Inter Milan twice came back from two-goal deficits to hold AS Roma to a thrilling 3-3 draw at the San Siro on Sunday and extend their lead at the top of Serie A to seven points.

Jose Mourinho’s team looked to be heading for more heartache following their footballing lesson by Manchester United in the Champions League in midweek as they trailed 2-0 and 3-1.

But a brace from teenager Mario Balotelli and a late equaliser from Hernan Crespo stole a share of the spoils and helped to maintain a sizeable gap to second-placed Juventus, who beat Napoli 1-0 on Saturday.

Roma were the better team in the first period and on 23 minutes young full-back Marco Motta cut in from the right and crossed left-footed into the box where Daniele De Rossi arrived late to out-jump Javier Zanetti and glance home a fine header.

Jon Arne Riise notched a second on 29 minutes after galloping down the left onto a David Pizarro through ball, sneaking in behind Maicon and somehow squeaking the ball through Julio Cesar’s legs and in from a seemingly impossible angle.

Nicolas Burdisso had to make a last ditched challenge to deny Mirko Vucinic as Roma threatened to run riot in the first half.

But straight after the break Inter were given a lifeline as Adriano teed up Balotelli to beat Doni at his near post.

But Inter’s reprieve didn’t last long as Matteo Brighi ran through a gap in the home defence on 57 minutes before rifling home from outside the area.

Inter Show Title Spirit In Six-goal Thriller … read more »

David Beckham admitted on Friday he has become frustrated over the protracted transfer saga surrounding his proposed move from Los Angeles Galaxy to AC Milan.

Beckham’s mood was not helped by Milan’s departure from the UEFA Cup on Thursday night as once again they blew a lead before crashing out of Europe’s second-tier competition to Werder Bremen.

Milan were 2-0 up at half-time but the Germans fought back to draw 2-2 and qualify for the next round on the away goals rule after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

But it is the uncertainty surrounding his proposed permanent move to Milan that has left the on-loan Galaxy player feeling blue.

Asked if he was frustrated, Beckham simply replied: “Of course. There’s a lot going on and a lot being said and every day there’s someone asking me questions.

“It is being said every day but so far I’ve been able to concentrate on the football.”

However, Beckham admitted that he felt in the dark over the transfer and said he knew of no new developments.

Last week Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said the Italian giants would not be increasing their reported three million dollars bid for the 33-year-old former England captain.

Beckham Admits Milan Frustration … read more »

Call for Admissions: PhD Program in Economics and Finance, Università di Verona (Italy)

The Department of Economics at the University of Verona (Italy) is pleased to announce the availability of at least three PhD Research Scholarships for 3 years starting in January 2009.

The Doctoral Program in Economics and Finance is designed to train doctoral candidates in a broad program of advanced study for careers in teaching and research in universities, in public and private research organizations, in financial and consulting institutions and private companies. The department recruits promising students from Italy and abroad and courses are taught in English. Students are accepted directly for Ph.D. degree. As prerequisite, students must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Italy or the equivalent level of education from an institution outside Italy.

The internationalization program, financed by the Italian Ministry of University and Research and the University of Verona, has lead in the recent years to exchange agreements with the universities of Essex,
York, Wisconsin, Cergy-Pontoise, Cyprus, Oviedo, Campinas and Colombia.

The official calls for admissions can be found on here

PhD Scholarships in Economics and Finance, University of Verona, Italy … read more »

AS Roma captain Francesco Totti could be out of action for more than a month after scan confirmed that he damaged a muscle in his right thigh. during the 3-2 defeat at Calcio Catania yesterday.

Thigh problem
Totti was forced out after 31 minutes of Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Calcio Catania, which ended a run of eight victories in all competitions, leaving the pitch holding the back of his thigh after trying a back-heel pass to Júlio Baptista. On Monday the forward underwent a scan which confirmed a strain.

Absence
He will not train for ten days and may not be available when Roma resume their Serie A campaign on 11 January against AC Milan, adding to a previous absence this term due to a knee problem, a blow as Totti has managed five goals in ten league games this term. However, the 32-year-old should return in plenty of time for the UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie against Arsenal FC on 24 February and 11 March.

Juventus and AC Milan both recorded impressive victories to stay second and go third respectively in Serie A but AS Roma’s five-game winning streak was brought to an abrupt halt following a 3-2 setback away to Calcio Catania.

Brazilian doubles
Milan trounced fellow UEFA Cup hopefuls Udinese Calcio 5-1 at San Siro with Brazilian duo Pato and Kaká both registering twice. The hosts had scored four by the break, Clarence Seedorf also finding the net, with a solitary Antonio Di Natale strike the only response from the visitors. Kaká rounded off the scoring seven minutes after the interval to confirm Udinese’s sixth league loss in their last seven games.

Strong response
Juve started impressively in Bergamo against Atalanta BC and were two goals to the good by half-time. Alessandro Del Piero gave the visitors a 31st-minute lead and defender Nicola Legrottaglie doubled the advantage soon after. Veteran striker Christian Vieri replied for the hosts just after the break but Amauri made it 3-1 late on with his eleventh league goal of the campaign.

Masterful Morimoto
Roma, who like Juve drew English opposition in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round in the form of Arsenal FC, were three down at Catania by the 54th minute, Japanese forward Takayuki Morimoto scoring twice. Two goals inside five minutes from Mirko Vučinić and Jérémy Menez gave the Giallorossi hope, but the home side held on to collect the points.

Viola victorious
In the battle of two UEFA Cup contenders, ACF Fiorentina got the better of UC Sampdoria with Riccardo Montolivo scoring the game’s only goal. That win took the Viola above SSC Napoli, who lost 1-0 at Torino FC. Genoa CFC deepened bottom side AC Chievo Verona’s woe with a late winner while US Lecce and Cagliari Calcio had to settle for home points against Bologna FC and Reggina Calcio respectively.