Socrates

Juventus name squad for Marseille http://www.football-italia.net/70379/juventus-name-squad-marseille? Jul 31, 2015 Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri has named a 26-man squad for the friendly with Marseille, with Roberto Pereyra returning. The Argentinian and Chilean wing-back Mauricio Isla had been given extended leave after their Copa America exertions, but return for tomorrow’s match. Fernando Llorente and Kwadwo Asamoah are still not deemed fit enough to travel to Stade Velodrome, while defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli are also injured. Young attacker Kingsley Coman has recovered, however, and will join his teammates for the match in his native France. Juventus squad to face Marseille: Buffon, Isla, Caceres, Pogba, Zaza, Marchisio, Morata, Coman, Mandzukic, Bonucci, Padoin, Dybala, Rugani, Neto, Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Khedira, Evra, Rubinho, Pereyra, Audero, Vitale, Parodi, Tello, Cerri, Vadala.

Juventus Set €12 Million Asking Price For Fernando Llorente http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/07/juventus-set-e12-million-asking-price-for-fernando-llorente/? Jul 31, 2015 Serie A champions Juventus have set an asking price around €12 millions for attacker Fernando Llorente. The former Athletic Bilbao talisman joined the Bianconeri in the summer of 2013 and has since scored 27 goals in 90 appearances in all competitions for the Old Lady. Nevertheless, Tuttosport reports that Juventus have valued the 30-year-old striker between 10 to 12 million euros, but have acknowledged the likelihood that a bid anywhere in between 7 and 8 millions euros could be enough to see the Spanish international depart the Turin club. This latest news comes as Corriere dello Sport reports that Llorente’s agent travelled to London to discuss a potential €12 million move to Arsenal. The North London outfit are reportedly in the market for a new forward, although the 30-year-old striker is said to prefer to move to Real Madrid, with coach Rafael Benitez said to be in the striker. With Llorente’s future at Juventus uncertain, Sevilla, Manchester United and Stoke City are also reportedly vying for the striker’s signature.

Marseille vs. Juventus: Team News & Preview http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2532065-marseille-vs-juventus-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-info? Jul 31, 2015 Juventus make their third short trip of the summer to Marseille on Saturday, taking on the Provence-based club as they relaunch the Robert Louis-Dreyfus Trophy in honour of their former owner, who died in July 2009. The pre-season contest has been absent from the calendar since the first edition in 2010 due to renovations at the Stade Velodrome ahead of Euro 2016. However, the game will provide a tough test for Massimiliano Allegri’s men given the disparity in how far along each team is in their preparations for the forthcoming campaign. Given that the French league season gets underway just seven days after this meeting, Marcelo Bielsa’s men will be much closer to full fitness than Juventus, who will still be three weeks away from the start of Serie A. With the Bianconeri also set to face Lazio in the Italian Super Cup a week after facing Marseille, the players could be forgiven for having their eyes on the prospect of silverware in China rather than the south of France. Form Guide ES Sahel 1-5 Marseille (Friendly) Fenerbahce 3-1 Marseille (Friendly) Antalyaspor 2-5 Marseille (Friendly) Marseille 1-2 AS Livorno (Friendly) Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Juventus (Friendly) Lechia Gdansk 1-2 Juventus (Friendly) Predicted Formations Marseille (4-3-3): Steve Mandanda; Brice Dja Djadje, Nicolas Nkoulou, Karim Rekik, Benjamin Mendy; Alaixys Romao, Mario Lemina, Bouna Sarr; Florian Thauvin, Romain Alessandrini, Michy Batshuayi Juventus (3-5-2): Gigi Buffon; Daniele Rugani, Leonardo Bonucci, Martin Caceres; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Claudio Marchisio, Sami Khedira, Paul Pogba Patrice Evra; Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic Player to Watch With Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo no longer around, 2015/16 could prove to be a pivotal season for Juve’s Paul Pogba. The club’s remaining midfielders—including the likes of Sami Khedira and Claudio Marchisio—are undoubtedly of high quality, but arguably lack the magic of the two men who have moved on. Pogba most certainly has that magic, and Allegri is likely to hand the 22-year-old much more on-field responsibility this season. The player has proved he is capable of delivering at the highest level, but he will now be called upon to do so on a more consistent basis and raise the quality of his performances once again. There is no better place to start than in his native France, this pre-season match providing an early return home to the country that will host next summer’s European Championships. That is a tournament in which Pogba will hope to shine, and the Paris-born star would likely enjoy giving the Stade Velodrome crowd a taste of what he can do. Key Battle While Juventus will expect much from their new-look midfield, it is in attack where the biggest question marks hang over this team. With the loss of Carlos Tevez—who scored an incredible 50 goals in 96 games for the Bianconeri—Allegri will be fully aware of his side’s need to begin finding the back of the net as quickly as possible. Mario Mandzukic will be vital in achieving that aim, with the Croatian striker looking to find a home in Italy following two quick transfers in succession. Leaving Bayern Munich for Atletico Madrid just 12 months before his move to Juventus, it is important things click for the 29-year-old in Turin. Mandzukic has hit the 20-goal mark in each of the previous three seasons, and he will hope to do so again, making these friendly fixtures important to him. Nicolas Nkoulou will be looking to stop him on Saturday—the Cameroon international defender is becoming increasingly important figure for the Ligue 1 side.

'Fifth Scudetto down to Juve' http://www.football-italia.net/70348/fifth-scudetto-down-juve? Jul 31, 2015 Paul Pogba says winning a fifth consecutive Scudetto is 'only down to Juventus', and swats down rumours of a transfer. The 22-year-old seemed unimpressed by the strengthening of squads like those of Milan and Inter, and he told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport that the Bianconeri's will would make or break their victory. “If we want to, we can win the fifth consecutive title,” he said. “Because we know how things work here at Juventus. “It's only down to us. The Champions League final belongs to the past now, it's got nothing to do with the season that's about to begin. “Coach Max Allegri is right in saying that we have to wipe a clean slate, but if we've been able to win four Scudetti in a row it means we've been used to thinking that way for a long time. “The other top Italian teams have been used to seeing Juventus ahead of everyone else for so long, it makes sense that sooner or later they'll hunger to get back to victory. “They'll have a greater fighting spirit, and for this very reason we have to be more focused and do more.” Finally, the Frenchman was asked whether he would leave Juventus as well. “Vidal did well in going to Bayern, but I'm here and I don't think about the transfer market, only about the pitch. “It's the only thing that matters for me. Am I staying at 100%? You see me, here I am.”

Pogba: 'I'm the new Vidal' http://www.football-italia.net/70347/pogba-im-new-vidal? Jul 31, 2015 Paul Pogba says he can cover Arturo Vidal's former role at Juventus: 'I must show how I've developed'. The sale of Vidal to Bayern Munich, coupled with the departure of Andrea Pirlo to New York City FC, left Juventus shorn of two great midfielders. “We lost some important players,” the Frenchman admitted to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “But others have arrived who have great experience. “Besides, we are Juventus and we must always do well.” Pogba was asked whether he fancied himself a trequartista, an offensive playmaker like Arturo Vidal was. “I'm available to do what the Coach asks me, for the good of the team. “I find myself at ease even when playing behind the two strikers, but we'll see what happens over the season. “Can I score as much as Vidal? Why not? I can do that. I hope so for everyone, for myself and for Juventus. “I learnt a lot from Vidal and from Pirlo, they are great players. “Now I must put into practice what they taught me and show how I've developed. “Carlos Tevez also left, but we found other pivotal players. “The team was not revolutionized and we had Khedira and Mandzukic coming in, who are fundamental. “When you change there are always some differences, but we are Juventus and we have a duty to do well.

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini out 20 days, will miss Italian Super Cup vs. Lazio http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/7/30/9075715/juventus-giorgio-chiellini-injury-italian-super-cup-2015 Jul 30, 2015 While we've seen Juventus' midfield and attack take on a much different look than the season prior, the same can't be said about the best defense in Serie A. Outside of a few minor departures and one of Italy's most talented prospects coming back to base, the names are essentially the same. Except those names are now being hampered by injuries. Aren't these kinds of posts just wonderful? (Don't answer that.) Giorgio Chiellini will miss the next three weeks — and the Italian Super Cup to boot — after suffering a thigh injury early in the first half of Juventus' 2-1 friendly victory over Lechia Gdansk. I'd tell you more about the diagnosis, but I'm not a doctor, so let's just read the official word. From juventus.com: After a morning of gym work and physical exercises on Vinovo's training pitches, Massimiliano Allegri's men followed their usual routine of shifting to a tactical workout with the ball in the afternoon. One player unable to take part in training today was Giorgio Chiellini. After leaving the pitch early in the first half of Wednesday evening's 2-1 victory against Lechia Gdansk, the defender underwent medical examinations which revealed a first grade tear of the rectus femoris in his right thigh. Chiellini is expected to return to competitive action in approximately 20 days, thus ruling him out of the Super Cup in Shanghai on Saturday 8 August. Well, that's just grand. First Andrea Barzagli is ruled out for three weeks, now Chiellini has to deal with the same kind of injury timetable. So, let's just go ahead and try to recap everything here: Juventus sees one of its starting center backs in Chiellini suffer an injury in the second preseason friendly of the summer. But, before that, the man who would have almost certainly replaced Chiellini in the starting lineup over the course of that absence, Barzagli, suffer the same kind of injury in Juve's first friendly a few days earlier. We wanted to see Daniele Rugani, and we're going to now. Just about two weeks into preseason training and Juventus are down to three center backs. We know Leonardo Bonucci and his new contract will start if he's healthy, but the same can't be said for his other two Italian internationals. That 3-5-2 Allegri rolled out on Wednesday, that might not be an option for the time being. It's just Rugani and Martin Cáceres in terms of players who are available in the center of defense for the next three weeks. That's ... not how I envisioned things going as the 2015-16 opened up. Not by a long shot. Maybe we should just put Bonucci, Rugani and Cáceres in some bubble wrap for the time being. That could be a somewhat logical option based on how things are going injury-wise this week. Stupid, stupid injuries.

Chiellini ruled out of Supercoppa The Italy international will be sidelined for 20 days with a thigh problem suffered in Wednesday's pre-season meeting with Lechia Gdansk. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3276/serie-a/2015/07/30/14027022/-? Jul 30, 2015 Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has been ruled out of the Supercoppa Italiana clash with Lazio on August 8 through injury. The Italy international, who missed the Champions League final in May with a calf problem, hobbled off just eight minutes into the Bianconeri's friendly win over Lechia Gdansk on Wednesday. Juve have now confirmed that the versatile centre-half will miss the trip to Shanghai and faces a race against time to be match fit for the Old Lady's Serie A opener against Udinese on August 23. "Giorgio Chiellini did not take part in training [on Thursday], having left the field during the game against Legia after just a few minutes of play," read a statement on the Italian champions' official website. "The exams that he underwent today have shown a grade one lesion on the rectus femoris on his right thigh. "The defender is expected to be out for around 20 days." Chiellini's absence represents a selection headache for Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri, given centre-half Andrea Barzagli will also miss the Supercoppa with a thigh problem.

Chiellini out for three weeks http://www.football-italia.net/70318/chiellini-out-three-weeks? Jul 30, 2015 As feared, Giorgio Chiellini is also out of the Italian Super Cup between Juventus and Lazio due to injury. The defender limped off during the opening stages of their 2-1 friendly win over Lechia Gdansk on Wednesday. Today tests confirmed a first degree lesion to his right thigh. Juve medical staff estimate he will be out of action for around 20 days. That means Chiellini misses the Italian Super Cup against Lazio in Shanghai on August 8. Andrea Barzagli has already been ruled out for three weeks with a muscular problem.

Juve blame Torino for ban http://www.football-italia.net/70315/juve-blame-torino-ban? Jul 30, 2015 Juventus announced they will appeal a partial stadium ban, as they shouldn’t pay for the “failings and inefficiencies” of Torino. The club was today ordered to close the Curva Sud for their season opener against Udinese. This is a reduction of the original two-match closure after a firework was thrown into a sector of Torino fans during the derby on April 26. Juventus hit back with a statement and promised a new appeal to the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee). “Juventus Football Club is greatly perplexed by the decision reached by the FIGC’s Court of Appeal today. “When the perpetrator of the crime was identified and arrested, we were able to demonstrate that the perpetrator was inside the Stadio Olimpico in Turin for an event organised by another club, was not in possession of a ticket and did not appear on the list of Juventus fans present in the visiting supporters section “He was already subject to a ban on attending sporting events (Daspo) and is not a Juventus season ticket holder. “It is thus unclear how the club can be held responsible, even objectively, for the perpetrator’s actions. Juventus and its fans must not be made to pay for the failings and inefficiencies of others. “Juventus Football Club will make recourse to the Italian National Olympic Committee’s Collegio di Garanzia dello Sport (Board of Arbitration for Sport) to contest today’s decision.”

Juventus curva closed for Udinese http://www.football-italia.net/70312/juventus-curva-closed-udinese? Jul 30, 2015 The Curva Sud at Juventus Stadium will be closed for the curtain-raiser against Udinese, but the ban has been reduced. The Bianconeri were handed a two-match closure of the area behind the goal after violence in the derby with Torino on April 26 last season. The appeals court has partially accepted the appeal, reducing the ban to one game, as well as lowering the fine levied on the Old Lady from €50,000 to €30,000. However, the Turin giants will still be without fans for the first match of the new season, though they may look to allow local children to sit in the stand, as has happened after previous closures.

Roma-Juventus moved http://www.football-italia.net/70311/roma-juventus-moved? Jul 30, 2015 The Week 2 clash between Roma and Juventus will be played at 18.00 CET on Sunday August 30, the Lega Serie A has announced. The match is an early-season battle between two sides expected to compete for the Scudetto, and will now be played at 6pm local time at Stadio Olimpico. In addition, the Giallorossi’s Week 1 trip to face Verona will now be on Saturday August 22 at 18.00, with city rivals Lazio playing at 20.45 the same day due to Champions League commitments. Carpi’s Serie A debut will now be a Monday, as their trip to Sampdoria has been pushed back, assuming the Blucerchiati progress in the Europa League. Juventus-Udinese has also been moved, and will now take place on August 23 at 18.00. Bologna-Sassuolo will take the Saturday evening slot in Week 2, with Milan-Empoli the same day at 20.45. Serie A fixture changes: Week 1 Saturday August 22 Verona-Roma [18.00] Lazio-Bologna [20.45] Sunday August 23 Juventus-Udinese [18.00] Monday August 24 Sampdoria-Carpi [20.45] Week 2 Saturday August 29 Bologna-Sassuolo [18.00] Milan-Empoli [20.45] Sunday August 30 Roma-Juventus [18.00]

Arsenal talks for Llorente? http://www.football-italia.net/70300/arsenal-talks-llorente? Jul 30, 2015 The agent of Juventus striker Fernando Llorente has reportedly flown to London to talk with Arsenal about a possible move. The Spain international appears likely to leave the Old Lady this summer following the arrival of forwards Paul Dybala, Simone Zaza and Mario Mandzukic. Corriere dello Sport has reported today that the 30-year-old’s agent flew to London on Tuesday in order to try and finalise a deal with the Arsenal hierarchy. The Bianconeri are believed to want €12m for the forward, who has also been linked with Monaco, Porto, Tottenham and Real Madrid.

The seven reasons why you should be a Juventus fan http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/7/30/9072247/the-seven-reasons-why-you-should-be-a-juventus-fan Jul 30, 2015 With I Bianconeri fresh from winning a domestic double and reaching the UEFA Champions League final, I've seen a growing number of people wearing or sporting a Juventus attribute in my home country, Indonesia. With that, I'm sure they are also growing all around the world as well. Winners attract followers but is it the only reason? If you are on the fence or became a fan because of Carlos Tevez or Arturo Vidal, here are the seven reasons why you should become or stay a Juventus fan. 1. Tradition Born in 1897, Juventus is the third oldest club in Italy, after Genoa (1893) and Udinese (1896), and at the end of the 2014-15 season, has won 33 Scudetti, the most in Italy. In second place is Milan, with 18 Scudetti, so Juve is by far the most successful club domestically. Juventus has also been in the hands of the Agnelli family since 1923 when FIAT owner Edoardo Agnelli bought the club. His sons Gianni, affectionaly known as L'Avvocato, and Umberto became presidents in the 1950s and 1960s and now Umberto's son, Andrea, is the club's president. It makes the family the longest lasting ownership in any sports franchise globally. Every start of the season, the first team plays the primavera team in Villar Perosa, a village in southwest of Turin where Edoardo had a stadium built, where the players bring their family with them for the friendly match. There's one interesting story I always remember. Milos Krasic, our newest signing in 2010, missed his flight and as the result, would've missed this annual friendly match. He then chartered a private jet out of his own pocket to make sure he could arrive in time and play. 2. "Fino alla fine" "Fino alla fine," or "until the end" in English, describes Juve well. The fantasisti make us dream, but grinta, the passion and fighting spirit until the game ends, makes Juve tick. Why do Juve fight until the end? Giampiero Boniperti, one of Juve's legends, said it best, "Vincere non è importante, è l'unica cosa che conta" or "winning is not important; It's the only thing that matters." One of the perfect examples is Juventus vs. Fiorentina in the 1994-95 season. Back then, Fiorentina had a superb trident — Gabriel Batistuta and Francesco Baiano supported by Rui Costa. They shocked Juventus by leading two goals to nil when the first half ended. Juve were down, but not out, and in the last 27 minutes, captain Gianluca Vialli led a comeback with two goals in three minutes. Three minutes from time, Juventus scored the game-winning goal. Fino alla fine. And who scored the winning goal? 3. It makes us dream A scrawny 20-year-old forward played in Roberto Baggio's place and he completed that comeback in the 87th minute in the Juventus vs Fiorentina game in the 1994-95 season: Juve have scored many wonderful goals, but until today, that is still the best Juve goal I've ever seen live. For me, it's Baggio. Back in the 1980s, it's Michel Platini. For many, it's Alessandro Del Piero. They make us dream. 4. It's a cool name To me, "Juventus" sounds cool. I'm not Italian, so I do not relate to city names like Milan, Roma, Genoa or others. I grew up watching Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Frank Rijkaard dominate Serie A, the best league at that moment, and the world of football in the 1990s but while my friends flocked to the rossoneri, I was not only attracted to them at all. I loved how they played, but "AC Milan" just sounded wrong to me. When Baggio joined "Juventus," my fate was sealed. Furthermore, Juventus means "youth" in latin so it adds to an attraction to a young boy (back then) like me. 5. Produces the most World Cup winners Juventus has produced 24 World Cup winners, the most in the world. They are: World Cup 1934 (9): Gianpiero Combi, Luigi Bertolini, Felice Borel, Umberto Caligaris, Giovanni Ferrari, Luis Monti, Raimundo Orsi, Virginio Rosetta, Mario Varglien World Cup 1938 (2): Alfredo Foni, Pietro Rava World Cup 1982 (6): Dino Zoff, Antonio Cabrini, Claudio Gentile, Paolo Rossi, Gaetano Scirea, Marco Tardelli World Cup 1998 (2): Didier Deschamps, Zinedine Zidane World Cup 2006 (5): Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Mauro Camoranesi, Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluca Zambrotta Bayern Munich is second with 23 winners. Interestingly, Real Madrid and Barcelona are only 11th and 12th with 10 and nine winners, respectively. From Italy, Inter Milan is third with 20, Roma is fourth with 17 and Milan is tenth with 10. 6. Competent Management This is probably the most important reason why Juve has won in the past and is winning so much now in the present. Luciano Moggi, considered one of the best direttori sportivo in Italian football history, made two of the biggest transactions in the world of football: In 2001, he sold Zinedine Zidane, the best player in the world at that time, to Real Madrid for €75 million, a then-world record, and replaced him with Buffon, Lilian Thuram and Pavel Nedved. Buffon is arguably the best goalkeeper in the modern era, Thuram is one of the best defenders of all time, and Nedved won a Ballon d'Or. All legends. In 2004, he swapped a backup goalkeeper Fabian Carini for Fabio Cannavaro, who went on to lead Italy to win the 2006 World Cup and became arguably the best defender in his period. After Moggi, Giuseppe Marotta followed it up with crucial transactions himself. In 2011, Juve signed Stephan Lichtsteiner (€10 million), Arturo Vidal (€10.5 million) and Andrea Pirlo (free). All were influential and important players during the four-Scudetto run. In 2012, Juve signed Paul Pogba for free. Now he is worth at least €100 million. In 2013, Juve signed Carlos Tevez for €9 million. In 2014, Juve signed Alvaro Morata for €20 million and Patrice Evra for €1.5 million. Add these seven players — who cost €51 million in total — to Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Claudio Marchisio from the Moggi era, you have one of the two 2014-15 Champions League finalists. In terms of revenue, Juve grew from around €150 million in the 2010-11 season to more than €300 million in 2014-15. Incredible growth. These four Scudetti in the last four years and the economic growth are inline with Juve's winning model: Equip the coach with a competitive squad and ensure the balance sheets are kept in order. Helped by Marotta, Fabio Paratici and Nedved, president Andrea Agnelli surrounds himself with a competent management. 7. Continuous succession While performing on and off the pitch, at the same time the management has also made sure the future is taken care of by signing talented young players. Liam Brady was sold in 1982 even though he won two Scudetti in his two years with Juve. His replacement? Platini, who went on to win three Ballon d'Or with Juve. He stayed for five years. In 1995, Baggio, one of the best players in Italian football, was sold and replaced by a young Del Piero, who went on the be one of the greatest Juventus players of all time. For this 2015-16 season, there are eight players in the first team who were born in 1991 or after: Defender Daniele Rugani (born in 1994) Midfielder Roberto Pereyra (born in 1991) Midfielder Stefano Sturaro (born in 1993) Forward Kingsley Coman (born in 1996) Forward Paulo Dybala (born in 1993) Forward Alvaro Morata (born in 1992) Forward Simone Zaza (born in 1991) From these eight, Pogba and Morata are already starters. Marotta also said that there was a possibility we could add another one or two young and talented players during the rest of this summer mercato. Next year, Domenico Berardi (born in 1994) is likely to join Juve as well. So, if you are a fan of Tevez or Vidal, these are the seven reasons why you should stay a Juve fan. Dybala and Berardi have a potential to be a stud and become idols. If you are on the fence, these are the seven reasons why you should be a Juve fan. The tradition is rich and the future is bright.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Klose: 'Lazio improve for Juve' http://www.football-italia.net/70283/klose-lazio-improve-juve? Jul 29, 2015 Miroslav Klose hopes Lazio can be “ready for Juventus” in the Italian Super Cup after a fourth consecutive friendly defeat. The German striker was given the captain’s armband for a 3-0 loss to Mainz and summer form is disastrous leading into the August 8 Italian Super Cup with Juventus in Shanghai. “I am happy to be back here in my homeland, but I am convinced we should’ve done more,” Klose told Lazio Style Radio. “We just need to keep working hard over the next few days to prepare for the challenge with Juventus. “We must go out to China and get accustomed to the climate, find the right tempo and aim to do our best in that match. “We had many scoring opportunities today and the important thing was to break the deadlock. We must improve and learn to take our chances.”

Allegri: 'Bad Morata attitude' http://www.football-italia.net/70275/allegri-bad-morata-attitude? Jul 29, 2015 Juventus have maybe an Alvaro Morata problem after he was substituted, stormed off and Max Allegri “didn’t like his attitude.” The Spanish striker came on at half-time in a 2-1 win over Lechia Gdansk, but lasted only 26 minutes before he was hauled back off again. Morata appeared irritated and stormed off straight down the tunnel to the locker room while the game continued. “It wasn’t Morata’s day and I didn’t like his attitude,” Coach Allegri told reporters afterwards. “Regardless of technical errors, what really did not go well today was his attitude. When something didn’t work for him, he just stopped. “That is why I asked him to get off the pitch. He made me angry on the pitch, but then he was good as he went off to train by himself. “There’s a bad atmosphere at Juve, as everyone says we are the favourites, but that is not the case. This year will be even more difficult. “Before this atmosphere contaminates us, we have to stop it right from now.”

Allegri: 'Juve need time' http://www.football-italia.net/70272/allegri-juve-need-time? Jul 29, 2015 Max Allegri warned new Juventus players “must get to know each other” and gave Sami Khedira’s debut a mixed review. Khedira came on for the second half in a 2-1 friendly victory over Lechia Gdansk. “There was progress in physical terms and we had some good movements. Of course there are many new players getting to know each other, so it takes time to improve the passing and movement. “The Italian Super Cup is imminent, though, so we need to reach it in the best way possible,” the Coach told JTV. The Bianconeri face Lazio in the Italian Super Cup in Shanghai on August 8. “Khedira did better in a wider role than a central midfielder. He wasn’t bad in the middle, but he moved better there and it is his habitual role. “Paulo Dybala has extraordinary quality, but he is only 21, while Simone Zaza and Alvaro Morata are also young lads. It takes time and they will learn the tricks of the trade.” Morata came on for the second half, but was substituted after 26 minutes and appeared to storm off into the locker room. There was concern for Giorgio Chiellini, who went off injured in the first half. “We’ll see, as he felt the muscle harden in his thigh. Unfortunately at this moment we have to speed up the training process to be ready for August 8 in Shanghai and that means taking a few more risks than we usually would.” It’s a worry, as Andrea Barzagli has already been ruled out for three weeks with a muscular problem.

Mandzukic seals Juve win http://www.football-italia.net/70268/mandzukic-seals-juve-win? Jul 29, 2015 Mario Mandzukic and Paul Pogba saw Juventus scrape a 2-1 win at Lechia Gdansk, but Giorgio Chiellini went off injured. Having lost 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund, this was Juve’s second friendly of the summer and they unveiled the new pink jersey. It took just four minutes to break the deadlock from a corner, as Paulo Dybala curled the set play on to the head of Pogba. This week Andrea Barzagli was ruled out for three weeks by a muscular problem and fellow centre-back Chiellini asked to be substituted in Poland just eight minutes into the game. Pogba forced a save from distance and Simone Zaza failed to complete a move sparked by Dybala and Stephan Lichtsteiner. Ex-Palermo man Dybala impressed, running on to a Stefano Sturaro pass to test the goalkeeper. Sami Khedira made his Juventus debut for the final half-hour and Norberto Neto had work to do on Pawlowski and Makuszewski in the Juve goal, as Lechia improved after the break. Alberto Cerri forced a save too, but Juve were dropping the intensity level and Lechia equalised through a Buksa angled drive. In fact, the hosts almost took the lead five minutes later, Vranjes drilling just wide. However, Mandzukic got his first goal in a Juventus jersey by rolling his marker to turn in a Macek cross. Lechia Gdansk 1-2 Juventus Scorers: Pogba 4 (J), Buksa 81 (L), Mandzukic 90 (J) Lechia Gdansk: Budzilek, Rudinilson, Lukasik, Mak, Wisniewski, Dzwigala, Haraslin, Pawlowski, Chrzanowski, Markovic, Stolarski Juventus: Buffon (Neto 56); Rugani, Bonucci (Clemenza 46), Chiellini (Caceres 8) (Parodi 66); Lichtsteiner (Evra 46), Sturaro (Tello 74), Khedira (Vitale 63), Pogba (Marchisio 46), Padoin (Macek 84); Dybala (Mandzukic 46), Zaza (Morata 46) (Cerri 71)

Lechia Gdansk 1-2 Juventus: Mandzukic spares Serie A champions blushes The Serie A champions went a goal up before the break, but eventually conceded an equaliser late in the second half before the Croatia striker decided the match. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/lechia-gda%C5%84sk-vs-juventus/2071462/report Jul 29, 2015 Juventus have recorded a narrow 2-1 win over Lechia Gdansk in Wednesday afternoon's friendly match in Poland. The in-demand Paul Pogba powered home a header in just the fourth minute to suggest the Turin giants were on for a big win. That failed to materialise, though, as a new Juve strikeforce of Simone Zaza and Paulo Dybala struggled before the hosts grabbed a deserved equaliser late on through Adam Buksa. But Mandzukic - who joined from Atletico Madrid last month - had the final say, lashing home in the final minute. As well as struggles up front, Giorgio Chiellini and Alvaro Morata limping out of Wednesday's friendly could cause concern for Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri – although both players' withdrawals seemed to be only precautionary. Juve's fast start was rounded off by a thumping header from Pogba, although positivity was tempered as Chiellini was forced off after just eight minutes. The Frenchman was buoyed by opening the scoring, though, and sent a dipping 25-yard effort in that Gdansk goalkeeper Lukasz Budzilek did well to tip around his left-hand post, and he again stood firm to smother Dybala after he twisted and turned towards goal. Juve were struggling to fire on all cylinders, however, and the hosts twice went close before the interval. Bartlomiej Pawlowski clipped the base of Gianluigi Buffon's right-hand post and the captain had to be alert to tip over a swerving long-range free-kick from Piotr Wisniewski. Mandzukic was a half-time substitute along with Alvaro Morata and the pair initially struggled to connect, before Buksa robbed young midfielder Andres Tello and drove forward to score a neat equaliser. As it looked as though Juve would limp to a draw, Mandzukic displayed strength to shrug off his marker from a right-wing cross and power home with his left foot. Juve round off their pre-season preparations with a trip to Marseille on Saturday before taking on Lazio in next weekend's Supercoppa Italiana.

Line-ups: Lechia Gdansk-Juventus http://www.football-italia.net/70260/line-ups-lechia-gdansk-juventus? Jul 29, 2015 Juventus switch to a 3-5-2 shape for the friendly with Lechia Gdansk, with Simone Zaza and Daniele Rugani starting. The Bianconeri face the Polish side for their second friendly of pre-season, with Rugani handed a starting shirt on his 21st birthday. Following defeat to Borussia Dortmund, new signing Sami Khedira comes into the side, having missed the previous match with injury. Simone Zaza and Paulo Dybala lead the line, as Coach Massimiliano Allegri deploys the 3-5-2 formation he alternated with 4-3-1-2 in the previous campaign. Juventus: Buffon; Rugani, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Khedira, Pogba, Padoin; Dybala, Zaza. Juventus subs: Neto, Audero, Caceres, Marchisio, Morata, Mandzukic, Evra, Macek, Vitale, Clemenza, Parodi, Tello, Cerri, Vadala. Lechia Gdansk: Budzilek; Rudinilson, Lukasik, Mak, Wisniewski; Dzwigala, Haraslin, Pawlowski, Chrzanowski; Markovic, Stolarski. Lechia Gdansk subs: Bak, Janicki, Wawrzyniak, Mila, Nazario, Makuszewski, Borysiuk, Buksa, Vranjes, Maloca, Macierzynski, Gierszewski, Kuswik.

Pogba’s time to truly shine Having lost three influential players this summer, Luca Cetta says the time is right for Paul Pogba to become a leader at Juventus. http://www.football-italia.net/70247/pogba%E2%80%99s-time-truly-shine? Jul 29, 2015 There was a decidedly different feel about the Juventus side which took to St. Gallen’s AFG Arena to face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Less than two months following the Champions League Final defeat to Barcelona, the Bianconeri were without talismanic trio Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal for the first time. The Metronome was preparing to make his New York City debut the following day, Tevez had already worn the famous Boca Juniors shirt again and Vidal was about to put pen to paper on his Bayern Munich contract. It’s not, as Giorgio Chiellini told La Stampa on Monday, a Year Zero. Juventus already have a foundation in place. It’s more an evolution rather than a revolution – a partially new cycle, the defender said. And having agreed to sell Vidal, Juventus effectively closed the door on relinquishing Paul Pogba this summer. Like the Chilean, he has long been linked with a move away from Turin. The Frenchman was a focal point of Barcelona’s recent Presidential elections. There have also been links with Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain. Not that Juventus are interested in loosening their grip on such a talent. “Obviously a he’s a player who we really believe in. He’s a young player who has developed here, who has shown great respect and considers this his natural habitat,” director general Giuseppe Marotta told a Press conference last week. “In the event he says he’s not happy to continue his adventure with Juventus, we might look at some offers. At the moment that hasn’t happened.” Unlike Vidal, the ex-Manchester United midfielder lined up in Switzerland last Saturday. The clash against Dortmund signalled the start of a busy period for Juventus. They face Lechia Gdansk today and Marseille on Saturday. Next weekend is the Italian Super Cup versus Lazio. It’s the start of a season in which Pogba can truly become a Bianconeri protagonist. Juventus open their 2015-16 Serie A campaign against Udinese. When they do, Allegri will be seeking players to take the place vacated by the influential trio, and that of other valuable squad members. A position of leadership on and off the field. Still a tender 22, Pogba finds himself thrust into a new role. Think of his midfield compatriots. Sami Khedira is a new arrival and Stefano Sturaro relatively so. Roberto Pereyra has one season under his belt, Kwadwo Asamoah has mostly fulfilled other duties and Simone Padoin is a squad player. Then there’s Claudio Marchisio. He’s the only midfielder to have played more games since 2012, the year Pogba joined – 135 in all competitions to 129. In fact, only seven players have been at the club longer. As the arrivals integrate, it’s up the established members of the squad to help ease the transition. Pogba can become a midfield lynchpin. Awarded the Best Young Player prize at the 2014 World Cup, he’s always been a mercurial figure. Pogba has an elastic touch and the graceful stride of a gazelle. An eye for goal too. He’s a crowd pleaser. The aim is to now put those elements together over a ten-month period. Doing so will take the three-time Scudetto winner’s game to the next level. And it’s sure to come with maturity. Those flashes of brilliance and desire to hold the ball longer than required can sometimes land Pogba in trouble. No Juventus player lost possession as often as he did last term. But by the same token, Pogba completed more dribbles and only the departed Pirlo and Tevez played more key passes. He wants to be a focal point, a player to funnel attacking moves through. Adding consistency to his game will make Pogba an even trickier opponent. It would turn a very good player into a great one. Approaching Euro 2016 in peak form will also be an aim for the midfielder. As France seeks a first trophy since 2000, and on home soil, a big season in Bianconeri colours can help Pogba play a major role. The French are shaping up as an early favourite. That’s why it’s the perfect storm for Pogba. Juventus need him to perform to the levels his great potential can take him. Without Pirlo, Vidal and Tevez it’s up to the other established stars to take the reins for the Turin club. Doing so can take Pogba into the footballing stratosphere.

Juventus take 25 to Poland http://www.football-italia.net/70234/juventus-take-25-poland? Jul 28, 2015 Juventus have announced a 25-man squad for their friendly with Lechia Gdansk, with Sami Khedira returning. The German international missed the weekend defeat to Borussia Dortmund with a muscular injury, but is included in the squad to face the Polish side. Kwadwo Asamoah is again left out as he continues his recovery from knee surgery, while Fernando Llorente continues to struggle with an ankle injury. Juventus squad to face Lechia Gdansk: Buffon, Chiellini, Caceres, Pogba, Zaza, Marchisio, Morata, Mandzukic, Bonucci, Padoin, Dybala, Rugani, Neto, Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Khedira, Evra, Audero, Macek, Vitale, Clemenza, Parodi, Tello, Cerri, Vadala.

Bonucci signs Juventus renewal until 2020 The Italian champions have confirmed that the 28-year-old will stay in Turin for five more seasons as he chases more silverware. http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2015/07/28/13951312/-? Jul 28, 2015 Juventus have announced that Leonardo Bonucci has signed a new contract that will keep him tied to the club until June 2020. The defender's previous deal was due to expire in 2017, but he has now committed his future to the Serie A champions by penning a three-year extension. "We've spent five years alongside each other and we now look forward to the next five years that lie ahead," club president Andrea Agnelli commented on the 28-year-old centre-back's new deal. "I've seen Leonardo grow over these five years, both as a player and person. It's been a real pleasure. Once this cycle draws to a close he will have been at Juventus for 10 years. It will be a joy to see how Leonardo helps bring through the youngsters. "His contract renewal falls in line with our blueprint. We're proud of our group of Italian players." Bonucci, meanwhile, has also voiced his delight with his new deal and is determined to help the club to more silverware in the years to come. "It's the start of a new era. I'm here to offer my years of experience to help those who have joined the club. "Juventus have a long-term plan. We're seeing a new generation coming through with quality young players. "We've maintained our strong spine. This is vital for us to build on and go in search of further successes. "I've had plenty of great times in these past four years. The goal against Roma was an important moment. "Winning a fifth Scudetto in a row will be tough but we've got the right motivation to tackle this challenge." The centre-back, who came through the ranks of the Inter youth academy, joined Juventus from Bari in 2010 and has since developed into a key figure for the Bianconeri. He has made over 200 appearances in all competitions for the Turin side.

Bonucci: ‘Start of a new era’ http://www.football-italia.net/70210/bonucci-%E2%80%98start-new-era%E2%80%99? Jul 28, 2015 Leonardo Bonucci says Juventus are beginning a ‘new era’ after he signed an extension until 2020. The Bianconeri held a Press conference today to announce the defender’s new deal, and the Italy international reflected on the club’s current situation. "It's the start of a new era,” he said. “I'm here to offer my years of experience to help those who have joined the club. "We've maintained our strong spine. This is vital for us to build on and go in search of further successes. "Juventus have a long-term plan. We're seeing a new generation coming through with quality young players. "Winning a fifth Scudetto in a row will be tough but we've got the right motivation to tackle this challenge. "I've had plenty of great times in these past four years. The goal against Roma was an important moment. "Daniele Rugani is a defender who will form an important part of the future for Juventus and Italy. "I was delighted when Juve came calling in 2010, just as I am now. It's down to us to begin an even more successful era."

Agnelli: 'Bonucci a pleasure’ http://www.football-italia.net/70209/agnelli-bonucci-pleasure%E2%80%99? Jul 28, 2015 Juventus President Andrea Agnelli praises Leonardo Bonucci ‘as a player and person’ as the defender extends his contract to 2020. The Old Lady held a Press conference this morning to announce the Italy international’s extension, which should see him stay at the club for 10 years. “Leonardo was only the second purchase made under this management,” Agnelli said. “Once this cycle draws to a close, he will have been at Juventus for 10 years. “I've seen Leonardo grow over these five years, both as a player and person. It's been a real pleasure. "It will be a joy to see how he helps bring through the youngsters. "The contract renewal falls in line with our blueprint. We're proud of our group of Italian players. "We've spent five years alongside each other and we now look forward to the next five years that lie ahead. “Leo is right when he says that our first true opponent in Serie A will be ourselves. Now we’re all on the same level.”

OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: Leonardo Bonucci agree to contract extension through 2020 http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/7/28/9050595/juventus-leonardo-bonucci-contract-extension-serie-a Jul 28, 2015 We always want the players who are of the most importance to Juventus to play like they're expected to. Some of the time it doesn't work out all that well, other times it works out better than we could have ever expected. Leonardo Bonucci has been a target of criticism over the years. But in the season when Juventus won its fourth straight Serie A title and made a dream run to the Champions League final, Bonucci was one of the best on the team and in the game at his position. No worries of inconsistencies, no worries of the big-time mental lapses that bugged him earlier on in his Juventus career. None of that. He was good, damn good, and a huge part of why Juventus did so well last season. Now he's getting rewarded for it. Juventus announced on Tuesday afternoon that the 28-year-old Bonucci has agreed to a contract extension with the club through the 2019-2020 season. He's the second Juventus player to sign a five-year deal in the month of July, with midfielder and future captain Claudio Marchisio signing a long-term extension three weeks ago. From juventus.com: Leonardo Bonucci has today committed his long-term future to Juventus, renewing his contract for another five years which will keep him with the club until 2020 Few players have taken their game to the next level in the same way as Bonucci since he joined Juventus from Bari five years ago in 2010. The defender's consistency at the back and his unrelenting year on year improvement have cemented his place at the heart of the Bianconeri's defence as well as making him a permanent fixture at international level. JuventusFC ✔@juventusfcen Agnelli: "I've seen @bonucci_leo19 grow over these five years, both as a player and person. It's been a real pleasure." Bonucci, whose old deal was set to expire after the 2016-2017 season, will get a much-deserved raise as part of his brand new contract extension. The giornalaccio rosa dello Sport reported Monday that Bonucci's annual salary will rise to €3.5 million a season after tax, putting him in the territory as one of the higher paid players on the current Juventus roster. And based on all the turnover this summer, he is now one of Juventus' most tenured players. Bonucci has gone from a young player who got his feet wet in Serie A with Bari to one of Juventus' most important players over the course of his five-year career in Turin. He used to be known for youthful mistakes that can be chalked up to inexperience, but not anymore. Bonucci's 2014-2015 season proved that he can make the step up to the elite group of defenders in Europe. He was consistent as consistent gets while only continuing to be a leader in a side full of them. So, in other words, Bonucci being signing this contract extension is pretty much as deserved as one could be. And based on last season, it won't be the last time we talk about how good a player Bonucci has become.