Sunday, July 12, 2009

Athletic Work And Mini-Match On The Third Day At Pinzolo


Third day of training for the bianconeri in Pinzolo. The morning started with a series of athletic tests. . The bianconeri were busy with a number of athletic exercises on a 3,000 metre distance intended to verify their condition in view of the next more intense phase of training which will start tomorrow.

The players, divided according to their role, took part in the first part with great dedication with Christian Poulsen seeming particularly in form leaving the rest behind. Momo Sissoko, Ciro Immobile, Hasan Salihamidzic and Cristiano Zanetti also did well to complete the virtual rankings of the middle-distance runners of Juventus.

The day was warmed further by the interviews given by president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli, by Alessio Secco and by the press conference of Cristian Molinaro and saw also the visit of the honourable Maurizio Paniz, president of the Juventus Club “Giovani Agnelli” accompanied by quite a large group of members of parliament strictly of bianconero faith.

In the afternoon, at 17:30hrs the team returned on the field of the Centro Sportivo Pineta for the second session. The stands were sold out with more then 4,300 spectators present. The bianconeri started off with twenty minutes of athletic work made up of floor exercises especially abdominal exercises and then short sprints and running with the ball.

After, Ferrara divided the group into two teams which played in a series of mini-matches on a reduced field and with a growing intensity, before the family match on three qaurters of the field.

The coach fielded two identical formations on a 4-3-1-2 scheme: on one side were Chiementi in goal, Zebina, Marrone, Ariaudo and Salihamidzic as defence, Bianco, Poulsen, and Tiago in midfield with Diego as play-maker and Amauri and Immobile as strikers.

On the other side were Manninger in goal, Bamba, Grygera, Alcibiade, Mirarchi in defence, Pirrotta, Zanetti and Sissoko behind Daud as fine-tuner (later substituted by Esposito) at the service of Del Piero and Trezeguet.

The match ended in a 3-1 victory for the formation with Diego and Amauri. Trezeguet opened the score with a first timer from a Daud shot which was blocked by Chimenti. The equaliser came thanks to Bianco who also was fast to take advantage of a short punch by Manninger. At the end it was the turn of Amauri to shine first by scoring the 2-1 with a left-footed shot and then taking advantage of a Diego pass depositing the ball at the back of the net for the final 3-1 with a right-footed shot.

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Molinaro: "I Can’t Wait To Start Again"


A new season but also a new beginning after a difficult moment. For Cristian Molinaro, the training camp in Pinzolo does not only constitute the start of his third season at Juventus but also the end of a nightmare. Having overcome the problem to the kidney (caused by a blow suffered against Genoa) in the best way possible which problem forced him to end the season early, the fullback from Campania can’t wait to get back to running on the left flank.

Being able to return to the field and staying with his mates was a sort of liberation: "Now I am well and feel good – confessed Molinaro during the daily press conference in Pinzolo -, but at the beginning I was scared, especially since I was forced to stay in the clinic not knowing for sure what was wrong. After the 18th of June following the tests I felt better".

"They were two and a half difficult months especially since I am not used to doing nothing, which I overcame thanks to my family, the club, my mates and the supporters who sent me so many encouraging messages. Now, this stop will be my spring board to get back".

Two and a half months away from the field are long, especially for whom in the last two seasons played more then anyone else. Now he wants to get back, gradually. "At muscle level I still have to improve but in these last few days I have been alternating running with gym work. I hope to recover as soon as possible, being careful not to cause any problems".

"I am happy to have been able to play the mini-match immediately but I must work much more to catch up with the level of my mates and be able to give 200% once again like I always have. Alessio Secco confirmed that no other left fullbacks would arrive? I feel honoured with the faith the club has shown in me and must now prove I deserve it".

Molinaro is charged-up and ready to face his third season in black and white, with a bit of news with regards to the past: "I will once again be wearing number 19, the number which I had when I made my debut in the Serie B with Salernitana. I left the number 28 to Diego without any problems. He is a person who managed to get him self loved immediately and is adapting quickly".

"We must now wait to see him at work where he will show his talent. We were strengthened and we are aiming to obtain victories which we did not manage in the past two years. I don’t know if we closed the gap on Inter but I am sure that motivation will be important and we have a lot of it".

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3,000 Meter Test For The Bianconeri


It was a morning of athletic tests for Juventus in Pinzolo. The bianconeri were busy with a number of athletic exercises on a 3,000 metre distance intended to verify their condition in view of the next more intense phase of training which will start tomorrow.

The players, divided according to their role, took part in the first part with great dedication with Christian Poulsen seeming particularly in form leaving the rest behind. Momo Sissoko, Ciro Immobile, Hasan Salihamidzic and Cristiano Zanetti also did well to complete the virtual rankings of the middle-distance runners of Juventus.
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Secco: "We Are Not Looking For Left Fullbacks"


While the team continues to work hard on the field in Pinzolo under the keen eyes of Ciro Ferrara and his staff, the management continues to work on the transfer market to make the team stronger. Alessio Secco is a constant presence in Val Rendena and is always in close contact with the team and with one eye open on the market.

The sports director spoke of the transfer market on Juventus Channel to clarify certain fundamental concepts with regards to left fullbacks, Tiago, the changes in the Primavera technical staff and the youths transfer market.

"We keep reading of the possible addition of left fullbacks – declared Secco – I would like to clarify that it is not true. We are not looking for any players in that role which for next season we will entrust again to Cristian Molinaro and Paolo De Ceglie".

The same goes for the Portuguese midfielder. "I don’t know how I can deny these rumours further. Tiago is not for sale, notwithstanding all the offers we received. We believe very much in him especially in the light of a three-strong midfield as Ferrara would like".

Finally a look at the youth sector, where there have been many changes and not only regarding players. "Alessandro Nista has joined our family and will be the Primavera goalkeeper coach. During the season, it is possible that he will lend a helping hand in the first team too. This however, does not change Ciro Ferrara’s staff with Michelangelo Rampulla taking care of Buffon and the other goalkeepers".

"With regards to the youngsters we loaned out Castiglia to Cesena and are finalizing the transfer of Bianco to Modena".

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Cobolli: "We Are Stronger Then Last Year"


"Pinzolo has become the summer residence of Juventus and as always we are surrounded by great enthusiasm. I am happy to see great organization both in the structures hosting us as well as in the team. The players seem to be relaxed and convinced that they can do well".

President Cobolli Gigli expressed his satisfaction with regards to Juventus’ first steps in this new season. The feeling is positive and if the transfer deal with Felipe Melo is finalized the optimism would be even greater:

"At that point we would have the team that I really wanted – confirmed the president – but it is not right to speak of this now. The administration is pursuing this operation giving a further confidence boost to the deal which is in the hands of Blanc and Secco and which is possible thanks to a strong economic situation".

With Melo’s arrival it would be an even more Brazilian Juventus: "Yes, but also made up of players who have already had their experience in Italy and in Europe and this is an important factor because sometimes the Brazilians even though very talented may find it hard to adjust".

The team that is being built is a team that the president likes very much: "It is certainly a Juventus that is stronger then last year’s and the gap between us and Inter can be reduced quite a bit next championship. On the other hand, if last year we had managed to win those four or five matches which we drew we would have been much closer to the nerazzurri. Having said this, the experience thought me to be careful and keep my dreams to myself".

In the Juve of next season there will be quite a bit of space for youths: "De Ceglie, Giovinco and Marchisio will remain with us and thanks to Ferrara will have an important role in the team".

A subject which has been in the top news in recent days is the deal of Inter with Pavel Nedved: "I would be greatly surprised if Pavel moved to Inter. We parted with gratitude because he gave a lot to Juventus and he himself said he would not play anymore. He knows we await him with open arms and if he’d like to, Ferrara has projects and ideas for him in a technical role".

Back to Juventus and the near future, the president also spoke of the possible renewal of his mandate: "These three years were a formidable experience and I learnt a lot about football, on the bureaucracy connected to this world, I have relationships in the Lega with other clubs...With our share holders I have always had a good relationship but is not up to me to decide whether I should stay or not".

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