The match against Roma is around the corner, but during the press conference held on the eve of the match, the interest of the journalists was not so much on the technical aspects of the match. The rumours of other coaches who are candidates for the Juventus bench, the distant duel between Ferrara and Ranieri and the sacking of the current Roma caoch were the topics on which Ferrara was interviewed mostly.
Training behind closed doors
«Juventus is one of the few teams that allows people to watch the training sessions but this week I wanted to have a bit of privacy. In recent years the doors were always open but in certain circumstances the coach might feel the necessity to try something without giving an ulterior advantage to his opponents and to work solely with the team».
The meeting with the management
«It was a serene one and several aspects were analysed always with the common objective of coming out of this sitaution».
The statement by Hiddink’s agent about contact with Juventus
«I believe more in the words of the President who repeatedly told me he had made no contact at all. It is not the first time that agents and coaches make certain statements. Surely, I would have never refused such an offer... In this situation anybody can take advantage to sponsor somebody or other. It is spoke about every day of how Ferrara’s bench is at risk and who could replace him, sometimes perhaps unfairly. Even if there were contacts witha coach or other it wouldn’t matter».
Ranieri’s sacking last year
«I was a Juventus player for many years and when I stopped playing I began my career as the person responsible of the Youth Sector and today I am the Juventus coach. What I care about is that the team reaches certain levels. I think nobody could ever think that in that circumstance I was aspiring for the bench. I remember when I was called for the last two matches. My name had been mentioned but I did not wish Ranieri harm. It is not in my character to do so. Obviosly, I was happy when they called me. There were rumours that I had spoken badly of Ranieri but this is not the case and I am sorry that this sort of news was diffused. I saw what happened to Ranieri from the outside since I was taking care of other things and therefore I have no idea what went on in the dressing rooms and what Ranieri’s relations with the management were like. I will have the chance to see him on Saturday and I will say hello in a cordial manner. Don’t forget that he was my coach in naples and I think we have a mutual respectful relationship. Surely, I have nothing to clarify or justify myself for. I was involved only by others and I do not want this match to be seen as some sort of duel between me and Ranieri. Surely, on his part there will be a bit of heart feelings but neither me nor him will be playing. It is the players who will be on the field to play in such a delicate match».
Candreva
«If he was signed by Juventus it is because he showed great quality. He has a clear mind and I tried to explain to him that wearing this jersey is important and difficulty especially for a youngster. We also spoke of technical aspects and he seems to know football. He can interpret various roles and has already done so with livorno: against us he played as trequartista but against Napoli he was fielded in front of the defence. He can also play on the inside and I tried him out in that position. I don’t think he would unbalance us because technically he is also ready for phases without ball possession and sacrifice. He times his exits well and is capable of playing in 3-strong midfield».
Sissoko
«Momo is ready to play. The important thing is that he does not have problems. He overcame the problem he had and is available. He is important for immense physical strength and also for the intensity he puts into training. He is of a stimulus to the whole group».
The match against the giallorossi
«Roma is going through an excellent moment, but I prefer playing against these type of teams who play with enthusiasm. We want to interrupt their positive streak. We must try to get back on track and return to running without looking at the table. It is difficult to do so seeing that the margin is even greater at the moment. This should be an ulterior motive».
Juventus and Roma: two different trails
«I did not bother with looking at the trail of the opponents but certainly I would not have expected such an important change of tendency on our part. I knew we would have encountered certain difficulties, but not to this extent».
Toni reborn with Roma
«Football is strange: there are players for whom it is enough to change place and immediatley they do better. Toni is an example just like Tiago (who scored his first goal for Atletico Madrid), to whom I send my best regards».
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Ferrara: «We must change course»
Bettega: «We are counting on the return of the injured players»
In the dressing rooms area of the Bentegodi, it was Roberto Bettega who spoke in the name of the management. The deputy director general analyzed the match and confirmed faith in Ferrara and the squad.
Bettega did not try to hide behind the injuries alibi but never like in Verona were certain absences felt: «These are matches you lose as a team, not as one , two or three persons. They have a greater fighting spirit and are more physical. They area team who play long balls and run. They were very clever not to play the match. Conscious of the pitch conditions and the physical aspect they played on these levels and they won. We are without Iaquinta, Amauri, Sissoko, Camoranesi, Trezeguet and at this moment we cannot play physically. Besides the injuries, we are having alternate performances and we are finding it difficult to adapt to the way in which the opponent faces the match. If Milan came out of their presumed crisis through faith in the players and the coach we will also try to do the same. We hope that soon we will have back certain important players who will give us more physical power which we need. Acting on the transfer market? I don’t think so because we have important players. Our transfer market will be recovering them».
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Chiellini: «I can’t understand what is going wrong»
Even the toughest of all left the field visibly disappointed after the defeat against Chievo. Giorgio Chiellini, a lion heart, could not help expressing the great disappointment felt.
«It is true we have many injured players but it is not an alibi. We cannot hide behind the absentees. We are not managing to create, we are conceding a bit too much. We were not lucky but we did not create enough. I can’t understand what is going wrong. We are putting in all we can but we are not managing to create. Now we have a few days to recover and on Saturday even I will be in a different spirit».
Some argue that Juventus are at the moment not capable of registering two consecutive victories: «I think that the truth is that the difference between the matches against Parma and Milan was very small. Against Napoli we played really well and we wanted to repeat this today. We did not manage to do this and they worked in a better way then us. We never managed to hurt them, shoot at goal and create opportunities. I don’t know what is going wrong. I hope we manage to see the light at the end of this tunnel which at the moment is really hard».
Are the players unmotivated?: «We have objectives. If anything we want to qualify for the Champions League which today seems to be already hard enough. Therefore we are not unmotivated and besides we never like making fools of ourselves».
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Buffon: «There is no answer to this moment»
He was hoping to return from injury with a victory but this was not the case and Gianluigi Buffon was obviously very disappointed like all at Juventus: «It is not what we I was hoping for but one must evaluate the moment and the performance we gave because with such a performance we could not have brought home anything better. In order to try and win something, quality and consistency are important and at this moment we are not managing this. The only consistency we have is that of bad results and this is even worse».
So what is going wrong?: «There is no answer to this moment. Perhaps when you play an away match such as this you can concede a few chances but what is not good is that we do not manage to disrupt the opponents’ tactics and defence. This means that they gain confidence and create even more problems for us».
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Rumour Mill Roundup
Juventus are hustling the market for a cocktail of midfielders as Roberto Bettega and Alessio Secco get to work on fortifying the squad.
Il Corriere Dello Sport claims that Atalanta's Tiberio Guarente, Genoa's Alberto Zapater, and Udinese ace Gaetano D'Agostino have come increasingly piqued the Bianconeri's interest.
Coach Ciro Ferrara has reverted to a 4-4-2 system, leading to speculation he needs extra midfielders. An injury to Mauro Camoranesi, Mohammed Sissoko's absence as well as Paolo De Ceglie's lack of spark has seen the club turn the focus on bringing in new players.
The impression is that Juve are likely to land at least one midfielder in January to offer a degree of cover, before restructuring plans for a full on summer transfer campaign.
Lazio's Pasquale Foggia and Valencia's Joaquin as well as Aleksandar Kolarov and Davide Lanzafame are all names the have been connected with the Old Lady.
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Report: Hiddink already in Italy
There are unconfirmed reports that Guus Hiddink has been spotted on Italian soil, fuelling speculation he’ll replace Ciro Ferrara at Juventus.
The current Russia manager has been pinpointed as the successor to Ferrara following the costly Champions League elimination.
Russian newspapers claim the club has offered £8m per season to walk away from his current job, while according to Tuttosport Hiddink is already in Italy.
Reports suggest the Dutchman was spotted at Milan’s Malpensa airport in the last few hours and went on to a meeting with the Bianconeri directors.
If Juventus lose in Parma on Wednesday, then Ferrara is likely to be axed with immediate effect, bringing in Hiddink ahead of the crunch showdown with Milan next weekend.
However, if Hiddink is not able to free himself from Russia that quickly, then a stop-gap measure could be introduced to see out the season.
Alberto Zaccheroni, Claudio Gentile and even current Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni are candidates.
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Chiellini: «The break was useful»
He trained even during the Christmas holidays. He did so out of his own accord, at home, to recover completely from the muscle injury suffered against Inter which made him miss the last matches of 2009. Now Chiellini is ready and speaks of the imminent return to official matches, while saying that the first few days of the new year saw the team working with great commitment and concentration. «The Christmas break was useful not only for me to recovery from the injury, but for all the team. We recovered energy and faith. Now we need results, which in such moments help the team to find the security and cohesion of some time ago. Everybody is giving his 110% to overcome the difficult moment».
Parma will be the first test for the team, a match which is far from easy: «Parma is undoubtedly the revelation of the year – stated Chiellini. They are fighting for a place in the Champions League, have a good squad and a coach that makes the team render to the maximum. They play well and have a good mix of youngsters and experienced players».
It is a commitment which Juventus will be facing with the conviction and will to get back immediately to what they always were: «We are going to Parma – concluded Chiellini – to win and first of all to be a team, to show on the field that we regained that compactness and that solidity which are the trademark of Juventus»
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