Juventus Season 2011-2012

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 0

Mirko Vučinić (53′)

Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′)

Fabio Quagliarella (83′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Daniele Orsato

Attendance: 34000‎

De Laurentiis blames Napoli fatigue

Apr 1, 2012

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis blames the strain of the Champions League for their 3-0 defeat at Juventus.

Although the Partenopei are now out of the competition, they have struggled to use squad rotation this season.

“Third place is still up for grabs, seeing as Udinese and Lazio also lost. Now we have to keep an eye behind us for Roma’s comeback,” said the patron.

“I was worried from the very start this evening, as the team was visibly tired and we lost Christian Maggio after 25 minutes.

“Juventus have the determination of a team fighting to the end for the Scudetto, plus they are compact and efficient in midfield and not tired from Champions League efforts.

“We’ve got to scrape what remaining energy we have and rediscover the sharpness that all the teams who competed in Europe are struggling with now. We have strength in depth and not just a first choice XI, so we should give room to those who haven’t played as much, are younger and have fresh legs.”

Some would suggest this fatigue means Napoli need a bigger squad with summer reinforcements.

“I do not agree, because if it were up to me I would promote our teenagers from the youth team,” continued De Laurentiis.

“There is a problem of mentality in Italy that does not allow youngsters to go straight into Serie A. We have to play those who have the talent, regardless of whether they are 18 or 27. I’d like a whole team under 27.

“Walter Mazzarri is doing very well, because with the responsibility of playing on three fronts at the top level, he naturally trusts some players more than the new ones. I cannot blame the Coach for this situation.

“I’d have liked to see tonight’s game if we had not played the Champions League this season and Juve had European competition in their legs.”

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 0

Mirko Vučinić (53′)

Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′)

Fabio Quagliarella (83′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Daniele Orsato

Attendance: 34000‎

Juventus impress Mazzarri

Apr 1, 2012

Walter Mazzarri feels Napoli “suffered against the physicality of Juventus” and lost their heads in the final stages.

“It is entirely possible to lose in Turin against this Juve side, but it depends on how,” said the Coach after a 3-0 defeat.

“We played on a par with Juve until the second goal, then we lost our shape and got too irritable. After so many games in a season, we have lost a bit of sharpness, while Juventus are defensively solid and we suffered against their physicality.

“Giorgio Chiellini can mark three men all by himself, as he’s just impossible to get past. We were also unlucky on the first goal, but reacted well and looked for the equaliser. After Arturo Vidal’s stunning goal we visibly fell away and were no longer able to get into the game.”

The Three Tenors barely made an impact on the match and Napoli did not get a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.

“It is possible our strikers have lost that sharpness, but I doubt they’ve become arrogant. Edi Cavani ran so much today to help out in defence. A Coach looks at balance and if you can’t get the strikers to help the midfield, then you’re in trouble.

“We did not create much today and were unable to play as we usually do because Juve were perfect at the back. I am happy with the way they played until the second goal.

“Will Goran Pandev get more playing time? He is in good shape and I always keep him in mind. It’s difficult to take Cavani and Lavezzi off the pitch, but Goran does deserve space, especially as I’ll be missing a few wingers against Lazio and must therefore reconsider the system.”

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 0

Mirko Vučinić (53′)

Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′)

Fabio Quagliarella (83′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Daniele Orsato

Attendance: 34000‎

Conte: 'It's Milan's title to lose'

Apr 1, 2012

Antonio Conte is very proud of Juventus for crushing Napoli and going within two points of the leaders, but warns “only Milan can lose the Scudetto now.”

The Bianconeri took full advantage of Milan’s draw in Catania to close the gap at the top of the table to just two points after hammering the Partenopei 3-0 this evening.

“In the last two weeks we clearly beat Inter and Napoli, two teams who most assumed would be ahead of us at this stage of the season. The victory over Napoli must be a source of pride, because they are an excellent side who did very well in the Champions League and are growing under Walter Mazzarri.

“I am proud of what my lads achieved tonight. We are also maturing in psychological terms and this result is crucial to put second place under lock and key, which is already beyond our expectations for the season.

“Of course we are glancing in front of us, because it is only right to do so, and we will try to take advantage of Milan slip-ups. Only they can lose the Scudetto now, because no-one else has the strength in depth at their disposal.

“The Rossoneri are a very strong side who won the Scudetto last year and remain top despite their many injuries. On top of that, they’re still in the Champions League after drawing with Barcelona, the best team in the world.”

Conte changed his tactics again for this match, adopting a 3-5-2 that mirrored Napoli’s system, although he counted the wing-backs as part of the defence. He also defended his decision to start with Marco Borriello.

“We have one certainty and that is the three-man midfield. Therefore we can play 4-3-3 or 5-3-2. As for Borriello, he has quality and I feel if he had arrived in June to work with us pre-season, then he’d have a different experience here. He is growing and gave us a big hand today.

“I think a Coach needs to be complete, so focus on both the tactical and motivational aspects. Of course, a Coach is nothing without players who share his vision and support him. I have the added good fortune of having a group of players eager to make up for two disappointing seasons and write club history.”

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 0

Mirko Vučinić (53′)

Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′)

Fabio Quagliarella (83′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Daniele Orsato

Attendance: 34000‎

Chiellini: Champions League is ours

Apr 2, 2012

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini is already celebrating Juventus’ return to the Champions League – even though it is not yet certain.

Juve moved 11 points clear of third place Lazio and 14 ahead of the fourth placed sides last night with a 3-0 win over Napoli.

Although there are still 24 points on offer this season, Chiellini is expecting Champions League football next term.

“We’ve booked our ticket to travel around Europe,” stated the defender.

“I don’t want to be conceited, but I don’t think that in the next eight games left we’ll lose all the points we have over the third-placed side in the table.

“It’s a very good result, because even if we obviously look ahead, we mustn’t forget that just two or three games ago, people said that we should be careful and cast a glance over our shoulders…”

Juve have won their last three League games – against Fiorentina, Inter and Napoli – and are now just two points behind leaders Milan.

“We must continue on this path,” stated the Italian international. “We’ve reached this position just because we’ve confidence in our ability.”

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 0

Mirko Vučinić (53′)

Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′)

Fabio Quagliarella (83′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Daniele Orsato

Attendance: 34000‎

Quagliarella shows Napoli respect

Apr 2, 2012

Fabio Quagliarella of Juventus has defended his decision to not celebrate his goal in last night’s 3-0 victory over Napoli.

The Neapolitan came off the bench to score the Old Lady’s third against his former club in a convincing second half display from the Old Lady.

“I’ve always had a good relationship with the Napoli fans,” noted the Italian international. “I contained my joy out of respect for them.”

Quagliarella, 28, has now only scored three goals in 18 League games this term but he and his club shined in Sunday’s victory.

“It’s never easy to take to the field knowing that you have to win,” he continued. “We showed maturity and cynicism.”

Leaders Milan are now just two points clear of the Old Lady and the former Udinese man insists he still believes in the title.

“It will be tough as Milan have great individuality,” Quagliarella continued. “However, we’ll look to stay in the fight until the very end.”

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 0

Mirko Vučinić (53′)

Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′)

Fabio Quagliarella (83′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Daniele Orsato

Attendance: 34000‎

Bonucci’s special goal dedication

Apr 2, 2012

Juventus stopper Leonardo Bonucci dedicated his goal in last night’s 3-0 win over Napoli to his soon-to-be-born son.

The defender opened the scoring in somewhat fortunate circumstances before the Old Lady took complete control of the tie.

“My little boy, Lorenzo, will be born in July,” he stated after the game. “I dedicate this goal to him and also my wife.”

Bonucci has featured heavily this term under boss Antonio Conte even if mistakes have led to some jeers.

“The faith of the Coach is at the base of everything,” continued the former Bari player. “I also feel the belief of the club and the side in me.

“The whistles directed towards me? They have certainly made me stronger in character,” continued the centre-back.

“I like to play football with the ball on the ground and that happened at Bari as it does here. This makes things easier for me.”

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 0

Mirko Vučinić (53′)

Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′)

Fabio Quagliarella (83′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Daniele Orsato

Attendance: 34000‎

Vidal: Win more vital than goal

Apr 2, 2012

Juventus’ Arturo Vidal admits he scored a special goal against Napoli – but underlined that the win was what mattered most.

The Chilean capped off an immense individual display in Turin last night by netting the second in the 3-0 victory.

“It was a spectacular goal, but the only thing that interested me was that it helped the side to win the game,” said the summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen.

“At this point in the season we are in good physical shape and that is not just down to the winter work in Dubai, but our daily training.”

Unbeaten Juventus are just two points behind leaders Milan and have also reached the Coppa Italia Final.

“We still hope that we can become Italian champions,” added the 24-year-old. “In order to achieve that goal we need to continue on this path.”

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 0

Mirko Vučinić (53′)

Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′)

Fabio Quagliarella (83′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Daniele Orsato

Attendance: 34000‎

Hamsik: I wasn’t good

Apr 2, 2012

Marek Hamsik has criticised his own performance from Napoli’s 3-0 defeat away to Juventus on Sunday night.

The Vesuviani failed to record a single shot on target in a defeat that saw Hamsik, Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi kept quiet for a majority of the match.

Reflecting on the game on Monday via his own website, Hamsik revealed that he wasn’t 100 per cent fit going into the encounter and that he felt he underperformed as a result.

“The first half of the game was balanced. Both teams had created several opportunities. Unfortunately, in the second half, Juventus took the lead and then managed to find two further goals.

“I was not on top of my game, the night before I had had a fever, but still, before the match I did feel better.”

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 0

Mirko Vučinić (53′)

Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′)

Fabio Quagliarella (83′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Daniele Orsato

Attendance: 34000‎

Lega award goal to Vucinic

Apr 2, 2012

Juventus’ opening goal in their 3-0 win over Napoli on Sunday evening has been taken off of Leonardo Bonucci and awarded to Mirko Vucinic.

Bonucci originally celebrated the goal, given that it was his shot that beat Morgan De Sanctis to open the scoring in the second half of Week 30’s clash in Turin.

However, it had taken a hefty deflection on its way into the net and after extensive video analysis on Monday, it has been ruled that the strike had come off Vucinic, rather than his marker Paolo Cannavaro, subsequently changing who is awarded the goal.

It pushes Bonucci back down to three career goals for the Bianconeri and brings Vucinic up to six League goals for the season.

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 0

Mirko Vučinić (53′)

Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′)

Fabio Quagliarella (83′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Daniele Orsato

Attendance: 34000‎

Mazzarri impressed by Juventus' defence

Napoli boss admitted that his side dropped the pace after they conceded

the second goal and noted that the Bianconeri are a quality side.

Apr 2, 2012

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri was left impressed with Juventus in Sunday's 3-0 defeat against Antonio Conte's men.

The Partenopei were on the back foot for most of the match and were ultimately punished by goals from Leonardo Bonucci, Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella, all in the second half.

"You can lose to Juventus in Turin, the only question is how this will happen," Mazzarri told Sky Sport Italia.

"We played on par with Juve until they scored their second goal, then we stopped working as a unit and we became nervous.

"After so many matches, we have lost a bit of sharpness, while Juventus are defensively very solid and we suffered a lot against their physicality.

"Giorgio Chiellini can mark all three men by himself and it is impossible to get past him. We were unlucky in Juventus' first goal, but we reacted well and went in search of an equaliser.

"But after Arturo Vidal's wondergoal, we dropped our level considerably and we were never able to get back into the game."

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 0

Mirko Vučinić (53′)

Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′)

Fabio Quagliarella (83′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Daniele Orsato

Attendance: 34000‎

Bonucci: We hope Milan slip up again

The Juventus centre-back praised his side's intensity in the win over Napoli

and added that the Bianconeri are not giving up their dream of winning the Scudetto.

Apr 2, 2012

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci is hoping that AC Milan will drop more points in the remainder of the season in order to keep the Bianconeri's title ambitions alive.

The Rossoneri had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Catania at the weekend, while Juve recorded an impressive 3-0 win over Napoli to close the gap down to just two points, and Bonucci has insisted that the Old Lady will continue to fight on to claim the Scudetto.

"We’ve worked hard to get to this point. We won’t give up, we’ll continue to chase the dream and hope that they can stumble again," Bonucci was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"We played with great intensity, keeping Napoli out of the game and pressing them from the start until the end. It was a truly great Juve performance.

"We knew that we had to take advantage of their [Milan] slip up and we were fully up for the game. We believed we could do it, and we fought right until the end."

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 0

Mirko Vučinić (53′)

Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′)

Fabio Quagliarella (83′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Daniele Orsato

Attendance: 34000‎

A beauty and a beast - World class Vidal

is the hero as Juventus send out a title warning to AC Milan

The Chilean was the brains and the brawn behind the Old Lady's success, capping off

his display with a goal that puts the Turin side within two points of the Serie A summit.

Apr 2, 2012

COMMENT

By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Editor

As cup final warm-ups go it told us nothing, but as a barometer for Juventus’ title credentials, their 3-0 victory over Napoli on Sunday night gave us everything we needed to know. The Bianconeri are in their best form of the season heading for the run-in, and Arturo Vidal is the man driving them on.

The Chilean played the starring role as the Old Lady saw off a Napoli side devoid of any real drive at a time of the year when they could really suffer for their post-Champions League blues. But that should take nothing away from just how dominant Juve were for long spells, and in the second half they reaped their rewards.

After Marco Borriello failed to turn in an Andrea Pirlo cross in the opening minutes, Juventus continued to create all the chances. Vidal, Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio made all the running in midfield, seeing off the threat of Gokhan Inler and Walter Gargano with apparent ease to lay the platform from which the men in pink (at home … again!) would eventually make hay.

Vidal did so much of the hard work in both defence and attack in a display of sheer magnificence. The Chilean was regularly responsible for winning back possession, so often the man leading the midfield charge, and also a willing exponent of a killer pass from any angle. His performance had almost everything.

Juve broke through on 53 minutes, and despite their dominance it was somewhat fortuitous. Pirlo’s free kick from the right wasn’t dealt with, and Mirko Vucinic’s shot cannoned off Leonardo Bonucci and found the net. It was certainly lucky, but it was definitely deserved.

The home side continued to do most of the attacking, with Edinson Cavani forced to win back possession in his own box at one point such was his inactivity further up the field. It seemed only a matter of time before the Bianconeri would finish it off, and it was Vidal’s crowning moment which ended the game as a contest.

Ghosting into position to the left of goal after the Partenopei gave away cheap possession, the former Bayer Leverkusen man shimmied and shook before throwing in a couple of step-overs to bamboozle Hugo Campagnaro on his way into a shooting position. From there he delivered a magnificent left-foot shot which gave Morgan De Sanctis no chance.

It was a fitting strike to clinch the victory. Fabio Quagliarella soon added a third when De Sanctis failed to deal with a powerful near-post drive, then Juan Zuniga petulantly saw red, and Napoli’s misery was complete.

Walter Mazzarri’s side have so far failed to take advantage of Lazio’s indifferent form and their own free midweeks as their bid for third place has foundered. Juve’s own Wednesdays off could increasingly help if Milan progress in the Champions League, but it is their current form which gives them their best hope of Scudetto glory.

Since dropping four points behind the Rossoneri, the Bianconeri have responded with their best run of the season. This weekend they cut that lead in half, but they mustn’t take their foot off the accelerator. With Vidal at the wheel, there appears little chance of them giving up just yet. A scrapper, an architect, a leader and a goalscorer; the Chilean could well be key to their once-fading title hopes.

Milan beware ... A beautiful beast lurks over your shoulder.

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 0

Mirko Vučinić (53′)

Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′)

Fabio Quagliarella (83′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Daniele Orsato

Attendance: 34000‎

Lippi: Both AC Milan and Juventus will fight

for Scudetto right until the end

The Bianconeri moved to within two points of the Rossoneri by cruising past Napoli on Sunday

night, and their former boss believes they now have every chance of winning the title.

Apr 2, 2012

Marcello Lippi is in no doubt that this season's increasingly fascinating Scudetto race between AC Milan and Juventus will go right to the wire.

The Rossoneri went into last weekend with a four-point advantage in hand but they were held to a controversial 1-1 draw by Catania in Sicily on Saturday. This allowed the Bianconeri to move to within striking distance after a 3-0 victory over Napoli in Turin the following evening.

As a result, former Juve coach Lippi believes that with eight rounds of the season remaining, it is very much a case of everything to play for.

"We are talking about a league that wasn't over before the weekend but that will be even better now," the 63-year-old Italian told reporters on Monday.

"Milan and Juve must strive to win all their games and from here until the end of the season, they will fight for the title point by point."

Lippi also heaped praise on Bianconeri boss Antonio Conte for transforming the Old Lady into title challengers after his arrival from Siena last summer.

"Conte is realising a dream by coaching Juventus," the former Italy coach said. "In the past there was Giovanni Trapattoni, then Lippi and now we are hoping that this is the start of Conte's era."

Turning his attention to AC Milan's Champions League quarter-final second-leg meeting with Barcelona on Tuesday night, Lippi admitted that he, like everyone else, is anticipating an enthralling contest.

"I expect a game of a very high standard and Milan will need a big performance," he argued.

Lippi, who enjoyed two separate stints in charge of Juve, has been out of the game since stepping down as Italy boss in 2010.

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

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