Socrates

Monaco offer €25m for Marchisio May 30, 2013 Monaco are preparing a €25m bid for Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio, reports in the French Press have claimed this afternoon. L'Equipe have revealed that the nouveaux riche Ligue 1 team will hope to lure the Italy international to the principality by offering him €6m per season – double what we currently earns for the Bianconeri. Claudio Ranieri's men have already splashed out James Rodriguez, Joao Moutinho, Radamel Falcao and Ricardo Carvalho this summer, and hope to make Marchisio their latest big-money signing.

Pogba: 'Sir Alex warned me' May 29, 2013 Paul Pogba has revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson tried to talk him out of joining Juventus. “He said they were all racist.” The French international midfielder has become a fan favourite in Serie A and at the age of 20 already a key player in the Scudetto-winning team. He arrived last summer on a free transfer from Manchester United after struggling for playing time. “Ferguson shouted at me and said: ‘Where are you going? To Juve, to Italy? Do you know what there is out there? They’re all racist,’” Pogba told France Football. “He said the fans were not like they are in England. I replied there was racism everywhere, so I just wanted to play football so I could gain experience and improve. “Ferguson noted ‘ok’ and then never let me play for Manchester United again.”

Chiellini: Racism must be eradicated The Juventus centre-back has called for racist chanting and violence in stadiums to be stamped out from both the game and society at large. May 29, 2013 Juventus defender Giorgo Chiellini has urged authorities to eradicate the problem of racism in football. The issue has reared its head once more in Italy this year, with AC Milan’s Kevin-Prince Boateng walking off in a friendly match against Pro Patria in January after he was on the receiving end of racist insults before Mario Balotelli reportedly clashed with Fiorentina fans while boarding a train after Milan’s 2-1 win over Siena on May 19. Chiellini has called for the problem to be stamped out once and for all, but feels that the decision to walk off the pitch in the face of such abuse should be taken by the match officials, rather than the players. “Racism should be eliminated and racist chanting should not be accepted,” Chiellini told reporters. “We cannot make the decision to go off the pitch because everyone has said, referees included, they are there to make decisions on that matter for us and we need to follow their decisions. “I think we need to make a distinction between racism and personal insults, which rightly or wrongly are always present and always will be. Everyone has a target, a Milan player might hate a particular Juventus player or an Inter player, but racism must not go on in the stadiums. “We are really determined to defeat the problem of racism and violence in the stadium, it would be great to defeat those problems, not only sport and football but in our everyday lives.” The problem also surfaced in European competition earlier this season, with Lazio being forced to play Europa League matches behind closed doors after supporters were found guilty of repeated racist chants during matches.

Chiellini: Juventus must improve every area of the team The Italy international feels the Turin powerhouse must continue to improve in order to challenge for top honours again next season. May 29, 2013 Giorgio Chiellini has stressed that Juventus cannot afford to rest on their laurels after their Serie A success in the past two seasons and has urged them to keep on improving. The Scudetto holders have been linked with a number of strikers over the past few weeks as they aim to add some more firepower to their squad, but Chiellini feels their attack is not the only area that needs to be strengthened. "The club is doing its best to improve every area of the team and be in the position to compete at an even higher level," Chiellini told reporters. "We weren’t even in Europe two years ago, yet this season we returned to the Champions League after a lengthy absence and enjoyed a great run. "We breezed through the last 16 and then came up against Bayern, a team that have objectively shown themselves to be the strongest at this current moment. "We now need to continue to improve year on year." Chiellini is currently preparing for the Confederations Cup with Italy.

Pogba: I want to win the Ballon d’Or The Juventus starlet admits he has made mistakes in his short career in Turin, but insists his sole focus is becoming the world’s best player. May 28, 2013 Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has set his sights on winning the Ballon d’Or in future following an excellent maiden campaign for the Serie A winners. The France international played a pivotal role in the Bianconeri’s successful title defence this season, although he has grabbed headlines for the wrong reasons on occasion, having been punished for turning up late to training before he was sent off for spitting at Palermo’s Salvatore Aronica in early May. The 20-year-old now admits he regrets his moment of madness, and insists he is focused on becoming a world-leading player for Antonio Conte’s side. “I want to become the best in the world and win the Ballon d'Or. But to do that I have to avoid being late for training and getting suspended,” he told reporters. “Spitting at Aronica? You shouldn’t do it, it's not nice.” Pogba signed for Juventus after struggling to break into Manchester United’s team under Sir Alex Ferguson, but he refuted claims that he acted disrespectfully towards the retiring coach of the Premier League champions after leaving Old Trafford last summer. “I have not been disrespectful. I would say the opposite because I said things to his face,” Pogba claimed. “When I heard about the return of [Paul] Scholes I realised that for me, at United, there would have been no room. “I do not have a swelled head, I know where I come from, I only have a strong personality. I am direct, and most importantly I know where I'm going.”

Chiellini on Italy, Juve and Inter May 28, 2013 Giorgio Chiellini spoke in Italy’s Press conference on the code of ethics, upcoming games and why Walter Mazzarri’s Inter “is already scary.” The defender took questions in today’s meeting with the media as the Azzurri continue preparations for the friendly with San Marino on Friday, World Cup qualifier in the Czech Republic on June 7 and the Confederations Cup. Pablo Daniel Osvaldo has been dropped from the squad after breaking the code of ethics by repeatedly insulting Roma Coach Aurelio Andreazzoli. “Daniel is part of our group and it’s always a shame when a teammate isn’t there,” said Chiellini. “The decisions are made by the Coach and we will wait for Osvaldo with arms outstretched if Prandelli in future decides to bring him back. He always behaved very well with us. “The code of ethics was an approach started three years ago and we know that as players we have great responsibility, as we are representing an entire country. Of course we have to set a good example for children. “A positive result in Prague would allow us to secure qualification, but we must be very wary, as a negative result could put us right back in the thick of the battle.” Chiellini is one of several Juventus players in the Italy side and is looking forward to next season in Serie A. “Prandelli is a more calm and quiet person compared to Antonio Conte, but both have that desire to win and make their mark. They enable you to understand and share their philosophy so you can apply it in a game situation. “The growth of players is important, both for Italy and Juventus. There are quality players and I don’t see another European country with so many interesting young attacking options. After all, Mario Balotelli and Stephan El Shaarawy could be in the Under-21 side. “As for Juve, a few new players are useful, but not even Leo Messi can win by himself, so the team must be the most important consideration.” It’s all change on the benches, as Inter welcome Mazzarri, Napoli have Rafa Benitez, while Milan and Roma are still up in the air. “It will certainly be easier for Mazzarri than Benitez,” continued Chiellini. “Finishing in eighth place after all those defeats puts less pressure on whoever comes next, as it’s easy to improve on that. “I think Inter can be very difficult to face, as they have a mature Coach who is ready to win silverware. I believe he can give a great deal to this team and they’re already scary for us. “I consider Benitez to be a great Coach, but it won’t be easy replacing Mazzarri. He must win the Scudetto and go forward in the Champions League. His career reflects his talents and I think Napoli can make a real impact. “Italian football will be curious to see Benitez at work after a few difficult months at Inter, arriving after Jose Mourinho had won everything.”

Pogba hopes for African foundation May 28, 2013 Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has revealed that he wants to use his fame and fortune to help those less fortunate in Africa. The young France international has been a revelation for Antonio Conte's side this season, socring five goals in 27 League games. And the 20-year-old has admitted that he would like to be more charitable in the future, whilst also revealing who his idol was growing up. “Djibril Cisse was, for me, the best forward in France,” he told France Football. “I often watched and admired him. “My dream is to help people in Africa. “I'd like to build something – maybe a training centre to help young people. “First I'd like to do it in Guinea and then across the continent.”

Llorente misses Confederations Cup May 27, 2013 Juventus-bound Fernando Llorente has the summer off, as he has been left out of Spain’s provisional squad for the Confederations Cup. Heading out to Brazil as world and double European champions, La Roja have listed a provisional 26-man selection, due to be trimmed down at the conclusion of La Liga’s fixtures next weekend. Coach Vicente del Bosque has pulled few surprises with his choices, listing 20 of the 23 that won last year’s Euro 2012 title, but Llorente is one of those three to lose their place since last summer. The 28-year-old, who is joining Juventus at the end of June on a Bosman, has not featured for Spain since August 2012’s friendly with Puerto Rico, having endured a miserable season in the shadows at Athletic Bilbao.

Arsenal attempt for Pogba May 26, 2013 British newspapers claim Arsenal will offer £15m to Juventus in a bid to lure Paul Pogba back to the Premier League. The French international midfielder only left Manchester United last summer when his contract expired, joining Juve as a free agent. He has been a revelation this season, even prompting Coach Antonio Conte to adjust his tactics to accommodate him in the starting XI. The Sunday People claims today that Arsene Wenger tried twice before to sign Pogba and is prepared to offer £15m for a third attempt. However, any such move is extremely unlikely, as Pogba is only 20 and has quickly become a fan favourite. Arsenal’s other big Serie A target, Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic, also seems to be beyond their reach, as he would prefer to remain in Italy.

Moggi questions Juve attacking moves May 24, 2013 Luciano Moggi isn’t impressed by the idea of a Juventus side containing Fernando Llorente and Gonzalo Higuain. The former Old Lady transfer guru, who was banned from the game for his part in the Calciopoli scandal, thinks they need a different kind of player in attack. “Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski is a player who makes the difference for club and country,” Moggi told Tutto Nocerina. “The club need to sign important players, but Higuain and Llorente are decent and nothing more. “The likes of Alessandro Matri and Fabio Quagliarella are not worth any less, the thing is that foreign players are desired by journalists and fans – but that guarantees nothing.” Juve have already agreed a deal with Llorente who will join the club on a free transfer once his Athletic Bilbao contract expires next month. Meanwhile, Turin officials flew to Madrid this week to discuss a possible transfer for Real and Argentina striker Higuain. Lewandowski, meanwhile, is being strongly linked with a summer move to Bayern Munich after catching the eye for Borussia this term. The Polish international, who Roma were advised to sign while he was still at Lech Poznan, scored four in the recent Champions League semi-final win over Real Madrid.

Buffon: 'Pogba will make history' May 23, 2013 Gigi Buffon praised 19-year-old teammate Paul Pogba. “He will make history for Juventus and France.” The midfielder arrived as a free agent last summer when his contract with Manchester United expired and has now been called up for the Under-20 World Cup. “Pogba has been a real surprise, as when he arrived nobody thought he could be this good,” Buffon told RMC. “He is an extraordinary player who maintains great humility. I think he will make history for Juventus and France.” This season Pogba became a key figure, prompting Juventus to change their tactics to accommodate him and earning his first senior cap for France.

Pogba picked for U-20 World Cup May 23, 2013 Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been named in the France squad for this summer's Under-20 World Cup. The Bianconeri youngster has been called up by Coach Pierre Mankowski for the tournament in Turkey, which weld be played between June 21 and July 13. Les Bleus have been drawn against Ghana, Spain and the USA in Group A. Full squad: Areola (PSG) Charruau (Valenciennes), Dupe (Nantes) Worthy (Lille), Foulquier (Rennes), Jullien (Auxerre), Rossiglione (Sochaux) Sabaly (PSG), Naby Sarr (Lyon), Umtiti (Lyon) Zouma (Saint-Etienne) Kondogbia (Siviglia), Lemina (Lorient), Ngando (Rennes), Pogba (Juventus), Veretout (Nantes) Bahebeck (Troyes), Bosetti (Nizza), Sanogo (Auxerre) Thauvin (Bastia) Vion (Porto).

Juventus confirm Higuain and Jovetic interest Director Giuseppe Marotta earmarked the two strikers as potential transfer targets but stressed that the club are exploring "various options" in the market. May 23, 2013 Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed the club's interest in luring both Gonzalo Higuain and Stevan Jovetic to Turin this summer. Reports emanating from Italy suggests the Bianconeri will dispatch representatives to the Spanish capital on Wednesday in an attempt to thrash out a deal for Real Madrid striker Higuain after agreeing terms in principal with the Argentine earlier this month, while Fiorentina's failure to secure Champions League qualification this season has thrown Jovetic's future at the club into further doubt. Speaking to Rai Sports, Marotta insisted the Old Lady were weighing up their options before making a move but could not disguise his affection for the duo. "Jovetic and Higuain are both great strikers," he said. "We want to improve the playing staff available to [Antonio] Conte in the summer so we are exploring various options at the moment." Juventus, who recorded back-to-back Serie A titles this season, have long been linked with moves for Europe's top striking talent - including the likes of Carlos Tevez and Luis Suarez - as they look to bolster their forward line ahead of the coming campaign.

Marrone set for Juventus talks May 22, 2013 The agent of Luca Marrone will discuss the youngster’s future with Juventus officials on Thursday. The Italian Under-21 international is rated highly by the Turin outfit, but he has struggled for regular action over the last few seasons. Marrone is a central midfielder, but he was transformed into a centre-back by Antonio Conte this term to act as cover for Leonardo Bonucci. Conte is a fan of the 23-year-old, but Marrone was used in only 15 games this term. He featured in just six during 2011-12. Marrone, represented by Beppe Bozzo, is understood to have admirers in the form of Parma, Fiorentina and Sampdoria. Juventus are likely to only consider a loan or a co-ownership deal for the boy who was born in Turin.

Buffon: Pogba has to be more mature The Juventus skipper says the young Frenchman has made a great impact in Turin but feels the midfielder still has some growing up to do. May 22, 2013 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is delighted with Paul Pogba's performances for the club but feels the young Frenchman needs to become more mature. The midfielder arrived in Turin last summer from Manchester United and made 28 Serie A appearances, scoring five goals in the process, and the Bianconeri skipper has been pleasantly surprised by his team-mate's impact. "You have to say that he's been a big and great surprise because we didn't know how strong he could be when he arrived," Buffon told RMC. "He's shown on the pitch that he can be very strong and we have got to know him. He's an exceptional kid, very humble. "He still has problems with punctuality but that's normal because he needs to become more mature. "But I'm certain that he will leave his mark on the history of Juventus and the France national team."

New deal for Lichtsteiner? May 21, 2013 While some reports are suggesting that Juventus could get rid of Stephan Lichtsteiner this summer, Tuttosport say that he’ll be handed a new contract. Whispers over the last 24 hours claim that the club could offer the Swiss international to Real Madrid as part of their bid to net Gonzalo Higuain. However, the Turin daily is writing that the Old Lady want to reward the player for his efforts with fresh terms. The former Lazio right-back, signed at a cost of €10.5m in 2011, is presently tied to the outfit until the summer of 2015. Lichtsteiner, who has also caught the eye of Paris Saint-Germain over the last 18 months, currently earns €1.7m a season at the Juventus Stadium.

Man Utd prepare £25m for Marchisio May 20, 2013 Momentum continues to build around reports Juventus will sell Claudio Marchisio to Manchester United for £25m. The 27-year-old midfielder grew up in the Juventus youth academy and has been a key figure for the side since 2006. Manchester United have long been interested in Marchisio, but up until now he was considered to be off the market. According to persistent Italian reports, the situation has changed with the arrival of Paul Pogba on a free transfer from Manchester United. His sale for around £25m would help raise funds for the reinforcements Juve want in attack over the summer. Among the targets are Carlos Tevez of Manchester City and Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.

Serie A - 19^ Giornata - Ritorno - 19-5-2013 (ore 20:45) 3 - 2 Fabio Quagliarella (25′) Eder (31′-PG) Lorenzo De Silvestri (57′) Mauro Emanuel Icardi (75′) Emanuele Giaccherini (90+1′) Stadio Luigi Ferraris - Genova Arbitro: Andrea Gervasoni Spettatori:‬ 23000‎ Serie A - Sampdoria bestia nera, la Juventus perde 3-2 I bianconeri incappano nel secondo ko stagionale contro i blucerchiati a Marassi, dove Eder, De Silvestri e Icardi ribaltano il gol iniziale di Quagliarella. A nulla vale l'ultima rete stagionale di Giaccherini sul finire del match. Eurosport - Sabato, 18 maggio 2013 La Juventus si presentava a Marassi senza grandissime motivazioni se non quella di cogliere il successo contro la Sampdoria per chiudere il 2012/13 con una vittoria contro tutte le squadre del campionato. Ma, come nel girone d’andata, i blucerchiati sono riusciti nell’impresa di stendere i bianconeri di Antonio Conte, imponendo un 3-2 in rimonta tanto severo quanto poco doloroso per i campioni d’Italia. Per la Sampdoria è un piccolo primato, quello di essere divenuta l’unica squadra ad aver battuto due volte in una stagione la Vecchia Signora della nuova gestione. QUAGLIARELLA TITOLARE - Delio Rossi ha fuori per infortunio Krsticic, Costa e Rossini, oltre allo squalificato Renan. Il modulo blucerchiato resta il tradizionale 3-5-2 con Castellini nel pacchetto arretrato, l’ex Estigarribia esterno sinistro e il duo Eder-Icardi in attacco. Antonio Conte ha tutti a disposizione tranne Pogba e Pepe, così conferma la rotazione post-scudetto con Storari tra i pali, Caceres in difesa, Isla, Padoin, Giaccherini e De Ceglie a centrocampo e il duo Quagliarella-Giovinco in attacco. QUAGLIARELLA APRE, RISPONDE EDER - La Juventus inizia con il piglio giusto e mette alle corde la Sampdoria con una serie di tiri da fuori di Quagliarella, Giaccherini e Chiellini, che al 21’ costringe alla grande parata Da Costa con la complicità di una deviazione di Gastaldello. Al 25’, poi, è il grande ex Quagliarella a legittimare battendo sul filo del fuorigioco (dormita di De Silvestri) il portiere blucerchiato dopo un lancio perfetto di Pirlo. La Sampdoria accusa il colpo, ma a rimetterla in partita è un rigore più che generoso concesso da Gervasoni per presunto fallo di Chiellini su Icardi. Dal dischetto va Eder e non sbaglia, rimettendo il match in pari al 31’. Chiellini va subito vicino all’autogol (33’), mentre Quagliarella spaventa ancora la Sampdoria al 40’, con Gastaldello che salva sulla linea dopo una smanacciata di Da Costa. Il primo tempo si chiude sull’1-1, un risultato decisamente stretto per la Juventus. PIOVONO GOL, 3-2 PER LA SAMP – La ripresa riparte con un altro paio di grandi parate di Da Costa su Quagliarella e Padoin, ma come sempre la Sampdoria dà lezioni di cinismo e al 57’ De Silvestri punisce con il secondo gol consecutivo, insaccando il 2-1 di testa sugli sviluppi di un corner in cui Isla si addormenta in marcatura. Conte rischia tutto con l’inserimento di Bendtner per Giovinco e Lichtsteiner per Padoin (73’), ma le cose non cambiano. E, con un contropiede pilotato da Estigarribia e chiuso rocambolescamente in gol da Icardi (decimo gol stagionale al 75’), chiude la partita. Conte, nonostante tutto, toglie Storari per dare spazio a Rubinho (79’) e si conferma una serata non fortunata, perché all’85’ Bendtner si infortuna seriamente al polso sinistro cadendo male dopo uno stacco aereo mentre Quagliarella si vede negare un rigore netto da Gervasoni (che prima assegna e poi cambia idea). La Juventus finisce in dieci, con la sola consolazione del gol di Giaccherini, che al 90’ batte Da Costa con un diagonale perfetto. Il sigillo sulla stagione bianconera in una serata più che sfortunata. Mattia Fontana http://it.soccerway....regular-season/

Vidal best midfielder, Cavani best attacker - Serie A awards for 2012-13 Goal crowns the best and worst from Italy over the course of the season. May 20, 2013 Another dramatic Serie A campaign came to an end on Sunday, with the last of the season's 1003 goals sending AC Milan into the Champions League at the expense of Fiorentina. It was only fitting that viewers should stay glued to TV sets right down to the last after another campaign of ups and downs from minute one. Juventus marched to a second straight Scudetto, while Napoli earned a second visit to the Champions League in three seasons. With Milan's third spot secured, Fiorentina will head to the Europa League with Udinese, while Palermo, Siena and Pescara will spend next term in Serie B after each experiencing a campaign to forget. But what of the other winners and losers? Who have been the best players and coaches in the league season? And what of the worst? Goal hands out the individual awards at the end of another absorbing nine months of football. BEST GOALKEEPER Samir Handanovic (Inter) There were several goalkeepers with better statistical records than Samir Handanovic this season, but none of them had to deal with the malaise that the Slovenian encountered in his first term at Inter. Having replaced Julio Cesar between the posts for the Nerazzurri, the ex-Udinese shot-stopper found himself thrown in at the deep end with a ragged outfit in front of him. Yet despite being left with a sub-standard back line for much of the season, he won his side many points with his magnificent performances that were deserving of so much more than Inter's ninth-place finish. BEST DEFENDER Andrea Barzagli (Juventus) In by far the closest category of the lot, Andrea Barzagli's consistent performances earn him the Best Defender award to go alongside a second straight Scudetto winners medal. He may have occasionally been questioned for his lack of pace, but the Italy international showed he has the mental and physical capabilities to compensate for his lack of mobility. The former Palermo man was a huge factor in the Bianconeri marching to the title with the best defence in the league once more. BEST MIDFIELDER Arturo Vidal (Juventus) If Barzagli has one thing to be thankful for, it is that he is protected by the best midfielder in the business. Arturo Vidal again showed how important he is to both the attacking and defensive phases of play with countless match-winning performances. The heart of the engine room, the Chilean also showed his superb eye for a pass and ability in front of goal, ending the campaign as Juventus' top goalscorer. It took some doing to outshine Andrea Pirlo in the Bianconeri midfield, but Vidal managed it with ease. BEST ATTACKER Edinson Cavani (Napoli) The future of Serie A is increasingly believed to hinge on the retention of key players, and none more so than Edinson Cavani. His 29 goals earned him the Capocannoniere title, but above and beyond that his ability to rise to the big occasion helped to lift his profile and market value beyond all previous levels. Hat-tricks against Lazio, Roma and Inter took Napoli to the Champions League with a bit to spare, and with Cavani still in their squad, anything is possible for the Partenopei in the near future. BEST YOUNGSTER (Under-21) Stephan El Shaarawy (Milan) Never before has a giant of the the game appeared so reliant on such a young man as did Milan with Stephan El Shaarawy in the first half of the 2012-13 campaign. The Italo-Egyptian blasted his way onto the world stage with a string of wonderful individual displays and crucial goals at key moments as the Rossoneri otherwise limped through the first few months of the season. By the closing stages of the campaign, some were suggesting the former Padova man had lost form, but he still played a major role in Milan's Champions League-clinching turnaround at Siena on Sunday. BEST COACH Francesco Guidolin (Udinese) Francesco Guidolin deserves the Freedom of Udine for the job he has done with Udinese over the last few years. Successive Champions League play-off qualification spots looked set to be followed by a stagnant campaign following the sales of star names including Samir Handanovic, Kwadwo Asamoah and Mauricio Isla last summer, but the master tactician ensured he got the very best out of his troops before the season was out. He led them to an eight-game winning streak at the business end which saw them qualify for the Europa League. Thanks to Guidolin, Udinese continue to punch well above their weight. BEST TRANSFER Borja Valero (Villarreal to Fiorentina) The very fact that Fiorentina got to within 10 minutes of the Champions League one year on from a bottom-half finish is testament to the impact Borja Valero had in his first season in Serie A. The Spaniard slotted in remarkably quickly in Vincenzo Montella's new-look side, becoming the side's key playmaker from the word go. His clever distribution and timely forays forward helped to make the Viola one of the most attractive teams to watch in Europe, and with Valero in their side they could go one further next term. WORST TRANSFER Tommaso Rocchi (Lazio to Inter) There were many candidates for the category of Worst Signing, with Juventus' moves for Nicklas Bendtner and Nicolas Anelka among a huge number of head-scratchers to be seen around the league, but none quite summed up the struggles of an entire club like Inter's move for Tommaso Rocchi. From being fifth choice at Lazio, the 35-year-old suddenly found himself thrust into the spotlight for the Nerazzurri's forlorn bid to reach the Europa League, and while he wasn't a complete failure when used in the absences of Diego Miltio, Antonio Cassano and Rodrigo Palacio, his sudden elevation to the first XI said a lot about Inter's struggles. BEST PLAYER Arturo Vidal (Juventus) Not only was Arturo Vidal the best defensive player in Serie A this season, he was also arguably the best in possession too. His importance to the re-emergence of Juventus simply cannot be understated, with his fantastic tackle success rate marrying with a superb desire on the ball and a magnificent goals record to make a complete midfielder who has become one of the modern game's few true all-rounders. His continued presence in black and white now represents the main key behind Juve's hopes for continued success. WORST PLAYER Andrea Ranocchia (Inter) There may well have been lesser players on the rosters at the likes of Palermo and Pescara, but nobody showed such a vast separation between promise and product as Andrea Ranocchia. His performances in Serie A summed up Inter's season, with his initial burst as part of a three-man defence suggesting he may finally fulfill his talent in the blue and black shirt. However, his constant lapses in concentration, inability to track markers suitably, basic lack of tactical ingenuity and regular moments of madness with the ball anywhere near his feet made for a near-calamitous campaign by the time May was in sight. Once regarded as one for the future, Ranocchia has quickly become Inter's biggest liability. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Arsenal look to Lichtsteiner May 19, 2013 Arsenal are said to be lining up a £12m offer for Juventus star Stephan Lichtsteiner. The Swiss international has impressed Arsene Wenger during the two Scudetto-winning campaigns in Turin, as he can play at right-back or on the right side of midfield. According to TMW, the Gunners are among the favourites to sign Lichtsteiner as a replacement for Bacary Sagna. The 29-year-old has been suggested as one of the players who could be sold to raise funds for new buys, including Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez. Others potentially on the market include Mirko Vucinic and Claudio Marchisio.

Serie A Week 38 - 19-5-12 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 2 Fabio Quagliarella (25′) Eder (31′-PG) Lorenzo De Silvestri (57′) Mauro Emanuel Icardi (75′) Emanuele Giaccherini (90+1′) Luigi Ferraris Stadium - Genoa Referee: Andrea Gervasoni Attendance:‬ 23000‎ 'I'm not like Heynckes!' - Delio Rossi plays down Juventus double Samp coach laughed off any similarities between himself and the Bayern Munich boss after guiding his side to a second win of the season over the Bianconeri. May 19, 2013 Delio Rossi says comparisons between him and Jupp Heynckes are "blasphemous" after Sampdoria completed the double over Juventus with a 3-2 win on Saturday night. Fabio Quagliarella opened the scoring for the visitors but a penalty from Eder followed by strikes from Lorenzo De Silvestri and Mauro Icardi gave the Blucerchiati a 3-1 lead, before Emanuele Giaccherini's injury-time consolation. Despite the Genoese outfit succeeding in becoming only the second side this season (after Bayern Munich's Champions League exploits) to defeat the Old Lady both home and away, Rossi was keen not to get carried away. "Beating Juve is always good business, but they had already won the championship," the 52-year-old Italian was quoted by La Repubblica. "We just wanted to close the season well, to have a more dignified league position. "We were saved [from relegation] in March and lately we have not kept the right tension. Am I like [Jupp] Heynckes? That's a blasphemous comparison!" Sampdoria moved to 14th after the win with 42 points from their 38 games and Rossi, days after signing a new contract, was quick to look to the future now the season is complete. "There will be work to do next year," the former Fiorentina coach added. "I hope to finish higher. This is a project that I like, based on the long term." http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/