Inter and Napoli are ready for group games

Napoli are back into Champions League after 21 years. Mazzarri's team will face with Manchester City which team are spectacular with their big transfers and current form in English Premier League.

While Roberto Mancini's side looking superior , Mazzarri is confident on his team.

Most of Napoli players haven't played in UEFA Champions League before but Mazzarri prepared his team for a great battle.

Especially Mazzarri trusts his forward trio. Cavani , Hamsik and Lavezzi can easily give damage to any team at the moment.


After Palermo defeat Gasperini's 3-4-3 formation criticized and now there's some speculations that Gasperini will start with 4-3-1-2 formation against Trabzonspor.

Trabzonspor is an unexperienced team on UCL. Turkish side made a lot of transfers and team still needs time.

It's a good chance for Gasperini's Inter to forget Palermo game with a victory and starting to UCL with 3 points.

Milan Grabbed One Point From Camp Nou

Milan's coach Allegri has studied this game about a week. Even he didn't risk Seedorf and Zambrotta against Lazio. But bad news came too soon, Zlatan and Robinho got injured. Swedish star will be out of the action a month. Gattuso was suspended.

The whole World expected that Barcelona are going to win 4-0 or 5-0. Even bookies underestimated Milan and offered such odds on Barcelona like @1.20.

Barcelona can be The Best Team of the World at the moment but Milan shouldn't underestimated which team have won more trophies than any other team in the Europe.

Game started with a shock for Barcelona. Pato has scored one of the fastest goals of Champions League history.

After 0-1 , Barcelona controlled the game and kept possession in their usual style.

Barcelona pressure brought the goal before HT , Pedro tied the score.

Milan were defending and really doing it well. But 2nd half there was nothing to do with David Villa's great goal.

In stoppage time Milan gained a corner kick and Thiago Silva's header gave another shock to Barcelona fans.

Nesta's performance was amazing. Nesta looked best Milan player on the field.

It might be only ''one point'' gained by Milan's side, but while whole World expecting Milan to lose by a big margin , it was a great result for Rossoneri for their big prestige.

Bad News For Rossoneri

Two European Giants are going to face on Tuesday night at 19:45 (CET).

Bad news came from Rossoneri's side. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho will miss Milan's first UEFA Champions League game against Barcelona. Midfielder Gattuso suspended and Flamini is injured.

Mexes and Taiwo are out due injuries.

Pato will replace Zlatan along Cassano.

Seedorf - Van Bommel - Aquilani (Ambrosini) trio should constitute midfield trio.

Serie A First Round Post-game views

Opening game played between Milan and Lazio. Seedorf and Zambrotta were rested before Barcelona game.

Lazio pushed so hard and had an early lead against the title holders. Klose and Cisse have scored on their first Serie A debuts.

Both goals came because of Nesta's mistakes. He couldn't stop Klose and German international netted Lazio's first goal and Nesta just watched Cisse's header.

Milan made a come-back with Zlatan and Cassano's goals. New transfer Aquilani wasn't impressive and had a bad game. Gattuso picked up an eye injury and Van Bommel replaced him.

2nd half Milan looked better but wasted some nice chances with Pato and Cassano.

Reja's Lazio offencively proved that they're really dangerous.


Cesena showed good performance against Napoli till they down to 10 men. Lavezzi netted an early goal and gave to Napoli an early lead against The Sea Horses. Cesena defence just watched Lavezzi.

Napoli were better side after the goal but Cesena warmed up and both teams looked equal.

Cesena did equalise with Guana's goal.

Benalouane recieved 2nd yellow card and sent off. It was the key moment. Mazzarri didn't wait long to change Santana with Hamsik (he didn't start in first 11 due resting for up-coming Manchester City game) and Napoli totally controlled the game.

With Campagnaro and Hamsik's goals Napoli got 3-1 lead and they would have scored more if Pandev and Cavani were lucky.

Roma played terrible against Cagliari. Luis Enrique's team looked totally clueless. Roma still need time but till they find themselfs Luis Enrique might be sacked. Krkic , Gago and Kjaer are good transfers but thats hard to understand how Jose Angel and Osvaldo can play in Roma ?

Roma looked dominant on the midfield but couldn't create goal chances.

Conti scored Cagliari's goal after Angel's silly mistake and after 2 minutes from the goal Jose Angel has ben sent off.

Game become a nightmare for Roma in two minutes. Roma pushed hard to tie the game but conceeded 2nd at 90+4th minute.

Daniele De Rossi closed the game with 90+7' minute goal and Roma have lost their first official Serie A game in Olimpico to Cagliari.

Juventus hosted Parma at their ''new home''. Conte made his first official debut. There were a lot of question marks because Parma had won last three games against The Old Lady.

Juventus played a great game , Parma looked desperate against them. Parma had no chance to answer.

Lichsteiner scored opener with Pirlo's amazing assist. Probably Allegri have watched the game with regret eyes. Pirlo was simply amazing.

Vucinic , Vidal and Krasic started on the bench. Juventus have showed that they are ready for Scudetto race. Even Dutch winger Elia sat on the bench. They have a depth squad and a lot of quality players. Only problem is the defence but it seems Conte will solve it.

Matri was unlucky not to score , he had two great chances but luck wasn't on his side.

Marchisio's goal probably the best goal of the week , Pirlo's assist was magnificent.

Juventus were dominant side and totally deserved to win.

Udinese visited Via Del Mare where they have lost 2-0 last season while they were having an incredible run in Serie A.

Sanchez departure brought a lot of speculations for Udinese , if they didn't sell him maybe Udinese would be in Champions League now. Anyway they have replaced Sanchez with Romanian Messi Gabriel Torje.

Udinese had some problems before Lecce game. Benatia was suspended. Armero and Isla were injured.

But Friulani played very intelligent and passed Di Francesco's Lecce.

Gabriel Torje played great and made an assist to Di Natale.


We have mentioned about Inter before season starts. Gasperini isn't right choise for Inter. I think it proved once again. To play 3-4-3 with such squad is just insane.

Sneijder and Pazzini started on the bench. Zarate - Forlan and Milito started in first 11.

Palermo started to game with a lot of passion and pressure. All Palermo players looked like they are giving %200 performance. First 20 minutes Palermo had dominant performance , Diego Milito have scored the opener.

2nd half started so fast with goals.

Inter couldn't even find time to celebrate their goals , because Palermo were too aggressive and gave fast answers to Inter's goals.

Gasperini's 3-4-3 didn't work well against Palermo. Tough Palermo have lost their key players before 2011-2012 season ; Argentinian star Pastore, goalkeeper Sirigu , defenders Bovo and Goian. Midfielder Nocerino.

Palermo's aggressive game plan worked great and had an excellent victory against Gasperini's Inter.

Stand outs ; Atalanta's Maxi Moralez made a great debut with scoring two goals against Genoa.

Udinese's Gabriel Torje played excellent and his first debut was sensational.

Lazio's strikers Cisse and Klose managed to score against the last Champion on their first debuts.

Juventus's Vidal has scored on his first debut against Atalanta.

Without a doubt Juventus's Andrea Pirlo was the ''player of the week''. He managed Juventus midfield excellent. Served great passes and made two brilliant assists and probably made Milan fans upset and Allegri sad.

Cesena - Napoli Official first 11's

CESENA (4-3-3): Ravaglia, Comotto, Benaoulane, Von Bergen, Lauro; Guana, Colucci, Parolo, Candreva; Eder, Mutu. All. Giampaolo.

NAPOLI (3-4-3): De Sanctis, Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica, Maggio, Inler, Dzemaili, Dossena, Santana, Lavezzi, Cavani. All. Mazzarri.

Arbitro: Bergonzi

Cesena will miss goalkeeper Antonioli, Ravaglia will make his first Serie A debut.

Napoli will miss Gargano (suspended) and injured players Britos and Donadel. Marek Hamsik will be rested before Manchester City clash.

AC Milan vs Lazio (Opening game of Serie A Season 2011-2012)

At the opening game of Serie A , title holders AC Milan will host Lazio.

Lets start with Milan ;

Milan have lost Pirlo (transferred to Juventus) and brought two new midfielders , Aquilani and Nocerino. Pirlo wasn't in Allegri's plans though he's a great playmaker. Milan have added two quality defenders to their squad , Mexes and Taiwo. Boriello, Merkel, Sokratis, Onyewu, Oddo, Legrottaglie, Jankulovski have left the team.

Tactic : One of the biggest advantages of Milan that Allegri will not change his formation and will remain 4-3-1-2.

Missings ; Taiwo, Mexes , Flamini,Van Bommel and Robinho doubtful.

Seedorf and Zambrotta haven't called up because of up-coming Barcelona game Allegri has decided to rest them.

Also there are rumours that Zlatan or Pato , one of them might be rested against Lazio.

Milan had a good preparation , have Won two Cups. Trofeo Berlusconi (against Juventus) and Italian Super Cup (against Inter).

Allegri had used all players and had chances to see their forms.

Max Allegri is giving too much important to Barcelona game , and he will field a Milan which have rotations in first 11 and Milan squad is deep enough for it.

While Taiwo is injured and Zambrotta is going to rest , Antonini will get LB position.

Gattuso is suspended in UCL , so he can give %100 against Lazio.

Milan is the biggest favourite of Serie A this season according to bookies and Italian media.

Milan (probable) : Abbiati - Abate - Nesta - Silva - Antonini - Gattuso - Aquilani - Ambrosini - Boateng - Pato (Cassano) - Ibrahimovic

Weakness ; Up-coming Barcelona game and defence's left side (due absence of Taiwo and Zambrotta)

Advantages : Haven't changed formation and have a deep squad with plenty of strikers and midfielders.

Lazio ;

Lazio have lost Muslera,Zarate and Lichsteiner. All were very important players. Konko arrived to replace Lichsteiner. Zarate's departure is a gamble for Edy Reja and Lazio fans still unhappy with this decision.

Reja's Lazio looked very promising for new season. New forwards Cisse and Klose have showed great performances on pre-season game. Especially Lazio looked offencively great.


Lazio have finished Serie A 5th last season and easily reached to groups of Europa League.

Expectations are big from Reja's Lazio but departures of Zarate and Floccari might effect them on long term.

Tactic ; Reja using 4-2-3-1 formation this season and succeeded on pre-season games.

Missings ; Stefan Radu, Lorik Cana, Giuseppe Sculli and Marius Stankevicius.

Goalkeeper Marchetti is suspended , Bizzarri will start in first 11.

Cisse sprained his ankle in training but he's expecting to start against Milan. Also Klose have played on two International games and he had mentioned that he's tired.

If Klose rested , Cisse will play as alone striker , if Klose plays Cisse will play as an AML.

Weakness ; Defencive midfielder position (not enough quality) and defence.

Advantages ; Offencive prosperity and consistence.

Lazio (probable ) ; Bizzarri; Konko, Biava, Dias, Zauri; Ledesma, Brocchi; Mauri, Hernanes, Cissè; Klose

Facts ; Lazio couldn't win in San Siro since 1989 but haven't lost since 2008.

Though Milan are going to give rest to some key players as Seedorf , Zambrotta and Zlatan (or Pato) they have enough depth in their squad.

Milan midfield is working great since Allegri's system succeeded. Boateng linked excellent between midfield and forwards.

We are expecting to see Cassano in 11 instead of Pato (who might be rested for Barça game)

Milan's weakest side will be left flank due of Zambrotta's absence.

Lazio are coming to San Siro with confidence.

Edy Reja ; Milan have incredible potential, but we have the quality to do well and mentioned that Lazio have great attacking options which can give troubles to Milan.

Milan are clear favourite against Lazio but it's gonna be tough one.

Milan midfield is too dominant compared with Lazio's.

Expectations on a fast start by Rossoneri and try to take an early lead at first half.But Lazio's offencive firepower shouldn't be underestimated.

If Milan didn't have Barcelona game , everything would be more clear but now with some rotations Milan might get difficulties against Lazio but Milan are still too strong even with important missings , even match-ups between players and lines containing big quality differences.

Also any negative result might effect Milan before Barcelona game and Allegri knows it very well.

We are expecting both teams to score and Milan's victory here.

Predicted score ; 3-1.

3 New Transfers by Roma before deadline

AS Roma have signed with Fernando Gago from Real Madrid on loan , Danish defender Simon Kjaer from Wolfsburg (who had played in Italy between 2008-2010) on loan and striker Miralem Pjanic from Lyon.