Juventus Season 2011-2012

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Serie A Week 1 - 21-12-2011 (6:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Friuli Stadium - Udine

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Attendance: 16000

Guidolin: 'Schedule disrespectful'

Dec 21, 2011

Francesco Guidolin has again blamed the “disrespectful” fixture list for Udinese’s tired performance against Juventus.

This was the Friulani’s third game in five days between Serie A and the Europa League, all of them key clashes with Celtic, Lazio and the Bianconeri.

“Juventus adapted to our tactical system in a bid to win the game,” he said of the 0-0 draw.

“We played our third game in five days. If this is humane then I’ll be gone soon. This is a lack of respect for football, the sport and the fans. We played three Cup Finals in five days and 21 hours.”

The tension got to Guidolin, who was sent off for dissent in the final minutes.

“I got angry with the Juve players who didn’t put the ball out of play when we had someone down injured. I am not using a fake fair play.

“In my view it was a balanced encounter and I compliment my squad. I’m satisfied with this point.”

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

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Serie A Week 1 - 21-12-2011 (6:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Friuli Stadium - Udine

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Attendance: 16000

Buffon outlines Juve target

Dec 21, 2011

Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has revealed his club’s objective for 2012. “We want to qualify for the Champions League.”

The Old Lady will finish 2011 joint top of Serie A with Milan after a 0-0 draw at Udinese on Wednesday, a result which underlined their status as title contenders.

Buffon, however, isn’t getting carried away with talk of a possible Scudetto in May.

“The aim for 2012 is to qualify for the Champions League,” the Italian international noted. “That is the priority for all of us at this club.”

Juve began the campaign as an unknown quantity after some tough years and the arrival of another new Coach in the form of Antonio Conte.

Now, four months after the season started, the Old Lady are the only unbeaten side in the big European Leagues.

“That fact is a source of pride,” Gigi continued. “Nobody would have thought we would be top at Christmas after finishing seventh for the last two campaigns.

“The draw with Udinese? It was an intense match, one heavily based on tactics, and I think that football experts would have appreciated it.

“There were a few scoring opportunities for both teams, but the draw was pretty much the right result.”

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

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Serie A Week 1 - 21-12-2011 (6:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Friuli Stadium - Udine

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Attendance: 16000

Chiellini hails Juve strength

Dec 22, 2011

Juventus didn’t win at Udinese on Wednesday but they still proved a point, says defender Giorgio Chiellini.

The Stadio Friuli encounter ended 0-0 giving the Old Lady the point they needed to join Milan at the top of the table.

“We came here to win and we tried to do so,” the stopper, who was used in a three-man defence, noted.

“We weren’t able to manage it and we often lacked the final ball, but we’re still satisfied with the performance.

“It has been another display of strength. I believe that few teams will come here and play a game like this.”

Udinese had a 100 per cent home record before last night’s encounter, while Juve are still unbeaten this term.

“It gives us pleasure to end 2011 at the top of the table, even if we would have preferred to be up there on our own,” the former Fiorentina man continued.

“Milan remain favourites, but there are many sides in the running.”

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

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Serie A Week 1 - 21-12-2011 (6:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Friuli Stadium - Udine

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Attendance: 16000

Unable to find a team-mate from five yards, Alessandro Matri

sums up the inconsistency which has seen Juventus relinquish top spot

The striker was at one time a real feature of the Bianconeri's unbeaten run,

but has recently fallen well below the level he was at two months ago.

Dec 22, 2011

It’s largely due to an anomaly in the small print of Serie A’s terms and conditions, but Juventus end 2011 behind champions AC Milan following their goalless draw with Udinese on Wednesday. The perennial pacesetters are second in the table heading into Christmas thanks to an inconsistency summed up by the form of Alessandro Matri.

The former Cagliari striker’s ability to keep making chances was much of the reason Juve kept up their unbeaten run a couple of months ago. A brace in a draw with Genoa, the winner against Fiorentina, an assist in the victory at Inter and the goal that broke the back of Palermo were all examples of Matri’s importance to the Bianconeri cause.

With Mirko Vucinic having failed to be anywhere near as convincing in front of goal, Matri’s extended run in the lone central role was one of the features of the club’s drive back to the top of the league after a collection of early draws had threatened to derail their title push.

But now the draws are back, and three games without a win away from home have contributed to them ending the year in second spot rather than in the lead role. Quite how the Lega Serie A can justify promoting Milan to first is a strange one, given that identical results for the two sides between now and the season’s end would result in a Juve title on their head-to-head record, but that’s all semantics.

A victory at the Friuli last night would have left no question over the Turin side’s right to call themselves the capolista, but their failure to make the most of possession once again tripped them up. Matri was particularly poor, with his second-half display doing more for Fabio Quagliarella’s push for first-team football than the ex-Napoli man could ever have achieved himself.

Whereas two months ago Matri was typically scoring one in every four or five chances, he now looks a shell of that player. There were so many chances for him to play simple balls to supporting team-mates last night as Juve broke with conviction, but on far too few occasions did he make the right decision. With four efforts from Claudio Marchisio also missing the target to sum up a below-par display from the midfielder, the Bianconeri were left frustrated.

It epitomised a dire game which fell short of the hope and expectation provided by the two sides’ positions in the league table. But for Matri it will be a long winter break as he is forced to wait for the chance to make up for his abysmal evening’s work. Quagliarella, fresh off a goalscoring start at the weekend, suddenly has a brighter outlook for 2012 than he would have expected, and Vucinic can’t come back quick enough if Juve are to keep the pace up at the top.

Marchisio’s run in front of goal has defied expectation, with his career record of 10 strikes before this season’s half-dozen suggesting that his prolific run cannot be relied upon longer term. This means that goals must keep coming from forward positions too, and Antonio Conte must take into serious consideration whether Matri is the right man to make that happen.

ELSEWHERE…

•Inter battered Lecce into submission at San Siro last night, but their 4-1 victory could easily have been doubled as Giampaolo Pazzini, Diego Forlan, Diego Milito, Thiago Motta and Walter Samuel were among those who missed great chances to add to the scoresheet. However, the very fact that Luis Muriel scored on the counter and Daniele Corvia and David Di Michele missed three superb opportunities between them in the second half shows that there’s still a great deal of work to do for Claudio Ranieri and his side. Better teams would have punished them last night, and Inter still have to travel to Juventus, Roma, Lazio, Udinese and Napoli, as well as contesting two Milan derbies. The recovery is far from complete just yet.

•Napoli ended a sensational 2011 in the most fitting way possible as they hammered Genoa 6-1 at the San Paolo. The result was never in doubt once Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik found the net early on, and their relentless persistence must be praised. In a league where many take their foot off the pedal upon gaining a big half-time lead, the Partenopei kept going to record the biggest Serie A win since Udinese’s 7-0 away success against Palermo in February. Now for 2012, with its dual target of third place and that massive Chelsea tie to come.

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

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Serie A Week 1 - 21-12-2011 (6:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Friuli Stadium - Udine

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Attendance: 16000

Giorgio Chiellini: We showed our strength to earn draw against Udinese

The Italy international was satisfied with the team's performance which earned them

a point in Wednesday's encounter, and was equally happy to be top of the table again.

Dec 22, 2011

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has expressed his satisfaction with the scoreless Serie A draw away against Udinese on Wednesday, and feels the Bianconeri showed their strength to get a positive result.

Neither of the two sides managed to create any clear-cut chances at the Stadio Friuli as both defences put in a strong performance, and Chiellini was pleased to leave Udine with one point in the bag.

"We came here to win and we tried to do so. We didn't manage it, as we often lacked the final touch, but we’re still satisfied," Chiellini was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"It’s been another display of strength, I believe that few teams will come here [at Udinese] and play a game like this.

"It gives us pleasure to end 2011 at the top of the table, even if we would have preferred to be up there on our own. AC Milan remain favourites, but there are many sides in the running."

Juventus sit joint top in the Serie A table with Milan on 34 points from 16 games.

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 1 - 21-12-2011 (6:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Friuli Stadium - Udine

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Attendance: 16000

Juventus stay unbeaten in Serie A after Udinese stalemate

Dec 22, 2011

Juventus will go into Italian football's winter break level on points with leaders AC Milan after being held 0-0 by third-placed Udinese on Wednesday.

Antonio Conte's team extended their unbeaten run to 16 Serie A matches to keep pace with the defending champions, who beat Cagliari 2-0 on Tuesday.

Claudio Marchisio came closest to scoring in the eighth minute when he scraped the post with a low shot, while the home side rarely tested Juve keeper Gianluigi Buffon and had coach Francesco Guidolin sent to the stands late in the match.

"If someone had told me in July that we would finish the year without losing I would have thought he was mad," Conte told reporters.

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 1 - 21-12-2011 (6:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Friuli Stadium - Udine

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Attendance: 16000

Barzagli hails Juve mentality

Dec 22, 2011

Andrea Barzagli has noted this current Juventus side under Antonio Conte is a “real team” after the top of the table draw against Udinese.

The 0-0 result at the Stadio Friuli means Juventus, still unbeaten, was pipped to the crown of winter champions by Milan only on goal difference.

Barzagli told the club’s official website a point each was fair: “We wanted to show a good performance, but this game was based on tactics and both sides blocked each other. Perhaps we’ve better managed the ball, but finally the draw is fair.”

Conte mirrored Udinese with a 3-5-2 system, the second time he has utilised three at the back this season.

“We’ve already played with three defenders, it’s not something new. We knew that Udinese were able to be lethal with their counterattacks but we watched out for them without risks. In the first half, we also had a couple of interesting chances forward, while in the second half we had some more difficulties, but the result and the point achieved in Udine are absolutely fair.”

Juve will resume in January locked in a four-way battle at the top and Barzagli believes the mentality of this side will help them fight until the end.

“We must keep it going in the new year as well, because we’re doing extraordinary things, we’re deserving the leadership of the table, and we don’t want to give in. Since the pre-season camp, we’ve become a real team. A strong, tough side which always battles without losing nor giving up, even in the most difficult games.”

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

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Goal.com's Serie A Team of the Season so far:

Ibrahimovic & Pirlo star as Inter have no representatives

Joint-leaders AC Milan and Juventus provide five players between them,

with Cagliari and Atalanta among the other teams represented.

Dec 30, 2011

Serie A

Team Of The Season so far:

2011-12

GOALKEEPER

Gianluigi Buffon

Juventus

It seems strange at times for a goalkeeper of his quality and reputation, but Buffon has never really been known for his ability to save penalties. However, his improved form against spot-kicks is just one of the numerous highlights of the Italy captain's season so far. The Bianconeri have regularly had the 33-year-old to thank during their 16-game unbeaten run, with his shot-stopping, positioning and organisational prowess a huge key behind them having conceded only 11 goals so far.

DEFENDERS

Christian Maggio

Napoli

Andrea Barzagli

Juventus

Thiago Silva

AC Milan

Senad Lulic

Lazio

Maggio continues to bolster his reputation as wing-back of great quality, with his energy down the right helping Napoli to record some notable victories this term. Wins over Milan and Inter have featured great displays from the ex-Sampdoria man, and he even netted against the Nerazzurri.

Barzagli edges out Maggio's team-mate Paolo Cannavaro thanks to his weekly contributions to the unbeaten Bianconeri. His consistency has seen him retain ever-present status so far, with even Giorgio Chiellini unable to hold down a centre-back spot.

Alongside him is Thiago Silva, who remains the league's stand-out centre-back thanks to his consistency in an oft-changing Milan backline. After a slow start, the Rossoneri have put together a great run, including six clean sheets in their last seven games of 2011.

Lulic has recovered from an uncertain start in Rome to become one of the first names on the Lazio team-sheet. The Bosnia & Herzegovina wide man has filled in superbly for Stefan Radu, proving to be one of Edy Reja's most reliable performers over the past few months.

MIDFIELDERS

Daniele De Rossi

Roma

Andrea Pirlo

Juventus

Radja Nainggolan

Cagliari

De Rossi has returned to the very top of his game this season, proving himself to be the heartbeat of Luis Enrique's Roma side. His vision, passing and anticipation have been crucial to the Spaniard's idealogy for his side, and even when playing centre-back of late he has been the Giallorossi's star man.

Italy team-mate Pirlo has arguably been the outstanding player in Serie A since his summer move from Milan, directing attacks with great consistency for Juventus. He has quickly become an irreplaceable member of the first team, helping the Bianconeri to play a high pressing game which has changed the face of Serie A.

Meanwhile, Nainggolan's phenomenal form for Cagliari has attracted the attention of several top clubs around Europe. Win, lose or draw, his personal input has been spectacular, and it sees him make the Team of the Season so far ahead of the likes of Kwadwo Asamoah, Claudio Marchisio and Antonio Nocerino.

FORWARDS

Miroslav Klose

Lazio

German Denis

Atalanta

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

AC Milan

Our strikers have 32 goals between them, with Klose accounting for nine since his switch to Lazio in the summer. His ability to pop up with crucial goals was never more evident than in victories over Roma, Cesena and Fiorentina, with his movement often proving far too much for opposition defences to live with over 90 minutes.

Atalanta's remarkable rise after starting the season six points behind has been personified by Denis, whose 12 goals already represent a personal best. His loan switch from Udinese has been one of the shrewdest moves to have been made in the summer transfer window.

Ibrahimovic may well have scored five penalties this term, but his coolness from the spot has been spread to general play, netting 11 times in Milan's superb recovery after a slow start. A regular supply of goals has always been his forte, and having netted braces against Roma and Chievo he has more than made up for missing three weeks with injury in September.

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Massimiliano Allegri: Juventus don't scare us

Milan coach has stressed that they are full of confidence ahead of the second half

of the season and they don't fear the Old Lady in the fight for the Scudetto.

Jan 3, 2012

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has made it clear that the Rossoneri do not fear Juventus as Serie A is set to resume next weekend after a brief winter break.

The reigning champions and the Bianconeri currently sit joint first in the league table with 34 points from 16 games, and Allegri has insisted that the Turin side's unbeaten run doesn't intimidate Milan.

"Juventus do not scare us," Allegri was quoted as saying by Tuttosport.

"They are a great team and we respect them. However, at the moment, Milan have all the resources available that are needed to win the Scudetto once more."

Milan's first game after the winter break is an away clash against Atalanta on January 8, while Juve travel to Lecce that same day.

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Allegri doesn’t fear Juventus

Jan 3, 2012

Massimiliano Allegri has declared that Milan do not fear Juventus going forward in the League, as Serie A resumes with the two level on points.

Speaking in Dubai during the Rossoneri’s winter training retreat that includes a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, Allegri revealed that he and his players are resilient in the face of Juve’s title challenge.

“Juventus are going very well. I believe they are the only unbeaten team in Italy, but we aware of our own strength and are ready to fight to win back the title again.

“In the first five League games we collected only five points, while they were almost never wrong. Now that we have wiped out the [points] disadvantage we will see what will happen from January 8 onwards.

“Do not forget the injuries we had at the start of the season, we have incurred a certain preparation given the significant commitment required in Beijing against Inter. That was the first trophy of the season and we wanted to win it.

“Without doubt, Juventus has had the advantage of not playing Europe, but we have others ourselves - we’ve known each other for a year and a half, we’ve been together in this time and know what to do every day, then our new arrivals have been perfectly integrated.

“In this period, now, there is increased self-esteem.”

The Coach finished with a lighthearted reflection when prompted about comparisons between his first season with Milan and Antonio Conte’s with Juventus.

“Is Conte the new Allegri? I hope not…I won….I hope that he does a good job, but finishes second.”

Allegri also again commented on Alexandre Pato’s situation at the club. Pato’s comments late last month initiated strong rumours of a fall-out with Allegri and an imminent departure out of San Siro.

“Pato’s declarations? I think they are just an outburst. Here in Dubai he has been laid back, in the best way and just with the desire to train well.

“My way of being is this. I try to talk to him as much as possible, as with others. There was a time when Pato was injured and he could not always be with the group and this has perhaps left him feeling a little sidelined.

“When he always played he was happy. I hope he stays here at Milan because he is an important player for us.”

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Conte: Milan could romp to Serie A title

if they continue present form

Both Juventus and league rivals have 37 points after 16 games.

Jan 3, 2012

Dubai: Juventus coach Antonio Conte is fearful that if fellow Serie A title-chasers AC Milan continue their current form they will lift the Scudetto with months to spare.

Conte was speaking at a press conference at Dubai's Meydan Hotel yesterday during the Bianconeri's winter training camp, courtesy of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce and Marketing and Dubai Sports Council.

They are in the city at the same time as league rivals Milan, with whom they are level on 37 points after 16 games in Italy's top flight.

Both clubs return to domestic action this weekend, when Juventus will travel to Lecce while AC Milan take on Atalanta away. But in the meantime the Rossoneri face Paris Saint Germain (PSG) in a friendly at Dubai's Al Ahli Stadium tonight (7.30pm) and Juventus take on Al Hilal in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, tomorrow.

Conte said of Milan, who have nine wins and two draws from their last 11 games: "I hope they don't, but the truth is if Milan continue their incredible run, they could finish [as champions] two-and-a-half months in advance of the league ending.

Two penalties

"In one of the two draws they should have won, they deserved two penalties and one goal got cancelled [against Fiorentina]."

"Milan are favourites to lift the Scudetto. But we will try our best.

"It's not just about AC Milan and Juventus though. Don't forget Inter [other than Udinese and Lazio] because they are still gaining points. They are very strong and could arrive to the top also. "Don't forget to get to this level [first in the league] Juventus started from zero and only after two seasons have we arrived back at the top, having finished seventh two seasons in a row. To finally get to the top again we are happy, but the history is quite a shame."

Asked if Juventus had the advantage and could relax given AC Milan have a backlog of fixtures due to their Champions League participation, Conte disagreed.

Great club

"It would be stupid to say we are more relaxed because, mid-week, we watch Champions League matches on TV. We see Inter and Milan but we are at home. We want to be playing every three days also because we are a great club and it's important to get back to that level," he said.

"Playing every three days with Champions League football and Serie A participation can have the opposite effect. It can destroy Juve. As a player I played in three finals and also won the title. The Champions League can add euphoria to the team."

Juve defender Giorgio Chiellini, also at the conference, said: "Juventus started very well to beat Milan, but Milan started badly thanks to injuries and late arrivals from the Copa America.

"They lost many points but now they have recovered. Even if we won against them now we are equal on points. We just have to continue. It's too early to say who will lift the title. We are just hard at training with a winning mentality for Lecce."

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Zambrotta respects weaker Juve

Jan 4, 2012

Milan’s Gianluca Zambrotta rates former club Juventus as a Scudetto contender despite them not having the most competitive squad.

The Rossoneri and the Old Lady currently lead the Serie A standings as the championship resumes this weekend following the winter break.

“On paper, Juve have fewer champions than ourselves and Inter, but that is only a relative disadvantage,” Zambrotta told La Stampa.

“Apart from the two years under Fabio Capello when we had a really strong squad at Juve, my side wasn’t always the best team but we won because of our spirit.

“I saw that again in them three months ago when we went to Turin and lost.

“However, we at Milan have the Scudetto shield on our shirts and I agree with Zlatan Ibrahimovic when he says that we are better than last season.”

Although the two giants lead the way, Zambrotta is refusing to rule out any other side from entering the Scudetto race.

“It’s like we have gone back in time,” the former Italian international noted. “In the sense that Juventus have completed their path to become a great side again.

“The difference is that in the past there was a big difference between teams, now Inter, Lazio, Udinese and Napoli are in the position to fight until the very end.”

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Alessandro Del Piero: Dubai experience was very positive

The 37-year-old attacker is happy with his side's training camp, while Conte noted

that the match was important for him to take notes on his players ahead of Serie A's return.

Jan 5, 2012

Juventus attacker Alessandro Del Piero has described Juventus' training camp in Dubai as a positive experience.

Just like Serie A rivals AC Milan, Juventus travelled to Dubai for a mid-season retreat, which ended with a friendly match against Al Hilal.

Del Piero netted two goals in Juventus' 7-1 demolition job of the Saudi Arabian side, and after the match he confessed to being happy with his side's time in the emirate.

"We have received a splendid welcome in Dubai, on our arrival yesterday in Riyadh and this evening at the stadium," he told the club's official website.

"The chants? I once heard [former basketball star] Magic Johnson say on a video that you play to win, to enjoy yourself and to give people enjoyment.

"These are three things I have always looked to do - the affection I am afforded is an acknowledgement of this.

"I feel good. I have rested up over the holidays and have been working at my best. The overall assessment of this mid-season training camp is more than positive."

Meanwhile, Juventus coach Antonio Conte praised his side's display but admitted he did not expect Al Hilal to field a much-changed team.

"They opted for a team made up of their reserves," Conte explained. "I would have preferred to play against the first choice players, but the game was still useful in order to get back to our championship way of thinking.

"I liked the application with which we read the game. They all played 45 minutes, adapting well to their own roles, despite the fact we tried certain different options, such as Estigarribia at left-back and Simone Pepe as an inside midfielder."

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Juve in seventh heaven

Jan 5, 2012

Juventus finished their Arabian spell with a thumping 7-1 victory over Al Hilal thanks to an inspirational Alessandro Del Piero.

The Bianconeri have been training in Dubai since late December and concluded the trip by playing a testimonial for goalkeeper Mohammed Aldeayea in Riyadh.

It was Aldeayea who twice denied Del Piero in the opening minutes, but was beaten on his big day when the captain squirmed away from his marker to score with an angled drive.

Del Piero added a second delightful lob before Eljero Elia made it 3-0 by bursting down the left.

Al Hilal fought back as Alshlob hit the upright, then fired over, but Arturo Vidal’s fantastic right-foot curler into the top corner secured a 4-0 result at half-time.

Coach Antonio Conte completely revamped the squad for the second half and Al Hilal took advantage by pulling one back through Alharthi springing the offside trap.

Claudio Marchisio pulled back for Giorgio Chiellini to net a fifth, while Simone Pepe’s free kick and a late Fabio Quagliarella volley completed the rout.

Curiously, testimonial star Aldeayea was replaced by his son, Badr Aldeayea, who performed some good saves on Mirko Vucinic.

Al Hilal 1-7 Juventus

Scorers: Del Piero 14, 23, Elia 32, Vidal 45, Alharti 48 (A), Chiellini 51, Pepe 75, Quagliarella 86

Al Hilal:M Aldeayea (Shrahili 48) (B Aldeayea 72); Alsharani (Almarshdi 27), Hawsawi (Flatah 27), Almouald (Albisi 46) (Khirat 72), Alzouri (Aldokhi 46) (Alfarj 72); Alganam (Aldosari 46) (Almohyani 72), Alshlhob (Alsbiaai 58) (Alyaas 72), Algamdi (Aziz 27), Wilhelmsson (Algarni 46) (Hrmash 72); Alharthi, Aljaber (Alaabd 27)

Juventus: Buffon (Storari 46); Sorensen, Barzagli (Lichtsteiner 46), Bonucci (Chiellini 46), De Ceglie (Estigarribia 46); Marchisio (Pepe 46), Marrone (Pazienza 46), Vidal (Giaccherini 46); Elia (Krasic 46), Matri (Quagliarella 46), Del Piero (Vucinic 46)

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Serie A Week 17 - 8-1-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Via del Mare Stadium - Lecce

Referee: Mauro Bergonzi

Di Michele asks for perfect Lecce

Jan 6, 2012

Without a win at home all season, David Di Michele admits it will take a flawless performance on Sunday to overcome League leaders Juventus.

Serse Cosmi’s Giallorossi have now entered their eighth month in search of a home win since the last one in May. Welcoming the unbeaten Old Lady this weekend, striker Di Michele reflected on Friday that it will take a significant effort to collect three points in Week 17.

“Last year against Juventus we played the perfect game,” said Di Michele, in reference to February 2010’s 2-0 win over the Bianconeri. “We hope to have a game this Sunday that is just as nice, especially on a psychological level.

“Only with the right concentration, determination and bite can we beat Juve, a team that from last season has changed greatly.”

Lecce are currently bottom of the League, six points adrift of safety and without a win from their last six games played. Di Michele hinted that where their situation has had an affect on morale, it won’t change the effort put in this weekend.

“We are training a little ‘in the moment’, but when you face big teams, the motivation is greatest. They have a mentality in their group and a Coach who is doing a great job.

“We will have to be good and play a perfect match - we have our strengths, which when expressed correctly, may give us a lot of satisfaction.”

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

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Serie A Week 17 - 8-1-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Via del Mare Stadium - Lecce

Referee: Mauro Bergonzi

Conte: 'Back to business'

Jan 7, 2012

Antonio Conte is confident Juventus are “ready to get back to business” in his hometown Lecce and welcomes Marco Borriello.

The Bianconeri are still unbeaten this season and joint Serie A leaders with Milan, flying down directly from the winter training camp in Dubai.

“The Christmas break always holds some uncertainty. We were coming from a series of 16 positive results in a row, but had to stop and now there are a few question marks,” said the Coach in his Press conference.

“Having said that, we worked well on our heads and legs, so I am confident. We are ready to get back to business, because we are Juventus and we must not fear anyone.

“We know that Lecce have quality in their side, like Luis Muriel, David Di Michele, Ruben Olivera, Guillermo Giacomazzi and Juan Cuadrado. They’re not getting the points they expected, but are hungry for success. I expect a tough match.”

Conte spent much of his first six months on the Juve bench calming Scudetto talk, but now embraces their status as title contenders.

“I expect it to be more difficult from here on in, because our opponents did not previously expect such a tough Juve to stand in their path. Our primary objective was to recapture credibility in the eyes of our fans and seeing the welcome we got in Dubai and back in Italy, I’d say we achieved that,” continued the tactician.”

Juventus have been strengthened over the January transfer window by bringing in Borriello from Roma.

“We have five strikers and will use those who are in the best shape. Marco is welcome and represents another alternative, but still needs to get into the mentality, tactics and hierarchy of this squad.

“Football has evolved. Once upon a time there was a hefty centre-forward who would stand there hoping to put it in the net. Now a good striker in modern football has to take part in attacking and defending moves. When Leo Messi loses the ball, he is the first to try to get it back.”

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[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 17 - 8-1-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

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Via del Mare Stadium - Lecce

Referee: Mauro Bergonzi

Serie A Preview

Fresh from the winter break, the Old Lady aim to make a winning return to domestic matters

with a convincing victory against Serse Cosmi's outfit, who are also in need of points.

Jan 7, 2012

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

LECCE

Benassi

Oddo, Tomovic, Ferrario

Cuadrado, Giacomazzi, Obodo, Olivera, Brivio

Muriel, Di Michele

JUVENTUS

Buffon

Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini

Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio

Pepe, Matri, Vucinic

Lecce are tipped to line up with an unchanged squad on Sunday from the side that were defeated 4-1 by Inter, but will be without duo Manuel Giandonato and Luigi Falcone, both of whom are currently nursing injuries.

Meanwhile, for the league leaders, a Juventus are set to name a full-strength side as coach Antonio Conte has no pressing injury worries or suspicions to contend with. Mirko Vucinic, for whom Marcelo Estigarribia deputised during the 0-0 draw with Udinese prior to the winter break, is available for selection once more.

An experimental line-up was utilised in the 7-1 thrashing of Saudi club Al Hilal in a recent friendly clash, but up to five changes will be made for the trip to the Via del Mare on Sunday - Frederik Sorensen, Luca Marrone, Eljero Elia, Fabio Quagliarella and Alessandro Del Piero look set to be replaced by Andrea Barzagli, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio and Vucinic.

DID YOU KNOW?

Lecce ended a run of six consecutive losses against Juventus after their 2-0 win over the Old Lady last February.

However, Lecce are still winless at home and have picked up just one point at the Via del Mare so far.

The Salentini have not kept a clean sheet in their last 10 games at home since beating Udinese 2-0 back in April.

Juventus remain the only unbeaten side among the 'top five' European leagues this season.

The Bianconeri have drawn their last three games on the road thus far.

Antonio Conte will face Lecce, the club of his birthplace where he played between 1985 and 1992, as coach for the first time.

Head to Head

Serie A - Feb 20, 2011 - Lecce 2 - Juventus0

Serie A - Oct 17, 2010 - Juventus 4 - Lecce 0

Serie A - May 3, 2009 - Juventus 2 - Lecce 2

Serie A - Dec 7, 2008 - Lecce 1 - Juventus 2‎

Serie B - Apr 14, 2007 - Lecce 1 - Juventus 3‎

Last Five Matches

Lecce

Dec 21, 2011 - FC Internazionale 4 - Lecce 1 - Serie A

Dec 18, 2011 - Parma 3 - Lecce 3 - Serie A

Dec 10, 2011 - Lecce 2 - Lazio 3 - Serie A

Dec 3, 2011 - SSC Napoli 4 - Lecce 2 - Serie A

Nov 26, 2011 - Lecce 0 - Catania 1 - Serie A

Juventus

Jan 5, 2012 - Al Hilal 1 - Juventus 7 - FR

Dec 21, 2011 - Udinese 0 - Juventus 0 - Serie A

Dec 18, 2011 - Juventus 2 - Novara 0 - Serie A

Dec 12, 2011 - Roma 1 - Juventus 1 - Serie A

Dec 8, 2011 - Juventus 2 - Bologna 1 - Serie A

Players to Watch

Luis Fernando Muriel Fruto

The Colombian starlet is definitely one-to-watch for the future, as his goal at Inter perfectly showcased his exciting talent. The 20-year-old, currently owned by Udinese, now has a big opportunity to prove that his opener against the Nerazzurri was no flash in the pan by netting against the Old Lady, who must be aware of his impressive pace and technique.

Simone Pepe

In recent weeks Pepe has improved immeasurably, playing the best football of his career by adding a clinical edge to his game, and his duel with young full-back Davide Brivio will be one of the most fascinating one-on-ones during proceedings. With Juventus' other options in attack failing to deliver in recent matches, Pepe has arguably been their most potent weapon in the final third.

Prediction

After three draws in their last six league matches, normal service looks set to be resumed for Juventus, as a domineering display against the basement boys should be expected if they are serious about pipping AC Milan and the like to the title in several months time.

Editor's Prediction

Lecce 0 - Juventus 3

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