Stevan Jovetic has refused to commit his future to Fiorentina just hours after scoring both goals in a famous 2-0 victory over Liverpool in the Champions League.
The 19-year-old Montenegro international has scored six goals this season and three of those have come in Europe's premier club competition.
Jovetic has already received compliments from Real Madrid Coach Manuel Pellegrini and is attracting interest from Juventus and Manchester United.
Earlier this week, his agent acknowledged that a number of clubs are queuing up to sign him, but also reassured Fiorentina fans that his client is focused on the Viola.
Asked about his future in an interview with TuttoMercatoWeb, Jovetic replied: “I don't know anything. We'll see.
“I am very happy. I have a lot more continuity than last year when I had to adjust to my new surroundings. The goals aren't important to me, Fiorentina are,” he concluded.
Jovetic has a five-year contract with the Viola, which expires in 2014. The club is said to be preparing a new deal both to satisfy the player and to ensure they get a good fee from any potential transfer.[football-italia.net]
Two of European football's great names go head to head again on Matchday 2 when FC Bayern Münich meet Juventus in Group A. The sides experienced mixed fortunes in their opening games, Bayern winning 3-0 at Maccabi Haifa FC while Juve drew 1-1 at home by FC Girondins de Bordeaux.
Previous meetings
• This is the fifth encounter between the sides, who met previously in the UEFA Champions League group stage in 2004/05 and 2005/06.
• Juventus recorded 1-0 wins home and away against Bayern in 2004/05. The Bianconeri prevailed in Munich on 3 November 2004 through a 90th-minute goal by Alessandro Del Piero. It was the last time Bayern lost at home in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
• The teams traded 2-1 home victories when they met the following season. Sebastian Deisler and Martín Demichelis struck first-half goals when Bayern beat Juventus in Munich on 18 October 2005, Zlatan Ibrahimović replying late on for the visitors.
Bayern Munich vs Juventus results predictions:
UEFA Champions league results score 0-1 for Juventus
AC Milan coach Leonardo has appealed to Rossoneri supporters not to give up on his struggling outfit.
The sale of Kaka to Real Madrid and the departure of coach Carlo Ancelotti to Chelsea has been followed by a woeful start to the season, with Sunday's goalless home draw against newly-promoted Bari leaving Milan 11th in the standings.
Just 34,000 fans turned up at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium to watch Milan on Sunday and many booed at the end of the game.
"We are struggling psychologically although our team has the experience to react," Leonardo said.
"We hope that more fans can turn up to the stadium, the team needs their support."
Fiorentina are moving into the future by removing stadium ‘cages’ and building a new state of the art stadium complex.
Patrons Diego and Andrea Della Valle had threatened to quit the club if their proposals to build a ‘Cittadella Viola’ did not get the go-ahead from the local council, but it seems on Thursday those plans could be approved.
Mayor Renzi is set to give the all-clear for work to begin in the Castello area towards the north of the city, close to the airport.
The 300m Euro project includes a new stadium inspired by the Allianz Arena in Munich, hotels, parking lots, a theme park dedicated to football and a museum of modern art.
Meanwhile, Fiorentina are already making changes inside the Stadio Franchi for tomorrow night’s match with Sampdoria.
They will remove the metal nets known as the ‘cage’ separating the away fans from the pitch. These are common in every Italian stadium and cause visibility problems, but were considered a necessary safety feature.
The final objective is to have a Premiership-style arena with no barriers between the crowd and the field.
Alejandro Mazzoni, the agent of Argentinian striker Ezequiel Lavezzi, says his client would be willing to stay at Napoli even if they don't qualify for Europe.
Lavezzi was at war with the club in the summer as they allegedly reneged on an agreement to raise his salary.
The 24-year-old left early for his holidays, irking Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis who put Lavezzi in his place during pre-season training, telling him that he wouldn't be held hostage by a mercenary.
'El Pocho' attracted interest from Juventus, but an offer never materialised.
Asked if his client would commit to Napoli even if they miss out on Europe next season, Mazzoni replied: “For Lavezzi there wouldn't be any problem in staying here. He is part of the Napoli project. Not playing in the Europa League wouldn't be a dilemma.”
Mazzoni went on to imply that Lavezzi has put all his issues with the club behind him.
“Lavezzi is fine. He prepared himself well at the club's training camp in Austria and I believe that he will have a great season,” Mazzoni told Radio Kiss Kiss.
Asked about his position on the pitch, Mazzoni said: “When he plays further forward Lavezzi is decisive. To me, he seems a lot more dangerous closer to the goal.
“His relationship with Donadoni is very good and among other things it seems to me that Donadoni has also asked him to play further forward.”
Mazzoni also revealed he was excited that his client has the chance to strike up a partnership with Fabio Quagliarella.
“I don't know Fabio very well, but he seems to be a great player, of great quality and I believe that great players can play together,” Mazzoni concluded.
Lavezzi has appeared in every one of Napoli's games in Serie A so far this season. However, he is yet to get off the mark.
That could change on Wednesday night when the Partenopei travel to Milan where they will face Inter.[football-italia.net]
Ronaldinho has denied speculation in the Spanish press he is considering retiring from football at the end of the season.
The Brazilian star has not featured in the Rossoneri's last two games and has yet to find the back of the net after three appearances with the Serie A giants this campaign.
"I have never considered the possibility of retiring from football," said the 29-year-old on his official website.
"The source of my happiness has always been to play football.
"I am happy at Milan and I will remain here until the end of my contract."
The two-times winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award joined Milan from Barcelona last year, but he has failed to make an impact at the San Siro.
Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi had hoped that after selling Kaka to Real Madrid this summer, Ronaldinho would rediscover some form.
Rossonero coach Leonardo has not been impressed, however, and the player was not included in the 2-1 Champions League victory at Marseille last week, nor did the South American feature in the narrow triumph over Bologna at the weekend.
Ronaldinho is under contract with the Rossoneri until June 2011.[sportinglife.com]
Midfielder Esteban Cambiasso believes Inter Milan could miss injury victim Thiago Motta more than suspended coach Jose Mourinho against Napoli tomorrow.
The Portuguese manager will serve a one-game ban at the San Siro following his dismissal during the win over Cagliari, a decision which has caused plenty of the pre-match focus to be diverted to the controversial coach.
But Cambiasso insists most of Mourinho's influence occurs in the build up to a game and that the on-field presence of Motta is a more serious setback.
Motta is out for around a month after rupturing a muscle in his right thigh.
"I don't want to talk about Mourinho's ban because no-one has any intention of complaining," said the Argentina midfielder.
"The boss has his personality and this is why he is loved and hated by many. His ban obviously makes news because he's a winning coach who has no problems saying what he thinks, but in these last few days a lot less has been said about Thiago Motta's injury than Mourinho's suspension.
"The boss will be able to do his work with us, whereas Thiago Motta won't be able to give his contribution to the team for a while."
Cambiasso also raised the possibility of player fatigue in the Inter ranks, with the match coming either side of the Cagliari workout and this weekend's visit to Sampdoria.
"It is a tour de force because we are playing every three days with all the consequences in terms of physical and psychological tiredness," said Cambiasso.
"Last Sunday's match was probably the most difficult because we faced Cagliari after the very tiring match against Barcelona.
"We earned three very important points at the Sant'Elia but it's a completely different story now. Napoli are stronger than their current position in the table suggests and they will want to play a great game against Inter after their draw against Udinese. They will be motivated."
Napoli, meanwhile, are continuing to look for the right formula.
Edy Reja was sacked as coach after a dismal run of form last season and the appointment of former Italy coach Roberton Donadoni as his replacement has yet to have the desired effect.
After an unfortunate reverse against Palermo and an expected win over Livorno, their season has already taken a turn for the worse with a 4-1 humbling by Genoa and a particularly lacklustre stalemate against Udinese.
Donadoni will be hoping his forward pairing of Fabio Quagliarella and Ezequiel Lavezzi find their stride sooner rather than later to get the goals flowing, but Napoli will have to reverse recent form at the San Siro for that to come about.[sportinglife.com]
It will be a Juventus in an evening dress in the coming months. The Lega Calcio has announced the times of the matches for all of the first round and the bianconeri will be playing in the evening on no less then 10 occasions while they will play twice at 18:00hrs on a Saturday.
The first is the away match in Rome against Lazio, which will see Juventus playing at the Olimpico on Saturday 12th September at 20:45hrs. The match will be useful to prepare for the first Champions League encounter on the 15th in Turin against Bordeaux. The evening Saturday match will also be the case of the home match against Livorno while the mid-week match day will see the bianconeri play against Genoa on Thursday 24th September at 20:45hrs.
The big matches against Inter and Milan will be played in the evening on Saturday 5th December and Sunday 10th January respectively. The only matches from now until January which the bianconeri will be playing on Sunday at 15:00hrs are those against Siena on the 25th of October , against Cagliari on the 29th of October and against Catania on the 20th of December.[www.juventus.com]
Inter captain Javier Zanetti is confident that his side can be protagonists in the Champions League this season.
The Argentine made the up-beat claim after last night’s 0-0 draw against reigning European champions Barcelona.
Although the versatile veteran concedes that they’ll have to improve, he’s confident that they are on the right path to potential glory.
“I’m sure that we’ll be protagonists,” stated the South American. “We will have to get better, but the squad is convinced that we can do it.”
Barcelona arguably had the better of the game at San Siro, but Zanetti insists that the side’s organisation bodes well.
“We took on the best team in the world who treat the ball well,” he continued. “We did well to close down space and counter-attack.
“This is a point of departure for us and we hope to win the next game.”
Zanetti came up against former teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic last night.
“We said hello to each other before the game, but after the match it is only right that everyone thinks about their own team.”[football-italia.net]
Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho claims there will be no hard feelings when his former striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to the San Siro on Wednesday with Barcelona - the club he joined this summer.
The Nerazzurri had wanted to keep Ibrahimovic, who was last season's top scorer in Serie A, but he opted to sign for European champions Barca.
"I will welcome Zlatan with a big hug," said Mourinho. "I cannot know how our fans will welcome him.
Ibrahimovic believes Mourinho's Inter has done a fantastic job in the summer transfer market by luring the likes of former Genoa stars Diego Milito and Thiago Motta.
He even thinks his former team is the favourite to win the European crown this season.
"It's a very strong team," he said. "It's stronger than in previous years as Inter have reinforced the squad with the signing of important players.
"That makes them favourites for the Serie A title and for the Champions League."
Juve open their Champions League campaign at home to a Bordeaux side who won Ligue 1 last season.
“It’ll be a dangerous game for many reasons. It is very important that we don’t mess up the first match as you can’t afford to drop points.
“The first game of the competition is always tough and we are looking to do well. We have the squad to progress, but Bordeaux were the most dangerous side in Pot Three.
“They are unbeaten for some time and we’ll have to reflect on that.”
Ferrara will come up against a familiar face in the form of Laurent Blanc, the Bordeaux boss who was a former colleague at Napoli.
“I have great memories of our time together when we were teammates, there is a rapport of respect and friendship,” noted Ciro.
“I think that the club’s results in recent times speak volumes about the side and their Coach.”
Jonathan Zebina returns to the Juve squad, but Zdenek Grygera, Momo Sissoko and Hasan Salihamdizic are injured.
Squad: 1 Buffon, 2 Caceres, 4 Felipe Melo, 5 Cannavaro, 6 Grosso, 8 Marchisio, 9 Iaquinta, 11 Amauri, 12 Chimenti, 13 Manninger, 15 Zebina, 16 Camoranesi, 17 Trezeguet, 18 Poulsen, 19 Molinaro, 20 Giovinco, 23 Ariaudo, 29 De Ceglie, 30 Tiago, 33 Legrottaglie
Kick off between Juventus vs Bordeaux will be held in Olimpico Grande Torino at 19:45 UK on Tuesday, September 15, 2009.
Click here to Watch Juventus vs Bordeaux live streaming
Juventus' perfect start to the new season continued as they posted a 2-0 win at Lazio on Saturday.
Ciro Ferrara's side moved three points clear at the summit thanks to second-half strikes by Martin Caceres (72) and David Trezeguet (90), although they will see that lead wiped out if Genoa and Sampdoria win their games in hand on Sunday.
The victory was Juve's second successive Serie A triumph at Rome's Stadio Olimpico. The Bianconeri triumphed 3-1 at Roma in their last match before the international break thanks to two goals from top summer signing Diego.
Defeat for Lazio was their first of the season after also kicking off their campaign with two wins. Davide Ballardini's side remain in fourth place.
In the day's other game, AC Milan's disappointing start to the season continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Livorno.
The Rossoneri looked bereft of ideas as they failed to make amends for their 4-0 defeat to Inter Milan a fortnight ago with a lacklustre display in Tuscany.
Four-time defending champions Inter Milan are fourth after goals from Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito proved enough to end Parma's stubborn resistance at the San Siro.
Alberto Gilardino scored as Fiorentina beat Cagliari 1-0 while goals from Giampiero Pinzi and Sergio Pellissier gave Chievo a 2-0 win at Bologna.
New Roma boss Claudio Ranieri got off to a winning start thanks to an 89th-minute strike from substitute John Arne Riise against 10-man Siena.
According to the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics), Real Madrid is the 20th century's best football club. The results reflect the international results of all clubs from 1901 to 2000.
This is the Top 10 :
1. Real Madrid (Spa) 563,50 points
2. Juventus (Ita) 466
3. Barcelona (Spa) 458
4. AC Milan (Ita) 399,75
5. Bayern Munich (Ger) 399
6. Inter (Ita) 362
7. Ajax (Hol) 332,75
8. Liverpool (Eng) 300,25;
9. Sporting Lisbon (Por) 299
10. Anderlecht (Bel) 231
Marcello Lippi believes that Italy are practically qualified for the World Cup after going four points clear of Ireland.
“With a draw in Dublin we are mathematically qualified. If we should lose, then we have a home game with Cyprus three days later to finish the job,” said the Coach.
There are only two games left in Group 8 and the Azzurri lead with 20 points to Ireland's 16 thanks to tonight's 2-0 victory over Bulgaria.
Lippi adopted a new diamond midfield formation with seven Juventus players in the starting XI.
“The first half was entertaining and I am happy for the lads, as people try to make them out to be hopeless. They have quality both in terms of commitment and technique.
“We scored two fine goals and could have had four or five. We know that at this time of the season we are never on top form, so we controlled the game after the break and that was wise.”
Fabio Grosso and Vincenzo Iaquinta were both members of the squad that lifted the 2006 World Cup and have effectively allowed Italy to defend that title in South Africa with tonight's goals.
Elsewhere in the group, Cyprus held Montenegro to a 1-1 draw.[football-italia.net]
Indonesian flag finally appeared on the juventus official website, along with the flag of England, Italy and China ....
really proud to see it, please check here www.juventus.com
An important 4-1 victory over Montenegro in Sofia last weekend, has provided a valuable confidence on Bulgaria for moving to World Cup 2010.
Dimitar Berbatov, Manchester United's striker, insists his team will be ready to surprise when Bulgarians come to the Italian.
"The game will be very difficult for us, but the results of yesterday's success against Montenegro has given more confidence to the capacity of us all," said Berbatov told Il Corriere dello Sport.
Meanwhile Azzurri themselves now in the top of the group standings by collecting 17 points. Meanwhile, Bulgaria is ranked third in the Irish with six points adrift of the number who have obtained the value of Italy.
Two own goals from captain Kakha Kaladze gifted Italy a 2-0 victory over a toothless Georgia in their World Cup qualifier in Tbilisi.
The AC Milan defender headed the ball into his own net in the 57th minute from Angelo Palombo's stinging drive from distance.
Kaladze then fired past his own goalkeeper 10 minutes later after Domenico Criscito had swept in a low cross from the left, much to the horror of the home fans.
The result leaves the world champions top of Group Eight with 17 points from seven games.
David Trezeguet has announced his intention to leave Juventus at the end of this season after almost a decade in Turin.
The 31-year-old striker, who is the Bianconeri's most prolific foreign goalscorer ever, was strongly linked with a move away from the club this summer.
However, Trezeguet insists nothing has changed in his relationship with the club and that this decision has been taken together with his family.
“I have made history with this club. Sooner or later there is an end to everything. Nothing has changed in my relationship with the club. I have never asked to leave,” Trezeguet said at Vinovo, Juventus' training ground.
“The contract has never been a problem. It's a decision that I took a while ago and I will return home with my family.”
Asked if he would return to France or Argentina where he has family ties, Trezeguet replied: “I don't know. It's not the moment to speak about it because we are only in the second week of the season.
“I would like to end my story with Juventus by winning something,” he concluded.
Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara has warned club legend Alessandro Del Piero that he is not guaranteed a place in his starting eleven every week.
Thirty-four-year-old Del Piero has yet to feature for Juve this term, with reports suggesting that he was left out of the side that won 3-1 at Roma despite being back to full fitness.
Ferrara warned: "There have been no secret pacts, just joint objectives of a Juventus side that is competitive on all fronts.
"Alessandro is the captain, the most representative player and clearly he isn't happy with my decision.
"But I have four strikers of world-class level and I obviously cannot guarantee first-team football to anyone."
Roma President Rosella Sensi admits she is very sorry Luciano Spalletti decided to leave the club earlier this week after four years on the bench.
The 50-year-old Spalletti said he was tired and could no longer transmit his ideas to the players who have shown a distinct lack of determination in Roma's opening two games of the season.
Sensi has come under fire from the fans who regard Spalletti as one of the best trainers in the club's history, having won the Coppa Italia twice in his time at the club.
“I am sorry. I am sorry that Spalletti has left the club,” Sensi told journalists on arriving at a meeting of the Lega Calcio.
“There are always protests from the fans,” she said on being asked if her family had finally lost the faith of the club's supporters.
Claudio Ranieri has since been appointed as Spalletti's replacement. [football-italia.net]
The new official suits of Juventus for the news season were presented today with David Trezeguet and Jonathan Zebina as special models. For the fourth consecutive year the clothes will be provided by Dsquared², one of the most appreciated and worn prêt-à-porter by the protagonists of the international jet set. Designers Dean and Dan Caten created the new official suits for the bianconeri renewing the agreement signed in February 2006 with Juventus.
«We are enthusiastic to continue collaborating with a prestigious and historical team like Juventus – declared Dean and Dan Caten. We are sure that the new season, like the previous ones, will provide great excitement. The football world, today, is without doubt a reality even when it comes to style: the footballers are the fresh and modern icons of the star system and represent a healthy genre of beauty which is reachable through the daily effort and dedication of the sportsman».
«We are greatly satisfied – explained Juventus commercial director Marco Fassone – with the collaboration with Dsquared² which has lasted since 2006. Dsquared² is a consolidated and important brand which proposes a dress line which is rich in style and internationality. We believe that these are the same principles shown by Juventus and therefore there could be no better partner in which to entrust our image».
Dsquared² will provide 115 formal suits which will be used by the players, technical and medical staff of the first team, the company management and the technical staff and the accompanying management of the youth sector.
The menswear presented by the Caten twins for the new football season are made up of a black suit in stretch cadì from the dry line. The classical four-button blazer with embroidered badge in a tone on tone manner on the side of the heart is combined with a slim trousers. The shirt, with collar and button is in pope-line white and is combined with a regimental silk tie inspired by the new silver jersey. The official trench coat is of medium length, made of nylon and has a hood. The hood is in black wool and closed by three buttons with the logo Dsquared² for Juventus Football Club printed on the pocket. Accessories: belt with nickel buckle and classical lace shoes in brushed calfskin with a rounded tip and the logo on the heel to complete the Juventus look.
The women suits are made of the same fabrics and even though they are inspired by the same concepts which characterise the menswear have more fashionable details. The suit with trousers is also in stretch cadì with a four-buttoned jacket which is shorter at the back (typical griffe cut) and slim pants. The suit is combined with a white shirt in pope-line. The official trench coat is in black nylon, just above the knee and has a hood. The hood is identical to the men’s but is made more feminine by a means of a different cut. The accessories to complete the new look of the Juventus women are: a classical belt and terse shoes having a slightly higher heel in comparison to the male ones to help the figure.[juventus.com]
“If we play well and are lucky enough to win the next two matches, we will have taken a big step towards the World Cup”: Marcello Lippi realizes that a lot is at stake in the next two matches against Georgia and Bulgaria. With another six points, the national team that at present is only one point ahead of Ireland coached by Giovanni Trapattoni, would come very close to the 2010 World Cup.
First day of training in Coverciano for the Azzurri and there were a lot of issues to handle. “There are eight Juventus players on the team – said the head coach as he answered a specific question – because the Juventus team this year has decided to count on Italian players. There are other clubs that have rightly decided to count on foreign players. It is logical that, if I go to watch a match, I will not go to see one with many foreign players, I am interested in Italian players. The positive start of the season for Juventus gives me hope for a good outcome of these two matches and the national team”. Another issue in Coverciano is the “absence” of Antonio Cassano.
The Sampdoria forward, protagonist o fan excellent season start, is not part of the plans of the head coach. “I have nothing against Cassano. He is a professional and a nice boy – said Lippi. I respect the public opinion, but I would like the public to respect mine. But this situation does not bother me at all. It is something that happened to other head coaches before me and will happen to those who come after me”.
As far as the Italy-Bulgaria match of Wednesday, September 9th, in Turin is concerned, FIFA has announced the referees: referee Florian Meyer (Germany), assistants Volker Wezel (Germany) and Thorsten Schiffner (Germany), fourth man Michael Weiner (Germany).
List of players called
Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Marchetti (Cagliari)
Defenders: Cannavaro (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Criscito (Genoa), Grosso (Ol.Lyonnais), Legrottaglia (Juventus), Santon (Inter), Zambrotta (Milan).
Midfielders: Camoranesi (Juventus), D’Agostino (Udinese), De Rossi (Roma), Marchionni (Fiorentina), Marchisio (Juventus), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pepe (Udinese), Pirlo (Milan)
Forwards: Di Natale (Udinese), Giardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Quagliarella (Napoli), G.Rossi (Villarreal)
[figc.it]
AS Roma camps was clean. They now have a new coach named Claudio Ranieri. But for Giallorossi captain, Francesco Totti, the former coach Luciano Spalletti gives the impression of its own
some time ago Totti had said he wanted to retire at the hands Spalletti. But in fact, Spalletti Totti should be eliminated while still actively playing.
"I thank Spalletti for what he gave to AS Roma and for my career," Totti said as quoted Goal Italy, Wednesday, September 2, 2009.
The 151st Serie A Derby della Madonnina takes Inter’s total victories to 55 compared to 47 Milan wins.
This is the biggest margin in the derby since the Rossoneri’s 6-0 triumph on May 11, 2001. Inter hadn’t registered a result this comprehensive for 35 years, a 5-1 scoreline on March 24, 1973.
The Nerazzurri hadn’t won their ‘away’ derby since a 4-3 corker on October 22, 2006.
Luciano Spalletti has only ever beaten Juventus once in 12 years, a Coppa Italia tie, along with 15 defeats and three draws. His record at Roma in Serie A has been even worse with two points from seven meetings.
Without a point after two rounds, this is the Giallorossi’s worst start since the season of their relegation in 1950-51. Back then they lost the opening three to Bologna, Palermo and Triestina and went on to lose six of the first seven matches, conceding an average of 3.28 goals per game.
Daniele De Rossi has never previously put the ball into the Juventus net.
Diego scores his first two Serie A goals, while Felipe Melo nets on his official debut for the Bianconeri.
Cesare Prandelli has beaten Walter Zenga in all three head-to-heads without conceding, but all previous wins had been 2-0.
This is only Siena’s second ever victory at Cagliari’s Stadio Sant’Elia, the other in the 2002-03 Serie B campaign.
Genoa hadn’t conquered Atalanta in Bergamo since a 2-1 result on May 30, 1993.
Lazio beat Chievo by an identical scoreline last season, again with Sergio Pellissier scoring for the home side.
In the top flight Livorno haven’t earned a single point in Naples since a 2-1 win in December 1940.
Parma and Catania have only met three times at the Tardini in Serie A, the previous couple ending in draws.[football-italia.net]
