Juventus Season 2011-2012

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Arena - Turin

Malesani: I have a good record against Juventus

A game against the league leaders is just what the coach believes his side

need following a run of poor results as he targets an upset in Turin.

Oct 21, 2011

Genoa coach Alberto Malesani believes his team can beat Serie A leaders Juventus when they meet in Turin on Saturday night.

Genoa have struggled recently with two defeats and a draw in their last three league games, but Malesani believes his men are ready to meet the Juventus threat head-on following a week of hard training.

"The match against Juventus is important for us, like the rest. But for me playing against Juventus is always special as I have a good record against them," Malesani told the press.

"I hope the fact that I have been able to do well against them helps Genoa as Juventus are one of the three teams that represents Italian football around the world.

"We will be playing an open game in Turin as we have been working hard all week."

Juventus lead the league on 12 points alongside Udinese, while Genoa are 11th with eight points. Kick-off at the Juventus stadium is at 2045 CET.

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Arena - Turin

Conte plays down Del Piero exit talk to focus on Genoa clash

Speculation over the captain's future is being kept at bay so as not to spoil

the fun in Turin as the former midfielder demands effort for the weekend game.

Oct 21, 2011

Juventus coach Antonio Conte is trying to divert the focus away from Alessandro Del Piero's exit plans and onto Saturday's Serie A encounter against Genoa.

Del Piero was told this week it would be his final season at the club as president Andrea Agnelli made it clear that his services are no longer required after almost 19 years in Turin.

"Del Piero is fine. He trained all week and I have seen him serene, motivated and eager," Conte told the press.

"But we have to think about other things. Juventus are coming off the back of two poor seasons, and we cannot let ourselves become distracted.

"The good of Juventus comes before any other personal interest and so we have to work with this in mind."

The 42-year-old coach went on to say that he is expecting a difficult clash against Genoa on Saturday.

"We are playing against a technically strong side with great players. They will want to face us with great determination," Conte said.

Kick-off at the Juventus Stadium is at 2045 CET.

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Arena - Turin

Lichtsteiner demands Juve goals

Oct 21, 2011

Stephan Lichtsteiner has told his Juventus teammates to be more deadly in front of goal.

The Swiss international netted the club

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Arena - Turin

Chiellini respects quality of Genoa

Oct 21, 2011

Giorgio Chiellini expects a battle when League leaders Juventus host Genoa in Serie A on Saturday night.

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Arena - Turin

Frey is excellent, but Buffon better

Oct 21, 2011

Genoa

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Arena - Turin

Malesani has no Genoa doubts

Oct 21, 2011

Genoa boss Alberto Malesani has already chosen his starting line-up for Saturday

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Arena - Turin

Conte keeps Genoa guessing

Oct 21, 2011

Antonio Conte was giving little away with regards to his team plans ahead of Juventus-Genoa on Saturday night.

At this stage it

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Arena - Turin

Serie A Preview

The Old Lady will look to put their recent stuttering form well and truly

behind them with a convincing performance against Alberto Malesani's side .

Oct 21, 2011

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Juventus (4-4-2): Storari; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Pepe, Pirlo, Marchisio, Estigarribia; Vucinic, Matri

Genoa (4-3-1-2) Frey; Mesto, Dainelli, Moretti, Antonelli; Kucka, Veloso, Rossi; Merkel; Palacio, Jorquera

Juventus have been dealt late injury blows to key performers Gianluigi Buffon and Arturo Vidal, allowing Marco Storari and Claudio Marchisio to come into the fold.

Buffon suffered a bruised shoulder during training on Thursday, paving the way for former AC Milan shot-stopper Storari to line up between the sticks. Their summer recruit Vidal, on the other hand, is still recovering from a thigh injury incurred in Wednesday's session.

Other changes are also seen on the flanks, as Milos Krasic and Eljero Elia have been dropped from the side, amid reports that coach Antonio Conte is unhappy with their form. Therefore, Simone Pepe and Marcelo Estigarribia are likely to be handed the responsibility of providing width.

Meanwhile, Genoa have also opted to make alterations from the team that drew 0-0 with Lecce in last weekend's drab affair. Emiliano Moretti is expected to replace the suspended Kakha Kaladze in central defence, while Marco Rossi should make way for the incoming Giandomenico Mesto at right-back.

Elsewhere, Valter Birsa will be sacrificed for Rossi, who moves from defence into midfield, and Cristobal Jorquera should replace Andrea Caracciolo in attack.

DID YOU KNOW?

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Arena - Turin

Serie A Preview

Oct 21, 2011

Are Juventus really Scudetto contenders? If so then they are going to have to start winning games like this one against Genoa.

Although the Bianconeri currently lead the standings, along with Udinese, their dominant 2-0 victory over Milan has perhaps diverted attention away from the fact that they

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Arena - Turin

Juventus leave injured Gianluigi Buffon

out of squad to face Genoa on Saturday

The 33-year-old suffered a shoulder injury in training on Thursday, and is set to be

on the sidelines for up to two weeks; Marco Storari will deputise in the veteran's absence.

Oct 22, 2011

Gianluigi Buffon has been left out of the Juventus squad to take on Genoa in Serie A on Saturday, as the 33-year-old suffered a shoulder injury in training on Thursday.

Medical reports coming out of the Turin club indicate that the Italy international will be on the sidelines for 10 days to two weeks, and risks missing the fixture against Inter next weekend.

With the Carrara-born man not able to play, Marco Storari will deputise and make his first appearance under the stewardship of Antonio Conte.

Buffon has had more frequent injury problems as he comes to the twilight of his career, and former Juventus goalkeeper Stefano Tacconi has stated that the stopper is not as good as he was a couple of years ago.

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Arena - Turin

Buffon likely to miss Inter clash

Oct 22, 2011

Gianluigi Buffon

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Arena - Turin

Preview

Oct 22, 2011

Genoa midfielder Miguel Veloso insists his team has nothing to lose when they take on in-form Juventus in Turin tomorrow.

Juventus head into this weekend's fixtures flying high at the top of the Serie A table and still unbeaten after six games this season.

In contrast, Genoa go into the match having lost their way of late, taking just one point from their last three fixtures having started the campaign in impressive fashion by picking up seven points from a possible nine.

Nevertheless, Veloso said: "I think that Juventus are the best opponent for us to tackle at this delicate moment.

"They are certainly a strong team who are fighting to win the Scudetto so the incentive to beat them from our point of view is not lacking.''

A positive result at Juventus would ease the pressure on Genoa coach Alberto Malesani.

Malesani was handed a vote of confidence by club president Enrico Preziosi after last weekend's goalless draw against Lecce, a result that saw the Grifoni drop to 11th place.

Malesani, who joined Genoa this summer from Bologna, has led the club to just two wins so far this season.

"We cannot yet talk of crisis after just six rounds, it is really too early to do so,'' Veloso said. "We must be able to work calmly and without distraction.

"We are aware of our strengths because this group is very compact and has great respect for the coach.''

Juventus coach Antonio Conte will be without injured striker Emanuele Giaccherini while goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is doubtful after sustaining a shoulder injury in training this week.

Genoa will be without Kakha Kaladze as the veteran defender serves the first of a four-match ban.

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/2011-2012/regular-season/

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Arena - Turin

Matri & Storari start for Juventus against Genoa

Antonio Conte has made three changes for the visit of Genoa

with Alessandro Matri, Marco Storari and Marcelo Estigarribia making the starting XI.

Oct 22, 2011

Juventus (4-1-4-1): Storari; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Pepe, Pirlo, Marchisio, Estigarribia, Vucinic, Matri

Subs: Manninger, Vidal, De Ceglie, Krasic, Elia, Quagliarella, Del Piero

Genoa (4-3-1-2): Frey; Mesto, Dainelli, Moretti, Antonelli; Kucka, Veloso, Rossi; Merkel; Palacio, Jorquera

Subs: Caracciolo, Lupatelli, Bovo, Seymour, Jankovic, Birsa, Pratto

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/2011-2012/regular-season/

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

-

Juventus Arena - Turin

Matri-Vucinic face Genoa

Oct 22, 2011

Alessandro Del Piero is on the Juventus bench, as Alessandro Matri and Mirko Vucinic run out against Rodrigo Palacio

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

2 - 2

Alessandro Matri (6')

Marco Rossi (31')

Alessandro Matri (58')

Andrea Caracciolo (85')

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: A. Romeo‎

Attendance: 42000‎

Old Lady held again as late strike from Caracciolo

cancels out Matri's double

The Old Lady stumbled to another stalemate despite twice taking the lead

as Antonio Conte's side have now drawn four of their last five league encounters.

Oct 22, 2011

A late strike from Andrea Caracciolo earned Genoa a 2-2 draw in Turin after Juventus looked on course for all three points following a brace from Alessandro Matri either side of a Marco Rossi header.

The league leaders started brightly with Mirko Vucinic linking up well with strike partner Matri, but the latter

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

2 - 2

Alessandro Matri (6')

Marco Rossi (31')

Alessandro Matri (58')

Andrea Caracciolo (85')

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: A. Romeo‎

Attendance: 42000‎

Genoa snatch Juve point

Alessandro Matri twice put Juventus in front,

but Andrea Caracciolo's late goal snatched Genoa's 2-2 draw in Turin..

Oct 22, 2011

The Bianconeri had to do without Gigi Buffon, Arturo Vidal and Emanuele Giaccherini, so Coach Antonio Conte made some changes. He re-introduced the 4-2-4 system with Mirko Vucinic, Alessandro Matri, Simone Pepe and Marcelo Estigarribia leading the way. Marco Storari had his first appearance of the campaign. Genoa had Ze Eduardo injured and Kakha Kaladze starting a four-match ban for insulting the referee, so Emiliano Moretti stepped in. Alexander Merkel and Bosko Jankovic were the surprise starters behind Rodrigo Palacio.

Genoa had lost their last five consecutive visits to Turin, not even picking up a point since their 1-1 in December 1994.

Juventus took the lead with their first real chance at the sixth minute. Andrea Pirlo pulled a cross to the edge of the box for Claudio Marchisio's effort, which Matri toe-poked to redirect past a stunned Sebastien Frey.

Genoa also threatened from a corner, as it came to Dario Dainelli at the back post, but he couldn't get enough power on to the finish and Storari smothered.

A free kick was touched on for Jankovic, whose effort clipped the edge of the defensive wall.

Matri went on a powerful run and forced a difficult save out of Frey at the near post. From that corner, Giorgio Chiellini's free header was off target.

Genoa did draw level on the half-hour mark with captain Marco Rossi. Merkel got down the left and whipped a cross to the back post for Rossi's header down across the goalkeeper to equalise.

Simone Pepe drifted into the centre and chested down a Pirlo pass, but then slipped at the crucial moment.

There was a double howler on 41 minutes, as Genoa gave the ball away in midfield with a pass straight to Mirko Vucinic, but then the Juventus striker hammered it into Frey's body in a one-on-one.

Giandomenico Mesto attempted a spectacular overhead kick that was off target from another Merkel cross.

Straight after the restart Dario Dainelli was booked after two late tackles during the same move to stop Vucinic going down the left flank. The Pirlo free kick was not dealt with and Andrea Barzagli eventually poked it into Frey's arms.

Matri put the ball in the back of the net following a lovely give-and-go with Vucinic, but was offside. Matri and Pepe combined down the right and the ex-Cagliari striker's angled drive stung Frey's palms at the near post.

Genoa went extremely close, as a free kick was flicked by Merkel with the outside of his right foot and only skimmed the woodwork in what would've been a sensational goal.

Pirlo's corner found Chiellini for another free header inches over the bar.

Juve wasted so many chances to restore their lead, but did so moments later with Matri. Pirlo's dummy allowed a Vucinic angled pass through for Matri on the penalty spot, who placed it past Frey with the inside of his left foot.

However, Genoa went incredibly close to drawing level for the second time on 63 minutes. Rossi's cross from the right found Merkel for a cushioned header that thumped the crossbar with Storari well beaten.

Vucinic pounced on a poor pass to rush towards goal, only to fire well wide. Chiellini's cross was a little too high for Matri in the centre, then the striker aimed a chip over the bar.

Just as Juventus seemed to be cruising towards victory, substitute Andrea Caracciolo snatched an equaliser. Juraj Kucka nodded down a cross-field pass that Caracciolo flicked round both Leonardo Bonucci and Storari at the near post.

Mesto flashed an angled pass across the face of goal with Merkel just a little too late to get the tap-in.

Conte threw on Alessandro Del Piero for the six minutes of injury time in Turin, but it was wide open and Pirlo cleared a dangerous Miguel Veloso corner at the near stick.

Storari had to fly in order to palm an absolute screamer from Cristobal Jorquera out for a corner. From that set play, Caracciolo flicked over the bar with his heel from six yards.

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

Juventus: Storari; Chiellini, Barzagli, Bonucci, Lichtsteiner; Marchisio, Pirlo; Pepe (Del Piero 89), Matri, Vucinic (Krasic 83), Estigarribia (Pazienza 67)

Genoa: Frey; Mesto, Dainelli, Moretti, Antonelli; Rossi (Jorquera 81), Seymour (Kucka 71), Veloso; Merkel; Jankovic (Caracciolo 62), Palacio

Ref: Romeo

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/2011-2012/regular-season/

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

2 - 2

Alessandro Matri (6')

Marco Rossi (31')

Alessandro Matri (58')

Andrea Caracciolo (85')

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: A. Romeo‎

Attendance: 42000‎

Missed opportunity for Juve

Oct 22, 2011

Juventus missed the opportunity to open up a three-point lead at the top of Serie A as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Genoa tonight.

Juve were pegged back twice by the Rossoblu, who missed two good chances to win the game late on.

Alessandro Matri opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Marco Rossi levelled for the visitors.

Matri was on target again in the 58th minute, but Andrea Caracciolo replied five minutes from time and went close to stealing all three points in stoppage time.

The league leaders got off to a flying start, with Matri putting them ahead in the sixth minute with a set-piece from the training ground.

A corner from the right was pulled back to Claudio Marchisio, whose low shot was intentionally diverted in by Matri from close range.

Genoa levelled in the 31st minute with Rossi heading in from a pinpoint cross from the lively Alexander Merkel.

A mistake by Miguel Veloso in the 41st minute almost led to a second Juve goal but Mirko Vucinic, who intercepted the Portuguese midfielder's weak pass across the field, shot straight at Sebastien Frey.

Matri had the ball in the back of the net in the 50th minute, but Vucinic had delayed his pass too long and the Italy striker had drifted offside.

Five minutes later, Merkel's deliberate touch from a free-kick sent the ball just inches wide of the far post before Giorgio Chiellini missed the post by the same margin with a header at the other end.

Matri then scored the second, sliding the ball into the bottom corner after Vucinic's pass had been dummied expertly by Pirlo to make room for his team-mate near the penalty spot.

Genoa responded like they did in the first half and Merkel, their best player on the day, hit the crossbar with a header from Rossi's cross in the 63rd minute.

Juve seemed to ease up and try to play down the clock without really taking any risks, but Genoa needed just a glimpse of a chance to level five minutes from time.

Juraj Kucka headed the ball down to Caracciolo, who beat Marco Storari to the ball near the post and lifted it over the Juve goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

Jorquera and Caracciolo had excellent chances to win it for the Rossoblu in stoppage time and in the end it was Juve who would have been happier to hear the final whistle

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/2011-2012/regular-season/

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

2 - 2

Alessandro Matri (6')

Marco Rossi (31')

Alessandro Matri (58')

Andrea Caracciolo (85')

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: A. Romeo‎

Attendance: 42000‎

Player Ratings

Andrea Caracciolo nicked a point at Juventus Stadium after Alessandro Matri's double

had looked set to make Marco Rossi's temporary equaliser meaningless.

Oct 22, 2011

Juventus

Marco Storari 6.0 - Left stranded by his backline as Rossi levelled with a wicked downward header, and though conceding on your near post is never a feather in a keeper

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

2 - 2

Alessandro Matri (6')

Marco Rossi (31')

Alessandro Matri (58')

Andrea Caracciolo (85')

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: A. Romeo‎

Attendance: 42000‎

Antonio Conte rues dropped points against Genoa

The 42-year-old has expressed his regret at seeing his side trudge off the pitch

with a draw despite being in the lead twice, but insists they are still under development.

Oct 22, 2011

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has declared his disappointment after overseeing a 2-2 draw against Genoa in their Serie A clash on Saturday.

The Old Lady looked to be in control of the encounter, but were forced to settle for just the solitary point, as they blew their advantage twice to give Alberto Malesani's side a share of the spoils late on.

Following the result, Conte was content with his side's display overall, but admits that they underestimated their opponents and remain on a learning curve as the season wears thin.

"We faced a Genoa side with genuine quality, but we still created a lot, even if we suffered a bit more than in other games," the coach was quoted as saying after the game by La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

"Towards the end, the match lost its spark with us still in the lead, and we had to be remain very attentive. I would rather lose the game and win the others beforehand than to earn four draws, but the road is long for us and we must continue to grow. Do not forget where we came from."

Conte then turned to the topic of tactical changes throughout the match, where he reflected on his decision to replace Marcelo Estigarribia with Michele Pazienza near the death.

"The entrance of Pazienza slowed down the opponents, but it meant that we hit some long balls upfield near the end," said the ex-Siena boss.

"However, we are where we had to be and we must grow by the day. We will continue on our way, and we have a lot of work to do. You cannot win overnight, but we definitely lost two points."

Juventus remain on top of the Serie A standings following a fourth draw in five games, but will now await the results of their league rivals on Sunday.

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/2011-2012/regular-season/

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

2 - 2

Alessandro Matri (6')

Marco Rossi (31')

Alessandro Matri (58')

Andrea Caracciolo (85')

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: A. Romeo‎

Attendance: 42000‎

Caracciolo: 'At last!'

Oct 22, 2011

Andrea Caracciolo got his first goal of the campaign to earn a late point in Turin.

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

2 - 2

Alessandro Matri (6')

Marco Rossi (31')

Alessandro Matri (58')

Andrea Caracciolo (85')

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: A. Romeo‎

Attendance: 42000‎

Malesani 'in sync' with Preziosi

Oct 22, 2011

Alberto Malesani confirms he is

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

2 - 2

Alessandro Matri (6')

Marco Rossi (31')

Alessandro Matri (58')

Andrea Caracciolo (85')

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: A. Romeo‎

Attendance: 42000‎

Conte: 'Juve must learn from this'

Oct 22, 2011

Antonio Conte praised Genoa

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

2 - 2

Alessandro Matri (6')

Marco Rossi (31')

Alessandro Matri (58')

Andrea Caracciolo (85')

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: A. Romeo‎

Attendance: 42000‎

Matri: 'Juve deserved the win'

Oct 22, 2011

Alessandro Matri feels Juventus deserved to beat Genoa this evening, though is content with his brace.

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

2 - 2

Alessandro Matri (6')

Marco Rossi (31')

Alessandro Matri (58')

Andrea Caracciolo (85')

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: A. Romeo‎

Attendance: 42000‎

Alessandro Matri: We

[Socrates 8330]

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

2 - 2

Alessandro Matri (6')

Marco Rossi (31')

Alessandro Matri (58')

Andrea Caracciolo (85')

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: A. Romeo‎

Attendance: 42000‎

Giorgio Chiellini exposed as a second-rate left-back

as Juventus drop more points in Serie A title bid

The Italy central defender has been filling in on the flank, but the smart tactics

of Genoa found him out last night as the Bianconeri recorded a fourth draw in five games.

Oct 23, 2011