Udinese...

23-05-2012

Pozzo: “We want to establish ourselves to (“at”?) the highest degree”

No will to demobilize. No will to earn something by selling the precious pieces of a toy that has reached excellent achievement in the last two seasons. The will and the goal, simple and clear, is to establish ourselves to (“at”?) the highest degree, both in Italy and abroad, also in the future. Gianpaolo Pozzo looks determined as he analyses the plans and strategies of the Club.

As always, the rumors of Udinese being a valuable dish (??)  at the summer transfer market banquet are growing...
“I know, but they are making bricks without straw (??). Granting that I have not received any real offer for our players, I’d like to point out that Udinese have no intention of frittering (???) away all the good things done so far, with hard work. The squad and the technical staff have done an excellent job and the Club is working to give them more and more modern, efficient, structures, facilities and “environment”, so that we can reach our real goal: to consolidate the jump in quality (literal translation from Italian: “Salto di qualita’”?) we’ve made in the last two years”.

What are your strategies?
“We don’t have any need or will to send our precious pieces (send where? Sell perhaps??). The world economic situation is clear and I don’t think there are so many golden geese who can satisfy our players more than we can here, in Udine. The new stadium and the Champions League (“Champions’ League”?), which we intend to play as long as possible, will allow us to make that jump in quality  (see above) which is fundamental to pay our players as they deserve. We are doing everything we can to make Udinese a top club and the results are clear. Of course if Real Madrid or Barcelona are interested, it would be like winning the lottery for a player. But I don’t think they are interested in our players every year”.
Do you think some players see Udinese as a showcase to reach higher peaks?
“And what would these peaks be? No, I think everyone has to understand that Udine is becoming a finishing line, not a starting point for a player’s career. A reality that, after the reach of Paradise (???), wants to establish itself at the top. And Di Natale is the living proof of how one can grow old happily here, under all points of view, while if you travel the world you run the risk of end (“of ending”?) the career early. Mantovani’s Sampdoria is the clear example of how scheduling, ideas, seriousness can be more productive than money. We have reached the third place. We have qualified for the Champions League (see above) play-off round and we want to continue. All together: staff and Club. I grant you I will not tolerate anyone who want (“who wants”?) to destroy what we have conquered with seriousness, hard work and a lot of sweat”.

No work even for credit cards???

So you REALLY know there’s a crisis in Italy when even the credit cards haven’t got work (from a Rome restaurant)!

Viva Napoli (and its English)!

Italy Cup, Petrucci's compliments to Napoli

 "Dear President, on personal name (??), and on behalf of (“the”?) Italian National Olympic Committee, I express the most sincere congratulations for your Italy Cup (“victory”?), capable of rewarding an ambitious corporate policy (??), besed (“based”?) on investments aimed to a strict schedule (??) in the name of success". With these words the President of Coni Gianni Petrucci wrote to Aurelio De Laurentiis for victory in Italy Cup (“for the victory in the Italy Cup final”?). Through a telegram, Petrucci added that this title "is the consecration of a project destined to experience new pages of glory, proper gratification for a group of talents shaped by a brilliant coach and directed by a  prepared leadership" (!!!).

Petrucci concluded asking to the President of Napoli (“asking the President of Napoli”?)  to "extend the felicitations of all Italian sports to athletes, technicians and the entire staff that led the team to this well deserved victory which I had the pleasure to attend. This opportunity allows me to wish you new prestigious goals. "

 Napoli-Juventus 2-0

Napoli: De Sanctis, Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica, Maggio, Dzemaili, Inler, Zuniga, Hamsik (40' st Dossena), Lavezzi (27' st Pandev), Cavani (48' st Britos). At disp. Rosati, Grava, Fernandez,Vargas. Coach Mazzarri

Juventus: Storari, Barzagli, Bonucci, Caceres, Lichtsteiner (23' st Pepe), Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Estigarribia, Borriello (28' st Quagliarella), Del Piero (23' st Vucinic). At disp. Manninger, Marrone, Giaccherini, Matri. Coach Conte

Referee: Brighi from Cesena
Scorer: 17' st Cavani rig., 38' st Hamsik
Note: before the match one silence minute for the attack's victims (??) in Brindisi and for earthquake's victims (??) in Emilia. Yellow card for Marchisio, Dzemaili, Cannavaro, Storari, Borriello, De Sanctis.Red card at 45' st for Quagliarella because of unfair play.

Naples-Are us, are us,  the cup's champions are us! It's blue the sky above the Olimpico (“the sky above the Olimpico is blue”?), Napoli won the Tim Cup 2012, the fourth  Italy Cup in our history.  Cavani-Hamsik and a penalty earned by Lavezzi, the three tenors sing the chorus of 11 lions and thirty thousand hearts that beat in the capital. It is the symbol image (??) of the new era, the photograph was printed in the Renaissance soul. Juve lowers his head (“its head”?), losing the first match of the season. Napoli is a cyclone that overwhelms the Lady “(the Old Lady”?) in half an hour. Lavezzi is the lightning of the snowstorm, he slips in the area on a ball which becomes fire, Storari puts him on the ground. Penalty. The Matador takes the ball and responsibilities of champions, De Laurentiis in the stand (“stands”?) puts his hands over his eyes, not watch (“and doesn’t watch”?). Edinson takes the race under the North curve invaded by Neapolitan people, blood melts (!!!). The ball goes straight in the cry (???) of an entire city. One for us, the triumph takes color, disappears the black-white and the Rainbow appears when Pandev bisected the field and kisses Marek raising the crest in the glory (makes sense…). Champions we are: June 13, 1987,  May 20, 2012. Twenty-five years of a wonderful love story. Cannavaro lifts the Cup,  Napoli won. On top of the Capitol flys (“flies”?) the white shirt of the magician Walter (Walter who?) along with eleven blue flags. The story will call them forever the Warriors of  Mazzarri.  The melody of angels lights the stars of the Olimpico. Oje vita, oje vita mia, oj core e chistu core This is our heartbeat, our universal chant. Turn up the volume and download the original. IT IS NAPLES THE CAPITAL!

Napoli in Trentino for other 3 years. The Blues in retirement at Dimaro from 10 to 23 July. De Laurentiis: In Trentino we found hospitality and professionalism, I'd like it became the summer home of Napoli

Napoli and Trentino together for another three years. Club (“the club”?) has confirmed Dimaro as the seat of retiring (???) renewing the agreement with the beautiful resort of Val di Sole for another three seasons. The team will play the preseason in  the pearl of dolomite (“the Dolomites”?) from 10 to 23 July.

The announcement came at a press conference at the Hotel Vesuvio from (“with”?) President De Laurentiis alongside the Mayor of Dimaro Romedio Menghini, the General Manager of marketing Trentino Paul Manfrini  and the Councillor for tourism of the province of Trento, Tiziano Mellarini.  Just Mellarini brought his felicitations for the Italy Cup's success. "Congratulations to Napoli for this trophy, congratulations to President De Laurentiis, to the club, to the  team  for a success that we feel our (“ours”?) too to  have baptized in summer (“during the summer”?) this beautiful season. The Val di Sole is the history of the Dolomites and are pleased to host after Inter and Bayern also Napoli, which we consider a reality of first class in international field" (“in the international field”?).

Even the Mayor Menghini is associated with the compliments: "we are happy because  symbolically us too (“we too”?) and Trentino helped this prestigious milestone and a successful year of Napoli. Now we are delighted to be able to still have the team at Dimaro for the next three years, sure to celebrate major achievements yet (???) . We care a lot also about Neapolitan fans who also brought us warmth and affection and that now we will gladly to embrace (“we will gladly embrace”?) again this summer giving them news and surprises ".  Great welcome by President De Laurentiis that wanted thank (“to thank”?) all vertices (???) of the Organization of the Val di Sole: "we are delighted to have renewed a long agreement with Dimaro and Trentino. I was surprised by the huge participation of  Trentino's institutions also during the season, when they followed our matches closely. To think that at the beginning the relationship was not easy, but then after a few clarifications I discovered human and professional people . I had a wonderful feeling in approaching with great professionals of culture and values. They are experts in tourism and sporting events" (a wee bit less with English though…).

"For this reason I would like the Trentino was (“I would like Trentino to be”?) the summer home of Napoli, because beyond fifteen days we spend there, it could arise the idea to train in the mountains also players who will join later in August after the commitments with the national teams. I would like to thank Trentino because believed (???) in Napoli, after also hosted Inter and Bayern. And we believe in them so much that we are thinking of creating summer camps with the presence of families and children who love football, also to give a sense of belonging to their club and a football future clean and focused on sports values".  De Laurentiis has then proposed a post retreat with prestigious test matches. "Soon I will go to London for work, but in addition to professional appearance I will consider the possibility of having the" final match "against Chelsea and face again Manchester City. I'm thinking even to (“about”?) a test match against PSG and a Chinese team "

A pristine environment surrounded by greenery which ensures an absolutely innovative way to experience nature. A landscape of scenic beauty in which the azzurri have found a splendid reception last preseason. The enthusiasm of the fans finished runners-up and trentino accompanied the Naples both in training and in numerous games and cultural initiatives that have characterised the summer break. The perfect way to combine sport, passion, professionalism and quality in an enchanting natural setting.

Primavera too will retreat in Val di Peio from 14 to 27 July, while Allievi will be at Dimaro from 4 to 17 August.

Back, (“Back in Black”????) the big blue summer of Napoli in the beautiful resort of Dimaro at the foot of the majestic scenery of the Dolomites, a Unesco World Heritage site, land of 1,250 inhabitants located at 766 meters above sea level, located at the road junction of the Val di Sole with Madonna di Campiglio, Passo del Tonale and links with the Brenner motorway and railway line Verona-Brennero.  The Val di Sole, surrounded by the most famous mountain ranges of the entire Alpine region, offers a stay of full immersion in well-being, sport e nature with great opportunities for active tourism. Infinite choice of excursions, walking, trekking, nordic (“Nordic”?) walking, rafting, canoe and hydrospeed on the River Noce.

A pristine environment surrounded by greenery which ensures an absolutely innovative way to experience nature. A landscape of beauty in which the Blues have found a splendid welcome last preseason. The enthusiasm of the Neapolitan fans and trentino's people accompanied the Napoli (the??) both in training and in numerous games and cultural initiatives that have characterised the summer break. The perfect way to combine sport, passion, professionalism and quality in an enchanting natural setting.

On a Rome bus...

EXCELLENT English on Rome buses!!!!!

Udinese...

18-05-2012
A great group at the basis of success (“base of success”?)

Nowadays, 14 or 15 players are not enough to complete a whole season anymore. The 20-team championship and the marathon-like European competitions have brought a consistent increase in the number of matches. As a consequence, squads have been widened a lot (as in weight?).

Let’s take Udinese, in which (??) 26 different players have played over the course of the season, passing from the workaholic Handanovic (51 appearances) to German Denis’ 8 minutes.

A vaste (“vast”?) squad, a proof of the essentiality of shifting (like quicksand?) and of how much this Udinese have grown (“has grown”?). We need a large number of players because Udinese have conquered themselves the access to a lot of international events thanks to their brilliant performances in Italy.

Those who have made the highest number of appearances are Handanovic, Danilo and Di Natale. We know everything about them. But also who played less have given their contribution to reach the Champions League (“Champions’ League”?) play-off: Diego Fabbrini, for instance, 25 matches, 2 goals and a continuous growth that makes him one of the players to rely on next year. But also “El Tucu” Pereyra, who has scored (“had scored”? seeing that game was some time ago?) the 2-0 in the delicate match against Lazio. It’s good to see 7,8,9 appearances made by Coda, Barreto and Ferronetti (“respectively”?), who have suffered severe injuries. Without forgetting the young, the future first string players: Ekstrand (19 appearances), Badu (18), Battocchio (7) and Neuton (9).

08-05-2012

Udinese Tonight, Pinzi: “We are Rome (“We are IN Rome”?), now we want to see the pope”

Udinese midfielder Giampiero Pinzi was hosted at “Udinese Tonight” last night. Here are the main things he said:

How are you doing?
“I’m fine, I underwent some medicals and it’s just a severe contusion”.
Are you going to grit your teeth to play in Catania?  “If there is one chance out of a thousand, I will play, I want to take the pitch for the most important match of the season and of Udinese’s history”.
We are close to the Champions League (“Champions’ League”?), but we shouldn’t celebrate too soon, as Guidolin said... “The coach is right. It’s been an amazing season, more than last year, because we expected much less, we didn’t think we would have been fighting for the Champions League (see above?) once again... We are this close to a dream, because playing the play-off rounds would be a dream to us (“would be a dream for us”?), and it would be foolish to spoil all” (“to spoil it all”?).

You have changed your style in the past few years.. what is the reason for this evolution?  “I need to thank the coach Di Carlo, because when I was in Verona he transformed me into a more complete midfielder. I lacked some skills and now I have them. I can say I am a different midfielder from the one I was at the beginning of my career, I’ve learnt to play also ahead of the defence”.

You arrived in Udine in 2000. Can you tell us how it was?
“I felt a bit lost at first, I didn’t even know where Udine was, I wasn’t good in geography at school (laughs). In Rome it was hot, the first day I came here it was raining a lot. Then it all went well and I must admit the choice to come here has been the best I’ve ever made. I started feeling at home thanks to the fantastic group I’ve found and as long as the president turns me out (???) I won’t go anywhere!”.

Do you regret having missed the opportunity to bloom in your home town with your home team?
“I don’t. the only thing I regret is that I have never played a local derby, that would have been a dream to me (“for me”?). But I’m satisfied with the rest of my career, how it has developed here in Udine. I feel just great here”.

What has been the hardest part of this season?  “After the defeat in Siena we were really sad, we thought we wouldn’t have won anymore. Then we faced Inter. We thought we could have made it. But now we’re here and we’re playing for a place in the Champions League (see above) and destiny is in our hands”.

You are bound to Domizzi, who comes from Rome just like you. Also Maurizio has benefited from his experience here in Friuli..
“Maurizio is the most underestimated defender of Italian football. He’s a good defender but he’s also able to manage the play. Even if he’s not under the spotlights all the times, he’s one of the best defenders in Italy”.

Good luck to you and to the squad, in view of Catania’s match....
“Thanks. We’ll do our best to achieve this target, we all deserve it, the supporters and us. We are in Rome, now we want to see the pope”.

Udinese....

4-05-2012

The “Book festival” at the Moretti park

The first “Festival of children books” (children’s books”?) will be held on Sunday morning, starting from 10.30 am, at the Moretti park in Udine. The project, underwritten by several book shops of Udine (Librincentro, Ribis, Figlie di San Paolo, Ubik), plans the sale and swap of books and comics between children.
There will be many surprises for the children, who can win sports, geography, history, science and fiction books offered by Udinese non-profit organization “Udinese for Life” by taking part in simple games.
The initiative aims to widen the field of pleasant activities that are scheduled weekly at the Moretti Park in Udine.
The initiative will be postponed in the event of rain.

04-05-2012

Udinese still in the running: the wall is back!

Who thinks that Guidolin’s squads tend to break down in season endings was wrong. In Cesena the second win in a row has arrived, in a fundamental stage of the season for the fortunes of the squad  (??). Right on time to keep dreaming of the Champions League (“Champions’ League”?) until the end.

In this very moment, thanks to knock-out matches, Napoli would reach the Champions League (see above). But we still can take advantage of the “Friuli” factor on Sunday, and wait for Napoli to play away in Bologna, to face a team that has given nothing for granted so far: ask AC Milan, Genoa and Catania.
We can continue this positive series that we hadn’t seen for a long time, since November-December, when the squad had managed to get three wins in a row against Roma, Inter and Chievo. The win in Cesena has brought a smile back after two unlucky months. Another positive note is the goal kept (“goal area”?) by Samir Handanovic, who’s still unbeaten. An ideal situation in view of a burning season grand final!

Udinese...

25-04-2012

Pinzi: “We must believe”

Udinese are feeling really sad after the home defeat suffered today. “We have failed another important occasion – says Udinese midfielder Giampiero Pinzi -. We feel bitter because we could have jumped onwards today. After the first goal Inter have punished us (“punished us”?). It’s a pity because we had made a very good start”.

Cold comfort: Lazio have been defeated in Novara.
“They are similar to us. No match is easy in the Serie A, and Novara has told us so. Roma themselves, who had played a great match against us, has (here they put Roma in the singular but above they put Udinese in the plural?) lost two matches in a row”.

How is the running for the third place going?
“The winner will be the one who makes fewer mistakes. The teams are tired, we are feeling the weight of too many matches. We are in trouble, it’s clear, but everything is still at stake”.
The match against Lazio is the last knock-out match of the season. “We have the right chance to overturn the negative trend, we must believe in it. The excellent first leg allows us to fight for our target. We need to transform our rage into strength”.

25-04-2012

Guidolin: “It’s my fault: I set out the guidelines”

Despite the home defeat Udinese are still three points away from the third place and can keep hoping. During the usual post-match press conference, the coach Francesco Guidolin has said (“said”?) to be confident and has explained the reasons of the defeat.
It’s been a weird match, after the good start...did you get lost?
“We did. And it’s my fault. It’s me who choose (“chose” or “chooses”?) the squad and set out the guidelines. The squad has shown to be healthy, it has fought and run for 90 minutes. We had made a good start, we had taken control of the match. After the 1-1 we didn’t really accept the situation, but it can happen. In that moment we should have handled the match, keep the calm (“keep calm”?) and leave no spaces. The second half was dominated by us, we made several attempts. I thought I could have overturned the result, but it wasn’t so and we lost”.

How do you see the chase (?) after the third place now?
“Everybody wants the third place, we believe in it and we’ve been focusing on this target long enough, but now the teams that were far from us have reached us. We look for any place in Europe, but today we could have gained three fundamental points for the most important European competition. Of course we’re not built for the third place, since we are following a certain kind of policy. But we don’t have to suffer from these pressures, we need to stay in Europe because we’ve got what it takes. We’ve been fighting for the Champions League (“Champions’ League”?) for two years, and it makes me proud”.  Did Inter’s initial game plan put you in trouble?
“It wasn’t Inter’s initial game plan to give us trouble, we won many matches facing a 4-3-2-1. We didn’t have the ability to handle the situation and win. We wanted to win, but this attitude has hurt us”.
Didn’t the flank play work out?
“I knew I had to handle with Basta who is not on top (of which player?), Armero was in trouble so I changed them both. We can’t do the best all the times (“all the time”?), it happens. We had some troubles (like in Northern Ireland?) connected with the draw. Instead of letting some minutes pass by, we thought we had to make things work immediately”.
You depend on Armero... is it because you think he is a good player or because you have no alternatives?
“Armero is a very good player, he, as the rest of the squad, had given good signals in the match against Chievo. I thought he was the best player to use against Inter. Probably he can’t do better than this right now, but he is an excellent player. The alternative is Pasquale, I was in doubt”.
Can the squad overturn the negative trend?
“I can’t say, I have to focus on Sunday’s match. I will do my best”.

30-04-2012

Domizzi: “Napoli are favourites, but we are there”

The score says 55 points, with 9 points still available, yet, making a quick calculation, Udinese couldn’t be sure (“can’t be sure”?) of the third place with three wins. “Probably in the end the difference will be made by knock-out matches – Maurizio Domizzi says – and Napoli are the favourites right now. Udinese need to win but I am sure that the other teams will manage to do so as well. Right now the ranking is favouring Napoli”.

What happened in the ending? (“in the end”?)
“I didn’t hear no whistles (two negatives in the same phrase???), but I acknowledge there has been one, because too many players stopped. I don’t know where it came from, the match was almost over anyway, it doesn’t depend on Pereyra’s goal. I tried to calm everyone down in the end, but with scarce results”.
How do you explain Di Natale’s jubilation?
“I’ve been playing with him for many years, I had never seen him react like that after a goal. The feat has been extraordinary”.
Is there a concrete chance to get the qualification for the Champions League? (“Champions’ League”?)
“We need to believe in it until the end”.