Juventus Season 2011-2012

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Serie A Week 3 - 18/9/11 (15:00)

0 - 1

Artemio Franchi - Montepaschi Arena

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Lippi: 'Napoli and Juve for the title'

Sep 19, 2011

World Cup winner Marcello Lippi believes

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Serie A Week 3 - 18/9/11 (15:00)

0 - 1

Artemio Franchi - Montepaschi Arena

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Serie A Round 4 Preview

In a hectic midweek schedule, the action in Italy sees two clubs attempt to prolong

their winning starts to the season, while two Roman outfits seek their first three-point hauls.

Sep 20, 2011

Novara vs Inter

Tuesday's encounter in Piedmont sees both sides still on the lookout for their first victories of the new campaign. The pressure remains firmly with the visitors' coach Gian Piero Gasperini, whose tactical uncertainty has affected Inter's start to the new season. However, opposing tactician Atilio Tesser will also be scrutinised, as he seeks an elusive Serie A win at the 14th attempt.

Palermo vs Cagliari

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Tzorvas,

Pisano, Silvestre, Migliaccio, Balzaretti

Ilicic, Barreto, Della Rocca, Zahavi

Hernandez, Miccoli

Agazzi

Pisano, Canini, Astori, Agostini

Biondini, Conti, Nainggolan

Cossu

Nene, Thiago Ribeiro

TEAM NEWS

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Serie A Week 4 - 21/9/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Arena - Turin

Juventus to field Del Piero and Vidal

from the start against Bologna

Juventus captain and Chile international ready to return to the starting XI

following substitute appearances at Siena, as Antonio Conte looks to rotate his squad.

Sep 20, 2011

Alessandro Del Piero and Arturo Vidal are amongst the players poised to return to the Juventus starting line-up as coach Antonio Conte rotates his squad for Wednesday

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Lippi: 'Napoli and Juve for the title'

Sep 20, 2011

World Cup winner Marcello Lippi believes

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Serie A Week 4 - 21/9/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Arena - Turin

Di Vaio: 'We lose confidence in games'

Sep 20, 2011

Marco Di Vaio has reiterated Pierpaolo Bisoli's belief that Bologna are lacking the right mental attitude to overcome a poor run of form.

The 35-year-old, who has finished as Bologna's top scorer in each of the three seasons he has been at the Renato Dall'Ara, told Il Resto del Carlino of his views on why the team have lost both games so far this season.

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Serie A Week 4 - 21/9/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Arena - Turin

Conte: 'Juventus aren't perfect'

Sep 20, 2011

Antonio Conte again warns Juventus to keep their feet on the ground against Bologna.

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Serie A Week 4 - 21/9/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Arena - Turin

Bisoli to turn Bologna round

Sep 20, 2011

Pierpaolo Bisoli concedes Bologna need

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Serie A Week 4 - 21/9/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Arena - Turin

Juve look to Krasic

Sep 20, 2011

Milos Krasic starts with Alessandro Del Piero and Mirko Vucinic for Juventus, but Bologna drop Marco Di Vaio.

Antonio Conte sticks by his 4-2-4 system with Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio the midfield enforcers.

There is a new quartet in attack, as Milos Krasic receives his first start of the season, joining Vucinic, Del Piero and Simone Pepe.

Paolo De Ceglie returns from suspension to take the left-back role.

Bologna are in dire straits without a single point or goal so far this season, but have chosen to remarkably drop Marco Di Vaio.

It is not yet clear if there are fitness reasons behind this shock decision, but Robert Acquafresca leads the attack with Gaston Ramirez and Panagiotis Kone

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Serie A Week 4 - 21/9/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Arena - Turin

Antonio Conte: 'It will be tough to beat Bologna'

Juventus boss believes their Serie A opponents will provide a tough challenge

for his team, and spoke on the possible rotation of players ahead of the match.

Sep 21, 2011

Juventus coach Antonio Conte believes that Serie A opponents Bologna could prove to be a difficult opposition ahead of their fixture on Wednesday.

With the Old Lady having won their first two league games of the season, which included victories over Parma and Siena, the Italian coach has suggested that Bologna could spell trouble if his players do not stay focused.

"It will be tough to beat them [bologna], because they're hungry for points. There is too much enthusiasm, and everything will overturn on us at the first thing that goes wrong. We have to take to the pitch with humility," Conte said, according to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

The coach also spoke about the importance of the squad being in a positive mental state leading into the fixture.

"We must sweat blood, think like a big team but have the attitude of a small one. Always. We have to stay attentive, because nothing is easy." he said.

Speaking about possible squad rotations for the match against Bologna, Conte suggested that there were a few options under consideration, and that players would be chosen based on tactics and the opposition.

"I'm not worried about the physical conditioning. I'll make my squad choices based on the opponent and the tactical attitude." he said.

"The pairing of Vucinic and Del Piero? They are central strikers and they can play together. But there are others as well. Whoever plays will have to want to play both offence and defence."

One player would could feature in the match is newly signed Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal.

"Vidal is an excellent player. He gives us an alternative in the middle and he knows how to change the rhythm. But I have to make some choices." Conte admitted.

"In order to play Vidal I have to give a rest to either Pirlo or Marchisio, unless they allow me to play with 12. There shouldn't be a big deal made of it; I have to make choices."

Bologna will be looking to end their poor start to the season, which has resulted in two losses from their two opening fixtures against Fiorentina and Lecce.

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Serie A Week 4 - 21/9/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Arena - Turin

Andrea Agnelli: Juventus have not achieved anything yet

With 36 matches still left to play, the club president silences

title talk despite his side's excellent start to the Serie A season.

Sep 21, 2011

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has urged caution following the team's excellent start to the Serie A season.

The Turin side go into tonight's match with Bologna having taken six points from a possible six while impressing with the style in which their victories have been earned.

The start has rather inevitably led to talk of a title challenge, but Agnelli is keen to focus on the matches ahead rather than discuss winning the Scudetto.

"We know what lies ahead. We have played two games. The path is very long," he told Tuttosport.

"We have had two useful results, two positive results, but there are 36 games remaining. From this point of view, we have not achieved anything."

Wednesday evening's match against Bologna is only Juventus' second at their new stadium, and fans will be hoping for a repeat of the performance which saw their side defeat Parma 4-1 in their opening game at the Juventus Stadium.

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Serie A Week 4 - 21/9/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Arena - Turin

Antonio Conte recalls Milos Krasic for Bologna clash

The Serbian winger, despite being the focus of transfer speculation,

is set to return to the Juventus starting XI for Wednesday evening's Serie A fixture.

Sep 21, 2011

Milos Krasic is to be recalled to the Juventus starting XI for Wednesday evening's fixture with Bologna, the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport reports.

The Serbian wing-man has been linked with a move away from Turin following an inauspicious start to the 2011/12 season in which he has started both games from the bench, appearing for just 21 minutes as a substitute against Parma.

He was also involved in a bizarre exchange with coach Antonio Conte during Sunday's victory at Siena. Stripped and ready to come on, he was on the receiving end of a ferocious rant from his coach before being sent back to the bench, further fuelling rumours of a move.

However, Conte appears to have relented to give the former CSKA Moscow winger his first start of the season, as Juventus look to extend their winning streak to three matches.

Also returning to the side, according to the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport, is Alessandro Del Piero, who will partner Mirko Vucinic in attack. Alessandro Matri's winning goal at the weekend was not enough to prevent him from dropping to the bench.

Former Italy international Fabio Grosso will also drop out, to be replaced by Paolo De Ceglie, who returns having been suspended for the trip to Siena.

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Serie A Week 4 - 21/9/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Arena - Turin

Del Piero & Krasic start for Juventus against Bologna

The experienced attacker and Serbia international were benched

for the away match against Bologna, but have now got the nod again.

Sep 21, 2011

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has decided to make three changes to the team that beat Siena 1-0 on Sunday afternoon as the Serie A titans take on Bologna.

Paolo De Ceglie returns at left-back after a one-match ban, as Fabio Grosso will have to watch the match from the stands.

Furthermore, Emanuele Giaccherini has been benched in favour of Milos Krasic, who is part of the starting XI for the first time this season.

Veteran attacker Alessandro Del Piero partners Mirko Vucinic up front after starting last weekend's game from the bench, meaning that goalscorer Alessandro Matri won't play against Bologna.

Bologna tactician Pierpaolo Bisoli will be looking to Gaston Ramirez to provide his side with creativity from midfield, while Roberto Acquafresca will be the main attacking threat for the guests.

Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Pirlo, Marchisio; Krasic, Del Piero, Vucinic, Pepe

Subs: Storari, Bonucci, Vidal, Elia, Quagliarella, Giaccherini, Matri

Bologna: Gillet; Casarini, Portanova, Antonsson, Morleo; Diamanti, Perez, Mudingayi, Kone, Ramirez; Acquafresca

Subs: Agliardi, Raggi, Loria, Pulzetti, Krhin, Paponi, Di Vaio.

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Serie A Week 4 - 21/9/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

1 - 1

Vucinic 29'

Portanova 52'

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: G. Gava

Attendance: 25679‎ ‎

Vucinic scores then sees red

as hosts drop first points of season

The Old Lady picked up the lead in the first half via Mirko Vucinic, but they were unable

to collect the three points as Daniele Portanoca equalised after Juve went down to 10.

Sep 21, 2011

Bologna held Juventus to a 1-1 draw in Turin on Wednesday as the hosts were unable to successfully defend their lead with 10 men.

Mirko Vucinic opened the scoring around the half-hour mark, but was dismissed in the closing stages of the first half, and Daniele Portanova then restored parity after the interval.

Juventus dominated proceedings right from the start and had a number of chances to open the scoring as Milos Krasic and Vucinic inparticular looked lively early on. The Montenegro international tried his luck with a shot from 20 yards out after only seven minutes, but failed to trouble Jean-Francois Gillet.

Vucinic had more luck, though, as he escaped the attention of the Bologna defence after a free-kick from Andrea Pirlo and had no trouble breaking the deadlock with a low shot.

Krasic then created a good chance for Alessandro Del Piero as the experienced forward had the time and space to unleash a curled shot from the edge of the area, but his attempt went just wide of the upright. Krasic then came close to doubling his side's lead with a left footed shot from 20 yards out, but Gillet punched the ball clear with a good reflex block.

The home side were dealt a huge blow in the closing stages of the first half when they were reduced to 10 men. Vucinic went from hero to zero as he fouled Archimede Morleo inside the Bologna half and was consequently shown his second booking of the evening.

Juventus started the second half brightly despite being a man down and Krasic almost made it 2-0 only minutes after the break, but the former CSKA Moscow star fired just wide from a narrow angle.

Hardly 60 seconds later, Bologna restored parity after a set piece. Gaston Ramirez found Daniele Portanova from a corner kick and the defender headed home to level the scores.

Conte's men immediately took back the initiative and they could easily have grabbed the lead again. Both Pirlo and Giorgio Chiellini came close to adding their name to the scoresheet on the hour mark before Andrea Barzagli squandered two big chances to edge his team back ahead, and in the end the Turin side had to settle for a single point.

Juve resume match action on Sunday when they meet Catania in Sicily, while Bologna's next match is the home game against Inter on Saturday evening.

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Serie A Week 4 - 21/9/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

1 - 1

Vucinic 29'

Portanova 52'

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: G. Gava

Attendance: 25679‎

Vucinic hero and villain

Sep 21, 2011

Mirko Vucinic was hero and villain, as he scored a goal and was stupidly sent off for Bologna to snatch a draw at Juventus.

The Bianconeri were confident of maintaining their 100 per cent record, especially as Bologna had so far lost both games without scoring a goal. Stretching back into last season, the Felsinei were without a win in 11 rounds and failed to score in nine of them. Andrea Raggi, Simone Loria, Matteo Cherubin and Cruz were on the treatment table, but Marco Di Vaio was remarkably dropped.

Milos Krasic was given his first start of the season, while Paolo De Ceglie returned from suspension.

Bologna had a bright start, though, as Gigi Buffon turned a Panagiotis Kone' scuffed volley out for a corner.

There was controversy on 28 minutes when Daniele Portanova hauled down Giorgio Chiellini in the box, but the referee awarded a free kick for Alessandro Del Piero's offside position.

Juventus did take the lead in controversial circumstances. Andrea Pirlo took a free kick quickly for Mirko Vucinic, who immediately smashed it past Jean-Francois Gillet with an angled drive. However, Bologna felt the referee should've whistled first and the ball might've been moving before Pirlo took the free kick.

Del Piero curled wide, while Krasic had a shot well beaten away by Gillet.

However, Juventus shot themselves in the foot! Vucinic was booked for dissent (and not for celebrating by putting a bin on his head, as had initially been suggested), then received a second yellow card for a late tackle on Archimede Morleo.

Conte introduced Alessandro Matri for Del Piero, but it was Pirlo who inspired with a ball over the top to send Krasic clear on goal, though the Serb's angled drive cracked the base of the far post.

Moments later Buffon needed a stunning reaction save after De Ceglie's defensive howler in the box allowed Casarini to shoot. From the resulting corner, Portanova rose above the crowd to nod the equaliser into the ground, bouncing into the top corner.

Gillet did very well to fly across the face of goal and palm away a suddenly dipping Pirlo strike from distance. Chiellini threatened a goal as well, but his attempt accidentally hit teammate Matri.

Gaby Mudingayi charged down Andrea Barzagli's strike from point-blank range, as Juventus were more dangerous with 10 men than 11.

Gillet performed a desperate reaction save on another Barzagli header from Pirlo's corner. Di Vaio threatened to win it for Bologna when his daisy-cutter flashed across the face of goal.

A scuffle broke out in stoppages between Portanova and Simone Pepe, joined by a series of teammates, as Bologna complained that Juve kept on playing after a player was down injured.

It was a siege from 10-man Juventus on Gillet's goal, but Bologna held firm. The referee opted to stop play after a three-way collision that saw Pepe and Gillet down injured. The Bologna goalkeeper was knocked out and has been diagnosed with head trauma.

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Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie (Vidal 74); Marchisio, Pirlo; Krasic (Giaccherini 60), Vucinic, Del Piero (Matri 46), Pepe

Bologna: Gillet; Casarini, Portanova, Antonsson, Morleo; Diamanti (Pulzetti 46), Perez (Krhin 46), Mudingayi, Kone; Ramirez; Acquafresca (Di Vaio 67)

Ref: Gava

Sent off: Vucinic 45 (J)

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Serie A Week 4 - 21/9/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

1 - 1

Vucinic 29'

Portanova 52'

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: G. Gava

Attendance: 25679‎

Portanova forces draw

Sep 21, 2011

Ten-man Juventus dropped their first points of the new Serie A season after being held at home by struggling Bologna.

Things looked to be going to plan for Antonio Conte's side as they took a 30th-minute lead through Mirko Vucinic at the club's new 41,000-seater stadium.

However, Vucinic then saw red after picking up his second caution on the stroke of half-time to leave Juve with 10 players, and Bologna took full advantage to equalise through Daniele Portanova at the start of the second half to claim their first point after two defeats.

Juve, who recorded wins over Parma and Siena in their opening two games, had the first chance of the match but Milos Krasic lost his footing before he could shoot after being found with a great pass from Vucinic.

Bologna responded with three efforts of their own in a 12-minute spell, Panagiotis Kone bringing a save out of Gianluigi Buffon, Gaston Ramirez firing over from distance and Kone spurning a good opening when he shot wide following a rapid counter-attack.

However, Bologna's hopes of causing an upset suffered a blow on the half-hour mark when they fell behind. Andrea Pirlo's quickly-taken free-kick picked out Vucinic and he scored from close range.

That goal sparked a good spell for the home side and Alessandro Del Piero fired wide before Krasic drew a superb save out of Jean Francois Gillet.

Juve could not add a second goal before the break, though, and they went into the interval a man down after Vucinic was booked for a second time following a needless foul.

It took Bologna just seven minutes of the second half to make their numerical advantage count with Portanova climbing above Giorgio Chiellini at a corner to head in the equaliser.

Despite that setback and playing with a man less, however, it was Juve who looked the more likely winners as they created a number of chances in the final half-hour.

Pirlo's curling effort looked to be heading in until Gillet intervened, and the visiting goalkeeper also kept out Andrea Barzagli's header before tipping over Simone Pepe's cross-shot.

Bologna threatened a late winner when Marco Di Vaio shot wide in the 85th minute before the final opportunity fell Juve's way in the 88th minute, but Alessandro Matri failed to hit the target after turning well inside the area.

Match Stats

Juventus - Bologna

18(6) - Shots (on Goal) - 13(4)

16 - Fouls - 19

12 - Corner Kicks - 5

5 - Offsides - 1

64% - Time of Possession - 36%

3 - Yellow Cards - 5

1 - Red Cards - 0

3 - Saves - 5

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Serie A Week 4 - 21/9/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

1 - 1

Vucinic 29'

Portanova 52'

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: G. Gava

Attendance: 25679‎

Conte: 'Juventus have a soul'

Sep 21, 2011

Antonio Conte was

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Serie A Week 4 - 21/9/2011 (08:45 p.m.)

1 - 1

Vucinic 29'

Portanova 52'

Juventus Arena - Turin

Referee: G. Gava

Attendance: 25679‎

Player Ratings

Goal.com rates the players on show in the Old Lady's draw with Bisoli's men in Turin.

Sep 21, 2011

Juventus

Gianluigi Buffon 6.0 - The No.1 was comfortable in the Juventus goal for the most part, and he was helpless in stopping Bologna's equaliser, with his defenders not doing him any favours.

Paolo De Ceglie 5.0 - Despite offering decent support for Pepe and Giaccherini at times, the left-back made a horrific mistake in failing to clear his lines in the box, gifting Bologna a free strike and the subsequent goal from a corner.

Giorgio Chiellini 6.5 - The hard-nosed defender was solid on the night and dealt with most of the balls coming his way in his usual, rugged fashion. Could have done slightly better in his positioning for Portanova's goal, though.

Andrea Barzagli 6.5 - An accomplished display from the ex-Wolfsburg man, who showed composure and intelligence with the ball at his feet. Made a few important interceptions, as he took on less of the dirty work.

Stephan Lichtsteiner 7.0 - The Swiss flanker was his usual, hardworking self, powering down the right-hand side with conviction, while not neglecting his defensive duties either. Also continued to provide genuine support to his wingers with his crossing and overlapping.

Simone Pepe 5.5 - The ex-Udinese winger again ticked all the boxes in the physical side of the game, with his never-say-die attitude and endless running with and without the ball, but his final product was poor.

Andrea Pirlo 7.5 - Classy and elegant as ever, the playmaker was a delight to watch in the second-half. His fantastic close control and imperious passing range were on display after a quiet first 45 but he still managed to assist Vucinic with a clever, quick free-kick.

Claudio Marchisio 5.5 - Although he didn't make any obvious errors of judgement, the midfielder lacked any sort of authority or industry in the middle of the park. He was constantly outclassed by his partner Pirlo and Mudingayi didn't give him an easy time of it either during the latter stages.

Milos Krasic 6.0 - A stuttering first-half display from the Serb, where every quick surge on the ball into his opponent's danger zone, he proceeded to lose it. Replaced by Giaccherini in the second half.

Alessandro Del Piero 6.5 - Despite his ageing legs, the Old Lady favourite showed moments of class, as he proceeded to test Gillet on a few occasions, almost scoring with a curling effort. Replaced by Matri.

Mirko Vučinić 6.0 - The Montenegro international showed his natural instinct and off-the-ball intelligence to latch on to Pirlo's set-piece to score the opener, but got foolishly sent off at the end of the half after an inappropriate tackle on Diego Perez.

Substitutions

Arturo Vidal Pardo 5.5 - A tenacious and gritty spell on the pitch, but without much luck as he struggled to get into the frantic pace of the match, conceding a few poor fouls.

Emanuele Giaccherini 6.5 - Better than Pepe and marginally superior to Krasic, whom he replaced, the former Seahorse showed promise every time he had the ball, taking on his opponents and fizzing some dangerous crosses into the box.

Alessandro Matri 5.0 - The striker had a disappointing game overall. Failed to lead the line on his own in the second-half and did not produce any worthwhile opportunities for his side.

Bologna

Jean-Fran