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Where will Gigi Buffon be playing next season?

Buffon up for grabs The future of Juventus ace Gigi Buffon remains a mystery after he admitted that nothing has been decided. Despite the club’s Serie A status next term, the goalkeeper is continually being linked with a switch to either Milan or Inter. “I may stay, I might go, but nobody knows what I have decided – not even me,” said the World Cup winner. “Everything I hear has been totally invented, because I have not spoken to anyone about my future. Any decision I make will be in agreement with the club. There is a clear and honest rapport between us and one of reciprocal respect, so if I were to leave I would do so in a way that would benefit Juve as well. If I stay, then everyone will be happy.” However, Buffon has again hinted that he will only remain if the club considerably strengthen their squad over the summer. “The worst moments have yet to come now that we won’t be as competitive as the best sides in the top flight,” he noted, which simply fuelled the fire over his status. Juventus continue to maintain that they hope to see Buffon respect his contract, which expires in 2010, but have admitted that if he is sold then it won’t be on the cheap. “Granted that Juventus do not intend to put Buffon on the market, the £28m I have read about would only be enough for a co-ownership,” said sporting director Alessio Secco. “Buffon is a target for many teams, but that amount of money would never be enough.” Talks between the Old Lady and Buffon have begun and a final decision will be taken in June. See p24 Juventus special

See p22 Euro U-21

Azzurrini named Italy boss Pierluigi Casiraghi has named a preliminary squad of 30 players for the European Under-21 Championship this summer. Curci (Roma), Viviano (Brescia), Consigli (Sambenedettese); Andreolli (Inter), Canini (Cagliari), Chiellini (Juventus), Coda (Udinese), Criscito (Genoa), Mantovani (Chievo), Marzoratti (Empoli), Motta (Udinese), Potenza (Fiorentina), Raggi (Empoli); Aquilani (Roma), Cigarini (Parma), De Martino (Udinese), Dessena (Parma), Lazzari (Piacenza), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Nocerino (Piacenza), Padoin (Vicenza), Rosina (Torino); Lupoli (Derby), Palladino (Juventus), Paonessa (Vicenza), Pazzini (Fiorentina), Pelle` (Cesena), Pozzi (Empoli), Rossi (Parma). Lippi delay Marcello Lippi insists his coaching sabbatical will continue for a little while longer. “I have received several offers from foreign clubs, but I turned them down,” said the World Cup winning boss. “However, I have not been contacted by any Italian side. As a result I will not start a new job this summer and I plan on resting for another five or six months.” Coppa shocker The Lega Calcio are discussing the possibility of giving future Coppa Italia winners a place in the Champions League. “In our view it would be right to give three automatic Champions League places to the top teams in the table, then allow a preliminary round spot for the Cup winners,” said President Antonio Matarrese. “It should begin from 2009, assuming UEFA accept our proposal.” Sheva spot Milan will keep free a non-EU spot in their squad just in case Andriy Shevchenko desires a Chelsea exit. “He has a special place in Milan’s heart,” said Vice-President Adriano Galliani. “We’ll see what happens...” Prandelli pens Cesare Prandelli and Fiorentina have extended their relationship. The tactician has put pen to paper on a new contract until June 2011. Milan extensions Marcos Cafu, Massimo Ambrosini and Alessandro Nesta have signed new Milan contracts. They have agreed deals until 2008, 2010 and 2011 respectively. Billy quits Alessandro Costacurta, 41, will join Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching team at Milan next season after announcing his retirement. Leonardo will also be a part of the set-up. Ciccio call Francesco Tavano is unlikely to remain at Roma once his loan deal from Valencia expires. “The price set is too high,” noted agent Stefano Guercini. “We will try to renew the loan or look elsewhere.” Vieri walking Christian Vieri has admitted that he may be on the move again this summer. “It’s not easy to walk away from Atalanta,” noted the striker linked with Fiorentina. “But I do only live 10km from Florence...” 6 Calcio Italia June 2007

Toni on the move Fiorentina have conceded that star striker Luca Toni will be sold this summer. “Toni, with the agreement of the club, is free to choose his own future,” admitted President Andrea Della Valle. “There is little chance that he will remain in Florence.” The Italian international initially wanted out last year, but was convinced to stay by the Calciopoli-hit club. However, a transfer seems almost certain now, even if it is unclear at this stage where he might end up. Although a host of sides are keen, the 30-year-old’s desire for Champions League football may complicate matters, with interested parties such as Juventus and Bayern Munich not having that on offer. The latter have been strongly associated with a £13m move and the Bundesliga giants have confirmed their desire. “We definitely need new blood and Toni would be a great signing,” said Bayern chief Franz Beckenbauer “Toni guarantees goals. He has character and helps the team. I really hope he joins us.” Fiorentina have confirmed that the Germans are possible buyers although they face competition from Inter, a club who desperately wanted the player 12 months ago. The Italian champions can offer him everything he is after, but talks may prove difficult. “I got very angry with Della Valle a year ago and told him then that I would never buy from him again,” noted Inter owner Massimo Moratti. “Anyway, I think Bayern are leading the race to sign the player.” Meanwhile, Toni is a doubt for Italy’s June clashes against the Faroe Islands and Lithuania after he was forced to have surgery on a metatarsal injury.

Luca Toni is on the move yet again after prolific stints at Palermo and Fiorentina in recent years
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Didier Deschamps may have led Juventus to Serie A, but his future remains in serious doubt. The tactician’s relationship with the board is a cold one and Ligue 1 giants Lyon and Marseille have both been associated with a swoop for the former midfielder. Juventus maintain that Deschamps is going nowhere, but the former France captain and his agent have admitted that there are some issues to resolve. “He doesn’t feel the club’s full trust and his work at Juve is not being recognised as it should,” said representative Jeannot Werth. “If Juventus want to continue with Deschamps they need to strengthen his position from a contractual point of view, defining his field of intervention.” The uncertain future of Deschamps, contracted until 2008, is not the only coaching dilemma threatening to kick-start the managerial merry-go-round this summer. Atalanta boss Stefano Colantuono is set to leave despite recently signing a new two-year deal. Palermo, who last month sacked Francesco Guidolin for his assistant Renzo Gobbo only to bring him back 21 days later, look set to swoop for the highly-rated tactician. The Rosanero’s second option is Walter Novellino, who will leave Sampdoria after five years. Reggina’s Walter Mazzarri is favourite to replace him at Marassi even if Cagliari’s Marco Giampaolo, Gianluca Vialli, Colantuono and Claudio Ranieri of Parma are possibilities. The latter is also being strongly linked with the vacant position at Premiership outfit Manchester City. Meanwhile, Messina ended the campaign with a new man. After sacking Bruno Giordano for the second time this season, Bruno Bolchi returned to Serie A for the first time in 19 years following his stint at Pisa in the 1980s. It changed little though as the 67-year-old couldn’t save them from the drop.

See p31 Deschamps special

All over for Didi? Suazo style Cagliari’s David Suazo may end up at Lazio next season. “He’s an excellent striker,” said chief Claudio Lotito. “And our purchases are based on technical capabilities and price.” Inter and Roma are also keen. Capello talk Massimo Moratti has admitted that he tried to sign Coach Fabio Capello last year. “He had proved that he knew how to lead a squad and win,” noted the Inter chief. “But I preferred to keep Roberto Mancini.” Iaquinta on move Juventus have revealed that they have an agreement in place with Vincenzo Iaquinta. The World Cup winner looks set to leave Udinese for Turin in the summer. Gats’ eyes Gennaro Gattuso has admitted that he likes English football – but he believes his future will be in Italy. “I think my style suits the English game, yet I see my future at Milan right now,” he stated. Fine mess Roma and Man Utd have been fined for the crowd trouble that marred their Champions League quarterfinal. The Italian club will have to cough up £31,000, while the Reds have been invoiced for £14,500. Golden Kaka Kaka is playing down talk that he is in line to win the Golden Ball. “The Ballon d’Or depends on what I do with Milan and I think about the team first...” De Sanctis off Morgan De Sanctis is apparently set for a summer move. “His adventure with Udinese is about to end,” noted agent Claudio Vagheggi. “His next destination might be with Lazio.” Ob job Christian Obodo will miss the start of next season after snapping knee ligaments. The Udinese midfielder has had surgery and will be out until around October. Cesar commits Goalkeeper Julio Cesar will extend his deal with Inter until 2012, confirmed technical director Marco Branca. “We had already agreed to a deal a while ago, we were only waiting to make it official,” he stated. Rome free Daniele De Rossi has surprisingly revealed that he may one day leave Roma. “I want to stay at all costs, but I can’t make any promises,” said the Inter target. “Anything can happen in football.” Terry in June Milan are reportedly pondering a summer move for Chelsea captain John Terry, seeing as the English defender has still not extended his Stamford Bridge contract.

Juventus’ Didier Deschamps could be one of a number of coaching casualties during the summer

Kick off sparks row Aclub versus country row has erupted after the Italian Football League announced that next season’s Serie A campaign would not start until August 26. It was widely expected that the 2007-08 campaign would begin a week earlier in order to favour the Italian national’s side’s Euro 2008 bid, but the August 19 possibility was ignored by club chiefs. “We are working with the Lega Calcio to ensure that the August 19 date is taken seriously,” noted FIGC President Giancarlo Abete. “September is always a difficult month for the national side. We hope that the importance of the Nazionale’s encounter with France will push the Lega to reconsider their choice. However, we have to admit that during the last 10 years the campaign has never kicked off before August 26.” As it stands, Serie A will begin after the Leagues in England, France, Spain and Germany. That could be a problem seeing as Italy, fourth in Group B, will play France on September 8 and Ukraine four days later. “I am surprised about the start date,” said Azzurri boss Roberto Donadoni. “It would have been better to play these European Championship ties with three Serie A games in our legs, but we will have to make do with the circumstances and try to do as best we can after two rounds.”

See p54 Mancini-Moratti focus

See p32 Peruzzi tribute

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