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Trez suffers ankle injury
Wednesday 15 February, 2006
Juventus star David Trezeguet looks set to miss Saturday’s game with Messina after spraining his ankle during training.
The Frenchman pulled up with the injury during today’s session in Turin and, although club doctors assure it is only a slight sprain, he will not be risked for this weekend’s Serie A encounter.
The medical staff hope to have Trezeguet fit for next week’s Champions League tie with Werder Bremen.
In the meantime, Alessandro Del Piero will be given his opportunity to start alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has recovered from a muscular problem.
Coach Fabio Capello rarely rotates his squad, but with a 12-point lead at the top of the table, he can afford to rest a few players at the Stadio San Filippo.
Fabio Cannavaro has so far been ever-present in Serie A, but looks set to sit this one out for Robert Kovac. Jonathan Zebina is also expected to step in for Federico Balzaretti, while one out of Emerson or Patrick Vieira will also be left on the bench.
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Livorno - Inter (Channel4)
Inter will look to put a miserable fortnight behind them with three points at the Stadio Armando Picchi, but will come up against a resurgent Livorno side full of confidence after a derby victory over Fiorentina.
After Roberto Donadoni's controversial exit, new Livorno boss Carlo Mazzone had the ideal start to his tenure at the Armando Picchi with a 2-0 triumph over Tuscan rivals Fiorentina to end a run of draws. Mazzone - the most experienced Coach in Italian football in his 37th season with his 12th club - knows that he must secure a UEFA Cup place but the 68-year-old tactician may face some dissent in the ranks as rumours suggest that many players were angered at club President Aldo Spinelli's role in Donadoni's departure.
Roberto Mancini's Inter have endured a horrendous spell. After a reverse at the hands of Fiorentina, defeat against Inter in a bitter Derby d'Italia as good as ended the Nerazzurri's slim title aspirations. The Biscioni are now 12 points behind Juventus in Serie A and must now turn their attentions to finishing above Milan.
Mazzone - known as Sor Carletto - has the luxury of an injury-free squad as his side attempt to avenge Week 7's 5-0 trouncing. Mancini, who is suspended and will watch from the stands, must manage without Juan Sebastian Veron who limped off against Juventus, Giuseppe Favalli and Aparecido Cesar who still awaits his Inter debut. Obafemi Martins has returned from Egypt and is once more available to play.
Livorno: Amelia; Grandoni, Vargas, Galante, Balleri; Morrone, Passoni, De Ascentis, Coco, Colucci; Lucarelli
Inter: Julio Cesar; J. Zanetti, Cordoba, Materazzi, Burdisso; Figo, Pizarro, Stankovic, Kily Gonzalez; Martins, Adriano
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Ballack heading to Italy (Channel4)
Wednesday 15 February, 2006
Michael Ballack is on his way to Italy after Real Madrid and Manchester United backed out of bids for the German international.
Inter, Juventus and Fiorentina have all been linked with the 29-year-old midfielder, whose contract runs out with Bayern Munich in the summer.
Spanish giants Real Madrid have reportedly ruled out any further interest as they feel that Ballack’s demands are too high and they do not regard him as a Galactico.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have allegedly refused to offer a five-year contract to a player who will be 30 by the time next season starts.
An Italian switch now looks likely and his agent, Michael Becker, has promised a quick solution to the soap opera.
“Michael will announce his intentions very soon,” said the former Bayer Leverkusen star’s representative.
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