Tag: ITALIA

Champions League Qualification Crucial for Inter Milan, Says Sporting Director

Inter Milan sporting director PieroAusiliosays that it is extremely important for the club to return to the Champions League as part of the larger plan to take the club forward.


Inter Milan won the Champions League back in 2010, and they are the last Italian club to do so.

However, they have fallen under bad times since then. Even after going through several managers Office Professional Plus 2013 key like Rafa Benitez and Roberto Mancini, the club have been unable to revive their former glory days. Inter are in such a bad position that they have not qualified for the Champions League since 2012.

The club recently received a new investment in the form of Chinese owners, and they are ready to back the club in a substantial way. However, the club will struggle to attract the top players if they do not reach the pinnacle of the European football tournament. Juventus have been able to replace Inter as the top dog in Italian football. Continue reading Champions League Qualification Crucial for Inter Milan, Says Sporting Director

Mancini reveals why Balotelli left the Etihad

Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has revealed a picture of what happened behind the scenes during his burst-up with Mario Balotelli that eventually led to the exit of the Italian.


“In a training session, I said to players not to make stupid tackles on Gael [Clichy] because he was just coming back from injury. And then, Mario made a strong tackle on him. I was furious. I grabbed him by the collar wanting to push him but he is so strong physically,” Mancini said to L’Equipe.

Mario Balotelli suffers poor public acceptance due to his off the field activities, particularly when he moved to England. His spat with Mancini eventually led to his exit from the City squad.

“He came to conflict with some teammates because of his behavior, and he wanted to return to Italy. I was disappointed that he wanted to leave because he should have done so much more in an extraordinary championship,” the former Etihad manager added. Continue reading Mancini reveals why Balotelli left the Etihad

Antonio Conte was not too displeased about his Italian national team

Former Juventus manager Antonio Conte was not too displeased about his Italian national team only managing a 1-1 draw with England in a recent friendly match.

This was seen as highly competitive encounter for both teams given that they needed to win in order to banish the painful memories of the World Cup. Despite being one of the top teams in the world, both England and Italy failed to progress to the knockout stages of the World Cup in Brazil. This led to the appointment of Conte, while England continue to be spearheaded by Roy Hodgson.

The former Liverpool boss did not have a number of his first-team regulars like Raheem Sterling in the team. However, he was giving starts to the likes of Harry Kane, who have been mightily impressive this season. Just ahead of the game, Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said that he was studying every aspect of Kane very cleanly and that he may have found a way to stop the Tottenham forward. Kane failed to score in the match, but it was another Tottenham player who scored the important goal for the English – Andros Townsend. Since taking over from Cesare Prandelli, Conte continues to be unbeaten as the Italy manager. Continue reading Antonio Conte was not too displeased about his Italian national team