Socrates

Chievo-Juve opens 2014-15 Jul 29, 2014 Chievo-Juventus and Roma-Fiorentina will open the Serie A season on August 30 with Milan-Lazio on Sunday evening. The fixture list was drawn up on Monday evening and now the Lega Serie A has revealed the first changes. Click here for the full Serie A calendar. Reigning Scudetto holders Juventus will begin the 2014-15 season away to Chievo at the Stadio Bentegodi in Verona. It kicks off on Saturday August 30 at 18.00 CET. That evening at 20.45 there will be Roma against Fiorentina at the Olimpico. The opening round will have all the other fixtures played at 20.45 CET except for Milan-Lazio, which is at 18.00 CET. Once again, this season the typical Serie A weekend will be broken up over two days. There’s one tie at 17.00 UK time on Saturday, one at 19.45, one at 11.30 on Sunday morning, six at 14.00 UK time and one on Sunday at 19.45. There is also the potential for some Friday or Monday night matches to help teams prepare better for the Champions League. This first round has no afternoon kick-offs because of the heat in August. Week 1 Sat Aug 30 Chievo-Juventus (17.00 UK time, 16.00 GMT) Roma-Fiorentina (19.45 UK time, 18.45 GMT) Sun Aug 30 Milan-Lazio (17.00 UK time, 16.00 GMT) Atalanta-Verona (19.45 UK time, 18.45 GMT) Cesena-Parma (19.45 UK time, 18.45 GMT) Genoa-Napoli (19.45 UK time, 18.45 GMT) Palermo-Sampdoria (19.45 UK time, 18.45 GMT) Sassuolo-Cagliari (19.45 UK time, 18.45 GMT) Torino-Inter (19.45 UK time, 18.45 GMT) Udinese-Empoli (19.45 UK time, 18.45 GMT)

Full Serie A 2014-15 fixtures Jul 28, 2014 Week 1 31/8/14 Atalanta-Verona Cesena-Parma Chievo-Juventus Genoa-Napoli Milan-Lazio Palermo-Sampdoria Roma-Fiorentina Sassuolo-Cagliari Torino-Inter Udinese-Empoli Week 2 14/9/14 Cagliari-Atalanta Empoli-Roma Fiorentina-Genoa Verona-Palermo Inter-Sassuolo Juventus-Udinese Lazio-Cesena Napoli-Chievo Parma-Milan Sampdoria-Torino Week 3 21/9/14 Atalanta-Fiorentina Cesena-Empoli Chievo-Parma Genoa-Lazio Milan-Juventus Palermo-Inter Roma-Cagliari Sassuolo-Sampdoria Torino-Verona Udinese-Napoli Week 4 24/9/14 Cagliari-Torino Empoli-Milan Fiorentina-Sassuolo Verona-Genoa Inter-Atalanta Juventus-Cesena Lazio-Udinese Napoli-Palermo Parma-Roma Sampdoria-Chievo Week 5 28/9/14 Atalanta-Juventus Cesena-Milan Chievo-Empoli Genoa-Sampdoria Inter-Cagliari Palermo-Lazio Roma-Verona Sassuolo-Napoli Torino-Fiorentina Udinese-Parma Week 6 5/10/14 Empoli-Palermo Fiorentina-Inter Verona-Cagliari Juventus-Roma Lazio-Sassuolo Milan-Chievo Napoli-Torino Parma-Genoa Sampdoria-Atalanta Udinese-Cesena Week 7 19/10/14 Atalanta-Parma Cagliari-Sampdoria Fiorentina-Lazio Genoa-Empoli Verona-Milan Inter-Napoli Palermo-Cesena Roma-Chievo Sassuolo-Juventus Torino-Udinese Week 8 26/10/14 Cesena-Inter Chievo-Genoa Empoli-Cagliari Juventus-Palermo Lazio-Torino Milan-Fiorentina Napoli-Verona Parma-Sassuolo Sampdoria-Roma Udinese-Atalanta Week 9 29/10/14 Atalanta-Napoli Cagliari-Milan Fiorentina-Udinese Genoa-Juventus Verona-Lazio Inter-Sampdoria Palermo-Chievo Roma-Cesena Sassuolo-Empoli Torino-Parma Week 10 2/11/14 Cesena-Verona Chievo-Sassuolo Empoli-Juventus Lazio-Cagliari Milan-Palermo Napoli-Roma Parma-Inter Sampdoria-Fiorentina Torino-Atalanta Udinese-Genoa Week 11 9/11/14 Cagliari-Genoa Chievo-Cesena Empoli-Lazio Fiorentina-Napoli Inter-Verona Juventus-Parma Palermo-Udinese Roma-Torino Sampdoria-Milan Sassuolo-Atalanta Week 12 23/11/14 Atalanta-Roma Cesena-Sampdoria Genoa-Palermo Verona-Fiorentina Lazio-Juventus Milan-Inter Napoli-Cagliari Parma-Empoli Torino-Sassuolo Udinese-Chievo Week 13 30/11/14 Cagliari-Fiorentina Cesena-Genoa Chievo-Lazio Empoli-Atalanta Juventus-Torino Milan-Udinese Palermo-Parma Roma-Inter Sampdoria-Napoli Sassuolo-Verona Week 14 7/12/14 Atalanta-Cesena Cagliari-Chievo Fiorentina-Juventus Genoa-Milan Verona-Sampdoria Inter-Udinese Napoli-Empoli Parma-Lazio Roma-Sassuolo Torino-Palermo Week 15 14/12/14 Cesena-Fiorentina Chievo-Inter Empoli-Torino Genoa-Roma Juventus-Sampdoria Lazio-Atalanta Milan-Napoli Palermo-Sassuolo Parma-Cagliari Udinese-Verona Week 16 21/12/14 Atalanta-Palermo Cagliari-Juventus Fiorentina-Empoli Verona-Chievo Inter-Lazio Napoli-Parma Roma-Milan Sampdoria-Udinese Sassuolo-Cesena Torino-Genoa Week 17 6/1/15 Cesena-Napoli Chievo-Torino Empoli-Verona Genoa-Atalanta Juventus-Inter Lazio-Sampdoria Milan-Sassuolo Palermo-Cagliari Parma-Fiorentina Udinese-Roma Week 18 11/1/15 Atalanta-Chievo Cagliari-Cesena Fiorentina-Palermo Verona-Parma Inter-Genoa Napoli-Juventus Roma-Lazio Sampdoria-Empoli Sassuolo-Udinese Torino-Milan Week 19 18/1/15 Cesena-Torino Chievo-Fiorentina Empoli-Inter Genoa-Sassuolo Juventus-Verona Lazio-Napoli Milan-Atalanta Palermo-Roma Parma-Sampdoria Udinese-Cagliari Week 20 25/1/15 Cagliari-Sassuolo Empoli-Udinese Fiorentina-Roma Inter-Torino Juventus-Chievo Lazio-Milan Napoli-Genoa Parma-Cesena Sampdoria-Palermo Verona-Atalanta Week 21 1/2/15 Atalanta-Cagliari Cesena-Lazio Chievo-Napoli Genoa-Fiorentina Milan-Parma Palermo-Verona Roma-Empoli Sassuolo-Inter Torino-Sampdoria Udinese-Juventus Week 22 8/2/15 Cagliari-Roma Fiorentina-Atalanta Empoli-Cesena Inter-Palermo Juventus-Milan Lazio-Genoa Napoli-Udinese Parma-Chievo Sampdoria-Sassuolo Verona-Torino Week 23 15/2/15 Atalanta-Inter Cesena-Juventus Chievo-Sampdoria Genoa-Verona Milan-Empoli Palermo-Napoli Roma-Parma Sassuolo-Fiorentina Torino-Cagliari Udinese-Lazio Week 24 22/2/15 Cagliari-Inter Empoli-Chievo Fiorentina-Torino Juventus-Atalanta Lazio-Palermo Milan-Cesena Napoli-Sassuolo Parma-Udinese Sampdoria-Genoa Verona-Roma Week 25 1/3/15 Atalanta-Sampdoria Cagliari-Verona Cesena-Udinese Chievo-Milan Genoa-Parma Inter-Fiorentina Palermo-Empoli Roma-Juventus Sassuolo-Lazio Torino-Napoli Week 26 8/3/15 Cesena-Palermo Chievo-Roma Empoli-Genoa Juventus-Sassuolo Lazio-Fiorentina Milan-Verona Napoli-Inter Parma-Atalanta Sampdoria-Cagliari Udinese-Torino Week 27 15/3/15 Atalanta-Udinese Cagliari-Empoli Fiorentina-Milan Genoa-Chievo Inter-Cesena Palermo-Juventus Roma-Sampdoria Sassuolo-Parma Torino-Lazio Verona-Napoli Week 28 22/3/15 Cesena-Roma Chievo-Palermo Empoli-Sassuolo Juventus-Genoa Lazio-Verona Napoli-Atalanta Milan-Cagliari Parma-Torino Sampdoria-Inter Udinese-Fiorentina Week 29 5/4/15 Atalanta-Torino Cagliari-Lazio Fiorentina-Sassuolo Genoa-Udinese Inter-Parma Juventus-Empoli Palermo-Milan Roma-Napoli Sassuolo-Chievo Verona-Cesena Week 30 12/4/15 Atalanta-Sassuolo Cesena-Chievo Genoa-Cagliari Lazio-Empoli Milan-Sampdoria Napoli-Fiorentina Parma-Juventus Torino-Roma Verona-Inter Udinese-Palermo Week 31 19/4/15 Cagliari-Napoli Chievo-Udinese Empoli-Parma Fiorentina-Verona Inter-Milan Juventus-Lazio Palermo-Genoa Roma-Atalanta Sampdoria-Cesena Sassuolo-Torino Week 32 26/4/15 Atalanta-Empoli Fiorentina-Cagliari Genoa-Cesena Inter-Roma Lazio-Chievo Napoli-Sampdoria Parma-Palermo Torino-Juventus Udinese-Milan Verona-Sassuolo Week 33 29/4/15 Cesena-Atalanta Chievo-Cagliari Empoli-Napoli Juventus-Fiorentina Lazio-Parma Milan-Genoa Palermo-Torino Sampdoria-Verona Sassuolo-Roma Udinese-Inter Week 34 3/5/15 Atalanta-Lazio Cagliari-Parma Fiorentina-Cesena Inter-Chievo Napoli-Milan Roma-Genoa Sampdoria-Juventus Sassuolo-Palermo Torino-Empoli Verona-Udinese Week 35 10/5/15 Cesena-Sassuolo Chievo-Verona Empoli-Fiorentina Genoa-Torino Juventus-Cagliari Lazio-Inter Milan-Roma Palermo-Atalanta Parma-Napoli Udinese-Sampdoria Week 36 17/5/15 Atalanta-Genoa Cagliari-Palermo Fiorentina-Parma Inter-Juventus Napoli-Cesena Roma-Udinese Sampdoria-Lazio Sassuolo-Milan Torino-Chievo Verona-Empoli Week 37 24/5/15 Chievo-Atalanta Cesena-Cagliari Empoli-Sampdoria Genoa-Inter Juventus-Napoli Lazio-Roma Milan-Torino Palermo-Fiorentina Parma-Verona Udinese-Sassuolo Week 38 31/5/15 Atalanta-Milan Cagliari-Udinese Fiorentina-Chievo Inter-Empoli Napoli-Lazio Roma-Palermo Sampdoria-Parma Sassuolo-Genoa Torino-Cesena Verona-Juventus

Allegri: 'Vidal is fundamental' Jul 29, 2014 Max Allegri assured Arturo Vidal is “a fundamental player” for Juventus and expects better against Cesena. The new Coach lost his first game since replacing Antonio Conte, falling 3-2 to amateur side Lucento, and takes on newly-promoted Serie A team Cesena on Wednesday. “That defeat with Lucento hit the headlines, but tomorrow is a completely different game,” insisted Allegri in his Press conference. “Our training only began on Monday morning and we haven’t yet reached an acceptable fitness level. “All the players will come to Cesena, even the internationals. I have at my disposal a group of players who immediately realised how to optimise the time at our disposal.” There are numerous stories circulating, particularly in Chile, that Vidal is ready to join Manchester United for €60m (approximately £48m). “I spoke to Vidal to understand his fitness levels. He is motivated, so club and Coach are very happy he will remain in Turin. “He had surgery just 32 days before the World Cup, so will train on a special schedule for a few days. Vidal is fundamental for Juventus and not just in practical terms and he wants to stay.” The Serie A fixture list pits Allegri against his old club Milan at San Siro just three rounds into the new season. “It will be intriguing, also because it’s a challenge between two teams who want the Scudetto. It’s going to be a difficult season, so for me and the lads it would be important to win. “I come back to San Siro as an opponent, having spent three and a half exciting years there. Last year Milan were very unlucky, but they and Inter will be back in the Scudetto race.” The internationals only arrived from their post-World Cup vacations on Monday, including Andrea Pirlo, who left Milan because he was not in Allegri’s plans. “I saw them motivated. I am new to this environment was catapulted into it from one day to the next, so I’m still trying to get a handle on everything. We’ve only got a month to achieve that. “Pirlo? We already spoke 10 days ago. We are professionals.”

Marotta: We will not sell Vidal unless he asks to leave Manchester United look set to miss out on a key target as the Juventus director insists they intend to keep hold of the €54 million-rated Chile international midfielder. Jul 28, 2014 Juventus CEO Guiseppe Marotta is adamant that Arturo Vidal will not be sold as long as the Chilean is happy in Turin. The 27-year-old has been one of Manchester United's top targets this summer, with a €54 million bid being prepared, and Goal understands that Vidal met with his agent and senior officials on Sunday evening to discuss the possibility of a transfer to Old Trafford. However, after Vidal stated that he is "not going to Manchester" on Thursday, the move looks even more unlikely following Marotta's comments. Marotta told Sky Italia: "We have clear ideas. We renewed [Vidal's] contract a few months ago just because we knew we could count on an important element. "We don't want to sell Vidal, there are only rumours because he is a player among the best in the world. We never activated a clause to try to sell him - if he doesn't show an intention to leave, our position won't change." United had hoped to tempt the goalscoring midfielder into a move to the Premier League by offering a wage package of €316,000 per week and had made the Chile international one of their key targets this summer as Louis van Gaal's overhaul begins to take shape. Despite United's interest, though, Vidal looks almost certain to remain with the Scudetto holders.

Manchester United target Vidal will stay at Juventus - Allegri The Bianconeri's new coach has insisted the player is happy to remain in Turin after returning for pre-season training and also denied having any problems with Andrea Pirlo. Jul 29, 2014 Massimiliano Allegri has insisted Arturo Vidal will remain at Juventus amid interest from Manchester United. Bianconeri chief executive Guiseppe Marotta stated on Monday that the Chile international would only be sold is he expressed a desire to leave Turin but the midfielder insisted last week he is not going to Old Trafford. Goal understands Vidal met with his agent and senior officials on Sunday evening to discuss the possibility of a transfer to Old Trafford but Allegri has ruled out a move following a training session on Tuesday. "Arturo is staying," the Juve coach told reporters. "He is very happy to remain here, like all of his team-mates. "I have also spoken with him to check his physical condition. We are very happy that he's staying with us; he's fundamental for us." Meanwhile, ever since Allegri was confirmed as the surprise successor to previous coach Antonio Conte, it has been speculated that the new boss could have problems with playmaker Andrea Pirlo. The pair worked together at AC Milan and have conflicting views on the reasons behind the midfielder's free transfer from San Siro to Turin three years ago. However, Allegri claims that there is no residual animosity between the pair, insisting that they are united in their desire to see Juve crowned champions of Europe. "We spoke 10 days ago," the 46-year-old revealed. "We are professionals. "There's a mutual respect between us and we have a common goal in wanting to have a great Champions League campaign. Europe has a particular fascination for us." Allegri, of course, was sacked by Milan in January of this year and he has been handed a rapid return to San Siro by the newly-published Serie A fixture list for the 2014-15 season. However, he insists that he has no fears about going back to the Giuseppe Meazza in week three. "It will be a special evening for us and I will have many emotions," he confessed. "But now, for me, the Rossoneri are only another opponent."

Allegri handed early return to AC Milan with Juventus The 54-year-old coach, who was sacked by the Rossoneri in January, will take the reigning Italian champions to the Giuseppe Meazza in week three. Jul 28, 2014 Former AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has been handed a rapid return to San Siro with new club Juventus by the 2014-15 Serie A fixture list. The 46-year-old trainer was sacked by the Rossoneri in January and replaced at the helm by Clarence Seedorf, who has since made way for Pippo Inzaghi. Allegri was then handed the reins at Juventus following the shock resignation of Antonio Conte, who had led the Old Lady to three successive Serie A titles since taking charge in the summer of 2011. The former Cagliari coach will begin his league campaign with the Bianconeri away to Chievo when the new Italian season gets underway on the last weekend in August. Allegri will oversee his first home game against Udinese a fortnight later before returning to the Giuseppe Meazza for Juve's clash with Milan on the weekend of September 21. As for Inzaghi's men, who have been struggling in pre-season, they will kick off their campaign against Lazio at San Siro. Elsewhere, Inter will begin with a tricky trip to Torino, while last season's runners-up, Roma, also have a difficult opener, against Fiorentina. Napoli, who finished third last term, will start their second season under the leadership of Rafael Benitez against Genoa. Looking further ahead, the first Milan derby takes place in week 12, in November, while the first Derby d'Italia between Juventus and Inter is provisionally scheduled for Turin on January 6, seven days before city rivals Roma and Lazio lock horns at the Stadio Olimpico.

A me Allegri non piace né come persona né come allenatore, ma é lui il nostro tecnico e, volenti o nolenti, se vogliamo continuare a tifare per la Juventus, dobbiamo sperare che Allegri faccia una grande stagione. Aspettiamo i risultati al varco, poi si vedrá.

Marotta on Romulo and Vidal Jul 28, 2014 Juventus dg Beppe Marotta confirmed Romulo within 24 hours and “we’ll be happy to keep Arturo Vidal if he wants to stay.” The Bianconeri chief spoke to Sky Sport Italia ahead of the Serie A fixtures being drawn up this evening. “I certainly cannot deny talks with Verona for Romulo. There are situations that need to be defined, but we can complete the move within 24 hours.” Marotta was also asked about Manchester United’s on-going interest in Chile midfielder Vidal. “We recently renewed his contract because we knew that we could count on an important element. He has not taken any different position to what he thought before. “Transfer gossip is normal on one of the best players in circulation. We have never activated a plan to sell the player. “We’ll be happy to keep the player if he wants to stay.” Many have suggested Roma are the new favourites for the Scudetto, especially after Antonio Conte quit to be replaced by Massimiliano Allegri. “Our squad is well constructed, we are reigning champions and the group deserved its praise. We are ready to take any opportunities that present themselves. “A defender and a striker can be objectives, but I won’t say anything so as to avoid creating expectations. “We are targeting a fourth consecutive Scudetto. Roma have without doubt reinforced and were already a fearsome prospect last season.” Juventus and Roma were the only clubs not to support Carlo Tavecchio for FIGC President, though others are joining them after a racism row. “We always considered him inadequte for the role and our position has not changed. We’re seeing some other clubs are reconsidering their position, so we’ll see what happens.”

Chiellini still striving for success Jul 28, 2014 Giorgio Chiellini has assured fans that despite Antonio Conte’s departure Juventus will continue to strive for success. The Italy international has returned to Vinovo today after an extended holiday following the World Cup. And with Massimiliano Allegri now in charge of the Bianconeri, the centre back has insisted that the club will keep on fighting for their fourth successive Scudetto. “Hello everyone. Last night we found ourselves back in Turin and today we are starting to prepare for the new season,” he posted on Twitter. “It’s been a very intense last two months. “The World Cup began as a great adventure with real enthusiasm and expectation – but unfortunately it ended with disappointment. “Then there was the unexpected departure of Conte. But a new chapter has now begun with Allegri. “On my part, there is a great desire to continue down the path we have carved for ourselves these last three years. “We want to keep on bringing great success to this club.”

Coherent or not? Looking at the 2014-15 Juventus summer mercato Jul 27, 2014 We're all shocked that Antonio Conte is out. He's one of the main reasons Juventinita is back and has been for the past three years. There are pros and cons about his leaving so abruptly but I'm not here to talk about Conte. Juventus have moved on. A stop-gap solution, as many believe in Max Allegri's appointment, but we have moved on. It's July, almost August, so let's talk about Juve's mercato. I'm intrigued with a few Juventini who said that this mercato was incoherent, no visible strategy or direction, and so on. These critics, obviously, are related to goals. What are our realistic goals? Let's draw a line and agree that the goals are to sustain being champions of Italy, year in and year out, and competitive in Champions League, reaching quarterfinals and beyond every year. Sustainable is the key word. So is it incoherent? I respect my fellow Juventini's opinion but I humbly disagree. The mercato is young and it's too soon to say. But so far, I can see where we're going. However, before we delve into it, let's see where we stand, coaching-change excluded, by the end of the 2013-14 season. STRENGTHS • Overall squad quality. In the 2013/14 season, Juve had the best starting XI. Locally. We also had the deepest squad. Locally. • The best midfield and attacking partnership in Italy. In M(archisio)-V(idal)-P(irlo)-P(ogba), midfield was our main strength. In Fernando Llorente-Carlos Tevez, we probably had the best attacking duo in Serie A. • Leadeship. Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini were the senatori that all players respected. • Squad unity. In the 2011/12 season, it's clear to me that it was all Conte but in the 2013/14, I think the squad was unite and the Juventinita was strong. • Keeping the core. Beppe Marotta has said numeruosly that Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal won't be sold, unless they ask for it. WEAKNESSES • Aging squad, not enough quality depth in Europe. • Lack of speed and not enough creativity in the final third. This was excruciatingly on display when Juve faced Benfica over the two-legged matches in the Europa League semifinal. • Leaking. The backline was still solid, but had shown cracks here and there — especially in the middle — probably due to age and, again, lack of speed. • No real starting-quality left back. Kwadwo Asamoah was servicable as a left wingback in 3-5-2, but still, not a real left back. • Decreased revenue. Less revenue compared to the previous season because we earned less money from Europe. OPPORTUNITIES Now so far, at the start of the 2014-15 season, we've made a few purchases and termination to tackle those issues: • Left back issue — check. Federico Peluso was sold and Patrice Evra was brought in. At 33 years old, he's no spring chicken, but he's considerably cheap and should be able to shore up the problematic position for the next two years while we're going to spend the little money we have on forwards/wingers. • Getting younger, faster and better in front — check. Out went Mirko Vucinic (30) and Fabio Quagliarella (31) and Alvaro Morata (21) was signed. • Getting younger and faster in the middle and on the wing — check. Kingsley Coman (18) and Roberto Pereyra (23) were signed. • The plan to swap Mauricio Isla with Romulo won't improve the quality of the team, but it will be financially. Romulo will come on loan so we can use the Isla sale money elsewhere. • We're much more dynamic. With Evra, a four-man defense will be available and with Coman, Pereyra and even Morata, Allegri can play 4-3-3, 4-3-2-1, or even 4-2-3-1, providing we add another AM/winger. And we're not stopping there. Rumors keep circulating that we're aiming to add another center back, either Matija Nastasic (Manchester City, loan), Stefan Savic (Fiorentina, swap with Isla) or Shkodran Mustafi (Sampdoria, probably loan as well). All between 21-23 years old and all are quite fast for a center back. Rumors on playmaker/winger are also circulating, either Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich), Ezequiel Lavezzi (P$G), Stevan Jovetic (Man City) or to a lesser extent, Giacomo Bonaventura (Atalanta). If it happens, Samuel Eto'o is a vice-Morata, who's injured and not expected to be back in 50 days, not a playmaker/winger. He's also a one-year gun-for-hire, not part of the long-term plan. THREATS • As always with young players, Coman and Pereyra are still unproven. And while they can improve the team, they also have the potential to be bidoni. Morata has shown his credibility with Real Madrid, but he still has to learn the system in Italy. However, he's less of a risk than Coman and Pereyra. • Evra will bring leadership and experience. But on the other hand, he was poor in his last EPL season with Man United, especially when he played against the fast wingers. Luckily there are not many of those in Serie A. • Pogba has said to Marco Messina (@Marcocalcio22) that he's staying but his agent is Mino Raiola. (Still, I feel better Pogba said that.) • Vidal has said he wouldn't go to Manchester, but he also said he didn't know whether he'd stay or not and he'd like to speak with Allegri first. If he stays, we're good. If he's not, well, we won't be as good. • Squad chemistry. Young players bring new dimension and if they cannot be reeled in, it could threaten the squad unity. I don't know anything about Coman but so far though, I like what I see from Morata and Pereyra. So as you can see, I think the plan is coherent and is in-line with the (presumably) limited money we have. Other than the coherence, the most general argument from Juventini is why not sign one Alexis Sanchez, who's proven, instead of signing three players in Morata, Pereyra, and Stefano Sturaro (who's on loan to Genoa). Personally, the whole mercato this year is a classic short-term vs. long-term plan to me. Is the team near its peak so the club push for the top? Or is the cycle over and the club start a new one? Let's get back to the goals I've mentioned earlier. Signing Sanchez would indicate that the goals were short-term as we wouldn't be able to shore up other departments. By not being able to shore up other departments, we had to keep the old guards as well, like Vucinic and Quagliarella, and keep paying high salaries. Will we reach our goals with just adding Sanchez? If yes, with an aging squad, will sustainability be at risk? Signing the 18-to-23-year-olds indicates that the goals are both short and long-term. Sustainability can be kept intact while we keep being the favorites for the scudetto each year. Champions League chance? We won't win it any time soon, but maybe, just maybe, we'll be close within five years. These young players need time but they are also hungry for success and will freshen the hungriness within the squad. In the mean time, more money will be coming in from Adidas next year, the new main sponsor (now Jeep, will end in 2015) and Continassa, probably within 1 to 2 years. In my opinion, we're starting a new cycle and taking the long-term plan. Look at our under-23 players who will play or have played in Serie A this season: Leali (21) [Vrsaljko (22)] - Rugani (20) - [?] - [?] Sturaro (21) - Pogba (20) - Pereyra (23) Berardi (19) - Morata (21) - Coman (18) There are still others like Richmond Boakye at Atalanta, Manolo Gabbiadini at Sampdoria and Simone Zaza at Sassuolo (whom we hold the buy-back option). We're also looking to add Adrien Rabiot (19) from P$G next season. Sime Vrsaljko is a Sassuolo players, but there was gossip saying that Sassuolo had Juve's help in acquiring him from Genoa in return for a future access. Make sense, since Stephan Lichtsteiner is already 30 this year. Back to the first team. With such signings, will Juve win the scudetto this season? I don't know. With Roma and Napoli getting better, not to mention Milan and inter Milan as well, we're probably not the lone favorite anymore. But if we keep Pogba and Vidal, I'm pretty sure we're at least up there with Roma (if they don't lose Mehdi Benatia) and Napoli. Anyway, the summer mercato hasn't ended yet so let's see what happens. In conclusion, I think we're coherently aiming for a sustainable win long-term, within five years from the 2015/16 season (when I think we will appoint a new coach) to come close to the European holy grail, where the financial foundation will be much stronger instead of chasing a short-term glory and risking being the intermilan 2010: Winning treble but crashing and burning just two years later.

Pogba agrees Juve contract Jul 27, 2014 Italian papers are confident Paul Pogba will renew his Juventus contract to 2018 or even 2019. The midfielder is hot property on the transfer market, catching the attention of Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Manchester City. Today two of Italy’s three major sports newspapers have as their front page news Pogba has agreed a renewal with the Bianconeri. They differ on the details, as the Corriere dello Sport claims the expiry is set for June 2018. Tuttosport, on the other hand, insist the contract will last until June 2019. The wages are thought to be €3.2m per season, plus a further €1m in performance-related bonuses for the 21-year-old.

A very young Fernando Llorente ... Goals scoring has always been his passion!

Tuttosport has thrown out some figures regarding Paul Pogba's potential contract extension Jul 27, 2014 As we've come to learn with Arturo Vidal over these last few months, it doesn't really matter what a contract situation is like, transfer rumors will surround a player like hundreds of bees buzzing about. They will be there, forever annoying the living hell out of you — and probably scaring you at the same time. Another significant member of Juventus' midfield, Paul Pogba, has seen plenty of transfer stories involving his own name the past 12 months. And there have also been a handful of stories about Pogba and the contract — with the significant pay raise that will accompanying it — he could get in the not-so-distant future. Beppe Marotta has repeatedly said that after Vidal got his new contract, Pogba would be one the next players to get one. Are those contract talks happening with a potential agreement on the horizon? The always-reliable (lol) Tuttosport seems to think so. The short version of it: Juvefc.com @juvefcdotcom Paul #Pogba is close to renewing his contract with #Juventus. The deal will be until 2019. Pogba will earn €3.2m + €1m bonus. [TS] This isn't the first time talk of a Pogba contract extension has been brought up. But unlike those times before, we're actually getting some kind of figures — no matter if they're close to the truth or far from it — to go along with the it. This could be the baseline from where the Juventus management and Pogba's reps (most notably Secret Agent Mino) begin talks, it could be some close to the difference as to where they'll try and agree on something. Right now, we're not so sure. But even with Pogba taking a vacation for a day or two in London making the British press lose their minds and go completely bonkers, it's not exactly like the sheer number of continuous transfer rumors are anywhere close to that of Vidal this summer. Sure, there was the initial freakout when Antonio Conte stepped down nearly two weeks ago, but they've subsided quite a bit. And it's not like Pogba's reps have given any indication that their client wants to move to another club before the summer transfer window is closed. That means, by all accounts, Pogba is still happy in Turin. And because he's happy, he will still have the desire to stay around in Turin for the somewhat immediate future. Maybe not for the rest of his career because it's so rare for players to do that these days, but for a good amount of time as he becomes even that much more of an important part of the squad no matter who the manager is.

Evra Move To Juventus Unaffected By Conte Exit States Agent Jul 26, 2014 Federico Pastorello, agent of new Juventus defender Patrice Evra, has revealed that his client’s move to the Old Lady went smoothly despite the departure of coach Antonio Conte. The former Bianconeri boss had been fond of bringing the 33-year-old to Turin and originally played a big part in the pursuit of him, but the ex-Manchester United man’s agent insists that a deal was still quickly completed without the tactician present. Pastorello spoke to ‘Speciale Calciomercato’ on Sky Sport Italia about Evra’s transfer to Juventus and commented on his relationships with all of his past coaches. “When he has had to make any important transfers in the past, he has always spoken to the coach first,” said the agent. “It has also happened with Didier Deschamps, in the past. Conte and Evra had met and liked each other. “He had chosen to join Juventus and everyone had spoken highly of Conte, including Alex Ferguson. “Then even after the departure of Conte, we had still been able to finalise everything within 48 hours.”

Projecting Fernando Llorente's 2014-15 season Jul 26, 2014 On the first day of preseason training, Fernando Llorente told the press in attendance a simple reason why he was early to arrive at Vinovo: He showed up a week early because he didn't want to have a repeat of last season. But this season isn't like last season. There will be no coming off months of no playing time and being frozen out of an Athletic Bilbao squad. Instead, Llorente went from free transfer to one of the key pieces in Juventus' third straight title. His partnership with Carlos Tévez was one of the best 1-2 punches in all of Europe last season, as the Beauty and the Beast tandem scored a combined 35 goals in Serie A a year ago. While it was delayed satisfaction for the big Spaniard, Llorente ended the season with one of the best goal tallies of his career. Not bad, right? Nope, not bad at all. So that leaves one question: What's next for El Rey León? You look back on what Llorente did a season ago in Serie A — 16 goals and five assists in 29 starts (34 games overall) — and just think that it's the continuation of what he's done in Spain. He shook off the rust and then got back to being, well, Fernando Llorente. How do I know this? Because there's evidence that says so. What does Llorente's last five seasons in Spain sans 2012-13 freeze out tell us? That right there is consistency, ladies and gents. Fernando plays, Fernando scores goals. Fernando plays consistently, Fernando contributes consistently. It's not any kind of whacky formula that can only be broken down with some kind of scientific degree. Llorente's game is more than just goals, assists and flicks, of course. It's not like we can measure the sheer importance of his ability to hold up the ball as a target man by simple numbers and then share them with the masses. Llorente can supply opportunities almost as well as he can put them away in the back of the net. But his main job is to score. And based on what he did last season, when he's clicking, he's easily one of the best threats to lead the line in all of Serie A and Europe. That's exactly what he showed us last season. Once the rust was shaken off, Llorente got down to business. But a different year brings different happenings, a somewhat different roster and different things going on at the club. Like, say, who is managing Juventus for the future in the short term. Obviously the possibility of the long-rumored Juventus switch to a 4-3-3 formation doesn't seem as likely now that Max Allegri in the guy in charge as it seemed like when Antonio Conte was still inhibiting the managerial position. Could Llorente thrive the way he did in a formation like a 4-3-1-2 or 4-3-2-1 like he did in the 3-5-2 Conte used last season? There's no doubt in my mind that Llorente's talent, ability and attributes as a striker are there to play in pretty much any kind of tactical lineup and formation Allegri decides to go with this season. You just can't help but think what it would have been like with Llorente being the middle man in the three-pronged attack, though. Good service from both wings and the Lion King would be using every bit of that 6-foot-5 frame to smash home headers. Of course that's still possible, but, ah, what could have been under Antonio... FERNANDO LLORENTE 2014-15 PROJECTION (SERIE A ONLY) Games: 35 games Starts: 30 starts Goals: 17 Assists: 6

Agent warns Juve over Lichtsteiner Jul 26, 2014 Stephan Lichtsteiner’s agent warns his position is “distant” from Juventus over a contract renewal. The Swiss international is tied to the club until June 2015, so failure to pen a new deal would mean a summer sale to avoid losing him on a Bosman. “We spoke to Juventus in recent months, but there is still no agreement and the two parties are quite distant at the moment,” representative Federico Pastorello told Sky Sport Italia. “Stephan’s contract expires next year and in all honesty I think he will remain at Juve in the end, but we do need to discuss his contract again.” Paris Saint-Germain have been heavily linked with a bid for Lichtsteiner.

Allegri wants Zapata at Juve Jul 26, 2014 It’s reported Juventus boss Max Allegri wants a reunion with Milan and Colombia defender Cristian Zapata. The centre-back played regularly under Allegri for the Rossoneri, but was pushed to the bench when Clarence Seedorf took over in January. According to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport, the tactician has requested Zapata to reinforce the defence in Turin. There are also suggestions in the media that Angelo Ogbonna will be the one making way, as there is interest from Spanish side Sevilla.