A date with destiny for both Chelsea and Napoli, who will do battle at Stamford Bridge for a place in the last eight of the Champions League. In winter 1066 Harold Godwinson was thrust to the forefront and took the throne of Anglo-Saxon England after the death of his predecessor Edward the Confessor. His reign was rather short lived and he died in the Battle of Hastings later that year. Harold earned his place in history after a stunning battle […]

After consecutive hard fought away victories in the Champions league that have left them topping the group, midweek European encounters have proved to be a welcome break from Internazionale’s disastrous domestic campaign. A 2-1 defeat to bitter rivals Juventus last weekend means that the Serpenti are flirting dangerously with the relegation zone and a massive eleven points from the top of the table already, but a comfortable 2-0 victory against Lille at the San Siro means that the 2010 European […]

A memorable round for the Italian clubs who took seven points from a possible nine to place themselves in good positions for progression into the knock-out stages. Inter Milan have had a torrid start to their domestic season. Following a shock loss to Turkish minnows Trabzonspor in Champions League and the dismissal of Provincial manager Gian Piero Gasperini, the European Champions of 2010 earned a hard fought victory against CSKA Moskva away and are now on top of Group B […]

1) They’re baaaaaack! And probably better than ever. The Champions have had a sluggish start to the season, but the biggest shock was not the high profile losses against Napoli and Juventus themselves, but the manner in which they were utterly outplayed by both pretenders and looked completely toothless. Finally though a convincing performance in every department, epitomised by the fact that Palermo didn’t even have a shot on target in the second half; this against a team that has […]

Champions AC Milan are back to their brilliant best after an utterly dominant 3-0 victory against Palermo. Massimiliano Allegri stated prior to the match that Milan had to “get three points” above all else, but what he got was far more important. Accomplished performances from the midfield new boys Nocerino and Alberto Aquilani, a stunning comeback from Brazilian Robinho, doubts over Antonio Cassano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s commitments to the long term future thoroughly dispelled and above all else a champions […]

Inspired performances by Andrea Pirlo and Antonio Cassano lead Italy to a memorable 3-0 victory over an ordinary Northern Ireland side in Pescara. Qasa Alom reports AC Milan’s Antonio Cassano was warned prior to the match that this would be his last chance in the national set-up after offensive comments to a journalist last week – and FantAntonio really didn’t disappoint with a brilliant brace. However it was his striker partner and this years form player Sebastian Giovinco who started […]

The Time Is Napoli! Italy’s two premier sides went head to head in the peninsula’s showcase match of Week 2. Both the Partenepoi and Rossoneri earned respectable draws against hotly fancied opposition in Manchester City and Barcelona respectively midweek, were coming into the Sao Paolo clash with injury concerns. The home-side’s charismatic forward Ezequiel Lavezzi was deemed fit enough to start whilst Alberto Aquilani made his first full start for the Italian Champions in the place of Kevin Prince Boateng.  […]

With contract negotiations between Milan’s senatori and the management set to be resolved tomorrow. Qasa Alom prepares himself for a new era at Via Turati, and looks back at some of the finer moments in the last decade. “I hope this win can open up a whole new era for Milan. My own journey is almost at an end, but when a club invests in top players, it will win” Rino Gattuso May 2011. Amidst Kevin Prince Boateng’s dazzling impression […]

The eight remaining teams in Europe’s premier competition go head to head and the tie could not have come at a better – or worse – time for Italy’s last hope Internazionale. Qasa Alom looks ahead to this week’s action The reigning European champions have been in heroic form recently, epitomized by their last gasp victory over Bayern Munich in the last round of the Champions League as well as taking 37 points in 16 games in the league under […]

With the new found optimism for Italy’s goalkeeping future beyond Gigi Buffon being highlighted yesterday,  Qasa Alom takes a moment to reflect on the strange and sad tale of Federico Marchetti. As another International break draws to an end, it seems that Cesare Prandelli’s new look youthful Italian national team have answered many questions and passed scrutiny with aplomb. Prior to the qualifier against Slovenia there was a vested interest in seeing how the former Fiorentina manager would address the […]

As part of our week long build up to arguably this seasons’ title decider, Qasa Alom looks at why Inter manager Leonardo’s past ties to Milan make this more than just a derby “He’s not that kind of player…” It is a phrase synonymous with brutish defenders such as Ryan Shawcross after his reckless challenge broke Aaron Ramsey’s leg – even though he did something quite similar to the delicate tibia and fibula of Francis Jeffers two years prior. Or […]

Serie A’s last hope on the continent Inter return to Germany to face Schalke as the nerazzuri aim to reach the semi finals of Europe’s premier cup competition two years consecutively for the first time since 1967. Perspective; It’s a curious concept that allows you to view something and from it draw two completely contrasting conclusions. For example, 3 months ago the last thing on Inters’ mind would have been a trip to Germany. The team had just suffered a […]