Juventus playmaker Pirlo confident of defeating Bayern Munich

The influential midfielder has revealed the Old Lady have figured out a way to defeat the Bavarians and hopes Antonio Conte will not leave the club.

By Stefan Coerts, Goal.com editor,

Andrea Pirlo is confident that Juventus will overturn their first-leg defeat against Bayern Munich in the return of the Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday evening.

The Serie A leaders were beaten 2-0 at the Allianz Arena last Tuesday but Pirlo has stressed that they know how to beat the German champions after analysing the defeat from the first leg.

"After the match in Munich we sat down and analysed what happened that night and then we’ve worked out how to turn this tie around. There’s still hope," Pirlo told The Times of India. 

The midfielder then went on to admit that the Bavarians, who secured the win with goals from David Alaba and Thomas Muller, emerged deservedly victorious in the first leg.

"Bayern, with their typically German discipline along with many talented players like [Arjen] Robben, [Thomas] Muller and others, played better football on the day and they deserved to win."

Pirlo also had his say on the future of head coach Antonio Conte and he hopes the successful trainer will not leave the Old Lady any time soon.

"Conte is one of the best coaches around. He's coaching in the Champions League for the first time and he has already proven his worth. We, the players, hope he stays on with us."

Conte joined Juventus from Siena in the summer of 2011 and guided the Bianconeri to Serie A glory in his first season.

Moratti hints at anti-Inter conspiracy

The 67-year-old believes Italian arbiters are deliberately hindering the Giuseppe Meazza side following Sunday's refereeing controversy

Inter president Massimo Moratti has suggested that there is a conspiracy against the Nerazzurri in the wake of their 4-3 Serie A loss against Atalanta.

The Giuseppe Meazza side had a questionable penalty awarded against them in Sunday's encounter, while referee Andrea Gervasoni waved play on after Inter felt they deserved a spot kick of their own, much to the dismay of Moratti.

He stated on Monday that he felt the referee's decisions were 'not in good faith' and he has now suggested that referees are deliberately hindering his team when he was asked to explain his comments.

"I really don't think I need to explain anything better. You only have to look at the way this season has gone, especially regarding us," Moratti told reporters.

"When people want to hit you, they do it anyway...

"When there's a doubt, the penalty on Rocchi doesn't get given. When there's nothing to doubt – because there was nothing there – the penalty against us does get given.

"We haven't had a penalty for 21 games..."

As a result of their latest defeat, Inter have now dropped to sixth spot in the Serie A table.

Source: Goal

Udinese's Armero undergoing medical ahead of completing loan move to Napoli

Napoli are poised to sign Udinese winger Pablo Armero on loan with a view to making the deal permanent at the end of the Serie A season.

The Azzurri have confirmed the 26-year-old Colombia international will undergo a medical tomorrow before the arrangement is finalised.

A statement on sscnapoli.it read: "Napoli have reached an agreement with Udinese that will see Pablo Armero wear the blue shirt.

"The left winger will arrive on loan with the option to buy out half of his contract at the end of the season.

"Armero will undergo his medical tomorrow, after which the deal will be made formal."

Armero joined Udinese from Palmeiras in 2010 and has made 69 league appearances for the Bianconeri, scoring two goals.


Source: SkySports

AC Milan do not need Southampton star Gaston Ramirez

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has quashed reports linking the Italian giants with a move for Southampton's Gaston Ramirez.

Saints signed Uruguay international Ramirez during the summer for a club record fee of €15 million from Bologna, but he is yet to live up to his billing after just three goals and no assists in 13 Premier League appearances - though injuries have hampered his progress.

Milan are currently looking to add to their squad as they continue their rebuilding, but Galliani has ruled out a move for the Saints No.10, adding that expensive signings will only be brought in if other players are sold.

Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, Galliani said: "There’s no need for Ramirez, we are fine as we are. If someone leaves then we’ll see, but there are no 'gifts' on the horizon for the fans."

One player Milan do look poised to bring to San Siro is midfielder Riccardo Saponara, who is currently co-owned by Empoli and Parma.

However, an agreement could be reached to purchase Empoli's half of the contract for around £3m.

"Saponara is certainly a player that fits in with the policy of focusing on youth that Milan are taking," Galliani noted.

Fellow Serie A sides Juventus and Inter, as well as Liverpool are believed to be interested in the creative midfielder, but Empoli's director of sport as also confirmed Milan's interest.

Speaking to Calciomercato, Marcello Carli said: "It's true, there is a deal with Milan for half of Saponara's contract.

"He was tracked by many clubs, but the Rossoneri were quick off the blocks. The player will remain with us until the end of the season. That was a decisive factor in negotiations."


Source: Goal

Udinese defender Danilo sentenced to one year in prison for racism

Udinese defender Danilo has been sentenced to a year in prison for racist abuse by a court in Brazil.

The centre-back was found guilty of spitting in the face of Atletico Paranese's Manoel and calling him a "monkey" while playing for Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil in 2010.

Danilo was handed a year's custodial sentence by the 18th Criminal Court of the State of Sao Paolo, although he is expected to have the punishment reduced after appeal to a fine of around €127,000, or 500 times the state minimum wage.

The player currently earns €400,000 per year. The 28-year-old, who has made 25 appearances for Udinese this season both domestically and in Europe, joined the Serie A outfit from Palmeiras in the summer of 2011.


Source: Goal

Matches to be stopped for racism

An Italian government watchdog (ONMS) has said public security officials will be given the power to stop football matches in cases of racist behaviour.

A match could either be abandoned or temporarily stopped to warn supporters.

The director of public order services will have the "sole responsibility" to suspend a match after talks between the referee and the fourth official.

Last week AC Milan walked out of a friendly after midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng was subjected to racist chants.

Boateng, 25, has since said he would walk off the field again if subjected to racist abuse and Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi praised the player for his stand against racism.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter described Boateng's stance as courageous, but did not believe such gestures would provide a long-term solution to the problem.

ONMS, a department of the interior ministry, said the problem was caused by a small minority, while adding that violence at Italian matches was also on the decline.

"There has been a further drop in the number of violent incidents, while manifestations of racism and intolerance sporadic and always limited to a restricted group," a statement read.


Source: BBC

Inter Milan accept Galatasaray bid for Sneijder

Inter Milan have confirmed they have accepted a bid for Wesley Sneijder from Galatasaray.

Inter president Massimo Moratti is willing to allow the unsettled Dutch midfielder to leave but any deal will depend upon the Turkish club reaching an agreement with the player.

"Galatasaray's offer satisfies us. Now it depends on the player," Moratti told Sky Italia.

"We would be happy if he decided to stay on our terms."

Sneijder has reportedly been asked to accept a two million euro pay cut to his annual salary with the Nerazzurri.

But Inter head coach Andrea Stramaccioni continues to maintain that the 28-year-old's absence from the first team is purely a tactical decision.

Sneijder is believed to be holding out for better offers from a host of Premier League clubs as well as big-spending Ligue 1 outfit Paris St Germain.

On Wednesday, Sneijder's agent, Soren Lerby, refused to confirm Gala's claims that they had opened talks, telling De Telegraaf: "Every day there is a new club linked with Wesley.

"For that reason I have decided not to answer any more questions."

But a statement on the Turkish club's official website read: "Galatasaray announces it has begun negotiations with FC Internazionale for the transfer of Wesley Sneijder.

"The public will be informed of developments."


Source: SkySports

Stekelenburg will not leave for Fulham, says agent

Maarten Stekelenburg's agent has left the door open for the Dutch goalkeeper to leave AS Roma despite no current offers.

Reports have linked Fulham with the 30-year-old, no longer first choice for the Italian side.

Stekelenburg's agent, Rob Jansen, said that no bids had been made for the international's services but he stopped short of completely ruling out a move away from Roma.

"I spoke with (Roma general director) Franco Baldini, and at the moment there is no possibility that Stekelenburg leaves Roma," Jansen told Calciomercato.

"There are no offers from other clubs, but we are at the beginning of January and everything is still possible."

Fulham manager Martin Jol could be in the market for a long-term successor to current first-choice stopper Mark Schwarzer, 40, and worked with Stekelenburg while in charge of Ajax.


Source: SkySports

It would be stimulating to work with Balotelli, says Napoli boss Mazzarri

Napoli head coach Walter Mazzarri described the challenge of working with Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli as "stimulating", amid reports of a possible approach from the Serie A club.

Azzurri president Aurelio De Laurentiis has admitted he would be interested in bringing the unsettled 22-year-old to the San Paolo as a strike partner for Edinson Cavani, or as a possible makeweight should City make a bid for the free-scoring Uruguayan.

AC Milan appeared to distance themselves from a rival approach for the Italy international when president Silvio Berlusconidescribed Balotelli as a "rotten apple", but Mazzarri is confident he could tame the capricious striker.

Quoted in La Repubblica, he told Radio Monte Carlo: "I do not know him personally. I spoke to him once a few years ago at a hotel in Sorrento.

"He made a good impression on me but only those who know him well can say what kind of problems he might create in training.

"I've got a bit of experience, though, and it would be stimulating to work with a talent like his, but I don't know if that would ever happen."

Azzurri president De Laurentiis had told Gazzetta.it: "Are City considering letting Balotelli go so they can move for Cavani?

"I would prefer to see Balotelli playing with Cavani here at Napoli.

"Teams tend to hold on to their best players in January. You take a big risk making big investments now.

"There is still time for us to bring in new faces but we must be cautious. On January 31 you will see what moves Napoli have made."

Saddened Milan had previously been mooted as Balotelli's likely destination, with the Rossoneri appearing to free up the necessary funds and space in their squad with the 15million euro sale of Alexandre Pato to Corinthians, but Berlusconi told reporters at the FIFA Ballon d'Or gala in Zurich that any approach was unlikely.

"The name of Balotelli never came into my thoughts, he is a rotten apple and could infect every group where he goes, even Milan," the former Italian prime minister said.

Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola responded through Sport Mediaset, saying: "Mario and I are saddened by what Berlusconi said.

"Berlusconi doesn't know him, everyone who does know him loves him. (Milan vice-president) Adriano Galliani knows him and loves him.

"If someone asks me to introduce Mario to Berlusconi then I will do so with pleasure."

Balotelli has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium following a number of high profile incidents since he arrive in England from Inter Milan.

The latest occurred last Thursday, when he was pictured grappling with City boss Roberto Mancini.


Source: SkySports

Davide Santon dismisses AC Milan link

NEWCASTLE United star Davide Santon has insisted he is focused on nothing but hauling the Magpies out of the relegation mire.

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi told the media in Italy yesterday that Santon is a player he “likes” and, as he aims to bring in a host of young players at the San Siro in the next few years, that the Toon full-back is on his shortlist.

However, Santon, contracted on Tyneside until 2016, has dismissed any talk of a return to Serie A and wants to see out Newcastle’s ropey spell.

Santon – who arrived from Milan’s city rivals Inter in summer 2011 – told the Chronicle: “I have had a year and a half here.

“I really enjoy it. I am happy at the club but happy as a player. “This is really important for a young player.”

Santon has figured in 27 games for United this season and has been one of the mainstays in Alan Pardew’s team, despite the struggles of late.

On Saturday he will return to the scene of his first start in the Premier League when Newcastle take on Norwich City at Carrow Road.

And he admits United can learn from what has been a tough campaign of few highs.

The Italian international said: “We are a young team here and we are growing together. “That will only make us stronger in the long-term.

“The team give me confidence to play my game. If you play when you are stressed you can’t give 100%.

“But when you are settled as a group you can do well.

“I know I can do better than now though. “And when we have all of our players fit, we know we can do better as a team.”

Newcastle have kicked off 2013 with two defeats against Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup.

The Magpies must win seven games out of their last 17 matches in the Premier League or face the prospect of a second relegation in four years from the top flight.

But with players to return from injury and less daunting fixtures to come, Santon said: “Last year we were challenging.

“But we still have a good team and we have to try to finish as high as we can.”


Source: NewcastleChronicle