A stroll through Italy and the Serie A
by Paul Visca, SerieA.tv
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Andriy Shevchenko has identified winning over the fans as the most difficult task awaiting the forward on his return to AC Milan.
The 31-year-old arrived back in his adopted homeland at the weekend and although admitting that claiming a starting place ahead of the Rossoneri's eight other attacking players would not be easy, it was satisfying the disillusioned supporters that posed the biggest challenge.
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He said: "It's important that the team wins. If all the players get on well together, then we'll have some fun.
"[Carlo] Ancelotti will have many options, he will be able to change tactics even during a match, which is important in order to be successful and I have no doubts that he knows how to move in these situations ."
However, the Ukrainian striker added: "The most difficult challenge now is to win over the people who were disappointed when I left. Now I'm back I'll try my hardest, it's all I know how to do."
The arrival of the former Chelsea player has made for tense competition for one of the three attacking places in Carlo Ancelotti's favored Christmas Tree set-up, which could see Clarence Seedorf team up with Ronaldinho behind Filippo Inzaghi in the season's opener at the San Siro against newly-promoted Bologna on Sunday, with Sheva given time to resettle in.
Meanwhile, the lack of opportunity to secure playing time at the Milan giants may see Alberto Paloschi loaned out for a year with Torino Genoa and city rivals Sampdoria interested in taking on 19-year-old forward.
Nedved eyes Rome farewell
Pavel Nedved has hinted that he aims to close the circle of his adventure in Italian football with victory in the Champions League.
The final of Europe's most prestigious tournament will be played at the Olympic stadium in Rome, where the Juventus midfielder set off in Serie A with Lazio and where he would like to end his final season in Italy.
He said: "I started my career in Italian football in Rome and I would like to end it in Rome as well."
The Czech Fury, who turns 36 next Saturday, will celebrate his 8th anniversary at the Turin outfit on Tuesday in Slovakia where the Bianconeri need only defend a four goal first-leg advantage over Artmedia Bratislava in the preliminary round to progress to the Champions League proper.
For the former European Player of the Year, qualifying for Europe's elite tournament would end another cycle, that which opened when Juventus were relegated to Serie B two seasons ago for the club's involvement in the football scandal when the Old Lady faced her first match ever out of the top flight against Rimini.
He said: "With this evening's match a cycle comes to an end that started two years ago in Rimini and if everything goes in the right direction, a new one will open.
"We are an interesting group that mixes strength, class and experience. Nothing is impossible for us - it's only important that we aim for a well-defined objective."
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Lazio vs. Inter Milan
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Totti foiled by destiny
Francesco Totti has revealed his frustration at missing the crucial penalty against Inter in the Italian Super Cup.
The Nerazzurri claimed the first trophy of the season on Sunday with a penalty shoot-out success following an entertaining 2-2 draw with AS Roma, but the inspirational captain could have clinched it for the Giallorossi had he converted his spot kick.
He said: "To miss like that was a real shame, especially as it seemed a carbon copy of what happened in the World Cup with Australia.
"I started on the bench, came on and had the deciding penalty. It seemed already written as if it had been a film."
The 31-year-old, who could only watch as his shot cannoned off the cross-bar, added: "I had a thousand thoughts going through my head when I stepped up, so I kicked it as I always do, with the instep, but it went high all the same.
"And just think that Julio Cesar had dived before I hit my shot but I hadn't realised." The former Italy international admitted that the San Siro outfit have become more of a team under the guidance of Jose Mourinho compared to the double title-winning side led by Roberto Mancini.
He said: "The Portuguese's team is already more organised. They know how to get back behind the ball, all except [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, who is more than capable of holding up the attack on his own."
However, Totti preferred to concentrate on his own side's efforts, coming back twice after being outplayed in the first half, in light of the Serie A opener against Napoli at the Olympic stadium on Sunday.
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He said: "I believe that what we managed to display from the second half onwards is a strong base from which to set off against Napoli.
"No false moves. It is a match we must win."
Kuz unfazed by Mutu loss
Zdravko Kuzmanovic is confident Fiorentina can enjoy double success in an exciting week for the Tuscan club.
The Viola are in the Czech Republic preparing for the second-leg of the final Champions League preliminary round and the 20-year-old midfielder is determined to fulfill a personal dream of participating in Europe's premier trophy by securing entry to the group phase before the Serie A campaign kicks off with the visit of historic rivals Juventus.
He said: "We've just got a wonderful, fascinating week underway. We'll go up against Slavia Prague in the return of the Champions League preliminary round and then we'll face a historic match against Juventus, where I'm sure the fans will give us massive backing.
"Playing in the Champions League would crown a dream for me. We have a good advantage and we aim to capitalize on it."
The Serbia international, who burst on to the scene last season following his transfer from Swiss club FC Basel , was instrumental as the Florentine side secured a two goal lead over the Czech team in the opening encounter at the Artemio Stadium.
Adrian Mutu scored a sensational goal to open the scoring, however, the Swiss-born player is sure the absence of the talismanic captain due to an elbow injury will not be disruptive to Cesare Prandelli's men.
He said: "Our group is strong and united, we all help each other. We're concentrated and we want to get a result.
"I don't know if Mutu will be fit to face Slavia, but [Pablo] Osvaldo will know how to replace him adequately after the good pre-season he's had."
Paul Visca is a writer and match commentator for SerieA.TV and contributes Italian soccer news for FoxSoccer.com.
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