NBA star Garnett buys Roma stake

Roma have confirmed that Boston Celtics star Kevin Garnett has agreed to purchase a small stake in the Serie A club.

The 35-year-old baskteball player accepted the offer from James Pallotta, one of the four Boston-based executives who purchased the team in August.

Over the past few years, Garnett has been very vocal in his interest in football, revealing passion for English side Chelsea and star player Didier Drogba.

Garnett becomes the second NBA player to purchase a stake in a football club after Miami Heat star Lebron James invested in Liverpool earlier this year.

James attended his first game at Anfield to watch the club draw 1-1 against Manchester United in October.

The Garnett and James deals are tied together because Roma president Thomas DiBenedetto is also a limited partner in the Fenway group, which owns the Boston Red Sox baseball team and Liverpool.

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Totti may leave Roma now

Roma captain Francesco Totti has threatened to leave his club of 19 years, after backlash from fans.

The 35-year-old forward has featured sparingly under Luis Enrique this term and has yet to find the back of the net, missing a crucial penalty on Monday in Roma's 1-1 home draw against Juventus.

Roma spent big in the summer, signing a number of recognised stars including two strikers, Bojan Krkic and Pablo Osvaldo.

Speaking before the club's Christmas dinner to Sky Sport Italia, Totti stated: "I've thought of leaving Roma, especially recently. I'm sorry to hear some of the statements made by Roma supporters. If they have a problem with me being in Rome, I can go away."

Totti made his first appearance for the club in March 1993, with former coach Vujadin Boskov choosing to play him in the 2-0 victory against Brescia as a 16-year-old.

The attacker is currently fifth in the list of all-time Serie A goalscorers, grabbing 207 goals in 481 appearances so far.

Roma are 10th in Serie A this term and face a tricky trip to Napoli on Sunday where they will be hoping to improve on their recent performances.

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Serie A: Roma 1 Juventus 1

Juventus maintained their unbeaten record in Serie A this season, coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw away to Roma on Monday.

Roma went ahead in the sixth minute, with Daniele De Rossi at the far post to pull a right-footed shot back across goal from Francesco Totti's cross.

Poor Juventus defending allowed the ball to bounce agonisingly over Gianluigi Buffon's goalline, with De Rossi's strike not overly powerful.

The goal ensured Roma have scored in each of their seven matches at their Stadio Olimpico home in the league, but Juve were not to be denied a point, as they equalised in the 62nd minute via Giorgio Chiellini.

Chiellini headed home a mis-timed Marcelo Estigarribia strike to earn Juve a share of the spoils, and ensure they regained top spot in the league once more from Udinese.

Roma's Totti missed the ideal chance to fire his side back ahead from the penalty spot just seconds after Juve equalised, but his attempt was well saved by Buffon.

The point lifted Roma to ninth in the table, ending their two-game losing streak.

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Stekelenburg:I nearly joined Juventus in Summer

AS Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has revealed that he came close to joining Juventus in the summer.

The two clubs face eachother on Monday night at the Stadio Olimpico and the Dutch international has divulged an interesting transfer secret.

“There was a time in the past when it was thought that Gigi Buffon would leave Juventus,” the 29-year-old told Tuttosport.

“That was when I was contacted by the club, but nothing ever came of it.”

Stekelenburg eventually arrived in Italy over the summer after Roma and Ajax finally reached a compromise over a move.

“I wanted to have an experience abroad and the Roma project was an intriguing one,” he added.

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Vucinic in doubt for Roma return

Juventus may be without the services of Montenegro forward Mirko Vucinic until January due to a thigh injury.

Vucinic picked up the injury during his side's 2-0 Serie A win over Cesena last Sunday and was initially expected to be match fit in time for Thursday's Coppa Italia match against Bologna.

However, Juve have now confirmed on their official website that Vucinic will not feature against Bologna.

It is not yet known exactly how long the key man will be out of action for due to the problem, but Juve reportedly fear that the 28-year-old could sidelined until Christmas.

Vucinic joined Juve from Roma in the close season, quickly becoming an important first-team player for the league leaders.

The striker has scored twice in 12 Serie A appearances so far for the Turin giants.

After the Bologna match, Juve are away to Roma on Monday, with Vucinic in doubt to line-up against his former club.

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