Socrates

Quando i dipendenti della rai cominciano a fare polemiche, l'unica cosa é abbassare il volume o spegnere la tv del tutto.

Supercoppa Italiana - Final - 11-8-2012 (2:00 p.m.) - Beijing National Stadium - Beijing Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni Zoff: 'Super Cup wide open' Aug 11, 2012 Juventus will “try to win for their Coach” but Napoli will be just as highly motivated in today's Super Cup, according to Dino Zoff. The showpiece event, pitting the winners of last season’s Serie A and Coppa Italia titles against one another, kicks off at 12.00 GMT this afternoon at Beijing's Birds Nest Stadium. Juve Coach Antonio Conte will be absent, from the touchline at least, having yesterday been hit with a 10-month ban - pending appeal - for failing to report the potential fixing of matches during his time in charge of Siena. Technical director for youth development Massimo Carrera will deputise for Conte in China, and for the ban’s duration. Even so, legendary 'keeper Zoff, who played for both teams and spent two years coaching Juventus, sees very little between the competitors. “The Super Cup will be wide open. I see two teams in good shape and that are already proven,” the former Italy CT told Tuttomercatoweb. “The teams know each other, are organised and have done well in pre-season. It will be a lively match, open to every result. “We need to understand the impact Conte's disqualification will have,” Zoff continued. “In particular whether he will be able to follow the game from his position. Clearly Carrera acts on Conte's indications, but mostly you have to understand the reaction of a team that will try and win for their Coach.” However Zoff doesn't believe Napoli, whose last and only Super Cup triumph came with a 5-1 win over Juve shortly after he was sacked as Bianconeri boss in 1990, will be any less fired up. “The motivation of both teams will be very high. For Napoli it is a trophy which has taken on even more importance, one they want to bring home after so many years without it.”

Buffon: Conte ban could destabilise Juventus squad The 34-year-old has dismissed talk that the coach being sanctioned could motivate the Bianconeri squad, but is happy that Simone Pepe and Leonardo Bonucci have been cleared. Aug 10, 2012 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that Antonio Conte's 10-month ban could have an adverse affect on his team-mates. It was announced on Friday morning that the 43-year-old coach would be forced to miss all of the Bianconeri's title defence after failing to report match-fixing activities to the authorities during his time at Siena. And the Italy international has dismissed the notion that the trainer's absence will serve to motivate his team ahead of Sunday's Supercoppa Italiana meeting with Napoli. "When things like this happen, they can destabilise the environment. We Italians like to say it makes you stronger," he told reporters. "Personally, I do not think that they can help an individual or a team. That said, we are totally relaxed and want to do our duty: win the Supercoppa. "We come into this from a defeat in the Coppa Italia final, and losing a final is never good. As for the coach, he has the will to fight in his DNA, and also, we are only at the first stage of his judgement." Two Juventus players, Simone Pepe and Leonardo Bonucci, were cleared of all charges after initially being suspects in the case, and Buffon went on to voice his happiness at his team-mates' being acquitted. "I am happy for Simone and Leonardo, who are friends of mine. I congratulate them because they have been through this with great courage, while Bonucci, who played sensationally at Euro 2012, has proved that he is a strong man."

Juventus vow to back Conte after Scommessopoli verdict The Turin giants have released a formal statement in support of the beleaguered head coach, and are hopeful he will be acquitted on appeal. Aug 10, 2012 Juventus have reiterated that Antonio Conte and his assistant Angelo Alessio still have the club's full support, despite the duo being sanctioned for their role in the Scommessopoli scandal. The coach was handed a 10-month suspension for his involvement in the match-fixing scandal, while his deputy was banned for eight months. "Following the verdicts given by the FIGC's disciplinary committee regarding the involvement of Juventus employees in incidents while at other clubs, Juventus are extremely satisfied with the acquittal of footballers Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe," read an official statement. "Furthermore, the club underlines its full support for Antonio Conte and Angelo Alessio, in the hope that their innocence will emerge during the appeals process. "The coaches' legal team, comprising of professionals chosen by the parties themselves in complete agreement with the club, is already drawing up the grounds for appeal, in the firm belief that the coaches had no involvement in the matter. "Antonio Conte and Angelo Alessio will be assisted by lawyers Antonio De Rensis and Luigi Chiappero, and additionally by Giulia Bongiorno." The verdicts come only one day before Juventus' Supercoppa Italiana match against Napoli on Saturday.

Supercoppa Italiana - Final - 11-8-2012 (2:00 p.m.) - Beijing National Stadium — Beijing Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni‎ Juventus - Napoli Preview: Perennial rivals lock horns in Supercoppa Italiana The new season in Italy is finally upon us, and it is last term's Coppa Italia finalists who will once more take centre stage, with the Scudetto holders keen to exert revenge. Aug 10, 2012 PROBABLE LINE-UPS JUVENTUS Buffon Lucio, Barzagli, Bonucci Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie Vucinic, Matri NAPOLI De Sanctis Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica Maggio, Hamsik, Inler, Behrami, Zuniga Pandev, Cavani Juventus are likely to name a full-strength XI for their trip to the National Stadium in Beijing, where they will contest the 2012-13 Supercoppa Italiana against Napoli. Several changes are in the pipeline from the 2-0 friendly success over Malaga, with Luca Marrone, Simone Padoin, Kwadwo Asamoah and Sebastian Giovinco ready to be dropped in favour of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Paolo De Ceglie and Mirko Vucinic. And despite being implicated in the Scommessopoli match-fixing scandal, Simone Pepe and Leonardo Bonucci are both eligible to feature in the China showpiece. The pair originally seemed destined to miss out, but their names have since been cleared. However, Antonio Conte's 10-month ban from football, along with assistant Angelo Alessio, the departure of first-team coach Cristian Stellini, means it is presently uncertain as to who will take charge of the side in Asia. Meanwhile for Napoli, numerous alterations are also to be expected. The side may have eased to a 2-0 win over Bordeaux in their last pre-season outing, but coach Walter Mazzarri will be in no mood to experiment come the weekend. Consequently, Federico Fernandez, Walter Gargano, Blerim Dzemaili, Andrea Dossena and Eduardo Vargas should all be replaced by Paolo Cannavaro, Gokhan Inler, Marek Hamsik, Juan Zuniga and Edinson Cavani, the latter of whom returns from an unsuccessful Olympics campaign. DID YOU KNOW? • Juventus went the entire 2011-12 Serie A campaign unbeaten, before eventually lifting the title. • Despite being one of the more successful sides to have won the fixture, the Old Lady last lifted the trophy in 2003. • However, their recent record over the Partenopei is poor, with only two victories in their last eight. • Napoli hold the upper hand over these two teams, having won their last meeting 2-0 in last season's Coppa Italia final. • Marek Hamsik has scored five goals against Juventus; more than against any other club. • Their only appearance in the Supercoppa was in 1990 - a resounding 5-1 success over Juventus. • Both sides have enjoyed unbeaten pre-season campaigns, with Juve winning two of their three matches and Napoli maintaining a 100 per cent record. • This will be the second time Beijing plays host to the Supercoppa, with at least two out of the next three curtain raisers to be played at the National Stadium. Head to Head Coppa Italia ‎- May 20, 2012 - Juventus 0 - SSC Napoli 2 Serie A - Apr 1, 2012 - Juventus 3 - SSC Napoli 0 Serie A ‎- Nov 29, 2011 - SSC Napoli 3 - Juventus 3 Serie A ‎- May 22, 2011 - Juventus 2 - SSC Napoli 2 Serie A ‎- Jan 9, 2011 - SSC Napoli 3 - Juventus 0 Last Five Matches Juventus Aug 4, 2012 - Juventus 2 - Malaga 0 - FR Aug 1, 2012 - Juventus 1 - Benfica 1 - FR Jul 28, 2012 - Hertha BSC 0 - Juventus 2 - FR May 20, 2012 - Juventus 0 - SSC Napoli 2 - Coppa Italia May 13, 2012 - Juventus 3 - Atalanta 1 - Serie A SSC Napoli Aug 1, 2012 - SSC Napoli 2 - Bordeaux 0 - FR Jul 29, 2012 - SSC Napoli 2 - Bayer 04 Leverkusen 1 - FR Jul 20, 2012 - SSC Napoli 3 - FC Bayern München 2 - FR May 20, 2012 - Juventus 0 - SSC Napoli 2 - Coppa Italia May 13, 2012 - SSC Napoli 2 - Siena 1 - Serie A Players to Watch ALESSANDRO MATRI The striker heads into 2012-13 with a productive pre-season under his belt, and his two goals against Champions League hopefuls Malaga should have been enough to land the Italian a starting berth against Napoli. The onus will be on Matri to fire his side to more successes, but with his future currently uncertain, his performance on Saturday could decide whether or not he stays in Turin or departs this summer. EDISON CAVANI Unlike his striking rival, the Uruguayan endured a disappointing London 2012 campaign, where he failed to score in three group matches for his country, but it is a different story with his club side. Cavani has been linked with Juventus on frequent occasions, and a commanding showing in his rightful place up top alongside Goran Pandev will only further enhance his already-impressive reputation. Prediction The fall-out of the Scommessopoli scandal will take its toll on Juventus one way or another, having been denied the services of Antonio Conte for the entire season, but champions do not simply back down in the face of adversity. And while Napoli will be hungry as ever to start the new season with a win in Beijing, the Old Lady will be desperate to prove that life goes on after the 43-year-old Lecce native. Editor's Prediction Juventus 2 - 1 Napoli

Conte handed 10-month ban in Scommessopoli scandal The Old Lady boss has been hit with a lengthy suspension for his role in the match-fixing ring, but Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe have both been acquitted. Aug 10, 2012 The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has announced that Juventus coach Antonio Conte has been suspended for 10 months due to his involvement in the Scommessopoli scandal. The 43-year-old has been found guilty of failing to report attempts to influence the outcome of two Serie B matches against Novara and AlbinoLeffe in the 2010-11 season, when he was in charge of Siena. He had previously reached a plea bargain deal with prosecutor Stefano Palazzi over a three-month ban, but the agreement was rejected by the FIGC's Disciplinary Committee. Furthermore, Angelo Alessio, Conte's assistant at both Siena and Juventus, has been handed an eight-month ban for his involvement in the match-fixing probe. Lecce and Grosseto have both been relegated from Serie B, while the presidents of both clubs have been suspended from all football activities for five years. However, Juventus duo Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe are among the players who were acquitted due to a lack of evidence, with veteran striker Marco Di Vaio also walking away unscathed.

Buffon: Conte ban won’t motivate Aug 10, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon has dismissed the notion that the betting scandal can be used to Juventus’ advantage motivationally, but reassures that everyone is calm. The club are facing a season without their Coach on the touchline after Antonio Conte was hit with an initial 10-month ban for his alleged involvement in the betting scandal to have hit Serie A and B. However, Buffon has been quick to honestly suggest that the situation is unlikely provide extra stimulus for the season, even if the players remain relaxed. “When things happen like this that can destabilise an environment, we Italians like to say that it makes you stronger,” reflected the veteran shot-stopper to the assembled media. “Personally I do not think that they can help an individual or a team. “That said, we are totally relaxed and we want to do our duty, namely to win the Super Cup. We come into this from a defeat in the Coppa Italia Final and to lose a final is never good.” The Italy captain was asked for his reaction to the verdicts that have left the club potentially without its Coach on matchdays, but with Simone Pepe and Leonardo Bonucci available for selection. “I am happy for Simone and Leonardo, who are friends. It is a similar relationship I have with the Coach, because we were also teammates. “To Leo and Simone I congratulate them because they have experienced this story with great courage whilst Bonucci, who played sensationally at the European Championships, has demonstrated that he is a strong man. “As for the Coach, the will to fight is part of his DNA and after all, we are only at the first stage of the judgement.” Buffon was also asked of the club’s decision to leave Alessandro Del Piero’s No 10 shirt vacant. “Between now and August 26 [when Serie A kicks off] there are still a few days missing and I think the numbers are not yet definitive. “Also, it depends on the fact that if a player feels like wearing it, because that shirt will always have a particular weight to it - he had it for 20 years and he wrote a part of Juve’s history like other champions before him. I’m thinking about Platini.”

'Bonucci can now focus on football' Aug 10, 2012 Leonardo Bonucci’s agent has reacted with joy at the news of his client’s acquittal and believes that the player will now be able to focus on football. Bonucci was alleged to have had direct involvement in the attempted fix of a match between his then side Bari and Udinese in May 2010. However, Andrea Masiello’s testament, which the case around Bonucci was built on, was ruled inconsistent by the FIGC’s Disciplinary Commission and the defender was confirmed this morning as acquitted of all charges. With the player originally facing the prospect of a 42-month suspension from the game, his agent has reflected on the happiness from today’s news. “Of course I am very happy. All of our defensive inferences have been accepted, we were convinced of the innocence of the player,” Davide Torchia told Tuttomercatoweb.com this morning. “A special thanks goes to his lawyers. Not only that, I want to thank the people who demonstrated unconditional support for Leonardo. He is now focused on the next challenge, fortunately this is a challenge on the field. These are the challenges he is experienced in. “Our sympathy goes to the Coach, we cannot go into the details, but we hope that everything will go well for him. Right now we are close to all those who have been involved.”

Chelsea identify Lichtsteiner Aug 10, 2012 Reports in England suggest that Chelsea are monitoring Juventus defender Stephan Lichtsteiner as a possible transfer target this summer. The Swiss full-back is reportedly an option being considered by the London club as they look to improve their defensive options. The Daily Mirror believe that Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo is interested in the 28-year-old if their interest in Marseille’s Cesar Azpilicueta fails to materialise. However, any move is likely to be met with resistance from the Bianconeri, in light of Martin Caceres’ injury ruling him out for at least six weeks and Lichtsteiner having recently impressed in pre-season in a new role of centre-back.

Official: 10 months for Conte Aug 10, 2012 Antonio Conte has been handed an initial 10-month ban from the Disciplinary Commission, but Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe are acquitted. Meanwhile, Lecce and Grosseto have been relegated to Lega Pro for their alleged direct involvement in fixing matches for betting profits. Conte is alleged to have known about two attempted match fixes during the 2010-11 season when he was in charge of Siena. His original plea bargain of a three-month suspension and €200,000 fine was rejected by the Commission and he could not agree terms on a new plea bargain, so opted to take it to trial. Subsequently, the Commission have handed him a 10-month suspension from the game, up to June 9, 2013. This was five months less than the figure prosecutor Stefano Palazzi had suggested and Conte can appeal the ruling on August 20 in front of the Federal Court of Justice. Conte’s assistant Coach Angelo Alessio has been handed an eight-month ban. However, it is better news for Juve’s Bonucci and Pepe, as the Commission acquitted them of all charges because of inconsistencies found in the testimonial of Andrea Masiello. The current Atalanta player had alleged Bonucci’s direct involvement and Pepe’s knowledge of the attempted fix of Bari’s May 2010 match against Udinese, with Bonucci initially facing a three-year, six-month suspension and Pepe a one-year ban. The Commission has also acquitted Udinese, Marco Di Vaio, Salvatore Masiello, Daniele Padelli, Giuseppe Vives and Nicola Belmonte of charges in this case, but Belmonte still faces six months out for charges relating to his alleged involvement in a Cesena-Bari fix. Elsewhere, Lecce, who were relegated last season on the field in Serie A, have been demoted to the Lega Pro alongside Grosseto. The Salentini will also be given a €30,000 fine and six-point penalty to begin 2012-13 with, and Grosseto a three-point penalty. Grosseto’s President Piero Camilli and Lecce’s former President Giovanni Semeraro have both been handed five-year bans too, for the belief that they knew about attempted fixes involving their teams. Bologna have been handed a €30,000 fine and Ancona a €10,000 fine, whilst Novara must begin their Serie B campaign on -2 points. All those with sentences can launch an appeal in front of the Federal Court of Justice on August 20, six days before the Serie A campaign is due to begin. There were also numerous plea bargains during the course of the week. Among the clubs are Siena (-6 points and €100,000 fine), Bari (-5 and €80,000), Albinoleffe, Sampdoria, Torino and Varese (all -1 and €30,000) and Portogruaro (€5,000). Among the players and individuals to take plea bargains are sporting director Angelozzi (four months), Bentivoglio (13 months), Carobbio (six months added to the previous 20 months), Da Costa (three months and €30,000), D’Urbano (five months and 10 days), Esposito (three months and 10 days), Faggiano (four months) and Garlini (nine months added to the previous three years). Also with plea bargains are Gervasoni (four months added to the previous six years and eight months with proposed lifetime ban), Larrondo (three months, 20 days and €30,000), Andrea Masiello (two years, two months and €30,000), Mutti (four months), Parisi (two years and €10,000), Passoni (six months and 15 days added to the previous 14 months), Poloni (six months added to the previous 12 months), Marco Rossi (20 months and €20,000), Sala (two years), Sanfelice (four months), Savorani (five months and 10 days), Stellini (two years, six months and €50,000).

Pirlo eyes gift for Chinese fans Aug 9, 2012 Andrea Pirlo hopes to “give the Chinese fans a great victory” in the Italian Super Cup against Napoli on Saturday. Juventus are in Beijing for the match, which kicks off at 13.00 UK time, and the local Bianconeri fans clearly outnumber their opponents. “I’d been to Japan twice, but this is my first time in China,” Pirlo told a local television station. “I am very happy with the warm welcome we received and hope to give the Chinese fans a great victory to celebrate. “We hope to win the Scudetto again this season, plus do well in the Champions League, which is a truly interesting competition. We want to improve on last year.” Pirlo looked back over his career and his slender chances of winning the Ballon d’Or. “The most exciting moment of my career was certainly the 2006 World Cup Final. The recent Euro 2012 Final was painful, but we have to turn over a new page and go forward,” he said of that 4-0 defeat to Spain. “The Ballon d’Or tends to be given to those who win on the European stage, but as long as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta are in the running, I think it’s always going to be between them.”

Juve shirt numbers: 10 unassigned Aug 9, 2012 As expected, nobody in the Juventus squad has been given Alessandro Del Piero’s old Number 10 jersey, as the squad list was announced. There was a great deal of speculation over who would inherit the 10 left by Del Piero, who ended his 19-year spell in Turin this summer. Nobody has been assigned the legendary 10, although it could be held back for the ‘top player’ who is yet to be signed. Sebastian Giovinco was the prime candidate for Del Piero’s jersey, but has instead taken the more unusual 12. Juventus shirt numbers: 1 Buffon, 2 Lucio, 3 Chiellini, 4 Caceres, 5 Masi, 6 Pogba, 7 Pepe, 8 Marchisio, 9 Vucinic, 11 De Ceglie, 12 Giovinco, 13 Leali, 15 Barzagli, 16 Ziegler, 18 Boakye, 19 Bonucci, 20 Padoin, 21 Pirlo, 22 Asamoah, 23 Vidal, 24 Giaccherini, 26 Lichtsteiner, 27 Quagliarella, 30 Storari, 32 Matri, 33 Isla, 39 Marrone

Betting trial verdict due Friday Aug 9, 2012 The Disciplinary Commission will reveal its verdicts on the betting trial, including Antonio Conte and Leonardo Bonucci, on Friday morning. The trial concluded last week and the panel of judges is set to announce the ruling tomorrow. It is reported that Juventus Coach Conte faces a 10-month ban for failing to alert authorities to a potential fix while he was at Siena in 2010-11. This is lower than the 15-month ban requested by prosecutor Stefano Palazzi and Conte is able to appeal. Juve players Bonucci and Simone Pepe are expected to be cleared, as the Disciplinary Commission noted multiple contradictions in Andrea Masiello’s testimony. Bonucci risks three years and six months in the stands, while Pepe could be out for a year. Also awaiting the verdicts are Juve assistant manager Angelo Alessio, Bologna defender Daniele Portanova, ex-Rossoblu captain Marco Di Vaio and more. Clubs Ancona, Bologna, Grosseto, Lecce, Novara and Udinese wait to know if they will have points docked for the new season or, in Lecce’s case, demotion to Lega Pro.

Barzagli: 'Trial fires up Juve' Aug 9, 2012 Andrea Barzagli insists the betting trial is “not disturbing us. If anything, this fires us up even more” ahead of Juventus-Napoli for the Italian Super Cup. A verdict is expected some time before tomorrow that is reportedly set to suspend Coach Antonio Conte for 10 months, clearing Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe. “We are in good shape, concentrated and care a lot about this challenge,” said Barzagli in a Press conference ahead of Saturday’s showdown in Beijing. “The issues outside of football are not disturbing us. If anything, this fires us up even more. When you step on to the field, everything else is left behind and you focus only on the game.” Napoli are the only team who managed to beat Juventus last season, winning the Coppa Italia Final 2-0. “We know how strong Napoli are, as they have important players and great potential, but last year the real protagonist was Juve and I think Napoli will have to really struggle a lot to win the Super Cup. “We will be aggressive and try to impose our style of play. Basically, it’ll be the usual Juve. “They also caused us problems at the San Paolo with a 3-3 draw, but in Turin we dominated 3-0 and the Coppa Italia Final was very balanced, decided by incidents. “In a one-off match, anything can happen. The difference is made by the grit and hunger each of us put into the game.”

Mazzarri: 'Napoli are motivated' Aug 9, 2012 Walter Mazzarri assures Napoli are “motivated to push beyond our limits” in Saturday’s Italian Super Cup with Juventus. The game kicks off at 13.00 UK time in Beijing and is a repeat of the Coppa Italia Final in May, which saw the Partenopei emerge 2-0 winners. “Juve have players of a very high level and added more who belong in that squad,” said Mazzarri. “Both Juventus and Napoli are still a work in progress considering it is August, but we are motivated to push beyond our limits.” The Bianconeri are waiting for the verdict of the betting trial, which is reportedly set to ban Coach Antonio Conte for 10 months, although Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe are due to be cleared. “At Juve there are many players who know how to draw positive energy from difficult moments,” continued the Napoli boss. “It doesn’t matter whether Conte is there or not. If a Coach does a good job during the week, then it makes little difference if he’s not on the bench for the game itself. It happened to me a few times.” Edinson Cavani is back in the Napoli squad after Uruguay were knocked out of the Olympics in the first round. “He seemed to be in good shape and is eager to make up for the Olympic experience.”

Pirlo eyeing successful Champions League run with Juventus The midfielder has spoken of how he hopes his side challenge on all fronts this campaign, and has also named the 2006 World Cup as the most memorable moment of his career. Aug 9, 2012 Juventus' Andrea Pirlo has expressed his desire for his side to make their mark in Serie A and the Champions League during the upcoming season. Speaking ahead of the Supercoppa clash with Napoli in Beijing on Saturday, the Italy star hopes that the Bianconeri will build on their successful 2011-12 season, where they clinched the Serie A title by going through the entire campaign unbeaten. “We have just started our new season, and we are just as determined as we were last year,” Pirlo told reporters at a press conference in China. “We really hope Juventus can win the Serie A title again, and take our chance in the Champions League. The Champions League is an attractive opportunity.” The former Milan midfielder also identified Italy’s victorious World Cup 2006 campaign as his fondest memory, though he was quick to move on from their loss to Spain in the recent Euro 2012 final. “The World Cup in 2006 was definitely the most exciting moment in my life. But for me, the Euro 2012 final was heartbreaking. But we need open a new page in our lives, and look forward.” Pirlo also maintained that the 2012 Ballon d’Or would be given to a player who performs well in the 2012-13 Champions League, and named Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta as his favourites to win the award. “I think the Ballon d’Or will be given to someone who is successful in the Champions League. I think that it may be won by Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Iniesta.” The 33-year-old also joked about his video game exploits with former Milan teammate Alessandro Nesta, enthusing: “I played for about 10 years with Alessandro because we stayed in the same hotel room. But in Juventus, I did not find a new partner to replace him!”

Juventus are hungry for success, warns Marchisio The midfielder is full of ambition ahead of this weekend's Supercoppa Italiana, and has stressed the Scommessopoli scandal will not distract the Old Lady. Aug 9, 2012 Claudio Marchisio is relishing Juventus' Supercoppa Italiana clash with Napoli at the weekend, and is determined to start the season on a high by winning another trophy. The midfielder reckons the Bianconeri are the team to beat following last year's Serie A title triumph, and want to make their status as Italian champions count by enjoying continued success, starting with the new campaign's curtain raiser. "We need to show we are the strongest in our game against Napoli. We are playing for the first trophy of the season, we are the reigning champions and we want to display that on the pitch. Juventus are always hungry for success," Marchisio said at a press conference. "Napoli have developed greatly over the last few years and have made some quality purchases. However, they are also aware they will be facing a tough team that wants to continue winning." Marchisio then went on to discuss the Scommessopoli scandal that has rocked Italian football in recent weeks, and is adamant the match-fixing probe will not pose Juventus a distraction. "We are just thinking about the game. We have got thick skin and seeing the coach so focused can only rub off on us. We are not affected by events going on around us, if anything it gives us a boost to do well."

Retirement is not on my mind, affirms Buffon The veteran goalkeeper insists helping the Bianconeri win remains his only priority, while he took the time to praise the talents of Mario Balotelli and Iker Casillas. Aug 8, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon has quashed suggestions that he could be ready to retire from professional football, claiming he is only thinking about bringing renewed success to Juventus. The 34-year-old's comments coincide with the Old Lady's return to the Champions League next season, following a two-year hiatus from Europe's premier club competition. "I haven't considered retiring. The only thing on my mind today is football," affirmed Buffon to assembled reporters at a press conference in China, where Juventus are due to play Napoli for the Italian Super Cup on Saturday. "We've retained a great squad from last season, and the club's work in the transfer market will make us even stronger for our Champions League return. No matter who the opponent might be, we will always aim to win." The 2006 World Cup winner also spoke about his role in Italy's national set-up, taking time to praise enigmatic striker Mario Balotelli as well as Spanish counterpart and Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. "It is a little early to talk about playing for Italy in the 2014 World Cup, but I will always carry the desire to play for the Azzurri. "Balotelli had a great Euro 2012, and his performances will certainly help him grow into an even more mature and complete player. "Casillas is a great player, an excellent keeper and a man with sportsmanship, irregardless of whether he is better than I am." Buffon captained Cesare Prandelli's men to the final of the European finals in Kiev, only to see his side crumble at the final hurdle, capitulating 4-0 to Spain.

Buffon: Juventus want to win Supercoppa Italiana The veteran goalkeeper is full of ambition ahead of this weekend's clash with Napoli, and has stressed his injury problems are behind him. Aug 8, 2012 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is determined to start the 2012-13 campaign on a high and win the upcoming Supercoppa Italiana clash with Napoli. The Turin giants impressed last season as they won the Serie A title without losing a single game, and the veteran shot-stopper is eager to add more silverware to the club's trophy cabinet at the weekend. "We’ve currently got an important target in front of us. We want to put on a good show and win this cup – it means a lot to us," Buffon was quoted as saying on the official Juve website. The experienced Italy international missed his side's friendly against Malaga due to injury, but he stressed that he will be fit for the match versus Napoli. "After turning 30 it is normal to have certain aches and pains during the first two weeks of preparation. Your body needs to get back into the swing of things. "Now I feel better, I have started to train again, so the problem’s gone." Saturday's Supercoppa clash will be held in Beijing, China, with kick-off scheduled at 14:00CET.

10 months anticipated for Conte Aug 8, 2012 The giornalaccio rosa dello Sport believe that Antonio Conte is almost certainly going to be handed an initial 10-month ban from football for his alleged role in the betting scandal. The Coach is accused of being aware of two attempted fixes in Serie B games when in charge of Siena. Having seen an initial plea bargain of a three-month ban rejected by the Discipline Commission, reports earlier this week suggested that he could be hit with a subsequent 10-month ban. That belief remains the case, as the Commission meets today to decide their sentences for those involved. The 10-month ban being reported by the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport this afternoon as almost certain is five less than prosecutor Stefano Palazzi first suggested and would still be subject to Conte appealing it. Whilst the Commission are understood to be considering Filippo Carobbio and Carlo Gervasoni’s testaments as reliable, which is why Conte faces this ban, the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport also believe that they do not hold Andrea Masiello’s declarations in the same light. If this is true then Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe would see charges against them dropped. Bonucci is facing a charge of direct involvement in an attempted fix in May 2010, whilst at Bari, and a possible three-year, six-month ban. Pepe is accused of knowing about this same fix, whilst an Udinese player and faces a possible 12-month ban. The Discipline Commission will make public their recommended punishments for those involved in the case on Thursday morning, from which point affected parties will have five days to prepare an appeal.

Conte faces 10-month ban for role in Scommessopoli scandal The Serie A-winning coach could be suspended for the entire 2012-13 campaign, while Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe could walk away unscathed. Aug 8, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte will be handed a 10-month suspension for his involvement in the Scommessopoli scandal that has rocked Italian football, La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport reports. The former Italy international saw his plea bargain for a three-month ban rejected by the disciplinary committee last week, with prosecutor Stefano Palazzi then demanding a 15-month suspension. Conte will learn his fate between Wednesday and Friday when the first judgements will be passed, and the 43-year-old could miss the entire 2012-13 campaign as the disciplinary committee believes Carlo Gervasoni and Filippo Carobbio are credible witnesses. Conte is charged with failing to report attempts to influence the outcome of two Serie B matches against Novara and AlbinoLeffe in the 2010-11 season when he was in charge of Siena. Meanwhile, both Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe are expected to be acquitted from their respective charges. Bonucci is being accused of sporting fraud, while Pepe faces charges of failing to report an attempt to fix the outcome of a match between Bari and Udinese from 2010. Nevertheless, star witness Andrea Masiello's statements are not holding up and both players could walk away from the match-fixing allegations unscathed.

Marchisio: Conte an example Aug 8, 2012 Claudio Marchisio says that whilst Antonio Conte is ‘clearly uncomfortable’ at a possible 10-month ban, he continues to serve as an example. The Coach is facing the prospect of a touchline ban from football through to June 9, 2013, for his role alleged to have been played in the betting scandal to have hit Italian football this year. However, his midfielder Marchisio believes that he is still leading the way in showing the players how to behave, in preparing for the Supercoppa Italiana clash with Napoli. “It is obvious that he is not comfortable for all that is happening,” revealed the No 8 to Sky Sport Italia. “But he is an example for us because on the field he does not reveal anything. As always he yells at us, training us as always, giving us the usual drive and motivation. “So for us he is a great example of how we should focus exclusively on the job.” Marchisio was asked about going into the game without a player currently assigned to the No 10 shirt, recently vacated by Alessandro Del Piero and if he were tempted to take it. “Obviously Del Piero is missed a lot. The chorus of Chinese fans for him makes us realise his importance. To see his locker empty at Vinovo also have a certain effect. Ale is an example for us all. “I, however, would not put on the No 10 shirt of Del Piero’s because, whilst it was a dream of mine when I was younger, when I was an attacker, now I am a midfielder and I am not Platini, Baggio or Del Piero. “I’m not one that can decide a game with a single goal, so I do not deserve to ever wear this shirt.” The midfielder also looked ahead to Saturday’s Supercup clash with Napoli. “It’s a very important trophy, we are champions and we have an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that we are still the strongest. “We are strongly motivated. Napoli have always caused us problems, but we’re ready. Our opponents have improved every year and will also be dangerous rivals in the League, along with Milan, Inter, Roma and Udinese.” This will be the third Cup final in the space of a few months for Marchisio and a number of the Juve players, after the Coppa Italia defeat to Napoli and the Euro 2012 defeat to Spain. “We now hope to win. But I am among those who think that finals are best to be played, even if you lose them, because they give you an experience to better address those that you play. “Honestly, I never thought that we would progress so quickly to the top. But the League last year was made from every day and it brought a confidence to us that was missing. Now we have to stay at those high levels.”

'The very thought of him fixing games is out of the question' - Moggi backs Juventus coach Conte The Bianconeri boss has received the backing of the former managing director of the club, who believes he is not guilty in the betting scandal that has engulfed Italian football. Aug 7, 2012 Luciano Moggi has given his support to Juventus coach Antonio Conte, who faces allegations of failing to report match-fixing during his time in charge of Siena. The 43-year-old could receive a 15-month ban if he is found guilty of not alerting the authorities to a potential fix, an allegation he denies. Conte joined Juve in the summer of 2011, replacing Luigi Delneri, and masterminded a Serie A triumph in his first season at the helm. Moggi has denied the claim that Old Lady coach could be involved in the betting scandal, believing that it would be out of character for the Italian. "I have known Antonio for 10 years," he told Radio Kiss Kiss. "The very thought of him fixing games is out of the question." Moggi also criticised the Italian Football Federation over their handling of the most recent scandal, suggesting that because only ex-Siena player Filippo Carobbio has accused Conte, the coach should not be charged. "Giving a platform to someone who admits he fixed matches while another 13-odd teammates say it was not true seems typical of the current Federation." The judgement from the Disciplinary Commission is expected on Thursday.

Pirlo will be a Champions League star again The Italy international was a standout performer on the peninsula in 2011-12 and was superb during Euro 2012. Now he has a return to the top European competition to look forward to. Aug 7, 2012 First Ezequiel Lavezzi, then Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, and for a while it appeared Julio Cesar and Maicon would leave too. And let’s not forget Alessandro Del Piero, Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso and Filippo Inzaghi either. For one reason or another, unlike any other Serie A season, Italian football is becoming less and less attractive – and the Calcioscommesse scandal has certainly not helped. The league is also becoming increasingly poorer from a technical point of view, having lost many champions who have written their names in thick black marker into the history books of Italian football. Some of them have moved on due to their advancing age, with the real blame for the feeling of loss being the fact that these superstars with a capital S have not been replaced. The remaining so-called top players have been attracted by the petrodollars of Arabs and Russians who do not care about the global financial crisis or Financial Fair Play. The result is that Andrea Pirlo, the great architect behind the rebirth of Juventus, is the only footballer set to ply his trade in Serie A this season who finished amongst the top 30 of the 2011-12 Goal.com 50, the list of the greatest players of the past year, voted for by Goal.com journalists across the world. To find another protagonist from the Italian league, you need to go down to 37th position, occupied by another Juventino, Arturo Vidal, with Gianluigi Buffon not far behind. The Bianconeri regista occupies fifth place, on the shoulder of Cristiano Ronaldo, Iker Casillas, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta. Therefore, after the two phenomena of world football and the two Euro-winning Spaniards, it is widely accepted that Pirlo was the best player of the past season; the biggest determining factor to his club and international side. What Juve didn’t possess under former coach Luigi Del Neri was the “silent leader” type in midfield, and with Pirlo’s signature last summer came the addition of performances and panache that the Bianconeri had been missing previously. After an almost non-season in the Milan shirt, during which time there were some misunderstandings with Massimiliano Allegri, Pirlo has bounced back to be exactly the type of driving force he was during his peak years. He chalked up many assists (11), added a handful of goals (three), but above all he delivered countless monstrous performances, giving confidence and leadership to a squad of players less accustomed to winning. It’s true that Juventus had the advantage of not playing in European competition, but those who had doubted Pirlo could be influential at a continental level were quickly put in their place thanks to his performances at Euro 2012. The final against Spain apart, he ran the show, with his poise and delightful play transfixing football fans across Europe. In the season ahead, his class will illuminate the biggest stage once more. There is something about Pirlo and the Champions League that just clicks. He will surely brighten up the whole competition, after all, he is more than accustomed to winning the trophy with the big ears, having collected it twice as a Milan player in 2002-03 and 2006-07. The hunt for a third European title starts now, and this time in black and white. It is a difficult challenge, similar in scale to Mount Everest, but with Pirlo and his magic, there’s plenty of reason for Juventus fans to dream.

Moggi: 'Conte is innocent' Aug 7, 2012 Antonio Conte has received support in his betting trial from someone he might not necessarily appreciate as a character witness – Luciano Moggi. The Juventus Coach risks a 15-month ban for failing to alert authorities to a potential fix while he was at Siena in 2010-11, although he is fighting the charges and it’s reported could be suspended for 10 months. “The group of lawyers is strengthening to prove that Conte didn’t do anything,” Moggi told Radio Kiss Kiss. Moggi is a familiar figure to Juve and the courts, as he was considered the ‘mastermind’ behind the Calciopoli scandal that saw the Bianconeri stripped of two titles and demoted to Serie B in 2006. “Conte is a man who wants to win the games and has nothing to do with the betting systems. “I have known Antonio for 10 years and the very thought of him fixing games is out of the question. “Giving a platform to someone who admits he fixed matches while another 13-odd teammates say it wasn’t true seems typical of the current Federation.” The only evidence against Conte comes from ex-Siena player Filippo Carobbio, who claims the Coach said two results were ‘safe’ in a team meeting. The others who were present that day have testified that he never said that. A verdict from the Disciplinary Commission is expected on Thursday morning.