A stroll through Italy and the Serie A
by Paul Visca, SerieA.tv
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Jose Mourinho has come clean and admitted his desire to see Ricardo Quaresma at Inter.
The recently installed coach had kept his targets under wraps as he plans to strengthen the Nerazzurri for a tilt at the Champions League next season.
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He said: "I admit I would like to have Quaresma. He's a player I admire a lot and I have no qualms about revealing it.
"My intention is not to create worthless pressure on who is working on this by saying he's the only one I want and I'm not interested in any other player, also because Inter already has an impressive squad."
Reports suggest that the 45-year old is set to raid his former club Chelsea with Frank Lampard the main target.
Former protege Deco has completed his transfer to the English Premier League side, a signing which could facilitate Lampard's move to the San Siro outfit.
However, the former Porto tactician claimed it would be difficult to see the English midfielder in Milan before the end of his contract which expires in 2009.
He said: "It's unlikely Lampard will arrive because Chelsea is an important club."
Lippi to re-taste Italy glory
Marcello Lippi has declared he has returned at the helm of the national team to make Italy victorious again.
The 60-year old spoke at his first full press conference since he was asked to take over the Azzurri team, only two years since his decision to resign in charge of the World Champions.
He said: "I'm very happy to pick up where I left off. I'm coming back to win, to relive what I felt in the past - the World Cup triumph."
The former Juventus coach has replaced Roberto Donadoni, whose quarter-final exit at Euro 2008 was deemed insufficient by the national football association despite being knocked out by eventual winners Spain on penalties.]
Lippi maintained that he has no intention to revolutionise the Azzurri squad nor recall stars who have called it a day on the international scene, such as Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta.
He continued: "These two years for the national side have not been wasted. The World Cup winning group has been added to by Donadoni with important players.
"Nothing will be thrown away from this group who won two years ago. We need to find the right mix between young and old, although I won't be recalling those you have decided to retire from the scene."
Although revealing his admiration for the technical skills of European Champions Spain, the Italy coach admitted that his side would attempt to balance hard work with an open-minded approach.
He said: "We'll try to play aggressive, positive and enterprising football. A great team should know how to do everything: attack and defend."
De Rossi targets top honors
Daniele De Rossi has set his sights on a major trophy now that he has extended his stay as AS Roma.
The talented midfielder signed a contract extension which will see him wear the red and yellow shirt until 2012 on Monday.
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The 24-year-old admitted he decided to stay at the capital club because he is convinced last year's runners-up can go one better.
He said: "I'm staying to win the title and to win the Champions League.
"I hope to stay here as long as my legs can carry me and my desire is the same as everbody's."
Despite missing one of the penalties that saw the Azzurri lose to Spain in Euro 2008, the Rome-born star maintained not to feel responsible for his country's exit and welcomed Marcello Lippi back at the helm of the national team.
He said:"Lippi was the coach who called me up to the national team and gave me my debut. He also showed faith in me after my sending off in Germany 2006, so I have great trust in him.
"Donadoni? I'm sorry we were knocked out on penalties but I don't feel especially responsible."
Emerson sets out to repay Milan
Emerson believes he can repay the faith AC Milan have shown in him.
The midfielder suffered a disappointing debut season at the San Siro outfit as injury forced the Brazilian to make only nine starts throughout the league campaign.
The 32-year old maintains, however, that he can rediscover his best despite undergoing surgery on May 13.
He said: "This club has given me so much while unfortunately due to injury, I've not been able to pay them back as best I can. I can make a more telling contribution to the one I made last year.
"Living with a fracture was not easy, the pain was often stronger than the desire to train. After the operation, I can say I feel a lot better and hope to make it back for the Berlusconi Trophy."
The friendly match is played in honor of Luigi Berlusconi between Juventus and AC Milan at the San Siro stadium and this year is scheduled for August 17.
Paul Visca is a writer and match commentator for SerieA.TV and contributes Italian soccer news for FoxSoccer.com.
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