Socrates

Chiellini: 'Crazy to leave Juve' Aug 4, 2013 Giorgio Chiellini feels it “would be crazy to leave Juventus now,” even for Real Madrid, as the club is really going places. The Bianconeri have won two consecutive Scudetti and reached the Champions League quarter-finals, but have reinforced with Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente. “Every summer I hear transfer stories around me or Claudio Marchisio, but a lot of it is fantasy football,” the defender told Tuttosport. http://markting10.nl/ “Beppe Marotta said clearly that this is not a selling club. Besides, it would be crazy to leave Juventus now that the project is taking off, even if Real Madrid came calling. “Just think about it, who would’ve imagined Antonio Conte winning the Scudetto in his first season? Can you remember the US pre-season tour? We really struggled in friendlies and things weren’t going well, yet we arrived ahead of schedule. Now we’ve added a few extra players, learned to know each other and are more solid.” Chiellini was asked about Real Madrid’s reported €120m offer for Tottenham’s Gareth Bale. “It’s a completely different reality and we cannot think of competing with Real Madrid or Barcelona. Let me also remind you that the club that spends the most money doesn’t always win. Just look at Borussia Dortmund. “We too can look to the future with great confidence and enthusiasm. We’ve reinforced and signed players who can help us in our growth process.” Juventus were beaten 3-1 by LA Galaxy last night, confirming their poor pre-season form with not a single victory against a big club. “Let’s just say that at Juve we run a lot without the ball in training, which isn’t so common abroad. In these two years Conte has increased the fitness work, so now we suffer less over long distances. For those who arrive, not being accustomed to certain rhythms, they do struggle.”

Marotta: 'Juve sell two strikers' Aug 4, 2013 Beppe Marotta confirmed Juventus “are in the phase of removing excess players,” including two strikers. The Bianconeri are in America where they lost 3-1 to LA Galaxy in last night’s Guinness International Champions Cup game. “I will not name names, but at this moment we have six strikers. We need to be left with four,” director general Marotta told Sky Sport Italia. “We are in the phase of removing excess players from the squad.” With the arrival of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente, it was always likely that players such as Alessandro Matri and Fabio Quagliarella would be pushed down the pecking order. Both players have been linked with Premier League moves to Everton, West Ham and Norwich. However, Mirko Vucinic is by no means safe either, as he is of interest to Manchester United. Marotta was also asked about the reports Reto Ziegler will move to rivals Torino. “Maybe.”

Juventus confirm 'excess' striker sale Director general Giuseppe Marotta claims the club are in the process of getting rid of two forwards who are deemed surplus to requirements. Aug 4, 2013 Juventus are close to selling two strikers as they look to remove "excess players" from their squad, according to club chief Giuseppe Marotta. The Bianconeri secured the arrivals of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente earlier this summer, prompting speculation that Alessandro Matri, Fabio Quagliarella, Sebastian Giovinco or Mirko Vucinic could be sold, with the former duo linked with moves to the Premier League. Juve general director Marotta has now confirmed the Serie A champions are keen to offload two of their forwards as they look to whittle down their squad before the 2013-14 season. "I will not name names, but at this moment we have six strikers. We need to be left with four," he told Sky Sport. "We are in the phase of removing excess players from the squad." Marotta also confirmed defender Reto Ziegler could be set to join city rivals Torino, following Angelo Ogbonna's switch to Juventus Stadium this summer.

I wouldn't even consider leaving Juventus, insists Chiellini The Italy defender pledges his immediate future to the Bianconeri, saying he would have no interest in moving to Real Madrid since he believes his side are ready for big things. Aug 4, 2013 Giorgio Chiellini has dismissed the suggestion that he could leave Juventus this summer, stressing he has complete faith in Antonio Conte's vision for the Italian champions. According to reports, Real Madrid are considering making a €22 million move for the versatile centre-back, who has established himself as one of the top defenders in the world since joining from Fiorentina in 2005. However, Chiellini has reiterated his desire to stay in Turin and thrown his support behind his coach, saying he senses that even better things are on the horizon for the two-time defending Italian champions. "If Real Madrid make me an offer it wouldn't go through my head at this time to leave Juventus," the 28-year-old told journalists at a press conference after his side's 3-1 defeat to L.A. Galaxy. "Right now that there is a project on the launching pad. [Giuseppe] Marotta said it clearly: this is not a club that sells. Rather it is a club that wants to build an important cycle. "Think about it: in Conte's first year, who would ever have imagined Juventus becoming champions of Italy? We have forged ahead. "Now that we have added a few more pieces, now that we are more solid, we aim to continue on this path." Juventus have signed attacking duo Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez this summer, the former on a free transfer and the latter for a reported fee of €11.8m from Manchester City, and Chiellini believes that the Bianconeri have spent more wisely than many of their European rivals. "They say that Juve has spent €200m - I would like to see where that €200m was spent," the Italy international continued. "When you talk about numbers, you have to justify them. Juventus did not make very large expense. "Bayern spent €40 million on Mario Gotze, for just one player. Juve haven't spent that on all their purchases. "But it really is not about the money - we want to improve and that's it. We're going to compare to others at the appropriate time in the field." Juventus kick off their Scudetto defence against Sampdoria at the Luigi Ferraris at the end of the month.

Tevez: I've not worked this hard since Boca Juniors days The Bianconeri's new Argentine attacker is confident his pre-season endeavour will pay off in the near future and says his previous troubles will not plague his time in Italy. Aug 4, 2013 Juventus striker Carlos Tevez has admitted that he has not worked as hard in pre-season since he was at Boca Juniors. The 29-year-old forward, who joined the Bianconeri from Manchester City earlier this summer, explained that he is really enjoying being put through his paces by coach Antonio Conte, as he expects all of the hard work to pay off. “I’m training very intensely, and it’s normal to be a bit tired," the Argentine attacker told reporters on Saturday. "I haven’t worked this hard since I was at Boca Juniors! "The objective is to be ready for the Italian Super Cup, and games such as our clash against Galaxy [on Saturday] are useful to help you prepare in the best possible way.” http://markting10.nl/ Tevez also expressed his gratitude to Conte for recently telling journalists that the former Manchester United striker is very different to the person portrayed by sections of the media. “I’m a good person and I think that in the long run time will tell exactly what someone’s really like," he reasoned. “Conte also places great importance on tactics and is very well-prepared. I’m looking to pay careful attention to the systems used and apply what Conte asks of me on the field of play." Juventus meet Lazio in the Supercoppa Italiana at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on August 18.

Cederemo Quagliarella e/o Matri. Vucinic non si tocca.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vidal acciaccato.

Chi ha fatto quel passaggio di tacco sublime? @@

Marrone si mangia un goal giá fatto.

Non era fuorigioco.