Juventus Striker Luca Toni: Milan & Inter? The Best Don't Always Win

Luca Toni still believes Juventus have what it takes to overhaul Inter and Milan.
Juventus striker Luca Toni has warned Inter and Milan that just having the best players could be insufficient for Scudetto glory.

Toni, who joined Juventus from Genoa in January, believes it's team cohesion which makes the difference, not individual talent.

"It's the group which counts, the will of the team. Maybe we have something less compared to Inter and Milan, but the best side doesn't always win," Toni told Hurra Juventus magazine referring to the Old Lady's wins over both Milanese giants this season.

"But we need positive results and consistency to be able to make the step up in quality.

"There are many young players in this team and if things go well then we can aquire security and give an important contribution.

"And I think in future the Juventus of the golden years will return."

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Milan Back In For Manchester City Striker Mario Balotelli As Striker Search Widens

Milan looking at Mario Balotelli again, as well as Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner.
Milan's shortcomings in the Champions League have sparked the search for strikers as Manchester City's Mario Balotelli comes into view for the summer.

Il Corriere dello Sport reports directors at the club are not impressed a team with Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic leading the line failed to beat Tottenham.

And they are already planning ahead for next season with Balotelli first on the list.

He has long been linked with Milan, but City boss Roberto Mancini said on Monday his player is "happy" at Eastlands.

Balotelli is viewed as an alternative to Ibrahimovic, who has often struggled in big games this term.

And with Mino Raiola acting as the agent of both strikers, a move could take off.

Arsenal hitman Nicklas Bendtner is also on the horizon. Robin van Persie's return to excellent form has seen chances limited for the Danish striker.

Milan are said to be on standby for him too should he reconsider his future at the Emirates.

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Juventus Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon: Fourth Spot Is Within Our Reach

Buffon believes Champions League qualification is within Juventus' grasp.
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes that after defeating Inter 1-0 at the weekend, the Bianconeri are capable of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season by finishing in fourth place.

"Sunday evening we won a very difficult match. We overcame a team who won everything last season and it's a major achievement that allows us to consider our potential," the shot stopper said via his official website.

"If we had not been the victim of so many injuries then Juventus could have pointed toward different objectives.

"Today, with great realism, we must aim for fourth spot and that is definitely within our reach. I'm happy, especially for our fans who have supported us. They deserved that win on Sunday evening."

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Lazio Coach Edoardo Reja Delighted With Victory Over Brescia

Coach Edoardo Reja outlined Lazio’s technical quality as the means to overcoming Brescia at the Stadio Rigamonti.
As Lazio moved back into third place following a routine 2-0 victory over Brescia, Aquile coach Edoardo Reja praised his side for working hard to secure a much-needed win away from home.

“We played a great game today,” he declared to SkySport.

“Our technical quality made the difference against Brescia but I was delighted with the manner in the boys ran out there.

“When you combine skill with the will to sacrifice the results are usually easier to come by.

“In the end it proved to be quite an easy victory but this mustn’t take anything away from my men who worked hard to make life easier.

“Over the course of the season it’s normal that you will eventually experience a dip in form. In January we didn’t pick up as many points as the fans may have liked and the critics have been hard on my side.

“On a positive note I think the side is getting back on the right road and it will be important to build on the results in the coming weeks.”

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Francesco Guidolin Urges Udinese Not To Get Carried Away After Cesena Win

Coach Francesco Guidolin praised Udinese for an excellent performance as they continue to keep in touch with fourth place.
As Udinese kept up the chase for a place in Europe following a convincing victory over Cesena, Zebrette coach Francesco Guidolin praised his side but urged them to take things a game at a time.

“I am happy for the boys. They played an excellent game today,” he declared to SkySport.

“We have picked up another important win against a Cesena side who are very strong at home.

“It is a magic moment for us.

“We have faith in our strengths right now and are picking up some good results.

“It will important to stay united and take things a game at a time. In football you never know when a slump in form might come and with this in mind we mustn’t get carried away despite our position in the standings.”

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Sampdoria's Domenico Di Carlo Relieved After Bologna Victory

Coach Mimmo Di Carlo looked to underline Sampdoria’s quality as they bounced back with a win over Bologna.
As Sampdoria completed a convincing 3-1 victory over Bologna, Blucerchiati tactician Mimmo Di Carlo breathed a sigh of relief as his finally bounced back following four consecutive defeats.

“It was a difficult week,” he declared to SkySport.

“Nevertheless, we managed to regroup and today the difference was there for all to see.

“This side still has some important attributes and I was delighted with the manner in which the boys showed their worth.

“[Massimo] Maccarone and [Jonathan] Biabiany played much better this afternoon and we will be relying on them to carry us forward in the coming weeks.

“Now our objective is to reach the 40 points mark and then we are aware that Sampdoria is a side that should and must be aiming to achieve something more.”

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Genoa's Davide Ballardini Rues Inaccuracy Ahead Of City Derby

Coach Davide Ballardini urged Genoa to be more hungry when they take on city rivals Sampdoria midweek.
As Genoa played out a disappointing goalless draw against bottom placed Bari this afternoon, Grifoni tactician Davide Ballardini bemoaned his side’s lack of cutting edge in front of goal, citing that as the reason for their failure to secure three points.

“We should have been a little more decisive out there”, he declared to Mediaset Premium.

“This was a game which we could have won.

“Now we must turn our thoughts to the derby with Sampdoria. It will be a much more intense match in comparison to this afternoon’s encounter.

“I hope against our city rivals we can be more determined and express the hunger which helps you win games.”

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Juventus Coach Luigi Del Neri: We Need To Play With Intensity Against Inter

Del Neri claims that Juventus need to be organised against Inter.
Juventus coach Luigi Del Neri says that his side need to play with intensity and maintain organisation if they are to defeat Inter in the Derby d'Italia on Sunday evening.

Del Neri told the press on Saturday, “We’re in good shape and the group is stronger and more balanced, having recovered some injured players and through the recent signings we’ve made.”

“We need to play well, with a high intensity. It’s a great match, full of passion, emotion and one that’s of extreme importance to our fans and the club.

"[Former Inter coach Rafael] Benitez is a great manager but struggled with injuries. Since arriving, Leonardo has done a fine job, helped by the likes of Zanetti who is an exemplary player in every sense.”

On the role to be played by defender Giorgio Chiellini and midfielder Claudio Marchisio, Del Neri remarked, “At the moment, Giorgio will play left-back until our other left sided options regain fitness. We’ll see what happens, for me a player is a player.

“The organisation of the team is the most crucial element, but wherever Marchisio’s played he’s been effective and scored important goals. He’s a key player for us in any role."

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Juventus & Inter Are Closely Following Porto Defender Rolando

The agent of Porto defender Rolando has admitted that several Italian clubs are interested in signing his client.
The agent of Porto defender Rolando has confirmed he has been approached by Italian clubs Inter and Juventus over the possibility of his client moving to Italy over the summer transfer window, after failing to land him during the winter.

Peppino Tirri also revealed clubs such as Manchester United and Liverpool also sent scouts to watch the international friendly between Portugal and Argentina, paying close attention to the 25-year-old, according to Calciomercato.

"On Wednesday, there were observers to follow him from many clubs including Inter Milan, Juventus, Manchester United and Liverpool," Tirri said.
"There are possibilities he arrives in Italy, we will work from here to June but there have been approaches with Juventus and Inter.

"The player's rating is very high. €15million? Even a little more," he concluded.

Rolando moved to the Portuguese giants in 2008 after moving from Belenenses. He has made 60 appearances for the club, and scored six goals.

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Highlights Video Inter Milan 5 vs 3 AS Roma 5-3

The Highlights Video of Inter Milan vs AS Roma 5-3.
Do You want to watch highlights Inter Milan vs AS Roma 5-3? Inter has just won over AS Roma in a Serie A Italy with Score 5-3. It's a good match and it's been an interesting game. Finally Nerazzuri become winner of this match. With this result La Beneamata has a big chance to become scudetto with their rival AC Milan.

So Wanna watch highlights Inter Milan 5 vs 3 AS Roma? But unfortunately, until this post published there is no video available so be patient. Goals for Inter created by Sneidjer, Eto'o (2), Motta and Cambiasso. While goals for Roma created by Simplicio, Bucinic and Loria.

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Lazio Coach Edoardo Reja Disappointed With Chievo Draw

Coach Edy Reja thought Lazio deserved more during the 1-1 draw against Chievo.
Lazio failed to keep up the pace with second place Napoli following a frustrating draw with Chievo at the Stadio Olimpico and Aquile coach Edy Reja bemoaned the dropped points in view of his side’s positive performance.

“The boys played well today,” he declared to SkySport.

“Chievo did well to press the ball for the entire 90 minutes and this made it difficult to create numerous goalscoring chances.

“My side did everything they could to search for victory and unfortunately we conceded on a corner. We need to work harder to avoid this momentarily lapses in concentration.

“They only had one chance on goal and scored and when this is the case it is always hard to stomach the result.

“I thought we deserved victory this afternoon but this is football.

“We are improving in terms of intensity and level of performance and this is important at this stage of the season.”

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Napoli's Walter Mazzarri: No Scudetto Talk

Coach Walter Mazzarri underlined the importance of bouncing back as Napoli returned to winning ways following their midweek defeat.
As Napoli moved to within three points of leaders Milan following the 2-0 victory over Cesena this afternoon, Partenopei tactician Walter Mazzarri refused to talk about his side’s scudetto chances underlining the importance of taking things a game at a time.

“We are only focused on ourselves,” he declared to SkySport.

“After a terrible performance against Chievo during the week it was very important to bounce back.

“I was delighted with the manner in which my men did that this afternoon and the result is far more important in this respect.

“We understood where the mistakes were made and managed to put things right.

“Obviously we were spurred on by our fans this afternoon and this always helps. The supporters have taken the recent results with the right level of balance and this has helped the side to stay calm from one result to the next.”

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Genoa Coach Davide Ballardini Delighted With Hard Fought Point Against Milan

Coach Davide Ballardini praised Genoa’s new arrivals as the Grifoni held leaders Milan at the Marassi.
As Genoa added further spice to the scudetto race by holding Milan to a 1-1 draw, Grifoni tactician Davide Ballardini praised his men for their battling spirit against the league leaders.

“We battled and played a great game today,” he declared to SkySport.

“Considering the quality of opposition we were up against this afternoon this point is very important to us.

“My men put in a decent showing for the entire 90 minutes and we could have even won given the chances.

“It’s never easy to integrate new arrivals after the transfer window, but I must give credit to the likes of [Antonio] Floro Flores for the manner in which they are uniting our team work ethic.”

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Fiorentina's Sinisa Mihajlovic Happy With Parma Point

Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic settled for a point as he witnessed a much better away performance from his Fiorentina outfit.
As Fiorentina sealed a rare point away from home following the 1-1 draw with Parma, Viola tactician Sinisa Mihajlovic praised his men for the positive manner in which they approached the game.

“We came from behind with a determined performance today,” he declared to SkySport.

“Even before Parma scored I think my men were playing very well and they punished us on their first scoring chance of the game.

“My men pressed high and took the game to the opposition and we were rewarded for this with a point.

“It would have been nice to take home all three points but after the third fixture in seven days I can’t demand too much from my side.

The coach was then probed on the status of Adrian Mutu who came on after a second half substitute after having been reintegrated into the side during the week.

“Adrian is still a little behind and it will be down to him to prove to me and the teammates when he is ready. Of course I welcome the extra choices but I need to be certain he is in top condition before he takes a starting place again.”

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Rafael Benitez Set to be Next Juventus Manager

Former Internazionale boss Rafael Benitez is reportedly lined up to replace under-fire coach Luigi Del Neri would Juventus relieve him of his duties.

Benitez had hinted a return to Liverpool, where he had an eight-year spell before leaving for the Italian giants in the summer of 2010, but Kenny Dalglish’s revival of the Reds and a potential long-term stay with first-team could well dwindle his hopes.

The Spaniard had a hard time at Milan as tensions the owners and a lack of results triggered his departure.

According to The Mirror, Benitez is searching for a new club to manage and is likely to join La Vecchia Signora as he was linked with a move to Juventus last May before Del Neri was appointed manager.

Juventus would relish the opportunity to hire Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho but the former Chelsea manager has expressed his wishes to go back to the Premier League after his spell in Madrid.

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Juventus 'Open Doors' For Alessandro Del Piero Extension

Giuseppe Marotta insists Juventus want negotiations for Alessandro Del Piero's extension to end with a good outcome.
Juventus have adopted a conciliatory approach for Alessandro Del Piero's renewal, with Giuseppe Marotta claiming the doors are open for a stay.

Del Piero revealed he had met president Andrea Agnelli recently, but there were no talks over extending his deal beyond June 2011.

Speculative reports suggested he could leave, while others claimed the captain was reluctant to accept a pay as you play deal.

Marotta has set the record straight, and claims there is room to manouevre on the units of negotiation.

"Del Piero extension? We made it very clear with our statement yesterday. The doors are open and soon we will sit down at the table," said Marotta to Sky Sport Italia.

"The main part revolves around a pay deal."

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Alessandro Matri Will Be A Future Star At Juventus - Luca Toni

Toni scored his 100th Serie A goal in the 3-1 win over Cagliari.
Juventus picked up a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Cagliari on Saturday evening and goalscorer Luca Toni was delighted with his side’s display in Sardinia.
Alessandro Matri scored his first two goals for the Old Lady since his switch from the Isolani last week before the 33-year-old Italian striker came off the bench to score a superb header to hand Juventus their first away win in two months.

The victory was only the Bianconeri’s second in their last eight Serie A matches and Toni expressed his relief at escaping the Sant’Elia cauldron with all three points.

"It was a bit early to say we were finished this season," Toni told Sky Sport Italia after the match. "I scored my 100th goal in Serie A tonight and I am very happy.

"We suffered a bit at times during the match but I saw a good team out there in the second half."

Matri was jeered every time he touched the ball this evening but got the last laugh against his old club and Toni hailed his performance.

"Juventus have found a great player who represents the future of the club," Toni concluded.

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Roberto Donadoni Disappointed With Cagliari's First Half Display Against Juventus

Cagliari coach Roberto Donadoni was less than pleased about his side's first half showing.
Cagliari coach Roberto Donadoni was disappointed with the Isolani's tentative first half display in the 3-1 loss to Juventus on Saturday evening.

The Bianconeri jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first 45 minutes before the Sardinians rallied with a goal of their own early in the second period and looked to have seized the momentum. But two more goals from the Old Lady doomed Donadoni's side to defeat.

"We started well in the second half and we managed to trouble Juventus," the 47-year-old tactician stated to Sky Sport Italia after the match. "I didn't like our energy in the first half and we were much too passive."

Donadoni went on to speak about Alessandro Matri's brace as the striker came back to haunt his old club.

"Matri did well tonight and these sort of things happen in football," he concluded.

The loss leaves Cagliari in ninth place, two points ahead of Chievo ahead on Sunday's encounters.

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Roma's John Arne Riise Ready For 'Tough' Inter Battle

Riise hopes to make amends against Inter following mid-week's draw with Brescia.
The focus of John Arne Riise's anger has become Inter as he gets ready to lead Roma into battle.

Riise hopes to put things right after his poor performance against Brescia cost his side maximum points.

"Unfortunately I was the player marking the Brescia scorer," he is quoted as saying on Laroma24.it.

"But, now there is the big match with Inter on Sunday night and our squad is almost complete.

"I cannot wait as we are ready for this game. It will be a tough game, not easy with many battles.

"There will also be a hard fight against many good players on the pitch. I cannot wait to play."

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Knockout For Inter's Cristian Chivu As He Gets Four-Match Ban For Marco Rossi Punch

Four-match suspension for fist-throwing Chivu following Bari-Inter clash.
Inter defender Cristian Chivu's right hook on Bari's Marco Rossi has landed him the knockout punch he didn't want as he receives a four-match ban.

The Romanian escaped punishment on the pitch, and despite his tearful apology after the game, Italy's sports judge Giampaolo Tosel used TV footage from the match to reach his decision.

An extract of the statement released by the disciplinary panel reads:

"Having examined the television images of the Bari - Inter game, the gesture from the Inter player was intentional and potentially damaging given the delicate area of the body he hit. The conclusion beyond all reasonable doubt is one of violent conduct."

Chivu misses games against Roma, Juventus, Cagliari and Sampdoria.

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