Ac Milan temporarily reached the top spot of Serie A after picking up an important victory over Cagliari on Tuesday, an own goal from Pisano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s excellent effort gave the Rossoneri a comfortable two goals lead.

Meanwhile in the other game, Fiorentina still can’t get their consistent form going after failing to pick up a victory against Siena in the Tuscan derby, a result which will force Delio Rossi to improve the Viola’s performance in the new year.

In Sardinia, Ac Milan collected a pretty comfortable victory over Cagliari and it took them only four minutes to take the lead through Pisano’s own goal after the player tried to block Robinho’s cut back which was about to reach Antonio Nocerino. It wasn’t an easy game actually for the Rossoneri especially with the heavy rain and also bad pitch which isn’t actually suitable for the club’s passing game style, forcing them to get into more physical battle with the home team players.

However, even without hitting third gear, Milan managed to secure the three points in the second half after Ibrahimovic flicked passed Cagliari goal keeper shuts down the home team’s resistance. Tiredness were visible on the Rossoneri player’s performance but they will get their needed rest with the current break before starting the season again in January.

Meanwhile, the Tuscan Derby ended in disappointment as both Fiorentina and Siena can’t seem to find the back of the net despite both teams actually have several goal scoring chances both in the first half and also second period. However, poor finishing from both teams pretty much forced them to settle for just a point in the last match before the temporary Christmas break, obviously not a pretty gift for the fans who were expecting something more before the end of year.

There will still several more matches on Wednesday, which could decide the league positions especially at the top before the new year. Milan are expecting that the outcome from Udinese-Juventus match won’t change their current position in the table as leading the Serie A before the break could give a sense of satisfaction for the Rossoneri players.

photo credit: bhhardinge

AC Milan returned to the top of Serie A thanks to a 2-0 win over Cagliari at the Stadio Sant’Ella Stadium, in what was a rearranged fixture from the first week of the season, where the whole schedule was postponed because of a players’ strike.

An own goal from Francesco Pisano and a sharp finish from Zlatan Ibrahimovic proved the difference between the sides.

It was a far from fluent performance from the Rossoneri in the Sardinian rain, even though they scored early in the game through a fourth-minute own goal. Ibrahimovic put in Robinho down the right-hand side of the box, and the Brazilian rounded goalkeeper Michael Agazzi and defender Michele Canini, before crossing for the waiting Antonio Nocerino. It seemed as if the former Palermo midfielder would tap in his seventh goal in 14 games from point-blank range, but Pisano ended up putting the ball into his own net as he attempted to clear.

On the hour it was 2-0 when Robinho’s header set up Ibrahimovic’s 11th Serie A goal of the season. It dropped perfectly into the path of the Swede, who controlled the ball superbly to take it away from Canini, then chipped it over Agazzi from a tight angle.

While Cagliari enjoyed decent amounts of possession in the game, it was obvious why they have scored only 12 goals in the league all season as they failed to create any clear chances despite all that possession.

so Milan now site on top of the table with 34 points from 16 games, though it could be a short stay on the summit, as Juventus will return to the top if they win at Udinese on Wednesday. Cagliari drop to 14th place, with 18 points from 16 games.

Federico Marchetti’s misery has pretty much ended today as he finally move from Cagliari and signed with Lazio for a fee around 5,2 million ending some speculation stating that he might go to Ac Milan instead.

Marchetti already arrived in Rome earlier today for completing his medical and has pretty much become the Biancolesti’s new singing as the player already confirmed about his joy in completing a move to the capital club.

The keeper who hasn’t played any football since the 2010 World Cup because being frozen out by his previous club’s president, Massimo Cellino, expressed his delight by stating that singing with Lazio has ended his nightmare. Marchetti also added that the reason he finally chose the Biancocelesti is simply because the capital club’s project is very promising and it’s pretty much visible in their current rapid move in the summer transfer market.

“I’m happy to be here. It’d be great to play football again – it’s the end of a nightmare. I have always trained with consistency and I’m happy that President Claudio Lotito and Lazio believed in me. I instantly had faith in the Lazio project and I fully supported the move, “ Marchetti stated.

The 28-years-old keeper also promised Lazio fans that he will try his best in rediscovering his best form that made him get a called up for the Italian national team in the last World Cup. Being set as the replacement for the Biancocelesti’s previous number one, Federico Muslera, Marchetti seems confident as he stated that he will give everything so he can get another Azzurri call up for the upcoming Euro 2012.

It’s the European Championship next summer and I’d like to be there with Italy. I want to do well for that reason too,” Marchetti added.

photo credit: BSR-12

After confirming the title in Rome a week ago, this Saturday, Ac Milan continue their Scudetto party aat San Siro sharing the enjoyment with all of Milanisti, who already flooded the fashion city, few hours before the Rossoneri’s last home game starts.

In the mood for a celebration, Milan players simply showed their partying spirit in the match by thrashing Cagliari 4-1 by playing exhibition football at times.

Playing in a very relaxed manner, Milan scored pretty lovely goals with Robinho finally showing a much more accurate finishing by scoring two lovely goals in the first half, adding his tally in the league to 14, the same number as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexandre Pato. Completing the 4-1 scoreline, Gennaro Gattuso and Clarence Seedorf followed Robinho’s path while Andrea Cossu pulled a fine consolation goal that give a little bit pride for the Sardinian.

As the match finished, comes the moment that all Milanisti have been waiting for seven years, the league title trophy presentation in San Siro along with another special celebration after it. Unlike the rather wild celebration that the player have in Rome, the party in San Siro was much more in control, probably because the involvement of players’ family inside the San Siro pitch right after the trophy presentation.

Making the night more special, Milan’s summer signing and new fans favorites, Kevin Prince Boateng, sensationally kept his promise to the Milanisti as the Ghanaian did a Michael Jackson famous moonwalk dance on the pitch. Compete with the renown Billy Jean song, Boateng impersonated the famous dance for the amusement of the fans and also his fellow teammates, who simply enjoyed the occasion.

Late into the night, the press didn’t want to leave the special occasion without snuffing more at the Rossoneri’s future plan as despite facing several politely silence move from the players and coach, the media made their way in making Milan’s vice president, Adriano Galliani into providing some hints about the club’s transfer target. Despite leaving some names out, reporters did get some clarity regarding some players that have been linked with the Rossoneri such as Ricardo Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Essien, Paulo Henrique “Ganso”, Erik Lamela, etc.

Without making any much intention in spoiling things, Galliani provide a simple answer by saying no at several names that being shout out by the reporter, except for the likes of Lamela, Sandro and Ganso. For the first two names, the vice president simply make everyone curious as he simply stated a ‘maybe’ indication, while for the latter, Galliani added an explanation that it will depend on the EU rule in Serie A next season.

Overall, the night was definitely a special party scene for all Milan lovers especially those at San Siro, but their curiosity regarding the team’s setup for the new season remain an exciting thing for all Milanisti.

photo credit: americanistadechiapas

Lazio and Milan both scored four goals today on the way to recording impressive victories.

Lazio’s 4-2 won over Genoa snapped a run of three successive losses and took them above Udinese into fourth, and the all important final Champions League spot.

Lazio got off to a great start when Giuseppe Biava put them ahead inside of the opening 10 minutes, But Rodrigo Palacio hit back five minutes later for Genoa to ensure both sides entered the break on level terms.

In the second half Lazio turned it on, scoring three times to wrap up the victory. First midfielder Cristian Ledesma provided the assist for Tommaso Rocchi’s goal after 52 minutes and he was the provider again four minutes later when Hernanes made it 3-1.

Hernanes doubled his account on 66 minutes and, while striker Antonio Floro Flores pulled back a late consolation for Genoa, Lazio were easy winners.

In the day’s other match, AC Milan romped to a 4-1 home win against Cagliari thanks to a first-half masterclass from Robinho.

After opening the scoring on 22 minutes, the Brazilian set up captain Gennaro Gattuso for just his second goal of the season two minutes later.

Robinho grabbed his second strike of the game ten minutes before the break and, although Andrea Cossu replied almost immediately, victory was never in doubt for the champions as Dutch veteran Clarence Seedorf wrapped up the rout for the Champions with 13 minutes to play.

Frustration is pretty much the feeling that Cagliari’s goal keeper, Federico Marchetti, is currently feeling as he has been frozen out by his club from the start of the season and still hasn’t get a playing time in the first team until now. In fact the keeper was merely used by the Sardinian’s primavera team which is simply a downgrade considering the fact that last year he was performing in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, replacing the injured Gianluigi Buffon.

This condition really frustrated Marchetti as before the summer he actually had plan to play in the bigger club in order to improve his career, however it was that idea that got him into the current situation as his wish enraged Cagliari’s president, Massimo Cellino. As the season goes by, the dispute between both parties forced Marchetti to keep staying out of the field in the winter, despite the interest of several clubs on the keeper in the last January transfer window.

Marchetti revealed that this season he really missed playing football a lot, being forced to only train without having the chance to play hurts the keeper a lot as watching the games from television makes his feeling much more worse. Despite his current condition, the Azzurri’s World Cup goalie, stated that he won’t give up and believe that next summer he will finally be able to play again and maybe even getting his wish in moving to a bigger team.

How much do I miss football? So very much. It’s not easy to be out of the sport and watching the games on television just kills me. But I kept saying to myself that I’d be crazy to give in,” Marchetti stated. “I have a contract until 2013, but we’ll see what the future holds in June. Never say never.”

Rumors have been spreading that Marchetti is being monitored closely by several big clubs such as Ac Milan, As Roma and Manchester City, however the fact that the keeper hasn’t even played in a competitive manner this season surely becomes the negative part from the keeper. Surely, the 27-years-old would hope that Cellino, won’t be making things difficult from him next season especially since the president has already punished the goalie really hard this season.

AC Milan extended their lead to six points in Serie A despite a 4-4 home draw with Udinese, though SSC Napoli will be hoping to close in on the Rossoneri when they host Juventus later.

Fans at San Siro were treated to an eight-goal thriller as Milan came from behind three times to force a 4-4 draw. Pato cancelled out Antonio Di Natale’s 35th-minute opener on the stroke of half-time only for Alexis Sánchez (53) and Di Natale (66) to put the visitors 3-1 up, but the hosts rallied through a Medhi Benatia own goal (78) and a second Pato strike (82). Germán Denis (89) then grabbed what looked to be the winner with a minute remaining, yet the league leaders salvaged a point via Zlatan Ibrahimović in added time.

It proved a crucial draw as second-placed Lazio lost 2-1 at home against lowly Lecce to slip further adrift of the summit. Fourth-placed Roma also tasted defeat, losing 2-1 at nine-man Sampdoria after losing Júlio Sérgio to a 55th-minute red card, though their hosts finished with nine men following the late dismissals of centre-backs Daniele Gastaldello and Stefano Lucchini.

Inter came from behind to triumph 2-1 at Catania and lift themselves to seventh, while an even more dramatic comeback ended with Fiorentina turning a 2-0 deficit at home to Brescia into a 3-2 win.

Elsewhere, there were victories for Bologna and Cagliari at Bari and Parma respectively, while Palermo and Genoa were held to 0-0 draws at Chievo and Cesena.

photo credit: Jan S0L0

Ac Milan keep their throne at the top of Serie A untouched for at least another week as after they picked up an important victory against home team, Cagliari, this Thursday thanks to a goal by their young player, Rodney Strasser.

This game also marked the debut of the Rossoneri’s new signing, Antonio Cassano, who also play apart on the goal as he was the one that set up Strasser in the penalty box after making nice passing moves with Robinho.

The 1-0 victory undoubtedly is an important one considering the fact Milan earned it in the most difficult way as Cagliari pushed really hard and create several good chances especially from some blunders made by the away team’s goalie, Christian Abbiati. The absentees of important players and also wastefulness of their strikers in this game are also additional reasons why the match become difficult for the Rossoneri until Strasser brake the deadlock in the 84 minute.

Making the victory more important, the Rossoneri can pretty much take a sight or relief as some of their direct Scudetto challengers such as Juventus and Lazio failed to get maximum three points in this midweek game. At Turin, the Bianconeri went down into a shocking 4-1 defeat against Parma, with Sebastian Giovinco playing an important role in demolishing his parent club as the playmaker scored two goals against them.

Aside from Giovinco’s special performance, the sending off for Felipe Melo also didn’t help Juve’s course in closing the gap with Milan, that are pretty much save and sound at the top of the Serie A table at the moment. Aside from Melo’s incident, another big blow could happen for Juventus’ season after acknowledging that Fabio Quagliarella was badly injured and had to be taken off in the first half. This injury increased the problems that the Bianconeri are facing with their front line as the other strikers Iaquinta and Amauri also spend more time in the treatment room this season.

Meanwhile, Lazio got a little bit better result than Juventus as they got a 0-0 draw away to Genoa meaning that they are now once again five points adrift from the Rossoneri and could really go to third place should Napoli beat Inter Milan in the game scheduled later today. The Biancocelestin are keeping their second place with five points behind the league leader, Milan, with only one point ahead of third the third place team and two points above Roma, that climbed their way into fourth place after getting a 4-2 win against Catania.

Match Reports:
Cagliari v Milan 0-1
Goals: Rodney Strasser 84(Milan)

Cagliari: Agazzi; Pisano, Canini, Astori, Agostini; Nainggolan, Conti, Lazzari (Biondini 48); Cossu; Nenè, Matri (Acquafresca 84)

Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Bonera, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Gattuso (Strasser 58), Seedorf, Ambrosini; Merkel (Cassano 74); Pato, Robinho

Juventus v Parma 1-4
Goals: Legrotaglie 61(Juve); Giovinco 40, 47(Parma), Crespo 63(Parma), Palladino 92(Parma)

Juventus: Storari; Sorensen (Sissoko 55), Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Grosso; Krasic, Aquilani, Felipe Melo, Marchisio; Quagliarella (Amauri 4), Del Piero (Pepe 30)

Parma: Mirante; Zaccardo, Paletta, Paci, Gobbi; Morrone, Dzemaili, Candreva; Giovinco (Toni Calvo 87), Crespo (Palladino 65), Valiani

photo credit: Yme Bosma

Aside from the plan to get a replacement for Fillipo Inzaghi in the market, reports from Italy stated that Ac Milan are still seriously considering to get Cagliari’s midfielder, Andrea Lazzari, who could now be set as Ronaldinho’s replacement.

Lazzari, who was one of Allegri’s trusted midfielder during the tactician’s time at Cagliari, has already been linked with a move to the fashion capital since the summer, however back then the Sardinian club refuse to part ways with the Italian international.

Considering the fact that Lazzari isn’t playing that much in the early part of the season, there’s probably a chance that Cagliari might be willing to release the 26-years-old as early as this January. However, should the Sardinian club still refuse the Rossoneri’s offer, the current Serie A leader might try again next summer especially since Ronaldinho’s contract should expired by that time.

One of the plus thing of having Lazzari is because of his versatility as the Cagliari man is capable of playing as a creative outlet in the three man midfield or also act as a playmaker behind the two striker. Considering the fact that Clarence Seedorf is being given a starting role in the attacking midfielder position, acquiring the Italian international in the winter could actually be a good solution for the Rossoneri as the fashion capital club is participating in lots of competition this season.

The interesting part is surely the fact that beside interested in Lazzari, the Rossoneri are also eying to sign the Sardinian club’s main striker, Alessandro Matri, who is also a product of Milan’s youth system few years ago. Surely it would be difficult for the Italian giant to get both of those important players from Roberto Donadoni’s squad, especially since last summer the fashion capital side have already snapped up Allegri from the Rossoblu in a very difficult negotiation.

photo credit: Juventus Calcio

Lazio continue their reign in the Italian Serie A table after successfully grabbing a 2-1 victory against their opponent Cagliari this Sunday at Olympico, Roma.

Two latest Italian international, Stefano Mauri and Sergio Floccari were the ones responsible for the Aquile success by scoring the goals that take the capital club 2-0 for a while before Alessandro Matri pulled one back to make the match more interesting.

Surprisingly leading the table ahead of the match, Lazio players are feeling very confident in taking another three point against the struggling Cagliari that are playing without Daniele Conti, Francesco Pisano and Daniele Ragatzu. Despite have been in a poor form lately, the away team did cost plenty of problems for the home team especially from the talented midfielder, Andrea Lazzari and former Milan youth striker, Alessandro Matri.

Despite Cagliari’s early pressure it was Lazio that take the lead first through Floccari who managed to pounce the home team’s blocked free kick in 21st minute, slamming a low right footed kick pass a host of defenders legs through the away team’s net. The opening goal gives the confidence boost that the Biancocelesti needed as soon after that they started to storm the away team’s defends with serious attacking threat notably led by Hernanes and Mauri.

After creating some decent opportunities, the Aquile finally managed to score their second goal after Mauri luckily turn in a cross with his chest into Cagliari’s net. However, instead making life easier for Lazio, the second goal turned out to be the trigger the away team to show their potential as soon after that, Matri pulled a goal back for the Sardinian side.

After series of heart stopping moments in front of their goal, Lazio finally take home the three point and continue their amazing spell in top of Serie A for at least another week regardless the results reached by other teams below him. A tougher task already awaits the Biancocelesti next weekend as they will be challenging one of the most talented team in the league, Palermo, that are still looking to their consistency this season.

Lazio v Cagliari 2-1
Goals: Floccari (Lazio), Mauri (Lazio); Matri (Cagliari)

Lazio: Muslera; Lichtsteiner, Biava (Stendardo 88), Dias, Radu; Brocchi, Ledesma, Mauri; Hernanes (Matuzalem 67); Floccari, Zarate (Rocchi 75)

Cagliari: Agazzi; Perico, Canini, Astori, Agostini; Biondini, Nainggolan (Acquafresca 82), Lazzari (Nene’ 55); Cossu, Pinardi (Laner 74); Matri

photo credit: cris ledesma