Gonzalo Higuaín

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Higuain: ‘Aiming for Champions League’

 

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/100631/higuain-‘aiming-champions-league’

 

Apr 4, 2017

 

Tifosibianconeri English page - CLICK HERE

 

Gonzalo Higuain describes the Champions League as “a dream which we want to turn into reality” but warns Juventus “can’t forget” the Scudetto and Coppa Italia.

 

The Bianconeri signed the striker from Napoli in the summer for a fee of €90m, in large part to finally get their hands on the trophy which has eluded them since 1996.

 

“When Juve bought me, paying the buyout clause, I had to make a difficult decision,” Higuain recalled in the first part of an interview with UEFA’s official website.

 

“I’ve explained my reasons several times and I’m happy with my choice. I’ve got to know people with a winning mentality and I think that’s exactly the reason Juve have been at the top for so long.

 

“Choosing a successful team was part of the challenge, I came here to help the team keep winning.

 

“Can we win the Champions League? I hope so, that’s why I came here. We’re also fighting for a sixth consecutive Scudetto and the Coppa Italia, which remain important targets.

 

“Winning six Scudetti in a row would be a record, and would a third Coppa Italia.

 

“Of course, the Champions League is a dream which we want to turn into reality but we can’t ignore the other two.”

 

Juve face Barcelona in the Quarter-Finals, and the Blaugrana pulled off a sensational comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the Last 16.

 

“Football changes from one moment to the next and a team which everyone took for dead has reached the Quarter-Finals. They’ll be full of confidence.

 

“Barcelona had a bad night [in Paris, losing 4-0] but I don’t think they’ll have another. We’re at home for the first leg, so we’ll try to make the most of home advantage then have a chance in Barcelona.

 

“We can’t take our foot off the gas, not even for a split second.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Higuain: 'Juve a perfect choice'

 

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/100667/higuain-juve-perfect-choice

 

Apr 5, 2017

 

Tifosibianconeri English page - CLICK HERE

 

Gonzalo Higuain reveals he made 'the perfect choice' in joining Juventus, both on a 'personal and professional level'.

 

The striker spoke to Icon magazine, an excerpt of which was published in Gazzetta dello Sport, and gave insight into his personal life.

 

"In my family we are very united," the striker revealed. "Or at least we try to be, but the fact that we are a bit scattered throughout the world does not make it easy.

 

"My mother, I think, has suffered a lot from this division, one minute we were there and the next we were gone. At 18-years-old I went to play in Madrid, my brother in Turkey.

 

"Me and my mother Nancy have a special bond. At ten months old she saved me from meningitis by taking me to the hospital, going to the doctor and convincing him to treat me without missing a single minute.

 

"Thanks to her courage all went well. Winning is important, but being well is worth more."

 

The Argentine also detailed a desire to keep his feet on the ground.

 

"Still now, at 29-years-old, I don’t think about what I am and what I’ve done, and this in the long run is what makes you strive for more. I realised that it is important not to ever think you have made it. Or worse, that you are the best.

 

"Sports journalists are always talking about money, but I do not understand this. The rewards are high of course, but I don’t think however, that any footballer only thinks about money. When you change team you do it to feel good about yourself, to be happy.

 

"I took my chances and do not regret the choices I've made."

 

Turin is very different to Naples. Did Higuain know anything about his new city before he arrived?

 

"I did not know anything. They told me Turin was nice and quiet, and now I can say that is true.

 

"I'm happy with the choice I made. Now I have reached a certain level of serenity both on and off the football pitch, which was what I was looking for.

 

"On both a professional and a personal level I feel I’ve made a perfect choice."

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Gonzalo Higuain: I joined Juventus

to find happiness, not for money

 

 

 

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/juventus/story/3096555/gonzalo-

higuain-i-joined-juventus-for-happiness-not-money

 

Apr 5, 2017

 

Tifosibianconeri English page - CLICK HERE

 

 

Gonzalo Higuain has told Italy's Icon magazine that he moved to Juventus in pursuit of happiness rather than a pay rise.

Higuain joined from Napoli in the summer for a Serie A record fee of €90 million, with his departure angering fans of his former club.

He was jeered on his first return to the Stadio San Paolo at the weekend, and faces another tough reception when he plays there in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday.

He said: "Sports reporters constantly talk about money, but I don't understand this.

"Wages are high, of course, but I don't think any footballer purely thinks of the money.

"When you change clubs, you do it because you want to feel good in yourself -- to be happy. I took my risks but I do not regret my decision.

"People had told me it [Turin] was beautiful and quiet, and now I can confirm this is true.

"I'm delighted with the decision I took because I've reached a certain level of serenity on and off the football field, and this is what I was looking for.

"Both on a work and personal level, I feel I've made the perfect choice."

Higuain told the official UEFA website that he hoped his move would result in him winning the Champions League.

"That's why we're all training hard," he said. "We're also going for our sixth Scudetto on the bounce and the Coppa Italia.

"They are all very important targets because winning the Scudetto would see us make history and achieve something that no other team has managed."

"Of course the Champions League is a dream that we haven't yet made a reality, but at the same time, we can't disregard the other two."

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Barcelona's 'bad day' in Paris

won't be repeated – Higuain

 

 

Juventus cannot expect a Barcelona capitulation in the

Champions League, forward Gonzalo Higuain has warned.

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1716/champions-league/2017/04/05/

34318772/higuain-barca-wont-have-bad-day?ICID=TP_HN_3

 

Apr 5, 2017

 

Tifosibianconeri English page - CLICK HERE

 

Juventus star Gonzalo Higuain believes Barcelona had a "bad day" in their Champions League capitulation in Paris and insists there will be no repeat.

 

The Serie A champions face Barca in the quarter-finals after the La Liga giants scraped through their last-16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain.

 

Barca were crushed 4-0 in the first leg in Paris before advancing with an incredible 6-1 victory at home.

 

But Higuain knows a repeat of the first-leg performance by Barcelona is unlikely, warning his team to prepare for the best Luis Enrique's men can offer.

 

"Barcelona had a bad day in Paris but I doubt they'll have another," he told UEFA.

 

"Football can change very quickly and a team that looked like they were eliminated are now in the quarter-finals."

 

Higuain is enjoying a fine first season at Juve, having scored 23 goals in all competitions since his move from Napoli.

 

The 29-year-old Argentina international is hoping the time has come for Juve to win a first Champions League since 1996.

 

"I hope it's the right year to win the Champions League, that's why I came here," Higuain said.

 

"We also fight for the sixth consecutive league title and Coppa Italia."

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Higuain asks €600k from Napoli

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/100717/higuain-asks-€600k-napoli

 

Apr 6, 2017

 

Tifosibianconeri English page - CLICK HERE

 

Gonzalo Higuain is reportedly taking Napoli to a tribunal in a dispute over €600,000 in image rights.

 

The striker left the Partenopei to join Juventus in the summer, and scored twice against his old club in the Coppa Italia last night.

 

Before the match and after scoring the opener, Pipita appeared to point to President Aurelio De Laurentiis in the stands, blaming the patron for his departure.

 

Now Gazzetta dello Sport reports that there is an off-pitch dispute between the pair, as Higuain has asked for an arbitration panel to resolve a dispute over image rights.

 

The 29-year-old says Napoli owe him him €600,000 in image rights from last season and part of the previous campaign.

 

The Partenopei are well-known for having players sign over their image rights when signing, which often leads to long delays in getting transfers over the line.

 

According the newspaper, the documentation also shows an email from Higuain at the start of July 2016 informing Napoli that he would be triggering his release clause.

 

Given that he only completed his €90m move to Turin on July 26, it appears the transfer was known by the Vesuviani for some time prior.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

Higuain sr: ‘Pipita rift with ADL’

 

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/100784/higuain-sr-‘pipita-rift-adl’

 

Apr 7, 2017

 

Tifosibianconeri English page - CLICK HERE

 

Gonzalo Higuain’s father says the striker only left Napoli for Juventus “because of his bad relationship with Aurelio De Laurentiis”.

 

The Argentinian international became the most expensive Serie A transfer of all time when the Bianconeri activated his €90m release clause in the summer, amid much anger in Naples.

 

Pipita returned to Stadio San Paolo twice in four days, and after scoring in the Coppa Italia he pointed to the Napoli President in the stands.

 

“Naples is a very passionate city,” Jorge Higuain explained to LaPaginaMillonaria.

 

“It only has one team to which Neapolitans are bound by a deep love. Fans couldn’t digest this transfer to Juventus so they voiced their discontent.

 

“Neapolitans are like that, they either love you or they hate you. Gonzalo is a professional and he has broad shoulders, he knows how to react to all of this.

 

“The people just can’t understand that he left because of his bad relationship with De Laurentiis.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

Mertens: Higuain still a friend

 

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/100796/mertens-higuain-still-friend

 

 

Apr 7, 2017

Tifosibianconeri English page - CLICK HERE

 

Dries Mertens says he and former Napoli teammate Gonzalo Higuain “are still friends” as he wants to be considered a No 9, not a false nine.

 

Higuain was Mertens’ strike partner at Napoli before the former’s controversial switch to Juventus for an Italian-record €90m last summer, but the Belgian has inadvertently become the Argentine’s heir at the San Paolo.

 

“I think I know what people want to say when they use that false nine because I’m not a big guy who can keep the ball and who can do what people have in their mind as the image of a striker,” he added to Bleacher Report.

 

“But football changes, and the way teams play changes. I think with the goals I’ve scored now, I think we can leave the ‘false’ and say I’m just a No 9.

 

“Michael Owen, he was born as a striker. I was never born as a striker. That’s why sometimes I can make mistakes in front of goal.

 

“Higuain? We’re friends; he texts me to congratulate me when I do well. But I know that in the end he wants to be ahead of me.

 

“Like Michael Owen, he was born like this. He wakes up in the morning, and all he sees is the goal.

 

“He feels like a No 9 on the inside, and his shirt says No 9 as well. For me, No 9 or No 14 is the same.

 

“Before, I would always have said that an assist was as satisfying as a goal. But now I see that, as a striker, when you don’t score, [people say] you played badly.

 

“When you score, even if you played badly, you’re good. That’s all people see when you’re playing as a striker, so it’s important to score goals. So from now on, I’m scoring goals.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

Gonzalo Higuain finally arrives on the big stage

 

 

Despite his struggles in the Champions League this season, Gonzalo

Higuain was the hero in Monaco on Wednesday night.

 

 

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2017/5/5/15546154/juventus-

monaco-2017-champions-league-semifinals-leg-1-gonzalo-higuain

 

 

May 5, 2017

Tifosibianconeri English page - CLICK HERE

 

The stakes couldn’t have been higher in Monte Carlo on Wednesday night. Max Allegri, in keeping with the town’s casino laden area, took a massive gamble as Juventus travelled to Monaco for their first leg Champions League semi-final. The speedy Juan Cuadrado was dropped in favor of defensive veteran Andrea Barzagli with Dani Alves playing higher up the field on the right wing. It was a move which looked to counter Monaco’s quick and athletic attackers by placing further emphasis on Juventus’ physical and strong defence. The risk paid off as Juve left France with a huge victory that places them as strong favourites for their second final in three years.

Wednesday night’s victory was typical of the Bianconeri in this year’s Champions League: Win the first leg by a couple of goals, either home or away, and keep a clean sheet. Just look at how the Porto and Barcelona ties went down. Juventus have created a blueprint for success in Europe, and though it may not satisfy the neutral’s thirst for attacking football, they are only too happy to keep with such a working system. In three encounters they have managed to keep the likes of Andre Silva, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Radamel Falcao, etc., at bay. Neither have enjoyed competing with that ferocious Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini inspired- defence. The back five have done their job so well throughout this competition; so too have the offensive players.

But until Wednesday night, there was one individual who had yet to leave his mark.

Gonzalo Higuain was signed for €90 million for nights like this one. With an open defence and slow centre-backs offering much space for Juve to attack into, the Argentinian was expected to put Monaco to the sword.

The only problem with that idea was the lack of faith in Higuain’s ability to finish any chances which fell his way. It was a justified concern. Higuain hadn’t scored against either Porto or Barcelona in the knockout rounds, while his only two goals from open play in the group stage came against Dinamo Zagreb. Not exactly a brilliant foundation for the former Real Madrid striker to build on ahead of the latter, and more nervy, stages.

A great amount of responsibility was placed on Higuain in such a big game. Where he so often failed the past, last night he succeeded. And with his two goals came the biggest win of the season.

Rio de Janeiro was the venue and 2014 was the year. The World Cup was the prize as Argentina and Germany battled it out in the final. The game itself wasn’t exactly a spectacle, but chances fell for both sides. For Argentina, one of them landed to Higuain. The one-on-one opportunity he was presented with, alas, flashed wide, not even troubling Manuel Neuer. The following year was a disastrous Copa America final versus Chile where a near-open-goal miss in injury time was only topped by a scuffed penalty in a shootout. Last summer in yet another Copa America final with Chile, it was only the goalkeeper in his way but still, Higuain managed to miss the target. Chile won for the second year running, and ‘El Pipita’ was fast becoming a parody of himself in big matches.

Wednesday night, however, he may have finally bucked the trend.

Despite starting off poorly, missing a couple of half-chances and even falling over as the ball was travelling to him outside the area, Higuain was determined not to be defined by his past failures. When Dani Alves’ sublime trickery opened up space for Higuain, the striker was only too happy to rocket his shot into the back of the net. Juventus had a pivotal away goal and the “big-game choker” Higuain was the one who scored it. His elation was obvious, and his relief evident. In the second half, Alves again found Higuain, this time with a succulent cross which landed right where he wanted it to, and added his second of the night. A double for Higuain and a double away goal salvo for Juventus.

Not bad for a player that supposedly can’t contribute when it matters most.

In the return leg, chances may be rare for Higuain to build on his goalscoring momentum. Juve are likely to sit back and soak up pressure before hitting Monaco on the counter. Allegri is unlikely to push too many players forward, in fear of the opposition’s lethal offense, which may hinder Higuain’s opportunities. But that won’t affect the narrative coming out of last night’s game. The football world was waiting for Higuain to arrive in the big moments and he finally did. It couldn’t have happened at a better time for Juventus who, thanks to his goals, are a step closer to having a bigger game to play in Cardiff in June.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

Former La Liga Rivals Become Juventus Heroes

 

Now combining with lethal results for the Old Lady, Higuain and

Dani Alves have long been enemies at international and club level

 

https://forzaitalianfootball.com/2017/05/liga-rivals-juventus-heroes/

 

 

May 5, 2017

Tifosibianconeri English page - CLICK HERE

 

There was a time when Dani Alves and Gonzalo Higuain were rivals in La Liga. While the Brazilian played for Sevilla and then Barcelona, the Argentinian was leading the line for Real Madrid.

They first faced each other in March 2008 when El Pipita scored in the Merengues’ 3-1 victory against the Andalusian side. Fast forward nine years and they have both been playing vital roles for Italian giants Juventus throughout the 2016-17 campaign.

The duo were decisive during their Champions League semi-final first leg against Monaco with Alves assisting in both of Higuain’s goals in the 2-0 victory against the Ligue 1 side on Wednesday evening and the result gives La Vecchia Signora a huge advantage heading into next week’s second leg at home.

Initially their arrivals during the summer of 2016 would have raised a few eyebrows. The Brazilian right-back arrived on a free transfer from Barcelona and was perceived to be a has-been whereas the Argentine striker had the best season of his career and came to Turin after the Bianconeri paid Napoli a staggering €90 million.

Despite being a year older than fellow right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner and spending December last year sidelined with injury, Alves has often started ahead of him for Juventus and he has demonstrated great energy and experience.

Higuain, on the other hand, has been much-maligned in his first season with the Bianconeri. Despite scoring 23 goals in 34 Serie A games so far this season, he endured spells in which he failed to score and his weight has also been a concern.

Until the Monaco match, he had scored just three times in nine Champions League games in 2016-17 and none throughout the knock-out stage, while his last goal in a Champions League knock-out fixture was for Real Madrid in a 3-0 victory against Galatasaray in April 2013.

It seemed that the Argentinian was going to continue his scoring drought in the competition after he slipped trying to receive a pass from Paulo Dybala and then a right-foot volley flashed across the Monaco goal when it would have been easier to score. Finally Higuain got on the scoresheet after 28 minutes and his former La Liga adversary was crucial in the build-up in the goal.

Claudio Marchisio chipped a pass to Dybala, who instantaneously back-heeled the ball in the path of Alves. The Juve wing-back centred to the Bianconeri centre-forward but he continued his run into the penalty area to receive Higuain’s though-ball. After shrugging off a defender, Alves made a back-heel of his own and Higuain ran into the box to strike the ball first time into the net.

The technique and team work was exquisite but the way Alves and Higuain combined was exceptional. Although this is their first season at Juve, it was like they had played together for years. Massimiliano Allegri’s team is known for its defensive prowess but the opening goal in Monte Carlo was a fine example of the Bianconeri’s offensive qualities.

That first goal also bore an uncanny resemblance to a Didier Deschamps goal from the 1994-95 Serie A when he ran onto a Roberto Baggio back-heel and smashed the ball into the net in a 4-0 victory against Parma which sealed the scudetto. Perhaps it is a sign of history repeating itself, laying the foundations for more Juve success.

Credit must also be given to Alves for the second goal as he won the ball in midfield, played a one-two with Dybala, and crossed the ball from the right flank to Higuain, who slid-in at the far post to put the ball past Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.

Thanks to the South American duo, Juventus are closer to reaching the Champions League Final in Cardiff, Wales on June 3. From being opponents in Spain and South America, Dani Alves and Higuain are now united on the field for the Bianconeri cause.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

Higuain: 'Our secret is togetherness'

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/102124/higuain-our-secret-togetherness

 

 

May 5, 2017

Tifosibianconeri English page - CLICK HERE

 

Gonzalo Higuain insists the secret to the success of Juventus is the togetherness of the squad, declaring 'we all work together'.

 

The striker scored a brace against Monaco, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo fired in a hat-trick in Real Madrid's semi-final with Atletico. Does he feel the competition with his former team-mate?

 

"No, I try to do my best not to think about others," Pipita told Corriere dello Sport. "We are close to an extraordinary goal and we must only look after ourselves.

 

"The treble? Three important objectives are a step closer, it's time to give our all. We hope that it becomes a dream season.

 

"However it isn’t over yet in the Champions League. Monaco are strong and the result could be reopened. We have to be calm, we have not won anything yet."

 

What about a match-up in the final with his former side Real Madrid?

 

"It would definitely be a special situation because I played for seven years at Madrid. But first, I insist, we have to win the semi-final."

 

Juventus could win the Scudetto this weekend should they take the points against Torino and Roma slip up against Milan.

 

"We are very concentrated on the championship. We hope to beat Torino and close the league as soon as possible.

 

"The goal I missed? I’m always quiet and I never lost confidence in football, those who work hard are rewarded. I commit myself so much and I always try to do well, the important thing is to remain calm.

 

"The only goal is for the fans, who make the effort to follow us across many kilometers, those who pay the ticket fee. They trust us, and they deserve it like family and friends."

 

What does Higuain think is the secret to his side's fine results this season?

 

"That we are a team in which everybody works together. We realised how strong we are, we know we can fight anyone, so it's a matter of believing.

 

"We are close to three important goals and we hope to reach them."

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

Higuain: 'Juve the right decision'

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/102840/higuain-juve-right-decision

 

 

May 20, 2017

 

Gonzalo Higuain thanked Maurizio Sarri and Napoli, but “made the right decision” to join Juventus. “We are on the verge of completing a fantastic season.”

 

Pipita sat down for a lengthy interview with the Corriere dello Sport, covering his past, present and future dreams.

 

“I have wonderful memories of Napoli and have no complaints, as I left a bit of my heart with the fans. I will always thank Napoli. They were the only side to come and get me when I decided to leave Real Madrid and I will forever be grateful.

 

“I’ll never forget those three marvellous years. I think there are many people in Naples who love me for all I did there and many others who hate me. But I don’t care about that. I care about what I am and what I have done for that team.

 

“I am a professional, I made the right choice for me. It was difficult, I heard some rumours that Juve were prepared to pay the release clause. I didn’t believe it, and it was a very, very complicated and difficult decision.

 

“From the day I realised that Juventus really did want me that much, I said enough waiting, let’s decide. If you don’t take risks in life, you don’t achieve anything important. This is a risk I wanted to take.

 

“The facts, the results both in Italy and Europe from Juve this year prove I was right. This is my character, I am not afraid of anything. I said to myself I had to do it and I did. It wasn’t an easy choice, but it had to be done.

 

“This was an important step in my professional and personal journey. I like challenges and try to win them.”

 

Despite the departure, Higuain admits he owes a great deal to Napoli boss Sarri.

 

“Sarri is one of the Coaches who gave me the most confidence and he knows full well how much I care for him and how much I thank him. I have to say it because I feel it, and he always has kind words for me.

 

“We agree that we will continue to have a rapport at a distance, because he gave me so much.”

 

Now Pipita has been changed again with Max Allegri at Juventus, moving to the 4-2-3-1 system.

 

“When I arrived, I found myself playing in a system that was entirely new to me. It was the first time I played like that in my life, so it was difficult.

 

“After the defeat in Florence, the Coach decided to change to 4-2-3-1. The moment he did that, he asked those in attack to sacrifice themselves more for the team. He said that to use all the attacking talent at our disposal, it required a great deal of sacrifice too.

 

“We all got that into our heads, so we wanted to do it and we did it. This is also why I changed my own style of playing and I think that mixture of talent and sacrifice is how we reached these historic targets.

 

“We have this belief, this awareness that we are a really strong side. But you must never, ever stop convincing yourself of that. We are on the verge of completing a fantastic season, but it’s still the verge: we’ve won nothing yet.

 

“We started the journey back in August. At that time we wanted, we dreamed, of winning the Scudetto, Coppa Italia and Champions League. We are on the verge, but have to finish the work we started. We’re at the final mile.

 

“Allegri is a Coach who won the Scudetto elsewhere and really transmits his will to win. He gave me the necessary confidence to do well this season and also improved me on a tactical level.”

 

Juventus will face another of his former clubs, Real Madrid, in the Champions League Final on June 3.

 

“It will be a special challenge against a great side. They are a team accustomed to playing in this type of match. Therefore, the way I see football and life, this is a very enjoyable challenge to undertake and we hope to win it.

 

“The thing I hope the most is to end this truly marvellous season in the most positive way.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

Higuain: 'Glik has no dignity'

 

http://www.football-italia.net/102841/higuain-glik-has-no-dignity

 

 

May 20, 2017

 

Gonzalo Higuain cannot forgive Kamil Glik for stamping on him in Juventus-Monaco. “He never apologised. I’m sorry for him, as he tried to hurt me and failed.”

 

The ugly incident occurred during the Champions League semi-final, when former Torino captain Glik trod on Pipita’s leg.

 

“I have no words for that foul,” Higuain told the Corriere dello Sport.

 

“It was senseless, done for no reason and with absolutely no dignity. The whole world saw what he did and he didn’t even have the honesty in that moment, or after the match, to come over and apologise.

 

“I’m sorry for him, as he tried to hurt me and failed.”

 

You can read the rest of the lengthy Corriere dello Sport interview here.

 

“I am transparent. If I am happy, you can tell from my face. If I am unhappy, you can see it. I don’t like being two-faced, as both would be fake, so I express everything I am feeling.

 

“Football is great, but life and health come first. If someone is unhappy within themselves, in football or in life, it’ll probably go badly. I do what my mother told me to: do everything with the maximum passion.

 

“We are not robots. We have a heart, eyes, a nose, ears, a family, friends, the same right to enjoy life as anyone else, but obviously with the responsibility of playing football.

 

“Life goes by so fast, you need to do what makes you happy, always.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

Gonzalo Higuain: ‘I was right to join Juventus’

 

 

http://www.juvefc.com/gonzalo-higuain-right-join-juventus/

 

 

May 20, 2017

 

Gonzalo Higuain believes he “made the right decision” to join Juventus while offering his take on Kamil Glik’s “senseless” tackle in the Champions League semi-final.

Speaking with Italian daily Corriere dello Sport, Pipita gave his own take on his departure from Napoli and expressed his gratitude to the club.

“I have wonderful memories of Napoli and have no complaints, as I left a bit of my heart with the fans. I will always thank Napoli. They were the only side to come and get me when I decided to leave Real Madrid and I will forever be grateful.

“I’ll never forget those three marvellous years. I think there are many people in Naples who love me for all I did there and many others who hate me. But I don’t care about that. I care about what I am and what I have done for that team.

“I am a professional, I made the right choice for me. It was difficult, I heard some rumours that Juve were prepared to pay the release clause. I didn’t believe it, and it was a very, very complicated and difficult decision.

“From the day I realised that Juventus really did want me that much, I said enough waiting, let’s decide. If you don’t take risks in life, you don’t achieve anything important. This is a risk I wanted to take.

“The facts, the results both in Italy and Europe from Juve this year prove I was right. This is my character, I am not afraid of anything. I said to myself I had to do it and I did. It wasn’t an easy choice, but it had to be done.

“This was an important step in my professional and personal journey. I like challenges and try to win them.

“Sarri is one of the Coaches who gave me the most confidence and he knows full well how much I care for him and how much I thank him. I have to say it because I feel it, and he always has kind words for me.

“We agree that we will continue to have a rapport at a distance, because he gave me so much.

“When I arrived, I found myself playing in a system that was entirely new to me. It was the first time I played like that in my life, so it was difficult.

“After the defeat in Florence, the Coach decided to change to 4-2-3-1. The moment he did that, he asked those in attack to sacrifice themselves more for the team. He said that to use all the attacking talent at our disposal, it required a great deal of sacrifice too.

“We all got that into our heads, so we wanted to do it and we did it. This is also why I changed my own style of playing and I think that mixture of talent and sacrifice is how we reached these historic targets.

“We have this belief, this awareness that we are a really strong side. But you must never, ever stop convincing yourself of that. We are on the verge of completing a fantastic season, but it’s still the verge: we’ve won nothing yet.

“We started the journey back in August. At that time we wanted, we dreamed, of winning the Scudetto, Coppa Italia and Champions League. We are on the verge, but have to finish the work we started. We’re at the final mile.

“Allegri is a Coach who won the Scudetto elsewhere and really transmits his will to win. He gave me the necessary confidence to do well this season and also improved me on a tactical level.

“The Champions League final? It will be a special challenge against a great side. They are a team accustomed to playing in this type of match. Therefore, the way I see football and life, this is a very enjoyable challenge to undertake and we hope to win it.”

If you want to have a punt on Juve in the Champions League, be sure to check the best bet offers and promotions.

“The thing I hope the most is to end this truly marvellous season in the most positive way.”

Pipa turned his attention to Kamil Glik’s horror tackle on him last week when Juve defeated Monaco in the Champions League.

“I have no words for that foul.

“It was senseless, done for no reason and with absolutely no dignity. The whole world saw what he did and he didn’t even have the honesty in that moment, or after the match, to come over and apologise.

“I’m sorry for him, as he tried to hurt me and failed.”

“I am transparent. If I am happy, you can tell from my face. If I am unhappy, you can see it. I don’t like being two-faced, as both would be fake, so I express everything I am feeling.

“Football is great, but life and health come first. If someone is unhappy within themselves, in football or in life, it’ll probably go badly. I do what my mother told me to: do everything with the maximum passion.

“We are not robots. We have a heart, eyes, a nose, ears, a family, friends, the same right to enjoy life as anyone else, but obviously with the responsibility of playing football.

“Life goes by so fast, you need to do what makes you happy, always.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

Higuain: 'I survived meningitis'

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/102846/higuain-i-survived-meningitis

 

 

May 20, 2017

 

Gonzalo Higuain spoke of his youth, surviving meningitis and having football in the blood. “Italy is most similar to Argentina.”

 

The Juventus striker gave a lengthy interview to the Corriere dello Sport. You can read the rest here and here.

 

“Italy and Argentina are very similar. In fact, I think it’s the European country that is the closest to it. There is a blood bond, perhaps because so many Italians emigrated to Argentina.

 

“We are also similar in the way we experience football. It’s a very emotional sport for us both. Having said that, we have different playing styles for our history, tactics and atmosphere. What unites us is that both are very competitive and passionate.

 

“I started playing football as a child, I was five or six years old. I grew up in a football family. My father Jorge was a quality defender, he played for River Plate and Boca Juniors.

 

“From the earliest age, I breathed in the smell of leather and followed by father in all his football adventures. I was born in France because my father was playing there.

 

“My biggest dream was to become a professional football player, but I haven’t finished dreaming yet. I want to do more. My father taught me to feel on a par with everyone, with the utmost respect. When I arrived at Real Madrid, I was 17 years old in a squad full of champions, but I couldn’t be shy or have an inferiority complex.

 

“My mother is an artist, she paints and taught me to feel passionately about everything I do.”

 

Higuain revealed his career and indeed life was almost cut short by an early bout of meningitis.

 

“I don’t remember it. My mother told me about this a few years ago and I thank her for doing everything possible to ensure I am still here.

 

“She and my father acted very quickly to ensure I got treatment straight away, without waiting, and it’s thanks to them that I am here now.

 

“I think people who had something serious in their lives have a greater sense of depth and deep down give more value to life.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

Brother: ADL called Higuain fat

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/105358/brother-adl-called-higuain-fat

 

 

Jul 7, 2017

 

Gonzalo Higuain’s brother and agent claims Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis called the striker “fat” during his record-breaking, 36-goal season.

 

Nicolas Higuain was speaking to Tuttosport ahead of a trial that will take place on July 12, regarding a claim for a €2.5m payment from De Laurentiis, which the Juventus striker was owed.

 

“We’re not talking about a game of football, it’s more serious,” he told Tuttosport.

 

“We’re talking about a professional who had a precise contract, and his former employer, President De Laurentiis, didn’t respect it fully.

 

“My father’s been in football for 45 years, I have for 25. We’ve never made a complaint or experienced a situation like this.

 

“We’ve gone to court because De Laurentiis has disappeared. He hasn’t answered my calls since last summer.

 

“I called him several times to resolve the situation between us, but the best response I got was from [his aide] Chiavelli, who told me De Laurentiis didn’t want to be disturbed.

 

“When we signed for Napoli, he made a lot of promises… I advise any agent who brings their players to Napoli to put everything in writing and in the presence of lawyers when they make arrangements with De Laurentiis.

 

“We made the right choice: Juventus are one of the top five clubs in the world. But the happiest one of all is De Laurentiis, who pocketed €90m.

 

“He does so much cinema, he buys young players just to sell them. Ounas? I’d already advised him a year and a half ago.

 

“The good thing for Napoli is that they have two phenomena like Giuntoli and Sarri, whom Aurelio still criticises, like he did in Madrid...

 

“Agnelli? Our relationship is better. Andrea has another style, he and De Laurentiis are like water and vinegar.

 

“After the Champions League Final, he embraced all the lads. Aurelio can’t speak about the Champions League, he’s never made a Final.

 

“De Laurentiis would chatter so much. Once, he trotted out my mother and called Gonzalo fat because he didn’t score for three games in a season when he scored 36 goals, which was an Italian record.

 

“Will Higuain finish his European career at Juve? It’s a concrete possibility.

 

“He’s happy in Turin, he’s in love with the club, the city and the winning environment he finds himself in.

 

“We must thank Agnelli, Marotta and Paratici for having made this economic effort.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

TS: Chelsea €100m for Higuain rejected

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/105795/ts-chelsea-€100m-higuain-rejected

 

 

Jul 15, 2017

 

Juventus turned down a €100m offer for Gonzalo Higuain from Antonio Conte’s Chelsea, claim Tuttosport.

 

The Bianconeri spent €90m to activate the release clause in his contract from Serie A rivals Napoli a year ago.

 

According to Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, Juve received a proposal worth €100m from Chelsea this summer.

 

Pipita turns 30 in December and is under contract until June 2021.

 

In 2015-16 at Napoli, he shattered the all-time Serie A record by scoring 36 goals in a single season.

 

Last term he bagged 24 top flight goals, plus three in the Coppa Italia and five in the Champions League.

 

Chelsea want a star name as their new centre-forward after missing out on Romelu Lukaku, who joined Manchester United instead.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

Higuain: ‘Juventus still the best’

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/106255/higuain-‘juventus-still-best’

 

 

Jul 25, 2017

 

Gonzalo Higuain believes the Scudetto is in Juventus’ hands - “every year they talk about other teams and in the end we always win”.

 

The Bianconeri have won the Scudetto for the past six years in a row, but the departure of Leonardo Bonucci and the strengthening of other sides has led to suggestions they could finally be unseated this year.

 

“For many years Bonucci helped Juve win,” Higuain acknowledged, speaking to reporters in the USA about the Milan centre-back.

 

“Now he’s gone to a direct rival but we remain very strong. We have the players to not feel his absence.

 

“Our first rivals are ourselves, we have to confirm what we’ve been doing for the past six years. Every year they talk about other teams, but in the end we always win.

 

“We can’t relax though, because it will be more difficult this year. The others have strengthened, so it will be a good season.

 

“Do Napoli worry me? Yes, because they haven’t changed anything, but we have a team which is so strong that we can fight for everything. Like last year.

 

“I’ve only won one [Scudetto] and I have the desire, the others do too or they wouldn’t keep going.

 

“Bonucci will be hungry, but we’ll have the same conviction to try and win a seventh title. When he plays against me, I’ll score.

“I know a bit more about him than during my time at Napoli, I always want to score.”

 

The Bianconeri reached the Champions League final last season, but were beaten 4-1 by Real Madrid in Cardiff.

“We had a very good approach, for the first 10 or 15 minutes we were better than Madrid.

 

“In the second half they were more angry, we relaxed and they massacred us. We could have done more, but the past is the past.

 

“We’re thinking of the new year, which will be harder and longer. We’re motivated and we really want to make up for last year.

 

“I always want to win and score more, even if we’d won the Champions League last year we couldn’t have let up.

 

“[Coach Massimiliano] Allegri is right when he says the final shouldn’t discredit our whole season. In two days we went from being the best team in Europe to an ordinary one.

 

“We don’t feel like the best team in Europe, but we’re not ordinary either. We can fight with the best.

 

“Allegri says I need to score more in the Champions League? He’s right.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

Gonzalo Higuain: ‘I’ll score against Bonucci’

 

 

http://www.juvefc.com/gonzalo-higuain-ill-score-bonucci/

 

 

Jul 25, 2017

 

Gonzalo Higuain believes Juventus are on course for another Scudetto and says he’ll score against Leonardo Bonucci when he faces him on the pitch.

 

Speaking to reporters in the US and the Gazzetta Dello Sport newspaper, the striker talked about Bonucci’s departure as well as the season ahead.

 

“For many years Bonucci helped Juve win,” he told reporters in the USA.

 

“Now he’s gone to a direct rival but we remain very strong. We have the players to not feel his absence.

 

“Our first rivals are ourselves, we have to confirm what we’ve been doing for the past six years. Every year they talk about other teams, but in the end we always win.

 

“We can’t relax though, because it will be more difficult this year. The others have strengthened, so it will be a good season.

 

“Do Napoli worry me? Yes, because they haven’t changed anything, but we have a team which is so strong that we can fight for everything. Like last year.

 

“I’ve only won one title and I have the desire, the others do too or they wouldn’t keep going.

 

“Bonucci will be hungry, but we’ll have the same conviction to try and win a seventh title. When he plays against me, I’ll score.

 

“I know a bit more about him than during my time at Napoli, I always want to score.

 

“The Champions League? In the second half they were more angry, we relaxed and they massacred us. We could have done more, but the past is the past.

 

“We’re thinking of the new year, which will be harder and longer. We’re motivated and we really want to make up for last year.

 

“I always want to win and score more, even if we’d won the Champions League last year we couldn’t have let up.

 

“Allegri is right when he says the final shouldn’t discredit our whole season. In two days we went from being the best team in Europe to an ordinary one.

 

“We don’t feel like the best team in Europe, but we’re not ordinary either. We can fight with the best.

 

“Allegri says I need to score more in the Champions League? He’s right.”

 

Pipita turned his attention to Paulo Dybala who is being linked with a move to Barcelona this summer.

 

“Dybala is at a delicate age which I’ve already experienced,” Higuain told Gazzetta dello Sport.

 

“I went to Real at 19 and I was there until I was 25, but I was at an important club for a long time.

 

“Everyone wants to play with great players, and I can’t point a gun at his head and tell him to stay. Everyone should do what makes them happy, like he is here, and we all want him to stay.

 

“Can he win the Champions League here? Last year we were convinced we could win it and we got to the final, this year will be tougher because the other teams have strengthened.

 

“It’s not just to win the Champions League that he should stay, but for the seventh Scudetto and a fourth Coppa Italia in a row, then if we get that particular trophy so much the better.

 

“He’s been at Juve for two years, he has consistency here. He’s young, he’s very happy here, the club and the fans all love him, as do we, and Juve helped him grow.

 

“Paulo will know what’s best for him, and we want him to stay.

 

“I suffered a lot because I left a city which gave me so much, friends, a great group and great coaching staff.

 

“I was a bit unsettled but now I’m fine, I’ve come back in better mental, physical and emotional shape.

 

“The whistles at San Paolo? I only care about the opinions of teammates, family, friends, my club and people who know about this sport.

 

“I don’t talk about what I don’t know about – cooking for example – I listen so that I can learn.

 

“Costa? He’s made a good impression.

 

“As well as being a strong player, he puts in the fast crosses that I like. There have been important signings which will help the team grow.

 

“Bernardeschi will have no problems because he’s Italian, it’ll be the same for De Sciglio and Szczesny.

 

“Bentancur is young, we’ll help him and Douglas to adapt. We’ll have a quicker, more direct game.

 

“The 4-2-3-1? That’s the formation I’ve played all my life, that’s how we did great things last year.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

Argentina drop Gonzalo Higuain from squad;

restore Aguero, Pastore, Icardi

 

 

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/argentina/story/3177013/argentina-drop-gonzalo-

higuain-from-squad-and-give-returns-to-aguero-pastore-icardi

 

 

Aug 11, 2017

 

Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain has been left off the Argentina squad as Manchester City's Sergio Aguero made his return for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

 

Coach Jorge Sampaoli omitted Higuain in his 23-man squad, which will face Uruguay and Venezuela at the end of the month, but welcomed back Aguero and midfielder Javier Pastore.

 

Aguero was left out of Argentina's squad in June for friendlies against Brazil and Singapore, while Pastore has not played for Argentina since October 2015. He was named to the Copa America squad the following summer but missed out through injury.

 

Mauro Icardi is also back for the first time after his debut in 2013, when he played less than 10 minutes in a World Cup qualifier that cap-tied him and prevented him from playing for Italy.

 

Argentina are fifth in CONMEBOL qualifying -- the intercontinental playoff spot -- with four games remaining, though they could move up to fourth past Chile if Bolivia win their appeal against an ineligible player sanction as expected.

 

AC Milan's Lucas Biglia was included despite word on Friday of a thigh injury keeping him out for four weeks, as was Gabriel Mercado, who picked up a knock in Sevilla's friendly on Thursday.

 

Nicolas Pareja, Sampaoli's former centre-back at Sevilla, is in the team despite earning only one previous cap in 2010.

 

The full squad: 

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Nahuel Guzman, Geronimo Rulli

Defenders: Javier Mascherano, Federico Fazio, Nicolas Otamendi, Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Pareja

Midfielders: Ever Banega, Lucas Biglia, Augusto Fernandez, Leandro Paredes, Guido Pizarro, Angel Di Maria, Marcos Acuna, Javier Pastore, Manuel Lanzini, Eduardo Salvio

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Mauro Icardi, Joaquin Correa, Sergio Aguero

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

 

Higuain ‘sorry’ to Juve fans

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/108154/higuain-‘sorry’-juve-fans

 

 

Aug 14, 2017

 

Gonzalo Higuain has apologised to Juventus fans after Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Lazio in the Supercoppa.

 

Higuain failed to score as Juve’s comeback from 2-0 down was ultimately in vain, but the striker promised supporters a “fantastic year if we’re together.”

 

“I wanted to apologise to the Juve fans for yesterday’s match. They deserve more than this, I know we can do more, and we must do more,” he wrote on Instagram.

 

“But this is only the beginning, and now more than ever we need your love because we’re so much stronger if we’re together.

 

“I promise that we’ll have a fantastic year together. Thank you very much for being there, but we can only reverse this [result] if we’re together.

 

“Thank you for being there. See you soon, and we’ll do our best together. A big hug.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

 

Higuain: 'Only the start for Juve'

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/108430/higuain-only-start-juve

 

 

Aug 19, 2017

 

Gonzalo Higuain warned nervous Juventus fans that “we’re only at the beginning of a long season, so we need to be calm.”

 

The Bianconeri open the 2017-18 Serie A campaign against Cagliari.

 

“We’re only at the beginning of a long season, so we need to be calm,” Higuain told Mediaset Premium after a 3-2 Super Cup defeat to Lazio.

 

“Serie A begins today and we hope to repeat the successes of last year and even improve them, winning as many trophies as possible.

 

“The fans deserve respect and we hope to give them joy today, starting a campaign along with them that is up to the standard of the last.

 

“Douglas Costa is a great player, a good lad and we hope he can help us to go as far as possible.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

 

Higuain & Bonucci ‘biggest earners’

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/109495/bonucci-higuain-‘biggest-earners’

 

 

Sep 7, 2017

 

Milan defender Leonardo Bonucci and ex-Juventus teammate Gonzalo Higuain are reportedly Serie A’s biggest earners.

 

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Bonucci’s Milan salary is less than the €8m previously reported but on par with the €7.5m also earned by Higuain.

 

However, the Italy international’s agreement contains bonuses, which could propel his earnings in one year to €10m.

 

In third place would be Juve forward Paulo Dybala (€7m), followed by colleague Douglas Costa (€6m) and Rossoneri goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (also €6m) in joint-fourth.

 

As for the Coaches, Gazzetta claims Old Lady boss Max Allegri is leading the way by some distance, pocketing a salary of €7m.

 

Inter’s Luciano Spalletti comes second after signing a contract worth €4m a season with the Nerazzurri over the summer.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

 

Higuain: ‘I’m obliged to score’

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/109751/higuain-‘i’m-obliged-score’

 

 

Sep 12, 2017

 

Gonzalo Higuain admits he has “an obligation” to score goals, and says Juventus want to “win everything” this season.

 

The striker joined the Bianconeri from Napoli last summer, and scored 32 goals in all competitions as they won the domestic double and reached the Champions League final.

 

“For me, it’s about always having the image of the goal in my mind,” Higuain told the Guardian.

 

“That’s fundamental, I think. An obsession? No, not that. More like an obligation. It’s traditional that you score goals as a striker.

 

“That’s why I play football. Someone who can’t feel this pressure does not love this sport.

 

“Football is constant pressure, from day to day. You need to know how to live with that.

 

“Football for me is the most ever-changing sport in the world. You can go seven games in a row, scoring in all of them, then you don’t score for two games and already you’re doing badly. You’re in crisis.

 

“But that’s what happens to people who are strong at what they do, right? Everyone gets used to seeing you score lots of goals, and then when you don’t score for two games they get surprised.

 

“That’s actually a rather beautiful thing, it’s cute. So, like I say, for me football is ever-changing. But, yes, it is still fun.

 

“My philosophy for football is to be happy with what you’re doing. When they say that you’re one of the strongest in the world, you need to carry on in the same way as you do when they say that you’re dead.

 

“Pay attention to people who want good things for you: to your team‑mates, to the staff … If my father says something, or my manager says something, or my club’s president says something, that interests me.

 

“Not someone who does not know me and is not saying these things to help me get better.

 

“You need to have the humility to continue growing. Gigi Buffon always says as much: he’s almost 40 years old and he still believes he can improve. Imagine.

 

“I feel like I can as well. I’m young. I hope I’ve still got lots of years ahead of me in football.”

 

The striker was asked about the goals for this season, and insists the Bianconeri want to win it all.

 

“Here, at Juventus, you play to win everything. That’s the mentality. That’s what they let you know right when you first walk in the door. Last year we were close. This year we will try again.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

 

Higuain avoids UEFA sanction

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/109824/higuain-avoids-uefa-sanction

 

 

Sep 13, 2017

 

Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain has avoided disciplinary action for a rude gesture to Barcelona fans last night.

 

The former Real Madrid player was seen giving the finger to the stands at Camp Nou in last night’s Champions League match, which could have led to a UEFA ban.

 

However, the governing body has today confirmed that no disciplinary proceedings have been opened with regard to that match.

 

Celtic have been charged after a fan invaded the pitch in their 5-0 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, with the away fans accused of damaging seats at Celtic Park.

 

FC Basel are also under investigation for setting of fireworks in their defeat to Manchester United.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

 

 

Kean: ‘Pazzini like Higuain’

 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/109871/kean-‘pazzini-higuain’

 

 

Sep 14, 2017

 

On-loan Verona forward Moise Kean says Giampaolo Pazzini is “a great striker, like Gonzalo Higuain”.

 

The 17-year-old joined the Butei from Juventus on transfer deadline day, and spoke in a Press conference this afternoon.

“I grew up with a winning mindset and that’s what was instilled in me at Juventus,” Kean said.

 

“I hope I can transmit it to my teammates. I’m 17, I’ve got a lot to improve and any rumours which circulate about me are just part of the game.

 

“I’m training every day to earn a place in this team, the group has welcomed me really well and I have a great relationship with everyone.

 

“[Coach Fabio] Pecchia has asked me to score goals and help the team.

 

“Pazzini? He’s a great striker, like Higuain, I can only learn from him.”

 

Kean is represented by Mino Raiola, and has been labelled as a bad boy like another of the agent’s clients, Mario Balotelli.

 

“The newspapers do their job, I’m just focused on my target. I like how Balotelli plays, but what needs to be reviewed is what he does off the pitch.

 

“Raiola told me to come to Verona and tear it up.”