Cagliari’s hopes of avoiding the drop were decimated on Friday evening when the club was docked three points over unauthorised legal action.
In Italy all professional football figures cannot take legal action against another member without express permission from the FIGC.
Cagliari neglected to do this when they accused former player Gianluca Grassadonia of defamation in February 2007.
Grassadonia, now at Salernitana, gave an interview to the media in which he suggested the side had close ties with the more violent elements of the fanbase and had used these hooligans to help push him out of the club.
It has now been confirmed that Cagliari did not ask for the necessary permission to take this action, so they have been docked three points.
President Massimo Cellino has also been banned for a year and a total of £20,000 in fines must be paid.
It is a disaster for the Sardinian strugglers, who were already propping up the Serie A table with 18 points and now find themselves on 15 with just 14 games to go.
Source: C4 Football Italia
Inter go into this weekend's game at Napoli on Sunday night believing they may have delivered a knock-out punch to Scudetto contenders Roma.
Inter coach Roberto Mancini saw his side grab a 1-1 draw against the Giallorossi on Wednesday night after Javier Zanetti struck late to cancel out Francesco Totti's earlier goal.
The Nerazzuri were below their best in the game, but remain unbeaten to hold on to their nine-point lead over the Eternal City giants with 13 games remaining.
"I am satisfied with the result," said Mancini, whose team were forced to play the final 20 minutes of the game with 10 men after Maxwell was injured following his third and final substitution.
"This draw tastes like a victory especially considering how the game developed.
"We were a goal down, we had to play at a numerical disadvantage for the last 20 minutes of the game, risking another goal. But we showed character and we were able to equalise.
"Now nine points are many and if they haven't beaten us with the many problems we had it's a good sign."
Roma go into their clash at home to Parma on Saturday crying foul over the referee's decision to send off Philippe Mexes for two yellow cards minutes before Zanetti's equaliser.
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said: "It was absolutely not a foul."
Totti, who ended his goalscoring drought on Wednesday, added: "This wasn't just a little help that Inter got by the referee, it was a huge present."
Third-placed Juventus will be hoping top scorer David Trezeguet will have recovered from a virus in time to take his place for the home match against Fiorentina on Sunday afternoon as they attempt to return to winning ways.
Trezeguet has missed the past two encounters with the flu and in his absence the Bianconeri lost at Reggina before being held to a goalless draw by city neighbours Torino in midweek.
Fiorentina are just four points behind Juve and defeat for the Viola would be a blessing for AC Milan provided they beat Lazio at the San Siro in Saturday's evening game.
The Rossoneri are just two points behind Fiorentina, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.
Sixth-placed Udinese will be desperate to bounce back from defeats against Genoa and Parma when they entertain Atalanta.
The Friuli outfit will be under pressure to win their first game at home since December with Sampdoria and Genoa just one point behind them in the table.
Samp host relegation-threatened Torino while Genoa travel to Sardinia to meet bottom side Cagliari.
Palermo will be looking to avoid their fourth consecutive defeat on the road when they take on Reggina at the Stadio Oreste Granillo.
Struggling Livorno will have an added motivation to beat Catania with victory enabling them to climb out of the relegation zone at the expense of their rivals.
Empoli and Siena will battle it out at the Stadio Castellani with both Tuscan sides level on 25 points.
Ricardo Kaka has extended his contract with AC Milan, committing himself to the Rossoneri until 2013.
The Brazilian's deal had been set to expire in 2011 but the Serie A giants have now announced that he will stay for a further two years.
Kaka joined Milan from Sao Paulo in 2003 and has gone on to establish himself as a superstar of the game.
He won the Ballon d'Or award and was named FIFA World Player of the Year last year, scoring 10 goals during Milan's successful Champions League campaign.
"Ricky has repeatedly declared that he wants to become a symbol of this side," vice-President Adriano Galliani told the club website.
"He already is that and also the best player in the world and now he has decided to tie himself to the Rossoneri.
"This contract is for the rest of his career and I hope that if he is still playing in 2013 that we will be able to get him to sign another one. This is good news for all Milan fans."
Real Madrid and Chelsea were reportedly interested in signing the 25-year old, although he stressed only this week that he wants to spend the rest of his career with the European champions.
Source: UEFA / AC Milan
Replacing World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi was never going to be easy, but Roberto Donadoni has risen to the challenge in style.
Now, having guided the Azzurri through a difficult qualifying campaign, the stakes are higher than ever as the 44-year-old aims to emulate his predecessor and win Euro 2008.
"It's never easy when everybody has such great expectations," Donadoni told the UEFA website.
"The team, however, responded perfectly in all respects. When I took the job I inherited a group of top-level players and a very good coaching staff who gave me a great support. Everything went well after that."
Donadoni, though, is fully aware that the praise he earned during qualifying will soon be forgotten should Italy fall flat in Switzerland and Austria.
"You start from zero again," he said. "Qualifying is history and will not give us any advantage in the finals. At every stage we have to measure ourselves up against our opponents who will try to cause us trouble. There is nothing new about that. We just need to have the right determination."
Donadoni could be forgiven for the thinking the gods are conspiring against him after the Azzurri were drawn alongside the Netherlands, France (again) and Romania in Group C.
He knows everything will have to go right in the build up to Italy's first match against the Netherlands on 9 June in Berne if his side are to get their hands on more silverware this summer.
"My wish? I think it's quite obvious. I would like to have a team in good athletic condition. This is my biggest worry ahead of the finals. After that it doesn't make much difference if you face France, the Netherlands or Austria. If you have a team in the best physical condition you can play any opponent without fear."
That is thanks to the talent the former AC Milan and Azzurri midfielder has at his disposal, despite talismans Alessandro Nesta and Francesco Totti retiring from international football after the World Cup.
Donadoni's priority is ensuring he gets the best out of that talent. "When you reach the finals the most important thing is the mental condition of the players and the coaches," he said.
"Obviously the main actors are the players and it's important they reach the finals without suffering injuries or without being too tired. That's crucial if you want to play at your best in a tournament like the European Championships or the World Cup."
After cheering their side on to victory in Berlin two years ago, Azzurri fans expect nothing less when the tournament kicks off in exactly 100 days time.
Source: UEFA.com
Javier Zanetti scored a last-gasp equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for Serie A leaders Inter against second-placed Roma to maintain their nine-point lead. Fiorentina moved above AC Milan into fourth after a 1-0 home win over Livorno while the Rossoneri were held by Catania.
INTER 1-1 ROMA
Inter scored an 89th-minute equaliser to deny 10-man Roma in Wednesday's 1-1 draw. Francesco Totti rediscovered his scoring touch to fire Roma into a 38th-minute lead and he looked to have blown the title race wide open until Javier Zanetti salvaged a late point for the league leaders. The dismissal of Philippe Mexes in the 85th minute for a second bookable offence did not help the visitors, but to blame the defender for the squandering of a precious lead would be harsh as Roma missed a host of chances and Inter dominated the second half.
FIORENTINA 1-0 LIVORNO
Fiorentina bounced back immediately from their defeat to Roma with a 1-0 victory over Tuscan rivals Livorno. A first Fiorentina goal for substitute Ndiaye Papa Waigo was enough to keep all three points in Florence and see Livorno slump to a third consecutive defeat. The Labronici are now in real trouble as the defeat saw them slip down into the relegation places while the Viola reclaimed fourth place from AC Milan.
CATANIA 1-1 AC MILAN
AC Milan slipped out of the Champions League qualifying spots after only managing a 1-1 draw at struggling Catania. Milan went ahead after 56 minutes through young Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato but Gionatha Spinesi equalised for the home side eight minutes later. A draw was the least Catania deserved for a battling display which belied their placing in the table. The Rossoneri are now two points behind fourth-placed Fiorentina.
ATALANTA 4-1 SAMPDORIA
Atalanta returned to winning ways in emphatic style with a comfortable win over in-form Sampdoria in Bergamo. Samp, who had taken seven points from their previous three games, took the lead through captain Sergio Volpi in the third minute, but Cristiano Doni equalised 10 minutes later. The former Blucerchiati midfielder added a second just after the half-hour mark and Sergio Floccari made it 3-1 nine minutes before the break. Defender Daniele Capelli, returning from suspension, rounded things off in the 53rd minute to give the Bergamaschi their first win in four games.
GENOA 2-0 NAPOLI
Genoa moved level with city rivals Sampdoria in the chase for a place in Europe next season thanks to a win over Napoli. Giuseppe Sculli broke the deadlock in the 41st minute and a penalty from Marco Borriello in the 75th minute secured the win. Borriello had been fouled by Maurizio Domizzi, who earned a red card in a keenly contested match at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. The goal was the striker's 16th of the season and takes him to the top of the Capocannoniere chart.
PARMA 2-0 UDINESE
Late goals from Cristiano Lucarelli and Luca Cigarini gave Parma a 2-0 win against Udinese and hauled them to 14th place in Serie A. Lucarelli scored with 12 minutes to go, a splendid volley from the edge of the penalty area after an Andrea Pisanu cross. Cigarini then converted an 86th-minute penalty to wrap up the result. Udinese have now suffered four defeats in five games but still retain sixth place in the standings.
LAZIO 1-0 REGGINA
Lazio beat Reggina 1-0 with a spot-kick from Rolando Bianchi to ease their troubles. After having eggs thrown at them by fans on Monday at the club's training ground 24 hours after losing to bottom side Cagliari, Lazio prevailed to go six points clear of the drop zone. The goal was Bianchi's first in Serie A since joining the Roman club from Manchester City during the winter transfer window. The outcome sees the Biancoceleste climb to 12th in the standings and clinch their third consecutive win at home.
PALERMO 2-0 EMPOLI
Palermo scored twice in the first half to bring Empoli's three-game winning streak crashing to a halt. The visitors had notched consecutive wins against Catania, Napoli and Lazio before the clash at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, but Fabio Simplicio and Leandro Rinaudo both scored to secure the points for the hosts. The Sicilians are now just two-points off sixth-placed Udinese. Empoli were unable to reproduce their recent good form and the defeat means they slip to 16th in the standings, just two points above the bottom three.
SIENA 1-0 CAGLIARI
Massimo Maccarone scored with two minutes remaining and gave Siena breathing space from the relegation zone with a 1-0 win over bottom club Cagliari. The 28-year-old returned to action after missing the 2-2 draw at Atalanta, but showed no signs of rustiness as he beat two defenders to a cross, slotting in from 10 yards. Siena are now unbeaten in three Serie A games, and move up two places to 15th. Cagliari remain rooted to the foot of the table, now six points from safety.
SERIE A REVIEW:
[Tuesday 26 Feb] - [Wednesday 27 Feb]
Juventus' ambitions of a second-place finish in Serie A suffered another setback when they drew 0-0 with city rivals Torino.
JUVENTUS 0-0 TORINO
Following Saturday's defeat at Reggina, Juventus went into the Derby della Mole four points adrift of second-placed Roma. However, Claudio Ranieri's side could only reduce that advantage by one at the Stadio Olimpico as they were held by the Granata. Juventus were frustrated on more than one occasion by goalkeeper Matteo Sereni, who denied Vincenzo Iaquinta in the first half, before later thwarting Alessandro Del Piero's free-kick after the break. Yet it was Torino who could have snatched victory when Alessandro Rosina struck the crossbar of Gianluigi Buffon's goal, also from a dead ball situation. The Bianconeri pushed for the three points but were frustrated again when Sereni saved Mauro Camoranesi's header with five minutes to go, before Pavel Nedved was dismissed in added time for pulling Gianluca Comotto's hair.
SERIE A REVIEW:
[Tuesday 26 Feb] - [Wednesday 27 Feb]
Tuesday 26 February
Ascoli 0-1 Brescia
A second half goal from January signing Andrea Caracciolo helped Brescia move up to fifth and into one of the play-off spots in this re-arranged Week 18 match from December. Serse Cosmi’s side are now just five points away from Serie B leaders Chievo while Ascoli remain in midtable.
[Full Week 18 Review]
Source: C4 Football Italia
Ricardo Kaka said he should be fit to play against Arsenal in the concluding leg of AC Milan's UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie despite picking up an injury on Sunday.
The attacking midfielder was taken off at half-time during his side's 2-1 Serie A win against Palermo on Sunday and replaced by Yoann Gourcuff after receiving a bad knock to his right knee.
However, scans have ruled out a serious injury and the 25-year-old is now plotting his return to action.
"I will definitely miss the midweek game against Catania," said the Brazilian, who has been struggling with a persistent knee problem this season. "At the moment my knee hurts a lot but I hope to play against Arsenal."
Meanwhile Alessandro Nesta and Clarence Seedorf, who both missed the game against Palermo after suffering thigh and ankle injuries respectively in the 0-0 first-leg draw against Arsenal in London, are still training separately to the rest of the squad.
They are also expected to miss the game against Catania on Wednesday but both should recover for the concluding tie against the Premier League side on 4 March.
Source: UEFA
Roma travel to Serie A leaders Inter on Wednesday knowing defeat will all but hand the Scudetto to their opponents.
A win for Inter at the San Siro would leave the second-placed Giallorossi trailing by 12 points with 13 matches to go.
But a 1-0 win over Fiorentina on Sunday, coupled with Inter's draw at Sampdoria, narrowed the gap slightly and Roma coach Luciano Spalletti knows that victory could blow the title race wide open again.
"It seems to me that up to now Roma have done brilliantly," he said. "And if Inter have created this gap it means they have been impeccable.
"I thought we would have arrived at this point in the championship without such a huge gap. However, it won't be easy for them to get back to the form they need to do well again. They are very strong in the physical sense, and in dead-ball situations.
"We have to find our path and that is to play the ball, and to control the game."
Inter's slip at the weekend capped a bad week for the Nerazzurri who fell to a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash midweek.
And coach Roberto Mancini knows his side need to get back to winning ways.
"You can't always win," he said after the 1-1 draw at Samp. "Every once in a while you can also lose points. It was a difficult game, Sampdoria have always won at home in their last few games.
"For us it's an important week, there's the clash against Roma and then we go to Napoli.
"Are Inter going through a more difficult time at the moment? There are times during a year where things might not go very well, but those things happen.
"We have to think as well that we have not lost. But it is in these times that you see the strength of a team."
Juventus will hope to take advantage of any Roma slip-up as they host mid-table Torino in the Turin derby on Tuesday.
The third-placed side should have closed the gap on the Capital side to just a point but they fell to defeat at Reggina in a match which left Juve fuming at controversial refereeing decisions.
Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon returns to the starting XI having been rested at the weekend, but the hosts will be without Cristiano Zanetti, who begins a two-match ban.
Torino go into the clash inspired by Saturday's comeback against Parma. Walter Novellino's side trailed 4-1 but fought back to earn a valuable point against the Ducale club.
Meanwhile, the race for the final Champions League spot hots up after fourth-placed AC Milan's victory over Palermo left them above Fiorentina on goal difference.
The Rossoneri travel to struggling Catania on Wednesday while Livorno, who are level on points with the Sicilians, host Fiorentina.
Reggina follow their impressive victory over Juve with a trip to Lazio and will seek to push out of the relegation zone.
The capital side fell to a 1-0 defeat on Sunday at rock-bottom Cagliari, who travel to 17th placed Siena.
Parma will be kicking themselves after losing a three-goal lead at Torino which saw them miss the chance to haul themselves out of the relegation zone. They have another chance to do so against high-flying Udinese.
In-form Empoli travel to Palermo going for their fourth win on the trot while, in mid-table clashes, Atalanta welcome Sampdoria and Genoa host Napoli.
Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu is out of their UEFA Cup Round of 16 tie with Everton after being sidelined for four weeks with a knee injury.
The 29-year-old Romanian international sustained ligament damage during Sunday's 1-0 Serie A loss at Roma after a collision with opposition goalkeeper Alexander Doni.
Mutu had to leave the field late in the first half and underwent tests on Monday morning to reveal the extent of the problem.
Mutu, the 2007 Romanian Player of the Year, has struck 14 goals in 21 Serie A games this season and has scored three more in the UEFA Cup.
Fiorentina welcome Everton to Florence on 6 March and visit Liverpool the following week.
He will also miss a number of Serie A games in that period as the Viola look to snatch a Champions League qualifying spot.
Source: UEFA
Inter's lead in Serie A was reduced to nine points as the champions drew 1-1 at Sampdoria and second-placed Roma beat Fiorentina 1-0. Elsewhere, Milan moved up to fourth, Genoa won an eight-goal thriller in Udine and Napoli and Cagliari left it late.
ROMA 1-0 FIORENTINA
Roma revived their Scudetto ambitions with a narrow 1-0 win over Fiorentina. Brazilian right-back Cicinho struck in the 54th minute to hand the Giallorossi three valuable points. Luciano Spalletti's side ended the game with 10 men after goalscorer Cicinho was sent off for a second booking with two minutes left. The clash at the Stadio Olimpico was all the more special for Giallorossi captain Francesco Totti, who equalled the club record of 386 league performances, held by Giacomino Losi. The visitors, who are chasing a Champions League spot, had to take Adrian Mutu off after he sprained his left knee on the stroke of half-time.
SAMPDORIA 1-1 INTER
Inter's unbeaten record in Serie A this season survived a serious test from Sampdoria, with Roberto Mancini's side fortunate to escape Genoa with a 1-1 draw. Antonio Cassano put a dominant Samp ahead in the 65th minute, but Hernan Crespo replied 10 minutes later with just the Nerazzurri's second shot on goal to grab an undeserved draw. Cassano kept the champions on their toes all match and in this sort of form it would be hard for Italy coach Roberto Donadoni to justify leaving him out of his next squad. Inter, meanwhile, have now seen their lead cut to just nine points ahead of their head-to-head with Roma on Wednesday.
AC MILAN 2-1 PALERMO
A last-gasp Filippo Inzaghi winner boosted Milan's hopes of securing a Champions League spot as they came from behind to secure a gritty victory over Palermo. Mark Bresciano gave Palermo the best possible start as he fired them in front on nine minutes but Massimo Ambrosini levelled the scores in the 25th minute. And the Rossoneri pressure eventually paid off as Inzaghi headed home in injury-time to snatch all three points for the hosts. But there could be bad news in store for Milan as Ricardo Kaka was forced off at half-time. The Brazilian, who only returned from an injury to his left knee a week ago, received treatment to the same joint following a tackle from Roberto Guana two minutes in. And, although the Brazil international battled on for the rest of the first half, he was replaced at the break.
UDINESE 3-5 GENOA
Udinese were again left cursing Marco Borriello after the Genoa striker scored his second hat-trick of the season against the Zebrette to seal a thrilling victory. Genoa beat Udinese 3-2 at home in September with Borriello grabbing all three goals and he pounced yet again with a second-half hat-trick to leave the hosts without a win at the Stadio Friuli since the beginning of December. Udinese were on the back foot from the seventh minute thanks to Julio Cesar Leon, but two Antonio Di Natale spot-kicks saw them turn things around before Giuseppe Sculli ensured both teams were level at the break. Borriello then took centre stage with his first of three goals, a volleyed effort on 54 minutes, the pick of the bunch to ensure Floro Flores' 72nd-minute header was no more than consolation.
LIVORNO 1-2 NAPOLI
Napoli left it late to secure victory against lowly Livorno, as Emanuele Calaio scored in the final minute of injury time to give Edoardo Reja's side only their second away win of the season. Calaio opened the scoring for the visitors after 58 minutes, only for Livorno to pull level through Alessandro Diamanti with 16 minutes remaining. But the stand-in striker more than earned his inclusion in the side with a well-taken goal with the last kick of the game.
ATALANTA 2-2 SIENA
Two goals in three minutes from Sergio Floccari just before half-time earned Atalanta a share of the spoils at home to Siena. In a four-goal frenzy in the 13 minutes leading up to the break, Valerio Bertotto and Tomas Locatelli put Siena two goals up, only for Floccari's double to draw the hosts level. The second half failed to live up to the first, however, and chances were at a premium as neither side committed fully in the search for a winner.
CAGLIARI 1-0 LAZIO
Substitute Alessandro Matri poached a late winner for 10-man Cagliari against Lazio in Sardinia which gives them hope at the foot of Serie A. The 23-year-old headed in from an Alessandro Agostini cross two minutes from time for his sixth Serie A goal this season, which continued Lazio's winless away run. Michele Fini was shown a straight red card for the hosts with half-an-hour remaining for a violent foul on Gaby Mudingayi but Cagliari restricted their opponents enough to secure a win which takes them within four points of Serie A safety.
EMPOLI 2-0 CATANIA
Relegation battlers Empoli notched up an impressive third consecutive victory as they beat Catania 2-0. Goals either side of the break from Sebastian Giovinco and Alessandro Budel were enough to see off the Sicilians, who missed a penalty through Gionatha Spinesi, in a highly-charged game. The defeat is Catania's fourth in a row and increases the pressure on coach Silvio Baldini as the Elefanti are now just a single point above the drop zone.
SERIE A REVIEW:
[Saturday 23 Feb] - [Sunday 24 Feb]
Adrian Mutu will undergo tests tomorrow to see the extent of a knee ligament injury sustained against Roma.
The Romanian striker was stretchered off during today’s 1-0 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico, spraining his left leg.
"Mutu sustained a sprain to the left knee with an effect on the internal compartment, in particular the collateral medial ligament," read a statement released by Fiorentina.
"The entity of the damage will be better quantified during the tests that will be held tomorrow."
Coach Cesare Prandelli admitted there were fears Mutu could be out for some time with this injury.
"He feels a little pain in the collateral ligament, but we hope it is only a bruise because it was a very hard sprain."
Source: C4 Football Italia
Juventus have written to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the referees' association (AIA) demanding that action be taken to improve the performance of officials after recent controversial incidents.
Juve, third in Serie A, lost 2-1 at Reggina on Saturday after conceding a debatable penalty in stoppage time.
Claudio Ranieri's side felt especially aggrieved after having three strong penalty appeals of their own turned down by referee Paolo Dondarini.
"We are extremely disappointed," said Ranieri. "First of all, we didn't deserve it and secondly, we have been penalised by not getting penalties."
Ahead of Tuesday's Turin derby against Torino, Juventus wrote an open letter to the FIGC and the AIA.
"Over the course of this season and last, Juventus has always tried to ease the tensions in clashes with the refereeing world, avoiding getting involved in situations and accepting even controversial decisions with fair play," read the letter.
"An approach that, unfortunately, considering what happened in Reggio Calabria, must be reconsidered.
"Once again this season, Juventus has been irreversibly damaged by the decisions of the referee."
The Turin giants believe the latest incident is the last straw considering their previous defeat, a 3-1 loss at Napoli in October, which was also the result of two controversial penalties.
"The repetition of such serious episodes has forced us to ask the highest federal organisations to intervene in order to guarantee the regularity of the championship and to protect the work and the professionalism of the players, coaches and executives of Juventus," continued the letter.
The latest setback means Juve go into their midweek encounter trailing four points behind second-placed Roma.
The Bianconeri will be hoping to avoid any further ill-treatment as they attempt to cut the deficit with the Giallorossi, who face an arduous task on Wednesday when they travel to the San Siro to meet Serie A leaders Inter.
"I don't think the referees have any bad intentions but they are making too many mistakes," said Juve president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli.
"In situations like this, there's no need for added technology, simply for the referees to use their eyesight."
Source: Reuters
A depleted Juventus missed the chance to go second in Serie A after a controversial stoppage-time penalty gave lowly Reggina a 2-1 home win. Earlier, Parma edged out of the relegation zone but threw away two points in a remarkable 4-4 draw at Torino.
REGGINA 2-1 JUVENTUS
Juventus had the chance to climb above second-placed Roma, for 24 hours at least, but their 14-match unbeaten run came to an end at relegation-threatened Reggina. Franco Brienza opened the scoring for the Amaranto on the half-hour mark, but Alessandro Del Piero levelled on 71 minutes when his long-range strike squirmed under keeper Andrea Campagnolo. Nicola Amoruso was the hero for Reggina as he held his nerve from the penalty spot to score past goalkeeper Emanuele Belardi deep into stoppage time after Mohamed Sissoko was adjudged to have pushed him in the box. Juve's Cristiano Zanetti was sent off for protesting after the final whistle as Reggina clung on to move closer to safety.
TORINO 4-4 PARMA
A stunning comeback from Torino saw the hosts snatch a point against fellow strugglers Parma who will be ruing a lost opportunity to take a valuable three points. Roberto Stellone opened the scoring early on for Torino but a brace from Andrea Gasbarroni started the goalfest and two goals in as many minutes from Stefano Morrone and Igor Budan saw Parma open up a three-goal advantage. Cesare Natali pulled one back on the stroke of half-time before Stellone grabbed his second of the game and substitute David Di Michele snatched a point for the hosts with eight minutes to go. And the hosts almost rounded off their comeback in style as they came close to sneaking a last-gasp winner.
SERIE A REVIEW:
[Saturday 23 Feb] - [Sunday 24 Feb]
Saturday 23 February
Brescia 2-0 Bologna
Brescia’s victory puts them back into the promotion race and knocks Bologna off the top spot. This could well be a turning point in the campaign and January signing Caracciolo broke through within the opening three minutes on Zambrella’s assist. The Rossoblu failed to really trouble the opposition defence and Possanzini took advantage of an error to double the advantage.
Avellino 1-1 Chievo
Chievo are the lone Serie B leaders despite only earning a point at struggling Avellino. Ciaramitaro had given the Flying Donkeys lift-off with a very large helping hand from goalkeeper Gragnaniello’s howler, though straight after the restart Salgado secured a stalemate and the home side had a winner disallowed for a tight offside decision.
Lecce 3-1 Piacenza
Lecce maintained the pressure on the leaders, but had an early scare when Serafini gave Piacenza the lead just three minutes in by meeting a set-piece. Abbruscato put them into the break on level terms, but it wasn’t until the closing stages than the Salentini finally managed to get the victory with Diamoutene and Tiribocchi. Patrascu saw red for Piace in stoppages.
Cesena 0-3 Albinoleffe
Albinoleffe demolished sorry Cesena to keep themselves in joint third place. Cellini was the star of the show, scoring twice in the space of five minutes – including a penalty – and substitute Ferrari made the points safe in the second half.
Triestina 0-1 Pisa
Pisa did just about enough to stay in sixth place and clung on to Ciotola’s cracking curler only four minutes into the match. Both sides ended the game with 10 men on the field with Genevier and Princivalli seeing red, but it's Pisa's 10th away victory of the season.
Modena 0-2 Rimini
Rimini notched up a fifth straight victory in this local derby. Ricchiuti and Paraschiv proved decisive at the Stadio Braglia to sink the Canarini and put Rimini in seventh place.
Mantova 1-1 Bari
Bari continue their revival under Coach Antonio Conte with this creditable draw away to play-off contenders Mantova. Lanzafame had put the visitors into the lead at the Martelli, but eight minutes later Godeas grabbed his 18th goal of the season to become joint Capocannoniere.
Treviso 6-2 Messina
There were no doubts over who was Man of the Match after Barreto thumped four personal goals past Messina in a shock result. Treviso were hovering above the drop zone before defeating the top nine outfit. Venitucci started the rout along with Barreto, though Cordova fought back with two goals to go level on 2-2 at the break. Barreto went wild in the second half, hitting a further three in this eight-goal thriller.
Frosinone 4-2 Spezia
Frosinone flattened Spezia with four goals in the opening 22 minutes, though the visitors did attempt a late comeback. Amerini, Eder and a Lodi brace – taking his tally for the season to 14 goals – left Spezia stunned. To give them credit, the Tuscans didn’t give in and with Bianchi and Eliakwu’s late strike made the scoreline a little less humiliating.
Ascoli 1-0 Vicenza
A late Guberti goal proved enough for Ascoli to squeeze past relegation battlers Vicenza at the Stadio Del Duca. It’s a result that takes them up to 10th place, though the Biancorossi remain out of the bottom three.
Grosseto 2-2 Ravenna
This battle of the newly promoted sides ended in a stalemate that nonetheless keeps Ravenna rooted to the foot of the table. Succi had given the visitors the surprise lead, but penalties converted by Pichlmann and Consonni turned the game around. Their top scorer Succi was not to be out-done and 10 minutes from time grabbed a point.
Source: C4 Football Italia
Inter visit Sampdoria on Sunday looking to bounce back from their first defeat in five months.
The Nerazzurri went down 2-0 to Liverpool in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie, with late goals giving the English Premier League side a commanding lead to take to the San Siro for the return.
Inter pointed to the harsh dismissal of defender Marco Materazzi after 30 minutes as the reason behind the setback. "Marco's sending-off changed things dramatically," said Inter coach Roberto Mancini.
"It is hard enough to play at Anfield with 11 men, but with 10 it is very tough. But I will not concede that the task is now beyond us. We have another 90 minutes on our own ground."
Despite the slip, Inter President Massimo Moratti was proud of his team's performance. "For 86 minutes, the team has played with heroics," said Moratti.
"I cannot criticise Mancini or my players. In fact, I have told my team not to be down, we have played a great game and we have shown a lot of character."
Inter's European struggles are in stark contrast to their dominance domestically. Mancini's side are 11 points clear at the top of Serie A and will look to maintain that advantage over Roma at the weekend.
The Eternal City giants host fourth-placed Fiorentina in buoyant mood after their 2-1 home triumph over nine-time European champions Real Madrid on Tuesday.
The Giallorossi will be looking to make amends for their 1-0 slip at Juventus last weekend which hampered their Scudetto ambitions.
Another Roma defeat would further benefit third-place Juve, who travel south to take on Reggina on Saturday night looking to leapfrog the Giallorossi in the standings.
Juve trail one-point behind Luciano Spalletti's outfit with 15 games to play.
Fiorentina successfully wrapped up a 3-1 aggregate victory against Rosenborg on Thursday to set up a last 16 tie with Everton in the UEFA Cup.
AC Milan will be hoping for a favour from Roma as they aim to cut their three-point deficit with the Viola, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.
The Rossoneri take on Palermo at the San Siro on Sunday night after a goalless Champions League encounter at Arsenal on Wednesday, and are unbeaten in six Serie A games.
Udinese cannot afford a slip when they host Genoa if they wish to defend the last UEFA Cup qualifying spot, with Sampdoria just two points behind them in seventh.
Lazio will be looking to end their winless run on the road when they take on bottom-side Cagliari in Sardinia. The Biancoceleste have not won away from home since a 1-0 victory over Livorno in October.
Atalanta will be eager to bounce back from last weekend's 3-0 defeat against Lazio when they entertain Siena.
Livorno will fancy their chances when they take on Napoli, who have won just one game away from home this campaign.
In other games, a third-straight win for Empoli would see them leapfrog visiting Catania and continue their climb away from the relegation zone while struggling Parma will be looking to clinch their first win on their travels this season when they meet a disappointing Torino side in Saturday's early game.
Fiorentina successfully wrapped up a 3-1 aggregate victory against Rosenborg to set up a tie with Everton in the Last 16 of the UEFA Cup.
Fiorentina 2-1 Rosenborg (Agg: 3-1)
Last 32, Second Leg
With Fiorentina having secured a narrow 1-0 away first-leg lead, the tie continued in a cagey style at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
However, it was the home side who took the lead as Fabio Liverani netted from 18 yards on 38 minutes after being set up by Marco Donadel. Substitute Daniele Cacia then set Fiorentina on their way to the last 16 as he hit a second with nine minutes remaining.
Yssouf Kone pulled back a late consolation for Rosenborg in the 88th minute but it was too little too late.
Cesare Prandelli's side will now face Everton after the Premier League side completed an 8-1 aggregate victory over Brann. The first leg will take place in Florence on March 6 before the return in Liverpool on March 12/13.
Other Results
Last 32, Second Leg
Atletico Madrid 0-0 Bolton (Agg: 0-1)
Basle 0-3 Sporting Lisbon (Agg: 0-5)
Bayer Leverkusen 5-1 Galatasaray (Agg: 5-1)
Bayern Munich 5-1 Aberdeen (Agg: 7-3)
Bordeaux 1-1 Anderlecht (Agg: 2-3)
Braga 0-1 Werder Bremen (Agg: 0-4)
Everton 6-1 Brann (Agg: 8-1)
Getafe 3-0 AEK Athens (Agg: 4-1)
Hamburg 0-0 Zurich (Agg 3-1)
Helsingborgs 1-2 PSV Eindhoven (Agg: 1-4)
Nuremburg 2-2 Benfica (Agg: 2-3)
Panathinaikos 1-1 Rangers (Agg 1-1, Rangers win on away goals rule)
Spartak Moscow 2-0 Marseille (Agg: 2-3)
Tottenham 1-1 Slavia Prague (Agg: 3-2)
Villarreal 2-1 Zenit St Petersburg (Agg: 2-2, Zenit win on away goals rule)
AC Milan will move on to the San Siro in a fortnight's time with their tie against Arsenal evenly balanced after an absorbing encounter in London ended goalless.
Arsenal 0-0 AC Milan
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had called the first knockout round tie the "ultimate test" for his young side and they proved worthy of the challenge as they pressed the European champions back for long stages.
A faultless display from Zeljko Kalac in the Milan goal, though, kept the English Premier League leaders at bay – even if he was grateful to the woodwork when Emmanuel Adebayor headed against the crossbar from point-blank range in the closing seconds.
Milan's best chance came in a tight first half when Paolo Maldini's header was palmed away by keeper Jens Lehmann.
Carlo Ancelotti's side will now be under pressure to complete the job at home in the return leg on 4 March.
OTHER RESULTS: Celtic 2-3 Barcelona / Fenerbahce 3-2 Sevilla / Lyon 1-1 Manchester United
CHAMPIONS' LEAGUE REVIEW:
[Tuesday 19 Feb] - [Wednesday 20 Feb]
Reggina have reported Chelsea to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and UEFA over an alleged approach to one of their players.
The Serie A strugglers say 15-year-old Vincenzo Camilleri refused to play in a game for them and will have talks with Chelsea.
"He preferred to travel to London with his mother and a type of agent to reach a financial agreement with Chelsea," said President Lillo Foti. "We see this is an action of disloyalty and incorrectness."
Reggina are unhappy the player was allegedly 'tapped up' while he was still their player and aged only 15.
Camilleri had been expected to sign terms with Reggina when he turns 16 in March but now wants to join the English Premier League side.
"The player was contacted a couple of months ago when he was still our player," added Foti. "We have made complaints to the FIGC and to UEFA."
UEFA President Michel Platini expressed his regret over the situation. He told the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper: "Young players should remain in the club they come from with their families, postponing their move to another club or another country until they are 20 or 22.
"Whoever makes that leap at the age of 14 can risk returning destroyed at 16, just because they didn't succeed."
FIFA regulations allow the transfer of 16 to 18-year-olds as long as it is between member states of the European Union.
Source: BBC
Two late Liverpool goals have placed Inter's UEFA Champions League aspirations on the line in the first leg of the Last 16 tie while Roma came from a goal down to beat Real Madrid in Rome.
Liverpool 2-0 Inter
Dirk Kuyt's deflected shot and Steven Gerrard's raking low drive in the last five minutes put Liverpool in command of their first knockout round tie with Inter, who battled bravely for an hour with ten men only to fall at the last.
Inter's Marco Materazzi was shown two controversial yellow cards after only 30 minutes but Liverpool, who dominated proceedings for long spells, could not make their numerical advantage count until the 85th minute when Jermaine Pennant's deep right-wing cross was allowed to bounce through to Kuyt at the far post for a shot that flew past Julio Cesar with the aid of a considerable deflection off Maicon.
The Premier League side then took a firm grip on the tie in added on time, Gerrard beating the Inter keeper with a low shot from the corner of the area that evaded everyone and went in off a post to reward the home side for their persistence.
Roberto Mancini's side will now have all to do to turn the match around when the return leg is played at the San Siro on 11 March.
Roma 2-1 Real Madrid
Battling Roma gave themselves a slender 2-1 advantage after their first leg tie against Real Madrid.
Amantino Mancini was the hero for the Stadio Olimpico hosts, firing home the winning goal on the hour mark after David Pizarro's first-half strike had cancelled out Raul's opener.
Madrid were unlucky not to equalise when substitute Royston Drenthe was denied by the crossbar with 10 minute remaining.
The result marked the Giallorossi's first win against the Spanish giants in the Italian capital at the fourth attempt and hands Luciano Spalletti's side with a crucial advantage ahead of the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on 5 March.
OTHER RESULTS: Olympiakos 0-0 Chelsea / Schalke 1-0 FC Porto
CHAMPIONS' LEAGUE REVIEW:
[Tuesday 19 Feb] - [Wednesday 20 Feb]
Empoli fear leading scorer Nicola Pozzi will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury while Fiorentina are waiting to discover if goalkeeper Sebastien Frey suffered a serious injury against Catania.
Pozzi damaged his cruciate ligament during his side's impressive 3-1 win away to Napoli on Sunday.
The Italy Under-21 international scored twice in the game, but picked up the injury in the act of netting his second goal.
He was stretchered off the pitch and Empoli coach Alberto Malesani admits Pozzi's injury is a 'bitter blow' as the club battle to stay in the top flight.
"Pozzi has sustained a serious injury," Malesani told reporters. "It is a bitter blow on this otherwise happy day.
"The first impressions of the medical staff are that the cruciate ligament has been broken, but we hope that is not the case.
"We are so happy for the win and the performance, but very sad about this terrible injury."
Meanwhile, Frey was forced out of Fiorentina's 2-1 win early in the second half and was replaced by Vlada Avramov.
The France international will undergo tests on the muscle problem, with Viola coach Cesare Prandelli hoping for a positive outcome.
"He will have to undergo checks in the next few days and then we will know something more," Prandelli told Sky Italia.
"I only hope not to lose him for a long time and that his injury won't be a bad one.
"Anyway, knowing Sebastien, he will do everything to come back as soon as possible."
Frey must be rated a severe doubt for Thursday's UEFA Cup second leg against Rosenborg, with Fiorentina 1-0 up from the first meeting.
Source: Sky Sports
AC Milan may face a goalkeeping crisis in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League trip to Arsenal amid doubts over both Zeljko Kalac and Nelson Dida.
Kalac, who has recently replaced Dida as first choice, dislocated a finger on his right hand in training today, while the Brazilian has been undergoing treatment for the back injury he suffered while on the bench during yesterday's 0-0 draw against Parma.
A club statement read: "AC Milan announces that during today’s training session goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac suffered a dislocation in the index finger on his right hand.
"His condition will be evaluated tomorrow to ascertain whether he will be available for the trip to London to play Arsenal."
If neither goalkeeper recovers, 38-year-old Valerio Fiori could be called upon to make his Champions League debut in the first knockout round first leg.
Fiori has not played a competitive game since December 2003 when he replaced Christian Abbiati in a Coppa Italia tie against Sampdoria, and a Serie A appearance in 2002/03 was his only such opportunity in eight seasons at Milan.
Source: UEFA
An inspirational Antonio Cassano helped Sampdoria to victory in the Derby della Lanterna, while Adrian Mutu's screamer helped Fiorentina move clear in fourth. Elsewhere, Empoli crumbled Napoli; and Lazio, Palermo and Udinese picked up vital wins.
GENOA 0-1 SAMPDORIA
A late goal from Christian Maggio was enough to give Sampdoria the honours in the Genoa derby on Sunday afternoon. The game appeared to be heading for a stalemate for the second time this season until the Samp midfielder popped up to score in the 87th minute after an Antonio Cassano assist. It was Maggio's fourth chance of a very close encounter, but his persistence paid off to earn the Blucerchiati three points and keep them on course for a place in Europe next season. Genoa played the last half an hour with 10 men after Sacramento Danilo was sent off for two bookable offences in the space of 12 minutes and there were nine other yellow cards in a game bubbling with aggression.
FIORENTINA 2-1 CATANIA
Fiorentina moved three points clear of AC Milan in fourth place thanks to a 2-1 defeat of Catania. Milan's goalless draw at Parma on Saturday had moved them level on points with Fiorentina but the Viola stole a march this afternoon. Zdravko Kuzmanovic headed Cesare Prandelli's side in front just before half-time after a Mario Alberto Santana cross. Against the run of play Juan Vargas equalised on the hour mark but with 21 minutes to go Adian Mutu embarked on a solo run and shot in from distance to secure all the points.
REGGINA 1-3 UDINESE
Udinese got back to winning ways as they sailed to a 3-1 victory at strugglers Reggina. Simone Pepe gave the visitors the perfect start in the eighth minute and, with Udinese in complete control, Antonio Di Natale doubled his side's lead shortly after the hour mark. Francesco Modesto pulled one back in the 75th minute to give the home side hope, but Di Natale sealed Udinese's victory in injury time. After two defeats on the trot, this was a massive boost to Udinese's hopes of a European spot.
NAPOLI 1-3 EMPOLI
A spirited second-half display earned Empoli a 3-1 win against nine-man Napoli, hugely boosting their survival hopes. Nicola Pozzi gave the visitors a first-half lead before Daniele Mannini equalised for Napoli shortly before half-time. Pozzi grabbed his second midway through the second half and Alessandro Badel made the points safe in the last 10 minutes. Empoli's Felice Piccolo and Napoli's Marcelo Zalayeta were sent off for clashing in the tunnel on the way back out for the second half, and Maurizio Domizzi also saw red for the hosts in the 74th minute when he hacked down Sebastian Giovinco, who was clean through on goal.
LAZIO 3-0 ATALANTA
Lazio brushed aside Atalanta 3-0 to ease their relegation fears and move up to 12th spot in Serie A. Tommaso Rocchi opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 26 minutes after goalkeeper Ferdinando Coppola had brought down Thomas Manfredini. Goran Pandev added a second shortly before the hour mark before Rocchi killed the game off three minutes from time by again converting from the spot. The outcomes sees the Biancoceleste climb five points clear of the drop zone.
PALERMO 2-1 CAGLIARI
Palermo kept up the pressure on the teams in the UEFA Cup spots by seeing off rock-bottom Cagliari 2-1 in the Derby della Isole. Palermo's Edison Cavani had the unenviable honour of scoring at both ends as the home side ended a run of four defeats in five games to halt their recent free-fall down the table. The Uruguayan opened the scoring for the Sicilians after 23 minutes before Bosko Jankovic made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time. Then in the second half a mix-up in the Palermo area led to Cavani putting through his own net to give the Sardinian visitors some hope when trying to head clear from a corner. Late on Francesco Guidolin was sent to the stands by the referee, who apparently deemed the Palermo coach's protests against a foul on Federico Balzaretti excessive.
SIENA 0-0 TORINO
Struggling Siena kept themselves out of the drop zone on goal difference after holding relegation rivals Torino to a goalless draw. The hosts racked up their seventh home draw of the season to move above Parma by one goal. Siena's last game in front of their own fans had ended in a 3-0 victory over title-chasing Roma, but those supporters had less to cheer this time as their side failed to break down a stubborn Torino oufit. The visitors are just four points above the bottom three.
SERIE A REVIEW:
[Saturday 16 Feb] - [Sunday 17 Feb]
Palermo have beaten the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool to the signing of Danish starlet Simon Kjaer.
The 18-year-old has agreed a pre-contract with the Sicilian outfit and he will officially link-up with them on July 1st.
Kjaer, who is currently playing in his homeland for FC Midtylland, was being chased by a host of top clubs from around the continent.
The young central defender was being tracked by Liverpool, Real Madrid, Monaco and a host of other clubs - but Palermo have won the race to his coveted signature.
Source: Sky Sports
Roma's hopes of catching Inter at the top of Serie A were severely dented with a 1-0 reverse at Juventus, after the Nerazzurri had earlier pulled 11 points clear with success against Livorno on a "SuperSabato". It was also a frustrating evening for AC Milan, who were held to a goalless draw at Parma.
JUVENTUS 1-0 ROMA
Alessandro Del Piero scored a stunning free-kick just before half-time to down Roma in the chase for second place in Serie A. The 33-year-old demonstrated his credentials for Euro 2008 selection with his powerful dead ball strike from 20 yards which clipped the post on its way to beating Brazilian keeper Doni. Roma were denied by both the post and Juve 'keeper Gianluigi Buffon in search of an equaliser. The Bianconeri climb to within a point of their second-placed opponents, who entertain Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
INTER 2-0 LIVORNO
Inter prepared for their European clash in the best way possible as they strolled to victory against Serie A strugglers Livorno. David Suazo scored two goals in as many minutes in the first half to give his side all three points and leave the Tuscans looking nervously over their shoulders at the relegation zone once again. With an 11-point advantage in the Scudetto race, Inter can now turn their attention to Tuesday's trip to Liverpool for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
PARMA 0-0 AC MILAN
Even the appearance of Paolo Maldini for his 1,000th game for AC Milan could not inspire the Rossoneri as they were held to a scoreless draw by Parma. Having recorded a 1-1 draw three days earlier against Livorno - a match which saw Ronaldo suffer a career-threatening injury - Milan were desperate to get back to winning ways at lowly Parma. While the means the Rossoneri leapfrog over Fiorentina into fourth place - they know they could be overtaken should the Viola overcome Catania on Sunday. The European champions will now turn their eyes on Wednesday's Champions League tie against Arsenal.
SERIE A REVIEW:
[Saturday 16 Feb] - [Sunday 17 Feb]
Saturday 16 February
Chievo 2-0 Frosinone
Chievo held the pace along with joint leaders Bologna, hitting Frosinone’s recent upturn in form. Marcolini went up to turn in a set play during the first half and Pellissier wasted a good chance with only Sicignano to beat. Marcolini proved equally useful at the other end, preventing Margiotta from drawing level, and moments later Obinna secured the victory.
Bologna 2-0 Triestina
Bologna maintained the leadership with a comfortable victory. Marazzina’s towering header opened the scoring and, after Allegretti saw red for dissent, Adailton converted a classic counter-attack. It could have been more goals, but Marazzina hit the post and late on Bucchi fired a penalty on to the woodwork.
Lecce 2-0 Avellino
Lecce kept themselves in the promotion hunt, though it was tougher than expected to get the better of lowly Avellino. Gragnaniello denied Abbruscato before Corvia scored his first goal for the Salentini. The visitors stayed in the match until five minutes from time, when Abbruscato pounced on a defensive error.
Albinoleffe 3-1 Modena
Albinoleffe thanked goalkeeper Coser for staying in the top spots, as his penalty save on Koffi proved decisive for the three points. There had been an early scare with Giampa’s goal mysteriously disallowed before Bonazzi put the home side ahead. Bolano managed the rare feat of scoring for the second week running in a Modena jersey and Ruopolo restored ‘Leffe’s lead. The Canarini thought they’d earned a point when Gilioli was brought down, but Coser parried Koffi’s spot-kick and Ferrari made the win safe late on.
Pisa 1-1 Mantova
Pisa fall off the promotion pace with this stalemate against the eternally inconsistent Mantova. Godeas took just four minutes to make his mark with a sensational strike and temporarily reach Castillo in the Capocannoniere top spot, but the Pisa striker replied to equalise and maintain his position. Morello prevented Tarana from taking full advantage of a Mezavilla error, while Castillo and Tarana had more chances to win it. Mantova threatened a victory in stoppages, but Godeas cracked his shot against the crossbar.
Messina 2-1 Brescia
Brescia’s run of three straight wins came crashing to a halt in Sicily. Cordova curled one of his trademark ballistic free kicks in for the opener and, after De Zerbi had twice been denied by good saves, defender Zoboli drew the Rondinelle level with his foray forward. Lima should have made it 2-1 for Brescia with his header off target and was made to pay for that mistake, as Biancolino took advantage of goalkeeper Viviano’s error. Galeoto also thumped the woodwork four minutes from time.
Rimini 2-0 Grosseto
Rimini hauled themselves up to seventh place with this relatively comfortable win. Defender Vitiello gave his team a half-time lead with a rare foray forward and the game remained in the balance until January signing Greco’s late strike.
Piacenza 0-0 Treviso
Piacenza’s dismal campaign shows no signs of improvement with this dour draw at the Garilli. The 0-0 scoreline was inevitable with two of the weakest strike-forces in Serie B going head-to-head.
Vicenza 1-0 Cesena
Vicenza’s hopes of avoiding relegation received a massive boost with this last-gasp victory over fellow strugglers Cesena. Former Parma striker Matteini picked a great time to score his first goal for the club, netting four minutes from time.
Spezia 0-0 Ascoli
Spezia pushed forward more, but Ascoli had the best chances with Aquilanti hitting the woodwork and Soncin going close. Bianchi protested when his goal for the home side was disallowed for a handling offence.
Ravenna 1-2 Bari
Bari continue their remarkable revival to go mid-table with this six-pointer. Roma youth product Galasso gave Antonio Conte’s men the lead and Succi thought he had snatched a draw, but six minutes later Santoruvo restored the advantage. Toledo threw a spanner in Ravenna’s works with his dismissal on the hour mark and Barilla' followed for a tackle from behind on Donda.
Source: C4 Football Italia
Juventus are ready to all but end Roma's Scudetto ambitions when the two sides meet in this weekend's top Serie A showdown.
Second-placed Roma travel to Turin's Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening knowing a slip could see Inter extend their eight-point cushion at the top of the standings.
And Juve, in third but four points behind Roma, could do Inter a big favour.
"If we beat Roma we would have a chance to battle for second spot," said Juve's Roman-born coach Claudio Ranieri. "It's going to be a spectacular and a difficult game."
Luciano Spalletti's Roma will be hoping captain Francesco Totti can end his goalscoring drought this weekend.
Totti is Roma's top scorer with 10 goals this campaign, but has failed to find the target in three games since returning from injury.
The 31-year-old will have an added motivation to beat Bianconeri goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon as he has never scored at Juventus in the league.
By the time Roma and Juventus kick off they will know the result of Inter's home clash against Livorno, who held Milan to a midweek draw.
But the focus of the leaders' coach Roberto Mancini will be on Tuesday's Champions League encounter against Liverpool at Anfield.
With his team cruising unbeaten in Italy's top flight, Mancini is set to rest some players against the Serie A strugglers, with one eye on their European trip.
AC Milan also travel to struggling Parma on Saturday but still lie outside the top four.
They had to come from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Livorno on Wednesday, a result that leaves the Rossoneri a point behind Fiorentina in the race for the last Champions League qualifying spot.
On Wednesday Milan travel to Arsenal in this year's competition, though Cesare Prandelli's side had European distractions to deal with as they beat Rosenborg 1-0 in Norway in the first leg of the UEFA Cup last 32.
The Viola will follow the home clash against Catania on Sunday with the return leg of the of the UEFA Cup next Thursday evening.
Genoa entertain neighbours Sampdoria in the Derby della Lanterna. Gian Piero Gasperini's men will have added motivation for the game, as a win would see them overtake seventh-place Samp in the standings.
Sixth-place Udinese will be eager to bounce back from a four-game winless streak when they take on Reggina at Stadio Oreste Granillo.
Palermo coach Francesco Guidolin will be under pressure against bottom-side Cagliari. Their 3-1 defeat at Torino last weekend marked the Sicilians' fourth loss in five league games, dropping them to 10th.
Lazio will be desperate for home comfort when they take on in-form Atalanta. Having failed to win on the road since October, Delio Rossi's men must make their most of their encounters at the Stadio Olimpico if they wish to climb from their 13th position in the standings.
Empoli lie just one point from safety after last week's win over Lazio, but take a poor away record to Napoli.
Elsewhere, Torino will have to do without coach Walter Novellino when they travel to Siena this weekend. Novellino was handed a two-match touchline ban after insulting the referee during Sunday's 3-1 win against Palermo.
Adrian Mutu earned Fiorentina a slender advantage over Rosenborg in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 as his first-half strike secured a 1-0 win to take back to Florence for the second leg in a week's time.
Rosenborg 0-1 Fiorentina
Last 32, First Leg
Fiorentina took control of the game from the off and it came as no surprise when Adrian Mutu gave the visitors the lead after just 16 minutes. Latching onto a pass from Riccardo Montolivo the Romanian made no mistake from just a few yards out, firing the ball low into the centre of the goal past a stranded Rune Jarstein.
Rosenborg upped their game slightly in the second period but were ultimately unable to make the breakthrough. Didier Ya Konan came closest to snatching an equaliser for the Norwegians with eight minutes remaining, but his effort cannoned back off the post and with that their hopes of pulling level all but ended.
Cesare Prandelli's side are by no means guaranteed to progress to the last 16 of the competition next week as a result of this win, but Mutu's solitary strike now means that they will go into the game with an all important away goal and know that they can even afford to draw and still go through.
Other Results
Last 32, First Leg
Aberdeen 2-2 Bayern Munich
AEK Athens 1-1 Getafe
Anderlecht 2-1 Bordeaux
Benfica 1-0 Nuremburg
Bolton 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Brann 0-2 Everton
FC Zurich 1-3 Hamburg
Galatasaray 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Marseille 3-0 Spartak Moscow
PSV Eindhoven 2-0 Helsingborgs
Rangers 0-0 Panathinaikos
Slavia Prague 1-2 Tottenham
Sporting Lisbon 2-0 Basle
Werder Bremen 3-0 Braga
Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 Villarreal
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has confirmed that former Italy star Marco Tardelli is to become assistant manager to new Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni.
Tardelli, 53, who went on to coach Inter, played under Trapattoni at Juventus in the 1970s and 80s.
"Giovanni and I have a great desire to do well," Tardelli told an Italian radio station. "I like the idea of being for Giovanni what Carlos Queiroz is for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United."
Tardelli was in the Italy side which won the World Cup in Spain in 1982 and scored the second goal in the Azzurri's 3-1 victory over West Germany.
As a coach he led the Italian Under-21 side to victory at the 2000 UEFA European Championship. He then had spells in charge of Inter, Bari and Arezzo, and Egypt's national team.
Former Ireland midfielder Liam Brady, who played with Tardelli at Juventus, is also considering working in the new set-up and says he wants face-to-face talks with Trapattoni.
Arsenal's academy director does not want to leave the club but would be prepared to discuss helping out his country on a part-time basis.
"I'd need to talk to Giovanni a bit more. I haven't actually spoken to him face-to-face," said Brady. "I don't know what's going to develop until I talk with Mr Trapattoni."
Brady added: "I've only spoken to him over the phone, so I would need to sit down with him face-to-face, find out what he would want from me or what I could do for him and then obviously take it up with Arsenal."
Asked if he could combine a part-time role in Ireland with youth team work at Arsenal, he said: "I don't want to give up my job with Arsenal. I love my job with Arsenal. We need to talk it over obviously."
Trapattoni has already said he is keen to bring in Brady, who won 72 caps for the Republic. "I am hopeful Arsene Wenger will let Liam do the job as well as his Arsenal commitment," the 68-year-old Italian said.
"I knew Liam as a player and I asked him if it was possible for him to work with me a bit. He speaks good Italian and he knows the players. We can work together but not all the time because Liam has a good job at Arsenal."
Source: BBC
AC Milan striker Ronaldo faces up to nine months on the sidelines after rupturing a tendon in his left knee.
The 31-year-old was carried off in tears after suffering the injury against Livorno tonight.
"I don't want to say it's the end of his career because only time can decide - all we can do is stand by him," said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Ronaldo, who is out of contract at the end of the season, suffered the same injury in his right knee in November 1999, lasted seven minutes on his comeback in April 2000 before taking another 20 months to make a full recovery.
Ancelotti said the whole club was worried about the Brazilian, who was named FIFA World Player of the Year three times and is the record goal scorer in FIFA World Cup finals.
"We're all very sorry and worried about what happened to Ronaldo," said Ancelotti. "Our players all left the stadium in a hurry to go to the hospital to check on his condition, I think that's the right way to stand by a player who's suffering."
Ronaldo fell awkwardly while challenging for a ball in the air with Jose Vidigal, just three minutes after replacing Alberto Gilardino in the second half.
Milan head of medicine Jean Pierre Meersseman confirmed the extent of the player's injury.
He said: "After Ronaldo's injury we decided at once to transfer the player to the Galeazzi hospital in Milan. It is one of the best orthopaedic hospitals in Europe.
"There's little to say about the seriousness of the injury - unfortunately they confirmed that it was a rupture to the tendons of his left knee. He will definitely need surgery.
"We are all distraught at what's happened."
Livorno goalkeeper Marco Amelia, who was close by when Ronaldo fell to the ground, said: "I heard a horrible sound, like a bang, it was a strange sound."
Souce: BBC
AC Milan missed a valuable opportunity to climb to fourth position in Serie A as they were held to a draw by Livorno, though the result was overshadowed by a serious injury to Ronaldo.
AC MILAN 1-1 LIVORNO
Ronaldo had just come on as a substitute when he fell awkwardly on his left knee and was carried off on a stretcher in obvious agony. Initial tests revealed that Ronaldo has ruptured a knee tendon, though the extent of the damage is not yet known.
The fall happened as the Rossoneri won a penalty from a handball, and after Ronaldo's departure Andrea Pirlo stepped up to cancel out Nico Pulzetti's effort which gave the Serie A strugglers a surprise lead early in the second-half.
The home side could not find another goal, however, as their four-game winning run was ended and they remain fifth in Serie A.
SERIE A REVIEW:
[Saturday 15 Dec] - [Sunday 16 Dec] - [Wednesday 13 Feb]
Former Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni has been named as the manager of the Republic of Ireland.
The 68-year-old has coached Red Bull Salzburg during the last two years but will leave the Austrian side in the summer to begin a two-year contract in charge of the Republic.
Ireland have been looking for a new manager since parting company with Steven Staunton in October, following a disappointing UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
The Italian is one of the most experienced and successful coaches in the game, having won league titles in four countries – Italy, Germany, Austria and Portugal – as well as a number of European trophies.
"I was approached [by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI)] ten days ago and after talks with them I have agreed to take the job. It is an exciting job," Trapattoni said.
"I know many of the Irish players and I think they are like Austria – they are not a second division team, they are a top division team."
Trapattoni added that he has also spoken to former Irish international Liam Brady, who played under him at Juventus in the early 1980s, about a possible role in his backroom team.
"I am hopeful Arsene Wenger will let Liam do the job as well as his Arsenal commitment," said the former Juve, AC Milan, Inter, Bayern Munich and Benfica boss. "I knew Liam as a player and I asked him if it was possible for him to work with me a bit.
"He speaks good Italian and he knows the players. We can work together but not all the time because Liam has a good job at Arsenal."
Trapattoni's salary will be partly funded by an Irish entrepreneur Denis O'Brien. FAI chief executive John Delaney said O'Brien's financial offer was "a pivotal moment in the recruitment process because it enabled us to raise the bar even higher than intended".
O'Brien, who made his billions in mobile phones and media, has offered to cover half the cost of the new managerial team. "I'm a great believer if you hire the right people you get the right results," said O'Brien.
Delaney added: "Everyone acknowledges the senior national team has not achieved to the extent that we would all like over the past five years but we're now entering a new era with a manager whose record is among the most successful in Europe.
"He's widely acknowledged as one of the most outstanding and successful coaches in the modern game."
Trapattoni vowed to lead the Republic to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals and is confident they can finish top of a group despite it including his countrymen.
Italy will be at home to Ireland on 1 April 2009 with the return game taking place six months later on 10 October.
As well as the Azzurri, Ireland will be up against Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 8 from the autumn.
"Qualifying for the World Cup in 2010 will be hard, and playing against the Italian team will make me proud, but it should be possible for Ireland to come first," insisted Trapattoni, who managed Italy from 2000 to 2004.
The veteran Italian coach won six Serie A titles with Juventus and one with Inter. He also led Bayern Munich, Benfica and Salzburg to league titles.
His European honours include the European Cup, three UEFA Cups and a Cup Winners' Cup triumph during his spells at Juventus and Inter.
He'll take charge of his first game in a friendly against Serbia on 24 May.
Source: UEFA / BBC
