The festive break is over and with Serie A almost underway, we look back at the week’s Juventus stories and transfer news in The Week in Black and White.

Club News

Agnelli against foreign investment – Juventus patron Andrea Agnelli revealed he is against foreign ownership in Serie A and believes the Italian stadiums need to be revamped.

Rugani honoured by Juventus links – Empoli defender Daniele Rugani is honoured to be linked to a move back to Juventus but believes he still has work to do before earning a return to Turin.

Lippi: Juventus will win the title – Former Juve coach Marcello Lippi thinks Juventus will pip Roma to the Scudetto and believes the Bianconeri’s loss to Napoli in the Supercoppa will have a positive impact rather than a negative on the Juventus’ season overall.

Allegri – ‘I feel a Juventino‘ – Max Allegri has revealed he feels a Juventino since arriving at the club in the summer while echoing Andrea Agnelli’s sentiments regarding redevelopment in Serie A.

 

 

Carlos Tevez – ‘I don’t want to extend’ – Carlos Tevez has confirmed what many already suspected  – He has no desire to renew with Juventus beyond 2016. It’s expected he will return to Argentina and his boyhood club, Boca Juniors.

Manolo Gabbiadini to Napoli – At the time of writing, Manolo Gabbiadini is undergoing his medical at Napoli ahead of a €13m move from Sampdoria/Juventus.

 

Transfer News

Juve edge closer to Rolando – Beppe Marotta confirmed a week ago what most Juventini already knew – Juventus are in the market for a centre-back following Andrea Barzagli’s injury woes. Rolando is still the main target and his agent is due to meet with Porto this week about a possible transfer.  

Chelsea ask for Asamoah – * Bullshit alert * According to British ‘paper’ The Metro and ‘reports in Africa‘ Chelsea are prepared to pay £24m for Kwadwo Asamoah, a player who is currently injured and not due to return to action for another 3 months.

 

Juventus midfield options – Shaqiri– A lot can happen in a week, especially in the transfer market. From being linked with Bayern Munich’s Shaqiri and seemingly being in a strong position to sign for the Swiss midfielder, Juventus appear to have lost ground to both Inter Milan and Liverpool and are prepared to turn their attentions elsewhere….

 

Juventus midfield options – Wesley Sneijder – …which leads nicely into the later rumours doing the rounds: Juve are looking to Galatasaray’s Wesley Sneijder to fill their attacking midfield role. According to Tuttosport and GdS, Juve are turning their attention to the Dutch midfielder having missed out on Xherdan Shaqiri who will likely join either Inter Milan or Liverpool.

 

Juventus midfield options – Alessandro Diamanti – At the time of writing, Gianluca Di Marzaio is reporting that Alessandro Diamanti is the alternative to Wesley Sneijder.

 

Match Results/Upcoming fixtures

Juventus 2 – 2* Napoli [SuperCoppa Italiana] –  Juventus were twice ahead through Carlos Tevez and a string of superb gigi Buffon saves but managed to lose on penalties to Napoli in the SuperCoppa Italiana.  

 

Juventus v Inter – Serie A resumes after the Christmas break and Juve face Inter Milan in the Derby D’Italia

 

Quotes of the week

Beppe Marotta – “Allegri proved the doubters wrong. We had to find ourselves a new Coach within 24 hours and Allegri also had to inherit a team formed by someone else”

Juninho Pernambucano– “Pirlo is a reference point for all free kick takers”

Luca Toni – “Perhaps I arrived at Juventus a little late in the day. I could’ve done more, given the chance, but the club made other choices”

Carlo Ancelotti – “Juventus can stand up to us, to Bayern [Munich] and to Chelsea. Their historical core is composed of the World Champions and world-class foreigners, that is to say, players with great international experience.”

Lukas Podolski [2007] – “In Italy I support Juve. As a kid I was so enthusiastic about Zidane and Del Piero. Now they are in Serie B – and that’s why Inter are winning the Scudetto. I am a real fan of Italian football and love Juve. Ah well, Inter deserve it…”

Max Allegri – “Sneijder is a feasible luxury. We’re missing someone like that.”  

 

Injuries

Andrea Barzagli – There’s still no confirmed return date for the veteran defender following his injury troubles in the summer. He was first expected to return to action in January but there’s been no announcement since.

Martin Caceres & Luca Marrone – Both players are expected to be in the squad against Inter Milan following their return to training over the winter break.

Kwadwo Asamoah & Romulo – Both players are recovering from their respective surgeries late last year and will return end of Feb/Beginning of March.

 

…and finally

Tweet of the week has to go to @ginkers for this fine effort:  

 

Take 7 minutes of your time to watch this inspiring documentary about Juventus ultras, Tattoo’s and what it means to be a Juventino.