Fri 05 Mar
Chelsea, Barcelona press Juventus for Trez
Chelsea and Barcelona are pressing for talks with Juventus over striker David Trezeguet.
Despite public declarations from Juve GM Luciano Moggi that terms have been agreed with Trezeguet over a new contract, the forms are still to be signed, casting doubt on the Italian giant's ability to hold onto the French star.
Barca president Joan Laporta confirmed last week that he had held encouraging talks with Moggi about Trezeguet, while Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to break the bank to bring the striker to London.
Both Chelsea and Barca will take advantage of FIFA's Player awards night where they will press for talks with both Juve and Trezeguet, who will be a guest at the ceremony, about the player's availability.
Juve eye Bianconeri pair
Juventus are back in the chase to sign the Udinese duo of David Pizarro and Marek Jankulovski. Reports in the North East of Italy suggest that initial talks between the two clubs have already taken place regarding a summer swoop.
Pizarro has been linked with Juventus for over a year now as he continues to shine in Serie A. He was targeted last summer by the Italian champions but they couldn’t make a bid due to the fact that they failed to sell fellow Chilean Marcelo Salas – a non EU player.
That almost saw the playmaker move to Lazio, and then Inter in January, but Juventus are now interested once again.
The Bianconeri have also been heavily associated with Jankulovski in the past. The Czech international midfielder has impressed in Udine and he has admitted that he would love a switch to Turin.
Juve are allegedly ready to offer around £14m for the two men in a deal that may also see the Udine outfit receive a couple of Juve players on loan. Yet in order to finance that move the Old Lady are set to sell, which has inevitably led to more rumours that Pavel Nedved will join Chelsea.
Juventus track Salernitana striker Di Vicino
Juventus are chasing Salernitana striker Giorgio Di Vicino. The young forward has scored seven goals this season and is being tracked by Juve scouts leading up to the summer transfer window.
Salas keen on River switch
Juventus look set to sell Marcelo Salas after the striker admitted he wants to remain with River Plate. The Chilean international is currently on loan with the Argentine outfit and is scheduled for a June return to Italy. But the forward admits that he is keen on making a permanent move to the South American giants.
"I’m very happy at River Plate," said the former Lazio star. "The club want me and they respect me. They have already said that they want to keep me in the team and that illustrates that they have confidence in me. I want to keep on playing football for River and therefore I don’t see any problems in me staying here for a long time."
Salas left Turin in the summer after the competition for places became too tough with Del Piero, Trezeguet, Miccoli and Di Vaio all fighting for starting shirts. And Salas, now 30, admits that he is enjoying his life in Argentina given the fact that he has more time with his family.
"It is good for me to be near my daughters," he added. "Last week for example I flew to Chile twice. This is also helping me to become the player I was a few years ago."
The Bianconeri signed Salas in 2001 for £12m from Lazio. However, his maiden Turin term saw him rupture knee ligaments that severely affected his Juve career. Salas is currently in his second spell with River after two splendid seasons there in the 1990s, where he scored 24 goals in 53 League games.
Planet Football
Marcelo Salas says that he would like to remain with Argentinian side River Plate beyond the end of his loan spell in June. The Chile striker is on loan from Italian side Juventus but he would like to make it a permanent move in the summer.
"I feel very happy at River," said Salas. "I feel that the club wants me and they respect me, so when the moment for talking with the board members about my contract arrives I will have the best mood for staying here because I want to keep on playing for River.
"The officials have already said that they want to keep on having me in the team and that shows that they have confidence in me. For all this, I think that there will not be any problem in playing for River for a long time."
Salas says that he has settled in well back at River and is happy to be so close to his family in Chile.
"I am more calm now and I have more experience. It has been great for me to have the chance to be near my daughters, for example in the last week I travelled twice to Chile to be with them because Argentina is very near to Chile."
"I feel very well and I am ready to be the player I was a few years ago."
Zlatan's agent denies Juventus rumors
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola has moved swiftly to deny reports that the Ajax star is set for a move to Italian giants Juventus. Ibrahimovic has admitted he would love to play in Italy or Spain, but Raiola insists that there has been no contact.
"Zlatan has never said he is going to Juventus," insisted the agent to Sportbladet. "The only thing he has said is that if one of the big clubs from Italy or Spain get in touch he would of course be interested.
"It is dream to play in a league such as that some day."
Del Piero to be rested?
Juventus may drop Alex Del Piero for the Brescia tie with the crucial Deportivo La Coruna clash on the horizon.
The Bianconeri face the Lombard outfit at the weekend but Del Piero might not feature with the Champions’ League match set for Tuesday.
Juventus lost 1-0 in Spain last week and boss Marcello Lippi today tried out the Marco Di Vaio and Fabrizio Miccoli offensive partnership in training.
The two men played alongside each other in a practice game while Del Piero, Alessandro Birindelli and Gianluca Zambrotta all trained separately.
Whispers out of Turin also claim that Zambrotta won’t start on Saturday in a bid to have him fully fit against the Spaniards.
Pavel Nedved will start in midfield after he returned to training yesterday. There were doubts over his use as he was absent from Tuesday’s session.
Juventus training session
In the afternoon training session at the Sisport Center, Marcello Lippi rested Del Piero, Birindelli and Zambrotta, named Man of the Match in last weekend's game against Ancona.
The probables are Ferrara , Iuliano and Pessotto in defence, Camoranesi, Conte and Appiah in midfield, Miccoli and Di Vaio up front with supported by Nedved. The possibles are Thuram, Montero and Legrottaglie in defence, Corradini (coach), Tacchinardi, Tudor and Boudianski in midfield with Chiumiento and Palladino up front.
Five Juventus players named in FIFA's Greatest list
Current Juventus players Del Piero, Buffon, Nedved, Trezeguet and Thuram are named in FIFA's list of 120 Greatest Living Players, compiled with Brazilian legend Pele.
Other players in the list to have played for Juve recently include current Monaco coach Didier Deschamps, Arsenal forward Thierry Henry, Brescia's forward Roberto Baggio, Inter striker Christian Vieri, Real Madrid playmaker Zinedine Zidane, and midfield general Edgar Davids, on-loan at Barcelona.
Thurs 04 Mar
Zlatan hints at Italian switch
Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has admitted that he is likely to leave Ajax for an Italian club in the summer. The highly rated Swedish international has been linked with a variety of sides and a switch seems imminent.
"I will say goodbye to Ajax at the end of the season," said the 22-year-old. "This club is just a stepping stone for me in my career. I would love to play in Spain or Italy where football is not just a sport but a part of everyday life."
The striker also admitted that he had recently spoken to two of his former Ajax teammates about his future. "Both Andy Van der Meyde (Inter) and Cristian Chivu (Roma) tell me that football in Italy is the exact opposite of Holland," he added. "That will suit me as I am passionate about this game."
Ibrahimovic has been talked about as a possible target for Juventus and he seems to be a big fan of the Bianconeri. "I would say that Juventus are favourites to win the Champions’ League this term," he continued. "They are a very disciplined side who always fight until the end. In other words, an ideal club for me."
A switch to the Delle Alpi could become reality if David Trezeguet fails to agree a new contract. That would inevitably lead to a sale as his present deal ends in 2005.
Chelsea to shake up Serie A with Nedved capture
Abramovich
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has made Juventus star Pavel Nedved his priority target for the summer market. While concentrating on buying the best young players available, Abramovich sees the capture of Nedved as a major stepping stone on the way to making Chelsea Europe's biggest and most feared club.
After shaking up Real Madrid with his interest in several of their galacticos, Abramovich is now ready to bust open the Italian transfer market by prising World Player of the Year Nedved away from Juve. England boss Sven Goran Eriksson is a big admirer of Nedved and is believed to have told Abramovich to do all he can to sign the Czech Republic star.
Juve may decide to cash in on the midfield ace, as they did with Zinedine Zidane two years ago.
River want Salas deal
River Plate are keen to agree terms with Juventus in a bid to complete the signing of Marcelo Salas. The Chilean international is currently on loan with the Argentine side and is set to return to Turin in the summer. However, the South American outfit are hoping to keep ‘El Matador’ once his loan spell expires.
"Our idea is that he could remain," River Plate President Mario Israel is quoted as saying. "I’ll look to take advantage of our good relationship with Juve in order to do that." Salas has recently returned to action in Argentina after a two-month injury lay-off by scoring on Sunday.
The 30-year-old doesn’t seem to figure in Juve’s plans anymore seeing as their forward options now include David Trezeguet, Alex Del Piero, Marco Di Vaio and Fabrizio Miccoli. The Bianconeri signed Salas in 2001 for £12m from Lazio. However, his maiden Turin term saw him rupture knee ligaments that severely affected his Juve career.
Salas is currently in his second spell with River after two splendid seasons there in the 1990s, where he scored 24 goals in 53 League games.
Weds 03 Mar
Conte: More to Juve than luck
Antonio Conte
Antonio Conte denies claims that Juventus are surviving on luck alone this season after yet another disappointing performance.
“Perhaps our previous campaigns raised everyone’s expectations too much,” mused the captain, “but nobody can win convincingly all the time.”
Honorary President Umberto Agnelli caused controversy last week when suggesting that Juve reaped more than they sowed.
“He is the patron of the club and can say whatever he wants,” added Conte. “His comments were a bid to give us an extra push to improve, but it’s a long way away from saying this side is surviving on luck alone.”
Last Sunday the Bianconeri were outplayed for long periods by bottom of the table Ancona, but still emerged with a 3-0 victory that keeps them in the title chase.
“We worked very hard to win that match and I don’t think it was all down to coincidence or good fortune. You always need a little bit of luck in football, but let no-one forget the effort we all put in.”
It is ironic that Juventus should be criticised for their performances this season, as they have accumulated more points that at this stage last year – when they went on to win the Scudetto.
“For the last ten years people have said that this is the end of an era for Juventus and everyone will be sold off,” said the long-standing Bianconeri member. “Every year we roll up our sleeves and put another trophy in the cabinet.”
Juve are now the only Italian club still in the running for three objectives – the Scudetto, Champions’ League and Coppa Italia – but must recover from a 1-0 first leg defeat at Deportivo La Coruna.
“That setback did sap a little bit of confidence out of the team,” confessed the midfielder, “but we always get back on our feet. There’s a lot on our plates and it’s finally time to tuck in.”
Miccoli wants to end career at Lecce
Fabrizio Miccoli, during a television program, announced that he will be ending his career with his home town's team, Lecce. When asked about his home town, the Juve forward declared: "I'll surely end my career at Lecce."
Luis Jiménez rumors
Ternana's playmaker Luis Jiménez could join Juventus in June, according to one of the representatives of the player. The 19-year-old Chilean has scored seven goals and is considered one of Serie B's stars, in which Ternana are currently second.
"Juventus is in the advantage regarding Jiménez's future, due to the excellent relations between its leaders and those of Ternana", expressed Letterio Pine.
The Chilean is valued at about £5 million, but a deal with half that amount and a player on loan, probably Fabrizio Miccoli is being mooted. Miccoli has been a revelation in Serie A, but has limited chances of replacing either of Lippi's preferred starting pair of Del Piero and Trezeguet.
Another possibility would be that Juventus buys Jiménez and immediately loan him to Lazio in return for the services of Stefano Fiore.
Davids drops Barcelona hint
Juventus midfielder Edgar Davids has hinted he wants to sign a permanent deal with Barcelona.
AS Roma are keen to bring Davids back to Serie A, but he said: "I will decide my future later, I still have three-to-four months left before my contract expires at Juventus. But at Barcelona I am very happy and at the moment we are enjoying a very good run."
Juventus income for last season ranks second
Juventus' income last season was £145.75 million, ranking second in a list of club incomes produced by accountants Deloitte. Manchester United leads the list with £167.83 million.
Deloitte's Research List
- Manchester United £167.83m
- Juventus £145.75m
- AC Milan £133.66m
- Real Madrid £128.5m
- Bayern Munich £108.6m
- Inter Milan £108.4m
- Arsenal £99.87m
- Liverpool £99.74m
- Newcastle United £92.73m
- Chelsea £89.32m
- AS Roma £88.39m
- Borussia Dortmund £82.78m
- Barcelona £82.38m
- Schalke 04 £79.17m
- Tottenham Hotspur £63.81m
- Leeds United £61.41m
- Lazio £59.34m
- Celtic £58.07m
- Olympique Lyonnais £56.27m
- Valencia £53.73m
Tues 02 Mar
Del Piero happy with win
Alessandro Del Piero believes Juve’s 3-0 win over Ancona was exactly what was required after their Deportivo loss. The Bianconeri were heavily criticised for their lacklustre Champions’ League display last week but they returned to winning ways yesterday.
"That was the best remedy for our European Cup loss," he stated on his official website after the 1-0 first leg reverse. "We needed confirmation in ourselves and points. It probably wasn’t the best performance of the season but it helped the team to increase the faith in our ability."
Juve had ensured the points by half time after goals by Mauro Camoranesi, Fabrizio Miccoli and Del Piero.
Juventus to miss out on Fabrizo Zambrella
Meanwhile, transfer rumours suggest that the Italian outfit are set to miss out on the talented Fabrizo Zambrella. The Under-21 Swiss international midfielder, currently at Servette, is believed to be on his way to Liverpool instead of Turin.
Juventus pressing for crocked Chelsea target Rosicky
Juventus are keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund midfielder Tomas Rosicky. The Czech Republic international is seen as a natural successor to Pavel Nedved at Juve and is expected to be sold at the end of the season by BVB.
Chelsea almost signed Rosicky in January, but with no forms signed, Juve chiefs are pressing hard to hold talks with the midfielder's agent about a move to Turin. Rosicky has suffered a broken arm, but that won't put off Juve - or Chelsea.
Milan close in on Cheva
Javier Chevanton
Milan are set to raid Lecce over the summer in a bid to sign Ernesto Javier Chevanton and Cristian Daniel Ledesma.
The Uruguayan striker has been linked with the Rossoneri for some months but reports suggest that Argentine youngster Ledesma is also wanted. Chevanton is likely to join the San Siro outfit at the end of the campaign after his performances at the Via De Mare this term.
Although Roma are also interested, Cheva has admitted on more than one occasion that he would welcome a Milan move. The 23-year-old is likely to be handed a five-year deal by the Champions’ League winners according to rumours.
Ledesma, a 21-year-old midfielder, is also on Milan’s wish list. Even if the idea is to sign him but then allow him to remain with Lecce for one more season.
Lecce want a combined £14m for the two gems even if Milan are already working on getting that fee reduced. The Rossoneri are hoping to offer around £8m plus the loan services of Sam Dalla Bona and Marco Borriello.
Ternana ward suitors off Jimenez
Ternana insist they have no plans to sell highly-rated Chilean youngster Luis Jimenez. The 19-year-old has attracted the interest of a host of clubs including Manchester United, Juventus and Internazionale after an impressive season with Ternana.
Jimenez's future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months, but Ternana are keen to keep hold of him. Ternana sporting manager Stefano Capozucca revealed that Manchester United and others have watched the player and are interested in signing him.
"It's true Jimenez is eyed by a lot of teams. He's a young player who is making a really good championship," Capozucca told skysports.com. "Many teams are eyeing him, but at the moment we haven't any intention to talk about his future. We will see at the end of season.
"Atletico Madrid? Manchester United? Juventus? Inter? Yes, it's true. These are all teams that arrived here to see him playing. But I want to say that at the moment the guy is still ours, because we want to see what will happen at the end of season."
Capozucca rejected reports that they had agreed with Juventus for Jimenez, but admitted they would probably sell the midfielder should they fail to win promotion to Serie A.
"In these days I've read also that we would have sold him to Juve, it's absolutely false. We will see at the end of season. If we will stay in Serie B we will sell him, otherwise, if as we are hoping, Ternana will go to Serie A, we will surely keep him."
Mon 01 Mar
Juventus 3 - 0 Ancona
Miccoli celebrates
Despite another poor performance by the reigning Champions, Juventus continue to notch up victories. This match kicked off ten minutes late after Ancona staged a protest against late payments from pay per view satellite television station Gioco Calcio.
The Bianconeri were without Enzo Maresca, David Trezeguet and the suspended Pavel Nedved, so Marcello Lippi opted to field an unfamiliar trident attack with Fabrizio Miccoli, Alessandro Del Piero and Marco Di Vaio.
But it was winger Mauro German Camoranesi who broke the deadlock with a splendid strike. The Italian international fired in a marvellous volley from the edge of the box that slotted into the far corner. Di Vaio later wasted a good opportunity when he hesitated and allowed Sergio Marcon to recover.
However, Ancona fought back and nearly drew level when Goran Pandev's effort was deflected inches wide of the woodwork. The rest of the first half was astonishingly one-way traffic in favour of the bottom club, as Maurizio Ganz and Daniel Andersson put Gianluigi Buffon's goal under constant pressure. Just before the break Milan Rapajc took advantage of Lilian Thuram's error and volleyed just over the bar.
Juventus were playing very badly indeed, but still doubled their lead with a classic counter-attack. Di Vaio charged forward and cut across for the unmarked Miccoli to side-foot home from eight yards.
Honorary President Umberto Agnelli said this week that Juve's results are far more impressive than their style of play and it is difficult to disagree with him as they made it 3-0 before the break. Alessandro Del Piero sprung the offside trap on Alessio Tacchinardi's through ball to put the game beyond a very unlucky Ancona.
Del Piero made way for Italian-Swiss youngster David Chiumento, making his Serie A debut. Ancona refused to give in despite the damning scoreline and struck the woodwork with Goretti.
Soccernet
Juventus failed to hit peak form but still secured three vital points in their quest for a hat-trick of Serie A titles with victory over hapless Ancona. The first-half goals from Mauro Camoranesi, Fabrizio Miccoli and Alessandro Del Piero gave Juve the maximum return against the bottom team in Serie A.
Without getting out of bottom gear, the Bianconeri made light work of the Ancona side who are looking relegation certainties and have still to claim a league win since their promotion last summer. The absence of suspended Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved and injured French forward David Trezeguet forced coach Marcello Lippi to change his line-up. Lippi's decision to play with the trio of Alessandro Del Piero, Marco Di Vaio and Fabrizio Miccoli in Juve's attack paid off from the start.
The match began 10 minutes late following a demonstration by Ancona who claim they have not received TV rights payments owed to them in recent months.
Giovanni Galeone's team were hoping to surprise the Bianconeri but it was the home team who had the better start. In the seventh minute Italy international Camoranesi's powerful right-footed shot surprised goalkeeper Sergio Marcon and gave Juve an early lead.
However, Ancona were quick to react and unmarked striker Goran Pandev came close to equalising three minutes later when he fired inches wide of Gianluigi Buffon's right post.
Despite the advantage, the Bianconeri struggled in midfield and were penned back in their own half for the next 30 minutes, with Galeone's outfit calling the shots. However, Ancona's attacks gave little cause for concern for Buffon and it was Juve who struck again four minutes prior to half-time.
It was the attacking trio who allowed Juve to increase their lead. Del Piero's cross found Di Vaio who ran past Ancona's defence and crossed the ball towards an unmarked Miccoli. His clever first-touch finish beat Marcon. The Bianconeri further increased their lead five minutes later as Miccoli played the ball inside the box where Alessio Tacchinardi fed Del Piero who did not fail from inside the box.
Despite Juve's emphatic lead at the re-start, Ancona were determined to continue pressing forward. In the 11th minute of the second period, Maurizio Ganz could have reduced the deficit, but his powerful shot on target was saved by Buffon.
Four minutes later, Lippi made his first substitution with Del Piero making way for Serie A debutant David Chiumiento. Ancona could have netted a consolation goal six minutes prior to the end, but Roberto Goretti's powerful shot came back off the post after beating Buffon.
Sun 29 Feb
Nedved: Eriksson is moving to Chelsea
England boss Sven Goran Eriksson has told Juventus star Pavel Nedved that he is joining Chelsea in the summer. The News of the World quotes Nedved, who is a major target for Chelsea, revealing that Eriksson has told him he will leave his job with England after the European Championships to take on the manager's post at Stamford Bridge.
Barca zoom in on Zambrotta
Barcelona are said to be very interested in bringing versatile Juve star Gianluca Zambrotta to the Nou Camp. Reports in Spain suggest that the issue was raised during negotiations over Edgar Davids’ January switch. Directors Rosell and Beguiristain were in Turin to work out the final details on Jan 9 when they showed interest in signing the former Bari star.
Zambrotta’s career took an important twist last year when Coach Marcello Lippi switched his position from the right side of midfield that of left-back. He has since excelled in this new role for both Juventus and the Italian national side, including a fine performance against Barcelona in last season’s Champions’ League.
It is reported that the Blaugrana are willing to offer winger Gabri and Brazilian midfielder Motta as part of the deal.
Zambrotta’s current contract with Juventus expires in 2005, but he is in negotiations to extend for another three years. If that deal is not sealed before the start of the next campaign, then the club could opt to cash in rather than lose him for free at the end of that season.
Tribalfootball
Barcelona are in talks with Juventus over wing-back Gianluca Zambrotta. It has been confirmed Barca asked after the Italian international during January talks over the loan of Edgar Davids. Zambrotta's contract expires in 2005, though Juve are keen to secure him to a new deal keeping the Italian in Turin until 2008.
Barca chiefs want to strengthen the left-side of their midfield and have Zambrotta and AS Monaco star Patrice Evra on their shortlist.
Juventus prepare for major clean-out
Three Juventus stalwarts will be shown the door at the end of a disappointing season in Turin. Defensive pair Mark Iuliano and Paolo Montero and midfielder Antonio Conte are all coming off contract and unlikely to be offered new deals after a poor domestic campaign.
Question marks also remain over the future of coach Marcello Lippi, with AS Monaco's Didier Deschamps, ex-Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli and Parma's Cesare Prandelli all being linked with a move to Turin at the end of the season.
Man Utd ahead of Inter Milan, Juventus in Deco race
Manchester United have stolen a march on Italian clubs in the race for Porto playmaker Deco.
The Portuguese international is ready to leave Porto at the end of the season and has attracted enquiries from Inter Milan and Juventus. But United have taken advantage of their Champions League tie with Porto by opening talks over Deco. It's understood United are prepared to offer £20 million for the midfield ace.
Lippi unveils trident attack
Marcello Lippi unveils a new three-pronged strike force against bottom of the table Ancona as Juve seek to improve their form. With David Trezeguet and Enzo Maresca injured, plus Pavel Nedved suspended, the Coach will field Alessandro Del Piero, Marco Di Vaio and Fabrizio Miccoli together from the start.
“Up until now they have only played together once and didn’t do terribly well,” he said of the 1-1 draw at Lecce. “They know that we need 100 per cent from everyone, as Ancona already held Roma here a few weeks ago and could repeat that performance against us.”
Juventus are still in the chase for the Scudetto, Champions’ League and Coppa Italia, but recent poor performances have seen them bitterly criticised in the press. Even Honorary President Umberto Agnelli admitted this week he was “unimpressed” with the style of play in the 1-0 defeat at Deportivo La Coruna.
“Agnelli said the same things to me on the telephone,” insisted Lippi, “and if anything it was a compliment. Considering the sheer number of injuries, the fact we are still able to compete for all trophies is something to be applauded.”
The rotation system will have to wait after Maresca and Trezeguet were ruled out for five to six weeks with a fractured vertebra and torn shoulder ligament respectively. Igor Tudor is also sidelined with continuing fitness problems.
“I prefer to see the glass as half full,” said the ever-optimistic tactician. “I only have 16 first team players at my disposal, but it would only be a real issue if there were several different injuries in one area of the squad.”
“From now on all the members of this team will get exactly what they wanted – to play in every game. Many times stars got annoyed when they were left on the bench,” revealed Lippi, “but that will no longer be an issue.”
The experienced Coach did not name names, but it has been suggested in the press that Di Vaio and Trezeguet were particularly irritated by the squad rotation policy.
Lippi to lead Libya?
Controversial Perugia figure Al-Saadi Gheddafi has offered Marcello Lippi the opportunity to Coach Libya’s national side.
“I will soon meet up with Lippi and try to convince him that Libya have a long-term project,” the midfielder was quoted as saying in ‘Tuttosport’ newspaper. “I’d love it to be him in charge when leading this team to the 2010 World Cup. I’ll offer a five-year contract that no other African side can afford.”
This certainly would not be the first time that the Libyan national side hired an Italian Coach, as ex-Genoa chief Franco Scoglio walked out two years ago. At the time Scoglio maintained it was because he refused to field Gheddafi – the son of the Libyan leader – in every game.
It has long been reported that Lippi’s time at Juventus is coming to an end and his contract expires in 2005. The split could even take place this summer after Honorary President Umberto Agnelli bitterly criticised their performances this week.
The replacement on the Delle Alpi bench has reportedly already been lined up, as former Juve player and current Monaco Coach Didier Deschamps confessed it would be “a dream come true."
Moggi welcomes enquiry
Juventus director general Luciano Moggi has welcomed the police enquiry into the finances of Italian football clubs. “This move will lead to the truth,” said the transfer guru. “I hope that everything will emerge the right way, but any detailed look at the books must give a real picture of football at this time.”
Italy’s financial police staged a swoop on all Serie A and B clubs to look at their paperwork on Thursday. The move comes after months of controversy regarding what Moggi dubbed ‘financial doping’. The state of calcio’s finances has been under strict examination since the scandals at Fiorentina, Parma and Lazio.
“I have said a hundred times in League meetings that we couldn’t carry on like this,” added Bologna President Giuseppe Gazzoni Frascara, “but nobody listened to me. Evidently the financial police did.”
However, he admits that the move has not allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief.
“I do not feel happy with this at all, as I am said it has come to this. Someone may look at me as a whistle blower, but many people have stopped me in the street and shown support for my campaign."
Sat 28 Feb
Agnelli unimpressed by Juve
Honorary Juventus President Umberto Agnelli has surprisingly criticised Marcello Lippi’s side. The Old Lady are still in the Scudetto and the Champions’ League race, as well as reaching the Coppa Italia Final, but the FIAT chief isn’t happy.
"In some ways, our results are a lot better than the way we are actually playing," he stated on Friday. "Juventus have had many good years but this term we aren’t having much luck because of injuries and the side just isn’t playing well."
Although the reigning Italian champions are still in contention for all the major honours there are clear signs of difficulty. They are six points behind leaders Milan in the League and also a point behind a very exciting Roma side. Their European Cup progression is also in jeopardy after their desperate performance on Wednesday when they lost 1-0 at Deportivo La Coruna.
On the injury front, David Trezeguet could be out for the next five weeks, while Del Piero missed most of the first half of the season with a thigh problem. The Juventus defence has also been put on trial this term after conceding 25 goals in 22 games so far this season.
