Gender And Sport In Fascist Italy

The members of the all male Italian team at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games were affectionately called 'Mussolini's boys' in the press. The athletes represented a new, more powerful, and virile Italy. Four years later in Berlin it was the successful Italian women athletes who were praised in the press for being the exponents of 'Latin athleticism'. What does this mean about women and sport in Fascist Italy and about the construction of a new athletic femininity and masculinity in this period? The debates that took place about the sports suitable for Italian women render visible the constant process of defining femininity. The construction of masculine athleticism in Fascist Italy was less problematic since modern masculinity was already tied to sport, however it too was not a fixed identity and was particularly influenced at this time by the growing militarism and the Fascist idea of the 'new man'. Sport provides an important focus for the examination of gender issues, because of its public and visible dimension. Moreover, because it provides an arena for easy comparison with other nations, sport was thus a setting for an attempt by the regime to define 'Italian' or 'Latin' characteristics. The figure of the athletic new Italian was emblematic of Fascism itself; fluid, adaptable, ambiguous, and dynamic; faithful, devoted to the Homeland, and strong, and in the case of women, graceful as well. 

The Italian team at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1932 was affectionately referred to by the international press as 'Mussolini's Boys'. (1) This name reflected the widespread approval that Fascist Italy and Mussolini enjoyed at the time, as well as the all-male composition of the team. By the following Olympics much had changed to render this name inappropriate. In 1936 Italy's international position was starkly different; having recently invaded Ethiopia, Italy was facing sanctions from the League of Nations and was moving politically closer to Nazi Germany. (2) In Berlin, Italy presented itself for the first time as an empire, and the Italian press defiantly claimed that the Italian team was competing under a flag of war. Moreover, in Berlin the Italian athletes who were more successful in the main stadium were not 'Mussolini's boys' but his 'girls'. (3) The reception and promotion of these women Olympians and other exemplary sporting figures, notably the accademiste, the students of the Fascist Female Physical Education Academy, reveals the problematic and ongoing process of gender construction in Fascist Italy. Most of the scholarship about sporting women in this period tends to either look at them in isolation from men or as an aside, and thus does not appreciate fully the complexities of the construction of 'Latin athleticism'. (4) While historians have acknowledged the ambiguous place of women in general as well as women athletes in Fascist Italy, they have not adequately teased out the gendered sporting norms for women athletes and for the prominent figure of the donna sportiva. (5) This paper will explore the intrinsic tension in the construction of the athletic woman at a time when virility and militarism, both apparently in contradiction to normative femininity, underscored the figure of the athlete. 

In the twentieth century, sport became a significant aspect of the cultural and political self-definition of modern nations. This was particularly true in the interwar period when sport first became truly international (Riordan 1998: 1). Indeed, Barbara Keys identifies the interwar period as the time when sport became more deeply entwined with notions of nationhood and national power (Keys 2004: 165). Fascist Italy was the first European state to create a centralised and comprehensive sporting program and to use sport explicitly for the purposes of political propaganda. The Fascist regime used sport not only to define Italy but also to define and construct its version of Italians. From the beginning of the modern Italian state, given the vast cultural, linguistic, and economic variances in the peninsula, the creation of Italians was an open challenge. Massimo D'Azeglio, a leading figure of the Risorgimento, is frequently cited as having said at the time of Italy's unification in 1861: 'We have made Italy, now we must make the Italians'. (6) Others after D'Azeglio spoke of the need to create a religion of patriotism and civil consciousness, (7) but Mussolini took up this challenge with unprecedented vigour, determined to nationalise the masses and to project the image of a new dynamic population. Sport was to be the key factor in improving the health and strength of the Italian population, whose perceived lack of virility was a great concern for the regime, and in prospering the image of the 'new Italian'

La Gazzetta dello Sport

La Gazzetta dello Sport is an Italian newspaper dedicated to coverage of various sports. It was first published on 3 April 1896, allowing it to cover the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens. However, its role extends beyond news reporting and features, to direct involvement in major events, including (since 1909) organization of the Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy) cycling stage race. The newspaper, published on distinctive pink paper, sells over 400,000 copies daily (more on Mondays when readers want to catch up on the weekend's events), and can claim a readership in excess of three million. 

A sports magazine, Sportweek, is sold with the newspaper on Saturdays. Although a wide range of sports are covered in the newspaper, football is given by far the majority of the coverage. With some 24-28 pages out of 40 devoted to the sport on a daily basis, much of the journalism is speculative and sensationalist rather than the pure reporting of matches. However, the paper also has a good record for campaigning journalism, and played a significant part in exposing the 2006 Serie A scandal that rocked Italian football, and led to the relegation of Juventus and points penalties for other leading clubs. The largest and best supported teams in Italy, and especially the Milan teams of A.C. Milan and Internazionale, dominate the coverage. This focus is partly because it is published in Milan. Other sports papers in Italy do the same with teams from their own city, for example TuttosportTorino-based sides and Il Corriere dello Sport has Rome-based teams at the fore. has larger coverage of

Mou Is The Best But He Needs To Learn Good Manners

The countdown is over. Tomorrow the Gazzetta dello Sport's new 16-page insert, Extra Time, will be published for the first time. It's free, comes out with the Tuesday edition of the paper and deals with foreign championships including surveys, reports, results, league tables, features and new faces, as well as exclusive interviews. We get the ball rolling with Mario Balotelli, who tells us of his life under the blue sky of Manchester.

One for all — SuperMario, as usual, shocks us with heavy comments. For example? “Mourinho is the best coach in the world, but as a man he still has some way to go, as far as good manners and respect are concerned”. And that's not all: his reply to Berlusconi when he defined Cassano as the most talented Italian player: “Either Berlusconi is wrong or he doesn't know Balotelli well”. Mario has no doubts: the best player in Serie A is Ibra (“excellent, out of this world”), while the best Italian player is Giovinco. The Ballon d'Or? Messi? No way: "It should have gone to Sneijder”.

mancini? number 1 — Balotelli also talks about Roberto Mancini: "He's the most important manager I have had". Then the revelation: "He's going to be the best in the world soon". But it isn't over yet: "As a man he's 10km ahead of Mourinho”. He talks about his team-mates at City, too: “Johnson has great technique and Adebayor is the most fun. Vieira and Kolarov helped me out a lot when I arrived”. Then Mario makes an about turn and goes on to discuss the "scudetto". “Instinctively, I'd say AC Milan. If I think about it a bit, I'd say: but Inter gave me so much. If I think again, I decide: I hope Napoli win. I'd love to play alongside Cavani”. As regards the gossip which surrounds him, he brushes it of as “rubbish". And goes on: English football is well ahead in the grounds but so far behind in the papers. As for Sophie, I can only say that I have only seen her once and she began bombarding me with messages, but she has a friend who is much more interesting”.

charity — Finally we feel obliged to let you know that Mario Balotelli supports Extra Time's charity campaign and that he has donated his fee for this interview to the ’ong Cuey Machar Secondary School Foundation, which will go towards building a school in Southern Sudan.

Champions League Press Reaction

Reality bites. Having lost 1-0 in the first leg of their last-16 encounter to Tottenham Hotspur in painfully limp fashion, Milan might have expected to be on the receiving end of a ruthless evisceration from the Italian press. And yet rather than an air of recrimination, the mood is more one of resignation after a defeat that leaves Milan teetering on the brink of Champions League elimination. The headline on the front page of Gazzetta dello Sport reads "Cr-OUCH that hurt!"

Inside there is recognition of Milan's failings, acknowledgement of their reduced standing in the European game, and perhaps the realisation that Serie A is no longer the same league that was so dominant during the 90s. "The suspicion that this Milan built on holding midfielders could do well in the league but much less so in Europe, where quality of play matters, has taken body. Every time Milan won the ball it was as if they were trying to put a raft into the sea, only to see it carried back to shore by the waves," writes Luigi Garlando, the metaphors coming thick and fast, rather unlike Milan. Even as they pushed in the second half "there was the suspicion that the English cobra, trapped inside the chest, was preparing a fatal bite," he continues.

All is not lost, of course, with a second leg still to come, but Garlando points out that if Milan are to prosper at White Hart Lane, their star man, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, must perform much better than he managed last night. "Ibrahimovic will need to do more in London or else they shall continue to say that in Europe his brother plays instead," he says, 'they' perhaps referring to English journalists who have long doubted Ibrahimovic's ability to wreak havoc in the Champions League.

In Il Giornale, Franco Ordine offers a slightly disparaging view of Aaron Lennon's burst which set up Peter Crouch's winning goal, instead focusing on Milan's failings. "One half in which to suffer and one in which to hope before succumbing to a banal and elementary counterattack," he says. "It's true that [Milan] had a makeshift midfield but perhaps that is not enough to explain away the submission of the first half." Everywhere the outlook is resolutely bleak. "Two months on, the verdict seems to be the same as that which came out of the group stages: Milan are not at the level of the elite of European football," admits Gazzetta's Marco Pasotto.

On the website of La Repubblica, there was perhaps a hint of Milan's complacency, Fabrizio Bocca suggesting that a side of their calibre should not be losing to Tottenham. "If you want to suggest you can win the Champions League, you can't be frightened of Tottenham," he claims. "For years we have struggled against the English and we are maybe even beginning to develop a certain inferiority complex."

The elephant in the room was of course Gennaro Gattuso's altercation with Joe Jordan after the final whistle. Gattuso has not been pilloried nearly so severely in Italy this morning as in England, although Jordan, who played for Milan, was not apportioned any blame for the incident after the final whistle. Indeed in Gazzetta, Alessandra Bocci praises the battling qualities of Milan's assistant manager, while questioning the mental state of Gattuso and even his commitment. A picture developed: Jordan the fighter, Gattuso the ranter.

"[Joe Jordan] played for Milan during a period that was certainly a lot darker than that which Gattuso has lived through in red and black, and like the latter he was a battler," points out Bocci. "He lost two teeth battling. Rino has not lost any teeth, but he has lost his calm – and rather too often.

"That yesterday's game was one of fraught nerves for him was evident from the start. He was trying to be the boss, and got even more heated than usual – recovering possession for his team-mates and, as usual, never being afraid to stick a boot in. But it was the other stuff that was incomprehensible, impossible to explain if not through the frustration that must have soaked through to the bones of the Rossoneri just like the rain which made Milan just like London. And Rino Gattuso won't be in London [for the return leg]."

Whether his team-mates will turn up remains to be seen, but the worry for Milan is that Tottenham were so comfortable that they did not even miss "that demon" Gareth Bale, as Garlando labels him. Already lacking belief that Milan can overcome their first-leg deficit, the prospect of Bale's return for the second leg makes the task appear all but impossible. "Milan will need to attack with everything they have in London knowing that, if they lose the ball, that demon Gareth Bale will bring it straight back at them," said Garlando. "Tottenham deservedly conquered San Siro even without their young superstar."

Special Limited Offer On Gazzetta Dello Sport App For BlackBerry

People familiar with the dual language Italian and English sports media will recognize the name Gazzetta dello Sport. For many people, this name is synonymous with being the one-stop source of information for all things related to sports in general and particularly the football news that they find necessary for daily life. Football (soccer) is the favourite sport of the world and Gazzetta dello Sport app for BlackBerry is where you can get your information about what is going on with this sport.

All of the information that you need to stay informed on current events

You can start your experience with Gazzetta dello Sport BlackBerry app by taking a look at the breaking news section of the app. This section will let you know at a glance what the most important news stories are at the moment so that you can always stay relatively well informed just by taking a look at this one section of the BlackBerry application.

If you decide that you’d like to go a little deeper, you can get all kinds of extra information as well. You can look at all of the scores from the Serie A and B leagues in Italy. Additionally, you can get information on the Premier League in England as well as important football leagues all over Europe. Countries like Germany and France are readily represented in terms of the news stories that you can get on this BlackBerry app.

Make this app your own

In addition to just being an app about sporting information, Gazzetta dello Sport BlackBerry application will give you the chance to customize a few features of your experience. You can put your favorite team from Serie A or B onto the display and get customized information based on the selections that you make. You can even save keyword searches to get the news that you want delivered right to your handheld BlackBerry device. Finally, you can pick and choose articles to save offline so that you can read them later on when you might not have access to an internet connection.

Final Score

Gazzetta dello Sport app for BlackBerry is a sweet online application that will give you access to a lot of useful information. By the same token, we wish that this app had something a bit more than just news and views as this is the 21st century. Overall though, Gazzetta dello Sport BlackBerry app is still a very good BlackBerry sports application with a final score of 7 out of 10.

FC Barcelona

Klub yang mempunyai motto 'El Barca Es Mas Que Un Club' Barcelona bukan hanya sekedar klub, didirikan oleh 12 orang yang dipimpin Joan Gamper pada tanggal 29 Nopember 1899 di Katalonia.

Barcelona merupakan cerminan sikap politik sayap kiri Spanyol, sikap kaum tertindas, sebuah bangsa (Katalonia) yang hanya akan menjadi bagian dari sebuah negara.

Melalui Barcelona inilah orang Katalonia ingin menunjukkan kelebihan mereka dari penjajah Spanyol. Terutama jika klub ini berhadapan dengan Real Madrid, yang sejak tahun 1930-an jamannya Jendral Franco merupakan klub favorit pemerintah Spanyol, klub ini mempunyai semboyan 'Boleh kalah dengan klub lain, asal tidak dengan Real Madrid'.

Manuel Vazquez Montalban, seorang penulis terkenal dari Spanyol menyebutkan, Barcelona sebagai senjata pamungkas bagi sebuah bangsa tanpa negara.

Karena misi yang dianggap suci oleh orang Katalonia itulah, Barcelona selalu menjaga kemurnian tujuan klub. Mereka tidak mau disamakan dengan klub lain, dan tidak mau tunduk dengan nilai-nilai komersial. Karena itulah sampai sekarang Barcelona merupakan satu-satunya klub yang tidak mengijinkan kostumnya dipasangi iklan.

Barcelona merupakan satu-satunya klub di Eropa yang presidennya dipilih oleh pemegang tiket musiman (pendukung paling murni), bukan pula oleh dewan direktur dan bukan pemegang modal. Calon Presiden klub berdebat di televisi, berkampanye mengajukan program layaknya pemilihan Presiden sebuah negara.

Klub ini dijuluki 'Barca' dan 'Los Azulgranas' karena berkostum warna biru dan merah tua, yang konon warna biru merah secara sengaja diambil dari bendera Prancis sebagai bentuk perlawanan terhadap pemerintahan Spanyol di Madrid.

Klub ini juga pernah dihuni pemain-pemain kelas dunia seperti: Johan Cruyff, Maradona, Ronald Koeman, Gary Lineker, Rivaldo, Luis Figo dan juga sang fenomenal Ronaldo.

DATA KLUB

Nama lengkap : Barcelona Foot Ball Club
Julukan : Barca, Los Azulgranas
Berdiri : 29 Nopember 1899
Stadion : Nou Camp, Barcelona-Spanyol
Kapasitas : 98.600 penonton
Kostum : Garis-garis Merah Biru-Biru (Kandang), Oranye-Hitam (Tandang)
Presiden : Joan Laporta Estruch
Pelatih : Josep Guardiola

La Gazetta dello Sport

Read here our review on La Gazetta dello Sport.
The love for sports is universal. That is why nations continuously enjoy exciting Sunday nights or full-packed weeknights watching the live telecast of football, baseball or basketball games.

However, not being actually in the game misses out a lot of information. And getting all the insider’s information, scoops and player interviews are exactly what the La Gazzetta dello Sport provides.

journalistic, speculative and sensationalist approaches

All its 40-paged daily circulation is dedicated in combining journalistic, speculative and sensationalist approaches to presenting the hottest buzz on what’s happening on Italian sports. Although the newspaper was involved in some controversies such as the 2006 Series A Scandal in Italian football and the relegation of Juventus, the newspaper manages to maintain objectivity on their features on sports events, particularly football.

La Gazetta dello Sport
presents balanced and exciting news

Since local newspapers usually patronize the local teams and players on their papers, what’s goof about La Gazzetta dello Sport is that it presents balanced and exciting news and offers equal exposure for the nation’s great athletes. Today, the newspaper managed to open up its daily issues online. Headed by its editor-in-chief, Carlo Verdelli, the newspaper has established a website that provides the world with Italian sports news.

printed on distinctive light pink

The first copies of La Gazzetta dello Sport was released in April 3, 1896, covering the first modern Olympics that was held in Athens, Greece. Today, years of running the sports news business enabled the newspaper to extend its involvement in a number of Italy’s biggest and most successful organizations of athletes such as the Giro d’Italia.

What’s interesting about this broadsheet is that it is printed on distinctive light pink paper. This detail may also be one of the factors why it continuously sells an average of 400,000 copies on its daily circulation. The numbers go right up especially on Mondays (436,563- ADS Figures as of 2006), catching up the features on the weekend’s events.

an authority when it comes to Italian sports news

The newspaper is very competitive when it comes to readerships, even with weekly sports magazine periodicals as well as in monthly editions of foreign sports magazines. As of 2006 ADS figures, La Gazzetta dello Sport has tallied an outstanding 3,603,000 readership making it an authority when it comes to Italian sports news and information.

Thanks to its high technical level of content, the newspaper has become a fundamental part of the popularity of most teams as well as individual athletes in great Italian sports. Its editorial coverage has reached many interesting topics which not only surround sports. The newspapers commitment to constantly making itself better has won the confidence of the younger audiences, reaching wider range of readerships.

www.gazzetta.it in english

More people are expected to be tapped by the magazine’s fine reporters and journalists since www.gazzetta.it has been launched. In English language, the hottest news in the Italian La Gazzetta dello Sport can now earn an international audience. Featuring exciting contents about sports topics, 24-hour sports coverage as well as interesting Italian sports articles, pools, videos and press releases can easily and freely be accessed online.

Maradona, Rayakan Ulang Tahun Emas

Banyak cara merayaan hari ulang tahun. Diego Maradona, legenda sepak bola Argentina, memilih merayakan ulang tahun ke-50 dengan bermain bola. Di ulang tahun emas yang jatuh pada 30 Oktober 2010 nanti, Maradona ingin bermain bersama mantan rekan setimnya di Napoli yang berhasil menjuarai Seri A Liga Italia pada 1987 dan 1991.

Pertandingan ini diinginkan Maradona berlangsung di Stadion San Paolo, kandang Napoli. Untuk mewujudkan laga tersebut, Maradona telah menghubungi mantan rekannya di Napoli, Salvatore Bagni. Kepada harian Gazzetta dello Sport, Senin (6/9), Maradona mengatakan, ingin memeluk orang-orang lagi lewat laga tersebut. "Saya ingin menikmati masa terbaik dalam hidup saya di sana (Napoli)," kata sosok yang saat masih bermain sepak bola terkenal dengan julukan 'Si Tangan Tuhan'.

Maradona mengatakan, dia telah memiliki segalanya dalam hidupnya seperti keluarga yang dicintainya serta karier yang hebat. Ia berterima kasih kepada Tuhan dan mengaku tidak membutuhkan apapun lagi termasuk uang. ''Satu hasrat saya hanya ingin kembali ke kota Napoli," katanya. Maradona memperkuat Napoli sejak 1984 hingga 1991. Selain dua gelar scudetto, ia mengantarkan Napoli menjuarai Piala UEFA pada 1989. Maradona tampaknya tidak ambil pusing dengan permasalahannya dengan petugas pajak Italia terkait manipulasi pajak saat masih tinggal di Napoli. Tahun lalu, anting seharga 4 ribu euro (sekitar Rp 46 juta) disita polisi saat ia melakukan pemeriksaan di klinik penurunan berat badan di Italia utara.

Napoli Couldn't Free Themselves From Liverpool

After the battle with Utrecht, Napoli comes out with another 0-0 at home, this time around against Liverpool, that makes their journey in the Europa League a bit more complicated: they now have three draws in three matches, not enough for Mazzarri's lads. Liverpool showed the first encouraging signs after being purchased by New England Sports Ventures; they were looking for one point at San Paolo and they got it with personality and perseverance. 

The formations — Napoli pulled out their best outfit to celebrate their supposed win against Liverpool and Mazzarri lined-up his best team for the occasion, throwing his first squad onto the pitch. Hodgson trusted his youngest players and even did without Gerrard and Torres, who stayed behind in England, and left Aurelio, Cole and Maxi Rodriguez on the bench. 

Tactics won — The onset of the match was very tactical and the teams were compact, although prone to become unbalanced. The Azzurro strikers couldn't find spaces in the rear line of the Reds and they didn't get help. Liverpool were well organised, although to no avail in attack due to their stars' absences. Hodgson's lads carried out some noticeable folding moves, the 4-4-2 in defence became a 4-2-3-1 in attack with Kelly and Shelvey (18 years old) who showed skills and character. Napoli, despite having the support of 65,000 fans, had trouble creating good moves and almost seemed uneasy in front of their opponents; there were many inaccurate moves and missed passes in the first fifteen minutes. A quick move from Cavani from midfield, and Lavezzi's fall that got Skrtel booked were the only highlights of the first 30 minutes. Liverpool controlled the match brilliantly and seemed to want to go in deeper, what could have caused the Azzurro defence much more trouble if it hadn't been for De Sanctis' tremendous saves.

 

 

Konchesky and Hamsik, the protagonists of the missed goal on 45 minutes. LaPresse Chances — A brilliant move broke the monotony; Cavani, on 45 minutes, freed himself from the Reds defenders and served Hamsik in the small area a ball that should have been the opener, although was denied by Konchesky on the line. That was the only chance to score in the first-half, and actually, the only exciting move in the first 45 minutes.

The second half — There were a few more brilliant moves in the second-half, with the squads more stretched out on the pitch and a quicker and more energetic Napoli. Dossena ran more along the wing, Lavezzi charged ahead and often overtook his man and Cavani was the finishing man. On 10 minutes, Reina blocked his shot and on 15 minutes, the Uruguayan's beautiful header missed the post. When Napoli were playing at their best, Babel had the match ball at his feet, thanks to a blunder from Aronica, but his shot was deflected by De Sanctis and a sigh of relief was heard throughout San Paolo. On 35 minutes, Ngog had enough time to turn around in the area and finish the move, but Aronica's back prevented any bigger threat than a corner-kick. At the end, everyone was short of breath, less accurate, and although Napoli tried, Liverpool weren't scared. The final 0-0 is a good reflection of what happened on the pitch.

L'Arsenal Fa Il Miracolo Barça Battuto In Rimonta

E ora qua ci vuole un'altra "remuntada" per il Barcellona. Meno epica rispetto a quella - non riuscita - contro l'Inter nella scorsa edizione di Champions, certo; ma se i blaugrana non batteranno l'Arsenal per 1-0 o con due gol di scarto dovranno salutare la compagnia. L'incredibile, e cioè una sconfitta dei catalani in stagione, è successo: è solo la terza volta che il Barça perde da settembre (le altre due squadre a riuscire nell'impresa furono l'Hercules in campionato e il Betis in Coppa del Re), ma questa volta fa malissimo. Bravi i Gunners a non mollare nemmeno con il morale sotto i tacchi dopo il vantaggio segnato da Villa: Van Persie e Arshavin, gli eroi di una serata che potrebbe diventare ancora più dolce l'8 marzo, quando ci sarà il ritorno.

CAMBI DECISIVI — Bravo l'Arsenal e bravo Wenger, innanzitutto. Perchè i cambi hanno fatto la differenza, su entrambi i fronti. Guardiola sull'1-0 toglie Villa, autore del gol, e mette Keita: il segnale è "l'1-0 va bene, pensiamo a coprirlo". Il suo collega, sulla panchina opposta, toglie Song, martello di centrocampo nervosetto e già ammonito, e mette Arshavin, un fantasista. Qui il messaggio è opposto: "Giochiamocela, poi come va va". Poco dopo, fuori anche Walcott, che dopo un inizio scoppiettante stava iniziando a sparare a salve, e dentro un centravanti vero: Bendtner. Che non è un fenomeno ma lascia più libertà di movimento a Van Persie.

villa spietato — Gli effetti si vedono subito. La squadra che ne risente di più è il Barcellona, perché Villa stava facendo a fettine la retroguardia dei padroni di casa. Molto più di un Messi a fasi alterne, compreso qualche occasione sprecata malamente: anche se la rete del "Guaje" era nata proprio da una palla parlante, d'esterno sinistro, dell'argentino. Assist sul filo del fuorigioco (una costante nel primo tempo con la difesa dell'Arsenal spesso troppo alta e facilmente aggirabile) e destro sull'uscita di Szczesny. Insomma, invece di togliere uno dei migliori, perché non lasciare tutto invariato?

 

 

Szczesny blocca la palla sui piedi di Messi. Epafabregas controllato bene — Il vantaggio del Barça, come spesso succede, ha l'effetto del bromuro sulla partita. Tra possesso-palla irritante (per gli avversari, con ammonizioni frutto di frustrazione) e verticalizzazioni sontuose, l'Arsenal ci capisce poco. Merito anche di una difesa blaugrana attentissima a non far debordare Walcott a destra e Fabregas al centro: tra Busquets, Maxwell e, a volte, persino Pedro (che sarebbe sempre una punta), quasi tutti si sacrificano in copertura. Forse troppo, quando è entrato pure Keita.

szczesny sorpresa — A un quarto d'ora dalla fine, più o meno, il Barcellona è pur sempre avanti e il gol del pari nasce da un'azione abbastanza estemporanea: Arshavin per Van Persie in area e sinistro dell'olandese quasi dalla linea di fondo. Valdes è troppo spostato verso il centro e vede finire in rete il tiro secco dell'ex Feyenoord. Portiere colpevole? Eccome. Intanto è 1-1, e inerzia ribaltata. Cinque minuti dopo Messi perde palla nell'area dell'Arsenal e sul contropiede Nasri parte fino alla parte opposta: frenatona e passaggio che taglia l'area su cui arriva Arshavin. Quasi un rigore in movimento per il nuovo entrato, che non sbaglia. Incredibile, ma vero: il Barça è sotto e ci rimane fino al fischio finale nonostante gli ultimi attacchi rabbiosi. Szczesny, portiere dell'Arsenal, non trema, e respinge il tiro a botta sicura di Dani Alves: vuoi vedere che un altro mito che crolla è quello dei Gunners senza un estremo difensore decente? Di sicuro, se vedremo una partita bella anche solo la metà di quella di stasera saremo contentissimi.

Italian sport Mourns Cesare Rubini

MILAN, 8 February 2011 – Cesare Rubini died last night in Milan. He was 87-years-old. Every sport has people who made its history. Then there are very few men like thePrince without whom we’d be living in a very different existence: had he not existed, Italian basketball would be very different today. We would not have enjoyed all those years of Borletti and Simmenthal Milan, during which Rubini, with his inventions, his visions, and his courage, created modern basketball, even his appearance, his way of communicating, and his willingness to overcome obstacles all contributed in the journey of a sport which used to be played outside and that now is watched by packed out establishments. 

from London to Helsinki — And when the Prince gave his commands, in Milan or as the national team coordinator, they were real commands, with no hidden message or half words. He was a force of nature born and bred in Trieste during the war; and it was then that he developed his passion for water polo, which led him all the way to Olympic Gold in the 1948 London Games, and a Bronze four years later in Helsinki. By that stage he was already dividing his time between water polo and basketball and it was fate that made him meet Adolfo Bogoncelli, who following the war, created and financed a team of ‘exiled’ Trieste-men: and it was from their two minds that Olimpia was born, which once joined with Dopolavoro Borletti, began a domination of the Italian championship that lasted almost 20 years, and that upheld a very specific technical objective: win with style. First as a player-coach, tough, hard; then as a coach, the Prince won 15 Italian titles and the first European Cup for any Italian team.

hall of fame — LHe left the coaching job at Olimpia towards the end of the 1970s, and began running the National team coached by his student Sandro Gamba; together they reached the Silver medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, as well as a Gold at the European Championships in Nantes 1983, a Silver in Rome 1991 and a Bronze in Stuttgart 1985. Feared and respected, he was always one step ahead of the rest, always very aware of the commercial aspect of the sport, and its growth as time went by. He was the first Italian to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield and the only person to receive the same honour for water polo.

He was a giant whose prestige went beyond the boundaries of Italy, and the symbol of his nation as it marvellously came out the other side of the war full of determination, ideas and enthusiasm. In his later years, the Prince showed a more vulnerable side, easily moved and more approachable. We like to remember him like that too. His physique was monstrous and he still seemed a rock even when the first problems began to get the better of him, slowly reducing his public exposure and leading him into a very reserved lifestyle. His last real public appearance was forGazzetta in 2006, when Olimpia Milano celebrated its 70 years. From last night the Prince is no longer with us due to complications with his bronchopneumonia. There are no adjectives suitable. The greatest? He was much more.

Expiring Contracts, Loans And Purchase Options To Be Taken Up

MILAN, 15 February 2011 – It's all very well going and spending in the January sales, but now it's time to take a good look in the wardrobe and see what is worth keeping. That is what is going on behind the scenes at the moment: clubs are taking stock and deciding whether to renew contracts or make loan deals permanent. The domino effect on next summer's dealings starts here.

 

 

Pirlo and Seedorf both have expiring contracts. LaPresse ac milan — With the exception of Legrottaglie and Van Bommel, both of whom arrived in January (should they prove themselves it will be easy to keep them for another year), the door for the big names is open. Ambrosini, Inzaghi, Jankulovski, Nesta, Pirlo, Roma and Seedorf: all over 33, all with their contracts expiring in 4 months. In June the team should bid farewell to the Czech (who may retire) and the goalkeeper; the others will probably negotiate, particularly on the wages front (Milan are eager to reduce their total wage bill). Ambrosini and Nesta have a few admirers, Pirlo has many, nothing has been discussed with Seedorf, and Inzaghi is determined to continue. But Galliani wants to wait until April - when the situation in Italy and Europe will be clearer - before sitting down at the negotiations table. One-year contracts may be suggested, a bit like Manchester United do with their stars who are over 30. Hopefully in the meantime there won't be any irrefutable offers.

 

 

Alessandro Matri's purchase from Cagliari needs to be completed. Ansa juventus — After a week of phone calls and meetings between Marotta and his brother/manager Stefano, Del Piero is close to putting pen to paper on a new deal. The length has been decided: two years until 2012, after which Ale will decide on his future (the States or upstairs into the Juventus hierarchy). The sticking point is the difference between what he wants (€3 million) and what he has been offered (€2 million) as basic salary, but the two parties will meet halfway. After that, the club will look at completing other deals and speak to Liverpool about Aquilani (whose price is set at €16 million), Udinese (€7.5 million the price for Pepe), Napoli (€10.5 million for Quagliarella) and Cagliari (€15 million for Matri, though the price may drop if a player exchange can be agreed). Negotiations will also take place with Motta and Rinaudo, but there shoudn't be any problems there.

 

 

Philippe Mexes is negotiating a contract renewal. Reuters roma — Up in the air are the futures of Ranieri and six players, three of whom important ones. But until the Sensi family officially hand over to the Americans, and the club's internal organisation is restructured, there is little room for manoeuvre. The coach has lots of admirers and will only stay if he feels he has full backing and is at the centre of the new project, which is why he wouldn't accept a one-year deal. The big players are Mexes, Perrotta and Cassetti, all three of whom would be happy to stay. The toughest deal is with the French centre-back, who has asked for €5 million a year (the club want to insert a release clause of around €15 million). The other two are likely to be offered a one-year extension. Of the younger players, Loria's contract will probably be allowed to expire and Castellini is a useful player but not a priority. Then there's Guillermo Burdisso, Nicolas' brother: Roma have an option until 30 June to purchase him from Rosario Central for €5 million, (instalments over 3 years). He remains a bit of an unknown quantity, but came highly rated so he may be bought and then sent out on loan elsewhere. Menez' contract expires in 2012: renewing it now would avoid the risk of losing him next year.

 

 

Edy Reja's future is uncertain. Ansa lazio — Will Reja stay or go? There are considerable on-going negotiations for the renewal: the impression is that general agreement has been reached, but the coach appears to want to wait a while before putting pen to paper. "It's a superstition thing," said Lotito. Further changes: Radu has extended until 2015, and the next should be Muslera.

other negotiations — It is likely that Di Vaio will extend with Bologna in March. He is now the undisputed symbol of the side, and the Rossoblu will try and ensure Britos remains too. In Florence there are negotiations with Santana (the player is considering an offer from the club, but Porto are just outside the door), Donadel and Comotto, as well as Montolivo, who is being followed by Bayern Munich and Inter. Montolivo's contract with the Viola expires in 2012 but the club wants to keep hold of him. Napoli could lose Lucarelli and Cribari but they'll want to keep hold of Pazienza. Tomorrow Palermo should resolve the contract with Liverani and soon they should renew the deal with Ilicic.

Crouch stuns AC Milan Now They Have A Mountain To Climb

MILAN, 15 February 2011 – It was a shot he had been waiting to fire since 23 May 2007, when he lost the Champions League final to AC Milan as a Liverpool player in Athens. Peter Crouch netted the winner in the last-16 first leg against AC Milan, giving Tottenham a goal worth its weight in gold to take back to London. Ruthless, cynical, call it what you will, Redknapp's side dominated proceedings in the first half (when the Rossoneri lost Abbiati) then twice almost went behind after the break before grabbing the winner with a classic counter-attacking move. A gargantuan blow for AC Milan, who now face an uphill struggle in London. Make that a mountain to climb.

ALLEGRI OPTS FOR ROBINHO — What Ibra says, Allegri does. On the eve of the game, the Swedish frontman had sung the praises of Robinho and his infinite enthusiasm for the game. The AC Milan coach, who had the Brazilian in a toss-up with Pato, appeased his star striker and stuck Seedorf in the hole behind the front two. With the Dutchman's experience, the ex-City player's guile and the Swede's ingrained hunger, Allegri hoped his side would find the goals they needed to make the trip to London with a bounce in their step. With a threadbare midfield, the coach pushed Thiago Silva forward in front of the defence alongside Gattuso and Flamini and drafted Yepes in alongside Nesta. On the flanks, Abate and Antonini were handed the task of shackling Lennon and Pienaar. Harry Redknapp, without Bale, surprisingly left Kranjcar on the bench and went for Crouch over Pavlyuchenko.

 

Christian Abbiati is stretchered off. Ap

SPURS GO ON THE ATTACK — Tottenham seemed to have struck the perfect balance, as they wheeled out the heavy cavalry that had AC Milan on the back pedal from the off. In the first twenty minutes the horses charged in one direction only, Spurs' assaults being repelled by the home side with their hind legs. AC Milan looked out of their depth on their own battleground. With just 45 seconds on the clock, a cross by Pienaar was deflected by Nesta's arm. Lannoy let play continue. Then Abbiati took centre stage, both for good and for bad reasons: on 9 and 11 minutes he punched the ball clear from Crouch, who was picked out time and time again by Lennon, the winger giving Antonini a real runaround as he skipped past him at almost every attempt. Then, in the 18th minute following a mid-air clash, Abbiati went to the ground and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher, with Amelia replacing him. It was a tough blow for AC Milan, who thus lost a reassuring presence behind their back line under bombardment. It wasn't until the 21st minute that the Rossoneri mustered their first move of real note: a nifty exchange between Robinho and Ibra led to the Swede's low cross being blocked by Gomes. And that was about it. Scaling the defensive wall put up by Palacios and Sandro was a challenge in itself; when they did, marshal Dawson and his wily sidekick Gallas were on hand to beat away everything thrown at them - they may not be blessed with pace but they proved impenetrable. The Rossoneri didn't help their own cause. Seedorf was sluggish and completely ineffectual against Her Majesty's army. But the Dutchman wasn't the only one at fault. Thiago Silva was off the pace in the middle of the park and Van der Vaart and co. sliced through him with ease. So Milan's weaknesses came to the fore: they were easy pickings in midfield and found all routes barred in attack, where Ibra and Robinho were being man-marked out of the game.

YEPES VS GOMES — Allegri took it all on board at half time and altered his front-line tactics: Pato on for Seedorf. Yet it was Tottenham who produced the first chance four minutes after the restart, with Van der Vaart's delightful deft chip from the edge of the area drifting inches wide of Amelia's left-hand post. AC Milan struck back immediately when Yepes's header was miraculously snatched away from the top corner by Gomes. His touch seemed all the more miraculous when he pushed away Yepes' second headed attempt with a reflex gesture on the hour. Faster and more aggressive, the Rossoneri were now in the ascendency while Spurs, in need of oxygen, retreated to hold their lines while looking to hit on the break. Corluka was withdrawn from the field, having been scythed down by Flamini, as was Van der Vaart, and Redknapp brought on new recruits in the shape of Woodgate and Modric.

 

Peter Crouch's uncontrollable joy. Reuters

AND THEN CROUCH — AC Milan continued to pile on the pressure but were getting short shrift inside the packed English penalty area. An individual flash of inspiration was missing, a match-winning performance from Ibra was missing, a spark from Pato was missing: the on-form AC Milan went AWOL. For all their pressure, the troops lacked the clear head needed to hit Tottenham where it really hurt, and the English side were rarely at a real struggle to contain them. Nor did Spurs need much encouragement to swoop on the counter-attack. When it came, with 10 minutes remaining, it bore all the hallmarks of a classic sucker punch: after drawing the sting out of the Rossoneri, Spurs knocked them for six. The move was carried on the wings of Aaron Lennon. Could he get past Yepes? It was no contest. After ghosting past the Colombian and drawing Nesta, the right winger pulled back for Crouch in the centre of the box, who only had to slot home. AC Milan's final flustered forays came to nothing, as Ibrahimovic's 94th minute equaliser was ruled out for a push on Dawson. The Rossoneri's hopes are already hanging in the balance.