Italy Calcio info

Napoli TV

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Fiorentina TV

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Lazio TV

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Roma TV

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Juventus TV

2008-04-13T17:47:00.002-07:00

Inter Milan TV

2008-04-13T17:47:00.001-07:00

AC Milan TV

2008-04-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

Serie A Stadiums

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Stadio San Siro Milan & Inter

Home to both Inter and AC Milan, two of the country’s most successful football clubs, the stadium is officially known as the Giuseppe Meazza. Named in honour of the Inter and Milan player of the 1930’s and 1940’s, Meazza played for both sides but enjoyed greater success with Inter and is more favoured by the inter fans; as a result Milan supporters favour the original name of the San Siro and the name that has stuck with world football

Originally built in 1925, the inauguration of the San Siro was on 19^th September 1926 when 35,000 spectators saw Inter defeat Milan 6-3. Further renovations have lead to the San Siro as currently being considered one of the best stadiums in the world. The architects designed the stadium for sole use as a football stadium. This means that there is no athletics track (that is often found and criticised at European grounds) and allows the stands to be built much closer to the pitch. With the spectators being so close to the action, the stands being so steep and with a large roof, it is considered to have one of the best atmospheres of any stadium in the world.

The most notable rennovation was brought about in 1990 ready for the Italia 90 Word Cup. This saw the development of a thrid tier added to 3 sides of the ground and the construction of the distinguishable 11concreter towers outside of the ground, 4 of which support the equally distinctive roof with it’s protruding red gurders. The developments saw the San Siro become an all seater stadiium, bringing up to UEFA 5 star standards, allowing it to bid for and host the Champions League final.

Before becoming an all seater the stadiums highers official capacity was 150,000 when the second teir was added. Although this claimed figure by Milan the actual capacity was probably on 125,000, which is still very impressive. With the groud origianlly owned by Milan, inter later became tennents and have growned shared ever since. Both teams are now infact tennants and the ground is owned by the Municipality of Milan. It is rumoured that in the future the third tier will be added to the east side of the stadium, however this requires the purchase of land from the present Hippodrome, behind the stadium.

Stadio Olimpico Roma & Lazio

The Stadio Olimpico is the major stadium in Rome and is host to both AS Roma and SS Lazio and the Italian national team. It serves both as an athletics and football stadium having hosted 1960 Olympics and 1987 World Athletic Championships. The stadium is located in the North of Rome along the river Tiber in the Foro Italico Sportpark about 6kn from the City Centre. Whilst perhaps the Derby Della Capitale or, simply Rome Derby in English, is not quite as famous as the Milan Derby it is certainly the fiercest contested Derby in Italy.

Both teams hate the arrogance from the Northern teams (Milan, Turin) but they hate each other more. AS Roma is the team supported in the popular roman districts while Lazio support is more from the rich Roman districts of the city. The political differences between the fans used to be one of the reasons of this rivalry. The Laziali in general had right-wing idea's while the Roma fans were more left-wing orientated.

The 'Curva Sud' is home of the AS Roma fans and the 'Curva Nord' belongs to the Laziali.

The stadium has often seen violent clashes between opposing sets of supporters, not just on Derby day but also on other big occasion such as in the Champions league. The stadium has been the victim of a lot of vandalism from both sets of supporters, possibly influenced in the fact that neither clubs own the ground, so it is not seen as their property.

Stadio Olimpico di T orino Torino & Juventus

Before 2006 the stadium was originally known as Stadio Comunale di Torino and was built with a capcity of 65,000 for the 1934 FIFA World Cup. For Many years it was the home of both Juventus and Torino FC, before the Delle Alpi opened 1990 for the World cup that year. When both teams moved out the stadium lay abandoned for several years, before being chosen to host the 2006 Winter Olympics. This saw much needed investment into the stadium and the original structure demolished in this refurbisment. The new version of the stadium has 27,128 covered seats and is owned by Torino FC with Juventus currently tennants whilst the future of the Delle Alpi is considered

Stadio Luigi Ferraris Sampdoria & Genoa

The Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris, also known as the Marassi has a capacity of around 40,000 specators and is similar in design to that of a tradition English football stadium with 4 separate stands. It was originally opened in 1911 but was completely renovated for the 1990 World Cup where it hosted 4 matches.

Stadio Artemio Franchi Fiorentina

Home to ACF Fiorentina, the stadium holds 47,000. It has somewhat of a continental feel to it, but has benefited from renovations in 1990 which saw the removal of the running track and seating capacity increased. The stadium is built entirely of reinforced concrete with a 70 meter (230 ft) tower that bears the stadium's flagstaff. The tower is called the "Tower of Marathon". Around the base of the tower, spiral ramps lead from the ground floor to the upper edge of the grandstand.

Stadio Ennio Tardini Parma

Named after the first President of Parma, Ennio Tardini, the stadium opened in 1923. This is one of the more compact of Serie A’s stadiums, with a capacity of 28,800, allowing for an atmosphere not dissimilar to that seen in the British game. Renovations to bring it up to European standards occurred in the early 90’s, with the redevelopment of the Petitot stand, then the Curva Nord and Curva Sud.

Its close proximity to the city centre make it easy to get to for visiting fans.

Stadio Friuli Udinese

Up in the North-East of Italy next to the Slovenian border, the Stadio Friuli was built in 1971, with a capacity of 41,700. This ground, like many in Serie A, is owned by the local authorities, and is rented by Udinese. It is also used for Athletics as it has facilities for other sports, and is famous even for hosting concerts, with ones by Vasco Rossi and Red Hot Chilli Peppers especially famous.

Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia Atalanta

Near to Milan, the Atleti d’Italia is in Bergamo, and was built in 1928, originally named after a fascist, Mario Brumana, but subsequently renamed. The stadium itselfs hosts both football matches and rugby, with a capacity of 26,393.

Stadio San Paolo Napoli

Built in 1959, the Stadio San Paolo is one of the more beautiful stadiums, but is also one of the biggest in the world, with a 78,210 capacity (60,420 seats) and had the highest average attendance last year, behind Inter and Milan. An interesting fact is that Italian law was the only thing preventing the renaming of the Stadium after Diego Maradona, as he needed to have been dead for ten years first.

League Table and Fixtures

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Season Fixtures

Sunday, 13 April 2008

Empoli v Parma, 14:00

Genoa v Torino, 14:00

Inter Milan v Fiorentina, 14:00

Juventus v AC Milan, 14:00

Lazio v Siena, 14:00

Livorno v Cagliari, 14:00

Napoli v Atalanta, 14:00

Palermo v Catania, 14:00

Reggina v Sampdoria, 14:00

Udinese v Roma, 14:00

Sunday, 20 April 2008

AC Milan v Reggina, 14:00

Atalanta v Juventus, 14:00

Cagliari v Empoli, 14:00

Catania v Lazio, 14:00

Fiorentina v Palermo, 14:00

Parma v Napoli, 14:00

Roma v Livorno, 14:00

Sampdoria v Udinese, 14:00

Siena v Genoa, 14:00

Torino v Inter Milan, 14:00

Sunday, 27 April 2008

Fiorentina v Sampdoria, 14:00

Genoa v Empoli, 14:00

Inter Milan v Cagliari, 14:00

Juventus v Lazio, 14:00

Livorno v AC Milan, 14:00

Napoli v Siena, 14:00

Palermo v Atalanta, 14:00

Reggina v Parma, 14:00

Roma v Torino, 14:00

Udinese v Catania, 14:00

Sunday, 04 May 2008

AC Milan v Inter Milan, 14:00

Atalanta v Livorno, 14:00

Cagliari v Fiorentina, 14:00

Catania v Reggina, 14:00

Empoli v Udinese, 14:00

Lazio v Palermo, 14:00

Parma v Genoa, 14:00

Sampdoria v Roma, 14:00

Siena v Juventus, 14:00

Torino v Napoli, 14:00

Sunday, 11 May 2008

Fiorentina v Parma, 14:00

Genoa v Lazio, 14:00

Inter Milan v Siena, 14:00

Juventus v Catania, 14:00

Livorno v Torino, 14:00

Napoli v AC Milan, 14:00

Palermo v Sampdoria, 14:00

Reggina v Empoli, 14:00

Roma v Atalanta, 14:00

Udinese v Cagliari, 14:00

Sunday, 18 May 2008

AC Milan v Udinese, 14:00

Atalanta v Genoa, 14:00

Cagliari v Reggina, 14:00

Catania v Roma, 14:00

Empoli v Livorno, 14:00

Lazio v Napoli, 14:00

Parma v Inter Milan, 14:00

Sampdoria v Juventus, 14:00

Siena v Palermo, 14:00

Torino v Fiorentina, 14:00

Club Profiles and Websites

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Title odds are from

For a list of players and squad numbers, click on the team name

Inter Milan
Manager: Roberto Mancini
Star player: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Stadium: San Siro (85,700)
Local airports: Milan Malpensa, Orio al Serio, Milan Linate
Title odds: 11-8
Last year Inter were helped in their quest for the Scudetto by points penalties imposed on Milan AC, and the relgation of Juventus due to corruption charges. But this year it will be harder for the Nerazzuri as competition will be tougher. Players of the quality of Zanetti, Figo and Vieira mean that they will surely be favourites with most people. This season ItalyCalcio's star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been in fantastic form up to the winter break, helping his team to establish a healthy lead at the top of Serie A. They will still be everyone's favourites, especially with the poor season Milan are having, and Roma's inability to kill games off. In terms of youngsters, look out for Inter's new striking sensation, 17 year old Mario Balotelli who has been linked with all the big teams, but is still waiting for a run in the team.

Websites

http://www.inter.it/aas/hp?L=en - Official site

AC Milan
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti
Star player: Kaka
Stadium: San Siro (85,700)
Local airports: Milan Malpensa, Orio al Serio (Bergamo), Milan Linate
Title odds: 6-4
With no points deductions this year Milan could have started off full of confidence, especially being holders of the Champions League. They have top players, including Andrea Pirlo, Allessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso and Kaka. However, some stars are becoming quite aged, notably Inzaghi and Maldini- do they one more successful year left in them? At the Christmas stage it was very dissappointing season in the league, but winning the Club World Cup will be some consolation. Much has been made of young Brazilian Pato's big money move from Internacional, but will he be able to add the goals that Inzaghi and Gilardino have so far failed to supply? So far he has done well but pressure is being heaped upon his young shoulders. Along with the return to the team, and to form maybe, of Ronaldo, and the impressive youngster Paloschi coming through, it could be a much more positive second half of the season, but a top 2 or 3 finish may not be possible. One thing that Milan do have though, is strength in depth with many squad players like Ambrosini and Brocchi, who are able to rotate and keep the stars fresh.

Websites

http://acmilanfans.websitewizard.com/home - Fansite

http://www.acmilan.com/index.aspx - Official site

http://www.acmilan-online.com/ - Fansite

http://www.forzamilan.com/ - Fansite

http://www.planetmilan.com/ - Fansite

Juventus
Manager: Claudio Ranieri
Star Player: Gianluigi Buffon
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico di Torino (25,370) - Temporary
Local airports: Sandro Pertini International airport
Title odds: 4-1
After a comfortable promotion i Bianconeri will again challenge the title after keeping most of their star players. With forward players of the calibre of Del Piero, Camoronesi, Trezeguet and Iaquinta, they have goals in them. But since their last Serie A season they've lost defensive players Zambrotta, Cannavaro and Vieira, so can they keep them out? We've seen impressive defensive performances from Legrottaglie and Chiellini, but their place in the team was down to Jorge Andrade being injured, and they still have former Newcastle man Boumsong, so whether they can remain strong to the end of the season remains to be seen. Their midfield is also strengthened by the signing of Maniche, which could see Tiago leave, possibly back to the Premiership.

Websites

http://www.juventus.it/site/ita/index.asp - Official site

http://www.juventuz.com/forum/ - Fans forum

A.S Roma
Manager: Luciano Spalletti
Star Player: Francesco Totti
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico di Roma (82,922)
Local airports: Rome Ciampino
Title Odds: 6-1
Roma have a top quality midfield, with English-born Simeone Perrotta, and Italy player Daniel De Rossi, aided by attacking minded players like Giuly, Taddei, Mancini and Totti. Its a solid team that were runners-up last year, and have strengthened in defence with the pacey wing-back Cicinho signing from Real Madrid, adding to other attacking full-backs Cassetti and Tonetto. They play superb football, and although Totti is not a typical striker, he often plays as a lone striker, which creates great attacking play, and results in him scoring more often than not.

Websites:

http://www.asromacalcio.it/ - Official site

http://www.romalazio.co.uk/ - Roma tickets

Fiorentina
Manager:Cesari Prandelli
Star Player: Martin Jorgensen
Stadium: Stadio Artemio Franchi (47,282)
Local airports: Galileo Galilei Pisa airport
Title Odds: 33-1
I Viola (The Purple Ones) have made a remarkable return to the top flight since their financial troubles, subsequent double promotion, and Serie B play-off victory. Last season they finished 6th, with inspirational players like Tomáš Ujfaluši in defence, and Adrian Mutu up front, aided by more physical strikers like Pazzini or Vieri. In goal is one the in-form goalies in the world at the moment, highly rated Frenchman Sebastien Frey, who is a very influential player for the Viola. If your looking for the future of Fiorentina, then look no further than Riccardo Montolivo in attacking midfield, and former Italy under-21 captain Marco Donadel a bit deeper.

Websites

http://www.acffiorentina.it/ - Official website

S.S Lazio
Manager: Delio Rossi
Star Player: Goran Pandev
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico di Roma (82,922)
Local airports: Rome Ciampino
Title odds: 66-1
Lazio finished in 3rd place last year, with an excellent run of 8 wins in a row. However, summer strengthening brought in mainly squad players, with former West Ham player Lionel Scaloni one of the bigger names. The title this year would seem too far off for them this year. Goals come in the form of Goran Pandev, or Tommasso Rocchi. Further back in the field its Lorenzo De Silvestri in defence and Stefano Mauri in midfield. Its also worth mentioning that first choice goalkeeper MArco Ballotta, at 43 years old is the oldest ever to play in Serie A or the Champions League. The January transfer window has also seen the expected return of Rolando Bianchi to Italy on loan from Manchester City. He'll be hoping to have the form that saw him score 19 in his last season in Serie A.

Websites:

http://www.sslazio.it/ - Official site

http://www.romalazio.co.uk/ - Lazio tickets

Palermo
Manager: Colantuono
Star Player: Andrea Barzagli
Stadium: Stadio Renzo Barbera (37,619)
Local airport: Falcone Borsellino (Palermo International)
Title Odds: 66-1
The biggest club in Sicily, Palermo are seventh favourites for the title and have some players capable of challenging top defences, like Australian Mark Bresciano and Fabrizio Miccoli, formerly of Juventus. The defence can be solid too, with Star Man Barzagli, who often features for the national side, and Cristian Zaccardo. Up front, it is Miccoli and Amauri who have impressed the most this year so far.

Websites:

http://www.ilpalermocalcio.it/ - Official site

Sampdoria
Manager: Walter Mazzarri
Star Player: Antonio Cassano
Stadium: Stadio Luigi Ferraris (36,536)
Local airport: Genoa airport
Title Odds: 80-1
Many eyes are on two loan signings for the Genoa outfit, those of Antonio Cassano from Real Madrid, and Vicenzo Montella from Roma, both of whom could change games and change an average season into a successful one. Other solid players include captain Volpi, striker Quagliarella and long-serving midfield man Angelo Palombo.

Websites:

http://www.sampdoria.it/ - Official site

http://www.ucsampdoria.co.uk/ - Fansite

Udinese
Manager: Pasquale Marino
Star Player: Antonio Di Natale
Stadium: Stadio Friuli (41,652)
Local airport: Trieste Ronchi Airport
Title Odds: 100-1
We have already seen this year that Udinese are capable of beating the big boys on their day. These kind of results depend on the likes of Di Natale to perform, as this is a team with few stars, but who play as a team. They will however be weaker than last year, when they finished 10th, as they have lost Vincenzo Iaquinta.

Websites:

http://www.udinese.it/ - Official site

S.S.C Napoli
Manager: Edoardo Reja
Star Player: Marcelo Zalayeta
Stadium: Stadio San Paulo (78,210)
Local airport: Capodichino Airport (Naples)
Title Odds: 250-1
Despite their long odds for the title, Napoli look good this year, with some fire-power up front that many other clubs will be envious off, notably Zalayeta, Sosa, Hamsyk, Lavezzi and Calaiò. The defence is strengthened by the influence of Paulo Cannavaro, brother of the Italy legend.

Websites:

http://www.sscnapoli.it/

Atalanta Bergamo
Manager: Luigi Del Neri
Star Player: Cristiano Doni
Stadium: Stadio Atleti Azzuri d'Italia (24,642)
Local airport: Ario al Serio (Bergamo)
Title Odds: 250-1
With the hard-working and skilled midfield play of Doni, there are plenty of opportunities for attacking players, best of whom are Riccardo Zampagna, with 17 in 44 games last year. Also, another Serie A stars brother, Simeone Inzaghi, has made a loan move to Atalanta after losing form with Lazio.

Websites:

http://www.atalanta.it/ - Official site

Calgliari
Manager: Marco Giampaolo
Star Player: Pasquale Foggia
Stadium: Stadio Sant'Elia (23,486)
Local airport: Cagliari Elmas airport
Title Odds: 300-1
Star man Foggia is only at loan to Cagliari from Lazio at the moment, but he has injected some necessary speed and skill into this team. Other notable players are long-standing defender Diego Lopez, and young, half-Polish striker Robert Acquafresca. He will need to perform well this year and effectively replace the goals that David Suazo, now of Inter, provided before him.

Websites:

http://www.cagliaricalcio.it/ - Official site

Catania
Manager: Silvio Baldini
Star Player: Gionatha Spinesi
Stadium: Stadio Angelo Massimino (20,800)
Local airport: Catania Fontanarossa Airport
Title Odds: 500-1
Avoiding relegation will certainly be the main objective for "gli elefanti" this year, something they only did on the final day last year. If the Catania Ultras can avoid getting the club into trouble, then surviving will rely on good seasons from forward players Spinesi, Mascara and Martinez. Stopping them going in at the other end will be a different story though.

Websites:

http://www.calciocatania.it/ - Official site

Torino
Manager: Walter Novellino
Star Player: Nicola Ventola
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico di Torino (25,370) - Temporary
Local airport: Sandro Pertini International airport
Title Odds: 500-1
The Turin outfit have much better attacking options than a 500-1 odd would suggest, with Di Michele, Ventola, Stellone and Recoba all competing for places. New defensive midfielders Barone and Corini will toughen the team up, but again the problems seem to be in conceding goals.

Websites:

http://www.torinofc.it/ - Official site

Livorno
Manager: Fernando Orsi
Star Player: Fabio Gallante
Stadium: Stadio Armando Picchi (19,238)
Local airport: Galileo Galilei Pisa
Title Odds: 500-1
The "Amaranto" lack as much quality as Torino for example, and so playing well as a team is vital. Previous years would have seen quality added by Cristiano Lucarelli, but his departure has taken its toll, with goals not really coming from former Empoli and Valencia man Tavano, who remains their main threat. Diego Tristan has been a major disappointment, so avoiding relegation will remain upto Tavano and free-kick specialist Alessandro Diamanti. The rest of the squad comprises of highly rated Azzuri 'keeper Marco Amelia, and former Inter defenders Fabio Gallante and Giovanni Pasquale.

Websites:

http://www.livornocalcio.it/ - Official site

Empoli
Manager: Luigi Cagni
Star Player: Luca Saudati
Stadium: Stadio Carlo Castellani (19,847)
Local airport: Galileo Galilei Pisa
Title Odds: 600-1
There will need to be a repeat of the 14 goals in 34 games last year from Saudati if Empoli are going to avoid the drop. This is their main source of attack, and indeed the style of football is more defensive than other teams in the drop zone, which may well make it all the more difficult given the other attacks on show. Look out for skilled midfielder Giovinco, on loan from Juventus, who is said to be the long-term replacement for Alex Del Piero, and captain Ighli Vannucchi.

Websites:

http://www.empolifc.com/ - Official site

Siena
Manager: Andrea Mandorlini
Star Player: Massimo Maccarone
Stadium: Stadio Artemio Franchi (47,282)
Local airports: Local airport: Galileo Galilei Pisa
Title Odds: 1500-1
The favourites for relegation have a big squad, and one or two big players, like ex-Premiership striker Massimmo Maccarone and up-and-coming midfielder De Ceglie. They have had the chances to beat some of the big teams this year, but too often they don't take their chances, and are punished later on in the game. Therefore, they are unlikely to get enough results given the standard they are up against, and few will put money on Siena staying up.

Websites:

http://www.acsiena.it/ - Official site

The Soccerweb.com

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Matchday Live

2008-04-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

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Latest News

2008-04-13T16:29:00.000-07:00