Well, Conte has some good results to back him up.

Antonio Conte named new Juventus coach

Ciro Ferrara v.2

Signori arrested in Italy match-fixing probe

Another betting scandal. Italians just never learn, do they.

How are your winnings?

Wha?

I thought you were Italian? Right?

Drinks spiked in betting scandal?


There are some bizarre allegations after 16 people, including Beppe Signori, were arrested in a betting scandal, including Inter-Lecce and drugged players.
This morning police swooped in several cities to break up what they claim is a betting ring that was involved in match-fixing, bribery, intimidation and even spiking drinks.

Former Lazio star Signori was named as the ‘ringleader’ by the court order and is now under house arrest, while others include Ascoli players Vincenzo Sommese and Vittorio Micolucci.

Atalanta captain Cristiano Doni is among those under investigation, but has not been arrested, while former Fiorentina midfielder Mauro Bressan and ex-Bari man Antonio Bellavista are also implicated.

The Cremona public prosecutors allege that at least 18 games between Serie A, B and Lega Pro were involved after examining unusual betting patterns.

According to the paperwork signed by prosecutor Guido Salvini, Signori is “the undisputed leader due to personal prestige in the Bologna area. He is involved in a betting ring on fixed games, placing €150,000 on the Serie A match Inter-Lecce.”

This is an interesting case, as the bets were for at least three goals in that Inter-Lecce game, but it ended 1-0 for the home side.

The result prompted alleged retaliatory attacks on those in the betting ring who had not done enough to ensure the fixture went as ‘planned.’

Brescia-Bologna on April 2 saw unusual betting patterns on a home victory, which emerged 3-1.

Another game pin-pointed was Atalanta’s Serie B 3-0 victory over Piacenza, which ended 3-0 on March 19. The prosecutors wrote that “Doni was one of those players who allegedly agreed the result with Piacenza defender Carlo Gervasoni. The second goal was a penalty from Gervasoni’s foul on Doni.”

It’s also alleged that both teams automatically promoted from Serie B this season, Siena and Atalanta, had games that were part of this betting ring’s focus.

Perhaps the most disturbing allegation is that Cremonese players had their drinks spiked ahead of the 2-0 victory over Paganese on November 14, 2010.

Several players and members of staff felt ill during and after the game, with some requiring hospital treatment. It’s alleged they were given sleeping draughts.

No, man, I'm Albanian. Though I do currently live in Milan and I've bet my fair share a few times lately, with crap results.

Genoa have announced “we accepted Napoli’s €6m co-ownership offer for Domenico Criscito. Now the player has to agree terms with them.”

It was already widely reported that negotiations were in place for the defender and this evening matters came to a head.

“Napoli have shown a concrete interest, proposing a figure that is equal to his value, so we have accepted Napoli’s offer for Criscito,” Genoa President Enrico Preziosi told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“Now the player and his agent have to agree terms with them. It’s just a matter of putting pen on paper to complete Criscito’s transfer to the Azzurri. It’s a dream come true for the lad, going back to his home town.

“They have paid €6m in a co-ownership deal with an option to buy the remaining 50 per cent of his contract for a figure that has already been decided. Fabiano Santacroce does not play a part in this transfer.”

Good buy by Napoli,bit too expensive though.

Sarcasm?

italy's best LB for 6M on co-own is a good deal. You realize their Terzinos would be Maggio and Criscito? best duo in Serie A if that happens

He's 24 years old,I rate him as much as Abate from what I've seen from him,I just don't recall much from him.Isn't he like great going forward but bit weak defensively or no?

You seem to know him very well.

Criscito used to be a CB before he started playing as fullback. He's much better at defending than going forward.

With all due respect, Klose is way past his prime, but at a club like Lazio,...you never can tell. He may find himself in another renaissance.

As for Luis Enrique...I don't get it. Why didn't Roma try harder with Carletto or another Italian manager?

With all due respect, Klose is way past his prime

Yes, I watch "die Mannschaft". But that's special. At Bayern he completely lost his touch - just reckon his last match, where he pulled out a "Lewandowski". And it's not just 1 match, he's limping with Bayern for 2 seasons now. The Germany matches are exemptions.

Apparently there's been a car accident and Napoli's defender Hugo Campagnaro got seriously injured.

Napoli defender Hugo Campagnaro is doing well, but is in shock after a road traffic accident left three people dead.

The Argentine was driving a Toyota Hilux in his homeland, with two passengers, when it was involved in a crash with a white Volkswagen Polo.

“I want to reassure the Napoli fans that Hugo is OK,” the player’s uncle, Sergio Castillo, exclusively told CalcioNapoli24.it.

“The crash was devastating and his best friend, Alvaro Castelli, died on impact. The two people in the other car also died.

“Hugo is in the Rio Cuarto hospital, where he will remain under observation. He’s conscious, but in shock and he still doesn’t know about Alvaro’s death.

“He’s suffered some bruises and head trauma, but, as is natural, he is in shock.

“The seatbelt and the airbag saved Hugo’s life. I also want to dismiss claims that his wife died in the accident.”

It’s unclear what exactly caused the impact, but Castillo suggested that the weather conditions may have contributed to the tragedy.

“The accident happened at 7am on a state road in the province of Cordoba,” continued the relative.

“We still don’t know the dynamics of the incident. The fog and the rain were probably a factor.”

No no no no no... that are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many exemptions to call them exemptions. He's excellent for Die Mannschaft like always when he plays. I figure, if he would be a starter at a new club like Lazio, he will get form and all, and he will shine. Klose will turn out to be a great signing for Lazio. Lazio lacked a goalscoring player if anything, they will be very strong now. Klose has got strength and all, very nice header, perfect signing for Lazio.

Nah. Gomez is only 25, scored 28 goals last season and won us that game against Austria. He's the future. Klose has been great for Germany during dark times when we had the crappiest team since we became a force in football. He's a nice and I think he can help Lazio a lot. But he'll never be the player he was on his prime 5 years ago, when Klose was the most underrated WC striker in the world.

So, Padova will return next year to Serie A. That wakes some old memories...