Italy coach Pierluigi Casiraghi has included 4 Empoli FC players in his team for the friendly against France on 21 August in La Spezia.
Midfielders Sebastian Giovinco and Claudio Marchisio, both on loan from Juve, forward Nicola Pozzi, on loan from AC Milan, and defender Lino Marzoratti are the quartet representing the UEFA Cup contenders in the 1st Azzurrini team to be named since the UEFA European U21 Championship in the Netherlands.
Casiraghi will also count on Villarreal CF's new signing Giuseppe Rossi, Arturo Lupoli and Robert Acquafresca in attack. "We have lots of players of good skill up front," Casiraghi said.
"Now we must make sure they develop well at their clubs. I hope they improve even more, because the U21 side and Italian football require them." Italy will resume their qualifying campaign for the 2009 UEFA European U21 Championship against the Faroe Islands on 7 September.
Italy squad
Goalkeepers, Andrea Consigli (Rimini Calcio), Salvatore Sirigu (US Cremonese).
Defenders, Marco Andreolli (AS Roma), Domenico Criscito (Juve), Lino Marzoratti (Empoli FC), Marco Motta (Udinese Calcio), Francesco Pisano (Cagliari Calcio), Andrea Ranocchia (AC Arezzo), Fabiano Santacroce (Brescia Calcio).
Midfielders, Luca Cigarini (Parma FC), Paolo De Ceglie (AC Siena), Daniele Dessena (Parma FC), Sebastian Giovinco (Empoli FC), Claudio Marchisio (Empoli FC), Piermario Morosini (Vicenza Calcio), Gabriele Paonessa (Bologna FC), Andrea Russotto (Treviso FC).
Forwards, Robert Acquafresca (Cagliari Calcio), Arturo Lupoli (ACF Fiorentina), Nicola Pozzi (Empoli FC), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal CF).
23 06 2007
David Suazo is free to join Inter after rejecting the transfer to AC Milan, says that Cagliari President Massimo Cellino.
Last night there is another shock turnaround in the Suazo saga. Having been promised to the Nerazzurri, then sold to the Rossoneri for £10m, he convinced Cagliari to change their minds and go back to his original plan.
'Suazo called me at 21.30 and mentioned he would like to go to Inter,' said patron Cellino.
'Fighting back tears he explained that, aside from the medical he already underwent, he is determined to complete this transfer because Inter were courting him for months. Roberto Mancini called him several times and made him feel very enthusiastic about the move.'
In the end, the player's intent won out, so the said £10 million agreement between the clubs was scrapped.
'Even if he appreciates Milan's gesture, Suazo is afraid that they only would like to put a spanner in the works for Inter. He did not even have given me time to answer back, he sounded extremely certain. I can only mention that at the moment I will leave the player free to make his path.'
Cellino was accused of playing the 2 San Siro clubs against each other, however says Inter had no right to complain.
'I acted professionally with both Inter and Milan,' he informed the 'Gazzetta dello Sport.' 'At a certain stage it seemed that the negotiations with Massimo Moratti's side were at a dead end.'
The Cagliari patron confirm the turning point was provided by a clause in Suazo's contract – signed last year – that allows him to walk away to a club of his choosing for £9.4 million. At 1st it was thought this only applied to overseas sides, however the Italian inclusion proved decisive.
'Now that clause means I will get the cash and perhaps not even Robert Acquafresca as part of the transfer. I certainly will not go to demand him. At least in this whole affair we have shown that I had asked Milan for the same £9.4 million – not a penny more.'
U21 international Acquafresca will join the Sardinians in a co-ownership deal as part of the move originally agreed before Milan's intervention.
An official announcement of Suazo's move to Inter expects over the weekend.
23 06 2007
The David Suazo saga had taken another shock twist today! His contract clause releases him to Inter, so Milan pour their efforts into signing Ronaldinho.
Cagliari had agreed to sell the Honduran hitman to the Rossoneri in a £10 million deal, however the player had already put pen to paper with the Nerazzurri.
Initially this was considered to be an illegal move, however after agent Giovanni Branchini met with Milan directors this afternoon, new details emerged.
It is claimed that a clause in Suazo's contract with Cagliari releasing him for £8 million is valid for Italian sides as well as overseas.
With this in mind, the Sardinians have little choice but to hand him over to Inter for a lower price than that offered by their rivals plus half of U21 international Robert Acquafresca.
'From what I have seen recently we can said that there is a clear wish for the player to join the only club that courted him for a long time – i.e. Inter,' mentioned President Massimo Moratti.
'We must make the most of that, besides our rapport with the others involved. We will see how it pans out.'
However, that is not the only development this evening. With Thierry Henry on the verge of completing his FC Barcelona transfer, this strongly suggests that the Spaniards will release either Samuel Eto'o or Ronaldinho.
Milan have publicly stated on numerous occasions that they are their primary targets and so losing Suazo will be considered more motivation to go all out for one of the international stars.
If Lionel Messi is to be used as a supply line for Eto'o and Henry, then that means Ronaldinho is more likely to depart the Nou Camp.
The Brazilian has long had a fractious relationship with teammates, his club and Coach Frank Rijkaard, whilst he has regularly said that Milan could be a good move.
19 06 2007
Reports in Italy are saying that AC Milan have sensationally pipped Inter in the race to sign Cagliari forward David Suazo.
The Honduran, who scored 14 Serie A goals last season, was strongly paired with the Italian champions over the past few months and a deal was reportedly done.
Cagliari President Massimo Cellino and Inter owner Massimo Moratti had agreed financial terms and a move was on the horizon – especially as Suazo was then spotted in Milan ahead of his medical.
'Moratti's word is enough for me,' commented Cellino last week. 'The player can now transfer to Inter.'
However, Tuesday's edition of Il Corriere dello Sport reports that Milan have amazingly hijacked the switch.
Vice-President Adriano Galliani has allegedly finalised a last minute deal with Cellino by agreeing to pay the islanders a £10 million fee.
Inter were expects to offer the Rossoblu £6.5 million and hand over 19 year old forward Robert Acquafresca, who was specifically would like by Coach Marco Giampaolo.
The Rossoneri were known to be on the market for a new forward after noting that FC Barcelona player Samuel Eto'o remained the club's main target – however there was no mention of Suazo.
The 27 year old, who will leave the Stadio Sant'Elia after 8 years in Sardinia, joined Cagliari from Olimpia Tegucigalpa.
He was also a reported target for Juve, Man Utd and the Rossoneri themselves last summer.
14 06 2007
Inter pipped Roma to the post by contacting David Suazo directly, suggests Cagliari President Massimo Cellino.
The Honduran only requires to put pen to paper to have completed the £6.5 million transfer to San Siro, however his current club is none too happy about it.
'Roma were the side who requested Suazo in February and I asked them not to contact the player, as I was afraid it would distract him,' said Cellino on 'Radio Radio.'
'They waited until the end of the season and acted in a very professional manner, however Suazo already had a deal with Inter. Unfortunately, the respect Roma showed me would well have penalised them.'
Suazo had already been close to leaving the Sardinians last summer and was again heavily linked with Milan in January.
'There was definite interest, however then they hesitated and it all fell through,' added the Cagliari President.
'As for my team, we sign Alessandro Matri from Rimini, the Argentine 2nd division top scorer Larrivey and U21 international Robert Acquafresca in a co-ownership deal with Inter. We also have Simone Pepe, who must complete his maturation process at Cagliari, so I think we have everything we require upfront now.'
14 06 2007
Italian champions Inter have supposedly in the end completed the capture of Cagliari sensation David Suazo.
The Honduran, who scored 14 League goals last season, was strongly paired with the San Siro club and a move expects to be said weeks ago.
However, talks did stall after Cagliari chief Massimo Cellino and Inter counterpart Massimo Moratti struggled to reached a compromise over a fee.
Nevertheless, Cellino and Moratti are now understood to have in the end resolved their differences during a telephone call and Suazo is thought to be already in Milan ahead of his medical.
Inter have agreed to pay the islanders £6.5 million and also hand over 19 year old forward Robert Acquafresca, who was specifically would like by Coach Marco Giampaolo.
'Moratti's word is enough for me, Suazo can transfer to Inter,' commented Cellino when questioned on the issue.
Suazo, who will leave the Stadio Sant'Elia after 8 years in Sardinia, joined Cagliari from Olimpia Tegucigalpa and was a reported target for Juve, Milan and Man Utd last summer.
