Juventus Season 2011-2012

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392‎

Gianluigi Buffon feels Siena draw

is a missed opportunity for Juventus

The goalkeeper has expressed his disappointmen with the Bianconeri's draw,

and feels they missed a chance to extend their lead over fellow title-challengers AC Milan.

Feb 5, 2012

Juventus shot stopper Gianluigi Buffon has voiced his discontent with his side's scoreless Serie A draw at home against Siena on Sunday.

Title rivals AC Milan, Udinese and Lazio all spilled points at the weekend, but Juventus were unable to take advantage as they had to settle for one point themselves, much to the dismay of Buffon.

"It was a missed opportunity. We didn't put in our best performance, but it’s not guaranteed that you always win by playing well," Buffon was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"The game didn’t go as we’d hoped, but we’re fine and there’s conviction in our means. We don’t feel pressure, because we’ve managed to carve out an unexpected role as key contenders - and being top of the league can only be a boost."

Buffon then reflected on the situation where Siena defender Simone Vergassola seemed to handle the ball, and felt Juventus should have been awarded a spot kick: "Sometimes you can also win a game from a one-off situation. And we had one right at the end of the game, but it wasn’t spotted."

Juventus sit atop of the Serie A table at the moment with 45 points from 21 games.

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

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392‎

Juve 'want respect' from refs

Feb 5, 2012

Juventus director general Beppe Marotta was furious with the referee and demanded “respect for our team.”

The Bianconeri were held 0-0 by Siena this afternoon, but had strong penalty appeals for a Simone Vergassola handling offence.

“I don’t want to be discussing this through the media, but seeing as clubs are not allowed to communicate with the refereeing designators, this is how it must be done,” said Marotta.

“At times it is only right to make our voices heard so we can defend the club’s rights. Juventus deserve respect and today it would not be fair to speak only about the players.

“Everyone could see we were denied a clear-cut penalty, but unfortunately this habit has been dragging on for a while. We’ve only received one spot-kick all season.

“All we are asking for is respect for our team. It is natural that the Serie A leaders should be assigned a referee of international experience.

“Juve do not like to recriminate, but in some cases it becomes inevitable, especially when you are not allowed to put away potentially decisive points in a campaign.”

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392‎

Conte: 'Images are clear'

Feb 5, 2012

Antonio Conte admits Juventus should’ve taken advantage of other results and noted the penalty incident “is clear for all to see.”

The Bianconeri were held to a 0-0 draw by Siena, so none of the top five teams won this weekend.

“It was a great opportunity and we should’ve made more of this round that seemed favourable for us,” said the Coach.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to win, mainly thanks to a Siena side that defended very well. In the first half we were a little sluggish in terms of tempo and needed an individual moment of brilliance to break the deadlock.

“We’ve got to take it one game at a time, aware of our limitations and our defects.”

There was controversy in the final stages, as Giorgio Chiellini’s cross was charged down by Simone Vergassola’s arm.

“The video images are clear for all to see, so there’s no need for me to say anything. All it requires is the intellectual honesty of those who watch the footage.”

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

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392‎

Juve cry foul over penalty decision

Feb 5, 2012

Juventus were indignant on Sunday following their disappointing 0-0 draw at home to minnows Siena, insisting they should have been awarded a penalty after Simone Vergassola handled the ball.

The incident occurred when a cross from Giorgio Chiellini hit Vergassola and the ball struck the Siena defender somewhere around the shoulder and upper arm area but even television replays failed to give a conclusive indication.

Nonetheless, Juve coach Antonio Conte was furious.

"It's counter-productive analysing individual incidents but the images are eloquent," said Conte.

"I find it strange that in 21 matches we've only had one penalty for us and three against but then the refereeing was good," he added with more than a little irony.

Juve general manager Giuseppe Marotta was far more outspoken in his condemnation of referee Sebastiano Peruzzo.

"Peruzzo didn't see the incident, it's an important decision and I hope in future we get top level referees," he said.

"It was a sacrosanct penalty, legitimate, transparent, everyone realised that.

"Peruzzo's refereeing was insufficient, traditionally the top teams are given international level referees but instead we were given a young one."

That was an unfortunate comment given Juventus's match-fixing history in which they were relegated to Serie B six years ago in the Calciopoli scandal in which they were ringing the Refereeing Commission to ask for specific referees to officate their games.

Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon did at least admit his team could not blame the result on that one decision.

Although dominating possession and territory, Juve created only one decent chance in the whole game and the best opportunity fell to Siena's Alessandro Gazzi late on.

"Let's make something clear, if we didn't win the game it wasn't because of the referee," he said.

"However, it's also clear that in certain situations, when maybe you don't manage to express yourself in the best way, an incident can change the flow of the game.

"We created that incident and the referee, in a good position, didn't see it.

"Sometimes winning or losing comes down to a moment of attention, it can condition a season and that would be a shame."

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

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392‎

Beppe Marotta demands respect from referees after Siena draw

Juventus director believes that the referee of Sunday's match lacks experience

and did not have the courage to award his side a clear penalty.

Feb 6, 2012

Juventus general director Beppe Marotta has launched a scathing attack on refereeing after Sunday's goalless draw against Siena.

The Bianconeri had a penalty claim waved away by referee Sebastiano Peruzzo in dying stages of the match as Giorgio Chiellini's cross struck the arm of Simono Vergassola.

"I would like to speak with [referee designator Stefano] Braschi, but since that is not possible, I will discuss the state of refeereing through the media," Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

"Today, we were clearly damaged as we were not awarded a clear penalty. Even though we are topping the table and we have the best attack, we are last when it comes to the number of penalties, with just one spot-kick received all season.

"All we are asking for is respect for our team. It is only natural that the Serie A leaders should be assigned referees with international experience. But Peruzzo was afraid to award us a penalty.

"If we see the penalty which Fiorentina received today, it was identical to the one that we were not given. We need more consistency in the referees' decisions."

Juventus remain one point clear at the top of the Serie A table and still have one game in hand.

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

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392

Gianluca Pegolo feels Giorgio Chiellini is Juventus' best attacker

The Siena goalkeeper was not impressed with the Bianconeri's front line in the 0-0 draw

between the sides at the weekend, and feels the powerful defender was their biggest threat.

Feb 6, 2012

Siena shot stopper Gianluca Pegolo has voiced his belief that defender Giorgio Chiellini was Juventus' biggest attacking threat in Sunday's scoreless Serie A draw.

The Bianconeri fielded attackers such as Mirko Vucinic, Alessandro Matri, Fabio Quagliarella, Emanuele Giaccherini and Marco Borriello in last weekend's encounter, but the goalkeeper was clearly not impressed with Antonio Conte's attacking options.

"Juventus' most dangerous attacker? Giorgio Chiellini, no doubt about it," Pegolo was quoted as saying by La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

"He came really close to beating me on a number of occasions.

"We did a good job though and we are very satisfied with the draw," the 30-year-old concluded.

Despite the home draw against Siena, Juventus remain top of the table as fellow title candidates AC Milan, Udinese and Lazio all spilled points as well.

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

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Scudetto now a two-horse race between Juventus & AC Milan,

but Roma could soon be challengers with a stronger defence

While the top two continue to give each other a break, the country's most attacking

outfit could be just a couple of signings away from becoming a real force.

Feb 6, 2012

The 2011-12 Scudetto is fast becoming the title nobody wants to win. While AC Milan turned in a dour performance at home to Napoli, Juventus once more failed to take full advantage as they dropped another two points to lowly Siena. Inter’s thrashing at the hands of Roma ensured that the leading two are out on their own in the race for this year’s top spot, but it also proved that they could have a real fight on their hands come next season.

Not even accounting for Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s red card, it was a bad afternoon for the champions. Against one of the more uncompromising defences in Italy, they looked lifeless for far too much of the game as Walter Mazzarri’s side held out with something to spare.

Ibrahimovic’s petulant slap at Salvatore Aronica could well see him earn a three-match ban, but whereas one of their best performances of last season arrived in the 3-0 derby win over Inter while the Swede was suspended, this time around you have to fear for the Rossoneri without their talisman.

Much has been said – both on these pages and elsewhere – about their over-reliance on Ibra this term, but yesterday only magnified that further. Robinho’s star continues to fall, with yet another ineffective display being turned in against the Azzurri, and it has now reached the point where Massimiliano Allegri has been left scratching his head.

Maxi Lopez will likely come in as Ibra’s replacement, but his goal return of recent times will have to be improved over the next three games and beyond if the current signs are anything to go by. For while Robinho is struggling, they are also missing Kevin-Prince Boateng, Antonio Cassano and Alexandre Pato, leaving them short of options up top.

It could prove particularly costly against Juve at the end of February, though the Bianconeri themselves showed a lack of cutting edge yesterday against Siena.

Juve had all of the possession from start to finish, with the game almost entirely played out in the Siena half, yet they didn't create a single decent chance all game. Only in injury time did they really manage to open up the Robur, and on that occasion Emanuele Giaccherini curled over.

Siena were comfortable throughout, and although they should have conceded a penalty for a blatant handball by Simone Vergassola right in front of the referee, they missed a sitter themselves when Alessandro Gazzi fired over with the goal at his mercy.

For once, there appeared a chink in Antonio Conte’s armour, with his introduction of Marco Borriello in the second half coming at a time when Juve needed a game-changer of Alessandro Del Piero’s ilk to unlock a stubborn, organised Siena defence which stood firm deep into their own half. The result was a further tepidness about the Bianconeri’s attacking game as Del Piero was forced to sit and watch from the bench while Borriello turned in another awful performance.

Again, it was a missed opportunity. Yes, they remain unbeaten after 21 games of the season, but Juventus are still very much in danger of repeating Perugia’s feat of 1978-79 in going an entire campaign without a defeat yet still missing out on the title. At this stage, Milan’s poor form is keeping them top more than their own performances are.

Another team that have been struggling to put a string of wins together is Roma, but some of their displays this term have shown signs of a dominant attacking force in the making. And Sunday afternoon gave us the greatest example yet of their potential as they dismantled Inter from start to finish at the Olimpico.

Even before they opened the scoring through Juan’s header, their supremacy was there for all to see. Fernando Gago’s delightful chipped pass found Fabio Borini racing in behind a square Nerazzurri backline in what was to become a common theme. Inter failed to learn their lesson, and were punished brutally by Serie A’s most attractive outfit.

Maicon turned in perhaps his worst performance in an Inter shirt as first he failed to get anywhere near the jump of countryman Juan, then he twice found himself completely out of position as Borini broke through for goals either side of the break. The Brazilian wasn’t alone though, with Walter Samuel substituted at the interval after being turned inside and out as Roma’s star of the show made it 2-0 before the half-time whistle. Lucio will also have fingers pointed at him for his role in the two second-half goals.

But more than anything, Inter were left chasing shadows. Roma’s superior passing ability and speed of movement left Claudio Ranieri’s men with far too much work to do simply to get hold of the ball. Even after bringing on Andrea Poli as an extra midfielder at the break, they simply couldn’t get close to Daniele De Rossi and Miralem Pjanic.

The returning De Rossi was a masterful example of how a midfielder can dictate a game; harrying and harassing off the ball, nerveless and powerful on it. Alongside him, Pjanic made football look easy, completing 96 per cent of passes over the 90 minutes. They were the features of a superb team display, one which proved that Roma can take apart the best when they get the Luis Enrique philosophy right.

They have shown similar signs in other games this term, but have been undone by their own defending. But yesterday proved that with a few tweaks at the back they can be as beautiful and as dangerous as almost any team in Europe. Their ability to hold on to the ball for long spells is reminiscent of Barcelona, and their latest performance bore all the hallmarks of a side who can be just as successful domestically in years to come.

And Borini was the man who took advantage of the midfield supremacy, turning in his second magnificent performance against Inter this term. Whereas last time he deserved more than he got in the 0-0 draw at San Siro, here he produced a well-earned brace before substitute Bojan Krkic wrapped up the 4-0 win.

In a country where few star talents have risen to the top in recent times, the former Swansea City and Chelsea man has turned in many top-class performances this term based on endeavour, vision and a cleverness which could well see him go on to become one of Italy’s greatest attacking hopes of the next few years.

But while Roma are the team of the future, the present sees a head-to-head between the two most successful clubs in the Italian game as they are left to fight it out for the title. And rather than two prize fighters slugging it out, they are only lightly tapping at each other’s chins so far. The big moments in this scrap are still to come.

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

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Capello on Scudetto

Feb 6, 2012

Fabio Capello gives his views on the Scudetto race.

“Juventus and Milan remain the favourites for the title,” he told RAI 1 television.

“Juve do not just have grit, but also remarkable team spirit. Milan possess greater class, but without Zlatan Ibrahimovic they could really lose something. This is why I say Juventus are the favourites.”

Capello had been heavily linked with both the Roma bench and Inter over the summer.

“Roma deserve faith, as there are always risks when there is a new project, but with hard work and good fortune you can go far. The Giallorossi still have defensive problems, though.

“I don’t know anything about reported links with Roma, even though I have an excellent rapport with Franco Baldini.

“As for Inter, we did have talks, but nothing came of it and that’s long gone now.”

Capello was at the helm of Juventus during the Calciopoli years, so the two Scudetti he won at the club were wiped off his CV.

“I continue to maintain Luciano Moggi is absolutely the best director in Italy along with Antonio Giraudo,” he said, referring to the two figures at the centre of that scandal.

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

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392

Pegolo feared Chiellini threat

Feb 6, 2012

Siena goalkeeper Gianluca Pegolo has highlighted Juventus’ problems in attack by labelling defender Giorgio Chiellini as their biggest scoring threat.

Siena frustrated the League leaders at the Juventus Stadium on Sunday afternoon as they collected a 0-0 draw.

“Chiellini was Juventus’ most dangerous attacker,” the custodian told the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport on Monday.

“There were a couple of occasions when I did risk conceding a goal against him…”

The Old Lady are being criticised for their difficulties in defeating smaller clubs who decide to sit back and defend.

“We did some great work out there by playing really well,” continued the custodian. “This one point really satisfies us.”

Although top and unbeaten, Juventus have been held four times at home this term by Bologna, Genoa, Cagliari and now Siena.

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

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392

Juve admit to minnows problem

Feb 6, 2012

Juventus director general Beppe Marotta has admitted that his team do struggle to breakdown teams who primarily opt to defend.

The Old Lady were held to their fourth home draw of the season against Siena on Sunday. That 0-0 followed ties with Bologna, Genoa and Cagliari.

“We’ve drawn with four mid-table sides, teams who are not amongst the top outfits,” Marotta told Radio Rai on Monday.

“This demonstrates that we do have problems in getting through these defences. However, I do think that Serie A is the most balanced championship in Europe.”

While Milan have a player like Zlatan Ibrahimovic to resolve games, it is said that the Turin giants lack a star-man who can win a match on his own.

“The statistics speak for themselves as we adopted a policy of rejuvenation at this club,” the official added.

“Within a year and a half we changed 19 players from 24, so there are only five players from the old management.

“It is clear that the players of great value​​, the talents of the game, are rare and involve significant financial investment.

“Our first job was to work on quantity, then quality this year and we will see what we do next time…”

Returning to the 0-0 with Siena, Marotta was yesterday very critical of the decision not to award a penalty to Juventus for a Simone Vergassola handling offence.

“I just wanted to highlight the fact that there needs to be more attention when deciding which referees are given which games,” he added.

“I’ve always said that the big teams need to have the best and most experienced referees. Certain games need experienced officials and a referee who knows how to handle difficult situations.

“Look at players. If you have talent then you can play for a big club when you are 16, but players who are not that good are sent out to smaller clubs to gain experience. It should be the same for referees.”

Marotta was also questioned about Ibrahimovic’s red card in the 0-0 draw with Napoli – as a possible three-game ban would see him ruled out of this month’s Milan-Juve tie.

“The game against Milan is important and boss Antonio Conte will prepare for it in the manner he always does, no matter whether Ibra plays or not.

“The disciplinary body will decide how long Ibrahimovic is banned for. Experience tells us that it will be two or three games for this type of incident.

“But I don’t want to get involved in this situation.”

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

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392

Matri rues Juve start

Feb 6, 2012

Alessandro Matri has regrets about Juventus’ performance in the first 45 minutes of their game against Siena.

The League leaders were frustrated by the Tuscan minnows in Turin on Sunday as they collected a 0-0 draw.

“We were pretty subdued in the first half,” the former Cagliari centre-forward noted on Monday afternoon.

“We tried to change gear in the second period, but not enough in order to take the lead in the game as a result.”

Yesterday’s match was the first time in Serie A that the Bianconeri had failed to score at their new Juventus Stadium home.

They have now grabbed 21 goals in 11 games in Turin, collecting seven victories and four draws.

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

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392

Mezzaroma: Not a Juve penalty

Feb 6, 2012

Siena President Massimo Mezzaroma believes Juventus’ claims for a penalty on Sunday are incorrect, suggesting Beppe Marotta’s protests are misplaced.

The Turin Bianconeri were left frustrated by both Siena’s defence and the match officiating in Week 22, being held to a 0-0 result with their appeals for a penalty turned down.

This was the result of midfielder Simone Vergassola appearing to handle a cross coming into the penalty area.

Where Beppe Marotta, Antonio Conte and even Siena Coach Giuseppe Sannino have all analysed the decision as incorrect, the Robur’s President sees otherwise.

“Last year at Coverciano, the referees showed us when they give a penalty for hand ball,” explained Mezzaroma to Radio Crc

“Here, I think is an incident that could be taken as an example of a penalty correctly not given.

“The point gained is important - we have kept the same points gap over those pursuing us in the table and we did so by playing football, not be setting up the barricades.

“I believe that Marotta’s statements are an outcome from the result yesterday, where Juve came up against a well-organised team.

“It is not about merits, but all teams must be protected in the same way, otherwise you create a debate of preferential treatment that is not acceptable.

“Being subjected to equal treatment is the right that should be guaranteed to all in Serie A. Teams like Siena and Napoli can be no less protected than Juventus.

“I think that Marotta’s statements are because of the disappointing result.”

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

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AC Milan to appeal Ibrahimovic's three-match ban

The Swedish ace has been ruled out of the club's next three Serie A matches, including

the clash against Juventus, after it was ruled that his gesture represented violent conduct.

Feb 6, 2012

AC Milan have confirmed that they intend to appeal against Zlatan Ibrahimovic's three match-ban for violent conduct in Sunday's goalless draw against Napoli.

The Sweden international saw red midway through the second half of the game at San Siro for slapping Salvatore Aronica in the face.

Lega Calcio's disciplinary panel convened on Monday to rule on the incident and sports judge Gianpaolo Tosel dished out a three-game ban to the forward.

However, the Rossoneri confirmed later in the day that they will contest the suspension, which threatens to deprive the Italian champions of their talismanic striker for their upcoming clashes with Udinese and Juventus.

"AC Milan confirms that it will appeal the decision of the Sports Judge who has banned Zlatan Ibrahimovic for three rounds of competition," a statement on the club's official website read.

After the game, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri admitted that Ibrahimovic deserved to be sent off, although club CEO Adriano Galliani stressed there had been no violence involved in the gesture.

Ibrahimovic's absence for three games would represent a massive blow to the Rossoneri as the 30-year-old forward is the club's top Serie A scorer with 15 goals this term.

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

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Coppa Italia - Semi-final (First Leg) - 8-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan

Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni

Galliani: “Milan aren’t favourites”

Feb 7, 2012

Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has shot down Antonio Conte’s claims that the Rossoneri are favourites for the Scudetto.

The Juventus boss recently suggested that the Diavolo were in pole position for the title despite the fact that his Old Lady side lead the standings.

“Conte is being crafty when he says certain things,” Galliani told the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “He’s saying as much to keep the attention off his side.

“I don’t see why we would be favourites. With all these injuries that we have at the minute we can’t be any more…”

After placing the Bianconeri in pole position for the title, the San Siro official seemed to rule out an Inter recovery in the championship.

“Sport is made up of cycles,” he noted. “Perhaps they’ll return to winning ways in a few years from now.”

Juve lead Milan by a point in the standings, but the leaders also have a game in hand. Inter are fifth, nine points behind the Bianconeri.

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Coppa Italia - Semi-final (First Leg) - 8-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan

Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni

If Zlatan Ibrahimovic is suspended for Juventus Scudetto showdown,

then bet against AC Milan retaining the title

The Swede has been handed a three-match ban which will keep him out of the top-of-the-table

clash, and if the decision is upheld it spells trouble for the Rossoneri.

Feb 7, 2012

We’ve been here before. It was last March when Zlatan Ibrahimovic lashed out at Bari’s Marco Rossi in back play during a disappointing draw at San Siro. His red card and subsequent suspension appeared to have jeopardised AC Milan’s title charge, with a derby clash with Inter one of the fixtures he was due to miss. But whereas last time around the Rossoneri pulled through without their talisman, there is a very different feel about what the Swede’s current ban could do to their hopes of retaining the Scudetto.

His latest red card, for a slap on Napoli’s Salvatore Aronica on Sunday, has resulted in a three-match ban which will see him miss trips to Udinese and Cesena, plus – crucially – the San Siro clash with Juventus at the end of the month. He and Milan could yet decide to appeal against the suspension, with the FIGC’s justice committee potentially holding one of the keys to the title in their hands in making a decision.

There are two very important differences between the current case and the episode with Rossi last spring. The showpiece game of Ibra’s ban in 2011 was the second of his original three-match punishment, with his appeal then resulting in a one-game deduction which saw him return for the trip to Fiorentina but still miss out on the Derby della Madonnina. Now, there will be great spotlight on the next step in the disciplinary process given that game three could be a title decider.

And that is especially so after Milan turned in another clueless performance at the weekend. With Robinho putting on an anonymous display yet again, the doubts over the champions’ threat on the ball increased. Their midfield has become increasingly one-dimensional as the season has progressed and, Ibra aside, their attack has struggled for both goals and ingenuity.

The next three games will make or break the Rossoneri’s title hopes. If they can at least maintain the current gap behind Juve in the table, then they should still be regarded as the favourites to pull off a title success. If they drop further behind, they could well be a goner.

Their forward reserves are hugely stretched as it is, so without their one true force they are likely to struggle big time. These same three fixtures last year saw Milan pick up a solitary point, and that came at Udinese on the final day when the title had already been won and the home side needed a draw to clinch a Champions League play-off spot. Even six points may not be a positive return one year on.

Milan will now look to Maxi Lopez to make a huge impression just a couple of weeks after his eventual arrival from Catania. They had the Argentine striker sat waiting around in a Milan hotel while they attempted to make strides in their move for his countryman Carlos Tevez before finally getting Lopez to sign on the dotted line when the Tevez move became doomed.

Yet their second-choice signing must now prove he can lead a Serie A title challenge. It is a big ask of anyone at any time, but it is especially so given the current absences of Alexandre Pato, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Antonio Cassano, along with the poor form of Robinho and Filippo Inzaghi’s continued battle with Father Time.

The struggles are reflected in the numbers, with the Rossoneri infinitely more reliant upon Ibrahimovic for goals and results this season. Their win percentage is up when he plays, down when he doesn't. Last term, they had what it took to get over his absences. Do they now? You wouldn’t bet on it.

On Wednesday night at San Siro, Ibrahimovic will lead Milan’s attack against Juventus as they look to blaze a trail to Rome for the Coppa Italia final. But by the time he comes up against Italian opposition once more, the Rossoneri’s title hopes could be over. The next few games will provide their make or break moment.