Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/451763
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 25 JANUARY 2015 35 IT was reported earlier in the week that Eto'o had al- ready agreed an 18-month contract with the Serie A side, accepting a 40 per cent pay cut, but the deal stalled with Sampdoria complaining about a lack of clarit y in their dealings with Everton. Those issues now appear to have been resolved with Eto'o in Italy to wrap up his move. On Saturday evening, the club published a photo of Eto'o wearing a Sampdoria branded t-shirt on their social media outlets. "The first Blucerchiato smile for Eto'o at the end of his visit and waiting for his official introduction to #Sampdoria," the caption said. Eto'o, 33, joined Everton just five months ago after being re- leased by Chelsea and has scored four goals in 20 appearances. The four-time African Football- er of the Year spent two seasons at Inter Milan and was a member of the 2010 treble-winning side that won the Serie A title, Coppa Italia and Champions League un- der Jose Mourinho. Sampdoria are looking to strengthen their forward line after selling top scorer Manolo Gabbiadini to Napoli earlier this month. The Genoa outfit, coached by Sinisa Mihajlovic, are fourth in Serie A, level on 33 points with third-placed Napoli at the half- way stage of the season. TARXIEN face Qormi this after- noon with both sides hoping to im- prove on their respective records, which surely must be of particular concern as the season progresses. While Qormi are coming from a miserable run of five straight defeats in the league, the Rain- bows have just three wins to their name so far; coming from a very disappointing spell of their own. Tarxien's last victory came mid- way through December against Naxxar, suffering one defeat after the other including a 0-5 crushing against Balzan. Indeed both sides will be go- ing into this encounter in dismal form, having suffered consecutive defeats leaving them lurking at the wrong end of the table. Qormi will be boosted by their victory in the FA Trophy against Floriana, a win which will surely lift their spirits in face of some crucial matches coming up. Both teams have no suspension problems and should be fielding their best possible formation for the encounter. Tarxien Vs Qormi (Today, 2pm, Hibernians Stadium) Sport FOOTBALL BOV Premier League Preview by Edward Falzon Something's got to give BEFORE their disappointing per- formance against leaders Hiber- nians last week, Balzan were one of the most in form teams in the league having not lost in their last five matches before succumbing to the dominance of the Paolites. Despite sitting three places above Sliema, only five points currently separate the two sides. Sliema are yet to get over their inconsistent form and have greatly struggled to manage consecutive matches this season. Furthermore their strug- gle to get goals is a worry for them when considering the long term absence of Michael Mifsud. The Wanderers are now poised to sign former striker Julio Alcorse who previously played for Marsaxlokk, Hibernians. Both teams have no suspension problems and should be fielding their best possible formation for this encounter. Balzan Vs Sliema (Today, 4pm, Victor Tedesco Stadium) Bottom two square up in search for crucial points PIETA will be looking to build on their Trophy victory in mid-week when they face bottom team Zeb- bug in a clash featuring two teams fighting for survival. Pieta currently sit in joint elev- enth on 17 points, five points above Zebbug who have been in bottom place since the start of the campaign. The Hotspurs will be hoping to capitalise on Zebbug's patchy performances in order to acquire as many points as possible before the final rounds take place. Prior to their 0-2 defeat against Valletta last week, Zebbug had registered an unexpected 2-1 win over Sliema, and should they come up with a similar positive perform- ance against Pieta, they will surely fancy their chances of clinching the full three points. Pieta will be without Christian Grech who is ruled out through suspension; whereas Zebbug should field their best formation for this match. Zebbug Rangers Vs Pieta (Today, 4pm, Hibernians Stadium) Jesmond Zerafa faces former team in tough match NAXXAR meet Valletta today with the Champions looking to solidify their second place, know- ing Birkirkara will be clashing with Hibernians, while Naxxar are v ying to collect as many points as possible in order to secure early safety in the relegation pool. Currently sitting in eighth place on 18 points just one point above relegation, Jesmond Zerafa's side face an uphill task against the Champions having registered just four wins so far this season. There are however positive signs espe- cially after their goalless draw against Sliema last week. An inconsistent Naxxar side has seen them collect just one point in their last three matches with their chances of getting something out of their match against Valletta looking remote at best. Champions Valletta are lying in second place on 40 points and on paper should prove too strong for Naxxar today, who however should not overestimate their op- ponents. Naxxar will be without suspend- ed Pablo Fenech, while Valletta will feature without Ryan Fenech who is also out through suspen- sion. Naxxar Vs Valletta (Today, 2pm, Victor Tedesco Stadium) Balzan out to repair ego New FA Trophy sponsors introduced to media The MFA have announced that Attian Group will be the new FA Trophy sponsors THE firm was introduced to the media on Friday 23 January 2015 during a Press Conference. Attian Group deals with civil and industrial construction and specialises in the much-vaunted green and eco-friendly buildings of Italian design. The concept, design and actual construction of the firm's projects are fore- most in their vision of industrial products. Their portfolio comprises high energy-saving prefabricated projects or housing units, and unique villas. They also exclu- sively plan and manage works which include other projects, plants and architectural design connected with energy simula- tion and interior design. The firm, which has set up a company in Malta as Attian Group Services Ltd, has Anto- nio and David Attianese as the directors. The Malta Football Associa- tion's officials are confident that this sponsorship will result in a long-term and fruitful connec- tion which will benefit Maltese football in general and Malta's leading knock-out competition in particular. Eto'o close to sealing Samp switch Samuel Eto'o is poised to complete his move from Everton to Sampdoria after the Italian club published the first picture of the Cameroon striker in their colours Lazio compound Milan misery A review of the weekend's action so far in Italy's Serie A, as Lazio beat AC Milan 3-1 on Saturday night MARCO Parolo scored twice as Lazio heaped more woe on Milan with a 3-1 win at the Stadio Ol- impico on Saturday night. The hosts hit back from be- hind to claim victory and leave the Rossoneri - who had Philippe Mexes sent off in stoppage time - without a win in their last five Serie A games. Jeremy Menez had given Milan a fourth minute lead which lasted until two minutes after the break when Parolo netted his opener. Five minutes later Miroslav Klose put Lazio in front and Paro- lo's second nine minutes from time effectively sealed win which sends the hosts up to third. New signing Duje Cop grabbed a late winner as Cagliari moved out of the bottom three with a 2-1 win at home to Sassuolo. Luca Rossettini gave the hosts the lead in the 20th minute but put through his own goal with 15 minutes remaining to give the visitors hope. But Cop volleyed home three minutes later to lift Gianfranco Zola's men - and the visitors end- ed the game with 10 men after Francesco Acerbi was sent off for a second yellow card.