Here in the states we pay tribute to the twelfth man as they say. Many of our football stadiums often reference this important factor in any competition. In Seattle, WA the Seahawks raise a flag with the number twelve on it right before kickoff to get the crowd rowdy. In college football the Texas A&M Aggies reference this idea on their stadium wall.
With technological advancements over the last twenty years it is hard to walk into an NFL stadium and not be overwhelmed with this feeling of the twelfth man. It’s all over stadium walls, banners, and giant TV screens. Being encouraged to cheer on the home team has gone completely digital with expensive visual effects on the stadium jumbo screen and celebrities hyping their favorite teams. Rooting for your club has taken on a whole new ideology. Read more... (317 words, 3 images, estimated 1:16 mins reading time)
Inter Milan’s former striker Adriano is in an enviable position. The Brazilian International who quit the Nerazzurri last year citing personal reasons, has drawn interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
Now playing for Flamengo in Brazil’s Paulista championship, Adriano in fine form and getting better.
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Roma are all keen on landing his signature this is according to his agent Gilmar Rinaldi. “Adriano can return to Europe in a team that has Brazilian players. It could be Roma, Real Madrid or Barcelona” Rinaldi said. Adriano’s superb form for Flamengo has seen him score 24 goals so far. Read more... (204 words, 3 images, estimated 49 secs reading time)
photo credit: * HugoPan *
Roma-AC Milan
Two of the hottest clubs in the world squad-off this weekend and whoever wins this match will likely finish the season as our second best squad. Roma’s form has been ridiculously good recently and the club is only a few matches outside that first place finish. This weekend they get the honor of hosting a Milan squad that was dealt a blow last week when Pato went down with a month long injury. Roma is the hottest club in the league right now and it would be foolish not to pick them to win. Read more... (280 words, 4 images, estimated 1:07 mins reading time)
photo credit: francesco sgroi
There is still a lot of football left, but lets take a brief look at the best and worst club stats so far in the second tier of Italian football.
BEST OFFENSE
They say defense is what wins championships, but this season all three of the top clubs also lead the league in total offense. But third place Grosseto take the cake with 41 goals this season and they narrowly lead the top two squad by a single goal right now. It is still any club’s chance to take home the honor though.
BEST DEFENSE Read more... (269 words, 4 images, estimated 1:05 mins reading time)
photo credit: takomabibelot
1) Lecce
Last year’s last place squad on the top tier is the only relegated club that is making any noise on the second tier this season and the club is doing it in impressive fashion. they lead the league in wins and total points and if they keep it up then they will get a second chance next season in the big show.
2) Sassuolo
Last season’s 7th place squad is only a few points back from the first place club. They are probably the most consistent club in the league (winning 6 matches both home and away) and by the end of the year Sassuolo will likely be on the top tier for their first time in a long time. Read more... (349 words, 4 images, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)
Italy’s world cup winning coach Marcelo Lippi has ruled out the inclusion of Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli in the Azzurri’s squad for the summer world cup to be held in South Africa stating that the teenager should instead concentrate on winning with U-21 side.
Lippi has however left the door open for retired international defender Alessandro Nesta. Nesta retired from the National team after Italy’s 2006 world cup triumph in Germany. Lippi will have a momentous task ahead of him tonight when his team hosts the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. Read more... (346 words, 3 images, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)
photo credit: laurenatclemson
Besides the Hand of God goal it is likely the most infamous play in football history in the last fifty years. Frenchman Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt of Italian Marco Materazzi in the final moments of the 2006 World Cup was shocking to fans of the most beautiful game. Italy went on to win the match in penalties and many critics believe that Zidane was to blame for the French side’s loss. Read more... (274 words, 4 images, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)
photo credit: Diego_3336
Well he hasn’t earned the type of iconic image as this one did yet, but if you think Alberto Diego Milito isn’t the best Serie A forward then maybe you should go ask Real Zaragoza if they miss the Argentine star. Milito left the La Liga squad two years ago ago and although they seeked a promotion back to the Primera Division a year ago they still wouldn’t mind having the man that scored over 50 Primera Division goals for them in his last three seasons. Read more... (295 words, 4 images, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)
AC Milan’s 3-1 victory over Atalanta was overshadowed by striker Alexander Pato’s injury. The Brazil international came off 10 minutes from the end after clutching his thigh in what looked like a hamstring injury. This is terrible news for Leonardo as he will need all his troops when Milan travel to Manchester for their return Champion’s League fixture against United.
Pato scored a brace to help his team stay in hot pursuit of league leaders and cross town neighbours Inter Milan in the race for the scudetto. Read more... (293 words, 3 images, estimated 1:10 mins reading time)
