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Chiellini hungry for Euro glory May 23, 2012 Giorgio Chiellini insists that the Juventus players in the Italy squad are still hungry for Euro 2012 success. “It would be the icing on the cake.” The Old Lady officially ended a nine-year Scudetto drought this season and just missed out on the Coppa Italia when losing 2-0 to Napoli in Sunday’s Final. However, the Juve stopper is adamant that his Bianconeri colleagues are fully motivated ahead of the European Championship. “Us Juventus players still have an appetite,” the former Fiorentina man stated at Coverciano on Wednesday. “Winning at Euro 2012 would be the icing on the cake to what has been a great campaign for all of us. “Italy will go into the tournament in good shape, with changes after the disappointment of the World Cup in 2010. There is a desire to show that Italy can do well. “We were considered as a Serie B side over recent years and that was not right. We can’t wait to take on the best.” Chiellini should be in the squad even though he picked up a thigh muscle strain on the last day of the League season. “I’m calm and hopeful,” he added. “I couldn’t understand how serious the injury was at first, I was in real pain and I thought I’d miss out on something that I have waited two years for. “Now I’m focused on getting back as soon as possible.” Chiellini has been a key part of Italy’s tightest defence along with fellow Azzurri members Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci. “A block of Juventus players in defence for Italy? That is something that the Coach will have to consider…” The trio can be used in a three-man defence or a four with Chiellini being switched to left-back.

Juventus can't compete with big European clubs on transfer market, says Marotta The Bianconeri director has admitted that they lack the financial resources to take on the big guns, and added they will have to look at alternatives to close the gap. May 23, 2012 Giuseppe Marotta believes that it is impossible for Juventus to compete with the cash-rich European clubs on the transfer market because of the changing financial landscape. The Juve director beamed that Italy used to be the focal point when it came to big-money transfers, but acknowledged that the rise of clubs such as Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain has shifted the balance. "Italian football used to be the point of reference when it comes to financial matters. That's not the case anymore. The market is dominated by clubs such as Manchester City, who can invest millions and millions," Marotta was quoted as saying by Corriere dello Sport. "The Italian clubs that used to invest heavily can no longer spend that much. We can no longer compete with the other big European clubs. "Juve cannot be market leaders in the current situation. We can only try and reduce the gap through good organisation, and with our football culture."

Juventus reveal transfer plans May 23, 2012 Juventus director general Beppe Marotta has discussed the club’s transfer plans in a revealing interview with the Corriere dello Sport. Having won the Scudetto this season, the Turin official is now working on building a team to challenge in the Champions League – despite fierce competition from wealthier clubs on the market. “There are powerful owners in England, while the Germans depend on entrepreneurship and management,” the former Sampdoria man noted. “Having lost our leadership from the 1990s, the only solution open to Italy is to focus on organisation and culture. The gap remains though, especially in revenue terms. “We are looking to increase the size of our squad. That is a necessity because we’ll be facing the prospect of more games. “For the same reason, boss Antonio Conte and his team are already working on what training methods to use to prevent injuries. “We have to try and win the Champions League, our prestige obliges us to do that. Juve can’t only be content with taking part. But it depends on a lot of factors. Look at Chelsea, they seemed out and then they won it. “We are looking for two or three excellent elements, without losing sight of the balance of a squad which has important technical and human qualities. We also have to balance the finances.” The club’s top priority is a new striker and they’ve been linked with Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie, Luis Suarez of Liverpool and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain. “Van Persie is one of the best players in circulation,” he smiled. “It is possible that he, along with Suarez and Higuain, will be one of the top players we are after. They are interesting players.” The Bianconeri have also been paired with Napoli’s Edinson Cavani and Mario Balotelli of Manchester City, but Marotta played down those reports. “Cavani? You always have to consider the desire of the clubs which own players. “We have never thought about Balotelli. He doesn’t fit the profile we are looking at, a profile which isn’t based solely on technical ability.” Moving on to the club’s midfield targets, it is no secret that they hope to sign two teenagers – Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and Marco Verratti of Pescara. “We respected the rules,” he explained when asked about the Frenchman. “Pogba, for his own reasons, didn’t intend to renew. “We informed the club and we are now waiting for an answer. Talks are well advanced. “Verratti? Juventus have a strong appeal again and not just with youngsters. The fact that the player wants to join us could help negotiations, but an auction has now kicked off and his price is high. We want to invest, but we have rules.” Verratti, a surprise inclusion in Italy’s 32-man Euro 2012 squad, is being compared with Juve playmaker Andrea Pirlo. “Pirlo, like Alex Del Piero, is hard to replicate,” Marotta commented. “I don’t see any players around with similar experience or value. “Conte is a flexible Coach and we are looking for a versatile midfielder. Udinese’s Asamoah? He’s one of the names. “Our defence? It is one of the hardest to break down in Europe, but we need to fully integrate it.” Marotta was also questioned on the futures of Marco Borriello, on loan from Roma, and Sebastian Giovinco – the forward who is co-owned with Parma. “We took an opportunity in January with Borriello. We have a month to consider our options. “We’ve always believed in Giovinco, but he had to confirm himself as an important player which he now is. He’s matured. “We’ll now evaluate things with Parma to decide whether to recall him or choose another path.” The director general also confirmed whispers that Coach Conte would soon put pen to paper on a new contract until June 2015.

Agnelli: 'Not too early' for Euro glory May 22, 2012 President Andrea Agnelli has confirmed Juventus consider this to be their 30th Scudetto and “it’s never too early” to go for Champions League victory. The 36-year-old patron spoke to CNN after winning the first post-Calciopoli title. “Well for the official records it's the 28th, for every single Juventino in the world it's the 30th,” he noted. “It's a very tough matter, I would say. One of the privileges of managing Juventus is managing people's dreams and emotions - in our emotions and our feelings we have 30.” The Bianconeri failed to qualify for Europe last season, but are in the Champions League next term and Agnelli sees no reason why they can’t win it. “It's never too early. Juventus takes part in every single competition with ambitions of winning it.” Juve were unbeaten for the entire season until losing the Coppa Italia Final 2-0 to Napoli on Sunday. “If they would have asked me in September, 'At the end of the year you win the Scudetto but lose the Coppa Italia final,' I would have signed a hundred times no question about it, so we're extremely proud of what we've done. “I think it's been an extraordinary result, let's say we've just missed a little topping on the cake and we might leave that for next year. “What I've tried to do is to revive the pride of being at Juventus. We're all extremely proud that we've achieved that in only two years. “We might not be full of stars but we're full of "wannabe" stars. Arturo Vidal is going to become a star - he's 24, he's got over 40 caps for his national team, he can be a star.” However, it was the end of the road for Alessandro Del Piero, who has not been offered a new contract. “I think Alessandro, as I've said many times, will always represent Juventus,” added Agnelli. “He's been our captain for 10 years and what a finale - lifting the trophy, that's an amazing story. I think we always have to be grateful to him.”

Marotta: 'Juve can't compete on market' May 22, 2012 Juventus have won the Scudetto, but director Beppe Marotta warns “it’s impossible to compete” with the big European clubs on the market. “We are proud to have created with Juventus the model for a football club. It all started with the return of an Agnelli to the Presidency, who gave everyone a sense of belonging,” he told the Corriere dello Sport. “We also must not underestimate the structure, where everyone has their own specific tasks. The Coach also knew the environment and what it meant to be a Juventino. Choosing Antonio Conte was down to Andrea Agnelli.” The Bianconeri are in the Champions League next season and have said they will reinforce the squad, but signing stars might be difficult. “Italian football used to be the economic reference point, but it isn’t any more. Today the market is dominated by clubs like Manchester City who can invest many millions. In Italy, those who invested heavily can no longer do it. “We cannot be market leaders in this environment, but through organisation and the culture of football we must try to reduce the gap.”

Chiellini: I’ll be fit for Spain May 22, 2012 Juventus stopper Giorgio Chiellini is adamant that he will be fit in time for the 2012 European Championship. The defender was ruled out for 20 days after picking up a thigh muscle injury in the win over Atalanta on May 13. That setback understandably raised some doubts about whether he would make Italy’s final 23-man squad, but he’s cooled the fears of anxious fans. “Is there a risk of me missing out on selection? Let’s not joke around here,” he told the Corriere dello Sport on Tuesday. “I’ll be ready at the right time. “If I don’t take part in the two friendly games before the competition then that will only be for prudence. “I want to be ready to take on Spain on June 10 and I will be…” Italy, who leave for Poland on June 5, have two friendlies lined up against Luxembourg on May 29 and June 1 against Russia.

I'll be fit for Spain Euro 2012 clash, says Chiellini The Bianconeri defender is being plagued by injury problems ahead of the European Championship, but is confident that he will be ready for Italy's opening encounter. May 22, 2012 Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has promised that he will be match fit in time for Italy's Euro 2012 opener against Spain on June 10. The centre-back picked up a thigh injury in Juve's Serie A win over Atalanta earlier this month, and there were doubts about whether Chiellini would make a full recovery ahead of this summer's tournament. However, the 27-year-old has insisted that he will be cleared to play in the Azzurri's Group C opener against the defending European champions. "Is there a risk that I will miss out on the Euros? Let's not joke around. I will be ready in time," Chiellini stated to Corriere dello Sport. "If I don't feature in the pre-tournament friendlies, that's just a precautionary measure. I want to be ready to take on Spain, and I'll make sure that I will be ready." Italy will also have to contend with Croatia and Republic of Ireland in Group C of Euro 2012.

Agnelli: The days of big-money transfers are behind us Juventus supremo believes that the global recession will influence the football world, as he hailed Juve as one of the most successful teams ever in the game. May 22, 2012 Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has voiced his opinion that mega-money transfers are something of the past as he feels the global recession will take its toll on the football world in the next few years. Agnelli believes that it is inevitable that clubs will change their spending pattern, but is confident that fans will continue to attend games, regardless of the economical situation. "I think the days of big-money transfers will be phased out," Agnelli stated at the London Business School’s Global Leadership Summit. "But the most important element - the fans - will still continue to go to the games. Sport is about dreams and emotions and is a way of escaping the problems of the real world." The Bianconeri boss then went on to stress that the Serie A champions are one of the most successful clubs in the world. "When we talk about Juventus it’s a matter of pride. It is one of the most successful football teams and the longest-lasting family franchise in the world of sport. My family has overseen 29 title victories since taking control of the club in 1923."

Coppa Italia - Final - 20-5-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 0 - 2 Edinson Cavani (63′- Penalty) Marek Hamsik (83′) Olimpico Stadium - Rome Referee: Christian Brighi Marchisio: Napoli penalty changed the game The Italy international was not impressed with the referee's performance in Sunday's Coppa Italia final, but felt Juve still had an "incredible season" after winning Serie A. May 21, 2012 Claudio Marchisio believes that the referee's decision not to award Juventus a spot-kick in Sunday's 2-0 Coppa Italia final loss against Napoli was a wrong call, and eventually cost the Old Lady cup glory after their opponents were awarded a penalty themselves. The Italy international went to ground in the Napoli area after a challenge from Salvatore Aronica shortly before half-time, but the match official did not deem it to be a foul and waved play on. "It was a clear penalty," Marchisio was quoted as saying on the club's official website. The referee did award Napoli a spot-kick after the interval, and Marchisio felt that decision changed the game. Nevertheless, the Italy international insisted that Juventus still enjoyed an "incredible" season, despite Sunday's defeat. "Their penalty was the incident that changed the game. We got off to a sluggish start but then grew in stature. "It’s a shame because we wanted to end this unbelievable season in a perfect way. We’ve developed and gained confidence on a game-by-game basis. Everyone should be congratulated for this. It has been an incredible season."

Coppa Italia - Final - 20-5-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 0 - 2 Edinson Cavani (63′- Penalty) Marek Hamsik (83′) Olimpico Stadium - Rome Referee: Christian Brighi Mazzarri: It seemed unthinkable to beat Juventus this season Napoli coach said that the Partenopei were the underdogs going into the domestic cup match, while revealing that he will not depart the club during the summer. May 21, 2012 Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri has said that his side beat the odds to see off Juventus 2-0 in the the Coppa Italia final. The Bianconeri had not lost a single competitive game under Antonio Conte in 2011-12, but goals from Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik, both in the second half, prevented them from adding the domestic cup to the Scudetto win earlier in the month. "I am thrilled, it seemed unthinkable to beat Juventus this season," Mazzarri told Rai Sport. "The entire team has done something extraordinary in the last three years. This is an exceptional group that has now been rewarded." As Napoli failed to qualify for the Champions League next season, Mazzarri's future at the San Paolo has been in doubt, but the 50-year-old insisted that he is not going anywhere. "I have a contract until 2013 and I intend to respect it," he said. "Let's enjoy this moment, there will be time to think about other things."

Coppa Italia - Final - 20-5-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 0 - 2 Edinson Cavani (63′- Penalty) Marek Hamsik (83′) Olimpico Stadium - Rome Referee: Christian Brighi Marchisio rues ‘missed’ penalty May 20, 2012 Claudio Marchisio insists that Juventus should have been awarded a penalty before Napoli went on to win the Coppa Italia. The Azzurri lifted the trophy last night with a 2-0 win, but the midfielder has underlined that he was caught by Salvatore Aronica in a controversial incident which the referee ignored. “It was a clear penalty,” the Italian explained after the final whistle. “Then they got their penalty and that, on the other hand, changed the game.” Napoli edged the first half, but they struck both goals in the second period just when it seemed that the Old Lady were pushing for their own goal. “We got off to a bit of a sluggish start,” the 26-year-old noted. “It’s a real shame as we wanted to end this unbelievable season in the perfect way. “We’ve developed and gained confidence on a game by game basis,” added Marchisio given the club’s Scudetto success. “Everyone should be congratulated for this.” Marchisio will now be given the week off before he meets up with his Italian international colleagues on Saturday.

Coppa Italia - Final - 20-5-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 0 - 2 Edinson Cavani (63′- Penalty) Marek Hamsik (83′) Olimpico Stadium - Rome Referee: Christian Brighi Del Piero 'regret' at final defeat May 20, 2012 Alessandro Del Piero admits there are regrets at ending his Juventus career with a defeat, “but these have been fantastic years and I am proud of everything I’ve done.” The captain played his 705th and final match in a Bianconeri jersey, losing the Coppa Italia 2-0 to Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. “There are regrets, because losing a Final always leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, but we have to look forward,” said Alex. “In these last few weeks so many emotions have been mixed up together. These have been fantastic years and I am proud of everything I’ve done.” Substituted in the second half, at the final whistle Del Piero consoled his teammates and brought them under the curva to salute the Juventus fans.

Coppa Italia - Final - 20-5-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 0 - 2 Edinson Cavani (63′- Penalty) Marek Hamsik (83′) Olimpico Stadium - Rome Referee: Christian Brighi Conte: 'Juve should be angry' May 20, 2012 Antonio Conte hopes Juventus will learn from their Coppa Italia defeat to Napoli. “We ought to be angry.” The Bianconeri were unbeaten in all competition this season and fresh from a Scudetto triumph when falling 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. “I do not enjoy losing, especially in a Final,” the Coach told Rai Sport. “We ought to be angry. This match has to make us understand that we must always go at 2,000km/h. “Tonight Napoli had something more than us. This is a young group and we must always keep in mind what we needed to do in order to win. “We also had a few players like Arturo Vidal and Stephan Lichtsteiner who were not 100 per cent fit. The regrets are there, because we didn’t want to lose.”

Coppa Italia - Final - 20-5-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 0 - 2 Edinson Cavani (63′- Penalty) Marek Hamsik (83′) Olimpico Stadium - Rome Referee: Christian Brighi Mazzarri: 'Unthinkable success!' May 20, 2012 Walter Mazzarri praised “an unthinkable” victory over Juventus in the Coppa Italia and confirmed he’ll stay at Napoli. “It was almost unthinkable to beat Juventus over 90 minutes when they hadn’t lost all season. It was an achievement within an achievement,” said the Coach. Edinson Cavani’s penalty and a Marek Hamsik counter-attack secured the 2-0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico. “The whole team achieved something extraordinary over these three years. Hamsik, Cavani and Lavezzi are name-checked all the time, but they all deserve to be hailed on an equal level and as a group.” There have been numerous question marks over Mazzarri’s future at the Stadio San Paolo. “I have a contract until 2013, as far as I am concerned I intend to respect it. Now let us enjoy this celebration, then we’ll talk.”

Coppa Italia - Final - 20-5-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 0 - 2 Edinson Cavani (63′- Penalty) Marek Hamsik (83′) Olimpico Stadium - Rome Referee: Christian Brighi Antonio Conte: We have to be angry following Napoli defeat The 42-year-old did not hide his frustration at seeing the Bianconeri lose their final match of the season as they failed to add the domestic cup to their Scudetto triumph. May 20, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte has spoken of his disappointment as his side lost 2-0 against Napoli in the Coppa Italia final at the Stadio Olimpico. Second-half goals from Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik gave the Partenopei a deserved victory and inflicted defeat upon the Serie A champions, who had enjoyed an unbeaten campaign in the league. "I do not like to lose - especially in a final," Conte told Rai Sport after the game. "This match has to make us understand that we must always be at 100 per cent. Napoli had something more than us tonight. This is a young group and we must always keep in mind what we needed to do in order to win. "We had some players who were not 100 per cent fit, like Stephan Lichtsteiner and Arturo Vidal. The regrets are there, because we did not want to lose." Prior to the match, Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta said that Conte's contract renewal with the club is a 'formality'.