For most clubs in Italy, finishing seventh in Serie A for two consecutive seasons would be considered a positive result. But for a club like Juventus, it is nothing short of a crisis. Since their banishment to Serie B, Juventus has lacked the consistent top-of-the-table finishes they had become so used to, and as a result have lost their status as a european giant.

Photo by Jacopo J. Modesti

Juventus announced today the signing of Montenegro international Mirko Vucinic, ending the clubs long search for an impact striker. The former Roma star will cost the Turin club 15 million euro, a significantly smaller fee than the club had been willing to pay for their previous targets.

The annual carousel of potential transfer targets is spinning once again in Turin as Juventus look to try and build a title contending team. As is the summer tradition, star players from all across Europe are being linked with the Bianconeri. But while the flashy names are splashed across the headlines, club General Manager Giuseppe Marotta and Juventus are quietly going about the business of fixing what really needed to be fixed.

New Juventus signing Andrea Pirlo believes that he can provide a major contribution to help Juventus return to being a top team in Italian football. Pirlo, who signed from Serie A rivals AC Milan on a three year contract, arrives at the Stadio Delle Alpi on a free transfer. The 72 capped Italian midfielder hopes to bring glory back to the city of Turin, with Juventus not winning a Scudetto since the 2002-03 season.

At the end of a disappointing season this week has been a busy time for Juventus Director General Beppe Marotta who, after sacking coach Gigi Delneri has also seemingly sealed the arrival of club idol Antonio Conte to replace him. Yesterday the club announced, via their official website, the free transfer of Italian World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo who left Champions Milan last week.

At the end of a disappointing season this week has been a busy time for Juventus Director General Beppe Marotta who, after sacking coach Gigi Delneri has also seemingly sealed the arrival of club idol Antonio Conte to replace him. Yesterday the club announced, via their official website, the free transfer of Italian World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo who left Champions Milan last week.

It is Sempre Sampdoria here at Serie A Weekly and after the official sending down this past weekend, thought it only appropriate we lift spirits with some eye candy wearing i Blucerchiati (the blue ringed) of the Genoa based club. Sampdoria, Serie A Weekly salutes you! Current Squad at Sampdoria 1 Brazil GK Júnior da Costa 2 Croatia DF Vedran Celjak 3 Switzerland DF Reto Ziegler 4 Italy MF.