National Teams Soon Back To Real Action

The upcoming matches are the last friendlies for Lippi’s Italy and Casiraghi’s Under 21 who are preparing for the Confederations Cup and the Under 21 European Cup respectively, in the hope of interpreting a protagonist’s role.

The first to be on the field is the National team coached by Lippi who still has one friendly to play: this afternoon the team will be playing against Tshwane Eleven , a selection of players from Pretoria clubs. This will be the last friendly which will yield furthe indications for Lippi.

The coach already received quite a few from the match against New Zealand especially from Vincenzo Iaquinta who is currently in a brilliant state of grace and who score twice. The most utilized bianconero at the moment is Nicola Legrottaglie who was on the field for the full 90 minutes both against the All Blacks as well as against Northern Ireland.

The other Juventus players are urging to go: Buffon, Chiellini, Cannavaro and Camoranesi, with the latter having played for half an hour against New Zealand.

The first official appointment for the azzurri will on Monday 15th in Pretoria at 20:30hrs against the USA. The other matches are scheduled for Thursday 18th against Egypt and Sunday 21st against Brazil. The first two of each group will qualify for the semi-finals. Italy is in Group 2 while Group 1 includes South Africa, New Zealand, Iraq and Spain.

One will have to wait for one more day to support the Under 21 squad. Casiraghi’s azzurrini will be playing on Tuesday 16th against Serbia in Helsingborg where they will also play against hosts Sweden on the 19th and Belosrussia on the 23rd.

Even in this case the first two of each group will qualify for the semi-finals. Group B includes Finland, Germany, England and Spain. All eyes set on Giovinco who had a great match against Denmark in the 4-0 victory as well as De Ceglie and Marchisio.

Juventus.com

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Secco: "We Moved Ahead For Cannavaro And Diego But We Will Complete More Operations"

Alessio Secco, has been awarded the prestigious Golden Goal, the international prize which is in its second edition and which is assigned under the patronage of the cultural association “Le Mani” in collaboration with the Sorrento council. During the weekend it will bring together, in the Campagna locality, sport champions, important national sport journalists and personalities from the entertainment, music and cinema industries.

Secco who will receive the prize for best sports director in Italy, met with the journalists and spoke of the transfer market. The first question was about Pandev:

"The rumours regarding Pandev are unfounded – he answered- Our attack is complete". He also mentioned David Trezeguet in this regard: "I received a number of offers but they were not enough. After havinh weighed the situation I think it is difficult for him to be transferred to some other Italian team. He is part of the history of this club".

Finally a note of appreciation for Ferrara "He is charismatic and will bring great satisfactions" and an explanation with regards to the club’s transfer market strategies: "We moved ahead for Cannavaro and Diego. Cannavaro was an opportunity which we could not miss out on. Obviously we will do more but in the right financial perspective".

Juventus.com

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Dossena admits Juve talks

Liverpool man Andrea Dossena’s agent confirms “there have been talks” for a £6.5m move to Juventus.

The Italy full-back is currently in South Africa for the Confederations Cup, but his representative is hard at work to secure a return to Serie A.

“We have spoken to the Liverpool directors and Rafa Benitez, confirming that the club is counting on him for next season as well,” revealed Roberto La Florio on Sportal.

“Yet we all know that the transfer market is ever-shifting and so faced with a certain type of offer we know it’s possible to open negotiations.

“For the moment neither Liverpool nor the player have received official proposals, but the Juve interest is real and I can say there have been talks.”

La Florio also explained that Juventus had shown an interest in the former Udinese full-back before last year’s transfer to Liverpool.

“As far as we know, Juve are still evaluating the situation. If they decide Dossena is a player they want, then they will make their move. We calmly await news.”

channel4.com

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Secco rejects Pandev talk

Juventus director of sport Alessio Secco has said reports linking his side with Lazio striker Goran Pandev are unfounded.

The Bianconeri have been linked with a move for the 25-year-old Macedonia international all summer.

“They all unfounded,” Secco said of the stories. “We are fine just the way we are in attack.”

Such a statement appears to end speculation suggesting David Trezeguet will leave Juventus.

“I have received offers for him, but they were not sufficient,” Secco explained. “I believe it would be difficult to let him go to another Italian club. Anyway he forms part of this club's history.”

Secco then had a word to say on Ciro Ferrara, the rookie trainer, who recently took charge of Juventus on a full time basis.

“Now it's easy to compare every young trainer with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, but we are convinced Ferrara will do well,” Secco enthused.

“He has charisma. He is well prepared and a great motivator.”

Finally, Secco passed comment on Real Madrid, who are shocking the world with their spending habits.

“At the moment it's impossible to do deals of this genre in Italy, but let's remember Real are used to doing extraordinary things in the transfer market when there are changes at the top,” he concluded.

channel4.com

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Luciano Moggi Tried To Sign Cristiano Ronaldo For Juventus – Report

Former Juventus director Luciano Moggi was on the verge of signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon, before the move was scuppered by Marcelo Salas, according to Tuttosport.

The Ronaldo to Real Madrid saga could have turned out so differently had the ace joined the Bianconeri.

According to the Turin-based paper, Moggi had reached a deal with Sporting Lisbon for Ronaldo back in 2003, when the player was still a teenager. Juve were on the verge of signing the player, but the deal hinged on Marcelo Salas, who was part of the transfer. Just as the deadline approached, Salas told Moggi he did not want to move to Portugal. That put the deal in jeopardy, and despite Moggi's best efforts to convince the Chilean to join Sporting, the hitman was not interested.

Just days later, Manchester United came in with the offer that Sporting wanted and the future World Player of the Year joined the Old Trafford side.

Ronaldo is now on the verge of completing his move to Real Madrid in a whopping €94 million deal. Reports suggest the Spanish giants are hopeful of concluding the business within the next few days.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com

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