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There´s no Juventus deal, insists Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez on Sunday denied that he has struck a deal with struggling Italian giants Juventus to take over at the end of the season.

“Contrary to reports in the Italian media this weekend, I want to make it absolutely clear I have no agreement with Juventus and have not and will not be meeting Juventus or their representatives or any other club,” Benitez said in a statement.

“I have a long-term contract with Liverpool and I’ll repeat what I said on Friday. I am happy here and my only focus is to do my job as well as I can to get the team back into to the top four, beginning with the derby against Everton.”

Juventus sacked coach Ciro Ferrara earlier in the week after a run of five defeats in six league games and have replaced him with Alberto Zaccheroni whose reign in Turin began with a 1-1 draw with Lazio on Sunday.

On Friday, Benitez had said he was proud of Juventus’s reported interest in him.

“I know they (Juventus) were interested, that is part of the game now in football, but I am not ready to talk too much because I don’t want to lose my focus,” said the Spaniard.

“When you are a manager and you have clubs asking (for you), you have to be proud because they are a top side in Europe, but I am really happy here and want to do my job as best I can.”

Benitez remains a highly respected coach around Europe, despite Liverpool’s problems this season which have seen them knocked out of both the Champions League and the FA Cup.

Benitez is under contract at Anfield until 2013.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Alberto Zaccheroni, anfield, champions league, coach, contrary, Europe, FA Cup, game, giants, italian media, job, juventus, lazio, league games, Liverpool, liverpool manager rafael benitez, london, rafael benitez, Spaniard, term contract, turin

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Juve must have no fear to progress: Zaccheroni

Juventus must crush the fear that has dogged them of late if they are to progress, new boss Alberto Zaccheroni said ahead of his first match in charge against his former club Lazio on Sunday.

The Turin giants sacked Ciro Ferrara and hired Zaccheroni on Friday, a day after they lost 2-1 at Inter Milan to exit the Italian Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Ferrara’s dismissal had been expected as Juventus have dropped to sixth in Serie A, 16 points behind leaders Inter, having already been knocked out of the Champions League in December.

“We have the duty to take the match to the opposition, always and everywhere,” the former AC Milan and Inter coach told a press conference on Saturday.

“Tomorrow night I expect the players to get rid of the fear that has conditioned them in many recent games.”

Zaccheroni is confident he knows how to turn the side’s fortunes around to achieve his “minimum target” of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, although he will be careful not to rush things.

“I have an idea about how to win, I have to convince the players to share it,” he said. “A collective way of thinking is important – it’s what will enable us to do well.

“I’ve thrown myself immediately into working on the team and the opposition. I want to put things back in order, not create confusion.”

Zaccheroni will be without a host of injured players on Sunday, as well as keeper Gianluigi Buffon and full back Fabio Grosso, who are suspended.

ROME (AFP)

Tags: Alberto Zaccheroni, champions league, confusion, Fabio, Ferrara, fortunes, gianluigi buffon, italian cup, juve, lazio, Milan, new boss, opposition, recent games, ROME, target, tomorrow night, turin, way of thinking

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Benitez happy at Anfield

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has rebuffed speculation that he will be coach of Juventus next season. The Reds boss insists he is happy at Liverpool despite interest from the Turin-based club.

Juventus sacked Ciro Ferrara and appointed Alberto Zaccheroni until June. However, the club’s board look to secure a long-term replacement and Benitez has been heavily-linked.

The Liverpool boss says he is ‘proud’ to be linked with 27-time Italian champions but insists he is ‘really happy’ at Anfield.

“I am not here to talk about speculation because people talk too much,” said Benitez

“I am focused on preparing my team for the game against Bolton.

“I know they (Juventus) were interested, that is part of the game now in football but I am not ready to talk too much because I don’t want to lose my focus.

“When you are a manager and you have clubs asking you have to be proud because they are a top side in Europe but I am really happy here and want to do my job as best I can.”

Benitez’s future at Liverpool has been subject of constant speculation this season as the Reds lie in fifth place, three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.

Tags: Alberto Zaccheroni, anfield, Bolton, boss, coach, Europe, game, italian champions, job, Liverpool, rafa benitez, reds, s board, speculation, turin

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Zaccheroni replaces Ferrara as Juventus coach

Juventus on Friday named Alberto Zaccheroni as their new coach in place of Ciro Ferrara, who was sacked after a string of poor results.

It is Zaccheroni’s first job since he was fired as coach of Torino in February 2007, and he takes charge of Juve in time for Sunday’s Serie A home clash with Lazio.

The 56-year-old has previously coached Udinese (1995-98), AC Milan (1998-2001) — with whom he won the 1999 scudetto — Lazio (2001-02) and Inter Milan (2003-04).

Ferrara’s departure had long been predicted after the Turin giants slipped to sixth in the league standings following five losses in their last six games.

They have also been knocked out of the Champions League and exited the Italian Cup, for a record of nine losses in 12 games played since the end of November.

Ferrara, a former Italy and Juventus defender, had been handed the job despite his lack of experience just before the end of last season after current Roma coach Claudio Ranieri was fired.

ROME (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, AFP, Alberto Zaccheroni, champions league, clash, Claudio Ranieri, coach claudio, Ferrara, first job, giants, inter milan, italian cup, Italy, juve, juventus, lazio, league standings, losses, Milan, Roma, ROME, scudetto, six games, torino, turin

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Zaccheroni set to replace Ferrara

Several Italian media report that Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara will get the axe today. Tuttosport claims that Alberto Zaccheroni will replace Ferrara at La Vecchia Signora.

Ferrara’s position at Juve came under further scrutiny on Thursday night when his side was sent out of the Coppa Italia by Internazionale (2-1). Tuttosport claims that this was Ferrara’s last game in charge of the Bianconeri.

Tuttosport reports that Zaccheroni has arrived in Turin to sign a contract that will tie him to Juve until the end of the season.

Zaccheroni is said to have been interviewed along with former Italy Under-21s boss and Juventus legend Claudio Gentile on Wednesday.

Juventus President Jean-Claude Blanc has promised a decision later today. He was reportedly in England yesterday trying to convince Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez to leave Anfield now or in the summer.

Tuttosport claims that Zaccheroni is now in a lawyer’s office in Turin along with the Juventus directors, signing a four-month contract.

Zaccheroni won the Scudetto with Milan in 1999. He also worked for Lazio, Internazionale and Torino.

Tags: 21s, Alberto Zaccheroni, axe, boss, claudio gentile, coppa italia, England, internazionale, italian media, Italy, Jean-Claude, juventus, last game, lawyer, lazio, Liverpool, Milan, rafael benitez, scrutiny, scudetto, thursday night, torino, turin

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‘Gentile set to replace Ferrara’

It looks like Juventus have found a new coach. Claudio Gentile has accepted an offer to replace Ciro Ferrara after tonight’s Coppa Italia match against Internazionale, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Italian sports paper reports that Gentile left his home in Como yesterday morning for a two-hour meeting with director Roberto Bettega in Turin.

They discussed technical and tactical aspects of the team as well as the club’s current economic situation. Gentile’s criticism of Juventus in recent months was also conveniently forgotten.

It’s reported that Juve turned to Gentile after Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni refused to return to Turin for a third stint in charge of the Bianconeri.

La Gazzetta dello Sport understands that Juventus have offered Gentile €250,000 for four months work plus bonuses for success in the Europa League and qualification for the Champions League.

Gentile’s last job was as coach of Italy’s Under-21’s. He has never coached a club side before.

The length of prospective contract suggests Juve wants to make a big name appointment in the summer with Rafael Benitez or Marcello Lippi at the top of the list.

Tags: bianconeri, claudio gentile, coach claudio, coppa italia, current economic situation, gazzetta dello sport, giovanni trapattoni, Ireland, italian sports, Italy, juventus, la gazzetta dello, la gazzetta dello sport, last job, marcello lippi, rafael benitez, Roberto Bettega, sports paper, tactical aspects, turin, yesterday morning

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Benitez agent dismisses Juve link

Rafael Benitez will definitely not take charge of Juventus. Benitez’ job is on the line at Liverpool, while Juve boss Ciro Ferrara is under heavy fire in Turin. Several media linked Benitez with a move to the Bianconeri but his agent has cooled down the transfer rumours.

“I have had no contact with Juventus or with any other Italian club regarding an interest on Rafa Benitez,” agent Manuel Garcia Quilon told Press Association Sport.

“There have been rumours linking Rafa to Juve just as there have been reports linking Guus Hiddink to Juve.

“But they are all media speculation and there is no truth in it.

“Rafa has a four-year contract with Liverpool.

“He feels he has the strength to continue with the team and he is fully focused on guiding Liverpool up the standings.”

Both the Reds as La Vecchia Signora were knocked out of the Champions League before the winter break while they lie sixth in their respective domestic competitions.

Tags: bianconeri, champions league, domestic competitions, hiddink, italian club, job, juventus, Liverpool, Manuel Garcia, media speculation, rafael benitez, reds, Transfer Rumours, turin, winter break

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Buffon boost as Juve seek to salvage season

Juventus have received two important boosts ahead of their tricky trip to Chievo on Sunday as they bid to salvage their dismal season.

Last week Juve crashed 3-0 at home to AC Milan to slip 12 points behind leaders Inter Milan.

The defeat, a sixth in eight games in all competitions during which time they also slumped out of the Champions League, also left Juventus embroiled in a tense race for a place in Europe’s top competition next season.

Napoli in fourth are level on points with them, AS Roma are one point behind and both Palermo and Fiorentina, who have a game in hand, are within one victory of the Turin giants.

On Wednesday, Juventus earned a confidence boost in beating Napoli 3-0 in the Coppa Italia while Italy’s number one goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has declared himself fit for Sunday’s trip.

But while that may seem like a double boost, the truth is that Buffon only missed four matches and was between the sticks during most of Juve’s troubles.

Little should be read into the defeat of Napoli either as the southerners rested all their top players, and unlike Juve they don’t have a huge squad with a bench full of international players.

Even so, Juve coach Ciro Ferrara has been happy to see a little of the pressure on his position ease.

“It was a very, very important match for all of us, for me but for everyone else as well,” he said after that victory.

“We played with humility and determination, we deserved to win.

“Lots has gone wrong recently but we absolutely must buy someone. Many players have gone away and we have some injuries.”

However, Buffon was more reserved in his assessment of Juve’s position.

“The win over Napoli in the Cup served to restore our morale but we all know that’s not enough to bring some consistency to our results,” he warned.

Ahead of Juve, Milan are eight points behind Inter, although they do have a game in hand and the Milan derby to come in a week’s time.

Inter also face a tricky clash away to Bari on Saturday with the southerners having only lost once at home all season.

They also held Inter to a 1-1 draw at the San Siro on the opening day of the campaign and are in the mix for a top four finish, six points behind Juve and Napoli but with a game in hand.

Bari captain, the Belgian goalkeeper Jean Francois Gillet vowed to give Jose Mourinho as many problems as they did earlier in the season.

“Against Inter in the worst case scenario we hope to repeat the result we previously got against them when we had the Italian champions on the ropes,” he said.

Inter have problems as Samuel Eto’o is away on African Cup of Nations duty while the likes of Esteban Cambiasso and Dejan Stankovic are stuggling to be fit and Cristian Chivu is definitely out.

If Inter do slip up, Milan will be expecting to capitalise given they are playing at home to rock bottom Siena.

Alongside Napoli, Milan are probably the form team in Serie A and combative midfielder Gennaro Gattuso says a lot of that is down to rookie coach Leonardo.

“He’s doing a great job with the group and manages to get himself understood in the dressing room,” he said.

“It’s not easy managing such a group with many star players but he’s great at speaking to everyone individually and making them understand the needs of the team.”

It won’t be all plain-sailing for Milan, though, as last week Siena were two minutes away from escaping the San Siro with three points until two late Inter goals gave the champions a 4-3 win.

Fixtures

Saturday

Bari v Inter Milan, Cagliari v Livorno

Sunday

AC Milan v Siena, Atalanta v Lazio, Chievo v Juventus, Fiorentina v Bologna, Napoli v Palermo, Parma v Udinese, AS Roma v Genoa, Sampdoria v Catania

ROME (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, Bari, Bologna, boosts, catania, champions league, clash, consistency, cristian chivu, Esteban Cambiasso, Europe, Ferrara, gennaro gattuso, genoa, gianluigi buffon, inter milan, Italy, juve, juve milan, lazio, leonardo, Milan, napoli, Palermo, Roma, salvage, samuel eto, San, southerners, turin

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Milan edge minnows Novara as Juve bounce back

Mathieu Flamini scored the winner nine minutes from time as a second-string AC Milan team beat third division Novara 2-1 at the San Siro on Wednesday to reach the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.

The rossoneri were joined by Juventus and Catania after they recorded victories over Napoli and Genoa respectively.

Milan coach Leonardo made 11 changes to the team that won 3-0 at Juventus on Sunday with Ronaldinho, loan signing David Beckham, Andrea Pirlo and Alessandro Nesta not even included on the bench.

Veteran striker Filippo Inzaghi opened the scoring on 12 minutes but in the first minute of the second period Pablo Gonzalez stunned the San Siro by drawing Novara level.

Flamini had the last word, though, and Milan will play Udinese or Lumezzane in the next round.

Eight people, amongst them two children, were taken to hospital after 20 people were injured in a motorway crash between a lorry and a coach carrying Novara supporters to the game – Novara lies just 40km west of Milan.

Juventus bounced back from their weekend humbling as an Alessandro Del Piero brace, one from the spot, helped them to a 3-0 victory in Turin.

Diego scored the first as a full-strength and attacking Juve blew away Napoli’s 14-match unbeaten run under coach Walter Mazzarri, although he did rest many first team regulars in a competition few teams take seriously in Italy.

Catania recorded an impressive 2-1 win away to Genoa to reach the last eight. Inter Milan and AS Roma had previously also qualified for the quarters, with the final three qualifiers to be decided on Thursday.

ROME (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, Alessandro Del Piero, Alessandro Nesta, andrea pirlo, catania, coppa italia, David Beckham, Diego, filippo inzaghi, full strength, genoa, inter milan, Italy, juventus, leonardo, lorry, Mathieu Flamini, Milan, milan juventus, milan team, napoli, pablo gonzalez, quarter finals, Roma, ROME, ronaldinho, rossoneri, San, san siro, second period, second string, turin, veteran striker, Walter Mazzarri

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Determined Ferrara: ‘I think my job is not at risk’

Ciro Ferrara said he believed he would stay in his job after Juventus’ latest setback against Milan. On Sunday, the Juventus manager saw how his team got thrashed by their competitors from Milan.

Juventus were stunned by Milan: goals from Allessandro Nesta and Ronaldinho (2) secured a wide victory for the Rossoneri. Table topper Internazionale now has a twelve point lead over their rivals from Turin. However, Ferrara has no thoughts of quitting his job.

“I am not made like that. My way is to try to change things.

“I sincerely think my job is not at risk. Of course we are in a negative period but it’s not for me to make the decisions. Any decisions will be accepted.”

The Bianconeri spent heavily in the close season but Brazilians Diego and Felipe Melo have been big flops so far.

A flurry of injuries, including a knock to midfielder Christian Poulsen on Sunday which could delay Tiago’s planned loan move to Atletico Madrid, have also not helped Ferrara.

“I obviously understand the disappointment of the fans.

“Our aim is to try to find the enthusiam there was at the start of the season,” added Ferrara.

His Milan colleague Leonardo was satisfied with his team and backed Ferrara.

“It was a difficult game, even if it didn’t seem like that,” the Brazilian coach said.

“Juve are in a situation similar to us in October, it seems like everything is going wrong. I say to Ciro that it can sort itself out.”

Tags: aim, allessandro nesta, atletico madrid, bianconeri, brazilians, christian poulsen, ciro ferrara, colleague, Diego, disappointment, enthusiam, Felipe, felipe melo, internazionale, latest setback, leonardo, MADRID, Milan, milan juventus, rivals, ronaldinho, table topper, tiago, turin

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