Gianluigi Buffon Relishing Italy Return

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will make his long-awaited return for Italy in the friendly against Germany on February 9.
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has revealed his excitement at returning to the Italy line-up. The shot stopper last featured for his country in the 2010 World Cup where he picked up a back injury during the first game against Paraguay.

Buffon spent six months on the sidelines, but has made a successful return in 2011, making four appearances for the Bianconeri.

The ex-Parma man spoke about his upcoming return to the Azzurri as well as the recent struggles of his club side.

"On February 9 it will be my 'debut' with Italy during the friendly against Germany. It will evoke strong emotions," the 33-year-old said via his official website.

"This moment at Juventus is difficult and we have made some missteps. From the cup we left early but it would be useless to cry about it. The minimum goal remains fourth place in the league and qualifying for the Champions League. It's within our reach."

Buffon is considered one of the best goalkeepers of all time, having won a number of titles and awards in his career, including the 2006 World Cup.

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Giovanni Cobolli Gigli: Fourth Place Is An Ambitious Goal For Juventus

Former Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has his doubts as to whether the team can finish in fourth place this season.
Based on Juventus' recent slide, former club president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has stated the Scudetto is out of reach and admitted that even qualifying for the Champions League will be a tough task.

"The Scudetto? I don't think we can delude ourselves," he said in an interview with Radio Sport.

"Juventus can still fight for fourth place but for the title there is the character demonstrated by Leonardo's Inter, while Milan are also a very good team and these are the two favourites.

"Then comes Roma and Napoli - they are no longer a temporary presence, they are a good team, well coached by [Walter] Mazzarri.

"Juve must pay attention to these teams, but also Lazio and Palermo, who will be hard for them [Juventus] to defeat this evening. So fourth is already an ambitious goal."

The 66-year-old also commented on the winter transfer market, praising the moves by the two Milan giants.

"Inter did well with five purchases and Milan is reinforced, even though I feel sorry regarding the injury to [Nicola] Legrottaglie. It looked like the January transfer market would have been spared, but there was a lot of money spent," he concluded.

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Giampaolo Pozzo Believes Udinese Can Be A Major Force In Serie A

Udinese president Giampaolo Pozzo underlines the Zebrette's ambitions.
Udinese president Giampaolo Pozzo believes that the Zebrette can qualify for Europe next season. The Udine-based side are currently sixth in the league standings and have recently defeated Inter and Juventus.

Udinese have yet to taste defeat in Serie A in the new calendar year and Pozzo believes the sky's the linit for the club.

“It's a very positive moment," he told the Italian press. “We've had the confirmation that this team has an important potential and for this reason we mustn't pose any limits on ourselves.

“The players have shown that they are in a position to do it. If they get rid of the weaknesses that have characterised our last two seasons, if they find consistency of performance, then Udinese can go far.”

Asked if Udinese can qualify for the Champions League, Pozzo replied, “I've already said that we can't pose any limits on ourselves. There are still many points to play for and we can enjoy ourselves."

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Houssine Kharja Excited To Work With Leonardo At Inter

Kharja is looking forward to working with Inter coach Leonardo.
Houssine Kharja is looking forward to working with Inter coach Leonardo and hopes that he can develop as a player under the Brazilian.

The 28-year-old midfielder joined the Nerazzurri on loan from Genoa last month and made his debut in the Beneamata's 3-2 victory over Palermo on Sunday.

Kharja is glad to have made the switch and has been quoted by Inter's official website as saying, "It's an honour and a pleasure for me to be here with the world champions and with Leonardo.

"I was a ball boy when he used to play for Paris Saint-Germain. I still have a pair of his old shorts, with holes in them now - a souvenir I've kept from back then.

"He was my idol. I remember his magical left foot, he used to take the most perfect free kicks and corners.

"As I said, it's an honour for me to be at Inter. Lots of teams were interested in me but when Inter came in I didn't have to think twice. I'm overjoyed to be here and also about how my debut went.

"Every training session will be like a cup final for me," he concluded.

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Mauro Camoranesi Signs Two-Year Deal With Lanus

Mauro Camoranesi has ended speculation over his future by agreeing a two-year deal with Argentine club Lanus.
Former Juventus and Italy star Mauro Camoranesi is now a Lanus player, after the midfielder signed a two-year contract with the Argentine club.

The 34-year-old signed the deal with the Grana on Wednesday afternoon, and now only a medical exam stands in the way of Camoranesi appearing in the Clausura for the Buenos Aires club, according to Ole.

Camoranesi will also request a chat with Lanus coach Gabriel Schurrer to agree what position he will fill, as he no longer feels that he can perform to the best of his ability in the habitual right midfield post.

"It has now been agreed. Mauro spoke with the coach [Gabriel Schurrer] and they arranged that from Thursday he would start training with the squad," president Nicolas Russo told reporters at a Grana press conference this afternoon.

Camoranesi becomes the fifth new signing of the summer for Lanus. Cesar Carranza, Diego Gonzalez, Carlos Araujo and Diego Valeri have also moved to the club in the close-season.

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Colombia Coach Hernan Dario Gomez Warns Of Risky Match Against Spain

Spain could destroy Colombia, warns Hernan Dario Gomez.
Colombia coach Hernan Dario Gomez has admitted that his side could be in for a heavy defeat by European and world champions Spain when the two sides confront each other in a friendly international in Madrid next Wednesday.

“It’s a match with a very high risk, for many reasons, it can be a match of four results where you can win, draw, lose or maybe get hit by a glut of goals,” Gomez said, according to Reuters.

“Spain are a well reinforced Barcelona who play every eight days and we have not got together for four months with this team that’s going to play, so these are very big disadvantages against the best team in the world.”

Gomez also named his squad for the clash with Spain.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Nice), Luis Enrique Martinez (Once Caldas)

Defenders: Luis Amaranto Perea (Atletico Madrid), Mario Yepes (AC Milan), Juan Camilo Zuniga (Napoli), Pablo Armero, Christian Zapata (both Udinese), Juan David Valencia (Atletico Junior)

Midfielders: Abel Aguilar (Hercules CF), Yulian Anchico (Pachuca), Freddy Guarin (Porto), Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Udinese), Carlos Alberto Sanchez (Valenciennes)

Forwards: Giovanni Moreno (Racing Club), Radamel Falcao Garcia (Porto), Dayro Moreno (Once Caldas), Hugo Rodallega (Wigan Athletic), Adrian Ramos (Hertha Berlin)

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Barcelona Coach Pep Guardiola Delighted To Reach Copa Del Rey Final

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says he is very happy with his side qualifying for the Copa del Rey final for the second time in three years.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has praised his side after they defeated Almeria 3-0 to progress to the Copa del Rey final for the second time in three years.

Guardiola was extremely pleased with the 8-0 aggregate victory and admitted the Blaugrana deserved to advance to the cup final.

"I think we deserved to win," the tactician told AS after the match. "Reaching the final is a very difficult thing.

"Let us not forget the ties against Betis or the party in San Mames. We deserved it and being in this position for the second time in three years says a lot about our players.

"Our two potential rivals are very strong, but we must try to recover in time for Saturday, as we face one of the strongest teams [Atletico Madrid] in the league."

Guardiola believes the competition has been good for some of his players who have not been able to get a regular spot in the starting XI.

"This is our hardest month, as we have had little rest. The Copa has allowed us to give minutes to people who had not played a lot, and to rest others," he concluded.

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Palermo Coach Delio Rossi: We Showed Heart And Determination Against Juventus

Palermo coach Delio Rossi was pleased with the 2-1 victory over Juventus.
Palermo coach Delio Rossi was pleased with the Rosanero's 2-1 win against Juventus, but believes his team are starting to feel the effects of a busy fixture list.

"In one month, we have played eight matches and they have all been decisive clashes," Rossi began to say to Tuttomercatoweb after the match.

"We are a little tired, but maybe it wasn't a high-quality match as that in Milan [against Inter], but there was a lot of heart and determination."

Rossi went on to admit that Cesare Bovo did commit a handball in the penalty area midway through the first-half, and a spot-kick should have been awarded.

"It was a penalty," he stated. "The attacking move was created by a free-kick that didn't exist, and from the next corner kick, they scored.

"When Juventus complain, they want to be taken seriously. When Palermo do it, they are told off," concluded Rossi.

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Udinese Coach Francesco Guidolin: We Weren't At Our Best Against Bologna

Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin says his side weren't quite up to the standard of previous weeks.
Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin says his side did not display the same skill they have put on show over the past few weeks after being held to a 1-1 draw at home against Bologna.

Guidolin believes the Rossoblu were a lot fresher than his side having had their match against Roma postponed.

"Bologna had fresh legs, whereas we had played on a frozen pitch [against Juventus last Sunday] and arrived back home at 4am," the tactician told Sky Sport. "Having said this, the Rossoblu are an excellent side who showed how good they can be on the park.

"We did not have that sparkle which we have been famous for recently. We could have won 2-1, but so could they. I think the result was the right one."

Udinese are now level on points with Palermo in seventh place.

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Jose Mourinho Hoped Real Madrid Would Play Barcelona In Copa Del Rey Final

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho says it was fate that brought the Blancos and Barcelona to meet in the Copa del Rey final.
Real Madrid coacch Jose Mourinho says that despite playing nine matches throughout January, he is delighted the side has progressed to the final of the Copa del Rey after defeating Sevilla 2-0 in the semi-final second leg.

The 'Special One' also questions the April 20 final date as being odd, and was pleased his team did not lose control of the semi-final.

"It is great to see two rivals meet in the final," Mourinho explained to Marcapost-mach. " We had our difficulties, and this has hurt us throughout January.

"We paid the price, but have receovered enough to progress to the final. It has all been worth it because we are now in the Copa final.

"April 20 is a little strange for the final. We will now focus on the Copa later in the season. IT was important for us not to lose control of this evening's match, and the goals gave us peace of mind.

"We have had a good competition, which tested us with a Madrid derby," he added.

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Vasco Da Gama Appoint Ricardo Gomes As New Coach

Vasco da Gama has confirmed former Sao Paulo and Bordeaux boss Ricardo Gomes as their new coach.
Vasco da Gama have appointed former Sao Paulo and Bordeaux coach Ricardo Gomes to lead the side after firing PC Gusmao last week.

Gomes has promised he will work hard to improve the struggling club's fortunes.

"I am very pleased with this opportunity and I appreciate the confidence that president Roberto Dinamite has placed in me," he revealed on the club's official website. "My work will be of great quality because the club's history compels us to set a high standard.

"Commanding the team will be a big challenge, but I am optimistic. Firstly, we will have to restore the team's good image, and we will work 24 hours a day in order to do so."

Gomes will take charge of the Brazilian side after their Carioca Championship match against Volta Redonda. Vasco lost three matches out of three, and a further loss could put the team in last place.

The tactician has previously been in charge of French sides Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco, and has tasted success, winning the Ligue 1 with PSG in 1998 and the League Cup with Bordeaux in 2007.

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Fiorentina Are Not Alberto Gilardino Dependent - Andrea Della Valle

Fiorentina director Andrea Della Valle says the Viola are not solely reliant on Alberto Gilardino to score goals.
Fiorentina director Andrea Della Valle has revealed the Viola have not become reliant on striker Alberto Gilardino to score goals.

The Gigliati overcame Genoa 1-0 with Mario Santana scoring the lone winner just before the half-time break. He also confirmed Sinisa Mihajlovic would remain as coach of the side and hitman Adrian Mutu will return to the starting XI as soon as he gets his fitness up to standard.

"The team is not Gilardino dependent, and it was seen during our toughest match," Della Valle told Tuttomercatoweb. "

"The city is in shock, especially after our last match against Lazio. We are not out of the woods, and we are fighting off relegation issues. Everyone must remain calm and keep their heads, staying united.

"Mutu will return to the group, but will need to plhysically improve. He will be ready in a day or two.

"It is normal that the press speak about the coach. This is nothing scandalous, but he will stay," concluded the director

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Sergio Aguero Insists Atletico Madrid Future In His Own Hands

Aguero claims that he will decide his own future.
Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero has claimed that he holds his future in his own hands and will not be motivated by anyone else's wishes or desires.

The 22-year-old Argentina international forward is one of the most sought-after players on the planet and was the subject of mega-bids from Real Madrid and Chelsea in January as well as an offer from Tottenham Hotspur late in the transfer window.

However, Aguero has committed his future to the Spanish Primera Division club and has once again insisted that he is happy at the Vicente Calderon, but this time he has added that he controls his future and not anyone else.

"I will leave Atletico when I want to," said Aguero, according to ESPNSoccernet. "I will decide the day not the club, nor my agent.

"If I wanted to leave the club, I wouldn't have renewed my contract as I would have been free to leave in 11 months.

"I am really happy about the extension and now we can move on. I am tied to Atletico because they have always treated me well.

"All I am focused on now is doing well with Atletico and trying to get the points we need," he added.

"Our objective [the top four] is far away but it is still possible as there are lots of points to play for this season."

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New Inter Signing Yuto Nagatomo: I Have To Prove My Worth To The World Champions

Nagatomo can't wait to strut his stuff for the Nerazzurri.
Japan international left-back Yuto Nagatomo has admitted that he will have to prove that he belongs with Inter and cannot take anything for granted.

The 24-year-old joined the Italian and European champions on loan from Serie A strugglers Cesena for the rest of the season on Monday.

Nagatomo had a brilliant Asian Cup with Japan and inspired his nation to the title but believes that he will have to give his all to succeed at Inter.

"I'm very happy to have joined Inter, the world champions," enthused Nagatomo on Monday, according to Inter's official website. "Now I have to prove to everyone that I can play.

"What's happened today came out of the blue, but now that I'm here I have to give it everything I've got.

"I already know some of my new team-mates," he added. "I met Samuel Eto'o when I played against him with Japan in the World Cup and the same goes for Wesley Sneijder.

"But I expect I'll soon make friends with the whole team," he concluded.

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Juventus Sporting Director Giuseppe Marotta: It Wasn't Easy Signing Alessandro Matri From Cagliari

Giuseppe Marotta has admitted that it was difficult recruiting Matri and also explained the failure to sign Giampaolo Pazzini.
Juventus sporting director Giuseppe Marotta has revealed that signing striker Alessandro Matri from Cagliari was not an easy transaction.

The forward moved to Turin on a six-month loan deal and the Bianconeri have the option of completing a permanent transfer for the 26-year-old for a €15.5 million fee in summer, having paid €2.5m for the loan.

“It was a difficult transaction, we took advantage of the chance given by [Cagliari] president [Massimo] Cellino who accepted to release the striker," he told Juve's official website.

"We targeted Matri some time ago and we knew that he was followed by several other clubs.

"Moreover, the transaction had to be managed on several tables, considering the simultaneous release of Amauri.”

Marotta went on to speak about Juve's failed attempt to sign Giampaolo Pazzini, who joined rivals Inter instead.

“I’m still hearing media talking about Pazzini. He’s a great player, like Matri, and many clubs wanted to sign him.

"However, Inter signed him with a permanent contract and we didn’t at this stage. We opted for a loan, intending to buy the player in June, being also aware of the possibility to add some other players as compensation.

"Maybe one of our young players who has to practice at a higher level. But I’d like to point out that the option to buy is a right, not an obligation.”

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Juventus Midfielder Claudio Marchisio: We Must Stick Together To Overcome Our Difficulties

Marchisio believes that Juventus have must faith in themselves.
Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has stated that the squad must stick together and stay focused in order to pull themselves out of their current slump.

The Bianconeri have been sub-par in January, suffering back-to-back defeats to Parma and Napoli in the league and crashing out of the Coppa Italia. On Sunday Juve lost 2-1 to Udinese and are now outside the top six.

The Old Lady have relinquished all hopes of a Scudetto but Marchisio believes that they must regain their confidence and start February on a positive note.

“This negative month is over at last," said Marchisio, according to Juve's official website. "We’re really disappointed about this period and about the defeats.

"Unfortunately, we aren’t in luck, but the group stick together, we want to win and do our best.

"Football gives you the chance of reversing the circumstances and on Wednesday in Palermo we have to show our value through a great performance.

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Milan Coach Massimiliano Allegri Less Than Satisfied After Lazio Draw

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri takes positives from draw against Lazio.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri admits his players looked tired against Lazio following a busy schedule.

Despite numerous chances, his side were unable to pierce the Aquile's backline at San Siro as the game produced a 0-0 draw.

"In the first half we were a bit rushed and we made too many errors passing," Allegri told Sky Sport Italia after the game.

"Lazio defended very well and we hardly shot, but we had come into the game having played six games spaced out every three days.

"There was confusion at times, but we played well in other moments. It's the third game we have not conceded, and so this is good."

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David Suazo Returns To Inter Training

Inter striker David Suazo has returned to training from a muscular injury.
Inter striker David Suazo has returned to training with his Nerazzurri team-mates after suffering a muscular injury several months ago.

The Honduras international trained separately with Argentine defender Walter Samuel at the Angelo Moratti Sports Centre, the club revealed via their official website today.

Both players have begun a program to return to full fitness as soon as possible. 'La Pantera' was presumed to be on the sidelines for a further two months, but has shown great improvement.

Suazo has not received much game time since joining the Beneamata from Cagliari in 2007, as he has been loaned out to Benfica and Genoa during his tenure.

Inter take on Bari on Thursday evening in Serie A.

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Lazio Coach Edy Reja Content With Hard-Fought Draw Against Milan

Edy Reja believes his side could have done more at Milan, but he settles for a point.
Lazio coach Edy Reja believes his side deserve their point against Milan after battling to avoid an onslaught at San Siro.

His players emerged bruised, but not battered as they escaped from Milan with a point.

"We head back home with a very good point," he told Sky Sport Italia after the game."One cannot expect to go to Milan and play their game.

"Perhaps we could have done something more. In anycase we were good at the back."

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Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson: Two Goals Against Aston Villa Will Help Wayne Rooney

Timing of the goals crucial to victory.
Sir Alex Ferguson praised two-goal Wayne Rooney after the striker bagged a brace to help Manchester United to a 3-1 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

A goal in the first and last minutes of the first half by the England international set United on the path to victory and whilst Darren Bent grabbed a goal back for the visitors, Nemanja Vidic’s second-half strike sealed victory.

Speaking to Sky Sports News after the game, Ferguson praised his striker, who has found goals hard to come by this season, for his contribution.

“It was a marvellous early goal. Wayne [Rooney] capitalises from [Edwin] van der Sar’s fantastic strike of the ball,” he said.

“It was really good vision from Edwin, but what a finish, marvellous finish.

"Goals always help strikers there’s no question about that. But he [Rooney] has always got a great appetite to play, everyone should remember that. It’s an in-bred thing in the boy. He has this great attitude to work and fight and he gets his rewards eventually.”

The United boss also admitted that the timing of the goals also helped his side. Rooney’s opener was timed at just 48 seconds, his second goal came in stoppage time at the end of the first half and United’s third came five minutes after Bent had seemingly dragged Villa back into the game.

“It was a game of good timing, an early goal, one right on half-time and they when they scored the goal we upped the tempo again and scored the third goal,” added Ferguson.

The win maintains United's five-point lead at the top of the table and the Scot urged his side to keep their momentum going.

“I think what happens in the run-in is you keep knocking off the games, if we keep winning, we knock each one off as we go along and eventually you run out of games,” he said.

“The aim is to keep the momentum going, keep the work rate up, we were good tonight but we had to work hard against a good Aston Villa team, and hopefully it gets us where want to be.”

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Arsenal Boss Arsene Wenger Bemoans Roman Abramovich's Renewed Interest In Chelsea Cause

Gunners' manager foretells a Blues summer splurge to match deadline day bonanza.
Arsene Wenger has warned that Roman Abramovich will embark on another transfer spending spree in the summer after re-discovering his interest in football.

The Chelsea owner sanctioned a £75 million splurge in the last minutes of the transfer window on Liverpool’s Fernando Torres, for a British record £50 million, and David Luiz from Benfica.

“It shows you two things,” said Wenger in his post-match press conference. “At Chelsea, for a while, Abramovich is a bit in no-man’s land, where nobody could guess whether he still wanted to invest or not for a long time. But certainly that has changed.

“He has decided to put money into the game. That tells you certainly in the summer more will come. He is back to full investment. Only he can explain why but that’s how you read it from the outside.

“It looked like Abramovich was maybe not as involved anymore, that’s what people said in the newspapers. It looks like Chelsea is back in the market when they were not for a while, which means more is to come in the summer.

Asked about the ramifications Chelsea could face from Uefa’s impending financial fair play regulations, Wenger said: “That’s why I sat in my armchair last night and watched from the outside. Chelsea is a special case like Manchester City is a special case.

“In the morning they announced a £70m loss. In the afternoon, they buy £75m worth of players. Where is the whole logic in that? It is difficult to guess. They officially voted for financial fair play, they signed up for it, but they could explain better what they do.

“They bought a great player [Torres] who has won the World Cup and European Championships. After that it is down to how much you want to pay for the player. Chelsea has the potential to do it.”

Wenger, who did recruit any new blood for Arsenal, admitted he was bewildered by the sums spent by Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City last month after what had been a quiet winter window 12 months previously in the Premier League.

“It goes from one extreme to another,” said the Arsenal manager. “You give money to one club and they spend it again. Football is always like that. The smaller club has always lived like that, getting money from bigger clubs.”

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