Socrates

Juventus and Manchester City

No Real!

No Real!

Abbiamo evitato l'Atletico e l'Arsenal.

Andóni Zubizzareta = Andonio Gonde.

Dipende dagli avversari.

Ma Zanetti non sa nemmeno come si dicono le lettere in inglese? Che imbranato.

Llorente set to join Sevilla The Spanish striker is on the verge of leaving Juventus following the summer arrivals of Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala and Simone Zaza. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3277/la-liga/2015/08/26/14776632/-? Aug 26, 2015 Fernando Llorente is set to leave Juventus for Sevilla, Goal understands. The two clubs are yet to agree a fee, but the Bianconeri have reduced their initial asking price of €15 million to €12m and the eventual fee could be even less than that as an agreement draws closer. A season-long loan deal remains an option for both clubs, though Llorente has given the green light to a permanent move to the Europa League holders. Llorente is surplus to requirements after Juve signed Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Simone Zaza this summer following the sale of Carlos Tevez to Boca Juniors. Head coach Massimiliano Allegri could also allow Mauricio Isla to leave for Sevilla, though negotiations over that deal are in their early stages. The wing-back spent last season on loan at QPR and the arrival of Juan Cuadrado from Chelsea on a season-long loan deal means he is again likely to be on the fringes of the Juve squad.

ROMA - JUVENTUS - Sunday, August 30th, 2015 - 6:00 PM Olimpico Stadium - Rome Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli Baldissoni: ’Strootman? No comment…’ http://www.football-italia.net/71625/baldissoni-’strootman-no-comment…’ Aug 26, 2015 Roma’s director general Mauro Baldissoni refuses to rule out more surgery for Kevin Strootman but insists ‘it’s not an emergency’. It was reported today that the Dutch midfielder will have a third surgery on a troubling knee injury, having played just six times in Serie A last season. “Strootman’s injury doesn’t change our transfer strategy,” Baldissoni said at a Press conference to officially unveil Norbert Gyomber. “We don’t consider it an emergency. Nothing has changed for us. If it takes more time or less time, we hope to have him back stronger than ever. “A new surgery? We won’t comment on any Strootman news, as it’s a very sensitive issue. When we've found a solution we'll tell you." The Giallorossi Ultras will enact a silent protest for the visit of Juventus on Sunday, in protest at new segregation and security measures in the Curva Sud. “Safety initiatives are incurred and executed for us, and the same goes for Lazio. We’ve done everything possible to make things easier for the fans, giving them the opportunity to get a season ticket without a supporter’s card, and to get back to going to away games. “[President James] Pallotta is planning a great stadium, a modern and innovative project which will take the needs of the fans into account. “There will be a Curva Sud, which will keep the name, and a ‘Club Curva Sud’ for those who sit there. “People who come to the stadium should cheer, it’s fundamental to the concept of being a fan that you cheer. “Doing a silent protest is a contradiction of their role, especially in a crucial match against a team which has been our rival for the past few years.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Dybala can be the new Messi, insists Zamparini The Palermo president has criticised Massimiliano Allegri for the way he has used the Argentine forward so far at Juventus. http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2015/08/25/14735022/dybala-can-be-the-new-messi?ICID=TP_HN_3 Aug 26, 2015 Paulo Dybala can be the new Lionel Messi within the next three years, according to Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini, who hit out at Massimiliano Allegri for not understanding the attacker. The 21-year-old joined the Serie A champions this summer for an initial fee of €32 million and scored on his competitive debut in the Supercoppa win over Lazio. The Argentine was a substitute in the shock 1-0 defeat to Udinese, however, with Kingsley Koman preferred as Mario Mandzukic's partner from the start. Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri has claimed that Dybala "needs to grow" if he is to nail down a regular starting spot, but Zamparini has hit out at the former AC Milan coach for not utilising Dybala's talent correctly. "If someone has to grow at Juve, it's the coach, not the Argentine," he told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. "Allegri is like all Italian coaches, he thinks he can influence the game, but he doesn't understand that talented players must be let loose. "I'm backing Dybala because I've never seen a player so strong at my Palermo. Within two or three years, he could become the new Messi. "Juve have got a great deal with him."

ROMA - JUVENTUS - Sunday, August 30th, 2015 - 6:00 PM Olimpico Stadium - Rome Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli Juventus Club Focus: More Questions Than Answers David Lee Wheatley believes unexpected defeat to Udinese highlighted deficiencies that may scupper any chance of a fifth-straight Scudetto at Juventus. http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/juventus-club-focus-more-questions-than-answers/? Aug 26, 2015 Many feared the debilitating departures of star names Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez would irreparably weaken last season’s double winners. It appeared those worries were entirely unfounded when normal service resumed on a wild and windy August night in Shanghai. The Bianconeri overcame rivals Lazio 2-0 to seal a comfortable Supercoppa Italiana triumph, which suggested their domestic dominance was far from over. However, they were hit by an Udinese sucker punch with 12 minutes left of their opening Serie A clash on Sunday evening to bring the Old Lady crashing back down to earth. Mario Mandzukic and Kingsley Coman were preferred up front in place of Paulo Dybala – Juve’s second goalscorer in China – and Fernando Llorente. Meanwhile, the versatile Simone Padoin took on a deep-lying midfield role, which had been so beautifully undertaken by old maestro Pirlo in the recent past. Juventus racked up 21 shots compared with Udinese’s six, but could only aim five of those on target. Possession also heavily favoured the champions to the tune of 66 per cent, but they struggled to make a decisive breakthrough. Alas, it was all to no avail, when Cyril Thereau latched on to a cross from the right-hand side to drive the ball low and hard beyond Gianluigi Buffon. The single-goal loss was Juventus’ first at home since January 6, 2013, when 10-man Sampdoria won 2-1 in Turin. Furthermore, they’d never lost a first league fixture of the season when played at home. A total of 40 previous opening day contests consisted of 33 victories and seven draws, while the Bianconeri had always managed to notch at least one goal during ‘Week One’ home ties. That bitter reverse against an outfit who finished 16th in the standings last term conjured a whole host of prevailing doubts about Juve’s ability to remain at the very top throughout this undoubted period of transition. Boss Massimiliano Allegri relied upon an aging back-line when facing up to Stefano Colantuono’s men, with only Leonardo Bonucci under the age of 30 out of those six defensive stalwarts – including goalkeeper – involved from the start. Paul Pogba, judging by an unconvincing performance against the Zebrette, is apparently struggling to assume former mentor Pirlo’s mantle. Thrusting creative responsibility upon Pogba’s shoulders, without an experienced comrade alongside him who can ably share that burden, may prove suffocating for the exciting Frenchman. Lacking a world-class playmaker of Pirlo or Vidal’s ilk is a significant problem, while sporting director Giuseppe Marotta’s summer-long search to find a suitable successor for the bearded legend continues. One thing is certain – Padoin is not the solution in that position. There is also the pressing issue of which strike partnership to entrust with the task of grabbing those all-important goals for Juventus into the foreseeable future. It presents a complex conundrum, which can only be solved by affording a fair amount of game-time to a particular pairing. Constant rotation could lead to confusion, and ultimately, failure of their forward line to click. Those abundant concerns leaves celebrated coach Massimiliano Allegri with plenty to ponder ahead of an already crucial meeting with title contenders Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. The remaining days of the transfer window may provide some answers, but simple hard work on the training field with his current group is required in order to find a winning formula – regardless of any imminent new arrivals. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Llorente to Sevilla for free http://www.football-italia.net/71632/llorente-sevilla-free Aug 26, 2015 Fernando Llorente is due to terminate his Juventus contract and to undergo Sevilla medicals tomorrow, so Simone Zaza stays. Reports in Spain are confident the clubs have agreed terms for a double move. Llorente was the main target and it’s believed Sevilla will pay €10m to have the Spaniard on a permanent basis. Chile international Mauricio Isla could also be included on loan as part of the package. If Llorente is sold, then that means Zaza won’t be going to West Ham United on loan after all. However, the version given by Sky Sport Italia, La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport and SportItalia is that Juve will simply terminate Llorente's contract early. This means Sevilla can get him for free and the Bianconeri will save €20m on his wages. Otherwise, Juventus would make a huge profit on centre-forward Llorente, who arrived as a free agent two years ago from Athletic Bilbao. He will partner another ex-Juve striker, Ciro Immobile, who is at Sevilla on loan from Borussia Dortmund.

ROMA - JUVENTUS - Sunday, August 30th, 2015 - 6:00 PM Olimpico Stadium - Rome Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli Gyomber: ‘Ready to face Juventus’ http://www.football-italia.net/71626/gyomber-‘ready-face-juventus’? Aug 26, 2015 Norbert Gyomber says he’s ‘ready’ to face Juventus as he’s officially presented as a Roma player. The Slovakian international has joined the Giallorossi from Catania, on loan with an option to buy, and says he’s prepared to face the champions. “I think I’m ready,” Gyomber said in a Press conference. “I’ve already played against Juventus twice, I know them well and I feel I can play.” Gyomber also spoke about how the transfer came about, and doesn’t believe he’ll be sent out on loan. “I was driving when I first heard there was a chance of coming to Roma. My agent called me, and I had to stop the car, because I was very nervous. Now I’m very happy. “My agent just told me I’d be going to Roma, I haven’t heard anything about a loan.” Catania have been demoted to Lega Pro as part of a match-fixing investigation, but the defender was not keen to discuss the case. “I only ever thought about training and playing well. I don’t even want to talk about betting, because I don’t care.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Cuadrado will make a huge difference to Juventus - Di Livio The ex-Bianconeri player has tipped the Colombian to shine behind the strikers or on the wing, but predicts difficulties for his old club in their upcoming clash with Roma. http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2015/08/26/14767252/-? Aug 26, 2015 Juan Cuadrado has made the perfect move in joining Juventus and could help fix the side's problem in the attacking midfield position, according to former player Angelo Di Livio. The Bianconeri have been in the hunt for a player capable of being the link between midfield and attack, but have so far been rebuffed in their attempts to sign Julian Draxler from Schalke. Their search led them to Chelsea winger Cuadrado, who has failed to secure a spot in Jose Mourinho's first team after joining in January, with the Colombian moving back to Serie A on loan. And Di Livio has revealed his excitement at the signing, stating the the attacker's versatility and flair can take the Old Lady far as they look to move on from the departures of Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal. "He’s someone who can make a huge difference. Serie A will remember him well after his great season for Fiorentina in the 2013 season," the ex-Italy international, who also represented the Viola in his career, told Tuttosport. “I’m convinced that Juventus is the perfect club for Cuadrado, who I think can also play behind the strikers. We know the Colombian as a fabulous winger because of his pace, but I’m sure coach Massimiliano Allegri will also try him as an attacking midfielder." It is however unknown whether the 27-year-old could be ready in time for the Italian champions' trip to face Roma on Sunday, and Di Livio is of the opinion the early battle between the Scudetto contenders could prove problematic for either side. "The trip is too soon for Juventus but the same holds true for Roma," he said. "Unfortunately neither side is in top condition for a match like that, so it’s difficult to make predictions for Sunday. "In the long run, both are competing for the Scudetto, they’re the best teams to do that." Both sides got the season off to a bad start last weekend, with Juventus succumbing 1-0 to Udinese at home while Roma were held to a 1-1 draw at Hellas Verona.

Fernando Llorente on the brink of move to Sevilla http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/8/26/9209781/fernando-llorente-juventus-sevilla-la-liga-serie-a-summer-transfer-rumors-2015 Aug 26, 2015 The ever-evolving duel for which of Juventus' fourth- or fifth-choice strikers will actually be leaving Turin this summer has swung back to the "Fernando Llorente is heading back to Spain" camp. According to reports out of both Italy and Spain early Wednesday, Llorente is set to return to his homeland after Juventus and Sevilla agreed to a deal for the 30-year-old striker worth a reported €10 million transfer fee. If the reports are indeed true and Llorente does head out — on loan or on a permanent transfer — this summer, it will cap off a long-winded couple of months that has seen a handful of teams try and sign Llorente, but saw nothing ultimately materialize. Well, until now, of course. Khaled Al Nouss @KhaledAlNouss Llorente's transfer to Sevilla is almost a done deal. Mauricio Isla could also join Sevilla, according to @romeoagresti. And there's also this: Fernando Llorente and Juventus are set to go their separate ways as Spanish side Sevilla close in on confirming the strikers move to Southern Spain. It is not clear at the moment whether the player will arrive on loan initially but this is thought to be Sevilla's preferred option. Llorente looks to be returning to Spain in the very near future. (Source: Gianluca Di Marzio) The other end of the equation is that with Llorente potentially leaving Turin is that another striker who in his own right has been rumored to be departing, Simone Zaza, likely won't be going to West Ham. Or at least you would thin that's the case despite the fact Juventus and West Ham reportedly agreed to a loan deal to bring Zaza to England on loan with an option to buy. And in the last few days, anything when it came to which Juventus striker would stay around for the recently-started Serie A season seemed anything but certain. First it looked like Llorente would go, then the Zaza rumors popped up out of the blue following Juventus' loss to Udinese on Sunday, and now we're back to Llorente heading back to Spain. Aren't transfer rumors fun? Yeah, they are. Except when some of them means we don't get to sing Abba around here anymore. "Can you hear the drums, Fernando........"

Sevilla agree Llorente deal http://www.football-italia.net/71617/report-sevilla-agree-llorente-deal? Aug 26, 2015 Reports in Spain claim Sevilla have agreed a €10m deal for Juventus striker Fernando Llorente. It was revealed last night that the Liga club had rekindled their interest in the big forward, delaying Simone Zaza’s prospective move to West Ham United. AS is reporting that a transfer has been agreed, with Llorente set to return to Spain in a €10m deal, two seasons after leaving Athletic Club. In addition, Sevilla are believed to be interested in wing-back Mauricio Isla, spent last season at Queens Park Rangers, having been deemed surplus to requirements by the Bianconeri. Rojiblancos striker Kevin Gameiro also spoke to the newspaper, but isn’t sure whether Llorente will arrive. “We don’t know whether or not Llorente will come,” the French striker admitted. “If he comes it would be good for the team, because we have a lot of matches in various competitions, and we need a good squad to deal with that. “I’m working hard to be in [Coach Unai] Emery’s starting line-up, then we’ll see what happens and who plays. “Emery likes every striker to score 15 or 20 goals, Llorente and I have very different characteristics, I’m sure we could play together if he comes to Sevilla. “We’d prove that in training.”

Analysing What New Signing Alex Sandro Brings to Serie A Giants Juventus http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2554678-analysing-what-new-signing-alex-sandro-brings-to-serie-a-giants-juventus? Aug 26, 2015 For most of the summer, Juventus were busy replacing the stars who had departed, bringing in the likes of Sami Khedira and Mario Mandzukic in the hope of continuing their run of dominance atop the Serie A table. One lamentable point is that Paulo Dybala—signed from Palermo—will not get to learn from Carlos Tevez. If the latter had remained in Turin for the final year of his contract, the impact his tutelage could have had on the €32 million acquisition would be almost immeasurable. However, last week the Bianconeri made another addition who will reap a similar benefit, bringing in Alex Sandro from FC Porto. According to their official website, the Italian champions paid €26 million for the left-back, and he will undoubtedly enjoy the veteran presence of Patrice Evra. Sandro’s career began in the youth sector at Atletico Paranaense, making his first-team debut in 2008. Within a year he had established himself as first-choice, and caught the attention of Santos who would help him develop into a fearsome attacking force. During that time he would also cement his place within the country's youth sides, and was part of the under-20 squad which won both the South American Youth Championship and FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2011. The same year also saw him help his club side lift the Copa Libertadores, and he was on the move again, joining Porto at the same time as his team-mate Danilo. His first season would see him make just seven appearances, but when Alvaro Pereira moved to Inter at the end of that campaign, Sandro would begin to make his mark. Over the following four years, he would steadily improve the defensive side of his game, and arrives at Juventus a much more well-rounded player than most would expect of a pacey Brazilian full-back. Defensively, he is strong enough to compete when the game becomes physical, while his speed and ability to recover allow him some margin for error if he is ever caught out. Indeed, those attributes were identified last summer by Portuguese football expert Tom Kundert, who said the following in his column for Mirror Sport: Sandro combines a willingness to bomb forward in the best Brazilian traditions with the innate sense of when to do so and when to hold back. A tenacious defender who combines well with his team-mates when venturing upfield, any potential suitor will have to pay big to get him, but will have the length of their left flank well patrolled as a result. That opinion is supported by statistics from WhoScored.com, their figures showing the 24-year-old averaged a staggering 4.1 tackles, 4.3 interceptions and 3.2 clearances in his nine Champions League appearances last term. The same source shows that Evra recorded averages of 1.8 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and 3.2 clearances per game in the same competition, the comparison showing just how much impact Sandro now has. OptaPaolo ✔@OptaPaolo 39 – Alex Sandro was the defender with the most interceptions (39) and fouls won (22) over the last Champions League. Bianconero? The impressive numbers continue, with Squawka.com highlighting that the Brazilian—who stands 1.80 m (5’ 11”) tall—won 70 percent of the aerial duels he contested. That will be important in Serie A, where strikers often target full-backs on crosses to the far post, an area of the game where Evra himself excels. “Roberto Carlos and Patrice Evra who is here at Juve are the players who have most inspired me,” Sandro said at his inaugural press conference this week (h/t Football Italia). “I imitated them, and I’ll continue to do that.” While the opportunity to learn from the latter will be vital, it is the attributes he shares with his compatriot that will most excite supporters. Like the former Real Madrid star, his style retains that recognisable Brazilian flair, able to entertain fans with his superb footwork and close control. Difficult to knock off the ball, he is adept at beating opposition defenders one-on-one, with WhoScored showing he averaged 4.7 dribbles per game in the 2013/14 season, and at full speed he is almost impossible to stop. Once there he either clips the ball into the box or drives it in low just as Carlos used to, a tough situation for defenders and goalkeepers but a joy for predatory strikers like Mario Mandzukic, who is likely to thrive on such service. Indeed, while Sandro has notched few assists—a single one in last season’s Champions League—he has provided a steady stream of scoring opportunities, averaging 1.2 key passes per game last term, according to WhoScored. While he won a silver medal with Brazil at the London Olympics in 2012 and has six full caps to his name, Sandro was not part of his country’s squads for either the last World Cup or this summer’s Copa America. Losing out to the likes of Paris Saint-Germain’s Maxwell and Marcelo of Real Madrid, the man in charge of the Selecao believes his move to Italy could improve his chances. “Competing in the Champions League with a big club like that will help him mature in terms of the national team,” Dunga said recently, per PortuGoal.net. “Alex Sandro is a player worthy of Juventus, and I think an experience with a top Serie A club will make him even more complete,” the coach continued, and it is a view the player clearly shares. Speaking at his first press conference in Turin, Sandro gave reporters his opinion on the move and what it means for him personally: Juventus was the perfect choice for me. Coming here will help me to grow as both a person and player. As a team, we're working hard and will strive to win all the competitions we're involved in this season. Serie A is a tough league and the most tactical in the world. I am sure that the experience will improve me as a footballer. I always give 100% to win. I'm confident I'll be able to show my qualities both during games and on the training pitch. The tactical variety he will now be faced with was an important point to make, particularly given the flexibility Massimiliano Allegri has displayed during his time with the Bianconeri, switching between 3-5-2 and what he told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport (h/t Football Italia) is best described as “4-3-and then we’ll see.” Sandro appears unfazed by that regular change however, telling the club website (h/t Football Italia) that he is “used to playing in both a back-three and a back-four,” in a short video. “Obviously in a three-man defence the left-sided defender has to push harder to join the attacks, but as I say, I can play in either a three-man or a four-man backline.” That kind of incisive push was sorely lacking against Udinese last week, and Juventus face a difficult trip to AS Roma on Sunday, a game that might see his debut. When he does take to the field, it will be the beginning of what the Old Lady hopes is a bright future, clearly investing in Alex Sandro to inherit the role from Patrice Evra.

Khedira back in September? http://www.football-italia.net/71612/khedira-back-september? Aug 26, 2015 Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira could reportedly be back by the end of September. The German international picked up a hamstring injury in pre-season, and was expected to be out for two months. However, Tuttosport is reporting that Khedira is recovering more quickly than expected, and could return for the Fiorentina match on September 23. It’s good news for the Bianconeri, who are also without Claudio Marchisio in midfield, with Khedira set to return to training after the international break. The World Cup winner joined the Old Lady on a free transfer from Real Madrid this summer, but has yet to make his competitive debut.

ROMA - JUVENTUS - Sunday, August 30th, 2015 - 6:00 PM Olimpico Stadium - Rome Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli Di Livio "Match versus Roma comes too soon for Juve http://www.football-italia.net/71609/di-livio-‘juventus-perfect-cuadrado’? Aug 26, 2015 The Old Lady’s season got off to a bad start on Sunday, as they went down 1-0 at home to Udinese, and Di Livio expects the new faces to take time to settle. “Don’t forget, that in Pirlo, Vidal and Tevez, Juve have lost a lot of quality. The new arrivals need time to gel and get used to winning all the time, as the club’s history requires. “You’re greeted with one ideal in Turin - ‘you’re here because we want to win’. You have to give 110 per cent, or you’ll be wearing another shirt next year. “Is the trip to face Roma too soon for Juve? Yes, but the same is true for Roma. Unfortunately neither side is in top condition for a match like that, so it’s difficult to make predictions for Sunday. “In the long run, Juventus and Roma are both competing for the Scudetto, they’re the best-equipped teams to do that. “Roma have been great on the transfer market, but they’ll have to deal with Allegri’s team. “Dzeko or Mandzukic? In Italy you find out who the real number 9s are. They’re similar players, though Mandzukic is a pure battering ram, ready to go shoulder to-shoulder with anyone, whereas Dzeko also knows how to play with his back to goal and send a teammate in on goal. “Indispensible players? For Roma I’d say Nainggolan. For Juve I’d say Marchisio, whose absence is a blow, because he’s a midfielder who can take up Pirlo’s legacy. “Don’t expect the same inch-perfect passes over 40 yards, but last season Marchisio played very well in the regista role. “Without Marchisio, it will be up to Pogba to light things up, he’s an outstanding world-class talent, worthy of the number 10.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Di Livio: ‘Juventus perfect for Cuadrado’ http://www.football-italia.net/71609/di-livio-%E2%80%98juventus-perfect-cuadrado%E2%80%99? Aug 26, 2015 Former midfielder Angelo Di Livio believes Juventus is the ‘perfect’ club for Juan Cuadrado. The Colombian winger has joined the Bianconeri on a season-long loan from Chelsea, and the former Italian international believes he can rediscover his form in Turin. “I think Cuadrado is a great signing,” Di Livio told Tuttosport. “He’s someone who can make a huge difference. He didn’t play much in the Premier League, but in Serie A we remember him well, he had a great 2013-14 in Florence [for Fiorentina]. “I’m convinced that Juventus is the perfect club for the Colombian, who will have the right incentives to be consistent. “I think Cuadrado can also play behind the strikers. We know the Colombian as a fabulous winger because of his pace, but I’m sure Allegri will also try him at trequartista.”

Juve one of the best - Cuadrado The Colombian winger was met by a rapturous reception as he touched down in Milan ahead of completing a medical with the Serie A champions. http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/08/25/14731592/juve-one-of-the-best-cuadrado?ICID=TP_HN_2 Aug 25, 2015 Juan Cuadrado has hailed Juventus as one of Europe's best teams, as he arrived in Turin ahead of his medical with the Serie A club on Tuesday. Juventus have confirmed Cuadrado as a loan signing from Chelsea, with the 27-year-old having been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge throughout the current transfer window. Fans of Juventus flocked to Milan Malpensa Airport on Monday to welcome Cuadrado to Italy, and the former Fiorentina midfielder claimed it was a pleasant surprise. "I didn't expect it but it was a great welcome and something that spurs you on perform well," he told Juventus' website. "Juventus are a great team and one of the best in Europe. We've got everything it takes to fight for the Scudetto and we hope to defend our title. "I'm here to give 100 per cent, work hard and prepare well for every game." Cuadrado has played just one game for Chelsea this season, coming off the bench in their 3-0 loss at Manchester City, and if his loan deal goes through, he will temporarily depart Stamford Bridge with only 13 league appearances and four starts. During his time at Fiorentina, the Colombia international played 85 Serie A matches and scored 20 goals.

ROMA - JUVENTUS - Sunday, August 30th, 2015 - 6:00 PM Olimpico Stadium - Rome Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli Maicon fit for Roma-Juve http://www.football-italia.net/71582/maicon-fit-roma-juve? Aug 25, 2015 Douglas Maicon is back in training and ready for Roma’s big Serie A game against Juventus on Sunday. The 34-year-old right-back was out of action for the last few weeks, but took part in this afternoon’s training session at Trigoria. According to Sky Sport Italia, he should be passed fit to even start this weekend’s Serie A showdown. Both Scudetto hopefuls got off to a rough start, as Roma were held 1-1 at Verona and Juventus lost 1-0 on home turf to Udinese. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Cuadrado joins Juve http://www.football-italia.net/71575/official-juventus-sign-cuadrado? Aug 25, 2015 Juan Cuadrado had his first training session with Juventus and thanked God for “this new opportunity.” The Colombia international completed his loan move from Chelsea, which does not include an option to buy. He passed his medical and started training with his Bianconeri teammates today. “I thank God for this new opportunity. Forza Juventus,” wrote Cuadrado on his Twitter account.

Chelsea flop Cuadrado a perfect fit for Juventus The Colombian has been shown the door after just over six months at Stamford Bridge but he looks an ideal signing for a Bianconeri side in need of pace and versatility. http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4659/editorials/2015/08/25/14742892/-? Aug 25, 2015 Juan Cuadrado touched down in Italy on Monday evening and was promptly mobbed by Juventus supporters as he tried to make his way to the car waiting to whisk him away to Turin ahead of his proposed loan move from Chelsea. Blues fans could be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss was about. After all, many are still trying to work out why their side decided to splash £23.3 million (€32 million) on the Colombia international during the January transfer window. They had expected to see the thrilling winger that had illuminated last year's World Cup in Brazil; a mix of industry and ingenuity that seemed certain to slot straight into Jose Mourinho's first team - yet ended up appearing unworthy of the reserves. Juve, though, could barely contain their excitement at having agreed a loan deal with Chelsea for the former Fiorentina ace. "He's arrived!" read a message released on their official Twitter feed on Monday. "And he immediately got an extraordinary welcome." And that was in Milan! Cuadrado is guaranteed an even warmer greeting in Turin. The sense of excitement among the Bianconeri faithful is understandable, though. Cuadrado has attracted attention since he first arrived in Italy in 2009, when he joined Udinese from Independiente Medellin. Indeed, Mourinho - then in his second and final season at Inter - was immediately taken with the Colombian and never stopped tracking his progress. Despite spending two years in Udine, it was only during a loan spell at Lecce during the 2011-12 season that Cuadrado really began to prosper, earning himself a move to Fiorentina, where he flourished, becoming one of the most exciting and versatile wing-backs in Serie A. Former Viola forward Luca Toni was so awestruck by a particularly energetic and incisive display against Juventus three years ago that he jokingly asked his young team-mate: "Did you have a scooter? It seemed like you were going up and down that flank on a Vespa!" Juventus have been watching Cuadrado closely ever since. In February of last year, former boss Antonio Conte instructed director general Giuseppe Marotta and sporting director Fabio Paratici to sign the South American. In a bid to give greater versatility to a side reliant on 3-5-2, the coach wanted a player capable of playing wide right in both his first-choice formation and an alternative 4-3-3 system. Conte may have departed that summer - tellingly, over a failure to acquire his chosen transfer targets - but the desire for tactical flexibility remained and has now been embraced by his successor, Massimiliano Allegri. As Marotta acknowledged before Sunday's Serie A opener against Udinese: "Our interest is not in taking players for specific roles... If we search for players for only one position, we risk limiting ourselves to players not of the highest level." The message was clear: Juve want new recruits of quality and adaptability. Cuadrado ticks both boxes as the personification of versatility; a player as comfortable attacking as he is defending. Indeed, the offensively-minded Brazil full-back Dani Alves last year welcomed Barcelona's reported interest in signing the then-Viola ace as his potential replacement: "If they can recruit him, then I encourage them to do it," he said. Former Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella also noted after Cuadrado bagged both goals in a 2-1 win over Chievo in October 2013 that his most prized possession was not just restricted to playing on one flank. "Juan is unique with his characteristics, as he scored while playing wide on the left in a 4-3-3 yet almost netted again playing on the right in a 3-5-2. So, he can do anything." Montella even came to the conclusion that Cuadrado had the requisite intelligence and vision to play off a No.9. In that sense, it is tempting to suggest that Cuadrado could also be the unlikely answer to Allegri’s pleas for a trequartista to be signed before August 31. However, the smarter - and far more likely - option will be to deploy him on the right, with Montella explaining: “Cuadrado loves to play wide on the flank. He likes to 'feel' the touchline because he can be unpredictable for the opposition from there.” Indeed, we are talking about a player that former Fiorentina and Bayern Munich forward Mario Gomez claims is on “the same level as Franck Ribery” and that Thierry Henry says is a striker’s dream: “He’s a special player. He can beat anyone at any time and he’s a proper winger also – that’s something you don’t see often now; guys that want to go down the line and beat people and cross. That’s what you want if you’re a striker.” That will be music to the ears of Juve centre-forward Mario Mandzukic, who was not given anything to work with from out wide in the shock 1-0 loss at home to Udinese, with both of the hosts' wing-backs, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Patrice Evra, looking well past their sell-by-dates as they struggled to get up and down their respective flanks. As Fabio Licari wrote in his match report in the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport: “Allegri would have killed for Cuadrado.” Still, Juve have belatedly got their man, a winger who offers blistering pace, endless energy and a multitude of tactical options - precisely what Allegri has been crying out for. Cuadrado may not have fit in at Chelsea, but there should always be a place for him in the Juventus starting line-up – whatever system they play.

OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: Chelsea's Juan Cuadrado joins Juventus on loan http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/8/25/9195657/officially-official-chelseas-juan-cuadrado-joins-juventus-on-loan Aug 25, 2015 Juan Cuadrado hasn't just been a Juventus transfer target in this current transfer window. It dates back a good amount of months, a good amount of transfer windows before that and obviously a huge amount of space in the Italian media devoted to the former Fiorentina man being decked out in black and white stripes. Now, after all of the paper talk and ups and downs of the transfer dealings, Cuadrado has become a Juventus player. The four-time defending Serie A champions announced they've signed the Colombian winger on loan for the 2015-16 season. There was no mention of a Juve having an option to buy Cuadrado next summer after the season-long loan deal — one that is rumored to cost Juventus all of €1.5 million — in their brief statement posted on the club's official website. From juventus.com: Juventus Football Club can today confirm that Juan Cuadrado has agreed terms on a season-long loan deal from English Premier League side Chelsea. The Colombian winger, 27, will now link up with his new team-mates in Vinovo ahead of this afternoon's training session. You see, when Beppe Marotta talks about Juventus looking for opportunities in the transfer market, this is what he means. Chelsea acquired Cuadrado from Fiorentina for £23.3 million during the last winter transfer window. Seven months later and after all of about five minutes of game time, Cuadrado was signed on loan by Juventus for a fraction of that transfer fee. Low risk, high reward. Opportunity, thy name is Beppe Marotta. When it comes to Cuadrado, the main question is a simple one: Will Juventus be getting the Colombian who was one of the best attacking threats during his days at Fiorentina? Or will he be the one that failed to make any kind of impression during his half-season at Chelsea? Maybe, just maybe, a change of scenery back to where he was so good before he changed purple for blue will prove to be just the right remedy for a player who was one of the most sought after players in Europe a year ago. OptaPaolo ✔@OptaPaolo 272 - Juan #Cuadrado completed more dribblings (272) than any other Serie A player over his spell at Fiorentina (Aug 12 - Jan 15).