Socrates

Pogba wants Pirlo's position The Frenchman has his eye on the Italy veteran's spot in the team, while stressing that the Bianconeri are stronger than last campaign when they lifted the Scudetto again. Aug 3, 2013 Paul Pogba has his eyes on Andrea Pirlo's position in the Juventus team ahead of the new Serie A season. The former Manchester United midfielder, 20, has just begun pre-season training after his international exploits with France Under-20s, winning the Under-20 World Cup. Pogba started 18 league games for Juve last season, scoring five times, but is hoping for a bigger role as the Italian champions look to retain their title in 2013-14. "Yes I am returning to Juve as a World Cup winner, but I also know I have to continue working and growing at Juventus," he told Tuttosport. http://markting10.nl/ "Obviously I hope to play and be first choice, but again I can only achieve that by improving. If I am to play in Andrea Pirlo’s position, which I have done a few times, then I certainly wouldn’t be upset. "We are stronger than last year, both in Serie A and Europe. The first objective we want to achieve is a third consecutive Scudetto. Then for the Champions League, we’ll see."

Pogba: 'I must grow at Juve' Aug 3, 2013 Paul Pogba is not letting his Under-20 World Cup title go to his head. “I know I have to continue working and growing at Juventus.” The midfielder won the trophy with France this summer and has just begun pre-season training. “We are stronger than last year, both in Serie A and Europe,” he told Tuttosport. “The first objective we want to achieve is a third consecutive Scudetto. Then for the Champions League, we’ll see. “As for myself, yes I am returning to Juve as a World Cup winner, but I also know I have to continue working and growing at Juventus. “Obviously I hope to play and be first choice, but again I can only achieve that by improving. If I am to play in Andrea Pirlo’s position, which I have done a few times, then I certainly wouldn’t be upset.” He only arrived a year ago from Manchester United as a free agent, but has already won over the fans and Coach Antonio Conte. “My future? I don’t know anything about that. I am a Juve player and I’m happy, so I am focused only on playing for Juve.” A meeting is expected in September to discuss a contract renewal.

Serie A Week 1 and 2 games Aug 3, 2013 The changes to Week 1 and 2 have been confirmed, starting with Verona-Milan although they could change with the UEFA draws. The Lega Serie A has released its adjustments to the calendar for the opening two weekends. Hellas Verona-Milan is the first match of the 2013-14 season at the Stadio Bentegodi, kicking off at 17.00 UK time on Saturday August 24. http://markting10.nl/ Sampdoria-Juventus follows at 19.45 UK time that evening, while Inter-Genoa is the later game at 17.00 UK time on Sunday August 25. However, if Milan are drawn to play their first Champions League play-off leg away from home on August 21, then their match with Verona will be moved to 19.45 and Sampdoria-Juventus to 17.00 on the Saturday. The UEFA draw will be made on August 9, so that will stabilise the fixture list. Serie A Week 2 has Chievo-Napoli and Juventus-Lazio on Saturday August 31, while Roma-Hellas Verona is on Sunday September 1. Week 1 Saturday August 24 Verona-Milan (17.00 UK time) Sampdoria-Juventus (19.45 UK time) Sunday August 25 Inter-Genoa (17.00) Week 2 Saturday August 31 Chievo-Napoli (17.00 UK time) Juventus-Lazio (19.45 UK time) Sunday September 1 Roma-Verona (17.00 UK time)

Del Piero wishes Tevez all the best The World Cup winner's jersey has now been passed onto to the Argentine, who has arrived in Turin to much fanfare from Manchester City. Aug 3, 2013 Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero has passed on his best wishes to the Bianconeri's new No.10, Carlos Tevez. The World Cup winner parted company with the Old Lady of Italian football in 2012, after 19 incredible years in Turin. Del Piero, who is back in Italy on a pre-season tour with his new Australian employers, is happy that Juve have now signed a player worthy of inheriting his No.10 shirt. "I wore it for years and what I had to do has been done," he told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. "Now I wish Tevez and the whole team all the best.

Serie A history is against us, says Chiellini The Italy international believes Juventus have the quality to win a third successive Scudetto but is wary of the stiff competition they face in 2013-14. Aug 3, 2013 Giorgio Chiellini is confident that Juventus have what it takes to win their third consecutive Serie A title in 2013-14, but has warned it will be no easy task. The Turin giants finished last season with a nine-point lead over runners-up Napoli to secure their second Scudetto in a row and the defender is hopeful of winning a third this term - although he acknowledges that sides have struggled to achieve the feat in the past. "History dictates that winning three consecutive championships is very difficult," Chiellini was quoted as saying on the club's official website. "We’ve got everything required to do it, but it won’t be a walk in the park. After all, it wasn’t a straightforward run to the title last year, given that the gap in the table was minimal in January. "Then we did well to motor along stronger than the others when people thought we might have paid the price for our involvement in the Champions League." Chiellini believes that Napoli, AC Milan, Inter and Fiorentina are set to provide Juventus the biggest challenge to their championship crown next season. "Napoli have made wholesale changes, they’ve got a new manager and will play in a different way," he said. "The likes of Milan, Inter and Fiorentina are slightly ahead of the rest. I view these teams as our most realistic challengers in the Scudetto race."

Pogba aims to emulate Zidane The 20-year-old says he hopes to aspire to the level the legendary Frenchman was at during his career, while noting Andrea Pirlo is his modern-day hero. Aug 2, 2013 Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has outlined his ambition to emulate Zinedine Zidane in the colours of the Bianconeri. The France international has emerged as one of the continent's finest youngsters following a promising first season in Italy - which resulted in a Scudetto - after his move from Manchester United last summer. Zidane won two league titles throughout a five-year spell with the Italian giants before departing for Real Madrid in 2001, and Pogba has revealed he hopes to leave his mark on the club. He told Corriere dello Sport: "I had a year with this club and am very happy because we won the Scudetto. "I hope to become as big as Zidane, Lillian Thuram and Didier Deschamps, but I have to work hard to reach their level." Pogba, who won the Under-20 World Cup this summer, went on to state Andrea Pirlo was the modern-day player whom he hopes to follow the example of. He added: "Certainly Pirlo! I hope I can do what he is able to do one day." The Frenchman, whose contract with the Italian giants runs until June 2016, featured 27 times last season for Antonio Conte's men scoring five goals.

Pogba resumes Juve training Aug 2, 2012 Paul Pogba is back in training with Italian champions Juventus after being allowed an extended summer break. The midfielder has now joined up with his teammates at Stanford University, in America, after his international commitments. The former Manchester United player, who was signed a year ago, recently helped France win the Under-20 World Cup. Pogba featured in 37 games across Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League for the Old Lady last season. He scored five goals in the process.

Marchisio flattered by Manchester United links The midfielder has refused to rule out a move abroad amid reported interest from the English champions. Aug 1, 2013 Claudio Marchisio has admitted that he feels flattered by rumours linking him with a move to Manchester United this summer, but has stated that he intends to stay at Juventus for the foreseeable future. A number of recent reports suggested that the Premier League champions had earmarked Marchisio as a potential alternative to Cesc Fabregas, who appears set to stay at Barcelona this summer, and the Italy international has refused to rule out a move abroad. "For the past seven years, my name has always come up when the transfer market was discussed," the midfielder told Tuttosport. "Obviously, I will not deny that I feel flattered when I see my name being linked with other clubs, including some of the most important and biggest in the world. "This is proof that I'm doing a good job and that others value what I do. It makes me proud that there are teams that rate me. "However, I have not talked to anyone and there are no concrete offers. I spoke with Juventus and they told me I'm still wanted. My desire is to stay here and win more trophies. "Then again, you never know what will happen in football. I would not be the first player to leave his boyhood club..." Marchisio, 27, has a contract with Juventus until June 2016.

Asamoah: Juve on right road Aug 1, 2013 Kwadwo Asamoah is happy with Juventus’ pre-season progress despite the friendly loss to Everton. AMAZONIAN The Old Lady drew 1-1 with the Premiership club earlier today before being beaten 6-5 after a penalty shoot-out. “The work we’ve been doing is paying off,” the Ghana international noted. “I feel good, but neither I nor the team are still at 100 per cent.” AMAZONIAN The former Udinese player made an impact in the tie, also thanks to a wonderful 80th minute strike which levelled the game. “It was a nice goal,” he admitted. “The ball arrived at my left foot and I didn’t think twice about shooting.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YFHVsDgzQMg

Everton miss out on Marrone Aug 1, 2013 Everton have failed in a bid to sign Luca Marrone on loan from Italian Serie A champions Juventus. Sky Sport Italia claim that the Premiership side wanted to take the now former Under-21 international on a temporary basis until the summer of 2014. The Old Lady apparently informed the Liverpool-based outfit that they are only willing to discuss a €10m sale for the midfielder. The 23-year-old, who can also be used as a centre-back, has scored one goal in 15 Serie A games for the Bianconeri.

Marchisio commits to Juventus Aug 1, 2013 Juventus idol Claudio Marchisio has again pledged his future to his hometown club. “I want to stay here.” The Italian international has been linked with a possible move away this summer, with Manchester United just one of the sides associated with his services. “I’ve been playing for Juventus for 20 years and every summer for the last seven my name has been mentioned in the transfer market,” he told Tuttosport. “Obviously I’m not denying that it is nice to see my name linked with other clubs, some of the most important and renowned in the world. “It means that I am working well, that I have admirers. It is something to be proud of, but I haven’t spoken to anyone and I’m not aware of any concrete offers. “I was a little disappointed in the summer that the club didn’t respond to the transfer rumours, but then that did arrive. I spoke with the directors. “You never know what will happen and I wouldn’t be the first player to leave a club he grew up in, but my desire is to stay and keep winning with Juve.” Marchisio has become a regular in the Old Lady starting XI down the years, but the emergence of Paul Pogba means he may have to work harder for a shirt in 2013-14. “The new arrivals are more than welcome, as is the competition for places,” Marchisio continued. “I know that there are a lot of midfielders and nobody wants to sit on the bench. But I know that you have to earn your place on a daily basis, training session by training session. You have to show the Coach, and yourself, your qualities. “Conte knows what I can offer, even in another role, and he knows that I am at his disposal.” Marchisio was primarily used in a central midfield three containing Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal. But he was also used as an advanced midfielder in 3-5-1-1 system late last term. “We are a great squad,” the former Empoli loan player added. “The older players and the new arrivals know what we have to do to win. “This season, thanks to the new arrivals and the experience we acquired last season, we’ll approach the Champions League in a much more decisive manner. We are aware of our strengths.”

Bonucci: Rivals should fear Juventus The 26-year-old defender is bullish about his side's chances of winning a third successive Serie A title, arguing that some of their likely challengers are in transition. Jul 31, 2013 Leonardo Bonucci says that Juventus do not fear anyone and that it is their rivals who should be afraid of the reigning Italian champions. The 26-year-old defender feels that although his side have a tough start to the campaign, the Bianconeri are in a far stronger position than some of their expected challengers ahead of the new season. “It’s better to face the big teams early because they’re teams in transition, while we’re already a well-oiled machine," Bonucci told the club's official website. "We’re the champions of Italy; if anything it’s the others who should be fearful of us.” The arrival of Angelo Ogbonna from Torino has increased the competition for places in the Juve defence and Bonucci is well aware that he will have to fight to retain his starting berth this term. “I’ll have to give 100 per cent, because with the coach [Antonio Conte] being as he is, it wouldn’t take much for him drop me if I had the slightest dip in form," he added. "A player like Angelo is good for both the entire team and the defensive unit as a whole. He’ll be able to give us a great deal over the course of the year, just like [Carlos] Tevez and [Fernando] Llorente.” Bonucci moved to the Turin giants from Bari in 2010 and will be looking to win a third Serie A title in succession this season.

Asamoah: Juventus want Champions League glory The Ghana international is determined to improve the Bianconeri's fortunes in Europe and has praised new signings Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez. Jul 31, 2013 Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah is full of ambition ahead of the 2013-14 campaign and has set his sights on Champions League glory with the Turin giants. AMAZONIAN The Serie A champions made it to the quarter-finals of last year's edition of the competition before being knocked out by Bayern Munich, and the midfielder is determined to do even better this term. "I think with everything that we've done this off-season, adding new players, increasing our training methods, our expectations are very high," Asamoah told Goal in a phone interview. "We want to be the top team in the championship of Italy again and we want to do better in the Champions League. I think that's our main objective this season." AMAZONIAN Asamoah then went on to praise Juventus' midfield, while he also hailed the arrival of strike duo Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez, who movedto Turin this summer. "Our midfield is very young and it's not only about [playing pretty] football. We want to fight when we lose the ball and are very strong without it, too. "Tevez and Llorente are very good and well experienced and we're very happy to have them on our team now. They are going to help us do well in the league and also in the Champions League." AMAZONIAN Juventus are in San Francisco preparing for their first match of the Guinness International Champions Cup against Everton and Asamoah hopes this event will show where the team has improved ahead of the new season. "Some great champions from tough leagues are coming to play so it will show us where we have to be," he added. "Playing against teams like this is very good because it will show you a lot of things, what you have to do [to improve], so it's good thing for us right before the season."

Bonucci happy with Serie A start Jul 31, 2013 Leonardo Bonucci is unconcerned by the fixture list which will test Juventus over the first three games of the season. The Italian champions have been given a potentially difficult start at Sampdoria, which will be followed by a home game against Lazio and a trip to San Siro to face Inter. “It’s better to face the big teams early because they’re teams in transition, while we’re already a well-oiled machine,” the centre-back noted. “We’re the champions of Italy, if anything it’s the others who should be fearful of us,” the 26-year-old continued. “When you take to the field in the black and white stripes you have the duty to give all you’ve got and chase success. “We want to start well against Lazio in the Super Cup and then keep it going in the championship.” Bonucci will potentially face competition for his place in the side from Angelo Ogbonna, the Italian international who was signed from Torino this summer. “I’ll have to give 100 per cent, because it wouldn’t take much for the Coach to drop me if I had the slightest dip in form. “A player like Angelo is good for both the entire team and the defensive unit as a whole. He’ll be able to give us a great deal over the course of the year, just like Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente.”

Vidal acciaccato.

Chi ha fatto quel passaggio di tacco sublime? @@

Marrone si mangia un goal giá fatto.

Non era fuorigioco.

Ancora 0-0

Marotta rules out Isla exit The Juventus director says the Chilean wing-back wants to stay in Turin despite interest from Inter, and has played down his side's chances of signing Juan Zuniga. Jul 30, 2013 Juventus director general Beppe Marotta has insisted that his side will be hanging on to Mauricio Isla. The Chilean has endured a difficult start to life in Turin, making just a handful of appearances for the Bianconeri last term following his move from Udinese a year ago. He has since been linked with a move to Inter this summer, but Marotta says he wants to stay at the club. "Isla is our player,” the official told Sky Sport Italia. "I’m not denying Inter’s approach for him, but, with no substitute, he will remain ours. "He’s told us that he would like to stay and, with boss Antonio Conte’s blessing, he is a Juventus player." Marotta went on to say that Napoli defender Juan Zuniga, who has been liked with a move to Turin, will not be sold by his current employers this summer. "We have a good relationship with Napoli and we accept that they will not be selling him," he added. Finally, the 56-year-old said that his side are unlikely to make any more signings this summer, with their main priority offloading unwanted players. "I don’t think we’ll sign anyone else. We’ve added to sections of the team that needed it such as the attack and defence," he added. "We brought in a lot of players at the start of the summer, we have built a competitive team. In these tough economic times for Italian football, we have invested well. "We have an attack that needs reducing because six players of that level are a lot. We want five, perhaps with a youngster to develop. "The hope is that we find a positive solution for us. The requests will need analysing, but the desire of the player is more fundamental than that of the club."

Marotta slams Juventus fixture pile-up The club's director says teams competing in Europe should receive better protection from Serie A organisers following Juve's tough opening to the campaign. Jul 30, 2013 Giuseppe Marotta has hit out at Serie A organisers after Juventus were handed a tough run of fixtures at the start of the 2013-14 season. The champions begin the defence of their Scudetto crown with a visit to Sampdoria - the only side to beat them twice last season in Serie A - while a gruelling run of fixtures from the end of September sees them face a derby clash with Torino, AC Milan and Fiorentina, as well as two Champions League group games. Marotta feels Italian sides competing on the continent should be handed better protection from Serie A organisers, telling Tuttosport: "Certainly the calendar has been less yielding in the last few years. "There are many cup matches close to important games in the season, or head-to-head matches which are traditionally tricky. "The league should better protect those who represent Italy in Europe. I realise this is difficult, perhaps impossible in some cases, but it would benefit everyone." Despite their ominous-looking start to the campaign, Marotta is fully confident his side have what it takes to secure a third successive Serie A title. He added: "The beginning is tough and we should be aggressive in those games, but this is one of our characteristics. We do not lack the will to win the championship for the third time in a row."

Llorente hails Juventus squad Jul 30, 2013 Fernando Llorente says he has been surprised by the compactness of the Juventus squad following his summer arrival. The Spanish international has joined the Bianconeri on a free transfer after his contract at Athletic Bilbao expired. “It is a magnificent, an incredible group,” he told the Juventus website in a club video. “It has been a real surprise. “It’s not something you’d usually find in a team with such great players,” added the outfit’s new centre-forward. “Perhaps other teams have excellent players like ours, but it’s different here. Everyone is friends and great teammates. I feel really good here.” Llorente is currently with the Italian champions in USA, ahead of their Guinness International Champions Cup campaign. “I feel well,” Llorente continued. “I’m really happy to be here in San Francisco and America. “I believe it will be a very good tour. We begin against Everton and I think they’ll be a useful first test for us.” The two teams will meet at the AT&T Park tomorrow.

Bonucci fights for three-dom Jul 30, 2013 Leonardo Bonucci has dismissed suggestions Juventus boss Antonio Conte needs to change the system in Turin. Conte has used a variety of formations since his arrival two years ago, but the 3-5-2 has developed into his preferred shape. Bonucci is very much at the centre of the three-man defence, seeing as he is asked to start up play in the middle of Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini. “The truth is that the system gets the best out of all of us,” the Italian international noted. “We’ve won two Scudetti with the three-man defence and I don’t see any reason to change. “My job is to continue proving my worth, otherwise boss Conte wouldn’t pick me in the team.” Suggestions earlier this summer claimed that Conte was pondering a tactical evolution in view of becoming more competitive in the Champions League. The Old Lady will start the season as favourites for the championship and Bonucci insists Conte is working them just as hard as in the past. “The Coach hasn’t change over the last two years, he still has the same hunger,” the former Bari player added. “Just like all of us in the squad.”

Marotta: Isla staying, no Zuniga Jul 30, 2013 Juventus director general Beppe Marotta says Mauricio Isla won’t be sold and Juan Zuniga will not arrive from Napoli. The Chilean international, co-owned with Udinese, is wanted by Inter. While the Colombian wing-back is on Juve’s radar given that his contract at the Stadio San Paolo expires in 2014. “Isla is our player,” the official told Sky Sport Italia. “I’m not denying Inter’s approach for him, but, with no substitute, he will remain ours. “He’s told us that he would like to stay and, with boss Antonio Conte’s blessing, he is a Juventus player. “Zuniga? We have a good relationship with Napoli and we accept that they will not be selling him.” Marotta added that he believed the Old Lady’s summer spending spree was over, but they are looking to sell one of their forwards. “I don’t think we’ll sign anyone else. We’ve added to sections of the team that needed it such as the attack and defence. “We brought in a lot of players at the start of the summer, we have built a competitive team. In these tough economical times for Italian football, we have invested well.” Juve’s two biggest signings were Fernando Llorente from Athletic Bilbao and Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez. They join fellow attackers Mirko Vucinic, Sebastian Giovinco, Alessandro Matri and Fabio Quagliarella at the club. “We have an attack that needs reducing because six players of that level are a lot,” Marotta noted. “We want five, perhaps with a youngster to develop. “The hope is that we find a positive solution for us. The requests will need analysing, but the desire of the player is more fundamental than that of the club.”