Tuesday 16 March
Kapo agrees Juve deal
Auxerre striker Olivier Kapo has signed a four-year
deal with Juventus according to reports in France. The highly
respected France Football magazine claims that the Ivory Coast ace
just needs to complete a medical.
The 23-year-old will cost the Italian giants nothing as his contract with his French club expires at the end of the season. Kapo has netted just one goal in 21 League games for Auxerre this term.
Should the Italian side confirm his proposed arrival, then the Bianconeri would then be expected to sell one of their forwards. The most likely candidates at this stage are either Marcelo Zalayeta, on loan at Perugia, David Trezeguet or Marco Di Vaio.
No Juve talks for Zlatan
Juventus are not in negotiations with Ajax ace Zlatan Ibrahimovic, according to the player’s agent. The Swedish youngster has been heavily linked with the Bianconeri but no talks have taken place despite rumours insisting that the player is wanted.
"Zlatan is not in contact with Juventus," Mino Raiola is quoted as saying. "Even if we wouldn’t hesitate to discuss a move if they approached us."
Ibrahimovic has been associated with a number of Europe’s top outfits and Raiola claims other clubs have approached him. "Zlatan has already received two offers which he has turned down," added the representative. "But my man doesn’t intend to stay with Ajax past 2006."
Another striker that has been linked with a summer move to Turin is Giacomo Cipriani of Sampdoria. The former Under-21 international is part owned by the Bianconeri and Bologna but is enjoying his loan stint with Doria.
"I want to stay here," he stated. "I do have Bologna in my heart but I would love to remain in Genoa. That is also because I wouldn’t get a game at Juventus."
Juve duo give up the chase
Gianluigi Buffon and Pavel Nedved have admitted that Juventus are now out of the Scudetto race. The Bianconeri lost 3-1 to Milan last night which leaves them a massive nine points behind the Rossoneri.
"Everything has been ruined in a matter of months," said the goalkeeper. "It hasn’t been a bad season for us but we are behind in the League and out of Europe."
Juventus did put up a brave fight against Milan but the away side comfortably deserved the victory.
"We did well in the first half but we were unable to take advantage of our chances," added Buffon. "We tried our best and thought we could get a good result. That didn’t happen though. We now have the Coppa Italia Final to concentrate on."
Even Pavel Nedved, admired for his fighting spirit, seems to have waved the white flag after the defeat.
"We did what we could but it wasn’t enough," said the European Footballer of the Year. "Our morale is not the best. It has become tremendously difficult for us now, perhaps impossible. Now we just need to think about the Coppa."
The Old Lady travel to Lazio on Wednesday in the first leg of the Italian Cup Final.
Del Neri cools Juve link
Chievo’s Gigi Del Neri has cooled speculation that he could become the next Coach of Italian giants Juventus. Current boss Marcello Lippi is being tipped to take charge of Italy next term, which has seen Del Neri associated with the post.
"These sorts of stories appear every March but then I always remain at Chievo," said the tactician. "I’ll probably stay in Verona this year too. But it is nice to have your name mentioned as it means you are doing well. I’m honoured to have been linked but that is the only comment that I can make because these are just rumours and nothing more."
Del Neri has caught the eye of many top clubs after his exploits with the Flying Donkeys over the last few seasons. He is likely to be considered for the job, even if Juventus do have a number of other possible options.
The first is Monaco boss Didier Deschamps who played for the Bianconeri under Lippi in the late 1990s. Parma’s Cesare Prandelli, another former Juve player, is reportedly liked after his excellent work at the Stadio Tardini. Ex Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli is also a contender, even if his absence from the game in recent years is a handicap.
Lippi Future Uncertain
Planet Football
Marcello Lippi has offered his broadest hint yet that he could be leaving Juventus at the end of the season. Lippi has been widely tipped to take over the Italian national job after the European Championship, with current incumbent Giovanni Trapattoni expected to stand down.
Juventus' exit from the UEFA Champions League has accelerated the rumours of a split - and Lippi has not quelled them with his most recent comments.
"When you lose certain rumours are unavoidable," said Lippi. "I am used to this and so are the team and for the moment I will concentrate on the task in hand.
"At the end of the season I will discuss matters with the club's management to see what they have decided. What lies ahead is not decided, but I have a clear idea."
Juventus' general manager Luciano Moggi has already insisted that Lippi will be handed a new contract if he wants it - and he dismissed the mounting speculation.
"When Juve win they are submerged in compliments," said Moggi. "But when they lose they are submerged with criticism. There is never a right measure - but when we lost to Deportivo I think it was beautiful that the fans applauded the players for their efforts."
Prandelli favourite to replace Lippi
Yahoo! Sport Italia
Parma's Cesare Prandelli is favourite to replace Marcello Lippi, who is rumored to take over the Italian National Squad when Trappatoni quits after Euro 2004. Juventus will also seek to obtain Parma's Daniele Bonera, Matteo Ferrari and Mark Marchionni. Other rumors include Milan's Kahka Kaladze and Massimo Ambrosini, thought Milan are unwilling to trade.
Juventus are rumored to be looking to make deals involving Lillian Thuram, Pavel Nedved and Igor Tudor. Thuram is said to be interested in a move to either Manchester United or Chelsea, while Nedved has been continually linked with Roman Abromavich's Chelsea.
There are already reports of Tudor being offered in a part-exchange deal for the Ajax pair of Ibrahimovic and Trabelsi. Stephen Appiah is linked with a return to Parma, while Di Vaio might leave for Lazio, supposedly to free enough salary to extend Trezeguet's contract.
Juventus scouted Olympiakos star Castillo yesterday
Tribal Football.com
Juventus had a scout in the stands to watch Olympiakos striker Juan Castillo against AEK yesterday. The Uruguay international is a major target for Juve and preliminary talks have already been held between the two clubs.
Juve were trying to step up negotiations in Athens last week, but Olympiakos officials told the Italian giants to wait until Sunday's game was over. The Greeks do not want to seriously discuss Castillo's future until after the April 18 clash with Panathinakos.
Monday 15 March
Juventus 1 Milan 3
Milan have one hand on the Scudetto after hammering Juventus on their own turf with a Clarence Seedorf brace.
The Rossoneri break away at the top of the table following Roma's surprise stalemate at Reggina this afternoon, but their record at the Delle Alpi was poor having lost their last four trips to Turin. This is their first victory away to Juve since 1999.
It has been a harrowing week for Juventus, as they were eliminated from the Champions' League and lost Alex Del Piero, David Trezeguet, Enzo Maresca, Mark Iuliano, Gianluca Zambrotta and Alessandro Birindelli to injury.
Marco Di Vaio therefore started upfront with support from Pavel Nedved - the only two 100 per cent fit forwards.
Juventus had the first scoring opportunity after three minutes when Stephan Appiah's cross found the head of Pavel Nedved, but his effort whistled wide of the near post.
The Bianconeri were more confident in the opening stages and Alessio Tacchinardi's fierce drive stung Dida's palms, then Nedved nodded off target and the goalkeeper was secure on Mauro Camoranesi's follow-up.
There was bad news for Milan as after just 12 minutes Alessandro Nesta pulled up with a muscular problem and was replaced by Alessandro Costacurta. The defender has only just returned from a thigh strain and was not taking any risks.
The visitors hit back and an intelligent Clarence Seedorf cutback found Kaka' completely unmarked just inside the box, but Gianluigi Buffon palmed his effort over the bar.
Carlo Ancelotti's men gradually increased the pressure and Andriy Shevchenko's deflected free kick went wide of the near post.
But it was a more open game during this first half and Nedved blasted one of his trademark piledrivers just past the upright. Soon after Seedorf's weak attempt was off target after some great approach play from Shevchenko.
It was Milan who eventually broke the deadlock after 25 minutes and Shevchenko finally ended his Serie A goal drought. Seedorf was the provider this time, a curling cross finding the head of Shevchenko from eight yards.
Juventus had the chance to get right back in it moments later, but Tacchinardi ballooned his shot horribly wide from a great position.
But Shevchenko also went close when he chested down a Marcos Cafu cross and fired over the bar, then soon after wasted another good scoring opportunity on the counter-attack.
Juve had a solid start to the second half, but should have been 2-0 down on 53 minutes. Pippo Inzaghi sprung the offside trap and went round Buffon, but the former Bianconeri hero incredibly fired wide of a completely open goal.
Marcello Lippi needed to take risks and threw on pacey forward Fabrizio Miccoli, who was suffering from a slight muscular problem this week.
But it was Milan who doubled their lead with a large slice of good fortune to help them out. Seedorf's hopeful effort from 25 metres took a decisive deflection off Ciro Ferrara to leave Buffon stranded.
Di Vaio nearly got Juve back into it immediately as the defence desperately scrambled clear.
Massimo Ambrosini replaced Inzaghi, but Shevchenko could have made it three when his free header was off target from Cafu's cross.
The belief visibly drained away from Juventus and Milan plunged another knife into the wound with a third goal on the counter-attack. Cafu cut back for the unmarked Seedorf and his low drive beat Buffon - this time without the need for a deflection.
Juve did grab a consolation goal ten minutes from time when Ciro Ferrara volleyed in a corner kick, extending their record of scoring in their last 42 consecutive home games.
That strike gave his teammates the confidence to push forward in the final minutes and Camoranesi's dipping volley gave Dida a scare, while Miccoli's effort took a cruel deflection wide.
Lippi raises the white flag
Marcello Lippi admits the Scudetto has sailed away, while Carlo Ancelotti explains what has changed at Milan from last season.
"This team certainly didn’t do anything wrong and created plenty of chances tonight," said Lippi after their 3-1 home defeat, "but we were a little unlucky both with our efforts and Clarence Seedorf’s deflected goal."
The Bianconeri have been lacking confidence of late, but poured forward in the final minutes in search of another strike.
"There was a definite desire to get back into the game and they fought until the final whistle with a great deal of belief."
"Clearly we are suffering the effects of losing so many strikers to injury and a packed fixture list is making things even more difficult."
"All we can do is accept the defeat and move on now, but credit also goes to Milan for a great performance."
The Rossoneri are now seven points clear at the top of the table - nine points ahead of reigning Champioooons Juventus - and are moving towards the title.
"Our objective now is to end the season in second place," confessed Lippi, "but admittedly a nine-point gap is too much to make up now."
"We also have the Coppa Italia Final against Lazio and that is an important trophy we can aim for."
The Bianconeri were without a host of injured players including Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet, Enzo Maresca and Gianluca Zambrotta.
"It was a great shame to be eliminated from the Champions’ League, but I have been here for eight years and we won a major trophy in six of them. One season without that kind of triumph is only to be expected."
"Our only regret is to go into this crucial stage of the campaign without so many star players."
Carlo Ancelotti has taken an important step towards the Scudetto by beating Juve - the club that fired him because he didn’t win the title.
"Juventus did very well, especially in the first half, and from this performance I’d say they are far from dead and buried," assured the Coach.
Clarence Seedorf has improved in leaps and bounds, but the tactician refused to pinpoint single players for praise.
"When the team gets so many points then we can’t just look at a few individuals. The whole squad works hard together and I love training them."
Milan seem nigh on irresistible at the moment, beating Inter, Lazio and Juventus over the last few weeks.
"This was a very important result, especially as we managed to beat most of the big teams in a short space of time."
"Our secret right now is that we can defend when needed and hold on to leads, but the main difference from last season is that we can turn up the tempo."
Milan fell apart at this stage of the Serie A campaign last season, but are far more athletically fit than their colleagues right now.
"We were a bit more careful to spread out our energies during the first six months," revealed Ancelotti, "and that allowed us to remain fresh even now."
Sunday 14 March
Ibrahimovic rejects Ajax offer
Planet Football
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has rejected Ajax's offer to extend his contract with the club.
The Amsterdam outfit were keen to tie the young Swede to a long-term contract, but it appears that the prospect of a move to Italy has prevented them from securing their deal.
"Zlatan has had two different offers from Ajax that he has rejected," revealed agent Mino Raiola to Sportbladet.
"We are not prepared to extend beyond 2006. Whatever happens he will not stay at Ajax after that. By then he will have been at Ajax for five years and that is long enough."
Rumours of a move to Italy, and specifically Juventus have surfaced several times, but Raiola insists that nothing has happened - for now.
"I am not negotiating with Juventus at the moment. Should the opportunity to negotiate with Juve arise - I would not hesitate to do so."
Gunners back on Tiago trail
Planet Football
Arsenal are back on the trail of Benfica's
outstanding young midfielder Tiago, but Juventus have also
rekindled their interest.
The Gunners were first linked at the beginning of 2003 when there was a question mark remaining over the future of Patrick Vieira.
The French midfielder has since committed himself to Arsenal, but Arsene Wenger has again been alerted to Tiago's good form.
Both Arsenal and Juventus are believed to have been represented at Estadio da Luz on Thursday when Benfica drew 0-0 with Internazionale in the Uefa Cup - with Tiago one of the outstanding performers on the evening.
The 22-year-old has emerged as one of the best talents, despite the fact Benfica are struggling to keep up with rivals Sporting Lisbon and Porto.
Benfica stated last year that they wanted around £10 million and that price tag is unlikely to have changed much.
Arsenal have already shown with the signing of Jose Antonio Reyes that they will scour the world for the best footballing talent and will pay whatever they feel is right for him.
Juve, along with Italian rivals Milan and Internazionale are maintaining a strong interest - while Spanish giants Barcelona almost signed him at the beginning of the season.
Benfica told Barca that they would let Tiago leave in exchange for Gerard - but the Catalan giants refused those terms and so the status quo remained.
Should Tiago have a good Euro 2004 - then a renewed battle for his signature could commence.
Coaches flattered by Juventus link
Planet Football
Despite Juventus' insistence that Marcello Lippi will remain in charge next year, the speculation about who could come in should the tactician be handed the Italian national job is mounting.
Lippi has been told that he can remain in charge at the Turin club, but should he leave the press believe that a shortlist would included the likes of Chievo's Luigi Del Neri, former Chelsea men Gianluca Vialli and Didier Deschamps or Cesare Prandelli could be in the frame.
Monaco coach Deschamps is insistent that he does not want to look disrespectful by commenting on the rumours, but did admit he was flattered to be linked with the club he spent so long with as a player.
"I'd prefer not to talk about Juve," Deschamps told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I must respect my team and players and also Lippi - who has a contract just as I have.
"I know that there are some people in Turin who hold me in high regard. I spent five years there - the best of my career - and they allowed me to become an important player.
"I do talk to [Juve general manager] Luciano Moggi sometimes but not often and we have never spoken about certain things."
Another man flattered but not prepared to comment further was Del Neri - who has worked wonders with The Flying Donkeys.
"I think it is far too soon to even think about these things, but I am flattered," said Del Neri. "The rumours suggest that many people admire my work but I won't be getting excited yet!"
Juventus chief in talks with Robinho's agent
Tribal Football
Juventus GM Luciano
Moggi has held talks with the agent of Santos winger Robinho.
The Brazilian international is also a big money target for Barcelona, but Moggi has already met with the youngster's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, in recent days.
Santos are prepared to sell the 19 year-old this year, but have already turned down an £8 million bid from Inter Milan, with the board deeming it too low for the exciting attacker.
Iuliano to become a father
Soccerage
Mark Iuliano might not be passing through a great professional moment, after he has been sidelined for an injury, Juventus have been eliminated from the Champions League and the defensive department in which he plays has been targetted as the reason for the bianconeri's problems.
However the Juve defender's personal life is on a high as his gf, an ex tv showgirl on popular Italian show 'Passaparola', will give birth to his first child which has stirred different emotions in him.
"I can't wait to become a dad," said Iuliano. "It is a great emotion and I usually don't get excited easily. It's something that everyone should feel. It means different contrasting emotions: happiness, tenderness, but also fear and anxiety because my life is going to change."
Lippi: Juve will show mettle
Planet Football
Juventus coach Marcello Lippi is in confident mood ahead of the key Serie A clash against Milan on Sunday. Milan have established a gap at the top of Serie A, but a victory for Juve would put the Turin side right back in the hunt for the title.
"They are a really big team, but a win would cut the gap back to three points," said Lippi.
Juventus bowed out of Europe in midweek, but Lippi insists that his team are already refocused.
"My team always come to the fore in difficult times," said Lippi. "We are facing a team that are at the top of their game both physically and mentally and we are hoping they underestimate us.
"That is unlikely, but I think the knowledge that a loss would make it very difficult for us to catch them will spur us on. We will try to beat them knowing they have struggled against us in the past."
Lippi: Milan still fear us
Marcello Lippi maintains Juventus are ready to see off the leaders despite being at the centre of an injury crisis as Enzo Maresca also drops out.
"Milan are a brilliant team," assured the Coach, "but if we beat them on Sunday evening the gap will be just three points. We are ready to win this even in these difficult conditions."
Lippi could be forced to field an experimental front two of Marco Di Vaio and Pavel Nedved - the only forwards who are 100 per cent fit. Fabrizio Miccoli and Igor Tudor have been included in the squad, but Enzo Maresca drops out with a back problem.
"Despite the many players out injured," added the tactician, "Milan still fear us. I’d be worried if they didn’t."
The Bianconeri go into this game almost as underdogs following their shock Champions’ League exit to Deportivo La Coruna midweek. "It isn’t an easy time for us," he confessed, "and that European defeat really hurt us. We must try to boost our confidence and this is the perfect opportunity for that."
Many pundits claim this will be Lippi’s final year in charge of Juventus after once more failing to lift the Champions’ League trophy. "I don’t believe this is the end of an era for the club. After all, with a win we’d be only three points behind a team that is shattering Serie A records this season, so it’s not as if we’re doing that badly."
In fact, the Turin giants have more points than they did at this stage last year - when they went on to win the Scudetto. "A year without a trophy is not a disaster and it can happen to the best of us," concluded Lippi.
Tacchi: Title within our reach
Alessio Tacchinardi believes that Juventus can earn a third successive Scudetto if they beat Milan in Turin. "Do not forget that if we win on Sunday then we’ll just be three points off the leaders," noted the midfielder in a press conference. "The title is certainly not out of our reach."
Morale is low at the club after their shock midweek exit from the Champions’ League, losing both legs to Deportivo La Coruna. "Everyone must accept responsibility for that setback," assured Tacchinardi. "That includes those who made the transfer policy, the fitness Coaches, Marcello Lippi’s choices and the players who didn’t perform. If something goes wrong then everyone is to blame."
He is one of the only stars to have escaped the recent injury crisis, but maintains "we will not hold on to that as an alibi."
"We all believed we could win the Champions’ League and clearly going out is a big disappointment for us, the club and our fans."
The turning point of their campaign could be tomorrow evening when Milan travel to the Delle Alpi. "We can still kickstart our season," concluded Tacchinardi, "but only if we confirm that the Juventus team spirit is once again our secret weapon. Defeat would rule us out of the title chase, a draw would be worth little, but a win means a whole new campaign begins."
The Bianconeri will be without Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet, Gianluca Zambrotta, Alessandro Birindelli, Mark Iuliano and possibly Enzo Maresca. Fabrizio Miccoli suffered a slight muscular problem during the Deportivo game, but is expected to recover in time for Sunday evening.
Juventus-Milan Preview
Juventus are the only big club Milan have failed to beat this season, but the Bianconeri could blow the Scudetto race wide open.
The Rossoneri’s record in Turin is very poor, as they have lost their last four trips to the Delle Alpi, scoring just twice. The last Milan victory here was a 2-0 drubbing in 1999, when George Weah completed the scoring. There has not been a draw in this fixture since 1996 with a total of 18 goals netted between them in those six encounters. The most humiliating setback here was a 4-1 defeat for the San Siro giants in 1998, while there was a spectacular 5-4 victory for the visitors in 1958 and another 4-3 win two years later. But the record for the most impressive result goes to Milan with a 7-1 drubbing of their rivals on home turf in February 1950.
Six points separate the top three teams going into this game and whatever the result it is bound to be a turning point in the campaign. Carlo Ancelotti and Pippo Inzaghi come face to face with their former club after their 1-1 draw at the San Siro. The last year has seen several high-profile clashes between these sides, including the Champions’ League Final for Milan and an Italian Supercup going to Juventus.
The Rossoneri show no signs of slowing down their record-breaking pace and it is the away record that most impresses with nine wins and three draws. To this date in all competitions, only Lazio have got the better of them on their travels in the Coppa Italia semi-final. Inzaghi marked his comeback from injury with a goal and should partner Andriy Shevchenko from the start, with able support from fellow scorer Kaka.
Marcello Lippi has some serious injury worries ahead of this clash. Enzo Maresca, David Trezeguet, Alex Del Piero and Igor Tudor are definitely ruled out, while doubts continue to hang over Mark Iuliano, Gianluca Zambrotta and Alessandro Birindelli. It looks as if Nicola Legrottaglie will again be given the nod in central defence - surely the weakest area of the squad. They may have shown character to fight back from 2-0 down to beat Brescia 3-2 last week, but it took their defensive tally to 27 goals in 24 matches. This same side only conceded 27 goals throughout all of the 2000-01 season.
Having lost in the Champions’ League on Tuesday to Deportivo, another defeat against Milan would surely leave them with just the Coppa Italia to play for this season.
Soccernet
Playing an AC Milan side at the height of its powers is a daunting enough task for a club at full-strength, so a team missing several key players through injury as they prepare to take on the Serie A leaders must be tempted to throw in the towel.
Juventus are unlikely to take such drastic action, but coach Marcello Lippi must be wondering how his team can hope to defeat the Rossoneri when they are handicapped by such a lengthy injury list.
The Bianconeri's morale is in their boots after making such a tame exit from the Champions League in midweek. Juve lost 1-0 at home to Deportivo La Coruna, completing a 2-0 aggregate win for the Spaniards, and produced such an ineffective performance that there were even murmurings about Lippi's future in Turin.
Although they are third in Serie A, six points adrift of Milan, Lippi's men have rarely hit form this season, although they have not been helped by the injury situation.
Juve could be without five Italy internationals - Alessandro Del Piero (calf), Fabrizio Miccoli (calf), Gianluca Zambrotta (thigh), Mark Iuliano (thigh) and Alessandro Birindelli (thigh) - as well as France striker David Trezeguet, whose dislocated shoulder has yet to heal.
Miccoli could recover in time for Sunday night's showdown at the Stadio Delle Alpi, but if he does not then Lippi is likely to opt for a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Pavel Nedved operating just behind lone striker Marco Di Vaio.
"Tuesday night's game [against Depor] went wrong in every sense," admitted Lippi. But now we must put that behind us and concentrate on the game against Milan. This team has always had the capacity to put major disappointments to one side and to continue."
By contrast, Milan are flying at present and they travel to Turin favourites to seal another victory that will enhance their chances of claiming their first Scudetto since 1999.
The Rossoneri moved into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Sparta Prague in midweek, and now face Juve's conquerors Deportivo in the last eight.
But before those ties Milan will aim to strengthen their grip on domestic matters and boss Carlo Ancelotti is expected to have a full-strength squad to choose from for the encounter with Juve.
Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf has recovered from the knock that kept him out of the victory over Sparta and is expected to return to the starting line-up, probably at the expense of Massimo Ambrosini.
Juve will have to pay close attention to old-boy Filippo Inzaghi, who has returned from injury and looks to be running into form nicely with two goals in his last two matches, as well as Serie A top scorer Andriy Shevchenko.
"Sheva" struck twice to sink Sparta in midweek, and has warned his team-mates to expect an extremely fired-up Juve side. "It was a big psychological setback for them, to lose to Deportivo," he said. "Now, however, they will do everything in their power to beat us."
Saturday 13 March
Nedved plots Milan downfall
Pavel Nedved is sure that Juventus will open up the Scudetto race by beating Milan on Sunday. The two teams meet at the Stadio Delle Alpi and the Czech star insists his men can move to within three points of the leaders.
"We will make life tough for Milan," said the European Footballer of the Year. "It’s always dangerous to make predictions but we will blow the championship race wide open."
Not many are backing Juve for victory in Week 25 given their Champions’ League exit and numerous problems. The Bianconeri are set to be without Trezeguet, Iuliano, Zambrotta, Birindelli and Del Piero because of injury. Fabrizio Miccoli is also a doubt.
"We are Juventus and we never give in," added the midfielder. "Milan will play their possession football but we will look to take advantage of our natural instincts. They are better than us technically, but we will look to beat them with our power and passion. I hope it will be enough."
Which Milan players have most impressed the international star this term? "I like Kaka, who along with Antonio Cassano of Roma, has been a revelation," he explained. "They also have Alessandro Nesta, my former teammate at Lazio, who is a monster in defence."
Nedved may be fielded behind an unusual strike pair of Marco Di Vaio and Mauro Camoranesi given Juve’s problems in attack.
Collina to ref Turin showdown
Pierluigi Collina has been chosen to officiate in Sunday’s Scudetto showdown between Juventus and Milan. The World Cup Final referee is rarely paired with the Bianconeri following some controversial decisions and the Turin giants have not won a Serie A game with him in charge since December 2000.
His total record with Juve is of 10 wins, nine draws and eight defeats, while Milan have a more comforting tally of 13 victories, 16 draws and just seven setbacks. Collina has already taken charge of this encounter once this season, when Juventus won the Italian Supercup on penalties in August.
Juventus offer Tudor for Ajax pair
Tribal Football
Juventus' chase for Ajax pair Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Hatem Trabelsi is hotting up. The two clubs have already met to discuss the futures of the Ajax duo and Juve chief Luciano Moggi is confident of beating a host of European rivals for their signatures.
Ajax are believed to be encouraged by Juve's preliminary offer of a cash-plus-player exchange involving Croatia international defender Igor Tudor. It's understood Tudor would welcome a move to Amsterdam, where he would be guaranteed regular first team action.
