Marco added another unfortunate line to his CV today by getting sent off via a hack job tackle on Goran Pandev only 15 minutes after he’d come on. Not sure the Inter tifosi are too upset, though, as it means he’ll be out of the final.
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It’s difficult to judge from The Don’s comments whether or not he is referring to a new offer, or the old one where that was that minor detail that he had to get to the semi-finals in Swissaustria for the extension to kick in. A clause which I think is a very fair deal, and something that should be used more across sports. Rewarded for your performance, good or bad? What a novel idea. Of course it’ll never happen, but we can dream.

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04-05: Juventus Scudetto parade*
05-06: Ditto*
World Cup 2006: Parade of Champions
06-07: Real Madrid La Liga champions parade
07-08: Ditto

* - You know.

So in honor of The King of Parades, a nice highlight reel from Germany. Though I’m not sure if it’s a highlight reel or a “How To” instructional video. Talk about a clinic.

Of course with form comes the chirps for an Azzurri call-up, something we’re all too familiar with lately from a certain Alessandro Del Piero, who won’t get his damn mug out of the media. So cue the calls for Pippo.

But first, Sir Inzaghi would like to thank someone:

“I have to thank Mother Nature for giving me the ability.”

Everybody got that? Mother nature.
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1. If shit doesn’t work, don’t keep doing it. (Like playing crosses into the middle.)

2. Cesare Prandelli is a fantastic dresser, but the man needs more variety. (The pic to the left is not a good example of his skillz, but was impossible to pass up.)

3. Fiorentina is in danger of finishing fourth while not contributing a single player to the Azzurri for this summer’s tournament.

That last one is a real eye opener, because Fiorentina has been pretty good for much of the year. Though not as good as Milan has been bad, and even with that Milan still has a solid chance at Champions League football.

This is not a case of Fiorentina’s stable being devoid of Azzurri-worthy talent. It’s just that the eligible guys are either too young or fringe-contenders who need an injury or seven in front of them to have a chance at this summer’s tournament. Guys like Riccardo Montolivo and Giampaolo Pazzini have Azzurri-stalwart written all over them (Montolivo more so than GP, but Pazz is going to explode one of these days), but they’re still not quite ready. Names more suited for discussion with an eye towards World Cup 2010. Arturo Lupoli and Pablo Osvaldo look like potential material, but their consideration is a ways down the line. I’m sure there’s a name or two in the Primavera who will make a run eventually, and that really says enough in itself.
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Although non-Romanista, Azzurri fans have always showed a little reticence about Totti’s place in La Nazionale. No one can deny his tremendous talent and the added value he brings to the Italian Squad.

Unfortunately for us Azzurri fans Totti isn’t showing up in Swiss-Austrian Alps this summer. Even those crazy, die-hard, overly optimistic fans that think (know?) Er Pupone possesses superpowers have been convinced by his recent knee injury that we won’t make a heroic return in Azzurri Blue. No Totti thumb sucking to look forward to this summer.

There’s always the chance of seeing him in South Africa right ?

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Beppe Rossi wants to go to the Austrian Swisses. He feels like, scoring 11 goals in 19 games in one of the strongest leagues in the world not called Serie A, is enough to take that last striker spot on the Senior Squad. And if you ask me, because I have an irrational hatred of all things Di Natale (and I have great childhood Christmas memories, thank you for asking Freud), if Antonio Cassano ain’t coming, then bring on the Jersey Boy ! Ok maybe not, but I’d take freakin’ injured Alessio Cerci to Switzerland before Di Natale. But that’s just me

Honestly, what could Beppe Rossi do to get all of Roberto Donadoni’s attention before the squad announcements? Maybe more media exposure will help, seeing how far away from Italy Spain is. Just ask Enzo Maresca if you’re not sure. The Jersey Born Bomber decided to open a website just in case, www.giusepperossi.com. But it seems like it isn’t only for attracting The Don’s attention , per the Beppster’s own words ;

For some time now, I have felt an urgent need to communicate with fans, and all sportsmen in general. I hop that you like my idea, a means for not only getting to know me better, but also a way for helping me understand the expectations, ideas and thoughts of those fans eager to write and speak to me

Should Giuseppe Rossi be on the Swiss Air flight ? He sure thinks so

I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with Inzaghi. As a youngster, Inzaghi was one of my favourite players. Even the fact that he wore the Yankee-esque pinstripes of Juventus didn’t smother my appreciation for the striker. It’s purely irrationnal, i just like the fact he has the letters Z-I and G in his name, i find it rolls off the tongue quite nicely

Pippo isn’t your prototypical athlete ; He’s frail, doesn’t posess the stereotypical professional Athletes’ body , is useless if he’s more than 8 yards away from the keeper, always offside, always bitching and probably the most selfish striker in Serie A. But you can’t argue with results. Pippo has the timing of an excellent stand up comedian and has a supernatural way of being always at the right place at the right time (Just ask Liverpool or anyone from Athens)

These goals pretty much sum up Pippo Inzaghi for me :

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Roman born Alessandro Nesta has been one of the worlds best, if not the best, central defenders for the past 10 years or so. But his various injury woes have seen him back away from his International duties.

Unfortunately for Roberto Donadoni’s Azzurri squad he won’t be able to select the big Milan defender to play alongside Fab Canna in the Austrian Swisses this summer…

Here’s a video of what will be dearly missed by Soccer fans and Heterosexual Women in general during this summer’s Euro 2008 Tournament :

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