Pazzini hits with hat-trick in the first win for Milan

Pazzini netted only five times for Inter last term, but cut an inspired figure as Milan collected their first league win of the season having lost 1-0 to Sampdoria a week ago at the San Siro in their Serie A opener.
The front man seemed to dive to win his side a penalty on 16 minutes after having his shirt tugged by Nicolo Cherubin, but picked himself up off the deck to slam the penalty low and hard to the right that left Bologna keeper Federico Agliardi with no chance.
Bologna - inspired by the outstanding Alessandro Diamanti throughout the evening - were rewarded for a period of sustained exuberance when they deservedly equalised on 41 minutes.
Antonio Nocerino inexplicably decked Diamanti as he bounded away from goal on the edge of the box. The referee correctly pointed to the spot as Diamanti - who scored the clinching penalty that sent England tumbling out of Euro 2012 - swept the ball home in the Bologna rain.
The game swung from end to end in the second period, but MIlan plunged a dagger into the heart of the home side when Agliardi dropped Luca Antonini's deflected cross on 77 minutes enabling Pazzini to sweep the ball into the net from close range.
Pazzini finished matters off on 85 minutes with a delightful backheel finish inside the Bologna box from a Nocerino strike that was clearly heading wide of goal to thrill the band of travelling fans.
Nigel De Jong made his debut for Milan as a second-half substitute and was booked for a late challenge while Bojan Krkic was also wheeled on for the closing moments of a win that will probably be of some relief to head coach Massimiliano Allegri.
The 3-1 scoreline probably flattered Milan, but all that matters are the three points.
There was an easier win for Torino, who brushed aside 10-man Pescara 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico with Alessandro Sgrigna (34), Matteo Brighi (59) and Rolando Bianchi (62) on target for the home side.
The floodgates appeared to open after Christian Terlizzi was sent off on the 27th minute after fouling Bianchi to concede a penalty. Mattia Perin dived to his right to save Bianchi's penalty, but it was not to make a difference to the one-sided nature of the contest.

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Antonio Conte match-fixing verdict due Friday

Italy's football federation will issue its verdicts on Friday on Juventus coach Antonio Conte, defender Leonardo Bonucci and winger Simone Pepe over charges of match-fixing, a FIGC spokesman said.

Conte, who led Juventus to the Serie A title last season, is accused of failing to report match-fixing in two games in the 2010-11 season when he was coach of Siena, then in Serie B.

Italian media have reported widely that Conte will receive a 10-month ban, while his two players will be acquitted.

Bonucci and Pepe are accused of involvement in fixing a Serie A game between Bari and Udinese in 2010, which ended 3-3. Bonucci was playing for Bari and Pepe for Udinese.

If Conte is banned he will have two opportunities to appeal against the verdict.

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AC Milan asked about kaka price

AC Milan appear to have given up the ghost in their bid to land Real Madrid playmaker Kaka with vice-president Adriano Galliani conceding a deal to sign the player is "almost impossible" due to the cost of the transfer.

Galliani spoke to Real president Florentino Perez about a return to the San Siro for the player in the US, but both parties seek different outcomes. Milan want a loan deal with Real pushing for a sale.

The Brazilian attacker's reported wages of €10m-a-year are also proving to be problematic.

Speaking after Real's 5-1 win over Milan in a pre-season game,

Galliani said: "The operation for Kaka is objectively very, very difficult.

“It is almost impossible. Costs are high, salaries are very high.”

Real coach Jose Mourinho admits it up to Kaka where he wants to go.

“I’m happy if Kaka stays and am happy if he wants to go. In football it is important that players play where they want to.

“He is better prepared to compete at the highest levels. If he wants to stay then perfect. If he leaves then perfect, but we do not want to give him away for free.

“If [Milan] want him, they will have to pay for him.”

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Milan sign Zapata to strengthen defence

Serie A champions AC Milan have signed Colombia's Cristian Zapata on a season-long loan deal to shore up their defence after losing Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva.
 Milan have taken the 25-year-old from Spanish club Villarreal who were relegated from La Liga last season and have brought in former Sweden defender Olof Mellberg.

Zapata, who can play in central defence or at full-back, spent six seasons with Udinese before joining Villarreal, having started his career in his homeland with Deportivo Cali.

The move is an unexpected bonus for Zapata who told Colombian media in May that he was uncertain about his future after a difficult season in La Liga.

Milan have sold Thiago Silva and forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Paris St Germain, raising questions about their level of ambition for the coming season.

Central defender Nesta also left at the end of last term to join Montreal Impact after 10 years at the club.

They have, however, signed Italy midfielder Riccardo Montolivo from Fiorentina.

Villarreal's new signing Mellberg, who has 116 caps but is not in Sweden's latest squad announced on Tuesday after telling coach Erik Hamren he was "99 per cent certain" he would retire following Euro 2012, had been at Olympiacos for three seasons.

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Sneijder not looking for summer move

Wesley Sneijder has distanced himself from suggestions that he is looking to move away from Inter Milan this summer.

The Dutch playmaker was strongly touted for a move to Manchester United last summer, but has apparently not attracted similar attention a year later after a disappointing trip to the Euro 2012 finals with the Netherlands.

Andrea Stramaccioni is the Italian club's new coach and Sneijder said: "I want to start over and do well with Inter.

“I am an Inter player and have not thought about leaving. If a good offer comes in and I like it, then we’ll see…

“Currently I have not received any offers and I do not want to leave. My desire is to win it all here and provide great satisfaction to the president, directors and fans.

“Last season I did not enjoy at all and also at the European Championships with the Netherlands I did not play well. At 28 I want to be playing me best, to win everything. I cannot waste time.

“The team is a bit different this year, they are no longer the Inter of 2010. Compared to two years ago in have arrived players of quality, who are good, but younger.

“Even the coach is new and we like how he trains and plays football. Together we are aiming to win.

“Yes, it is a new Inter because of the things that have changed. I see a nice mix of experienced and young players. We shall do well.”

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last stop before Super Cup

Juventus have completed their final preparations for Saturday night’s fixture with La Liga side Malaga, to be played at the Stadio Arechi in Salerno.

The friendly against the Spanish outfit will be the Bianconeri’s last run-out before they travel to Beijing for next weekend’s Italian Super Cup final against Napoli.

Antonio Conte, ever the perfectionist, was a vocal presence throughout, attending to every minute detail over the course of two intensive training sessions.

While this morning’s workout focused on tactics, the afternoon brought the opportunity for the players to put their instructed movements into practice during an eleven-a-side game.

The team are set to fly to Salerno tomorrow morning and, following the game against Malaga, will embark on their journey to China.

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