A stroll through Italy and the Serie Aby Richard Whittle, SerieA.tv


Senderos follows Sheva to AC Milan
Philippe Senderos has joined AC Milan on a year loan from Arsenal.

The defender's arrival follows hard on the heels of Andriy Shevchenko's return to the club at the weekend and gives coach Carlo Ancelotti some much-needed cover at the back.

Now at Fox Soccer Shop The Rossoneri will have the option to make the deal with the 23-year-old Swiss international permanent at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Shevchenko arrived at the club's Milanello training complex on Monday to undergo a medical and begin training.

The 31-year-old expressed his delight at being back after a two-season nightmare at Chelsea, and added: "It's a special moment for me and I want to thank all the fans including those at Chelsea who have stuck by me over these two years."

Moratti hails Inter win

Massimo Moratti has not been able to hide his delight at Inter's winning start to the new season.

The Nerazzurri lifted the Italian Super Cup in a thrilling penalty shoot-out against AS Roma after the sides finished 2-2 in extra-time.

The owner praised his new coach Jose Mourinho and said: "You can already see the hand of Mourinho at work here.

"We were full of life and beat a really strong team. I am really pleased we managed to win in front of our own fans."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic played the full game following his knee problem of recent months and the striker believes that he is on the road to full recovery.

The Sweden international said: "It was a positive response and I don't feel any pain. I think that all the hard work we have put in during pre-season training is beginning to pay off."

Totti forgiven for penalty miss

AS Roma have rallied around Francesco Totti after the striker missed the crucial penalty in the Italian Super Cup against Inter.

The 31-year-old, who was playing his first competitive game since an knee operation in April after coming on as a substitute for the final 30 minutes of normal time, could have sealed victory in the shoot-out but blasted his effort against the bar.

Simone Perrotta refused to blame his team-mate and the midfielder said: "I am sorry for him. He really felt he had to take one but he had only been on the pitch a short time and he will bounce back from this."

The France international: "I told Totti and Juan that I would have scored when my turn came but overall we played well."

Baggio blasts Mancini

Roberto Baggio believes that Roberto Mancini has never been able to handle the big-time pressure either as a player or a coach.

In a rare interview, the retired superstar pointed to the fact that the former Inter coach had failed to live up to his reputation in crucial moments.

The 41-year-old said: "He was a quality player but he had his limitations which can be seen by the fact he always struggled when it really mattered.

"When he resigned after the defeat to Liverpool that was when the coach reminded me of the player."

As for the Divine Ponytail, he admitted he is enjoying his time away from the pressures of professional football and claimed: "I can do what I want to do now and I don't have to listen to presidents and coaches. It's a fantastic feeling after giving your whole life to football."