Juventus Season 2011-2012

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Mancini: 'Inter era had to end'

Mar 24, 2012

Roberto Mancini points out Inter’s current crisis was predictable. “Sooner or later this moment had to arrive, as you can’t win forever.”

The Manchester City manager spoke to Radio Deejay and cast his eye over the Serie A weekend, including Sunday’s big Juventus-Inter clash.

“Juve are in a good moment, while Inter absolutely must try to reach third place. I expect an entertaining game,” said Mancini.

“Inter have reached the end of an era and sooner or later this moment had to arrive, as you can’t win forever. They should’ve slowly introduced more young players who could learn from the senators of the group.

“Youth needs to be signed up and nurtured. They do not deliver straight away and in Italy nobody is given that time to develop.”

In the Champions League, Milan are the only remaining Italian representative and take on holders Barcelona.

“Milan are accustomed to these challenges and always raise their game. It is entirely understandable to go out against Barça, but qualification is wide open to any result. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a great champion and, looking at the last six or seven years, he is clearly decisive for League titles.”

Mancini wanted Daniele De Rossi to leave Roma for Manchester City, but admits he “never really believed the midfielder would quit Rome.”

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Juve and Inter name squads

Mar 24, 2012

Fredy Guarin is in the Inter squad to face Juventus and Wesley Sneijder returns to training, while the Bianconeri have Andrea Barzagli back.

Sneijder started working with the team for the first time since he picked up his muscular injury against Olympique Marseille, but is still nowhere near match fitness.

Ricky Alvarez and Mauro Zarate also miss out, but January signing Guarin is included for the trip to Turin.

Juventus welcome back defender Barzagli after several weeks on the treatment table, but Stephan Lichtsteiner is suspended and Emanuele Giaccherini misses out due to flu symptoms.

Unusually, Milos Krasic is included in the 22-man squad.

Juventus squad: 1 Buffon, 3 Chiellini, 4 Caceres, 7 Pepe, 8 Marchisio, 10 Del Piero, 11 De Ceglie, 13 Manninger, 14 Vucinic, 15 Barzagli, 17 Elia, 18 Quagliarella, 19 Bonucci, 20 Padoin, 21 Pirlo, 22 Vidal, 23 Borriello, 27 Krasic, 28 Estigarribia, 30 Storari, 32 Matri, 34 Marrone

Inter squad: 1 Julio Cesar, 12 Castellazzi, 21 Orlandoni; 4 Zanetti, 6 Lucio, 13 Maicon, 23 Ranocchia, 25 Samuel, 26 Chivu, 37 Faraoni, 55 Nagatomo; 5 Stankovic, 14 Guarin, 17 Palombo, 18 Poli, 19 Cambiasso, 20 Obi; 7 Pazzini, 9 Forlan, 22 Milito, 30 Castaignos

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[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Serie A Preview - Derby d'Italia offers Ranieri

the chance to derail Bianconeri's title bid

The 60-year-old Nerazzurri boss could earn a measure of revenge by throwing

his former employers off track in their Scudetto challenge with a win on Sunday.

Mar 25, 2012

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

JUVENTUS

Buffon

Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Ceglie

Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio

Pepe, Matri, Vucinic

INTER

Cesar

Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Nagatomo

Zanetti, Poli, Stankovic, Obi

Milito, Forlan

Coming off two extremely positive results, a 5-0 victory over Fiorentina and an extra-time 2-2 draw with AC Milan that sent them through to the final of the Coppa Italia, Juventus coach Conte will be hoping to make it a treble of successes by heaping more misery on struggling Derby d'Italia rivals Inter.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will be back between the posts after sitting out the Coppa Italia midweek clash while in defence, Martin Caceres will step in at right-back for the suspended Stephan Lichtsteiner. Despite the fact that centre-back Andrea Barzagli has recovered from a calf injury, the former Palermo man is likely to start on the bench.

Italy international Andrea Pirlo will take on his former side and the in-form Mirko Vucinic will play wide on the left with Simone Pepe on the opposite flank in support of top-scorer Alessandro Matri, who last found the back of the net in the 1-1 draw on with AC Milan on February 25.

Meanwhile, a result against Inter's bitter rivals and his ex-employers may boost the morale of boss Claudio Ranieri and the Nerazzurri camp, but the former Chelsea trainer is likely to be without star midfielder Wesley Sneijder due to a groin problem, while Argentine Ricky Alvarez remains sidelined as well.

Youngster Andrea Poli, who has impressed in recent outings, looks likely to pip Esteban Cambiasso to a spot in the centre of the pitch alongside veteran Dejan Stankovic. Midfielder Fredy Guarin is set for his first call-up to the match squad since his winter move on loan from Porto and may feature as a substitute.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Juventus have not lost to Inter in their past three competitive matches, last suffering a 2-0 defeat in April 2010.

• The hosts remain the lone unbeaten team in Serie A and have only conceded nine goals at home this season.

• Juventus had drawn four Serie A matches in a row before defeating Fiorentina 5-0 last weekend.

• Inter have not won in Turin against the Old Lady since January 2008, beating them 3-2 in the Coppa Italia with two goals from Mario Balotelli.

• Milito has not scored against the Bianconeri in a competitive fixture since joining Inter in 2009.

• Ranieri coached Juventus for nearly two years from June 2007 to May 2009, before he was sacked.

Head to Head

Serie A ‎- Oct 29, 2011 - FC Internazionale 1 - Juventus 2

Club Friendlies ‎- Aug 18, 2011 - FC Internazionale 7 - Juventus 6

Serie A ‎- Feb 13, 2011 - Juventus 1 - FC Internazionale 0

Serie A ‎- Oct 3, 2010 - FC Internazionale 0 - Juventus 0

Serie A ‎- Apr 16, 2010 - FC Internazionale 2 - Juventus 0

Last Five Matches

Juventus

Mar 20, 2012 - Juventus 2 - AC Milan 2 - Coppa Italia

Mar 17, 2012 - Fiorentina 0 - Juventus 5 - Serie A

Mar 11, 2012 - Genoa 0 - Juventus 0 - Serie A

Mar 7, 2012 - Bologna 1 - Juventus 1 - Serie A

Mar 3, 2012 - Juventus 1 - Chievo 1 - Serie A

FC Internazionale

Mar 18, 2012 - FC Internazionale 0 - Atalanta 0 - Serie A

Mar 13, 2012 - FC Internazionale 2 - Olympique de Marseille 1 - UCL

Mar 9, 2012 - Chievo 0 - FC Internazionale 2 - Serie A

Mar 4, 2012 - FC Internazionale 2 - Catania 2 - Serie A

Feb 26, 2012 - SSC Napoli 1 - FC Internazionale 0 - Serie A

Players to Watch

Mirko Vučinić

The former Roma man has punished Inter in the past and is in brilliant form, coming off two wonderful displays in which he scored one and set up three more against Fiorentina before sending Juve to the Coppa Italia final with a spectacular extra-time goal against AC Milan. Conte will be hoping for a performance of similar ilk on Sunday.

Diego Forlan Corazo

Forlan has had a disappointing season, but following the recent debacle against Atalanta, he has restated his desire to help Inter through this difficult period. It’s unknown whether he will be at San Siro next season, but a match-winning performance against their rivals would help improve his reputation at the club immensely.

Prediction

Although form often does not dictate what happens in heated rivalries like these, logic suggests second-placed Juventus will go in as clear favourites over seventh-placed Inter. Juve have just come out of a scoring slump with seven goals in their past two games, but Inter continue to be plagued by inconsistency during a very disappointing season. Three points for the hosts seems to be on the cards, even if the Nerazzurri will give it everything they have to try and salvage their campaign around with a positive result against their rivals.

Editor's Prediction

Juventus 2 - 1 Inter

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[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

MATCH PREVIEW

Mar 25, 2012

The Derby d’Italia has huge repercussions for both teams but, compared to a year ago, Juventus and Inter have swapped places.

Last term the Bianconeri struggled in Serie A and finished up seventh, failing to qualify for Europe, while the Nerazzurri fought to the end with Milan for the Scudetto. Going into the brand new Juventus Stadium, it is Juve battling for the top spots while Inter sit in seventh place. Claudio Ranieri returns to face his former club who sacked him just two weeks before the end of the 2008-09 season. Will he avoid a similar fate at San Siro?

The optimistic among the Beneamata faithful might say this Juventus resurgence is a sign of their future, revamping an ageing team that has left the season of the Treble long behind. Although third place and Champions League qualification are possible, one gets the feeling Inter are already looking to the summer’s reconstruction works. They’ll also remember the embarrassment of losing 2-1 at San Siro back in October.

Juve rested Gigi Buffon and Alessandro Matri for Tuesday’s Coppa Italia clash with Milan, which went to extra time in order to book their place in the final, so there could be some tired legs in Turin. It can also be argued that represented their first defeat of the season, as after 90 minutes the Rossoneri were 2-1 up. Mirko Vucinic can consider his confidence boosted by a stunning strike to seal the tie. Stephan Lichtsteiner is suspended, so Martin Caceres should step in at right-back, while Andrea Barzagli is still carrying an injury. In Serie A their run of four consecutive stalemates ended in style with a 5-0 demolition of Fiorentina.

Inter are likely to be without Wesley Sneijder, Ricky Alvarez and Fredy Guarin, although Ranieri has made it clear he prefers the 4-4-2 system. Joel Obi has impressed in substitute appearances and could well start with fellow youngster Andrea Poli, pushing Esteban Cambiasso on to the bench. Diego Forlan and Diego Milito both hit headlines for the wrong reasons this week, as the Uruguayan reportedly refused to come off the bench against Atalanta if it meant playing wide left, while the Argentine saw his second consecutive penalty saved.

Milito has a taboo to bust at the Juventus Stadium, as he has never been able to score against the Old Lady since joining Inter.

President Massimo Moratti walked out before the end of that 0-0 draw with Atalanta, but continued to maintain Ranieri’s job is safe. Following their Champions League exit to Olympique Marseille, the fans are truly losing patience. A poor performance against rivals Juve could well make the situation much worse.

Keep an eye on: Mirko Vucinic (Juventus) – Constantly jeered by the fans since the day he arrived and lambasted after poor performances, the Montenegrin might finally have broken through. Midweek he scored a sensational goal to put Juve in the Coppa Italia final and won over the supporters with a passionate display that included his lengthy rant at a referee. He has a great record against Inter, netting past them on four separate occasions, including at San Siro earlier this season.

Form Guide: Juventus (D D D D W) Inter (L L D W D)

Last season: Juventus 1-0 Inter

Stat fact: Inter’s last Serie A victory in Turin was sealed 1-0 by Julio Ricardo Cruz in April 2005, followed by two draws and three defeats. Their overall top-flight record here is of 14 wins, 17 draws and 61 losses.

Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio; Pepe, Matri, Vucinic

Inter: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Nagatomo; Zanetti, Poli, Stankovic, Obi; Milito, Forlan

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

The hate-filled Derby of Italy

Mar 25, 2012

Recent weeks and months have seen a real deterioration in the previously cordial relationship between this season's leading protagonists in Serie A: Milan and Juventus. The two most successful clubs on the peninsula have descended into a petty back-and-forth squabble that leaves neither looking particularly dignified and both in danger of turning what should be a truly engaging title race into an Italian version of the Spanish clasico, the histrionics of which spoil what is undoubtedly one of the world football's most prestigious encounters.

What that has done is take attention away from a match which, at many times over the past six years, has made the Real Madrid and Barcelona games look positively friendly. The rivalry will be renewed this Sunday when, for the first time, Inter visit the brand new stadium in Turin for the 218th Derby d'Italia, a fixture which has decided title races, changed the history of the league and even caused a fist-fight in parliament.

Its name, like much of the language connected with Italian football, was coined in the late 1960s by famous journalist Gianni Brera in recognition of the two teams who had won the most trophies at that time. Yet this rivalry - which is littered with scandal, intrigue and bad behaviour - began even before it was ever known as the Derby of Italy, way back in the 1960-61 season when a tie in Turin was abandoned after a pitch invasion and was eventually awarded as a win to Inter.

After appealing to the FA, Juventus secured a replay; a disgusted Nerazzurri responded by playing their youth team and Juve went on to record the fixture's most one-sided result. Omar Sivori scored six that day in a 9-1 thrashing and, in doing so, secured not only the league title, but also the top-scorer crown and even that year's Ballon d'Or.

The 1970s and '80s were a quiet period for the derby as Inter continually failed to reach their previous greatness; until one particular incident-filled encounter in 1998 re-ignited the old hatred and bile. That April, in the midst of yet another head-to-head title race, Inter travelled to Turin and what followed was a match marred by poor officiating and questionable calls on both sides.

Brazilian star Ronaldo attempted to skip past Juve's Mark Iuliano and was body-checked by the Italian defender only to see referee Piero Ceccarini turn down the penalty appeals; almost immediately he awarded a spot-kick at the other end. While Gianluca Pagliuca would save Alessandro Del Piero's penalty, the Juve captain did score the winning goal and secure yet another Scudetto for the Bianconeri. Gigi Simoni, Inter's manager at the time, was sent off for screaming "you should be ashamed" at the official but that was nothing compared to what would happen later.

A session of Italian Parliament was actually abandoned when deputies from the far-right National Alliance and Democratic Left came to blows over accusations of match-fixing. The 20 seconds between the body-check and the award of a penalty to Juve became among the most replayed in history; countless television programmes slowing them down and discussing them.

Since that day, which became known as "The Grand Thievery" to Inter supporters, it has grown to become easily the most intense inter-city rivalry in the country. Two years after the Ronaldo incident, Paolo Montero was banned for punching Inter midfielder Luigi di Biaggio in the ear, and then the events of the 2006 Calciopoli scandal - and each side's view of the other's role in it - escalated the hate and vitriol to a now ridiculous level.

In the aftermath, which saw Juventus demoted to the second tier of Italian football, Inter picked up both Patrick Vieira and Zlatan Ibrahimovic relatively cheaply; taking full advantage of the precarious position of the Old Lady, whose management were busy renegotiating sponsorship and television deals in light of their reduced status.

The year spent in Serie B meant the fixture was absent for the first time as neither side had ever previously been relegated. That break did nothing to cool the feelings of resentment though, with Giorgio Chiellini needing to be separated from former team-mate Ibrahimovic in the first match after Juve earned promotion. The most heated encounter of recent years probably came in 2009 as Inter went to Turin to take on a side seemingly mounting their first title challenge since returning to Serie A.

The game began with the home side in third place and chasing a Jose Mourinho team which would go on to complete that incredible treble of league, Coppa Italia and Champions League wins. The visitors' team bus was pelted with eggs and rotten fruit as it arrived but the abuse directed at then-Inter star Mario Balotelli inside the stadium would be far worse: a constant chorus of "if everybody jumps, Balotelli dies" rang loudly throughout the game, eventually resulting in Juventus being fined and forced to play a match behind closed doors.

Sadly the controversy was not restricted to the stands, with Inter's Portuguese coach being sent off for sarcastically (and theatrically) applauding a decision by the referee in the first half. Balotelli came on as a substitute after the break and was booed constantly even before he lived up to his pantomime villain image in pretending a Felipe Melo elbow had caught him in the face. That led to the Brazilian midfielder earning another red card an,d such was the level of animosity, that even the normally placid Gigi Buffon snapped in the ensuing scuffle and grabbed Thiago Motta by the throat.

The incidents would overshadow a great Claudio Marchisio goal which gave the home side a 2-1 win; to many, it merely felt like an afterthought.

Back then, believing as always in both his own capabilities and those of his team, Mourinho felt confident enough to belittle Juventus and their coach, Claudio Ranieri, with a zeru tituli [zero titles] barb. This season it is Inter themselves who have no realistic chance of silverware after going out of the Champions League to Marseille and currently sit in seventh place, some 17 points from the summit of Serie A. Ranieri may have switched sides but can expect the same jibe to be thrown his way again this weekend; not that this game needs any encouragement.

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

MATCH PREVIEW

Mar 25, 2012

The Derby d’Italia has taken on an added flavour this season, and it will surely live up to all expectations.

What a week it has been on the pitch for Juventus. Not only did they beat Fiorentina 5-0 to claim their biggest away win since 1997, they went on to secure a passage through to the Coppa Italia final, beating Milan 3-2 on aggregate.

The Bianconeri will face Napoli on may 20 to claim their first piece of silverware in several years. Returning for the Turin giants will be Giorgio Chiellini, as he has recovered sufficiently to feature for Antonio Conte. This brings Paolo De Ceglie in some sort of doubt, after the left-back re-signed with the club until June 2017.

Something has gone catastrophically wrong at Inter over the past eight weeks. One can blame the players, the coach and all the technical staff, but some of the Nerazzurri’s performances have been woeful to say the least.

Diego Milito has missed his last two penalty attempts, squandering his chance last week against Atalanta. But the Beneamata were lucky themselves not to give one away late, as Walter Samuel brought down German Denis from behind.

Juve did beat Inter at the Giuseppe Meazza in the reverse fixture, and are favourites coming into this one.

Prediction: Juventus 1-0 Inter

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[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Zac: 'Why Inter can't beat Juve'

Mar 25, 2012

Japan Coach Alberto Zaccheroni believes “you need belief and self-confidence to beat Juventus. Inter don’t have it.”

Zac has been on the benches of both clubs in his career, at San Siro in 2003-04 as replacement for Hector Cuper and in Turin from January to July 2010.

“A favourable result at the Juventus Stadium would certainly revamp Inter’s situation,” he said of tonight’s big game.

“However, in football you don’t get results due to coincidences. You need belief and self-confidence to beat Juventus. Inter don’t have it.”

Another of Zaccheroni’s former clubs, Milan, are battling Juve for the Scudetto.

“Juve are a highly-motivated team and this season have the huge advantage of not playing in Europe. That is not to be underestimated, as I took advantage of that the year I won the Scudetto with Milan.

“I’d say Milan and Juve each have a 50 per cent chance of taking the title.”

Zaccheroni has been in charge of the Japanese national side since August 2010, winning the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.

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[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Cobolli Gigli: 'Juve love beating Inter!'

Mar 25, 2012

Former Juventus President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli can’t wait for to tonight’s Derby d’Italia. “Inter are not the enemy. We just enjoy beating them more than anyone else!”

Cobolli Gigli was in charge of the club after the Calciopoli scandal broke, when the ‘Triade’ of Luciano Moggi, Roberto Bettega and Antonio Giraudo resigned.

“I am looking forward to this match with apprehension and hope,” he told Italian magazine Panorama.

“I have wonderful memories of this tie, including Mauro Camoranesi’s offside goal at San Siro. I am from the Giampiero Boniperti era and he said ‘winning when offside is still winning,’ naturally respecting the rules and ethics.

“Inter were never the enemy, as Jose Mourinho claimed. They were merely the opponents we felt most passionately and we just enjoy beating them more than anyone else!”

The clash has become even more bitter in recent years after new wiretapped phone calls emerged from that time regarding Inter. The Nerazzurri were found guilty of sporting fraud, but the statute of limitations had expired, so could not have titles stripped.

“I believe for the players who went through Calciopoli there is even more motivation in this game. Juve were punished severely in that trial and it emerged later on that they weren’t the only ones involved, plus they were charged with minor offences rather than sporting fraud.

“I would love one day for someone to explain why some phone calls were not included in the investigation and why Inter’s evidence cannot go through a proper trial...”

Cobolli Gigli also had criticism for current Juventus President Andrea Agnelli and Coach Antonio Conte after the recent very public row with Milan over refereeing errors.

“There was a moment in which Juventus raised the temperature of the debate too much. For me Juventus remains the club of Boniperti with the style of Gianni and Umberto Agnelli. That for me is Juventus and I’d be happy if it retained that style.”

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[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

'Unprecedented' Juve choreography

Mar 25, 2012

Juventus fans have promised the choreography ahead of tonight’s game with Inter “will leave everyone open-mouthed with wonder.”

The Derby d’Italia will be a golden opportunity to confirm the club’s stance that they have 29 Scudetti rather than 27, including the two that were stripped in the Calciopoli trial.

“The Juventus Stadium will have a double spectacle, both on the pitch and in the stands,” an ultras representative told Tuttosport.

“The choreography will leave everyone open-mouthed with wonder. It’ll be unprecedented.

“For this reason the Bianconeri fans need help from everyone in the stadium, including those in the VIP boxes, so the choreography can work. We want to continue our dream.”

Around 150 journalists, 270 television crew members and 30 cameras will be in Turin beaming the game to 160 different countries around the world.

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[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Stankovic: 'Inter in Turin to win'

Mar 25, 2012

Dejan Stankovic insists Inter “are going to Turin in order to win” against Juventus in tonight’s Derby d’Italia.

The Nerazzurri go into the Juventus Stadium this evening and are certainly not the favourites.

“Juventus will certainly have more pressure on them compared to us, because they are challenging for the title.

“They are in good shape both physically and psychologically, but the Derby d’Italia is something special that stands apart from the rest of the season.

“Clearly we are going to Turin in order to win. I always thought that in big games the big players emerge, so we hope to prove that we fit the bill. I’d also like to score, as I’ve never gone an entire season without finding the net.

“When things don’t go well, there is never just one reason behind it. It can be the mind, the legs or whatever else,” said the Serb.

“There have been many games in which we failed to express ourselves to our full potential, others in which we were just unlucky.

“I am certain all of us are seeking the solution within ourselves, but this is the situation we are in and it’s something I personally have never experienced before.

“It is beyond doubt that we started the season to fight for big objectives and instead find ourselves in this situation. I still hear talk about the Treble today, though nobody can repeat what we did. Some try to imitate us, but nobody has managed it yet.”

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[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Forlan recalled for Derby d'Italia

The striker allegedly refused to come off the bench during last Sunday's clash

with Atalanta but he has been given the nod in the Nerazzurri attack ahead of Giampaolo Pazzini.

Mar 25, 2012

Diego Forlan will start for Inter in Sunday night’s Serie A showdown with Juventus in Turin.

The Uruguay international allegedly refused to come on as a substitute during the second half of last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Atalanta but coach Claudio Ranieri has paired the veteran forward with Diego Milito in the Nerazzurri attack, with Giampaolo Pazzini the man to make way.

Elsewhere, Dejan Stankovic has also been recalled and the Serb’s inclusion results in Esteban Cambiasso dropping to the bench. Wesley Sneijder again misses out with a groin problem, meaning Inter will line out in a conventional 4-4-2, with Stankovic joining Javier Zanetti, Andrea Poli and Obi in midfield.

As for the home side, Alessandro Matri returns in place of Alessandro Del Piero after sitting out the midweek Coppa Italia clash with AC Milan.

In a boost for the Bianconeri, Andrea Barzagli is fit again after his recent calf trouble and he slots back into the centre of the defence at the expense of Leonardo Bonucci, while Martin Caceres fills in for the suspended Stephan Lichtsteiner at right-back.

There are two other changes to the side which started against the Rossoneri, with Gianluigi Buffon taking over from Marco Storari in goal and Claudio Marchisio replacing Emanuele Giaccherini in midfield.

Juventus (4-3-3): Buffon; Caceres, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio; Pepe, Matri, Vucinic.

Subs: Storari, Bonucci, Marrone, Padoin, Del Piero, Quagliarella, Borriello.

Inter (4-4-2): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Nagatomo; Zanetti, Stankovic, Poli, Obi; Milito, Forlan.

Subs: Castellazzi, Ranocchia, Chivu, Faraoni, Guarin, Cambiasso, Pazzini.

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Line-ups: Juventus-Inter

Mar 25, 2012

Juventus have Simone Pepe, Alessandro Matri and Mirko Vucinic leading the line against Inter’s Diego Milito and Diego Forlan.

The old rivals go head-to-head in Turin at 19.45 UK time and Claudio Ranieri faces his former club.

The Bianconeri need a victory to keep up with leaders Milan, but have Stephan Lichtsteiner suspended and Emanuele Giaccherini out with flu symptoms.

Martin Caceres receives a rare start at right-back in place of Lichtsteiner with Andrea Barzagli returning from injury to partner Giorgio Chiellini.

Pepe, Matri and Vucinic retain their places in attack after the Coppa Italia semi-final result against Milan on Tuesday.

Inter miss Wesley Sneijder and Ricky Alvarez for this trip to Turin, where they haven’t won since April 2005.

Milito and Forlan are the front two despite the Uruguayan’s recent poor performances, while andrea Poli and Joel Obi push Esteban Cambiasso on to the bench.

Juventus: 1 Buffon; 4 Caceres, 15 Barzagli, 3 Chiellini, 11 De Ceglie; 22 Vidal, 21 Pirlo, 8 Marchisio, 7 Pepe, 32 Matri, 14 Vucinic

Juventus bench: 30 Storari, 19 Bonucci, 20 Padoin, 34 Marrone, 10 Del Piero, 18 Quagliarella, 23 Borriello

Inter: 1 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 6 Lucio, 23 Samuel, 55 Nagatomo; 4 Zanetti, 5 Stankovic, 18 Poli, 20 Obi; 9 Forlan, 22 Milito.

Inter bench: 12 Castellazzi, 23 Ranocchia, 26 Chivu, 37 Faraoni, 14 Guarin, 19 Cambiasso, 7 Pazzini

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

HT: Buffon heroics deny Inter

Mar 25, 2012

Juventus may have dominated possession in the first half, but a series of fantastic Gigi Buffon saves have stopped Inter from taking the lead.

The Derby d’Italia has always been a fiery occasion, but even more so since the Calciopoli scandal of 2006. The new Juventus Stadium makes very clear they do not acknowledge the two stripped titles, so maintain they have 29 Scudetti rather than 27. Indeed it was in huge letters all over the stadium choreography with the banner ‘That which we earned on the pitch with sweat, was handed to you in the courts.’

The Bianconeri got through to the Coppa Italia Final on Tuesday night against Milan in extra time, though the club insisted their unbeaten record remained intact despite losing 2-1 at the end of the 90 minutes. Inter faced a massive struggle to even qualify for the Europa League and pressure was building on ex-Juve Coach Claudio Ranieri.

Wesley Sneijder and Ricky Alvarez were unavailable, so Diego Forlan and Diego Milito were picked in attack. The home side missed Emanuele Giaccherini and the suspended Stephan Lichtsteiner, so Martin Caceres stepped in and Andrea Barzagli returned from injury.

Juve had their first chance within three minutes, as Julio Cesar beat away Simone Pepe’s pull-back to Alessandro Matri and the defence scrambled clear. Inter also threatened, as Douglas Maicon played through the middle for Milito, forcing Gigi Buffon to parry from close range.

On 16 minutes Caceres crossed for Matri inbetween two defenders, his header that Julio Cesar did well to palm away from six yards.

There was a bizarre moment when Claudio Marchisio was barged off the ball by teammate Mirko Vucinic just as he was about to cross in the Inter box, much to the midfielder’s bemusement. Marchisio did manage to get a cross away soon after, but Vucinic just failed to make contact with his head and, as the move continued, Matri ballooned over from a Caceres cut-back. Vucinic was again unable to get on the end of a wayward Caceres header from Pepe’s cross.

Inter threatened from a Maicon corner, but Buffon performed a stunning reaction save at the near post from point-blank range on Forlan’s header.

Milito also went very close, trapping a long ball over the top and stinging Buffon’s gloves from just inside the box, then firing the follow-up over. Buffon was becoming much the busier of the goalkeepers, again forced to parry a screamer of a Joel Obi strike from distance.

Milito was furious when the referee waved play on after he clashed with Giorgio Chiellini on the counter, while Julio Cesar smothered a Vucinic effort.

A poor clearance found Dejan Stankovic on the volley, but again Buffon was there to save with his legs in a reflex parry.

Juventus 0-0 Inter (Half-Time)

Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio; Pepe, Matri, Vucinic

Inter: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Nagatomo; Zanetti, Stankovic, Poli, Obi; Forlan, Milito

Ref: De Marco

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

2 - 0

Martín Cáceres (57′)

Alessandro Del Piero (71′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Attendance: 34000‎

Caceres and Del Piero settle Derby d'Italia and close gap

to leaders AC Milan back to four points

Second half goals from the Uruguayan and the Italian were enough to give

the Bianconeri all three points, in what was a captivating encounter in Turin.

Mar 25, 2012

Second half goals from Martin Caceres and Alessandro Del Piero were enough to give Juventus a 2-0 win over Inter at Juventus Stadium on Sunday.

A header from the Uruguayan defender and a delightful first time finish by the veteran Italian striker gave the Old Lady a valuable win in their hunt to chase down leaders AC Milan at the top of the Serie A table.

With Juventus fresh off the back of that Coppa Italia semi-final aggregate win over Milan on Tuesday, it was clear that Antonio Conte's men were brimming with confidence, and they started the game as such.

The Bianconeri dominated possession in the early exchanges, but were nearly made to rue their lack of chances created on 13 minutes. Maicon made a trademark run down the right, cut inside, found the run of Diego Milito, and played the Argentine forward in on goal. Unfortunately for the Nerazzurri though, the former Genoa striker couldn't make the most of the opportunity, firing his shot straight at Gianluigi Buffon.

Conte's men still had the monopoly on possession, but were now starting to create chances on goal, and they perhaps should have opened up their account on two occasions midway through the half. First, Alessandro Matri had a header from eight yards saved by Julio Cesar, and then just a few minutes later, a low cross from the right found Matri again, but the Italian forward could only hit his shot over the bar.

Claudio Ranieri's side slowly started to impose themselves on the game; putting pressure on Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal. And it was that leg-work that almost led to Inter opening their account for the night.

Dejan Stankovic dispossessed Marchisio in the centre circle, and played a long, diagonal ball to Milito. The Argentine forward brought the ball down superbly, took it into the box, and fired a shot straight at Buffon, only for the ball to arrive back at his feet for a second attempt. Regrettably for the Nerazzurri though, that effort was also missed, and the sides went into the break all square.

The second half began in almost the exact opposite way to the first, with Inter controlling the play but struggling to create any clear-cut chances. Milito was, as usual, full of running, but the Nerazzurri midfield four were finding it difficult to pick out the Argentine forward's darting runs.

That lack of incisiveness came back to haunt Inter on 57 minutes. A corner from the right was whipped in by Pirlo, and the ball found Caceres, who, unmarked inside the six yard box, headed home easily for his first Serie A goal of the season.

The Nerazzurri starting pushing desperately for an equaliser, but all that pressing left them exposed at the back, and Juventus took full advantage on 70 minutes. A delightful through ball by Vidal found the run of Del Piero, who, just inside the area, gently slipped it past the on-rushing Julio Cesar to make it 2-0.

Late chances for Fabio Quagliarella and Giorgio Chiellini almost made the final scoreline even more resounding, but Conte's men had to settle what they had, as they closed the gap on leaders Milan back to four points. Inter remain in eighth, meanwhile, and now trail third-placed Lazio by 10 points.

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

2 - 0

Martín Cáceres (57′)

Alessandro Del Piero (71′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Attendance: 34000‎

Juve's Derby d'Italia triumph!

Gigi Buffon’s heroics denied Inter in the first half, then Martin Caceres

and Alessandro Del Piero struck to secure a Juventus victory.

Mar 25, 2012

The Derby d’Italia has always been a fiery occasion, but even more so since the Calciopoli scandal of 2006. The new Juventus Stadium makes very clear they do not acknowledge the two stripped titles, so maintain they have 29 Scudetti rather than 27. Indeed it was in huge letters all over the stadium choreography with the banner ‘That which we earned on the pitch with sweat, was handed to you in the courts.’

The Bianconeri got through to the Coppa Italia Final on Tuesday night against Milan in extra time, though the club insisted their unbeaten record remained intact despite losing 2-1 at the end of the 90 minutes. Inter faced a massive struggle to even qualify for the Europa League and pressure was building on ex-Juve Coach Claudio Ranieri.

Wesley Sneijder and Ricky Alvarez were unavailable, so Diego Forlan and Diego Milito were picked in attack. The home side missed Emanuele Giaccherini and the suspended Stephan Lichtsteiner, so Martin Caceres stepped in and Andrea Barzagli returned from injury.

Juve had their first chance within three minutes, as Julio Cesar beat away Simone Pepe’s pull-back to Alessandro Matri and the defence scrambled clear. Inter also threatened, as Douglas Maicon played through the middle for Milito, forcing Gigi Buffon to parry from close range.

On 16 minutes Caceres crossed for Matri inbetween two defenders, his header that Julio Cesar did well to palm away from six yards.

There was a bizarre moment when Claudio Marchisio was barged off the ball by teammate Mirko Vucinic just as he was about to cross in the Inter box, much to the midfielder’s bemusement. Marchisio did manage to get a cross away soon after, but Vucinic just failed to make contact with his head and, as the move continued, Matri ballooned over from a Caceres cut-back. Vucinic was again unable to get on the end of a wayward Caceres header from Pepe’s cross.

Inter threatened from a Maicon corner, but Buffon performed a stunning reaction save at the near post from point-blank range on Forlan’s header.

Milito also went very close, trapping a long ball over the top and stinging Buffon’s gloves from just inside the box, then firing the follow-up over. Buffon was becoming much the busier of the goalkeepers, again forced to parry a screamer of a Joel Obi strike from distance.

Milito was furious when the referee waved play on after he clashed with Giorgio Chiellini on the counter, while Julio Cesar smothered a Vucinic effort.

A poor clearance found Dejan Stankovic on the volley, but again Buffon was there to save with his legs in a reflex parry.

After the restart Pepe pounced on a Yuto Nagatomo error, but Walter Samuel got back to block the shot. Alessandro Del Piero and Leonardo Bonucci replaced Matri and Pepe, moving to a three-man defence.

Julio Cesar flew to fingertip a Marchisio blockbuster out from under the bar and from the corner Caceres was left in far too much space to nod in the Juventus opener. The Uruguayan defender was totally unmarked from eight yards and left the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

Buffon audaciously came well out of his area to clear from Milito, while Ranieri introduced Giampaolo Pazzini and Marco Davide Faraoni for Obi and Poli.

Vucinic sprung the offside trap from Del Piero’s pass to be totally on his own against Julio Cesar, but fired straight at the goalkeeper.

The move continued and this time Del Piero was the one who went clear, keeping his cool to pass it across Julio Cesar into the far bottom corner. The captain timed his run perfectly on an Arturo Vidal pass through three Inter defenders. It was Alex’s first Serie A goal of the season, the 186th in his career.

It really should’ve been 3-0 when Chiellini burst through the distracted Nerazzurri defence and rolled across for Leonardo Bonucci at the back post, but Maicon performed a crucial goalline clearance with Julio Cesar well beaten.

Chiellini went for goal himself with a bullet header from the set play, but Julio Cesar flew to palm it out from under the crossbar. Substitute Fabio Quagliarella muscled his way past Nagatomo to force another save at the near post.

Chiellini was furious in stoppages when Milito ran with an arm into the back of his neck, but the referee waved play on.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Juventus:Buffon; Caceres, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio; Pepe (Bonucci 53), Matri (Del Piero 53), Vucinic (Quagliarella 74)

Inter:Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Nagatomo; Zanetti, Stankovic, Poli (Pazzini 68), Obi (Faraoni 68); Forlan, Milito

Ref:De Marco

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

2 - 0

Martín Cáceres (57′)

Alessandro Del Piero (71′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Attendance: 34000‎

Juve win Derby D'Italia

Mar 25, 2012

Juventus maintained their unbeaten record in Serie A this season with a 2-0 win over Inter Milan which takes them back to within four points of AC Milan at the top of the table.

Martin Caceres and Alessandro Del Piero scored the goals for the Bianconeri, who moved 15 points clear of their bitter rivals in the process.

Inter's 12th defeat of the season leaves them in seventh place in the table, behind Catania and seven points away from a place in Europe next season, which is beginning to look increasingly unlikely for the 2010 Champions League winners.

The ongoing dispute over the Serie A titles in 2005 and 2006 has added further spice to the Derby d'Italia this season while the contrasting form of both teams made the stakes high at the Juventus Stadium.

The fact that former Juve coach Claudio Ranieri was sitting on the Inter bench was another ingredient and, fittingly, the show on the field lived up to the expectations with both sides showing a willingness to attack.

The home side made their first break for goal in the third minute, but Alessandro Matri was unable to make anything of the chance after Julio Cesar pushed Simone Pepe's cross out to him.

Inter responded with a break of their own in the 14th minute, but Gianluigi Buffon denied Diego Milito.

Julio Cesar did not want to be outdone at the other end as he kept out a Matri header with a reflex save.

Milito got two bites of the cherry in the 32nd minute, but he was first denied by Buffon before hitting over.

Only the customary yellow cards were missing from an exciting encounter, but Yuti Nagatomo changed that as his became the first name to go into the book after 34 minutes.

Antonio Conte made two changes early in the second half, first bringing Leonardo Bonucci on for Pepe, much to the home fans' disapproval, but then sent Del Piero on for Matri.

Only three minutes later, Juve were in front.

Andrea Pirlo's corner was met by Caceres, who was left all alone to head past Julio Cesar.

Del Piero's impact on the game became even more tangible when he set up Mirko Vucinic, who was denied by Julio Cesar in the 70th minute.

The Juve club captain then doubled their lead with a shot into the far corner from Arturo Vidal's assist.

Maicon saved Inter from further damage 10 minutes from time when he made a sliding tackle to deny Fabio Quagliarella from close range while Julio Cesar made two more spectacular saves to deny Giorgio Chiellini and Quagliarella as Juve threatened to run away with the game.

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

2 - 0

Martín Cáceres (57′)

Alessandro Del Piero (71′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Attendance: 34000‎

Player Ratings

Goal.com evaluates all of those involved in the Derby d'Italia, a game in which

the Turin giants clinched three precious points thanks to Martin Caceres and Alessandro Del Piero.

Mar 25, 2012

Juventus

Gianluigi Buffon 7.5 - Very busy in the first half. The Italy captain made a crucial stop from Milito on 15 minutes, using his feet to great effect, before then displaying his wonderful reactions by keeping out a terrific near-post header from Forlan. Denied Milito again in the 32nd minute and also kept out long-range efforts from Obi and Stankovic.

Giorgio Chiellini 7.0 - Lucky to avoid giving away a free-kick in a dangerous position - and perhaps even a booking - for blatantly obstructing Milito after the Argentine had flicked the ball by him. However, for the most part, he defended solidly and was desperately unlucky to end with neither an assist, after a wonderful run into the Inter box, or a goal, on account of a terrific reflex save from Julio Cesar.

Martín Cáceres 7.5 - Proved a more than able deputy for Lichtsteiner, picking out Matri in the area with a sublime lofted cross which the forward really should have buried. He was not afraid to get himself into the box either. He probably should have done better with a Pepe cross from the right wing 27 minutes in but made amends by heading Juve into the lead midway through the second half. However, from a defensive perspective, he was exposed by Obi's pace on a couple of occasions.

Paolo De Ceglie 5.0 - Struggled to contain Maicon whenever the Brazilian ventured forward, while at the same time failing to put the Inter full-back under any pressure himself. His crossing was pretty poor, too.

Andrea Barzagli 6.0 - Had a momentary scare when he Milito put him under pressure as he tried to shepherd the ball back to Buffon but this was a decent display from Barzagli given it was his first game back after injury.

Simone Pepe 4.5 - His first couple of crosses were poor but his terrific delivery from the right wing some 26 minutes in deserved better from Caceres. However, that was to be the highlight of his evening as he was hauled off early in the second half, just moments after wasting a pretty decent opening.

Claudio Marchisio 5.5 - Started pretty slowly but he started to get himself involved from the half-hour mark on and forced the corner which led to Caceres' goal with swerving drive which Julio Cesar tipped over the bar.

Andrea Pirlo 6.5 - Lost the ball deep in his own half early on and was very nearly caught in possession in his own box just before the break. However, he was much more like his usual self in the second period and ended with another assist to his name after Caceres headed home his terrific corner from the right. Should have had another too but Vucinic wasted his wonderful through-ball.

Arturo Vidal Pardo 7.5 - Really put himself about early and tested Julio Cesar from distance after winning the ball well just inside Inter territory before surging forward. His shooting was suspect throughout but his pass into Del Piero for the crucial second goal was absolutely sublime.

Mirko Vučinić 5.0 - Offered an early indicator of his growing confidence by barging Marchisio off the ball midway through the opening period. However, he was on the fringes of the game for most of the half before calling Julio Cesar into action with a deflected effort shortly before the break. Presented with a great chance to put Juve 2-0 up but shot tamely at Julio Cesar.

Alessandro Matri 4.5 - Demonstrated his admirable willingness to chase back during the first half but he spurned a golden opportunity to open the scoring by heading Caceres' wonderful cross straight at Julio Cesar. He then blazed over after the Uruguayan's cut-back had fallen for him some in the middle of the box. Unsurprisingly replaced early in the second half.

• Substitutions

Leonardo Bonucci 6.0 - Thrown on in place of Pepe as part of a tactical reshuffle which saw Juve switch to 3-5-2 and slotted back into the side with the mininum of fuss.

Alessandro Del Piero 7.5 - Harshly dropped after scoring against Milan in midweek, the legendary trequartista proved a point by making a tremendous impact after bring sprung from the bench, scoring Juve's vital second goal after being put through by Vidal. Why oh why are Juve getting rid of him at the end of the season?!

Fabio Quagliarella 6.0 - Saw 10 minutes of action at the end and came close to scoring just before full-time only to be denied by Julio Cesar.

FC Internazionale

Julio César 6.0 - Failed to claim Pepe's low cross early on but got away with it as Vucinic was unable to pick out a team-mate after pouncing the rebound. Mad a string of impressive saves in the second period but could do nothing about either Caceres' header or Del Piero's strike. Badly let down by his defenders in both instances.

Javier Adelmar Zanetti 5.5 - Industrious as ever, the Argentine broke up several Juve attacks, most notably when he almost effortlessly stripped Vucinic of possession just outside the Inter box. However, his overall influence was negligible.

Lucio 5.0 - Stuck pretty close to Matri for the majority of the game and kept the forward quiet, but he did lose the Italy international during the first half and was lucky to see the forward head tamely at Julio Cesar. Must also accept the majority of the blame for Caceres' goal by allowing the Uruguayan a free header on the six-yard box.

Maicon 6.5 - Lucky to avoid a booking for catching De Ceglie but soon settled and caused havoc every time he went forward in the first half, particularly when he cut infield on 13 minutes and put Milito in on goal only for the Argentine to shoot straight at Buffon. Less of a threat, though, after the break.

Walter Adrian Samuel 6.0 - Cannot be faulted for the loss. The Argentine won a fair bit of ball in the air and also made a couple of important blocks, throwing himself in front of a shot from Marchisio in the opening quarter before deflecting a strike from Matri away for a corner.

Yuto Nagatomo 5.5 - Initially appeared that he and Obi might caused all sorts of problems for Juve down the left-hand side after linking well with the youngster nine minutes in but the Japanese rarely ventured forward thereafter. Kept Pepe pretty quiet, though.

Dejan Stankovic 5.5 - Given the nod ahead of Cambiasso in midfield and made several timely interceptions in the first quarter of the game alone. Also drew a save out of Buffon with a long-range effort. However, his sloppy passing put the Nerazzurri in trouble on occasion.

Andrea Poli 5.0 - Never really managed to get a grip of the game, though he did get a grip of Vucinic's shirt just before the interval and was booked for his troubles. Quite who he was supposed to be marking for the corner which led to Caceres' goal is anyone's guess.

Obi 5.5 - Showed an impressive turn of pace in breaking away down the left wing early on but then failed to pick anybody out in the centre. Tested Buffon with a well-struck strike from distance. However, was anonymous in the second half before being replaced.

Diego Forlan Corazo 5.0 - Recalled to the starting lineup after allegedly refusing to come on as a sub last weekend and initially struggled to find a team-mate. However, he linked well with Maicon in the lead-up to Milito's first sight of goal before then drawing a terrific reaction save out of Buffon with a near-post header.

Diego Alberto Milito 6.0 - Had the first big chance of the game after being slipped in on goal by Maicon. Unfortunately, the ball got under his feet a tad and he was only able to stab it towards goal, thus leaving Buffon with a far easier save to make. Produced a far cleaner strike after killing a long ball over the top but Buffon was again equal to it.

• Substitutions

Marco Faraoni 5.5 - Failed to make an impression after coming on for Obi midway through the second half.

Giampaolo Pazzini 5.5 - Came on for Poli on 67 minutes but never got a sight of goal while on the field.

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

2 - 0

Martín Cáceres (57′)

Alessandro Del Piero (71′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Attendance: 34000‎

Buffon hails Del Piero

Mar 25, 2012

Gigi Buffon admits Milan’s victory spurred Juventus on to beat Inter and praised Alessandro Del Piero.

The Bianconeri needed a win to maintain the four-point gap from leaders Milan, who won 2-1 against Roma on Saturday.

“I like it when we play later, especially when the other team has won, because it adds that little spark of anxiety that I enjoy,” said Buffon after a 2-0 win over Inter.

“Historically the Derby d’Italia is a special game, but we were also playing to win so we could keep our hopes alive of troubling the side ahead of us. If we had failed to win tonight, those hopes would’ve been wiped out.

“This way we can still push to end the season on a high.”

Buffon performed heroics in the first half before Martin Caceres and Del Piero scored the winning goals.

“Inter played very well for 60 minutes and Claudio Ranieri put us under a lot of pressure. I am very happy for Del Piero, who obviously deserves this goal.

“He is a great champion, but I’d like to point out how wonderfully professional Ale has been this year. He accepted this role and never made any trouble or controversy, working hard in training and repaying the Coach when called upon.”

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

2 - 0

Martín Cáceres (57′)

Alessandro Del Piero (71′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Attendance: 34000‎

Ranieri: 'Inter crumbled after goal'

Mar 25, 2012

Claudio Ranieri admits Inter made the same mistakes with Juventus and after the opening goal “the game was over for us.”

The Nerazzurri had numerous great chances in the first half and were kept out by Gigi Buffon’s heroics, but Martin Caceres’ free header and an Alessandro Del Piero strike sealed Juve’s 2-0 victory.

“There are regrets about this game, as for an hour we did very well, but the goal was down to yet another distraction on set plays. There were only four of them in our box, but we were drawn away by Mirko Vucinic,” said Ranieri.

“Andrea Poli was meant to be marking Vucinic, but Maicon lost Caceres because he was drawn to the Montenegrin. From there the game was over for us, as we lost in terms of intensity and determination on every ball.

“I am bitter at the result, because we held out very well against Juventus who deserve to be up there. We had studied this game and interpreted it very well, but only up until the Caceres goal. After that Juve legitimised the result with at least three scoring opportunities.

“Our defect is that we tend to lose sharpness at the first setback. It had all gone so well up until the goal and Buffon was man of the match. We’ve got to fight to the end and we’ll see where we are when the games have been played.

“It’s true the gap is widening from the European places and there are fewer games left to catch up, but we will not give in.

“My future? I feel relaxed, you know how it is... We are doing everything we possibly can, the President knows that and we have to end the season well.”

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

2 - 0

Martín Cáceres (57′)

Alessandro Del Piero (71′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Attendance: 34000‎

Conte explains Juve tears

Mar 25, 2012

Antonio Conte explains why he shed a tear at the final whistle of Juventus-Inter ad adds “we wanted to give our fans this moment of joy in the Derby d’Italia.”

The Coach was visibly moved at the end of the 2-0 victory this evening, although it had little to do with football.

“My aunt died recently and she was like a second mother to me,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“We had to win tonight and it’s a wonderful campaign. We also wanted to give our fans this moment of satisfaction in the Derby d’Italia.

“To be honest, I am struggling to understand why Inter are so low down the standings. They are full of champions and in a one-off game can beat anyone.

“We knew it would be a struggle, especially as we played 120 minutes in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday. Inter had nothing to lose, while the pressure was on us, but we held out well.”

Alessandro Del Piero scored his first Serie A goal of the season after a Martin Caceres opener, but Gigi Buffon required heroics in the first half to deny Inter.

“In my view Del Piero and Buffon are our extra weapons. At this moment Ale is in good shape and therefore he’s playing. He also played in the Coppa and he repaid me with an excellent performance.

“When he gets the ball between his feet, it’s difficult for him to not get it in the net. We have a very honest rapport and he knows what I think.”

The victory keeps Juve within four points of Serie A leaders Milan in a thrilling Scudetto race.

“How much do we believe in the title? It is in Milan’s hands. I don’t want to upset anyone, but I am objective. The Rossoneri are proving they have such strength in depth that they can continue to do well even through injuries.

“As of today Milan are the strongest side in Italy and I hope they do well against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final.”

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

2 - 0

Martín Cáceres (57′)

Alessandro Del Piero (71′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Attendance: 34000‎

Chiellini on Juventus defensive

Mar 26, 2012

Giorgio Chiellini has revealed why high-flying Juventus are so difficult to break down. “It’s not just the defence.”

The Old Lady have the best defensive record in Serie A given that they have conceded just 17 goals in 29 League games.

Their clean sheet in last night’s 2-0 win over Inter was also their 15th of the Serie A campaign this term.

“We don’t concede a lot of goals because we all do a great amount of work,” the Italian international centre-back noted.

“Players show how good they are individually when they play in an organised side. When we all press high, run and hold our positions, it all becomes easier for us.”

Chiellini, partnered by Andrea Barzagli and then Leonardo Bonucci against Inter, also nearly made a difference at the other end.

He had a header well saved by Julio Cesar and then he opted to assist Fabio Quagliarella rather than shoot when through on goal.

“Maicon did really well to clear Quagliarella’s effort,” the former Fiorentina man continued. “I would have wanted to score, but I saw that Quagliarella was free and he was in a better position.

“It would have been nice to score, but the most important thing was to win this fundamental game.”

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

2 - 0

Martín Cáceres (57′)

Alessandro Del Piero (71′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Attendance: 34000‎

Zanetti: Inter were unlucky to lose versus Juventus

The experienced Argentine feels the Nerazzurri put in an outstanding performance

in the opening 45 minutes, but stated that Juve's goal ended their good spell.

Mar 26, 2012

Inter skipper Javier Zanetti has expressed his disappointment with the Giuseppe Meazza side's 2-0 Serie A loss away against Juventus, as he feels they deserved better after an 'excellent' first half.

The Nerazzurri caused their opponents plenty of problems in the opening 45 minutes, but failed to break the deadlock and were made to pay for their inability to score after the break as Martin Caceres and Alessandro Del Piero helped Juventus to the full three points.

"Inter put in an excellent performance in the first half. We managed to do this in Juventus' own stadium, in a place where they are still unbeaten," Zanetti stated to Sky Sport.

"We knew that we could cause them problems, but we were unfortunately unable to capitalise. We also started the second half pretty well, but then Juventus' goal affected us badly."

Inter have dropped to eighth in the Serie A table following this weekend's results.

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

2 - 0

Martín Cáceres (57′)

Alessandro Del Piero (71′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Attendance: 34000‎

'I relish the pressure of a title run-in' -

Buffon after Derby d'Italia win

The veteran keeper has spoken of his joy at winning Sunday night's clash against Inter,

and how he's looking forward to challenging the Rossoneri for the Serie A title.

Mar 26, 2012

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has said that AC Milan's 2-1 win over Roma on Saturday spurred his side on to win in the Derby d'Italia against Inter on Sunday.

The veteran keeper performed heroics to keep the Bianconeri in the game in the first half, and conceded that the added pressure of the tie made him perform at his best.

“I like it when we play later, especially when the other team [Milan] has won, because it adds that little spark of anxiety that I enjoy,” the 34-year-old told the club's official website.

“Historically the Derby d’Italia is a special game, but we were also playing to win so we could keep our hopes alive of troubling the side ahead of us. If we had failed to win tonight, those hopes would’ve been wiped out.

“This way we can still push to end the season on a high.”

Buffon also took time to praise his team mate Alessandro Del Piero, after the Italian striker bagged his first league goal of the season.

“I am very happy for Del Piero, who obviously deserves this goal.

“He is a great champion, but I’d like to point out how wonderfully professional Ale has been this year. He accepted this role and never made any trouble or controversy, working hard in training and repaying the coach when called upon.”

Juventus remain in second place in Serie A, four points behind league leaders AC Milan.

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

2 - 0

Martín Cáceres (57′)

Alessandro Del Piero (71′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Attendance: 34000‎

Conte hails 'decisive' Del Piero after win over Inter

The Bianconeri coach had nothing but praise for the former Italy international,

and also had words of encouragement for the Giuseppe Meazza outfit.

Mar 26, 2012

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has expressed his satisfaction with Alessandro Del Piero's form in recent weeks in the aftermath of the Old Lady's 2-0 Serie A win at home over arch-rivals Inter.

The veteran attacker netted once in Juve's important victory after previously finding the net in the Bianconeri's Coppa Italia semi-final against AC Milan in midweek, and Conte understandably feels Del Piero is currently a key player for the Turin giants.

"Del Piero? He’s in excellent form at the moment, and he was absolutely decisive in these last two important matches. His experience and character are fundamental in this crucial stage of the season," Conte was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

The Juventus trainer then went on to reflect on the win over Inter, and had words of encouragement for the Giuseppe Meazza side.

"We faced a great team, and it’s really hard to understand their current position in the table.

"In the first half, they caused us some difficulties. During the break I told my lads that we would revert to a three-man defence. I don’t know whether this change was decisive, but it helped turning the game around."

Juventus remain second in the Serie A table, whereas Inter have dropped to eighth spot following this weekend's results.

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

2 - 0

Martín Cáceres (57′)

Alessandro Del Piero (71′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea De Marco

Attendance: 34000‎

Ranieri frustrated by brilliance of 'super' Buffon

after Derby d'Italia defeat

The Italy captain was in inspired form during the first half of the game in Turin,

playing a key role in a result which leaves the Nerazzurri 10 points behind third-placed Lazio.

Mar 26, 2012

Inter coach Claudio Ranieri felt that Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was the difference between the two sides in Sunday night's 2-0 Derby d'Italia defeat in Turin.

The struggling Nerazzurri had the better of a scrappy first half and forced the Italy captain into a string of fine saves.

The hosts then took over in the second period and opened the scoring when an unmarked Martin Caceres headed home Andrea Pirlo's corner, before sealing three precious points through substitute Alessandro Del Piero, leaving Ranieri cursing the brilliance of Buffon and a fatal lapse in concentration from his defence.

"That set-piece changed everything," the Inter boss said of the opening goal during his post-game interview with Premium Calcio.

"Until that, we had created so much and only a super goalkeeper like Buffon denied us a goal."

Ranieri elaborated on his frustration over Caceres' opener on Sky Sport Italia: "There is regret at having wasted a good hour of play by again conceding a goal after switching off for a set-piece.

"There was only a few in the penalty area but we were drawn to [Mirko] Vucinic at the front post, leaving only Caceres in the middle. Then we didn't react.

"I'm sorry because we could have come away from here with a different scoreline after that first half."

Inter's loss at Juventus Stadium leaves them eighth in Serie A, 10 points adrift of third-placed Lazio.

However, while Ranieri concedes that the Nerazzurri now have it all to do if they are to qualify for next season's Champions League, he refused to throw in the towel just yet.

"We must fight and take it one game at a time," the Roman reasoned. "Then we'll see where we are.

"Sure, to win here would have given us a big push but this year we have not been able to get on the right track.

"Ten points to make up on Lazio is a lot, it is true, but we will not give up."

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