Friday, May 29, 2009
Third Training Session From Last Till End Of Season, Followed By Party For Youths
The third training session from last till the end of the season before bringing all official commitments to an end on Sunday with the match against Lazio. The match is fundamental to confirm the second place in the table and finish the season in the best way possible.
It is for this reason that Ciro Ferrara continued to encourage the team. Separate training for Ekdal, Knezevic and De Ceglie and gym for Sissoko and Tiago to iron out a simple muscle strain. Zanetti was on the field with the rest of the team who together with three Primavera first took part in a warm-up and then intense repeats with the ball first by using the hands and then the feet.
After the training session, the Juventus Center in Vinovo welcomed the approximately 300 youths from the youth sector for the usual end of season party. Staff, directors and players all took part in a mini-tournament before the real party complete with music and entertainment.
It was also the ideal occasion to distribute a copy of the “Formazione Juventus 2008/09” magazine which includes all the guidelines for the Formation Project demanded by the club, to all the youths present.
Juventus.com
Ferrara: "I Am Already Thinking Of Lazio"
After ten days of work on the field with the first team, Ciro Ferrara continues to be in the spot light with the most recent bulbs being those of the Juventus channel studios. The new Juventus coach was the special guest during the last episode of the season of Filo Diretto.
It was another occasion to receive the embraces of –even if only virtually- of the Juventus supporters after the victory against Siena: "The joy following the victory against Siena was soon forgotten and we are already thinking of the next match, on Sunday against Lazio".
Ferrara continues to work hard with the group in order to complete the job and confirm the second place in the championship, before ending the season and thinking of the future.
"I don’t know what will happen after. I confirm all I have said after the first press conference. I am at the disposal of the club whatever the decision may be. Sunday is Nedved’s last match? To say the truth we have not yet understood whether Pavel will retire. If he does it will be a sad thing to see a champion like him leaving football just like it was said to see the end of the career of Paolo Maldini. They are both examples to follow for what they did both on the field and off it".
While at Juventus thoughts are shifted to the match against Lazio, everybody is still speaking of the Champions League final played yesterday with the victory of Guardiola’s Barcelona over Manchester United. Ferrara commented on the match and congratulated his colleague:
"Barcelona deserved to win even though it was not a great game. I am very happy for Guardiola who I think established a record by winning three competitions in his first year as coach. It is a sign which shows that even young coaches can do well".
Juventus.com
Read More......
It was another occasion to receive the embraces of –even if only virtually- of the Juventus supporters after the victory against Siena: "The joy following the victory against Siena was soon forgotten and we are already thinking of the next match, on Sunday against Lazio".
Ferrara continues to work hard with the group in order to complete the job and confirm the second place in the championship, before ending the season and thinking of the future.
"I don’t know what will happen after. I confirm all I have said after the first press conference. I am at the disposal of the club whatever the decision may be. Sunday is Nedved’s last match? To say the truth we have not yet understood whether Pavel will retire. If he does it will be a sad thing to see a champion like him leaving football just like it was said to see the end of the career of Paolo Maldini. They are both examples to follow for what they did both on the field and off it".
While at Juventus thoughts are shifted to the match against Lazio, everybody is still speaking of the Champions League final played yesterday with the victory of Guardiola’s Barcelona over Manchester United. Ferrara commented on the match and congratulated his colleague:
"Barcelona deserved to win even though it was not a great game. I am very happy for Guardiola who I think established a record by winning three competitions in his first year as coach. It is a sign which shows that even young coaches can do well".
Juventus.com
An “Azure” Summer For Many Bianconeri
Serie A 2008/09 is not yet over but it is already time to think of tomorrow or rather of the appointments with the national teams that await the bianconeri.
Marcello Lippi, today announced the list of players called-up for the next matches: the friendly on the 6th of June against Northern Ireland and most of all the Confederations Cup which will be played in South Africa.
Six Juventus players have been called up. Nicola Legrottaglie will be the only representative of the team in the first match. In the provisional list for South Africa are the names of Buffon, Chiellini, Cannavaro, Camoranesi and Iaquinta. The complete list will be announced on the 4th of June.
Read More......
Marcello Lippi, today announced the list of players called-up for the next matches: the friendly on the 6th of June against Northern Ireland and most of all the Confederations Cup which will be played in South Africa.
Six Juventus players have been called up. Nicola Legrottaglie will be the only representative of the team in the first match. In the provisional list for South Africa are the names of Buffon, Chiellini, Cannavaro, Camoranesi and Iaquinta. The complete list will be announced on the 4th of June.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
No Suspended bianconeri For The Last Championship Match
For Juventus-Lazio, the last match of the 2008/09 championship, Ciro Ferrara will not have to deal with suspended players. There are in fact no Juventus players in the list complied by the sport authorities. De Ceglie and Zanetti, the only players shown a yellow card against Siena, are only in their second yellow card and have not yet reached the yellow cards limit as opposed to Tiago, Amauri, Grygera and Poulsen.
On the other hand Pandev is suspended and therefore his season is already over.
Technical Work In Vinovo
The second training session of the week took place this morning under the keen eyes of sports director Alessio Secco, of the head scout Renzo Castagnini and of a particularly welcome guest, Lilian Thuram, who met many former team-mates in Vinovo.
The bianconeri, who were already on the field at 10:30hra worked especially on technique: after the warm-up they first took part in a classic “torello” and after in exercises intended to improve precision in passes on the move and ball circulation.
The team was divided into two groups: the defenders worked with Ferrara and Maddaloni while Sormani directed the midfielders and the attackers in an attacking and shooting exercise. Finally the intense session came to an end with the usual mini-match.
Juventus.com
Read More......
The bianconeri, who were already on the field at 10:30hra worked especially on technique: after the warm-up they first took part in a classic “torello” and after in exercises intended to improve precision in passes on the move and ball circulation.
The team was divided into two groups: the defenders worked with Ferrara and Maddaloni while Sormani directed the midfielders and the attackers in an attacking and shooting exercise. Finally the intense session came to an end with the usual mini-match.
Juventus.com
Thuram Re-Embraces Former Team-Mates: "The Return Of Cannavaro Is Good"
A pleasant surprise brightened the morning work for the bianconeri at the Juventus Center: Lilian Thuram visited his former team-mates. Many embraces, taps on the shoulders and an interview on Juventus Channel:
"I am happy to be her. It is a pleasure to meet Alessio Secco, Gianluca Pessotto and so many friends again". Some of these friends are still running like crazy, see Pavel Nedved for instance: "It is true – continued Lilian – I told him to stop but I used to tell him when we still played together and yet...At the end of the day he’s right because it is always nice to see him on the field".
Soon the same field will see the return of Thuram’s defence partner, that Cannavaro who together with him and Buffon first defended the Parma goal and that of Juventus:
"The persons who criticize the return of Fabio perhaps do not understand what it means to be a footballer. A player always wants to play at high levels and three years ago this was not possible. Apart from this, it was good for Juventus to transfer Fabio because the club earned a lot of money".
"It would have been stupid not to sell him and stupid on Cannavaro’s part if he did not go to Real. Now that Juve have called him back it means that the club knows he is a person they can trust and who always does his work well".
Returning to say hello to one’s friends is always a pleasure but Thuram does not miss football since he still follows Juventus:
"The team is doing well and I must say it is incredible that after a year in the Serie B the team managed to return to the Serie A, staying at the top".
"I am happy to be her. It is a pleasure to meet Alessio Secco, Gianluca Pessotto and so many friends again". Some of these friends are still running like crazy, see Pavel Nedved for instance: "It is true – continued Lilian – I told him to stop but I used to tell him when we still played together and yet...At the end of the day he’s right because it is always nice to see him on the field".
Soon the same field will see the return of Thuram’s defence partner, that Cannavaro who together with him and Buffon first defended the Parma goal and that of Juventus:
"The persons who criticize the return of Fabio perhaps do not understand what it means to be a footballer. A player always wants to play at high levels and three years ago this was not possible. Apart from this, it was good for Juventus to transfer Fabio because the club earned a lot of money".
"It would have been stupid not to sell him and stupid on Cannavaro’s part if he did not go to Real. Now that Juve have called him back it means that the club knows he is a person they can trust and who always does his work well".
Returning to say hello to one’s friends is always a pleasure but Thuram does not miss football since he still follows Juventus:
"The team is doing well and I must say it is incredible that after a year in the Serie B the team managed to return to the Serie A, staying at the top".
Juventus.com Read More......
Marchisio: "We Are Stronger With Diego"
"With Sunday’s victory we saved the season, after a negative period during which we nearly ruined our championship. We recovered and now we must continue like this". The victory against Siena saw a compact Juventus once again, capable of taking advantage of its champions and the freshness of its youngsters.
Marchisio was one of the protagonists in a 3-0 victory obtained in Tuscany with a goal and a pass. Interviewed on Juventus Channel he asked his team mates for another effort:
We managed to win direct qualification to the Champions League but now we are obliged to beat Lazio to end as runners-up. We tried fighting for the scudetto, having the second place practically assured but then there was the negative period and risked losing it. Now we must win on Sunday to win it back, and I think we deserve this".
The topic of the day is the signing of Diego which came in addition to the one announced a few days ago, Fabio Cannavaro:
"The club’s policy is clear. The club wants to strengthen the team. This year we did well in the Champions League after the Serie B and last year in which we qualified for European football but to do even better we need experienced champions like Cannavaro and players of a very high level like Diego. The next coach? For now we must work well with Mr. Ferrara and win the second place, then after the Summer break the club will take the best decision".
Attention shifted to the imminent Champions League final and Claudio did not high his preference as being Manchester:
"I like them a lot because they are in team in which all 11 players defend even Rooney sacrifices himself a lot and then they have a great counter-attack with Ronaldo, Park, Tevez...This can be the secret weapon against Barcellona who base much on ball possession".
In conclusion a though about Maldini’s last match at the San Siro which was ruined by a part of the fans:
"Apparently some of the people who entered the stadium have nothing to do with football and support. Whistling against Maldini who can boast of more then 900 appearances for Milan is unimaginable. Some may say that his answer was overdone but for somebody like him who spent all his life fighting for the jersey and the club, I don’t think it is right to protest against him in his farewell match".
Juventus.com
Diego Is Officially A Juventus Player
The news is now official: Diego Ribas da Cunha is a Juventus player. The talented Brazilian signed a five year contract which will see him at Juventus until the 30th of June 2014.
The midfielder who was in Turin yesterday for the medical tests and the signing of the contract returned to Germany where on Saturday the 30th of May he will be playing for Werder Bremen in the final of the German Cup against Bayer Leverkusen. Before returning to Bremen he stated:
"I am very enthusiastic and proud of signing for Juventus, such a prestigious club which I dreamt of since I was a child. After the experience in Portugal and the Bundesliga I will be able to test myself in a championship of very high level and I am sure that with Juventus I will be able to reach great goals. Now, however, I want to concentrate on Saturday’s final: I really want to leave the supporters of Werder in the best of manners because it is also thanks to them that I improved in the last years up to the extent of deserving this new opportunity".
Juventus will pay Werder Bremen €24.5 million divided into three installments in bank guarantees: €14 million on the 1st of July 2009, €5.5 million on the 1st of July 2010, €5 million on the 1st of July 2011. The price can rise by a further €2.5 million in case of the fulfillment of established sports objectives in the next five years.
"Due to his technical characteristics – declared Juventus general manager Jean-Claude Blanc – Diego is a fundamental player for the strengthening of the squad. We always said that our objective is to bring together youngsters and champions and Diego falls into both categories: notwithstanding he is only 24 years old, he is a player of great experience with more then 7 years of professional football at high levels".
"I am sure that his contribution will be important to continue helping the improvement of Juventus and to make a further step ahead in view of the next objectives".
"By depositing this contract – added sports director Alessio Secco – we have brought to a definite conclusion an agreement on which we have been working for months. Diego is a unique player and to bring him to Juventus we had to compete with some of the major European teams. His addition to the squad increases the team’s potential and allows the experimentation of new formations".
"His performances in the last seasons and his personality which distinguished him in German and in Europe are a confirmation of his qualities. He will be another weapon with which to face the next Champions League, for which we qualified mathematically last Sunday".
Diego Ribas da Cunha was born in Ribeirão Preto, On the 28th of February 1985.
The attacking midfielder with a compact and fast physique has excellent technique and vision of play. He is a complete player who is good at dribbling, sudden changes of pace and creating numerical superiority. He is very precise with long balls, has a powerful shot and is particularly skilled at taking free-kicks, capabilities which make him a great finisher.
After having made his debut with Santos in 2002 at 16 years of age he was transferred to Porto after two years during which he won 2 championships. At Porto he spent 2 seasons winning the Intercontinental Cup, a championship and a Portuguese Supercup before being transferred to Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. In Germany Diego’s career exploded winning a League Cup and being named best player of the championship in 2007.
In the meantime he has been winning himself more and more space in the Brazilian national team with which side he won two Coppa America (in 2004 and 2007) and a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Season 2008-09
Championship : 20 appearances – 12 goals
European Cups: 8 appearances – 6 goals
German Cup : 4 appearances – 2 goals
Press Release
Juventus.com
Read More......
The midfielder who was in Turin yesterday for the medical tests and the signing of the contract returned to Germany where on Saturday the 30th of May he will be playing for Werder Bremen in the final of the German Cup against Bayer Leverkusen. Before returning to Bremen he stated:
"I am very enthusiastic and proud of signing for Juventus, such a prestigious club which I dreamt of since I was a child. After the experience in Portugal and the Bundesliga I will be able to test myself in a championship of very high level and I am sure that with Juventus I will be able to reach great goals. Now, however, I want to concentrate on Saturday’s final: I really want to leave the supporters of Werder in the best of manners because it is also thanks to them that I improved in the last years up to the extent of deserving this new opportunity".
Juventus will pay Werder Bremen €24.5 million divided into three installments in bank guarantees: €14 million on the 1st of July 2009, €5.5 million on the 1st of July 2010, €5 million on the 1st of July 2011. The price can rise by a further €2.5 million in case of the fulfillment of established sports objectives in the next five years.
"Due to his technical characteristics – declared Juventus general manager Jean-Claude Blanc – Diego is a fundamental player for the strengthening of the squad. We always said that our objective is to bring together youngsters and champions and Diego falls into both categories: notwithstanding he is only 24 years old, he is a player of great experience with more then 7 years of professional football at high levels".
"I am sure that his contribution will be important to continue helping the improvement of Juventus and to make a further step ahead in view of the next objectives".
"By depositing this contract – added sports director Alessio Secco – we have brought to a definite conclusion an agreement on which we have been working for months. Diego is a unique player and to bring him to Juventus we had to compete with some of the major European teams. His addition to the squad increases the team’s potential and allows the experimentation of new formations".
"His performances in the last seasons and his personality which distinguished him in German and in Europe are a confirmation of his qualities. He will be another weapon with which to face the next Champions League, for which we qualified mathematically last Sunday".
Diego Ribas da Cunha was born in Ribeirão Preto, On the 28th of February 1985.
The attacking midfielder with a compact and fast physique has excellent technique and vision of play. He is a complete player who is good at dribbling, sudden changes of pace and creating numerical superiority. He is very precise with long balls, has a powerful shot and is particularly skilled at taking free-kicks, capabilities which make him a great finisher.
After having made his debut with Santos in 2002 at 16 years of age he was transferred to Porto after two years during which he won 2 championships. At Porto he spent 2 seasons winning the Intercontinental Cup, a championship and a Portuguese Supercup before being transferred to Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. In Germany Diego’s career exploded winning a League Cup and being named best player of the championship in 2007.
In the meantime he has been winning himself more and more space in the Brazilian national team with which side he won two Coppa America (in 2004 and 2007) and a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Season 2008-09
Championship : 20 appearances – 12 goals
European Cups: 8 appearances – 6 goals
German Cup : 4 appearances – 2 goals
Press Release
Juventus.com
Guest Blogger, Gareth Freeman: Benzema To Juve, Trezeguet to Lyon?
Reports have surfaced over the last couple of weeks suggesting the Bianconeri could be about to complete a sensational swap deal that would see Karim Benzema move from Lyon to Juve and David Trezeguet move in the opposite direction. Benzema is a great player but ‘Trezegol’ has been a loyal servant to the Juventus cause and it would be hard to watch him play anywhere else.
If I detach myself from my admiration of Trezeguet though I have to concede it is probably a good deal for Juve. Sure the big Frenchman will always been remembered around the Stadio Olimpico for scoring some important goals and sticking around when Juve were in Serie B, but he has looked distinctly average in all honesty this season. Benzema is also 10 years younger than Trezeguet and he would surely be worth more to the club.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas is desperate to sign ‘Trezegol’, according to Tuttosport anyway. Trezeguet is tied down at the Stadio Olimpico until 2011 but if Benzema was offered in return I would take that all day long personally. The younger Frenchman is more in the same "trequartista" mould as Alessandro Del Piero rather than a target man like Trezeguet is, but I still think the deal is worth thinking about for the Juve hierarchy.
At 34 Del Piero is no spring chicken and in Benzema the Bianconeri would have a ready-made replacement. He would get to play alongside the Italian maestro and therefore improve even further for at least a season or two (though Il Padrino has said he will play until he is 40 in the past – I would love that!).
The Capture of Benzema would be somewhat of a coup for Juventus as Manchester United and Real Madrid are known admirers of the talented young Frenchman, meaning his value would undoubtedly rise if he was a success in Italy.
If Juve let Trezeguet go they already have Vincenzo Iaquinta who could take over the target man role, in fact imagine how dangerous an attack Juve would have with Iaquinta, Del Piero and Benzema up front? Now that is a mouth-watering prospect! It’s definitely something to think about (and pray for) but an eventual deal is not expected until next season at the earliest according to the reports I’ve read.
Gareth Freeman
Primavera To Meet Palermo In Quarter-Finals
The start of the final phase of the Primavera championship is just a few days away. Eight teams have qualified: besides Juventus are Chievo Verona, Genoa, Lazio, Palermo, Reggina, Siena and Udinese. These teams will play direct elimination matches beginning from the quarter finals the draws of which were held today. Juventus will be playing against Palermo.
The match will be played on Monday 1st June at 21:00hrs at Pergina Valsugana (Stadio Comunale Costa di Vigalzano). The semi-finals will be played on the 4th and 5th of June while the final will take place on Monday 8th June.
All the matches will be transmitted on Sky Sport and Sky Calcio.
Juventus.com
Read More......
The match will be played on Monday 1st June at 21:00hrs at Pergina Valsugana (Stadio Comunale Costa di Vigalzano). The semi-finals will be played on the 4th and 5th of June while the final will take place on Monday 8th June.
All the matches will be transmitted on Sky Sport and Sky Calcio.
Juventus.com
Monday, May 25, 2009
Del Piero And Marchisio: A Pair Of Protagonists
All those who watched the match against Siena, witnessed the great match played by the captain and the youngster. Both players seemed to be on the same wavelength throughout crowned by two goals by the captain and another by the young midfielder.
The captain seemed to be very happy with the outcome of the match and positive about the future, even though rather disappointed with the outcome of the season in general:
"It was a god match, we played well, we ran, we had many attempts, we even missed a few chances, but it was a great match. We were more concentrated then in the past few weeks. We had the right motivation and mentality and we have a coach who makes us see things positively. I would have preferred having ended the season in a different manner but we will work harder next year. Now we must try to end this season in the second place".
Asked how it feels to have Ciro Ferrara as coach after all the matches played together on the field: "As a player he was great. As a coach he just played one match but I really hope he will have many more sitting on the bench".
Claudio Marchisio came back from a series of injuries to immediately leave his impact in a crucial match for the final outcome of the season: "I am happy to have come back after a month of injuries. I feared cramps but I am glad to have healed well thanks to the staff. The team played well and we managed to put a large weight on the match from the first half".
The midfielder spoke of the changes in the last week: "We worked differently this week. It is normal with a change of coach. Today we felt we could cope with the heat. I am happy with the goal and I would like to thanks Alex for the pass. I try to help out even in the attack because that’s what all good players do and today I managed to do so well".
Juventus.com
Read More......
The captain seemed to be very happy with the outcome of the match and positive about the future, even though rather disappointed with the outcome of the season in general:
"It was a god match, we played well, we ran, we had many attempts, we even missed a few chances, but it was a great match. We were more concentrated then in the past few weeks. We had the right motivation and mentality and we have a coach who makes us see things positively. I would have preferred having ended the season in a different manner but we will work harder next year. Now we must try to end this season in the second place".
Asked how it feels to have Ciro Ferrara as coach after all the matches played together on the field: "As a player he was great. As a coach he just played one match but I really hope he will have many more sitting on the bench".
Claudio Marchisio came back from a series of injuries to immediately leave his impact in a crucial match for the final outcome of the season: "I am happy to have come back after a month of injuries. I feared cramps but I am glad to have healed well thanks to the staff. The team played well and we managed to put a large weight on the match from the first half".
The midfielder spoke of the changes in the last week: "We worked differently this week. It is normal with a change of coach. Today we felt we could cope with the heat. I am happy with the goal and I would like to thanks Alex for the pass. I try to help out even in the attack because that’s what all good players do and today I managed to do so well".
Juventus.com
Ferrara: "Everything Worked Perfectly"
A true cross-road in destiny: n one side Ciro Ferrara in his first match on the bench and on the other side Paolo Maldini in his last match as a player. Many were the points of contact between the two champions who wrote their names in Italian football. This is confirmed by the Juventus coach:
"I sent him a sms in which I wrote that my joy at this moment is equal to the sadness for his goodbye to football. It is the retirement of the best defender of the last three decades".
After the well deserved applause to Paolo Maldini, Ferrara commented a match for the first time as Juventus coach. He made his debut with a few but very significant words:
"Everything worked perfectly. I couldn’t ask for better".Then he went on: "It was a very intense week during which I experienced various feelings. Happiness on one side, worry on the other. Then I came to the stadium, before the match and I felt better".
The Juventus seen on the field today gave the results which all had hoped for: "I thank the boys for the commitment shown during the week. I spoke clearly to them as fro the first day: it is difficult to work on the tactical aspect two weeks from the end of the championship and so I tried to work on motivation, on self-appreciation and on the intensity during the training sessions and they responded well".
One cannot miss out on a comment about the performance of the captain who scored twice and passed the ball of the other goal notwithstanding the injury suffered during the week:
"I chose to field him- concluded Ferrara – because during the week he trained well and only slowed down a bit because of that blow during training. However, even during the fine-tuning session he played the mini-match and took the free-kicks. I had to choose who to field alongside Iaquinta and I chose him and I did well: great play, goals, passes and perhaps he could have been even more incisive when it came to scoring but he reacted like a captain".
Juventus.com
Read More......
"I sent him a sms in which I wrote that my joy at this moment is equal to the sadness for his goodbye to football. It is the retirement of the best defender of the last three decades".
After the well deserved applause to Paolo Maldini, Ferrara commented a match for the first time as Juventus coach. He made his debut with a few but very significant words:
"Everything worked perfectly. I couldn’t ask for better".Then he went on: "It was a very intense week during which I experienced various feelings. Happiness on one side, worry on the other. Then I came to the stadium, before the match and I felt better".
The Juventus seen on the field today gave the results which all had hoped for: "I thank the boys for the commitment shown during the week. I spoke clearly to them as fro the first day: it is difficult to work on the tactical aspect two weeks from the end of the championship and so I tried to work on motivation, on self-appreciation and on the intensity during the training sessions and they responded well".
One cannot miss out on a comment about the performance of the captain who scored twice and passed the ball of the other goal notwithstanding the injury suffered during the week:
"I chose to field him- concluded Ferrara – because during the week he trained well and only slowed down a bit because of that blow during training. However, even during the fine-tuning session he played the mini-match and took the free-kicks. I had to choose who to field alongside Iaquinta and I chose him and I did well: great play, goals, passes and perhaps he could have been even more incisive when it came to scoring but he reacted like a captain".
Juventus.com
Zebina: "The Mentality Was The Most Positive Thing"
It was a transformed Juventus that we saw on the field and even a transformed Zebina who was seen running up and down the flank with determination:
"We are much more relaxed because what we managed to reach our objective a week ahead. This is a reward for all of us and our work. We will now work hard to obtain the second place".
The defender seems to have liked the change on the bench: "Ciro managed to remind us of whom we are. He charged us up and it was clear from his words that he is an ex-Juve player who won a lot. The mentality was the most positive thing. We were under a lot of pressure but when we have this mentality and everybody helps each other we manage to make a difference".
"I am very happy for one reason: I was not considered much by Ranieri and this is acceptable but I felt the faith in me immediately by the new coach. I am very happy that I gained the faith of Ferrara and played a good match".
Juventus.com
Read More......
"We are much more relaxed because what we managed to reach our objective a week ahead. This is a reward for all of us and our work. We will now work hard to obtain the second place".
The defender seems to have liked the change on the bench: "Ciro managed to remind us of whom we are. He charged us up and it was clear from his words that he is an ex-Juve player who won a lot. The mentality was the most positive thing. We were under a lot of pressure but when we have this mentality and everybody helps each other we manage to make a difference".
"I am very happy for one reason: I was not considered much by Ranieri and this is acceptable but I felt the faith in me immediately by the new coach. I am very happy that I gained the faith of Ferrara and played a good match".
Juventus.com
Siena - Juventus 0-3
Ciro Ferrara's first game in charge of Juventus ended in a 3-0 win at Siena, as Alessandro Del Piero scored twice, including a wonder-goal.
Following Claudio Ranieri's sacking on Monday, interim coach Ciro Ferrara was hoping for an immediate victory to hold off Fiorentina, who had closed to within one point of Juventus' third place. The Bianconeri were without the injured Sissoko, Knezevic, Ekdal, Molinaro, and Grygera. Alex Del Piero partnered Vincenzo Iaquinta in attack.
Siena were safe and had little to play, but they were minus the services of strikers Nicola Amoruso and Mario Frick, who were injured.
First Half
There was a minute's silence before the game in respect of Vicenza fan Eugenio Bortolon, who died tragically yesterday after falling from the stands in the game at Parma.
The first flashpoint was on 12 minutes as Emanuele Calaio raced through and was held back by Paolo De Ceglie. Some referees may have given De Ceglie a red card, but he escaped with yellow. Calaio curled the free kick just over.
Juventus missed the first glorious chance of the game, as Iaquinta found himself clean through from Claudio Marchisio's pass, but was denied by the feet of Gianluca Curci.
Three minutes later Juve were ahead thanks to a wonder-strike from Del Piero. The Golden Boy curled home a magnificent 30-yard free kick into the top corner, with Curci not even moving.
Del Piero had a half-chance for a second soon after, but lashed over from 10 yards. On 32 minutes, the Juve captain squandered a fantastic opening as he latched onto Nedved's pass, but got his feet tangled and allowed Portnaova to rob him.
A second goal seemed only a matter of time, and it arrived on 37 minutes. Marchisio began and finished the move, exchanging passes with Del Piero, bursting through and delicately flicking the ball over the onrushing Curci.
Second Half
The beginning of the second half saw a far more passive Juventus, who were happy to control the game without over-exerting themselves.
The next effort of note came just shy of the hour mark as Del Piero let fly with a long-range volley that was smothered by Curci.
The tempo was painfully slow at times, but Del Piero perhaps should have made it three as he attempted to round Curci, but was denied by the diving former Roma man.
Del Piero did eventually grab his second, and Juventus' third in the penultimate minute, as he raced through on goal, and rounded Curci to slot home.
With Milan losing at home to Roma, the Bianconeri move up to second in the league.
Read More......
Following Claudio Ranieri's sacking on Monday, interim coach Ciro Ferrara was hoping for an immediate victory to hold off Fiorentina, who had closed to within one point of Juventus' third place. The Bianconeri were without the injured Sissoko, Knezevic, Ekdal, Molinaro, and Grygera. Alex Del Piero partnered Vincenzo Iaquinta in attack.
Siena were safe and had little to play, but they were minus the services of strikers Nicola Amoruso and Mario Frick, who were injured.
First Half
There was a minute's silence before the game in respect of Vicenza fan Eugenio Bortolon, who died tragically yesterday after falling from the stands in the game at Parma.
The first flashpoint was on 12 minutes as Emanuele Calaio raced through and was held back by Paolo De Ceglie. Some referees may have given De Ceglie a red card, but he escaped with yellow. Calaio curled the free kick just over.
Juventus missed the first glorious chance of the game, as Iaquinta found himself clean through from Claudio Marchisio's pass, but was denied by the feet of Gianluca Curci.
Three minutes later Juve were ahead thanks to a wonder-strike from Del Piero. The Golden Boy curled home a magnificent 30-yard free kick into the top corner, with Curci not even moving.
Del Piero had a half-chance for a second soon after, but lashed over from 10 yards. On 32 minutes, the Juve captain squandered a fantastic opening as he latched onto Nedved's pass, but got his feet tangled and allowed Portnaova to rob him.
A second goal seemed only a matter of time, and it arrived on 37 minutes. Marchisio began and finished the move, exchanging passes with Del Piero, bursting through and delicately flicking the ball over the onrushing Curci.
Second Half
The beginning of the second half saw a far more passive Juventus, who were happy to control the game without over-exerting themselves.
The next effort of note came just shy of the hour mark as Del Piero let fly with a long-range volley that was smothered by Curci.
The tempo was painfully slow at times, but Del Piero perhaps should have made it three as he attempted to round Curci, but was denied by the diving former Roma man.
Del Piero did eventually grab his second, and Juventus' third in the penultimate minute, as he raced through on goal, and rounded Curci to slot home.
With Milan losing at home to Roma, the Bianconeri move up to second in the league.
Secco: "The Players Showed Great Motivation"
Satisfaction returned on the face of the Juventus sports director, Alessio Secco, following the great performance by the team on the first match as coach of Ciro Ferrara.
The words of the sports director reflect the outcome of the match: "Finally we had a great match and a good result which puts us directly in the Champions league and joint second with Milan. We must work hard during this week to try to end the championship as runners-up which would be a rather good result when one takes everything into consideration»"
The team seemed to have gone an impressive change in the last week returning to be the Juventus which we saw during most of the season: "The players showed great motivation. The results on Sunday reflect the work done during the week. The team seemed tranquil even though it is not easy in the situation we were but they managed to find the right mentality once again".
Del Piero scored twice and gave the winning ball to Marchisio for the second goal: "Alex played a good match, scoring the opener with one of his free-kicks and scoring a good second goal by going round the goalkeeper".
The victory does not mean that Siena let go: "Siena played a good match and so the victory is even more important. The heat obviously left its effect but Juventus came to the stadium very determined".
Juventus.com
Friday, May 22, 2009
Grygera’s Season Comes To An End
This morning saw the third training session at the Juventus Center in Vinovo under Ferrara. The heat did not show the bianconeri any mercy. The team was once again busy with an intense session which started off with a warm-up with the ball alternating with stretching exercises.
Paolo De Ceglie returned with the group who just like Momo Sissoko only missed out on the mini-match training separately during the final phases of the session. Only Zebina remained in the gym according to a pre-established schedule.
After the warm-up, the bianconeri took part in a tactical exercise which saw them passing the ball with their hands before moving on to doing so with their feet while paying particular attention to the movements on the field.
The same attention was once again expressed during the mini-match which saw Alessandro Del Piero being forced to stop due to a contusion to the left thigh after a collision with Tiago. The captain’s conditions will be verified during the coming days.
In the meantime today Grygera underwent an ultrasound scan which showed a muscle injury to the femoral biceps of the left thigh. The time of recovery is thought to be of a few weeks and therefore his season has come to an end.
Juventus.com
Fabio Cannavaro: "I'm Back To Win"
A few days ago the club officially announced his return to Juventus. However, before getting back to wearing the black and white jersey, Fabio Cannavaro will have to finish his adventure at Real Madrid, a few matches which will end a three year parenthesis during which he won two championships.
As from July he will return for a new experience in Turin. As from the first day with the team he will be seeking to complete the mission “winning back the fans”. After having said so during the announcement of the contract having been signed, Cannavaro repeated his concept on “Permette Signora”, the magazine programme which will be aired on Sky Sport 1 (at 18:30 with a repeat at midnight):
"Each persons either sees the glass half full or half empty. I see it as being half full. For the club it was a good deal since I was sold for an amount between 8 and 10 million but I am returning on a free contract and earning much less then before".
The recipe to get back to what he was three years ago and therefore an idol of the Juventus fans is already complete:
"For a footballer the most important thing is doing his utmost and I have always done this. Obviously this is another Juve, another club. There will be a lot to work on but this does not frighten me. I will do my utmost and give my maximum professionalism. Then, rightly so, the supporter goes to the stadium and applauds what he liked and boos what he doesn’t. I will always respect everybody but will proceed on my path".
What is clear right from the start is his want of victory. "Fighting for the scudetto? I not why would I have returned…This is not only my objective but also of all the Juve supporters. We want to add another star. Everybody knows Juventus won 29 scudetti. We won them on the field even though the sport authorities handed them to other clubs for other situations. The most important objective is working to win. A club like Juventus must always aim at winning".
Juventus.com
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Intense Training In Vinovo
Juve have turned over a new leaf: the command has passed into the hands of Ciro Ferrara, four years after retiring from the field in another role and with other responsibilities.
On his first day as coach, Ciro Ferrara first spoke to the team in a meeting which lasted 20 minutes in the dressing rooms. Then from words things shifted to action with a particularly intense training session under the keen eyes of Alessio Secco and Jean Claude Blanc.
The hot temperature made the players’ work even harder however they all showed their intention to answer to the new method of work: much running and work with the ball divided by athletic exercises with the use of equipment.
To unwind the team then was granted some time of rest and stretching before a mini-match which did not see the participation of Marchisio, Salihamidzic, Ariaudo, Ekdal and Sissoko. Knezevic had a separate training session while De Ceglie worked in the gym to overcome a blow to the left ankle suffered during the match against Atalanta. On Wednesday the team will have its first of four morning training sessions scheduled for this week.
Juventus.com
No Suspended Players Against Siena, Chiellini Is Back
For his first match as Juventus coach, Ciro Ferrara will have no suspended players. There are in fact no bianconeri in the list compiled by the sport authorities, a logical consequence to the match on Sunday against Atalanta which did not see any yellow cards being shown. In compensation, Giorgio Chiellini will be available for the match against Siena after having paid the one day suspension against the bergamaschi.
There are no suspended players amongst the toscani either
Read More......
There are no suspended players amongst the toscani either
First Day Of Work With Ferrara
After the words come the facts. The day after the announcement and the official presentation of Ciro Ferrara came the time to begin work on the field.
The adventure has begun, for him as coach but also for all the members of his technical staff. At the start of the afternoon session all the team got to know those collaborating with him. The faces are known to all since they are those of professionals coming directly from the youth sector.
The deputy-coach is Massimiliano Maddaloni. Michelangelo Rampulla will get back to coaching the goalkeepers while Dodo Sormani is the new technical assistant. Only Andrea Scanavino has been confirmed as trainer and is a sign of continuity from the Ranieri period.
Here are the presentation details of the four collaborators of Ciro Ferrara:
Ciro Ferrara
First of all a first class player who was capable of winning 6 scudetti on the field. He is also a valid manager capable of leading the youth sector in one of the most important times in its history. He is now also the coach of the first team. Since 1994, when he joined Juventus, Ciro Ferrara has made of the relationship a stronger one each day.
Born in Naples on the 11th of February 1967, as a player he played 500 matches in the Serie A, 247 of which with the Napoli jersey and 253 for Juventus, the team which he played for between 1994 and 2005. Besides 8 scudetti (one of which was revoked), he won 2 Coppa Italia, 5 Italian Supercups, a UEFA Cup, a Champions League and an Intercontinental Cup.
He formed part of the technical staff of the Italian national team who went on to win the 2006 World Championships as an assistant to Marcello Lippi. Since 2006 he is the personal responsible of the Juventus youth sector. In 2008, with the return of Lippi as Italian national coach he was once again appointed as assistant to the national coach.
On the 18th of May he replaced Claudio Ranieri as coach of the first team.
Michelangelo Rampulla
Two years later, Michelangelo Rampulla returns to coaching the goalkeepers of the first team after having been part of Didier Deschamps’ technical staff.
This is another experience for one of the most loved persons by the Juventus supporters. Born in Patti (Messina) on the 10th of August in 1962, his name is linked to Juventus since 1992. For 10 years, as a goalkeeper, he was part of one of the most successful periods in the history of the club.
After having shelved his gloves, he remained with Juventus undertaking various roles within the youth sector (Primavera goalkeepers’ coach, goalkeeper coaches’ coordinator and coaches’ organization coordinator) but also as the person responsible of the Juventus Club Doc Coordination Centre. This, apart from that of goalkeepers’ coach during the Deschamps period in the 2006/07 season.
Massimiliano Maddaloni
As deputy-coach, Ferrara re-embraces an old companion who formed part of his adventure since the times of the Napoli youth sector. Massimiliano Maddaloni will be undertaking the role simultaneously with that of Primavera coach.
Having joined Juventus at the beginning of the 2007/08 season as coach of the Allievi Nazionali, he has been successful since the beginning of the season as Primavera coach. Having won the Viareggio Cup in February and gone close to triumph in the Coppa Italia, the bianconeri under his direction are currently busy with the final phase of the championship after having dominated the elimination phase.
Born in Napoli on the 22nd of June 1966, his sports curriculum includes a long parentesis as professional footballer in Serie C and D between 1985 and 2000. As coach, before his arrival in Turin, he coached Tuscan teams (Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi, Versilia and Cecina) in Eccellenza category, Serie D and Serie C.
Adolfo Sormani
A historical name for Italian football is now part of the staff. Son of Angelo Benedicto, Adolfo “Dodo” Sormani, is the new technical assistant to Ciro Ferrara, with whom he has already been collaborating for two years within the youth sector.
Born in Genova on the 11th of August 1965, he is close to the end of his second season with Juventus as technical instructor within the youth sector. This is the latest stage in a career which saw him first as a player (for a number of important team such as Parma, Napoli, Avellino and Sambenedettese) and then as coach of Serie D teams like Portosummaga, Conegliano, Chioggia and Cattolica.
Andrea Scanavino
Andrea Scanavino represents continuity in the technical staff. He will keep the role of athletic coach. His collaboration with Juventus will continue after he joined in 1999, the year in which he was enrolled as the person responsible for the recovery of injured players.
In these years he collaborated actively with all the professionals who came along: from Giampiero Ventrone (during the two periods of Marcello Lippi and with Carlo Ancelotti) up to Riccardo Capanna, and through the times with Massimo Neri during the Fabio Capello era and Antonio Pintus during the time of Didier Deschamps.
Juventus.com
Read More......
The adventure has begun, for him as coach but also for all the members of his technical staff. At the start of the afternoon session all the team got to know those collaborating with him. The faces are known to all since they are those of professionals coming directly from the youth sector.
The deputy-coach is Massimiliano Maddaloni. Michelangelo Rampulla will get back to coaching the goalkeepers while Dodo Sormani is the new technical assistant. Only Andrea Scanavino has been confirmed as trainer and is a sign of continuity from the Ranieri period.
Here are the presentation details of the four collaborators of Ciro Ferrara:
Ciro Ferrara
First of all a first class player who was capable of winning 6 scudetti on the field. He is also a valid manager capable of leading the youth sector in one of the most important times in its history. He is now also the coach of the first team. Since 1994, when he joined Juventus, Ciro Ferrara has made of the relationship a stronger one each day.
Born in Naples on the 11th of February 1967, as a player he played 500 matches in the Serie A, 247 of which with the Napoli jersey and 253 for Juventus, the team which he played for between 1994 and 2005. Besides 8 scudetti (one of which was revoked), he won 2 Coppa Italia, 5 Italian Supercups, a UEFA Cup, a Champions League and an Intercontinental Cup.
He formed part of the technical staff of the Italian national team who went on to win the 2006 World Championships as an assistant to Marcello Lippi. Since 2006 he is the personal responsible of the Juventus youth sector. In 2008, with the return of Lippi as Italian national coach he was once again appointed as assistant to the national coach.
On the 18th of May he replaced Claudio Ranieri as coach of the first team.
Michelangelo Rampulla
Two years later, Michelangelo Rampulla returns to coaching the goalkeepers of the first team after having been part of Didier Deschamps’ technical staff.
This is another experience for one of the most loved persons by the Juventus supporters. Born in Patti (Messina) on the 10th of August in 1962, his name is linked to Juventus since 1992. For 10 years, as a goalkeeper, he was part of one of the most successful periods in the history of the club.
After having shelved his gloves, he remained with Juventus undertaking various roles within the youth sector (Primavera goalkeepers’ coach, goalkeeper coaches’ coordinator and coaches’ organization coordinator) but also as the person responsible of the Juventus Club Doc Coordination Centre. This, apart from that of goalkeepers’ coach during the Deschamps period in the 2006/07 season.
Massimiliano Maddaloni
As deputy-coach, Ferrara re-embraces an old companion who formed part of his adventure since the times of the Napoli youth sector. Massimiliano Maddaloni will be undertaking the role simultaneously with that of Primavera coach.
Having joined Juventus at the beginning of the 2007/08 season as coach of the Allievi Nazionali, he has been successful since the beginning of the season as Primavera coach. Having won the Viareggio Cup in February and gone close to triumph in the Coppa Italia, the bianconeri under his direction are currently busy with the final phase of the championship after having dominated the elimination phase.
Born in Napoli on the 22nd of June 1966, his sports curriculum includes a long parentesis as professional footballer in Serie C and D between 1985 and 2000. As coach, before his arrival in Turin, he coached Tuscan teams (Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi, Versilia and Cecina) in Eccellenza category, Serie D and Serie C.
Adolfo Sormani
A historical name for Italian football is now part of the staff. Son of Angelo Benedicto, Adolfo “Dodo” Sormani, is the new technical assistant to Ciro Ferrara, with whom he has already been collaborating for two years within the youth sector.
Born in Genova on the 11th of August 1965, he is close to the end of his second season with Juventus as technical instructor within the youth sector. This is the latest stage in a career which saw him first as a player (for a number of important team such as Parma, Napoli, Avellino and Sambenedettese) and then as coach of Serie D teams like Portosummaga, Conegliano, Chioggia and Cattolica.
Andrea Scanavino
Andrea Scanavino represents continuity in the technical staff. He will keep the role of athletic coach. His collaboration with Juventus will continue after he joined in 1999, the year in which he was enrolled as the person responsible for the recovery of injured players.
In these years he collaborated actively with all the professionals who came along: from Giampiero Ventrone (during the two periods of Marcello Lippi and with Carlo Ancelotti) up to Riccardo Capanna, and through the times with Massimo Neri during the Fabio Capello era and Antonio Pintus during the time of Didier Deschamps.
Juventus.com
Cannavaro Back With Juventus
Fabio Cannavaro returned to Juventus. At the end of the current season with real Madrid, with whom his contract expires on the 30th of June 2009, the captain of the Italian national team will return to being a Juventus player.
After three years with real Madrid, during which he won the Liga twice, the defender from Naples and golden ball winner in 2006, will return to the team with which he won 2 scudetti (2004/05 and 2005/06). His contract will come into force as from the 1st of July 2009 and expires on the 30th of June 2010.
Fabio Cannavaro, who was in Turin yesterday to take part in the Partita del Cuore, expressed his satisfaction with regards to the agreement reached:
"I am happy to have returned to Turin and to have the opportunity to wear the black and white jersey again. I am sorry that for a section of the fans the anger for having been transferred is greater then the appreciation for the glorious seasons which we lived together. I am sure that I can convince the most sceptical through my work, professionalism and the passion with which I will face this new adventure".
The club also expressed its satisfaction through Alessio Secco who felt he should explain the reasons while the player left Juventus in 2006:
"Fabio is a world champion, a golden ball winner and a great team-spirit builder. During the Summer of 2006 the club was forced to sell him due to great economic necessities. This year we took advantage of the natural expiration of Cannavaro’s contract to bring him back to Turin and we are sure that his technical abilities will help Juventus become more competitive".
Juventus.com
Read More......
After three years with real Madrid, during which he won the Liga twice, the defender from Naples and golden ball winner in 2006, will return to the team with which he won 2 scudetti (2004/05 and 2005/06). His contract will come into force as from the 1st of July 2009 and expires on the 30th of June 2010.
Fabio Cannavaro, who was in Turin yesterday to take part in the Partita del Cuore, expressed his satisfaction with regards to the agreement reached:
"I am happy to have returned to Turin and to have the opportunity to wear the black and white jersey again. I am sorry that for a section of the fans the anger for having been transferred is greater then the appreciation for the glorious seasons which we lived together. I am sure that I can convince the most sceptical through my work, professionalism and the passion with which I will face this new adventure".
The club also expressed its satisfaction through Alessio Secco who felt he should explain the reasons while the player left Juventus in 2006:
"Fabio is a world champion, a golden ball winner and a great team-spirit builder. During the Summer of 2006 the club was forced to sell him due to great economic necessities. This year we took advantage of the natural expiration of Cannavaro’s contract to bring him back to Turin and we are sure that his technical abilities will help Juventus become more competitive".
Juventus.com
Ferrara: A Champion Of The Past At The Helm Of Juventus
The name Ciro Ferrara up to yesterday was associated with a great career as a defender and more recently as the director of the Juventus youth sector. As from today however, Ciro, will see himself in the shoes of the coach of the team he loves so much.
Ferrara’s career seems to have Juventus as part of his destiny. In fact playing for Napoli (the only other jersey worn by the defender) he made his debut in the Serie A on the 5th of May 1985 during a match against no less then the bianconeri. As from that day he never looked back and after being part of the triumphant times of Maradona’s Napoli he was transferred to Juventus in 1994 when he was to leave a great mark and win himself many satisfactions.
In fact as a Juventus player “Ciro d’Italia” won 5 Italian Championships (in addition to the two won with Napoli), a Champions League, an Intercontinetal Cup, A European Supercup, a Coppa Italia, 4 Italian Super Cups (in addition to the one won with Napoli) and an Intertoto Cup. He also won a UEFA Cup with Napoli. Ciro Ferrara was also for many years an automatic choice for the Italian national team.
After retiring in 2005 he took on a managerial role at Juventus and is currently the director of the Juventus youth nursery with the most recent of successes being the Primavera’s triumph in the Viareggio Cup. He is also the deputy-coach of the Italian national team.
To summarize, Ciro Ferrara has been successful for many years, first as player and then as director and now he is called to straighten things out in this difficult moment as the new Juventus coach.
Juventus.com
Ferrara Already Focusing On Siena
This morning saw the second training session under Ciro Ferrara’s command, the first of four morning sessions which will complete the week of preparation for the match against Siena.
Separate scheme of work for De Ceglie and Knezevic who worked separately under coach Scanavino. Ekdal and Sissoko who yesterday trained with the other members of the squad, today trained separately as per schedule.
Session dedicated primarily to technique under the close observation from the side lines of Alessio Secco and Renzo Castagnini together with Gianluca Pessotto. The team was divided into two groups: the defenders with Ferrara and Maddaloni and the attackers with Sormani. The session consisted of possession and manoeuvre exercises with speed as the main factor.
The session ended with a mini-match during the last instant of which Grygera complained of a muscle pain in the back region of the left thigh. The Czech returned to the dressing rooms aboard the mechanical buggy and his conditions will be evaluated in the next few days.
Juventus.com
Read More......
Separate scheme of work for De Ceglie and Knezevic who worked separately under coach Scanavino. Ekdal and Sissoko who yesterday trained with the other members of the squad, today trained separately as per schedule.
Session dedicated primarily to technique under the close observation from the side lines of Alessio Secco and Renzo Castagnini together with Gianluca Pessotto. The team was divided into two groups: the defenders with Ferrara and Maddaloni and the attackers with Sormani. The session consisted of possession and manoeuvre exercises with speed as the main factor.
The session ended with a mini-match during the last instant of which Grygera complained of a muscle pain in the back region of the left thigh. The Czech returned to the dressing rooms aboard the mechanical buggy and his conditions will be evaluated in the next few days.
Juventus.com
Ciro Ferrara Is The New Juventus Coach
In a press release issued on Monday 18th May, 2009, Juventus announced having sacked coach Claudio Ranieri. As from today the first team will be in the hands of Ciro Ferrara. Juventus thanked Claudio Ranieri for the work done in the last two years and augured immediate success to new coach Ciro Ferrara.
Juventus.com
Ferrara: "My Intention Is To See A Different Juve"
Ciro Ferrara: a defence stalwart of the Juventus which saw so many successes, the director of the youth sector who has achieved great satisfactions since his appointment and now the new Juve coach called to a difficult mission: that of gaining direct access to the next Champions League in the remaining two matches against Siena and Lazio.
Mr. Ferrara had little time to think about his decision and yet he accepted the challenge without blinking an eyelid: "I was very direct with Jean-Claude Blanc. I would like to thank all those who believed that I could be useful at this moment. Perhaps it is partially due to my recent past with this jersey. I did not ask questions or make any requests but I made myself available for the club. I have been part of this club since 1994 and after retiring in 2005 I was given a managerial role and therefore I feel I should make myself available".
"For me it is a great honour. I told Blanc and Secco to feel completely free with regards to the next coach were it to be me or somebody else. If I am not the coach next season I will return to my post as director of the youth sector without any problems. The club should not feel obliged to confirm me for next year. I am proud to have been chosen for these two day at least. When it comes to the future we’ll see but the club should do what it thinks is best".
The team’s performances have been rather bleak recently, to say the least, with no victories in the last 2 months and therefore a drastic change is necessary: "My intention is to see a different Juve. I know I have little time and that I must intervene but i can’t change a team completely in these two weeks. Hopefully by the end of the week I will be more precise with regards to details".
"Apart from the technical, tactical and physical aspect of the role i think I will have to work on other things. I think I will have to show the players the difficult time the club is going through. Sometimes little details are necessary to make big changes. I think the problem is not the scarce physical condition but that the players must find the right motivation for these two matches".
Ciro, as he is amicably known, may boast of a great past as a player and a great present as the director of the youth sector and now as from tomorrow his future is that of Juventus coach: "It is clear that it is difficult to judge me technically since I have two weeks to work. I will try to work well and try to bring out the players’ capabilities even because I know them. Since I took on the managerial post I have put my footballer days behind me. I want to be judged on the work that I will do as coach from now on. I felt obliged to give my contribution and do not fear risking in this strange moment".
The new Juventus coach played with a few of the current members of the squad and now finds himself as their boss: "I don’t think I will need to spend much time speaking to the boys. I will use the right words but most of all get on the field and work intensely. We have 10 training sessions left in these two weeks and these 10 sessions must be intense so as to achieve the right results. I am sure to find players who are intelligent and who understand my position and the final objective".
"They are all fundamental to me. At this point I am the coach and even though I am friends with some of the players we must be able to distinguish a friendly relationship and a work relationship. When Ancelotti was our coach even though I knew him well from the national side I always tried to understand his choices. I don’t care if they call me Mister or simply Ciro, what interests me is working well".
Finally a word about the supporters: "At this moment we really need the supporters to reach a difficult objective that is the direct qualification to the Champions League and therefore we have to work together".
Juventus.com
Read More......
Mr. Ferrara had little time to think about his decision and yet he accepted the challenge without blinking an eyelid: "I was very direct with Jean-Claude Blanc. I would like to thank all those who believed that I could be useful at this moment. Perhaps it is partially due to my recent past with this jersey. I did not ask questions or make any requests but I made myself available for the club. I have been part of this club since 1994 and after retiring in 2005 I was given a managerial role and therefore I feel I should make myself available".
"For me it is a great honour. I told Blanc and Secco to feel completely free with regards to the next coach were it to be me or somebody else. If I am not the coach next season I will return to my post as director of the youth sector without any problems. The club should not feel obliged to confirm me for next year. I am proud to have been chosen for these two day at least. When it comes to the future we’ll see but the club should do what it thinks is best".
The team’s performances have been rather bleak recently, to say the least, with no victories in the last 2 months and therefore a drastic change is necessary: "My intention is to see a different Juve. I know I have little time and that I must intervene but i can’t change a team completely in these two weeks. Hopefully by the end of the week I will be more precise with regards to details".
"Apart from the technical, tactical and physical aspect of the role i think I will have to work on other things. I think I will have to show the players the difficult time the club is going through. Sometimes little details are necessary to make big changes. I think the problem is not the scarce physical condition but that the players must find the right motivation for these two matches".
Ciro, as he is amicably known, may boast of a great past as a player and a great present as the director of the youth sector and now as from tomorrow his future is that of Juventus coach: "It is clear that it is difficult to judge me technically since I have two weeks to work. I will try to work well and try to bring out the players’ capabilities even because I know them. Since I took on the managerial post I have put my footballer days behind me. I want to be judged on the work that I will do as coach from now on. I felt obliged to give my contribution and do not fear risking in this strange moment".
The new Juventus coach played with a few of the current members of the squad and now finds himself as their boss: "I don’t think I will need to spend much time speaking to the boys. I will use the right words but most of all get on the field and work intensely. We have 10 training sessions left in these two weeks and these 10 sessions must be intense so as to achieve the right results. I am sure to find players who are intelligent and who understand my position and the final objective".
"They are all fundamental to me. At this point I am the coach and even though I am friends with some of the players we must be able to distinguish a friendly relationship and a work relationship. When Ancelotti was our coach even though I knew him well from the national side I always tried to understand his choices. I don’t care if they call me Mister or simply Ciro, what interests me is working well".
Finally a word about the supporters: "At this moment we really need the supporters to reach a difficult objective that is the direct qualification to the Champions League and therefore we have to work together".
Juventus.com
Blanc: "We Wanted To Give The Players The Right Charge"
It is not customary for Juventus to dismiss a coach before the end of the season, however the situation and the victory drought of the last two months forced the club to take a drastic decision in order to try and move the team in the last two and most important matches.
This is the gist of the press conference held on Monday evening at the Juventus Media Center in Vinovo which saw the participation of Juventus general manager Jean-Claude Blanc and the new coach Ciro Ferrara.
Putting the past behind and on with the next:
Mr. Blanc began by thanking Claudio Ranieri: "I would like to thank Mr. Ranieri and his staff for what they did in these two years. However, seeing the results lately especially the one achieved yesterday when we had the possibility of drawing close to Milan and now find ourselves just one point ahead of Fiorentina we were forced to take decision".
"We now hope to finish the season at least in third place and therefore decided to entrust this mission to Ciro Ferrara. We know it will not be an easy task. Ciro accepted immediately when we called him last night and I thank him for his disposition".
Ferrara and the future:
Asked whether Ciro Ferrara will be the coach even during the next season Mr. Blanc answered: "Most of all Ferrara will be coach for these two days which leave a heavy mark on next season. Direct qualification to the Champions League would leave us with more time to prepare for next season and therefore to prepare better".
"Ciro’s mission is at least for these two matches. Then we will see and evaluate all that happened this season as we do each year and take the decision. We chose to entrust the role to a Juventus supporter, who has Juve in his blood and who has a successful past with the club. At the end of the day its the players who go down on the field but we had to take a decision and we are sure that this decision will drive the message home to the players that the next two matches are very important and the two matches must be played with the maximum effort".
"As from tomorrow Ferrara and his staff will be leading the team. The fact that to us the future are these two upcoming matches does not mean that we do not look ahead but that we want to concentrate totally on these two matches. We obviously are looking ahead but at the moment we are concentrating so as to give Ciro and his staff the best conditions to work in so as to overcome this difficult mission".
"Obviously we will not judge Ciro’s qualities on these two matches. We know his worth and his past and he will not be risking his future in these two matches. A person who has the moral strength to accept such a difficult mission immediately has the right personality to be considered even in the future. Ciro Ferrara will definitely be considered for next year at the end of the season but we must consider everything and see what our technical expectations are".
An uncustomary decision:
Juventus are not known to dismiss a coach before the end of the season and the decision even though in the air recently came with somewhat of a surprise: "We take decisions after considering the facts and we came to this decision after discussing things. By appointing Ciro Ferrra we wanted to give the players the right charge. Now the rest is up to them to start afresh with Ferrara and his staff. He is the right man at the right moment".
"It is true that in the last 3 years Juventus have been in a different situation from that in the past and therefore things have to be considered in that perspective. I know it is not in Juve’s style to sack a coach before the end of the season but I also know that Juve’s style is to end each season well and play in the Champions League without preliminaries and therefore we took this decision which does not fit exactly in the style of Juventus because we want to end the season well".
"Qualification to the Champions League without preliminaries allows the team to prepare better for the next season and therefore we had to be efficient and concrete. We had to try and change the situation which saw us not winning a single match in the last two months and therefore 55 days later we had to take this decision. The table changed things. It is clear that we must do different things then what we saw yesterday including on the field and this must come from the coach who as from today is Ciro Ferrara".
The transfer market:
Asked how this decision will effect the transfer market, Mr. Blanc answered: "The Juventus transfer marker will see the closure of the negotiations we were making with Ranieri as coach. Alessio Secco worked hard on these and we will see that they are concluded. The first is Diego who we hope to sign in the next few days".
"Then there is Cannavaro who I know certain supporters do not want back but when we consider all the pluses and minuses of the player we see many more pluses and we hope the signature will come very soon. Apart from these two operations we will have to study the technical situation and discuss with the coach for next season well before beginning or going on with other deals even though we have our ideas already".
Juventus.com
Monday, May 18, 2009
Juventus - Atalanta 2-2
A poor performance from Juventus saw them draw 2-2 with Atalanta in a thrilling encounter, with the away side hitting the crossbar three times, and no fans present due to a ban...
Pre-Match News
'The Tinkerman' had to do without injured midfielders Claudio Marchisio and Momo Sissoko, meanwhile, star defender Giorgio Chiellini was suspended. Alessandro Del Piero once again began the match on the bench.
Atalanta coach Luigi Del Neri was missing star player Sergio Floccari due to a knock. The midfield was lacking as Simone Padoin and Tiberio Guarente were both banned.
The match was played behind closed doors, as their suspension for alleged racist chants by fans towards Inter's Mario Balotelli was being enforced.
First Half
Amazingly, Juventus fell behind with the first chance of the match! Captain Cristiano Doni laid the ball back for Luca Cigarini, whose deflected shot of Nicola Legrottaglie left Gianluigi Buffon stranded in the first minute.
It was the visitors who nearly doubled their lead, their one-touch passing bamboozled the defence, and Doni's shot with the outside of his foot was only stopped by a great reaction save from Buffon.
Juventus looked devoid of idea coming forward, but after another series of corners Legrottaglie's header smashed off the bar and Poulsen nodded the rebound over from a yard out!
It was a sign of things to come as Amauri played the ball through for Nedved on the left and Vincenzo Iaquinta converted his inch perfect cross into a goal with his head. The Italian international has been in fine form recently and bagged his tenth league strike of the season.
It seemed that after a slow start the Bianconeri had woken up as they hit the bar yet again! De Ceglie flew down the left and floating in a ball and Amauri's powerful header flew back off the frame of the goal.
Juventus were in command and took the lead on 37' with an absolutely stunning goal! A cross was headed out of the area but Cristiano Zanetti's sweet volley flew onto the underside of the crossbar and into the net!
Slack defending from the home side saw the ball fall to Defendi after a weak clearance, but his shot flew over. Surprisingly, the Juve defense fell asleep once again and Plasmati tipped the ball on to new entrant Maximiliano Pellegrino, who headed the ball past a visibly frustrated Buffon and the half ended 2-2.
Second Half
The home side continued their defensive problems in the second half as Alessio Cerci broke though the offside trap, but Buffon was able to stop the man one-on-one. Next, it was Atalanta's turn to hit the crossbar, with Cigarini almost scoring his second goal of the match from a dipping left foot strike!
Poulsen nearly gifted the lead to the Bergamo-based outfit, but Buffon just managed to slap the ball off the foot of Plasmati, who would have had a tap-in.
Coach Claudio Ranieri opted to insert Alessandro Del Piero for Amauri. Nedved fired a long range shot from a central position, but Consigli got down well to catch it. Meanwhile, David Trezeguet replaced Zanetti in their search for a winner.
Nedved continued to be the creative force for the Bianconeri and skipped past two defenders before playing in Camoranesi, but the Italo-Agentine's header was straight at the goalkeeper.
The crossbar came to the rescue of Juventus once more! Plasmati tuned the defence on a through ball and cracked the ball against the woodwork!
Del Piero went on the counter and selfishly fired wide when perhaps he had better options with Iaquinta and Trezeguet making runs with eight minutes remaining. The Bianconeri icon then tried a spectacular overhead kick that flew over the net.
Once again, Del Piero missed a great chance to win the game. Iaquinta fired in a low drive from a difficult angle and the World Cup winner prodded the rebound on goal, but Italy's U-21 shot stopper made the save with his knee!
Thus, Juventus' winless streak extended to seven matches, and two months, after a sloppy showing in an empty Stadio Olimpico. They are now three points behind second placed Milan, and only one ahead of Fiorentina Meanwhile, Atalanta remain comfortably safe in mid-table.
Juventus 2-2 Atalanta
Goals: 1' Cigarini (A), 26' Iaquinta (J), 37' Zanetti (J), 44' Pellegrino (A)
Juventus (4-4-2): Buffon - Grygera, Mellberg, Legrottaglie, De Ceglie (77' Zebina) - Camoranesi, Poulsen, Zanetti (72' Trezeguet), Nedved - Iaquinta, Amauri (60' Del Piero).
Atalanta (4-4-1-1): Consigli - Garics (41' Pellegrino), Capelli (90' Girasole), Manfredini, Bellini - Defendi, Parravacini, Cigarini, Cerci (70' Peluso) - Doni - Plasmati.
Adam Scime,
Goal.com
Primavera: A Step Away From The Final Eight
The Pirmavera is keeping things up. After having led the table of their group as from the first match day, Maddaloni’s team drew close to the final phase of the championship beating Catania away by 4-2 in the first round of the final 16. Yago and Immobile scored two goals each.
This Sunday there was no Serie A at the Massimino even though the Catanesi had Morimoto and Scaccia in their line-up, two players who have already played in the top division. Notwithstanding this however Juve dominated.
The Sicilians only managed to equalise the opener scored by Yago but when the Spaniard scored his second the bianconeri took off. Immobile completed the deed rendering the second goal by the home team useless.
The 4-2 final result is worth more then half a ticket to the finals in Trento. On Saturday, in Vinovo the team must simply assert themselves of qualification.
Juventus.com
Read More......
This Sunday there was no Serie A at the Massimino even though the Catanesi had Morimoto and Scaccia in their line-up, two players who have already played in the top division. Notwithstanding this however Juve dominated.
The Sicilians only managed to equalise the opener scored by Yago but when the Spaniard scored his second the bianconeri took off. Immobile completed the deed rendering the second goal by the home team useless.
The 4-2 final result is worth more then half a ticket to the finals in Trento. On Saturday, in Vinovo the team must simply assert themselves of qualification.
Juventus.com
Friday, May 15, 2009
Camoranesi: "The Second Place Is Still Possible"
"The performance at the San Siro brought an end to an opaque month which we went through. It’s a pity we didn’t obtain a better result: it is true that at the San Siro one can even afford to lose but we emerged with honour because we played a good game full of intensity and we even had the possibility of winning".
The good match played against Milan satisfied Mauro Camoranesi but only partially. The midfielder misses the joy of victory just like everyone does. However, now that the bianconeri have managed to find their mode of play once again, Mauro also wants to find the three points: :
"When one plays for a team like Juventus he always finds himself tied to the results and when these aren’t obtained difficulties crop up. – he explained on Juventus Channel. – Looking at the fixtures, however, the second place is still possible even though we must be really careful because we can even end up finishing fourth. We must score “nine out of nine” in these three matches, hoping that Milan, which have difficult matches o play, lose a few points".
Juventus.com
Read More......
The good match played against Milan satisfied Mauro Camoranesi but only partially. The midfielder misses the joy of victory just like everyone does. However, now that the bianconeri have managed to find their mode of play once again, Mauro also wants to find the three points: :
"When one plays for a team like Juventus he always finds himself tied to the results and when these aren’t obtained difficulties crop up. – he explained on Juventus Channel. – Looking at the fixtures, however, the second place is still possible even though we must be really careful because we can even end up finishing fourth. We must score “nine out of nine” in these three matches, hoping that Milan, which have difficult matches o play, lose a few points".
Juventus.com
Molinaro Discharged From Clinic. As From Today He Will Be At Home To Recover.
Yesterday evening Cristian Molinaro left the Fornaca Clinic where he had been for about a week. With the tests in connection with the renal problem (which has forced him to miss the last matches and which will keep him off the field at least till the end of the season) having come to an end, the player will now be spending his convalescence at home in Turin. Other tests will be carried out in the coming weeks.
Grygera Is Also Back With The Group
Today’s training session brought good news for Claudio Ranieri, in view of the Sunday match against Atalanta. After Paolo De Ceglie, who yesterday returned to training with his team mates, today it was the turn of Zdenek Grygera to join the group after recovering from a blow to his foot during the match against Milan. Sissoko,Salihamidzic, Marchisio and Ekdal worked separately.
The only player who was not on the field was Sebastian Giovinco who was left to rest in order to recover from a blow to his right foot suffered during yesterday’s training session. After a warm-up the team took part in a mini-match under the keen eyes of general manager Jean-Claude Blanc.
Juventus.com
Iaquinta: "At The San Siro We Showed That Juve Are Still There"
Juventus are aiming to obtain full points in the last three matches of the championship and is relying on the players in best form to attain this. One of these is Vincenzo Iaquinta who during an interview on Juventus Channel during Studio News declared:
"In the match against Milan we played against a team that is going through a good period. We showed that Juve is still there and that we must go on the field bearing this mentality till the end of the season. It showed that we are a united team which intends to bring the best results home".
Iaquinta believes in the second place: "We must believe in it till the very end while being careful of those who are behind us because Fiorentina are just a step away".
Very few words but to the point just like when he speaks of his current very good form: "I am one who prefers to speak less and let the facts speak for me. I can only say that since I have been able to train with consistency, without injuries, I am managing to perform well".
Juventus.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
