MILAN – Roman official Daniele Doveri is the man charged with officiating Empoli v Inter, part of the 19th round of Serie A 2014/15 matches. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 on Saturday 17 January.

Doveri’s assistants will be Cariolato and Fiorito, with Giallatini on fourth-official duty. Orsato and Pairetto will be the additional assistants. 

MILAN – Yuto Nagatomo’s Japan side have today made it two wins from two in the Asian Cup. After brushing Palestine aside 4-0 in their opening match, Japan dispatched Iraq 1-0 thanks to a Keisuke Honda penalty in the 23rd minute. Nagatomo played the full 90 minutes.

MILAN – No less than four young Nerazzurri have been called up by their respective national team managers for the Belgium v Italy friendly. The match is scheduled to take place at the Stadio KRC Genk on Wednesday 21 January (kick-off at 18:00).

Anversa-born defender Miangue Senna has been a part of Stefano Vecchi’s squad since the summer, making seven appearances in the process, and will line up for Belgium against club team-mates Giacomo Sciacca, Enrico Baldini and Andrea Palazzi.

The Belgium match will be a fifth Azzurri call-up of the season for Desio-born Giacomo Sciacca, who was also chosen for a first-team bow by Roberto Mancini as Inter played Qarabag in the Europa League on 11 December. The youngster has played 261 minutes in total for the national side against Poland, Armenia, San Marino, England and Albania.

Having appeared in all 17 Primavera Serie A and Coppa Italia matches so far this season, Enrico Baldini receives his third call-up from national team coach Alessandro Pane. Baldini made his first-time Inter debut in Baku against Qarabag, and seems to have convinced Pane of his worth after the midfielder’s solid showings against England and Albania (86 minutes played in total).

Palazzi has made 11 season appearances in the heart of the Primavera midfield and boasts two first-team call-ups, including a Europa League debut against Saint Etienne on 6 November. The Belgium clash will be his second appearance for the U19s after the 12-minute shift he put in against Albania.

MILAN – Inter Forever would like to wish Salvatore Fresi a very happy 42nd birthday. The former Inter defender made 123 appearances in the Nerazzurri jersey, scoring one goal.

During his stay in Milan, Fresi was part of the side who won the 1997/98 UEFA Cup. Inter side brushed Lazio aside 3-0 in the final at the Parc des Princes in Paris to lift the trophy.