Juventus

Criscito is also LB, a very talented youngster too - he was quality for Genoa last season, and they have been wanting him back. I think it all depends on how the Chiellini situation works out... if he leaves, as is looking likely at the mo, then Molinaro clearly becomes starting LB, andCriscito back-up... if he stays, then I suspect Criscito will get loaned out to Genoa again.

I think Chiellini is the most talented of the bunch, but only just... but Molinaro was highly rated as a kid too, and he has done decently since - should be at the same level as Chiellini... while Criscito is obviously younger, but again rated enough to reach their levels soon. Its a good problem to have.

Chiellini definatrely has the talent to become a quality CB (he reminds me so much of Materazzi when he was young!)

TarunDang wrote:

Dark Savante wrote:You got some decent LBs , is Cheillini the best of the bunch?
Some were saying that he can play CB though I have never seen that , can he?

Molinaro is the LB we have apart from Cheillini but he is inexperienced & untried compared to Cheillini.
Cheillini did play as a CB in a few games last season in Serie B & we had Balzaretti on the left but I am not sure if he is a proven CB.

bluenine wrote:
Chiellini definatrely has the talent to become a quality CB (he reminds me so much of Materazzi when he was young!)

And we would love to have somebody like Materazzi in our ranks

Juventus pre-season

July 22: China Olympic side-Juventus
July 29: Newcastle United-Juventus
August 4: Sunderland-Juventus
August 8: Napoli, Inter and Juventus [Trofeo Birra Moretti]
August 11: Juventus-Roma
August 14: Inter, Milan and Juventus [Trofeo TIM]
August 17: Milan-Juventus [Trofeo Berlusconi]
August 22: Juventus A-Juventus B

Some good games there!

Looking forward to the Juve A - Juve B

Luis wrote:Juventus pre-season

July 22: China Olympic side-Juventus
July 29: Newcastle United-Juventus
August 4: Sunderland-Juventus
August 8: Napoli, Inter and Juventus [Trofeo Birra Moretti]
August 11: Juventus-Roma
August 14: Inter, Milan and Juventus [Trofeo TIM]
August 17: Milan-Juventus [Trofeo Berlusconi]
August 22: Juventus A-Juventus B

Some good games there!

Yeah. It will be a good opportunity for the new team to gel together. And that's where I believe that Ranieri will have a chance to weave his magic in putting together good squads.

golsud wrote:Looking forward to the Juve A - Juve B

Well think of it a few of the B players will surely be featuring regularly in the A side this season

Juve seeded in Serie A draw Saturday 28 July, 2007

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Despite spending last season in Serie B, Juventus will be seeded in Tuesday’s 2007-08 Serie A fixtures draw.

The Bianconeri may be among the newly promoted sides, but they are still being treated as one of the giants of the sport.


It is reported that the Lega Calcio has decided to put Juve in the seeds for the draw set to take place on Tuesday evening at 18.00 UK time.


Traditionally the teams are seeded so that the big clubs do not face each other in the first three rounds of the campaign.


Being among the new boys, it was very likely that the opening game of the Serie A season would have been a bitter grudge match between Juventus and Inter.


To avoid this possibility, Juve will be seeded along with Milan, Roma and Lazio for the draw in Rome.


The decision will only be confirmed on Monday, but talk of favouritism could well be misplaced.


According to the ‘Corriere dello Sport’, the seeding of Juve was in fact requested by the other major clubs, who do not want the risk of facing Claudio Ranieri’s side immediately.

I think you need 1 more CB is Barzagli coming?

Dark Savante wrote:I think you need 1 more CB is Barzagli coming?

I doubt if Barzagli will move anywhere now & also because rumors linking him to Juve have gone cold as well.
I think Juve will depend on shuffling between Boumsong, Birindelli & Grygera to partner Andrade in the center. I believe Boumsong can become a good CB as the next season progresses.
But they do need an LB in case Cheillini leaves

I hope Chiellini will stay and Barzagli coming then I'll feel more confident for them to challenge Scudetto.

3zycupid wrote:I hope Chiellini will stay and Barzagli coming then I'll feel more confident for them to challenge Scudetto.

Me too. Cheillini is good. Juve needs to hold him back.

3zycupid wrote:I hope Chiellini will stay and Barzagli coming then I'll feel more confident for them to challenge Scudetto.

juve are miles off challenging for seria A. might get 4th if they are lucky.

ih8gerrard wrote:

3zycupid wrote:I hope Chiellini will stay and Barzagli coming then I'll feel more confident for them to challenge Scudetto.

juve are miles off challenging for seria A. might get 4th if they are lucky.

Miles off is a bit far, I think Juve can make the top 4 comfortably, I suppose they are a bit like Arsenal at the moment, they have a young squad and everyone's doubting whether they can step up to the challenge but like Arsenal I think Juve will be up there in the top 4

ih8gerrard wrote:

3zycupid wrote:I hope Chiellini will stay and Barzagli coming then I'll feel more confident for them to challenge Scudetto.

juve are miles off challenging for seria A. might get 4th if they are lucky.

I think they will finish among the top 3

Ranieri: Chiellini staying put Tuesday 7 August, 2007

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Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri has revealed that Giorgio Chiellini will not join Manchester City this summer.

The highly-rated defender was expected to be the latest Serie A addition to Sven Goran Eriksson’s squad, but the Turin outfit have insisted they will not sell him.

Ranieri has also stated that there will be no more new arrivals in Turin this summer as he is content with the current squad at his disposal.

The Old Lady has been paired with several players, including Gabriel Heinze of Manchester United and Fernando Meira of Stuttgart, with pundits claiming their defence needs tightening.

“We will not be making any new signings,” said Ranieri. “Many think we need a defender, but I consider our transfer campaign over.

“I would have been surprised had Chiellini decided to leave, but I am not surprised that he will stay.”

Juventus face Inter and Napoli in the Birra Moretti Trophy tournament at the Stadio San Paolo tomorrow evening, with Ranieri insisting that fitness is the key.

“I understand the fans’ expectations, but I consider this just another step towards our best condition,” he said.

“These tournaments are important, but what really counts is the championship and the big match with Inter on November 4.

“It doesn’t matter if we aren’t at our best now, but that we are fit for August 26 when the new season gets up and running.”

Juventus were defeated by Newcastle United and Hamburg in recent weeks and were held to a 1-1 draw by Sunderland last Saturday.

Great new

the squad might be up to finishing in the top 4 but is the manager?

Lets hope Lippi come back next season

3zycupid wrote:Lets hope Lippi come back next season

yeah... well, im up for giving ranieri a season but i remember him from chelsea and i dont have much faith, but i hope he does well as he seems like a nice chap.

Perhaps Lippi is being coy and seeing just how juve get on now they are back... giving it a season to let them settle and then take them on.

ih8gerrard wrote:

3zycupid wrote:Lets hope Lippi come back next season

yeah... well, im up for giving ranieri a season but i remember him from chelsea and i dont have much faith, but i hope he does well as he seems like a nice chap.

Perhaps Lippi is being coy and seeing just how juve get on now they are back... giving it a season to let them settle and then take them on.

IMO Ranieri is certainly worth a try for one season. One never knows if Juventus changes his fortunes & he returns the favor for Juve. By the way he is going about preparing the squad for the season he looks promising.

ih8gerrard wrote:

3zycupid wrote:Lets hope Lippi come back next season

yeah... well, im up for giving ranieri a season but i remember him from chelsea and i dont have much faith, but i hope he does well as he seems like a nice chap.

Perhaps Lippi is being coy and seeing just how juve get on now they are back... giving it a season to let them settle and then take them on.

BTW...very interesting gifs/icons you have got there

TarunDang wrote:

ih8gerrard wrote:

3zycupid wrote:Lets hope Lippi come back next season

yeah... well, im up for giving ranieri a season but i remember him from chelsea and i dont have much faith, but i hope he does well as he seems like a nice chap.

Perhaps Lippi is being coy and seeing just how juve get on now they are back... giving it a season to let them settle and then take them on.

BTW...very interesting gifs/icons you have got there

smiles 2:

who makes these things??? they aint v hard in truth, u just need photoshop or such.

dang, you happy with 4th?

ih8gerrard wrote:dang, you happy with 4th?

A top 4 finish would be satisfactory. But I really think that they would finish within the top 3...Roma/Lazio would eventually stutter at some or the other point in the season as usual.

But would do you think of the situation? I know that not many people think that Ranieri could guarantee big success.

ih8gerrard wrote:dang, you happy with 4th?

What do you think of this formation:

--------------------buffon--------------------

zebina----andrade-----grygera----cheillini

--------------tiago-------almiron------------

camo----------------------------------sali'zic

----------------nedved/del piero------------

-----------------trez/iaquinta----------------


Bench: boumsong, criscito, molinaro, marchionni, palladino
Nedved & Del Piero are getting old & would not last full 90 mins so can compliment each other. Grygera can play instead of Zebina in case boumsong plays CB

Friendlies: Super Juve sink Roma
Saturday 11 August, 2007
Juventus fought back from 2-0 down to beat Roma 5-2 in a thrilling and fiery friendly with David Trezeguet’s brace.

This was an eagerly-anticipated pre-season clash between the two rivals and potential Scudetto contenders and was played on ‘neutral’ turf in Cesena.

Ludovic Giuly was halted for a very tight offside position from Francesco Totti’s slide-rule pass and moments later another defensive error allowed Roma to take the lead.

Claudio Ranieri’s side has shown many defensive problems this summer and as soon as Sergio Almiron lost the ball in midfield, Mirko Vucinic rushed forward to stroke a right-foot finish past Gianluigi Buffon.

Soon after Vincenzo Iaquinta dispossessed Christian Panucci, but Pavel Nedved slipped with the goal gaping. Iaquinta went for glory himself, but Alexander Doni came rushing out to clear, prompting an argument between the former Udinese striker and David Trezeguet.

Yet Roma doubled their lead with another soft goal. The entire Juventus defence was caught ball-watching as a long Totti free kick was floated into the box for the totally unmarked Philippe Mexes’ looping header.

Alessandro Birindelli went off with a knee problem, prompting a tactical reshuffle, and Roma nearly bagged a third with a spectacular Totti backheel, but instead Nedved powered forward for Trezeguet’s angled drive into the far corner.

The game was turned around completely six minutes later, again with the French hitman, this time set up by Under-21 international Antonio Nocerino’s inspired disguised slide-rule pass with the outside of his right foot.

The forced tactical change of Cristiano Zanetti in midfield, Hasan Salihamidzic at right-back and Nocerino on the right wing seemed to give Juve greater stability and creativity.

Nedved was furious when his penalty shout was turned away for a clash with Mexes and several minutes later the two players came together in a scuffle. The Czech clattered into the Frenchman and accidentally stood on his hand as they fell, so Mexes got back up to make his point heard in a head-to-head situation.

Alberto Aquilani drilled inches wide after the break and Alessandro Del Piero replaced brace hero Trezeguet.

Roma seemed to run out of steam and Juve piled on the pressure, taking the lead when Christian Molinaro’s shot was charged down, so Del Piero rolled across for Iaquinta to sidefoot in from eight yards.

Tempers frayed between Mexes and Nedved for a third time after the defender brought down Del Piero and the pair continued to bicker all over the pitch.

Nedved had a fierce strike parried by Gianluca Curci, but Juventus went 4-2 up as Almiron chipped up a cross on the counter for Del Piero’s header.

There was a pitch invasion from a lone Roma fan who just wanted to hug his hero Francesco Totti and was peacefully led away by police. He also paused to embrace Italy’s World Cup winning goalkeeper Buffon.

Marcelo Zalayeta used his strength to shake off Mexes and was eventually closed down for a corner, while Buffon performed a splendid save on Totti’s equally stunning free kick.

Roma's capitulation was complete in stoppages, as Del Piero's free kick was charged down and Zalayeta fired in the loose ball.

Juventus 5-2 Roma
Scorers: Vucinic 11 (R), Mexes 25 (R), Trezeguet 29, 35 (J), Iaquinta 65 (J), Del Piero 77 (J), Zalayeta 91 (J)
Juventus: Buffon; Birindelli (Zanetti 26), Andrade, Criscito, Molinaro; Salihamidzic, Almiron, Nocerino, Nedved; Iaquinta (Zalayeta 72), Trezeguet (Del Piero 60)
Roma: Doni (Curci 63); Cassetti, Panucci, Mexes, Tonetto (Rosi 79); Aquilani, Brighi (Nonda 75); Taddei (Esposito 46), Giuly (Alvarez 63), Vucinic (Barusso 46); Totti
Ref: Rocchi

Ranieri: We’re on the right track Tuesday 14 August, 2007

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Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri hopes that his team will show further improvement in the Trofeo TIM against Milan and Inter.

The Bianconeri will face the Italian champions and the Champions League winners at the San Siro this evening, when they look to confirm Saturday’s performance in the 5-2 defeat of Roma.

“We won’t be playing for the result, but to improve every player’s condition,” Ranieri explained to the Press.

“However, we do want to make a good impression against the teams which won the Italian championship and the Champions League last year,” added the former Chelsea boss.

“We are slowly growing and that’s important. Saturday we were able to keep up physically for the entire match, we are improving our condition.

“However, we still have to focus on our concentration, the goals Roma scored were our fault,” he added.

Ranieri insists that he prefers regular matches, as the 45-minute formula used in some tournaments does not allow the team to do its best.

“I prefer traditional 90-minute matches, in Naples for example [in the Trofeo Birra Moretti] we won the first match but then we had to wait an hour before playing the other one.

“Tonight I will field two different line-ups, but I don’t want to hear about ‘Juventus A’ or ‘Juventus B’, as far as I’m concerned it will always be Juventus playing,” said the ex-Parma boss.

“I’m simply trying to complete our pre-season preparation in the best possible way,” explained the Coach.

“It’s hard to say at what stage we are in our preparation. I believe everyone will only be at their best after three or four league matches.

“But in these friendlies, the team has always fought until the end and this is what I want to see. I would say we are on the right track,” concluded Ranieri.

TarunDang wrote:

ih8gerrard wrote:dang, you happy with 4th?

What do you think of this formation:

--------------------buffon--------------------

zebina----andrade-----grygera----cheillini

--------------tiago-------almiron------------

camo----------------------------------sali'zic

----------------nedved/del piero------------

-----------------trez/iaquinta----------------


Bench: boumsong, criscito, molinaro, marchionni, palladino
Nedved & Del Piero are getting old & would not last full 90 mins so can compliment each other. Grygera can play instead of Zebina in case boumsong plays CB

it looks ok but i would be worried by the lack of pace. Also id imagine nedved would play leftmidfield as first choice but with ranieri no one knows!

i would like to see some of the youth players get more of a chance as im a fan of a mix of young and old and this side is heavy on experience yet light on youthful vigor and tireless running. but all in all i cant see them being outplayed by the likes of lazio over the season so i reckon a battle for 3rd/4th with roma and viola. which hopefully they win!

I am dissatisfied with the transfers.

Welcome back, Waftie!

Yeah, I can understand what you mean... I think Juve have done well, but expected a coupla big transfers more.... Don't get me wrong - Iaquinta, Tiago, Molinaro, Andrade, Salihamidzic, Grygera, Nocerino, Criscito, Almiron, etc are all good additions. And the best part for you guys is that you managed to hold on to your stars... But I expected 1-2 big transfers more, like a Toni or a Klose or a Tevez or Chivu.

And maybe a more proven champion as a coach, rather than Ranieri.... who is a good builder, but not someone whom you can expect to win... If you had got Capello/Lippi back or even Sven, and 1-2 big players, you could ve actually challenged Inter or Milan from the same level. Now it looks very unlikely for Juve to win this season.

waft the hapless youth wrote:I am dissatisfied with the transfers.