Juventus Season 2014-2015

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS 3 - 2 ROMA

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Carlos Tévez (Pen. 27')

Francesco Totti (Pen. 32')
Juan Iturbe (44')

Carlos Tevez (Pen. 45'+)
Leonardo Bonucci (86')

Sunday, October 5th, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Juventus Stadium - Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Diamanti: 'Too much controversy'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyorKr7nd2E#t=76

Oct 8, 2014

Alessandro Diamanti told Francesco Totti he “should not have talked” to reporters after Juventus-Roma.

“I am in China, but I do read the websites and watch the Italian television programmes. All I hear is controversy,” the Guangzhou Evergrande star told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“Unfortunately, that’s what Italian football is like. We are just getting worse and worse.”

Diamanti was particularly disconcerted by Roma captain Totti’s comments that “by hook or by crook” Juventus always win.

“In my view Italian football remains the best in the world, even if we are behind the rest in terms of culture. That’s true in general and not just in football.

“As for Totti, it’s best not to talk straight after a game. There is too much tension, you say things that you wish you hadn’t and that become twisted by other people.”

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS 3 - 2 ROMA

-

Carlos Tévez (Pen. 27')

Francesco Totti (Pen. 32')
Juan Iturbe (44')

Carlos Tevez (Pen. 45'+)
Leonardo Bonucci (86')

Sunday, October 5th, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Juventus Stadium - Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Marelli hits out at
'crazy' Rocchi punishment

The man at the centre of a refereeing storm in Italy's top flight has found
an ally who believes the authorities need to do more to help the officials.

Oct 9, 2014

Former Serie A official Luca Marelli has questioned the lack of transparency at the Italian Referees’ Association and labelled the decision to suspend Gianluca Rocchi following his controversial display in Sunday’s clash between Juventus and Roma as "crazy".

Rocchi awarded the Bianconeri two penalties during the game in Turin – both of which were converted by Carlos Tevez – while he also failed to notice Arturo Vidal standing in an offside position in front of Roma goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski for Leonardo Bonucci's late winner.

His performance has been widely condemned and it is understood he will now miss the next two rounds of Serie A fixtures as punishment.

But the lack of official word from the referees' governing body (AIA) frustrates Marelli who believes his former colleague is being harshly treated.

He told Goal : "The AIA is not transparent at all. They haven’t made any official statement about this. The news comes from informal talks between (former referees and current AIA chiefs) Marcello Nicchi and Domenico Messina and some journalists.

"In my opinion, a referee should only be suspended for a serious technical error, such as awarding a direct free kick inside the penalty area, something like that. But to suspend Rocchi after Sunday's game … that's crazy."

Marelli is concerned Rocchi's judgement may suffer in the short-term.

He added: "When he’s back on the pitch next month, he'll be afraid to make the wrong decision, he'll be scared, he might lose confidence.

"I know Rocchi very well, he's been a referee for 26 years, he’s strong enough to get over this but it's a crazy decision.

"In a perfect world Rocchi would have stayed quiet for a week and then restarted with a Serie B game, rapidly going back to his usual standard."

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS 3 - 2 ROMA

-

Carlos Tévez (Pen. 27')

Francesco Totti (Pen. 32')
Juan Iturbe (44')

Carlos Tevez (Pen. 45'+)
Leonardo Bonucci (86')

Sunday, October 5th, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Juventus Stadium - Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Storari: Two horse title race

Oct 9, 2014

Marco Storari concedes Roma have ‘come on leaps and bounds’ this year, and the title race is most likely between Juventus and them.

The Bianconeri narrowly defeated the Giallorossi 3-2 in Week 6 to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season, in a match their back-up goalkeeper admits could be an indication of the season to come.

“It seems this year will be a two-horse race for the title,” Storari has told JTV today.

“Juventus and Roma are the division’s most competitive sides. We’ve won three consecutive titles and they’ve strengthened after pushing us last time around.

“It was a different game to last season because they’ve come on leaps and bounds. It was a very difficult match and we’re very happy to have won it.”

Juve hold a three point advantage over Roma, who otherwise have won every other game so far in Serie A this term.

“We’ve already broken clear of the others and I think in the end it will be just us two in the running.

“However, I hope that another team is able to get back in it, perhaps Napoli, who have got off to a slow start, or Inter and Milan. It would only be a good thing for the League.”

The 37-year-old reflected on life so far this term under Massimiliano Allegri.

“[Antonio] Conte’s departure was a blow for everyone because it was unexpected.

“Having said that, he’s been replaced by an excellent Coach and our strong reaction is down to him.

“Allegri is a smart and intelligent manager who has already won honours in his career.”

Storari also had a word for his and Gigi Buffon’s goalkeeping Coach at Juve, Claudio Filippi.

“His job isn’t easy because there are many aspects to take care of and he’s always very well prepared. I’ve worked with many goalkeeping coaches in my career and I think Filippi is certainly up there with the best.”

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS 3 - 2 ROMA

-

Carlos Tévez (Pen. 27')

Francesco Totti (Pen. 32')
Juan Iturbe (44')

Carlos Tevez (Pen. 45'+)
Leonardo Bonucci (86')

Sunday, October 5th, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Juventus Stadium - Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Italy asks FIFA to host TV replays experiment

Oct 9, 2014

Italy wants to host an experiment on the use of TV replays in football.

Following a controversial top-of-the-table clash in the Serie A, the president of the Italian football federation wrote to FIFA on Thursday asking to trial video replay.

The letter came four days after Juventus recorded a 3-2 victory over Roma that saw the Turin club awarded two disputed penalties and score the winning goal while offside.

Carlo Tavecchio said that while the FIGC was dedicated to preserving the traditions of football, "at the same time it supports modernisation that allows our beloved sport to maintain a winning global consensus."

The fallout from the Juve-Roma match made studying the use of replays "a priority" to uphold "credibility in the referee," a statement from the Italian federation added.

Last month, Blatter said he wanted to test replays in a domestic league, and at the Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand next year.

Coaches would have the right once or twice in each half to challenge a refereeing decision.

Blatter has portrayed himself as a champion of technology since reversing his opposition to goal-line aids, which were used at the World Cup in Brazil for the first time.

Separately, UEFA banned Tavecchio for six months on Tuesday following a racist comment during his election campaign.

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS 3 - 2 ROMA

-

Carlos Tévez (Pen. 27')

Francesco Totti (Pen. 32')
Juan Iturbe (44')

Carlos Tevez (Pen. 45'+)
Leonardo Bonucci (86')

Sunday, October 5th, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Juventus Stadium - Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Juventus better served by
staying above Roma war of words

Oct 9, 2014

It may be the time to temporarily forget club football and enjoy the development of Antonio Conte's Azzurri side, but Italy can still not forget or recover from Sunday's evening match between Juventus and Roma. With embarrassing comments made by everyone who feels they are worthy of an opinion, the Italian league may be that bit more interesting to watch, but is now, once again, clouded by a sense of suspicion.

After the match, Francesco Totti, a symbol of Roma but also one of, if not the greatest number 10s Italy has seen in the past two decades (apologies to Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero fans), thought it wise to say that Juventus always win 'by hook or by crook'. Outrightly stating that his opponents are cheating, his poor choice of words was not only beneath a legend of his status but ridiculous and harmful to a league that is staving off critical voices from disinterested parties.

Besieged by anger, one can perhaps understand why Totti resorted to spouting venom. The match against Juventus represented Roma's chance to demonstrate the development of their side and perhaps a chance to prove that they were the best, capable of beating the team that has dominated Serie A for the last three years.

To stand so close to unimaginable victory and have a referee snatch it all away is bound to lead to complete frustration. Forever in the shadows, consistently referred to as a side that can play beautiful football but rarely capable of victories, this was their time to shine, their time to stand at the top of the podium and claim they did it the hard way but got there in the end.

A wonderfully constructed side, a beautiful style of play and incredible results to boot, how annoying must Juventus be to sit at the top of the league having just won a poorly officiated match.

Having heard what was said, the Old Lady fought back, through the words of Emma Winter, wife of Juventus president Andrea Agnelli, Leonardo Bonucci's tweet and of course, Pavel Nedved's words. The latter's comments were in a word, silly. Public opinion may be against Juventus but to say referees are "are almost afraid to give anything in our favour" is hardly accurate even if the squad were rarely given a penalty in their first season under Conte.

The truth of the matter is that Juventus were victorious and are the biggest club in Italy and should act as such at all times. That means silence, accepting the criticism and taking the higher road. Those who make ill-advised comments should do so at their own peril, but retaliations should not be permitted simply because this isn't a small club with a point to prove; this is a side that represents a country and should they lose one match, or for an entire season, they must always hold on to their prestige.

Referee Gianluca Rocchi may be highly regarded among his peers, but no one can forget the blinding errors he's made in the past. He has sent off seven Inter players in 16 matches including Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2006-07 season for shooting the ball after the whistle had gone. This is the same referee who was acquitted for charges relating to calciopoli, who apologised to Bologna for the mistakes he made in their match against Milan and a man who has drawn the ire of former Inter president Massimo Moratti, the Pozzo family of Udinese and Palermo owner Maurizio Zamparini on a consistent basis. "The Rocchi horror show" is one of the most popular headlines in Italy and his errors made prior to Euro 2012 is the reason why refereeing peer Nicola Rizzoli was chosen ahead of him.

That Rocchi was given the chance to officiate the biggest match of the season is surprising to say the least as both he and Paolo Tagliavento have shown how error prone they are in the big matches. Thus if we consider all the mistakes he has done in the past, it's incredible to think that because on this occasion, one of the sides is Juventus, that the victory was suspicious. It is for that reason, those like Bonucci are understandably tired of having to consistently respond to claims they have cheated their way to victory and have chosen to make silly remarks.

The successes of the last three seasons have been achieved the hard way, through blood, sweat and tears and regardless of what Totti claims, not even he can dismiss reality. Beating Juve does not make Roma better, winning the title would change opinions and the pressure is on Rudi Garcia and his men to prove they are capable of the kind of consistency required.

As for Juventus, Europe is their priority, they have nothing left to prove on a domestic level.

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS 3 - 2 ROMA

-

Carlos Tévez (Pen. 27')

Francesco Totti (Pen. 32')
Juan Iturbe (44')

Carlos Tevez (Pen. 45'+)
Leonardo Bonucci (86')

Sunday, October 5th, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Juventus Stadium - Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Moggi: Totti Is A Problem For Roma

Oct 9, 2014

Former Juventus director Luciano Moggi believes that Roma captain Francesco Totti was the capital city club’s biggest problem during their defeat to the Old Lady on October 5.

The Bianconeri’s controversial 3-2 win over the Giallorossi in Turin has been the subject of criticism since the final whistle was blown and while the 77-year-old admits that the referee had made a couple of wrong decisions, he feels it was Totti’s attitude that caused more of a dilemma.

Moggi recently spoke to LiberoTV about the match between Juventus and Roma and some the calls that had an effect on the outcome of the game, while also expressing his views on the Lupi captain.

“The game was great, but the ref had so many things wrong,” said the former general manager. “He exchanged a regular punishment for Maicon with a penalty, while Totti’s penalty was not caused by a foul.

“On the field it seemed as if it should have been a draw, but Roma have a problem: Francesco Totti.

“Slow motion replays on the field? It’s a shame these things have to happen. But in this moment I say that we should have it, just to avoid all of the theatrics.”

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

[Socrates 8516]

Time for Juventus to make their mark in Europe again

Oct 12, 2014

If the papers aren't discussing the need for technology in football due to the controversial manner in which Juventus defeated Roma, then instead they're discussing Arturo Vidal and his future.

The Chilean midfielder's talent is not to be doubted, but there is a concern that he is slipping. Beppe Marotta & Co. have always cared about the delicate balance of personalities within the squad. Part of their love for Vidal came from his intensity and desire to be a leader. His relentless running and dynamic energy explain why he developed into one of the best players in the world. Without these qualities, he risks falling back into mediocrity.

It remains to be seen whether he can win back the affections of those who once idolised him, but beyond that, this is an incredibly important season for Juventus. Not only because they have to prove they can still win despite the departure of Antonio Conte, but because it's high time for them to make their mark on Europe.

Many who enjoy criticising the Bianconeri reflect on the fact that, in Europe, Juve don't win. Does that mean anything? While they have won only two Champions League trophies, they have reached the final seven times. Arrogance let them down in 1998 after they decided to draw "1-0" on the back of their hands to irk Real Madrid; instead they provoked their opponent to produce a stunning performance and achieve victory. In 2003, they lost to Milan on penalties and never quite recovered from not having Pavel Nedved available for the final match. Overall, there are many more reasons for why the champions of Italy have choked at the final hurdle.

Juventus are indeed a side that values domestic triumph and has usually prioritised winning scudetti as opposed to European trophies, but to say they are a side that only wins in Italy is reaching to say the least.

They were a team that struck fear in their opponents, a side that was used as an example and a collective unit that entertained. The best and brightest managers in Europe sought only to defeat the Bianconeri, none more so than Sir Alex Ferguson. "Juventus were an example for my Manchester United," Ferguson said. "I had my players watch videos of [Marcelo] Lippi's team and would say, 'Don't look at the tactics or technique. We have that too. You need to learn to have that desire to win.'"

If they were only a team that won in Italy then they would not have received such admiration for their work. However, since Fabio Capello's Juve, the Bianconeri have failed to really make an impact on Europe, barring the tremendous individual games they've played against the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Much of it is due to their failure to cope with the pressure as well as their tactical naivety. Rudi Garcia demonstrated wisdom and great intelligence prior to Roma's match against Manchester City when he placed the burden squarely on the shoulders of Manuel Pellegrini's squad. Garcia's team were not the league winners; they came second, have barely spent the money City have and hadn't played in Europe for years. They were expected to lose, anything better than a defeat would be considered brilliance.

Like Juventus, City are expected to destroy all that's in front of them but suffered. The onus was on them to win against what was the lowest ranked team in their group. Such pressure was stifling.

Atletico Madrid reached the final of the European tournament last season because they understood how to exploit their reputation as underdogs. After the success they experienced last year, they no longer have that luxury and have since started to wobble. Meanwhile, Juventus are struggling under that same weight of expectation. Not only are they representing themselves but the Italian league too. If they are easily defeated, what does that say about the state of calcio?

It was somewhat easier for them in their first year back in Europe, 2012, when no one imagined they would defeat Chelsea but they did, comprehensively. The side that did eventually knock them out of the competition was the team that went on to lift the trophy.

Tactical naivety is also a problem as one could see that Conte had much to learn in Europe. The 3-5-2 formation isn't loved by the fans but it's not the problem -- or at least, it's not the main problem. In essence, Juventus need to be a little smarter in Europe, a little better prepared for the big challenges. Had they prepared well against Atletico Madrid in Matchday 2 then they would have understood that they are a side who are at their most comfortable when they force their opponent to take possession of the ball and thus the attacking initiative.

Had they simply given Diego Simeone's men possession and forced them to take the initiative, the Spaniards would have suffered like they have done in their own domestic league now that their opponents have wised up to their antics. The next match against the Rojiblancos will be in Turin, where Juventus are expected to control the ball and succeed. They will not be able to play like the away side.

Only a psychological breakthrough will help this Juventus cope with the pressures of Europe; on a sporting level, they have everything it takes to leave their mark.

[Socrates 8516]

10 Reasons Why Juventus Are Not to Blame
for the Controversy in Serie A

Oct 13, 2014

The issue of match-fixing in Italian football continues to be a highly sensitive one in the wake of the Calciopoli scandal of 2006.

The scandal involved several clubs, but Juventus were the harshest punished, the peninsula's most popular team.

After a forced relegation and a year spent in Serie B, the Old Lady of Italian football spent a number of years fighting to become a major force once more.

in 2014, Juventus are well and truly a force in Italian football once more, having won three consecutive league titles.

Following a controversial 3-2 win over the previously undefeated Roma in Round 6, in which several key refereeing decisions went the Bianconeri's way, Francesco Totti raised the spectre of match-fixing once more.

The Roma captain made the following comments to Sky Italia (via Joe Ridge of the Daily Mail):

Juventus ought to have their own league, as by hook or by crook they always win.

Are we back to the same doubts? I am not the only one saying this, as these are things everyone in Italy should discuss.

With Juventus when there is any doubt whatsoever, it’s always a penalty.

I have to stop now, as if I keep talking then I’ll get suspended.

Totti was right to be angry as Roma appeared to be very harshly done in by being in the top-of-the-table clash, but his insinuations that there was something untoward going on were uncalled for.

Here are 10 reasons why Juventus are not to be blamed for the controversy.


They Would Never Dare Try It Again

The fallout from Calciopoli caused years of despair for everyone involved with Juventus.

Not only were they punished on the pitch, but the reputation of the club also suffered immensely.

Even when they fought their way back to Serie A, it took years for the side to return to the forefront of Italian football.

To risk getting involved in another controversy such a short time later would be on the verge of madness.


Referees Themselves Would Not Take the Risk

Not only would it be foolhardy for Juventus to get involved with any bribing of match officials, it would be ludicrous for referees themselves to engage in any dodgy dealings.

Having seen how deep the probing from prosecutors went back in 2006, there is no way a referee currently plying his trade in Serie A would think it a good idea to get involved with any such activities in 2014.

Phone records and other forms of communication are easily accessed by law enforcement agencies, as Calciopoli showed, so nobody in their right mind would put themselves at risk nowadays.


The Players Themselves Cannot Be Held Responsible in Any Case

Even during Calciopoli, there was never any suggestion that the players themselves had any involvement.

It was understandable, then, that squad members from that era are still vehement that they won those Scudetti on the pitch.

When Totti or others infer that the current Juventus side are receiving too many favours, they are in no way implying that the team members themselves have anything to do with it.


Referees Make Mistakes All the Time

As the old adage goes, referees are human too. Like players, they make mistakes sometimes.

Just because a ref gets a decision wrong does not mean there was ill intent behind it or that he was being influenced by outside forces.

Often fans focus on the calls that went against their own team but conveniently forget those that fell their way. It's one of the reasons there are such passionate debates after each round of action.

Just because supporters (or players, in Totti's case) from other clubs think Juventus get all the decisions going their way, it doesn't mean that is necessarily the case.


Roma Were Awarded a Penalty in the Game in Question

One pertinent argument against biased refereeing in the recent Juventus-Roma clash was that Roma themselves were awarded a penalty in the first half.

The penalty was duly converted by Totti to make the score 1-1. Juan Iturbe then found the net to give Roma the advantage, before a second Carlos Tevez penalty made it 2-2 and Leonardo Bonucci scored the winner for the Bianconeri late in the game.

If the referee had been intent on Juve winning the match, he surely wouldn't have made his own task more difficult by giving Roma the leg up of a first-half spot-kick.


In General, the Bigger the Team, the More Decisions Go Their Way

Ask many fans in England who referees favour and anyone who is not a Red Devils fan will likely mention Manchester United.

Similarly, supporters of anyone, bar Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain, will tell you those teams receive many advantages from match officials. The same goes with Boca Juniors and River Plate in Argentina.

This could in part be because the giant clubs are the ones opposition supporters most love to hate.

But it may also be based on an unconscious favouritism that match officials show the bigger sides.

When it comes to making split-second decisions, perhaps there is something in the referees' minds that tell them to make the call that will cause them the least amount of hassle in the aftermath of the game.

Clubs with the most supporters also tend to have the most cheerleaders in the media. A 50-50 call that goes against a Bayern Munich or a Juventus is always going to be greeted with an uproar during the week, and that could be something which affects the way those calls are handled, even if it is not intentional.


Juventus Are a Different Club Now That Moggi Has Gone

The main protagonist of the Calciopoli scandal was former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi.

There was a great deal of evidence against Moggi collected by prosecutors, and he was on the receiving end of a lifetime ban from football.

As a result, he was obviously excluded from any involvement with the Bianconeri from that point onward and does not have any influence over Italian football at present.


Others Are Quick to See Controversies Whenever Juventus Are Involved

It is understandable that Juventus are often the first club accused of nefarious activities by others when debatable incidents occur on the pitch.

Juve's sporting director, Giuseppe Marotta, made that very point following Totti's comments:

I have great respect for Totti as a player. It’s understandable that he’s upset about the result but what he said was unacceptable.

In the past Juve have had to bear the brunt for others' mistakes, but when the team has won it has won legitimately and deservingly from a footballing point of view.

Every year Juventus are accused of being favoured in dubious or unclear situations, but I believe that these decisions even themselves out over the course of a season.

When we won the penalty it reminded me of the Juventus v Roma match that was played at the Olimpico in Turin. That year Roma got the decision and this year it was our turn to get a penalty.

Juventus were promoted back to Serie A in 2007 and won their third successive title this year.


Italians Love a Good Conspiracy

There is a word in Italian, "dietrologia," which describes the tendency of Italians to always search for hidden meanings and conspiracies behind day-to-day goings-on.

Though paranoia does not always exist without reason, the fact that such a word exists in the language indicates that the good people of the peninsula are always on the lookout for connivance, even when perhaps it does not exist.


Juventus Are Simply the Strongest Team in Italy at Present

Despite all the complaints from other Serie A sides about favouritism, it is very hard to argue that Juventus have not been the strongest team in Italy over the past few years.

Napoli, Roma and Milan have all been competitive since Juve's reign at the top started, but none can claim to have had such a powerful side with the squad depth of the Bianconeri.

Other Serie A outfits would dream of having the likes of Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tevez and Paul Pogba on their books.

It is not that difficult to understand, then, how Antonio Conte's side won three titles in a row and how Massimiliano Allegri's team have a perfect record after six games this campaign.

Conspiracy theories are not always needed to explain one side's dominance over the rest of the competition. Sometimes one side is just better than the rest.

[Socrates 8516]

Platini: TV replays bad for game

Oct 14, 2014

UEFA President Michel Platini has laughed off Juventus-Roma controversy, but is sternly against television replays assisting match officials.

The fall-out from the match in Turin has seen the debate over assisting referees with slow-motion replays reach a new height, with FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio contacting FIFA on the point.

However, for UEFA’s chief, the controversy from Week 6’s match must be taken in context.

“It’s the same old story that Juve are always favoured, or that whoever wins is because they are favoured by referees. It’s always been like this,” Platini is quoted as saying by ANSA.

“I did not even see Juventus-Roma, neither have I seen the images of the [bonucci] goal. I've heard a lot of things about it, but it’s always the same.

“Of course I remember those challenges [involving Juve]. The title was between two fine teams, but we did not need the referee to win.”

The Euro 1984 champion also touched on the ‘evils’ that slow-motion video replays would bring about if they were ever introduced into football.​

“Of all the evils, slow motion replays in football would be a disaster. All this would stem the flow of the game, so it wouldn’t be a good thing for its future,” Platini added.

“Nonetheless, it’s the International Board’s decision - not Tavecchio’s, nor mine. But I hope that no-one ever introduces it for the sake of football.”

[Socrates 8516]

Del Neri: Roma, Juve unreachable

Oct 15, 2014

Former Juventus and Roma Coach Luigi Del Neri believes the battle for the Scudetto is between the two, whilst he talks over the Bianconeri’s tactics.

The 64-year-old, who coached the Giallorossi in 2004-05 and had an difficult spell on the Juventus bench, leading the Bianconeri to seventh in 2011, can’t see beyond the two for this year’s title.

“Juventus and Roma have great sides,” Del Neri has told Roma Radio today.

“Inter have problems with the atmosphere at the club, then there are Fiorentina, Milan, Napoli and Lazio. Juventus and Roma are unreachable.”

Del Neri also evaluated the fortunes of Italian clubs in the Champions League, and believes Roma’s four-man defence is more suited to top-level European football than the back three of Juventus.

“European football is very standardised. It seems to me that 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 are the most common formations.

“There’s always a four-man defence, with very deep full-backs. I think that in that football you have great flexibility and can withstand players better one-on-one.

“In a three-man defence you not only have to help in defence, but also in attack. When you’re defending it becomes five defenders.

“I think it's difficult to impose yourself with a three-man defence, you leave too much space between the lines.

“As long as the wing-backs do their job, they [Juve] can do both phases. But if the running isn't there, you have problems.

“Will Allegri continue with the three-man defence? I think Massimiliano has accepted the thinking of another Coach [Conte], and at the moment it's useless changing Juventus.

“In the long-run I think he will see if the two wing-backs can maintain the same intensity, or take some of the strain off of them by adopting a back four.

“Ultimately it’s down to the ability of the players. If they keep performing as they have been, the formation will not change.

“Why change something which Conte has built so well, and which has brought great results? Allegri has shown intelligence and quality, he hasn’t upset the balance of the team.”

[Socrates 8516]

Mancini: Juventus team to beat

Oct 16, 2014

Roberto Mancini believes Juventus are still the team to beat for anyone looking to claim the Scudetto.

The former Inter Coach left Galatasaray in the summer, and was this week linked with a possible Serie A return on the Bologna bench.

The 49-year-old did not address the speculation, but did give his thoughts on the Serie A title race.

“Juve remain the team to beat,” Mancini has told La Stampa.

“If Roma had equalised in Turin it would have been deserved. Roma were matching Juventus, even on a physical level. Juve have the strength of their recent victories, but it remains undecided.”

Many have suggested that the strength of Juventus and Roma, coupled with the poor starts made by their rivals means the Scudetto is a two-horse race. Mancini, however, does not see it that way.

“I think Napoli will soon be challenging at the top. They could well have their say in the title challenge.

“The Milan clubs? Inter have good foundations, all they need is time to find a balance and start getting results. Clearly some players have been below par.

“As for Milan, Inzaghi is a leader. The players are following him, and he’s brought confidence back, a combination which will definitely be good in the long-run.”

[Socrates 8516]

SASSUOLO - JUVENTUS

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Saturday, October 18th, 2014 - 8:45 PM
Città del Tricolore Stadium - Reggio Emilia
Referee: Luca Banti

Sassuolo take down barriers

Oct 16, 2014

Sassuolo announced they will remove the barriers separating fans from the pitch at the Mapei Stadium.

Most Italian stadiums still have barriers and nets to prevent objects being thrown on to the field, although some are now adopting a more English-style approach.

Sassuolo today confirmed they will be joining the campaign to progressively eliminate the barriers at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia.

It’ll begin with this Saturday’s Serie A game against Juventus, hoping to make it “an increasingly comfortable and secure arena, transforming it into a place for healthy and sporting support based on education and respect for the rules.”

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

[Socrates 8516]

SASSUOLO - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, October 18th, 2014 - 8:45 PM
Città del Tricolore Stadium - Reggio Emilia
Referee: Luca Banti

Luca Banti to ref Sassuolo-Juve

Oct 16, 2014

Luca Banti will officiate the Sassuolo-Juventus game this weekend, but Juventus-Roma referee Gianluca Rocchi is dropped.

The Lega Serie A announced the officials for the Week 7 fixtures.

Rocchi, who was bitterly criticised after Juve’s 3-2 victory over Roma, is nowhere to be seen this weekend.


Atalanta-Parma (Guida)

Cagliari-Sampdoria (Gervasoni)

Fiorentina-Lazio (Peruzzo)

Genoa-Empoli (Cervellera)

Verona-Milan (Valeri)

Inter-Napoli (Orsato)

Palermo-Cesena (Damato)

Roma-Chievo (Calvarese)

Sassuolo-Juventus (Banti)

Torino-Udinese (Russo)

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

[Socrates 8516]

Capello: 'Juve have winning mentality'

Oct 16, 2014

Fabio Capello was “disappointed” by the Juventus-Roma controversy. “The difference is a winning mentality.”

The Bianconeri beat Roma 3-2 in a fiery Turin clash, which saw two red cards and several contentious decisions.

“Juventus-Roma was not a beautiful game in many respects, particularly the controversy both during and after the match,” Russia Coach Capello told reporters.

“I was disappointed, as it should’ve been an example of Italian football coming back to a top level. The difference is in how accustomed they are to winning. There are clubs where you go and breathe in the winning mentality. Juventus have that mentality.”

Despite a poor start to the campaign, Capello believes Napoli can get back into the Scudetto race.

“When I was in charge of Milan there were seven teams fighting for the Scudetto, because there were also certain great Presidents.

“Now the only remaining clubs are Roma, Juve and Napoli. The rest make do with simply competing.

“The level of player in Serie A has dropped too. If you train with a great player, you learn and improve. Today, not having top players in their squads, they copy mediocre levels.

“Abroad the clubs who have more money can buy the most talented players, so they take on a winning mentality.

“Fortunately during this economic crisis Italian football is doing a good job of finding talented young foreigners. Only one top player arrived and that was Carlos Tevez.”

[Socrates 8516]

Brio: 'De Sanctis called Juve thieves'

Oct 16, 2014

Former Juventus player Sergio Brio blasted Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis for calling the Bianconeri “thieves.”

De Sanctis gave an interview to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport on the controversial 3-2 result of their head-to-head.

“He called Juventus thieves and that is not acceptable, especially for someone who is on the Federal council,” Brio told Tuttomercatoweb.

“In my view De Sanctis is just bitter because he was only in the Juve youth academy and never got to experience the first team, as that’s reserved for special players. I will add nothing more.

“The only correct thing De Sanctis said was that Roma are currently a superior team to Juventus. Roma can win the Scudetto, their squad is just as strong.”

[Socrates 8516]

SASSUOLO - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, October 18th, 2014 - 8:45 PM
Città del Tricolore Stadium - Reggio Emilia
Referee: Luca Banti

Preview: Sassuolo vs. Juventus

Oct 16, 2014

Juventus can extend their winning run in Serie A to seven games on Saturday if they grab all three points over Sassuolo, who are currently rooted to the bottom of the league table.

Prior to the international break, Massimiliano Allegri's side managed to overcome rivals Roma with a 3-2 victory, courtesy of goals from Carlos Tevez and Leonardo Bonucci.

With that, the Old Lady pushed a three-point gap between themselves and second-placed Roma at the top of the standings, while Sassuolo are still searching for their first win in Serie A this season.

Taking three points out of a possible 18 has left Eusebio Di Francesco's side at the bottom of the table, but with a victory they could possibly climb out of the relegation places.

Last season, Juventus secured emphatic wins over Sassuolo both home and away with a 4-0 victory and 3-1 triumph.

The home side are likely to start Simone Zaza and Nicola Sansone up front, while Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez are likely to provide the goal threat for Juventus.

Recent form

Sassuolo: DLDDLL

Juventus: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineups

Sassuolo: Consigli; Vrsaljko, Cannavaro, Antei, Longhi; Biondini, Magnanelli, Taider; Berardi, Zaza, Sansone

Juventus: Buffon; Ogbonna, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio, Evra; Llorente, Tevez

Sports Mole says: 0-3

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

[Socrates 8516]

SASSUOLO - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, October 18th, 2014 - 8:45 PM
Città del Tricolore Stadium - Reggio Emilia
Referee: Luca Banti

Sassuolo V Juventus – Preview:
Top Plays Bottom As Pressure Mounts At Both Ends

Oct 17, 2014

Sassuolo will play host to Juventus this Saturday evening, as Serie A returns after its break for the European Championship qualifiers.

The Bianconeri, currently leading the race for the Scudetto, travel to the Mapei Stadium to face Eusebio Di Francesco’s men who prop up the table after an indifferent start to their current campaign.

The last time the two sides met in Reggio Emilia back in April, Carlos Tevez, Claudio Marchisio and Fernando Llorente dispatched Sassuolo, after Simone Zaza had given the home side an early ninth minute lead.

This season the Neroverdi have struggled to put together any consistency, and find themselves still searching for their first win of the campaign. With three draws and three defeats after six games, the coach would have hoped for a slightly less complicated opponent than the current champions of Italy.

The delicate nature of the match has forced Di Francesco into a tactical rethink and the 45-year-old has reportedly experimented with a 3-4-3 formation which he may decide to adopt come Saturday evening.

With Luca Antei, Domenico Berardi, Simone Zaza and Saphir Taider returning from international duty relatively unscathed, concerns now surround the current injury situation to Thomas Manfredini, Antonio Floro Flores and Lorenzo Ariaudo. The three are a doubt to win their race for fitness and may struggle to make the starting line-up.

Ex-Juve defender Federico Peluso will definitely miss out, having picked up a ban for this match.

The Bianconeri have a few issues themselves, the suspension of Alvaro Morata but more worryingly the fact that their other Spanish front man has yet to open his goal scoring account.

Fernando Llorente has failed to net in his six league matches, despite the Bianconeri having won every game thus far in dominant fashion.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri will still keep faith with his centre forward, fully aware that last season the 29-year-old only started finding the net regularly from November onwards.

There is still no sign of defender Andrea Barzagli returning to the Juventus side and Martin Caceres will also be absent after having picked up a knock last time out in their controversial win over Roma.

Angelo Ogbonna will deputise, alongside fellow Italy internationals Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.

Tickets are already difficult to find as the match is expected to be a sell-out and may break the current attendance record at the Mapei Stadium of 14206.


Expected Starting XIs

Sassuolo (4-3-3): Consigli; Longhi, Antei, Cannavaro, Gazzola; Taider, Manganelli, Biondini; Berardi, Zaza, Sansone.

Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Ogbonna, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichsteiner, Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Tevez, Llorente.

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

[Socrates 8516]

SASSUOLO - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, October 18th, 2014 - 8:45 PM
Città del Tricolore Stadium - Reggio Emilia
Referee: Luca Banti

Sassuolo - Juventus Preview:
Basement boys braced for visit of league leaders

Massimiliano Allegri's men will be confident of making it seven
wins out of seven against a side without a single win to their name.

Oct 17, 2014

Juventus will seek to move on from their controversial win over Roma when they take on Sassuolo in Serie A on Saturday.

Massimiliano Allegri claimed that "everyone is against Juve" after the champions came under fire following the award of two questionable penalties and a contentious winner in their 3-2 home success against title rivals Roma.

That result, which came before the international break, made it six league wins on the bounce for Allegri's side, who are red-hot favourites to claim maximum points against rock-bottom Sassuolo.

Allegri insisted Juve's excellent display against Roma was overlooked as the focus fell more sharply on the performance of the referee and the notion that the hosts had been given some apparently favourable decisions.

For Sassuolo, one glimmer of hope may come from the fact that a host of Juve players represented their countries during the latest international schedule, offering the possibility of fatigue among the squad.

One man who did not feature, though, was Carlos Tevez, who was once again overlooked by Argentina. The industrious 30-year-old hit his first Juventus hat-trick in a 4-0 win at home to Sassuolo, before scoring again in a 3-1 away victory in the teams' second meeting of 2013-14.

Tevez has netted four times in his last two appearances and heads Serie A's scoring chart. He is bidding to become the first Argentine to win the Capocannoniere award since Hernan Crespo in 2000-01.

Pogba has also excelled for Juventus this term and, after receiving the Best Young Player Award for his performances at the recent World Cup at the Paris Motor Show on Wednesday, expressed his desire to win a more prestigious gong.

"I'm going to do all I can to win even more [individual] trophies," said the 21-year-old. "My aim is to become the best player in the world."

Allegri must decide whether to recall reported Manchester United target Vidal. The coach claimed he dropped the Chile midfielder against Roma for "tactical reasons", though he suggested otherwise by referring to the 27-year-old as a "silly boy" after he was reportedly involved in a nightclub scuffle.

Vidal did, however, play every minute of Chile’s recent two friendlies in his homeland – a 3-0 win over Peru and a 2-2 draw with Bolivia in which he scored a last-gasp equaliser.

Another player who returned to Turin from another continent was Kwadwo Asamoah, who helped Ghana beat Guinea 3-1 on Wednesday.

Allegri will nevertheless be thankful Andrea Pirlo, who recently returned from a hip injury, was left on the bench as Italy won in Malta in midweek. The 35-year-old has yet to play for Juventus this season, but was given a run out for his country against Azerbaijan last Friday.

Defender Federico Peluso, who left Juventus for Sassuolo in the close-season, is suspended, but Domenico Berardi, fresh from scoring twice in the 3-2 loss at Lazio, is free to face his parent club.


LAST FIVE MATCHES

Sassuolo - L L D D L

2014/10/05 - Lazio 3 - 2 Sassuolo
2014/09/28 - Sassuolo 0 - 1 Napoli
2014/09/24 - Fiorentina 0 - 0 Sassuolo
2014/09/21 - Sassuolo 0 - 0 Sampdoria
2014/09/14 - Internazionale 7 - 0 Sassuolo


Juventus - W L W W W

2014/10/05 - Juventus 3 - 2 Roma
2014/10/01 - Atlético de Madrid 1 - 0 Juventus
2014/09/27 - Atalanta 0 - 3 Juventus
2014/09/24 - Juventus 3 - 0 Cesena
2014/09/20 - Milan 0 - 1 Juventus


HEAD TO HEAD

2014/04/28 - Sassuolo 1 - 3 Juventus
2013/12/15 - Juventus 4 - 0 Sassuolo

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

[Socrates 8516]

SASSUOLO - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, October 18th, 2014 - 8:45 PM
Città del Tricolore Stadium - Reggio Emilia
Referee: Luca Banti

Sassuolo vs. Juventus: Key Issues
That Will Shape Serie A Game

Oct 17, 2014

Juventus travel to Sassuolo on Saturday, hoping for a sixth straight league win to start 2014-15 on their return to domestic action.

The controversial 3-2 triumph over Roma before the international break saw the Bianconeri open up a three-point lead atop Serie A, and the reigning champions will certainly look to maintain that cushion.

Indeed, with the Giallorossi facing Chievo earlier in the day, Massimiliano Allegri and his players will expect nothing less than victory against the division’s bottom club.

Along with Palermo, the minnows are the only side yet to record a win, registering three defeats and three draws so far this term.

Coach Eusebio Di Francesco is a widely respected tactician, and he has an array of exciting, young attacking talent at his disposal.

Over the following pages is a look at the factors most likely to influence the result, with a number of intriguing matchups to monitor closely over the course of this game.


Juventus-owned players with a point to prove

The percentage of the Sassuolo squad with ties to the club lining up opposite them is notable, to say the least. Sporting director Giovanni Rossi is the former head of the Juventus youth sector, and he has used that connection to bring in a number of players he has previously worked with.

A member of the side which won the 2009 Viareggio Tournament, the Bianconeri sold defender Lorenzo Ariaudo to Cagliari three years ago, while midfielder Raman Chibsah was released last summer. The latter never represented the Turin giants in a competitive fixture, while his Sassuolo team-mate managed just three senior appearances.

Two Neroverde players who hope to have a far greater impact are Simone Zaza and Domenico Berardi, both of whom harbour ideas of playing for Juventus. The former ended his co-ownership deal with the Bianconeri this summer, but they retain a buy-back option for the next two years, per Football Italia.

Meanwhile, Berardi’s registration remains shared between the two clubs, and the performances of both men will be key to Sassuolo’s chances of a result.


Sassuolo’s attack vs. Injury-hit Juventus defence

Aiming to stop Sassuolo’s gifted young attack will be a Juventus defence which could face major issues.

Martin Caceres has joined Andrea Barzagli on the injury list. That has robbed Allegri of both his options on the right of the back three, but he insists that is not a problem, speaking highly of the other players available to him among the squad.

“Ogbonna has done very well,” the coach told Corriere della Sera on Wednesday (h/t Football Italia). “We will recover Marrone, and on the edge Lichtsteiner can be a third.”

Despite a high turnover of players in defence this term, only Roma have scored against the Bianconeri this season, and they will hope to record their sixth clean sheet of the campaign on Saturday.


Allegri’s Champions League selection dilemma

As well as a potential headache in defence, Allegri has the added issue of a crowded fixture list to contend with.

Arturo Vidal and a number of other players have faced long journeys over the international break, and the Bianconeri also have a difficult-looking Champions League tie in midweek.

All four teams in Group A sit on three points, but while Atletico Madrid will welcome Malmo to the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday, Juventus travel to Greece to meet Olympiakos.

Resting players for that fixture is an important consideration, but whatever the XI players selected on Saturday, the form of Roma demands Juve take maximum points.

Anything less than a victory would likely see Rudi Garcia’s men wipe out their deficit and see the reigning champions come under intense scrutiny. It is a difficult balance, but one the Turin club know they must find, with Sassuolo the latest challenge in the quest for a fourth consecutive title.

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

[Socrates 8516]

SASSUOLO - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, October 18th, 2014 - 8:45 PM
Città del Tricolore Stadium - Reggio Emilia
Referee: Luca Banti

Allegri: A crucial month for Juve

Oct 17, 2014

Massimiliano Allegri shrugs off Juventus-Roma talk by asserting focus has to be on Sassuolo and then a ‘crucial’ month ahead.

The Bianconeri return to League action against the Reggio Emilia outfit after the international break, with talk still very much on the fallout from their Week 6 win over Roma.

However, in facing the media today in his pre-match Press conference, Juve’s Coach has looked to direct focus to the here and now.

“For us this is an important game tomorrow, at the same time we have a tough month ahead and I think that this is a crucial month,” Allegri has responded to reporters.

“For the League it is not decisive, but very important. For the Champions League I think that the two games, one in Athens and the return at home to Olympiacos, are essential for progressing to the next round.

“This break has allowed us to recover a little of our energy, many international players went off but they have returned in good condition, and they played some good games.

“There have been few here, I’ve never before had to train only two players. Tomorrow we must continue the journey.

“It will not be simple against Sassuolo, who are not going through a good period, but are a team with good quality, indeed very good quality in attack and this will absolutely not be an easy game.”

Allegri was pressed for comment on the continued debate over the controversy from the Roma win.

“What has been said is part of the game and I believe that it is the moment to stop, because luckily, tomorrow we return to the League.

“And I think that this is the most important thing, because after that I think people’s interest will be in watching football games, seeing beautiful matches, as Juventus-Roma was, and there will be many others.

“There are a lot of games to go until the end of the season and as I said, in the case of victory or defeat for one of the two teams, it certainly does not affect the title race for either team.

“Hence we should be focused straight away, because we know that we have to be aware that this month, as I have said, is not decisive, but is crucial for the Scudetto and it is very important and certainly decisive for the Champions League.”

Allegri spent the 2007-08 season on the Sassuolo bench, whilst defeat to the Neroverdi last season spelled the end of his time at Milan.

“I can only say that Sassuolo has been part of my coaching career, I have experienced beautiful and less beautiful things.

“Tomorrow we face a team that has a lot of quality, and whilst a side only with three points, they have all the features to avoid relegation and stay in Serie A.”

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

[Socrates 8516]

SASSUOLO - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, October 18th, 2014 - 8:45 PM
Città del Tricolore Stadium - Reggio Emilia
Referee: Luca Banti

Allegri: Juventus in for a tough
time at rock-bottom Sassuolo

The coach was dismissive that Saturday's opposition would be easy and confirmed
that Arturo Vidal would miss out the match due to coming back late from international duty.

Oct 17, 2014

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has insisted that Sassuolo will not be an easy match despite the opposition being rock-bottom of Serie A.

While the Bianconeri have begun their title defence with six successive wins, Sassuolo have failed to get a single victory and have just three points in the Italian top flight.

Allegri, however, is convinced that the relegation-fighting side who he used to coach would prove to be a tough battle on Saturday regardless of their low standing in 2014-15.

"For us this is an important game tomorrow, at the same time we have a tough month ahead and I think that this is a crucial month," Allegri told reporters.

"For the league it is not decisive, but very important. For the Champions League I think that the two games, one in Athens and the return at home to Olympiakos, are essential for progressing to the next round.

"This break has allowed us to recover a little of our energy, many international players went off but they have returned in good condition, and they played some good games.

"There have been few people here during the international break, I’ve never before had to train only two players. Tomorrow we must continue the journey.

"It will not be simple against Sassuolo, who are not going through a good period, but are a team with good quality, indeed very good quality in attack and this will absolutely not be an easy game."

Allegri also confirmed that midfielder Arturo Vidal - who was left out of the starting line-up ahead of Juve's Roma win after getting drunk the night before the game - would not feature due to having come back late from Chile duty during the international break.

"Vidal will not be in the squad," Allegri added. "He was late back yesterday, but it wasn’t his fault. He came in and trained with the squad.

"Vidal has played two 90 minute games - and I don’t think the Chilean Coach played Vidal when he wasn’t fit, he played two 90 minute games because he was in good condition.

"So, let’s get rid of any controversy or potential controversy. However, having looked at the data Vidal isn’t in as good a condition as the rest of the team.

"Given that he only came back yesterday, having just played two games and we have an important game in Athens on Wednesday [against Olympiakos], I’d prefer him to do three days of work here, so he will stay here in Turin."

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

[Socrates 8516]

SASSUOLO - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, October 18th, 2014 - 8:45 PM
Città del Tricolore Stadium - Reggio Emilia
Referee: Luca Banti

Juve name 19 for Sassuolo

Oct 17, 2014

Juventus have named a 19-man squad to face Sassuolo, minus a few injured names and midfielder Arturo Vidal.

Andrea Barzagli, Luca Marrone and Martin Caceres are all unavaiable through injury, whilst Alvaro Morata is suspended following his red card against Roma in Week 6.

Meanwhile, Vidal is absent from the squad, which Coach Max Allegri confirmed with reasons in today’s Press conference.


Juventus squad to face Sassuolo: Buffon, Chiellini, Ogbonna, Pogba, Marchisio, Tevez, Coman, Giovinco, Llorente, Bonucci, Padoin, Pirlo, Asamoah, Lichtsteiner, Storari, Evra, Rubinho, Pereyra, Mattiello

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

[Socrates 8516]

SASSUOLO - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, October 18th, 2014 - 8:45 PM
Città del Tricolore Stadium - Reggio Emilia
Referee: Luca Banti

Di Francesco: Sassuolo Will Put Our Hearts
Into Match With Juventus

Oct 17, 2014

Sassuolo boss Eusebio Di Francesco has revealed that his team will put their hearts into their upcoming home game against Juventus and will fight until the final whistle is blown.

The last place Neroverdi will play hosts to league leading Juve on Saturday and the tactician is adamant that his players will give their all in hopes of securing a positive result despite the talent gap between the two sides.

Di Francesco spoke during his pre-match press conference on Friday about Sassuolo’s determination ahead of the meeting with Juventus and refused to give too much information on his plans for the match in order to avoid giving a bigger advantage to the Old Lady.

“It’s a game that everyone wants to play,” said the 45-year-old. “We shall put our hearts into this game.

“I also have players from the national teams available. I won’t speak of my formation, I don’t want to give any benefits to our opponents, but the boys know that we can play in different ways.

“Massimiliano Allegri is carrying out the work of Antonio Conte. The values of these two teams are different, but we’ll play at our best until the end.”

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

[Socrates 8516]

SASSUOLO - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, October 18th, 2014 - 8:45 PM
Città del Tricolore Stadium - Reggio Emilia
Referee: Luca Banti

‘Vidal won’t play at Sassuolo’

Oct 17, 2014

Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed Arturo Vidal will not be in the squad for the Bianconeri’s trip to Sassuolo.

The Chilean midfielder played two 90-minute games while on international duty, and only arrived back in Turin yesterday.

“Vidal will not be in the squad,” Allegri has told today’s pre-match Press conference.

“He was late back yesterday, but it wasn’t his fault. He came in and trained with the squad.

“Vidal has played two 90 minute games - and I don’t think the Chilean Coach played Vidal when he wasn’t fit, he played two 90 minute games because he was in good condition.

“So, let’s get rid of any controversy or potential controversy.

“However, having looked at the data Vidal isn’t in as good a condition as the rest of the team.

“Given that he only came back yesterday, having just played two games and we have an important game in Athens on Wednesday [against Olympiakos], I’d prefer him to do three days of work here, so he will stay here in Turin.”

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

[Socrates 8516]

SASSUOLO - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, October 18th, 2014 - 8:45 PM
Città del Tricolore Stadium - Reggio Emilia
Referee: Luca Banti

Juventus vs. Sassuolo Preview:
Round 7 — The Kids in the Hall

Oct 17, 2014

Normally, a matchup between the first-place and last-place teams in Serie A would be easy to figure out and thought about as rather straightforward. You know, the kind of thing that makes you think something like, "This team is no good. Juventus are about to stomp all over them." Easy to say, easy to predict the outcome.

But Juventus vs. Sassuolo has a bit of a different feel to it. At least from here it does. Not because of where each team is in the standings, but who's actually playing in the game. Over the past two summers, Sassuolo has seemingly become a the minor-league baseball team equivalent to Juventus. Got a promising player? Send 'em to Sassuolo! It's seemed to work out pretty well so far, so why stop now, right? Exactly. Keep 'em coming, guys!

Those kids are Sassuolo's present, but also looked at as Juventus' future.

Go ahead and name them if you'd like. There's Domenico Berardi, Simone Zaza and the likes. Instead of watching them play for Juventus like a lot of us want to see happen, they're going to try and slow down the only team still to not lose a game in Serie A so far this season.

Heavy task to ask of them?

Sure, mainly because — even with the injuries — Juventus are still the best team in Italy and playing good football. Well, at least they're playing good football domestically. We will talk about the Champions League in a couple of days when we're ready to mix up a Greek salad and get away from all these crooked Italian referees. (Hi, Mr. Totti.) I mean, up until the 3-2 win over Roma, Juventus' goals allowed column read a big, fat goose egg.

In short: Step on up, Sassuolo. You're the next team to try and slow the train down.

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
#Allegri: "Not winning tomorrow would undo all our efforts in claiming three points against Roma."

I must say, that's a damn good quote. Right on, Max, right on.

GOOD NEWS

Points after six rounds of the Serie A season: Juventus 18, Roma 15.

Three points worth of difference and alone at the top of the table for the first time all season. A little room to maneuver never hurt anybody. Well, anybody who is port of and/or roots for the team that's in first place, that is.

BAD NEWS

Might as well just change the 'Bad News' section to the 'Who's Injured?' at this point. Martin Cáceres remains out with a hamstring injury he picked up against Roma, same goes for Andrea Barzagli, Romulo and Luca Marrone. There's also no Álvaro Morata as he serves his one-game red card suspension. At least Simone Padoin is 100 percent healthy, right?

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
#Allegri: "Injuries? Marrone is feeling better, Barzagli continues to work alone, Caceres is coming on very well."

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

1. Domenico Berardi.

You can tell that Domenico Berardi really does love Sassuolo, and they obviously love him back. That definitely played a big-time roll in his decision to stay around another season despite Juventus reportedly being quite interested in bringing the 20-year-old starlet to Turin this summer. But he clearly decided to repay the club that has given him so much the last couple of years and, for the first time in his career, he will play against the club that owns half of his contract after being suspended for both Juventus-Sassuolo meetings last season. There will be a spotlight on Berardi, and rightfully so. You name the best prospects Juve have right now, and Berardi is the first or second name out of somebody's mouth every single time. In other words, the kid is good. Really, really good.

2. Simone Zaza.

Zaza isn't officially on Juventus' books this season, but he could very well be this time next season. He doesn't have the kind of hype surrounding himself as Berardi does, but he's still one of the best young Italian players going these days. And guess who's been starting for Italy's senior squad these past few months? It's not Berardi, it's Zaza. It hasn't completely clicked for Zaza on the club level, scoring just one goal in five games (413 minutes). Then again, you could say that about the Sassuolo squad as a whole, with Berardi (2) and Zaza (1) scoring all of the club's goals so far this season. Not exactly good news that Serie A's best defense is coming to town, I guess.

3. Federico Peluso.

Nah, just kidding. Guy is suspended tomorrow night anyway after receiving a red card against Lazio. Moving on...

4. Angelo Ogbonna.

This point was originally slotted for a brief discussion about all of Juve's four stellar central midfielders being available for selection, but apparently Max Allegri — and a travel agent in Chile — had other ideas. So, we've called an audible, and will focus our intention on one of the guys who will be looked upon to slow down Berardi, Zaza, and the rest of the talented Sassuolo attack.

This has been a sort of mini-redemption tour for Ogbonna, wo struggled both for playing time and on the field when he did get the chance to play during the 2013-14 campaign. This season has been a completely different story for the former Torino defender. He's been good, maybe the best and most consistent Juventus defender not named Martin Cáceres through the first two months of the season. With Cáceres out injured for at least the next couple of weeks, Ogbonna isn't going to find himself in a situation where he isn't playing much at all. It's going to be the exact opposition. And the way he's playing right now, it's not a bad thing to him Ogbonna in the starting lineup.

5. Can the other half of The Beauty & The Beast striker partnership break his duck?

We know Carlos Tévez has been in fine form to begin the 2014-15 season. We also know Fernando Llorente hasn't been in very good form to begin the 2014-15 season. Thanks to Allegri's words on Friday afternoon, we pretty much know — whether you agree with it or not — that it will be Llorente and Tévez starting alongside one another against Sassuolo. There goes any kind of thoughts that we'd see Kingsley Coman's mohawk from the opening kickoff.

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
#Allegri: "It's likely @llorentefer19 and @carlitos3210 will start up front tomorrow. Fernando's just missing a goal, he's working well."

What does Llorente have going for him even though he's not in a good vein of form right now? Through six games, Sassuolo has one of the worst defense in Serie A, allowing 12 goals (seven of which came against Inter last month). If there was a defense to score against when you're in need of a goal, Sassuolo would probably be one of the top teams you'd throw up there. You know, just like he did last season. (I miss that Llorente, for the record.)

Until then, Tuttosport will lie in wait like Randy Orton before an RKO to roll out another "E SOLO BELLO?" cover after the weekend's Juventus game.


My starting XI (3-5-2): Buffon; Cáceres, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio, Evra; Tévez, Coman

OFFICIAL KICKOFF TIME: 8:45 P.M. IN ITALY; 2:45 P.M. ON THE EAST COAST; 11:45 A.M. ON THE WEST COAST

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