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Nesta surprised by Tevez decision The Montreal Impact defender has admitted he did not expect the Argentina striker to move to Italy considering the current state of football in his homeland. Jul 14, 2013 Former AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta has revealed he was shocked to see Carlos Tevez join Juventus as Serie A continues to decline. The Montreal Impact centre-back, 37, believes the power of La Liga, the Premier League and Bundesliga has been responsible for the departure of the best players from Italy's domestic competition and diminishing the strength of the 20 top-tier clubs. But the lack of financial capital across much of Serie A hasn't prevented the Bianconeri from signing Tevez and Fernando Llorente and Nesta did concede the decision of Argentina striker was a coup for Serie A. "There's no money in Italy at the moment and the best players go to play in other leagues - Spain, England, Germany. Italy's going down," the Montreal Impact centre-back told the BBC. "It's a very good signing. A player like Tevez, I didn't think would play in Serie A now. Juventus did a good job."

Marotta: 'Giaccherini wants Sunderland move' Jul 13, 2013 Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta has revealed that the club have agreed a fee with Sunderland for Emanuele Giaccherini, after the player requested the move. The Black Cats are reportedly close to sealing a move for the Italy international after boss Antonio Conte also confirmed the transfer. "In Giaccherini's transfer to Sunderland, the will of the player had priority over the club's," Sky Sports News quotes Marotta as saying. "Emanuele evaluated, not only the economic aspects but also the standing he will have at Sunderland, and it was a challenge he decided to accept. We have gone along with his wishes." Giaccherini made 21 appearances for Juve last season, scoring three goals.

Juventus don't need Jovetic, insists Marotta The Bianconeri supremo believes the arrival of Carlos Tevez has solved the team's attacking shortcomings and revealed Inter have made an approach for Mauricio Isla. Jul 13, 2013 Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta insists the club have given up signing Stevan Jovetic simply because they do not need another attacker. The Serie A champions have long been linked with a move for the Fiorentina ace, despite Marotta previously claiming a deal would be impossible due to poor relations between the clubs. Coach Antonio Conte admitted earlier this week that the Montenegro international would be too expensive for the Bianconeri, but Marotta has stressed the acquisition of Carlos Tevez from Manchester City means the 23-year-old is no longer a necessary target. "We pulled out of the race for Jovetic a while ago," he was quoted as saying by Correire dello Sport. "We are satisfied with the signings we've made to boost our attack. "Jovetic has become an utopia - it's not because we couldn't sign him, but because we preferred other options. With Tevez, we think we have solved our problems up front." Juve have also been linked with a move for Bologna attacker Alessandro Diamanti, with the Rossoblu setting a deadline of Monday for any approach for the player to be made, but Marotta claims there was never any real interest. "We never approached Bologna nor the representatives of the player. No negotiation exists and none will start in the future," he stated. Finally, Marotta revealed they had received an approach from Inter for Mauricio Isla, but claimed that any potential deal was a long way from being completed. "We have had a request from Inter, politely received, but there is no financial agreement," the 56-year-old said. "In fact, we are not even past the stage where you talk to the player."

Tevez: Juventus tougher than Man City The Argentina forward took part in his first training session with the Bianconeri and admits he was not used to such rigorous work in England. Jul 12, 2013 Juventus striker Carlos Tevez thinks that pre-season training has been tougher than anything he experienced in the Premier League and insists he is ready to work hard for his new club. The €12 million signing, who joined from Manchester City earlier this summer, is keen to prove to fans that he can up his game in the upcoming Serie A season. "Well, after my first day of training I realised that I’ll certainly have to run much more than in England," he told reporters. "Feeling the passion of the fans is important for me. I came here to work hard and it took me just half a session to realise I’ll have to work harder than in England." Tevez will wear the No.10 shirt for the Bianconeri, previously donned by club legend Alessandro Del Piero, but he stressed that such a prospect is exciting rather than putting him under pressure. "That doesn’t weight me down," the Argentine, 29, added. "It makes me feel important to receive such affection. "I have joined a club that are ready to play for an historic third straight Scudetto and one that are also capable of challenging for the Champions League."

Tevez: 'Harder work than in England' Jul 12, 2012 Carlos Tevez already realised Juventus and Serie A are going to be tough. “I’ll certainly have to run much more than in England...” The former Manchester City striker started pre-season training this week under Antonio Conte’s orders. “I found a team ready to target an historic third consecutive Scudetto, but who can also win the Champions League,” he told journalists in Chatillon. “What do I say after my first day of training? Well, I’ll certainly have to run much more than in England... “Feeling the passion of the fans is important for me. I came here to work hard and it took me just half a session to realise I’ll have to work harder than in England.” Juventus director general Beppe Marotta also spoke to the media this afternoon and commented on the forward. “We are happy to have Tevez here, as he represents the present and the future of Juventus. The leader of this group is without doubt Conte, who has great charisma and manages to transmit that grit to the squad.”

Tevez community service rescinded Jul 10, 2013 Juventus signing Carlos Tevez will not have to complete his community service in Manchester, as it was rescinded today. The former Manchester City striker had been ordered to do 250 hours of community service for driving offences, but that became extremely difficult after he moved to Turin. Today a court agreed to rescind the order and replace it with a £3,000 fine instead. Tevez also scoffed at media reports Juventus had told him to lose 6kg in pre-season. “I have not even been weighed. It makes me laugh to hear certain things.”

Tevez laughs off weight claim Jul 10, 2013 Carlos Tevez has laughed off suggestions that Juventus think he is overweight, and affirmed that his career with Argentina is ‘a closed chapter’. There were reports in Italy yesterday that suggested that the Argentine’s medical checks whilst completing a move from Manchester City to Juve highlighted that he was six kilograms overweight and would be subject to scrutiny in the first few days of preseason. However, in preparing to fly out to meet up with his new Bianconero teammates, the 29-year-old has rejected those claims. “I’ve not yet arrived at Juventus and there are some that claim I am overweight and have to lose six kilos,” reflected Tevez to reporters in Argentine. “But I have not yet been weighed. It makes me laugh to hear certain things. Juventus have not told me anything in this sense.” Tevez has not featured for his national side since 2011 and confirmed that he is resigned to missing out on the 2014 World Cup. “Everyone knows that I love the Albiceleste shirt, but I certainly do not miss it. “The doors to the national team are closed for me, you know, and if you want the reasons then you have to ask the current coaching staff, who have never called me up. “I know why I have been left out but it is not for me to say. Evidently the Coach [Alejandro Sabella] likes other strikers more. “I know very well that I will not go to the next World Cup even if I were to make sparks, I am resigned to this. I will be a fan. “Did I fall out with Lionel Messi? It is true that there are fans of Messi and fans of Tevez, but between us there has never been any problem, we have always had good relations in the dressing room.”

Tevez: Sabella is afraid of me The Juventus attacker thinks the national team boss might be scared of him and has expressed his desire to end his career in his native country. Jul 10, 2013 Carlos Tevez thinks there is little chance he will make it into Argentina's squad for the 2014 World Cup because of his troublesome relationship with head coach Alejandro Sabella. The Juventus striker, who has not featured for the Albiceleste since Sabella took charge in August 2011, had stated last week he would welcome a return to the national team ahead of next year's tournament. However, he has now admitted that a comeback seems very unlikely at this point. "I already know that I will not make it into Argentina's World Cup squad. Sabella has never called upon me so far," Tevez told an Argentine radio station. "I don't know why Sabella refuses to call me up. Maybe he is afraid of me ... "I don't miss wearing the Argentina jersey. I love playing for my country, but the coach has made another decision. "It is impossible for me to watch Argentina play, because it hurts too much to see them." Tevez, 29, then went on to discuss his long-term future and says he intends to end his career in his native country. He added: "I want to return to Argentina and play for Boca Juniors once my contract with Juventus expires." The forward signed a three-year deal with Juve earlier this summer.

Stevan Jovetic still wants Juventus as Beppe Marotta plays his hand perfectly Jul 8, 2013 When Juventus signed Carlos Tevez nearly two weeks ago, it gave Beppe Marotta options. Not just because he landed the high-quality striker he had been chasing for years, but due to the fact that anything added to the striker department now could very well be seen as a luxury rather than a player filling a serious need. That chase for Stevan Jovetic? Not necessarily mandatory anymore. Trying to bid against another team for a striker your team desperately needs? Not necessarily mandatory anymore like he was a month or so ago, certainly not with Tevez now occupying such a large roll within the squad. That means Jovetic, who has been a target of Marotta and his band of front office partners for the past two summers at the very least, isn't necessarily a player that Juventus needs anymore in terms of filling the "top player" void that had been so evident. But that doesn't mean he's a player that Juventus doesn't want to have wearing their jersey next season. Fiorentina have played hardball, sticking to their guns in regards to how much the talented 23-year-old Montenegrin costs. The €30 million tag hanging from Jovetic's side has been the biggest hurdle, of course, but there's also the fact that the Viola have a team they don't want to sell their prized asset to sniffing around in hopes of striking a deal. Maybe if a fat-pocketed EPL team came along and chucked a couple of sacks of cash Fiorentina's way it'd be different, but Juventus want Jovetic — they're just not going to be in the same situation they were when the transfer season started. I take you back to the Fernando Llorente press conference when Marotta had this to say: "Jovetic? He was an option we went after during the summer, but due to difficult relations with Fiorentina I think at this point we are fine as we are. We're satisfied with our signings. "Could we open up talks again? Anything could happen from now until August 31, as in the transfer market things change from one day to the next. Who knows, maybe by the end of August Fiorentina will be offering him to us for a free loan..." (via Football Italia) Ladies and gentlemen, this is a man who has negotiated a deal or two before. The loan offer on transfer deadline day was a good touch, too. But, in the grand scheme of things, while Marotta was putting a couple of jabs in Fiorentina's direction, he was also outlining what the arrival of Tevez and Llorente has allowed him to do — be flexible. Having Tevez in the ranks doesn't make Jovetic — who reportedly turned down Napoli late last week as he waits for Juventus to come and make Fiorentina another round of offers, be it straight cash or player exchanges-plus-money — the glaring need he definitely was a few weeks ago when the No. 10 jersey was still open for takers. That means giving in to Fiorentina's asking price isn't looming large of the Juventus camp now as it was pre-Tevez. There's still the fact that Jovetic apparently has his eye on a move to Juventus, something that would obviously push the new-look Juventus strike force over the top. It's hard not to imagine the possibilities, isn't it? Visualizing a 4-3-3 with Tevez-Llorente-Jovetic up top is as naughty as it could be right now, It would push Juve from a sleeper team in the Champions League to a serious contender, one would think with all the other pieces on the roster already in place. Even with that, though, Juventus are, as Marotta said, quite the finished product right now when it comes to strikers. Whether that was just another one of his tactics to try and make Fiorentina budge or not, that remains to be seen. But he's got leverage now, something he didn't have and Fiorentina could use against him before Tevez was signed. Marotta is just doing what any good director general does — letting the market play out and not drastically overpaying for a player he wants on his team. And when it comes to a player of Jovetic's quality, that isn't something he's been able to do much in the past.

'Italy not on par with world's best' - Buffon The veteran shot stopper believes the Azzurri are not yet among the best in the world, but hopes they will be at the required level at next year's World Cup. Jul 8, 2013 Gianluigi Buffon believes that it is premature to claim Italy can be considered one of the best teams in the world. Cesare Prandelli's men secured a third-place finish in June's Confederations Cup after previously making it to the final at Euro 2012, but the Juventus goalkeeper believes they are still a work in progress heading towards the World Cup in Brazil. "Italy are not on a par with the world's best teams yet. We're at a different [lower] level," Buffon, 35, told Fifa.com. "We're a side that have been improving steadily over the last few years. We hope to continue that process to be able to get to where we want to be. "For now our focus isn't on drawing comparisons with other teams, but to reach the level we want to be at for Brazil 2014. "I think we're on the right track, but it's a process so we constantly need to hone the finer details. We did well at the Confederations Cup and we upheld the reputation Italy has earned over the years. "We'll try to do the same at the World Cup but we need to be in good form to do so. That's what we're working towards." Italy currently sit first in their World Cup qualification group with 14 points from six games, holding a four-point lead over second-placed Bulgaria.

Asamoah: Juve gunning for third straight title The Ghana international is desperate to stay at the Bianconeri and grab a third successive Scudetto. Jul 8, 2013 Kwadwo Asamoah says Juventus are targeting a hat-trick of successive Serie A titles and are evolving as a team under Antonio Conte. AMAZONIAN The Bianconeri celebrated back-to-back league crowns after finishing nine points clear of second-placed Napoli last season. Asamoah has sent a word of warning to Juve's domestic rivals suggesting the summer signings of forwards Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente from Manchester City and Athletic Bilbao respectively, have further strengthened Conte's squad. AMAZONIAN "I am convinced Juve are getting stronger," he told Tuttosport. "The third successive title is what we want. "I am desperate to stay at Juve and play next season." The 24-year-old featured on 27 occasions in Serie A last season, contributing two goals and eight assists.

Buffon: Spain & Brazil at different level Jul 8, 2013 Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that Italy's third place at the Confederations Cup was 'satisfying' but has conceded that the Azzurri have to improve for next summer. Cesare Prandelli's side defeated Uruguay in the third-place play-off at the tournament, with the Juve shot-stopper pulling off three saves. But the 35-year-old believes that his team are still on a 'different level' to Spain and eventual champions Brazil. “There's no doubt we did well overall, so that's satisfying,” he told fifa.com. “We showed we're a good team that's able to compete on an equal footing against anyone, which is a great quality to have. “Another advantage is that we have a fantastic group of players, and that isn't always the case in a team, especially at international level. “We learnt so many little things that will help us prepare better for next year. From the weather to the level our opponents are at, there were lots of interesting details to take from it. “I honestly think it's been great to have a dress rehearsal before the World Cup because it'll give us a small advantage over everyone else. “No, we're at a different level [to Brazil and Spain]. We're a side that's been improving steadily over the last few years. “We hope to continue that process to be able to get to where we want to be, but for now our focus isn't on drawing comparisons with other teams, but to reach the level we want to be at for Brazil 2014.”

Asamoah: Juve are stronger Jul 8, 2013 Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah believes that the Bianconeri are ready to go to the next level. AMAZONIAN Having signed Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente this summer, the Ghana international is confident that the club can win their third title. “Yes, I am convinced Juve are getting stronger,” he told Tuttosport. “The third successive title is what we want. AMAZONIAN “I am desperate to stay at Juve and play next season.”

How Juventus Can Best Exploit Summer Signing Fernando Llorente Jul 7, 2012 During the January transfer window, Juventus declared that they would bring in hulking Spanish striker Fernando Llorente from Athletic Club. The player didn't join until recently this summer, and can now look forward to his new career with the Bianconeri. After five seasons of scoring double digits in La Liga, Llorente managed only one league goal last season with the Basque club. Of course, this was due to the rift with coach Marcelo Bielsa, who shunned the striker affectionately known as El Rey Leon. Llorente's attitude was the reason for his benching, as he made it clear he wanted to join a club with greater ambition. Earlier in the year I caught up with Ballon d'Or co-host Kay Murray, who gave me a brief synopsis on what type of player Fernando Llorente is: If you forget this season, which Fernando Llorente is no doubt hoping to do himself, you will remember that this player was Spain's most in-form striker just a couple of seasons back. He's your typical target man, very imposing with great aerial ability. He's particularly strong when it comes to scoring from set pieces. In recent seasons he had grown in confidence and learned how to combine his skills with his immense physical prowess to be able to offer more aggressive and direct aspect to his game. Llorente joins a team that was previously starved for a true threat in the attacking sector. He'll partner up with another star signing—Carlos Tevez, and hope to create a formidable partnership which will spearhead Juventus to the upper-echelons of Europe. An intimidating aerial presence, Llorente will see plenty of crosses flung his way from Stephan Lichtsteiner and Kwadwo Asamoah, who operate the wings for Juventus. In the center of the park, Andrea Pirlo can provide him the right surging through ball to get the Spaniard in open space, where he can unleash one of his cannon shots. In the end, Llorente will have to brush off the rust that he has accrued in the past season, and hopefully will settle into the Serie A rather quickly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7z6ThxbOwM

Tevez: 'Juve are demanding' Jul 6, 2013 Carlos Tevez is not afraid of wearing Alessandro Del Piero’s shirt. “Juventus are very demanding and I will be ready.” The striker arrived from Manchester City this week for €9m plus a potential €6m in performance-related bonuses, choosing the number 10 jersey. “I have to be back in Italy on July 9 to begin pre-season training, when we’ll be in Turin for two days and then in the mountains for 10 days,” he told Argentine newspaper Cronica. “Juve are a very demanding club and I will be ready. I think pre-season will be very important to help me settle into Italian football and know what I am facing. Those days of training with my teammates will be crucial.” There was controversy over Juve’s decision to hand the legendary 10 to newcomer Tevez, but he shrugged it off. “In truth I feel absolutely no pressure. I don’t think about the shirt number at all. I am concentrated on preparing as best I can for the season. “My new teammates have already made me feel at home and it’s fantastic, it makes me want to get started straight away. “The fans also gave me a warm welcome. I had difficulty leaving the airport because there were so many supporters and they followed me everywhere. It was incredible.” Tevez also stated he would one day finish his career at Boca Juniors and would gladly accept a return to the Argentina squad, “but for now I think the national team is alright without me.”

Pirlo and Klose up for award Jul 6, 2013 Andrea Pirlo, Miroslav Klose, David Beckham and David Trezeguet are among the candidates for the 2013 Golden Foot Award. Juventus and Italy hero Pirlo is there along with Lazio hitman Klose, while ex-Milan midfielder Beckham and former Bianconeri striker Trezeguet are also included. Other candidates are Iker Casillas, Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Samuel Eto’o and Andres Iniesta. Every year a short-list of 10 candidates is drawn up and fans from around the world vote for who will have their feet immortalised in the Champions Promenade in Monte Carlo. This is similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and so far includes stars like Francesco Totti, Andriy Shevchenko, Pavel Nedved, Hristo Stoichkov, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Paolo Rossi, Ronaldo, Gerd Muller, Diego Armando Maradona, Ronaldinho, Romario, Gigi Riva, Ferenc Puskas, Michel Platini and Gianni Rivera. Players must be over 28 in order to qualify for the award.

Tevez wants Argentina return for World Cup The 29-year-old has been frozen out of the international fold by current Albiceleste boss Alejandro Sabella, but the Bianconeri striker would welcome a recall. Jul 5, 2013 Carlos Tevez has revealed that he would be happy to accept an invitation to return to the Argentina squad for next year's World Cup. The Juventus striker has not featured for the Albiceleste since Alejandro Sabella took charge of the national team in August 2011. Tevez would love to represent his country in Brazil but accepts that his services are probably no longer required by Argentina, who are currently three points clear at the top of the South American qualification standings. "I think the Albiceleste are doing well, and it's the same with me," the 29-year-old told Cronica. "I would not say no if they called me for the World Cup, but I think that it [qualification] is already certain. "Certainly, they are playing well even without me." For the time being, though, Tevez's primary concern is proving himself at Juventus following his summer switch from Manchester City, a challenge he is looking forward to enormously. "I have no problem with [the sense of expectancy]," he declared. "In the past, I have demonstrated the ability to withstand any pressure, even the weight of responsibility of wearing this jersey. "Indeed, I must say that the responsibility excites me." The Bianconeri paid a reported €12 million to sign Tevez from City in June.

Juventus leaving the rest of Serie A behind with summer additions Jul 5, 2013 First it was Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal, now it’s Fernando Llorente, Carlos Tevez and maybe even Angelo Ogbonna and Stevan Jovetic. First Juventus moved past their Serie A rivals, now they’re embarrassing them. Juventus director Beppe Marotta has come under criticism in recent years for not landing “big players” – two summers marked by missing out on star strikers (Sergio Aguero, Giuseppe Rossi, Eden Dzeko) have attracted doubters but they’ve masked what has also been back-to-back summers of excellent work. As previously mentioned, Marotta has brokered deals for world class players for minimal cost, adding piece by piece to the Bianconeri machine and turning the Serie A title race into a one horse competition. After closing what Gianluigi Buffon called the “deal of the century” when Andrea Pirlo cut ties with AC Milan to join the Turinese revolution, Juventus then added Arturo Vidal for €10 million – who is now the best midfielder in Italy, and one of the most complete in all of Europe. Paul Pogba was another free transfer who looks to be France’s best prospect since Karim Benzema. When contrasted with the rest of the footballing world’s cash-happy approach to acquiring players, Juventus’ control, discipline, and financial restraint is a breath of fresh air. This summer’s transfer window has barely started and Marotta’s work has continued, and with excellent results. Fernando Llorente was an addition that was already completed in January, but Juventus allowed Llorente’s contract to run out so he joins them for free. Mean,while Carlos Tevez, who nearly signed for Milan for €25m in January 2012, leaves for €10m and will fill a vacant gap for a side that has few holes left to fill. In addition, Juventus are leading a charge for Stevan Jovetic in a transfer race that seems to contain only them. Juventus are also showing a clever side by using their own players as makeweights, so to avoid spending over the odds for the Montenegrin. Another player who could arrive who doesn’t necessarily plug a huge gap in the squad is Angelo Ogbonna. The Torino captain offers versatility and potential, and could well be the successor to Andrea Barzagli. The fact that Juventus’ closest rivals AC Milan and Napoli both have needs at centre-back and could guarantee starts for the defender, Juventus’s acquisition of him is an even greater indication of the Bianconeri’s success in the off-season. It’s a frightening collection of circumstances for the rest of Italy, as Juventus’ acquisitions move them closer to the upper echelons of European football and further away from their Italian counterparts. While Napoli and Milan spend their time trying to hold onto their stars, Juventus are acquiring more. It’s a glimpse into what could become a mini-dynasty for Juventus, who are favourites for a third successive title and will look to push forward in the Champions League, too. It’s a credit to Andrea Agnelli and his board of directors, who have rebuilt the side in the wake of the Calciopoli scandal and overtaken rivals that had a five year head-start over. Consider the added financially benefits of a brand new stadium and it could go on for a while yet.