Juventus Season 2012-2013

[Socrates 8329]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - Last 16 - 12-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

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

CELTIC 0 - 3 JUVENTUS

Alessandro Matri (3′)

Claudio Marchisio (77′)

Mirko Vučinić (83′)

Celtic Park - Glasgow

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Attendance: 57917

Celtic want Uefa 'clarification' on refereeing in Juventus match

The 41-year-old reveals they will send the governing body a DVD of the game

in search of "answers", lambasting the lack of "strong" officiating.

Mr. Lennon, you are both,

ridiculous and boring.

Feb 13, 2013

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has revealed that the club intend to seek "clarification" from Uefa about the refereeing during Tuesday's Champions League defeat to Juventus.

The Bhoys boss feels that the Italian champions should have conceded at least one penalty to his side for heavy-handed defending at set-pieces on their way to a 3-0 win at Parkhead and says that the club will send Uefa a DVD of the game to seek answers on the matter.

"We will compile a DVD, send it to Uefa and see what kind of answers we get," Lennon told reporters.

"You don't see our players doing that. There were pictures of the shirt coming off Gary Hooper's back; credit to him for keeping his cool.

"It's a myth that Juventus 'did their homework'. That's rubbish. Juventus defend like that week-in, week-out in Serie A. If anything, we had done our homework and we made sure the referee was aware of it and he was looking at it time and again and Juventus went unpunished."

Lennon went on to state that a "strong referee" would have acted on what he saw and suggested that Celtic would have been awarded a penalty for the same offences a decade ago.

"We needed a strong referee and we didn't have that," he fumed. "As I said after the game, 10 or 11 years ago we got a penalty against Juventus in the exact same circumstances, the player was warned about grappling with Chris Sutton, the corner comes in he did again and the referee gave a penalty.

"Have the rules changed since then?"

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Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

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Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Roma injury concerns for Juve

Feb 14, 2013

Roma have injury concerns for Alessandro Florenzi, Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and Daniele De Rossi ahead of Saturday’s match with Juventus.

Midfielder Florenzi did not take part in today’s training session after he came down with flu symptoms and is hoping to recover his strength in time for the weekend.

Osvaldo is continuing to struggle with problems in his knee, while De Rossi had a left thigh twinge and is on a specific training schedule.

However, there are hopes that all three could be ready to feature against Juventus.

The Giallorossi are already without Leandro Castan and Mattia Destro, while Federico Balzaretti is on the road to recovery.

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Totti: We win and lose together

The Roma captain has urged the club to remain united and ignore media speculation

about rifts between team-mates as they seek to end a long run without a league win.

Feb 15, 2013

Francesco Totti has urged Roma to stay united as they look to put an end to their poor run of form.

The capital club are yet to taste victory in Serie A this season and have come in for widespread criticism, but the veteran skipper has reminded them that the team win and lose as a collective.

“We win and lose together, from the first to the last, as joy and pain must be divided equally between us," he was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

“Now more than ever I say always and only Forza Roma. Hands off my, our and your Roma! There have been many words and fantastical reconstructions of what happened in Genoa.

"It was something that happened within the match and at the final whistle it’s all over for me. During moments of difficulty, a captain needs to make his voice heard.

"I have had this role for many years and try to do it with responsibility, belonging, passion and clarity. Blaming individuals is not good for anybody.

“My team-mates and I form a united group and Daniel is one of us. This must not be forgotten and I hope he will soon return to celebrating with joy after scoring a goal. This is what we should all hope, to celebrate victories together."

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Conte fears Juventus fatigue

The 43-year-old admits he is concerned that some of his squad may be tired

as they prepare for their third game in seven days against Roma on Saturday.

Feb 15, 2013

Antonio Conte is anxious over the fitness of his Juventus squad ahead of their Serie A clash with Roma on Saturday.

The Bianconeri have already faced Fiorentina in the league and Celtic in the Champions League in the last week, and Conte admits he is concerned that his players may be suffering with fatigue due to the hectic schedule.

“The players are in good shape, I’ll just have to see if anyone needs a rest,” he told a press conference on Friday.

“The idea is to, more or less, go with the side that has done well in these past two games. But I do fear tiredness – that’s why I would have preferred to have had the match scheduled for Sunday.”

Although Juventus are eight places and 21 points clear of Roma, Conte has warned that Aurelio Andreazzoli's side remain a force to be reckoned with.

“They have a great squad and they’ll be really motivated against us,” he continued.

“Roma have great technical value. They started the season aiming for the top spots, now they’ve slowed down a bit. But this will be a really difficult game.

“Our morale is certainly sky high after that win [against Celtic]. We’ve won a lot of praise, but that shouldn’t weigh us down.

“I’m proud that we are in the same competition as Real Madrid and Manchester United. We’re an outsider who can cause problems.

“We want to enter the elite of football, but now we’ll dive back into the championship.”

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Roma squad for Juventus

Feb 15, 2013

Alessandro Florenzi, Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and Daniele De Rossi have been included in the Roma squad for Saturday’s game against Juventus.

All three were doubts for the Stadio Olimpico tie, but their names do appear in Aurelio Andreazzoli’s 22-man squad.

Florenzi has been struggling with a cold this week, Osvaldo has had a knee problem and De Rossi has been complaining of a thigh issue.

Roma are without the injured Leandro Castan, Dodo and Mattia Destro.

Squad: Balzaretti, Bradley, Burdisso, De Rossi, Florenzi, Goicoechea, Lamela, Lobont, Lopez, Lucca, Marquinho, Marquinhos, Osvaldo, Perrotta, Piris, Pjanic, Romagnoli, Stekelenburg, Tachtsidis, Taddei, Torosidis, Totti.

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Conte fears Juventus fatigue

Feb 15, 2013

Antonio Conte is keeping his fingers crossed that his Juventus players have the energy to pick up a result at Roma on Saturday.

The Bianconeri face their third game in eight days after their wins over Fiorentina in Serie A and Celtic in the Champions League.

“The players are in good shape, I’ll just have to see if anyone needs a rest,” the tactician stated on Friday afternoon.

“The idea is to, more or less, go with the side that has done well in these past two games. But I do fear tiredness – that’s why I would have preferred to have had the match scheduled for Sunday.”

The League leaders are eight places and 21 points better off than Roma, but the Coach still respects the capital threat.

“They have a great squad and they’ll be really motivated against us,” he added.

“Roma have great technical value. They started the season aiming for the top spots, now they’ve slowed down a bit. But this will be a really difficult game.”

Juve will go into the tie on the back of an impressive showing in Europe this week, where they put one foot in the last eight of the European Cup.

“Our morale is certainly sky high after that win. We’ve won a lot of praise, but they shouldn’t weigh us down.

“I’m proud that we are in the same competition as Real Madrid and Manchester United. We’re an outsider who can cause problems.

“We want to enter the elite of football, but now we’ll dive back into the championship.”

When asked about his striking choices, he suggested that Mirko Vucinic and Alessandro Matri would retain their starting shirts.

“I always choose the players who are at their best and I have the good fortune that I have five forwards to choose from. Right now is the moment for Vucinic and Matri.”

The tactician also provided an update on the injured Giorgio Chiellini. “I hope that he will be back training with the squad in the week, with an eye on having him back for the Siena game.”

Kwadwo Asamoah and Paul Pogba are expected to replace the suspended Federico Peluso and Claudio Marchisio.

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Juve name Roma squad

Feb 15, 2013

Juventus have named their 20-man squad for the match against Roma at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night.

Claudio Marchisio and Federico Peluso miss out through suspension, whilst Giorgio Chiellini is still sidelined with injury.

However, Kwadwo Asamoah returns to the Bianconeri squad after a month away on African Cup of Nations duty.

Full squad: Buffon, Caceres, Pogba, Vucinic, Giovinco, Barzagli, Anelka, Bonucci, Padoin, Pirlo, Asamoah, Vidal, Giaccherini, Lichtsteiner, Quagliarella, Storari, Matri, Isla, Rubinho, Marrone.

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Roma-Juventus Preview:

Andreazzoli targets first win against in-form Bianconeri

The Giallorossi are yet to taste victory in the league in 2013 and face a tricky test

against the Italian champions, who can go eight points clear at the top of Serie A.

Feb 15, 2013

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

ROMA

Stekelenburg

Marquinhos, Burdisso, Dodo

Lamela, Bradley, De Rossi, Marquinho

Pjanic, Totti

Osvaldo

JUVENTUS

Buffon

Barzagli, Bonucci, Caceres

Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah

Vucinic, Matri

Antonio Conte's side are looking to make it three wins on the bounce when they travel to the capital to take on a stumbling Roma side who are still getting used to life under interim coach Aurelio Andreazzoli.

Having emerged unscathed from the emphatic 3-0 victory away at Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday night, the Juventus coach has no new injury concerns, although Federico Peluso and Claudio Marchisio are suspended.

Kwadwo Asamoah could return to the starting XI after returning from international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana, while Leonardo Bonucci is also available having served his two-match domestic suspension.

Having both found the net in the Bianconeri's last two matches, Mirko Vucinic and Alessandro Matri are once again expected to lead the line, and Nicolas Anelka could make his Serie A debut from the bench. Paolo De Ceglie and Luca Marrone are also pushing for starts.

Andreazzoli made numerous changes to Zdenek Zeman's favoured starting lineup in the 3-1 defeat to Sampdoria and is faced with several injury concerns for Saturday.

Alessandro Florenzi did not take part in Thursday's training session as he is suffering from flu, and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and Daniele De Rossi could face late fitness tests on their respective knee and thigh injuries.

The Giallorossi are already without Leonardo Castan, Federico Balzaretti and Mattia Destro for the clash against the Italian champions, so Andreazzoli will be hopeful that his star players can make a quick recovery.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Juventus thumped the Giallorossi 4-1 in the reverse fixture earlier this season, with Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, Alessandro Matri and Sebastian Giovinco getting on the scoresheet.

• These two sides are Serie A’s top scorers, with 100 goals shared evenly between them. However, Roma have conceded the second-most in the division (45) whilst Conte's side have the best defensive record (16).

• Roma have lost four of their last six Serie A matches and are currently 10 points behind arch-rivals Lazio who occupy the final Champions League spot.

• Roma have only been able to secure one victory in their last 15 Serie A encounters against Juventus, back in February 2004.

• Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and Erik Lamela are tied as the Giallorossi's top league goalscorers with 11 goals. Fabio Quagliarella leads the Old Lady's charts with seven.

• Mirko Vucinic moved from Roma to Juventus in 2011 for a reported fee of €15 million. The Montenegrin has scored 19 goals in 62 games since joining.

Head to Head

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

Serie A ‎- Apr 22, 2012 - Juventus 4 - Roma 0

Coppa Italia ‎- Jan 24, 2012 - Juventus 3 - Roma 0

Serie A ‎- Dec 12, 2011 - Roma 1 - Juventus 1

Serie A ‎- Apr 3, 2011 - Roma 0 - Juventus 2

Last Five Matches

Roma

Feb 10, 2013 - Sampdoria 3 - Roma 1 - Serie A

Feb 1, 2013 - Roma 2 - Cagliari 4 - Serie A

Jan 27, 2013 - Bologna 3 - Roma 3 - Serie A

Jan 23, 2013 - Roma 2 - FC Internazionale 1 - Coppa Italia

Jan 20, 2013 - Roma 1 - FC Internazionale 1 - Serie A

Juventus

Feb 12, 2013 - Celtic 0 - Juventus 3 - UCL

Feb 9, 2013 - Juventus 2 - Fiorentina 0 - Serie A

Feb 3, 2013 - Chievo 1 - Juventus 2 - Serie A

Jan 29, 2013 - Lazio 2 - Juventus 1 - Coppa Italia

Jan 26, 2013 - Juventus 1 - Genoa 1 - Serie A

Players to Watch

Erik Lamela

The Argentine attacker has been one of Roma's few bright sparks in an otherwise disappointing Serie A campaign. With a sharp eye for goal, it is no surprise that Lamela is being targeted by Europe's elite clubs. The 20-year-old seems to improve with every match and he has already bettered his tally from last season, with 11 goals in 19 league matches this campaign.

Alessandro Matri

Having notched a goal in each of the Bianconeri's last three matches, the much-maligned striker has worked his way up the pecking order and looks to have secured a starting berth in Antonio Conte's forward line. The 28-year-old has scored six goals in 13 Serie A appearances this season and will be looking to expose a shaky Giallorossi defence.

Prediction

Aurelio Andreazzoli has a tough task on his hands if he is to transform this Roma side into European hopefuls. Though he has plenty of attacking talent at his disposal, the Giallorossi have real problems at the back and I expect Juventus to take advantage of their defensive vulnerability and heap more misery on the capital outfit.

Editor's Prediction

Roma 1 - 2 Juventus

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

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Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

MATCH PREVIEW

Feb 15, 2013

Roma are in crisis after commencing the post-Zdenek Zeman era with a loss, while Juventus have restored their five point advantage.

Aurelio Andreazzoli’s reign stalled on the start line as the Giallorossi fell to a 3-1 defeat at Sampdoria. Erik Lamela gave the Lupi hope once they went two goals behind, but Pablo Osvaldo’s earlier dreadful penalty miss did not help the cause.

The new boss was satisfied with the performance, but their defensive weaknesses again came to the fore. Worryingly, it extended Roma’s winless streak to six matches. They last triumphed versus Milan on December 22. This has infuriated fans, who directed their anger at Trigoria this week towards Osvaldo, plus directors Franco Baldini and Walter Sabatini.

Andreazzoli is set to revert to a four-man defence. Federico Balzaretti has shaken off an injury, while the condition of duo Alessandro Florenzi and Osvaldo is to be assessed. However, Roma will be without Mattia Destro and Leandro Castan. The latter will miss six weeks with knee ligament damage.

Last weekend, Juventus won back-to-back matches for the first time since December with a dominating 2-0 success over Fiorentina. Mirko Vucinic and Alessandro Matri were on target as the Bianconeri produced their best performance of the new year. It extended their lead at the top of the table.

They were also in action in midweek, dispatching of Celtic 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie. Matri, Claudio Marchisio and Vucinic were on target as the Bianconeri put one foot in the last eight with a clinical and battling victory.

Kwadwo Asamoah returns to the side following the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations, but Paolo De Ceglie joins the injury list. He is sidelined along with Giorgio Chiellini, Nicklas Bendtner and Simone Pepe. Marchisio and Federico Peluso are suspended.

Results at the Stadio Olimpico have been evenly split in 79 past meetings. Roma shade the ledger, claiming 28 wins to the Old Lady’s 24. Last season saw the 27th draw between the pair, as it ended 1-1.

Keep an eye on: Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus) – Set to make his first Bianconeri appearance in 2013, the Ghanaian will step in immediately given the injury to De Ceglie and Peluso’s suspension. Juve will be hoping he hasn’t missed a beat during his time away.

Form guide: Roma (L D D L L) Juventus (D W D W W)

Last season: Roma 1-1 Juventus

Stat fact: Roma have not defeated Juve in front of their own fans since 2003-04. That 4-0 win was also their highest margin of victory in the post-War era.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

ROMA: Stekelenburg; Piris, Marquinhos, Burdisso, Balzaretti; Bradley, De Rossi; Lamela, Pjanic, Marquinho; Totti

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Caceres; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Matri, Giovinco

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

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Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Capello on Juve, Roma and Napoli

Feb 16, 2013

Fabio Capello insists Napoli are the only other contenders for the Scudetto and considers tonight’s battle between Roma and Juventus.

The Russia manager has won the title in both Rome and Turin, so this evening’s game is particularly special.

“Juve are the favourites for the Scudetto, but in the summer I had promised Roma would be one of their main rivals,” he told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

“They introduced many interesting young players to an already competitive group. After the Luis Enrique experiment, Franco Baldini had gone for guarantees with Zdenek Zeman, but it’s difficult from a distance to know what went wrong.

“It all seemed right at the start of the season and the fans were happy, then you look at the table, get frightened and the Coach pays the price. It happened to me at Milan, even if there the divorce was at the end of the season.

“I’m not surprised by Francesco Totti’s performances, as a champion like Totti, Alessandro Del Piero, Paolo Maldini or Billy Costacurta wants to stay at that level and so sacrifices something in their private life to be even better on the field. That is Totti’s secret.

“I have a weakness for Erik Lamela, as I like the way he moves, kicks and he has something more than Mattia Destro and Daniel Osvaldo. I am curious to see Miralem Pjanic at work.”

Juventus are also familiar to Capello, whose two Scudetti were stripped in the Calciopoli scandal of 2006.

“Juve are the strongest team out there, aided by the fact this year Milan and Inter were not 100 per cent competitive. I like their approach, as they are attentive in defence, but still want to play good football. They never throw the ball away.

“Napoli are the only real challengers and Walter Mazzarri has done a great job. They are right behind Juve even after losing Ezequiel Lavezzi.

“Last year I was in the stands for the Champions League games between Napoli and Manchester City, so realised Edinson Cavani is on another level. He runs, battles, scores goals on the counter and in the box, maybe even surrounded by four or five opponents. Mazzarri deserves credit for turning Cavani into a total player and not just a hitman.”

Capello also commented on Juve’s European exploits after conquering Celtic Park 3-0.

“As for the Champions League, they are not the strongest side, but neither were Chelsea last year. They will be the loose cannon in a tournament that sees Barcelona and Real Madrid as favourites. Don’t think Real are dead after their 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

“This Juve reminds me of mine because of the mentality,” continued Capello. “They win and turn the page, raising the bar a little bit higher so they are never sated. Mirko Vucinic is also doing a marvellous job completing Andrea Pirlo’s work.

“Every time I see Pirlo play, I get enthusiastic. He is an ageless champion and Milan really did give the Bianconeri a fantastic gift by letting him go.”

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Capello backs Juventus ahead of Roma clash

The 66-year-old, who has experience of coaching both sides, also tips the Bianconeri

to successfully defend their Scudetto crown and claims Andrea Pirlo is central to their cause.

Feb 16, 2013

Fabio Capello has revealed he expects Juventus to confirm their status as Serie A favourites on Saturday with a win over Roma.

The Old Lady lead the Italian top flight by five points and travel to the capital on the back of a comprehensive 3-0 Champions League victory at Celtic. The Giallorossi, in contrast, are yet to win a league game in 2013 and recently sacked coach Zdenek Zeman.

Capello, who guided Roma to the Scudetto in 2000 before taking charge of Juventus four years later, made it known that while he is an admirer of the Olimpico side and their efforts to reinvent themselves, the Turin giants remain the benchmark on the peninsula.

"Juve are the favourites for the title, but in summer I had tipped Roma to be one of Juventus' main rivals. They have an attractive young group and are already competitive," the current Russia head coach told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

"Juventus are the strongest amongst all the other teams [in Serie A] and neither Milan nor Inter are competing at 100 per cent. This is a nice gift for Conte. The most dangerous competition has disappeared.

"I like Juve's approach. There is attention to the defence but also the desire to play football. They never throw possession away.

"They are not the strongest team in the Champions League, but neither were Chelsea last year."

"Their mentality is simple - win and turn the page. They always seek to raise the bar and are never satisfied. They have several leaders in their squad such as [Andrea] Pirlo, [Gianluigi] Buffon, [Giorgio] Chiellini.

"Oh, and another thing that is making a difference: [Mirko] Vucinic. He completes Pirlo's wonderful build-up play."

Capello then lavished praise on Italy veteran Pirlo and the telling impact that the midfielder has made since his arrival from AC Milan in 2011.

"Every time Pirlo plays, he becomes more ageless," he added. "Milan have really given a fantastic gift to Juventus. Pirlo's story reminds me of a naive mistake made by a young coach.

"I was once told, 'Dear Fabio, you can go wrong when buying a player but you cannot get it wrong when you give them away'. He was right. Milan made a serious mistake when they lost Pirlo."

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

-

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Roma-Juventus Betting Preview:

Expect goals at the Stadio Olimpico

Zdenek Zeman's gung-ho style ultimately cost him his job with the Giallorossi, but

Al Hain-Cole expects the goals to continue to flow under new caretaker boss Aurelio Andreazzoli.

Feb 16, 2013

A run of five Serie A games without victory was enough to cost Zdenek Zeman his job as Roma boss, but after also losing last week’s clash with Sampdoria, Saturday’s game against Juventus has taken on even more importance for stand-in coach Aurelio Andreazzoli.

Unfortunately for the new coach, his side have not won any of the last five games against the league champions, and are clear 9/4 (3.25) underdogs with Paddy Power to come out on top in this match.

La Vecchia Signora are fresh from recording a devastating 3-0 Champions League win in Celtic’s intimidating home ground, so will be unfazed by a trip to the Stadio Olimpico, where they are clear 6/5 (2.20) favourites to come away with a victory.

The last encounter between these sides in the Italian capital resulted in a 1-1 draw, and you can get odds of 23/10 (3.30) on this game resulting in a stalemate.

The main reason for Zeman’s departure was his cavalier style of play, which may have been pleasing on the eye, but led to all too many goals conceded by Giallorossi.

The Romans have actually scored as many goals as their Turin opponents, but while the league leaders have only conceded 16 goals, Saturday’s hosts have let in a punishing 45.

It is unlikely that Andreazzoli will have managed to cure the team of this vulnerability during his short spell in charge, so a high-scoring game seems inevitable between the league’s two most prolific sides.

A bet on over 2.5 goals to be scored would have paid out in seven of Roma’s last 10 Serie A games, and five of the visitors’ last eight league matches, so looks to offer great value at odds of 8/11 (1.73) in this encounter.

Alessandro Matri got the ball rolling for Antonio Conte’s men with an early goal at Celtic Park on Tuesday, and the striker has now hit the back of the net six times in his last six starts for the club.

With this kind of form behind him, odds of 6/1 (7.00) look extremely generous for the former Cagliari man to open the scoring on Saturday, and is well worth a tipple at that price.

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

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Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Line-ups: Roma-Juventus

Feb 16, 2013

Roma revolutionise their team again with Ivan Piris in a three-man defence to take on Mirko Vucinic’s Juventus.

The crisis club lost its debut under Aurelio Andreazzoli 3-1 to Sampdoria last week and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo hit the headlines by insisting on taking a penalty that he then missed.

Osvaldo has been the subject of violent protests from fans all week, who pelted his car with eggs after a training session.

He starts despite a knee problem, supported by Francesco Totti and Erik Lamela in a 3-4-2-1 system, while Dodo, Leandro Castan and Mattia Destro are injured.

The big change is full-back Piris in a three-man defence. It is a huge gamble for Andreazzoli, as Piris has had several howlers and is a very attack-minded player who struggles when defending.

Daniele De Rossi and Maarten Stekelenburg are again in the starting XI after they were repeatedly dropped by Zdenek Zeman.

Juventus are fresh from a 3-0 Champions League victory at Celtic Park, but must do without the suspended Claudio Marchisio and Federico Peluso.

Giorgio Chiellini, Paolo De Ceglie, Simone Pepe and Nicklas Bendtner are injured, so Paul Pogba and Kwadwo Asamoah step in.

Vucinic steps back into the Stadio Olimpico against his former club, partnered by on-form Alessandro Matri.

Asamoah makes his first appearance since December 21, having been away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

ROMA: Stekelenburg; Piris, Burdisso, Marquinhos; Torosidis, De Rossi, Pjanic, Marquinho; Lamela, Totti; Osvaldo

Roma bench: Goicoechea, Lobont, Romagnoli, Balzaretti, Taddei, Lucca, Bradley, Tachtsidis, Perrotta, Florenzi, Lopez

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Caceres; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Vucinic, Matri

Juventus bench: Storari, Rubinho, Marrone, Isla, Padoin, Giaccherini, Giovinco, Quagliarella, Anelka

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

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Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

HT 0-0: Stek keeps Pirlo out

Feb 16, 2013

The new Roma is holding out at half-time against Juventus, as Maarten Stekelenburg denied Andrea Pirlo.

The Giallorossi’s crisis dragged on even after Zdenek Zeman’s dismissal, as new Coach Aurelio Andreazzoli lost his debut 3-1 away to Sampdoria. He changed the system again to a 3-4-2-1 with Erik Lamela and Francesco Totti supporting under-fire striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, but full-back Ivan Piris was strangely moved into a back three. Juve were fresh from a 3-0 triumph at Celtic Park, but had Claudio Marchisio and Federico Peluso suspended, while Giorgio Chiellini, Paolo De Ceglie and Nicklas Bendtner were injured. Kwadwo Asamoah played his first game since December 21 after the Africa Cup of Nations.

Osvaldo cut back from the left and fired straight at Gigi Buffon, then he ran on to a through ball to go round the goalkeeper and rolled back towards an empty net, but Leonardo Bonucci deflected it back into his arms before any Roma players could pounce.

Daniele De Rossi was booked for a very hard tackle on Stephan Lichtsteiner and from that Andrea Pirlo free kick, Maarten Stekelenburg had to get down to palm it round the base of the upright.

Stekelenburg also smothered a Paul Pogba long-range effort and Francesco Totti went into the book when catching Pirlo on the knee with his studs, leaving a nasty cut. The Roma captain was very apologetic to his fellow 2006 World Cup winner.

Roma 0-0 Juventus (Half-Time)

ROMA: Stekelenburg; Piris, Burdisso, Marquinhos; Torosidis, De Rossi, Pjanic, Marquinho; Lamela, Totti; Osvaldo

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Caceres; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Vucinic, Matri

Ref: Rocchi

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

1 - 0

Francesco Totti (58′)

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Attendance: 54981‎

Champions shocked by Totti thunderbolt

The Giallorossi skipper rolled back the years with a blistering 25-yard drive

that gave Bianconeri goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon absolutely no chance.

Feb 16, 2013

Roma ended a run of seven Serie A matches without a win by stunning leaders Juventus 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

Francesco Totti scored the only goal of the game on 58 minutes, the Giallorossi captain finding the top left corner of Gianluigi Buffon's goal with an unstoppable 25-yard drive.

Juventus tried to rally in the remaining half hour but a blunt Bianconeri outfit were unable to force an equaliser, meaning Napoli can now cut their lead at the summit of the standings to just two points should the Partenopei defeat Sampdoria at home on Sunday.

Despite their woeful recent form, Roma began in a sprightly fashion, with Pablo Osvaldo looking particularly lively up front. Indeed, the forward threatened twice inside the opening 10 minutes, cutting inside Leonardo Bonucci early on only to shoot straight at Buffon, before then being forced too far wide by the Juventus skipper to get a shot away after being slipped through by Erik Lamela.

However, Juventus, despite their Champions League exertions in midweek, also played their part in what was an agreeably open start to the game, with Andrea Pirlo very nearly opening the scoring with a clever free kick that could very easily have sneaked into the bottom right corner of Maarten Stekelenburg’s goal, had the Dutchman not got down so swiftly to parry the ball to safety.

Rather frustratingly, though, the pace of the game dropped and the atmosphere became increasingly tetchy. Indeed, Daniele De Rossi levelled Stephan Lichtsteiner with a desperately late lunge on the Swiss wing-back before Francesco Totti elected to run his studs down the leg of Pirlo, leaving the playmaker with a nasty gash on his knee.

Happily, the half-time break removed some of the mounting tension from the game, allowing both sides to rediscover their attacking instincts, with particularly pleasing results for the neutral. First, Osvaldo hooked the ball just wide after sliding to get on the end of Totti's through-ball and then, just moments later, Mirko Vucinic's whizzed the most wonderfully executed volley just past Stekelenburg's right post.

It was obvious that a goal was coming and it arrived just before the hour mark - and in sensational fashion. Miralem Pjanic tried his luck with a free kick but it was blocked by the Bianconeri wall. However, the ball only went as far as Totti, who unleashed a blistering, first-time shot that gave Buffon in the Juventus goal absolutely no chance.

Juventus pushed forward in search of an equaliser but, in truth, it was Roma who looked the more likely to score next, and it was only a combination of poor finishing and wonderful defending that prevented them from doing so, with Daniele De Rossi miscuing after being teed up by Osvaldo, before Lichtsteiner threw his body in the way of an effort from Marquinho.

In the end, though, a solitary strike from their skipper proved enough to earn Roma a long overdue win - and blow the Scudetto race wide open in the process.

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

1 - 0

Francesco Totti (58′)

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Attendance: 54981

Totti missile sinks Juve!

Francesco Totti’s missile clocked at 113km/h gave the all-new Roma

a surprise 1-0 victory over Serie A leaders Juventus.

Feb 16, 2013

The Giallorossi’s crisis dragged on even after Zdenek Zeman’s dismissal, as new Coach Aurelio Andreazzoli lost his debut 3-1 away to Sampdoria. He changed the system again to a 3-4-2-1 with Erik Lamela and Totti supporting under-fire striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, but full-back Ivan Piris was strangely moved into a back three. Juve were fresh from a 3-0 triumph at Celtic Park, but had Claudio Marchisio and Federico Peluso suspended, while Giorgio Chiellini, Paolo De Ceglie and Nicklas Bendtner were injured. Kwadwo Asamoah played his first game since December 21 after the Africa Cup of Nations.

Osvaldo cut back from the left and fired straight at Gigi Buffon, then he ran on to a through ball to go round the goalkeeper and rolled back towards an empty net, but Leonardo Bonucci deflected it back into his arms before any Roma players could pounce.

Daniele De Rossi was booked for a very hard tackle on Stephan Lichtsteiner and from that Andrea Pirlo free kick, Maarten Stekelenburg had to get down to palm it round the base of the upright.

Stekelenburg also smothered a Paul Pogba long-range effort and Francesco Totti went into the book when catching Pirlo on the knee with his studs, leaving a nasty cut. The Roma captain was very apologetic to his fellow 2006 World Cup winner.

Straight after the restart, Osvaldo ran on to a through ball and anticipated Andrea Barzagli at full stretch to prod wide of the target. Moments later Mirko Vucinic slightly shinned his volley wide from an excellent position.

It was suddenly wide open and Torosidis got on the end of a Totti assist only to be forced out for a corner by a sliding tackle.

Miralem Pjanic unleashed a screamer from 25 metres that stung Buffon’s palms in a flying save to his right.

Alessandro Matri sprung the offside trap and tested Stekelenburg at the base of the near post, as Conte introduced Sebastian Giovinco and Simone Padoin.

Osvaldo soared above the crowd to aim a bullet header under the bar, but Buffon beat it away in a reaction save from point-blank range.

Roma broke the deadlock in some style. A free kick was charged down to 23 metres, where Totti immediately hit an unstoppable right-foot rocket into the near top corner. Buffon had absolutely no chance, as it was travelling at 113km/h. This was the 10th career goal Totti has put past Buffon.

De Rossi should’ve made it 2-0 when Roma went on the counter from a Juve corner and Osvaldo knocked it down for his teammate, but the midfielder hit a fresh-air shot. He had started the move, so was presumably exhausted by the time he got to the other end.

Lamela prodded inches wide of the back stick from a flicked-on corner, then the Argentine dribbled past two players before Barzagli got a toe in to stop him shooting from six yards.

The final substitution was Nicolas Anelka, who received his Serie A debut after playing a couple of minutes against Celtic, as Juve changed to a 4-3-3 system.

Stekelenburg risked throwing it all away when he fumbled a cross, but Roma received a free kick as Pogba pushed his defender. Moments later Buffon palmed a Totti low cross off the feet of Lamela in the six-yard box and the Marquinho follow-up was deflected out off Lichtsteiner’s arm from point-blank range, but the linesman had already flagged offside.

In the final minute Roma went on another counter and Torosidis flashed a ball across the face of goal with no teammates able to get on the end of it. Juve were furious at the final whistle, as deep into stoppages Buffon went up for the last corner and the referee blew the whistle before they could take it.

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

ROMA: Stekelenburg; Piris, Burdisso, Marquinhos; Torosidis, De Rossi, Pjanic (Bradley 68), Marquinho (Balzaretti 83); Lamela, Totti (Florenzi 88); Osvaldo

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Caceres; Lichtsteiner, Vidal (Anelka 71), Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah (Padoin 56); Vucinic (Giovinco 56), Matri

Ref: Rocchi

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

1 - 0

Francesco Totti (58′)

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Attendance: 54981

Totti on target to down Juve

Feb 16, 2013

Francesco Totti won his personal battle with Gianluigi Buffon as Roma did a favour to their city rivals Lazio, and themselves, with a 1-0 win over Juventus.

Totti struck an unstoppable winner in the 58th minute as Roma edged up to within six points of the top five while Juve's five-point advantage at the top of Serie A could be cut by Napoli on Sunday.

Lazio will also take joy in Roma's win as they can get back into the hunt for the Scudetto with victory at Siena on Monday night.

There were plenty of smiles and hugs as captains Totti and Buffon exchanged pennants prior to the coin toss, but as has been the case nine times in the past already, Totti ultimately wiped the smile off Buffon's face.

His goal in the 58th minute was worthy of winning any match, and it left Buffon with no chance.

Miralem Pjanic's direct free-kick attempt was blocked by a Juve defender and the ball fell to Totti 25 yards from goal.

He did not think twice as he made perfect contact with the ball, rendering Buffon's dive unnecessary as the net was already rippling before the Italy number one even got near it.

Totti's strike was no more than the Giallorossi deserved after dominating the first hour against the champions.

Pablo Osvaldo had already wasted a hat-trick of chances, the best of which a header straight at Buffon in the 57th minute, while the closest Juve had come was early in the second half when former Roma striker Mirko Vucinic volleyed wide.

Andrea Pirlo, who suffered an early scare after a clash of knees with a concerned Totti, had also brought a fine save out of Maarten Stekelenburg with a curling free-kick, but Juve were lacking their usual bite.

Roma, on the other hand, continued to cause the Juve defence concern with Erik Lamela dancing his way through, but overdoing it a little in the 70th minute as his last stepover let him down.

Nicolas Anelka was sent on by Juve coach Antonio Conte to add further weight to his attack but although he set up fellow substitute Sebastian Giovinco for a chance late on, he could not alter the course of the game as Roma picked up a morale-boosting victory at the Stadio Olimpico.

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

1 - 0

Francesco Totti (58′)

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Attendance: 54981

Player Ratings

Goal.com evaluates the performances of everyone on show at the Stadio Olimpico,

as the Giallorossi upset the champions courtesy of a stunning strike from Francesco Totti.

Feb 16, 2013

ROMA

Maarten Stekelenburg - Got down really well to keep out Pirlo's low free kick and did likewise with an effort from Matri shortly after half-time. Had one dodgy moment in the closing stages when he fumbled a cross but, for the most part, the Dutchman was a very reliable presence in between the posts.

Marquinhos - Crucially cut out a cross from Lichsteiner that would have left Matri with a tap-in and also got in the way of a Vidal through-ball later in the first half. Typified Roma's wonderful resilience and composure at the back.

Iván Rodrigo Piris - Made a great block on a goal-bound effort from Pirlo but his most valuable contribution was the way in which he kept Vucinic quiet. Indeed, the Montenegrin's withdrawal was testament to a fine night's work from Piris.

Nicolas Andres Burdisso - Another who stood tall at the back for Roma. Made a vital intervention just when it appeared that Pirlo had played Vucinic in on goal with just three minutes gone. Also underlined his bravery with a brilliant block on a well-struck drive from Lichsteiner.

Vasilis Torosidis - An invaluable contribution. Did not offer much by way of an attacking threat but played an absolutely massive role in nullifying the threat posed by Asamoah, who, like Vucinic, also saw his night end early.

Miralem Pjanic - Full of running in the middle of the park, he created two great chances for Osvaldo and threatened himself with a stinging drive early in the second half. Eventually ran out of steam, though, and was sensibly replaced by Bradley.

Daniele De Rossi - Booked for a desperately wild lunge on Lichsteiner but, that poor decision aside, the vice-captain led by example in the middle of the park, offering an industry that simply was not matched by either Pogba or Vidal.

Marquinho - Initially struggled to contain Lichsteiner but showed far more appetite for the fight the longer the first half wore on. Also charged forward at every opportunity to give his Swiss opponent something to think about from a defensive perspective. Indeed, he would have netted a second for Roma had Lichsteiner not got in the way of his goal-bound effort late on.

Erik Lamela - Caused chaos every time he got on the ball, with his trickery and clever lines of running. Linked very well with Osvaldo and was a great outlet for Totti.

Francesco Totti - A classic Totti performance. Was calmness personified in possession but his old nasty streak came to the fore 30 minutes in when he left the boot in on Andrea Pirlo. However, he then brought the house down with a stunning strike. Ageing like a fine wine.

Pablo Daniel Osvaldo - Despite being closely marked by Barzagli, Osvaldo did a fine job leading the line, producing a number of neat lay-offs while at the same time causing problems with his movement and direct running. Should have scored, though, after getting his head on a cross from Pjanic.

Substitutions

Federico Balzaretti - Replaced Marquinho for the last 10 minutes as Roma looked to shut up shop.

Michael Bradley - Took over from Pjanic in the middle of the park and settled in nicely.

Alessandro Florenzi - Sent on in place of Totti for the final few minutes to do some chasing, as well as given the Roma No.10 a deserved standing ovation.

JUVENTUS

Gianluigi Buffon - Dealt pretty easily with everything that Roma threw at him in the first half, which wasn't much. However, he was very busy after the restart, saving well from Pjanic before pulling off a terrific stop deny Osvaldo from close range. Absolutely powerless to prevent Totti from opening the scoring, though, and was one of the few Juve players to show up.

Andrea Barzagli - Made two crucial clearances inside the opening 10 minutes alone and while Osvaldo caused him the odd bit of bother, he was solid as ever.

Leonardo Bonucci - Caught a little flat-footed by Osvaldo early on, but was fairly cool and composed thereafter.

Martín Cáceres - The weak link at the back for Juve, the Uruguayan never looked entirely comfortable, least of all when he ventured into enemy territory.

Stephan Lichtsteiner - Got in behind Marquinho a few times inside the opening quarter but never managed to pick anyone out in the centre. During the second half, meanwhile, it was he who was forced onto the back foot.

Paul Pogba - Teed up Vucinic for a volley that flew just wide and went on one tremendous run from inside his own half which showcased his quick feet and impressive turn of pace. However, overall, his passing was poor and he struggled to impose himself on proceedings.

Andrea Pirlo - Probing right from the off, the veteran midfielder very nearly put Vucinic clean through inside three minutes before then going so close to breaking the deadlock with a free kick. His influence waned after Totti left him with a nasty gash on his knee but he was still one of Juve's better players.

Arturo Vidal - A desperately subdued showing from the Chilean, who also struggled to impose himself in Glasgow in midweek. Not once made his presence felt and his no-show allowed De Rossi & Co. to run riot.

Kwadwo Asamoah - Looking more than a little jaded in what was his first game back after the Africa Cup of Nations, the former Udinese man was not his usual rampaging self during the first half and was unsurprisingly replaced shortly after the break.

Mirko Vučinić - Really struggled to get into the game but very nearly broke the deadlock with a stunning volley that went just inches wide. However, it came as no surprise when he was hauled off 10 minutes into the second half.

Alessandro Matri - The in-form forward had barely had a touch of the ball before getting his first sight of goal just after the interval, Matri seeing his low strike from a tight angle easily dealt with by Stekelenburg. Kept working, but to no avail.

Substitutions

Simone Padoin - Came on for Asamoah but did not do anything worthy of note.

Sebastian Giovinco - Thrown on in place of the ineffective Vucinic, the diminutive forward fared little better up top.

Nicolas Anelka - Sprung from the bench with just under 20 minutes to go but did not get a sniff of goal.

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

1 - 0

Francesco Totti (58′)

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Attendance: 54981

'Juventus won't go anywhere

if we don't play like a team' - Conte

The Bianconeri coach has admitted that his side did not perform well enough during

the 1-0 loss to Roma on Saturday, but refused to point the finger at anyone in particular.

Feb 16, 2013

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has slammed his team's performance during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Roma, but explained that they had been suffering from fatigue.

A Francesco Totti strike saw the capital club past the Bianconeri at the Stadio Olimpico, and the former Siena boss admitted that his side did not perform at the necessary level.

"Fatigue is normal, but if we don't play like a team, we won't go anywhere," he told reporters after the match. "I won't mention individuals, but I didn't like the team or anyone out there tonight.

"Everyone went their own way and it was really disappointing. We have regrets that we did not have an extra day to prepare and recover our physical levels.

"If I had picked other players and we lost, then I'd be blamed as well. [Kwado] Asamoah has been on international duty for six weeks and someone wanted me to play him against Celtic. He looked like a fish out of water today."

Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri had been critical of the Italian champions' protests about their fixture schedule, but Conte believes his complaints were justified.

"We've played three games in seven days, how many did Napoli play? It's easy to calculate," he retorted.

"In any case, all clubs must be given the opportunity to recover whenever we are involved in these supplementary competitions.”

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

1 - 0

Francesco Totti (58′)

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Attendance: 54981

Totti: 'Great Roma character'

Feb 16, 2013

Francesco Totti praised Roma’s “great character” to beat Juventus and apologised profusely to Andrea Pirlo.

The captain spoke after he scored a spectacular goal, clocked at 113km/h, in tonight’s 1-0 victory.

“I hoped for this, as we don’t deserve our current position. The team always tries to give its all for ourselves and the fans. Unfortunately lately we haven’t achieved that.

“Only with great character could we beat a team like Juventus. It was normal that at the start we were timid, as we are coming off a very difficult time and Juve are among the best teams in Europe.

“We held out in the first half, then stepped up and were able to get the victory.”

It was their first win of 2013, however Totti also warned the fans and local media not to suddenly go overboard with their expectations.

“At Roma it is very easy to go over the top after a victory. I think we must keep our feet on the ground, take it one Sunday at a time and see where we end up. I hope what I said this week helped everyone a little bit.”

Totti was also booked for catching Pirlo on the knee with his studs, causing a nasty cut, and was extremely apologetic.

“It isn’t like me to do a foul like that. He anticipated me and I was really sorry, but thankfully he was able to continue.”

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

1 - 0

Francesco Totti (58′)

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Attendance: 54981

Conte: 'Juve were fatigued'

Feb 16, 2013

Antonio Conte blamed fatigue for Juve’s 1-0 defeat to Roma and demanded “a little more respect” for the teams in Europe.

This was the second time Juventus had lost in Serie A after a Champions League match, as they were also defeated by Milan following the 3-0 win over Chelsea.

“I already said before the Fiorentina game that we certainly didn’t like playing three games in seven days,” said Conte.

The Bianconeri beat Celtic 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

“We were bound to pay for that with fatigue and one more day would’ve helped us to rest and reorganise. This is the only excuse I can give for today, as we did not play as a team and when we do that anyone can beat us.

“Compliments to Roma, it was a good victory. This is a new Roma, so we didn’t have much to go on in preparing for them. I wish I’d had more information, as we could’ve done better.

“We have regrets that there was not one more day to prepare and recover our fitness levels. I hope in future when the fixture lists are drawn up there can be a little more respect for a club that is taking Italy forward in Europe.”

Conte also lambasted his squad for not following the game plan the way they usually do.

“Unfortunately when we don’t play as a team, we don’t have these individual moments to get us out of trouble.

“We don’t play as a team when we don’t follow the sheet music and that makes everyone go off key. Everyone went their own way and it is really disappointing.

“We made two steps forward at Celtic, but one backwards today. I hope we can find that maturity that still eludes us.

“I spoke to the team and wanted them to tell me who was feeling tired, emotionally drained or anything else. Everyone said they were in good shape, so I picked the players I felt would do the best job tonight.

“If I had picked other players and we lost, then I’d get blamed anyway, so whatever a Coach does it’s going to risk being wrong. If I had changed the strikers after they scored so regularly, I would’ve been criticised for that.

“It’s a shame the result was negative and it is ultimately my responsibility. We will try to learn from this. Fatigue can happen, but we have got to play as a team or we go nowhere. I won’t talk about individuals. I didn’t like the team, I didn’t like anyone tonight.”

Kwadwo Asamoah made his first appearance since December 21, as he returned from the Africa Cup of Nations.

“Asamoah was on international duty for six weeks and someone even wanted me to play him against Celtic. He looked like a fish out of water today, as he hadn’t trained with us for a month and a half and it was enough to take him out of our systems.”

Conte reacted angrily when told that Walter Mazzarri had complained Napoli’s fixture list was just as crammed, having played in the Europa League on Thursday.

“We played three games in seven days, how many did Napoli play? It’s easy to calculate. In any case, all the clubs in Europe must be given the opportunity to rest and recover when we are involved in these extra competitions.”

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

1 - 0

Francesco Totti (58′)

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Attendance: 54981

Andreazzoli: 'Curva Sud helped Roma'

Feb 16, 2013

Roma Coach Aurelio Andreazzoli explained why warming up under the Curva Sud gave them the push they needed to beat Juventus.

“The credit always goes to the players. As a group and a club we stayed close to the players and tried to reassure them in every way we could, telling them how important they can be in a game situation,” said Zdenek Zeman’s replacement.

The team had been subjected to numerous insults, protests and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo even had his car pelted with eggs this week, but they surprisingly warmed up under the Curva Sud rather than in the middle of the pitch.

“Admittedly we haven’t played our best until now, but wanted to get the passion from the fans by warming up under the Curva Sud. They were very generous and allowed us to shake off some of those ghosts.

“It had happened in the past too. I was telling my staff about this and Antonio Carlos Zago experienced it first hand, so we knew that it was worth the risk. We haven’t done so far what the fans deserve, so it was a risk and we knew there could be a blowback, but I told the lads to go out there with their heads held high, because the Curva Sud would not let us down.

“It gave us a sense of certainty, confidence and the ability to fight Juve in terms of character, quality, organisation and vigour.

“We tried to do everything possible to build up their confidence. We put heart and soul into it.”

Andreazzoli also smiled when watching pre-match footage from the locker room, when voices could be heard shouting: ‘Noi siamo la Roma.’

“The phrase ‘We are Roma’ must echo around the halls of the club HQ and not just the locker room. This club is expanding to an extraordinary degree and I can tell you the directors are amazing in their planning, initiative and organisation.

Francesco Totti scored the decisive goal with a screamer clocked at 113km/h.

“Totti can do these things every now and then. Let’s say often! I have had the pleasure of seeing him score over 100 goals,” continued Andreazzoli.

“Is it the best night of my life? No, family comes first! In professional terms I have been in football for many years in every level, but they have given me the chance to coach Roma. Tonight we faced the team I admire the most, as I admire Antonio Conte and their style of football, so to have beaten Juventus is truly satisfying.”

Andreazzoli has truly shelved Zeman’s approach by adopting a 3-4-2-1 this evening with Erik Lamela and Totti supporting Osvaldo.

“We played 3-5-2 at Sampdoria, but my idea of tactics depends on the situation. Lamela and Totti were meant to ‘annoy’ Andrea Pirlo in turns. It seems pointless for me to put a man just marking Pirlo, as either way he’s so talented that he’ll get away.”

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

1 - 0

Francesco Totti (58′)

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Attendance: 54981

Caceres: 'No Juve excuses'

Feb 17, 2013

Martin Caceres was deeply disappointed with the 1-0 defeat to Roma. “We are Juventus and mustn’t look for excuses.”

Antonio Conte complained the Bianconeri felt fatigue after their Champions League exploits against Celtic on Tuesday.

“I didn’t like the game,” moaned defender Caceres. “We were not in our best shape and when that happens mistakes are made.

“I don’t know if we were tired or what, but we mustn’t look for excuses. We are Juventus. When you wear this jersey, excuses are of no use.

“Now we must work during the week and try to understand what went wrong.”

This afternoon Napoli welcome Sampdoria and have the opportunity to close within two points of the Serie A leaders.

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

1 - 0

Francesco Totti (58′)

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Attendance: 54981

Marquinho 'happy' with Andreazzoli

Feb 17, 2013

Roma got back on track by beating Juventus 1-0 last night and Marquinho insists he is “happy” under new Coach Aurelio Andreazzoli.

The Brazilian midfielder had been on the verge of a January transfer to Gremio, but stayed on and saw Zdenek Zeman sacked two weeks ago.

“Football changes quickly. I always had my mind on Roma, but when you don’t play then the desire does grow to seek another team where you’d be of more use...

“As I said, football changes quickly. Now Andreazzoli gives me more opportunities to play and I am happy, albeit aware I must always push to do better.

“Andreazzoli has changed the shape of the side, the way we play, but above all I think he changes our mentality. He asks us to be gritty and determined on the field, to always play with our heads and the right preparation.

“We had the right mentality against Juve, as we were all out there together with our hearts.”

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

[Socrates 8329]

Serie A Week 25 - 16-2-2013 (8:45 p.m.)

1 - 0

Francesco Totti (58′)

Olimpico Stadium - Rome

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Attendance: 54981

Top Totti leaves Juventus quaking

The veteran skipper delivered once more for Roma to rock the champions, but the visitors'

claims that he shouldn't have been on the pitch were more than justified.

Feb 17, 2013

COMMENT

By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Writer

We saw nothing from Francesco Totti on Saturday night that we hadn’t seen from him before. We’ve witnessed the mastery, the delicacy of touch, the finishing, the leadership and the controversy in spades over the years, but this time he made the earth move for more than just Roma fans.

For not only did his winning goal against Juventus provide a first league victory of 2013 for the Giallorossi, but the tremors were felt as far away as Naples, where Napoli fans now harbour genuine belief that they are in a true title race.

The Richter scale measured Saturday night’s earthquake near Frosinone, which was felt in both Rome and Naples, at a magnitude of 4.8, but the real strength of Totti’s strike might not be discovered until the Serie A season ends on May 19. While Juve remain big favourites, there is no doubting that Napoli are in with a real chance since they now know their destiny is no longer dependent on the Bianconeri.

Antonio Conte and his players would obviously have been disappointed with a 1-0 defeat in any circumstances, but the fact that Totti should have been been sent off long before his thunderous second-half strike made the loss even harder to take.

The talismanic No.10’s high challenge on Andrea Pirlo ended in a fortunate scenario for both men. Totti only saw yellow for a ‘tackle’ which connected with his former Italy team-mate’s knee, while Pirlo came out of it with his ligaments intact.

Whether it was deliberate or not is known only to Totti himself, but the tackle was a wild one at best, and had Pirlo’s leg been straight rather than bent and motioning forward, severe damage would have been very likely. What made it all the more surprising that Totti didn’t receive his marching orders was the referee was Gianluca Rocchi, who has never been shy about revealing his red card at the first possible opportunity.

That said, Juventus didn’t help themselves in the outcome of the match. Whereas they have often pummeled Roma out of games under Conte’s leadership, this time there was no real venom about their performance. Long spells spent in the final third have become second nature to the Old Lady, but they were much more fleeting at the Stadio Olimpico. A Pirlo free-kick which was superbly kept out by the excellent Maarten Stekelenburg and a Mirko Vucinic volley wide of the target were about all they had to show for their efforts before Totti struck.

Whatever the whys and wherefores of the 36-year-old’s extra life, to leave him free on the edge of the box was criminal on the Turin side’s part. His response was to hammer an unstoppable effort past Gianluigi Buffon to settle the game and give the home faithful a winning feeling they hadn’t experienced in the league for eight weeks.

For the champions, it was an outcome that has become a bit too familiar of late. From an unbeaten run of 49 games, they have now gone down to four defeats in 15 in Serie A. It is hardly crisis time, but the regularity with which points are being dropped by Juve is giving Neapolitans reason to believe.

Roma did well to exploit the Bianconeri at the back regularly, and while the visitors struggled to create clear-cut chances after falling behind, the capital club could have increased the agony, with Miralem Pjanic and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo both spurning good positions. Conte will be worried that his side are not making enough of their dominance on the ball, but the sometimes ragged appearance of his defence must also be a concern. Giorgio Chiellini’s return will go some way to addressing that, but collective responsibility must be the name of the day.

Tuesday night’s 3-0 away victory over Celtic set down a real marker in the Champions League, but if they slip up again when they visit Napoli on Friday week then they may well entertain the Bhoys without the title of league leaders under their belt.

Much will doubtless be said in the days and weeks to come about the Totti tackle, but his goal may yet cause the greatest damage if Juve don’t shake themselves out of their funk. It once looked like one of Serie A’s most non-existent title races, but the battle may just be about to start.

http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/