Juventus Season 2012-2013

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Juventus have rediscovered taste for Champions League, says Chiellini

The Bianconeri have returned to Europe's premier competition after two seasons

in the wilderness, and the defender is eager to make up for lost time.

Oct 1, 2012

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has spoken of his excitement as the club prepare to host Shakhtar Donetsk in the first Champions League game at their new ground.

The Turin giants moved to Juventus Stadium at the start of last term and stormed to the Serie A title, securing a place back in Europe's top competition after a two-year absence.

"The first game in the Champions Leauge in the new stadium will certainly be emotional for us all," he told reporters at a press conference.

"It has been hard to be just spectators in recent years, but we got a taste for it again in London [against Chelsea a fortnight ago]. We want to show the whole of Europe what we can do.

"We don't plan on going out in the group stage, or even qualifying for the Europa League. We always aim high."

The Italy international went on to warn of the threat posed by the Ukrainian champions, who reached the quarter-finals of the competition two years ago, eventually losing out to Barcelona.

"We are playing a side I think are very strong and generally underestimated," he continued.

"They play in Ukraine and are maybe not so well-known, but I can assure you at least half would be first-teamers in many European sides and we will need the best possible Juventus against them.

"It's a decisive game because a win can put you into a favourable position. We are not favourites for this game or this group - Shakhtar have been in the Champions League for years and have gained a lot more experience than us."

Juventus and Shakhtar kick off at 20:45CET on Tuesday. The Bianconeri drew their first group match 2-2 with Chelsea.

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Pirlo deserved to win Ballon d'Or, claims Shakhtar boss Lucescu

The Romanian previously coached the playmaker at Brescia and believes his former charge

should have been rewarded for his efforts in helping Juventus lift the Scudetto last season.

Oct 1, 2012

Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu says Andrea Pirlo's form over the past year should have resulted in him being awarded the Ballon d'Or, ahead of his side's clash with Juventus on Tuesday.

The coach worked with the midfielder as a 15-year-old at Brescia, before signing him upon his appointment as Inter boss in 1998.

However, the Italy international failed to establish himself with the Nerazzurri following the trainer's dismissal.

Nonetheless, Pirlo most recently played an instrumental role in the Old Lady's charge towards the Serie A title and his country's run to the final of Euro 2012, and Lucescu believes his exploits last season deserved to warrant the prized individual award.

"I know Andrea Pirlo very well," said Lucescu at a press conference. "When I worked at Brescia, he was 15 and a half and was already attracting attention.

"We have stayed in contact since. His development has been exceptional and I am convinced that, with all he has done last year in the league and for Italy, he deserved to win the Ballon d'Or.

"He should have won it to crown his career. Pirlo is in great form, and for me, he is always number one."

Shakhtar midfielder Fernandinho was also vocal in his admiration of the World Cup winner, but insisted his side are aware of the threat posed by the Italian champions.

"Pirlo is a great player and he has shown in his career that he always produces great games," he added. "I hope we are able to stop him tomorrow.

"There are difficulties in every game, but we have studied Juve well and we know their strengths so I hope that will make the difference on the pitch."

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Carrera: Shakhtar clash is a crucial test for Juventus

The caretaker coach has spoken of the perils that await his side, urging them to not take

the Ukrainians lightly given their recent unbeaten run and mix of flair and solidity.

Oct 1, 2012

Massimo Carrera has warned his Juventus players that they must play at their very best when they host Shakhtar Donetsk in the group stage of the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Bianconeri have won all but two of their eight matches this season, one of which was a 2-2 comeback draw at European champions Chelsea a fortnight ago, to kick off their campaign on the continent.

And with the clash against the Ukrainians looming large, the interim boss issued a rallying cry, claiming that his side are conscious of what is needed to overcome Mircea Lucescu's troops.

"We have got to beat them and we know what we have to do," Carrera said at a press conference. "It is a crucial game, but before we start thinking about the future we have got to beat them.

"It is going to be a difficult game and we are going to have to suffer. We have to play like Juve."

Carrera then analysed Shakhtar's strengths and warned his team to anticipate a mix of Brazilian flair and defensive solidity, both of which have contributed to the side embarking on a 25-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

"They are a very strong team technically, coached by a coach who knows Italian football well," he added.

"They have plenty of Brazilians so we are going to have to be careful as they are technically strong and know how to play football.

"We know they have a strong defence. They have not lost in 25 games and deserve full respect and, I repeat, it is going to be a very difficult game to play."

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Chiellini: Shakhtar tie will be key

Oct 1, 2012

Juventus stopper Giorgio Chiellini has described Tuesday’s match with Shakhtar Donetsk as the most crucial of the group stage.

Despite being included in the same section as champions Chelsea, Chiellini thinks tomorrow’s tie could help decide qualification.

“We’re aware that tomorrow’s game is the most important of the group, so we’re counting on our fans to fill the stands and make it even more special,” he stated at Vinovo on Monday.

“We experienced a special atmosphere in London, but this is our first home game at the Juventus Stadium and it will be extremely exciting.”

Juventus boss Massimo Carrera today insisted that his boys won’t underestimate Mircea Lucescu’s side and Chiellini mirrored that statement.

“We’ll be taking on a very strong and underrated outfit,” he argued. “When the draw was made I heard people talk about an easy group, which couldn’t be further from the truth…

“Shakhtar have players who would make the starting line-up of the majority of European sides. We’ve got a lot of respect of them.

“Saying that, we are still convinced that we can win – even if it will need a great Juve.”

Chiellini was also asked about how far his team could go in the competition, but he refused to make any predictions.

“We don’t want to set minimum or maximum objectives, but we certainly haven’t returned to the Champions League to be knocked out at the group stage.

“It has been tough to watch this tournament as an outsider in recent years.”

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Juventus respect Shakhtar threat

Oct 1, 2012

Juventus match-day boss Massimo Carrera is failing to underestimate Champions League opponents Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Old Lady should be in confident mood after comfortably disposing of Roma at the weekend, but Carrera is taking nothing for granted ahead of Tuesday’s encounter.

“Before talking about our Champions League objectives, we have to win this game,” Carrera, touchline boss during Antonio Conte’s suspension, stated.

“They are a very technical side and they have a Coach in Mircea Lucescu who knows Italian football well,” he added.

“They have a lot of Brazilians, they are a dangerous team, one who can counter-attack and a team who can play good football.

“We know that they are very good at the back too, they’ve conceded just six goals in 10 games and they haven’t lost in 25.

“It will be a hard game and we’ll have to suffer during the match itself. We’ll have to play like we do at Juve, to attack our opponents and not allow them to breathe.

“It will be difficult, but we know what we have to do and we are aware that we still have to improve ourselves.”

Despite Conte’s 10-month ban for failing to report alleged attempts to fix a Siena game while he was in charge in Tuscany, Juventus haven’t suffered from his absence.

“Conte spends all week with the team,” Carrera explained. “He tells the players what they need to do and how to behave during the match itself. He’s not on the pitch, but he’s always present.”

Tomorrow will be a big day for Conte as the TNAS tribunal court should rule on his appeal against his ban, but the former midfielder is apparently just focused on one fight.

“Antonio is hopeful, but his lawyers are looking after that,” Carrera explained. “He’s just concentrating on the game and nothing else.”

Juventus are expected to start the tie with the same XI who drew 2-2 at Chelsea in their opening Champions League encounter.

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Lucescu crowns Golden Pirlo

Oct 2, 2012

The 2012 Golden Ball should be awarded to Andrea Pirlo of Juventus, says Shakhtar Donetsk boss Mircea Lucescu.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash between the two sides in Turin, Lucescu hailed a midfielder who he bossed at Brescia and then Inter.

“I know Pirlo very well,” said the Romanian. “I gave him his debut when he was 15 and a half, then I worked with him again at Inter.

“His evolution has been exceptional. I’m convinced that for what he achieved last season, he deserves to win the Golden Ball.

“He should win it to crown his career. Pirlo is in great form and, for me, he is always number one.”

While full of admiration for the playmaker, Lucescu also conceded that the Old Lady are a force to be reckoned with.

“Juventus are not just Pirlo though,” he added. “Right now, they are the best side in Europe when you consider results, how many players they provide for national teams and for the way they play.

“They are a well organised side which has been constructed very well, with new signings which they needed.

“Their spine of Gigi Buffon-Leonardo Bonucci-Pirlo and Mirko Vucinic is fundamental, as that is where their play originates from.

“I’ve shown my boys the Juventus-Roma game from the weekend, telling them that is not the way you play against them.

“The Giallorossi left Juventus too much freedom to do what they wanted. But no side is perfect…

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Juventus - Shakhtar Donetsk Preview:

Juve to add to Shakhtar's away misery

In only the second meeting between the two, the Bianconeri will be hopeful of a victory

against the notoriously bad Ukrainian travellers, even though they won in Rome last year.

Oct 1, 2012

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

JUVENTUS

Buffon

Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini

Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah

Vucinic, Matri

SHAKHTAR

Pyatov

Rat, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Srna

Stepanenko, Fernandinho

Willian, Adriano, Ilsinho

Mkhitaryan

If confidence was not already high in the Juventus camp, then it certainly will be now after their 4-1 victory over Roma stretched their unbelievable unbeaten run to 45 league games whilst serving as the perfect appetiser for the Serie A champions' clash with Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night.

Antonio Conte's men cruised to victory over an off-colour Giallorossi, but they can expect a much tougher test against the Ukrainian champions - who hold an impressive record of their own - winning the last three league titles and, given that they have a 100 per cent record from their 10 opening games, that run doesn't look like abating anytime soon.

Coming from two goals behind to salvage a draw against the European champions Chelsea, would have felt much like a win for the Bianconeri on Matchday 1, and they will be hoping to build on that performance with victory at Juventus Stadium on Tuesday - the first time the venue will hold a Champions League fixture since opening in 2011.

Shakhtar meanwhile, recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Danish outfit Nordsjaelland and anything other than defeat here would be seen as a good result, given the Miners have a poor record in Italy, but they will be buoyed by the fact they won in Rome last year.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Juventus and Shakhtar have met once previously – this was back in 1976 in the third round of the UEFA Cup and the Italian side won 3-1 on aggregate.

• The Old Lady have only lost twice in six matches against Ukrainian teams whilst they have never been beaten at home, winning two and drawing the other.

• Juve's record of only two shots on target against Chelsea on Matchday 1 was the joint lowest total in the Champions League, yet they still managed a draw courtesy of Fabio Quagliarella's (right) equaliser.

• Shakhtar Donetsk have only recorded one win away from home in eight attempts to Italian teams, while losing six. Their biggest defeat in Europe came at the hands of Lazio in 2000 losing 5-1.

• However, that one win on Italian soil came in their last fixture - an enthralling 3-2 victory over Roma in February 2011.

• The Miners ended a run of four games without victory in Europe by winning on Matchday 1, while striker Henrik Mkhitaryan is in fine goalscoring form having netted 13 times in 10 league games this season, scoring twice against Nordsjaelland as well.

Head to Head

24.11.1976 UEFA Cup Juventus-Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0

08.12.1976 UEFA Cup Shakhtar Donetsk-Juventus 1-0

Last Five Matches

JUVENTUS

Sep 29, 2012 - Juventus 4 - Roma 1 - Serie A

Sep 25, 2012 - Fiorentina 0 - Juventus 0 - Serie A

Sep 22, 2012 - Juventus 2 - Chievo 0 - Serie A

Sep 19, 2012 - Chelsea FC 2 - Juventus 2 - UCL

Sep 16, 2012 - Genoa 1 - Juventus 3 - Serie A

Shakhtar Donetsk

Sep 19, 2012 - Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - FC Nordsjælland 0 - UCL

Dec 6, 2011 - APOEL Nicosia 0 - Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - UCL

Nov 23, 2011 - Shakhtar Donetsk 0 - Porto 2 - UCL

Nov 1, 2011 - Zenit Saint Petersburg 1 - Shakhtar Donetsk 0 - UCL

Oct 19, 2011 - Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - Zenit Saint Petersburg 2 - UCL

Players to Watch

Arturo Vidal

Was influential in his side's comeback against Chelsea, as he scored to get Juve back in the game after twisting his ankle, it was the type of hard of work and determination which typifies the 25-year-old's performances of late. He has been a revelation since joining the Italian giants in July 2011. A box-to-box midfielder, the Chile international is an important cog in the Bianconeri machine and continued his fine form on Saturday scoring against Roma.

Henrik Mkhitaryan

The 23-year-old has been in lethal goalscoring form for the Miners this season having scored 13 times in 10 games in the league. He also grabbed a double on Matchday 1 against Danish side Nordsjaelland. A constant threat and having a keen eye for goal, the Armenian international could yet spring a surprise on the Bianconeri.

Prediction

Shakhtar have struggled away in Italy in the past and against an in-form Juventus side this trend looks set to continue, both teams are top of the table domestically, so this should be an entertaining game but the Italians' class should prevail.

Editor's Prediction

Juventus 3 - 1 Shakhtar

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Juve been warned: Henrikh Mkhitaryan is Europe's most in-form player

The Armenian attacking midfielder has been one of the revelations of the 2012-13

European season and Juventus will need to treat him with caution when Shakhtar visit Turin tonight.

Oct 2, 2012

Donbass Arena in Donetsk is a very musical stadium. Every goal by Shakhtar is greeted with tunes from the country of the scorer. Ukrainians are getting their national hopak, but most of the time the crowd naturally listens to samba.

Almost all of Shakhtar’s midfield and attack is based on Brazilians. Luiz Adriano, Willian, Fernandinho, Ilsinho, Alex Teixeira, Douglas Costa – the veteran Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu must speak Portuguese quite fluently by now. This season, however, samba is less frequent, and its place is taken by the Sabre Dance. Aram Khachaturyan is Armenia’s finest composer, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan is the man responsible for him being celebrated in eastern Ukraine.

The 23-year-old midfielder has been unplayable in recent months. After scoring just four goals in his first year at Shakhtar in 2010/11, and netting 11 times in all competitions last season, Mkhitaryan has amazingly put 15 balls past opposing keepers in just 11 games since July. His 13 goals in the Ukrainian league include a hat-trick versus Chernomorets Odessa and doubles against Arsenal Kiev, Volyn and Vorskla. Add four assists, and you get a player who is pretty much unstoppable. Tonight, Juventus could experience difficulties trying to deal with the Armenian, who struck twice in the 2-0 win against Denmark champions Nordsjaelland on the Champions League opening day.

Those who have followed Mkhitaryan’s career are not surprised by these exploits. His outrageous talent has been there for all to see for a long time now. Hamlet Mkhitaryan, Henrikh’s father, was the biggest star of Ararat Yerevan in the Soviet league during the 1980s, scoring 46 goals for the club. At the beginning of the 1990s, Mkhitaryan Sr moved to France, where he helped the now defunct Valence to be promoted to the second division. That’s where Henrikh spent his early childhood. Tragically, Hamlet Mkhitaryan died of a brain tumor at just 33, and never witnessed his heir developing into an outstanding footballer.

Unlike his father, Henrikh has mostly played in midfield since starting his career at Pyunik Yerevan aged 17. By 2009, he had won four Armenian league titles and was quite clearly too good to stay. Many teams tried to acquire his services, and Mkhitaryan was tempted to go to France, where he would have no language problems. Lyon and Lille were realistic options, while there was also interest from Lokomotiv Moscow and Boca Juniors. The youngster said at the time: “It is an important dilemma, as I must choose a team where I will be assured of a starting place.”

This logic led to Mkhitaryan signing for unfashionable Metallurg Donetsk, where Yaya Toure spent more than a year at the beginning of his career. The Ivorian was sold to Olympiakos for €2 million in 2005, the Armenian’s price was €7.5m when he joined city rivals Shakhtar in 2010. One could claim that was still a bargain. In his only full season at Metallurg, Mkhitaryan was the unquestionable leader, scoring 14 goals from midfield, guiding the team to the Ukrainian Cup Final, and eventually being named team captain. Shakhtar beat Tottenham and Werder Bremen to his signature, and those clubs will regret missing out on him.

At first Lucescu used Mkhitaryan in a slightly withdrawn position, where his vision and precise passing were very useful. Towards the end of last season, though, the coach moved the Armenian higher up the field, handing him the free role behind the striker, and the results were stunning to say the least. Magically two-footed, calm in front of goal and extremely confident, Mkhitaryan flourished, and after being voted Shakhtar’s player of the season by fans he stated: “I definitely feel more comfortable close to the attack, even though I don’t mind playing as a holding midfielder if that’s what the team needs.”

Modesty is one of Mkhitaryan’s main qualities, as he states that he “doesn’t feel like a star”, even though he is one of the best players in the most successful outfit in Ukraine, winning two league and cup doubles in his two seasons at Shakhtar. His willingness to play for the team can be highlighted by a beautiful example from the last day of 2011-12. With the title already assured, Shakhtar led 2-0 against Oleksandria when Mkhitaryan, who scored in the first half with a header, got an opportunity to claim a very easy brace. Despite having just the keeper to beat, the Armenian chose to pass to Yevhen Seleznyov, so that his fellow striker could become the league’s top scorer. As unselfish as he is talented, Mkhitaryan is very much liked and respected in the dressing room.

As well as starring for Shakhtar, Mkhitaryan also hit the headlines by scoring no less than six goals in Armenia's sensational Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. Armenia were one of the biggest surprises of the tournament, beating Slovakia twice, including a 4-0 stunner in Bratislava. Only an unlucky defeat in Dublin on the last day meant they lost out on a playoff place. Mkhitaryan, who made his national team debut before he was 18, is already one of his country's leaders, partnering in attack the Russian Premier League's top scorer Yura Movsisyan of Krasnadar.

Armenia might not be so prolific in the World Cup 2014 qualifiers, having been handed a tough draw with Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic and Bulgaria. Nevertheless, the Italians should be aware of his impressive potential. The goal against Dnipro last week was Mkhitaryan’s 100th in his rising career, and he is quite clearly the most in-form player in the whole of Europe. Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci will take him on tonight in the Champions League, before meeting the young prodigy again in Yerevan next Friday, wearing Squadra Azzurra shirts. They will have their hands full on both occasions.

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Juventus opt for Matri and Vucinic in attack versus Shakhtar

The Italian and Montenegrin will lead the frontline for the Serie A champions

as they make their home bow in this season's Champions League.

Oct 2, 2012

Alessandro Matri and Mirko Vucinic will lead the line for Juventus on Tuesday evening in their home return to the Champions League versus Shakhtar Donetsk.

The duo will be tasked with firing the Serie A side - who have started their domestic campaign in superb form - to victory over the Ukrainian outfit in Turin.

Behind the pairing, the formidable midfield trio of Claudio Marchisio, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo are all present.

For Shakhtar Donetsk, Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be the main threat, supported by an able attacking trio of Luiz Adriano, Willian, and Alex Texeira.

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichsteiner, Marchisio, Vidal, Pirlo, Asamoah; Matri, Vucinic

Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov; Srna, Rakitskiy, Kucher, Rat; Hubschman, Fernandinho; Alex Texeira, Willian, Luiz Adriano; Mkhitaryan

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Line-ups: Juventus-Shakhtar

Oct 2, 2012

Juventus welcome Shakhtar Donetsk in their first Champions League home game with Mirko Vucinic and Alessandro Matri up front.

This is the first European match to be hosted by the Juventus Stadium since it opened a year ago and comes after an impressive 2-2 draw at Chelsea.

Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk have won their last 19 League games and beat Nordsjaelland 2-0 in their Champions League opener.

These sides have only met once before, when Juve won 3-0 at home and lost the second leg 1-0 in the 1976-77 UEFA Cup.

Neither side has particular injury problems going into the game, as only Simone Pepe is ruled out.

Matri and Vucinic are chosen as the front pair, while Nicklas Bendtner does not even merit a spot on the bench.

Luiz Adriano, Alex Teixeira and Willian lend a South American style to the Ukrainian attack.

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Matri, Vucinic

Juventus bench: Storari, Lucio, Caceres, Pogba, Giaccherini, Giovinco, Quagliarella

Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Rat; Fernandinho, Hubschman; Mkhitaryan, Willian, Alex Teixeira; Luiz Adriano

Shakhtar Donetsk bench: Kanibolotskiy, Shevchuk, Stepanenko, Kobin, Gai, Ilsinho, Eduardo

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Marotta sad at empty seats

Oct 2, 2012

Beppe Marotta expressed his disappointment at empty seats for the Champions League debut at the Juventus Stadium.

Tonight is the first time the arena has hosted a European fixture, but there are whole sections of empty seats against Shakhtar Donetsk and only 30,000 tickets sold.

“In truth, 30,000 paying attendees are a considerable number of people. We have many supporters who live outside the city and it is Tuesday, so that creates problems,” the director general told Sky Sport Italia.

“Perhaps we deserved a different atmosphere, but we know there are many watching at home, just as the passion of those in the stadium will be felt.”

It is particularly surprising considering the Juventus Stadium is regularly sold out for Serie A games, but the tickets for the Champions League fixture were considerably more expensive.

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

HT: Juve fight back with Shakhtar

Oct 2, 2012

Juventus have had a tough time in the first half of their Champions League match with Shakhtar Donetsk, fighting back to draw 1-1 with Leonardo Bonucci.

The Juventus Stadium hosted its first European fixture against Mircea Lucescu’s Ukrainian side. The former Brescia Coach was the man who first brought a 15-year-old Andrea Pirlo into the first team and he had a full squad to choose from after beating Nordsjaelland 2-0. Alessandro Matri got the nod alongside Mirko Vucinic, as Simone Pepe was the only absentee.

These sides have only met once before, when Juve won 3-0 at home and lost the second leg 1-0 in the 1976-77 UEFA Cup.

Bizarrely considering this arena has been sold out for practically every game since opening, there were many empty seats in this Champions League home debut.

It was Shakhtar who had the first chance when a ball was squared to the back post for Henrik Mkhitaryan, who turned wide under pressure from Giorgio Chiellini.

Fernandinho drilled wide from distance, but Vucinic was incorrectly flagged offside when sent clear by Andrea Pirlo.

Moments later, Alex Teixeira flashed a ball across the six-yard box and Willian fell under a Stephan Lichtenstein shirt-tug, but the referee waved play on.

Vucinic hit a taut slightly deflected pass across the face of goal and Matri was inches away from getting a toe to it. Gigi Buffon smothered at the feet of the dribbling Teixeira, then Claudio Marchisio ran on to a Pirlo ball over the top and fired over on the half-volley.

Shakhtar had been the more dangerous side and took a deserved lead on 23 minutes. The first shot by Willian was charged down, but he passed it back to the onside Teixeira to drive in off the underside of the crossbar from eight yards.

Juve fought back and Yaroslav Rakitskiy threw himself at Matri’s shot to block. However, from the resulting corner Pirlo passed back to the unmarked Leonardo Bonucci to smash under the bar from 14 yards. It was a wonderful strike and clearly practiced on the training ground.

Arturo Vidal was blocked, but Matri picked up the loose ball and hit a ferocious effort straight at Andriy Pyatov. The Bianconeri pushed harder towards half-time and had more possession than in their rather shaky start to the match.

In stoppages they nearly scored from another corner, as this time Bonucci’s glancing header was hoofed off the line by goalkeeper Pyatov’s outstretched foot.

Juventus 1-1 Shakhtar (Half-Time)

Scorers: Teixeira 23 (S), Bonucci 26 (J)

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Matri, Vucinic

Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Rat; Fernandinho, Hubschman; Mkhitaryan, Willian, Alex Teixeira; Luiz Adriano

Ref: Nijhuis (HOL)

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS 1 - 1 SHAKHTAR

Alex Teixeira (23′)

Leonardo Bonucci (25′)

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Attendance: 29368‎

Alex Texeira and Bonucci ensure spoils are shared in Group E

The Bianconeri had to pull off another Champions League comeback after a stern test

throughout by the impressive Ukrainians, leaving the group wide open.

Oct 2, 2012

Juventus were forced to come from behind once more to draw their second straight Champions League game, this time splitting the points with Shakhtar Donetsk after a 1-1 result in Turin.

Just like their 2-2 tie against Chelsea on the opening matchday, the Bianconeri saw themselves fall behind in the first half after Alex Teixeira gave the visiting side a deserved lead after 23 minuites.

But Juve would quickly hit back within three minutes, as Leonardo Bonucci drilled home an exquisite equaliser on a slick move from a corner.

Both sides had chances to win the match in the second half, but were forced to settle for a share of the spoils, giving Group E rivals Chelsea the lead at the top of the standings.

Massimo Carrera’s only changes from the 4-1 victory over Roma over the weekend came at both wing-back spots, with Kwadwo Asamoah and Stephan Lichtsteiner stepping in for Martin Caceres and Paolo De Ceglie.

Shakhtar were expected to struggle after winning only one of their last eight matches on Italian soil, but the Ukrainians instead overwhelmed Juve from the start, pushing forward in great numbers.

Henrik Mkhitaryan fired the first warning shot, blasting a devilish cross from Razvan Rat inches over the bar after ghosting in at the far post.

There was an even bigger scare for the hosts in the 13th minute, when Willian would have surely scored but was hauled down by Lichtsteiner, who could have counted himself fortunate to escape without punishment.

Juve were able to forge a brief respite for themselves with a pair of openings, with Alessandro Matri coming within inches of turning in a dangerous Mirko Vucinic cross, before a sublime clip from Andrea Pirlo was volleyed over by Claudio Marchisio.

But Shakhtar continued to attack, and saw reward for their endeavour in the 23rd minute. Willian’s shot was blocked following a flowing move, but the Brazilian had the presence of mind to slip the rebound to Teixeira on the left, who blasted into the roof of the net.

It was set to be a harsh lesson in Champions League football for the Bianconeri, but three minutes later, they found themselves level after a goal of the highest quality from an unlikely source.

Andrea Pirlo worked a corner low into the area, where Bonucci peeled away from his marker and on the turn, lashed a superb effort into the top corner from 15 yards out.

It was a move straight out of the training ground, and moments later, another slick passage of play nearly saw Juve pounce again, but Rat was on hand to block Arturo Vidal at close range, before Matri blasted the rebound straight into Andriy Pyatov’s arms.

Shakhtar continued to look dangerous, but the home side had managed to work themselves onto more of an even footing in the game. Bonucci nearly came up with the goods again moments before half-time when attacking a corner, but his header was blocked on the line by Pyatov.

In complete contrast to the opening half, the visitors were starved of the ball for long spells after the restart. However, their counter-attacking threat still had to be respected, as shown when Willian slotted inches wide after a flowing more started in their own half.

Juve were straight back down the pitch though, and substitute Sebastian Giovinco, seconds after his introduction, raced free down the left and teed up Matri who, from point-blank range, botched his finish and bundled over the bar.

But Shakhtar still fancied their chances to win the game. Gianluigi Buffon was called into his first meaningful action of the match when parrying away Darijo Srna’s free-kick, moments before Mkhitaryan side-footed agonisingly off target after latching onto Luiz Adriano’s feed.

Willian then saw another effort go just off target with eight minutes to go, lashing a loose ball just the wrong side of the post from a good position on the edge of the area.

The Brazilian then had a glorious chance to win it at the death, but rattled the crossbar from 10 yards out as the sides ended the match knotted at a goal apiece, leaving them both with ground to make up on group leaders Chelsea.

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS 1 - 1 SHAKHTAR

Alex Teixeira (23′)

Leonardo Bonucci (25′)

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Attendance: 29368

CL: Shakhtar stall Juventus

Oct 2, 2012

Shakhtar Donetsk gave Juventus a real test in their first home Champions League tie, as they were perhaps fortunate to get a 1-1 draw.

The Juventus Stadium hosted its first European fixture against Mircea Lucescu’s Ukrainian side. The former Brescia Coach was the man who first brought a 15-year-old Andrea Pirlo into the first team and he had a full squad to choose from after beating Nordsjaelland 2-0. Alessandro Matri got the nod alongside Mirko Vucinic, as Simone Pepe was the only absentee.

These sides have only met once before, when Juve won 3-0 at home and lost the second leg 1-0 in the 1976-77 UEFA Cup.

Bizarrely considering this arena has been sold out for practically every game since opening, there were many empty seats in this Champions League home debut.

It was Shakhtar who had the first chance when a ball was squared to the back post for Henrik Mkhitaryan, who turned wide under pressure from Giorgio Chiellini.

Fernandinho drilled wide from distance, but Vucinic was incorrectly flagged offside when sent clear by Andrea Pirlo.

Moments later, Alex Teixeira flashed a ball across the six-yard box and Willian fell under a Stephan Lichtenstein shirt-tug, but the referee waved play on.

Vucinic hit a taut slightly deflected pass across the face of goal and Matri was inches away from getting a toe to it. Gigi Buffon smothered at the feet of the dribbling Teixeira, then Claudio Marchisio ran on to a Pirlo ball over the top and fired over on the half-volley.

Shakhtar had been the more dangerous side and took a deserved lead on 23 minutes. The first shot by Willian was charged down, but he passed it back to the onside Teixeira to drive in off the underside of the crossbar from eight yards.

Juve fought back and Yaroslav Rakitskiy threw himself at Matri’s shot to block. However, from the resulting corner Pirlo passed back to the unmarked Leonardo Bonucci to smash under the bar from 14 yards. It was a wonderful strike and clearly practiced on the training ground.

Arturo Vidal was blocked, but Matri picked up the loose ball and hit a ferocious effort straight at Andriy Pyatov. The Bianconeri pushed harder towards half-time and had more possession than in their rather shaky start to the match.

In stoppages they nearly scored from another corner, as this time Bonucci’s glancing header was hoofed off the line by goalkeeper Pyatov’s outstretched foot.

Juve took control after the break and kept hold of the ball comfortably, but were struggling to get through the Ukrainian defence, so Sebastian Giovinco replaced Vucinic.

Shakhtar almost caught the Bianconeri out on the break, but Willian’s angled daisy-cutter skimmed the base of the far post.

Just 30 seconds later Giovinco sprung the offside trap and pulled across for Matri to balloon over from six yards!

Matri had hopeful penalty appeals when his arm was pulled as he ran into the box, but it was his last contribution as Fabio Quagliarella was introduced. Giovinco’s meek shot was smothered when he should’ve passed to the other substitute.

Marchisio tried to burst into the box, but essentially ran into Fernandinho, so the referee waved play on.

Lichtsteiner came tearing down the left flank and his cross-shot to the back post went past Giovinco and Marchisio in a great chance.

Buffon did well to punch a dangerous Razvan Rat free kick round the upright, even clattering into the woodwork, then from the corner Mkhitaryan side-footed just wide.

Shakhtar were now focused on the counter and Willian curled wide with Buffon rooted to the spot after Chiellini blocked off Mkhitaryan.

In the final minute, Mkhitaryan placed an angled drive just off target after running into space, while a massively deflected Quagliarella effort was tipped out from under the bar.

Deep into stoppages there was a huge scare. Willian had his first shot charged down, but the ball came back to him and the follow-up cracked against the crossbar.

Juventus 1-1 Shakhtar

Scorers: Teixeira 23 (S), Bonucci 26 (J)

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal (Pogba 85), Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Matri (Quagliarella 65), Vucinic (Giovinco 59)

Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Rat; Fernandinho, Hubschman; Mkhitaryan, Willian, Alex Teixeira (Ilsinho 84); Luiz Adriano

Ref: Nijhuis (HOL)

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS 1 - 1 SHAKHTAR

Alex Teixeira (23′)

Leonardo Bonucci (25′)

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Attendance: 29368

Juve held by Ukrainians

Oct 2, 2012

Juventus could not deliver a first Champions League victory at their new stadium but the Bianconeri might count themselves lucky to have salvaged a 1-1 draw against a spirited Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Juventus Stadium hosted its first European fixture since opening last summer - despite 10,000 tickets going unsold for the game - but it took a thunderbolt from defender Leonardo Bonucci to guarantee a share of the spoils after Alex Teixeira had put the Ukrainians ahead on the counter-attack.

Two points from two draws leaves Juventus in third place in Group E - above pointless FC Nordsjaelland - while Chelsea and Shakhtar occupy the top-two spots with four points apiece.

Improbably, Henrikh Mkhitaryan scooped the ball over the crossbar when Teixera found him lurking in space but Shakhtar were soon calling for a penalty.

Willian felt that he had been wrestled to the ground by Stephan Lichtsteiner but referee Bas Nijhuis was not interested in his protests.

Alessandro Matri, who was profligate throughout, failed to make the most of a sweet pass from Mirko Vucinic, Claudio Marchisio then rifling Andrea Pirlo's superb lob over the bar before Shakhtar made the breakthrough.

Fluid one-touch football brought Willian within sight of goal in the 23rd minute. The Brazilian's first attempt was blocked by Andrea Barzagli but he happily fed Teixera to rattle home the rebound.

Juve's response was both immediate and spectacular, though, with Pirlo's corner skidding to a halt in front of Bonucci for the centre-back to powerfully lash the ball into the back of the net.

Visiting goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov did better to smother a rocket from Arturo Vidal on the half-hour mark but Bonucci almost made it 2-1 deep into first-half stoppage time. Pyatov thought fast to stick out a leg and repel the Italy international's bullet header as Shakhtar managed to reach the break level.

But there was no respite after the interval as Matri soon saw his dipping drive deflected to safety. Shakhtar sprang into life once more on the hour mark when Yaroslav Rakitskiv forged through the middle of the park unopposed to feed Willian, who squeezed his snapshot just wide of a post.

Another gilt-edged chance went begging, this time at the other end, as Juve substitute Sebastian Giovinco burst down the left flank, only for Matri to clip the ball over the bar at full stretch. As time ticked away in Turin, Willian snapped his effort just wide with Gianluigi Buffon left stranded and Mkhitaryan dragged the ball off target after racing across the edge of the box.

But both sides came close to sealing victory at the death, substitute striker Fabio Quagliarella blasting left-footed only to be denied by Pyatov's outstretched glove.

And Buffon survived one last test as he pushed Willian's close-range effort over the bar to keep Juventus' unbeaten run in tact.

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS 1 - 1 SHAKHTAR

Alex Teixeira (23′)

Leonardo Bonucci (25′)

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Attendance: 29368

Tense and timid Juve continue winless run in Europe

Oct 2, 2012

A record setting eighth consecutive European draw left Leonardo Bonucci and Massimo Carrera to admit that Juventus were "too timid" in their 1-1 stalemate with Shakhtar Donetsk.

The unwanted string of results stems back to the 2010-11 Europa League campaign under Gigi Delneri and stand-in coach Carrera blamed it on their failure to seize the initiative, a trait which has characterised the side during their long unbeaten Serie A run.

He told Sky Italia: "We went out on to the field a little timid. We knew it was a difficult opponent, even if people said it would be easy. We were tense, conceded a goal and did well to get straight back on level terms.

"We know our group is tough and we will fight it out to the end with another two teams. Every opponent is strong in the Champions League, so we must do our best to go as far as possible in this competition."

That view was supported by Bonucci - whose goal drew the Bianconeri level after they had fallen behind to Alex Teixeira's opener. The defender also praised the spirit of the squad in fighting back to take a point.

"Considering the way the game was going, we certainly did well to get it back on track," he said. "We went on to the pitch a little too timid and allowed them to control the tempo. We cannot afford that, as nobody gives you an inch in the Champions League.

"Juve must always control the game from the first to the last minute. When we attacked them, we put Shakhtar under a lot of pressure."

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS 1 - 1 SHAKHTAR

Alex Teixeira (23′)

Leonardo Bonucci (25′)

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Attendance: 29368

Player Ratings: Juventus 1-1 Shakhtar

Goal.com takes a closer look as the Bianconeri were given a run for their money

in their own back yard by the Ukrainians during a hard-fought draw.

Oct 2, 2012

JUVENTUS

Gianluigi Buffon - Made two good saves in the second half to preserve the result. Teixeira's goal was struck well ,but still, no goalkeeper likes being beaten at his near post.

Giorgio Chiellini - Forced deeper and deeper into his box by the pressure of Shakhtar, but to his credit, he was not beat often. Able to get a number of timely last-ditch interceptions and challenges in, and brought the ball out of defence to good effect.

Andrea Barzagli - Though he appeared stretched at certain points, half-time saw him regain focus as he stepped in to thwart a number of Shakhtar attacks.

Leonardo Bonucci - Took his goal like the most clinical of strikers, lashing a rocket into the top corner from a training ground set-piece move. Nearly came up trumps again with another header that was blocked on the line. His defending, though hit or miss in the first half, was tightened up after the interval.

Stephan Lichtsteiner - Extremely lucky to escape conceding a penalty and a probable red card after hauling down Willian, who was poised to strike, inside the six yard area. His forward play, while rather flat in the first half, was a factor in Juve's improvement during the second period.

Claudio Marchisio - A tireless performance as usual in midfield, shifting back and forth between halves with regularity. The cutting edge was lacking in the attacking third though.

Andrea Pirlo - The veteran midfielder did look a little laboured when under pressure from Shakhtar, but picked his moments to influence in attack intelligently. A few delightful passes opened up avenues for his teammates, and a well-worked corner set up Bonucci’s equaliser.

Kwadwo Asamoah - Much like Lichtsteiner, he seemed to find Shakhtar’ front three a difficult prospect to cope with in the first half. His forward play was surprisingly lacking in energy as well.

Arturo Vidal - Run ragged by Shakhtar's superb movement and flow on the counter-attack. Simply could not keep up, and it rattled his confidence as he made a few errors throughout.

Mirko Vučinić - Looked lively at times when on the ball, but those encouraging moments were few and far between in a somewhat disillusioned showing up front, as he never really got going.

Alessandro Matri - Got himself into a few great positions to score, but the killer instinct had deserted him tonight as he missed a pair of great chances from close range before being substituted.

Substitutions

Sebastian Giovinco - Almost made an immediate impact after his introduction with a searing run down the flanks to set up Matri, but drifted in and out after that.

Fabio Quagliarella - A few good touches around the 18-yard area after his introduction, but was not decisive.

Shakhtar Donetsk

Andriy Pyatov - Had no chance with Bonucci's rocket and made a pair of clutch saves to keep his side competitive.

Olexandr Kucher - Stuck to his task well in his own half, exerting plenty of effort like the rest of his teammates when defending.

R. Raţ - Picked his opportunities to get forward extremely well, as he was often hard to mark when attacking from deep. Defended with conviction as well, making a great block on Vidal from close range.

Darijo Srna - The captain was steady, if not entirely flashy tonight. He got forward more and more on the counter in the second half, and one well hit free-kick tested Buffon.

Yaroslav Rakytskyy - Often came out on top when contesting aerial duels, and did not often put a foot wrong at the back.

Tomas Hubschmann - Rather understated throughout, as he toiled diligently and worked extremely hard at closing down the Juvnetus midfielders.

Fernandinho - A complete display in midfield. Supported the attack well by providing an outlet from a deeper position, and was intelligent in his distribution. Did not shirk from his defensive responsibilities either.

Willian - His accomplished display showed why so many clubs were desperate to get their hands on him during the summer. He troubled the Juventus backline time and time again with his speed, close control, and awareness of his teammates. The only blot on his performance was his shooting, as he agonizingly missed a few great chances.

Henrik Mkhitaryan - Classy in possession centrally, though he could and perhaps should have taken one of the two gilt-edged chances that fell his way.

Alex Teixeira - Matched the enterprise of compatriot Willian on the opposite flank, and was able to work himself into a number of threatening positions thanks to his ability to run at defenders. His goal, a finish high into the net, was taken with supreme confidence.

Luiz Adriano - His pace provided Shakhtar with another weapon on the counter attack, and he pulled of a number of successful decoy runs.

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS 1 - 1 SHAKHTAR

Alex Teixeira (23′)

Leonardo Bonucci (25′)

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Attendance: 29368

Carrera: We have some really strong teams in our group

The stand-in boss reflected on the standard of the Bianconeri's opponents,

while goal hero Leonardo Bonucci was buoyed by Tuesday night's draw.

Oct 2, 2012

Caretaker Juventus coach Massimo Carrera has labelled his team's performance against Champions League opponents Shakhtar Donetsk as a tense one, after watching his men fight back to salvage a 1-1 draw in Turin.

A goal by Leonardo Bonucci levelled affairs on the night after the Ukrainian visitors had taken the lead via Alex Teixeira. The result means that the Bianconeri have now drawn their first two Group E fixtures.

"We went out onto the field a little timid and tense," lamented Carrera to reporters after the match. "We conceded a goal, but did well to get straight back."

"Last season we did not play in Europe, so maybe this is why we are so tired. We are not used to playing so many games and we have not been able to let some important players rest so far.

"Teams in the Champions League are strong, but we will fight against everyone. We have some really strong teams in our group, but I am sure that Juventus will be competitive until the end."

Despite the disappointing draw, in which Shakhtar had several opportunities to win the encounter, Bonucci is refusing to dampen his hopes for European progression, however.

"We went on to the pitch a little too timid," the 25-year-old expressed to Sky Sport Italia. "However, considering how the game was going, we did well to get back in it."

"When we attacked Shakhtar, we put them under a lot of pressure. Juventus must always seek to take the game to the opponents."

Opposing coach Mircea Lucescu lent an insight to how he halted the home side's forays: "We had the advantage in terms of possession, and we made Juventus run a lot.

"We made Juventus run a lot, and had more chances to score than they did. I am very glad about the way we played."

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS 1 - 1 SHAKHTAR

Alex Teixeira (23′)

Leonardo Bonucci (25′)

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Attendance: 29368

Bonucci: 'Europe is tough'

Oct 2, 2012

Leonardo Bonucci warns “nobody gives you an inch” in the Champions League after their 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk.

Alex Teixeira had put the Ukrainians in front before Bonucci’s screamer of an equaliser, but Willian rattled the crossbar in stoppages.

“Considering the way the game was going, we certainly did well to get it back on track,” the defender told Sky Sport Italia.

“We went on to the pitch a little too timid and allowed them to control the tempo. We cannot afford that, as nobody gives you an inch in the Champions League.

“Juve must always control the game from the first to the last minute. When we attacked them, we put Shakhtar under a lot of pressure.”

Bonucci also explained his rather emphatic goal celebration.

“My wife brought our son to the stadium for the first time tonight, so the goal was for them.”

Chelsea are now top of the group after their 4-0 win away to Nordsjaelland.

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS 1 - 1 SHAKHTAR

Alex Teixeira (23′)

Leonardo Bonucci (25′)

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Attendance: 29368

Lucescu: 'Shakhtar were superior'

Oct 2, 2012

Mircea Lucescu felt Shakhtar Donetsk “were superior” to Juventus and are right in the running for the knockout phase.

Their Champions League 1-1 draw in Turin put the Ukrainians joint top in Group E with Chelsea on four points.

“A point against Juventus is great and an important result. Now we are to be counted on in the running for the knockout phase too,” Coach Lucescu told Sky Sport Italia.

“We are unbeaten in 26 games. This team has grown together, I have 23 and 24-year-olds who have been playing in the same squad since they were 18.

“I built this team and we are not afraid to play anywhere.”

Shakhtar had 58 per cent of possession at the Juventus Stadium and rattled the crossbar in stoppages.

“We had more possession and forced Juve to run hard without the ball. Even the scoring opportunities were clearly in our favour.

“Willian is already a well-known player. This year he seemed all set to join Chelsea or Tottenham, but we couldn’t reach an economic agreement. He is a great talent.

“Henrik Mkhitaryan is tactically very gifted and he kept Andrea Pirlo back. We proved that we are a team of a high level.”

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS 1 - 1 SHAKHTAR

Alex Teixeira (23′)

Leonardo Bonucci (25′)

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Attendance: 29368

Carrera: 'Juve were timid'

Oct 2, 2012

Massimo Carrera confessed Juventus were “a little timid” in their Champions League draw with Shakhtar Donetsk.

This 1-1 result means Juventus are the first team ever to draw eight consecutive European fixtures.

“We went out on to the field a little timid. We knew it was a difficult opponent, even if people said it would be easy,” stand-in Coach Carrera told Sky Sport Italia.

“We were tense, conceded a goal and did well to get straight back on level terms.”

Mirko Vucinic and Alessandro Matri were both substituted during the second half.

“We needed a striker who could mark Fernandinho. Vucinic and Matri did well, but they were tired, so I opted for the change.”

Chelsea and Shakhtar are joint top on four points each, followed by Juventus on two in Group E.

“We know our group is tough and we will fight it out to the end with another two teams. Every opponent is strong in the Champions League, so we must do our best to go as far as possible in this competition.”

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS 1 - 1 SHAKHTAR

Alex Teixeira (23′)

Leonardo Bonucci (25′)

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Attendance: 29368

Bamboozled by Ukrainian Samba, Bonucci’s Strike Isn’t Enough

Oct 2, 2012

It was the day we were all waiting for: the Bianconeri’s first home match in the UEFA Champions League and more importantly, the Juventus Stadium’s maiden European debut! Everything was ready; the team had come from an impressive 4-1 over Roma at the week-end, Conte/Carrera had their full troops at their disposal, and the only thing standing in Juve’s way were Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukrainian Premier League champions and sporting an incredible domestic 19-game winning streak. As the match kicked off, it became rapidly obvious that the Ukrainian side would be no pushovers tonight. Aaron & Marco bring you the mid-week action report of a frustratingly difficult match.

MATCH ANALYSIS (by Aaron Giambattista)

Before kick off, things had already started on a negative tone for the Bianconeri. While Juventus Stadium has been sold out for nearly every Serie A match so far, tonight there were empty pockets here and there. Giorgio Chiellini and Mirko Vucinic made public pleas for fans to flock to the game, but the remaining tickets — owned by 3rd party “investors” — were simply priced too high for Juventus fans. Management’s calculation that, given the historic nature of this match, fans would pay a correspondingly high amount proved to be a wrong one, and the result was a disappointingly quiet atmosphere from both curvas. A factor which, as Bonucci would note in his post-match conference, the players certainly noticed.

As mentioned, Shakhtar did not come to Turin to act as lambs to be slaughtered, and for much of the first half the Bianconeri were a bit surprised at their opponents’ ostentatiously fearless attitude. The Ukrainians started the match very much playing to their style: with passing and creativity in midfield, which Juve (Vidal in particular) struggled to shut down. In addition Shakhtar’s wing-backs (Srna and Rat) bombed down the flanks, preventing Lichtsteiner and Asamoah from carrying out any meaningful forward incursions and also causing them considerable issues in defense.

After 23 minutes, Shakhtar opened the score. Attacking midfielder Willian (tonight’s man-of-the-match) took a shot on goal, which was blocked, and then showed great poise to calmly collect the rebound and slip it to Alex Teixeira on the right. The young Brazilian fired it over Bonucci’s diving challenge straight into the top-right corner, Buffon was left helpless and unable to get a hand to it.

Just like against Chelsea, where the team didn’t look rattled and rapidly looked for an equalizer after going down, Juventus dug back into it. Matri obtained a shot that was charged down by young Ukrainian CB Yaroslav Rakitskiy. A few minutes later in the 26t, Pirlo’s corner was delivered straight to the edge of the box on the ground. Leonardo Bonucci hit the rolling ball first-time, firing a powerful yet accurate shot that soared into the top corner. A truly impressive finish for any player, but especially for a center-back.

Finally sparked to life by the goal, Juventus obtained some more decent chances before the half. Matri and Bonucci had good efforts on goal, but saves from the keeper and a goal-line clearance denied the Bianconeri, who thus went into the break tied 1-1. Not a bad result considering the undeniable quality of this Shakhtar team, but not a great one either.

The Ukrainians looked a bit complacent starting in the second half, and Juve gradually started to find their groove, earning a bit of possession with Vidal and Marchisio becoming more influential. Matri and Vucinic were both withdrawn in the first 20 minutes (in favor of Quagliarella and Giovinco respectively) to inject more freshness into the Bianconeri attack, a change which initially seemed to produce an immediate effect with Super-Seba roaming forward and creating danger (one of his crosses was superbly delivered to Matri who, before coming off, was unable to do better than touching the ball over the crossbar).

As Lichtsteiner burst in the box and delivered a great central ball, on which neither Marchisio nor Giovinco were able to apply a finishing touch, it seemed Juve had the cards necessary to perhaps even win this match. It was an illusion however, as with both teams starting to show signs of fatigue, it would be Shakhtar who would grab control in the final 15 minutes. Obtaining dangerous scoring chances through Raț (deflected free kick that called Buffon into action), Mkhitaryan (shot wide after a roaming dribble past Bonucci & Chiellini) and Willian (cracking short-range shot on the crossbar after yet another storming run), one can honestly wonder how the Pitmen could not do better than a 1-1 draw this evening.

Full-time was called, leaving Juventus with 2 points after as many matches in the club’s return to Europe’s top-tier competition. A disappointing evening, both for the stadium atmosphere and the result on the pitch, but one which also showed why Shakhtar have been a constant presence in the UCL in recent years.

LE PAGELLE (by Marco Pantanella)

Buffon 6.5 – Couldn’t do much on Alex Teixeira’s short-range howitzer, but had a very important save to make on Raț’s free kick. Gigi sprung well to keep the ball out.

Barzagli 5.5 – Really struggled to keep up with Willian on his side, as the Brazilian truly had a man-of-the-match performance tonight. Had a nice highlight though when he stormed forward, shielded the ball from a couple of Shakhtar players, and sent a good through ball for Quagliarella which alas, was intercepted.

Bonucci 6.5 – Gets an extra +1.0 for the truly marvelous (and extremely difficult moving backwards) goal he scored to tie the game. But he too suffered quite a bit in that defensive backline, constantly bamboozled by Willian’s technical skills and Mkhitaryan’s shrewd tactical movements off the ball.

Chiellini 5 – Much like his teammates, struggled a lot with the Shakhtar players’ exuberance. Got beat rather clumsily on the play that eventually lead to his booking and Rat’s very dangerous free kick.

Lichtsteiner 5.5 – It was “hot & cold” for Stephan today. On the one hand the Swiss right-back suffered a lot to contain Shakhtar defensively, on the other he had a few highlights of note through his customary wing penetrations. One in particular comes to mind, where he narrowly missed the cross to Marchisio after a lovely dribble inside the area. But need we even say it? He was MASSIVELY lucky the referee did not see (or chose to ignore) his penalty-box tug on Willian in the 1st half…

Vidal 5 – Too many lost balls, not enough of them recovered. Not Arturo’s best day, by far.

(85′) Pogba s.v.

Pirlo 6 – Had a few moments of passing greatness (1st-half aerial ball for Marchisio springs to mind, as well as the rolling CK for Bonucci, obviously). But when Juve needed their artist most, desperately waiting for a stroke of genius in the 2nd half, Pirlo’s brush remained disappointingly dry.

Marchisio 6.5 – The best of the Juve lot. Always running, looking for offensive solutions, coming back to offer support to his teammates.

Asamoah 6 – When Asa accelerated & provoked Srna one-on-one, Juve obtained a decent amount of space (and dangerous crosses) on that left wing, especially towards the end of the first half. Spent most of the 2nd period covering Chiellini in defense however.

Matri 5.5 – I wasn’t much in favor of Ale32 starting today, but I gotta say he performed better than I expected. That is not to say that he performed WELL: the Shakhtar defenders were practically glued to his back, preventing him to turn or do any kind of flick-and-run motions. But he did obtain a few chances, using them as best he could in certain cases (the touch & turn inside the box followed by a deflected shot) and giving his fans hair-pulling moments in others (the touch over the crossbar on that low Giovinco cross).

(65′) Quagliarella 5 – Much like Vucinic (see below), wasted most of the (few) balls coming his way. It’s sad to say this, but it looks like Eta Beta‘s fire (which ignited after the great Chelsea & Chievo performances) has already burned out.

Vucinic 5 – A bad game for Mirko who, after Roma, also seemed visibly tired. Controlled the ball poorly and gave away a considerable amount of passes (too many), suffocated as he was by the close man-marking of the Shakhtar backline.

(58′) Giovinco 5.5. – A step above Vucinic, but not by much. It looked — initially — as if the Atomic Ant’s arrival had finally brought the spark the Juventus attack needed, but after a few decent runs even Seba’s plays disappeared into the Turin night.

Conte/Carrera 5.5 – Not much we can blame the coaches for on this one, to be honest. Motivating the team more? Leaving Matri on a little bit longer, Vidal a little bit less? Someone on Twitter suggested that perhaps with Conte on the bench, the fans’ “silent protest” would not have lasted very long. A fair point, but we can only wonder…

ANALYSIS WRAP-UP (by Aaron Giambattista)

The Juventus Stadium’s debut to the UEFA Champions League was certainly an underwhelming adventure. Shakthar Donetsk arrived and played without fear, surprising the Old Lady. Their midfield & fullbacks battled and overwhelmed ours, and their strikers looked sharper than any of the four different Bianconeri who featured up in attack this evening.

The 0-0 draw vs. Fiorentina brought up a lot of criticism against Juventus, an example of a match where the opponent simply played a great game and deserves credit. Likewise, Shakhtar played excellent today, but sadly it seemed they were more up for the match than the Bianconeri, and for that to occur at HOME on such an important day is depressing.

The rotation of our strikers has thus far worked well in Serie A: Vucinic, Giovinco, Quagliarella, and Matri have all shown flashes of excellence, Seba demonstrating an eye for goal vs. Udinese and Roma, while Ale32 and Eta Beta have hinted at a return to their former form.

However, there’s certainly something to be said for an established lineup. No one has particularly staked a claim to it, but surely the constant rotation between Giovinco, Matri, and Quagliarella does help in providing a consistent run of games. Whether Juventus can afford to give any of them that kind of run-out is another debate.

All in all, draws away against great teams is an acceptable result. But the Juventus Stadium is supposed to be our fortress: we must win there. And more importantly SUPPORT the team, even when ticket prices dampen our enthusiasm.

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS 1 - 1 SHAKHTAR

Alex Teixeira (23′)

Leonardo Bonucci (25′)

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Attendance: 29368

Exhausted Juventus struggling to cope

with rigours of extra Champions League football

The Bianconeri failed to mark their first home game in the competition for three years

with three points, and it was the lethargy of their star men which was most stark.

Oct 3, 2012

COMMENT

By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Writer

If the opening result at Chelsea brought with it several positives and the belief that Juventus could go far in the Champions League, Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in Turin provided a wake-up call for a club still feeling their way back into a European mindset.

The failure to pick up three points leaves them looking at their remaining Group E calendar with greater uncertainty. Where previously they may have seen a virtual free ride into second spot at least, they will now be trying to map out the quickest route to 11 points, which is the likely necessity for qualification for the last 16.

But another thing they will surely have to look at more closely is the use of first-teamers in the run-up to European fixtures. After discussing on Tuesday morning the need to look after Andrea Pirlo, it is unfortunate that we must admit the Italy international was again short of his best against Shakhtar, but the big problem was that he was not the only one.

Two weeks ago, Arturo Vidal turned his ankle over very sharply at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea went on to score one goal while he was off receiving treatment and a second as he limped his way back into action. Within minutes he was halving the deficit practically on one leg, and it was only after extensive treatment – likely involving at least one pain-killing injection – that the Chilean was able to continue after the break.

Since then, he has been used indiscriminately. After being left out against Chievo three days on, he was a starter for the trip to Fiorentina last Tuesday and was then asked to play 90 minutes at home to Roma before attempting to lead the Bianconeri to victory in Europe last night. For one player who is so crucial to the cause to be requested to play so much is pushing it, but to ask him to do so that soon after playing for an hour with a nasty injury, as well as expect a second key man alongside him to fulfil regular duties is plain careless.

The result was that when Juventus needed to turn to their go-to men, they were both short of the physical capacity to play at the level to which their club have become accustomed. For once, the Old Lady were out-run, out-passed and out-pressed across the middle for much of the first half, and their Champions League hopes took a huge hit as a result. While Fernandinho, Willian and Henrik Mkhitaryan deserve huge praise for their displays for Shakhtar, there must be an admission from all at Vinovo that had Juve protected their big-hitters better, they would likely have won the game.

Alex Texeira’s goal was more than deserved after the visitors had done all the running for the opening half-hour, and it was a massive positive for Juventus that Leonardo Bonucci’s powerful equaliser came so quickly afterwards, because they may otherwise have needed to really raise the tempo to get back into the game, and the well appeared to be running a little dry already at that early stage.

Sure, Juve could have won it on another night, with Alessandro Matri somehow wasting their best chance, while Sebastian Giovinco broke Shakhtar open at times after coming on, but the Ukrainains had three superb chances themselves late on, with Willian hitting the bar with a ferocious strike in stoppage time.

It is in some ways positive that the Bianconeri can reflect that if they get things right next time, they should have enough to beat Shakhtar, but it is a huge negative that they have not picked up the three points from this first meeting. And it all comes back to the team selection against Roma.

At half-time, Juventus were 3-0 ahead and the game was over as a contest. Yet still, there was no rest for the two most important players in their make-up, instead the pair were sent back out for a second period which was effectively a dead rubber. Worse still, when substitutions were made later on in the game, the little-used Matri and Paolo De Ceglie, and Claudio Marchisio – who had only played the final 15 minutes at Florence during the week, were those chosen to be rested by Massimo Carrera, yet Pirlo and Vidal were not.

While Marchisio’s form has improved since being given the confidence boost of a regular start in central midfield, he remains the third most important cog in the engine room. Pirlo is the artist, the pass-master, the man around which the attack is built. Vidal, meanwhile, is the legs and the lungs of the operation, dictating the flow of the defensive effort and turning it into meaningful attacks. Forget the back three’s varying abilities, his tackling statistics in 2011-12 were much of the reason why Juve had such a great defensive record as they went on to win the Scudetto.

So it is no surprise that when Vidal has not been at the top of his game physically, the Bianconeri’s rearguard has appeared more exposed. Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini looked about as fallible as at any time since Antonio Conte took over as Shakhtar played balls in between the lines of defence and midfield with regularity. Stephan Lichtsteiner had some success going forward in the second half in particular, but his adventure was often used to the Italians’ detriment – and so too Kwadwo Asamoah on the left – as Mircea Lucescu’s men looked to get crosses in across the face of goal.

A tired Juventus is not the same as a fit one. With their defence more fallible and their midfield sitting deeper, the forward line is naturally dragged further away from goal, resulting in the jobs of the two strikers changing markedly from their usual role of converting possession into goals.

A fit Juve can press for 90 minutes, but they cannot be expected to do that twice a week every week. There needs to be greater consideration given to protecting the very players who they will rely upon to carry them towards glory in Europe. Because, if they continue to approach their demanding Champions League fixtures with such a mindless attitude, they may well be left not having to worry about the competition’s extra demands at all after Christmas.

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS 1 - 1 SHAKHTAR

Alex Teixeira (23′)

Leonardo Bonucci (25′)

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Attendance: 29368

Marchisio: Juventus could have lost against Shakhtar

The Italy international feels the game could have gone either way,

and has stressed that Juve cannot afford to slip up again.

Oct 3, 2012

Claudio Marchisio has conceded that Juventus could very well have lost Tuesday's Champions League encounter against Shakhtar Donetsk, and added that the Serie A champions will have to get maximum points from the upcoming double against Nordsjaelland in order to keep their chances of reaching the knockout stages alive.

The Turin giants fell 1-0 behind early in the game when Alex Teixeira found the net, but Leonardo Bonucci restored parity shortly after. Both sides got a number of chances to bag the full three points, but were unable to net a second at Juventus Stadium as it ended all square.

"We were up against a side capable of playing good football, and very fast on the break. We didn't start very well but then we managed to get a handle on them and could even have gone in front," Marchisio was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"There were a few tired legs out there towards the end, though, and – credit to our opponents too – we could have lost the game, too.

"Now we have a double header against Nordsjaelland which, on paper at least, should be a bit easier. We still need to approach them very carefully though. We can't afford to slip up.

"We've only just got back in the Champions League and we all need to prove that we're good enough to be here."

Juventus sit third in Group E with two points from as many games.

[Socrates 8240]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.)

................

JUVENTUS 1 - 1 SHAKHTAR

Alex Teixeira (23′)

Leonardo Bonucci (25′)

Juventus stadium - Turin

Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands)

Attendance: 29368

Chiellini: We didn’t play like Juve

Oct 3, 2012

The Champions League didn’t see the real Juventus in last night’s 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk, says Giorgio Chiellini.

The Old Lady were looking for the three points after drawing 2-2 at Chelsea in their opener, but they were lucky to avoid defeat in Turin.

“We came up against an opponent with great quality,” the defender told Sky Sport Italia. “We didn’t handle certain periods of the game very well.

“We were a bit frenetic and we were not able to be our usual aggressive selves. We played the way we play for only a brief spell and that is when we caused them problems.”

Shakhtar took the lead at the Juventus Stadium before Leonardo Bonucci netted the equaliser. The woodwork then saved the Bianconeri.

“Bonucci scored a great goal,” the centre-back noted. “However, I think the fact that we didn’t lose the game is a good sign.”