Socrates

Balotelli: I told Tevez to join Milan The striker has revealed the Argentine ignored him to swap Manchester City for Juventus. Jul 5, 2013 AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli says he tried unsuccessfully to convince Carlos Tevez to join the club instead of Juventus this summer. The Argentine, 29, followed in the footsteps of Robinho, Nigel de Jong and Balotelli in swapping Manchester City for Serie A football but, instead of joining the Rossoneri like the aforementioned trio, the forward signed for the Bianconeri in late June. Balotelli says his former Blues team-mate would not listen to his pleas to join Massimiliano Allegri's squad. "I'm not afraid of Juve: I respect all clubs but fear none. Tevez is a friend - I told him to come to Milan, however, he did not listen and went to Juve. If I happen [to come against him], on the pitch, I'll take the ball around him!"

Tevez & Llorente will make Juve great again, says Bonucci The Italy international is buoyed by the Bianconeri's transfer dealings so far this summer and claims they have already closed the gap on their European rivals. Jul 4, 2013 Leonardo Bonucci believes the signings of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente will turn Juventus into one of Europe's great teams again. The Turin giants successfully defended their Serie A title in 2012-13, but they were unable to make an impact in the Champions League as Bayern Munich proved to be too strong in the quarter-finals. However, Bonucci feels that Juve's transfer policy this summer is further proof that they are on their way back to the summit of European football. "There might not have been much talk about them in the press, but Llorente and Tevez are both extraordinary signings in my opinion," Bonucci told Corriere dello Sport. "Everybody knows Tevez and his qualities. Llorente made an excellent impression on me when I had to mark him once with the national team. "I'd say that we are on our way to joining the great teams in Europe again. The gap with the elite has already become smaller." Juventus are expected to make Torino defender Angelo Ogbonna their third marquee signing of the summer transfer window in the coming days.

Bonucci wants to end career at Juve Jul 4, 2013 Leonardo Bonucci has admitted that he wants to end his career at Juventus, whilst also commenting on the club's summer business. The 26-year-old has become a key man in the centre of defence for the Bianconeri, and the Italy international has conceded that he wants to stay at the club until the end of his career. “After Juve there is Juve,” he told Corriere dello Sport. “I am a Juve fan and I want to finish my career here. “Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente are two extraordinary buys. “Tevez is known by everyone. And Llorente gave a great impression when I met him at the Confederations Cup. “With these two I say that the gap between us and the top teams in Europe is reduced. “The Scudetto is imperative for us next season,” he added. “Conte always wants to win.”

Marotta: Jovetic deal dead The general director has told Bianconeri fans that the Montenegrin forward will not arrive at Juventus Stadium this summer, though Angelo Ogbonna remains a big target. Jul 2, 2013 Giuseppe Marotta has given up hope of Stevan Jovetic joining Juventus this summer due to the poor relationship between the club and the Montenegrin's owners, Fiorentina. The 23-year-old has been a target for the Old Lady for over a year now, but the Juve general director has admitted defeat in their attempts to lure the forward to the Bianconeri. Speaking at the unveiling of Fernando Llorente at Vinovo, Marotta explained that the long-running rift between Juve and the Viola will prevent a deal taking place. "Jovetic will not come here due to the relationship which everybody is aware of existing between ourselves and Fiorentina," explained Marotta. "That which does not happen today can happen tomorrow, but only if Fiorentina give him to us on a free loan." But while 'JoJo' will not be donning the black-and-white stripes any time soon, Marotta was happy to introduce Llorente after the striker's Bosman free transfer from Athletic Bilbao and was quick to set the Spaniard a minimum goals target. "We believe in him. Fernando is a reigning world champion. He's always scored an average of 15 goals per season, he added. "I want to remind you all that this guy had a rescission clause in his contract at Athletic worth €37 million. That shows that he is another important player like Carlos Tevez. We made the deal official in February when we had agreed the terms and, knowing the human qualities of Llorente we decided to agree upon a four-year contract terms." With Llorente joining Tevez in striking arrivals, the Old Lady are still looking to add to their defensive ranks with Angelo Ogbonna from neighbours Torino and Marotta remains confident that a transfer will be pushed through. "Ogbonna is a target. We will look at it with Torino president Urbano Cairo in the coming days and we will try to come to a deal because we want this transfer. He is a player who we could use at left-back, but we must not forget that we have a very competitive squad which has won two successive Scudetti."

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Llorente targets back-to-back Serie A titles after completing Juventus move The Spain striker laughed off question marks over his readiness for the season ahead at his official unveiling with the Italian champions. Jul 2, 2013 Fernando Llorente says he is 100 per cent fit and looking forward to leading Juventus' charge for a third straight Scudetto and further European glory. The Spain striker has signed a four-year contract with the Turin giants after an unsettling final season with Athletic Bilbao, in which he started only four Liga games due to a dispute with coach Marcelo Bielsa. But the 28-year-old insists he is physically and mentally ready to spearhead the Juve attack as Antonio Conte's men go in search of more major honours after claiming back-to-back Serie A titles. "Physically I feel very well," said the Bosman free signing at his official unveiling on Tuesday. "I have worked very hard during my holidays and now I am ready to work even harder in the future. "Over the last two years I have still done a lot of physical training even when I have played much less. I know Italian football is very difficult, but I am sure I will be able to do well." The World Cup winner also stressed his delight in joining the Italian champions, explaining that Juve were the sole attraction in his move. "I decided to come to Italy because this is where Juventus play! I chose to play for Juve because they are a great team, and it is a dream for me to play here. I want to develop as a player and I have chosen the best team with which to do that. "I have spoken a few times with Antonio Conte and I'm very happy to be able to play under him. Juve played wonderful football last season and deserved to win the Scudetto. Now I want to help the team win and achieve the feat of a third consecutive title. The Champions League, though, is a difficult competition and we must take one step at a time." Llorente's unveiling comes days after the club confirmed the arrival from Manchester City of Carlos Tevez as Juventus add to an already star-studded squad, and the Spaniard was quick to point out one player in particular he is looking to join forces with. "I hope that Andrea Pirlo can help me to develop as a player," he said. "I admire champions like Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet too, and the fans' welcome was incredible. They are fantastic. I would like to thank them and say that I am very happy."

Juventus's Fernando Llorente: 'I am ready for the new season' Jul 2, 2012 New Juventus striker Fernando Llorente has insisted that he is in the right physical condition to begin next season with the Italian club. The 28-year-old, who agreed to join Juve in January, started just four league games for Athletic Bilbao last season due to a rift with the club. However, the Spanish striker told reporters at his official unveiling on Tuesday that there should be no concern about his fitness. "Physically I feel very well. I have worked very hard during my holidays and now I am ready to work even harder in the future," he said. "Over the last two years I have still done a lot of physical training even when I have played much less. I know Italian football is very difficult, but I am sure I will be able to do well." Llorente will form a new-look attacking partnership with Carlos Tevez next season.

Llorente: 'A dream at Juventus' Jul 2, 2012 Fernando Llorente reveals why he chose Serie A above the Premier League, as “it’s a dream for me to be playing” for Juventus. The striker arrived on a free transfer after his contract with Athletic Bilbao expired on Sunday and was presented to the media in Turin with a conference streamed online. “I like the number 14 and I think that I can play very well with this number. I chose Juventus because they are a great club and it’s a dream for me to be playing here,” he said in his Press conference. “Juventus is the team that was most interested in me and pushed hardest to sign me. I preferred Serie A to the Premier League because it is a beautiful League and it has Juventus.” Llorente arrives just days after Carlos Tevez joined from Manchester City, so they can form a brand new striking partnership. “It’s not just two of us in the team, as there are six strikers and all of us can do well. Who starts is down to Antonio Conte. I think that I can play alongside any of the strikers who are in the squad. They are all great players and I am very happy to be working with them.” Like Tevez, the hitman was mobbed at his arrival at the airport. “It was incredible, spectacular and very surprising to be greeted by so many fans. I thank all of them and want to say I’m very happy to be here, to be able to wear such a prestigious jersey as the one of Juventus. “I do like the nickname Re Leone – Lion King – and I’m happy the fans in Italy call me that. I know Italian football is difficult, but I think I can do very well here. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens over the year. “I am not worried about the number of goals I’ll score, as the important thing is to help the team win and contribute to a third consecutive Scudetto. That is something Juventus haven’t managed since 1935, so it would be wonderful to break that drought. “With regards to the Champions League, it is a very difficult tournament, so we have to take it one step at a time. Many top teams play in this competition and we mustn’t feel too much pressure. We need to relax and approach it slowly. “I was able to talk to Conte a few times. He seemed nice and I am very happy to be able to work with him. They deserved to win the title last season and hopefully we can do it again together. “I am in great shape, as I worked for two years with Marcelo Bielsa, who is a very tough Coach in training. I also trained during the summer vacation to be ready for this experience.” Llorente has barely played in the last six months, as his rapport with Athletic Bilbao deteriorated after he refused to sign a contract extension. “Unfortunately talks did not go well and the Press contributed to creating a negative image, which consequently turned the fans against me too. It wasn’t the way I wanted it to go and I’ll always be grateful to Atleti. “At this moment I am living the dream of growing as a player and have come to the best club to achieve that. “It was a complicated season for me with the situation at Athletic Bilbao, as I was unable to play or contribute to my team. Unfortunately that also made it impossible for me to play for my country, so I hope Juventus can help me get back into the Spain squad. “Did Inter try to bring me to Italy? No, it’s not true.” The tall centre-forward was asked about his aerial prowess at a club that traditionally does not net many headers. “Juventus are already set up to help me score many goals with headers. I believe that I can help Juve in every way. I hope to gain my confidence and do better every time. Spanish players can do very well in Italy and I have to prove that this season.”

Marotta: 'No Jovetic for Juve' Jul 2, 2012 Juventus have temporarily given up on Stevan Jovetic due to “difficult relations” with Fiorentina, but confirm advanced talks for Angelo Ogbonna. Director general Beppe Marotta spoke at today’s Press conference to present new signing Fernando Llorente and was asked about other transfer targets. “With the arrival of Llorente and Carlos Tevez we have brought in two fantastic players and feel that we do not need more reinforcements in attack,” said Marotta. “Fernando is a player of total football, so he can only do better in Antonio Conte’s tactics. With his arrival the total quality of the side has gone up. “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...” Fiorentina have refused to lower their €30m price-tag for Montenegro international forward Jovetic, who has admirers at Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. The situation with regards to Torino defender Ogbonna is very different, as the two city rivals are ready for the exchange. “There is no point denying that Ogbonna is a Juventus target. We’re trying to bring him in and will see how it goes.”

Official: Super Cup in Rome Jul 2, 2012 It is now official that the Italian Super Cup between Juventus and Lazio will be in Rome on August 18. The match will kick off at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT) at the Stadio Olimpico. This fixture begins the Italian season and is between the Scudetto holders and the Coppa Italia winners. There had been numerous rows between the two clubs over where and when to stage this game, as originally it had been due for Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium. Juventus pulled out due to summer US tour commitments, while options included Toronto, Dubai and Turin. This evening the Lega Serie A finally confirmed the Italian Super Cup will be decided in Rome on August 18. Arguments are still continuing over how to split the income from this match. Juventus fans have threatened to boycott the event so as to avoid giving money to Lazio President Claudio Lotito.

Marchetti hopes for Supercoppa win Jul 2, 2012 Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti has admitted he is looking forward to the new season, and wants to start with a Supercoppa win over Juventus. The Coppa Italia winners face the Serie A champions at Stadio Olimpico in the annual campaign opener. And the shot-stopper hopes the game can set the scene for the season, whilst also commenting on the recent Confederations Cup. “I want to go and enjoy my holidays and return ready for the new season,” he told Lazio Style Radio. “We played a good tournament in Brazil. There is a bit of regret for the semi-final loss to Spain, but we did well. “Next season we immediately have a tough challenge with Juventus. “They are a strong team and have reinforced even further this summer. “We just want to play well and try to lift the trophy – hopefully that can kickstart our season.”

Super Cup to be played in Rome Jun 27, 2012 The Italian Super Cup Final between Juventus and Lazio will be played in Rome, but the arguments are still not over. Champions Juve will take on the capital Coppa Italia winners in the traditional season opener during the month of August. However, reaching a compromise on a date and venue has proved problematic. Lazio wanted the tie to be staged in Beijing, during early August, seeing as the Italian Football Federation are contracted to host at least one more Final in the Chinese city before 2016. However, Juventus opposed to the idea as that would have clashed with their pre-season tour of the United States. The game will now take place at Lazio’s Stadio Olimpico on August 18, but a row regarding prize money is brewing. Capital chief Claudio Lotito wants a bigger share as a consequence of the €1.5m that his club would have received had they travelled to China.

Sassuolo replace Inter in TIM Trophy Jun 24, 2012 Juventus, Milan and newly-promoted Sassuolo will contest this year's TIM Trophy on July 23. The annual pre-season tournament is usually held between the Rossoneri, the Bianconeri and Inter, but with the competition being played in Reggio Emilia, the Serie B champions have been invited instead. This will be the 12th edition of the competition. Inter have lifted the trophy for the past three seasons.

Date but no venue for Super Cup Jun 17, 2013 The Italian Super Cup between Juventus and Lazio looks like it will be played somewhere in Italy, rather than China, on August 18. The Italian champions and the Coppa Italia holders have been unable to so far reach an agreement on a date or a venue for the annual pre-season opener. Lazio have requested that the tie be played in Beijing in order to get the share of €6m in prize money. However, Juve have refused the China option seeing as they’ve already agreed to take part in a lucrative pre-season tour of America. “By now, it is pretty obvious that the tie will be played in Italy on August 18,” Lega Calcio chief Maurizio Beretta told Sky Sport 24. “No decision has been made on whether that will be played in Turin, Rome or Milan though,” he continued. “I hope that a mutual solution can be found as soon as possible, even if we will talk about this topic anyway at the Lega meeting on June 27.”

Lazio-Juve war over Super Cup Jun 15, 2013 A huge row erupted over the Italian Super Cup, as Lazio claim they’ll sue for damages and Juventus called Claudio Lotito’s words “offensive.” The game traditionally opens the season and is played between the Scudetto holders and Coppa Italia winners. It was meant to be in Beijing in August, but Juve argued they could not make it due to their US tour, so negotiations are underway to play in Toronto or even Rome. “Juve first said yes, then took it all back. They probably think they are able to order everyone else about,” slammed Lazio President Lotito. “We are happy to play anywhere, Rome or Toronto, but they want to play in Turin. Lazio have stood by all the rules. I haven’t spoken to President Andrea Agnelli, as it would be pointless. He is shirking the commitments he made. “Lazio are losing €1.8m from the summer tour of Colombia and the money guaranteed by the organisers to play in Beijing, so this doesn’t end here. We want to be compensated.” Juventus hit back with an official statement: “Lotito has released statements that have become progressively more offensive, unacceptable and often untrue. He is evidently taking no notice of the trophy victory that earned S.S. Lazio the right to contest the Italian Super Cup, but is instead focusing on the monetary sum he thinks the club entitled to. “Juventus Football Club has always respected the regulations and decisions of the Lega Calcio, as shown most recently by the letter sent on 8 March 2013 which explained that the club would be unable to contest the Italian Super Cup abroad. “In the following Assembly meetings, the Super Cup was often one of the main topics on the agenda but it was never discussed, least of all was any decision ever reached on the matter. “For months, the Lega Calcio management ignored Juventus’ aforementioned stance on the matter and for some days they have been tolerating Lotito’s words and behaviour which are both unacceptable to the life of the association and also harmful to Juventus.” Lazio replied again with a statement of their own, warning Juve’s comments were “without foundation. It has been known for months that the Super Cup was to be played in Beijing and contracts were signed by the Lega, of which the clubs are a part. “Lazio declared themselves ready to find other solutions that could be agreed upon, but Juventus believe they can impose their decisions on others and that is unacceptable, especially as it would have serious economic consequences. “The meetings are organised by the Lega, an association with 20 clubs, and decisions are made by the majority rather than those who demand – wrongly – to impose themselves on others.”

No Trofeo Berlusconi in 2013 Jun 10, 2012 Milan have confirmed that there will be no Trofeo Berlusconi friendly against Juventus this summer. The game between the two Italian giants, played in memory of Milan chief Silvio Berlusconi’s father Luigi, has been a pre-season appetiser since 1991. However, there is no room in the summer schedule to fit in the San Siro encounter this time around. “The Trofeo Tim between Milan, Inter and Juventus will take place in Reggio Emilia on July 23,” Vice-President Adriano Galliani stated. “However, there is no date available for the Trofeo Luigi Berlusconi, also because our Champions League preliminary tie will be played on August 20 or 21.” Milan have won the game on 12 occasions, Juventus 10. The Old Lady won the last encounter 3-2 thanks to goals from Claudio Marchisio, Arturo Vidal and Alessandro Matri.

Super Cup in Toronto? Jun 9, 2012 Juventus and Lazio have still not decided where to play the Italian Super Cup, though Toronto seems to be taking the lead. The match traditionally opens the season and is between the Scudetto winners and Coppa Italia holders. It was due to be played in Beijing on August 15, but Juve argue they cannot manage that date because they have organised a US summer tour. The Bianconeri suggested moving it to Turin, which was turned down point-blank by Lazio, so Toronto is emerging as the favourite venue for August 10. There are still problems, according to the Corriere dello Sport, as Toronto’s organisers are offering approximately half the money that would be guaranteed by playing in China. Another alternative would be playing at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome – Lazio’s home arena – on August 18.