Juventus Season 2012-2013

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 24 - 9-2-2013 (6:00 p.m.)

2 - 0

Mirko Vučinić (20′)

Alessandro Matri (42′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni

Attendance: 38000

Viviano in Juve shirt row

Feb 10, 2013

Fiorentina defended Emiliano Viviano after the goalkeeper was spotted apparently throwing Andrea Pirlo’s Juventus shirt to the ground.

“I had no intention of lacking respect towards Pirlo, who I admire a great deal, nor Juventus and the Turin fans,” explained Viviano.

“Borja Valero promply picked up the jersey he had exchanged with Pirlo after we had saluted the fans.”

The incident occurred after a 2-0 defeat in Turin on Saturday, as Borja Valero was walking around with Pirlo’s shirt slung over his shoulder.

Viviano was seen whispering something in the Spaniard’s ear, removing the jersey from his shoulder and flinging it to the ground.

Juventus fans were furious and saw this as a huge sign of disrespect, especially as Viviano is a lifelong Fiorentina supporter who has a tattoo of the club symbol.

However, Fiorentina sources spoke to Sportmediaset and assured them Viviano’s move was out of a sense of responsibility.

Borja Valero was heading to the away end to salute the fans and it might’ve been ‘insulting’ for them to see him wearing the shirt of their bitter rivals.

It is claimed Viviano was far more aware of the Fiorentina ultras’ feelings about these matters and was trying to protect newcomer Borja Valero from criticism.

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

[Socrates 8328]

Serie A Week 24 - 9-2-2013 (6:00 p.m.)

2 - 0

Mirko Vučinić (20′)

Alessandro Matri (42′)

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni

Attendance: 38000

Elusive Vucinic sends Celtic a warning

ahead of Juventus' Champions League crunch

The Montenegrin's display against Fiorentina gave onlooking Glaswegians

cause for concern ahead of Tuesday's crucial first leg.

Feb 10, 2013

COMMENT

By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Writer

The weekly debates over Juventus’ forward line take place on many a message board across the world and in countless bars and restaurants in Turin and beyond, but very few appear to end with the conclusion that Mirko Vucinic shouldn't be considered a virtual guaranteed starter amongst the current group.

While Sebastian Giovinco continues to frustrate more often than he delights, Fabio Quagliarella finds it difficult to earn more than one start on the trot, and Alessandro Matri wastes far too many good positions to command a regular place, Vucinic is the one man who seems to get the nod more often than not. And there is a good reason for that.

He showcased during his Roma days exactly what he could do. From the left of a 4-2-3-1, he would provide a threat from wide, regularly cutting in and running at space, scaring the back-pedalling opposition half to death. Or, when chosen up top, he would show an ability to play with his back to goal, bringing in the three behind him to good effect. Never did he purport himself to be a 20-goal-a-season striker, but he did display a knack for frightening opponents at frequent intervals.

And 18 months on from arriving in Turin, the Montenegrin has largely delivered on what he was brought in to do. He is still not a deadly marksman, but he never was. What he has done, though, is play his chameleon-like role in the forward line which has defenders longing for the night to be over. He was at it again on Saturday as Juve saw off Fiorentina with a commanding performance which set them up perfectly for Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Scotland to face Celtic.

The 29-year-old seemed to be on a one-man mission to finish the game off early against the Viola. First he lashed a shot wide from 20 yards as he got his eye in against a visiting defence which was slow to close him down, then his excellent touch with two men on his back helped make room for Claudio Marchisio to shoot just wide of Emiliano Viviano’s left-hand post. On 20 minutes he finally grabbed the goal he deserved, taking a touch from Facundo Roncaglia’s weak clearance and firing a superb volley to the right of Viviano.

Thereafter, he continued to cause Vincenzo Montella’s side headaches. One minute he was dropping off and dragging a marker into midfield, leaving space for Juve runners to advance into the vacated space. The next he was making runs on the shoulder of the last defender, pulling two men towards him and giving the Fiorentina back line a more stretched appearance elsewhere.

He should have had a second goal when he picked the pocket of Gonzalo Rodriguez and went through one-on-one against Viviano, but somehow shot straight at the keeper. Matri would close the game out soon afterwards in any case. After the break, he kept causing havoc, and Stephan Lichtsteiner could have done better after Vucinic had slipped him into a good crossing position having found space on the right with another ghosting run off the ball. The Gigliati just didn’t have a clue how to stop the elusive forward finding space.

Juventini will now be hoping that Vucinic recovers from the knee injury which saw his evening end on the hour-mark. Because while others around him are undoubtedly failing to live up to their billing, the former Lecce man is the closest thing Antonio Conte has to a constant in his forward line. Thankfully, the early signs suggest he’ll be available.

Come Tuesday, Juventus will be much more likely to get the job done if he is in the starting XI, not just because there would be the Old Lady’s only real all-rounder in the forward line, but also because he plays a role which Celtic will have seen rarely this season.

Above all else, the Bhoys will be looking to avoid conceding a vital away goal in this week’s first leg, but if Vucinic plays, they will have to remain vigilant for the full 90 minutes to achieve it. Andrea Pirlo may be Juventus’ magician, but in so many ways the Montenegrin is his cunning apprentice.

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

[Socrates 8328]

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

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

CELTIC - JUVENTUS

Celtic Park - Glasgow

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Pirlo: Celtic atmosphere won’t intimidate Juventus

The playmaker says that the noise created by the Hoops faithful

will only serve to make his side stronger when they meet in the Champions League.

Feb 6, 2013

Andrea Pirlo has said that Juventus will have no fear when they visit Celtic next week.

Antonio Conte’s side face Neil Lennon’s Scottish outfit in the first leg of their Champions League tie at Celtic Park, but the Italian midfielder believes the ground's famous atmosphere will not intimidate Juve’s experienced players.

“I'm sure the noise from the Celtic fans will be crazy, but that will only make us more determined to go into battle,” Pirlo told Skysports.com.

“I know that Celtic Park will be like a gladiator arena, but we're ready. We are prepared for whatever Celtic have to offer. We have players who have won the World Cup and Champions League, so we are used to intimidating games.”

The 33-year-old did however refer to the Hoops’ victory over Barcelona in November, but feels that result will make his side approach the game in the correct manner.

He added: “We saw that they beat Barca in Glasgow, but we are prepared to adapt maybe more than Barcelona did. We know Barcelona play fantastic football, but Celtic frustrated them. Whatever way Celtic want to play, we are ready for them.

“If they want to play football, we'll play football. But if they want to battle, we are ready to go to battle.”

The first leg of the tie will be played on Tuesday, February 12, with the return leg on Wednesday, March 6.

[Socrates 8328]

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

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

CELTIC - JUVENTUS

Celtic Park - Glasgow

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Mallenco ref for Celtic-Juventus

Feb 10, 2013

Spaniard Alberto Undiano Mallenco will officiate Celtic-Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

UEFA announced the referee for the first leg of their Round of 16 encounter in Glasgow.

There are also reports that Kwadwo Asamoah will fly straight to Scotland from the African Cup of Nations.

Paolo De Ceglie is expected to miss out after picking up a muscular problem in the 2-0 win over Fiorentina.

However, there are more reassuring rumours around Mirko Vucinic, who limped off in the same match clutching his knee.

[Socrates 8328]

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

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

CELTIC - JUVENTUS

Celtic Park - Glasgow

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Juventus squad for Celtic

Feb 10, 2013

Juventus have named a 22-man squad against Celtic, including Mirko Vucinic and Kwadwo Asamoah, but Paolo De Ceglie has a thigh strain.

The Bianconeri beat Fiorentina 2-0 in Serie A on Saturday and De Ceglie limped off, now diagnosed with a first-to-second degree tear in the right thigh muscle.

Vucinic also picked up a knock to his knee in that game, but is in the squad travelling to Glasgow for Tuesday’s Champions League tie.

Asamoah also returns from African Cup of Nations duty, as his experience in the tournament with Ghana is now completed.

The midfielder is flying straight to Scotland from Africa to reunite with his teammates.

Nicolas Anelka is also included, though the January signing is yet to make his Juventus debut.

Juventus squad for Celtic: 1 Buffon, 4 Caceres, 6 Pogba, 8 Marchisio, 9 Vucinic, 12 Giovinco, 13 Peluso, 15 Barzagli, 18 Anelka, 19 Bonucci, 20 Padoin, 21 Pirlo, 22 Asamoah, 23 Vidal, 24 Giaccherini, 26 Lichtsteiner, 27 Quagliarella, 30 Storari, 32 Matri, 33 Isla, 34 Rubinho, 39 Marrone.

[Socrates 8328]

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

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CELTIC - JUVENTUS

Celtic Park - Glasgow

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Juve ready for the 'lion's den'

Feb 10, 2013

Juventus director and club legend Pavel Nedved is confident his team is ready to face Champions League opponent Celtic in the 'lion's den' after disposing of Fiorentina 2-0 in Turin.

The Bianconeri kept their Serie A defence on track after goals from Mirko Vucinic and Alessandro Matri moved the Turin giants five points clear at the top of the Serie A table.

But as well as claiming three precious domestic points, Nedved believes the result indicated his club have the mettle to survive the hostile reception awaiting them when they travel on Tuesday to Celtic Park for the first leg of the clubs' European knockout clash.

"I'm fully aware of the atmosphere that awaits us in Glasgow because I've been there and experienced it first hand," the former Ballon d'Or winner said. "We'll be stepping into a lion's den and I don't think the team will need geeing up. We'll have to tough it out, but we have shown that we're ready.

"We are very satisfied with how the team approached the match. Fiorentina play a great style of football, they have a more than capable coach and a dangerous team.

"But we really wanted the three points and played well to get them. It was a great test of character and everyone worked towards the same goal."

The victory against Fiorentina also marks the first time the team has scored back-to-back victories since December last year and Nedved said the upturn in the club's form should send an ominous message to their European rivals.

"In January, we had a slight dip in form but you can't be at the top of your game over the course of a whole season," Nedved said. "Now we're in form and ready for Europe."

[Socrates 8328]

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

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

CELTIC - JUVENTUS

Celtic Park - Glasgow

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Forrest passed fit for Celtic ahead of Juventus clash

The Scotland international has overcome recent injury struggles to be available for selection

ahead of the visit of the Serie A giants for the Champions League last-16 first leg.

Feb 10, 2013

Celtic winger James Forrest will be fit to face Juventus in the first leg of the Hoops’ Champions League last-16 tie.

The 21-year-old had been suffering from a hamstring niggle that kept him out of the league leader’s 3-1 Scottish Premier League win over second-placed Inverness CT on Saturday.

But manager Neil Lennon has now confirmed that Forrest will be available for selection for the Celtic Park clash on Tuesday.

"Forrest is fine," Lennon told Sky Sports. “He has had the two scans and he came through all clear so he will be in the squad."

First-choice goalkeeper Fraser Forster returned to first-team action in the Caledonian Stadium clash in more positive news ahead of the visit of Juventus.

[Socrates 8328]

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

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

CELTIC - JUVENTUS

Celtic Park - Glasgow

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Celtic v Juventus: Liam Brady sees strengths for both

Feb 10, 2013

WHENEVER they get nostalgic at Juventus and cast their minds back to their dominance in Serie A in the early 1980s, Liam Brady invariably gets mentioned.

A fleeting presence in the story of the Old Lady, but a glorious one. In DVD after DVD they sing his praises. Icons all. Marco Tardelli calls Brady his teacher. Roberto Bettega calls him the inspiration behind the championship of 1981. Dino Zoff, Claudio Gentile, Antonio Cabrini and the manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, all acknowledge his place in the club’s history. Two seasons and two Scudettos.

“A 100 per cent record,” says Brady. “You’ve gotta be happy with that.”

If Juventus celebrate Brady then the plaudits are entirely mutual. Their split was sudden and painful and was brought on by the arrival of Michel Platini, but this is a relationship that endures, a fascination coupled with an inside knowledge that was obvious when Brady spoke last week just as the Bianconeri began their planning for Glasgow.

So much about Juventus is new and that’s a blessing. Gone are the dog days of doping scandals and match-fixing catastrophes, but what Brady sees now does remind him of the past in one sense.

He looks at Antonio Conte and he thinks about Trapattoni. Strong-willed and well organised. He looks at success built on defensive solidity and is reminded of what it was like in his day when Juventus contributed the goalkeeper and three defenders to the Italian World Cup-winning side of 1982. This is Brady, academy guru at Arsenal (until next year when he says it’ll be time to go and smell the roses) and brilliantly enlightening football commentator on RTE television. He thinks of the big characters in his Juventus side and sees a couple in this vintage who are already in the pantheon of Juve’s greats.

“Go down through the years and I suppose a lot of people would pick Omar Sivori, Platini, Zidane, Del Piero. Maybe Platini would have been considered the greatest of them all until Pirlo came along and there’ll probably be a debate about that now. Platini or Pirlo. Or [Gianluigi] Buffon. Those two guys, Pirlo and Buffon, have been the emblems of the club for a long time. They’re the guys who stayed throughout all the nightmares. They didn’t jump ship and they’ll always be loved for that by the fans.

“The fans have got the club back and by that I mean the Agnellis are in there running it again after handing things over to other people for a number of years. That’s when they got into trouble, to put it mildly. The club is back on track and you can see that Buffon has a new lease of life. Juventus have a very spirited way of playing. It’s a bit like what Trapattoni did when he went there many years ago. There’s no stars, it’s just a team ethic and they’re getting their rewards.

“Trapattoni didn’t have any star players in the two years I was there. Well-known players, yeah, but they weren’t stars. He managed to keep everybody together and built things on an outstanding goalkeeper in Zoff and some fantastic defenders and a little bit of creativity here and there and that’s what Conte has done. They’re not nearly as talented as the Barcelona side that Celtic beat, but Celtic are going to have their work cut out to score a goal against them.”

The numbers illustrate the sense of what Brady is saying. Last season, across the four top leagues in Europe, Juventus’ defensive record was the best of any club. It is once again the best in Serie A so far this season and in the group stages of the Champions League only PSG have conceded fewer goals than Conte’s team.

Juve’s solidity doesn’t make for the kind of spectacle that Barcelona can provide, but it’s serving them well. It doesn’t really matter that their leading scorer this season, Fabio Quagliarella, has scored a mere seven goals in all competitions, because the goals are still coming, it’s just that they’re dished out all over the place. Only Roma have scored more times than Juventus in Serie A this season and only PSG and Bayern Munich boast better numbers in the Champions League. They don’t have a consistent poacher, a weakness they are seeking to address with the loan signing of Nicolas Anelka and, from the summer, the arrival of the Spaniard Fernando Llorente, but they are not short on goals.

“The centre forward, Mirko Vucinic, is a bit like a Berbatov, he’s the type of striker who links it all together. You can play it into him and the ball sticks and he’s got great imagination, but he’s not a 25-goal-a-year striker, you know what I mean? He reminds me a bit of Bettega as well. Bettega wasn’t a prolific goalscorer but he was great at linking things up and like our team, this Juventus side are getting goals from everywhere.

“When you have a striker like Vucinic then you need people getting in the box around him. I think he’s outstanding, the Montenegrin. When I was involved with Ireland with Trapattoni, we played Montenegro during the World Cup qualifying campaign and he was excellent for them. He does his best work outside the box and he’s a player Celtic are going to have to be wary of.”

Juventus’ passage to the last 16 has been classically Italian, three draws in their first three games and then, when the job needed to be done, three wins in a row with the concession of precisely zero goals. The hope for Celtic, though, comes with some indifferent form since the turn of the year. Plus some absent influences. Juve have missed the leadership of the injured Giorgio Chiellini at the back, Chiellini being the commanding presence who leads the three-man defence that Conte is fond of deploying. He’s been injured since just before Christmas and Juve have not looked nearly as tight in recent games. The second whammy has been Kwadwo Asamoah’s absence from the defence. Asamoah is a midfielder by nature but such is his versatility and athleticism he’s been turned into a defender in Conte’s hands and he’s been a magnificent part of the Juventus story.

Trouble is that he’s been at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana. Though they lost their semi-final midweek, they had a third and fourth play-off to complete yesterday. His importance as a player was illustrated by Juventus pleading with the Ghana Football Association to rest him for that game. Juventus don’t function at full pelt without Chiellini and Asamoah. If both are missing on Tuesday night, Celtic have to make hay.

Brady knows it and he knows what Celtic are about as well. “When you don’t win at Celtic it’s hard on a manager and I know all about that. Neil Lennon has really grown into the job. This campaign has put him up there as a top coach whose tactics have got them this far. Fair play to Dermot Desmond and the powers-that-be for sticking with him when there was a lot of speculation that he might leave the job. He’s got loads of fight in him, Neil.

“A lot of teams symbolise their manager’s character and I think you see that with Celtic in the Champions League. They’ve been a mirror image of Neil as a player, fiercely determined and focused and not intimidated by anything. They’re up against it with Juventus. The probability is that they are going to go out, but you wouldn’t be putting too much money on it. If they can beat Barcelona then they can beat Juventus.

“I don’t think they’ll have to defend as much as they did against Barcelona by any means. They’re up against better players and very experienced players and they have to have their concentration and commitment exactly as it was against Barcelona. The thing to admire about Celtic in those games was the level of defensive support the back players got from their midfield, the fact that they didn’t lose concentration when people were playing one-twos around them.

“Victor Wanyama looked a top player and I can’t believe that they’re not getting approaches for him. Everybody stuck to the task and, yeah, they rode their luck but Juventus won’t pose the same threat. If they can capture the same attitude they had in the two games with Barcelona they can go to Turin with the tie still very much in the balance. I do feel that. I think it could be a draw or a narrow Celtic win in Glasgow. The Italians will always have that mentality that if they get a draw it’s not a bad result. It’s not so much in their minds as in their blood. They’ll be very happy with a draw in the first leg. Second leg, well, I’ll be going to that one.”

It’s a different stadium to the one he played in but after the disgrace of recent years it is more like the club he graced more than three decades ago. In the here and now we are about to witness the two-part Champions League story of the LadyBhoys. With his history in both cities, Brady will be as engrossed as the rest of us.

[Socrates 8328]

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

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

CELTIC - JUVENTUS

Celtic Park - Glasgow

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Toughest test yet, warns Boyd

Feb 11, 2013

Celtic probably thought Barcelona would be the most difficult opponents they would face this season.

Tom Boyd believes Juventus may in fact be tougher to overcome.

The Italian champions do not possess the same glittering array of attacking options, but Boyd believes they are likely to demonstrate greater defensive fortitude, even without the injured Giorgio Chiellini.

However, the former Parkhead captain backed Celtic to prevail on home soil tomorrow night in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie and believes they stand a good chance of making the quarter-finals.

"Looking at the goals we scored against Barcelona from set pieces, I think that's where Celtic are strong," Boyd said. "But I don't think we will have as good a chance of scoring that way against Juventus: Italian teams are renowned for strong defence.

"However, you also wouldn't imagine Juventus will have the same level of possession as Barcelona had, or the same ability, although [Andrea] Pirlo is brilliant in the middle of the park. It's a completely different game. Juventus won't be as intimidating and on the night I'm certain Celtic can do it at home."

On his former team's chances of progressing, Boyd added: "I think they can do it. Celtic have adapted superbly to European football. They won't concede too many goals at Celtic Park and then I'm sure they can go over there and do something.

"I think they can go into tomorrow's game with a degree of optimism given their previous results and the fact they are at home. I think they can make sure the tie's still alive going to Italy for the return leg.

"Celtic have put a lot of decent teams to the sword on nights like this: Milan, Manchester United and, of course, Barcelona this season. All of those teams have come to Celtic Park and left with nothing."

[Socrates 8328]

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

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CELTIC - JUVENTUS

Celtic Park - Glasgow

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

'If Juventus want to train at a third division club then that's up to them...'

Feb 11, 2013

Celtic midfielder Kris Commons has called tomorrow night's Champions League last-16 tie against Juventus the "biggest game of his career" – and one he welcomed with something of mischievous grin.

The Italian side have been offered the use of Rangers' Murray Park training ground today – "if they want to train at a Division Three training ground let them get on with it. They can train in my back garden, it would make no difference," Commons said, ahead of his own team fine tuning their preparations.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon took a training session at Lennoxtown yesterday and will have his players fully briefed after another session this morning which included watching video analysis of the team from Turin.

"We don't want to overdo it but will work on a few things like shape and set pieces, and get a little bit of training into them and working with the ball," said Lennon. "The guys who played in Inverness will just have a recovery session."

Lennon fielded what amounted to a reserve side in Saturday's 3-1 win at Inverness Caledonian Thistle to minimise the risk of his senior players being injured for the first leg against Juventus.

Celtic will learn today whether Georgios Samaras should be okay to start tomorrow night and Lennon also hopes Efetobore Ambrose will board a morning flight from Johannesburg to the UK after playing for Nigeria last night.Ambrose will not start against Juventus but Lennon would like him to be available as a substitute.

Commons doubtless articulated the feelings of many of the Celtic players when describing the first-leg game at Parkhead.

"This is the biggest game of my career, he said. "I don't think many guys in our dressing room could say they've had a chance to qualify for the last eight of the Champions League. So it's the biggest game I've had a chance to be part of. It feels like it's been a long time coming, probably about two and a half months since the draw, so I just hope it doesn't pass us by.

"We have take the opportunity by putting in the kind of performance that we know we are capable of at Celtic Park. Once that music starts and the crowd get behind us, it's moments like that when you are blessed as a footballer."

Juventus had been reluctant to confirm whether they would train at Murray Park this morning and again tomorrow morning, but the facilities were offered to them by Rangers.

[Socrates 8328]

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

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CELTIC - JUVENTUS

Celtic Park - Glasgow

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Juventus have the second best midfield in Europe -

our expert panel debate the Champions League last 16

With the return of the Champions League, James Richardson and Goal.com's

panel of experts discuss the key talking points at Wembley.

Feb 11, 2013

With Juventus travelling to face Celtic in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Tuesday, Goal.com's Carlo Garganese believes the Serie A side's superior midfield will see them reach the quarter-finals of Europe's elite competition.

Speaking at Wembley alongside James Richardson and Goal.com International football writer Paul Macdonald, Carlo said: "Aside from Barcelona, Juventus can compete with any team in the Champions League. They have world class players throughout their team.

"They have got the second best midfield in Europe with Marchisio, Vidal and Pirlo. They will respect Celtic, they won't take them lightly but they won't be frightened of them."

However, despite Carlo's confidence in the Old Lady, Paul Macdonald gave Celtic fans reason to be hopeful when stating the importance of the support at Parkhead, a stadium where the Bhoys have already defeated Barcelona 2-1 this campaign.

"Any team who turns up at Parkhead is intimidated by the 60,000 spectators. I think teams like AC Milan and Barcelona this season have come into this cauldron and have been left stunned by the noise and fervent support of the home fans," Paul argued.

"Yes, Celtic don't have a team to match Juventus on the pitch but to quote a cliche, the crowd can be the 12th man for them."

[Socrates 8328]

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

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CELTIC - JUVENTUS

Celtic Park - Glasgow

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Lippi: Juventus not Champions League favourites

The Guangzhou Evergrande coach has not ruled out the Bianconeri for Champions

League glory, but believes they will have to overcome a number of better teams.

Feb 11, 2013

Marcello Lippi has voiced his opinion that Juventus are not among the favourites to win the Champions League as he feels Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Real Madrid are all in better shape to secure the trophy.

The Serie A champions finished ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk, Chelsea and Nordsjaelland in Group E to book their tickets for the knockout stages, but Lippi believes they still have work to do if they are to win the competition for the first time since 1996.

"For me, there are four clubs left in the draw who are a few rungs above everyone else: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich," Lippi told Daily Record.

"These teams are the favourites but there’s no doubt Juventus have quality and will be aiming to challenge.

"Juventus are a strong side and I know they are very motivated to get through the tie and make progress in this competition. The Champions League has always been a very important tournament for the club and they’re determined to go as far as they can this year."

Juventus lock horns with Celtic in the round of 16, with the first leg of the tie scheduled to take place at Parkhead on Tuesday evening.

[Socrates 8328]

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

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CELTIC - JUVENTUS

Celtic Park - Glasgow

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Pirlo: Juventus are ready for Celtic

The experienced playmaker is eagerly anticipating Tuesday's away game

and has little doubt that Juve will be up for the challenge.

Feb 11, 2013

Andrea Pirlo is confident that Juventus have what it takes to see off Celtic in their Champions League round of 16 tie.

The Scottish giants surprisingly beat Barcelona at home earlier this season, but Pirlo has stressed that Juve will not make the same mistakes the Catalans made as he believes the Bianconeri will be ready for anything Celtic thrown at them.

"We are ready for anything. We have seen how Celtic beat Barcelona, but maybe we are better prepared than the Catalans on how to adapt to the circumstances," Pirlo told Tuttosport.

"They play some fantastic football, but Celtic frustrated them with their approach. Whatever they will try, Juventus will be ready for it, though.

"If they want to play football, we'll respond by playing football. If they want to fight, we will be ready to go to battle."

Tuesday's first leg at Parkhead kicks off at 20:45CET.

[Socrates 8328]

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

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CELTIC - JUVENTUS

Celtic Park - Glasgow

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Celtic-Juventus Betting Preview:

Hoops capable of keeping things tight on Tuesday

Neil Lennon's men face a stern test when they welcome the Italian champions to Glasgow

but Willie Duncan believes that the Hoops can make life difficult for Antonio Conte's side.

Feb 11, 2013

Celtic extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League table to 18 points at the weekend when they defeated nearest rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle but the Hoops will face a far stiffer test when they welcome Italian champions Juventus to Celtic Park on Tuesday night in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Neil Lennon’s men boast a formidable home record in European competition and, having already beaten Barcelona in this competition back in November, the Hoops will be hoping for another memorable European night in Glasgow.

Celtic are rated as 7/2 (4.50) shots with Paddy Power to take a first leg lead to Turin by defeating the Serie A league leaders on Tuesday night.

Juventus, though, will travel to Celtic Park with confidence after enjoying a comfortable 2-0 victory over Fiorentina at the weekend and Antonio Conte’s side are rated as Paddy Power’s 5/6 (1.83) favourites to win here while the same firm go 5/2 (3.50) that the first leg ends in stalemate.

Celtic managed to retain the services of top scorer Gary Hooper despite strong interest from Norwich City during the January transfer window and the striker is likely to be pivotal if the Hoops are to take a positive result into next month’s return leg.

Hooper, who has scored an impressive 23 goals in all competitions this term, is available at 13/2 (7.50) with Paddy Power to break the deadlock on Tuesday, while the same firm offer a tempting 23/10 (3.30) that the striker scores at any time.

Juventus, though, should have sufficient firepower to trouble the Celtic defence, having scored in each of their last 15 matches in all competitions and striker Alessandro Matri, who has scored five goals in his last nine matches, is available at an appealing 9/2 (5.50) with Paddy Power to score the opening goal.

It should be noted that as well as the famous victory over Barcelona, the Hoops defeated Spartak Moscow and held Benfica in Glasgow in the group stages of this competition and, so, they should not be written off here.

Celtic look good value at 10/11 (1.91) with Paddy Power (+1) in the handicap market which covers both a home win or a stalemate between the two sides and provides a modest return on investment.

For those in search of a bigger price at odds-against, Neil Lennon’s men can be trusted to secure a draw against the Italian giants at Paddy Power’s tasty 5/2 (3.50) quote in Tuesday’s crunch clash.

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Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Wanyama hoping Celtic can recreate Barcelona heroics against Juventus

The Kenyan star insists that the Scottish giants must seize the opportunity of playing

at Celtic Park in the first leg of the Uefa Champions League tie, and produce a win.

Feb 11, 2013

EXCLUSIVE

By Dennis Mabuka

Victor Wanyama has urged his Celtic team-mates to emulate the spirit shown during their defeat of Barcelona earlier this season when they take on Juventus on Tuesday night.

The Kenyan midfielder is likely to feature in the Bhoys' starting line-up when they welcome the reigning Serie A champions to Parkhead in the last 16 of the Champions League.

And he believes Neil Lennon's men must show the form which has seen them remain unbeaten at home in Europe's premier cup competition this term.

“We started this journey after negotiating two ties to reach the group stages," he told Goal.com.

"We are now in the knockout stage having prevailed from a very tough group that comprised strong teams - Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow. The journey is still on. We are not looking at just Juventus, but are looking at going all the way and maybe lifting the big prize.

"What is at stake is the big prize and that is why playing Juventus will be an amazing match. We were rated the underdogs and went on to shock Barcelona. On paper, I still believe that we are underdogs going into Tuesday’s match against Juventus but this status will definitely keep us motivated.

“We have to seize this opportunity and put up a winning performance. It will be a wonderful atmosphere playing in front of our own fans. We saw that against Barcelona and that support gave us a boost.”

Wanyama also underlined the importance of attempting to carve out a sizeable lead whilst presented with home advantage in order to make the return trip to Turin less difficult.

“We love playing with that type of atmosphere and that should spur us on once again because beating Juve convincingly at home will give Celtic big hopes going into the return leg next month,” he continued.

“Our target is to make sure that we take a lead or remain in contention going to Italy. Juventus are a good side who will not come and sit and wait for Celtic to attack. They [Juventus] have featured in this competition on several occasion and understand the benefits of playing at such a level. We will have to multi-task, attack and defend at the same time.

The Glasgow giants are still unbeaten at home in Europe this season, having seen off the likes of Benefica, Spartak Moscow and the mighty Barcelona at Celtic Park in their best European run since 2008.

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‘Juve can train in my garden…’

Feb 11, 2013

Celtic midfielder Kris Commons has mocked Juventus for turning to city rivals Rangers on the eve of their Champions League tie.

The Old Lady will use Rangers’ training facilities this week ahead of Tuesday night’s last 16 first leg tie.

“Juventus can train in my back garden, it would make no difference,” the former Nottingham Forest and Derby County player noted.

“If they want to prepare at a Division Three training ground then let them get on with it.”

Rangers, Celtic’s Old Firm enemies, were thrown out of the Scottish top-flight during the summer after their financial collapse.

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Nedved: Juve ready for Celtic

Feb 11, 2013

Pavel Nedved is confident that his Juventus side are mature enough to handle the pressure at Celtic on Tuesday.

“I’m fully aware of the atmosphere that awaits us in Glasgow because I've experienced it first hand,” he told the Evening Times ahead of the last 16 Champions League clash.

“We'll be stepping into a lion’s den and I don't think the team will need geeing up. We'll have to tough it out, but we have shown that we're ready.”

Nedved, now a director at the club, was part of a Juve side who lost 4-3 to the Scottish giants at Celtic Park in 2001.

Italian champions Juventus will go into tomorrow's tie in form after comfortably disposing of Fiorentina 2-0 on Saturday.

“In January we had a slight dip in form, but you can't be at the top of your game over the course of a whole season,” Nedved added. “Now we're in form and ready for Europe.”

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'Juve a great team with a great Coach'

Feb 11, 2013

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has admitted that his team will be up against it when they face Juventus tomorrow evening.

The Scottish side host the Bianconeri at Parkhead on Tuesday in the last 16 of the Champions League.

And the Bhoys boss has claimed that they will come up against a 'great team', as well as praising Alessandro Matri and Andrea Pirlo.

“We're looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead from Juventus,” he told a Press conference.

“They are well organised, very strong defensively and blessed with fantastic footballers. Matri especially has caught my eye recently.

“Vidal, Marchisio and Pogba are all talented players, while Pirlo is still one of the finest midfielder in world football.

“We are facing a great team with a great Coach and it's very exciting for me to challenge myself against Juventus and Antonio Conte.

“Anything can happen over the two games. Nothing's decided tomorrow and we'll play with commitment over 180 minutes.”

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Anelka: Celtic will be intense

Feb 11, 2013

Juventus striker Nicolas Anelka has conceded that the atmosphere generated at Parkhead will be a determining factor in their clash against Celtic.

The Bianconeri travel to Glasgow to play Neil Lennon's side tomorrow night in the last 16 of the competition.

And the on-loan forward has insisted that it will be a difficult game for the Old Lady.

“What Celtic have going for them is that there is no pressure” he told BBC Sport.

“It will be a tough game in Glasgow. It is one of the most famous and intense football cities in the world.”

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Brown: Pirlo 'one of the greats'

Feb 11, 2013

Celtic captain Scott Brown has called Andrea Pirlo 'one of the greats' as the Scottish side prepare to face Juventus in the Champions League.

Neil Lennon's men host the Bianconeri at Parkhead on Tuesday evening, and the 27-year-old has been full of praise for the Turin giants.

“It is always going to be hard, no matter who you play against,” he told a Press conference. “Especially in the last 16.

“Juventus will want to keep the ball, play nice possession football and counter-attack us. They will sit in and make it hard for us when we have the ball.

“They have great players who are magic on the ball and can create something from nothing.

“In my opinion, Andrea Pirlo is one of the greats. I've played against him before and he's fantastic, so we have to try and stop him playing.

“He is one of the main threats and his ability on the ball is second to none.”

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Conte: Celtic will be very dangerous

Feb 11, 2013

Antonio Conte has insisted that he has the 'utmost respect' for Celtic as his Juventus team prepare to face the Scottish champions.

The Bianconeri travel to Glasgow to play the Bhoys in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

And the 43-year-old Coach has claimed that his side do not underestimate Neil Lennon's men.

“We have followed Celtic's progress and we know that we must be careful,” he told a Press conference.

“At home they will be very dangerous with their fans as a 12th man.

“We have the utmost respect for Celtic and realise the danger they pose.

“We studied them a lot and know they will be a physical side who get most of their goals from set pieces.

“Scott Brown is the heart and soul of the team and Gary Hooper is the kind of striker who could do very well in Italy.

“There are not many teams who could beat Barcelona at home and lose so narrowly away.”

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'A typical British atmosphere awaits'

Feb 11, 2013

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon has hailed Parkhead's 'typical British atmosphere' as the Bianconeri prepare to play Celtic.

The Turin giants face the Scottish Premier League side in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

And the 35-year-old goalkeeper has admitted that the crowd could have some baring on the result.

“I have played here before with Parma and Juventus,” he told a Press conference. “And it is a typical British atmosphere.

“We know what lies ahead. The crowd can certainly help and give a boost to the players, but only up to a certain point.

“As far as I'm aware, no spectator has ever scored a goal.”

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Buffon hails Celtic's Forster

Feb 11, 2013

Juventus face Celtic in the Champions League and Gigi Buffon is very impressed with goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

“Of course I know about Fraser,” he told the Daily Record newspaper in Scotland.

“I watch all the top young goalkeepers in the world and I’m sure he can become one of them. The top three young goalkeepers in the world for me are Joe Hart, Manuel Neuer and Salvatore Sirigu. It will be one of those three who will go on to be the best in the world.

“But if Forster keeps on playing like he is there is no reason he can’t be close to or even in that group.

“In a goalkeeper I don’t just look for the great saves but for the authority and confidence he shows. As a goalkeeper you can make only one or two mistakes a season if you want to be the best.

“It’s in the big games where you see character because that is where you are most likely to make mistakes. I have seen both games he played against Barcelona now and not only did he make great saves, he looked confident. He didn’t look like a goalkeeper who was going to make a mistake.”

Juventus visit Glasgow on February 12 and play the second leg in Turin on March 6.

“Fraser is about to play in two big games in the last 16 of the Champions League and it is clear to me he has not only the talent but the character for games like this,” continued Buffon.

“He has another two big games to show Europe what he can do and from what I have seen in him I am sure he will show Europe again.”

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Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Lennon: Don't underestimate Celtic

Feb 11, 2013

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has insisted that his side have belief ahead of the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash against Juventus.

To the surprise of many pundits and fans, the Hoops emerged ahead of Benfica and Spartak Moscow to finish second in Group G behind star-studded Barcelona - whom they famously beat 2-1 at Celtic Park last November - and earn their place in the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in five seasons.

The Hoops are underdogs with the Serie A champions strong favourites to progress through to the quarter-finals, but Lennon believes that Celtic are there on merit and should not be underestimated.

"I think we have been (underestimated) throughout the whole campaign and going into this game we are being made out to be massive underdogs but I don't quite see it that way myself," Lennon said. "There is a real belief, anything can happen over two games.

"We go into the tie as underdogs but nothing is going to be decided at the end of 90 minutes tomorrow night, it is over two games and we are prepared to play hard football over 180 minutes.

"They have excellent strikers - Mirko Vucinic, Fabio Quagliarella, Sebastian Giovinco, and they have also brought in Nicolas Anelka. But the one who has caught my eye is Alessandro Matri, he looks an excellent young player.

"They are very strong in midfield. Arturo Vidal is playing very well currently, Paul Pogba and Claudio Marchisio, these are class players including Andrea Pirlo who is still one of the finest midfield players in the world. So the team is blessed with fantastic footballers but we knew that before the tie or before any preparation were made.

"But it would be dangerous to underestimate Celtic. We have proved already this season that we can be a match for anyone."

The former Hoops player, who described Juventus training at Rangers' Murray Park training complex on Monday as "irrelevant", also recognises the difference between the Italian giants and Barca.

"They are two different cultures," he said. "Juventus are very strong defensively, very well-organised, very consistent in domestic football and they have been very impressive in their Champions League campaign.

"We have done a lot of work on Juventus and I have seen them myself so we will have to change the way we played against Barcelona but that is only natural because Barcelona dominate possession like no other team."

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Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Conte: We have respect for Celtic

Feb 11, 2013

Antonio Conte insists Juventus have the utmost respect for Celtic as the two teams go head-to-head in the last-16 of the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

As Celtic coach Neil Lennon warned the Italian champions of underestimating the challenge of the Hoops, Conte revealed he was under no illusions as to what awaits the Bianconeri.

"We have followed Celtic's progress and we know that we must be careful," Conte told reporters at his pre-match press conference. "At home they will be very dangerous with their fans becoming the twelfth man on the field, but in any case they are a good team.

"We have the utmost respect for Celtic and realise the danger they pose. We studied them a lot and know they will be a physical side who get most of their goals from set pieces.

"Scott Brown is the heart and soul of the team and Gary Hooper is the kind of striker who could do very well in Italy. There are not many teams who could beat Barcelona at home and lose so narrowly away.

Conte was flanked at the gathering by captain Gigi Buffon who played down the effect that the famous Parkhead atmosphere would have on his side.

"I have played here before with Parma and Juventus," he added. "And it is a typical British atmosphere.

"We know what lies ahead. The crowd can certainly help and give a boost to the players, but only up to a certain point. As far as I'm aware, no spectator has ever scored a goal."