Juventus Season 2014-2015

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - GENOA

1 - 0

Carlos Tévez (25')

Sunday, March 22nd, 2015 - 3:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Marco Di Bello

JUVENTUS 1-0 GENOA PLAYER RATINGS
– SERIE A WEEK 28

Mar 23, 2015
 
Carlos Tevez scored a golazo but missed a penalty in Juve’s 1-0 win over Genoa.

Juventus were missing Paul Pogba and Andrea Pirlo so coach Max Allegri switched to a 3-5-2 system, including Andrea Barzagli at the back.

Juve dominated the first half and the pressure finally paid off when Roberto Pereyra played in Carlos Tevez who fired home a great shot to leave Perin clutching at air.

Despite missing a penalty in the second half, Juve coasted to victory to earn another vital 3 points and edge ever closer to the Scudetto.

 

Gianluigi Buffon 6.5 - Had the occasional save to make, but nothing the verteran keeper couldn’t handle easily. Mostly untested and untroubled for most of the game

Andrea Barzagli 7.0 - Shown in 3 games just what Juve have missed for much of the season. Made a vital interception on Roncaglia’s cross to deny a certain Genoa goal. Outstanding.

Leonardo Bonucci 6.0 - A little suspect in his choice of passes, especially so close to his own goal. Improved as the game went on.

Giorgio Chiellini 6.5 - One of his better recent performances, keeping Lestienne quiet and contained. Strong in the air, drew fouls from the opposition strikers and was defensively sound all game.

Stephan Lichtsteiner 6.5 - Tore up and down the right flank when he could, beaten by Bergdich on a few occasions but seemed to play better for having Barzagli next to him.

Arturo Vidal 6.0 - Hard-working as always, but not his best performance. Gave the ball away on more than one occasion, less of a threat in the final third of the pitch.

Claudio Marchisio 7.0 - Exceptional in midfield. Worked very hard in front of defence but also made some spectacular passes that Pirlo would have been proud of.

Roberto Pereyra 7.0 - A great display, full of great runs and brilliant passing. Provided the assist for the opener and could have set Juve up for a second on the counter attack.

Simone Padoin 6.0 - Very little contribution in attack but defended very well to limit Genoa’s attacks.

Carlos Tevez 7.5 - Scored a sublime first goal beating two defenders and the keeper in the process. Unfortunately missed his penalty and was a little quiet in the second half.

Fernando Llorente 6.5 - Great holding up the ball but he had his chances to score and he failed to take any of them. A tough game for the Spaniard who can’t seem to buy a goal at the moment.


Substitutes

Alessandro Matri N/A

Simone Pepe N/A

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

Gervinho: Juventus Are Much
Better Than Roma

Apr 1, 2015
 
Roma forward Gervinho has admitted that the Serie A title will now be extremely difficult to win due the difference in quality between themselves and Juventus.

The Scudetto is now well out of reach for the Giallorossi as they are 14 points adrift of the Bianconeri, however the Ivory Coast international has reinforced his team’s desire to obtain a place in the Champions League places.

“It will be extremely difficult for us to win the league now,” said the 27-year-old when speaking to AfricaTopSports.com

“There is a huge difference between us and Juventus but we are going to fight hard to get back into the Champions League.”

The 27-year-old has also given his opinion on his Roma team-mate and fellow Ivorian Seydou Doumbia who as so far struggled to make much of an impact at the Stadio Olimpico.

“I am not worried about Doumbia, he has experienced a complete change in the type of league football and he needs time to adapt.

“It is not going to be easy for him but I know his qualities and what he is capable of. Once he has settled in then he will give us a big helping hand.”

Roma currently occupy second place in Serie A although are only one point ahead of their arch rivals Lazio.

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

Nedved: 'Monaco play best away'

Apr 1, 2015
 
Juventus director Pavel Nedved believes Monaco are 'most dangerous when playing away', whilst he also discusses Spanish interest in Paul Pogba.

The Bianconeri will be carrying the hopes of Serie A two weeks from now when hosting Monaco for the Champions League quarter-finals, and their former Ballon d'Or winner gave his perspective in an interview with Spanish publication El Mundo Deportivo.

“In the Champions League we could have squared off against much stronger opponents, but we shouldn't underestimate Monaco,” Nedved has considered.

“I saw their game against Arsenal and they impressed me.

“They're most dangerous when playing away, rather than at home. We cannot depend on the home leg.”

When asked which team he would rather not face, Nedved was categorical.

“Neither Barcelona nor Bayern. Not on your life. The farther away from us, the better.

“They're the best two teams in Europe and the favourites to win this Champions League. They're playing a superior level of football and they're achieving some great results.

“Real Madrid are no longer what they were last year, but they deserve great respect. They can change many things over one month.”

The 42-year-old was also asked about Pogba, who is being touted for a possible transfer to Barcelona and Real Madrid.

“We know that Barcelona and other big clubs want him, but he has a contract with us. As for his injury, while he's a player of the utmost quality, we should not weep over spilt milk. We have a great squad to make up for the loss.

“With regards to [Alvaro] Morata, I like what he's doing and I'm glad he was called up for the national team. He can become a champion and he's a really good person as well.”

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

.-

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Andrea Pirlo won't play in Juventus' game against Empoli

Apr 2, 2015

It's been a few weeks since we've heard much of anything about the status of midfielder Andrea Pirlo. And because of that, when Juventus gave us an injury update on Claudio Marchisio at the beginning of the week, I wondered why there had been nothing included that day about one of Il Principino's fellow beard-clad midfielders.

Apparently, now we know why such things have happened.

According to both Tuttosport and the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport, Pirlo won't be taking part in Juventus' game against Empoli on Saturday and could return for their trip to Florence in the Coppa Italia against Fiorentina next Tuesday night. That means the original three-week diagnosis and timetable for Pirlo's return will be extended at least another week further as he recovers from the strain in his right calf he picked up in the first leg against Borussia Dortmund last month.

All of this is with an eye on Juventus' Champions League quarterfinal opener against Monaco on April 14 in Turin and keeping Pirlo healthy. Isn't having a 14-point lead in Serie A nice? It allows you do some things.

Juventus have not released anything officially regarding Pirlo's condition even before Marchisio was injured in the middle of the international break.

Pirlo's extended injury absence means that Juventus will again be as slim as it gets in terms of midfield depth coming out of the international break. We're still just a couple weeks into Paul Pogba's two-month injury layoff, and follow last week's shenanigans amongst the Italy training staff, how long Claudio Marchisio is truly out injured is still up in the air. (At least we know it won't be for six or eight months, so we've got that going for us, which is nice.)

What am I trying to get at here?

Well, injuries suck, first and foremost. Secondly, the likelihood of Max Allegri using the 3-5-2 for the next couple of games went up just a little more than before simply because of who he has — or doesn't have right now — at his disposal. And lastly, I throw this out there for the masses: Who's ready for some Stefano Sturaro playing time?

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

.-

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Giacomelli for Juventus-Empoli

Apr 2, 2015

Piero Giacomelli will take charge of Empoli’s visit to Juventus as the AIC announces the referees for Week 29.

The 37-year-old has officiated the Bianconeri three times in his career, with the most recent being a 3-0 win over Cesena at Juventus Stadium.

Elsewhere, Nicola Rizzoli is entrusted with the Saturday morning clash between Roma and Napoli, while Daniele Doveri will run the rule over Palermo-Milan


Serie A week 29 referees

Atalanta-Torino - Marco Guida
Cagliari-Lazio - Gianluca Rocchi
Fiorentina-Sampdoria - Luca Banti
Genoa-Udinese - Paolo Mazzoleni
Verona-Udinese - Daniele Orsato
Inter-Parma - Sebastiano Peruzzo
Juventus-Empoli - Piero Giacomelli
Palermo-Milan - Daniele Doveri
Roma-Napoli - Nicola Rizzoli
Sassuolo-Chievo - Luca Pairetto

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

.-

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Preview: Juventus vs. Empoli

Apr 2, 2015

After another dominant season in Serie A, Juventus are on course to register their fourth consecutive title win with a number of games to spare, but they still have work to do to get over the line.

Saturday's opponents don't possess any kind of form in Turin, but their recent unbeaten run has given them belief ahead of the trip to the Juventus Stadium.


Juventus

As far as Serie A is concerned, the main job for Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is to ensure that complacency doesn't creep into the ranks as they look to confirm a fourth successive title.

Defeat to Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia could have threatened to derail the club's otherwise relentless form, but four successive victories in all competitions has strengthened the club's standing both in Italy and in Europe.

Juventus currently possess a run of 19 games unbeaten in Serie A, a streak that has seen them power away from nearest challengers Roma, and they have every chance of retaining their crown by at least 20 points.

Despite Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata scoring 35 times between them in all competitions, Juventus have struggled for goals in recent weeks with their last three wins all coming by a 1-0 scoreline.

The lack of goals won't necessarily worry Allegri when his defence are performing on a consistent basis, but there will be calls for a greater cutting edge against Empoli, who have proven recently that they shouldn't be pushovers on Saturday night.

Tevez heads into the game having scored just three in eight league games, a record that is coincidentally shared by Morata, and they will need to improve to fend off the challenge of Fernando Llorente for a starting role.

Recent form: D W D W W W 

Recent form (all competitions): D L W W W W 

 

Empoli

At one stage this season, it appeared as though Empoli would be prime candidates to suffer relegation to Serie B, but since the end of 2014, they have proven tough opposition for any team in Italy.

The Blues are currently on an unbeaten run of eight games, with just three defeats coming in their last 20 - all by one-goal margins.

Some will argue that they draw too many games but their current form has ensured that they should avoid a relegation battle at the end of the campaign.

Manager Maurizio Sarri will strive for more wins from his team, especially on the road where just one victory has been registered, but if they can add to their nine draws on the road in Turin, Sarri will be delighted with his team's efforts.

Sarri will also take heart from the recent draws at Roma and AC Milan, games which have seen former Middlesbrough striker Massimo Maccarone net important goals for his side.

The 35-year-old's return of seven strikes isn't particularly impressive, but Empoli have shared goals around the team, as shown in their last match against Sassuolo when Riccardo Saponara netted twice.

 

Recent form: D W D D D W 
 

 

Team News

Midfielder Andrea Pirlo is unlikely to be back in contention for this weekend's fixture after a number of reports indicated that the 35-year-old won't be risked as he continues to nurse a calf injury.

Claudio Marchisio had been expected to miss the majority of 2015 after suffering a knee injury with Italy, but it has since been revealed that he sprained his knee, meaning that he could be fit for the weekend.

Morata could return in place of Llorente after not featuring in the 18-man squad in the last match, while the rest of the team is likely to be dependant on their fitness after the international games.

Allegri won't risk any of his senior squad ahead of the Champions League double-header with Monaco, so this might be an opportunity to alter his team.

Barring any late fitness issues, Empoli could name the same starting lineup for the second game running.


Juventus possible starting lineup:

Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Sturaro, Pereyra, Padoin; Tevez, Morata

 

Empoli possible starting lineup:

Sepe, Mario Rui, Hysaj, Rugani, Barba, Croce, Valdifiori, Vecino, Saponara, Maccarone, Pucciarelli

 

Head To Head

Juventus and Empoli have only previously faced each other a total of 15 times, and as you would expect, it's Juventus who dominate the head-to-head record with 10 wins.

Empoli's only two triumphs have come at Stadio Carlo Castellani, in 1999 and 2007, and they have suffered defeat on each of their last five visits to Turin.

The reverse fixture between the two sides back in November ended in a 2-0 victory for Juventus, with Pirlo and Morata netting second-half goals to help the club get back on track after their only league defeat of the year to Genoa.


We say: Juventus 2-0 Empoli

Given their recent improved results, Empoli will hold no fear travelling to the Serie A leaders, but they will still require their hosts to under-perform in order to leave Turin with a result. Juventus only need five wins to defend their title, and expect a professional performance at the weekend.

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

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Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Juventus v Empoli Preview: Allegri eyes historic treble

The Bianconeri are 14 points clear at the top of Serie A
and remain in the hunt for the Coppa Italia and Champions League.

Apr 3, 2015

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri talked up his club's push for a treble ahead of Saturday's home clash with Empoli.

Such is Juve's dominance as they bid for a fourth successive title - they are 14 points ahead of the second-placed Roma with 10 matches to go - that Allegri can afford to dream of what would be a historic start to his Turin tenure.

His appointment was seen as a surprise following Antonio Conte's decision to become Italy boss, but Allegri has won the fans over following an excellent debut campaign.

A tremendous win at Borussia Dortmund saw them reach the Champions League quarter-finals, where they will play Monaco, but they do trail Fiorentina 2-1 after one leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final.

"We deserved a night like that [in Dortmund] after all the hard work we did in the last few months," Allegri said in a question and answer session with fans.

"We must have faith in our ability to go on [in all three competitions].

"The game against Monaco isn't easy at all. It's a much more complicated game than everyone says.

"As for the Coppa Italia, we haven't won it in a long time and we'll do everything we can to make up for that.

"We can still turn the first leg around. [At Juventus we are] organised, attentive and ambitious."

First up for Juve is this home clash, though, as they look to make it five wins in a row in all competitions.

Juve have kept clean sheets in each of those four victories, while Empoli have scored only 30 goals in 28 matches this season.

The visitors have won just six matches but sit 13th after a season that has seen them become known as Serie A's draw specialists.


OPTA FACTS

Juventus have won 12 of the previous 17 meetings against Empoli, leaving just two wins for the Tuscans.

Empoli are yet to win at Juventus in Serie A, they have picked up only one point so far in eight visits to Turin.

Juventus have averaged 2.4 goals per game in the last nine league meetings versus Empoli (22 goals scored overall).

On the other hand, Empoli have managed just one goal over the last five clashes against Juve in Serie A, failing to score in each of the last three.

Empoli’s last Serie A win over Juventus came in April 1999, 1-0 was the final score with Bianconi on the scoresheet.

Juventus have now gone 19 league games unbeaten, winning 13 in the process.

Moreover, the Old Lady has not lost any of the last 42 home games in Serie A, with 38 wins over this period.

However Empoli are unbeaten in eight Serie A matches (3W, 5D) – their longest unbeaten streak in the top flight.

 

LAST FIVE MATCHES

Juventus  W W W W L

3/22/15 - Juventus 1 - 0 Genoa
3/18/15 - Borussia Dortmund 0 - 3 Juventus
3/14/15 - Palermo 0 - 1 Juventus
3/9/15 - Juventus 1 - 0 Sassuolo
3/5/15 - Juventus 1 - 2 Fiorentina


Empoli  W D D D W

3/22/15 - Empoli 3 - 1 Sassuolo
3/14/15 - Cagliari 1 - 1 Empoli
3/8/15 - Empoli 1 - 1 Genoa
3/1/15 - Palermo 0 - 0 Empoli
2/22/15 - Empoli 3 - 0 Chievo Verona


HEAD TO HEAD

11/1/14 - Empoli 0 - 2 Juventus
3/19/08 - Empoli 0 - 0 Juventus
1/15/08 - Juventus 5 - 3 Empoli
12/6/07 - Empoli 2 - 1 Juventus
10/31/07 - Juventus 3 - 0 Empoli

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

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Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Rugani: ‘I only want Juventus’

Apr 3, 2015

Daniele Rugani admits that interest from Arsenal is flattering, but says he only wants to play for Juventus.

The Empoli defender will return to Turin at the end of the season after the Bianconeri bought out his co-ownership deal in the winter transfer window.

It had been rumoured that English side Arsenal were tracking the talented centre-back, but Rugani says he only ever wanted Juve.

“Wenger wanted me? It’s gratifying to know that such a great Coach was interested,” the Italian Under 21 international told Tuttosport.

“But honestly I’m glad to have been redeemed by Juventus, I’ve been a Juventino since childhood and I hope to stay in Turin for 10 years.”

The 20-year-old will get an early taste of the atmosphere at Juventus Stadium when his Empoli side play there tomorrow and Rugani warns that they want to emerge with something.

“There will be a bit of emotion, more than anything it will be the emotion of playing at the Stadium against the best team in Italy.

“I expect a good game against Juventus, we’re pretty much safe [from relegation] and we don’t have any particular worries.

“We’ll go to Turin to play and try and take home at least a point.

“That said, I know the mentality of Juventus and I’m sure they won’t be distracted by the Champions League or Coppa Italia.

“They go into every game with the maximum concentration. This will be the most difficult game of the season for us.”

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

.-

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Juventus V Empoli – Preview:
The Bianconeri On An Easter Hunt

Apr 3, 2015

Juventus will be on the hunt for points not eggs when Empoli arrive in Turin on Saturday night as Italian football resumes after the international break.

The match at the Juventus Stadium will bookend the action on a full card of Serie A fixtures on the eve of Easter Sunday and, with Roma starting proceedings at midday against top three hopeful Napoli, Massimiliano Allegri’s men will know before kick off if they need to maintain or can extend their commanding 14 point lead at the summit.

Empoli travel north-west in good form, unbeaten in eight seeing them pull away from the battle against the drop and start the weekend 12 points clear of Cagliari in the final relegation berth. Their 3-1 win over Sassuolo last time out suggests they could yet finish mid-table.

Coach Maurizio Sarri’s blend of experience and youth has produced an entertaining side that haven’t gone unnoticed. Most recently is 28-year-old Mirko Valdifiori, the deep-lying playmaker enjoying his first Serie A season and earned his first international cap for Italy in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with England with rumours of clubs circling this summer.

Sarri has drawn praise himself as Empoli consolidate on their top flight return after six years away and, while press reports of him replacing Filippo Inzaghi at AC Milan were denied, the 56-year-old has already left the Giuseppe Meazza with a point after a draw with Roma as a part of four straight draws on the road.

The Bianconeri have been efficient if not spectacular domestically and haven’t won by more than a single goal in their last six. Allegri has managed the squad well and that task remains a priority with Tuesday night’s Coppa Italia semi-final second leg in Florence and their Champions League last-four clash with Monaco on the horizon.

The form of Carlos Tevez is of highest priority, the Argentine’s winner against Genoa last time out sees him remain Capocannonieri on 16 league goals. El Apache can continue to live up to the prestige of the Bianconeri No.10 shirt if he becomes the club’s first Capocannonieri since Alessandro Del Piero in 2008. However he is likely to be rested come Saturday with bigger assignments to come.

One anomaly that could be answered on Saturday night is the Curious Case of Claudio Marchisio. The midfielder was initially sent home from the Italy squad, the Azzurri medics claiming he had torn his cruciate ligaments only for Juventus to say the 29-year-old could be in contention against Empoli. The Bianconeri are becoming stretched in the middle of the park with no word on Andrea Pirlo’s recovery and Paul Pogba out until the beginning of May at best.

Empoli have a clean bill of health since their impressive victory over Sassuolo a fortnight ago and highly rated Daniele Rugani will hope to avoid a repeat of his own goal against his parent club. Riccardo Saponara scored a brace in that match and will likely continue alongside Francesco Tavano and Massimo Maccarone in their front three.


Form Guide: Juventus (W-W-W-D-W-D), Empoli (W-D-D-D-W-D)


Expected Starting XIs

Juventus: Buffon; Bonucci, Ogbonna, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Sturaro, Pereyra, Evra; Llorente, Coman.

Empoli: Sepe; Hysaj, Barba, Rugani, Mario Rui; Vecino, Valdifiori, Croce; Saponara, Maccarone, Tavano

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

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Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Allegri: 'Two-thirds champions'

Apr 3, 2015

Max Allegri believes two wins will take Juventus ‘two-thirds’ of the way to the Scudetto, but has a midfield headache.

The Bianconeri are 14 points clear at the top of Serie A with 10 games to play, with the next two games against Empoli and Parma.

“I’ll try to field the best team I can to face Empoli, who are doing well” Allegri told journalists in his pre-match Press conference.

“They’ve done great things this season, and have had eight consecutive good results, so we have to be good and have the right attitude to win the League.

“We’re 10 matches from the end, and we’re still missing a few points and a few victories to win the Scudetto. I think two-thirds of the Scudetto will be won if we beat Empoli and Parma.

“I’d say that for tomorrow there are a lot of question marks, because the last two only returned [from international duty] yesterday, Tevez and Pereyra.

“Today I’ll have to evaluate the conditions of both, as well as the conditions of the others in the only training session we have to prepare for the game.

“For the regista? I don’t know, it depends on training today. Andrea Pirlo is definitely out. We don’t have Marchisio, we don’t have Paul Pogba.

“So the midfielders we have available are Sturaro, Vidal, Padoin and Pereyra.

“As for which of those will play in front of the defence, we could even play Vidal there, we’ll see.”

Allegri also discussed the controversy around Claudio Marchisio’s knee and says he could be available for Tuesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final with Fiorentina.

“I’m sorry about what happened. The important thing is that Marchisio is healthy, that his knee is fine, and even if he won’t be available tomorrow, he certainly will be next week.

“Fiorentina? Let’s see, the important thing is that his knee is fine.

“By the way, I don’t think it was easy to go from thinking you have a ruptured cruciate ligament to a healthy knee.

“He’s bounced back well, psychologically. He’s fine, he’s following his own training regime and we hope to have him available for Florence.”

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

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Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Title-chasing Juventus on the final straight - Allegri

The former Milan coach is hoping for one last push from his side
despite their current injury problems, admitting he has very few midfield options.

Apr 3, 2015

Massimiliano Allegri has demanded Juventus maintain their stranglehold on Serie A and claim back-to-back wins over Empoli and Parma that would put them on the brink of retaining the Scudetto.

Juve have again been the dominant side in Italy this season and they go into Saturday’s home game against Empoli 14 points clear of the second-placed Giallorossi, whose challenge has died down due to poor form.

Victory at the Juventus Stadium, backed up by another three points at financially-crippled Parma a week later, would go a long way to securing a fourth successive title for the Turin side.

“All our opponents pull out all the stops against us. We’re on the final straight and need to be at the top of our game. We’d be two-thirds of the way to the Scudetto with wins over Empoli and Parma,” said Allegri, who accepts it will not be straightforward against an in-form Empoli side.

“Empoli are on an eight-game unbeaten run. It’s important for us to swiftly get back into the swing of things.”

Juve are ravaged by injury currently, especially in midfield, but Allegri is pleased key striker Carlos Tevez has returned from Argentina duty unscathed.

“Carlos is in good shape and not feeling the effects of jet lag, he’ll play,” he added at Friday's press conference. “But Andrea Pirlo will miss the Empoli game, as will Claudio Marchisio and Paul Pogba.

“There are plenty of question marks hanging over tomorrow’s team. I’ll have a good look at training today.”

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

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Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Sarri: Empoli Must Show ‘Insanity’
To Get Points At Juventus

Apr 3, 2015

Empoli head coach Maurizio Sarri has admitted that his side face an almost impossible task as they prepare to face Juventus at Juventus Stadium.

The Azzurri, currently on an eight game unbeaten run, face a difficult trip to Turin after a prolonged break due to the international break, a point Sarri made note of.

“If one looks at the results of Juventus at home in recent years, we have no chance in this game,” Sarri told reporters on Friday afternoon.

“We must show insanity and think that we can get something from the game.

“I know it will be difficult but if we don’t start with that thought, it will become very hard.

“Starting again [after the international break] is always difficult.

“Our feelings are positive, but the calender has given us a game which only serves to motivate us.

“I want us to go out onto the pitch in good spirit and, as I have mentioned, with the folly of trying [to get something from the game].”

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

.-

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Juventus v Empoli: Preview

Apr 3, 2015

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has told his players to concentrate on Saturday's Serie A home clash with Empoli and not be distracted by thoughts of next week's crunch Coppa Italia semi-final at Fiorentina.

The Bianconeri travel to Florence next Tuesday needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the opening leg if they are to reach the final.

Juve have not lifted the Coppa Italia since the 1994-95 campaign.

``It has been a long time since the club last won the Coppa and we will do everything we can to WIN it,'' Allegri told his club's website. ``I believe we can overturn the first-leg result.

``We are Juve.

``Right now the most important thing is to be focused on what we need to do from here until the end of the season.

``We haven't won anything yet and we have to take it one game at a time.''

Juve, who are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and a tie with Monaco, are well on their way to a fourth straight scudetto but first under Allegri.

The Bianconeri are 14 points clear of Roma at the top of Serie A.

Juve have won 20 and lost just once this season.

They boast the best attack and defence in the competition.

Juve are still without midfielder Paul Pogba, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Italian midfielder Claudio Marchisio is out with a knee problem.

The hosts will be bolstered by the return of Spanish forward Alvaro Morata, who missed his team's triumph over Genoa in the last round through suspension.

Morata, who has scored seven goals and set up four more in 22 league appearances, will partner Serie A's leading scorer Carlos Tevez in Juve's attack.

Empoli have not lost in eight matches.

A 3-1 triumph over Sassuolo last time out lifted the Tuscan outfit to 13th place, 12 points above the drop zone.

Maurizio Sarri's men have won just once on the road this season but have held the likes of Roma, Napoli, Fiorentina to draws.

``Juve is much stronger than us,'' Sarri said. ``But in our heads we must have only one thing in our mind and that is to play a beautiful game in Turin.''

Empoli will be at full strength with defender Lorenzo Tonelli having recovered from injury.

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

.-

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Marchisio out of Juve-Empoli

Apr 3, 2015

Claudio Marchisio and Kingsley Coman are among those out of tomorrow night’s Juventus-Empoli game.

It kicks off on Saturday at 21.00 CET.

There had been fears Marchisio would be out for six to eight months when he picked up a knee injury on international duty, but scans later showed no significant ligament damage.

However, Coach Max Allegri won’t risk throwing him straight into the squad for this weekend’s encounter with his old club Empoli.

Coman is also unavailable, as he sustained a muscular injury while playing for the France Under-21 side.

Paul Pogba, Andrea Pirlo, Martin Caceres, Romulo and Kwadwo Asamoah are more long-term absentees.


Juventus squad for Empoli: Buffon, Chiellini, Ogbonna, Pepe, Morata, Tevez, Llorente, Barzagli, De Ceglie, Bonucci, Padoin, Vidal, Vitale, Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Storari, Matri, Evra, Rubinho, Pereyra, Marrone

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

.-

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

JUVENTUS V EMPOLI MATCH PREVIEW

Apr 3, 2015

Juventus

Juventus return to action after the international break to face an Empoli side undefeated in their last 8 Serie A games.

The Bianconeri boast an equally impressive league record, having suffered just one loss all season to date, going the last 19 games unbeaten notching up an impressive 13 WINS along the way. Juve’s recent domestic form hasn’t been as strong as their early season performances, but that’s only to be expected given their 14 point lead at the top of the table combined with a string of injuries to key midfield players like Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba.

Coach Max Allegri was keen to remind people that the Scudetto is far from secure and Juve still have a way to go before securing up their 4th title in a row.

“We’re 10 matches from the end, and we’re still missing a few points and a few victories to WIN the Scudetto.” Allegri said in his pre-match press conference earlier today.

“I think two-thirds of the Scudetto will be won if we beat Empoli and Parma.”

Allegri will have limited options against Empoli as the international break has taken its toll in more ways than one.

“I’d say that for tomorrow there are a lot of question marks, because the last two only returned yesterday, Tevez and Pereyra.

“Today I’ll have to evaluate the conditions of both, as well as the conditions of the others in the only training session we have to prepare for the game.

“For the regista? I don’t know, it depends on training today. Pirlo is definitely out. We don’t have Marchisio, we don’t have Pogba.

“So the midfielders we have available are Sturaro, Vidal, Padoin and Pereyra.

“As for which of those will play in front of the defence, we could even play Vidal there, we’ll see.”

With all this in mind it’s very likely, given Empoli’s recent run of form and Juve’s injury woes, that we’ll see Allegri use a 3-5-2 over a 4-3-1-2.

Gianluigi Buffon and Leonardo Bonucci returned from international duty intact, while Allegri suggested Angelo Ogbonna is fit and could start the game tomorrow. The likelihood is Andrea Barzagli will complete the 3 man defence with Padoin or Arturo Vidal playing in front of them, depending on the formation.

Roberto Pereyra only returned to Italy yesterday so it’s very possible that Stefano Sturaro may get a run out in the midfield while Patrice Evra and Stephan Lichtsteiner should both be ready to start on either flank. Carlos Tevez has been in great goal-scoring form in recent weeks and should have recovered from jet-lag to start alongside Alvaro Morata.


Probable lineup

3-5-2: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Padoin, Sturaro, Evra; Tevez, Morata

 

Injured Players

Asamoah and Romulo (Recovering from surgery), Pirlo, Caceres, Pogba, Marchisio, Marrone, Coman

 

Suspended Players

None

 

Form

(L-W-W-W-W)



Empoli

Empoli has been the most critically acclaimed team in the League so far and deservedly so. What they are accomplishing with no money is truly remarkable. They are comfortably 12 points clear from the relegation zone, despite having probably one of the bottom two rosters in the League in terms of quality. It’s not easy to pinpoint how they achieved that: continuity is certainly a factor, but they are basically fielding seven or eight guys that wouldn’t even be high level Serie B players in other clubs.

One big reason is the command, the tactical genius and the low-key demeanor of the coach Maurizio Sarri, whose transition to Serie A football after years cutting his teeth in the lower leagues has not been only seamless, but utterly impressive. He hasn’t just continued to use the same possession football powered by short and smart passes, but he’s even having success with it on the biggest stage, with the same players he had in the previous seasions: they added only Luigi Sepe and Matias Vecino, both on loan, while Riccardo Saponara broke out here in 2012/2013. The environment is so uniquely quiet and relaxed: it’s the ideal situation to play football, especially for the youngsters who have yet to prove themselves.

Their starting XI has been very consistent all year long, besides the attack, because the four strikers aren’t very good. Massimo Maccarone, Manuel Pucciarelli, Francesco Tavano and Levan Mchedlidze have combined for thirteen goals, which is less than 50% of the team’s whole contribution (and three less compared to Carlos Tevez on his own). Maccarone is the leading scorer with seven and he’s likely to partner up with Pucciarelli (who has resolved the standoff with the management over the contract extension) but really any of them has a chance to start. Riccardo Saponera, who returned in June, has added some unpredictability in the CAM position, previously occupied by Simone Verdi, who’s more of a role player.

They have found goals elsewhere, in particular in dead ball situations. Lorenzo Tonelli and Daniele Rugani have been the key components of what has been the fifth best defense in Italy so far; moreover they have scored four and three goals respectively. Their midfield composed by Daniele Croce, Mirko Valdifiori and Matias Vecino is very muscular and balanced, brightened by the vision and passing of Valdifiori. They attack a lot down the flanks with the two fullbacks Elsejd Hysaj and Mario Rui, who has leapfrogged Vincent Laurini in the pecking order earlier in the season and is an authentic ENERGY bunny. Tonelli has missed some games before the break because of a bad ankle, but it looks like he’s ready to play: if he wasn’t, Federico Barba would take his spot and he has showed that he belongs in Serie A.

As every respectable low-table team does, they have collected most of their points at home. They are acceptably bad on the road: they have won only once, but they have also drawn nine times. In the first match of the season, Juventus beat Empoli 2-0 thanks to an Andrea Pirlo magnificent FREE kick one hour into the game and with Alvaro Morata putting the finishing touch on the win ten minutes later.

 

Probable Lineup

4-3-1-2: Sepe; Hysaj, Tonelli, Rugani, Rui; Croce, Valdifiori, Vecino; Saponara; Pucciarelli, Tavano

 

Injured players

Guarente

 

Suspended Players

None

 

Form

(W-D-D-D-W)


 

Formation

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

.-

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

MATCH PREVIEW

Apr 3, 2015

Runaway leaders Juventus host impressive Empoli on Saturday evening and the statistics suggest an even match.

Juve may not have recorded a loss in their last 19 games, but the last time they won a match by more than one goal was seven rounds ago, against Milan. In fact, out of their 20 victories, almost half (nine) of them have been by one goal.

Considering that statistic, it seems that Empoli have almost a 50/50 shot at keeping within touching distance until the final whistle. Add to that the fact that Empoli have both scored and conceded 30 goals this season, suddenly an apparent foregone conclusion may actually be more delicately balanced.

Despite all the furore early this week about Claudio Marchisio’s knee injury sustained on international duty, the former Empoli man will likely make the bench. Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba miss out, however, with Arturo Vidal the only real first-choice central midfielder available.

Empoli’s midfield, by contrast, has only been bolstered by the international break, with Mirko Valdifiori still buzzing from his Italy debut at Juventus Stadium against England on Tuesday. If that confidence spreads to his teammates, Juventus’ unfamiliar central midfield (although Roberto Pereyra has played more games than Pirlo, Vidal or Pogba this season) may have to stay especially mindful of their defensive duties, should their forward line once again not be as clinical as hoped.

Having only lost one Serie A match this season, Juve appear to be pretty much unstoppable – especially at home, where they have dropped points only twice out of 14 confrontations, and have scored four more goals than Empoli have home and away put together. However, if Empoli can indeed keep within that one goal margin, their experienced strike-force will always have a chance of scraping their side a positive result.

Juventus’ width and their dynamic style will most likely be enough to chalk up another victory, with Vidal and Carlos Tevez contributing 22 out of Juve’s 55 goals for this season, but if Empoli can take advantage of the international interruption then there could well be a stutter in the Juventus machine.


Keep an eye on: Carlos Tevez (Juventus) – Having scored 16 times this season, don’t be surprised if the recently internationally recalled Argentine again claims the points for his side.

Last Season: Not played

Form Guide: Juventus (W D W W W) - Empoli (W D D D W)

Stat Fact: Empoli were last in Serie A in the 2007-2008 season with current Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio on their BOOKS, as well as former Juve man Sebastian Giovinco.


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

Empoli (probable): Sepe; Hysaj, Rugani, Tonelli, Mario Rui; Vecino, Valdifiori, Croce; Saponara; Maccarone, Tavano

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

.-

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Juventus vs. Empoli Preview: Round 29 —
Hitting the final turn

Apr 4, 2015

How would you describe a 14-point lead in Serie A with 10 games to go? I'm sure something like "relaxing" is under consideration. What about "fantastic" or "extraordinary"? Those are good options, too. There are a lot of different directions we can go with this, and a lot of them would be the right way of describing things right now.

You see, this is the situation Juventus finds itself in right now. As we come out of the final first and only international break in the 2015 portion of the schedule, Juve are bound for their fourth straight title barring any kind of epic collapse. And even with all of the injuries to key players going on right now, that's hard to see happening simply because of how Max Allegri has managed to adapt to whatever roster situation stands in front of him.

So, we're just a short time from yet another step toward consecutive Scudetto No. 4 when Empoli travels to Juventus Stadium on Saturday night. Allegri knows his team is close, probably because the 14-point lead over Roma in the Serie A standings told him so.

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
.@OfficialAllegri: "We'd be two thirds of the way towards the Scudetto title with wins over Empoli and Parma."

The massive lead in Serie A means two things: 1) Juventus can focus more on getting ready for the Champions League and Coppa Italia instead of trying to fend off any close competition and 2) Allegri can choose to tinker with the squad for the games that will truly decide Juventus' season over the next few weeks. Clearly all the injuries will compromise the second part a little bit, but the fact still remains that Juve can focus on bigger things if the need be.

That's the good thing about having such a huge lead over the second-place team in the league right now. Juventus can't afford to become complacent because there are games on the schedule in the next few weeks that will have a much bigger impact than dropping a point or two in Serie A.

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
.@OfficialAllegri: "Empoli are on an eight-game unbeaten run. It's important for us to swiftly get back into the swing of things."


GOOD NEWS

I mentioned that 14-point lead, right? Yeah, let's just go with that one. Oh, and the fact that Juve has fared pretty well against Empoli over the years.

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
Saturday marks our 18th @SerieA_TIM meeting with the Azzurri: W12 D3 L2 is our record to date.


BAD NEWS

Have you seen the names on Juventus' injury list right now?

Andrea Pirlo (calf)
Claudio Marchisio (knee)
Paul Pogba (hamstring)
Martin Cáceres (ankle)
Kwadwo Asamoah (knee)
Romulo (groin)
Kingsley Coman (muscle fatigue)

Those names above would be a large part of a pretty good team right there, if you ask me. Maybe once they're all healthy Juventus should scrimmage them in a training session one day.


WHAT TO WATCH FOR

1. SIMONE Padoin ... regista?

This is what the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport is thinking Juventus' lineup will look like against Empoli as of Friday night:
 

You will notice many players playing where they should be. Then there's where SIMONE Padoin is predicted to be playing against Empoli. LITERALLY SIMONE PADOIN AS JUVE'S REGISTA. I find this interesting seeing as Roberto Pereyra is healthy and back from international duty with Argentina just like predicted starter Carlos Tévez. But if this is true, then it will be some kind of spinoff of the MVP midfield we've become so accustomed to over the last few years. I mean, it's not like Padoin is going to suddenly become Pirlo and start spraying 50-yard balls all over the field like it's no big deal at all. If it was up to me, like my lineup below says, I'd rather have a midfield of Sturaro, Pereyra and Arturo Vidal play from the opening whistle. But that's just me. Apparently Mister Allegri has a different kind of idea. Like a #PadoinForRegista kind of idea.

2. Stefano Sturaro in the center of Juventus' midfield.

While we can freak out about Padoin being Juve's regista, it seems pretty certain that all the injuries in the midfield is a chance to see Stefano Sturaro get some playing time. He's appeared in all of one game since his move from Genoa at the end of the winter transfer window. I was thinking he would slot in between Pereyra and Vidal in the midfield, but then the Padoin regista situation happened, so maybe my preference on how things should look is different compared to that of Allegri. No matter what, though, the injuries have created an opening for Sturaro — and that's a good thing. Well, the fact that Sturaro gets to play a little bit is a good thing, not the injuries. I think it's pretty well-established at this point that all the injuries Juventus has dealt with this season are all stupid and inconvenient.

3. Daniele Rugani at the center of Empoli's defense.

Many people felt that Rugani, who is in the middle of a truly fantastic first Serie A campaign, should have been part of Antonio Conte's Italy squad during the latest international break. Instead, Rugani was down with the Under-21 squad. No matter what, though, Rugani will be playing against the club so many people expect him to be at next season. And, to be honest with you, he hasn't done anything to tell us he isn't ready to make the jump from Empoli to Juventus. Through 28 games, he still hasn't been shown a yellow card — something that continues to make me shake my head in amazement every time I see it. Even if Carlos Tévez doesn't play from the start tomorrow night, the potential Rugani-Álvaro Morata battle is going to be fun to watch.

4 Can Fernando Llorente lead the line?

No matter if it's for Tévez or Morata, many folks in the Italian media are expecting the big Spaniard to start against Empoli Saturday night. We obviously don't need to go into deep analysis about the struggles Llorente has gone through this season. That's been talked about for months on end at this point. And unsurprisingly, the international break was filled with more the rumors surrounding his future in Turin and a possible move elsewhere this summer. The thinking is that if Tévez isn't too jet lagged he will get the start. If he can't go, then it will be Morata. We haven't seen all that much of the all-Spaniard strike combination this season, with mixed results being the final outcome to date. Maybe a couple weeks away from competitive games will be a good thing for Llorente. Then again, we've said that a decent number of times already this season.


My starting XI (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Padoin, Pereyra, Evra; Morata, Llorente

OFFICIAL KICKOFF TIME: 9 P.M. IN ITALY; 3 P.M. ON THE EAST COAST; HIGH NOON ON THE WEST COAST

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

.-

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Sarri: 'Empoli can control Juve'

Apr 4, 2015

Maurizio Sarri assures Empoli “want to go for it and take control” against leaders Juventus this evening.

“Our plan is to take control of the game,” said the Coach in his Press conference.

“I am fully aware it won’t be easy, but we must approach it with this type of ‘madness’ because otherwise it’ll be even harder. We want to go for it.

“I hope that we’ll play to have fun and do so without any pressure. Our aim is to counter Juve blow for blow, without being passive.

“All the Juve players are strong, so it doesn’t matter who starts. It’s never easy after the break for international duty, but a fixture like this brings its own motivation.

“We mustn’t let ourselves get intimidated by our opponents or the stadium. Our plan is to do something few have attempted at the Juventus Stadium: playing open and attacking football.”

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

.-

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Line-ups: Juventus-Empoli

Apr 4, 2015

Juventus have to reshuffle their squad against an Empoli side that plays some of the best football in Italy.

It kicks off at 21.00 CET.

Max Allegri has numerous injury problems to contend with, as Claudio Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba, Kwadwo Asamoah, Martin Caceres, Kingsley Coman and Romulo are unavailable.

Alvaro Morata returns from suspension, but is rested in favour of Fernando Llorente, while SIMONE Padoin and Marco Sturaro get midfield nods.

Empoli boss Maurizio Sarri has the full squad to choose from other than Tiberio Guarente, including a Mirko Valdifiori buoyed by his Italy debut against England in this stadium on Tuesday.

Lorenzo Tonelli returns from injury, while Daniele Rugani has already signed a contract to join Juventus next season.


Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Padoin, Vidal, Evra; Tevez, Llorente

Juventus bench: Storari, Rubinho, Chiellini, De Ceglie, Marrone, Pepe, Vitale, Pereyra, Morata, Matri


Empoli: Sepe; Hysaj, Rugani, Barba, Mario Rui; Vecino, Valdifiori, Croce; Saponara; Maccarone, Pucciarelli

Empoli bench: Pugliesi, Bassi; Laurini, Signorelli, Mchedlidze, Tavano, Diousse, Verdi, Brillante, Tonelli, Zielinski, Somma

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

.-

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Marotta: 'Yes Rugani, no Valdifiori'

Apr 4, 2015

Beppe Marotta confirms Daniele Rugani will join Juventus next season, but denied interest in Empoli’s Mirko Valdifiori.

“Our focus is on this match and three points that are fundamental for our Scudetto campaign,” general manager Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

“Empoli are a reference point for youth in Italian football and have always churned out some very interesting players.

“Among these is Rugani, who we have bought and will be part of the Juventus squad next season.”

There had been rumours of interest in his Empoli teammate Valdifiori, who at 28 made his Italy debut against England on Tuesday.

“There are players who reach maturity at a more advanced age, like Valdifiori. I recognise his qualities, but at this moment we are not in negotiations for him.”

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

.-

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

HT 1-0: Tevez breaks down Empoli

Apr 4, 2015

Carlos Tevez has been inspirational and given Juventus the half-time lead over impressive Empoli.

The Bianconeri made changes, missing Claudio Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba, Kwadwo Asamoah, Martin Caceres, Kingsley Coman and Romulo, plus resting players ahead of the Coppa Italia semi-final with Fiorentina. Mirko Valdifiori was buoyed by his Italy debut against England in this very stadium earlier this week.

Carlos Tevez forced the first save out of Luigi Sepe after four minutes, then the Apache left two defenders for dead with a sensational feint, but the goalkeeper rushed off his line to block.

Arturo Vidal and Stephan Lichtsteiner both went for the same ball and eventually the Swiss international was denied by Sepe from close range.

Massimo Maccarone fired wide of the near post, but Juventus took the lead when Daniele Rugani was judged to have made a back-pass to Sepe. The indirect kick was awarded on the outside corner of the six-yard box and it was touched on for Tevez, who smashed his finish into the roof of the net. There were numerous Empoli players on the line, so his only hope of scoring was to lift it with real power.

Moments later, Tevez went on another strong run and Sepe smothered at the near post.


Juventus 1-0 Empoli (Half-Time)

Scorers: Tevez 43 (J)

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Padoin, Vidal, Evra; Tevez, Llorente

Empoli: Sepe; Hysaj, Rugani, Barba, Mario Rui; Vecino, Valdifiori, Croce; Saponara; Maccarone, Pucciarelli

Ref: Giacomelli

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

2 - 0

Carlos Tévez (43')
Roberto Pereyra (93')

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Juventus 2-0 Empoli: Tevez thumps
home indirect free kick in victory

The Argentine scored just before the break, lashing the ball into the back of the net
after the referee had penalised the visitors for a backpass, before Roberto Pereyra netted.

Apr 4, 2015

Carlos Tevez led by example in the absence of several key stars as injury-hit Juventus' ominous march towards a 31st Serie A title continued with an unconvincing 2-0 defeat of Empoli on Saturday.

Juve were without a multitude of players due to injury, including Paul Pogba, Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Pirlo, but Tevez produced an all-action display in their absence to inspire Massimiliano Allegri's side to all three points.

The Argentina international was a constant nuisance to the Empoli backline during the first half, though the visitors were successful in frustrating their hosts for over 40 minutes.

Juve's breakthrough eventually came just before the break, Tevez slamming home an indirect free-kick from 10 yards to delight the home fans.

Empoli improved after the break and were only denied a 53rd-minute equaliser by Gianluigi Buffon's fine one-handed save, as Juve's hold of the midfield battle began to loosen.

The Italy goalkeeper came to Juve's rescue again 19 minutes from time, before more fine work from Tevez led to substitute Roberto Pereyra adding a late second for Allegri's side, who restored their 14-point lead at the summit following Roma's WIN over Napoli earlier in the day.

Despite their injury woes in midfield, Juventus did not appear to have any problems dictating proceedings during the early exchanges, crafting the first chance after just five minutes.

Tevez was unsurprisingly at the fore, as he cut on to his right foot and curled a delicate effort towards the bottom-right corner, only for Luigi Sepe to turn it around the post.

Serie A's top scorer was central to Juve's next opportunity 14 minutes later, deceiving two defenders with a delightful feint on the edge of the area before seeing his eventual effort smothered by the advancing Sepe.

Juve remained utterly dominant and Daniele Rugani - who is set to join Allegri's men in July - eventually presented them with a glorious opportunity from an indirect free-kick inside the penalty area after a 42nd-minute backpass.

Tevez duly smashed the ball beyond the helpless combination of Sepe and his wall, finding the roof of the net in emphatic fashion to break the deadlock.

Regardless of their dominance, Juve had to rely on goalkeeper Buffon to keep them ahead seven minutes into the second period, as Manuel Pucciarelli raced on to Mirko Valdifiori's long pass and saw his header acrobatically tipped wide.

The match began to descend into a scrappy midfield battle as the hour mark approached, with neither side crafting much in terms of goal-scoring opportunities.

Juve had to count on the brilliance of Buffon again in the 71st minute, the veteran rushing out to tackle Pucciarelli before then denying the Empoli striker with a reaction save.

Arturo Vidal almost put the result beyond doubt with 80 minutes on the clock, stroking just wide of the bottom-left corner from 20 yards.

The Chilean then jogged off gingerly with a knock four minutes from time, to leave Allegri with another potential midfield injury concern.

But any late collapse was prevented by Pereyra, who tapped home in stoppage time after Sepe had parried another effort from the influential Tevez.

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

2 - 0

Carlos Tévez (43')
Roberto Pereyra (93')

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Juventus see off battling Empoli

Apr 4, 2015

Juventus moved closer to a fourth successive Serie A title after a hard-fought victory over Empoli.

Carlos Tevez's 43rd-minute strike following an indirect free-kick and a stoppage-time goal from Roberto Pereyra proved enough for the Bianconeri to extend their lead over second-place Roma.

The Argentine frontman was a threat to the Empoli back line from the start and brought an early save out of Luigi Sepe.

A clever turn by Tevez midway through the half saw Tevez bamboozle three defenders before Sepe raced off his line to deny the ex-Manchester City striker.

Stephan Lichtsteiner also went close for Juve when he captialised on loose Empoli passing in defence before firing wide of goal.

However, the hosts broke the deadlock on 43 minutes when Tevez smashed the ball home from an indirect free-kick, given after Sepe was adjudged to have picked up an intentional passback.

The visitors started to enjoy more attacking opportunities after the interval and their first chance of note in the game came Manuel Pucciarelli's low header was tipped away by Gianluigi Buffon.

Midway through the second period, Empoli had their best chance to get back on level terms when Pucciarelli was threaded through by Riccardo Saponara and, as he tried to round Buffon, the Italian international keeper managed get a hand to the ball before saving a follow-up shot too.

However, Juve managed to weather the visitors' attacking bluster and, despite Arturo Vidal's late withdrawal through injury, Pereyra capped off another WIN for the defending champions in stoppage time after following up Tevez's shot, which was only parried by Sepe.

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

2 - 0

Carlos Tévez (43')
Roberto Pereyra (93')

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Juventus 2-0 Empoli: Bianconeri

Overcome Spirited Azzurri Side

Apr 4, 2015

Juventus defeated Empoli 2-0 at the Juventus stadium to stretch their lead at the top of Serie A to 14 points.

Carlos Tévez smashed the ball into the top-right hand corner of the net from the result of an indirect free kick to open the scoring shortly before half time and Roberto Pereyra added the Old Lady’s second deep into added time.

The energetic Tévez was a menace to Empoli all night and he had the first chance of the game within the first five minutes when he nicked the ball just outside the penalty area and fashioned a shot which forced Luigi Sepe into his first action of the evening.

Empoli then had a very soft penalty appeal when the impressive Riccardo Saponara clashed with Andrea Barzagli. However, both players were both guilty of pulling each other’s shirts.

The best chance of the first half came for Juventus when Patrice Evra found his ex-Manchester United team-mate Tévez, whose fantastic dummy which took out three Empoli players completely, was enough to get himself into a one-on-situation, but he had squandered the chance when he could not get past the towering figure of goalkeeper Sepe.

Lichtsteiner had a great chance after the half hour mark when both him and Arturo Vidal jumped for Padoin’s ball into the box; the ball came off the Chilean and broke for the Swiss who could not get his shot past the onrushing Sepe.

It was difficult for the Bianconeri to break down the spirited Azzurri side who themselves have been in good form under their coach Maurizio Sarri who emphasized beforehand that his team intended to compete against the Champions.

But the goal eventually came for Juventus on 41 minutes when the referee awarded Juventus a controversial indirect-free kick for an alleged back-pass when Daniele Rugani attempted to make a tackle and Sepe picked the ball up. Carlos Tévez smashed it into the top right-hand corner of the net and became the league’s top scorer with his 17th goal of the season.

Empoli however played very confidently and set out to press Juventus high up the pitch.

They started the second half very well and had chances to equalise when Saponara’s shot was saved comfortably, then when Manuel Pucciarelli went through against Buffon, but the goalkeeper got enough on his header at the edge of the box to push it behind for a corner.

Buffon was called into action again when one-on-one with Pucciarelli he produced a great save to push the ball away before quickly recovering to stop the rebound, this was the visitors golden chance to draw level and arguably it would have been no less than they deserved, and it was telling from the reaction of Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri who cut an animated figure on the touchline throughout the game.

Empoli struggled to create anything substantial after those chances and were harshly consigned to defeat when Pereyra scored a rebound deep in stoppage time after good work from Tévez had forced Sepe into an initial save.

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - EMPOLI

2 - 0

Carlos Tévez (43')
Roberto Pereyra (93')

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - 9:00 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Piero Giacomelli

Tevez takes down Empoli

Carlos Tevez scored from a contentious indirect free-kick,
as Juventus beat Empoli 2-0 to end an eight-game unbeaten run.

Apr 4, 2015

The Bianconeri made changes, missing Claudio Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba, Kwadwo Asamoah, Martin Caceres, Kingsley Coman and Romulo, plus resting players ahead of the Coppa Italia semi-final with Fiorentina. Mirko Valdifiori was buoyed by his Italy debut against England in this very stadium earlier this week.

Carlos Tevez forced the first save out of Luigi Sepe after four minutes, then the Apache left two defenders for dead with a sensational feint, but the goalkeeper rushed off his line to block.

Arturo Vidal and Stephan Lichtsteiner both went for the same ball and eventually the Swiss international was denied by Sepe from close range.

Massimo Maccarone fired wide of the near post, but Juventus took the lead when Daniele Rugani was rather harshly judged to have made a back-pass to Sepe. The indirect free-kick was awarded on the outside corner of the six-yard box and it was touched on for Tevez, who smashed his finish into the roof of the net. There were numerous Empoli players on the line, so his only hope of scoring was to lift it with real power.

Moments later, Tevez went on another strong run and Sepe smothered at the near post. Gigi Buffon took the sting out of a Riccardo Saponara snapshot after the restart, then the veteran goalkeeper needed a great save on Manuel Pucciarelli’s diving header at the near post.

Stephan Lichtsteiner wasted a promising team move by passing straight to Sepe, but Buffon again had to be on his toes to fingertip the ball off the feet of Pucciarelli after a Leonardo Bonucci error, then immediately got back on his feet to beat away a rising Saponara follow-up.

Rugani performed a decisive tackle on Alvaro Morata, while Levan Mchedlidze’s back-heel flick from a corner was straight at Buffon.

There were concerns for Max Allegri in the final minutes, as Arturo Vidal went off after landing awkwardly on his ankle. Empoli also played stoppages with 10 men, as Verdi had to be helped off when all the substitutions were completed.

Nonetheless, Juve added a second late on when Tevez burst forward and his shot was parried into the path of Roberto Pereyra.

This result puts an end to Empoli’s all-time club record eight-round unbeaten run in Serie A.


Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro (Pereyra 77), Padoin, Vidal (Pepe 86), Evra; Tevez, Llorente (Morata 67)

Empoli: Sepe; Hysaj, Rugani, Barba, Mario Rui; Vecino, Valdifiori, Croce (Zielinski 74); Saponara; Maccarone (Mchedlidze 72), Pucciarelli (Verdi 77)

Ref: Giacomelli

 

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