Many Milan fans are very excited that Galliani and Berluscni have finally heard their pleas and cries and signed players who could win them trophies. There is no doubt that the Rossoneri are looking very strong on all fronts this season, however, before writing off other teams, it is important to note that Inter Milan, Juventus, AS Roma and the chasing pack of Napoli, Palermo, Sampdoria Fiorentina, Genoa and Lazio won’t yield the title to Milan or any other team for that matter without a fight.
From the category archives:
Fiorentina
The Italian Serie A season gets underway this weekend after a 3 month break with some very mouth watering fixtures key among them being the Udinese v Genoa, Fiorentina v Napoli and Sampdoria v Lazio matches.
This will however not be like any other previous season as the strategic buying that most clubs employed means that the league will be more competitive than previously thought. A good example would have to be Juventus.
While Inter still remain as favourites to repeat their epic treble, the Bianconeri cannot be ruled out especially after acquiring some very talented players. Milos Krasic, Simone Pepe and Leonardo Bonucci are just a few of these players.
According to most people, Roma is still the only team that can challenge Inter for the scudetto. Sure,Inter are the favourites to defend the Serie A title again, however, Milan, Juventus, Fiorentina, Sampdoria Napoli and Genoa cannot be ruled out.
The Giallorosso threw away their comfortable lead in the dying stages of last season to see rivals Inter pip them to their record breaking 5th straight scudetto. The Romans have been largely quiet in the transfer market with only the signings of a few players and if reports emerging from the capital are to be believed, then Roma fans have reason to smile as their towering striker Julio Baptista has apparently turned down a 14 million Euro transfer to Turkish club Galatasary.
Bad luck never seems to stop haunting Fiorentina as shortly after loosing their talisman, Stevan Jovetic, the Viola have a new problem as Adem Ljajic has also got an injury that will force him to be sidelined.
According to the Florence based club’s official site, the Serbian u-21 international sprained his knee and collateral medial knee ligament which should put him away from the playing field for at least two weeks long.
Despite loosing their young superstar, Stevan Jovetic, who recently picked up a knee injury which forced him sidelined for about eight months, Fiorentina doesn’t see the necessity in looking for Jovetic’s replacement on the market.
According to their new coach, Sinijsa Mihaljovic, although Jovetic’s loss will be felt by his team, the former Catania coach is convinced that Fiorentina still have the players that can replace the Montenegrin.
Naming the candidates to take over the young fantasista’s place, Mihaljovic revealed that he expect Adam Ljajic and Adrian Mutu can be the solution his looking for.
Italy’s World Cup Villain turned hero Roberto Baggio is back in business after 6 years out in the sidelines. The 43 year old former Italy international famed for his trademark ponytail is now the president for the technical committee of the FIGC (Italian FA).
For a player of such immense talent, it is a shame that Baggio is remembered more for his penalty miss in their 1994 World Cup final loss to Brazil rather than for his exceptional skill that made him one of the country’s legends and endeared him in the hearts of many fans worldwide.
Getting transferred to a big club doesn’t always be the ultimate choice for you talented footballers as many would still choose to play in a lesser team as long as they get regular playing time and one of that players are Fiorentina’s starlet, Stevan Jovetic. The young playmaker, who has been regarded as one of the emerging talents in today’s football world, has recently told the press that he would reject the chance to play for Barcelona and opted to stay in Firenze instead.
Despite the confident words of their new coach, Sinijsa Mihaljovic, who insisted that his team, Fiorentina, could be challenging for the Champions League spot next season, the fans might still have something to worry about as the Florence based club might still lose some of their best players next season including Alberto Gilardino. The possibilities of losing the prolific striker, was mentioned by the club’s sporting director, Pantaleo Corvino, who stated that should Gilardino wants to leave and there’s a reasonable offer, he won’t be held hostage at Firenze.
“I cannot really say that Gila is not for sale. Of course we won’t go around offering his services to other clubs,” Corvino said to the press. “But really it is up to him. If he is happy in Florence then no problem, otherwise we will see.”
Despite being rumored to be loosing some of their important players next summer, Fiorentina still manage to please their fans by acquiring an interesting player for the squad as the La Viola announced the capturing of a new keeper, Artur Boruc. The former Glasgow Celtic player reportedly will soon sign a contract with the Viola after finishing his medical test with the Serie A team, which has been left by their coach Cesare Prandeli.
Two years ago, a report published by an independent news agency mentioned Keirrison as one of five local based Brazilian stars to watch. The other four were Neymar, Dentinho,Lulinha, Walter and Douglas Costa. Not only was that report right, but it was also the launching pad for the very talented Neymar who although erroneously omitted from Brazil’s World Cup squad, the Santos star remains a much loved figure in Brazil.
