First Training Session For Buffon & Co.

The training session of the internationals, who arrived in the early afternoon in Pinzolo to join the rest of the squad brought the eight day of the Juventus training camp to an end. The day was given as an off day to all the rest (except for some of the Primavera) to those who worked hard in the past few days and who took the opportunity to practice their hobbies.

Alexander Manninger, for example, took advantage of the beautiful scenery of Val Rendena to go fishing for trout. Others visited Madonna di Campiglio while another group played golf or went for a bicycle ride. Del Piero confirmed himself as being a hard worker training hard in the gym in what was a personalised session.

It was a totally different day for Buffon, Cananvaro, Chiellini, Camoranesi, Iaquinta, Marchisio and Almiron, who joined the group after having recovered from an influenza attack which kept him in Argentina.

After the medical tests in the morning, the group reached Pinzolo at about 15:30hrs and after approximately two hours were already on the field for their first training session of the season.

With Diego and Sissoko in the gym, the afternoon session saw the participation of Buffon, Cannavaro (cheered by the fans), Chiellini, Camoranesi, Iaquinta, Marchisio, Almiron, Molinaro, and Primavera Alcibiade, Immobile, Mirarchi and Pirrotta as well as goalkeepers Kirev and Pinsoglio.

After a good half hour of athletic work, the group was busy with juggling and ball control exercises before playing a mini-match on a reduced field to the joy of the spectators who once again filled the stands of the Centro Sportvo Pineta. Fifteen minutes of running brought the session to an end.

Juventus.com

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Del Piero to pen Juve extension

Alessandro Del Piero is about to put pen to paper on a lifetime contract with Juventus, according to reports.

The Bianconeri captain has reached an agreement with the club hierarchy to tie himself to the side until 2011.

His current deal was set to expire at the end of this season and directors were eager to avoid a similar situation to Pavel Nedved, where the last-minute offer of a pay-as-you-play contract was rejected.

Although no figures have yet been confirmed, it’s believed the Juventus legend will receive around £2.5m per season.

It is also claimed in Tuttosport and the Corriere dello Sport that Del Piero is already planning his career path once he hangs up his boots.

The captain will turn 35 in November and could well have a future in Ciro Ferrara’s Coaching staff in Turin.

Diego has been signed to essentially replace Alex and during yesterday’s opening friendly of the summer he played in the trequartista role due to the Brazilian’s absence.

Channel4.com/sport/football_italia
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Barcelona Make Christian Poulsen Enquiry

Barcelona have made a tentative enquiry about signing Christian Poulsen from Juventus after looking set to miss out on Liverpool's Javier Mascherano, according to the Dane's agent.

The Blaugrana are keen to add a ball-winning midfielder to their ranks ahead of the new season and have turned their attentions to the former Sevilla star.

Poulsen failed to shine during his first season in Italy and is rumoured to be prepared to move if Barca were to step up their interest in him and make a concrete offer.

Juve have also stated that the Blaugrana have asked about the player and his agent is now waiting to see if anything transpires after the initial contact.

"There has been a request from a Spanish agent relating to Barcelona," Jorn Bonnesen told bold.dk.

"He asked whether Christian would be interested in joining Barcelona.

"You never know what will happen, but Juventus' sporting director [Alessio Secco] has also admitted to being in contact with Barca."

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

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Coppa: Inter-Juve for quarters?

The eight seeds for the 2009-10 Coppa Italia have been drawn, meaning we could see an Inter-Juventus quarter-final.

The Lega Calcio put the seeds – Fiorentina, Genoa, Milan, Inter, Juventus, Udinese, Roma and holders Lazio – into a draw for a tennis tournament style competition.

The top sides will only begin their campaign in the Coppa from the round before the quarter-finals.

If they all win their ties, then the quarters will be Fiorentina-Lazio, Inter-Juventus, Milan-Udinese and Genoa-Roma.

Lazio won the Coppa Italia last season after beating Sampdoria on penalties in the Final.

Channel4.com/sport/football_italia/

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Amauri: "On In This Manner"

On the team’s day off, following the first friendly of the new season, Amauri and Salihamidzic lived a new experience: a helicopter ride over the park in Brenta up to Pergine where they visited the Sant’Orsola establishment, one of the four brands with which Trentino is bound to Juventus as sponsors.

After a detailed course on small fruits, Amauri spoke of football going back to the friendly against Cisco Roma: "It went well, considering the heavy workload we have been given up to now. I must say that I did not expect so much work but I am sure that it will be useful during the season".

The seasonal debut was also the occasion to try out the new formation in which Amauri immediately felt comfortable: "…even though there is still much to work on – he admitted – especially for us attackers who, playing in this manner, must press more in midfield to aid the midfielders. With a semi-striker, however, we have more possibilities of getting close to the goal".

He was also asked about the competitors in his role ("It is a good thing it exists because we all have to work hard to give our maximum"), mentioning a few names: "Trezeguet? If he is motivated it is good for Juve to have such a player. Del Piero? Is the pillar of this team, or rather he is Juve. If, as the papers are writing, he chooses to stay at Juventus for life, it will be a marvellous thing especially since nowadays such faithful players in modern football are very rare".

"Nedved? I would like him to return to us because besides having been a great champion he is a true person and true people can always give something more. Diego? He is a player of great quality and will help us create more goal opportunities. This is why I can’t wait to have him on the field with us".

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Salihamidzic: "Ready To Win"

The joker still wants to jump out of the pack. For the third consecutive year, Hasan Salihamidzic is one of the protagonists of the Pinzolo training camp. His dedication and will to sacrifice himself together with his availability and nice character make of Brazzo a player loved by all from his mates up to the supporters. He is also very appreciated by the coach that sees in him a player capable of playing in every role.

As from the first days of this new adventure, together with Molinaro who is recovering and De Ceglie who is still on holiday, Salihamidzic adapted well to the left fullback position and against Cisco Roma was one of the best. The day after, the Bosnian spoke of the current situation during the meeting organized by Sant’Orsola which was held at Pergine Valsugana in which he participated together with Amauri. He arrived aboard nothing less then a helicopter.

"It was not my first time on a helicopter but flying over mountains is really splendid. I am happy with how the camp in Trentino is going. There is a fresh climate which is important for us. Everything is perfect, from the hotel to the participation of the people accompanying us up to every training session. Yes, I would say that Pinzolo is ideal for us".

Brazzo spoke also of football and the match against Cisco Roma keeping in line with what Ferrara and his team mates said:

"We played a good match but we are conditioned by the fact of having worked a lot in the last few days. Now we are a bit tired but we are improving everyday. Together with Ferrara and all his staff we are working well, we have many good players and were made even stronger by the new signings. We are ready to win".

In order to win Ferrara needs players like Salihamidzic just like Pessotto was when Ciro was still a protagonist on the field. Brazzo is a guarantee both in facts and in words.

"My role? It’s that of helping the team. For me what is important is to play and not my position on the field. That is decided by the coach and makes no difference to me. I am happy to be here and have been so since the day I came. It is nice to be part of Juventus, a team amongst the most famous and with so many fans".

Juventus.com

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