Barcelona, Juventus Or Inter For The Champions League - Claudio Marchisio

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has made his Champions League predictions: Barcelona, Juventus and Inter are favourites.

Surprisingly, the Italian didn't mention last year's finalists Manchester United, the Galacticos of Real Madrid, or even Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea.

Marchisio believes Juve's summer investments in players like Diego and Felipe Melo will pay dividends on the continent and on the domestic front.

"Barcelona have the greatest chance [of winning the Champions League] compared to the rest," Marchisio told Il Corriere Dello Sport.

"Inter are there after they strengthened, but we are also aiming to win the trophy."

Bitter rivals Inter have dominated Serie A in recent years, but the Italian star is confident of breaking the Nerazzurri's stranglehold.

"We have always been close to Inter, and now we have strengthened I think we are even stronger than they are," added Marchisio.

Diego has been the outstanding signing this summer, and Marchisio believes the Brazilian will help in the conquest for trophies.

"Diego is a true Brazilian. We are getting to know him better game after game, and he will make the difference for us," concluded the Italian.

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Training: Tiago in a separate session, Del Piero, first part with the group

Juventus continue with their preparation in view of their championship debut against Chievo on Sunday night at 20:45hrs at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin. The bianconeri’s morning session today was under the observation of Jean-Claude Blanc and Alessio Secco. After the warm-up, stretching and athletic work, the team took part in a mini-match on a reduced field. Alessandro Del Piero worked in the gym after having carried out the first part of session with the team. Tiago worked separately.

Bari Sign Unsettled Juventus Midfielder Sergio Almiron

Bari have reportedly signed midfielder Sergio Almiron from Juventus, with an official announcement expected in the near future, according to tuttomercatoweb.

The details of the deal have yet to be released, but the move is expected to be completed as the player is surplus to requirements for the Bianconeri.

The player impressed at Empoli from 2004 to 2007, before Juventus snapped him up for €9 million. However, he was unable to replicate the form he showed with the minnows and was declared a flop after making just 10 league appearances in his first season.

In 2008-09, he was sent on-loan to Fiorentina, but fared no better in Tuscany, putting in a number of lacklustre performances before being relegated to the bench.

Nonetheless, it seems Bari are willing to offer the Argentine midfielder another chance to prove himself as they look to avoid being sent back down to Serie B in the upcoming campaign.

No Contact With Barcelona Over Juventus Defender Zdenek Grygera - Agent

Barcelona have not made an approach for Juventus defender Zdenek Grygera, according to his agent Mino Raiola.

On Wednesday, the Italian media had linked Grygera with the Spanish champions, as well as a number of Turkish clubs. Reports claimed the 29-year-old would find limited chances following the arrivals of Fabio Cannavaro and Martin Caceres.

However, Raiola has other ideas as he quashes the rumours, claiming his man will remain in Turin.

"Barcelona? There has not been any contact with them and I don't know anything about it," Raiola told Tuttojuve.com.

"There is nothing new regarding my client and therefore no other discussions to make. He wants to stay at Juventus, and he does not want to leave."

Grygera arrived in Turin from Ajax in 2007 and his current deal with the Italian club expires in 2012.

Alessandro Del Piero: I Hope To Be There Against Chievo Verona

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero is in confident mood, and hoping to play in the Serie A opener against Chievo Verona on Sunday night.

The captain has shaken off a recent back problem and he is in contention to feature as he aims to help Juve pick up their first points of the season.

"I am fine, the recovery is going well. I am aiming for Sunday and I should be available to play if everything goes well," Del Piero told the press.

"I hope I play and we are aiming to win. We want to start well, but it's the pitch that decides."

Winning the Scudetto is likely to be a race between Inter and the Old Lady. Del Piero believes his side have the qualities to wrestle the Tricolore from their bitter rivals.

"We have no reason to envy Inter. We know they are the team to beat based on the recent history.

"We have high quality and have strengthend well with the arrival of important players."

Del Piero has also defended Marcello Lippi from Jose Mourinho's recent jibes.

The Inter coach had claimed Lippi offended him when he predicted that Juventus would win the Scudetto, and a considerable row between both men followed.

"I hope Lippi doesn't make a mistake in his prediction seeing that he got it right last year," added the captain.

"Was it a lack of respect? I was not offended when he said Inter would win it last year. There was nothing wrong in it."

Juventus Add Borussia Dortmund Defender Neven Subotic To Hitlist

Juventus are trying to secure the services of Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic, who is likely to arrive next season.

According to Il Corriere Dello Sport, Juve having been tracking Subotic for the last year.

A number of top sides are reportedly keen on the 20-year-old, but the Old Lady are trying to outfox the competition and reserve the player for next season.

Subotic has just renewed his deal with the Bundesliga outfit until 2014, and it is said his wages have been improved.

Nevertheless, Juve are ready to make their move. The Italian giants are considering a €12 million bid in order to secure his services ahead of next season.

The player has been added to a list that also contains Schalke's Rafinha and Cristian Zaccardo of Wolfsburg as coach Ciro Ferrara continues his defender search.

Earlier this month, Arsenal had reportedly shown an interest in Subotic, but the player's agent ruled that move out.

Juventus & Fiorentina Target Osasuna Full-Back Cesar Azpilicueta - Report

After two years in the Osasuna first team, Cesar Azpilicueta's performances have come to the attention of Juventus and Fiorentina. The 19-year-old is also highly thought of in Spain, with Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Deportivo La Coruna and Athletic Bilbao all keeping an eye on the situation.

Juve and the Viola were both interested in Lazio's Lorenzo De Silvestri earlier this summer, and, according to Tuttosport, will come head-to-head again in their chase for the Spanish Under-21 international.

Azpilicueta, who is capable of playing either at right-back or on the wing, remains under contract until 2012 and consequently is unlikely to leave for much less than his €15 million buy-out clause.

Both the Bianconeri and the Viola have been searching for a right-back this summer, with a move by the latter for Emmanuel Eboue of Arsenal falling through.

Juventus are thought to have had scouts at Osasuna's friendly game against Parma to watch Azpilicueta, but the Turin side have so far preoccupied themselves with talks for De Silvestri and Lyon's Francois Clerc.

Diego: Juventus Are Good Enough To Win The Scudetto & Champions League

Juventus star Diego is 'convinced' his side can wrest the Scudetto from Inter, and win the Champions League this season.

The Bianconeri invested heavily this summer with trophies in mind. Diego arrived from Werder Bremen in a mega deal, and Felipe Melo was drafted in from Fiorentina in a similar transfer.

After a three-year drought, the Old Lady is ready to start scooping up trophies, and Diego is ready to get the ball rolling.

"With the team we have, I am convinced we can aim for the Scudetto as well as the Champions League," Diego told Tuttosport.

"We are Juventus, and we can never be happy just to be the participants."

Juventus get their Serie A campaign under way this weekend when they welcome Chievo Verona to the Olimpico.

Olympique Lyonnais Right-Back Francois Clerc Waiting For Juventus' Call

Juventus are lining up a bid for Olympique Lyonnais right-back Francois Clerc, who missed much of last term due to a serious knee injury.

Although a number of the powers-that-be at the Old Lady have claimed that their summer transfer campaign is over, they will be forced into action again if Fenerbahce meet their asking price for Zdenek Grygera.

The Czech is valued at around €6 million, a price-tag Fener have been reluctant to meet so far.

In case of Grygera's departure, Juventus have been drawing up a shortlist of replacement right-backs, with Schalke's Rafinha, Lazio's Lorenzo De Silvestri and Lyon's Clerc the most prominent figures.

Juve are hoping to pick the latter up on the cheap, as his contract ends in 2010. Clerc is currently refusing to renew his deal with OL, leaving the door open for a move to Turin.

"The gossip has reached me, [but there are] no official offers yet," Clerc told Tuttosport.

"Juve is one of those clubs that no player could turn down. It is up to them when they want to come forward - I am here.

"[Serie A] is a great league, and for a professional footballer it represents an exciting challenge. In principle, it is an experience that I would like to try but that is discounting my current contract situation."

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I Am Tired - Juventus Midfielder Felipe Melo

Felipe Melo has admitted that his pre-season performances have not been up to par because he is fatigued after a hectic summer of football.
The Brazil international midfielder arrived at Juventus on a wave of expectation and euphoria, but his performances in a Bianconeri shirt so far have not been of the standard that many were hoping for.
The 26-year-old has responded to the criticism, claiming that he is tired after a non-stop summer.

"In the last few outings I have felt a bit of tiredness from so many games and continual travel," Melo told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I had little time to rest after the Confederations Cup. My condition will be better for the game against Roma [on August 30].

"However, I believe that the team has played very positively in pre-season, we have worked hard and well. We can still improve a lot," Melo concluded.

The Old Lady's pre-season has been promising, with their new signings integrating themselves into the squad well.

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