Juve arrive in Jeddah

Juventus arrived in Saudi Arabia after more than 5 hours of flight.

In the morning, the team bid farewell to the Juventus Center for 2009 with a training session. Under the command of Ciro Ferrara and the keen eyes of Roberto Bettega, the bianconeri worked on the field to fine-tune the preparation in view of tomorrow’s match against Al Ittihad, the last commitment for this year. The bianconeri will return to Vinovo in the afternoon of January 1st, in order to get back to work in view of the next official match, on the 6th January away in Parma.

Tomorrow, 30th December, the match against Al Ittihad will kick-off at 18:15 CET at the Prince Abdullah Alfaisal Stadium. The match will be aired live and exclusively on Juventus Channel with a live commentary by Giulio Sala. The Juve TV station will follow the event with a special pre-match programme and a post-match programme including a number of interviews at the end of the match.
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Injured players are improving. First training session for the South Americans in the afternoon.

While the team will be in Jeddah for the friendly against Al Ittihad, work will go on in Vinovo. Both on Wednesday 30th and on Thursday 31st the players who will not be travelling to Saudi Arabia will be working. Buffon, Camoranesi, Iaquinta, Chiellini, Salihamidzic and Zebina will be joined tomorrow afternoon by the three South Americans - Diego, Felipe Melo and Caceres – who benefitted of an extra day of holidays due to the intercontinental trips and who will have their first training session this afternoon.

In the meantime there is good news from a medical point of view. Chiellini took part in the whole session with his team mates while Zebina and Salihamidzic followed a separate programme. Iaquinta continued his preparation on the field. There was a specific visit made by professor Flavio Quaglia for Buffon and Camoranesi, with the professor confirming improvements shown. Both players have begun their return to athletic work phase in the gym and in the swimming pool and will be back on the field by the end of the week.
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Roberto Bettega back in bianconero

A symbol in Juventus’ history comes back home. Roberto Bettega is from today the new Vice General Manager of the Club, who communicated the news by a press release. The job foresees the responsibility on the whole sport department, with immediate operation.
To welcome him, Jean-Claude Blanc: «I proposed to Bettega to become part of our organization – the President declared – to assume the responsibility of all sport department. A decision matured in these months, to strengthen the department to which the Club dedicated its maximum effort. Roberto is the right figure to cover this role, because able to transfer experience and authoritativeness to technical staff and to the sport management, guaranteeing further solidity to our ambitions. I already had the chance to collaborate with the new vice general manager with satisfaction for almost a year: he brings passion for soccer and love for a Club which he contributed in a determinant way to write the history of. His entrance, in a high responsibility position and with operative delegation, consolidates our managerial staff, adding further proficiency and strong motivations ».
«I accepted with enthusiasm Blanc’s proposal – Roberto Bettega added – and I’ll immediately start working for my Juve. I rediscover a Club I know so well, Jean-Claude Blanc and colleagues whom I shared important experiences with, persons who in these years grew up and whom I’m happy to collaborate with. The faith in work done by the Club and in people leading it, gives me the sureness that, with everybody’s contribution and with supporters’ support, we’ll know how to be competitive at maximum levels».
Roberto Bettega was born in Torino on December 27th, 1950. His experience as Juventus player started in the Pulcini and ended in 1983, after 480 matches and 178 goals, seven Scudetti, two Coppe Italia and one Uefa Cup. He is the third scorer in Juventus history, after Alessandro Del Piero and Giampiero Boniperti. As a manager, he has been vice-president from 1994 to 2006 and market consultant from summer 2006 till the end of may 2007. From today, he is vice general manager.
by: www.juventus.com

Fabio Cannavaro: Juventus Can Get Out Of Trouble In 2010

The Juve stopper has asked for a revival in 2010.




Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro has urged the club to pull together and work towards a brighter future in 2010.

The Bianconeri hit their worst patch of form since 1999 after losing 2-1 to rock bottom Catania in Turin on Sunday. The upshot of the loss saw a number of fans protesting angrily in Turin while the club confirmed faith in Ciro Ferrara amid calls for his head to roll.

Cannavaro is aware of the turmoil surrounding his club, and he has lobbied for some quick-fix solutions.

"The results over the past month have been little. We have to work more and give plenty," he told the press during a charity event in Naples.

"I don't think we have become poor all of a sudden. We need recover the injured players and have a bit of luck because we always seem to concede a goal at the first action."

A new year, a new life as the Italian hopes to revive the embers of Scudetto thinking.

"We hope that the new year brings us better results," he concluded.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com

Cannavaro disqualified, no Parma. Also out Lucarelli and Paci

More than two weeks from Championship restart, with the 18th match scheduled for January 6th, the sport judge has already issued judgments. For Parma-Juventus, three will be the players who won’t go on the pitch: one bianconero and two gialloblu.

Ciro Ferrara won’t be able to use Fabio Cannavaro. The National Team’s Captain got his fourth yellow card of the season vs. Catania and therefore he won’t be able to play vs. his former team. Guidolin will have to do without two defenders: Alessandro Lucarelli and Massimo Paci.

For the match in Emilia, among the bianconeri, Poulsen will be back, as he served out the match ban vs. Catania, but the disqualified list stretches out. With Grygera, Legrottaglie, Sissoko and Camoranesi, also Diego e Tiago, both warned yesterday. Yellow Card number two for Marchisio instead.
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Marcello Lippi Rules Out Juventus Return After 2010 World Cup

The Italian national team coach has cleared the air about his possible return to the Bianconeri after the tournament in South Africa.




Italian national team coach Marcello Lippi has clarified the situation in regards to a possible return to Juventus once the 2010 World Cup is over.

Lippi has categorically stated that he will not be involved with the Old Lady in any shape or form, on the bench or on the board of directors.

"After the World Cup, I will not return to Juventus," the 61-year-old stated to Sky Sports 24. "I am not a puppet of the team.

"I have simply given some tips to the directors, saying that [current coach Ciro] Ferrara is an excellent coach, and endorsing [Fabio] Cannavaro and [Fabio] Grosso as good acquisitions.

"Ciro has made some errors, but that is because of his age, but he has the right personality and charisma to do really well.

"He also has some clear ideas," Lippi added.

Rick D'Andrea, Goal.com

Blanc: «The management’s line of though does not change. We have complete faith in Ferrara»

Jean-Claude Blanc would surely have wished to have a better first Christmas as president of Juventus. The home defeat against Catania brought a bad end to 2009 for Juventus.

The words of the Juventus number one are the same spoken eight days ago after the defeat against Bari, and therefore an expression of faith in Ciro Ferrara and the team: «The line of thought does not change after a few days. This championship break comes at the right moment to reflect. After the holidays we have to return with one condition and a higher morale to bring home different results. In any case, we will not touch the team during the transfer market. We have faith in the quality of our players, especially those who joined us this summer and for whom we received compliments. We have the capability to come out of this situation. We must analyze well everything we must do with the staff and work harder, with the same unity seen after the visit by the proprietors. The protests? I understand the disappointment of the supporters who cannot feel happy at the moment, just like we cannot».
by: www.juventus.com

Juventus Keep Ferrara As Coach, Elect Bettega As Director

After five grueling hours, the Juventus Board of Directors (Consiglio di Amministrazione) have confirmed current coach Ciro Ferrara will stay on as boss of the club.


The board of directors have decided to keep the former defender as the club's tactician, and also chose a transfer market consultant.

Despite a recent run of poor results - which has seen the Bianconeri lose five of their past six matches - the board chose to stick with the former defender, according to TMW.

Juve also added Roberto Bettega to the list of directors at the club, who will help with more than just being a transfer market consultant.

Bettega will also provide assistance in overseeing young talent from the youth system.

An official announcement by the Turin based outfit will be made over the coming days.

Rick D'Andrea, Goal.com

Marchisio: «Dobbiamo ripartire»

As from today Claudio Marchisio is the new testimonial for the Crescere Insieme al Sant’Anna project. During the press conference of the presentation of the Conad initiative in favour of the project, Claudio visited the antinatal ward: «I was deeply touched by this visit – he said -, during which I saw the little premature babies. I am happy to be able to contribute with my image to this fund raising».

Marchisio then spoke of football, starting from the visit to the training field by John Elkann and Andrea Agnelli: «It was a good sign, that made us once agian feel the closeness of the proprietors». Now the team has to do just one thing: «Win against Catania to start-off in the new year in the best of manners. Besides, I am still convinced – continued Marchisio – of what I said at the start of the season , that is compared to last year we have improved and have been strengthened». With regards to this, the journalists asked if it is actually the new signings that did not deliver as mush as was expected from them: «I think that they encountered the same difficulties faced by others – answered Marchisio – me included. These are things that happen. I am sorry about the elimination from the Champions League, which we compromised right from the away match against Bordeaux leading to the disappointment of the match against Bayern, but I am also sorry for the 6 points disadvamtage from the top of the table which could have been less if we hadn’t wasted points».

Now it is the trun of Catania: «A match to win and an opponent which must not be underestimated – stated Marchisio-. Even though they are last in the table, it is a team that never give up right to the very end and it will surely not do so against us. Their absentees? They count very little, because those who will be on the field and who up to now played less will have a great want to show the coach their value and will give everything».

by: http://www.juventus.com

Juventus 2-1 Inter: Bianconeri Bring Down Nerazzurri Juggernaut

A second half Claudio Marchisio wonder goal proved the difference in a hotly contested encounter at the Stadio Olimpico.



Juventus 2-1 Inter – Stats/Lineups
Serie A Fixtures/Results

Juventus were desperate to close the gap at the top as they hosted Serie A leaders Inter in the long awaited Derby d'Italia.

The Bianconeri were rewarded for a determined start when they took an early lead from a set-piece. Felipe Melo's decisive touch wrong footed Julio Cesar inside the box leaving to leave the Nerazzurri fuming following some pushing and shoving in the mixer. Inter came back fighting and took just five minutes to find a leveler when Samuel Eto'o headed home unchallenged just yards out from goal.

Inter came out strongest after the re-start but it was Juventus who went back in front when Claudio Marchisio finished off a spectacular move inside the six-yard box, to chip the ball over Julio Cesar. Despite being reduced to ten men in the closing stages, the Bianconeri managed to resist a late surge from the visitors. With a solid second half performance at the back, the Old Lady held on for a precious victory to restore some competition at the top of the standings.

The game started at an electric pace, but it was the Old Lady who looked the more threatening as they burst forward from the off.

Juventus had a golden chance to score on five minutes when Amauri chested a wonderful ball square to Mohamed Sissoko inside the box. Unfortunately for the Bianconeri the Malian was tackled just as he looked to pull the trigger, and Inter had Lucio to thank for his razor sharp timing in front of goal.

The Old Lady continued to press forward but they left themselves vulnerable at the back. Diego Milito looked to take advantage as he burst forward on the break, but 'El Principe' couldn't find Dejan Stankovic as he cut an inviting ball across the six-yard box.

The Nerazzurri looked to control possession in the middle of the park but were continually hustled by the intense pressing of a determined Bianconeri. Ciro Ferrara's men kept up a frantic rhythm as they looked to take advantage with an early breakthrough.

On 20 minutes Juventus were rewarded for their positive approach when Giorgio Chiellini's headed effort took a decisive deflection off Felipe Melo - to finish in the back of the net. There was little Julio Cesar could do to intervene as the ball slipped past to his left, and Inter immediately voiced their protests for what looked like some pushing in the box.

Seconds later coach Mourinho was sent to the stands by referee Massimo Saccani for an ironic round of applause gestured towards the match official.

Despite the absence of their boss on the touchline, Inter wasted no time in hitting back and poured forward in anger as they looked to level the scoring. Just five minutes later the Nerazzurri did exactly that when Eto'o nodded home Stankovic's cross with a free header inside the six-yard box. Gianluigi Buffon was understandably outraged with his centre-backs, as they let the Cameroonian slip through unchallenged.

Both side's continued to commit everything, as they knocked lumps out of each other challenge after challenge. The physical approach was clearly restricting Inter a little, and Juventus seemed to have the upper hand in the middle of the park.

After the re-start it was Inter who looked to take early command, and Juventus were forced to pack men around the box in order to protect Buffon's goal.

On 57 minutes it was Juventus who re-established the lead however, when Marchisio produced a moment of magic inside the six-yard box to crush Inter as they started to look in control. When a parried save went loose inside the box, the Italian rounded Walter Samuel with lightning quick feet, and chipped the ball home in ice cool fashion.

The goal seemed to take the wind out of the visitors sail a little and they began to rush things in order to find a quick response.

On 67 minutes Lucio should have punished the Old Lady when Buffon's miss-timed punch went flashing past the Brazilian just meters from goal.

Shortly after the Nerazzurri were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty when Martin Caceres made full contact with Milito inside the box. As 'El Principe' went down appeared to have a decent view of things but he didn't hesitate to wave play on.

As the clock started to run down Juventus began to look ever more assured at the back as their organized line gave Inter little space to attack. Mourinho's men started to go route one, but were unable to force the Bianconeri into difficulty.

Five minutes from time tensions stated to get the better of things after Felipe Melo swung a loose elbow into the path of Mario Balotelli. Althought the Brazilian made little contact with the Inter hitman, the intention was there and referee Saccani had no option but to send him for an early bath.

Despite a late Inter surge, Juventus kept a cool head at the back and managed to hold on for a precious victory. Ferrara's men moved back to within five points of the Italian champions, and restored some life back into the scudetto race.

Stefano Federici, Goal.com

Faletti: «L’Avvocato, is an example to the supporters»

The moment of Juventus-Inter is drawing near. It is the most awaited match by all Juventus supporters, from the “normal” ones to the VIPs. Just like Giorgio Faletti, for example. The writer from Asti will be at the Stadio Olimpico, on Saturday night, to watch the match. And while waiting to savour the show he gave an interview exclusively to Juventus Channel.

Directly from his house in Asti, Faletti spoke of the match, launching a particular message to the supporters who will be present on the stands: «When they are all together, I know it is hard not to get carried away by the enthusiasm and fall into something which cannot be considered as support. We must behave in a civilized manner, remembering that there are no enemies on the filed but only opponents who should not be judged by the fact that they are wearing another jersey or have a different skin colour».

To make the appeal even more significant, the artist from Piedmont quoted him who has always been considered as the number one fan: «As per tradition, Juventus ahs always been linked to personalities like that of Avvocato Agnelli who has always represented class in its pure state and the supporters must behave in the same manner. Besides, on our jersey, the black and white co-exist and this should mean something».

With regards to the purely sport part, Faletti is counting on an important response from Ciro Ferrara’s team: «I would be stupid to say that things are going well at the moment. I am a supporter but most of all a sportsman and I think that it is right for the best team to win. I am a keen Ferrari fan and I was so even during the dark years. I think it is in these situations that you see the true supporters. Juventus has all the resources, human and technical, to recover and return to winning».

Returning to victory. In the big match Saturday, a match which could really be a launching pad. «A prediction? – he concluded –. I am sure that our players will enter the field determined to fight hard, but Inter at this moment is more in form and is showing this with the advantage it has in the table which cannot be considered simply as a stroke of luck. On Saturday I will go to the stadium, sure and hopeful that Juventus can pull out a rabbit from the hat!»

Blanc: «We have faith in Ferrara»

«Ferrara is not risking anything. He is working well and we have complete faith in him». Juventus president, Jean-Claude Blanc, on the side-lines of the Lega Calcio assembly held yesterday afternoon chased away any possible doubt: Juventus will go on with Ferrara as coach. « The results of the next two matches will not change anything. We will be going ahead with the same project – continued Blanc – Ciro has great capabilities and is a great worker who has with him a staff of great quality. The next two matches are very important for the championship and the Champions League and obviously we will be facing them with professionalism, serenity, great commitment and work».

Blanc admitted to the current difficulties but looked ahead: : «Other great clubs, like Real and Bayern, had difficult moments. Now we have this and we must overcome it. There is very little to say and very much to work on so as to get back to the field and win. I understand that there might be a bit of nervousness from the supporters but I ask them to moderate their tone and maintain a civilized attitude».

The defeat in Cagliari hurts, even though, as stressed by Ferrara, the outcome of the match was also influenced by two penalties which Juventus were denied by the referee: «There is no difference between what Ferrara said and what the management thinks. We hope that during the rest of the season everything returns in equilibrium».

Finally a thought about new signings Diego and Felipe Melo and their difficulty to adapt: «We understand that the championship is difficult and that certain players do not have enough space to play therefore encountering certain difficulties. With regards to Diego, he is fouled a lot and it is not always easy for him to express his talent. I have faith in the investments made and the quality of the team».

Secco: "We Are a Team And Everybody Has The Same Responsibility"

Alessio Secco and Gianluca Pessotto took part at Sesto San Giovanni during an evening which assigned the traditional Torretta award. Amongst the persons receiving the awards were Juventus sports director Alessio Secco and Giorgio Chiellini, who was not present because he had just undergone an operation to the nose. His prize was collected by Pessotto.

Alessio Secco spoke to the journalists present who made quite a few questions about the current situation of the team. They asked whether the next two matches, against Inter and Bayern Munich, are decisive for Ferrara’s future. Secco answered:

"Absolutely not. He has the faith of all the management of the club" Others targeted were the Brazilian players about whom the sports director declared: "You are the ones to judge these players, who are absolutely of high value, after reading your articles published in August. It is true that we can and must do better, but this goes for all. We are a team and there is nobody who is more responsible than others. Felipe Melo? I would sign him again today".

Secco concluded speaking of the way one can emerge from this difficult moment: "I will not look into the technical level as this is in the competence of the coach. I say we must remain united and work even harder and better than we did up to now".

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