Football in Italy

Football: Napoli open to Dzeko, Cavani exchange

Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:00:57 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed on Tuesday that he would be willing to discuss a deal with Manchester City that would see strikers Edin Dzeko and Edinson Cavani move in opposite directions.

"I have said to (sporting director Riccardo) Bigon: 'Go and see City to negotiate a bit for Dzeko and see what they are prepared to do for Cavani," De Laurentiis said during a public meeting in Naples.

Football: Abbiati signs one-year extension at Milan

Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:00:54 +0000

Agence France-Presse

AC Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati has signed a one-year extension to his contract, which will now end in June 2014, the club said Monday.

Abbiati's deal with the Rossoneri was due to expire at the end of this month.

The news comes a day after Milan secured third place in Serie A thanks to a 2-1 win away to Siena.

The seven-time European champions, who last won the league in 2011, will qualify for the Champions League if they successfully negotiate a preliminary round.

jd/bc

Football: Mourinho to leave Real at end of the season

Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:00:42 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Jose Mourinho will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season after a turbulent three-year spell in charge of the Spanish giants, club president Florentino Perez confirmed Monday.

"After the conversations we have had with our coach Jose Mourinho we have arrived at an agreement to end our working relationship at the end of this season," Perez told a press conference.

"The coach and the club agreed this is the right moment. I want to thank Jose Mourinho for the work he has done in the last few years."

Football: Roma hit with fan ban over racist abuse

Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:18 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Roma will play their next league game without fans in the Olympic Stadium's 'Curva Sud' for their role in targeting AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli with racist abuse last week, officials said Monday.

Balotelli was among several Milan players subjected to the abuse when the sides played out a scoreless Serie A draw at the San Siro.

The game was marked by the referee halting the match for 90 seconds to make an appeal to Roma's fans.

In a statement issued Monday the FIGC said: "The Giallorossi (Roma) will play one game with the Curva Sud (South Stand) empty of fans."

Football: Napoli in London to meet Benitez

Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:16:04 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis was in London Monday to meet Rafael Benitez in a bid to lure Chelsea's interim manager to the Serie A club, according to reports in Italy.

Napoli's runner-up place to Juventus was confirmed when the season ended on Sunday, meaning the Neapolitans have qualified for next season's Champions League.

Napoli's need to find a new coach is pressing as Walter Mazzarri confirmed on Sunday his departure from the club.

Football: Napoli in London to meet Benitez

Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:45:41 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis was in London Monday to meet Rafael Benitez in a bid to lure Chelsea's Spanish manager to the Serie A club, according to reports in Italy.

Napoli's runner-up place to Juventus was confirmed when the season ended on Sunday, meaning the Neapolitans have qualified for next season's Champions League.

Napoli's need to find a new coach is pressing as Walter Mazzarri confirmed on Sunday his departure from the club.

Football: Late Mexes winner saves Milan's Champs League bid

Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 01:00:57 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Frenchman Phillipe Mexes scored a late winner for AC Milan in a 2-1 comeback victory at Siena on Sunday which saved the Serie A giants' chances of appearing in next season's Champions League.

Milan were facing a fourth-place finish after falling behind to a 25th minute goal from Claudio Terzi.

However, after spurning several chances throughout the match in which both sides finished with 10 men, the seven-time European champions were given a lifeline when Mario Balotelli levelled from the spot in the 84th minute after being fouled in the box.

Football: Late Mexes winner saves Milan's Champs League bid

Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 22:15:34 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Frenchman Phillipe Mexes scored a late winner for AC Milan in a 2-1 comeback victory at Siena on Sunday which saved the Serie A giants' chances of appearing in next season's Champions League.

Milan were facing a fourth-place finish after falling behind to a 25th minute goal from Claudio Terzi.

Football: Ancelotti wants to leave PSG for Real - Leonardo

Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 17:45:47 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Carlo Ancelotti has asked to leave Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid, PSG's sporting director Leonardo said Sunday.

Ancelotti, who has long been rumoured to be a target for Real, whose current boss Jose Mourinho is tipped to return to Chelsea next season, had a meeting with club bosses earlier on Sunday.

A subsequent report on television channel BeInSport, whose Qatari owner Nasser al-Khelaifi is also PSG president, said Ancelotti would be leaving PSG.

But Leonardo denied that, claiming the Parisians want to keep hold of the Italian.

Football: Ancelotti to leave PSG - reports

Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:15:12 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Rumoured Real Madrid target Carlo Ancelotti will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, television channel BeInSport, whose Qatari owner Nasser al-Khelaifi is also PSG president, said on Sunday.

Ancelotti has spent just 18 months at the club from the French capital and this season led them to a first Ligue 1 title since 1994.

But rumours that he is set to replace Jose Mourinho at Real when this season finishes had been gathering pace in recent weeks.

Football: Ancelooti Football: Ancelotti mulls future, praises Beckham

Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:15:28 +0000

Agence France-Presse

As Carlo Ancelotti paid fulsome tribute to the retiring David Beckham the Paris Saint Germain manager revealed an announcement on his own future may be imminent.

The Italian's name has been strongly linked to taking over the reins at Real Madrid if as has been widely documented Jose Mourinho leaves the Bernabeu for a second stint at Chelsea.

Ancelotti revealed he would be discussing his plans with PSG's Qatari president Nasser al-Khelaifi.

Football: Ancelotti decision due, praise for Beckham Football: Ancelotti mulls future, praises Beckham

Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:15:08 +0000

Agence France-Presse

As Carlo Ancelotti paid fulsome tribute to the retiring David Beckham the Paris Saint Germain manager revealed an announcement on his own future may be imminent.

The Italian's name has been strongly linked to taking over the reins at Real Madrid if as has been widely documented Jose Mourinho leaves the Bernabeu for a second stint at Chelsea.

Ancelotti revealed he would be discussing his plans with PSG's Qatari president Nasser al-Khelaifi.

Football: Tearful Beckham makes Parisian farewell

Agence France-Presse — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:15:13 +0000

Agence France-Presse

David Beckham, skipper for the night, bade a tearful Parisian farewell on Saturday as the former England star made his final appearance at the Parc des Princes for Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint Germain before heading into retirement.

Last week, Beckham had helped PSG to their first league title since 1994 with a win over Lyon, and then announced he would retire at the end of the season having captured a championship in a fourth different league after England, Spain and the United States.

Football: Minnows Sassuolo make Serie A history

Agence France-Presse — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:15:28 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Nine-man Sassuolo wrote a page in Italian football history Saturday by winning Serie B and gaining promotion to Italy's Serie A for the first time.

An injury time goal from playmaker Simone Missiroli in an ill-tempered 1-0 win over Livorno was enough to secure promotion to Italy's top flight and games against giants like Juventus, AC Milan and Inter.

With approximately 41,000 inhabitants, Sassuolo, based near Ferrari's headquarters of Maranello, will also become the smallest town to have a club in Serie A and will be joined by Hellas Verona after they finished second.

Football: Milan, Fiorentina in final European push

Agence France-Presse — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:46:12 +0000

Agence France-Presse

AC Milan and Fiorentina's duel for Serie A's final Champions League place, and a Udinese-Lazio battle for Europa League qualification will bring the curtain down on the Italian season this weekend.

With Juventus having wrapped up their 29th league title two weeks ago, and Napoli securing the second automatic qualifying place for the Champions League, the focus falls firmly on qualifying for Europe.

Milan, crowned European champions seven times, currently sit in third place -- nine points behind runners-up Napoli -- with a two-point lead over Fiorentina.