Mancini Crosses Over.

Adriano Galliani has brought Milan's transfer season to a close with the signing of Amantino Mancini. The Brazilian has left Inter to sign for city rivals Milan which will see him wear the number thirty shirt.

The ex-Roma star has been rumoured to leave the nerazzurri set-up for quite some time with rumours of a possible transfer to Marseille, however; Mancini rejected the French side and opted to join the VIa Turati outfit.

Mancini has been brought in to add more depth on the left hand side, a role in which Ronaldinho sees Ronaldinho occupy so well.

Fans are eagerly awaiting to see the Samba star in action and they are just as excited to see him play along side Pato. Undoubtedly forming a potential striking attacking duo.

Marek Jankulovski was also rumoured to be apart of a swap deal for Mancini but that fell through as the Czech would prefer to return home.

Proven Everyone Wrong?

It is still early days, but as this season started everyone from journalists, other coaches, sporting directors to players all held reservations over Leonardo becoming the new coach of Milan. He was met with endless doubts and no one thought it was possible that this young inexperienced coach would be to carry the weight of Milan on his shoulders.

Similarly across Italy a similar event was taking place. Ciro Ferrara was hired by Juventus to replace Claudio Ranieri as head coach. Ferrara, despite having coached the youth side and worked alongside Marcello Lippi in the year the Azzurri won the world cup, was still young and inexperienced and had never managed a team with such a status as Juventus.

However, in contradicting style the journalists seemed to favour Ciro as coach, often expressing their support in him being named new coach. It even went as far as to say that he could turn this Juventus side into potential title contenders and that they were the only side strong enough to challenge Mourinho and his men for the Scudetto.

All in all it could be summed up as Milan were going to be a lost cause and Juventus were taking home the trophies this year. However, as it currently stands half way through the season; Juventus have lost their form, have found themselves knocked out of the Champions, slipped their way down the log and Ciro Ferrara has now been replaced by Alberto Zaccheroni. Title contenders? I think not.

While in Milan, despite the shocking start Leonardo has found a way to gel the team together. They are currently in second place, nine points adrift with a game in hand, and they are still in the Champions League. Even though the Scudetto might be unrealistic and the Coppa Italia no longer up for grabs for them Leonardo has out done himself and has surely proven his critics wrong.

He remained quiet when edged on by journalists, he kept his head focused at the task at hand and has so far outplayed his fellow young coach, Ciro Ferrara. This might be a cynical post though as they say; "credit where credit is due" and Leo certainly deserves some respect.

Derby Time

It's that time of the year again, the most anticipated game in the city of Milan is back and it's met with great anxiety and excitement as Milan take on Inter.

In a reversal of fortune the rossoneri are flying high under Leonardo's reign while Mourinho's Inter seem to be unimpressive of late and last minute goals in the fast few games has seen questions raised over their form.

A win for Milan will see them reduce the gap between the two sides to three points with the rossoneri still to play against Fiorentina. It is a must win for Mourinho's men as they hope to maintain that small gap between their biggest rivals in hope of winning their fifth consecutive Scudetto.

Despite the high confidence the Diavoli will still be without names like Massimo Oddo, Gianluca Zambrotta as well as Alexandre Pato while Alessandro Nesta passed a late fitness test to bring a sigh of relief to the Milanisti. Though doubts do remain over whether or not the defender will start.

While Mourinho has an almost full strength side with no suspensions or major injuries. Wesley Sneijder passed his fitness test too and has been included into the squad for the match.

It's undoubtedly the match of the weekend and one of the best for the season. Let the battle of the giants begin... Forza Milan!

Storari Moves to Sampdoria

Marco Storari has officially left the Rossoneri to join Sampdoria, on loan, following an official announcement on the Grifoni's website yesterday.

Following an injury to Luca Castelazzi the Genovese side are short of a reliable goalkeeper in between the sticks. Following his impressive start to the season Storari was considered the best temporary option for blucerchiati, who also signed Mario Cassano on loan from Reggina.

The ex-Cagliari goalkeeper has been given the number 30 shirt and is likely to feature in Sampdoria's game this weekend against Catania.

This is a move that could see Storari fight his way back into the Milan set-up following Nelson Dida's return to form.

Milan Step It Up To 5th Gear.

This is it! This is what Milan fans have been waiting for for long: a win, and a win with style. Last night the rossoneri showed their real class as they took on Genoa at the San Siro.

The diavoli couldn't have asked for a better start to the New Year as they crushed Genoa 5-2, seeing stellar performances by Borriello, Ronaldinho and Pirlo, while the return of Beckham grabbed most of the attention and for the Grifoni David Suazo's debut for the side left the fans feeling confident.

The rossoneri could have taken the lead early on as Borriello's flick forced Marco Amelia to make a highly impressive save, undoubtedly scaring the Genoa defence. Moments later Massimo Ambrosini came charging into the box and tripped over Biava's foot resulting in a harsh penalty. Though justice was served as Ronaldinho missed from the spot.

In a reversal of fortune Genoa cracked open the deadlock as Guiseppe Sculli headed in the ball past Dida causing concern of a rocky Milan returning. However the concern was short lived as Amrbosini, once again, one a penalty after being brought down by Amelia who was trying to get a hold of Borriello's ball.

Ronaldinho coolly knocked it to the back on his second try of the evening and the rossoneri were back on track. It was just before the break that Leonardo's men grabbed a hold of the game as the ball ping-ponged its way around the box for it to finally hit the back of the net from Thiago Silva. The Brazilian scoring his second goal of the season and continuing his impressive form.

After the restart the goal fest continued. Borriello latched on to Antonini's ball to tap it in to the back of the net, scoring against the team who made him the player he is today. Though he was not done yet! He came back to haunt the Grifoni as he scissor-kicked in his second goal. With this impressive form Borriello undoubtedly is continuing to increase his chances of making it to South Africa in June for the world cup.

In rare circumstances a third penalty was given and once to the rossoneri. Ronaldinho stepped up and gave the ball to Beckham, who had since moved into the replaced Pirlo's position, who then decided to give it to the young Huntelaar. The Dutchman took it with ease as he extended Milan's lead to 5-1. The ex-Real Madrid man thanking Beckham for this opportunity.

Nevertheless, Genoa were determined to at least bring their goal difference down as new recruit Suazo found his scoring feet again. His fierce left footed strike left Dida helpless 5-2.

The rossoneri clearly demonstrated that they mean business but it is against Juventus on Sunday where the real test lies. With worries over Pato, Zambrotta and Seedorf's fitness the rossoneri will have to prepare thoroughly.

A New Year! A New Start

The latter months of 2009 saw an abrupt hault to posting on Milan's Curva Sud, however; now that I have returned from Italy, the family are now gone and Christmas holidays have drawn to a close I hope to make this new year a good one with more posts.

Much has happened in the world of calcio at late and it is December where I should start. Milan ensured themselves a spot in the round of the last sixteen after drawing to Zurich. Soon after this qualification I found myself heading to a cold Italy, where I had plans to go and see the rossoneri take on Fiorentina at the Franchi.

Unfortunately the game was postponed due to heavy snow; the first time in 20 or so years that Florence had experienced such snow. As you can imagine I was heart broken as I have to wait for yet another opportunity to watch Milan play for the first time.

The day before the game the draw for the round of the last sixteen took place and this saw the Italian sides land up against two very tough opponents. It will be a battle between Ancelotti and Mourinho as the Portuguese returns to Standford Bridge to take on a high flying Chelsea. While Leonardo will have no easier task as he is faced with last year's finalists: the Devils of Manchester United.

Fiorentina, who where the most impressive Italian side in the Champions League, will face a Bayern Munich side that demolished their fellow Italians Juventus 4-1 in the group stages. The Viola can, however, feel confident in their abilities to get a good result as their Champions League form has been one of a top standard.

To conclude Serie A is just days away from recommencing as the teams gather on the feast of the Epiphany to kick start their 2010 campaigns into gear. There has been few activity over this transfer period but it still sees the likes of Toni and Beckham return to Italy and several other players moving in and around the peninsula.

This year is bound to be an epic year for football!
Happy New Year!

2010 FIFA World Cup Draw:

Group A
South Africa (host)
Mexico
Uruguay
France

Group B
Argentina
Nigeria
South Korea
Greece

Group C
England
USA
Algeria
Slovenia

Group D
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana

Group E
Holland
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon

Group F
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia

Group G
Brazil
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Portugal

Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile