
Juventus 1- 0 Zenit 

The goal made by Del Piero as said in the article, it has special meaning because it was the only goal. 

A suffered victory, and you bet I was praying for Del Piero to deliver the winning goal and Juventus to win.

Del Piero is the "record man" as highlighted in the article. Record in Juventus appearances and goals.

A suffered victory but what a reward when the referee whistled the end of the match.  Juventus, guys, after two years out of the Champions League for the scandal of Calciopoli was back in Europe and with DEL PIERO, the symble of Juventus. 

The funny thing is that the article emphasizes about the spontaneous "capriola" made by Del Piero to celebrate this goal.  Juventus battled like warriors to get this victory and this is why is called a suffered victory.  Not that it was easy.  It was difficult like Saint goalkeeper Gigi Buffon told after the match. "We felt the moment as it was like a new debut for us after some time."
 Well done for Juventus!!!

FIORENTINA

Headline says, " Fiorentina what a luck! a polemic draw with Lyon."

Anna Italia Opinion -  Well, just like the headline says it was a bad luck for Fiorentina.  Just unbelievable guys, Fiorentina was winning with 2 goals up to the 73rd minute with the brace from forward Alberto Gilardino.  Suddenly, the whole situation changed.  A dramatic comeback and Fiorentina losing temporarily control of the match.   In less than 15 minutes Lyon equalized the score!!!   Two goals with a sour taste for Fiorentina and a sweet taste for Lyon fans.  

A polemic draw because Referee Frodjeft indirectly help Lyon  to equalize the match while Zauri was on the ground.  Point is that Benzema scored the second goal when the referee was supposed to stop  and check what was going on with Zauri. Too many versions.  Still.... I think Fiorentina in 5 minutes lost control of the match after the first goal of Piquionne.

 UEFA Champions League Group Stage F, Olympique Lyon 2 - 2 Fiorentina


Looking on the positive side at least Fiorentina did not lose the match and got a single point. 

UEFA CUP

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Anna Italia Opinion - Oh my gosh, what a tense moment for all our 4 Italian Clubs AC Milan, Napoli, Sampdoria, and Udinese.  Yet, the one really trembling is AC MILAN with so many injured players, the pressure of being in the 19th position of the Serie A, and the duty to win this match to boost the morale of the players and fans.

AC MILAN - ZENIT
According to the article, goalkeeper Nelson Dida making his comeback after injury.  Wow, guys, I don't know if DIDA should be in the starting eleven.  I rather have Abbiati and then wait for DIDA.  Come on, at this point, Milan is in no situation to "test the condition of goalkeepers."

NAPOLI - BENFICA

Wow, 60,000 tickets sold... a sold out at the San Paolo.  The moment for Napoli returning to European competition after 14 years. The last match of Napoli in the UEFA was on December 7, 1994 and gues what? what!  That day Napoli lost at home against Eintracht 1-0. 

It is the time for the Argentinian forwards Ezequel Lavezzi and German Denis to break Benfica's defense with the help of midfielder Marek Hamsik and all those 60,000 fans!!!!

Coach Edy Reja is optimistic and wanting to follow the footsteps of former Spain Head  Coach Luis Aragones.
Good thing is that Napoli has been on a positive record in the last ten matches from September 26, 2007 when they beat Livorno.  The top scorer is Lavezzi with 5 goals. As Reja says, "Benfica is tratiion, experience, but we are with the right mental and physicial condition."

Reja says his objective is to win at least with the 2-0. I love the enthusiasm from Reja who says that he doesn't want to stop now and enjoy this match.  Also, the article mentions about midfielder Walter Gargano wishing his teammate German Denis to be his night because Denis has not scored since August 14 when they play the preliminary against Vllaznia.

SAMPDORIA - KAUNAS

I also agree here that Sampdoria has the easiest match today.  Unlike Napoli that has to be another Euoprean glory BENFICA.

Point here is that Sampdoria Marius Stankevicius warns his teammates that Kaunas won't be easy to beat.  Kaunas main strenght is the counterattack and even eliminated Glasglow Rangers finalist of  the last UEFA season. Problem for Sampdoria is with the defense.

Good thing is that Mazzarri most likely will use the duo Bonazzoli-Cassano.

BORUSSIA - UDINESE

I agree with the article that this is the toughest match for Udinese to win.  The match is at Westfalenstadion and is expected a pro Borussia support with 80,000 fans! Wow. The Stadium Westfalenstadion considered as the "Scala of German Football.  One of the players to watch is Alexander Frei scoring a brace on the last day of the Bundesliga. 

For the match, Udinese coach Pasquale Marino most likely will use his 4-3-3 formation. Pepe-Di Natale - Quagliarella.  They must win this match.


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





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