Socrates

Serie A Week 12 - 20-11-2011 (3:00 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Mangia: 'Palermo will attack Juve' Nov 19, 2011 Devis Mangia has no fear when taking on Juventus in Turin. “We certainly won’t sit back and watch.” The Sicilians have won their last three consecutive trips to Piedmont and hope to end their dismal away form this season. “Juve are a great squad with champions in every area, but we are going to Turin to play our game, without fear,” said the Coach. “We certainly won’t sit back and watch. I have faith in my lads. They are strong, but so are Palermo.” Both Abel Hernandez and Mauricio Pinilla are out of action, so ex-Juve man Fabrizio Miccoli is the only available striker. When facing the Bianconeri, some opponents tend to adjust their system to provide man-marking for Andrea Pirlo. “We have some tactical certainties and I have absolutely no intention of transforming the way we play for this match. Pirlo is a great player, but there’ll be no sentinel for him. Someone will be in his zone and take care of him, as always.” Mangia is not frightened by notoriously fiery President Maurizio Zamparini saying he can be Palermo’s Arsene Wenger. “I have an excellent and constructive rapport with him. He gave me my chance in Serie A and I will always thank him for that. I feel everyone’s support here and we are like a big family.” Palermo squad: Benussi, Brichetto, Tzorvas; Aguirregaray, Balzaretti, Cetto, Mantovani, Munoz, Pisano, Silvestre; Acquah, Bacinovic, Barreto, Bertolo, Della Rocca, Di Matteo, Ilicic, Lores, Migliaccio, Zahavi; Miccoli http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 12 - 20-11-2011 (3:00 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Antonio Conte: Palermo match is like a final The Turin club are still unbeaten but have lost their spot on top of Serie A, and will look for three points against the Sicilians, who are a place behind them in the table. Nov 19, 2011 Juventus coach Antonio Conte has underlined the importance of his team's Serie A clash with Palermo on Sunday, likening the game to a final. The Turin club started this campaign well and are still unbeaten, but have lost their place at the top of the table in the last fortnight. With the Sicilian outfit also in good form, the Lecce-born trainer has stressed that three points are necessary. "The match against Palermo is like a final," Conte told Corriere dello Sport. "Tomorrow we will return to camp after 22 days, it is inevitable that we will have some concerns. We went back to work trying to re-tune on the same wavelength." Juventus are three points ahead of Palermo going into the game, and two behind current league leaders Udinese. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 12 - 20-11-2011 (3:00 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Juventus past overshadows bright present Nov 17, 2011 Juventus have made their brightest start to a top-flight season since their return to Serie A in 2007, yet still seem to be focused on the past rather than the future. Juve, who host Palermo on Sunday, are the only unbeaten team in Serie A after nine games and lie two points behind leading pair Udinese and Lazio with a game in hand over both. Their impressive new stadium, with the crowd metres from the pitch, is a vast improvement on the soulless Stadio delle Alpi and is already sold out for Sunday - a rarity in a country where empty stands blight many domestic matches. Yet it has been far from plain sailing. The club's announcement that talismanic forward Alessandro Del Piero, relegated to the substitutes bench recently, will not be offered a contract at the end of the season and coach Antonio Conte's decision to sideline fans' favourite Milos Krasic have both aroused controversy. In the last week, more attention has been paid to Juve's past than their present. On Tuesday, the club lost another attempt to have Inter Milan's 2006 title revoked when Italy's sports arbitration court ruled it was not competent to rule on the issue. Juve were stripped of the 2005 and 2006 titles for their involvement in the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal with the latter re-awarded to Inter. Juve, who said Inter had also been involved in the scandal, also announced they would be seeking damages from the Italian federation. Inter deny wrongdoing. On Wednesday, Italian Olympic Committee President Gianni Petrucci, apparently referring to the Turin club, made a hard-hitting speech in which he complained of "too many lawyers." BALLARDINI BOW "What is happening at the top level of football is unacceptable - it's hooked on legal doping," he said. "If we carry on like this, top-level football will become an extension of public opinion. I'm talking about a part of top-level football, those who think they are clever." He added: "What sense is there in Juventus going on?" In reply, Juventus President Andrea Agnelli said he was prepared to take part in a "political round table" to discuss everything which had happened since 2006, a move welcomed by the Italian FA (FIGC). "Sport on the pitch must outweigh sport in the court rooms," said FIGC President Giancarlo Abete. Juve will finally try to let their football do the talking against the Sicilians. In other matches, Fiorentina's new coach Delio Rossi will be thrown in at the deep end when his side host a rampant championsAC Milan, who have won five matches in a row. Lazio visit erratic Napoli, who are likely to have more than half an eye on Tuesday's potentially decisive Champions League match against Manchester City. Udinese are at Parma. Struggling Inter, a dismal 17th with eight points and their 2010 treble now just a distant memory, are at home to Cagliari where Davide Ballardini will make his debut as the visitors' third coach of the season. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Andrea Agnelli welcomes Calciopoli peace talks Nov 17, 2011 Juventus president Andrea Agnelli is prepared for Calciopoli peace talks. CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) President Gianni Petrucci noted clubs should not attempt “doping of the law” by going beyond the sporting justice system to seek damages, prompting Agnelli to hold this evening’s conference. “I heard President Petrucci’s statements and in my view he was explicitly referring to Juventus,” snapped Agnelli. “The country is in a delicate phase right now and everyone should do their own job. I am very proud to be the President of Juventus, so that means I must defend the club’s interests. “Juventus have always respected the rules and intend to continue doing so. The trial of 2006 lasted four months, while to get an answer now we have to wait for 14 months. “This matter cannot help but become political, seeing as the Federal Counsel decided it could not make a decision on Calciopoli. Now we have to evaluate the best way to defend Juve’s interests and use every legal instrument at our disposal. The rules must be respected by everyone. “We are asking for the chief of Italian sport to call for a political round table. In order to reassure everyone, we have to bring in all the elements that emerged from 2006 to today, but also concentrate all our efforts on developing the sport. “So much bitterness has been created by past events, but this round table would be a chance to bring calm back to the football community.”

Serie A Week 12 - 20-11-2011 (3:00 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Giorgio Chiellini: Palermo could cause us problems The towering Italian defender has warned that the Sicilian outfit won't be pushovers in this weekend's Serie A fixture and has urged his team-mates to stay focused. Nov 17, 2011 Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini is eagerly anticipating this weekend's Serie A match at home to Palermo, and has made it clear that the Turin side will have to be at their very best in order to shake off the Rosaneri. The Old Lady resume match action on Sunday after the international break and Chiellini feels that they could encounter problems against the Sicilians if they don't show their best form. "In recent years, Palermo always gave their all in Turin, and they'll want to continue that at the weekend," Chiellini said to Sky Sport Italia. "We have to approach the game with the same determination shown in the last clashes in order to avoid difficulties. However, we're likely to suffer if we're not at our very best." Juventus currently sit fourth in the Serie A table with 19 points from nine games, while Palermo have collected 16 points from one match more. The match at the Juventus Stadium kicks off at 15.00CET. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Agent of Leonardo Bonucci refuses to rule out Roma move The Italy international has apparently caught the attention of the Giallorossi, and his agent has declined to comment on a much-rumoured potential transfer for his client. Nov 17, 2011 Davide Torchia, the agent of Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, has fueled speculation about a potential transfer to Roma as he has refused to rule out a move in the January transfer window. Roma are in the market for defensive reinforcements because of the serious knee injury to Nicolas Burdisso and a number of reports have suggested that the Stadio Olimpico side see Bonucci as a good replacement for the Argentine. When asked about the situation at Roma, Torchia admitted that the Giallorossi are likely to sign a new defender, but declined to comment on whether his client is a candidate. "Roma could decide to sign a new defender because of the misfortune of Burdisso with the national side. What I can say about Bonucci regarding this issue? Sorry, no comment," Torchia told Goal.com. The 24-year-old Bonucci has a contract with Juventus, who are currently fourth in Serie A, until the summer of 2015.

President Agnelli blames media for Del Piero ruck Nov 16, 2011 Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has defended the way he announced Alessandro del Piero's contract would not be renewed. Agnelli hit out at the Press for how they reported on the announcement and for insinuating that there was a dispute between himself and the No 10.

Andrea Agnelli calls for clear-the-air talks over Calciopoli Juventus president has suggested that the Calciopoli scandal be laid out on a "political round table" for discussion among clubs and associations. Nov 16, 2011 Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has invited the Italian football authorities to sit at a table and have it out once and for all over Calciopoli. The Bianconeri chief called for clear-the-air talks over the scandal, which has being ongoing since 2006 - when the club was stripped of two Serie A titles - one of which was later awarded to Inter. Juventus have tried to have that Scudetto handed back, but their appeals through the Italian justice system have been rebuffed. Their latest attempt - an appeal lodged to the TNAS - Italy's national tribunal for arbitration in sport - was rejected. But Agnelli feels further talks are needed so the intricacies of the match-fixing scandal can be discussed fairly and openly. "It

Petrucci and Moratti thank Agnelli Nov 16, 2011 CONI President Gianni Petrucci and Inter patron Massimo Moratti agree with Juventus chief Andrea Agnelli

Agnelli calls for investigation into calciopoli Nov 16, 2011 Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has called for the facts surrounding the infamous 2006 calciopoli match-fixing scandal to be reviewed. Agnelli's demand came after his club came under fire from Italian Olympic Committee (Coni) president Gianni Petrucci over Juve's persistent refusal to accept their punishment for trying to fix matches. Juve have taken appeals to a variety of different bodies in a bid to have the titles they were stripped of

Juventus claim 400-million euros Nov 16, 2011 Italian giants Juventus have lodged a claim for more than 400 million euros ($A536.98 million) with a local court against the Italian Football Federation (Figc) over the 2006 calciopoli scandal, Italian press reported Tuesday. Juventus accuse Figc of unequal treatment and lack of action regarding the 2006 match-fixing scandal that saw the Old Lady of Turin stripped of two league titles and relegated to Serie B. AC Milan, Lazio, Fiorentina and Reggiana were also punished but Inter Milan escaped unscathed and were even awarded the 2006 scudetto crown. According to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport Juve are claiming 444-million euros with the court in Latium, in the central and western part of Italy. Speaking to SkySport, Figc president Giancarlo Abete hit back at the accusations. "The Federation was chief among those damaged by calciopoli," he said. "Even in the sentencing by the court in Naples the judges rejected every accusation against the Federation." Juve were stripped of their 2005 and 2006 league titles but have been exhausting every possible avenue to try to get that decision revoked, including taking a case to the Italian Court of Arbitration for Sport as well as European football governing body UEFA. But so far all their efforts have been rejected.

Agnelli wants Calciopoli round table Nov 16, 2011 Juventus President Andrea Agnelli held a Press conference calling for

Pirlo has samba style, notes Dunga Nov 16, 2011 Italy and Juventus ace Andrea Pirlo is the

Juve Calciopoli case rejected Nov 15, 2011 Juventus have received another blow after the TNAS tribunal ruled it was

Dunga: Andrea Pirlo is Juventus' true Brazilian The former Selecao coach is full of praise for the deep-lying playmaker and feels he plays like a South-American rather than a European. Nov 16, 2011 Former Brazil coach Carlos Dunga has taken the time to praise Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo and has described the former AC Milan star as the Turin side's 'true Brazilian'. The Bianconeri have regularly being linked with a move for Leandro Damiao, currently under contract with Internacional. But Dunga has insisted that the Serie A giants already have a samba star in their ranks. "Juventus have a Brazilian in their team - and it's not Amauri. I am talking about Andrea Pirlo. He's the most Brazilian player of all Europeans and is Juve's true Brazilian," Dunga was quoted as saying by Tuttosport. "His positional sense, technique, rhythm and accurate passing. He's fantastic. He's the first player on the paper if I had to make a dream team. "Like we say in Brazil: Pirlo has turned this Juventus into what they are now. You can see that his team-mates respect him as their new leader." Juventus actually have two Brazil-born players under contract in striker Amauri and midfielder Felipe Melo, although the former has represented Italy at international level, while the latter is currently on loan at Galatasaray.

Zoff expected Buffon career Nov 15, 2011 Italian legend Dino Zoff always expected Gigi Buffon to reach and then surpass his 112 caps for the Azzurri. The current Juventus custodian will draw level with the former Juventus

Moratti mocks Juventus' request for

Juve claim is ridiculous, say Inter Nov 15, 2011 Inter President Massimo Moratti has branded Juventus

Agnelli defends Del Piero announcement Nov 14, 2011 For the first time, Andrea Agnelli has publicly commented on the criticism he has received in announcing that Alessandro Del Piero would leave Juventus. The Bianconeri President was slated in mid-October for confirming in a shareholders meeting that Del Piero was in his final year with the club and would be leaving next summer. It was seen as an attempt to deflect attention away from poor financial results that were reported at that same meeting. Speaking in Parma, where he is on location for a Sport and Work conference alongside cousin and Exor chairman John Elkann, the President hit out at the Press for how they reported on the announcement and for insinuating that there was a dispute between himself and the No 10.

Gianluigi Buffon proud to equal Dino Zoff as Italy's third most-capped player The experienced goalkeeper is set to represent La Nazionale for the 112th time in Tuesday's international friendly versus Uruguay. Nov 14, 2011 Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is eagerly anticipating Tuesday's international friendly versus Uruguay as the Juventus star will equal the legendary Dino Zoff as the national side's third most-capped player in history. Buffon made his Italy debut in 1997 and has since made 111 international appearances for the 2006 World Cup winners. Zoff made 112 appearances for the Nazionale from 1968 until 1983 and Buffon is proud to equal the illustrious shot-stopper. "Only two or three years ago I started to realise that I could really catch him. But when I made my Italy debut back in 1997 it was just a dream for me," Buffon was quoted as saying by uefa.com. "Too much water needed to pass under the bridge for me to reach that historic figure. Zoff is a real legend, I'm very proud to reach this milestone." The Juventus shot-stopper saved a spot-kick in Italy's 2-0 friendly win over Poland last week and is hopeful of repeating his heroics at Euro 2012. "I have saved some penalties with the national team. I did it during the 2002 World Cup and at Euro 2008. "I didn't manage it at the 2006 World Cup, but I hope to save some more important ones for Italy - maybe next summer at Euro 2012." Tuesday's friendly between Italy and Uruguay kicks off at 20.45 CET.

Leonardo Bonucci: Juventus should aim for Serie A title The centre-back has voiced his opinion that the Turin giants have what it takes to win the Scudetto, but has warned against complacency. Nov 14, 2011 Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has stressed that the Turin giants should aim high this term as he feels they have the quality to fight for the Serie A title. The Old Lady have made a strong start to the season, having taken 19 points from their opening nine encounters, and will return to the league summit if they win their game in hand against Napoli. Bonucci feels Juventus are serious contenders for the Scudetto, but insists that they cannot afford to get carried away if they are to be successful. "We can aim very high this campaign. Do I think we can go for the title? Yes. I think we can win Serie A," Bonucci was quoted as saying on the official Juventus website. "However, we have to keep our feet firmly on the ground. Several sides are in the race for the Scudetto. "We can focus on the league and give our all in Serie A. There are a lot of strong teams, though, who are all fighting for the full three points in every game."

Zoff shares Buffon record Nov 13, 2011 Dino Zoff congratulates Gigi Buffon on matching his Italy caps record,

Whats in a name? Luciano Moggi demonstrates Nov 13, 2011 When Luciano Moggi attended this year

Whats in a name? Luciano Moggi demonstrates Nov 13, 2011 When Luciano Moggi attended this year