Iaquinta Will Fight For First Team Place
Vincenzo Iaquinta arrived at the Old Lady this summer following another excellent season with Udinese. The fiery hitman finally got his wish and moved away from the Udine club in summer, with many feeling that he'll find life tougher at Juve. His response? Bring it on...
Iaquinta Vincenzo is looking ahead to his first season with Juve.
The striker hopes to make his debut for Juventus tomorrow, but is prepared to wait for a first team berth at Juventus after arriving from Udinese.
"I'm a little [excited], yes, being in the Juventus squad. It's also my debut tomorrow in the championship - if Ranieri decides, of course.
"The last two months? They've been amazing, to be here is just an incredible joy.
"To be here has been my goal in the last ten years, after fighting my way up from regional football to Serie C1 and beyond," he beamed.
Indeed, the route to the top has been long and winding for the 27 year old. He began his senior career with a spell at Reggiolo, before a short spell at Padova.
Then came two years at Castel di Sangro, the famous small town club made good, before he really hit the big time with Udinese.
Now, after seven years in Udine, he's finally earned a move to one of Italy's biggest clubs.
And he's prepared to jump in straight away, looking ahead to the Champions League and Serie A.
He insists that his side can do well in both - and knows that he will find himself involved some way along the line, even if he must face competition from Alessandro del Piero.
On this subject, he said, "We're all great choices for the attack, and we are in many ways level: it all depends on training and how the boss sees everyone; Ranieri will decide. Like always."
The striker spoke with a sense of relief about leaving Udinese, the club that so doggedly fought to keep hold of its prized asset.
He described his darkest moment as being two years ago, during a bitter contract wrangle with the club - but also spoke wistfully of an ill-fated move to Barcelona.
"I thought it was the move of my life, but Udinese wouldn't let me go," he rued. "It was in the race for third place in the league, and they didn't have time to source a replacement. So, I sadly stayed."
Juve begin their season on Saturday night against Livorno.
goal.com