MILANELLO - For the away match at Genoa, Carlo Ancelotti has called up the following players: Goalkeepers: Dida, Kalac, Fiori Defenders: Bonera, Cafu, Digao, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Nesta, Oddo, Simic Midfielders: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Pirlo, Seedorf Attackers: Aubameyang, Gilardino, Kakà, Inzaghi
With Marco Materazzi and Fabio Cannavaro injured, will Italy convince Alessandro Nesta to come out of international retirement?
The Azzurri are facing a crisis ahead of the most important game in Coach Roberto Donadoni’s career so far, the September 8 Euro 2008 qualifier against France at San Siro.
Materazzi is certainly ruled out after suffering a freak thigh injury during Wednesday’s 3-1 friendly in Hungary that almost ended his career.
Now captain Cannavaro is also in doubt, as he picked up a nasty knock during training with Real Madrid and has been left with a suspected sprained ankle.
The situation in defence is increasingly tense and the alternatives for the central roles are lacking in international experience for such a crucial match.
With this in mind, a newspaper campaign is mounting to bring Nesta back into the Italy fold, even if o... Read more »
The European champions begin their assault on the Scudetto at a venue which holds dark memories. The return to Serie A of Genoa after a 12-year absence has been over-shadowed by the reminders of Vincenzo Spagnolo’s murder in 1995 that have been thrown up by the opening day fixtures computer. The young Genoa fan was stabbed prior to a Serie A clash between the two clubs – causing the match to be abandoned when news reached the players.
The two teams haven’t faced each other in Serie A since that fateful day, so perhaps it is best that this meeting is out of the way early in the season. There is also talk of banning away fans, but hopefully it will be the players and not the tifosi who make the headlines.
Unsurprisingly, given their relative lack of summer business, there is unlikely to be any debutants for Milan on Sunday – but possibly surprisingly considering their meagre Serie A performance with the same squ... Read more »
Alessandro Nesta has followed in Francesco Totti’s footsteps and announced his retirement from international football.
The Milan stopper hasn’t featured in the Azzurri’s recent qualifiers and it has now been confirmed that the 31-year-old has played his last game for Italy.
“I’ve always been so attached to the national jersey and playing for my country has been the best thing in my career,” he stated at a Press conference at Milanello.
“I’m very sorry, but I can’t keep playing in all these games. If I want to keep myself at the top level I need to rest a bit."
Although the decision has only been announced today, it appears that Nesta had been preparing his exit for months.
“I missed a national game when I got married which I only allowed to happen because I knew my Azzurri adventure was over,” he admitted.
“Perhaps I could have gone on longer, but my greatest regret is the last World Cup as it wasn’t easy to watch my teammates triumph whi... Read more »
With Marco Materazzi and Fabio Cannavaro injured, will Italy convince Alessandro Nesta to come out of international retirement? 
Milan 
