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Cannavaro explains Juve exit Saturday 22 July, 2006
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New Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro has bid farewell to Juventus, but insists he hasn’t left a sinking ship.
The Italian international joined Real Madrid in the week with Emerson in a deal worth around £16m, but the World Cup winner argues he hasn’t turned his back on the recently demoted club.
“I’ve not jumped ship,” he stated on Saturday. “Unfortunately, I made a decision and at the age of 33 I can still win great honours.
“Juventus understood my situation and showed themselves to be special. I think this is the best solution for all those involved.
“I would never have left Juventus if the current situation hadn’t have arrived. My family were happy in Turin, the club gave us all that we needed and the fans were exceptional.
“It’s sad that I’ve left a club just as important as Real in the shape of Juventus, a club who have given me so much and where I spent some fantastic years.
“I really want to salute the fans who were splendid towards me and showed me great affection.”
New Juve boss Didier Deschamps has revealed his disappointment at losing the former Inter man, but the stopper insists the lure of top-level football was just too difficult to resist.
“It’s an honour to wear the Real Madrid shirt,” he added. “Real chased me and forcefully wanted me.
“I’m happy because at the age of 33 I have still been given the possibility to play at the highest levels for this prestigious club.
“I don’t know what to expect. I’ll need a bit of time to get used to the championship, but playing with Real will be great.
“I still haven’t spoken to boss Fabio Capello, but I’m sure there will be time to do that.”
Cannavaro, who will officially sign on Monday, will also come up against Gianluca Zambrotta and Lilian Thuram on October 22 when Real take on Barcelona.
“It will be strange, but this shows that Juventus were a great side, made up of many champions in all departments,” he added. “The scandal has forced a great side to break up and this is sad.”
Zambrotta and Thuram joined the Nou Camp outfit on Friday in a combined deal worth around £13m.
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Juve duo delight Rijkaard Saturday 22 July, 2006
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Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard says he’s delighted with the captures of Gianluca Zambrotta and Lilian Thuram from Juventus.
The pair joined the club on Friday after a £13m fee was accepted by the demoted Italian club and the Dutchman is content with his latest reinforcements.
"In theory, we were quite happy with the side as it was, but we could not ignore the opportunities that came up,” he told the club’s website.
“Barca have signed two players who will have something to contribute and that's good because the season is long.
"There are lots of games and with these two players we now have enough for our new adventure.
"Zambrotta is a great player. He has played at the highest level for many years. He can play on either side, works hard and will have a lot to offer.
“There is not much to say about Thuram, as a player he has won everything and that's important for a team like ours that plays at a high level with people who know exactly what they want the squad to do out on the pitch to guarantee those successes.”
Rijkaard, a former Milan legend, was also quick to dismiss claims that the 34-year-old Thuram is past his best.
"That's not the case for me,” he stated. “Sports stars look after themselves and do all they can to stay at peak fitness.
“People like that are very important to have in the dressing room and out there on the pitch. And Thuram is a person like that.”
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ტურინის იუვენტუსის ფანკლუბი. FORZA JUVE!, ბებერი ქალბატონის ფანებო აქეთ. III ნაწილი
