Camoranesi Faces Long Spell Out

Juventus have been hit by a potentially huge blow with the news that Mauro Camoranesi could be out of action for a considerable amount of time.

The winger has endured an injury-hit campaign and was out for almost six weeks after picking up a problem in the week three defeat to Udinese.

After scoring on his return against Inter on November 4, and helping Italy qualify for Euro 2008 with a victory in Scotland, Camoranesi has continued to pick up niggles.

After missing the last two matches against Milan and Atalanta, he sustained yet another injury yesterday in training, this time to his right thigh, and the initial prognosis is not said to be good.

Camoranesi will undergo a series of tests tomorrow to assess how long he will be out of action for, although initial reports suggest this could be months rather than weeks.

Juventus face a tricky away game at Lazio this weekend, before hosting struggling Siena on December 23.

There is then a mid-season break before the Serie A action resumes on January 13, with Juve travelling to Sicily to play Catania.

www.goal.com - 11/12/2007 17:36

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Fiorentina Want Almiron And Criscito

Fiorentina seem set to make a January transfer bid for out-of-favour Juventus duo Sergio Almiron and Domenico Criscito, according to the Corriere dello Sport.

Almiron signed for the Bianconeri in the summer from Empoli for €9m, and was immediately labelled as the “new Sebastian Veron”. However the 27-year-old, along with fellow new-boy Tiago Mendes, has been hugely disappointing and has made just seven appearances, most of these coming at the beginning of the campaign.

He seems certain to be sold in January and Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli is set to come in with a bid for a player he holds in high regard. Another player likened by the Viola tactician is Domenico Criscito. The 20-year-old is regarded by many as the most promising young defender in Italy at the moment, however he has also failed to shine for Juventus this season.

The Bianconeri believe he requires more experience before he is ready to play for such a big club, and are set to send him out on loan in January for either six or 18 months. Fiorentina face competition from Palermo for the loan signature of Criscito. Indeed any deal could hinge on the future of Andrea Barzagli. The Azzurri centre-back is a target for Juventus, and they may include Criscito in a part-exchange deal.

www.goal.com - 11/12/2007 22:22

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Juve & Milan Fight It Out For Amauri

Juventus and AC Milan face a straight scrap for the services of Palermo star Amauri, according to Tuttosport.

The Brazilian hitman is one of the top strikers in Serie A and has recovered well from a serious injury to score five times this campaign.

The 27-year-old is widely expected to leave the Rosanero at the end of this season in order to move to a bigger club, and a number of European giants have all been linked with a move, including Milan, Juventus, Roma and Chelsea.

Tuttosport today says that Milan and Juventus are both prepared to put aside £35m for Amauri’s transfer fee and wages, and will launch a bid once the summer market opens on July 1.

Amauri has been linked with a move away from Sicily in January, however his agent has confirmed that no transfer will take place until June at the earliest.

“He will remain here until June,” agent Mariano Grimaldi stated.

The former Chievo marksman has recently applied for an Italian passport and reports suggest that providing he receives this before next summer’s European Championships, he will travel to Austria and Switzerland as Luca Toni’s backup for the Azzurri.

www.goal.com - 11/12/2007 12:59

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Juve Offer Zalayeta For Hamsik

Juventus are set to offer Napoli full ownership of Marcelo Zalayeta in exchange for midfield starlet Marek Hamsik. The Bianconeri have been linked with a move for the Slovakian for a number of weeks now and see him as the ideal man to supply a bit of extra spark to their midfield.

According to Tuttosport Juve will offer Napoli full rights to Marcelo Zalayeta, who is currently on loan with the Partenopei, in exchange for Hamsik.

Napoli currently have a £7m option to make Zalayeta’s deal permanent at the end of the season. The 29-year-old has been in outstanding form and has scored seven times already in Serie A.

Hamsik, who only signed from Brescia in the summer, has also underlined why he is seen as one of the most promising youngsters in Europe with a string of mesmerising displays.

A few weeks ago Napoli sporting director Pasquale Marino insisted that Hamsik was going nowhere.

“Nobody is touching Hamsik, Ezequiel Lavezzi or Walter Gargano,” he stated.

“Co-ownership deals will be resolved in June and we hope that our lads will grow here and after five years will renew and continue to grow.”

Meanwhile Juve have also started negotiations with Genoa for their outstandingly-named midfielder Ray Garibaldi.

Garibaldi is the current Italy Under-19 captain and is said to have an exceptional future in the game. Matteo Paro is likely to move permanently the other way as part of the deal.

www.goal.com - 11/12/2007 12:08

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Pavel Gets The Three Points

In the end it was up to Pavel Nedved to win the match, like in the good old days: a great right footer from just outside the penalty area and three golden points achieved against a good Atalanta side.

It wasn't an easy win; Atalanta again showed they're one of the teams most on form at the moment and that they fully deserve their position in the League. It was a nervous match, with the Bianconeri having trouble getting past the opponents' defence. In the first half Ranieri's men tried to use the wings (Molinaro was excellent) and Trezeguet's headers; Coppola's most difficult save was on a Nedved free kick. At the other end, Buffon saved on Floccari.

Del Piero and Marchionni came on in the second half. The Captain made his presence felt with a couple of dangerous free kicks. Juve's defence covered well and gave the guest team no chance for a counter-attack - both Legrottaglie and Chiellini were exceptional again today -, but it was hard to find space up front.

The decisive moment came after 85 minutes. Nedved got the ball, moved forward a couple of paces and exploded a perfect right foot low shot which ended in the bottom corner. The shot was worth three points, allowing Juventus to maintain third place on their own, recovering two points on Roma and especially three on Fiorentina. Against Lazio and Siena they'll have the chance to finish the year in the best possible way and spend a very happy Christmas.

www.juventus.com - 09 December 2007

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