Ronaldinho has made a lot of news recently with his potential big move away from Serie A, but earlier this week AC Milan made it very clear that they will not allow the attacking midfielder to part this season. And although the midfielder will be allowed to leave next season it appears one of Italy’s best league players is sticking around for at least 2010.

And with news that Ronaldinho is injured circulating around this morning, I think it safe to say that the attacking midfielder will not be transferred anytime soon. The flashy Brazilian apparently may have torn a muscle in training yesterday and Ronaldinho was forced to leave practice early and was set to have a scan sometime today.

Here is the statement on AC Milan’s website regarding the injury:

Last night, at the end of the day’s second training session at Milanello, Ronaldinho complained of pain in his flexor muscle. This afternoon the Brazilian will undergo medical checks.

No word yet on the significance of the injury, but at the worst the Brazilian playmaker would likely miss around four to six weeks of action. The season starts at the end of August so there is a chance that Ronaldinho could miss that first home match against Lecce, but the biggest issue will likely be if the Brazilian can quickly return to form considering he will miss most of the preseason and training drills before the season starts.

But Ronaldinho will miss some time even if it is mostly on the practice facility. The midfielder has already been ruled out of this weekend’s Emirates Cup and is set to miss a strong of matches over the next month if he remains injured.

photo credit: fortes

Money isn’t everything in football, that’s what probably Inter Milan’s defender Nicolas Burdisso had in mind after reports stated that he would only choose Roma as his destination despite having bigger offer from Juventus.

Burdisso who was loan by Roma last season, look set to stay at the capital club permanently this season and leave his current owner, Inter, that doesn’t really have any intention in keeping him. However, the negotiation hasn’t had any breakthrough as there’s a huge numerical margin between the two clubs.

During that difficult negotiation time, Italian press stated that Juventus have just place a bid higher than what the Giallorosi manage to provide. The move certainly brings a big concern for Roma  as should Inter decide to accept the Bianconeri offer, there will be nothing that the capital club can do to outbid the Turin giant.

Fortunately for last season serie A runners up, it seems that the player has his heart set only for them as according to his agent, Fernando Hidalgo, Burdisso only wanted to play for Claudio Ranieri side and hoping that Inter would allow him to move to the capital. Despite the economical gap that stands between Roma’s offer and Inter’s asking price, the agent is confident that both clubs can sort things out and fulfill his client’s wish.

“The player has also made his choice, which is Roma. At this point, I hope that tomorrow’s meeting between the two clubs is decisive, even if I know that there is an important gap between them.” Hidalgo stated, “I hope that Inter understand the situation. I want to be optimistic.”

It would be interesting in witnessing the end of this transfer process as the negotiation has actually started a while ago, with Inter keep on playing hard ball and won’t soften things up for Roma. On the other hand, the capital club, which has been publicly sold, doesn’t really have enough cash to pay the ransom for Burdisso as the Giallorosi’s effort in raising money by planning to sell some of their players isn’t going well either.

photo credit: batrax

As i said earlier, do not believe everything you read. Apparently, the Rossoneri will not be buying any new players nor will they be selling any of their current players.

Contrary to reports that Huntelaar was in England to negotiate with EPL clubs Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City about a possible transfer, his agent Arnold Oosterveer has denied the claims stating that they were just nothing but rumours.

“I have read many things in the papers recently, but there is nothing true,” he told Sport.co.uk.

“There have been no offers from the Premier League. His intention is to stay with Milan.

“In addition, the club have never shown an interest in selling him.”

In my opinion, Huntelaar is one of Milan’s most talented players. Despite a poor showing last season, the 26 year old still has the potential to become a legend in the club.

His keen eye for goal and pace are qualities that Milan will desperately need when they take on Lecce in their opening game of the 2010/2011 campaign at the San Siro on August 28th.

Milan’s first two games are against relatively weak sides and they should capitalise on this if they are to become serious challengers for the scudetto. However, their 2-0 loss to Varese last week raises a few concerns.

Milan have recently started to build a reputation of losing matches which they should be winning. This coupled with their ever poor start in the Serie A has been the main reason why they do not perform as well as they should.

Inter on the other hand have dominated the league these past few years because of their consistency. If Huntelaar becomes a regular fixture in Allegri’s squad, then you can be certain that the Rossoneri would have at least solved a part of their problem.

The other part would be for them to acquire some youth in their squad-however unlikely this is.

Photo credit: from djsmaniak

The Lega Calcio schedule makers did not do Inter any favours when they released the 2010-2011 Serie A schedule tonight. Champions Inter Milan will visit last season’s runners-up Roma in week five and then host traditional rivals Juventus in week six.

The European champions, who also won the domestic cup last season to seal an unprecedented Italian treble, open their campaign at perennial strugglers Bologna but the game may be shifted from the Aug. 29 date given they face Atletico Madrid in the European Super Cup on Aug. 27.

After the games at Roma and at home to Juve, Inter play AC Milan on Nov. 14 and again on April 3 with Juve facing Roma on the same dates.

Serie A opening fixtures (Aug. 28/29 tbc)
Bari v Juventus
Bologna v Inter
Chievo v Catania
Fiorentina v Napoli
Milan v Lecce
Palermo v Cagliari
Parma v Brescia
Roma v Cesena
Sampdoria v Lazio
Udinese v Genoa

photo credit: batrax

Diego Maradona was offered the head coaching job of Argentina’s national team. Then it was reported that Maradona was going to accept the offer and continue coaching Messi and the boys under a new four year deal. Then it was reported that Argentina’s Football Federation gave the coach an ultimatum that he could only continue on coaching if he agreed to fire the majority of his coaching staff.

And now a decision has finally been made regarding the legendary former footballer.

Maradona is no longer the coach of Argentina and like I predicted the Hand of God man has decided to walk away from the offer or was denied the position (either way you look at it) because the AFA was unhappy with the former manager for refusing to replace his existing coaching staff. Maradona likely felt threatened by the organization for forcing the manager to change the formula and staff and, thus, Maradona wasn’t going to be granted as much leniency as his last experience as manager.

And Maradona nearly transcends the sport of soccer in Argentina and the former World Cup legend is often making the papers for his outlandish statements, refusal to beckon to his squad’s board members and bigwigs, and his complete disregard to even return a call from his own homeland’s president. In fact Maradona might be the iconic arrogant coach that is blinded by his own past experiences as a player on the pitch.

I’ve said in several blogs before that Maradona and other legendary athletes do not always make the best front office officials or manager. Often the superstar athlete relied on their sensational skill rather then tactics to be the best and transferring over to a temperamental, brain-empowering position like a head coach often can spell disaster for the man that always relied on sheer skill to be successful.

And Maradona had plenty of that during his playing days and the man is still revered among the Argentine nation for his brilliant form in past World Cups. You could even say his football career was monumental considering Buenos Aires city officials are debating the erection of a statue to honor Maradona.

But as a coach Maradona will likely only be remembered for his antics and not his unquestioned success.

One thing that really Grinds My Gears (props to Peter Griffin) is perfectly nice, small stadiums that have a track surrounding the pitch.  I mean is track and field that popular that most Serie A stadiums need this in it.  I mean I understand that many of these venues are considered multi-purpose facilities, but I have yet to come across a legendary track and field meet that ever took place at any venues under 40,000 seats. 

Livorno is about half of that size making it just over 19,000 seats regarding full stadium capacity.  So in other words it is one of the smallest stadiums in Serie A and therefore should be used primarily for Livorno football matches.  The stadium is fairly old and the grounds opened in 1935 for business.

One fascinating fact is that the stadium was originally titled Stadio Edda Ciano Mussolini from 1935-1945.  But after that it was called Stadio di Ardenza until the 1960′s.  That is when the grounds took its current name Estadio Armando Picchi.  One interesting thing is that like a few other stadiums this one is named after a guy that never played for the squad that plays in the stadium, Livorno.

Armando Picchi is a famous Inter player who was given the honor of having the stadium named after him due to his birthplace being in Livorno.  The town wanted to honor a local hero even if he never did play for their squad.  Which is a pretty classy move by the people of Livorno if you ask me.

Just it was revealed earlier, the merit between Ronaldinho and Ac Milan might just reach a new chapter especially should the Brazilian ace agree to renew his contract deal with the Rossoneri.

After reports saying that the Italian giant are preparing to extend the former Barcelona’s star playing time at San Siro until 2014 with a wage reduction, the latest news stated that Dinho wants an assurance before accepting the offer.

Italian paper, Corriero Dello Sport, believes that Ronaldinho would agree to continue his adventure with Milan and have his wages cut only if the fashion capital club can promise a competitive squad that can help him bring titles to Via Turatti. This surely would be something refreshing for Milan fans, considering the player that provide such an important contribution last season, is hungry for titles and want a clear exciting projects should he decide to stay.

Now everything could rely on the rossoneri’s vice president, Adriano Galliani’s, decision as how would he convince the Brazilian that Milan is on the right track to challenge for important trophies again starting from next summer. Reports also claim that, the Milan’s management are seriously considering to look for ammunition that will help the team’s course and currently eying to bring reinforcement up front and also in the midfield area.

Despite Galliani’s previous statement saying that Milan will only buy players should someone leave, Ronaldinho’s request might just push things up for the Rossoneri’s management to get their act together as the Brazilian could still reject the agreement as nothing has been signed yet. With offers from clubs back home and also MLS’ LA Galaxy knocking, the ex-PSG player could just opted to take those options if he felt playing in Milan won’t bring him anymore silverware to challenge for.

photo credit: andrew prickett photography

As shocking as it may seem, new Brazil coach Mano Menezes excluded Inter Milan players Julio Cesar and Douglas Maicon from his 24 man squad that will face the USA next month. The 48 year old only retained 4 players from Dunga’s world cup squad with Robinho being the most notable of them all.

It is very clear that Mano’s main aim is to mould a strong squad for the 2014 World Cup, and although he left out such talented players, i think it was a good decision that he made his intentions very clear.

As much as people would have loved for Ronaldinho, Adriano, Kaka, Maicon and Cesar to feature in the squad, it probably would not have been the best choice for the Selecao.

All these players are above the age of 30 or at least heading in that direction. Being a country blessed with immense talent, it would not have been fair to upcoming stars like Neymar and Ganso who are itching to play for the senior team.

In the spirit of fair play, Menezes did the right thing. Sending this message out bright and early will also prepare the country mentally not to harbour any unrealistic hopes of expecting to see the ‘stars’.

That said, its a shame to see these players bow out ungracefully especially Kaka. Kaka’s transfer to Spanish giants Real Madrid proved to be the worst decision he ever made as he has struggled to replicate his Milan form with Los Blancos.  A bout of injuries and inconsistency has resigned the former World Player of the Year to just a pale shadow of himself. An unimpressive world cup 2010 campaign did not make things any better.

Things will not be any easier for Kaka next season as early indications on Mourinho’s strategy might see the 28 year old struggle for playing time. This had led the Brazilian international to be linked with a number of clubs include Chelsea.

As Kaka struggles to redeem himself, the same cannot be said of the Brazilian squad. If anything, they look very impressive. We will only have to wait and see how they perform.

Photo credit: from ahmed khatam – interisti

Diego Maradona has always been somebody that likes to do things his way.

As I’ve said before in these blogs the guy called up a record number of footballers last qualifier (over 100 total), he tinkered with the formation even during the few weeks left entering the Cup, and he’s been known to speak his mind on occasion.

And recently it was reported that the controversial coach and legendary footballer would return to his role as Argentina’s national team coach, but now that report has seen increased jeopardy considering that it is now being reported that Maradona can only continue on as coach as long as he replaces most of his current staff of assistant coaches.

Apparently Argentina’s Football Federation has forewarned the coach that if he wants to continue on the international level then he must fire seven staff members before their next match in August. Of the names marked to be let go is assistant coach and close friend Alejandro Mancuso.

And Maradona certainly isn’t the type of guy that usually likes to negotiate especially with a group of officials that he hasn’t seen eye to eye (not a short joke either) with for a long time.  In fact Maradona is probably the type of guy that is angered by the idea of an ultimatum in the first place and the Hand of God man might walk away from the national team if he doesn’t have full management control like he did last Cup run that resulted in a quarterfinals 4-0 loss to Germany.

Maradona hasn’t made any public statements yet regarding his tough decision although he has said in the past that he will not fire any of his current staff.  But I’m sure we will not have to wait too long before Maradona does in fact speak.  Because he has been known to speak his mind in the past and I’m sure he has a lot to say about this latest development one way or another.

photo credit: montuno

Despite being the most active serie A team in the transfer market so far, Juventus management’s work doesn’t seem to please their fans yet as the Bianconeri’s devotees reportedly still questioning the team’s inability to off load some of the unwanted players.

Juve’s fans who are being known for their harsh treatment on their team’s performance, players and managerial staff, reportedly have voiced out their anger towards some unwanted players who still refuses to leave their beloved team despite being transfer listed. This devotees were seen putting a banner at the Bianconeri’s training camp saying their rejection to those unwanted players, threatening to make things difficult for them.

“We will make those players who have to leave, but want to stay go through a year of hell.” The banner’s read.

According from the reports from Italian press, the players that were being targeted by the banner are the likes of Mauro Camoranesi, Fabio Grosso and Christian Poulsen, however there could possibly other players that the Ultras wanted out. Those three players have been offered to some clubs but they doesn’t have any intention to leave unless there is a good offer that comes in their way, this kind of attitude seems to be one that upset some of the Bianconeri’s fierce supporters.

With the Ultras already making their voice, it could pretty much makes the management’s plan to sell those three players gets easier as it would be disappointing for a player to play with an enormous pressure and hate from your own team’s devotees. However, in truth those three players mentioned above aren’t the only ones that Juventus are planning to ship out, there are more names left in the squad that pretty much halted the Italian giant’s movement in the transfer market.

This kind of treatment is actually a common thing done by the Turin based club’s fans as last season they also did the same thing to the players that they dislike such as Fabio Cannacaro and Felipe Melo. Not only that, the Bianconeri’s Ultras have also made an abuse towards players from other team, most notably is Inter Milan’s starlet Mario Balotelli, who has been a constant mocking target for those fans.

photo credit: batrax