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Juninho: Pirlo a free kick demon Jun 11, 2014 Free kick maestro Juninho Pernambucano has admitted that Andrea Pirlo is now the new king of the set piece. The Brazil international is widely believed to be one of the greatest free kick takers of all time with, according to Who Scored, a conversation rate of just over 16 per cent. But the 39-year-old has claimed that the Italian veteran can now be considered the master. “Pirlo is a demon,” he told Sport TV. “He has not only copied my shot, but improved it. “If I was still playing I’d try and get hold of him, and ask him to teach me that technique.” Pirlo has recently signed a two-year extension at Juventus, but will first try and fire Italy to World Cup glory in Brazil.

Official: Pirlo signs Juve extension Jun 11, 2014 Juventus have confirmed that Andrea Pirlo has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club for another two years. The Italy international has become one of the lynchpins of a record-breaking Bianconeri team since joining from Milan in 2011. The 35-year-old has won three consecutive Scudetti under Antonio Conte, and has enhanced his reputation has one of the greatest midfielders in Europe. And this morning the Turin side have revealed that Pirlo has put pen to paper on a deal that keeps him with the Old Lady until 2016. “The fantastic story of Andrea Pirlo and Juventus continues,” a statement read. “The Professor has signed a new contract that will tie him to Juventus until June 30, 2016.”

Pogba on Juve-France differences Jun 11, 2014 Paul Pogba concedes he’ll have to “limit attacking runs” with France at the World Cup compared to Juventus. “We are a solid group and aim to do better than 2010,” the midfielder told journalists in Brazil. “Didier Deschamps is a Coach who won the World Cup in 1998, so that is a big advantage. Are we afraid? Not remotely, as it’s a pleasure to be here and we want to give pleasure to the rest of our country too. “Playing in the World Cup is the dream of every player, but winning is even better. I always work to improve and to be the best. I know that I’ll never be a star, but I love football and give my life for this sport." The 21-year-old scored nine goals and provided 16 assists in all club games this season, but has to take a different approach with Les Bleus. “Deschamps asks me to perform to the max, to play my football and give 100 per cent. Here I will have less freedom when defending than I do with Juve and must limit my attacking runs.”

Marchisio: 'Darmian a surprise' Jun 11, 2014 Claudio Marchisio is “really impressed” with Matteo Darmian, congratulated Mario Balotelli and Gigi Buffon. Torino right-back Darmian is turning out to be a surprise package in the Azzurri squad and could start on Saturday night against England. “He really impressed me in his first game against Ireland,” said Marchisio in a Press conference. “He had a great season with Torino, as did Alessio Cerci, and I was struck by his character. He had never played with us in the qualifiers, but presented himself in great shape in his first start. “Darmian is certainly an excellent player for us and we’ll see what happens in this World Cup.” Balotelli was greeted at the training ground with a round of applause today after announcing his engagement to girlfriend Fanny Neguesha. “You saw this morning, we applauded Mario and embraced him. How was his night? I don’t know, that’s his business. It’s certainly good news and now it’s important that we all focus on the World Cup.” Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is once again a key figure in the Italy locker room, confirmed Marchisio. “The years pass, but Gigi always has the same hunger. He is our captain at Italy and Juventus, but he’s also my friend and someone who can always come out with the right thing at the right time to shake up this team. “Buffon is a definite reference point for us.” Marcello Lippi confessed today that returning to the Italy bench for the 2010 World Cup was a “huge mistake,” one that Marchisio took part in. “Those were decisions the Coach made. Unfortunately it wasn’t a very fortunate expedition for us, but those of us who took part have put it behind us and want to focus only on this tournament.”

Marchisio: 'Quality to hurt England' Jun 11, 2014 Claudio Marchisio assures Italy “know England’s style of play” and will focus on quality against Roy Hodgson’s men. The Juventus midfielder spoke at a Press conference ahead of Saturday’s World Cup opener. “We know England’s style of play, but tried with players of quality like Andrea Pirlo, Marco Verratti and Thiago Motta to keep the ball and attack them. “England have physically strong players and are very quick in a classic 4-4-2. We are very different teams, but we must stick to our own playing style regardless of the opponents.” The Azzurri drew 0-0 with the Republic of Ireland, 1-1 with Luxembourg and beat Brazilian club side Fluminense 5-3 with completely different line-ups and systems. “We saw some positive and less positive things from our test games. We tried to work on the defensive movements this week, especially after seeing the problems against Luxembourg,” continued Marchisio. “We played those games during periods of intense physical training, so we weren’t as sharp as usual. We are trying to make this team, this machine, more and more perfect. Now we just need to start this tournament and get on the field. “We have a very difficult group, but that mustn’t be used as an excuse if things don’t go well. The first game is very important. “Time-outs are fundamental, as in this climate and humidity the energy seeps out of you very quickly. We saw that in the Confederations Cup that the conditions are very different in various Brazilian cities. “The most important thing is to reach these tournaments in good physical shape. You can work on mentality and tactics up to the last day, but fitness levels are the real key.”

Marchisio: 'Italy-England uncertain' Jun 11, 2014 Claudio Marchisio confirms Italy’s players “don’t know who will start against England” and expects a “different” game to Euro 2012. The Juventus midfielder spoke at a Press conference about Saturday night’s opening game with the Three Lions. “There is a very positive air here, as we worked well at Coverciano and in Brazil. We were glad to be given permission to have our families by our sides, as we already did at Euro 2012.” “I think we’ll meet a different England to Euro 2012. It will be a very difficult match, but just as they have changed since the Euros, so have we. For many of us it was our first major tournament, so we now have more experience and have done important things over the last two years. “We already saw against Fluminense what this humidity means, so the fact we worked so well over the last month has prepared us for the conditions in Manaus. “The meetings with England are always great clashes, so we’ll let the pitch do the talking. “We don’t know who will play against England. We tested two different systems in the last two friendlies and have many players who allow us to be versatile. We’ll see what the Coach chooses, but the important thing is that everyone feels they are a part of this project.” Marchisio didn’t have as much playing time as usual at Juventus this term, but is finding his form at the right time. “During the season I had some pretty important injury problems, but after January was finally able to return to the levels I’d been hoping for. The World Cup is very important and perhaps the fact I didn’t play much at the start of the season is making me fresher right now. “We arrived in Brazil, which certainly has a different humidity level to Italy, but the fitness tests results have been very, very good. That means the training work we did was important and effective. “Now we have to go out there with the motivation and great heart this Nazionale has always shown to do well in this World Cup.”

Italy ready for different England - Marchisio The Azzurri star knows his side will face a more youthful Three Lions team but insists Cesare Prandelli's current crop are better than the losing finalists of Euro 2012. Jun 11, 2014 By Liam Twomey in Rio de Janeiro Claudio Marchisio insists Italy are fully prepared to face Roy Hodgson's new-look England squad when the two sides meet in Saturday's World Cup Group D opener in Manaus. The clash sets up a rematch of the Euro 2012 quarter-final in Kiev which saw eventual tournament finalists Italy progress on penalties after a goalless draw. Only seven players in Hodgson's 23-man group played that night, while the emergence of the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley has given England fans cause for optimism. But Marchisio is adamant that Italy have also improved over the past two years and is confident that Cesare Prandelli's men will be able to cope with the formidable humidity of Manaus. “I think we’ll meet a different England to Euro 2012," he told reporters at Casa Azzurri in Mangaratiba . "It will be a very difficult match, but just as they have changed since the Euros, so have we. "For many of us it was our first major tournament, so we now have more experience and have done important things over the last two years. "There is a very positive air here, as we worked well at Coverciano and in Brazil. We were glad to be given permission to have our families by our sides, as we already did at Euro 2012. "We already saw against Fluminense what this humidity means, so the fact we worked so well over the last month has prepared us for the conditions in Manaus. "The meetings with England are always great clashes, so we’ll let the pitch do the talking." Marchisio also revealed that Prandelli is yet to tell his players who is likely to feature against England. "We don’t know who will play," he added. "We tested two different systems in the last two friendlies and have many players who allow us to be versatile. "We’ll see what the coach chooses, but the important thing is that everyone feels they are a part of this project."

'It's good to play in a World Cup but winning is even better,' says Pogba The France midfielder hopes that victory in Brazil is not beyond him and his team-mates, and has set his sights on a successful tournament in the heart of the Bleus' midfield. Jun 11, 2014 Paul Pogba has not abandoned hope of France emulating their 1998 World Cup success in Brazil, and has revealed his desire to make an impact this summer. The 21-year-old has established himself as one of Europe's most promising young players after impressing in Juventus' midfield last season, scoring seven goals in 36 league games as the Bianconeri secured the Serie A title. Pogba, who already has ten senior caps to his name, intends to do whatever he can to ensure the Bleus are competitive and do more than simply make up the numbers in Brazil. "I've begun to realise my dream," he told L'Equipe, when asked about making Didier Deschamps' squad. "I'm happy, proud of myself, but it is not finished. It's good to play a World Cup but winning would be even better. I hope we will go very far. "I do not feel like an undisputed first-teamer; I just feel like a France player. My role is to give my maximum, to give everything I have. To play my football, that's all." Pogba has allegedly attracted interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, but the midfielder insists he is focused only on his own progress and development. "Raising my game, that's what I hope to achieve," he continued. "I work to be the best possible. After that, I know my game. People think I'm lazy, that I play without effort. But that's what my football has been like since I was little. This does not prevent me from being focused. I do my best, always. "I'll never be a star. I love football. I give my life to football. After that, if I can enjoy myself, I'll be happy." France face Honduras on Sunday in Porto Alegre to kick off their World Cup campaign.

Pirlo signs new Juventus deal The midfield veteran will remain with the Serie A champions for a further two seasons after committing his future to the club ahead of the World Cup. Jun 11, 2014 Andrea Pirlo has handed Juventus a boost by signing a new two-year deal with the club. The 35-year-old is preparing to star at the World Cup with Italy, but has reached an agreement with the Bianconeri that extends his association with the Serie A champions until 2016. Pirlo arrived at Juventus Stadium in May 2011 after being released by AC Milan, and has gone on to enjoy something of an Indian summer in the latter stages of an illustrious career. The former Inter and Brescia man has made 131 appearances for the club and lifted the Serie A title in each of the last three seasons, as well as adding two Italian Super Cups to his CV. Last season, Pirlo was again one of Juve boss Antonio Conte's star men, scoring eight goals in all competitions and weighing in with a further six assists for his team-mates. Perhaps most impressive, is a pass completion rate of close to 90 per cent across three seasons at the club, revealed in stats released on the club's official website. Pirlo will be one of the first names on the team sheet when Italy take on England in their World Cup opener in Brazil on Saturday night.

Hodgson: More to Italy than Pirlo The Three Lions coach insists he will not only focus on "top class" playmaker and delivers assurances over captain Steven Gerrard's fitness ahead of World Cup opener in Manaus. Jun 10, 2014 By Greg Stobart in Rio de Janeiro England manager Roy Hodgson insists his side will not get "hung up" on the threat of Andrea Pirlo despite the Italy midfielder’s "top class" ability. The Three Lions open their World Cup campaign against Italy in Manaus on Saturday in a repeat of the Euro 2012 quarter-final, when Pirlo was the man-of-the-match as the Azzurri triumphed on penalties in Kiev. “Andrea is someone I know very well and he is obviously a top, top class player,” Hodgson said in a press conference at England’s training base in Rio de Janeiro. “I think it’s quite normal that people focus on him but there are a lot of other players in that Italy team that are worthy of contention too. “We are focussing on Italy the team and the quality they have. We are not getting hung up on one player because Prandelli will tell you that his team are not totally dependent on Pirlo, even though I’m sure he thinks he’s as good a player as I do.” Hodgson also insisted that his captain Steven Gerrard will be fully fit to play against Italy despite leaving training early on Monday with an apparent groin problem. Midfielder Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain is making steady progress as he recovers from a knee injury and could be fit to take part in England’s second game of the tournament against Uruguay on June 19. Hodgson added: “I don’t really understand the Steven Gerrard one – I don’t know what was wrong with him. He did some extra running and there is absolutely nothing wrong with him. “Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be stepping up his training programme during the course of the week. The medics are hopeful he will be fit by the second game [against Uruguay].”

Bolt to Pogba: Next time will be different Les Bleus demolished the Reggae Boyz 8-0 on Sunday and the Juventus midfielder and his team-mates used the Jamaican athlete's iconic pose in celebration. Jun 9, 2014 Usain Bolt has replied to Paul Pogba on Twitter after the Juventus midfielder goaded the Jamaican Olympic sprinter following France's 8-0 victory over the Reggae Boyz on Friday. Pogba posted a picture of himself, Karim Benzema and Antoine Griezmann striking the athlete's famous 'lightening' celebration after the game, adding the phrase 'French Lightening.' Paul Pogba ✔ @paulpogba French Lightning!!! @Benzema @AntoGriezmann @usainbolt (The Pogfamily) And the six-time Olympic goal medalist replied on Monday, insisting it will be different when the two sides meet again. Usain St. Leo Bolt ✔ @usainbolt Good game.next time will b different

Prandelli: Pogba the best midfielder in the world The France international is just 21 but the Azzurri coach says that the Juventus ace is without equal because of his versatility, and exceptional physical and technical attributes. Jun 8, 2014 Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has described Paul Pogba as the best midfielder in the world. The Juventus ace is just 21 years of age but has already established himself as one of the top players in Serie A, playing a key role in the Bianconeri's last two title triumphs. In his role as Azzurri coach, Prandelli has had the fortune to watch Pogba in action on a regular basis and he says the France international is currently peerless. "Pogba is the best midfielder in the world," the 56-year-old told L'Equipe. "He can play in several roles. He has exceptional physical and technical capabilities. "He knows when to arrive in the area and how to cause the opposition trouble. Moreover, he has a very strong character." Prandelli is currently preparing Italy for this summer's World Cup, at which Pogba is expected to star with Les Bleus.

Lichtsteiner: We failed in Europe Jun 8, 2014 Stephan Lichtsteiner has conceded that Juventus ‘can’t be satisfied’ with their European form last season. The Bianconeri may have won their third Scudetto in a row becoming the first Italian team to break the 100-point barrier. But on the continent, the Old Lady were disappointing – crashing out of the Champions League at the group stage and losing in the Europa League semi-final. “We had an outstanding season in the league, scoring 102 points and winning all 19 matches at home and 33 out of 38 games overall - the stats speak for themselves,” he told FIFA.com. “But we can't be satisfied with our results on the European stage. We failed to get out of the Champions League group stage despite having a reasonably friendly draw. “We had a chance to make amends in the Europa League and didn't deliver then either. We had the potential to do better. “We're largely responsible for that failure. We perform with more focus and confidence in the League, while in Europe, small details play a bigger role and we haven't been able to work them in our favour. “We made too many individual errors this year, but I'm convinced we won't repeat them next season.” The Switzerland international though, doesn’t want to use economic might as an excuse not to succeed against the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid. “Financially speaking, clearly the top Italian clubs, including Juve, can't keep up with the big boys in Spain, England and France. “However, we can't use that as an excuse. Dortmund reached the Champions League final last year, Sevilla captured the Europa League this season, Atletico Madrid won the Liga title and qualified for the Champions League final, and none of these clubs have the sort of budget the big Italian sides do. “If success has smiled on them, why shouldn't it smile on us?”

Man Utd want Pogba Jun 8, 2014 Reports in the British Press this morning claim that Manchester United have been quoted £60m if they want to sign Paul Pogba. The France international has become a lynchpin for the Bianconeri ever since his move from Old Trafford to Turin in 2012. The young midfielder has grown exponentially under Antonio Conte and is now considered to be one of the best players in Europe. As such, The Observer believe that the Premier League outfit are keen to re-sign the player they let go only two years’ ago. The paper indicates that United deem £60m to be a reasonable amount for a player of Pogba’s age and ability, but are hesitant because of the 21-year-old’s brash attitude. As a teenager, he was one of the few players to speak out against Sir Alex Ferguson, but the club do admit that they made mistake in letting him leave on a free. New boss Louis Van Gaal is a fan of Pogba, but would also like to sign Kevin Strootman from Roma once he recovers from knee surgery.

‘Azzurri have two stars’ Jun 7, 2014 Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon and midfielder Andrea Pirlo are Italy’s two star players, according to defender Giorgio Chiellini. The Juventus man was speaking at a Press conference today, held at the Azzurri’s World Cup base near Rio de Janeiro. As well as praising his two club teammates, the 29-year-old stressed the need for Cesare Prandelli’s side to demonstrate a team ethic during their campaign in Brazil. He also stated that a winning mentality has always been ingrained into the Azzurri, just as it is at Juve. “This mentality has always been part of the national team,” Chiellini said. “At the moment we have two star players, Buffon and Pirlo. “We other 21 players just have to put ourselves at the team’s disposal. The important thing is for us to give our all for the team. “In modern football, you can’t win with individuals. Messi still hasn’t won with Argentina, neither has Ronaldo with Portugal. Imagine if one of us could do it!” Chiellini also admitted that some of the Azzurri squad, himself included, are still feeling a little jaded after the demands of a long club season. “I’m feeling quite good, but during the first week I had to recover from a blow to my back that I took at Roma in the League. “There can always be a few aches and pains after a long season, but we are all recovering. “The last year has been demanding but not just for us. Everyone has their own targets, I think it’s better to have arrived having won than having failed. “When you approach a World Cup you can’t have feelings of regret. There shouldn’t be any other problems other than worrying about whether you will start.”

'Stadium worth 10 points a season' Jun 7, 2014 Andrea Pirlo believes that Juventus’ new stadium is worth ’10 points a season’ and credits Carlo Ancelotti for ‘raising’ his game. The Bianconeri won their third straight Scudetto last season becoming the first Italian side ever to break the 100-point barrier. And the midfielder has credited the newly-built ground for taking the Old Lady to the next level. “The new stadium is worth 10 points a season,” he told John Foot in the Financial Times. “It doesn’t have barriers and the crowd is close to the pitch, but nothing bad happens. And nothing bad ever happens in England either. “Everything has changed here. It’s more of a family atmosphere. It’s a day of sport. The whole climate is different there.” The regista then went on to praise Ancelotti, who was Pirlo’s boss at Milan, and former teammate Pippo Inzaghi. “Ancelotti moved me to a new position and helped me raise my game. “Pippo knew when I would make a pass and I knew how he would move. We could understand each other’s positions without looking at each other.” The 35-year-old concluded by moving on to penalties, and revealed how he decides where to put the spot kick. “I decide then and there. Not before - I am not worried about particular goalkeepers. “I don’t take them into consideration, beyond their position. I decide on the basis of what is happening around me, the ‘context’, and this leads me to make different decisions.”

Marotta reveals European aim Jun 7, 2014 Juventus CEO Beppe Marotta has revealed what the club’s aims are for next season. The Bianconeri won their third straight Scudetto last term, becoming the first team in the history of the Italian game to break the 100-point barrier. However, having crashed out of the Champions League at the group stages, and losing in the Europa League semi-final, the board member has insisted that they will attempt to better their performances on the continent. “Next season our goal is to improve our level of performance in Europe,” he is reported as saying in Tuttosport. “We want to have a good Champions League next time. “And in Antonio Conte we have the ideal leader to do that. The results of the last three years show that.”

Juventus could consider Llorente sale Jun 6, 2014 Juventus are considering selling striker Fernando Llorente, as they look to open spaces for new attackers. The former Athletic Bilbao player only joined the Bianconeri on a free transfer one year ago. According to La Stampa, Carlos Tevez is the only forward with an assured role for next season. La Liga sides Barcelona and Valencia are both considered to be possible destinations for the 29-year-old, who was not chosen by national coach Vicente Del Bosque to make his squad for this summer’s World Cup. Antonio Conte’s Serie A champions are reported to be seeking at least €20 million for the services of a player who scored 16 league goals in the 2013-14 season, believing it would be great business having acquired him for nothing last year. Juventus are out to mount a sustained Champions League challenge next season.

‘Alongside Baggio, Pirlo greatest’ Jun 5, 2014 Gianluigi Buffon has compared Andrea Pirlo’s ‘genius’ to that of Roberto Baggio and made clear Italy’s match with England is ‘not a play-off’. In an extensive interview with the Guardian in which he discusses the particular traits to being a goalkeeper, the 36-year-old also had words for his Juventus and Azzurro colleague Pirlo, who is retiring from international duty after the World Cup. “Pirlo is a genius. Together with Baggio, I think he’s the greatest talent that Italian football has produced in the last 25 years,” Buffon commented in the interview released this week. “You can try and adopt the right countermeasures to contain him. But you know that in any given moment he can break the bank and everything you thought you knew [about stopping him] is worthless.” Buffon also considered Italy’s opening Group D match at the World Cup, against Roy Hodgson’s England in Manaus on June 14. “It’s the first game. Then there’s another two. It’s an important game. Not a play-off. “I’ve never lost to England? Nor against Germany. I’ve played them five times and never been beaten. “Capita! It happens!”

England must shackle 'world's greatest playmaker' Pirlo, warns Scholes The Manchester United legend recalls Park Ji-Sung's effective marking of the Italy star in the Champions League in 2010 and sees Danny Welbeck as a useful option for such a role. Jun 5, 2014 Former England star Paul Scholes warns that the Three Lions must put pressure on Andrea Pirlo in their World Cup opener against Italy. Hailing the Juventus midfielder as "the world's greatest playmaker", the Manchester United legend feels that Roy Hodgson's side must learn from their mistakes in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012, when the Azzurri progressed on penalties. Scholes sees Danny Welbeck as a good candidate to start the game in Manaus in order to make life difficult for Cesare Prandelli's key man. Writing for the Paddy Power Blog, the 39-year-old said of Pirlo: "He's the world's greatest playmaker – the complete footballer. "Give him time and space and he will destroy you. He's such a clever player and is so composed. If surrounded he'll lay it off. If he's got room he's devastating. "Even though England's Euro 2012 game against Italy finished 0-0, we paid nowhere near enough attention to him. Roy Hodgson seems to have underestimated him, which surprised me given Alex Ferguson's tactics against Pirlo previously. "In 2010, before United played AC Milan in the Champions League, Sir Alex gave very specific instructions on how to take care of Pirlo. "Man-marking him was a huge part of our pre-game plan - I played against Pirlo when Milan beat us 3-0 at San Siro in 2007. We didn't man-mark him. He destroyed us. We learned and it was painful. Park Ji-Sung was the perfect man for Pirlo in 2010 and never gave him a kick [as United beat Milan 7-2 on aggregate]. "For Manaus, we need an English Park Ji-Sung - one England player designated to man-mark him. Looking at the squad, Danny Welbeck (a good defender who can nick the ball well) could be an option and would be a bold decision, one which gives England a creative outlet and saddles Pirlo with defensive work." Being vexed by Park in 2010 left a mark on Pirlo, who wrote in his 2013 autobiography that Ferguson's tactic caused him to lose respect for the Scottish great. "Even Sir Alex Ferguson, the purple-nosed manager who turned Manchester United into a fearsome battleship, couldn't resist the temptation," fumed the Italy international. "He's essentially a man without blemish but he ruined that purity just for a moment when it came to me. A fleeting shabbiness came over the legend that night. "The midfielder must have been the first nuclear-powered South Korean in history. Even though he was already a famous player in his own right, he consented to being used as a guard dog, willfully limiting his own potential."

Barzagli misses Luxembourg with fever Jun 4, 2014 Andrea Barzagli is still struggling with a fever and will miss Italy’s game with Luxembourg this evening. The Juventus defender had been named in Cesare Prandelli’s starting XI for the match in Perugia tonight, but the FIGC have confirmed that he will in fact sit out the clash. The Bianconeri man has, instead, been ordered to travel up to Rome a day earlier than the rest of the squad and try to recover in time for tomorrow’s flight to Rio. Club-mate Leonardo Bonucci will now partner Giorgio Chiellini instead at Stadio Renato Curi.