Juventus Season 2014-2015

[Socrates 8516]

MONACO - JUVENTUS

0 - 0

 

(Aggregate 0-1)

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Player Ratings: Monaco 0-0 Juventus (Agg. 0-1)

Apr 22, 2015

Juventus cruised into the final four of the Champions League courtesy of a 0-0 draw against Monaco in a cagey encounter at the Stade Louis II on Wednesday night.

A spirited Monaco side toiled to try and find an equaliser but a promising first half display faded in the second half as the Bianconeri closed the game out and held on to their narrow 1-0 lead from the first leg.

 

Monaco

Danijel Subasic – 6 – Spectator - Off his line like a flash to prevent Lichsteiner latching onto Pirlo’s ball over the top in the first half; his only action of the game. Even for Pirlo’s late free kick he could only stand and watch it hit the upright.

Fabinho – 6 – Roadrunner - Covered plenty of ground on the right flank. The 21-year-old looked after his side defensively and was lively going forward, but was lacking with his final ball.

Andrea Raggi – 6.5 – Stifling - The Italian handled Morata and Tevez in a very professional manner, the two strikers struggled to get round him but for a momentary error where Tevez dispossessed him just before the break.

Aymen Abdennour – 6 – Solid - Made a well-timed challenge to thwart Morata on the break as he looked to tee up Tevez. Partnered Raggi effectively to keep a prolific strikeforce relatively quiet. The Tunisian was close to diverting Moutinho’s free kick in after Buffon missed it.

Layvin Kurzawa – 5.5 – Reticent - Inhibited by the presence of Lichsteiner and couldn’t use his pace to overlap with precious little to do at the back.

Joao Moutinho – 6.5 – Industrious - The Portuguese midfielder was busy, flying into the tackles when the Bianconeri tried to keep possession, and popping up in and around the box too as Monaco strived to level the tie.

Jeremy Toulalan – 5 – Fading - His leadership and influence were unquestionable, but his lack of fitness showed as the 31-year-old captain struggled with the tempo and almost gifted the the opposition an away goal when he was mugged of the ball by Tevez late in first period.

Geoffrey Kondogbia – 6.5 – Committed - His enthusiastic tracking back was key in breaking up the bursts of Tevez and Vidal through the middle. Not afraid to have a go from distance going forward on a night when his side never really found the penetration required.

Bernardo Silva – 6 – Promising - Combined well with Fabinho and Carrasco to overload Juventus on the wings, almost producing a goal in the 15th minute. Sporadic jinking runs gave Evra and Bonucci something to think about.

Anthony Martial – 5 – Makeshift - Demonstrated Monaco’s lack of a striker as his false nine role denied Monaco an outlet in the final third, he was nowhere to be seen when Silva searched for a target with his byline cutback. Substituted for Berbatov in the 76th minute.

Yannick Carrasco – 5 – Lightweight - The absence of a genuine striker required more physicality from the three pronged Monaco attack and the 21-year-old Belgian didn’t provide it, the Old Lady’s defence overpowered him in the challenge all night.


Substitutes

Dimitar Berbatov – 5 – Nonchalant - Contributed very little after his late introduction. The Bulgarian was close to getting in a couple of times but his laid back nature didn’t suit the urgent circumstances.

Valère Germain – N/A

Matheus Carvalho – N/A


 

Juventus

Gianluigi Buffon – 6 – Sufficient - Little to do in the first half but looked shaky in the second as he attempted to punch clear Mountiho’s free kick and totally misjudged the ball. Redeemed himself by mopping up a wayward back pass from Vidal which Berbatov almost pounced upon.

Andrea Barzagli – 6.5 – Thwarting - Made a crucial interception to redirect Bruno Silva’s cut back behind. Kept the Rouge et Blanc strikers in his pocket along with his experienced colleagues.

Leonardo Bonucci – 6 – Reserved - No great marauding runs as seen at the weekend. The 27-year-old was pinned back in his own half to manage the fluid movement of the Monaco forwards. Their high pressure led to some poor and rushed distribution from the backline and Bonucci in particular.

Giorgio Chiellini – 7 – Neutraliser - Probably Juventus’ best player in a cagey affair. Had a nervy start where he slipped and handled the ball to get himself out of trouble but quickly forgot his nerves and made an important interception as Carrasco twisted in the area just after half time. Perpetually in the right place at the right time to nip any danger in the bud.

Stephan Lichtsteiner – 6.5 – Untroubled - Pushed forward regularly in the absence of a real test defensively against Carrasco. Unflappable in defence when the Rouges and Blancs did foray into his territory.

Arturo Vidal – 6.5 – Pugnacious - Of all the Bianconeri players, the hardened Chilean was most up for the fight against the spirited principality opponents. Withdrawn in the final 15 minutes having run himself into the ground.

Andrea Pirlo – 6.5 – Improvised - Quality passing and technical control regardless of the close attention paid by Monaco’s midfield who had clearly identified him as the source they needed to stop, but the bearded master was forced to get his shorts a little dirtier than usual against some feisty opponents. Nearly sealed the tie with a delightful free kick which cannoned off the bar.

Claudio Marchisio – 5.5 – Marooned - Didn’t quite imprint himself on the match as Juventus looked torn between holding their first leg lead and pushing for the safety of an away goal.

Patrice Evra – 6 – Wary - The experienced left back returning to the club where he made his name was on hand to clear a perilous ball into the box which deceived a punching Buffon and bounced inside the six yard box.

Carlos Tevez – 6 – Menacing - Clearly asked to play a deeper role than usual in Massimiliano Allegri’s anticipation of an offensively minded opposition. His lack of contact with the ball was coupled with a failure to find teammates with his passing. However the Argentine looked threatening even feeding off scraps, and two late first half Monaco errors saw him threaten, sizzling a shot just wide of Subasic’s goal.

Alvaro Morata – 5 – Ineffectual - Held up the ball well, exhibiting his ability to control the ball and turn out of multiple challenges, but unable otherwise to make an impact and give his strike partner something to work with.


Substitutes

Fernando Llorente – N/A

Roberto Pereyra – N/A

Simone Padoin – N/A

[Socrates 8516]

MONACO - JUVENTUS

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Juventus 0 (1) - Monaco 0 (0):
Initial reaction and random observations

Apr 22, 2015

If you wanted style points, you probably should have watched something else. If you wanted beautiful football, you should have gone back to the DVR and watch Bayern Munich destroy Porto. This was anything but that, with Juventus trying to do their best Mr. Magoo imitation as they tried to get an attack going.

Yet, through all of it, Juventus defended like a bunch of maniacs.

And because of it, this Max Allegri-led squad is heading to the Champions League semifinals for the first time since the 2002-03 season when the likes of Nedved, Trezeguet and Del Piero wore those pretty black and white stripes.

Juventus are in the final four. The overall performance wasn't good or anything close to it. The possession numbers favored Monaco. Same goes for the shots taken and passes completed. It was Juventus that was scrambling around like a bunch of crazy people to try and defend Monaco at times. It was, for the vast majority of the game, just a complete mess of an effort outside of what Juve were doing on the defensive end of the field.

The end result, though, is this:
 

That's beautiful, man.

So be honest, who had Juventus making the semifinals of the Champions League in the week or two after Allegri replaced Antonio Conte as this club's manager? Be honest, we won't judge you if you thought reaching this portion of the Champions League was even possible back in late July. But here they are, among the big boys in the semifinals.

"Juventus, Champions League semifinalist" is a wonderful thing to write. It's a wonderful thing to see. And to see somebody like Gianluigi Buffon, who has been through so much since the last time he's reached this point in this competition, get back there at the age of 37, you can understand why he's running around and celebrating the way he is.

Enjoy it. Enjoy it all. This is the latest step in a season that has been

Style points? Ha! "Alla Juventus vincere non è importante. È l'unica cosa che conta."

JuventusFC ✔@juventusfcen
.@OfficialAllegri: "Congratulations to the lads, they showed maturity. You need to adapt to opponents who make life difficult for you."


Random thoughts and observations

I was sooooooooooo wrong about Max Allegri. So, so very wrong. (And I'm completely okay with it.)

Arturo Vidal was fantastic on the big stage once again. Tonsillitis? Who needs tonsillitis, right? The guy, who many thought was a doubt two days ago on Monday, goes out and blocks a pair of shots, makes six tackles (second only to Claudio Marchisio in the game) and was simply running all over the place like the Vidal of old. He showed his old self in yet another big game. That's just how he rolls.

Juventus was able to survive on the road and advance to the Champions League semifinals in a game where they recorded a paltry 72 percent pass success rate. When's the last time something like that happened? Style points, I guess they left those things back in Turin or something.

Giorgio Chiellini was just a complete mess in the first half, highlighted by his opening-minute fall and subsequent handball-plus-yellow-card moment of absolute horror. He almost gave away a penalty, too, as he looked like a shell of the player that the commentators on my television feed kept describing. However, much to his credit, he rebounded well in the second half and was a steady presence throughout as Monaco looked for a goal.

For all the pressure and possession they threw in Juventus' direction, Monaco had all of one shot on goal. One. And it was right at Gigi Buffon, who calmly saved it like he usually does. Some of it had to do with the way Juventus' backline scrambled to get the job done, but Monaco sure as hell should have done better in the attacking third.

Speaking of saves, how about that one by Patrice Evra off the goal line after Buffon's not-so-great attempt to haul in a Monaco cross in the second half? He got a lot of heat earlier this season, but Evra's been pretty damn steady for weeks now. Yes, this is praise for Patrice Evra because he deserves a lot of it.

Andrea Barzagli, folks. Just Andrea Barzagli. That's why Allegri went 3-5-2. Whatever it takes to get Andrea Barzagli in the lineup is okay with me. Just because it's Andrea Barzagli.

Who led Juventus in clearances against Monaco? It wasn't Barzagli. It wasn't Chiellini. Try Leonardo Bonucci. While Chiellini struggled in the opening half, it was Bonucci and Barzagli who had to clean up the mess their fellow Italian international defender made.

Simone Padoin, Human Victory Cigar status back in full force.

Semifinal draw is on Friday. We'll see you then, boys and girls.

[Socrates 8516]

MONACO - JUVENTUS

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Bonucci: 'Semi-final and beyond'

Apr 22, 2015

Leonardo Bonucci warned the Champions League semi-final “is not a finish line” for Juventus and they can go forward.

A 0-0 draw in Monaco was enough to secure qualification after the 1-0 first leg victory.

They are in the final four with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich awaiting Friday’s draw.

“We are happy to have reached the semi-final, but that must not be a finish line,” Bonucci told Sky Sport Italia.

“Right now we are among the top four in Europe, so nothing is to be ruled out. We must now believe in ourselves even more.

“Tonight we were helped by good fortune, but it was not easy to play against this Monaco side. We achieved the objective and now comes the good stuff.

“We must continue to dream. Now we want to win the semi-final too. At the start of the season we wanted the quarter-finals, but now we are playing the best part of the Champions League.

“Who would we like to face in the semi-final? They’re all on the same level. We will certainly see a Juve side up to the task.

“Bayern Munich fought back and annihilated Porto, so I think they are a great side. It wouldn’t be easy against Barcelona or Real Madrid either.”

[Socrates 8516]

MONACO - JUVENTUS

0 - 0

(Aggregate 0-1)

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Juventus use defence to secure
first UCL semifinal spot since 2003

Apr 22, 2015

MONACO -- Three thoughts from Juventus' semifinal-clinching scoreless draw with Monaco in their Champions League quarterfinal second leg at the Stade Louis II.


1. Juve reach first semifinal since 2003

When you've not been in the last four of the Champions League for 12 years, it really doesn't matter how you get there. Accordingly, Massimiliano Allegri and his soon-to-be Serie A champions will care little for the manner of their besting of Monaco, and even less that this tie was a million miles away from the spectacular semifinal between the clubs in 1998, when Alessandro Del Piero and Zinedine Zidane lit the blue touchpaper in the first leg in Turin.

The Bianconeri fans, who feel their side have been the victim of considerable injustice in that intervening period, were as noisy as they were numerous at the Stade Louis II (as they were on Le Rocher throughout the day) and deserve to celebrate loud and long into the night. If their team gave a pair of scratchy performances against the Ligue 1 side, they will know that is the exception rather than the rule.

It was, perhaps, always destined to be so. With the jarring and notable exception of that extraordinary meeting with Arsenal in the last round, matches involving Monaco -- home and abroad -- are a grind. By the time Allegri and co are facing one of the titanic trio of Barcelona, Bayern Munich or holders Real Madrid in a few short weeks, they and their fans will barely even remember the moments of tension in this one.


2. Monaco's home form lets them down ... again

Leonardo Jardim had made it clear exactly how much he wanted an away goal in the first leg at Juventus Stadium with his team selection, as Dimitar Berbatov was sacrificed in favour of the pace of Anthony Martial, Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco and Nabil Dirar. It hadn't yielded the desired bounty in Turin, despite a positive display. And it always felt as if the narrow defeat from last week would be fatal. In eight Ligue 1 home games in 2015, Monaco have won just twice.

Nevertheless, Jardim's attacking principles remained the same Wednesday, even if there was a personnel tweak, with the bright Bernardo Silva coming in for Dirar. The Portugal under-21 star, in a period of exponential improvement, almost forced Leonardo Bonucci into an own goal on the quarter-hour, with a low cross after a delicious burst past Giorgio Chiellini.

December's 2-0 win over Zenit Saint Petersburg in the final group game had to be the template for success Wednesday night. It had been perfect in every sense -- in terms of controlling their nerves, in keeping a grip on the tempo of the game and in the sense of recognising their own strengths and weaknesses. It wasn't gung-ho, but measured and patient, even if the margin of victory owed something to Zenit's need to gamble in the closing minutes, which allowed Monaco to pick Andre Villas-Boas' team off on the break.

There was no impetuousness here, either, despite the relative youth of Jardim's team. At moments when Martial and Ferreira-Carrasco ploughed forward, facing some seven Juve defenders and with little support, you wondered how this team ever scores. Even the notoriously circumspect Jardim was forced to gamble at the break, throwing on Berbatov for holding midfielder Jeremy Toulalan. Changing personnel is one thing, but changing a team's DNA is something else entirely. In terms of boldness, this side and Didier Deschamps' 2004 finalists are like night and day.


3. Allegri's Juve change shape again. For the better?

Having made a back four his shape of choice when attacking is the aim, the coach switched back to a back three of Andrea Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini against Monaco, though Patrice Evra's reticence in getting forward in the opening stages (as opposed to his counterpart on the right, Stephan Lichtsteiner) almost returned Juve to recent type. Perhaps this cautious version of Evra knew something we didn't, as he made a crucial clearance to deny Aymen Abdennour after Gigi Buffon was beaten at the start of the second period.

Despite the security of an extra man in the centre -- presumably to cover against that Monegasque pace -- Juve often looked stretched against one of the competition's tamest attacks. In the very first minute, Chiellini desperately scooped the ball away from Joao Moutinho with his hand to stop the Portugal midfielder breaking clear, after losing his footing. The inevitable booking, after 46 seconds, was the fastest ever issued to an Italian team in European competition. Later, Chiellini was extremely lucky that referee Willie Collum somehow missed his late, studs-up challenge on Moutinho in the centre circle on the half-hour.

What certainly didn't help is the pale facsimile of Andrea Pirlo on display. Still feeling his way back from injury, the waywardness of the old magician's passing, particularly in the first half, was difficult to absorb. His off-target radar meant that Juve struggled to create much worthwhile on the counterattack, with the hosts enjoying an unprecedented 57 percent of the ball in the first 45 minutes. Still, Pirlo almost sealed the deal with a typical thunderbolt free kick, just before the whistle.

Earlier, a more offensively enterprising team than Monaco might have made Juve pay for their apparent drowsiness. There were strong appeals for a penalty on 36 minutes when Geoffrey Kondogbia went down on his way into the area when sandwiched by Chiellini and Arturo Vidal, though replays suggested that the defender got a touch on the ball before the midfielder went over. The excellent Kondogbia, running where he pleased in the first half, seemed Monaco's most likely, thrashing in a pair of lusty efforts from distance, though neither ultimately troubled Buffon.

Juve's only decent first-half effort was nevertheless the best of either team before the interval, fired wide by Carlos Tevez after great work by Alvaro Morata, with the young target man scythed over by Fabinho for his trouble (who, like Chiellini, inexplicably escaped a yellow card). With a little more of their habitual verve, the front pair might have saved Allegri a few anxious moments, though Juve had regained their typical poise by the tie's closing stanza.

[Socrates 8516]

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Evra: 'My experience helps Juve'

Apr 22, 2015

Patrice Evra hopes to “help Juventus with my experience” in the Champions League semi-finals.

The Bianconeri hadn’t reached the final four since 2003, when they lost the Final to Milan, but a 1-0 aggregate win over Monaco put them in the top tier.

“I am at my first year at Juve, so when I signed the directors told me that the objectives were the Scudetto and Champions League,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“I thank the staff, like Max Allegri and Fabio Paratici, who brought me here. Now I aim to help Juve with my experience.

“We must respect the history of Juve and what the great champions of the past achieved.”

Evra was asked how he was settling into Italian football after so many years with Manchester United.

“Many people get it wrong on the level of Italian football. There is a different philosophy to other countries.

“You have to be well-prepared psychologically. I never sought excuses or alibis. It was a bit of a shock for me, but with a little intelligence I adapted to the situation.

“It’s not easy to play in Italy.”

[Socrates 8516]

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Buffon warns Juventus:
We haven't won anything yet

The goalkeeper says eliminating Monaco from the Champions League was much harder
than beating Borussia Dortmund but says the semi-finals alone are not an achievement.

Apr 22, 2015

Gianluigi Buffon has warned his Juventus team-mates that they have "not won anything yet" after reaching the Champions League semi-finals.

The Serie A champions held a slender 1-0 lead over Monaco heading into Wednesday's last-eight second leg at the Stade Louis II and were able to hold Leonardo Jardim's men to a goalless stalemate to secure a spot in the next phase.

Buffon, who has reached his first Champions League semi-final since Juve were runners-up in 2002-03, says the Ligue 1 side posed a sterner test than Borussia Dortmund in the last round but is thrilled to be among the best four in Europe once again.

"I've had to wait a while to return to this stage of Europe!" the Italian goalkeeper told Mediaset Premium. "But, given how difficult our path here has been, it's even more enjoyable.

"However, we have not won or achieved anything yet, we just wanted to get to the semi-finals at all costs. The opportunity was waiting for us, though tonight there was a lot more tension than in the second leg against Borussia Dortmund in the last round [which Juve won 3-0 at Signal Iduna Park].

"Monaco were trickier and we only had a small advantage. Every little mistake that we made could have cost us dearly, but we're through."

Juventus join Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the final four of the Champions League, with the draw to take place on Friday at 12:00CET.

[Socrates 8516]

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Finally, Juventus are back where they belong

The Bianconeri returned to the Champions League semi-finals after
a 12-year hiatus and deserve to count themselves among Europe's elite.

Apr 22, 2015

By Kris Voakes | International Football Correspondent

Juventus are Champions League semi-finalists. It is a statement that Bianconeri fans will savour after the trials and tribulations of the 12 years which followed their last appearance in the final four of Europe’s biggest competition.

They returned to the big stage thanks to a 0-0 draw at Monaco which backed up their narrow victory in Turin eight days earlier. But the reactions at full-time said much about the will of this side to go on and do more. Nights like this should become a regularity rather than a novelty for this club.

The match itself will not live long in the memory save for Juve’s typically stoic defending in the face of adversity and the rather more unusual first-minute handball by Giorgio Chiellini which earned him a place in the referee’s bad books.

If Monaco failed to ask much of the Bianconeri’s back line it was because Juve themselves were just too organised. They had their 1-0 lead from the first leg and there was no way they were going to let it slip.

The achievement must not be forgotten.

Four years ago, the prospect of Juventus being Champions League semi-finalists was pretty much unthinkable. Under Gigi Del Neri they had absolutely nothing to offer. Even Giorgio Chiellini and Gianluigi Buffon fell under the banner of players underachieving and finding it difficult to play under the weight of pressure to make the Bianconeri great again.

The mountain has been climbed, and the view from the summit is spectacular. Juventus are one of the best four teams in Europe this season, and not just because they have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. Their form in their domestic league has been practically spotless - they could in theory win Serie A this weekend - while they have peaked at exactly the right time on the continent.

When they arrived in Dortmund needing to be forceful and attacking, they delivered. Then they headed for Monaco knowing a more introspective approach would suit the tie better, and again they had what it took. Champions League triumphs often include victories earned in all shapes and sizes, and Juve’s campaign thus far doesn’t look too much unlike many successful ones of years gone by.

They shouldn’t really fear any side, despite being the outsiders of the four that remain. Only Bayern Munich can claim to be as flexible to differing formations, while the Juventus midfield might just be the best one left in the competition. They also have a coach at the top of his game right now.

Massimiliano Allegri has taken Antonio Conte’s family silver and polished it to perfection. There may still be understandable reservations about his ability to build a team from the bottom after his struggles at Cagliari and AC Milan’s eventual implosion under his charge, but his quality when it comes to fine-tuning a side cannot be questioned.

Even should Juventus not go on to win the competition this time around, the very fact that they are legitimately rubbing shoulders with Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid – the three biggest names in modern football as shown by the presence of at least two of those teams in the last five Champions League semi finals – shows just how far the Old Lady has come.

From here, they can only look forward. Regardless of whether they lose Carlos Tevez this summer, they should have the pulling power to enlist a comparable replacement as well as strengthening in other areas. They are also returning as a commercial force, which helps.

Juventus are back. And this ought to be just the beginning.

[Socrates 8516]

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Juve players ill before Monaco

Apr 22, 2015

Carlos Tevez, Arturo Vidal and Alvaro Morata were all ill before Juventus faced Monaco, it’s revealed.

Vidal had already been in doubt after suffering from tonsillitis earlier this week, skipping Monday’s training session with a high temperature.

However, it’s been confirmed another bug has been going through the Juve squad and debilitated the players ahead of their Champions League quarter-final.

“Tevez until two hours beforehand was in doubt to play at all because he was vomiting for two days straight,” explained Coach Max Allegri.

It seems that illness spread to team-mate Morata, as Sport Mediaset report the Spaniard was physically sick straight after his substitution.

“It’s a virus and it is spreading. Vidal started, then Tevez and Morata was sick on the bench,” added Allegri in his Press conference.

“This proves what fantastic lads they are, as even during difficulties they still managed to do well.”

This could go some way to explain the sluggish performance from the Bianconeri in Monaco.

[Socrates 8516]

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Vidal: 'Juve are mature now'

Apr 22, 2015

Arturo Vidal believes Juventus are “mature” and should not fear any Champions League semi-final opponents.

The Bianconeri squeezed past Monaco 1-0 on aggregate to reach the final four.

“It was a mature Juve, I’d say. We played a tough game with our heads and did what we needed to in order to go forward,” Vidal told Sport Mediaset.

On Friday the draw will pick the semi-finals between Juve, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

“I am not afraid of anyone. I think all four teams in the semi-finals have their qualities and on Friday we’ll see who we face, but right now I think we’re on a par with all of them.

“We play with our heads now and are a mature team, I’d say.

“Now we can start to think about the Turin derby and winning the Scudetto.”

[Socrates 8516]

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Allegri: Juventus had to be ugly
to get to the semi finals

The coach conceded that his side reached the last four of the Champions League
with a very unattractive style of play, but has no regrets.

Apr 22, 2015

Massimiliano Allegri has defended Juventus' unattractive style in Wednesday's Champions League clash with Monaco, stating they were willing to do anything to get into the Champions League semi-finals.

The Bianconeri had not reached the last four of the European competition in 12 years and took no risks in Wednesday's quarter-final second leg by shoring up their defence as they held Monaco to a stalemate at the Stade Louis II, winning 1-0 on aggregate.

The result puts them in the last four where they will meet one of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid, and Allegri made no apologies for the way his team played to get there.

"The objective was simply to reach the semi-finals," he told Mediaset Premium. "We might not have played very attractive football, but it’s difficult to take on Monaco and we made many technical mistakes.

"I think it was a good performance defensively, as we allowed almost nothing to Monaco. At the end of the day, the result counts for more than the performance.

"We knew that we had to score to be sure and had two chances before the break where we could’ve done better. We didn’t make the most of other opportunities, but we also ran very few risks in defence."

Juve now await Friday's semi-final draw and Allegri does not expect to be using anything like the same tactics he deployed to see off les Rouges et Blancs.

"These are the three biggest teams in Europe," the former AC Milan boss added. "I can definitely guarantee it will be a completely different game against any of these sides than with Monaco."

[Socrates 8516]

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Ratings: Monaco 0-0 Juventus (agg 0-1)

A determined display from the Serie A leaders was enough to hold Leonardo Jardim's side
to a goalless draw to confirm their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Apr 22, 2015
 

Monaco

1 D. Subašić - Was left largely unchallenged as his side bossed possession but was nonetheless impressive when called upon to act.

2 Fabinho - Spent the vast majority of the game camped inside the Juventus half, where he sent in several dangerous crosses.

24 A. Raggi - Put in a consistently strong performance in the middle of an impressive Monaco back line, and Morata struggled as a result.

5 A. Abdennour - Was the perfect partner for Raggi, with the two centre-backs doing extremely well to keep Morata and Tevez at bay all game long.

3 L. Kurzawa - Got forward well and was able to get himself in plenty of good positions but often struggled to beat Lichtsteiner, who defended impressively.

8 João Moutinho - Played an important role in the opening few minutes but completely disappeared after the half-time break and was anonymous from then onwards.

28 J. Toulalan - Looked bright in the first half, where he pulled the strings in the centre of midfield, but was removed at half-time.

22 G. Kondogbia - One of Monaco's brightest players. Played a vital role in the majority of their attacks and kept fighting until the bitter end. Perhaps unlucky not to win a penalty.

15 Bernardo Silva - The young Portuguese midfielder looked extremely dangerous when on the ball and often used his pace to great effect.

23 A. Martial - Struggled to make an impact in the first half but found slightly more joy in the second before being replaced

17 Y. Ferreira Carrasco - The Belgian looked incredibly bright in and around the Juventus penalty area, particularly when he was moved out to the right in the second half.


Substitutes

9 D. Berbatov - Replaced Toulalan at half-time and made an immediate impact, providing Monaco with a target man that they sorely missed during the opening period, but quickly tired and saw his influence diminish.

12 Matheus Carvalho - Came on for Carrasco late on but was unable to make an impact.

18 V. Germain - Featured for the final 15 minutes after replacing Martial but fared little better in front of goal.

 

 

Juventus

1 G. Buffon - Had little to deal with as good defending from Juventus forced Monaco into firing half-hearted efforts from long range.

15 A. Barzagli - Looked impressive as part of a strong back three and was always in the right place at the right time to cut out the danger.

19 L. Bonucci - Partnered Barazgli and Chiellini well in a Juventus defence that were sent up to sit back and defend, which they, and he in particular, succeeded in doing.

3 G. Chiellini - Received a yellow card in the opening minute for a cynical handball and was on thin ice from then onwards, but he didn't let that put him off delivering a great, and strong, display.

26 S. Lichtsteiner - Showed no signs of tiring as he darted up and down the right wing all game long. Handled Kurzawa well and looked dangerous at the other end of the pitch.

23 A. Vidal - Was forced to defend for the majority of the game, which he did well, and also looked bright on the rare occasions that he was able to penetrate the Monaco half of the pitch.

21 A. Pirlo - Looked excellent as usual in the middle of the park. Sent a plethora of wonderful lofted passes forward and was resolute defensively before hitting the crossbar late on.

8 C. Marchisio - Put in a strong shift in front of Juventus' back three, often dropping extremely deep to keep Monaco's determined midfield at bay.

33 P. Evra - Played an important role down the left flank, where he defended well before darting forward to join in with Juventus’ counterattacks.

10 C. Tévez - Was unable to see much of the ball but was nonetheless impressive when he was able to do so, showing good desire on the edge of the Monaco penalty area.

9 Álvaro Morata - Struggled from time to time as he battled for possession but made up for it with several bright spells, particularly when Monaco began to tire.


Substitutes

14 F. Llorente - Replaced the ineffectual Morata midway through the second half and offered more going forward, despite not seeing much of the ball as Monaco pushed hard for a goal.

37 R. Pereyra - Featured for the final quarter of an hour after replacing Vidal and injected much-needed pace into a tiring Juventus side.

20 S. Padoin - Only played the final few minutes after replacing Evra but did well to hold up the ball.

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

AS MONACO 0-0 JUVENTUS
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH REPORT

Apr 22, 2015
 
It was boring and it was ugly, but Juventus are through to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Neither team even really came close to scoring, with only one shot on goal a piece. Still, Juve fought hard and defended relatively well, and they won the tie with an aggregate score of 1-0.

Things did get off to a rocky start for Juventus. Within minutes of the whistle blowing, Giorgio Chiellini received a yellow card. Chiellini slipped, not unlike his error versus Marco Reus, only this time he sacrificed a yellow card to stop the goal. You see, Chiellini literally just grabbed the ball with his hand, which was perhaps ill-advised but it did stop a goal.

Moments later, Monaco midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia scared Juve with a firm but poorly placed shot. He struck it well, but he didn’t aim it well, and the ball went sailing wide right. Ten minutes later, Bernardo Silva again scared Juventini everywhere when he was played on right in front of Juve’s goal. Andrea Barzagli cleared the ball as soon as he could, but it almost looked as if he would score an own goal for a moment. Luckily this was not the case, and the ball went out for a corner kick.

Juve were letting Monaco attack, clearly attempting to both counter attack Monaco but also mostly trying to steal possession in their own half, perhaps to catch Monaco players out of position. Either way, Juventus didn’t strictly counter attack, they certainly tried to keep possession and move the ball around as they used to.

Kondogbia again tested Juve’s goal, when he spun around an attempted Andrea Pirlo tackle and fired off another shot. This time, he again put plenty of power into his shot, but he shot the ball right towards Buffon, who caught the shot.

Juventus came close to scoring a few times in the first half. Andrea Pirlo played a great ball to Stephan Lichtsteiner in Monaco’s box, but Danijel Subasic leaped off his line to catch the ball. Lichtsteiner would have been in a dangerous position were it not for Subasic’s acrobatics. Right at the end of the second half, Carlos Tevez had a shot from just outside the 18 yard box, but it was wide right.

The first half was tight but it seemed like either side could score. The second half was similarly close, but neither team really threatened the other side’s goal. Monaco broke through a few times, but they would be stopped either by a centerback making a last ditch clearance, or by Buffon himself.

Juve’s subs didn’t change their lack of attacking fluidity either. Fernando Llorente came on for Alvaro Morata, but he didn’t improve on Morata’s average performance. Roberto Pereyra came on for Arturo Vidal, but this seemed like a move designed to keep Vidal from getting a yellow card and missing the next game. Finally, Simone Padoin came on for Patrice Evra.

The game was close, but not particularly exciting. It was a sloppy match too, with neither side really finding that final cutting pass or touch on attack, and both sides frequently passing to the other side. Still, Juventus are through to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in a long time.


Statistics

Man of the Match: Andrea Pirlo, Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli

Flop of the Match: N/A

Fouls: 17

Corners: 4

Pass Accuracy: 72%

Shots on Target: 1

Total Shots: 5

Ball Possession: 43%

Formation: 3-5-2


Lineups

Monaco: Subasic; Fabinho, Raggi, Abdennour, Kurzawa; Joao Moutinho, Toulalan (Berbatov 46), Kondogbia; Bernardo Silva, Martial (Germain 76), Ferreira-Carrasco (Matheus Carvalho 87)

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal (Pereyra 77), Pirlo, Marchisio, Evra; Tevez, Morata (Llorente 68)

Ref: Collum (SCO)

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Juventus 0 (1) - Monaco 0 (0):
And then there were four

Juventus is back in the Champions League semifinals!

Apr 23, 2015
 
Juventus soaked up pressure for long periods, and generally struggled to put passes together all night. But as 90 minutes came and went, the scoreline stayed the same. 0-0 (0-1 on aggregate), and Juventus are through to the Champions League semifinals.

The Old Lady made the trip south to the Stade Louis II aware, once again, that a clean sheet would mean progression to the Champions League semifinals and a place at football's top table. Massimiliano Allegri chose to send out his men in the tried-and-true 3-5-2, with Andrea Barzagli's return offering aerial reinforcement against a Monaco attack heavily reliant on crosses from the wings. Andrea Pirlo came back to the base of midfield, with Roberto Pereyra perhaps unfortunate to start this one from the bench.

Speaking after the game to describe his choices, Allegri revealed that Carlos Tévez was throwing up all day, Álvaro Morata got sick after the game, and Arturo Vidal was running a high fever. Thinking back on some of the missed passes it is perhaps not such a surprise that the midfield and attack resembled a hospital waiting room, but in the end it's goals that count, and Juventus got the job done.

Leonardo Jardim's men had to win, and the Portuguese trainer sent out a side featuring all three of his young attackers (Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, Anthony Martial, and Bernardo Silva). The Principality side were able to control possession and work the ball into wide areas with some consistency, but when it came time to put in a final ball Juventus' line of five defenders plus Gianluigi Buffon dealt with whatever came their way.

Monaco's front four tried to work their way through, but always seemed to lose the final 1-on-1 battle with their defender, and as the clock began to tick down and legs got heavier, there was not too much trouble as Juventus made plans for her 11th European Cup semifinal.


MATCH SUMMARY

The match mostly started as predicted, with both sides happy to see a slow rhythm, but there was almost a hiccup in the very first minute. Giorgio Chiellini slipped on the edge of the box, giving the ball to João Moutinho, but the Juventus man stuck out a hand to stop play. He saw yellow, but it could have been much worse.

Bernardo Silva was causing some trouble down Juventus' left, first pulling back for Geoffrey Kondogbia to blast wide and then pulling off a quick 1-2 with Moutinho before fizzing a low ball across goal. Barzagli didn't know much about it and instinctively stuck out a toe, but fortunately the deflection went wide of Buffon's post.

Pirlo and Leonardo Bonucci were teeing up long balls for the attack, but Tévez was unable to get much on his header. Monaco eventually got a shot on target, as Kondogbia tried his luck from distance, but the shot was tame and straight at Buffon.

Pirlo tried to chip the ball over the defensive line for Stephan Lichtsteiner's runs, but Monaco were aware of the danger and the Maestro's passes were not quite good enough to find the small pockets of space.

Around 30 minutes, Monaco began to turn the screw and pin Juventus deep. Chiellini was lucky not to see a second yellow for coming in hard and late on Moutinho near the halfway line, and then his cheap giveaway gave Kondogbia a chance to get into the box, but Vidal and Big Giorgio were quick to pressure the young Frenchman and send him down in a heap. Nervous eyes went to the referee, but Willie Collum waved play on, with replays showing it was probably the right call.

Monaco had a cheap giveaway of their own, but Pirlo's chip didn't find anyone. In the 43rd Fabinho got forward and put in a tantalizing cross that evaded Barzagli, but Ferreira-Carrasco was under pressure from Lichtsteiner and could not find the target.

Two moments of madness from the Monaco defense nearly finished the tie, as they first gave the ball to Tévez and then Morata on the edge of the box, but Juventus were unable to get anything on target. Kondogbia and Pirlo may have swapped shirts at halftime, but everything was still to play for.

Leonardo Jardim made his attacking move at halftime, with Dimitar Berbatov coming on for midfielder Jérémy Toulalan. João Moutinho dropped deeper and Bernardo Silva came central, with Ferreira-Carrasco switching wings and Martial on Monaco's left.

Ferreira-Carrasco nearly made a quick impact in the second half, getting in a dangerous position on the corner of the box before slipping to the grass and then drawing a foul from Vidal. The free kick was cleared then put back into the box where Buffon missed his punch, only for Patrice Evra to react quicker than Aymen Abdennour in front of an open goal.

Juve threatened on the counter with Morata earning a yellow for Silva and Tévez teeing up Claudio Marchisio, but the shot went wide.

Martial tried to charge through and get a shot from a dangerous position, but Bonucci held his positioning and made a vital tackle. Vidal almost gave Berbatov an opportunity with an ill-advised backpass, but Buffon was quick off his line. Marchisio nearly ran through the Monaco defense, bamboozling Andrea Raggi, but Abdennour covered.

A trademark ball from Andrea Pirlo in the 57th found Morata with Tévez in a 2-on-1, but the attacker was indecisive and let the defender in. Berbatov's crafty runs up top offered a different option to Martial's more lateral movement, but the Juventus central defense was always there in the nick of time.

Fernando Llorente came on for a disappointing Morata, and was quickly involved with a run down the left. There were substitutions all around, with Valère Germain coming on for Martial and Pereyra for Vidal in the 77th.

There were yellow cards for Kondogbia and Tévez in the closing stages, with Ferreira-Carrasco trying one more time to do something on his own, but once again Bonucci was ready. A late free kick gave Monaco a final chance for a ball into the box but it came to nothing with Buffon punching clear.


LE PAGELLE

Buffon: 6.5 Only had to deal with one tame effort on goal, but came for a lot of crosses. It nearly cost

Lichtsteiner: 6 Not as constant an attacking presence as in other games, but generally kept his flank secure.

Barzagli: 6.5 Juve's central defense was again the strength of the team. Since Barzagli's return to the team, Juve still haven't conceded with him on the pitch.

Bonucci: 7 His defensive positioning was top notch, aside from being strong in the air and frequently trying to spring the counter.

Chiellini: 6 Made his share of mistakes, and could have been sent off in the first half, but never gave up and contributed some vital tackles along the way to the clean sheet.

Evra: 6.5 Another reliable performance from Uncle Pat, who saved the day after Buffon missed his punch and left the goal open.

Marchisio: 6.5 Very active defensively and trying to run and link up with the forwards. Not his best game, but delivered a solid performance.

Pirlo: 6 Was not quite himself chipping balls over the back line, but hit a couple absolutely perfectly, plus hit the woodwork with a gorgeous free kick.

Vidal: 6 Did not link up with T'evez as well as in some recent weeks, but gave everything defensively. Not bad for a man with acute tonsillitis and a high fever.

Morata: 5.5 A disappointing game for the Spanish striker, who made good runs off the ball but let himself down on it.

Tévez: 6 Not a great game for the striker, who like those around him had a hard time getting involved.


Substitutes:

Llorente: 6 Immediately offered a better option in hold up play, even running the channels a bit.

Pereyra: N/A A few late minutes, where he showed his pace and ability on the ball as Juventus ran down the clock.

Padoin: N/A Came on for ex-Monaco man Evra in stoppage time.


Coach:

Allegri: 7 With the strikers physically ill and a 1-0 in the pocket from the first leg, he did about all he could today, and it was enough to see Juventus, once again, in the Champions League semifinals.

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Monaco 0-0 Juventus: My Tactics Were
Dictated By The Conditions, Says Allegri

Apr 23, 2015
 
Juventus are through to the semi finals of UEFA Champions league after playing out a draw against Monaco. Juve did not create many chances in the game and coach Max Allegri defended his tactics by saying that he decided to play in this way because of the game conditions.

Arturo Vidal’s penalty in the first leg proved enough for Juventus to reach the semis, where they will meet either Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Going into this game, AS Monaco had conceded only two goals in the tournament. And they made life difficult for Juventus attackers in this game as well. On the other hand, Monaco did play an attacking game and created many chances. Many of Monaco’s penalty appeals were rejected by the referee in the first half.

Juventus coach Max Allegri was happy with the result and defended his tactics to play for a draw.

“Tonight the objective was to reach the semi-final. We might not have played very attractive football, but it’s difficult to take on Monaco and we made many technical errors,” Max Allegri told Sport Mediaset.

“I think it was a good performance defensively, as we allowed little or nothing to Monaco. At the end of the day, the result counts for more than the performance tonight.”

Juventus captain Buffon was the member of the squad that reached the finals in 2003, and he was extremely pleased with this years’ progression.

“I thought I’d have to wait less when I was at this stage 12 years ago, but seeing the journey was very difficult, we can enjoy this result even more.

“Of course, we know that we haven’t achieved anything yet,” Buffon told Sport Mediaset.

“We wanted to get through to the next round at all costs. We knew it was a great opportunity and after 12 years we wanted to honour the history of Juventus,” concluded the legend.

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Results Or Performance:
Juventus Progress Regardless

Juve will appreciate reaching the semi finals of the Champions League,
but might want to consider changing their approach to reach the final.

Apr 23, 2015
 
Reaching the semi finals for the first time since 2002-03 is an impressive achievement for the Bianconeri and their coach Massimiliano Allegri, who has reached the final four of the Champions League for the first time in his career after failing to do so at AC Milan.

If the latest performance against Monaco is anything to go by though, they might not have enough attacking intent to match the remaining contenders.

Arturo Vidal’s penalty in the first leg was the only goal scored over the two legs and it was enough for Allegri’s team to progress from the quarter finals.

Wednesday night’s 0-0 draw in Monte Carlo was a lacklustre performance.

The Bianconeri were happy to let Monaco attack but the Ligue 1 side lacked the quality to break down Gianluigi Buffon in goal and the Juventus defence.

Leonardo Jardim’s side had most of the possession and were more effective than Juventus in the second leg. Monaco had 56 percent possession to Juventus’ 44 percent, they made 481 passes to Juventus’ 383, their passing efficiency was at 84 percent to the Bianconeri’s 78 percent and they won the shot count 12 to five.

It would be easy to say that Allegri was smart enough to let Jardim’s team do the attacking simply because they needed to score more than the Bianconeri.

Juventus should have tried to score a goal in the first half though, which could have allowed them to assert more control over the game.

Geoffrey Kondogbia and Joao Moutinho starred in Monaco’s midfield but fortunately for Juve, their attacking trident was not up to scratch. Even when veteran striker Dimitar Berbatov came on for the second half, he could not find a way through.

This draw for Juventus looks more uninspiring because of their ineffectiveness in possession.

Andrea Pirlo made some decent passes but Alvaro Morata and Carlos Tevez were isolated in attack for a majority of the game. Vidal and Claudio Marchisio helped out in defence but struggled to link the midfield and the attack together.

Although Juventus were insipid in the offensive part of the game, Monaco were disciplined in defence and the Monegasque club conceded less space than what Borussia Dortmund did in the second round. Jardim’s full-backs drifted-in centrally to help the centre-backs and were thus well equipped to deal with Juventus’ narrow play.

Stereotypically Italian teams are known for their pragmatism and doing enough to obtain results.

This conservative approach worked for Allegri and his Juventus squad against Monaco, but it probably won’t be successful in the semi finals against the superior offensive qualities of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Real Madrid managed to break down Atletico Madrid’s stubborn defence thanks to a late Javier Hernandez goal in their second leg tie, Bayern Munich crushed Porto 7-4 on aggregate after winning the second leg 6-1 and Barcelona easily disposed of Paris Saint-Germain 5-1 on aggregate.

Those teams showed their quality in the quarter finals, and did so against superior opposition than Juventus. Even if the Binaconeri don’t play champagne football, they will need to find a better balance between defending and attacking in the semi finals.

Juventus can be proud of being the first Italian team to reach the Champions League semi finals in five years of course. Where results are concerned, this is a real confidence boost for Italian football.

If Allegri is just planning to grind out a result come the semi finals however, Juventus’ dreams of reaching this year’s final would be no more than a dream.

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Pereyra finding his feet under Allegri
as Juventus head for last four

The young Argentine has had a huge impact on his new club's season
- not least in the Champions League - since joining from Udinese.

Apr 23, 2015
 
By Kris Voakes | International Football Correspondent

Roberto Pereyra began May 2014 by netting one of the seven first-half goals in Udinese’s extraordinary 5-3 win over Livorno. Such high-scoring games are not uncommon in the latter stages of a Serie A season, and after three years with the Friulani the Argentine had got used to ending his campaign with a few mid-table goalfests.

May 2015 will be a very different time for the 24-year-old as he prepares to play a major part in Juventus’ first Champions League semi-final in 12 years. And he is not just along for the ride either, having played a significant role in not only the Bianconeri’s charge towards a fourth successive Scudetto but also their rise to the European elite.

The attacking midfielder had earned himself a more than handy reputation at Udinese, but nobody expected him to have quite the effect he has had on Juve’s first team this term. His substitute appearance against Monaco on Wednesday was his 40th of the season, and 25 of those have come as a starter.

His energy, flare and evasive running style have caused problems for countless opponents, with the 3-0 success at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League round of 16 and the 1-0 home win against Monaco in the last eight evidence of his effect on the Old Lady. A dogged determination to cover as much space as possible has also helped.

It is partly thanks to his success that Massimiliano Allegri has found a new favoured formation for his side. Under Antonio Conte, Juve stuck steadfastly to a 3-5-2 and were often short of probing runners in behind the front two.

Allegri’s willingness to try 4-3-1-2 has brought the best out of the side, and while Arturo Vidal has often been fielded as the advanced midfielder it is Pereyra who has looked the most natural in the role.

He's had such a big impact that many Bianconeri supporters took time out between biting their fingernails on Wednesday to head to social media, begging for Pereyra’s introduction in order to provide more verve.

He might not be considered a first choice with Juve – no great shame in a midfield department which includes the likes of Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba – but it was no surprise that Allegri put his faith in Pereyra to help keep the ball from Monaco in the dying stages at the Stade Louis II.

And you can expect him to have a say in the European challenge still to come too. Roberto Pereyra is a name we are set to hear a lot more of.

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Juventus were Italian-style
ugly, says Evra

The left-back had some sympathy for Monaco after a dour 0-0 at the Stade Louis II,
but feels French clubs need to ditch their losing mentality.

Apr 23, 2015
 
Patrice Evra thinks Juventus did a typical Italian job on Monaco in Wednesday's Champions League clash, claiming the Sere A side had played the "ugly" but effective football.

The Bianconeri arrived at the Stade Louis II with a slim advantage after last week's 1-0 victory in Turin, which came courtesy of a second-half penalty from Arturo Vidal.

Knowing that a draw would be sufficient to see them through, Juve were content to sit back, invite their hosts on to them and try to strike on the break.

Despite a few scares in the first half, the tactic worked well and Massimiliano Allegri's men secure a scoreless draw that saw them reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2002-03.

Consequently, Evra refused to make any apologies for the way in which Juve had gone about their business, arguing that French clubs could learn a lot from the Italian approach.

"I'm not scientist but for Paris Saint-Germain to lose to a big club like Barcelona and Monaco to lose to an experienced team like Juventus, but I think that in France we're okay being the country that finishes second," the French defender told beIN Sports after the game.

"We'll have to take the next step, to have a different mentality. You have to respect the opponent but be more aggressive on the pitch.

"I think the French teams sometimes doubt themselves. They play some beautiful games but when it comes down to it, do not go through.

"We must give a nod to Monaco, who deserved more tonight. But, from our point of view, we never really doubted ourselves.

"We played the Italian way - it's solid, it's ugly, but it works. I am happy and at the same time a little sad for Monaco. It was strange to return to Stade Louis II, where I spent many happy years."

Evra's compatriot, Paul Pogba, was forced to watch on from the sideline, with the midfielder having picked up a hamstring injury in the last-16 win at Borussia Dortmund that ruled him out of action for 50 days.

As it stands, the semi-finals, which take place on May 5/6 and 12/13, would come too soon for the 22-year-old and Evra has warned his team-mate not to attempt a premature comeback.

"He's hungry but he has an injury that requires attention," the left-back added. "He must not rush his return and instead have faith in the medical staff. He must only return if he's 100 per cent."

Juve will have Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich for company in Friday's draw for the semi-finals.

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Juve get the job done – just

Juventus are in the Champions League semi finals for the first time
since 2003 thanks to a resolute performance in Monaco. Luca Cetta writes.

Apr 23, 2015
 
There could not have been as stark a contrast. In the Round of 16 against Borussia Dortmund, Juventus gave one of their best European displays in years, routing the Germans with lethal counter-attacking force.

Defending a one-goal advantage this time against Monaco it was not a swashbuckling Bianconeri. This one scraped and clawed. Time and again the hosts, despite holding the possession and territorial ascendency, found the black and white wall impenetrable. And they got the scoreless draw required.

Last week this blog highlighted that when Juventus needed their big players to shine at critical moments they contributed. In the second leg it was about discipline, and a slice of fortune. With Gianluigi Buffon committed to cutting out a low cross Andrea Barzagli was able to put it wide of the post. And when the custodian failed to reach a Joao Moutinho centre Patrice Evra hooked it away from danger. In Europe it’s about the fine margins. Juve got theirs right, just.

“There was a lot more tension here than in Dortmund, as we knew Monaco were much more complicated to face and we had a slender lead, so every tiny error could cost double, the captain stated afterwards. “I think the tension therefore gripped us more than usual.”

Buffon was 25 when the Old Lady last reached the semi-finals. He could count Pavel Nedved, Antonio Conte and Alessandro Del Piero as his teammates. Luis Enrique was part of the Barcelona side which was conquered. Fast forward 12 years and the former duo watched from the Stade Louis II stands, one his boss over the past four years. Del Piero is enjoying an unofficial retirement in Los Angeles. Luis Enrique is on the Barça bench. In Monaco, Buffon again led from the front. “I thought I’d have to wait less when I was at this stage 12 years ago, but seeing the journey was very difficult, we can enjoy this result even more.”

The goalkeeper is one of the few to have gone through that difficult journey. From relegation and initial struggles upon their top flight return, Juventus are revitalised domestically and now making their mark on the continent.

When he replaced Conte in the summer, Massimiliano Allegri targeted a long Champions League run. His one prior quarter-final appearance was ended by Barcelona. While Conte felt advancing far was unattainable in calcio’s current climate, Allegri wanted Juventus amongst Europe’s top eight. They are now in the top four.

As they entered the fray on Wednesday, the task was simple: take few risks and defend the advantage. Yet from the second Giorgio Chiellini slipped – rekindling memories of Borussia Dortmund – and was carded for handball signs were it would not be as straightforward as in Germany.

Juve kept another clean sheet, their eighth in the past nine matches and fifth in the last six Champions League outings, but did not exhibit their usual control over proceedings. This was more a backs-to-the-wall job. Monaco continued their measured approach of a week ago and when combined with a Juve side which struggled to keep hold of possession, the Bianconeri defenders weren’t allowed time to rest.

Allegri revealed afterwards Carlos Tevez was struggling with illness and was only declared fit hours beforehand. Alvaro Morata vomited after being substituted, factors contributing to their sluggish displays. Juve’s profligacy in the final third was highlighted by two shelved counters. In the first instance Tevez strode forward but those in blue failed to take multiple opportunities to shoot. The second after the interval saw the pair break clear only for the Spaniard’s indecision to allow Monaco to rescue the situation.

But after weathering a strong Monaco storm for 20 minutes after half-time, the Bianconeri expertly saw out the remainder of the match. In truth, the club from the Principality created few opportunities. Their half chances stemmed from poor Juventus decision making.

It wasn’t a performance for the history books. Yet thanks to their resolve the Bianconeri will enter Friday’s draw. Of the remaining four teams they are underdogs. The Turin giants are thrilled to reach this stage, but Leonardo Bonucci states the semi finals cannot be a ‘finish line’. They won’t be expected to reach the Berlin decider, but the others cannot afford to underestimate Juventus.

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Juventus in the Champions League
semifinals is just like the old days

Apr 23, 2015
 
Gianluigi Buffon punched the air and roared -- you could see what it meant to the Juventus captain. Of the current squad, he is the only one who has played in a Champions League semifinal for the Old Lady.

"I thought I wouldn't have to wait as long to get back," Buffon said 12 years on from a famous win in Barcelona, after Juve won 1-0 on aggregate against Monaco on Wednesday night. "But given how hard the road has been to get here, it makes us savour it all the more."

He had been a runner-up in the 2003 final at Old Trafford, succumbing to Milan after a penalty shootout. Buffon was 25 then and "Superman" could reasonably expect to return to the biggest stage soon. After all, Juventus had reached the Champions League's showpiece in four of the previous eight years.

Alas, they underachieved in Europe under Marcello Lippi's successor Fabio Capello, bowing out at the quarterfinal stage to Liverpool and Arsenal in 2005 and 2006, despite possessing a monstrous team with the likes of Lilian Thuram, Fabio Cannavaro, Patrick Vieira, Pavel Nedved and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their ranks, not to mention Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet.

Then the Calciopoli scandal broke, relegation followed and although they immediately contended again in Serie A upon their promotion, they then regressed to record back-to-back seventh place finishes, which meant no Champions League football.

The second of those disappointing seasons, 2010-11, was Andrea Agnelli's first year as president and the foundations for the current Juventus were being laid. General manager Beppe Marotta and chief scout Fabio Paratici were hired from Sampdoria with a remit to assemble a team capable of competing again. Wednesday must have been particularly poignant for them. "More than an emotion, it's a satisfaction for us," Marotta explained.

After guiding Juventus back to the top of the game in Italy and keeping them there, re-establishing the club in Europe has become the priority. A seven-time finalist and two-time winner of the European Cup, the Bianconeri are only one of four clubs to have won every UEFA club competition.

Nights like Wednesday were reminiscent of Agnelli's adolescence. He was at Monaco's Stade Louis II on Apr. 15, 1998 when Juventus lost 3-2 but still progressed 6-4 on aggregate, returning to the Champions League final for a third straight year.

No longer quite the superpower they were then, there is realism to this restoration project. Juventus are in the final four of the Champions League, notwithstanding their status as Europe's ninth richest team in Deloitte's football money league.

Their revenues are growing, but at €279.4m they are nearly half what Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich make on an annual basis. This casts them in the outsider role played by Atletico Madrid a year ago and Borussia Dortmund the season before last.

One of the lamentations Antonio Conte aired before resigning as manager in the summer was the belief Juventus lacked the resources to compete at this level. "If you sit in a restaurant where the prices are €100 a head," he complained. "You can't think about eating there when you only have €10 in your pocket."

Conte is now being made to eat humble pie. His successor Massimiliano Allegri has got more bang for his 10 bucks. "Maybe we can't eat the priciest dishes on the menu but Italian teams can sit comfortably in an expensive restaurant," he countered.

How sweet life must be for Allegri at the moment. After the statement last 16 second leg win in Dortmund last month, Marotta spoke about the coach "taking revenge" on his sceptics. Both parties deserve ample praise because, when Conte walked away at the beginning of pre-season, he left Juventus in a real bind. They didn't have time to dawdle and had to act swiftly and decisively.

At the time, many, including their own fans, believed they got the decision terribly wrong. The hiring of Allegri was deeply unpopular, so much so Marotta recalled on Thursday how, upon driving with Agnelli and Allegri on the day of the former Milan coach's unveiling, supporters kicked the car. Time has shown that they could hardly have been more right in their choice of replacement and that's the mark of great management.

Allegri, as Buffon has reiterated, also showed great courage and considerable courage in taking on the near-impossible job of following Conte, a Juventino icon and all-time great. Given Juventus had shattered Serie A records en route to winning three straight titles, Allegri was told by the papers that delivering in Europe constituted the "only" measure of success for him at Juventus.

"It wasn't easy," Gianluca Vialli said on Sky Italia. "His arrival after Conte could have been compared to post-Jose Mourinho Inter [when no one could break his cult of personality]. Max has instead shown himself capable of building a splendid relationship with the players. He has done what Capello did at Milan after Arrigo Sacchi."

Allegri has fulfilled the brief and more. Besides taking Juventus further than Conte and Capello did in the Champions League, small talk at the top table with fellow semifinalists Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique might centre on how their own treble plans are going. Fifteen points clear in Serie A and with a place booked in the final of the Coppa Italia, this could be a historic season for Juventus.

Allegri has changed the record, flipped the script and helped lift a complex the club had developed in Europe over the last 12 years. Outplayed by winners Bayern in the quarterfinals in 2013, dumped out of the group stages last season and denied the chance to play the final of the Europa League in their own stadium by Benfica, doing themselves justice and recovering face on the continent has driven the players, as well as proving they could win without Conte.

"At times [since 2003] I really hoped we would go all the way," Buffon admitted, "but that hope transformed into too great a pressure. Not anymore. Now it's different. This year we started out with the belief we could have good season in Europe. The wounds of last year still burn. We didn't want to make the same mistakes and get our approach to these games wrong again."

Fortune has had to favour Juventus too. It did so in the draw for the last eight and in the first leg vs. Monaco when they were awarded a penalty for an incident outside the box, from which Arturo Vidal scored the decisive goal of the tie.

In the second leg, Giorgio Chiellini could have been sent off and Monaco midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia had a strong penalty claim turned down. Having been unable to catch a break in Europe over last couple of years, the Old Lady has changed into Lady Luck.

Like Roberto Di Matteo's Chelsea in 2012, though, Juve are going to need more good fortune if they are to win this competition for the first time since 1996.

Impressive defensively -- Wednesday was Juventus' ninth clean sheet in 10 games, as Monaco were limited to only one shot on target -- it was still a 0-0 of high tension, not least because, as Max Nerozzi quipped in La Stampa, "Juventus defended lower than Monaco's taxes." So close to heights they haven't ascended to in so long, there was vertigo, a palpable fear of falling and failure.

As was the case in the 15 minutes of the first leg, nerves threatened to get the better of Juve. Chiellini slipped like he did against Dortmund, but instead of allowing Joao Moutinho to run through and score as had Marco Reus, the defender grabbed the ball and was booked for handling it. Andrea Pirlo did something similar after mistiming a challenge soon afterwards.

In the second half, Buffon had to surge off his line and dive at Dimitar Berbatov's feet after Leonardo Bonucci sold him short. The game was reminiscent of the group stage encounters at Atletico Madrid and Olympiakos when they lost 1-0 but the difference was that they held out, which is a positive sign of progress for Allegri.

Allegri was criticised, not for the first time, by Sacchi on Mediaset -- "the only good thing was the result" -- but had warned after the first leg "if you want to be entertained, go to the circus", to which Gianni Mura replied in La Repubblica "we didn't expect to suffer like we were in a dentist's chair".

The approach could not have been any different. Carlos Tevez had been sick for the two days before the game, Arturo Vidal had been laid up in a hospital bed with tonsillitis while Pirlo had played three games in a week after not playing at all six. Alvaro Morata also vomited after his substitution in the second half.

They'll have to play better in the semifinals, that's for sure, as it is acknowledged and accepted that the other remaining teams are on different level to them. Everything is now a bonus, though, given that the objective at the start of the season was to reach the quarterfinals again.

A great sense of joy is discernible at Juventus being back to where they feel they belong. "Bentornata" was La Stampa's headline on Thursday morning.

"Welcome back."

[Socrates 8516]

MONACO - JUVENTUS

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Juventus will need to improve
for heavyweight date in semifinals

Apr 23, 2015
 
After 12 long years of suffering, 12 long years of hardship, struggling with demotion to Serie B, the disgust of mediocrity and the creation of a balanced squad, Juventus are back in the Champions League semifinals.

The quarterfinal second leg performance in Monaco was not what was expected from a team that proved so delightfully technical and tactical in Europe. The squad lacked intensity, composure and attacking ambition. The midfield was incapable of asserting their quality, the forward line failed to make decisions, let alone the right ones, while the inability to release the ball quickly and accurately frustrated the travelling fans. This was not a typical Juve performance, as rarely have they offered a simple whimper when the occasion called for total domination.

Yet perhaps there was no need to be anything more than average against a poor side that failed to exploit their opponent's mistakes. Feeble going forward, the home side had countless opportunities to take advantage of a broken opponent, yet they relinquished possession too swiftly in the final third. Monaco's lack of genuine quality on the ball was baffling. Organised, certainly, but Monaco did not boast the intelligence and technique required in the final third to either threaten or convert efficiently.

In their defence, they should have been awarded a penalty. Geoffrey Kondogbia was clearly sandwiched in the box, but the referee opted not to award a spot kick, much to the delight of the Italians. Yet even the home side must admit that the lack of genuine quality up top is the real the reason behind their European exit.

According to Juve's Massimiliano Allegri, a coach clearly disappointed with the performance judging by his antics on the sideline, his men had an excuse for the below-par performance. A virus has spread through the dressing room taking down Carlos Tevez, Alvaro Morata and Arturo Vidal. The Chilean has been struggling with tonsillitis, while the young Spaniard reportedly vomited on the bench. Yet while the coach attempted to explain certain performances, others cannot be excused.

Giorgio Chiellini was simply abysmal for much of the game, especially in the first half, and is lucky he wasn't punished either by the referee or the opponent. Andrea Pirlo miscued many of his passes, squandering opportunities to create danger, while Vidal struggled to offer much after a good start, disappearing as the night darkened.

In the second half, Juve's anxiety softened and they looked more in control, as Monaco began to tire and surrender to frustration. However, it's safe to say a better opponent would have destroyed a Juventus team that committed countless errors.

Asked about the challenges the Bianconeri will face in the semifinals, Allegri looked to allay fears. "These are the three biggest clubs in Europe. I can certainly guarantee it will be a completely different game against these sides than with Monaco," he said. Juve fans will hope these guarantees are not like the ones Rudi Garcia made regarding Roma and the Scudetto.

However, the night belongs to wild celebrations and little criticism. The club must expect that the struggle for excellence is not yet over and Juventus still have a lot to do to improve on their level, but a place in the semifinal is just reward for a club that has devoted itself to improvement and success, investing wisely and batting off unwarranted criticism to have the last laugh.

Management have built a wonderfully balanced team despite limited funding, a league that offers no competition and a former coach, Antonio Conte, who left the club just before the preseason. Let's put things into context, German Bundesliga side Schalke makes approximately €20m more in commercial revenue than the Old Lady.

Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid proved that excellent tactics, squad spirit and organised play can be enough to reach the final of Europe's premier competition. Conte didn't agree, and neither did many of the fans who called for better reinforcements.

Yet the only difference between Allegri's Juve and Conte's is Roberto Pereyra and Alvaro Morata, and despite their excellent displays, neither player forced Juve to make the step up. Juventus have had the potential to excel in this competition for several years now and have only just managed to express it. Luck has certainly smiled down on the men in black and white, but then it often does in this competition, watching certain greats fall against lesser teams.

It only takes one excellent year in Europe for a well-managed team to improve. More money will mean better investments, a more formidable brand and better hope for further glory. Conte revived the sleeping giant and Allegri is now perfecting it. Two perfect performances in the next stage and the story will read like a fairy tale. Juventus have truly risen from the ashes.

[Socrates 8516]

MONACO - JUVENTUS

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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Stade Louis II., Monaco
Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland)

Juve to learn Champions League fate

Apr 24, 2015
 
Juventus will discover the identity of their Champions League semi-final opponents today, with Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid the possibilities.

The draw will take place in Nyon at 12:00 CET, shortly before the Europa League draw featuring Napoli and Fiorentina.

The Old Lady defeated Monaco 1-0 on aggregate to reach their first Champions League semi-final in 12 years but will face a European heavyweight in the last four.

Defending champions Real Madrid have been touted as the most favourable draw for Juve, after squeezing past rivals Atletico Madrid 1-0 over two legs.

Bayern demolished Porto 6-1 in the second leg after a shock 3-1 defeat in Portugal and Barcelona were impressive as they dispatched Paris Saint-Germain 5-1 on aggregate.

All four teams have enormous European pedigree with Real Madrid winning 10 Champions League or European Cup titles, with Bayern collecting five, Barcelona four and Juventus two.

The Old Lady’s last triumph in Europe’s premier competition was in 1996, but they have finished as runners up on three occasions since then.

[Socrates 8516]

CL: Juventus draw Real Madrid

Apr 24, 2015
 
Juventus will face defending champions Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals after the draw in Nyon on Friday morning.

Barcelona will take on Bayern Munich in the other last four tie.

The first legs will take place on May 5 and 6, with the return legs scheduled for May 12 and 13.

Juventus will have the first leg at home on May 6 before facing a trip to Santiago Bernabeu the following week.

Since finishing second behind Atletico Madrid in the group stages, the Old Lady have knocked out Borussia Dortmund and Monaco on their way to the semi-finals.

Real Madrid narrowly squeezed past Schalke 04 and Atletico Madrid to reach the last four.

Barcelona have had arguably the toughest route to the last four, but have impressed with comfortable aggregate wins against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

Bayern have enjoyed high-scoring victories against Shakhtar Donetsk and Porto to get to this stage.

[Socrates 8516]

TORINO - JUVENTUS

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Sunday, April 26th, 2015 - 3:00 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Turin
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Glik: Beating Juve a national celebration

Apr 24, 2015

Torino captain Kamil Glik has fired shots ahead of Sunday’s Derby della Mole by saying that the nation would celebrate a Granata victory.

The Polish defender will lead his side against the Old Lady this weekend hoping to avenge their last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Juventus Stadium in November.

“If we beat Juventus it will be a national celebration,” Glik said to Tuttosport.

“We are looking to prepare for this match like any other and want to give as little thought as possible to the fact that it’s a derby.”

The 27-year-old centre back has led his club to eighth place in Serie A and they still stand a chance of European qualification, but he underlined how vital the derby is to the Granata’s season.

“It’s the most important match of the year for us, but we must let our adrenaline levels rise only a few minutes before the whistle blows for kick off.

“Juventus are a better team, but we are proud to wear this shirt - for me it’s an honour.

“Three years ago when I arrived in Turin there wasn’t the same enthusiasm as there is today – the passion of the fans makes us happy.

“Whether it’s Juve or a smaller team, it doesn’t make a difference – we have to play our own game and be sure not to misrepresent ourselves."
 
 

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

[Socrates 8516]

TORINO - JUVENTUS

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Sunday, April 26th, 2015 - 3:00 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Turin
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Torino V. Juventus – Preview: Granata
Look To Poop Bianconeri Party

Apr 24, 2015

Juventus may go into Sunday’s Derby della Mole with Torino knowing that a victory against their city rivals could clinch the Scudetto.

In a fixture that is already alluring, Italy’s eyes will excite themselves switching between Rome and Turin. With Roma due to play at Inter on Saturday evening, the Vecchia Signori will know before kick-off if they can clinch the title at the Stadio Olimpico, as they will need to win and both Roman sides lose in order to do so.

It will be the 140th Serie A meeting between the two and the Bianconeri hold a heavy advantage. They have 64 wins to their host’s 34 and even hold a 10 win swing in the away leg of the fixture. A great number of those victories have come in recent meetings, something made painfully apparent to Granata supporters when they note that the 20th anniversary of Torino’s last derby victory has recently passed; history heavily favours the visitors.

The meeting at the Juventus Stadium was a tight affair; an Arturo Vidal penalty gave the Bianconeri the advantage, but Bruno Peres’ meisterwerk gave Torino their first derby goal since 2002 and looked to have clinched a point until a last second thunderbolt from Andrea Pirlo snatched victory.

Yet both sides go into this derby in good form. As well as progressing against Monaco in the Champions League, Juventus have been imperious in Serie A. Since defeat at Genoa in October, they have lost just once (mystifyingly at Parma) in 22 games and have won 15 of those.

Torino have hardly been slumping during that time, however, with only two defeats in the 18 games since the last derby, though those 16 matches have been split equally between wins and draws.

Juventus striker Carlos Tevez goes into the game as Serie A’s leading scorer with 18 goals to his name, while Fabio Quagliarella leads Giampiero Ventura’s side on 11 – the second season in a row Torino’s leading scorer has joined from Juventus.

Massimiliano Allegri goes into the game with local boy made good Claudio Marchisio suspended, while Paul Pogba and Kwadwo Asamoah are both likely to miss out through injury. Meanwhile, Ventura’s squad are virtually without blemish – with Gaston Silva unlikely to add to his two appearances to date.


Form Guide: Torino (D-D-W-W-L-L), Juventus (W-L-W-W-W-W)


Expected Starting XIs

Torino: Padelli; Bovo, Glik, Moretti; Bruno Peres, Vives, Gazzi, El Kaddouri, Darmian; Maxi Lopez, Martinez.

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pereyra, Evra; Tevez, Morata.
 
 

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

[Socrates 8516]

TORINO - JUVENTUS

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Sunday, April 26th, 2015 - 3:00 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Turin
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Why the Turin Derby Is Still One
of the World's Top Matches

Apr 24, 2015

It is a rivalry that spans over many years, with the histories of Turin’s two football clubs interwoven across the decades since both were formed. Juventus were the Piedmontese capital’s first team, formed by students back in 1897, while a break-away faction led by Alfred Dick gave birth to Torino FC just nine years later.

Dick and his cohorts had grown tired of the decision to take Juventus in a more professional direction, forming their own club with help from future Italian national coach Vittorio Pozzo. The very first clash between them came the following year, with the newly formed club emerging victorious at the Velodrome Umberto I.

From those humble beginnings, two huge clubs would come to prominence, each taking its turn to dominate football on the peninsula and together shaping the early landscape of Serie A. The rivalry between them intensified, taking on increasing significance, as the importance of the city’s two sides also grew more widely known.

Eventually it came to be called the “Derby della Mole,” taking its name from the Mole Antonelliana, a distinctive former synagogue that dominates the Turin skyline. In Italian language, the word mole literally means “size” and is often used to denote a building of lavish proportions, and the match named after this one did indeed become Italy’s biggest game.

Juventus won five consecutive titles in the 1930s, only to see Il Grande Torino repeat that feat in the following decade, and no other side has yet matched that incredible achievement. Sadly the Granata side that accomplished it would perish in the Superga tragedy, the entire team wiped out in the 1949 plane crash.

The Bianconeri would be touched by similar grief much later, with 39 fans losing their lives at the Heysel Stadium disaster of 1985, although supporters sadly seem much more likely to mock the suffering of the other rather than be united by their shared experiences.

Over the 1980s and 90s Turin would lose its place as the capital of Italy’s footballing culture, replaced first by Milan and then Rome. Juventus—who blossomed into one of Europe’s truly giant clubs—began to dominate the derby on a regular basis.

This weekend sees the 231st match between the Turin rivals, with the Old Lady notching 92 wins and 62 draws, leaving Toro with 74 victories. The Granata’s best spell saw them go unbeaten against their crosstown rivals for over five years in the 1970s, while their most impressive result arguably came in the 1938 Italian Cup final, beating Juve by an aggregate score of 5-2.

Yet since their last win in April 1995, Torino have repeatedly failed in the derby, registering nine losses and four draws. The Granata have only spent 12 seasons outside the top flight and 10 of those have been in the years since that last derby triumph, and one of the seasons they did make it back to Serie A came in 2006.

That meant they missed out on facing the Bianconeri, relegated as part of their punishment for the Calciopoli scandal, the only time they have been in the second tier. With a stable Torino now enjoying their third consecutive top-flight campaign, they are emerging once again as a force to be reckoned with, catapulting Turin back to the forefront of Italian football.

Giampiero Ventura’s side currently occupy eighth place, and having enjoyed a stellar showing in the Europa League this term, they will hope to qualify for the competition once again this time around. Their domestic results have been equally impressive, holding AS Roma to a draw two weeks ago while boasting wins over Inter, Napoli and Sampdoria.

It might not sizzle with the electricity of the clashes in Rome, Milan or even Madrid, but—to anyone with an interest in the history of the sport—the Turin derby remains one of world football’s most significant.

 

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