LUBUMBASHI – "Très bien, très bien, merci! Venez tous ici!" Every day, the final training exercise ended this way, carried out by
our coaches on this remote pitch, an hour away from Lubumbashi and reachable
only by way of a pothole-filled road.
The 40 children of the daily session would approach the two Mzungu (whites, in Swahili), meaning the two Inter Campus coaches,
Alberto and Lorenzo. They would greet them with their radiant and candid smiles and
then come off of that red earth and mud, surrounded by lush greenery, which for
us is not much more than a simple open space. But for these kids it’s almost the San
Siro. It’s their football pitch, where they play every day starting from the
age of three. And together with Alba, a non-profit organisation, a
sporting and educational Inter Campus centre was also started in this corner of
the world.
Off the pitch the kids get dressed and put on
their shoes, worn down to practically nothing, which they had left on the edge
of the pitch before training. Around these parts football boots are something
to be guarded with maximum security, as they’re very difficult to come by. They
can’t be used every day, and the children usually play barefoot. Obviously
that’s the case for those who are lucky enough to own shoes. Others end up
playing in sandals or moccasins. You see footwear of every type, but it doesn’t
matter; here in Lubumbashi – like everywhere else – the greatest joy is being
able to be on the pitch and wear the Nerazzurri shirt, together with Inter
Campus.
APPIANO GENTILE – A win against Cagliari in order to maintain
consistency. This is one of the things Javier Zanetti discussed in his
interview with Inter Channel.
"We have to keep doing what we did in the
last two matches, which we deservedly won. This consistency also comes from
those kinds of things. We know there are still 14 games left. We have to give
our all in order to earn as many points as we can."
He then discussed what today’s papers reported
regarding alleged contact with José Mourinho, which would theoretically take
the captain away from Inter: "Honestly, I have a great rapport with
Mourinho. We hear from each other frequently, but we’ve never discussed these
things. I believe the Inter fans know how I feel about this shirt. I’ve always
stressed that this club is my life and my home. And it’s my desire to stay
here. I don’t need to add anything else."
Could it also be that these rumours are
circulating now that, for the first time in his career, the Argentine is no
longer a regular starter? "Ever since I’ve been a player I’ve believed
there are two possibilities: you either play from the opening whistle or you’re
on the bench and able to come on. I have a lot of respect for the coach’s
choices and the work my team-mates do. And I believe to be part of a group at a
big club you have to think that way.
"I’m waiting for my moment. I feel good,
and the most important thing is that I’m able to do my part when my time comes.
But I feel that everything is going the right way. What counts most now is that
Inter can manage to give their all in these remaining 14 games, and we hope we
can get to Europe, which is something important for everyone."
MILAN – President Erick Thohir gave a few brief statements to the waiting journalists as he left the Stadio Meazza this evening after attending Inter’s final training session ahead of their match against Cagliari.
President, did you speak to the team? "I only came here to watch practice. It looked good so let’s see if we have a good game tomorrow."
Are you worried about Hernanes? "No, sometimes players need to rest."
Did you speak to Mazzarri? "No, I just said hi then watched training."
Hello my friends. Here is the Serie A PREVIEW for
the
Serie A Week 25, 2013 – 2014 Season on Saturday 22, Sunday 23, and Monday 24 February
2014, matchday 25.
Highs and lows in this round. High votes for Juventus rocking big time not only in the Serie A as the absolute sole leader, but also rocking in Europa League. Juventus defeated Trabzonspor at the Juventus Stadium with a 2 – 0 score seeing the goals by forward Pablo Osvaldo and midfielder Paul Pogba. The sad news is the blow for AC Milan the only Serie A team in Champions League losing the home game against Atletico Madrid at the San Siro Stadium. In Europa League high five not only to Juventus, but also for Fiorentina winning the away game against Esbjerg. Bad luck for Lazio losing against Ludogorets at the Olimpico di Roma Stadium and for Napoli ending with a draw against Swansea City.
This week, Juventus keeping the sole leadership of the Serie A Table with 63 points and +9 gap points ahead of AS
Roma holding the second position with 54 points. It’s a fact that Juventus continue
to dominate the Serie A sending Chievo Verona to relegation zone.
Juventus defeating Chievo at the Juventus Stadium with a 3-1.
Inter with the task to keep the 5th position after defeating last week Fiorentina causing an unexpected upset at the Artemio Franchi Stadium. Hellas Verona lost the 5th position and went down to the 8th position after losing the home game at the Marc’Antonio Bentegodi Stadium against Torino. Inter will keep the 5th position if they win their game against Cagliari at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. In case of losing, chances to keep the 5th position is high because Parma, Torino, and Hellas Verona have 36 points each, but their goal difference inferior to Inter.
Challenge this round will be for Chievo Verona to leave the relegation zone because last week they went down from the 17th position to the
19th position. Another team closer to salvation is Catania. Yep. Catania finally left the 20th position last week jumping to the 18th position. The challenge is open as there is a direct encounter for survival with Chievo vs Catania on Sunday at the Bentegodi Stadium.
Here is the situation. Juventus in the 1st position with 63 points and a
positive goal difference of +40. AS Roma in the 2nd position…
Napoli in the 3rd position with 50 points and a positive goal difference
of +22.
The Europa League zone. Fiorentina
in the 4th position with 44 points and a positive goal difference of
+17. Inter in the 5th position with 39 points and a positive goal difference of +14
Relegation Zone: Catania in the 18th position with 19
points and a negative goal difference of -22. Chievo Verona in the 19th
position with 18 points and a negative goal difference of -18.
Sassuolo in the 20th position with 17 points and a negative goal
difference of -28.
Up to Round 24, Week 24 most scored goals in favor: Juventus scoring 59 goals
Up to Round 24, Week 24 most scored against: Sassuolo conceding 51 goals Top scorer up to Round 24: Fiorentina forward Giuseppe Rossi with 14 goals
BOLOGNA – AS ROMA
Referee: MASSA
Assistants: BIANCHI – GRILLI
Fourth Official: CARIOLATO
ADD1: MAZZOLENI
ADD2: GUIDA
20:45
Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
Bologna, 16th position with 21 points and a negative goal difference of -18
AS Roma, 2nd position with 54 points and a positive goal difference of +37
Here is the probable formation for BOLOGNA 3-5-2: CURCI 1,
ANTONSSON 5,
NATALI 14,
MANTOVANI 22,
GARICS 8,
KHRIN 4,
PAZIENZA 24,
CHRISTODOULOPOULOS 19,
MORLEO 3,
BIANCHI 9,
CRISTALDO 99
Here is the probable formation for AS ROMA 4-3-3:
DE SANCTIS 26,
TOROSIDIS 35,
BENATIA 17,
CASTAN 5,
BASTOS 20,
PJANIC 15,
DE ROSSI 16,
STROOTMAN 6,
FLORENZI 24,
DESTRO 22,
GERVINHO 27
Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
Livorno, 17th position with 20 points and a negative goal difference of -18
Hellas Verona, 7th position with 36 points and a “0” goal difference
Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
Chievo Verona, 19th position with 18 points and a negative goal difference of -18
Catania, 18th position with 19 points and a negative goal difference of -22
Stats BEFORE the game. Top scorer for CHIEVO VERONA: Forward Alberto Paloschi with 5 goals
Top scorer for CATANIA: Forward Pablo Barrientos with 4 goals
Here is the probable formation for CHIEVO VERONA 3-5-2: PUGGIONI 1,
FREY 21,
CANINI 5,
CESAR 12,
SARDO 17,
BENTIVOGLIO 9,
RADOVANOVIC 8,
HETEMAJ 56,
DRAMÉ 93,
STOIAN 23,
THEREAU 77
Here is the probable formation for CATANIA 4-3-3:
ANDUJAR 21,
PERUZZI 2,
BELLUSCI 14,
SPOLLI 3,
ROLIN 5,
IZCO 13,
LODI 10,
RINAUDO 15,
KEKO 16,
BERGESSIO 9,
CASTRO
Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
Inter, 5th position with 39 points and a positive goal difference of +14
Cagliari, 15th position with 24 points and a negative goal difference of -12
Here is the probable formation for INTER 3-5-2: HANDANOVIC 1,
ROLANDO 35,
SAMUEL 25,
JUAN JESUS 5,
D’AMBROSIO 33,
GUARIN 13,
KUZMANOVIC 17,
HERNANES 88,
NAGATOMO 55,
PALACIO 8,
MILITO 22
Here is the probable formation for CAGLIARI 4-3-1-2:
AVRAMOV 25,
PERICO 24,
ROSSETTINI 15,
DEL FABRO 34,
MURRU 29,
VECINO 27,
DESSENA 21,
EKDAL 20,
COSSU 7,
SAU 9,
NENÈ 18
Photo inter.it
SAMPDORIA – AC MILAN
Referee: DOVERI
Assistants: BARBIRATI – STALLONE
Fourth Official: PETRELLA
ADD1: TOMMASI
ADD2: AURELIANO
15:00
Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
Sampdoria, 12th position with 28 points and a negative goal difference of -8
AC Milan, 9th position with 32 points and a positive goal difference of +2
Here is the probable formation for SAMPDORIA 4-2-3-1: DA COSTA 1,
BERARDI 13,
MUSTAFI 8,
FORNASIER 44,
REGINI 19,
PALOMBO 17,
KRSTICIC 10,
GABBIADINI 11,
SORIANO 21,
EDER 23,
OKAKA 9
Here is the probable formation for AC MILAN 4-2-3-1:
ABBIATI 32,
ABATE 20,
BONERA 25,
RAMI 13,
EMANUELSON 28,
DE JONG 34,
MONTOLIVO 18,
HONDA 10,
KAKÀ 22,
TAARABT 23,
PAZZINI
UDINESE – ATALANTA
Referee: DI BELLO
Assistants: LIBERTI – IORI
Fourth Official: IANNELLO
ADD1: DE MARCO
ADD2: OSTINELLI
15:00
Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
Udinese, 14th position with 27 points and a negative goal difference of -7
Atalanta, 13th position with 27 points and a negative goal difference of -12
Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
Juventus, 1st position with 63 points and a positive goal difference of +40
Torino, 6th position with 36 points and a positive goal difference of +8
Here is the probable formation for JUVENTUS 3-5-2: BUFFON 1,
CACERES 4,
BONUCCI 19,
OGBONNA 5,
LICHTSTEINER 26,
VIDAL 23,
PIRLO 21,
MARCHISIO 8,
ASAMOAH 22,
LLORENTE 14,
TEVEZ 10
Here is the probable formation for TORINO 3-5-2:
PADELLI 30,
MAKSIMOVIC 19,
GLIK 25,
MORETTI 24,
DARMIAN 36,
VIVES 20,
FARNERUD 8,
EL KADDOURI 7,
S. MASIELLO 17,
CERCI 11,
IMMOBILE 9
Photo torinofc./it / La Presse
LAZIO – SASSUOLO
Referee: GIACOMELLI
Assistants: LONGO – MUSOLINO
Fourth Official: LA ROCCA
ADD1: TAGLIAVENTO
ADD2: MARESCA
20:45
Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
Lazio, 10th position with 32 points and a negative goal difference of -2
Sassuolo, 20th position with 17 points and a negative goal difference of -28
Here is the probable formation for LAZIO 4-4-1-1: BERISHA 1,
KONKO 29,
BIAVA 20,
DIAS 3,
RADU 26,
CANDREVA 87,
BIGLIA 5,
LEDESMA 24,
LULIC 19,
MAURI 6,
KLOSE 11
Here is the probable formation for SASSULO 3-5-2:
PEGOLO 79,
MENDES 33,
CANNAVARO 29,
ARIAUDO 6,
ROSI 87,
MARRONE 8,
CHIBSAH 45,
MISSIROLI 7,
LONGHI 3,
BERARDI 25,
FLOCCARI 9
Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
Parma, 8h position with 36 points and a positive goal difference of +9
Fiorentina, 4th position with 44 points and a positive goal difference of +17
Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
Napoli, 3rd position with 50 points and a positive goal difference of +22
Genoa, 11th position with 31 points and a negative goal difference of -4
Here is the probable formation for NAPOLI 4-2-3-1: RAFAEL 1,
MAGGIO 11,
FERNANDEZ 21,
ALBIOL 33,
GHOULAM 31,
INLER 8,
JORGINHO 88,
CALLEJON 7,
HAMSIK 17,
MERTENS 14,
HIGUAIN 9
Here is the probable formation for GENOA 3-4-3:
PERIN 1,
ANTONINI 3,
PORTANOVA 90,
BURDISSO 8,
MOTTA 21,
MATUZALEM 27,
BERTOLACCI 91,
DE CEGLIE 29,
KONATÈ 77,
GILARDINO 11,
ANTONELLI 13
Photo sscnapoli.it
What are your predictions? Take a guess and POST THEM NOW…
Let’s get the ball rolling and talk about the games, grab your snacks…
Your Predictions??? Make your calculations and
changes… get your dancing pencil..
Bologna – AS Roma
Livorno – Hellas Verona
Chievo Verona – Catania
Udinese – Atalanta
Sampdoria – AC Milan
Inter – Cagliari
Juventus – Torino
Lazio – Sassuolo
Parma – Fiorentina
Napoli – Genoa
NOTE: Copy and paste in the comment box the predictions adding your own choices.
Anna Italia Predictions.
Bologna – AS Roma = AS ROMA
Livorno – Hellas Verona = HELLAS VERONA
Chievo Verona – Catania = CHIEVO VERONA
Udinese – Atalanta = UDINESE
Sampdoria – AC Milan = AC MILAN
Inter – Cagliari = INTER
Juventus – Torino = JUVENTUS
Lazio – Sassuolo = LAZIO
Parma – Fiorentina = PARMA
Napoli – Genoa = NAPOLI
Here
are the complete match officials and fixture for the Italian Serie A
Week 25 – Twenty-Fifth Round on Saturday 22, Sunday 23, and Monday 24 February 2014 as designated
by the Italian Referee Association
(AIA).
Buy Italy Tickets,
Italy National Football Tickets, Buy Italy Azzurri tickets
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Match Officials designation Serie A TIM Twenty Fifth Round
Designazioni arbitrali venticinquessima giornata
Photo LaPresse
Referee Rizzoli will direct the Serie A Week 25 game, JUVENTUS vs TORINO and will be assisted by Stefani and Faverani while
fourth
official is Ghiandai. The game on Sunday 23 February will be at the Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy
Saturday 22 February 2014
BOLOGNA – AS ROMA
Referee: MASSA
Assistants: BIANCHI – GRILLI
Fourth Official: CARIOLATO
ADD1: MAZZOLENI
ADD2: GUIDA
20:45
By Anna Italia 
The Europa League zone. Fiorentina
Top scorer up to Round 24: Fiorentina forward Giuseppe Rossi with 14 goals
\Photo sslazio.it / instagram
What are your predictions? Take a guess and POST THEM NOW…
