Socrates

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.

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.