2012 will be the year of silverware, stars and GRINTA!!! The ascention of Juventus continues.

If you have the time click the link below and watch the highlights of this international friendly between the USNT and Scotland. This was one of the most entertaining games and highlights a soccer fan could put together. Our play last night(even though against an lesser opponent) was majestic. Donovan, I dont think he has lost his motivation at all and wants a new challenge outside of MLS. Bradley is becoming a great player and will move to a bigger team in Serie A, perhaps this season. I could write home about ever player...but lets save that for after these next 4 games. So much to be positive about...looking foward to seeing how Klinsmann approaches the Brazil game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2SSZfLiO70

Antonio Conte has today put pen to paper on a contract which ties his future to Juventus until 30 June 2015.

The 42-year-old, who returned to Turin after successfully steering Siena to promotion last season, led the Bianconeri to the Scudetto in his first campaign at the helm, winning plenty of admirers along the way for his attractive brand of football.

Its rumored that he will make 3 million euros per season.

1. Juventus will meet with Udinese on Monday to discuss Kwando Asamoah's transfer. Juventus are keen on the Ghanain midfielder and have already put in one offer for him.

2. Robin Van Persie has visited our facilites. I'm not sure if it was today or a while ago, but RVP was at the Juventus stadium, our training ground at Vivino and the Juventus center.

“A lot of sides have asked us about Giovinco, but there are no real offers on the table,” Parma President Tommaso Ghirardi has told Sky Sport Italia after today’s links with Inter.

“We firstly need to speak with Juventus. That will happen soon so that we can sort out his co-ownership status. There will be plenty of time for other scenarios.”

When pushed for an opinion on what he believes will happen to the Italian international, Ghirardi spoke of two possibilities.

“I think that he’ll either stay here with us of re-join Juventus. They are the most likely outcomes. But then if a club wants to offer a lot of money then anything can happen, but these are difficult financial times.

“I’ve spoken to Sebastian and he told me that he wants to stay here or go to Juventus.

“We don’t have the need to generate money and a lot will depend on what Juventus want to do. He is good enough to get into the first team at a side like Juve, but we have to understand if the Bianconeri are convinced of his ability.”

Ghirardi has recently valued Giovinco at around the €40m mark and he’s sticking by that estimate.

“The market dictates prices, but I have no fear in saying that he is worth as much as Javier Pastore. I think he is better than the Argentine and he’s as good as Alexis Sanchez.”

--------------------

Giovinco=The future of Juventus. Bring him back.

State of the Market

We may only be a few days into the offseason, but the stm is already very hot. Juventus has cash(stadium/UCL funds) and the lure of the UCL to attract marquee names which were not available last summer. To the targets:

1. Kwando Asamoah remains our #1 midfield target, Juventus made an offer that was deemed low by the Fruili management, but expect his name to stay hot.

2. Marco Veratti is another key target and Juventus have had in depth conversations with Pescara. 4 million separate the two sides but it is likely that we end up reaching a solution. Juventus is his #1 choice.

3. Robin Van Persie looks set to leave the Emirates as he and his agent met with Arsenal and have come to the conclusion that they will move on. The problem with RVP is his annual engagement(salary) which is too high for Juventus. Manchester City will take claim of the Dutchman.

4. This previous move will kick another striker out of City, and one name is starting to generate heat is Edin Dzeko(our old love.) Dzeko is a wild card of all the stm strikers. While I thought he would have performed better at City he is a viable and affordable option. I’m not sure how much his annual salary is but Dzeko seems to have entered into the debate again.

5. Gonzalo Higuain and his father met with RM today and Madrid convinced him to stay. It seems he may have used Juventus to get a pay raise and for more playing time. His name is fading fast off the radar, but this can change…

6. Edinson Cavani may have scored his last goal for Napoli, but I don’t fully believe that to be true. Cavani has most of the top European clubs salivating, including Juventus. Every Tm insider and Fifa agent has stated that he will stay with Napoli unless a massive offer is made. Juventus to like the player, but may look to go in a cheaper direction. Giovinco could have been used as a chip, but does not want to play in Napoli. I heard a false rumor that we offered 18 million plus Matri for him yesterday.

7. Sebastian Giovinco…how I would love for him to return, but I don’t think he will. It seems Conte and Juventus want to cash in and do away with Seba who had and amazing year. I hope that he has a great Euro and can convince our management to change their minds…but his future looks to be outside of Turin.

8. Luis Suarez may end up at Juventus. A few days ago he stated how he was going to respect his contract with Liverpool and sign an extension(with pay raise), but I think it may depend on who their new coach is and what offer is made to Liverpool.

9. Mattia Destro now also seems to have entered the ring. Inter have made serious advancements about their previous player. But Juventus and Conte(who coached him) look to enter into a sfida with Inter for the young(and very talented) Italian who has been called up to practice with the Italian internationals(with Verratti.)

More names will enter this list and previous ideas and destinations will change, as we are only in the very early stages of what looks to be a hot market.

I dont like Napoli(the football team, not the city), but I am happy for them. They won yesterday and they deserved to win. There are celebrations all over that wonderful football city and its nice for them. This may have been the last time the 3 tenors would be together and for me this will likely be the pinnacle of their success for this era.

As a Juventus fan you want to win every game(even in the preseason) because it is in our DNA. Our undefeated season was on the line, a trophy was on the line, the silver star and it was Del Piero's final game, so there was more then enough incentive to win. But it did not happen which stinks...but its no where near the end of the world. As I said in my pre-game regarless of this result we had an A+ season.

Juventus were 2nd best in almost every department yesterday. We got off to a slow first 20-25 mintues before controlling the last parts of the first half. Aronica tackled Marchisio in the box(which should have been a Pk) when he was about to take a point blank shot at around 17 yards out. This could have changed the complexion of the match, but the reality is that Juve were second fiddle yesterday. Storari made a goal keeping mistake and we can question Conte's team choices, but its done with...we won the prized Scudetto and that is what matters.

But while this game concluded Juventus highly successful 2011-2012 campaign, our journey for next season starts today! The 2013 Scudetto's quest begins now as the market is unofficially open. As always I will cover the market in great detail and make sure I have the latest news on every rumor. I have been holding back throughout the season, but now I will unleash the market voices.

I will also have in depth coverage of the European Championships with full previews of each group, predictions and wall to wall Italian National Team news. My favorite national team(USA) also embarks on our journey toward the 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP in Brazil, as we have 3 friendlies( Scotland, Brazil and Canada) and 2 massive WCQ in the next few weeks.

So, while Juventus’ highly successful Scudetto winning 2012 season is over, there is still much to come. As we know football really never comes to an end…ever…

Forza Juventus!!! TO THE MARKET!

Tomorrow is the final of the Copa Italia and it will also be a historic day with a Juventus win.

1. Juventus can be the first Italian team to go unbeaten in all competitions in a season.

2. It will be Del Piero's final game in a Juventus kit.

3. and we can also earn the silver star as this conquest would be our 10th Copa Italia.

Juventus will line-up in a 3-5-2 with Storari in goal, Caceres coming in for the injured Chiellini partnered with Bonucci and Barzagli. Lichsteiner our wide right and Estigaribbia out wide left with the MVP in the middle. Del Piero will start his final game with Juventus alongside either Vucinic or Boriello.

Napoli come into this game likely lining up in a 3-4-2-1 with DeSanctis, Campagnaro,Cannavaro, Aronica, Maggio, Inler, Dzemali, Dossena, Hamsik, Lavezzi, Cavani.

-------------------------------------------

Well its been 17 seasons since we won the Copa Italia, I hope that ends tomorrow. Juventus had an amazing season but this would be the cherry on top if we can pull it off. Unbeaten in all competition, the double after two 7th place finishes...that is just as amazing as Chelsea winning the UCL in the amazing(I'm not taking anything away from them) fashion they did today. Its like a Holllywood movie.And on top of that Del Piero goes out a double winner...its almost surreal. Regarless of the result tomorrow Juventus had an A+ season...

I'm feeling good going into the game, but Roma being closer to Napoli could give them a bit of a homefield advantage. This may be Lavezzi's and Cavani's last game in a Napoli shirt and Hamsik has stated how important this game is to him and the city. I expect a great effort from the Slovakian international tomorrow as he has committed to the San Paolo until 2016 earlier this month. Lavezzi could be different as his name has been liked with MCFC, PSG and Inter and may be a bit distracted.

Its a game where both teams play good football, but twice this year Juventus have put a dagger into their team. The first time in Napoli as we came back sown 2-0 and 3-1 to draw. A few of the Napoli player and Mazzarri stated how this game was a massive confidence blow and after it Napoli struggled. A few months later at the Juventus stadium, Napoli were held without a shot on goal in a convincing 3-0 Juventus rout. Hamsik stated how he still has nightmares from that game. So there is a bit of a revenge factor going on here as Napoli were set back twice by us thus costing them a UCL spot.

The city of Napoli want this game, as this is one of the most important games in their history and have not won a trophy since the Diego Maradona days. What I'm trying to say is that this will be a tough game...BUT!!!

Juventus are the best team(the champions) of Italy and will have no fear as we are superior as a club to them. The only negatives around our club is the newest Serie B match fixing scandal where Conte has been brought up(nothing to worry about) and our concentration levels after winning Serie A(or should i say lack of hunger).... But I dont believe either of these factors willl be seen in our game tomorrow. I have complete faith in the team and I know they are hungry to win this game and add another trophy to the cabinet.

Its been a great adventure so far this Copa, one more win and we have won the double. Lets do it for our captain Del Piero. Forza Juventus!!!

According to Wyscout, Luiz Suarez and Liverpool are in negotiations of a contract renewal. Suarez will renew to 2016 and will have his pay increased to around 5 million pounds a season.

We know the RVP situation, but today Marotta few to Barcelona to talk with Luis Suarez' agent(who is Pep Guardiola's brother.) Juventus also sent Fabio Paratici on a meeting to Madrid to talk with Higuains agent and tomorrow the Argentine will meet with Madrid to discuss his future.

--------------

UPDATE: Del Piero's wife Sonia prefers to move to London over other destinations. Tottenham have made contact and it seems they are the favorites to land our legend...

RVP

Hard ball being played in the camp of RVP and Wenger.

DiMarzio reports that: the meeting between RVP and Arsenal went as planned and RVP does not want renew. Wenger is playing hard ball and may try to keep RVP at Arsenal and respect the contract, but gunner management does not approve this as they would lose million in a transfer fee. It will be a tug of war between RVP and the gunners, but the dutch striker will win out.

ManCity are in the race but both Arsenal and the player would prefer to move elsewhere. RVP has given his ok to Juventus...but now Juventus must decide if he is the player they want.