<div style="text-align: center"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/sports-news-august-2010/image/9499132?term=Juventus" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://view4.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9499132/sports-news-august-2010/sports-news-august-2010.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=9499132" border="0" alt="Aug. 06, 2010 - 06282320 date 05 08 2010 Copyright imago Gribaudi ImagePhoto GC Modena 53 08 2010 Europe League Juventus Shamrock RVs Photo Giuseppe Celeste Image Photo Esultanza Gol Alessandro DEL Piero PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxITA Football men UEFA Europe League Europe League EC 3 Qualification 2010 2011 Modena Action shot Vdig xkg 2010 horizontal Highlight premiumd." width="500" height="333"></figure></div></a></div>
Mention the 2009-2010 season to Juventus’ 170 million fans and they will shake their head in disgust.&nbsp; Italy’s most successful and <a href="http://www.repubblica.it/2008/08/sezioni/sport/calcio/sondaggio-calcio/tifo-juve-inter/tifo-juve-inter.html" target="_blank">beloved</a> soccer team was a shell of itself, missing out on a European tournament spot due to poor play and aging players.&nbsp; It is not a coincidence that the Italian national team also failed to live up to expectations in the World Cup, as Juve players made up a large contingent of the team.&nbsp; Overall, it was a season to forget in Stadio Olimpico and the club wasted no time in cleaning house, replacing individuals from the team president down.&nbsp; The new Juventus still has many familiar names, but has strengthened its weaknesses to make a run at the top four. 
Management: Jean-Claude Blanc, the brainchild behind the new Juventus stadium, was forced out in May 2010 and replaced with Andrea Agnelli, the fourth member of his family to run Juventus.&nbsp; Similar to Blanc, he has a business background and is tasked with maintaining the profitability of the club.&nbsp; No doubt part of his financial plan includes UEFA tournament money.
His first task upon being hired was to grab Luigi Del Neri from Sampdoria as a permanent replacement for Ciro Ferrara.&nbsp; Del Neri guided Sampdoria to a top four finish and was in demand this offseason.&nbsp; His 4-4-2 style will be a good fit for Juventus, and look for the team to focus a bit more on defense this season.&nbsp; Del Neri could, however, actually play more of a 4-2-2-2 if he extends the wings and moves them forward in the attack.&nbsp; Juventus in their matches this month have also played a 4-3-3 at times.&nbsp; He’s seen success at Atalanta before guiding Sampdoria to the Champions League, and he was the best person available for the job. 
The Transfer Market: Juventus was active in the transfer market, as to be expected, sending out older&nbsp;and more expensive players and bringing in both quality starters and key backups.&nbsp; Maybe the biggest name to come to Juventus was Pepe, acquired on loan from Udinese with an option to buy.&nbsp; Del Neri knows Pepe from his time in Palermo, and has added him as an attack option on the right side.&nbsp; The club also beefed up its defense, which is discussed in depth below.
The continuing story of this offseason is the departures from the club, or a house cleaning if you prefer.&nbsp; Italian national and rapidly aging defender Fabio Cannavaro has left for the UAE soccer league and a hefty contract.&nbsp; Christian Poulsen was transferred to Liverpool for about €5.5 million to free up some salary and space after a disappointing stint with the club.&nbsp; The biggest loss long-term, however, may be <a href="http://blogs.soccernet.com/juventus/archives/2010/08/ciao_gio.php" target="_blank">the loss of Sebastian Giovinco</a> to Parma.&nbsp; The young playmaker had been tabbed by fans as the next Juve star, but he grew tired of waiting to break into the starting XI. 
Key Players: Starting in the back of the 4-4-2, vice-captain and all-world keeper Gigi Buffon begins the season&nbsp;on the injured list, leaving AC Milan acquisition Marco Storari as the starter.&nbsp; Storari will never cause people to forget Buffon, but he is experienced and talented enough to hold down the position until Buffon is healthy.
<div style="float: left;margin-right: 5px"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/shamrock-rovers-juventus/image/9449128?term=Juventus" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://view4.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9449128/shamrock-rovers-juventus/shamrock-rovers-juventus.jpg?size=234&amp;imageId=9449128" border="0" alt="July 29, 2010 - Dublin, Ireland - epa02266030 Pat Flynn from Shamrock Rovers (R) and Giorgio Chiellini from Juventus in action during the Europa League 3rd round 1st Leg Qualifiying match between Shamrock Rovers and Juventus in Dublin, Ireland, 29 July 2010." width="234" height="156"></figure></div></a></div>
Coming into the new season, Del Neri knew he needed to revamp the defense after Juventus allowed 55 goals last season.&nbsp; He acquired rising star Leonardo Bonucci from Bari and Marco Motta from Roma to partner with stalwarts Giorgio Chiellini and Fabio Grosso, or if Grosso leaves during this transfer window, Paolo De Ceglie.&nbsp; The two new additions will strengthen the backline and makes defense a team strength.&nbsp; Look for Bonucci to become the next Fabio Grosso in his time at Juventus.
If Del Neri continues his traditional formation, the midfield will see two holding and two attacking wingers.&nbsp; As mentioned, Pepe will man the right wing and replace Mauro Camoranesi, who regardless of his transfer status should be replaced by a younger player.&nbsp; Claudio Marchisio, one of the players who actually looked good in last season’s debacle, could start on the other wing, with Mohammed Sissoko in the middle.&nbsp; UPDATE – Juventus <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2010/08/19/2078378/breaking-news-cska-moscow-confirm-milos-krasic-will-join" target="_blank">added another potential starter</a> to the midfield with CSKA Moscow winger Milos Krasic.
Up front, Del Neri against Shamrock moved Pepe and attacking midfielder Davide Lanzafame (Parma) to the forward position with Amauri.&nbsp; While this could be an attacking option, I can see a rotation (assuming a 4-4-2) of Amauri, Trezeguet, and Del Piero as a potent attack.
<div style="float: right;margin-left: 5px"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/sports-news-august-2010/image/9545240?term=Juventus" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://view2.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9545240/sports-news-august-2010/sports-news-august-2010.jpg?size=234&amp;imageId=9545240" border="0" alt="Aug. 14, 2010 - 06320941 date 13 08 2010 Copyright imago Gribaudi ImagePhoto GC Bari 13 08 2010 Trofeo Tim Milan Juventus Photo Giuseppe Celeste Image Sports Nella Photo Esultanza Gol Diego PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxITA Bari men Football ITA Series A 2011 try out Portrait Vdig xmk 2010 Square premiumd." width="234" height="238"></figure></div></a></div>
This is, of course, assuming Diego is sent to a Bundesliga club, where he has been rumored to be going (<a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=815305&amp;sec=transfers&amp;cc=5901&amp;cc=5901" target="_blank">or not going</a>).&nbsp; If Diego stays, the forward position has the potential to be one of the deepest in Serie A.
Outlook: This preview could change if Juventus makes any more changes on the transfer market, which is possible.&nbsp; But as their club stands, Juventus is definitely a favorite to finish in the top four.&nbsp; Even without a healthy Buffon to begin the season, the defense is improved from last season and will be a strength.&nbsp; The attack will be more “exciting” than last season with a good variety of scorers that Del Neri can turn to for goals.&nbsp; Under new management and with Del Neri’s vision revitalizing the club, there is no reason this club will not move higher in the standings.&nbsp; Whether they can challenge for a scudetto will depend on if they can improve on their record against the top clubs.

Serie A Preview &#8211; The Resurrection of Juventus

Serie A Preview - The Resurrection of Juventus - World Soccer Talk

Serie A Preview – The Resurrection of Juventus

<div style="float: left"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/lippi-world-cup-squad/image/8985420?term=Italian+national+team" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/8985420/lippi-world-cup-squad/lippi-world-cup-squad.jpg?size=380&amp;imageId=8985420" border="0" alt="Jun. 02, 2010 - Sestriere, Italy - epa02183880 Italian national football team coach Marcello Lippi answers media questions during a press conference 2nd June 2010 in Sestriere where he announced his final 23 man party for the World Cup in South Africa." width="380" height="208"></figure></div></a></div>
An <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5270967/ce/us/italy-players-dark-starting-vs-paraguay?cc=5901&amp;ver=us" target="_blank">ESPN interview </a>with some of the Italian national team players shows that not even the squad seems to know who will be on the pitch on Sunday when they kick off versus Paraguay.&nbsp; Marcello Lippi has been tight-lipped about who will start and what formation the Azzurri will play, even noting that the formation could be fluid throughout the World Cup.&nbsp; A look at the starters in recent friendlies is a useless guide, as the last two have seen vastly different lineups.
However, if Marcello Lippi asked me who my starting 11 would be on June 14 (and I am checking my voicemail just in case), here would be my suggestion:
Formation:4-3-3.&nbsp; The strength of this squad is their defending,&nbsp;and this formation allows&nbsp;the Azzurri to play with their best four defenders.&nbsp; Since they are without Pirlo for the first two matches at least, this formation allows for players to move up for more offensive firepower if needed, such as moving Maggio up to the midfield.
Keeper:Gianluigi Buffon.&nbsp; I don’t think I need to explain why.
Backline: Leonardo Bonucci,&nbsp;Fabio Cannavaro, Giorgio Chiellini, Christian Maggio.&nbsp; Cannavaro and Chiellini are no-brainers and should be on the pitch from the opening kick.&nbsp; Maggio is arguably better placed as a winger but starting him on the backline allows him to move around in the 4-3-3 as needed, either into the midfield or remaining back.&nbsp; Bonucci may be the most controversial inclusion, but the young defender has shown a knack for scoring off set pieces and could be a valuable option in the box on offense if the club needs to score.&nbsp; Plus, by starting the Bari defender, Lippi can play his more experienced players later in the match if experience is called for.&nbsp; Lippi can call on Zambrotta for experience but if he needs fresh legs, Bochetti would be available.
Midfield:Daniele De Rossi, Riccardo Montolivo, Gennaro Gattuso.&nbsp; Midfield is arguably the weakest part of the club right now with injuries to Pirlo and Camoranesi, so a&nbsp;three-player&nbsp;midfield with the option of moving up a defender or dropping a forward is ideal.&nbsp; DeRossi and Gattuso are veterans who have won a World Cup and can provide experience in managing a World Cup match from the middle.&nbsp; Pirlo’s injury means the Azzurri lack a playmaker whose passing skills can jump start an attack, so Fiorentina captain Montolivo and his passing skills are needed in the middle.
Forwards: Fabio Quagliarella, Alberto Gilardino, Vincenzo Iaquinta.&nbsp; My gut has me leaning toward these three being the starters up front, although it may be hard to keep Di Natale and Pazzini on the bench to start.&nbsp; Di Natale was the leading scorer in Serie A, so if Italy fails to threaten the goal in their first match you may see DiNatale starting the second.&nbsp; But this lineup allows for an experienced front to begin a match and, if Italy needs a quick strike or more offense, has some firepower coming off the bench.&nbsp;
We are about 48 hours away from the Azzurri taking the pitch – who’s your starting 11?

Who Are the Starting 11 for the Azzurri?

Who Are the Starting 11 for the Azzurri? - World Soccer Talk

<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1622" src="/files/2009/09/Italy3-300x186.jpg" alt="Italy Training Session" width="300" height="186"></figure></div>
With Brazilian&nbsp;striker Amauri&nbsp;close to becoming an Italian citizen, it looks like Bayern Munich’s Luca Toni will find it quite hard to represent Italy in South Africa. Azzurri Boss Marcello&nbsp;Lippi has hinted on more than one occasion that Amauri will be very useful for the national team.
The raging debate is whether more foreign born players ought to be called up to the national team and a case can be made that&nbsp;a couple quality players can improve on the Azzurri’s shortcomings in certain departments of the field. The measuring stick should be whether the player can improve on the existing talent pool at the disposal of Italy’s Lippi.&nbsp;At this stage Amauri is in better overall condition than both Toni and Juve’s&nbsp;powerful striker&nbsp;Iaquinta while Fiorentina’s Alberto Gilardino apparently finds it difficult to rattle&nbsp;the net with the Azzurri.&nbsp;Amauri’s inclusion can be tolerated if he succeeds as the target man during the World Cup. This evokes memories of club teammate Mauro Camoranesi, an Oriundi, whose inclusion in La Nazionale’s WC 2006 squad stirred debate since he does not sing the Italian national anthem and&nbsp;has claimed he&nbsp;remains Argentine deep inside though he plays his heart out for the Azzurri.
Playing for the Italian national team is a privilege and not everyone is entitled to the Azzurri shirt. The triumph in World Cup 2006 reaffirmed Italy’s standing among the world’s best,&nbsp;with great football tradition. Only Brazilian internationals have more stars stitched to&nbsp;their shirt.&nbsp;The Azzurri’s door cannot be open to just any player. The likes of Roma’s Rodrigo Taddei and Lazio’s Cristian Ledesma have expressed willingness to represent Italy, yet those players are unlikely to be called upon by&nbsp;Coach Lippi. It must be said that the former Juve Trainer is quite right in declaring that he will not be giving players such as Taddei and Ledesma a chance to play for Italy.
La Nazionale does not need to count on ‘decent’ players who&nbsp;will not add any extra dimension to the team’s playing schemes and obviously Marcello Lippi recognizes that. Both Ledesma and Taddei play in midfield. The&nbsp;areas the two players cover&nbsp;are not really in need of reinforcement. The likes of Roma’s Daniele De Rossi, Milan’s Andrea Pirlo, Juve’s Claudio Marchisio and&nbsp;Udinese’s Gaetano D’Agostino are all capable midfielders. Both De Rossi and Pirlo are established stars with their respective clubs and have played a part of Italy’s success in 2006.
At this point, it would be meaningless to call up the likes of Taddei. The Azzurri might be just lacking a killer punch upfront with players like Gilardino finding it difficult to score, yet the other positions are covered by quality players such as the great Gianluigi Buffon in goal, the solid Giorgio Chiellini in defense along with promising young defenders Domenico Criscito and Davide Santon.
Lippi&nbsp;may call up Amauri&nbsp;but it will be highly unlikely that others will join the Italian setup. The tifosi are more concerned about whether Sampdoria’s Antonio Cassano will be part of the squad headed to South Africa. Since the 1990s, France has served as a leading example of accommodating stars born outside France or who are of foreign ancestry such as retired hero Zinedine Zidane. As fans of the beautiful game, what do you think about using foreign-born players or having footballers with ancestors from a country chosen to represent it?

Oriundi And Foreign-Born Players For The Azzurri?

Oriundi And Foreign-Born Players For The Azzurri? - World Soccer Talk

<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e7u5ptOmmYg/SZGrjJoXuZI/AAAAAAAAAzU/duxcxvmpls4/s1600-h/brazil+vs+italy+100209-2a.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px;width: 400px;cursor: hand;height: 225px;text-align: center" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e7u5ptOmmYg/SZGrjJoXuZI/AAAAAAAAAzU/duxcxvmpls4/s400/brazil+vs+italy+100209-2a.jpg" border="0" alt=""></figure></div></a> 
Kickoff for today’s international friendly will be at 7:45 pm London time, and 2:45 pm on the east coast in North America as the Azzurri take on Brazil in a high profile friendly at the Emirates Stadium, the home of Arsenal
Kaka will miss this encounter as well as&nbsp;compatriot Amauri who received a late call-up from Brazilian manager Dunga but was blocked at the club level by Juventus, as was their right to do so.
Amauri’s Juventus teammate <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauro_Camoranesi">Mauro Camoranesi</a> travelled with the Italian side to London and will make a surprise appearance for the Azzurri. It is still unclear if Mauro will play today but good to see him back after injury and should he play he will start along side Bayern’s hitman <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luca_Toni">Luca Toni</a> and Villarreal’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Rossi">Giuseppe Rossi</a> both set to feature.
Four time World Cup Champions Italy will be hoping for their first win over five time Champions Brazil since the 1982 World Cup Final.
Probable line ups are,
Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta, Legrottaglie, Cannavaro, Grosso; Perrotta, Pirlo, De Rossi; Camoranesi, Toni, Rossi
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Juan, Lucio, Adriano, Felipe Melo, Gilberto Silva, Elano, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Pato
7 out of 11 of the starting eleven for Brazil currently play for Italian clubs.
<h4>Related Articles</h4>
Goal.com – <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/468/internationals/2009/02/09/1101874/lippi-brazil-and-italy-have-changed-over-time">Lippi: Brazil And Italy Have Changed Over Time</a> 
Channel4 Football Italia – <a href="http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/feb10j.html">Rossi in, Gamberini out</a> 
ShanghaiDaily – <a href="http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200902/20090210/article_390481.htm">Brazilians denied key strikers for Italy game</a>

Italy Meets Brazil Today In London

Italy Meets Brazil Today In London - World Soccer Talk

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Italy Meets Brazil Today In London