Juventus Season 2011-2012

[Socrates 8326]

[Socrates 8326]

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Reja: Let’s use this euphoria

Apr 9, 2012

Edy Reja is keen for his Lazio players to use the positive momentum sustained from beating Napoli at the weekend towards Wednesday’s test at Juventus.

In search of the final Champions League qualification spot, the Aquile gave their hopes a huge boost on Saturday by defeating direct rivals Napoli 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico.

In seeing it end a poor run of form, Reja is eager to see the Biancocelesti gain some upward momentum for the rest of the season.

“We must use this period of euphoria,” reflected the Coach to La Repubblica on Monday.

“We were not experiencing a great run of form and the Neapolitans were a strong team to face, but we closed ranks and played a great game.

“We created many chances and it can be a decisive victory for us.”

Reja then turned his attention on the club his players will look to use their euphoria against, the yet-to-be-defeated Juventus.

“The Juventus stadium is awesome and [Antonio] Conte is one who doesn’t give anything away. He is a Coach of great character who infuses his character within the team.

“All of Juventus’ players are strong and fast. Even Bonucci and Chiellini, despite their physical build, they are now fast.

“Pirlo, meanwhile, is a phenomenon that always makes a difference and helps them play this good football.

“I just hope that after the victory Lazio secured on Saturday that we will have regained our fitness and nerve so as to try to fight for every ball on Wednesday and then for the rest of the League.”

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Every game a final for Juventus

Apr 9, 2012

Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo has urged his team-mates to treat each game as a final if it is to win the Scudetto this season.

The Turin giants took advantage of AC Milan's 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina by beating Palermo 2-0 at the weekend to return to the top of Serie A.

"We didn't expect Milan to fall," said Pirlo, who joined Juventus last summer from Milan. "Now everything depends on us.

"We want to continue with our dream and think big.

"To hold a one-point advantage at this stage of the campaign means a lot.

"Each game from now on is a final and we have to be aware that we can also slip at any time.

"Our chances of winning the Scudetto are 50%."

Juve is unbeaten this season and go into Wednesday's home game against third-placed Lazio in great form.

The Bianconeri has kept a clean sheet in its last four league games while it has scored 12 times during that run.

Milan, in contrast, is licking its wounds after its loss to Fiorentina that followed on from a 1-1 draw at Catania the previous weekend.

Its recent setbacks has seen the Rossoneri throw away a four-point lead to drop to second place, one point adrift of Juventus.

Milan travel to Verona to face Chievo on Tuesday without the services of defender Daniele Bonera and midfielders Massimo Ambrosini and Alberto Aquilani, all suspended.

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[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Amauri finally comes good as Juve take control at the top of Serie A

Apr 9, 2012

It was a weekend of shocks and surprises around Serie A, with the biggest coming at the San Siro, where Amauri scored his most important goal yet for Juventus.

Sure, the striker happened to be wearing a Fiorentina shirt at the time, but although his late winner against AC Milan helped ease the Viola’s relegation worries, it was the club who had previously discarded him that benefited most.

The Ital-Brazilian had been shown the door in the most acrimonious of circumstances by the Turin club at the start of the season, after returning from a loan spell at Parma. He had hung around like a bad smell until January, training with the youth team, until a window of opportunity finally opened in Florence.

Having failed to score since April 2011, the gangly front man broke his duck in the most unlikely of surroundings and in the most unlikely manner, having only charged on to the pitch like a bolting horse in the final quarter of a match from which the visitors had been more than willing to take home a point.

Even if Juventus had not been preoccupied with the preparations for their early evening match at Palermo, there was little chance of Antonio Conte or anyone else from the Turin club calling the 31-year-old to offer their congratulations and thanks.

Not that Amauri would have cared that much after his fractious break from the Bianconeri, and who better to enjoy the moment with than the missus, who was straight on the phone to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary.

But you can rely on Sky Italia to take the shine off anyone’s day, and one of their reporters was quick to ask the tousled-haired forward how good it was to have done Juve a favour.

Although he may have lost his beaming smile for a moment, he bounced back by chirpily insisting all he was interested in was helping Fiorentina.

Amauri is all too aware of how football can turn against you, and Massimiliano Allegri is beginning to learn the same lesson. With the Champions League now gone by the wayside, the Milan coach is duty bound to defend the club’s Serie A title, but his side looked completely spent after their exertions at the Camp Nou last week.

It was the first time the time Milan had lost two in a row under Allegri, and he was at a loss to put together a compelling defence for his side’s below-par performance, one which saw the champions blow a 1-0 lead.

The only bright note on an otherwise listless afternoon was the return of Antonio Cassano, who was given a ten minute run-out after receiving the all-clear to at last resume playing. The forward almost produced something out of nothing late on with a darting run into the area.

However, even with his cardiac problems hopefully behind him, it will take time for the 29-year-old to rediscover his match fitness, and with it the sort of form that can give Milan a much-needed fillip in the run-in.

Impetus is something Juve do not need and with the positive news arriving from the north, down in Sicily they then tore into Palermo to take command at the top of the table.

Conte has been chipping away at Rossoneri confidence for some time and last week he led a 12-minute motivational speech in the centre of the training pitch, tellingly in full view of the TV cameras.

It was almost akin to Al Pacino’s rousing pre-game team talk in ‘Any Given Sunday’ - a loud and clear battle cry of intent and one that Allegri would do well to heed.

There is little time to be introspective, however, with a full midweek round to face: so confident are Juventus that even the arrival of third-placed Lazio, who saw of a very tired looking Napoli on Saturday, looks unlikely to knock them off their stride.

Milan, on the other hand, with injuries and suspensions mounting, will travel to Chievo knowing they need to bounce back immediately or risk handing the physiological advantage to the Old Lady once and for all.

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Allegri: Juve are not unbeatable

and have not won the league yet

AC Milan trainer has insisted that they are still determined to win the Scudetto,

and feels that the absence of a number of players does not justify their recent downturn.

Apr 9, 2012

Massimiliano Allegri has made it clear that AC Milan have not given up hope of winning the Serie A title, and added that injuries and suspensions are not an excuse for their poor form in recent weeks.

Ignazio Abate admitted on Sunday that Milan are going through a difficult period at the moment, and blamed the absence of several key players for their dip in form after they were eliminated from the Champions League and dropped to second spot in the league table.

Nevertheless, Allegri feels that there is no room for excuses, and is determined to get things back on track as soon as possible.

"We want to win the Scudetto. We still have many injuries and suspensions, but that's not an excuse or an alibi," Allegri stated at a press conference.

"Milan are having a great season so far and it's due to the board and the players."

Saturday's loss to Fiorentina has seen Juventus leapfrog Milan at the top of the Serie A table, but Allegri says that the Bianconeri may slip up before the end of the season.

"Serie A is still wide open and we will fight until the end," he noted. "Juventus only depend on themselves, but they are not unbeatable.

"They have not won the league, there are seven matches remaining and we are just one point behind, after all.

"It is clear I would prefer to be in the front, but we can still win."

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Reja: Lazio's victory against Napoli could be decisive

The 66-year-old trainer was delighted with the win over the Partenopei but is not getting

carried away ahead of the match against Juventus in Turin.

Apr 9, 2012

Lazio coach Edy Reja was over the moon following his side's 3-1 victory against Napoli at the weekend.

The Biancocelesti have taken a giant step towards Champions League qualification as they maintained their place in the top three, while increasing their lead over fifth-placed Napoli to six points.

"We are enjoying this moment after the victory against Napoli," Reja told Lazio Style Radio.

"We were not going through a good moment and the Partenopei are a strong side, but we had a great game.

"We had several chances to score and this could be a decisive result for us."

Reja then urged his players to switch their focus to Wednesday's game against Juventus, who have moved to the top of the Serie A standings following a victory against Palermo.

"We are all very happy, but we need to stay focused, because we know what happened after the victory against Roma and we do not want to make the same mistake," Reja said, referring to Lazio's 3-1 loss to Bologna following their win in the city derby.

"Juventus Stadium is amazing and Antonio Conte does not give anything away.

"All of Juve's players are very fast, even Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, despite their strong physique.

"Andrea Pirlo is a phenomenon because he always makes the difference and helps the team play good football.

"Juve are in great shape, but I hope that after Saturday's victory, we have regained our fitness and nerve to try to fight for every ball on Wednesday and then for the rest of the league."

Lazio currently hold a three-point lead over Udinese in the race for the final Champions League spot in Serie A.

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Pirlo: 'Milan are not in crisis'

Apr 10, 2012

Andrea Pirlo warns that his former teammates “Milan are not in crisis, but now the Scudetto depends only on Juventus. Lazio are merely the first hurdle.”

The Bianconeri wiped out a four-point gap in the space of two rounds to go top of the Serie A table and welcome Lazio on Wednesday evening.

“Being back on top of everyone else is great fun,” Pirlo told Sky Sport Italia ahead of the midweek round.

“We hadn’t been the leaders for a while, but were always aware we could do well. Now we are up there, we must continue to think big and take it one game at a time.

“Our chances are 50-50, as it takes the slightest slip-up and it all changes. We must focus on beating Lazio, who are only the first hurdle.

“In all honesty, we did not expect Milan to lose against Fiorentina, especially as they had gone in front and we didn’t think the result would be turned around like that. They did us this favour and we took advantage.

“I must admit that stepping on to the field against Palermo in the knowledge Milan had already lost did fire us up even more.

“However, I don’t believe Milan are in crisis. It’s only normal to feel a little tired after the Champions League. We have to focus only on ourselves, as we are top and seven finals await us. At this point I can’t even comment on the differences in the run-ins, as the results of other teams should not interest us.”

Pirlo faces the first of those ‘finals’ on Wednesday evening when third-placed Lazio come to the Juventus Stadium.

“It is not the toughest obstacle from here to the end of the season, but it is the first on the road to our dream. They are a great side and already proved it last season, but we cannot afford to slow down now.”

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Conte wants winning mentality

Apr 10, 2012

Antonio Conte has told his players to forget about Milan’s results for the rest of the season and to focus only on winning every game they play.

The Bianconeri are preparing for a tough midweek test at home to Lazio, aware that they could again be behind the Rossoneri by the time they kick-off, given that the Milanese are playing 24 hours earlier, at Chievo.

However, Conte is keen to stress to his players that regardless of whether or not Massimiliano Allegri’s team win at the Mussi Volanti to edge two points ahead of his team, that the Turin side’s mentality should not change.

“Winning is enough - my message will not change until the end of the season,” declared Conte to the assembled media on Tuesday.

“The team is in a good mental state, there is great enthusiasm and awareness. We want to play all our cards with no regrets.

“Milan are a super power, a battleship that was created for the grand slam. They have 35 players of the highest level and despite many absences can play well in many formations and from this point of view, we take them as an example.

“An important thing for us as well is to leave the field with sweaty shirts, as we have done from the first day. It is clear that we will compete until the end, but the end result doesn’t change anything, because today we can call this year extraordinary.

“The best thing is to see the enthusiasm of the fans, they have rediscovered their pride in us. Nothing can take that away now, and this is the most important thing.”

Conte went into more detail about how he has changed the club’s mentality over the course of the season, why it is so important and how it won’t change in relation to Milan’s progress.

“You know, the psychological work [with the team] is work that is done throughout the year and we believe that we have worked a lot so far with our minds, beyond the technical and tactical discussions.

“There was definitely a mindset to return to winning and a desire to enter games already a goal ahead, to then win the game, with the so-called mentality, so we worked head and I must say - I never tire of saying this - my players responded.

“The point that I am telling my players now is, even tonight, beyond Milan’s result - if they win or not - we must win.

“If they draw, we must win, if they lose, we must win. So the message doesn’t change, we must play to win, but this is an approach we have been working on from the start of the season and we are trying to instil it as a mentality.”

Edy Reja’s Lazio stand in the way of progress on Wednesday night and Conte is aware of the challenge his side are likely to fight against.

“I would expect more or less a defensive game from Lazio. It will be a tough match from all points of view and we will certainly have to be at our best to get all three points.

“They have an important goal in Champions League qualification and we also have that important aim and a win against Lazio tomorrow would put an end to their entrance to the competition through the front door.

“And this must be an important incentive for us, whilst being aware that Lazio are a good team, who are in good form and want to continue their work from beating Napoli.”

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Reja hoping against Juve

Apr 10, 2012

Edy Reja admits that to beat Juventus on Wednesday night will be difficult, but that he hopes at least fortune favours his Aquile this time around.

The Biancocelesti go into Week 32 hoping to become the first team to beat Antonio Conte’s Juve this season, so as to maintain their advantage in trying to secure the third and final Champions League qualification position in the table.

Whilst the Bianconeri boast a strong League record over his team, including three consecutive wins over them going into this fixture, Reja may be realistic, but also maintains hope.

“Winning against Juventus is very difficult, but every game has its own story,” he said at his pre-match Press conference.

“If we consider the previous matches with Juventus, last year we lost in the final minute and this season we lost but it wasn’t deserved for the performance we put in. I hope that luck can turn in favour of Lazio this time.

“We know that they work well on the wings, have good strikers and midfielders who are very fit. They are a team who has everything - character, temperament and quality.

“The table is telling. I have to compliment Conte on an extraordinary job. He has added a particular mentality to the team.

“I used the 3-5-2 formation [Conte now uses] at Napoli and it was said that I was old. Conte uses it and it is said that he is a genius.

“Beyond this he has introduced a very important philosophy, especially for a team like Juve who always play to win on all fronts.

“They are first in the League and a Coppa Italia final to play and I consider that they’ll remain top until the end. Milan are not going through a good patch and are paying for their European commitments.”

Reja celebrates his 100th game in charge of Lazio tomorrow night.

“It’s nice, very nice. Moreover, we come from an important result like the one against Napoli. Now we have two away and we will try to return home with some points.

“Tomorrow we have some difficulties, but surely we will enter the field and try to battle for 90 minutes.

“The forecast says Juve [will win], but we feel good mentally and physically. When I have picked players who have played less than others, they have always performed. This is my hope again.”

The tactician also refused to rule former side Napoli out of the running for third place, despite their six-point deficit to Lazio.

“We have a good margin, but I do not think they are out of the race. We need 65-66 points. Then we must see game after game as to whether or not this average will be enough. There are teams who can still fight for third place.

“We have stuttered a few times, but we are still in this position. The margin, however, is still not enough.”

Reja also passed comment on speculation linking Alessandro Nesta with a move away from Milan this summer. A former Lazio youth product and notable player, he has been linked with Juve this week.

“Nesta is a great player whose quality is not only as a professional but also in his behaviour. I have heard that Juventus are interested, it is clear that he cannot play 60 games a season, but I think that he could still be useful to Juve even in this light.

“As for us, based on our final League ranking we will evaluate things and consider signing an important player. He knows the environment at Lazio but I do not know if he would agree to end his career in Rome.

“He is Laziale, but objections and protests are always just around the corner. Clearly he is a player that would suit everyone, but think he will stay at Milan.”

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Quagliarella thanks Conte for show of faith

The 29-year-old striker struggled for a long time to shake off the physical

and mental effects of a serious knee injury but has now netted twice in his last two games.

Apr 10, 2012

Juventus forward Fabio Quagliarella has expressed his gratitude to coach Antonio Conte for standing by him during one of the most difficult periods of his career.

The striker struggled for both form and fitness for most of the current campaign, having missed the second half of last season with a serious knee injury.

However, Quagliarella has struck twice in his last two outings for the Bianconeri, against Napoli and Palermo, and feels indebted to Conte for keeping faith with him.

“Conte got to know me when I wasn’t in my best form, coming back from injury," he told Mediaset Premium.

"He always said he would wait for me. I’ve gone through some tough moments, I’m not denying that, but the manager has helped me a lot.

"Of course, a striker would always like to play, but there aren’t any fixed choices up front and we’re rotated depending on the opposition.”

With undefeated Juve now one point clear of AC Milan at the summit of Serie A, Quagliarella now wants to repay his boss by continuing to pop up with crucial goals during the remaining seven rounds of the season.

However, the 29-year-old acknowledges that the Bianconeri have a difficult run-in, starting with Wednesday's meeting with Lazio in Turin.

“Perhaps nobody would have expected this last summer, even though in our hearts we hoped to get to this point and give it a go," the former Napoli attacker mused.

"We’re having an extraordinary championship season, without forgetting the Coppa Italia [final]. Now we need to keep going.

“Lazio and Roma are the toughest teams we have left to play, but the other teams have great motivation when playing against us, because all of them want to end our unbeaten record.

"However, we are also motivated because we are pursuing a magnificent target.”

Juve's crucial clash with third-placed Lazio gets underway at 20.45CET.

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Conte: Juventus are proud to be AC Milan's rivals

The Old Lady had gone into the current league campaign on the back of successive

seventh-placed finishes but they are now just seven games away from glory.

Apr 10, 2012

Antonio Conte has claimed that Juventus are proud to be AC Milan's rivals for this year's Serie A title given that few pundits tipped the Bianconeri as Scudetto challengers before the season began.

The Turin-based side have yet to lose in the league this term and are currently one point clear of the Rossoneri at the summit of the standings with seven rounds remaining.

Conte is hopeful that Juve will go on to win the title but he confessed that he is just proud that his players are in this position after the club had gone into the current campaign on the back of successive seven-placed finishes in Serie A.

“We're proud to be Milan's rivals, considering where we started from,” the former Italy international told reporters on Tuesday.

“This extraordinary year has come about through the great work of my players from the start of the season.

“We must give it our all right until the end with no regrets. We need to remain proud of what we've done. But we must play to win, regardless of Milan's results.

“We want to think big and go for the maximum objective, but the most important thing is to continue giving our all.

“The team has enthusiasm and awareness of its own ability but the best thing has been seeing the joy and pride expressed by our supporters.”

Conte is hoping to treat the Bianconeri faithful to another victory on home soil against Lazio on Wednesday.

“Tomorrow we'll face the team in third place,” he mused. “It will be a tough game and we'll need to be at our best to take all three points.

“Beating them would guarantee our spot for direct Champions League qualification.”

Juve's pivotal meeting with the Biancocelesti in Turin kicks off at 20.45CET.

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Reja tips Juventus to win Serie A title

Lazio coach feels that Antonio Conte's men must now be considered favourites

to land the Scudetto, even though they are just a point clear at the top of the table.

Apr 10, 2012

Lazio coach Edy Reja has tipped Juventus to win this season's Serie A title ahead of his side's trip to Turin.

The Bianconeri overtook AC Milan at the summit of the standings over the weekend, moving one point clear of the Rossoneri, who were beaten at home by Fiorentina, thanks to a 2-0 win in Palermo.

Reja has now revealed that he is not expecting Antonio Conte's men to be knocked off their perch as he believes that Juve have an easier run-in than the Rossoneri.

"Looking at the fixture list, I think they’ll stay there right until the end," Reja told reporters on the eve of Lazio's visit to Juventus Stadium.

"I must congratulate Conte, he’s done an extraordinary job. Antonio has given a particular mentality to his team, he’s changed their philosophy and brought in new players. They are Coppa Italia finalists and top of the league."

The Biancocelesti go into the game protecting third place in the table, and the Champions League berth which comes with it. In light of what is at stake for both sides, Reja is anticipating a fiercely competitive encounter.

“It will be a fantastic game against a team enjoying an extraordinary run of form," the former Napoli coach enthused.

"The fixture will be difficult for us, also due to the fact that [stefan] Radu and [Abdoulay] Konko are out.

"Yet we have other important players possessing both quality and personality.

“Last season saw us lose in the last second, while this year [in Rome] we didn’t deserve to lose considering how we played. I hope this time the fortune goes in our favour.”

Lazio's meeting with Juve in Turin is scheduled to kick off at 20.45CET.

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Pirlo: AC Milan are not in crisis

but the title is in Juve's hands now

The Rossoneri are reeling after their Champions League exit in Barcelona and Saturday's

shock loss to Fiorentina, but the veteran playmaker is refusing to write off his old side.

Apr 10, 2012

Andrea Pirlo remains wary of the threat posed by AC Milan to Juventus' Scudetto dream, insisting that the Rossoneri are not in crisis, while admitting that the Bianconeri now hold their destiny in their own hands.

Antonio Conte's men moved to the summit of Serie A on Saturday after capitalising on their title rivals' shock loss at home to Fiorentina by triumphing 2-0 in Palermo.

Pirlo is refusing to write off his former club but is delighted that Juve are now in a position where they only have to concern themselves with their own results.

“Being back on top of everyone else is great fun,” Pirlo told Sky Sport Italia. "We hadn’t been the leaders for a while, but were always aware we could do well.

"Now we are up there, we must continue to think big and take it one game at a time. Our chances are 50-50, as it takes the slightest slip-up and it all changes.

“In all honesty, we did not expect Milan to lose against Fiorentina, especially as they had gone in front and we didn’t think the result would be turned around like that. They did us this favour and we took advantage.

“I must admit that stepping on to the field against Palermo with the knowledge Milan had already lost fired us up even more.

“However, I don’t believe Milan are in crisis. It’s only normal to feel a little tired after the Champions League.

"We have to focus only on ourselves, as we are top and seven finals await us."

Pirlo then turned his attention to the crunch clash on Wednesday night against third-placed Lazio in Turin.

"We must concentrate fully on beating Lazio, who are only the first hurdle," the Italy international declared.

“It is not the toughest obstacle from here to the end of the season, but it is the first on the road to our dream.

"They are a great side and already proved it last season, but we cannot afford to slow down now.”

Juve's meeting with the Biancocelesti gets underway at 20.45CET.

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[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Serie A Preview - Bianconeri looking to stay top of Serie A

as they host Champions League hopefuls

The Turin giants entertain the Champions League-chasing side as both teams

look to stay ahead of their respective challengers in domestic league action.

Apr 10, 2012

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

JUVENTUS

Buffon

Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini

Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie

Matri, Quagliarella

LAZIO

Marchetti

Konko, Diakite, Biava, Radu

Brocchi, Ledesma

Gonzalez, Mauri, Candreva

Rocchi

Juventus coach Antonio Conte once again has a full squad available with no injuries or suspensions, so his only worry will come in the form of which players to select in his starting line-up.

Having looked secure in defence recently, Juve are likely to stick with three at the back as full-backs Stephan Lichtsteiner and Paolo De Ceglie join the trio of Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio in midfield.

Meanwhile, Fabio Quagliarella, having scored in their last two matches, should get a start upfront, while Alessandro Matri impressed as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Palermo by setting up their second goal and could replace Mirko Vucinic.

Lazio took a big step towards Champions League qualification by defeating rivals Napoli 3-1 on Saturday but will once again be missing first-choice players in prolific striker Miroslav Klose, midfielder Senad Lulic and centre-back Andre Dias due to injury.

After recent poor performances, Brazilian midfielder Hernanes, who has eight goals in Serie A this season, could drop to the bench in favour of Alvaro Gonzalez with veteran Stefano Mauri moving into a more central attacking role behind lone forward Tommaso Rocchi.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Juventus won the first match between these two sides this season by a score of 1-0 back in November with a strike from Simone Pepe.

• The Bianconeri, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, have kept five clean sheets in a row in Serie A.

• Conte's men remain unbeaten in league play and also boast the best defence, having conceded just 17 times.

• Lazio have not won in their last 14 attempts against Juventus in Serie A and have lost their last three league matches against the Bianconeri.

• Lazio have not won away from the Stadio Olimpico since defeating Chievo on January 29.

• Midfielder Cristian Ledesma is the player who has featured most for Lazio this season, making 31 appearances.

Head to Head

Serie A ‎- Nov 26, 2011 - Lazio 0 - Juventus 1

Serie A ‎- May 2, 2011 - Lazio 0 - Juventus 1

Serie A ‎- Dec 12, 2010 - Juventus 2 - Lazio 1

Serie A ‎- Jan 31, 2010 - Juventus 1 - Lazio 1

Serie A ‎- Sep 12, 2009 - Lazio 0 - Juventus 2

Last Five Matches

Juventus

Apr 7, 2012 - Palermo 0 - Juventus 2 - Serie A

Apr 1, 2012 - Juventus 3 - SSC Napoli 0 - Serie A

Mar 25, 2012 - Juventus 2 - FC Internazionale 0 - Serie A

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

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

Lazio

Apr 7, 2012 - Lazio 3 - SSC Napoli 1 - Serie A

Mar 31, 2012 - Parma 3 - Lazio 1 - Serie A

Mar 25, 2012 - Lazio 1 - Cagliari 0 - Serie A

Mar 18, 2012 - Catania 1 - Lazio 0 - Serie A

Mar 11, 2012 - Lazio 1 - Bologna 3 - Serie A

Players to Watch

Leonardo Bonucci

Despite struggling for a large portion of the campaign, the former Bari defender has come into his own over the last month or so and been a rock alongside Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini in a three-man defence. With the season winding down, he must continue his positive form to gain a spot with the Azzurri at Euro 2012.

Stefano Mauri

The veteran midfielder is also looking for a place on the national team this summer and certainly boosted his chances with an outrageous overhead kick-goal against Napoli at the weekend. The playmaking responsibilities will be on his shoulders on Wednesday – can he be the one who ends the Bianconeri’s string of clean sheets?

Prediction

Juventus will have the benefit of already knowing AC Milan’s result from Tuesday night against Chievo and thus be aware of what they must do to stay atop the league standings – Lazio will be no pushovers as they continue to chase third, but the advantage remains with the in-form Bianconeri, who are aiming for a fifth straight victory.

Editor's Prediction

Juventus 2 - 1 Lazio

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Previews: Juve entertain Lazio

Apr 10, 2012

Lazio's trip to Turin represents one of the biggest remaining hurdles standing between Juventus and the Scudetto.

Saturday's impressively one-sided 2-0 win in Sicily over bogey team Palermo restored Juve to Serie A's summit with a one point lead, but since Milan's visit to Chievo takes place on Tuesday the Bianconeri may well be trailing their title rivals again by the time they kick off on Wednesday night.

“Its been a while since we were top, yet we've always been aware we can do well” says magisterial midfielder Andrea Pirlo. “We know that everything now depends on us. Winning all seven of our remaining fixtures would put us out of sight.”

Of those seven fixtures the two toughest are thought to be Roma's visit in a week-and-a-half's time, and this game. Tactically the talk is that Coach Antonio Conte will stick with the 3-5-2 he fielded in Palermo, making only a few adjustments - Paolo De Ceglie instead of Marcelo Estagarribia on the left flank, Alessandro Matri instead of Fabio Quagliarella accompanying Mirko Vucinic up front.

The question is which Lazio will turn up to face them, because since Christmas the Aquile have been the very definition of a Jekyll and Hyde outfit – winning eight, losing seven and drawing none of the 15 League matches they've played in 2012.

The Biancocelesti strengthened their grip on third place and Champions League qualification with a 3-1 win over Napoli on Saturday night, expanding their lead over the Neapolitans to six points and maintaining the three point gap between themselves and fourth placed Udinese. “We must use this period of euphoria,” commented boss Edy Reja. “The Juventus Stadium is awesome and Conte is one who doesn't give anything away. All of Juventus' players are strong and fast. Pirlo meanwhile, is a phenomenon that always makes a difference.”

Lazio haven't bested Juventus in Turin on League business since 2003, although they did win a Coppa Italia tie there 2-1 in 2009.

The Romans journey north without Andre Dias, Miroslav Klose, Marius Stankevicius, Senad Lulic and Loik Cana due to a variety of injuries. Juve are fortunate enough to have a fully fit roster.

Keep an eye on: Mirko Vucinic (Juventus) – A month ago Juve couldn't stop drawing games and Mirko Vucinic couldn't stop fluffing chances, now team and player are both in dazzling form, and there's nothing like the light blue shirts of Lazio to bring the best of the Montenegrin, who regularly tormented the Aquile during his time with their bitter rivals Roma.

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

Last season: Juventus 2-1 Lazio

Stat fact: Juventus have emerged from their bout of 'drawitis' in dramatic fashion. After a run of six draws in seven games the Bianconeri have now recorded four straight victories, scoring 12 and conceding zero. Lazio had the best away record in Serie A earlier in the campaign but have now lost four of their last five away from the Olimpico.

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

Lazio: Marchetti; Konko, Diakite, Biava, Radu; Brocchi, Ledesma; Gonzalez, Mauri, Candreva; Rocchi

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Juventus v Lazio: Preview

Apr 10, 2012

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has urged his players to win all of their remaining seven Serie A games - starting against Champions League hopefuls Lazio tomorrow.

The Bianconeri go into the encounter in Turin unbeaten this season and holding a one-point lead over AC Milan at the top of the standings.

Juve took advantage of AC Milan's 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina by beating Palermo 2-0 on Saturday to return to the summit.

"Our aims will not change from here until the end of the season,'' Conte said. "We must win all of our remaining games and that's that.

"We are in good shape and we want to play our cards right, without having any regrets.

"It's clear that we are in contention for the Scudetto and we will try until the end.

"But I don't think the end result will change our opinion as we can only define our season as extraordinary.''

Juventus have scored 12 goals and conceded none in their last four league games.

Lazio coach Edy Reja is aware of the task that awaits his players tomorrow.

"It's going to be a beautiful game,'' he said. "Juventus are going through a fantastic spell that has seen them return to lead Serie A.

"Juventus have character, temperament and quality. They have everything.

"Juventus are favourites, but we will face them without fear.''

Last weekend's 3-1 triumph over Napoli allowed Lazio to move back into third place and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

The result - Lazio's second win in three games - lifted them three points clear of Udinese.

The visitors must overcome the absence of defender Andrea Dias, who is out with a thigh problem, while the team's top scorer Miroslav Klose is still sidelined through a muscular injury.

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Juventus v Lazio – Preview

Apr 10, 2012

For a team that has not been defeated all season, it has taken until the 31st Matchday for Juventus to reclaim first place on the Serie A table.

The Bianconeri’s rather impressive display at the Renzo Barbera shot the side to the top of the standings, and many are now saying the Scudetto race is over. Leonardo Bonucci grabbed his second goal in as many matches, as did Fabio Quagliarella.

Gianluigi Buffon has also not been beaten in the last four matches, adding to how good the Juve defence has been this term. Stephan Lichsteiner will play against his former side for the first time.

The Olimpico faithful were treated to a feast of goals on Sunday, as Lazio took Napoli apart, winning 3-1. Antonio Candreva – a former Bianconero – and Cristian Ledesma may have gotten on the scoresheet, but it was the overhead kick of Stefano Mauri that stole the show.

Miroslav Klose is still a few weeks away from returning to the first team, meaning Tommaso Rocchi and Libor Kozak are in line for a starting spot.

The reverse fixture ended in a 1-0 win to Juve in November. And the same should happen on Wedensday.

Prediction: Juventus 1-0 Lazio

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Conte credits mental change at Juve

Apr 10, 2012

Antonio Conte believes a new mentality is what has turned Juventus from abject under-achievers the last two years into title pretenders this season.

Two seventh-place finishes in a row had seen usually sky-high expectations in Turin dissipate, but Conte has rejuvenated the northern giants since arriving as coach last summer and they currently lead the Serie A table by a point from AC Milan.

Conte - who got the job after taking Siena to promotion to Serie A last season - puts down the quick turnaround to a new approach. "This year we've worked a lot on the head, to rediscover a winning mental attitude and in fact we always go onto the pitch to win," said the 42-year-old, who played over 400 games for Juventus winning five Serie A titles and the 1996 Uefa Champions League among other trophies.

"I found a group of lads who have proved very willing," he added. "It's a continual process of development, a few weeks ago we were seven points behind Milan [with a game in hand], then it was five [also with a game in hand] and now we're in front.

"We always have the obligation to win and we even had it at Palermo [on Saturday] having known Milan had lost," he said. "Whatever Milan do [against Chievo on Tuesday] we still have to play to win against Lazio [on Wednesday]. That's the way it's always been and that's the way it will be to the end."

Conte still likes to keep his ambitions low key, though, seemingly wary of getting above his station. Juve are the most successful team in Serie A history with nine more titles than both Milan and Inter Milan. They have also spent heavily since returning to the top flight in 2007 following their relegation to Serie B the year before for match-fixing.

Their side is filled with internationals including half the first-choice Italy team. But to hear Conte speak it would be easy to assume he was in charge of one of the country's minnows.

"We have to play without regrets. We're proud to be fighting against a battleship such as Milan with seven games left," he said. "From the beginning of the season I've never spoken about the title, it seemed crazy to me. But I don't want to blow smoke in everyone's eyes, we'll give everything and then see where that takes us."

Juve take on third-place Lazio on Wednesday and Conte is still insisting his aims are more modest than those expected of the league leaders. The Old Lady of Turin are 11 points ahead of Lazio and if they beat them they would only need another five points from their last six games to ensure they go straight into the Champions League group stages next season.

"We're playing the third-place team. Lazio have been in the upper echelons of Serie A for many years, which is the fruit of excellent work," said Conte. "It will be a tough match, difficult, we'll need to be at our best to win. They have a very important objective which is Champions League qualification.

"We also have a fundamental aim and winning tomorrow would guarantee us second place and direct access into Europe [the Champions League group stages]," he said. "At the beginning of the season the club asked me to get us back into the Champions League after two seventh-placed finishes.

"We're a lot further ahead of every prediction, we've improved exponentially given that at the start people were thinking we'd finish fifth or sixth," he said. "Even if we don't win, it wouldn't be a disappointment, the important thing is to give our all."

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Del Piero: Juventus have to beat Lazio to keep our title dream alive

The experienced attacker has stressed that the Old Lady can not afford to spill points in Wednesday's encounter if they are to win the Italian title this term.

Apr 11, 2012

Juventus attacker Alessandro Del Piero has made it clear that the Bianconeri desperately need all three points in Wednesday's Serie A match at home against Lazio in order to keep their Scudetto dreams alive.

The Turin giants are currently trailing Serie A leaders AC Milan by two points, but Juventus have a game in hand and will return to the top of the table if they beat Lazio. "We need the full three points in order to keep dreaming of the title.

The previous matchday couldn't have gone any better for us. We beat Palermo and climbed to first spot in the table," Del Piero said to Tuttosport. "Another crucial and difficult week awaits though. This is not the time to celebrate. We have to focus on the game against Lazio and on bagging the three points once more. We all want to achieve great things again."

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

[Luigi Daniele 68]

Huge match (yeah, all the rest are). GO JUVE!

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Pepe and De Ceglie return to face Lazio

The former Udinese man has got the nod ahead of Martin Caceres and Stephan Lichtsteiner

for the right wing berth as Bianconeri boss Antonio Conte makes two changes to his lineup.

Apr 11, 2012

Simone Pepe and Paolo De Ceglie have both been recalled to the Juventus starting lineup for Wednesday night's crucial Serie A clash with Lazio in Turin.

Pepe takes over from Martin Caceres on the right-hand side of the Bianconeri's five-man midfield, with Stephan Lichtsteiner forced to make do with a seat on the bench, while Paolo De Ceglie replaces Alejandro Estigarribia on the opposite flank.

Elsewhere, Fabio Quagliarella, who has hit two goals in his last two appearances for the Bianconeri, will continue up front alongside Mirko Vucinic.

Lazio, meanwhile, have opted to drop the out-of-form Hernanes to the bench as Edy Reja elects to play Stefano Mauri, Alvaro Gonzalez and Antonio Candreva in behind lone striker Tommaso Rocchi.

Hernanes' fellow Brazilian Matuzalem, who is not 100 per cent fit, has also been named among the substitutes.

The Biancocelesti have arrived in Turin without a host of first-team regulars through injury, including Miroslav Klose, Andre Dias and Stefan Radu.

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Pepe, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie; Quagliarella, Vucinic.

Subs: Storari, Caceres, Lichtsteiner, Giaccherini, Borriello, Matri, Del Piero.

Lazio: Marchetti; Scaloni, Diakitè, Biava, Garrido; Cana, Ledesma; Gonzalez, Mauri, Candreva; Rocchi.

Subs: Bizzarri, Zauri, Matuzalem, Brocchi, Hernanes, Alfaro, Kozak.

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

Line-ups: Juventus-Lazio

Apr 11, 2012

Juventus have picked Fabio Quagliarella and Mirko Vucinic to face off against Lazio, who dropped Hernanes to the bench.

The Bianconeri leapfrogged Milan to the top of the table on Easter Saturday, but as Milan won at Chievo last night, they need a victory to retain the leadership.

They welcome third-placed Lazio who are fresh from beating Napoli to consolidate that third Champions League berth.

Antonio Conte has a full squad to choose from and has picked Vucinic and Quagliarella to lead the 3-5-2 system.

Simone Pepe and Paolo De Ceglie are pushed wide to protect a three-man defence, meaning Stephan Lichtsteiner is on the bench against his former club.

Lazio have to deal with an injury crisis that has ruled out Miroslav Klose, Andre Dias, Marius Stankevicius, Senad Lulic, Abdoullay Konko and Stefan Radu.

Veteran Tommaso Rocchi therefore starts in attack with support from Stefano Mauri, Alvaro Gonzalez and ex-Juve man Antonio Candreva.

It means Hernanes is dropped to the bench after a period of poor form, joining the not 100 per cent fit Francelino Matuzalem.

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Pepe, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie; Quagliarella, Vucinic

Juventus bench: Storari, Caceres, Lichtsteiner, Giaccherini, Borriello, Matri, Del Piero

Lazio: Marchetti; Scaloni, Diakitè, Biava, Garrido; Cana, Ledesma; Gonzalez, Mauri, Candreva; Rocchi

Lazio bench: Bizzarri, Zauri, Matuzalem, Brocchi, Hernanes, Alfaro, Kozak.

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

[Socrates 8326]

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Antonio Damato

HT: Lazio punish wasteful Juve

Apr 11, 2012

Juventus dominated the first half and scored a sensational Simone Pepe goal, but were made to pay for wasting their chances as Lazio draw at the break.

The Bianconeri took advantage of Milan’s shock home defeat to Fiorentina by leapfrogging them to the top of the table on Easter Saturday. The Rossoneri won last night’s game, so the pressure was back on Juve to regain the leadership. Antonio Conte had a full squad to choose from and opted for a last-minute change as Paolo De Ceglie was replaced in the named line-up by Stephan Lichtsteiner for a 4-3-3 system. Edy Reja’s injury crisis continued with Miroslav Klose, Andre Dias, Marius Stankevicius, Senad Lulic, Abdoullay Konko and Stefan Radu missing out.

Juve were unbeaten in their previous 14 meetings with Lazio in Serie A, last tasting defeat in Rome in 2003-04.

Giorgio Chiellini flashed a pass across for Fabio Quagliarella to scuff wide as he came sliding in, then Federico Marchetti was both lucky and unlucky simultaneously. Quagliarella’s snapshot from distance bounced very strangely off the turf to whack the goalkeeper in the face, leaving him in need of treatment.

Mirko Vucinic had penalty appeals for a tussle with Lionel Scaloni, but the referee waved play on.

Simone Pepe really should’ve opened the scoring on 27 minutes, but lost his nerve and fired straight at Marchetti.

Pepe got his goal soon after in truly spectacular fashion. Lazio were pegged back into their own penalty area, so Pirlo chipped up a pass for Pepe to spring the offside trap, chest it down and with a fantastic overhead kick beat the goalkeeper from six yards.

Arturo Vidal almost netted an even more astounding goal moments later, as he saw Marchetti off his line and lobbed from the centre-circle in a David Beckham style strike, but the goalkeeper back-pedalled furiously to fingertip it out from under the bar.

Juventus had another amazing opportunity, all of it in the space of five minutes. Quagliarella’s shot seemed certain to go in after he spun round Mobido Diakite in the six-yard box, but Marchetti showed cat-like reflexes to stick up a trailing hand and palm it over the bar while he was on the ground.

The first half was one-way traffic and Pirlo’s long ball found Lichtsteiner to pull back from the by-line for Vucinic, but Diakite’s sliding tackle was decisive to deflect over the bar.

Juve were made to pay for wasting all those chances, though, as Stefano Mauri equalised on the stroke of half-time with Lazio’s first real opportunity. Leonardo Bonucci completely forgot his man, so Mauri was allowed a free header from a cross whipped in from the right.

Juventus 1-1 Lazio (Half-Time)

Scorers: Pepe 29 (J), Mauri 45 (L)

Juventus:Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Pepe, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio; Quagliarella, Vucinic

Lazio: Marchetti; Scaloni, Diakitè, Biava, Garrido; Cana, Ledesma; Gonzalez, Mauri, Candreva; Rocchi

Ref: Damato

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

[Luigi Daniele 68]

HUGE win (obviously ).

I am beginning to like our chances