Juventus Season 2012-2013

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

-

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Unbeaten streak not on Juventus' mind, says Alessio

The Turin powerhouse remained unbeaten all season in 2011-12, and they are determined

to keep up their good run of form against Catania.

Oct 27, 2012

Angelo Alessio has insisted that Juventus are fully concentrated on the task in hand against Catania rather than thinking about continuing their long unbeaten streak.

The Serie A champions stretched their run to 47 league games without defeat last week, and Alessio has made it clear their focus is on winning games, rather than worrying about breaking records.

"The unbeaten streak is not something we think about. We just look to take to the field and win every game," the Juve assistant coach said at a press conference.

"Of course every team will be aiming to beat us and end our run, but we go into every encounter with maximum determination.

"We’ll give the game against Catania our full attention. They’ve got excellent players and are lethal on the counter attack.

"We usually play at a high tempo in the second half, but tomorrow we'll need to dictate the game from the beginning."

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

-

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Catania - Juventus Preview: Antonio Conte's

men face tricky away tie in Sicily

After another setback in Europe for the Bianconeri, they will be hoping to bounce back

at the Stadio Angelo Massimino with a victory, but the Rossazzurri like their home comforts.

Oct 27, 2012

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

CATANIA

Andujar

Alvarez, Legrottaglie, Spolli, Marchese

Izco, Lodi, Almiron

Barrientos, Bergessio, Gomez

JUVENTUS

Buffon

Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini

Lichsteiner, Marrone, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah

Giovinco, Vucinic

Juventus return to Serie A business fresh from their disappointing 1-1 draw with Nordsjaelland in midweek and will hope to erase this performance from their minds with a much improved display against Catania.

The Italian champions are on an incredible 47-game unbeaten run, but face a Rossazzurri side lying in seventh place, who have yet to lose at the Stadio Angelo Massimino this season.

Juventus, meanwhile, recorded an important 2-0 victory over Napoli in their last domestic outing. Late goals courtesy of Martin Caceres and Paul Pogba was enough for the three points. The Frenchman is expected to start against the hosts on Sunday in place of out-of-form Arturo Vidal.

Antonio Conte's men also welcome back Gianluigi Buffon, who revealed he was "angry" after the Bianconeri's ninth consecutive draw in Europe midweek. And the man who grabbed the equaliser for the Serie A giants on Wednesday, Mirko Vucinic, is also in contention for a start with Fabio Quagliarella dropping to the bench.

Catania coach Rolando Maran is expected to keep the faith in the side that were defeated by the Nerazzurri and are still without defenders Blazej Augustyn and Giuseppe Bellusci, midfielder Fabio Sciacca and striker Keko.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Catania's Mariano Izco scored the winner in the Rossazzurri's 2-1 victory against the Bianconeri back in December 2009. It was the last time Rolando Maran's men recorded victory against the Italian champions.

• Nicola Legrottaglie (pictured, right) is an ex-Juventus player, having represented the Old Lady between 2003 and 2011.

• Catania have not been defeated at home this season, but have one of the worst defensive records in the league having conceded 13 goals, only Chievo and Pescara, (both 15), have let in more.

• Juventus beat Catania 3-1 at home the last time the two sides met whilst on their way to winning the Scudetto. Andrea Pirlo scored, and also assisted Giorgio Chiellini and Fabio Quagliarella goals.

• The Bianconeri are six games unbeaten against Maran's charges.

• Juventus have yet to taste defeat in any competition so far this season whilst they have also scored the most goals in Serie A (19) and conceded the least (4).

Head to Head

Serie A ‎- Feb 18, 2012 - Juventus 3 - Catania 1

Serie A ‎- Sep 25, 2011 - Catania 1 - Juventus 1

Serie A ‎- Apr 23, 2011 - Juventus 2 - Catania 2

Coppa Italia ‎- Jan 13, 2011 - Juventus 2 - Catania 0

Serie A ‎- Dec 5, 2010 - Catania 1 - Juventus 3

Last Five Matches

Catania

Oct 21, 2012 - FC Internazionale 2 - Catania 0 - Serie A

Oct 7, 2012 - Catania 2 - Parma 0 - Serie A

Sep 30, 2012 - Bologna 4 - Catania 0 - Serie A

Sep 26, 2012 - Catania 2 - Atalanta 1 - Serie A

Sep 23, 2012 - Catania 0 - SSC Napoli 0 - Serie A

Juventus

Oct 23, 2012 - FC Nordsjælland 1 - Juventus 1 - UCL

Oct 20, 2012 - Juventus 2 - SSC Napoli 0 - Serie A

Oct 7, 2012 - Siena 1 - Juventus 2 - Serie A

Oct 2, 2012 - Juventus 1 - Shakhtar Donetsk 1 - UCL

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

Players to Watch

Alejandro Gómez

The diminutive striker has already shown what he is capable of this season by grabbing a couple of important goals and three assists for the Rossazzurri. The 24-year-old, is usually played on the left of a three-pronged attack so likes to cut inside onto his favoured right foot. A very direct player who could cause the Bianconeri defence problems.

Mirko Vučinić

Came on to save the blushes of his side midweek and is a handful for defenders. He has great strength and power but is also good with the ball at his feet, likes to bring others into play by holding up the ball, and playing flick-ons, which Sebastian Giovinco could thrive on, should he start.

Prediction

Given the hosts' strength at home this season, Antonio Conte's charges will not have it all their own way at the Stadio Angelo Massimino. What's more, Juve have not been playing well of recent but Rolando Maran's men have one of their worst defensive records in Serie A which will contribute to their downfall here.

Editor's Prediction

Catania 1 - 2 Juventus

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

-

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

MATCH PREVIEW

Oct 27, 2012

The Juventus machine continues to churn out results in Serie A, but they face a difficult challenge away to a vibrant Catania.

Catania felt a key refereeing decision went against them at the San Siro last weekend against Inter. Losing 1-0, Alejandro Gomez was brought down by Fredy Guarin but not awarded a penalty. Rolando Maran felt it was clear enough, but in any event they conceded a late second to lose the match.

While on the road the Sicilians form is patchy at best, in front of their own fans the situation is reversed. The Elefanti’s home record of three wins and a draw is the equal-third best this term and the main reason they currently occupy an impressive seventh position.

Catania will aim to recover Keko and Pietro Terracciano from injury, but defensive duo Giuseppe Bellusci and Blazej Augustyn, plus midfielder Fabio Sciacca, will play no part.

Juventus underlined their credentials by overcoming Napoli 2-0 last Saturday. In a tight, tense yet gripping encounter, substitutes Martin Caceres and Paul Pogba emerged as the heroes. Without Gianluigi Buffon and Mirko Vucinic and after losing Kwadwo Asamoah to injury during the match, the unlikely scorers highlighted the strength in depth available.

However the Bianconeri only managed a disappointing 1-1 draw against Nordsjaelland in the Champions League on Tuesday. Aiming to kick-start their campaign after two draws, Juve did not display the grinta on show days earlier, substitute Vucinic rescuing a point inside the final ten minutes. It leaves European qualification delicately poised.

Buffon, Vucinic and Paolo De Ceglie returned to action in midweek and will be joined by Asamoah for the trip to Sicily. Simone Pepe remains on the sidelines. Pogba is set for his first start ahead of Arturo Vidal.

Juve are 47 games unbeaten - although the streak nearly came unstuck before it hit double digits in Catania last season. They escaped with a 1-1 draw on that occasion, the fifth deadlock between the pair. The hosts have celebrated a victory three times to Juve’s six.

Keep an eye on: Andrea Pirlo (Juventus) – In the regista battle, the Italian international will look to exert his authority on the match ahead of Francesco Lodi. Last season Catania were one of the most effective in cutting out Pirlo’s influence, especially at the Massimino. Will Maran copy Vincenzo Montella’s blueprint?

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

Last season: Catania 1-1 Juventus

Stat fact: You have to go back to 1964-65 to find Catania’s last home win over Juventus, a 3-1 result. Incidentally, the Etnei finished eighth for the second time in their history that term, their highest ever Serie A position.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Catania: Andujar; Alvarez, Legrottaglie, Spolli, Marchese; Izco, Lodi, Almiron; Barrientos, Bergessio, Gomez

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Pirlo, Marrone, Asamoah; Vucinic, Giovinco

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

-

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Catania v Juventus: Preview

Oct 27, 2012

There is no real cause for concern on the pitch ahead of Juventus' trip to face Catania tomorrow morning, but Bianconeri director general Beppe Marotta has been forced to defend the club's recent transfer policy.

The defending champions finally edged clear at the top of the Serie A table courtesy of last weekend's victory over Napoli, but Marotta found himself facing a barrage of criticism at yesterday's annual shareholders' meeting.

The particular bones of contention were Juve's policy of releasing promising youth players on co-ownership deals - a scheme Marotta fiercely defended - and the outlay of 12million euros on Catania midfielder Jorge Martinez, now on loan at Cluj after failing to make any impact in Turin.

Quoted on tuttosport.com, Marotta said: "It's true, we've made some mistakes, Martinez above all, but you will make mistakes when you're trying to completely overhaul the squad.

"We've signed 22 players and yes, some of those buys have not been great.

"But most of all let's not forget the right moves we have made.

"I'm talking about signing Pirlo for free, and Vidal signing for 10million euros before we received an offer of 30million for him.

"We refused it because Juventus is not a selling club by tradition.

"Giovinco was sold to Parma for four million euros, but we bought him back for 10 and now he's worth 15.

"Berbatov? The truth is we contacted him and he said 'I'm not going to sign for Fiorentina, I have to choose between you and my old coach (Martin) Jol at Fulham."

"In the end he signed for Fulham."

Catania threatened to nip La Vecchia's incredible 47-match unbeaten run in the bud before it even started last season, the now departed Milos Krasic salvaging a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Angelo Massimino.

The Elefanti's impressive seventh-best status in the league table is due mainly to their impressive home record, with Rolando Maran's men notching three wins and a draw at their Sicily base so far.

Catania playmaker Francesco Lodi told the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport: "Can we beat the Bianconeri?

"Sooner or later someone will and I hope we're the ones celebrating."

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

-

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Catania v Juventus Preview –

Serie A Leaders Visit Sicily

Oct 27, 2012

-

CATANIA vs JUVENTUS

Angelo Massimino, Sicily

October 28th, 12:30 kick-off

***

Serie A leaders Juventus make the trip to Sicily to face a Catania side recovering from a defeat to Inter. The champions of Italy, Juventus showcased their strength in depth with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Napoli at home and now are sole leader of Italy’s top-flight. Substitutes Paul Pogba and Martin Caceres were called upon from the bench and they duly obliged their manager’s wishes with a goal each allowing Juventusi to separate themselves from Napoli and position themselves as lone leaders of the league.

Catania succumbed to a 2-0 defeat away at Inter. It was a gripping game but in the end, Inter proved to be too much to handle for this Sicilian outfit. Goals from Antonio Cassano and Rodrigo Palacio were sufficient on the night to overcome the Elefentani. Their miserable run on the road continues having grabbed just one point out of a possible 12 points.

Team News and Tactical Brief

Catania

For all their troubles on the road, Catania have managed to stitch a formidable run in front of their home crowd. The Elefentani have been nothing short of exceptional on home turf claiming the scalps of Parma, Atalanta and Genoa while also holding Napoli to a goal-less stalemate at the Angelo Massimino. They occupy an excellent 7^th position in the league table.

Rolando Maran has done well in the eyes of Catania’s supporters since taking over from Vincenzo Montella. It was never going to be an easy task following in the foot-steps of Montella, who vacated his job at Catania to head towards Fiorentina in the summer. He is expected to field a 4-3-3 formation. He does have a few injury concerns that bother him with Keko, Terraciano, Bellusci, Augustyn and Sciacca sidelined for this match.

The center of the defence will have a familiar face for Juventus as veteran defender Nicola Legrottaglie will marshal the Catania defence alongside Nicolas Spolli. Alvarez and Marchese will be employed as full-backs and should go head-to-head with Asamoah and Lichtsteiner respectively which by no means will be an easy task for the duo.

Midfield remains a strong point for Catania. Francesco Lodi has been identified as one of the best registas in the peninsula. He is Catania’s Andrea Pirlo and does possess traits similar to the Juventus midfielder. Lodi is a dead ball specialist who sets the tone of the game for his side with a dangerous left-foot and will certainly be watched closely by the Juventus midfield.

Attack should see the trident of Barrientos, Bergessio and Gomez. Bergessio and Gomez are tricky customers to deal with on the flanks and could make nuisances of themselves on Sunday. Gomez, in particular has been linked to various Serie A clubs and has plenty of tricks in his arsenal to cause head-aches to the Juventus back-line.

Probable Starting Line-up (4-3-3): Andujar; Alvarez, Legrottaglie, Spolli, Marchese; Izco, Lodi, Almiron; Barrientos, Bergessio, Gomez

Juventus

With the Champions League now on Juventus’ plate, the league leaders have passed their Serie A tests but yet struggle to make an impression in Europe. The draw against Nordsjaelland was their third draw in Europe’s premier competition and their 9^th on the trot in Europe. The lack of cutting edge in front of goal was evident as Juventus failed to put away any of the chances they conjured up.

Three players who were rested during the midweek game are expected to regain their place in the starting eleven. Andrea Barzagli, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Kwadwo Asamoah will make their return to the line-up. For the first time this season, manager Antonio Conte could have the full squad at his disposal provided Simone Pepe proves his fitness. He is expected to deploy his regular 3-5-2 formation. Juventus Juventus

French prodigy Paul Pogba too maybe handed a rare start for the Bianconeri ahead of Arturo Vidal. The Chilean is going through a tough phase and is struggling to replicate the kind of form that inspired Juventus last season. Pogba, has raised a few eyebrows with his performances in midfield and has certainly warranted this opportunity. Juventus fans have been pleasantly surprised by Pogba who made the transition from England to Italy without much trouble. Indeed if he keeps on progressing and developing the way he has been, Juventus would possess potentially one of the strongest midfielders in Europe. Andrea Pirlo will pull the strings from the heart of the midfield and look to set the tempo of the game.

Up front Sebastian Giovinco will retain his spot and should be partnered by Mirko Vucinic. The Montenegrin will replace the misfiring Alessandro Matri who will once again be relegated to a role from the bench. Giovinco will use his trickery and unpredictability to try and carve open the Catania defence but could also be asked to pressurize Francesco Lodi.

Probable Starting Line-up (3-5-2): Buffon(GK); Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Giovinco, Vucinic

Player To Watch Out For

Mirko Vucinic (Juventus)

The Montenegrin International has proven to be Juventus’ most dangerous player more often than not this season. He does possess the annoying ability to drift in and out of games yet his talent his undeniable. A favorite of Conte’s, he could be decisive for Juventus with his on the night provided we see the good side of him.

Prediction

Catania 1-2 Juventus

The home side have always been tricky opponents for the champions to negotiate past and that trend won’t change this weekend. This Catania outfit have a strong home record this campaign and face a side that has shown signs of fatigue this season. Nevertheless, Juventus do have a bit too much ammunition for Catania to handle and should grind out another victory and extend their unbeaten run to 48 games.

Blast From The Past

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

-

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Catania VS Juventus PREVIEW:

The Only Thing That Matters

Oct 27, 2012

Here we are again. A Jekyll and Hyde week which saw the Bianconeri go from seeing off closest domestic challengers Napoli – winning 2-0 in dramatic fashion – to meekly settling for yet another Champions League draw (this time 1-1 away to Lars’ cousins FC Nordsjælland) draws to a close with a visit to the Italian provinces.

Juventus take the long journey south, crossing the water to Sicily to face a Catania side currently sitting as high as seventh in the Serie A table thanks to a strong start to the campaign. They have recorded wins over Parma, Atalanta and Genoa as well as taking a point from matches against both Roma and Napoli meaning Juve should underestimate Rolando Maran’s side at their peril.

The last two seasons have seen this fixture end in 1-1 draws at the Stadio Massimino with last term’s encounter owing thanks to a goal from Milos Krasic (no, really!) and, while Juventus have not lost to gli Elefanti in their last six meetings, Antonio Conte will be looking for a reaction following their midweek struggles.

Speaking at Saturday morning’s pre-match press conference, Assistant Coach Angelo Alessio – now in charge of the team following the end of his ban – stressed the impressive nature of Catania’s start to the season before going on to explain how the team is preparing for a lunchtime kick off as he told reporters:

Catania gave us difficulty last year and are unbeaten at home this season. This shows their value as a team. We need to pay great attention to Catania, they have some excellent players and are strong on the counter attack.

We’ve been adapting the players to tomorrow’s lunchtime kick-off by eating and training earlier. We’ll be ready, everyone’s in good shape and we’ll use the final training session to see who will make the starting line-up.

Catania

Following the departure of the highly rated Vincenzo Montella, the Sicilian side are now led by Maran, a Coach who took Varese to the Serie B Playoff last season, missing out on promotion to Sampdoria. He has returned them to the 4-3-3 shape which they often used before experimenting with a three man defence last term but they have become more vulnerable in defence, conceding thirteen goals in the opening eight games under the new Coach.

At the heart of the defence remains former Juventus (well, mine and Aaron’s) favourite Nicola Legrottaglie who has again been impressive for the Etnei despite now being 36 years of age and is undoubtedly the leader of a side which also counts another ex-Juve man Sergio Almiron as a regular starter.

Francesco Lodi remains at the center of everything positive for a Catania for whom no fewer than six players have started all eight games to date as he has one goal and two assists. He must not be given chance to display his superb ability at set pieces, a lesson hopefully learned on Wednesday night in painful fashion.

He is responsible for supplying a constant stream of quality passes for leading scorer Gonzalo Bergessio (3 goals) and fellow Argentine Alejandro Gómez in attack. Those two are among a group of nine of their countrymen in the squad, seven of whom regularly start matches with just four Italians as Giovanni Marchese and Giuseppe Bellusci joining Legrottaglie and Lodi in their most used XI.

Probable Formation (4-3-3): ANDUJAR; ALVAREZ, LEGROTTAGLIE, SPOLLI, MARCHESE; IZCO, LODI, ALMIRON; BARRIENTOS, BERGESSIO, GOMEZ

Juventus

We can expect a far less settled line up for the Bianconeri as they look to balance the demands of playing twice a week and changes are almost inevitable. Alessio indicated all 25 players are now available for selection, meaning not only will Kwadwo Asamoah and Stephan Lichtsteiner – rested for the trip to Denmark – be once again in contention but also a possible first call of the campaign for Simone Pepe who has been the only real injury concern so far this term.

Mirko Vucinic is expected to return to the starting XI with Sebastian Giovinco and Fabio Quagliarella – who scored two goals the last time these side’s met – competing for the other striking berth. Arturo Vidal has looked increasingly weary in recent weeks and may benefit from a game on the side-lines with the form of Paul Pogba making the decision to drop him much easier than it would have been last term.

Probable Formation (3-5-2): BUFFON; BARZAGLI, BONUCCI, CHIELLINI; LICHTSTEINER, POGBA, PIRLO, MARCHISIO, ASAMOAH; VUCINIC, GIOVINCO

It is that depth which Juventus must lean on, as they did against Napoli, and return to winning ways here against a side which will look to hit them on the counter-attack in a match of starkly contrasting approaches. What matters, as always, is that the Old Lady returns to Turin with three points safely tucked away because around here winning isn’t the important thing…

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

-

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Juventus are not Vucinic dependent, insists Alessio

Oct 27, 2012

Ahead of Juventus’s match against Catania Sunday afternoon, stand-in manager Angelo Alessio asserted that the team were not solely dependent on Mirko Vucinic for goals.

“Vucinic dependent? We have five attackers and we believe in their quality,” Alessio said during the team press conference.

“Vucinic and Bendtner are doing well, we must evaluate the condition of all the players during the week and then we set the lineup.”

Alessio also said that Juventus will continue using the 3-5-2 despite the disappointing result in the Champions League on Tuesday. The Bianconeri drew their ninth consecutive European match this past week as the Serie A champions drew 1-1 with Danish side Nordsjaelland. Alessio acknowledged the fact that Juventus would need to up the pressure at Catania.

“It will be a difficult match, we are facing a team that is playing well and has largely remained the same the past few years. Last season they put us in a difficult spot in both matches.

“We must face them with great focus and maintain a high intensity throughout the match.”

Juventus are currently on a 47-match unbeaten run in the league, but Alessio insists the team is purely focused on the match and is not thinking about the undefeated streak.

Simone Pepe has returned from injury and will be included in the 23-man squad for Sunday.

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

-

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Juventus-Catania Preview: Round 9 — Elephant Walk

Elephants make me think of peanuts that make me think of Snickers bars

that makes me think of Halloween. TRICK OR TREAT!!!

Oct 27, 2012

Hmmm, I don't know about you, but it seems like we've been in this situation before. And not that long ago. I'm thinking that way because it's pretty much the truth. So, after a mid-week Champions League facepalm-fest, Juventus return to the Serie A looking to rebound against one of the provinciale squads.

Much like the game against Siena that we just brought up, it's away from home. That's too bad. I'm sure the tifosi at the Juventus Stadium would sure like to watch their team take another step towards something that's quite historically significant.

(If you don't know what I'm talking about, look down about seven paragraphs.)

This won't be incredibly extensive. No scoops. No inside information. Here's just a few things I may request on Sunday as I watch this game in the middle of the night (lol california) while the rest of the state sleeps:

1. A non-eventful win.

2. Juventus to start well.

3. Juventus to create chances and finish a good number of them.

It's not all that difficult, right? I mean, I understand that Catania can be a difficult side at times. But this is Juventus and it seems like, no matter what happens in Europe this year, all they do domestically is win, win, win.

Sounds good to me.

GOOD NEWS

It's not the Champions League.

Juventus are unbeaten in the last 47 Serie A games.

Need I say more?

BAD NEWS

Marco Motta is no longer on the Catania roster, therefore I can't guarantee an own goal or sending off like last season to any of you. SORRY.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

1. Shaking things up. Sure, the squad rotation has been going on pretty much the entire season. That's not really a surprise to any of us. But to what extent will it happen on Sunday? Especially considering the fact that a lot of players had sub-par games in Denmark earlier in the week. It may not be a complete squad revolution, but I'm expecting a couple of things to look different than they were on Tuesday.

2. The right wing. It's gotta be back to the Swiss Express, right? I mean, that seems like the natural rotation of things. But I don't know. It's not Lichtsteiner has been wowing us with his form over the past month or two. And over that same course of time he's become completely worn out. Martin Caceres deserves a start even more than Mauricio Isla at this point. Come on, Conte, give us some high socks.

3. The Pogba Effect. Of all the changes that may or may not happen against Catania, Pogba-for-Arturo Vidal seems like it will actually take place. With the Chilean midfielder struggling for what seems like the first time in his Juventus career, a game or two on the bench seems like the most logical option. So, in steps Mr. Manchester United (heh) himself, looking to continue his impressive start to his own career in Turin. It'll be in a different role, of course, compared to where he has been playing in the past as a vice-Pirlo. But the way he's playing at the moment, it doesn't really seem to matter where Pogba plays in the midfield. Plus, the possibility for more of this:

4. The Giovinco Effect. As one of the few players that had a positive trip to Denmark, little Seba looks like he has found his footing after a rough patch a little while back. He's not scoring goals — shout-out to all nine of the shots he took against Nordsjælland on Tuesday — but he's certainly creating chances. And not just for himself, but for others as well. That's the Giovinco I was hoping for when he came back to Juventus. Some may continue to doubt him, and that's fine. They can go right ahead and do so. But I'm perfectly okay with him playing the way he is right now — although a goal here and there would be nice, though.

5. The Asamoah Effect. Have no fear, ladies and gents. Awesomemoah is back in training. And his return to the lineup will be greatly appreciated, seeing as every time he takes the field it seems like the left wing is virtually on complete lockdown mode. Things just didn't look right with him out of the lineup on Tuesday night in Denmark. And while I am still a supported of Paolo De Ceglie, there's no doubting who the No. 1 choice at left wingback is right now.

My starting XI (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Caceres, Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Vucinic, Giovinco

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

-

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Legrottaglie warns chum Conte

Oct 28, 2012

Nicola Legrottaglie warns his former teammates at Juventus that “Catania will do everything possible to win.”

The defender was owned by Juve from 2003 to 2011, albeit with brief loan spells at Bologna and Siena in 2005-06.

He comes face to face with the Bianconeri once more in today’s 11.30am UK time kick-off.

“It’ll be nice to meet up with so many old friends and the club where I spent the best years of my career,” said 36-year-old Legrottaglie.

“Let it be known, Catania will do everything possible to win. I hope we get a 1-0 victory.

“Antonio Conte is a special person with great charisma who had an incredible effect on the team.

“I knew Conte as a colleague, a friend and as an assistant manager at Siena. You could tell he had that fire within him, so he is doing so well at the level he belongs in. So we’ll win and then I invite Conte to dinner for my Mum’s home-cooked meal.”

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

-

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Line-ups: Catania-Juventus

Oct 28, 2012

Nicklas Bendtner and Paul Pogba get their first Juventus starts in today’s lunchtime trip to Catania.

The Bianconeri hope to extend their 47-match unbeaten run when stepping into the Stadio Massimino at 11.30am GMT.

Bendtner has so far only played 10 minutes of Serie A football, but came off the bench in the 1-1 Champions League draw with Nordsjaelland midweek.

The striker on loan from Arsenal is given his first start in the Juve jersey, partnering Mirko Vucinic. This is Gianluigi Buffon's 500th Serie A appearance.

Pogba also steps into the starting XI after his splendid goal against Napoli, the Frenchman brought in because Claudio Marchisio is injured.

Catania are one of the surprise outfits of the season so far and famously held Napoli to a draw here despite playing with 10 men for 88 minutes.

Giuseppe Bellusci, Pietro Terracciano, Blazej Augustyn and Fabio Sciacca are all long-term injury absentees.

In an interesting twist, Coach Rolando Maran has opted to mirror Antonio Conte’s 3-5-2 system for this game with ex-Juve veteran Nicola Legrottaglie joined by debutant Alexis Rolin in defence.

He therefore shelves the 4-3-3 tactic, pushing Pablo Barrientos into a deeper role.

Catania have not won this fixture since 1964-65, but do have a good recent record of causing problems for Juventus.

Catania: Andujar; Rolin, Legrottaglie, Spolli; Izco, Lodi, Almiron, Barrientos, Marchese; Gomez, Bergessio

Catania bench: Frison, Messina, Potenza, Alvarez, Biagianti, Salifu, Capuano, Ricchiuti, Castro, Morimoto, Doukara

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Bendtner, Vucinic

Juventus bench: Storari, Rubinho, Caceres, Marrone, Giaccherini, Padoin, Isla, De Ceglie, Pepe, Matri, Giovinco, Quagliarella

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

-

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

HT: Fury at Catania-Juve offside call

Oct 28, 2012

Expect the controversy to rattle on for days, as Catania saw a goal incorrectly disallowed and are therefore still 0-0 at the break against Juventus. Tempers are at exploding point in Sicily after a botched offside call.

The Bianconeri were flying high on top of the table, but smarting from a third consecutive Champions League draw. With Claudio Marchisio and Lucio injured, they opted to give Paul Pogba and Nicklas Bendtner their first Serie A starts. Catania hadn’t won this fixture since the 1960s, but chose to mirror the 3-5-2 system rather than their habitual 4-3-3, giving Uruguayan Alexis Rolin his debut and pushing Pablo Barrientos into a deeper role.

Gianluigi Buffon celebrated his 500th Serie A appearance, but it was Mariano Andujar who had his palms stung at the third minute by a ferocious Arturo Vidal snapshot.

Leonardo Bonucci went shoulder to shoulder with Gonzalo Bergessio on the edge of the box, but the referee waved away appeals for a foul.

A free kick was cleared to outside the area for Kwadwo Asamoah to smash his strike just over the bar. At the other end, Andrea Barzagli had to nod a chipped Alejandro Gomez cross off the head of Bergessio in the six yard area after a splendid run down the right from Papu. Juve did not deal at all well with the resulting corner, but eventually hoofed it clear.

Bendtner didn’t get enough power on his header into Andujar’s arms, while Giovanni Marchese got to the by-line and flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal.

Catania were starting to push forward and thought they had broken the deadlock when Marchese’s cross found a Nicolas Spolli glancing header on to the far post, then Bergessio tapped in the rebound. The Sicilians were still celebrating when referee Gervasoni disallowed it on advice from his assistant. It was not clear whether the decision was for offside – which would be incorrect – or for Francesco Lodi’s handling offence as the Spolli header clipped off him – which would be harsh. Catania were furious and President Antonino Pulvirenti was sent off from the bench for dissent. Over the next few minutes, five Catania players were booked as the tension was at breaking point.

Bendtner’s diving header from an Andrea Pirlo free kick clipped the crossbar, though the Dane was flagged offside. Pogba drilled just over the bar from distance with a dipping screamer, but Vucinic should’ve done better when a clearance ricocheted into his path, blocked off at the last moment by Nicola Legrottaglie.

Bendtner knocked down a cross for Vucinic, who this time forced a remarkable reaction save out of Andujar from point-blank range. Pirlo also stung the goalkeeper’s gloves towards half-time in the fiery Stadio Massimino atmosphere.

Catania 0-0 Juventus (Half-Time)

Catania: Andujar; Rolin, Legrottaglie, Spolli; Izco, Lodi, Almiron, Barrientos, Marchese; Gomez, Bergessio

Juventus:Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Bendtner, Vucinic

Ref: Gervasoni

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

0 - 1

Arturo Vidal (57′)

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Attendance: 14000‎

Vidal clinches controversial win for the Bianconeri

The Chilean was in the right place at the right time to hand the Old Lady

three points in Sicily, but the match will be remembered for two incorrect decisions.

Oct 28, 2012

Arturo Vidal tapped home the only goal of the game at Stadio Angelo Massimino to hand Juventus a closely-fought and equally controversial victory against Catania, who had a man sent off and an effort wrongly ruled out for offside in the first half.

Gonzalo Bergessio had poked the home side into the lead, only for an erroneous linesman's flag to cut their celebrations short.

To make matters worse, Nicklas Bendtner was stood in an offside position in the build-up to Juve's winner, while Giovanni Marchese was dismissed for two bookable offences.

Bendtner, who was largely wasteful, headed Kwadwo Asamoah's cross into the ground and straight at Mariano Andujar after 21 minutes, and Marchese produced a dangerous cross after a burst to the byline at the other end as the game opened up following a cagey opening.

Bergessio looked to have given the hosts the lead when he tapped into an open net after Nicolas Spolli's glancing header had come back off the post. But the Sicilians' joy quickly turned to fury when the linesman raised his flag for offside, despite the fact that neither Bergessio, nor any of his team-mates, were even close to being beyond the last defender.

The home side were clearly angered by the decision and Spolli, Pablo Cesar Barrientos and Marchese were duly shown bookings for infringements varying from dissent to cynical fouls.

As the hosts struggled to compose themselves, an offside Bendtner headed Andrea Pirlo's free kick against the crossbar and Pogba sent a dipping effort just inches over the goal to highlight the Bianconeri's dominance.

The Elefante picked up their fifth booking inside the opening 38 minutes when Nicola Legrottaglie was booked for handball, just as Alexis Rolin had been earlier in the afternoon.

Vucinic had a great opportunity to put his side ahead when through on goal from the resulting free kick, but he was denied by the recovering Legrottaglie. And the Montenegrin was denied again just two minutes later when keeper Andujar reacted well to keep out the striker's close-range effort on the line.

Pirlo stung the shot-stopper's palms from 20 yards shortly afterwards, but the game remained goalless at the break.

The only goal of the game arrived in typically controversial circumstances 11 minutes into the new half.

Vucinic picked out Bendtner with a clinical pass from the edge of the area, only for the Danish striker to shoot tamely - and typically - at Andujar. But the impressive Argentine shot-stopper could only push the ball into the path of Vidal, who tapped into the unguarded net.

Replays showed that Bendtner was in an offside position, which did nothing to placate the fired-up home support.

Vidal waltzed through the home defence on 64 minutes but could only drag his shot wide, yet the home side were soon to be dealt a near fatal blow when Marchese was shown his marching orders when he picked up his second yellow card for an amateurish handball.

As ever, Pirlo drifted the resulting free kick into a dangerous area, but Pogba's downward header was well saved by Andujar.

The game lost any impetus following the red card, but Sebastian Giovinco's arrival went some way to adding a new dimension, and the diminutive Italian saw a sweetly-struck effort well saved by Andujar seconds after coming on.

Lichtsteiner almost gifted the home side an equaliser with 10 minutes on the clock when he headed past Gianluigi Buffon, but into the side netting.

Vidal again stung the palms of Andujar with three minutes on the clock, and Giovinco tore through the home defence before blazing over.

It was another significant victory for Antonio Conte's champions, who again showed they have the stomach for a fight as they have done against Chievo and Napoli already this season.

Catania, who have not beaten the Turin side in Serie A since 1964, will be furious that they were robbed of the opportunity to do so here thanks to that shocking offside call.

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

0 - 1

Arturo Vidal (57′)

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Attendance: 14000

Catania fury at controversial Juve win

It was an immensely controversial victory for Juventus, as Catania saw a perfectly

good goal disallowed, went down to 10 men and Arturo Vidal’s winner was offside.

Oct 28, 2012

The Bianconeri were flying high on top of the table, but smarting from a third consecutive Champions League draw. With Claudio Marchisio and Lucio injured, they opted to give Paul Pogba and Nicklas Bendtner their first Serie A starts. Catania hadn’t won this fixture since the 1960s, but chose to mirror the 3-5-2 system rather than their habitual 4-3-3, giving Uruguayan Alexis Rolin his debut and pushing Pablo Barrientos into a deeper role.

Gianluigi Buffon celebrated his 500th Serie A appearance, but it was Mariano Andujar who had his palms stung at the third minute by a ferocious Arturo Vidal snapshot.

Leonardo Bonucci went shoulder to shoulder with Gonzalo Bergessio on the edge of the box, but the referee waved away appeals for a foul.

A free kick was cleared to outside the area for Kwadwo Asamoah to smash his strike just over the bar. At the other end, Andrea Barzagli had to nod a chipped Alejandro Gomez cross off the head of Bergessio in the six yard area after a splendid run down the right from Papu. Juve did not deal at all well with the resulting corner, but eventually hoofed it clear.

Bendtner didn’t get enough power on his header into Andujar’s arms, while Giovanni Marchese got to the by-line and flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal.

Catania were starting to push forward and thought they had broken the deadlock when Marchese’s cross found a Nicolas Spolli glancing header on to the far post, then Bergessio tapped in the rebound. The Sicilians were still celebrating when referee Gervasoni disallowed it on advice from his assistant. The decision was for offside, but the replays clearly show that Bergessio was level both when Spolli made contact and when the header clipped off Francesco Lodi’s knee. Catania were furious and President Antonino Pulvirenti was sent off from the bench for dissent. Over the next few minutes, five Catania players were booked as the tension was at breaking point.

Bendtner’s diving header from an Andrea Pirlo free kick clipped the crossbar, though the Dane was flagged offside. Pogba drilled just over the bar from distance with a dipping screamer, but Vucinic should’ve done better when a clearance ricocheted into his path, blocked off at the last moment by Nicola Legrottaglie.

Bendtner knocked down a cross for Vucinic, who this time forced a remarkable reaction save out of Andujar from point-blank range. Pirlo also stung the goalkeeper’s gloves towards half-time in the fiery Stadio Massimino atmosphere.

Juventus took the lead after the restart when Vucinic threaded through for Bendtner – marginally offside – and Andujar was only able to parry the shot into the path of Vidal to slide into an empty net.

Moments later the crowd was further enraged as Stephan Lichtsteiner charged down a Gomez cross-shot with his elbow, but the arm was tight against his body.

Vidal went on a mazy run and drilled the angled drive just wide, while Pogba got a hand in the face from Spolli.

Catania went down to 10 men after 66 minutes when Marchese picked up a second yellow card for intercepting a pass with his arm. From the resulting Pirlo free kick, Pogba’s free header was palmed off the line at the back post with another great Andujar save.

Andujar smothered at Bendtner’s feet from a Pogba pass and substitute Sebastian Giovinco saw a scorching shot pushed out from under the bar by the alert Catania goalkeeper.

A Lodi free kick was nodded on to the side-netting by Lichtsteiner under pressure, then Bendtner’s pull-back for Giovinco was crucially intercepted by Spolli. Andujar denied Vidal again with a strong hand pushing the fierce finish round the upright. In the final minute Taka Morimoto went down under an Asamoah challenge, but the referee waved play on, considering the Ghanaian simply stronger than his opponent.

In stoppages Giovinco ended a mazy run with an awful finish over the bar. Catania were pouring forward even with 10 men and Giovinco then went on the counter and Legrottaglie brought him down outside the box, but the referee opted against what would've been a straight red card.

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

Catania: Andujar; Rolin, Legrottaglie, Spolli; Izco, Lodi, Almiron (Biagianti 79), Barrientos (Castro 69), Marchese; Gomez (Morimoto 81), Bergessio

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner (Caceres 89), Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba (Padoin 92), Asamoah; Bendtner, Vucinic (Giovinco 79)

Ref: Gervasoni

Sent off: Marchese 66 (c )

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

0 - 1

Arturo Vidal (57′)

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Attendance: 14000

Juventus go four points clear

Serie A leaders Juventus had Arturo Vidal and some controversial

refereeing decisions to thank as they edged to a 1-0 victory at Catania.

Oct 28, 2012

After the hosts had a goal disallowed in the 25th minute, and the Sicilians' owner and president Antonio Pulvirenti was sent away from the bench, the home side struggled to maintain a level head and Juve took advantage.

Vidal scored the only goal of the game 12 minutes after the interval, which, unlike Catania's effort, should have been disallowed and it was enough to earn the Bianconeri all three points.

Catania's afternoon was then compounded as they ended the game with 10 men after Giuseppe Marchese was sent off.

Catania started brightly and they looked to have taken the lead in the 25th minute when Gonzalo Bergessio tapped in the rebound after Francesco Lodi's header had come back off a post.

The two teams and the referee were returning to the centre circle for the restart, but the linesman called the official over and, after the pair conferred over the radio with the fourth official, the goal was ruled out.

Catania's protested and with replays showing an offside decision to be wrong, it seemed the hosts had every right to feel aggrieved although Pulvirenti was a little too animated for the referee's liking and he was dismissed.

Nicolas Legrottaglie continued the protests as the sides went in level at half-time, and he had even more to complain about when Juve took the lead in the 57th minute.

Nicklas Bendtner, making his first start in Serie A for Juve, was in an offside position when he was sent through by Mirko Vucinic, and his shot was parried out to Vidal, who was on hand to score his third goal of the season.

Marchese was sent off 10 minutes later for a second yellow card as he deliberately handled the ball, and from Andrea Pirlo's free-kick, Paul Pogba's header was turned behind well by Mariano Andujar.

With only 10 men, and already a goal behind, Catania lost belief and Juve started to sense victory.

Andujar denied Bendtner before pushing away a dangerous shot from Sebastian Giovinco and denying Vidal as Juve pushed for a second goal, which they did not need to seal the win.

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

0 - 1

Arturo Vidal (57′)

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Attendance: 14000

Vidal strike sinks luckless Elefanti

Oct 28, 2012

A controversial Arturo Vidal goal was enough to hand Juventus victory when the champions travelled to the Stadio Angelo Massimino on Sunday to take on a fiery Catania.

Juventus were not at the usual best during the first half but did create a few chances that perhaps on another day may have sent them into the lead.

Mariano Andujar, in the Catania goal, can perhaps be thanked by the Sicilian club for keeping the scores level after making numerous good saves, including one strong wristed block from a close range Mirko Vucinic attempt.

Catania surged forward on numerous occasions and when Gonzalo Bergessio reacted fastest to tap in at the far post, after a flicked on Giovanni Marchese ricocheted back off the post, the home fans erupted in ecstasy.

However moments later, after the referee had discussed the incident with his linesman on the near side, the goal was subsequently disallowed for offside. Replays later showed that indeed Bergessio was onside which left a bitter taste in the mouth of the Catania supporters.

Six yellow cards were brandished in a feisty first half but it eventually ended goalless.

Twelve minutes after the break, Juventus took the lead after Andujar pushed a Nicklas Bendtner shot into the path off Arturo Vidal who slotted home to hand the champions the lead. In a sickening note for the faithful home support, Bendtner’s initial shot appeared to be taken from an offside position but none the less, the goal stood.

In more bad news for the home side, Marchese was shown his second yellow card for deliberate hand ball marched off down the tunnel making Rolando Maran’s job even harder.

Catania really struggled after being reduced to ten men and Juventus held out to secure all three points.

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

0 - 1

Arturo Vidal (57′)

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Attendance: 14000

JUVENTUS SCORES CONTROVERSIAL WIN OVER CATANIA

Oct 28, 2012

Defending champion Juventus extended its unbeaten streak to 48 games in Serie A with a controversial 1-0 win at 10-man Catania on Sunday after the Sicilian side had a goal disallowed.

Catania thought it had taken a first-half lead when Gonzalo Bergessio fired in but the strike was ruled out after almost a minute of deliberation. The reason for the disallowed goal was not immediately clear -- either offside or a handling offence.

In the aftermath of the decision, Catania President Antonino Pulvirenti was banished from the bench and in the ensuing five minutes five of its players were booked as tension between the sides rose.

To add insult to injury, Nicklas Bendtner appeared in an offside position in the buildup to Arturo Vidal's second-half goal.

Giovanni Marchese was sent off in the 67th minute after receiving his second booking to cap a miserable day for Catania.

Pulvirenti, who said the referee apologized to him, was still visibly irate after the match.

"It's not only that our goal was disallowed, but Juve's goal was offside," Pulvirenti fumed. "It's the third time decisions have gone against us after the matches against Parma and Inter. An offside goal for them and a good goal which wasn't given to us ... What's most absurd is that the goal was ruled out by the Juventus bench, the linesman had given the goal. The goal was ruled out only after Juve's protests. It's a scandal, a disgrace. They gave our goal and then ruled it out after the protests. Mistakes can happen, but decisions can't be changed after protests from the bench. I want explanations."

The stadium rocked with chants of "thieves, thieves" from the disgruntled Catania fans at the end of the match.

"On the pitch we didn't see much," Juventus assistant manager Angelo Alessio said. "The linesman lifted his flag, then I don't know what happened. No, the Juventus bench didn't do anything. The linesman was talking to the official and he made the decision. Some of our players who were closer to the incident went to the officials. A mistake can happen and it's a shame, but we played our game and wasted several scoring opportunities.

"We took control from start to finish and dominated with 11 shots on goal ... There was only one team on the field -- Juventus -- and Catania defended well. An incident can happen, we should all just move on."

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon kept another clean sheet on his 500th Serie A appearance.

With Claudio Marchisio and Lucio injured, Paul Pogba and Bendtner made their first Serie A starts.

Juventus should have taken the lead in the 14th minute when Andrea Pirlo's free kick was cleared but only as far as Kwadwo Asamoah, who unleashed a fierce shot from 30 yards, which flew just over the bar.

Catania hadn't won this fixture since 1964 but was putting pressure on Juventus. It thought it had broken the deadlock in the 25th minute.

Nicolas Spolli's header clipped Francesco Lodi and came off the post, and Bergessio was on hand to smash in the rebound. Catania players were still celebrating when the referee disallowed the goal after consulting with his assistant.

It was not clear whether it was ruled out for offside or for a handling offence by Lodi, however replays showed it had come off the Catania player's knee.

Juventus then came close to taking the lead several times towards the end of the half.

Pogba sent a 30-yard strike just over before a scramble in the area saw Catania gift the ball to Mirko Vucinic but Nicola Legrottaglie recovered in time to block his effort.

Vucinic came close but Andujar pulled off a brilliant save to deny the Montenegro striker from point-blank range.

Juventus took the lead in the 57th minute when Bendtner, who appeared to be offside, had his effort parried by Andujar but Vidal was on hand to follow up.

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

0 - 1

Arturo Vidal (57′)

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Attendance: 14000

Player Ratings

Goal.com was on hand to rate the performers at the Angelo Massimino as the Bianconeri

picked up their eighth win in nine Serie A matches in controversial fashion.

Oct 28, 2012

Catania

Mariano Gonzalo Andújar - Produced some excellent saves throughout and if it were not for him, Juventus would have won comfortably.

Nicolás Federico Spolli - Put in a solid defensive display, full of tackles and interceptions. Booked for protesting Bergessio's disallowed goal.

A. Rolín - Another solid display at the back. Booked harshly for handball.

Nicola Legrottaglie - Made some timely interceptions, including a good tackle to deny Vucinic in the first half. Also desperately unlucky to pick up a yellow for handball.

Giovanni Marchese - Bustling run down the left almost provided the opening goal, but sent off for two bookings, including a stupid handball.

Sergio Bernardo Almiron - Some direct runs and passes but faded as the game wore on.

Francesco Lodi - Had a quiet afternoon but used the ball well.

Mariano Julio Izco - Played some clever passes and put in plenty of tackles in an all-action display.

Pablo César Barrientos - Endured a poor afternoon. Had little influence on proceedings in any respect.

Gonzalo Bergessio - Unlucky not to have given his side the lead, but did not offer much else after that.

Alejandro Gómez - Good run down the right in the first half and looked tidy when his side were attacking, but eventually substituted.

Substitutions

Takayuki Morimoto - Looked lively when he came on and thought he might have had a penalty.

Juventus

Gianluigi Buffon - Untroubled throughout, though he couldn't get to Spolli's header for the disallowed goal.

Andrea Barzagli - Played an important role in a well-drilled back three, not least with his timely clearances.

Leonardo Bonucci - Made several interceptions thanks to his ability to read the game, but little else.

Giorgio Chiellini - Solid as a rock without ever excelling on what was a quiet afternoon for the Juve defence.

Stephan Lichtsteiner - Solid if unspectacular performance on the right. Did not get forward too much but helped maintain his side's shape.

Paul Pogba - Looked bright early on and was always looking for a killer pass. Flashed a fierce effort just over in the first half, but faded a little and was substituted.

Andrea Pirlo - Pulled the strings as ever. Sharper strikers than Vucinic and Bendtner would have taken advantage of his clever passing.

Arturo Vidal - Showed his goalscoring instincts as he bagged the winner. Astute with his passing from start to finish.

Kwadwo Asamoah - Lashed a powerful half volley over early on and provided a decent outlet on the left but, like Lichtsteiner, was largely quiet.

Mirko Vučinić - Wasted some good openings at the end of the first half and failed to exert any influence on the game.

Nicklas Bendtner - Looked sluggish and was often caught offside. Missed a number of chances.

Substitutions

Sebastian Giovinco - Looked bright after coming on and drew a fine save from Andujar. Should have scored late on following a fine run.

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

0 - 1

Arturo Vidal (57′)

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Attendance: 14000

The Juventus bench 'badgered and harassed' the linesman

into changing his decision, claims Catania president

The Old Lady won in controversial fashion after Bergessio's strike was incorrectly

ruled out for offside, leaving the Rossazzurri infuriated at the final whistle .

Oct 28, 2012

Catania president Antonino Pulvirenti was angered by the officials' performance in his team's defeat to Juventus at the Angelo Massimino on Sunday.

The Serie A league leaders secured a 1-0 victory in Sicily, but the hosts had taken the lead through Gonzalo Bergessio in the first half only for the goal to be disallowed for an incorrect offside decision, nearly a minute after the final touch.

"This is the third incident against us. It happened with Parma, then Inter, and now here today," Pulvirenti told Sky Sport Italia.

"The linesman had given Bergessio's goal, then disallowed it after the protests from the Juventus bench. This is more than mere psychological sublimation to bigger clubs, it is something more.

"It is shameful that the players who were warming up like Simone Pepe and Emanuele Giaccherini got the goal chalked off by harassing the linesman."

He added: "Mistakes can happen, but the real issue here is that the linesman had made a decision and changes his mind after being badgered and harassed by the Juventus bench.

"What are we supposed to do? Sit back and passively accept these things? There are seven officials and nobody seems to notice anything."

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

0 - 1

Arturo Vidal (57′)

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Attendance: 14000

Alessio: 'Juve dominated'

Oct 28, 2012

Juventus assistant manager Angelo Alessio insists they “dominated” Catania and brushed off the controversial goal incidents in the 1-0 victory.

The Elefantini had broken the deadlock with Gonzalo Bergessio, but his goal was incorrectly ruled offside after virulent protests from the Bianconeri bench. Arturo Vidal eventually netted the winner when Nicklas Bendtner was marginally offside in the build-up.

“On the pitch we didn’t see much. The linesman lifted his flag, then I don’t know what happened,” Alessio told Sky Sport Italia.

Catania President Antonino Pulvirenti was livid and accused the Juventus bench of getting the goal disallowed with their protests.

“No, the Juventus bench didn’t do anything. The linesman was talking to the official and he made the decision.

“Some of our players who were closer to the incident went to the officials. A mistake can happen and it’s a shame, but we played our game and wasted several scoring opportunities.

“We took control from start to finish and dominated with 11 shots on goal, making Mariano Andujar the Man of the Match. That says it all. There was only one team on the field – Juventus – and Catania defended well.

“Not allowing anything to players like Papu Gomez, Gonzalo Bergessio and Pablo Barrientos is a great compliment for our defenders.

“An incident can happen, we should all just move on.”

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

0 - 1

Arturo Vidal (57′)

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Attendance: 14000

Pulvirenti: 'Juve harassed ref!'

Oct 28, 2012

Catania President Antonino Pulvirenti blamed Juventus for “disallowing the goal with their protests” and harassing the referees.

The Bianconeri won 1-0 in Sicily this afternoon, but Catania had scored first with a Gonzalo Bergessio goal that was at first awarded and then disallowed for an incorrect offside call 40 seconds later.

“This is the third incident against us. It happened with Parma, then Inter and now you all saw what happened today,” blasted Pulvirenti on Sky Sport Italia.

“What are we supposed to do? Sit back and passively accept these things? There are seven officials and nobody seems to notice anything.

“The linesman had given Bergessio’s goal, then disallowed it after the protests from the Juventus bench. This is more than mere psychological sublimation to bigger clubs, it is something more.

“The Juventus bench disallowed the goal with their protests. It is shameful that players who were warming up like Simone Pepe and Emanuele Giaccherini got the goal chalked off by harassing the linesman. Someone explain this to me!

"Mistakes can happen, but the real issue here is that the linesman had made a decision and changed his mind after being badgered and harassed by the Juventus bench."

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

0 - 1

Arturo Vidal (57′)

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Attendance: 14000

Marotta: 'Ref error not decisive'

Oct 28, 2012

Juventus director Beppe Marotta maintains the incorrectly disallowed Catania goal “would not have been decisive in this match.”

The Elefantini would have taken the lead when Gonzalo Bergessio’s first half strike was ruled offside, but the referee and his assistants got it wrong. Juve eventually won 1-0 in the second half with Arturo Vidal’s tap-in, though there were offside suspicions here too.

“The Catania goal was clean, but it would not have been decisive in this match,” insisted director general Marotta.

“Nobody can say Juventus would not have overturned the result, especially if we consider that we dominated for the whole game.

“I recognise it was a mistake by the referee, but at the same time I saw our victory was absolutely deserved.

“I saw the footage again and there was a consultation between the referee, the linesman and the goal line judge. It therefore seems illogical to insinuate that our players have such power to force officials into changing their minds.”

Juventus were once again not exactly impressive and Marotta believes the Champions League participation is taking its toll.

“European games are taking away some energy from us and on some occasions you can see the fatigue, but we still performed well and earned the three points.”

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

0 - 1

Arturo Vidal (57′)

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Attendance: 14000

Referee may have helped Juventus beat Catania,

but conspiracy talk is ridiculous

The Bianconeri were helped out by horrendous officiating in Sicily, but they are not

the only side to receive big decisions in their favour, and calls of a fix are preposterous.

Oct 28, 2012

COMMENT

By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Writer

We have seen it a million times before, and we will see it a million more. We saw it plenty of times around the footballing world this weekend, with Serie A alone providing plenty of examples. Poor refereeing decisions are the bane of the game’s existence, but they also give the sport's massive band of followers something to chew over in the local on a Sunday night. Yet when it involves Juventus, there are so many extra connotations.

On Sunday in Catania, Juve won by virtue of a shocking refereeing call. After 25 minutes, the home side took the lead when Nicolas Spolli’s header escaped the attention of the Bianconeri back-line, hit the post and was tapped in by Gonzalo Bergessio. The Argentine wheeled away in delight, followed by his team-mates. The goal caption on millions of TVs read Catania 1-0 Juventus. The score boxes of most of the world’s internet play-by-play updates said the same. But then came the twist.

While Catania celebrated, referee's assistant Luca Maggiani was busy speaking to goal-line official Nicola Rizzoli over the officials’ communication system. He wanted clarification from his colleague as to whether Francesco Lodi had got a touch on the ball as it made its way from Spolli to the post, believing that Bergessio had been in an offside position when the midfielder swung at the ball. After Maggiani and Rizzoli had conferred, referee Andrea Gervasoni was clearly seen asking Maggiani “E’ fuorigioco?” (“Is he offside?”) The answer was in the affirmative, and the goal was ruled out.

Only it should not have been. On both the header from Spolli and the apparent touch by Lodi, Bergessio was clearly onside; so much so, he was standing shoulder to shoulder with Kwadwo Asamoah, who was goal-side of him as the last defender. It was a horrible, astounding decision which contributed massively to the Old Lady’s 1-0 win, compounded by a debatable onside call on Nicklas Bendtner in the build-up to Arturo Vidal's winner. But that is as far as we can seriously believe it goes, surely?

“The Bergessio goal was ruled out by the Juventus bench, the linesman had given it,” said Elefanti president Antonio Pulvirenti after the game, and he was not the only one to think it. Twitter was flooded immediately with talk of “It is the Juve way” and “Juve are the definition of cheating," but that is always likely to be the first reaction of those with long memories.

Calciopoli is still less than a decade ago, Sulley Muntari’s ghost goal remains fresh in the mind, and there have been other smaller incidents since that February controversy which many still point to which have gone in Juve’s favour.

But which club has not had a ludicrous decision go in their favour? On Saturday, Ignazio Abate was offside in the build-up to AC Milan’s winner against Genoa, the following day Roma lost to a penalty which was awarded to Udinese for a dramatic fall by Roberto Pereyra in full view of both the referee and the goal-line official. Even Cristian Ledesma’s red card for Lazio at Fiorentina only seemed to come long after referee Mauro Bergonzi had heard calls from the home supporters to produce a second yellow card. Over in England, Manchester United received a helping hand from Mark Clattenburg’s decision to send Fernando Torres off for a dive that never was, reducing Chelsea to nine men in the process.

Juventus are not the only beneficiaries of rubbish decisions, but their moments are the ones everybody loves to remember. “Serie A is fixed” alleged one tweet sent to this writer seconds after Bergessio’s disallowed goal, yet nothing similar was sent about the Premier League following the Torres decision later in the day.

It’s nothing new in reaction to the Old Lady being helped out by a bad decision, but towards the end of the last campaign it was Bianconeri fans claiming the same as they adjudged themselves to be on the wrong end of several bad penalty decisions. Before the closing weeks, they had been awarded one spot-kick all season, despite a string of notable shouts, leading to press silences being enforced throughout the club at a time when title rivals Milan were being handed penalty after penalty.

When it comes down to it, big teams get big calls regularly. In Italy and elsewhere. And champions particularly seem to receive a fair share in their favour. Inter got them post-Calciopoli, they were awarded to Milan in the early part of this decade, and Juventus are benefitting from them now that they have returned as the game’s leading force. But referees make bad calls here, there and everywhere.

Just last week, Alejandro Gomez was clearly fouled in the penalty area by Fredy Guarin at a key moment of Catania’s trip to Inter, but no spot-kick was given and moments later Rodrigo Palacio tied up a 2-0 win for the Nerazzurri. It was not nearly as atrocious a decision as Maggiani’s on Sunday, but the sum total was the same. Catania were denied a goal against one of the game’s big clubs.

The Catanias, Genoas, Bolognas etc of the world are used to calls going against them. It is the peril of being a provincial side. There is less intangible pressure coming from the ranks of a smaller club when it comes to an official making up his mind on a turning point in the game. Luca Maggiani made an awful error based on something he thought he saw. Just because conspiracy theorists would love to believe he deliberately went in Juve’s favour, it does not mean for one second that he did.

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

0 - 1

Arturo Vidal (57′)

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Attendance: 14000

Pulvirenti makes linesman claim

Oct 29, 2012

Catania chief Antonino Pulvirenti has alleged that assistant referee Luca Maggiani – the man at the centre of yesterday’s controversial loss to Juventus – is a Bianconero fan.

“There is a picture of Juve’s Scudetto on his Facebook page,” Pulvirenti claimed in an interview with Radio Anch’Io Sport.

“Everyone can support whichever team they want. But after what happened on Sunday and how he was influenced, tell me what we should think. I’m shocked.”

At this time, it seems that the Facebook page in question is not actually his.

“I’ve printed it out,” Pulvirenti continued. “If it is not authentic then I will apologise. I’m not an expert, but I do think it is his profile.”

Maggiani hit the headlines at the weekend when he ruled out a perfectly good goal by Catania, with the score at 0-0.

“We can accept an error, but something more happened,” the Massimino chief continued. “It seems clear that there is psychological sublimation.”

Pulvirenti argued after the 1-0 loss that Maggiani was forced into his decision after being pressurised by the Juventus players on the bench.

“The Juventus players deserve a severe punishment,” he added. “President Andrea Agnelli, who wants to reform football, should start from the simplest things.

“He should ask for his side to be handed a 3-0 loss. That would be a great gesture. Had the roles been reversed, we would have had three players dismissed from our bench…”

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.)

0 - 1

Arturo Vidal (57′)

Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania

Referee: Andrea Gervasoni

Attendance: 14000

Marotta defends Juventus in ref storm

Oct 29, 2012

Juventus director general Beppe Marotta has rubbished claims that they are in charge of some sort of refereeing conspiracy.

The Old Lady have been placed in the middle of a storm after Catania had a good goal disallowed on Sunday, while Juve won the game with a strike that should have been ruled out.

“I agree with the analysis of refereeing mistakes,” Marotta told Radio Anch’Io Sport on Monday morning.

“There have been mistakes and there will be mistakes, but I do not accept the allegations being thrown at us.

“Or the insinuations that we got the referee to change his decision. I do not want to hear about any kind of plot and I intend to defend the world Juventus.

“And who is to say that Catania’s goal, had it been awarded, would have decided the outcome of the game?”

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

[Socrates 8296]

Serie A Team of the Week:

Di Natale double takes the plaudits in controversial weekend

Goal.com looks at the star performers from the latest round

of Italian league action at the weekend.

Oct 29, 2012

There were big decisions made by officials in Serie A this weekend, but the performances of the players made for some tough calls when compiling Goal.com's latest Team of the Week.

Amidst the mayhem at the Massimino came a cool display in between the sticks from Catania's Mariano Andujar, despite not being able to prevent Juventus from taking a controversial victory back to Turin.

In defence, Andrea Ranocchia again makes our team after scoring the opener in Inter's victory at Bologna, and he is joined by Andrea Barzagli, who helped Juventus prevent a single shot on target (Gonzalo Bergessio's aside!) against Catania. Davide Astori gets the final spot for his assured display in Cagliari's excellent away day win at Sampdoria.

The midfield quartet supplies a little bit of everything. On the right, Juan Cuadrado contributed both with and without the ball as Fiorentina beat Lazio, while Marek Hamsik's superior energy helped him see off Chievo and score Napoli's only goal in their Sunday night win. Esteban Cambiasso repeated a feat he managed in Inter's treble-winning season of three years ago, scoring in a 3-1 win at Bologna, and Jonathan Biabiany was the star of the show in Parma's victory at Torino.

Up front, two players emerge from the same fixture. Erik Lamela grabbed a quickfire double to give Roma what seemed like a winning lead, but Antonio Di Natale struck back with two of his own as Udinese took all three points in stunning fashion. The final man in our XI is birthday boy Stephan El Shaarawy, who gave his old Genoa side a torrid time before slotting home AC Milan's winner on Saturday night.

ANDUJAR (Catania)

RANOCCHIA (Inter) - BARZAGLI (Juventus) - ASTORI (Cagliari)

CUADRADO (Fiorentina) - HAMSIK (Napoli) - CAMBIASSO (Inter) - BIABIANY (Parma)

LAMELA (Roma) - DI NATALE (Udinese) - EL SHAARAWY (Milan)