Serie A - The 2008-09 season thread

Maldini To Be Awarded FIFA Order Of Merit
FIFA is to bestow the Order of Merit on AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, the Gazzetta dello Sport has revealed.The FIFA Order of Merit is usually awarded to those who are considered to have made a significant contribution to football. The prize is not necessarily just for footballers, as apart from the likes of Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and the only other Italian to have won the award so far, Dino Zoff, political figures such as Nelson Mandela and Henry Kissinger have also been recipients. Maldini will become only the second Italian to win the award, following in the footsteps of 1982 World Cup-winning captain Dino Zoff.

The 39-year-old Maldini will receive the honour at the annual FIFA Congress in Sydney next month. The Milan captain is set to retire from football at the end of the season after a glorious career lasting almost a quarter-of-a-century. He has won seven Scudetti, one Coppa Italia, five Italian Super Cups, five Champions League titles, five European Super Cups and three World Club Cups. He is both Milan and Italy’s all-time appearance maker, and is regarded by some as the best defender in the history of the game.

Italy roundup-Fiorentina weary for big Samp clash

Fiorentina’s flight back from their 0-0 draw with Rangers in the UEFA Cup semi-final first leg was diverted to Bologna because of fog. Coach Cesare Prandelli had already been worried about tiredness ahead of Sunday’s home match against Sampdoria with both sides chasing a Champions League spot.

“We have little time to recover but I have faith in the skill and professionalism of these lads,” he told reporters as he bemoaned Rangers’ defensive tactics.

“We came up against a wall.”

* Leaders Inter Milan can retain their title thanks to a superior head-to-head record if they beat Cagliari and second-placed AS Roma lose at home to struggling Torino.

Inter’s quest will be helped by Cagliari being without suspended trio Michele Fini, Pasquale Foggia and Francesco Pisano.

* Third-placed Juventus need a point at home to mid-table Lazio to be assured a place in the Champions League qualifiers next term. Juve will hope to achieve their objective quickly as 10 players risk suspension.

* Fifth-placed AC Milan have no new injury worries for the trip to relegation-threatened Livorno but Paolo Maldini, yet to decide if he will retire, is still out with a thigh injury.

Meanwhile Milan have moved ahead of Juve in the race to sign Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini, Italian media reported.

* Parma have been rocked by suspensions for the visit to relegation rivals Reggina. Fernando Couto, McDonald Mariga, Andrea Gasbarroni, Giulio Falcone and Paolo Castellini are all banned.

* Genoa goalkeeper Rubinho has said his side’s outside hopes of UEFA Cup soccer next season will drive them on against struggling Empoli.

“We are happy with what we have achieved but we will give our utmost to get into Europe. We believe we’ll be able to do it,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Maggio: My Dream Is To Play For Inter
Sampdoria star Christian Maggio has revealed that it is his dream to play for Inter. The 26-year-old has been a revelation at the Stadio Ferraris this season, and has scored a wonderful six goals from his full back position.

This has led to talk of a possible call-up for Italy for Euro 2008, but Maggio thinks this is unlikely.

"If am honest: I think not,” he told the Corriere dello Sport.

“I hope, obviously, but the truth is I'm doing well at the wrong time. I'm working towards the post-European period.”

Partly thanks to Maggio’s performances, Sampdoria are still in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League, and tomorrow they have a crunch game at Fiorentina.

“We will find the Viola tired from their UEFA Cup excursions, which may be an advantage,” he noted.

Finally Maggio was asked what his dream move in the future would be.

"My dream is to play for Inter. At my home we are all Inter, and Inter is in our destiny,” he concluded.

Maggio joined Sampdoria in 2006 on a co-ownership deal from tomorrow’s opponents Fiorentina. He has made 26 Serie A appearances this term.

™ wrote:According to reports in Italy, Juventus could be set to snub the legality of Calciopoli by sewing a third star on their shirts when they win their next Scudetto.

kas wrote:I think Fiorentina will be ok. ie. get 4th and reach Manchester as well. The way Prandelli is protecting yet motivating his players looks very solid from the outside looking in.

Calidad wrote:What game are they showing on C5 today?

bluenine wrote:Great shot by Balotelli in the first minute!!

Its a battle of Inter's and Italy's two future strikers.... Balotelli vs Acquafresca!

bluenine wrote:
Acquafresca

blutgraetsche wrote:

bluenine wrote:
Acquafresca

Still the coolest name of an Italian player by a mile. I'd want us to sign him just because of that.

blutgraetsche wrote:

bluenine wrote:
Acquafresca

Still the coolest name of an Italian player by a mile. I'd want us to sign him just because of that.