Socrates

Sevilla To Rival Real Madrid For Llorente http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/sevilla-to-rival-real-madrid-for-juventus-striker/? Aug 15, 2015 Europa League holders Sevilla are trying to fend off Real Madrid as they look to secure the signing of Juventus striker Fernando Llorente. The Spanish forward has been the subject of a move away from the Bianconeri for the majority of the summer and has attracted interest from a host of clubs across Europe, but it is now Sevilla who are trying to close out a deal for the 30-year-old. The Andalusians are hopeful of coming to an agreement for the former Athletic Bilbao striker but may struggle to fend off interest from Madrid who are still mulling over whether to make an offer to The Old Lady themselves. Los Rojiblancos would prefer to take Llorente on an initial loan deal for a fee of around €3 million with an agreement to make the deal permanent at the end of next season, but Madrid could comfortably afford to buy the forward outright for around €12m immediately. Unai Emery can offer the Spaniard a place in the Sevilla first team, whereas Los Blancos would ideally intend for Llorente to provide back-up to French striker Karim Benzema.

Lippi: Genius Pogba is Juventus' natural leader The former Bianconeri coach says the Frenchman is worthy of the No.10 shirt, and tips Roma and AC Milan as their main challengers for the Scudetto. http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2015/08/15/14457812/-? Aug 15, 2015 Marcello Lippi has hailed Paul Pogba as a genius and expects him to show that he is Juventus' natural leader after he was assigned the club's iconic No.10 shirt. The Serie A champions are preparing to defend their fourth consecutive Scudetto without the likes of Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal who left the club this summer, prompting the club to install Pogba as the new bearer of the coveted number. And Lippi believes the Turin giants' faith in the 22-year-old will be rewarded, backing the starlet to come of age this season and realise his full potential despite growing interest from Europe's top sides. "Pogba is a born leader, and he deserves the No.10," the former World Cup-winning boss told Tuttosport. "By choosing to stay at Juventus, he showed his character. "Now he must confirm his leadership skills along with his genius, by dispensing with parts of his game that are needless, such as tricks that he does in some areas of the pitch." Despite the summer exits of the Bianconeri's key players, Lippi does not expect their title credentials to have taken too much of a setback, although he acknolwedged the renewed threat coming from Roma and AC Milan. "Juventus have a clear direction and have made the right signings so they are still the favourites," he continued. "They have been winning for four years so must be considered favourites. "Paulo Dybala is a player who combines technical brilliance with fantasy, and will be a perfect player once he strengthens from a physical aspect. "Still, Roma have substantially closed the gap with forwards like Edin Dzeko, Mohamed Salah to play alongside Francesco Totti and Juan Iturbe. Right behind Juve and Roma are Milan. "Their team has been strengthened and they look more motivated under a coach like Sinisa Mihajlovic." The new Serie A season kicks off on August 23, with Juventus beginning their title defence at home against Udinese.

Moggi: ‘Dybala great signing' http://www.football-italia.net/71065/moggi-%E2%80%98dybala-great-signing? Aug 15, 2015 Disgraced former Juventus director Luciano Moggi has given summer signing Paulo Dybala his backing: ‘He’ll score many goals.’ Moggi believes that while Carlos Tevez will be missed, the youngster can help the Old Lady plug the gap and that the Bianconeri remain favourites for the Scudetto. “I see a Juve which is always at the top and difficult to catch - Italy they’re always the favourites,” he told Tuttomercatoweb. “The team was rejuvenated and it was inevitable that Pirlo would leave. “They could miss Tevez’s goals as Mandzukic scores less, but I think Dybala is a great signing. “I think that he could score more goals many other forwards.”

UNA BANDIERA DELLA JUVENTUS E NON SOLO ALEX DEL PIERO Amato, discusso, criticato, Del Piero è stato sempre al centro dell'attenzione e lascia il calcio da grande campione. http://golcalcio.it/Del%20Piero.htm Un campione ma non una carriera facile. Grande talento ma non sempre del tutto convincente, pronto a smentire con gol e vittorie le piogge di critiche e perplessità, Alessandro del Piero ha sempre vissuto nell’occhio del ciclone, pronto ogni partita a dimostrare sempre la stoffa del suo talento, pronto a ricominciare sempre come se fosse la prima volta. Alessandro Del Piero nasce il 9 novembre 1974 a Conegliano Veneto (TV). Già giovanissimo quando calciava il pallone si potevano ammirare la classe, l'eleganza e quel modo imperturbabile ma ingannevole di affrontare i campi da gioco. Chi lo conosce, sa bene che dietro quell'apparente freddezza (la stessa che gli ha permesso di realizzare i suoi magnifici gol "alla Del Piero"), si nasconde una grande sensibilità umana e una rigorosa correttezza (è uno dei calciatori più rispettosi che si conoscano). La prima squadra che lo accoglie nelle sue fila è quella del suo paese, il San Vendemiano, per poi passare ad una categoria più alta con il Conegliano. Subito viene utilizzato come rapace realizzatore di gol; la madre avrebbe preferito che il piccolo Alex giocasse in porta, dove era meno facile farsi del male. All'età di sedici anni, nel 1991, Alessandro Del Piero si trasferisce al Padova, squadra nella quale si mette subito in luce come uno dei talenti più importanti del momento. In soli quattro anni brucia le tappe passando dalla Primavera ai massimi livelli del calcio mondiale. Infatti gli occhi dei maggiori club puntano ben presto su di lui e se lo contendono. Dopo numerose trattative, rimangono in lizza solo Milan e Juventus. A far pendere il piatto dalla parte della squadra torinese è Piero Aggradi, Direttore Sportivo del Padova e "scopritore" di Alex: venendo incontro ai desideri del giocatore, viene decisa la cessione alla Juventus, che ritiene di aver trovato in questo modo il sostituto di Roberto Baggio. Scelta azzeccata, si direbbe, visto che negli anni in cui Baggio passa al Milan, Del Piero diventa il leader indiscusso della Juventus. Sacchi lo prova subito in nazionale, debutta il 25 marzo 1995 contro la Estonia. Solo nella stagione successiva Sacchi lo vuole come titolare nella sua squadra, barriera di centro campo nelle qualificazione per la Coppa Europa, una manifestazione dove tutti lo aspettano protagonista. Non sarà cosí nella gara d’esordio contro la Russia Sacchi lo sostituisce nel primo tempo con Donadoni. Per lui terminerà la competizione e, addirittura, non verrà più schierato dal tecnico emiliano. Incomincia un periodo difficile con la maglia azzurra. Anche Maldini, nonostante i successi con la Juventus, con lo considera fondamentale. Ai mondiali del 1998 viene convocato, ma nasce la staffetta con il grande Baggio che sarà ricca di polemiche. Lo sostituisce contro il Camerun e il ruolo si inverte nella successiva gara con l’Austria. Dal primo minuto con la Norvegia viene sostituito da Conte. Maldini lo riprova nella decisiva gara con la Francia, ma un Roberto Baggio richiesto a furor di popolo, prenderà il suo posto nella parte finale dell’incontro. La figura di riserva di lusso sarà sua anche negli europei del 2000, con Zoff che lo manda a giocare solo i minuti finale di tutte le partite, finale compresa. Anche con Trapattoni in Corea per Del Piero c’è posto solo in panchina. Questa volta sarà Totti il calciatore con cui creare un staffetta. Alex sarà decisivo nella partita contro il Messico, realizzando il gol del pareggio che ci porterà alla beffarda partita con la Corea. Qui giocherà dal primo minuto per poi essere sostituito al 61’ da Gattuso, privando la squadra, secondo la storica strategia “trapattoniana”, di un attaccante quando si stava vincendo. La sfortuna, l’arbitro Moreno e altre cose ci porterà al triste epilogo della partita, che Alex vedrà solo dalla panchina. All'apice della carriera subisce uno stop di nove mesi, dopo il gravissimo infortunio occorsogli a Udine. E' l'8 Novembre del 1998 quando, durante la partita Udinese-Juventus, si scontra con un giocatore avversario riportando gravi danni ai legamenti del ginocchio destro. Il recupero della forma, dopo il forte trauma, è molto difficile e coincide con un calo nel numero di gol realizzati. Tuttavia, sia Ancelotti che Lippi (l'allenatore di allora), lo indicano come il punto di forza su cui far ripartire le ambizioni bianconere. Dopo quasi nove mesi Pinturicchio (nomignolo affibbiatogli dal suo grande estimatore, l'Avvocato Agnelli) fa il suo ritorno in campo. Superato il trauma, dunque, è subito in grado di dimostrare che è ancora quell'animale da rete che è sempre stato. Grazie anche ai suoi gol alla Juventus di Marcello Lippi nel 1995 riesce il tris scudetto-Coppa Italia-Supercoppa di Lega, mentre nel 1996 arrivano la Champions League, la Supercoppa europea e la Coppa Intercontinentale. Anche i commissari tecnici della Nazionale italiana, prima Zoff e poi Trapattoni, l'hanno sempre tenuto in considerazione. Purtroppo, nella stagione 2000/2001 (quella dello scudetto alla Roma dopo un testa a testa fino alla fine con la Juve), Alex si infortuna ancora restando fuori un mese. Sono in molti a darlo per finito ma dopo la morte del padre Gino, "Pinturicchio" compie al suo ritorno una autentica prodezza a Bari e da qui inizia, in modo significativo, la sua nuova vita. Il campionato 2001/2002 si apre con un Del Piero in grande forma che in mancanza di Zidane, poi ceduto al Real Madrid, si rinnova leader indiscusso della Juventus che conta sulle sue magie per vincere tutto. Giocatore di grande talento, fantasioso e magistrale nelle punizioni, Del Piero è un grande professionista che possiede doti caratteriali non consuete, che lo hanno aiutato a non perdere la testa nei momenti di esaltazione e a reagire alle difficoltà, sia sportive che personali. Per il campionato italiano 2005, sebbene il finale sia stato segnato da attriti tra il fuoriclasse e il tecnico Fabio Capello, Alessandro Del Piero è risultato essere il giocatore più decisivo (per i gol segnati) per la conquista del 28esimo scudetto juventino. Anche nella nuova stagione 2005/2006 Mister Capello non si fa problemi a tenere Alex in panchina. Sarà un anno di attriti fra i due. Del Piero ripeterà il suo copione di sempre. Riserva di lusso ma quando entra gioca e fa la differenza. Le sue reti portano alla vittorie i bianconeri ma non sono sufficienti a convincere Capello. La prossima partita per Del Piero vi sarà solo posto in panchina. Inserito nella lista dei 23 che partecipano ai mondiali del 2006 in Germania, si è autodefinito in conferenza stampa "Achille", perché come il mitologico eroe omerico si ritirò sulla collina dopo la lite con il re Agamennone, cosi anche Alex fa durante il ritiro di Duisburg, mettendosi in disparte e attendendo le scelte del CT Lippi, consapevole del suo stato di forma e della sua voglia di scendere in campo. Contro gli Usa arriva la Sua occasione: Lippi lo fa entrare al posto di Totti durante la partita, e lui sfiora il gol impegnando Kasey Keller, estremo difensore statunitense, in una spettacolare parata. Viene poi schierato titolare negli ottavi contro l'Australia, ma dopo l'espulsione di Marco Materazzi, il CT lo sostituisce. Durante la semifinale contro la Germania entra nei supplementari sullo 0-0: calcia il corner da cui scaturisce il gol di Fabio Grosso e segna il gol del definitivo 2-0 al 120* minuto: dopo uno straordinario contropiede, riceve la palla da Gilardino e la deposita in rete con un tiro ad effetto. Nella finale di Berlino che dà il quarto titolo mondiale all'Italia contro la Francia, segna il quarto dei cinque rigori al termine dei 120 minuti di gioco regolamentari, diventando così Campione del Mondo, il 9 Luglio 2006. Poi lo scandalo Moggiopoli, la revoca di due scudetti, "...due figli" come ha dichiarato Alex e la grande scommessa di riportare la sua Juventus subito in seria A, un progetto ambizioso. E' uno dei pochi che non lascia la Juventus e nonostante la penalizzazione i bianconeri dimostrano il loro valore e risalgono subito nella massima divisione. Con tre giornate di anticipo la Juventus è promossa in serie A grazie anche ai gol di Del Piero che vince con 20 reti la classifica dei cannonieri. Poi la Juventus di Ranieri, il secondo posto e un campionato europeo non esaltante anche se nei quarti di finali i futuri campioni della Spagna ci eliminato ai rigori. Poi sono anni difficili con una Juventus che prima con Ferrara e poi con Del Neri non riesce più a tornare ai vertici del nostro calcio. Ad inizio della stagione 2011-12 ormai del Piero ha fatto la sua scelta di comune accordo con la società; lascerà la squadra a fine stagione. Sarà con l'arrivo di Conte e i suoi impieghi che si rilevano sempre preziosi a portare la conquista del ventottesimo scudetto. Suo il gol decisivo del sorpasso del Milan contro la Lazio, quando a pochi istanti dalla fine segna una punizione a sorpresa che vale il campionato. I tifosi vogliono che Del Piero rimanga alla Juventus ma la scelta sembra non essere più modificata. Alex giocherà la sua ultima partita in campionato il 12 maggio 2012 siglando con una rete contro l'Atalanta il suo 290° gol in bianconero. Con lui lascia il calcio una delle ultime bandiere del nostro calcio. Un giocatore bravissimo, umile, che ha sempre messo a tacere con i fatti le tante critiche. Una carriera ricca di vittorie ma non facile, costellato sempre da chi lo voleva vedere in panchina per questo o quello calciatore ma che sempre Del Piero ha smentito ricominciando una partita lunghissima, dimostrando dieci, cento, mille volte di essere un campione. Una carriera lunga senza fine. Palmares: 8 Campionati Italiani: 94/95, 96/97, 97/98, 01/02, 02/03, 04/05, 05/06, 2011/12 1 Coppa dei Campioni: 95/96 1 Coppa Intercontinentale: 96 1 Supercoppa Europea: 96 1 Coppa Italia: 94/95 2 Supercoppe Italiane: 95, 97 1 Coppa del Mondo

Marcello Lippi: Pogba The New Leader Of Juventus http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/marcello-lippi-pogba-the-new-leader-of-juventus/? Aug 15, 2015 Former Juventus coach Marcello Lippi believes that Paul Pogba will play a key role in leading a new-look side this season. The Bianconeri have undergone a squad overhaul throughout the summer transfer window, which saw the likes of Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo depart while Mario Mandzukic and Sami Khedira both made their way to the club. And the 67-year-old coach insists that the host summer departures does not equate to a weaker team, and believes that the side’s clear philosophy still makes them favourites for a fifth Serie A title. “Paul Pogba will be the new leader of Juve and he deserves the number 10 jersey,” he told Tuttosport. “A different team does not mean it is not as strong: with clear ideas and the correct reinforcements, Juventus are still favorites.” When questioned about Pirlo’s departure, Lippi claimed that Marchisio would undoubtedly step up to the void left behind by the midfield legend and laid his downs his predictions for the new season. “The absence of Pirlo? Marchisio is a champion. I also hope that Del Piero to come home,” he continued. “Roma have approached as challengers, Inter still needs time and Fiorentina intrigues me. AC Milan has done well in the market and could be tough to beat.”

Juventus announce Kwadwo Asamoah will return to training in three weeks http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/8/14/9156359/juventus-announce-kwadwo-asamoah-will-return-to-training-in-three-weeks Aug 14, 2015 In the calendar year, Kwadwo Asamoah only has one more official appearance in a Juventus jersey than I do. That's not because he's a bad player or anything close to it. But out of all the injury problems Juve have dealt with over the last 12 months, Asamoah has unfortunately been one of the poster boys because he's missed so much time last season. And, as it turns out, he's set to miss even more time with the 2015-16 Serie A season kicking off in less than two weeks. Let's just go to Juventus' official website and see what they have to say, shall we? They tend to have information there from time to time. (Yes, more than that.) Kwadwo Asamoah and Juventus received good news on Friday, as the Ghanaian was given the green light to step up his preparations for a return to action. Medical examinations held today in Barcelona concluded that the midfielder will be able to train again with team-mates in approximately three weeks. So let's just do a quick recap here... That's three from now that Asamoah will actually start training with the full group. Then, you would like to think, it's going to be another week or two before he has anything close to match fitness. So maybe we should shoot for the end of September or beginning of October before we see Asamoah in an actual game? Even though we now know when Asamoah will start training with the full squad again, it's really hard to say at this point. Even if the idea is to move Asamoah back to the center of the midfield full time this season, it's going to be a good amount of time before we actually see him doing so. That depth we thought Juventus would have in the midfield even with the departures of Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo is looking a little thinner with Asamoah and summer signing Sami Khedira out of action for the better part of the next two months. So, essentially, Juventus head into the season at least one starting midfielder hurt and probably one of the first choices off the bench missing as well. That means, no matter what formation Max Allegri uses in the next month or two, more early-season playing time for Stefano Sturaro and Roberto Pereyra. That can be a good thing knowing they're two young players with plenty of potential and room to grow. But it's pretty easy to figure out that if it was up to Allegri and everybody else, Juventus dealing with injuries to key players is the last thing any of us wanted to be talking about.

Asamoah back in three weeks http://www.football-italia.net/71029/asamoah-back-three-weeks? Aug 14, 2015 Juventus’ Kwadwo Asamoah has been cleared to return to training within three weeks, as he recovers from knee surgery. The Ghanaian international missed most of last season, having gone under the knife to fix a recurring problem with his knee cartilage. Asamoah has not featured for the Bianconeri during pre-season, but in a statement on their official website, the Turin giants have confirmed that the midfielder is on the road to recovery. “Good news for Kwadwo Asamoah,” the Press release began. “The Ghanaian midfielder, examined by Professor Ramon Cugat in Barcelona today, has been given the green light to step-up his on-pitch work, and to join up with the team in three weeks.”

Why 20 Goals Is a Realistic Aim for Juventus' Mario Mandzukic in 2015/16 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2543568-why-20-goals-is-a-realistic-aim-for-juventus-mario-mandzukic-in-201516? Aug 14, 2015 While there is little doubt Juventus will miss the creativity, drive and consummate quality that Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal brought to their midfield over the past four years, the biggest loss for Massimiliano Allegri’s team this summer could well be that of Carlos Tevez. Opting to return home to Boca Juniors, the Argentinian striker leaves a gaping hole in the Bianconeri attack, having led the club in terms of goals scored for each of his two campaigns in Turin. Rather than replace him with a single player, the reigning Italian champions hope to do so by committee, bringing in a trio of new attacking players they will hope can make up for Tevez’s absence. Simone Zaza has impressed with Sassuolo but has everything to prove at the highest level, while Paulo Dybala will be aiming to show his breakout campaign last term—in which he recorded 13 goals and 10 assists—was no fluke. In stark contrast to the promise of that duo, Mario Mandzukic arrives at Juventus very much a proven commodity on the European stage. The Croatian star needs little introduction, having played for both Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid in recent years, impressing for both clubs before arriving in Italy. According to their official website, the Bianconeri paid a fee of €19 million to the Spanish side for Mandzukic, with a potential €2 million in bonuses to be added on if certain performance-related targets are met. Juventus will hope for a solid return on their investment, and the player’s track record certainly bodes well in that regard. He has displayed remarkable consistency since swapping Wolfsburg for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2012, reaching the benchmark of 20 goals in each of the three subsequent campaigns. Mandzukic's debut season at the Allianz Arena saw him bag 22 goals in 40 appearances, following that up with 26 goals in 48 games in 2013/14. From there he made the switch to Atleti, netting 20 in 43 matches in all competitions as part of Diego Simeone’s squad, only to move on again 12 months later and join La Madama. The player himself was happy to explain the reasons for heading to the peninsula, telling reporters at his inaugural press conference that it was simple choice to make. “Juventus is a fantastic club that I have long admired for their track record of winning titles, so this has been a straightforward decision,” Mandzukic said, per the club’s official website. “The side boasts many excellent players and they are the best team in Italy.” They will need the 29-year-old to regularly find the back of the net in order to maintain that position, and he made a fine start by netting in their 2-0 Italian Super Cup win over Lazio last weekend. He is also unfazed by the thought of making up for the departure of the man he and the other new signings are attempting to fill in for. “Do I feel pressure at replacing Tevez? Not at all,” Mandzukic told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport recently (h/t Football Italia). “I am accustomed to it, as at Bayern Munich there was huge competition between strikers.” “I am Mandzukic and I believe in myself,” he continued. “Let me play, I am sure that I’ll have a great season.” That confidence—alongside his impressive early form for the Bianconeri—bodes well for the forthcoming campaign, and he should certainly be aiming to break the 20 barrier once again. Achieving that for a fourth-straight season would be an impressive accomplishment, and it would likely go a long way toward helping Juventus seal a record-equalling fifth consecutive Serie A title.

What to expect from Dybala Having netted his maiden Juventus goal following a big-money move from Palermo, Luca Cetta casts an eye over summer signing Paulo Dybala. http://www.football-italia.net/70974/what-expect-dybala? Aug 13, 2015 A quick one-two punch in last Saturday’s Italian Super Cup against Lazio from recently signed pair Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala was the perfect way for this new Juventus era to commence. After the Croat powered a header past goalkeeper Federico Marchetti, Dybala’s rocket sealed the trophy. It may be just one goal, but for a player attempting to fit into new surroundings and with a new audience to please it was timely. Especially when the Old Lady forked out one of her biggest ever transfer fees to do so – €32m, plus bonuses which could eventually take it up to €40m. Dybala’s maiden Bianconeri strike is the base on which he can build ahead of the new Serie A season. When Juventus welcome Udinese to Turin next Sunday the Argentine will be favoured to start alongside Mandzukic – Alvaro Morata’s injury making Massimiliano Allegri’s choice less complicated. For the sensation from Cordoba it likely means he has the first month of the campaign to integrate and impress. Pre-season has been a mixed bag. Clearly, the talent is there. La Joya – the jewel – has shown glimpses of his talent, but is also guilty of at times displaying excessive eagerness. Allegri was angry with a Dybala nutmeg late in the Super Cup and afterward spoke of it as the both a positive and negative aspect to a youngster’s game – exuberance can hamper decision making. But it’s early days. And there’s a reason why Juventus shelled out the biggest sum of the Andrea Agnelli era on the 21-year-old. A superb season with Palermo saw Dybala’s name connected with Europe’s biggest clubs. He netted on 13 occasions and assisted 10 further goals – many in either category ones for the highlight reel. His portfolio ranged from the deft to the forceful, courtesy of an enchanting left foot. Dybala’s ability to both score and create made him highly sought-after. Having struggled in his first two Italian campaigns, as a regular under Beppe Iachini he shone brightly. The clamour for Dybala’s signature ended with Juve paying a significant sum. Yet given his age and potential, plus fees exchanged elsewhere this summer, it could work out to be money well spent in the long run. Former Palermo boss Gennaro Gattuso said of Dybala: “He is a player who is two pages ahead of everyone else. He is pure class and you have to succeed when you have his touch and ability at this game. Paulo is a true player.” Inevitably, comparisons will be drawn with Carlos Tevez, the player he ‘replaces’. They occupy similar positions, but interpretations differ. Tevez was a grafter who harassed to greater effect without the ball. He proved more clinical in front of goal too. Dybala created more goals last term. But what must also be considered is one Argentine arrived in Turin a wily veteran who had done it all. The other has it all before him. What cannot be disregarded is the creative aspect both offer. Tevez was vital, especially in the final third, with Andrea Pirlo pulling the strings from deep. Both have departed Vinovo. That places some of the creative burden on Dybala’s shoulders. He proved his worth in this department last season and with a cast of teammates including Mandzukic, Morata and Simone Zaza alongside, his exploits could bear greater fruit this term. So what should Juventus expect? “The club has made a big investment in me. I will try to repay the faith of the Coach and the club,” he said after the Super Cup. Bettering his mark at Palermo would represent a fine debut season and is an achievable aim. In the short term the budding talent will be important as Morata sits out. Juventus believe in Dybala. He was central to their transfer campaign and his acquisition highlights the desire to begin a new era while continuing their dominance. The Argentine showed his ability in Sicily and taking that to the next level for a club of Juve’s magnitude is the next test. The new jewel can add plenty of sparkle.

WILL THE RIGHT MOVES BE ENOUGH ? http://www.juvefc.com/will-the-right-moves-be-enough/? Aug 18, 2015 Coming off a domestic double and losing to Barcelona in the champions’ league final, Juventus looked like a team ready to dance with the big names of European football. Boasting one of the deepest teams in the world, their continued dominance of the Italian football landscape looked like a foregone conclusion. Yet this off-season has proved that Juventus is a team that’s going into this campaign with some nagging questions. Surprising considering all their accomplishments up till this point. Interestingly enough, Juventus started the off-season on a fantastic note. Quickly addressing pressing issues by snapping up highly touted Argentine prospect Paulo Dybala. Concluding deals for Simone Zaza and Domenico Berardi, bringing promising defender Daniele Rugani to Turin, picking up Sami Khedira on a free transfer and capping it all by signing Mario Mandkuzic from Atletico. On paper, Juventus had conducted smart business. Amongst all the players listed above, Dybala was the most expensive. Considering the competition they were facing, it’s understandable that they would have to spend a bit to get him. Whilst there’s a lot of criticism leveled at Italian football and the problem it faces keeping its stars, Juventus by picking up Dybala and also ensuring that Zaza, Berardi and Rugani all have a future with the old lady, have secured and will develop some promising stars for the future of the Italian game. With the likes of Kwadwo Asamoah and Martin Caceres returning from injury plagued seasons, the depth of the team looks even more impressive. It is clear that Juventus is making a concerted effort to get younger. There are currently 7 first team members born after 1990. It’s a smart move for a team not only thinking of winning now, but also in the future. Yet with all the great things the team has done this off-season especially in lowering the average age of the squad, there is a lot of pressure to not only win a 5th straight but also prove that by losing some key players, the team can still find ways to win. Without a doubt losing Carlos Tevez, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo in the same off season is a major blow. Tevez was the team’s top scorer, providing many moments of pure magic last season. Whether the team can replicate his scoring prowess remains to be seen. Andrea Pirlo has been instrumental to the team’s success in the last four years. In fact one could go as far as saying that his signing ushered in a new era of success for the Turin giants. Whilst age wise it was probably a prudent move to let him leave, his leadership and exceptional calm on the field of play will be sorely missed. As for Arturo Vidal, it seems he needed a change of scenery. An incredible player in his own right, his heroics and exploits with the club will surely not be forgotten. His unique style of play, is a quality that only a few players possess in the world. And so Juventus goes into the season without 3 of its key players. Whilst it’s arguable that Claudio Marchisio, Roberto Pereyra and Paul Pogba can hold their own in the midfield, Tevez’ knack for timely goals might be more difficult to replicate. In a season where Juventus’ rivals have all strengthened most notably Inter and Roma, one wonders if this is the year they finally lose their stranglehold at the top of the league. Whether this will be the case is a storyline to watch going into the new season. The old lady made the right moves by going younger, and it’s already paying off with Dybala scoring a beautiful goal to seal the super cup win for his new team. More of that will be required from him and his teammates this season. This might turn out to be one of their most challenging seasons in recent memory.

Projecting Mario Mandzukic's 2015-16 season http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/8/13/9128387/mario-mandzukic-juventus-2015-16-projections-serie-a Aug 13, 2015 For the second straight summer, Mario Mandzukic has found himself in a new league, getting to know a new city, a new country and brand new teammates. Twelve months ago, it was Atlético Madrid and Spain, now it's Juventus and Italy. Change is inevitable, but not necessarily three teams in three seasons kind of change for a striker of Mandzukic's quality. Mandzukic arrives at Juventus after many consider his 12-month stay in Spain not exactly the most extraordinary of times. But don't tell Max Allegri about that slow season in Madrid, with Juventus' second-year manager heaping praise upon Mandzukic after the Old Lady's 2-0 win over Lazio in the Italian Super Cup last weekend. "I think Mandzukic is a great player, otherwise I wouldn't have given my approval to bring him in. Apart from his character, I think that his movement going forward is excellent. Apart from his goal, I think he also showed some good individual skill for our second goal. It's normal that he still needs to get to know his teammates, but I would say that I'm very happy about his performance — especially because he missed a great chance and then recovered immediately to score the opener." That quote from Mister Allegri is a legit one. I know that because I personally transcribed it straight from a video on the internet. You can all thank me for doing such a task later if you want to. What that quote tells us is pretty simple: Allegri isn't letting Mandzukic's "down" season really skew his view of the 29-year-old Croatian striker. Instead, Allegri — and Juventus' management as a whole for that matter — are banking on Mandzukic's goal-scoring numbers getting back to what he did in the Bundesliga, not La Liga. So, that's an average of in just over 13 goals in about 28 league games over the last five seasons. Are they the kind of numbers like Carlos Tévez put up over the last two years that will smack you in the face because they're so impressive? No. However, even in a down season, Mandzukic pretty much kept his goal-every-other-game ways going. And if he stays relatively healthy this season while maintaining those numbers, But, you see, he's already ahead of that pace. One official Juventus game played, one goal. No pressure, Mario! Okay, so I'll get back to the point. Unlike another summer signing named Paulo Dybala, we know what Mandzukic's role will be. He is the prima punta, and he is there to score goals just like he did in the Supercoppa. At 6-foot-2, he will look to be on the end of crosses the same way Fernando Llorente was during his first season with Juve. Just look at his goal in the Supercoppa as Exhibit A — rising between two defenders to put away a quality cross into the box. As for Exhibit B, this is what Mandzukic did during his time in Germany with Bayern. It's natural to think that Allegri and Juventus' front office are banking on Mandzukic looking more like the player that was with Bayern rather than the one from a year ago with Atlético Madrid. And it's natural to compare Mandzukic to another fantastic Juventus prima punta because of the jersey number he will be wearing this season. But while he may not be the world-class poacher that David Trezeguet was during his own fantastic playing career, it's not all that far fetched to think that Mandzukic can lead the line while being productive on a regular basis. Mandzukic was probably one of the best realistic options Juventus could have gotten this summer. And while he may not be a direct replacement for Carlos Tevez in terms of the kind of striker he is, we shouldn't expect him to be that, either. They're alike in some ways, but in totality, they're different strikers. And while they will only be naturally compared to one another because that's how life is, Mandzukic is part of this Juventus team, not that Juventus team. So if Max has plenty of faith in Mandzukic, who am I to disagree with the guy who helped Juventus win the domestic double last season? MARIO MANDZUKIC 2015-16 PROJECTION (SERIE A ONLY) Games: 33 Starts: 28 Goals: 17 Assists: 4

Khedira Thanks Fans For Support After Injury http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/new-juventus-midfielder-thanks-fans-for-support-after-injury/? Aug 12, 2015 New Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira has thanked Juventus fans for their support after a thigh injury. Picking up the knock in his first Bianconeri appearance against Marseille in a friendly, the former Real Madrid man will be out of action until early October, creating further problems for the Scudetto holders who have sold Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo during the off-season. “On the road to recovery,” Khedira told reporters “Thanks to Juventus fans for the great support and to Paul Pogba for making the number six shirt available for me.” The defensive midfielder wore the number six shirt for Real Madrid during his five years in Spain, where he won La Liga and a Champions League winners medal.

Llorente agrees Sevilla deal http://www.football-italia.net/70945/report-llorente-agrees-sevilla-deal? Aug 12, 2015 Reports in Spain suggest Fernando Llorente has agreed a deal with Sevilla, but Juventus must lower their asking price. The striker is believed to be on the unwanted list in Turin, with the arrival of Simone Zaza, Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala likely to limit his playing time. Cadena Cope reports that the 30-year-old has agreed a deal in principle with Sevilla, who are seeking to strengthen their squad for the forthcoming Champions League campaign. However, it’s thought Los Rojiblancos will need Juventus to lower their €12m asking price, as they are only in a position to offer €8m. Both would represent a profit for the Bianconeri, who signed Llorente on a free transfer from Athletic Club in 2013.