Weekender: Robocop, chained-up coaches and back-rubs gone wrong

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North London has the edge over Manchester
While things may be looking rosy for the two big Manchester clubs, as North London's Premier pair fret over problems on and off the pitch, it's Spurs and Arsenal who have the historical edge ahead of this weekend's North London vs Manchester double-header. Just.
On 15 previous occasions in Premier League history there have been two fixtures pitting North London's finest against their Manchester counterparts, with North London and Manchester both managing five aggregate wins apiece. However Spurs and Arsenal have the edge as far as wins in individual matches are concerned, with the capital chums accruing eleven match wins to City and United's nine.

It's all kicking off in Italy...
...well, it is and it isn't, with a strike seeing off the opening weekend of the season in Serie A. Renzo Ulivieri, the former Bologna tactician now in charge of the Italian coaches' association, sensationally chained himself to the gates of the Italian Football Federation on Wednesday in protest at plans to allow clubs in the top two divisions to appoint managers without qualifications. The 70-year-old, a self-proclaimed communist, has always considered himself a revolutionary and once said that he'd enjoy being likened to Comrade Lenin, of whom he has a bust in his house.
While mediators were called in to persuade Ulivieri to give it up, recently relegated Bari had a stand-off of their own to passify when new signing Alessandro Crescenzi was hit by a plate thrown by his teammate Salvatore Masiello at dinner. Masiello was aiming at Bari's Czech goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal who had reacted badly to having his pants pulled down by the defender in training the day before. Crescenzi put his right arm in the way to protect Zlamal's face and required no fewer than 40 stitches for his trouble. Masiello has been suspended from training and no longer has a future at Bari. It's not the first time Masiello has fallen foul of the club's disciplinary policy. Three years ago, he reportedly came to blows with the club's masseuse. Either way it's clear there's tension at Bari and everyone could do with a back rub.  

EXCLUSIVE: Barcelona are not Robocop
Ever wondered how to beat Barcelona, short of going at Lionel MessiâÂÂs knees with iron bars or poking a member of their backroom staff in the eye with a boney Portuguese finger? Well then the October edition of FourFourTwo Magazine can help. WeâÂÂve spoken to the great, the good and Emmanuel Adebayor to gauge the best way to better Barca. And happy-go-lucky Togolese forward Adebayor â a member of the Madrid side who beat Barca in last seasonâÂÂs Copa del Rey final â tells exactly how olâ Mou was able to put his teamâÂÂs task into perspective; âÂÂMourinho told us Barca arenâÂÂt Robocop; they are players, like us, which means if we try to play our football and press them high then they will make some mistakes.âÂÂ
No news yet on whether Pep is the Terminator...
The October 2011 issue of FourFourTwo is out now

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FourFourTwo Staff