The arrival of former Ac Milan and Inter Milan’s tactician, Leonardo, at Paris Saint-Germain, opens the door for Serie A based players to the French outfit and after Salvatore Sirigu and Javier Pastore, another talent reportedly is set to follow.

According to Italian media, the player that will soon join the two former Palermo stars in Paris, is Federico Balzaretti, who is also a Rossonaro and Italian national team left winger.

The latest information claimed that the personal negotiation between PSG and Balzaretti has already reached its conclusion and the player is pretty much set to join the Ligue 1 outfit. However, there’s still some decision that needs to be made by Palermo, on whether they would let the Italian international left immediately in January or keep the wing back until June next summer.

Palermo president’s, Maurizio Zamparini, previously stated that he is ready to release Balzaretti but maybe not in January, since the left back’s contribution is still very much needed by Palermo. However, the strong financial power that PSG had might change the controversial patron’s mind, just like what he did for Pastore and also Sirigu this summer.

Being considered as one of the current best Italian left back, Balzaretti’s addition to PSG would definitely be a big boost for the French outfit, who have a strong ambition on becoming a very successful club with the super funding they had from new Qatari investors. The quality of the Italian international is also being appreciated by many big clubs as this summer, Ac Milan are one of the teams that are seriously interested in purchasing the player.

photo credit: Lotto Sport

Serie A Saturday fixtures yesterday left a bitter experience for two Serie A top teams, Inter Milan and Napoli, as both picked up a defeat while in the other hand, Ac Milan revived themselves by getting a convincing victory.

The Nerazzurri didn’t share the same result as their their city rival this weekend after being pinned back by Catania 2-1, while Napoli surprisingly were beaten by struggling Parma at San Paolo. Milan, who looked to finally found their best suited formation trashed Palermo 3-0 in San Siro, with former Rossanero man, Antonio Nocerino played an important part.

Inter Entering Relegation Zone

Still playing without important players such as Julio Cesar, Wesley Sneijder and Thiago Motta, Inter Milan actually started their away trip to Catania with a bang as Esteban Cambiasso took the lead for the visitor with a fine volley after receiving Douglas Maicon’s cross. However, things changed in the second period as the home team’s counter attacking play twice caught the Nerazzurri defense, causing two goals scored by Sergio Almiron and also a penalty by Francesco Lodi.

The defeat obviously caused problem for Inter as it was their fourth defeat already in the league this season, second in a row under Claudio Ranieri’s regime after the 3-0 battering against Napoli few weeks ago. This result also gave a very bad preparation for Inter ahead of their Champions League tie against Lille in the midweek as now the team are obviously under pressure again to provide result just like the condition that happened when the Nerazurri were still playing under Giam Piero Gasperini.

Napoli Shocked by Parma

The International break apparently didn’t do any good for Napoli this weekend as they failed to continue on their fine run as Parma surprisingly beaten Walter Mazzarri’s side at San Paolo, despite the home team did fielded their best eleven. Having attacking trio of Ezquiel Lavezzi, Marek Hamsik and Edinson Cavani starting the game the home team were obviously seeking for a quick lead but things were very tight especially in the first period as both teams failed to score a goal.

Things got more interested in the second period when Parma took the lead through Gobbi, which got replied by substitute, Giuseppe Mascara around 19 minutes later. However, the 1-1 scoreline didn’t last that long as five minutes later, the visitor strike again, this time through Modesto, who stumped Sebastian Giovinco’s fine cross. Despite the extremely offensive setup that Napoli set in the final minutes, the score line remain unchanged and the Partenopei picked up their first home defeat this season.

Milan Revives Against Palermo

Massimiliano Allegri kept his promise in revitalizing his squad after the international break as the return of Robinho in the starting line up obviously played a big part in the Rossoneri’s performance on Saturday night. Lining up Antonio Nocerino, Mark Van Bommel and Alberto Aquilani in the midfield, Milan looked very dominant on that area as both Aquilani and Nocerino played a huge part in the first goal which the latter scored.

Nocerino’s simply tap in from Aquilani’s flick header gave the goal that the home team needed as things could start getting frustrating should Milan kept on wasting the goal scoring chances they got. The first goal simply improved the Rossoneri’s confidence as in the second half, two more goals from Robinho and Cassano sealed the convincing victory for the Red and Black squad, which could really marked their revival for the season.

photo credit: batrax

According to Transfermarkt, Juventus was the big spender in this summers transfer market, spending 85.7 million euros in total as the club completed full acquisitions on a number of players including Alessandro Matri and Fabio Quagliarella, who will be joined by fresh faces Arturo Vidal, Mirko Vucinic, Eljero Elia, Stephan Lichtsteiner and potentially the best deal, Andrea Pirlo, who arrived from Milan on a free transfer.

Roma’s new owner Thomas DiBenedetto didn’t take long to open his check book as the club spent 78.3 million euros to sign Bojan Krkic, Erik Lamela, Miralem Pjanic, Simon Kjaer, Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, Maarten Stekelenburg, as well as Gabriel Heinze on a free and Fernando Gago on loan.

Inter looked as though it was going to have another quiet summer, but after losing Samuel Eto’o to Anzhi, Massimo Moratti dipped into his wallet to bring in Diego Forlan, Mauro Zarate, Ricky Alvarez, Emiliano Viviano and Jonathan. Crucially, however, the club managed to hold on to Wesley Sneijder.

Champion AC Milan is the team that everyone in Serie A is trying to catch, and after the club’s shrewd acquisitions last summer, it was more conservative this year. Milan had to spend large amounts to seal permanent moves for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng, but new arrivals include Philippe Mexes, Taye Taiwo, Alberto Aquilani (all for free) and Stephan El Shaarawy.

Napoli had to reinforce its squad for Champions League football, and it did so by parting with 61.4 million euros. Edinson Cavani made his move permanent from Palermo, while Gokhan Inler joined from Udinese. Miguel Britos, Blerim Dzemaili, Federico Fernandez and Antonio Rosati, among others, make up the rest of the new recruits.

Palermo lost big star Javier Pastore for 43 million euros, but spent less than half of that amount as it reinvested modestly with Matias Silvester and Andrea Mantovani being the two key purchases. Lazio also boosted its squad significantly with Djibril Cisse, Lorik Cana, Federico Marchetti and Miroslav Klose.

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini said sacked Stefano Pioli just three months into the job as he believed he had lost the support of the players.

With the team yet to play a Serie A game due to a strike postponing the opening weekend of fixtures, Zamparini’s stance appears surprising. However, he insists he acted swiftly in the best interests of the club.

“I saw that the team was no longer following the coach, so I had to intervene and sack him,” Zamparini said. “There was no confidence in him and I was worried that we would be heading in the wrong direction.”

Youth team trainer Devis Mangia has been appointed as caretaker coach, but Zamparini is already working on Pioli’s full-time replacement.

“(Former Palermo coach) Delio Rossi has asked me to give him some time,” Zamparini said. “I like him and he knows the players and the club well. I also like Claudio Ranieri and I contacted him, but he might be considering other offers. In the meantime, we will continue as we are until one of the two becomes available.”

Pioli follows Roberto Donadoni, sacked by Cagliari at the start of the month, in getting fired before the Serie A season even gets started. What are these teams not playing well in friendlies that is causing these President’s to fire managers before a competitive game is ever played?

Another interesting twist occurred in Serie A transfer market, notably known as”calciomercato’, after the latest report suggested that Cesare Bovo, who supposedly only a medical away from signing with Fiorentina, was hijacked by Genoa.

The Griffone have even confirmed that the currently still Palermo player will be joining the Marassi’s side training program ahead of the new season as the Sicilian club already allowed Bovo to join Alberto Malesani’s team

This news is simply a bit surprising as few days ago, as Bovo is all be set to join Fiorentina, with only medical check up left but apparently Genoa managed to steal the player from the Viola’ grasps. The former As Roma youth is set to be officially announced as the new Griffone player on Thursday once he finished his medical check up with the Marassi outfit, which will also be held sometime tomorrow.

Bovo is actually an important figure for Palermo, as he is also being given the captain armband after Fabrizio Micolli, however, the signing of talented Catania defender, Mattias Silvestre apparently gave the Sicilian side a confidence that they are more than covered at the back. Genoa’s action in hijacking Bovo in front of Fiorentina’s nose could make things very interesting as the Marassi outfit is reportedly very keen in purchasing the Viola’s top striker, Alberto Gillardino, who until now is still being kept away from outside offers.

Moreover, reports from Italy also stated that Bovo is expected to sign a three years deal with Genoa and join the likes of Kakha Kaladze, in leading the ambitious mid table Italian side, who are eagerly trying to enter the European stage once again. The Griffone has been pretty active in the transfer market especially starting from last season, although that haven’t been that successful as just yet. This season, the Marassi outfit is very eager to sign some top names in Italian football because their fans are a little bit upset with the club’s decision in selling their star players such as Domenico Criscito to Zenit St. Petersburg and Stephane El Shaarawy to Ac Milan this summer.

Meanwhile, the latest report from Italy revealed that Palermo have confirmed Bovo’s move to Genoa and it’s to be said as a season loan deal with rights of redemption after the season ends in 2012. Unfortunately, there haven’t been any new details regarding the cash supposedly involved for the deal, but more reports might be unveiled once the player finished his scheduled medical check up.

photo credit: mediagol

Despite rumors about the potential departures of their star players such as Alberto Gilardino and Riccardo Montolivo, Fiorentina keeps on making their own moves in the transfer market, with the latest news suggesting they are close to announce the arrival of defender, Cesare Bovo.

The former Palermo player’s arrival has been expected by the Italian media in the last few days, especially after the Rossanero signed another defender, Mattias Silvestre, from Catania.

Latest reports from Italy claim that Bovo would be confirmed as Fiorentina player over the next 24 hours, probably right after he completed his medical at Florence, which supposedly will take place on Wednesday. The former As Roma player’s arrival would definitely be a welcome addition for the Viola’s defense as Alessandro Gamberini could very well use an experience player as his partner.

Bovo’s departure actually looked a bit surprising at first, since the fact that he has been a very important and consistent performer for Palermo, however it seems that Silvestre’s arrival was more than enough to convince the Sicilian club’s management in selling him. Meanwhile, for the Florence outfit, Bovo would definitely be a name that might redeem the fans’ concern over the club’s future as they looked to have lack of ambition this summer especially if Sinijsa Mihaljovic’s team do release Gilardino along with Montolivo.

photo credit: acaaron816

Italian teams credibility in Europe gets another negative points as one of the representatives in the Europa League this season, Palermo, have to make an early exit from the competition after only managed to pick up a draw against their opponent, FC Thun. One goal from Pablo Gonzales isn’t enough to fly the Sicilian into the next round as the Swiss outfit grabbed an equalized that simply ended Frabrizio Micolli and co’s journey.

Needing a victory or at least a draw with a larger margin than two goals, things are already looking difficult for Palermo on their away trip to Switzerland, however the Sicilian did have their head high for quite a bit after managing to take the lead early in the second half through Gonzales. Unfortunately around 15 minutes later, Thun struck an equalizing goal through Dario Lezcano, which once again puts the Italian on trouble as they must get another goal to open their chance in going through.

Despite giving everything they could in the game, Palermo’s fate seems already sealed in the first leg when they were held into a 2-2 draw in front of their own fans at Renzo Barbera, which supposedly known as a tough ground for many teams. Speaking after the game, the Rossanero’s coach, Stefano Pioli, admitted that their poor performance in the first leg really outdo them in the competition, adding that the fact their opponents are already ahead in their physical preparation simply make things more difficult for his players.

“I was sure we would qualify tonight but unfortunately we made life difficult for ourselves in the first leg and Thun were in better physical shape than us,” Pioli said.

This disappointing could make things really difficult for Italian football as for now they only have two representatives in the Europa League, considering the fact that the performances in the competition is what cost Serie A their fourth spot for Champions League, another bad finish in EL really smells trouble. Surely the hope know relies on two Roman sides, As Roma and Lazio, to give their best in the competition, while at the same time those participating in the Champions League such as Ac Milan, Inter Milan, Napoli or even Udinese must give their all also.

Match Reports
Thun v Palermo 1-1
goals: Lezcano 65 (Thun); Gonzales 49(Palermo)

In the supposedly last year of the transfer market before FIFA implements the famous financial fair play, huge money signing still colored the football world as reports confirming that 43 million Euro is set to come out for the service of Palermo’s Javier Pastore.

Newly cash-loaded Frech side, Paris Saint-Germain is the club being confirmed as the Argentinian starlet’s buyer, a deal reportedly only lacking official statement from both PSG and Palermo, apparently could become the largest money signing so far this summer should the deal gets finalized.

Being an uprising future star, Pastore’s departure from Serie A to PSG probably can’t be called as a career improvement, at least not on the level of Alexis Sanchez’s move to Barcelona. The Argentinian’s departure looks more as a financially motivated transfer, especially for Palermo’s owner, Mauro Zamparini, who is known as business minded owner, which can be seen from his ambition in getting as much money he could from his talented player rather than keeping or selling Pastore to a top club.

Having a huge ambition in becoming the French Manchester City, PSG’s braveness in cashing out that huge amount of cash is something that the club probably ‘forced’ to do in acquiring the best talent theirs is since they currently doesn’t have the required pedigree as just yet. The intriguing question for Pastore’s potential departure, is the decision something that the player really wanted? As not long ago, the Argentinean international stated his wish of playing in a bigger club that can help him flourish into a much better player.

Surely at the moment PSG isn’t actually among the top clubs that Pastore meant, although the French side does have bigger stature than Palermo as Le Parisien are one of the big clubs at Ligue 1 which won trophies in Europe in the past. One thing for sure, with the amount of money being splashed out, there will be many eyes watching and anticipating whether the Argentina international can be the one leading the French club entering the top elite in Europe soon or this step merely another stepping stone before finally finalizing his ambition in playing at the major force out there.

photo credit: harian olahraga indonesia

Genoa’s interest on Palermo’s keeper, Salvatore Sirigu, might not materialized at all after latest reports from Italy suggested that newly rich French outfit, Paris Saint-Germain, have already made an interesting offer for the Italian international keeper.

Reports from TMW claimed that PSG sent a 3,5 million Euro offer for Sirigu to the Sicilian and ready to give the keeper a four year deal, worth about 1,5 million Euro per-season.
The French team’s offer is definitely an interesting proposal that would attract Palermo and also the player, and with former Ac Milan director, Leonardo, being the man behind PSG’s transfer move, things might get easier for them. The Ligue 1 team previously have already snapped Jeremy Menez from As Roma and reportedly also eying several other Serie A based players such as Mommo Sissoko from Juventus along with another Palermo player, Javier Pastore.
Considering the fact that Sirigu’s contract will end in 2012 and he haven’t agree to extend with the Sicilian, the probability of Palermo accepting PSG’s offer is very big as their owner, Mauro Zamparini would probably opted to sell his players abroad anyway. The next question would now rely on the young keeper himself as whether he still wants to play in Serie A or not, should he decide to stick around in the league than Genoa might have another shot but if his convinced with Leonardo’s project then Ligue 1 seems to be the Italian international destination.

Sirigu, who has been considered as one of the most talented young keeper in Serie A, suddenly becomes available in this summer transfer market after the goalie refused Palermo’s extension as both parties failed to agree on the wages numbers. The young keeper only netted around 250,000 Euro per-year at the moment and was asking for massive improvement should the Sicilian wants to renew the deal, however, the player reportedly asking more than what Palermo is willing to offer, hence making him a market prospect this summer.

Disappointed with the contribution of their Portuguese keeper, Eduardo, who has been sent to Benfica this summer, Genoa confirmed that they are seriously eying a new quality goalie for the new season and the likes of Sebastian Frey along with Salvatore Sirigu becomes the top candidates.

The revealing of those two names are more than just media speculation as the Griffonne’s president, Enrico Preziosi, already confirmed the club’s interest on the two keepers adding that one of them could arrive by the end of the week.

Moreover, Preziosi also explained the reason his club focusing on the two keepers at the moment is because both have experienced in the Italian league and also the fact that their previous main target, Emiliano Viviano, picked up a bad injury. The president is very confident that they can seal the deal as soon as possible, indicating that serious contacts have probably been made and negotiation is pretty much underway.

The goalkeeping problem will definitely be resolved by the end of this week, “We were chasing Viviano, but then he got injured. “We’ll definitely sign a new goalkeeper and now we just have to see which is the right operation for us. I think he’ll be Italian,” Preziosi said. “Frey of Fiorentina could be one of the important ‘keepers who we target, he knows Italian football well, but there is Sirigu of Palermo too.”

Preziosi also shut down the potential move for Juventus’ Marco Storari by confirming that Frey and Sirigu are currently their main targets, since both are probably more suitable with Genoa’s financial situation. Frey is currently being frozen out from Fiorentina, while Sirigu is having some dispute over his contract with Palermo as the Italian international has been refusing contract renewal with the Sicilian based club.

Marco Storari of Juventus? He’s another great player, but I’d stop after the first two names mentioned. We’re in no rush, we have to go with the transfer that is most convenient from a sporting and economical point of view,” Preziosi added.

Getting either of Sirigu or Frey would definitely be a very good move for Genoa as the two keepers are rated pretty highly in Serie A, although the latter’s condition might be a bit doubtful considering that the player didn’t really play much last season. However, acquiring the Palermo keeper might not be that easy as the Sicilian club’s owner, Mauro Zamparini, can be really difficult to deal with as the controversial patron often seek for as much money as he could.

 
photo credit: fabbio