Socrates

Sevilla should sign Fernando Llorente, says Vitolo http://www.espnfc.co.uk/story/2551000/sevilla-should-sign-juventus-fernando-llorente-says-vitolo? Aug 6, 2015 Sevilla winger Vitolo says he would welcome his club moving to sign Spain international centre-forward Fernando Llorente from Juventus this summer. Llorente is expected to leave Juve over the coming weeks after the Serie A club have strengthened up top by bringing in Mario Mandzukic from Atletico Madrid, Simone Zaza from Sassuolo and Paulo Dybala from Palermo. An injury to last season's first choice centre-forward Alvaro Morata does complicate matters, but the powerful former Athletic Bilbao player, now aged 30, could still be allowed to leave for a fee of around €12 million. According to Marca, Llorente, who earns about €4.5 million a year on a contract which runs until June 2017, would only be offered about half that amount per annum by Sevilla. The La Liga club are also apparently considering a move for their former player Alvaro Negredo, who earlier this summer completed a move from Manchester City to Valencia, but is not sure to stay at Mestalla next season. Speaking to Estadio Deportivo, Vitolo said he would be happy to have Llorente, who was a member of Spain's World Cup 2010 winning squad, as a new teammate. "We all know him, he is a great player, has been with the Spain team for many years," he said. "He will would be a top signing for us. All those who come in to help out are welcome, we would all be happy." This summer has as usual seen plenty of comings and goings as Sevilla balance their delicate finances with the requirements of Champions League football next year. The 2015 Europa League final hero Carlos Bacca has joined AC Milan for €30 million (although investment group Doyen Sports were likely involved in that deal), and versatile right-sided player Aleix Vidal has moved to Barcelona for around €20 million. Yevhen Konoplyanka (Dnipro), Ciro Immobile (Borussia Dortmund), Gael Kakuta (Chelsea) and Stephane N'Zonzi (Stoke) are among the new signings, although the club's canny sporting director Monchi is thought to not yet be finished tweaking his squad.

Juventus shirt numbers for 2015-16 http://www.football-italia.net/70657/juventus-shirt-numbers-2015-16? Aug 6, 2015 Juventus announced their shirt numbers for 2015-16, including Paul Pogba as 10 and Mario Mandzukic 17. The iconic Number 10 vacated by Carlos Tevez had been kept on ice for the summer, but has now been assigned to 22-year-old midfielder Pogba. Juventus squad 2015-16 1 Gianluigi Buffon 2 Mauricio Isla 3 Giorgio Chiellini 4 Martin Caceres 6 Sami Khedira 7 Simone Zaza 8 Claudio Marchisio 9 Alvaro Morata 10 Paul Pogba 11 Kingsley Coman 14 Fernando Llorente 15 Andrea Barzagli 17 Mario Mandzukic 19 Leonardo Bonucci 20 Simone Padoin 21 Paulo Dybala 22 Kwadwo Asamoah 24 Daniele Rugani 25 Norberto Neto 26 Stephan Lichtsteiner 27 Stefano Sturaro 33 Patrice Evra 34 Rubinho 37 Roberto Pereyra 38 Emil Audero Mulyadi 40 Mattia Vitale 42 Giulio Parodi 43 Andres Tello 45 Guido Vadala

Allegri: Pogba must prove himself worthy of Juventus No.10 The Bianconeri have ceded to the midfielder's request to wear the prestigious shirt this season and his boss is now challenging him to become a club icon. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2015/08/06/14212302/-? Aug 6, 2015 Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri says that the pressure is on Paul Pogba to prove himself worthy of the club's No.10 jersey. The France international has been a revelation since joining the Bianconeri from Manchester United in 2012, playing an integral role in three successive Serie A title triumphs, as well as last season's run to the final of the Champions League. However, Pogba has now taken on Juve's No.10 shirt, following Carlos Tevez's return to Boca Juniors, and Allegri says that the 22-year-old must do justice to a jersey previously worn by club legends such as Omar Sivori, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero. "Paul asked to wear No.10," the Bianconeri boss told reporters on Thursday. "In this sense, he will have the greatest responsibility [of all of Juve's players]. "Wearing this number will not be an easy thing because this jersey has been worn by the great players of Juventus." Meanwhile, Allegri defended himself against allegations that Juve have mismanaged their players during the summer, given Alvaro Morata, Sami Khedira, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli have all suffered muscular injures during pre-season. "I'm sorry about the injuries to but we are calm about the situation and we hope to have them available again soon," the former AC Milan boss added. "It was necessary to start work on July 20. We had guys that had only stopped playing in June. "We're talking about footballers, not machines. I understand your alarm, but I'm the coach and the important thing is to be calm." Given Khedira, recently arrived from Real Madrid, has been ruled out of action, it has been reported that Juve could look to strengthen in midfield before the close of the summer transfer window, while the Italian champions have not given up hope on signing Schalke attacker Julian Draxler. However, Allegri says that he is solely interested in Saturday's Supercoppa Italiana showdown with Lazio in Beijing. "There's no sense in speaking about the market at this time because we're only a few days away from our first appointment of the season," he stated. "It's a delicate moment for us. Our preparations only started 20 days ago. "We have prepared well in order to reach and obtain this first objective of the season. "The important thing is to play a good game, which could last 120 minutes. We're in good physical condition, though."

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti 'Lazio's axe to grind with Juve' http://www.football-italia.net/70648/lazios-axe-grind-juve? Aug 6, 2015 Lazio's Federico Marchetti says he has 'an axe to grind' with Juventus and will look to exploit their absences to win the Supercup. The showdown between the two teams in Shanghai is due on Saturday, August 8, and the Biancocelesti have been undergoing extensive preparations. “We are 48 hours away from the match, today we started training seriously and really working on how to move,” said Marchetti to Lazio Style Radio 89.3. “Coach [stefano Pioli] was very careful and he gave us some pointers. “Tomorrow the tension will go up as the countdown begins. “Against Juventus my personal performances have always been excellent, but I still have an axe to grind with them over the Supercup two years ago. “Back then we threw it away, but now we are more mature. “The team will play a great match, I sense some good vibes. “[santiago] Gentiletti? He's a player with experience and great charisma. He'll confirm all of the expectations around him.” Finally the 32-year-old was asked what strengths Lazio could boast against the Bianconeri. “Our advantage is having retained last year's squad almost in its complete integrity. “We all know each other well, and this is very important at the beginning of the season. “When the physical condition still isn't perfect, you need to know how to set up plays. “Juventus lost some important players like [Andrea] Pirlo and we have to exploit that. “We'll do our best on Saturday.”

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti 'Lazio-Juve to the hungriest' http://www.football-italia.net/70647/lazio-juve-hungriest? Aug 6, 2015 Goalkeeper Federico Marchetti says Lazio are 'ready' for the Supercup against Juventus and warns: 'The hungriest lifts the trophy'. The Biancocelesti will be up against the Italian champions in Shanghai this Saturday, August 8, and the 32-year-old has been in China for several weeks already. “We've certainly been working well,” he told Lazio Style Radio 89.3. “As far as I'm concerned, I left with the very first team-members and I've got more than one month of training behind me now. “I think it was a good idea to leave earlier to get used to the atmosphere and get over the jet-lag. “It's not an easy thing to play with this temperature and this humidity. “The match will be decided by individual episodes and the trophy will be lifted by the hungriest team.” Marchetti then discussed the reception that was awarded to them by the local supporters. “I was surprised by the warmth shown to us by the Chinese people, though I'd already been told that in China people go crazy for football. “We found out at the airport when we were greeted by a crowd of supporters. “The team's doing fine, friendlies aside, in which we played against teams that were in a better condition of form than us. “We were without some players called for the national team, who are extremely important to us. “On Saturday we're playing our first real game, and when we have to do things seriously we make sure to be ready.” The goalkeeper was then asked about Lazio's upcoming younger players. “Years pass by and I feel a little bit like an old man, but I still have a child's enthusiasm. “It's a mix of younger and more expert players. “The younger players have to assist and the veteran core which I am part of have to guide them. “This year you'll see the best of us. Last season we were the surprise but now we have to confirm ourselves. “[stefan] Radu? He's always first in line when it comes to causing damage! “My new hairstyle? It's for a bet – I was going to do it if we came third. “Let's see if this year I can shave everything off.”

Why Pogba's No.10 shirt could be pivotal moment for player, Juventus & the transfer market The Bianconeri hope that making the Frenchman their new No.10 will let Barcelona and Manchester City know that the midfield ace will remain in Turin for years to come. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2015/08/06/14209192/-? Aug 6, 2015 Earlier this summer, Sir Alex Ferguson advised Juventus to cash in on Paul Pogba. "I would sell him," the former Manchester United boss told Tuttosport. "It's true I let him go before but I would let him go." The Bianconeri refused to listen to the Scot, no doubt reluctant to take the advice of a man who had allowed the most promising midfielder to leave Old Trafford for nothing. Ferguson may not appreciate Pogba's value, even now – but Juventus certainly do. Hence, Thursday's announcement that the Frenchman will be their new No.10. The jersey holds a mythical status in Turin. Omar Sivori, Fabio Capello, Liam Brady, Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero, Carlos Tevez – the players to have worn the Bianconero No.10 essentially reads as a shortlist of the most influential players in the club's history. Thus, deciding who should wear the shirt is never taken lightly. It is a carefully considered move - and it has been no different this time around. Pogba, as has been well documented, is one of the most sought-after individuals in world football. Barcelona, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain – all of the game's richest clubs have an interest in signing the 22-year-old. Indeed, so intense is the competition, so high are the stakes, that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has admitted that even the Roman Abramovich-funded Blues have no chance of landing Pogba. "I think everybody has an interest in Pogba," the Portuguese told reporters on July 19, "but there are things you can do and things you cannot do. I love the Eiffel Tower but I can't have the Eiffel Tower in my garden. I can't even have the Eiffel Tower of Las Vegas!" Mourinho may have had a not-so-hidden agenda in that instance, cheekily suggesting that Abramovich needs to loosen the purse strings once more in order to land the game's elite players, but his appraisal underlines just how highly Pogba is regarded. Indeed, while Dutch icon Johan Cruyff may not believe the hype surrounding Pogba, dismissing Barca's €80 million bid as "absurd", but Juve fully appreciate his value to Massimiliano Allegri's team – and the club's marketing department. After arriving in Turin in 2012, Pogba quickly set about proving himself one of the most promising young talents in the world, forcing then-coach Antonio Conte to start experimenting with Claudio Marchisio as a trequartista because the new arrival had become undroppable, an integral member of Juve's midfield three. Pogba's influence has only increased in the intervening years and now, following the summer departures of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Tevez, the Frenchman is now undoubtedly Juve's most important player. Giving him the No.10 jersey only reinforces that impression; reinforces that fact. Indeed, Pogba was a pivotal player even with the No.6 on his back but now he will be clearly identifiable as the team's lynchpin, their star man - and the Bianconeri are going to sell many more Pogba shirts as a result. It is also a significant switch for the midfielder on a personal level. This is not a man who runs away from pressure but embraces it; seeks it out. Even before it was announced that he would be given the No.10 shirt, Pogba spoke openly of his desire to fill the void left by Vidal, a prolific presence in the Juve midfield. He wants more responsibility. Now he has got it. The change of shirt number will not necessarily mean a change of role, though. Massimiliano Allegri has toyed with the idea of deploying Pogba as a trequartista at regular intervals since succeeding Conte at the helm last year but he wants a specialist No.10. Hence, Juve will continue their pursuit of a classic attacking midfielder, with the club set to step up their bid to sign the versatile Julian Draxler from Schalke after their Supercoppa Italiana showdown with Lazio in China. In that game, though, all eyes will be on Juve's most prized possession. The Bianconeri have made a clear statement of intent, sent an unequivocal message to their rivals: Pogba is Juve's new No.10 - and will be for many years to come.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Supercoppa Italiana Preview: New Look Juventus Aim For Strong Start To Season Against Lazio http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/juventus-v-lazio-supercoppa-italiana-preview-new-look-bianconeri-aim-for-strong-start/? Aug 6, 2015 Juventus and Lazio will meet in China’s Shanghai Stadium on Saturday to compete for the first piece of silverware on offer this season in the Supercoppa Italiana. Scheduling issues dictated that the 2014 equivalent of the competition had to take place in December, but 2015 sees a return to the more conventional place in the calcio calendar for the season’s curtain raiser. The Bianconeri fell to a penalty shoot-out defeat to Napoli in last year’s event, as the sides could not be separated after Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez both bagged a brace for their respective teams. The tournament’s history suggests that it will be Massimiliano Allegri’s men who will be celebrating come Saturday evening as the Biancocelesti only qualified for the Supercoppa as Coppa Italia runners-up, having been defeated by Juventus in the final in May. Incidentally, Juventus and Lazio did meet in the competition just two years ago at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, which is another thing Laziali will not be thankful to me for pointing out, as their side capitulated and suffered a 4-0 defeat. The two sides also played one another in the 1998 Supercoppa, which was hosted at the Stadio delle Alpi, and it was the Biancocelesti who ran out as 2-1 victors. The Old Lady have won the Supercoppa Italiana a record six times, in 1995, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2012 and 2013, while Lazio boast three Supercoppa titles, winning the competition in 1998, 2000 and 2009. What is perhaps most intriguing about this encounter will be how Juventus line up, following the departures of many of their key players from previous seasons, including Carlos Tevez, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo. The Scudetto holders have already faced a number of setbacks this week with new signing Sami Khedira being ruled out for up to two months with a hamstring injury, while Andrea Barzagli and Alvaro Morata will also be forced to sit out the showpiece event. Despite their injury woes, some of Juve’s new recruits have been talking up the fixture in recent days, with Simone Zaza and Paulo Dybala stating their desire to win the tournament as they look to get the season off to the best possible start. Lazio have also been in the news with regards to the upcoming clash, with their main problem being an off-field issue, as their ultras are refusing to make the trip for the game as they to protest against the chosen location for the event. Expected Starting XIs Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Rugani, Evra; Pogba, Marchisio, Sturaro, Tello; Dybala, Mandzukic. Lazio: Marchetti; Basta, De Vrij, Gentiletti, Radu; Biglia, Cataldi, Onazi; Candreva, Felipe Anderson, Klose.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Buffon: ‘Formation is irrelevant’ http://www.football-italia.net/70641/buffon-%E2%80%98formation-irrelevant%E2%80%99? Aug 6, 2015 The system Juventus use against Lazio in Saturday’s Supercoppa Italiana ‘doesn’t matter’, according to Gigi Buffon. The Bianconeri captain insists that issues such as a three-man defence and the intense heat in China shouldn't play a big part in the final result. “Playing with a back three or a back four doesn't matter,” he said at today’s Press conference. “Other factors determine the final result, not the system. “The climate in Shanghai? It's also been hot in Italy, especially this summer! “We know that preparations in certain places involve plenty of sacrifice and we're used to it. "We’ve changed the spine of the team, renovating and rejuvenating it. It’s not an excuse, but there could be a few problems. “We've brought in players of real quality and promise over the summer.”

Allegri: ‘Number 10 not easy’ http://www.football-italia.net/70640/allegri-%E2%80%98number-10-not-easy%E2%80%99? Aug 6, 2015 Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri warns Paul Pogba that wearing the number 10 shirt ‘isn’t easy’ and says he will ‘stay calm’ over the injury crisis. The Old Lady will be missing Giorgio Chiellini, Sami Khedira and Alvaro Morata for Saturday’s curtain raiser against Lazio in the Supercoppa Italiana. "We've only been back training for 20 days but I'd say the team's in good physical condition,” he said at today’s pre-match Press conference. “There was no way we could have returned before 20 July due to the internationals. Players aren't machines. "It's a pity Chiellini, Khedira and Morata will miss out on the final. We'll stay calm and wait for them to recover. "Andrea Barzagli is back training with the team and we'll see how he's looking for the match. "A great deal has been won over the past four years, now we start from scratch. “A lot of young players have come in, which is a positive for the club. The spine of the side has remained. "Departures? Players come and go just like Coaches and it was their choice to leave. "Transfer market? There's no point talking about it at present, we must focus solely on our first target of the term. “We've got a good group of strikers and regardless of who I go for on Saturday, I'll have decent options on the bench. "Paul Pogba asked for the number 10 in order to have greater responsibility, because wearing that shirt isn't easy. “I think Pogba works best as an inside midfielder. Perhaps in a few years he'll operate in front of the defence."

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti De Vrij Looking To Improve Record Against Juventus http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/lazio-defender-looking-to-improve-record-against-juventus/? Aug 6, 2015 Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij believes that his side can reverse their recent record against Juventus to win the Supercoppa Italiana in Shanghai on Saturday. The Biancocelesti have managed only one win in their last 17 matches in all competitions against the Bianconeri and suffered their heaviest home defeat to the Serie A champions since 1961 last season when they lost 3-0 in late November. “We have lost all three games against Juventus last season, but we were on the brink of victory on the last occasion in the Coppa Italia final,” the 23-year-old told Rai Sport. “We were unlucky on that occasion with [Filip] Djordjevic hitting both posts and this gives us a reason to believe that we can finally win. “We also arrived in China ahead of Juventus meaning that the two to three days extra training could give us a small advantage.” The Netherlands international also insisted that Lazio are only focused on the Supercoppa and not on their upcoming Champions League play-off. “The Champions League play-offs are important, but for now we are only thinking about the Supercoppa,” he continued. “There will be plenty more time to focus on qualifying for the Champions League and I would like to lift a trophy.”

How Big a Steal Is Paulo Dybala for Juventus? http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2538139-how-big-a-steal-is-paulo-dybala-for-juventus? Aug 6, 2015 Paulo Dybala was hugely impressive last season, notching 13 goals and 10 assists in his first campaign as a regular in the Italian top flight, swiftly prompting Juventus to secure his signature before 2014/15 even came to an end. The Palermo forward did not come cheap however, with the Serie A champions revealing via their official website that they had paid €32 million—with potentially a further €8 million in bonuses—to bring him to Turin. In that same announcement, the Bianconeri noted that Dybala had agreed to a five-year contract, and the player clearly has the best years of his career ahead of him. Understanding the value of that entire deal is a complex matter, but by breaking it down into a number of smaller details, the bigger picture of just what a steal Juventus have made becomes clear. JuventusFC ✔@juventusfcen Dybala joins Juventus, penning a five-year contract with the club. First of all, the most obvious point is his age. The 21-year-old has huge potential, and given that transfer fees continue to skyrocket, getting him this early undoubtedly ensures the grand Old Lady has paid the best possible price. With his tender age comes the ability to improve and realise just how good he can become, and reflecting on his impressive year with Palermo offers some insight into that. Looking first at the variety of goals Dybala scored, any compilation of his finishing includes deft chips, well-executed volleys and thunderous efforts, all of which left opposing goalkeepers clutching at thin air and powerless to prevent him scoring. Yet what also becomes instantly apparent is that the source of each is exactly the same: Dybala’s magical left foot. As the graphic above from Squawka.com shows, each of his 13 strikes came that way, and as he works on other areas of his game it is difficult not to see his goal tally rising quickly. To do that he will need to quickly improve his heading ability, with statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com show Dybala won just 0.4 headed duels per game, with Squawka highlighting that equated to just 14 of the 80 such challenges (18 percent) he contested last term. Putting that into context, Carlos Tevez—who at 1.73 m (5'8'') is four cm shorter than Dybala—won just two aerial battles in 2014/15, according to Squawka’s figures, but the same source shows he did find the back of the net with a header. What must also be noted is that while he proved effective he is with his left foot, there is room to improve there too. Dybala found the target with just 44 percent of his shot attempts, with the graphic below showing both how that fares against his new team-mates and the work needed to stand out in that area. The comparison to Tevez is one that will regularly come to the fore, with one Argentinian striker having directly replaced another at Juventus, and while it is patently unfair on Dybala to pit him against such an accomplished star, there is a deeper-lying reason for it. OPTA rated the duo as Serie A’s leading strikers across all statistical categories last season. Clearly it is a huge leap to expect Dybala to bridge the void Tevez has left behind, but it is one the player himself appears determined to go some way towards filling as he spoke at his inaugural Juventus press conference. OptaPaolo ✔@OptaPaolo 2 - Dybala and Tévez are the best Serie A strikers according to Opta Index. Comparison “Playing for a great club like Juventus represents an important step for me,” Dybala said per the club’s official website. “I hope to develop both as a player and as a person and to become a key member of the team.” He has chosen to do so wearing the No. 21 shirt vacated by another Juventus idol, with Andrea Pirlo’s decision to move to MLS side New York City FC leaving it open for the club’s most expensive summer addition. The absence of the bearded genius will leave La Madama in need of invention from her remaining players, and Dybala is arguably best placed among Massimiliano Allegri’s squad to provide that. No player in Serie A bettered his tally of 10 assists, and as the graphic below—courtesy of Squawka.com—shows, the former Palermo man created far more scoring opportunities than any other member of the squad. Another player may yet arrive to shoulder some of that burden, although the club’s director general Beppe Marotta told Quotidiano Sportivo (h/t Football Italia) that Juventus “will never sign” Oscar of Chelsea or Real Madrid’s Isco. Yet he was keen to note the versatility of the Argentinian as he discussed his plans for the remainder of the transfer window in that same interview. “We are looking for a midfielder numerically, not with any specific qualities, but in the context of a very eclectic midfield which includes [Paul] Pogba, [Claudio] Marchisio, [sami] Khedira and [Roberto] Pereyra,” the club official noted. “Dybala could play as a trequartista.” While that would not be a long-term solution, it is clear the striker has the attributes to provide cover in a more withdrawn role, a fact which only adds to the feeling that Juventus appear to have made a smart acquisition despite that large initial fee. That the move comes in the same summer that Manchester City paid £44 million for Raheem Sterling (h/t BBC Sport) puts it firmly into perspective. The fee paid to Liverpool works out at just over €62.5 million at today’s exchange rate, almost double the sum given to Palermo for a player only 13 months Dybala’s junior. As discussed in this previous column, given the improved quality of the players around him, it is reasonable to expect that Juventus could see his output rise to around 15 goals in the new campaign and go even higher in the seasons to come. Clearly far from realising his vast potential, there is huge scope for Dybala to improve substantially over the course of his initial contract with the club, and he could one day blossom into the kind of talismanic star that Tevez so clearly was. One major facet the latter brought to the pitch was his infectious work ethic, harassing defenders and looking to win back possession as quickly as possible. According to WhoScored, the Boca Juniors star averaged 0.8 tackles and 0.3 interceptions in his final season in Italy, with the same source showing Dybala registered 0.7 and 0.5 in those respective categories. That hints at a similar willingness to work, and is a trait which Allegri is almost certain to demand the younger man delivers every time he steps on the field. Those skills and desire for improvement bode well for the future and indicate that, despite the huge transfer fee paid for him, Paulo Dybala could yet prove to be a huge steal for Juventus.

Lichtsteiner: ‘Heat, fatigue, bad luck’ http://www.football-italia.net/70634/lichtsteiner-%E2%80%98heat-fatigue-bad-luck%E2%80%99? Aug 6, 2015 Juventus full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner says ‘heat, fatigue and bad luck’ are to blame for injury problems, but believes they are Supercoppa favourites. The Switzerland international will face his former club Lazio in Shanghai on Saturday in the Supercoppa Italiana and thinks it will be hard for Juve to improve on last season. “Heat, fatigue, bad luck are to blame,” he told giornalaccio rosa dello Sport when asked about an injury crisis that has hit Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli, Sami Khedira and Alvaro Morata. “If you add the high temperatures, 40 degrees in Turin, and double workouts, you understand that it’s easier to get hurt. But it's not anyone's fault. “It will not be easy without three players, and three men, as important as Tevez, Pirlo and Vidal. “It will be a complicated season and it's hard to do better - you should win the Champions League after the Scudetto and Coppa Italia. “However, in Italy we start as favourites, although the others have strengthened - Inter, Milan, and especially Roma, who for years have been the main competition. They have often put us in difficulty. "We don’t have messages to send and the season is long after Shanghai. We just want to raise this Supercoppa.”

Pogba takes Juventus' No.10 shirt The Frenchman has been handed the jersey famously worn by Alessandro Del Piero following the departure of Carlos Tevez. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3276/serie-a/2015/08/06/14204482/-? Aug 6, 2015 Juventus have announced that midfielder Paul Pogba has taken the vacant No.10 shirt for the season. The number was famously worn by Alessandro Del Piero during his long spell in Turin, while Carlos Tevez inherited the shirt before leaving for Boca Juniors earlier this summer. Juve have been tipped to buy two No.10's - Schalke attacker Julian Draxler and Bayern Munich's Mario Gotze - but appear to have settled on an internal solution. JuventusFC ✔@juventusfcen From Saturday's #SuperCoppaTIM final onwards, the number 10 shirt will have a new owner: @paulpogba. Pogba, who previously wore the No.6 shirt, will don his new squad number for the first time in the Supercoppa Italiana clash with Lazio on Saturday. Barcelona made an €80 million bid for Pogba earlier this summer but were rebuffed in their attempt to sign the Frenchman and he now appears ready to stay at the club.

Paul Pogba is the new owner of Juventus' No. 10 jersey http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/8/6/9107123/juventus-paul-pogba-number-10-jersey Aug 6, 2015 When Alessandro Del Piero left Juventus in 2012 and subsequently went to Australia to hang out with kangaroos, the club chose to keep the No. 10 jersey on ice for a season. Now that Carlos Tévez has gone back home to Argentina and Boca Juniors, the same can't be said about Juve's last No. 10. That's because there's a new one. Sorry, Carlitos. It's one that has cool hair, likes to pop the collar on his uniforms — curse you, adidas — and is currently one of the most sought after transfer targets the world of football currently has. But this is the clearest sign of any that Pogba is going to be around and be the focal point of Juventus during the 2015-16 season. And if you've bought a new adidas jersey with Paul Pogba's name on the back with the No. 6, well, I guess this is the time where we extend our arms for a hug and express our condolences. JuventusFC ✔@juventusfcen From Saturday's #SuperCoppaTIM final onwards, the number 10 shirt will have a new owner: @paulpogba. Also send your condolences to any one of the rumored trequartista options that Juventus have been linked to over the last month or so. Sorry to you, Julian Draxler. Sorry to you, Mario Götze. After just a couple months of uncertainty, the No. 10 at Juventus has an owner again, and it's going to be worn by a player who has become the player he is because of the major opportunity he's gotten at Juventus. Side note: This doesn't mean Juventus won't be signing a trequartista/No. 10, so don't send angry tweets or post comments about how Beppe Marotta sucks because he can't sign a playmaker this summer. Let's just be honest here, would we rather have somebody like Draxler arrive and take the No. 10, or have somebody like Pogba who has been around the club during its rebirth the last three or four years take it? I know which one of those options I will take — and it's the one with cool hair who scores absolutely fantastic goals on a somewhat regular basis while emerging as a true leader on a club that will now depend on him more than ever before. So, here's to you, Paul Pogba, the man who now wears Juventus' No. 10 jersey. Maybe, just maybe, we can get your reaction to the news that you will be wearing one of the most beloved numbers in all of Italian and European football. Dagnabbit, he's just so fun, isn't he? You can't say he doesn't deserve something like this. So take THAT, Barcelona.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Juventus have more questions than answers ahead of Italian Super Cup http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/juventus/111/blog/post/2549354/juventus-have-more-questions-than-answers-ahead-of-super-cup? Aug 5, 2015 The parallels are not, as some anticipated, with 2001 and the sale of Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid for a world-record transfer fee. Had Paul Pogba been sold then, the echoes of that summer would have been loud and clear. Instead, comparisons are being made in Juventus history with another year: 1985. That was the year Marco Tardelli, Zibi Boniek and Paolo Rossi moved on after a European Cup final, just as fellow icons in Bianconero Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal have just done, albeit in different circumstances. Juventus' fans must hope that the signings that general manager Beppe Marotta and director of sport Fabio Paratici have made in this window will go on to have the same impact as the deals that former president Giampiero Boniperti made two decades ago. Aldo Serena, Michael Laudrup and Massimo Mauro didn't replace Tardelli, Boniek and Rossi in Juventus mythology, but they did keep the team competitive and help The Old Lady reclaim the Scudetto under Giovanni Trapattoni the following season. "Players come and go, but the club remains," Tardelli reflected in Italian newspaper La Stampa. It sounds trivial but he's on to something. Marotta touched upon it in Juventus' first news conference of preseason last month. "I don't believe a team can be considered a winner only on the grounds of the signings it makes," he said. "Rather, it should be on the basis of a project, organisation and the sense of belonging of its players. Here there is a strong sense of belonging: see [Gianluigi] Buffon, [Giorgio] Chiellini, [Leonardo] Bonucci." It's no coincidence that, rather than sit beside the new signings at their unveilings, president Andrea Agnelli has chosen to attend this summer's news conferences announcing contract extensions for Bonucci and Claudio Marchisio -- an authentic one-club man who joined Juventus as a 6-year-old in 1993 and whose son recently entered their academy. Juventus might have lost Pirlo, Tevez and Vidal, but they haven't lost their identity. It's up to the likes of Buffon, Chiellini, Bonucci and Marchisio to instill it within the new arrivals and the young. A culture has grown in the past five years under the Agnelli-Marotta administration. Juventus Stadium has a role in it, too -- a home of their own, a 12th man. All these elements factor greatly in the program's winning environment and, although in the background, those fans mustn't be forgotten as an integral part of the team's success. All of this, however, hasn't stopped clouds from appearing overhead. Visibility of Juventus' look this season is less clear than perhaps at any time since the first Scudetto of this cycle. "There's a bad atmosphere around Juve," manager Max Allegri huffed after last week's 2-1 win against Lechia Gdansk. "Everyone is saying we're favourites, but it's not like that. As ever, we'll have to get to work." Allegri particularly didn't like Alvaro Morata's attitude and hooked him after only 27 minutes. "It wasn't his day. Things weren't going for him, which can happen, but he stopped right in the middle of the pitch. That's not right." By making an example of Morata, Allegri was clear in his message. Juventus have got to buck up. Any dip in intensity could well be the difference between winning a fifth straight Scudetto for the first time since the 1930s and falling short of history. "What we did last year counts for nothing," Allegri insisted. "The others have reinforced. They're angry and spoiling for a fight, and we'll have to be, too." Despite Juventus doing a lot of their business early, preparations have hardly been ideal ahead of Saturday's Italian Super Cup against Lazio in Shanghai. Returning to training later than most after a long, hard season, Juventus played Borussia Dortmund in Switzerland with only five days' work in their legs. Dortmund had been back at it in camp for 26 days and had played seven friendlies. Not only did Juventus lose 2-0 -- it would have been more were it not for Buffon -- centre-back Andrea Barzagli strained a muscle and is doubtful for the Super Cup. Chiellini then pulled up against Lechia, as did new arrival Sami Khedira in Marseille, France. Khedira incidentally has missed 91 games with injury since 2010, 58 of which have come in the past two seasons. He is now out for two months. More bad news also arrived from Shanghai on Wednesday, when it emerged Morata will miss the first month of the season with a calf tear. An editorial in La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport has called Juventus' preseason so far "an obstacle course." Too many have fallen at the first hurdle, and, as a consequence, Allegri has more questions than answers. For instance, who plays beside Bonucci on Saturday? The 21-year-old Daniele Rugani or the more experienced Martin Caceres? Should they revert to a back three? Rugani, however, has never played the system in a competitive match. In midfield, Stefano Sturaro, a revelation when standing in for Pogba in the first leg of last season's Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid, can ably step into Khedira's shoes. As can utility man Simone Padoin. One of the pair might start regardless if Allegri persists with a 4-3-1-2 and continues experimenting with Pogba as a No. 10 ahead of Roberto Pereyra. The attack, meanwhile, is expected to be a partnership of Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic, who have played only an hour together thus far. Little is certain. "We could change system," Allegri hinted. "Rather than an evolution of the species, it could be another one altogether," Max Nerozzi wrote in La Stampa. A lot will depend of course on what Juventus accomplish between now and the end of the transfer window. Put off by Porto's demands for Alex Sandro, Juventus have reportedly agreed a deal for Atletico Madrid left-back Guilherme Siqueira. He'll compete with Patrice Evra for the starter's job and allow Kwadwo Asamoah to move back into midfield once fit again. Juventus are also said to be considering bringing in extra cover after Khedira's injury with longstanding interest for the absurdly priced Axel Witsel rekindled. The focus, however, continues to be on signing the No. 10 Allegri covets. The team's valuation of Julian Draxler, based on his injury record over the past two seasons, doesn't match Schalke's, and unless the player, with whom they have an agreement, brings his influence to bear on his club, other options will have to be explored instead. Juventus know they will have to play the long game for Mario Gotze and Isco, who are waiting to see whether they figure seriously in the plans of Pep Guardiola at Bayern and Rafa Benitez at Real Madrid, respectively. An alternative might be taking Juan Cuadrado on loan from Chelsea, which would herald a change to a 4-3-3. Draxler wouldn't preclude that either, nor necessarily would Gotze or Isco. "Juventus are still a building site" declared the paper Il Corriere della Sera. A strong foundation remains, but until Allegri knows what other material he will be working with, it's unknown how his team will look and fit together. While they figure it out, they might be vulnerable, and here's the principal difference with 1985. Juventus weren't looking for a No. 10 then, nor were they after a new top scorer. They still had Michel Platini, Serie A's Capocannoniere and winner of the Ballon d'Or in each of the previous three years. It was his last season at the club, as this one could be for Pogba: the player Juventus are looking to more than ever before. Chiellini has asked him to score the goals Vidal did for the team, and if a No. 10 doesn't get signed, the role could be his instead. While the likes of Dybala and Mandzukic adjust, it's up to Pogba to step up, carry this team and have the biggest year of his career heading into the Euros in France. "Two great players from whom I have learned so much have left [in Pirlo and Vidal]," Pogba explained last week. "Now it's time to put what they taught me into practice and show how far I have come." And where better to start than the Italian Super Cup against Lazio on Saturday?

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Banti ref for Supercoppa http://www.football-italia.net/70599/banti-ref-supercoppa? Aug 5, 2015 Luca Banti will referee Saturday’s Supercoppa Italiana clash between Juventus and Lazio. The match between Serie A and Coppa Italia winners Juve and the beaten cup finalists will take place in Shanghai at 1pm UK time. The AIA, the Italian referees’ association, has confirmed on its official website that Banti will be in charge of proceedings, with Gianluca Cariolato and Filippo Meli as his assistants. Gianluca Rocchi and Paolo Tagliavento will be the additional officials, with Antonio Damato the fourth official. Banti will be officiating a Juventus match for the 24th time, overseeing 16 wins, four draws and three defeats. In a good omen for the Aquile, the only previous time Banti has run the rule over this fixture the Biancocelesti ran out winners, in the 2013 Coppa Italia.

Dybala targets Scudetto http://www.football-italia.net/70593/dybala-targets-scudetto? Aug 5, 2015 New Juventus signing Paulo Dybala is aiming for the Scudetto, and wishes he could have played with Alessandro Del Piero. The striker joined the Bianconeri this summer, arriving from Palermo in a €40m deal, and answered fans’ Twitter questions from the Old Lady’s training camp in Shanghai. “On my first day, I was instantly taken aback by the whole environment,” Dybala explained. “Especially the wonderful Juventus Stadium. I want to win our fifth consecutive Scudetto. It would represent a historic feat. “We watch a lot of Italian football in Argentina. Juve’s a very popular club back home, regarded as one of the best in the world. “A Juve legend I’d like to have played with? How can I say anyone other than Alessandro Del Piero? A true great.”

Can Max Allegri keep Juventus on top of Serie A despite key departures? http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/juventus/111/blog/post/2548515/massimiliano-allegri-responsible-for-juventus-rebuild? Aug 4, 2015 All eyes will be on Juventus and how they play in their first competitive game of the new season against Lazio in the Supercoppa on Saturday, August 8. With the club having lost Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo this summer, many predict a year of transition for the Turin giants as they attempt to recreate the same synergy that led them to four consecutive trophy-laden years. It has been confirmed that Sami Khedira will be out of the squad for two months due to a thigh injury he suffered against Marseille while Giorgio Chiellini will also miss the important match in Shanghai. With Andrea Barzagli seemingly back from injury and ready to go, it is possible that manager Massimiliano Allegri may revert to the 3-5-2 formation with the World Cup winner taking Chiellini's place from the start of the match. Should the coach not want to risk it, then Barzagli will start on the bench and Juventus will line up in their usual 4-3-1-2 formation with Martin Caceres back in the heart if defence and Roberto Pereyra acting as the playmaking behind the forwards. With so many important leaders on the pitch having either departed or absent due to injury, it remains to be seen if Juventus will play with the same motivation that they demonstrated from the start under former manager Antonio Conte and that led the club to so much success under Allegri. New Napoli coach, Maurizio Sarri made a point of noting how much he hopes his current side can emulate the winning mentality that catapulted Juve to success. "Coming from a provincial team, I saw so many teams enter the field with a presumptuous attitude against [his former club] Empoli," Sarri stated. "There was only one that came with a different attitude: Juventus. "So we can't only talk about technical and tactical things, but also mentality. Juventus were screaming in the tunnel to fire themselves up before going out, and that translates into points." While Allegri was certainly the man who perfected the Bianconeri, making them a tactically fluent and versatile side capable of imposing their own game against the best of teams, he was lucky to have taken over from a man who instilled a warrior like attitude in the squad. Conte taught them how to behave in a black and white jersey. With several stars no longer around, Allegri's real test starts now. This is his team now. There is little to perfect but he does have to lay down a whole new foundation. The formations may need to be altered, the style of play will have to change but one thing he must maintain is that winning mentality -- that burning desire to succeed. Motivating the new arrivals like Mario Mandžukić and Paulo Dybala, while concocting a plan to extract the best of the entire squad will be his greatest challenge especially considering the pressure on the giants to keep winning more and more. While question marks remain as to how Juventus will perform on the sporting side of things, fans can at least be happy that on the business side of things. The club continues to develop and grow with management finding ways of raising revenue. Growing the brand is of the utmost importance and if the Premier League has taught us anything, it is that Asia is the perfect place to target. The first step was to organise the Supercoppa match to be played in Shanghai, the second time the Cup has been played in China. Building off of that, Juventus have sought ways to engage their Asian fans as evidenced by the club launching an official account on the popular Chinese microblogging service Sino Weibo (which has over 600 million users) in July. By growing their online following and opening six new online stores throughout Asia, the Turin giants hope they can exploit this excitement to help push Juventus into being one of the top five richest clubs in the world. Juventus currently rank ninth at $837 million according to Forbes' latest richest football clubs list. The club's new partnership with Adidas also helps, as it has already sold three times as many jerseys in the first week in the new deal than they managed last year under Nike according to Francesco Calvo, Juve's Commercial and Marketing Manager. If the Old Lady hopes to be a major player in Europe, as the club once was in the 90s, then it must keep growing the brand in Asia and the United States in order to compete. Juventus fans can only hope that on the sporting side of things, Allegri can once again lead the club to new heights, despite the many new faces and evolving style of play.

Former Juventus Director Laments Midfielder’s Injury Woes http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/former-juventus-director-laments-midfielders-injury-woes/? Aug 4, 2015 Former Juventus director Alessio Secco was forced to rue midfielder Sami Khedira’s injury woes after the German midfielder was ruled out for two months. The 28-year-old started the Bianconeri’s friendly loss at Marseille but was forced to leave the field after 25 minutes with the Bianconeri later confirming that a thigh injury would rule Khedira out for two months. “Unfortunately these injuries are happening to repeat offenders, such as Khedira and [Andrea] Barzagli,” Secco told Sky Sport Italia. “Khedira is a great champion, but unfortunately in his career he has had many injuries.” Khedira’s Real Madrid career was often blighted by injuries, contributing to his paltry tally of 13 appearances made in the 2014-15 season before he was released by the Spanish outfit. The Old Lady begin their Scudetto defence against Udinese on August 23 and hope to have midfield reinforcements in their squad ready by then, Barcelona defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano is one name touted as a potential arrival at Juventus Stadium.

Juventus Boss Happy With Squad’s Fitness Ahead Of Lazio Clash http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/juventus-boss-happy-with-squads-fitness-ahead-of-lazio-clash/? Aug 4, 2015 Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri is satisfied with his squad’s fitness levels ahead of the Supercoppa Italiana, but has confirmed that Andrea Barzagli won’t be risked. The Bianconeri take on Lazio in Shanghai on Saturday, with the squad travelling to China off the back of relatively poor pre-season. So far this summer, the Italian champions have fallen to defeat against Borussia Dortmund and Marseille as well as only securing a narrow win over Lechia Gdansk so far. “Here in China the climate is a little sultry but we have been training well and I am pleased with the fitness levels,” said Allegri to Juventus.com. “The match against Marseille was a tough test. I wanted to challenge the players and their response was good.” The Champions League finalists have been ravaged by injuries ahead of the new season and Allegri has stated that centre-back Barzagli is on the mend from an injury but is still unlikely to feature against Lazio. “Andrea is recovering and training with the group, but we do not want to take any risks.”

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Dybala: Juventus Want Success In Dream Supercoppa Italiana http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/dybala-juventus-want-success-in-dream-supercoppa-italiana/? Aug 3, 2015 Juventus striker Paulo Dybala has said he is determined to claim victory in the Supercoppa Italiana. The Old Lady face Lazio in Shanghai on August 8 in the annual fixture between the previous season’s Serie A and Coppa Italia winners, with new signing Dybala admitting the match is a dream come true for him. “For me it is a very important moment, I have always dreamed of something like this,” the 21-year-old told Juventus’ official website via YouTube. “We all put in a lot of effort for a game like this, we want to win.” This year’s game is a repeat of the fixture that occurred two years ago which ended in a 4-0 victory for the Bianconeri, and they will hope to get their seventh title in their fourth straight final. Lazio, meanwhile, are competing for their fourth trophy.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Zaza: The Supercoppa Italiana Is An Important Trophy http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/zaza-the-supercoppa-italiana-is-an-important-trophy/? Aug 3, 2015 Juventus striker Simone Zaza has said he is focused on winning the Supercoppa Italiana. The Italian champions face last season’s Coppa Italia winners Lazio in the annual fixture on August 8 in Shanghai in a repeat of the same match from two years ago, and new Bianconeri signing Zaza has said he is focused on claiming victory over the Biancocelesti. “My dream is to win my first trophy with the club, perhaps with a goal from myself,” the 24-year-old told Juventus’ official website via YouTube. “The most important thing is to bring the trophy home.” The game two years ago ended in a 4-0 victory for The Old Lady who will hope to claim their seventh title in their fourth straight final, while Lazio are aiming for their fourth triumph.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Allegri: ‘Barzagli is back’ http://www.football-italia.net/70515/allegri-‘barzagli-back’? Aug 3, 2015 Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri reveals Andrea Barzagli has recovered but ‘we don’t want to risk anything’. The Italian international was a surprise inclusion in the Bianconeri squad for Supercoppa against Lazio in Shanghai, having being ruled out for 20 days, and the tactician has explained his inclusion. “Andrea is with the squad,” Allegri told Juventus’ official website. “He’s fine, and he has recovered, but we don’t want to risk anything. “We’ve done good work, we’ve got a little more than two weeks in our legs, the lads have been training well in that time. “The climate is a bit humid here in Shanghai, but if we train at the right times it’s very good. We need to prepare well for this game, and continue to refine our preparation, it will be a very useful week.”

Confirmed: Khedira out injured for two months The Juventus midfielder picked up a thigh problem on Saturday and now may not make his competitive debut for his new club until October. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3276/serie-a/2015/08/03/14122582/-? Aug 4, 2015 Sami Khedira has been sidelined for two months with a thigh injury, Juventus have confirmed. The midfielder has struggled with fitness and form for the last couple of seasons, culminating in him leaving Real Madrid for the Scudetto holders on a free transfer this summer after spending much of 2014-15 on the bench. Khedira suffered the latest blow on Saturday when he was stretchered off in the first half of Juve's 2-0 defeat to Marseille, and Massimiliano Allegri had confirmed the he would at least miss the Supercoppa Italiana on August 8. However, the Champions League runners-up have now confirmed the injury will see Khedira miss a lot more than just the clash between Juventus and Lazio this coming Saturday, ruling him out of the first seven Serie A matches of 2015-16. "Sami Khedira will be sidelined for approximately two months after medical examinations revealed a second-grade myotendinous tear of the rectus femoris muscle in his right thigh," the Bianconeri said in a statement on their website on Monday. "The German midfielder sustained the injury during Saturday's pre-season friendly against Olympique Marseille at the Stade Velodrome." Reports in Italy have suggested Juventus could try to sign Barcelona's Javier Mascherano as cover in the defensive midfield department, in addition to their search for a new attacking midfielder.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Candreva: ‘Lazio have advantage’ http://www.football-italia.net/70503/candreva-‘lazio-have-advantage’? Aug 3, 2015 Lazio winger Antonio Candreva believes the Aquile’s unchanged squad may prove to be an advantage over Juventus in Saturday’s Supercoppa Italiana. The Old Lady have lost several key players this summer and brought in a host of new signings, while the Biancoceleste have only made minor squad adjustments. “We have to start again from the Coppa Italia final we lost against Juve,” Candreva told Lazio Style Channel. “Even though we are far from Rome, there’s a lot of support here. The temperature in China isn’t exactly ideal, but we must get used to it. “On August 8 the stadium will be full, our squad is still the same as it was last year, with some new young players, and this might be an advantage for us. “We’re also hoping to have a great league campaign.”