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Buffon's career far from over, says agent The Italy skipper's representative is adamant his client can stay in the game until he is 40 and says Italy are back among the top-five teams in the world. Jul 1, 2013 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has at least another five years ahead of him, according to his agent Silvano Martina. The 35-year-old came in for criticism during Italy's Confederations Cup campaign and was even labelled a "pensioner" by Franz Beckenbauer after the Bianconeri's 2-0 loss to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. However, Martina is certain his client will ease towards 40 and possibly even appear for the country during the World Cup 2018 in Russia. "Gigi can reach 40 quietly and without a fuss," the player's representative told Radio Sportiva. "He can even make it to the World Cup in 2018. Gigi is an absolute champion and still the strongest goalkeeper of them all. "The penalty shoot-out against Spain was unlucky, those were simply unstoppable. A goalkeeper can't really be judged by a shoot-out." Martina also feels Italy are back at the highest level following their third-placed finish at the Confederations Cup and can be considered one of the favourites to win the World Cup in Brazil next year. "The Confederations Cup was an event which prepared the team well for next year," he added. "Italian football has got back to its optimum level, we are back among the top five in the world."

Buffon proud of Italy performance The veteran keeper was quick to praise his team-mates after his penalty heroics helped to salvage some pride at the end of the tournament. Jun 30, 2013 Gianluigi Buffon praised his side’s determination after Italy secured third place in the Confederations Cup with a 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Uruguay in Salvador. The Azzurri had to see out the final 10 minutes of extra time with 10 men after Riccardo Montolivo was sent off, but Cesare Prandelli’s team dug deep and secured victory on penalties when Buffon saved from Walter Gargano. "It's a moment for us to be proud, because we did well in a very difficult match," he said. “It would've been harder if we didn't show this type of character on the pitch. We suffered a lot during the match, but this outcome made it worthwhile and I was able to give my best for the team." Italy were knocked out in the semi-final by Spain on penalties after a brave display against the World champions and the manner of the victory over Uruguay convinced Buffon that his country are still right at the top of the international game. "We honoured our place in the football world the best way we could,” added the Juventus keeper. “It’s a miracle we’re here now. We managed not to lose, and this is very positive.”

Llorente excited by Juve Jun 30, 2013 Fernando Llorente flies in tomorrow for his Juventus medical, but has already discussed tactics with Antonio Conte. The striker arrives on a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao and will be presented to the Press on Tuesday in Turin. “Juve are the best Italian team and one of the best in Europe,” he told La Stampa newspaper. “I can’t wait to start this new adventure. I have faith in my abilities and am not afraid to challenge myself against a different type of football culture. “I chose Juve because they really wanted me. I spoke to Conte on the phone and it was very important to know the Coach believed in me.” Carlos Tevez arrived this week, so there is speculation over how the Bianconeri will play next season. La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport suggested an audacious 3-3-4 system, in which the two wing-backs will push up constantly to form almost an attacking quartet. This would be a new version of the 4-2-4 that Conte used earlier in his career at Bari and is currently adopted by Giampiero Ventura at Torino.

Juventus Stunned As Tevez Could Face Jail Time Upon Return to UK Jun 30, 2013 In a stunning revelation for Juventus, it has been revealed that Carlos Tevez could face jail time if his appeal to alter the terms of his driving ban sentence goes awry. Reportedly, Carlos Tevez is returning to Manchester in order to attempt to appeal his sentence of 250 hours of community service. He is apparently hoping to attain a renewed sentence for his ban – due to his “changed circumstances” of now playing in Italy. However, if the court deems his appeal as evasion, then they are well within their rights to command Tevez to serve jail time in order to fulfill his punishment. The appeal is similar to that of red cards and yellow cards in footbal. A club is well within their rights to appeal the issue of a card to a player, but upon review the governing body is similarly able to increase the punishment rather than show mercy. Tevez was handed a six-month ban in January following three motoring offences within close proximity to one another. A substantial amount of the community service that Tevez was meant to complete remains unfinished, and probation officers have reportedly been warning Tevez that he must complete his service before he permanently moves to Italy. Tevez’s legal team are thus hoping to gain a re-sentencing hearing in order to lessen the load of community service on the Argentine. This appeal, however, could leave the forward behind bars rather than smashing in goals in Italy for the foreseeable future.

3 Players Who Could Be Andrea Pirlo's Heir at Juventus Jun 30, 2013 Having been in the Serie A for more than a decade, Andrea has picked up the following accolades: a World Cup victory, multiple Champions League trophies and a few Scudetti to boot. He has left a lasting legacy both on the Azzurri and in previous clubs where he has played. The recently turned 34-year-old Pirlo has not really lost a step and managed to lead the Italian national team in the Confederations Cup to another impressive outing. Juventus needs to start seriously scouting for possible replacements for one of the greatest deep-lying playmakers who ever graced a grassy pitch. Here is a list of three potential players who could fill Pirlo's boots in the long run at Juventus. Marco Verratti Having recently suited up for the Italian national team's U-21 side, which made it all the way to the finals, Marco Verratti could be an excellent option to takeover the reigns of his mentor, Andrea Pirlo. The 20-year-old Paris St. Germain midfield creator still has plenty of room to grow and is gaining invaluable experience with his inclusion in a team with Champions League ambitions. It'll be hard for La Vecchia Signora to steal one of the newly rich club's biggest assets, even though the player himself has not shied way from echoing his desire of returning to his native Italy. Verratti is a bit different than Pirlo. Physically, he's a much shorter, stockier athlete. He tends to be slightly more direct type of player and lacks the same enviable free-kick-taking ability. Paul Pogba Let's be realistic: A player like Andrea Pirlo will be nearly impossible to emulate, so perhaps it's useless for Juventus to find the ideal substitute. Instead of trying to unearth a player in a position which is becoming extinct, thrust a modern midfielder like Paul Pogba into that role and reap the rewards. Pogba is an absolute behemoth of a player who can affect the match in a multitude of ways. He's tall, athletic and technically gifted. He possesses a cannon shot and is an intimidating aerial presence. Needless to say, Pogba brings a very different dimension to the midfield than Pirlo but perhaps one that will fit the team better in the future. As cliche as it may be, the sky is the limit for the young Frenchman, and he is truly developing into one of the best players worldwide in his position. Change the Tactics Let's hypothetically say that Juventus don't even bother filling Andrea's boots and just change the formation outright. With the arrival of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente, they have two creators upfront who can both finish with clinical precision and pick out streaking teammates down the flank. If Juventus decides to switch from a 3-5-2 to a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1, they could employ two holding midfielders in front of the defense and go with a high-octane attack. These four-man defensive formations do not necessarily need an Andrea Pirlo-type player, and the likes of Arturo Vidal, Claudio Marchisio and Paul Pogba will be good enough to hold up the overall quality of the starting XI.

Buffon: 'Hardest job in the world' Jun 30, 2013 Gigi Buffon faces Uruguay in the Confederations Cup today and warns “being a goalkeeper in Italy is the hardest thing in the world.” The Juventus shot-stopper has come in for criticism during this tournament and hopes to prove them wrong in Salvador de Bahia at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT). “Being a goalkeeper in Italy is the hardest thing in the world, because the criticism you get is always negative,” he told GloboEsporte. “If I get something wrong, they talk about that error for four months. I understand that if they talk so much about a mistake it’s because they are not accustomed to seeing me make errors. “Italy have always had three of the best goalkeepers in the world during any one period in the history of football. “When I look back and think about my career, I realise it was really difficult to be the first choice Italy goalkeeper for 20 years.”

Tevez: 'I used to be a hot-head' Jun 30, 2013 New Juventus signing Carlos Tevez admits he “used to be a hot-head, but I’ve learned how to behave. I am simply honest.” The striker completed his transfer from Manchester City for €9m plus a potential further €6m in performance related bonuses. He sat down with Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport to reassure fans about his fiery reputation. “I am simply honest,” he noted. “At the start of my career in England I used to be a hot-head. If the manager substituted me, I’d swear and insult him. I’m not like that anymore, as I’ve learned how to behave.” Most famously Tevez refused to come off the bench in the final minutes of a Champions League match with Bayern Munich, infuriating Roberto Mancini. “On TV it looked much worse than it was. When the manager decided to take off Edin Dzeko and introduce a defender, I was upset and sat back down on the bench. “However, at that moment the really angry one was Dzeko, who started insulting Mancini in Bosnian and the manager replied in Italian. It was a surreal scene. “I was sitting there talking to Zabaleta and when Mancini turned round he saw me sitting down, but was furious because of the row with Dzeko and took it out on me. “My rapport with Mancini wasn’t always ideal, but there was always great respect.” Carlitos was signed because Juventus lack a finisher, though he insists that is only a small part of his game. “I am not desperate to score goals, as I prefer to work for the team, perfect a move and create an assist for my teammate. Obviously if the chance arises then I do know how to find the net... I like scoring, but I am not egotistical. “I do not have a favourite goal, as they are all the same to me. The important thing is that it goes over the line.” Tevez had also been linked with Real Madrid, but aimed a sideswipe at their star player Cristiano Ronaldo – his former Manchester United teammate. “My ideal trident would be me with Wayne Rooney and Leo Messi. They are the players who make me dream, not Ronaldo.”

Tevez: Ronaldo doesn't make me dream like Rooney & Messi The Argentine has confessed that he is not a massive fan of the Real Madrid ace, while also claiming his infamous touchline row with Roberto Mancini was not his fault. Jun 30, 2013 Carlos Tevez has revealed there would be no room for Cristiano Ronaldo in his fantasy forward line, claiming Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi are both superior players to the Portuguese. The Argentine, who has just swapped Manchester City for Juventus, insists his former Manchester United colleague lacks the ability to take the breath away. Indeed, when asked in an interview with Tuttosport what his dream attacking triumvirate would be, Tevez replied: "My ideal trident would be me with Rooney and Messi. They are the players who make me dream - not Ronaldo." Meanwhile, Tevez was at pains to reassure Juventus fans he is no longer a troublemaker, and insisted his infamous touchline bust-up with former boss Roberto Mancini during a Champions League game at Bayern Munich was not his fault. "On television, it seemed worse than it was," the attacker explained. "When the coach decided to remove [Edin] Dzeko and put on a defender I went back to the bench disappointed. "But the one who was really angry was Dzeko, who started to insult Mancini in Bosnian, with Mancini answering him in Italian - it was a surreal scene. "I was fine talking with [Pablo] Zabaleta but when Mancini turned, he saw me sitting down and was furious, but only because he was furious after the row with Dzeko. "At the beginning of my career in England, I was a hothead. If the coach replaced me, I cursed and insulted him. Now I'm not like this; I have learned how to behave." The 29-year-old Tevez will wear the No.10 jersey for the Bianconeri next season.

Buffon: Being a keeper in Italy is the hardest thing in the world The Juventus shot-stopper thinks the Azzurri have always had a wealth of choice between the sticks and has called for critics to go easy on young players when mistakes are made. Jun 30, 2013 Gianluigi Buffon has stressed the difficulty of being a goalkeeper in Italy, labelling it "the hardest thing in the world". The veteran shot-stopper has been a constant for the Azzurri since his debut in 1997 and, ahead of the Confederations Cup third-place play-off final against Uruguay on Sunday, has picked up 132 caps. The Juventus No.1 believes that critics dwell on goalkeeping errors more than mistakes in any other area of the pitch and says that it is particularly tough in his homeland. "In Italy, being a goalkeeper is the hardest thing in the world," Buffon told Globo Esporte, "because criticism that goalkeepers suffer in general here in Italy is always negative. "If I fail, they speak for four months about that error. But I guess if they talk so much it is because they are not used to seeing me fail." Buffon believes that young footballers should not be heavily criticised as it is part of the learning process and also dismissed the importance of behaviour off the pitch. "I think the young player has the right to make mistakes," the 35-year-old said. "It's with such an error that he can mature and become a man. "A player off the field can do whatever you want, the important thing is that on the field they give their utmost to help the other 10 players." Cesare Prandelli chose Buffon, Paris Saint-Germain starlet Salvatore Sirigu and Lazio shot-stopper Federico Marchetti to take to the Confederations Cup and the Bianconeri captain thinks that the Azzurri have always had a trio of excellent options between the sticks. "Italy have always had three of the best goalkeepers in the world, in each selection and each period of football," he added. "It is a constant. "Now, when I look back and I think of my career, I see that it was really hard to get hold of the No.1 position for around 20 years".

Llorente set for Juventus medical The Spain international is joining the Bianconeri on a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao and will form a new-look attack alongside Carlos Tevez. Jun 30, 2013 Juventus have announced Fernando Llorente will undergo a medical in Turin on Monday before being officially presented to the press 24 hours later. The Bianconeri revealed in January the Spain international had agreed to join the Scudetto holders on a free transfer from La Liga outfit Athletic Bilbao this summer. With his contract with the Basque side set to expire on June 30, Llorente is now ready to be formally unveiled as a Juventus player, the club's second star signing in a week, following the acquisition of Carlos Tevez from Manchester City. "The 28-year-old is scheduled to touch down at Turin’s Caselle airport on Monday lunchtime before completing the required medical checks," a statement on the Italian champions' website read. "The press conference, to be held on Tuesday July 2 at Juventus Stadium, will get under way at 16:00CET." Llorente scored four goals in the Primera Division last season, after falling out of favour with former Athletic boss Marcelo Bielsa.

GAETANO SCIREA Non è possibile separare Gaetanoscirea calciatore da Gaetanoscirea uomo. Perché se è stato grande come sportivo, lo è stato ancora di più come persona. Amato e rispettato da tutti, persino dai tifosi avversi alla maglia bianconera. Preso come esempio da migliaia di bambini che si avvicinavano al calcio. Diventato l’emblema della Juventus e del calcio mondiale. Questo libro racconta, passo per passo, la sua vita. Rimbalzando, come una pallina da tennis, da Scirea capitano della Juventus a Gay marito e padre di famiglia. Una storia di una vita quasi normale, terminata come tutti sanno in modo tragico. Gaetanoscirea è uscito dal mondo del calcio e dalla vita nello stesso modo, quasi come se desiderasse passare inosservato. Silenziosamente. Ma, nonostante tutto, questo silenzio è diventato presto assordante. Lo trovi qui in formato E-book Lo trovi qui in formato libro

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Llorente medical on Monday Jun 29, 2013 Fernando Llorente will be in Turin on Monday for his medical, then hold a Press conference at the Juventus Stadium. The 28-year-old Spain international striker already agreed terms with the Bianconeri in January, as his contract with Athletic Bilbao expires tomorrow and he is therefore a free agent. The official Juventus website has now confirmed Llorente will fly in to Turin on Monday lunchtime for a medical. The Press conference will be held at the Juventus Stadium on Tuesday at 15.00 UK time (16.00 local)

Juve fans snap up Tevez shirts Jun 29, 2013 Juventus fans have taken Carlos Tevez to their hearts, as his Number 10 jersey is flying out of the club shop. The striker arrived from Manchester City this week for €9m plus a potential further €6m in performance-related bonuses. Although there was some controversy about the fact he was given the Number 10 jersey left vacant by Alessandro Del Piero a year ago, supporters appear to be embracing the new buy. The Corriere dello Sport claims up to 95 per cent of the shirts sold over the last three days in the Juve Store had the name Tevez on them. This season there was another report from Danish media that the Juve Store had not sold a single Nicklas Bendtner jersey.

Bonucci: 'Penalty a life lesson' Jun 29, 2013 Leonardo Bonucci admits “it’ll be difficult to forget” his penalty miss against Spain, but it “triggered something in me.” The Italy defender ballooned over the bar during the shoot-out, deciding the Confederations Cup semi-final on Thursday evening. “Hello to everyone,” he wrote on his official website ahead of Sunday's third place final with Uruguay. “Taking a penalty in a semi-final and missing is something that will be difficult to forget. As a player and a professional I am truly disappointed, but as an Italian even more so!!! “At the end of the game, however, it triggered something in me. I was sad, but all of a sudden I felt this strong rage and desire to make up for it that you cannot comprehend. “If before I wanted to improve myself, then after this experience I feel a desire to dream that is indescribable!! “I find that sport is a fantastic metaphor and seeing a defeat as a life lesson is my philosophy. “Well, what else to say. Forza Azzurri. Forza Leonardo.”

Tevez: Juve treasure or trouble? As Juventus announce the signing of Carlos Tevez from Manchester City, Alex Mott asks if the Argentine is worth the hassle. Jun 29, 2013 “I chose Juventus because it was my dream to play here in Italy and the Bianconeri were the only club who really wanted me,” Carlos Tevez stated at his official unveiling on Thursday afternoon. “Your football is one of the hardest and most beautiful in the world.” After back-to-back Scudetti without a true goalscorer, the Old Lady now have two on their books. Fernando Llorente will come in this summer after running down his contract at Athletic Bilbao, and with the Manchester City forward joining him for as little as €9m, the rest of Serie A are right to be scared going into the 2013-14 campaign. The Argentine striker may not be known for his loyalty and dedication to the cause, but when he gets it right, as Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini can attest, the 29-year-old gets it very, very right. 107 goals in nearly 250 games for both Manchester clubs shows the talent Tevez has at his disposal. Which is a good job really, because being given the No.10 jersey at the Juventus Stadium means having to hit the back of the net regularly. There was general bemusement when Antonio Conte’s side decided to hand the mythical shirt to the bullish, bolshie Argentine. Having gone untouched since Alessandro Del Piero left the club in 2012, it was widely expected to remain so, and perhaps even be retired. However, as owner John Elkann explained, “Juve now have another great No.10.” There is certainly going to be pressure going into the new season for Tevez – expectations will be high, and with that shirt number on his back, fans will want the best, all of the time. Luckily, the Buenos Aires-born attacker knows pressure, as he explained to reporters. “The responsibility of the 10 is enormous. I already inherited that shirt from Diego Maradona at Boca Juniors. I respect it, it provides me with a challenge. I respect Del Piero, who is a symbol of this club and a great player.” He may be saying all the right things, but as Ferguson and Mancini can also confirm, the striker has another more temperamental side. At every club he’s been to, Tevez has sought the exit door after a season or two – it happened at West Ham, where he pushed through a move to Old Trafford. And when that went wrong, it wasn’t long before he was off across the city to the Etihad Stadium. Some promising early performances were then followed by a fall-out with Mancini and that incident in Munich. A nine-month sabbatical and mid-season golfing holidays in Argentina were interspersed with a hat-trick against Norwich and match-winning goals against Aston Villa and Swansea. Carlos Tevez is a man of contradictions – mature calmness in front of goal mixed with a child’s tendency to sulk. A man who works tirelessly on the pitch when it suits him, but very little off it. Some may say it’s a gamble from Juventus, but at just €9m, it’s probably a gamble worth taking.

Time for Marrone to grow up What to do with Luca Marrone is a question that Juventus will have to answer this summer. Antonio Labbate writes. Jun 29, 2013 “I certainly won’t be on the move this month. Then, in June, we’ll evaluate the situation again. I’ve spoken with the Coach and with the club. We all believe that it is better for me to play 10 games for a big outfit like Juventus instead of 30 for another team. Staying here will help me to grow.” That was Luca Marrone committing his future to the Bianconeri in January. Six months on, and at the end of a campaign where he did indeed make 10 Serie A appearances, it’s time to consider the biggest decision of his career to date. Marrone can’t afford to spend another campaign on the periphery in Turin. Learning the tricks of the trade from more established teammates in training is one thing, but playing week in and week out is another. The player and the club seem to have acknowledged as much. A summer move is, thus, on the horizon. The Italian Under-21 international, whose European Championship was cruelly ended by an injury sustained in the opening victory over England, has no shortage of admirers. However, he and Juventus will have to choose his next destination wisely. At this stage it seems unlikely, although not impossible, that the champions will sell him outright. A loan or a co-ownership are subsequently options for La Signora. The loan is the safest ploy for the club in terms of making sure that the player returns to base if that is their desire. Yet the co-ownership solution, despite what happened with Ciro Immobile in the last campaign at Genoa, could arguably deliver the biggest return. If you offer a share of a player’s contract, it is in the interests of the buying party to regularly play that individual in the hope that he develops. The tactic worked with Sebastian Giovinco and Parma. The fact Juventus had to spend €11m to buy back a forward they had previously owned is often cited as a failing. But they got €3m from Parma in the first place and the Atomic Ant now, even after his problematic 2012-13, is a better player than when he left and is today comfortably valued at over €10m. What Marrone and Juventus need is a club who can guarantee the ex-Siena loanee regular first team football because he’s already in a race against time. Italian football worryingly considers Marrone as a youngster, but he’s 23 and, if he indeed is as good as his potential alludes, then he can ill afford to waste another campaign. His Serie A career to date? Just 15 appearances. There is a complication however. Simply finding Marrone a new home will not be enough, deciding on a role for him is also a necessity. While versatility is an appealing trait, it can also endanger development in one particular position. Before the start of last season, Marrone was very much a central midfielder with playmaker potential. That was until he was transformed into a centre-back by Antonio Conte. Hit by a defensive shortage in pre-season, Conte, who also worked with him in Tuscany, needed a player with good feet as an alternative to Leonardo Bonucci in the middle of the back-three. Marrone was the chosen one and it became evident why. “I felt comfortable in the role,” he said last term. “But the important thing is that you play at Juventus, not what position you play. I was used to a midfield berth, but now I can play elsewhere and this will be good for my experience.” Marrone was used at the back in nine of his 10 League appearances in the past campaign. In the interests of his own personal growth, a decision needs to be made on what he wants to be when he grows up. Resuming his career as a central midfielder perhaps makes more sense, especially as there are doubts regarding his suitability in a flat back-four should Juventus one day revert to a rear-guard of that configuration. “I certainly hope to play more regularly,” Marrone stated while in Israel with the Azzurrini when asked about 2013-14. “I’ll evaluate all of the offers that I get. Training is of use up to a certain point, but games are the real exam for a player. Playing consistently would be important. And, who knows, I could have a good season elsewhere and then return to Turin.” That scenario would be very neat and has to be a consideration the club are seriously thinking about. The last 12 months have shown that Marrone would struggle to get into the best midfield in Italy, but, sooner or later, La Signora will lose the 34-year-old Andrea Pirlo. Now few are proclaiming Marrone to be his heir, but at a time when Marco Verratti’s agent is constantly reminding us that his client is too expensive for Italian clubs, Luca is a home grown option that must be evaluated – even if it means initially waving goodbye or selling 50 per cent of his contract.