John Elkann - Andrea Agnelli

[Socrates 7963]

Agnelli: FIGC ran like a local sports club

The Juventus president fears Serie A will become marginalised and has called

upon a complete reform to prevent his worse fears from becoming a reality.

Oct 26, 2012

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli says the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is run "like a local sports club" and has called for a revolution of the game in the country.

Though the Bianconeri are reigning Serie A champions and the Azzurri reached the final of Euro 2012, various scandals have rocked the game in recent years.

"What do Juve support? We support a structural reform of professional football and those who don't condemn Italy to being marginalised in Europe and the world," he told club shareholders at a meeting on Friday.

"Reform of the league, the number of professional clubs and the youth sector. Reform of the status of professional sports, currently governed by a law from 1981 - trademark protection, stadium regulations.

"Comprehensive reform of sporting justice, which cannot deal with investments worth millions of euros as though it were a dispute in a local sports club."

The 36-year-old also gave his backing to Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations and urged clubs to operate economically in a bid to avoid a further regression of Italian football.

"We have to ask ourselves what Italian football will be like in a few years' time," he continued.

"Many nations have experienced a decline but none have had such a sudden collapse. We are seeing a complete structural collapse and it can't just be explained away as being part of the financial crisis.

"In two years we [Juventus] have forged ahead, but winning the title means we must not forget our mandate, which is to win while maintaining a balanced financial position in order to give ourselves prospects for the future."

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Del Piero is one of the greatest Juventus players ever, says Agnelli

The Bianconeri president has nothing but praise for the Sydney star,

while adding that he is confident Gigi Buffon will sign a new deal.

Oct 27, 2012

Andrea Agnelli has taken the time to laud Alessandro Del Piero and believes the iconic attacker is one of Juventus' greatest players ever.

The 37-year-old left Juve for Sydney earlier this year after the Italian champions opted not to renew Del Piero's expiring contract, but the club president has insisted that the former Italy international will always be remembered fondly in Turin.

"Last year we paid tribute to him for his achievements with Juventus. He’s one of the greatest players to ever wear the black and white stripes, he’s in our hearts and I wish him all the very best in his new adventure," Agnelli said at a shareholders meeting.

The Juventus president then insisted that he's confident Gianluigi Buffon will pen a contract extension with the Serie A champions, before adding that Antonio Conte is the ideal coach for the Bianconeri.

He added: "There won’t be any problems. The nice thing about the Champions League is that you’re playing every three days so it’s not easy to find time for certain matters, but Gigi is our captain and will remain so.

"We’re convinced Antonio is the best coach in the business and we’re happy to have him here at Juventus."

[Socrates 7963]

Agnelli: Lay off Juventus

Oct 30, 2012

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli has defended his club from the accusations being thrown at them after their 1-0 win at Catania.

The Old Lady have been attacked after Catania had a good goal disallowed, while the Bianconeri’s winner should have been ruled out for offside.

“There was an attitude, a behaviour of tension surrounding Juventus before, during and after the game,” he declared.

“There were insults thrown at us in the stands that forced our directors to leave their seats and at the Press conference it was obvious what a siege was waiting for boss Angelo Alessio.

“These are unpleasant things that do the sport no good. We were placed in a state of siege that I find absolutely abnormal and atypical.”

Agnelli admitted that the match officials had made mistakes, but he was quick to point out that Juve haven’t been overly favoured this term.

“We immediately recognised the error and there’s an article on the Panorama website that states how Juve are the team that has benefited the least from alleged refereeing mistakes…

“I condemn this behaviour towards us.”

Agnelli then defiantly underlined how dominant his side have been in the Italian game over the last year.

“We’re closing in on 50 League games without a defeat and, when also taking last season into account, we’re coming off the back of 18 wins and two draws.

“That is not to mention the ban of Coach Antonio Conte. We’re waiting for him to return, waiting for him to unleash the great sense of desire that he has!”

[Socrates 7963]

Agnelli hits out at Superga banner

Dec 3, 2012

Andrea Agnelli has criticised the Juventus fans who unveiled a banner mocking the Superga tragedy during the derby against Torino.

In May 1949, almost all of the Grande Torino side which dominated the Italian game were killed when their plane crashed on their return from Portugal.

“I don’t believe that the supremacy of supporters should be manifested by remembering the tragedies of others,” Juve President Agnelli noted.

“You see these banners in stadiums all over Italy with gratuitous insults that absolutely have to be condemned.

“It is a shame to see that in a stadium where the atmosphere is noted by the Curva – they have the power to give personality to an arena.

“Tragedies, as far as I am concerned, don’t have club loyalties.”

Turning to the playing side of things, Agnelli was pleased with the win over Toro and looked forward to this week’s Champions League game at Shakhtar Donetsk.

“It’s very pleasing to win a derby thanks to two players, Sebastian Giovinco and Claudio Marchisio, who grew up in our youth system,” he continued.

“The most satisfying thing of the night was that from 10.30pm onwards, I didn’t hear from half of my friends…

“Shakhtar? Our concentration, determination and anger must be strong enough to get the result that we need to qualify.

“It’s a game that can give us different results. We could come first or, if we don’t face it in the correct manner, there could be elimination.”

A win will see Juve top the group, a draw will see them come second and a loss – coupled with a Chelsea victory – will see the Old Lady demoted to the Europa League.

[Socrates 7963]

Scudetto a ‘first step’ for Juve

Dec 10, 2012

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli insists that his club is still hungry for honours after the Scudetto win last term.

“We won’t stop here,” Agnelli noted on Monday afternoon. “Our championship success last term was just the first step of a journey.”

Last term’s League triumph was the club’s first since they were stripped of the 2005 and 2006 Calciopoli titles.

The Old Lady are currently top of the Serie A table again and last week confirmed their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

They will entertain Cagliari in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday, before taking on Atalanta in Turin at the weekend.

[Socrates 7963]

Agnelli: 2012 only the first step for Juventus

The Bianconeri president believes their Scudetto win last season will be the start

of something special for the club and urged his side to focus on the challenges ahead.

Dec 10, 2012

Andrea Agnelli says Juventus' success in 2012 "was just the first step" on their route to becoming a footballing powerhouse once again.

The Old Lady pipped AC Milan to the Serie A title by four points and remained unbeaten throughout the entire campaign.

They have since followed that up with a flying start to their current domestic campaign - topping the table by four points and qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages as group winners - much to the delight of Agnelli.

"This year has been great," he told reporters.

"We are very proud of what we have achieved. But it is important to think about the next targets. We won't stop now, the 2012 Scudetto was just the first step of our route."

[Socrates 7963]

Agnelli: Juve not yet champions

Dec 24, 2012

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli insists that the championship is still alive despite his club’s eight point lead at the top of the table.

The Old Lady stretched their advantage thanks to a 3-1 win over Cagliari and Inter’s home draw with Genoa.

“The championship is only decided when the maths say so,” the chief told the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport on Monday.

“There are still 20 games to go and we’ve killed nothing yet.”

Juve are looking good for a second consecutive title, but they also have their eyes on the Champions League where they will play Celtic in the last 16.

“Juventus always look to win everything,” Agnelli continued. “The most important thing today is winning in Italy again.

“However, the Champions League allows us to dream and we like to dream. We can give anyone a game.”

Agnelli, though, admitted that the Bianconeri do have to try to cut down the economical gap which exists between themselves and Europe’s giants.

“Our annual turnover is €215m and that will rise next year, but we need to have a stable turnover of €300m-€350m annually to keep pace.”

Turning to transfers, Agnelli admitted that the “important buys” are made in the summer, before commenting on past moves.

“Our best signings in the current squad are Andrea Barzagli, Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba – they cost us €300,000 in total!”

That money was spent on Barzagli in January 2011, as Pirlo and Pogba were Bosman free transfers.

[Socrates 7963]

Agnelli: There's more to come from Juventus

The Bianconeri supremo reflected on the club's achievements during the past year,

and insisted that the Old Lady must work even harder to achieve success in 2013.

Dec 29, 2012

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has warned that there is still more to come from his side in the future.

The Turin outfit enjoyed a memorable 2012 as won the Scudetto and finished the year back on top of Serie A. The Bianconeri are also through to the round of 16 of the Champions League, where they are set to meet Celtic.

Agnelli is confident that the club can reach new heights if they continue to work hard and fight to the end on all fronts.

"I think seeing 400,000 people out and about on the day we won the Scudetto was something extraordinary," the Juventus president told the club's official website.

"I live up in the hills, and I heard the noise after the team's triumph in Trieste. Watching from afar, hearing and sensing what was going on, was something magnificent.

"Juventus fans are perfectly aware that what's happened in the past no longer counts for anything. Juventus fans always want the next target.

"So we know we'll have to work with professionalism, attention and perseverance, because the best victory is always the next one.

"There certainly won't be a lack of determination from me, knowing that 2013 will possibly be even tougher than last year."

[Socrates 7963]

Agnelli: 'Juve best is yet to come'

Dec 29, 2012

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli looked back over his favourite memories of 2012 and promised “the best victory is always the next one.”

The patron spoke to the official club website and was asked to comment on a year in which they won the title, reached the Coppa Italia Final, won the Italian Super Cup and qualified for the Champions League knockouts.

“I think my favourite memory from 2012 was seeing 400,000 people on the streets on the day we won the Scudetto. That was something extraordinary.

“I live up in the hills and heard the noise after the team’s victory against Cagliari in Trieste. Watching from afar, hearing and sensing what was going on, was something magnificent.”

Agnelli was questioned over what present the Bianconeri supporters could expect under the tree this Christmas.

“There are many things, but Juventus fans are perfectly aware that what happened in the past no longer counts for anything.

“Juventus fans always want the next target, so we know we’ll have to work with professionalism, attention and tenacity, because the best victory is always the next one.

“There certainly won’t be a lack of determination, knowing that 2013 will possibly be even tougher than this last year.”

[Socrates 7963]

Agnelli unsure about Beretta

Jan 18, 2013

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli has claimed that he has mixed feelings about Maurizio Beretta's appointment as head of Lega Calcio Serie A.

After several attempts to elect a President failed, Beretta was surprisingly re-elected on Friday afternoon, doing so without the vote of the Bianconeri, Roma and Inter.

And the Old Lady's chief has admitted that he is unsure about the announcement.

“The good news is that the League finally has some sort of governance,” he told La Repubblica.

“Given that in recent months that hasn't been the case, it is definitely a step forward.

“The bad news though is that this new government represents only a 30 per cent share of Italian football.”

[Socrates 7963]

Agnelli: 'Refs chosen carefully'

Jan 27, 2013

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli defended Antonio Conte and Beppe Marotta, reiterating that Neapolitan referees should not officiate their games.

The Bianconeri caused controversy last night when angrily confronting referee Marco Guida after a 1-1 draw with Genoa.

General manager Beppe Marotta was particularly harsh when suggesting the official didn’t give a penalty because he is from Naples.

“There are very important games and a series of protagonists who live through them with emotion and sporting fire,” said Agnelli at tonight’s Players’ Association awards.

“Asking them to behave like English Lords at the end of the match is difficult, especially when such a shocking incident occurs right at the death.

“Reactions in the world of football will always exist. When certain incidents occur around Juventus, they are always emphasised, but reactions in the heat of the moment must not be used for other reasons.

“Marotta’s statements last night were very calm and I’m sure the refereeing designator will look into how opportune certain choices are. When it comes to future designations, we will see whether his statements are considered or not.

“Having said that, we must go forward, aware that whoever is right will be out in front come May. We have many expectations and realise it is more difficult to confirm success rather than win the first time.

“The teams behind us have legitimate ambitions and Napoli must be considered a very serious contender for the title, as they have a strong squad and a capable Coach.”

[Socrates 7963]

Certain things always get blown up

when they happen to Juventus, says Agnelli

The Bianconeri supremo feels that his side are treated differently than their rivals,

and added that the reaction to Saturday's criticism of the referee is rather excessive.

Jan 28, 2013

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has voiced his dismay with the way the media have reacted to Giuseppe Marotta and Antonio Conte's criticism of the referee in the Bianconeri's draw against Genoa at the weekend.

Coach and director both hit out at the officials following their decision not to award their side a spot kick in Saturday's encounter, and their harsh words have not gone down too well elsewhere, much to the frustration of the club chief.

"Certain things always get blown up when they happen to Juventus, but you shouldn't manipulate comments made in the heat of the moment," he told reporters.

"Marotta maintained a very calm tone Saturday and it's up to the people who select referees to decide how appropriate certain appointments are.

"Depending on which refereeing appointments are made in future, we will see if what was said was deemed appropriate or not.

"Having said that, we must move on and remember that whoever finishes top in May will be there deservedly."

Second-placed Napoli have closed the gap with Juventus to three points following this weekend's results.

[Socrates 7963]

Agnelli: Future bright for Juventus

Jan 28, 2013

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli is confident that the club are on the right path for an even brighter future.

While the side are doing the business on the field of play following their Scudetto win last term, Agnelli maintains that the decisions made at boardroom level will help to maintain the side’s competitiveness.

“We want to keep aiming higher, drawing inspiration from the very best in European and American sport,” he commented.

“There are three main sources of income for sports clubs – TV rights, gate receipts and commercial earnings.

“The clubs that lead the way in these areas are Spanish, English and German, in that order, but Juve are on a par with the best clubs in Europe.

“The investments that the club has made in the last two or three years will bear fruit.

“I'm talking about the J-College, which enables our youngsters to combine their academic commitments with their sports activities, the stadium, which makes headlines when it's 'only' 90 per cent full, and the J-Museum, which has already received over 110,000 visitors in just over six months.”

[Socrates 7963]

Agnelli: Times have changed

Apr 26, 2013

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli has conceded that Serie A has become a stepping-stone to bigger things for players.

The Bianconeri have run away with the League this season, and could win the Scudetto this weekend if they beat Torino and Napoli lose to Pescara.

However, Antonio Conte's side could only reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and the owner has admitted that Italian football cannot compete with teams from other Leagues around Europe.

“Unfortunately, times have changed,” he told the Financial Times. “Now Serie A is a transition.

“English teams have the ability to merchandise, Spain have the freedom to sell their own TV rights and there are great corporate sponsorship deals in Germany.

“Our bureaucracy is too cast. It took me ten years to get the okay for our own stadium.”

[Socrates 7963]

Agnelli: Italian football is not interesting any more

The Bianconeri president has bemoaned the state of stadia in the country

and believe Serie A has fallen behind its competitors in the world game.

Apr 26, 2013

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has claimed that stadium attendances and crowd trouble make Serie A an uninteresting spectacle to fans.

The 37-year-old cited the development of the Premier League as an example for Italian football to follow, particularly in terms of budget.

“Is Italian football interesting to watch today?" he told the Financial Times. "Half the stadiums are empty, there is violence. I mean, it’s not the best product.

“You are reading messages in Chinese across all Premier League stadia. We access multinational companies, but we access their local budgets. We want to be talking to their headquarters.”

Despite Serie A's decline, Agnelli is optimistic about Juventus' with the club having recovered from relegation in 2006 following the Calciopoli scandal.

“The current team have great potential. I feel they're mine, whilst with the others I was, let me say, a privileged observer. This is my creature," he added.

"Our brand is enhanced now by our tremendous comeback story. That gave us the opportunity to show, in a louder way, how strong we are and how focused on leading the Italian system we are."

[Socrates 7963]

Agnelli: Conte knows our ambitions

May 13, 2013

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli believes that Coach Antonio Conte has the same ambitions for the club as the fans.

The Bianconeri lifted their second-successive Scudetto last weekend, but the Turin giants owner knows that the next step is the Champions League.

“Our Coach knows the ambitions of the supporters,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “Winning for Juve looks normal now, but it is not.

“Conte and I have talked about the future and we have explored various different situations – but nobody knows what will happen for certain.

“We would all like to be sure of winning the Champions League, but that's not how it works.

“Our ambition however, remains the same.

“Conte is always round my house and we often talk about the past and other things.”

[Socrates 7963]

Conte to stay at Juve – Agnelli

May 14, 2013

Juventus chief Andrea Agnelli is confident that boss Antonio Conte will still be sitting on the bench next season.

Conte has refused to commit his future to the Old Lady until he has met with club officials to discuss their next steps after consecutive Scudetto wins.

“The ‘next’ meeting was last week,” the Bianconeri President said in a lengthy interview with Sky Sport Italia. “Antonio came to my house and we spoke for a couple of hours.

“Antonio has had two particularly intense years: The first when he left Siena and dedicated himself completely to every aspect of Juventus, and last year, including his rather difficult and unpleasant summer.

“Although we had gone undefeated and won the League, he had also ended up in the clutches of the calcioscommesse legal proceedings. He’s not had a break for two years and, in my opinion, a week off to relax would do him good.

“Antonio knows the expectations at Juventus and knows perfectly well that although winning seems normal again, that’s not the case.

“We discussed his own expectations and he wanted to go over with me what he required in order to continue on this journey, asking me for guarantees, but you can’t give guarantees to anyone.

“I would like the guarantee of winning the Champions League next year, but there are no guarantees. I reassured him: The ambition of the club, my personal ambition and his own, is to win.

“The day after I met him, I went to see director general Beppe Marotta, sporting director Fabio Paratici and Pavel Nedved, and in those meetings we outlined Juventus’ strategy in the transfer market.

“Antonio has always said that it’s not a question of money, and it isn’t. He wants to have and continue to have the assurance that the conditions are in place for us to keep winning, and I feel those conditions are in place.

“It will be a joint effort: The work of the Coach, the work of the staff, evaluating what and who needs to be brought in to continue winning.

“Today everything is in place, I think every part of the club wants to continue winning, in Italy and Europe.

“It’s difficult because next year we have a date with history because Juventus, except for the five-year streak in the 1930s, have never won three successive Scudetto titles, so we need to focus on next year and this date with history.

“We want to be the first Juventus side to win three consecutive League titles and go as far as possible in Europe.

“With enthusiasm, passion, desire, dedication, a lot of work, and if everyone is on the same page, we can hopefully reach our objective.

“The uncertainties over Conte are completely resolved on my part, I never had any doubts.

“He needed a pat on the back and to know that the project was going ahead. I told him not to worry because as long as I'm here the hunger for success will be here too.”

Conte is understood to be keen on getting some top quality players in during the summer transfer session.

“At the moment Italian football is going through a rough patch,” Agnelli underlined. “I recently defined Serie A as a League undergoing a period of transition, but one that had not yet reached its destination.

“This must be applied to the whole system, because if we become a League undergoing transition we won't be able to attract players that cost €30m, €40m or €50m.

“We like to define these as 'top players' even if they don't work out in the team, and 'top players' cost a lot.

“Fernando Llorente [who Juve have picked up on a Bosman] had a €37m release clause in his contract. If we had signed him last season he would have been classified as a 'top player', whereas if he costs nothing, I'm not sure.

“What I mean is, it's just a matter of how these things are done. If I look at our best signings, Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba, Andrea Barzagli and Andrea Pirlo, our total investment was around €14m – that’s an average of €3m.

“If we think we have to spend money at all costs, it isn't true – we have to be able to find bargains like these as well.

“All things considered, I can only praise the work of Marotta, Paratici and Nedved.”

Juventus have been hotly linked with Paris Saint-Germain’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain.

“Would I like Ibra back? No. Sure? Sure.

“Higuain? I must explain that I call this part of the market 'firepower'. Firepower is the cost of players on the books plus returns.

“This year we're coming close to €200m, which puts us sixth, seventh, eighth, or maybe ninth in Europe. For the budget to work, we need to reach at least the quarter-finals of the Champions League every year.

“We know perfectly well that a bigger budget doesn’t mean better results in sport. You need to be able to manage both it and the players as best you can, because motivation, hard work and a will to win always bring out that little bit extra.

“However, the budget we draw up for the sporting side of things is most definitely a large one. I have always believed this to be the case.

“Decisions are delegated first of all to Marotta, who then discusses them with Paratici, with Nedved and then with Conte himself, since he is an integral part of the decision-making process.

“They must not exceed the figure set down. They can dismantle and rebuild as much as they want as long as the total cost of players' wages countered by returns does not exceed the figure that has been agreed.”

There have also been suggestions that Juventus could sell one from Vidal or Claudio Marchisio to boost funds.

“I can only reiterate that these are decisions that are made by the technical staff,” Agnelli added. “They can discuss it among themselves and I go along with them.

“What's important, in my opinion, is to keep our objective firmly in mind, which is to win, and to remember to stay within our firepower, which today stands at around €200m.

“With this in mind, they must do the best they can to manage the situation, in the knowledge that our ambition is to win every single competition we take part in.”

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Agnelli: 'Now a third Scudetto!'

May 14, 2013

President Andrea Agnelli claims he is “already concentrated on a third consecutive Scudetto” as an exhibition marks 90 years of his family with Juventus.

“Juventus taught me one thing above all else, which is that the best triumph is the one still to come,” said the President.

“That is why I am already concentrated on next season, because Juve haven’t won a third consecutive Scudetto since the five in a row of the 1930s. This is a new great motivation.”

The J-Museum, which is situated in the Juventus Stadium, opened a new section this evening that focuses on the fact the Agnelli family has been at the helm of the club for 90 years.

This includes four Presidents with the Agnelli name – Edoardo, Giovanni, Umberto and now Andrea. It will be open until September 1. Even former captain Alessandro Del Piero was present, flying in from Australia.

The title celebrations made it very clear that Juve consider themselves to have 31 Scudetti rather than the official 29, as two were stripped in the Calciopoli scandal.

“The Federation is also here as a guest and there is so much talk about numbers, but there is one number that makes me particularly happy: in 90 years my family has brought home 30 Scudetti.

“An average of one every three years is an extraordinary tally. If Juve’s history is so remarkable, it is thanks to those people who step on to the field.

“We have just concluded a wonderful year. Thanks to Beppe Marotta and general manager Aldo Mazzia. A big round of applause goes to Antonio Conte, his staff and all the squad. Thanks, guys.”

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Juventus face tough task to win third consecutive Scudetto, says Agnelli

The Bianconeri president has set his sights on more silverware next term
and wants to go as far as possible in Europe as well.

May 15, 2013

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli realises that the reigning Serie A champions could face a tough task to win their third consecutive Scudetto next season.

The Turin powerhouse pipped runners-up Napoli to the domestic title this term after finishing ahead of AC Milan last season, but Agnelli has stressed that history has shown that it will not be easy to make it three in a row.

"I think every part of the club wants to continue winning, in Italy and Europe. It will be difficult because next year we have a date with history," Agnelli told Sky Sport Italia.

"Except for the five-year streak in the early 1930s, Juventus have never won three successive Scudetto titles, so we need to focus on next year and this date with history.

"We want to be the first Juventus side [since the early 1930s] to win three consecutive league titles and go as far as possible in Europe."

The Bianconeri won five consecutive domestic titles from 1930-31 until 1934-35.

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Agnelli expects Juventus difficulties

Aug 18, 2013

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli insists competing in Serie A and the Champions League this season won’t be as easy as their Super Cup win.

The Old Lady won the first trophy of the campaign when they demolished Coppa Italia winners Lazio 4-0 at the Olimpico.

However, he concedes that retaining the Scudetto again and making an impact in Europe will be problematic.

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“In over 100 years of history, and in 90 years of association with my family, just one Juventus side has won three consecutive Scudetto titles – and that came back in the 1930s,” he stated.

“It will therefore be important to remind everyone on a daily basis – players, staff in the main offices and those in Vinovo – that we must give 100 per cent and also a little bit extra in order to keep winning.”

While Juve dominated in Italy last season, their European Cup dream was brought to an abrupt end by eventual winners Bayern Munich in the last eight.

“We know we’ve earned the right to allow ourselves to dream, but we mustn’t delude anyone,” the Old Lady chief continued.

“We’ll have a look at the draw and try to get through the group stages. Then we’ll take things on a game by game basis, aware that there are many strong sides in Europe.

“If we think about one of these, Real Madrid, who have not won the Champions League since 2002, we can fully understand how difficult it is to achieve this target.

“But getting the season off on the right foot against Lazio was important. It’s a result that pleases us, because we know it will be a difficult year.”

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Agnelli: Difficult to keep Pogba

Oct 10, 2013

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli has admitted that the club would have to accept offers for Paul Pogba.

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The French midfielder arrived from Manchester United last year on a free transfer, but has already become one of Antonio Conte’s key players.

The Bianconeri chief though, has conceded that the club couldn’t turn down big offers for the youngster.

“If a huge offer arrived for Paul Pogba,” he told reporters. “I don’t think, right now, we would be strong enough to resist it.

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"If I was to judge it from a footballers' point of view, Italy is no longer the final destination but a transit destination.

"I am trying to think what will be of us in two or three years' time if we get a massive offer for one of the best talents we have today, Pogba, the French 20-year-old.

"Look at what happened to Milan. They had to give away Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to pay the cheques.

"At the end of the day you can be attractive, but you also need to have the economic strength."

[Socrates 7963]

Agnelli open to Euro Super League

Oct 11, 2013

Juventus' Andrea Agnelli has reflected on the potential Europe’s top clubs have when united, including the financial lure a European Super League has.

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The Bianconeri President is in London for the Leaders in Football conference and has reflected on how greater organisation between UEFA’s clubs is the way forward.

“We should have a common strategy, because we are stronger together,” considered Agnelli this week.

“The best example is that of the ECA [European Club Association] - what they have done in five years is extraordinary, they have created a strong understanding and constructive dialogue with UEFA and FIFA.

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“Financial Fair Play? I support it because it is the only reasonable measure to prevent clubs spending beyond their means, but it must be effective.

“I want to know first what the penalties are. A fine of €10m would not even be much, and disqualification is not plausible.

“Imagine that UEFA excludes Juventus, Bayern, Real Madrid and Manchester United from its competitions. What would the television companies say?

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“A European super league? The problem is that UEFA will automatically reject the American system, but a closed championship between the 20 best teams in Europe would be the best from an economic point of view.”

Agnelli’s mind is also on the domestic game and how Serie A must ‘improve’.

“We must improve the system, because we are still stuck in a land of no-one. We spend much time discussing how to spend the money and not on how Italian football should develop internationally.

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“Football is followed by half the country and thus as the ability to act as a guide to Italy’s political situation. To this should be applied a sense of responsibility, perspective and discipline.”

The President admitted an inclination in the future to try and increase revenue that Juve’s current ground generates.

“The Delle Alpi, it could hold 68,000 people, but it was basically a white elephant, a cold and inhospitable place to watch a game with a very low average attendance compared to the capacity.

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“The Juventus Stadium has 41,000 seats and is almost always sold out, generating revenue of €40m compared to €13m from the previous ground.

“At Stamford Bridge, they collect €80m to €90m, and this is the target that I have in mind - the economic situation and low prices of our competition, however, does not help matters.”

[Socrates 7963]

Moratti: Agnelli was just joking

Oct 17, 2013

Inter chief Massimo Moratti has looked to cool the furore caused by a Facebook post from Juventus President Andrea Agnelli.

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The latter yesterday published a joke about the capital of Indonesia being changed from Jakarta to Jakartone following Inter’s sale to Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir.

The jibe was a play on words with regard to the so-called 2006 Scudetto di Cartone – cardboard Scudetto – which was taken away from the Old Lady and handed to the San Siro club following Calciopoli.

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“You had a good laugh at the Jakartone jibes? Yes, because it came to me in a text message which was very warm towards both me and the club,” Moratti stated on Inter’s website.

“So it was a joke that I thought would end there, yet then, perhaps naïvely, it appeared elsewhere.

“Anyway, that's end of it,” he added. “There is no response to it whatsoever. It was a joke that ends there.”

[Socrates 7963]

Agnelli: Calcio at a standstill

Oct 25, 2013

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli has again warned that his club can only reach the very top if Italian football allows it to.

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Although the Old Lady are making strides on and off the pitch, Agnelli told a shareholders’ meeting on Friday that the game on the peninsula needs reform.

“The balance sheet put forward to this board for approval today sees a record turnover and reunites Juventus with its past,” he stated.

“We were already ahead of schedule on the pitch, bringing home the 2011/12 Scudetto, but the budget sheet you have in front of you is particularly significant because it marks a substantial move towards balancing the books, whilst maintaining results on the field with our second consecutive Scudetto and Super Cup.

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“With the help of you shareholders, Exor and my cousin John [Elkann] first and foremost, this management has been able to win four trophies in just three years, rebuilding the club's heritage which was previously under serious threat, and laying the foundations for the future development of Juventus.

"But that's not enough.

“Victories and records end up in annals and on lists. Our task is to build the future. Today's turnover puts Juventus in the world's top ten. The previous record put the club among the top three in the world. That's a fact. We've lost a lot of ground over the last 10 years.

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“A year on from our last meeting, the situation in Italian football is unchanged. I wrote this in a recent letter to you and I reaffirm it today. The loss of the system's competitiveness is so patently obvious that only the reckless could ignore it.

“Juventus will only be able to maintain its competitiveness on the pitch internationally and remain balanced financially if the system's income allows the club to fully achieve its potential.

“This is not an excuse. It's a concerned appeal to react and not to consider the decline as inevitable. This might sound like rhetoric but the future really is in our hands.

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“It's not easy in a context like Italy, which over a long period has established a deep-rooted culture of power and a precarious culture in terms of government. In fact, it's very difficult.

“However, we must ask how politics can look after the fate of the motor of Italian football, namely Serie A, when Italian football shows on a daily basis that it knows neither how to progress nor find the ability to govern its only sector in an adequate fashion?

“Serie A, and Italian football as a whole, must go back to being a credible and reliable counterpart for everyone, from the policy makers to the fans, from the world of businesses to the now crucial world of television broadcasters.”

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He added: “Lega Serie A needs to have the courage to take its own fate into its hands, must find a new way of having dialogue with sporting institutions and policy makers, must tackle problems with greater calm and a willingness to create a consensus in and around itself.

“Without this, we will continue to have half-empty stadiums in disrepair, components of the same federation pursuing specific goals, not systemic ones, inadequate protection of our brands against abuses and counterfeiting, and bizarre laws which are created to limit violence, but only succeed in restricting access for fans and football lovers.”

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Turning to matters on the pitch, Agnelli underlined how difficult a third successive title would be for the Old Lady.

“Since 2010 Juventus has continued to attract new talent both on and off the field. They have all bought into the cause, they have all put their skills at the service of a shared project, and they all want to push on from here.

“That goes for Fabio Paratici, Pavel Nedved, Antonio Conte and the lads who know they have a unique opportunity to make Bianconeri history by clinching a third consecutive Scudetto crown – an extremely difficult achievement. Because winning is never easy and it requires strenuous efforts from everyone. Winning again is even more difficult.

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“The same goes for Beppe Marotta, Aldo Mazzia and the entire management staff, as well as the employees who run the club on a daily basis, constantly coming up with fresh ideas in a stimulating environment, albeit one under constant public scrutiny.

“But we're not stopping here. We're determined to find new resources, new enthusiasm and new ideas to offer Italian football the help it urgently needs.”

[Socrates 7963]

Juve hold on to Conte, Pirlo & Pogba

Dec 24, 2013

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli doesn’t expect to lose Antonio Conte, Andrea Pirlo or Paul Pogba in the immediate future.

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Some reports are suggesting that this may be Conte’s last season in charge, while Pirlo’s contract expires in June and Pogba is wanted by a host of Europe’s top clubs.

“I’m very happy with Conte and he is very happy with me and Juventus,” Agnelli told Tuttosport on Tuesday. “I don’t see a Juventus without Conte.

“As for Pirlo, I’ve told him this is his home. I know that he has a meeting planned with director general Beppe Marotta in February-March to define everything.

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“Pirlo will stay with us for a little while longer.

“Pogba? We don’t have the resources to go over certain figures. Who, in Italy, pays wages of €5m or €6m?

“As Pogba is considered as potentially the best midfielder in the world then it would be hard for us to keep him [in the long term].

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“An extension is possible though. I don’t think there are any problems with a renewal at this particular time.”

Juventus have made a fine start to the season in Serie A, given that they have won 15 of their 17 games so far.

And new boys Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez have performed well since their summer arrivals in Turin.

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“Llorente and Tevez were excellent swoops by Marotta, Fabio Paratici and Pavel Nedved, then Conte was exceptional in getting value from them.

“Transfers next month? The January market is one for repairs and I don’t think there is the need for that. We’ll see in June.”