And Now, On With The Championship

With the Trofeo Berlusconi having brought an end to the pre-season matches, Juventus is preparing for the official season. The bianconeri met in Vinovo this afternoon for the first session of the week. (excluding the fine-tuning yesterday, before the match against Milan) which will lead to the match against Chievo, on schedule for Sunday afternoon at 20:30hrs at the Stadio Olimpico.

The group, with only Sissoko (in France for treatment) and Caceres (granted leave), first met with Ferrara for instructions in the centre of the field and then Grygera, Chiellini, Del Piero, Felipe Melo, Camoranesi, Almiron, Diego, Tiago, Giovinco and Zebina went to the gym while the rest of the team stayed on the field where the players who played yesterday took part in an unwinding session while the others participated in athletic work followed by technique exercises and a series of mini-matches on a reduced field.

Juventus.com

Read More......

Primavera: 1-1 Against Inter, But The Result Is Under Judicial Scrutiny

After the defeat on the day before against Roma, Bruni’s Primavera returned on the field for the “Tirreno e Sport” tournament which saw Juventus playing against Inter in Bracciano. The bianconeri played a good match, especially in the first half while in the second half exhaustion left a mark. Yago’s goal, which put the bianconeri ahead, was equalised by an-own goal by Bamba. The match ended in a 1-1 draw but the result is under judicial scrutiny with the verdict expected on Wednesday morning.

Juventus.com

Read More......

Marchisio: "We Are Ready"

With the Trofeo Berlusconi having been archived, the summer friendly matches of Juventus also came to an end. As from Sunday it is down to the serious staff with the first championship match day. Claudio Marchisio, one of the absolute protagonists both in bianconero and in azzurro with which he debuted less then a week ago, analyzed the situation:

"We had a good pre-season reaching the Peace Cup final, winning the Trofeo Tim and losing the Trofeo Berlusconi only after penalties. We played well, especially in the first half while in the second we had a physical decline. However, this match has satisfied us because we managed to do what the coach asked of us".

The summer saw an important change on formation level: "It is not the 4-4-2 formation which was traditional for years and which we adopted in the last seasons. At first we found a few difficulties but we worked well and the results are beginning to show".

On what he expects from this season both on team and personal level, Marchisio has no doubts:

"To go on like this. It was an important summer to me, both for the work done and the debut with the national team, but most of all I think that on team level we must aim high in all competitions because with this team, strengthened by the new signings, we can win on all fronts. We are at the start of the season. There is time for improvement but I think we are at a good point".

Is Inter always the team to beat?

"I think, that not withstanding Ibrahimovic’s departure, they were strengthened, but we must look at ourselves because in football the one who is most hungry for success is the one that wins. We must also improve against the smaller teams, something which we missed last year".

Juventus.com

Read More......

Cannavaro: "Diego Is A Very Important Player"

During the launch of the new sky schedule, Fabio Cannavro spoke of the Trofeo Berlusconi and the bianconeri’s ambition for the season that is about to begin:

"Juventus played a very good match in Milan. Diego showed he is a very important player for our formations. The club invested a lot of money. After 3 years it wants to get back to celebrating with its supporters".

Asked about the incredible wages, Cannavaro answered: "I set an example. The crisis is not only due to players’ wages. Definitely, something must be done".

Juventus.com

Read More......

Afternoon Training In Vinovo

After the Trofeo Berlusconi “gala night”, which, notwithstanding the defeat after penalties, saw the team leaving a good impression, especially Diego, in his first friendly after his debut in the Peace Cup, the bianconeri will be back to work in the afternoon.

The appointment is once again at 18:00hrs, summer schedule, while as from tomorrow until the eve of the match against Chievo the training sessions will be at 10:00hrs.

Chievo will in fact be the first opponent in the championship, which is now round the corner, and which will be played at the Olimpico on Sunday with kick-off set for 20:45hrs.

For the first match of the championship the Juventus coach will not be able to count on Felipe Melo, who is suspended for one match, which suspension he inherited from last season.

Juventus.com

Read More......

Primavera, Bad Start In The “Tirreno e Sport”

The adventure of the Primavera in the “Tirreno e Sport”, a youths tournament in the Lazio region, started off badly. In the first match of Group C, Bruni’s team lost by 2-1 against Roma. Giuseppe Giovinco scored from a free-kick.

The result complicates the team’s progress in the tournament as they are forced to win the second match, on schedule tomorrow (Tuesday 18th August) against Inter in Bracciano. Only the first in each group and the best runner-up qualify for the semi-finals. Read More......

Barcelona's Martin Caceres 'Happy' With Juventus Loan

Martin Caceres is poised to sign for Juventus on a season-long loan deal, after falling out of favour at the Camp Nou.

The 22-year-old Uruguayan is already in Turin, where he passed a medical with Juventus this morning, and the only pending issue now is the announcement from both clubs.

Upon arriving in the Italian city, Caceres told AS: "I am really happy to be here at Juventus, I cannot wait to start."

Caceres, who has 15 international caps to his name, will train with Juventus for the first time when they return from Spain, where they are currently competing in the Peace Cup.

He will hope to follow in the footsteps of his fellow countryman Paolo Montero who spent nine very successful seasons in Turin.

Luís Mira, Goal.com

Read More......

Del Piero And Tiago, Once Again Protagonists Against Real

The last time, at the Santiago Bernabeu, one had left the field with a standing ovation from all the Madrid public, while the other saw himself earning the best match ratings. Alessandro Del Piero and Tiago have a particular feeling against Real and even in Seville they were amongst the best.

The captain once again left his mark with two perfect crosses for Cannavaro and Salihamidzic and once again he was accompanied off the field by the applause of those present:

"They are feelings which always make you happy and which you never get accustomed to. Today we did well, closing up well and being compact while giving the impression that we are more of a team then them. These victories are important and charge us up but they must be treated accordingly. We have not done anything yet but tonight we showed we can play at high levels against anyone".

Even Tiago is satisfied. The Portuguese hit his second post after the one against Nancy in Joeuf but most of all he confirmed himself as being a new signing compared to the past years.

"I am happy because we won playing well and because of the way things are going for me. With the change in scheme I feel better. Before I was sacrificed on the defence while now I am more free and I can express myself better participating more in the attacks and proposing play. Besides, a feel more faith in me".

Juventus.com

Read More......

Cannavaro: "We Are More Of A Team Then Real"

For once, even Fabio Cannavaro can smile after a match between Juventus and Real Madrid and he can do so even more. The victory against his former mates is also thanks to his goal at the beginning of the match. The first goal by the defender after his return home is a beautiful present to the fans who welcomed him enthusiastically from the first day in Pinzolo.

"It is always nice to score. I did not celebrate only out of respect to my former team-mates. Today’s match was a challenging one, difficult as it always is against Real. The field of play did not help us but we managed to give a good performance and we’re happy to have reached the final. Juve more of a team? I think so. Real has always been like that, even when I was there. In difficult matches like this it counts on the individual moves of the single players".

Juventus.com

Read More......

Ferrara: "These Victories Help The Winning Mentality To Grow"

Ciro Ferrara said so from the first day in Andalusia that Juventus wanted to win the Peace Cup and the results are proving him right. After having beaten Seville and Seongnam, his team also gave him the joy of a victory against Real.

Besides feeling happy with the access to the final, the coach is also pleased with another step forward made by the group:

"Such victories definitely help to create a winning mentality and we are working mostly for this. I am happy with the result and with th performance. Everybody was charged-up ever since this morning’s training session and I could not have asked the boys for more. Now we are in the final and we are already thinking of Sunday’s match".

Juventus.com

Read More......

Juve Win The Battle Of The Titans

Ciro Ferrara’s team have lived up to the coach’s words fielding a great match and cruising to the final of the Peace Cup after beating the merengues featuring Cristiano Ronaldo.

The bianconeri had a fiery start immediately scoring the lead on the 4th minute. A free-kick by Del Piero is headed home by former-galactico Cannavaro with a helpless Dudek sent to the other side of the post. Four minutes later, it was Torres who cleared a dangerous cross destined to Amauri.

On the 9th minute the Brazilian goes close tos coring after receiving from Del Piero with the ball going inches or rather millmetres wide. Another absolute protagonist is Buffon who on the 16th minute saves greatly on a Guti shot.

Real try to react and on the 21st minute it is Raul who sees the ball go slightly high over the post. Juventus however continue to have the upper hand and on the 24th minute a defensive error by Real sees Amauri shooting at goal and Metzelder saving on the line with the ball destined for the net.

Amauri wins the ball again and dribbles even the goalkeeper but finds Pepe in opposition. On the half hour mark it is Chiellini who saves on Cristiano Ronaldo after a good run by the Portuguese ace.

Nine minutes later Chiellini fouls Raul in the area and the referee orders a penalty for the merengues. Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the eleven metres. The last chance of the half is for Real with Benzema left unguarded by the defence but the ball goes slightly high over the bar.

The second half sees Legrottaglie coming on for Cannavaro and also a substitution of the referee. Juventus continue wither agressive and brilliant approach to the game and exactly on the same minute another cross by Del Piero, this time finds Salihamidzic who heads behind Dudek into the net.

Two minutes before Giovinco shows great footwork to enter the area and cross towards Amauri who forces the keeper to a difficult save. One minute after the second Juve goal, Ronaldo enters the area and shoots but finds Buffon in great shape who saves. From the rebound the ball reaches Raul who shoots hitting the post. The best keeper in the world saves again 3 minutes later following a powerful free-kick by Metzelder.

On the 60th minute Giovinco makes way for Zanetti. Four minutes later Raul sends the ball very high over the bar in what seemed a dangerous opportunity and two minutes later it is Benzema who is not precise enough on the shot.

The 68th minute sees Del Piero being replaced by Iaquinta and four minutes later Marrone comes on for Felipe Melo. Juventus administer the match with great personality and go extremely close to scoring a thrid goal when a brilliant shot by Tiago hits the post in what seemed a sure goal.

On the 89th minute Camoranesi dances the samba with the ball as he goes past two defnders with a magnificent move worthy of Nureyev and shoots with Dudek saving with some difficulty. The dying minutes see Real in a desperate attempt to equalize and the galacticos go close twice.

First on the 90th minute with a Benzema header going high over the post and then on the on the 93rd with Buffon finding some difficulty to hold the ball after a cross from the right but blocking Cristiano Ronaldo from shooting at goal.

The match ends in a well deserved victory for Ciro Ferrara’s bianconeri who on Sunday will play against Aston Villa in the final of the Peace Cup.

Juventus.com

Read More......