Socrates

Conte: I'm innocent and want to return to the Juventus bench for Serie A opener The 43-year-old has once again stressed that he did not do anything illegal, and expects to be acquitted to return to the dugout. Aug 21, 2012 Antonio Conte has maintained his innocence in the Scommessopoli scandal and wants to return to the Juventus bench for Saturday's Serie A opener against Parma. The successful coach was handed a 10-month suspension for his failure to report two instances of attempted match-fixing during his time in charge of Siena, but Conte refuses to accept his punishment and has lodged an appeal. The former Italy international is hopeful that his ban will be scrapped, and expects the judges to acquit him based on the evidence presented during a hearing on Monday. "This entire situation is really painful for me. The accusations are not based on anything. It will be very hard for me to forget all this. This is an act of injustice and I'm confident that the judges will acquit me after reading the evidence," Conte stated to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. "I am innocent and I have a clear conscience. I am very calm and feel confident. I hope to return to the bench for this weekend's game against Juventus." Conte initially negotiated a plea bargain with prosecutor Stefano Palazzi, but the disciplinary committee rejected the proposal for a three-month ban. "I agree with the judges on one thing: 90 days wasn’t a suitable punishment - the right one is zero. "Even if today I had the certainty of a three-month ban, my answer would have been 'no'. I didn’t do anything illegal and I didn’t fail to report anything." Conte missed Juventus' 4-2 Supercoppa Italiana win over Napoli due to the suspension.

Pogba denies disrespecting Sir Alex Ferguson following Juventus move The highly rated midfielder departed Manchester United to join the Serie A giants over the summer but has refuted suggestions that he undermined his former boss. Aug 21, 2012 Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has denied disrespecting Sir Alex Ferguson following his acrimonious summer exit from Manchester United. The highly rated Frenchman joined the Serie A outfit after snubbing a new contract at Old Trafford, prompting the Scot to claim that he was "quite happy that [Pogba's] away from [the club] anyway". However, the 19-year-old has hit back, revealing that he left the Premier League side after growing frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities. "I understand that people were surprised that I refused to extend my contract with Manchester United," Pogba told L'Equipe. "But Manchester United and Juventus are the same - they are two great clubs. "There were things which we [Pogba and Manchester United] did not agree on but I don’t regret anything. I learned a lot there. "The coach [Ferguson] trusted me, but he didn't play me, he said I was too young. He told me 'Your time will come', but it didn’t come. Despite the fact that he is the boss, my goal was to play. "He said I disrespected him. I do not know why he said that. A 19-year-old who says no [to him], maybe he was stuck. But for me, it will not change anything. This is not to say that I will speak ill of Manchester. I love this club. "I didn't realise that at 19 years old, I'm playing at one of the biggest clubs in Europe. I'm still young. I have not yet played 60 matches in any league or the Champions League. For now I am nothing. It is simply a chance for me to play in a big club."

Betting appeal verdict tomorrow Aug 21, 2012 The Federal Court confirms it hopes to give a verdict on the betting trial appeal “by tomorrow” after Antonio Conte and others pleaded their case. The original betting trial concluded earlier this month with Juventus Coach Conte receiving a 10-month ban for failing to report a potential fix to authorities while he was at Siena. Conte has appealed against the decision, while the FIGC prosecutor Stefano Palazzi launched his own appeal against the exoneration of Leonardo Bonucci, Simone Pepe and Marco Di Vaio. Now the judges have heard the appeals and will consider the evidence. “We are called to some very difficult work, but will try to keep our promise to release the verdict by tomorrow,” said President of the Federal Court Gerardo Mastandrea. Conte stated in his testimony today that he is “counting on being back on the bench for the game against Parma [on Saturday].”

Pogba explains Juventus move Aug 21, 2012 Paul Pogba has revealed why he decided to leave Manchester United for Juventus this summer. The teenager quit the Old Trafford outfit at the end of his contract in order to team up with the new Italian champions. “I don't regret anything about my decision,” he told L’Equipe. “I learnt a lot at United, but you have to be part of it to understand my choice. It is a feeling I had with Coach Sir Alex Ferguson. “The Coach trusted me, but he didn't play me, saying I was too young. He said my time will come but it never did. “Despite his 25-year career and despite the fact he was the boss, my objective was to play football and I am impatient. “Now I want to become a regular starter and become one of the best players in the world. “To achieve that, there is only hard work and I learnt that alongside the great players at Manchester United.” Pogba, though, may also find it difficult to break into a Juventus midfield which houses Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and Kwadwo Asamoah. “I didn't go to Juve because I knew I would be part of the starting XI,” he continued. “I have no guarantees from them. “The Coach told me there are a lot of matches to play and he wanted a substitute for Pirlo and Vidal. He didn't tell me you will play X number of matches.” Pogba also responded to claims made by Ferguson that he lacked respect by turning his back on the Premiership outfit. “I don't know why he said what he did,” Pogba noted. “A 19-year-old who said no to Ferguson – maybe he took it badly? “There were things that we failed to agree on.”

Giovinco and Pogba impress Marchisio Aug 20, 2012 Claudio Marchisio has welcomed new signings Sebastian Giovinco and Paul Pogba to Italian champions Juventus. Giovinco has returned to Turin after two years at Parma, while the French teenager has joined the Old Lady on a free from Manchester United. “Sebastian and I have played alongside each other on many occasions for the Juve Primavera side, at Empoli and this summer as well with Italy,” the midfielder noted. “He's come back here and slotted straight into the Coach’s playing system. “As for Pogba, he’ll be an excellent player in the future. The boy has a lot of quality and he's come through a great academy like the one at Manchester United. “He’s got time on his side, he has to try and earn himself as much playing time as possible.” Italian football is renowned for sometimes not giving youth a chance. Giovinco himself was sent out on loan and then sold on a co-ownership basis because of a lack of opportunities in Turin. “We have a large squad this season and there are lots of games ahead,” Marchisio continued. “We'll have to be clever and make the most of our chances. There's room for everyone, if you deserve to play then you'll get games.”

Barzagli demands Juventus hunger Aug 20, 2012 Andrea Barzagli has urged his Juventus side to show the same appetite for success which helped them to the title last term. The Old Lady won the Scudetto after finishing the previous two seasons in the Italian top flight in seventh place. “We weren't favourites when we set out last year, but we believed in ourselves and we ran out as winners,” the January 2011 signing from Wolfsburg stated. “We just need to make sure we keep going out there with the same hunger and determination, otherwise you stop going forward.” Juventus have enjoyed a reasonably good pre-season after wins against Napoli in the Italian Super Cup and a 3-2 triumph over Milan on Sunday. “We're working really hard,” added the Italian international. “The new lads have settled in well and the results are there for all to see. “This match against Milan was an important test and we came through it well. We showed people what we're made of. “We weren't on top of our game in the Super Cup but we played well on Sunday, even though we were missing a couple of key men.”

Conte appeal starts today Aug 20, 2012 Juventus boss Antonio Conte will today begin his legal fight to have his 10-month touchline ban dismissed. The tactician is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after a probe by the Italian Football Federation saw him found guilty of failing to report attempts to fix two matches while in charge of Siena. Conte has always maintained his innocence and has taken his case to an appeal process which will start this afternoon. Conte, as confirmed yesterday, will be present. The former midfielder’s legal team will work on questioning the credibility of former Siena player Filippo Carobbio, whose testimony has landed Conte in hot water. The court could give its ruling as soon as Wednesday. If Conte isn’t cleared then he will at least try to have his suspension reduced, before taking his case to the next step of the appeal process which could clear him or reduce his sentence even further.

Lichtsteiner set for Juve talks Aug 20, 2012 Juventus will reportedly hold talks with the agent of Stephan Lichtsteiner this week about Paris Saint-Germain’s interest in him. Although PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that the right-back is not one of their targets, the transfer rumour mill continues to link the defender with the French outfit. It is being claimed that Juventus director general Beppe Marotta will meet with the Swiss international’s representative towards the end of the week to discuss their options. The Old Lady now value the former Lazio player, signed at a cost of €10.5m last summer, at around €15m. Paris SG are also said to be willing to offer the stopper a four-year deal worth €4m a campaign – around double his current salary. The Turin giants could consider a sale given the presence of Martin Caceres, Simone Pepe and Mauricio Isla in their squad given that they can all play on the right in a 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 system.

Barzagli: Juventus must show same hunger and determination as last year The defender is looking to replicate last year's success in the new season, and stressed that it's crucial to keep working hard. Aug 20, 2012 Andrea Barzagli feels Juventus are heading the right way as they edge closer to the start of the 2012-13 Serie A campaign, but has urged his team-mates to remain hungry for more trophies. The Italy international feels their determination was crucial to last year's accomplishments and wants to see more of the same in the new season. "We weren't favourites when we set out last year but we believed in ourselves and we ran out as winners," Barzagli was quoted as saying on the official Juventus website. "We just need to make sure we keep going out there with the same hunger and determination, otherwise you stop going forward. "We're working really hard, the new lads have settled in well and the results are there for all to see."

Marchisio: Pogba is going to be a great player The Italy international feels the former Manchester United starlet has a lot of quality, while stating his delight with Sebastian Giovinco's return to the club. Aug 20, 2012 Claudio Marchisio has taken the time to praise Juventus team-mate Paul Pogba, and believes the midfielder has a bright future ahead of him. The French youngster left Manchester United for Juve on a Bosman move earlier this summer, and Marchisio is impressed with the 19-year-old so far. "What do I make of Pogba? He's going to be a great player in the future. The boy has a lot of quality and he's come through a great academy like Manchester United's," Marchisio was quoted as saying on the club's official website. "He's got time on his side, he has to try and earn himself as much playing time as possible." The Italy international then went on to voice his satisfaction with the return of Sebastian Giovinco at the Old Lady, and feels the attacker fits in perfectly at Juve. "We won a lot in the academy together and we're winning together again now. Sebastian and I have played alongside each other many a time for the Primavera, at Empoli and this summer as well. He's come back here and slotted straight into the coach's playing system."

Juventus still a class apart as AC Milan face period of consolidation The Bianconeri's victory in the Trofeo Berlusconi emphasised the very different situations at the two clubs as they head into the 2012-13 Serie A campaign. Aug 20, 2012 The Trofeo Berlusconi is not always a great barometer as to the Serie A season to come, with the last two losers having gone on to win the Scudetto, but Sunday’s 3-2 victory for Juventus reaffirmed the Bianconeri’s position as favourites for the title while showing the world once more that AC Milan are not the structured unit of seasons past. There is little surprise to anybody who has watched Milan over the past few seasons that without Thiago Silva they have struggled significantly even before the season has started. It is true that time is responsible for healing many a wound, but on the evidence presented so far since the Brazilian was forced to move to France, it is going to take a while yet before the Rossoneri overcome the loss of their leader. Faced with any kind of decent opposition, they have really struggled, with their horror show at the back against Real Madrid having been followed up by the concession of three more goals at San Siro on Sunday. MILAN'S FIRST MONTH Aug 26 - Sampdoria ( H) Sep 1 - Bologna (A) Sep 16 - Atalanta ( H) Sep 18 - Champions League (v TBC) Sep 23 - Udinese (A) Sep 26 - Cagliari ( H) The pressure that sits on the shoulders of Philippe Mexes and new boy Cristian Zapata heading into the new season is immeasurable. One gets the feeling that if Milan are to have a serious shot at the title, then the centre-back pairing will have to form an almost immediate bond, especially given that Mario Yepes, who continues to make significant errors at the back, is the first reserve as things stand. Not only that, but for a real challenge to be on the cards, Robinho will have to perform for 30-plus games at a level he has failed to reach for 30-plus minutes over the past year, Alexandre Pato must be fit and firing for the majority of the season (don’t hold your breath), and players such as Mathieu Flamini and Stephan El Shaarawy will have to make the step up from fringe player to key first-teamer. Asking for one or two of these eventualities to come to fruition is one thing, but expecting the full house is quite another. Additions such as Zapata, Riccardo Montolivo and Kevin Constant are solid, but far from spectacular, and if Sunday told us anything about the Diavolo, it was that they are as short on grass as they appear on paper. If coach Massimiliano Allegri has one thing in his favour, it is that the calendar is somewhat forgiving for his side over the first few weeks of the campaign. On the other hand, Antonio Conte and Massimo Carrera have a stronger squad at their disposal, and their Trofeo Berlusconi success saw them add a few more goals to their locker following the ‘poker’ they netted in Beijing a week prior. Still, though, it is their firepower that the one question mark over Juventus' readiness for the task ahead remains. JUVENTUS' EARLY JOUSTS Aug 25 - Parma ( H) Sep 2 - Udinese (A) Sep 16 - Genoa (A) Sep 18 - Champions League (v TBC) Sep 23 - Chievo ( H) Sep 26 - Fiorentina (A) While Alessandro Matri scored what would turn out to be the winner in the second half, his future remains in doubt thanks to Juve’s well-documented pursuit of Fernando Llorente. They have spent much of the summer courting one striker or another without much success, but it finally appears that they are about to bag their man. Matri could be on the way out as a result, though Adriano Galliani’s confirmation after the game that Milan are in talks with cugini Inter over a swap deal involving Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini suggests that it will not be the Rossoneri snapping him up. Still, the Italian is likely to be the main fall guy if/when the Spaniard arrives, with his team-leading 10-goal league haul last season deemed insufficient by the Juve board as they look to build a first XI that can truly claim to be among Europe’s very best. Their one failing last term was their conversion rate, and while they have scored seven goals on the way to picking up two trophies in the past nine days, only two of them have gone against the name of a striker, and none of Mirko Vucinic, Fabio Quagliarella or Matri seem likely to kick on and provide a 20-goal campaign. On the one hand, it is certainly positive that the Bianconeri are offering a threat from all areas of the pitch, but on the other it must remain a concern to Conte that the ruthlessness, which will become a necessity in the later Champions League rounds, is still seemingly a forgotten gene amongst Juve forwards. Llorente could well be the answer, and with his purchase becoming increasingly likely, a third victory in 10 months at San Siro having been chalked up, Milan looking short in several areas, and Conte’s appeal over his 10-month touchline ban set to be heard on Monday, there are plenty of reasons for Juventus fans to be positive five days before the start of their first title defence in seven years. Coaches, players and presidents may not say it, but the Old Lady should have enough to win the league with her eyes shut this term.

Galliani ci consegnerá il trofeo ....

Perfino Pazienza mette paura ad Abbiati.

Ziegler evita il fallo laterale e concede un angolo.

Giaccherini sbaglia tutto ...

Stile Milan.

Masi ingenuo.

Povero Galliani .... ci ha fatto togliere Conte ma perde ugualmente.

Yepes davvero un giocatore da Milan.

Matri 1-3

Incredibile Matri

Conte set to face appeal panel on Monday Juventus coach will begin court proceedings in the Italian capital, with his legal team seeking a reduction of the ten-month ban. Aug 19, 2012 Banned Juventus coach Antonio Conte is set to appear in front of an appeal panel at the Federal Court of Justice in Rome, according to Corriere dello Sport. Conte, who led the Bianconeri to the Serie A title in 2011-12, was handed a ten-month suspension following an investigation into match-fixing. The 43-year-old was accused of failing to report instances of match-fixing whilst at the helm of Siena, with the Italian FA (FIGC) rejecting a plea bargain from the coach in a drawn-out judicial wrangling. "His presence in the courtroom is a further sign of respect to show how to fight this story," lawyer Antonio De Rensis was quoted as saying by Corriere dello Sport. "There is already a perfect harmony with this talented fellow. In addition, we will reinforce our line on appeal, the reasons for bitterness from Filippo Carobbio to Conte. Tomorrow we hope to highlight our reasons. "On Monday you will understand why we disagree with the reasoning of the specifications." The report states that Conte's legal team will be seeking a reduction of the ban to a time period of three to six months.

Conte ready for betting ban appeal Aug 19, 2012 Antonio Conte’s appeal against his 10-month ban begins tomorrow and the Juventus Coach’s lawyer points out they are “seeking to completely clear his name.” The tactician was suspended for 10 months in the betting trial after he was found guilty of failing to report a potential fix to authorities while he was at Siena. The only evidence against him is the testimony of former Siena player Filippo Carobbio, who had tried to accuse Conte of participating in sporting fraud. The appeal process begins on Monday afternoon and it has been confirmed Conte will be in court. “His presence is a further sign of respect to show how much he cares about this issue,” said lawyer Antonio De Rensis. “He wants to breathe the air of this trial and be close to those who are defending him. Tomorrow we will try to set out our reasons and contrast the theories of the Disciplinary Commission. “We will strengthen our line of appeal, the reasons of ill feeling between Carobbio and Conte. We are seeking to completely clear his name and targeting full exoneration. “Conte is determined and relaxed, he has incredible strength. He is able to concentrate on the field and on this sad affair. “He was really very hard to convince to go for a plea bargain, so now he is ready to stand up in court and make his reasons heard.”

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.