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"Iaquinta? Yesterday we renewed his contract right after the match. He proved himself to be a great athlete and a player of mind intelligence and class". President Giovanii Cobolli Gigli, commented about the agreement reached with Vincenzo Iaquinta which will see him at Juventus until 2013 via a telephone link on GR Parlamento. The signing was made even more precious by the two goals scored against Lazio. The president appreciated this but would have liked an identical result against the biancocelesti in the Coppa Italia: "The only auto-criticism that I can make is that of not having reached the final and won it. With regards to the rest I think we won ourselves honor both in the championship as well as in the Champions League making further steps ahead towards the definitive reconstruction of Juventus". The reconstruction is also made of the new signings: "Diego is a first class player who irrespective of whom will be the coach next year will bring along different tactical schemes. Cannavaro is a great player and I am convinced that he will do all in his power since he also has his international status at stake therefore being a great support to the defence".Besides the new arrivals, an important contribution next year will be possible on the part of those players who during this season were forced to a long stop due to injury: "During the last period we missed Sissoko and without him we managed to win less points. We moved from an average of 2.2 points per match to an average of 1.4. We will have him back as we are gradually getting back players like Camoranesi, Zebina and Zanetti. All these are elements whom we lost during the first part of the season for various reasons. My greatest pride is seeing Marchisio who is young, Italian and a product of our nursery. He can become the new Boniperti".The subject turns inevitably to the next coach and the president is asked to cook-up an identikit of the new coach: "We will try to employ an Italian coach, who is young in spirit and who has a will to risk and keep the team charged-up. Blanc is preparing a series of files about various possible candidates with an evaluation on their characteristics. We will analyze them and I think that by the end of the week or the beginning of the next we will come to a conclusion. Ferrara? We have the proof that he is well received by the supporters at the Olimpico. We will have to choose a coach who can show a strong Juventus spirit from an attachment to our past and a capability to adapt quickly".The president then dedicated a thought to Nedved’s farewell which brought a long a bad feeling amongst the supporters: "Criticism originates from the fact that sometimes episodes like that of Nedved are interpreted in a manner which is not really objective. The end of the match and the feast for his farewell with great commotion from all sides show that relationship we have with Nedved. The spirit which unites us can lead to a new collaboration with Juventus. Nedved in black and white forever? He has it in his heart".From a champion who is retiring to others who is still active, the president answered in this manner to questions about Del Piero, Trezeguet and Buffon: "Del Piero will give his best next season because he wants to play in his last world championships. He is the symbol of Juventus and will remain so. Trezeguet is a great champion who did a lot but sometimes other “homes” can be found for great champions. If this does not happen he will remain one of the four great forwards of Juventus". "I think Buffon feels relieved. This was not due to the many words which I could have told him but due to his conversation with Ing. Elkann. I always thought he did well: in the match against Atalanta which was played behind closed doors you could hear him motivating the team from the beginning up to the end. He is a player who charges-up Juventus, the spirit of the dressing room and I am sure that next year he will have a great season with us". Juventus.com
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The waiting for the final eight of the Primavera championship is finally over. Today, in fact, in Trentino, the final phase will kick-off with the first day of quarter-finals on a knockout basis. At 14:00hrs it will be the turn of Chievo-Genoa, while at 21:00hrs in Pergine Valsugana, Juventus will be meeting Palermo.The rosanero made it to the scudetto pool eliminating Sampdoria who are the current holders by winning 1-0 at home and succumbing to a useless 3-2 defeat in Genova. The Sicilian’s strength is all in their defensive solidity having suffered only 20 goals in the regular season. The attack on the other hand only scored 41 goals.However, attention must be paid to the Giovio-Misuraca duo which scored 23 goals. Lithuanian player Mchedlidze will not be playing due to an international call-up. He has often been called up with the first team and scored his only goal in the Serie A against Juventus.Juventus.com
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Mauro German Camoranesi on Juventus Channel: "The second place was the only objective possible and we had to reach it. We managed to do so but I can’t say I am completely satisfied. Our only real objective is the Scudetto which we will try to win as soon as possible. Pavel’s farewell made me emotional. He was an important player, one of those champions who helped this team win a lot in these last few years".Juventus.com
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After the run around the stadium and the emotional ovation received from all the Olimpico, Pavel Nedved spoke of his feelings on his 327th and final match in black and white: "It was a very difficult day but at the same time a beautiful one. I felt the affection of all the supporters and my mates which came as proof of the great things we did together in these years. I did not expect such a feast. I am really happy to have played for a team with these supporters". "Today I quit running. I will leave my number 11 jersey to Amauri. I am happy about this because I know he really wanted it. As from tomorrow I can dedicate myself to my family who waited for me for all these years".Juventus.com
Juventus ended the season in the second place, an honourable standing which augurs well for the future, a future which will be characterised by a number of decisions which will be taken by the board of directors amongst whom is general manager Jean Claude Blanc."It was after all a good season when you consider the second place. There were very good moments and a recent difficult moment but at the end this second place is a good result and it came thanks to everybody’s work: first with Ranieri and his staff who did a good job and then we decided to charge the players and Ferrara and his staff did really well to get the team back on track". "Thanks should go to the players, to both groups of staff, Molinaro who played the most even though he couldn’t end the season. In sport one must have the capability to react. Everybody carried his responsibility and we finally managed to end the season well". "We waited for the end of the season to evaluate everything and now we have to take the decisions for the next season, starting from the technical staff which we will decide about in the next ten or fifteen days". Juventus.com
It was a match rich in emotion which saw Pavel Nedved descend on the field for the last time wearing the black and white jersey. Ferrara’s men continue from where they left off a week ago in Siena registering another convincing victory and the second clean sheet in as many matches with the former defence stalwart as coach.The Ferrara factor seems to have left its mark really deeply on Juventus who descend on the pitch for the last match of the season very determined and well-placed. From the very start of the match the bianconeri seem to be fired from a cannon.On the 1st minute there is a great move by Del Piero who after a run passes to Iaquinta in the Lazio area but the pass is a bit too long. One minute later a good run by Pavel Nedved on the flank sees the ball go over the line for a goal kick. The brilliant start, however, soon pays off and on the 3rd minute Marchisio puts a great through-ball towards Iaquinta who enters the area and puts the ball under the keeper and into the net for the opener (1-0).On the 4th minute there is a corner for Juve: ball into the area, Legrottaglie tries to head but the defence clears. The ball reaches Iaquinta who crosses into the area with the ball put into corner by the defence. From the second corner Chiellini heads high. Two minutes later it is time for a demonstration of great play by Iaquinta and Del Piero in the area but the defence clears in some way.The 8th minute sees Del Nero who crosses into the Juve area with Buffon saving easily but the flag was up. Two minutes later there is a free-kick for Juve from a long distance: Del Piero takes it but the ball goes wide. On the 12th minute there is a good cross into the area with the ball reaching Del Piero but the Juventus forward is blocked.On the 13th minute a Del Piero goal disallowed for an inexistent off-side. One minute later Lazio have the best chance in the first half with Kozac who misses a sitter right in front of Buffon with the defence taken by surprise, shooting high. The quarter of an hour mark sees a good run by Zebina who crosses into the area but the cross is too strong and Del Piero does not manage to stop the ball.The 16th minute sees a great run and pass towards Del Piero by Nedved but the defence manages to clear into corner. From the flag Nedved puts the ball into the area, the keeper punches away, Marchisio shoots but the ball goes high. On the 23rd minute great play by Juve with Brazzo who finally passes to Marchisio who with a powerful shot from outside the area sees the ball go inches wide. One minute later Foggia enters the Juve area and shoots but Buffon is well placed and saves well.The 33rd witness is an example of Juventus’ great team and passing put into practice with ball finally ending in a corner. Nedved showed extreme class. Eight minutes later a long ball by Nedved towards Del Piero is slightly too long. The 42nd minute sees Foggia who enters the Juve area and shoots but Buffon is well-placed and saves easily.On the 43rd minute there is a free-kick for Lazio: Ledesma puts the ball straight into the wall. From the rebound the ball reaches Kozac in the area but the striker is off-side. The last bit of action of the first half comes on the second of the two minutes of stoppage time given by the referee: Nedved crosses into the area towards Iaquinta who stops and crosses to Del Piero who with a spectacular overhead kick sees the ball go inches wide.In the first few minutes of the second half Lazio try to get back into the game but Juventus are concentrated. On the 2nd minute there is a great clearance by Legrottaglie who anticipates Del Nero in an inviting position. One minute later there is a great pass by Del Piero towards Chiellini who misses the ball by inches for what could have been a great goal opportunity.On the 8th minute Camoranesi is fouled after a good run. From the free-kick the ball reaches Nedved who from a lateral position shoots extremely well with the ball going inches high. One minute later great play by Zebina who crosses low into the area but the defence puts the ball into corner. On the 10th minute Amauri comes on for Zanetti.The 11th minute sees Ledesma shooting wide from outside the area. Three minutes later there is a great pass by Nedved towards Iaquinta who enters the area and puts the ball beyond the keeper for his second of the game (2-0). The Czech Fury might not have scored but his pass is sure worth a great goal.Juventus continue to play great football and on the 15th minute Nedved shoots wide but from a very long distance. One minute later there is a great attempt by Del Piero but the keeper is careful. On the 17th minute Brocchi shoots wide from a good position and four minutes later Nedved shoots from outside the area but the keeper manages to grab hold.On the 25th minute Kozak heads slightly wide in what was a good goal opportunity. Giovinco comes on for an excellent Iaquinta. Four minutes later wonderful play by Del Piero who sees the ball finally being cleared into corner by the Lazio defence.A player who certainly had a great match is Jonathan Zebina who on the 31st minute put a great ball towards Del Piero who passed to Nedved who was anticipated at the last moment. On the 35th minute Amauri puts a ball down for Nedved who with a great shot from outside the area sees the ball go inches wide. One minute later a Camoranesi attempt goes high over the bar.Seconds later a Brocchi attempt is deviated into corner by Chiellini. On the 37th minute Juve benefit from a free-kick from the left after a foul on Giovinco which seemed to be inside the area: Del Piero leaves it to Nedved who is denied the goal by the keeper.It is the 38th minute when Tiago comes on for Nedved who leaves the field for the last time hugged by all his team mates and with a standing ovation by all the stadium. It is hard to hold back the tears seeing a living Juventus legend leaving the field in black and white for the last time.On the 39th minute there is a free-kick for Lazio: Ledesma shoots straight into the wall. One minute later Kozac hits the post in a rather awkward bit of action in the Juve area. Seconds later there is a free-kick for Juve: Del Piero from a great distance sees Carrizo saving.No stoppage time is given by the referee and Juventus end the season in a good and well-deserved second place.Serie A 2008/09 38th Match DayTurin, Stadio OlimpicoSunday 31st May, 2009JUVENTUS – LAZIO : 2-0Scorers: Iaquinta (3rd), Iaquinta (59th).JUVENTUS: Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Salihamidzic; Camoranesi, Zanetti (Amauri 54th), Marchisio, Nedved (Tiago 83rd); Del Piero, Iaquinta (Giovinco 71st). Reserves: Manninger, Mellberg, Tiago, Marchionni, Giovinco, Trezeguet, Amauri. Coach: Ferrara.LAZIO: Carrizo; Lichtsteiner, Siviglia (Tuia 77th), Rozenhal, De Silvestri; Brocchi, Dabo (Meghni 62nd), Ledesma, Foggia; Del Nero (Mendicino 51st), Kozac. Reserves: Muslera, Kolarov, Tuia, Diakite, Meghni, Perpetuini, Mendicino. Coach: Rossi.REFEREE: Peruzzo from Schio. Yellow Cards: Lichtsteiner (78th), Ledesma (82nd)Juventus.com
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Full marks for Ciro Ferrara who managed to obtain 2 victories in 2 matches made even more precious by 2 clean sheets and 5 goals scored. The Neapolitan coach certainly left his mark on the end of the season."We managed to win six important points. We wanted the second place and we managed to achieve this. I must thank the players who really worked hard in the last 15 days. They accepted me and my methods and worked really well. I am happy to know that the supporters appreciated my work". "I felt really emotional sitting on the bench. It was not easy for me but the players made themselves available and helped me out a lot. The experience in the youth sector also helped me a lot even at this level things are very different even due to the different issues. I understand those players who wanted to play but could not make it". "I thanked every one of them personally. The day after tomorrow I will join the national team for the Confederations Cup my mobile will however be on for any news with regards to the Juve bench".The team showed great play and determination: "What I liked most about today’s Juve is the will to bring the victory home. In the second half we suffered a bit more but the players were determined. We could have done better when it came to finishing but having said this I am happy with how the team played". On a day of such mixed emotions it is inevitable to comment on Pavel Nedved’s farewell: "It is always strange seeing a player who left a mark on the history of Juventus retire. I am glad that the supporters gave him the well deserved farewell. I am sorry that such a champion who is an example to youngsters decided to stop as I m also sad about Maldini’s farewell".Juventus.com
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