Giuseppe Rossi has gotten the call from Lippi and is making the jump from the Azzurrini to the Azzuri. Rossi is just one of four new faces to enter the squad. Christian Maggio, Fabiano Santacroce and Simone Pepe are also included. I'm really looking forward to seeing Rossi get his chance at the senior level. I believe he is really going to be a main contributor to Italy in the next few World Cups and Euros. Here is the full list of call ups for the games against Bulgaria and Montenegro.

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Amelia (Palermo), De Sanctis (Galatasaray)
Defenders: Bonera (Milan), Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Chiellini (Juventus), Dossena (Liverpool), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Santacroce (Napoli), Zambrotta (Milan)
Midfielders: Aquilani (Roma), Camoranesi (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Maggio (Napoli), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Nocerino (Palermo), Perrotta (Roma)
Forwards: Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Pepe (Udinese), G Rossi (Villareal), Toni (Bayern Munich).

Love him or hate him Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the worlds best strikers. He can create something from virtually nothing. If you haven't seen his most recent magical moment you need to see his goal from Saturday against Bologna. An amazing back heal from behind the defender. Just amazing.

With the start of the new Champions League campaign, one of the topics that has frequented Spanish commentary and blogs is - Is the Premier League outshining La Liga? Is La Liga are 2nd Tier League? (I don't want to go there, but the same Spanish rags claim that Serie A is a retirement league and will get worse should Ibra or Kaká leave.)

OK, the yahoos from the Spanish rages, exaggerate, freak out and love high drama. They need to fill up their dailies and create news. But it's been awhile since a La Liga team has won the Champions League, Spanish clubs are in debt, and people are worried.

Does the Prem brand better than La Liga? Is the Prem moving towards the NBA mega-sensation and is La Liga far behind? C'mon, La Liga still shows their games at 10pm at nite. This is not conducive to Asia and the the other foreign markets. Do the Spanish teams do a good job of promoting themselves overseas other than the Big Two? Look, Everton has been coming to the US every year and West Ham came over to play this past year. Pompey went to China. These teams are spreading the Prem love and they are NOT the Big Four. Is La Liga doing enough to earn fans and sell shirts? We have the best fútbol, shouldn't that be enough?

Also what about the provincial, club media deals? Is this archaic? Is a league-wide agreement as used in England, more conducive to a strong league?

Deportivo La Coruña's President has said that the future of Spanish football is foreign investment? Do you agree?

Here's my two cents, I think Spain can learn a lot from the Premiership, particularly the media deals and distribution of wealth (even though the richer clubs still get more money due to more appearances on TV and attendances). I also adore the parachute package for teams promoted and relegated. Spain needs something like this drastically. I also think the branding can improve of La Liga, but in moderation. The league as a whole should try and assist in this matter. Why don't they produce and offer Friday preview shows in Spanish? Why aren't some of the Spanish football opinion shows made available, with dubbing or translation to foreign markets?

The infrastructure and organization in Spain needs vast improvement. Why are the games decided sometimes 3 hours before kickoff? How is that conducive to coach potato fans? The technology, camera angles, and TV picture, needs to get to the 21st century. The visuals are appalling. Have you ever compared a Prem or CL game to a La Liga game. The La Liga game pales in comparison.

We need access to more La Liga games on TV or via broadband. Why not offer the other games at a more moderate price? It's difficult for Spaniards to watch non local games, let alone foreigners. This has got to improve. Also access to kits, merchandise, magazines, daily rags would be awesome. Do you know how hard it is to find an Athletic Bilbao kit?

But I like the provincial nuances and local flavor of La Liga and I for one, don't want them to lose this. The play on the pitch is amazing, along with the parity and strength of the mid table teams. The cantera or youth academies keep producing wonderful talent. And there are players that are loyal or don't want to go abroad - see Cazorla, Villa, Silva, Casillas. I don't want foreign investment to come in and ruin La Liga or great an artificial market. We don't need billionaires, just better marketing and business savvy. The Spanish owners already do a fine job sticking their clubs in the red. I also feel that the last remaining socio clubs, need to stay that way - Real Madrid, Barçelona, Athletic Bilbao, etc. It keeps accountability.

But where there is talent on the pitch and in the back office ie managers and technical directors, some will want to go abroad where the money is IE England. But I am not worried about the level of play or the trophies, to me it's all cyclical. The money is in the Prem, but that is a bubble that will burst and a recalibration or reallignment will take place. The Premiership will not always be at the top. Relax.

And honestly I don't want a super league. I don't want to watch just the top leagues or the same teams always winning. That's boring and not what football is all about. We already have the Champions League, World Cup and other tournaments where the cream of the crop rise to the top. Isn't that enough?

OK, those are my thoughts, but I want to hear from you. What do you think? Give us your comments and we'll read them on the podcast. We'd love to hear from you. It's a fascinating topic, that won't go away.

Will this be the return to a marvelous Milan? Having made a few changes this summer Milan are entering the season fresh. There will be no Champions League to worry about though there will be UEFA Cup starting with a match against FC Zürich on the 18 of September. So lets get down to the transfers. Arriving at the club this summer Flamini and Senderos from Arsenal, Abbiati from Atletico Madrid, Zambrotta from Barcelona, Borriello back from Genoa, Storari from Cagliari, Cardaccio from Nacional (Uruguay), Viudez from Defensor (Uruguay), Antonini from Empoli, Shevchenko from well you know and a guy you might have heard about Ronaldinho from Barcelona. Those whom have departed the San Siro: Gilardino (Fiorentina), Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Cafu (Expired contract), Serginho (Expired contract), Storari (Fiorentina), Grimi (Sporting Lisbon), Abate (Torino), Simic (Monaco), Digao (Standard Liege), Ronaldo (Expired contract), Paloschi (Parma), Oddo (Bayern Munich), Brocchi (Lazio) Let's take a look at a few of the signings. Mathías Cardaccio from Nacional of Uruguay a 21 year old midfielder who signed a four year contact with Milan. He has a nose for goal from distance and isn't afraid to take a shot. He fancies himself a younger Pirlo. Tabaré Viudez from Defensor Sporting of Uruguay is a 19 year old left footed Midfielder. Pudants in Uruguay have been praising him as Uruguay’s most promising talent. Mathieu Flamini Ronaldinho: Andriy Shevchenko Marco Borriello

Well it is official. Ronaldinho has found a new how with a few less dollar signs. I think this is a very good move for Ronaldinho and has the opportunity to be a great move for Milan.

Let’s start with the player. Ronaldinho has not set the world on fire for quit some time now. First things first, lets get him back in shape. Milan love talking about the Milan Labs, now lets work on him. Have him get back into playing shape and ready for the season. We all know Ronaldinho possesses the skills to dazzle millions. But will he change his recent ways in Milan? I think he will. Yes there are still a huge party environment in Milan but I think for at least the mean time he will be good and get back on track by training and watching the weight. How long that lasts well, I hope until the day his contract runs out.

Let’s go over to the club. Milan know that his name will sell and sell a lot. He will sell even more for the team if they are performing well on the pitch. Which takes me to my next point, as long as Milan do well on the pitch, we really can’t complain.

I am looking forward to this season beginning and I am hopeful we will see Ronaldinho back at his best entertaining millions and winning games for Milan.

Even with the big win by Spain, we have to remember that the show is Forza Futbol, a better lens at Serie A and La Liga, whether we like it or not and the Silly Season has begun in earnest on the peninsula. Here are my Top 10.

1) Amauri from Palermo to Juventus. The inevitable transfer that was rumored in the works all last year finally happened. For €15.3 million it was a fine piece of business for a club that notoriously prefer not to splash the big cash, but when the market for target-men is becoming so inflated, and moreso now with Eto’o and Drogba, not to mention the delirious Emanuel Adebayor, this signing may well be the one that stands out for Juve.

2) Alberto Gilardino from AC Milan to Fiorentina. I’m not a huge Gila fan, but there is no denying that the man scores goals when he is happy and the pressure isn’t on, and when he’s away from Milano. Well, here’s his wish. For €15 million it may be a bit on the pricey side for La Viola, but they have found a quality replacement finally for Luca Toni and they have cover in case the rumoured Adrian Mutu transfer starts percolating. I think we see a return to form for Alberto.

3) Sebastien Giovinco from Empoli to Juventus. The new poster boy for the Azzurrini may not be classic striker material but his quality shines despite his lack of size. After years of plodding hulks up front, we are starting to see players like Giovinco, Lionel Messi, Kun Aguero and Diego Buonanotte bring some class and trickery to the position. Already owned by Juve, a loan spell at Empoli cemented him in the first team for the tiny club last year, and impressed those in the know who pegged him for the national team. For those people who called forJuve to sign a creative force behind the strikers, I think Giovinco does the trick. Don’t be surprised if he regularly starts for the Old Lady.

4) Juan Pablo Carrizzo from River Plate of Argentina to SS Lazio. After a failed attempt to land Carrizzo last summer, Lazio finally got their man. After a disastrous campaign with career backup Marco Ballotta Lazio were in desperate need of a quality keeper and River is a factory for quality keepers, especialy those valued at around €8 million. He’ll do well, but Lazio were in such need, that any sort of play from Juan Pablo will make an impact.

5) Marco Borriello from Genoa to AC Milan. Cash strapped Milan are still in the hunt for a big name striker, with all the big names involved, but buying full interest in Borriello from Genoa allows them some leeway in case the prices are too high in England and in Spain. He won’t be first choice, Milan don’t really rate him in the same way that they rate Pippo or Pato, but as a third strike option he is just what the Milanistas wanted: cheap and useful.

6) Felipe Melo from Almeria to Fiorentina. For around €13 million a player like Felipe Melo might be considered an anomaly, especially coming from an unheralded Almeria side, but Melo is an important cog from that squad and will obviously help to strengthen Fiorentina and also lengthen their bench as the Champions League beckons.

7) Raffaele Palladino from Juventus to Genoa. A very talented striker for the Azzurrini and one of a handful of the brighter lights of the youth competitions in Italy, Palladino featured in 26 games last year, 14 as a starter and 12 as a sub, but he never got a real chance in his preferred central role and was used more as an out-and-out winger. He will get his chance at Genoa as they will be looking for someone to shoulder the burden of top scorer Marco Borriello’s loss. Add to the fact that all told he cost about €4 million for half his rights and Juve have an option to buy him back later and it’s a win/win.

8) Matthieu Flamini from Arsenal to AC Milan. With his contract on its last year and still not starting for an Arsenal team in transition, Flamini was desperate for playing time and an opportunity to show his worth. After a year at Marseille, he had two workmanlike years at Arsenal, before having a career year starting alongside Cesc Fabregas. He traded up his journeyman’s contract for one more suited of a man of his station. What he’ll find out is that there are few open slots in that Milan midfield, there is obviously an adaptation period to Serie A, as we saw last year from Thiago at Juventus, and the expectations are much higher at the San Siro for winning championships than there are at the Emirates. It’s a good thing they got him on a free as they are more likely to give him a chance as a super-sub off the bench.

9) Pablo Ledesma from Boca Juniors to Catania. The Elephants will be running this year as Boca’s hard running right sided midfielder will be playing in Catania next year. Another in a long line of Boca prodigies, Ledesma will bring hard running and a strong shot to the islanders. A good, strong signing for a club that usually stays out of the mix.

10) John Arne Riise from Liverpool to AS Roma. Sorry, but it wouldn’t be right to ignore Roma, as I am a supporter, but frankly I think Riise is a good, complementary player, and of course no superstar, but a good fit for the giallorossi. He is better going forward of course and has a powerful shot, plus his throwins are some of the longest I’ve seen.

This list is of course just what’s gone on, to date, and as expected Inter still haven’t joined the melee and Milan will probably finalize the Ronaldinho move soon enough, but it’s usually these early deals that work the best, as it gives the players more time to adjust to their new surroundings. Stay tuned to the show for more transfer silliness.

Learning to Lead

Italy found itself in a bit of a crisis this week. I know, I know, but trust me this
one is a humdinger because Prime Minister Romano Prodi resigned on Thursday at
the time of writing nobody knows what is going to happen next. Yikes.

Italy it would seem does not have a leader.

Which brings us quite craftily to the subject of this week’s blog, because on
Saturday afternoon even the most hardened cynic could not have failed to be
impressed by the heart warming performance of possible leader in the making . . .
(drum roll) . . . Antonio Cassano.

I hear laughing at the back.

Now you could say it was only Siena and I am not suggesting for one moment that
Cassano is the man to resurrect the flagging economy, fight the gripping tax evasion
epidemic and get those streets in Naples cleaned up, I mean the boy has to train -
but sticking to calcio, seeing him on the sideline after being substituted,
encouraging his team mates, pointing, gesticulating . . . well, it “warmed the
cockles” as my Nan used to say.

It looks like he is enjoying life at the Luigi Ferrari and clearly looked “up for
it” from the first whistle against Siena. After three minutes, he cut inside from
the left and smashed a twenty five yarder against crossbar and when he got a sniff
of a chance just before half time, he swept the ball into the far corner past the
despairing keeper. No fuss. The kind of goal that’s made to look easy by players of
class, the kind of goal that wins matches and 1-0 was how it indeed finished.

He made a point of celebrating with his coach Mazzari and seeing them both on the
touchline in the later stagesof the game, it is clear a special bond has been forged
between the two.

So, Sampdoria captain? Could be. Possibly.

Now granted, the man with the armband for now is midfielder Sergio Volpi who is as
much of an unsung name in Sampdoria’s midfield as I’m guessing Alexei Aleksandrovich
Mikhailichenko was for them in the early 90’s, but he is a consistent and reliable
figure and given that the previous captain was cocaine quaffer Francesco Flachi, it
may not seem particularly prudent to hand the armband straight over to the
pot-marked prince of petulance from Bari.

But Cassano is growing and hopefully maturing and fans of Italian football must be
hoping that the corner being turned is one that leads to a call up from for la
nazionale and a telling contribution at Euro 2008.

If all that happens, by the time we reach South Africa 2010, Italy will really have
a leader on which to rest their hopes.

Ross Howard