Socrates

'Pessimism' over Buffon injury Jun 14, 2014 There is “pessimism” filtering through from the Italy camp over Gigi Buffon’s chances of facing England tonight. The Azzurri open their World Cup campaign in Manaus at 23.00 UK time (22.00 GMT). Captain Buffon sprained his left ankle in last night’s training session at the Arena Amazonia and has been undergoing physiotherapy. There is no official word from the Nazionale staff yet, but Sky Sport Italia claim there is “pessimism” filtering through from sources. Buffon was spotted going into the hotel gym with physiotherapists and medical staff this morning after breakfast to perform tests. It is reported the initial results were not positive, as there are fears the sprain might’ve also affected his left knee. Salvatore Sirigu is ready to take over, although the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper is not 100 per cent fit either due to bruised ribs. The only other option would be Genoa youngster Mattia Perin, who has never made an official appearance for the senior Italy squad.

Buffon injury scare against England Jun 14, 2014 Gigi Buffon suffered a “slight ankle sprain and is undergoing treatment” ahead of tonight’s World Cup opener against England. Italy begin their tournament in Manaus at 23.00 UK time (22.00 GMT), but are beset by injury problems. Last night the Azzurri trained on the Manaus pitch and Juventus shot-stopper Buffon sprained his left ankle. “He has a slight ankle sprain and is undergoing treatment,” explained Cesare Prandelli. Professor Enrico Castellacci was less reassuring and said Buffon has “a 50 per cent chance” of starting tonight’s game, as he was seen limping on to the team bus. There are further concerns, as second choice Salvatore Sirigu did not train for several days this week due to a bruised rib, so the PSG man is not in great shape either. It is possible Mattia Perin of Genoa might have to play, although Buffon will do everything possible to be there. The injury in the warm-up raises more questions about the pitch in Manaus, which looked suspiciously green last night compared to only 48 hours earlier. There are reports the Brazilian authorities might’ve painted the turf green in order to hide the patches and sand beneath the grass. Mattia De Sciglio was ruled out by a muscular injury on Thursday, so Giorgio Chiellini is moved over to his former role at left-back. In his place, Cesare Prandelli has been testing Parma defender Paletta alongside Andrea Barzagli, leaving Juventus man Leonardo Bonucci on the bench. Torino revelation Matteo Darmian is expected to beat Milan’s Ignazio Abate to the right-back slot. For some time now Prandelli has moved towards a 4-1-4-1 formation with Daniele De Rossi protecting the defence, but above all Marco Verratti and Andrea Pirlo together as dual playmakers. It is hoped this system will allow the Azzurri to maintain possession and provide other options when England man-mark Pirlo. Claudio Marchisio and Lazio’s Antonio Candreva are the attacking midfielders who can push up to support striker Mario Balotelli. Potential substitutes for the second half include Parma veteran Antonio Cassano, Serie A Capocannoniere Ciro Immobile and Napoli’s sparkling Lorenzo Insigne. Probable line-ups England: Hart; Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines; Henderson, Gerrard; Lallana, Rooney, Welbeck; Sturridge Italy: Sirigu Darmian, Barzagli, Paletta, Chiellini; De Rossi; Candreva, Pirlo, Verratti, Marchisio; Balotelli

MARIO BALOTELLI 2-1

Pareggio inglese

CLAUDIO MARCHISIO 1-0

Barzagli ci salva.

No, é belga.

Italia molto lenta e macchinosa nella manovra. Poco sfruttate le ali.

Porca paletta!

Bravo Sirigu

Sembrava goal il tiro di Sterling.

Gli inglesi pressano molto.

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?”