Juventus FC Forum (Stadio Delle Alpi) [Archive] - Page 13

dreamer75

21-05-2005, 10:26 PM

Fabio Capello has delivered the Serie A title at his first attempt with Juventus. Football Italia pays tribute to the master tactician.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/capello460.jpg

Juventus have now been crowned champions of Italy for the 28th time but a number of people had already assigned them the title on May 28, 2004. It was on that day that the football world awoke to the astonishing, simply unbelievable news, that Fabio Capello was the new Bianconeri boss.

It was widely expected that Monaco’s Didier Deschamps had pipped Cesare Prandelli for the Turin hotseat, following the departure of five-time Scudetto winner Marcello Lippi. Yet it was the man who once claimed he "would never join Juve" who was asked to return the Old Lady to her former greatness.

Don Fabio certainly had the pedigree to take on such a role. After all, he won the championship at his first attempt with Milan, before collecting three more with the Rossoneri, and Real Madrid. He later even won a Scudetto at Roma, a club who have incidentally gone through four tacticians since his departure less than a year ago.

There is no doubt that Capello has been the most important factor in the outfit’s rejuvenation after last season’s disappointing campaign. He came in with clear ideas and the club expertly met his transfer needs by signing Emerson, who was a key player under him in Rome, plus Fabio Cannavaro and Zlatan Ibrahimovic – two men he’d tried to net for some years while in the capital. The title, despite Milan’s efforts, duly followed.

Yet don’t expect the Juve faithful to be singing his name in the streets of the northern city too loudly. He may have again installed their club as champions of Italy but a certain amount of hostility remains. The fans have forgiven Emerson and Jonathan Zebina for their Roman past, but Capello is still tainted with numerous anti-Juve outbursts and his treatment of crowd favourite Alex Del Piero hasn’t helped either.

It’s something that Capello, a former Juve player, seemingly doesn’t have a problem with though. He’s been able to retain his professionalism and simply get on with the job he was hired for, with grit and determination that now characterises his side.

"My footballing philosophy is linked to that of (Juve legend) Gianpiero Boniperti," said Capello in pre-season. "I once asked him whether the result is the most important thing, he replied by informing me that it isn’t the most important thing but it is the only thing that matters. I think you can only enjoy football if you win, therefore I ask the fans to judge me on my results."

The Juventini may not be ready to offer their love to the tactician but they will have to admit he’s done well with what he’s had to work with. Nobody is suggesting that the club don’t have world class players but their squad is weaker than Milan’s options and possibly even those of Inter. Fortunately Capello’s brain was enough to nullify Milan’s beauty.

"He deserves great merit, especially as I think Milan and Inter do have better squads," former Torino boss Giancarlo Camolese recently stated. "Yet Capello has been able to get the best out of his players."

Ex-Juventus defender Sergio Brio has also paid tribute to Capello. "This Scudetto belongs to him," he suggested. "Perhaps no other Coach has made such an impact on a Juventus title. He’s perfectly looked after the changing room, even if a few people have criticised him for being too tough, especially with Del Piero. But the results say it all and let us not forget that Juve have been top of the table from start to finish."

Although undone by Rafael Benitez’s ‘catenaccio’ in the Champions’ League this season, Capello’s latest success has underlined his status as one of Europe’s master tacticians. Replacing Lippi was never going to be easy for the Italian giants but they may well have substituted the ‘best’ with someone even better. This, ominously for their rivals, may not be Capello’s first and last League title in Turin…

Words: Antonio Labbate

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/capellocomment.html

dreamer75

21-05-2005, 10:31 PM

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent has announced that Real Madrid put forward a sensational £48m bid for the Juve star this week.

Swedish newspaper Goteborgs-Posten run quotes from representative Mino Raiola in which he confirms that Real placed an official bid for the striker a few days ago.

"Ibrahimovic is one of the best strikers in the world right now and I can confirm Real Madrid contacted me because they are interested in signing him," said Raiola.

"Juventus don't want to sell and rejected the £48m offer. Zlatan wishes to honour his contract, but nobody knows what will happen in the future."

However, he also noted that Juventus rejected the offer out of hand, as they wish to build their side on his shoulders.

Ibrahimovic has taken to Serie A like a duck to water, already scoring 16 goals and proving a decisive figure in winning their 28th Scudetto.

The Swedish international was signed from Ajax on the final day of the transfer window for £11.5m, though Fabio Capello had been tracking his progress for at least three years and had tried to capture him during his time at Roma.

Over the last 12 months he has gone from strength to strength, taking a starring role for Sweden in the Euro 2004 finals before leading Juve to the Serie A title.

It is this performance – and his clear progress under Capello’s tutelage – that has earned him a remarkable price-tag. Real Madrid paid £48m for another Bianconeri star, Zinedine Zidane, in 2001.

Ibrahimovic is still only 23 years old and has real room for improvement, especially in his disciplinary record, as he was handed a three-match ban for an off the ball incident with Inter’s Ivan Cordoba.

dreamer75

21-05-2005, 10:32 PM

28!! Yes!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v235/acedriver/funny/scudetto.jpg

:D

dreamer75

21-05-2005, 10:33 PM

anyone wanna buy 28th scudetto stuff?

http://www.juvestore.com/foto/Speciale%20Scudetto/bandiera28_big.jpg

http://www.juvestore.com/foto/Speciale%20Scudetto/sciarpa28_big.jpg

http://www.juvestore.com/foto/Speciale%20Scudetto/tshirt28_big.jpg

available at juvestore.com

JuveZzZ

29-05-2005, 03:05 PM

so sad, no television telecast of the juventus game tonite

cannot see them take Trophy already haizz

Ronaldo_7

24-06-2005, 07:55 PM

dreamer bro... trezeguet want to go chelsea huh?

victorian07

24-06-2005, 09:04 PM

dreamer...u is support both liverpool & juventus is it?

cos if so, you're one of the v rare ones who're same as me.. cos v difficult to find ppl who support this 2..normally is like ManU + AC Milan all that..

Ronaldo_7

24-06-2005, 09:13 PM

victorian07

02-07-2005, 05:15 AM

he support newcastle and juventus :)

lol..zhun boh. great season for us then. common rival became AC Milan, and we triumphed on both occasions

dreamer75

02-07-2005, 08:15 AM

dreamer bro... trezeguet want to go chelsea huh?

no lah....juve always like dat..wanna cash in on our players..

40 mil pounds for trez..nothing less...who wants?

dreamer75

02-07-2005, 08:16 AM

dreamer75

02-07-2005, 08:16 AM

he support newcastle and juventus :)

thanks bro! u know me best :D

dreamer75

02-07-2005, 08:17 AM

lol..zhun boh. great season for us then. common rival became AC Milan, and we triumphed on both occasions

yup! great season!

but our city rival Torino have been promoted to Serie A this coming season.

dreamer75

02-07-2005, 08:18 AM

TRAP'S STUTTGART
INTERESTED IN ZALAYETA

The situation: Del Piero, Trezeguet, Mutu, and Ibrahimovic, for now. Capello's attack is deep and well-rounded, but there is yet to understand if the buy of the year will be in this unit. In that case, Zalayeta is destined to leave. The Uruguayan striker has numerous requests in Italy and abroad. The latest offer is from Germany (Stuttgart).

BOUGHT: Giannichedda (mf, Lazio, free agent), R. Kovac (d, Bayern Munich, free agent), Tudor (d, Siena, end loan), Legrottaglie (d, Bologna, end loan), Zanchi (d, Messina, end loan), Chiumiento (mf, Siena, end loan), Chiellini (d, Fiorentina), Miccoli (f, Fiorentina), Maresca (mf, Fiorentina)

SOLD: Zeytulaev (mf, Reggina), Mirante (gk, Siena).

FREE AGENT: Ferrara (d, retired).

NEGOTIATIONS: Cassetti (d, Lecce), Mancini (mf, Roma), Cassano (f, Roma), Mozart (mf, Reggina), Bonera (d, Parma).

COACH: Capello

dreamer75

02-07-2005, 08:19 AM

Juventus are on the verge of hijacking Real Madrid’s proposed swoop for Brazilian starlet Robinho.

The latest ‘New Pele’ was believed to be close to a Spanish switch, but reports in his homeland suggest that the Italian club have entered the race for his signature.

The Estado de S. Paulo newspaper claims that the Bianconeri have offered $10m for a 40 per cent stake in the player.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun29e.html

================================================

Juve looks very active in the market now. They involved in both of the biggest transfer sagas currently...

dreamer75

02-07-2005, 08:37 AM

The profit will be used for the transfer market.

Juventus sold its head office in ‘Corso Galileo Ferraris’ to a local real estate for the sum of 15 million Euros.

The club will still continue to operate from the same building as lessee, whilst the money received will be injected in the market for possible future transfers.

http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=70725

dreamer75

02-07-2005, 08:39 AM

Chelsea are waiting for Parma to change owners before launching the final attack on the Italian international.

After failing to secure Shevchenko, Adriano and Eto`o, Roman Abramovich is preparing an offer which Parma will unlikely refuse: 51 million Euros for Alberto Gilardino.

The English Premier League champions want a high-profile striker to partner Drogba in attack, and Gilardino is now the first candidate. However, Roman Abramovich first wants to wait for the Italian club to change ownership to the rumoured Swiss group before sending an official offer.

http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=70730&idSez=16

dreamer75

06-07-2005, 12:40 AM

http://www.soccer.com/images/catalog/productimages/600/196458.BK.JPG

http://www.soccer.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=1&pcount=&Product_Id=188321&Key_id=&SearchQuery=juventus

dreamer75

06-07-2005, 12:42 AM

http://www.soccer.com/images/catalog/productimages/600/196462.SC.JPG

http://www.soccer.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=1&pcount=&Product_Id=188423&Key_id=&SearchQuery=juventus

dreamer75

08-07-2005, 12:24 AM

Moggi Offers 10 Million And Appiah For Vieira – Report
7/7/2005 11:01:00 AM
The General Director of Juventus is in London to negotiate the possible transfer of the French midfielder to Turin.
Italian media is reporting that the Bianconeri are finally ready to bring Vieira back to Italy after a courtship which lasted over 2 years. Arsenal are willing to offload their star midfielder to net 10 million Euros and Ghanaian player Stephan Appiah in what would be one of this summer’s most sensational transfers.

Always according to the newspaper reports, the negotiations are in their final stages as Luciano Moggi is discussing the last details for this deal to go through.

In other related Juventus transfer reports, the Bianconeri are also preparing their final attack for Antonio Cassano to lure the talented young forward away from Rome.

http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=71959

dreamer75

08-07-2005, 12:25 AM

Moggi: Cassano To Juve? Never
7/7/2005 6:00:00 PM

The Juventus General Director yet again denied the arrival of the young prodigy to Turin.
Despite transfer rumours linking Antonio Cassano to a probable move to the Bianconeri, Luciano Moggi has always denied this, even though he admitted that Juve are interested in the player.

Now the transfer guru seems to have finally put an end to the transfer speculation as he categorically denied the arrival of the Roma player as well as scaring off any Trezeguet suitors.

“He (Cassano) will never come to Juve,” declared Moggi. “We have the best attack of the league and hold on to it. And Trezeguet is not for sale.”

dreamer75

14-07-2005, 09:06 AM

The Italian Press have confidently predicted that Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira will sign for Juventus by the end of the day.

The French midfield player is said to have agreed terms on a contract with the Bianconeri, which will net him £2m a season until 2009.

It will also allow him to link up again with Fabio Capello, who was Coach during his short spell at Milan as a 19-year-old.

At that time, the Senegal-born player found it hard to adapt to life in the top-flight of Italian football, but has since matured into one of the most complete midfield players in world football during his time at Highbury.

Juventus Vice-president Roberto Bettega has said that Juve are in the market for a midfield player to partner Brazilian Emerson, and that “if Arsenal decide to sell Vieira we would be in for him tomorrow.”

But Bettega also stated: “I don’t tell lies – I have been asked if I plan to travel to London the day after tomorrow and I said no. That is the truth.”

However, Corriere dello Sport insist that the deal will be concluded today for a fee of £10.5m

“I will only comment once everything has been sealed. We are interested in Vieira, but we are also interested in other players,” Juventus transfer guru Luciano Moggi said.

“Juventus always keep an eye on the transfer market, and if deals can be done, we will do them - but if Arsenal want too high a fee, nothing will happen.”

Gazzetta dello Sport also insist that the player and Juventus have agreed personal terms, and that the stumbling block is Arsenal’s valuation of £11.5m.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul13b.html

dreamer75

14-07-2005, 03:28 PM

Patrick Vieira has resigned himself to leaving Arsenal after being told by Arsene Wenger that the club are close to a deal with Juventus.

After returning for pre-season training, the Highbury captain yesterday asked for clarification about his future and was informed that Wenger is prepared to accept a bid for him of around £15million.

Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi and vice-president Roberto Bettega had a second meeting with Arsenal yesterday morning and left believing a deal was imminent.

The deal will be announced today, according to Italian media reports. The Gazzetta Dello Sport website, citing unnamed officials from both clubs, reported that a deal was struck late yesterday evening.

Both Gazzetta and ANSA, the Italian national press agency, reported that the clubs have agreed a deal which will be made official today.

Vieira is upset that the club he has served for nine seasons with great distinction are willing to sell him. There remains a slim chance that the midfielder will stay if all parties fail to reach a deal.

But with Arsenal having made clear their intention to sell him, Vieira, 29, feels he has little choice but to accept a move and is likely to begin talks with Juve about personal terms over the next 48 hours.

The Italian champions have put together a package for the France international which will see him paid around £82,000 per week over a four-year deal, as well as loyalty bonuses for completing the contract.

With only two years left on his current Arsenal deal and no willingness on the part of the club to extend it, Vieira is being left with little option but to bring an end to his highly successful spell in English football.

Arsenal have indicated that a deal including cash plus midfielder Stephen Appiah is not their preferred choice and Wenger would much rather pursue Lyon's Mahmouda Diarra as a replacement for Vieira.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=355745&in_page_id=1779

dreamer75

15-07-2005, 09:36 AM

Finally, the transfer of Viera has completed :D

Welcome to the club, Viera!

dreamer75

15-07-2005, 09:40 AM

Juventus sign Vieira – official

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/vieiranews01.jpg

Serie A champions Juventus have confirmed the £14m capture of Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira.

The central midfielder, who will now partner Brazilian ace Emerson, has signed a five-year contract at the Stadio Delle Alpi.

The Bianconeri have been in talks for the 29-year-old for the last few weeks and a deal has been completed.

Vieira will now link up with boss Fabio Capello again after a brief stint at the San Siro almost a decade ago.

The Frenchman joins the side despite being strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid over the last two summers.

Vieira ends his Premiership stint after nine years in England since he became Arsène Wenger’s first signing at the London club.

"When you spend nine years at the club, like I did, it is a difficult decision to leave," Vieira told Arsenal.com.

"But in the end you have to make a choice for your future. It was a very difficult decision, but I am happy with it.

"I made the decision to leave because I felt it was time for me to have a new challenge. But that does not mean I was unhappy or that I was having a problem at Arsenal.

"It was just that I had the feeling I needed to grow and meet a new challenge, and I feel Juventus was the best challenge for me.

"I‘d like to thank the Arsenal fans. They have been fabulous. Even recently in the street they were saying ‘if you are going, then thanks for the last nine years’. That is really touching and it makes me feel that I gave my best for the club.

"I can go with my head held high. I did my best every day in training and in every match, and I left shaking the hand of Arsène Wenger and Mr David Dein. That was really important to me."

Arsenal have accepted to sell the combative player given that his contract was set to expire in June 2007.

It is understood that Juventus will pay the fee in three instalments - £7m immediately, £3.5m in July 2006 and £3.5m in July 2007.

The Bianconeri are now expected to strengthen their side further by trying to sign Antonio Cassano of Roma.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul14k.html

dreamer75

15-07-2005, 09:41 AM

Here it is... Juventus 2005/2006 kit officially revealed!!

http://www.juventus.com/Allegati/f_Le%20nuove%20divise%20da%20gioco%20della%20stagione%202005-06159260caa8dbe0-65bb-4c5a-bd02-9c547908ac2.jpg

http://www.juventus.com/it/news/detail.aspx?lml_language_id=0&trs_id=1203000&ID=5164

already available at Juvestore.com

dreamer75

15-07-2005, 09:50 AM

Home:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v301/acedriver01/primamaglia_big.jpg

Away:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v301/acedriver01/secondamaglia_big.jpg

Goalie:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v301/acedriver01/magliaportiere_big.jpg

dreamer75

15-07-2005, 10:21 AM

wasted...Inter got Pizarro!!

dreamer75

15-07-2005, 10:30 AM

3-4-1-2

----------------Buffon---------
------Thuram---Canna----Kovac
----------Emo---------Vieira-------
Camo-------------------------Zambo
------------Neddy/Mutu------
---------Trez---------Zlatan/DP---

yeah!!! :s12:

alexis10

15-07-2005, 03:15 PM

The new away kit look quite ugly... abit retro....funny why juve always have this kind of funny color for their away kit..

btw now juve have the best central midfield in italy..n even the world...

dreamer75

15-07-2005, 03:31 PM

The new away kit look quite ugly... abit retro....funny why juve always have this kind of funny color for their away kit..

btw now juve have the best central midfield in italy..n even the world...

i have to agree too...last season was pink :)

but the gk jersey is very nice!

dreamer75

16-07-2005, 12:21 AM

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/images/playerpics05_06/Italy/Juventus/vieira_letters.jpg

dreamer75

16-07-2005, 12:22 AM

http://media.goal.com/200507/8219_news.jpg

Vieira: I Wanted Juve
7/15/2005 3:25:00 PM
The former Arsenal player will have the number 4 shirt left vacant by Paolo Montero.
Patrick Vieira spoke his first words as a Juventus player on Friday afternoon during his official presentation to the press.

“I’m proud to be here after nine years with Arsenal. I’m glad to be changing and I chose Juventus because it is a team always at the top; it also assures me continuity contrary to other clubs that contacted me during this period.”

Vieira wants to continue winning.

“With Arsenal I won a lot, with Juventus I want to continue winning more. I did not come here with the only objective of the Champions League but for a more ample valuation.”

The French midfielder is very honoured that new boss Fabio Capello compared him to Frank Rijkaard.

“When I was at Milan I was only 19 years-old, Capello was a good stimulator back then and he will be again now. Rijkaard is one of my idols, therefore the comparision pleases me; it’s a compliment.”

dreamer75

16-07-2005, 12:26 AM

Patrick Vieira has spoken of his delight after completing his £13.7m move to Juventus from Arsenal.

The 29-year-old former Gunners captain has signed a five-year contract after passing a medical in Turin.

"I'm really proud, I'm really happy today, because it's a really special day," the France midfielder said.

"For me, in the last few years, Juventus has always been at the top, not only in European football but also national as well."

Vieira said he was relishing the chance to shine for Juventus - but admitted leaving Arsenal had been tough.

As a human being and as a player Juventus is the perfect club for me

Patrick Vieira

"It's a really big challenge but I am ready for that," Vieira said.

"If you spend nine years somewhere it's difficult. When you make a decision you think about what you want to achieve.

"I achieved a lot with Arsenal, in the nine years I spent there we won a lot of trophies. And I move on.

"What I want is just to keep going and keep winning trophies for my new team.

"Juventus has been a really stable club in the past few years and when I look at myself as a human being and as a player, and I look at Juventus, it's the perfect club for me."

Vieira will renew his partnership with Juve coach Fabio Capello, who was in charge at AC Milan when they signed the Senegalese-born midfielder as a teenager in November 1995.

"Capello was always able to find the right words to motivate me," he said.

It's sad to see him go

From LM
Have your say on 606

"Back then, there were many other talented players and there wasn't room for me, but he made me believe in myself.

"It was a year in which I learnt a lot. I was very young. Now I'm a more mature person."

Vieira said he was confident he would be able to deal with the racism which has marred Serie A matches in recent times.

"I know it exists, but it's the work of a small minority," he said.

"It would be a pity to turn down an opportunity like this because of something like that.

"It's a problem all black players have to put up with in Italy. If it happens to me then I'll deal with it, just like all the other players do.

"The important thing is to show what you can do on the pitch."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4686017.stm

dreamer75

16-07-2005, 12:31 AM

Vieira present delights Capello
Friday 15 July, 2005
Juventus boss Fabio Capello has thanked the club for re-uniting him with French midfielder Patrick Vieira.

The former Milan tactician had the 29-year-old at his disposal 10 years ago, following Vieira’s move to the San Siro in November 1995 from Cannes.

The two men will now link up for the 2005-06 campaign following the international’s £14m move from Arsenal.

"Once again, like last summer, we have got the primary objective who we wanted on the transfer market," Capello stated.

"I must compliment the club officials, (Roberto) Bettega, (Antonio) Giraudo and (Luciano) Moggi who have done very well.

"Vieira is an important player, one with great personality, and his worth will be felt in our midfield both technically and physically."

He added: "Vieira will bring with him that little bit extra that new arrivals should come with."

The Senegalese-born Vieira has enjoyed great success in the Premiership, and his last act for Arsenal was scoring the final spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out FA Cup Final win in May.

"Patrick was a great player for us, one of the greatest in the club's history," Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said.

"I feel I had a special relationship with him because I made him come here. I think his impact, not only at Arsenal but in English football overall was just tremendous."

Vieira, who has agreed a five-year contract worth almost £3m-a-season, will be unveiled to the media as a Bianconeri player later today.

dreamer75

16-07-2005, 12:32 AM

Maresca gets Sevilla call

Friday 15 July, 2005
Juventus are on the verge of selling Enzo Maresca to Spanish La Liga side Sevilla, according to reports.

The Italian midfielder is allegedly set to sign for the outfit after a £2.2m fee was agreed with the Stadio Delle Alpi side.

Maresca only returned to Turin a few weeks ago after scoring four goals in 25 games for Fiorentina last term.

The 25-year-old was signed by Juventus in January 2000 when he left West Bromwich Albion.

However, he never managed to break into the first team with any sort of consistency and was loaned out to Bologna and Piacenza before his Viola switch last term.

Maresca, born in Pontecagnano, started his career at Cagliari and was an established Under-21 international.

dreamer75

16-07-2005, 12:35 AM

Patrick Vieira has spoken for the first time as a Juventus player after the Italian club beat Real Madrid for his signature.

The French international joined the Bianconeri last night in a £13.7m move from Arsenal and is delighted with his choice of destination.

"I'm really proud and happy today, because it's a really special day," he said at the club’s headquarters in Corso Galileo Ferraris.

"For me, in the last few years, Juventus has always been at the top, not only in European football but also national as well.

"So for me to join Juventus is a fantastic achievement in my career. I'm really proud and really happy.

"It's going to be a really big challenge but I'm going to be ready for that.

"Juventus has been a really stable club in the past few years and when I look at myself as a human being and as a player, and I look at Juventus, it's the perfect club for me.

"I took this decision without being influenced by either (Juventus defender Lilian) Thuram or (Real Madrid’s Zinedine) Zidane. This is my decision because it is my life."

Juventus were first linked to Vieira a few weeks ago and the club admit it was tough landing the 29-year-old.

"The player is not aware of what a battle we had with Real for him," stated director general Luciano Moggi.

"But we insisted and in the end Vieira chose us. I can assure everyone though that Arsenal didn’t sell him voluntarily because he is a champion.

"We’ve dug deep to get him but that is only because we are certain that Vieira will know how to pay us back."

The former Highbury captain added that it was a tough decision to turn his back on his wonderful years in London.

"When you spend nine years somewhere it's always going to be difficult, but when you make a decision you think about what you want to achieve," he added.

"It was quite difficult, but that's life. I achieved a lot with Arsenal, in the nine years I spent there we won a lot of trophies.

"What I want is just to keep going and keep winning trophies for my new team. I’ve not come here to just win the Champions’ League but for everything."

The combative midfielder will now link up again with his former Milan boss Fabio Capello, who once likened him to Frank Rijkaard.

"I was just 19 back then," explained Vieira. "Rijkaard is one of my idols and I’m delighted with the compliment. Capello was a great motivator and he still is now."

The player was also questioned about the possibility that he could be targeted by racist chants in Italy.

"I did evaluate that aspect when I signed but I will deal with that if it ever arises," he concluded.

Meanwhile, Moggi seemed to put away the club’s chequebook following this latest capture.

"We will now look to sell," he stated. "There is an agreement with Sevilla for Enzo Maresca even if he needs to give his OK. We will then place Stephen Appiah and Fabrizio Miccoli."

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 05:09 PM

Juventus GOAL.COM Champions Ratings

Juventus: Champions Ratings
5/31/2005 6:11:00 PM
As the season has come to an end, we analyze and rate the Italian champions player by player.

GOALKEEPERS

1. Buffon 7: The world’s number one goalkeeper was as fundamental as ever, even though he made two big mistakes against Atalanta and Inter. This year the defence was more solid and the number of shots on goal decreased, but whenever he was called in action, Gigi responded! His saves can be compared to the decisive goals scored by a striker.

12. Chimenti Antonio N/A: Hardly played this season, especially since Juventus were eliminated straight away from the Coppa Italia. Not rateable.

DEFENDERS

2. Ferrara Ciro 8: This rating is for the career of a great defender who always gave his best and never disappointed. Even though he hardly featured this year, he still reached the 500th match milestone in a splendid career which rewarded him with the beauty of 8 Scudetti. A true legend!

4. Montero Paolo 6: Might not be the brilliant defender of the past but this season he proved he can be a squad player by coming in when need be. Still, he seems to have lost his touch which in previous years made him into one of Europe’s best defenders.

7. Pessotto Gianluca 6.5: Was important in the last part of the season when he had to replace the injured Zebina. Did so diligently despite his 35 years of age.

15. Birindelli Alessandro 6: Came in when Zambrotta needed a break. Not what he used to be and might be on his way out this summer.

21. Thuram Lilian 7: A wall. Proved that he can still perform at the top when played as central defender. His class and brilliance helped Juventus keep opponents at bay and the number of conceded goals at a low.

27. Zebina Jonathan 6.5: Quite a surprise. His on-field reputation of sloppy play is probably unfair. Even though he still makes one or two defensive ’Zebinate’ per game, he makes up for it with some excellent runs on the right. Still room for improvement.

28. Cannavaro Fabio 7.5: Juventus needed a solid defender to reorganize the defence and reclaim the title of best rearguard. Cannavaro needed a new environment where to prove he was not finished. A match made in heaven, or as in this case, in Turin.

MIDFIELDERS

3. Tacchinardi Alessio 5.5: Another disappointing season for the veteran Juve player. Maybe his time at the club has come to an end, which would be a pity for a player who had shown so much potential in the early part of his career where at one point he was even dubbed as the new Baresi.

8. Emerson 7.5: The Brazilian midfielder was one of the main reasons behind the Scudetto win thanks to a high work-rate and dirty work in the middle of the pitch which included a staggering number of recovered balls (41). Played even when he was half fit due to injuries.

11. Nedved Pavel 7: The Czech star proved his critics wrong and showed everyone that he still has what it takes to perform exceptionally. Despite missing many games through various injuries, Nedved still managed to score 7 goals (in particular the one against Lazio) to help the Bianconeri win their 28th league title.

16. Camoranesi Mauro German 7.5: In previous years his main problem was consistency. This year, maybe even thanks to Capello, the right winger played consistently well throughout the whole season, and topping Juventus’ list with 9 assists. Probably the most creative player of the whole Bianconeri’s midfielder. Fundamental.

18. Appiah Stephen 6.5: Started out as a reserve of Blasi and was given a chance midway through the season in which he failed and was left on the side for most of the year. He was given another chance towards the end and this time he did not disappoint as he performed well and even scored a stunner against Cagliari.

19. Zambrotta Gianluca 7: If an award had to be given to the player who ran most kilometres during the whole season, then the Italian international would definitely take the first spot. Very consistent especially in the first part of the season. Always present and never disappointed his fans.

20. Blasi Manuele 6: Started very well but faded away with the passing of the months. He definitely has the potential to be another Gattuso, but he still needs to improve, especially on his technical aspect.

23. Kapo Obou Narcisse Olivier N/A: Never really clicked as he was closed by other players and when his time came, he suffered a muscle injury which kept him away from the pitches for weeks. He will probably leave this summer.

24. Olivera 6.5: Very inconsistent. He would perform well and even score decisive goals, then just vanish in some other important games (for example against Liverpool). Next year will be his hit or miss season.

FORWARDS

9. Ibrahimovic Zlatan 7.5: What a surprise and what a debut! No one expected so much from the Swede forward in his first season with Juventus, yet he defied all critics and even scored a record number of goals. He still has ample room for improvement and once he does, the Golden Ball will become something of a reality. Phenomenal!

10. Del Piero Alessandro 7: It’s difficult to judge Del Piero and the last few matches of the season have made it even harder. In fact prior to those games, he would have obtained a 6.5 rating at most due to his very inconsistent performances, but he earned an extra 0.5 for proving to be important in the most crucial moment of the season, something which he had not done for a long time. Resurgent.

17. Trezeguet David 7: Marred by injuries yet he still scored 9 goals (most of which decisive) from 18 matches. Transfer speculation indicates he might be on his way out, but unless Juventus substitute him with Gilardino, there will not be a better striker out there on the market. Goal scoring machine.

25. Zalayeta Marcelo 6.5: Super-sub might be the best way to define Zalayeta who always performs greatly when he comes in from the bench rather than when he starts from the beginning. Great team player who you can always rely on.

30. Mutu Adrian N/A: His career restarted in the last matchday. Now he can look forward to a brighter future with the Bianconeri’s shirt after passing months in hell.

COACH

Capello Fabio 8: The real architect behind this Scudetto. With a team considered inferior in every department (especially bench wise) to Milan and Inter, Don Fabio pulled out his magic wand and created a solid and winning team. Well done to (probably) the best Italian coach.

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 05:10 PM

The day Fabio Capello came to Juventus, I read it on the old Soccerage site- I made a joke to my friends about it saying that our I.T. teacher joined Juventus- as he was the spitting image of him.
One season with a Scudetto later, who is laughing now?

In the 2003/2004 season, Juventus were third in the league and had their worst defensive record in over 40 years. Juventus were kicked out by Deportivo in the first phase of the Champions league knockouts after reaching the final the year previous. To put it simply, things were a shambles. Juventus were whipped back and forth, with embarrassing results including the famous 4-0 loss to As Roma at the Olimpico, both matches against Inter on which Juventus conceded 6 goals overall and lost both matches in the process, and then the match up with Milan which Juventus lost 3-1.

Someone had to take on the Job of breathing life back into the Old Lady- I could not think of anyone more fitting to the task, then Fabio Capello.

His rivals for the Job are hardly of his calibre- Deschamps recently played with Juventus and had a successful run with Monaco in the Champions League, in what can only be known as the ’anomaly season’ in which two massive underdogs reached the final. Whilst it was no doubt impressive, it is foolish to hire a coach based on one season’s performances. Prandelli is different. His experience and understanding with young players gave hope to the fans that they could perhaps see a more youthful Juventus, but Juventus has never been a team built with young players, which rendered the main strength of this coach useless, and his relegation was always a black mark on his CV, not to mention his general lack of trophies.

Capello eventually took the job, and has exceeded my expectations immensely for this season. I think he has done brilliantly, but some do not think so. So I will now dispell the Capello myths that people have been telling:

1) Capello was a traitor to As Roma.

I never understood this one; if anything he should be praised in Rome as he brought Rome one third of their overall sucess in Italy by adding a precious third to their trophy cabinet. Capello no doubt played a big hand in developing Cassano, and to some extent finding the perfect place for Totti to play in.

Capello has been slammed as a traitor because he left so suddenly. Are Roma fans aware his wage bills had not been paid for six months? Some fans might moan: Oh but he is so rich anyway- So? Can any of you honestly say YOU would stay with your company at work if you were not getting paid for six months? Football is essentially a buisness, and being a coach is a tough job. Roma were fully aware of the risk they ran by not paying Capello wage’s, so they have only themselves to blame for his departure. Infact, Roma fans should be thankful- they got a freebie for 6 months, how many clubs can say they got a coach of Capello’s class to coach a side for 6 months free even bringing them their historic 4-0 victory over much hated Juventus?

Capello is a professional. The contact from Juventus was sudden, (it must of been, one can categorically eliminate contact over those six months if you ask yourself the question: how could Capello know if he was suddenly going to get paid in those six months, thus blocking a move to any other club? He could not of).

So Capello moved clubs suddenly too. The Juventus board needed a striker to organise things for the new season and outline transfer objectives among other things, so the earlier a coach is found the better for the club. So Capello left the club, for his own selfish agenda- yes, but when the club has not been paying you for half a year, how charitable are you going to feel?

Myth Dispelled.

2) Capello plays defensive football

.. And people who say that are just plain wrong. Infact, Juventus have been the side this season in serie A which has scored the most goals- even more then so called attacking Inter- and yet at the same time, conceded the least- which highly resembles ’offensive Roma’ last season, which they did exactly that, but people claim that they were an offensive team. So explain to me: Why are Inter offensive? Is it because they have a poor backline and games with them tend to have higher score lines?

The Juventus Defence record is probably the factor unto which people decide Juventus are a defensive team- but how can one call a club who scores more then anyone else in the league defensive? If anything, they are the most Defensive and Offensive- making them a balanced team.

Myth Dispelled.

3) It was Capello’s fault we were knocked out to Liverpool

When Capello deployed a 4-4-2 against Liverpool on the first leg at Anfield, Juventus were 2-0 down with 20 minutes on the clock. Yes, that was a tactical error- he was using a formula that had been successful so far, and he obviously saw that needed change in the second leg. Cannavaro was fortunate enough to have a header spilled by the keeper, which gave Juventus a lifeline and making them need only one goal in the next leg.
Capello had 3 choices- deploy his standard 4-4-2 as in Anfield which had no positive results- play a 4-3-3 like against Madrid, but be subject to a counter attack much easier- or play a new experimental tactic against Liverpool.

Capello’s tactic was out there, but it was obvious the 4-4-2 was not working and a 4-4-3 would not do much better. During the course of the match, I remember 3 clear chances- Cannavaro’s header which hit the post, Zlatan’s miss from Zambrotta’s bouncing cross, and Zlatan’s earlier miss from a Thuram chip. The tactic nullified Liverpool’s counter attack, as I remember the only chances they had came from Zebina mistake. A goal in Turin against Juventus, that would have been curtains.

Can anyone blame Capello for looking for one goal yet still staying on the back pedal? If Cannavaro had jumped 2 inches more to the right, Juventus would of been at least in the Semis. I call this an unfortunate circumstance- as Capello set out for a 0-1- in which he got 50% right, and perhaps if one takes into consideration how close that header was, it is more like 50% and a matter of inches, but such is football.

Should Capello be blamed? No. He had the correct idea, but Liverpool defended well, and Juventus were unlucky with their chances.

Myth Dispelled

4) Capello hates Del Piero

Possibly one of the worst myths of them all. Sigmund Freud believed that pleasure is a consequence of the release of something bad- for example, the satisfaction gained after eating- losing the hunger. He also believed that the mind has to learn to adapt in order to gain certain things- for example a baby screaming for a lollipop will not get it, but child eventually learns a more difficult a way to get the lollipop than screaming, but a way that works.

The Del Piero - Capello case can be compared to that. Del Piero has had the for granted pleasure of first team football his whole life at the Delle Alpi- whenever he is on form or off, it would not matter as Lippi consistently played him in front of any other striker when possible. Capello came in and decided to change the rules, and started to bench Del Piero, almost every game. However, what people seem to forget is that when Del Piero played well he stayed on- thus when Del Piero now plays well, he stays on the pitch and avoids the dissatisfaction of not playing. Del Piero now must play well- like all the other forwards in Juventus- to earn himself a match without substitution.

Did it pay off? Did Del Piero learn to earn his playing time by playing well now? A straight yes would be the answer. A great performance versus Milan has been the fruit of Del Piero’s determination not to be substituted anymore- thus he avoids the dissatisfaction, and keeps his place on the pitch. He has earned his Lollipop of playing by improving his game, which could never have been acheived by means of keeping Del Piero on the pitch consistently.

Myth Dispelled.

Capello has finally found a brilliant Camorenesi, who used to be the frustration vent for the Juventini with several calls to be sold. Zlatan Ibrahimovic exceeded everyone’s expectations under Capello- Cannavaro found his vigour again under Capello, and Del Piero started playing well for the first time in a while under Capello.

So I say: Long live the Don.

Some good points....forza Capello!

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 05:11 PM

Romy Gai: “We’re finalizing details for an American tour”

“We’re finalizing details for a tour in America in the month of August”. Commercial Director Romy Gai, during the presentation of the team at Salice Terme, confirmed that Juventus won’t leave for China in early August, while they’ll play two matches in North America. “We’ve decided to cancel the tour in China because we’ve had too many requests for our presence at commercial and charity events and we’ve decided to give priority to sports initiatives in such an delicate period of the season. I’m waiting for the last details to confirm two matches in North America, on August, 3rd in Toronto and August , 6th in New York.”

Please I need all the info about this match. Against who, where to buy tickets ..etc.

Please it is very important to me.

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 05:33 PM

Juve's top 10 contract as published today by La Stampa:

PLAYER WAGE ENDS
Vieira 5 mil 2010
Buffon 5 mil 2010
Del Piero 5 mil 2008
Thuram 5 mil 2008
Trezeguet 5 mil 2009
Emerson 4.7 mil 2009
Cannavaro 4.5 mil 2008
Nedved 4.5 mil 2008
Zambrotta 3.5 mil 2009
Ibrahimovic 3 mil 2009

All numbers are per season and tax-free (meaning that Juve pay double, as the other 50% goes to taxes).

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 05:33 PM

http://www.juventus.com/FE_images/fotogallery/vieira/zoom/03.jpg

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 05:34 PM

http://www.juventus.com/FE_images/fotogallery/vieira/zoom/06.jpg

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 05:34 PM

http://www.juventus.com/FE_images/fotogallery/vieira/zoom/09.jpg

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 05:34 PM

http://www.juventus.com/FE_images/fotogallery/vieira/zoom/10.jpg

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 05:34 PM

http://www.juventus.com/FE_images/fotogallery/vieira/zoom/11.jpg

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 05:35 PM

http://www.juventus.com/FE_images/fotogallery/vieira/zoom/15.jpg

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 05:35 PM

http://www.juventus.com/FE_images/fotogallery/vieira/zoom/13.jpg

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 05:36 PM

on 17 th of july with a local team
on 20 the : TIM WITH INTER AND MILAN
on 23 th with local team
12 August birra moretti with inter and napoli
15 aug with milan
24 aug barca

Ronaldo_7

17-07-2005, 05:42 PM

http://www.juventus.com/FE_images/fotogallery/vieira/zoom/11.jpg
nice reunion gathering for Vieira and Thuram :)

dreamer bro.. i come support liaoz ~ :s13: :)

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 05:46 PM

nice reunion gathering for Vieira and Thuram :)

dreamer bro.. i come support liaoz ~ :s13: :)

thank u bro....hope can have more discussion....if not sibei sianz...:)

Ronaldo_7

17-07-2005, 05:47 PM

haha.. Juve nt much fans huh? i quite like Juve too anyway :)

good that Juve manage to get Vieira..

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 05:50 PM

haha.. Juve nt much fans huh? i quite like Juve too anyway :)

good that Juve manage to get Vieira..

i think there a few juve fans here, but dun think come in here to discuss lor.

so i declare u an OFFICIAL JUVE FAN hor bro :D

haha...

i am eager to watch the emo-viera combination in midfield :)

Ronaldo_7

17-07-2005, 05:53 PM

i think there a few juve fans here, but dun think come in here to discuss lor.

so i declare u an OFFICIAL JUVE FAN hor bro :D

haha...

i am eager to watch the emo-viera combination in midfield :)
haha.. yeah that sounds great.. hope they gel asap for the benefits of the team.. but hw come the juve fans dun come in discuss huh? hahaz

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 06:12 PM

haha.. yeah that sounds great.. hope they gel asap for the benefits of the team.. but hw come the juve fans dun come in discuss huh? hahaz

i also dunno :s11:

victorian07

17-07-2005, 07:31 PM

woohoo....another juve fan reporting in. dunno y leh. when Vieira left for juve, in my mind it was more of a Arsenal player leaving rather than a new Juve player joining. you all get what i mean?

maybe is bos Vieira has stayed at Highbury way too many years liao...always identify the club n player together as one.

dreamer75

17-07-2005, 11:15 PM

dreamer75

18-07-2005, 09:27 AM

Juve 5-1 Pavia (Gorini og, Ibrahimovic, Mutu, Zalayeta, Spagnoli / Fasano)

Juve (1st half): Buffon - Pessotto, Thuram, Tudor, Zambrotta - Camoranesi, Blasi, Vieira, Olivera - Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic

Juve (2nd half): Chimenti - Birindelli, Thuram, Cannavaro, Chiellini - Olivera, Blasi, Tacchinardi, Spagnoli - Zalayeta, Mutu

Zebina, Kovac, Emerson, Giannichedda, Nedved and Del Piero didn't play.

dreamer75

18-07-2005, 09:28 AM

Glad to see Vieira Playing his first Match with The Bianconero .

http://www.w6w.net/upload/17-07-2005/w6w_20050717175201e4fe6753.jpg

dreamer75

18-07-2005, 10:01 AM

Appiah keen on Premiership move
By Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah
BBC Sport

Ghana's Steven Appiah says he wants to leave Juventus

Ghana captain Stephen Appiah has told BBC Sport that he is set to leave Italian champions Juventus and wants a move to the English Premiership.

The 24-year-old midfielder says English sides Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Birmingham City and Middlesbrough have all shown interest in him.

He added that Turkey's Fenerbache are also in the hunt for his signature.

But Appiah said: "The Premiership is the league to be in right now and I think it will be good for my career."

"I'm in the best shape of my career and I want to win more trophies.

"I want to play week in week out and be in top shape if we qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

"I hear Tottenham are the latest side to be interested in me and playing in London would be great but let's wait and see."

However Everton could have an advantage as Appiah also said that he is keen to play European football next season.

Appiah feels he has to leave the Italian giants following the arrival of Patrick Vieira from Arsenal.

"Vieira is a good buy for Juve and I would have loved to play alongside him, but I have to think about my own career."

Appiah says that he will meet the Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi and his agent Dominico Ricci on Tuesday to finalise his future.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/4691373.stm

dreamer75

18-07-2005, 10:07 AM

Vieira Hits Post In Juve Opener

7/17/2005 8:20:00 PM

Patrick Vieira hit a post and offered a couple illuminating passes in the player's opening game with Juventus.

Arsenal's former captain played the first 45 mintues of Juve's opening friendly of this pre-season against Serie C1 side Pavia.

After falling behind in the 20th minute through a Fasini strike, the Bianconeri evened the score on an own-goal by Pavia defender Gorini.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, Ibrahimovic handed his team the lead with a powerful and precise drive.

In the second half, goals by Mutu, Zalayeta, and Spagnoli fixed the final score on 5-1 for the Serie A champs.

http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=74241&progr=5

dreamer75

19-07-2005, 09:47 AM

ROME, July 18 (Reuters) - Juventus midifelder Stephen Appiah has joined Fenerbahce for eight million euros ($9.66 million), Juve managing director Luciano Moggi was quoted as saying by the ANSA news agency on Monday. Appiah, the captain of Ghana, was put up for sale last week after Italian champions Juventus signed midfielder Patrick Vieira from Arsenal for 20 million euros.

There was no immediate confirmation of the deal.

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=worldFootballNews&storyid=URI:urn:newsml:reuters.com:20050718:MTFH71347_2005-07-18_19-13-20_L18101908:1

RRedline

19-07-2005, 10:05 AM

ROME, July 18 (Reuters) - Juventus midifelder Stephen Appiah has joined Fenerbahce for eight million euros ($9.66 million),
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=worldFootballNews&storyid=URI:urn:newsml:reuters.com:20050718:MTFH71347_2005-07-18_19-13-20_L18101908:1

If it's true, it is a very good price for Juve, which means Viera only cost them 12M Euro in actual term.

dreamer75

19-07-2005, 10:06 AM

If it's true, it is a very good price for Juve, which means Viera only cost them 12M Euro in actual term.

Shld be official...

Fenerbahce's official website has announced the purchase of Stephen Appiah for 8 million euro.

http://www.fenerbahce.com/

dreamer75

19-07-2005, 09:22 PM

Palermo are expected to sign Fabrizio Miccoli from Juventus following his return to Turin via Fiorentina.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul19b.html

victorian07

20-07-2005, 07:14 PM

Miccoli is nubbad acty. italian international. but certainly always difficult to be able to hold down a regular place when faced with competition from Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic, Del Piero, Mutu, Zalayeta.

btw, is the Mutu issue settled already? regarding Chelsea demanding transfer payment. sorry if i'm slow, cos nv read it in any papers or wad..

dreamer75

20-07-2005, 08:30 PM

Ronaldo_7

21-07-2005, 05:27 PM

haha good that Juve managed to overcome and win the game..

dreamer75

21-07-2005, 09:15 PM

http://media.goal.com/200507/8219_news.jpg

Well it is official. Vieira is now a Juve player. Moggi has done the unthinkable again. He convinced Wenger and the Arsenal management to let Vieira leave and he also convinced Viera to head back to Italy. Many teams wanted his name. Real Madrid a couple of years ago wanted him badly and they were offering a record transfer fee for him. He refused and he stayed. Many other teams wanted his signature also from Man Utd and Chelsea among other teams.

Juve’s transfer strategy this year was very odd indeed. Management stated that no new reinforcement will arrive as the team is perfect (yeah right). Secondly, they mentioned they would sell as they are short of money as they had to burn wood with money not coal. Thirdly, they sold their office building for 15 million Euros to a development company. Fourthly, they only offloaded Zalayeta (however, he still trains with the team but his probable destination could be Monaco, Fiorentina or Genoa) and they refused to sell Trezeguet to Chelsea. Emerson did not leave to Madrid and the arrival of Mozart to Juve from Reggina was annulled (as of right now. Mozart will now go to Fiorentina). Madrid stated that they would like Buffon and Ibrahimovic, but Juve said no. However, do not be surprised if Buffon leaves for another team as Juve like to sell their stars and if they find an ideal replacement (which for now does not exist; he is the man), Juve would sell period. Appiah was offered to Arsenal a bait and Arsenal said no. Hence, only one player has officially left. However, I am excluding Ciro Ferrara as he retired from the game and Montero as he left on a free transfer to Spain. However, he was never a great player as of late, but a liability. Juve did not get a cent from these two. Juve have jewels they can sell and many players on loan that they too could sell or trade but they have not.

Let’s begin with the pre Vieira saga. Juve were always mentioned in the media as the favourites to attain the services of Cassano. Their only competition was Madrid which would offer more money, but Juve had the ace in Capello. Fabio knew the boy well and how to control him. Yes, he could be a big gamble to Juve, but Montero and Davids were not saints either. Secondly, Moggi acquired Mutu who tested positive for cocaine. Now there are those who say that Mutu would go to Roma and Cassano to Juve. That is very possible and still is possible. However, it seems that this will not happen right now and Del Piero is safe at Juve (for now). The Cassano case was very probable from a Mutu switch; 2) keep Mutu and offload Zalayeta, or possibly Del Piero to Roma or another team that wanted him; 3) switch Miccoli to Roma; 4) Juve were targeting two defenders Kuffor and Nonda. They were very capable players and were high on the list of Juve targets. Many journalists thought that this would be a Moggi’s strategy. Allow Roma to attain a couple of their prime targets in order for them to release Cassano. It held weight, but due to the Mexes saga, Roma was banned from the market and cannot buy, nor sell players. However, the ban could be lifted and Juve could make their move in late August, early January or wait patiently till next year. After all, Cassano is only 22 years of age.

On the other end of the spectrum Juve loaned three players to Fiorentina: Miccoli, Maresca and Chiellini. They acquired the first two at the end of the season for a record price. As for Chellini, they had to fork out the dough to get him to be a Juve player again. And people say that Moggi never screws up. Well, he lost on one deal. Also he did lose on the Di Vaio deal last year when he was sold to Valencia. Juve did not make money on that exchange. Well, Juve has three very young and capable players. This team reminds me of the mid nineties when Juve had a balance of experienced players and youth. Baggio, Vialli were the old guard and Del Piero, Vieri were the new blood (there were others but I have a word count to adhere to). Maresca is tipped to be the next Zidane (he has not shown it yet though), Miccoli is a capable Cassano replacement and Chiellini has the potential to be the best fullback in the world. He can cover Zambrotta’s role very well. There was also a buzz on that Zambrotta would go to Chelsea and Chiellini would take over the role, but that has not happened yet. Juve have an awesome team in midfield now. With Viera, Emerson, Nedved and the other three Juve can contest in Europe. Miccoli could even go forward and be a striker.

However, Miccoli does not like the way Juventus treated him and has a dislike for Moggi. Miccoli would like to leave the Vecchia Signora and go somewhere else. Moggi would sell him for you never cross paths with him for his sword is lethal. Moreover, players will have to leave. Emerson’s 35 million Euro move has not come to be. Zalayeta still is training with Juve; Tacchinardi never plays, Blasi is a reserve (semi reserve; he is capable), Appiah has not convinced the critics yet and is unsettled at Juventus. Tudor (although a permanent move to England is likely) and Legrottaglie are still Juve players. All these players and so little playing time to appease all (Miccoli may head to England or Genoa as Maresca will go to England {West Ham} or Spain {Sevilla, or Villareal} as Appiah may go to Turkey or England). Will these players stay content, or will Capello have to ease tantrums. Moreover, will Juve sell? Well, they must for how could you fund a Vieira transfer if the team is so poor or in Juve’s case frugal. It is giving us journalists, headaches. Unless, if they sold their office to fund the Vieira fee (which is highly probable).

Well as time went on many names were on the list of Juve targets and pundits started to write about other possible transfers and outcomes: Gilardino and Vieira. Many believed that both would not go to Turin. However, Juve could have offered Miccoli, Appiah and Zalayeta for his services and they have Ibra and Trezegol. There were rumours in the media that Juve wanted Patrick. However, if Arsenal and Vieira rejected Real Madrid would they accept Juve? Moggi went to London to talk about football in general. However, the Teflon man seemed to woo Wenger, the Arsenal staff and Vieia to Juve. This move was a coup d e’tat. Moggi got his man. Again!

Now the question lies. Why would Arsenal sell their prize when they could have done it for more cash a couple of years back? Why would Juve want him at such an old age (soccer standards mind you)? Why would Vieira choose Juve? Arsenal has not been successful in Europe but neither has Juventus. 2 Champions League for a team of its size is not something to brag about. Or is it something else? Is there something in Viera’s psyche that has been unresolved? Or is it another factor? What about Capello? Capello brought him to Milan as a young 20 year old. However, Patrick was alienated by the racism and the demands of Serie A. He always thought highly of Capello and when the opportunity arose he decided Juve. Wenger tapped his potential no doubt, but I believe that the former Arsenal captain has unfinished business and that is to make his mark in Serie A. Serie A is considered the league to be and he wants to prove himself in a highly tactical and defensive league. Plus, perhaps he wants to give the Rossoneri fans some payback on how he was treated in Milan when he was young. What a better way to do it by aiding his new team to silverware. Moreover, has Wenger found a new man to replace Vieria. It is not like him to sell his best player and one he considers like a son to him.

Anyways, the empire has struck and Juve have made their intentions clear but their motives leaves on to ponder. Vieira is a good addition to Juve. He probably will end his career here as no other big team would risk signing him. Like it or not Juve will sell players. Which ones? That is an enigma and it remains to be seen. The other scenario. Wenger is an astute man and is like Moggi. Has he found the new Vieira? Arsenal must rebuild and the money from Juve will help. But do not count Arsenal out for they have their own Teflon man and he is hard at work finding his new man. Could pay back be a bitch as the Juve funds will aid in finding and supporting a star? It could very well be if Juve and Arsenal meet in a Champions League final. Or it could be Vieria and Juve gets its silverware they have been missing for so long: the Champions League. We will see in a short time of the Empire has indeed struck with a vengeance.

Bruno Cardile (bcardile@interbaun.com)

http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=74795

dreamer75

21-07-2005, 09:18 PM

Inter have lifted the Trofeo TIM after defeating Milan and Juventus in last night’s triangular tournament.

Despite not looking as good as the two other Scudetto contenders, the Nerazzurri topped the table by finishing a point ahead of Milan, while the champions lost both of their 45-minute games.

The evening at the Stadio Nereo Rocco in Trieste kicked-off with the Milan derby, as Christian Vieri made his debut for the Rossoneri following this summer’s city switch.

It was his former club who triumphed though, as they won 5-4 on penalties as a result of Massimo Ambrosini’s miss. The match ended 0-0 after ‘normal time’.

Having lost the match, Milan stayed on the pitch to face Juventus in what proved to be a more lively game.

Milan won 2-1 thanks to a dubious Christian Vieri penalty, taken twice, and Manuel Rui Costa. David Trezeguet got Juve’s consolation goal.

The final tie of the evening saw the Bianconeri again impress with their solidity, especially in midfield where Patrick Vieira settled down quickly.

However, Inter grabbed the only goal of the game in the 43rd minute with their first real effort of the match. Dejan Stankovic crossed for Obafemi Martins to slot home from close range.

Inter won their fourth Trofeo TIM out of five by finishing with five points, Milan netted four, while Juve went home pointless.

"It’s always better to win," stated Inter boss Roberto Mancini. "There is still much work to do though.

"The new players need to be integrated even if I am happy with what they did this evening. Some did more than I expected."

Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti stated: "We did suffer a little against Inter but we did better against Juventus, especially on the flanks.

"I didn’t have many players at my disposal but I am satisfied with our first outing of the season."

Juve tactician Fabio Capello remained upbeat despite the results. "We have taken a step forward," he stated.

"The work we have done over the last few days has been tough on the players but we will be in peak condition for the start of the season. These results tonight don’t worry me."

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul21a.html

dreamer75

21-07-2005, 09:19 PM

Juventus lost both games against Milan and Inter in the TIM Cup, but the Bianconeri’s coach is not preoccupied by this.

Fabio Capello commented his side’s defeats against the Rossoneri and Nerazzurri, in which, however, Juventus showed some good things, especially through their new star, Patrick Vieira.

“We still made a step forward but we sustained very heavy workloads and this is seen in the lucidity of some players. We are making the same preparation of last year and within a month I think we will have a good condition, which we will have to hold on to till the end. I’m surely not worried by these results."

http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=75026

dreamer75

21-07-2005, 09:22 PM

We lost to Inter and Milan.

Milan vs Juve (2-1)
Vieri (http://www.abu-alwaleed.com/3ashk_davids/me1.rar)
Rui Costa (http://www.abu-alwaleed.com/3ashk_davids/me2.rar)
Trez (http://www.abu-alwaleed.com/3ashk_davids/juv1.rar)

Inter vs Juve (1-0)
Martins (http://www.abu-alwaleed.com/3ashk_davids/int1.rar)
Vieras shot that hit the post (http://www.abu-alwaleed.com/3ashk_davids/vira.wmv)
Del Piero's shot that it the post (http://www.abu-alwaleed.com/3ashk_davids/del.wmv)

A small Viera comp by abu-alwaleed (http://www.abu-alwaleed.com/Juventus/vieira.wmv)

dreamer75

21-07-2005, 09:23 PM

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/blasinews01.jpg

Juventus midfielder Manuele Blasi could join Lazio in a deal that sees Massimo Oddo make the opposite switch.

Reports in Italy suggest that Juve transfer guru Luciano Moggi spoke to Lazio chief Claudio Lotito on Monday to discuss the move.

The Bianconeri are looking for another right-back seeing as the only alternative they have for Jonathan Zebina is Alessandro Birindelli at the moment.

While Blasi (pictured), also a Fiorentina target, is being linked with an exit following the arrival of Patrick Vieira from Arsenal.

Whispers suggest that both players would move on loan for one season, but with an option to buy outright next summer.

Oddo would welcome the switch after being heavily linked with Milan over the last few months.

They are keen on him but have been put off by Lazio’s £3.6m valuation of the Italian international stopper.

The Rossoneri are now reportedly tracking Sao Paulo ace Cicinho, who is Milan’s Marcos Cafu’s reserve on the international stage.

Meanwhile, Juventus midfielder Igor Tudor has reportedly asked to join Udinese, seeing as the club is on the border of his home country Croatia.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul21g.html

dreamer75

21-07-2005, 09:26 PM

http://cache-1.sportinglife.com/pictures/general/capellotitlejoy2005.jpg

Juventus coach Fabio Capello heaped praise on new signing Patrick Vieira despite the Bianconeri's defeat to Internazionale in the final of the TIM Trophy.

Vieira arrived from Arsenal in time to make his debut in the high-profile friendly tournament in Trieste and was unlucky not to score his first goal in Juventus colours against Inter, crashing a shot against the crossbar.

And despite the 1-0 defeat, the French international's new boss was clearly impressed with the performance of his new midfield lynchpin.

"He is a very important player for us," Capello told the club website, www.juventus.it.

"I am satisfied with his performance and with the mentality he shows every time he plays."

Capello was also quick to write off any worries following the defeat, insisting instead that his team have every chance of retaining the Serie A title they claimed last term.

"I've seen a lot of positive things so I'm not going to get worried about the result," he said.

"We are going through the same preparation as we did last year and it will take us a few weeks to get up to our best form."

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/overseas/italy/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=international_feed/05/07/21/SOCCER_Ita-Juventus_Vieira.html&TEAMHD=italy

victorian07

21-07-2005, 09:48 PM

hmm..i think Juve is trying hard to make Vieira feel welcome. I think this is important, for him to fully exhibit his influence and skills. Make him more at ease, esp. so when racist incidents are rather common in Italy.

dreamer75

21-07-2005, 09:55 PM

dreamer75

21-07-2005, 09:56 PM

its ok that Inter wins the Trofeo TIM cos we will win the Scudetto =:p

Ronaldo_7

22-07-2005, 12:47 AM

i agree...must make him feel at home :)
then he can perform better

dreamer75

22-07-2005, 12:51 AM

then he can perform better

he almost scored in Trofeo TIM and had some gd touches :D

dreamer75

22-07-2005, 12:52 AM

http://www.sportkuster.com/images/produkte/sweater_juventus.jpg

Ronaldo_7

22-07-2005, 12:54 AM

he almost scored in Trofeo TIM and had some gd touches :D
haha i feel he no need to score in debut.. striker then need.. to boost their confidence

dreamer75

22-07-2005, 09:28 AM

Adrian Mutu says he has already won his first ‘Scudetto’ at Juventus by remaining with the outfit.

The Romanian featured in the champions’ last League game last season following his arrival in January.

But there were rumours suggesting he was netted on a free to then be used as a pawn in this summer’s market, but he has so far remained in Turin.

"My real Scudetto is that of staying at Juventus," said the player who was sacked by Chelsea following his failed drugs test.

"However, the time has now arrived for me to win myself a place in the first team for the new campaign."

That is on paper a tough task for Mutu seeing as the Old Lady have Alex Del Piero, David Trezeguet, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcelo Zalayeta on their books.

"I’m not scared by the competition of being up against so many champions here," he continued.

"I am now looking to do my best and I am returning to the physical shape which I was already in at Parma."

The attacker did impress in Juve’s 5-1 win over Pavia on Sunday, but did struggle at times in last night’s Trofeo TIM tournament.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul21l.html

victorian07

22-07-2005, 07:15 PM

lol...I still think Mutu isn't one for the long term future. think he'll leave some time sooner or later.

dreamer75

24-07-2005, 01:38 PM

Chiumiento gets French spell
Saturday, 23 July 2005

Ligue 1 newcomers Le Mans UC 72 have signed Swiss international forward Davide Chiumiento on a season-long loan from Juventus FC. The 20-year-old spent last season at AC Siena, scoring once in 14 Serie A matches.

http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Photo/footballcentral/FootballCentral/277096_MEDIUMLANDSCAPE.jpg

http://www.uefa.com/footballcentral/news/Kind=2/newsId=319813.html

dreamer75

24-07-2005, 01:46 PM

he looks like ADP..haha..

dreamer75

24-07-2005, 01:47 PM

IN:

Name: Adrian Mutu
Birth Place: Pitesti (Romania)
Date: 01/08/1979
Position: LS/CAM
Cost: 0€
Contract: 1.000.000 € per year till 2010
Number: 30

Name: Giuliano Giannichedda
Birth Place: Pontecorvo (ITA)
DAte: 21/09/1974
Position: RCM/RCB
Cost: 0€

Name: Giorgio Chiellini
Birth Place: Livorno (ITA)
Date:14/08/1984
Position: LB
Cost: 4.3m €

Name: Robert Kovac
Birth Place: Berlin (Germany) - Croatian Nationality
Date: 06/04/1974
Position: LCB
Cost: 0€

Name: Enzo Maresca
Birth Place: Ponte Cagnano (ITA)
Date: 10/02/1980
Postion: LCM
Cost: 0.007m €
Contract: 1.200.000 € per year.

Name: Fabrizio Miccoli
Birth Place: Nardò (ITA)
Date: 27/06/1979
Position: LS
Cost: 2.4m €

Name: Patrick Vieira
Birth Place: Dakar, Senegal - French Nationality
Date: 26/06/1976
Position: LCM
Cost: 20m €
Contract: 2010

victorian07

24-07-2005, 01:50 PM

transfers in? Miccoli and Maresca?

dreamer75

24-07-2005, 02:01 PM

transfers in? Miccoli and Maresca?

on loan back...

dreamer75

24-07-2005, 02:01 PM

posting the OUT transfer soon...

dreamer75

25-07-2005, 10:08 AM

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/piresnews.jpg

Juventus are ready to hand Robert Pires a three-year contract if they can tempt Arsenal to release him on a free transfer.

Reports in Italy on Sunday suggest that the winger is wanted by the Bianconeri just weeks after his countryman, Patrick Vieira, made the same switch.

Pires has just one-year left on his Highbury contract and talks regarding a renewal have stalled.

The winger would like a new two-year deal but the Premiership outfit are only ready to offer him a one-year extension.

That has alerted Juventus who would welcome the 31-year-old but only if no transfer fee is involved.

Turkish giants Galatasaray have also been linked recently, but Pires’ agent insists the Turkish giants are not an option even if he has tellingly left the door open for the Old Lady.

Should Pires, who has spent the last five years at Arsenal, arrive then that may spell the end of Mauro Camoranesi in Turin.

He’s been linked with a switch to Inter, seeing their difficulties in landing Real’s Luis Figo, in a possible swap deal with Dejan Stankovic.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul24e.html

AhHuat

25-07-2005, 10:20 AM

http://www.sportkuster.com/images/produkte/sweater_juventus.jpg
wah bro , this is quite nice
wonder queenway got sell boh :o

dreamer75

25-07-2005, 10:44 AM

wah bro , this is quite nice
wonder queenway got sell boh :o

which one? Juve's new jersey?

take a look here..

http://forums.hardwarezone.com/showthread.php?t=997789

AhHuat

25-07-2005, 10:51 AM

which one? Juve's new jersey?

take a look here..

http://forums.hardwarezone.com/showthread.php?t=997789
i mean the above jacket :o

dreamer75

25-07-2005, 10:57 AM

i mean the above jacket :o

ohh...dunno sg selling anot lor...? :)

Akane_Sakura

25-07-2005, 11:05 AM

i m gonna buy e jersey for e coming season for juve 05/06

dreamer75

25-07-2005, 11:13 AM

i m gonna buy e jersey for e coming season for juve 05/06

GREAT!! Home jersey!!!

tell us more when u bot it..location..price?
thks! :D

dreamer75

25-07-2005, 12:06 PM

Juve away which look like a 360 special edition

http://www.soccer.com/Images/Catalog/ProductImages/300/196462.SC.JPG http://cimg.163.com/gzit/20030314/images/photo3.jpg

dreamer75

25-07-2005, 12:20 PM

http://img188.echo.cx/img188/7485/maglie0051xi.jpg

dreamer75

25-07-2005, 12:21 PM

http://img188.echo.cx/img188/6924/maglie0092ta.jpg

Ronaldo_7

25-07-2005, 05:25 PM

alamak.. the home one doesnt seem tat nice liao.. prefer the last season one..

edit: haha go another thread... see the Juve home nt bad after all.. the red one seems abit weird to me :o

dreamer75

25-07-2005, 06:04 PM

alamak.. the home one doesnt seem tat nice liao.. prefer the last season one..

edit: haha go another thread... see the Juve home nt bad after all.. the red one seems abit weird to me :o

haha...u aint see nothing yet..

u tot RED is bad...look at this..

dunno which team's jersey *faint*

http://img124.echo.cx/img124/8676/prsentation0688cl7ux.jpg

Ronaldo_7

25-07-2005, 06:07 PM

OMG!!!!!still can smile.. pengz :s22: :s22:

dreamer75

26-07-2005, 10:15 PM

http://www.juventus.com/FE_images/fotogallery/voghera_juve_gall/zoom/34.jpg

dreamer75

27-07-2005, 01:55 AM

Trez: Blues money won't tempt me

David Trezeguet claims that Chelsea's millions will not lure him away from Juventus.

The France forward was reportedly the subject of a £38million bid from the Premiership champions earlier this summer.

But the 27-year-old insists he is determined to add to his trophy haul with the Italian giants after claiming a third Scudetto in five years last season.

Last season Trezeguet was hampered by injuries to his shoulder and right ankle and he is eager to repay the faith shown in him by coach Fabio Capello.

"I was in the United States on holiday and did not really follow Chelsea's interest in me," he said.

"If Chelsea were really ready to spend that amount of money then this is flattering. Chelsea have been making a lot of efforts to build up a very competitive team.

"But on the other hand I have my coach's trust, he was at the origin of my contract extension. I feel very happy with Juventus and I never thought I could leave."

Trezeguet is also eager to play alongside compatriot Patrick Vieira who joined Juventus from Arsenal this summer.

"With Pat's arrival the club is clearly showing their ambitions. We want to do well whether it's in Serie A or the Champions League. The year's objective is to win that competition," he added.

"We have a very talented team and we must do all we can to reach that aim. The Champions League represents an exceptional level."

However, the star striker admits that he did not think that the Gunners would allow their talisman to leave for Italy.

"My first reaction was surprise. We phoned each other during the holiday and I really thought he would stay with Arsenal.

"But apparently he received that offer from Juventus and probably appreciated the club's ambition.

"I am delighted about his arrival, we all know his qualities. He has been Arsenal's symbol in the past few years.

"He will surely bring us something extra and I agree with Capello when he says that with Emerson he makes the best pair of central midfielders in the world."

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/3829256

dreamer75

28-07-2005, 03:27 PM

Wednesday 27 July, 2005

http://www.juventus.com/Allegati/f_Ibrahimovic10125603987e4a6-be2a-444b-8b42-e2b7cfea779.jpg

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was full of praise for Fabio Capello after being named as Juventus fans’ Player of the Year.

The 23-year-old was in sublime form in his first Serie A season, helping the Bianconeri to Lo Scudetto.

“I thank the supporters, but a special thanks goes to Fabio Capello,” said the former Ajax striker.

“Since the beginning he showed faith in me and allowed me to show what I always had in myself.

“I adapted myself to the Italian top flight and now I play as I have to – thanks to my Coach.

"We share a big respect and from that fact we are two winners."

The Swedish star also spoke about his hopes for the new season, with the Champions’ League high on the agenda.

“Last year I wanted both the Scudetto and the Champions’ League, and we won the Scudetto,” he added.

"This year we must also try for the Champions’ League. We were strong last year and now Patrick Vieira has joined.

“He is a fantastic player and with Emerson will make a perfect midfield partnership."

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul27a.html

Image from juventus.com

dreamer75

28-07-2005, 03:28 PM

who's ur top 3 Juve player of the yr for last season?

dreamer75

28-07-2005, 03:29 PM

1 Buffon
2 Birindelli
3 Chiellini
4 Vieira
5 Tudor
6 Kovac
7 Pessotto
8 Emerson
9 Ibrahimovic
10 Del Piero
11 Nedved
12 Chimenti
13 Miccoli
14 Tacchinardi
16 Camoranesi
17 Trezeguet
18 Mutu
19 Zambrotta
20 Blasi
21 Thuram
22 Bonnefoi
23 Giannichedda
24 Olivera
25 Zalayeta
27 Zebina
28 Cannavaro

dreamer75

28-07-2005, 03:29 PM

#15 and #26 are still vacant

dreamer75

30-07-2005, 07:47 AM

Juventus midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi will play for Villarreal next season, the Spanish outfit have confirmed.

Reports this morning suggested that a deal was close and the La Liga club have confirmed his capture on their website this evening.

"Villarreal, Juventus and Alessio Tacchinardi have reached an agreement so that the player will appear in La Liga next term," read a note.

The 30-year-old has spent 11 years at the Stadio Delle Alpi following his switch from Atalanta as a teenager.

Economical details regarding the move have yet to be revealed.

The international becomes the second Juve midfielder to head for Spain after Enzo Maresca was sold to Sevilla earlier this summer.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul28l.html

dreamer75

30-07-2005, 07:49 AM

Italian champions Juventus are today being linked with Brazil’s attacking right-back Cicinho.

The Sao Paulo player is widely considered as Marcos Cafu’s heir in the national side and has caught the attention of numerous clubs.

Cicinho, who is on the verge of gaining EU status thanks to his Italian roots, recently impressed at the Confederations’ Cup in Germany.

It was believed that Milan would make a move for the defender but the Old Lady of Italian football have emerged as contenders on Friday.

Although he recently extended his contract with his South American club until 2008, he would consider a European switch – even if that is only likely to happen next summer.

Whispers suggest that any proposed deal would cost any interested party a total of £8m, with 40 per cent of that fee going directly to the player.

The Bianconeri are looking for a new right-back and have been linked with numerous players this summer.

Lazio’s Massimo Oddo has been associated, as has Portuguese international Miguel of Benfica.

Juventus’ current first choice right-sided defender is former Cagliari and Roma player Jonathan Zebina.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul29d.html

dreamer75

30-07-2005, 07:51 AM

Fabio Cannavaro insists Juventus will again prove their defensive strength this term even if he wants the club to bring in more new stoppers.

The outfit had the best defensive record in Serie A last term but they have lost numerous players at the back this summer.

Paolo Montero’s contract has expired, Ciro Ferrara has quit, while Nicola Legrottaglie has again been loaned out with Siena his new destination.

"There is nothing to fear. We will again be the best defence in the championship and we’ll prove that on the field of play during important games," the Italy captain told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

"But you need a big squad in today’s game and reserves for every position. That is the case here too and we might need something else in defence.

"Having numerous options available will allow players to catch their breath, it will also be easier to achieve our objective of fighting on all fronts until the very end.

"Who could we sign? I don’t know who, you need to ask our director general Luciano Moggi. He has no need for any suggestions because we all have great faith in his ability."

One new arrival who has impressed the defender though is Croatian centre-back Robert Kovac, a free signing from Bayern Munich.

"Kovac is a quality player with great experience," boasted the 31-year-old. "He needs a little time to settle but he will be very useful in such a long season.

"He’s a ‘German’ type player and very concrete. If there is a need to kick the ball into the stands then he doesn’t think twice about it."

Meanwhile, Inter midfielder Cristiano Zanetti is again being linked following Alessio Tacchinardi’s move to Villarreal.

The Bianconeri are ready to offer Inter the services of striker Fabrizio Miccoli for the former Roma man.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul29f.html

dreamer75

07-08-2005, 02:03 PM

Juventus boss Fabio Capello has revealed that Lilian Thuram will return to international football with France.

The defender has been heavily tipped to come out of Les Bleus retirement after Zinedine Zidane and Claude Makelele made the same move this week.

Thuram, who quit after Euro 2004, is now expected to make his comeback to the side for the August 17 friendly against the Ivory Coast.

"Lilian Thuram has been selected. We received a letter this morning regarding a call-up for the Montpellier game," said Capello.

However, the master tactician seems to be far from happy with the situation, fearing it may affect the Bianconeri’s hopes of Scudetto and Champions League glory.

"It is very satisfying for the player himself but I fear that he could be over-used during the season," continued the Coach.

"I wouldn’t want the player, given his age and the amount of games he will play, to be affected physically in such a long campaign."

The 33-year-old is currently France's second-most capped player having made 103 appearances, level with former skipper Didier Deschamps and 13 behind record-holder Marcel Desailly.

The former Monaco and Parma right-back memorably catapulted France into the 1998 World Cup Final by scoring both goals in the 2-1 semi-final victory over Croatia - still his only international goals.

He will be joined in the French squad later this month by his Juventus colleagues Jonathan Zebina, Patrick Vieira and David Trezeguet

dreamer75

07-08-2005, 02:04 PM

Gianluca Zambrotta has committed his future to Juventus by extending his contract with the club until 2010.

The left-back has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Inter recently, but he has now added another two years on to his previous Turin agreement.

The former right-sided midfielder is widely regarded as one of the best players in Italy for both club and country.

The international star joined the Turin giants in the summer of 1999 after the Bianconeri paid Bari £7m.

Zambrotta has since won three League titles in 2002, 2003 and 2005, plus two Italian Super Cups in 2002 and 2003.

The 28-year-old will next be in action on Saturday night when the Italian club take on Benfica in a Lisbon friendly.

Juve squad: Buffon, Birindelli, Chiellini, Vieira, Pessotto, Emerson, Ibrahimovic, Del Piero, Nedved, Chimenti, Camoranesi, Trezeguet, Mutu, Zambrotta, Blasi, Thuram, Giannichedda, Olivera, Zalayeta, Cannavaro.

dreamer75

07-08-2005, 02:05 PM

The Italian Supercup between Juventus and Inter will be played at the Stadio Delle Alpi on August 20, announced the FIGC today.

This trophy is the Italian version of the Charity Shield and every year kicks off the new season with a challenge between the Scudetto holders and the Coppa Italia winners.

Juventus conquered the title and the Nerazzurri lifted the Coppa in May, but their record in this competition differs wildly. Inter have only ever won one Supercoppa, while the Bianconeri have already triumphed four times.

The game is traditionally played in the home stadium of the Scudetto winners, so the Delle Alpi will host on August 20 with a 9pm local time kick-off – 8pm in the UK.

This match could well represent the Inter debut of new signing Luis Figo, as he was not on the list of players eligible for the Champions' League preliminary round.

dreamer75

07-08-2005, 02:07 PM

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Trezeguet crushed Benfica in Portugal, while Inter, Udinese and Torino were also in action.

Juventus travelled to Lisbon and gave new Coach Ronald Koeman a wake-up call with their dominant performance despite injury woes. Robert Kovac, Gianluca Zambrotta and Jonathan Zebina were already out of action before Giorgio Chiellini and Alessandro Birindelli limped off during the match.

Alessandro Del Piero was left on the bench in favour of the dual centre-forwards and the tactic worked as they bagged a goal apiece. Ibrahimovic opened the scoring with a fierce left-foot strike from distance and then rolled the ball across for Trezeguet’s tap-in.

Gianluigi Buffon preserved the scoreline with a couple of fantastic saves on Geovanni and proved he is back on form.

Inter were also in action this evening and hammered Serie C side Lecco 4-0 thanks to an Adriano penalty for a foul on Obafemi Martins, the Nigerian netting the second himself with a splendid solo effort, while Ze Maria and Alvaro Recoba rounded out the scoreline.

Serse Cosmi’s Udinese warmed up for the Champions’ League preliminary round by beating Serie C2 side Portosummaga 3-0. Vincenzo Iaquinta, Fausto Rossini and Marco Motta were on target.

Torino, who are still uncertain if they’ll be playing in Serie A or B this season, saw off Greek outfit Apollon Kalamaria with a 2-1 scoreline. A Petkakis own goal broke the deadlock before

dreamer75

07-08-2005, 02:09 PM

Benfica - Juventus 0:2

0-1 (http://juventus.abu-jassim.com/2005-2006/juv_1-0_ben.wmv)

0-2 (http://juventus.abu-jassim.com/2005-2006/juv_2-0_ben.wmv)

dreamer75

07-08-2005, 02:15 PM

MILAN, Italy (AP) - The Mediaset group owned by Premier Silvio Berlusconi won the rights to show Italian soccer highlights on free TV with a bid of ?61.57 million (US$74.46 million) Saturday.

The three-season contract - lasting through June 30, 2008 - signals an end for state broadcaster RAI's "90th Minute'' highlight show, which has become a cultural institution over the years.

RAI said it only made a symbolic ?100 (US$120.93) offer to retain the rights, and instead renewed its contract for the revised Italian Cup with a ?26 million (US$31.44 million) bid.

Games from Italy's top Serie A league are shown live only on pay TV - either Rupert Murdoch's Sky Italia satellite service or via pay-per-view through Mediaset or La 7, the TV network of telecommunications giant Telecom Italia.

With no live games on free TV, huge numbers of fans turn to the highlights shown on free TV immediately after matches conclude. Those highlights will now be available only on Mediaset.

"For RAI not to have '90th Minute' is serious, we're talking about a symbolic program,'' said longtime RAI soccer commentator Bruno Pizzul, according to the ANSA news agency.

Critics of the bid process cited what they believed to be a conflict of interest between the league and Mediaset. League president Adriano Galliani is also the president of AC Milan, which is also owned by Berlusconi.

Antonio Marano, who acquires sports rights for RAI, said "RAI didn't lose, it decided to lose.''

Marano said RAI focused on the Italian Cup, "which represents a prime time product for us.''

The Italian Cup has been revised for this season along the lines of Cup tournaments in England and France. It includes a direct knockout format for the first few rounds with squads from each of the top three divisions, designed to set up meetings between big and small clubs.

The top eight finishers have byes until the round of 16.

Galliani said he was "very pleased and satisfied'' with an increase in combined revenue from the highlights and Italian Cup from ?62 million (US$74.98 million) to ?87.5 million (US$105.81 million).

victorian07

07-08-2005, 02:45 PM

wah..dreamer, gd job eh.

btw, for me, top 3 players are:

Ibrahimovic ('cos he simply too good, IMO he was our best marksman up front last season)
then Cannavaro and finally Camoranesi.

really liked Del piero, but sadly he's on abit of decline.

dreamer75

07-08-2005, 03:19 PM

dreamer75

07-08-2005, 03:20 PM

Juve: budget in red but improves the accounts
05 08 2005

The Juventus has closed in red its budget with loss of 3 million euro, against 18,5 of the previous exercise. In the last trimester the profit clearly has been of 2,7 million against the -1,2 the 2003/2004. Are improve increase to you the revenues anniversaries, pass you from 208,2 million to 229,3 million with an improvement margin of the +10.1 percento.

Source (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsport.virgilio.it%2Fit%2Fcmc%2Fcalcio%2F200531%2Fcmc_85785.html&langpair=it%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools)

dreamer75

08-08-2005, 03:33 PM

There's a friendly btw Juve and Roma being played at palermo.etcetc [20:55 Italian time]

dreamer75

08-08-2005, 03:34 PM

Injury crisis strikes Juve
Sunday 7 August, 2005
Just one week away from the Italian Supercup clash with Inter, the Bianconeri could be without Alessandro Birindelli, Giorgio Chiellini and Jonathan Zebina.

Former Fiorentina full-back Chiellini (pictured) lasted only five minutes of last night’s 2-0 friendly win at Benfica, as he was stretchered off with a suspected fractured nose following a collision with Alex.

His replacement was Birindelli and he was also carried away from the pitch after spraining his right knee. More tests are needed to know how long he’ll be out for, but there are reports the ligaments have been damaged.

Zebina did not even fly out to Portugal for this prestigious test due to an injury, while Gianluca Zambrotta was left on the sidelines with a cut to his foot.

Muscular problems have also hit Robert Kovac, while Igor Tudor is thought to be on the verge of a move to Supercup opponents Inter in exchange for Cristiano Zanetti.

This leaves Coach Fabio Capello with precious few alternatives in defence, though Zambrotta is set to recover in time for next Sunday’s showdown at the Stadio Delle Alpi.

The situation could further push Juve to move for Miguel, the young defender who is currently at the centre of a transfer row with Benfica. The player insists his contract has expired, but the club maintains there is another year left to run and FIFA are arbitrating on the matter.

“We played a great first half, even if we clearly don’t have full match fitness yet,” said Capello after the 2-0 victory in Lisbon.

“I saw a lot of effort and quality, while tactically are movements are coming together and even Emerson is starting to find his form. It was a tough test and we’ll be ready for the Italian Supercup.”

The Italian Supercup is Serie A’s version of the Charity Shield between Scudetto winners Juventus and Coppa Italia holders Inter.

dreamer75

08-08-2005, 03:35 PM

Thuram couldn't resist Bleus call
Sunday 7 August, 2005
Lilian Thuram has confirmed his return to the international stage and believes it won’t damage his club career.

“It is true that I am coming out of international retirement,” stated the Frenchman on the official Juventus website. “Coach Raymond Domenech had asked me to return many times, but I always turned him down. This time he pointed out it was his duty to call the best and create a great squad. At that stage, I couldn’t say no.”

The Juventus defender is in the squad for the August 17 friendly encounter with the Ivory Coast, to be played in Montpellier.

“It is true that I will be very busy and have a lot more games to play, but I have done that for my entire career. I wasn’t sure I wanted to return and was rather ‘pushed’ by this call-up, but I thought about it and understood the Coach is just doing his job. The French side has given me so much in my career and I want to give something back.”

Thuram is not the only veteran to change his mind, as former Juve man Zinedine Zidane has also returned to the international stage. However, at the age of 33, he admits this will put a strain on his physique.

“Last year I didn’t take part in the World Cup qualifiers and football seemed like a different sport to me,” revealed the former Parma defender. “I had a lot more time to rest and therefore the chance to recover and regroup in a relaxed atmosphere.”

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug7i.html

dreamer75

10-08-2005, 09:11 AM

Alex back on form!!!! :D

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/delpieronews.jpg

Fabio Capello faced his former club and Alex Del Piero bagged a brace in an entertaining friendly encounter between Juve and Roma.

Meetings between these two clubs have always been fraught affairs and that rivalry intensified last year when Coach Capello, Emerson and Jonathan Zebina moved to Turin.

With reports that they are set to be joined by Antonio Cassano, the tension got to some fans and police had to quell troublemakers who were throwing missiles.

The match was played at Pescara’s Stadio Adriatico and Alessandro Del Piero – who was left on the bench for last week’s 2-0 victory at Benfica – opened the scoring with a curling right-foot shot at the near post.

Cristian Chivu confirmed that he is past his injury worries with a diving header on Francesco Totti’s free kick to draw the Giallorossi level.

Luciano Spalletti’s men even managed to turn the game around completely in the second half, new signing Rodrigo Taddei turning in another assist from captain Totti.

However, deep into stoppages, Del Piero was brought down and stepped up to convert the decisive penalty himself, as it ends 2-2.

Juventus are warming up for Sunday’s Italian Supercup clash with Inter, while Roma were celebrating the temporary lifting of their transfer embargo.

Channel 4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug9l.html)

dreamer75

10-08-2005, 09:20 AM

Juve rule out Cassano swoop
Monday 8 August, 2005
Juventus transfer guru Luciano Moggi has rejected claims that the club are interested in Antonio Cassano.

Roma were today informed that their appeal against a FIFA transfer ban was successful, allowing them to register new players again.

This was thought to have reignited Juventus’ interest in the striker as they were keen to offer the Giallorossi a player plus cash deal.

However, Moggi remained coy when he was told of Roma’s situation.

dreamer75

10-08-2005, 09:26 AM

Trofeo Birra Moretti [Friday, August 12th]

45 minute games against Napoli and Inter. 20:30 CET.

dreamer75

10-08-2005, 09:37 AM

grab the videos here..

1-0 (http://www.juventus.abu-jassim.com/2005-2006/juve_1-0_roma.wmv)

1-1 (http://www.juventus.abu-jassim.com/2005-2006/juve_1-1_roma.wmv)

1-2 (http://www.juventus.abu-jassim.com/2005-2006/juve_1-2_roma.wmv)

2-2 (http://www.juventus.abu-jassim.com/2005-2006/juve_2-2_roma.wmv)

:)

dreamer75

12-08-2005, 07:45 PM

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/zanetticnews01.jpg

Juventus are set to offer Inter the services of Marcelo Zalayeta in an effort to land Cristiano Zanetti.

The latter is known to be a target for the Bianconeri after working with boss Fabio Capello at Roma in the past.

Zanetti (pictured) has been linked with the Turin giants for some time who seem to be looking for a new central midfielder.

Although Patrick Vieira and Giuliano Giannichedda have replaced Stephen Appiah and Alessio Tacchinardi this summer, there could be more changes to the Old Lady’s squad.

It is already believed that the champions have offered Fabrizio Miccoli to the San Siro outfit in return for Zanetti.

But it now seems that the Stadio Delle Alpi side are ready to sacrifice Zalayeta as the Nerazzurri continue to look for a new striker.

Boss Roberto Mancini is still one forward short after the departure of Christian Vieri to Milan this summer.

Zanetti’s proposed move to Juventus could still be on as the former Fiorentina player didn’t play in the Champions League last night.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug11b.html

dreamer75

12-08-2005, 07:46 PM

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/delpieronews03.jpg

Juventus’ Alessandro Del Piero looks likely to be included in Italy’s squad for next week’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland.

The club captain hasn’t appeared for the national side in the past 11 months, but whispers suggest he will be selected for Wednesday’s Dublin test.

Boss Marcello Lippi is understood to have been impressed with Del Piero’s pre-season form, he netted twice against Roma in midweek, and his name is expected to be in Sunday’s squad list.

Del Piero will be eager to prove a point to his former Bianconeri Coach after becoming a fringe player over the last year for his country.

The attacker has only played in one of Lippi’s 12 games in charge, back on September 8 when he netted the only goal of the game in Moldova.

Del Piero has openly admitted that he wants to be a part of the 2006 World Cup squad but he faces a tough battle.

Lippi hasn’t hidden his admiration for the Roma duo of Antonio Cassano and Francesco Totti, players who could cost Del Piero his place in Germany.

The tactician is expected to select a ‘strong’ squad for the Ireland game, including Christian Vieri of Milan and Fiorentina’s Luca Toni.

Palermo’s Fabio Grosso should also get the call as Juventus’ reserve left-back Giorgio Chiellini is unavailable after fracturing his nose.

Udinese goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis and shot-stopper Flavio Roma of Monaco are being tipped to join first choice ‘keeper Gigi Buffon on the trip.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug11e.html

dreamer75

12-08-2005, 07:48 PM

Juventus stars Lilian Thuram, Jonathan Zebina, Patrick Vieira and David Trezeguet have been named in France’s squad for the Ivory Coast friendly.

Coach Raymond Domenech has selected a 21-man group for Wednesday’s test, which includes Thuram, Zinedine Zidane and Claude Makelele following their return from international retirement.

Trezeguet (pictured) has been called up despite being suspended from Les Blues’ next two World Cup qualifiers.

There was further good news for the striker after he was also declared fit to play in Friday’s Birra Moretti tournament.

Juve will face hosts Napoli and Inter in a three-team triangular event, with games lasting for 45 minutes.

Trezeguet had been suffering with an ankle problem since Monday but he has reacted well to treatment.

Meanwhile, Luis Figo could make his debut for Inter in the competition following his Real Madrid switch.

The Portuguese winger has been selected in Roberto Mancini’s 29-man party for the San Paolo trip.

Fellow former Real teammate Walter Samuel could also do the same after he only sat on the bench for last night’s 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Juventus squad: Buffon, Kovac, Pessotto, Emerson, Ibrahimovic, Del Piero, Nedved, Chimenti, Camoranesi, Trezeguet, Mutu, Zambrotta, Blasi, Thuram, Bonnefoi, Giannichedda, Olivera, Zalayeta, Zebina, Cannavaro.

Inter squad: Bindi, Carini, Ciceri, Julio Cesar, Toldo; Arrieta, Cordoba, Favalli, Materazzi, Samuel, Wome, J. Zanetti , Ze' Maria; Cambiasso, Figo, Maa Boumsong, Karagounis, Kily Gonzalez, Pizarro, Solari, Stankovic, Veron, C.Zanetti; Adriano, Choutos, Cruz, Martins, Momente', Recoba

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug11i.html

dreamer75

12-08-2005, 07:49 PM

Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon is confident that this term’s squad is stronger than the one which won Lo Scudetto last season.

The Italian giants have spent the summer strengthening the side and the shot-stopper is optimistic for the future.

"We are certainly a better side since the arrival of Patrick Vieira," stated the Azzurri international.

"He is a world class player who has always made the difference in the past and he will continue to do that for us in the future.

"We have a lot more options than we did last season."

The side will certainly need quality alternatives after defenders Alessandro Birindelli and Giorgio Chiellini picked up injuries last week.

"I’m not worried about the defence after their problems, that is because we can play with three or four at the back," added the ‘keeper.

Buffon was also asked to comment on the chances that captain Alex Del Piero will again spend time on the bench this term.

"That will be a delicate situation which the player, the Coach and the club will have to handle," he added.

"The important thing is that the side continues to go forward for the good of the club and not for one player."

Although the season doesn’t start until the end of the month, Buffon is already eagerly awaiting the Super Cup tie against Inter on August 20.

"It is an important trophy," he noted. "Even if nobody remembers who has won it at the end of the season.

"Nevertheless I want to win it. I have won three out of three and I wouldn’t mind lifting it for the fourth time."

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug12a.html

dreamer75

12-08-2005, 07:51 PM

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/ballacknews.jpg

Juventus and Milan have reportedly joined the long queue forming for Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack.

Reports in Germany on Friday claim that the two Italian giants have contacted his agent for the latest on his contract situation.

The German international is only tied to his present club until June 2006, which means he will be available on a free transfer if he doesn’t extend his agreement before then.

Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and Inter have already been associated with the former Bayer Leverkusen ace.

However, his representative has pointed out that they’ve only received one concrete offer to this date.

"Michael is about to make the most important decision of his footballing life," Michael Becker told the Bild newspaper.

"The only real offer has so far come from Bayern themselves. The others have just made contact."

Whispers claim that the Munich outfit have offered their captain a contract up until 2010, worth around £20m in total.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug12e.html

dreamer75

12-08-2005, 08:20 PM

Actually Zanetti not playing in the Champions League is a BIG sign that he will probably leave Inter. They did that trick with Cannavaro last year, not playing him in the qualifyers so that he can play CL with another team. Zalayeta wanted to leave, but at Inter he won't have more chance of playing.

dreamer75

13-08-2005, 04:46 PM

http://media.goal.com/200412/4292_news.jpg

Lapo Elkann revealed Luciano Moggi’s plans for the Roma forward.

After months of denials, the Old Lady is finally admitting the interest in Antonio Cassano. This revelation arrived through Lapo Elkann, responsible for the Fiat brand and nephew of the late Agnelli.

“Juventus will take him and we want him on a free transfer. We shall put him in line. To win everything we need Cassano."

These declarations will surely anger Moggi who had been rebuffing the claims of a Juve interest in Cassano. However Elkann has always been a fan of the former Bari player and sponsored his arrival to the Turin-based club on more than one occasion. This time he went a step forward by revealing Moggi’s plans of obtaining him on a free transfer next season when his contract with Roma expires.

http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=79342&idSez=1

dreamer75

13-08-2005, 04:48 PM

If Cassano Doesn't Extend He Leaves-R. Sensi
8/12/2005 2:07:00 PM
Antonio Cassano will leave with Roma if he doesn’t extended his contract with the Giallorossi.

The announcement was made by Roma’s presidentessa Rosella Sensi during today’s presentation of the club's three new signings: Taddei, Nonda, and Kuffour.

"We consider his contract extension necessary to consider him a Roma player," Miss Sensi said of Cassano.

"We believe we offered him a good deal, similar to the one Milan and Gilardino agreed to," she added.

If Cassano fails to agree to a new deal with the Eternal city side, the Bari born fantasista is expected to join Capello’s Juventus.

source: goal.com

dreamer75

13-08-2005, 04:52 PM

Napoli beat Juve & Inter
Friday 12 August, 2005
Luis Figo won a penalty on his debut, but Inter lost both games as Napoli beat Juve to the Trofeo Moretti tournament at the Stadio San Paolo.

It took just 57 seconds for Juventus to take the lead against Inter in the first of three mini-games, as a corner kick came out to an unmarked David Trezeguet, whose angled drive hit the far post and was tapped in from a yard by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swede was making quite an impact, as soon after he drilled in a free kick that left goalkeeper Francesco Toldo looking somewhat foolish. Inter fought back and Antonio Chimenti smothered a Giorgos Karagounis effort, but the Bianconeri were dominating and Trezeguet saw another goal disallowed for a tight offside decision.

Mauro Camoranesi limped off with a knee problem and Marco Materazzi raised the tension with a very late challenge on Ibrahimovic, forcing the Swede to go off. Alvaro Recoba’s low strike skimmed the far post, but Chimenti was never really tested.

“We aren’t sharp yet, which is why we need these friendly tests to work on fitness and tactical movements,” noted Fabio Capello. “We should’ve let the ball move more smoothly. I will say that Materazzi could’ve easily avoided striking Ibrahimovic like that.”

Figo was given his first match in a Nerazzurri jersey, but his form suggests a starting place in next Sunday’s Italian Supercup clash with Juve isn’t on the cards. “It went well, though the result wasn’t good, but the important thing is to gain match fitness,” said former Real Madrid star Figo. “I’ve been working with Inter for a week and there’s a while to go yet. I watched Inter’s performance in the midweek Champions League preliminary round and admired the organisation and quality of the side.”

The second mini-match was between Napoli and Inter, but Roberto Mancini’s men didn’t start much better, as after two minutes Inacio Pia’s lob was just wide of an empty net. Emanuele Calaio then wasted a free header from six yards.

Napoli’s pressure paid off and after 13 minutes Pia’s strike thumped the upright, coming back out to Bogliacino, who slotted into an empty net. A Boumsong goalline clearance prevented Calaio from doubling their lead and Julio Cesar fingertipped Bogliacino’s effort round the post as Inter failed to get into gear.

It’s unlikely they were tired from their midweek exploits against Shakhtar Donetsk, as most of the players in the Trofeo Birra Moretti did not set foot on the Ukrainian pitch.

Nonetheless, Figo made an impact on 23 minutes when he earned a penalty for a debatable push from Grava. Recoba stepped up and buried the spot-kick to draw the Nerazzurri level. It didn’t last long, as straight after the half-time break Pia took advantage of a defensive error to slot past Julio Cesar.

Mancio made a series of substitutions in a bid to restore the situation, introducing Adriano, Obafemi Martins and Santiago Solari. Although they pushed forward, goalkeeper Gennaro Iezzo was never really troubled and Inter suffered their second consecutive defeat.

“Apart from the result, the most important thing today was that nobody got injured,” said Mancini. “The rest of it really wasn’t key at this stage of the season. Samuel and Figo are nowhere near full fitness, but that was expected.”

The decider was between Napoli and Juventus with Adrian Mutu and Alessandro Del Piero unleashed, but Napoli were awarded a spot kick after three minutes when Gianluca Pessotto went through the back of Montervino. Roberto Sosa’s penalty had to be repeated due to encroachment and he netted both times to put the home side ahead.

Ruben Olivera’s fierce effort stung the goalkeepers’ palms, but Varricchio’s lob was just over Juve’s empty net. It proved a decisive error, as moments later Mutu’s fine cross was tapped in by Zalayeta. The Romanian was on fine form and thumped the upright with a strong solo effort, but Zalayeta then missed a completely open goal after springing the offside trap.

Emerson went off with a slight muscular problem and a scuffle broke out when Jonathan Zebina reacted angrily to a foul. It was 1-1 at the end of the 45 minutes, so the tournament was decided by a US-style shoot-out – where players have six seconds to run 20 metres towards the goal and shoot with the ‘keeper also coming out to narrow the angle. Zambrotta and Mutu missed, while Gatti and Capparella netted, so Napoli won the Trofeo Birra Moretti.

Juventus 2-0 Inter

Scorers: Ibrahimovic 1, 10 (J)

Inter: Toldo; Ze Maria, Samuel, Materazzi, Wome; Figo (Arrieta 32), Pizarro, C Zanetti, Karagounis; Cruz, Recoba

Juventus: Chimenti; Zebina, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi (Blasi 26), Emerson, Giannichedda, Nedved; Ibrahimovic (Zalayeta 31), Trezeguet

Napoli 2-1 Inter

Scorers: Bogliacino 13 (N), Recoba pen 23 (I), Pia 24 (N)

Napoli: Iezzo; Grava, Giubilato, Montervino, Romito; Amodio (Montesanto 24), Fontana, Capparella; Calaio, Bogliacino, Pià

Inter: Julio Cesar; Ze Maria (J Zanetti 26), Samuel, Arrieta (Favalli 26), Wome; Figo, Pizarro, Maa Boumsong (Solari 26), Karagounis (Cambiasso 26); Cruz (Martins 26), Recoba (Adriano 26)

Napoli 1-1 Juventus (3-1 after shoot-outs)

Scorers: Sosa pen 5 (N), Zalayeta 14 (J)

Juventus: Chimenti; Zebina (Zambrotta 38), Thuram, Kovac, Pessottto; Olivera, Emerson (Giannichedda 23), Blasi; Del Piero, Zalayeta, Mutu

Napoli: Gianello (Iezzo 23); Grava, Romito (Giubilato 23), Martinez, Montervino (Fontana 38); Gatti, Montesanto (Savini 23); Varricchio, Bogliacino (Capparella 13), Amodio (Vitale 35); Sosa

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug12l.html

dreamer75

13-08-2005, 04:53 PM

Great to see Muto hit form!

Hope the injuries to our players in this tournament are not serious!

dreamer75

13-08-2005, 04:58 PM

The contract dispute between Antonio Cassano and Roma has reached a head as the club threatens to freeze him out if he doesn’t sign a renewal.

“We will only consider him to be a Roma player if he renews his deal,” warned director Rosella Sensi this afternoon. “Now we are waiting to know what his intentions are.”

The starlet’s current deal expires in June 2006 and he has been hesitant over accepting new terms. Yesterday Juventus patron Lapo Elkann let slip the reasons behind that approach – they wish to take him on a free transfer next summer.

“We have made an important offer to Cassano, even when we were locked down by FIFA’s transfer embargo, which proves how much we care for Antonio,” continued the daughter of President Franco Sensi.

“Now we are waiting for him to tell us if he has any intention of signing a new deal. We will only consider him to be a Roma player if he renews his contract. It is true our offer is different to the one we put on the table in February, but it remains competitive and in line with the kind of wages that, for example, Milan gave to Alberto Gilardino.”

There are reports that money is not the issue for Cassano, who has made it clear on a number of occasions that he wishes to be reunited with Fabio Capello in Turin.

Director General Luciano Moggi insisted Juventus had no plans to make a bid for the Italian international, but Elkann admitted the real strategy to journalists on Thursday. “We want to take Cassano on a free transfer, then we’ll keep him in check. Juve can win everything, but to do that they need Cassano.”

This brings the issue back to Roma patron Sensi, who sent out a veiled warning to the temperamental player.

“It is in his own interests to sign the contract so that he can play in a relaxed state of mind. If he is wracked with uncertainty over his future, then he won’t perform well on the pitch and that will hurt Roma. We have faith he will make the right decision.”

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug12h.html

dreamer75

13-08-2005, 04:59 PM

Our city neighbour is bankrupt :D

Toro request season delay

Torino are bankrupt and must start again from scratch in Serie B, so the giants have asked to postpone the start of their campaign by a fortnight.

Under the Lodo Petrucci ruling, a club that is excluded from the championship can start again from a Division down and with new ownership, but all the players contracted to the original side are released from their obligations.

Some of the stars have already moved on, as Gaby Mudingayi has signed for Lazio.

It’s now reported the Granata have requested that their season be delayed by a fortnight, allowing them to better prepare a 20-man squad before the campaign kicks off on August 28.

Napoli have already taken this approach when they were demoted to Serie C1 last year, so their early fixtures were postponed and played in later specially scheduled midweek rounds.

The Serie A, B and C calendars are set to be drawn up on Tuesday after the FIGC rejected Genoa’s legal bid to have them frozen.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug13c.html

victorian07

13-08-2005, 05:04 PM

dreamer75

13-08-2005, 05:24 PM

Torino actually qualified to be promoted to Serie A right?

then now lidat 'cos of financial issue.

Somehow, I always find the similarity between Juve-Torino and Liverpool-Everton uncanny.

Both fierce city rivals with proud history. Juve and Liverpool have always been strong. Whereas Torino and Everton also used to win championships regularly, albeit two decades ago liao.

Then now Liverpool may share the new stadium with Everton, as Juve shares Delle Alpi with Torino.

yes...now in Serie B cos of Bankrupcy!

They are city rivals...Derby match lor..

Torino used to overshine Juve many many yrs ago but now not-anymore. :)

Juve is building or planning to build a new stadium. Shld be ready by 2007 (IIRC)

dreamer75

13-08-2005, 05:34 PM

The match is on Sunday, 20:30 CET

dreamer75

13-08-2005, 05:41 PM

Credit to diamondring :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/rainbird/buffon2.jpg

dreamer75

13-08-2005, 05:44 PM

This is not that nice, looks like Di Canio :s22:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/rainbird/delpierosmall.jpg

victorian07

13-08-2005, 06:06 PM

yes...now in Serie B cos of Bankrupcy!

They are city rivals...Derby match lor..

Torino used to overshine Juve many many yrs ago but now not-anymore. :)

Juve is building or planning to build a new stadium. Shld be ready by 2007 (IIRC)

yeah i remember the stadium is downsized instead of expansion, contrary to what most clubs are doing..

Juve home attendance really quite pathetic, 'cos the club moved to the present stadium only after the European Championship IIRC. Weird lor, most supported club but local support is lacking.

but nonetheless, Juve is kinda like the Man U of ISA. most decorated club in recent years, become public enemy of many rival fans.

dreamer75

13-08-2005, 06:20 PM

yeah i remember the stadium is downsized instead of expansion, contrary to what most clubs are doing..

Juve home attendance really quite pathetic, 'cos the club moved to the present stadium only after the European Championship IIRC. Weird lor, most supported club but local support is lacking.

but nonetheless, Juve is kinda like the Man U of ISA. most decorated club in recent years, become public enemy of many rival fans.

Our stadium attendance is low cos there's a running track seperating the field and the spectators. Its a eye-sore.

Many said the referees sided us :s22:

thisisanfield

13-08-2005, 06:39 PM

Juve seem to have problem filling their stadium but are they hated in Italy? I had the impression AC Milan are more hated becos of their links with the Prime Minister.

intermilansg

13-08-2005, 08:03 PM

Our stadium attendance is low cos there's a running track seperating the field and the spectators. Its a eye-sore.

Many said the referees sided us :s22:

Then how do you justify the great attendances at the olympic stadium in Rome? The only reason Juve is so widely supported in Italy is because it is a consistent winning team in Italy. :s8: That is why their fan base is spread across the penisular. Their local support is very poor as majority of pple in Turin support Torino.

At least Manutd the glory hunters chase their glory by filling up the seats at Old Trafford, Juve fans.....................
:s8:

dreamer75

14-08-2005, 11:18 AM

Juve continue their pursuit of Antonio Cassano – despite Luciano Moggi’s denials – and it’s reported the turning point could be represented by Fabrizio Miccoli.

This week the rumours linking the Bianconeri to a swoop for the Roma starlet were confirmed when patron Lapo Elkann – heir to the Agnelli empire – told journalists, “Juve want to win everything and in order to do that they need Cassano. We’ll sign him next summer on a free transfer.”

Director General Moggi has continually denied any interest in the player and when confronted by Elkann’s comments he remained non-plussed. “I wasn’t there at the time and don’t believe everything I read, so therefore I won’t make a big deal out of it.”

The 23-year-old is dragging out contract renegotiations and his deal expires in 2006, prompting Roma chief Rosella Sensi to threaten him with a season on the bench if he refuses to pen a new deal. “We will only consider him to be one of our players if he signs an extension,” she said in a Press Conference.

It’s believed the situation could come to a head before then with Roma cutting their losses and selling him to the Turin giants now rather than lose him on a free at the end of the season. It would be a particularly damaging blow as the club paid £20m for him in 2001.

Up until now, the Giallorossi’s dealings have been limited by the FIFA transfer embargo as a result of the Philippe Mexes case, but the removal of that suspension on appeal means Cassano can be sold for cash plus players.

The ideal solution is represented by Fabrizio Miccoli, who returned to Turin after his co-ownership deal with Fiorentina terminated and has made it clear he is not happy to sit on the bench.

Miccoli’s pace and creativity would fit in well with Francesco Totti, Vincenzo Montella and Shabani Nonda, filling the hole left by Cassano’s departure.

Italian newspapers suggest that Moggi will wait until the transfer window is about to close before making the offer, forcing Roma’s hand with time to negotiate a contract extension fast running out. Cassano is said to be lined up with a four-year contract worth £3.8m per season net.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug14b.html

dreamer75

14-08-2005, 11:21 AM

let's see how he perform wide-sided midfielder..

Fabio Capello is reshuffling his pack ahead of the Trofeo Berlusconi and could use Adrian Mutu in a new wide position against Milan.

“This will be a real match and much more than a summer friendly,” commented the Coach ahead of Sunday’s clash at the San Siro. “It’s an important trophy and both teams will play with the right level of intensity.”

The Bianconeri beat Inter 2-0 and were defeated by Napoli on a shoot-out in last night’s Trofeo TIM, but the games were notable for the successful experiment of using Mutu in Pavel Nedved’s usual wide left position.

“I settled in well on the left side of midfield and did what the Coach asked of me,” explained the former Chelsea striker.

“I have been training hard for the last six or seven months and finally start to feel on form. My legs are beginning to get match fit and I’m improving with every game, so at this point I am confident it’s going to be a great season.”

The Romanian joined Juve on a free transfer in January after Chelsea fired him for failing a routine drugs test. The Premiership outfit has demanded £7.5m remuneration for breach of contract, but Mutu’s appeal will be heard by the TAS tribunal in Lausanne on October 24.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug13j.html

dreamer75

14-08-2005, 11:28 AM

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/nedvednews.jpg

Pavel Nedved is fired up ahead of tomorrow’s Trofeo Berlusconi clash with Milan and insists Juve will capture the Champions League this season.

“Of course this match won’t be a friendly and never has been,” he said of the traditional battle at the San Siro. “At this stage of the season, every encounter is an important one and nobody wants to lose.”

Juventus were beaten last night in the Trofeo Moretti, beating Inter 2-0 in the first of three mini-matches of 45 minutes each before missing out to Napoli on a shoot-out.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffered an injury during that tournament, but he has recovered from a late challenge by Marco Materazzi and should start on Sunday evening.

“We will see two dream teams go head to head, especially with their spectacular strike forces,” added the Czech midfielder. “As for the Scudetto, we’ll see at the end who is the strongest.”

However, it’s clear that the Bianconeri have set their sights on one particular trophy this term – one that has always escaped Nedved.

“I realise Milan have a real desire to make up for their lost Final against Liverpool, but we absolutely want the Champions League. It’ll take something extraordinary to stop us getting our hands on that trophy. I think Juventus is the best place to be if you want to aim for Europe.”

Yet Nedved could also have the world in his grasp as a return to international duty is on his mind.

"I have never played in a World Cup before and would like to experience it," he revealed. "My Czech teammates and Coach have tried to convince me to return and I will make a decision over the next five days. There are another four qualifying games left and I could play a part."

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug13g.html

victorian07

14-08-2005, 12:40 PM

hmmm....i say go for it.

Juve certainly has the required pedigree to challenge for the European Cup year in year out.
It's been a long time since our last European triumph after tasting defeats to Real Madrid and AC Milan in recent years.

dreamer75

15-08-2005, 09:10 AM

dreamer75

15-08-2005, 09:11 AM

With interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea continuing, Juve hope to end speculation once and for all by offering Emerson an extended contract.

The Brazilian only joined from Roma last summer, but he is reportedly the subject of a new bid from the Spanish giants to lure him to La Liga.

Considering how successful his first season at the Stadio Delle Alpi was, Juventus are eager to ensure his loyalty with an improved contract.

His current deal expires in 2008, but the Bianconeri have lined up a further two-year extension taking his wages to £3m per season. It would put his contract on a par with those of captain Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet and Ballon d’Or winner Pavel Nedved.

The Italian Press maintains that the paperwork will be finalised in September and effectively make sure that Emerson ends his career in Turin, as he will be 34 years old by the time it expires.

Meanwhile, former Juventus midfielder Davide Baiocco has signed a three-year deal with Serie B outfit Catania. The player was a free agent following Perugia’s bankruptcy.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug14h.html

dreamer75

15-08-2005, 09:16 AM

hope Buffon and Nedved's injury are not serious!

It was a bad evening all round for Juve, who lost the Trofeo Berlusconi to Milan and saw Gigi Buffon and Pavel Nedved stretchered off.

Christian Vieri was given his San Siro debut in a Milan jersey against his former club and partnered Andriy Shevchenko, while a call-up to the Italy side for next week’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland was not enough to earn Alessandro Del Piero a start for his club.

There were tactical changes, as Carlo Ancelotti opened with Marek Jankulovski as left-back in a four-man defence and Juve experimented with Pavel Nedved out wide on the right.

There is a curious theory surrounding this competition, as in the past it was believed that the losers of this trophy would go on to win the Scudetto, but Juve broke that ‘curse’ last year with a victory.

The Bianconeri had the first chance after seven minutes when Patrick Vieira threaded through for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his fierce shot was strangely kept out by Dida’s nose. Soon after, Vieri gathered a Marcos Cafu pass and skipped round Lilian Thuram before Fabio Cannavaro dived in for a last-ditch intervention to rescue Gigi Buffon.

There was bad news for Juve after 18 minutes when Nedved fell awkwardly under a Paolo Maldini challenge and was replaced by Adrian Mutu. Initial reports suggest the Ballon d’Or winner has sprained his ankle.

Moments later, the Turin giants opened the scoring with a well-worked team move finalised by Vieira. It was an all-French affair, as Jonathan Zebina exchanged passes with David Trezeguet and allowed the former Arsenal midfielder to spring the offside trap in the centre.

Ibrahimovic nearly made it 2-0 on the half-hour mark as his solo effort thumped the base of the upright and his glancing header was over. After being under the cosh for most of the first half, Kaka went close three times as he broke through the centre and rolled his finish inches wide, then brought a fingertip save out of Buffon and saw a shot charged down.

The teams were allowed six substitutions each and Milan made several changes at half-time, introducing Alberto Gilardino for Vieri. Within three minutes the former Parma striker had hit the back of the net, but it was correctly disallowed for an offside position.

The Rossoneri were much livelier in the second half and drew level when Shevchenko pulled back from the by-line for Kaka to sweep in first time. The young Brazilian nearly bagged a second soon after and Buffon bravely rushed off his line to close him down with one arm. It was perhaps a little too brave, as the goalkeeper was stretchered off in agony and is out of Wednesday’s international friendly in Dublin after an initial prognosis of a strained muscle in his shoulder with possible dislocation.

Del Piero was given his chance to shine in the final half-hour and Manuel Rui Costa replaced the impressive Kaka. The Portuguese playmaker immediately sent Gilardino running and his finish shaved the far post.

Milan nearly scored a spectacular goal as Rui Costa and Pirlo nutmegged and flicked their way through until the former Fiorentina man rattled the woodwork. Rui Costa has been on stunning form this summer and his searching pass found Serginho for an angled drive to put the Trofeo Berlusconi in Rossoneri hands.

Milan 2-1 Juventus

Scorers: Vieira 20 (J), Kaka 53 (M), Serginho 77 (M)

Milan: Dida; Cafu, Stam, Maldini (Nesta 46), Jankulovski (Kaladze 46); Gattuso (Seedorf 46), Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka (Rui Costa 62); Vieri (Gilardino 46), Shevchenko (Serginho 69)

Juventus: Buffon (Chimenti 58); Zebina (Blasi 53), Thuram (Kovac 58), Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Pessotto, Emerson (Giannichedda 69), Vieira, Nedved (Mutu 18); Trezeguet (Zalayeta 69), Ibrahimovic (Del Piero 58)

Ref: Dondarini

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug14j.html

dreamer75

15-08-2005, 09:18 AM

Antonio Cassano has been left out of Wednesday’s friendly trip to Ireland, but Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti return to the fold.

The Roma starlet has been under pressure with his recent contract dispute and Coach Marcello Lippi opted not to bring him along in this current climate.

It is an important call for Del Piero, as the Juventus captain had not worn the Azzurri jersey since September 2004, while Totti returns after he was dropped as a disciplinary measure for the World Cup qualifier in Norway.

Fiorentina’s new signing Luca Toni and Milan man Christian Vieri are also included in the Italy front line for this test in Dublin.

Lippi has made most of his experiments in midfield with the inclusion of Sampdoria’s Aimo Diana, Palermo player Simone Barone and Reggina winger Giandomenico Mesto – a former Under-21 international.

The squad will meet at the Coverciano training ground on Monday afternoon before flying out to the Republic of Ireland for the Lansdowne Road encounter on Wednesday evening.

Italy squad:

Gk: Buffon, De Sanctis, Roma;

D: Barzagli, Cannavaro, Grosso, Materazzi, Nesta, Zaccardo, Zambrotta;

M: Barone, Camoranesi, De Rossi, Diana, Gattuso, Mesto, Pirlo;

F: Del Piero, Gilardino, Iaquinta, Toni, Totti, Vieri

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug14g.html

dreamer75

15-08-2005, 09:19 AM

Gianluigi Buffon’s shoulder injury has prompted Italy Coach Marcello Lippi to call Matteo Guardalben for the international test at Lansdowne Road.

The Azzurri Number 1 was stretchered off in some discomfort during Juve’s 2-1 Trofeo Berlusconi defeat to Milan on Sunday evening and was taken to hospital for tests.

Initial reports suggest it is a lesion to the right shoulder, although there are some suggestions it could even be dislocated.

Buffon suffered the setback when he bravely ran out to push the ball off Kaka’s feet with an outstretched arm, but the inevitable collision left him in agony.

It’s not clear how long he will be out of action, but Lippi has already called up Palermo goalkeeper Matteo Guardalben as a replacement. This means that Udinese’s Morgan De Sanctis should start Wednesday’s international friendly against the Republic of Ireland.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug14k.html

dreamer75

17-08-2005, 11:56 AM

The fixtures have finally been released with the Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter the first big clash of the season.

The two Scudetto rivals will meet in Week 6 on October 2, with the champions ending that month with a trip to the San Siro to face Milan.

The Milanese derby is scheduled for Week 15 on December 11, while the all Roman affair will take place on October 23.

Week 1 (28/8/2005 and 18/1/2006)
Ascoli-Milan
Fiorentina-Sampdoria
Inter-Treviso
Juventus-Chievo
Lazio-Messina
Livorno-Lecce
Parma-Palermo
Reggina-Roma
Siena-Cagliari
Udinese-Empoli

Week 2 (11/9/2005 and 22/1/2006)
Cagliari-Lazio
Chievo-Parma
Empoli-Juventus
Lecce-Ascoli
Messina-Fiorentina
Milan-Siena
Palermo-Inter
Roma-Udinese
Sampdoria-Reggina
Treviso-Livorno

Week 3 (18/9/2005 and 29/1/2006)
Cagliari-Messina
Fiorentina-Udinese
Inter-Lecce
Juventus-Ascoli
Lazio-Treviso
Livorno-Roma
Parma-Empoli
Reggina-Chievo
Sampdoria-Milan
Siena-Palermo

Week 4 (21/9/2005 and 5/2/2006)
Ascoli-Siena
Chievo-Inter
Empoli-Cagliari
Lecce-Fiorentina
Messina-Livorno
Milan-Lazio
Palermo-Reggina
Roma-Parma
Treviso-Sampdoria
Udinese-Juventus

Week 5 (25/9/2005 and 8/2/2006)
Cagliari-Roma
Empoli-Lecce
Inter-Fiorentina
Lazio-Palermo
Livorno-Ascoli
Parma-Juventus
Reggina-Udinese
Sampdoria-Chievo
Siena-Messina
Treviso-Milan

Week 6 (2/10/2005 and 12/2/2006)
Ascoli-Parma
Chievo-Treviso
Fiorentina-Livorno
Juventus-Inter
Lecce-Cagliari
Messina-Sampdoria
Milan-Reggina
Palermo-Empoli
Roma-Siena
Udinese-Lazio

Week 7 (16/10/2005 and 19/2/2006)
Ascoli-Sampdoria
Cagliari-Milan
Empoli-Roma
Inter-Livorno
Juventus-Messina
Lazio-Fiorentina
Palermo-Chievo
Parma-Treviso
Reggina-Lecce
Siena-Udinese

Week 8 (23/10/2005 and 26/2/2006)
Chievo-Cagliari
Fiorentina-Parma
Lecce-Juventus
Livorno-Reggina
Messina-Ascoli
Milan-Palermo
Roma-Lazio
Sampdoria-Siena
Treviso-Empoli
Udinese-Inter

Week 9 (26/10/2005 and 5/3/2006)
Ascoli-Udinese
Cagliari-Livorno
Empoli-Milan
Inter-Roma
Juventus-Sampdoria
Lazio-Chievo
Palermo-Lecce
Parma-Messina
Reggina-Treviso
Siena-Fiorentina

Week 10 (30/10/2005 and 12/3/2006)
Chievo-Empoli
Fiorentina-Cagliari
Lecce-Messina
Livorno-Parma
Milan-Juventus
Reggina-Lazio
Roma-Ascoli
Sampdoria-Inter
Treviso-Siena
Udinese-Palermo

Week 11 (6/11/2005 and 19/3/2006)
Ascoli-Fiorentina
Cagliari-Treviso
Empoli-Reggina
Juventus-Livorno
Lazio-Inter
Messina-Roma
Milan-Udinese
Palermo-Sampdoria
Parma-Lecce
Siena-Chievo

Week 12 (20/11/2005 and 26/3/2006)
Chievo-Ascoli
Fiorentina-Milan
Inter-Parma
Lecce-Siena
Livorno-Empoli
Reggina-Cagliari
Roma-Juventus
Sampdoria-Lazio
Treviso-Palermo
Udinese-Messina

Week 13 (27/11/2005 and 2/4/2006)
Ascoli-Palermo
Cagliari-Sampdoria
Empoli-Lazio
Juventus-Treviso
Livorno-Chievo
Messina-Inter
Milan-Lecce
Parma-Udinese
Roma-Fiorentina
Siena-Reggina

Week 14 (4/12/2005 and 9/4/2006)
Chievo-Milan
Fiorentina-Juventus
Inter-Ascoli
Lazio-Siena
Lecce-Roma
Palermo-Cagliari
Reggina-Parma
Sampdoria-Empoli
Treviso-Messina
Udinese-Livorno

Week 15 (11/12/2005 and 15/4/2006)
Ascoli-Reggina
Fiorentina-Treviso
Inter-Milan
Juventus-Cagliari
Livorno-Lazio
Messina-Chievo
Parma-Sampdoria
Roma-Palermo
Siena-Empoli
Udinese-Lecce

Week 16 (18/12/2005 and 23/4/2006)
Cagliari-Ascoli
Chievo-Udinese
Empoli-Fiorentina
Lazio-Juventus
Milan-Messina
Palermo-Livorno
Reggina-Inter
Sampdoria-Roma
Siena-Parma
Treviso-Lecce

Week 17 (21/12/2005 and 30/4/2006)
Ascoli-Treviso
Fiorentina-Palermo
Inter-Empoli
Juventus-Siena
Lecce-Lazio
Livorno-Milan
Messina-Reggina
Parma-Cagliari
Roma-Chievo
Udinese-Sampdoria

Week 18 (8/1/2006 and 7/5/2006)
Cagliari-Udinese
Chievo-Lecce
Empoli-Messina
Lazio-Ascoli
Milan-Parma
Palermo-Juventus
Reggina-Fiorentina
Sampdoria-Livorno
Siena-Inter
Treviso-Roma

Week 19 (15/1/2006 and 14/5/2006)
Ascoli-Empoli
Fiorentina-Chievo
Inter-Cagliari
Juventus-Reggina
Lecce-Sampdoria
Livorno-Siena
Messina-Palermo
Parma-Lazio
Roma-Milan
Udinese-Treviso

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug16l.html

dreamer75

17-08-2005, 12:00 PM

Italian champions Juventus will open their title defence against Chievo as the new season fixtures were compiled.

The fixture list was finally drawn up this evening, just hours after Treviso and Ascoli’s ‘promotion’ to Serie A was confirmed.

They were inserted in the top-flight after the demotion of Genoa to Serie C for match-fixing and Torino’s financial collapse and subsequent fall to Serie B.

Ascoli face a mammoth opening day task as they will entertain Milan, while Inter host fellow new boys Treviso.

The opening day will also see Fiorentina meet Sampdoria, while Parma will welcome Palermo.

The new campaign will kick off on Saturday 27 August with two games, with the rest taking place 24 hours later.

Week 1
Ascoli-Milan
Fiorentina-Sampdoria
Inter-Treviso
Juventus-Chievo
Lazio-Messina
Livorno-Lecce
Parma-Palermo
Reggina-Roma
Siena-Cagliari
Udinese-Empoli

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug16j.html

dreamer75

17-08-2005, 12:02 PM

Gianluigi Buffon will have to undergo surgery for a shoulder injury and won’t be back in action for at least three months, confirmed Juventus today.

The goalkeeper suffered the setback when he challenged Kaka during the 2-1 Trofeo Berlusconi defeat at the San Siro on Sunday evening.

Tests have shown the injury to be worse than previously thought and he will have to go under the knife in order to heal properly.

"Today Buffon completed the specialist tests on his right shoulder and it was decided that keyhole surgery was needed to repair the damage suffered during Sunday’s match against Milan," read a statement on the Bianconeri website.

"The operation will be performed by Professors Flavio Quaglia, Riccardo Minola and Roberto Ravera on Wednesday August 17.

"The final prognosis will be revealed after the surgery, but we can already predict a three-month absence from the playing field."

This is a bitter blow for Juventus, who must now find a replacement goalkeeper who can give the kind of guarantees that current No 2 Antonio Chimenti does not.

It is also a serious setback for Italy Coach Marcello Lippi, who finds himself with relatively inexperienced goalkeepers Morgan De Sanctis, Flavio Roma and Matteo Guardalben.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug16k.html

dreamer75

17-08-2005, 12:03 PM

According to August 17th La Stampa, Juventus is about to hire Abbiati as
Buffon substitute.

"Juve decided to hire Abbiati [...] who gave his consent yesterday.
Galliani confirmed the negotiations <<It's a nice gesture, it was
Berlusconi's idea>>".

sources are from Juve mailing list..

dreamer75

17-08-2005, 12:04 PM

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/buffonindex02.jpg

How do you replace the irreplaceable? That is a question that Juventus transfer guru Luciano Moggi must be asking himself today, with the likelihood that the Italian champions will be without Gigi Buffon for the next two months.

The shoulder injury he sustained in the 2-1 Trofeo Berlusconi loss to Milan at the weekend has already seriously jeopardised the club’s ambitions for the new campaign. With the outfit hoping to make a serious challenge at home and abroad, Juventus can’t afford to get off to a slow start as a result of a goalkeeping headache.

They admittedly have Antonio Chimenti, who is eagerly waiting for his chance to impress, but he’s arguably not the answer. The former Lecce and Roma man is an ideal No 2, a shot-stopper who can come in for the odd game. But there are doubts over whether he is the right man to stand in between the sticks for a sustained period, especially at this level. After all, what happens if Buffon’s recovery takes longer than expected or he is hit by the same problem later in the year?

Juventus fans will be well aware of the fact that David Trezeguet suffered with persistent shoulder problems last season, eventually leading to surgery and a three-month lay-off in order to resolve the injury. Can Juventus really afford to take such a gamble on such a key position? The answer is surely not.

So who could Juventus buy if they do opt to bring in extra cover? There seems to be a variety of options available to them. The biggest temptation may be Christian Abbiati given the uncertainty regarding his future. The Italian international joined Genoa from Milan this summer but that move is now in doubt as a result of the Rossoblu’s demotion to Serie C. It remains to be seen whether Milan would loan such a player to a title rival though.

Bologna’s Gianluca Pagliuca would also be another excellent objective for the Old Lady. He would be an ideal short-term replacement and a cheap one. He may now be of a certain vintage but he was superb last term despite his club’s relegation to Serie B. A move north would also allow the former Azzurri No 1 to keep his hopes of beating Dino Zoff’s Serie A consecutive game appearance record.

Moggi may also realistically look at signing Matteo Sereni from Lazio. Despite the fact that he earns three times more than first choice ‘keeper Angelo Peruzzi, he is again set to start the campaign as the second choice. That is unless he moves to Turin of course and if he accepts being Peruzzi’s reserve in Rome, then he will surely have no problem in becoming Buffon’s understudy in Turin.

It’s unclear at this stage whether any of the aforementioned ‘keepers will arrive, but if none of them do then another unnamed man must surely be captured. Any thoughts of signing Roma’s Antonio Cassano must be archived for now, at least until a new goalkeeper puts pen to paper on an Old Lady contract.
Words: Antonio Labbate

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug16c.html

dreamer75

17-08-2005, 12:21 PM

In 1978:
Scudetto --> Juventus
CL --> Liverpool
Coppa Italia --> Inter
The Pope "John Paul the first" died

2005:
Scudetto --> Juventus
CL --> Liverpool
Coppa Italia --> Inter
The Pope "John Paul the second" died

:s22:

dreamer75

17-08-2005, 12:27 PM

heard we r interested in signing him?

Cesar Delgado is by far, the best player en the mexican league, the problem is that he´s very expensive (12-15million), but he´s worth every cent. He can dribble past anyone and his crosses are deadly. He also scores some goals (8 in 17 games) I don´t know if there are videos about him, but if you find anything, see his goals against Jaguares and against Pachuca, they were awesome

I've been talking about this guy since the Olympics last year. IMO, he's one of the most talented Argentinian young players at this moment. He was the second best scorer for Argentinia in the Olympics IIRc, with3 goals, behind Tevez. He's very fast, has good dribbling and solid finishing, and can also play on the wing. In fact, he was used as a semi left winger in the Olympics. Scored a fantastic goal against Serbia, he dribbled one player, pushed the ball to the right of another one and passed him on the left, and took a low shot from the left edge of the box which went in off the post. Great player if you ask me.

dreamer75

18-08-2005, 08:42 PM

Juventus have a new goalkeeper after Milan allowed Christian Abbiati to join their rivals on loan.

The 28-year-old has signed for the Turin giants on a one-year deal following injury to Gigi Buffon.

Abbiati will become the club’s first choice shot-stopper for at least the next three months, while Buffon recovers from shoulder surgery.

Juventus swooped for Abbiati just days after the international left Genoa following their demotion to Serie C.

He had previously agreed to join the port club on loan earlier this summer but moved back to Milan this week.

Abbiati has spent the last seven years at Milan but has endured a difficult last two seasons at the San Siro as Nelson Dida’s No 2.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug17g.html

dreamer75

18-08-2005, 08:43 PM

Confirmed!!

Today we signed:

Abbiati (G) - one year loan
Federico Balzaretti,24 (LB) - free transfer

dreamer75

18-08-2005, 08:45 PM

some info on the LB

Federico Balzaretti
-birth date: 12/6/1981
-birth place: Torino
-birth Nation: Italy
-Height: 178 cm
-Weight: 70 kg

Seems that he was a Roma Target and before he join Juve, Romas was almost set to get him...

So, we stole another player who was a Roma Target

Typical of Moggi...

dreamer75

18-08-2005, 08:46 PM

Abbiati is likely to be in goal for the start of the season on August 28.!!!

Great! I considered him to be a very good gk!!! :D

dreamer75

18-08-2005, 08:50 PM

Bianconeri bag Balzaretti

Juventus have signed their second player of the day, as out of contract Torino defender Federico Balzaretti crosses the city divide.

23-year-old left-back Balzaretti was a free agent following the financial collapse of the Granata and has joined their arch rivals in order to stay in Serie A. He was also tracked by Lazio, Roma and Sampdoria and spent the last three seasons at Torino.

“I am happy that Christian Abbiati has arrived and I must say that Milan patron Silvio Berlusconi was very generous,” said Coach Fabio Capello of today’s loan deal for the goalkeeper. “We must thank him for allowing us to find a great shot-stopper free of charge. I am also satisfied with Balzaretti’s signature, as he was one of our transfer objectives.”

Abbiati was loaned to Juventus after Gianluigi Buffon suffered a serious shoulder injury during an accidental clash with Milan star Kaka in Sunday’s Trofeo Berlusconi encounter.

“We players know these things can happen, but I am very upset that it has injured Buffon, someone I admire a great deal,” said Kaka. “I am close to him and hope he’ll be back on the field soon. I didn’t want to hurt him and I think he knows that.”

It was the latest in a long line of setbacks that have hit the reigning Champions of Italy this summer, as Alessandro Birindelli is out for six months with a knee injury.

“Our real regret is the number of injuries we’ve suffered pre-season,” added Capello. “Mauro Camoranesi has barely played at all, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Pavel Nedved are resting after picking up knocks. I only hope we’ve already had our share of bad luck.”

In other transfer news, Napoli have signed Venezia defender Ruben Maldonado. The player was at the centre of controversy this summer as Genoa claimed the £170,000 cash in a suitcase given to Venezia director Giuseppe Pagliara was an advance on Maldonado’s signature – a deal the Paraguayan said he was totally unaware of. The Rossoblu were convicted of fixing their match with Venezia and demoted to Serie C1.

Genoa have captured Messina striker Igor Zaniolo – who spent last season on loan at Salernitana – and taken the Sicilian club’s director of sport Mariano Fabiani.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug17j.html

dreamer75

18-08-2005, 08:52 PM

Juventus have suffered yet another injury blow after Lilian Thuram’s international comeback for France lasted just 23 minutes.

The stopper, who returned to the set-up after initially retiring following Euro 2004, failed to complete the 3-0 win over the Ivory Coast last night because of a thigh strain.

Thuram is now a major doubt for Juventus’ Italian Super Cup match against Inter on Saturday. "I don’t know if it is serious," stated the former Parma man.

News of Thuram’s problem will not have been welcomed by boss Fabio Capello, who had previously stated his concern regarding the player’s Les Bleus U-turn.

"Capello won’t be happy but then neither am I," stated the 33-year-old. "What can I say? These things happen in football."

The Italian champions have suffered a spate of injuries so far this summer which has hampered their preparation.

Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has been ruled out for three months as a result of a dislocated shoulder.

Alessandro Birindelli has been sidelined until Christmas with knee ligament damage, while Giorgio Chiellini has broken his nose.

Mauro Camoranesi, Pavel Nedved and Zlatan Ibrahimovic also picked up knocks during friendlies last week.

There are also concerns about Patrick Vieira who didn’t play for France last night because of a thigh problem.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug18e.html

dreamer75

18-08-2005, 08:54 PM

so many injuries....latest is Thuram and Viera. :s22:

dreamer75

18-08-2005, 09:01 PM

150 saves (http://files.filefront.com/Christian_Abbiati_Saves/;4048653;;/fileinfo.html)

Sugarfree

18-08-2005, 09:48 PM

hahahaha......and therefore inter wins the coppa italia.....

dreamer75

18-08-2005, 09:57 PM

hahahaha......and therefore inter wins the coppa italia.....

we will see abt that :D

Sugarfree

18-08-2005, 10:12 PM

we will see abt that :D

hahahaha :o :o

victorian07

21-08-2005, 06:31 PM

surprisingly, dreamer never update after last night's match..

juve lost to a 97th min strike by Veron..

dreamer75

21-08-2005, 09:48 PM

surprisingly, dreamer never update after last night's match..

juve lost to a 97th min strike by Veron..

v bz today....:)

dreamer75

21-08-2005, 09:49 PM

we played a very good match
we control n create the most opportunity
one incorrectly disallowed goal
im very proud with our play last nite
i feel like a victorious

inter had been lucky for few times already
anyway congrat to them for winning the supercoppa

now i cant wait for the Serie A kickoff :D

dreamer75

21-08-2005, 09:57 PM

With the tournament’s book of records being dominated by Juventus and Milan, it’s no surprise that Del Piero and Shevchenko are the Princes of goal of the Italian Super Cup. Both the Bianconeri captain and the Milan champion scored three goals in the tournament: Del Piero hit the target in 1998 against Lazio and in 2002 he scored two goals against Parma, in the edition played in Tripoli, Lybia. Shevchenko topped the table in just one shot: last year’s Golden Ball winner beated Lazio scoring three goals.

Here is the complete list of all the Supercoppa scorers:

3 goals
Del Piero
Shevchenko

2 goals
Batistuta
Careca
Silenzi
Van Basten
Vialli
Inzaghi
Claudio Lopez
Mihajlovic

1 goal
Rijkaard
Mannari
Cucchi
Serena
Baggio R.
Crippa
Mancini
Melli
Massaro
Simone
Gullit
Savicevic
Conte
Nedved
Sergio Conceicao
Guglielminpietro
Crespo
Boghossian
Keane
Farinos
Stankovic
Vampeta
Candela
Montella
Totti
Di Vaio
Pirlo
Trezeguet

dreamer75

21-08-2005, 09:58 PM

Juventus have already won four editions of the tournament:

1988 MILAN
Milano 14/06/89
Milan – Sampdoria 3-1
Vialli, Rijkaard, Mannari, Van Basten ®
Referee: D’Elia

1989 INTER
Milano 29/09/89
Inter – Sampdoria 2-0
Cucchi, Serena A.
Referee: Longhi

1990 NAPOLI
Napoli 01/09/90
Napoli – Juventus 5-1
Silenzi, Careca, Baggio R. Crippa, Silenzi, Careca
Referee: Longhi

1991 SAMPDORIA
Genova 24/08/91
Sampdoria – Roma 1-0
Mancini
Referee: Lanese

1992 MILAN
Milano 30/08/92
Milan – Parma 2-1
Van Basten, Melli ®, Massaro
Referee: Pairetto

1993 MILAN
Washington 21/08/93
Milan – Torino 1-0
Simone
Referee: Diaz (U.s.a.)

1994 MILAN
Milano 28/08/94
Milan – Sampdoria 1-1 (4-3 dopo rigori)
Mihajlovic, Gullit
Referee: Pairetto

1995 JUVENTUS
Torino 17/01/96
Juventus – Parma 1-0
Vialli
Referee: Ceccarini

1996 FIORENTINA
Milano 25/08/96
Milan – Fiorentina 1-2
Batistuta, Savicevic, Batistuta
Referee: Treossi

1997 JUVENTUS
Torino 25/08/97
Juventus – Vicenza 3-0
Inzaghi (2), Conte
Referee: Bazzoli

1998 LAZIO
Torino 29/08/98
Juventus - Lazio 1-2
Nedved, Del Piero ®, Sergio Conceicao
Referee: Bettin

1999 PARMA
Milano 21/08/99
Milan – Parma 1-2
Guglielminpietro, Crespo, Boghossian
Referee: Borriello

2000 LAZIO
Roma 08/09/00
Lazio – Inter 4-3
Keane, Claudio Lopez (2), Mihajlovic, Farinos,
Stankovic, Vampeta
Referee: Farina

2001 ROMA
Roma 19/08/01
Roma – Fiorentina 3-0
Candela, Montella, Totti
Referee: Cesari

2002 JUVENTUS
Tripoli 25/08/02
Juventus – Parma 2-1
Del Piero, Di Vaio, Del Piero
Referee: Farina

2003 JUVENTUS
New York 03/08/03
Juventus – Milan 1-1 (6-4 dopo rigori)
Pirlo ®, Trezeguet
Referee: Collina

2004 MILAN
Milano 21/08/04
Milan – Lazio 3-0
Shevchenko (3)
Referee: Collina

dreamer75

21-08-2005, 10:01 PM

Sooooooooooo Lucky Inter!
This is the other side of football. Inter Won in a game that they got 2 shot, one goal.
The team that played football was juventus. After last night match I'm more conviced that Inter won't win scudetto this time too. The formation, players and they midfield was really weak except pizzaro.

dreamer75

21-08-2005, 10:02 PM

lol this is from a inter forum...

"

Hisham
Primavera Reserve

Joined: 23 Apr 2005
Posts: 39
Location: RIYADH

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 6:54 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In facts , INTER did not deserve to win this match , do not be angry !

I will tell why :

1- Juventus lost a lot of chances , and the ball hits the bars of Toldo many times , So Juventus had a very bad luck .

2- Inter was hardly reaching Juventus goal , the ball was sened from the diffence to the attck without going through Mid .

3- The stupid formation that Mancini started with .

WE DID NOT DESERVE TO WIN THIS MATCH GUYS , THAT IS THE FACT .

THE ONLY GOOD THING IN THIS MATCH , IS PIZZARO , HE IS A REALY GOOD PLAYER .

dreamer75

21-08-2005, 10:04 PM

it will be next wednesday on 24th Aug

dreamer75

23-08-2005, 12:20 AM

MILAN, Italy (AP) - Inter Milan's Walter Samuel was suspended for three league matches Monday after TV footage showed him spitting at Juventus' Pavel Nedved during the Italian Super Cup.

Samuel, who was signed from Real Madrid earlier this month, will miss Inter's first three Serie A matches against Treviso, Palermo and Lecce.

"It could be that I spat out of nervousness - that happens in the heat of a match - but my spit was certainly not aimed at Nedved, but rather toward the ground,'' defender Samuel was quoted as saying in Monday's Gazzetta dello Sport.

Midfielder Nedved said he was oblivious to the incident during Saturday's match, which Inter won 1-0.

"You guys tell me he spat at me, I wasn't aware of anything,'' Nedved told reporters.

dreamer75

24-08-2005, 09:25 AM

FOXSports.com
Posted: 24 hours ago
Italy's world-renowned professional soccer league, Serie A, is coming to Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español for the league's 2005/2006 season.

Serie A on FSC!
Viva Italia! FSC is proud to offer selected Serie A home matches from Italian clubs Lazio, Cagliari, Lecce and Treviso against Italy's best.

We'll travel around the boot-shaped calcio oasis every weekend to bring you some of the best soccer on the planet. It's bound to be amore!
Serie A TV Schedule
Sun., Aug 28, 9 a.m. -
Lazio vs. Messina

All times ET, subject to change.
TV Schedule this week

The networks will televise the home matches of Serie A clubs Lazio, Lecce, Treviso and Cagliari on a live and exclusive basis in the United States. The new season kicks off Sunday, August 28, with Lazio's opening match against Messina, airing live on Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español from Rome's Olympic Stadium at 9:00 a.m. ET.

As a complement to their Serie A match coverage, the networks will broadcast a weekly selection of programming from the AC Milan Channel, a network dedicated exclusively to Serie A powerhouse AC Milan, last year's runner-up in the UEFA Champions League. Programs featured will include "Milan Magazine," a 26-minute show featuring exclusive interviews, breaking team news, transfer gossip, player profiles and highlights; matches from AC Milan's 2005/2006 Champions League campaign, including exclusive post-match interviews; and "Milan Channel Classics," a showcase of classic AC Milan matches from past seasons.

"We are thrilled to bring to our viewers the excitement, passion and glory of top-flight Italian soccer," said David Sternberg, executive vice president and general manager of Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español. "Between our live match coverage and the unique offerings from the AC Milan Channel, Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español will deliver compelling, exclusive programming to Serie A fans in the U.S. all season long."

Serie A is taking its place in Fox Soccer Channel's exclusive programming lineup alongside the Barclays English Premier League, German Bundesliga, French Ligue 1, Argentine League, Major League Soccer and the United Soccer Leagues. Fox Soccer Channel is the most widely distributed English-language soccer channel in the U.S., reaching over 20 million households. In addition, the channel offers more championship tournament coverage of soccer than any other English-language network, including England's storied FA Cup, the UEFA Cup, the FIFA Under-20 and Under-17 World Championships, and FIFA World Cup 2006 qualifying matches from Europe.

Offering more than 1,500 hours of live sports programming a year, including the Mexican and Argentine soccer leagues, Fox Sports en Español is the only Spanish-language network to offer exclusive coverage of the four major international club tournaments from Latin America, encompassing more than 125 matches and over 500 hours of live coverage of the most important matches from the Torneo InterLiga, Copa Toyota Libertadores, CONCACAF Copa de Campeones, and Copa Nissan Sudamericana.

Fox Soccer Channel is affiliated with Fox Sports International, an international sports programming and production entity housed within Fox Networks Group. Fox Networks Group, an operating unit of the Fox Entertainment Group, consists of the FOX Broadcasting Company, Fox Cable Networks, FOX Sports and Fox Networks Engineering & Operations (FNE&O). Fox Sports en Español is distributed by Fox Cable Networks Group and operated by Fox Pan American Sports LLC, an international sports programming and production entity jointly owned by Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst and Fox Sports International.

For more information on the networks, visit Fox Soccer Channel online and Fox Sports en Español.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/3879382

dreamer75

25-08-2005, 08:58 AM

http://media.goal.com/200505/6686_news.jpg

Juventus beat Barcelona on penalties in the invitational Joan Gamper Trophy match in Camp Nou after the two giants drew 2-2.

Neither side started the match with full-strength sides, but there was still plenty of quality on display in their friendly encounter that came only days before the start of both the Spanish and Italian league seasons.

Leo Messi was outstanding throughout and deservedly won the player of the match award as he once again proved why is so highly regarded with a range of mazy runs and silky passes.

Juve took the lead after 11 minutes through Alessandro Del Piero and it was not until midway through the second period when the home side drew level through Andrés Iniesta.

Barcelona then took the lead when Gio Van Bronkhorst stole forward to net, but the Serie A sisde equalised in the 79th minute when David Trezeguet scored from the penalty spot.

The match then went to penalties to find a victor and Juve came out 4-2 winners after Samuel Eto'o and rafa Márquez failed to convert from 12 yards.

Barcelona: Valdés (Jorquera 46), Gabri (Belletti 75), Puyol, Oleguer (Edmílson 46), Van Bronckhorst, Márquez, Van Bommel, Iniesta (Eto’o 68), Leo Messi (Giuly 90), Ronaldinho (Deco 46), Larsson (Maxi López 86)

Juventus: Abbiati, Zebina (Balzaretti 46), Kovac, Cannavaro, Pessotto (Zalayeta 87), Camoranesi (Olivera 80), Vieira, Giannichedda, Chiellini (Blasi 46), Del Piero (Mutu 46), Ibrahimovic (Trezeguet 46)

http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=81707

dreamer75

25-08-2005, 09:00 AM

Juventus transfer guru Luciano Moggi rates the summer capture of Patrick Vieira as one of his toughest.

Moggi has signed the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Gigi Buffon and Emerson in the past, but is particularly proud of the former Milan man’s arrival.

"The capture of the Frenchman was one of the most delicate of my career," Moggi told Tuttosport. "A lot of clubs wanted him."

Vieira surprisingly signed for the Turin giants after Juventus had a £14m bid accepted by Arsenal.

He was also a reported target for Real Madrid but the player himself states he’s happy with his decision to move back to Serie A.

"I have arrived at the right club," stated Vieira. "This is an exceptional environment, where there is a great amount of enthusiasm and desire to work hard.

"I have also settled in well because my teammates – especially Lilian Thuram – have helped me to fit in."

Meanwhile, Moggi has revealed that Igor Tudor could soon be playing in the English Premiership.

The versatile Croatian defender has been linked with numerous clubs and a switch to the Reebok Stadium is on the horizon.

"I have an agreement with Bolton even if the player is waiting for a response from Villarreal (of Spain)," continued Moggi.

"I’ll wait for a little while longer before finalising terms with the English club."

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug23f.html

dreamer75

25-08-2005, 09:03 AM

Stadio Delle Alpi

On August 28, Chievo travel to the Stadio Delle Alpi for Juventus' first title defence of the season. The Old Lady will be pitted against a team in transition, who narrowly escaped the relegation play-offs by one point. The Bianconeri will be looking for a convincing victory to illustrate to their title rivals that it is inevitable that the illusive third Scudetto star will soon appear on their jersey.

Last season, Juventus won both home and away, by 3-0 and 1-0 respectively. In fact, Juve have won all of their Serie A meetings since Chievo’s promotion. It was this consistent form, the grinding out of wins away from home, that meant the Bianconeri finished the season in first.

The Flying Donkeys lost many first-team players during the summer, and the jury is still out to whether new Coach Beppe Pillon has brought in players of sufficient enough quality. The responsibility will be handed to proven journeymen such as ex-Juventus midfielder Matteo Brighi to retain their Serie A status.

The champions have spent wisely during the summer on Patrick Vieira (Arsenal) among others, but it is the bolstering of the often fragile squad that has been Juve’s priority. Chievo will not only have to battle a fantastic starting 11, but the Gialloblu will also have to contend with substitutes such as Alessandro Del Piero, Giuliano Giannichedda and the enigmatic Adrian Mutu. Christian Abbiati will start in goal until Gigi Buffon returns in November.

Juventus (probable): Abbiati; Zebina, Thuram, F. Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Vieira, Emerson, Nedved; Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic

Chievo (probable): Fontana; Moro, Mandelli, D’Anna, Lanna; Semioli, Zanchetta, Brighi, Franceschini; Cossato, Pellissier

Ref: To folllow

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0506/juv-chi.html

dreamer75

25-08-2005, 09:07 AM

Milan in shock Juventus talks

Juventus ace Alessandro del Piero is reported to be in talks with AC Milan.

Italian daily, Corriere dello Sport says Milan have already opened negotiations with Del Piero's representatives following coach Carlo Ancelotti's revelation on the weekend that he has drawn up plans to accommodate the Italy international in his team structure.

Del Piero has endured a frosty relationship with Juve coach Fabio Capello since his arrival last summer and his future in Turin remains in doubt, particularly with the club's interest in AS Roma striker Antonio Cassano.

http://www.worldfootballers.com/news.php?id=8585

dreamer75

25-08-2005, 09:10 AM

Inter Deserved To Win? Don't Make Me Laugh-Moggi

Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi scoffed at the idea that Inter deserved to win the Italian Super Cup against the Bianconeri.

"It makes me laugh to think that Inter deserved to win the Super Cup," Moggi told Tutto Sport.

"They look to me as a solid team. So solid, that they could have lost by three goals," he added.

Moggi also had his say on Inter’s Scudetto chances.

"Inter worry me this season. They could actually come in second for once...," he said with a smile on his face...

http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=81351

dreamer75

27-08-2005, 01:46 AM

Expecting to march to last 16 with this CL group(hopefully without injuries)

Last year it was Zlatan vs former team.
This year ts will be Kovac vs the former team

dreamer75

27-08-2005, 01:47 AM

Roma’s fans made it clear Antonio Cassano’s days at the club are numbered and it’s reported Juve reached an agreement for the player today.

There are claims that Bianconeri director general Luciano Moggi met with his opposite number Daniele Prade’ in Rome this morning and agreed to exchange Cassano for Adrian Mutu, Giorgio Chiellini and a cash sum. It’s suggested that an official announcement will be made on Friday.

The former Bari starlet has rejected terms for a contract extension with the Olimpico outfit and his current deal expires at the end of the season.

To prevent him leaving on a free transfer, the Giallorossi hope to sell him off now and at least make back £13m of the £20m they paid for him in 2001.

Roma have threatened to leave Cassano on the bench for the entire campaign if he doesn’t “confirm his status as a member of the squad by signing a new contract,” but the final straw came last night.

During the team presentation at the Stadio Olimpico, Cassano was roundly insulted by the crowd and only came on for the second half in the 2-0 friendly victory over Arab side Al Ain, with goals from Vincenzo Montella and Rodrigo Taddei.

The fans also hurled abuse at the Italian international when he attended teammate Francesco Totti’s wedding earlier this summer and the rapport with the notoriously fiery Roma supporters is at breaking point.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug25e.html

dreamer75

27-08-2005, 01:48 AM

Group A
Bayern Munich
Juventus
Brugge
Rapid Vienna

Group B
Arsenal
Ajax
Sparta Prague
FC Thun

Group C
Barcelona
Panathinaikos
Werder Bremen
Udinese

Group D
Man Utd
Villarreal
Lille
Benfica

Group E
Milan
PSV Eindhoven
Schalke
Fenerbache

Group F
Real Madrid
Lyon
Olympiakos
Rosenborg

Group G
Liverpool
Chelsea
Anderlecht
Real Betis

Group H
Inter
Porto
Rangers
Artmedia Bratislava

dreamer75

27-08-2005, 01:49 AM

No Czech return for Nedved
Thursday 25 August, 2005
Pavel Nedved won’t follow the example of Juventus teammate Lilian Thuram by returning to international football.

Both players retired after Euro 2004, but the defender opted to make himself available again to the French national side earlier this month.

The Czech Republic were hoping to tempt Nedved to do the same, but the midfielder has no desire to add to his previous 83 caps.

"Pavel hasn't changed his decision. Pavel will not play international games due to his fitness concerns," Czech boss Karel Bruckner told CTK.

"I spoke with him on Wednesday. He confirmed to me his previous statement that he has given up playing for his country."

The former Golden Ball winner’s agent has also confirmed that Nedved will not appear for his country again – even with the 2006 World Cup Finals on the horizon.

"Pavel considered a return," stated Zdenek Nehoda. "But his decision is final and he hopes that there will be no more speculation on the matter."

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug25i.html

dreamer75

27-08-2005, 01:49 AM

Cautious Capello calls for calm
Thursday 25 August, 2005
Juventus boss Fabio Capello is failing to dismiss the strength of any of his club’s Champions League group phase rivals.

The Bianconeri are looking good to qualify in the top two spots after being drawn in Group A with Bayern Munich, Club Brugge and Rapid Vienna.

"It will be a group in which we must work hard and be very alert," Capello cautiously commented.

"We know Bayern very well as we already faced them last year. Brugge will be a hostile and well-organised opponent.

"We are a little less informed on Rapid but they are undoubtedly a side of quality as they have just knocked out Lokomotiv Moscow."

However, Vice-president Roberto Bettega believes top spot will go to either his own club or Bayern.

"Both of us need to collect maximum points against Rapid and Brugge, because it certainly won’t be easy to beat the Germans," said the club legend.

"We faced them last year and only won in Bavaria thanks to some great saves from Gigi Buffon."

Bettega then admitted that triumphing in Europe was his side’s main priority this season.

"We are aiming to win it as always," he stated. "I would say that 90 per cent of our fans want this trophy and we hope to fulfil their request.

"It will be tough however, as we saw last year when making a mess of just one half of a game can prove decisive."

Meanwhile, Juventus will be without Alessandro Birindelli for the next six months because of injury.

The right-back underwent knee ligament surgery today following the damage he sustained against Benfica on August 6.

dreamer75

27-08-2005, 01:51 AM

Bolton are trying to convince Igor Tudor to accept a move to England after they agreed a one-year loan deal with Juventus.

The 27-year-old, who can play in both defence and midfield, is available for transfer after falling out of favour with boss Fabio Capello.

The Croatian made just two substitute appearances last term before joining Siena on loan in January.

"It's just a question of getting him to Bolton and telling him what Bolton is all about," said chairman Phil Gartside. "If we can do that then we will have got a good signing.

"He has three years on his contract and Juventus are not keen to let him out on a permanent deal, but they are quite prepared to let him out on a loan basis.

"However, we have a good record whether they are permanent or not that when we bring a player into the club it's very rare that they leave.

"Even with our loan players, within a year they have always signed and carried on playing."

Bolton have already taken Hidetoshi Nakata on loan from Serie A side Fiorentina.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug26g.html

dreamer75

27-08-2005, 01:53 AM

Much of the pre-season talk has focused on Alessandro Del Piero and how he will fit into coach Fabio Capello's plans.

With Capello confirming that his first choice striking line-up is Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Trezeguet, will Del Piero be left on the sidelines?

The arrival of Patrick Vieira from Arsenal could well prove the key signing of the summer in Italian football, with Juve picking up a player with both pedigree and a point to prove.

His addition makes an already stellar midfield into a truly world class force - containing Emerson, Pavel Nedved and Mauro Camoranesi.

Robert Kovac, Giuliano Giannachedda, Adrian Mutu and Federico Balzaretti have come in, replacing the likes of Enzo Maresca, Stephen Appiah, Alessio Tacchinardi and Paolo Montero.

However, injuries to Gianluigi Buffon and Alessandro Birindelli have tempered the optimism - with the former's absence precipitating the need of a late move for Christian Abbiati.

Tactics and formation:

A winning tactic will not be changed with Capello like to play with the 4-4-2 system that allowed him to win the title.

Possible line-up: Abbiati (Buffon), Zebina, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Emerson, Vieira, Nedved, Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet.

dreamer75

28-08-2005, 12:20 PM

Juventus are close to signing Cruzeiro's Gladstone Pereira Della Valentino on a one-year loan, according to the Italian press.

Reports say the club have also got an option to sign the Brazilian central defender permanently next summer.

Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi confirmed the interest for Gladstone but denied that the deal had already been done.

"The player interests us, but everything depends on his EU passport," he said.

It has been reported, however, that Gladstone already has an Italian passport as his Great Grand-father was born close to Treviso.

If the deal is confirmed, rumours say Juventus coach Fabio Capello (pictured) will use Gladstone as bait to secure a move for Antonio Cassano.

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=302287&cpid=21&CLID=&lid=8&title=Juve+close+in+on+Brazilian&channel=italy

dreamer75

28-08-2005, 12:22 PM

Alessandro Del Piero looks set to start from the bench against Chievo, while Fabio Capello denies asking Antonio Cassano to join Juve.

“Del Piero is one of 25 players at my disposal and will be treated just the same as everyone else,” snapped Capello, clearly weary of the Press attention on this issue.

This will only boost reports that the captain’s time in Turin is over and that he is looking for a move to Milan in order to help his World Cup chances.

It’s expected that the Zlatan Ibrahimovic-David Trezeguet partnership will be the first choice, starting from Sunday night’s meeting with Chievo at the Stadio Delle Alpi.

Del Piero’s position could be further complicated if reports that Cassano will make the move up to Turin are to believed.

“It really isn’t my style to ring up players individually,” insisted the former Roma boss. “Cassano is a Giallorossi player and I hope he has a great season for the good of Italian football at large.”

Nonetheless, with the transfer deadline only days away, newspapers in the peninsula continue to maintain there will be a massive swap deal with Adrian Mutu, Giorgio Chiellini and a cash sum in exchange for the fiery Italian international.

If Del Piero is to sit on the bench, then Christian Abbiati steps into the limelight for his first Serie A match for Juve following his arrival on loan from Milan – a form of apology for indirectly causing Gianluigi Buffon’s shoulder injury.

“Abbiati is a goalkeeper who is worthy of a place in the Italy side,” insisted Capello. “Juve represent an important opportunity for him and he came here with great character and motivation.”

The Bianconeri are looking to the future and have signed young Brazilian central defender Gladstone Pereira della Valentina. The 20-year-old arrives on loan from Cruzeiro at a cost of £100,000 with an option to buy at the end of the season for £1.3m.

Juve squad:

4 Vieira, 6 Kovac, 7 Pessotto, 8 Emerson, 9 Ibrahimovic, 10 Del Piero, 11 Nedved, 12 Chimenti, 13 Miccoli, 14 Balzaretti, 16 Camoranesi, 17 Trezeguet, 18 Mutu, 19 Zambrotta, 20 Blasi, 21 Thuram, 23 Giannichedda, 24 Olivera, 25 Zalayeta, 27 Zebina, 28 Cannavaro, 32 Abbiati

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug27h.html

dreamer75

28-08-2005, 12:26 PM

Fabio Capello wants it all this year, but concedes that the Champions League is uppermost in the Bianconeri’s thoughts.

“It’ll be a three-horse race again,” stated the Juve boss ahead of their opener against Chievo. “Inter and Milan also strengthened their squads, while the mid-table sides have improved and the pressures of the World Cup will have an effect. I’m certainly not bored of this endless struggle with the Rossoneri and it remains an entertaining battle.”

The three top Italian clubs are also set to race for the Champions League trophy, which is certainly the main priority for Capello and Carlo Ancelotti.

“Our focus is above all on the Champions League and is a step up from the Scudetto in our minds,” said the man who won this competition with Milan in 1994, thrashing Barcelona 4-0 in the Final. “Juventus have been tracking this victory for years and we hope that our injury crisis doesn’t continue into the season.”

It has been a tough summer for the Bianconeri, who lost Gianluigi Buffon for three months, Alessandro Birindelli for six and are waiting on news from Lilian Thuram for the Sunday night encounter with Chievo.

“They are one of the more solid squads and have made very few changes,” noted Capello. “I have confidence in our quality, but we must remain concentrated.”

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug28c.html

dreamer75

28-08-2005, 12:37 PM

Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath admitted he had hoped to avoid Juventus after learning that the UEFA Champions League draw paired his team with the Serie A champions, along with FC Brugge and Rapid Vienna.

Juve won both games 1-0 when the teams met in last season's group stages and despite Munich still going through to the quarter finals, where they were knocked out by Chelsea, Magath revealed he was not keen on facing the Italian side again.

"We shouldn't have gained Juventus again, but at least we can show them that we do better in the Allianz Arena than in the Olympic stadium," commented Magath, while club president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisted that his club has to get their record straight against the Delle Alpi outfit.

"We were beaten twice by them last season and this fact should give them plenty of motivation," said Rummenigge, who was also thrilled to meet Austria's champions Rapid Vienna.

"These games are going to be dynamite for the old Bavarian-Austrian war between brothers."

Elsewhere, Schalke's general manager, Rudi Assauer, was happy his side had been drawn in group E, facing last season's runners-up, Milan, along with PSV Eindhoven and Turkish side, Fenerbahce.

"I believe we should have a big chance to qualify for the next round. Milan are the favorites but we could be able to finish as second.

"We have great memories on Mailand where we lifted the Uefa Cup in 1997 (against Internazionale) and maybe we can offend a great club as Milan this time, while we should beat Fenerbahce and gain some points against Eindhoven," Assauer explained.

Werder Bremen, who beat FC Basel 4-2 on aggregate to get to the group stages, were delighted to be meeting Group C opponents Barcelona, with Panathinaikos and Udinese completing the group.

"It might be a small advantage to meet Barca for the first game as the season in Spain starts late while we are already up and running for sometime. Panathinaikos, however, is a tough opponent, but we should be able to beat them," stressed director of sport Klaus Allofs while Bremen skipper Frank Baumann admitted that he had hoped to face Barcelona.

"For all of us it's a dream coming true to play against Barca, who are certainly playing the best football on this planet at the moment.

"Udinese might not have a squad full of big names, but they came fourth in Italy, so there's plenty of quality in their team," he added.

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/Article.asp?id=302315

dreamer75

28-08-2005, 12:39 PM

By Neil Mcleman

PATRICK VIEIRA has delivered a parting shot to Arsenal before relaunching his Serie A career with Juventus tomorrow.

The France midfielder, who appeared twice for Milan back in 1996, reunites with his former coach Fabio Capello at the Stadio Delle Alpi as the Bianconeri aim to retain their title.

And after his surprise £13.7million transfer last month, Vieira is convinced he has now joined a club capable of winning at home and abroad after nine seasons at Highbury. "I have come to the right team," he said. "The atmosphere is excellent, there is real ambition, a desire to work and enthusiasm. I have rediscovered my motivation here. I felt right at home straight away.

"My time at Milan was difficult and at the end I said to myself that I wouldn't return to Italy. That proves we must never say never. I think Juventus suits me better with regards to what I want for my future.

Vieira has already formed an impressive midfield partnership with Brazilian Emerson in a star-studded squad also including Pavel Nedved, Alessandro Del Piero and Adrian Mutu.

But he admitted he will have to rein in his normal fierce tackling in the Italian game.

"In England maybe physical play is penalised less by the referees but I won't have a problem in adapting. I did it when I went to Arsenal and now I will do it again. I am someone who learns in a hurry."

"Our aim is to win everything and we have every chance of winning the Champions League."

"In England maybe physical play is penalised less by the referees but I won't have a problem in adapting. I did it when I went to Arsenal and now I will do it again. I am someone who learns in a hurry."

"Our aim is to win everything and we have every chance of winning the Champions League."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=15902263%26method=full%26siteid=94762%26headline=vieira--juve-are-winners--name_page.html

dreamer75

29-08-2005, 09:16 AM

Juventus 1 - 0 Chievo
Trezeguet 36 (J)
Stadio Delle Alpi

of their title by squeezing past Chievo.

Juve's title defence began at the Stadio Delle Alpi against a Chievo side whose Donkeys were looking decidedly less airborne than in recent years. It was an emotional moment for Coach Giuseppe 'Bepi' Pillon, who was making his Serie A debut against the club he played for as a teenager.

It's a new season and Fabio Capello shows no signs of relaxing his harsh treatment of Alessandro Del Piero, as the forward was left on the bench in favour of the Zlatan Ibrahimovic-David Trezeguet partnership. Christian Abbiati made his official debut between the Bianconeri posts, filling in for Gianluigi Buffon until he returns from shoulder surgery in the New Year.

There was another setback within the opening six minutes, as Jonathan Zebina pulled up with a muscular problem and made way for Gianluca Pessotto.

Chievo were lucky not to be 1-0 down moments later, as David Trezeguet got a foot to Mauro German Camoranesi's cross from the right and brought a flying one-handed save out of Alberto Fontana.

The two Juve players combined again, this time the Frenchman's header drifting inches wide of the upright.

However, at the other end Sergio Pellissier saw Abbiati off his line and placed a cheeky lob just past the target.

Fontana was again tested by Trezeguet, although it wouldn't have counted as he was in an offside position.

The former Inter veteran performed a stunning save on Trezeguet, sticking up a hand to palm his fierce half-volley over the bar. Fabio Cannavaro had sparked the move with a long pass.

Trezeguet continued to threaten the Chievo defence, his acrobatic volley on Ibrahimovic's headed assist whistling past the woodwork.

The French hitman was inevitably the first to break through on 35 minutes, his glancing header on Gianluca Zambrotta's cross beating Fontana in the near top corner.

Chievo fought back moments later with Federico Cossato nodding over the bar.

The Flying Donkeys lost their best player of the first half, as Fontana did not come back out after the restart due to a shoulder injury, making way for Lorenzo Squizzi.

Juve really should've been 2-0 up on 54 minutes when a free kick wasn't cleared effectively, but Trezeguet and Ibrahimovic both went for the ball and the chance clumsily went begging.

New 'keeper Squizzi remained untroubled, as when Camoranesi's header from a corner kick did make its way through, Sammarco was ready for a goalline clearance.

Ibrahimovic tried to take on the entire Chievo defence single-handed and eventually rolled back for Camoranesi, whose effort was deflected over.

The visitors created an interesting opportunity with Franco Semioli sprinting down the right, but Cannavaro was able to intercept before Amauri could tap in.

Del Piero was warming up for the entire second half, but when the time came to replace Trezeguet, it was Marcelo Zalayeta who was given the nod.

Juventus: Abbiati; Zebina (Pessotto 6), Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Emerson, Vieira, Nedved; Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet (Zalayeta 83)

Chievo: Fontana (Squizzi 46); Malagò, Mantovani, Mandelli, Lanna; Semioli, Sammarco, Brighi, Franceschini (Luciano 83); Cossato (Amauri 57), Pellisier

Ref: Trefoloni

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0506/juv-chi.html

dreamer75

29-08-2005, 09:17 AM

The Bianconeri may not have put in one of their best performances, but Fabio Capello and David Trezeguet insist the result is what counts.

“At a certain point of the match I did get worried,” conceded the Coach following their 1-0 win over Chievo this evening. “The ball just wasn’t going in and we couldn’t double our lead. Our opponents are a good side and we couldn’t relax until the final whistle.”

Trezeguet’s header was enough to ensure Juve’s title defence started on the right track and goalkeeper Alberto Fontana prevented him from scoring more with some great saves.

“When you create so many chances and don’t make the most of them, there’s always the risk you’ll pay for those errors,” continued Capello. “I am happy with how the team played and our victory was deserved.”

Trezeguet was expected to leave Turin this summer with offers from Barcelona and Chelsea, but he netted their first of the season.

“The important thing today was to win,” noted the Frenchman. “It was a decent performance, even if we were a little tired in the second half and it’s always pleasing to score. Now we’ll look ahead past the break for international duty, but everyone in Serie A is working their way towards full fitness.”

Chievo had their fair share of scoring opportunities at the Stadio Delle Alpi, although they continued their unenviable record of having lost all nine Serie A meetings with Juventus.

“We should have put more pressure on them higher up the field,” said Coach Bepi Pillon on his Serie A debut. “The crosses into the box should’ve been snuffed out before reaching Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Trezeguet. We had a great chance with Sergio Pellissier and, if we’d believed a bit more, perhaps we could have equalised.”

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug28i.html

dreamer75

30-08-2005, 10:23 PM

Capello: Don’t waste Cassano
Monday 29 August, 2005
Fabio Capello has fuelled talk that Antonio Cassano could move to Juventus by insisting the talent can’t be wasted on the Roma bench.

The starlet is facing the prospect of watching most of this season from the sidelines, as ‘punishment’ for not extending his contract in the capital.

And after not being used in the Giallorossi’s 3-0 win at Reggina on Sunday, the Italian international is again being associated with a move to Turin before the transfer deadline.

"It’s sad to see him unhappy on the bench," the Bianconeri boss stated when asked about his former Roma pupil. "It seems to me that he is going through a very delicate time.

"But the most disappointing thing is that Italy can’t afford to be without him.

"This is World Cup year and you can’t go to Germany without someone like him. The boy is a real player, an extraordinary one."

Cassano’s contract expires in 2006, meaning that he could leave the Stadio Olimpico for nothing next June.

But Juve transfer guru Luciano Moggi insists that the enigma won’t be arriving at his club over the next few days.

"Could we swap Adrian Mutu for Cassano? No, Mutu is and will remain a Juventus player," stated Moggi.

"I would advise Cassano to extend his contract, perhaps by inserting a reasonable buy-out clause.

"If that happens then Roma will resolve the problem and re-find a player ready to have a stunning season."

However, whispers in Italy continue to suggest that the former Bari player could be wearing a black and white shirt – especially as Capello seems unconvinced by Alex Del Piero.

The Juve captain didn’t feature in the 1-0 win over Chievo, with Capello opting to use Marcelo Zalayeta as a substitute instead.

"I needed a player with a few more centimetres for the aerial balls, both in attack and defence," the Coach added.

"The game was still in doubt. Had that not been the case then I could have put on Del Piero."

dreamer75

30-08-2005, 10:27 PM

Di Vaio postpones Italian return
Tuesday 30 August, 2005
Valencia striker Marco Di Vaio will not be returning to Serie A until January at the very earliest.

The Italian international has been associated with a transfer to the peninsula, but his agent maintains that won’t happen before the summer window closes this week.

"It is not true to say that we are looking for a return to the Italian championship, not right now anyway," Zavaglia told Radio Radio on Tuesday.

"The plan is for Di Vaio to play in Spain until January and then listen to any offers which arrive when the window opens again in the New Year."

Di Vaio joined the Spanish club in 2004 after Juventus accepted an offer of around £8m for the player.

He endured a difficult first campaign in La Liga which fuelled speculation of another move this summer.

Inter have been linked as they look for a Christian Vieri replacement, while Milan are keen too given Pippo Inzaghi’s fitness problems.

There was even talk this week that Parma, where Di Vaio really exploded on to the Italian scene, were keen on bringing him back in a loan deal.

In other transfer news, Chievo have cut their squad by two following the departures of Emanuele Pesaresi and John Mensah.

Pesaresi, a left-back, has joined Pescara, while Mensah has agreed to join Cremonese on loan

dreamer75

30-08-2005, 10:33 PM

Manchester City in shock link with Italian star

13:55 August, 30, 2005

Juventus's Alessandro Del Piero has been linked with a move to Manchester City by reports in Italy this morning

The Italian international is currently struggling to hold down a first-team place with the Serie A giants and if Juve complete the signing of Roma striker Antonio Cassano may look to leave on loan in order to keep his place in the national team ahead of next year's World Cup.

AC Milan have expressed an interest but if Del Piero was to leave, Juventus would prefer him to move outside Italy.

http://www.fansfc.com/frontpage/frontpagenews.asp?newsid=143616

dreamer75

30-08-2005, 10:37 PM

Parma are the latest club to express an interest in Juventus striker Fabrizio Miccoli.

The talented Italy international has been a long-term target for Portsmouth and Benfica but the Gialloblu look to have stolen a march on their rivals.

Despite having already added Bernardo Corradi and Marco Delvecchio to their squad this summer, Parma are still on the lookout for attacking reinforcements.

Miccoli has returned to Juventus after a loan spell at Fiorentina last term but with competition for a first team place fierce at the Old Lady, Miccoli is looking for a move in what is an important year building up to the World Cup.

It is thought Miccoli favours to stay in Serie A and he could be joined at Parma by another Juve player out of favour - Igor Tudor - who remains a target for Bolton.

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/Article.asp?id=302736

dreamer75

31-08-2005, 10:19 AM

There are reports that Amantino Mancini has been spotted in Juve’s offices to discuss a shock transfer that could send Adrian Mutu to Roma.

The Brazilian winger was seen in Milan this evening along with agent Gilmar Veloz and several Bianconeri directors, sparking reports that he is in negotiations with the Bianconeri.

Coach Fabio Capello has already brought his former Roma players Emerson and Jonathan Zebina to Turin and has also been linked with bids for Antonio Cassano and Olivier Dacourt.

While the Press has been concentrating on the fate of Cassano, it seems that Mancini could be the most likely to make the move up North.

The former Venezia midfielder had also been linked with Inter and Real Madrid, but it’s claimed he could be part of a massive swap deal with Juventus.

While Mancini, Dacourt and Cassano would go to the Stadio Delle Alpi, Adrian Mutu, Federico Balzaretti and Giorgio Chiellini are tipped for the opposite journey.

There are also rumours that Juve could sign David Di Michele from Udinese in order to hand him over to Roma for a reunion with ex-Friuli Coach Luciano Spalletti. A less costly option would be Mario Jimenez, who is currently at Serie B outfit Ternana.

“There are no negotiations with Juventus and we have not planned any meetings with them, not even for Cassano,” insisted Roma director of sport Daniele Prade’. “I did speak to Mancini and his agent, but only about family matters.”

Roma also released a statement officially denying that Mancini was on the market and assuring that, “He is a crucial member of the first team.”

Meanwhile, the Giallorossi are close to signing Brazilian goalkeeper Doni from Juventude, while Juventus have loaned Igor Tudor out to Siena. The Croatian international had spent half of last year at the club and returns after finding no space in Turin.

Siena are also on the verge of agreeing a two-year deal for Jonathan Bachini, who is out of contract with Brescia.

Bologna have officially sold Federico Giunti to Chievo. The midfielder has scored nine goals in 149 Serie A appearances with Parma, Milan and Brescia.

dreamer75

04-09-2005, 11:56 AM

he din even feature in yest's match against the Scots

Alessandro Del Piero has silently accepted 20 substitutions at Juve and a place on the bench in the Italy squad, but Pinturicchio has finally lost patience and hit out.

“I don’t expect to have an automatic place in the side based on what I have done in the past, but I do want more respect and consideration,” he snapped.

Once the Golden Boy of Italian football, the 30-year-old is now reaching a crossroads in his career. The club situation is becoming intolerable, as the captain is now third choice behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Trezeguet, with further competition from Adrian Mutu.

It is also affecting his international career, as Marcello Lippi recalled him after almost a year to play in the 2-1 friendly victory over the Republic of Ireland, but he’ll probably be benched against Scotland with the return of Francesco Totti.

“It is in my destiny that I must always prove myself again and again,” continued the disillusioned star. “Last year in Moldova was much the same and I’m here in an identical position once more. In any case, it is only right that everyone must earn their place.”

“I do like the new trident attack system that Lippi is adopting and it’s right to focus on the quality we have in Italian football. It’s also possible for me to play alongside Totti with this tactic. We will aim to take control and earn all three points in Scotland to ensure our qualification for the World Cup.”

The real battle is with Juventus and Coach Fabio Capello’s treatment of him – substituting Del Piero 20 times in Serie A alone last season – has spread to the rest of the club.

This week Juve shareholder and FIAT President Luca Cordero di Montezemolo told journalists that Antonio Cassano was the ideal advertising representative for the new Punto because “he’s more cheeky.”

“That just means there will be other cars for me in the future,” said a visibly upset Del Piero when told of this statement.

The summer transfer window may have closed, but many still expect Cassano to join Juventus in January – effectively freezing out Alex altogether.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sep3f.html

dreamer75

06-09-2005, 10:00 AM

Real Madrid defender set for Juve loan?

by Editor :: 2005-09-05, 23:07

Real Madrid right-back Michel Salgado could be heading for a loan spell with Juventus in January.

Salgado said: "Real have offered me to Juventus on a six-month loan deal starting in January.

"The Real directors have told me this directly and it is a solution that I am happy with."

http://www.footballrumours.info/article.php?artid=8262

dreamer75

06-09-2005, 10:04 AM

Juventus defender Lilian Thuram is a doubt for France’s do-or-die World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday.

Thuram was replaced during the second half of Saturday’s 3-0 win over the Faroe Islands with heavy bruising after receiving a knee in the thigh while going for a header.

"It’s one of those things that can either get better really quickly, or it can just go on and on," said cryptic Coach Raymond Domenech.

Goalscorer Djibril Cissé is also doubtful after turning his ankle in the dying stages of Saturday’s comfortable victory.

Meanwhile, Juventus midfielder Patrick Vieira has claimed he is more than ready to reacquaint himself with his old enemy Roy Keane.

The two will come face to face when France take on Ireland at Lansdowne Road in midweek.

"He [Keane] is the most important Irishman," said the former Arsenal man, who has come up against the Manchester United skipper in some heated Premiership battles.

"It’s him that imposes his rhythm on the others and dictates how they play.

"Our meetings have always been heated but I won’t be taking any backwards steps on Wednesday. I never give up."

dreamer75

06-09-2005, 10:05 AM

we need a replacement at right back badly

Real Madrid full-back Michel Fernandez Salgado will become a Juventus player in January, according to reports.

The Spanish international was associated with a Turin switch in the summer but that now looks likely to occur in the New Year.

"Real have offered me to Juventus on a six-month loan deal starting in January," Salgado is quoted as saying.

"The Real directors have told me this directly and it is a solution that I am happy with."

Rumours suggest that Salgado, who is contracted to the Spaniards until 2009, was initially offered to Juventus back in August.

However, the move didn’t take place as the European giants failed to bring in Brazilian full-back Cicinho before transfer deadline day.

The South American should complete his switch in the New Year though which will relegated the 29-year-old to the Real bench.

That is unless Salgado joins Juventus, a move which would apparently be welcomed by boss Fabio Capello.

The Italian champions do seem to have a few problems at right-back given the injuries affecting Jonathan Zebina.

To make matters worse, his natural replacement is Alessandro Birindelli who won’t recover from knee ligament damage for at least another six months.

Meanwhile, Juventus striker Marcelo Zalayeta has reminded Capello of his ability after scoring a hat-trick for his country.

Zalayeta’s treble allowed Uruguay to defeat Colombia 3-2 in their latest World Cup qualifier.

dreamer75

07-09-2005, 11:10 AM

stupid moggi!

Juventus transfer guru Luciano Moggi insists that Real Madrid full-back Michel Salgado will not be arriving in January.

The Spanish international yesterday claimed that a six-month loan move was on the cards once the window re-opened in the New Year.

But Moggi has today maintained that the stopper’s name is not on the arrivals list at the Stadio Delle Alpi.

"He can say what he wants but I’m in charge of the transfer strategy at this club," he told the Tuttosport newspaper. "I can tell you he is not part of our plans. We are fine as we are."

However, sources in Spain and Italy claim that a deal could still take place given the Serie A club’s problems in Salgado’s position.

Jonathan Zebina is the first choice right-back but the French international has struggled with various muscle strains over the past 12 months.

His natural replacement is Alessandro Birindelli who has been ruled out for around six months with a knee ligament injury.

That currently leaves just former Under-21 international Federico Balzaretti, a player who lacks Salgado’s undoubted experience.

victorian07

07-09-2005, 12:13 PM

dreamer75

07-09-2005, 12:32 PM

Argh... sometimes, I feel for the Golden boy, del piero...

he WAS damn good.. but sadly, being plagued by injuries, he can't seem to recover his best form liao...

real sad eh... i'll never forget the way he feinted the ball to score the crucial goal in the semi finals of the Champions League against Real Madrid..

then, everyone tot Real was indomitable, sure become champions, but then, they've not met Pinturicchio and Juve yet eh? :s8:

he was playing better and on form until yesterday when he got injured. Lippi din call him up last Saturday for the match against the Scots!

screw Lippi, ADP deserved a place in last sat's match!

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 04:57 PM

http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Photo/magazine/Magazine/338186_MEDIUMSQUARE.jpg

uesday, 13 September 2005

by Massimo Gonnella

A UEFA Champions League just would not seem complete without Fabio Capello at the helm of one of the contenders. The 59-year-old Italian led AC Milan to the first three finals, including their stylish triumph against FC Barcelona in 1993/94, coached AS Roma in several campaigns and now, for the second season running, is in charge of Juventus FC.

Continental aim
Their Champions League campaign may have been ended by Liverpool FC at the quarter-final stage last season, but Juve went on to claim the Scudetto, keeping up Capello's record of winning that honour with all the Serie A clubs he has led. Now the task is to match his continental achievement with Milan but, as he told uefa.com, lifting the European Champion Clubs' Cup is his No1 objective.

uefa.com: What are your aims for this season?

I would say that we are really aiming for success in the Champions League
Fabio Capello

Fabio Capello: I hope to do well in all the competitions we enter, although I would say that we are really aiming for success in the Champions League, then Serie A and third in our priorities, the Italian Cup. There is also the hope that we can avoid serious injuries, so that we can have a squad that stays healthy and competitive throughout the season.

uefa.com: How do you assess your chances?

Capello: We have been looking to add something to our wide play, to how we use the flanks. It is an area of the pitch where maybe an extra player would have done us good, but we have a philosophy of not changing for changing’s sake. We still have great players who are playing well. However, we will be without Gianluigi Buffon, who is going to be out for three months, and that’s a blow to us.

uefa.com: Who are your main rivals?

Capello: The three Italian teams look strong, as do Real Madrid [CF] and [FC] Barcelona, Chelsea [FC], Manchester United [FC] and [FC] Bayern München. [Madrid's] signing of Robinho, the new star of Brazilian football, should give them a player around whom they can build a strong challenge for honours. But you have about seven teams with the potential to reach the Champions League final.

uefa.com: You have competed in European football for many years as a player and coach. What memories stand out?

Capello: My happiest memories, I like to think, are of successes yet to come, hopefully this year. But looking back, the highlight was probably the game against Barcelona in Athens when we won 4-0. It was an extraordinary match, especially as we weren't favourites that night. As a player I didn't win the European Cup. I played in the final [with Juventus in 1972/73] but we met an unbeatable [AFC] Ajax side. As a coach, it was always the pinnacle to aim for.

uefa.com: Turning to Serie A, is it a three-horse race between yourselves, Milan and FC Internazionale Milano?

Capello: Juventus, Inter and Milan will be in the running for the championship and it could be between one of those three. Other teams will be involved though, including [AS] Roma, who have a very good side, [US Città di] Palermo, [UC] Sampdoria, [ACF] Fiorentina and Udinese [Calcio] who are the outsiders. It should be a good season. Serie A is very important to Juve, Inter and Milan, and it is going to be a long, hard campaign for all three clubs, but the key thing is where we are come April and May. I think Palermo and Sampdoria will do well again this season, and Roma will get back on track too after a terrible time last year when they were fighting relegation until the last day.

uefa.com: Who could emerge as the stars of the season?

Capello: In Italy, [Fiorentina striker] Giampaolo Pazzini will be a player to watch along with his team-mate Valeri Bojinov, who has to build on a good campaign last season.

uefa.com: What does the future hold for Fabio Capello?

I wouldn't mind going to England but I don't know how long I will carry on coaching
Fabio Capello

Capello: I still have two years left at Juventus in which I hope to reach the targets we have set ourselves, and that is as far as I'm looking at the moment. But after that, I don't know. I wouldn't mind going to England but I don't know how long I will carry on coaching for.

©uefa.com 1998-2005. All rights reserved.

http://www.uefa.com/magazine/news/Kind=16/newsId=338093.html

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 05:00 PM

GROUP A

Club Bruges (Belgium) v Juventus (Italy) Head-to-head record Played: 2 Wins: Club Bruges 1 Juventus 1 Previous meetings European Cup SF 29.03.78 Juventus 1 Club Bruges 0

12.04.78 Club Bruges 2 Juventus 0 (aet) * Since beating Juventus 2-0 after extra time to reach the 1978 European Cup final 2-1 on aggregate, Bruges have hosted an Italian opponent only twice, losing both times to AC Milan 1-0. * Bruges have won only three of the nine home games they have played in the Champions League. * Juventus kept clean sheets in seven of their 10 Champions League games last season. * Juventus have won on their last two away matches in Belgium and have not lost there since going down 3-1 to Anderlecht in the 1981-82 season.

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 05:01 PM

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/appiahnews01.jpg

Fenerbache midfielder Stephen Appiah has revealed that he never expected to leave Juventus in the summer.

The Ghanaian ace was initially told that he would not be released but was then surprisingly sold to the Turkish giants.

"A week before I left Juventus, they told me that they would never sell me," stated the former Brescia player.

"I had just come back from Ghana and I was told to stay calm. Then they signed Giuliano Giannichedda and Patrick Vieira.

"I was subsequently called into the club headquarters and informed that an offer had been made from Turkey.

"I didn’t feel unloaded but I was unhappy and sad because I thought I would be continuing to play my football in Turin."

The £4m summer signing returns to Italy this evening when his new club face Milan in the Champions League.

"I have seen Milan’s recent games," he continued. "They looked a little vulnerable at set-pieces, that is where we must hit them.

"We are a united team, one that works hard for each other. We don’t fear anyone in this game."

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sep13c.html

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 05:02 PM

Juventus boss Fabio Capello has insisted that his numerous strikers will all have a role to play this season.

The tactician again started with his preferred attacking duo of David Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 4-0 win over Empoli.

But Capello maintains that the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Adrian Mutu and Marcelo Zalayeta will feature at some stage.

"There will be room for everyone, including Del Piero," the Coach told Radio Anch`io Sport on Monday.

"However, the physical presence of the Swede and the Frenchman is hard to match, especially when playing against a team intent on defending."

Trezeguet has scored three goals in Juventus’ two League wins so far, while Ibrahimovic has impressed with his form.

"It’s useless to underline that we are in good shape right now," added Capello following his side’s collection of six points from a possible six.

"This squad has spirit and determination which are two very important aspects of a side.

"The ‘old’ players have already transmitted the characteristics of the DNA which this club has acquired over the years to the new players."

One new face who left his mark at the Stadio Castellani yesterday was Patrick Vieira, who scored his first Serie A goal.

"With regards to Vieira, we evaluated his possible capture during the summer when we needed a player who was technically strong, someone with character," added Capello.

"The new players have arrived to increase our class. Our transfer campaign was a well thought out one and I thank the club for what they have done."

Juventus will hope to net another win on Wednesday when they face Brugge in the Champions League.

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 05:03 PM

http://www.sportinglife.com/pictures/general/allsportvieirajuventus.jpg

French midfielder Patrick Vieira is off and running at new club Juventus after scoring his first Serie A goal for the Turin giants since his move from Arsenal.

Vieira, the former captain of the Gunners, was the best player on the pitch for the Bianconeri in Sunday's 4-0 triumph at Empoli.

The player, who joined the Italian champions this summer in a £13.7million transfer, scored his team's second goal with a powerful header.

"I am extremely happy to have scored my first goal with the Juve colours in Serie A," said Vieira.

"And I'm equally delighted because when the team scores four goals it means that you have played well and that the fans have enjoyed it."

Juve, the defending champions, had won their opening game against Chievo.

They currently have a two-point advantage over Scudetto contenders AC Milan and they are three points clear of Internazionale, who surprisingly lost 3-2 at Palermo.

"It's early days yet," said Vieira.

"But it's important to have an advantage over our main rivals.

"In any case, the most important thing is that we have played better than in our first clash which means that we are improving game by game."

Juve, who have scored four times and have yet to concede a goal, take on promoted club Ascoli next weekend before facing fellow Champions League side Udinese in their next game.

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 05:04 PM

Patrick Vieira says he went stale at Highbury and believes he has a much greater chance of conquering Europe with Juventus than at Arsenal.

The French midfielder joined Juve for £13.5 million during the summer and the former Arsenal skipper has hit out at his old side.

Vieira said: "At least on paper, I think I have a better chance of winning the Champions League with Juventus,

"Our squad is very strong. Very often there are two internationals competing for each place in the team.

"There's a pressure here in Turin, a pressure on people to win, a determination in the air and in the environment that I hadn't felt in a long time at Arsenal.

"I have an excellent midfield partner with Emerson and we have a very strong midfield.

"Most of all, though, there's such a will to win here because Juventus are so used to winning.

"I feel pressure on me to do well and that hadn't happened in a while at Arsenal.

"I wasn't at my best over the last two years but each time my form has dipped I've been capable of pulling myself back up again.

"I needed a new challenge."

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 05:05 PM

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has again reaffirmed his interest in Juventus striker Alessandro del Piero.

Ancelotti joked: "Luciano Moggi's visit to President Silvio Berlusconi's office kept me awake at night!

"I do hope they spoke about Del Piero."

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 05:06 PM

ROME (AP) - Juventus coach Fabio Capello believes clubs should receive economic reimbursements when players get injured while playing for the national team.

"The clubs pay and if a player is injured they suffer an economic loss,'' Capello said Monday on RAI state radio.

Capello's comment came a week after a court case opened in Belgium pitting the G-14 group of Europe's biggest soccer clubs and Belgian team Sporting Charleroi in a suit against FIFA, claiming it refuses to sufficiently compensate clubs for releasing players for national team duty.

Charleroi is seeking redress because Morocco international Abdelmajid Oulmers came back from a game against Burkina Faso last November with a serious injury which kept him out of action for eight months.

Juventus was without France's Lilian Thuram and captain Alessandro Del Piero, both injured while with their national teams, in a 4-0 win over Empoli on Sunday. Del Piero suffered a muscle strain while training with Italy and returned to Turin early last week without even playing for the Azzurri.

Capello said an over-packed soccer calendar leaves players too tired to appear fresh with their national team.

"The team with the freshest players will win the next World Cup, not the team with the best players,'' Capello said.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/soccer/wires/09/12/2080.ap.eu.spt.soc.juventus.capello.0247/index.html

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 05:08 PM

Juventus Coach Fabio Capello has once again expressed his displeasure with Lilian Thuram's decision to come out of international retirement.

The France defender is currently out of action with the thigh injury he picked up against the Faroe Islands, just a few weeks after angering Capello by collecting a knock against the Ivory Coast.

"I'm a good prophet. I knew something was going to happen," said Capello. "Actually, I'm a bad prophet because I predicted something which has brought bad luck."

The 33-year-old former Monaco star missed the Bianconeri's 4-0 win over Empoli at the weekend, and his club boss admits he doesn't know when he'll be back.

"His injury is worse than it was at the start of last week," explained Capello. "The fact that he then played against Ireland really didn't help.

"It's worse than we thought and I have no idea when he'll be fit again."

The former Roma tactician has said all along that Thuram would be putting himself at risk of injury by returning to the international scene.

And he also added a veiled criticism of France boss Raymond Domenech for selecting a reluctant Thuram in the first place.

"There are some Coaches who respect a player's wishes," he stated. "But if a Coach calls him up in the interests of the national side, then the player has to accept it."

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 05:09 PM

Alessandro Del Piero has recovered from injury to be included in the Juventus squad for their Champions League clash against Brugge.

The captain was a major doubt for the game but has fought back from a thigh problem to be included in the trip.

Del Piero, who suffered a small strain on international duty last week, could now make his season debut in Belgium on Wednesday.

The Italian ace didn’t feature in the Week 1 win over Chievo, while he was unavailable for Sunday’s 4-0 destruction of Empoli.

Capello, who today insisted that all his strikers would play a part in his plans this term, has named a 20-man squad for the game.

Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon, following shoulder surgery, and defender Gianluca Pagliuca are the only significant absentees.

Squad: Abbiati, Chimenti; Gladstone, Cannavaro, Balzaretti, Zambrotta, Chiellini, Kovac; Blasi, Giannichedda, Olivera, Camoranesi, Vieira, Emerson, Nedved, Ibrahimovic, Del Piero, Trezeguet, Mutu, Zalayeta.

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 05:10 PM

Posted by Martin | Juventus.com

Juventus are going to start their Champions League adventure on Wednesday, when they’ll meet Brugge at Jan Breydel Stadion. The Belgians gained access to Champions League by winning their second consecutive title, the thirteenth in total and by beating the Norwegian Valerenga in the qualifying round.

Brugge’s new season has started in the best of ways, winning their twelfth Super Cup and with a reassuring series of wins in the championship: after five matchdays and collecting two away draws and three home wins, Jan Ceulemans’s squad is third-ranked with 11 points, only 2 away from the top-ranked Anderlecht.

On the other hand, Juventus’s season has started even better: after the first match against Chievo, where the Bianconeri created many occasions despite being able to make the most out of them, the second matchday showed an exciting Juventus, not only because of the sound 4-0 result to Empoli’s detriment but also and above all because of the authoritative play, without flaws. The same authority coach Capello wants to see on the pitch on Wednesday night.

The Bianconeri will start to settle in at Jan Breydel Stadion with a training session at 18:00 Tuesday afternoon, after the usual press conference on the eve of the match at 17:30 at the stadium’s press hall.

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 05:16 PM

David Trezeguet has warned the legendary Michel Platini that he will overtake his scoring record for Juventus.

Bianconeri hero Platini scored 104 goals for the Turin giants in the 1980s, but Trezeguet is closing in on that tally after his brace on Sunday saw him move on to 99.

"I’m happy with my two goals at Empoli," Trezeguet told the club’s official website. "They allowed me to get closer to a figure that means a lot for me.

"I want to score my 100th goal as soon as possible. That will then allow me to chase my next objective of equalling and overtaking Michel Platini.

"That would be a great achievement for me, seeing what he represented for Juventus and France."

Trezeguet has scored three goals so far this term in Juventus’ two wins against Chievo and Empoli.

"It is pleasing to see that the side is expressing itself at such a good level," continued the French international.

"We have got the campaign off on the right foot and we are hungry to demonstrate our worth."

Juve have significantly strengthened over the summer and Trez is more than happy with the transfer arrivals.

"The new players have settled in well, thanks to the work and the games we played in pre-season," he explained. "That allowed us to quickly get to know each other."

Trezeguet is expected to start in the Champions League tie at Brugge on Wednesday in a competition he believes his side can win.

"We are better than we were last season and more expert," he noted. "We have everything needed to lift this trophy."

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 05:18 PM

http://media.goal.com/200409/2875_news.jpg

Both sides come into this game full of confidence after a good start to their domestic campaigns and will look to do the same in the Champions League. Whilst Bayern and Juventus are seen by many as group favourites, Bruges will be keen to cause an upset at the Jan Breydel Stadium.

BACKGROUND

Bruges failed to make an impact in the Champions League last season but were successful domestically, claiming their 13th Belgian title against rivals Anderlecht. The Belgian champions have started the new campaign with a new coach and captain. Norwegian coach Trond Sollied left for Greece's Olympiakos in the summer, after having lead the team to their second league title in three seasons. His successor Jan Ceulemans, who has signed a three-year contract and will be keen to follow in Sollied’s footsteps. Brugge's captain and key player Timmy Simons has joined Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven in the close season, leaving a huge gap in the team. Slovenian midfielder Nastja Ceh has also left, along with defenders David Marek Rozenhal and Peter Van der Heyden. Like their opponents Juventus, Brugge have been busy in the transfer market this summer, looking for replacements to their squad. They have captured several experienced players, including Belgian midfielders Sven Vermant from Schalke and Gregory Dufer from Caen. Belgian defender Joos Valgaeren is one of the more familiar faces, joining on a free transfer from Celtic, while Croatian international midfielder Ivan Leko arrives on a three-year contract. Real Madrid starlet Javier Portillo has arrived on loan and will be looking to impress with his new side.

Bruges are massive underdogs in this clash and can play without the expectation that more established European teams face in this competition. The recent history of the Champions League has shown that it is possible for even the most unlikely teams to progress to the latter stages and even win the competition. Porto and Monaco are examples of teams that have defied expectations and Bruges will be keen to emulate their achievements this term.

It is still to early to tell just how Juventus will play as the Serie A season has only just begun, however things look good for Juve. Many critics have already tipped the Turin side for in their last match in Serie A. Juve beat Empoli 4-0 away from home to underline their quality.

The Bianconeri strengthened in all areas during the summer and brought in some talented players that will make the Serie A champions even stronger. Patrick Vieira was by far the most unexpected and impressive piece of transfer business to take place in the summer, and his arrival at Juventus has given the club a huge lift. On paper, the Frenchman’s pairing with Emerson gives Juve the best midfield in the world. Whilst the likes of Kovac will add depth to the defensive department Mutu will add to the already fierce competition for attacking spots. Capello has managed to add to the squad in key areas and now has at least two internationals for every position with four top quality strikers at his disposal. With all the talk abut Cassano’s arrival in Turin, Moggi once again managed a transfer shock with Vieira arriving from under the noses of several clubs that were reportedly interested.

TEAM NEWS

Bruges

Stijn Stijnen replaces Tomislav Butina as the former is suffering from pneumonia and is unavailable for this clash. Philippe Clement misses the tie with a knee injury and will be replaced by Marek Spilar. Left sided defender Michael Kulkowski will miss out after picking up a thigh injury and will be sidelined for up to six weeks. Aston Villa flop Bosco Balaban looks set to partner Javier Portillo up front after bagging a brace in Croatia’s World Cup qualifier against Iceland last weekend.

Juventus
:
With the exception of Buffon and Pessoto, Capello has a full squad to choose from. Del Piero is in contention after recovering from a muscular strain that kept him out of Italy’s World Cup qualifiers last week. Ibrahimovic looks set to continue his partnership with Trezeguet up front, whilst Vieira looks set to make his Champions League debut with the Bianconeri.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bruges

Portillo is well known to Italian fans after his spell at Fiorentina last season. The Spaniard never really had the chance to show what he was capable of during his time there and will be anxious to show that he can deliver on the biggest stage, and a tie against Juventus doesn’t get much bigger. The Spanish starlet is mobile, alert and has a keen eye for goal.

Juventus:

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has looked good so far this season for Juventus, but it is Vieira that could really make the difference against Bruges. The midfielder experience of such games will be vital if Capello’s men are to progress in the competition. In his last game Patrick scored his first goal for Juve and he will be looking to continue such form in the Champions League.

PROBABLE STARTING XIs

Bruges: Stijn Stijnen, Marek Spilar, Olivier De Cock, Birger Maertens, Joos Valgaeren, De Oliveira, Vermant, Duffer, Leko, Balaban, Portillo

Juventus (4-3-3): Abbiati, Pessotto, Thuram, F.Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Emerson, Vieria, Nedved, Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic.

PREDICTION

Juventus will be full of confidence and Bruges will find it hard to beat them after their confidence-boosting win at the weekend.

Bruges 0 – 2 Juventus

http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=85929

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 05:28 PM

http://www.sportinglife.com/pictures/general/capellobenitez.jpg

Juventus coach Fabio Capello is keen to avoid any surprises when his team kick-start their Champions League campaign at Club Brugge on Wednesday.

The Bianconeri are firm favourites to claim three points at the Jan Breydel stadium and considering their sizzling start to the Serie A campaign, it is easy to see why.

The defending Serie A champions won their opening game against Chievo and warmed up for the clash against the Belgians with a 4-0 hammering of Empoli.

"When my players step on the pitch, they try not to underestimate their rivals," Capello said.

"We simply try to impose our own play from start to finish and this is the best way to avoid any surprises from the teams considered minnows."

The Turin giants believe they have the quality to go further in the European competition than they did last season when they were taken out by eventual champions Liverpool in the quarter-finals.

Since the arrival of former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, the Bianconeri have shown an impressive style of football and boss Fabio Capello is still thankful that his club were able to acquire the player.

"We had other options but Vieira was the one I wanted," said Capello.

"For this reason I have to thank our sporting director Luciano Moggi for bringing him here.

"More so considering that he was not tempted by the other offers that arrived at the club, such as Chelsea's request to buy Gianluca Zambrotta."

Vieira has adapted well, giving the side more power in midfield and with strikers David Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in top form, there's no doubt that Brugge's reserve keeper Stijn Stijnen will be put to the test.

Stijnen replaces Tomislav Butina, who is out injured.

"Both players are strong, tall, fast and good in the air and they can both do well even against teams that don't leave much space," said Capello.

The Bianconeri travel to Belgium without injured captain Alessandro Del Piero.

Capello will be forced to make some changes at the back, with Lilian Thuram and Gianluca Pessotto both absent.

They will be replaced by newcomers Robert Kovac and Federico Balzaretti who will partner Zambrotta and Fabio Cannavaro in Juve's four-man defence.

To add to Brugge's problems, coach Jan Ceulemans will have to do without suspended captain Gert Verheyen while defender Michael Klukowski is doubtful with a problematic knee.

The only consolation for Ceulemans is that his attacking duo, Javier Portillo and Bosoko Balaban, appear to have found their touch. Balaban bagged a brace in the weekend's 2-1 win over St.-Truidense.

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 05:29 PM

The coach of the Bianconeri is wary of the Belgian side.

Fabio Capello commented Juve’s first match of the Champions League which will be tonight against Club Brugges.

“We need to be careful. The first match always presents some difficulty and it is fundamental to start well because winning would be a good step forward.

“Like all Belgian teams they are very well-organized, difficult to face. Bruges is strong in the aerial play because they have tall players and a good technical quality, therefore it is necessary to go on the pitch with a lot of humility.”

Capello did not give out a lot on the formation he will send on the pitch.

“I could make some changes or play Balzaretti, or Blasi again.”

dreamer75

14-09-2005, 05:30 PM

Fabio Capello has told his Juventus side that it is fundamental to start their Champions League campaign with a win at Brugge.

The Bianconeri begin their European Cup assault in Belgium on Wednesday and Capello is immediately eyeing the three points.

"The first game in any competition is always full of difficulties," commented the former Roma boss.

"It is vital that we start the tournament well as it would already be a big step forward if we win."

The Italian side will begin as favourites this evening but the tactician has respect for their opponents.

"They are an organised team like all Belgian sides," he underlined. "They will be tough to play against. We need to be very focused and alert.

"Brugge are very powerful in the air because they have some tall players and men with good technique. We need to step on to the pitch with humility."

The Juventus defence will also come up against a familiar face in the form of former Fiorentina striker Javier Portillo.

"He was dangerous and very able in the penalty area when he was at Real Madrid," noted Capello.

Juventus are without Gigi Buffon, Lilian Thuram, Jonathan Zebina and also Gianluca Pessotto.

So who will play at right-back? "Federico Balzaretti or even Manuele Blasi could be put there," he explained.

"We do have a number of injury problems but my squad this season is complete and able to cope with diverse absences."

Brugges (probable): Stijnen; De Cock, Spilar, Maertens, Valgaeren; Vermant, Englebert, Serebrennikov, Blondel; Portillo, Balaban.

Juventus (probable): Abbiati; Balzaretti, Kovac, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Vieira, Emerson, Nedved; Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic.

Ref: Cantalejo (Spa)

dreamer75

15-09-2005, 09:23 AM

Yes, we won 2-1!!!

trez with his 2nd chipped goal in a week :D

dreamer75

15-09-2005, 09:25 AM

Club Brugge 1 - 2 Juventus
Nedved 66 (J), Trezeguet 75 (J), Yulu Matondo 84 (B)

Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges

Juve struggled to victory in Bruges despite laying siege to the Belgian side and seeing Patrick Vieira sent off.

Juventus began their Champions League challenge in Belgium, but were forced to do without a host of top stars. Long-term absentees Gigi Buffon and Alessandro Birindelli were joined on the sidelines by Lilian Thuram, Jonathan Zebina and Gianluca Pessotto, while Alessandro Del Piero recovered from a muscular problem but could only start from the bench.

This forced Fabio Capello into a tactical gamble, fielding midfielder Manuele Blasi in the right-back role instead of expected starter Federico Balzaretti in a totally renovated defence.

Club Brugge won the Belgian title last season and could now count on former Real Madrid and Fiorentina hitman Javier Portillo in their attack.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic had the first real chance after 90 seconds, his angled drive going wide of the far post. The Swede was unlucky to see his move stopped by the referee when he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper, as his challenge on Valgaeren was harshly considered to be a foul.

Brugge could barely leave their own half in the opening minutes, as Pavel Nedved blazed over and on eight minutes the Czech brought a fantastic reaction save out of the goalkeeper by volleying an Ibrahimovic cross. The move continued and moments later David Trezeguet fired straight at the 'keeper after springing the offside trap from eight yards.

Even Gianluca Zambrotta had a go from 20 metres, forcing Stinjen to dive to his right and palm the shot wide with one hand. The Brugge shot-stopper was under siege and pushed a Nedved cross-cum-shot out from the near post.

A free kick was deflected into the path of Patrick Vieira and his finish cleared off the line by a defender, as for once Stijnen was beaten.

Christian Abbiati barely touched the ball, especially as on a Brugge corner he completely missed the sphere and only recaptured it after Fabio Cannavaro's intervention.

On 32 minutes, Nedved sidefooted an Ibrahimovic cutback and placed it just past the near post from six yards, as it became increasingly incredible that Brugge were holding on to their clean sheet.

The goalkeeper was again left stranded when Trezeguet met Blasi's cross, somehow sending it on to the frame of the goal and saving the Belgians.

Patrick Vieira earned the first yellow card of the night for a late challenge in midfield, but on the stroke of half-time Stijnen was called into two fantastic flying saves on Trezeguet. The first was on his volley, the second on a looping header from the resulting corner kick.

Juventus went into the break with the scoreline still 0-0 despite creating at least a dozen chances.

The second half started along similar lines, as Ibrahimovic disposessed a defender only to fire over the bar from a tight angle. Brugge gained in confidence and Vermant drove well wide from distance.

The seemingly endless pressure finally paid off on 66 minutes, when Pavel Nedved thumped in a perfect free kick. The Czech bent the ball round the defensive wall and it was struck with such power that the 'keeper couldn't reach it.

Stijnen proved he hadn't lost his magic touch yet, parrying an Ibrahimovic daisy-cutter with an outstretched foot to further frustrate Juventus. The Swede was brought down in an identical position to that of Nedved's set-piece, but this time Ibrahimovic took it and saw his shot accidentally charged down by teammate Trezeguet.

Trezeguet made up for the error soon after, as he scored Juve's second of the match to ensure the points were safe. The Frenchman latched on to Mauro Camoranesi's assist with the outside of his foot, sending the finish looping over a helpless Stijnen. It was an important moment for Trezeguet, who scored the 100th official goal of his Juventus career.

It should've been 3-0 when Zambrotta fought his way past three challenges, but Ibrahimovic miscalculated the flight of the cross and scuffed his shot.

Moments later, the Swede had dribbled round the goalkeeper and a defender, but hesitated and allowed Stijnen to save the shot at the near post, Trezeguet also missing the loose ball on the rebound.

Brugge did threaten when Victor Yulu Matondo skipped over a challenge, but Blasi got back in time to pluck it off his foot as he prepared to pull the trigger.

Emerson was left stunned when he was struck in the face by a fierce Balaban free kick and was able to continue after treatment.

Brugge made it a tense finale, as they grabbed a late goal to give them hope. A wayward shot from a corner kick was redirected into the goal by 19-year-old Yulu Matondo on his Champions League debut, but Abbiati had to take some of the blame, as he was way off his line and saw the header loop over him.

There was panic moments later, as Blondel's header at the far post was only kept out by Blasi's leg, although the Brugge substitute was flagged offside.

To make matters worse, Vieira was shown his second yellow card for a late challenge, sealing his first Juventus dismissal after 10 for Arsenal. Nonetheless, the Bianconeri held on for the victory at the end of a far more difficult match than they had anticipated.

<Post-Match Comments>

Club Brugge: Stijnen; De Cock, Spilar, Maertens, Valgaeren (Victor 73), Vanaudenaerde; Vermant (Leko 83), Englebert, Yulu Matondo; Portillo (Blondel 52), Balaban

Juventus: Abbiati; Blasi, Kovac, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi (Giannichedda 88), Emerson, Vieira, Nedved; Trezeguet (Zalayeta 88), Ibrahimovic

Ref: Cantalejo (Spa)

Sent off: Vieira 89 (J)

Source (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/eurogames/brug-juve.html)

dreamer75

15-09-2005, 09:29 AM

Reports mentioned that we struggled, where did we?

we could have thrashed them if not for their great performance by their gk!

dreamer75

15-09-2005, 09:29 AM

Fabio Capello admits he thought the Bruges game was going to turn against Juventus despite aiming 23 shots on goal.

“This is football and we should have won by a mile,” said the Juve Coach after the 2-1 victory. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many scoring opportunities in a single Champions League game and we played fantastically well against a very determined side that will always cause you problems at home, but we were up to the task.”

Pavel Nedved’s free kick and a Trezeguet lob eventually earned the win, although Brugge goalkeeper Stijnen performed a series of extraordinary saves and a late goal set up a tense finale.

“Trezeguet had several chances in the first half and was kept out by a ‘keeper who was performing miracles, but the 100th goal eventually arrived. It became trickier after Patrick Vieira’s red card, which I think was harsh.”

Capello was without a host of star players, especially in defence, and experimented with Manuele Blasi at right-back instead of the expected Federico Balzaretti.

“Balzaretti became a father today and did not sleep well last night because his wife was in labour. He was very stressed, so it was best to leave him in the stands today. Blasi has been tested in that position a few times in training and it could be a good future role for him, or for other players. I won’t say more than that.”

As expected, Bayern Munich also won their match 1-0 away to Rapid Vienna, so the German giants and Juve lead Group A with three points each. It has been a promising start for the Serie A sides, who all won their opening games.

“This is the beginning of the tournament and there’s a long road to go, but the team is on form. I am glad that all four Italian clubs started with a win, as it’s great for our football.”

There was another good representation of Calcio in the Champions League this evening, as former Juventus star Fabrizio Miccoli scored a wonder goal to ensure Benfica beat Lille in the final minute of their game. The Portuguese side now leads Group D ahead of Manchester United and Villarreal.

“We knew Miccoli was a champion and that he would be able to make his mark,” noted director general Luciano Moggi. “He is still on loan, so if he returns to us then it’ll be as a star and if he stays with Benfica then it’ll be for more than we originally paid.”

dreamer75

15-09-2005, 09:32 AM

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/treznews01.jpg

David Trezeguet scored the 100th official goal of his Juventus career and had a very special dedication to make.

“I must thank all my teammates over these six years at Juventus and those who stuck by me during my injuries, as everyone contributed to my 100 goals. Federico Balzaretti became a father today and we will all dedicate this victory to his new born daughter.”

The ex-Torino defender was left in the stands after the emotional stress of the event left him with a sleepless night, but the Bianconeri still won their opening Champions League game in Belgium thanks to Trezeguet’s goal.

“I am very happy with the overall team performance,” he said after the 2-1 win away to Club Brugge. “Our first half was extraordinary and the second a bit more difficult.”

Trezeguet was expected to leave Turin in the summer, but remained to become the 13th most prolific Juve player of all time and is now setting his sights on another record.

“Now I have achieved my Century, the next target is to beat Michel Platini’s record of 104 goals and become a piece of this great club’s history.”

The former Monaco man then picked out his favourite moments from this historic hundred for the Bianconeri.

“For what it represents, the most important goal was the one that essentially won the Scudetto against Milan last season. The most unforgettable was my goal against Real Madrid in the 2003 Champions League semi-final, especially as I was coming back from a long injury.”

Pavel Nedved scored the other goal in Belgium and praised his teammate for achieving this record.

“We created plenty of opportunities, especially in the first half, and I really liked the performance. It was important to start well and it wasn’t easy, as I have always had problems in Belgium. Trezeguet is the kind of forward who only needs half a chance to score, so I’m sure he’ll hit another Century for Juventus.”

dreamer75

15-09-2005, 09:39 AM

hail Trez the scoring machine !!

its a nice goal
excellent lob passing from camo

http://www.juventus.com/fe_images/fotogallery/050914-brujuv/zoom/01.jpg

http://www.juventus.com/fe_images/fotogallery/050914-brujuv/zoom/22.jpg

http://www.juventus.com/fe_images/fotogallery/050914-brujuv/zoom/23.jpg

dreamer75

15-09-2005, 09:41 AM

goals from nedved and trezegol!!!

0-1 (http://s32.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=11ZBNV071S1X00B2SIGZESVTXA)

0-2 (http://s32.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3VZXSIBJUIO0D1YGGXWHYA578R)

dreamer75

15-09-2005, 09:54 AM

Growing speculation in Italy has Juventus transfer guru Luciano Moggi leaving Juve and joining Inter Milan. "I'm a good friend of Moratti. There was a time in which I could have transferred to Milan. But the wedding has not been concluded.

"Until 2006, however, I am tied to Juve. In life all is possible, but in Turin I find myself very happy: they have put in place the conditions for working that appeals to me." , said Moggi.

Moggi's contract will be up in 2006, and it is thought that Fabio Capello will want to take over the role, and remain as coach as well.

http://talksoccer.net/forum/showthread.php?t=27662

dreamer75

16-09-2005, 09:35 AM

Juventus continue their impressive burst out the gate with a whopping 4-0 thrashing on newly promoted Empoli.

Empoli was hoping for a repeat of the last time these two teams met in 2004 with a 3-3 draw but these hopes quickly began to dwindle after just ten minutes, when David Trezeguet broke the deadlock after a neat defense-splitting pass by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. That lead was doubled three minutes later with Patrick Vieira heading home a Pavel Nedved corner kick for Vieira’s first goal in Serie A. It was clear everything was going to be going right for Juve when two minutes after the second, came Juve’s third goal in the opening fifteen minutes. A Mauro Camoranesi long range effort took a bizarre high deflection passed Empoli keeper Gianluca Berti. The half ended without Empoli really posing a threat to the sturdy Juventus defense. The second half started a bit slower but to make sure Empoli was not getting too comfortable in not conceding, Juve added a fourth courtesy again of the Frenchman, scoring his third Serie A goal in the opening two games with an impressive lob over the overly committing Empoli keeper. Juve continued to pressure right until the end of the match; a refreshing sight to those who have grown accustomed to the typical Juventus style of football.

Milan wanted to put last week’s disappointing result away to Ascoli behind them with a positive result against Siena in the San Siro. Last time these two teams met, Siena took maximum points from the giants. Milan hardly wanted to repeat history and on 15 minutes, after a good deal of early pressure, Massimo Abrosini gave Milan the lead after a cutting Shevchenko run into the Siena box, spotting Ambrosini for a wide open net. Siena was quickly paying the price for starting a three man attack. Milan captain Paulo Maldini showed no sign of aging, making two stellar tackles in the span of a few minutes. Milan added another to their lead on the half hour mark when Andriy Shevchenko had an absolute cracker of a shot go right into the top left corner of Mirante’s net. The Ukrainian almost added another to his account a minute later, having a bad-angled shot saved by the Siena keeper. The second conceded goal somehow seemed to breathe new life into Siena and a minute before the interval, after an Enrica Chiesa shot was stopped by Dida, Siena got one back courtesy of an Igor Tudor corner kick header from five yards out. Two minutes after the break, Alberto Gilardino completely missed a close range header from a close range cross from Clarence Seedorf. Ten minutes later Gilardino missed an even more glorious scoring chance as he was put through on goal by Shevchenko. He took too long to shoot and when he did, let a weak one go, allowing Francesco Colonnese to get back and make a goal line clearance. It was a very open second half with both teams having chances to score but it was Milan who made their chances count after a defensive breakdown allowed Kaka to dribble uncontested into a scoring position where he made no mistake in slotting it into the bottom left corner of the net. Kaka then went on to miss two other scoring chances but it meant little as Milan went on to the 3-1 victory.

Milan’s week two success could not be mimicked by cross town rivals Inter playing away to Palermo. The Nerazzurri came out flat footed and paid for it on 18 minutes when Palermo captain Eugenio Corini put a perfectly placed free kick passed Julio Cesar to give the Sicilians a 1-0 lead. The Inter keeper came up big many times over the course of the match, at the beginning of the second half, making two class saves in the span of a minute. However, on the ensuing corner after his second save, Christian Terlizzi scored to make it 2-0 Palermo. Inter supporters were witnessing an all too familiar sight. Something then happened that even the disheartened Inter fans did not expect. In the 67th minute, after pressure by both teams, Steven Makinwa converted a header to make it 3-0 to the home side. Second half substitute Luis Figo tried giving a little bit of life to his drowning Nerazzurri team and some good work helped to do that. Alvaro Recoba had a screamer from 25 yards out just go over the bar. David Pizarro then had a shot go just wide. Finally on 38 minutes, Inter got on the board after a nifty passing play between Recoba and Adriano ending with Julio touching it into an open net. Both teams continued to pressure with Adriano having a shot saved and Mariano Gonzalez hitting the woodwork. In the last seconds of the game, A Figo corner kick was converted by Cruz whose brace was not nearly enough to beat or even take points from an extremely on form Palermo side.

There was some bad blood when Roma played host to Udinese. Roma’s coach Luciano Spalletti was facing his former team for the first time after leaving on rather poor terms. Like last week, Antonio Cassano was left on the Roma bench due to ongoing contract disputes. Vincenzo Montella missed two great chances including one sitter in the opening minutes. Montella’s misses proved costly in the 32nd minute when a deflected Sulley Muntari strike found its way past Roma goalkeeper Gianluca Curci. Roma were digging its own grave by continuing to miss chances in the first half. Roma missed a couple glorious chances in the opening minutes of the second half but this time they were in the form of inspirational De Sanctis saves on Danielle De Rossi from close range. Cassano then came on in the 50th minute to add a little more life to the struggling capital outfit. He did just that and moments after coming on fed a nice pass onto the path of Totti who got his shot totally wrong from close range. Vincenzo Iaquinta thought to have doubled Udinese’s lead only to have the goal ruled back for offside. Iaquinta then missed the next couple chances that followed but still hung on for the 1-0 victory.

Fiorentina let a comfortable game slip away to Messina. The Viola started off strong, coming close to scoring on more than one occasion in the opening minutes and in the 9th minute they took the lead. Toni who is continuing his great run of football, beat his defender and slotted the angled shot on the ground just inside the left post. They added another after 40 minutes with a goal by Valeri Bojinov. Fiorentina came out strong in the second half as well but in the 57th minute a defensive let down allowed Arturo Di Napoli to bring Messina within one. Four minutes later Messina completed their comeback on more poor defending allowing Andre Zoro to beat Frey in the top near corner. Frey came up big in the dying minutes of the game to preserve the draw.

An early goal filled Cagliari with confidence as they played host to Lazio. It took only 35 seconds for Lazio’s defense to go to sleep and paid the price of a David Suazo finish. Lazio equalized after 13 minutes in a box scramble that ended in a Sebastiano Siviglia’s diving header goal. Peruzzi made some big saves over the course of the match for Lazio. There were chances from either side after halftime. Cagliari were forced to play the final 13 minutes with 10 men, as Diego Lopez was shown a red for a challenge from behind on Goran Pandev. Lazio made poor use of the extra man in the closing stages and found themselves close to conceding a late goal. However, it finished in a 1-1 draw.

Reggina are unlucky to have walked out of their match with Sampdoria empy handed. After only three minutes, Reggina’s Simone Cavalli’s strike slammed against the upright. Soon after Francesco Cozza followed suit hitting the same post again. It was Sampdoria who drew first blood through Bonazzoli. His half-volley was hit perfectly into the far corner of the net, reminiscent of the great Marco van Basten. A scrappy goal from Cozza put Reggina back on level terms after half an hour. Sampdoria regained the lead after 58 minutes with a stunnig free kick by Sampdoria captain Sergio Volpi. Soon after, Reggina’s Giacomo Tedesco was shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Andrea Gasbarroni. Gasbarroni then scored Sampdoria’s third goal with a well-placed lob. Reggina’s Missiroli made things close again with a tap-in. moments later the goal scorer brought down Flachi in the Reggina box, but Flachi’s penalty was saved by Pelizzoli which was the last action of the match. 3-2 was the final score.

Chievo hosted Parma at the Stadio Bentegodi. This match marked the return of Fernando Couto to Parma after spending the last while with Lazio. Chievo opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Davide Mandelli met a Federico Giunti corner kick from six yards out. Chievo controlled most of this match and though they could not score again, some costly Parma misses handed Chievo a 1-0 victory.

Ascoli held Lecce to a 0-0 stalemate. As the score suggests, there was not a great deal of intense action on the field. Ascoli worked themselves into some trouble when Tosto was red carded for a late challenge on Giuseppe Cozzolino. Lecce’s Mirko Vucinic’s free kick clipped the crossbar late in the match but could do nothing to change the outcome of the match.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Aaron’s player of the week this week is veteran and Palermo captain, Eugenio Corini. It was an inspirational outing for both him and his team this week beating Internazionale. Whether it was scoring, passing, defending or getting the home crowd involved, he did everything one could ask for in a captain and did it with such perfection that the 35 year old is more than deserving of recognition above the rest of the league.

http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=86494

dreamer75

16-09-2005, 09:57 AM

http://img1.eurosport.com/imgbk/footbl/all/big_md-i201943.jpg

Juventus coach Fabio Capello led the applause for striker David Trezeguet after the striker struck his 100th goal for the club to secure a 2-1 victory over Bruges in their Champions League opener.

Trezeguet's delicate lob over Bruges keeper Stijn Stijnen in the 75th minute shortly, after a Pavel Nedved free kick had broken the deadlock, ensured the Italian champions took all three points from a scrappy game.

"I'm delighted he has taken his total to 100. He has always been a great finisher," Capello told La Gazzetta dello Sport on Thursday.

The 28-year-old has been among Serie A's most reliable scorers since arriving in Turin at the start of the 2000-01 season.

Alongside Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic he forms part of one of the most dangerous attacking partnerships in Europe and has already struck four times in Juve's first three games of the season.

Trezeguet said his thoughts had already turned to equalling the goal-scoring feats of former Juve great and fellow Frenchman Michel Platini.

"I've finally reached a target I've been thinking about for a long time and I'm proud to become part of the history of this club," he said.

"The next objective is to equal Platini by taking my total to 104."

'WE'VE GOT TO BE CAREFUL'

While Capello was full of praise for Trezeguet, he was less complimentary about the finishing of his team in general.

Jeanvion Yulu-Matondo's late strike for Bruges gave Juventus no margin for error in the closing stages of the game.

"We could have closed out the match a lot sooner," said Capello.

"Bruges lifted their game in the second half, but I've never seen a Champions League match in which one side had so many chances to score go down to the wire like that.

"We created a lot of opportunities to score and only gave them one chance, which they capitalised on.

"We have got to be careful, because at this level certain lapses can cost you dear in the long run."

http://www.eurosport.com/home/pages/v4/l0/s22/e10187/sport_lng0_spo22_evt10187_sto765784.shtml

dreamer75

18-09-2005, 10:09 PM

Alex Del Piero scored 2 goals for us....we leading 2-1 now!!!

dreamer75

18-09-2005, 11:10 PM

FT Juventus [2 - 1] Ascoli

15' [1 - 0] A.D. Piero (pen.)
32' [1 - 1] A. Cariello
39' [2 - 1] A.D. Piero

dreamer75

18-09-2005, 11:11 PM

and Milan lost 2-1 to Samp :D :D

dreamer75

19-09-2005, 09:24 AM

Juventus 2 - 1 Ascoli
Del Piero pen 13, 39 (J), Cariello 32 (A)

Alessandro Del Piero proved he's back with a brace, but Ascoli gave Juventus a battle in Turin.

The Bianconeri were looking to maintain their 100 per cent record, but newly promoted Ascoli were still unbeaten after facing Milan and Lecce. Fabio Capello had to reshuffle his defence with Lilian Thuram, Alessandro Birindelli and Gianluca Pessotto injured, while the visitors had to replace the suspended Vittorio Tosto. Alessandro Del Piero returned to the starting eleven, giving Zlatan Ibrahimovic a rest.

There was more bad news for Juve, as after less than two minutes Jonathan Zebina, who was making his comeback from injury, pulled up clutching the back of his knee. The unlucky Frenchman limped off and Manuele Blasi took on the right-back role, just as he had done in the Champions League midweek.

Surprisingly, the first real scoring opportunity fell to Ascoli after six minutes, as two players left a Cariello cross and Sasa Bjelanovic blazed over from seven yards with only Christian Abbiati to beat.

Although Juve dominated possession, Ascoli were creating the best chances, as Emerson needed a late challenge to block Fini and Abbiati was called into a save on ex-Torino man Quagliarella's counter-attack.

However, the referee pointed to the spot when Pavel Nedved's cross struck Cristiano's arm just inside the area. Del Piero stepped up and rolled home a weak but effective penalty to give Juventus the lead with their first real shot on goal.

Ascoli have made a name for themselves as giant-killers and proved it again when they scored the first goal that Juventus have conceded in Serie A this season. Cariello shrugged off Patrick Vieira's challenge and saw his angled drive from the edge of the box deflected off Fabio Cannavaro to draw the visitors level.

This shook Juve out of their stasis and Cudini required a goalline clearance on Mauro German Camoranesi's looping header.

It lasted just seven minutes, as Del Piero proved he is definitely back by curling in a magnificent free kick that rose and dipped past the outstretched hand of Coppola.

Del Piero's delightful first touch on Nedved's cross set up Camoranesi, only for the Argentine to balloon over the bar from a promising position.

Ibrahimovic replaced David Trezeguet at half-time, but Del Piero continued to dominate with a header that glanced wide. Ascoli weren't about to let go and Abbiati flew to block Foggia's cross-shot, while ex-Torino hero Marco Ferrante stepped back into the Stadio Delle Alpi.

Coppola did well to punch out Nedved's strike and fingertip an Ibrahimovic free kick round the post. The Czech midfielder shook the side-netting from a promising position and Ibrahimovic somehow managed to nod wide of an open goal following Coppola's error.

Juventus: Abbiati; Zebina (Blasi 3), Kovac, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Emerson, Vieira, Nedved; Del Piero, Trezeguet (Ibrahimovic 46)

Ascoli: Coppola; Comotto, Cudini, Domizzi, Del Grosso; Carriello (Foggia 52), Cristiano, Parola, Fini; Bjelanovic (Colombo 80), Quagliarella (Ferrante 52)

Ref: Tagliavento

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0506/juv-asc.html