Sports

Marchisio retires: Final defeats to Barcelona and Spain form ex-Juventus star’s biggest regrets.

Claudio Marchisio has labelled defeats in the 2015 Champions League and Euro 2012 finals as the biggest regrets of his career.

Former Juventus stalwart Marchisio confirmed his retirement on Thursday, having been without a club since Zenit agreed to mutually terminate his contract in July.

The 33-year-old had been plagued with injuries in the latter stage of his career, but he was a key cog in Juve’s era of Serie A dominance.

In total, Marchisio won 15 trophies, including seven Serie A titles, during his time with Juve, having come through the club’s academy.

Marchisio twice featured in the Champions League final – in 2015 and in 2017 – but on both occasions Juve were beaten, first by Barcelona and then Real Madrid.

He also made 55 appearances for Italy, helping them to the final of Euro 2012, in which they suffered a 4-0 defeat to Vicente del Bosque’s all-conquering Spain side.

“Let’s speak about regrets. In the whole Juventus winning cycle, for sure the regret is the 2015 Champions League final and the 2012 Euros with Italy,” Marchisio told a news conference.

“Two moments that, despite a winning spell, [that] they don’t appear in my trophy cabinet it is the biggest regret.”

Alvaro Morata hauled Juve level against Barca in Berlin in 2015, only for Luis Suarez to nudge the Catalan giants back ahead before Neymar wrapped up a 3-1 triumph late on.

“I wish I could re-play the Champions League final in Berlin,” Marchisio added.

“It was a battle with the result we all know. If only we could re-stage it, not even in its entirety, just a part in the second half to score before them.”

Marchisio left Juve in 2018 but insists he will never lose his love for the club, although he acknowledged the eight-time defending Serie A champions face a real challenge from Inter this season.

Antonio Conte has rejuvenated Inter since taking over and faces his former club on Sunday, with Marchisio paying tribute to a coach he worked under with both Juve and Italy.

“Inter started very well, getting results and Juventus, at the moment, are behind and have to chase,” he said. “It will be a great match. I will watch it as a Juventus fan, and I can’t wait to see Juventus win.

“[Inter] are almost the same [in terms of personnel] as last year but are showing a completely different approach and team spirit. That is Conte’s hand!”

Sports

UEFA with official press release for the founders of the Super League, Juve, Real and Barca

UEFA has decided to terminate disciplinary proceedings against Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona “until further notice”.

Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona are the only three clubs that have not yet withdrawn from the Super League.

UEFA has threatened to exclude them from the Champions League, but such a thing is claimed that it will not happen, not for now.

A disciplinary procedure has been opened for the founding clubs of the Super League, but UEFA a few moments ago issued an official statement announcing:

“Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings against Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid for a violation of the legal framework of UEFA in relation to the so-called ‘Super League’ project, the UEFA Appeals body has decided to terminate the proceedings until another announcement “, it is said in the announcement of UEFA.

Sports

Douglas Costa will complete the transfer to Gremio within 48 hours

Douglas Costa is expected to complete his move to Gremio within 48 hours, said the vice-president of the Brazilian club.

The 30-year-old joined Bayern Munich on loan from Juventus this October, but the Bavarians had informed the Serie A giants that they would not buy the player.

The Brazilian is now expected to return to his former club Gremio on a free transfer.

“Negotiations are underway. Juventus have officially authorized us to make a deal with the player,” Gremio vice-president Marcos Herrmann told Globo Esporte.

“We are waiting for the documentation, which should arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday, and there is enough time to register the player before the deadline. We are optimistic.”

Douglas Costa’s contract with Juventus expires in 2022, but the Bianconeri will end the deal with the Brazilian winger a year ago.