Calcio 2011-2012

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Starting with Berlusconi Cup...
Inter, host Milan and Juventus,,.,

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AC Milan gained swift revenge on Juventus with a 2-1 victory at the San Siro on Sunday to win the pre-season Berlusconi Cup, sponsored by Rossoneri president Silvio Berlusconi in memory of his father Luigi.

Just three days after having lost to their Turin opponents by the same score in a 45-minute match in the three-way TIM Cup — which Inter Milan won with their neighbours finishing last — Milan turned the tables despite missing several stars.

Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng and veteran Dutchman Clarence Seedorf gave the Milanese a two-goal lead at the break before Mirko Vucinic pulled one back in the second period.

Milan lined up with Antonio Cassano up front on his own due to an injury to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the absence of Brazilians Pato and Robinho, rested due to their participation at the Copa America.

The down side for Milan was injuries to African pair Boateng and Nigerian full-back Taye Taiwo just a week before the new season begins.

In Geneva, Giampaolo Pazzini scored a first-half brace as Inter came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Greek outfit Olympiakos in their final pre-season friendly.

Samuel Eto’o was left out by Inter amid media speculation a move to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala could be completed early next week.

In Sicily, Turkish side Fenerbahce beat Serie A side Palermo 3-2 with Turkey international playmaker Ugur Boral scoring a 77th minute winner.

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The opening day of the 2011-12 Serie A campaign has been called off after the Italian players' association (AIC), Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the Lega Calcio failed to reach a deal regarding a collective bargaining agreement.

Damiano Tommasi, president of (AIC), stated on Wednesday that it was unlikely that the planned strike would be called off and his fears have now come true.

AIC made a last ditch attempt to ward off the strike on Friday as it proposed a stop-gap solution that would give the parties involved more time to find a permanent solution.

Nevertheless, the proposed bridge-contract based on the agreements reached so far between the different parties, which would expire on 30 June 2012, was swiftly rejected by Lega Calcio.

"There will be no Serie A this weekend," Tommasi said. "We tried right up until the end, but ultimately all the talks were in vain."

The biggest talking point is the so-called article seven about players who are deemed surplus to requirements by their coaches. AIC insists that those players should be allowed to train with the rest of the squad, while the clubs want autonomy for the coaches.

The Italian government's decision to introduce an extra tax on wages over 90,000 euros per year has been the other issue that prevented parties from reaching agreement. The clubs feel that the players must pay the tax, rather than the clubs, while AIC feels the employers are responsible for paying the extra money.

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Former Roma coach Claudio Ranieri believes that improvements on the pitch will take time at the Stadio Olimpico following a summer of change at the club.

"Roma have changed so it will take time. Like all teams that start from scratch, they will need to build slowly," Ranieri told Il Corriere dello Sport. "Luis Enrique will have to do his best, and I am sure he will succeed."

Reports of tension between Francesco Totti and his new coach Luis Enrique have emerged, and the club are working to tie down Daniele De Rossi on a new deal. Despite the apparent questions between the captain and his coach, Ranieri feels his former side will eventually yield success.

"Totti? He is a great player, but the problems [between himself and Luis Enrique] do not help anyone."

Roma plays Cagliari next week should Serie A resume following strike action which saw week one action postponed following a dispute between clubs and players over the renewal of a collective contract.

[master]

Juventus 4-1 Parma: Pirlo shines as Old Lady grace new stadium with impressive win
A late red card for Paolo De Ceglie couldn't detract from an impressive display by Juve as Pirlo made himself at home in his new surroundings

Juventus christened its new stadium and made a firm statement of intent with a comprehensive 4-1 Serie A victory over Parma.

Andrea Pirlo produced a superb display in midfield for the Turin giants, and goals from Stephan Lichtsteiner, Simone Pepe, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio fired the hosts to a confident opening-day win.

It was Antonio Conte’s first competitive game in charge and his side started brightly pressing the space in midfield to limit Parma’s possession. Two debutants combined in the 18th minute for the first goal in the Juventus stadium.

Lichsteiner, who joined from Lazio in the summer, found Pirlo on the edge of the area and the former AC Milan stalwart made a smart turn, before picking out the Swiss international with a perfectly weighted ball, who rounded Antonio Mirante to coolly finish.

Later in the match Del Piero fed Pepe on the right of the box and the 28-year-old blasted in for a 2-0 lead. Juventus continued to dominate in the closing stages and Del Piero made way for Chilean midfielder Vidal, who made it three with a smart volley from the edge of the area.

Parma looked sluggish throughout and were caught flat-footed by another beautifully floated Pirlo ball in the 82nd minute that dropped perfectly on Marchisio's boot, with the midfielder volleying over the stranded Mirante.

It was almost the perfect start to the 2011-12 season for La Vecchia Signora until referee Domenico Celi red-carded Paolo De Ceglie for a last man tackle on Giovinco, and the striker tucked the spot-kick away to finish the game 4-1.

Juventus had issued a message to the rest of Serie A that it means business this season, and created a sense of optimism that a return to the successes of old could be a real possibility under Conte.

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The Roman has been handed the reins at Appiano Gentile after the dismissal of Gian Piero Gasperini earlier this week following the club's disappointing start to 2011-12.

Claudio Ranieri has been unveiled as the new coach of Inter, replacing Gian Piero Gasperini, who was fired earlier this week following Tuesday evening's 3-1 defeat at Novara. The Giuseppe Meazza club has confirmed the appointment of the 59-year-old on its official website.

"Claudio Ranieri is officially the new coach of Inter. The tactician has signed a contract that will keep him with the club until 30 June 2013," a statement on inter.it reads.

As Goal.com revealed on Wednesday afternoon, Ranieri was close to the Inter job and he has now inked a deal until the summer of 2013. He will lead the team for the first time during Thursday afternoon's training session.

"Everybody at Inter is pleased to welcome Ranieri at the club and wish the coach and his staff all the best."

Ranieri had been out of work ever since he left Roma in February 2011. He previously worked at clubs such as Juventus, Parma, Valencia, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Fiorentina, Napoli and Cagliari.

The Roma born coach will be officially presented during a press conference on Friday.

[funnyview]

As seeing some first matches at Calcio this year..think will be hardest season in few years...maybe most interesting that hope will be.

[funnyview]

There will be strong season...guarantee!!

very strong...

even after 4 rounds there is not team that did not lose..

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Roma coach Luis Enrique has claimed that his team has finally started to play the type of soccer he wants to see, after managing his side to a 3-1 victory over Serie A rivals Atalanta on Saturday.

The capital club has begun to enjoy success under the former Barcelona B tactician despite a difficult start to his reign. The emphatic win over the unbeaten new boys made it two successive wins and maintained Roma's unbeaten run of four matches and Luis Enrique has praised Roma's continued development.

"This is the football that we want to play; keeping the ball with the intention of trying to score goals," he told Sky Sport Italia after the match.

"We have to be patient if we want to succeed, and it cannot be done quickly," the 41-year-old continued. "Now I'm happy to cheer my team on at the Olimpico. Does the team have more confidence now? I think so. We played against the most in-form team in the league, so I [must] congratulate the boys."

Roma temporarily moves up to third in Serie A, but awaits the results of the league's other sides, starting with Napoli's visit to Inter on Saturday evening.

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What a Game by AC MILAN :


PRINCE, PRINCE, PRINCE and YEPES as all became PRINCES