Juve’s Brazilian striker Amauri scored two vital away goals in Dublin to keep the Turin outfit firmly on course to qualify for Europe’s second tier club competition the Europa League.

Juventus provided the first real threat of the game in the third minute of play when Amauri’s left shot ended in the back of the net after a good run from midfield. That provided the Bianconeri with some much needed confidence as they dominated for long spells to eventually win the game 2-0.

This is a good result ahead of their return match in Turin next week. Juventus have been very impressive in their pre-season matches and a lot of their fans expect them to continue in this fashion once the season gets underway.

The Old Lady kick start their campaign with an away fixture to Bari on Sunday the 29th August. Juve’s problem in the past few years is that most of their campaigns have good beginning but are strewn with poor endings. A good example is last season when they dominated the early stages of the Serie A before fading out as the season drew to an end.

However, their is a lot optimism in the team ahead of the new season. Meanwhile, Inter’s EPL bound striker Mario Balotelli and his agent Mino Raiola are still negotiating with Manchester City over the transfer fee.

With a deal in the region of between 30 and 35 million Euros soon to be settled on, Balotelli can expect his move to Eastlands to be concluded any time soon. Raiola, is confident that the move will be finalised.

“We are in a delicate phase of the deal, but I am continuing with my work. It could be long, but in the end it will be done.”

Balotelli’s deal will see him earn 3.5 million Euros per year however the 19 year old wants at least 3.8 million per year. This is what is causing his transfer from being completed. However, there is much positivity about the deal.

Photo credit: from Juventus Calcio