Spain for Zizou but pain for Juve

The reaction back in Italy to Real's capture of French star Zinedine Zidane has been marked by bitterness and huge disappointment.

The manner of Zidane's departure from Juventus has angered the Turin club's fans, while the Italian media have also criticised the star.

Zidane turned his back on the club for Madrid on Monday without a word of thanks or any passing mention of the good times he has had with the Italian giants.

Many Juve fans around Italy were baffled and saddened by his behaviour, which has been seen as disrespectful. Even though Zidane's world record transfer to Real had been expected for weeks, many thought the French legend would at least stop in Turin and say goodbye to his former team-mates and fans, just like Filippo Inzaghi, another veteran Juve player, did before leaving for AC Milan.

The Turin daily Tuttosport, which has received many letters from Bianconieri fans angry at the player's behaviour, had an eloquent headline on Tuesday: "Zidane flees Turin - Five years of Juve washed away in a second."

In the meantime, Juve's general manager Luciano Moggi has confirmed that moving to Madrid was entirely the player's choice.
"We did not sell Zidane to Real Madrid," he said.
"He sold himself to the Spanish club. We only granted him his wish."