Socrates

Pirlo: Allegri didn’t want me May 11, 2012 Andrea Pirlo has revealed that he left Milan because he was no longer in the first team plans of boss Massimiliano Allegri. The playmaker quit the Rossoneri on a Bosman last summer to join Juventus and he subsequently inspired their Scudetto success. “Milan offered me a one-year extension, but I wanted three years because I was younger than the other players whose contracts were expiring,” he told the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “But the real reason behind why I left Milan was because Allegri wanted to use Massimo Ambrosini or Mark Van Bommel in front of the defence instead of me. “That meant that I had to change position on the pitch. So I said ‘no thanks’ to Milan and chose Juventus. “Milan decided that I was no longer useful to them. I understood that immediately during our meeting.” Some were surprised by Pirlo’s decision to leave champions Milan for a team who had finished the previous two seasons in seventh place. “When I was at Gigi Buffon’s wedding in June last year, people asked me if I was crazy because I had left,” he added. “I then replied that when I decide to join another club, I do it because I want to win. And I also said that we would win the Italian championship. “And now those same people thank me because they went and put money on us winning the Scudetto…” While Juventus enjoyed the assists of Pirlo, Milan did struggle at times without his calmness and vision. “A lot of my former teammates told me that they missed me during the campaign,” he added. “But I’m happy as I won. “Almost all of my former teammates at Milan sent me text messages congratulating me on winning the Scudetto.” The 32-year-old has fond memories of his time with the Diavolo, but he admits that their attempt to get him suspended for a Cup game after an alleged elbow on Van Bommel was uncalled for. “That annoyed me,” he continued. “I played there for 10 years and they know that I don’t do certain things…” The experienced Italian international also took advantage of the interview to praise ‘rookie’ Coach Antonio Conte. “Conte is a great. I’ve had a lot of Coaches in my career, but never one who has been so prepared, so meticulous in his work and who explains things so well. “We watch videos of our opponents three or four times a week and it's difficult for them to surprise us as a result. “In terms of tactics and the way he teaches, he’s better than Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi.” With the Scudetto won, Pirlo now believes that his side can be a force in next season’s Champions League. “This Juve is one of the strongest ever in terms of mentality and pride,” he commented. “We can make a bid for the Champions League as we are now by playing in the same way. “But we’ll need a few signings to complete the squad, even if we would have done well in the competition this season.”

Buffon: 'Juventus butterfly' May 11, 2012 Gigi Buffon describes how he felt when giving away that Lecce goal and how Juventus “transformed from caterpillar to butterfly” for the Scudetto. The title was thrown back into doubt in a 1-1 draw with 10-man Lecce when the goalkeeper’s howler handed Andrea Bertolacci an open goal. “From the ground I could see Bertolacci running towards the goal and I said to myself… relax, it’s just a film, now something will happen. He might faint before he gets there,” Buffon told Tuttosport. “It’s not a good sensation, even if with Antonio Conte and my teammates at the start of the season we had taken into account something horrible could happen. “I remember the silence straight after that idiotic thing I did. It kills you. At that point you have to ask yourself: will they massacre me or hold me up by the shoulders?” He and Juve recovered to celebrate the Scudetto six years after going into Serie B due to the Calciopoli scandal. “It was worth it. In many moments over the past six years I reached some conclusions, working things over in my mind. Not always, but some certainties did waver. It can happen. But then I meditated on my successes. The fans helped me in many moments. “We had realised from the start of the season that we’d be able to put together something extraordinary. Talking about it in August or September would’ve been madness… It was a victory of the squad, just as for Italy in the 2006 World Cup. During this journey we transformed from caterpillar to butterfly.” There was also controversy, most notably with Milan’s complaints about the Sulley Ali Muntari shot that Buffon batted away after it had crossed the line. “Unfortunately, in Italy winning and being applauded by your opponents is unlikely. It’s a concept that sits uneasily with most people here,” sighed the goalkeeper. “Objectively, I see no other solution for myself, at least as long as I remain an important player. When I am not crucial any more, it’s legitimate for me to take that into consideration. In any case, I am ready to sign a contract extension. “Alessandro Del Piero won’t be here next year, but I am sure our rapport and his relationship with Juventus will continue. I advise him to stay relaxed and be proud: he’ll be number one for eternity. “I want to be competitive and that must be our objective in the Champions League. Our last success in this tournament was 16 years ago and even the stellar Juventus I was part of could not repeat that. After all, Real Madrid have spent €800m and still can’t lift that trophy again. “With two or three careful signings, our team can be solid and important. If we faced Barcelona? I don’t know how that would end, as it’d still be a game of football…”

Hamsik makes Coppa promise May 11, 2012 Marek Hamsik has promised to restyle his hair should Napoli beat Juventus in the Italian Cup Final on May 20. The midfielder’s Mohawk cut has developed into something of a trademark for him, but he could be set for a trip to the barbers later this month. “If we win the Coppa Italia then I’ll cut it,” the Slovakian international commented. “I can’t wait to play that game…” While the Stadio Olimpico clash could signal the end of Hamsik’s distinctive hair, it may also be the last game at the club for Ezequiel Lavezzi. “I have no idea what he will do,” Hamsik responded when asked about his attacking colleague. “You’ll have to ask him.” Reports are suggesting that the Argentine could leave the Stadio San Paolo this summer for a switch to Inter. Anzhi and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen.

Buffon: Champions League is Juventus' next objective The goalkeeper is already looking forward to the 2012-13 campaign, but realises that it will not be easy to emerge triumphant in Europe so soon after domestic success. May 11, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon believes Juventus must now start focussing on becoming a Champions League contender after securing the Serie A title in 2011-12. The Bianconeri have not won European club football's elite competition since 1996, and Buffon is desperate to help Juventus claim the prestigious title for the third time in their history. However, he acknowledged that it will be impossible for the team to lift the trophy next year. "I want us to be competitive in the Champions League next season. That has to be our goal," Buffon stated to Tuttosport. "We haven't won it in 16 years, but I don't think that the current team have what it takes to win it yet. That would be too much to ask from a team that have just accomplished a miracle. "The team needs two or three editions in order to become great again in Europe. At this point, I would be happy just to win back Europe's respect. "After all, a team like Real Madrid have spent some €800 million or so, and haven't won the Champions League yet either."

Pirlo: Allegri preferred Ambrosini & Van Bommel in my position so I left for Juventus The Juventus playmaker has taken a dig at the Rossoneri coach, while he has nothing but positive words for his current boss at the Bianconeri after his move in 2011. May 11, 2012 Andrea Pirlo has revealed that head coach Massimiliano Allegri's preference for Mark van Bommel and Massimo Ambrosini was one of the main reasons for him to leave AC Milan for Juventus in the summer of 2011. The Italy international opted not to renew his expiring contract with the Rossoneri last season and eventually left them for Juventus, where he has immediately won the Serie A title in his first year. "Allegri wanted to play Van Bommel or Ambrosini in front of the defence. I would have to change position, but I was not interested in doing that, so I joined Juventus instead," Pirlo stated to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. The 32-year-old then went on discuss Antonio Conte, and had nothing but praise for the successful Juventus coach. "He’s a great coach. I’ve had many coaches over the years, but no one is as meticulous in his work and as good at explaining things as him. "From a tactical and instructive point of view he’s even better than [Carlo] Ancelotti and [Marcello] Lippi in my opinion."

Serie A Week 37 - 6-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 0 - 2 Mirko Vučinić (6′) Michele Canini (74′ - O.G.) Nereo Rocco Stadium - Trieste Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 9500 CAMPIONI D’ITALIA!!!!!!!!!!!!! May 6, 2012 http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqn3hf_juventus-campione_sport?start=79 NELLO SPOGLIATOIO: I tifosi sul campo (e PIAZZA SAN CARLO a TORINO): IL RITORNO A TORINO: http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A - 18^ Giornata - Ritorno - 6-5-2012 (ore 20:45) 0 - 2 Mirko Vučinić (6′) Michele Canini (74′ - O.G.) Stadio Nereo Rocco - Trieste Arbitro: Daniele Orsato Spettatori: 9500 Serie A - Cagliari ko, la Juve è campione d'Italia! Il gol di Vucinic e l'autorete di Canini regalano i tre punti che valgono lo Scudetto per la Juventus di Antonio Conte. Battuto 2-0 il Cagliari e festa grande a Trieste. Decisiva la brutta sconfitta del Milan nel derby. Eurosport - Domenica, 6 maggio 2012 MILANO PER LA RINASCITA JUVENTINA - Come nel migliore dei sogni possibili la Juventus vince il 30º titolo grazie alla vittoria dei rivali dell'Inter contro la diretta concorrente allo Scudetto, il Milan. Chi l'avrebbe mai detto? Il derby milanese per la rinascita bianconera. La Juventus di Antonio Conte, bandiera e simbolo della società, riesce in una serata surreale, con un match contro il Cagliari giocato al Nereo Rocco, a cancellare anni di delusioni e fallimenti. Una bella favola che finisce, o meglio comincia, nel migliore dei modi. Dall'altra parte quella Milano "nemica" e che nella notte proprio del derby della Madonnina, simbolo degli ultimi anni di dominio rosso-nerazzurro, consegna il titolo alla Juventus. No, sembra uno scherzo, invece è la fine di un'epoca. MATRI DAL PRIMO MINUTO, JUVE SUBITO IN VANTAGGIO - Conte, privo dell'infortunato De Ceglie, ritrova Pepe e si affida alla coppia Matri-Vucinic con Borriello in panchina. Dall'altra parte Ficcadenti toglie Cossu, per dar spazio ad un tridente composto da Thiago Ribeiro, Pinilla e Ibarbo. Una scelta abbastanza discutibile, bocciata dall'ingresso in campo nella ripresa proprio di Cossu, unico in grado di creare qualcosa di interessante. Dopo un avvio in tinta bianconera, il Cagliari si affaccia nella metà campo avversaria con Conti e sembra guadagnare metri. un apparente equilibrio che dura appena sei minuti, quanto basta ai bianconeri per passare in vantaggio. Bonucci pesca in profondità Vucinic. Il montenegrino davanti ad Agazzi non si scompone e lo trafigge in mezzo alle gambe. I sardi non riescono a uscire dalla loro metà campo. Decisiva, come sempre, la pressione e la corsa dei bianconeri. Marchisio ci prova al 13'e Pirlo al 16' non angola a dovere, mentre è di Pepe, al 17', la conclusione più insidiosa. Paura al ventesimo minuto di gioco per un bruttissimo scontro tra Pinilla e Lichsteiner. Ad avere la peggio è il giocatore della Juventus, portato via in barella e sostituito da Caceres. Allo scadere, dopo una conclusione pericolosissima di Pinilla (unica nel match) è ancora Pepe, dal vertice, a sfiorare il palo. CRESCE IL CAGLIARI MA LA JUVE AFFONDA IL COLPO - Squadre invariate nella ripresa. Conte, dopo pochi minuti decide di far uscire un nervoso Vidal per Giaccherini. I rossoblù, con l'ingresso dell'escluso Cossu hanno un approccio più convinto ma non creano occasioni. Proprio Cossu rimedia un'ammonizione per simulazione dopo un contatto con Chiellini iniziato fuori area. La Juventus dopo dieci minuti di pausa si rende pericolosa sempre con Pepe, quindi Vucinic al 19' sbaglia da posizione interessante. Cossu entra subito in partita e al 25', si esibisce in un destro a girare, imitato poi da Vucinic, che al 27' chiama Agazzi ad un super intervento. Il Cagliari molla la presa e la Juventus, caricata dalle notizie provenienti da San Siro, si lancia alal ricerca del raddoppio. Raddoppio sfiorato alla mezzora dal colpo di testa di Caceres e, due minuti più tardi, trovato grazie all'autorete di Canini, sfortunato nell'anticipo su Borriello (entrato al posto di uno spento Matri). La partita finisce ufficialmente con la notizia del quarto gol interista. Trieste si scatena e riesce a far scomporre addirittura Antonio Conte, costretto, con la matematica, a saltare con i tifosi al grido "campioni d'Italia". La Juventus torna grande a Trieste, nel modo più curioso e spietato possibile. Zero sconfitte e un successo che vede in Antonio Conte l'artefice principale. Da domani si comincerà a parlare del futuro e polemizzare, come sempre, sul passato. Intanto non possiamo che applaudire la nuova regina della Serie A. Per i presunti torti e i litigi c'è tempo. Andrea Prete - Eurosport Cagliari - Juventus 0-2

Moggi: 'Nail star to Moratti's head!' May 9, 2012 Luciano Moggi has a novel idea on where Juventus can put the third golden star. “I’d nail it to Massimo Moratti’s forehead.” A row is erupting between Juve and the football authorities, as the club considers this to be their 30th Scudetto, counting the two that were stripped in the Calciopoli trial of 2006. “Of course Juventus ought to put the third star on their jerseys,” said Moggi on Radio 24, referring to the tradition of a golden star depicting each 10 titles. “If it were up to me, I’d nail it to Moratti’s forehead.” Inter President Moratti insists the 2005-06 Scudetto stripped from Juventus and handed to the Nerazzurri was deserved, even with the emergence of fresh evidence. Moggi was the director general at the time of the Calciopoli incidents and generally considered to be the main figure in the scandal. “Of course I’m still in contact with President Andrea Agnelli and we spoke after the Scudetto. He learned how to be a director from me and Antonio Giraudo. We taught him well.”

Buffon and Barzagli to renew May 9, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Barzagli will become the latest members of Juventus’ title winning squad to be handed new deals. Reports today suggest that boss Antonio Conte will extend until 2016 later this month, but he won’t be alone. Goalkeeper Buffon and Barzagli will be rewarded with new agreements seeing as their present ones expire in June 2013. Buffon, it is claimed, will put pen to paper on a contract until 2016. The 34-year-old joined the club in the summer of 2001. Barzagli, meanwhile, will be offered new terms until 2014, with an option for an extra 12 months on top of that. Alessandro Matri, Paolo De Ceglie, Fabio Quagliarella and Leonardo Bonucci have already had their deals renewed this season.

Buffon and Barzagli to renew May 9, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Barzagli will become the latest members of Juventus’ title winning squad to be handed new deals. Reports today suggest that boss Antonio Conte will extend until 2016 later this month, but he won’t be alone. Goalkeeper Buffon and Barzagli will be rewarded with new agreements seeing as their present ones expire in June 2013. Buffon, it is claimed, will put pen to paper on a contract until 2016. The 34-year-old joined the club in the summer of 2001. Barzagli, meanwhile, will be offered new terms until 2014, with an option for an extra 12 months on top of that. Alessandro Matri, Paolo De Ceglie, Fabio Quagliarella and Leonardo Bonucci have already had their deals renewed this season.