Serie A (en overig Italiaans voetbal) #17: C'mon Lazio!

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Totti escapes TV ban

Francesco Totti will not face disciplinary action for kicking Pavel Nedved in the head during Roma’s 4-1 home defeat to Juventus on Saturday night, it has emerged.

After an aerial challenge during the first half in which Nedved fouled Totti, the Roma captain then stretched out a leg and appeared to aim a kick at the head of the prostrate Czech midfielder.

It was initially thought that the incident was missed by match official Gianluca Paparesta, which would have paved the way to a possible disciplinary hearing.

However, television football show Controcampo revealed pictures after the incident in which Paparesta - who booked Nedved for the original foul – is seen absolving the Italy international for the kick which, in his opinion, deemed to be accidental.

"It’s okay," he said. "You didn’t do it on purpose."

As the match official witnessed the episode and passed his own judgement during the course of the match, there will be no further action taken. Totti has, therefore, escaped his second suspension of the season.

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Chivu makes Capello call

Roma defender Cristian Chivu has fuelled talk of a move to Juventus by claiming he wants to work with boss Fabio Capello again.

Giallorossi captain Francesco Totti stated last week that he would never wish to be coached by the tactician again, but Chivu has great respect for the Italian.

"Totti’s words? It is hard for me to mirror them," Chivu told Sky Italia. "Capello brought me to Italy and I would like to team up with him again.

"I must thank him because the fact that I am here is also down to him. When it comes to Capello, all you have to do is look at the number of League titles he has won."

Today’s comments will undoubtedly lead to speculation that a move to Turin at the end of the season is on the cards.

However, the Romanian international has committed his immediate future to the Stadio Olimpico outfit.

"I am at Roma for now and I still have two and a half years left on my contract in Rome," he added.

"You never know what will happen in football, even if it doesn’t always come down to the desire of a player.

"A contract extension? The club must make their move first, then we will have to wait and see what happens."

Chivu moved to Serie A three years ago after they beat Inter and a host of other clubs for the then Ajax stopper.

Chivu, who can play in the centre or at left-back, has also been heavily linked with a move to Milan recently.

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Collina supporter van Lazio

Pierluigi Collina draagt Lazio een warm hart toe. Dat liet de voormalig Italiaanse topscheidsrechter op een symposium aan de universiteit van Parma weten. "Ik volgde als kleine jongen de verrichtingen van Bologna. Daarna werd ik voor Lazio, omdat Giuseppe Wilson daar ging spelen. Ik was helemaal gek van hem", aldus Collina.

De markante ex-arbiter, die dit seizoen een punt achter zijn loopbaan zette na een conflict met de Italiaanse bond, benadrukte dat hij nooit partijdig is geweest bij wedstrijden van Lazio. "De eerste tien duels onder mijn leiding wonnen ze niet."