Latest Serie A News

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BAYERN BEAT UNITED ON PENALTIES

Manchester United suffered a penalty shoot-out defeat to hosts Bayern Munich after a goalless final of the Audi Cup.

Bayern held their nerve in front of a sell-out crowd of 69,000 at their Allianz Arena after United strikers Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen missed great chances in the second half to win the match.

Bayern enjoyed the better of the first half, in which Mario Gomez and Dimitar Berbatov both hit the woodwork, but United then had the better opportunities after the interval - only for Rooney and Owen to fail to beat Bayern goalkeeper Michael Rensing in one-on-one situations.

Rensing proved to be Bayern's hero as he made saves from Patrice Evra and Jonny Evans in the shoot-out before Daniel van Buyten stroked in the winner.

The third-place play-off was also decided on penalties, with Boca Juniors piling the misery on AC Milan by extending the Rossoneri's streak of defeats to five.

Thiago Silva gave Milan the lead in the 27th minute and the Serie A side looked on course for victory until Lucas Viatri equalised three minutes from the end.

Roberto Abbondanzieri then saved the decisive penalty from Pato to earn the Argentinians the win after Andrea Pirlo and Federico Insua had also seen spot-kicks saved.

Elsewhere, Derby boss Nigel Clough made a losing return to Burton Albion as the Coca-Cola Championship side lost 1-0 to their League Two opponents at the Pirelli Stadium.

Clough won the pre-season Bass Charity Vase three times as Burton coach and saw his old side continue that winning streak thanks to Shaun Harrad's 15th-minute goal.

Clough was able to give Kris Commons 55 minutes as he continues to come back from a hamstring niggle, while Giles Barnes and Jordan Stewart also featured in an otherwise unfamiliar Rams XI.

Crystal Palace ran out 1-0 winners in their friendly encounter at Bromley, with Allesane N'Diaye grabbing the only goal of the game.

New signing Stern John started for Palace alongside on-loan West Ham forward Freddie Sears.

Scunthorpe won a penalty shootout 4-3 in their Senior Cup meeting with Lincoln.

The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, Ben May equalising after Andy Hutchison fired the Imps ahead, before Kevan Hurst scored the decisive spot-kick.

 

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FIORENTINA YET TO AGREE EBOUE FEE


Fiorentina are still a long way from meeting Arsenal's valuation of Emmanuel Eboue, while a deal for Benfica's Luisao is also still to be agreed.

The Serie A club have targeted Eboue as they prepare for the new season in Italy and are eager to secure a deal for the versatile Ivory Coast international.

Arsenal are thought to be ready to sell but the price tag for the 26-year-old, believed to be £9million, is too high, according to Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino.

The Stadio Artemio Franchi outfit are also refusing to meet Benfica's current estimation of the market value for Brazil centre-back Luisao.

Corvino told Gazzetta.it when asked about deals for Eboue and Luisao: "There is still quite a long way to go.

"Their clubs are asking for sums that are not equivalent to the market value.

"But we are waiting confidently. If we do not reach an agreement, it means we will sign other players."

Corvino has confirmed Fiorentina's interest in Hoffenheim's German right-back Andreas Beck and Lecce's Edinho.

"Beck is one of the names we are evaluating," added Corvino. "Edinho is liked, so are other players.

"We have quite a good amount of money to spend and we want to make sure it is used in the best way."

 

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CONI TO RE-EXAMINE GUARDIOLA CASE

The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) are to reopen the case against Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola over alleged drug use during his time as a player at Brescia.

Guardiola was fined and suspended for four months in 2001 for alleged nandrolone use and his sentence was upheld by the appeal court of the Italian football federation (FIGC).

The 38-year-old was later cleared on appeal of all charges by the Brescia court, but Italy's anti-doping prosecutor has now persuaded CONI to re-examine the case.

A statement on the CONI website read: "On Tuesday September 15, Guardiola's case will be examined, based on the appeal from the anti-doping prosecutor's office against the decision reached by the FIGC's court of federal justice, when they sat on May 8, 2009."

 

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FABIANO STILL HOPES TO JOIN MILAN

Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano has not given up hope of joining AC Milan despite his proposed switch hitting a dead end.

The two clubs have spent much of the summer haggling over a fee for the Brazil international but have not been able to reach an agreement.

And Rossoneri chiefs, who have money to spend following Kaka's exit to Real Madrid, admitted earlier in the week that their pursuit of the 28-year-old had failed.

Fabiano has reiterated his desire to join the Serie A outfit, but conceded that the inability of the two teams to negotiate a figure for his signature was a disappointment.

He told the Spanish press: "I would like a lot to be playing with Milan.

"Milan did good things when they had to talk, then when it came to the discussions about money, they disappeared. I'm sorry it's like this."

 

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YOUNG BOYS SEE OFF BILBAO


Spanish cup finalists Athletic Bilbao suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Young Boys in the Europa League third qualifying round first leg.

The Basque outfit fielded a strong line-up but were undone by their Swiss visitors, who snuck away from San Mames with a 1-0 victory.

Seydou Doumbia's 23rd-minute strike sealed the victory, condemning the Spanish Copa del Rey finalists to a surprising defeat.

Roma came from behind to see off Belgian outfit Gent 3-1 in Italy.

Leye Mbaye had given the Belgians a 1-0 lead after 23 minutes and Luciano Spalletti's side had to wait until the second half for defender Philippe Mexes to level. Forwards Francesco Totti and Mirko Vucinic - the former with a penalty - completed the turnaround to give Roma a two-goal lead heading into the second leg.

PSV Eindhoven scraped a late 1-0 win over Cherno More.

Following a thoroughly turgid performance, Fred Rutten's men sneaked a narrow lead to take to Bulgaria thanks to Dirk Marcellis' goal late in added time.

Fenerbahce hammered former giants Honved of Budapest 5-1 with Spain international Daniel Guiza bagging a hat-trick.

Hamburg saw off Randers 4-0 away from home with two goals in each half while French side Lille beat Sevojno 2-0 in Serbia with Robert Vittek and Eden Hazard scoring before half-time.

Helsingborg won 2-1 at home to FK Sarajevo while KR of Reykjavik held Swiss side Basle to a 2-2 draw in Iceland.

Harry Kewell and Milan Baros were on the scoresheet as Galatasaray beat Maccabi Netanya 4-1.

Gothenburg suffered a shock 3-1 home defeat by Israeli outfit Hapoel Tel-Aviv while Austria Vienna could only draw 1-1 in their first leg at Vojvodina. City rivals Rapid Vienna, meanwhile, beat APOP 2-1.

Brondby and Legia Warsaw are level-pegging after a 1-1 first-leg draw while Club Brugge beat FC Lahti 3-2 in Belgium.

Metalist Kharkiv won 2-1 at Rijeka and Fredrikstad suffered a 6-1 hammering at home to Lech Poznan while Liberec snatched a 1-0 win away to Vaduz.

Zilina and Hajduk Split shared a 1-1 draw but Metallurg Donetsk beat Olimpija Ljubljana 2-0 in Ukraine, Valerenga went down 2-1 at home to PAOK Salonika while Tromso edged NK Slaven Koprivnica by the same scoreline.

NAC Breda of Holland enjoyed a 1-0 victory at Polonia Warsaw while Georgian side Dinamo Tblisi will take a 2-0 lead into their second leg against former super-power Red Star Belgrade.

In the other early fixtures Rabotnicki lost 4-3 in a thriller against Odense BK, for whom Caca notched an impressive hat-trick. Sturm Graz won their away leg 2-1 against Petrovac.

Portuguese outfit Braga lost 2-1 at home to Elfsborg, Qarabag won 1-0 at Honka, Vaslui beat Omonia Nicosia 2-0 and Kosice won 1-0 at Slavija Sarajevo.

 

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PANUCCI UPSET BY MILAN

Parma new boy Christian Panucci has revealed he almost signed for AC Milan this summer.

The defender has signed a one-year deal with the newly-promoted side after Roma failed to renew his contract.

Panucci insists he is delighted to be at Parma but criticised Milan general manager Adriano Galliani for changing his mind about taking him to the San Siro.

"There was almost an agreement with Galliani but he then went back on his word," Panucci said as he was unveiled to the press.

"He didn't want to know anything more and that upset me, because if you reach out your hand to someone, that's more important than a signed paper.

"I'm very happy to be here, I'm as happy as a child, it's a great challenge for me.

"I came here with great enthusiasm to play football, the thing that makes me the happiest.

"I will try to be a footballer with great humility and professionalism, as I have always done in my career."

Panucci had been a key player for Roma since moving from Inter Milan in 2001 but fell out with coach Luciano Spalletti over his lack of playing time.

He was heavily fined after a game against Napoli in January when, having been named among the substitutes, he refused to take up his place on the bench and watched the match from the stands instead.

Panucci threatened to walk out on the club before eventually apologising and the 36-year-old admits his relationship with Roma had soured.

"I am very tied to Roma, to the club, to the Sensi family but after eight years the relationship was closed and when you arrive at the end there's always great sadness," he said.

"But I gave everything I could give and I don't have any regrets and now the only thing that matters is Parma."

 

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LEONARDO RELAXED DESPITE DEFEAT

AC Milan coach Leonardo is remaining upbeat despite his side's fifth consecutive defeat in pre-season to Boca Juniors.

The Rossoneri were beaten in a penalty shoot-out after conceding a late equaliser in normal time, denying them a morale-boosting victory after four straight defeats.

But Leonardo insisted his side's morale was unaffected by the outcome.

"The lads made it clear to me that they wanted to bounce back," he said.

"It was important for us to end in the best way and, for once, it was our opponents who had to chase the game.

"It is a shame about the goal we conceded at the end, but I saw a good reaction and now we will try to recover our strength in the coming days."

Leonardo gave his side three days off to recharge their batteries after a tiring tour of the United States, which preceded their ill-fated appearance at the Audi Cup.

Milan were forced to play their first match against hosts Bayern Munich just 36 hours after arriving from Boston, and only 48 hours after they had been beaten by Inter Milan in the final friendly of their US tour.

But despite the defeats, Leonardo was still able to take some positives out of the gruelling schedule, particularly the way new signing Thiago Silva has settled in.

"I saw a Milan with great character," he said.

"Thiago Silva can be an added bonus for us going forward, particularly from set-pieces.

"The two goals he has scored in pre-season confirm that he is attack-minded.

"He really wants to learn and is improving all the time. I think he is going to do well for us."

 

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WENGER WON'T RULE OUT VIEIRA RETURN


Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out a reunion with Patrick Vieira at Arsenal.

The 33-year-old former Gunners captain is reported to be ready to make a shock comeback to the team he left in 2005.

Since Vieira's departure, in a £13.7million deal to Juventus before the midfielder then joined Inter Milan, Wenger's young Gunners have failed to bring silverware to the Emirates Stadium.

With both striker Emmanuel Adebayor and defender Kolo Toure having joined big-spending Manchester City, Wenger certainly has the funds available to move for his old enforcer, most likely on a pay-as-you-play deal.

Although arch-rivals Tottenham, newly-promoted Birmingham and French side Paris St Germain have made public their interest in Vieira, Wenger remained coy about his plans when quizzed ahead of this weekend's Emirates Cup tournament, which also features Scottish champions Rangers.

However, tellingly the Arsenal boss - also tracking Bordeaux's Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh - refused to rule out a reunion with his one-time midfield general, who spent nine glorious years at Highbury.

"There is a football decision and there is a psychological impact on a player of that stature that could come in," said Wenger.

"But at the moment we need to look at the level of experience in your squad to make this kind of decision.

"We are nowhere near to making a decision like that, but it is a possibility.

"We do not rule it out and we do not say we will do it - and that is my decision at the moment."

Wenger continued: "I speak to Patrick, I speak to many players who have been here because I keep good connections with them.

"He has gone through a difficult period as well in the last season. I am aware that he wants to come here.

"I think Patrick is a legend here and he would always like to come back to this club. That would be his first choice.

"With emotion you always like the club you spent time.

"But as a professional as well, you always give 100% for whichever club you sign for."

However, Wenger insisted: "Our focus should not be who can help us from outside, but who can help us from inside.

"We need a strong start and it is important that we do not dream too much and win our games in pre-season."

Arsenal enjoyed a productive training camp in Austria, although it was overshadowed somewhat by the loss of winger Samir Nasri to a broken leg which will sideline the Frenchman for the best part of two months.

Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs will not be involved in tomorrow's game against Atletico Madrid - potential Champions League qualifier opponents - following their extended summer of international duty.

Abou Diaby has a slight knee problem, but Tomas Rosicky is in contention for what would be his first appearance at the Emirates since late January 2008 after the Czech's long recovery from a series of niggling injuries.

Wenger, who has bought Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax, feels there is still strength in depth through the ranks despite the summer departures.

"We have eight defenders, eight or nine midfielders and four strikers, plus the youngsters around, so quality and number-wise we are where we want to be," he said.

"We lost two great players, but we have as well, great players behind and that is up to us to show during the season that we still have the quality to fight at the top level."

Wenger feels the Gunners can mount a serious title challenge next season.

"You have to analyse potential of the team," he said.

"Manchester United won one game against top-four teams and that means they have done less well than us against top-10 teams.

"They made the difference at home, winning 16 games.

"We lost the championship last year in the first 14 games, when we lost five and after that we just lost one.

"I am convinced the difference of potential is not as big as the points indicated."

As to the impact of United's summer departures, Wenger observed: "All you can say is that the numbers of [Cristiano] Ronaldo were always big in their games.

"He scored 42 goals one year and then 24 or 25. A player of that calibre is always difficult to replace."

 

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WENGER WON'T RULE OUT VIEIRA RETURN

Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out a reunion with Patrick Vieira at Arsenal.

The 33-year-old former Gunners captain is reported to be ready to make a shock comeback to the team he left in 2005.

Since Vieira's departure, in a £13.7million deal to Juventus before the midfielder then joined Inter Milan, Wenger's young Gunners have failed to bring silverware to the Emirates Stadium.

With both striker Emmanuel Adebayor and defender Kolo Toure having joined big-spending Manchester City, Wenger certainly has the funds available to move for his old enforcer, most likely on a pay-as-you-play deal.

Although arch-rivals Tottenham, newly-promoted Birmingham and French side Paris St Germain have made public their interest in Vieira, Wenger remained coy about his plans when quizzed ahead of this weekend's Emirates Cup tournament, which also features Scottish champions Rangers.

However, tellingly the Arsenal boss - also tracking Bordeaux's Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh - refused to rule out a reunion with his one-time midfield general, who spent nine glorious years at Highbury.

"There is a football decision and there is a psychological impact on a player of that stature that could come in," said Wenger.

"But at the moment we need to look at the level of experience in your squad to make this kind of decision.

"We are nowhere near to making a decision like that, but it is a possibility.

"We do not rule it out and we do not say we will do it - and that is my decision at the moment."

Wenger continued: "I speak to Patrick, I speak to many players who have been here because I keep good connections with them.

"He has gone through a difficult period as well in the last season. I am aware that he wants to come here.

"I think Patrick is a legend here and he would always like to come back to this club. That would be his first choice.

"With emotion you always like the club you spent time.

"But as a professional as well, you always give 100% for whichever club you sign for."

However, Wenger insisted: "Our focus should not be who can help us from outside, but who can help us from inside.

"We need a strong start and it is important that we do not dream too much and win our games in pre-season."

Arsenal enjoyed a productive training camp in Austria, although it was overshadowed somewhat by the loss of winger Samir Nasri to a broken leg which will sideline the Frenchman for the best part of two months.

Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs will not be involved in tomorrow's game against Atletico Madrid - potential Champions League qualifier opponents - following their extended summer of international duty.

Abou Diaby has a slight knee problem, but Tomas Rosicky is in contention for what would be his first appearance at the Emirates since late January 2008 after the Czech's long recovery from a series of niggling injuries.

Wenger, who has bought Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax, feels there is still strength in depth through the ranks despite the summer departures.

"We have eight defenders, eight or nine midfielders and four strikers, plus the youngsters around, so quality and number-wise we are where we want to be," he said.

"We lost two great players, but we have as well, great players behind and that is up to us to show during the season that we still have the quality to fight at the top level."

Wenger feels the Gunners can mount a serious title challenge next season.

"You have to analyse potential of the team," he said.

"Manchester United won one game against top-four teams and that means they have done less well than us against top-10 teams.

"They made the difference at home, winning 16 games.

"We lost the championship last year in the first 14 games, when we lost five and after that we just lost one.

"I am convinced the difference of potential is not as big as the points indicated."

As to the impact of United's summer departures, Wenger observed: "All you can say is that the numbers of [Cristiano] Ronaldo were always big in their games.

"He scored 42 goals one year and then 24 or 25. A player of that calibre is always difficult to replace."

 

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AC MILAN DISMISSES PIRLO CHELSEA LINK

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi insists Andrea Pirlo is not on the verge of signing for Chelsea.

The Italy midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea ever since the arrival of former Rossoneri coach Carlo Ancelotti to the London club.

Reports suggest Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani, who is also said to be preparing a bid to buy the Serie A club, is in London to discuss the deal.

However, Berlusconi insists neither story has any basis to it.

"They are all stories, there's no truth at all," he told reporters.

"I don't know anything, I haven't talked to Galliani: I also learnt this from journalists and I was surprised."

 

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DE ROSSI RULES OUT GUNNERS SWITCH

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi has rubbished reports he is set for a move to Arsenal.

Speculation is rife that Arsenal are preparing a big-money bid for De Rossi.

However, the 26-year-old claims he has no intention of leaving the capital club, which he joined as a youth player in 2000.

"Arsenal? I have never heard anything," said De Rossi. "Roma have declared me untransferable, I want to stay only here.

"Things would change if they wanted to offload me but they have always wanted me.

"I was on holiday, I read certain figures and even I didn't know if it could be true, I told myself 'maybe this time they will really sell me'.

"But the club always came out and declared that I was not for sale and that really pleased me. It's the only thing I want."

Alberto Aquilani has also been linked with a move to the Barclays Premier League, with reports suggesting Liverpool are close to signing the midfielder.

De Rossi believes it would be a good move for his team-mate but believes the Giallorossi would regret it.

"I don't know the details and I don't know if the deal is real," he added. "If it's as it's written in the papers, we will lose a great player.

"His many injuries have maybe meant that he's been forgotten about a bit, but I am sure that if he leaves we will regret it.

"He's a footballer with exceptional skill and above all he grew up in Roma's academy and has a love for this shirt that you cannot buy.

"But if you think about his career I think it would be a good opportunity, he would grow a lot by being close to the best midfielder in the world - Steven Gerrard."

 

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LEONARDO EXCUSES PEN-PAL PATO

AC Milan coach Leonardo refused to place any blame 19-year-old striker Alexandre Pato for his side's penalty shoot-out defeat to Boca Juniors.

Not only did the Brazilian miss the decisive spot-kick, but he was guilty of missing the Rossoneri's best chances in a game they had largely controlled.

Ronaldinho created at least four gilt-edged chances for Pato to add to Thiago Silva's 27th-minute opener, but he was unable to convert any before Lucas Viatri grabbed a late equaliser to force penalties.

Pato then stepped up to see his, the 10th penalty of the shoot-out tipped wide, by Roberto Abbondanzieri as Milan crashed to their fifth consecutive defeat in pre-season.

But Leonardo refused to make Pato the scapegoat.

"Pato has not been in training for very long and he's only had a few sessions with us," he said.

"He played almost a full game against Chelsea, but what he is lacking is training, also to understand the way we work in match situations.

"Therefore, he did not have the freshness that you need in front of goal."

Scoring has been a problem for Milan all summer with Filippo Inzaghi scoring three and defender Thiago Silva scoring two. Andrea Pirlo has scored one and Clarence Seedorf another, but Leonardo reaffirmed his desire to strengthen the squad further.

He has once again called for some of the money earned from the sale of Kaka to be reinvested in his squad.

"The squad is not very big and we just need players to help us sustain a challenge in Serie A and the Champions League," he added.

"The transfer market is open until August 31 so we will see what happens.

"We need more players and more strength in depth to be competitive."

 

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KAKA: REAL MOVE DECIDED IN JANUARY

Kaka has claimed his move to Real Madrid from AC Milan was decided on as early as January.

Milan had always insisted Kaka was not for sale and stunned the footballing world when they accepted a bid for the Brazil playmaker from Manchester City in the January transfer window.

Hundreds of fans turned up at Kaka's house to plead with him not to leave and although he decided to stay, he has now revealed it was because he was convinced by a phone call from Madrid.

"It wasn't exactly Florentino (Perez, Madrid president) who called, because he wasn't the president at the time." Kaka told Spanish sports daily AS. "For me it was a surprise all the fuss they created around it.

"It was the first time Milan wanted to sell me. (Milan president Silvio) Berlusconi assured me that it was only for financial reasons.

"For me it was great to see the fans outside my house showing their support for me not to leave.

"They were days of a lot of emotion, but I knew that everything was already decided."

Perez has created a stir since returning to the presidency last month, spending well over 200million euros on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema, Raul Albiol, Alvaro Negredo, Esteban Granero and Alvaro Arbeloa.

He is acting much like he did during his first spell in charge, the famous galacticos era, and Kaka has revealed Perez made several attempts to sign him back then.

"There was a first attempt when I arrived at Sao Paulo. It didn't work and it was then that I moved to Milan," said Kaka.

"Whenever I received offers from whatever team I always passed to Milan the responsibility of deciding on my departure. They were a club I loved and at which I was always happy.

"In six years there were offers, including some from Real Madrid. But Milan decided to open the door for me this year. First with City, but I then told them that I would only leave to go to Real Madrid."

Kaka, who is set to make his long-awaited debut on August 7, met all his new team-mates at the Peace Cup last Sunday and has started training with them for the first time this week.

The 27-year-old has vowed to propel Madrid, who ended last season empty-handed for the fourth time in six years, back to glory.

"It's excellent here," added Kaka. "I've been warmly welcomed by all my team-mates, and also the whole of the coaching staff and everyone who works for the club.

"It's been even better than I expected.

"I want to win. I hope to win trophies with Madrid and the most important of them is the Champions League.

"Moreover, the final this year will be held at the Bernabeu and that's an extra motivation.

"Everyone involved in football knows how difficult it will be to win it, but I have a great desire to win the Champions League in the Bernabeu.

"And I also would like to win La Liga, of course."

Many comparisons have been drawn between Kaka and Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane.

However, the former FIFA World Player of the Year insists he still has a lot to prove before he can be regarded in the same light.

"Zidane is a football legend, both in France and at Real Madrid," said Kaka. "He is in a league of his own because he made history throughout his career. I still haven't achieved that.

"It doesn't bother me if they compare the two of us, it's normal. It's not the first time it's happened to me. Everywhere I've been they have always compared me to him.

"At Madrid I hope to use him as a role model so that I can make as much history as he did at the Bernabeu. For me, that will be paramount."

 

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VILLA'S SPOT-KICK PRIZE

Aston Villa have been crowned Peace Cup champions after overcoming Juventus in a penalty shoot-out in the final in Seville.

After neither side were able to make the breakthrough in either normal time or extra-time, Villa took the spoils in the 12-team pre-season tournament after winning 4-3 on penalties against the Italian giants.

Both sides missed twice in the initial five efforts of the shoot out, with Juve duo Vincenzo Iaquinta and Alessandro Del Piero - who would have won the trophy for his side with a successful penalty - seeing poor shots saved by Brad Guzan, and Steve Sidwell blazing over for Villa and Chris Herd being denied by Gianluigi Buffon.

But it was to be Villa's night as, after Carlos Cuellar had confidently stroked home his side's sixth kick, Nicola Legrottaglie smashed his effort over the crossbar to give Martin O'Neill's side another impressive scalp having also beaten Atlante and Porto after losing their opening match of the tournament to Malaga.

There was little to separate the two sides in an evenly-fought opening period of the final, which saw Juve striker Iaquinta miss one of the best chances when he headed wide from close range after Mauro Camoranesi had nodded Felipe Melo's deep pass back into the danger area.

Melo also went close with an early 25-yard shot for Juve, while for Villa Ashley Young and John Carew both tested Buffon with efforts from outside the box as the first half finished goalless.

Juventus, who had beaten Real Madrid in their semi-final, turned up the heat after the break and David Trezeguet missed a gilt-edged chance in the 57th minute when he blazed well over from six yards out after Jonathan Zebina had pulled the ball back from the byline.

Iaquinta, who was proving a real menace to the Villa defence, then headed over from a Zdenek Grygera cross before Guzan made a superb double save to keep the Serie A outfit at bay.

The impressive Guzan then did well to deflect away Zebina's half-blocked shot after the Frenchman had latched onto Camoranesi's clever pass and burst into the Villa area.

Juve kept pushing and Iaquinta, having also been denied by a crucial last-ditch tackle by Curtis Davies, put another chance over the bar as Guzan raced out to meet the tall striker near the top corner of the box.

It was pretty much one-way traffic in the closing stages in favour of Juve, but Ciro Ferrara's side could find no way through as the match went to extra-time.

The additional periods could not find a winner either, so the final went to penalties where Villa's youngsters came out on top against their more illustrious opponents to claim the fourth edition of the Peace Cup.

 

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VILLA'S SPOT-KICK PRIZE

Aston Villa have been crowned Peace Cup champions after overcoming Juventus in a penalty shoot-out in the final in Seville.

After neither side were able to make the breakthrough in either normal time or extra-time, Villa took the spoils in the 12-team pre-season tournament after winning 4-3 on penalties against the Italian giants.

Both sides missed twice in the initial five efforts of the shoot out, with Juve duo Vincenzo Iaquinta and Alessandro Del Piero - who would have won the trophy for his side with a successful penalty - seeing poor shots saved by Brad Guzan, and Steve Sidwell blazing over for Villa and Chris Herd being denied by Gianluigi Buffon.

But it was to be Villa's night as, after Carlos Cuellar had confidently stroked home his side's sixth kick, Nicola Legrottaglie smashed his effort over the crossbar to give Martin O'Neill's side another impressive scalp having also beaten Atlante and Porto after losing their opening match of the tournament to Malaga.

There was little to separate the two sides in an evenly-fought opening period of the final, which saw Juve striker Iaquinta miss one of the best chances when he headed wide from close range after Mauro Camoranesi had nodded Felipe Melo's deep pass back into the danger area.

Melo also went close with an early 25-yard shot for Juve, while for Villa Ashley Young and John Carew both tested Buffon with efforts from outside the box as the first half finished goalless.

Juventus, who had beaten Real Madrid in their semi-final, turned up the heat after the break and David Trezeguet missed a gilt-edged chance in the 57th minute when he blazed well over from six yards out after Jonathan Zebina had pulled the ball back from the byline.

Iaquinta, who was proving a real menace to the Villa defence, then headed over from a Zdenek Grygera cross before Guzan made a superb double save to keep the Serie A outfit at bay.

The impressive Guzan then did well to deflect away Zebina's half-blocked shot after the Frenchman had latched onto Camoranesi's clever pass and burst into the Villa area.

Juve kept pushing and Iaquinta, having also been denied by a crucial last-ditch tackle by Curtis Davies, put another chance over the bar as Guzan raced out to meet the tall striker near the top corner of the box.

It was pretty much one-way traffic in the closing stages in favour of Juve, but Ciro Ferrara's side could find no way through as the match went to extra-time.

The additional periods could not find a winner either, so the final went to penalties where Villa's youngsters came out on top against their more illustrious opponents to claim the fourth edition of the Peace Cup.

 

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TREZ KEEN TO STAY AT JUVE

Striker David Trezeguet has decided to stay at Juventus at least until the end of the season.

The 31-year-old has attracted interest from AC Milan and Roma, although Juve recently said they would only be prepared to sell him to a club outside of Serie A.

Trezeguet told Juve's official website: "I am definitely staying at Juventus for the whole season.

"After 10 years in Turin I don't think it's right to leave now.

"At the back of this decision is the decisive support of those who backed me in the recent period - that is, the management, the coach, my mates and the supporters."

Trezeguet is under contract with the Bianconeri until 2011.

 

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TOTTI INJURY SCARE FOR ROMA

Roma captain Francesco Totti was pulled out of training on Monday and is doubtful to face Gent in the Europa League on Thursday.

The 32-year-old complained of pain in his knee during training and sat out the remainder of the morning session.

It is worrying news for Roma fans as Totti missed the end of last season after undergoing knee surgery.

Also doubtful for Thursday's third-qualifying-round second leg is Mirko Vucinic, who also has a knee problem, though Juan is now back in full training.

Roma take a 3-1 lead into the Jules Otten Stadion clash.

 

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BUFFON DELIGHTED TREZEGUET IS STAYING

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes striker David Trezeguet will be at his best this season after deciding to stay at the club.

Trezeguet, whose contract runs to 2011, put an end to speculation about his future by saying he had no intention of leaving the Bianconeri at least until next summer.

"We are all happy with Trezeguet's will to stay with us," the Italy keeper said on his personal website.

"I'm sure that now that he has once again found his conviction, David will return to being another weapon like he always was and this must make everybody happy."

The 31-year-old striker had attracted interest from AC Milan and Roma, although Juve recently said they would only be prepared to sell him to a club outside of Serie A.

Trezeguet told the club's official website: "I am definitely staying at Juventus for the whole season.

"After 10 years in Turin I don't think it's right to leave now.

"At the back of this decision is the decisive support of those who backed me in the recent period - that is, the management, the coach, my mates and the supporters."

Buffon now feels Juventus, who lost the final of the Peace Cup to Aston Villa on penalties on Sunday, are well positioned to launch a title challenge in the coming season.

He said: "I already said so a few days ago: I have a positive feeling from seeing how the team is working.

"The basis is solid and there is a nice environment.

"We have all it takes to do well. Now all that we have to do is put it into practice on the field and not just with words."

Juve begin their Serie A campaign with a home fixture against Chievo on August 23.

 

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SNEIJDER AGENT QUELLS INTER TALK

Wesley Sneijder's agent has rejected claims the Real Madrid midfielder is set to sign for Inter Milan.

Reports have suggested an agreement has been reached between the two clubs over a summer switch.

Sneijder's future is uncertain following the high-profile arrivals at Real during the current transfer window.

But Sneijder's agent, Soren Lerby, has dismissed claims that the Holland international is poised to join Inter.

"We have an understanding with Real Madrid that Wesley can't leave the club. And nothing has changed there," Lerby told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

 

[sky star 2]

SNEIJDER AGENT QUELLS INTER TALK

Wesley Sneijder's agent has rejected claims the Real Madrid midfielder is set to sign for Inter Milan.

Reports have suggested an agreement has been reached between the two clubs over a summer switch.

Sneijder's future is uncertain following the high-profile arrivals at Real during the current transfer window.

But Sneijder's agent, Soren Lerby, has dismissed claims that the Holland international is poised to join Inter.

"We have an understanding with Real Madrid that Wesley can't leave the club. And nothing has changed there," Lerby told La Gazzetta dello Sport.