Ciao bambinos. Italian soccer is back at last. Six weeks after most other major European domestic leagues started play, calcio begins tomorrow.
The Italians postponed their big kick off to accommodate the Under-23 national side's bid for Olympic glory. What a waste of time! Marco Tardelli's side came up well short of expectations, losing in the quarter-finals.
Following the summer's roller-coaster ride at Euro 2000 and now this Olympic debacle, Italian fans must be relieved to welcome back Serie A action.
So, to greet their admirers around the world, the Italian Federation have scheduled a rip-roaring fixture to herald the new campaign. Well, not exactly. A drumroll, please, for ? Bari v Verona.
Things improve later the same night, however, with Napoli v Juventus. This marks Napoli's return to the top flight and they could hardly expect a tougher baptism. Juve have already racked up a win and two draws in Champions' League play so will be primed and ready for the trip south.
Talking of the European Champions' League that yawning gap in the schedule left by ESPN's abdication is still a cause for grievance. STAR Sports' olive branch to ECL fans, the Saturday taped match, seems to be just another excuse to show Manchester United. What other reason could there be for making this week's game in Eindhoven the match of choice when they could have had Leeds pummelling Besiktas or Arsenal outplaying Lazio.
