By Anna Italia

Good morning, buon giorno.

How are you?

Here I am  ready for our "coffee morning news readings" with my cup of cappuccino, a strawberry-yogurt and fresh peaches.

Are you ready with your coffee, tea, juice or snack?
Preparations of the Italian National team for the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers against Bulgaria and Montenegro continue. Most Italian clubs return to regular training today to prepare for the Serie A Week 7. 

Much to cover this morning, so let's read the news from the front page of Italy's sports newspaper "Il Corriere dello Sport" from this morning  Wednesday, October 8,  2008. 

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AC MILAN TRANSFER MARKET

Headline says, "Milan, wants Sergio Ramos."

Anna Italia Opinion - Is Sergio Ramos the replacement for Paolo Maldini?  The article mentions that Maldini is playing his last season with Milan and the club looking for a defender who will be with Milan for years.

Oh well... let me count to 10 to calm down.  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Having count... let me say that I don't think Ramos will be the right substitute for Maldini.  I am struggling to find the right words because I like Ramos but still don't think he could be Maldini's substitute.

Are you kidding me?  Substituting Maldini will take someone "who really feels Milan in his heart, his veins, ideally a product of the youth program."  Being a flag is something money cannot buy, but one learns to love the team and feel it as part of their own skin.  This, my friends, cannot be said of Sergio Ramos. 

Sure, Ramos can come to Milan, but, don't make me count to 10 saying he can be Maldini's substitute.

Ramos, playing for Real Madrid is 22 years old, good physique and certainly will be a big help for Milan. I don't object his signing at all. Problem will be whether Milan can pay thousands of euros to Real Madrid.

The article also mentions Milan interestd on Cesc Fabregas. What do you think?

UEFA CUP

The draw was yesterday and these are the 3 groups of the Italian clubs participating in the UEFA Cup.  Since Milan this year is out of the Champions League, Ancelotti already said that his objectice is to win the UEFA Cup. Milan has never won the UEFA Cup, so....will they win it this year?

Group C
SAMPDORIA, Sevilla, Stuttgart, Partizan, and Standard de Liege.

Group D
UDINESE, Tottenham, Spartak Moskvca Dinamo Zagreb, and Nijmegen.

Group E
AC MILAN, Braga, Portsmouth, Wolfsburg, and Heerenveen.

Italian National Team Updates

Headline says, "Buffon out for 1 month, Camoranesi out for  20 days. Lippi and Ranieri lament the situation."

Anna Italia Opinion -  What a crazy day yesterday during the first day training of the Azzurri in Coverciano for the 2 matches of the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers against Bulgaria and Montenegro.  Bad news with the injuries of Saint goalkeeper Gigi Buffon and midfielder Mauro Camoranesi.  Lippi had to call goalkeeper Gianluca Curci for backup.  No substitute for Camoranesi.

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Click here for:
First Day Training Italian National Team in Coverciano, Tuesday, Oct. 7 - Preparing for 2010 World Cup Qualifier Bulgaria - Italy, October 7, 2008

-  Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon and Mauro Camoranesi OUT of the 2010 World Cup South Africa Qualifiers Against Bulgaria and Montenegro for injury, October 7, 2008


FC JUVENTUS TRANSFER MARKET

What a mess going on with Juventus.  Too many injured players and the new players not making a big difference. Yet, forget about the players. The latest rumor as reported by Sun and Mirror is about the sacking of coach Claudio Ranieri and the signing of Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez!!!!!

I totally disagree.  I think Ranieri is doing miracles with whatever available players he has. Plus, come on, Ranieri got Juve promoted to the Serie B and was doing fine this season untill key players became injured.  Making matters worst is the latest injury of the MOST GUARDED PLAYERS in Juventus: Saint goalkeeper Gigi Buffon.

Personally, I don't think forward Dario Knezevic was a good transfer for Juventus.  Amauri, yes, and has not disappointed the club either. 

This morning a face to face meeting between the club: Ranieri, Blanc, and Secco and the team. The two players that really has some power are midfielder Pavel Nedved and forward Alessandro Del Piero. Meeting was closed door in the dressing room... hope this "crisis" will be over soon.

FC INTER TRANSFER MARKET

Headline says, "Inter wants Palombo and Mourinho would like to have him in January."

Anna Italia Opinion - Wow, what a moment for 27-years old Sampdoria midfielder Angelo Palombo. No doubt that Sampdoria coach Walter Mazzarri has done a good job with Palombo. Mazzarri prepared Palombo and he has not disappoint him at all.  Now, Palombo grasps the attention from Inter coach Jose Mourinho who wants to have him in Inter this January. 

The article mentions that Mourinho was really impressed with Palombo when Inter played against Sampdoria in Week 1. Problem for Mourinho is that Sampdoria will not let go easily Palombo without finding an effective replacement.  I will suggest Palombo to stay with Sampdoria where he is the one ruling the midfield and an important player, instead of signing for the big club Inter where he won't have much playing time thinking they already have Ricardo Quaresma, Esteban Cambiasso, Amantino Mancini, Muntari, Stankovic.


AS ROMA TRANSFER MARKET

Headline says, "Roma thinks about Crespo and Sensi has already an offer."

Anna Italia Opinion - I must say the news really hit me because all along we have been thinking Crespo transferring to LAZIO not ROMA.  It seems that there is no space available in Lazio with all the current forwads Mauro Zarate, Goran Pandev, Tomasso Rocchi.  Now, the latest news is Crespo transfering to Roma?  The intention of Roma to sign Crespo is urgent considering the many injured players and the need to have a strong forward. 

Here is the interesting thing, which made me stand up and jump!  Since Inter did not include Hernan Crespo in the current Champions League list, Crespo has the chance to play the Champions with ROMA!!!! Wow, can you imagine!  Transfer is projected for January and Crespo better leave Inter ASAP before the time passes.

PALERMO

Good news is that Palermo coach Davide Ballardini extends his contract with Palermo until 2011. You bet the news has been well received by Palermo fans. Wonder only how long will Ballardini resists once Zamparini starts losing his patience if Palermo starts losing again.  Maybe the ones not really happy are Cagliari fans who had the hope to get back Ballardini to sav them again.

Palermo Coach Davide Ballardini Extends Contract for 2 more years until 2011!


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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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