Juventus and Inter Milan’s fierce rivalry on and off the pitch has reached new heights in recent days, with alarming revelations with regards to the Calciopoli scandal that has rocked the reputation of Italian football for the past five years.
The Bianconeri had two Scudetti stripped and were relegated to Italy’s Serie B, after they were deemed to have illegally held discussions with referee designators under Luciano Moggi from 2004-2006. Consequently, Inter were handed the second of those two titles, an achievement that led to five successive league championships for a club that had not won one since 1989.
Having plead their lack of any severe wrongdoing over time, the Juve board launched one final appeal just one week ago, only to have it rejected on the basis that they made “no significant case”, according to the FIGC (Italian FA).
Sporting fraud
In an unexpected turn of events however, just days later, FIGC chief investigator Stefano Palazzi confirmed that the newly crowned champions of the 05/06 title were involved in sporting fraud that season, more so than any other club.
Consequently, it is now expected that the Nerazzurri will almost certainly have the 2006 Scudetto that was handed to them revoked, which will be a deserved outcome according to many.
“Inter violated the article relative to sporting fraud with regards to the possibility of taking advantages in the standings,” Palazzi told Italian news agency Ansa.
“[Inter were] directly responsible for having secured an advantage in the league standings by conditions the regular function of the referee sector.”
Juve seeking blood
If the findings are deemed to be correct, the Nerazzurri will certainly be found guilty of wrongdoings, with Juve already declaring they are seeking blood and will take the case all the way to the high courts of Italy if necessary.
A fine for the Milan based club could range from a slap on the wrist due to the longevity of the case, all the way to potential demotion to Serie B, which would understandably be the sweetest of outcomes for all Juve supporters.
Whilst time will tell with regards to what happens off the pitch, on it things are looking much brighter for the Bianconeri, in the lead up to the 2011/12 Serie A season.
Key additions
Antonio Conte has already made a number of key additions to his squad, just one month into his tenure at the club. Andrea Pirlo was his first signing on a free transfer from AC Milan, and the central midfielder will play an integral role in Conte’s 4-2-4 formation that he is set to employ this term.
Reto Ziegler and Michele Pazienza were further midfield reinforcements added to the playing list, whilst a quartet of Italian internationals in Marco Motta, Simone Pepe, Alessandro Matri and Fabio Quagliarella were all signed on a permanent basis from their respective clubs.
Soon after, one of Europe’s most underrated right-backs, Stephan Lichtsteiner, signed from Lazio for €10 million, whilst the likes of Michel Bastos, Giuseppe Rossi and most notably Sergio Aguero continue to be monitored by the club.
Aguero is certain to leave Atletico Madrid this summer, and according to the latest reports coming from Italy and Spain, Juve are just a few million Euros away from landing the 23-year-old attacker.
Signing a player of his stature would do wonders for the club this coming season, and for the future, making it a great way to get one back on their fierce rivals Inter, who certainly have made the most of Juve’s miserable past five years.
Nerazzurri’s controversial success
Since 2006, the Nerazzurri have controversially done it all. Five Scudetti, a UEFA Champions League, Coppa Italia titles, a FIFA Club World Cup and more. But was it really worth it, after putting the state of the Italian game into turmoil for such a long period?
Whilst news coming from Turin may be positive at present, the Inter camp isn’t so bright, with reports continuing to emerge surrounding the future of the club’s two biggest names Samuel Eto’o and Wesley Sneijder.
The Cameroonian international recently affirmed his desire to play in the English Premier League one day, comments that were made whilst the ambitious Manchester City prepared a £25 million bid for him, in order to replace their want away skipper Carlos Tevez.
Sneijder has been a long-term target of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, with the English champions reportedly tabling up an attractive offer to lure the Dutchman to Old Trafford.
Additionally, a number of their star players are well into their late thirties, and the need for youth and energy is sky high at the club. Maicon is another to be linked with a move away, with Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid waiting to pounce, whilst Thiago Motta is expected to leave for Roma. Most recently, star defender Lucio has been touted by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as a player he would love to have in his squad.
Worst shape
The Nerazzurri are in their worst shape for six or seven years, and perhaps all of their success – albeit extremely controversial – is finally beginning to take its toll.
Juventus are looking the goods at this point, and seem the most likely contender to reigning champions AC Milan this term, however for all Juve fans, getting one back on and off the field over Inter will be the priority for now, until the seasons get underway in late August
How severely will Juventus make Inter pay this season?
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