..::Football IV::..

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    'It's still early days' - De Boer encouraged as Inter's wait for win continues

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    Inter coach Frank de Boer claimed his side deserved to take three points from their 1-1 home draw with Palermo on Sunday.

    The Sicilian side have never beaten Inter at San Siro in Serie A and had conceded 22 goals in their previous seven matches away to the Nerazzurri in all competitions, but they were on track to end that miserable run when Andrea Rispoli's deflected effort gave them the lead early in the second half.Mauro Icardi levelled things up for Inter 18 minutes from time, however, and De Boer felt his players created enough chances to have won the game comfortably.

    "I think we played much better than last week, so we are all disappointed with the result," he said. "We could've won 4-1 considering the way we played in the second half. We are not 100 per cent happy, but it's still early days. "We changed some little details and I am confident we can get three points in the next games."We were unlucky to concede a goal with Palermo's first attempt, but today the team created a great deal."

    Inter improved upon the performance they produced in a shock opening-day defeat at Chievo and, like De Boer, defender Jeison Murillo felt the hosts should have claimed the victory.

    "We're disappointed that we didn't manage to pick up the three points in front of our own fans, but we worked hard and kept fighting," he said. "There's room for improvement and that's what we'll work towards.

    "Credit to Palermo tonight, but we gave everything and created several chances."
    Antonio Candreva impressed during his cameo off the bench, providing the cross for Icardi's equaliser and going close to scoring a late winner with a volley that flew narrowly over the bar.

    And De Boer was quick to praise the impact made by the Italy international."We have a lot of quality in the squad and he could've started," he said."He did very well, you can see he wanted to make the difference."

    Palermo coach Davide Ballardini, meanwhile, knows the visitors came close to bringing their San Siro hoodoo to an end."We threatened to win here," he said, "because after going 1-0 up we could've closed it [out].

    "I compliment my team, as a draw is a creditable result in Milan. "Our performance was also decent against Sassuolo, despite the defeat, so I expected similar."

    Next on the agenda for Palermo, following the international break, is a home clash with Napoli, while Inter visit Pescara.
     

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    Barca 'strengthened' by Luis Enrique's 100th win

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    Luis Enrique paid tribute to the strength of Barcelona's squad after Ivan Rakitic's goal earned a 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao – his 100th victory as head coach of the Spanish champions.

    Since his appointment in May 2014, Luis Enrique has claimed a century of wins from just 126 Barcelona matches, and the latest victory came after a hard-fought battle in rainy conditions at San Mames.

    Rakitic scored with a simple header midway through the first half, but Luis Enrique saw his team – missing the likes of Andres Iniesta and Neymar – play some excellent passing football to ensure they made it two wins out of two LaLiga matches this season."I am very happy with the result achieved against a team of this magnitude," the coach said."It is a result that strengthens us and we got three points of great merit.

    "We had an early season much like the end of the last: wanting to make a pace that allows us to be top."Although we are missing some players, I view the team very positively – we have a large staff, eager to compete."

    Luis Enrique made one change to the team that beat Real Betis 6-2 in the opening game of the season, fielding goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in place of Claudio Bravo, who joined Manchester City.

    Ter Stegen struggled in his last outing at San Mames, when Barcelona were beaten 4-0 in the Supercopa de Espana, but the 24-year-old came away with a clean sheet this time, despite hitting a badly misplaced pass early in the game.Luis Enrique added: "The pace of the game was frantic, even improper at this stage of the season, but the menu ingredients were these: a close rival, generating problems.

    "We made mistakes early on, but we will have to consider whether these were our fault or the result of our rivals' successes."In the second half we controlled the game during the first 30 minutes but ultimately Athletic made it a tight game and we were unable to finish them off.

    "Although I would have preferred to have had more control in the attacking half, you have to see where the spaces are. With three men against three, the spaces are in the long-ball game and then you lose precision.

    "We have been very successful and serious and have made a great physical effort. I think we could have closed the game out earlier but we made a great performance."
     

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    Wenger: Xhaka can be Arsenal's new Petit

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    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hailed the impact of Granit Xhaka on his side and sees similarities with ex-Gunner Emmanuel Petit.

    Summer signing Xhaka started against both Leicester City and Watford, with his performance at Vicarage Road particulalrly impressive.And Wenger belives the Switzerland international has what it takes to replicate the displays put in by Petit, who won the Premier League with the north London outfit in 1997-98.

    "He is a guy who plays naturally behind the ball, a bit similar to Petit in the way he plays football," he told reporters.

    “He likes to sit, give good long balls and be available for the centre-backs. He has a good mixture of short and long balls, and in midfield it is important for us to sometimes stretch defenders.“We have a game that is based on shorter passes than other teams so sometimes you have a player who can kick the longer ball gives us a chance to get some oxygen and some space.

    He already has experience abroad and that is reassuring. He was captain at his young age at Monchengladbach, which is not a small club, so he has leadership qualities.

    He has a good engine, good stature, he is good in the air and has a good balance in his game, he has a good short ball and a good long ball."
     

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    Manchester United rejected Rojo offers, says agent

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    Marcos Rojo's agent has revealed that Manchester United have rejected several offers for the defender this transfer window.The Argentine arrived at Old Trafford in 2014 in a £14 million deal, with then-United manager Louis van Gaal having been impressed by his performances at the World Cup.

    However, the 26-year-old, who has been linked with a switch to Valencia, is yet to feature in a Premier League game under Van Gaal's successor Jose Mourinho.

    But despite Rojo seemingly being surplus to requirements, his representitive Carlos Goncalves has stated that United are not looking to let the player leave."Manchester United rejected several offers from England and from abroad to sell the player. Manchester United want him to stay," Goncalves told the Manchester Evening News.

    Rojo has made 58 appearances for United – who face Pep Guardiola's Manchester City after the international break – in all competitions since his move from Portugal, scoring one goal.
     

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    No Casillas in Spain squad represents a 'new era', says Ramos

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    Sergio Ramos says the omission of former Real Madrid team-mate Iker Casillas from Julen Lopetegui's first Spain squad marks a 'new era'.

    Casillas, who left Madrid to join Porto in 2015, has been a mainstay of the Spanish national side since making his international bow in 2000, going on to record 167 appearances.

    The 35-year-old captained the national team to triumphs in two consecutive European Championships and the 2010 World Cup, but, having seen his number one spot taken by David de Gea at Euro 2016, the veteran has now missed out on the squad for qualifying fixtures against Belgium and Lichtenstein.

    And, despite saying it feels "bizarre" to join-up with a Spain group that does not include Casillas, Ramos believes the change represents the start of an exciting era.

    "Everyone is surprised when such a historic and emblematic player for the Spanish and global football is absent," Ramos said.

    "It's a new era, a new era with a radical change. Obviously, it's bizarre without seeing Iker but all opinions are respectable and it is a decision for both the player and the new coach."I do not know [what will happen] but the first contact [with the coach] was very good. We must be patient.

    "Despite these changes of players it is practically the group we had before. We have lived together, and now we need to apply the ideas of the coach."
     

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    Forlan: I rejected offers from England - I'd never betray Man Utd!


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    Diego Forlan has revealed he rejected offers from English clubs this summer as he would not betray Manchester United.The Uruguay international spent two years at Old Trafford, scoring 10 goals in 63 appearances for the Red Devils.

    After an illustrious career that saw him also represent Villarreal, Atletico Madrid and Inter, Forlan now finds himself at Mumbai City despite receiving offers from clubs around Europe.

    And the 37-year-old admits he would only ever play for United if he were to return to England, joking he would again look to score the winning goal against rivals Liverpool."I had offers to play in England this summer and last. The only team I will play for in England is Manchester United," he wrote in his column for The National.

    "If Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford all were out of the picture, I would be happy to go on an emergency loan and help out United."Maybe play at Liverpool away, score a goal or two and then make way when the injured come back.

    "I had offers from Spain and Italy, too. But I feel that I have done my time in both countries, sampled the life there and enjoyed myself. Now I am ready for something new."
     

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    Hart set to complete Torino loan move

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    Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart is set to fly to Italy to complete a loan move to Torino, Goal understands.

    The England international has been given permission by the Football Association to leave the Three Lions training camp on Tuesday to finalise the switch.City agreed to the move on Monday, with the Etihad Stadium outfit set to pay a portion of the player's wages while he is in Serie A.

    Hart has been cast aside by new City boss Pep Guardiola, with his only appearance of the season coming in the second leg of their Champions League play-off against Steaua Bucharest.Claudio Bravo was signed from Barcelona to act as the club's new No.1, with Willy Caballero set to be retained as his deputy.

    And having been urged to find first-team football elsewhere, Hart will be looking to re-establish his reputation following a disappointing Euro 2016 and being cast aside by the club for whom he has made over 260 appearances.
     

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    Rooney to remain as England captain

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    Wayne Rooney will retain his role as England captain, Three Lions boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed.The Manchester United star has held the armband since 2014, when he took over from ex-Liverpool favourite Steven Gerrard.

    And Allardyce announced there would be no change of skipper for his first matches in charge in September.

    “Wayne has been an excellent captain for England and the manner in which he has fulfilled the role made it an easy decision for me to ask him to continue,” the manager told TheFA.com.

    Wayne Rooney will retain his role as England captain, Three Lions boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed.The Manchester United star has held the armband since 2014, when he took over from ex-Liverpool favourite Steven Gerrard. And Allardyce announced there would be no change of skipper for his first matches in charge in September.

    “Wayne has been an excellent captain for England and the manner in which he has fulfilled the role made it an easy decision for me to ask him to continue,” the manager told TheFA.com.
     

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    Schweinsteiger has no 'personal problems' with Mourinho

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    Bastian Schweinsteiger insists he has no "personal problems" with Jose Mourinho and reiterated his desire to force his way into Manchester United's first-team.

    The German midfielder joined from Bayern Munich in July 2015, but has fallen out of favour under new manager Mourinho and has been training with the reserves.
    Mourinho's treatment of Schweinsteiger has drawn criticism in some quarters, particularly Bayern's executive chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

    However, the 32-year-old is adamant that there is no rift with the Portuguese and he remains determined to play a part at Old Trafford this season.

    Speaking ahead of Germany's friendly with Finland, which marks Schweinsteiger's international farewell, he said: "My absolute dream would be to play for Manchester United and to help them with their goals."I have no personal problems with Jose Mourinho. I still believe in my own ability. I could still help United if given the chance."I have to wait and see now how it goes in September and October and how it develops. One thing is for sure, I'm not going to stop playing football."

    Schweinsteiger opened the door to a possible future move to MLS, where the likes of Andrea Pirlo, David Villa and Steven Gerrard ply their trade, but noted that is not an immediate option."The MLS transfer window is closed," the 32-year-old said. "So it won't happen this season. But of course, the US is an option."

    Joachim Low is yet to name Schweinsteiger's successor as Germany's captain, with the midfielder hailing the Germany coach, under who he won the World Cup in 2014 and reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016. "We are very fortunate to have such a national coach," Schweinsteiger said. "When you see his record, I do not know if there is a national team who has a coach like his.

    "He has developed as a coach and I am pleased to have played for him."
     

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    OFFICIAL: Barcelona sign Valencia striker Alcacer for €30m

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    Barcelona have announced the signing of Spain striker Paco Alcacer from Valencia on a five-year deal, with Munir El-Haddadi moving in the opposite direction on a season-long loan.

    Alcacer, 23, was omitted from the Valencia side that lost 1-0 to Eibar on Saturday and underwent a medical at Barca on Monday before completing a move worth an initial €30million.Barca could pay €2m more in add-on fees and have inserted a €100m buy-out clause into Alcacer's deal at Camp Nou.

    The La Liga champions' sixth signing of the season, Alcacer concludes Barca's long search for attacking reinforcements to support Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

    "When I found out about the offer from FC Barcelona I asked the club to listen to it, as it was my decision to take a step forward in my career," Alcacer told Valencia's official website."I want to thank Valencia CF and the fans. Despite the fact that I am leaving Valencia CF, I will always be a Valencianista at heart."

    Alcacer scored 43 goals in 124 appearances for Valencia and has won 13 caps for his country.Munir enjoyed a sparkling 2014, making his debut for Barcelona's B and senior team as well as earning maiden outings with Spain's Under-19, Under-21 and full side.

    He struggled to break into Luis Enrique's side regularly last season, however, making 26 appearances in all competitions, although he scored eight goals and assisted seven more in that time.Valencia have the option to purchase the 20-year-old for €12m.
     

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    Balotelli set to join Nice on loan

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    Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli is set to join Ligue 1 side Nice after rejecting a return to Italy with Palermo.

    Goal revealed on Thursday that Balotelli had flown to Nice in order to discuss a potential deal while local outlet Nice-Matin report that a potential deal could be sealed in the coming hours.

    It is still currently unclear whether the move for Balotelli, whose contract expires at the end of the season, will be a transfer or a loan, with the striker's wages reportedly causing a problem.

    Nice lost Hatem Ben Arfa on a free to PSG over the summer whilst Valere Germain returned to Monaco following his loan move, meaning the club lost a combined 31 goals.

    Balotelli was on loan at Milan last season but he scored just once in 20 Premier League appearances and the Italian side did not take up the option to buy him permanently. He has not been involved with Liverpool's first team so far this season with manager Jurgen Klopp making it clear that the forward is not part of his plans.

    Regardless of whether he moves permanently or on loan to Nice it now seems certain that his time with Liverpool will come to an end, with no new contract on the horizon.
     

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    OFFICIAL: Remy joins Crystal Palace from Chelsea on loan

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    Loic Remy has joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan from Chelsea, it was announced on Tuesday.

    Remy played under Palace boss Alan Pardew at Newcastle United during the 2013-14 season and his form at St James' Park earned him a move to Chelsea in September 2014.

    The 29-year-old has struggled for first-team opportunities at Stamford Bridge, though, and he has made just 47 appearances, scoring 12 goals.

    Remy, who won a Premier League and League Cup double in the 2014-2015 campaign, told Palace's official website: "This is a very good chance for me and a big opportunity. "It was very important to know Alan Pardew as he is a very good manager and I am happy to be here."

    Pardew added: "Loic has been a target of mine throughout this transfer window and I'm delighted the deal has been done."I brought him to Newcastle so I know what he is capable of and I am convinced he will be a quality addition to our squad as we evolve.

    "Loic has international and Champions League experience as well as being a Premier League title winner and is the latest example of the high calibre of players we have brought into the club during this transfer window."

    Remy becomes Palace's fifth signing of the transfer window following the arrivals of Christian Benteke, Andros Townsend, James Tomkins and Steve Mandanda.
     

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    OFFICIAL: Arsenal announce Lucas Perez signing

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    Arsenal have completed the signing of forward Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna.

    Manager Arsene Wenger confirmed on Saturday that the 27-year-old, along with Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, had agreed terms, with the official confirmation on Tuesday.

    The Premier League club have not revealed any details surrounding the fee - believed to be in the region of £17million - or the length of the deal.

    "He's not only a goalscorer, he's a guy who combines well with partners, who can give a final ball and makes good runs," Wenger told Arsenals' official website."He's got a good eye for goal and had an outstanding season last year."

    Wenger had come under pressure for a perceived lack of activity in the transfer market, with Gunners fans getting restless having gone without a Premier League title since 2004.

    Perez plied his trade for several clubs across Europe, including Rayo Vallecano, Karpaty Lviv and PAOK, before joining Deportivo, initially on loan, in 2014.
    The 27-year-old, renowned for his pace and work rate, scored 17 goals in 36 league appearances for the club last season, while also providing 10 assists.
     

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    OFFICIAL: Rosicky returns to Sparta Prague

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    Tomas Rosicky has completed his return to Sparta Prague on a two-year deal, the Czech club confirmed on Tuesday.

    Rosicky started his professional career with Sparta before making a move to Borussia Dortmund in January 2001.After excelling in Germany, where he won the Bundesliga in the 2001-2002 season, Rosicky made the switch to Arsenal in 2006.

    He spent 10 years with Arsene Wenger's side, but was a free agent having been released at the end of the Premier League season and opted to return to Sparta.

    "I'm happy to be back," Rosicky, who has over 100 caps for the Czech Republic, told reporters."[Owner Daniel] Kretinsky had my word that I would return if I'm healthy.

    "I'm not coming here just to play. I'm coming here to win. I'm starting to train with the team now, which is what I need right now."The coach [Zdenek] Scasny gave me my first chance in the top division. It's unbelievable we meet here again."

    Kretinsky added he wants Rosicky to stay at the club after he retires from playing.
    "We believe Tomas will help Sparta both on and off the pitch," the patron declared. "He's an extraordinary personality."Tomas should focus on his player role now, but I hope he'll continue at Sparta even after the end of his career."
     

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    OFFICIAL: Inter sign Brazil striker Gabigol

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    Inter have completed the signing of Santos striker Gabriel Barbosa, with the forward signing a five-year deal with the Serie A outfit on Tuesday.

    The news represents the conclusion of a long-running transfer saga, with the player nicknamed Gabigol to feature for the Nerazzurri immediately.

    Frank de Boer's men had pulled ahead of the likes of Barcelona and Juventus in the race to sign the 2016 Olympics Gold medalist, but neogtiations with Santos regarding the timing of a transfer had slowed down the deal.

    Despite taking his Inter medical last week, Gabigol had flown back to his native Brazil amidst reports his club would not let him move to San Siro until January 2017, after the Brazilian league season had finished.

    However, it was since confirmed that the 20-year-old was only teaming up with his boyhood club for one last game, against Figueirense at the weekend, with the announcement of a reported €28 million deal expected shortly after.That arrived on Tuesday, with Gabigol Inter's seventh signing of the summer as the club – now owned by China's Suning Group – flex their financial muscle.

    “Gabriel Barbosa Almeida received a bonus present today after official signing as an Inter player on his 20th birthday,” a statement on the club’s official website read.“The Brazilian striker has moved to Milan after four seasons at Santos where he won the Sao Paulo state championship twice in 2015 and 2016."

    Gabigol's arrival is expected to take spending at Inter, who also brought in the likes of Joao Mario and Antonio Candreva, to over €100 million this summer.
     

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    Diego Costa: I wanted Atletico Madrid return

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    Chelsea striker Diego Costa has revealed that he had his heart set on a return to Atletico Madrid this summer, but the move failed to go through because of "a few details". Costa is now in his third season with Chelsea, scoring twice in the opening three Premier League games of the season to take him to 39 goals for the London club.

    The Spain international had been linked with a move back to Atletico, and he has revealed he would have preferred to be plying his trade at the Vicente Calderon this season instead of Stamford Bridge.

    "I wished I could go back to Atletico, I'm not going to lie," he told Spanish TV station Movistar Plus while on international duty. "Everyone knows what happened to me in England, with the language, the weather and everything. But I can't complain because I'm a boy whom the fans love, at Chelsea they respect me.

    "I had the chance to go back but I couldn't, because of a few details. I'm grateful to the people at Atletico, to Cholo [Simeone] especially, who has always put his confidence in me.

    "Now I am at Chelsea, I'm doing well, the league has started and I'm focused on that. Things are how they are. I hope that Atletico do very well, like last season but this time win titles. I want the best for them, I always feel for them, but I have to do my work at Chelsea."

    Costa was part of the Atletico side that won the 2013-14 La Liga title and reached the 2014 Champions League final under Simeone, while he won the league in his first season in England.
     

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    Perez: Arsenal move a massive step for me

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    Lucas Perez has revealed his delight at completing his move to Arsenal from Deportivo La Coruna.The 27-year-old completed the transfer to the Emirates Stadium for a fee reported to be around £17 million on Tuesday.

    And the former PAOK forward is looking forward to making his debut with the Gunners, stating it is a "massive step" in his career.

    "I'm delighted," Perez told Arsenal Player. "It's a massive step in my career to come to a club with the history and quality that Arsenal have and to be able to play in the Premier League and the Champions League. I'm very proud and happy to be here."I know the club. The Premier League is very popular in Spain and I try to watch matches whenever I can. Arsenal have top quality players and play great football.

    "They're a great side, they're fighting for titles, they play in Europe and they're a massive club. They have some fantastic players and that attracts all players."I'm really excited. I want to show what I'm about, get stuck into playing and perform well."

    Perez - who hit 17 goals in 36 league appearances for Deportivo La Coruna last season - learned of Arsenal's interest earlier in the transfer window and spoke to other players about the Premier League side.

    "It was through my agent and some other players who spoke highly of Arsenal to me," Perez said. "I was really happy and flattered when I heard about Arsenal's interest. I was hopeful to get the chance to come here."There was some contact when the transfer window opened. As always in football, clubs have to evaluate what they need but they showed interest when they got in contact.

    "Things happened more quickly towards the end of the window so it could be made official."
     

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    Pjanic confident Juventus debut is on the horizon

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    Miralem Pjanic is hopeful he can make his debut for Juventus after the international break following his €32 million move from Roma.

    The Bosnia-Herzegovina international penned a five-year contract with the defending Serie A champions in June.However, he has yet to feature in a competitive game for Massimiliano Allegri's men after he picked up a minor injury issue in pre-season.

    Still, Pjanic is confident of being involved against Sassuolo on September 11."At Juve a lot of attention is paid to physical fitness," the playmaker told reporters. "I had a small injury at the beginning so we didn't want to risk and I am sure after this international break I will make my debut for Juve."

    Having also signed the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Marko Pjaca and Dani Alves during a busy transfer window, Pjanic is impressed with the strength in depth Juve have in their ranks.But despite the Italian champions starting their quest for a sixth straight league title with two straight wins, the 26-year-old has moved to cool talk that they are automatic favourites to lift the Scudetto again.

    "In the Champions League our goal is to pass the group and after that everything is possible. We want to be better than last year," Pjanic added."Juve are among [the] best teams in the world, the pressure we feel is big, but positive. We work a lot and the attitude is great, positive.

    "Higuain, Pjaca and me are new in the team and we need to fit in as soon as we can and the coach will decide who will play. We have two top players in each position and hope for great season.

    "It is still too early to talk about the Scudetto, Roma, Napoli, Inter and Milan will fight for the title. "Juventus had a great summer, so did Inter. Napoli is okay and didn't change much, just like Roma."