Juventus Season 2011-2012

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Juventus are favourites for the Serie A title - Mazzarri

Napoli coach believes that the Turin side are the team likeliest to win

the Scudetto this season, and he also reveals that he would like to coach abroad in future.

Oct 9, 2011

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri believes Juventus are favourites to win Serie A this season - but also insists that there are a host of teams capable of lifting the title, including his own side.

The Naples club currently occupy third place in the league after securing an impressive 3-0 away victory against Inter last weekend.

But the 50-year-old has stated that current leaders Juventus are the team most likely to win the Scudetto this season.

"Gigi Buffon says Napoli are strong but are in Europe, so he is right. Watch out for Roma too, but I consider Juventus to be the Scudetto favourites. After that, Milan, Inter, Roma, Lazio, us and then Fiorentina," Mazzarri told Corriere dello Sport.

Mazzarri, who had spells in charge of Sampdoria and Reggina amongst others, also spoke of how it feels to be earning plaudits for his coaching ability.

"For a long time I was underestimated as a coach, so now it is pleasing and also embarrassing to hear all these compliments," he added.

"The success of a coach also depends on his players and the club. I think by now I have enough experience to deal with anything.

"It's my eighth year in Italy and, sooner or later, I'd like to work overseas. I had many offers this summer, but never seriously considered leaving Napoli."

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Serie A Week 7 - 16-10-2011 (3:00 p.m.)

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Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium - Verona

Sorrentino reveals Juve bid

October 11, 2011

Stefano Sorrentino has admitted that he could have been going into this weekend

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Serie A Week 7 - 16-10-2011 (3:00 p.m.)

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Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium - Verona

Pellissier has Chievo desire

October 12, 2011

Sergio Pellissier has confirmed that he wants to end his career with current club Chievo Verona.

Pellissier has become a key figure for the Stadio Bentegodi outfit over the years and he would like to continue his adventure with the Flying Donkeys.

"My intention is to finish my playing days with this club," the veteran noted when questioned on his future.

"I'm happy at this outfit and I'm contracted to them for another year. Let's hope they want to renew our agreement..."

Pellissier joined Chievo in 2002 from Spal and has netted 99 goals in 316 games across all competitions for the Gialloblu.

So far this season, the 32-year-old has scored two goals in four Serie A games for Mimmo Di Carlo

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Fabio Cannavaro: Title talk premature

Oct 13, 2011

Fabio Cannavaro says we

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Serie A Week 7 - 16-10-2011 (3:00 p.m.)

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Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium - Verona

Di Carlo has Juventus plan

October 13, 2011

Chievo take on Serie A leaders Juventus this weekend, but Coach Mimmo Di Carlo warns

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Serie A preview: Tough tasks at top

Oct 13, 2011

Serie A leaders Juventus and Udinese both face tough assignments in round six action this weekend.

Eighth-placed Chievo tackle Juventus but coach Mimmo Di Carlo has warned the Turin side not to expect any favours.

Chievo will stick to their defensive approach having already beaten third-placed Napoli this season.

"We didn't allow Napoli space to go on the counter and in the second half put more pressure down the wings, creating a situation where we could win," Di Carlo told the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

"Juve play with the centre of the squad higher up the field, so I'll have to modify a few things to avoid their rapid transitions in the final third."

"This is the strongest Chievo I have ever trained. Many players go on the bench who are potentially first choice picks and we can still improve a great deal."

Last season's Serie B champions Atalanta take on Udinese knowing that, without the six-point deduction, they would be in the top five instead of 16th spot.

Udinese are unbeaten this season and are looking to secure a Champions League spot for a second consecutive year.

With 10 goals in the last four games between the clubs, and with a combined goals for tally of 15 already in Serie A this season, few will expect a goalless stalemate this time around.

Di Natale is the obvious danger man, but his counterpart for Atalanta, German Denis, is on loan from Udinese and will be keen to find the back of the net.

Meanwhile, Roma captain Francesco Totti has been ruled out of the Rome derby with Lazio on Sunday because of a thigh injury.

Totti sustained the problem in a 3-1 win over Atalanta on October 1 and was substituted in the 69th minute.

But after losing his fitness battle, the 35-year-old will take no part in Sunday's derby, with Roma owning eight points from five Serie A matches.

"After having a scan in the morning at Trigoria, Francesco Totti continues his rehabilitation program with physiotherapy and swimming exercises," Roma announced on their website.

"Over the next few days he will train separately in the gym. An ultrasound to evaluate the course is scheduled for next week."

Totti has yet to score in five league matches this season after netting 15 goals in 34 appearances last term.

In Saturday's other matches, Catania, unbeaten at home this season, face struggling Inter Milan, AC Milan are at home to fourth-placed Palermo and Napoli entertain Parma.

On Sunday, fifth-placed Cagliari are at home to Siena. Second-bottom Cesena, with only one point so far this season, host Fiorentina. Genoa should collect their third home win over Lecce and Novara will be looking to put more pressure on cellar dwellers Bologna.

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The Power of Television

Oct 13, 2011

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Fabio Capello: Juventus deserve first place in Serie A

The highly decorated Italian coach believes his former club are in their rightful

position at the top of the table following a strong start to the season.

Oct 14, 2011

Fabio Capello has praised Juventus' start to the season, proclaiming that his former club deserved to go into the international break top of Serie A.

Antonio Conte's men have been particularly effective in their new surroundings at Juventus Stadium, defeating last season's champions AC Milan 2-0 in their most recent game.

And the current England manager, who was in charge of the Turin side between 2004 and 2006, has been impressed with their start to the campaign.

"Juventus deserve first place. They are a real and gritty team," the experienced Italian told Tuttosport.

"Against AC Milan we saw how important the new stadium is. Our football is weighed down by outdated stadiums. Juve ought to be imitated."

Juventus return to Serie A action after a two-week international break with a trip to Chievo on Sunday. Conte's side currently lead the league on goal difference ahead of Udinese, having picked up 11 points from their opening five games.

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Napoli & Juventus will challenge

for the Serie A title - Giuseppe Rossi

The Italy international has voiced his opinion that both of the clubs

that were interested in signing him in the summer could win the Scudetto.

Oct 14, 2011

Villarreal attacker Giuseppe Rossi has voiced his opinion that both Napoli and Juventus have what it takes to challenge for the Serie A title this season.

The 24-year-old Italy international appeared to be close to joining the current league leaders in the summer transfer window, while the Naples side also expressed an interest in signing him.

However, Rossi eventually stayed at Villarreal as the Spanish side decided to keep hold of him after selling Santi Cazorla to Malaga.

"I think that both Juventus and Napoli are well equipped this term and they have what it takes to fight for the league title. They have great coaches and could go all the way in Serie A," Rossi told Radio Kiss Kiss.

The forward then went on to state that he is not thinking about a transfer, and added that Villarreal can still reach the Champions League knock-out stages despite losing their opening two games.

"I am only thinking about Villarreal. I don't know anything about a possible move to Napoli. I just want to do well in the Spanish league and in the Champions League.

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Serie A Week 7 - 16-10-2011 (3:00 p.m.)

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Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium - Verona

Lichtsteiner: We must take three points from Chievo clash

The Switzerland international has made it clear that their win over AC Milan

counts for nothing if they do not continue their good form this weekend.

October 14, 2011

Juventus defender Stephan Lichtsteiner has stressed that the Turin side cannot afford to drop points in Sunday's Serie A game away against Chievo.

Antonio Conte's men have been in superb form in the opening months of the 2011-12 campaign, and the Swiss full-back has made it clear that they have to build on their 2-0 win over AC Milan in their last league game.

"We passed an important test against AC Milan. Not only because that victory increased our morale, but especially because we put in a convincing performance which allowed us to understand what we're capable of doing," Lichtsteiner is quoted as saying on the Juventus website.

"However, tests never stop and now we must continue on this track, otherwise that 2-0 result would just be in vain.

"We'll play Chievo in Verona on Sunday, and in this match we must demonstrate our value, playing with the same intensity shown on the pitch against Milan."

Juventus currently sit top of the Serie A table, having taken 11 points from five games.

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/2011-2012/regular-season/

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Rafael Benitez: Juventus are favourites to win Serie A

The former Inter and Liverpool boss believes that the Turin-based outfit

are on course to win the league, while hailing Andrea Pirlo's contribution since his arrival.

Oct 14, 2011

Former Inter coach Rafael Benitez says Juventus are heavy favourites to win the Serie A title this season.

The Turin side got off to a great start in the league and they currently top the table after finishing seventh in the last two seasons.

Benitez conceded that Juventus are looking odds-on to clinch the Scudetto, though he confessed that they do find themselves in a favourable situation compared to their rivals as they do not compete in Europe.

"The best teams, especially AC Milan and Inter, have not been doing things as well as they used to," Benitez told Eurosport.

"Juventus have a better chance than the rest. They are coached by Antonio Conte, who knows the club's philosophy, the fans and the market, because he used to be a player.

"When you are at a club, you want to play in every competition. When you cannot do that, the only thing left is to do your best in the competition you are in."

Benitez went on to praise Andrea Pirlo, who has been in great form at Juventus since his arrival from AC Milan in the summer.

"Pirlo is a key player," Benitez added. "He can control the game very well and he is certainly a crucial piece in any team."

The league leaders head to Verona on Sunday to take on Chievo, hoping to preserve their unbeaten start to the campaign.