Juventus Season 2014-2015

[Socrates 8516]

GENOA - JUVENTUS

1 - 0

L. Antonini 90'+

Wednesday, October 29th, 2014 - 8:45 PM
Luigi Ferraris Stadium, Genoa
Referee: Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni

Genoa ruin Buffon’s celebration

Juventus hoped to celebrate Gianluigi Buffon’s 500th Bianconero appearance
with maximum points, but fell to a late Genoa winner. Luca Cetta writes.

Oct 30, 2014

For Genoa it was sweet revenge. It was they who had been on the receiving end last season, only to give Juventus a dose of their own medicine on Wednesday. Seven months ago Andrea Pirlo’s wonderful last-gasp free-kick separated the two sides and pushed Juventus ever closer to the Scudetto. This time around the goal wasn’t as flashy, but for Gian Piero Gapserini and his Grifoni it will be just as memorable.

Juventus went into the Stadio Luigi Ferraris encounter with reasons to celebrate. Captain Gianluigi Buffon was representing the Turin club for the 500th time – only the fourth player to do so behind Giuseppe Furino, Gaetano Scirea and Alessandro Del Piero. Curiously, it was to be against the club he supported as a child. Paul Pogba was this week the only Serie A player named in the Ballon d’Or shortlist, even if in truth it was more for his performances with France at the World Cup. And finally, Carlos Tevez was rewarded for his fine start to the season by Gerardo Martino, the Argentina boss ending Apache’s three-year exile from the national team.

But they walked off the pitch in a daze after Luca Antonini – with a little help from Giorgio Chiellini – bundled the ball over the line in the fourth minute of added time. The loss was Juve’s first in Serie A and ends a 15-match unbeaten streak stretching back to March. With Roma securing a routine win over Cesena it means the gap between the two has vanished.

Worryingly for the Bianconeri it concluded a poor October. The month ended with two wins, a draw and three losses in all competitions. Not that Massimiliano Allegri is overly concerned: “I am not worried, despite the statistics. Against Sassuolo we did everything possible and a draw can happen, tonight we did everything and conceded right at the end.”

It may have been a different story had Angelo Ogbonna’s looping effort been centimetres to the right. Or if Mattia Perin hadn’t twice denied Alvaro Morata. His opposite number would have been equally proud and frustrated at his saves. Those were Juve’s best chances, all arriving following a lacklustre first half against a Genoa outfit which did not give an inch. The Turin giants changed gears after the interval and pushed the Rossoblu back, finally creating openings. Morata once again impressed when he came on as a substitute.

Gasperini said his side had a ‘duty’ to try and win and while pegged back for much of the second half, it only took one moment to alter the League standings. And one player involved would have taken great satisfaction in the goal. He may not have scored as he hoped pre-game, but Alessandro Matri’s cross for Antonini proved the difference. Buffon scrambled, Chiellini despaired and Juve left with nothing. Allegri was unhappy with the manner in which they conceded, citing a lack of maturity in dealing with the situation.

There will be questions asked of Juventus. Having seen improvement in his side on Sunday once they altered shape, Allegri reverted to the usual three-man defence. Solid it can be, there was also a lack of creativity from a Bianconeri team which looked uninspired until the game dragged on. As results don’t go their way, it would be worth turning to a different approach in more than just flashes.

There’s no time to dwell on the defeat with an away trip to Empoli forthcoming on Saturday. Pirlo was rested at Marassi and so could return, while Allegri may have one eye on the crucial Champions League encounter against Olympiacos next week. It’s a match which could shape Juve’s season and so the team which takes the Stadio Carlo Castellani pitch may reflect the latter’s importance. But after last night’s shock they’ll be eager to build momentum ahead of that European encounter. And Buffon will be hoping 501 turns out better.

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

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Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Allegri could bench Tevez for Empoli clash

The Bianconeri boss has admitted that he is considering dropping his top scorer for the trip
to the Carlo Castellani, pointing out that he has a number of alternatives in attack.

Oct 31, 2014

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri says Carlos Tevez could start on the bench in Saturday's Serie A match with Empoli.

The 30-year-old striker has been in fine form in Serie A this season, with six goals in eight appearances, and was this week recalled to the Argentina squad for the first time since 2011.

However, Allegri says that with so many options to choose from up front, Tevez's place in the starting XI for the trip to the Carlo Castellani is not guaranteed.

"I'll look to pick the best team possible in order to win," the 47-year-old told reporters.

"Tevez could even start on the bench ... I've got [Kingsley] Coman, [Alvaro] Morata, [sebastian] Giovinco and [Fernando] Llorente in good shape.

The former AC Milan boss also hinted that he had already decided upon an all-Spanish attack for the game against Empoli.

"There's a good chance Morata will start," he continued. "As far as I'm concerned, Llorente and Morata can play together. It's an option for us."

Allegri also talked about his side's recent poor away form, with the reigning Italian champions having followed up a shock 1-1 draw at Sassuolo with a last-gasp 1-0 defeat to Genoa.

"The last two away games [in Serie A] have not been good," the Bianconeri boss conceded. "In fact, in terms of results, they've been a disaster, because we got a point at Sassuolo and lost to Genoa.

"At Juventus when you lose one game there's talk of a crisis, particularly from outside.

"I don't think it's time to talk about a crisis, rather we should talk about the two or three games where the team has created a lot, converted little, and - on the two or three occasions where we gave our opponents a chance - we've conceded a goal. That’s not an excuse, it's a statement of fact.

"Tomorrow [saturday] we have to do more to try and - above all - score, because we can't make mistakes in front of goal as well.

"And we have to be especially careful not to allow our opponents even a few chances.

"We're top of Serie A and still in the running for the Champions League. I think we'll go far this season.

"The constructive criticism we received will spur us on to do better."

Juventus' defeat at the Luigi Ferraris on Wednesday night allowed Roma to draw level on points with them at the summit of Serie A courtesy of a 2-0 win over Cesena.

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

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Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Preview: Empoli vs. Juventus

Oct 31, 2014

Juventus's unbeaten run of eight games in Serie A came to an end in midweek, but they have the chance to bounce back with a trip to Empoli.

The Old Lady, who remain at the top of the league table on level points with challengers Roma, were dealt a blow by losing 1-0 to Genoa in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

The result was only Juve's second league defeat in a year and they head into this Saturday's encounter having last faced Empoli in the 2007-08 campaign.

The visitors are favourite to snatch all three points and get themselves back on track, but Empoli could capitalise on Juve's dented spirit following their midweek loss.

Empoli boss Maurizio Sarri will host Massimiliano Allegri's side having grabbed just one victory in nine league games so far this season, which has left them 17th in the standings, just one point above the relegation zone.

Empoli had a run of draws and hadn't lost a game in five fixtures, but the team head into this weekend's match having suffered a 4-0 defeat to Cagliari and a 3-1 loss at the hands of Sassuolo on Wednesday.

Allegri is expected to be without Patrice Evra this weekend as the former Manchester United full-back is likely to be out of action for a month with a thigh injury.

For the home side, Luigi Sepe and Tiberio Guarante are doubts with hamstring and knee injuries respectively, while Vincent Laurini is likely to be included in the squad.

Recent form

Empoli: D D W D L L

Juventus: W W W D W L

Possible starting lineups

Empoli: Bassi; E Hisaj, L Tonelli, Rugani, M Rui; Zielinski, Valdifiori, Croce; M Pucciarelli, Vecino, Maccarone

Juventus: Buffon; Ogbonna, Bonucci, Chiellini, Lichtsteiner; Vidal, Marchisio, Pogba, Asamoah; Llorente, Tevez

Sports Mole says: 0-2

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

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Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Empoli-Juventus Preview: Bonucci demands
mature approach after Genoa defeat

The champions are level once more with Roma at the top of Serie A
and will be eager to get back to winning ways at the weekend.

Oct 31, 2014

Juventus must show greater maturity in order to get back to winning ways against Empoli on Saturday, according to Leonardo Bonucci.

The Serie A champions fell to just their second league defeat in a year on Wednesday as Genoa claimed a shock 1-0 win.

Luca Antonini's 90th-minute winner dented Massimiliano Allegri's impressive start to life at Juve, with his only other defeats coming in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid and Olympiakos.

That loss saw Juve's advantage over second-placed Roma disappear, and they travel to Empoli on Saturday level with Rudi Garcia's men after nine games.

Juve last faced Empoli in the 2007-2008 campaign, when the two sides met twice in Serie A and enjoyed a Coppa Italia double-header.

Empoli triumphed in the home leg of that cup clash and also earned a goalless draw in the league, meaning Juve's last win at the Stadio Carlo Castellani came back in 2005.

And Bonucci recognises the need for Juve to get three points under their belts this weekend.

"The league isn't won or lost," he said after Wednesday's defeat. "But we should have maintained our one-point lead over Roma.

"Let this defeat be a lesson to us.

"Now we're back level with them and need to turn tonight into a positive that will help us to show greater maturity."

Empoli have won just once in the league this season and have conceded seven goals in their last two outings.

On Tuesday they surrendered a lead given to them by Daniele Croce's 18th-minute goal as Sassuolo ran out 3-1 winners.

Despite the defeat Maurizio Sarri was pleased with his side's efforts and he expects them to build on that when Allegri's men visit this weekend.

He said: "We have played four games in 12 days and there wasn't much time to train, but I am still happy with the attitude of the players.

"We know that we have limitations that we sometimes pay for, but I am pleased with the performance."

Patrice Evra continues to be sidelined for Juve after picking up a thigh injury earlier in the week. The former Manchester United full-back is expected to be out for a month.

Simone Pepe and Martin Caceres have not featured since the victory over Roma earlier this month, while Andrea Barzagli (heel) will miss out.

Empoli have concerns over Luigi Sepe (hamstring), Tiberio Guarente (knee) and Vincent Laurini (knock), although the latter was named on the bench in the loss to Sassuolo.


OPTA FACTS

* These two teams have met 16 times in the top flight: the Bianconeri have won 11 times (D3, L2) and kept 10 clean sheets.

* Empoli’s last success against Juventus came in April 1999 (1-0 at home); since then, six wins for Juventus and two draws.

* Empoli’s worst two defeats in Serie A came against Juventus (in 2005) and against Cagliari on last match day.

* Empoli lost their last two league games and they have won only once in this Serie A so far (3-0 against Palermo).

* The Tuscans have kept a clean sheet only once in their last eight Serie A home games.
Juventus lost against Genoa in the mid-week round, after a 15-game unbeaten streak in Serie A (14 wins, one draw).

* The Bianconeri have hit the woodwork nine times so far, more than any other Serie A side this season.

* Levan Mchedlidze scored his only goal in Serie A against Juventus, back in October 2008 for Palermo.


LAST FIVE MATCHES

Empoli L L D W D

10/28/14 - Sassuolo 3 - 1 Empoli
10/25/14 - Empoli 0 - 4 Cagliari
10/20/14 - Genoa 1 - 1 Empoli
10/5/14 - Empoli 3 - 0 Palermo
9/28/14 - Chievo 1 - 1 Empoli


Juventus L W L D W

10/29/14 Genoa 1 - 0 Juventus
10/26/14 Juventus 2 - 0 Palermo
10/22/14 Olympiakos 1 - 0 Juventus
10/18/14 Sassuolo 1 - 1 Juventus
10/5/14 Juventus 3 - 2 Roma



HEAD TO HEAD

3/19/08 - Empoli 0 - 0 Juventus
1/15/08 - Juventus 5 - 3 Empoli
12/6/07 - Empoli 2 - 1 Juventus
10/31/07 - Juventus 3 - 0 Empoli
1/22/06 - Juventus 2 - 1 Empoli

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

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Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Allegri not focused on Olympiacos

Oct 31, 2014

Juventus are not even thinking about their Champions League clash with Olympiacos insists Max Allegri, as they must concentrate on Empoli.

The Old Lady travel to Tuscany tomorrow aiming to arrest a slump which has seen the champions take just one point from their last two away games.

Juve then face Olympiacos in Turin on Tuesday in a crucial Champions League tie, but Allegri warns it would be a mistake for his side to only look ahead to that.

“Empoli are a team which plays really good football,” Allegri told assembled journalists in his pre-match Press conference.

“I think we have to congratulate [Empoli Coach Maurizio] Sarri as he’s doing a great job with a team which came up from Serie B last year.

“I think seven of their starting XI came up through the youth teams, so congratulations are due to Sarri and to the club that has done well to bring through young players to play in Serie A.

“The game will be very difficult, because winning games is never easy against a vibrant team which plays good, quick football with quality players.

“Tomorrow is very important preparation for Tuesday’s Champions League game.

“After the game I will look at the players and decide who are able to play on Tuesday, and we’ll prepare for Tuesday’s game knowing that it will decide whether we are in or out of the Champions League, but it’s pointless thinking about it now.

“I think the most important game at the moment is the next one, and we have to try to take three points tomorrow against a team which plays good football.

“Then tomorrow night, when we leave after the Empoli game, then I’ll start thinking about Tuesday.”

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

‘Juventus have been a disaster, but…’

Oct 31, 2014

Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri has admitted that his side’s away form has been ‘disastrous’ of late.

The Bianconeri went down 1-0 at Genoa on Wednesday night, following a draw away to Sassuolo and defeats on the road to Atletico Madrid and Olympiacos in the Champions League.

Their tactician and former Milan Coach has admitted that results have not been good enough, but shrugged off talk of a crisis.

“The last two away games have not been good,” Allegri conceded in his Press conference ahead of the trip to Empoli.

“In fact, in terms of results, they’ve been a disaster, because we got a point at Sassuolo and lost to Genoa.

“Crisis? At Juventus when you lose one game there’s talk of a crisis, particularly from outside.

“I don’t think it’s time to talk about a crisis, rather we should talk about the two or three games where the team has created a lot, converted little and on the two or three occasions where we gave our opponents a chance we’ve conceded a goal.

“That’s not an excuse, it’s a statement of fact.

“Tomorrow we have to do more to try and - above all - score, because we can’t make mistakes in front of goal as well.

“And we have to be especially careful not to allow our opponents even a few chances.”

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

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Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Allegri hints at Tevez rest

Oct 31, 2014

Massimiliano Allegri has appeared to confirm that Carlos Tevez will be rested when Juventus take on Empoli on Saturday.

The Bianconeri travel to Tuscany with a huge Champions League tie with Olympiacos looming on Tuesday, and there has been speculation that Tevez would be afforded the opportunity to rest.

“It’s possible that tomorrow Tevez won’t feature from the start,” Allegri conceded in his Press-conference ahead of the Empoli game.

“But I have Giovinco who is fine, I have Coman who is very good and I have Llorente who’s fine. Maybe I’ll play a partnership of Llorente and Morata.

“Will Morata play? I think he has a good chance to play tomorrow.

“In my opinion players with their quality [Morata and Llorente] and their characteristics can play together.

“I’m not saying they’ll play together tomorrow, but it’s a possibility, even as the match progresses.”

Allegri also criticised his players for ruining captain Gianluigi Buffon’s 500th Juventus game with defeat at Genoa.

“Another thing I was very angry with that his teammates - and they’re very sorry - wanted to give Buffon a good victory in his 500th game.

“Buffon will play tomorrow, as for everyone else, we have training today so I’ll assess everyone at the end of the session and decide who will play tomorrow.”

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Empoli vs. Juventus: Key Issues and Decisions

That Will Shape Serie A Game

Oct 31, 2014

Having limped through the month and endured a string of bad results, Juventus will be glad to see the end of October. It began with a loss to Atletico Madrid, which was followed by further defeats to Olympiacos and Genoa, with a draw against Sassuolo along the way.

Victories over Roma and Palermo failed to mask their ailing form, dissected in detail in the monthly report card column found here. The attack and the midfield have been especially poor, with each match seeing the Bianconeri look stale and devoid of ideas when in possession of the ball.

An injury-ravaged defence has done well to cope with the absences of both Andrea Barzagli and Martin Caceres, but Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal still look short of fitness. November begins with two important matches, offering Massimiliano Allegri and his players a chance at instant redemption.

While Greek champions Olympiacos visit Turin on Tuesday, La Madama must first take care of business away to Empoli. The newly promoted Tuscans have struggled on their return to Serie A, sitting just a point above the relegation zone as a result of winning just one of the first nine matches.

Over the following pages is a look at the decisions and the issues which will shape the encounter, with the Bianconeri hoping to recapture their dominant early-season form.


Alvaro Morata: His Time Is Surely Now

Allegri has continued to select Fernando Llorente as the regular partner for Carlos Tevez in attack, believing the duo can rekindle their excellent work together. However, despite the Basque striker playing well, he has clearly struggled in front of goal this term.

With his only goal of the campaign coming in last week’s win over Palermo, Llorente still lacks the clinical edge, a problem discussed at length here. In stark contrast to his missing sharpness, fellow Spaniard Alvaro Morata has looked superb in his limited playing time thus far.

Whether starting matches or coming off the bench, the Real Madrid product has added the spark which has otherwise been missing in attack for the Bianconeri. He, too, has netted just once, but stats site WhoScored shows he has played just 102 minutes in 2014-15, far below Llorente’s total of 624 minutes.

Tevez will also need resting at some point, and there may well be a case for doing so against Empoli, but Morata deserves to start, irrespective of Allegri’s other attacking choices.


Juventus Must Improve in Attack in General

The inclusion of Morata should help, but Juventus need to use the Empoli match to rediscover their attacking potential, an attribute they appear to have lost recently. After netting 11 times in September’s five matches, the Bianconeri failed to score in three of their six October fixtures.

Atletico Madrid, Olympiacos and Genoa all held the Turin side goalless, and lining up against Empoli’s porous defence should offer hope that the barren run is set to end. Only Parma (21) and Palermo (17) have conceded more goals than the Tuscan minnows (16) this term, and Allegri will surely urge his side to punish them further.


Formation to Change Before It Is Too Late

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Juve’s recent struggles is the ineffectiveness of the 3-5-2 formation against teams happy to sit back and defend. All three losses—and the Sassuolo draw—came against such sides, and the Bianconeri seemed unable to find a way to break through.

By adding an extra attacker, Allegri could see his side enjoy greater success, and the latter stages of the victory over Palermo showed just what that could mean. The coach swapped to a 4-2-3-1 shape, and immediately, the team displayed far more attacking intent and appeared to have far more attacking potential.

Such a framework—perhaps even a 4-3-3—would allow some playing time for the underused Sebastian Giovinco, while also allowing some rotation in defence. With Patrice Evra joining Romulo on the injury list, a switch to a back four would allow a chance to rest Kwadwo Asamoah or Stephan Lichtsteiner.

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Empoli v Juventus: Preview

Oct 31, 2014

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has urged his players to forget their midweek agony at Genoa and focus on beating Empoli on Saturday.

A stoppage-time goal from Genoa's Luca Antonini inflicted a first league loss of the campaign on Juventus and allowed Roma to join them on 22 points at the top of Serie A.

With fellow title hopefuls Roma and Napoli facing each other in Naples on Saturday, Allegri is urging his team to bring home a win from Tuscany.

``We didn't deserve to lose at Genoa,'' Allegri said. ``But we move forward and concentrate on Saturday's match.

``I expect a difficult game because Empoli are a team that play good football. But our aim as always is to win and we know we cannot fail.

``We must return to winning ways.''

Victory at Empoli would be a boost in confidence for Juventus, who host Olympiacos in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Juventus have won one and lost two of their opening three Group A games in Europe's elite club competition so far.

The Bianconeri are third in their pool and will aim to beat the Greek side to revive their hopes of progressing to the knock-out stages.

``Tomorrow's game at Empoli will be an important preparation in view of Tuesday's match,'' Allegri said.

``We have a big game next week but our focus right now is on Empoli.''

Allegri is set to rest leading goalscorer Carlos Tevez, in view of Tuesday's match, and field instead Sebastian Giovinco alongside Alvaro Morata in attack.

The hosts are without injured defenders Patrice Evra, Martin Caceres and Andrea Barzagli.

Empoli go into the encounter at the Carlo Castellani stadium having endured a difficult week.

Maurizio Sarri's side lost 4-0 at home to Cagliari before falling 3-1 at Sassuolo on Tuesday.

Empoli have won just one of their opening nine league games and are 17th in the standings, one place and one point clear of the relegation zone.

``We need to continue to work hard and eventually results will come our way,'' head coach Sarri said. ``We will try to give a good performance against Juve, knowing that we face the strongest team in the competition.''

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

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Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Juventus' critics blowing club's
slump in Serie A, UCL out of proportion

Oct 31, 2014

Juventus have only picked up seven points from the past five games -- "What a disaster," in the eyes of some, but such criticism is hyperbolic. They have still played better than most of the sides they have faced.

The first thing most have said about Massimiliano Allegri's Juve is that they're less intense and the hunger has gone. Intensity can be a beautiful thing and it can lead to trophies, as shown by the likes of Juve, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid, to name a few. However, it can also lead to fatigue, exhaustion and a downturn in fortunes, again as shown by the same three clubs. There's only so long and so many ways one can motivate a side and force them to cover exceptional distances without wilting.

Something had to change, and the reason Allegri was picked was not down to his motivational skills (far from it; in that regard he may be one of the poorest), but he's a tactician who prefers to concentrate on his players' technique and the strategy for the game. He's the perfect follow-up man to take over from Antonio Conte, who bled his team dry and used every last droplet of energy to win his trophies.

The team started phenomenally well under Allegri's tutelage, picking up six clean sheets and winning their early games both in Serie A and Europe. More than that, they were exciting to watch: energetic, intelligent and daring against Chievo Verona and Udinese. Now we are witnessing a side that is slowing down, and there are reasons for it.

For one thing, Andrea Pirlo is not his influential self. Whether this is a simple issue regarding his recovery or a psychological one due to the coach in charge remains to be seen. He needs a tough midfielder to stay close to him so that opponents cannot expose his weak defensive skills. Last season and again this year, we have watched opponents run and score the moment the playmaker concedes possession of the ball.

Arturo Vidal is another who is not at his optimum level. He is slowly improving and making the right runs forward to contribute to the team's attacking play but still has to work on his timing when it comes to making his challenges.

Juve have also been dubbed predictable. That may indeed be true, but they were also rather predictable under Conte. A side with a clear identity can be easy to figure out and then neutralise, so that's why it's important to speed up the movements and construct a team comfortable with various strategies and formations.

Take Real Madrid, for example. Under Jose Mourinho and perhaps for much of the season last year, they were a team that counterattacked to perfection. Giving them the ball for long spells meant they could not inflict their counterattacking pace, so they struggled. Carlo Ancelotti worked on making them a side comfortable with and without the ball, and against Barcelona in the 3-1 El Clasico win last week, they showed they can win whatever the strategy.

Juventus' tactics have worked for a number of years now. Their defence is strong and their attack is capable but with greater competition in the domestic league and tougher opponents in Europe, it's time to take risks and create a more balanced side that can overcome those who are better.

The main problem at the moment, you could argue, regards the attack.

With Claudio Marchisio playing the Pirlo role, Kwadwo Asamoah prioritising his defensive duties and Vidal not back to his usual high levels, Carlos Tevez is working overtime to score. Stephan Lichtsteiner is hardly the most accurate going forward, while Paul Pogba is still developing and cannot be depended on entirely. Fernando Llorente is unable to affect the game, and while his form has to be questioned, the tactics are not helping.

There's a reason Juventus look better in the second half when Allegri takes a gamble and throws more bodies forward. He needs to accurately judge when and where to shake things up to create a side that can win whomever they face.

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

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Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Juventus vs. Empoli Preview:
Round 10 — Getting back on the horse

Oct 31, 2014

It was almost the same time of October just a year ago. Juventus had just been blitzed by Fiorentina in Florence, seeing a 2-0 lead seemingly vanish in a blink of the eye. We thought Juve were on their way to a simple win, instead, it turned out the final score was a 4-2 loss and a good amount of humiliation in the process.

Juventus used that day in October of last year as a reality check. It was a game where Juve's struggles came full circle, the misfortunes of weeks past compounded into one absolute dismantling that took about 30 minutes to complete. The Juventus squad and their manager, Antonio Conte, knew what had to be done — they needed to reboot and refocus after what went down against Fiorentina.

They did that. They ripped off win after win after win. They didn't just pass up Roma atop the Serie A table, they zoomed right by them like Conte was driving a Bugatti with the top down, his foot firmly on the gas pedal and the music blaring some old-school rock with plenty of thump.

It was the perfect way to respond to a massive punch right in the gut. They realized things needed to change, and did it with the only way they know how — beating the competition and proving once again they are champions. And not just beating them, but beating them with precision and focus, effectiveness and drive. Regardless of what Juve did or didn't do in the Champions League last season, you can't say they didn't handle business domestically in just about every game following the debacle against Fiorentina.

This is the challenge that now faces Max Allegri and this season's version of Juventus. They weren't throttled like what happened 12 months ago, but Juventus' last-minute 1-0 loss to Genoa can be looked at the same way the defeat in Florence was — the culmination of what has been a not-so-good last couple of weeks. Allegri's Juve has never truly hit its stride this season, and the past two weeks since the latest international break only proves that point further. They've gone from beating Roma in wild fashion to stumbling against Olympiacos and Genoa in a seven-day period.

This Juventus team is in a funk. There's no denying that. The seriousness of it will likely vary from person to person. But trying to convince ourselves otherwise would mask the true problems this team has. It's not just the manager, it's not just the formation, it's not just very good players not playing up to their potential. It's pretty much everything above, and then probably a little more than that.

Empoli will not be the biggest challenge Juventus face this season. Nope, not even close. But for one day on the first of November, Empoli is the most important game of the season. That's where things start — or restart — once again. They got their misstep out of the way. Now it's time to get back to business.

The rebirth of this season starts tomorrow night in Tuscany. Or at least it should. That's the only thing to do.


GOOD NEWS

Check back with me in about 24 hours, then I'll let you know.


BAD NEWS

Do I need to remind any of you what happened the last time Juventus stepped onto a field? Yeah, I won't go there.


WHAT TO WATCH FOR

1. Daniele Rugani vs. Juventus' forwards.

Much in the same vein as Domenico Berardi and Simone Zaza are leading the way for young Italian forwards, Daniele Rugani is one of the brightest defensive prospects there is in Italy these days. His performances so far this season earned him a call-cup to the Italian national team during the past international break — only to drop back down to the Azzurrini do to an injury. Either way, there's no doubting that Rugani has a big-time future written all over him, especially since he's more than holding his own in his first Serie A season at the tender age of 20. Let's just throw this out there: How much would Rugani's stock rise if he holds his own against a striker like Carlos Tévez and/or Álvaro Morata? Exactly.

2. Squad rotation, will we actually see it?

How optimistic are some Italian media outlets about Allegri actually resting some of his big players? Well, let's see what the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport is thinking come Friday morning's updated predicted starting lineup.

Not exactly the kind of squad rotation a manager might go through with against a team like Empoli, huh? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Juventus need points against Empoli tomorrow night, therefore causing Allegri to roll with pretty much everybody who started against Genoa over the weekend. And let's not forget, Allegri did say in the build up to the Genoa match that there would be some kind of squad rotation. Turns out, it wasn't much at all, so there's that to really hang our hat on. You'd have to think that shaking things up is what's needed after a loss like what happened against Genoa. Not just to get some other guys playing time, but just to try and find a spark within a squad that clearly needs one.

3. This has to be where Álvaro Morata starts a Serie A game ... right?

If anything, we've come to find out that Mad Max is quite loyal to Fernando Llorente. The problem with doing so is that one of Juventus' most out of form players is on the field more often than the striker who should be there instead. Morata has proven to be productive almost every time he has stepped onto the field this season. If it's for 10 minutes or 40, the young Spaniard has shown that he has — at least in small segments of time each appearance — what it takes to be successful at Juventus. His lone start was a bright spot in an otherwise glum trip to Greece last week. A lot of us thought that would mean he'd get another start, but it never materialized. Hopefully that chance comes against Empoli. You can't say Morata hasn't at least earned the chance to show what he can do on a consistent basis from the opening whistle. That's for damn sure.

4. Will the real Arturo Vidal please stand up?

We've talked a lot about the severe dip in form from Fernando Llorente, but not so much with Arturo Vidal. Juventus' star midfielder has had his moments this season, but he's been anything but consistent. Consider him consistently inconsistent ever since he's returned from World Cup duty this summer. Is it injury related? Who the hell knows, really. But it's certainly true that amongst the struggling players wearing bianconero this season, Vidal's form is amongst the most puzzling to figure out. One thing is for certain: If Juventus wants to snap out of this funk, they're going to need Vidal to do the same. And in quick order, too. Come a few days — and weeks from now — there's a couple of incredibly important Champions League games on the schedule. Having Vidal be vintage Vidal would be a pretty nice sight.

5. The bottom line.

Juventus has no business losing to a team destined for a relegation battle like Empoli. That's not being cocky, that's just the simple truth. The same goes for just about every other team in the bottom half of the table that Juventus is vastly superior to. That's just how it works. Juventus didn't get to where they did under Conte by taking it easy against the provincial Serie A clubs or by furthering the damage done domestically following that Fiorentina loss last season. If the loss to Genoa was the kind of reality check Juventus needed, then it will turn out to be a positive in the long run even though it doesn't seem like it right now. How Juve responds on the field against Empoli will be the most important thing. If they play the way they're capable of, then we'll know a last-second gut punch at the Marassi.


My starting XI (3-5-2): Buffon; Ogbonna, Marrone Bonucci, Chiellini; Pereyra, Vidal, Marchisio, Pogba, Asamoah; Tévez, Morata

OFFICIAL KICKOFF TIME: 5 P.M. IN ITALY; HIGH NOON ON THE EAST COAST; 9 A.M. ON THE WEST COAST

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Juventus set sights on beating Empoli
after suffering Genoa setback

Oct 31, 2014

Serie A champions Juventus are determined to bounce back against Empoli after suffering their first league defeat in seven months.

A 1-0 loss to Genoa in midweek was the first time the Bianconeri had been beaten since going down 2-0 at Napoli on March 30.

The result enabled Roma to move level on points with them at the top of the table -- but captain Gianluigi Buffon, making his 500th appearance, and defender Angelo Ogbonna insisted it was only a blip.

"It doesn't matter that it was my 500th game. Any defeat is painful," Buffon said in a question-and-answer session on Twitter.

Juve lost only twice in Serie A last season, and in an interview with the club's TV channel, Ogbonna said: "We tripped up against Genoa -- but we've got the Empoli game to bounce back straight away.

"It's only the ninth round of matches, and last year we were five points behind Roma at this stage. Of course expectations are always high, but we are serene and know we've got to be focused on our ultimate objective.

"We're strong psychologically and nothing will undermine us."

The Empoli clash marks the start of a key week for Juve, being followed by a home game against Olympiakos in the Champions League before Parma's visit to the Juventus Stadium.

"We should aim to reach the quarterfinals in the Champions League," Buffon wrote on Twitter. "In Italy, we need to reclaim our title."

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Juve lose Marrone for 20 days

Oct 31, 2014

Juventus have named a 21-man squad for the Week 10 trip to Empoli, but lose Luca Marrone to a thigh injury.

The Week 10 match in Tuscany kicks off at 17.00 GMT on Saturday, click here for a match preview.

Former Sassuolo midfielder Marrone won’t travel with the party, as the club have confirmed he has picked up an injury.

The 24-year-old sustained a first-degree tear to his left thigh during training on Thursday and will subsequently miss the next 20 days.

He joins long-term absentees Andrea Barzagli, Martin Caceres, Patrice Evra and Simone Pepe on the treatment table.


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

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Garcia: Everyone will drop points

Oct 31, 2014

Rudi Garcia has warned that everyone will drop points between now and the end of the season, as his Roma eye a first Scudetto since 2001.

Much has been made of Juventus’ recent struggles on the road, with the Bianconeri drawing with Sassuolo and losing to Genoa, results which allowed the Giallorossi to draw back level on points at the top of the table.

Their former Lille Coach, however, refuses to read to much into the Old Lady’s struggles, and would not be drawn to comment on Juventus counterpart Massimiliano Allegri.

“You have the phone numbers of your colleagues in Turin, call up and ask them,” Garcia told journalists today when asked about Juve ahead of his side’s visit to Napoli.

“I don’t think about that, I work with my team.

“I just do my best to work in the best way possible. I have a professional relationship [with Allegri] and nothing else. All the other stuff isn’t my problem.

“We’re a quarter of the way through the campaign, and we’ve seen the strength of the competition but there are still a lot of games to go.

“The table tells you what the situation is now, but it doesn’t say that anyone has already won.

“It will be a different competition than last year, we just have to try to ensure that the top two aren’t different.

“The other teams are strong, and I think everyone will drop points.”

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Empoli V Juventus – Preview: Struggling
Azzurri Present Bianconeri Opportunity

Oct 31, 2014

Italian champions Juventus travel to Empoli on Saturday evening, hoping to put the midweek Serie A defeat to Genoa in the back of their minds.

The two teams have faced each other 14 times, with the Bianconeri winning nine and three of the last fixtures, while the Azzurri have won two and there have been three draws between the two sides.

The last time these teams played it ended in a goalless draw was back in 2008, but in there previous meeting there was a goalfest as the Old Lady emerged 5-3 victors in a Coppa Italia tie. Of the 14 fixtures in total, there has been 45 goals as Juventus have netted 32 and conceded just 13.

The home side go into the game sitting in 17th place with only one win to their name, when they beat fellow promoted side Palermo 3-0 at the Stadio Castellani, and have since gone three games without a win, losing to Sassuolo and Cagliari, which followed a 1-1 draw with Genoa.

Reigning champions Juventus are top of the Serie A table but lost their first game of the season on Wednesday night away to Genoa as Luca Antonini netted in the last minute of the match.

For the weekend’s match the newly promoted side will be without Luigi Sepe and Tiberio Guarente whilst Vincent Laurini is doubtful for the fixture. The Azzurri will be expected to play a 4-4-2 formation with top goalscorer Manuel Pucciarelli leading the line with veteran striker Massimo Maccarone.

The away side are thought to be playing their consistent 3-1-4-2 formation with Andrea Pirlo coming into the side to play the deep-lying midfielder after not featuring in the 1-0 defeat to Genoa. The Bianconeri are without Patrice Evra, Martin Caceres and Andrea Barzagli who are injured. Simone Pepe and Luca Marrone are doubtful for the champions.

Top goalscorer Carlos Tevez will be up front with either Alvaro Morata or Fernando Llorente, but it is more likely to be the latter after the Spaniard scored in the weekend win over Palermo.


Expected Starting XIs

Empoli: Bassi; Tonelli, Hisaj, Rugani, Rui; Valdifiori, Vecino, Croce, Zielinski; Maccarone, Pucciarelli.

Juventus: Buffon; Bonucci, Ogbonna, Chiellini; Lichsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Tevez, Llorente.

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Sarri: Empoli will have courage

Oct 31, 2014

Maurizio Sarri has asserted that Empoli will face Juventus with ‘great courage’ on Saturday evening and play on the ‘slight chance of a result’.

The Tuscan outfit have been praised for their attacking approach since returning to Serie A, but a run of two consecutive defeats has left them hovering dangerously above the relegation places.

In spite of this, their Coach is refusing to change his philosophy and has urged his players to ‘take risks’ against the champions.

“We expect a tough game, but at the same time, we’re obliged to earn points,” Sarri told his pre-match Press conference.

“We must go on to the pitch with great courage, even if it means taking risks, trying to trouble them.

“We face a team who also come from a defeat and will want to react. Also, having looked at the statistics, Juventus haven’t lost two consecutive games for a long time [not in Serie A since March 2011].

“In their last match, Juventus created a lot and risked almost nothing at the other end, only losing to one chance at the end.

“Allegri? He has great ability to manage a group and has shown that this year after tiptoeing into a new environment and making small but constant improvements over time.

“How to beat them? If there was a magic formula, everyone would use it. We will play against a strong team, and for our part we will try not to collapse.

“If it happens, it means that your opponents are so good that they force you to change [your approach].”

Sarri then explained how the Empoli players would not need any motivation for the visit of the Bianconeri and denied claims that his side were lacking the mental and physical toughness needed to compete in the top flight.

“Tomorrow, I don’t think there’ll be any need to fire the boys up - playing in a packed stadium and against great players,” he added.

“Therefore, I do not think that [Juventus] can be faced with any particular motivations, but rather we don’t want to be beaten. There is a small possibility of a result and we have to play on that.

“This team has three years’ worth of history, so I don’t think there’s a mental problem - the defeat against Cagliari was followed by another, and it’s a wound that must be healed, perhaps even with a little bit of luck.

“Speaking of us, I say that the team are doing well, but during the match, we may be paying for our [lack of] fitness.

“In the last match, unlike the one before, I didn’t see a passive team or one that collapsed. Rather, we reacted to the difficulties [of falling behind], though perhaps in a confusing way.

“I consider the first 55 minutes of Sassuolo as us playing at a high level, and it gives us great hope for the future - I can’t help but think that if we hurt them for a few minutes, it would’ve changed everything.”

On the topic of individuals, Sarri noted: “Laurini is still not in great condition and isn’t feeling too great. We will see tomorrow if he can play, knowing that he doesn’t have 90 minutes in his legs.

“Zielinski has great quality, but he still needs to learn to integrate better into our team.”

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

MATCH PREVIEW

Oct 31, 2014

Massimiliano Allegri is feeling the heat for the first time as Juventus Coach, as the Scudetto holders prepare to take to the field against Empoli on Saturday.

The 3-2 victory over Roma in Week 6 was supposed to be a signal of intent from the Bianconeri, but they have failed to build on the result, with a shock draw at Sassuolo being followed by a defeat to Olympiacos in the Champions League.

A hard-fought win against Palermo proved to be only minor respite, as Juve lost 1-0 to Genoa on Wednesday – their first League defeat in over seven months – stirring suggestions that Allegri is slowly losing the Turin giants’ dressing room.

Patrice Evra and Andrea Barzagli face another month on the sidelines, while Simone Pepe’s return remains shrouded in doubt, but there is better news for Martin Caceres, who is line to complete his recovery from a thigh injury next week.

Empoli, meanwhile, are suffering from similar misfortunes, albeit in context of a relegation battle, as the Tuscan outfit’s football may be easy on the eye, yet their results have been anything but.

Much like their forthcoming opponents, Empoli’s 1-1 draw with Genoa a fortnight ago should have been the catalyst to their rise up the table. However, heavy defeats to fellow strugglers Cagliari and Sassuolo have prevented this from happening.

The new boys continue to hover precariously above the relegation zone, but they can take some solace from having the best goal difference ratio out of the bottom five clubs, while they hold a point advantage over Cesena.

Luigi Sepe is still not ready to displace Davide Bassi between the sticks, but Vincent Laurini and Simone Verdi - key cogs from last season’s push for promotion - have been deemed fit enough to start against the champions.

Keep an eye on: Alvaro Morata (Juventus) – The 22-year-old seems to be improving with each fleeting cameo for the Bianconeri, but he is set to make his first Serie A start this weekend, against the League’s second-leakiest defence. The profligate form of Fernando Llorente has paved Morata’s path into the fold, despite Carlos Tevez also going three matches without a goal, and he must grab this rare opportunity or find himself on the fringes once more.

Form guide: Empoli (D W D L L) Juventus (W W D W L)

Last season: Not played

Stat fact: Empoli are unbeaten in their last two home meetings with Juventus.

Empoli (probable): Bassi; Mario Rui, Rugani, Tonelli, Laurini; Croce, Valdifiori, Vecino; Verdi; Maccarone, Tavano

Suspended: None

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

Suspended: None

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Bonucci: I’m Hungry To Play Against Empoli

Nov 1, 2014

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has stated that he is hungry to face Empoli after the Bianconeri’s first defeat of the season at Genoa.

Luca Antonini’s 90th minute goal caused a setback in the Old Lady’s camp, but the 27-year-old is determined to make amends on Saturday evening.

“The defeat against Genoa made it clear that football can be ruthless and cynical,” he told the Bianconeri’s official website.

“What we Juventus are today, these are the facts, and we need to keep this value of ours.

“Let this defeat be a lesson to us and we know that the match against Empoli will be a battle but I cannot wait for this game to kick-off.

“I’m hungry. Very hungry, but we need to be stronger. Until the end, Forza Juventus!”

Despite their midweek loss, Juventus sit on top of Serie A, albeit level on points with Rudi Garcia’s Roma.

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Line-ups: Empoli-Juventus

Nov 1, 2014

Juventus can go three points clear of Roma against struggling Empoli, so start Alvaro Morata and Sebastian Giovinco.

This is a very special day for Juve, as it represents the 117th anniversary of the club’s foundation.

The Bianconeri are under pressure after a shock 1-0 defeat to Genoa on Wednesday evening, which ended their unbeaten record and allowed Roma to catch them at the top of the table.

However, this afternoon the Giallorossi lost 2-0 at Napoli, so a win in Tuscany would restore a three-point gap.

Max Allegri must also take into account the upcoming Champions League showdown with Olympiacos in Turin.

Therefore Morata and Giovinco are given rare starts and Andrea Pirlo plays again in a bid to help him find match fitness, resting Carlos Tevez, Paul Pogba, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Fernando Llorente.

Andrea Barzagli, Patrice Evra and Martin Caceres are all unavailable.

Juve have scraped one point and one goal from their last four away games in all competition, a run Allegri confessed was “disastrous.”

Empoli hope to keep that losing streak going and end their own negative spell, having put together a draw and two consecutive defeats.

Simone Verdi is still out injured along with Luigi Sepe and Tiberio Guarente.

Therefore Udinese-owned Piotr Zielinski starts behind strikers Manuel Pucciarelli and Massimo Maccarone with Mirko Valdifiori pulling the midfield strings.


Empoli: Bassi; Laurini, Tonelli, Rugani, Mario Rui; Vecino, Valdifiori, Croce; Zielinski, Maccarone, Pucciarelli

Juventus: Buffon; Bonucci, Ogbonna, Chiellini; Pereyra, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Giovinco, Morata

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

HT 0-0: Empoli frustrating
Juventus at the break

Nov 1, 2014

Serie A leaders Juventus are finding it difficult to break down a tenacious Empoli side at Stadio Carlo Castellani.

The visitors dominated the first half, but were give an early scare when Massimo Maccarone's strike from the edge of the box whizzed past the post.

Juventus struggled to turn their possession into anything of substance in the final third, yet came close in the 15th minute as Angelo Ogbonna rifled a shot narrowly wide.

Empoli frustrated the champions and almost hit them on the break in the 18th minute, Piotr Zielinski's effort from inside the box forcing Gianluigi Buffon into a save.

Juventus' best chance of the first period fell to Arturo Vidal four minutes before the break, the Chilean testing Davide Bassi from outside the area with a vicious strike that was saved well.

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

0 - 2

Andrea Pirlo (61')
Álvaro Morata (72')

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Empoli 0-2 Juventus: Pirlo and Morata
take advantage of Roma defeat

Two goals in 11 second-half minutes gave the champions maximum
points after the Giallorossi had earlier been beaten by Napoli.

Nov 1, 2014

Juventus capitalised on Roma's defeat to Napoli to move three points clear at the top of Serie A with a 2-0 win over Empoli on Saturday.

Massimiliano Allegri's side bounced back from Wednesday's shock 1-0 loss at Genoa as Andrea Pirlo's stunning free-kick and Alvaro Morata's vicious strike sealed the victory in the second half.

With Roma having lost 2-0 at Napoli earlier in the day, the champions again have some breathing space over Rudi Garcia's men.

In stark contrast, Empoli - who saw Lorenzo Tonelli dismissed in stoppage time - have only recorded one win in their 10 top-flight matches to leave them hovering just above the relegation zone.

Chances were few and far between for much of the first half, although Piotr Zielinski did manage to force a smart save out of Gianluigi Buffon from 12 yards after 20 minutes.

Despite having only kept one clean sheet in their last eight games in Serie A, Empoli's defence remained resolute for much of the first period, with Juve's best chance coming just after the half hour.

A powerful surging run from Morata allowed Arturo Vidal to latch onto the ball behind the home defence, but the Chilean could only pull his shot wide.

Vidal was the centre of proceedings again 10 minutes later, drawing a comfortable save from Davide Bassi with a low drive just outside the box, but the hosts continued to hold firm.

Juventus stepped up their urgency after the break, with Claudio Marchisio firing wide after Kwadwo Asamoah's cross had been spilled.

And the visitors were celebrating just after the hour mark, when talismanic midfielder Pirlo stepped up to steer a stunning free-kick over the wall and into the net from 22 yards.

Massimo Maccarone forced a good save from Buffon three minutes later, but Juve continued their momentum and added a second 11 minutes later.

A superb counter-attacking move saw substitute Carlos Tevez play in Morata, who curled home a powerful strike to seal the win and wrap up a hard-fought three points.

Tevez nearly got on the scoresheet himself six minutes from time, forcing a terrific save from Bassi with a powerful shot from the edge of the box.

Tonelli was given his marching orders in the dying moments of the game, the defender hauling down Tevez, with Pirlo whistling the resulting free-kick just over the bar.

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

0 - 2

Andrea Pirlo (61')
Álvaro Morata (72')

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Pirlo and Juve reborn in Empoli

Andrea Pirlo and Alvaro Morata gave Juventus victory in Empoli and

a three-point lead at the top of the table, but also two new injuries.

Nov 1, 2014

Today was the 117th anniversary of the Old Lady’s foundation and they had the chance to go three points clear at the top, having been caught by Roma midweek thanks to a shock 1-0 defeat at Genoa. Earlier this afternoon the Giallorossi lost 2-0 at Napoli, so this was an opportunity that could not be snubbed.

Max Allegri rested Carlos Tevez and Stephan Lichtsteiner among others, while Andrea Barzagli, Patrice Evra and Martin Caceres were injured. Empoli missed Simone Verdi, Luigi Sepe and Tiberio Guarente.

The last edition of this fixture was in 2008, but Claudio Marchisio and Sebastian Giovinco were on the field with the Empoli jersey.

Giovinco was given a rare Juve start and in the opening eight minutes had two efforts blocked, while Gigi Buffon plucked a Piotr Zielinski shot out of the air. Daniele Rugani was crucial to intercept Alvaro Morata’s assist with Giovinco ready to tap in.

Giorgio Chiellini’s header failed to trouble Davide Bassi, then Arturo Vidal pulled wide from another smart Morata ball and the Chilean aimed straight at the goalkeeper. Angelo Ogbonna picked up a knock to the knee early on from teammate Chiellini and was limping for the rest of the first half, replaced by Stephan Lichtsteiner in an unusual centre-back role.

Vidal was booked and will be suspended for the next match with Parma. There was finally a chance on 55 minutes when Kwadwo Asamoah forced a tough save out of Bassi and Marchisio’s follow-up was inches wide.

Chiellini’s header from a corner also skimmed the far post, but they finally broke the deadlock thanks to Andrea Pirlo’s first goal of the season. It was a trademark free kick that dipped mercilessly over the wall and Bassi was unsighted until it was too late.

Empoli fought back and Manuel Pucciarelli’s deflected shot was rising above Gigi Buffon, but he lifted up his trailing hand to beat it away.

Juve could’ve been 2-0 up, but Bassi parried a Carlos Tevez strike and Marchisio turned the follow-up on to the upright from point-blank range. That was the 10th time the Bianconeri have rattled the woodwork in nine games.

Moments later Morata did get a second, as the ex-Real Madrid starlet cut in to his left foot and curled a magnificent finish into the far top corner. It was the Spaniard’s second Serie A goal of the season.

Yet there was more bad news for Allegri, as Asamoah also hobbled off the field after an injury. Bassi flew to prevent Tevez smashing in another and Buffon rushed off his line to charge down a Francesco Tavano lob.

Lorenzo Tonelli saw red in stoppages for his body-check on Tevez, ending a clear scoring opportunity.


Empoli: Bassi; Laurini (Hysaj 57), Tonelli, Rugani, Mario Rui; Vecino, Valdifiori, Croce; Zielinski (Tavano 73), Maccarone (Mchedlidze 79), Pucciarelli

Juventus: Buffon; Bonucci, Ogbonna (Lichtsteiner 46), Chiellini; Pereyra, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah (Padoin 80); Giovinco (Tevez 68), Morata

Ref: Valeri

Sent off: Tonelli 94 (E)

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

0 - 2

Andrea Pirlo (61')
Álvaro Morata (72')

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Juventus narrowly overcome spirited Empoli

Nov 1, 2014

Juventus were forced to work hard for a 2-0 victory over a spirited Empoli side in Serie A this afternoon.

The visitors dominated the first half, but were give an early scare when Massimo Maccarone's strike from the edge of the box whizzed past the post.

Juventus struggled to turn their possession into anything of substance in the final third, yet came close in the 15th minute as Angelo Ogbonna rifled a shot narrowly wide.

Empoli frustrated the champions and almost hit them on the break in the 18th minute, with Piotr Zielinski's effort from inside the box forcing Gianluigi Buffon into a save.

Juve's best chance of the first period fell to Arturo Vidal four minutes before the break, with the Chilean testing Davide Bassi from outside the area with a vicious strike that was saved well.

It was Empoli who went for the jugular in the early stages of the second period and twice came close through Manuel Pucciarelli, while Zielinski remained a constant threat.

The home side gave a good account of themselves, but were behind just after the hour as Andrea Pirlo belted a free kick into the bottom corner to break the deadlock.

Although Empoli continued to cause Juventus problems, the Old Lady put them further behind in the 72nd minute when Alvaro Morata latched onto Carlos Tevez's pass and found the net from a tight angle.

Tevez had a chance to add another at the death, but 3-0 would have flattered Juventus against unfortunate opposition.

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

0 - 2

Andrea Pirlo (61')
Álvaro Morata (72')

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Empoli 0-2 Juventus

Nov 1, 2014

Juventus capitalised on Roma's afternoon defeat to re-establish a three-point lead in Serie A by beating 10-man Empoli 2-0 at Stadio Carlo Castellani.

The Italian champions' outright dominance of the league table disappeared last weekend thanks to their shock loss at Genoa, a result which allowed Roma to join them in a share of first place.

The capital club went down 2-0 at Napoli on Saturday, however, meaning goals from Andrea Pirlo and Alvaro Morata in Tuscany handed the initiative back to the Bianconeri in this year's title race.

Empoli, who lost defender Lorenzo Tonelli to a needless red card at the death, remain in 17th place and could be sucked into the relegation zone on Sunday.

The first half was cagier than many spectators might have expected with only Giorgio Chiellini's header causing any real concern to the scoreline.

Juve did raid forward often, and Sebastian Giovinco could have done more with Arturo Vidal's ball inside while defender Angelo Ogbonna fizzed a shot just wide on a rare mission into the final third.

Chiellini rose above everyone to nod the ball straight at Davide Bassi shortly before the half-hour mark and Empoli watched Vidal's left-footed attempt miss the mark as half-time drew closer.

The Tuscans were very much the brighter side when play resumed and Manuel Pucciarelli would have caused Gianluigi Buffon real problems had he made better contact with Mirko Valdifiori's cross.

Pucciarelli did give Juventus' veteran goalkeeper something to think about with a well-struck volley from distance but the Bianconeri soon wrested back control of the game.

Claudio Marchisio and Chiellini both missed close-range chances inside a frantic three-minute period and just when Empoli thought it was safe, Pirlo fired home the opener.

Tonelli's foul on Giovinco proved fatal to Empoli as it offered Pirlo the chance to take aim from a free-kick and the ball predictably rose over the wall before dipping and beating Bassi.

Empoli might have levelled quickly through Pucciarelli, who drew a miraculous save from Buffon from yards out, but it was not long before Juve doubled their lead.

Marchisio had fired the warning shot by clattering the post thanks to Tevez's deft pass and, in the 72nd minute, Morata collected the ball from the Argentinian and bested Bassi with his left boot.

Tevez almost made it three as Empoli wilted, his powerful right-footed effort calling Bassi into a desperate punched save.

Empoli enjoyed one more sight of goal before full-time as Francesco Tavano got close to Buffon, but the hosts' night ended with more disappointment as Tonelli drew a red card.

Five minutes into stoppage time the centre-back brought Tevez down as the last man and had to walk. Pirlo would spare Empoli any further embarrassment by directing his free-kick over the bar.

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

[Socrates 8516]

EMPOLI - JUVENTUS

0 - 2

Andrea Pirlo (61')
Álvaro Morata (72')

Saturday, November 1st, 2014 - 6:00 PM
Carlo Castellani Stadium, Empoli
Referee: Paolo Valeri

Empoli 0-2 Juventus: Poor Bianconeri
Take All Three Points

Nov 1, 2014

Juventus defeated Empoli 2-0 at the Stadio Carlo Castellani on Saturday night in Serie A.

A sublime free-kick from Andrea Pirlo was followed by Alvaro Morata’s wonderful left footed strike in the second half, to see off a resolute Empoli side and restore a three point advantage for the Bianconeri over second placed Roma at the top of Serie A.

The first opportunity of the match went in the way of Empoli in the second minute as Massimo Maccarone’s right footed shot missed the target from outside the box. Then it was the away side’s turn to aim for goal as Sebastian Giovinco had his tame effort comfortably saved by goalkeeper Davide Bassi.

A few moments later, Angelo Ogbonna shot low and wide of the goal without troubling Bassi. However, Empoli quickly produced a response through Piotr Zielinski, who had his well taken shot to the bottom left corner saved by Gianluigi Buffon.

Next, it was Giorgio Chiellini who missed a chance from a header, while Giovinco had yet another attempt saved by the home side’s goalkeeper.

That said, Arturo Vidal had the best chance of the first half on the half hour when Morata played a perfect through ball only for the Chilean to drag his shot wide from inside the box. Minutes later, Vidal hit a low driven shot straight into the hands of the 29-year-old Bassi.

Following the break, the frustration continued for Juventus as Spaniard Morata sent a loose effort wide of the goal from outside the penalty box. Then, the Azzurri’s Manuel Pucciarelli missed the target from a free header and then shot straight at Buffon a minute later.

With the hour mark approaching, centre back Chiellini sent a header just wide of the far post following a corner from Pirlo. Finally all the Bianconeri pressure paid off as the 35-year-old midfielder curled a brilliant free-kick into the bottom left corner on 61 minutes.

However, Empoli could have drawn level just moments later if it was not for Buffon’s brilliant one-handed reflex save to deny Pucciarelli.

Then on 72 minutes, the Old Lady doubled their lead and broke down the home side’s resilience as new signing Morata wonderful thumped a left-footed strike into the top corner, leaving Bassi no chance to save it.

Ten minutes later, substitute Carlos Tevez could have made it 3-0 to the away side if not for Bassi producing yet another good save.

Moreover, the referee heaped further misery on the home side as Lorenzo Tonelli was sent off in the second half stoppage time for bringing down Tevez, while being the last defender.

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