Juventus Season 2012-2013

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Sneijder unlikely to feature against Juventus, admits Stramaccioni

The midfielder recently returned to the training pitch after a one-month layoff,

but next Saturday's encounter might come too soon for him to make his comeback.

Oct 29, 2012

Inter trainer Andrea Stramaccioni has revealed that Wesley Sneijder is unlikely to be fully match fit in time for the Nerazzurri's crunch clash against Juventus.

The Netherlands international has been out of action ever since picking up a thigh injury in the 2-0 win over Chievo on September 26, but recently resumed training again.

However, Stramaccioni has no intention of rushing his playmaker's comeback and feels the game in Turin will come too soon for Sneijder.

"I don’t think he’ll make it for Turin. It’s senseless to force it if we just risk losing him again," Stramaccioni said at a press conference.

Sneijder has made five Serie A appearances for Inter so far this term, scoring one goal in the process.

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Toppling Juventus will be a difficult task, says Napoli sports director

The Partenopei chief has commented on the challenge his side will face

in beating the Bianconeri this season, but tipped them for a successful campaign.

Oct 29, 2012

Napoli sports director Riccardo Bigon says his club face a difficult task in toppling Juventus from the top of the Serie A table.

The Old Lady grabbed a controversial 1-0 win over Catania at the Angelo Massimino on Sunday, after which the losing side's president expressed his anger over Gonzalo Bergessio's disallowed strike.

"It will be hard if Juventus continue to win when they don't play very well," Bigon told Gazetta dello Sport.

"Referees said that every time you go away from the technical area you will be booked, but in Catania this situation was different."

Concerning his side's championship ambitions this season, the 41-year-old added: "We are sure that Napoli will fire until the end of the season for the first, second or third position."

Juventus, who face Bologna on Wednesday at home, are currently enjoying a three-point lead over Napoli in Serie A.

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Serie A Week 10 - 31/10/2012 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Romeo

Juventus scrap Alessio conference

Oct 30, 2012

Juventus will remain silent ahead of their game against Bologna in the wake of the Catania storm.

The club have decided to cancel the pre-game Press conference which would have seen assistant boss Angelo Alessio face questions.

The Old Lady will play the Rossoblu at the Juventus Stadium on Wednesday night where they will be looking to tighten their grip on the Serie A leadership.

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

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Serie A Week 10 - 31/10/2012 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Romeo

Pioli: 'Every ball decisive with Juve'

Oct 30, 2012

Bologna Coach Stefano Pioli warns “every ball could be decisive” in tomorrow’s trip to the Juventus Stadium.

The Rossoblu are coming off a run of three consecutive defeats and face the runaway Serie A leaders. Click here for a match preview.

“We are taking on the strongest team in Serie A, so must have the same spirit we showed against Inter,” he said of Sunday’s 3-1 home defeat.

“That performance against Inter was positive and we must continue in that vein to have consistency. We must learn to carry the starting mentality all the way through to the end of games.

“In Turin every action must be faced with tenacity and aggression, as this is going to take a significant performance. Every ball could be decisive.”

Bologna must do without star trequartista Alessandro Diamanti, who sits out a ban, plus the injured Diego Perez, Gianluca Curci, Cesare Natali, Robert Acquafresca and Henry Gimenez.

It means Manolo Gabbiadini and Saphir Taider, who are both on loan from Juventus, should partner Alberto Gilardino.

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

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Serie A Week 10 - 31/10/2012 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Romeo

Official: Marchisio out of Juve-Bologna

Oct 30, 2012

It is now official that Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal are out of Juventus-Bologna, but Lucio returns to the side.

Marchisio already missed Sunday’s 1-0 win in Catania due to an ankle injury and was in doubt for tomorrow night’s match too.

Coach Antonio Conte released his squad for the midweek Serie A round and Marchisio is not on the list.

Neither is fellow midfielder Vidal, who sits out a ban, so there will be big changes in the middle of the park.

Defender Lucio is back after skipping the Catania trip with a fitness problem.

Juventus squad for Bologna: 1 Buffon, 2 Lucio, 3 Chiellini, 4 Caceres, 6 Pogba, 7 Pepe, 9 Vucinic, 11 De Ceglie, 12 Giovinco, 15 Barzagli, 17 Bendtner, 19 Bonucci, 20 Padoin, 21 Pirlo, 22 Asamoah, 24 Giaccherini, 26 Lichtsteiner, 27 Quagliarella, 30 Storari, 32 Matri, 33 Isla, 34 Rubinho, 39 Marrone

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

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Serie A Week 10 - 31/10/2012 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Romeo

Juventus - Bologna Preview:

The Old Lady try to extend their lead at the top of Serie A

The Bianconeri were criticised for their controversial win on Sunday

against Catania, and will hope to beat the Rossoblu in incident-free circumstances.

Oct 30, 2012

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

JUVENTUS

Buffon

Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini

Caceres, Pogba, Pirlo, Padoin, Asamoah

Matri, Giovinco

BOLOGNA

Agliardi

Motta, Antonsson, Cherubin, Morleo

Kone, Pazienza, Guarente

Taider

Gabbiadini, Gilardino

The Serie A champions are expected to stick with their successful 3-5-2 formation, retaining the experienced defence that shut out Catania on the weekend. Meanwhile, Paul Pogba is likely to keep his place in midfield, with Claudio Marchisio replacing Arturo Vidal.

On the flanks Kwadwo Asamoah will again play from the left, while Martin Caceres gets the nod on the right, with Stephan Lichtsteiner starting the game on the bench.

Up front it is all change as the fresh Alessandro Matri and Sebastian Giovinco replace Mirko Vucinic and Nicklas Bendtner, who were unable to score at the weekend.

Bologna will be determined to bounce back from Sunday's loss to Inter, and in their endeavour to do so the Rossoblu will push Saphir Taider further forward to replace Alessandro Diamanti. Elsewhere, the team remains the same, though Marco Motta could start at right-back against his permanent employers.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Juventus have the best defensive record in Serie A - conceding only four times in league games this season.

• The Bianconeri are yet to lose a competitive game in the 2012-13 campaign, after going the entire season undefeated in Serie A last term.

• Under Antonio Conte's stewardship, Juve are yet to lose against Bologna, winning once and drawing three times.

• Bologna last won this fixture in February 2011, as Marco Di Vaio helped himself to two goals.

• However, that remains the Rossoblu's sole victory against the Old Lady in their last 10 meetings in all competitions, and is their only win in Serie A at Juventus ever.

• Forward Manolo Gabbiadini - who has yet to score this campaign - is currently on a season-long loan at Bologna from Juve, as is defender Marco Motta.

Head to Head

Serie A ‎- Mar 7, 2012- Bologna 1 - Juventus 1

Coppa Italia ‎- Dec 8, 2011 - Juventus 2 - Bologna 1

Serie A ‎- Sep 21, 2011 -Juventus 1 - Bologna 1

Serie A ‎- Feb 26, 2011 - Juventus 0 - Bologna 2

Serie A ‎- Oct 24, 2010 - Bologna 0 - Juventus 0

Last Five Matches

Juventus

Oct 28, 2012 - Catania 0 - Juventus 1 - Serie A

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

Bologna

Oct 28, 2012 - Bologna 1 - FC Internazionale 3 - Serie A

Oct 21, 2012 - Cagliari 1 - Bologna 0 - Serie A

Oct 7, 2012 - Fiorentina 1 - Bologna 0 - Serie A

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

Sep 27, 2012 - Siena 1 - Bologna 0 - Serie A

Players to Watch

Andrea Pirlo

If Bologna let the talented 33-year-old sit and dictate play like he is so accustomed to doing for Antonio Conte's side, then, it could yet well be a long night for the visitors. He has shown critics that, despite heading into his twilight years, he is still capable of turning in a performance for the national side too, the Felsinei would be foolish to ignore the threat of Pirlo.

Alberto Gilardino

The former AC Milan man will need to be closely watched by the Juventus defence if they are to successfully shut out the opposition. Gilardino has been in good form so far this season, with five goals in eight league games, and he will no doubt be sniffing around for chances again on Wednesday.

Prediction

The hosts continue to storm through their Serie A campaign and Bologna do not have the form or quality to test a confident Bianconeri.

Editor's Prediction

Juventus 2 - 1 Bologna

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

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Serie A Week 10 - 31/10/2012 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Romeo

Pioli: We need to be aggressive against Juventus

The Bologna coach has warned his players that every touch will need

to be met with tenacity if they are to get anything from the game.

Oct 31, 2012

Stefano Pioli has demanded his side display aggression ahead of their clash with Juventus on Wednesday night.

Bologna travel to Juventus Stadium after a string of three successive defeats, and the 47-year-old understands that his men will have to show the same level of character he saw in their 3-1 loss to Inter.

"In Turin, every action must be faced with tenacity and aggression, as this is going to take a significant performance. Every ball could be decisive,” he told reporters at a press conference.

"We are taking on the strongest team in Serie A, so must have the same spirit we showed against Inter.

“That performance was positive and we must continue in that vein to have consistency. We must learn to carry the starting mentality all the way through to the end of games."

After nine games, Bologna are sat in 18th place in Serie A, while the Bianconeri are three points clear at the top.

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

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Serie A Week 10 - 31/10/2012 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Romeo

Juve face midweek taboo

Oct 31, 2012

Italian champions and League leaders Juventus may be on an immense unbeaten run, but they don’t know how to win in midweek…

The Old Lady have played four games in midweek so far this season and they have drawn all four to date.

Their three Champions League games against Chelsea, Shakhtar Donetsk and Nordsjaelland all ended level.

Meanwhile, in Week 5 of the Serie A season, they drew 0-0 at Fiorentina.

The Bianconeri host Bologna at the Juventus Stadium tonight.

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

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Serie A Week 10 - 31/10/2012 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Romeo

Juventus prepare for Inter

Oct 31, 2012

Juventus boss Antonio Conte is expected to rest a host of first team regulars against Bologna tonight given the weekend arrival of Inter.

Conte hasn’t been shy in rotating his side this season and there should be some substantial changes this evening, especially in midfield.

Claudio Marchisio hasn’t been included in the squad because of an ankle problem, while Arturo Vidal is suspended.

Simone Padoin, Emanuele Giaccherini and Paul Pogba are all in competition with each other to start in their places.

At the back, Martin Caceres is expected to replace Giorgio Chiellini, while Mauricio Isla may step in for Stephan Lichtsteiner on the right of the 3-5-2.

In attack, Fabio Quagliarella should partner Nicklas Bendtner.

Bologna, meanwhile, will be without the banned Alessandro Diamanti. Manolo Gabbiadini, part-owned by Juve, could thus get a start.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Barzagli; Isla, Giaccherini (Padoin), Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Quagliarella, Bendtner.

Bologna: Agliardi; Sorensen, Antonsson, Cherubin; Motta, Kone, Pazienza, Morleo; Taider; Gabbiadini, Gilardino.

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

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Serie A Week 10 - 31/10/2012 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Romeo

Bologna look to last season

Oct 31, 2012

Juventus may not have it all their own way in tonight’s game against Bologna given the events of last season.

The Rossoblu were the only side in the Division who avoided defeat to the Old Lady in both of their Serie A clashes.

The League games between the two clubs ended 1-1, with Mirko Vucinic on target in both encounters. He was also sent-off in the first encounter in Turin.

The two clubs also met at the Juventus Stadium in the Coppa Italia and the Bianconeri needed extra-time to win it.

The tie again ended 1-1 at the 90 minute mark before Claudio Marchisio came off the bench to net in the 102nd minute of the match.

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

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Serie A Week 10 - 31/10/2012 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Romeo

MATCH PREVIEW

Oct 31, 2012

After the storm of controversy generated on the weekend, Juventus will be glad to shift focus back onto the pitch against Bologna.

The Bianconeri were fortunate to leave Catania with all three points on Sunday. Gonzalo Bergessio was denied the opening goal for an offside that never was, the goal initially awarded to the Sicilians only for the decision to be reversed. And later, when Nicklas Bendtner received a pass from Mirko Vucinic, he did so in an offside position. Arturo Vidal converted the Dane’s rebound for the deciding goal.

Catania president Antonino Pulvirenti claimed the initial call was something more than psychological sublimation. Bianconeri director Giuseppe Marotta retorted that it was not decisive in the final outcome as Juve had controlled proceedings. While they had chances, once again Juventus wasted a number of fine opportunities and were denied by an inspired Mariano Andujar.

Match-winner Vidal sits out due to yellow card accumulation, while Claudio Marchisio returns from injury. Paul Pogba will retain his place.

Bologna proved threatening at times, but were ultimately outmatched by Inter in a 3-1 home defeat on Sunday. In driving rain the hosts started better but were left to play catch-up after the Nerazzurri struck. Stefano Pioli would rue the Rossoblu’s missed chances and the fact they were caught out at the other end.

It means the Felsinei have lost four of their past five matches in Serie A. They languish just one position above the relegation zone. Concerning for Pioli ahead of this trip is that Bologna have scored merely three times on the road – all within the space of 20 minutes versus Roma.

The tactician has also been dealt a blow by Alessandro Diamanti's suspension. He joins a long casualty list which contains Diego Perez, Gianluca Curci, Dejan Stojanovic, Cesare Natali, Robert Acquafresca and Henry Gimenez.

Last term’s 1-1 draw in this fixture saw Bologna peg back the hosts to become the first team to take points away from the Juventus Stadium. It was the 25th stalemate between the clubs overall, in a fixture Juve have dominated. The hosts have won 37 times to Bologna’s five.

Keep an eye on: Manolo Gabbiadini (Bologna) – Co-owned by Juventus, the Rossoblu striker is yet to find the mark for the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara outfit. Gabbiadini needs to break the duck to keep Acquafresca on the bench when he returns from injury, and a goal against his employers would be a good start.

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

Last season: Juventus 1-1 Bologna

Stat fact: Mirko Vucinic netted his first goal for the Old Lady against Bologna. It was also his third in total versus the Rossoblu.

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Caceres, Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Matri, Giovinco

Bologna: Agliardi; Motta, Antonsson, Cherubin, Morleo; Kone, Pazienza, Guarente; Taider; Gabbiadini, Gilardino

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

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Serie A Week 10 - 31/10/2012 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Romeo

Juventus v Bologna: Preview

Oct 31, 2012

Bologna boss Stefano Pioli has called on his players to replicate the heart they showed against Inter last Sunday when they face Juventus tomorrow night.

The northern Italian outfit were beaten 3-1 at the weekend and are second-bottom of Serie A with just two victories from their opening nine fixtures.

In contrast, last seasons champions Juventus top the table and their unbeaten run stretches back as far as last May.

"I hope to see tomorrow in my players the same spirit on Sunday, knowing that now face the strongest opponent of the season,'' he told reporters this afternoon.

"We are working on different angles and situations and it is clear that the impact on the match with Inter has been positive: I still believe that we lack a little to get to the result and we must learn to finish the game with the same mentality with which we begin.

"The performance in Turin will be important, in which each ball may be the decisive one. The only thought of myself and my staff all work together to grow in consistency and continuity.''

Their opponents head into the match at the Juventus Stadium off the back of a controversial 1-0 win over Catania.

The Elephants had a goal disallowed in their 1-0 loss, but only after the referee initially signalled a goal and then changed his mind following vehement protests from the Juve bench.

Juve have cancelled all media activities in protest at the way assistant coach Angelo Alessio was questioned by reporters after the match.

Both teams have a player suspended for the game with Alessandro Diamanti missing out for Bologna, while Arturo Vidal will also be absent.

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

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Serie A Week 10 - 31/10/2012 (08:45 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Andrea Romeo

Juventus vs Bologna PREVIEW:

Time To Take Care Of Business

Oct 31, 2012

Juventus take on Bologna on Wednesday evening as part of a full midweek round of fixtures amid yet more accusations of cheating and skulduggery. Previewing the match, Adam Digby tells us to embrace the hate, here’s why:

Once more into the breach dear friends. Yes, in the clearest indication yet that our beloved Old Lady is back in her customary seat at the head of the Serie A table, the knives are out as opponents begin talking about conspiracies and men behind the curtain. Yet without a hate figure like Luciano Moggi to paint as the grand puppeteer, the attacks have a hollow feel to them, taking on an air of desperation as straws are clutched at across the peninsula.

Nowhere is that more evident than in the comments of a man Juventini love to hate, Massimo Moratti. Asked his views on Sunday’s events in Catania the Inter President did not let us down as he told reporters outside his Milan offices:

I was a bit struck by yesterday’s match in Catania. Although in the run-up to Saturday’s match I wouldn’t want to intensify the less than perfect understanding that exists between Inter and Juventus fans.

I don’t think there’s any need to emphasize what the newspapers have emphasized perfectly. The situation from Sunday is absurd, but we always need to hope that it was just an error, and we can only hope that such serious errors don’t happen again.

Not yet, not yet!

Andrea Agnelli gave a typically tub-thumping retort (imagine Maximus asking the Colluseum “Are you not entertained?” and you’re not far off the mark) but, before we get caught up in this never ending round of claim and counter-claim that the impending Derby d’Italia always seems to become – and here’s a point Antonio Conte will be making most pointedly, probably armed with his trusty nailed baseball bat – let’s deal with Bologna first!

Yes, contrary to popular belief, there is another match to be sandwiched in between the circus that the post-Catania media coverage has become, the pressure described by Agnelli as ‘a siege wonderfully annulled by the folks at Panorama.it who produced a league table showing the Bianconeri would still be on top were every incorrect decision reversed.

The club have taken the decision to cancel the traditional pre-match press conference after Angelo Alessio was verbally attacked by the press pack in Sicily, a calculated move that will prevent further distraction and allow the team to focus fully on the match against the Felsinei.

Bologna

The Rossoblu are struggling this term, languishing in seventeenth place with just two wins – against Roma and Catania – to their name and have lost six of their opening nine matches. Shorn of the remarkable goal scoring and leadership displayed by former Juve man Marco Di Vaio in recent seasons and, having sold Uruguayan starlet Gaston Ramirez to Southampton, are in search of a completely new identity under another who once donned the famous Bianconeri stripes, Coach Stefano Pioli.

Having added the traditional ‘sacked by Zamparini’ line to his resume last year, the 46 year old – a bit-part player in Giovanni Trapattoni’s all-conquering Juve side in the 1980’s – took charge at the Dall’Ara last October and guided them to an impressive ninth place finish. However, they have yet to find similar form this season and have lost their last three matches.

The last six encounters between Bologna and Juventus have resulted in three draws and two wins for the Bianconeri, with the Felsinei earning an embarrassing 2-0 win in Turin against Gigi Delneri’s Juve in February 2011.

2012-13 sees Alberto Gilardino attempting to replace Di Vaio and he has done well, grabbing five goals in seven appearances, earning an Italy recall alongside team-mate Alessandro Diamanti who has notched two goals and two assists himself from a withdrawn role behind Gila. Pioli has constantly switched formation, alternating between a three and four man defence and playing with one or two strikers – the second of which is usually Manolo Gabbiadini, on loan from Juventus – as he searches for the right combinations.

They have been content to sit deep and strike on the counter, playing with speed and width which always makes them dangerous when play breaks down and the ability of Gilardino to find space and get on the end of crosses is perhaps their greatest weapon. A yellow card at the weekend robs them of Diamanti’s creativity and a number of long term injuries mean it is a much weakened line-up travelling to Turin which features former Juve ‘players’ Marco Motta and Michele Pazienza.

Probable Formation (4-3-1-2): AGLIARDI, MOTTA, ANTONSSON, CHERUBIN, MORLEO; KONE, PAZIENZA, GUARENTE; TAIDER; GABBIADINI, GILARDINO

Juventus

As much as they must focus on this game, it is hard not to think Conte will rotate the squad somewhat with the prospect of facing a flying Inter just four days later. The suspension of Arturo Vidal for an accumulation of yellow cards is well timed, resting the Chilean midfielder who has looked jaded in recent weeks.

The lack of impact made by Nicklas Bendtner against Catania has many reporting that, in a bid to keep Mirko Vucinic fresh for the kind of big game he is famous for deciding, Alessandro Matri may once more be given an opportunity alongside Sebastian Giovinco in attack while Sky Italia claim Emmanuele Giaccherini will get the nod over Claudio Marchisio in midfield.

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

Of course we expect to see the 3-5-2 formation, now seemingly the default setting for Conte’s Juve but it is not the shape of the side causing most concern. Even the lack of goals coming from the forwards is becoming a secondary issue to the lack of impetus across the squad as a whole and, while a number of ‘experts’ believe the formation is the root of this problem, it is clearly far more to do with the motivation and mindset of the players within the squad.

Alessio, a markedly more gentile Coach than either Conte or Massimo Carrera, must find a way to rediscover the gritty determination that became a hallmark last term, something no amount of tactical tinkering or chalkboard analysis can solve. It is down to this group of men, this Juventus, this team to find, starting on Wednesday night and continuing against Inter at the weekend.

The hate has returned, meaning Juventus are once again feared. Just as we despised being liked – to the point of pity – under Claudio Ranieri and Delneri, we should be thankful for that vitriol, soak it up Juventini, it means we are back! The time for talk is over, the Bianconeri need to stand up and take care of business.

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