Aaaaannnd we’re back to our scheduled programming. So, what’s going on, you ask? Well, here’s my best attempt at a round-up:

First off, two matches were played already:

Genoa 0-1 Roma

• There are actually two things to talk about here. First off, Cristian Panucci (a.k.a. The Old Man) - the guy responsible for the Azzurri’s game-winner in Scotland - saved the day here as well, this time with a header in the 89th minute. Whatever you’re doing, Old Man, can you please get your teammates to start? Thanks.
• Speaking of which (and this brings me to our second talking point), Roma need to start taking vitamins or something. As Chris at Offside pointed out before the match, to say that Roma has caught the injury bug would be a gross understatement. Injury bear is more like it.

Inter 2-1 Atalanta

• Everyone, your attention please! ArgentInter fielded an Italian today, when Materazzi came on for Dacourt in the 88th minute. [crowd]Oooooohhhhh! Aaaaaaaaaahhhh![/crowd] Thank you. That is all.
• Actually, that’s not all. I have to point out that Inter got lucky… again. With all of the non-Italians on the team, I’m starting to wonder whether or not there’s a lucky Irishman in the mix somewhere. They are that lucky. If one of them starts riverdancing, or if someone mentions a pot o’ gold or charms of any kind, (is that how they pay for The Great Zaltan and the Argentinian Superstars?) we’ll know something is afoot. Seriously, Atalanta should have at least drawn level. Actually, if you read between Mancini’s words, you can tell that he soiled his pants during the match.

Elsewhere in the Lega Calcio:

• FatRon is set to return against Cagliari… maybe. Ugh. In the same match, Pasquale Foggia of Cagliari may play the role of trequartista. If there’s any action from the home team, expect Foggia to be involved. Unfortunately, Gattuso will probably scare the poor kid off of the pitch.
• I fully expect Fiorentina to leapfrog Roma and slip into second place, as they face Reggina tomorrow. If not, the Viola could go on an untimely slide, as they were upset by Udinese back in Week 12.
• I think Juventus will have a hard time with Palermo, but will come away with the win in the end. Juve will be without Lanky Chiellini, but they’ll be looking to pick up the pace after drawing in their last two matches.
• Catania are visiting Napoli this week, and although they’re a solid side (relatively speaking), they’re 0-5-1 on the road. That said, I am expecting a win for Napoli.

It sure is nice to have calcio back, isn’t it? I know it was only a couple weeks, but it feels like we were caught in an international wormhole or something. (Speaking of international stuff, the draws for World Cup 2010 qualifying groups are set to take place tomorrow; it’s going to be a busy day.)

Gosh, Sepp… ya think?

Blatter, who has had a rocky relationship with Italian soccer, recently pointed out what many have been saying for quite a while now: with only one Italian starter (Matrix) and only five Italians on their 28-man roster, Inter doesn’t look very Italian.

A little digging reveals that Blatter has been on the “we should use home-grown players” bandwagon for a while now. In fact, he’s recently been pushing for a ruling that would limit the number of foreign on-field starters to five, a move that would surely end Inter’s reign at the top of the table. While a current EU law hinders such a move, Blatter contends that it does not apply to soccer.

According to the Goal.com article linked above, changes could be implemented as early as next month, which leaves me scratching my head. Surely, Inter’s management are aware of the possibly impending changes. That said, why aren’t they preparing? Is Inter going to put up a “Help wanted: Italians inquire within” sign in January, or do they just not believe that it can happen?

I’ll have my ear to the ground on this in case there are any other developments.

Meanwhile, back on the peninsula…

• The Atalanta-Milan match that was interrupted by Atalanta ultras following Gabrielle Sandri’s death will be played (date TBA). That said, the match will take place behind closed doors. Additionally, Atalanta fans are banned from their team’s Week 13 tie with Inter.

• Despite hopeful whispers to the contrary, Totti will not be returning to the Azzurri… or at least, not any time soon. In other news, “retired” still means “retired.”

• Giancarlo Abete, top dog at the FIGC, says The Don isn’t going anywhere at the moment. (Good for you, Don. Now if you could just get over your penchant for substitutions that don’t make sense. *cough*IaquintaForDiNatale*cough*)

• Although everyone seems to have forgotten about it, the Azzurri have a date with Faroe Islands coming up. Faroe Islands are likely to start three Jacobsens (no, seriously), and The Don will most likely have Quagliarella, Gilardino, and maybe even Palladino on the pitch from the start. Hopefully, they’ll keep the carpenter at an arm’s length. Forza Azzurri!