Gianluigi Buffon is already welcoming Juventus teammate Amauri into the Nazionale. “He will bring immense enthusiasm.” The Brazilian has not yet completed his paperwork to achieve Italian citizenship, but should be eligible from next month. “I am certain of one thing: Amauri will come to the Azzurri and bring immense enthusiasm and I am sure he’ll do all he can for the team,” said Buffon.
“However, we must not forget those who have done and can still do a lot more for the Nazionale. I’m thinking of people like [Alberto] Gilardino and [Luca] Toni, especially Luca who was not called for yesterday’s game against Switzerland.” The 0-0 draw in Basel saw Claudio Marchisio and Domenico Criscito made their debuts, but Coach Marcello Lippi has hinted he will call Amauri when he becomes eligible. “Many of us have been putting the pressure on him, not just the players but also the media. I am not absolutely certain Amauri will play for Italy, but the important thing is that he is sure. This is not a decision to be made lightly.” Buffon also turned his attention to the new boys in the Azzurri squad, as the renewal process begins after the Confederations Cup debacle. “In the first half-hour I saw a good Italy performance with many scoring opportunities that we were unable to convert,” continued the goalkeeper.
“We played with a different spirit and there were some changes to recent games. Criscito, Marchisio and also Angelo Palombo showed they are ready and mature. If they continue like this, they can make their mark for Italy.” There has been debate over Italy’s chances of winning back-to-back World Cups, but Buffon has a different take on the issue. “I think our chances are very slim, but no worse than our odds before lifting the trophy in 2006.” [SuperSportManager.com]
The construction works of the new stadium and the sports centre in Vinovo are proceeding and today the Juventus general manager Jean-Claude Blanc, visited the two sites. He was accompanied by Engineer Riccardo Abrate, the person responsible for Juventus’ investments in immovable property, architect Griffith, the directors of the works at the new stadium and by professor Ossola, the director of works of the structural operation. Blanc first visited the construction site of the new stadium, where after the demolition process the first phase of construction is underway. The first two foundations of the four supports of the cover are visible as well as the base of the structure of the East stand.
After the visit to the area which was once occupied by the Delle Alpi, Blanc then visited Vinovo, where he saw for himself the significant progress in the works on the expansion of the Juventus training centre and the new stands overlooking the fields used by the youth sector and the senior squad. «After visiting the construction site of the stadium – declared Blanc – I was impressed by the quality of the works which are proceeding according to schedule. The construction companies are doing their utmost to make it possible for us to play in the new stadium as from the 2011-2012 season. Witnessing the first phases of the construction is very emotional and I think it would be comforting for all the Juventus supporters to know that I can’t wait to enter the new “home”.
Even the exrtension of the training centre in Vinovo is preoceeding perfectly: in a few months time all the Juventus players, from the youngest to the senior squad, will be able to train within the same structure. This is an important step in our strategy to give value to the nursery because it consents to the total integration of the senior squad technical staff and that of the youth sector. Besides, when the works are complted, our training centre will be able to host the public in an adequate manner both for the senior squad and the youth sectors. It is an important development which bears witness to our will to continue improving and be close to our people».[Juventus.com]
St Jakob Stadium, Basel
Claudio Marchisio and Domenico Criscito made their debut, but Italy failed to break the deadlock in a 0-0 friendly with Switzerland.
This was the Azzurri's first game since the Confederations Cup debacle and Marcello Lippi introduced two new faces - Claudio Marchisio and Domenico Criscito. It was also an historic game, as Fabio Cannavaro marked his 127th cap, overtaking Paolo Maldini's all-time record.
There was a minute's silence for Espanyol captain Dani Jarque, who died this week aged 26 from heart failure after a training session at the Coverciano ground in Italy.
The Azzurri were immediately more aggressive with Giuseppe Rossi threading through for a hesitant Alberto Gilardino's shot at the goalkeeper. Switzerland threatened from a corner, but Gianluca Zambrotta charged down Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler's strike.
Italy had a goal disallowed in chaotic circumstances. Rossi's backheel allowed Zambrotta to cross for a towering Criscito header, denied by a great one-handed save and then Gilardino was just offside as he bundled the loose ball over the line.
Moments later Gilardino's chip was over the on-rushing goalkeeper and the bar. 30 seconds after that Marchisio sprung the offside trap and was clear on goal, but turned it past the far post with the inside of his right foot.
Rossi set up Angelo Palombo on the edge of the box, but he hesitated and was crowded out when he really should've hit it first time. Zambrotta drilled just wide with his left after skipping past his former teammate Philippe Senderos.
Mauro Camoranesi tried to carry on, but was forced to limp off with a left ankle problem after half an hour to make way for Udinese's Simone Pepe.
Switzerland had a great chance on 33 minutes when Giorgio Chiellini was caught out by N'Kufo, who pulled back for Barnetta to smack the crossbar. Inler thumped a screamer from almost 30 metres that Gigi Buffon did well to smother.
Gila almost intercepted a poor Senderos header back to his goalkeeper and Zambrotta had a shot from distance. In first half stoppages, Gilardino flung himself at a Pepe cross from the right, but was smothered at the near post.
Lippi made changes at the break, introducing Vincenzo Iaquinta and Davide Santon for Gilardino and Zambrotta. Switzerland threatened again with a touched on free kick for Inler to blast inches over the bar.
Barnetta was at full stretch to turn wide from an intelligent N'Kufo cutback past Chiellini, while at the other end Pepe was crowded out by red shirts in the box. Chiellini had to nod a cross off N'Kufo's head as Switzerland continually went on the counter.
Iaquinta also pounced on a defensive error, poking Marchisio's through ball wide after anticipating Senderos. Fabio Quagliarella and Gaetano D'Agostino replaced Pirlo and Rossi. The Napoli striker livened things up a bit and forced Benaglio into a tricky intervention.
Switzerland Coach Otto Hitzfeld made three changes, while Fabio Grosso came on for debutant Criscito. One of the substitutes, Hakan Yakin, curled a free kick over with his left foot.
There was controversy 10 minutes from time, as Iaquinta hooked a long ball over the top and was clear on goal, but was incorrectly flagged offside.
Pepe hit the side-netting from a corner to the back post, but Switzerland had an excellent chance with 120 seconds left on the clock. Yakin flicked on to send Derdiyok running down the right flank and Buffon got his fingertips to slow down the angled drive enough for his defence to clear.
In stoppages Italy evened out the score in terms of opportunities. Santon crossed low for Quagliarella to come sliding in at the near post, the ball turned out by a combination of Benaglio and upright. From the following corner, Quagliarella forced another save.
Switzerland: Benaglio; Degen (Schwegler 69), Senderos, Grighting, Magnin (Ziegler 86); Padalino (Derdiyok 83), Huggel, Inler, Barnetta (Vonlanthen 79); Frei (Streller 69), N'Kufo (Hakan Yakin 69)
Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta (Santon 46), Cannavaro, Chiellini, Criscito (Grosso 73); Camoranesi (Pepe 31), Pirlo (D'Agostino 61), Palombo, Marchisio; Gilardino (Iaquinta 46), Rossi (Quagliarella 61)
Davide Ballardini has given Jose Mourinho a lecture on “humility” after Lazio’s Italian Super Cup triumph.
The Biancocelesti were the underdogs in Beijing on Saturday, but emerged 2-1 winners against Inter thanks to Francelino Matuzalem and Tommaso Rocchi.
Mourinho complained after the final whistle that his team deserved to win and had at least a dozen chances.
“That’s not true,” replied Ballardini. “Inter only scored from a mistaken back pass from our defenders, had a couple of good chances, but I consider it a balanced encounter.
“If we analyse the game in terms of possession, then Inter had something more, but if we look at the humility and hunger for the result, then Lazio deserved the victory.”
The Biancocelesti returned to Rome late last night and were greeted at the airport by 3,000 celebrating fans.
This was Ballardini’s first ever piece of silverware and he had a special dedication to make.
“I want to thank Delio Rossi. If Lazio were in Beijing at all to compete for this trophy against Inter, it is thanks to him and his hard work.”
Rossi parted company with Lazio this summer despite winning the Coppa Italia.[http://www.football-italia.net]
In the first official game of the Italian season, Lazio produced two sucker punches to beat Mourinho’s Inter and lift their third Supercoppa Italiana. Goal.com rates the participants….
Inter
J.Cesar: 6.5 - The Brazilian didn’t have much to do for large spells of the game but when he was called into action he made some decisive interventions. There was little he could do for either of Lazio’s goals.
Maicon: 6.5 - The Brazilian wasn’t at his peak but he still got forward on regular occasions and gave Kolarov a lot to think about at the back.
Lucio: 7.0 - Good first half in which he dealt with the sustained Lazio pressure. The former Bayern Munich stopper looked extremely dangerous going up for corners, and he could have opened the scoring if it wasn’t for an incredible save from Muslera.
Chivu: 5.5 - The Romanian had little to do in the first period but he showed poor gamesmanship in the second half with some dirty challenges on the Lazio forwards. The former Roma man can do much better.
Zanetti: 7.0 - The Inter captain lead by example throughout and pushed the Nerazzurri forward after Lazio’s double strike. Despite his age Zanetti still has an incredible engine and is an example to all.
Cambiasso: 6.0 - Battled hard throughout the game but faded significantly as the fatigue of a speedy first half set in. The Argentine could have done better to stop Rocchi slipping through for Lazio’s goal.
Muntari: 5.0 - Good going forward but missed a couple of sitters in the first half which would have gifted Inter a commanding lead. He will be ruing his poor shooting when he looks back on the game in the days to come.
T.Motta: 6.0 - A key player in the middle but failed to have the same impact on the side that he displayed in Genoa. He was lucky not to be shown the door following some last ditch tackling. Mourinho had to substitute him to save him from an early bath.
Stankovic: 7.0 - A constant threat down the middle, the Serbian proved to be in electric form in the first half. He could have had a better rating had he finished some clear cut chances in the first period.
D.Milito: 7.0 - ‘El Principe’ proved to be his usual threatening self, leaving the Lazio stoppers with a mountain of work for the duration of the game. He was unlucky not to get on the score sheet when Eto’o interfered from an offside position to deny the Nerazzurri an equaliser.
Eto’o: 7.5- The Cameroonian displayed a world class level of play and ran rings around the Lazio backline for large periods of the game. He has settled immediately in his new surroundings and will undoubtedly be one of the stars of the season.
SUBS: Balotelli (6.5), Vieira (6.5), Suazo (N/A)
Lazio
Muslera: 8.5 - The Uruguayan was undoubtedly the man of the match following a host of world class saves. Without such a commanding performance between the sticks, Lazio would not have been in a position to take a double lead to devastating effect.
Lichtsteiner: 6.0 - The Swiss international put in a shift but was left for dead on a number of occasions by the Inter forwards.
Siviglia: 6.0 - The vice-captain had his work cut out keeping Eto’o and Milito at bay and for large periods he managed to succeed. He couldn’t really do much on the Inter goal following Dabo’s inattention on the ball.
Diakité: 6.5 - The Frenchman produced a mature performance in the first period and managed to make some decisive headed interventions. After the break he faded a little, but the Parisian is certainly a talent for the future.
Kolarov: 6.5 - Good going forward but made heavy work in getting back and found it hard to deal with the lightning quick pace of Sammy Eto’o. The Serbian will try to claim an assist for the first goal despite the fact it took a nice ricochet off the Inter wall.
Baronio: 6.0 - The veteran Lazio midfielder did well to cover the absent Ledesma in the first period, but he is clearly lacking the legs to become a regular first team player.
Brocchi: 6.5 - The former Milan man put in a solid shift despite the intense Chinese heat. After arriving at Lazio last summer he has quickly become a reference for the rest of the Biancocelesti squad.
Mauri: 6.0 - His rating would have been lower had he not produced the clever through-ball for Rocchi on the second Lazio goal. The trequartista seems to be lacking in fitness with the start of the season still a fortnight away.
Matuzalem: 8.0 - The Brazilian was bought outright this summer by Claudio Lotito and he wasted no time in repaying the faith shown by the Lazio patron. He may have been a little lucky on the opening goal, but it proved to be a massive opener for the Aquilotti as they suffered under intense Inter pressure.
Zarate: 7.0 - The Argentinean youngster took a while to find his feet but popped up on a number of occasions to question Julio Cesar’s alertness between the sticks. He has the ability to take Lazio to new heights in the coming years.
Rocchi: 7.5 - The Lazio captain was always second to the ball in the first period as Lucio proved far too good at the back. After the re-start TommyGol popped up in spectacular fashion to float a delicious lob over the Inter keeper and give Lazio a commanding two goal lead.
SUBS: Dabo (5.5), Cruz (6.5), Cribari (N/A)
[www.goal.com]
The Juventus board of directors has approved the figures relative to the fourth trimester.
Which show that the net result up to the 30th June is a positive €6.6 million. This is a significant improvement compared to last year when the result was €20.8 million in the negative. This is relevant data which is associated with a net positive financial position of 25.6 million, which represents an improvement of over 14 million over that of the 2007/2008 season. Takings have also risen for this season – thanks especially to the effect of the Champions League – touching the 20.4 million mark, an 18% improvement over last year. The figures are at the level of the 2005/2006 season.
With regards to the data relative to the 4th trimester, the takings are equal to 53.4 million (+26.1% compared to 2007/2008) and expenses at 56.2 million (an increase of 28.1% compared to last year). The trimester has a net negative result of €15.1 million, an improvement of over 5 million when compared to 2007/2008.
«The figures approved by the board – declared Juventus general manager Jean-Claude Blanc at the end of the meeting – confirm the quality of the work done, on all levels, and represent a solid base for next year, for which we have formulated a foreseen sustainable break even. These figures consolidate the idea of sustainable football: an objective which is practical thanks to a careful management and the dedication and professionalism of all the employees and collaborators of the club».
The details of the fourth trimester are published in the press release.[www.juventus.com]
Schedule of competition for the Italian Serie A 2009/2010 season, the first weekend held on 23 August'09 and the final will be held on 16 May 2010.
SERIE A 2009/2010
1) 23.08.09 dan 17.01.10
bologna - fiorentina
catania - sampdoria
genoa - roma
inter - bari
juventus - chievo
lazio - atalanta
livorno - cagliari
palermo - napoli
siena - milan
udinese - parma
2) 30.08.09 dan 24.01.10
atalanta - genoa
bari - bologna
cagliari - siena
chievo - lazio
fiorentina - palermo
milan - inter
napoli - livorno
parma - catania
roma - juventus
sampdoria - udinese
3) 13.09.09 dan 31.01.10
atalanta - sampdoria
bologna - chievo
fiorentina - cagliari
genoa - napoli
inter - parma
lazio - juventus
livorno - milan
palermo - bari
siena - roma
udinese - catania
4) 20.09.09 dan 07.02.10
bari - atalanta
cagliari - inter
catania - lazio
chievo - genoa
juventus - livorno
milan - bologna
napoli - udinese
parma - palermo
roma - fiorentina
sampdoria - siena
5) 23.09.09 dan 14.02.10
atalanta - catania
bari - cagliari
bologna - livorno
fiorentina - sampdoria
genoa - juventus
inter - napoli
lazio - parma
palermo - roma
siena - chievo
udinese - milan
6) 27.09.09 dan 21.02.10
catania - roma
chievo - atalanta
juventus - bologna
lazio - palermo
livorno - fiorentina
milan - bari
napoli - siena
parma - cagliari
sampdoria - inter
udinese - genoa
7) 04.10.09 dan 28.02.10
atalanta - milan
bari - catania
bologna - genoa
cagliari - chievo
fiorentina - lazio
inter - udinese
palermo - juventus
roma - napoli
sampdoria - parma
siena - livorno
8) 18.10.09 dan 07.03.10
catania - cagliari
chievo - bari
genoa - inter
juventus - fiorentina
lazio - sampdoria
livorno - palermo
milan - roma
napoli - bologna
parma - siena
udinese - atalanta
9) 25.10.09 dan 14.03.10
atalanta - parma
bari - lazio
cagliari - genoa
chievo - milan
fiorentina - napoli
inter - catania
palermo - udinese
roma - livorno
sampdoria - bologna
siena - juventus
10) 28.10.09 dan 21.03.10
bologna - siena
catania - chievo
genoa - fiorentina
inter - palermo
juventus - sampdoria
lazio - cagliari
livorno - atalanta
napoli - milan
parma - bari
udinese - roma
11) 01.11.09 dan 24.03.10
cagliari - atalanta
chievo - udinese
fiorentina - catania
juventus - napoli
livorno - inter
milan - parma
palermo - genoa
roma - bologna
sampdoria - bari
siena - lazio
12) 08.11.09 dan 28.03.10
atalanta - juventus
bari - livorno
bologna - palermo
cagliari - sampdoria
catania - napoli
genoa - siena
inter - roma
lazio - milan
parma - chievo
udinese - fiorentina
13) 22.11.09 dan 03.04.10
bologna - inter
fiorentina - parma
juventus - udinese
livorno - genoa
milan - cagliari
napoli - lazio
palermo - catania
roma - bari
sampdoria - chievo
siena - atalanta
14) 29.11.09 dan 11.04.10
atalanta - roma
bari - siena
cagliari - juventus
catania - milan
chievo - palermo
genoa - sampdoria
inter - fiorentina
lazio - bologna
parma - napoli
udinese - livorno
15) 06.12.09 dan 18.04.10
bologna - udinese
fiorentina - atalanta
genoa - parma
juventus - inter
livorno - chievo
milan - sampdoria
napoli - bari
palermo - cagliari
roma - lazio
siena - catania
16) 13.12.09 dan 25.04.10
atalanta - inter
bari - juventus
cagliari - napoli
catania - livorno
chievo - fiorentina
lazio - genoa
milan - palermo
parma - bologna
sampdoria - roma
siena - udinese
17) 20.12.09 dan 02.05.10
bologna - atalanta
fiorentina - milan
genoa - bari
inter - lazio
juventus - catania
livorno - sampdoria
napoli - chievo
palermo - siena
roma - parma
udinese - cagliari
18) 06.01.10 dan 09.05.10
atalanta - napoli
bari - udinese
cagliari - roma
catania - bologna
chievo - inter
lazio - livorno
milan - genoa
parma - juventus
sampdoria - palermo
siena - fiorentina
19) 10.01.10 dan 16.05.10
bologna - cagliari
fiorentina - bari
genoa - catania
inter - siena
juventus - milan
livorno - parma
napoli - sampdoria
palermo - atalanta
roma - chievo
udinese - lazio
