GALLIANI: BALOTELLI'S ABSENCE COST ITALY

AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani believes that Italy would be facing Brazil in the Confederations Cup final instead of Spain had Mario Balotelli been fit to play.

The striker was ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury at the end of the group stage having helped the Azzurri reach the last four with two goals in three games.

Cesare Prandelli's men subsequently drew 0-0 with the world and European champions before going out on penalties and Galliani believes Balotelli's ability at spot kicks could have seen the side into the final.

He told Sky Sport on Saturday: "With Mario we certainly would’ve scored one more penalty in the shoot-out, so at this stage we could’ve been in the final.

"I spoke to Mario and he is feeling better after treatment, as confirmed by the medical staff. In a few more days he can go on vacation."

Balotelli's Rossoneri and Azzurri attacking team-mate Stephan El Shaarawy has been linked with Fiorentina as part of a swap deal for Adem Ljajic or Stevan Jovetic following a second half to the season which was far less impressive than the former.

Regarding the rumours, Galliani added: "I will see El Shaarawy on Tuesday."

Italy face Uruguay on Sunday in the Confederations Cup third-place play-off.

ROMA ICON, PERROTTA SET TO RETIRE

Roma icon Simone Perrotta has announced his imminent retirement from professional football.

The midfielder was part of the Italy squad that triumphed in the 2006 World Cup and has been runner-up in four Scudetti during his Giallorossi career.

However, the 35-year-old has decided that it is time to hang up his boots and insisted that he would rather end his career at the capital club than spend the twilight of his playing days at a lesser team.

"I definitely won’t stay on at Roma as a player," he told Teleradiostereo. "I don’t think I’ll continue playing at all, in fact, as I’d prefer to end my career as an ex-Roma player rather than at another club.

"I wanted to finish my playing days with this jersey and I feel it’s the right thing to do."

The Italian hinted at a potential coaching role at the Stadio Olimpico and believes that fans have a lot to look forward to in the 2013-14 campaign under new coach Rudi Garcia.

"It is possible my story with Roma could continue in a different way," Perrotta added. "It is only right that their project continues moving forward with the players they consider to be valid.

"The club has plans and will spend money to reinforce the squad, while the coach seems a good person who won in France and can have success here."
Although he enjoyed a fruitful career, the midfielder revealed his gutting disappointment that his final game for Roma was a derby defeat in the Coppa Italia to Lazio.
He said: "The real regret is my last game, which shouldn’t have ended that way and it’s a painful disappointment I will probably never get over. That’s not how it was supposed to end."

MC DERMOTT: I UNDERSTAND FANS FUSTRATION

Leeds boss Brian McDermott has admitted he can understand the frustration of supporters over the club's lack of transfer activity so far this summer.

The former Reading boss, who was only appointed in April following the departure of Neil Warnock, admitted this week that any further new signings may have to be funded by player sales.
And with the Elland Road faithful hoping for an influx of talent to drive them back towards the Premier League for the first time in 10 years, expectations have had to be tempered.

McDermott told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "That's a frustration that we have all got. I can empathise with that frustration (from the fans); I have had that myself.
"But there's no point being frustrated, that doesn't help. In my situation, I have to keep my head down and keep working as hard as I possibly can and stay positive.
"That's what we have got to do as the alternative to positive is negative."
McDermott insists he is not allowing himself to become downhearted by the obstacles which have emerged in his path and is focused on returning the West Yorkshire club to a place among England's elite.

Lack of funds frustrates McDermott

He added: "It's the absolute opposite. I like the challenge and the people around here. I have got no problem 'digging in'.
"I have just a real commitment to this place and area now. The people have been really welcoming and I will do whatever I have to; I guarantee that.
"I haven't been here very long, but I have a real sense from the people here that they want this club to grow, get better and be better.
"We have the potential to be a really, really good club and need to respect and cherish that. There's a lot of goodwill towards me and I really appreciate that. I go to functions with the fans and everything and see that.
"I cannot talk about the past - just about what is happening now. We really need to be as positive as we possibly can be and go forward together."

DOMINGUEZ: MY EXPERIENCE WILL HELP IN BEATING BAYERN

Alvaro Dominguez has suggested that his experiences playing in Spain mean that he can help Borussia Monchengladbach beat Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich.

The Spanish defender, 24, triumphed over the new Roten coach's Barcelona side while playing for Atletico Madrid and he believes that he can repeat the feat in the Bundesliga this coming season.

"Yes, I know how to beat Pep. I beat Barcelona with Atletico when Guardiola was coach in 2011, two goals to one," Dominguez told Bild.

"I hope that I'll be able to do the same with Gladbach. We have the chance to win there."

However, the Spaniard recognised that there is a big difference between optimism and reality and that triumphing over Bayern would be a difficult task given their treble-winning achievements last season and the Catalan trainer in charge.

"Guardiola is simply a super coach. He has precise ideas about football," he added. "He will change little things such as the nature of their defence pressing off the ball. This will make a Bayern a little stronger."

Bayern will open the season against Dominguez and his Gladbach team-mates on August 9 at the Allianz Arena.

FOREST AGREE FEE FOR WALSALL PLAYER

Nottingham Forest have agreed a fee for Walsall's Jamie Paterson and will now talk terms.

The Reds have been working hard to identifying targets they feel will aid their quest to push for promotion to the Premier League in 2013/14.

A lack of creativity in wide areas has been an issue at the City Ground for some time, and that is an area Billy Davies intends to address.
Paterson is considered to tick all of the boxes Forest are after.
He is only 21 years of age, so still has plenty more to offer, but proved in 2012/13 that he is capable of terrorising Football League defences.
He plundered 13 goals in all competitions last season and was an ever-present for Walsall as they narrowly missed out on a play-off spot in League One.
Forest are hoping they can be the ones to benefit from Paterson's undoubted potential and will now open discussions regarding personal terms with the highly-rated winger.

NEW SWANSEA DEFENDER PROUD OF SWITCH

New Swansea defender had this to say;

I am very happy to join Swansea. One of my dreams has been to play in the Premier League, and I can do that here with Swansea.
I am very grateful to the chairman and Michael Laudrup for giving me this opportunity and showing a lot of faith in me.
I watched Swansea last season – what the club achieved was incredible. To finish in the top half of the Premier League and win a trophy too is a massive achievement.
In Spain, Swansea are very famous now. They talk a lot about the club and how they have become a successful team in the Premier League with an attractive style of play.

– Swansea defender Jordi Amat speaking to the club's official website

LAVEZZI: I'M NOT MARADONA

Paris Saint-Germain star Ezequiel Lavezzi has stressed that he is not on the same level as fellow Argentine Diego Maradona, but is proud to have followed in the footsteps of his legendary compatriot at Napoli.

The 28-year-old was a key player at the San Paolo during his time at the club, earning comparisons to the Partenopei icon, but he has insisted that he never felt that he could emulate the 1986 World Cup winner.

"The Maradona comparisons are things for the journalists and for the fans. I am well aware and realistic, and the truth is that I am nothing like the player that Maradona was," Lavezzi told The Green Soccer Journal.

"I am a simple football player, some may like me and others not, but Maradona represents part of the history of football, so I could never compare myself with him or try and occupy his place. I simply tried to do what I do best, which is to play football.

"Following Maradona did not signify a burden; I never thought about it that way. I decided to go there because I liked the idea of playing where so many Argentines had gone before and because the football there is lived in a similar way to how it is experienced in Argentina.

"I chose Napoli because they are a team that, given the history of the club, for us as Argentines, the fact that Maradona had played there, were something special." 

The attacker then went on to discuss Argentina's chances at the 2014 World Cup and stressed that they will do their utmost to give their fans reason to celebrate again.

"The feeling, the responsibility we have is large, but that shouldn't work against us. We are aware that we have a great sentiment, but we are also aware that Argentina, for some time, have not won anything, and that the people want that – and the Argentine people are waiting.

"So we go out and play, with the mentality to approach it in the best way and give that joy to the people     that have been waiting for that for some time now.

"Us Argentines have a weakness for the national team. And the chance to represent our country is a reason for pride and an opportunity that very few have. Every one of us knows the importance it has."

Argentina last won the World Cup in 1986 when they beat West Germany 3-2 in the final.

CARRICK: WE NEED A GOOD PRE-SEASON

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is eyeing a productive pre-season ahead of the Red Devils' 2013-14 title defence.

The 31-year-old believes building up fitness and staying injury free is “vital” to ensuring the squad hit the ground running in August.


“A good pre-season gives you that base you need to keep going throughout the season,” Carrick told the club's official website.

“If you miss pre-season, you have to play catch-up. Every player is different - some can come back [from the summer break] and get straight back into it but others take a bit more time.

“I think it’s a vital part of the year – it’s important to get through pre-season and steer clear of injuries and be ready for the games at the start of the campaign.”

The Old Trafford outfit travel to Asia as part of their preparations, and Carrick is blown away by the support for United in the region.

“It’s crazy. One of the reasons I enjoy going there is just to see the reaction of the fans,” Carrick continued.

“It can take you back a little bit sometimes – even though they live a long way from Manchester the reaction the people give us is amazing.”

WOLVES WINGER SET FOR FRANCE RETURN

Wolves winger Bakary Sako is attracting interest from France, as Marseille, Lille and Lyon all consider making a £4million bid for the ex-Saint Etienne man, according to Express & Star.

DE GUZMAN RETURNS TO SWANSEA

Jonathan de Guzman will remain at Swansea next season.

The Villarreal midfielder has agreed a further year's loan after helping City to a top-10 Premier League finish and Capital One Cup success last term.

De Guzman scored twice in that Wembley win over Bradford, and his performances last season earned him a first international cap for Holland.
Swansea manager Michael Laudrup questioned the club's lack of business earlier in the summer, but news of a deal follows the permanent signings of Jordi Amat and Jose Canas.
Chairman Huw Jenkins said: "Everyone is happy the loan is continuing. Then Jonathan will review his long-term future next summer."
De Guzman spoke warmly of his first year in south Wales in a recent interview.
He said: "We played well in a lot of games. We played good football and it's refreshing playing in a team that has a good football mind.
"I'm very satisfied with what happened. We did very well - we were very creative. We really put Swansea on the map."

MAGGIO: I CAN CONVINCE CAVANI TO STAY

Christian Maggio is hopeful of convincing team-mate Edinson Cavani to stay at Napoli for another season amid strong interest from Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

The Uruguay international recently voiced his frustration with Napoli's €63 million asking price following Aurelio De Laurentiis' comments that interested clubs will have to meet his buy-out clause and demanded face-to-face talks with the club president once he returns from his holiday after the Confederations Cup.

Nevertheless, Maggio is refusing to give up on the prolific attacker and wants Cavani to stay put.

"We have not spoken to each other recently. There has simply not been any time. But we will have a calm and relaxed talk about his situation," Maggio told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I don't know yet when we will meet, but we have always had a good relationship. I will try to convince him to stay put. It's then up to him to make a decision, but I obviously want him to stay at Napoli."

The 26-year-old Cavani's current Napoli deal is due to expire in the summer of 2017.

STOKE CITY SIGN PSV DEFENDER

Stoke have signed PSV Eindhoven left-back Erik Pieters on a four-year deal.

The Holland international had been linked to the club in January before an injury dealt a blow to the proposed move.
But Mark Hughes has now completed his first signing as new boss by capturing the 24-year-old for a fee of £3m.

Pieters told the club's official website: "I've always wanted to play in the Premier League.
"It's one of the hardest competitions to play in with some great players and teams and I'm really excited about it.
"I'm really looking forward to playing for this club. It's important for me that the first impression is good and I've got a great feeling about Stoke City.
"My first job is to defend but I always want to attack and contribute as much as I can for the team. I've played a couple of times in the centre of defence as well but left back is my position.
"I've had a few injuries but that's all in the past now; I feel really good and can't wait for my time as a Stoke City player to start."
PSV paid 2.5m euros for Pieters in 2008 and he has gone on to make 17 appearances for the national side.

ALEXIS SANCHEZ: NEYMAR IS A RIVAL

Alexis Sanchez has insisted that he does not fear the competition for places at Barcelona following the arrival of Neymar from Santos this summer.

The former Udinese attacker has been struggling to live up to expectations at Camp Nou after joining the club in 2011, but says he is looking forward to the challenge of competing with the Brazilian.

"I like the competition for places. I have the quality to play alongside Neymar and [Lionel] Messi," the Chile international told reporters.

"It will be great to play together with Neymar and Messi. It's not that I'm dreaming of playing alongside them, though. I'm a Barcelona player myself and I'm here because of my quality.

"The competition for places only makes me stronger. Neymar is a rival in some ways, but I will do my utmost to help the team. I have the desire to do well."

The 24-year-old scored eight goals in 29 La Liga appearances last season.

NEYMAR: I'LL BE HONOURED TO SCORE CASILLAS

Neymar has voiced his admiration for Iker Casillas and is desperate to guide Brazil to victory in Sunday's Confederations Cup final against Spain.

The Selecao beat Uruguay 2-1 in the semi-finals to book their ticket for this weekend's showpiece, while the reigning world champions proved to be too strong for Italy after penalties.

"I have always had great admiration for many players. Casillas is one of the greatest keepers in the world – now and always," the 21-year-old told AS.

"I have huge respect and admiration for him. Everyone would love to have him in their side, but on Sunday I hope to have the honour of scoring against him.

"It’s going to be a great game. Everyone is really looking forward to it. It’s a clash between two historic national sides, two teams with a lot of tradition.

"Spain with their star players and Brazil, with their stars. I hope that it’s a match which everyone enjoys and that Brazil end as the winners."

Sunday's encounter is scheduled to kick off at midnight CET.