Juventus” data-scaytid=”1″>Juventus boss Antonio Conte is delighted with the club’s work on the transfer market so far. “I wanted Sebastian Giovinco and Lucio is a top player.”
Juventus boss Antonio Conte is delighted with the club’s work on the transfer market so far. “I wanted Sebastian Giovinco and Lucio is a top player.”
Conte masterminded the Old Lady’s Scudetto victory last term and he’s now hoping he’ll have the tools necessary to challenge in the Champions League.
Juve have been active on the market by signing back Giovinco from Parma, picking up Lucio on a free after he left Inter, as well as netting the Udinese duo of Mauricio Isla and Kwadwo Asamoah.
“Giovinco is someone who I strongly wanted, but so too did the club,” the former club captain said from the outfit’s Chatillon summer retreat.
“Giovinco has technique, he scores goals and creates them. He can take a free-kick and is also strong in one-on-one situations. He still needs to grow, but he’ll get that chance here.
“Lucio? We didn’t hesitate for a minute and the player was immediately enthusiastic about the project.
“I’m very happy with his signing. Look at his CV, that makes it clear that we have signed a top player in his role.
“Isla and Asamoah are strong players and good enough for the Juventus shirt. We’ll impatiently wait for Isla who is recovering from injury.
“Whoever can offer me the more guarantees will play, there won’t be first team players and substitutes. I’ll pick those in form.”
Juventus are expected to continue buying given that they are looking to acquire a big name striker as their top scorer in Serie A last term was Alessandro Matri, a player who bagged just 10.
“After Milan, we had the best attack in the League so we shouldn’t moan about it,” the former Bari and Siena boss continued.
“It’s clear that you can always improve. We’ll look to try out some new things in training to create more chances and then if we get some help from the transfer market then we’d happily accept that.
“We had two options last year – to sign one top player or try to construct a complete squad.
“But a top player must be that on the pitch, not on an economical level. Just look at Arturo Vidal, he cost little but performed as a top player.
“There is great harmony with the club about the transfer market. I’m happy with those who have arrived, but there is still work to be done. It will be right if director general Beppe Marotta talks about that.”
For the first time in 19 years, Juventus will start the campaign without Alessandro Del Piero.
“Del Piero will always be present with us,” Conte noted. “It is odd that he isn’t actually with us after so many years, as he, along with Gigi Buffon, were the historical elements of the squad.
“I thank him for what he did last season and in all his career at Juventus. I wish him all of the luck in the world.
“Who will get his No 10 shirt? The club and I will decide,” he smiled. “I certainly won’t wear it, Marotta neither, maybe sporting director Fabio Paratici…”
It has not been the easiest of summers for Conte given that he is under investigating as part of the betting match-fixing probe with regard to allegations made while he was Siena boss. He faced questioning last week.
“I went through some tough times,” he continued. “It isn’t a nice situation, but I have great faith in the justice system. I told my truth, that I maintain was absolutely credible.
“In 42 years, my life has been credible. The club, the President and the fans know what kind of person I am. I’m calm and I cleared everything up, point by point.”
Conte is now just hoping to concentrate on footballing matters ahead of the 2012-13 season. “We have to continue to grow for the future.
“I’m hearing too much enthusiasm around us, I’d prefer if it was less. We’re looking to confirm ourselves in Italy.
“We’ll face the Champions League in the best possible way, looking to go as far as possible. It will be the same for the Coppa Italia.
“But we must not forget from where we came from.”
Conte was also asked for a comment on Roma boss Zdenek Zeman, a tactician who has a penchant for making controversial statements about the Old Lady.
“We’ll welcome Zeman back to Serie A. All I will say is that the best answers are given on the pitch.”