Socrates

SAMPDORIA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS Carlos Tévez 58′ August 24, 2013 8:45 PM Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris — Genova Referee:‬ L. Banti Attendance:‬ 23000‎ ‎Tevez inspires Juve victory Carlos Tevez scored on his Serie A debut to give Juventus a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Sampdoria, including a straight red card. Aug 24, 2013 The reigning champions started the defence of their title against a side that beat them twice last season. Confidence was sky high after last week’s 4-0 thrashing of Lazio in the Italian Super Cup, though Claudio Marchisio was ruled out for a month. Samp had to do without the suspended Renan and Vasco Regini, but had Juve-owned Manolo Gabbiadini leading the attack. http://markting10.nl/ It was raining very heavily in Genoa, but within three minutes Junior Da Costa had fingertipped an Andrea Pirlo strike out from under the crossbar. A brave Kwadwo Asamoah header was also palmed over from a corner, while Da Costa had to parry a Carlos Tevez shot out from the near bottom corner. Asamoah also blasted off target from the edge of the box, but Sampdoria held out well under pressure. After the restart Paul Pogba knocked down a Pirlo free kick, but once again the Blucerchiati scrambled clear. Juventus finally broke through with a very well-worked goal. Pogba sprung the offside trap on an Arturo Vidal first time pass and rolled across for Tevez to tap in from six yards. It was the former Manchester City striker’s goal on his Serie A debut. There was a scare for the visitors on 63 minutes when Sampdoria finally threatened and indeed had the ball in the back of the net, but Andrea Costa had wandered offside to volley in a free kick at full stretch. Moments later Eder tested Gigi Buffon with a powerful cross-shot at the near post, but Stephan Lichtsteiner couldn’t keep his header on target from a tight angle on Pogba’s chipped cross. Pedro Obiang’s screamer flashed across the face of goal, whistling past the far post and Andrea Barzagli almost scored an own goal, kicking his clearance straight at Vidal. Fernando Llorente was given his Serie A debut in the final minute, but Paolo Castellini’s opening game lasted just eight minutes, as he was shown a straight red card for his sliding tackle on Lichtsteiner. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sampdoria: Da Costa; Gastaldello (Mustafi 72), Palombo, Costa; De Silvestri, Eramo (Soriano 72), Krsticic, Obiang, Berardi (Castellini 82); Eder, Gabbiadini Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Tevez (Giovinco 89), Vucinic (Llorente 89) Ref: Banti Sent off: Castellini 90 (S)

SAMPDORIA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS Carlos Tévez 58′ August 24, 2013 8:45 PM Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris — Genova Referee:‬ L. Banti Attendance:‬ 23000‎ ‎Tevez fires Bianconeri to opening day win The Argentine scored on his Serie A debut to give the defending Serie A champions all three points. Aug 24, 2013 Carlos Tevez scored his first league goal for Juventus as the Bianconeri opened their Serie A campaign with a 1-0 win over Sampdoria. The striker - who joined from Manchester City earlier this summer - found the net just before the hour mark to give Juve all three points at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. http://markting10.nl/ Antonio Conte handed a league debut to Tevez, with the Argentinian partnering Mirko Vucinic in attack, while Paul Pogba started in midfield in the absence of Claudio Marchisio. Juventus came close to taking the lead after just two minutes, when Andrea Pirlo's superb long-range strike was tipped over the bar by Brazilian goalkeeper Angelo Da Costa. Sampdoria responded well, pressing Conte's men back into their own half, but they could not take advantage of that period of supremacy and almost fell behind when Da Costa produced another fine save as Kwadwo Asamoah met a Pirlo corner with a powerful diving header. The visitors attacking quality was evident, and Sampdoria were again grateful for the reflexes of Da Costa as he denied Tevez his first goal in Italian football with a great stop at the near post. Asamoah fired a swerving effort over the bar from the edge of the area seven minutes before the interval, but despite an array of chances the Bianconeri were left frustrated as they failed to find a breakthrough before half-time. But on 57 minutes the visitors sprung back into life in spectacular fashion. Vucinic, Arturo Vidal and Pogba combined excellently in a wonderful team move, with the latter pulling back for Tevez to tap into an empty net with Da Costa stranded. However, the hosts nearly crafted an instant response, as defender Andrea Costa converted from an in-swinging free-kick only for the assistant referee to disallow the goal for offside. Pogba, afforded too much time and space by Sampdoria, continued to exert his influence on the game, and he was heavily involved again as Juventus looked to close the game out, crossing for Stephan Lichtsteiner, only to see the Swiss head wide. Juve took their foot off the gas in the dying embers of the game, with Sampdoria lacking the ability to turn the deficit around. And the game ended on a sour note for the hosts, with substitute Paolo Castellini sent-off for a lunging tackle on Lichtsteiner to extinguish any hope of a late comeback.

SAMPDORIA - JUVENTUS August 24, 2013 8:45 PM Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris — Genova Referee:‬ L. Banti‎ Line-ups Aug 24, 2013 Reigning champions Juventus start the defence of their title with Carlos Tevez against a Sampdoria that beat them twice last season. Antonio Conte’s men are aiming for a third consecutive Scudetto, which the Bianconeri have not achieved since the 1930s. Their campaign kicks off at Marassi at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT). http://markting10.nl/ Juve’s confidence is sky high after thrashing Lazio 4-0 in the Italian Super Cup last week, which saw Tevez score on his official debut. The former Manchester City striker starts again in Genoa, partnering Mirko Vucinic, as Fernando Llorente is still not 100 per cent fit. Claudio Marchisio is out for a month with a knee injury, while Simone Pepe is still sidelined, so Paul Pogba takes over in midfield. Sampdoria shocked Juventus twice last season, winning both at Marassi and in Turin, the away match despite going down to 10 men. Vasco Regini and Renan are suspended, but Juve-owned Manolo Gabbiadini partners Eder in attack. Sampdoria: Da Costa; Gastaldello, Palombo, Costa; De Silvestri, Eramo, Berardi, Krsticic, Obiang; Eder, Gabbiadini Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Tevez, Vucinic

Buffon desperate for Champions League glory The experienced goalkeeper has yet to add the European Cup to his trophy cabinet and is eager for European success before hanging up his gloves. Aug 24, 2013 Gianluigi Buffon is desperate to win the Champions League with Juventus before the end of his career, after missing out on the trophy in 2002-03. http://markting10.nl/ The Serie A champions made it to the quarter-finals of European club football's elite competition last season, where eventual winners Bayern Munich proved to be too strong, and the Bianconeri skipper is eager to go all the way this campaign. "Winning the Scudetto is obviously something that never stops satisfying you, but there's no denying that the Champions League is something else. It is not a competition you win easily," Buffon told TG1. "I already got to the Champions League final in 2003 and I really did not enjoy the experience of losing. "What would I give to win the Champions League? Let's say I have six or seven years left to play, I'd happily give three or four years of my career to win it." The draw for the Champions League group stages takes place in Monaco on August 29.

Can anyone stop Juventus? AC Milan, Napoli & the Scudetto challengers The 2013-14 Serie A campaign gets under way this weekend, with the Bianconeri widely expected to rack up their third successive title. Aug 24, 2013 COMMENT By Carlo Garganese Fashionably late, as always, the new Italian Serie A season is finally upon us. It has been a summer of thrills and spills in the transfer market - big names such as Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez and Mario Gomez arriving, but some formidable figures in the shape of Edinson Cavani, Marquinhos and Stevan Jovetic departing. http://markting10.nl/ Having won the last two Scudetti, Juventus are red-hot favourites to become only the fourth post-war team to claim three successive Italian league titles. With the meanest backline in Italy, the peninsula's best playmaker in Andrea Pirlo and Europe's most ferocious ball-winner in Arturo Vidal, it will take some effort for the Bianconeri to be toppled from their throne. Especially as Antonio Conte's squad is even stronger this term following the acquisitions of Tevez, Fernando Llorente and Angelo Ogbonna. So who can challenge Juventus for the 2013-14 Scudetto? The main contenders are listed below ... NAPOLI Napoli are considered by most experts, including Marcello Lippi, as the anti-Juve – the most realistic challenger to the Bianconeri's crown. It is easy to see why, after charismatic president Aurelio De Laurentiis oversaw a summer revolution in Campania. Rafa Benitez was brought in to replace Walter Mazzarri as coach and the former Liverpool and Valencia boss has splashed the cash in the transfer market. Despite losing star man Edinson Cavani to Paris Saint-Germain for a whopping €64 million, Napoli are Europe's fourth-biggest spenders this summer – securing the talents of Real Madrid trio Gonzalo Higuain, Raul Albiol and Jose Callejon, PSV livewire Dries Mertens and Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina. Offensively, Napoli have all the tools required to run Juventus very close. The likes of Higuain, Lorenzo Insigne, Goran Pandev, Marek Hamsik and Mertens will create and score numerous goals, and the Partenopei will be especially dangerous on the counterattack. However, while Benitez will bring about a tactical improvement, Napoli may not be strong enough defensively to maintain a Scudetto challenge. Christian Maggio and Pablo Armero are not naturally suited to a four-man defence, while the current centre-back options are ordinary. A top-class holding midfielder may also be required. Unless these areas are addressed before the close of the transfer window, then Napoli will probably fall short of improving on last year's second-place finish. AC MILAN For the second year running, AC Milan have endured a rather frustrating summer. Only the arrivals of relative midfield youngsters Riccardo Saponara (from Empoli) and Andrea Poli (from Sampdoria) – who both have the potential to be fine acquisitions - have offered fans hope. On the positive side, Milan boast Serie A's best attacker in Mario Balotelli. Should the Euro 2012 star improve his understanding with partner Stephan El Shaarawy – and there were finally good signs earlier this week against PSV – then the Rossoneri will cause defences all kinds of problems this term. The centre of midfield is solid, with Nigel de Jong back from injury, and Ignazio Abate and Matteo De Sciglio are Italy's strongest full-back combination. However, there are too many gaping holes in other areas of the pitch for Milan to aim for any more than a Champions League spot in 2013-14. The Rossoneri are still crying out for at least one top-class centre-back, having lost the legendary Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva a year ago, while goalkeeper Christian Abbiati recently turned 36. With coach Massimiliano Allegri persisting with the somewhat outdated 4-3-1-2 formation, Kevin-Prince Boateng lacks the fantasy and technique to interpret the trequartista role. Adriano Galliani needs to perform one of his late market-miracles for Milan to reach Juventus' level. FIORENTINA If there is one guarantee about the 2013-14 Serie A season, it is that Fiorentina will play the most exciting football. The Viola wowed audiences last term with their tiki-taka style and controversially missed out on Champions League qualification in the closing minutes of the season. Despite losing top scorer Jovetic to Manchester City, Fiorentina have improved after somehow pulling off the transfer coup of the summer in signing Bayern forward Gomez. The arrivals of Palermo's Josip Ilicic, Malaga's Joaquin and Milan veteran Massimo Ambrosini only adds further depth to a midfield already brimming with quality. With the outstanding David Pizarro and Borja Valero pulling the strings, Fiorentina are guaranteed to monopolise possession against most opposition. And with Gomez – a good shout to be Capocannoniere – Giuseppe Rossi, Adem Ljajic (should he stay) and Serie A's best dribbler, Juan Cuadrado, supplying the firepower, the Tuscans are a darkhorse for the Scudetto. Fiorentina's problems, like Napoli, are in defence – regardless of whether Vincenzo Montella plays with three or four at the back. Centrally, only Gonzalo Rodriguez can be trusted, while Stefan Savic has been a horror-show in pre-season. Handing inexperienced Brazilian goalkeeper Neto the first team gloves is also a risk. INTER Never have expectations at Appiano Gentile been so low going into a new season as they are right now. Indeed, this is the weakest Inter squad since president Massimo Moratti bought the club in 1995. The oil tycoon, after years of heavy spending, has undergone a series of cost-cutting measures as he prepares to potentially sell (part of) the club. The wage bill has been cut with the departures of Wesley Sneijder (in January) and Antonio Cassano, and a squad has been built around young, up-and-coming starlets such as summer signings Mauro Icardi, Ishak Belfodil, Saphir Taider, Wallace and Diego Laxalt. The only two players on Inter's roster who offer immediate guarantees at the highest level are goalkeeper Samir Handanovic and forward Rodrigo Palacio. Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic looks like a star of the future and could very well explode this term, but in all truth the best the Nerazzurri can probably hope for this season is a Europa League place. New coach Walter Mazzarri must be wondering why he swapped Naples for Milan! ROMA & LAZIO Until several days ago, the mood around Trigoria was positive. Despite the sale of arguably the world's best teenage defender, Marquinhos, to PSG for €32m, Roma were looking in good shape ahead of the new season, having signed Udinese centre back Mehdi Benatia and Dutch midfield enforcer Kevin Strootman. However, the quality in new Roma coach Rudi Garcia's squad has since taken a fatal hit following the departure of Pablo Osvaldo to Southampton and the seemingly imminent exit of Erik Lamela to Tottenham. In two fell swoops, the Giallorossi have gone from possessing the best attack in Serie A to arguably the weakest and thinnest of the teams in this review. Gervinho and the mooted replacements for Osvaldo and Lamela – who include Demba Ba and Alessandro Matri – are a big step backwards. While Roma still boast an abundance of top-class centre midfielders, a Champions League spot will be a tough ask. Two years on from Serie A's first foreign takeover, the American project is close to being branded a failure. As for their city rivals, Lazio enter the 2013-14 season on the back of an unremarkable transfer market. The Coppa Italia holders have, however, retained all of their first team players and the signing of regular Argentina midfielder Lucas Biglia from Anderlecht is a fine acquisition. The 4-0 thumping by Juventus in the Supercoppa Italiana highlighted a number of weaknesses, particularly in the centre of defence, where Giuseppe Biava and Andre Dias are ageing fast. But with the ageless Miroslav Klose and the likes of Hernanes and Antonio Candreva – not to mention a top class coach in Vladimir Petkovic – this settled Lazio team will continue to trouble more individually-gifted outfits. A Champions League spot is unlikely, but not completely out of the question.

Buffon: 'I'd give years for trophy!' Aug 24, 2013 Gianluigi Buffon admits he’d “give three or four years of my career to win the Champions League” with Juventus. The goalkeeper has won the World Cup, UEFA Cup, European Under-21 Championship, numerous Scudetti, Italian Super Cups and the Coppa Italia, but one trophy still haunts him. http://markting10.nl/ “Let’s start from the fact you never get tired of winning the Scudetto, as it’s always a pleasure, but it’s also true that the Champions League is not something you win easily,” he told TG1. “What would I give to reach the Final? I already got there in 2003 and really did not enjoy losing,” Buffon said of the defeat on penalties to Milan. “If I have another six or seven years of my career left, then I’d give three or four years to win the Champions League.”

SAMPDORIA - JUVENTUS August 24, 2013 8:45 PM Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris — Genova Referee:‬ L. Banti‎ Preview: Round 1 — Juventus Versus the Boogie Man Aug 23, 2013 There is something about getting older that makes time seem shorter and the days, weeks, and months, especially of summer, fly by. This summer seemed particularly brief, perhaps due to the fact that Juventus’ transfer season commenced in particularly rapid fashion. By the time July 4th barbeques rolled around, the “stories” generating the most ink were of the various pre-season training sessions and encounters peppered throughout the weeks, as well as good-old-fashioned, fabricated yellow journalism concerning the meteoric fall-out of new signing Fernando Llorente from favor. Yes, the mercato still has a few dying days left of potential activity, and Juventus have not yet ruled out any further movement (although sales are far more likely than purchases at this point). Sure, summer technically does not end until the latter part of September. However, just as the end of August marks a transition for students so does it for those of us who follow calcio. http://markting10.nl/ In no small part because of all of the above, it was with a great sense of anticipation that tifosi near and far, present company included, awaited the first “official” match of the season last week. The 4-0 thumping of Lazio in the Supercoppa only served as a fois gras-calibre appetizer to the beginning of the 2013-14 Serie A campaign, a campionato in which Juventus will be fighting their own recent history in hopes of capturing an emphatic 3rd consecutive Scudetto. It is perhaps appropriate then that the first step towards number 32 is the only team that Juventus could not beat during last year’s dominant run over the peninsula. Worse than that, Sampdoria not only held out against the Champions in their return from a one-year hiatus in Serie B, but were the only club to defeat Juventus twice. The first time was in particularly heartbreaking fashion, with Juventus throwing a 1-0 lead and a man advantage at home in what has become an annual January malaise, while the second time succumbing to more understandable post-Scudetto clinching fatigue. This year Juventus look to turn that luck around. If past trends are indicative of the future under Antonio Conte, the first match of the season sets the tone for the rest. Certainly the Old Lady will look to mimic results such as consecutive wins over Parma the past two openers, 4-1 and 2-0 respectively. JUVENTUS As alluded to, Antonio Conte is someone who likes to hit the ground running. Known for his tireless preparation and attention to conditioning and tactics, il mister has shown a knack for guiding Juventus to a strong start out of the gates. Of course, lackadaisical summer friendly performances may also be implied, but really that can be lived with. The Supercoppa result is hopefully a more accurate harbinger of things to come. Between the coach’s intensity and the quality of an already dangerous and improved squad, there is no reason to believe it is not. That being said, the Bianconeri will make the trip east to Genoa with no surprises expected. The standard 3-5-2 formation will be deployed, with all indications that the starting xi seen last week in Rome remaining mostly in tact. The only expected change will see Claudio Marchisio, out for an expected 30 or so days with a slight knee tear, replaced by Paul Pogba. While il Principe’s absence is no small loss, the fact that Juventus can replace him with one of the most promising young midfielders in Europe certainly mitigates that — and arguably makes things worse for Sampdoria. Stephan Lichtsteiner will look to carry over his dominant form from last weekend into the next. Up against a side so good on the counter, the pacey, physical, right-sided player will undoubtedly have to be on his game on Saturday. To his left, it will be essential for Pogba and Arturo Vidal to neutralize a decent midfield across from them, while providing cover and ample time for Andrea Pirlo to set the pace of the game from in front of defense. Probable Formation: (3-5-2) Buffon; Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli; Asamoah, Pogba, Pirlo, Vidal, Lichtsteiner; Tevez, Vucinic SAMPDORIA Although Sampdoria are now without Mauro Icardi, the thorn in Juve’s side last season, they remain an exciting, energetic, athletic team. Pedro Obiang joins veteran Samp stalwart Angelo Palombo in a fairly strong spine that, like Juve, should be lined up with three central midfielders flanked by two outside players. The midfield duo will play behind Juventus co-owned Manolo Gabbiadini. The Italian U21 European runner-up has been in fine form for Sampdoria, after having had a positive last season on loan with Bologna. The relatively small six goal tally from last year doesn’t really do Gabbiadini justice, as he was fielded out of position as a wide player. Still only 21 years old, he is expected to be the focal point of Sampdoria’s attack and is only improving — a double-edged sword for Juventus fans, who will undoubtedly be hoping for a positive campaign from the young striker, albeit not this weekend. Probable Formation: (3-5-2) DaCosta; Gastaldello, Palombo, Costa; DeSilvestri, Eramo, Krsticic, Obiang, Castellani; Sansone, Gabbiadini Conclusion The key for Juventus will be its ability to hold the ball and build play against a side looking to mirror their formation, counter-attack, and take advantage of its young firepower. Last year Sampdoria were able to take full advantage of quick reactionary plays from the back, earning two victories on well-timed exploitations of ill-positioned Juventini. Under Delio Rossi, they have only refined their countering abilities, with pacey players who can take full advantage of any lapses. Juventus will thus must control possession and thus the game this time. Lichtsteiner and Asamoah should be on high alert against any quick threats from wide, while the back line should be wary of any direct balls into the final third. That said, expect a high-octane affair for the first weekend of il campionato.

SAMPDORIA - JUVENTUS August 24, 2013 8:45 PM Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris — Genova Referee:‬ L. Banti‎ Preview: Round 1 — Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines Aug 23, 2013 The last time Juventus played Sampdoria, there was nothing to play for. It was the last day of the 2012-13 season, the Scudetto had already been clinched, and everybody had been assured that nothing of much importance was going to happen. Stupid jerks made us watch anyways because we love them so damn much. Ah, but this Juventus-Sampdoria match is a little different. http://markting10.nl/ The 2013-14 Serie A campaign is officially here. Well, tomorrow it will be. But the countdown has begun. The grass at the Ferraris will be looking extra special good with it being opening night. The players will roll out their fancy new boots they just got from their respective sponsors. The road to a third straight Scudetto starts in Genova — not against Parma as weird as it may seem after the last couple of years — and we're just about ready to get the party started. Serie A, we've been waiting for you to return for months now, sitting through transfer rumors that make no sense and watching every player that could be going to a new team not sign with Arsenal. (Okay, cheap shot. I'm sorry, but I'm not sorry.) While Juve didn't beat Sampdoria last season, the sound of typing "defending their Serie A title" has much more of a ring to it. So if you wanna keep doing that, Antonio Conte and crew, go right ahead. No complaints here. And I'm just going to go out on a limb and say there's a little more to play for this time around. Just a hunch. GOOD NEWS Wait, so you're saying Serie A will officially be taking up a lot of our time in front of the television and computer for the next eight or nine months starting tomorrow night? Welcome back, old friend. BAD NEWS Claudio Marchisio is hurt and out for another 30 or so days, but we already knew that. Luckily Paul Pogba is here to continue his usual awesomeness during Principino's month-long recovery time. WHAT TO WATCH FOR 1. That ever evolving Carlos Tevez-Mirko Vucinic dynamic. I could talk about how they've played on the field. Or maybe I'll just show you what Tevez said on Thursday regarding his developing partnership with our favorite part-time mustached Montenegrin: "I get on well with Vucinic. He is a player who makes the difference. We only played for the second time together in Rome on Sunday and obviously we need to get to know each other better and refine our movements, but I'm already satisfied." (Source: Football Italia) Okay, so maybe I'll talk about how they've played on the field. It's quite a small sample size, but thus far the Tevez-Vucinic partnership has gotten the job done. They seem to be on the same page when it comes to their movements and passes up front and they have that added bit of combined flair to break down an opposing defense or do some fancy kind of back heel when needed. Conventional wisdom suggests the more they play alongside one another, the more and more comfortable they will be as a strike tandem. So far that seems to be the case — and you won't see any complaints here if the final product is a good one. 2. Manolo Gabbiadini's impact. We knew he'd be on the watch list sooner or later, but the first week of the season is certainly a bit of a welcome surprise. A good number of folks think that this is the season before he breaks into the Juventus squad in some kind of capacity. Manolo has said he's treating this game like any another and just wants to start the season on a positive note. That's cool and totally understandable. Except for the fact that this is the club that will be keeping one hell of a close eye on him this season, judging him week in, week out to determine whether he truly is ready for the big stage in Turin. 3. Paul Pogba's impact. It's a nice problem to have when somebody of Pogba's ilk can be considered a "reserve." But Pogba's far from a guy who spends most weekends on the bench because he's not good enough to be a starter. It's far from that. The number of bad games Pogba has had in a Juventus jersey may as well be smaller than the number of hairstyles he rocked last season. With Marchisio's month-long injury putting Pogba in the starting lineup on a regular basis for the time being, it will be interesting to see how the 20-year-old Frenchman continues to grow and develop as a midfielder. And based on what we've seen in the 12 months he's been with Juventus, there's no reason to think a few more of those awesome Pogba performances won't become a regular thing again. 4. Building off the Supercoppa performance. For as fantastic as it was, seeing Juventus score three goals in five minutes on a consistent basis is pretty much unheard of. I don't think that's breaking news to anybody of us, but Juve did indeed bring some of their top-notch play to the Supercoppa blowout victory against Lazio last Sunday night. It certainly made the not-so-positive thoughts from the United States tour go away, didn't it? Now the key is obviously to keep things going as the season officially gets going. 5. Who else will show up with a beard as the season gets underway? First it was Andrea Pirlo. Now it's Andrea Barzagli. The beards are taking over Juve's regular starting lineup. Who might be next on the road to sporting a face full of hair? 'll just leave this here for the rest of you to see. #BOH My starting XI (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Vucinic, Tevez

SAMPDORIA - JUVENTUS August 24, 2013 8:45 PM Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris — Genova Referee:‬ L. Banti‎ MATCH PREVIEW Aug 23, 2013 Antonio Conte readily accepts his Juventus side are the favourites to retain the Serie A title - but he knows predictions do not guarantee prizes. The Juve head coach has reinforced the squad that claimed a second straight Scudetto by nine points from Napoli in May with prolific strikers Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente, while landing highly-rated Italy defender Angelo Ogbonna from Torino. http://markting10.nl/ Ahead of a season-opening trip to Sampdoria, however, he seemed bemused that reporters had written off rivals including Napoli and Fiorentina despite their own significant investments in the transfer window. The Azzurri are boosted by former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain as Fiorentina prepare to unleash the strike duo of Mario Gomez and Giuseppe Rossi. Conte told juventus.com: "We are the favourites to retain our title." "It's useless to deny that we start the season as favourites because we've won two straight titles, but in May it's not the favourites who win, it's the side that's proved themselves to be strongest on the pitch." "We have several rivals who have equipped themselves well by spending more than we have." "You lot, however, have said that the gap at the top is likely to increase even more. So what do you think would happen if we had the same size of budget?" Conte, who will be without injured midfielders Simone Pepe and Claudio Marchisio, also expressed his disgust at the spread of racism through the Italian game, after Supercoppa opponents Lazio were issued a partial stadium closure for abusive behaviour from fans during the curtain-raising game. "Everybody has to rebel against these violent and intolerant incidents caused by a few imbeciles," Conte said. "First of all, you lot should not give attention to certain individuals who are just happy to appear on television or in the newspapers." "They should just close the stands. After a while I think people will start to think twice about their behaviour." Samp completed an unlikely season double over Juve last season, spoiling their title celebrations with a 3-2 win at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on the final day, and coach Delio Rossi is suitably wary of the vengeance arriving from Turin. "We could not be meeting a tougher opponent," he said. "They're a team full of great champions who thrive when they're winning and react immediately when they losing." "I think Juve are the strongest team: they've bought class players like Tevez, Llorente and Ogbonna." "The calendar has matched us with the toughest opponent, but we'll try to give them a game." Defender Vasco Regini and midfielder Renan are suspended but Rossi should field his marquee summer signing, ex-Juve striker Manolo Gabbiadini.

SAMPDORIA - JUVENTUS August 24, 2013 8:45 PM Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris — Genova Referee:‬ L. Banti‎ MATCH PREVIEW Aug 23, 2013 Scudetto winners Juventus start their bid for a three-peat against last season’s bogey club Sampdoria. http://markting10.nl/ The Blucerchiati were the only side to twice defeat Juve in 2012-13, in what was a season of contrast following Serie B promotion. Ciro Ferrara was replaced by Delio Rossi in December, who lifted Samp from the relegation zone to a 16th place finish, including those dual Bianconeri triumphs. Rossi’s men played their first competitive match last weekend, enjoying a 2-0 win over Lega Pro outfit Benevento. Manolo Gabbiadini, co-owned with Juventus, netted both goals on debut for the port-city club. Vasco Regini and Renan are suspended for the opening match. Sampdoria are expected to continue with the 3-5-2 system so frequent during Rossi’s time in charge. Juventus signalled a warning to their rivals on Sunday as they dismantled Lazio to win the Italian Super Cup 4-0. Paul Pogba gave the Turin club a half-time advantage, before a lethal second half blitz saw goals from Giorgio Chiellini, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Carlos Tevez within six minutes. The Old Lady start the new campaign as favourites to retain their Serie A crown. Yet they have been quick to stress the difficulty in achieving what no Juve side has done since 1935 and win more than two consecutive Scudetti. Claudio Marchisio went off injured at the Stadio Olimpico and will be sidelined for a month, while Simone Pepe’s fitness will be evaluated. Samp’s season-ending 3-2 win last term allowed them to push past Juventus in the all-time head-to-head record. The 1991 Scudetto winners have 19 victories to Juve’s 18, with 18 further draws. Keep an eye on: Carlos Tevez (Juventus) – The Argentine marked his official debut with a Super Cup strike and is aiming to celebrate again in Genoa. Hopes have been pinned on Tevez to be the top player in attack Juve have craved for a number of seasons. Form guide: Sampdoria ( - - - - ) Juventus ( - - - - ) Last season: Sampdoria 3-2 Juventus Stat fact: Juventus have not won on their last five visits to the Marassi to face Sampdoria. Sampdoria (probable): Da Costa; Gastaldello, Palombo, Costa; De Silvestri, Eramo, Krsticic, Obiang, Castellini; Sansone, Gabbiadini Juventus (probable): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Tevez, Vucinic

SAMPDORIA - JUVENTUS August 24, 2013 8:45 PM Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris — Genova Referee:‬ L. Banti‎ Preview: Conte's men lost twice to Blucerchiati last term Antonio Conte's men kick off their Serie A defence with a potentially tricky trip to the Luigi Ferraris to face one of the teams who gave them problems in 2012-13. Aug 23, 2013 Juventus kick off the defence of their Serie A crown with a testing trip to Sampdoria on Saturday. The reigning champions lost just five league fixtures on their way to the title last term, but two of those came against Delio Rossi's men. http://markting10.nl/ Sampdoria earned a shock 2-1 victory over Juve away from home despite Gaetano Berardi receiving an early red card, and also defeated Antonio Conte's men 3-2 at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on the final day of the season. However, the scorer of three of their five goals against Juve, Mauro Icardi, will not be available this time around following his close-season switch to Inter. Rossi will hope that young striker Manolo Gabbiadini, whose economic rights remain split between Sampdoria and Juventus, can fill the goalscoring void this term. Juventus come into the game off the back of a morale-boosting Supercoppa Italiana victory over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico. An early strike from Paul Pogba and second-half goals from Giorgio Chiellini, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Carlos Tevez handed the Turin club the win, and ensured they will open their Serie A campaign full of confidence. Sampdoria in fact kicked off the 2012-13 campaign with three consecutive victories, but separate winless runs of nine and 10 games saw them go on to finish in 14th position in the Italian top flight. And if they are to get off to a similarly encouraging start this term then they will need to cope with a Juve side who will be keen to lay down an early marker. Head to Head Serie A ‎ May 18, 2013 Sampdoria 3 - Juventus 2 Serie A ‎ Jan 6, 2013 Juventus 1 - Sampdoria 2 Serie A ‎ Jan 23, 2011 Sampdoria 0 - Juventus 0 Serie A ‎ Sep 12, 2010 Juventus 3 - Sampdoria 3 Serie A ‎ Mar 21, 2010 Sampdoria 1 - Juventus 0 Last Five Matches Sampdoria Aug 17, 2013 Sampdoria 2 - 0 Benevento Coppa Italia Aug 3, 2013 Sampdoria 4 - 3 Olympique de Marseille Fr May 18, 2013 Sampdoria 3 - Juventus 2 Serie A May 12, 2013 Lazio 2 - Sampdoria 0 Serie A May 8, 2013 Sampdoria 1 - Catania 1 Serie A Juventus Aug 18, 2013 Juventus 4 - 0 Lazio Italian Supercoppa Aug 6, 2013 Juventus 1 - 1 FC Internazionale Fr Aug 4, 2013 Juventus 1 - 3 Los Angeles Galaxy Fr Aug 1, 2013 Juventus 1 - 1Everton Fr May 18, 2013 Sampdoria 3 - 2 Juventus Serie A

Mancini backs Tevez and Maicon Aug 23, 2013 Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is convinced Carlos Tevez and Maicon will be successes in Serie A this season. The Argentine has joined Juventus, while the former Inter right-back will be wearing the shirt of Roma this term after the duo left the Premiership club. http://markting10.nl/ “I never had any problems with Tevez,” Mancini told Il Messaggero. “He is a good guy. There was that one issue with him, but I am certain that he will do well in Turin. “As for Maicon, he is a great player who, if he is in good shape, could become a fundamental player for the Giallorossi.” Tevez’s City career almost prematurely came to an end after he allegedly refused to warm up at the request of Mancini during a Champions League game against Bayern Munich in 2011. “Juventus have remained as favourites for the title,” Mancini added of the side who have won the last two championships on the peninsula. “However, I would keep an eye on Milan and Napoli as well.”

SAMPDORIA - JUVENTUS August 24, 2013 8:45 PM Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris — Genova Referee:‬ L. Banti‎ Sampdoria squad for Juventus Aug 23, 2013 Sampdoria boss Delio Rossi has named a 24-man squad for their Serie A opener against Juventus on Saturday. http://markting10.nl/ New signing Vasco Regini and Renan Garcia are missing from the party as they are carrying suspensions from the end of last season. The game, to be played at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, will kick off at 20.45 local time. Goalkeepers: Da Costa, Fiorillo, Tozzo. Defenders: Berardi, Castellini, Costa, Fornasier, Gastaldello, Mustafi, Palombo, Salamon. Midfielders: De Silvestri, Eramo, Gavazzi, Gentsoglou, Krsticic, Obiang, Rodríguez, Soriano, Wszolek. Forwards: Eder, Gabbiadini, Pozzi, Sansone.

SAMPDORIA - JUVENTUS August 24, 2013 8:45 PM Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris — Genova Referee:‬ L. Banti‎ Facing Juve normal for Gabbiadini Aug 23, 2013 Manolo Gabbiadini will not have any split loyalties when Sampdoria entertain Juventus in Serie A on Saturday. The striker is co-owned by both clubs after the Old Lady initially signed him outright in the summer from Atalanta, before selling 50 per cent of his contract and this season’s sporting rights to Doria. http://markting10.nl/ “It will just be a game like any other,” the Italian Under-21 international told the Corriere dello Sport. “Will I celebrate if I score? Let us first see if I manage to find the net… “The Juventus defence is very strong, they are all Italian internationals. However, they can also make mistakes and we have to be ready to pounce on them.” Gabbiadini has impressed in pre-season so far and he admits he has been surprised by how quickly he has settled in Genoa. “I really wanted to start the season well, but I didn’t think I would be feeling so good already. I have to thank my teammates who are giving me a helping hand.” Gabbiadini spent last season on loan at Bologna where he scored six goals in 30 games.

Tevez hails Vucinic partnership The strikers started alongside each other in Juventus' 4-0 Supercoppa Italiana win, though the Argentine hopes the duo can propel the team to Champions League glory. Aug 22, 2013 Carlos Tevez has expressed his delight with his striking partnership with fellow Juventus forward Mirko Vucinic. The duo were picked to lead the line against Lazio in Sunday's Supercoppa Italiana and Tevez scored the fourth and final goal in the 4-0 triumph at the Stadio Olimpico. http://markting10.nl/ Ahead of the Bianconeri's opening game of the Serie A season on Saturday, the Argentine attacker has suggested that he can forge a great working relationship with the Montenegrin, whose future at the club had been shrouded in uncertainty this summer. "I get on well with Vucinic," Tevez, 29, told Tuttosport. "He is a player who makes the difference. "We only played for the second time together in Rome on Sunday and obviously we need to get to know each other better and refine our movements, but I’m already satisfied." Tevez also reiterated Juve's desire to lift a third successive Scudetto and "the dream" of winning the Champions League. "It was an excellent start to the season," he added, "but we have to remain focused and prepare well for the start of the championship. "I feel in good shape even if I think that I will improve game after game. "Our first objective here is to win the Scudetto again so that we can enter the history books. Then we can think about something else. "The dream is to win the Champions League and we’ll look to do all that we can to make that happen."

Del Neri hails reinforced Juventus Aug 22, 2013 Gigi Del Neri says former club Juventus have to be considered as favourites for Scudetto glory in 2013-14. “After watching them in the Italian Super Cup Final against Lazio, you have to see them as that,” the out of work tactician told the Corriere dello Sport after the 4-0 demolition of Lazio. http://markting10.nl/ “They have quality and character, they have been well forged by their Coach, while they possess security that other teams do not. “They have also reinforced their squad with intelligence. Their capture of Carlos Tevez was a great piece of business.” Del Neri spent one season on the Turin hotseat before being replaced by Antonio Conte, a man who has since led the Old Lady to back-to-back titles. “We wanted to open a new cycle, but things did not go as we would have liked,” he recalled when asked about his Bianconero stint. “The time wasn’t right and the results were not what the people of Juventus rightly demanded. “I have no regret though,” he continued. “I still regard it as a positive experience for me and I’m happy I got the chance to Coach them. “I hold on to the fact that I launched Frederik Sorensen who still wasn’t 18, while Gigi Buffon returned to world class levels after his six months out because of back surgery. “We were weighed down by injuries, a lack of experience and the fatigue of the Europa League. We lost our balance and we threw countless games away…” Del Neri’s Juve finished seventh.

Monaco now in for Marrone Aug 22, 2013 French Ligue 1 outfit Monaco have stepped forward as a possible contender to sign Luca Marrone from Juventus. According to Sky Sport Italia, Juve sporting director Fabio Paratici has held initial talks with representatives of the Principality outfit. http://markting10.nl/ Marrone, 23, was expected to leave Turin in some form this summer after appearing in just 15 League games for the club over the last two seasons. Juve are understood to value the central midfielder at around the €10m figure, although a loan or a co-ownership move has been touted as well. Marrone, now a former Italian Under-21 international, was mainly used as a centre-back by boss Antonio Conte last term. A variety of Italian clubs, as well as Everton, have been paired with the former Siena player over the last two months.

Tevez: Vucinic partnership works Aug 22, 2013 Carlos Tevez is confident he can form a potent strike partnership with Mirko Vucinic at Juventus this season. Boss Antonio Conte is set to field the duo at Sampdoria on Saturday given that Fernando Llorente, signed from Athletic Bilbao this summer, is struggling for form. http://markting10.nl/ “I get on well with Vucinic,” the capture from Manchester City told Tuttosport. “He is a player who makes the difference. “We only played for the second time together in Rome on Sunday and obviously we need to get to know each other better and refine our movements, but I’m already satisfied.” Tevez and Vucinic were handed starting shirts in the 4-0 Italian Super Cup win over Lazio at the weekend. “It was an excellent start to the season,” added the Argentine who scored in the rout. “But we have to remain focused and prepare well for the start of the championship. “I feel in good shape even if I think that I will improve game after game. “Our first objective here is to win the Scudetto again so that we can enter the history books. Then we can think about something else. “The dream is to win the Champions League and we’ll look to do all that we can to make that happen.”

SAMPDORIA - JUVENTUS August 24, 2013 8:45 PM Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris — Genova Referee:‬ L. Banti‎ De Silvestri calls for Sampdoria focus Aug 22, 2013 Lorenzo De Silvestri claims his Sampdoria side have the potential to stop Juventus in Serie A on Saturday. Although the defender has underlined the Old Lady’s status as favourites for another Scudetto, he doesn’t think they will necessarily win at Marassi in Week 1. http://markting10.nl/ “Juventus can win their third title in a row hands down, but that doesn’t mean that we should feel beaten before kick-off,” the 25-year-old told Tuttosport. “Juve are really strong, but it will still be 11 against 11 out there and if we stay focused, make sacrifices for each other, then we can play our own game.” Sampdoria, who are 7/1 shots at betfair online to beat the Old Lady this weekend, will also be facing a side who demolished Lazio 4-0 in the Italian Super Cup last Sunday. “I didn’t expect to see them at such an advanced stage already,” the former Lazio player, an Italian international, commented. “All summer we have been hearing about the hard work that their boss Antonio Conte has been putting them through, but I instead saw a Juve side in form. “Juventus were already so strong last season and now they are even stronger.” The Turin giants breezed to the championship last term, but the port club did actually do the double over them. “The win at the Juventus Stadium was like a fairy-tale,” De Silvestri recalled. “It was the perfect game for who won. “We were down to 10 men and Mauro Icardi, starting just his second game, scored a splendid double. “In the return, we wanted to give some satisfaction to our fans after some poor showings. We were really motivated, while Juve arrived with the Scudetto already in their pockets.”

Juventus Club Focus: Season Preview 2013/14 Aug 21, 2013 Overview Juventus are back to back reigning Italian champions but that has not kept them from further improving their squad in the transfer market. The club had been searching for a proper long term solution up top and had fallen flat through several previous attempts (often ending with a last minute purchase of a player who adds only depth to the squad – Nicklas Bendtner, Nicolas Anelka, etc) but finally this summer they succeeded. http://markting10.nl/ Mercato Fernando Llorente, who was signed on a free transfer from Atletico Bilbao, had his signing announced way back in January, but nonetheless did not join the club until July. Llorente is very much out of form, as he was practically frozen out last year at Atletico, so he not only needs to get used to a new league, a new country, a new coach, new teammates, and a new tactical set up; he also has to get himself back into playing form. This is why I warn Juventini and others not to expect too much from Llorente for the first few weeks (maybe months) of the season. That said, Llorente has the potential to be a world beater, and at Juve he has the teammates to help him achieve as much. The other striker brought in this summer, and one who had a more immediate impact, is Carlos Tevez. One of the goal scorers from the August 18th 4-0 stomping of Lazio in the Supercoppa, the Tevez signing came as a slight surprise, if only because the media had linked Juve to so many other, different, strikers. Still, for a price of at most €12 million (€10m base fee with an extra two in incentive based rewards) Juventus came away with one of the better strikers in Europe. Another new arrival, and one who was signed with the long run in mind, is ex-Torino wonderkid Angelo Ogbonna. The CB, a position where Juve already have much quality, is likely to be a depth option for this season, but given the grueling schedule of Serie A, Champions League, and, Coppa Italia, all combined and you have a recipe for Ogbonna to receive a fair amount of appearances and starts. Ogbonna has already looked somewhat comfortable in black and white during the pre-season, and he will surely grow to be another valued member of the Juventus defense. In terms of transfers elsewhere, Juventus sold two players: Felipe Melo, and Emanuele Giaccherini. Melo, whom the club had been trying to offload for two years now, was purchased by the same club who had loaned him for two seasons, Galatasary of Turkey. Meanwhile, Giaccherini was signed by the English Premier League club Sunderland, after a particularly impressive performance playing for the Azzuri in the Confederations Cup. Losing Melo was part of the plan, while losing Giaccherini is bitter-sweet. I like seeing the player succeed, and he isn’t an essential part of Juve’s squad, but I (and probably other Juventini) are sad to see him go. Antonio Conte Then there is Conte. The man has led the club to all sorts of various glory, but now he wants more: the Champions League trophy. Conte, who played at Juventus in the ’90s during Marcello Lippi’s tenure of greatness, knows the difficulties behind continued greatness. He knows the difficulty of winning Serie A three times in a row, and he knows the difficulty of winning a lone Champions League trophy, especially in today’s world of superclubs like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. Conte is very much capable of leading Juventus back to the top of the Serie A table, but he has sometimes shown an inability to rotate some players (we usually see some rotation but then various players get overused, end up fatigued, and then play badly in a big match) and has yet to prove his tactical chops on the big European stage. This season provides more opportunities for him to achieve both. Predictions This should be a tough season for Juve, but it also should be very exciting and very fun. The team is back in the Champions League, with a new strikeforce and new yellow away jerseys, and Serie A is an all new ball game, with several rival clubs having beefed up their rosters during the transfer window. There are new coaches, old coaches at new clubs, and plenty of skilled players who are new to Italy and to their respective clubs. While I believe Juventus are the favorites to win the Scudetto, I could also easily see a scenario with the Champions League distracts them, and perhaps fatigue and injury take a toll during midweek fixtures, and Juventus let the Scudetto slip (but still finish 2nd or 3rd, and do well in the Champions League) but I do not see this as the most probable scenario. Realistically, I expect Juventus to win a third consecutive Scudetto, and to fare well in Europe but not to win the Champions League. I think it’s possible for the squad to win the Champions League, but they first have to get to the final. Looking at the potential clubs that Juventus could face in the knock out rounds, that won’t be easy. The easiest way for Juventus to win the Champions League at this moment would be for a lucky draw, to draw smaller clubs in the first two or three rounds, and then only have to take down one giant (and depending on the giant, I think Juventus could take them, but again it depends on which European giant it is) but at this point it is all speculation. We do not even know what group Juventus will be drawn in. We’re in for a wild season, and I can’t wait for it to start. Praise Conte and Forza Juve.

Juve’s Swiss dynamo Following his stunning Italian Super Cup display, Luca Cetta praises Juve’s marauding wing-back Stephan Lichtsteiner. Aug 21, 2013 Lazio were trying to regroup from the shock of seeing unlikely figure Giorgio Chiellini finish a clinical counter-attack as play developed on the right hand side. This was just 120 seconds later, with the Bianconeri showing no sign of resting on their advantage. A burst through the centre and exchange of passes with Mirko Vucinic, then a deftly placed shot with the outside of the foot. A fantastic goal. But it wasn’t a piece of magic conjured by Carlos Tevez. Nor Arturo Vidal. Instead, it was a dazzling run and finish by Stephan Lichtsteiner, the man who put Lazio to the sword in the 4-0 Super Cup demolition on Sunday. http://markting10.nl/ On a night when Juve dominated the Biancocelesti to win a record-equalling sixth Super Cup, the Swiss international shone brightest. Whistles from former supporters in Curva Nord upon his substitution were tinged with acknowledgment. Lichtsteiner replied in kind by offering a bow. A move typical of the cheeky and antagonising Lichtsteiner. A move which makes him the sort of player popular only to his club's fans and one which riles the opposition. He is not an official’s best friend either. But it’s all part of the Lichtsteiner package. The other side was his influence on the pitch. Nobody was better. Lichtsteiner played a role in all four goals. His deflected cross from Andrea Pirlo’s free-kick found Paul Pogba, while he tore away and centred for Chiellini on that lethal counter. In the midst of the six minute second half blitz Lichtsteiner scored. Finally, his initial shot was saved before Tevez netted. It’s a display which bodes well for the upcoming campaign. Now in his third season with the Bianconeri, the 29-year-old is a vital cog in Antonio Conte’s XI, even if not spoken of in the same breath as some teammates. Lichtsteiner’s ability to power up and down the right flank not only augurs the ‘Forrest Gump’ nickname, but suits Conte perfectly. Even if it takes some shouting to get it done: “Antonio Conte has always screamed at me! I need a Coach who shouts and always demands more, as it brings the best out of me.” This helps especially towards the end of a campaign, where in a role such as his, energy levels can drop. The Swiss player was a regular throughout his three terms in the capital. When Juve’s 2011 right-back search narrowed to two names – Lichtsteiner and Mattia Cassani, who had excelled at Palermo – they chose the former. While Cassani has stagnated in recent years, Lichtsteiner put paid to Juve’s ongoing full-back concerns. Hindsight says it was the right decision. Lichtsteiner commenced brightly in the 4-3-3 formation, his athleticism allowing for a highly-attacking, but defensively conscientious style. He was one of those to initially struggle with the nuances of the wing-back introduction. It didn’t appear to suit his game as much. But Lichtsteiner did not throw in the towel. Just as he doesn’t when chasing a ball or opponent. His personality is to excel. It’s to show desire and have a high work ethic. He embodies his Coach in that respect. It’s why Lichtsteiner is now at home on Juve’s right flank and why he remains first choice in what is a physically and tactically demanding position. Lichtsteiner netted four times in Serie A last season thanks to his running and ability to be an extra body in attack. He gives an outlet for teammates inboard. Given Simone Pepe is just returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines and with rumours continually swirling above Mauricio Isla’s head, Lichtsteiner is a steady and capable wing-back choice. He may be a hothead, but with Conte driving him forward, Lichtsteiner will continue to be a force for the Bianconeri.

Juventus will ignore Pogba offers Aug 21, 2013 Juventus have told admirers of Paul Pogba that making an offer for the player would be a waste of time. Reports this week suggested Arsenal were ready to make a £20m – €23.5m – bid for the Frenchman. Chelsea have also subsequently been linked. http://markting10.nl/ “Forget about Pogba,” Bianconeri director general Beppe Marotta is quoted as saying in Tuttosport. “We do not have the slightest intention of listening to any offer which may arrive for our midfielder.” Juve signed the new French international last summer after his contract at Manchester United came to an end. The 20-year-old had a debut campaign to remember in Italy where he scored six goals in 38 games across Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League. Pogba is set to be handed a starting shirt at the beginning of this term given that fellow midfielder Claudio Marchisio will be sidelined for the next month. The youngster is tied to the Bianconeri by a €1.5m a season contract until 2016. Talks regarding a new improved deal will start once the transfer window closes.

Juventus issue hands-off warning to Pogba suitors The likes of Arsenal have been linked with a bid for the French starlet but the Serie A champions will not entertain any offers. Aug 21, 2013 Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta has issued a hands-off warning to clubs chasing Paul Pogba amid reports that the France international could be on the move this summer. The likes of Arsenal and Real Madrid are rumoured to be interested in the former Manchester United man, but the Serie A champions have made it clear they have no intention of cashing in on the 20-year-old. http://markting10.nl/ "Forget about Pogba," Marotta told Tuttosport. "We do not have the slightest intention of listening to any offer which may arrive for our midfielder." Pogba joined Juventus from Manchester United on a free transfer in the summer of 2012 and has since developed into an integral first-team player in Turin, making 37 appearances for the Bianconeri last season. The midfielder, who captained France to Under-20 World Cup glory this summer, has a contract with Antonio Conte's side until the summer of 2016.

Juventus – the Coppa killers Juventus underlined with their Italian Super Cup win over Lazio that they will still be the team to beat this season, writes Giancarlo Rinaldi. Aug 20, 2013 Their pre-season form had raised the hopes of every other side in Serie A. The difficulties of slotting in their new signings had people wondering if the big name acquisitions might adversely affect a well-oiled winning machine. And then, when the competitive matches started, Juventus blew away all the doubts in devastating fashion. It is hard to credit that the start of their Super Cup demolition of Lazio started in a slightly fortuitous manner. It took an injury to Claudio Marchisio to get Paul Pogba on to the pitch. Within moments he had broken the deadlock and, in the process, suggested that Antonio Conte will have a job keeping him out of the side this year. http://markting10.nl/ Prior to that strike, midway through the first half, neither side had really shone. There was more perspiration than inspiration on display from both teams prior. But a deadly spell at the start of the second half ended any thoughts of the Biancocelesti sneaking back into the match. The route to the rout came via Stephan Lichtsteiner on the right flank. He motored through to tee up Giorgio Chiellini who was making a cameo appearance as a striker on a lightning counter-attack. Then he finished off a neat Mirko Vucinic flick himself. The panic in the heart of the Lazio defence was almost palpable. The icing on the cake for Juventus came with a goal for Carlitos Tevez who had looked a little bit off the pace and out of the play up until then. The strike gave him confidence and he started to look much more at home in a black and white shirt. You get the feeling he will find the net plenty of times this year as he develops a greater understanding with his new teammates. A flicker of resistance from the Roman side was easily enough snuffed out in the closing stages. Gigi Buffon denied Miroslav Klose their best chance but it was unlikely to kick-start any kind of revival. The capital club looked short of the quality required for that sort of comeback. There was time, in the closing stages, for yet another pathetic display of the racism which haunted the Italian game last season. Jeers for Paul Pogba and Kwadwo Asamoah provided a depressing finale to the match. If Calcio wants to make a new start, it needs to tackle such idiocy head on. On more sporting matters, the early indications were that Juve will set the standards for Serie A once again this year. Their old guard are still going strong and their new signings can make a significant contribution. Coach Conte will be driving them on to produce both in Italy and Europe. As for Lazio, they need not hit the panic button just yet. They won’t come up against many teams in Italy as strong as the Bianconeri and can surely carve out a role in the top half of the table once again. On this display, they might struggle to retain their Coppa Italia or challenge at the very top end of the League. However, they have made a habit of defying the critics in the past and may well do so again. All in all, the Super Cup was a tasty little appetiser for the season ahead. There was some sweeping, entertaining and attractive football on show for much of the match. It bodes well for a championship which is trying to re-establish itself as one of the best in Europe. If it can kick out the distasteful acts of racism, Serie A still has a lot to offer. Let’s hope those good elements shine through in the weeks and months ahead.

Unstoppable Pogba puts Marchisio's Juventus future at risk The Italy star may have to get used to watching on from the sidelines as the Frenchman looks to take advantage of Il Principino's absence. Aug 20, 2013 COMMENT By Carlo Garganese It is not often you lose a first-choice midfielder to injury after 20 minutes and are actually strengthened by the enforced substitution. But that is exactly what happened to Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico during Sunday's Supercoppa Italiana against Lazio, as Claudio Marchisio hobbled off with a knee complaint and was replaced by French wonderkid Paul Pogba. While Juve laboured in the opening exchanges, it took just three minutes for the ex-Manchester United man to make an impact as he swivelled brilliantly in the area to break the deadlock with a left-footed snapshot past Federico Marchetti. http://markting10.nl/ Juventus reigned supreme thereafter to crush the Romans 4-0 in the Eternal City and claim the first piece of silverware of the new Italian season. Along with flying wing-back Stephan Lichtsteiner, the long-legged Pogba was the outstanding player on the pitch – powerfully dominating the midfield and setting up new signing Carlos Tevez for his first official Juve goal. With Marchisio having since been ruled out for 30-35 days with a first to second degree tear of his medial collateral ligament, Pogba will now start Saturday's Serie A opener in Genoa against Sampdoria alongside Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal. Just like on Sunday, Marchisio's injury could prove to be a blessing in disguise for Juve (and a devastating blow for the Italian). And not just in the short-term. At just 20 years old, Pogba is already arguably superior to the Euro 2012 runner-up. Physically, mentally, technically – he possesses all the credentials to develop into the most complete midfielder in the world. Hence why former manager Sir Alex Ferguson - never fazed at having to supplant top class stars such as Jaap Stam, Ruud van Nistelrooy and David Beckham – was so enraged at losing the youngster on a Bosman a year ago. Coach Antonio Conte acknowledged towards the end of last season's successful Scudetto defence that Pogba was too good to be a deputy. The problem was that his MVP midfield trio of Marchisio, Vidal and Pirlo was untouchable. Pirlo was the best creator on the peninsula, Vidal the number one ball-winner in Europe and Marchisio the silent complement to the world class duo. Conte attempted to shoehorn them all into the same line-up by tweaking his formation from a 3-5-2 to a 3-5-1-1, with Pogba taking Marchisio's place and the Italian pushing into the 'hole', but the experiment failed. Marchisio lacks the guile and fantasy to interpret such a role, meaning that only three of the four midfielders can play at one time. Despite being strongly linked with a transfer throughout the summer – particularly to big-spending Monaco – Marchisio remained. But his position within the club and the first team had been significantly weakened due to a lack of public support from his employers during the 'silly season'. Not to mention some anonymous performances for club and country at the tail end of 2012-13, including at the Confederations Cup. The feeling is that Conte recognises that Pogba is already a superior option to the 27-year-old but that he has to play the situation smartly from a political sense. Il Principino (Little Prince) is hugely popular among the Juventus fanbase; born in Turin, a graduate of the youth system – he bleeds black and white and is regarded as a future captain of the club. Now Conte's hand has been forced by Marchisio's injury. Should Pogba excel, as expected, then the ex-Siena boss will have no choice but to retain the Under-20 world champion in his starting XI (unless, of course, pigs fly and Arsenal sign Pogba this summer). While Juventus' assault on three fronts - plus Pirlo's advancing years - mean that Marchisio would still enjoy plenty of game time, he would be officially behind Pogba in the pecking order. And with Marchisio turning 28 in January and entering the peak years of his career, his future in Turin will undoubtedly be brought into question once again.