Juventus Season 2011-2012

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Serie A Week 24 - 18-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Christian Brighi

Montella: No Juve plot

Feb 17, 2012

Catania boss Vincenzo Montella has rejected the theory that there is a conspiracy to stop Juventus from winning.

The Old Lady have been very vocal in their protests at not being awarded three penalties in their last two games – against Siena and Parma – which both ended 0-0.

“I’ve instructed myself to not speak negatively about referees,” Montella, ahead of tomorrow night’s meeting in Turin, commented.

“The referees are doing a good job and I don’t think there is a design to damage Juventus’ progress,” he added.

“There needs to be a change in culture, this needs to be the first step. Errors are part of the game and they always have been.”

Catania drew 1-1 with Juve earlier in the season, but Montella is cautious about his side’s chances of coming away from the Juventus Stadium unbeaten.

“Our side is different compared to the first game against Juventus this term,” continued the former Roma striker.

“Juventus are having a spectacular campaign and they all deserve praise. It will be a hard game for us. I see a Juventus side with more character and determination.

“We’re ready to play our game without losing sight of our objectives. It’s nice to feel such faith in us, but the fundamental matches for us will be against Siena and Novara.

“We have to play as aggressively as we did against Roma. We’ll play with attention, but without putting up barricades.”

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Serie A Week 24 - 18-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Christian Brighi

Juventus to claim another win but Catania to keep it tight

After an important 2-1 victory over fellow title contenders Milan, Juventus should record

a routine win over Catania but William Duncan is backing a low scoring game.

Feb 17, 2012

Title chasing Juventus can keep their quest to win Serie A on track this weekend by recording a comfortable home victory over mid-table Catania on Saturday evening.

Juventus have yet to taste defeat in either league or cup competition this season and the home side, priced at 2/7 (1.29) with Sportingbet, are unlikely to experience the feeling this weekend against 8/1 (9.00) outsiders Catania, with Sportingbet offering 15/4 (4.75) on the points being shared.

Juventus’ most recent outing saw the Turin giants draw 0-0 with Parma midweek, and Antonio Conte's men will be looking to return to winning ways this weekend.

However, goals have not always been easy for Juventus to come by this season. It is somewhat surprising to note that, despite their lofty league position, the Old Lady have scored just 33 goals in 21 league matches this term. That equates to the only the equal seventh best scoring record in Serie A this term.

It comes as no surprise, then, to find top scorer Alessandro Mattri, with nine goals in 21 appearances at the top of Sportingbet’s first goalscorer market at 5/2 (3.50) with evergreen striker Alessandro Del Piero, now aged 37, second favourite with Sportingbet at 7/2 (4.50).

Catania’s best hopes of breaching Juventus’ defence lie with striker Gonzalo Bergessio, who has bagged five goals this term, including one against Juventus last time these sides met, and the striker is 9/1 (10.00) to open the scoring here.

It is difficult to make a case against the Old Lady in this match and it should be a routine victory. However, given the frustrations that Juventus have, at times, suffered in front of goal, Sportingbet’s even money for fewer than 2.5 goals to be scored could be a way to find some value here and the 9/2 (5.50) with the same firm for Juventus to secure a 2-0 victory looks excellent value here.

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Serie A Week 24 - 18-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Christian Brighi

Catania coach Vincenzo Montella: Juventus have

defied all expectations this season

After back-to-back seventh-placed finishes in Serie A, the Bianconeri are currently

just one point behind league leaders AC Milan with a game in hand.

Feb 17, 2012

Catania boss Vincenzo Montella believes that Juventus have surpassed all expectations with their impressive form so far this season.

The Bianconeri are currently just one point behind leaders AC Milan with a game in hand and also have one foot in the final of the Coppa Italia after a 2-1 victory in the first leg of their last four clash with the Rossoneri at San Siro on February 8.

Speaking ahead of his side’s trip to Turin, Montella admits that the Sicilians are facing a far more confident Juve than the one they held to a 1-1 draw at the Angelo Massimino back in September.

“We’ll need to show great determination,” he is quoted as saying by the Bianconeri's official website. “It will be a different game from the first meeting this season.

“We’re full of desire to do well. Juventus are having an excellent season and are perhaps performing beyond the best predictions.”

Given that 14th-placed Catania face a midweek trip to struggling Siena before hosting basement boys Novara on February 26, Montella admits that he has an interesting selection dilemma for Saturday's game at Juventus Stadium – even though he is reluctant to tinker with the side which routed Genoa 4-0 last time out.

“We’ve got three games in seven days,” he stated. “Two of these will be fundamental for us. I don’t know if I’ll go for the same eleven who played last Sunday.

“Kosicky deserves to keep his place, but my decisions are never final. Izco? He’ll feature because he’s in very good condition."

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Serie A Week 24 - 18-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Christian Brighi

Del Piero doubt for Catania

Feb 17, 2012

Simone Pepe returns to Juventus for tomorrow’s match with Catania, but Alessandro Del Piero is in doubt after suffering from flu symptoms.

The Bianconeri take on the Elefantini at 19.45 UK time on Saturday evening.

Arturo Vidal sits out a ban, while Del Piero is “in doubt” with flu symptoms and “will be assessed tomorrow morning before he joins up with the group.”

Pepe is back for the first time since spraining his ankle against Atalanta on January 21.

It should be noted that Milos Krasic, who has been heavily linked with a move to Russia, is not even in the 20-man squad.

Juventus squad: 1 Buffon, 3 Chiellini, 4 Caceres, 7 Pepe, 8 Marchisio, 11 De Ceglie, 13 Manninger, 14 Vucinic, 15 Barzagli, 17 Elia, 18 Quagliarella, 19 Bonucci, 20 Padoin, 21 Pirlo, 23 Borriello, 24 Giaccherini, 26 Lichtsteiner, 28 Estigarribia, 30 Storari, 32 Matri

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Penalising Juventus

Why are Juventus getting so worked up about a couple

of penalty claims against Parma? Rob Paton investigates.

Feb 17, 2012

“I think at this stage referees are afraid of giving a penalty to Juventus. We’ve only received one spot-kick this season,” reflected Antonio Conte after watching both Emanuele Giaccherini and Andrea Pirlo have claims against Parma turned down on Wednesday. “I am not just talking about those incidents, but it is a general view of the whole campaign that people are afraid of giving a penalty in favour of Juventus.”

Conte’s irritation in Parma was very similar to director general Beppe Marotta’s contempt after the club’s previous League outing. Where in at the Tardini Jonathan Biabiany had seemingly felled Giaccherini and Fabio Santacroce pulled back Pirlo, Siena’s Simone Vergassola had equally handled a cross in the penalty box in Turin. All were debatable decisions, particularly the one that fell in Siena’s favour, and in light of Juve’s misfortune, a rhetoric has begun.

Most significantly, such debate is being fuelled by those at the club, from Marotta’s ill-judged claims that the club need stronger referees to Conte’s tirade at the media this midweek, which has been supported by Andrea Pirlo, Pavel Nedved and even a club statement. Importantly, such words are taking column space and headlines away from the otherwise significant issues that the team are developing in these first weeks of the second half of the season.

Indeed, even as the Old Lady’s unbeaten run stretches on, comparisons with previous unbeaten sides Perugia 1979 and Milan 1992 are moving away from the latter and towards the former. In fact, as 1978-79 and 1991-92 boasted these unbeaten sides respectively, it was the Rossoneri who picked up the title in both seasons. In 1979, undefeated Perugia only finished second, because they drew almost two-thirds of their games.

Which, in light of Juve’s latest stalemate in 2011-12, is the example most cited as likely to be repeated. The midweek trip to Parma saw Conte’s side held to a second consecutive 0-0 in the League and a joint-League-high 10^th draw from 22 played. Whilst dominating possession and generally looking comfortable in defence against Roberto Donadoni’s men, it was a quiet evening for the team’s attacking personnel, who between them struggled to create many clear-cut opportunities. Following on from the blank in Week 22 at home to Siena, in which the side recorded 70 per cent possession of the ball, concern surrounds the freshness of the Bianconeri forward-line.

Seventeen attempts at Parma’s goal and 20 against the Robur perhaps skew the graph slightly towards the argument of misfortune – an argument that would also back up the penalty discontent. However, nine of the 12 shots attempted inside Siena’s penalty area were either blocked by defenders or off-target, whilst similarly nine of the 13 inside the Gialloblu area failed to trouble the ‘keeper.

Where Conte is perhaps accurate to claim that Juve are playing as much as three-quarters of each game in and around the opponents’ penalty area, it is statistically true that three-quarters of their goal attempts in and around the penalty area are not finding their way to goal at all. It has also been a similar ratio throughout the season, with comparable rates recorded against Cagliari in Week 18, as well as in early-season draws against Bologna, Catania and Genoa. The 0-0 in Chievo in fact saw 100 per cent of shots in the area fail to test the ‘keeper.

The quandary is, where does the problem lie? In analysing the side’s three draws of 2012, it is interesting to note that only two players per game have created more than the one chance – one of those always being Pirlo. It is not to argue that Juve are dependant on Pirlo – there are six other players with more than one assist this season already – but the suggestion is there that in facing deep-laying banks of defence and midfield, the Bianconeri are statistically lacking the variety to their play.

As journalist Marcello Chirico wrote this week in reaction to the Parma struggle, “Juventus spent two hours trying to find a gap and not once did someone invent a play to unlock the game.”

Penalties would unlock such encounters and it is interesting to note that the two at the Tardini were the seventh and eighth contentious penalty calls to have gone against the Bianconeri this season. These are decisions that, it is argued, would have been the difference between the current 46-point total in the League and a more authoritative 54-point haul.

However, as a Coach to have described his preparation work with the players as meaning it is as close as he can get to having a remote control on the sidelines to conduct things, Conte may be outwardly blaming others for recent draws, but inwardly, he’ll most likely be changing the batteries.

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Serie A Week 24 - 18-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Christian Brighi

Serie A Preview: Bianconeri aiming to return

to the top of the table with win over Sicilians

Despite the hosts' unbeaten form in Serie A, recent draws have put their title credentials

into doubt, and now prepare to face the Elefanti, fresh from putting Genoa to the sword.

Feb 17, 2012

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

JUVENTUS

Buffon

Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini

Caceres, Giaccherini, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie

Matri, Quagliarella

CATANIA

Kosicky

Motta, Spolli, Legrottaglie, Marchese

Izco, Lodi, Almiron

Gomez, Bergessio, Barrientos

Juventus look likely to stick with the 3-5-2 system deployed against Parma midweek, but not without four changes in personnel. Arturo Vidal's absence is enforced due to suspension, so Emanuele Giaccherini is expected to take up a central midfield role in his absence, while Martin Caceres, Paolo De Ceglie and Fabio Quagliarella are to replace fellow trio Stephan Lichtsteiner, Marcelo Estigarribia and Mirko Vucinic.

Meanwhile for visitors Catania, coach Vincenzo Montella is set to name an unchanged XI from last weekend's 4-0 mauling of Genoa. However, Andrea Campagnolo and David Suazo remain out of contention for a little longer yet, while Ciro Capuano requites a late fitness test, and Alessandro Potenza has been ruled out for the season.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Catania have lost only two of their nine clashes against Juventus since their return to Serie A in 2006.

• However, the Sicilians have managed to beat Juve only once during this time.

• Nevertheless, Catania are unbeaten in their last three away trips to Turin.

• Juventus have recorded goalless draws in their last two games against Siena and Parma, despite amassing a total of 24 shots on goal.

• However, the Bianconeri remain the only side still unbeaten amongst the 'top five' European leagues.

• No other Italian team has drawn more games than Juve so far this season.

Head to Head

Serie A ‎- Sep 25, 2011 - Catania 1 - Juventus 1

Serie A ‎- Apr 23, 2011 - Juventus 2 - Catania 2

Coppa Italia - Jan 13, 2011 - Juventus 2 - Catania 0

Serie A ‎- Dec 5, 2010 - Catania 1 - Juventus 3

Serie A ‎- May 2, 2010 - Catania 1 - Juventus 1

Last Five Matches

Juventus

Feb 15, 2012 - Parma 0 - Juventus 0 - Serie A

Feb 8, 2012 - AC Milan 1 - Juventus 2 - Coppa Italia

Feb 5, 2012 - Juventus 0 - Siena 0 - Serie A

Jan 28, 2012 - Juventus 2 - Udinese 1 - Serie A

Jan 24, 2012 - Juventus 3 - Roma 0 - Coppa Italia

Catania

Feb 12, 2012 - Catania 4 - Genoa 0 - Serie A

Feb 8, 2012 - Catania 1 - Roma 1 - Serie A

Jan 28, 2012 - Catania 1 - Parma 1 - Serie A

Jan 22, 2012 - Udinese 2 - Catania 1 - Serie A

Jan 8, 2012 - Bologna 2 - Catania 0 - Serie A

Players to Watch

Emanuele Giaccherini

Arguably Juve's most impressive performer in recent weeks, the lively forward has gained admirers with his versatility, which enables him to play anywhere in midfield, while his never-say-die attitude has been met with enthusiasm by Bianconeri supporters. However, he has shown a great improvement in his technical skillset, which has seen him on the scoring trail, and he will be sure to provide a threat in the middle of the park.

Pablo César Barrientos

A pair of well-taken goals against Genoa last week has seen the Argentine's stock rise sharply over the past week, after previously experiencing a difficult spell in Sicily due to injury. However, now showing signs of his best form and presented with the chance to prove his performance was no flash in the pan against the Grifoni, all eyes will be on the tricky attacking midfielder come Saturday.

Prediction

Bore draws against Parma and Siena of late should signal a possible upset on the cards in the favour of Catania, but this writer cannot envisage yet more dropped points from the hosts, who desperately need the win in order to re-establish themselves as table-toppers. However, the potency of both sides' attacks is sure to play the deciding factor.

Editor's Prediction

Juventus 2 - 1 Catania

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Serie A Week 24 - 18-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Christian Brighi

MATCH PREVIEW

Feb 17, 2012

The legendary Gaetano Scirea was on the scoresheet twice the last time Juventus beat Catania at home in Serie A. Two first half goals in the space of five minutes helped secure the points on that March afternoon in 1984, but the Old Lady have collected just three points in four Turin ties since.

It’s a remarkable achievement for the Sicilian club, especially when you consider that they were 2-0 down to Juve after 38 minutes in the corresponding fixture last term. That was until a 95th minute equaliser from Francesco Lodi.

The latter will again be the creative midfield inspiration behind a Catania side who demolished Genoa 4-0 last weekend. That victory followed their impressive 30-minute display in the previously abandoned draw with in-form Roma.

Catania, though, have had their struggles this term. They’ve looked good at times, but they lack the consistency that boss Vincenzo Montella is asking for. The fact that they have only won two of their last nine games illustrates that. They also seem to lack personality away from home given that they have just one away win all season. Catania though, nine points above the drop zone, are on course to survive.

Juve, obviously, have grander plans. In many ways they are the revelation side of the championship so far, having mounted a serious Scudetto charge that few expected after two seventh placed finishes led to another summer revolution.

New boss Antonio Conte has reminded the players at the club what it means to wear the Bianconeri shirt. Competing is not enough for La Signora, winning is an obligation in Turin. Catania, however, have already proved strong enough to hold Juve to a 1-1 draw in Week 5 even if this present side is a little different to that one.

Tactically more flexible, Conte is now alternating a 4-3-3 system with a 3-5-2 that seems to be delivering the same kind of results. However, it is worth noting that they have been held to draws in two of their last three home games – against minnows Cagliari and Siena. They are also coming off the back of a second 0-0 draw at Parma.

Conte again used the post-match interviews on Wednesday to vent his frustration at what he believed were the non-award of two penalties in Juve’s favour. Nevertheless, what has been made clear over the last 180 minutes is that the Old Lady do look a little dry in front of goal. That could see some changes in attack with Alessandro Matri and/or Mirko Vucinic being dropped. Simone Pepe remains a doubt, while Arturo Vidal is suspended.

Historically speaking, Juve do have the edge in this tie but Catania’s record is more than respectable. Juve have seven wins, there have been four draws and two away wins. Statistically this term, teams who have stopped Catania from scoring on their travels have won the game – 0-3 v Genoa, 0-4 v Milan and 0-2 v Bologna.

Keep an eye on: Marco Motta (Catania) – A January signing from Juventus, the right-back will be keen to make a point to Conte. The tactician didn’t use the 25-year-old, capped once by Italy, at all during the first half of the season. Motta made his debut in the 4-0 win over Genoa last week and did well, backing up claims by Catania director Pietro Lo Monaco, who believes he could break back into the Azzurri fold.

Last time in Serie A: Juventus 2-2 Catania

Form guide: Juventus (D W D W W) Catania (W D D L L)

Stat fact: Juventus have only kept four clean sheets in 13 Serie A home games against Catania – two in the 1960s, one in the 70s and the last in the 80s.

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Padoin, Pirlo, Marchisio, Giaccherini; Matri, Quagliarella

Catania: Kosicky; Motta, Spolli, Legrottaglie, Marchese; Izco, Lodi, Almiron; Gomez, Bergessio, Barrientos

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Serie A Week 24 - 18-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Christian Brighi

Match preview

Feb 17, 2012

Juventus coach Antonio Conte heads into tomorrow's Serie A match against Catania lamenting decisions which went against his team in Wednesday's goalless draw at Parma.

Referee Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni twice waved away penalty appeals from the visitors as the Bianconeri had to settle for a point which left them a point behind leaders AC Milan - and left Conte far from satisfied.

"Perhaps there is a fear to give Juventus a penalty,'' he said. "We want equal treatment.

"Referees should have the courage to give penalties even in the late stages of the game.

"It is obviously annoying because it was a game that we dominated and we should have won. Instead, we lost two points.

"We now must look forward, hoping the wind will change in our favour.''

The result marked Juve's second straight draw and the meant they failed to overtake Milan at the summit, but Conte's side are unbeaten this season and have a game in hand.

Juve will have to show an improvement in front of goal, having not managed to score in their last two league games.

Catania, meanwhile, go into the clash inspired by Sunday's 4-0 triumph over Genoa - their first win in 2012.

The result lifted Vincenzo Montella's side to 12th place, and they have two games in hand.

"It was important for us to get this victory,'' defender Marco Motta said. "Now we must show the same determination we displayed against Genoa when we face Juventus.

"Juventus deserve to be in the position they are in. It certainly won't be easy to take them on but we will give our best.''

The hosts will be without suspended midfielder Arturo Vidal.

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Serie A Week 24 - 18-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Christian Brighi

Juventus vs Catania Match Preview

Feb 17, 2012

Italian giants Juventus will be hoping to return to their winning ways when they entertain a spirited Catania at the Juventus Arena on Saturday.

Team News

Juventus boss Antonio Conte will make four changes from the side which fought out a goalless draw with Parma on Wednesday. Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal will serve a one-game ban against Catania, and is expected to be replaced by Emanuele Giaccherini. While Conte will replace Stephan Lichtsteiner, Marcelo Estigarribia and Mirko Vucinic with Martin Caceres, Paolo De Ceglie and Fabio Quagliarella, respectively.

Meanwhile, Catania coach Vincenzo Montella is expected to field an identical side as to the one which thumped Genoa 4-0 at the Stadio Angelo Massimino last Sunday. Despite facing a side of the caliber of Juventus, Montella will maintain his three-man attack consisting of the Argentine trio of Gonzalo Bergessio, Alejandro Gomez and Pablo Barrientos.

Form

Unbeaten in an impressive 23-game span in the Serie A this season, Juventus missed out on a glorious opportunity to overtake Milan at the summit, when they were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Parma on Wednesday. It was the second consecutive league game in which they could only afford a tie with no goals, clearly identifying the fact that they lack sufficient firepower in their attack.

In the middle of the two games, Juve beat Milan 2-1 in the Coppa Italia, and whilst their attackers were off form, their two goals came from an unlikely source in Uruguayan defender Caceres.

Catania, on the other hand, hit four past Genoa last weekend, but were held to 1-1 draws in their previous two league encounters against Roma and Parma.

Head-to-head

The Sicilians have only sufffered two defeats in nine meetings with Juventus since returning to the Italian top-flight in 2006. In the last clash between the two sides in September, the outcome was a 1-1 draw, with Bergessio putting Catania ahead, before Milos Krasic drew Juve level. Incidentally, the last time Catania beat La Vecchia Signora was on a road trip back in 2009.

Prediction

Despite their recent struggles, Juventus are expected to prove too strong for a spirited, but yet a considerably vulnerable Catania. The Bianconeri have everything what it takes to obtain the three points, but unlike in their previous two games, need to put away their chances. Having said this, they still have to remain fully concentrated at the back, because the visitors contain a lethal three-man attack.

The Verdict:

Juventus 2-1 Catania

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Serie A Week 24 - 18-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Christian Brighi

Montella: No referee agenda against Juve

Feb 17, 2012

Catania manager Vincenzo Montella is adamant that referees do not favour teams playing against Juventus.

Juventus manager Antonio Conte claimed officials are too scared to give his side penalties after his side were denied two spot kicks against Parma in midweek.

But speaking ahead of his side's clash with the Turin giants, Montella does not believe Juve are being targeted.

"I think we can easily say that in general referees have been doing a great job this season," Montella told reporters.

"Obviously I don't think there's a plot against Juventus, otherwise they would have given the first penalty against Giovinco in their last match."

"That's my opinion, then, of course referees are making some mistakes, as they did in the past and will do in the future."

Montella is confident Catania have the mettle to match Juventus away on Saturday, but concedes they can only hand them a first league defeat of the season if Conte's side are below their best.

"The facts say Juventus are having an extraordinary season, beyond all expectation, and the manager and the club should be credited for this," Montella said.

"They're on the top of the table and they deserve that position, they will be looking to continue that season against Catania."

"We will be there to play, trying to do our best and trying to win the match. It can happen only if we play an extraordinary match and hope Juventus will play below their normal standard."

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Serie A Week 24 - 18-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Christian Brighi

Borriello and Quagliarella lead the line

for Juventus against Catania

The Old Lady have entrusted the pair of Italian forwards to spearhead their attack

for the visit of the Sicilians, as Antonio Conte rings the changes from the 0-0 draw at Parma.

Feb 18, 2012

Juventus have handed Marco Borriello and Fabio Quagliarella the responsibility of leading the line in attack for tonight's Serie A clash against Catania.

The duo had appeared as substitutes during the 0-0 draw with Parma earlier in midweek, but will replace Alessandro Matri and Mirko Vucinic up top, as coach Antonio Conte makes a total of five changes to his starting XI from Wednesday's stalemate.

The other personnel alterations see Stephan Lichtsteiner, the suspended Arturo Vidal, and Marcelo Estigarribia replaced by Emanuele Giaccherini, January recruit Simone Padoin and Paolo De Ceglie.

Meanwhile for the visitors Catania, they make just the one change from the 4-0 demolition of Genoa last Sunday, as defender Nicolas Spolli makes way for Giuseppe Bellusci.

The teams are as follows:

Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Giaccherini, Padoin, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie; Borriello, Quagliarella

Subs: Storari, Caceres, Lichtsteiner, Pepe, Vucinic, Matri, Del Piero

Catania (4-3-3): Kosicky, Motta, Legrottaglie, Bellusci, Marchese; Izco, Lodi, Almiron; Gomez, Bergessio; Barrientos

Subs: Carrizo, Spolli, Biagianti, Seymour, Ricchiuti, Ebagua, Catellani

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Serie A Week 24 - 18-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Christian Brighi

Line-ups: Juventus-Catania

Feb 18, 2012

Juventus welcome Catania this evening with Marco Borriello and Fabio Quagliarella in the starting XI.

The Bianconeri are in second place, albeit with a game in hand, and still unbeaten in all competition this season.

Recent form has been stuttering, held to two consecutive stalemates by Siena and Parma.

Arturo Vidal sits out a ban, joining the injured Luca Marrone, while Alessandro Del Piero is on the bench after recovering from flu symptoms.

Quagliarella and Borriello are given rare starts in attack with Paolo De Ceglie moved up to wide midfield in a 3-5-2 system.

Catania demolished Genoa 4-0 last weekend and have a generally strong away record this term.

Andrea Campagnolo, David Suazo, Alessandro Potenza and Ciro Capuano miss out on this match, but the Sicilians can count on former Juve men Marco Motta, Sergio Almiron and Nicola Legrottaglie.

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Giaccherini, Marchisio, Pirlo, Padoin, De Ceglie; Borriello, Quagliarella

Juventus bench: Storari, Caceres, Lichtsteiner, Pepe, Vucinic, Matri, Del Piero

Catania: Kosicky; Motta, Bellusci, Legrottaglie, Marchese; Izco, Lodi, Almiron; Gomez, Bergessio, Barrientos

Catania bench: Carrizo, Spolli, Biagianti, Seymour, Ricchiuti, Ebagua, Catellani

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Serie A Week 24 - 18-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 1

Pablo César Barrientos (4′)

Andrea Pirlo (22′)

Giorgio Chiellini (74′)

Fabio Quagliarella (81′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Christian Brighi

Attendance: 31000‎

Magnificent Pirlo leads Turin side

back to the top of Serie A

In a magnificent display of attacking football, Juve climbed back to the summit

of the table courtesy of a brilliant performance by the former AC Milan man.

Feb 18, 2012

Juventus eased to a 3-1 win at home to 10-man Catania to regain first place in the Serie A standings, despite having gone behind early on at Juventus Stadium.

Pablo Barrientos shocked the Bianconeri with an early strike, but shortly after Andrea Pirlo drew the game level with a fine free-kick from just outside the box. The former AC Milan man stepped up his game even further in the second period as he provided assists for Giorgio Chiellini and Fabio Quagliarella after the visitors had had Marco Motta sent off.

Catania made a brilliant start to the match as in the fourth minute Motta, on loan at the Sicilians from Juventus, picked out Barrientos outside the box, and the Argentine took a few steps before firing a precise shot into the lower left corner.

The Old Lady quickly recovered from the early setback, and began mounting increasingly dangerous attacks. The deserved equaliser came in the 22nd minute through Pirlo. The midfielder struck from a free-kick from outside the box, sending a beautiful effort in the lower right corner for his first goal for Juventus.

The Bianconeri continued to press as they aimed to take advantage of their momentum, and they nearly went in front on the half-hour mark when Quagliarella sent a shot crashing onto the bar.

Moments later, however, Catania responded through Francesco Lodi, the midfielder forcing a superb reflex save from Gianluigi Buffon, who managed to parry the ball against the woodwork to save his team from conceding a certain goal.

Little changed after the break as the Old Lady continued to press forward in search of the winner. Pirlo and Quagliarella went close on a couple of occasions, but it seemed increasingly likely that the game would end in a draw.

In the 65th minute Motta severely damaged Catania's chances of earning a point, as he was deservedly shown a second yellow card for a ghastly challenge on Juventus left-back Paolo De Ceglie. It looked like a matter of time before the Old Lady would take the lead, and indeed they did 10 minutes later.

Chiellini was in the right place at the right time to head in yet another brilliant free-kick from Pirlo, continuing an impressive show by the midfielder. Catania looked unable to contain the former Milan man, and he was not done for the night yet.

In the 81st minute, he slid a superb through ball in for Quagliarella, who raced ahead of the Sicilian defence and fired a low shot, which deflected off Tomas Kosicky before looping into the net to put the game well beyond any doubt.

Following tonight's result, Juventus are first in the standings with 49 points, two more than title rivals Milan, who they face in the next round of Serie A. Catania sit in 14th place with 27 points after 22 games.

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