Socrates

Balotelli ha trovato il modo per farsi inquadrare ed attirare l'attenzione da bambino viziato.

Balotelli perde tempo.

Gigi!

Ottimo Verratti anche in difesa.

Immobile

Bravo Verratti!

Pirlo litiga con Caceres

Bisogna stare attenti, questo é un arbitro dal cartellino facile.

Ammonito Balotelli. Salta la prossima.

La punizione di Pirlo spaventa Muslera.

Caceres lo spione.

Picchiamoli ben bene Suarez e Cavani.

Divin Pirlo!

Arbitro messicano soprannominato Dracula.

Mezzo Uruguay gioca o ha giocato in serie A. Caceres non dimenticare che lo stipendio te lo paghiamo noi.

FRATELLI D'ITALIA

Llorente: I'm staying at Juve Jun 23, 2014 Fernando Llorente has claimed that he will be staying at Juventus, despite links of a move away. The Spanish goalscorer has been rumoured to be leaving the Bianconeri after just one season in Serie A. Having arrived from Athletic Bilbao on a Bosman last summer, reports had suggested that the towering forward could be sold for a massive profit during the off-season. But the Spain international has insisted that he will be remain in Turin and is happy to do so. “My future is at Juventus. My phone has not rung,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “I have had a quiet holiday. I'm glad to be here – I’m not thinking of anything else.”

Buffon refusing to dwell on Italy defeat The veteran goalkeeper is keen to move on and secure qualification for the knockout stages when they face Uruguay on Tuesday. Jun 22, 2014 By Luis Herrera in Natal Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon accepts the criticism which came the Azzurri’s way following their defeat to Costa Rica – but insists they should not dwell on the setback ahead of Tuesday’s crunch clash with Uruguay. Having won their opening Group D encounter against England, Italy expected smooth progress to the knockout phase, only to hit a hurdle with the shock 1-0 loss to the North American nation. Nevertheless, a point against Uruguay will be enough for Cesare Prandelli’s men to advance to the last 16 and goalkeeper Buffon is keen for everyone to move one. He said on Sunday: “It is right that there was criticism but, at this moment, we look for a swift recovery. “We cannot afford to get into a negative mindset because it would be counter-productive. We have to respect everyone’s judgement and respond. “We have to try to send signals of optimism by putting in a great performance. It will take many ingredients: a warm heart; a cool head and a certain belief that does not subside after one game which went wrong, especially when the matches are so close together.” Reports have suggested Prandelli is considering switching to a 3-5-2 formation for this game, something Buffon hinted would be a risk. “We are open to all possibilities. One of our best qualities is that we are all chameleons and I hope this versatility will help us to reach the results we are aiming for,” he added. “It would be a novelty, with all the benefits and risks that go with that. If this choice is made what happens on the pitch will tell us if it was the right decision.” Asked if he preferred working with a three-man defence, he said: “What I think is irrelevant. We are talking about what is best for the team. “I think we can all agree that we conceded too many chances against Costa Rica and we were unable to balance that with the opportunities created. “The real disappointment is that in the second half we were unable to cause problems for a team focused only on defending.”

Buffon astounded by recovery Jun 22, 2014 The Italy captain had feared missing the entire World Cup, admits Gigi Buffon. “I never dreamed I’d recover so quickly.” The goalkeeper sprained his ankle on the Manaus turf the night before their opening game with England, but was back for the 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica. “It was a heavy psychological blow for me, because not even in the best case scenario did I dream that I’d recover so quickly,” he said in a Press conference. “This put me in a good mood and frankly I really needed that.” Much has been said during this World Cup about the Brazilian heat and humidity, as South and Central American sides appear to thrive in the conditions. “I don’t believe in alibis, as I’ve never sought or liked them,” noted Buffon. “The climactic conditions are difficult, almost impossible, but they are for everyone here. We have seen confirmation many teams unaccustomed to this tropical climate struggled, but that doesn’t mean we need to go looking for excuses. “The truth is that against Costa Rica we were unable to play the same kind of football as against England, not even in short bursts.”

Buffon: 'Azzurri are chameleons' Jun 22, 2014 Gianluigi Buffon is pleased with a possible switch to a three-man defence against Uruguay. “We are chameleons.” Italy need at least a point to progress in the World Cup on Tuesday in Natal and, with Daniele De Rossi injured, it’s reported Cesare Prandelli will move to 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2. “We are open to all possibilities,” said captain Buffon in a Press conference. “One of our best qualities is that we are chameleons and I hope this versatility will help us to reach all the results we are aiming for.” If it is 3-5-2, then there are rumours Torino striker Ciro Immobile will partner Mario Balotelli for the first time. “It would be a novelty, with all the benefits and risks that go with that. In case this choice is made, what happens on the field will tell us if it was the right decision. “Do I prefer working with a three-man defence? What I think is irrelevant, as we’re talking about what is best for the team and the right medicine to emerge from certain tough moments. “The answer is in the head of the Coach, so what I prefer counts for practically nothing. “I think we can all agree that recently we conceded too many chances and against Costa Rica we were unable to balance that with the opportunities created. “The disappointment within us is about the second half, when we were unable to cause problems for a team that focused only on defending.” Italy were praised in the media after beating England 2-1 with the 4-1-4-1 system, but lambasted after a similar approach lost to Costa Rica. “I think it’s a bit excessive to go from this style being the cure to all ills and five days later it’s already old news. Decisions need to be made based on the players and the opponents, so versatility is helpful.”

Buffon: 'Exit would be a failure' Jun 22, 2014 Gigi Buffon said Italy are “worried to the right degree” against Uruguay and raise their game in difficulty, but “elimination would be a failure.” The Group D decider kicks off in Natal on Tuesday at 17.00 UK time (13.00 local time), as a point will be enough for the Azzurri to go through. “History teaches us the higher the stakes, the more we deliver. Mind you, it would be a little masochistic and risky if we only performed when we were drowning...” confessed the goalkeeper in a Press conference. “This is my 10th major tournament and only once, in last year’s Confederations Cup, where we already qualified before the third game. “Uruguay are a side to be feared and there is an echo effect from the recent games. We are coming off a deserved defeat to Costa Rica, while Uruguay are fresh from beating England. “I wasn’t so worried in South Africa four years ago, as we needed only a draw against Slovakia. Here it’s more demanding and our opponents more of a concern. Let’s say we are worried to the right degree.” In 2010 the Azzurri went out in the group phase, losing that decider to Slovakia, though Buffon was out injured. What would happen if Italy went out in the first round of their second World Cup running? “We certainly wouldn’t go into history as the best Italy side. It would be a huge disappointment for each player, for the group and considered a failure for the team. Nobody can deny that. Nobody is afraid of taking the responsibility that comes with it. “If we do go through, then there will be some very tough opponents waiting for us. Perhaps our problems would’ve just begun, but going out in the second round or quarter-finals is different to a group stage exit. “Optimism is found with performances and a great game on Tuesday. It will require many ingredients: a passionate heart and cool head, plus a certain belief that mustn’t be ruined by a single game that went wrong.”

Deschamps 'did not punish Pogba' Jun 22, 2014 France Coach Didier Deschamps assures he “did not punish” Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba. The 21-year-old risked dismissal for reacting to a foul in the win over Honduras and then started from the bench in a 5-2 victory over Switzerland. “That was not a sanction against the fact that he could have received a red card in the first game,” insisted Deschamps in a Press conference. “It was a choice with respect to Moussa Sissoko. Paul has huge potential, I trust him, and he knows that. “He is capable of doing very good things. But I cannot play all players.”

Marchisio: 'More determined Italy' Jun 21, 2014 Claudio Marchisio warned Italy “will need to be much more determined and gritty” against Uruguay. The Azzurri can still progress in the World Cup after a shock 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica, but only if they get at least a point against Uruguay on Tuesday. “We had the chances to take the lead in the first half, but we didn’t take them and then conceded at the other end,” Marchisio told RAI Sport. “If we had scored first, then it would’ve been a very different match. We expected it to be difficult and unfortunately it went badly. “We still have a very good chance of going through. We need to focus on Uruguay, which is the most important game.” Thiago Motta complained about the heat in Recife at 13.00 local time and Marchisio agreed to a point. “Many things changed from Manaus, as we weren’t playing against another European team like England and the kick-off time was the hottest time of day. I’d like to know who organised this schedule and ask a few questions... “The heat was not an alibi, but it can make the difference. In any case, we will need Italy to be much more determined and gritty against Uruguay if we are going to qualify.” Italy can go through if they draw with Uruguay, as they have a superior goal difference. “In that sense, it was important that we lost 1-0 to Costa Rica and not 2-0, as that would’ve changed things. “We haven’t got long to recover, as the next game is also at 13.00 and we have only three days to recover.”

Veron: Pogba & Vidal the World Cup's best midfielders The former Argentina international believes that the Juventus duo are a class part, hailing the pair for their ability to make a difference in any game. Jun 21, 2014 Juan Sebastian Veron has hailed Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal as the best midfielders on show at this summer's World Cup. The pair are team-mates at Juventus, whom they helped to a record points haul during last season's Serie A title-winning campaign. Veron has been particularly impressed by what he has seen in Brazil from Pogba, who won a penalty in France's tournament opener against Honduras before creating a goal for Karim Benzema in the 5-2 demolition of Switzerland with a sublime outside-of-the-foot pass after coming on as substitute. Indeed, the former Argentina international believes that the 21-year-old is the most outstanding talent in an exciting Bleus line-up that has already racked up eight goals in two games. "I'm surprised by France: they are young, but already strong," Veron told RMC. "But then, these are guys who have grown up at big clubs. "The best example is Paul Pogba. He plays with a lot of intensity and is very offensive. Every team would like to have him. "This kind of player is rare. I'm very impressed by him. He's the best midfielder at the World Cup along with the Chilean, Arturo Vidal. These are two unpredictable players that can always make the difference." Pogba's France need only a point from their final fixture to progress to the last 16, while Vidal's Chile are already through, having booked their place in the knockout stages by dumping reigning champions Spain out of the competition.

Chiellini to serve two-match ban Jun 20, 2014 Giorgio Chiellini will miss Juventus' first two games of the new Serie A season after an appeal against a three-match ban was rejected. The defender was suspended for three games after he was found guilty of elbowing Roma's Miralem Pjanic through television evidence. Chiellini sat out the Bianconeri's final match of the season against Cagliari, but his club appealed the decision. On Thursday, the Italian FA's Federal Court of Justice upheld the full ban, confirming the first judgement after reviewing the video evidence of the two players' clash. Consequently, the 29-year-old, who is currently representing Italy at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, will have to watch his club start the defence of their third straight Serie A title from the stands. He will be able to return to domestic action only in the second half of September, after Italy's first Euro 2016 qualifiers. The 2014-15 Serie A season starts on the weekend of August 30/31.