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Manchester City agree fee with Juventus for Tevez The controversial Argentine looks to be close to ending his stay at the Etihad Stadium and moving to Italy with the Serie A champions favourites for his signature. Jun 25, 2013 Manchester City have agreed a fee with Juventus for striker Carlos Tevez. The Serie A champions will pay €11.8 million for the Argentine forward with an extra €6m to be paid if Juventus win the league and reach the Champions League semi-finals next season. As revealed by Goal, Juventus have stepped up their efforts to sign the former Manchester United man after beginning formal talks with Manchester City over a potential move. Real Madrid and AC Milan are also both monitoring the situation and City think Massimiliano Allegri's men may well counter with an offer of their own. However, while Milan have long held an interest in Tevez they have admitted they may need to sell before they can buy this summer. Juventus, meanwhile, have also agreed terms with Gonzalo Higuain but look set to miss out on the Real Madrid man after Arsenal officials flew to Madrid to finalise a deal. Tevez has endured a controversial time at Manchester City, since moving from rivals United in 2009. Despite helping the club win both the Premier League and the FA Cup during his stay at the Etihad, the striker also spent five months out of the team after clashing with Roberto Mancini during a Champions League match against Bayern Munich. The striker eventually returned to action for City and was the club's joint top goalscorer last season, with Sergio Aguero, scoring 17 goals from 47 appearances.

Juventus ready Tevez summer swoop The Italian champions will open talks with City after holding fresh discussions with the player's representatives as the race hots up to sign the Argentina international. Jun 25, 2013 By Wayne Veysey Juventus will step up their bid to sign Carlos Tevez this week as Real Madrid and AC Milan continue to monitor the Manchester City striker. The Serie A champions are set to begin formal talks with City ahead of a concerted move for the Argentine. It is understood that Juventus have held fresh talks with Tevez's representatives in recent days and are close to agreeing personal terms with the 29-year-old. Negotiations have not yet taken place on a fee for the Argentina international and Bianconeri officials are set to fly to the north west to iron out a deal and ward off interest from other clubs. Milan have long held an interest in Tevez and could join City at the negotiating table if they complete the sale of Robinho back to Brazil, with CEO Adriano Galliani stressing the need to sell before buying. Incoming Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is also a big admirer of Tevez and is believed to have told his new club that he would welcome the player at the Santiago Bernabeu next season. Los Blancos, however, have placed Isco, Edinson Cavani and Gareth Bale at the top of their summer wish list. Tevez has agitated for a move during much of his four-year spell at the Etihad Stadium and, with his contract expiring in 12 months' time, City could be ready to off-load him in the knowledge that he could walk away for free in 2014. Liverpool had discussed the possibility of a move for the former Manchester United striker earlier in the summer before pursuing other targets, while Monaco's interest has diminished after landing Radamel Falcao. Juventus have agreed personal terms with Gonzalo Higuain but have baulked at his €23 million-plus asking price and are set to lose out to Arsenal in the chase for Real Madrid striker. Higuain's fellow Argentine, Tevez, is four years older and his fee is unlikely to be much beyond €11m. City are also willing to listen to offers for Edin Dzeko, and had offered him in part-exchange for Edinson Cavani. However, after failing to meet Napoli's asking price for the Uruguayan, the Premier League club might only be prepared to sell one of Dzeko and Tevez, not both.

Juventus fly out for Tevez Jun 25, 2012 Juventus officials will fly to England on Tuesday for talks with Manchester City regarding their bid for Carlos Tevez, reports the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. The Argentine is available for transfer given that his contract expires in 2014 and Juve are looking to strengthen their attacking options for next season. Juve are thought to have already agreed personal terms with the 29-year-old, who will be handed a three-year deal worth €5.5m, plus bonuses, a season. An agreement between the two clubs, however, is still missing. The Bianconeri are ready to offer €12m, but the Manchester outfit are looking for €15m. Milan are also interested in the South American who they initially targeted in January 2012, only for the deal to fall through. However, Diavolo official Adriano Galliani has claimed that his outfit don’t presently have the room for the striker. “We are not interested in Tevez at this moment in time,” he stated. “We can’t do anything given that we already have seven attackers in our squad.”

Milan drop Tevez for Honda Jun 23, 2012 It’s reported Milan cooled their interest in Carlos Tevez because they’re in talks for CSKA Moscow and Japan star Keisuke Honda. There is a limit on the number of non-EU players Serie A sides can bring into the country each year, so the Rossoneri have only one more slot left after signing Colombian defender Jherson Vergara. The plan had been to sign Tevez from Manchester City, but their interest has notably cooled over the last few days, opening the door for Juventus to resume their chase. According to Sport Mediaset, the reason is Milan are instead looking at Japan international Honda, who so impressed in the 4-3 Confederations Cup defeat to Italy. Honda would tick every box for the Diavolo, as he is out of contract with CSKA Moscow on December 31 and therefore available at a cut-price fee. He would also bring with him numerous sponsorship opportunities from Japan, where he has a huge fanbase. It is not the first time Honda has been linked with a Serie A move, as he was also in negotiations with Lazio last summer.

AC Milan and Juventus to fight over Manchester City striker Jun 19, 2012 AC Milan and Juventus are locked in a bidding war to sign Carlos Tevez from Manchester City. The Argentinian has long been linked with a move to Italy, and has been linked with Juventus and Milan heavily this summer. Juventus are still on the look-out for a forward, while Milan view Tevez as a player who would be a viable replacement for Robinho. Tuttosport report that Juventus want to pay €12m for the City forward over the course of three years, and that Juve director Beppe Marotta wants to insert Mirko Vucinic in the deal to further reduce the cost. Milannews.it have reported that the Rossoneri have already struck a deal with Tevez and his agent to pay the striker €5.5m a year for three years, but will need to offload a player before they can pay for Tevez. It is thought that Robinho is that player, who is in negotiations with Santos regarding a return to Brazil.

Juve reject Tevez 'war' with Milan Jun 13, 2012 Milan seem closer to Carlos Tevez, as Juventus reportedly insist they won’t get into a bidding war for the Manchester City star. The striker’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, was photographed in Milan today in a meeting with Rossoneri Vice-President Adriano Galliani. “It was a meeting between old friends,” admitted Galliani to the media. Sport Mediaset had claimed Juventus directors Beppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici had also met with Joorabchian earlier today. However, Sky Sport Italia suggest Juve did not meet anyone and are in fact irritated at Milan’s intrusion. Transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio revealed Bianconeri sources had told him “we won’t take part in a bidding war.” If Milan are to sign Tevez for around €10m, then it’s likely they will use the money from Robinho’s sale to Santos.

Veron: Higuain or Tevez could make the difference for Juventus The former Argentina international feels both of his compatriots could help the Serie A giants close the gap with the European top. Jun 8, 2013 Juan Sebastian Veron believes that Juventus could challenge for the Champions League next season if they strengthen their team with Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain or Manchester City's Carlos Tevez this summer. The Serie A champions are keen to add a high-profile striker to their squad ahead of the 2013-14 campaign and Veron has advised the Turin giants to sign one of his compatriots. "Juventus are already an excellent team, but both Higuain and Tevez are the kind of player they are looking for. They have worn the jerseys of some big teams and have made the difference in important games," Veron told Tuttosport. "They are part of a small group of strikers who can make the difference all by themselves. I think Juventus could win the Champions League if they had a player like Tevez or Higuain. "Just look at the teams that made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Bayern have [Arjen] Robben and [Franck] Ribery, Dortmund have [Robert] Lewandowski and [Mario] Gotze, Barcelona have [Lionel] Messi and [Andres] Iniesta, while Madrid have players like [Cristiano] Ronaldo and Higuain. "Juventus have already given a good account of themselves in Europe this season and things can only get better with Higuain or Tevez." Higuain, 25, has a contract with Madrid until June 2016, but recently stated that he wants to leave the Spanish giants this summer, while Tevez is widely expected to leave City ahead of the new campaign with a contract that runs out in 2014.

Ultimate summer transfer targets: Carlos Tevez Liverpool have entered the race to sign the ever-controversial striker from Manchester City this summer, with Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus also targeting the Argentine. Jun 7, 2013 By Jonathan Birchall If you momentarily put to one side the on-field sniping at Roberto Mancini, the driving disqualification, the 250 hours community service order, the talk of wanting to return to Boca Juniors, the talk of moving to Paris Saint-Germain and the talk of moving to Monaco, Carlos Tevez, with 17 goals in 39 games, has looked quite the player for Manchester City this season. Perhaps Liverpool, who are considering a €8.2 million move for the 29-year-old this summer, are the latest club willing to turn a convenient blind eye to the indiscretions. City aren't. They want rid of Tevez this summer. But with a year remaining on his €233,000-a-week contract - almost double that of any potential deal from the Anfield side - Tevez somehow again holds the aces over another club at which his behaviour has been, at best, jaw-gapingly, head-shakingly brazen. The common consensus at both City and beyond is that it has been far, far worse than that. Not for the first time, Tevez and his representative Kia Joorabchian have left City officials shifting in their seats and scratching their heads. Their options switch between offering the 29-year-old a new contract on similar terms to his current eye-watering deal, accepting a bid for far less than the roughly €28m they paid for him in 2009, or do nothing and lose the forward for no fee at all next summer. And just as was the case on the Allianz Arena bench to which he seemed so oddly attached in September 2011, Tevez is happy to sit still as chaos ensues around him. One more year of €57 steaks at his favourite Manchester restaurant Gaucho, the occasional round of golf with wife Vanessa, no more Mancini to boss him around at the day job and a €11.1m salary under a fellow Spanish-speaker in Manuel Pellegrini would be tolerable to a man who has at times acted as if the word simply doesn’t fall under his vocabulary. Monaco could yet provide a solution to keep all parties happy, after already securing the services of Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Ricardo Carvalho, bankrolled by the soon-to-be Ligue 1 outfit’s billionaire owner Dmitry Rybolovlev. Ever the extrovert, Tevez admitted in May that he would “really like” a project like Monaco. Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain remain an “interesting option” for the player whom many would say is lucky to even still be on City’s payroll after spending over three months of the 2011-12 season on gardening leave in Buenos Aires, in which he spent more time on his homeland’s golf courses than their football pitches. THE VIEW FROM FRANCE HOCINE HARZOUNE, GOAL FRANCE PSG need a great striker to team him up with Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the other attackers in the squad have failed to deliver. With both Ezequiel Lavezzi and Kevin Gameiro facing the exit door. After being utterly dependent on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the club know they need to add depth. Tevez could be the perfect solution. As for Monaco, the Ligue 2 champions remain intent on making a statement before the start of next season. Tevez is a big enough name to do that, but neither club can afford to entertain the press with rows and scandals between managers and players like Man City did with Tevez and Mancini, as both try to build their image. Juventus, well aware of the 29-year-old’s delicate contractual situation, have admitted to undergoing informal talks with Tevez’s representatives in recent months, though are said to favour a move for the striker’s compatriot and Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain. Meanwhile, City sporting director Txiki Begiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano are mindful that they must amass around €47m from player sales and wage bill savings if they are to secure their ideal €140m-rated shortlist of six summer targets, headed by the man they see as Tevez’s ideal replacement in Edinson Cavani. €29.5m new boy Fernandinho and Jesus Navas, who is set to be confirmed as a City player this week, have been targeted alongside, Isco, Thiago Alcantara, Diego Novaretti and Cavani by Etihad Stadium officials ahead of the transfer window, with the likes of Edin Dzeko, Javi Garcia and Samir Nasri all being made available to leave the club in the next few months. But Tevez, who is impressed by the arrival of Pellegrini from Malaga, is happy to stay in self-imposed - and let’s not forget lucrative - limbo at City, with Soriano ready to meet with the striker and Joorabchian in the coming weeks to discuss a new deal to keep him at the club and up his value in the face of potential bidders. It is an unhappy, ludicrous marriage of convenience. Tevez doesn’t like Manchester, and Manchester is proving increasingly less fond of him, yet both he and City are set to come together to ensure he remains a valuable asset for his employers, as well as one of the game's best-paid players. You can't help but wonder if he really even cares anymore. So welcome to Manchester and welcome to the world of Carlos Tevez. Quite the player. Quite the problem.

Higuain-Arsenal, Tevez-Juve? Jun 7, 2013 Juventus are closer than ever to Carlos Tevez, especially amid reports Arsenal have agreed a deal with Gonzalo Higuain. The Bianconeri had made it clear they had two primary transfer targets to join Fernando Llorente in attack next season. The first was Real Madrid hitman Higuain, who confirmed he is set to leave the Bernabeu after seven years. However, a report in the Daily Mirror today claims Arsene Wenger already met with his father – who acts as his agent – in Paris to agree personal terms. “Arsenal? They would suit me. I’m still young and I have goals [still in me],” he is quoted as saying. His father Jorge was also interviewed by the Daily Mirror. “Madrid will want to sell. Juventus or Arsenal? I guess he has spoken with them. “The clubs first have to talk to Madrid in direct negotiation. Gonzalo currently has three years left on his contract,” revealed Jorge. The 25-year-old would be available for €22m, which is likely to be above Juve’s preferred price-range, with current wages worth £130,000 per week. It pushes the Turin giants closer to Tevez, as some bookmakers have gone so far as to stop taking bets on the Manchester City forward joining Juve. Higuain was sent off last night against Colombia after a brawl with Napoli's Juan Camilo Zuniga.

Bets stopped on Tevez to Juve Jun 7, 2013 Reports continue to build that Juventus have agreed an £8m deal with Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez. The Argentine international is on the last season of his contract with City and over the past few days several Italian sources have suggested talks are at an advanced stage. Sport Mediaset claimed on Wednesday that Juve had agreed personal terms with the 29-year-old and now certain bookmakers have stopped taking bets on the transfer. It’s believed Tevez has agreed to a four-year contract with wages that will increase with each campaign. However, the Daily Mail insists Liverpool are now showing an interest in the well-travelled forward.

Do Juventus have Tevez deal? Jun 5, 2013 Sport Mediaset are claiming that Juventus have agreed personal terms with Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez. The Argentine is one of three forwards being strongly linked with the Old Lady, alongside Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain and Stevan Jovetic of Fiorentina. The report suggests that director general Beppe Marotta has convinced the former West Ham and Manchester United player to accept a switch to Turin. Tevez initially wanted an annual salary of €8m, but it is understood that a compromise has been reached. Marotta will now, apparently, conclude a deal with the Premiership side for a forward who is still only 29-years-old. Tevez, also linked with Monaco, is available for transfer as his contract with City is set to expire in June 2014. The South American has netted 74 goals in 148 games for his current club. If Juve really do have a deal for Tevez then they are expected to end their pursuit for Higuain in favour of signing Jovetic.

Juve bid Melo and €5m for Tevez May 29, 2013 Juventus could use Felipe Melo as part of the deal to sign Carlos Tevez from Manchester City. The Bianconeri have stated they want a new centre-forward and negotiations are also on-going with Real Madrid for Gonzalo Higuain. According to Leggo newspaper, Juve have suddenly moved closer to capturing Tevez after discovering they own a player City would like. Felipe Melo has spent the last two seasons on loan with Galatasaray, but the Turkish side does not want to buy him outright. Juventus could therefore add the Brazilian midfielder into the package deal with €5m to take Tevez from Manchester City. This would solve two problems in one fell swoop for the Turin giants, who are otherwise struggling to place Melo.

Juventus director hints at Tevez move Beppe Marotta admits that the Manchester City star would be easier to sign than compatriot Gonzalo Higuain due to the fact that the 29-year-old's contract expires next summer. May 18, 2013 Juventus director Beppe Marotta has suggested that contact has been made with Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez's agent as he outlined the Italian champion's intentions to "reinforce our offensive line". The Argentine forward has scored 11 goals in 33 Premier league games this season but has been strongly linked with a move away amidst serious interest from clubs worldwide, with ambitious French side Monaco currently chasing the striker's signature. Marotta heavily insinsuated that a move for the Argentine could be imminent as he admitted that Tevez would be easier to buy than compratiot and Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain due to the former's soon-to-be expired contract. "Tevez or Higuain? It could be easier to buy Tevez, only for the reason that Carlitos has only one year left of his contract," he told Sky Sports 24. "We haven't talked with City, but sometimes we talk with agents of players. For the next season we want to reinforce our offensive line."

Tevez agent flies in for Juve May 18, 2013 It’s claimed Manchester City star Carlos Tevez has turned down Monaco and his agent is in Italy for talks with Juventus. The Argentine seems set to leave the Premier League at the end of the season, as his contract expires in 2014, and is looking to keep his €10m per season wages. He had been in talks with newly-promoted French club Monaco, who have Claudio Ranieri on the bench, but new reports suggest the deal fell through. According to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport, Tevez’s agent Adrian Rouco is already in Italy to discuss a move with Juventus. The Bianconeri would propose a three-year contract worth a total €18m plus performance-related bonuses. He would be the ‘top player’ they are looking for to reinforce the attack and had already been heavily linked with a move to Serie A last year. Manchester City have requested Arturo Vidal as part of the Tevez deal, but Juve have made it clear the Chilean is absolutely not for sale.

Juve want Tevez and Kolarov May 17, 2013 Juventus are reportedly setting their sights on Manchester City duo Carlos Tevez and Aleksandar Kolarov. The Bianconeri are eager to improve their squad over the summer to become more competitive in Europe after a second consecutive Scudetto. According to Sport Mediaset, their first target for ‘top player’ in attack is now Tevez, surpassing Gonzalo Higuain of Real Madrid and Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic. This is because his contract expires next summer and he could be available at a fairly small price-tag. It is certainly not the first time that Tevez has been linked with a move to Italy, though until now he has always patched up his differences with Manchester City. Juve are also thought to be tracking one of his teammates at Eastlands, as Kolarov would be a valid option for the left wing. The Corriere dello Sport claims Kolarov has already told City directors he is unhappy and would like a move away from the club. The Serbian is no stranger to Serie A, having arrived in Manchester from Lazio, and Juventus hope to take him for around €10m.

Juve to consider Marchisio offers Jun 25, 2012 La Nazione believe that Juventus could sell Claudio Marchisio in order to raise more funds to sign Stevan Jovetic. The Italy international has been linked with a move away from the Old Lady after admitting that he may consider his future this summer. Manchester United and Monaco have both been rumoured to be interested in the midfielder, and according to the newspaper, Antonio Conte’s men may consider offers so they can up their bid for the Fiorentina forward. The Bianconeri are said to have offered the Tuscan team €20m plus Luca Marrone and Manolo Gabbiadini for the Montenegrin. The Artemio Franchi side are holding out for a fee of nearer to €30m though.

Pogba ready to lead France to U20 World Cup success The Juventus midfielder admitted his pleasure at playing for the senior squad but hopes he can have an effect back in the national youth squad. Jun 21, 2013 France midfielder Paul Pogba has revealed his delight at captaining the Under-20 side at this summer's World Cup. The Juventus starlet has shone in Serie A this campaign and deservedly earned a call-up to the senior squad, where he tussled with the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta in a World Cup 2014 qualifier for les Bleus against Spain. But this summer he is back amongst the younger national charges ahead of the U20 World Cup in Istanbul, where France will be hoping to improve upon the fourth-place finish two years ago. "I had the chance to play in the A team," the 20-year-old told RMC Sport, "but I am proud to be back with my [younger] team-mates. "It's been a long time since the World Cup was within our reach. Being back here makes me happy. I am ready to take on this leadership role. I have shown I can lead by example. "I went to the A team and I think many players would do the same, but I have shown that I can come back." France defeated Ghana 3-1 in their opening game of the tournament and will face fellow Group A opponents United States and Spain in coming days.

Marotta on Higuain and Marchisio Jun 20, 2012 Beppe Marotta said Juventus “are looking for an eclectic player,” while commenting on Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez, Stevan Jovetic and Claudio Marchisio. The director general spoke to Sky Sport Italia this evening, amid reports Real Madrid striker Higuain has agreed terms with Arsenal. “Many players prefer Juventus to other clubs and we are still in an early phase of the transfer market,” said Marotta. “Who do I prefer between Higuain, Jovetic and Tevez? We analysed all three of them and they are great players, but I don’t want to lean too much one way, nor kid anyone. “We have already signed a very important player like Fernando Llorente who has won the European Championship and the World Cup. “We wish to improve the squad to bridge the gap with the other European giants. We are looking for an eclectic player who can fit our winning model. We always try to improve, taking the chances that the market offers us.” The Bianconeri are also linked with outgoing transfer stories, as they renewed a co-ownership deal with Udinese for Mauricio Isla. “It’s true Inter have shown an interest in Isla, but they are not the only ones, so we will see what is to be done there.” Monaco and Manchester United are reportedly prepared to offer €30m for midfielder Marchisio, who warned during international duty that he needs to speak to the club and discover if he is still ‘important.’ “There is absolutely no Marchisio problem. We’ll talk it over when he returns.”

Marotta hints Higuain deal still in Juventus pipeline The 58-year-old says the Bianconeri have not yet conceded defeat in the race to sign the Argentina international, despite reports suggesting otherwise. Jun 20, 2013 Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has hinted that the club have not given up on signing Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain this summer. The Argentina international has expressed he wants to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer and the Bianconeri were believed to be leading the hunt for the wantaway forward for much of the close-season. The 25-year-old, who has a contract with the Blancos until 2016, is suspected to have already agreed personal terms with Arsenal - although a deal is yet to be struck between the clubs - but Marotta thinks that there is still time for the transfer saga to take yet another twist. Speaking to Sky Sport, he said: "Higuain? I do not want to say anything because there is still so much time left for things to happen." The 58-year-old was equally as cavalier when asked about the potential arrival of Carlos Tevez and Stevan Jovetic to Turin this summer from Manchester City and Fiorentina respectively. "There is no hurry," he added. "Tevez and Jovetic are both great players but they are also with great clubs, so it would not be right to discuss them. "I do not want to create an illusion that things are already in motion."

Chiellini: Mission accomplished for Italy The Euro 2012 finalists recorded a hard-fought win over Japan to progress to the knockout stages, but the defender has admitted they had their fair share of luck. Jun 20, 2013 Giorgio Chiellini concedes Italy were fortunate to beat Japan in Wednesday's Confederations Cup match, but says having reached the semi-finals of the competition is the most important thing. The Azzurri were trailing by two goals after a little over 30 minutes, but eventually recorded a 4-3 win courtesy of a late Sebastian Giovinco strike that saw them book their ticket for the next round. "This is still the win that sees us qualify for the semi-finals, so that's mission accomplished,” Chiellini told Sky Sport Italia. "We will have to learn from this game, though. Although we were a bit tired, we have to be more organised and act as a team. "This was an important win because we suffered a lot. The most important thing is that we won, but we will have to analyse the match. "The game against Brazil will decide whether we finish first or second in the group. We will now turn our focus to the Brazil game and then to the semi-finals." Italy lock horns with Brazil on June 22.

Barzagli: Japan were stronger than we thought The Juventus defender says Alberto Zaccheroni's outfit were a class above what he expected them to be as Italy sealed their progression to the last four of the Confederations Cup. Jun 20, 2013 EXCLUSIVE By Ricardo Pessoa in Recife, Brazil Andrea Barzagli has admitted Italy were surprised by Japan in the Confederations Cup cracker played in the Arena Pernambuco in Recife. The 4-3 victory for Italy has ensured they have qualified for the semi-finals and will now play Brazil on June 22, to decide the first place of the group, while Japan will attempt to get their first victory in the tournament against point-less Mexico. But the Juventus centre-half Barzagli said he was shocked by the level of quality from the Asian Cup champions, who are now eliminated. “We didn’t expect such a strong side, even if we know they had good players. Honda was fantastic, he could be a starter in any team in the world and everyone knows Kagawa," he told Goal. "But it wasn’t just them, it’s a very well organised side." However, Barzagli noted that the 85 per cent humidity and the high temperature were also to blame for the performance of the Azzurri. “The conditions were quite difficult. It was very humid and we only had two days to recover from the match against Mexico," he added. "It’s not an excuse but those things obviously affect the way a team plays a high-intensity match." The 32-year old-defender considered that Italy struggled to pick up the pace of the match but once they did, things were different. “They were fantastic in the first half, very intense, and took that 2-0 lead," he continued. "But when De Rossi scored we were back in the game. Still, it could have gone either way, but I think we were quite brave and our victory is not undeserved."

Luck favoured Italy, says Chiellini Jun 20, 2012 Giorgio Chiellini concedes Italy were fortunate to have beaten Japan in the Confederations Cup on Wednesday. The Azzurri won an enthralling match 4-3 after initially being 2-0 down and surviving a number of scares at the back. “We were a little lucky in terms of the final score,” the Juventus stopper commented after the game in Brazil. “This encounter has taught us one lesson – no matter how tired we are, we have to be more of a team. We risked too much.” The victory, coupled with their 2-1 over Mexico in their first game, has now assured the Azzurri of a place in the last four. “The result is decisive as it propels us into the semi-finals,” added the former Livorno and Fiorentina stopper. “The first objective that we set ourselves has now been achieved. Now we need to think about the game against Brazil with the right focus, even if the semi-final will be a more important fixture.” Italy and Brazil will meet on Saturday in a match that will decide who wins the group and who will finish second. The hosts currently top Group A as they have a superior goal difference.

Official: Juventus purchase Asamoah for €9m The co-ownership deal with Udinese has been terminated, while a deal regarding Mauricio Isla has been renewed. Jun 19, 2013 Juventus have announced that they have ended the co-ownership deal for Kwadwo Asamoah and have purchased the midfielder for €9 million. AMAZONIAN The Old Lady bought 50 per cent of the midfielder's contract from their Serie A rivals in the summer of 2012 in a deal also worth €9m and have now chosen to buy out the remaining half. With the deal between clubs complete, the Ghanaian has signed a four-year deal which is set to keep him at the Juventus Stadium until June 30, 2017. AMAZONIAN Asamoah, 24, has played 27 games for Juve and scored twice en route to the first Scudetto of his career. Antonio Conte's side's negotiations with Udinese also involved renewing two co-ownerships deal which began last season: Mauricio Isla will spend 2013-14 in Turin while Cristian Pasquato will remain at the Zebrettes.