Kaka's only option to return to Italy is Napoli, claims former minister

The politician feels there is no place for the Brazilian at any of the other big teams in Serie A but the Partenopei, who are seeking reinforcements following Lavezzi's departure

Italian politician Clemente Mastella believes Napoli are the only realistic option for Kaka if he wants a return to Serie A.

The Real Madrid midfielder faces stiff competition for a starting berth at the Liga champions and has therefore been linked with a move away from the club this summer.

Nonetheless, Mastella, who served as minister of labour under Silvio Berlusconi from May 1994 until January 1995, feels the circumstances in the transfer market pave the way for Napoli to enter the fray.

"There is a chance that Kaka will go to Napoli," Mastella told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"Napoli have not yet spoken with Real Madrid, but it would be the best option for Kaka if he wants to return to Italy. 

"AC Milan don't have the money to sign him, Juventus would be impossible, and a move to Inter would be impractical, too."

The 30-year-old has made 93 appearances for the Blancos since his arrival three years ago, scoring 24 goals, and is under contract with the side until 2015.

'We will save €150m' - AC Milan president Berlusconi suggests Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva deal with Paris Saint-Germain is complete

The Rossoneri patron has told the press the duo will be leaving San Siro and it will be a huge boost to the club's finances, though there is no official word from either side yet

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has claimed that he has sold Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Paris Saint-Germain.

It is understood that a €60 million offer was enough to persuade the Italians into parting with two of their biggest assets, with the move then subject to the players negotiating personal terms with the Ligue 1 giants. Although the supremo did not confirm the figure involved in the transfer, he conceded that letting the duo leave would allow the club to reduce their costs.

"It is true that I have sold them to Paris Saint-Germain," he is quoted as saying by Ansa. "With their departures, we will save €150m."

Despite Berlusconi's statements, neither the Serie A side or PSG have confirmed the transfers.

Earlier in the summer, Thiago Silva was close to joining PSG in a €46m swoop, but Berlusconi vetoed the deal at the last minute before offering the Brazilian defender an improved contract.

However, with Milan's financial problems well documented, the Rossoneri have not been able to make a big investment in the summer transfer market following a season in which they lost their Serie A crown to Juventus.

The side have so far spent little over €4m on quintet Francesco Acerbi, Gabriel, Bakaye Traore, Riccardo Montolivo and Kevin Constant.

Alongside Alonso, in place of Ozil: Where will Modric fit in at Real Madrid?

With the Croatian playmaker looking more and more likely to head to the Santiago Bernabeu, We examine the possible positions the 26-year-old can take up

After what has been a eerily quiet summer so far by Real Madrid's shopping standards, the reigning Spanish champions could be about to seal their first signing for the 2012-13 campaign in the form of Luka Modric.

The minimal buzz linking high-profile stars to Madrid so far could suggest that, much like last summer, this will be a conservative assault on the market as coach Jose Mourinho looks to bring in just a small selection of players who will strengthen the squad without upsetting the balance - just enough to continue where they left off in La Liga last term, but also to go one step further in the Champions League.

David Silva and Modric have been the only big names linked with the Santiago Bernabeu in the early days of this transfer window, but with the former having recently snubbed a return to Spain, it appears that the latter will become Real's main priority in the coming days, with the transfer looking imminent at this stage. 

With that in mind, We look at how Modric will fit into Madrid's star-studded midfield.

ALONGSIDE ALONSO

HOW THE TEAM WOULD LOOK

(4-2-3-1) Casillas Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo Alonso, MODRIC Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo Benzema/Higuain

Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira have formed a solid partnership in the double-pivot role over the past two seasons. Their communication and understanding have been integral to Mourinho's set-up in protecting the back four.

But Los Blancos are bound to face off against even more ultra-defensive opponents in the coming season after striking fear into their rivals by shattering, by some margin, the record for the most goals scored in a single league campaign in 2011-12.

The continued use of two strictly defensive-minded midfielders could become superfluous, and this is where the more creative and offensive Modric comes in. 

Goal.com International Spain Football Editor Ben Hayward believes the Croatian can make Madrid tick in the same he has done for Spurs: "Modric has played largely alongside a more defensive-minded midfielder [Wilson Palacios, Sandro, Scott Parker] at Tottenham and, even though he doesn't score many or often provide the final pass in a goal, his vision and creativity make him the fulcrum of Spurs' attacking play. He makes Tottenham tick."

Alonso would retain his role as Madrid's fulcrum, but Modric would give the team an extra dimension in attack - something that Khedira has not been able to provide consistently enough against the big teams - while at the same time maintaining the defensive security.

Likelihood rating: 

PART OF A THREE-MAN MIDFIELD

HOW THE TEAM WOULD LOOK

(4-3-3) Casillas Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo Khedira, MODRIC Ozil, Benzema, Ronaldo

While this system also sees Modric feature alongside Xabi deep in midfield, it presents Mourinho with an opportunity to employ the 4-3-3 formation that he has often been fond of.

It is a set-up that the Portuguese could have experimented with last season with the trio of Alonso, Khedira and Nuri Sahin, but all three have similar overlapping characteristics and they would only have suffocated each other. Not to mention Sahin's lengthy injury lay-off.

But Modric offers something extra. He can be as robust and aggressive as Khedira, and he has more pace and creativity than Sahin. It is a formation that provides a good balance between defence and attack, one that can be best maximised against the big teams in Champions League competition.

"I wouldn't expect Mourinho to play with just Alonso and Modric against a team like Barcelona," says Ben Hayward, "Unless Khedira plays too in a 4-3-3. In fact, that could be just what Mourinho has in mind for Modric as we know he is a big fan of the 4-3-3 formation."

Khedira then becomes the primary ball winner, Xabi the deep-lying playmaker who dictates the rhythm of the game, and Modric the most advanced player in the triumvirate in which he can utilise his burst of speed from the back. It is the classic box-to-box midfield role that the Spurs man will excel in.

Likelihood rating: 

THE PLAYMAKER-IN-CHIEF

HOW THE TEAM WOULD LOOK

(4-2-3-1) Casillas Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo Alonso, Khedira Ozil, MODRIC, Ronaldo Benzema/Higuain

If Modric is to be deployed in an attacking midfield role, he will face extremely stiff competition for a regular place in the starting XI: Cristiano Ronaldo has rubber-stamped his ownership on the left-wing spot, while Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria have become the perfect accompaniment for the Portuguese ace in the front three behind the lone striker.

However, Di Maria was plagued by inconsistency and injuries last season and never really shone in the high-stake games: against Barcelona and the double header versus Bayern Munich in particular.

As a result, the Argentine could become the sacrificial lamb, with Ozil to be pushed out wide to the right and Modric to become the main central playmaker. If Mourinho struggles to get the best out of the German, who has been Madrid's key creative inspiration for the last two seasons, he could also opt to reinstate Mesut to the middle and move Modric to the right instead.

It is not a position the 26-year-old Croat is accustomed to but, with the guidance of Mourinho, he could stamp his mark out on the right, seeing as it is viewed as Madrid's weakest side due to Alvaro Arbeloa's lack of attacking flair from full-back.

Likelihood rating: 

THE UTILITY MAN

HOW THE TEAM WOULD LOOK

(4-2-3-1) Casillas Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo Alonso*, Khedira Di Maria*, Ozil*, Ronaldo* Benzema/Higuain (* Modric as back-up)

Spurs are believed to be holding out for a €52 million (£40m) fee for Modric, and although that figure is likely to drop if a deal is to go through, the playmaker would still be an expensive reinforcement if he is to be brought in only as a squad player.

However, he could play just as much as the other key figures throughout the season with Real expected to aim for a treble, making the Champions League their priority. His versatility will allow him to cover for more than just one player or position. He would be an ideal back-up to Alonso, who has hardly had a rest over the last three seasons. Similarly, he can occupy Ronaldo's left-wing slot should the Portuguese be ruled out with an injury or, albeit highly unlikely, require a rest.

Modric's versatility across midfield will give him, as well as Mourinho, numerous combinations to work with in the starting XI. For a coach like Mourinho, who frequently mixes up his tactics mid-game, a player such as Modric could be crucial to his plans. Against a high-profile attacking rival, the Croatian could line up as a defensive player, but switch to a more offensive role as the match progresses if necessity dictates, or vice versa. 

If Modric arrives and settles in quickly, it could spell the end of Kaka, and possibly Sahin as well, by the winter as the duo will be called upon less and less.

Likelihood rating: 

HAVE YOUR SAY

Where do you think Modric will play at Madrid if he arrives? Which of the above positions and roles would suit the Croatian best? Is Modric the man who can help Real win La Decima? Let us know your views on the debate by posting a comment below or by engaging with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Signings, departures & possible starting XIs for the 2012-13 Liga season

We take a look at the ins and outs at every Primera Division club so far this summer

N.B - Only official transfers have been considered

D Definitive signing - J Joint-ownership - L Loan - EL End of Loan  * Completed in 11-12

Ahletic Bilbao
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Aduriz (Att, Valencia, D) Pablo Orbaiz (Mid, Olympiakos, EL) Ustaritz (Def, Betis, EL) Balenziaga (Def, Valladolid, EL) Cerrajeria (Mid, Murcia, EL) Diaz de Cerio (Att, Numancia, EL) Orbegozo (Att, Gimnastic Tarragona, EL) Ismael Lopez (Att, Lugo, D) Iago Herrerin (GK, Atletico Madrid, EL)				Diaz de Cerio (Att, Mirandes, D) Aitor Ocio (Def, Released) Koikili (Def, Mirandes, D) Igor Gabilondo (Mid, AEK Larnaca, D) Iago Herrerin (GK, Numancia, L)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Iraizoz Iraola, Javi Martinez, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe De Marcos, Iturraspe, Ander Herrera Susaeta, Llorente, Muniain

__________________________________________________________________________

Atletico Madrid
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
'Cebolla' Rodriguez (Mid, Porto, D) Cata Diaz (Def, Getafe, D) Emre Belozoglu (Mid, Fenerbahce, D) Courtois (GK, Chelsea, L) Yassine Bounou (GK, WAC Casablanca, D) Diego Costa (Att, Rayo Vallecano, EL) Pulido (Def, Rayo Vallecano, EL) Leandro Cabrera (Def, Numancia, EL) Joel (GK, Rayo Vallecano, EL) Raul Garcia (Mid, Osasuna, EL) Ruben Micael (Mid, Zaragoza, EL)				Dominguez (Def,  Borussia Monchengladbach, D) Ruben Perez (Mid, Betis, L) Perea (Def, Cruz Azul, D) Diego (Att, Wolfsburg, D) Antonio Lopez (Def, Mallorca, D) Francisco Regalon (Def, Numancia, D) Iago Herrerin (GK, Athletic Bilbao, EL)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Courtois Juanfran, Cata Diaz, Godin, Filipe Luis Gabi, Emre Adrian, Arda Turan, 'Cebolla' Rodriguez Falcao

__________________________________________________________________________

Barcelona
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Jordi Alba (Def, Valencia, D) Joan Angel Roman (Mid, Manchester City, D)				Marti Riverola (Mid, Bologna, D) Keita (Mid, Dalian Aerbin, D)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Valdes Dani Alves, Puyol, Pique, Jordi Alba Iniesta, Busquets, Xavi Alexis, Messi, Villa

__________________________________________________________________________

Betis
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Paulao (Def, Saint Etienne, D) Juan Carlos Perez (Mid, Braga, EL) Ruben Perez (Mid, Atletico Madrid, L) Eder Vilarchao (Mid, Sestao, D) Eizmendi (Mid, Real Sociedad, D) Salvador Agra (Att, Olhanense, D)				Jefferson Montero (Att, Morelia, D) Iriney Santos (Mid, Granada, D)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Casto Nelson, Amaya, Paulao, Nacho Benat, Ruben Perez Salvador Agra, Salva Sevilla, Jorge Molina, Ruben Castro

__________________________________________________________________________

Celta Vigo
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Javi Varas (GK, Sevilla, D) Samuel Llorca (Def, Hercules, D)				Oier Sanjurjo (Def, Osasuna, EL) Fabian Orellana (Att, Granada, EL)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Javi Varas Hugo Mallo, Samuel Llorca, Tunez, Roberto Lago Alex Lopez, Borja Oubina Quique de Lucas, Mario Bermejo, Toni Iago Aspas

__________________________________________________________________________

Deportivo La Coruna
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Andre Santos (Mid, Sporting Lisbon, L) Salomao (Att, Sporting Lisbon, L)				Guardado (Mid, Valencia, D) Diego Colotto (Def, Espanyol, D) Morel (Mid, Released) Pablo Alvarez (Mid, Released) Xisco (Att, Newcastle, EL)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Aranzubia Manuel Pablo, Borja, Ze Castro, Morel Bergantinos, Juan Dominguez Bruno Gama, Valeron, Andre Santos Lassad

__________________________________________________________________________

Espanyol
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Diego Colotto (Def, Deportivo, D) Sergio Tejera (Mid, Mallorca, D)				Coutinho (Mid, Inter, EL) Vladimir Weiss (Mid, Manchester City, EL) David Lopez (Mid, Huesca, D) Javi Marquez (Mid, Mallorca, D)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Cristian Alvarez Javi Lopez, Hector Moreno, Colotto, Didac Baena, Tejera Sergio Garcia, Alvaro, Verdu Uche

__________________________________________________________________________

Getafe
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Alexis (Def, Sevilla, L) David Abraham (Def, Basel, D) Lafita (Mid, Zaragoza, D) Colunga (Att, Sporting, EL) Moya (GK, Valencia, L) Pedro Leon (Mid, Real Madrid, D)				Javi Casquero (Mid, Released) Pedro Rios (Mid, Levante, D) Cata Diaz (Def, Atletico Madrid, D) Ruben Perez (Mid, Betis, D)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Moya Valera, Abraham, Alexis, Masilela Michel, Lacen Pedro Leon, Abdel, Lafita Miku

__________________________________________________________________________

Granada
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Iriney (Mid, Betis, D) Floro Flores (Att, Udinese, L) Tono (GK, Racing, D) Orellana (Att, Celta, EL) Borja Gomez (Def, Karpaty Lviv, D) Gabriel Torje (Mid, Udinese, L) Dani Benitez (Mid, Udinese, L) Diego Mainz (Def, Udinese, L)				Abel Gomez (Mid,  Released) Jose Juan (GK, Released) Mollo (Mid, Nancy, D)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Tono, Nyom, Inigo Lopez, Borja Gomez, Siqueira Torje, Iriney, Martins, Dani Benitez Ighalo, Floro Flores

__________________________________________________________________________

Levante
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Pedro Rios (Def, Getafe, D) Michel (Mid, Valencia, D) Angel (Att, Elche, D) Arouna Kone (Att, Sevilla, D) Keylor Navas (GK, Albacete, D)				Javi Venta (Def, Villarreal, D) Asier del Horno (Def, Released) Ruben Suarez (Att, Released)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Munua Cabral, David Navarro, Ballesteros, Juanfran Xavi Torres, Iborra Valdo, Barkero, Juanlu Kone

__________________________________________________________________________

Malaga
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
None				Malagueno (Def, Released) Van Nistelrooy (Att, Retired) Helder (Def, Released) Javi Lopez (Mid, Jaen, L)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Caballero Jesus Gamez, Weligton, Mathijsen, Monreal Demichelis, Toulalan Joaquin, Isco, Cazorla Rondon

__________________________________________________________________________

Mallorca
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Ruben Mino (GK, Barcelona B, D) Antonio Lopez (Def, Atetico Madrid, D) Javi Marquez (Mid, Espanyol, D)				Ogunjimi (Att, Standard Liege, L) Gonzalo Castro (Mid, Real Sociedad, D) Marti Crespi (Def, Released) Pau Cendros (Def, Released) Pablo Caceres (Def, Released) Sergio Tejera (Mid, Espanyol, D)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Aouate Nsue, Ramis, Nunes, Antonio Lopez Javi Marquez, Pina Pereira, Victor, Alfaro Hemed

__________________________________________________________________________

Osasuna
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Arribas (Def, Rayo Vallecano, D) Nano (Mid, Numancia, D) Sisi (Mid, Valladolid, D) Armenteros (Mid, Sevilla, D)				Ricardo (GK, Released) Roversio (Def, Released) Javier Calleja (Mid, Released) Sergio Fernandez (Def, Sporting Gijon, D) Dejan Lekic (Att, Glenclerbirligi, Def) Satrustegui (Def, Numancia, L)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Andres Fernandez Bertran, Arribas, Flano, Damia Punal, Nekounam Sisi, Ibrahima, Armenteros Nino

__________________________________________________________________________

Rayo Vallecano
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Nicki Bille (Att, Villarreal, L)				Arribas (Def, Osasuna, D) Cobeo (GK, Released Raul Bravo (Def, Released) Raul Tamudo (Att, Pachuca, D) Joel (GK, Atletico Madrid,  EL) Pulido (Def, Atletico Madrid, EL) Diego Costa (Att, Atletico Madrid, EL) Pacheco (Mid, Liverpool, EL) Armenteros (Mid, Sevilla, EL)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Dani Tito, Labaka, Alcaniz, Casado Movilla, Javi Fuego Piti, Michu, Trashorras Bille

__________________________________________________________________________

Real Madrid
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Gago (Mid, Roma, EL) David Mateos (Mid, Zaragoza, D)				Drenthe (Mid, Released) Pedro Leon (Mid, Getafe, D) David Mateos (Mid, Real Madrid Castilla, D)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Casillas Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo Xabi Alonso, Khedira Di Maria, Ozil, Cristiano Ronaldo Benzema

__________________________________________________________________________

Real Sociedad
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Gonzalo Castro, (Mid, Mallorca, D)				Carlos Vela (Att, Arsenal, EL) Tono (GK, Released) Mikel Aranburu (Mid, Retired) Eizmendi (Mid, Betis, D)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Claudio Bravo Carlos Martinez, Mikel Gonzalez, Inigo Martinez, Cadamuro Illarramendi, Zurutuza Xabi Prieto, Gonzalo Castro, Griezmann Agirretxe

__________________________________________________________________________

Sevilla
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Diego Lopez (GK, Villarreal, D) Maduro (Mid, Valencia, D) Bryan Rabello (Mid, Colo Colo, D) Javi Hervas (Mid, Cordoba, Def) Bernardo (Def, Racing Santander, EL)				Kanoute (Att, Beijing Guoan, D) Javi Varas (GK, Celta Vigo, D) Alexis (Def, Getafe, D) Armenteros (Mid, Osasuna, D)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Diego Lopez Coke, Spahic, Bernardo, Fernando Navarro Medel, Trochowski Jesus Navas, Reyes, Perotti Negredo

__________________________________________________________________________

Valencia
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Guardado (Mid, Deportivo, D) Joao Pereira (Def, Sporting Lisbon, D) Jonathan Viera (Mid, Las Palmas, D)				Mehmet Topal (Mid, Fenerbahce, D) Jordi Alba (Def, Barcelona, D) Maduro (Mid, Sevilla, D) Dealbert (Def, Kuban Krasnodar, D) Aduriz (Att, Athletic Bilbao, D) Michel (Mid, Levante, D) Bruno Saltor (Def, Released)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Alves Barragan, Pereira, Rami, Mathieu Tino Costa, Parejo Viera, Canales, Guardado Soldado

__________________________________________________________________________

Valladolid
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
None				Nauzet Aleman (Mid, Las Palmas, D) Sisi (Mid, Osasuna, D) Balenziaga (Def, Athletic, EL) Matabuena (Mid, Released) Juanito (Def, Released) Varela (Def, Released) Jofre (Mid, Released) Nafti (Mid, Valladolid) Aquino (Att, Released)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Jaime Baraja, Rueda, Marc Valiente, Pena Alvaro Rubio, Víctor Perez Javi Navas, Oscar, Bueno Javi Guerra

__________________________________________________________________________

Zaragoza
SIGNINGS				DEPARTURES
Paco Montanes (Mid, Alcorcon, D)				Lafita (Mid, Getafe, D) Da Silva (Def, Pachuca, D) Dujmovic (Mid, Dynamo Moscow, EL) Ruben Micael (Mid, Atletico Madrid, EL) David Mateos (Mid, Real Madrid Castilla, D) Luis Garcia (Mid, Tigres, D)
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
Roberto Pablo Alvarez, Lanzaro, Paredes, Minero Pinter, Zuculini Aranda, Apono, Paco Montanes Helder Postiga

via Goal.com

Barcelona v Real Madrid on October 7: 2012-13 La Liga fixtures revealed

The two fierce rivals will play out their first Clasico at Camp Nou just two months into the league season, with the return fixture scheduled for early March

The fixtures for the 2012-13 Liga season have been released, revealing the dates for the twoClasico clashes between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The Blaugrana will entertain Los Blancos in the league season's first Clasico at home on October 7, with the return fixture taking place at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 3.

The competition will commence on August 18 and will run through to June 1, with just the penultimate round of the scheduled 38 to take place during midweek.

The final dates of the tournament may of course be altered should Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia or Malaga reach the latter stages of the Champions League.

Reigning champions Madrid begin their campaign at home to Valencia while Barcelona will entertain Real Sociedad at Camp Nou.

Matchday One:

Barcelona	Real Sociedad
Real Madrid	Valencia
Athletic Bilbao	Real Betis
Atletico Madrid	Levante
Real Zaragoza	Valladolid
Sevilla	Getafe
Celta Vigo	Malaga
Rayo Vallecano	Granada
Deportivo La Coruna	Osasuna
Mallorca	Espanyol

Marchisio: Spain are strong, but we know how to beat them

Azzurri midfielder insists his side will be able to overcome La Roja in Sunday's showpiece after holding them to a 1-1 draw in their group stage opener

Italy midfielder Claudio Marchisio has insisted that the Azzurri have the know-how to beat Spain in Sunday's Euro 2012 final.

The two sides opened their campaign in Poland and Ukraine against each other with a 1-1 draw and the Juventus man believes that match stands Italy in good stead.

"Spain are an extremely strong team," he told Goal.com. "But we already faced them in the group stage and we know how to beat them, I will not say how, but you'll see on the pitch."

Cesare Prandelli's men have surprised some by making the final and Marchisio believes that pre-tournament doubts only served to make the squad more determined to succeed.

He continued: "I think nobody expected us to play as we have done. We were strongly criticised before the tournament, after losing to Russia, and after that even in the tournament when we drew against Croatia.

"What we were asking was that there was a balance in the press coverage of our team, we knew that all was not well, but we wanted the people to trust us.

"But that also served to unite the group in this tournament and that was in the end the great strength of this team and since then we have transformed these criticisms into praise."

The side also went into Euro 2012 on the back of the Scommessopoli investigation that saw squad member Domenico Criscito arrested and subsequently dropped from the squad and the Juventus player insisted that the Azzurri were determined to ignore the situation.

 

"What we tried was to concentrate on the tournament because the last thing we wanted was the environment within the group to rot," he explained.

"After two years of great sacrifice, it would have been a shame if that happened, and in that sense the lads have been fantastic. And well, we are a bit used to those scandals before the big competitions, it is not the first time and we always show the character, that's very typical of Italians."

 

The midfielder revealed the squad had not been fully confident at the start of the tournament but the side had been buoyed by their qualification from Group C and then their quarter-final win over England.

"Confidence has been increasing gradually," Marchisio explained. "One game at time, tournaments the size of the Euro tend to change in minutes. And so it happened to us, we suffered in the group stage in the match against Ireland but then we qualified and that changed everything.

"That freed us so we could start playing with the confidence we needed. Against England we won on penalties, but we dominated the match and then against Germany played very well, increasingly convinced that we could achieve our goal."

longest serving Nigerian players

We profiles the five players in the present Nigeria set up who have spent the longest number of years

A few weeks ago, Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama marked a decade of service to the Super Eagles. It was a milestone for the Lille goalkeeper who came into the core of the team during the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan.

Several players have given long service to the nation in the past – Kanu Nwankwo spent 16 years in the national team while present coach Stephen Keshi gave 12 years of his life to the service of the national team. Many times during low periods, these players have had to question why they give so much yet receive so little praise.

In this article, TrifectaSport profiles the longest serving players in the present squad looking at how their career has been shaped by service to their country.

5. TAYE TAIWO

Position: Left back

Years active: 8

Duration: 2004-to present

No of caps: 53

Goals: 5

Festac-born Taye Taiwo has been a consistent part of the Super Eagles since he made his debut in 2004. He replaced Ifeanyi Udeze and since then he has made remarkable impact for the team as a left full back. He is known for his bullet shots and thunder free kicks. He has played under a myriad of coaches though he has featured only once under current coach Stephen Keshi.

He made a move from Lobi Stars directly to Olympique Marseille. He left the French side after six seasons where he won the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de la Ligue and Trophee des Champions. He moved to join AC Milan but he had to be loaned to Queen Park Rangers. The left-back has played 53 times for his country and scored five times. At 27 years of age, he is getting very stiff competition from home-based lad Juwon Oshinawa and Elderson Echiejile is also in the pecking order.

4. JOHN UTAKA

Position: Forward

Years active: 10

Duration: 2002-to present

No of caps: 43

Goals: 6

Forward John Utaka returned to the fold of the Super Eagles in June after being locked out since the end of the 2010 World Cup. The Montpellier striker’s national team career was resurrected due to the impressive performances he gave leading to his team winning the French Ligue 1 title.

Stephen Keshi fielded him for the Eagles’ matches against Namibia and Malawi, giving him an opportunity to also mark a decade in the service of his country. Utaka made his debut in 2002 and has played at three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. One of his most memorable moments was when he scored the winning goal in the 2-1 defeat of Cameroon in the quarter final of Tunisia 2004.

3. PETER ODEMWINGIE

Position: Forward

Years active: 10

Duration: 2002-to present

No of caps: 54

Goals: 9

One of the youngest players to have played for the national team, Peter Odemwingie was born in Uzbekistan but chose to play for Nigeria. He was taken to the 2002 World Cup as an alternate player. From then till date, the pacy striker has won 54 caps and scored nine goals for the Super Eagles.

His competitive debut came as a substitute in a 3-0 victory over Kenya on May 4, 2002 aged just 20. At the African Cup of Nations in Tunisia in 2004, he scored twice against South Africa, in the 80th and 82nd minutes, after coming on as a substitute in the Super Eagles first match of the competition. He has played in a total of four Afcons and at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Odemwingie has had spats with some national team coaches like Amodu Shaibu, Lars Lagerback and Samson Siasia. He has had stints with Bendel Insurance, La Louviere in Belgium, Lille in France – for whom he played in the Uefa Champions League and scored against AC Milan, Lokomotiv Moscow and he is currently contracted to West Bromwich Albion, where he has been highest goal scorer in the last two seasons.

2. VINCENT ENYEAMA

Position: Goalkeeper

Years active: 10

Duration: 2002-to present

No of caps: 65

Goals: 1

The Lille of France goalkeeper is the second longest serving Super Eagles player currently. He marked a decade in the national team ahead of the World Cup qualification match against Malawi in June.

He was picked for the 2002 World Cup by Adegboye Onigbinde as a cover for Ike Shorunmu and played one match in that tournament, keeping a clean sheet against England. That match will be remembered fondly for his save from a David Beckham free kick. He has been first choice for the national team since except on rare occasions where he was injured or when he was excluded from the team on disciplinary grounds.

 The 2010 World Cup in South Africa will also be fondly remembered for the way he single-handedly made sure that Argentina’s Lionel Messi did not score against the Super Eagles. He helped Nigeria win the CafChampions League for the first time with Enyimba FC of Aba in 2003 and 2004. At 29 years of age, and as a goalkeeper, Enyeama could be in the national team for many more years.

He had a very good stint in Israel with Hapoel Tel Aviv, where he won many accolades and became known as a scoring goalkeeper in Europe. He also paved the way for compatriot, Dele Aiyenugba to get his chance as a professional goalkeeper in Israel.

1. JOSEPH YOBO

Position: Central defender

Years active: 11

Duration: 2001-to present

No of caps: 87

Goals: 7

A former U-20 striker, captain Joseph Yobo is currently the longest serving Super Eagle and has made history as the player with the most number of appearances for the national team, 87. The player who started his career with Michelin FC of Port Harcourt has indeed come a long way since he stood up against George Weah of Liberia in a 2002 World Cup qualifier in Port Harcourt playing as a right back.

He made his World Cup debut in 2002 in Japan and South Korea and famously provided the cross for Julius Aghahowa to score against Sweden, Nigeria’s lone goal in that tournament. He has played in countries across Europe, from Belgium - where he starred for Standard Liege- to Marseille in France and then to Everton of England where he played for eight years before his current loan move to Fenerbahce of Turkey. He won his first club diadem with Fenerbahce and he is now hoping to make the loan move a permanent one.

At 31 years-old, he could get to the magical century of international caps if he can motivate the team to qualify for the 2013 and 2014 Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup in Brazil. Having won three Afcon bronze medals, Yobo has declared that he wants to win a major trophy with Nigeria before he considers retiring.