Juventus FC Forum (Stadio Delle Alpi) [Archive] - Page 8

dreamer75

01-03-2004, 12:20 AM

Juventus 3 - 0 Ancona

Camoranesi 7 (J), Miccoli 41 (J), Del Piero 45 (J)
Stadio Delle Alpi

Despite another poor performance by the reigning Champions, Juventus continue to notch up victories.

This match kicked off ten minutes late after Ancona staged a protest against late payments from pay per view satellite television station Gioco Calcio.

The Bianconeri were without Enzo Maresca, David Trezeguet and the suspended Pavel Nedved, so Marcello Lippi opted to field an unusual trident attack with Fabrizio Miccoli, Alessandro Del Piero and Marco Di Vaio.

But it was winger Mauro German Camoranesi who broke the deadlock with a splendid strike. The Italian international fired in a marvellous volley from the edge of the box that slotted into the far corner.

Di Vaio wasted a good opportunity when he hesitated and allowed Sergio Marcon to recover.

However, Ancona fought back and nearly drew level when Goran Pandev's effort was deflected inches wide of the woodwork.

The rest of the first half was astonishingly one-way traffic in favour of the bottom club, as Maurizio Ganz and Daniel Andersson put Gianluigi Buffon's goal under constant pressure.

Just before the break Milan Rapajc took advantage of Lilian Thuram's error and volleyed just over the bar.

Juventus were playing very badly indeed, but still doubled their lead with a classic counter-attack. Di Vaio charged forward and cut across for the unmarked Miccoli to side-foot home from eight yards.

Honorary President Umberto Agnelli said this week that Juve's results are far more impressive than their style of play and it is difficult to disagree with him as they made it 3-0 before the break.

Alessandro Del Piero sprung the offside trap on Alessio Tacchinardi's through ball to put the game beyond a very unlucky Ancona.

Del Piero made way for Italian-Swiss youngster David Chiumento, making his Serie A debut.

Ancona refused to give in despite the damning scoreline and struck the woodwork with Goretti.

Juventus: Buffon; Thuram (Birindelli 71), Ferrara, Iuliano, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Conte, Tacchinardi (Pessotto 77); Miccoli, Del Piero (Chiumento 58), Di Vaio

Ancona: Marcon; Helguera (Sogliano 61), Bolic, Baggio (Goretti 42), Milanese; Berretta, Andersson, Maini; Pandev (Zavagno 46), Ganz, Rapajc

Ref: Dondarini

dreamer75

01-03-2004, 10:52 AM

http://www.sports.it/it/slideshow/images/20040229/18174juv1.jpg

dreamer75

01-03-2004, 10:52 AM

http://www.sports.it/it/slideshow/images/20040229/13417juv5.jpg

dreamer75

01-03-2004, 10:52 AM

Davide

http://www.juventus.com/juventus/it/gallery/images/20040229/3422811.jpg

dreamer75

01-03-2004, 10:53 AM

http://www.juventus.com/juventus/it/gallery/images/20040229/7121813.jpg

dreamer75

01-03-2004, 10:53 AM

http://www.juventus.com/juventus/it/gallery/images/20040229/745607.jpg

dreamer75

01-03-2004, 10:54 AM

http://www.juventus.com/juventus/it/gallery/images/20040229/449868.jpg

dreamer75

01-03-2004, 10:54 AM

http://www.juventus.com/juventus/it/gallery/images/20040229/136549.jpg

dreamer75

01-03-2004, 10:55 AM

http://www.juventus.com/juventus/it/gallery/images/20040229/1466810.jpg

dreamer75

01-03-2004, 11:33 AM

All goals of Juve vs Ancona (http://www.juvefc.com/Videos/2003_04/39anc_all.mpg)

courtesy of juvefc :)

dreamer75

01-03-2004, 11:37 AM

Juve fans, where are you?

RuMmYtUb

01-03-2004, 11:54 AM

W00t, another victory...
gotta keep collecting 3 points week in week out :D

ZhuGeLiang

01-03-2004, 01:16 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
All goals of Juve vs Ancona (http://www.juvefc.com/Videos/2003_04/39anc_all.mpg)

courtesy of juvefc :)

thanks :)

ZhuGeLiang

01-03-2004, 01:38 PM

i didn't see the match so i can't say anything but seems like we got outplayed for the majority of the match :confused:

Despite another poor performance by the reigning Champions, Juventus continue to notch up victories.

Juventus were playing very badly indeed, but still doubled their lead with a classic counter-attack. Di Vaio charged forward and cut across for the unmarked Miccoli to side-foot home from eight yards.

Honorary President Umberto Agnelli said this week that Juve's results are far more impressive than their style of play and it is difficult to disagree with him as they made it 3-0 before the break.

but nevertheless, i'm happy for the result

BUT, i'm start to worry for the coming match against Deportivo (they lost to Barcelona but Pandiani scored twice). can our leaking defence stop him from scoring? can our attack live up to expectations?

it really doesn't look promising :(

demouse

02-03-2004, 01:58 PM

Juve legend Charles mourned
Monday 1 March, 2004

Juventus great John Charles has today been remembered after his death last month.

His funeral took place at Leeds Parish Church earlier on Monday before a memorial service at Elland Road.

The Welshman, who moved to Juventus in 1957 for a world record £67,000 fee, died at the age of 72 on February 21 after falling ill.

A host of star names from the football world attended such as Peter Lorimer, Norman Hunter, Allan Clarke and Paul Reaney.

Former Liverpool and Wales forward John Toshack and caretaker Leeds manager Eddie Gray both made emotional tributes.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, Wales manager Mark Hughes and former Republic of Ireland boss Jack Charlton also attended.

Charles signed for Leeds when he was just 17 before he moved to Italy - where he was dubbed the Gentle Giant after never being booked or sent off in his illustrious career.

Charles, who played as a central defender and a striker, also had spells with Cardiff, Roma and Hereford United. He played 38 times for Wales.

Leeds have also decided to rename the West Stand at Elland Road – built with the money received from Charles’ sale – the John Charles Stand.

channel 4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar1h.html)

demouse

02-03-2004, 02:01 PM

Del Piero happy with win
Monday 1 March, 2004

Alessandro Del Piero believes Juve’s 3-0 win over Ancona was exactly what was required after their Deportivo loss.

The Bianconeri were heavily criticised for their lacklustre Champions’ League display last week but they returned to winning ways yesterday.

"That was the best remedy for our European Cup loss," he stated on his official website after the 1-0 first leg reverse. "We needed confirmation in ourselves and points.

"It probably wasn’t the best performance of the season but it helped the team to increase the faith in our ability."

Juve had ensured the points by half time after goals by Mauro Camoranesi, Fabrizio Miccoli and Del Piero.

Meanwhile, transfer rumours suggest that the Italian outfit are set to miss out on the talented Fabrizo Zambrella.

The Under-21 Swiss international midfielder, currently at Servette, is believed to be on his way to Liverpool instead of Turin.

channel 4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar1i.html)

happy despite the poor performance?

dreamer75

02-03-2004, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by demouse
Del Piero happy with win
Monday 1 March, 2004

Alessandro Del Piero believes Juve?s 3-0 win over Ancona was exactly what was required after their Deportivo loss.

The Bianconeri were heavily criticised for their lacklustre Champions? League display last week but they returned to winning ways yesterday.

"That was the best remedy for our European Cup loss," he stated on his official website after the 1-0 first leg reverse. "We needed confirmation in ourselves and points.

"It probably wasn?t the best performance of the season but it helped the team to increase the faith in our ability."

Juve had ensured the points by half time after goals by Mauro Camoranesi, Fabrizio Miccoli and Del Piero.

Meanwhile, transfer rumours suggest that the Italian outfit are set to miss out on the talented Fabrizo Zambrella.

The Under-21 Swiss international midfielder, currently at Servette, is believed to be on his way to Liverpool instead of Turin.

channel 4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar1i.html)

happy despite the poor performance?

I'm happy with the win but worried abt our performance.

dreamer75

02-03-2004, 02:14 PM

Originally posted by RuMmYtUb
W00t, another victory...
gotta keep collecting 3 points week in week out :D

yah, with Milan and Roma wining...we cannot afford to lose points.

dreamer75

02-03-2004, 02:15 PM

Originally posted by ZhuGeLiang
i didn't see the match so i can't say anything but seems like we got outplayed for the majority of the match :confused:

but nevertheless, i'm happy for the result

BUT, i'm start to worry for the coming match against Deportivo (they lost to Barcelona but Pandiani scored twice). can our leaking defence stop him from scoring? can our attack live up to expectations?

it really doesn't look promising :(

funny, i'm not too worried against Depor at Turin leh..hehe :D

dreamer75

02-03-2004, 02:15 PM

The match against Milan Turin is very crucial, we muz try to beat them to cut Milan's lead.

dreamer75

02-03-2004, 02:18 PM

Marcello Lippi: ?We had a few problems maintaining possession and taking the initiative. Psychologically we weren?t relaxed enough, but I made a few changes after the break. A team that wins 3-0 may not be spectacular, but I don?t think it could be criticised all that much.?

Giovanni Galeone: ?I am disappointed because the team had a great first half and frankly should have earned a better result than this. I am angry as some of the Juventus goals came from the lack of experience of my players. We create a great deal but fail to reap what we sow.?

dreamer75

02-03-2004, 02:18 PM

The best?

Clarence Seedorf (Milan)
He?s never played at these levels with such consistency ? not even when he was at Real Madrid. Everything that he does on the pitch seems to work. He?s proving to be a really useful member of the Milan team. All of a sudden, the Seedorf that wore the Inter shirt is a distant memory.

Francesco Antonioli (Sampdoria)
He well and truly made up for his mistake against Parma last week with an outstanding performance versus Chievo. Antonioli has never been a ?keeper who has dazzled with his saves but he blocked everything on Sunday.

Paolo Maldini (Milan)
His desire to battle on the football field is simply unbelievable. He plays as if he is still a 25-year-old. Maldini was superb against Lazio last night. Let?s not be afraid to say it ? there is a massive difference between him and current Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro.

The rest?

Francesco Toldo (Inter)

He?s already been criticised for the insecurity shown in recent times, his latest error coming at Sochaux last week. The ?keeper is really struggling to just get his hands on the ball these days. So much so that you can hear fans holding their breath every time he?s called into action. It has been a season to forget for Toldo.

Claudio Lopez (Lazio)
Lopez didn?t even have a shot against Milan in the 1-0 defeat. He played too far away from the goal and didn?t offer his team the quality that he does have. The real Lopez may have done some damage at the Olimpico.

Giovanni Pasquale (Inter)
Inter boss Alberto Zaccheroni doesn?t believe in him and the youngster seems to be aware of that fact. He looks low on confidence and struggled to get forward yesterday. Is he the latest left-back to be ruined by the Nerazzurri?

dreamer75

02-03-2004, 02:24 PM

March 2, 2004

Juventus are keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund midfielder Tomas Rosicky.

The Czech Republic international is seen as a natural successor to Pavel Nedved at Juve and is expected to be sold at the end of the season by BVB.

Chelsea almost signed Rosicky in January, but with no forms signed, Juve chiefs are pressing hard to hold talks with the midfielder's agent about a move to Turin.

Rosicky has suffered a broken arm, but that won't put off Juve - or Chelsea.

ZhuGeLiang

02-03-2004, 02:41 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75

funny, i'm not too worried against Depor at Turin leh..hehe :D

not worried? maybe u're thinking if we can beat mandrid last time than we can beat depor? but we had an away goal against madrid last time, this time round we've nothing to back us up

i'm dead worried :(

dreamer75

02-03-2004, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by ZhuGeLiang

not worried? maybe u're thinking if we can beat mandrid last time than we can beat depor? but we had an away goal against madrid last time, this time round we've nothing to back us up

i'm dead worried :(

dunno leh....maybe cos i feel dat we are pretty strong at home and shld be able to win by at least 2 goals...

ZhuGeLiang

02-03-2004, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
The match against Milan Turin is very crucial, we muz try to beat them to cut Milan's lead.

if we lost, we're 9 pts behind :rolleyes:

die die must win :mad:

dreamer75

02-03-2004, 02:48 PM

Friday, 27 February 2004

by Nadia Carminati
Juventus have been rocked by the news that star striker David Trezeguet faces a month out after picking up an injury in the UEFA Champions League game against Deportivo La Coruna.

Juve lost the first leg in Spain, but suffered another disappointment when it was revealed that Trezeguet has damaged his shoulder.

The France international will require complete rest for a few days and then around four weeks' recuperation before he is fully fit again.

The striker has been linked with a move to Barcelona in recent days, after the Catalan club's president Joan Laporta admitted he liked the forward.

However, Juve's general manager Luciano Moggi dismissed the speculation, insisting that they would not part with the pacey forward.

"We won't sell him," said Moggi. "Instead of talking in the papers they should come and talk to us.

"They are welcome to ask, but they will be told that he is not for sale."

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/Article.asp?id=188411

ZhuGeLiang

02-03-2004, 02:50 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75

dunno leh....maybe cos i feel dat we are pretty strong at home and shld be able to win by at least 2 goals...

how about our defence? still as confidence :confused:

dreamer75

02-03-2004, 02:51 PM

Moggi and Lippi...pls pls KEEP him...cannot afford to lose such a impt player!!

Barcelona are said to be very interested in bringing versatile Juve star Gianluca Zambrotta to the Nou Camp.

Reports in Spain suggest that the issue was raised during negotiations over Edgar Davids? January switch.

Directors Rosell and Beguiristain were in Turin to work out the final details on Jan 9 when they showed interest in signing the former Bari star.

Zambrotta?s career took an important twist last year when Coach Marcello Lippi switched his position from the right side of midfield that of left-back.

He has since excelled in this new role for both Juventus and the Italian national side, including a fine performance against Barcelona in last season?s Champions? League.

It is reported that the Blaugrana are willing to offer winger Gabri and Brazilian midfielder Motta as part of the deal.

Zambrotta?s current contract with Juventus expires in 2005, but he is in negotiations to extend for another three years.

If that deal is not sealed before the start of the next campaign, then the club could opt to cash in rather than lose him for free at the end of that season.

dreamer75

02-03-2004, 02:52 PM

Champions League, Sunday February 29 2004

Perugia's Saadi Al Gaddafi has indicated his intentions of pursuing Juventus coach Marcello Lippi as the man to take Libya through to the 2010 World Cup.

Gaddafi, who works as an official for the Libyan Football Federation, is a big fan of the former Napoli chief having worked with before at Juventus.

Should he pull it off, it would be the second Italian in charge of the national side with former Genoa manager Franco Scoglio enjoying a spell in charge back two years back.

Speaking to the Italian daily, Tuttosport, the son of Libyan leader Mohammad Gadaffi said he would be pressing hard for Lippi, whose Juventus contract expires in 2005.

"I will soon meet up with Lippi and try to convince him that Libya have a long-term project," Gaddafi told the paper.

"I'd love it to be him in charge when leading this team to the 2010 World Cup. I'll offer a five-year contract that no other African side can afford."

Aiding Gaddafi's cause is a personal admission from Lippi that he could never coach another top side after Juve.

http://itv-football.co.uk/Teams/Manchester_United/story_102090.shtml

dreamer75

02-03-2004, 02:58 PM

Originally posted by ZhuGeLiang

how about our defence? still as confidence :confused:

i'm quite optimistic :)

dreamer75

02-03-2004, 02:58 PM

Juventus failed to hit peak form but still secured three vital points in their quest for a hat-trick of Serie A titles with victory over hapless Ancona.

The first-half goals from Mauro Camoranesi, Fabrizio Miccoli and Alessandro Del Piero gave Juve the maximum return against the bottom team in Serie A.

Without getting out of bottom gear, the Bianconeri made light work of the Ancona side who are looking relegation certainties and have still to claim a league win since their promotion last summer.

The absence of suspended Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved and injured French forward David Trezeguet forced coach Marcello Lippi to change his line-up.

Lippi's decision to play with the trio of Alessandro Del Piero, Marco Di Vaio and Fabrizio Miccoli in Juve's attack paid off from the start.

The match began 10 minutes late following a demonstration by Ancona who claim they have not received TV rights payments owed to them in recent months.

Giovanni Galeone's team were hoping to surprise the Bianconeri but it was the home team who had the better start.

In the seventh minute Italy international Camoranesi's powerful right-footed shot surprised goalkeeper Sergio Marcon and gave Juve an early lead.

However, Ancona were quick to react and unmarked striker Goran Pandev came close to equalising three minutes later when he fired inches wide of Gianluigi Buffon's right post.

Despite the advantage, the Bianconeri struggled in midfield and were penned back in their own half for the next 30 minutes, with Galeone's outfit calling the shots.

However, Ancona's attacks gave little cause for concern for Buffon and it was Juve who struck again four minutes prior to half-time.

It was the attacking trio who allowed Juve to increase their lead.

Del Piero's cross found Di Vaio who ran past Ancona's defence and crossed the ball towards an unmarked Miccoli. His clever first-touch finish beat Marcon.

The Bianconeri further increased their lead five minutes later as Miccoli played the ball inside the box where Alessio Tacchinardi fed Del Piero who did not fail from inside the box.

Despite Juve's emphatic lead at the re-start, Ancona were determined to continue pressing forward.

In the 11th minute of the second period, Maurizio Ganz could have reduced the deficit, but his powerful shot on target was saved by Buffon.

Four minutes later, Lippi made his first substitution with Del Piero making way for Serie A debutant David Chiumiento.

Ancona could have netted a consolation goal six minutes prior to the end, but Roberto Goretti's powerful shot came back off the post after beating Buffon.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/overseas/italy/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=international_feed/04/02/29/SOCCER_Ita-Juventus_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=italy

dreamer75

02-03-2004, 03:05 PM

luckily we are quite safe..

February 26, 2004

MILAN, Italy (AFP) - Fraud squad detectives raided the offices of all Italian first and second division clubs in a probe into suspected accounting irregularities.

Judicial officials also took away documents from the headquarters of the Italian football federation (FIGC) and the Italian Football League (Lega-Calcio).

The FIGC were ordered to hand over all documents submitted to them by the clubs for the period between 1999 and 2003.

Requests to see the accounts of football clubs have been made by the fiscal police before but never on such a large scale.

The investigation stems from allegations that some clubs used fraudulent bank guarantees to ensure they were allowed to play this season.

All of Italy's clubs have to prove to the sport's financial regulator that they have sound finances before they can be registered at the start of each season.

Many Italian teams have been struggling with debts in recent years due to spiralling transfer fees, high salaries and policing costs and some have had problems paying their players on time.

Shares in Roma, crippled by debts believed to be around 300 million euros (370 million dollars), were suspended earlier Thursday pending a statement from the financially troubled club.

Roma president Franco Sensi had admitted he may sell the club to a Russian oil company.

Parma, meanwhile, are in the hands of administrators following the collapse of disgraced parent company Parmalat, currently at the centre of a multi-billion euro fraud scandal.

Last month, Lazio's shareholders approved a multi-million euro capital injection which was considered crucial to satisfy creditors and keep the club afloat.

Lazio have been mired in financial problems after its major shareholder, Italian food comapany Cirio, went into liquidation.

In 2002, Fiorentina went bankrupt following relegation from Serie A and were formally wound by an Italian court.

The Florence club has since reformed and are now playing in the second division.

Fraud squad detectives raided the offices of all Italian first and second division clubs in a probe into suspected accounting irregularities.

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fbl_ita_company_fraud&prov=afp&type=lgns

ZhuGeLiang

03-03-2004, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
Moggi and Lippi...pls pls KEEP him...cannot afford to lose such a impt player!!

Barcelona are said to be very interested in bringing versatile Juve star Gianluca Zambrotta to the Nou Camp.

Reports in Spain suggest that the issue was raised during negotiations over Edgar Davids? January switch.

Directors Rosell and Beguiristain were in Turin to work out the final details on Jan 9 when they showed interest in signing the former Bari star.

Zambrotta?s career took an important twist last year when Coach Marcello Lippi switched his position from the right side of midfield that of left-back.

He has since excelled in this new role for both Juventus and the Italian national side, including a fine performance against Barcelona in last season?s Champions? League.

It is reported that the Blaugrana are willing to offer winger Gabri and Brazilian midfielder Motta as part of the deal.

Zambrotta?s current contract with Juventus expires in 2005, but he is in negotiations to extend for another three years.

If that deal is not sealed before the start of the next campaign, then the club could opt to cash in rather than lose him for free at the end of that season.

I will not cry fool if Moggi sell Trezeguet or Nedved (for large sum of $) but Zambrotta? I'll kick his ass :mad:

Come on Zambrotta is irreplaceable, he can play in different positions and is doing a great job. He is a great player

ZhuGeLiang

03-03-2004, 02:19 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75

i'm quite optimistic :)

We should have trust on our players :)

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 01:33 AM

River Plate are keen to agree terms with Juventus in a bid to complete the signing of Marcelo Salas.

The Chilean international is currently on loan with the Argentine side and is set to return to Turin in the summer.

However, the South American outfit are hoping to keep ?El Matador? once his loan spell expires.

"Our idea is that he could remain," River Plate President Mario Israel is quoted as saying. "I?ll look to take advantage of our good relationship with Juve in order to do that."

Salas has recently returned to action in Argentina after a two-month injury lay-off by scoring on Sunday.

The 30-year-old doesn?t seem to figure in Juve?s plans anymore seeing as their forward options now include David Trezeguet, Alex Del Piero, Marco Di Vaio and Fabrizio Miccoli.

The Bianconeri signed Salas in 2001 for £12m from Lazio. However, his maiden Turin term saw him rupture knee ligaments that severely affected his Juve career.

Salas is currently in his second spell with River after two splendid seasons there in the 1990s, where he scored 24 goals in 53 League games.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar3d.html

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 01:34 AM

Originally posted by ZhuGeLiang

We should have trust on our players :)

:bounce:

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 01:35 AM

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has admitted that he is likely to leave Ajax for an Italian club in the summer.

The highly rated Swedish international has been linked with a variety of sides and a switch seems imminent.

"I will say goodbye to Ajax at the end of the season," said the 22-year-old. "This club is just a stepping stone for me in my career.

"I would love to play in Spain or Italy where football is not just a sport but a part of everyday life."

The striker also admitted that he had recently spoken to two of his former Ajax teammates about his future.

"Both Andy Van der Meyde (Inter) and Cristian Chivu (Roma) tell me that football in Italy is the exact opposite of Holland," he added. "That will suit me as I am passionate about this game."

Ibrahimovic has been talked about as a possible target for Juventus and he seems to be a big fan of the Bianconeri.

"I would say that Juventus are favourites to win the Champions? League this term," he continued.

"They are a very disciplined side who always fight until the end. In other words, an ideal club for me."

A switch to the Delle Alpi could become reality if David Trezeguet fails to agree a new contract. That would inevitably lead to a sale as his present deal ends in 2005.

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 01:36 AM

Juventus are back in the chase to sign the Udinese duo of David Pizarro and Marek Jankulovski.

Reports in the North East of Italy suggest that initial talks between the two clubs have already taken place regarding a summer swoop.

Pizarro (pictured) has been linked with Juventus for over a year now as he continues to shine in Serie A.

He was targeted last summer by the Italian champions but they couldn?t make a bid due to the fact that they failed to sell fellow Chilean Marcelo Salas ? a non EU player.

That almost saw the playmaker move to Lazio, and then Inter in January, but Juventus are now interested once again.

The Bianconeri have also been heavily associated with Jankulovski in the past.

The Czech international midfielder has impressed in Udine and he has admitted that he would love a switch to Turin.

Juve are allegedly ready to offer around £14m for the two men in a deal that may also see the Udine outfit receive a couple of Juve players on loan.

Yet in order to finance that move the Old Lady are set to sell, which has inevitably led to more rumours that Pavel Nedved will join Chelsea.

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 01:37 AM

Brescia-Juventus

LIVE on British Eurosport (KO 7.30pm UK time)
Stadio Rigamonti

Brescia are on Cloud Nine after hammering Inter in their own back yard, but face another tough customer as Juventus come to the Stadio Rigamonti.

The Rondinelle caused shockwaves throughout Serie A with their first ever victory at the San Siro, beating sorry Inter by three goals to one. The fact that this result was achieved without star Roberto Baggio and with half the team suffering from a bout of flu made it all the more remarkable.

There are still doubts over whether the Divine Ponytail will take part in this match due to an ankle problem, but youngster Simone Del Nero is filling in admirably with his first Serie A goal now under his belt. Under-21 international Andrea Caracciolo has also rediscovered his scoring boots following a long drought, while Francelino Matuzalem can always provide that spark of creativity from midfield.

Juventus have every right to be worried stepping into a Stadium where Roma have already been defeated in 2004. It should also be noted that last season Bianconeri supporters suffered a 2-0 defeat in this same fixture.

However, overall Brescia?s home form is quite poor thanks to three wins, five draws and four defeats. Their last match here saw Lecce run out 2-1 winners, but at the same time Juve have hardly set the world alight over the last few weeks. Honorary President Umberto Agnelli claimed this side was "reaping more than it sowed," and a perfect example of that was the dire performance that nonetheless handed Marcello Lippi?s men a 3-0 win over Ancona last Sunday.

With Enzo Maresca and David Trezeguet out for at least a month and the Champions? League clash with Deportivo La Coruna looming, Lippi is likely to shelve the trident attack. Pavel Nedved returns from suspension to provide support for Alessandro Del Piero and Marco Di Vaio, while Mauro Camoranesi hopes to repeat his splendid strike from last Sunday.

Brescia (probable): Castellazzi; Petruzzi, Di Biagio, Castellini; Schopp, Mauri, Guana, Matuzalem, Colucci; Baggio, Caracciolo

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Thuram, Ferrara, Iuliano, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Conte, Appiah; Nedved; Del Piero, Di Vaio

Ref: To folllow

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 02:37 AM

we have a good record against Brescia, as we won 4 of our past 5 encounters:

Campionato Italiano 2003/2004 Serie A 26/10/03 Juventus-Brescia 2-0
Campionato Italiano 2002/2003 Serie A 27/04/03 Juventus-Brescia 2-1
Campionato Italiano 2002/2003 Serie A 08/12/02 Brescia-Juventus 2-0
Campionato Italiano 2001/2002 Serie A 28/04/02 Juventus-Brescia 5-0
Campionato Italiano 2001/2002 Serie A 23/12/01 Brescia-Juventus 0-4

demouse

05-03-2004, 12:25 PM

Del Piero to be rested?
Thursday 4 March, 2004

Juventus may drop Alex Del Piero for the Brescia tie with the crucial Deportivo La Coruna clash on the horizon.

The Bianconeri face the Lombard outfit at the weekend but Del Piero might not feature with the Champions’ League match set for Tuesday.

Juventus lost 1-0 in Spain last week and boss Marcello Lippi today tried out the Marco Di Vaio and Fabrizio Miccoli offensive partnership in training.

The two men played alongside each other in a practice game while Del Piero, Alessandro Birindelli and Gianluca Zambrotta all trained separately.

Whispers out of Turin also claim that Zambrotta won’t start on Saturday in a bid to have him fully fit against the Spaniards.

Pavel Nedved will start in midfield after he returned to training yesterday. There were doubts over his use as he was absent from Tuesday’s session.

channel 4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar4j.html)

hope nedved quickly gain back his form to face depor

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by demouse
Del Piero to be rested?
Thursday 4 March, 2004

Juventus may drop Alex Del Piero for the Brescia tie with the crucial Deportivo La Coruna clash on the horizon.

The Bianconeri face the Lombard outfit at the weekend but Del Piero might not feature with the Champions? League match set for Tuesday.

Juventus lost 1-0 in Spain last week and boss Marcello Lippi today tried out the Marco Di Vaio and Fabrizio Miccoli offensive partnership in training.

The two men played alongside each other in a practice game while Del Piero, Alessandro Birindelli and Gianluca Zambrotta all trained separately.

Whispers out of Turin also claim that Zambrotta won?t start on Saturday in a bid to have him fully fit against the Spaniards.

Pavel Nedved will start in midfield after he returned to training yesterday. There were doubts over his use as he was absent from Tuesday?s session.

channel 4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar4j.html)

hope nedved quickly gain back his form to face depor

he is a key player for us....hope he can shine on that day to beat Depor :bounce:

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 02:21 PM

Juventus look set to sell Marcelo Salas after the striker admitted he wants to remain with River Plate.

The Chilean international is currently on loan with the Argentine outfit and is scheduled for a June return to Italy.

But the forward admits that he is keen on making a permanent move to the South American giants.

"I?m very happy at River Plate," said the former Lazio star. "The club want me and they respect me.

"They have already said that they want to keep me in the team and that illustrates that they have confidence in me.

"I want to keep on playing football for River and therefore I don?t see any problems in me staying here for a long time."

Salas left Turin in the summer after the competition for places became too tough with Del Piero, Trezeguet, Miccoli and Di Vaio all fighting for starting shirts.

And Salas, now 30, admits that he is enjoying his life in Argentina given the fact that he has more time with his family.

"It is good for me to be near my daughters," he added. "Last week for example I flew to Chile twice. This is also helping me to become the player I was a few years ago."

The Bianconeri signed Salas in 2001 for £12m from Lazio. However, his maiden Turin term saw him rupture knee ligaments that severely affected his Juve career.

Salas is currently in his second spell with River after two splendid seasons there in the 1990s, where he scored 24 goals in 53 League games.

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 02:24 PM

looks like we might lose him..argh!!

March 5, 2004

Chelsea and Barcelona are pressing for talks with Juventus over striker David Trezeguet.

Despite public declarations from Juve GM Luciano Moggi that terms have been agreed with Trezeguet over a new contract, the forms are still to be signed, casting doubt on the Italian giant's ability to hold onto the French star.

Barca president Joan Laporta confirmed last week that he had held encouraging talks with Moggi about Trezeguet, while Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to break the bank to bring the striker to London.

Both Chelsea and Barca will take advantage of FIFA's Player awards night where they will press for talks with both Juve and Trezeguet, who will be a guest at the ceremony, about the player's availability.

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 02:24 PM

March 5, 2004

Juventus are chasing Salernitana striker Giorgio Di Vicino.

The young forward has scored seven goals this season and is being tracked by Juve scouts leading up to the summer transfer window.

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 02:29 PM

http://www.gazzetta.it/Foto%20Hermes/2004/03-Marzo/04/miccoli--310x210.jpg

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 02:31 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
we have a good record against Brescia, as we won 4 of our past 5 encounters:

Campionato Italiano 2003/2004 Serie A 26/10/03 Juventus-Brescia 2-0

Juve 2 Brescia 0 goals (http://www.juvefc.com/Videos/2002-03/30delpie.avi)

DP scored for both goals..

courtesy of juvefc :)

ZhuGeLiang

05-03-2004, 05:50 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
we have a good record against Brescia, as we won 4 of our past 5 encounters:

Campionato Italiano 2003/2004 Serie A 26/10/03 Juventus-Brescia 2-0
Campionato Italiano 2002/2003 Serie A 27/04/03 Juventus-Brescia 2-1
Campionato Italiano 2002/2003 Serie A 08/12/02 Brescia-Juventus 2-0
Campionato Italiano 2001/2002 Serie A 28/04/02 Juventus-Brescia 5-0
Campionato Italiano 2001/2002 Serie A 23/12/01 Brescia-Juventus 0-4

I hope Lippi put the best formation for this game. Breacia are on fine form and their moral are super high after thrashed Inter last week. We shouldn't take Breacia for granted, especially when divine ponytail is playing.

I suspect Lippi will rest some players (besides DP) for the crucial match against Depor. Whoever on the starting line up, hope they give in their best as we can't afford to lost points here

ZhuGeLiang

05-03-2004, 05:51 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75

Juve 2 Brescia 0 goals (http://www.juvefc.com/Videos/2002-03/30delpie.avi)

DP scored for both goals..

courtesy of juvefc :)

This time round we can't count on DP as he'll be rested. I hope DV step up in this game :bounce:

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 09:47 PM

Originally posted by ZhuGeLiang

I hope Lippi put the best formation for this game. Breacia are on fine form and their moral are super high after thrashed Inter last week. We shouldn't take Breacia for granted, especially when divine ponytail is playing.

I suspect Lippi will rest some players (besides DP) for the crucial match against Depor. Whoever on the starting line up, hope they give in their best as we can't afford to lost points here

yah, we gotta watch out...

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 09:48 PM

TG.COM came up with a list of the top 50 earners in serie A on the weekend. It corresponds well to the numbers I've seen before (for the top dogs that is), and if you're surprised by the amounts.. it's propably because the numbers you've seen elsewhere have been after tax. This is pre-tax, so app. half this money goes to the players themselves.

Fee's are in million ? pr. year.

Christian Vieri (Inter) 12
Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) 11
Francesco Totti (Roma) 11
Alessandro Nesta (Milan) 10
Andrei Shevchenko (Milan) 9,4
Filippo Inzaghi (Milan) 9,4
Manuel Rui Costa (Milan) 9
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) 9
Lilian Thuram (Juventus) 9
Alvaro Recoba (Inter) 8
Vincenzo Montella (Roma) 8
Pavel Nedved (Juventus) 7,6
Christian Chivu (Roma) 7,2
Paolo Maldini (Milan) 7
Francesco Toldo (Inter) 7
Marco Di Vaio (Juventus) 6
Vincent Candela (Roma) 6
Clarence Seedorf (Milan) 6
Leite Ribeiro Adriano (Inter) 5,6
Fabio Cannavaro (Inter) 5
Francesco Coco (Inter) 5
Javier Zanetti (Inter) 5
Cristiano Zanetti (Inter) 5
Christian Panucci (Roma) 5
Paolo Montero (Juventus) 5
Jaap Stam (Lazio) 4,8
Walter Samuel (Roma) 4,4
Alessio Tacchinardi (Juventus) 4,4
Ivan Ramiro Cordoba (Inter) 4
Matias Almeyda (Inter) 4
Emerson (Roma) 4
Mark Iuliano (Juventus) 4
David Trezeguet (Juventus) 4
Nelson Dida (Milan) 4
Kaka' (Milan) 4
Andrea Pirlo (Milan) 4
Fernando Redondo (Milan) 4
Dejan Stankovic (Inter) 4
Serginho (Milan) 3,6
Stefanio Fiore (Lazio) 3,6
Sebastian Frey (Parma) 3,5
Belazoglu Emre (Inter) 3,5
Sinisa Mihajlovic (Lazio) 3,4
Claudio Lopez (Lazio) 3,4
Andy van der Meyde (Inter) 3,4
Christian Abbiati (Milan) 3,2
Antonio Conte (Juventus) 3,2
Antonio Cassano (Roma) 3,2
Claudio Bellucci (Bologna) 3,2
Marco Delvecchio (Roma) 3,2

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 09:51 PM

03/03/2004. Once again Manchester United have come out on top of the list of the world's richest football clubs, based on last season's income.

The list, produced annually by accountants Deloitte, shows that United's income was £167.83 million last season.

That was more than £20 million ahead of second-placed Juventus, who earned £145.75 million.

A surprise is that Leeds United, facing financial melt-down, appear in 16th place on the list after earning £61.41 million. They feature based on income, although trading in their shares has been suspended, the threat of administration remains and their debts amount to an estimated £100 million. Leeds occupied 11th place on the previous year's list.

Premiership were well represented in the top 20.

Arsenal, who last month confirmed that funding was in place to enable construction of their new stadium at Ashburton Grove to proceed, were on the new list in as the seventh richest club. The new 60,000-seater stadium will significantly boost the Gunners' revenue when it opens ? which is expected to be at the start of the 2006-07 season.

Arsenal earned £99.87 million last season, with Liverpool one place below them on £99.74 million. The Reds are also putting together plans for a new 60,000-seater stadium in Stanley Park, close to Anfield, to boost their income.

Like Arsenal, Liverpool are seeking to close the earnings gap between themselves and Manchester United ? a gap that has grown dramatically in recent years as capacity at Old Trafford has increased to 67,000-plus. Highbury is restricted to just over 38,000; Anfield to around 45,000.

Meanwhile Newcastle United, with the second largest ground capacity in the Premiership (some 52,000) were ninth on the rich list with an income of £92.73 million.

Chelsea were in tenth on £89.32 million ? but the new financial muscle of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich is likely to be apparent when the next list is published.

Tottenham appear in 15th place with £63.81 million, and Scottish Premier League giants Celtic earned £58.07 million, placing them 18th.

Last season's Champions League winners, AC Milan, were the third richest club with an income of £133.66 million.

Real Madrid were in fourth place with £128.5 million.

The Top 20 on Deloitte's 'Rich List' were:

1. Manchester United £167,83m
2. Juventus £145.75m
3. AC Milan £133.66m
4. Real Madrid £128.5m
5. Bayern Munich £108.6m
6. Inter Milan £108.4m
7. Arsenal £99.87m
8. Liverpool £99.74m
9. Newcastle United £92.73m
10. Chelsea £89.32m
11. AS Roma £88.39m
12. Borussia Dortmund £82.78m
13. Barcelona £82.38m
14. Schalke 04 £79.17m
15. Tottenham Hotspur £63.81m
16. Leeds United £61.41m
17. Lazio £59.34m
18. Celtic £58.07m
19. Olympique Lyonnais £56.27m
20. Valencia £53.73m

Graham Lister
http://www.soccerage.com/en/13/t5957.html

good news for Juve fans

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 09:54 PM

this is done by a malaysian reporter in Turin after the Juve-Chievo match

Vice president of Juventus Roberto bettega (who scored 129 goals in 326 matches) was the second star player who joined the Juve board upon retiring from the pitch. The first was Giampiero Boniperti who became president in July 1971 after playing 459 matches and scored 179 goals. These are the highlights of the interview with Bettega :

On why Juventus linked up with Nike:

It was the right choice for both of us because we had the same objectives. They were looking for a global brand, we wanted to be a global brand. It was a long talk, but it will be a long marriage.

On whether Juventus' plan to have football academeis worldwide will produce Asian players for the Serie A:

Nakata was in Italy to learn the Juve style of football. With our academies, kids from ages 8-16 will learn the Juve style where they live, whether it is in Tokyo or Osaka. They will learn the style similar to those who are in Turin. The aim of the project is for the players not to move and to practise where you live. Being a part of the Juventus academy, if the player is good, Juve will have first option to have the player. The target is have no difference between the quality of Turin coaches and those in Japan, China or Canada.

On which player will be the star:

(Alessandro) Del Piero is very famous. We have probably the best goalkeeper in the world (Gianluigi Buffon) and the winner of Golden Ball for European Footballer of the Year Pavel Nedved. We cannot choose anyone. It is up to the supporters. The market will say which will be the right one.

On the secret behind Juve's success:

The secret is the family. I don't know any other club with the same property for more than 80 years and I believe for the next 80 years too. I was in Juve when I was 9 in 1960 and was a little boy learning from the same academy that we want to spread around the world. I was lucky to be part of this history. When I say family, I mean continuity.

People said after Platini, Juve will go down, but no, Juventus is always there. Even with different players or managers, Juve will be there because of the continuity of the family, the tradition. It is the only name that will not change.

On whether Del Piero will join the board when he retires:

Don't forget that this is a team. There are more than 60 persons working for one target- Juventus. Before I became vice president, there was another great player who became president. If the next one is Del Piero, there will be another continuation, another tradition, but it is his choice in part and Juve's choice in part. In my case it wasn't as if I finished playing and said now I want to be vice president. I went to the States to play football, I spent 8 years on TV and my business and suddenly Juve made a phone call. It will be the same for Del Piero. Maybe it is his dream. It is up to Juve to choose. I will be happy if Del Piero will be with Juve in another way different from being a player.

Can Juve win the Serie A again?

Of course, why not. It is not easy to win three times, but everything is possible.

On the leaky defense

We won 1-0 against Chievo so the problem is already over.

On whether the defence is ageing

In the last two years, we had the best defence in the league. We don't make a balance sheet in the middle but the end of the season. Then at that point we can see if someone is too old or too young. Even if they say there are too many goals, we are still ready to win all three (Serie A, Champions League and Italian Cup.) Right now, it is a problem, but not a mortal problem.

On why the deal with Nike is for such a long time (12 years)

It was not possible to grow with academies all over the world in two years. We need more than five years to have academies in Canada, Asia, the US and Africa. When we want to grow together, we want a long term deal to open stores. The deal is worth 190mil euros over 12 years.

on cash strapped clubs

It is happening not only in Italy. Look at Spain and even in Germany. In England, leave aside Manchester United, then I don't know. We are already doing something. What is important is that we will close positive and give dividents to shareholders.

on Russian money flowing into Chelsea

For somebody it was good. Nobody can say you can't spend your money. The problem is you have the money. But we are not following that. We are following our own targets.

On Juve's chances of winning the CL

At this point, you cannot make any mistake. You must play in right way and try to win. Of course, Real, MU, and Milan will be there.

THE END
:)

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 09:56 PM

YES!!!

Pavel Nedved won?t be displaying his skills at Stamford Bridge next season after he committed himself to Juventus.

The Czech international?s future has been the subject of speculation recently that had suggested a summer move to Chelsea may occur.

Whispers claimed that the Italian champions were set to sacrifice the European Footballer of the Year if a substantial bid was tabled.

Yet the 31-year-old has insisted that he will keep on playing football in Turin until his contract expires in 2006.

"I have embraced the Juventus mentality and this club is in my bones," he said. "I wouldn?t change teams even if I was forced to.

"I won?t be leaving Juventus and I firmly believe that the club have no intention of selling me either."

Nedved is keen to keep winning with the Old Lady and is also adamant that he is physically up to the job.

"I?m in good shape and I don?t really understand why people are so concerned about my fitness," he said.

"Playing football gives me a great feeling of joy. If I had my way I would have a ball with me all day long."

There were doubts over Nedved?s physical condition after he was absent from Tuesday?s training session.

However, he was back in Turin on Wednesday and has trained since. He should feature at the weekend against Brescia after missing the Ancona tie with suspension.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar5e.html

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 09:58 PM

Lequi: il nuovo Montero è già Juve (TS)

Venerdì, 05 marzo @ 10:21:23 CET
La Juventus ha in mano Lequi, gigante argentino
dell'Atletico Madrid. Il giovane difensore con
passaporto italiano arriverebbe grazie ad un
vasta operazione che coinvolge Olivera e Salas.
Il giocatore italo-argentino, 22 anni, si libera
a giugno e il cartellino è di Paco Casal. Il
potente agente uruguayano, grande amico di
Moggi, ha consigliato il giocatore ai
bianconeri: c'è già stato il prio incontro.
(TuttoSport)

it says Lequi is the new Montero and is already Juve's, Juve has a hand on Lequi the giant argentine defender from Atletico Madrid. The young defender with an italian passport would arrive thanks to an operation that involves Olivera & Salas. the italian-argentine player, 22 years old will be free to come in June says Paco Casal, the agent which is good friends with Moggi. The player was recommended to Moggi and first contact has been made.

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 10:00 PM

The great Pele

03/04/2004. Brazil legend Pele has compiled a list of the "FIFA 100" greatest living footballers. This marks the 100th anniversary of the foundation of FIFA. There are actually 125 names in the list.

ARGENTINA

Alfredo Di Stefano
Daniel Passarella
Diego Maradona
Gabriel Batistuta
Hernan Crespo
Javier Saviola
Javier Zanetti
Juan Sebastian Veron
Mario Kempes
Omar Sivori

BELGIUM

Franky van der Elst
Jean-Marie Pfaff
Jan Cuelemens

BRAZIL
Cafu
Carlos Alberto
Djalma
Santos
Falcao
Milton Santos
Junior
Pele
Rivaldo
Rivelino
Roberto Carlos
Romario
Ronaldinho
Ronaldo
Socrates
Zico

BULGARIA

Hristo Stoichkov

CAMEROON

Roger Milla

CHILE

Pablo Figueroa
Ivan Zamorano

COLOMBIA

Carlos Valderrama

CROATIA

Davor Suker

CZECH REPUBLIC

Josef Masopust
Pavel Nedved

DENMARK

Brian Laudrup
Michael Laudrup
Peter Schmeichal

ENGLAND

Alan Shearer
Bobby Charlton
David Beckham
Gary Linekar
Gordon Banks
Kevin Keegan
Michael Owen

FRANCE

David Trezeguet
Didier Deschamps
Eric Cantona
Jean-Pierre Papin
Just Fontaine
Lilian Thuram
Marcel Desailly
Marius Tresor
Michel Platini
Patrick Vieira
Raymond Kopa
Robert Pires
Thierry Henry
Zinedine Zidane

GERMANY

Franz Beckenbauer
Gerd Mueller
Jurgen Klinsmann
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Lothar Matthaus
Michael Ballack
Oliver Kahn
Paul Breitner
Sepp Maier
Uwe Seeler

GHANA

Abedi Pele

HUNGARY
Ferenc Puskas

IRELAND

Roy Keane

ITALY

Alessandro Del Piero
Alessandro Nesta
Christian Vieri
Dino Zoff
Francesco Totti
Franco Baresi
Giampiero Boniperti
Giacinto Fachetti
Gianluca Buffon
Gianni Rivera
Giuseppe Bergomi
Paolo Rossi
Paolo Maldini
Roberto Baggio

JAPAN

Hidetoshi Nakata

LIBERIA

George Weah

MEXICO

Hugo Sanchez

NETHERLANDS

Clarence Seedorf
Dennis Bergkamp
Edgar Davids
Frank Rijkaard
Johan Neeskens
Johan Cruyff
Marco Van Basten
Patrick Kluivert
Rene van de Kerkhof
Rob Rensenbrink
Ruud Gullit
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Willie van de Kerkhof

NIGERIA

Jay-Jay Okocha

NORTHERN IRELAND

George Best

PARAGUAY

Romerito

PERU

Teofilo Cubillas

POLAND

Zbigniew Boniek

PORTUGAL

Eusebio
Luis Figo
Rui Costa

ROMANIA

Gheorghe Hagi

RUSSIA

Rinat Disayev

SCOTLAND

Kenny Dalglish

SENEGAL

El Hadji Diouf

SOUTH KOREA

Hong Myung-Bo

SPAIN

Emilio Butragueno
Luis Enrique
Raul

TURKEY

Emre Belozoglu
Rustu Recber

UKRAINE

Andriy Shevchenko

URUGUAY

Enzo Francescoli

UNITED STATES (women)

Michelle Akers
Mia Hamm

soccerage.com

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 10:01 PM

F365 Interview: Jaap Stam
Wednesday March 03 2004
The Dutch defender talks about how everything's gone 's***' at Lazio, has a warning for Chelsea and likens Ruud and Patrick to Andy and Teddy at United...

How are things going at Lazio?
"Last year we finished fourth, while in my first season at Lazio we only ended up sixth in Serie A. This year we got knocked out in the first round of the Champions League.

"The remaining big names will be sold this summer. Our director of football, Guisueppe de Mita, has said that at the end of this season Lazio will also sell Dejan Stankovic and our manager Robert Mancini. That would be another big blow."

Are there lessons to be learned after what happened at Lazio? Even the president is in jail now...
"It is so simple to pour millions and millions into a club. As long as you have enough money, every player in Europe can be brought in, but look at us now. The lessons we have learnt are harsh and the reality of our situation is driven home every day."

Is there a danger that Chelsea could go the way of Lazio?
"I look at Chelsea and I know what they are doing. They keep buying all the big names. There will be some success. They will win something. Exactly the same thing happened at Lazio. But look where this club is now. Here, in Roma, they operated no different from the Chelsea owners. But right now we are in a major financial crisis.

"The biggest problem for a club like Chelsea is that, because of all the money spent on the transfer market, the expectations are incredibly big. And when the time comes when there is not enough money to pay everyone, people will still have huge expectations.

"Even at Lazio, with most of our big names gone again, nobody says: 'Listen, we have to cut back, we are facing a few tough seasons ahead'. The whole world is still expecting miracles.

"Players at big clubs do earn a lot of money. We are described as multi-millionaires these days. It has been written and it was said in a documentary on television that I have 20 million pounds in the bank! I guarantee I have not earned that amount of money while I was at United and at Lazio!"

So you're fairly rich then?
"It really annoys me when such figures and exaggerated stories about our salaries come out. It could put some mad ideas in the mind of an idiot. In Holland police broke up a gang last month, ready to kidnap Mateja Kezman, the top scorer of my old club PSV Eindhvoen. This is why I insist that my wife and children are well protected while I am away with Lazio or the national team."

Do you look back on the move to Lazio with some regret?
"Since I have come here, I have been in a lot of ****. I could have done without a lot of things. There were the drug allegations - I could not play for four months. The club struggled to pay the wages to the players for a long time. And I find it frustrating that we are not winning big trophies. At United I got used to winning things. That is why I find this situation very disappointing."

More recently there have been problem in the Dutch camp - but what do you make of the situation between Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Patrick Kluivert, who refuse to talk to each other?
"It should not make a difference whether they get on or not. If two players do not speak a word off the pitch to each other, that is not a problem. We had that situation for a long time at United with Teddy Sheringham and Andy Cole. For years they did not say a single word to each other. But they did manage to play together in a professional way on the pitch. That is how Ruud should be with Patrick in the Dutch national team."

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 10:06 PM

Here's an article from Gazzetta on Milan's campaign this year, translated by Payman.

===

The run streak of the Rossoneri is underligned by a few numbers. One among all: the 30 points earned so far away from the San Siro, new record of the Serie A.

A triumphal march. Or something very similar. Might still be a bit early but the rythm imposed by Milan is really scary. A matter of numbers and stats to put one after another. Let us start with the numbers in front of the eyes of everyone: 58 points ( after 23 games, no team had ever made so many points since the Serie A moved to the 3 points rule) 18 wins, 4 ties and 1 loss. An incredibly impressive record. What strikes the most is the number of wins away from home: out of 12 away games played, they've won 9 and tying only 3 times, for a total of 30 points (new record of the Serie A).

One loss at home against Udinese on December 21, 2003, and no loss away from the San Siro. In 2004, no loss yet, only positive results: 9 wins, 1 tie, 1-1 away to Lecce. And in these 9 wins, fundamental were the wins in Rome, 2-1 against the Giallorossi and 1-0 against the Biancocelesti and the come back during the last derby, from 0-2 to 3-2. But the stats are even more impressive: in the 2nd half, the Rossoneri have yet to lose a single point in the Serie A, scoring 31 goals in 23 games, after the results of the 1st 45 minutes.

Also, the average of point per game is a staggering 2.5 in away games, the overall average point per game is even better: 2.52, while at home, that average is 2.54! These stats say it all. However, it's not the total number of goals which is the most impressive, "only" 44 (Roma have scored 51, Juve 47), but what's worth mentionning is that the goals are coming from different sources. Other than the 17 goals from Shevchenko, who is the leading scorer in the league, Kaka with 8 goals and Tomasson with 7, other Milan players have also scored some crucial goals, such as Pancaro decisive against Brescia away, and Ambrosini, author of the splendid goal against Lazio this past sunday.

11 is a magical number, like the number of points Milan have taken over Roma in less than 2 months. Just a quick look at the standings 2 months ago, when Roma was first with 6 points clear of Milan, before Roma-Milan of January 06, 2004. 11 more points than last year at the same time for Milan. In short, a truly incredilble rythm set by Milan this season, which is even more emphasized by the fact that the Rossoneri have played in total 37 games this season, more than all the other teams in Italy. Finally, another important and impressive data: for the Ancelotti team, only 17 points are needed to equal the record of all time points reached by Roma, 75 points during the 2000/2001 season where Roma was crowed champions.

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 10:13 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
TG.COM came up with a list of the top 50 earners in serie A on the weekend. It corresponds well to the numbers I've seen before (for the top dogs that is), and if you're surprised by the amounts.. it's propably because the numbers you've seen elsewhere have been after tax. This is pre-tax, so app. half this money goes to the players themselves.

Fee's are in million ? pr. year.

Christian Vieri (Inter) 12
Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) 11
Francesco Totti (Roma) 11
Alessandro Nesta (Milan) 10
Andrei Shevchenko (Milan) 9,4
Filippo Inzaghi (Milan) 9,4
Manuel Rui Costa (Milan) 9
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) 9
Lilian Thuram (Juventus) 9
Alvaro Recoba (Inter) 8
Vincenzo Montella (Roma) 8
Pavel Nedved (Juventus) 7,6
Christian Chivu (Roma) 7,2
Paolo Maldini (Milan) 7
Francesco Toldo (Inter) 7
Marco Di Vaio (Juventus) 6
Vincent Candela (Roma) 6
Clarence Seedorf (Milan) 6
Leite Ribeiro Adriano (Inter) 5,6
Fabio Cannavaro (Inter) 5
Francesco Coco (Inter) 5
Javier Zanetti (Inter) 5
Cristiano Zanetti (Inter) 5
Christian Panucci (Roma) 5
Paolo Montero (Juventus) 5
Jaap Stam (Lazio) 4,8
Walter Samuel (Roma) 4,4
Alessio Tacchinardi (Juventus) 4,4
Ivan Ramiro Cordoba (Inter) 4
Matias Almeyda (Inter) 4
Emerson (Roma) 4
Mark Iuliano (Juventus) 4
David Trezeguet (Juventus) 4
Nelson Dida (Milan) 4
Kaka' (Milan) 4
Andrea Pirlo (Milan) 4
Fernando Redondo (Milan) 4
Dejan Stankovic (Inter) 4
Serginho (Milan) 3,6
Stefanio Fiore (Lazio) 3,6
Sebastian Frey (Parma) 3,5
Belazoglu Emre (Inter) 3,5
Sinisa Mihajlovic (Lazio) 3,4
Claudio Lopez (Lazio) 3,4
Andy van der Meyde (Inter) 3,4
Christian Abbiati (Milan) 3,2
Antonio Conte (Juventus) 3,2
Antonio Cassano (Roma) 3,2
Claudio Bellucci (Bologna) 3,2
Marco Delvecchio (Roma) 3,2

Hmmmm, interesting figures.

I have to say one of the first things that struck me was seeing how little Trezz earns comparatively speaking. I mean, Montero and Tacchinardi earn more than Trezegol, and I'm not including the players in other teams that are paid more than Trezz and are less deserving than him as well... I can see why he wants an improved deal.

DP and Totti getting the same salary was another thing that i found somewhat disturbing. It's not that i expected there to be a difference, but as Glen said the difference in their respective output is monumental when you think about it this season. We may recouperate a lot on DP through his marketability, but in terms of footballing returns there's a lot left to be desired.

Montero earning more than Samuel and Stam is just....insane, and really is evident of how our financial resources are not being allocated properly at all when it comes to players.

And it's not just the blatantly ridiculous instances like Di Vaio's 6 m or Montero's 5 but it's the others as well. I mean, Thuram's 9 m seems much too high to me. If Stam and Samuel (in fairness Stam and particularly Samuel are earning less than they could, surely upon renegotiation and contract renewals they'd earn much more) are getting paid approximately half of what Thuram is, i find the Frenchman quite pricey all things considered especially as he's been distinctively subpar this season. That's not to say he's not worth it, because he is when he's playing his A game.

But overall, it's quite apparent how we could spend our dough more efficiently, and the most encouraging thing about these figures is that hopefully a lot of our expenses will be reduced and allocated to more productive individuals, when we get rid of the dead wood at the club.

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 10:19 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
Here's an article from Gazzetta on Milan's campaign this year, translated by Payman.

===

The run streak of the Rossoneri is underligned by a few numbers. One among all: the 30 points earned so far away from the San Siro, new record of the Serie A.

A triumphal march. Or something very similar. Might still be a bit early but the rythm imposed by Milan is really scary. A matter of numbers and stats to put one after another. Let us start with the numbers in front of the eyes of everyone: 58 points ( after 23 games, no team had ever made so many points since the Serie A moved to the 3 points rule) 18 wins, 4 ties and 1 loss. An incredibly impressive record. What strikes the most is the number of wins away from home: out of 12 away games played, they've won 9 and tying only 3 times, for a total of 30 points (new record of the Serie A).

One loss at home against Udinese on December 21, 2003, and no loss away from the San Siro. In 2004, no loss yet, only positive results: 9 wins, 1 tie, 1-1 away to Lecce. And in these 9 wins, fundamental were the wins in Rome, 2-1 against the Giallorossi and 1-0 against the Biancocelesti and the come back during the last derby, from 0-2 to 3-2. But the stats are even more impressive: in the 2nd half, the Rossoneri have yet to lose a single point in the Serie A, scoring 31 goals in 23 games, after the results of the 1st 45 minutes.

Also, the average of point per game is a staggering 2.5 in away games, the overall average point per game is even better: 2.52, while at home, that average is 2.54! These stats say it all. However, it's not the total number of goals which is the most impressive, "only" 44 (Roma have scored 51, Juve 47), but what's worth mentionning is that the goals are coming from different sources. Other than the 17 goals from Shevchenko, who is the leading scorer in the league, Kaka with 8 goals and Tomasson with 7, other Milan players have also scored some crucial goals, such as Pancaro decisive against Brescia away, and Ambrosini, author of the splendid goal against Lazio this past sunday.

11 is a magical number, like the number of points Milan have taken over Roma in less than 2 months. Just a quick look at the standings 2 months ago, when Roma was first with 6 points clear of Milan, before Roma-Milan of January 06, 2004. 11 more points than last year at the same time for Milan. In short, a truly incredilble rythm set by Milan this season, which is even more emphasized by the fact that the Rossoneri have played in total 37 games this season, more than all the other teams in Italy. Finally, another important and impressive data: for the Ancelotti team, only 17 points are needed to equal the record of all time points reached by Roma, 75 points during the 2000/2001 season where Roma was crowed champions.

Milan deserve to be at the top for all the consistency they have shown all season. They rack in victories despite bad showings and in a good day they will simply finish off the match early on.

However, that doesn't mean we should give up, that word isn't in Juve's dictionary. We will keep fighting on until the last breath and Milan knows that. Our match against them will be extremely crucial, we need to win it at all costs. Hopefully, after that Trezeguet and Maresca will return to boost us for the other important clashes.

And if, God Forbid, we get dumped out of the Champions League against Depor we can focus on winning the double, whereas Milan worry about defending their European title.

As for Roma, they are also still there to make our mission even harder.

dreamer75

05-03-2004, 11:00 PM

Juve in emergenza a Brescia: anche Zambrotta e
Birindelli ko, i convocati
Venerdì, 05 marzo @ 13:20:00 CET

Il Milan non è imprendibile: ne è convinto il
tecnico della Juve Lippi che pur sottolineando
la grande forza dei rossoneri, ricorda che
"bastano un paio di pareggi per trovarsi addosso
le avversarie". Ma a tenere banco in casa
bianconera è l'emergenza: alle assenze già
preannunciate (Maresca, Trezeguet, Tudor e
Chimenti) si aggiungono all'ultimo momento
quelle di Zambrotta (problema muscolare alla
coscia sinistra) e Birindelli (leggera
infiammazione alla coscia destra già
infortunata). I due con ogni probabilità
dovranno saltare anche la sfida di Champions
contro il Deportivo. Ciò nonostante la Juventus
domani, a Brescia, farà riposare Del Piero e
Tacchinardi in vista del match di martedì con
gli spagnoli.
Ecco l'elenco dei convocati per la trasferta di
Brescia di sabato sera:

Zambrotta & Birindelli are out of action for the trip to Brescia, to add to the list already out (Maresca, Trezeguet, Tudor & Chimenti). Zambrotta has a muscular problem to the left thigh & Birindelli has a light inflammation to the thigh. there is a posability that the two could also miss the CL game. Also Del Piero & Tacchinardi could be rested for the Brescia game.

The players called up for the Brescia Game:
Buffon
Ferrara
Tacchinardi
Montero
Pessotto
Conte
Miccoli
Del Piero
Nedved
Iuliano
Camoranesi
Appiah
Di Vaio
Thuram
Mirante
Legrottaglie
Boudianski
Chiumento
Palladino

ZhuGeLiang

06-03-2004, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
The Top 20 on Deloitte's 'Rich List' were:

1. Manchester United £167,83m
2. Juventus £145.75m
3. AC Milan £133.66m
4. Real Madrid £128.5m
5. Bayern Munich £108.6m
6. Inter Milan £108.4m
7. Arsenal £99.87m
8. Liverpool £99.74m
9. Newcastle United £92.73m
10. Chelsea £89.32m
11. AS Roma £88.39m
12. Borussia Dortmund £82.78m
13. Barcelona £82.38m
14. Schalke 04 £79.17m
15. Tottenham Hotspur £63.81m
16. Leeds United £61.41m
17. Lazio £59.34m
18. Celtic £58.07m
19. Olympique Lyonnais £56.27m
20. Valencia £53.73m

Graham Lister
http://www.soccerage.com/en/13/t5957.html

good news for Juve fans

isn't earlier report says we lost $ :confused:

ZhuGeLiang

06-03-2004, 05:22 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
YES!!!

Pavel Nedved won?t be displaying his skills at Stamford Bridge next season after he committed himself to Juventus.

The Czech international?s future has been the subject of speculation recently that had suggested a summer move to Chelsea may occur.

Whispers claimed that the Italian champions were set to sacrifice the European Footballer of the Year if a substantial bid was tabled.

Yet the 31-year-old has insisted that he will keep on playing football in Turin until his contract expires in 2006.

"I have embraced the Juventus mentality and this club is in my bones," he said. "I wouldn?t change teams even if I was forced to.

"I won?t be leaving Juventus and I firmly believe that the club have no intention of selling me either."

Nedved is keen to keep winning with the Old Lady and is also adamant that he is physically up to the job.

"I?m in good shape and I don?t really understand why people are so concerned about my fitness," he said.

"Playing football gives me a great feeling of joy. If I had my way I would have a ball with me all day long."

There were doubts over Nedved?s physical condition after he was absent from Tuesday?s training session.

However, he was back in Turin on Wednesday and has trained since. He should feature at the weekend against Brescia after missing the Ancona tie with suspension.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar5e.html

since we're 2nd richest, we should keep him :D

ZhuGeLiang

06-03-2004, 05:34 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
And if, God Forbid, we get dumped out of the Champions League against Depor we can focus on winning the double, whereas Milan worry about defending their European title.

As for Roma, they are also still there to make our mission even harder.

i agreed we can forcus on serie A if we get dumped out of CL. but guys we're playing milan right after the depor game, our moral will be affected if we lost to depor. we can't lost lost this game :(

ZhuGeLiang

06-03-2004, 05:39 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
Christian Vieri (Inter) 12
Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) 11
Francesco Totti (Roma) 11
Alessandro Nesta (Milan) 10
Andrei Shevchenko (Milan) 9,4
Filippo Inzaghi (Milan) 9,4
Manuel Rui Costa (Milan) 9
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) 9
Lilian Thuram (Juventus) 9
Alvaro Recoba (Inter) 8
Vincenzo Montella (Roma) 8
Pavel Nedved (Juventus) 7,6
Christian Chivu (Roma) 7,2
Paolo Maldini (Milan) 7
Francesco Toldo (Inter) 7
Marco Di Vaio (Juventus) 6
Vincent Candela (Roma) 6
Clarence Seedorf (Milan) 6
Leite Ribeiro Adriano (Inter) 5,6
Fabio Cannavaro (Inter) 5
Francesco Coco (Inter) 5
Javier Zanetti (Inter) 5
Cristiano Zanetti (Inter) 5
Christian Panucci (Roma) 5
Paolo Montero (Juventus) 5
Jaap Stam (Lazio) 4,8
Walter Samuel (Roma) 4,4
Alessio Tacchinardi (Juventus) 4,4
Ivan Ramiro Cordoba (Inter) 4
Matias Almeyda (Inter) 4
Emerson (Roma) 4
Mark Iuliano (Juventus) 4
David Trezeguet (Juventus) 4
Nelson Dida (Milan) 4
Kaka' (Milan) 4
Andrea Pirlo (Milan) 4
Fernando Redondo (Milan) 4
Dejan Stankovic (Inter) 4
Serginho (Milan) 3,6
Stefanio Fiore (Lazio) 3,6
Sebastian Frey (Parma) 3,5
Belazoglu Emre (Inter) 3,5
Sinisa Mihajlovic (Lazio) 3,4
Claudio Lopez (Lazio) 3,4
Andy van der Meyde (Inter) 3,4
Christian Abbiati (Milan) 3,2
Antonio Conte (Juventus) 3,2
Antonio Cassano (Roma) 3,2
Claudio Bellucci (Bologna) 3,2
Marco Delvecchio (Roma) 3,2

i wanted to know how much davids earn, should be below 5m i guess. wonder why juve not trying to keep him :confused:

demouse

06-03-2004, 07:33 PM

Baggio ready to face Lippi
Saturday 6 March, 2004

Roberto Baggio has recovered from injury in order to take on his former club and aim for his 200th Serie A goal.

“Baggio is in good condition,” revealed Brescia boss Gianni De Biasi, “and took part in training with quite extraordinary enthusiasm.”

The Divine Ponytail has been struggling with muscular and knee problems throughout the campaign.

The team managed well enough even without him, as the 37-year-old was not present when they beat Inter 3-1 at the San Siro last Sunday.

“I still have a few doubts with regards to the flu epidemic that swept through the squad last week,” added De Biasi, “but most of the symptoms have now gone.”

Baggio could become only the fifth player in Serie A history to score 200 goals after Silvio Piola, Gunnar Nordahl, Jose Altafini and Giuseppe Meazza.

Technically, the former Fiorentina, Milan, Bologna and Inter man has already surpassed that tally, but his play-off goals are not included.

Marcello Lippi famously did not get along with Baggio during their years at Juventus and when asked about that rapport the Bianconeri boss walked out of yesterday’s press conference.

“I understand where he is coming from,” said De Biasi. “If I was asked the same question for several years I’d have walked out too.”

channel 4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar6e.html)

he's back, careful :D

demouse

06-03-2004, 07:35 PM

demouse

06-03-2004, 10:33 PM

Italian Serie A 03/04 - Week 24

Brescia vs Juventus
7 March, Sun @ 03:22am - Ch 21 LIVE

:)

demouse

07-03-2004, 08:15 AM

Serie A Week 24 - 6/3/04 (20.30)
Brescia 2 - 3 Juventus
Mauri 3 (B), Caracciolo 39 (B), Miccoli pen 53 (J), Di Vaio 54 (J), Nedved 75 (J)
Stadio Rigamonti
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Pavel Nedved completed a classic comeback as Juventus came from 2-0 down at Brescia to win 3-2.

Roberto Baggio was hoping to score his 200th Serie A goal against his former club and made his comeback after several weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury. Brescia did well enough even without the Divine Ponytail, earning a 3-1 victory at Inter.

Juventus were without the injured David Trezeguet, Enzo Maresca, Gianluca Zambrotta, Alessandro Birindelli and Igor Tudor. With the Champions' League clash against Deportivo La Coruna coming up, Alessandro Del Piero was also rested.

Pavel Nedved made his return after missing the win over Ancona due to a ban and was given a five-day holiday to help recover his form this week.

The Bianconeri defence has been under fire this season and another disastrous error gifted Brescia the opener after just three minutes. Gianluigi Buffon came rushing off his line but clattered into a group of bodies, allowing Stefano Mauri to turn into an empty net.

Juve's record here is quite poor and Brescia won this fixture 2-0 last season, so it was a very strong start for the Rondinelle.

The visitors fought back and Nedved's angled drive was well parried at the near post by Luca Castellazzi, then the goalkeeper bravely intercepted Marco Di Vaio's shot.

But Brescia continued to have the better of the overall play with Baggio curling a volley and free kick over the bar.

Francelino Matuzalem went very close to an equaliser when his fierce drive was deflected, but Buffon more than made up for his earlier error by shooting up his hand to turn it over the bar in a stunning reaction save.

The goalkeeper then rushed off his line to pluck the ball off Andrea Caracciolo's foot as he sprung the offside trap.

Juventus also created chances and on 32 minutes Fabrizio Miccoli charged into the box and saw his angled drive deflected inches wide of the far post by Gigi Di Biagio.

But it was Brescia who doubled their lead with a well-worked free kick just before half-time. Di Biagio feinted a powerful effort, but instead chipped it up for Baggio and he placed it across the face of goal for Caracciolo's tap-in. Nicola Legrottaglie should perhaps have cleared it before the ball reached the scorer at the back post.

Matuzalem then dribbled past two players and placed a fierce drive past the far post, while Caracciolo ballooned wide from a good position as Juventus were under increasing pressure.

Paolo Montero came on for Gianluca Pessotto at half-time, but within a minute he'd brought down Baggio just outside the box and could perhaps have been considered last man.

However, at the other end Nedved fell under a challenge from Di Biagio and the referee did not hesitate in pointing to the spot. Miccoli took over penalty taking duties and the former Perugia man successfully converted only for the ref to order a retake.

The second attempt was also accurate, but once more Paolo Bertini demanded it be taken again as he halted his run-up. Miccoli was again in charge and for a third time buried the spot-kick to put Juventus back into the game.

It proved a decisive moment, as within a minute the Bianconeri were level on 2-2. Miccoli flicked a long Lillian Thuram pass into the centre and allowed Marco Di Vaio to volley in from ten yards. The former Parma man had not scored in Serie A since Nov 9.

Alessandro Del Piero stepped on to the field for the final 17 minutes, replacing goalscorer Di Vaio.

Juve's incredible comeback from two down was completed moments later, as a corner kick was punched out to Pavel Nedved on the edge of the box and he smashed in a brilliant goal.

Brescia wanted a penalty soon after when Mauro German Camoranesi clattered into Mauri, but the referee waved play on.

Miccoli combined well with Nedved on the counter-attack, but his angled drive was just wide of the near post.

The home side felt they perhaps should have drawn level in the final minute when Caracciolo was halted for a very dubious offside decision as he went one on one with Buffon.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Brescia: Castellazzi; Martinez (Colucci 78), Petruzzi, Di Biagio, Dainelli, Castellini; Brighi (Guana 85), Matuzalem, Mauri (Del Nero 78); Caracciolo, Baggio

Juventus: Buffon; Thuram, Legrottaglie, Iuliano (Tacchinardi 60), Pessotto (Montero 46); Camoranesi, Conte, Appiah; Nedved; Miccoli, Di Vaio (Del Piero 73)

Ref: Bertini

channel 4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0304/bre-juv.html)

dreamer75

07-03-2004, 09:11 PM

yeah, we won an important away win!!!

Forza Nedved!!

Forza Juve!!!

:bounce:

dreamer75

07-03-2004, 09:12 PM

http://www.sports.it/it/slideshow/images/20040306/bj7.jpg

dreamer75

07-03-2004, 09:12 PM

http://www.sports.it/it/slideshow/images/20040306/bj8.jpg

dreamer75

07-03-2004, 09:13 PM

http://www.sports.it/it/slideshow/images/20040306/bj10.jpg

dreamer75

07-03-2004, 09:13 PM

http://www.sports.it/it/slideshow/images/20040306/bj11.jpg

dreamer75

07-03-2004, 09:15 PM

Originally posted by ZhuGeLiang

isn't earlier report says we lost $ :confused:

the list only reflects revenue earned..not net profit/loss

demouse

07-03-2004, 09:17 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
yeah, we won an important away win!!!

Forza Nedved!!

Forza Juve!!!

:bounce:

glad to see nedved regain his form

btw, depor lost again to valencia :D

dreamer75

07-03-2004, 09:19 PM

From Chanel 4

Bitter Brescia slam ref Saturday 6 March, 2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marcello Lippi praised his men for recovering from 2-0 down, but Gianni De Biasi bitterly criticised the referee for two dubious goals.

?Brescia certainly did well to make the most of their first half performance,? said Lippi, ?but in all honesty that wasn?t Juventus out there.?

?We played without heart and soul, above all without taking the initiative and Juve cannot afford to sit back.?

They went into the half-time break 2-0 down, but a flurry of goals saw the Bianconeri emerge victorious.

?The second half was just another team entirely that took risks, although certainly those two goals in 120 seconds were a tough blow for Brescia. We kept going even after that and played football at last.?

?I wanted a more aggressive performance and asked the players to be more assertive in all areas of the field.?

Juventus got back into the game when Fabrizio Miccoli converted a penalty, even if it took three attempts to get it on the scoresheet.

?Miccoli did very well to keep his cool,? noted Lippi, ?but from the bench I couldn?t really tell what was wrong with the other two. It certainly wasn?t easy to score all three penalties in a row.?

This match did highlight a recent problem also seen against Ancona and Deportivo La Coruna of difficult starts to their performances.

?There does seem to be a problem at the start, but I pledge we will work on that aspect of the game. At least our qualities do emerge over the 90 minutes, but we need to have more self-belief.?

The atmosphere in the Brescia camp was understandably sombre after this controversial 3-2 home defeat.

?We certainly out-played Juve in the first half and fully deserved to be two goals up after 45 minutes,? insisted Gianni De Biasi.

?Our regrets are obviously linked to that second period that was also affected by certain incidents I don?t wish to comment on. I shall only say that Brescia were superior on all levels, both in terms of tactics and character, but the game was reopened by a very soft penalty indeed.?

At the dawn of the second half Gigi Di Biagio was punished for a slight nudge on Pavel Nedved.

?If this push had taken place at the other end of the field then a penalty would never have been awarded,? sniped the Brescia boss. ?It?s a joke.?

There are also doubts over Marco Di Vaio?s goal as he appeared to be offside when Miccoli flicked on the pass ? something the scorer himself admitted.

?It was offside and there are no doubts about it,? continued an irate De Biasi. ?To concede two dubious goals in the space of 120 seconds will inevitably hit a team psychologically. Unfortunately these incidents always make the difference in favour of the big clubs.?

Pavel Nedved?s five-day holiday evidently helped him rediscover his form and a winning goal at the Stadio Rigamonti.

?I have always given 100 per cent in every game, even when I didn?t have much petrol left in the tank,? assured the Balon d?Or winner.

?This performance showed everyone just what Juventus represents. This is the Bianconeri character that never gives in no matter what the situation.?

Brescia 2-3 Juventus

dreamer75

07-03-2004, 09:32 PM

Gianluca Zambrotta?s agent has denied that talks have already been held with Barcelona representatives.

Reports in the Italian and Spanish press have spoken of preliminary discussions for the last few weeks.

?It is completely untrue,? snapped agent Marcello Bonetto. ?Nobody has contacted me for Zambrotta. That is the absolute truth.?

The versatile Italian international can play either as a left-back or right-winger and impressed during last year?s Champions? League campaign.

He starred at the Nou Camp when Juventus eliminated Barcelona and it is claimed that Spanish directors made their interest in him known during January?s negotiations for Edgar Davids.

However, Bonetto wished to point out that the ex-Bari man is ready to put pen to paper on a new Bianconeri deal.

?We are currently discussing an extension to his current contract until 2008,? revealed the representative. ?I expect that an important development could happen very soon.?

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar7a.html

dreamer75

07-03-2004, 09:39 PM

March 6, 2004

Juventus are planning a major raid for Atletico Madrid defender Matias Lequi.

The Argentina U23 international is seen at Juve as a potential successor for Paolo Montero and is being lined up for a summer move to Turin.

Lequi is on-loan at Atletico from River Plate and his registration is owned by agent Paco Casal. Casal also has Juventus players Marcelo Zalayeta, David Trezeguet and Ruben Olivera on his books and enjoys a good relationship with Juve officials.

Atletico know they will have to fight to hold onto Lequi next season and it's been suggested in the Spanish press that that was the reason for the January loan signing of Olivera, who has hardly figured since his arrival from Juve.

Signing Olivera keeps Atletico on the good side of Casal, though Juve are also in regular talks about the possibility of landing Lequi in the summer.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/march/italnews4060304.html

dreamer75

07-03-2004, 10:00 PM

ITALY Seria A, Saturday March 06 2004

Juventus striker David Trezeguet says he wants his future resolved within the next month as Barcelona confirmed their interest in the French international.

Barcelona President Laporta admitted that the striker is his club's prime target for next season as the Spanish giants look to continue their revival after leaving in the shadow of their bitter rivals Real Madrid in recent years.

Trezeguet's current deal expires in June 2005, and unless Juventus want to extend it, they will have to sell him in the summer to avoid the player leaving for free.

The French forward, reportedly also the target of Chelsea, admits he is flattered by Barca's interest. but insists he wants to know whether he has a future with the Bianconeri before considering his options.

"I am obviously flattered by the interest from Barcelona as they are one of the biggest clubs in the world," said Trezeguet.

"I want to know my future within the next month," he added. "Either I extend my contract with Juventus - a side I want to give 100 per cent to for the remaining weeks of this season - or I will start looking around at other options."

dreamer75

07-03-2004, 10:02 PM

07 03 2004

(La Presse)
Yet another achievement for Marcello Lippi to list among those attained coaching Juventus in the last decade. A great comeback at Brescia, from 2-0 to 3-2, proves decisive to continue the ongoing chase in the championship and to keep momentum in the next important challenges. Three crucial matches, against Deportivo, Milan and Lazio that Lippi wants to engage with the same spirit we saw in the second half of the match: ?I don?t believe what we saw in the first half is the real Juventus. Brescia put to profit all the work they have done this season. We lacked determination. After half time we came back with more resolve. The two goals in rapid succession just at the begging of the second half have been decisive and undermined their confidence. We felt it in our possibilities and scored the winning goal, and went very close to scoring also a fourth point.?

http://www.juventus.it/juventus/en/cmc/seriea/200410/cmc_64642.html

demouse

07-03-2004, 10:03 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
Gianluca Zambrotta?s agent has denied that talks have already been held with Barcelona representatives.

Reports in the Italian and Spanish press have spoken of preliminary discussions for the last few weeks.

?It is completely untrue,? snapped agent Marcello Bonetto. ?Nobody has contacted me for Zambrotta. That is the absolute truth.?

The versatile Italian international can play either as a left-back or right-winger and impressed during last year?s Champions? League campaign.

He starred at the Nou Camp when Juventus eliminated Barcelona and it is claimed that Spanish directors made their interest in him known during January?s negotiations for Edgar Davids.

However, Bonetto wished to point out that the ex-Bari man is ready to put pen to paper on a new Bianconeri deal.

?We are currently discussing an extension to his current contract until 2008,? revealed the representative. ?I expect that an important development could happen very soon.?

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar7a.html

will be big mistake if juve sell him :angel:

but i know he wouldn't want to leave italy, like most of the italian players :D

dreamer75

07-03-2004, 10:03 PM

with the win over Brescia, we are off to CL :)

dreamer75

07-03-2004, 10:04 PM

Originally posted by demouse

will be big mistake if juve sell him :angel:

but i know he wouldn't want to leave italy, like most of the italian players :D

cannot seel him, he's such an impt player to us.

demouse

07-03-2004, 10:07 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75

cannot seel him, he's such an impt player to us.

i rated him the 2nd most important player in juve, after nedved ;)

dreamer75

08-03-2004, 02:56 PM

March 8, 2004

Juventus striker David Trezeguet has revealed he's been gagged from talking about Barcelona's interest in his transfer.

"These reports do not bother me," the French ace told Marca. "But Juve has requested that I do not speak on the subject and I must follow orders.

"I am calm and enjoying my football again. I am enjoying this season in Italy and my wish is to continue growing as a player and a person. And as far as I know, I will do this with Juventus."

http://www.tribalfootball.com/march/spanishnews080304.html

dreamer75

08-03-2004, 02:57 PM

dat's the way, Moggi!!

March 8, 2004

Juventus chief Luciano Moggi is planning to replace two of the club's defensive veterans with Parma signings.

Ciro Ferrara, 37, and 33 year-old Paolo Montero are both coming to the end of their careers at Juve and Moggi is already actively seeking replacements.

Top of his shopping are Parma duo Mateo Ferrari (25) and Daniele Bonera (23). Moggi has already held preliminary talks with Parma about both players.

Manchester United are also interested in Ferrari, with Parma's board keen to get the best price for both players by opening an auction at the end of the season.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/march/italnews080304.html

dreamer75

08-03-2004, 02:58 PM

March 8, 2004

Juventus are keeping tabs on River Plate striker Fernando Cavenaghi.

The Argentine youngster is currently in the process of gaining an Italian passport and is keen to move to Juve next season.

The two clubs have already discussed Cavenaghi's transfer fee and Juve are prepared to pay £6 million for the 20 year-old hotshot.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/march/italnews3080304.html

ZhuGeLiang

08-03-2004, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
March 8, 2004

Juventus are keeping tabs on River Plate striker Fernando Cavenaghi.

The Argentine youngster is currently in the process of gaining an Italian passport and is keen to move to Juve next season.

The two clubs have already discussed Cavenaghi's transfer fee and Juve are prepared to pay £6 million for the 20 year-old hotshot.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/march/italnews3080304.html

so who is coming? Gilardino or Cavenaghi?

ZhuGeLiang

08-03-2004, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
dat's the way, Moggi!!

March 8, 2004

Juventus chief Luciano Moggi is planning to replace two of the club's defensive veterans with Parma signings.

Ciro Ferrara, 37, and 33 year-old Paolo Montero are both coming to the end of their careers at Juve and Moggi is already actively seeking replacements.

Top of his shopping are Parma duo Mateo Ferrari (25) and Daniele Bonera (23). Moggi has already held preliminary talks with Parma about both players.

Manchester United are also interested in Ferrari, with Parma's board keen to get the best price for both players by opening an auction at the end of the season.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/march/italnews080304.html

hopefully this deal go thru, i've heard too many rumous flying around...

ZhuGeLiang

08-03-2004, 04:03 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
Gianluca Zambrotta?s agent has denied that talks have already been held with Barcelona representatives.

Reports in the Italian and Spanish press have spoken of preliminary discussions for the last few weeks.

?It is completely untrue,? snapped agent Marcello Bonetto. ?Nobody has contacted me for Zambrotta. That is the absolute truth.?

The versatile Italian international can play either as a left-back or right-winger and impressed during last year?s Champions? League campaign.

He starred at the Nou Camp when Juventus eliminated Barcelona and it is claimed that Spanish directors made their interest in him known during January?s negotiations for Edgar Davids.

However, Bonetto wished to point out that the ex-Bari man is ready to put pen to paper on a new Bianconeri deal.

?We are currently discussing an extension to his current contract until 2008,? revealed the representative. ?I expect that an important development could happen very soon.?

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar7a.html

i'm going to bomb Stadio Delle Alpi if he left :mad:

ZhuGeLiang

08-03-2004, 04:15 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
yeah, we won an important away win!!!

Forza Nedved!!

Forza Juve!!!

:bounce:

a controversial victory but a win is a win, let's move on to Depor. alex should be back to partner DV. i expect more from alex as he has been rested for this game.

regardless of how badly we've been playing lately, i want juve to go thru and continue with CL

forza juve :bounce:

dreamer75

09-03-2004, 12:44 PM

No margin of error for Juve
Monday, 08 March 2004
By Paolo Menicucci in Turin

Juventus FC are under no illusions as to the size of their task as they seek to turn around a one-goal deficit against RC Deportivo La Coruña on Tuesday night.

'No excuses'

A 1-0 defeat in Spain a fortnight ago left Juve with little margin for error if they are to progress beyond the UEFA Champions League first knockout round and reach a second consecutive final. Coach Marcello Lippi will accept "no excuses" from his depleted team for failing to keep their campaign alive.

Vital match

"It is too easy to have confidence when everything is going well," Lippi said. "I think it is nice to have a difficult period sometimes because in these moments we have to show that we are able to solve every kind of problem. The match against Deportivo can change our season."

Del Piero motivated

Captain Alessandro Del Piero is also fully aware of the need for a good performance. "We need a perfect game," he said. "Deportivo are a great side but we really want this cup and we are eager to show our pride. We certainly do not need extra motivation and I do not see any reasons for not being optimistic."

Absent players

Lippi is unable to call on David Trezeguet, Gianluca Zambrotta, Alessandro Birindelli, Mark Iuliano, Igor Tudor and Enzo Maresca through injury, while Antonio Conte is suspended. The coach is expected to play Marco Di Vaio alongside Alessandro Del Piero, with Pavel Nedved just behind following his winning goal in Saturday's defeat of Brescia Calcio - a strike which followed a short rest in his native Czech Republic.

Night for champions

"Many players in this squad know the pleasure of reaching the final of this tournament because we have done it more than once in the past and we did it after passing several difficult hurdles like this one," Lippi said. "I hope it will be the night of our big players like Del Piero and Nedved. When these players are in great condition, the team follow them. Deportivo always play really well at home but usually are different when they play away."

Deportivo's task

This is the fourth consecutive year the teams have met in the Champions League, and although Deportivo have yet to win in Turin, they may be comforted to know any of their previous results at the Delle Alpi - a 3-2 defeat last season followed two goalless draws - would be good enough for them to go through on aggregate this time round.

Going for goal

Still, Deportivo coach Javier Irureta knows it will not be easy to hold on to their lead. "The 1-0 we achieved in the first leg makes a small but important difference," he said. "However, we need at least one away goal in order to progress. In the past years we proved that we can score here."

Players like Nedved and Del Piero can always decide a match

Javier Irureta

Nedved danger

Igor Tudor's last-gasp winner sealed Juve's win in last year's vital second group stage game, but Irureta knows it is the Italian champions' more usual matchwinners that will be the main threat. "Players like Nedved and Del Piero can always decide a match," Irureta said." I am mostly worried about Nedved's mobility. He can be extremely dangerous."

Settled team

Experienced defender Enrique Romero is the only Deportivo absentee with flu, and Irueta confirmed that his selection would differ little from the team that beat Juve with an Alberto Luque goal. "I believe we played a good match in the first leg and I do not see many reasons for making many changes," the coach said.

dreamer75

09-03-2004, 12:52 PM

Real MAdrdi again..

Juventus stopper Lilian Thuram is the latest Serie A player to be linked with a summer move to Real Madrid.

Although the Spanish giants have recently resisted the temptation to sign big name defenders, reports in France insist they like Thuram.

The 32-year-old, who is tied to the Delle Alpi outfit until 2006, has previously stated that he intends to end his career in Turin.

However, there is the possibility that Juventus may decide to sell the World Cup winner because of his age.

Thuram has had a poor season by his own high standards and Juventus could cash in on the former Parma man.

The Turin giants are expected to rejuvenate their defence in the summer with the possible arrivals of Daniele Bonera and Matteo Ferrari from Parma.

Bonera is a versatile stopper who, like Thuram, can play in the centre or as a right-back.

If Real do make a bid for the player, then Juventus are expected to ask for a fee of around £6m.

Thuram, who was a past target for Man Utd, is now in his third season with the Old Lady following his £20m move from the Stadio Tardini

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar8d.html

dreamer75

09-03-2004, 12:55 PM

Juventus are confident they can beat Deportivo La Coruna on Tuesday despite a number of important absences.

The Bianconeri are without Trezeguet, Zambrotta, Maresca, Iuliano and Birindelli but they believe they can overturn the 1-0 first leg loss.

"You need faith in situations likes these and I?ve never lost that in my squad," said boss Marcello Lippi.

"Neither my players or I have any intention of abandoning the Champions? League. We know what it is like to get to the final and that is our aim again this season."

Juventus put in an ugly performance in Spain during the first tie and Lippi knows it will be difficult to see off Deportivo.

"We are aware that we have quite a task ahead of us," added the Coach. "We need to at least take a 1-0 lead and then we?ll be in with a chance.

"Although 1-0 down, we will need to play with a balanced side from the first until the very last minute.

"Deportivo La Coruna are a good side but we?ve managed to come from behind in the past."

The Old Lady go into the game after the 3-2 win at Brescia on Saturday night. A victory that boosted morale as they ended the first half 2-0 down.

"People saw the good and the bad in that game," added Lippi. "Obviously we hope to continue from our second half display.

"But in games like this I expect some significant individual contributions from players like Del Piero and Nedved."

This is a crucial stage of the season for Juventus who will also take on League leaders Milan on Sunday.

"We?re not thinking about that game at all," noted Del Piero. "We are just focused on reaching the European Cup quarter finals. The Deportivo clash will be a very stimulating one."

Probable line-up: Buffon, Thuram, Ferrara, Montero, Pessotto; Tacchinardi, Appiah, Camoranesi; Nedved; Del Piero, Di Vaio

Other squad members: Miccoli, Chimenti, Mirante, Legrottaglie, Urbano, Boudianski, Chiumiento, Konko, Palladino.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar8i.html

dreamer75

09-03-2004, 12:56 PM

Gigi

Thuram, Ferrara, Legro,Pressotto

Camo, Tacchi,Appiah

Nedved

DP, Micoli

dreamer75

09-03-2004, 05:57 PM

Serie A Round 24: Best Eleven Of The Week

03/08/2004. Dida (AC Milan)-Confirmed: The Rossoneri's keeper is a Zen Master.

Pablo Montero (Juventus)-Juve's bad boy came on at the start of the second half to bring some order to Juve's chaotic and shaky defense. Mission accomplished.

Pierre Kroldrup (Udinese)-Denmark will soon have a world class defender at their disposal.

Jorge Vargas (Empoli)-With his team down a man, he played for two, if not three, and was fundamental in securing a precious point to the Tuscan minnows.

Mancini (AS Roma)-There's something divine about this young Brazilian who came out of nowhere to become one of the best offensive wings on the planet.

Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)-King of the midfield against Sampdoria, his ticket to Portugal is now officially booked.

Olivier Dacourt (AS Roma)-His first half against Inter should be framed and sent to the Leeds management who allowed the Italians to sign him for just 5 million Euros.

Pavel Nedved (Juventus)-A Ballon D'Or-like performance against Brescia, except for his sleazy dive that got Juve back into the game.

Antonio Cassano (AS Roma)-Last week Bonera was his victim, yesterday, the entire Inter defense. Without a doubt, the most on-form Serie A player.

Filippo Inzaghi (AC Milan)- Yesterday's match confirmed Ancelotti has a further weapon at his disposal for the most important phase of the season.

Alberto Gilardino (AC Parma)- Yes, he's ready for Juventus.

http://www.soccerage.com/en/13/t7046.html

quekguoyon

09-03-2004, 08:18 PM

Forza Juve. Bring on Deportivo! I really hoping to see Juve going thru

Forza Juve :bounce:

quekguoyon

09-03-2004, 08:19 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
Gigi

Thuram, Ferrara, Legro,Pressotto

Camo, Tacchi,Appiah

Nedved

DP, Micoli

No Zambrotta :confused:

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 12:36 AM

Originally posted by quekguoyon

No Zambrotta :confused:

injured :(

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 01:20 AM

sian...ESPN not showing our mtch LIVE again!! :alien:

2003/04 UEFA Champions League Turin, Italy Juventus Fc Vs Deportivo La Coruna First Knock-Out Round, Leg #2 (Same day Telecast)

Wednesday, 10 Mar 2004, 06:00 AM Ch 23

After going down 1-0 to Deportivo in their first leg, Juventus play host to Javier Irureta's side in Turin as Alessandro Del Piero leads Juve in their fight to qualify for the Champions League Quarterfinals. Can Juve make it without an injured David Trezeguet?

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 01:24 AM

BACKGROUND

It's all or nothing for these familiar Champions league foes as they face off once again in this second round second-leg clash.

Deportivo lead 1-0 from the first-leg, but many critics felt they were worthy of a bigger lead. They were by far and away the better team at the Riazor against a Juventus side who lacked ambition and rarely looked like scoring an away goal. Depor worked so hard in midfield, once again looked a strong defensive unit, and posed a significant threat to the Juve back-line, especially with goalscorer Alberto Luque who had a fine match.

Juve's defensive problems were again at the fore as they defeated Brescia 3-2 at the weekend. 2-0 down, they had to rely on a generous penalty decision and a distinctly offside-looking Marco Di Vaio strike to haul themselves back into the match. There was no argument about Pavel Nedved's winner, however. Another stunning strike that the Czech can add to his scrapbook of spectacular gaols.

Questions must be asked of Depor's physical level coming into this one. They had to play the bulk of Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Valencia with ten-men after Mauro Silva's first-half red card. They never gave up, however, and certainly didn't deserve to lose by such a margin against a Valencia side who put in a stuttering second-half display and scored two of their three goals in the dying embers of the match.

LATEST TEAM NEWS

Juventus: Enzo Maresca, David Trezeguet, Gianluca Zambrotta, Igor Tudor and Alessandro Birindelli are all out injured for the Bianconeri, while Antonio Conte is suspended after picking up a booking in the first-leg.

Deportivo: Joan Capdevila is set to replace Enrique Romero at left-back, while the more defensively minded Aldo Duscher could come in for Sergio. Victor could feature out on the right, but then again Javier Irureta may decide to play Manuel Pablo in that position in order to track the runs of Pavel Nedved.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus): it's not been a vintage season for Del Piero but the big players produce on the big occasion.

Jorge Andrade (Deportivo): the big Portuguese centre-back will be charged with keeping the likes of Del Piero and Marco Di Vaio at bay.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Juventus Turín: Buffon; Ferrara, Thuram, Montero, Pessotto; Camoranesi, Tacchinardi, Appiah, Nedved; Di Vaio, Del Piero.

Deportivo Coruña: Molina; Scaloni, Andrade, Naybet, Capdevila; Mauro Silva, Sergio or Duscher; Víctor or Manuel Pablo, Valerón, Luque; Tristán.

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 01:28 AM

My Pick : Juve 3-1 Depor :D

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 01:32 AM

Di Vaio out to down Deportivo

Marco Di Vaio is more than prepared to shoulder the scoring burden when Juventus FC take on RC Deportivo La Coruña tonight knowing nothing less than a win will do.

Trezeguet out
The Italy striker is likely to be the spearhead of the home attack in the absence of injured French international David Trezeguet, but Di Vaio is used to the pressure. Speaking to uefa.com, he said: "It will not be the first time I have done it. It's a difficult match for us but I am really happy to be involved. I hope to be in good form and play a great match."

Three goals
An unused substitute in the 1-0 defeat at the Riazor stadium two weeks ago, Di Vaio is determined to continue the good form he showed during the group stage. The 27-year-old figured in all six matches, starting four times and scoring three goals.

Patience required
Di Vaio, who joined Juventus in a ?26m deal in 2002, believes the Italian champions must show patience this evening. "We don't need to attack recklessly from the first minute," he said. "They play good football and their strongest side is their attack so we have to be really careful not to concede goals. We must play an intelligent match because I'm sure we are able to score at least one goal during the 90 minutes."

Spanish success
Last season, Di Vaio featured eleven times in the Champions League but missed out on the final defeat by AC Milan. Along the way, Juve eliminated Deportivo and two other Spanish sides, Barcelona FC and Real Madrid CF. Not surprisingly, the forward is hoping history repeats itself at the Delle Alpi stadium.

Home form
"We have always struggled in Spain because of their way of playing and our own characteristics. However, we have always played wonderful matches at home against the same Spanish sides," he said. "In the first leg at the Riazor stadium we confirmed our problems in facing Spanish sides away. Now I hope we will also confirm that we can play well at home and qualify."

Old friends
This is actually the fourth consecutive season in which Juventus and Deportivo have met in the Champions League, although Juve's 3-2 home win in last season's second group stage is the only win recorded by Lippi's men in the previous seven games. "Away from their stadium they play in a much different way," Di Vaio added. "They leave more space and we will have to use this in the best possible way. We have to limit their main strengths, their attack and their passing game. I believe it all depends on us, on the way we will face them."

No concerns
Despite the recent record, Di Vaio is unconcerned, especially as the sides' meetings in the last three seasons have all come in the group stage, rather than knockout phase. He said: "When you play such an important game, you never think of what happened a long time ago. Maybe we will think about the first leg and about how strong they are. But more importantly we will be thinking of what we can expect from them at the Delle Alpi and how we can beat them." With a natural-born finisher like Di Vaio in attack, the Old Lady may still have a long life in the tournament.

hwmook

10-03-2004, 06:50 AM

03/09/2004. Juventus manager Marcello Lippi is very disappointed after the defeat with Deportivo La Coruna that put an end to the bianconeri's Champions League.

"Tonight everything went wrong," the manager said. "We had prepared a different kind of game but we didn't mange to do what we wanted".

"We lost our most important player after five minutes and they scored at our first mistake," he added. "When these things happen you start to think that maybe it just isn't meant to happen".
SA Italy

hwmook

10-03-2004, 06:51 AM

03/09/2004. Lilian Thuram is very disappointed after the defeat with Deportivo tonight but he thinks that the result was the right one.

"They deserved to go through because they played better in both legs," the French international said. "What makes me really sad is that we tried to do our best but it looked like we were doing nothing and that means that something is wrong. We have a chance to redeem ourselves straight away against AC Milan".
SA Italy

redeem yourself against milan? welcome welcome.

demouse

10-03-2004, 09:00 AM

sad result :(

demouse

10-03-2004, 09:01 AM

Originally posted by hwmook
03/09/2004. Lilian Thuram is very disappointed after the defeat with Deportivo tonight but he thinks that the result was the right one.

"They deserved to go through because they played better in both legs," the French international said. "What makes me really sad is that we tried to do our best but it looked like we were doing nothing and that means that something is wrong. We have a chance to redeem ourselves straight away against AC Milan".
SA Italy

redeem yourself against milan? welcome welcome.

they're now concentrating on serie a, i dun see why they can't ;)

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 12:58 PM

a disappointing result :(

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 12:59 PM

AND THE REFERREE SUCKS!!! :mad:

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 01:02 PM

Juventus 0 - 1 Deportivo (0-2 on agg)

Pandiani 12 (D)
Stadio Delle Alpi

Alex Del Piero faces a long injury lay-off and Juventus crash out of the Champions' League to Deportivo La Coruna.

The Bianconeri needed to win by two clear goals in order to overturn their 1-0 defeat at the Riazor, but were troubled by an injury crisis.

David Trezeguet, Enzo Maresca, Igor Tudor, Gianluca Zambrotta, Alessandro Birindelli and the suspended Antonio Conte were out of action. So, Marcello Lippi completely revolutionised his tactical system to use Nicola Legrottaglie in front of a three-man defence, while Alessandro Del Piero and Marco Di Vaio started upfront. Deportivo opted to leave Diego Tristan on the bench, while first leg goalscorer Luque was again on show.

Pavel Nedved had a shot charged down by a defender's arm after four minutes, but in that same move Del Piero suffered a suspected right calf strain and immediately asked for a substitution. The captain has struggled with muscular problems throughout the campaign and could be out of action for several weeks.

Fabrizio Miccoli stepped on to the field, but the psychological blow of losing Del Piero so early clearly shook the side.

And Deportivo La Coruna struck on the counter-attack with Walter Pandiani. The Spaniards took full advantage of confusion between Ciro Ferrara and Paolo Montero to curl the ball past a helpless Gianluigi Buffon.

Miccoli was furious when he was halted for an offside decision that replays showed to be incorrect.

Soon after a well-worked move saw Di Vaio cut back a taut cross that Mauro Camoranesi drilled wide of the near post.

Nedved again went close when he ran on to Camoranesi's precise lifted pass, but the Balon d'Or winner just failed to toe-poke it past Molina.

The Juventus players were becoming increasingly irritated with the linesman as four offside decisions in a row were incorrect.

Deportivo could afford to sit back and hit them on the break and Pandiani turned a bicycle-kick wide of the target, then Luque's effort was charged down and Victor drilled inches past the near post.

Confidence and the pace of the game gradually grew towards the end of the first half and Molina performed a fantastic reaction stop on Miccoli's volley from eight yards.

Lippi changed back to a four-man defence by replacing Legrottaglie with Gianluca Pessotto for the second half, using Lilian Thuram as a fullback.

Andrade was forced into a crucial intervention as Miccoli's through ball was moving towards the outstretched foot of Di Vaio, but it was increasingly difficult to find space as Depor shut up shop.

The best chances therefore came from set-pieces and Molina flew to palm out a brilliant Miccoli free kick. On the resulting corner Ciro Ferrara's header skimmed the far post.

Soon after a well-worked move fell apart when Camoranesi's final pass was intercepted, but the Argentine slipped at the crucial moment.

Stephen Appiah nearly scored the goal of the season when he aimed a half-volley at the goal from 30 metres, but it rattled the crossbar.

There was a bizarre moment when one of the sprinklers on the side of the pitch went into action and soaked several nearby players.

Miccoli then sprung the offside trap and ballooned inches wide of the near post, but time was running out.

Lippi had to gamble and threw on Italian-Swiss 'Primavera' starlet Davide Chiumiento for the final 20 minutes. The teenage hitman only made his Serie A debut a fortnight ago.

Appiah was overall disappointing, but he brought another tough save out of Molina from distance.

Deportivo could have made it 3-0 on aggregate, 2-0 on the night, when Naybet's chip struck the bar.

Juventus: Buffon; Thuram, Ferrara, Montero; Legrottaglie (Pessotto 46); Camoranesi (Chiumiento 70), Tacchinardi, Appiah; Nedved; Del Piero (Miccoli 8), Di Vaio

Deportivo La Coruna: Molina; Scaloni, Andrade, Naybet, Capdevila; Sergio, Mauro Silva; Victor, Valeron (Duscher 77), Luque (Fran 62); Pandiani (Tristan 81)

Ref: Michel (Slk)

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/eurogames/juve-depor.html

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 01:04 PM

Marcello Lippi claims he won?t give up his chase of the Champions? League trophy despite Juve?s shock early exit to Deportivo La Coruna.

?Above all the difference between the two teams was psychological,? insisted the Coach. ?It isn?t our best moment, but we nonetheless felt ready to win this.?

Alessandro Del Piero?s calf strain after just six minutes of the match was a massive blow to the side.

?If you prepare a match in every detail and within 12 minutes you lose one of your most important players to injury and then concede a goal, it ruins everything.?

?We tried to fight back and believed it could happen, especially with three or four great chances in the second half, but we obviously regret not being able to play this match to the full as so many players were missing.?

The captain was only the latest in a series of setbacks that ruled out David Trezeguet, Enzo Maresca, Igor Tudor, Gianluca Zambrotta, Alessandro Birindelli and the suspended Antonio Conte.

?Del Piero felt a massive pull in his calf and it will take a few days before the tests can show the exact extent of the injury.?

With both first choice fullbacks missing, Lippi started with an unusual line-up that saw Nicola Legrottaglie in front of a three-man defence.

?That system was undoubtedly introduced just because of the lack of other defensive options,? confirmed the tactician, ?and Legrottaglie was meant to hold back Luque after he gave us so many problems in the first leg.?

?We really did not expect to concede a goal so early. All the incidents piled up on us one after the other and that sapped the confidence out of the squad.?

Lippi had always maintained that the Champions? League was their main objective after losing the Final to Milan last May, but they are now eliminated before the Quarters.

?It will be for another year and we will now look ahead to Sunday?s match with Milan,? assured Lippi.

?We really wanted to win this trophy and it undoubtedly doesn?t help confidence, but this team has always done well to put defeat and glory behind it and look forward to the next challenge.?

Alessio Tacchinardi was understandably upset at the final whistle, but still went to salute the fans in the home end.

?Unfortunately we conceded a goal very early on and it really knocked the wind out of us,? explained the midfielder.

?It?s a great shame, as we tried to fight back and felt that we had the ability to turn this around.?

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar9j.html

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 01:06 PM

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 01:06 PM

Originally posted by demouse
sad result :(

:(

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by demouse

they're now concentrating on serie a, i dun see why they can't ;)

u r spot on :)

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 01:21 PM

March 10, 2004

Juventus will have scouts in the stands tomorrow for AC Milan's clash with Sparta Prague.

Sparta defender Tomas Hubschman, 22, will be the focus of Juve representatives as the Turin club consider then youngster for the summer market.

Hubschman is also being chased by Olympique Marseille and AS Monaco.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/march/italnews4100304.html

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 01:22 PM

March 10, 2004

Juventus were dumped out of the Champions League last night by Deportivo La Coruna.

Walter Pandiani struck early on, turning veteran Juve pair Ciro Ferrara and Paolo Montero inside-out, before blasting home just 12 minutes into the game.

Afterwards, Juve coach Marcello Lippi admitted: "We're going through a very difficult time. We started the game full of confidence, on the back of the win against Brescia, but the early goal has stunned us and we struggled to recover.

"There is a lack of assertiveness in our play and we have not made the best of our chances tonight. I did try to change the formation, marking Valeron, but also trying to focus on attack."

With AC Milan to face this weekend, Lippi added, "It's obviously not what we wanted going into such a game. But the strength of this squad is that whether we win or lose, the next game is always the most important. It's important we put tonight behind us as quickly as possible and push on."

http://www.tribalfootball.com/march/italnews100304.html

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 01:27 PM

Marcello Lippi could not hide his disappointment after seeing Juventus eliminated from the Champions League.

Lippi's side - last season's runners-up - were severely hit by injuries and lost striker Alessandro Del Piero after just seven minutes.

"It's a bitter feeling and we're very sad to go out of the Champions League," he said after the 2-0 aggregate loss.

"What really saddens me is that we couldn't give ourselves a real chance, with our full compliment of players."

Lippi was without striker David Trezeguet, midfielders Igor Tudor, Enzo Maresca and Antonio Conte and defenders Mark Iuliano and Gianluca Zambrotta.

We are certainly among the best eight sides in Europe

Deportivo coach Javier Irureta
"You need a bit of luck in that sort of situation but we lost Del Piero early on and then gave away a disgraceful goal before straight away missing a chance," he said.

"Despite that we kept trying after the break and had a few chances but you need something to happen to give you some faith.

"But we'll get over this - at this club we're used to coping with adulation and with great disappointment".

Deportivo coach Javier Irureta set his sights on the summit of European football after his side's 2-0 aggregate victory courtesy of Walter Pandiani's 12th-minute goal.

"We are certainly among the best eight sides in Europe and I think we are capable of reaching even greater heights," said Irureta.

"It was a much calmer game than we expected even though you know it's never going to be easy against Juve."

He added: "We controlled the game almost throughout and Pandiani's goal virtually decided it all early on because Juve then needed to score three times.

"I chose Pandiani because with a one-goal lead to defend from the first leg he seemed the more suited for the kind of game we wanted to play here," said Irureta.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39939000/jpg/_39939041_lippi203gi.jpg

alexis10

10-03-2004, 01:47 PM

A sad day for Us....:(

But the best thing is manu got kicked out too...:D
that lessen the pain abit...

demouse

10-03-2004, 01:47 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
Marcello Lippi claims he won?t give up his chase of the Champions? League trophy despite Juve?s shock early exit to Deportivo La Coruna.

?Above all the difference between the two teams was psychological,? insisted the Coach. ?It isn?t our best moment, but we nonetheless felt ready to win this.?

Alessandro Del Piero?s calf strain after just six minutes of the match was a massive blow to the side.

?If you prepare a match in every detail and within 12 minutes you lose one of your most important players to injury and then concede a goal, it ruins everything.?

?We tried to fight back and believed it could happen, especially with three or four great chances in the second half, but we obviously regret not being able to play this match to the full as so many players were missing.?

The captain was only the latest in a series of setbacks that ruled out David Trezeguet, Enzo Maresca, Igor Tudor, Gianluca Zambrotta, Alessandro Birindelli and the suspended Antonio Conte.

?Del Piero felt a massive pull in his calf and it will take a few days before the tests can show the exact extent of the injury.?

With both first choice fullbacks missing, Lippi started with an unusual line-up that saw Nicola Legrottaglie in front of a three-man defence.

?That system was undoubtedly introduced just because of the lack of other defensive options,? confirmed the tactician, ?and Legrottaglie was meant to hold back Luque after he gave us so many problems in the first leg.?

?We really did not expect to concede a goal so early. All the incidents piled up on us one after the other and that sapped the confidence out of the squad.?

Lippi had always maintained that the Champions? League was their main objective after losing the Final to Milan last May, but they are now eliminated before the Quarters.

?It will be for another year and we will now look ahead to Sunday?s match with Milan,? assured Lippi.

?We really wanted to win this trophy and it undoubtedly doesn?t help confidence, but this team has always done well to put defeat and glory behind it and look forward to the next challenge.?

Alessio Tacchinardi was understandably upset at the final whistle, but still went to salute the fans in the home end.

?Unfortunately we conceded a goal very early on and it really knocked the wind out of us,? explained the midfielder.

?It?s a great shame, as we tried to fight back and felt that we had the ability to turn this around.?

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar9j.html

tot he said he's going to leave juve if he can't win CL this season? changes his mind?

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 01:50 PM

Originally posted by demouse

tot he said he's going to leave juve if he can't win CL this season? changes his mind?

i dun think i ever heard him saying this.

demouse

10-03-2004, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
AND THE REFERREE SUCKS!!! :mad:

no offence but in serie a games (eg against brescia) we see referees making wrong decisions favour juve. wrong judgement in football is very common, just accept it lor :)

demouse

10-03-2004, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75

i dun think i ever heard him saying this.

yes, i think u posted the article here. if i'm not wrong should be b4 the season started

demouse

10-03-2004, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75

u r spot on :)

u've to beat milan (mission quite impossible =p ) if not i dun see any chance for us to win scudetto

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by demouse

no offence but in serie a games (eg against brescia) we see referees making wrong decisions favour juve. wrong judgement in football is very common, just accept it lor :)

yah...i accepted alr..

no choice...its like the linesman in the Man U vs Porto match...

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 02:14 PM

Originally posted by demouse

u've to beat milan (mission quite impossible =p ) if not i dun see any chance for us to win scudetto

well, we will see wat happens this weekend..

we shld be concentarting on the Schudetto and
muz be all fired up !!

demouse

10-03-2004, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75

yah...i accepted alr..

no choice...its like the linesman in the Man U vs Porto match...

but i dun feel sorry for them :D

demouse

10-03-2004, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75

well, we will see wat happens this weekend..

we shld be concentarting on the Schudetto and
muz be all fired up !!

but with so many injuries, milan look too good for u. and if juve play the same as the last few games, milan will tear u apart :(

anyway prove me wrong :D

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by demouse

but with so many injuries, milan look too good for u. and if juve play the same as the last few games, milan will tear u apart :(

anyway prove me wrong :D

u shld be happy if we beat them hor..:laugh:

demouse

10-03-2004, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75

u shld be happy if we beat them hor..:laugh:

ya that's why u see i so kan cheong :D

anyway this game is a sure win situation for roma, whether u or milan drop points will benefits us. if we can't be the 1st than be 2nd :D

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by demouse

ya that's why u see i so kan cheong :D

anyway this game is a sure win situation for roma, whether u or milan drop points will benefits us. if we can't be the 1st than be 2nd :D

like dat the title race would be more interesting lah...haha

aboutZEN

10-03-2004, 05:34 PM

I will be rooting for Juventus this weekend (but only this week) :D

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 05:39 PM

Originally posted by aboutZEN
I will be rooting for Juventus this weekend (but only this week) :D

:laugh:

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 06:11 PM

It really is a bitter feeling. I saw the sign when Alex got injured minutes into the game. That howler between Montero and Ferrara gifted Pandiani with a volley that left Buffon stranded, and made it nearly impossible for us to get back to the game. But we tried as it was apparent, we missed many good chances and it just wasn't meant to be for us.

We can easily blame it on the injuries of Alex, Treze, Enzo, Zambro, Tudor, Birindelli and Conte's suspension. But I think our overall performance over the two legs doesn't merit us a place in the quarterfinals. We should've dealt with the difficult circumstances better. Congratulations to Depor. They tried their best and were solid.

Now that we are out of Europe, we only have the Championship and the Coppa to look forward to. Let's hope we can salvage something from this season. I'm sure Juventus will be back stronger than ever.

Forza Juve !!

http://www.gazzetta.it/Foto%20Hermes/2004/03-Marzo/09/delpieroReut--310x210.jpg

Never give up Alex, we will wait for your comeback.

hwmook

10-03-2004, 06:58 PM

Originally posted by demouse

they're now concentrating on serie a, i dun see why they can't ;)

now who said they can't? i am getting really excited about this match. its time for revenge after the previous match where the ref keep helping juve. playing against juve is always more exciting than against roma. don't know why.

hwmook

10-03-2004, 07:02 PM

Originally posted by demouse

no offence but in serie a games (eg against brescia) we see referees making wrong decisions favour juve. wrong judgement in football is very common, just accept it lor :)

juve are quite a distance from getting the three goals. even the ref is better doesn't mean juve will win. look at man u match then really bang balls. he make a very big error and cause man u to crush out.

hwmook

10-03-2004, 07:05 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75

I'm sure Juventus will be back stronger than ever.

of course but that will be after juve finally decided to get some new defenders.

intermilansg

10-03-2004, 07:35 PM

JUve fans are the greatest joke dun even bother going to the stadium to support the team. :laugh:

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 08:47 PM

Originally posted by intermilansg
JUve fans are the greatest joke dun even bother going to the stadium to support the team. :laugh:

as if ALL Inter fans do that...:alien:

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 08:48 PM

Originally posted by hwmook

of course but that will be after juve finally decided to get some new defenders.

dun worry...we are getting..

dreamer75

10-03-2004, 08:52 PM

Originally posted by hwmook

now who said they can't? i am getting really excited about this match. its time for revenge after the previous match where the ref keep helping juve. playing against juve is always more exciting than against roma. don't know why.

now dun focus on the ref...focus on the match :D

hwmook

11-03-2004, 07:55 AM

Originally posted by dreamer75

now dun focus on the ref...focus on the match :D

alright, we just sent sparta home now its time for serious work in sending juve down. inzaghi and sheva are on form with super sub tomasson waiting to taste blood. how's the injury situation going in juve? why suddenly so many players injuried?

RuMmYtUb

11-03-2004, 09:12 AM

Sianz!
Both my fav. teams kanna kicked out of CL on the same day.. :mad:

dreamer75

11-03-2004, 09:54 AM

I really like Arsenal and Thierry Henry in particular. It is so nice to hear warm words about our club.

"Last year after the win at the Olimpico against Roma (3-1, hat-trick by Henry) we seemed unbeatable," he said. "And in fact since then we did not win, a run of 5 consecutive negative results. Arsenal are not among the greatest in the Champions League history. If you play with Milan or Real Madid, everyone expects you to win in Europe, but with Arsenal it's different. The favourites are the usual: Milan with their usual 0-0, 1-0, and naturally Real. Each year there is a surprise: I hope that this year's surprise team is us. I'm sorry for Juve's elimination."

Who will win the Italian league? "With my heart I reply Juventus, as a neutral spectator I say Roma. I still have many friends at Juve, Trezeguet, Thuram, Del Piero, Montero, Iuliano. Extraordinary guys. When I arrived there I was worried and scared. I was wrong. They made me feel at home right away. The best example is Del Piero, not only is he a great player, but also a wonderful person. In Turin on the pitch it didn't go well, but outside of the pitch it went very well. I still have beautiful memories of those 6 months, that's why I still side with Juve."

SoccerAge
http://www.soccerage.com/en/13/t7500.html

dreamer75

11-03-2004, 01:00 PM

03/10/2004. Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, in an exclusive Interview with Italian daily 'Corriere della Sera', has revealed his thoughts on Arsenal, the Champions League and Serie A.

"Last year after the win at the Olimpico against Roma (3-1, hat-trick by Henry) we seemed unbeatable," he said. "And in fact since then we did not win, a run of 5 consecutive negative results. Arsenal are not among the greatest in the Champions League history. If you play with Milan or Real Madid, everyone expects you to win in Europe, but with Arsenal it's different. The favourites are the usual: Milan with their usual 0-0, 1-0, and naturally Real. Each year there is a surprise: I hope that this year's surprise team is us. I'm sorry for Juve's elimination."

Who will win the Italian league? "With my heart I reply Juventus, as a neutral spectator I say Roma. I still have many friends at Juve, Trezeguet, Thuram, Del Piero, Montero, Iuliano. Extraordinary guys. When I arrived there I was worried and scared. I was wrong. They made me feel at home right away. The best example is Del Piero, not only is he a great player, but also a wonderful person. In Turin on the pitch it didn't go well, but outside of the pitch it went very well. I still have beautiful memories of those 6 months, that's why I still side with Juve."

But Roma... "Ah, Roma is a beauty to watch. A real pleasure. There is something in the atmosphere, the stadium, the shirt, that makes her unique. And then they always have some great Brazilian player. And Totti? It's useless to talk about him because he is great."

In the Fifa World Player Award, where Henry came second, Totti did not even receive a vote.

"Difficult to believe," Henry continued. "Raul comes to mind: I can't understand how it is possible that with all that he won, no one has awarded him the Golden Ball yet. Football is strange.

"However apart from Totti, Cassano impresses me too. If he wants he can become one of the best in the world. I know he has a strong character, but this is something that distinguishes many champions. On the pitch he's super intelligent. He's not tall, not very fast, not strong physically, but when he has the ball... He has out of the norm qualities. Then they also have Dacourt, Emerson, Samuel, my friend Zebina, with whom I used to play when I was a kid. And Mancini: the symbol of what it means to play for Roma. You must improve yourself or you don't find a place. They always play with the ball on the ground; if you don't have the technical qualities, you can't do it."

And what of Inter who defeated Arsenal 3-0 at Highbury only to be thrashed 5-1 in the return leg at San Siro, which was a turning point in the Gunners' season: "Incredible. Difficult to say what is happening, maybe they don't even know, however from outside, in my opinion Inter remains a great team. Probably it's just a matter of time."

Henry also uttered the words that all Gunners fans love to hear

"They bought me in a difficult moment, and without them I wouldn't be here today," he said. "I'm glad to be able to give something back on the pitch. That is why all the transfer speculations about me make me laugh, even though I know they're part of the game. Unluckily I have to pay for the way certain colleagues of mine act, where one day they kiss the badge and the next day they are photographed with the shirt of a new club. Those that know me, know that I'm different."

http://www.soccerage.com/en/13/t7500.html

alexis10

11-03-2004, 01:52 PM

Good for him... too bad, he can't fit into Juve team tactic... if not ADP n him will be unstoppable....now we need 2 good defenders....

dreamer75

11-03-2004, 11:45 PM

:(

Coach Marcello Lippi and some big name players may be heading out of Juventus after their Champions? League exit.

The Italian side were surprisingly eliminated by Deportivo La Coruna last night after a 2-0 aggregate victory.

That has inevitably led to speculation that the squad could be revamped at the end of the season ? especially if they also fail to retain Lo Scudetto.

Many believe that boss Lippi may have taken charge of his final Champions? League tie for the immediate future.

Although he is tied to the Delle Alpi outfit until 2005, he is being tipped to replace Giovanni Trapattoni on the Azzurri bench after this summer?s European Championships.

Yet there is also the real possibility that Juve will sacrifice some big name players in order to balance their books.

The club are set to make a loss for the first time in seven years and the directors are keen to put that right.

Juve could have netted another £20m if they reached the Champions? League Final again this term but that will obviously now not occur.

Three Juventus players in particular seem to be the most likely departures at the end of this season.

The first is Pavel Nedved. Despite being the European Footballer of the Year, Juve may cash in on the 31-year-old as they did with Zinedine Zidane.

Another is David Trezeguet who has yet to sign a new deal with the Old Lady. Barcelona and Chelsea are interested.

French international stopper Lilian Thuram may also be sacrificed, with Real Madrid being recently linked.

Meanwhile, Lippi may be without eight first team regulars for the game against Milan on Sunday.

That after Fabrizio Miccoli became the latest injury doubt. Maresca, Zambrotta, Tudor, Iuliano, Birindelli, Trezeguet and Del Piero are all currently sidelined.

Should Juve lose to Milan then their championship hopes will be virtually over. That would leave them with just the Coppa Italia to play for having booked a final place against Lazio.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar10e.html

dreamer75

11-03-2004, 11:48 PM

:)

Juventus director general Luciano Moggi has shot down reports that Marcello Lippi, David Trezeguet and Pavel Nedved will leave next season.

?We are not looking for alibis,? said the transfer guru after their shock Champions? League exit, ?but we were unlucky to have seven players ruled out with injury.?

?We have the utmost faith in Lippi and he did what he could with a decimated squad. He will be with this club next season as well.?

The double defeat to Deportivo La Coruna sparked talk of a revolution at the Turin giants to change an ageing defence and ineffective midfield.

?The fans can relax,? continued Moggi in this evening?s press conference. ?I will do my best to reinforce the side without going crazy.?

This was the first time in seven years that Juve failed to turn a profit, so with such an early exit from Europe sales must be made to prevent further losses.

Trezeguet is the main candidate to be sacrificed with Barcelona showing interest, but Moggi shut out all speculation. ?Trezeguet is staying here.?

Nedved and Lilian Thuram are also heavily linked with big moves to Spain or England, although the director general also ruled out sweeping changes in even the weakest areas of the side.

?The same team, with the seven missing players included, was considered invincible only a few months ago,? he insisted.

Several club decisions are now under fire, such as the failure to pick up a midfielder or defender during the transfer window.

?There were no January signings because nobody expected so many injuries to pile up at the same time.?

Above all, last night?s defeat highlighted how much Edgar Davids ? now on loan at Barcelona ? has been missed.

?The Davids situation was different,? noted Moggi. ?He wanted to leave and hadn?t played very much towards the end. Besides, we have faith in the suggestions of our Coach.?

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar10j.html

dreamer75

11-03-2004, 11:49 PM

heng ah..

Alessandro Del Piero?s injury is less serious than first thought - even if he will still be out of action for a month.

There were fears that the Juventus ace could be sidelined for up to 50 days after he sustained a calf injury.

Yet tests carried out on the No 10 earlier today have suggested that he should be back in around four weeks.

Del Piero limped out of the 1-0 loss against Deportivo La Coruna on Tuesday amidst fears that his season could virtually be over.

Had the problem been a bit more serious then he could have been a major doubt for the 2004 European Championships.

However, he may now be back in mid April which should give him enough time to fully recover ahead of the Portuguese Finals.

His return has already been pencilled in for the Week 29 clash against Lazio or the Week 30 Serie A game at Parma on April 18.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar11h.html

dreamer75

11-03-2004, 11:50 PM

Juventus - Milan

Stadio Delle Alpi

Juventus are the only big club Milan have failed to beat this season, but the Bianconeri could blow the Scudetto race wide open.

The Rossoneri?s record in Turin is very poor, as they have lost their last four trips to the Delle Alpi, scoring just twice. The last Milan victory here was a 2-0 drubbing in 1999, when George Weah completed the scoring. There has not been a draw in this fixture since 1996 with a total of 18 goals netted between them in those six encounters. The most humiliating setback here was a 4-1 defeat for the San Siro giants in 1998, while there was a spectacular 5-4 victory for the visitors in 1958 and another 4-3 win two years later. But the record for the most impressive result goes to Milan with a 7-1 drubbing of their rivals on home turf in February 1950.

Six points separate the top three teams going into this game and whatever the result it is bound to be a turning point in the campaign. Carlo Ancelotti and Pippo Inzaghi come face to face with their former club after their 1-1 draw at the San Siro. The last year has seen several high-profile clashes between these sides, including the Champions? League Final for Milan and an Italian Supercup going to Juventus.

The Rossoneri show no signs of slowing down their record-breaking pace and it is the away record that most impresses with nine wins and three draws. To this date in all competitions, only Lazio have got the better of them on their travels in the Coppa Italia semi-final. Inzaghi marked his comeback from injury with a goal and should partner Andriy Shevchenko from the start, with able support from fellow scorer Kaka?.

Marcello Lippi has some serious injury worries ahead of this clash. Enzo Maresca, David Trezeguet, Alex Del Piero and Igor Tudor are definitely ruled out, while doubts continue to hang over Mark Iuliano, Gianluca Zambrotta and Alessandro Birindelli. It looks as if Nicola Legrottaglie will again be given the nod in central defence ? surely the weakest area of the squad. They may have shown character to fight back from 2-0 down to beat Brescia 3-2 last week, but it took their defensive tally to 27 goals in 24 matches. This same side only conceded 27 goals throughout all of the 2000-01 season.

Having lost in the Champions? League on Tuesday to Deportivo, another defeat against Milan would surely leave them with just the Coppa Italia to play for this season.

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Thuram, Legrottaglie, Iuliano, Pessotto; Camoranesi, Conte, Appiah; Nedved; Miccoli, Di Vaio

Milan (probable): Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Maldini, Pancaro; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf, Kaka; Inzaghi, Shevchenko

Ref: To folllow

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0304/juv-mil.html

dreamer75

11-03-2004, 11:54 PM

March 11, 2004

AS Monaco coach Didier Deschamps is being linked with Marcello Lippi's job at Juventus.

Elimination from the Champions League has put Lippi's future in doubt in Turin and speculation is increasing that a deal is being brokered with former Juve favourite Deschamps to fill the hotseat.

Juve chief Luciano Moggi is also chasing two Monaco players in defender Sebastien Squillaci and midfielder Jerome Rothen. The arrival of Deschamps would strengthen Moggi's hand when negotiating with both Frenchman.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/march/italnews3110304.html

dreamer75

11-03-2004, 11:54 PM

March 11, 2004

Juventus are in advanced talks with Fabrizio Miccoli over a new contract extension.

The Italian international midfielder only moved to Juve from Perugia last year, signing a deal to 2007 in the process.

But such has been his success this season, in a disappointing team, that Juve chief Luciano Moggi wants to tie Miccoli to a new, two-year contract extension.

Sources close to the deal predict an announcement will be made before the end of April.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/march/italnews2110304.html

dreamer75

11-03-2004, 11:56 PM

Originally posted by alexis10
Good for him... too bad, he can't fit into Juve team tactic... if not ADP n him will be unstoppable....now we need 2 good defenders....

its a pity...he's such a gd player..

we need solid defenders..

dreamer75

12-03-2004, 12:04 AM

http://www.misterfoot.be/big/12.jpg

dreamer75

12-03-2004, 01:41 PM

Clarence Seedorf will return to the Milan side for the clash at Juventus. While the Bianconeri will also welcome back some key players.

Seedorf missed his side?s 4-1 win over Sparta Prague with injury last night but he will be available for Sunday.

The Dutchman has received extensive treatment on a muscle problem this week and he?s been declared fit.

The Juventus treatment room isn?t so empty though as they will be without Trezeguet, Iuliano, Zambrotta, Birindelli and Del Piero.

The good news is that boss Marcello Lippi will have more options than he did against Deportivo La Coruna on Tuesday.

Antonio Conte should be drafted back into the side after his suspension, while Igor Tudor and Enzo Maresca have recovered from injury.

There is also great optimism that Fabrizio Miccoli will be fit enough to start after he limped off in the midweek 1-0 defeat.

There were fears that he may have torn a thigh muscle but tests carried out today have ruled out that possibility.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar11j.html

demouse

13-03-2004, 02:54 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
http://www.misterfoot.be/big/12.jpg

new jersey for next season?

demouse

13-03-2004, 02:57 PM

Nedved plots Milan downfall
Friday 12 March, 2004

Pavel Nedved is sure that Juventus will open up the Scudetto race by beating Milan on Sunday.

The two teams meet at the Stadio Delle Alpi and the Czech star insists his men can move to within three points of the leaders.

"We will make life tough for Milan," said the European Footballer of the Year. "It’s always dangerous to make predictions but we will blow the championship race wide open."

Not many are backing Juve for victory in Week 25 given their Champions’ League exit and numerous problems.

The Bianconeri are set to be without Trezeguet, Iuliano, Zambrotta, Birindelli and Del Piero because of injury. Fabrizio Miccoli is also a doubt.

"We are Juventus and we never give in," added the midfielder. "Milan will play their possession football but we will look to take advantage of our natural instincts.

"They are better than us technically, but we will look to beat them with our power and passion. I hope it will be enough."

Which Milan players have most impressed the international star this term? "I like Kaka, who along with Antonio Cassano of Roma, has been a revelation," he explained.

"They also have Alessandro Nesta, my former teammate at Lazio, who is a monster in defence."

Nedved may be fielded behind an unusual strike pair of Marco Di Vaio and Mauro Camoranesi given Juve’s problems in attack.

channel 4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar12d.html)

go Juve go :D

demouse

13-03-2004, 03:01 PM

Collina to ref Turin showdown
Friday 12 March, 2004

Pierluigi Collina has been chosen to officiate in Sunday’s Scudetto showdown between Juventus and Milan.

The World Cup Final referee is rarely paired with the Bianconeri following some controversial decisions and the Turin giants have not won a Serie A game with him in charge since December 2000.

His total record with Juve is of 10 wins, nine draws and eight defeats, while Milan have a more comforting tally of 13 victories, 16 draws and just seven setbacks.

Collina has already taken charge of this encounter once this season, when Juventus won the Italian Supercup on penalties in August.

The other title contenders Roma will be officiated by Gianluca Paparesta in their trip to Reggina, while Inter-Chievo is handed to Massimo De Santis.

channel 4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar12j.html)

please break the jinx :mad:

demouse

13-03-2004, 03:03 PM

Tacchi: Title within our reach
Saturday 13 March, 2004

Alessio Tacchinardi believes that Juventus can earn a third successive Scudetto if they beat Milan in Turin.

“Do not forget that if we win on Sunday then we’ll just be three points off the leaders,” noted the midfielder in a press conference. “The title is certainly not out of our reach.”

Morale is low at the club after their shock midweek exit from the Champions’ League, losing both legs to Deportivo La Coruna.

“Everyone must accept responsibility for that setback,” assured Tacchinardi. “That includes those who made the transfer policy, the fitness Coaches, Marcello Lippi’s choices and the players who didn’t perform. If something goes wrong then everyone is to blame.”

He is one of the only stars to have escaped the recent injury crisis, but maintains “we will not hold on to that as an alibi.”

“We all believed we could win the Champions’ League and clearly going out is a big disappointment for us, the club and our fans.”

The turning point of their campaign could be tomorrow evening when Milan travel to the Delle Alpi.

“We can still kickstart our season,” concluded Tacchinardi, “but only if we confirm that the Juventus team spirit is once again our secret weapon. Defeat would rule us out of the title chase, a draw would be worth little, but a win means a whole new campaign begins.”

The Bianconeri will be without Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet, Gianluca Zambrotta, Alessandro Birindelli, Mark Iuliano and possibly Enzo Maresca.

Fabrizio Miccoli suffered a slight muscular problem during the Deportivo game, but is expected to recover in time for Sunday evening.

channel 4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar13c.html)

demouse

13-03-2004, 03:06 PM

Serie A Week 25 - 14/3/04 (20.30)
Juventus vs Milan Preview
LIVE on SCV Ch 22 - 15 Mar, Mon @ 03:25am
Stadio Delle Alpi
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Juventus are the only big club Milan have failed to beat this season, but the Bianconeri could blow the Scudetto race wide open.

The Rossoneri’s record in Turin is very poor, as they have lost their last four trips to the Delle Alpi, scoring just twice. The last Milan victory here was a 2-0 drubbing in 1999, when George Weah completed the scoring. There has not been a draw in this fixture since 1996 with a total of 18 goals netted between them in those six encounters. The most humiliating setback here was a 4-1 defeat for the San Siro giants in 1998, while there was a spectacular 5-4 victory for the visitors in 1958 and another 4-3 win two years later. But the record for the most impressive result goes to Milan with a 7-1 drubbing of their rivals on home turf in February 1950.

Six points separate the top three teams going into this game and whatever the result it is bound to be a turning point in the campaign. Carlo Ancelotti and Pippo Inzaghi come face to face with their former club after their 1-1 draw at the San Siro. The last year has seen several high-profile clashes between these sides, including the Champions’ League Final for Milan and an Italian Supercup going to Juventus.

The Rossoneri show no signs of slowing down their record-breaking pace and it is the away record that most impresses with nine wins and three draws. To this date in all competitions, only Lazio have got the better of them on their travels in the Coppa Italia semi-final. Inzaghi marked his comeback from injury with a goal and should partner Andriy Shevchenko from the start, with able support from fellow scorer Kaka’.

Marcello Lippi has some serious injury worries ahead of this clash. Enzo Maresca, David Trezeguet, Alex Del Piero and Igor Tudor are definitely ruled out, while doubts continue to hang over Mark Iuliano, Gianluca Zambrotta and Alessandro Birindelli. It looks as if Nicola Legrottaglie will again be given the nod in central defence – surely the weakest area of the squad. They may have shown character to fight back from 2-0 down to beat Brescia 3-2 last week, but it took their defensive tally to 27 goals in 24 matches. This same side only conceded 27 goals throughout all of the 2000-01 season.

Having lost in the Champions’ League on Tuesday to Deportivo, another defeat against Milan would surely leave them with just the Coppa Italia to play for this season.

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Juventus (probable): Buffon; Thuram, Legrottaglie, Iuliano, Pessotto; Camoranesi, Conte, Appiah; Nedved; Miccoli, Di Vaio

Milan (probable): Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Maldini, Pancaro; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf, Kaka; Inzaghi, Shevchenko

Ref: Collina

channel 4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0304/juv-mil.html)

demouse

13-03-2004, 03:08 PM

Iuliano To Become A Dad

03/12/2004. Mark Iuliano might not be passing through a great professional moment, after he has been sidelined for an injury, Juventus have been eliminated from the Champions League and the defensive department in which he plays has been targetted as the reason for the bianconeri's problems.

However the Juve defender's personal life is on a high as his gf, an ex tv showgirl on popular Italian show 'Passaparola', will give birth to his first child which has stirred different emotions in him.

"I can't wait to become a dad," said Iuliano. "It is a great emotion and I usually don't get excited easily. It's something that everyone should feel. It means different contrasting emotions: happiness, tenderness, but also fear and anxiety because my life is going to change."

www.soccerage.com (http://www.soccerage.com/en/13/t7966.html)

hope this motivate him in the coming match :)

dreamer75

14-03-2004, 12:54 AM

Originally posted by demouse
Collina to ref Turin showdown
Friday 12 March, 2004

Pierluigi Collina has been chosen to officiate in Sunday?s Scudetto showdown between Juventus and Milan.

The World Cup Final referee is rarely paired with the Bianconeri following some controversial decisions and the Turin giants have not won a Serie A game with him in charge since December 2000.

His total record with Juve is of 10 wins, nine draws and eight defeats, while Milan have a more comforting tally of 13 victories, 16 draws and just seven setbacks.

Collina has already taken charge of this encounter once this season, when Juventus won the Italian Supercup on penalties in August.

The other title contenders Roma will be officiated by Gianluca Paparesta in their trip to Reggina, while Inter-Chievo is handed to Massimo De Santis.

channel 4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar12j.html)

please break the jinx :mad:

i still cant belive that collina yet again is going to be the ref..

http://www.wcupw.com/IMAGES/natiga/53.jpg

he looks more shocked than i am :laugh:

dreamer75

14-03-2004, 12:56 AM

Originally posted by demouse
Iuliano To Become A Dad

03/12/2004. Mark Iuliano might not be passing through a great professional moment, after he has been sidelined for an injury, Juventus have been eliminated from the Champions League and the defensive department in which he plays has been targetted as the reason for the bianconeri's problems.

However the Juve defender's personal life is on a high as his gf, an ex tv showgirl on popular Italian show 'Passaparola', will give birth to his first child which has stirred different emotions in him.

"I can't wait to become a dad," said Iuliano. "It is a great emotion and I usually don't get excited easily. It's something that everyone should feel. It means different contrasting emotions: happiness, tenderness, but also fear and anxiety because my life is going to change."

www.soccerage.com (http://www.soccerage.com/en/13/t7966.html)

hope this motivate him in the coming match :)

i hope his child will give blessings to us :)

dreamer75

14-03-2004, 12:58 AM

Marcello Lippi maintains Juventus are ready to see off the leaders despite being at the centre of an injury crisis as Enzo Maresca also drops out.

?Milan are a brilliant team,? assured the Coach, ?but if we beat them on Sunday evening the gap will be just three points. We are ready to win this even in these difficult conditions.?

Lippi could be forced to field an experimental front two of Marco Di Vaio and Pavel Nedved ? the only forwards who are 100 per cent fit.

Fabrizio Miccoli and Igor Tudor have been included in the squad, but Enzo Maresca drops out with a back problem.

?Despite the many players out injured,? added the tactician, ?Milan still fear us. I?d be worried if they didn?t.?

The Bianconeri go into this game almost as underdogs following their shock Champions? League exit to Deportivo La Coruna midweek.

?It isn?t an easy time for us,? he confessed, ?and that European defeat really hurt us. We must try to boost our confidence and this is the perfect opportunity for that.?

Many pundits claim this will be Lippi?s final year in charge of Juventus after once more failing to lift the Champions? League trophy.

?I don?t believe this is the end of an era for the club. After all, with a win we?d be only three points behind a team that is shattering Serie A records this season, so it?s not as if we?re doing that badly.?

In fact, the Turin giants have more points than they did at this stage last year ? when they went on to win the Scudetto.

?A year without a trophy is not a disaster and it can happen to the best of us,? concluded Lippi.

Juventus squad: 1 Gianluigi Buffon, 2 Ciro Ferrara, 3 Alessio Tacchinardi, 4 Paolo Montero, 5 Igor Tudor, 7 Gianluca Pessotto, 8 Antonio Conte, 9 Fabrizio Miccoli, 11 Pavel Nedved, 12 Antonio Chimenti, 16 Mauro Camoranesi, 18 Stephen Appiah, 20 Marco Di Vaio, 21 Lilian Thuram, 23 Nicola Legrottaglie, 32 Victor Boudianski, 34 Davide Chiumiento, 42 Giovanni Bartolucci, 45 Raffaele Palladino.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar13f.html

dreamer75

14-03-2004, 12:59 AM

Juve Squad

1 Gianluigi BUFFON
2 Ciro FERRARA
3 Alessio TACCHINARDI
4 Paolo MONTERO
5 Igor TUDOR
7 Gianluca PESSOTTO
8 Antonio CONTE
9 Fabrizio MICCOLI
11 Pavel NEDVED
12 Antonio CHIMENTI
16 Mauro CAMORANESI
18 Stephen APPIAH
20 Marco DI VAIO
21 Lilian THURAM
23 Nicola LEGROTTAGLIE
32 Victor BOUDIANSKI
34 Davide CHIUMIENTO
42 Giovanni BARTOLUCCI
45 Raffaele PALLADINO

dreamer75

14-03-2004, 12:59 AM

AC Milan's Squad

1. Valerio FIORI
2. Marcos CAFU
3. Paolo MALDINI
4. Kakha KALADZE
7. Andriy SHEVCHENKO
8. Gennaro Ivan GATTUSO
9. Filippo INZAGHI
10. Manuel Cesar RUI COSTA
12. Nelson DIDA
13. Alessandro NESTA
14. Dario SIMIC
15. Jon Dahl TOMASSON
18. Marco BORRIELLO
19. Alessandro COSTACURTA
20. Clarence SEEDORF
21. Andrea PIRLO
22. Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite KAKÁ
23. Massimo AMBROSINI
24. Martin LAURSEN
26. Giuseppe PANCARO
27. Claudio Santos SERGINHO
77. Christian ABBIATI

dreamer75

14-03-2004, 01:04 AM

Serie A - Week 25

http://www.uefa.com/ImagesContent/Competition/Clubs/Logos/70X70/50139.gif vs http://www.uefa.com/ImagesContent/Competition/Clubs/Logos/70X70/50058.gif

Sunday March 14, 2004.
20:30. Stadio Delle Alpi.

An out of sorts Juve welcome old foe Milan at the Delle Alpi on Sunday with everything to play for. Juve's Italian crest is at stake as Milan edge closer round after round to clinching their 17th Scudetto. However, after crashing out of the Champions League Juve will surely make life difficult for the Rossoneri.

Preparations for this match didn't go as planned for Juve's Lippi though since more players got injured than those recovered. Del Piero have joined fellow first-choice striker Trezeguet in the treatment table whereas Miccoli have also suffered a slight muscle injury and remains doubtful of featuring against Milan. Zambrotta, Birindelli, and Maresca are still out whereas Tudor is on his way to recovery.

Milan on the other hand arrive to this match full of confidence, having breezed through Sparta Prague 4-1 in the Champions League and having learned that the UEFA Champions League draw have been kind to them (yet again his season). Milan will play Deportivo La Coruna next and will avoid Arsenal/Chelsea/Real Madrid until the final as they are on opposite sides of the draw.

More good news for Milan is that they will welcome back Seedorf after he successfully recovered from a thigh strain injury. Therefore, ex-Juve coach Carlo Ancelotti will have a full squad to chose from for this match.

It has been announced that Perluigi Collina has been assigned to officiate this match. More bad news for Juve? Well, Juve has never won with Collina as ref since December 2000.

In total he officiated 27 matches for Juve, 10 (37%) ended in a win, 9 (33%) ended in a draw, and 8 (30%) ended in a defeat.

For Milan, he officiated more matches: 36 matches. 13 (36%) of them ended in victories, 16 (44%) ended in draws, whereas only 7 (20%) ended in a defeat.

Juventus (4-4-1-1)

---------------- Buffon --------------------

-- Thuram --- Ferrara ?Legro --- Pessotto --

-- Camo ---- Conte ? Tacchi ?-- Appiah --

------------------ Nedved --------------------

------------------ Di Vaio ---------------------

Last season Juventus were renowned for their consistency, dogged approach and never say die attitude. Ingredients of a true championship winning side. However this season the team have suffered from lack of confidence in the back line and as such the team has rather looked vulnerable and was outplayed even against the smallest of sides. The team also needs to cope with a long casualty list that has rocked the team and its fans.

http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2003/SPORT/football/10/03/top.10/story.nedved.afp.jpg

But the one who is afraid cannot go to war. Thus, Pavel Nedved have sent a sound warning to Milan ahead of the clash this Sunday. Nedved promised that Juve will take advantage of their natural instincts: power and passion, in order to win this match and open the race wide open despite the many setbacks the team is suffering from.

Nedved will always be a key player but Di Vaio should carry the load of scoring again. He should regain his confidence as the team really needs him in his difficult time. I am sure he will relish the opportunity to impress in the absence of the King of Turin and the elegant Trezegol!

http://www.sportal.it/photogallery/calcio/seriea2/08/mil_juv/photog09.jpg

Alessio Tacchinardi was also hopeful ahead of the match and indicated that the team's character would be an added weapon in this difficult battle. He also welcomes a win that would bring Juve back in contention for winning the Scudetto again.

Milan (4-3-1-2)

------------------ Dida -------------------

--- Cafu --- Nesta ? Maldini ? Kaladze ?

------- Ambrosini ? Pirlo ? Seedorf -------

--------------------- Kaka -------------------

----------- Inzaghi ---------- Sheva ---------

From the Milan camp, an upbeat Kaka remains optimistic after the team's recent positive results.Kaka has always maintained that Milan are capable of winning the Double this season (Champions League and Serie A). Ironically, Juve were very close from achieving that feat last season. But the Brazilian prodigy was careful when predicting the outcome, giving both teams a 50-50 chance in this mach.

Gattuso was a relieved man when he discovered that Juve were eliminated out of the Champions League, one less difficult opponent to worry about. However, in Serie A there is no running away and both teams will have to face each other.

Sheva will he be relishing this game, against one of his favoured teams. He has always saved his best for Juventus and Buffon. After nearly a month without scoring any goal for Milan, the Ukranian forward found his scoring touch with a brace against Sparta Prague on Wednesday night. Juve's defence and GK has been warned.

Prediction

Will the Black & White warriors slay some devils in the Delle Alpi? Or will the Rossoneri fire the shot of mercy right into the Old Lady's heart? Personally, I predict a difficult match for Juve but a resolute Juve should come back from behind and convert a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win in the second half.

http://www.juventus.com/juventus/it/images/200411/pallone_nike.jpg

The new ball, released by Nike, to be played for the first time in Juve's Delle Alpi. Let's hope our fortunes turn to the better with this ball.

dreamer75

14-03-2004, 01:12 AM

March 13, 2004

Juventus' chase for Ajax pair Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Hatem Trabelsi is hotting up.

The two clubs have already met to discuss the futures of the Ajax duo and Juve chief Luciano Moggi is confident of beating a host of European rivals for their signatures.

Ajax are believed to be encouraged by Juve's preliminary offer of a cash-plus-player exchange involving Croatia international defender Igor Tudor.

It's understood Tudor would welcome a move to Amsterdam, where he would be guaranteed regular first team action.

dreamer75

14-03-2004, 11:00 PM

My Pick : 2-1 :)

dreamer75

15-03-2004, 01:47 AM

Serie A Preview: Juventus-Milan

Background

Football fans around the world will be watching or listening to this game on Sunday night.

It will quite possibly be the encounter of the season ? and that will have a lot to do with what has happened to Marcello Lippi's Juventus and Carlo Ancelotti's Milan over the past seven days.

Juventus' run in the Champions League came to an end at the hands of Javier Irureta's Deportivo La Coruña midweek.

And to make matters worse for the bianconeri, star striker Del Piero injured his right thigh in this clash.

He will now miss not only the game against Milan, but also both legs of the Coppa Italia final against Roberto Mancini's Lazio.

Yet despite these blows, Del Piero remained calm and confident.

"I am certain that in my absence, my team mates will do their best to meet the challenges that they face," he said.

"To be knocked out of an important competition like the Champions League is difficult and demoralising.

"But we still have an important objective: to do battle with Milan and reduce the lead they have over us on the table."

This game, like those in Manchester, New York and Milan, will be one to savour ? partly because each side knows the other inside out, only for this clash Juventus will be carrying many injuries and therefore be limited in who they can select to play, facts that must worry coach Lippi.

It is an injury-free outfit that coach Ancelotti will bring to the Stadio Delle Alpi for this game.

And one that will be keen to take home all the points and continue merrily along the path to this season's scudetto.

Latest News

Juventus
"What is with all the injured players, Mister Lippi?" would probably be the first question fans would want to ask their silver-haired coach.

"And why have these players suffered their pains and strains before the game with Milan and the Coppa Italia final with Lazio?" would most likely be their second.

Luckily for Lippi he does not have to set about answering these questions then placating his anxious interrogators.

With Del Piero joining the ever-growing list of injured at Turin, this is a good thing as well.

For in addition to their inspirational captain, the bianconeri will also be forced to go without Trezeguet, Iuliano, Zambrotta and Birindelli on Sunday night.

Quality absentees like these hurt even great sides spoiled for choices.

But Tacchinardi will never admit to such a fact.

In light of the challenges his side face against Milan, he was a mixture of pride, determination and ambition.

"If we beat Milan and find ourselves only three points behind them, then winning the scudetto will be possible," he said.

"It will be hard with so many men out, but we will still be capable of giving it a good go on the night."

This belief runs right through the team, and it is something that is actively fostered by Lippi.

"This side have always had the capacity to put aside great successes and disappointing defeats and start again," he said.

Milan
In a season where nearly everything has gone their way, the rossoneri are not taking this encounter lightly.

As their recent clashes have revealed, Juventus are the club most capable of beating them on any given day.

And while Milan may have the upper hand in terms of current form, they know their hosts will be keen to make amends for their shock exit from the Champions League a few days ago.

Maldini said as much.

"It was a brutal blow for them," he said.

"And while Juventus may not be playing that well at the moment, we must not forget the past encounters we have had with them.

"On good days, they are very frightening."

Vice-president Adriano Galliani agreed with his captain.

"We are equals," he said.

Probable Team Line-Ups

Juventus (4-4-1-1): Buffon, Thuram, Ferrara, Legrottaglie, Pessotto, Camoranesi, Conte, Tacchinardi, Appiah, Nedved, Di Vaio.

Milan (4-3-1-2): Dida, Cafu, Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf, Kaká, Inzaghi, Shevchenko.

Players To Watch

Juventus
It is a crying shame that Del Piero, a footballer with an innate capacity to thrill, will not take to the field for this game.

If he had played, there is no doubt that he would have shone.

So it will be up to Nedved to provide the big match excitement for the bianconeri.

And the way the Czech legend plays, it will come thick and fast.

Milan
The Brazilian has been an inspiration this season, with his ability to dribble and shoot particularly catching the eye.

http://www.soccerage.com/en/13/t8121.html

dreamer75

15-03-2004, 11:54 AM

we can kiss the Scudetto goodbye :(

demouse

15-03-2004, 01:33 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
we can kiss the Scudetto goodbye :(

u have me by your side http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/cry2.gif http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/cry3.gif

dreamer75

15-03-2004, 02:06 PM

Juventus 1 - 3 Milan

Shevchenko 25 (M), Seedorf 63, 75 (M), Ferrara 80 (J)
Stadio Delle Alpi

Milan have one hand on the Scudetto after hammering Juventus on their own turf with a Clarence Seedorf brace.

The Rossoneri break away at the top of the table following Roma's surprise stalemate at Reggina this afternoon, but their record at the Delle Alpi was poor having lost their last four trips to Turin. This is their first victory away to Juve since 1999.

It has been a harrowing week for Juventus, as they were eliminated from the Champions' League and lost Alex Del Piero, David Trezeguet, Enzo Maresca, Mark Iuliano, Gianluca Zambrotta and Alessandro Birindelli to injury.

Marco Di Vaio therefore started upfront with support from Pavel Nedved - the only two 100 per cent fit forwards.

Juventus had the first scoring opportunity after three minutes when Stephan Appiah's cross found the head of Pavel Nedved, but his effort whistled wide of the near post.

The Bianconeri were more confident in the opening stages and Alessio Tacchinardi's fierce drive stung Dida's palms, then Nedved nodded off target and the goalkeeper was secure on Mauro Camoranesi's follow-up.

There was bad news for Milan as after just 12 minutes Alessandro Nesta pulled up with a muscular problem and was replaced by Alessandro Costacurta. The defender has only just returned from a thigh strain and was not taking any risks.

The visitors hit back and an intelligent Clarence Seedorf cutback found Kaka' completely unmarked just inside the box, but Gianluigi Buffon palmed his effort over the bar.

Carlo Ancelotti's men gradually increased the pressure and Andriy Shevchenko's deflected free kick went wide of the near post.

But it was a more open game during this first half and Nedved blasted one of his trademark piledrivers just past the upright.

Soon after Seedorf's weak attempt was off target after some great approach play from Shevchenko.

It was Milan who eventually broke the deadlock after 25 minutes and Shevchenko finally ended his Serie A goal drought. Seedorf was the provider this time, a curling cross finding the head of Shevchenko from eight yards.

Juventus had the chance to get right back in it moments later, but Tacchinardi ballooned his shot horribly wide from a great position.

But Shevchenko also went close when he chested down a Marcos Cafu cross and fired over the bar, then soon after wasted another good scoring opportunity on the counter-attack.

Juve had a solid start to the second half, but should have been 2-0 down on 53 minutes. Pippo Inzaghi sprung the offside trap and went round Buffon, but the former Bianconeri hero incredibly fired wide of a completely open goal.

Marcello Lippi needed to take risks and threw on pacey forward Fabrizio Miccoli, who was suffering from a slight muscular problem this week.

But it was Milan who doubled their lead with a large slice of good fortune to help them out. Seedorf's hopeful effort from 25 metres took a decisive deflection off Ciro Ferrara to leave Buffon stranded.

Di Vaio nearly got Juve back into it immediately as the defence desperately scrambled clear.

Massimo Ambrosini replaced Inzaghi, but Shevchenko could have made it three when his free header was off target from Cafu's cross.

The belief visibly drained away from Juventus and Milan plunged another knife into the wound with a third goal on the counter-attack. Cafu cut back for the unmarked Seedorf and his low drive beat Buffon - this time without the need for a deflection.

Juve did grab a consolation goal ten minutes from time when Ciro Ferrara volleyed in a corner kick, extending their record of scoring in their last 42 consecutive home games.

That strike gave his teammates the confidence to push forward in the final minutes and Camoranesi's dipping volley gave Dida a scare, while Miccoli's effort took a cruel deflection wide.

Juventus: Buffon; Thuram, Ferrara, Legrottaglie, Pessotto (Miccoli 56); Camoranesi, Tacchinardi, Conte, Appiah; Nedved; Di Vaio

Milan: Dida; Cafu, Nesta (Costacurta 12), Maldini, Pancaro; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf (Rui Costa 79); Kakà; Inzaghi (Ambrosini 67), Shevchenko

Ref: Collina

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0304/juv-mil.html

dreamer75

15-03-2004, 02:10 PM

Marcello Lippi admits the Scudetto has sailed away, while Carlo Ancelotti explains what has changed at Milan from last season.

?This team certainly didn?t do anything wrong and created plenty of chances tonight,? said Lippi after their 3-1 home defeat, ?but we were a little unlucky both with our efforts and Clarence Seedorf?s deflected goal.?

The Bianconeri have been lacking confidence of late, but poured forward in the final minutes in search of another strike.

?There was a definite desire to get back into the game and they fought until the final whistle with a great deal of belief.?

?Clearly we are suffering the effects of losing so many strikers to injury and a packed fixture list is making things even more difficult.?

?All we can do is accept the defeat and move on now, but credit also goes to Milan for a great performance.?

The Rossoneri are now seven points clear at the top of the table ? nine points ahead of reigning Champions Juventus ? and are moving towards the title.

?Our objective now is to end the season in second place,? confessed Lippi, ?but admittedly a nine-point gap is too much to make up now.?

?We also have the Coppa Italia Final against Lazio and that is an important trophy we can aim for.?

The Bianconeri were without a host of injured players including Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet, Enzo Maresca and Gianluca Zambrotta.

?It was a great shame to be eliminated from the Champions? League, but I have been here for eight years and we won a major trophy in six of them. One season without that kind of triumph is only to be expected.?

?Our only regret is to go into this crucial stage of the campaign without so many star players.?

Carlo Ancelotti has taken an important step towards the Scudetto by beating Juve ? the club that fired him because he didn?t win the title.

?Juventus did very well, especially in the first half, and from this performance I?d say they are far from dead and buried,? assured the Coach.

Clarence Seedorf has improved in leaps and bounds, but the tactician refused to pinpoint single players for praise.

?When the team gets so many points then we can?t just look at a few individuals. The whole squad works hard together and I love training them.?

Milan seem nigh on irresistible at the moment, beating Inter, Lazio and Juventus over the last few weeks.

?This was a very important result, especially as we managed to beat most of the big teams in a short space of time.?

?Our secret right now is that we can defend when needed and hold on to leads, but the main difference from last season is that we can turn up the tempo.?

Milan fell apart at this stage of the Serie A campaign last season, but are far more athletically fit than their colleagues right now.

?We were a bit more careful to spread out our energies during the first six months,? revealed Ancelotti, ?and that allowed us to remain fresh even now.?

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar14k.html

dreamer75

15-03-2004, 02:14 PM

March 15, 2004

Juventus coach Marcello Lippi has dropped a massive hint that this may be his final season in Turin.

"When you lose certain rumours are unavoidable," said Lippi. "I am used to this and so are the team and for the moment I will concentrate on the task in hand.

"At the end of the season I will discuss matters with the club's management to see what they have decided.

"What lies ahead is not decided, but I have a clear idea."

dreamer75

15-03-2004, 02:15 PM

March 15, 2004

The agent of Ajax striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has denied talks have opened with Juventus over a summer switch.

Ibrahimovic has rejected an offer to extend his deal by Ajax and is now expected to be sold at the end of the season.

"We're not dealing with Juventus at this moment," said the Swede's agent. "But if I had the chance to negotiate with the Bianconera leadership, I would not hesitate to do it."

dreamer75

15-03-2004, 02:16 PM

March 15, 2004

Chievo Verona coach Luigi del Neri has admitted he is flattered to be linked with Marcello Lippi's job at Juventus.

"Me to Juve? When March arrives there is always a lot of talk about me, but then Del Neri remains with Chievo," said the Chievo trainer.

"I'm in pole position for Juventus? Well, I am honored, it means that I am doing good work. Not that there's anything official, it's only talk."

dreamer75

15-03-2004, 02:17 PM

March 15, 2004

Juventus had a scout in the stands to watch Olympiakos striker Juan Castillo against AEK yesterday.

The Uruguay international is a major target for Juve and preliminary talks have already been held between the two clubs.

Juve were trying to step up negotiations in Athens last week, but Olympiakos officials told the Italian giants to wait until Sunday's game was over.

The Greeks do not want to seriously discuss Castillo's future until after the April 18 clash with Panathinakos.

dreamer75

16-03-2004, 06:43 PM

Like winning graciously, we should accept defeat graciously.

Credit has to go to Milan for a wonderful season and for all the hard work they have gone through.

I don't think we played that badly last night, but as soon as the first goal was scored against us we somehow read the writings on the wall and knew that we wouldn't be able to face up to a solid resilent Milan.

This is not an end of an era for Juve, everytime such thing happens Juve comes the next season stronger and better and usually end up winning again. But we as fans should understand that we don't have a divine right to win every season. Teams go through cycles, they have their good years and bad years. The management should analyze this season and understand what went wrong and how can we fix those gaps in the team.

Do we need a revolution? Hardly.

We have the core of players to stay in the team for next season. We have a good group of young players (Miccoli, Appiah and Maresca) that we can also build on. But the reinforcements during the summer should be carefully chosen and the hunger of winning should also be there next season.

The only thing remaining for us this season is a challenge for a second place with Roma in the league that would automatically qualify us to the Champions League and the Coppa Italia final against Lazio. The team should concentrate on achieving those two feasts, at least. And then think about next season.

Forza Juve !!

:)

ZhuGeLiang

17-03-2004, 10:24 AM

another disappointed result. after CL exit, we said let's focus on Scudetto. so now Scudetto is out of our reach, Coppa Italia is the most important thing now.

let's won it and end the season "graciously" :D

ZhuGeLiang

17-03-2004, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by dreamer75
Do we need a revolution? Hardly.

Forza Juve !!

:)

yes we need revolution, our DEFENCE :mad:

dreamer75

17-03-2004, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by ZhuGeLiang

yes we need revolution, our DEFENCE :mad:

of cuz...the defence is a big problem we muz improved in!!

dreamer75

17-03-2004, 01:15 PM

Gigi Buffon and Pavel Nedved have admitted that Juventus are now out of the Scudetto race.

The Bianconeri lost 3-1 to Milan last night which leaves them a massive nine points behind the Rossoneri.

"Everything has been ruined in a matter of months," said the goalkeeper. "It hasn?t been a bad season for us but we are behind in the League and out of Europe."

Juventus did put up a brave fight against Milan but the away side comfortably deserved the victory.

"We did well in the first half but we were unable to take advantage of our chances," added Buffon.

"We tried our best and thought we could get a good result. That didn?t happen though. We now have the Coppa Italia Final to concentrate on."

Even Pavel Nedved, admired for his fighting spirit, seems to have waved the white flag after the defeat.

"We did what we could but it wasn?t enough," said the European Footballer of the Year. "Our morale is not the best.

"It has become tremendously difficult for us now, perhaps impossible. Now we just need to think about the Coppa."

The Old Lady travel to Lazio on Wednesday in the first leg of the Italian Cup Final.

dreamer75

17-03-2004, 01:17 PM

Auxerre striker Olivier Kapo has signed a four-year deal with Juventus according to reports in France.

The highly respected France Football magazine claims that the French international just needs to complete a medical.

The 23-year-old will cost the Italian giants nothing as his contract with his current club expires at the end of the season.

Should the Italian side confirm his proposed arrival, then the Bianconeri would then be expected to sell one of their forwards.

The most likely candidates at this stage are either Marcelo Zalayeta, on loan at Perugia, David Trezeguet or Marco Di Vaio.

Kapo has netted just one goal in 21 League games for Auxerre this term.

dreamer75

17-03-2004, 01:18 PM

wah...20 teams!! so how many teams will be relegated then? 4?

The 2004/05 Serie A campaign will begin on August 29, the Italian Football League announced today.

The new tournament, which will now have 20 and not 18 teams, will end on May 29, 2005.

In order to fit in the extra games, there will be two midweek rounds on September 22, 2004, and October 27, 2004.

dreamer75

17-03-2004, 01:20 PM

hope its true..

Philippe Mexes could become the second Auxerre player to join Juventus during the summer.

Reports yesterday suggested that Olivier Kapo had agreed a four-year deal with the club and his French international teammate could now be about to follow him.

Juventus are set to rejuvenate their ageing defence at the end of this term and Mexes may be a possible addition.

The 21-year-old is highly rated in the European game and has already been linked with the likes of Man Utd, Roma and Inter.

Speculation suggests that Mexes has an agreement with Auxerre that will allow him to leave at the end of this campaign.

The Bianconeri defence has struggled badly this term and the likes of Lilian Thuram, Ciro Ferrara and Paolo Montero ? all over 30 ? may not feature in next season?s squad.

That has seen the club associated with a host of new stoppers who they could target in the near future.

The Parma duo of Matteo Ferrari and Daniele Bonera have been strongly associated and they are expected to arrive.

Lazio?s Jaap Stam is also a target even if the Dutchman is unlikely to join given the fact that Milan and Inter are leading the chase for him.

dreamer75

17-03-2004, 01:21 PM

Juventus boss Marcello Lippi has some massive selection problems ahead of Wednesday?s Coppa Italia Final against Lazio.

The first leg will take place at the Olimpico tomorrow but the Bianconeri will be without seven big name players.

Alex Del Piero, David Trezeguet, Gianluca Zambrotta, Paolo Montero, Alessandro Birindelli and Mark Iuliano are all injured. Ciro Ferrara is suspended.

The Old Lady go into the game on a low after they were knocked out of Europe and the Scudetto race in the space of a week.

But Lippi has told his troops to archive their troubles and just concentrate on winning the Italian Cup.

"We mustn?t just give up on this season," said the tactician. "There is an important trophy up for grabs.

"If we beat Lazio then it will be our tenth triumph in this competition. After all, it is our last objective this term apart from second place in the League of course."

Lippi though doesn?t have a good record against Lazio in finals after losing one Coppa Italia and two Super Cups to the capital outfit.

Five youth team players have been included in a 20-man squad. Reserve ?keeper Antonio Chimenti may start after starring in all of the Coppa games this term.

Squad: Buffon, Tacchinardi, Tudor, Pessotto, Conte, Miccoli, Nedved, Chimenti, Maresca, Camoranesi, Appiah, Di Vaio, Thuram, Mirante, Legrottaglie, Urbano, Boudianski, Chiumiento, Bartolucci, Paladino.

dreamer75

17-03-2004, 01:23 PM

Manuele Blasi?s doping ban expires on Wednesday, but the Parma midfielder admits he is frightened of testing positive again.

?I want to make up for the five months I have lost by playing out of my skin for the remaining nine games of the season,? revealed the Gialloblu star.

?The problem is that I still don?t know why my test came out positive for nandrolone. I am terrified of everything that I come into contact with, from an aspirin to shampoo.?

Blasi has always maintained his innocence, but was unable to prove how his levels of the anabolic steroid were raised above the legal limit.

He failed a routine test after Parma?s September 14 win over Perugia and was handed a five-month ban ? set to expire tomorrow.

There were reports he was set to be called back from his season-long loan to Juventus in January, but will now stay on at the Tardini.

?The Juventus directors told me not to worry,? revealed the Under-21 international, ?but that?s very difficult when you?re in this situation. For the moment I am thinking only of Parma and getting back on to the playing field.?

dreamer75

17-03-2004, 01:31 PM

March 17, 2004

Juventus have tabled an offer to Ternana for midfielder Luis Jiminez.

The Chilean youngster is also being followed by Chelsea and Manchester United, but Juve are seeking to beat both Premiership clubs to a deal before the end of the season.

Ternana are asking £6.7 million for Jimenez, though are considering a £2 million offer from Juve chief Luciano Moggi for co-ownership of the youngster.

A fresh round of talks have been scheduled for later this week to discuss Juve's improvised bid.

dreamer75

18-03-2004, 03:09 PM

haiz...another loss...:(

dreamer75

18-03-2004, 03:10 PM

Lazio 2 - 0 Juventus
Fiore 60, 80 (L)
Stadio Olimpico (70,000)

Stefano Fiore's brace has put one Lazio hand on the Coppa Italia as Juventus must win by three clear goals in the second leg on May 12.

The Coppa Italia is contended between two teams that have precious little else to play for this season. Juventus have been eliminated from the Champions' League and Scudetto chase over the last week, while it is also Lazio's last stab at silverware.

The Bianconeri are at the centre of an injury crisis and were forced to do without Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet, Gianluca Zambrotta, Alessandro Birindelli, Fabrizio Miccoli and the suspended Ciro Ferrara.

Claudio Lopez is in Argentina on compassionate leave, so Roberto Muzzi, Cesar and Bernardo Corradi lined up for the trident attack.

Nonetheless, the visitors had a strong start and ex-Lazio striker Marco Di Vaio latched on to Mauro Camoranesi's centre, but Matteo Sereni performed a stunning reaction save from close range.

Soon after another ex-man - Pavel Nedved - drilled a powerful effort from 25 metres just past the near post.

Lazio fought back and some desperate defending prevented Giuseppe Favalli from turning in after he found space in the centre.

Antonio Chimenti has been in goal for all Juve's Coppa Italia games this season and did well to block Corradi's fierce drive.

But the Turin side continued to have the best scoring opportunities and Sereni parried Di Vaio's shot at the near post.

Lazio thought they had taken the lead in first half stoppage time when a curling Massimo Oddo cross was nodded in by Corradi, but he clattered into the goalkeeper in order to reach the ball and the goal was therefore disallowed.

Simone Inzaghi came on for the second half and replaced Roberto Muzzi, who was a doubt for this game due to an ankle problem.

Within six minutes of the restart referee Pierluigi Collina pointed to the spot. Fabio Liverani sprung the offside trap and was able to toe-poke the ball past Chimenti, but the goalkeeper kept going and tripped up the midfielder. However, he made up for his error by comfortably saving Cesar's relatively central penalty kick.

Soon after substitute Inzaghi rushed into the box and fell under Igor Tudor's challenge, but the Croat clearly got the ball and the striker was a little harshly booked for diving.

The deadlock was eventually broken on the hour mark. A free kick was not dealt with effectively and Stefano Fiore ably turned in his volley with the outside of his left foot.

This goal sparked Lazio to life and within 60 seconds they nearly scored a second as Giuliano Giannichedda sprung the offside trap and brought a good save out of Chimenti.

Juventus had the chance to get back into it when Jaap Stam's clearance accidentally thumped Di Vaio on the face as he stood in the six-yard box, but unluckily for the striker it ricocheted off target.

Enzo Maresca made his comeback after several weeks out with a microfracture in a vertebra, taking over from Antonio Conte, while youth team starlet Raffaele Palladino replaced Di Vaio.

But Lazio continued to dominate and with twelve minutes left on the clock Fiore's effort was charged down by Lilian Thuram and Cesar's follow-up was punched out.

On the resulting corner a goalline clearance was not enough to prevent Fiore's bicycle-kick earning his second of the match. Bizarrely, Gianluca Pessotto's clearance was to prevent an own goal from Thuram's wayward intervention.

The tension rose and soon after Igor Tudor was sent off after his late tackle on Cesar sparked a scuffle on the field. The studs were showing in his sliding challenge and he took away the Brazilian's ankle.

The Biancocelesti could have extended their lead on the resulting free kick, as Chimenti flew to palm away Stam's commanding header.

Lazio: Sereni; Oddo, Stam, Couto, Favalli; Fiore, Giannichedda, Liverani (Dabo 80); Muzzi (Inzaghi 46), Corradi, Cesar (Zauri 90)

Juventus: Chimenti; Thuram, Tudor, Legrottaglie, Pessotto; Camoranesi (Bartolucci 83), Tacchinardi, Conte (Maresca 71), Appiah; Nedved; Di Vaio (Palladino 76)

Ref: Collina

Missed penalty: Cesar 52 (L)

Sent off: Tudor 81 (J)

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/coppaflaz-juv.html

dreamer75

18-03-2004, 03:12 PM

Udinese - Juventus

Stadio Friuli

Having resigned from the Scudetto race after the 3-1 defeat to Milan, Juventus now have their sights on finishing the season in second place. Yet their injury hit squad face a tricky test at Udinese in Week 26 as the other Bianconeri continue to impress.

The Old Lady will be without the injured Trezeguet, Iuliano, Zambrotta and Del Piero. Paolo Montero and Alessandro Birindelli are also doubts after they missed the Coppa Italia final first leg at Lazio on Wednesday.

The good news is that Enzo Maresca and Igor Tudor have got over their injury set-backs and both could feature in some form at the Stadio Friuli. Fabrizio Miccoli should also be in better shape than he was against Milan at the Delle Alpi. Antonio Conte is out with suspension.

Udinese picked up a valuable point at Lazio last week after Vincenzo Iaquinta netted a controversial injury time equaliser. That goal is likely to see him get a starting shirt against Juve alongside Dino Fava in attack. Pieri and Sensini are set to miss the tie with injury, while the highly talented youngster Muntari is suspended.

Udinese (probable): De Sanctis; Bertotto, Kroldrup, Pierini; Castroman, Pizarro, Pinzi, Jankulovski; Jorgensen; Fava, Iaquinta

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Thuram, Ferrara, Legrottaglie, Pessotto; Camoranesi, Tacchinardi, Appiah, Nedved; Miccoli, Di Vaio

Ref: To folllow

dreamer75

18-03-2004, 03:16 PM

:confused:

March 18, 2004

The agent of Ajax pair Maxwell and Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hinted both could leave at the end of the season.

Brazilian left-winger Maxwell and striker Ibrahimovic are targets for Juventus GM Luciano Moggi, who has a good relationship with their agent, Mino Raiola.

"Ajax has offered a new contract to him, but Maxwell has refused," revealed Raiola.

"Ibrahimovic is happy in Amsterdam and wants to stay. His contracted expires in June, 2006 and therefore there is no reason to speak about renewing.

"But if a great team introduces themselves, then something could happen."

demouse

18-03-2004, 03:44 PM

Originally posted by dreamer75
Lazio 2 - 0 Juventus
Fiore 60, 80 (L)
Stadio Olimpico (70,000)

Stefano Fiore's brace has put one Lazio hand on the Coppa Italia as Juventus must win by three clear goals in the second leg on May 12.

The Coppa Italia is contended between two teams that have precious little else to play for this season. Juventus have been eliminated from the Champions' League and Scudetto chase over the last week, while it is also Lazio's last stab at silverware.

The Bianconeri are at the centre of an injury crisis and were forced to do without Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet, Gianluca Zambrotta, Alessandro Birindelli, Fabrizio Miccoli and the suspended Ciro Ferrara.

Claudio Lopez is in Argentina on compassionate leave, so Roberto Muzzi, Cesar and Bernardo Corradi lined up for the trident attack.

Nonetheless, the visitors had a strong start and ex-Lazio striker Marco Di Vaio latched on to Mauro Camoranesi's centre, but Matteo Sereni performed a stunning reaction save from close range.

Soon after another ex-man - Pavel Nedved - drilled a powerful effort from 25 metres just past the near post.

Lazio fought back and some desperate defending prevented Giuseppe Favalli from turning in after he found space in the centre.

Antonio Chimenti has been in goal for all Juve's Coppa Italia games this season and did well to block Corradi's fierce drive.

But the Turin side continued to have the best scoring opportunities and Sereni parried Di Vaio's shot at the near post.

Lazio thought they had taken the lead in first half stoppage time when a curling Massimo Oddo cross was nodded in by Corradi, but he clattered into the goalkeeper in order to reach the ball and the goal was therefore disallowed.

Simone Inzaghi came on for the second half and replaced Roberto Muzzi, who was a doubt for this game due to an ankle problem.

Within six minutes of the restart referee Pierluigi Collina pointed to the spot. Fabio Liverani sprung the offside trap and was able to toe-poke the ball past Chimenti, but the goalkeeper kept going and tripped up the midfielder. However, he made up for his error by comfortably saving Cesar's relatively central penalty kick.

Soon after substitute Inzaghi rushed into the box and fell under Igor Tudor's challenge, but the Croat clearly got the ball and the striker was a little harshly booked for diving.

The deadlock was eventually broken on the hour mark. A free kick was not dealt with effectively and Stefano Fiore ably turned in his volley with the outside of his left foot.

This goal sparked Lazio to life and within 60 seconds they nearly scored a second as Giuliano Giannichedda sprung the offside trap and brought a good save out of Chimenti.

Juventus had the chance to get back into it when Jaap Stam's clearance accidentally thumped Di Vaio on the face as he stood in the six-yard box, but unluckily for the striker it ricocheted off target.

Enzo Maresca made his comeback after several weeks out with a microfracture in a vertebra, taking over from Antonio Conte, while youth team starlet Raffaele Palladino replaced Di Vaio.

But Lazio continued to dominate and with twelve minutes left on the clock Fiore's effort was charged down by Lilian Thuram and Cesar's follow-up was punched out.

On the resulting corner a goalline clearance was not enough to prevent Fiore's bicycle-kick earning his second of the match. Bizarrely, Gianluca Pessotto's clearance was to prevent an own goal from Thuram's wayward intervention.

The tension rose and soon after Igor Tudor was sent off after his late tackle on Cesar sparked a scuffle on the field. The studs were showing in his sliding challenge and he took away the Brazilian's ankle.

The Biancocelesti could have extended their lead on the resulting free kick, as Chimenti flew to palm away Stam's commanding header.

Lazio: Sereni; Oddo, Stam, Couto, Favalli; Fiore, Giannichedda, Liverani (Dabo 80); Muzzi (Inzaghi 46), Corradi, Cesar (Zauri 90)

Juventus: Chimenti; Thuram, Tudor, Legrottaglie, Pessotto; Camoranesi (Bartolucci 83), Tacchinardi, Conte (Maresca 71), Appiah; Nedved; Di Vaio (Palladino 76)

Ref: Collina

Missed penalty: Cesar 52 (L)

Sent off: Tudor 81 (J)

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/coppaflaz-juv.html

Collina = Juve lost :eek:

dreamer75

18-03-2004, 03:54 PM

Both Man U and Juve were knocked out in the first round of the CL, there both still in their own cups, Juve in finals against Lazio, and Man U in the FA cup semis, about to get knocked out, but thats besides the point. They also both today blew "need-to-win" games, for Juve especially, and are now 9-12 pts back on the leaders. Both teams also won last years league title. They also both need some staff and player transfers..

dreamer75

18-03-2004, 03:59 PM

Originally posted by demouse

Collina = Juve lost :eek:

he's our ke4 xin1!!! :alien:

dreamer75

18-03-2004, 04:01 PM

This is an interesting read, from The Gaurdian, with a referance to both managers.

With Juve dropping out of the title race, Marcello Lippi is glancing furtively towards the exit signs as the Italian media talk of crumbling empires. James Richardson is reminded of things back home

When I was a young man and learning to be a manager, I didn't have much money. So I signed up for the class where they taught you how to finish top five years out of eight. Had I been richer of course, I'd have taken the one where they explain how to win every year without fail..."
Which, accompanied by a trademark withering look, was how Marcello Lippi responded last week to critics gaily daubing 'end of an era' all over his Juventus, after his team bowed out of both Europe and the title race in the space of just five days.

Lippi, let us not forget, is the man that last summer won a second straight Italian title, not to mention the evil tyrant that denied Roberto Baggio the use of spices in his salad preparation, when the pair were at Inter. And that's a true story.

He's also a top chum of popular Manchester coaching type Sir Alex Ferguson, which is nice, as they can now watch their twin empires sink slowly into the west together.

Last Sunday night against Milan, Lippi and Juve had their final shot at staying in the title race. Despite an injury list that included Trezeguet, Del Piero, Miccoli and Zambrotta, and despite a nervous looking Marco di Vaio being their only fit forward, the reigning champions threw themselves at Milan for the first 20 minutes.

All the old spirit was there, as Nedved, Camoranesi and Tacchinardi again and again came close to an opening goal. It never came though, and after observing from a respectful distance for the first 24 minutes, Milan then decided to get on with life. Bosh! Clarence Seedorf dropped the next ball on the head of Andriy Shevchenko, who duly nodded home for one-nil.

Pippo Inzaghi, bless him, blew the clearest of chances for the second just after halftime, but more Milan goals weren't long in coming - nine minutes later, a Seedorf shot from the edge of the area spun off a Juve defender and went in, after which Seedorf struck again, this time coolly slotting the ball past Gigi Buffon. After Ciro Ferrara's late consolation goal it finished 3-1.

To be fair, anyone can lose to Milan these days - particularly anyone with an injury list as long as La Signora's - and as Lippi himself points out, you can't be top every year. Still, Juve are now out of everything but the Italian Cup, and with Monday's press reaction as merciless as an ungrateful Frenchman, Lippi has begun sniffing the winds of change above the fumes of his habitual havana. Never one to outstay his welcome, he's hinted that he'll be moving on from Turin come the summer, quite possibly to take over from Trapattoni at the national team. Perhaps Sir Alex might enjoy a similar move?

James Richardson.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/continental/story/0,8018,1170430,00.html

dreamer75

18-03-2004, 04:04 PM

Well, the season is pretty much over now. Not much to look forward to from a Juve standpoint. Except of course the transfer window.

Hope the moves are all right so we can get back to what we do best: winning trophies.

Man Utd. on the other hand are looking less and less likely to pick up anything this year. I dont think their transfer requirements are as drastic as Juve's, but they could still do with some smart moves if they want to be contenders for anything next season.

As for both coaches, neither deserve to be sacked. And i dont think that would happen either. Ferguson and Lippi have been around long enough, and won more than enough to command the kind of respect both on the field and in the back office.

Overall, as a juve fan i am dissapointed with the final outcome. But the fantastic winning cycle had to come to an end at some point. And i cant have any complaints after almost 3 years of non stop quality football.

dreamer75

18-03-2004, 04:04 PM

An Old Lady in trouble

Roberto Gotta

News of the Juventus demise was apparently premature three months ago, when we first dealt with the issue following three defeats in a row for the Turin club. But after Milan all but sent them crashing out of the Scudetto race with a 3-1 win at the Stadio delle Alpi at the weekend their status is much more certain.

Marcello Lippi: High stakes. (AlexLivesey/GettyImages)

As with others in various parts of the world, Italians are quick to jump off the bandwagon as soon as its speed seems to be decreasing, and there are plenty of people now willing not only to do that, but also to start throwing rocks as they insist they were never really on it anyway. Do not accept this drivel: Juventus' season may be turning sour, but it had all the blueprints for success, at least in the minds of the men who planned it.

Those plans were carefully crafted but simply turned out to be wrong. Every step had been taken to give coach Marcello Lippi a first-class squad. Only, it never came to fruition and the fallout will now affect all those involved.

Juve can still apply their well-oiled damage-control skills to the campaign by lifting the Italian Cup after the two-legged final against Lazio which begins next week. They can also secure a Champions League place, but their situation will still be dire following last week's failure to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League by beating Deportivo La Coruna at home.

Moments after last year's defeat in the final against Milan, Lippi issued a rallying call and stated that winning the final would be this season's main goal for him and his team. Otherwise, he added without anyone really believing him, he'd just turn his back on football and spend time with his grandson.

Setting the stakes so high was a gallant attempt by Lippi to inspire his players, but it also meant that once Pandiani scored for Depor in Turin and Juve were left with a mountain to climb, you knew their campaign was going up in flames and the metaphorical guillotines were being set up in the media and among the fans, looking for heads to fall.

Without falling into the populist and crass temptation to issue eternal penalties and fling the culprits into some Dante-created inferno, here's basically what Juventus' problems have been this season:

The defence is growing old and has been far from bullet-proof.
The midfield has not provided the momentum and the goals Juve needed.
Alessandro Del Piero has never been his old self and has become something of a case.
David Trezeguet has been hit by too many injuries and Marco Di Vaio has been unable to score consistently.

Could this have been foretold? Of course! It was actually predicted by some football heavyweights, among them the Juventus directors, but, again, their choices were proved wrong.

Nicola Legrottaglie had been signed at great expense from Chievo to become a fixture in central defence for years to come, but he struggled all season with injuries and suffered a loss of morale after some costly misjudgements that allowed opponents to score.

With Legrottaglie's form suffering Lippi had to opt for the aging partnership of Ciro Ferrara (37) and Paolo Montero (32) for much of the season and that situation said a lot about the dire consequences of making what can be termed now - prematurely, perhaps, if you look at the bigger picture - as a bad signing.

Legrottaglie was even forced into a midfield holding position for the second leg of the Champions League tie against Deportivo. His shaky performance added to the overall feeling that he was out of his depth, although you cannot blame him for being played out of position, nor can you point an accusing finger at Lippi, who has been struggling to find healthy men who could fill the midfield shirts.

Stephane Appiah has been inconsistent and has failed to reproduce the form that made him an instant hit last summer. Pavel Nedved, despite his Ballon d'Or, can not do it alone, and while Enzo Maresca played well when Lippi sent him out on the pitch, displaying some inspired touches and a good eye for goal, he'll probably see much more playing time next season. As for Del Piero, his frustration at another muscle injury in the first stages of the Depor game was obvious and easy to understand: he's now spent most of the season trying to recover from one niggle or another.

Nedved: Most saleable asset (Photo/GettyImages)

To add to his injury troubles there is a growing feeling among Juve followers that Del Piero's mere presence is going to pose a problem. When he's fit you can hardly leave him out. He's Juventus' captain and has been signed on virtually for life (he'll become a director after his playing career is over), but his performances have been less than inspiring, except for a flash or two of brilliance against lowly opponents.

The striker has heard the whispers about the perception that he is washed-up and is determined to come back to full form, but one just wonders what will happen, not only on the domestic front. Juve have cashed in on their best assets in the past - witness Zinedine Zidane's move to Real Madrid three years ago, which has apparently benefited all parties - and may be tempted to raise money from the sale of Del Piero. The alternative is the sale of Nedved, whose values is at its highest, and that will have Roman Abramovich licking his lips.

Currently, the Czech, who's expected to be one of the stars of Euro 2004, has a higher profile than his Italian colleague, whose huge salary makes it all but impossible for another Serie A to sign him but Del Piero could perhaps enjoy a new lease of life abroad. The money from one or two shock moves would be a blessing for Juventus, whose financial state is still among the best in Italian soccer, but has been deteriorating in the last few months.

When the interim financial reports were released last month Juve were shown to be in the red for the first time in years, and their huge off-field commercial activities cannot cover the bad taste left by the lack of income from season and single game tickets.

The depressing sight (and sightlines) of the Stadio Delle Alpi certainly does not appeal to fans. The poorly designed stadium gives new strength to the old saying that architects should be forced to live in the homes they design (or to watch football games in the stadia they plan).

The Delle Alpi hardly encourages Juve's notoriously lethargic Turin following - most of their fans can be found in other parts of Italy - to make the journey and only 27,000 turned out for the season-defining clash with Deportivo.

Sunday's Serie A match against Milan attracted a much bigger crowd but that was due more to the Rossoneri's huge following and to the fact there is always going to be more people interested in watching an old rivalry than a European match. So things could be turning tricky for Juve. Director Luciano Moggi, whose reputation as the (controversial) "king of the calciomercato" has taken a hit following recent failures and the Edgar Davids saga, will be hard pressed to strengthen the squad with the current shortage of money.

Moggi's defiant attitude in public makes you wonder if it's just a cover for his perception that other clubs have been using their money to a better effect. In September, he joked he'd never had signed Kaka because of his name - which in Italian does not remind you of something particularly pleasant. It was his own keeper, Gianluigi Buffon, a bright and funny guy that remarked that if the same reasoning had been applied to him, he would still be at Parma as Buffon means 'clown'.

All of this gnawing of teeth and worrying about the future means Juventus' bad days may be just starting. No one really believes they will plunge back to the dark era of the late Eighties and early Nineties, when some real clowns donned the black-and-white shirt, of course. But mix the need to freshen the squad, the narrowing financial opportunities and the uncertain status of Lippi, who's been rumoured to be longing to succeed Giovanni Trapattoni at the helm of Italy, and you get a worrying picture.

Juve's next coach - whether it's Chievo's Gigi del Neri, fan favourite Luca Vialli or former midfielder and current Monaco boss Didier Deschamps - could have his work cut out. But let's not forget one thing when looking at the Bianconeri's failure to keep up with Milan. Juve may be nine points behind but the Rossoneri are breaking all records for a Serie A 18-team season thanks to the astute job coach Carlo Ancelotti has made in both accommodating his boss Silvio Berlusconi's wish to field an attacking formation and his own tendency not to be too reckless.

Look at the bright picture of a team clicking, at least domestically, in all its parts, and look away from Juve, now. It's not pretty.

dreamer75

18-03-2004, 04:16 PM

Trezeguet-Barça: contatto tra Bettega e Laporta

Contatto tra Barcellona e Juventus per
Trezeguet. Si è verificato ieri a Valencia, dove
era in corso il vertice del G-14, organo non
riconosciuto dalla Fifa che racchiude i 18 club
più importanti d'Europa. Il presidente
azulgrana, Juan Laporta, ha infatti lasciato la
Catalogna per raggiungere la città levantina e
incontrare il vicepresidente della Juventus,
Roberto Bettega. Lo riferiscono i quitidiani
spagnoli "As" e "El Mundo Deportivo".
Il Barça ha però di fronte due tipi di problemi.
Il primo riguarda la riluttanza del club
bianconero a privarsi a cuor leggero della sua
punta più prolifica. Il secondo ha a che fare
con l'alto ingaggio (si parla di 5 milioni di
euro) preteso dalla punta francese, cosa che
andrebbe a elevare notevolente l'ammontare
dell'affare, dato che il club torinese pretende
25 milioni di euro.
Dalla parte del Barcellona ci sono anche tre
aspetti da non sottovalutare. Il primo è la
volontà della Juventus di rinnovare la squadra,
cosa che può avvenire solo con la cessione di
pedine importanti come Nedved e lo stesso
Trezeguet. Il secondo sono le contropartite
tecniche che gli azulgrana possono mettere sulla
bilancia, che corrispondono ai nomi di Gerard,
Gabri, Motta, Kluivert e Saviola, che potrebbero
essere inseriti nella trattativa per ridurre i
contanti da versare nelle casse italiane.
L'ultimo rigurda la volontà del giocatore di
lasciare Torino, testimoniata anche dal fatto
che no abbia ancora rinnovato il suo contratto,
in scadenza a giugno del 2005.
Dovesse fallire l'approccio a Trezeguet, il
Barcellona punterebbe ancora su Thierry Henry
dell'Arsenal o Torres dell'Atletico Madrid,
anche se pare che la dirigenza azulgrana stia
lavorando anche su altri nomi importanti.

contact between Bettega and Laporta was made in valencia. Juan Laporta, in fact left the Catalonia to reach the town of Valencia to meet
the vice president of the Juventus, Roberto Bettega. its claims that Juve will probably want 25 million euro.Kluivert and Saviola could be introduced in the negotiation to reduce the amount. If Barcelona fail in signing Trezeguet then they will turn there attentions to signing Henry or Torres.