Internazionale swept all before them at this year’s Oscar’s; and Il Principe, Diego Milito, finally got the recognition he so greatly deserves. These awards are particularly significant as they are voted for by the Serie A players.

“Il Principe” won the best Foreign Player and also Player of the Year. This was a reward for a momentous year which saw the Argentine score vital goals for his team as they won the treble.

Manager of the Year was only ever going to the Special One, Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese tactician thanked Calcio for improving him as a manager.

Giorgio Chiellini and Walter Samuel both shared the Defender of the Year award; Chiellini took the opportunity to speak of Juve’s title ambitions, “I said Juventus will win the Scudetto, but it will be really difficult. We were doing well before Christmas, I feel that the injury to Quagliarella has taken away a lot from this team.” Do the Bianconeri need to look for a replacement?

Julio Cesar won Best Goalkeeper after fighting off competition from Salvatore Sirigu and Morgan Di Sanctis. This was the second year running that Cesar won the award and he couldn’t resist a cheeky comment, “I am eager to come back soon. And who wins the Scudetto? Inter.”

Italy was represented in the awards when Antionio Di Natale claimed the Capocannonieri crown; the reward for scoring 29 goals last season. Natale was keen to represent his club, “the best goal for me was the recovery of Udinese.”  He also spoke of his proposed move to Juventus last summer, “ it was hard to say no to Juventus, but in football , it’s not all about the money. I am on 99 goals, I hope to make it 100 against Juve.”

Perhaps the most deserved award of the night was the Palermo sensation, Javier Pastore, winning Best Young Player of the Year. Pastore beat Mario Balotelli and Alexandre Pato in a fierce battle and he wanted to pledge his future to the club; “my best choice is to stay in Palermo to grow.” The Argentine playmaker has high hopes for the Sicilian’s, “the goal is to win a place in the Champions League.”

Overall it was  a great night for Calcio and it will be intriguing to see who wins the awards this time next year. Will Ibrahimovic inspire AC Milan to a Scudetto? Or can Marco Di Vaio lead Bologna to safety in the league? It’ll be fascinating to find out!