Season 2004/2005 (transfers/rumours/news)

Originally Posted by mirza salihovic

Saviola goes to Monaco!!!!!
Wow, now Monaco have very strong squad with Saviola and Chevanton.

Yes and you didn`t now that???

I heard that earlier but I'm just saying that they will be great without Prso and Giuly.

torres is a super star/true,

but according to the place where i get my info- gilardino has said he would like to move to milan, and milan want him.
possibily 'gila' could come to milan in january.


check out www.fcitalia.com- its mostly in italian, but there are english articles- all about the serie a

There have also been some new reports about Milan and Cassano for next year. If we could get one of Torres, Gilardino or Cassano next summer that would be fantastic. Cassano tops my list, but is probably least likely to come to Milan.

WOW, i just only just read that Juve have got Cannavaro and Ibrahimavich. they will definately be our biggest rivals this season.

From this tree(Cassano, Gilardinho and Torres) I prefer Cassano!!! Though I would be satisfied to see Gilardinio or Torres in Milan!
Forza Milan!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Forza Rossoneri!!!!!!!!!!

From Channel 4:

Milan ponder Gilardino bid Wednesday 8 September, 2004

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Parma transfer chief Luca Baraldi has failed to rule out a Milan move for Alberto Gilardino next summer.

"We are just thinking about this season right now," stated the Stadio Tardini official on Wednesday.

"Gilardino has decided to stay at Parma and he’s satisfied with the decision which he has taken.

"This is of great satisfaction to us as it was always our objective to keep a competitive squad together here."

Gilardino hit the headlines last season after he netted an amazing 23 League goals for the Gialloblu.

He then helped the Under-21 side win the European Championship and an Olympic Bronze medal.

That saw him heavily linked with moves to both Roma and Juventus but he decided to extend his Parma deal until 2007 instead.

However, speculation in the peninsula suggests that Milan have already contacted the club regarding a future offer.

The reigning Italian champions are apparently pondering a bid in an effort to land him for the 2005/06 season.

Tom pens Milan deal Wednesday 8 September, 2004

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Italian champions Milan have today extended the contract of striker Jon Dahl Tomasson.

The Dane had 24 months left on his previous deal but he will now be tied to the outfit until June 2009.

Tomasson is the latest player to renew after Andriy Shevchenko and Clarence Seedorf also recently put pen to paper.

The forward, 28, has been a surprise success at the San Siro since his free move from Feyenoord in 2002.

Despite not being a first team regular, he has developed into a key figure at the club.

Yes it`s good. IMO he will be useful player for Milan! Wish him to play well in this season!

From Channel4.com

Milan duo join Napoli Monday 13 September, 2004

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Serie C1 side Napoli Soccer have convinced Milan to loan them two players for the new season.

The Rossoneri have confirmed that youngsters Ignazo Abate, a midfielder, and striker Nicola Pozzo will remain at the Stadio San Paolo until 30 June 2005.
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I imagine the mean Pozzi. Good opportunity for both players though

It`s good for them they will have some skill after 1 year loan! and they will update their game.

From Soccernet:

Roberto Gotta's Serie A Guide

Roberto Gotta

Serie A at last! After Italy's poor showing at Euro 2004 and another gambling scandal, it was about time the old routine came back.

Fans will perhaps cast a more sceptical eye on some of the stars of the league, after seeing what they could not do in Portugal, but the U21's won their European Championship and with Marcello Lippi's new Italy getting full points from their first two World Cup qualifying matches there's glimpse of hope.

Again. I will be focusing on specific matters, as usual, in the coming months, but for a start, here's now a bird's eye view on all the Serie A sides.

Atalanta (Coach: Andrea Mandorlini, 44)

From the outside, it has sometimes looked as if Atalanta are so used to yo-yoing to and from the top division that nothing really fazes them.

Not so, obviously, but again they're resurfacing in the Serie A and trying to stay up without breaking the bank. Typically for Atalanta, they have a greater number of home-grown players than any other first division side.

It was therefore a good thing to bring in Demetrio Albertini as a wise head in the middle of the pitch. Central defender Cesare Natali (25) is a rising star, after a good season on loan at Bologna. Their 4-4-2 could easily go back to a 4-3-3 which was used last season.

Expected line-up: Taibi; Innocenti-Natali-Gonnella-Bellini; Zenoni-Albertini-Marcolini-Montolivo; Saudati-Budan

Bologna (Coach: Carlo Mazzone, 67)

They represent your typical Serie A side not named Milan, Juventus, Inter, Roma or Lazio: with no chance of winning the Scudetto, their goal is staying up while spending as little as possible and trying to give fans a decent time, but nearly a quarter of season tickets were not renewed despite the arrival of Euro 2004 winning captain Theo Zagorakis, obviously not someone who'd have fans rushing to the ticket office.

And, at 33, he certainly did not help lower Bologna squad's average age, the Serie A's highest. Local lad Cipriani is back after a season-long loan to Sampdoria, and he could be an exciting addition in the forward line, but expect Albanian Igli Tare to play as a lone striker most of the time and Mazzone to tinker with a lot of different lineups.

Expected line-up: Pagliuca; Daino-Petruzzi-Torrisi-Sussi; Nervo-Zagorakis-Giunti-Bellucci; Tare-Cipriani (Locatelli)

Brescia (Coach: Gianni De Biasi, 48)

De Biasi likes a 3-4-2-1 so there will only be minimal variations adapting to each opponent. Brescia haven't been involved in a real relegation dogfight for a few years, but one wonders what will happen now Roberto Baggio has retired.

Gigi Di Biagio, one of the Serie A's most experienced players, will again provide a fighting presence, and newcomers Adani, Domizzi, Almeyda and Milanetto - who played under De Biasi at Modena - should make sure the Rondinelle (Little sparrows) will stay above water.

Expected line-up: Agliardi; Adani-Di Biagio-Zoboli; Martinez-Milanetto-Almeyda-Domizzi; Sculli-Del Nero; Caracciolo

Cagliari (Coach: Daniele Arrigoni, 45)

They had the quietest summer among the newly promoted clubs, with limited transfer activity and proceedings dominated by events off the pitch.

First, the dismissal of promotion-winning coach Edi Reja, who was replaced by Serie A rookie Daniele Arrigoni, then the prolonged contract negotiations with Gianfranco Zola, still the side's most influential player.

A lot of players are making their top flight debut this season and it looks like Cagliari will struggle, despite the promise of a three-pronged forward line with last season's top scorer, Honduran international Suazo.

Expected line-up: Katergiannakis; Lopez-Maltagliati-Loria-Agostini; Abeijon-Brambilla-Albino; Esposito-Zola; Suazo

Chievo (Coach: Mario Beretta, 45)

A huge season for the Verona team, who for the first time are starting a Serie A campaign - their third overall - without their talismanic coach Gigi Del Neri, who left for Porto but was sacked before the end of July.

The club was heavily involved in the gambling scandal but somehow emerged without crippling sanctions. Debutant coach Beretta has had to work with a poorer squad than the one which Del Neri left: Italy midfielder Simone Perrotta was sold to Roma and central defender Andrea Barzagli joined Palermo, a double sale that brought much-needed money to a club that will always have to endure second-citizen status in its own hometown.

It could be a make-or break season for midfielder Matteo Brighi, who so far has not fulfilled expectations despite playing for Bologna, Brescia, Parma and Juventus; he's on loan from Roma, this time.

Expected line-up: Marchegiani; Moro-Mandelli-D'Anna-Lanna; Semioli-Baronio-Brighi-Franceschini; Tiribocchi-Cossato

Fiorentina (Coach: Emiliano Mondonico, 57)

After all the troubles they (or rather their former owner Vittorio Cecchi Gori) inflicted upon themselves, the Viola are back in their element, the Serie A, and they will not pass through the season quietly. Owner Della Valle did not spare expenses in handing coach Emiliano Mondonico a side which could challenge for a European place.

Mondo's biggest problem may be finding time for all of his quality players, among them Enzo Maresca and pint-sized Fabrizio Miccoli, who'll be playing with a huge chip on his shoulder after Juventus - who still hold his registration - denied him a chance to establish himself alongside Ibrahimovic.

A steady presence from the last two years outside the top flight is centre-forward RiganÜ, an apparently limited player who blossomed at 30.

Expected line-up: Cejas; Maggio-Ujfalusi-Dainelli-Chiellini; Obodo-Maresca; Jorgensen-Nakata-Miccoli; Rigan (Portillo)

Inter (Coach: Roberto Mancini, 39)

You'll hear fans say 'this is our year, at last', but you may have heard that before from the Inter camp, so everyone's trying to keep a low profile.

Mancini had been a target of owner Massimo Moratti for years and has been given a good squad for his beloved 4-4-2. His reputation as a coach of entertaining sides will be tested, though, more so should they hit a bump along the road.

Still, the quality is there for a run at the Scudetto, which has been missing from the legendary nerazzurre shirt since 1989, or forever. Adriano could be the Serie A's best player this year.

Expected line-up: Toldo; Zanetti-Cordoba-Materazzi-Favalli; Ze Maria-Veron-Davids-Stankovic; Adriano-Martins

Juventus (Coach: Fabio Capello, 58)

Deadline day swoops for Ibrahimovic and Cannavaro meant Juventus' hopes got better than they had been all summer.

Despite his suspect performances over the past two seasons, the Italy captain can provide some sense of confidence to a defence which has been lacking some, with last year's top signing Legrottaglie approaching 'bust' status quickly.

Emerson and Blasi will boss the middle of the pitch while it will be interesting, to say the least, to see how Capello fits Nedved, Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet and Del Piero into the side.

Expected line-up: Buffon; Zebina-Thuram-Cannavaro-Zambrotta; Camoranesi-Emerson-Blasi-Nedved; Trezeguet-Del Piero

Lazio (Coach: Domenico Caso, 50)

Survival was the summer's priority for Lazio, who saw their coach and some of their best players leave.

Financial stability was only achieved late, and nine signings were made on the last day of the transfer window, giving new coach Domenico 'Mimmo' Caso a decent squad but one that will not challenge for the Scudetto, as Lazio had done in previous years, albeit briefly.

Lifelong fan Paolo Di Canio was brought back to provide heart and passion, and good things can be expected by striker Tommaso Rocchi.

Expected line-up: Peruzzi; Oddo-Negro-Couto-Seric; Zauri-Giannichedda-Liverani-Cesar; Inzaghi-Rocchi

Lecce (Coach: Zdenek Zeman, 57)

The Delio Rossi era is over, and iconic coach Zdenek Zeman - more on him soon - goes to work with a squad that underwent deep changes from last year's. Gone are top scorer Chevanton and midfield dynamo Tonetto, and the forward line looks like a question mark with youngsters such as Bojinov (18) and Vucinic (21) partnering Bjelanovic. Finnish up-and-coming star Aleksei Eremenko is one to watch.

Expected line-up: Sicignano; Cassetti-Stovini-Paci-Abruzzese; Eremenko-Ledesma-Dalla Bona; Konan-Bjelanovic-Bojinov

Livorno (Coach: Franco Colomba, 49)

Expect something outrageous from Livorno, who started well with a draw at Milan. Their fan base, although prone to excessive political characterization among the 'ultras', is among the most passionate in the whole of top flight football, which they haven't played in since 1949, and every game at their stadium will be something to remember.

Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi is a fan and has promised to attend the first home match against Chievo on Week 2.

The squad was too good for the Serie B but was ever going to excel in the A, and some experience was added. The forward line of Cristiano Lucarelli and 38yr old Igor Protti provided 53 goals last season, but will find it tougher this time out

Expected line-up: Amelia; Grandoni-Vargas-A.Lucarelli; Balleri-Vigiani-Vidigal-Cordova-Giallombardo; Protti-Lucarelli

Messina (Coach: Bortolo Mutti, 50)

Everything's new for newly-promoted Messina, starting from the stadium: the modern San Filippo replaces the cavernous, claustrophobic Celeste which, legend goes, provided the red-and-yellow an intimidating environment worth a handful of points each season.

Now they will have to do with quality, and there could be more than expected, in the squad. Summer signings Conte, Donati and Zanchi will be relied upon to steady the ship.

The two all-Sicilian 'derbies' against Palermo will be among the highlights of the season.

Expected line-up: Eleftheropoulos; Zoro-Fusco-Conte-Parisi; Rafael-Mamede-Coppola-Donati; Di Napoli-Amoruso

Milan (Coach: Carlo Ancelotti, 45)

Milan's quest for a repeat Scudetto and a great run in the Champions League could only be undermined by injuries and grumblings among some of the players who will receive fewer minutes from Ancelotti. Some of those grumblings have already been heard but the club was quick to let the 'rebels' that no one was leaving.

Inzaghi's ankle troubles make him a question mark, and Crespo must establish himself. Stam's arrival is a literally huge one, although his presence means the central partnership of Maldini and Nesta has been broken up.

Expected line-up: Dida; Cafu-Nesta-Stam-Maldini; Gattuso-Pirlo-Seedorf; KakÆ; Shevcenko-Inzaghi

Palermo (Coach: Francesco Guidolin, 49)

The most interesting among the newly-promoted sides, and their strong showing in the transfer period has left them in a position to challenge for a Uefa Cup place.

Coach Guidolin, not the liveliest character, clashed with flamboyant owner Zamparini before the season had even started, but things could get interesting on the pitch, too, with at least one good, experienced player in defence, midfield and in the forward line.

Eugenio Corini is the wise head in the middle of the park and Luca Toni should provide the goals up front: he scored freely last year in the Serie B and bagged Italy's late winning goal against Norway a few days ago - in Palermo.

Expected line-up: Guardalben; Zaccardo-Barzagli-Accardi-Grosso; Santana-Corini-Barone-Gonzalez; Zauli; Toni

Parma (Coach: Silvio Baldini, 45)

After last year's near bankruptcy, the very fact Parma are playing in the Serie A is a matter of pride.

They lost a few good players but they will have top scorer Alberto Gilardino at least until January, and late addition Massimo Maccarone will help him.

Coach Silvio Baldini is good at working with youngsters and some of them - Bovo, Budel, Rosina, Ferronetti - could be a hit. Gloriously, they have decided to don the traditional shirt for home matches in the Serie A, white with a black cross spanning the front. Bless them.

Expected line-up: Frey; Ferronetti-Bonera-Bovo-Junior; Bresciano-Grella; Marchionni-Morfeo-Maccarone; Gilardino

Reggina (Coach: Walter Mazzarri, 43)

All change at Reggina after a couple of successfu attemps at avoiding relegation. Most of the players who contributed to those campaigns have gone, and the coach is new, too, Mazzarri, who led Livorno to the Serie A last year then decided he'd take on the top division at the helm of another club.

Look for Japanese midfielder Nakamura to increase his influence, and the forward line of Bonazzoli and Borriello could benefit from it, but this is a side that must answer a few questions. Expected line-up: Pavarini; Cannarsa-De Rosa-Franceschini; Mesto-Colucci-Tedesco-Nakamura-Balestri; Bonazzoli-Borriello

Roma (Coach: Rudi Voeller, 44)

'Roma's turbulent summer' should become a trademark sentence. Things started getting hot in late May, when Fabio Capello left for old enemy Juventus. Emerson also joined Juve after nearly walking out on Roma and causing a stir in the Capital. In late August, coach Cesare Prandelli asked for a prolonged leave of absence to stay at the side of his wife, who's battling a tough illness.

Prandelli was replaced by former fan favourite Rudi Voller, then Roma struck on the last day of transfer activity by signing Mido from Marseille. They should still challenge for honours, and Totti will again be asked to provide the quality, especially so after a hugely disappointing Euro 2004.

You get the feeling Cassano is going to matter more and more, though. And let's keep an eye on former Parma captain Matteo Ferrari in central defence: his rep as one of the rising stars in Italy has been damaged by a few mistakes he's made in the last few months.

Expected line-up: Pelizzoli; Panucci-Ferrari-Mexes-Chivu; Perrotta-De Rossi; Mancini-Totti-Cassano: Mido

Sampdoria (Coach: Walter Novellino, 51)

A good side with a great fan base and wise heads pulling the strings behind the scenes, they look ready to make a run at a European place, which they missed last year by fading in the last three matches.

Fabio Bazzani will again be partnered by the livewire Flachi, and quality has been added in defence with Marcello Castellini and Pisano. A nice side to watch last season.

Expected line-up: Antonioli; Sacchetti-Castellini-Falcone-Pisano; Diana-Volpi-Palombo-Doni; Bazzani-Flachi

Siena (Coach: Gigi Simoni, 65)

A chaotic summer, with Siena and some of its members involved in a gambling scandal which for some time made people wonder if they'd still be a Serie A.

Another huge problem was Brazilian Taddei's clash with the club over his desire to join Roma, which ended with Taddei staying in Siena but - for the time being - left out of the squad.

Coach Gigi Simoni, one of the most experienced in the business, still has a decent squad highlighted up front by the partnership of Flo and Chiesa.

Expected line-up: Manninger; Cirillo-Colonnese-Mignani-Falsini; Camorani-Pecchia-Vergassola-Ardito; Flo-Chiesa

Udinese (Coach: Luciano Spalletti, 45)

They will again be one of the Serie A's most quietly efficient sides, making few noises but creeping up in the top half of the standing, in sight of a Uefa Cup place which seems to be their goal each year.

Losing Jorgensen to Fiorentina was a blow and Jankulovski only stayed because Udinese could not agree terms with some of the top sides - some of them abroad - who were looking to sign him, but some late, good additions were made in the shape of former Empoli trio Cribari-Belleri-Di Natale.

Expected line-up: De Sanctis; Bertotto-Cribari-Kroldrup; Alberto-Pinzi-Pizarro-Muntari-Jankulovski; Iaquinta-Di Michele

whatever they say bout milan....but milan now stroger with collocini.....finally
at least if we need to mark player with speed he could do that but he still 22 so don't give him to much pressure..also to kaka and i think ancelloti should rotate kaka with costa

I yesterday heard on TV that Milan want to sign youth players! The 2 of them from Atalanta!

who dave ??? i really worry about our back line....lately so fragile...maybe ancellotti should put maldini on left and give a chance to collocini standing beside nesta