Juve and Fiorentina [last season's third and fourth placed teams] played in the third qualifying round of the CL this season [against Artmedia and Slavia Prague respectively]. how did that happen years ago?

No this is something new if it's true but I believe it's just a mistake.

If it's true then when did it change? Anyway, it does not really matter.

Bologna have sacked their coach, Daniele Arrigoni. The latest rumor has them talking to Sinisa Mihailovic about taking the job.

Modena contact exorcist
Tuesday 4 November, 2008
Modena have got in touch with exorcist Gregorio Colosio in the hope that he can rid the side of its demons.

The Canarini are currently bottom of Serie B, three points adrift of the relegation playoff zone and five points away from absolute safety.

“There has to be a devil in that dressing room,” declared Modena President Giancarlo Gibellini who decided enough was enough after his team won just one of their opening 11 games this season.

A couple of hours before Saturday's match with Cittadella, Gibellini called his old friend Father Colosio, a 70-year-old Benedictine monk from Modena's St. Peter's Basilica.

Answering a friend in need, Colosio made the short trip to the Stadio Alberto Braglia, entered the empty Modena dressing room and started a prayer from his book of exorcisms.

“O Lord, free this house, expel from it the dangers of the enemy. Take care of us in your peace,” Colosio then proceeded to read the rest of the prayer, which he had revised especially for the football club.

“Send your saints to comfort, support and visit our lads because in this stadium they have to carry the victory of the good.”

Unfortunately, his words did not appear to help much. Modena drew 3-3, had two players sent off and a penalty awarded against them.

However, Gibellini did not rule out bringing Colosio back in the future. “I am a fan first and foremost,” he said. “I want to do something to help the team, but I don't look for publicity. I don't want to do anything spectacular.”

Meanwhile, putting his faith elsewhere, Gibellini will today present to the Italian Football Federation a dossier of all the refereeing mistakes that have affected his team so far this season.

channel4

Modena contact exorcist
Tuesday 4 November, 2008
Modena have got in touch with exorcist Gregorio Colosio in the hope that he can rid the side of its demons.

So Italian. It has happened before a few times.

Are we supposed to actually believe this? Aren't there really strict rules when it comes to exocism and a whole bunch of measures taken by the church before an exorcist is allowed to perform the exorcism?

^^ What dst said. There are very strict rules for actual exorcisms.

Juve Open Joaquín Talks With Valencia
Juventus have made initial enquiries about signing Joaquín from Valencia and talks opened this week about a bid reported to be around €15 million.

La Vecchia Signora made no secret of their desire to tempt the 27-year-old to Turin and travelled to Mestalla on Thursday to speak to Che officials about a deal, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

After their game against Real Madrid in midweek, the Juve sporting director, Alessio Secco, did not return to Italy and instead flew to Valencia to hold speak to the club.

Joaquín's contract runs until 2012 and has a buy-out clause of €40 million, but that would not be the figure that would be asked for amid the club's alleged financial problems.

Juve are more likely to suggest a figure of around €15m for the former Betis star and Valencia would be prepared to consider it in order to boost their own spending plans.

The aim is to push the signing through for the end of the season, but if the player and both clubs are open to the idea then a deal could even take place in January.

Last summer Joaquín was rumoured to be set to leave as the club stated that they would have to sell one star player and were desperate to hold on to David Villa and David Silva.

After a torrid season under Ronald Koeman, who stated that he was worth €30 not €30 million upon leaving, Joaquín has become a key member of the resurgence under Unai Emery.

Joaquin cools Juve talk

Valencia winger Joaquin claims he knows nothing about recent Press speculation linking him with a move to Juventus.

The Spanish international is seen by some experts as a possible answer to the Old Lady's shortage of midfield options.

There were reports in several Italian newspapers that Juve sporting director Alessio Secco had flown to Valencia to discuss a possible deal for Joaquin, but the player is in the dark.

“I don't know anything about a transfer to Juventus,” Joaquin maintained.

“All I have been told by the club is that there have been no offers for me.

“I just want to have a good season here at Valencia. Things are going well and I am happy after my recent problems.”

Joaquin has played 66 games for Valencia since arriving from Real Betis in 2006 and has 51 caps for Spain.

Blog: Leading by example

Just when things look bleak in Turin, Juventus and their talismanic captain step up their game. James Sugrue hails the second coming of Alex Del Piero



Every season Juventus seem to bring in a long-term replacement for Alessandro Del Piero. With his 34th birthday arriving this week, the likes of Vincenzo Iaquinta, Amauri and Sebastian Giovinco have all teamed up with the Old Lady to seemingly spell the end of Alex's time.

He has withstood all those tests of his ability and dedication though, and even seems to come out stronger every time his place in the team is threatened. Never has that been more evident than now.

Juve were struggling to live up to their potential in Serie A and battling against a growing injury list, while their return to the Champions League had begun with a less than comfortable home win over Zenit St Petersburg and a lacklustre 2-2 draw with Belarus minnows BATE Borisov.

After back-to-back wins over Spanish giants Real Madrid, both inspired by Del Piero's fantastic goals, things are looking very different in Europe. Sitting top of their group and already guaranteed a place in the next round Juve can relax, but in the League the horizon is also much rosier.

Three wins on the trot, including a derby victory over Torino and the conquering of Roma, have left their doubters baffled and highlighted the one important fact that everyone seems to have forgotten since Calciopoli. When push comes to shove and the chips are down, Juventus are still Juventus and probably always will be.

The same applies for their captain. When he walks out in front of a packed stadium, whether it be the Olimpico or the Bernabeu, Alex steps up to the plate and rarely disappoints. He has received his fair share of criticism for his performances in an Italy shirt - which, World Cup 2006 aside, are probably deserved - but in the Bianconero his hero status is well earned.

Few players have the ability to do what he does, and even less have the composure and iron will to try it in the first place. His goals against Real in both games demonstrate that perfectly. Realising he didn't have the pace to take on the Spanish defence he could have held up the ball and waited for support. But not Pinturicchio, he thought he'd just score from where he was!

Far from fading away with age, Del Piero seems to become even more vital to the Juve cause. His recent performances have even seen people forget that the likes of Gigi Buffon and David Trezeguet are still absent with injuries, such was the decisive manner with which he despatched the Spanish champions.

Of course it won't last forever, as even Alex will have to succumb to the sands of time eventually, but just don't expect him to fade quietly into the background. Del Piero's style suggests that when he does go it will be with a huge bang on the biggest stage, maybe even holding the Champions League trophy in his hands.

Man, I'm shocked! been lurking on Juventuz.com, they hate us to death! even named the UEFA Cup as 'AC Milan cup'

I guess we're the best fans in the world, with no bias praising Juve and Alex

I guess we're the best fans in the world, with no bias praising Juve and Alex

thats the only thing thats holding me back for wanting juve to win the CL this year, it's been rather nice watching them win nothing for years

Count me out. I only like Piero when he's playing for the Azzuri. Same goes for Buffon, Shaggy (Nedved) and friends. Or when they're playing a club I really don't like. Otherwise, as a whole Juve's right up with my trash can. If you go take a look through the history, they've been our mail rivals, not inter.

So yeah, I don't like them much. I'd rather cheer for Roma, or some other club, even Fiorentina, knowing that they'll wish us the same when our time comes. Like Totti wished us good in Athens. I never heard anything from the so called Old Lady - not that we need it, anyway. So yeah, I'm not much surprised to see you shocked. The only good thing about our club you'll hear from a Juve fan is praise for Maldini. And that's the end of the line, really. They're an arrogant, spoiled little bunch, those Zebras! FACT.

You're not supporting Juve but you don't insult Juve and its players either. you know what they call Maldini?... forget it

Believe me, these forums indicate something about fans all over the world. I can assure you, we're the classiest!!

I thought Fiorentina had no chance of qualifying anymore...

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There's always the next season. Gila will land them the fourth. Or third. Just wait and see!

They called our players maggots!

At least members at Arsenal Mania were well mannered, the last time I visit their forum when we played the Gunners in the CL. I don't believe any of us here fall this low, even though we don't like certain players from other teams. One member even said that we can keep believing that we are the greatest team in the world for another few days. Hello? Who talked about believing?!

What's worse, I think my PC has just been infected with some virus or spyware of some kind after opening that website. Joking! But it's that bad!

I think the top three spots belong to Milan and Inter/Juve [in no particular order!]. the fourth spot I think will go to either Napoli or Fiorentina. you know which one is my favorite

They call Zambro a maggot.
Kaka=shite
Inzaghi=rat
Abbiati=Fascist!
And Maldini... dinosaur.
We don't have to get angry with a bunch of pathetic b@stards! I think relegation to Serie B and two years away from the CL is the reason why they're so pathetically pathetic!

Oh, and Gattuso is referred to as 'butcher' there. So is Bonera and so is Paloschi.

Fishdoll wishes Chiellini were playing for Milan.

The Juventuz forums can be amusing. The one time I've seen them say something halfway nice about Milan was in the Derby thread. They hate the cugini more than they hate us.

Oh, and Gattuso is referred to as 'butcher' there. So is Bonera and so is Paloschi.

like materazzi for example, i can see how some hate him but i'll always respect him for the role he played in italy winning the world cup.

Which role? Single handedly winning it for them?

Which role? Single handedly winning it for them?

But these are my honest opinions and I felt like the time was just right to get this off my chest!