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 Calcio Close-Up
For in-depth player and Coach profiles, we bring you closer to the established and rising stars of the Italian game |
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| Clarence Seedorf: Vintage Clarence |
| Few players can boast they are having their best season after passing the age of 30, but Clarence Seedorf has never done things the usual way. More |
| Fabio Capello: Match made in heaven |
| Fabio Capello’s appointment as England boss looks like being one of the most talked about subjects in 2008. More |
| Andrea Barzagli: Raising the Bar |
| Palermo skipper Andrea Barzagli could end 2008 as one of the first names on the Azzurri teamsheet. More |
| Gianluigi Buffon: Gigi at 30 |
| Gigi Buffon turned 30 at the end of January. Paul Rayment looks back at the career of the world’s greatest goalkeeper. More |
| Kaka: Gift from God |
| There was never any doubt that Kaka would add the Ballon d’Or to his mantelpiece after his Champions League performances last term. More |
| Vincenzo Iaquinta: The soul man |
| After seven years with Udinese, climbing aboard the Juventus juggernaut was a shock to the system for Vincenzo Iaquinta. More |
| Alexandre Pato: The £15m rookie |
| Prior to Alexandre Pato making his debut for Milan in January, Steve Wilson wondered if the teenager could possibly live up to the hype. More |
| Sebastian Giovinco: Little Giant |
| Sebastian Giovinco has impressed at Empoli this term, but he does he have what it takes to make it at Juventus? More |
| Marek Hamsik: Ham-mer Time! |
| In Naples, they usually like their foreigners a little bit volatile so Marek Hamsik has fitted in perfectly at the San Paolo. More |
| Luca Cigarini: Parma’s Pirlo |
| A central-midfielder in the Andrea Pirlo mould, Luca Cigarini has the necessary technique and vision to become a star for Italy. More |
| Pablo Daniel Osvaldo: Danny Boy |
| Following in the stud marks of Gabriel Batistuta is a dream come true for Fiorentina's new No 9, Pablo Daniel Osvaldo. More |
| Alessandro Matri: Enter the Matri |
| Cagliari striker Alessandro Matri might lack top-flight experience, but he certainly isn't short on confidence. More |
| Lorenzo De Silvestri: Silver lining |
| Lorenzo De Silvestri was playing in Lazio’s Primavera team last term, but now he is gaining a reputation as a superb right-back for the senior side. More |
| Sebastien Frey: Seb-ceptional |
| Sebastien Frey is currently the best foreign goalkeeper in Serie A, but he is something of an acquired taste in his homeland. More |
| Massimo Ambrosini: Max Power |
| Milan’s striker shortage at the start of this season opened the first-team door again for Massimo Ambrosini. More |
| Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Troubled genius |
| Nobody can doubt the exceptional raw talent of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but are his greatest strengths also his biggest weaknesses? More |
| Claudio Bellucci: Monitor Bellucci |
| Claudio Bellucci's return to Sampdoria has reminded those who may have forgotten about him that he is one to keep a close eye on. More |
| Reginaldo: Reginaldo reigns |
| Reginaldo has made a big impact at Parma and looks set to be the next Brazilian import to make a name for himself in the world of calcio. More |
| Marcelo Zalayeta: Hero to villain |
| After 10 years as a fringe player at Juventus, Marcelo Zalayeta has finally been given the chance to spread his wings in Serie A with Napoli. More |
| Emil Hallfredsson: Amaranto Viking |
| Emil Hallfredsson was a low-key arrival at Reggina, but the Icelandic ace has made an impressive start to life in Serie A. More |
| Amauri: Comeback Kid |
| After recovering from a serious knee injury, Amauri has quickly rediscovered his best form for Palermo. More |
| Philippe Mexes: Gallic Gladiator |
| Philippe Mexes’ transfer to Roma looked like causing the club more problems than his ability merited, but he was well worth the hassle. More |
| Fabrizio Miccoli: Magical Miccoli |
| Pint-sized playmaker Fabrizio Miccoli is loving life with Palermo after his Portuguese adventure. More |
| Marco Borriello: Making his Marc |
| Marco Borriello was the laughing stock of Italian football less than 12 months ago, but now he is a scoring sensation at Genoa. More |
| Daniele De Rossi: Reformed Roman |
| Daniele De Rossi has left his World Cup sending off in his past and emerged as Roma and Italy’s midfield maestro. More |
| Juan Manuel Vargas: Peruvian Bull |
| Catania full-back Juan Manuel Vargas has been a revelation for the Sicilian outfit, but how long will it be before one of the big boys snap him up? More |
| Antonio Nocerino: Miracle man |
| Antonio Nocerino must often have thought that his Juventus career would never get off the ground, but he's taken his chance with both hands. More |
| Alberto Aquilani: Il Principino |
| Alberto Aquilani has been hailed as the new Giuseppe Giannini. Could the Little Prince one day be crowned King of Rome? More |
| Antonio Cassano: The trouble with genius |
| Every now and again the gift of genius is handed to someone who simply has no idea how to make full use of it. Step forward Antonio Cassano. More |
| Ezequiel Lavezzi: Bolt from the blue |
| In just two games Ezequiel ‘Pocho’ Lavezzi conquered the hearts of the Napoli faithful and earned the inevitable Diego Maradona comparisons. More |
| Costinha: First Knight |
| Atalanta added a former Champions League winner to their ranks in the summer, in the form of ex-Porto ace Costinha. More |
| Cicinho: Wing Commander |
| Cicinho is the latest Brazilian to head for Rome, but will he be able to live up to his potential after a disappointing spell at Real Madrid? More |
| Pasquale Foggia: Out of the Fog |
| After constantly being shunned by the big clubs, Pasquale Foggia is ready to step out of the mist of obscurity. More |
| Antonio Floro Flores: Crown of Flores |
| The likes of Marcio Amoroso and Oliver Bierhoff announced themselves as stars at Udinese and Antonio Floro Flores hopes to do the same. More |
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