Morocco defender Medhi Benatia is targeting more
success with Juventus after joining the Serie A
champions on a season-long loan from Bayern
Munich.
Benatia, 29, completed his move to the Turin
giants on Friday in a deal that gives Juventus the
option to make the signing permanent.
"The aim this season is that of retaining the
Scudetto but also to be increasingly competitive in
Europe as well," Benatia said as he was presented
at Saturday's press conference.
"It's undoubtedly our objective to confirm our
position among the elite clubs on the continent."
Juventus secured a record-equalling fifth straight
Serie A title last season, but the Old Lady haven't
won the Champions League since lifting the trophy
for the second time in 1996.
Juventus reached the final in 2015, losing 3-1 to
Barcelona, but the Italians were knocked out in the
last 16 this past season by Benatia's former
employers, Bayern.
He returns to Italy after just two seasons in
Germany having threatened to leave Bayern in May
as the Bundesliga champions courted Germany
centre-back Mats Hummels, who completed a
switch from Borussia Dortmund before Euro 2016.
Benatia spent three years with Udinese before
joining Roma for the 2013-14 campaign, prior to
leaving for Bayern at the start of the following
campaign in a transfer worth 30 million euros
($33.1 million).
"Bayern is a fantastic club, but I ultimately
endured a difficult couple of seasons due to a few
too many injuries," he said.
"I wanted to return to Italy for my family, the Serie
A and the way of life here. I feel more at home with
the Italian mindset and to join Juventus was a
logical choice for me."
Posted Africa News Sports
Chapisha Maoni