Juventus Season 2011-2012

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Serie A Week 25 - 25-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

1 - 1

Antonio Nocerino (14')

Alessandro Matri (83')

Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Attendance: 53000‎

Ibrahimovic: Muntari's disallowed goal

is a tragedy for football

The Sweden international is shocked that the assistant referee did not see

the ball cross the line in the Serie A showdown at San Siro last weekend.

Feb 28, 2012

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic revealed his dismay over Sulley Muntari's disallowed goal in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Juventus.

Muntari's close-range header crossed the goal-line before it was scooped out by Gianluigi Buffon, but the assistant referee failed to spot the ball cross the line even though he seemed to be in a good position to judge the play.

"Muntari's goal, which the linesman did not see, is a tragedy for football," Ibrahimovic said during a press conference.

"I am more disappointed than angry. Everyone could see it was a goal. An offside, you can make a mistake, but a goal, no."

Ibrahimovic then commented on his slap to Napoli defender Salvatore Aronica, which saw him miss the match against Juventus as part of his three-game ban.

"The opponents will always do everything to stop me," Ibrahimovic said. "You have to learn from your mistakes and try not to repeat them.

"But I cannot say that something like this will not happen again in the future.

"There is always a lot of tension on the field."

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

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Serie A Week 26 - 3-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

De Ceglie: Chievo fundamental

Mar 1, 2012

Juventus full-back Paolo De Ceglie recognises the importance of beating Chievo this coming weekend. “Every game we face from here on in is fundamental.”

The Old Lady have the advantage in the title race after Week 25’s troublesome 1-1 draw away to Milan. With the superior head-to-head record over the Rossoneri, the Turin outfit may be a point behind but still carry a game in hand - next Wednesday’s rearranged fixture with Bologna.

Ahead of the weekend clash with Chievo, who held Juve to a 0-0 draw earlier in the season, De Ceglie has expressed the value he and his teammates are placing on each game.

“It’s certainly an important moment,” the 25-year-old told the club’s official website.

“Every game we face from here on in is fundamental. We’ll begin on Saturday against Chievo in a match we know will be difficult.

“We’ll need to tackle it with maximum commitment and the right desire.”

De Ceglie featured early in the season at left-back for the Bianconeri, but has more recently been playing in a left-wing-back role as Antonio Conte has switched around formations.

“Our way of playing is different this year. We put in a lot more aggression and focus more on possession.

“Playing in a back four or midfield five isn’t that different, the only thing that changes is the position you start off from.”

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Serie A Week 26 - 3-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Conte: Just like old times

Mar 2, 2012

Antonio Conte believes Juventus is beginning to feel as it did when he was a player. “I’m nostalgic for the old times and they seem to be returning.”

Juve drew 1-1 with Milan last weekend in a highly-charged and controversial affair. The fallout from that fixture, coupled with the Bianconeri’s advantage in the title race, has left Conte remembering previous times in Turin.

“To me, it has been a bit like going back to when I was a player and we were fighting for the League title and we were fighting every year for the Scudetto and things between the clubs were not so rosy,” Conte told the assembled media on Friday afternoon.

“I am nostalgic for the old times and they seem to be returning, but we must be clever and realise that football is the ultimate expression and that’s where you have to prove yourself as the strongest opponent.

“Why was there this situation in Milan last weekend? Because after so many years we are back to being a team that is once again competitive and then we had the honour and fortune to play in a game billed as determining the League title.

“The game at San Siro was fundamental, but there’s still a long way to go in the championship and we still need to develop.

“Milan have the advantage as they are more of a team. We are still learning because we started from scratch last summer. Every situation is a new discovery and we have to break each one down.”

Despite this, Conte is still keen to impress that the team have outperformed expectations.

“I reviewed the game, I’ve seen it in an objective light and am very happy - I expected a strong start from them. I think we were a bit frayed when there was the episode with the non-goal, where we lost focus.

“But, in considering the game, I have realised that we created the more dangerous opportunities. It is a game that should help us grow, help us become more aware of our means. We are not where we are by luck.

“It has been 24 games and we are still unbeaten and every now and then certain people forget about this.

“We’ve had some great results, great results, unimaginable at the beginning of the season and I never tire of repeating this.”

Across four of the midweek international games, the Old Lady saw 10 of its players used by their natioanl team, including six who were given a run-out for Italy in Genoa.

Bianconero Coach Conte admitted that there is a source of pride to the high number being called up, but also reflected that it has hit his preparations for the weekend visit of Chievo.

“I say this very sincerely…we’ve had today to prepare for the match with Chievo. Almost everyone who has returned is tired.

“Clearly, yesterday I had to give them a day of recovery. And then we have only one workout, one day to prepare for a game as important as the one against Chievo.

“That said, I am always delighted to see our players called up to the national team because it means that the work you are doing at your club is appreciated.”

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Serie A Week 26 - 3-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Juve without Pepe and Vidal

Mar 2, 2012

Antonio Conte has named his 22-man squad to face Chievo this weekend, with Simone Pepe and Arturo Vidal absent through suspension.

Vidal was sent off during the Turin team’s 1-1 draw at Milan last weekend, a game in which Pepe received a yellow that triggered a one-day suspension for him too.

All those involved for Italy in their midweek friendly against the USA are included for the weekend visit of Mimmo Di Carlo’s side. Antonio Conte is tipped to switch back to a 4-3-3 formation on Saturday.

Juventus squad to face Chievo: Buffon, Chiellini, Caceres ,Marchisio, Del Piero, De Ceglie, Manninger, Vucinic, Barzagli, Elia, Quagliarella, Bonucci, Padoin, Pirlo, Borriello, Giaccherini, Lichtsteiner, Krasic, Estigarribia, Storari, Matri, Marrone

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

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Serie A Week 26 - 3-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Trapattoni: Juventus have slight edge over AC Milan

The 72-year-old believes that the Bianconeri have an advantage over Allegri's men

in that they are not burdened by the added pressure of competing in Europe.

Mar 2, 2012

Giovanni Trapattoni believes that AC Milan have greater talent at their disposal than Juventus but the Republic of Ireland boss feels that the Rossoneri's involvement in the Champions League will hinder their hopes of retaining their Serie A crown.

Milan currently top the table by a single point but Juve have a game in hand. Former Bianconeri boss Trapattoni sees little to choose between the pair, so he feels that his old side's lighter schedule could prove decisive.

"There is no favourite but they are very different," the legendary Italian coach mused in an interview with La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

"Milan have more individual quality; they can resolve difficult moments with Ibrahimovic and Boateng.

"Juve are compact, balanced, settled; they run for and believe in Conte.

"But now is the time of questions as we are entering the crucial phase of the season.

"With Milan in the Champions League, Juve have the small advantage of not playing in it."

Trapattoni enjoyed two separate spells as a coach with Juventus and won six Serie A titles, one European Cup and two Uefa Cups with the Turin-based outfit.

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Serie A Week 26 - 3-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Conte lauds the return of the good old days for Juventus

The former Bianconeri midfielder did not exactly savour the fallout from their

incident-packed 1-1 draw at San Siro but he believes it is actually a positive sign for the club.

Mar 2, 2012

Juventus coach Antonio Conte is keen to move on from the controversy which surrounded his side's clash with AC Milan last weekend but admits that the furore made him feel that the Bianconeri are finally back where they belong - battling it out with their great rivals at the summit of Serie A.

After successive seventh-placed finishes, few expected the Old Lady to challenge for the title this season but they currently find themselves second in the standings, just a point behind the Rossoneri with a game in hand.

So, while Conte did not exactly enjoy the ugly fallout from their incident-packed 1-1 draw at San Siro, it did make him feel nostalgic.

"For me it was like going back to the days when I was a player, fighting to win when it was certainly not all sunshine and roses," the former Italy international told reporters ahead of this weekend's clash with Chievo.

"I felt a bit of nostalgia for the good times. It seems they are back. After many years we are competitive again and we had the pleasure to play in a Scudetto clash.

"Now we are trying to reduce the tension a little, but if everything was flat there would be no headlines, sports broadcasts or newspapers to sell.

"Football is show business and we must be aware of this, accepting our duties [to the game].

"That said, the ultimate expression of this sport is on the field and that's where we must try to prove ourselves stronger."

Looking ahead to Saturday's clash with Chievo at Juventus Stadium, Conte admitted that his preparations for the game have been hindered by the international break.

"We have only had today to get ready for the game because so many have only just returned recently from their various national sides and I had to give them a day of recovery," he explained.

"It's nice to give so many players to the national teams because it means that the work of the club is appreciated, but now we only have one training session to prepare for a major challenge."

Conte, who spent 13 years with Juve as a player, returned to Turin as a coach last summer.

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Serie A Week 26 - 3-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Di Carlo playing to win

Mar 2, 2012

Juventus’ unbeaten run faces a major test at home to Chievo this weekend, so says their Coach Mimmo Di Carlo.

The Flying Donkeys are in the top half of the table after consecutive League wins, and Di Carlo anticipates a strong performance from his men in Turin, against Antonio Conte’s unbeaten side.

“Juventus are very strong, but we are also here. We achieved a 0-0 in the reverse fixture, with a couple of episodes that were to our disadvantage. I say that against this Juve, on that occasion, we have shown that we play to win.

“Tomorrow we will have to play another game as this Chievo - one that has already provided great results in the past for us. We need to have the same cynicism shown against Cesena [last weekend] and a little more courage.”

The Mussi Volanti, however, will have to compete without talismanic striker Sergio Pellissier, who is suspended.

“Pellissier is our bandiera, but the group I have this year gives me assurances. I will not hide behind any absences, it wouldn’t make sense.”

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Serie A Week 26 - 3-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Serie A Preview - Hosts hoping to go back on top

of Serie A with three points against Flying Donkeys

The Bianconeri could return to the summit of the league standings

if they win and Milan slip up in Sicily on Saturday.

Mar 2, 2012

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

JUVENTUS

Buffon

Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie

Giaccherini, Pirlo, Marchisio

Quagliarella, Matri, Vucinic

CHIEVO

Sorrentino

Sardo, Andreolli, Acerbi, Drame

Bradley, Rigoni, Hetemaj

Thereau, Cruzado

Paloschi

Coming off earning a crucial point against title rivals AC Milan courtesy of Alessandro Matri's late strike at San Siro, Antonio Conte's side will hope to put even more pressure on the leaders this Sunday as they still have a game in hand despite being one point behind.

However, with midfielder Arturo Vidal suspended after picking up a late red card versus Milan and Pepe also banned, Juve are likely to drop their 3-5-2 experiment and utilise a 4-3-3 with the previously mentioned goalscorer Matri back in the starting XI at the expense of Marco Borriello.

Former Cesena star Emaneule Giaccherini will return to the midfield alongside Italy internationals Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio while Martin Caceres and Stephan Lichtsteiner will battle it out for a spot at right-back.

After a couple wins on the trot, Chievo sit in midtable and are nine points above the relegation zone, but veteran striker Sergio Pellissier is suspended so Italy Under-21 international Alberto Paloschi will likely have to toil on his own in attack.

Furthermore, coach Domenico Di Carlo will also be without Nikola Gulan. A serious muscle injury to the young Serbian midfielder is expected to keep the player on loan from Fiorentina out for the next few weeks.

DID YOU KNOW?

•Juventus are the only remaining team with an unbeaten record in Italy's top flight during the 2011-12 campaign (W13 D11 L0).

•The Bianconeri drew Chievo 0-0 earlier this season in Serie A at the Stadio Bentegodi.

•Mirko Vucinic has not scored for Juventus since a 1-1 draw with Cagliari on January 15.

•Chievo have scored just 21 goals this season in Serie A, and only Cesena have scored fewer.

•The Flying Donkeys have won three of their last five Serie A matches.

•Chievo have not lost to Juventus in their past four meetings, last winning 1-0 in January 2010 after a goal from Gennaro Sardo and drawing the following three encounters.

Head to Head

Serie A ‎- Oct 16, 2011 - Chievo 0 - Juventus 0

Serie A ‎- May 9, 2011 - Juventus 2 - Chievo 2

Serie A ‎- Dec 19, 2010 - Chievo 1 - Juventus 1

Serie A ‎- Jan 17, 2010 - Chievo 1 - Juventus 0

Serie A ‎- Aug 23, 2009 - Juventus 1 - Chievo 0

Last Five Matches

Juventus

Feb 25, 2012 - AC Milan 1 - Juventus 1 - Serie A

Feb 18, 2012 - Juventus 3 - Catania 1 - Serie A

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

Chievo

Feb 26, 2012 - Chievo 1 - Cesena 0 - Serie A

Feb 19, 2012 - Genoa 0 - Chievo 1 - Serie A

Feb 13, 2012 - SSC Napoli 2 - Chievo 0 - Serie A

Feb 5, 2012 - Chievo 1 - Parma 2 - Serie A

Feb 2, 2012 - Novara 1 - Chievo 2 - Serie A

Players to Watch

Alessandro Matri

After making his mark by coming off the bench to convert the crucial equaliser against the Rossoneri, the former Cagliari man followed it up with a lacklustre performance for Italy against the USA. However, he is the only Juve forward that has consistently scored this term will be aiming to add to his tally of 10 goals this season.

Michael Bradley

Also on international duty this past week, the United States midfielder helped his side to an historic win over the Azzurri in Genoa and he will be taking on Pirlo and Marchisio again in the centre of the pitch with the hope of limiting their influence and picking up another unlikely victory.

Prediction

While the Turin giants have often struggled against the smaller teams this season and been held to draws, Chievo's lack of firepower, especially without the suspended Pellissier, is a cause for concern for the visitors and Juventus should be able to take all three points on home soil even if the Flying Donkeys may prove difficult to break down.

Editor's Prediction

Juventus 1 - 0 Chievo

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Serie A Week 26 - 3-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

MATCH PREVIEW

Mar 2, 2012

Little Chievo Verona will travel to Juventus this weekend without their biggest scoring threat – striker Sergio Pellissier. The veteran attacker, who has four goals in his last five Serie A games against the Old Lady, is suspended for Saturday’s clash after picking up a booking in last week’s 1-0 win over Cesena.

That victory saw the Flying Donkeys move to the left-hand side of the table, nine points above the drop zone. However, boss Mimmo Di Carlo knows there is a long way to go before survival is assured – even if they are only seven points shy of the accepted ‘safe’ 40-point mark.

“I still don’t feel calm,” stated the tactician, who was this week suggested as a possible replacement for Francesco Guidolin should he be tempted to leave Udinese. “It was important to win last weekend and that allowed us to move up the table, but the championship is still long.”

Chievo will arrive in Turin having disposed of Genoa and Cesena in their last two outings, but they will face a Juventus side which will want to silence its critics in the aftermath of their controversial 1-1 draw at Milan. Boss Antonio Conte will be eager for his side to forget the off-field commotion and concentrate on getting back to winning ways.

The Bianconeri, one point behind leaders Milan but with Wednesday’s game at Bologna in hand, have drawn three of their last four games. The 3-1 win over Catania in the middle of those ties was also more problematic than it should have been after the Sicilians took an early lead.

While Conte would have liked the fighting spirit shown by his troops at San Siro against a Milan side who dominated the first hour, the performance would have perplexed him. The side looked tired, while the 3-5-2 left the defence in some trouble and the surprise attacking pair of Marco Borriello and Fabio Quagliarella misfired. The system and the on-loan Roma striker look set to be canned for this weekend.

Juve got back into the San Siro tie thanks to a switch to 4-3-3. Conte may start with that shape on Saturday, but he has decisions to make. Quagliarella and Emanuele Giaccherini are being tipped to step in for the suspended Simone Pepe and Arturo Vidal. Stephan Lichtsteiner may be rested, allowing Martin Caceres to start.

The Old Lady have yet to be beaten this season and history doesn’t suggest that Chievo are about to inflict their first defeat. In eight Serie A matches in Turin, Juve have six wins and there have been two draws. Saying that, those 3-3 and 2-2 games have come over the course of the last three seasons.

Keep an eye on: Mirko Vucinic (Juventus) - Dropped from the starting XI for the game against Milan, Vucinic is something of a critic-splitter. Signed at a cost of €15m from Roma in the summer, his languid style is often misinterpreted for laziness. What he needs is goals after just three in 19 League appearances so far.

Last season: Juventus 2-2 Chievo

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

Stat fact: Juventus have never failed to score against Chievo at home in Serie A. They’ve also kept four clean sheets in the eight ties versus the Gialloblu.

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Caceres, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Giaccherini, Pirlo, Marchisio; Quagliarella, Matri, Vucinic

Chievo (probable): Sorrentino; Sardo, Andreolli, Acerbi, Drame; Bradley, Rigoni, Hetemaj; Thereau, Cruzado; Paloschi

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

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Serie A Week 26 - 3-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Match Preview

Mar 2, 2012

Juventus coach Antonio Conte admits he is pleasantly surprised by his team's unbeaten campaign so far in all competitions.

The Turin giants host Chievo tomorrow on the back of last weekend's 1-1 draw at AC Milan.

The result was Juventus' third draw in four league games.

"We may have drawn a few games recently but we certainly haven't lost,'' Conte said.

"We are still unbeaten after 24 rounds of games in the league as well as three Coppa Italia matches.

"This is an extraordinary result that no-one could have predicted at the start of the season.

"If we are able to complete this successful path, we will achieve something incredible.''

Juventus are second in the standings, one point adrift of Serie A leaders AC Milan but the Turin giants have a game in hand.

After Saturday's game, Juve travel to Bologna four days later to recover their postponed game.

Should results go their way, Conte's Juve could lead the standings heading into the next round of games.

However, the coach wants his players to focus solely on the task at hand.

"Our focus has to be on Chievo,'' Conte said. "Chievo are close to achieving their aim of defending their Serie A status.

"They are having a great season and it will not be an easy game.''

Chievo will have to overcome the absence of pivotal striker Sergio Pellissier.

Pellissier, who has found the net four times for the Verona outfit this season, will serve a one-match ban this weekend.

The good news for Chievo coach Domenico Di Carlo is that defender Boukary Drame, midfielder Michael Bradley and the team's leading scorer Cyril Thereau return from suspension after missing last weekend's 1-0 triumph over Cesena.

Chievo have won their last two league games and are 10th in the standings, with 33 points from 25 games.

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

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Serie A Week 26 - 3-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Matri back in Juventus starting XI for Chievo clash

The striker came on as a substitute to net the equaliser against AC Milan last week,

and starts alongside Emanuele Giaccherini and Mirko Vucinic against the Flying Donkeys.

Mar 3, 2012

Alessandro Matri returns to the first XI, while Simone Padoin will also start Juventus' Serie A fixture against Chievo at Juventus Stadium in a rejigged Bianconeri line-up, but there is still no place in the starting XI for Martin Caceres.

With suspensions ruling out Simone Pepe and Arturo Vidal, coach Antonio Conte has switched formation to the 4-3-3 cum 4-1-4-1 set-up which he used for much of the first half of the campaign, but it is Stephan Lichtsteiner, rather than Caceres, who fills the right-back slot.

Matri is joined up front by Emanuele Giaccherini on the right and Mirko Vucinic to his left.

Chievo boss Domenico Di Carlo has chosen to start with Alberto Paloschi up front on his own in the absence of club captain Sergio Pellissier, meaning Davide Moscardelli has to settle for a place on the bench.

A victory for unbeaten Juve would take them back to within a point of leaders AC Milan, who won the first of Saturday's fixture 4-0 away to Palermo.

Juventus (4-3-3): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Padoin, Pirlo, Marchisio; Giaccherini, Matri, Vucinic

Subs: Storari, Bonucci, Caceres, Del Piero, Marrone, Borriello, Qugaliarella

Chievo (4-3-2-1): Sorrentino; Sardo, Andreolli, Acerbi, Drame; Bradley, Rigoni, Luciano; Thereau, Sammarco; Paloschi

Subs: Puggioni, Dainelli, Frey, Cesar, Cruzado, Hetemaj, Moscardelli

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