Juventus Season 2014-2015

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

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Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Preview: Juventus vs. Atalanta

Feb 19, 2015
 
Juventus go into Friday night's home game against Atalanta BC still with a healthy seven-point lead at the top of Serie A, despite just one win in their last three league games.

With Roma also stuttering of late, Juve remain secure at the summit and now look to improve their league-best home record.

Massimiliano Allegri's side are unbeaten at Juventus Stadium in the league this season and also haven't suffered a Serie A defeat at home since January 2013, winning 35 and drawing four of the games since then.

Friday night's game will be the first of two at home in four days, and Allegri is likely to have one eye on Tuesday's visit from Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League when picking his team.

Allegri will have a near-fully fit team to choose from, with Carlos Tevez available again after suspension and Martin Cacares close to returning from injury.

While Juve are a total of 14 games unbeaten in Serie A, Atalanta have lost three of their last four to sit just above the bottom three in 17th.

Sunday's home defeat at the hands of Inter Milan was their heaviest of the season as they let in four goals for the first time in 2014-15, making it seven past them in two games.

Juve's recent record against The Goddess is excellent, with 18 wins and two draws since Atalanta's last win in 2001. The reverse fixture was a 3-0 Juve win back in September.

 

Juventus

Form in Serie A: W W W D W D 

Form in all competitions: W W W D W D 


Possible starting lineup: Buffon; Lichsteiner, Bonucci, Ogbonna, Evra; Pirlo, Marchisio, Pogba, Vidal; Morata, Llorente


 

Atalanta

Form in Serie A: D W L W L L 
Form in all competitions: W L L W L L 


Possible starting lineup: Sportiello, Masiello, Stendardo, Benalouane, Bellini, Zappacosta, Cigarini, Carmona, Gomez, Moralez, Pinilla


Sports Mole says: 3-0

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

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Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Juventus-Atalanta Preview: Marchisio

prioritising Serie A over Champions League

The midfielder stressed the importance of getting the three points over Atalanta

ahead of the Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.

Feb 19, 2015
 
Juventus will not allow the distraction of the Champions League affect their focus on matters at hand in Serie A when they face Atalanta on Friday, says Claudio Marchisio.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side have yet to taste defeat in 2015 and go into the clash unbeaten in their last 14 league games – giving them a seven-point lead at the top of the table.

Victory on Friday would increase that to 10 points and apply further pressure on Roma and Napoli, who lead the chase to catch them with 15 games remaining.

The return of European competition for Juve next week means they must now exert themselves on three fronts – including the Coppa Italia – but Marchisio is adamant maintaining their league form is the top priority.

"We are fully focused on Serie A," Marchisio told Sky Sport Italia, with Juve facing Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.

"We play Dortmund next week but we are not going to take our eye off the ball in terms of Serie A.

"We have a big game against Atalanta at the weekend and that is what we are focusing on."

Matches between the two sides have been fairly one-sided with Juve, as many would expect, dominating the head-to-head record.

The last nine meetings have all ended in victory for the champions, while Atalanta have not recorded a league win over Juve since February 2001.

Ending that 14-year wait will be tough for the strugglers given they are having a tough campaign in 2014-15.

After finishing in mid-table last season it was always going to be difficult for Stefano Colantuono's side to improve this term, and so it has proved with Atalanta firmly ensconced in the relegation battle.

They sit three points outside the danger zone, but, should they lose at Juve and Cagliari beat Inter on Monday, Atalanta would drop into the bottom three.

Back-to-back defeats is not the ideal way to prepare for a clash with the defending champions, though, and with three losses in their last four matches Atalanta will do well to get anything out of the game.

Goals have been hard to come by for the visitors this season, with only Parma and Chievo scoring fewer, and injuries to key players have provided further hindrance.

Top scorer Maxi Moralez suffered a calf problem against Inter last week and is a major doubt, while Nicolo Cherubin (calf) and the suspended Yohan Benalouane will definitely miss out

Carlos Carmona and Mauricio Pinilla are also banned, but Juve loanee Richmond Boakye is set to feature against his parent club.


OPTA FACTS

Juventus have won 59 of the 105 clashes against Atalanta in Serie A, with 35 draws and just 11 wins for Atalanta.

Atalanta’s last win over Juventus dates back to February 2001; since then, 18 successes for the Bianconeri and two draws.

Moreover, the Old Lady have won each of the last nine Serie A meetings against Atalanta.

Atalanta have only netted two goals against Juventus in their last seven Serie A encounters.

The Bianconeri are now unbeaten in 14 games (W9, D5), the current longest unbeaten run among the 20 Serie A teams.

Juventus have not lost any of their last 39 games at home, winning 35 of them – they have also kept a clean sheet 24 times in the process.

Atalanta have managed only a win in the last 11 league games on the road (D4, L6), at the San Siro against AC Milan.

Álvaro Morata’s first goal in Serie A came right against Atalanta in the reverse fixture.


LAST FIVE MATCHES

Juventus D W D W W

2/15/15 - Cesena 2 - 2 Juventus
2/7/15 - Juventus 3 - 1 Milan
2/1/15 - Udinese 0 - 0 Juventus
1/28/15 - Parma 0 - 1 Juventus
1/25/15 - Juventus 2 - 0 Chievo Verona


Atalanta L L W L L

2/15/15 - Atalanta 1 - 4 Internazionale
2/8/15 - Fiorentina 3 - 2 Atalanta
2/1/15 - Atalanta 2 - 1 Cagliari
1/25/15 - Hellas Verona 1 - 0 Atalanta
1/21/15 - Fiorentina 3 - 1 Atalanta


HEAD TO HEAD

9/27/14 - Atalanta 0 - 3 Juventus
5/5/14 - Juventus 1 - 0 Atalanta
12/22/13 - Atalanta 1 - 4 Juventus
5/8/13 - Atalanta 0 - 1 Juventus
12/16/12 - Juventus 3 - 0 Atalanta

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

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Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Juve need right attitude

Borussia Dortmund will be a priority, but Luca Cetta says
the schedule dictates Juventus must remain focused on Serie A and Atalanta.

Feb 19, 2015
 
Facing a vigorous Cesena side spurred on by a fiery Dino Manuzzi crowd, Juventus took time to find their rhythm last Sunday. When they did the Bianconeri were forced to come from behind to salvage the match. Alvaro Morata and Claudio Marchisio netted, but Juve didn’t count on Franco Brienza’s rasping equaliser. The visitors may have won through a late Arturo Vidal penalty, but the Chilean sent the ball past the post, and the chance to extend the lead at the top was lost.

While Domenico Di Carlo spoke of Cesena’s courage in the 2-2 draw, counterpart Massimilano Allegri blamed his side’s arrogance. Gianluigi Buffon spoke in the same vein: “Some of our less experienced players need to understand that nobody will give us the Scudetto. We have to earn it each and every weekend.”

No doubt it was a wake-up call for Juventus. Given Roma’s draw earlier in the day, a win would have opened a nine point gap ahead of what is a potentially season defining period. In it, the Turin club will compete on three fronts, aiming to preserve their Serie A advantage and advance in both the Champions League and Coppa Italia.

It starts with Atalanta tomorrow night. The dropped points against Cesena mean the aim is to quickly return to winning ways. The Old Lady last suffered a home defeat to the Bergamaschi in 1989, dropping points in just three of 17 subsequent meetings. The Orobici have recovered Boukary Drame from injury, but Maxi Moralez and Giuseppe Biava have been ruled out as they attempt to stop a run of three losses in four matches.

Both Allegri and Buffon referred to the team’s lackadaisical attitude in Cesena and so approaching the tie with Borussia Dortmund fully focused will be important. The Old Lady cannot look at Dortmund’s position on the Bundesliga table as an indicator, for - as Pavel Nedved has pointed out - they are a different side in Europe. Cesena exposed defensive frailties last weekend that will suit Jurgen Klopp’s men. Tomorrow’s contest is an opportunity to put that right ahead of Tuesday.

With one eye towards next week, something to remember is the Atalanta contest comes just a week before Juventus face Roma. They will not want to give the Giallorossi added motivation heading into that key clash.

Downing the Nerazzurri will at the very least maintain a seven point gap. Trip up again and Roma – away at struggling Verona – will know a win this weekend would give them the opportunity to get within touching distance at the Stadio Olimpico. That’s why the boss and captain were upset after Cesena. Not that Roma’s form of late has troubled Juventus, but the Lupi know if the champions get away now they will be nearly impossible to catch.

Asked about rotating in Cesena, Allegri’s response was to offer a reminder that with each passing match, fewer mistakes could be made. He would not rotate then and the suggestion from La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport is he will continue with a first-choice team tomorrow. That would include Carlos Tevez and Giorgio Chiellini, both missing last week, plus Morata – who has established himself in attack following three goals in his last four appearances. The pink paper believes the only potential change with Dortmund in mind is Roberto Pereyra coming in for Andrea Pirlo. The proximity of the trip to the capital somewhat forces Allegri’s hand.

It would be tempting with a seven point lead to focus solely on Borussia Dortmund, but after Cesena poured cold water on a sleeping Juve there is added significance to Atalanta’s visit. Ahead of the Olimpico contest, the Scudetto race must remain of importance for the Bianconeri. And getting back on track against the Orobici will be the perfect lead-in to their European affair.

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

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Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

‘Too many dropped points’

Feb 19, 2015
 
Coach Massimiliano Allegri says Juventus need to rediscover their focus in the League.

The Bianconeri host Atalanta tomorrow evening, before welcoming Borussia Dortmund to Turin on Tuesday, but the Coach warns against being distracted.

“As we go into the game tomorrow, we go in knowing the importance of three points,” Allegri told journalists in his pre-match Press conference.

“I think at the moment we’ve lost sight of the goal - or one of the goals - of our season. It seems like the League is something which is already in the bank, already won.

“I don’t think the numbers say that. It’s true we have some points over Roma, but there are a lot of games to go until the end so we have to get back to thinking one game at a time.

“Tomorrow we face Atalanta and we need to try and get an important three points. Then we’ll prepare the important Champions League match, a Last 16 tie with Borussia.

“That said, I think we’ve dropped too many points on the road. On Sunday, at Cesena, we played a good game and I think you all saw what happened: we dropped two points.

“Credit to Cesena, they had a good game, they did what they could and should do, but we weren’t able to get a very important victory.

“Even then, absolutely nothing would have changed in regard to the dynamics of the League, because even if we’d won at Cesena, a nine-point lead doesn’t guarantee you the Scudetto.

“We have to keep our feet on the ground, continue to work, play one game at a time and get as many points as possible.

“Tomorrow against Atalanta we’ll field the players who do the best in training. Rotation is a word which doesn’t exist for me.

“Whoever takes to the pitch tomorrow will be in the best mental and physical condition to face Atalanta.”

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

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Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Tevez crucial for Juventus, admits Allegri

The Bianconeri coach has underlined the importance of the striker
and has warned against complacency ahead of the clash with Atalanta.

Feb 19, 2015
 
Massimiliano Allegri has admitted Carlos Tevez is vital to Juventus but feels they should still be winning games without their star man.

The Argentina international has been in sublime form for the Serie A champions in 2014-15, netting 14 goals in 21 league outings so far this term.

Tevez missed last weekend's 2-2 draw with Cesena due to suspension, but Allegri is confident he will play a key role for Juve as the season enters its decisive stages.

"Tevez is a crucial player for us, but we should have been able to win without him in Cesena," Allegri said at a press conference ahead of the match versus Atalanta.

"The group takes responsibility for what happened in Cesena. It needs to serve as a lesson for us.

"Tevez is ready for the final sprint."

Allegri then went on to stress that the Serie A title race is not over just yet irrespective of the reigning champions' seven-point lead over second-placed Roma and has urged his men to remain focused as Atalanta await on Friday.

"Yes, we have a lead over Roma, but there are still plenty of games to go. Friday's three points are very important.

"We've already dropped a lot of points in the league.

"Atalanta have a good squad and they're not an easy side to face. But it all depends how we play and the intensity we show."

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

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Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Juventus v Atalanta: Preview

Feb 19, 2015
 
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri is not going to take any chances and will field his strongest side in Friday's clash with Atalanta, despite a Champions League game to follow shortly after.

The Italian giants take on Borussia Dortmund in Europe next Tuesday but Allegri feels a sense or urgency to get a win in Serie A after last weekend's disappointing 2-2 draw at second-bottom Cesena.

``Tomorrow I will field my best squad that I have available,'' Allegri told the Italian press on Thursday. ``Our focus is on beating Atalanta and only then, will we prepare for our Champions League match.

``We go into this game having not played well at Cesena.

``We realised straight after last weekend's game what an opportunity we had missed.''

Juve blew a chance to move nine points clear at the top of Serie A after title rivals Roma were held goalless at home by rock-bottom Parma.

The Turin giants will be bolstered by the return of the league's leading scorer Carlos Tevez, who was suspended for the Cesena game.

Tevez is expected to partner Alvaro Morata in attack.

``Besides being a very technical player, Tevez is an important player in our team,'' Allegri said. ``Just like Leo Messi is for Barcelona or Zlatan Ibrahimovic is for PSG.''

Juve are unbeaten at home this season and will be eager to extend their seven-point advantage over Roma before the two sides square off at the Stadio Olimpico on March 2.

``We know how important tomorrow's game is,'' Allegri said. ``We cannot afford to drop more points.''

Atalanta head into the contest in Turin desperate to avoid their third straight defeat.

The Bergamaschi fell 4-1 at home to Inter Milan last time out having previously lost 3-2 to Fiorentina, results that have left them 17th in the standings and just three points clear of the drop zone..

Stefano Colantuono's side will not be at full strength with defender Yohan Benalouane, midfielder Carlos Carmona and striker Mauricio Pinilla all suspended.

Argentinian playmaker Maximiliano Moralez, who is Atalanta's top scorer with five goals this season, is also unavailable with a thigh injury.

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

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Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Vidal is Juventus doubt

Feb 19, 2015
 
Juventus are likely to be without Arturo Vidal for tomorrow’s clash with Atalanta, after the midfielder pulled up with a groin injury.

The Chilean midfielder complained of an inflammation to the left adductor tendon during training at Vinovo today, and sat out the afternoon session.

With Borussia Dortmund looming large on Tuesday, Vidal will almost certainly not be risked for tomorrow’s match at Juventus Stadium.

That in itself presents problems for the Bianconeri, with Andrea Pirlo likely to be rested ahead of the Champions League match, and Paul Pogba only a booking away from missing the potentially crucial match at Roma next weekend.

It had been thought the Frenchman would start from the bench, however, it seems unlikely that Allegri will start the match missing three of his four starting midfielders.

TuttoJuve reports that Stefano Sturaro could come in for a first start, but unless the Old Lady revert to a 3-5-2, Pogba is likely to start.

Mediaset suggests that Vidal is unlikely to miss the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s men in midweek, but will undergo a precautionary scan this afternoon.

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

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Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

JUVENTUS V ATALANTA MATCH PREVIEW

Feb 19, 2015
 
 

Juventus

Juve will be hoping to get things back on track following last weekend’s disappointing away-draw against Cesena which saw Arturo Vidal miss a late penalty and the chance to extend Juve’s lead to 9 points at the top of the table.

The Bianconeri will welcome Atalanta to the J-Stadium on Friday evening, just four days ahead of their first-leg Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. Atalanta have struggled of late, winning just 1 of their last 5 matches while they’ve yet to beat Juventus in Serie A in their last 21 attempts.

Juventus haven’t lost a home game in Serie A since 6th January 2013, extending their unbeaten run to 39 games with 35 victories and just 4 draws while netting close to 100 goals along the way, conceding just 18.

Gigi Buffon will start in goal while Stephan Lichtsteiner and Patrice Evra are expected to play as the full-backs. Leonardo Bonucci had a match to forget against Cesena but he will likely start with Giorgio Chiellini alongside.

Arturo Vidal is a late injury doubt with some reports from Italy suggesting he picked up a adductor sprain which would rule him out the game. Andrea Pirlo was expected to be rested ahead of Juve’s match against Dortmund but he may well start with Claudio Marchisio and Paul Pogba alongside him in the 3-man midfield. Roberto Pereyra hasn’t featured recently but he may be given the starting nod, playing behind a front duo of Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata.

Alternatively, Allegri may decide to rest Pogba – and Vidal – ahead of the match versus Dortmund. In this case it’s predicted that Juve will line up in a 3-5-2. Bonucci, Chiellini, and probably Angelo Ogbonna as the backline. Evra and Lichtsteiner on the wings, and Pirlo, Marchisio, and Pereyra in the midfield. Really, the starters wouldn’t change much, barring the absence of Pogba and Vidal.
 

 

Predicted Lineup

4-3-1-2: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Pirlo, Marchisio, Pogba; Pereyra; Tevez, Morata

 

Injured

Asamoah and Romulo (Recovering from surgery) – Arturo Vidal (Doubtful – Adductor sprain)

 

Suspended

None


 

Atalanta

Juventus will face a severely depleted version of Atalanta on Friday night: Yohan Benaloaune, Carlos Carmona and Mauricio Pinilla are suspended, Maxi Moralez and Giuseppe Biava have picked up thigh strains in the last match and Marcelo Estigarribia, Nicolò Cherubin and Cristian Raimondi have been out for a while with serious injuries. Stefano Colantuono will be forced to improvise a lineup, with a makeshift defense.

One between the two natural fullbacks Giampaolo Bellini and Andrea Masiello, who has just returned from a three-year ban for match fixing, will pair with Guglielmo Stendardo in the heart of the defense. The other one will play on the right, with either Ousmane Drame (he should be ready to go after missing the last few games with a shoulder injury) or Cristiano Del Grosso on the other flank.

Replacing Maxi Moralez, the key element of their offensive phase, will be the biggest challenge. In the most recent games, the veteran coach picked his customary (and successful) 4-4-1-1 over a classic 4-4-2 with two centre-forwards, used early in the season. Alejandro Gomez is slated to play behind German Denis, with Urby Emanuelson making his debut from the start on the left flank. Rolando Bianchi and Richmond Boakye have a chance to play if Colantuono opts for a heavy attack. Giulio Migliaccio will fill in Carmona’s spot as enforcer in the middle, with Luca Cigarini (or Daniele Baselli) as the playmaker.

It has been a disappointing season for Atalanta so far. They are just outside the relegation zone, three points clear from Cagliari, even if they have a much more quality and experienced squad than other teams. The two leaders Denis and Cigarini are having a subpar year and also Stendardo hasn’t been as commanding as in the past. Their youngsters haven’t really flourished, with the exception of Marco Sportiello, who might simply be a better goalkeeper than Andrea Consigli, and Davide Zappacosta, who has been very impactful since moving permanently to the right winger position.

On the road, they have been pretty pitiful (but that’s an historical flaw), with two win, four draws and six losses. The recent history doesn’t favor them in this one: since 1997-1998, Juventus have always scored when hosting Atalanta and Bianconeri have won ten out of the eleven matches since then (one draw). In this stretch, Juventus have won 3-0 three times. Atalanta struggle almighty to score: they have found the back of the net only twenty times this season, tied with Parma for second worst in the League. On the road, they have scored only seven times.

Their offensive strategy relies on attacking down both flanks and deliver sharp crosses for the striker or the opposite winger and countering. The combination of Emanuelson and Gomez could be tricky to guard. On the other hand, they have difficulties in holding the ball and distributing it well, and it’ll be an even more of a problem without Moralez, and the defensive chemistry will surely be an issue.
 

 

Predicted Lineup

4-4-1-1: Sportiello; Bellini, Masiello, Stendardo, Drame; Zappacosta, Cigarini, Migliaccio, Emanuelson; Gomez; Denis.

 

Injuries

Maxi Moralez (thigh), Biava (thigh), Estigarribia (knee), Raimondi (knee), Cherubin (calf).

 

Suspended

Benaloaune, Carmona, Pinilla.


 

Formation

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

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Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Vidal out of Juve-Atalanta

Feb 19, 2015
 
Juventus are without Arturo Vidal for tomorrow’s game with Atalanta, but Alessandro Matri is available.

It kicks off on Friday at 20.45 CET.

There had been concerns over Vidal’s thigh and the Chile international has not been risked so close to the Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund.

Matri is in the squad for the first time since making his loan move from Genoa in January, while Martin Caceres also returns from injury.

Carlos Tevez is back after missing the 2-2 draw with Cesena through suspension.


Juventus squad for Atalanta: Buffon, Chiellini, Caceres, Ogbonna, Pogba, Pepe, Marchisio, Morata, Tevez, Coman, Llorente, Barzagli, De Ceglie, Bonucci, Padoin, Pirlo, Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Storari, Matri, Evra, Rubinho, Pereyra

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

.-

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Juventus V Atalanta – Preview

Feb 20, 2015
 
After the intimidating atmosphere experienced at Cesena on Sunday, reigning Serie A champions Juventus return to the home comforts of the Juventus Stadium on Friday night as they welcome an inconsistent Atalanta side to Turin.

With one eye on their Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund the Bianconeri will be aiming to extend their lead at the top while the visitors will be trying to put a disappointing home defeat to Inter behind them.

However, with home advantage it will likely mirror events earlier this season in Bergamo when brushed aside 3-0 as Carlos Tevez grabbed a brace and Alvaro Morata came on to net his first Serie A goal.

In truth, last season Stefano Colantuono’s side fared little better at home losing 4-1 despite taking an early lead through Maxi Moralez and instead hope for a display close to their last Turin visit, defeated by a solitary Simone Padoin strike.

With four wins in 53 visits to Turin – Juventus victorious 35 times – Atalanta walking away with three points looks impossible – Argentina legend Claudio Caniggia the last man to net a winner against the Old Lady there way back in 1989.

Even dropping points at Cesena and Udinese in recent weeks the Juventus juggernaut rolls on with four wins in six since the winter break and a solitary defeat during the entire campaign.

When they win they do so convincingly scoring 15 times and conceding just five – two of those at the Dino Manuzzi where an off-form Paul Pogba and absent Tevez added to an inspired performance from hosts Cesena.

Three points above relegation Atalanta looked to have been turning round a poor start to the campaign post-Christmas with two consecutive draws and a confidence boosting victory over AC Milan at the San Siro.

However, in the wake of that victory came three defeats in four with their 2-1 home win over Cagliari on February 1 looking all the more important given that it is the Sardinians who they sit directly above in the standings.

Given their inability to kill-off Cesena when opportunities arose Bianconeri coach Massimiliano Allegri will be happy for the return from suspension of Tevez and could be key in deciding the match early and withdraw key players ahead of their Champions League tie.

Atalanta in comparison are weakened by the absence through ill-discipline of trio Carlos Carmona, Mauricio Pinilla and Yohan Benalouane – the latter after seeing red against Inter last weekend.

However, the biggest loss for the Nerazzurri is the injured Maxi Moralez, the diminutive attacker accounting for a quarter of the sides Serie A goals this season.

 

Form Guide: Juventus (D-W-D-W-W-W) Atalanta (L-L-W-L-L-W)


Expected Starting XIs

Juventus - Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Sturaro, Pirlo, Marchisio; Pereyra; Tevez, Morata

Atalanta - Sportiello; Bellini, Masiello, Stendardo, Drame; Zappacosta, Cigarini, Migliaccio, Emanuelson; Gomez; Denis

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

.-

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

MATCH PREVIEW

Feb 20, 2015
 
Atalanta look to upset the odds in Turin, by recording a first Serie A victory in 21 attempts against leaders Juventus.

Massimiliano Allegri’s men host the Bergamo strugglers just four days before a huge Champions League tie with Borussia Dortmund.

Media chatter in recent days has largely focused on that crucial European clash as opposed to the more pressing matter of a vital League fixture on Friday evening, which could cause the Bianconeri to take their collective eye off the ball.

They surprisingly dropped points in a 2-2 draw at second-bottom Cesena last weekend, with Allegri absolutely determined to avoid any repetition. Even so, talisman Andrea Pirlo may be rested with the Dortmund test in mind.

Crocked Romulo and Kwadwo Asamoah are still unavailable, while short-term injury concerns Alessandro Matri and Luca Marrone are unlikely to feature. However, defender Martin Caceres has recovered having been absent for the last two games.

The Oribici became victims of Inter’s recent resurgence when losing 4-1 at home on Sunday, despite an encouraging run of two wins in four previous matches.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that attacking midfielder Maximiliano Moralez will miss the next three weeks due to a thigh injury picked up after scoring in that contest. Giuseppe Biava, Nicolo Cherubin, Cristian Raimondi and Marcelo Estigarribia also inhabit a treatment room currently bursting at the seams. Additionally, Coach Stefano Colantuono sees his options further restricted by suspended trio Yohan Benalouane, Carlos Carmona and Mauricio Pinilla.

Mercifully better news comes in the form of Senegalese left-back Boukary Drame, who is expected to return following almost a month on the sidelines.

Promising 22-year-old Daniele Baselli is likely to remain on the bench, while transfer speculation linking him with Milan continues to rage.


Keep an eye on: Alvaro Morata (Juventus) – Burgeoning talent Morata is gunning for another call-up to the Spanish national team, having made his senior debut in November 2014. The ex-Real Madrid starlet has scored six goals in as many Serie A starts this term, with a further 12 appearances coming as a substitute. However, his importance to Coach Max Allegri is vastly increasing as the campaign wears on, due in part to compatriot Fernando Llorente’s poor displays. The 22-year-old will be looking to notch for the third match in succession if unleashed against Atalanta.


Form Guide: Juventus (W W D W D) Atalanta (W L W L L)

Last season: Juventus 1-0 Atalanta

Stat fact: Juventus have conceded the joint-fewest amount of Serie A goals in 2015 with five, while Atalanta haemorrhaged 12 in the same period.


Juventus (probable): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Pereyra, Marchisio, Pogba; Vidal; Tevez, Morata

Suspended: None


Atalanta (probable): Sportiello; Bellini, Masiello, Stendardo, Del Grosso; Zappacosta, Cigarini, Migliaccio, Emanuelson; Gomez; Denis

Suspended: Benalouane, Pinilla, Carmona

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

.-

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Line-ups: Juventus-Atalanta

Feb 20, 2015
 
Juventus host Atalanta this evening and make changes with Fernando Llorente partnering Carlos Tevez.

It kicks off at the Juventus Stadium at 20.45 CET.

This unusual Friday night fixture is to help Juve better prepare for their Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

Despite their surprise 2-2 draw at Cesena last week, the Bianconeri retained their seven-point lead at the top of the Serie A table, as Roma were held by Parma.

They have nonetheless drawn two of the last three rounds and concerns are growing over current form.

Arturo Vidal joined Kwadwo Asamoah, Romulo and Luca Marrone on the injury list, but Alessandro Matri and Martin Caceres are available again.

Uruguayan full-back Caceres is thrown straight into the starting XI with Simone Padoin.

Tevez returns from suspension and partners Llorente, giving Alvaro Morata a rest, with support from Roberto Pereyra.

Atalanta are fresh from a 4-1 home defeat to Inter, although that was affected by Yohan Benalouane’s foolish red card.

He is suspended along with Carlos Carmona and Chile international striker Mauricio Pinilla.

That means German Denis is back in the starting XI and raring to go, but Maxi Moralez, Giuseppe Biava, Niccolo Cherubin, Cristian Raimondi and ex-Juve winger Marcelo Estigarribia are sidelined.

Ex-Roma and Milan winger Urby Emanuelson gets his first start for the club.

History does not bode well for the Orobici, who have lost their last nine consecutive Serie A encounters with Juventus.


Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini, Padoin; Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba; Pereyra; Tevez, Llorente

Juventus bench: Storari, Rubinho, Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Ogbonna, De Ceglie, Evra, Sturaro, Pepe, Morata, Coman, Matri


Atalanta: Sportiello; Bellini, A Masiello, Migliaccio, Scaloni; Zappacosta, Cigarini, Baselli, Drame, Emanuelson; Denis

Atalanta bench: Avramov, Boakye, D’Alessandro, Grassi, Gomez, Kresic, Frezzolini, Bianchi, Del Grosso

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

.-

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Carlos Tevez returns from suspension for Juventus

Feb 20, 2015
 
Carlos Tevez has returned from suspension to spearhead the Juventus attack in their Serie A encounter at home to Atalanta BC this evening.

The Argentine will partner Fernando Llorente upfront, while Martin Cacares comes back into the defence following a spell on the sidelines.

The game has come too soon for Arturo Vidal though, who is missing with a minor injury.

Meanwhile, the visitors are without Yohan Benalouane, Carlos Carmona and Mauricio Pinilla due to suspension, but Urby Emanuelson has been handed his first start for the club.


Juventus: Buffon, Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini, Padoin, Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba, Pereyra, Tevez, Llorente

Atalanta: Sportiello; Bellini, Scaloni, Drame, Masiello, Zappacosta, Emanuelson, Cigarini, Migliaccio, Denis, Baselli

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

.-

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

HT 2-1: Pirlo magic wakes Juve up

Feb 20, 2015
 
Atalanta had taken a shock lead, but Juventus are 2-1 up at half-time thanks to a moment of Andrea Pirlo magic.

This game was brought forward to help Juve prepare for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund. The Bianconeri were still seven points clear at the top of Serie A despite drawing two of their last three, including a shock 2-2 at Cesena. Arturo Vidal was injured and others rested, but Atalanta had Yohan Benalouane, Carlos Carmona and Mauricio Pinilla suspended along with injured Maxi Moralez, Giuseppe Biava, Niccolo Cherubin, Cristian Raimondi and Marcelo Estigarribia.

The Orobici had lost their last nine consecutive League meetings with Juve, the most recent victory in Turin decided by Claudio Caniggia in 1989.

Fernando Llorente turned a corner wide of the near post, then Martin Caceres pulled back from the by-line with nobody ready to tap in and Llorente’s angled drive was off target.

Atalanta sat back and defended for 25 minutes, but went on a rapid counter-attack that saw Gigi Buffon perform a desperate save on Daniele Baselli. From the resulting corner, a Giulio Migliaccio glancing header bounced off the inside of the far post and into Buffon’s arms, but the goalkeeper’s body language made it clear the ball had already crossed the line.

Juve fought back immediately, Tevez setting up Roberto Pereyra only for him to attempt a delicate finish, finding Marco Sportiello’s foot from point-blank range.

Sportiello performed another great one-handed save on Caceres after an inspired Paul Pogba pass and from that corner Juve equalised. Leonardo Bonucci’s header was parried by Sportiello and a crowd of Bianconeri flung themselves at the ball, Llorente eventually bundling it over the line. There were suspicions of offside on the build-up for Tevez, but a different camera angle showed Luca Cigarini well ahead of all the other players.

Just as it seemed to be going into half-time on level terms, Pirlo popped up with a moment of absolute magic. From 25 metres out, he unleashed a screamer off the outside of his boot that swerved and dipped mercilessly past Sportiello into the near top corner.


Juventus 2-1 Atalanta (Half-Time)

Scorers: Migliaccio 25 (A), Llorente 39 (J), Pirlo 45 (J)

Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini, Padoin; Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba; Pereyra; Tevez, Llorente

Atalanta: Sportiello; Bellini, A Masiello, Migliaccio, Scaloni; Zappacosta, Cigarini, Baselli, Dramé; Emanuelson; Denis

Ref: Irrati

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

2 - 1

Giulio Migliaccio (25')

Fernando Llorente (39')
Andrea Pirlo (45')

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Juventus 2-1 Atalanta: Pirlo thunderbolt
spares champions' blushes

The current Serie A leaders came from a goal down to see off
stubborn opposition on Friday and pile more pressure on Roma.

Feb 20, 2015
 
A sensational strike from Andrea Pirlo was enough to see Juventus edge past Atalanta 2-1 on Friday.

Massimiliano Allegri made five changes to the side that drew 2-2 at Cesena last time out but his defending champions hinted that they might stumble again when Giulio Migliaccio headed the visitors to Juventus Stadium into a 25th-minute lead.

Fernando Llorente netted a scruffy equaliser six minutes before half-time before midfield maestro Pirlo took centre-stage on the stroke of the interval with a dazzling long-range effort.

Juventus pressed to make the game safe in the second period, Paul Pogba coming closest to extending their lead.

Clear chances dried up during the closing stages of a result that means second-place Roma will kick off 10 points in arrears when they travel to Verona on Sunday.

Atalanta have now lost three consecutive matches and remain precariously perched three points above the relegation zone.

Juventus penned their lowly opponents in their own territory during the opening stages and Llorente might have done better when he steered two Pirlo deliveries off target in the first 10 minutes.

For all the home dominance, Gianluigi Buffon made the first telling save of the match, thwarting Daniele Baselli from close range.

From the resulting corner, Stefano Colantuono's team stunned the Turin faithful as Migliaccio darted towards the near post and glanced a header against the far upright that crossed the line before Buffon gathered.

Roberto Pereyra could have levelled immediately but an unnecessary touch on the end of Carlos Tevez's low cross allowed goalkeeper Marco Sportiello to smother his eventual shot.

In the 39th minute, Juventus full-back Martin Caceres stormed into the box and was denied by Sportiello. Again, a goalkeeper's good work would go unrewarded as Llorente smuggled home when the subsequent corner prompted an ungainly penalty box scramble.

If the equaliser was ugly, Juventus' second was simply beautiful - Pirlo launching a sumptuous 30-yard strike that swerved and dipped enough to leave Sportiello grasping at air.

The Atalanta keeper saved remarkably to keep out Pogba's close-range header in the 53rd minute.

A few moments after squaring up to Lionel Scaloni and earning a yellow card, Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio caught a boot in the face from Luca Cigarini but was not awarded a penalty.

Tevez saw an effort bravely blocked and Atalanta defender Andrea Masiello made an excellent last-ditch challenge to deny substitute Alvaro Morata in the 84th minute, while Migliaccio again timed his run superbly to hand Juventus a late scare as he headed wide.

Having returned to winning ways, Allegri's men now look towards games against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and Roma in Serie A that could prove to be defining moments in their season.

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

2 - 1

Giulio Migliaccio (25')

Fernando Llorente (39')
Andrea Pirlo (45')

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Pirlo overcomes Atalanta scare

Juventus recovered from an early scare to beat Atalanta 2-1
in Turin thanks to a magnificent Andrea Pirlo strike.

Feb 20, 2015
 
This game was brought forward to help Juve prepare for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund. The Bianconeri were still seven points clear at the top of Serie A despite drawing two of their last three, including a shock 2-2 at Cesena. Arturo Vidal was injured and others rested, but Atalanta had Yohan Benalouane, Carlos Carmona and Mauricio Pinilla suspended along with injured Maxi Moralez, Giuseppe Biava, Niccolo Cherubin, Cristian Raimondi and Marcelo Estigarribia.

The Orobici had lost their last nine consecutive League meetings with Juve, the most recent victory in Turin decided by Claudio Caniggia in 1989.

Fernando Llorente turned a corner wide of the near post, then Martin Caceres pulled back from the by-line with nobody ready to tap in and Llorente’s angled drive was off target.

Atalanta sat back and defended for 25 minutes, but went on a rapid counter-attack that saw Gigi Buffon perform a desperate save on Daniele Baselli. From the resulting corner, a Giulio Migliaccio glancing header bounced off the inside of the far post and into Buffon’s arms, but the goalkeeper’s body language made it clear the ball had already crossed the line.

Juve fought back immediately, Tevez setting up Roberto Pereyra only for him to attempt a delicate finish, finding Marco Sportiello’s foot from point-blank range.

Sportiello performed another great one-handed save on Caceres after an inspired Paul Pogba pass and from that corner Juve equalised. Leonardo Bonucci’s header was parried by Sportiello and a crowd of Bianconeri flung themselves at the ball, Llorente eventually bundling it over the line. There were suspicions of offside for Tevez, but a different camera angle showed Luca Cigarini keeping everyone in play.

Even with the equaliser, Atalanta were leading Juventus for 14 minutes – longer than in any other Serie A game this season.

Just as it seemed to be going into half-time on level terms, Pirlo popped up with a moment of absolute magic. From 25 metres out, he unleashed a screamer off the outside of his right boot that swerved and dipped mercilessly past Sportiello into the near top corner.

Atalanta lost Davide Zappacosta to a muscular problem and Sportiello was again decisive from point-blank range on Pogba’s header. Claudio Marchisio had penalty appeals, but was instead booked for going head-to-head with Lionel Scaloni. Moments later the same midfielder was down in the box after Cigarini’s high foot clipped him on the back of the head.

Atalanta Coach Stefano Colantuono was sent off following a touchline row with the Juventus team manager on 74 minutes. Richmond Boakye had a shot charged down in the box and Andrea Masiello sprinted back to stop Alvaro Morata completing a classic counter.

The visitors stepped up the pressure in the closing stages and Migliaccio turned another header just off target. Deep into stoppages, Kingsley Coman turned defenders inside out to test Sportiello at the near post.


Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini, Padoin; Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba (Lichtsteiner 65); Pereyra; Tevez (Coman 89), Llorente (Morata 74)

Atalanta: Sportiello; Bellini, A Masiello, Migliaccio, Scaloni; Zappacosta (D’Alessandro 50), Cigarini, Baselli (Gomez 82), Dramé; Emanuelson; Denis (Boakye 70)

Ref: Irrati

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

2 - 1

Giulio Migliaccio (25')

Fernando Llorente (39')
Andrea Pirlo (45')

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Juventus come from behind
to win, move 10 points clear

Feb 20, 2015

Juventus fought back from a goal down to beat Atalanta BC 2-1 at home this evening and stretch their lead at the top of Serie A to 10 points.
 
Fernando Llorente had the chance to put the home side ahead early on, but skewed his shot wide at the near post from Andrea Pirlo's corner.

The duo combined once more later on, but the Spanish forward dragged a 20-yard shot wide after being released by the veteran midfielder's threaded pass behind the Atalanta defence.

Midway through the half, Daniele Baselli blasted the ball at Gianluigi Buffon from 12 yards after Urby Emanuelson's jinking run through the home defence, but from the resulting corner Atalanta took a shock lead as Giulio Migliaccio's glancing header clipped the inside of the far post and rolled across the line.

Roberto Pereyra and Martin Cacares were both denied by fine Marco Sportiello saves as Juve poured forward in search of a leveller, but the goalkeeper was helpless to prevent Llorente from equalising after the forward reacted quickest in a goalmouth scramble to level the scores.

The goal gave the hosts confidence and with the final kick of the half Pirlo slammed an unerring 30-yard strike into top corner to give Juve the lead for the first time in the game.

Ten minutes into the second half, Sportiello produced a save from point-blank range to deny Paul Pogba from extending Juve's lead with a free header at far post.

Alvaro Morata almost wrapped up the victory with a lung-bursting run down the left flank, but he was denied by a last-ditch sliding tackle by Andrea Masiello.

With two minutes remaining, Migliaccio flicked a header narrowly wide as Juventus edged to an important victory.

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

2 - 1

Giulio Migliaccio (25')

Fernando Llorente (39')
Andrea Pirlo (45')

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Juventus 2-1 Atalanta: Pirlo Magic
Extends Lead At The Top

Feb 20, 2015

Juventus beat Atalanta 2-1 at the Juventus Stadium in Serie A on Friday evening.

Giulio Migliaccio gave Atalanta a surprising lead before Fernando Llorente leveled for the Italian champions from a scrap in the penalty area, and Andrea Pirlo produced a stupendous shot to put the hosts ahead.

La Vecchia Signora’s preparation for their UEFA Champions League tie with Borussia Dortmund in midweek got off to a good start after a period of strong attacking pressure culminated with Fernando Llorente putting an Andrea Pirlo corner kick wide, before the Spaniard was ruled offside when presented with a good scoring opportunity.

The 29-year-old was then through on goal again but couldn’t put his side ahead as he dragged his shot wide of Marco Sportiello in the Atalanta goal.

The first proper save of the match, surprisingly, was made by Gianluigi Buffon as La Dea’s attacking force scrambled the ball inside the area before smashing it towards the Italian goalkeeper, before the resulting corner led to a shock goal for the team fourth from bottom in Serie A as Giulio Migliaccio gave the visitors the lead.

Attacks became all the more successful for Massimiliano Allegri’s team after that when Roberto Pereyra’s effort was put just wide.

Paul Pogba then produced a wonderfully placed ball which Martin Caceres shot towards Sportiello, and from the resulting corner some messy play in the penalty area eventually led to the ball rolling past the Atalanta goal line, with Llorente claiming the goal ahead of the other four or five Juventus attackers that were trying to score.

Andrea Pirlo then produced a moment of magic as his shot from a long way out found it’s way into the top right hand corner of the net on the stroke of half time, which meant Juventus went into the break 2-1 ahead.

Stefano Colantuono’s half time team talk must have given Atalanta some belief, as Sportiello pulled out a fantastic save to stop a Pogba header from point blank range which was simply unmissable.

German Denis almost put Atalanta back on level terms just after the hour mark, but the 33-year-old Argentine’s header went straight into the arms of Buffon.

Lionel Scaloni then tried a Pirlo a quarter of an hour from the end, but the 36-year-old Argentine’s effort went over the bar.

Substitute Alvaro Morata then continued his recent good form as he sprinted away from the Atalanta defenders on a Bianconeri counter attack but he spent too long on the ball and it resulted in a corner.

Migliaccio was then presented with a half chance to make the score 2-2 but the 33-year-old’s header went wide, and the score remained 2-1 when referee Massimiliano Irrati blew the full time whistle.

This victory means that Juventus now extend their lead over Roma at the top of the Serie A table to 10 points before they face a visit from Germans Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, while Atalanta remain in 17th place and risk ending the weekend in the relegation zone.

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

2 - 1

Giulio Migliaccio (25')

Fernando Llorente (39')
Andrea Pirlo (45')

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Pirlo: 'Now for Borussia Dortmund'

Feb 20, 2015
 
Andrea Pirlo said Juventus “learned” from mistakes in order to beat Atalanta, but Borussia Dortmund are “to be feared.”

The Bianconeri were held 2-2 by Cesena last week and this evening had been trailing for 14 minutes, but came back for the 2-1 result.

“It was a tough match and we knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“We learned from the mistakes made against Cesena and fought back to pick up all three points. Our only objective tonight was the win, even without necessarily playing very well.

“Now we’ll prepare for Tuesday’s game and we really needed this victory.”

Pirlo decided the match with a spectacular long-range strike that dipped and swerved in the air. Was that goal a message to Borussia Dortmund?

“The message was above all for Serie A, as that is what we were interested in today. It was not an easy game, we also went behind, but with hard work and suffering under pressure we got the victory.”

Fernando Llorente had scored the equaliser, bundling over the line from close range.

“Llorente needs confidence, we hope this goal has shaken him up, as we need him as well as everyone in this squad.”

This evening Borussia Dortmund won 3-2 away to Stuttgart, reviving their Bundesliga form.

“Borussia Dortmund are a side to be feared, as we see what they’ve done in the Champions League. The first leg will be fundamental and we must try to win without conceding a goal.”

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

2 - 1

Giulio Migliaccio (25')

Fernando Llorente (39')
Andrea Pirlo (45')

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

JUVENTUS 2 – 1 ATALANTA MATCH REPORT

Feb 20, 2015
 
For a while it seemed to be a repeat of last week’s 3-3 draw versus Cesena. Atalanta would take the lead in the 25th minute via a Giulio Migliaccio goal, but Fernando Llorente equalized 15 minutes later after a bit of chaos in Atalanta’s six yard box. Moments later, Andrea Pirlo curled in a screamer from distance to give Juve the lead. Despite Atalanta’s early goal, the 2-1 scoreline held out for the duration of the match.

Juventus did get off to a strong start, and there were several Juventus scoring chances in the first 15 minutes. Leonardo Bonucci played a phenomenal long ball to a wide open Fernando Llorente, but Llorente was offside. Shortly after Carlos Tevez found Martin Caceres making a run into the box from out wide, but Caceres’ attempt to cross the ball was intercepted. Caceres would consistently cause issues for Atalanta today, with both Tevez and Paul Pogba finding him on runs several times throughout the match.

In the 24th minute Atalanta nearly scored. Andrea Pirlo, attempting to break up an Atalanta breakaway, deflected the ball into the path of Mauro Baselli. Baselli took his chance, and Gianluigi Buffon made a super quick save on a close range effort. The ball went out for a corner kick, and then Giulio Migliaccio scored off that corner kick, giving Atalanta the lead.

Juventus continued to attack after the goal, desperate to equalize. Caceres nearly scored in the 38th minute, after Pogba found him making a run. His point blank effort was well saved by Atalanta keeper Marco Sportiello. Sportiello had a number of fine saves today, putting in a very impressive performance for a goalkeeper who is only 22 years old.

A minute later, off of a corner kick, Fernando Llorente scored his goal. Sportiello saved Bonucci’s header from the corner kick, but the ball stayed near the goal and there were four Juve players in that vicinity. Llorente got the final tap in and tied the game.

Similarly, Andrea Pirlo had a free kick that Sportiello caught, but a minute later he scored off of the aforementioned long distance curling shot. Each of the three goals came immediately after unsuccessful set piece attempts, a total coincidence, but an odd one at that.

Neither team would score in the second half but both sides had chances to. Paul Pogba had a point blank header in the 54th minute, but it was saaved by Sportiello. Claudio Marchisio was later given a yellow card for a small scuffle – mostly shirt pulling – with Scaloni in Atalanta’s box. The two even jawed a bit back and forth after, but Scaloni backed down, no doubt fearing Marchisio’s manly toughness.

Scaloni did, however, nearly score later on. He attempted a rather audacious long range shot, perhaps inspired by Pirlo, which went slightly over Juve’s crossbar. Late in the game, Migliaccio attempted to double his goal count for the day, with an effort on goal that went wide left.

Max Allegri made a few strategic substitutions to rest some key players ahead of the Dortmund match. Stephan Lichtsteiner came on for Paul Pogba, Alvaro Morata came on for Fernando Llorente, and Kingsley Coman came on very late, in the 89th minute, for Carlos Tevez. Coman didn’t get a chance to do much, but he dribbled around several Atalanta players before launching a shot on goal, which Sportiello saved.

Now, we just have to wait a few days, and Champions League football returns for Juventus. It is an exciting, and nerve-wracking, time.


Statistics

Man of the Match: Andrea Pirlo

Flop of the Match: N/A

Fouls: 13

Corners: 6

Pass Accuracy: 86%

Shots on Target: 6

Total Shots: 13

Ball Possession: 63%

Formation: 4-3-1-2


 

Formation

Lineups

Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini, Padoin; Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba (Lichtsteiner 65); Pereyra; Tevez (Coman 89), Llorente (Morata 74)

Atalanta: Sportiello; Bellini, A Masiello, Migliaccio, Scaloni; Zappacosta (D’Alessandro 50), Cigarini, Baselli (Gomez 82), Dramé; Emanuelson; Denis (Boakye 70)

Ref: Irrati


 

Video Highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6jHJ0S8vKs

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

2 - 1

Giulio Migliaccio (25')

Fernando Llorente (39')
Andrea Pirlo (45')

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Andrea Pirlo's long blast helps
Juventus rally to defeat Atalanta

Feb 20, 2015
 
Juventus came from behind to open up a 10-point advantage at the top of Serie A on Friday night thanks to a 2-1 win over Atalanta.

Giulio Migliaccio gave the guests a shock lead in the 25th minute, but Fernando Llorente and an eye-catching Andrea Pirlo strike turned the game around before half-time.

Juve took things easily in the second half, saving energy for Tuesday's Champions League tie with Borussia Dortmund and rarely risking letting their lead slip.

Second-placed Roma have the chance to move back to within seven points of the Bianconeri when they travel to Hellas Verona on Sunday, but with such an advantage at the top of the table, Juve will now be able to focus all of their efforts on the biggest game of their season so far on Tuesday.

Atalanta spent most of the early stages in defence, but when they sensed an opportunity, they broke quickly and tried to take it.

Davide Baselli could hardly believe his luck when he was left with only Gianluigi Buffon to beat, but the Atalanta midfielder wasted the chance although soon afterwards Atalanta took the lead when Migliaccio's header went in off the inside of the post, silencing the Juventus Stadium.

Juve's equaliser in the 39th minute was similar to Atalanta's goal, with the home side spurning a good opportunity before netting immediately after.

Paul Pogba's powerful but precise pass found Martin Caceres in space inside the penalty area, but his attempt to beat Marco Sportiello inside his near post was thwarted by the Atalanta custodian.

From the corner, Leonardo Bonucci's header was blocked on the line and four Juve players tried to scramble the ball in with Llorente ultimately succeeding.

Just when it looked like the sides would go into the break level, Pirlo took matters into his own hands and, with nothing apparently on from 35 yards, he unleashed one of his speciality shots which dipped and moved away from Sportiello and into the right-hand corner of the goal.

It was just the right time for Juve to take the lead, permitting them to focus on defending in the second half without taking too many risks and wasting any unnecessary energy in view of the visit of Dortmund on Tuesday.

They allowed Atalanta to attack them, showing little going forwards and perhaps not managing to save as much energy as they would have liked with their guests asking plenty of questions.

Juve had all the answers, though, and defended resolutely to extend their lead at the top of Serie A.

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

2 - 1

Giulio Migliaccio (25')

Fernando Llorente (39')
Andrea Pirlo (45')

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Allegri 'not worried' by Borussia

Feb 20, 2015
 
Max Allegri said he is “absolutely not worried” about facing Borussia Dortmund after Juventus squeezed past Atalanta 2-1.

The Bianconeri had been trailing for only seven minutes all season until last week, when they fought back for a 2-2 draw at Cesena and today went behind to Atalanta.

“It was a difficult start, as Atalanta defended well and we tried to play between the lines, but were too hasty and conceded a few counter-attacks. It requires patience and we’d eventually create the scoring opportunities,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.

“We conceded on a corner, the same way as against Milan. We equalised from another corner and Andrea Pirlo’s great strike paved the way to victory.

“He has two magical feet, especially the right, and when he shoots the ball takes strange trajectories. It was an extraordinary goal.

“We cannot expect to win every match 3-0, as there are opponents and they aren’t just going to lie down and let us dominate.

“I saw a team that was very concentrated today, albeit a little too hasty and therefore gave the ball away. We should’ve finished off the game after the break, but we were determined and focused to bring this victory home, all things we were lacking against Cesena.”

Juventus particularly struggled in the last 15 minutes, but Allegri insisted it was to be expected.

“Through these games we reach our final objective. We were a little tired and worked hard in training this month, as we didn’t have the chance during the winter break. We had to put some fuel in the old legs going into the final stage of the season.

“Towards the end we didn’t control the ball well, which we usually do. This is the toughest part of the campaign. These games are good for us, as they get our feet back on the ground and remind us that nothing will be handed to us.”

Giulio Migliaccio opened the scoring with a header from a corner, something Allegri expected.

“I had told the defenders that Migliaccio always got the ball in the air, he’s got a magnet for it. Unfortunately in these situations it’s almost better not to mark them.”

Juve face Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16. This evening BVB notched up a third consecutive victory, winning 3-2 away to Stuttgart.

“We are in very good shape. Borussia are back on track and on Tuesday it’s the first of two games, so we have to play with balance and I am absolutely not worried by this match.

“I think they are going to be two great games and I expect qualification to be decided only in the final minutes of the second leg.”

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

2 - 1

Giulio Migliaccio (25')

Fernando Llorente (39')
Andrea Pirlo (45')

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Match-winning genius or Achilles heel? Pirlo will
make or break Juventus against Dortmund

The 35-year-old playmaker was at his peerless best on Friday night, inspiring his side
to a 2-1 win over Atalanta, but BVB will no doubt target the midfielder in Turin.

Feb 20, 2015
 
By Mark Doyle

Andrea Pirlo has never been bothered by pressure. "I don’t give a toss about it," he wrote in his autobiography, 'I Think, Therefore, I Play'. "I spent the afternoon of Sunday, 9 July, 2006 in Berlin sleeping and playing the PlayStation. In the evening, I went out and won the World Cup.”

However, while Pirlo may be impervious to pressure of the mental variety, he is susceptible to physical pressure.

Pirlo is one of the finest playmakers ever to play the game, a footballer of rare intelligence who moves the ball and his team-mates around the field like a chess master. For all Paul Pogba's dynamism, L'architetto remains Juventus' most important player. However, while he is their greatest strength, he is also their most glaring weakness - precisely because he is so important; so integral to how Juve play. Pirlo has been repeatedly targeted by opponents because to shut down Pirlo is to shut down Juve.

Of course, Pirlo, genius that he is, is capable of outmanoeuvring any adversary. But he is also human and, at 35, increasingly prone to getting caught in possession when put under intense pressure, as evidenced by last weekend's 2-2 draw at Cesena.

Pirlo had no such problems against Atalanta on Friday night. True, Juve fell behind to a header from Giulio Migliaccio (worryingly, it was a near identical goal to the one that the Bianconeri conceded in the 3-1 win over AC Milan a fortnight ago) but Pirlo was fantastic from start to finish, capping a come-from-behind win with a frankly ridiculous strike from 29 metres out.

Predictably, Pirlo dictated the game throughout, but he didn't just distribute the ball with typical class and composure, he also recovered it five times. So dominant was the former AC Milan man, that it was he who was harrying others out of possession.

However, it will be a very different story against Borussia Dortmund when Jurgen Klopp's men arrive in Turin on Tuesday night for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Bayern are a high-octane, high-pressing team and they will pile the pressure on Pirlo. BVB may not be fans of the way in which Bayern Munich regularly cast their eyes in the direction of Signal Iduna Park and its star players, but you can be sure that Klopp will have his players watching videos of their Bavarian rivals' quarter-final victory over Juve two years ago.

Bayern beat Juventus 4-0 on aggregate, scoring two unanswered goals in both Bavaria and Turin, and the key to their commanding success was the way in which they never gave Pirlo a second to think, let alone play.

Nothing has changed in interim. Yes, Max Allegri has replaced Antonio Conte as coach but the fact is that Pirlo remains the focal point of the Juventus team.

With Dortmund now having been buoyed by three successive wins in the Bundesliga, one can be sure that they will arrive at Juventus Stadium reinvigorated.

"It will be crucial to win without conceding. We're not focused on their domestic form, only on their Champions League exploits. Tomorrow we'll start thinking about preparing for the match" the midfielder said of Dortmund at full-time.

Thus, the pressure on Pirlo will be intense. How he responds to it will clearly play a massive part in determining which side progresses to the last eight.

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

2 - 1

Giulio Migliaccio (25')

Fernando Llorente (39')
Andrea Pirlo (45')

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Player Ratings: Juventus 2-1 Atalanta

Feb 20, 2015
 
Juventus beat Atalanta 2-1 at the Juventus Stadium in a dull Serie A clash on Friday evening.

Giulio Migliaccio gave Atalanta a shock lead before Fernando Llorente leveled for the Bianconeri and Andrea Pirlo produced a moment of magic to score what would prove to be the match winning goal in the first half.

 

Juventus

Gianluigi Buffon – 6.0 – Quiet - Denied Baselli with a great save in the first half only to see Atalanta score from the resulting corner. Quiet game otherwise.

Martin Caceres – 5.5 – Omen - Attacked well in the first half, final ball let him down. Now 38 consecutive appearances without defeat.

Leonardo Bonucci – 6.0 – Bystander - Much like Chiellini, had little to do throughout the game. Dealt with most things comfortably, with the exception of build up to opening goal.

Giorgio Chiellini – 6.0 – Untroubled - Had little to do. Only Juventus player who came close to preventing Migliaccio’s header.

Simone Padoin – 5.0 – Wasteful - Offered little to his side. Persistently wasteful in possession going forward.

Claudio Marchisio – 6.0 – Average - Nothing spectacular to note. Main talking point from his performance was booking for diving and continued spat with Scaloni.

ANDREA PIRLO – 7.0 – Difference - Had a relatively quiet game. Dictated the pace in his usual fashion. May have received a lower rating were it not for his wonder strike which clinched the three points.

Paul Pogba – 5.5 – Tame - Failed to influence the game one way or another in his hour or so on the pitch. Never got out of first gear, possibly keeping an eye on the upcoming Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.

Roberto Pereyra – 5.0 – Ineffective - Intended to be the attacking link in the midfield but largely failed to do anything productive.

Carlos Tevez – 5.0 – Blunt - Uncharacteristically quiet. No threatening runs at defence and lacked usual bullishness.

Fernando Llorente – 6.0 – Lucky - Only receiving a rating this high because he scored. Morata offered more in his short time on the field than Llorente could all night.


Substitutes

Stephan Lichtsteiner – 5.0 - Replaced Pogba with just under 30 minutes to play but did little to nothing.

Alvaro Morata – No Rating

Kingsley Coman – No Rating


 

Atalanta

Marco Sportiello – 7.5 – Standout - Made a number of good saves, the pick of which being from a close-range Pogba header. Denied Caceres in the first half and saved well initially before Juventus equalised.

Andrea Masiello – 6 – Comeback - Not a bad reintroduction to Serie A after a three year absence. Made a brilliant recovery tackle to deny Morata late on.

Lionel Scaloni – 5.5 – Basic - Not bad, but should have pressed Juventus attacks more.

Gianpaolo Bellini – 6 – Comfortable - Failed to clear in the lead up to Juventus’ equaliser, but performed well otherwise.

Boukary Drame – 5 – Mute - Offered nothing going forward, Zappacosta suffered as a result.

Davide Zappacosta – 6 – Assured - The young versatile Italian performed to a good standard yet again for La Dea before having to come off with an injury shortly after half-time. Played on the left of midfield but looked as comfortable as he has everywhere else this season.

Giulio Migliaccio – 6.5 – Battler - Thrived in his role and broke up several Juventus plays. Put his side ahead with a header.

Luca Cigarini – 6 – Controlling - Kept possession well, as usual. At times dominated an albeit tame Bianconeri midfield along with Migliaccio.

Urby Emanuelson – 6 – Shift - Played reasonably well on the right without doing too much going forward, largely due to his team not seeing much of the ball.

Daniele Baselli – 5 – Frustrated - The youngster played in as one of La Dea’s more advanced players but possession became somewhat of a rarity. Denied by a brilliant Buffon stop at 0-0.

German Denis – 5 – Rusty - Il Tanque looked like a man low on confidence and was suffering from a lack of game time. Poor first touch and looked heavy on his feet. A far cry from the Tanque we knew last season.


Substitutes

Marco D’Alessandro – No Rating

Richmond Boakye – No Rating

Alejandro Gomez – No Rating

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - ATALANTA

2 - 1

Giulio Migliaccio (25')

Fernando Llorente (39')
Andrea Pirlo (45')

Friday, February 20th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati

Pirlo: Juventus Suffered Against Atalanta

Feb 20, 2015
 
Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo has stated that his suffered in their 2-1 win over Atalanta on Friday night.

The Italian international’s long-range strike on the stroke of half-time proved to be the winning goal, extending Juve’s lead at the top of the table to 10 points, with Roma still to play on Sunday.

“It was a beautiful goal,” he told Mediaset. “I’m happy that it proved to be the winning one too.

“Atalanta have always played well away from home; we did suffer but we had the right spirit.

“Allegri unsatisfied? It is normal for the coach to feel that way when the side is suffering on the pitch.”

Pirlo then went on to say that the side are now focusing on the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

“We have to prepare ourselves for Tuesday’s game,” he concluded. “We are ready, and we’ll give it our best shot.”

 

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111