Ready For The Champions League

Ranieri And Del Piero: Ready For The Champions League

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri and club legend, Alessandro Del Piero, believe the Bianconeri are ready for the Champions League following their 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Wednesday night.

The Old Lady held the European Champions at Old Trafford in what seemed like a dull game.

Nevertheless, both coach and captain are optimistic for their chances in Europe this term.

“We drew against the European champions and for me this is an important result,” said Ranieri.

“I leave Old Trafford with a good feeling, this team has an identity.”

Del Piero then backed his coach’s statements. Il Capitano is confident and looking forward to the club's return to Europe's elite competition following a two year absence.

“Going ahead with highs and lows is normal but we are always improving,” said Pinturicchio.

“Juve are ready for the Champions League.”

The Old Lady will look to make history and reach the Rome final in May.

The Stadio Olimpico is a good omen for the club in the Champions League as they won the competition there in 1996.

It’s now down to Juve to make history repeat itself.

Salvatore Landolina,goal.com

All easy for Artmedia, in Turin on August 13th

All easy for Artmedia, in Turin on August 13th

No surprises in Bratislava: after already setting one foot in the third round in the away game thanks to a wide 3-1 win in Finland, Artmedia closed the deal with Tampere tonight, winning the return game by 4-2 and earning the chance to play the two third round Champions League qualifiers against Juventus.

The match was practically over at the half-time break, as after 45 minutes Artmedia were 3-0 up thanks to a Kozak penalty kick and goals by Pospech and Halenar. In the second half the Fins played for pride and found a goal with James after 65 minutes. Piroska then scored the fourth goal, but one minute later Hjelm made it 4-2, which was the final score of the game.

The Slovakian champions are now expected in Turin in exactly one week's time, on Wednesday August 13th, for the first leg match. The return will be played in Bratislava on Tuesday the 26th.

*juventus.com

Milan To Hijack Juve's Ivanovic Deal?

Milan To Hijack Juve's Ivanovic Deal?

Milan have joined Juventus in the race to sign Branislav Ivanovic from Chelsea according to Sportmediaset. The Rossoneri may even try to out-bid their Serie A rivals in attempt to lure the defender to San Siro.

Il Diavolo are currently looking for some defensive cover at the back and the Chelsea stopper has popped up on the radar.

Ivanovic seems like dead wood at Stamford bridge and his exit looks imminent.

This has lead to speculation that Milan will swoop for the stopper so that he can cover for Alessandro Nesta, who is out with injury.

However, the Rossoneri may have to fight off competition from Juventus.

Sportmediaset claims the Bianconeri are also ready to deal for the defender and a bidding war between the two Serie A giants may break out.

The Via Turati club are trying to convince the Blues to allow the player to join on loan for an initial fee of €2m with the option to buy him on a permanent deal.

It is unknown as to when Nesta will be available for the club and this has forced Milan to re-consider their options and make another dip into the transfer market.


*goal.com

Amauri Is Our Ronaldinho - Elkann

Amauri Is Our Ronaldinho - Elkann

Juventus heir John Elkann believes Amauri is the Old Lady’s Ronaldinho. The Brazilian has shown glimpses of magic since his arrival in Turin and expectations are high at Vinovo.

The Italian businessman, who has a major stake in the club, is satisfied with the way the Old Lady has been moving and shaking in the transfer market.

Elkann is confident of Juve’s Scudetto chances this term and he insists Claudio Ranieri has all the right ingredients to serve up some silverware come May.

“Amauri is our Ronaldinho,” Elkann told La Repubblica.

“I am satisfied with the players we have bought. Our team is complete and very strong, just what Ranieri wanted.

“Scudetto? If that’s what the coach said….We have all the right components to do well in the league this season.”

Juventus signed Amauri from Palermo this summer in a €24m deal.

However, the Brazilian’s arrival has caused sceptics to suggest that Juve should have spent the money on defenders.

For all Amauri’s skill and prowess, the Bianconeri look weak at the back and this may be their downfall this term.

Salvatore Landolina ,goal.com

Giovinco Delighted With Olympic Strike

Giovinco Delighted With Olympic Strike

The former Empoli man got the ball rolling for Pierluigi Casiraghi’s men four minutes before half time with a stunning strike- a twenty five yard screamer which rattled the goal.

Italy went on to win 3-0 thanks to goals from Giuseppe Rossi and Robert Acquafresca who both bagged a penalty each.

However, the star of the show was Giovinco and he is proud of his special Olympic moment.

“Scoring in the Olympics doesn’t happen everyday especially a goal like the one I scored,” Giovinco told Il Corriere Dello Sport.

“I was supposed to learn how to shoot and I have worked hard in that department.

“All that was missing was my shooting and my objective is to get better.

“It was really hot out there this evening and it’s always difficult when it’s like that.”

La Nazionale top group D following their win and they will now be preparing to clash with Korea on Sunday.

Salvatore Landolina

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr6VdahRDaw

Grande Alessandro Del Piero!!!! King of Juventus!!!

penampilannya masih yahud :P

itu yg terlihat di Old Trafford dini hari td, dan saat dia di tarik keluar dr lapangan, penonton yg hadir di dlm stadion bertepuk tangan panjang...hehehehehehe, kapasitasnya emang di akui di mana mana, even di depan publik Theater of Dreams

dan sempet terekam di kamera, gimana sibuknya Alex membubuhkan tanda tangannya...hehehehehehe

Grande Alessandro Del Piero!!!! King of Juventus!!!

Juve & Man U Positive Despite Stalemate

Juve & Man U Positive Despite Stalemate

Manchester United and Juventus battled out an entertaining yet goalless draw at Old Trafford yesterday and the reactions from both squads are positive.

Juve defender Giorgio Chiellini gave an accomplished and secure performance despite playing at left-back instead of his preferred role in central defence, and he had a few things to say after the match: "I am glad we passed this test and am happy for the defence. We conceded very little to a team as important as Manchester. This is a good indication for the (Champions League qualifying) match with Artemedia."

Juventus have kept clean sheets against two good English opponents in pre-season and coach Claudio Ranieri sees that as a positive sign.

"I am very pleased with how we played this evening, we were compact and united just like against Arsenal. It was a good test ahead of the qualifying match, which we now have a week to prepare for," explained the former Parma tactician. "I am happy with this tour. Everything went well apart from the game with Hamburg."

Meanwhile, United defender Wes Brown was pleased with how his side played. "It was a good run out," revealed the Englishman on MUTV.

"We managed to get a few of the young lads on and it was good experience for them. At this stage of the season it's about fitness and getting sharp. Hopefully everyone will be ready for Newcastle on the opening day of the season."

Manchester United have the difficult task of trying to defend their Premier League and Champions League Double from last season, while Juventus are looking to reclaim past glories after being sanctioned as part of the Calciopoli scandal a couple of years back.

Adam Scime