Juventus Season 2011-2012

[Socrates 8335]

Serie A Week 38 - 13-5-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

3 - 1

Luca Marrone (10′)

Alessandro Del Piero (28′)

Stephan Lichtsteiner (83′ - O.G.)

Andrea Barzagli (90+1′ - Penalty)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Gabriele Gava

Attendance: 36000‎

Del Piero seals Juve record in final game

May 13, 2012

Alessandro Del Piero marked his final league appearance for Juventus with a goal as the champions preserved their unbeaten Serie A record with a final-day victory at home to Atalanta.

Del Piero, who after 20 years' illustrious service will leave the Turin club on the expiry of his contract this summer, slotted home Juve's second of the afternoon after Luca Marrone had opened the scoring.

Andrea Barzagli's penalty completed the victory for the hosts in stoppage time after Atalanta had been given late hope thanks to Stephan Lichtsteiner's own goal.

Juve won their 28th Scudetto last weekend when nearest challengers AC Milan lost 4-2 at Inter Milan and the Bianconeri defeated Cagliari 2-0. And the celebrations intensified today as Juve secured the result they needed to join Perugia and AC as the only clubs to have gone undefeated through an entire Serie A season.

Juventus still have one more date in their diary this term - the Coppa Italia final against Napoli in Rome next weekend - where 37-year-old Del Piero, the club's all-time record goalscorer, will have chance to make another fitting farewell to the Turin faithful.

The hosts wasted little time getting the title celebrations in full swing today as they took the lead after 10 minutes, Marco Borriello playing in Marrone who did the rest with a clinical finish high into the net. And with 28 minutes on the clock it was two, Emanuele Giaccherini with the assist on this occasion as Del Piero picked up on the ball and lashed a low drive into the bottom-left corner from outside the box. Giorgio Frezzolini then denied the hosts a third with a good save from Borriello on 47 minutes.

Atalanta finally threatened at the other end after 65 minutes when Giacomo Buonaventura's drive towards the top-right corner was brilliantly saved by Marco Storari. The visitors were right back in it on 83 minutes when Lichtsteiner deflected the ball into his own net, but Juve calmed any jitters in the first minute of injury time when Thomas Manfredini fouled Borriello in the area and Barzagli tucked home the resulting penalty.

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

[Socrates 8335]

Serie A Week 38 - 13-5-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

3 - 1

Luca Marrone (10′)

Alessandro Del Piero (28′)

Stephan Lichtsteiner (83′ - O.G.)

Andrea Barzagli (90+1′ - Penalty)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Gabriele Gava

Attendance: 36000

Juventus complete the Serie A season unbeaten

following home win over Atalanta

The Bianconeri's 3-1 victory means they have become the third team in Italian history

not to lose a single game all season, and the first in a 38-game campaign.

May 13, 2012

Juventus beat Atalanta 3-1 in their final league game of the season to record only the third ever unbeaten campaign in Serie A history.

Goals from Luca Marrone, departing club captain Alessandro Del Piero and Andrea Barzagli defeated Stefano Colantuono's side and saw the Bianconeri record their 38th game this term without defeat. They become the first team to complete the season unbeaten in a 20-team Serie A, with Perugia chalking up the first such record in a 30-game campaign in 1978-79 and AC Milan's 1991-92 achievement coming over 34 matches.

Juve have won 23 and drawn 15 of their 38 games this term, and including their 2-2 draw against Napoli on the final day of last season, they are now unbeaten in 39 matches stretching back to a 1-0 defeat at Parma on May 15, 2011.

Antonio Conte is yet to preside over a loss since taking over as Juventus coach last May, with a 2-1 defeat to Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg their only loss over 90 minutes, and even then a 2-2 draw after extra-time saw them progress to next week's final against Napoli in Rome.

The departing Del Piero was given a fantastic ovation when he was substituted in the 57th minute, spending several minutes taking the fans' applause as he made a lap of honour with the gap still being played.

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

[Socrates 8335]

Serie A Week 38 - 13-5-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

3 - 1

Luca Marrone (10′)

Alessandro Del Piero (28′)

Stephan Lichtsteiner (83′ - O.G.)

Andrea Barzagli (90+1′ - Penalty)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Gabriele Gava

Attendance: 36000

La Grande Juve: Antonio Conte's men join

the greats of Calcio with invincible season

The Old Lady completed the 2011-12 season unbeaten, marking them out

as one of the most remarkable outfits in Serie A history.

May 13, 2012

COMMENT

By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Editor

There were few tears, truth be told. Juventus’ 2010-11 season ended with a 2-2 draw at home to Napoli which ensured that they would miss out on the Europa League in the campaign ahead. In 2011-12, there would be no Stadio Olimpico, no Luigi Del Neri and no continental football. But it didn’t bother them one bit.

Little did Juve fans realise it at the time, but the ‘losses’ they experienced over those few days would become key factors behind one of the most successful seasons in Italian football history. They knew that a new stadium, new coach and a few free midweeks may well help their cause in the pursuit of a return to greatness, but this term has exceeded all expectations.

They still have the Coppa Italia final to go next Sunday, but the one trophy they already have has been attained in a way dissimilar to all but one team of the past. When Ilario Castagner’s Perugia finished second in Serie A in 1978-79, they did so becoming the first club ever to remain unbeaten in an Italian top-flight campaign. The great AC Milan went one better by achieving the feat as champions 13 years later.

OTHER INVINCIBLES

1889-90 Preston North End

1929-30 Athletic Bilbao

1931-32 Madrid CF

1942-43 Dresdner SC

1972-73 Benfica

1977-78 Benfica

1978-79 Perugia

1991-92 AC Milan

1994-95 Ajax

2003-04 Arsenal

2010-11 Porto

2011-12 Juventus

Two decades on, and it is Antonio Conte who has emulated Fabio Capello by winning the title in his first year in charge without a single defeat to his name. What’s more, it has been a picture-book season for the Old Lady. With Juventus Stadium rocking, new players adding steel and style, and Conte’s relentlessness ensuring there was no let up, the fans could have been forgiven for even realising there was no European football. Those who were missing it realised it was a small price to pay. Juve were flying.

THE OLD LADY REMAINS UNBOWED

There was a rocky spell when their season-long inability to make the most of their superior football resulted in a string of draws, but their response was to rack up their greatest run of the campaign. Ten wins in their final 11 games clinched a 28th official Scudetto and set them apart from any club in history. Milan just couldn’t keep up.

A great defensive record has been achieved without them necessarily having a great back line. To add to that, they have beaten 16 of the 19 teams put in front of them without having the most convincing of strikers.

Everything they have achieved, they have achieved together. They’ve defended as a team, attacked as a team, won as a team and, well .... drawn as a team.

It has been quite a 12 months since that second successive seventh-place finish, and the year ahead will have plenty of twists and turns in store. But whatever happens to the Old Lady either domestically or on the continent in 2012-13, nobody can ever take away what Conte and his players have achieved this season.

By beating Atalanta this afternoon amidst a party atmosphere, they have gone down in history. Very few clubs in football history can claim to have gone a whole year without a league loss, and on Tuesday the Bianconeri will celebrate that feat. When Sebastian Giovinco was lifted aloft by his Parma team-mates after scoring the winner at the Ennio Tardini on May 15 last year, few could have foreseen the magnificence to come.

The reward for their Scudetto crown is a place in the Champions League, which they have failed to grace in over two and a half years. The unbeaten achievement gains them only a place in a record book, but it can’t ever be wiped out.

It will stay forever in black and white, and may well always be remembered as the moment Juve blasted back. It is their first title since Calciopoli, as well as a superb response to two very difficult seasons. The Scudetto would have been enough, but the fact they achieved it without a single defeat makes it a sensational statement of intent.

Juventus have returned, and are doing their damnedest to achieve the kind of greatness even their miraculous history has never previously known. This version of the Bianconeri are history makers of a whole new breed.

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

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Serie A Week 38 - 13-5-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

3 - 1

Luca Marrone (10')

Alessandro Del Piero (28')

Stephan Lichtsteiner (83' - O.G.)

Andrea Barzagli (90+1' - Penalty)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Gabriele Gava

Attendance: 36000

Del Piero: 'I am so proud'

May 13, 2012

Alessandro Del Piero said his farewell was “an incredible moment, as my ties to the fans go beyond anything. I am happy and proud.”

The Juventus captain played his final Serie A match today, scoring a goal in the 3-1 victory over Atalanta and lifting the Scudetto trophy.

“It was an incredible moment,” he said of his lap of honour as tears flooded from people in the stands.

“My ties to the fans go beyond anything and I want to thank them. I am happy and proud today. It is an incredibly wonderful day.

“Of course there is also sadness, but it’s a moment to treasure, because I celebrated with the fans on the field and I cannot add anything more. I am truly proud.

“I am focusing on this because I don’t want to feel that sadness and I have to prepare for Sunday’s Coppa Italia Final against Napoli.”

Del Piero has stated he will not be retiring just yet, so could be heading to the American MLS or the English Premier League.

“There’s a lifetime ahead of me to work as a director. I am in good shape, I was born to play football and as long as I can do that, I’m happy.

“Would I like to play in England? I’ve always said you experience football in a fantastic way there. However, I haven’t discussed a transfer for 19 years, so I’m a bit out of the loop on what to do!”

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

[Socrates 8335]

Serie A Week 38 - 13-5-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

3 - 1

Luca Marrone (10')

Alessandro Del Piero (28')

Stephan Lichtsteiner (83' - O.G.)

Andrea Barzagli (90+1' - Penalty)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Gabriele Gava

Attendance: 36000

Conte: 'We still need Del Piero'

May 13, 2012

Antonio Conte thanked Alessandro Del Piero, prepares Juventus for the Coppa Italia and confirms Giorgio Chiellini has a suspected thigh strain.

The Bianconeri finished off the Serie A season unbeaten, becoming only the second ever team to win the title without a single defeat. They are the first in a 38-round League, as Fabio Capello’s Milan in 1991-92 were facing only 17 other teams.

“It is hugely satisfying for me and the players. It has been a fantastic season,” said the Coach after a 3-1 win over Atalanta.

“Finishing it unbeaten was astounding and nobody can ever overtake us. The most they can ever do is match our achievement.”

It was also a moving afternoon in Turin, as Del Piero said goodbye after 19 years at Juventus.

“I am moved by Del Piero, as he represents something indelible. He is the history of Juventus. That is thanks to the player and the man, so I can only thank him. Alex must also be a protagonist in the Coppa Italia Final in Rome.”

That match against Napoli next Sunday evening will be Del Piero’s last official match for the Bianconeri.

There were some concerns before the final whistle, as Chiellini over-stretched and limped off in tears, leading some to suspect he might even miss out on Euro 2012.

“It was a thigh twinge and he will certainly be out of the Coppa Italia Final, but needs more tests,” said Conte.

“We must relish these moments of joy and tattoo them in our minds so that we’ll do anything to experience them again in future. Our growth has been extraordinary considering where the team started.”

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

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Serie A Week 38 - 13-5-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

3 - 1

Luca Marrone (10')

Alessandro Del Piero (28')

Stephan Lichtsteiner (83' - O.G.)

Andrea Barzagli (90+1' - Penalty)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Gabriele Gava

Attendance: 36000

Player Ratings

Goal.com evaluates the performances of everyone involved in the game in Turin, which was

lit up by a goal by Alessandro Del Piero in his final Serie A appearance for the Bianconeri.

May 13, 2012

Juventus

Marco Storari 6.5 - With Gianluigi Buffon having been given the day off, Storari started between the posts and was quickly called into action, reacting well to Denis' near-post header by parrying the ball over the bar. However, he was rarely tested thereafter and could do little about Lichtsteiner's own goal.

Giorgio Chiellini 7.0 - Back at centre-half with Andrea Barzagli having been dropped to the bench and the versatile defender looked pretty comfortable for the most part, making several crucial interventions with his head as well as a brave block on a shot from Carmona 10 minutes into the second half.

Leonardo Bonucci 6.5 - Was left trailing in Denis' wake on the half-hour mark and was lucky to see the forward fire over. However, he did very well to muscle the Argentine off the ball when it appeared he might get in on goal again moments later. Subsequently made a brilliantly-timed challenge on Moralez which allowed him to launch a dangerous counter.

Stephan Lichtsteiner 6.0 - Few few questions were asked of him from a defensive perspective for the majority of the game. Therefore, it was very surprising that the attack-minded Swiss full-back did not really offer much going forward. Hard to be too critical of him for the own goal, though, as it was a ball he had to try to clear.

Simone Padoin 6.0 - Another man who benefited from Antonio Conte's decision to chop and change but the midfielder wasn't particularly eye-catching against his old club. Was neat and tidy in everything he did, and he did wonderfully well to win back possession and then drive his way into the area on 16 minutes. However, instead of then going for goal, Padoin unselfishly - but stupidly - tried to tee up Del Piero.

Andrea Pirlo 6.5 - Not his most spectacular game of the season and was caught in possession at one point, but, as usual, he dictated everything from the middle of the park before Juve eased off midway through the second half.

Emanuele Giaccherini 6.5 - Full of running down the left hand side and clearly had the beating of his man. Did not get enough of the ball, though, and his delivery wasn't up to scratch. Still, he played his part in Juve's second goal, laying the ball off for Del Piero on the edge of the Atalanta area.

Marcelo Alejandro Estigarribia 6.0 - Earned a recall at left-back and looked vulnerable early on as Scheletto and Bellini doubled up on him at every opportunity. However, he soon settled and did not give Schelotto a look-in thereafter. From an offensive perspective, his final ball often let him down and he was eventually replaced midway through the second period.

Luca Marrone 7.5 - Afforded a rare start in midfield and celebrate his recall in sensational style 10 minutes in, thundering a first-time shot past Frezzolini with the aid of the left post after being set up by Borriello. Showed some terrific touches on the ball - as well as demonstrating his ability to beat players - and pretty much underlined his status as a player of real potential.

Alessandro Del Piero 8.0 - Playing in his final Serie A game for Juve, Del Piero survived an injury scare inside two minutes before creating an opening for Borriello with a neatly-weighted ball which the forward wasted. Then came the goal everyone in the ground was praying for, Del Piero producing a trademark curler from the edge of the area to double Juve's lead and send the home fans wild. Received a hero's send-off while being replaced in the second half before affording himself a well-deserved lap of honour while the game was still going!

Marco Borriello 6.5 - Squandered an excellent chance to break the deadlock by firing wide after being slipped in on goal by Del Piero but he made amends moments later by teeing up Marrone for the opener with a clever backheel after a strong surge into the area. Was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself early in the second half and demonstrating great strength in rolling Manfredini.

• Substitutions

Andrea Barzagli 6.5 - Came on for the last two minutes in place of Chiellini and bagged himself a goal after firing home impressively from the penalty spot.

Simone Pepe 6.0 - Replaced Del Piero but was not really given much of a chance to influence the game as Juve were on easy street by that point.

Fabio Quagliarella 6.5 - Came on with just over 20 minutes to go and won the penalty from which Barzagli sealed Juve's win.

Atalanta

Giorgio Frezzolini 6.0 - Not to blame for any of Juve's goals and made a couple of decent stops, but wasn't really overworked.

Stefano Lucchini 6.5 - One of Atalanta's better performers on the day, Lucchini made a succession of key clearances and challenges.

Thomas Manfredini 5.5 - Gave his all throughout but struggled with Borriello at times, most notably when he was rolled by the on-loan Roma forward early in the second half. Also gave away a penalty at the death for pulling down Quagliarella.

Gianpaolo Bellini 7.0 - Showed his attacking intent early on by whipping over a cross which Moralez very nearly scored from. Continued to cause trouble every time he was given the opportunity to get forward and it was his cross which Lichtsteiner deflected past Storari.

Federico Peluso 6.0 - Defended stoutly but did not really get forward in the same way that Bellini did down the right-hand side.

Ezequiel Matias Schelotto 5.5 - Was pretty prominent during the opening quarter but he faded badly thereafter and was replaced six minutes into the second half. Disappointing showing from such a highly-rated prospect.

Giacomo Bonaventura 6.5 - Looked good on the ball throughout, always looking to make something happen and was very unlucky to see his terrific strike come back off the left post, with Storari beaten all ends up.

Maximiliano Moralez 5.0 - Showed some neat touches but struggled to have any effect on the game and it was not in the least bit surprising that he was taken off just after half-time.

Carmona 6.0 - Worked gamely but was unable to exert any real influence over the match.

Riccardo Cazzola 6.0 - Another player who gave his all but he eventually ran out of steam and had to come off with just over 10 minutes to go.

Germán Denis 5.5 - Called Storari into action with a powerful header with less than three minutes gone but he then blew a glorious chance to level the game after charging into the area. He didn't get another clear sight of goal thereafter.

• Substitutions

Luca Cigarini 6.0 - Throw on in place of the jaded Cazzola late on.

Nadir Minotti 6.0 - Came on for Schelotto early in the second half.

Manolo Gabbiadini 6.0 - Replaced the ineffective Moralez on 51 minutes.

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

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Serie A Week 38 - 13-5-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

3 - 1

Luca Marrone (10')

Alessandro Del Piero (28')

Stephan Lichtsteiner (83' - O.G.)

Andrea Barzagli (90+1' - Penalty)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Gabriele Gava

Attendance: 36000

Del Piero & Inzaghi wave goodbye as winners in fairytale ending

The two giants of the game said their farewells to Serie A on Sunday with a goal

apiece as the home fans got the last word they wanted from their heroes.

May 13, 2012

COMMENT

By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Editor

Welcome to the real world everybody. This is a place where more than just a glass slipper is needed to turn your dusty rags into a stunning ballgown, no toad becomes a handsome prince with a simple kiss and wicked queens are not undone by dwarves and magic mirrors. Instead it’s a place where real fairytale endings happen, and sometimes twice in one afternoon.

In the past week, many people on the streets of Milan and Turin have been discussing potential perfect finishes for Filippo Inzaghi and Alessandro Del Piero. And on Sunday, they all got their wish.

At San Siro, AC Milan were digging deep in search of a winner against lowly Novara having earlier fallen behind. With a quarter of the game remaining, Massimiliano Allegri called upon Inzaghi, something he has done rarely during his two years in charge, hoping that the No.9 could inject what was needed in front of goal. And boy, did he deliver it.

Eight minutes remained when Clarence Seedorf, like Inzaghi appearing in his final game for the Rossoneri, chipped the ball forward towards the striker. ‘Superpippo’ responded by taking the ball down and firing a volley superbly beyond Alberto Fontana.

It was a moment like few others in his 623-game career, with the whole Milan team mobbing him in celebration and the roof practically coming off the stadium. While Seedorf, Alessandro Nesta and Gennaro Gattuso were also waving goodbye after over a decade with the club, it was Pippo that the fans wanted to see score the winner more than anything they’ve wanted since Athens in 2007.

To a born goalscorer like Inzaghi, it was the only way to say goodbye.

Over at Juventus Stadium, there was always going to be something of a party atmosphere, with the Bianconeri having already clinched the Scudetto and the celebrations scheduled for shortly after full-time. But it was late in the first half when the home fans were treated to the cherry on top.

Emanuele Giaccherini played a low pass in to the departing Alessandro Del Piero, who curled home a superb low strike from 25 yards. Crowded by his contemporaries, the fans could hardly see their hero for the men in pink wanting to congratulate him. His 290th goal for the club was his last in Turin, and having known that today would be his curtain call made it no less emotive when it happened.

ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO AT JUVENTUS

SERIE A STATS

Appearances 513

Goals 208

TOTAL CLUB STATS

Appearances 704

Goals 290

When his number 10 came up on the substitutions board in the 57th minute, the party really started. First, every single player on the pitch received him with a high-five, a handshake or a pat on the head. Some gave all three. He went to sit on the bench, giving coach Antonio Conte only a cursory glance on the way, but he wouldn’t stay there for long.

‘Del Piero sotto la curva’ demanded the fans. They wanted to congratulate their hero close-up. He obliged, taking a slow walk in front of all four stands as the game continued behind him.

But the match didn’t matter anymore. All the supporters cared about was giving their captain the send-off he deserved. Little over half an hour later, he received the ultimate prize, getting his hands on the Scudetto for the eighth time in his career.

It was the perfect way to say goodbye to the Juventus fans, and while they will get an encore at the Coppa Italia final next Sunday, this was more than enough. Two giants have left Serie A today, and have waved a fond farewell as winners. It was the only way they played their careers, and they more than anyone deserved their fairytale endings.

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

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Serie A Week 38 - 13-5-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

3 - 1

Luca Marrone (10')

Alessandro Del Piero (28')

Stephan Lichtsteiner (83' - O.G.)

Andrea Barzagli (90+1' - Penalty)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Gabriele Gava

Attendance: 36000

Del Piero: I could not have wished for a better farewell

The veteran attacker scored in his last Serie A game for Juventus

before leaving the pitch to a standing ovation from the fans.

May 13, 2012

Alessandro Del Piero was overjoyed with the reception he received during his final Serie A match for Juventus on Sunday afternoon.

The 37-year-old scored to help the Old Lady to a 3-1 win over Atalanta, before receiving a standing ovation when he was replaced in the 58th minute.

"It’s been a moving day. I’ll always keep these moments with me and I’ll never stop thanking my fans," he told reporters.

"Of course, there’s a bit of sadness, but I could not have wished for a better farewell."

"What I saw in the supporters’ eyes was wonderful. There’s a unique rapport between us, for what we’ve gone through over the years, also in the most critical moment of the club’s history.

"Those who have always played for the same team gain people’s gratitude. I want to enjoy this moment."

Del Piero could make his last Juventus appearance in the Coppa Italia final against Napoli on May 20.

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

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Serie A Team of the Season: Pirlo, Ibrahimovic

& Di Natale star in the 2011-12 campaign

We choose the best XI from the Italian top flight campaign that came

to a conclusion on Sunday, with Juventus winning the Scudetto in unbeaten fashion.

May 14, 2012

Juventus are champions, AC Milan settled for second, Inter struggled and Parma, Udinese and Catania surpassed expectations, but which players contributed most to their team's success? Goal.com analyses their performances to determine the stars who rose above the rest to become the cream of the crop from Serie A in 2011-12.

In goal, there is no question that Gianluigi Buffon fully deserves his place. Barring one incident where he miscontrolled a back pass that resulted in a late equaliser for Lecce in a 1-1 draw, the 2006 World Cup winner was back to his very best. He kept an astounding 21 clean sheets and conceded only 16 goals in the league, putting him in the same rank as the world's best shot-stoppers once again going into Euro 2012.

The back line certainly contains some familiar faces as well. Andrea Barzagli has turned out to be an incredible bargain after arriving from Wolfsburg in a deal that reportedly totalled just €600,000. The 31-year-old was the best of a stellar Juventus defence and in his 35 appearances he was virtually immovable. Even more impressive, he picked up only three yellow cards along the way, proving he's a player who puts anticipation ahead of sheer force.

Thiago Silva is often descibed as the 'best defender in the world' and despite not claiming the Scudetto for a second consecutive season with Milan he will have done his reputation no harm at all in 2011-12. The Brazilian is as comfortable with the ball at his feet as he is putting in a last-ditch sliding tackle to deny an opponent, and there was plenty of world-class defending from the former Fluminense star this season.

Catania were one of the league's surprise packages, despite their performances falling off towards the end. The experience of Nicola Legrottaglie proved crucial as the Sicilians broke their club record for points in a single Serie A campaign. The veteran, formerly of Juventus and Milan, was an integral part of the spine of Vincenzo Montella's side which let in just 15 goals on home soil, the fourth best record in the top flight. His impressive aerial presence also proved useful in attack, as he chipped in with five goals.

Napoli were unable to reproduce their heroics of last season and missed out on a Champions League place, but Christian Maggio continued his progression at the club with some suggesting he is now their 'fourth tenor' alongside Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik. It's high but deserved praise for the right-sided wing-back, whose ability to get up and down flank in Serie A was second to none in 2011-12. The best evidence of this was when he pulled up with injury and was missing in late March and early April, a stretch in which the Partenopei won just one of seven matches.

The central midfield highlights the cornerstone of Juventus' success as Andrea Pirlo provided the ingenuity and Arturo Vidal the guile en route to their flawless campaign. The Italy international was a standout from his first official match at the club against Parma, turning in a virtuoso performance in a 4-1 win and it was just the start of several more to come as he racked up 13 brilliant assists, proving he is far from finished after leaving Milan on a free transfer last summer. Meanwhile, the Chilean's workrate in midfield was unrivalled and his ability to snuff out the ball on the pitch countless times per match was a definitive feature of the Bianconeri's play, not to mention his penchant for getting forward as he notched seven goals.

Inter's inconsistencies were well documented this season, although Javier Zanetti was seemingly unaffected. Whether in midfield or defence, the 38-year-old continues to be more energetic and effective than the majority of his younger counterparts. His two performances in the Milan derbies confirmed just how powerful and classy the Argentine still is. It may have been a campaign to forget for the Nerazzurri, but Zanetti became the club's all-time leader in appearances and also surpassed the legendary Dino Zoff on the list of Serie A matches played.

The attacking department is one most Serie A fans would dream of seeing. On the right of a front three is Sebastian Giovinco, who had a coming-of-age-season at Parma. With 15 goals and 13 assists, the 'Atomic Ant' thrived in the latter half of the season under coach Roberto Donadoni, and may finally get his shot at being Alessandro Del Piero's heir at Juventus next season should he return to Turin.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's amazing run of nine consecutive domestic titles came to an end, but it was arguably the former Barcelona man's most prolific season yet. He finished as the league's top scorer with 28 strikes and was arguably the most decisive player in Serie A. So few can carry the team on their backs like the Sweden international as his nine appearances in Goal.com's Team of the Week will serve as testimony. His 13-minute hat-trick at Palermo is a contender for the most dominant display of 2011-12.

Finally, Antonio Di Natale may be ageing, but he simply cannot stop scoring. Many assumed Udinese could not repeat the success from last season, but the forward ensured that while the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Gokhan Inler were gone, the Friuli side were still a force to be reckoned with as he led them to a Champions League play-off berth with his final goal of the season - an effort that exhibited all his technical excellence. As a bonus, Italy boss Cesare Prandelli decided he could ignore him no longer and has included the prolific 34-year-old in his preliminary squad for the European Championship.

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Coppa Italia - Final - 20-5-2012 (9:00 p.m.)

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Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Christian Brighi

Chiellini ruled out of Coppa Italia final, confirms Conte

The towering defender picked up a knock in Sunday's Serie A win over Atalanta,

and his coach has now revealed that he will not play a part in the cup final against Napoli.

May 14, 2012

Antonio Conte will have to make do without the services of defender Giorgio Chiellini in Juventus' Coppa Italia final against Napoli on May 20.

The centre-back picked up an injury in the Old Lady's 3-1 Serie A win over Atalanta on Sunday afternoon, and was forced to leave the pitch after 88 minutes of play due to the physical problems.

It is not yet known how long Chiellini will be out of action for due to the thigh injury, but Conte has confirmed that the defender will definitely miss the cup final against Napoli.

"It was a thigh twinge and he will certainly be out of the Coppa Italia Final, but needs more tests," the Juventus coach commented on Chiellini's injury.

[Socrates 8335]

Coppa Italia - Final - 20-5-2012 (9:00 p.m.)

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Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Christian Brighi

Buses put Coppa Italia Final at risk?

May 16, 2012

This Sunday’s Juventus-Napoli Coppa Italia Final could be in doubt due to a row over transport for supporters.

The match is set to take place this weekend at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, but there have been numerous problems.

At first Napoli complained the stadium was not prepared to hold the huge number of supporters who want to see the game, leading the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) to pull the venue only to change their minds a few hours later.

There have been discussions over ticket prices and now the match is up in the air again.

The authorities had organised car parks on different sides of the city to ensure rival fans did not come into contact with each other, then they’d be taken to the Stadio Olimpico in mini-buses.

However, the police and the transport authority (ATAC) have still not agreed on who will pay for the mini-bus service.

“If ATAC do not provide the necessary buses for the transport of fans, then the game cannot be played here,” read a fax sent by the chief of police in Rome, according to news agency ANSA.

“Without this mini-bus service, it has not been possible to identify suitable solutions for the fans to be allowed into and out of the stadium.

“Therefore we will evaluate the opportunity to ban the game from going ahead due to the lack of security guarantees.”

[Socrates 8335]

Coppa Italia - Final - 20-5-2012 (9:00 p.m.)

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Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Christian Brighi

Cannavaro: '30 Juve titles'

May 16, 2012

Fabio Cannavaro reveals he’s becoming a Coach, will watch Napoli in the Coppa Italia Final and insists “Juventus have won 30 Scudetti.”

The Bianconeri celebrated their triumph last week in what was officially the 28th title-winning campaign, as the 2004-05 and 2005-06 editions were stripped in the Calciopoli trial.

“Juventus have won 30 Scudetti. I won my two on the pitch and I defend them,” stated Cannavaro, who was in their defence during those seasons.

“Juve deserved the title this year, as they had a fantastic season. I compliment Antonio Conte and I’m happy for him and my former club, as I know what winning after so many sacrifices means.”

The 2006 World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner is back in Italy at the moment to sit a coaching exam at Coverciano, but while he’s here will also watch the Coppa Italia Final on Sunday.

“Who will I support? I played for Juve for three years and have great respect for them, but I am Neapolitan, have always been a Napoli fan and my brother is the team captain. Therefore, it’s easy to guess.

“I don’t see a favourite in the Final, as Juve have kept an amazing level of consistency, but in a one-off match anything can happen.

“Since hanging up my boots I don’t really miss playing football. Right now I am enjoying myself with some of my 2006 teammates at the coaching course.

“Do I dream of one day being the Coach of Napoli? Obviously, as leading the big clubs is everyone’s objective.

“As for Euro 2012, it is a difficult adventure and there are strong opponents, but Cesare Prandelli has done great work and brought back enthusiasm. Therefore we should be optimistic.”