Socrates

Marchisio looks on the bright side Mar 1, 2012 Claudio Marchisio tries to look on the bright side of both Italy’s defeat to the USA and the controversy between Milan and Juventus. “It isn’t entirely worthless, as it remains a helpful experience,” the midfielder told Sky Sport Italia after last night’s 1-0 international friendly. “It wasn’t a great evening, even if I wouldn’t make a tragedy out of it. The defeat to the USA was simply a step towards Euro 2012 this summer.” Marchisio quoted an unlikely source when asked about the controversy surrounding Milan-Juve and the refereeing errors. “As Jose Mourinho said, this type of game starts four days before kick-off and ends five days after the final whistle. “Now we have all calmed down a bit, which is better, especially as we have to prepare for the next match. All we have in our minds now is the meeting with Chievo. “I still say Milan are the Scudetto favourites, which we saw on Saturday night, as they do have something more than us. They have a better chance of winning and we already knew that.”

Buffon talks set for summer Mar 1, 2012 Gigi Buffon and his agent will wait until the end of the season before discussing a new contract with Juventus. “Juve are very happy with Buffon and Gigi is happy at Juve,” representative Silvano Martina told Radio Sportiva. “There has been no contact between us and the club about a new deal. We’ll wait until the campaign has come to an end.” The 34-year-old Buffon is presently tied to the Old Lady of Italian football until the summer of 2013. There have been reports that a number of Chinese sides are showing an interest in a ‘keeper who last night won his 113th cap for Italy. “That would be a difficult hypothesis at this point in time for Buffon,” Martina noted. “Buffon could end his career at Juventus, but anything can happen.”

First signs of Juve-Milan peace Mar 1, 2012 Juventus and Milan have taken the first steps towards renewed peace, while Philippe Mexes has also said sorry. The relationship between the two clubs was already strained going into last week’s Serie A clash and things hardly improved after it. The decision to not award Sulley Muntari’s goal, despite it being clearly over the line, infuriated the Rossoneri. So much so that Vice-President Adriano Galliani exchanged angry words with Juve boss Antonio Conte during the half-time interval. The fall-out continued after the game which eventually ended 1-1. However, with tension rising, the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport claims that Bianconero President Andrea Agnelli has contacted Galliani by phone in a bid to heal the wounds. Meanwhile, Milan’s Mexes has also publicly apologised for punching Marco Borriello during the game. TV evidence was subsequently used to hand him a three-game ban. “I said sorry to referee Paolo Tagliavento and I want to do the same to Borriello and my teammates who will now be without me for three matches.”

Agent reveals Buffon will commence contract talks with Juventus in the summer The Italian shot stopper's representative stated that his client will sit down with the Turin club and begin talks over a new deal at the end of the current season. Mar 1, 2012 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will discuss his future with the club at the end of the season, his agent has revealed. The 34-year-old's current contract expires in 2013 and it has been suggested that the Bianconeri are interested in offering him a new deal which would keep him in Turin until he decides to retire. "Juventus are happy with him and he is very happy at the club," agent Silvano Martina told Radio Sportiva. "The reason why there has not been any contact is because we will wait until the end of the season." However, the glovesman's agent was non-committal when asked if his client wanted to see out the rest of his career at the club. "It is hard to say. He could end his career at Juve, but anything can happen," Martina concluded.

Frey backs up Buffon Feb 29, 2012 Sebastien Frey has defended under-fire Juventus ‘keeper Gianluigi Buffon, but the Genoa man has asked for the introduction of goal-line technology. Buffon has been heavily criticised for his admission that he wouldn’t have told the referee that Sulley Muntari’s ghost-goal, in the 1-1 with Milan, should have been awarded if he had realised it had crossed the line. “You can’t question Buffon,” the Genoa No 1 told Sky Sport Italia. “I would have acted in the same way that Gigi did. “There are referees who are there to make the decisions. Buffon is blameless in all this. “We’ve taken some important steps forward with technology and I would be in favour of its use in football. It wouldn’t be bad to give the referees a helping hand.”

Marrone back for Juventus Feb 29, 2012 Italian Under-21 international Luca Marrone has returned to full training with Juventus following injury. The 21-year-old has been sidelined in recent weeks because of a thigh muscle strain in his left leg. The Turin native, who has played just twice in Serie A this season, took part in the full session with the rest of the squad yesterday.

Serie A Week 25 - 25-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Antonio Nocerino (14') Alessandro Matri (83') Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Attendance: 53000‎ Ibrahimovic: Muntari's disallowed goal is a tragedy for football The Sweden international is shocked that the assistant referee did not see the ball cross the line in the Serie A showdown at San Siro last weekend. Feb 28, 2012 AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic revealed his dismay over Sulley Muntari's disallowed goal in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Juventus. Muntari's close-range header crossed the goal-line before it was scooped out by Gianluigi Buffon, but the assistant referee failed to spot the ball cross the line even though he seemed to be in a good position to judge the play. "Muntari's goal, which the linesman did not see, is a tragedy for football," Ibrahimovic said during a press conference. "I am more disappointed than angry. Everyone could see it was a goal. An offside, you can make a mistake, but a goal, no." Ibrahimovic then commented on his slap to Napoli defender Salvatore Aronica, which saw him miss the match against Juventus as part of his three-game ban. "The opponents will always do everything to stop me," Ibrahimovic said. "You have to learn from your mistakes and try not to repeat them. "But I cannot say that something like this will not happen again in the future. "There is always a lot of tension on the field." http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 25 - 25-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Antonio Nocerino (14') Alessandro Matri (83') Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Attendance: 53000‎ Tacconi backs Buffon: Never tell the truth in football The former Bianconeri goalkeeper has admitted that he would not have readily informed the match official if the ball had crossed the line against the Rossoneri either. Feb 28, 2012 Stefano Tacconi has backed Gianluigi Buffon over the controversial comments the Juventus goalkeeper made regarding Sulley Muntari's 'ghost goal' at San Siro on Saturday, arguing that honesty is not the best policy when it comes to football. The AC Milan midfielder beat Buffon with a close-range header during the first half of the top-of-the-table clash but the match officials failed to notice that the ball had crossed the line before Buffon was able to get it under his control. Buffon claimed after the game that he had no idea if the ball had gone over the line but then infuriated the Rossoneri by claiming that even if he had known, he would not have informed the referee. The Italy international's less than sporting attitude has shocked many but former Bianconeri goalkeeper Tacconi believes that there is no room for honesty in the game. "I would not have said anything [either]," the 54-year-old Italian told Goal.com. "I'd have kept quiet. "Never tell the truth in football. I've experienced it during my career when I was out for six months for telling the truth. "Since then I have realised that being honest in football does not pay." Tacconi also believes the fact that Buffon's comments have sparked such a heated debate within the game is indicative how times have changed since he was a player. "In today's football everyone talks too much," he argued. "I say this: that everyone takes responsibility for their own actions and that we return to playing football. "Once we were winning the Scudetto with fists, punches and broken teeth; now that there are thousands of cameras filming every game, however, the titles are won by talking ... They only want to go onto the field to talk. "It's no longer football - it's football-gossip: who has gone out with who; who has sniffed coke. These are the arguments that you often read about in the papers and on the internet. Now the more you talk, the more you win." As for who will win this year's Scudetto, Tacconi believes that the title race will go right to the wire, feeling that Bianconeri might have a slight edge given they have no European commitments. "The duel could last until the end, though usually the Scudetto is decided in the spring," he mused. "With the arrival of summer we will see who has more strength. Milan may have to expend a significant amount of energy in the Champions League, but the race remains open." Tacconi, who was capped seven times by the Azzurri during his playing days, spent nine years with Juventus between 1983 and 1992. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Platini: Buffon went overboard Feb 27, 2012 Michel Platini has offered his two cents on the ongoing controversy surrounding Gianluigi Buffon’s post-Milan-Juventus comments. After the top-of-the-table clash, which finished 1-1 but was overshadowed by the controversy of Sulley Muntari’s missed legitimate goal, Buffon said that even if he knew the ball had crossed the line, he would not have admitted so to the referee. The Italy captain has been criticised for lacking responsibility in his choice of words and even as the goalkeeper and his national Coach Cesare Prandelli defended them on Monday morning, former Juve legend and current UEFA President Platini is the latest to suggest he was unwise. “Buffon has gone too far with his words and between Turin and Milan there should not be war. If the referee had asked him and he had said ‘no’, then that would have figured him to be a liar. “If I had scored a goal with my hand and the referee had asked me, I would have said I had scored it with my hand. Diego Maradona didn’t do it? No-one asked him.”

Serie A Week 25 - 25-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Antonio Nocerino (14') Alessandro Matri (83') Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Attendance: 53000‎ Mexes banned, Pirlo, Muntari acquitted Feb 27, 2012 Milan defender Philippe Mexes has received a three-match ban after video evidence found him guilty of punching Juventus’ Marco Borriello at the weekend. French centre-back Mexes was caught on camera punching former Roma teammate Borriello in the ribs, on the blind side of both the referee and his assistants, during Saturday’s clash between Milan and Juve. After investigation, the No 5 has been handed a three-game ban and will now miss the Rossoneri’s fixtures with Palermo, Lecce and Parma. Meanwhile, teammate Sulley Muntari and Juve midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who were both also under investigation for alleged off-the-ball clashes, have both been cleared and will not face any action. Muntari had seemingly been caught on camera twice lashing out at Stephan Lichtsteiner, whilst Pirlo reportedly elbowed Mark Van Bommel. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 25 - 25-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Antonio Nocerino (14') Alessandro Matri (83') Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Attendance: 53000‎ Mexes banned for three games for punch on Borriello The Frenchman escaped any punishment at the time as it went unnoticed by the referee, Paolo Tagliavento, but the incident was caught by the television cameras. Feb 27, 2012 AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes has been suspended for three games for punching Juventus forward Marco Borriello during Saturday's 1-1 draw at San Siro. Mexes appeared to strike the Bianconeri forward in the kidneys during the second half of the Serie A clash at the Giuseppe Meazza but the incident was missed by referee Paolo Tagliavento and the Frenchman escaped punishment. However, Mexes' offence was captured by the television cameras and he has now been handed a three-game ban, meaning he will miss the Rossoneri's upcoming Serie A meetings with Palermo, Lecce and Parma. However, no action has been taken against either Milan midfielders Sulley Muntari or Mark van Bommel. Muntari stood accused of slapping Stephan Lichtsteiner, while Van Bommel was said to have deliberately elbowed Andrea Pirlo in the head but both were cleared of any wrongdoing. However, Milan team manager Silvano Ramaccioni has been hit with a one-game ban for comments he made towards Juventus players. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 25 - 25-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Antonio Nocerino (14') Alessandro Matri (83') Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Attendance: 53000‎ Buffon refuses to retract controversial comments following AC Milan draw The Italy international has reiterated that he would not have informed the referee if he had realised that Sulley Muntari's header crossed the line in Saturday's crunch clash. Feb 27, 2012 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has stood by his post-match comments regarding Sulley Muntari's disallowed goal. The 34-year-old custodian was at the heart of the controversy in Saturday's 1-1 draw at San Siro as he saved the Milan midfielder's header after the ball had crossed the goal-line. After the match, Buffon claimed he would not have helped the referee even if he had realised the goal was legitimate and he has now maintained his stance. "The respect and the esteem I have for my team-mates are enough, I do not care about the rest," he told Sky Sport Italia. "I am happy the way I am. This is a world where everyone defends their position. I would say exactly the same things. "I do not have to justify myself, people can write what they want. I repeat that I did not see anything in that situation." Juve remain one point behind Milan in the race for the Scudetto but have a game in hand. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Prandelli stands by Buffon Feb 27, 2012 Italy boss Cesare Prandelli says under-fire Gigi Buffon will remain as captain, while he’s defended the exclusions of Mario Balotelli and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo. Buffon is in the middle of a storm after the goalkeeper’s comments regarding the Sulley Muntari goal that was not awarded in Saturday’s 1-1 draw between Milan and Juventus. The custodian palmed the ball away, but only after it had crossed the line. He admitted after the game that he wouldn’t have told the referee that the goal should have stood if he had realised it was over. “I haven’t thought about taking the armband away from Buffon,” Prandelli stated on Monday. “Absolutely not.” There have been some calls for Buffon to be stripped of the captaincy or even dropped from the set-up altogether. “I don’t think Gigi needs any kind of defence,” the Coach continued. “I’m more convinced than ever that during games and straight after them, players have so much competitive tension that they can’t favour a referee if they have any kind of doubt. “Two or three days after the incident, everyone can say that the ball was in or not, but we can’t expect a player who is unsure to help the referee during such an important incident.”

Serie A Week 25 - 25-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Antonio Nocerino (14') Alessandro Matri (83') Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Attendance: 53000‎ Allegri calm after the storm Feb 27, 2012 Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has looked to inject some calm following the furore in the aftermath of the Juventus clash. The game ended 1-1, but only after Milan had scored a ghost goal and the Old Lady were denied of an onside Alessandro Matri strike. “There was anger because it was an important game,” the former Cagliari tactician stated on Monday afternoon. “Certain episodes take place during games and they need to be faced with serenity. Referees make mistakes. “I’m disappointed with what took place, but I have nothing against the match officials. There was an error, but the game was well officiated. “We could have done without the post-match tension-induced statements. We’re disappointed, but I don’t want to create more tension.” The Italian media today are focusing heavily on Gigi Buffon’s claims that he wouldn’t have told the referee that Sulley Muntari’s goal should have counted had he realised the ball was over the line. “I don’t want to say anything about that,” the Coach noted. “I’d rather just talk about football. The referees need to make decisions therefore the responsibility is theirs.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/