Socrates

Ancelotti: PSG are not interested in Lichtsteiner or Debuchy The 53-year-old trainer has revealed that his team are not looking into the possibility of acquiring either of the internationals. Aug 18, 2012 Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that the club are not interested in signing Stephan Lichtsteiner from Juventus, and has also ruled out a move for Lille full-back Mathieu Debuchy. The French capital club were expected to announce the arrival of veteran Anthony Reveillere from Lyon last week, but the deal has reportedly fallen through. These developments have reportedly rekindled PSG's interest in the Juventus right-back, but Ancelotti has moved to squash such claims and insisted that Lichtsteiner is not in PSG's plans. "It is not remotely true that we are interested in Lichtsteiner," he said in a press conference on the eve of their trip to Ajaccio on Friday. "We do want a right-back, but we are looking for a Frenchman for that role." "It definitely will not be Debuchy however, who is a player of Lille."

Pirlo and Buffon miss Milan Aug 18, 2012 Juventus have left behind Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon for tomorrow night’s Trofeo Berlusconi match with Milan. The game is a traditional pre-season fixture between these two clubs at San Siro. Pirlo was carrying a knock from the Italian Super Cup victory over Napoli last week and has not been risked for this test. Buffon has also been left out of the squad so he can focus on continuing a separate training schedule. Coach Antonio Conte should be in the stands with Massimo Carrera taking over again during the 10-month ban. Juventus squad: 2 Lucio, 5 Masi, 6 Pogba, 8 Marchisio, 9 Vucinic, 11 De Ceglie, 12 Giovinco, 13 Leali, 15 Barzagli, 16 Ziegler, 18 Boakye, 19 Bonucci, 20 Padoin, 22 Asamoah, 23 Vidal, 24 Giaccherini, 25 Rugani, 26 Lichtsteiner. 27 Quagliarella, 29 Pazienza, 30 Storari, 31 Branescu, 32 Matri, 39 Marrone.

Pirlo and Buffon miss Milan Aug 18, 2012 Juventus have left behind Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon for tomorrow night’s Trofeo Berlusconi match with Milan. The game is a traditional pre-season fixture between these two clubs at San Siro. Pirlo was carrying a knock from the Italian Super Cup victory over Napoli last week and has not been risked for this test. Buffon has also been left out of the squad so he can focus on continuing a separate training schedule. Coach Antonio Conte should be in the stands with Massimo Carrera taking over again during the 10-month ban. Juventus squad: 2 Lucio, 5 Masi, 6 Pogba, 8 Marchisio, 9 Vucinic, 11 De Ceglie, 12 Giovinco, 13 Leali, 15 Barzagli, 16 Ziegler, 18 Boakye, 19 Bonucci, 20 Padoin, 22 Asamoah, 23 Vidal, 24 Giaccherini, 25 Rugani, 26 Lichtsteiner. 27 Quagliarella, 29 Pazienza, 30 Storari, 31 Branescu, 32 Matri, 39 Marrone.

Ancelotti: 'PSG don't want Lichtsteiner' Aug 18, 2012 Carlo Ancelotti insists it’s “not remotely true” that PSG are making a bid for Juventus right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner. The reports emerged last night with quotes from an unnamed member of Swiss international Lichtsteiner’s entourage. “It is not remotely true that we are interested in Lichtsteiner,” replied Paris Saint-Germain manager Ancelotti. “We do want a right-back, but we are looking for a Frenchman for that role.” This would also seem to rule out another rumoured target for PSG, Inter’s Brazilian star Douglas Maicon.

Pirlo doubt to face Milan Aug 18, 2012 Andrea Pirlo could miss out on Sunday’s Trofeo Berlusconi match against Milan, as the Juventus midfielder is nursing a knock. The two clubs come face to face tomorrow evening at San Siro in the traditional pre-season friendly, which will be played on the new hybrid artificial turf. Pirlo is at risk of missing the encounter with his former teammates, as he picked up a knock during the Italian Super Cup against Napoli last week. It remains to be seen whether Juve will try to keep their star midfielder under wraps ahead of next weekend’s Serie A debut against Parma or hope he can run it off.

Lichtsteiner 'interested' in PSG Aug 17, 2012 Paris Saint-Germain are raiding Serie A again, as Stephan Lichtsteiner’s entourage are quoted as saying the Juventus star is “interested” in a move. Carlo Ancelotti’s club has already taken Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi this summer. According to Calciomercato.it, Juve would be willing to listen to an offer of €15m for their right-back. “Stephan arrived in Italy from Lille, but when he joined Lazio there had already been a concrete interest from PSG and we spoke to them, but decided to try out a new experience in a different league,” said an unnamed member of Lichtsteiner’s entourage. “Obviously PSG are a very interesting club with an excellent structure. They have an important project, a great Coach like Ancelotti and a great technical director in Leonardo. It would be an honour for Stephan to play for Ancelotti. “At the same time he is very happy in Turin. The Bianconeri also have an important project for the future and he is part of it, so there’d be no real reason to leave Juventus. “The decision is down to Juventus. If they decide to sell Stephan, then obviously he would be interested in joining PSG. “The certain thing is that the player wants to know his future in the next four or five days, because he is very ambitious and wants to prepare as best as possible for next season.” Swiss right-back Lichtsteiner has also been linked with Chelsea. “The situation is different, as I can confirm they know the player very well and really want him, but the Londoners might not want to spend that much money for a right-back.”

Juventus can dream of Champions League success, says Agnelli The Juve supremo is full of confidence ahead of the new season, and believes the Scudetto holders can make an impact on the Continent this season. Aug 17, 2012 Andrea Agnelli is hopeful that Juventus can challenge for Champions League glory again in the 2012-13 campaign. The Turin giants return to European club football's elite competition this season after a two-year absence, and the club's president is feeling positive about the Old Lady's chances. "Juventus set out to win every competition they enter. There will be other pretenders to the same crowns, both at home and abroad, but this squad can hold its own," Agnelli stated to Sky Italia. "In Italy we will be aiming for a repeat of last season and in Europe we must believe that we can dream again. "I have a good feeling about the coming season. We set out on a journey two years ago when we almost completely revamped the team. Now we have achieved success, and we proved ourselves again in Beijing by deservedly winning the Supercoppa. "But we must realign our sights on the next targets. Our Serie A and Supercoppa triumphs are in the past now, we have to move on."

Juventus aim to challenge for the Champions League, claims Buffon The Bianconeri, on their return to Europe's most sought-after competition, will compete at the highest level after two years of exile according to their talisman. Aug 17, 2012 Juventus are aiming to re-establish themselves amongst Europe's elite, with Gianluigi Buffon insisting that the Italian side are looking to win the Champions League on their return to the competition. The Turin-based club won the Serie A title last season, going unbeaten during the whole league campaign, but their preparations for the new season have been hit by their coach Antonio Conte's 10-month suspension following his role in the Scommessopoli match-fixing scandal. Despite this setback Buffon believes the club is prepared to challenge on all fronts this season. "When you play for a side like Juve you have the ambition and aspirations to try to win everything," the 34-year-old told reporters. He admitted that it had been the team's desire to earn a place in the Champions League last season, and that after winning the Scudetto they had earned the right to play in Europe's most prestigious competition. "It’s the right reward for a side who last season achieved something great. "It is normal that the fans dream of success, just as much as it is normal for players and staff to remain grounded. "[However] It’s a different environment with respect to last year, there’s more positivity and belief around the place now."

Buffon: Morale is high at Juventus The veteran goalkeeper has stressed that the reigning Italian champions are high on confidence as the new season approaches. Aug 17, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon is positive about Juventus' chances ahead of the start of the 2012-13 campaign. The Turin giants won the Serie A title last term without losing a single game, while making it to the final of the Coppa Italia as well, and got the new term off to a great start by winning the Supercoppa Italiana. And the veteran goalkeeper is optimistic about the rest of the season, despite coach Antonio Conte receiving a 10-month ban for failing to report match-fixing activities. "It is a different environment with respect to last year. There is more positivity and belief around the place," the Italy international stated to the official Juventus website. The goalkeeper then went on to discuss his side's Champions League ambitions, and stressed they will employ a similar approach to what helped them to Serie A glory last term. "As far as the Champions League is concerned, we will face it with the same approach shown in the league just a few months ago." Juve last featured in the Champions League in 2009-10, when they failed to get out of the group stage.

Carrera impressed by Pogba talent Aug 17, 2012 Juventus stand-in Coach Massimo Carrera has praised the ability of midfield summer recruit Paul Pogba. “He’s a good player and above all a young talent,” Carrera, who will boss Juve from the touchline while Antonio Conte is banned, said after yesterday’s 5-1 in-house friendly. “Pogba was born in 1993 and he can improve a great deal by training alongside these champions at Juventus.” The French teenager moved to Turin on a free transfer after he opted against signing a new contract at Manchester United.

Juventus chief targets new glory Aug 17, 2012 Juventus President Andrea Agnelli insists it’s time to forget last season’s success. “We now have to aim for new targets.” The Old Lady won the Scudetto by going unbeaten, while they finished as runners-up to Napoli in the Italian Cup. “We set out on a journey two years ago when we almost completely revamped the team,” Agnelli told Sky Sport Italia. “Now we've achieved success and we proved ourselves again in Beijing by deservedly winning the Super Cup [against Napoli]. “But we must realign our sights on the next targets. Our Serie A and Super Cup triumphs are in the past now – we have to move on.” Juve will again be battling for the title domestically, but La Signora will also be facing the prospect of Champions League football again. “We set out to win every competition we enter,” he continued. “There will be other pretenders to the same crowns, both at home and abroad, but this squad can hold its own. “In Italy we'll be aiming for a repeat of last season and in Europe we must believe that we can dream again. “I have a good feeling about the coming season.” It will be a different kind of campaign for the Bianconeri though seeing as nobody will wear the No 10 shirt following the departure of Alessandro Del Piero. “The No 10 is a heavy shirt,” Agnelli noted. “It's a shirt worn by great players. Alessandro was a great player, as were Roberto Baggio, Michel Platini and Omar Sivori. “Unlike in the past, there's no obligation to field a No 10 nowadays. But when the time is right somebody will wear it again.”

Buffon aims for Champions League Aug 17, 2012 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon insists that his club will start their Champions League campaign with the intention of winning it. “When you play for a side like Juve then you have the ambition and aspirations to try to win everything,” stated the custodian. “It is normal that the fans are dreaming of success, as it is normal that us players and staff remain with our feet on the ground.” The Old Lady will be dining at Europe’s top table again after the Bianconeri lifted Lo Scudetto last season. “There was a desire to get back into the Champions League,” the Italian international noted. “And we earned that right with what we did on the pitch. “It’s the right reward for a side who last season achieved something great.” The Bianconeri started 2011-12 as an unknown after finishing the previous two seasons in seventh place. “It’s a different environment with respect to last year,” continued 34-year-old. “There’s more positivity and belief around the place now.”

FRANCO CAUSIO LA BIOGRAFIA DEL "BARONE" Titolare in azzurro e protagonista del mondiale 1978, viene ceduto all'Udinese. Giocherà la finale del 1982 per pochi minuti e concluderà la sua carriera nel Lecce e poi Triestina. Dopo il mondiale del 1974, l'arrivo di Bernardini porta una grande rivoluzione nell'ambiente della nazionale e Franco Causio deve riconquistarsi sul campo quella maglia che aveva vestito nelle ultime partite del mondiale tedesco. La Juventus di quel periodo vince scudetti a ripetizione e sfiora anche il successo nella Coppa dei Campioni. Con Bearzot sulla panchina azzurra Causio ritorna ad essere titolare in azzurro ed è titolare indiscutibile negli incontri di qualificazione per l'Argentina. Nasce un rapporto di reciproca stima con Bearzot che durerà nel tempo. In campionato Causio è l'ala destra dei campioni d'Italia ma si crea anche una "rivalità" con Claudio Sala, suo alter-ego nel Torino. Sala viene proclamato il migliore calciatore per diversi campionati, dando il via ad una lunga serie di processi per un posto in azzurro. Bearzot conferma una piena fiducia a Causio, con un Italia pronta ai mondiale del 1978. Gli azzurri nelle prime partite giocano un grande calcio e Franco è protagonista del nostro attacco. La sua tecnica, la sua velocità e la sua ormai grande esperienza lo portano ad essere considerato uno dei migliori calciatori del torneo. Nella semifinale con l'Olanda con gli azzurri in vantaggio, stranamente Bearzot lo sostituisce con Claudio Sala. La partita si rovescerà per una triste sconfitta. Causio giocherà la finalina per il terzo posto, e segnerà di testa il momentaneo vantaggio azzurro. Intanto qualcosa si spezza nell'ambiente juventino e gira più volte la voce che alla fine del torneo Causio sarà ceduto; si parla di Roma ed Inter ma alla fine rimane nei ranghi bianconeri. Agli europei italiani del 1980 Causio non gioca all'altezza della sua fama ed ormai ha superato i trenta anni. In azzurro sta per arrivare un calciatore altrettanto eccellente, Bruno Conti che debutta in nazionale l'11 ottobre 1980 contro il Lussemburgo. Bearzot gli preferisce definitivamente l'astro nascente giallorosso e per il "barone" non rimarranno che scampoli di partite in azzurro. Nella stagione 1980-81 la Juventus beffa la Roma e vince ancora il campionato; per Causio è il suo sesto scudetto, ma è anche l'addio alla maglia bianconera.In attesa di qualche campione straniero viene ceduto all'Udinese ed è Marocchino a giocare al suo posto sulla fascia. I friulani sono una squadra ambiziosa ma che alla fine del torneo non occuperanno che posti di centro classifica. I mondiali del 1982 sono quelli del trionfo azzurro; Causio viene convocato fra i ventidue e Bearzot gli concede un segno di grande stima facendogli giocare gli ultimi minuti della finale vittoriosa contro la Germania. Con l'Udinese, Causio diventa per un campionato anche la spalla di Zico, ma nonostante i tanti gol del campione brasiliano, l'Udinese non arriva che ad un modesto nono posto. Nel 1984 vive un'altra grande avventura; l'Inter lo vuole per rinforzare una squadra che ha fatto grandi acquisti come Rummenigge e il regista sarà il già quotato campione irlandese Brady. L'Inter che vuole vincere lo scudetto si deve però accontentare del terzo posto e l'anno dopo Causio torna nella squadra della sua città, il Lecce appena promosso in serie A. Sarà un campionato deludente, la classe del "barone" non servirà per una mediocre prestazione che vedrà il Lecce all'ultimo posto con solo sedici punti. L'anno dopo va alla Triestina dove rimane fino al 1988, anno in cui termina la carriera. GolCalcio.it

Juventus are favourites for the Scudetto - Serse Cosmi The much-travelled Siena coach believes the Old Lady has a great chance to win back-to-back Serie A titles. Aug 16, 2012 Siena boss Serse Cosmi has revealed that Juventus are his favourites to win the Serie A. The Old Lady returned to the summit of Italian football after claiming her first league success since 2005 last season. Speaking to TMW, Cosmi said that he believes the Turin-based club has a great chance of retaining her domestic crown once the new season gets underway. "Who will win the championship next season? I think that Juventus has the greatest chance," Cosmi was quoted saying. Juventus' biggest rival last term was Milan and despite the recent departures of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, the former Lecce tactician insisted that the Rossoneri remain amongst those sides that could challenge the champions in the race for the scudetto. He contined: "AC Milan, Inter, Roma and Napoli all have the chance to be in the race for the Scudetto. But the favorite remains Juventus."

Juve give kids lesson Aug 16, 2012 The annual encounter between Juventus' A and B sides at Villar Perosa has ended 5-1 in favour of the former. Known as 'the Family Match', the game has long been a part of the club's tradition. The A team consisted mostly of first team members, whilst youth team players made up the B team. Fabio Quagliarella's free kick put the A team ahead in the 25th minute, with Alessandro Matri, Emanuele Giaccherini, Sebastian Giovinco and youngster Giuseppe Ruggiero completing the rout in the second half. Line-ups Juventus A: Buffon; Lucio, Rugani, Bonucci; Giaccherini, Pogba, Padoin, Pazienza, De Ceglie; Matri Quagliarella Juventus B: Branescu; Garcia, Mattelli, Alcibiade, Balbis, Bianco, Appelt, Bouy, Gerbaudo, Bonatini, Beltrame

Elkann: 'Zeman? Carrera already won more' Aug 16, 2012 Juventus patron John Elkann has issued a withering retort to Roma boss Zdenek Zeman's criticism of Bianconeri Coach Antonio Conte. Conte is currently serving a 10 month ban for his alleged failure to report match fixing. Juve managed to win the Supercoppa without him last Saturday, defeating Napoli 4-2 in Beijing with technical director for youth development Massimo Carrera deputising for the tactician on the touchline. Zeman - who has a long history of antipathy with Juventus - suggested last Sunday that the FIGC hadn't gone far enough, and that Conte: “shouldn't be able to train his team.” Asked for a reply to those comments at Juve's Villar Perosa pre-season retreat today, Elkann quipped: “The interesting thing is that Carrera in one match has won more than Zeman has in a career. That is the best answer.” Though regularly lauded for the attractive, attacking football his teams play, Zeman has never won a major trophy, two Serie B titles achieved with Foggia and Pescara being the limit of his achievements. Elkann is the grandson of legendary Juventus President Gianni Agnelli.

Marchisio to be Del Piero heir? Aug 16, 2012 Claudio Marchisio could step into the void left at Juventus by the departure of Alessandro Del Piero, says a former club President. For the first time in almost 20 years, the Old Lady will begin a campaign without Del Piero in their squad after his contract expired in the summer. His No 10 shirt has so far remained unassigned, but Giovanni Cobolli Gigli thinks that Turin-born Marchisio could become the club’s new flag-bearer. “Life continues by looking to the future, but the memory of what Del Piero was will last forever,” Cobolli Gigli told Radio Sportiva. “He was the greatest player in the club’s history alongside Giampiero Boniperti. Now let us hope that we can find a worthy successor and that could be Marchisio.” Marchisio, who used to watch Juventus as a boy at the old Stadio Delle Alpi, is a product of the club’s youth system.

Juventus must accept Conte's punishment, says FIGC president Abete The leader of Serie A's governing body has called for an end to the criticism of the decisions made following the recent Scommessopoli trials. Aug 15, 2012 Juventus have been told to put aside any lingering hostility they may harbour by FIGC president Giancarlo Abete, with regards to the decision made to ban coach Antonio Conte. Conte, who became embroiled in the recent match-fixing investigations during his time at Siena, has been been given a 10-month suspension from the dugout on match days, although he is still allowed to oversee day-to-day training. The Serie A champions have taken a firm stand against the allegations directed at their manager, and Abete has now issued a plea for calm, and is adamant that the FIGC are merely doing their job. "The sporting justice system is autonomous and must perform its role," Abete told Sky Sport Italia. "Juventus are a great club, although our relationship with them has been strained of late." Controversy surrounding the issue took another twist when Roma coach Zdenek Zeman recently insisted the former Bianconeri midfielder should be banned from training as well. "It is better not to speak about an issue when not directly involved in it. The way things work now, a banned coach is still permitted to train the team normally. "Italian football, earnestly, has to work on improving its behaviour. Napoli [after they boycotted the Supercoppa Italiana prize presentation] ought to learn how to differentiate between respecting the success of their opponents and exhibiting their criticism so brazenly."