Italian soccer players' association president Damiano Tommasi, left, is flanked by former AC Milan and national forward Gianni Rivera, during a meeting at the Tor Vergata University, in the outskirts of Rome, Monday, Sept. 5, 2011. The Italian players' association and league have signed a temporary collective contract to end a strike by Serie A players. The new contract is expected to expire in June, whereas usually the deals last three years. The strike postponed the scheduled start of Serie A the weekend of Aug. 27-28, and both sides wanted to reach an agreement before the second round begins Friday with defending champion AC Milan facing Lazio at the San Siro satdium. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)