A.C. SIENA

[D-Kin]

Siena have officially signed goalkeeper Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos and Czech talent Luckas Jarolim.

The Tuscans avoided relegation on the last day of the season thanks to a late 2-1 win over Lazio and are strengthening their squad.

Greek net-minder Eleftheropoulos had a splendid season with Ascoli despite their drop into Serie B and pushed legend Gianluca Pagliuca on to the bench for the final months of the campaign.

The former Olympiakos Pireo player joins his fifth Serie A side after spells at Messina, Milan and Roma and has signed a two-year contract.

Jarolim is a 31-year-old Czech midfielder who has been brought in from Slavia Prague, where this season he has scored five goals in 28 games.

He has also put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Siena.

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[D-Kin]

Andrea Mandorlini is the new head coach of Siena.
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[D-Kin]

Siena have strengthened their squad with the arrival of Atalanta’s goalscoring defender Simone Loria.

The 30-year-old is a bruising marker in his own box, but also a prolific marksman in the opposition penalty area.

Loria scored an impressive five goals in 28 Serie A appearances for Atalanta last term, although his personal best was seven with Cagliari in 2003-04.

He had spent the last two terms at Atalanta, having previously played for Cagliari, Lecco, Nocerina, Battipagliese, Olbia and been a Juventus youth product who only made his top flight debut in 2004.

Siena Coach Andrea Mandorlini welcomes the new arrival on a four-year contract and he is already at pre-season training with his teammates.

However, the Tuscan side has released Ezio Brevi from his contract and he penned a deal with Serie C outfit Venezia.

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[Jager]

Friendlies: Siena six-pack Thursday 26 July, 2007

Siena thumped six goals past Foligno, but Bologna continue to struggle as they failed to net against a group of unemployed players.

New boss Andrea Mandorlini seems to be steering Siena in the right direction, as they hammered Serie C outfit Foligno 6-1 in this evening’s friendly.

Daniele Corvia, an Enrico Chiesa penalty and Mario Frick strike were in the first half, followed by Lucas Jarolim, Mirko Guadalupi and an own goal.

Meanwhile, it was today confirmed by the Lega Calcio that Siena cannot change the name of their club to include sponsors Montepaschi di Siena.

They had hoped to adopt a basketball style title of MsP Siena, but the authorities deemed it unworkable.

Things are not looking so good for Serie B side Bologna, who played out a 0-0 draw with the AIC (Players’ Association) XI.

This is a team made up of players who are unemployed and given training facilities while they await new contracts.


Siena First half: Pavarini, Bertotto, Grimi, Codrea, Portanova, Loria, Frick, Vergassola, Corvia, De Ceglie, Chiesa
Second half: Eleftheropoulos; Scardovelli, Veron, De Lazzari, Lucarelli, Calil Caetano, Jarolim, Packer, Galloppa, Guadalupi, Rossi

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[Jager]

Robur wait for marksman Monday 6 August, 2007

Siena patron Giovanni Stronati has denied rumours linking the Tuscan minnows with strikers Christian Rigano’ and Erjon Bogdani.

The Robur clearly lacked a consistent marksman last term as Massimo Maccarone and Mario Frick finished joint top scorers with just six strikes apiece.

As a result, the Bianconeri have been rumoured to be tracking Rigano’, who hit 19 goals for relegated Messina, and Chievo’s Albanian hitman Erjon Bogdani.

However, while Stronati has admitted that there will be a swoop, he has insisted that the fans have faith in the current side.

“It won’t be Rigano’ or Bogdani,” he told Antenna Radio Esse. “But the fans shouldn’t worry because we are tracking a new striker.

“Our Achilles heel last term was a lack of options up front, but we need to remember that we will have Maccarone from the start of the season and a rejuvenated Frick as well as Daniele Corvia who offers a physical threat.”

Another battle against the drop seems likely to beckon for a side that have become accustomed to making the Great Escape each year, but Stronati is positive.

“This season will be really difficult. The aim is to gurantee safety as quickly as possible and we will need the support of the fans,” he stated.

“The difficult fixture list? Everyone has to play eveyone else twice so it’s probably good to meet the good sides first, but then we will only really know in May.”

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[Aladino]

Siena's loss last night is not good, that can dampen the confidnece levels of the players easily. I just hope they bounce back soon, they can't afford another season like last year

[Jager]

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easy win for Siena.

[Jager]

Siena swoop for Bucchi Monday 20 August, 2007

After a fortnight of speculation, unsettled Napoli striker Cristian Bucchi has agreed a loan move to Siena.

The Roman hitman had been widely tipped to leave the Stadio San Paolo after just one season with the Partenopei due to the arrival of Argentine prodigy Ezequiel Lavezzi and rumours suggesting Juventus' Marcelo Zalayeta is on his way.

Bucchi was Serie B Capocannoniere in 2005-06 with Modena, but in his 29 appearances in the Vesuviani’s Cadetti promotion last year he only hit the net eight times and was often a substitute.

A talented and reliable marksman in the second tier, the 30-year-old has yet to prove himself on the Serie A stage.

It seems that Siena’s search for another attacking option is over and Bucchi will be a useful addition for a side whose top scorers last term – Massimo Maccarone and Mario Frick – chalked up just six goals apiece.

The official presentation will take place later in the week and the No 29 shirt has been set aside for the new man.

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[Aladino]

SIENA: UN NUOVO NOME PER LO STADIO
12/09/2007
MILANO - L'impianto senese in cui giocheranno i rossoneri sabato alle 18.00 ha un nuovo nome. La Giunta comunale di Siena ha infatti deliberato che la denominazione completa dello stadio da oggi sarà: "Artemio Franchi Montepaschi Arena".

Siena have changed their stadiums name to..... Artemio Franchi Montepaschi Arena!

SIENA: UN INFORTUNIO FRA I TOSCANI
12/09/2007
MILANO - Acsiena. it rende noto che al fine di verificare la sintomatologia dolorosa accusata al termine della seduta di allenamento di ieri, Wanderson Scardovelli è stato sottoposto oggi ad accertamenti strumentali che hanno evidenziato la presenza di una lesione della giunzione mio-tendinea della gamba destra. Il recupero agonistico del calciatore è previsto in 45 giorni. | |

Wanderson Scardovelli will be out for 45 days.

[D-Kin]

Bucchi is a decent signing, lets see what he can do in Serie A.

[D-Kin]

Mandorlini blasts negative Press Wednesday 31 October, 2007

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Under-fire Siena tactician Andrea Mandorlini must deliver a win over Catania, but he blames the Press for speculation surrounding his future.

The Robur are third bottom with only one win so far this term and the unproven Mandorlini has taken the brunt of the media excoriation.

The Tuscans were booed off after last weekend’s 0-0 draw with fellow strugglers Reggina, but the Bianconeri boss believes he has been misrepresented.

“Since the opening day of the season I have been viewed in a certain way and it has annoyed me quite a bit,” the ex-Atalanta man raged.

“It’s hardly as if anybody expected us to get into the Champions League. We knew it would be a struggle this term, that’s not a surprise.

“When I talk to the Press it's because I want to talk directly to the fans - you journalists don’t ever help.”

It is widely believed that a defeat this evening will see Mandorlini finish as runner-up to Fernando Orsi in this season’s sack race.

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[D-Kin]

Mandorlini safe at Siena Thursday 1 November, 2007

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The pressure is mounting on Siena Coach Andrea Mandorlini after protests at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, but he has the President’s backing.

The Robur were hit by a late Catania equaliser in their 1-1 draw last night and saw striker Massimo Maccarone miss a penalty.

With the Tuscan side now languishing in the relegation mire, the fans seem to have lost patience with Mandorlini and some sections jeered the side at the final whistle.

“We were unlucky – there’s nothing more to say,” the Bianconeri tactician stressed.

“It made me angry to hear fans singing abusive songs at me, but at the same time that makes me want to do better.

“We created the chances but we didn’t finish them. Maccarone is a penalty taker and even if he missed one we must look past that.”

President Giovanni Lombardi Stronati was disappointed at the protests against Mandorlini, but believes that the majority of the tifosi gave a positive response.

“It’s regrettable that there were lots of protests before the game, but I appreciated the support from most of the fans at the final whistle,” he insisted.

“When Catania scored and at the end there was applause from most of the ground.

“It is good to have a crowd that understands the effort that the team have put in.”

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[D-Kin]

Mandorlini out, Beretta in Monday 12 November, 2007

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Coach Andrea Mandorlini has left Siena by mutual consent and is replaced by last season’s boss Mario Beretta.

The Tuscans have endured a miserable start to the campaign and Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at the hands of local rivals and fellow strugglers Livorno proved to be the final straw.

Robur general manager Giovanni Lombardi Stronati had indicated that the club would keep faith with the struggling Mandorlini, but a statement this evening indicates that the ex-Cagliari man has agreed to leave.

“The club would like to express its warmest regards and to thank Mandorlini for all his work, but from tomorrow the side will be under the control of Beretta,” the declaration reads.

Beretta guided the Bianconeri to survival on the last day of last season, but he chose to leave the Stadio Artemio Franchi just days after the end of the campaign.

The details of the ex-Chievo man’s new contract will be released in the coming days.

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[D-Kin]

Beretta rediscovers Siena Tuesday 13 November, 2007

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Mario Beretta is back on the Siena bench following Andrea Mandorlini’s dismissal, but sees it as a totally new experience.

“In a certain sense it is like starting from scratch, but that is definitely not something that frightens me,” said the Coach.

“We need to work very hard and with great determination, knowing that the road to safety is dangerous and difficult, but at the end of it all we’ll find such a satisfying prize.”

Beretta had already rescued the club from relegation last term, but was sacked during the summer and replaced by former Atalanta boss Mandorlini.

With just one win, six draws and five defeats, the 3-2 home loss to local rivals Livorno at the weekend proved the final straw.

“I didn’t expect to be recalled, but hoped someone here remembered me. The fact Siena brought me in is all the better, because I was happy here,” said the returning tactician.

“I didn’t really follow the team closely in these months, so I cannot give judgments. I will watch the tapes of our games to brush up on the new faces. It is clear that at this moment in time the squad needs a relaxed atmosphere.”

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[Marcelo]

De Ceglie: It's not up to me Thursday 7 February, 2008

Siena starlet Paolo De Ceglie insists he has no say over whether he stays at the Stadio Artemio Franchi or returns to co-owners Juventus this summer.

The 21-year-old has revealed himself to be one of Italian football’s rising stars after an impressive campaign in Tuscany.

While Juve opted to loan Sebastian Giovinco and Claudio Marchisio to Empoli, Siena were allowed to purchase 50 per cent of De Ceglie’s rights and now the Old Lady are said to be plotting a